First Android Honeycomb 3.2 Tablet By Huawei

Manufacturer Huawei claims the title for the first Android Honeycomb 3.2 tablet, with its 7-inch MediaPad announced on Monday.The tablet runs version 3.2 of Google's Android operating system for tablets, which is essentially the same version found on Motorola's 10-inch tablet, but tailored to the 7-inch screen of the MediaPad.

The MediaPad is expected to ship in Q3 in the U.S., but Huaweit offers no availability date or pricing. The tablet runs on a 1.2GHz processor and Huawei claims you can squeeze out six hours of battery life, which is still around four hours less than market leader, Apple's iPad. Huawei's tablet will be more in line with HTC's Flyer tablet, which runs on non-tablet optimized version of Android.

The MediaPad is lighter than an iPad, coming in at 0.86 pounds, but it's slightly thicker at 0.4 inches, versus the iPad's 0.34-inches. Huawei's tablet also features dual cameras, one 5MP lens at the rear, which can record HD video (but no mention on whether it's 720p or 1080p), and a 1.3MP sensor on the front for self-portraits and video calls.

Along with 3G (HSPA+) and Wi-Fi support, the MediaPad can play 1080p videos and offers 8GB of internal storage, as well as microSD (up to 32GB) and HDMI slots. Huawei promises Flash Player 10.3 will be on board at launch, together with preloaded Facebook, Twitter, and Documents To Go apps, and the Let's Golf game.

When the MediaPad hits the U.S. shores this fall, the tablet will be likely sold though carriers at a subsidized price (but tied to a monthly data contract), as Engadget reports Huawei has no plans to release a Wi-Fi-only model of its Honeycomb 3.2 tablet.

Source : First Android Honeycomb 3.2 Tablet By Huawei

Nokia CEO Talks about New Tablet

Nokia CEO Stephen Elop confirmed that Nokia is working on a Tablet. In an interview with YLE.fi, Elop commented that out of hundreds of tablets on the market, there is just one that is doing well. So when Nokia launches its tablet, it will be unique and will distinguish itself from its competitors. He said that they (Nokia) are always in a hurry to do the right things.

He also said that the team working on the tablet is weighing in its options on what software to use. It could use a Windows-based OS from Microsoft or simply go for MeeGo, which could make for a very interesting device.

In the 20 minute interview, Elop discussed its recent job cuts, current competitors like Google, its tie-up with Microsoft and the resulting Windows Phone 7 devices. A delay in entering the tablet market seems to be a smart move on the part of Nokia, especially with the uncertainty on the OS part, and taking the slow and steady approach on this one could give them a better chance of winning the race.

Source : Nokia CEO Talks about New Tablet, Uncertain Between Windows and MeeGo

Sony unveils Honeycomb based S1, S2 Tablets

Sony has finally joined the tablet scene by unveiling two Android 3.0 Honeycomb based tablets codenamed S1 and S2 (dual screen). These two tablets would be PlayStation Certified so you can play PlayStation titles meant for Android platform. Users will also be able to stream music and videos through Sony's Qriocity multimedia content streaming service. Packing dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 SoC processor, these new tablets would be available later this year in Fall (late September). At this moment, both tablets don't bear any brand name and Sony's referring to them as - Sony tablet to extend its VAIO products family.

Finally, even Sony has joined the rich and heavily competitive tablet segment. Two months ago, we reported about the S1 PlayStation tablet and here we have it. Today that report has finally turned true and we have the Sony tablet codenamed S1. Its 9.4-inch touchscreen display is big enough to enjoy web browsing and multimedia content. As of now, it's too early to determine whether this screen would be LCD or OLED display. 

The S1 has a unique 'wrap design' that looks as if a magazine has been folded and the press images clearly show it. In a way, that wrap will proved a bit of an elevation to keep the top part higher for ease of typing over the onscreen keyboard. Under the hood, S1 houses a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 System on Chip processor which will power the Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system. Sony has customized the touch panel UI to be "quick and smooth" and the web browsing will be powered with "swift" web browser. S1 tablet has two cameras for video chat as well as imaging - front facing and back panel.

