Rydeen hopes to cash in on tablet fever with Android-based, Armada-powered PND
You may never have heard of auto electronics provider Rydeen Mobile, but it certainly knows of you -- or more specifically, your desire to obtain a slick new tablet PC -- and has thus created an 7-inch Android tablet that integrates the dedicated map functionality of its GPS machines. The "gPad" GCOM701 won't be a terribly high-end device, mind you, with an 800MHz ARMADA 166 SOC, 256MB of RAM, bring-your-own-microSD-storage and what we're led to believe is a resistive touchscreen, but it sounds like at least Rydeen isn't being stingy on the software front. You'll find a full suite of Google Apps, Adobe Flash Lite 4 and AVI support, not to mention 4 million points of interest thanks to the integrated Navteq client. Connectivity include GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, both mini and full-sized USB ports, plus a front-facing camera for video chat, and there's a 2400mAh battery the company claims will provide six hours of solid use. Find it this November at an unspecified price, no doubt alongside the pictured (but not mentioned) car dock.
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Rydeen Introduces the "gPad" GCOM701
Android-based Device Features 7-inch Touch Screen, 2MP Front-facing Camera
Torrance, Calif., August 31, 2010 – Rydeen Mobile Electronics today introduced the GCOM701, a "slate" form factor device utilizing the Android® operating system. Powered by the Marvell® ARMADA™ 166 application processor, the GCOM701 delivers seamless connectivity; live, real-time content; rich and immersive media experiences - all with very long battery life. The new device exceeds innovation and availability standards in the Android based MID (Mobile Internet Device) market today. The new device features a front-facing camera, removable memory and direct-access hardware buttons. The GCOM701 is expected to ship in November 2010 and will be available in two colors, black and white.
The GCOM701 comes to market at a time when large-screen tablets with virtual keyboards are the talk of consumer electronics blogs and coverage. With a 7-inch TFT touch panel and 800x480-pixel resolution, the GCOM701 offers ample screen space for Web surfing, reading eBooks and viewing images, video and e-mail, in portrait or landscape mode. Its slim form factor makes it easy to carry in an oversized pocket or bag.
When it comes to features and connectivity, the GCOM701 delivers. WiFi connectivity (802.11 b/g) and GPS are built in. Bluetooth capability, along with an internal microphone and speaker, enable usage with Internet-based communications services such as Skype™. A front-facing camera enhances communications capabilities with video. The microSD slot accepts SDHC cards up to 32GB, giving ample space to store songs, pictures and videos, and both standard and mini USB plugs allow jump drives and portable devices to plug right in. For private listening, users can plug their favorite headphones into the standard 3.5mm headphone jack.
On the road, the GCOM701 functions as a Portable Navigation Device (PND), complete with 4 million Points of Interest (POIs), powered by Navteq™.
Central to the new GCOM701 is the ARMADA 166 processor running at 800 MHz with 2Gbit of on-board RAM. An internal 7.4-volt battery delivers ample standby and up to 6-hour of operational time at full power mode (normal usage condition, up to 8-hour).
Specifications:
Dimensions
-- 205.04 x 110.92 x 13mm
CPU / Operating System
-- Marvell ARMADA 166 – 800MHz; Android OS
Screen
-- 7-inch TFT resistive-type touch panel; 800x480-pixel resolution
Memory
-- Internal 2Gbit DDR2 SDRAM
-- External: MicroSD (removable) up to 32GB
Connectivity
-- GPS: High-Sensitivity GPS Receiver (NXP GNS7560)
-- Bluetooth: Marvell 8688
-- WiFi: 802.11 b/g (Marvell 8688)
Playback Sources
-- Audio: MIDI, MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, PCM
-- Video: H.264, H.263, MPEG-4, RM, RMVB, AVI, FIV
-- Photo: JPG, TIFF, PNG
-- Flash: Adobe Flash Lite 4
Power
--7.4V 2400mAh Li battery (internal)
Ports
-- Audio: 3.5mm Stereo Headphone Jack
-- Data: USB and Mini USB (2.0)
