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Android Jelly Bean OS manages speedy launch on ZTE's N880E smartphone
Unless you've been buying your Android gadgets exclusively from Google's Play store, chances to get your hands on the latest iteration of its mobile OS are still pretty rare. Color us surprised, then, when ZTE announce that one of its humbler handsets from last year is making the leap from Android 2.3 all the way to version 4.1. The China-only N880E appears to be only the third smartphone to launch with the buttery smooth Android trimmings, spread across a 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display. The smartphone holds onto the four off-screen capacitive Android keys and is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm processor and 512MB of RAM. ZTE is still keeping quiet on whether the phone will appear outside of China -- and is similarly schtum on its upgrade plans for the other smartphones.
Samsung Galaxy Beam with built-in projector now up for grabs: £395 sim-free in the UK
If you've been eyeing flat surfaces with bad intent since the new Samsung Galaxy Beam projector smartphone was announced, it's now ready for your schemes -- at least in the UK. Expansys is showing the light-shooting device in stock, replete with its 4-inch WVGA screen, 1GHz dual-core Cortex A9, 768MB of RAM and 8GB storage, at a price of £395 ($615). The projector itself radiates 15 lumens and displays an nHD (640 x 360) image up to 50 inches across. At 12.5mm (0.5 inches), Samsung claims it to be the world's thinnest projector phone, so if you need something pocketable for those impromptu presentations -- or even to save your bacon -- check the source to snag one.
AMD Radeon HD 7970 could get 'GHz Edition', put the hurtz on NVIDIA
AMD's Radeon HD 7770 and 7870 reference cards already sport 1GHz clock speeds, but so far the high-end flagship 7970 has been stuck at 925MHz. That'd be no big deal, perhaps, were it not for rival NVIDIA's benchmark-stealing GeForce GTX 680, which autonomously adjusts its clock speed on the fly and easily hits 1.2GHz under the right conditions. But while NVIDIA has yet to roll out its full stack of 28nm cards, AMD is finding plenty of time to play catch-up. According to Australian site Atomic MPC, the company has revealed that the manufacturing process of its next-gen GPUs has improved to the point where the same average voltages can yield much higher clock speeds. Recent chips can reach 1.25GHz without struggling, which means a conservative "GHz Edition" of the 7970 can now safely be rolled out, of course with scope for much higher overclocking on third-party boards with more robust coolers. By the time the battle between Red and Green reaches full-swing, it might not be so easy to call a winner.
Toshiba mystifies tablet-buying world with LT170 'budget' 7-incher
We'll be the first to admit that we don't understand Toshiba's tablet intentions. There are plenty of tantalizing prototypes and an abundance of confusingly branded models, but there's no overarching reason to pay much attention. The LT170 is a case in point: it's nominally a budget Android device, with a Freescale 1GHz CPU, 512MB of RAM and 8GB internal storage, but by now the €299 ($400) asking price could pick up something far, far nicer, like the heavily discounted 16GB HTC Flyer or 32GB BlackBerry PlayBook. Anyway, there it is. Bewilderment.
Acer Iconia Tab A200 review
It's a tired promise for too many gadgets: Ice Cream Sandwich, just like the Gingerbread man before it, is coming... soon. You have to hand it to Acer, then, for bypassing those vague release schedules and actually pushing out a software update to the A200 on schedule. And though its specs are fairly run-of-the-mill (a 10.1-inch, 1280 x 800 display and 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 SoC), it could nonetheless be a tempting deal -- after all, you don't see too many $330 10-inchers running Android 4.0. The problem is, better things are around the corner, and the price wars rage on in the meantime. As it is, the A200 went relatively unnoticed at CES as Acer unveiled the Tegra 3-toting A700. The existence of that next-gen tab alone should raise a few red flags for consumers thinking of hopping aboard the Android tablet train. What's more, NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang has already promised sub-$300 Tegra 3 tablets are on the way (ASUS even confirmed one!). So is this just a case of bad timing for what is an otherwise respectable tablet? Should you hold onto those hard-earned greenbacks until the market becomes flush with affordable quad-core slates? Or will its immediate availability and reasonable price make for an irresistible purchase now? Join us after the break as we tackle those very questions and give this tablet the fair shake it deserves.