Users will be able to browse, download and read eBooks from the Reader Store eBook store of Sony. The S1 tablet also has an Infrared Port (yeah!) to make it act like a universal remote for broader range of DLNA certified electronics. 

At first, the S2 tablet appears to be a stretched Nintendo DS in a clamshell form factor. The S2 tablet has dual touchscreen displays where each screen is 5.5-inch and 1024x480 pixel resolution. Even S2 is equipped with dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 SoC processor and it too has Android 3.0 Honeycomb running on it. What would be interesting is to use both panels independently for same or different purposes. For instance, if you are browsing on the top panel, then the bottom touchscreen panel will show on-screen keyboard for text input.  

Sony has equipped both tablets with Wi-Fi and WAN (3G/4G) but there are several other details about the hardware that are missing. As of now, this is just an announcement and in due course of time, we'll get to see most important detail - the price of these Android 3.0 Honeycomb based tablets.  

 Source : Sony unveils Honeycomb based S1, S2 Tablets

Dell Announces New Customer Solutions

Multinational information technology corporation Dell announced its partnership with Seventymm and Healthhiway offering customers solutions that allow them to balance the demands of home and family while enjoying a healthy and entertaining lifestyle.  Along with this announcement Dell has also launched Dell Stage a new user interface preloaded on Windows based Dell Inspiron and XPS laptops and desktops.

Seventmm is India’s largest online movie rental service and in partnership with Dell, customers can access over 20,000 original DVDs and VCDs in 18 languages across various genres. Exclusive for Dell customers is a free four week subscription which is renewable on expiry with free home delivery and pick-up along with no late fees or due dates.

Dell in association with Healthhiway allows consumers to avail off their very own Healthhiway PHR cost free for six months. This solution enables them to access specific tools to manage a variety of health conditions, from tracking blood pressure to monitoring weight loss; these tools store and chart readings letting users take an active role in monitoring their health and well-being through the health record.

Dell Stage which was launched last year on the Dell Streak Android tablets and Android smartphones is now preloaded on all Dell Inspiron and XPS laptops and desktops. With Dell Stage users can access photos, videos, music, documents and other personal content easily over a single user interface.

 

Source : Dell Announces New Customer Solutions and Dell Stage User interface

Android Tablet from G'Five to be Launched Soon

From projector phones to more basic low end handsets G’Five has made quite a name for itself in the Indian market. Some are even calling them the third largest handset player in India.  The introduction of an Android tablet which is already apparently in the works is sure to boost their status in this running considerably. 

Sources are talking about the Chinese company announcing a new Android based tablet within the next month and a launch soon after. What did seem surprising is that the report stated that the tablet would be running Android 2.1 version. FroYo is already running amok and handset and tablet makers are moving on up as the next version i.e. 2.3 aka Gingerbread is already here and featured on handset like the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play and Xperia Arc. So why bother with a version that’s already outdated? Even other local brands like Spice, Micromax and Videocon are going FroYo. Affordable smartphones from Samsung are also a step ahead. It can’t be to reduce pricing, perhaps we’ll know when the device is officially announced.

G’Five’s offering will feature a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen and possibly a VIA 600 MHz processor. That’s yet to be confirmed. The same report also quoted a G’Five official saying that the product was ready and waiting for a timely launch and pricing being ‘competitive’. It will have to be if they want to be taken seriously.

The company is also planning on lunching about 500 new stores for their brand – Mobispot where they’ll retail their entire range of devices which will include laptops as well as phones and tablets.

 

An offcial announcement from the company is yet to be made and as of now the device doesn't even seem to have a name or number.

Source : Android Tablet from G'Five to be Launched Soon

HP Plans Cloud Music Locker for TouchPad Tablet

A series of leaked slides over at PreCentral suggest Hewlett-Packard is preparing an ambitious cloud music service for the upcoming TouchPad tablet.

