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ZTE T98 ICS tablet hands-on (video)
We'll admit: in addition to playing with tons of cool gadgets, one of the elements that makes CES fun is the challenge of actually finding these gems in the first place. Such was the case with the ZTE T98, a 7-inch Tegra 3-powered tablet running stock Android 4.0 that was lurking in a booth without any marketing material to establish its identity. Branded as a China Mobile device, the T98 offers a 1,280 x 800 WXGA display, NVIDIA's quad-core CPU underclocked at 1.3GHz, 1GB of RAM, a 5MP rear camera with no LED flash and 1080p HD video capture, a 1.3MP front-facing cam and 4,000mAh battery. Ultimately it has the same fingerprint-loving chrome edges and rubberized back, and appears to have changed very little in overall looks. There's no word on availability or pricing yet. For some extra angles and a full video, head on down.
Orange Tahiti launches today in UK, seven inches of Huawei hardware
Orange has decided to branch out from its branded handset range with a Huawei-made tablet. Running Honeycomb on a 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm processor, it appears to be the equivalent of the T-Mobile Springboard, otherwise known as Huawei MediaPad. Pricing is £70 on a £25 per month, with a smartphone bundle including the San Francisco II for free on a £41 per month tariff. Check the PR after the break, or head to your nearest Orange Shop -- it's available from today.
NVIDIA and ASUS tease 7-inch Tegra 3 tablet with ICS and $249 price tag
You know things are about to get crazy when NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang and ASUS Chairman Jerry Shen are onstage at the same time. Here at NVIDIA's CES press conference, the two men just flashed a 7-inch Tegra 3 tablet with Ice Cream Sandwich. And guess what? It's going to cost $249! Got that? The same price as the much-slower, lesser-specced Nook Tablet. Given that the point of this brief tease was to prove how inexpensive tablets with current-gen innards can be, the men didn't dally with details like availability or even a product name. If these price wars continue, though, we'd almost rather ASUS take its time before sending this to market -- who knows what else we're going to see in the $250 range over the coming months? Update: It seems to be the MeMO 370T we saw earlier today, which means this slab is sporting an 8 megapixel camera, to boot. Billy Steele contributed to this report.
ASUS promises Windows 8 on ARM tablet, 3G Transformer Prime, 7-inch Eee Memo Pad
We're still days away from CES but the promises show no signs of slowing down. ASUS is the latest, hosting a Taipei event in which its representatives rattled off a long list of fabulous devices to whet your appetite. First up is a 3G version of the Transformer Prime, presumably boasting some more capable AGPS onboard. We're told the 7-inch Eee Memo Pad will be on display here at CES as well but, most interestingly, that a tablet running Windows 8 on ARM is coming a little further down the road. It's said to be at least similar in design to the Prime but an indicated release of late 2012 sadly leaves us wanting.
7-inch ASUS Eee Memo Pad gets leaked, 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon inside
The ASUS news, it just keeps on flowin'. Shortly after getting a sneak peek at the Eee PC Flare, in flies yet another leaked image of yet another leaked ASUS product. This go 'round, we're looking at what's purportedly the 7-inch Eee Memo Pad, a handy little fellow that we've actually heard about before. We're told that it'll ship with a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, 16GB to 64GB of internal storage space, built-in 3G, WiFi and a 1,280 x 800 screen resolution, and it's apt to be revisited at CES 2012 before launching as an Asia-only product later in the year. It's hard to say what edition of Android will pop up when this is formally unveiled next week at CES, but we're guessing that it'll stick its tongue out at the long-awaited Padfone as it's introduced, regardless.
HP TouchPad Go gets reviewed, but remains already long gone (video)
While we already rode the white unicorns of HP's now disintegrated webOS series, there was one little filly we didn't get to saddle up. A developmental model of the seven-inch TouchPad Go has now made it into the hands of webOSnation and has been given a thorough going over. The major differences from its bigger brother? A rear-facing 5 megapixel camera and a smudge buffering matte finish on the back are the main signifiers. Aside from those (and an experimental build of the next firmware update), it's a tiny TouchPad. The Go matches the resolution of the original, also packing the same processor innards of the defunct white TouchPad. Those unwilling to accept the future of webOS can still absorb the full critique of what could have been in a video review after the break.