ZTE Orbit is (another) budget Windows Phone: 4-inch display, 1GHz processor, 4GB storage
Remember the ZTE Tania? Well, the Orbit has similar specs, a nicer name and is destined for "major markets" around the world. There's a 4-inch 800 x 480 screen, a single-core 1GHz Qualcomm processor, 5-megapixel camera, 4GB of onboard storage and a full 512MB of RAM. HSDPA data flows at up to 7.2Mbps, while there's also an FM radio, a full complement of sensors, DLNA and NFC. It's scheduled to become available in the second quarter of this year, likely around the same time that the Tania hits the UK. Press release after the break.
Samsung unveils new Galaxy Beam smartphone / projector combo with dual core CPU
Samsung has finally started to reveal its new products at MWC 2012, starting with this refresh of the Galaxy Beam packing Android 2.3 and a 1GHz dual-core CPU. Just like its predecessor it brings an integrated projector capable of 15 lumens of brightness, enough to shoot a high definition image that's up to 50 inches wide. There's a dedicated app that activates the projection, letting users pump out video and pictures, as well as interact with games when the 4-inch WVGA screen just isn't big enough. It has a 2000 mAh battery to keep the party going -- handy when you're stuck somewhere inconvenient with a few dozen of your coworkers -- 8GB of built-in storage and a claimed 6GB of RAM (we're double checking that, consider it a likely typo until you hear otherwise). There's more details and specs in the press release after the break, but no word on release date or market availability of this HSPA phone just yet.Update: We've just confirmed that the Beam isn't loaded with a whopping 6GB of RAM as we initially reported. As it turns out, the device is actually packing 768MB of RAM (which is 6 gigabits, by the way). You can check out our hands-on with the device here for more details.
Acer Iconia Tab family to be given Ice Cream Sandwich treatment, rolling out to A200 now
Acer's revealed that it'll be bringing Android's latest and greatest version to its existing tablet family. The update is rolling out (as promised) on the Iconia Tab A200 now, but version 4.0 will also make an appearance on both its seven inch (Iconia A100) and 10 inch (Iconia A500) relatives in April. The update adds all those ICS features, including refreshed widget design and improved multitasking, but leaves the manufacturer's own Android addition -- the Acer launcher ring -- intact.
Ainovo Novo 7 Basic review
It's a world's first coming from a company you've never heard of -- if you live outside of China, anyway. Taking Google's newly minted OS and slipping it into an affordable chassis, Ainovo's Novo 7 Basic could very well be a sleeper hit among the tech-obsessed masses. Sure, it may lack the brand equity and tidy content ecosystems that are part and parcel of Amazon and Apple's offerings, but thanks to that $99 price, users may find themselves seduced by the temptation of Ice Cream Sandwich alone. Apart from a small fraternity of devices including the Galaxy Nexus and ASUS Transformer Prime, few devices have officially played host to Android 4.0, lending this 7-inch tab a distinct advantage over the more expensive, Gingerbread-packing Kindle Fire. With a 1GHz Ingenic JZ4770 mobile applications processor based on a MIPS XBurst CPU, an 800 x 480 LED display and VGA front-facing / 2-megapixel rear cameras, this no-frills slate could blaze a bargain trail past Bezos and Co. So, does it manage to hold its own against its well-known competitors? Or will all that corner-cutting reveal this low cost tablet to be just another below-the-bar offering? Follow on past the break as we deliver the answers to these and other burning questions.
Samsung unveils Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0), offers Ice Cream Sandwich on a seven-inch platter (Updated: video)
It looks like Samsung has just taken the wraps off its latest tablet offerings, with the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) -- an ICS-laced follow-up to the company's original seven-incher. Available in both 3G and WiFi varieties, this redux doesn't mark a huge departure from its predecessor, packing a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and a 1024 x 600 LCD. The big changes, however, come in the software department, with the Galaxy Tab 2 shipping with Android 4.0 straight out of the box. Other than that, you'll find a three-megapixel rear-facing camera, a VGA shooter up front, Bluetooth capabilities, and HSPA+ connectivity. No word yet on pricing or availability, but it's worth noting that we first saw this announcement hit Samsung's RSS feed earlier this morning, and it appears to have been pulled since then. It all looks awfully official to us, but when it becomes officially official, we'll be sure to update this post accordingly. Until then, be sure to head past the break for a shot of its backside. Update: Samsung has just issued an official press release for today's announcement, specifying that the device will launch first in the UK, beginning in March. Price remains a mystery, but you can find more information in the full release, after the break. Update 2: After the break, you'll also find the keynote announcement as recorded by dotekmánie.
