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Roverpad comes clean with five new tablet PCs, one running Tegra
And here you were thinking this whole "tablet revolution" thing was a myth, huh? Out of seemingly nowhere, Russia's own Rover Computer has just issued not one, not two, but five new tablet PCs for its nine time zones, with one of 'em boasting Windows CE 6.0 and the others running on Google's Android system. Kicking things off is the Air G70, which will boast a 7-inch resistive touchscreen, a 667MHz ARM11 CPU, 256MB of RAM, a 4GB internal flash drive, WiFi, optional 3G and a microSD expansion slot. Next up is the Go G50, Android-powered 5-inch slate that relies on a Marvell PXA303, 128MB of RAM, 2GB of storage as well as 3G, WiFi, a microSD slot and a USB socket. Going even smaller is the aptly-named Air G70, which checks in with a 4-inch display (800 x 480 resolution, though), support for a multitude of file formats and compatibility with navigation software. The Go G72 steps it back up to a 7-inch panel, but also throws in a webcam, Bluetooth, GPS chip and a hint of color around the edges. Finally, the 7-inch TegA W70 will hum along with NVIDIA's Tegra within, and being the flagship that it is, it'll also include HDMI, 4GB of flash storage, 3G, a webcam, 512MB of RAM, a capacitive touchscreen and Android 2.1. Pricing details have yet to be hammered out across the line, but we're told to expect the family on store shelves by October. Update: We've received credible information that Rover may not actually survive as a company long enough to release these. Word has it that the general manager just bolted, and the vast majority of the marketing team was let go. In their words, the company is "practically bankrupt now," and it's unlikely the firm will find the funds to brand these otherwise vanilla ODM designs as its own.
LG confirms Android tablet for Q4 2010 launch, Froyo for Optimus Z
Now this is jolly good news. LG, which already has a Windows 7 tablet in the works, is gearing up to service those with a hankering for some Android in their slate computers as well. Clearly unwilling to fall behind its fierce rival Samsung, LG has just announced that it'll bringing out its own Google-centric tablet before the end of 2010. Indications are that it'll be different (presumably better) than current offerings on the market, but alas there's nary a peep about what that might mean on the spec sheet. In other machine-translated news, the Korean company is also planning a new version of its SU950 handset, aka the Optimus Z, which will come preloaded with Android 2.2. Current owners of the phone need not despair either, as Froyo upgrades are planned for them by the fourth quarter as well. Hmm, all this Q4 and 2.2 action flying about, would be nice to think this tablet would benefit from the same treatment.
Expansys becomes exclusive retailer for Huawei S7 Android tablet
Huawei's Android-based, Snapdragon-powered S7 tablet certainly managed to impress at Computex earlier this month, and it looks like you'll soon be able to get one yourself -- UK retailer Expansys has announced that it'll be the first to carry it and, for the time being at least, the only place to get one. Somewhat curiously, Expansys lists a 768MHz Snapdragon processor, not 1GHz as we had heard before, but the rest of the specs are right in line. That includes Android 2.1, a 7-inch WVGA display, 3G and WiFi connectivity, a 2-megapixel camera, and a microSD card slot for some additional storage, among other standard tablet fare. Sound like just the tablet you've been waiting for? It'll set you back £299 (or about $450) and should ship within seven days.
Another Android tablet spotted? Say it ain't so!
What's this? Oh, just yet another Android tablet spotted in the wild hanging out, looking cool. This one, made by Acorp, is a 5-incher with Android 1.5 (upgradable to 2.2) and we have to say, it definitely looks a lot like the Dell Streak. We also hear that there's going to be a 7-inch version as well, if you need something that's absolutely massive. It's got a 600MHz Rockchip ARM9 processor, micrsSD slot, 3.5mm jack and Wi-Fi, and a resistive touchscreen with stylus. We know that it's going to be available sometime next month, and while we don't have pricing information, we've heard that if you're willing to buy it in bulk (over 1,000 units, friend) they'll be around $88 each. Deal? Video after the break.
