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ExoPC preorders open to all from CAD $649, tablet loses GPS but gains SanDisk SSD
First the good news, for those who've waited months to get their paws on that 11.6-inch multitouch capacitive screen: there's no longer anything stopping you from dropping a stack of change on the Windows 7-wielding ExoPC. Originally restricted to the first 1,200 dedicated fans, preorders are now open to all, with the 32GB tablet setting you back CAD $649 (about $624) and the 64GB version CAD $749 (about $720), with both models featuring up-to-160MB/s fast SanDisk P4 mini-SSDs and up to four hours of battery life. The bad news is that you'll no longer find GPS on that 64GB model, as the prototype didn't pan out, and we're afraid that September 30th ship date has already slid back to October 15th. Take a gander at our hands-on preview (or better yet, wait for our review) if you've yet to make your mind up. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Samsung suggests Galaxy Tab will cost between $200 and $400 on contract -- also coming to Vodafone
Early reports indicate Europe will pay a pretty penny for Samsung's Galaxy Tab, but the 7-inch tablet may cost a good bit less when it comes to US shores -- the Wall Street Journal paraphrases a Samsung executive who claims it could run between $200 and $300 depending on the all-important carrier subsidies. The Korea Times, meanwhile, suggests a $300 to $400 retail price according to a different Samsung bigwig, who added that the Tab "will cost slightly more than the Galaxy S smartphone." As you're probably aware, Sammy's Galaxy S typically retails for about $200 in the US -- excepting Sprint's Epic 4G at $250 -- so if you held a bursting Li-ion battery to our head and forced us to guess, we'd say the latter range of dollar signs is far more likely. By the way, Vodafone shows the Galaxy Tab as "coming soon." Hit our more coverage links for details. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
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.
Samsung Galaxy Tab falls into FCC hands with GSM radio frequencies, 5GHz dual-band WiFi
When Samsung's 7-inch tablet finally sees the states, it might indeed be more than a giant Galaxy S -- for one thing, it may have Froyo, but for another, it could have faster, more building-penetrating WiFi than most comparable devices on the market. That's because when the Galaxy Tab hit the FCC by the name "SHW-M180S," it came loaded with dual-band 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi capable of speeds up to 150Mbps. It also intriguingly sports the GSM 1900 radio frequency, meaning an AT&T launch might be in the cards alongside the CDMA one rumored for Verizon. Browsing through the WiFi Alliance databases in an attempt to track the tablet down, we spotted both a "GT-P1000T" and a "GT-P1000L," each with dual-band WiFi, suggesting that there are multiple versions in the works... and the Global Certification Forum shows one of them actually has quad-band GSM and HSDPA connectivity. Not bad, Samsung. Now, let's hear about battery life.
HP confirms webOS tablet for 'early 2011'
We'd heard HP's Todd Bradley had confidentially told employees that a webOS tablet would arrive in Q1 2011, but now the man's gone on the record in the company's Q3 2010 earnings call. "You'll see us with a Microsoft product out in the near future and a webOS-based product in early 2011," he told investors and analysts in response to a direct question about tablets this afternoon, adding that potential slates were part of the reason HP bought Palm in the first place. Now, we're not financial experts, but we've heard it's typically a good idea not to promise things to your shareholders if you don't intend to deliver. In other words, there's a good bet the PalmPad is actually not an imaginary friend our subconscious created after Mark Hurd's hateful words in June. [Thanks, Robert]
Is CineXPlayer for iPad struggling to deliver on its Xvid-playing promise?
We were convinced the apocalypse was nigh earlier this month after learning Apple would allow playback of lowly video formats like Xvid on the iPad via the approved CineXPlayer app. Mobiputing's review, however, indicates that the software has trouble loading anything but Xvid and DivX files, which even then often don't play. App Store reviewers appear to have had better results with it, giving it an average of four and half stars -- though close to 32 percent or 433 reviewers did only rate it as one or two. To it's credit, though, CineXPlayer does warn users that not all Xvid files may play and requests that any problems be submitted to their support contact to address. Anyone out there having similar issues? Let us know in the comments below!
