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Apple rumor roundup: 'the day before' edition
We'll just come right out and say it: we couldn't possibly be happier to see that January 27, 2010 is tomorrow. Shortly after 10AM on the left coast, Stevie J himself will finally put a hush to the rumors that have been swirling constantly over the past fortnight or so (and we'll be there live to cover it). Till then, however, we've got one more round of scuttlebutt to serve up. Kicking things off is a New York Times report that explains in some level of detail what exactly the supposed Apple tablet will feature in terms of specifications. To quote: "It will run all the applications of the iPhone and iPod Touch, have a persistent wireless connection over 3G cellphone networks and Wi-Fi, and will be built with a 10-inch color display, allowing newspapers, magazines and book publishers to deliver their products with an eye to the design that had grabbed readers in print." We shall see. Moving on, we've got even more whispers that publishers -- with the NYT mentioned specifically -- around the globe have been getting wind of this thing as the suits in Cupertino attempt to nail down content deals. Broadcast Engineering even has a piece that straight-up states that Apple was "was in New York City last week showing the tablet to media companies as a new way to sell books, newspapers and other reading material through its iTunes online store." Still not convinced? NetbookNews has an apparently ongoing article about the authenticity / non-authenticity of a Media Markt tweet that "accidentally" leaked a supposed €899 price point for the device, while Hot Hardware switches things up and reports that AT&T will lose its iPhone exclusivity during tomorrow's event. Oh, and the very first hands-on review of the Apple tablet is also live (courtesy of Mosspuppet), while yet another hotly contested image has arisen to perch atop these very words. Phew.
HP Slate teases us with another video appearance
The HP Slate -- has there ever been a more iconic, more groundbreaking, more life-altering device? Oh, there has? Well anyway, HP CTO Phil McKinney has been friendly enough to share some of the history behind the development of his company's newly announced tablet, which is set for a release at some point later this year. Starting with e-reader prototypes five years ago, he tells us, HP steadily built up an idea of the sort of "rich media experience" modern consumers are lusting after. It's only now, however, in a "perfect storm" of innovation, that HP finds itself capable of pairing the right hardware with the mainstream-friendly price point it was shooting for. Join us after the break for the full dose of education on this multitouch Windows 7 machine.
Stantum multitouch Slate PC prototype hands-on
We've had a few run-ins with Stantum before, and never came away less than impressed. This time they sent us their Slate PC concept, which is actually a hacked-up Dell mini 10. The 10-inches of real estate don't seem to hamper Stantum's multitouch, ultra-sensitive and pressure-simulating resistive touchscreen technology one bit. Unfortunately, with stock Windows 7 on here we're not sure this makes much more of a compelling use-case for a "slate" computer than we've seen already littering the halls of CES. Read-on for our full impressions and a video tour.
Dell teases the Streak?
Welcome to CES 2010, where we're currently enjoying the 'year of the slates.' Dell's just teased us by talking about its "upcoming slates," and from the looks of it, the one shown off is the Streak we've been hearing about for a few months now, though of course we can't be sure yet. Sure, there was perilously little detail given out -- all we know so far is that it's a 5-incher and it's running Android, and there appears to be a camera around back. This also is only the first of the slates, so hopefully we'll get to see more of Dell's offering soon. We'll keep you posted as we find out more detail, but check out some other angles of this mystery device after the break.
Stantum shows off resistive multitouch Slate PC, we're awed again
Stantum Japan already got us all giddy and schoolgirlish once, and now that the company's TouchPark has reached the proof of concept stage, we're ready to fawn all over again. Initially compatible only with smartphone hardware, the firmware seems to have been adapted to the x86 instruction set, as it's now perched atop a Dell Mini 10 netbook modded with a resistive touchscreen. Responsiveness and accuracy are both remarkable, with the multitouch feature accommodating as many fingers as you can fit on the screen. There's pressure sensitivity too, and we even get to see the thing used with a paintbrush. A paintbrush. Scalable from 2.5 to 30 inches, this can do all the gestures, swipes and rotations you want, and viewing the video after the break will lead you to conclude the same as us: this needs to be out yesterday.
