teclast
Latest
Microsoft's apps will ship with Android tablets from LG and Sony
If you thought Microsoft's app deal with Samsung was surprising... well, that's just the tip of the iceberg. The Windows maker has reached agreements to bundle its apps and services on Android tablets from 20 companies. Most of these firms are small regional brands, but there are a few global powerhouses that include LG (which will include Microsoft on an unnamed future device) and Sony (starting with the Xperia Z4 Tablet). Yes, this probably means getting the Office suite and other apps you might not use much, if at all. However, it's evident that Microsoft doesn't mind -- it'd rather make its services as ubiquitous as possible than send you straight into Google's arms.
iPad estimated to be cornering nearly 73% of Chinese tablet market
We're used to seeing tablet market share illustrated on the world stage. China, however, has usually been untouched. Analysys International has taken a crack at decoding the market and has bucked a few expectations in the process: according to its estimates, the iPad's lead is even larger in China than it is worldwide. About 72.7 percent of all tablets sold in the country during the second quarter were Apple-flavored, while homegrown hero Lenovo was a distant second at 8.4 percent. Everyone else had to contend with less than four percent and reflected the more diverse Chinese technology sphere -- relative heavyweights like Acer, ASUS and Samsung had to hob-nob with brands that have little recognition elsewhere, such as Eben and Teclast. The researchers credit Apple's lead, a 7.8-point gain, to a combination of the new iPad and a price-cut iPad 2. We'd add that Analysys' figures might not tell the whole story, though: China is well-known for its thriving shanzhai market, where legions of KIRFs and very small (usually Android-based) brands likely slip under an analyst group's radar. That said, it's still an illustration of how Apple's influence in tablets is a distinct reversal of its much smaller smartphone share, even in a nation that's a hotbed of Android activity.
Keepin' it real fake: Teclast's dual-screened K9 e-reader looks like Alex and Kindle made a baby
We almost hate to throw the KIRF moniker on a product we wouldn't mind owning, but this e-reader that popped up at the EREXPO in Shenzhen certainly bears more than a passing resemblance to the Spring Design Alex e-reader -- and the button layout on the right is a dead ringer for the Kindle. It's called the K9, the latest reader from Teclast, and it follows a growing trend of Android-powered devices with a color LCD on the bottom and an E-Ink screen on top. The screens measure 3.6- and 6-inches respectively and, while we don't know anything else about it at this point, we wouldn't be surprised it inherits its father's tardiness.
Teclast enters the e-book fold with the K3 Talking Portable Library
Judging by the snowballing number of e-readers we've seen over the last year or so (culminating at CES 2010, as you are no doubt well aware) either people really, really, really love these things, or OEMs are going for the lowest hanging fruit. And what do we have here from Teclast? The company, known 'round these parts for its portable media players, has entered the game with the K3. In addition from the usual array of supported document formats this bad boy rocks a 6-inch E Ink display, an MP3 / MP4 player and -- hold on to your caps! -- text-to-speech either in English or Chinese. The term the company is using to market this bad boy is "Talking Portable Library," but since most TTS devices usually make HAL sound like James Earl Jones we're going to suggest that anyone truly interested in this technology stick with the Kindle. Besides, Tom misses you! You two haven't talked in a long time.