 

If this service comes to fruition when the TouchPad lands in the hands of consumers in June, then HP would beat Apple and Google, who are also reportedly working on similar services.

According to the slides, which allegedly come straight from the horse's mouth and are marked as confidential, HP's cloud music service would store your media on remote servers and keep in sync on your device via a "smart algorithm," which would ensure your favorite tracks are always on the device.

PreCentral also says the HP cloud music service would allow you to stream music that you don't own yet, and users would be able to stream music to HP smartphones as well, but it is unknown how this would actually work. The technology behind HP's cloud music service is said to come from Melodeo, which was bought by HP last year, shortly after it bought Palm.

If HP manages to ready the cloud music service by the time, it would beat Apple and Google to the game. Both are also said to be preparing similar services. Amazon was the first major player to introduce a cloud music service with the release in March of its Amazon Cloud Player, which allows users to upload and access digital music collections from anywhere.

The HP TouchPad is due to arrive in June, with a 9.7-inch 1024 by 768 pixel display, 16GB or 32GB of storage, and a 1.3 megapixel Webcam. HP is yet to announce exact pricing for the TouchPad, but it is expected to match the iPad 2 at $499.

Source : HP Plans Cloud Music Locker for TouchPad Tablet

Asus Says Transformer Tablet, Notebook Sold Out in UK

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer may be hotter than many, including Asus itself, expected, according to the company's press release on Monday. Initial demand for the Android tablet and laptop combo device "has been far beyond our expectations," Asus said, and the first UK batches have completely sold out. Is this a sign that a worthy iPad/iPad 2 competitor is finally around the corner? Or is this merely PR spin to increase interest and manage expectations?

It may be a little bit of both. Our interest was piqued when the Transformer first went on pre-sale: the 10.1" tablet on its own boasts the latest specs (Honeycomb OS, dual-core Nvidia Tecra 2 chipset, HD screen) and offers great laptop-like flexibility with the power-boosting full QWERTY dock.

Competitive pricing further sweetens the deal. The tablet with keyboard may be offered in a bundle in the US for a discounted intro price, according to Tom's Guide, but even when purchased separately at the expected US $399 price tag for the tablet and $149 for the dock, the Transformer may give the $499 keyboard-less iPad 2 a run for its money.

Part of the reason the Transformer has sold out completely in the UK (since its April 6^th on-sale date), however, is "stock delays due to additional testing procedures" by Asus on the device. Just as low inventory has fanned desire for the iPad 2 , low availability of the Eee Pad Transformer is no doubt contributing to the high interest and demand Asus is reporting.

Asus says there'll be greater stock availability in the UK at the end of April/early May. Here in the US, we're waiting patiently for the Transformer to land, and should perhaps expect the first units to fly off the shelves around the end of April as well. If the UK demand is any indication, maybe it's time to get in line?

Source : Asus Says Transformer Tablet, Notebook Sold Out in UK

About 35 Intel Oak Trail Tablets to Arrive in May

As reported last week, Intel is working on an all new Oak Trail chipset for the tablets.  At the Intel Developers Forum 2011 in Beijing, Intel showed its Atom family of chip dubbed Oak Trail meant for tablets that will run Android 3.0 Honeycomb. Bill Kircos, GM of Marketing, Intel Netbook & Tablet group, said that the OS, which is code-named Honeycomb, can run on Oak Trail chips. Release of actual products will depend on the device makers.

Kircos added that about 35 tablets housing Intel Oak Trail chips would be introduced next month from leading OEMs like Lenovo, Samsung, Fujitsu and Motion Computing. These new family of tablets would be capable of running Windows 7 and Intel MeeGo operating systems. 

At this moment, Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb runs on, and is available only with the tablets having ARM architecture based chips. In order to compete with rivals like Apple iPad and BlackBerry Playbook, Google aims to expand the support for Android 3.0 Honeycomb on more diverse processor architectures. Andy Rubin, VP of Engineering, Google,wrote in an official blog post that The Android platform has already spurred the development of hundreds of different types of devices - many of which were not originally contemplated when the platform was first created. 