Toshiba Thrive 7" review
As 2011 draws to a close, it's fun to look back and think about how we began the year testing the first Honeycomb tablet, and are now ending it elbow-deep in me-too slates, many of them cut down to smaller sizes. So it should surprise no one, then, that Toshiba released the Thrive 7", a mini (and aptly named) version of the original Thrive, which went on sale last summer. But in Toshiba's case, shrinking a tablet and calling it a day is a dicey proposition. After all, the 10-inch Thrive had some baggage -- namely, middling battery life, a chunky, toy-like design and a bug that initially kept it from waking after recharging. Indeed, the Thrive 7" looks near-identical, and even packs the same Tegra 2 chip, 16GB of storage and vanilla take on Honeycomb. Still, it brings an LED flash, keeps its big brother's 1280 x 800 display and costs less than the original did when it first came out. So are these improvements enough to make this smaller Thrive stand out? And how does it stack up against all those other 7-inch slates we've been testing lately? Let's find out. %Gallery-141659%
Toshiba Thrive 7-inch slate officially drops tomorrow, December 11th
Just in time for you to get your holiday shopping wrapped up early, the Toshiba Thrive 7-inch tablet will officially go on sale tomorrow, December 11th. Sneaking in before the early December reports that we'd heard pass, the slate will allow you snag a piece of Honeycomb and a NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor for "less than $400." While you're deciding between the 16GB and 32GB options, go on and bookmark that source link so you can be quick on the trigger in a matter of hours.
Toshiba's 7-inch Thrive goes on sale a little early, insists it is very much alive
Just because haven't heard a peep from Toshiba about its smaller 7-inch slate since September, doesn't mean you can't find it on sale out there in the vast ether we like to call the internet. Discovered by a tipster shrewd enough to Google its model number -- "pda03u-005007" for those of you that don't speak Toshiba -- a bunch of oh-so-eager retailers are ready to trade you around $450 in exchange for the rubberized slate. Jiving with previous plans to go on sale in "early December," the 7-inch redux is thinner and lighter than its 10-inch brother, as it eschews the former's penchant for full-size USB and HDMI ports. Adventurous types seeking to meet the tablet can take the plunge at the links below, but be forewarned our tipster had to provide a business license just to complete the sale. Your mileage may vary, though there's always the option to await the Thrive's arrival through more official channels. [Thanks, Kenneth]
Cowon announces CE-based R7 media tablet, earns a few perplexed stares
Cowon makes some pretty slick looking Android PMPs, as well as some more underwhelming devices running Windows CE. The latest in the latter category is the R7 -- a 7-inch media player that's being billed as "full HD" (a claim that makes Cowon full of something else). Despite being the size of a small tablet the R7 display is only 800 x 480, though, it will output 1080p over HDMI. While the low-res screen and aging CE 6.0 OS are nothing to get excited about, there are some positives: epic battery life and support for an absurd number of formats and codecs. And, since the R7 comes packing up to 64GB of internal storage and sports a microSD slot, you'll have plenty room to keep you swimming in both audio and video. Sure, Android probably would have made more sense and a WiFi connection for browsing the web would be greatly appreciated but, you've got to admire Cowon's stubborn insistence on doing things its own way... right?
