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Huawei's MediaPad M5 is the first tablet with a curved glass screen
You'd be forgiven for thinking that premium Android tablets were on the way out. While you'll see occasional high-end entries like the Galaxy Tab S3, many are low-cost slates that don't exactly push the boundaries of design. Huawei, however, wants to keep that torch alive -- it's unveiling the MediaPad M5, which promises a few flourishes you don't usually see in tablets. Its 8.4- and 10.8-inch variants are reportedly the first tablets to tout "2.5D" curved glass screens. That promises both improved viewing and a "great hand-feel," according to Huawei, although it certainly doesn't hurt that they're posh-looking at the same time.
Huawei's new high-resolution tablet may give the Nexus 7 a run for its money
There isn't much choice among 7-inch Android tablets with high-resolution screens -- the Nexus 7 is frequently the only practical option. However, it's about to get a proper challenger. China's TENAA has certified the Huawei MediaPad X1 7.0, a small slate with a 1,920 x 1,200 display. It's not clear that the X1's 1.6GHz quad-core Hisilicon processor will outperform the Snapdragon S4 Pro inside the Nexus, but the device will be a featherweight at just 8.4 ounces and 0.3 inch thick. There's also 3G inside. About the only clear setback is the use of Android 4.2 -- where's KitKat, Huawei? The company hasn't said when it might reveal the new MediaPad, but certification raises the possibility of an announcement in the near future.
Huawei officially outs MediaPad 7 Youth tablet, availability set for Q3
The MediaPad 7 Youth's brief visit to the FCC let us know that it was only a matter of time before Huawei made an official announcement, and today the company's done exactly that. This 7-inch slate joins the MediaPad family as one "for the connected generation," bringing along specs that include an undisclosed 1.6GHz, dual-core CPU, an unspecified GPU, WiFi / HSPA+ connectivity, a decent 4,100mAh battery and Jelly Bean (Android 4.1, to be exact). Huawei will be launching the MediaPad 7 Youth sometime in Q3 of this year, with general availability expected across China, Russia, Middle East, Asia Pacific and Europe. No US? No problem -- we're sure you'll be able to easily find it through one of the many electronics retailers on the interwebs.
Huawei MediaPad 7 Youth tablet reaches the FCC
Huawei must know that not everyone is keen to make phone calls on a tablet -- that would explain why an unannounced WiFi-only slate, the MediaPad 7 Youth, has appeared at the FCC. The filing doesn't reveal much by itself, although it shows that the Youth isn't just a rehash of the MediaPad 7 Lite or other recent models. Besides the different antenna window layout, there's no camera on the back; this is clearly a budget machine. We're not expecting miracles from the Youth's hardware, then, but those curious about Huawei's next low-cost tablet can get an early look at the source link.
Huawei unveils mid-range MediaPad 7 Vogue tablet that can place calls
You can't toss a stone without hitting a 7-inch tablet nowadays, so Huawei's just announced the MediaPad 7 Vogue with a not-too-common feature: voice calling. If you don't mind a large object plastered to your head, the 3G version of the slate (there's also a WiFi-only model) will let you place network calls just like the ASUS FonePad or Samsung's Galaxy Note 8.0. Otherwise, it's packing decidedly middling specs, like a 1,024 x 600 IPS screen, quad-core Huawei 1.2GHz Cortex-A9 CPU, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, 3-megapixel rear camera and a microSD expansion slot. It'll launch in China this month, though there's no word yet on pricing or whether fans will be able to score it elsewhere. Check after the break for PR and another image of the tab.
Huawei MediaPad 10 Link hits the FCC looking worse for wear
Huawei's MediaPad 10 Link clearly didn't know what it was getting itself into when it traveled to the FCC. The Android tablet, which made a brief appearance at CES a few weeks back, took quite a few hits to its 10.1-inch display, now that Wolverine is apparently handling electronics for the commission. According to notes from CES, the tablet's running Ice Cream Sandwich on a 1.2GHz quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM. No word yet on how soon the newest member of the MediaPad family will be riding FCC approval onto our shores -- or if the name signals some new Hyrulian tie-in for the company.