Apparently, both Google Android and Intel are keen to acquire larger market share in tablet spaces in terms of model volumes and number of manufacturers. With advent of Oak Trail, the low-power Intel Atom architecture will compete with the ARM architecture based processors en masse. 

At IDF Beijing, Intel also talked about Oak Trail successor - Cloverview that would be manufactured with 32nm manufacturing process. The company is being ambitious about its plans and claimed that in 2013, new tablets as well as netbooks running on 22nm process based chips would be revealed. 

In next few months, be ready to be bombarded with announcements of new Intel Oak Trail tablets. Competition is going to get meaner and but you'll get loads of options to choose from. However, for Indian audience, it's going to take some time till all major options become available.

  

Source : About 35 Intel Oak Trail Tablets to Arrive in May

LG rumoured to make Google Nexus S tablet, possible lead device of Android 2.4

There is a distinct purpose served by the Google Nexus phones, they are the lead devices for their platforms at release, showcasing just what the new versions can do – its features, its capabilities – in a completely vanilla form.

To that end, it is not very surprising that a Google Nexus tablet is rumoured to be in the pipeline. The rumours are quite fair – after HTC and Samsung, Google has given LG the chance to make the Google Nexus tablet.

LG has shown it can handle the hardware with the LG Optimus Pad – being the first to squeeze in a 3D camera, a hi-res 1280x768 resolution 3D-capable display, 4G connectivity, and a dual-core processor in a Honeycomb tablet. That leaves all the fine-tuning of an all-vanilla Nexus tablet up to the geeks at Google.

Since Honeycomb is already out, it stands to reason the LG Google Nexus tablet will run the rumoured phone-tablet OS – Ice Cream Sandwich or, version 2.4. This is the OS that Google seems to be prepping the Nexus One and S for, with the Android 2.3.3 update. 

Source : LG rumoured to make Google Nexus S tablet, possible lead device of Android 2.4

HCL Launches Three Android-based Tablets

HCL Technologies has announced the launch of three Tablet PCs that run on Google’s Operating System, Android. There are two 7-inch variants, and one 10-inch device, that all run on Android 2.2 FroYo and range in price from Rs. 14,990 to Rs. 32,990.

HCL ME Tablet AE7-A1
This is the budget entry, what with the tablet costing only Rs. 14,990. Check out the specs of the AE7-A1 below:

• 800MHz Arm 11 Processor
• 256MB RAM
• 7-inch Resistive Touch Display at 800x480
• 0.3 Megapixel camera
• WiFI 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR and EVDO Dongle support via USB
• 2GB in-built Flash Memory
• MicroSD card slot for storage expansion upto 8GB
• SD/MMC card slot
• USB 2.0 host
• 2400mAh battery
• Google Android 2.2 FroYo

HCL ME Tablet AM7-A1
The mid-range entry, the AM7-A1 boasts of better specs than the similarly sized AE7-A1. As a result, the price goes up to Rs. 22,990 too. Check out the specs:

• 800MHz Cortex A8 processor
• 512MB RAM
• 7-inch Capacitive Multi-Touch Display at 1024x600
• 1.3 Megapixel Camera
• Support for HSDPA/UMTS
• WiFi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, 3G WCDMA
• 8GB in-built Flash Memory
• MicroSD card slot for storage expansion upto 16GB
• SD/MMC card slot
• USB 2.0 Port
• Supports 1080p video playback (upto 25fps)
• 4200mAh battery
• Google Android 2.2 FroYo

HCL ME Tablet AP10-A1
This is HCL’s high-end entry, as evidenced by the specs and the price tag of Rs. 32,990. Hopefully we’ll get some announcement regarding Honeycomb on this soon. In the meantime, here are the specs:

• 1GHz Dual Core Cortex A9 Processor
• 1GB RAM
• 10-inch Capacitive Multi-Touch display
• 1.3 Megapixel Camera
• 3G/HSDPA/HSUPA
• WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• 16GB in-built Flash Memory
• MicroSD card slot for storage expansion upto 32GB
• FullHD 1080p video playback
• SD/MMC card slot
• USB 2.0 port, Mini-USB port
• Docking port for expansion – USB 2.0, Ethernet and HDMI
• 3D Accelerometer and Light Sensor
• Google Android 2.2 FroYo

All three tablets are available for purchase over at HCLstore.in along with 3 and 6-month EMI options.
 

