HoneycombTablet
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Logitech trots out another keyboard case, this time for the Galaxy Tab 10.1
You might have noticed that accessory makers have a habit of churning out stuff for iDevices first and everything else second. Specifically, though, we're noticing that in the world of tablets, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is fast becoming companies' No. 2 once they've gotten the iPad squared away. Take Logitech, for example. The company just announced a keyboard case for Samsung's deliciously thin slate -- a near facsimile of the one it released for the iPad a few months back. To recap, this isn't your garden-variety folio case with a keyboard and kickstand, but rather, an aluminum lid with a full 'board lining the interior. Logitech also attempts to justify the steep $99.99 price with shortcut keys for copying and pasting and cushioned corners that offer a modicum of protection in the event of a drop. But does that make it worth it? We'll leave that to your and your wallet.
Lenovo IdeaPad K1 review
Let's do a roll call, shall we? Who doesn't have a Honeycomb tablet to shill in the states? Acer, ASUS, Motorola, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba all have something to their names, with Dell possibly bringing its China-only Dell Streak 10 Pro here too. Until now, Lenovo was one glaring exception. The company already had a head start selling the LePad tablet in China, but it was only last month that it announced not one, but two Honeycomb slates for the US market: the IdeaPad K1 for mainstream consumers, and the ThinkPad Tablet for business users (and a fair share of geeks, too). Now, we could easily roll our eyes at how saturated the market for Android tablets is becoming, but Lenovo isn't just any old OEM. The brand has won such an avid following that we bet the company could have essentially slapped its name on a plain-Jane black slab and waited for loyal fans to line up. In fact, though, you're in for a bit more than name recognition. The K1 goes after mainstream consumers with a winsome design, sure, but also a software package designed to make Honeycomb easier to use, and to help ensure that flummoxed, low-tech users don't have to spend too much time downloading apps out of the box. What's more, it ships with Android 3.1 and has a two-cell battery that promises up to ten hours of battery life. Oh, and the 32GB model rings in $499, undercutting the 32GB iPad 2 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 by $100. But is that enough for it to stand out? Let's see. %Gallery-129546%
Sony support site leaks S1 and S2 tablet screens, may run Honeycomb 3.2 (update: pulled!)
Ready to shed a little light on those baffling tablet teasers? Well, it looks like someone over at the company's eSupport site uploaded a troubleshooting doc for the yet-to-be released S1 and S2 tablets, and we have the leaked screens to prove it. Listed under the very helpful heading of "How to find the Android Honeycomb operating system version installed on this tablet," conflicting pics of the "About tablet" screen point to both a 3.1 and 3.2 software destiny. Also on board for this illicit peek, is a shot of the slates' space-tastic homescreen, in addition to its app drawer where we can clearly see bundled Sony apps like Chumby, Crash Bandicoot and Crackle. While we're inclined to believe Honeycomb's latest and greatest will ship on the pair of black beauties, the site offered no other confirmation of the OS goods. Head on past the break for an extended look, and place your bets in comments below. Update: The page has been removed from Sony's site.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 Retail Mode app makes its debut on a Galaxy Tab 10.1 (video)
Still yearning to find out when the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 will be released worldwide? Aside from Sammy's previously announced September release for the Nordic areas, there's been no other official word on when the rest of us can get our mitts on one -- not to mention that a month's time has passed since the AT&T-banded 3G Galaxy Tab 8.9 hit the FCC. It appears that we'll know more soon though, as Samsung's apparently slipped out a new "app" that serves as a demo Retail Mode for the upcoming slate. Reportedly, once the store mode is downloaded from Samsung Apps and installed, using the password "5444" will grant you the access needed to get it running on a current Galaxy Tab. You'll find a video of the TouchWiz filled demo after the break, but don't get to excited yet; it's running on the 10.1-incher. Patience, friends. Patience. %Gallery-129552% [Thanks, Will]
