Pocketables

We all knew it was coming, since the first mention of Archos' Gen 8 Series of internet tablets to the recent announcement of the company's plans at this year's IFA. We had even got a sneak peak at two of the devices, in the form of the Archos 32 and A28, but now the company has finally revealed the whole long awaited line-up with all the details. Made up of five devices, Archos' new internet tablet series includes the aforementioned Archos 32 and A28, and the larger variants of the Archos 43, 70, and 101. The model numbers are directly linked to the screen sizes of the various devices ranging from the 2.8-inch A28, to the 7-inch 70, and the 10.1-inch 101. This curiously means that there isn't a new 5-inch model to directly replace the Archos 5 Android with the closest being the 4.3-inch Archos 43. As promised all the tablets feature ARM Cortex-A8 processors ranging from 800MHz for the A28 and 32, and 1GHz cores for the 43, 70 and 101. Archos have also stated that the whole line-up will feature accelerometers, the company's traditionally excellent media features and codec support, and ship with Android 2.2 Froyo, although the models on show at IFA are currently running 2.1. Unfortunately like the Archos 5 Android before it, all the new Internet Tablets will not be able to officially access Android Market due to Google's hardware restrictions, with Archos AppsLib provided as an alternative. In other areas there are some notable differences between the models so see a full rundown of each device and more images after the break.

Arriving a bit earlier than expected, ViewSonic has officially revealed the ViewPad 7 prior to the opening of IFA 2010. There aren't too many surprises from all the previous rumors and leaked images, with the attractive looking tablet looking nearly identical to the OlivePad VT100 from India's Olive Telecom. It has since been confirmed that ViewSonic and Olive Telecom are indeed sourcing from the same OEM, but ViewSonic have exclusive rights for the design in their markets in Europe, while Olive Telecom will be focusing on the Indian market.

The main new bits of information are that the ViewPad 7 will ship with Android 2.2 Froyo, have a 600MHz ARM processor (reported to be a Qualcomm Snapdragon design), and also include full 3G phone capabilities with a SIM card slot, meaning voice calls and SMS/MMS messaging much like its 5-inch rival the Dell Streak. The inclusion of phone capabilities also notably means that the device complies with Google's Android hardware requirements, granting the ViewPad 7 full official access to Android Market and compatibility with most of the apps. Other confirmed specs include the 7-inch WVGA capacitive touch screen, WiFi, 3G data, and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS, a VGA front facing webcam, a 3MP rear facing camera, and USB and microSD ports. So far ViewSonic have only confirmed the tablet's availability in Europe where it will launch in October for around £350 including tax (around US$541).

If you're looking for a 3G-enabled Windows 7 computer that easily fits into your pocket, then you'd be hard-pressed to find anything better than the Viliv N5. With its fast SSD, microSD card slot, integrated GPS, optical mouse, WSVGA touchscreen, 3G voice support, HD video playback capabilities, full-size ports, and great battery life, the clamshell PC (1.33GHz Atom, 1GB RAM) is second to none.

And because the N5 is the best Atom-based UMPC that money can buy right now, Pocketables and Dynamism want you to have one!

In the spirit of the back-to-school season, we're holding an essay contest. The topic? The most innovative use of the Viliv N5.

The grand prize winner will be chosen by you and awarded a Viliv N5. In addition, two finalists will receive $300 off the purchase of an N5 and five random commenters will get a $50 Dynamism-Gizmine gift card.

The yet to be launched but much publicized Samsung Galaxy Tab is officially in overdrive in its ongoing media spree. It's hard to determine whether or not the leaks are actually intentional or not, but the almost daily publicity is definitely generating a great deal of interest and anticipation in the lead up to Samsung's official announcement at IFA on September 2nd.

The latest news to hit the internet includes some new images of a CDMA version of the device in Isreal (above and below) and the unveiling of a wide range of accessories for the tablet. The photos are consistent with all that we have seen previously and give a good indication of the larger scale of the device in comparison to the Motorola Droid X. The existence of a version with a CDMA radio (marked on the white label) is a clear indication of Samsung's global ambitions for the Galaxy Tab and perhaps is also linked to rumors of the tablet being offered by carriers such as Verizon.

For our US-based readers following the emergence of Tegra 2 tablets from companies abroad (e.g., Pioneer Computers DreamBook ePad N7 from Australia and Japan's Toshiba SmartPad) and perhaps fearing the thought of expensive prices and shipping costs, Philadelphia-based StreamTV might just have the answer for you.