Chrome OS tablet coming from Google and Verizon on Black Friday? (update: probably not)
We've been waiting on pins and needles for Google to announce some official Android tablet plans for so long we'd almost forgotten about Mountain View's other operating system -- but from what we're hearing, Chrome OS is about to jump to center stage with a tablet debut on Verizon just before the holidays. Our friends at Download Squad are told by a reliable tipster that HTC is building a Tegra 2-based Chrome OS tablet for Google with a 1280 x 720 multitouch display, 2GB of RAM, at least 32GB of storage with the possibility of expansion, GPS, a webcam, and the usual wireless connectivity, including a 3G radio. Launch is pegged for Black Friday on November 26, and apparently the plan is to offer the device for extremely cheap or free on subsidy, which makes sense -- it is just a browser, after all, and "free" sounds mighty nice compared to the iPad's $499 entry point. (Of course, you'll undoubtedly be tied to a Verizon contract, but we'll just let that slide for now.) We'll see how much of this comes true in the next few months -- we're certainly intrigued. Update: The author of the Download Squad post, Lee Matthews, apparently fabricated all these specs -- in comments, he confirms that they're "pure speculation," and this his source only provided the launch date and Verizon partnership. That part certainly seems plausible, but we wouldn't necessarily believe any of this -- it's pretty suspect to just make things up. Update 2: One of our own actually proven tipsters just hit us to say this whole thing -- including launch date -- sounds suspect, and that ARM-based Chrome OS tablets won't hit until late 2011 at least. It'll be Atom-based netbooks until then, we're told. That lines up with everything else we've ever heard from Google and its partners, so we're calling this entirely bunk until we actually see some hardware.
Samsung Galaxy Tablet P1000 firmware leaks out, points to 1GHz Hummingbird core?
Samsung's Galaxy Tablet might debut with Vodafone. It might appear at IFA. And it might ship with a slightly slower processor than the last batch of rumors supposed. Samsung Firmwares claims to have stumbled upon a Android 2.2 software build for the Samsung Galaxy Tab P1000 complete with device specs in tow, and says it will have a 1.0GHz S5PC110 processor just like the Galaxy S at left. That's not the only characteristic the 7-inch tablet might share with that smartphone, as the website also fingers an 800 x 480 screen, which might explain why Sammy felt the need to smack the iPhone 4's pixel density. We wouldn't call it anything near confirmation, but the website also corroborates the 3.2 megapixel rear camera and tiny front-facing shooter our tipster tagged in June, plus a Swype keyboard, Flash and the ubiquitous WiFi and GPS. We're eager to find out what's actually under the hood when we finally see it in person.
Screen Grabs: Ari Gold will definitely fire this guy once he notices he's using an iPad
Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com. The latest episode of HBO's Entourage (if that's the kind of thing you're into) might have been a bit of an eye opener if you're also the kind of person who keeps an eye open for gadgets. Ari Gold's legal adviser (seen in around the 4th minute of the episode if you need the proof) has an iPad set up, keyboard and all. Now, we know Ari's character pretty well. He's the BlackBerry Bold type -- and while his wife uses an iPhone, we have a hard time believing Ari's going to put up with the iPad in the office nonsense for very long. You, young man, are on very thin ice. There's one more shot after the break. [Thanks, Pat]
HP not making Windows Phone 7 devices, focusing on webOS instead
No big surprise here, but HP Personal Systems Group VP Todd Bradley just flat-out confirmed to CNBC that HP will not be making any Windows Phone 7 devices, preferring instead to focus on the newly-acquired webOS for its line of smartphones. Here's the entire exchange: Q: Can you make webOS successful with developers when you're selling Windows Phone 7, maybe Android or Linux at the same time? A: We continue to be Microsoft's biggest customer, and we continue to believe we will drive innovation with Microsoft. At the same time, I think it's clear to say, that we're very focused on the customer, and giving the customer the experience that's important to them. We won't do -- will not do a Linux / Android phone. We won't do a Microsoft phone. Q: So no Windows Phone 7? A: We will continue to more broadly deliver the webOS-based phones that are in the market today, and Jon and his team have driven a strong roadmap for the future. Q: So does that mean you're going webOS only for phones? A: For smartphones it does. Our intent is to focus those resources and really make webOS the best OS it can be. That's a big ouch for Microsoft -- it has to sting when your biggest customer turns its back on your fledgling mobile efforts -- but we can't exactly see HP spending a billion dollars on Palm only to turn around and support multiple platforms. There is a small silver lining for Microsoft, though -- Bradley also reiterated that HP's tablet plans aren't so locked in, and once again hinted that the Windows 7-based HP Slate has become an enterprise product, which is at least better than being killed off entirely. Lose some, lose some slightly less, we suppose. Full video after the break -- the good bit starts around 5:20.