Source : HCL Launches Three Android-based Tablets

Asus Eee Pad Transformer Tablet Launched

Asus has introduced a new Eee Pad Transformer tablet with a full size Mobile Docking Station that allows it to be used as a notebook. New Asus Transformer tablet runs the Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb update with Asus' new MyWave User Interface on the top of it. Housing a 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, the Transformer tablet has a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, dual-cameras and an HDMI out. The company noted that the tablet would be available in 16GB and 32GB storage capacities for a price range of $400-$700 approximately.

Asus Eee Pad Transformer tablet has 10.1-inch IPS panel-based Corning Gorilla Glass capacitive touchscreen that supports 1280x800 pixel resolution. Its big touchscreen is capable of full 1080p HD playback and also has Adobe Flash Player 10.1 support (one can update with Flash Player 10.2 once product is made available officially). The most important feature of the Transformer tablet is that it houses 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor and 1GB RAM that will not only power the tablet but will also ensure smooth full HD playback.

At the back panel lies a 5-megapixel camera with auto-focus and a 1.2 megapixel at the front usable for the video chat. Other features of the Transformer tablet include Wireless-N and Bluetooth support for wireless connectivity. For physical connectivity, the tablet offers USB port, built-in card reader and HDMI out port. Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb running Transformer features Asus MyWave UI layered on top of it and has WaveShare network media sharing system along with other features. 

Transformer also includes Gravity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor, E-Compass, Gyroscope and GPS for location based services.

Asus offers an optional Mobile Docking Station which is basically a full QWERTY keyboard to be connected with the tablet. The QWERTY keyboard has Android function keys. Apparently, this mobile docking station is claimed of extending the battery life of the tablet to up to 16 hours. Otherwise, the standalone tablet offers up to 9.5 hours of battery life which is as much as that of the recent Eee PC netbooks.

Long battery life is an important feature and the Apple iPad 2 offers 10 hours of battery life. But what the tablet does with mobile docking station is exceptional - access and control the PC as well as Mac systems using MyCloud feature.

The new Asus Eee Pad Transformer joins the league of Android tablets - Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Motorola XOOM. Quite interesting. Now, we'll have wait to see whether Asus makes this tablet available globally soon.

Click here to view Asus Eee Pad Transformer Tablet specifications.

 

Source : Asus Eee Pad Transformer Tablet Launched

HTC Introduces the Evo View 4G Tablet

HTC brings a version of its HTC Flyer Tablet stateside, calling it the HTC Evo View 4G. The7-inch tablet was introduced at last month's Mobile World Congress, but at the time, HTC didn't supply U.S. launch plans. Sprint's unveiling today pulls that curtain back; we now know we'll see the Evo View 4G this summer, same time frame as the HTC Evo 3D, also introduced today.

The Evo View 4G runs a tablet-optimized version of HTC's Sense interface, on top of Android 2.3. Sprint says the operating system will be upgraded at some point in the future to Android 3.0 (Honeycomb). The tablet also has a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM, 32GB of internal memory, a microSD card slot, dual cameras (5-megapixels rear facing and 1.3-megapixels front-facing). And it will be able to play Adobe Flash.

The display's resolution is 1024-by-600 pixels; and, it supports pen input using HTC's Scribe pen. The digital pen accessory comes with the tablet, and lets you capture notations digitally--for example, highlight a passage or sign a document--and on audio.

Like the Evo 3D, the Evo View 4G has HDMI output and DLNA support. Plus, the tablet can serve as a mobile hotspot for up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices; competing tablets typically support just five Wi-Fi devices.

Source : HTC Evo View 4G Tablet