Stantum's unlimited multitouch meets Mini 10 in a fight to the death (update: now with WiFi, Bluetooth)
The last time we saw Stantum, it was blowin' minds with its PMatrix technology -- and here we are, a mere ten months later, and the company's back with its proof-of-concept Slate PC. Based on the Dell Mini 10 platform, this bad boy features a 10.1-inch "unlimited" touchscreen and new, compact case. In order to save space, the company did away with not only the keyboard and trackpad, but the webcam, WiFi, Bluetooth, and one of the USB ports (bringing the total down to two) as well -- which just might limit the appeal for resellers. You never know. Feel like diving in? Hit the read source link to contact the company, and tell 'em Engadget sent you. [Thanks, Adam] Update: We just received an email from the company telling us that revision 2 of the Slate PC (available now!) includes your beloved WiFi and Bluetooth. Hit that source link for further details.
Dell Mini 9 modded into motion sensitive, touchscreen tablet (video)
True, this ain't the first Dell Mini tablet hack we've laid eyes on -- but what we do have here is a pretty sweet mod by MyDellMini forum member "rock99rock" (must be his confirmation name). In addition to replacing his Dell Mini 9 display with a touchscreen kit, our man re-jiggered an ActionXL motion sensing controller to allow the screen to rotate as you rotate the device. Not bad, eh? Hit that read link for some real radical instrucciones -- but not before checking out the enthralling video after the break.
Dell Mini 9 modded into an internet tablet
MyDellMini forum member Rob928, take a bow. This honorable gentleman has only gone and transformed an aging 9-inch netbook into a new-fashioned internet tablet. it might still be a chubby little thing, but there's no denying the usefulness of using the entire screen to navigate instead of the usually cramped netbook touchpad. With a 16GB SSD upgrade alongside the venerable Atom N270 and 1GB of RAM, this device will even boot faster into Windows than your run-of-the-mill netbook. The read link will reveal all, including more shots of the hardware laid bare. [Via SlashGear] %Gallery-75545%
Motion brings durable Gorilla Glass to C5 and F5 tablets, tries to break it
It's been a minute since we've heard from the gang at Motion Computing, but as always they've used the time wisely, quietly working to improve their beloved C5 and F5 slate PCs. If recent upgrades to Verizon EV-DO, WiFi n, 64GB SSDs and the like weren't enough to get you psyched for your next trip to the ER, the company is proud to announce that you can now order your tablet with some of that hardcore Gorilla Glass you've read so much about. Just how durable is the display, you ask? How would you like a video to demonstrate it? What if we told you that some vaguely U2-esque stock music provided the soundtrack? Go ahead, you know you want to -- it's after the break.
Apple tablet rumors redux: 10.7-inch display, iPhone OS underneath
At this point, it's difficult to say exactly what we believe. Just a fortnight ago, we heard that the so-called Apple tablet would ship with a 9.6-inch display and a P.A. Semi processor, and now iLounge is hearing from "trusted sources" that something other than that is true. The latest round of maybe-sorta-probably-not-true whispers is that the current prototype of the device boasts a 10.7-inch display and a resolution near 720p. Of course, we've no idea where Apple would source a capacitive touchscreen of that size, but we wouldn't put anything past El Jobso. Moving on, we're told that iPhone OS will be used, signifying that this will be more of an advanced media player / light communication device than a full-on netbook competitor. Finally, we're told that a 3G and non-3G version will be offered, and if Mr. Boss signs off on it, it could be announced as early as January with a June / July ship date. Oh, and it'll come pre-loaded with Unicorn-approved applications and a vial of fairy dust -- huzzah!