ASUS Eee Pad Slider priced in Portuguese catalog, manhandled on camera (video)
ASUS first showed off its Eee Pad Slider what seems forever ago. That was way, way back at CES, amongst the deluge of tablety announcements. The keyboard-hiding Honeycomb device is finally on its way, having been given an August release date in the UK and recently hitting the FCC in the States. The 10.1-inch tablet just popped up in the August catalog for the Phone House (the Carphone Warehouse's brand outside the UK) catalog in Portugal, priced at €349 ($497) under contract with ZON -- that's down from €479 ($684) without contract. The forthcoming tablet also hammed it up for the camera recently -- video of that after the break. [Thanks, Zack and Pedro]
Acer Iconia Tab A100 finally available in August for $300
It's been a long and twisted road for Acer's 7-inch Honeycomb tablet, but after all the starts and stops, we've finally got an ETA for the Iconia Tab A100. According to an email sent out to Acer retail partners today, the slab should land in stores sometime in early August with a suggested price tag of $300. The Tegra 2-powered device was originally slated for a mid-May launch, but was reportedly held up by Honeycomb compatibility issues. Also arriving early August, is a pair of new Aspire notebooks: the 15.6-inch 5750Z and the 17.3-inch 7739Z, ringing in at $475 a piece. Both laptops rock 4GB of DDR3 RAM (upgradable to 8GB), 500GB of storage, and Intel Pentium processors. Given the extra three months Acer's had to get the Iconia Tab A100 to market, that Honeycomb better taste extra sweet when it finally makes its debut. [Thanks, Anon]
Leaked memo slates Xoom 4G upgrade for September, early adopters weep (updated)
To say we've been patiently waiting for the Xoom's promised 4G upgrade would certainly be an understatement. It looks like those of you counting on blistering speeds this summer are flat out of luck, as the LTE overhaul apparently won't begin until fall. Droid-Life's got a snap of a seemingly official Verizon memo, which alleges that the FCC-espied gratis upgrade will apparently land sometime in September. Also mentioned are links to Big Red's website on how to backup and package one's slate for its eventual voyage back to Moto's mothership. Hop on over to the source to see the full communiqué, and peep the more coverage links if you enjoy being prepared entirely too far in advance. Update: A tipster has kindly sent us a copy of Verizon's email. It's looking pretty official, folks.
Toshiba Thrive review
This isn't the first time Toshiba has showed up fashionably late to a party. Back in 2009, long after most every other consumer electronics maker big and small had jumped on the netbook bandwagon, the company belatedly released its first mini, the NB205. And it was fantastic. So we were optimistic when the outfit finally got around to releasing the Thrive, its first Android tablet for the US market. Surely, we thought, it's learned a thing or two from everybody else's mistakes. And in that regard, at least, this 10-inch tablet doesn't disappoint. It has full-sized USB and HDMI ports, an SD card slot, and a removable battery -- all features you'd sooner find on a laptop. It comes with a raft of practical apps already installed, so that you don't have to go hunting for them in Android Market. It's one of the first out of the gate with Android 3.1, an undeniably improved version of Honeycomb. Oh, and it starts at $429, undercutting many of its competitors. Right there, in less than a paragraph, we've laid out why you might want this over any of the other umpteen tabs crowding the market. But should you get one? Well, folks, we'll need more than a paragraph to tackle that. Join us after the break, won't you? %Gallery-128500%
Sony's latest tablet teaser plunges deeper into the rabbit hole, still tells us nothing
Ready for yet another S1 / S2 teaser video that tells you more about the marketing team's potential extra-curricular indulgences and absolutely nothing new about the tablets? Well, drop those tabs and strap in for some doll-voiced la la la's as Sony leads us even deeper into the late-night realm of desktop toys and the tablets they love. Shots of the stylish slates displaying video and gaming functionality are all but hidden in a "filled with fun" maze of booby-trap triggered contraptions. It's a romp through the sort of endearing Tim Burton-esque, high-art nightmare Sony's dabbled in for past Playstation campaigns -- so we're not too surprised. Hit the break to hitch a ride on this video wonderland.
