AndroidMid
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Sharp ships 1GHz IS01 developer's edition in Japan, minus all the goodies
Hoping to get your hot little hands on the tinker-friendly edition of Sharp's Snapdragon-powered IS01 Android MID? If you live in Japan, today's your lucky day -- assuming you're willing to overlook the possibility that the developer's version has been thoroughly neutered. According to a Japanese press release, JN-DK01 dev kits are now shipping, but apparently sans cellular modem (no phone calls, no 3G data) and without API support for FM and 1Seg connectivity. You'll still get to play around with that 960 x 480 multitouch LCD, experiment with IrDA and download Android Market apps over WiFi, but we're not quite seeing the point of working with a cheap-feeling Android 1.6 device stripped of its coolest toys.
Dell Sparta and Athens netbooks, Looking Glass Pro and Streak variants teased on Android roadmap
Good morning to you too, Dell! Android Central's just gotten hold of yet another leak from the Texan computer giant, only this time we have two new Android or Linux (as suggested by the Tux icon) Moblin devices. First, we have the Sparta "netbook tablet" featuring an 11-inch 1024 x 768 TFT display, ARM processor, optional connectivity modules (3G, WiFi, Bluetooth) and a unique swivel mechanism -- the screen appears to be rotatable within its frame. The second device is the Athens sub-0.9kg (1.98 pounds) netbook sporting the same screen size, ARM processor and optional connectivity modules. If all goes well, the Sparta and Athens should be launched in early and late Autumn respectively, but there's a lot more so keep reading after the break. Update: thanks for pointing out the Moblin logo, thoughtmonster!
eviGroup's Wallet tablet/MID gets two-tone redesign, January release date
Sure, it was highly derivative of the iPhone, but we liked the styling on those eviGroup Wallet prototypes that the company teased us with a few months back. So, we're ever so slightly disappointed to see the new aesthetic in the latest (and, apparently, final) revision of the hardware above. That it's grown a front-facing webcam is a good thing, but the two-tone look in this shot makes that bezel look a bit chunky and not entirely lust-worthy. (The rendered shots at the read link look better, but then they always do.) The good news is it's said to be ready for production ahead of a January release and, with Dell seemingly joining the fray with its own Android-powered five-inch tablet/MID device, that date had better not slip.
Camangi WebStation website goes live, orders do not
It still won't sell you one, but Carmangi has just launched the official website for its Android-based WebStation tablet / MID, and cleared up a few remaining details in the process. As we'd heard, this one packs a 7-inch glass touchscreen and some of the usual niceties like WiFi and GPS, but it looks like the rest of the specs are decidedly par for the course, including a 624MHz Marvell PXA303 processor, 128MB of RAM, 256MB of flash storage, and 3G connectivity in the form of a USB dongle only. You will get a complimentary 8GB microSD card to boost that storage, however, and you'll soon apparently be able to get it in your choice of pink or black in addition to the basic white -- the company even has its own "Camangi Market" for apps, though it's looking a little sparse, and not all that unique at the moment.
MTube Android MID streams media to the TV and back via touchscreen (video)
MTube, known most famously in these parts for its diminutive, WiMAX-sportin' media player, seems to be putting some time and effort into Android as of late. While the MTube II hybrid Android / XP / tablet / netbook has certainly inspired its share of techno-lust, the Android MID hits us where it counts: in front of the television. The unholy union of a handheld and a multimedia controller, this guy lets you drag and drop video from the device to your TV, stream media to the TV or vice versa, and transfer files between multiple MTubes -- all this in addition to the core functionality of the OS. Details are still scant: although we know it's rocking an ARM Processor, a 7.6-inch 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen OLED, and Android 1.6, there's no word on storage or memory, or even how the video is streamed (we think that WiFi might be a good guess). As it stands, the thing is most certainly not ready for prime time (as becomes painfully obvious when the system crashes at 1 minute 45 seconds), but as a taste of things to come we're definitely intrigued. Peep the video after the break to see for yourself.
RAmos' Android-based W7 MID gets real -- real familiar
We had a pretty clear indication that this one was coming, but it looks RAmos has finally gotten official with its once mysterious Android-based MID, now known from here on out as the W7. As rumored, this one is a Rockchip-powered device, and packs a 4.8-inch, 800 x 480 touchscreen, 720p video support (via HDMI output, presumably), built-in WiFi, and no 3G, although that apparently could still be in the cards for the future. It also just so happens to bear more than a passing resemblance to eviGroup's recently-debuted Wallet Android MID, and another, non-existent MID / tablet you might have heard of. What's more, RAmos also seems to have taken the opportunity to debut a few other, non-Android-based MIDs and PMPs, including the T11TE (which apparently boasts 1080p output over HDMI), the T9HD, and the T7 -- although details on those are few and far between at the moment.[Via Electric Echoes, thanks Sere83]
eviGroup's Android-based Wallet MID debuts in France (avec video)
Haven't found a tablet or MID to your liking just yet? Then you may just want to wait another 24 hours, 'cause that's about the rate they seem to be cropping up these days. This latest one comes from France's eviGroup, and distinguishes itself somewhat by using Android for an OS, although there doesn't appear to be any UI customizations to speak of. Otherwise, it looks like this "Wallet" will be able to more hold its own, if not completely stand out form the pack, with it packing a 5-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen, 8GB of internal memory, a miniSD card slot for further expansion, an integrated digital camera, and the trifecta of built-in WiFi, GPS and 3G. Still no word on a release over here, but the folks at eviGroup are promising to launch it in Europe at the "beginning of 2010" for €300 (or about $440), and they've kindly gone ahead and put together a thorough video overview that you can watch right now (after the break).[Via Android France]
Mystery Android MID found out to be Rockchip-built concept, caught on video
We've been playing hide and seek with this peskily mysterious Android MID for a few weeks now, and it looks like at last some light has been shed on the situation. The device is actually just a concept built by Rockchip to display its new RK2808 chipset, which is capable of decoding 720p and apparently squeezing into incredibly attractive, Apple-aping form factors. There's some action video which reveals that the hardware perhaps isn't so capable of pumping a smooth web browsing experience to its 5-inch screen, but sometimes you can forgive a bit of clunky when faced with this much sexy. No word on plans to put the RK2808 into a real product, but it sure seems off to a nice, buzz-filled start. Video is after the jump, but you'd better be prepared to rock out. [Via pocketables]