Malata's SMB-A1011 is the 10-inch Android tablet we really want to happen (video)
We're seeing so, so many Android tablets dropping every day, so few of which seem to deliver on their promises, that we're getting a bit jaded about the things. But, every now and again we see another one that makes our ears perk up again and make it all feel just like the first time. Such is the Malata SMB-A1011, a 10-inch, 1024 x 600 capacitive tablet running a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 processor and paired with Tegra 2 graphics. Though we saw a very similar model running Windows 7 at Computex, this one has up to 2GB of system memory and up to 32GB of storage, with microSD expansion and 1080p output over HDMI, along with WiFi b/g and Bluetooth wireless. It's all slathered with Android 2.1, making this a slab we'd certainly make room for in our respective man and woman purses. At this point we know nothing about pricing or availability, but we do know enough to not get our hopes up too high.
Samsung Galaxy Tab comes in three sizes, ships this fall?
In the left corner, the 4-inch Samsung Galaxy S smartphone. In the right, the 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab. Not pictured: the tablets that will dwarf both. According to a South Korean newspaper, the Galaxy Tab is only one of three touchscreen tablet devices Sammy's got planned: while the 7-inch model is slated for August, 8-inch and 10-inch varieties are rumored to appear in November and December respectively. Though the "high-ranking industry official" who informed the publication sadly failed to mention a price, he or she did add that the devices will launch with SK Telecom -- the second time we've heard that -- meaning if any of this is true, they've almost certainly got cellular modems inside. All we need now is some official confirmation, and perhaps a nice, binding promise of OTA Froyo.
Dell Streak free on contract in UK, assuming £25 monthly plan
You know that Dell Streak tabletphone that's got us all hot and bothered these days? Yeah, well, what with all the stabbing, we totally didn't notice that the device has already been priced in the UK. When it launches on June 4th at The Carphone Warehouse, the Streak will cost you a sizable £429 off-contract -- the same Apple wants for an iPad 16GB -- but not a penny if you opt for its data plans (carried by O2). With a £25 mobile broadband contract or a £35 voice and unlimited data contract, the five-inch WVGA slate will be yours to take home free -- the same as Carphone's iPhone 3G pricing. We don't know quite yet if O2 UK's official tariffs will be cheaper or more expensive, but the tree doesn't grow too far from the apple, as they say.
Enso zenPad unboxing and hands-on: one disappointment after another
For the price, there's nothing truly terrible about the SMiT MID-560A touchscreen tablet. If you've never held an Android device, you might even be pleasantly surprised with the functionality on offer. But if you have -- or if you bought yours from a company called Enso and became embroiled in a vaporware scandal as a result -- the zenPad is quite the letdown. Hear why after the break. %Gallery-93873%
Acer CEO teases 7-inch Android tablet, promises it for Q4 2010
Acer's been busy doing a presentation over in Beijing today, and the highlight of the show was the first sighting of the company's 7-inch Android tablet. It's described by Shufflegazine as "pretty fast with sensitive touch," though CEO Gianfranco Lanci was apparently reluctant to disclose any of the specs. He told the gathered press to expect it in the fourth quarter of this year, which sounds all kinds of 2000-and-late, but we have to consider the fact that only a couple of months ago Acer was telling us it wasn't going to enter the tablet realm at all. What's interesting is that Lanci described network operators as an "obvious" sales channel, suggesting the slate has an integrated 3G module, while it also looks like the silvery bottom of the device is occupied by a QWERTY keyboard not unlike that found on Amazon's Kindle. Interesting times lie ahead, that's for sure. [Thanks, Imran]
Shanzai shocker! VIA processors in $100 Android tablets later this year
Brace for a storm of craptablets: this week, Taiwanese semiconductor firm VIA said its processors will appear in a new slate of cheap Android tablets destined for the US in the second half of this year. Speaking to Bloomberg, VIA marketing head Richard Brown said the company's Chinese customers will ship around five tablets, that they'll appear at $100 to $150 price points, and that "the tablet market has been legitimized by Apple" -- that last likely in an attempt to make Bloomberg utter the words "VIA" and "iPad" in the same breath. (It worked.) Mind you, the iPad certainly isn't the be-all, end-all of tablet computing, but we wouldn't expect to get a legitimate iPad killer for $100, either. We think we said it best in April: you get what you pay for.