LG Miracle appears in real life, we start to believe
LG's smartphone workshop is keeping itself busy. Alongside the manufacturer's attempt to out-Note Samsung, its latest Windows Phone has resurfaced. A kindly mole has offered some better focused (but unfortunately watermarked to heck) shots of LG's first Mango-laced Windows Phone. Skinnier that we expected, we can now make out a front-facing camera, paired up with a rear-facing five-megapixel primary shooter on the back. It's still a prototype, judging by that not-so-subtle "not for sale" etching on the back, but expect the Miracle -- when it does go official -- to match those middleweight credentials leaked so far.
Viewsonic unveils ViewPad e70 tablet, offers Ice Cream Sandwich for $170
Viewsonic has welcomed another member to the ViewPad family, with the ViewPad e70 -- a seven-inch Android slate that comes drenched in Ice Cream Sandwich. Announced at CES today, the e70 is powered by a 1GHz CPU and comes packed with 4GB of memory. The WiFi-enabled slate also supports 1080p HDMI output and sports a front-facing camera, though specifications like screen resolution and megapixel count remain a mystery. Perhaps most compelling is its $170 price point, though Viewsonic has yet to announce a launch date more specific than "Q1." We'll keep you abreast of the latest, but in the meantime, you can find the full PR, after the break.
MetroPCS announces Samsung Galaxy Attain 4G, LG Connect 4G handsets
MetroPCS whipped out a pair of new smartphones at CES today, with the Samsung Galaxy Attain 4G and the LG Connect 4G. Powered by a 1GHz CPU, the Gingerbread-coated Galaxy Attain (pictured at left) features a 3.5-inch display, 1.3-megapixel front-facing shooter, and a three megapixel camera 'round back, along with an LED flash. The latest addition to Samsung's growing Galaxy family is also the latest 4G LTE-enabled to hit MetroPCS's roster, and it'll be available "for a limited time only" at $200 (on a $50 or $60 plan). As for the Connect 4G, it becomes MetroPCS' first dual-core offering, on the strength of its 1.2GHz processor. The device also features a four-inch display accompanied by a Corning Gorilla Glass screen protector, boasts a five megapixel rear-camera and supports 720p HD video recording. No word yet on pricing, but MetroPCS plans to bring the Connect 4G to market sometime next month. For more details, check out the full press releases after the break.
QOOQ tablet gets a dual-core bilingual upgrade: We get our chef on (video)
Tablets need to specialize or die -- at least that's what the folks behind QOOQ are hoping. As an accompaniment to its cooking-centric tablet of yesteryear, it's announced a new upgraded tablet for 2012. With a dual-core processor clocked at 1GHz, the 10.1-inch tablet is now speaking several languages - and one of them's now English. While the tablet's still running on its own platform, there's still social network and streaming media access. There's a plethora of ports including USB and ethernet, with space for an SD card too. The QOOQ is set to arrive in the US in Q2 and is priced at an ambitious $400, with recipe updates delivered through a subscription system that costs extra.Roll up your sleeves, because our hands-on is right after the break.
Iconia Tab A200 and A700 slates head to CES, make a pitstop in Russia
Acer already spilled the beans on its Iconia Tab A200, a 10.1-inch slab powered by NVIDIA's 1GHz Tegra 2 processor, but whatever happened to that Tegra 3 touting A700? It went to Russia, of course. According to NoMobile.ru, the A200's slimmer, but more powerful brother will debut at CES 2012 next month. The Ruskie site pegs the tablet's 1920 x 1200 resolution screen at 10.1-inches, which is bordered by SIM and micro-USB slots, a dedicated rotation lock switch, the standard volume rockers, an audio jack and a micro-HDMI port. On its rear they found a textured back garnished with a five megapixel camera sporting a built-in flash -- the whole unit weights 650 grams (1.43 pounds) and boasts a ten hour battery life. When can we see it? At CES, says NoMobile.ru, or in stores if you're willing to wait until March. We'll poke around Acer's offerings next month and let you know what we find. Can't wait? Follow the source link below for a few more pictures. [Thanks, Erik]
Verzo Kinzo unboxing and impressions (video)
Yes, the Verzo Kinzo is real! That Americano-Czech Android smartphone with mid-range specs that went on sale in November with a ludicrous $459 price tag only to be hastily relaunched earlier this month for a slightly more digestible $359 is not a giant farce. (Well, maybe it is.) It left the ethereal world of rendered computer graphics and landed in our mitts just in time for the holidays. To be specific, we received the pricier $384 Verzo Kinzo Plus GPS package, which includes a voucher for Sygic's off-line navigation app and a gaudy, Star Trek-inspired car holder. After spending a few days with the handset we are able to report that it isn't particularly impressive in this day and age but isn't completely horrible either -- not to mention the faux-Vertu packaging and branding which are rather, well... unique. So why not grab some leftover eggnog, and join us after the break for our unboxing and impressions?