Huawei's MediaPad 7 Lite gets detailed specs, shipping dates
When Huawei revealed its new MediaPad 7 Lite slate, it wasn't generous with the details, but now we've got a few more to share with you. The final specifications are out, so we now know for sure that the ICS tab will arrive packing a 7-inch IPS display (1,024 x 600) supporting 1080p, a 1.2GHz Cortex A8 processor, 1GB RAM and 8 gigs of storage, expandable via microSD (up to the usual 32). To keep you connected, you've got Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi of the a/b/n varieties, or the option of sticking a SIM in it for HSPDA 3G speeds on the move. The cameras are nothing to shout about, but 3.2 megapixels on the back and 0.3 on the front will probably do for the odd Skype call or emergency picture. We can't see how much later into August you can get, but the PR states shipping will begin then, to South Africa, China, Russia, the Philippines and Taiwan, and to Indonesia and Malaysia in September. Seven inches just not enough? Then how about its keyboard-endowed bigger brother?
Huawei MediaPad 7 Lite hands-on at IFA 2012 (updated: video)
Back in July, word got out that Huawei was prepping a revised version of its entry-level Android tablet, dubbed the MediaPad 7 Lite. As that name implies, this Android ICS tab's of the 7-inch variety and, thus, lends itself well to one-handed use for busy on-the-go types. Considering this isn't part of the outfit's top shelf portfolio, its mix of specs have been kept quite modest: there's a single-core 1.2GHz Cortex A8 CPU underneath that 1,024 x 600 IPS display. But before you knock it for falling short of even 720p territory, bear in mind this device's being marked at a 229 Euro price point -- so it's affordable and geared squarely for the budget segment. Loaded up with a mostly stock version of Android 4.0.3 and global radios for 3G / WiFi, this humble tab's made for mobile use, as the OEM's VP of Euro operations assured us repeatedly. Performance-wise, its lack of a dual-core setup is heavily apparent, since there was a considerable lag between our touch input and onscreen effect. The tab also sports 8GB of internal storage, a rear 3.2-megapixel camera and VGA front facer -- helpful if you're out and about and want to video chat -- in addition to a 4,100mAh battery. As for the MediaPad 7 Lite's build, well, it's a bit disappointing especially given the attractive design of the Nexus 7 which is comparably priced and higher specced. In all, it feels rather chunky in-hand, but it does feature a metallic back bordered by solid white plastic. It's set to be released this August in South Africa, China, Russia, Philippines and Taiwan, followed by Germany in October for 249 Euros. Check out our gallery below and head past the break for a video tour. %Gallery-163971%
Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD hitting stores starting in September
The Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD has made a somewhat circuitous journey across our eyes, through our hands and past the FCC's screwguns. Finally we know when you can get one, as it goes on sale starting in September. The device is already available in China, and will be rolled out to Europe next month with the rest of the world "to follow," according to Huawei. It'll feature an in-house K3v2 1.4GHz quad-core Cortex-A9 processor, along with Android 4.0, a 10.1-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 IPS display, an 8-megapixel rear camera that captures 1080P video, and 150Mbps LTE compatibility. We've already expressed our ardor about its gorgeous screen, great aluminum body and decent performance -- if you feel the same, check the PR to see when it's coming to your neck of the woods.
Huawei outs MediaPad 7 Lite with Ice Cream Sandwich, doesn't tell us when it's coming
Yesterday, we heard Huawei's 1H 2012 numbers had turned out positive for the most part -- which, of course, were helped in large part by having those rather popular Ascend D1 and P1 up for grabs in the China region. Now, it may or may not be in hopes of a better second half, but the Chinese outfit's just very quietly taken the wraps off of its newest tablet: the MediaPad 7 Lite. As the numerical figure in the moniker would tell, this particular Huawei tablet sports a 7-inch (1280 x 800) form factor, with other features like Mountain View's Ice Cream Sandwich and 3G connectivity (WiFi as well) also said to be included in the light package. Sadly, there's still many deets up in the air, as Huawei hasn't revealed where, or when, we can expect the MediaPad 7 Lite to launch. In the meantime, though, feel free to head over to the company's site, where you'll find some extra eye candy.
CTIA 2012: a look back at our favorite devices
CTIA 2012 is wrapping up and we thought we'd spend a few minutes reminiscing about some of the more interesting devices we had a chance to see for the first time or that were launched here. Unfortunately for us -- and thereby for you, too -- the show lacked the bite we've seen at previous events, in fact it barely registered a nibble. We did catch up with five products we'd like to highlight so follow on after the break for our recap.
Refresh Roundup: week of April 30th, 2012
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Live from Huawei's Mobile World Congress 2012 press conference!