TabletKiosk rises from the ashes, pops Atom CPUs into hideous new UMPC / tablet line
Sheesh -- whatever happened to TabletKiosk, anyway? Aside from one random slate PC tailored for the medical industry, we haven't seen anything meaningful from these guys since 2008. And yes, that includes the present day. Oh sure, the company's newest trifecta of machines -- which includes the 7-inch eo a7330D, 7-inch eo TufTab a7230XD and 12.1-inch Sahara NetSlate a230T -- may use the incredibly mighty Atom CPU now, but that doesn't change the fact that they're all uglier than sin itself. In fairness, all three are designed more for the enterprise market than for fashion conscious consumers, but still, we're struggling to see any design improvements here compared to the wares this outfit was pushing way back in 2007. If you truly believe that beauty's on the inside, hit the read link for all the dirt.[Via HotHardware]
China Mobile's 7-inch Android slate gets rendered
We've nothing much to go on outside of a few good renders and a smattering of machine translated paragraphs, but it sure sounds as if China Mobile is entertaining the idea of bringing a 7-inch Android-based tablet to its airwaves. As the story goes, said slate would boast China's homegrown TD-SCDMA 3G connectivity, support for video calling, a full-fledged web browser and an OPhone operating system -- which is essentially a customized version of Android for the Chinese market. Sadly, no further information was given, leaving us to wonder what kind of innards are scheduled for implant and what kind of price tag / release date we're looking at. Oh, and those "call" and "end call" buttons are pretty darn evident, leading us to believe that China Mobile might actually expect you to use this as your primary mobile. Can you say... Sidetalkin'? [Via Pocketables]
Motion brings Verizon WWAN, SSD, other upgrades to C5 and F5 tablet PCs
It's been a solid tick since Motion Computing overhauled its F5 Slate PC, but all that's changing (seriously) today. As you can tell, the device now sports a freshened look with a black exterior to "better withstand dirty and dusty mobile work environments." Additionally, the C5 tablet is joining in for the rest of the upgrades, which include inbuilt support for Verizon Wireless' EV-DO network, Intel's WiFi Link 5300 series 802.11a/g/n, Core 2 Duo CPU options, improved battery life, a 64GB SSD option and an external battery charger for hardcore field users. The Motion F5 gets going at $2,699, while the C5 starts up at $500 less; both machines are shipping now to the company's network of resellers and distributors, and the release can be peeked in full just after the break.
HP rumored to be concocting digiframe / slate PC hybrid device
We've heard some rumors that were pretty far out in left field, but this one is far out. In fact, the only reason we're giving it even an ounce of credence is that it's a perfect market opportunity -- we mean, who isn't dreadfully sick of the plain jane digital photo frames that are impossible to distinguish from one another? At any rate, whispers have it that HP is working up a frame that will double as a slate PC of sorts, giving users a full blown web browser, e-mail client, RSS reader and access to other "widgets and lightweight applications." Predictably, the mythical unit will be marketed as a companion internet device, and we're told that it may even boast an Intel Atom CPU alongside a 10-inch panel and a WiFi radio. We'll find out if you'll really be burning $400 on this so-called conglomerate before the year's end.
Motion Computing unveils "semi-rugged" F5 Slate PC
It's been a solid tick since we heard a peep from Motion Computing, but nearly a year after we first wrapped our paws around the firm's C5 medical tablet, the F5 has arrived. Granted, this bugger is more suited for service industries and field work than the ER, but its "semi-rugged" nature ensures that it'll get the job done almost anywhere. Packed within the IP54-compliant (read: dust, water, shock and temperature resistant) chassis is a 1.2GHz Intel Centrino U1400 processor, 10.4-inch XGA (1,024 x 768) View Anywhere display, 40GB HDD (optional 32GB SSD available), built-in 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth, WWAN (EV-DO) support and a 2-megapixel camera for good measure. Additionally, you'll spot an optional barcode reader, integrated RFID reader / passive tag, a biometric scanner, three USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, VGA output and a battery good for about 3.5 hours of usage. Unfortunately, such a well-spec'd Slate PC won't come cheap, as this creature will set you back a stiff $2,699 to $4,000 depending on configuration.Update: Check out videos of the F5 surviving a brutal drop test and enjoying the rain after the jump. %Gallery-17243%
TabletKiosk's Sahara i440D Slate PC reviewed, benchmarked
Just over a fortnight after the TabletKiosk's Sahara i440D Slate PC began shipping out to interested buyers, the niche machine has now been reviewed and benchmarked for those still mulling a purchase. The folks over at TabletPCReview noted that this machine was a breeze to tote around, had a solid feel, sported a satisfactory (though not awe-inspiring) display, and performed sufficiently enough for those not looking to actually replace their (likely more robust) laptop. Additionally, the pen functionality was highly praised as was the respectable array of ports, but the amount of noise and heat that this bad boy emitted was a slight turn-off. Still, the Sahara i440D benchmarked well against similar alternatives, and while we wouldn't recommend 3D gaming or motion picture rendering on it, it seems like a solid choice for those in the market. Check out a videoed extension of the review after the jump.
