Pocketables

Camangi WebStation Android tablet launching next month

Previously only a concept, a Taiwanese company called Camangi is now on the verge of launching its WebStation MID in early December according to the official website. Featuring an Apple-esque design, much like the Boeye MID 700, the WebStation is also an Android tablet running version 1.5 of the mobile OS. The device features a 7-inch, WVGA (800x480), glass touchscreen, and comes with a choice of either a black or white bezel. Other known specifications include 802.11 b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, GPS, a microSD slot and two cameras; a 2MP front-facing camera, and a 0.3MP webcam for video conferencing.

A variety of inbuilt apps, such as the web browser, email, and VoIP are included in the system. In addition, the WebStation can also serve as an e-book reader, digital photo frame and music/video media player, with a retractable stand helping to facilitate these roles. The tablet should be cost around $399 when it launches early next month. Interested parties can register at the official website for the latest updates and a chance to receive an "early bird" discount coupon. The site also mentions they are looking for Android developers to contribute new apps for the device.

Limited-edition UMID mbook Pink now available from Dynamism

As of today, there is now one more variation of the UMID mbook M1 that we have reviewed a few times, and it comes with limited-edition appeal and color. Yes, the picture to the left is correct. That is the new mbook Pink, not to be confused with the pop artist of the same name. Even though we have seen this color before, since there originally was going to be a rainbow of colors, this is the first time the two-tone design is available from Dynamism. It appears to have a matte finish, keeping the same theme as the black mbook M1 recently seen here.

Normally I wouldn't be posting about a pink device, but since Jenn is busy with other things right now, I'll go ahead and accept the responsibility. Continue reading past the break for the specs and a few more pics if pink is your thing.

Updated firmware released for Archos 5 Internet Tablet

Archos has today released updated firmware for the Archos 5 Android Internet Tablet. The new firmware, version 1.3.07, has a long list of changes and fixes, including improved support for MP4 and MKV videos, fixed playback resolution issues, and most notably fixed support for full screen playback of YouTube and YouTube HD content. Output of that content using the device's TV-out capability is supported using either the battery dock or mini dock that Jenn reviewed last year for SD quality, or the HDMI mini dock and DVR station for HD quality.

Archos 5 Android owners can either download the update directly using the firmware update function in the device settings or get it manually from the Archos website.

Thanks, Jenn!

Dell Streak MID could be headed to AT&T in 2010

Now I don't want to get everyone overly excited about something that is strictly a rumor at this point, but according to the Commercial Times, Dell has supposedly already decided on Qisda from Taiwan as its partner to make the Streak MID a reality. Not only that, they have apparently thought enough of AT&T to bring them into the fold, so those of us here in the US have yet another Android device to look forward to in the upcoming months.

The article doesn't specifically mention the Streak, but we do know that Dell has prototypes running around out there, so it would be the likely choice to compete with the Nokia N900 that will be strutting its stuff on T-Mobile. It could also be interesting to see how AT&T manages the Streak so as not to ruffle any feathers over at Apple with its cash cow iPhone.

AT&T currently is the only US wireless provider without a single Android device in their lineup, so they have quite a bit of catching up to do. The Streak, which was running Eclair when we last saw it, would be a great way to get into the game, especially if it comes early enough in 2010.

[DigiTimes via Engadget]

Kohjinsha PA series mini review

I've now spent a full workweek with the Kohjinsha PA series and since this is the last post I'll be writing before my husband and I start our new lives as parents, it's definitely time to share my thoughts on what is currently the smallest Atom-based convertible around. I usually prefer to spend at least a few weeks with a device before reviewing it, so what follows is just a mini review (albeit a long one) covering my general impressions of the unit.

ITG xpPhone now customizable with Windows 7, larger screen, and more

The ViewSonic VCP08 and possibly even the unnamed VIA MID phone may beat it to market, but ITG continues to forge ahead with plans to release the xpPhone we've been following since its debut in June.

I've been in touch with the company's export sales manager for a few months now and received an email early this morning about the MID phone's latest and greatest feature: customization. While the slider unit's specs have always included a 4.8" WVGA touchscreen, unspecified AMD Super Mobile CPU, and of course Windows XP (original specs here), a new customized order option (see below) broadens the device's offering with choices of 4.3" and 7" screens, WSVGA resolution, CPU clock speeds of lower or higher than 1GHz, a 5-megapixel camera, and Windows 7.

Pricing for the original model hasn't been released (there's talk of it starting at $500 to $700, depending on configuration), so it's unclear how much higher each of the upgrades would raise the price.

VIA working on MID phone that runs Windows XP and Android

Despite my slight sense of deja-vu after yesterday's news concerning the Windows XP running ViewSonic VCP08 phone, an anonymous source leaked some new information and images of a prototype VIA-based MID phone that not only runs Windows XP, but also Android at the same time!

The concept of the device seems to have been in existence since Computex 2009 in June, where a non-working mock-up identified as the Dr. Mobile or CCI MID with preliminary specifications was on display. The latest information and images of what seems to be a working prototype, however, indicate that the VIA MID combines two separate hardware systems: a UMPC portion running Windows XP and an independent smartphone system running Android. Detailed specifications are currently unknown apart from the MID side of things using a 500Mhz VIA processor, most likely the Nano. Previous information mentioned the use of an 800Mhz Freescale chip powering the Android portion of the device, although there is no confirmation of this in the leaked information. Unlike the ViewSonic VCP08, the VIA MID is a more conventional slider arrangement with a full QWERTY keyboard and a single screen that switches between the two operating systems.

ICD to launch Vega tablet with Android 2.0 and nVidia Tegra processor

Following my comment yesterday on internet tablet MIDs being an emerging hot product category, a new day has brought another new candidate to add to this growing selection of products. And like many of its contemporaries, it is also running Android.

Just announced by Innovative Converged Devices (ICD), a company based in both the UK and Seattle, the Vega tablet is described as a "sleek, kitchen-friendly Android touch device." The Vega is the first in a future line of similar tablet products running Android that will be low-priced, feature-rich, HD entertainment, and information devices. Apart from running Android in its 2.0 guise, these new products will also all feature 3G and WiFi (802.11 b/g) connectivity, have a touch interface, and be powered by nVidia's Tegra processor (which is also found in the Zune HD). A variety of screen sizes will be available including a pocketable 7" model, as well as larger 11" and 15" sizes that I presume are the "kitchen-friendly" options!

Archos 5 Android struggles to coexist with iPhone 3GS

Did you ever have a gadget that you felt you were supposed to really like but, try as you might, you could only just kind of like? That's how I feel about my Archos 5 Android Internet Tablet.

It's a significant improvement over last year's Archos 5 IMT, offers faster web browsing speeds than other ARM Cortex A8-powered devices, has a large high-resolution touchscreen, and runs on an operating system compatible with a growing catalog of third-party applications . . . yet the iPhone 3GS is still my go-to device for nearly everything I should be using the Archos 5 Android for.

ViewSonic VCP08 phone runs Windows XP

Followers of our coverage of the ITG xpPhone will be interested to know that ViewSonic has just announced its competing VCP08 phone also running Windows XP. Featuring an interesting side clamshell design in comparison to the xpPhone's slider arrangement, the VCP08 has a 2" external display and standard numeric keypad on its front for conventional phone use, with a 2-megapixel camera on the back. The clamshell opens to reveal a 4.3" internal screen and a full QWERTY keypad and finger mouse arrangement.

Other known hardware specifications include an unspecified Intel ULV processor, 512MB of RAM, 8GB of storage, and support for microSD cards. Network connectivity is currently unknown, but is likely to include the usual suspects of WiFi and 3G.