The company's recently revealed Elocity A7 tablet is another rebranded Compal NAZ-10 like the ePad N7 and Aigo N700, meaning it's got a 7-inch WVGA capacitive touch screen supporting multi-touch, Android OS, 512MB RAM, 1.3MP front-facing webcam, microSD support, USB and HDMI ports, WiFi, and the impressive Tegra 250 chipset powering proceedings with its 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 core and nVidia GPU. Early impressions have been very positive with notes about smooth general performance and impressive 1080p video playback. Current prototypes are running Android 2.1, but StreamTV has stated the final version will be shipping with 2.2 Froyo in October. Best of all, unlike its other rebranded contemporaries, the A7 is set to be available on Amazon for a pretty reasonable $399, including an HDMI cable and wireless keyboard accessories. One downside is that the device, like many other tablets, won't have official access to Android Market due to Google's current hardware restrictions, with access to the GetJar app store as an alternative.

The launch of the Elocity A7 is a great development for the US tablet market and MID enthusiasts. Assuming it does indeed launch on time at the stated price, I think it could definitely make a splash, although it's a bit strange seeing the same design with so many brands on it! It's also very positive that the powerful Tegra 250 chipset is starting to get a foothold in the market, as I believe it is a superb choice of processor for tablet and MID devices with its combination of processing, graphics, and media capabilities.

[Engadget]

The past year has seen countless manufacturers mainly from China enter the tablet race utilizing Rockchip's 600MHz RK2808 processor, a chip with respectable performance for devices aimed at the value-oriented end of the market. But with the greater demands for performance, features, and support for the latest versions of Android, Rockchip recently stepped up to the plate with its new 1GHz RK2818 with native support for DDR RAM and Android 2.1/2.2. So far we've only seen two devices said to feature the new chipset, the ezGear Surfboard 700 and the RAmos W9, but with the announcement of the N6 MID from newcomer Window, it looks like the RK2818 is starting to gain momentum much in the same way as its predecessor.

Not much is known about the Window N6, but what we do know is that it will run Android 2.1 with a planned update to 2.2. The tablet will also include 3G and WiFi connectivity, a trackball, and built-in accelerometer. The exact size hasn't been specified, but keeping in mind the company's recently announced 5-inch Window N5 PMP (also running Android but without WiFi), it seems quite likely that the N6 will have a 5- to 7-inch WVGA touch screen. The very simple minimalist design shown in the renders is a refreshing change from all the black with silver trim designs we've been seeing lately, and I'm looking forward to seeing the full specs when the N6 is expected to launch in September.

Overall I think the N6 along with its other RK2818 contemporaries may be the start of a new generation of more powerful Rockchip tablets helping to move the market forward by using the latest versions of Android and offering improved performance and features, while still maintaining competitive prices. Check out a few more images of the Window N6 below.

Perhaps in an effort not to be outdone by Toshiba and Samsung, an insider at ViewSonic has leaked several images of the company's new Android-running ViewPad 7 that is also set to make its official debut at IFA in Berlin next week. The high-res images reveal a sharp looking product that adheres to the current vogue of tablet design, with the prerequisite black glass front and silver edge. Upon closer inspection, one can see a quartet of touch buttons on the right side, a webcam on the left, and a mini USB and headphone out on the bottom edge. As previously rumored, the tablet is said to include 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a back-facing camera.

It's also interesting to note that these images of the ViewPad 7 seem virtually identical to the OlivePad VT100 featured over a month ago, indicating that either the ViewPad is a rebranded OlivePad, or perhaps more likely, that both ViewSonic and India's Olive Telecom are using the same OEM manufacturer to supply their respective tablets. Matching the decent specs of the OlivePad would be a good start for ViewSonic but the main question mark is the identity of the processor. If both these devices end up using nVidia's Tegra 250, they would certainly catch our attention and be competitive against other expected IFA debutants, the Toshiba SmartPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab. See another image of the ViewPad 7 after the jump and let us know what you think in the comments.

For as long as we've been staring into screens and displays of all sizes, two dimensions have been enough to entertain us, but now that the popularity of 3D movies and LCD TVs are becoming more mainstream, tablet makers are taking notice and exploring that third dimension.