Chuwi rips off Teclast's T56 with its P7 PMP, prices it for the everyman
You know things are getting nasty in Shenzhen when even the KIRF supporters of the world are KIRFing one another. We can't say that's exactly what happened here, but Chuwi's "new" P7 sure looks exactly like Teclast's T56. The 1080p-outputting PMP boasts a 5-inch screen, 8GB of internal storage, a format support list to make your iPod weep and a 600MHz ARM processor running the show. There's also an FM tuner, a sleek silver casing and a 699 yuan price tag, which converts to just over a Benjamin here in the US. So, Teclast -- care to price your own now that the thunder has been sufficiently stolen?[Via PMP Today]
Teclast to debut Android-powered PMP? Wake us up when it arrives
Oh, Android -- it's obvious that someone out there wants to see it on tablets, netbooks, toaster ovens -- anything, really, that sports a processor and a display (OK, never mind the toaster oven). Now Teclast, fine purveyors of media players with such exciting features as "buttons" and "batteries," just might have a PMP in the works that sports the buzzworthy open source OS. The T58, whose existence is being reported by imp3.net, is said to sport the RK2808 chipset (with dual-core ARM9 RISC processor), 1280 x 720 touchscreen, WiFi, GPS, and support for all of your favorite media types (that is, if H.264, RMVB, MPEG-4, AVS, and WMV9 files constitute your favorite media types). Can the company manage to not bore us to tears with its next device? And will it have to install a cellphone OS on a media player to do so? Only time will tell. [Via PlayerBites]
Teclast's M66 PMP features UI, display, buttons
If we were being sarcastic, we'd probably characterize Teclast as an exciting and dynamic outfit whose gear we always look forward to getting our hands on. Still, we were pretty surprised when the initial product renders for the M66 portrayed the device as little more than a glorified digiframe -- a Rockchip RK2806-packing digiframe, but still not very charming. All that said, we're relieved to report that in its current state the bad boy is a bit more palatable, sporting a 5-inch display, 720p decoding support, and support for H.264 MKV, RM / RMVB, and AVI video. And buttons. Still no word on release date or availability. Peep the original pic after the break.[Via PMP Today]
Teclast's upcoming 3.5-inch PMP plays media, is portable
So far it doesn't look like Teclast's OEM is trying to fool anyone with their new as-yet-unbranded media player, which is sort of disappointing -- we know how much you love a good KIRF. Aside from the uncommon (and theoretically stunning) 3.5-inch OLED widescreen display, this seems to be a pretty benign device. Features include capacitive touch controls, support for CMMB and DVB-T broadcasts, and if their past products are any indication you can probably expect output to TV or FM transmitter. You can expect this to ship in China under the Teclast flag eventually, but at the moment we've got no name, no price, no storage capacity, no release date -- just the above facts and one lonely picture to keep you warm on those long winter nights ahead.
Teclast M26 gets reviewed -- behold its lameness in video form
Teclast's budget-priced touchscreen-based M26 PMP seemed interesting enough at first, but as more and more details about it trickled out, we quickly got disenchanted by the player. Now, MP4 Nation has confirmed most of our suspicions with a video review of the device. While the reviewer is quick to point out that many of the players problems could be due to its pre-release firmware, it's pretty clear that the player's resistive touchscreen leaves a lot to be desired, with scrolling less than responsive and some tasks requiring numerous taps before the player gets the hint. That's to say nothing of the device's interface lag, the inexplicable button on the front of the player that does nothing but blink annoyingly whenever the touchscreen is in use, or such "features" as a calendar that simply shows you the date. Head on past the break to see for yourself.
Teclast M26 gets priced: $73 too much
Hey you -- you looking for a quarter of the iPod touch experience for a little less than a quarter of the price? Yeah? Well, how does dropping $73 on the depressingly derivative Teclast M26 grab you? Seriously, this thing looked like it had a glimmer of potential when it was first announced, so it's kind of sad to see it getting priced like the throwaway crap it turned out to be -- we should definitely know better by now.[Via PMP Today]
Teclast M26 user interface looks a bit familiar
Teclast's M26 seemed vaguely more interesting than the dozens of other garbage, status-quo portable media devices that get pumped out of Chinese factories on a weekly basis -- and now we need not spend any more time wondering just where they got their design, um, inspiration. At least Meizu's M8 sexed it up a little -- this take is just a bit depressing.[Via thegadgetsite]
Teclast T50 PMP reviewed on video, shows off totally aped UI
We'll admit, we had our suspicions that Teclast's capacitive multitouch-packing T50 would arrive with an eerily similar user interface to some other device out there, and a ten minute video review recently tossed up by MP4Nation thoroughly confirms those fears. In all seriousness, this thing may actually not be a half bad unit, but whether or not you're really interested in such an impostor, it's worth checking the video after the jump for laughs alone.[Thanks, Edwin]
Teclast's M26 PMP touts oodles of touchscreen