ExoPC nabs improved screen and e-book app, still on track for a September release (video)
Still pining for one of the best Windows 7 tablets we've seen to date? Yeah, we're talking about the 11.6-inch ExoPC. Well, we've got nothing but good news: the company's still on track for a September release and has been putting the finishing touches on the Windows 7, Intel Atom-powered slate. According to some new videos posted by the company, the tablet's been upgraded with a new LCD that appears to have much better viewing angles than the one we checked out at Computex. Additionally, the Canadian team's been doing some stand-up work on an e-book app. As you can see in the video beyond the break (more can be found there in the source link), it's got a simple interface, snazzy page flip animations and it looks fairly easy to import a book on your own. It's all lookin' quite good to us. Not that we're trying to rush this heat wave or anything, but is it September yet?
HP Slate 500 with Windows 7 surfaces on HP's site
We can't say we know exactly what's going on here, but it does appear that the HP Slate still lives in all its Windows 7 (and Intel Atom) glory. Yep, the guys at IDG News spotted the good ol' 8.9-inch HP Slate -- now apparently the Slate 500 -- hanging out on a rather hidden HP.com page. The details are few and far between, but they do seem to coincide with all that we originally had heard about the tablet -- it runs Windows 7 Home Premium, has "exclusive" HP software and two cameras. And that's not all, the chaps at IDG also noticed that the Slate 500 was Energy Star certified, and a listing for the same product on Energy Star's site confirms that it will have a 1.6GHz processor. That too seems to line up with what we had heard about the Slate having a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 CPU. We know, it's all a bit surreal considering we just got word yesterday that HP had filed a trademark on the term PalmPad, and we figured the Slate may have seen its day. There's no telling what will happen next, but it sure is looking like a HP Win 7 and WebOS tablet may just live in harmony.
Verizon's LTE rollout is imminent, computers updated for 4G SIM cards
We just got some alleged (but very convincing) internal documents on Verizon's 4G plans, and it's mostly stuff we've already heard -- 5-12Mbps down, aircards before smartphones, and plans to roll out in 30 cities in 2010. That said, documents dated this week show the company's still on track to serve up 100 million connections by the end of the year, and a pair of independent tipsters have just sent us pics of Verizon computers ready and waiting for those precious LTE SIM cards. Furthermore, the docs also claim that the planned LTE isn't just fast, it's got a lag-destroying 30ms latency too, and fans of wider wireless computing can expect 4G tablets of some sort in 2011 as well. See all the goodies in our gallery below. %Gallery-97705% [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
RIM's Blackberry Tablet might be seven inches, feature dual cameras and 1GHz CPU?
The rumor mill's been churning out quite the picture of RIM's Blackberry tablet over the past several months, and it's a research analyst who's most recently picked up the brush -- Ashok Kumar of Rodman & Renshaw, to be precise, who anticipates a 7-inch touchscreen device with a 1GHz processor, plus front- and back-facing cameras for video chat. Since that's a good 1.9 inches smaller than the slate rumored a couple months back, this latest spiel fills us with doubt... but hey, it's not like we had confirmation that RIM was even producing such a device, anyhow. It may be a while before we find out for sure, as Kumar told investors that even should the company succeed in an attempt to move up the schedule, the device still wouldn't launch until the end of the year.
Malaysia Airlines now offers iPad check-in (video)
It's getting easier and easier to enjoy in-flight entertainment on Apple's briskly moving tablet, but why wait till you get to the gate to dive in? If you're flying out of Kuala Lumpur, you can play with that 9.7-inch IPS touchscreen while you daydream of that time that watched Entrapment with your soulmate, book your flight, find departure times and even check in at dedicated kiosks. Adapting its iPhone application MHMobile for iPad use, Malaysia Airlines has installed five terminals at Kuala Lumpur Sentral so far -- where the company presently serves just 900 customers a day. See the interface in action after the break, or just download the existing app at our more coverage link if you're in search of that elusive globetrotter feeling.