ASUS promises fix for Eee Pad Transformer power drain, keeps the apologies coming (update: Android 3.2 is coming "soon")
ASUS's mighty morphing Eee Pad Transformer might be a commercial success (even despite early delays) but, it seems, there's something amiss with the shape shifting tablet. Earlier today, the company admitted to an issue relating to the slate's keyboard dock. A post to ASUS' UK Facebook page reads: Apologies to anyone who has encountered issues with their Transformer keyboard dock (power drain and charging). The issue is related to the way we configured the device's power management in/out of sleep mode. We will shortly be announcing details on how this will be resolved for our customers. We'd say that's about as vague a promise as a company could offer, but we'll keep you posted as ASUS opens up. Update: Looks like the Transformer is set to join the Xoom on the Android 3.2 bandwagon, as ASUS' Twitter account announced that the company is testing the latest Honeycomb build on the Transformer as we speak, and ASUS hopes to release it "soon." Update 2: We got a note from a Japanese ASUS representative indicating that units released in that market are not affected by this issue.
Sony S1 and S2 hands-on
Now that Sony has spilled the carrier-exclusive beans on at least one of its tablets, the S2 clamshell, the company kindly gave us a chance to get some long-awaited hands-on time with both it and its sibling, the S1 slate. And at time when it feels like we handle a new Honeycomb Android tablet every other day, these at least usher in some pretty unusual form factors. On the one hand, you've got the S1, a 9.4-inch number whose rounded wedge profile was designed to mimic a folded magazine. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there's the S2, which opens to reveal twin 5.5-inch displays -- all the more of a novelty since we've barely seen Android 3.0 running on devices that don't have 10-inch displays. Alas, we only had a few minutes to poke around, and in particular we would have loved to spend more time sinking our teeth into Sony's spin on Honeycomb. For now, though, enjoy those close-up shots below and head on past the break for some early impressions. %Gallery-128312% %Gallery-128313%
Sony's S2 tablet coming to AT&T, price and availability remain a mystery
It's been a few months since Sony made its (tardy) entrance into the tablet market, and since then it hasn't been sharing details so much as teasing them in whimsical, perplexing ads. Finally, the outfit's ready to take specifics. We're sitting at a roundtable with Sony executives, and just learned that its clamshell S2 tablet is headed to AT&T's "4G" (read: HSPA+) network, confirming what we already suspected after peeping a tell-tale FCC report. Sony's is quick to remind us that "S2" is just a codename, so don't be surprised if it surfaces with a completely different moniker. Otherwise, the company didn't get too chatty: we still don't know how or when AT&T will begin selling it nor how much it will cost on contract. Also still MIA: details on when, where, and for how much you'll be able to nab that folded magazine-inspired S1. Check out the press release below.
3G ASUS Eee Pad Transformer spotted online, priced starting at 499 euros
By this time, hopefully, all of you who were on the hunt for a Transformer finally got your mitts on one. If you were holding out for the 3G version, though, you can stop fidgeting -- it's already been priced in mainland Europe, putting it almost a month ahead of its expected arrival in the UK. Notebook Italia spotted both the 16GB and 32GB iterations listed online, fetching €499 and €599, respectively, VAT included. Notebook Italia also grabbed a screenshot of an updated product page on ASUS's Italian site, though when we peeped the listing we just found the WiFi-only versions, with predictably lower prices to match. Either way you slice it, though, both the instruction manual and illustrated product guide are alive and well on ASUS' site, suggesting you should see this on the streets of Milano soon enough. [Thanks, Marco]
Lenovo IdeaPad K1's videos pair easy listening with helpful how-to's (video)
Know what really sells a Honeycomb-based tablet? No, not its 10.1-inch display, Tegra 2 processor, nor those 32GBs of storage space -- it's the background music, man. Someone in Lenovo's marketing department must have an iTunes library chock full o'department store-worthy Lite FM jams, because that schmaltzy muzak is all over its dozen-plus IdeaPad K1 how-to videos. We're kind of disappointed the company couldn't get Lisa Stansfield for a voice-over cameo, but hey -- who says we're living in a perfect universe? Prospective IdeaPad owners should check the source, where they'll be treated to such instructional, chart-topping gems like "Getting to know your Tablet," or our personal favorite "Adding and Removing Shortcuts." All kidding aside, we still don't have a firm date on this tablet's launch, but with its FCC presence cleared expect to see it sooner rather than later.