Quite frankly, Teclast's M25 was darn close to being solid, but it's pretty safe to say the M26 trumped it tenfold by ditching the scroll wheel in exchange for a few more millimeters of precious touchscreen. This admittedly sexy PMP features a 2.6-inch 400 x 240 resolution capacitive touch panel, support for RMVB, RM, FLV and AVI file formats, TV out and Microsoft's PlayFX abilities, too. Judging by the interface shot, it'll also handle FM radio and a slew of music / photo formats, and while there's no definitive price just yet, you can look forward to choosing between black and white whenever it lands.[Via thegadgetsite]
Teclast's M25 PMP has love for lots of formats
No sense in forcing someone to stick with the tried and true MP3 / WMA regimen when formats such as OGG, APE, FLAC and AAC are out there, right? Apparently, the folks at Teclast are nodding their heads in agreement, as the firm's latest PMP handles all of the aforementioned files alongside WAV, AVI, RM and RMVB. Additionally, the 7.9-millimeter thick PlayFX-compatible unit features a 2.4-inch QVGA (320 x 240) resolution display, 2GB / 4GB / 8GB of capacity, a built-in FM tuner / recorder and a text viewer. No word on price or availability, but considering the dearth of integrated WiFi, we can't actually see Mariah being interested.[Via PMPToday]
Teclast T50 PMP offers capacitive multitouch
Teclast has always turned out some decent-if-unspectacular PMPs, and its latest, the T50, is basically more of the same -- but adds in a capacitive multitouch display. Apart from that, details are rather sketchy -- and the product shots pretty renderiffic -- so there's not much else to judge, but the promised RVVB, FLV, and dual independent audio processors will make this one to check out if it ever hits our shores.[Via thegadgetsite]
Teclast's M30 PMP is mildly attractive, mostly lackluster
Truth be told, Teclast's M30 seems be to a real looker at first, but we're knocking off a few style points due the complete absence of originality. All it takes is a simple glance at the unit's predecessors to realize that the outfit isn't exactly going out on any limbs to innovate. Nevertheless, those still interested can look forward to a 2.8-inch 320 x 240 AMOLED display, USB 2.0 connectivity, FM tuner / recorder and support for AVI, RM, RMVB, BMP, MP3, JPEG and GIF file formats. Thankfully, the mediocrity is met with a suitable price tag -- just $69 for the 2GB model and $82 for the 4GB edition.[Via DAPReview]
Teclast T39: first 16GB flash PMP?
Following up on its fairly eye-catching T19 and T29 PMPs of years past (mainly last year), Chinese manufacturer Teclast has taken the lid off its upcoming, sequentially-named T39 -- whose main claim to fame is that it could well be the first flash-based media player to hit 16GB of storage (feel free to shoot down that assertion in the comments). For those not willing to pay what will likely be a premium for such a capacious device, the 2.6-inch T39 will also come in 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB flavors, all of which support MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC, AVI, and WMV files. With an FM tuner, electronic dictionary (though not in English, we're suspecting), and some kind of games on board as well, it sounds like this one could be a real winner when and if it ever hits the States; as of now, though,we don't have much more than a few specs and pics, so don't go blending your nano just yet. [Via DAPreview]
Teclast readies dashing C280 all-in-one PMP
Although Chinese DAPs have a way of knocking off the big boys and not really adding anything in the innovation department, Teclast's C280 continues to shake the stereotype by offering up a bevy of swank features combined with a design that's easy on the eyes. The natural successor to the C260, this flavor maintains the overall style and design as its less-spec'd sibling, but adds a Rockchip 2608A and Wolfson WM8750S "dual core" element, as well as touting sound quality similar to that found on the more expensive T29. Moreover, you'll find a 2.4-inch QVGA display, MP3 / WMA / AVI file support, an FM tuner, line-in recording, various games, text viewer, 2GB of internal storage, and a microSD slot for any excess media. The pocket-friendly C280 also manages a respectable battery life (around 12 hours), USB 2.0 connectivity, and should only cost you about $65 when it lands later this month.[Via DAPReview]
Teclast T59 concept design looks vaguely familiar
Meizu apparently isn't the only Chinese manufacturer courting concept designs from its users -- and ripping off the iPhone with vigor while it's at it. Teclast's actual upcoming T59 might very well look nothing like these concept renders here, and obviously some of the stylings and specs here are a bit far fetched. But if Teclast can indeed deliver a Windows CE-based 3G device with GPS, WiFi and FM, along with a VGA screen, neato secondary display and other assorted hawterness -- all while dodging Apple legal, of course -- then we promise not to get too hung up on certain familiarities to other products on the market. [Via Engadget Chinese]
Teclast kicks out sleek C260 do-it-all for Chinese market
Teclast is keeping things fresh with its latest style-conscious DAP / PMP / gaming handheld, the C260. Joining the growing fray of Chinese all-in-one wonders, this sexy machine boasts a 3.15- x 1.85- x 0.39-inch enclosure, 2.4-inch QVGA touchscreen, landscape layout, built-in FM radio tuner, audio input for recording, headphone jack, USB 2.0 connectivity, and eight pre-loaded equalizer functions. Aside from playing nice with MP3 / WAV on the audio side, it also reportedly supports XviD, DivX, and AVI on the video front, while displaying JPEG slideshows and simple text files on the side. Additionally, it purportedly features some sort of "gaming" functionality in case the tunes loaded on your microSD card get stale. So if you've been craving a do-it-all device that remarkably resembles LG's Chocolate handset, the 1GB C260 should be hitting the Chinese streets soon for just 399 CNY, or about $51.[Via AVing]