Pantech Pocket review
Hundreds of smartphones of all shapes, sizes and colors pass through the doors of Engadget HQ every year, so it's natural for a few oddball devices with crazy form factors to end up in our hands from time to time. The Motorola Flipout, LG DoublePlay, Kyocera Echo and Samsung DoubleTime are all instances of carriers trying something new, seeing what sticks. Of course, pushing out a phone with an unproven form factor is a huge gamble for a mobile provider, and as a result they only ship to stores in low volume and rarely receive any kind of marketing campaign at its launch. Indeed, the vast majority of these types of phones are low-end devices aimed at young adults and first-time smartphone buyers, but we still find it adventurous to take a break from the monotony of black slabs and try out something completely different. The Pantech Pocket is definitely unique -- not because it flips or slides a weird way or because it has two and a half screens, but because its 4-inch display, whose 4:3 aspect ratio promises 20 percent more horizontal real estate. Did AT&T's gamble on the display pay off? Is it worth the $50 that AT&T demands with a two-year commitment attached? Time to find out below. %Gallery-142128%
ZTE V881 is Blade's successor, adds modest bumps in specs
We saw the ZTE Blade V880 make its official outing at MWC in February, and given how quickly sequels to other phones have been coming out this year we'd say it's ripe for a successor. Enter the ZTE V881, a device that essentially adds a +1 to a few of its parent's specs: a 3.8-inch touchscreen at WVGA (800 x 480) resolution, a Qualcomm MSM8255 CPU clocked at 1GHz, 512MB of RAM and a 5MP rear camera. There's no availability date as of yet, but it appears poised and ready to cost around 1000 yuan (around $160) when that time comes. Head over to our friends at Engadget Chinese for a couple more pics.
Acer announces Iconia Tab A200 packing Tegra 2 CPU, Ice Cream Sandwich on the way
We've already seen it pass through the FCC and pop-up in a family-friendly video, but today, Acer's Iconia Tab A200 has finally received official status, courtesy of an announcement obtained by Netbook News. Powered by NVIDIA's 1GHz Tegra 2 processor, the company's latest Android slate comes with 1GB of RAM and boasts a "generous" 10.1-inch display, with 1280 x 800 resolution. Available in either Titanium Gray or Metallic Red, the slate also features a two megapixel front facing camera and, as we observed earlier, comes packed with Acer Ring -- a multitasking manager that provides shortcuts to Google Maps, screenshot functions and other apps. Acer says it began shipping Honeycomb-laced models to select countries in November, but promises that an Ice Cream Sandwich version will be available worldwide in January (along with a free update for early buyers). No word yet on pricing or current availability, but you can find more information in the full press release, after the break.
Samsung Illusion dispenses with the mystique, available on Verizon November 23rd for $79
Ice Cream Sandwich, quad-core, LTE -- sure, those are the delectable specs most mobile geeks currently crave in a handset. But for the average Joe Consumer, 3G plus modest internals makes for a more than adequate phone. Good thing then Verizon finally pulled Sammy's Illusion out of its Big Red hat. The 3.5-incher -- officially announced today -- packs a single core 1GHz Hummingbird processor, Android 2.3, 3 megapixel camera, 2GB of storage, WiFi and Bluetooth 3.0. It's set to hit the network's online shop this November 23rd for $79 on contract, but if you can manage to hold off for one more day, that price drops down to free until the 28th. Unfortunately, those looking to snag this modest piece in-store will have to mark their calendars for a January 2012 debut. Follow past the break for the official presser.