The prototype Rockchip Supernova X1 tablet you see above brings your favorite media right at you, but without having to become a social outcast with those bulky 3D glasses that are always required. Using technology similar to Nintendo's upcoming 3DS, the glasses can be cast aside, but the video content must be processed so that the 3D effect takes hold. Besides the fact that the 3D feature can be adjusted or removed completely, not much is known about this device, which appears to be in the 3.5 to 4-inch category and could end up being similar to Archos' new line of Android PMPs that are close to release.

Personally, I couldn't care less about 3D on such a small mobile device, but then I probably was hesitant to accept those portable DVD players when they debuted more than 15 years ago. Technology marches on and 3D is clearly something that's here to stay, but are people ready to have the technology in their pockets?

[Engadget Chinese via Engadget]

In a move either planned all along or perhaps partially spurned by all the other recent unofficial leaks, Samsung has officially spun the hype machine into overdrive by releasing its own teaser video of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab. Discounting the fact that the first leaked image was from an official source (Samsung's South African Twitter page), the new teaser is the first official confirmation of the Galaxy Tab and firmly validates many of previously rumored details including the name, size, and Android 2.2. Other snippets of information include GPS navigation, a Swype soft keyboard, support for augmented reality features, video call capabilities, Flash support, e-reader functionality, HD movie playback, and a rear facing camera. A few question marks on specifics remain such as the type (AMOLED or LCD?) and resolution (WSVGA or WVGA?) of the screen and the resolution of the rear facing camera, previously rumored to be a 3.2MP unit.

But perhaps the biggest new bit of information is the official date when all will finally be revealed at IFA Berlin. Mark your calendars for September 2nd! I don't know about you but I'm very much looking forward to the launch of what is fast becoming one of the most anticipated Android tablets this year. Analyze the teaser for yourself after the break and let the discussion begin in the comments!

As one of the major players in China's MID market with a range of compelling, original devices like the SmartQ V5 and V7, not to mention one of the first Chinese manufacturers to embrace Android, we always welcome new product launches from SmartDevices. Following the recently released SmartQ T7 comes the company's latest creation, the SmartQ V3.

Unlike the T7 that appears to be aimed more at the e-reader market with its portrait design, the V3 is a continuation of the media-centric MID product category occupied by the V5 and V7; in fact, with its similar design the new tablet can basically be considered a smaller version of the V5. Featuring a 4.3-inch WVGA touch screen, the V3 includes the same 600MHz ARM11-based processor as its larger stable mates including 3D graphics acceleration and 1080p video playback. The OS of choice is refreshingly Android 2.1, although there is no mention of the ability to also run Ubuntu and WinCE. Other specs include 256MB DDR2 RAM, USB OTG, headphone-out, and mini-HDMI.

It hasn't been long since the last leak about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab, but that has now been quickly followed up by a new set of detailed images of the tablet along with confirmation of a few of the earlier rumors. The new images are fairly consistent with the first sneak-peek image from Samsung, apart from the lack of the silver lining around the edge of the tablet and a slight change in the arrangement of buttons at the bottom of the device to match Android guidelines.

The new images also confirm that the Galaxy Tab will run Android 2.2 Froyo, carry the previously rumored GT-P1000 model number, and have a high-res 7-inch WSVGA (1024x600) AMOLED capacitive touch screen. Some of the other specs include a 3.2MP rear-facing camera, QVGA webcam, 3G, Bluetooth, b/g/n WiFi, and GPS. Early opinions of the tablet are that it feels a bit light and plasticky in comparison to Apple's iPad, although these are probably based on a pre-production prototype. Check out a few more images after the break and head to ifanr.com to see the full set and read their impressions.

It looks like Toshiba and ViewSonic won't be alone in the tablet mania set to engulf the IFA trade show in Berlin, with Archos announcing that it will bring five android tablet MIDs to the party. It sounds like this may finally be the long-awaited official launch of the company's next generation Gen 8 Series of internet tablets that we first heard of in April, which were due to launch sometime this summer. Coming in a range of sizes from 2.8 to 10 inches, the Android-running devices will in Archos' own words "feature computing, communications and apps with the power of Android plus Archos’ legendary video quality."

We have almost certainly already seen two of the smaller members of the Gen 8 Series in the form of the Archos A28 and Archos 32, which both looked pretty impressive, particularly the 32. So the early evidence combined with Archos' long lineage in the tablet market means I'm really looking forward to seeeing what the company has in store for us next month.

[Pocket-lint]