Tag Archives: 2.2

CES, netbooks, tablets

Lenovo LePad Tablet and IdeaPad U1 Hybrid Officially Out Again with Android 2.2

So, Lenovo is officially back to this netbooks/tablets game after freezing its high-end U1 Hybrid project for a while in order to do some serious thinking. And as we’ve said, they are back again, appear ready and able to kick some real ass with what’s now being called the IdeaPad U1 Hybrid with LePad tablet. So what has changed, you’re asking? The new skin version is now powered by Google’s Android 2.2 version (called LeOS) instead of the sluggish Linux Skylight platform. Additionally, you’ll be getting even more powerful processors inside, as the U1 base unit is now equipped with a 1.2GHz Intel Core i5-540UM (optional i7) and the LePad tablet boasts a 1.3GHz Snapdragon flavor. Design wise, the netbook station now has a nice and more efficient chiclet keyboard within, along with a dimpled trackpad at the bottom and an overall sense of high and lavish style. Other than that, we’re glad to see substantial improvements in the LePad screen as well. The 10.1-incher is much more responsive than its sluggish and resistive predecessor, and seems to have a 1280 x 800 capacitive multitouch panel on board. Switching between Windows (base unit) to Android (tablet) is as simple as docking and undocking the LePad unit from its U1 platform. The process for itself often seems super fast when it comes to disconnecting between the two devices, while a bit slower the other way around. As for pricing and availability, the LePad is coming at ya (in case you live in China) sometime this quarter with a base price of $520, while the full package, including both the tablet and the U1 unit will run you for a whopping $1300. Expensive! Regretfully, there’s no further info about US availability at the moment, but you can take a look at. Engadget’s Joanna Stern hands-on video or read the full PR after the break.

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tablets

Archos Internet Tablets Finally Get Android 2.2 Firmware Update

And it looks like Archos lived up to its promise. The French corp has just released a new firmware update for its latest and greatest Internet Tablets lineup which features several models including the Archos 23, 32, 43, 70, and 101. One of the most notable features in this update is the most anticipated Android 2.2.1 platform that Archos has generously provided along with some other interior improvements in battery life, performance, user interface and external GPS adapters support. So if that’s what you’re into, go ahead and grab it, free of charge, at the company’s website or simply hit the Archos link couple of steps below.

[Archos]

News, tablets

Toshiba’s 10-Inch Folio 100 Tablet Now Available Around Europe

Japanese electronic giant Toshiba has purportedly started rolling out its latest and greatest Folio 100 tablet across Europe, according to official PR announcement, delivered after the break. Toshiba had promised it would roll out the Android Froyo slate in the continent before the end of the year, and seems to be sticking to its promise. The 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen device which will retail for €399 for WiFi only version or up to €529 for the 3G-enabled one (available Q1 2011), comes fully equipped with NVIDIA’s new ARM SOC chipset, along with 16GB of internal storage, mini-HDMI output, USB hub, SD card reader, 1.3 megapixel webcam and Bluetooth version 2.1. Battery wise, you’re looking at a seven hours package and we certainly hope to see this bad boy going live in the US somewhere around holidays time.

Update: Looks like Toshiba has just issued a new firmware update (v2.2.5.0053) in order to improve screen tap respond issues, audio / video processing and pinch-to-zoom capabilities. For more coverage hit the following link.

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News, tablets

Elocity A7 Android 2.2 Tablet Now Available For Pre-Orders On Amazon

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Think there’s a room for yet another Android tablet in your hearts? How about the latest 7-inch Android Froyo slate that Amazon is offering for pre-order at $370? No, it’s not as popular as Apple’s iPad or Samsung’s GalaxyTab but hey, it’s much cheaper than others and StreamTV , the company that has recently brought it Stateside, is promising a lot of goodies inside. And while it won’t come preloaded with Google apps on board, the slick 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen device still worth a try. Why? Because it packs this powerful 1GHz Tegra II-720 processor that will run games and 1080p HD videos stutter free. Besides that, it also packs a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera, an SD card slot, WiFi, USB and HDMI ports – isn’t that cool? If you just answered this one positively, hit the link and make a choice.

Update: Engadget’s Joanna Stern was lucky enough to play around with the new Elocity A7 tablet device in front of the camera – So check her video out,  it’s definitely worth a watch.

[via Netbook News]

News, tablets

Hannspree Rolls Out a 10.1-Inch Android 2.2 Tablet With Tegra 2 Chipset

Hannspree is no stranger for us at this website, but frankly it’s not as popular as other established companies you may well know. Nevertheless, you might still find it interesting, especially with that new 10.1-inch multi-touch tablet which the company has recently shown. Basically, for the €399 (about $505) that Hannspree is asking for, you’ll buy yourself a nice and lavish Android 2.2 device, packing a 1,024 x 600 capacitive display with 16GB of internal storage, WiFi, Bluetooth, a built-in accelerometer, HDMI output and one USB host. The 3,500mAh battery is said to deliver up to 8 hours of high-def video playback when this thing comes out somewhere around the end of this year, we’re told.

[via Tblt.de]

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Mobile, News, tablets

Dell Streak Caught On Video Running Android 2.1 OS

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While Dell is still being elusive when it comes to when we will be able to pick up its wonderful 5-inch Android-based tablet/phone device from local US retail stores, Dell’s Kevin Andrew has taken the burgeoning conversation into the vids and uploaded a Youtube vlog where he talks openly about the Streak and demos the Android 2.1 platform running with Dell’s customized build, in front of the camera. Hopefully, it would go on retail (somewhere this summer) running Froyo 2.2 inside and painted with cherry red colors from the outside, but at the meantime, until it happens, you’ll have to settle with your Android 1.6 version (if you happen to have a Dell Streak machine already) and the 2.1 flavor presented on the web.

On a different note, we hear that Dell will be offering the Streak in the US for $299.99 with a two-year contract at AT&T or $549.99, free of any obligations. Checkout the video after the break.

Update1: Guess what? Dell is officially going to start selling the 5-inch Streak In the US, through AT&T, coming this Friday morning. How much? $299 with a 2 years contract or $549.99 in case you prefer the “no obligation” relations. We are still to confirm whether it would sell with the usual Android 1.6 platform, an Android 2.1 or anything better (AKA: Froyo). PR after the break.

Update2: I guess it was too good to be true. Turns out the aforementioned $549 off-contract version is…how should we say, not exactly unlocked as some of you might have thought. According to official Dell sources the “free” Dell Streak tablet, “will not be SIM unlocked”, which means you stay connected to AT&T whether you buy the more-expensive version or not.

Update3: And if you can’t wait anymore for Dell’s official Android 2.1 update to come out, you can download it, at your own risk, from this address – apparently, it works! Otherwise, you can downgrade back to the good ol’ Android 1.6 flavor from here.

[Dell]

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