Acer starts rolling out Android 3.1 update for the Iconia Tab A500
Almost on schedule, Acer has started pushing out an update for its Iconia Tab A500 that will upgrade the 10-inch slate to Android 3.1. If you'll recall, the update actually leaked late last month, but would have required folks to take the risk of flashing their tablets. As is often the case, it's unclear how long the roll-out will last, so don't be crestfallen if you can't enjoy those resizeable widgets just yet. For those of you who did wake up to an update, have at it -- and do tell us how it goes.
Toshiba Thrive tablet on display at Best Buy, possibly on sale too?
Yes, what you're looking at is a shackled Toshiba Thrive tablet out in the wild at Best Buy -- not just waiting caged in a cardboard confine in some dreary stockroom. Though the device most likely won't ship until July 10th, "Dandroid" over at Toshiba Thrive Forums is reporting that his local Austin, Texas location is evidently neglecting that memo. The store apparently has several 16GB and 32GB WiFi models ready to fly off the shelves for $480 and $580, but we won't hold our breath until we see a proper YouTube unboxing. Still, it may be worth a detour on the way home if you're feeling lucky or just can't wait any longer to inspect those full-sized ports.
Sony's new tablet teaser is just as hypnotic as the first (video)
Before stumbling back to work this morning, you might wanna take a minute to give your neurons a well-deserved massage with this new teaser for Sony's S1 and S2 tablets. Much like last month's spellbinding ad, this sequel features plenty of balls, levers and bizarre figurines moving together in serpentine synergy. If you look closely, you might even spot one of Sony's Honeycomb slates. This is only the second installation in what could very well be a never-ending series -- but we'd be OK with that, because these clips make our brains happy. Click play to get the ball rolling and let the symphony begin.
Toshiba Thrive WiFi tablet hitting Best Buy on July 10th?
Toshiba's Thrive -- the Honeycomb tablet that went so long without a name -- has evidently snagged itself a July 10th street date, according to Best Buy's inventory database. If you'll recall, pre-orders for the 10.1-inch pad got underway June 13th, and though we've long been hearing it would go on sale July 10th, Toshiba has only been giving a loose ETA of mid-July. Our tipster's informed us that their particular location's received "quite a few" 16-giggers in-stock, and they're just waiting to shine under the fluorescent showroom lights. So, it'll still be about a week's time until you can get your paws on one, but in the meantime, scoot past the break and you'll find some Thrive packages in the flesh, er, cardboard. [Thanks, Anonymous]
Sony's S1 tablet spotted in the wild, S2 captured briefly on video
We've already seen press shots and teaser videos of Sony's S1 Honeycomb tablet and dual-screen S2 (and had our eyes on them ourselves), but Germany's Golem website managed to spend a bit of time with both of the devices at an event in Munich, and has now provided what's surely the best look at them to date. Unfortunately, that's still not exactly a thorough look -- there's just the single image of the S1 above, and an 18 second video of the S2, which you can check out after the break.
Toshiba's Regza AT300 tablet for the Japanese market delayed until late July, will ship with Android 3.1
To any of our Japanese readers who've been impatiently awaiting Toshiba's Regza AT300 tablet, you're going to have to hold your breath a touch longer. The 10.1-inch, Japan-only slate is going to miss its expected June arrival, and ship in late July instead. That extra tedious trip to market could be worth it, though: when the AT300 finally does land in Akihabara, it'll come with Android 3.1 and all of its resizable widgets on board. But don't expect any surprises, hardware-wise: it'll still pack Tegra 2, a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera, and those full-sized HDMI and USB ports that can make a nerd's heart sing. Makes sense to us, since the Thrive -- the same tablet for the US market -- was already slated to ship with the latest version of Honeycomb. Fair's fair, right?