ZiiLabs demos Ice Cream Sandwich on its Jaguar 7 tablet, looks swift and tasty (video)
It's been few months since ZiiLabs introduced more hardware designs for its Jaguar line of OEM-oriented reference tablets, and now, the company has released a brief demo video of its seven-inch variant tasting Android Ice Cream Sandwich. Up until this point, we'd only seen the devices rocking Honeycomb atop Zii's ZMS-20 dual-core processor, but it appears to handle Google's latest frozen treat -- specifically Android OS version 4.0.1 -- with relative ease. The clip highlights quick transitions through a few menu interfaces, followed by a showcase of the slate's OpenGL graphics and StemCell media acceleration with decidedly smooth looking multitouch interactions. Curious to see for yourself? You'll find the whole 57 seconds of video goodness just past the break. [Thanks, Tim]
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus review
We've already established that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is a great tablet. Then, just recently, we summarily found that the 1.2-inch smaller Galaxy Tab 8.9 is an even better tablet -- at least for anyone who wants to take their slate places. So, following that logic, the even more petite Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus should be the best of the three, right? Not so fast. We've been here before, and things weren't exactly great. The original Galaxy Tab was, of course, a 7-incher and wasn't universally well received thanks to a number of problems -- the first being a $600 MSRP. Another issue was an Android 2.2 build that tried its best but was ultimately ill-suited for tablet duties. This new 7-inch installment packs a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, a tablet-friendlier build of Android 3.2 Honeycomb and a somewhat more palatable $400 price tag. So, it's clearly better equipped than its predecessor, but that one shipped a whopping 12 months ago. How does the newer, fancier Tab compete in this newer, fancier present? Read on to find out. %Gallery-139780%
Kindle Fire torn down by iFixit, asbestos gloves curiously absent
We already had a pretty good idea of what's inside the Kindle Fire -- basically, the same thing that was inside the BlackBerry PlayBook. But of course we're still fans of seeing all the circuits and components that make up a modern gadget, and that's why we love iFixit so much. With gentle touches and tiny tools the disembodied hands here split Amazon's new hotness in twain and then started pulling out silicon and copper with wild abandon. The teardown is still ongoing, so set those browsers on Refresh, but already the small 4,400mAh battery and 8GB of Samsung flash have been exposed. Click on through to see the rest!
HP TouchPad Go gets stopped for more close-up photography
We're unlikely to ever get our grubby mitts on a final model, but that hasn't stopped a developmental flavor of this seven-inch slab getting another going over in China. Unceremoniously revealed as the TouchPad Go in FCC filings earlier this year, this seven-inch tablet packs in 32GB of Sandisk storage alongside 1GB of RAM, plus 3G bells and GPS whistles. Palm Joy notes that the tiddly TouchPad is flatter than the original, with the physical button centered on the longer side and an additional rear-facing five megapixel camera. The back of this tablet also has a Pre-esque matte finish, nixing the fingertip-magnet gloss of its bigger brother. You can grab another shot after the break, but if that doesn't quench your thirst there's plenty more at the source link.
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.
T-Mobile to carry Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus with 4G, available November 16th for $250
We were already expecting to see the WiFi-only version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus make its American debut on November 13th, but it may be worth waiting an extra three days if you'd like to have some good old-fashioned HSPA+ connectivity on T-Mobile. Indeed, the carrier announced its 4G-ified iteration of the tablet will be ready for your purchase on November 16th for a $250 down payment after a mail-in rebate and with a two-year contract. Oh, and that's not the only fine print: you'll need to shell out twenty monthly interest-free payments of $10 in addition to your normal data plan. To sum up the specs, the seven-inch tablet has Android 3.2 preinstalled, runs on a 1.2GHz Exynos CPU, has 16GB of internal storage and takes advantage of a 3MP rear-facing camera and 2MP front-facing cam for video chat. Still intrigued? Read on through the press release to learn more about your potential Tab life.