Apple has sold three million iPads in 80 days
Apple's just announced that it's sold 3 million iPads worldwide since the US launch date, which is a pretty impressive sales rate, we'll give them that. The announcement also mentions that the tablet will drop in nine more countries during the month of July, so if you're currently living in a sad iPad-less nation, take comfort: you could be next. Press release is below, if you're into that sort of thing.
iPed tablet running Android 2.1 spotted in the blurry, blurry wild
The Orphan iPed M16's shown up in the wild, and thankfully, it's running Android 2.1. This 10.2-inch, cloney-looking fellow has a 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, 256MB of DDR2 RAM, 1GB of Nand ROM, plus a miniUSB port, Ethernet and Wifi, and a webcam. Optional add-ons? Well, there's the keyboard, Bluetooth and the 3G model if you want to get real fancy. We have to tell you that the tablet (which is in the video below) still doesn't look that compelling to us. There's no word on availability or pricing of this one, but we have a feeling it's not going to cost as much as an iPad.
eviGroup Paddle gets specced and splayed, now available from €599
This is far from the most flattering angle from which to view eviGroup's multitouch tablets, but it shows off an important facet of design -- should you buy the pricy Paddle (pictured at left), you'll be able to swap the battery, memory and hard drive. Units ship today with yesteryear's netbook specs, including a 1.6GHz Atom CPU, 160GB hard drive, 0.3 megapixel webcam and 1GB of RAM, but also the ports many tablets lack, including three USB jacks, VGA-out, an SD card slot and wired LAN. 802.11a/b/g WiFi comes standard while 3G connectivity costs an extra €150 (roughly $186), and if you'd rather not tinker with operating systems or hardware upgrades yourself, the factory will handle both for €50 ($62) and €79 ($98) respectively. The questions remaining are if the hardware can handle your applications -- and whether you're willing to pay iPad-plus prices for a device with just three hours of estimated battery life. Video after the break, full specs at the source link.
What's going on with the HP Slate?
Interesting post by our friend Harry McCracken at Technologizer today, pointing out that HP's gone dead silent about the Slate ever since it announced plans to acquire Palm. Harry was at The Big Money's Untethered conference today, and HP CTO Phil McKinney was on stage, where he "talked about the downsides of using existing operating systems for new types of devices" and "extolled the virtues of webOS." Interesting topic, since the Slate very prominently ran Windows 7. When pressed, Phil said he couldn't talk about unreleased products, which is a big change: it's been six months since Steve Ballmer first showed the Slate at CES, and since then HP's produced several rah-rah videos, one of them featuring none other than Phil McKinney himself. Harry takes this new silence to mean that the HP Slate is dead, and we're beginning to think he's right: although we haven't heard anything concrete, we definitely noticed HP's absence at tablet-heavy Computex, and at this rate, the Slate's rumored 1.6GHz Atom Z530 will be hopelessly out of date by the time it launches -- Intel's now showing off Moorestown Atom Z600 tablets and it's got the Windows-tablet focused Oak Trail Atom planned for early next year. The window's closing a little more with every passing day -- at this point, HP needs to come clean just so we can all move on to waiting for the Hurricane.
Vendetta Online to be ported to the Android OS
Google's operating system, Android, has had an odd genesis. It's been ported around for every flavor of mobile device, from phones to tablet PCs, but it's coming into a field already crowded with operating systems -- and the plethora of hardware running the system has hampered some efforts to port games to the architecture. Guild Software Inc. is making the push, however, adapting their indie MMO Vendetta Online to the Android system architecture. For proponents of the Droid over the iPhone, the good news is that it's the same operating system on your phone of choice. However, the port is specifically targeting the NVIDIA Tegra processors, aiming toward smaller netbooks and tablets rather than phones. In the official FAQ, the developers clarify that they're not currently planning to aim the port at any phones, although the door is open once the initial port is finished. It's still an exciting step for the Android architecture, however, and it continues expanding the network of MMOs available for mobile devices.