And it begins. Welcome to the first of many, many press conferences we'll be liveblogging during our week here at Mobile World Congress. Kicking things off we have Huawei and, one would hope, clarification on quite a few leaks. Will we see an Ascend D1 Q (or Prism) smartphone? A 10-inch tablet to complement the 7-inch MediaPad we reviewed last year? Stay tuned for the blow by blow. February 26, 2012 9:30 AM EST
Huawei's alleged 10-inch slate shows up at photoshoot ahead of MWC
Shortly after Huawei's Ascend D1 made a trip to the studio for some glamour shots, an incognito slate is following suit. A set of photos from Russian site hi-tech@mail reveals what could be in store from the Chinese outfit at MWC 2012 (you know we'll be there), though the lack of full-body pics makes us question whether it's in fact the 10-inch tab it claims to be. Aside from the questionable size, we do see a tour around its purported metal casing, which is very reminiscent of that T-Mobile-bound MediaPad we showed you last year. Allegedly, the tablet will come sporting an 8-megapixel rear shooter, Ice Cream Sandwich and will be priced at about 20,000 Russian Rubles (or around $670). Those of you feeling intrigued can hit up the source link below to catch the rest of the sneaky shots.
How would you change the T-Mobile Springboard?
What's in a name? That which we call a T-Mobile Springboard by any other name, like the Huawei Mediapad, would smell as sweet. Multiple names aside, the Honeycomb slate was teasingly cheap as it coaxed you to a two year marriage with the pinky/purple (magenta, okay) mobile network. It had some great build quality but our issue stemmed more from the pricey contract you had to sign up to alongside it -- but we figure thousands of you picked one of these up and you've had a couple of months happy or horrible surfing under your belt. You've gotten under the skin of the device, you know what its foibles are, it's strengths and weaknesses, what do you love, what do you hate and most importantly, what would you change?
Huawei's MediaPad joins AT&T's '4G' army, pauses to rethink possible
Ready to rethink possible, tablet-style? AT&T announced today that it'll be getting its 4G (well, HSPA+, that is) paws on Huawei's MediaPad, roughly half a year after the Android tablet made its debut. The seven-incher offers up a 1.2GHz dual-core processor courtesy of Qualcomm, front and rear facing cameras and Honeycomb, with ICS still on the horizon. It'll arrive on the carrier tomorrow for "varying price points." Press release after the jump.
Huawei MediaPad to get Ice Cream Sandwich this quarter, new colors announced
Huawei was certainly the eager beaver when it announced this last summer that the MediaPad would be one of the very first tablets with Android 3.2 pre-loaded, and we could tell that the Chinese manufacturer wanted to do something similar with the Honor by offering a demo version of Android 4.0 through its official channels. It's now taking the same initiative with the Huawei MediaPad, announcing that all existing versions of the tablet will receive ICS by the end of the first quarter, and new MediaPad tablets -- including the new color series unveiled in the same press release -- will begin coming pre-loaded sometime in the first quarter as well. This color series takes the existing MediaPad and adds black, brown and pink flavors to your possible options. Check out the full press release below the break for all the details.
Huawei MediaPad, Vision get priced in sterling, will arrive in UK within months
We're still awaiting further details on the MediaPad's stateside arrival, but Huawei has already spilled the beans for those on the other side of the Atlantic. At an event in London this week, the Chinese manufacturer confirmed that its seven-inch, Honeycomb-plated slate will arrive in the UK by early 2012, with prices for the WiFi only version starting at £275 (around $437). The company also took the opportunity to announce the arrival of its Vision smartphone, which will invade Britain sometime before Christmas. Huawei says it'll cost around £25 (about $40), once provider subsidies are accounted for, though specific operators won't be announced until early next year. Rest assured, we'll keep you up to date.
Huawei MediaPad passes go at FCC, collects $200
Huawei's mildly anticipated dual-core MediaPad shouldn't be long now that it's passed the multimeter-wielding ministrations of the FCC. As per tradition, it was the WiFi-only model that was passed fit for human consumption, but we're still expecting it to drink from T-Mobile's well of HSPA+. The 7-inch tablet will have a 1,280 x 800 IPS display, run Honeycomb and should arrive before the holidays for $200 on contract.
Seven-inch Huawei tablet headed to T-Mobile, priced at $200 on contract?
It looks like T-Mobile is getting a seven-inch stablemate for the incoming Galaxy Tab 10.1. According to these shots from TmoNews, Huawei's dual-core MediaPad will arrive in magenta clothing, though branding is limited to a few apps and an additional press shot, included after the break. Aside from a 1280 x 800 IPS display and 4G goodness, details remain sketchy, though pricing is expected to be around $200 with a two-year agreement. No word either when it'll go on sale, but if Huawei's earlier promises of end-of-year availability apply to carrier-branded versions, you can expect to get your hands on it at some (vague) point between now and 2012.