Author Archive: Gareth

Archos HOME Phone and Internet Radio

For years there has been a rumoured Archos phone. Finally we have one, however it’s not quite the phone we had hoped. You’ll leave this one behind most of the time as it’s an Android home phone designed for your landline. That said, Archos might have something here, a market that is fairly empty.

The ARCHOS Smart Home Phone takes a Home DECT phone and enhances it with Android; that same great interface as on a smart phone along with all those excellent smart phone features; caller name, number and photo display, customizable MP3 ringtones, web and emails. And transferring contacts from your Android mobile phone to your ARCHOS Smart Home Phone is simple though the integrated applications.

Archos 80 G9 and 101 G9

Archos has are currently unveiling a couple of new tablets in Paris at the moment, the 80 G9 and 101 G9.  The 80 G9 has an 8-inch panel with a 1024 x 768 screen resolution and the the 101 G9 has a 10.1-incher (1280 x 800). Both utilise Seagate’s 7mm Momentus Thin, a 2.5-inch hard disk for slim designed originally for high-capacity laptops, in order to scale to 250GB. Also on board is a dual-core OMAP 4 processor (1.5GHz ARM Cortex A9), support for Flash, access to the Android Market and a full-size USB port. You’ll also get an HDMI output, support for 1080p playback.

The duo are scheduled to go on sale at the end of September, much like the last generation but hopefully not with the same delays that pushed them back to Dec/ Jan 2011. Pricing seems to be around $279 for the 80 G9 and $349 for the 101 G9.

In addition, Archos announced the G9 3G WWAN stick ($49,)  to compensate for the lack of 3G in the tablets. A nice idea to keep costs down as it fits in snuggly into the back.

Huawei MediaPad media surfaces

Huawei are hitting the market with the first Android 3.2 tablet. Engadget reports that this is a Honeycomb 3.2 tablet, the first of it’s kind. 3.2 is essentially the same as 3.1, but specifically tailored to 7-inch tablets as opposed to 10-inch. Packed within the MediaPad’s 10.5mm shell, there’s a 217 pixels-per-inch IPS capacitive touch panel, GPS, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, 5 megapixel rear-facing camera, 802.11n WiFi, a battery good for around six hours of life and a bona fide racehorse as a processor: a dual-core 1.2GHz chip from Qualcomm. 

The MediaPad weighs only 390g,  supports full 1080p playback, includes HSPA+ (14.4Mbps) 3G support, offers 8GB of internal storage (as well as a microSD slot) and comes pre-loaded with Facebook, Twitter, Let’s Golf from Gameloft and Documents To Go. There’s also a Bluetooth module, an HDMI output for catching those high-def flicks on the go, and Flash 10.3.

Unfortunately, there is no pricing at this stage. Pictures and a demo video below:

O2 not doing the Blackberry Playbook

O2 UK have announced that it “will not be selling” the BlackBerry PlayBook. The popular carrier has started notifying customers who had signed up for more information about its change of heart.

The official release from O2 states: “unfortunately there are some issues with the end to end customer experience.” Boy Genius Reports that they believe it is due to the lack of a native email client (RIM says that they will have it in a future release…).

This jibes with the review BGR released stating that it felt like the Playbook was unfinished in it’s design. O2 did say that it could offer the product at a later date, and that it will work with Research In Motion on its BlackBerry PlayBook products in the future.

Posted by Gareth

Pre-Order the Toshiba Thive in America

As planned Toshiba have put their Thrive up for pre-order. Prices starting at $429.99 and it seems that the US is first on the list to get this. There is little indication as to when we can expect to see it here in the UK. Here is what Toshiba had to say.

Introducing the Thrive Tablet by Toshiba. Powered by Android 3.1, Honeycomb, this tablet delivers a better way to browse the Web, enjoy e-books and HD videos, play games, listen to music and more. Complete, convenient and customizable, it’s everything a tablet can and should be, with a gorgeous 10.1″ diagonal high-res multi-touch LED backlit display, features you can personalize, and speedy performance so you can multitask your way through your digital life (and favourite entertainment) with ease.

• Android 3.1, Honeycomb
• 10.1" High-resolution LED Screen
• Dual front and back webcams
• User-replaceable Easy Grip Back cover and battery
• One USB 2.0, One Mini USB, One HDMI and an SD Card Slot

Posted by Gareth

Android Market to show compatibility

Google has revamped Android Market, its own app store, to show devices that are compatible with each individual app. Now, when you visit Android Market on the desktop, the app that you’re viewing or trying to purchase will give you a compatibility list showing which of the Android phones or tablets that you have registered will work properly with the app.

With the compatibility check, Android users may feel more confident in making more app purchases, especially considering that Google had shortened the refund period for app purchases recently.
Also, as the Android platform is fragmented with various devices, device-makers, and also OS versions of Android, a compatibility check will help users quickly identify if the app will work with their particular device(s). Previously, users had to rely on developers to list specific compatibility in the app description.

Posted by Gareth

Asus Windows 7 Eeepc Tablet arrives through the backdoor

Asus has quietly launched a new 12.1″ Windows Tablet. I remember reading a review some months ago on Cnet and they were quite favourable of the device noting it as having  powerful specs, plenty of features  and a huge screen, which I sure you could have worked out yourself. However they also noted that it was difficult to use and hold because of it’s weight and the huge screen and the battery didn’t last as long as expected at only 3 hours.

The EP121 features a beefy Intel i5 processor, 32GB/64GB of storage with 2GB/4GB of RAM respectively. Complete with USB ports, Mini-HDMI, and memory card slots, the device also has a virtual keyboard hardware button, and an orientation lock also. The device weighs in at 2.6 pounds, which you had to expect with the 12.1? inch screen. This is been the Achilles heal for Windows 7 tablets, and I am sure something Microsoft and Intel want to change with Windows 8 devices.

Posted by Gareth

Vodafone to sell the other Samsung Galaxy Tab 10 1

Vodafone seems to be changing their tune as the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1″ goes on sale in the US. An email has gone out to interested customers alerting them to a change of plans. Vodafone is switching out the thicker Galaxy Tab 10.1v and its 8MP camera in favour of the “slim” version unveiled at CTIA.

“An important update regarding the Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1v

We’ve decided to add the slimmer Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 to our range, which will now take the place of the Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1v.

The Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 is packed full of cutting edge technology but is one of the world’s slimmest Honeycomb tablets, measuring 8.6mm thick and weighing just 599g. We’ve updated our website with more details, which you can see here

We’ll be in touch again soon with more information on pricing and availability.

Thank you”

The slimmer Tab 10.1 was created in response to the announcement of the iPad 2, and was designed to compete at a better price point with a more appealing 8.6mm-thick form factor. I mention the 8MP camera above because this is one are where Samsung downgraded, moving to a 3MP camera. The 10.1v will not be available. Vodafone has updated their product page to reflect the change.

Source Phandroid

Posted by Gareth