Marvell shows off 10-inch Android tablet at Netbook Summit
Unfortunately, we don't know much about this new Marvell powered tablet, but we couldn't resist sharing our impressions of the very svelte 10-inch device. We only got a few minutes to play around with the slate at the Netbook Summit, but we can tell you that it has a brushed metal back and there's an opening on the front for a camera. As for the internals, it's based on Marvell's Moby reference design, which uses its Snapdragon-class Armada 610 processor, and will run Android 2.1 Eclair. The rest will be up to whatever Marvell customer is bringing this bad boy to market -- the Marvell executive that let us catch a glance at the device wouldn't turn it on as he feared we may see the mystery customer's logo. We told you we didn't know much, but from what we saw today it sure looks promising. Now, if only we felt Android was ready Google would give us a tablet-ready version of Android... %Gallery-93686%
No, we didn't get an Enso zenPad
Hey folks, it's just come to our attention that Enso -- a French Italian startup that received notoriety for selling vaporware tablets -- has been using Engadget's good name to convince irate customers that its product actually exists. We gave Enso the benefit of the doubt at first, but let's put things in perspective: we have not received an zenPad tablet, and in fact, we no longer expect to. Enso has now promised us a review unit on five separate occasions beginning in early April, and missed each deadline it set for itself. We do not endorse the supposed product, and we'd appreciate it if you pay no attention when company founders tell you otherwise -- or set up fake review websites, for that matter. That's just not cool. Update: Wonder of wonders, we received a package from Hong Kong... and inside was a bona fide Enso zenPad. Guess the sixth time's the charm! We'll have impressions for you soon.
Archos 7 Home Tablet now shipping, days ahead of schedule
Looking for a cheap Android tablet that's neither KIRF nor vaporware? You could do worse than the $199 Archos 7 Home Tablet, now shipping from Amazon a full week ahead of its "early June" release window. For three Benjamins less than that other slate, you'll get a thin, spacious device that serves as an excellent media player, coupled with a sub-par Android 1.5 experience and a resistive touchscreen. If the lack of Android Market isn't a dealbreaker, you can slap down your bills right after the break, but we'd recommend reading through our full review to see it in action (complete with video) and find out exactly what you're getting yourself into.
Android MID shocker! Eken M003 gets 8-inch display, $230 price tag (video)
Are you a fan of off-brand MIDs, the Android OS, and dangerous bezels? You're in luck! It looks like the M003, a slightly larger follow-up to Eken's very own M001 (which caught our attention a month or so ago, mostly on account of its price) has finally reached e-tailers at home and abroad, such as China Grabber who will sell you one for a not too shabby (yet not too awesome either) $230. Keeping the Android 1.6 OS, this bad boy has been bumped up to an 8-inch touchscreen while sporting a 600MHz VIA processor, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, 128MB RAM, and an SD card slot for up to 32GB storage. They're even throwing in a 2GB SD card because they're such good sports. Available in pink, white, or black. Hands-on video after the break.
Foxconn's Tegra 2-powered Android tablet hands-on (video)
Well we just got to lay hands on the above Foxconn-manufactured, Tegra 2-powered Android prototype, and we'll be honest -- it was awfully sweet. There wasn't much going on beyond some gaming action -- we didn't see it boot into standard Android -- though it was running the 3D football title you see above at a pretty healthy clip (check out the video after the break). NVIDIA reps weren't very keen on sharing info about the device, though we can tell you that it's apparently got 1GB of RAM inside cuddled up to that 1GHz ARM Cortex 9 CPU, a front-facing camera, and the WSVGA screen measures 8.9-inches (it's also a much wider aspect ratio than something like the iPad). We're going to hold any judgment till we see this thing cooking with a full UI, but we're not knocking it -- get this in at the right price, and we'll likely be first in line. Update: Correction, the screen size is 8.9-inches, not 9.7. %Gallery-93328%
Verizon confirms it's working on a tablet with Google (Update: Android!)