T-Mobile Springboard review
T-Mobile Springboard and Galaxy Tab 10.1 finally get official launch dates T-Mobile to carry Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus with 4G, available November 16th for $250 Sprint files suit to stop AT&T / T-Mobile merger When the Huawei MediaPad was first announced in June, it was notable for being the first tablet we'd heard of to run Android 3.2. Since then, the Acer Iconia Tab A100 and others have beat it to market, but its arrival in the US is timely nonetheless: it joins the petite tablet party at about the same time as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus and forthcoming Toshiba Thrive 7", to name a couple. We already knew that when the MediaPad landed here in the States it would be known as the T-Mobile Springboard, but the carrier just announced some key pricing and availability details: it'll go on sale November 16th for $430 off contract, or $180 with a two-year agreement and $50 mail-in rebate -- not surprising, given that we've been hearing this would cost less than $200 on contract. In addition to running on T-Mobile's 14.4Mbps HSPA+ network, it has WiFi and GPS radios, a dual-core 1.2GHz chip made by Qualcomm, 227 pixels-per-inch IPS display, 5 megapixel rear-facing camera, a 1.3 shooter up front, 8GB of internal storage, a microSD slot and support for 1080p playback. We'll return to all those specs in detail after the break, but nonetheless, it's important to get them out of the way from the get-go. After all, there's soon to be a glut of Android 3.2 tablets, and it's worth asking if this one is worth the slightly high price -- or maybe even a two-year marriage to Big Magenta. %Gallery-138087%
Panasonic Toughpad A1 and B1: the tablets you can drop and pick back up again
Panasonic's bringing its Tough ways to the tablet front, unveiling two new Honeycomb slates that could be the most durable consumer entries to that field we've yet seen. First up is the 10-inch A1, running with a 1.2GHz dual-core Marvell processor backed by 16GB of integrated storage and further expansion courtesy of microSD. That display packs 1,024 x 768 pixels in a 4:3 form-factor that is said to be anti-glare and stylus-ready, the whole package clocking in at a very healthy 2.13 pounds. Remember, this is an evolution of the Tough series: it'll have more to love -- including LTE or WiMAX connectivity and 10 hours of life from a user-replaceable battery. There's also a 7-inch B1, which we know a little less about at this point, but both are MIL-STD-810G rated to survive drops, dust and water. You know, the sorts of things that most tablet owners buy expensive cases to protect from. But, a starting MSRP of $1,299 for the A1 might make your budget keeper recoil at least a little bit, though the presumably somewhat cheaper B1 is still lacking a price. Both will quite literally drop in 2012, so watch those feet. %Gallery-138727% %Gallery-138729%
HTC Flyer touches down at T-Mobile, Scribe pen not included
US Cellular's got one and so does Sprint (albeit under a re-branded banner). So, where's the Magenta-friendly HTC Flyer we saw creep up at the FCC this June? Well, it appears T-Mobile's been offering it for some time to business customers only, but that exclusivity's come to a close. The 7-inch Gingerbread slate with AWS bands is curiously absent from the operator's own online site, but you can still snag it from HTC for $299 with a new mobile broadband plan or $454 with a contract extension. Sadly, neither party's tossing in the HTC Scribe pen gratis, so you'll have to make due with your own digits for navigating or just pick it up separately. If this is the Sense-laden variant you've been holding out for, now's the time to hit up the source and get to ordering.
Karuma's PlayBase tablet doesn't mind doing it for the kids
Infant-friendly devices are the "in thing" for panicking adults who don't want jammy fingers all over their Galaxy Note. Karuma is the newest to aim for the pre-Bieber crowd with the PlayBase: a cheap, durable tablet that's 9.7mm thick. The key specs include a 7-inch capacitive multitouch display, WiFi and a 1.2GHz Rockchip RK2918 Cortex A8 (the same chip in the AndyPad Pro, Archos Arnova 8 and 10). It's running a custom-skinned version of Gingerbread, but the company has included 1GB of DDR3 RAM in anticipation for a forthcoming bump to Honeycomb or Ice Cream Sandwich. As well as the rugged design, you'll also find it comes with a shock-absorbent silicon cover that protects the screen from the elements and can fold back to double as a kickstand. A front-facing camera and five hours advertised battery life round out the rugrat tablet (rugratblet?). Fans of pre-ordering things can throw down cash on November 15th and it'll be on sale proper come December 1st. Whichever way you wish to pay for it, it'll cost you £170 ($270).