Not much by way of detail here, but Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam just confirmed that his company is working on tablets with Google in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. Unfortunately, that's all we've got to work with at the moment -- McAdam said tablets are "part of the 'next big wave of opportunities,' but didn't say what OS the Google devices would run, just that Verizon's "looking at all the things Google has in its archives that we could put on a tablet to make it a great experience." That sounds like something Google's been working on for a while, so we'll take a guess and say it's Android-based, but we wouldn't be surprised to see a Chrome OS tablet or netbook make the scene at some point in the future. We're also wondering who'll build this thing: any number of companies from Dell to Toshiba to MSI have already started working on Android tablets, and we're sure HTC and Motorola would totally jump at the opportunity. A nice crisp confirmed fact wrapped in layers of chewy speculation -- just how we likes it. Update: Bloomberg scored some more details in an interview with Marquett Smith, Verizon's VP of corporate communications; the tablet is said be Android-based, and more details will be released later this week. Let the wait begin!
Archos 7 Home Tablet ships to Android lovers in June
So you go and pre-order the Archos 7 Home Tablet, thinking it would ship by the end of April. Our deepest apologizes, but according to the official press release below, the 7-inch, Android 1.6 tablet won't be shipping in the US until early June -- though an Archos spokesperson told us that those who pre-ordered may get units before the end of May if they count their lucky stars. The rest of the release doesn't reveal much, but does confirms that the resistive touchscreen device won't have access to the Android Marketplace. Instead -- and as you can see in the unboxing pictures below -- it comes with Archos' AppsLib store and is preloaded with a few apps, including eBuddy and Aldiko's e-reader software. Still, we know the $199.99 tablet sounds tempting, but our review should be up in the next few days. In other words, you should probably hold off on sliding that credit card out -- after all, she ain't shipping 'til June. %Gallery-92466%
Adobe shows off prototype Android tablet running Air and Flash 'flawlessly' (update: it's Tegra 2!)
Well, here's something of a surprise. In addition to demonstrating Flash running on phones like the Nexus One and Palm Pre at the now-happening Web 2.0 Expo, Adobe also has a prototype Android tablet of some sort on hand that, according to Zedomax, runs Flash and Air apps "flawlessly." Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any details at all on the tablet itself, and judging from the looks of things, it is a prototype in the truest sense of the word (check out the other shot after the break). It does seem to deliver the goods when it comes to Air and Flash, however, with it able to run Wired's Air-based magazine app and play YouTube videos without so much as a hiccup, although we'd definitely like to see it in a few more taxing situations. See for yourself in a pair of all too brief videos after the break. Update: looks like that "flawless" Flash performance is all thanks to Tegra 2, as we've been informed by NVIDIA just now. Here's the statement: "It is indeed Tegra 2. We worked closely with Adobe to show how next-gen Tegra can bring the complete web to tablets at Web 2.0. You can expect to start seeing Tegra 2 devices appearing this summer, with plenty on the way in the third and fourth quarters of the year."
Keepin' it real fake: Android iPad KIRF gets Android 2.1, display upgrade, and our undying respect
Still unsure whether you want that Android iPad KIRF we spotted a couple weeks ago? What if we told you it got a display upgrade to 10-inches and an OS upgrade (to Eclair) to boot? Rocking a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor, 512MB of RAM, a 16GB flash drive, SD card slot, three USB 2.0 ports, headphone and mic jacks, Ethernet and HDMI ports, and WiFi, this is definitely something to keep an eye out for on your next trip to the gadget markets of Shenzhen. Just remember to grab one for us, okay?
Enso's zenPad finds the funds to become reality
With only 500 units ordered and 30 scheduled to ship on May 8th, it's clear the Enso zenPad won't blow up the world, but it's nice to see a startup make good on its promises. We've yet to receive one of the cheap Android tablets ourselves, but we do finally have proof they're on the way: Enso CEO Alberto Armandi just sent us an official, signed receipt for the purchase of 500 MID-560A tablet computers from OEM SMiT, along with a bank document proving they have been bought and (mostly) paid for. What happens now is threefold: The 250 buyers who held out receive a rebranded SMiT tablet, the 250 who didn't get their money back (anecdotal reports indicate refunds are underway), and the whole mess hopefully fades into obscurity, letting the three young entrepreneurs who brought us this niche Chinese device get on with their lives. See the slightly redacted proof Enso actually purchased these things, right after the break.
