Pocketables

Boeye MID 700 tablet runs Android with Apple-esque aesthetics

It seems that the hottest emerging gadget categories these days are internet tablet MIDs and e-readers. Perhaps one of the most speculated products that supposedly intends to cover both of these areas and more is the long rumored Apple Tablet.

At the GITEX trade show in Dubai, China-based Boeye revealed their MID 700 tablet running Google's Android OS and featuring a design strikingly similar to a device one would usually expect from Apple: an enlarged iPhone/iPod touch with a larger 7" WVGA screen but the same full glass face with a black and silver bezel. Other specifications from Boeye's website state the tablet uses a Marvell PXA303 processor at 624MHz, has 128MB of RAM and 2GB of onboard storage, and includes WiFi, 3G, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Kohjinsha PA series size comparisons

Gadget size comparisons are pretty common around here and since this is probably the last time I'll be able to put one together this year, I've gathered more of my mobile devices than usual to pose with the newly unboxed Kohjinsha PA series. Have a look below.

Unboxing the Kohjinsha PA series

It isn't a stylish device by any means, but the new Atom-powered Kohjinsha PA series is now available and shipping worldwide from Conics to anyone who can overlook aesthetics in favor of versatility and function. Yes, the bezel surrounding the unit's 4.8-inch touchscreen is too thick and cluttered with buttons/controls, but its convertible form factor, 32GB SSD, optical mouse, and standard ports make it an interesting alternative to the UMID mbook M1 and a compelling choice for a Windows XP-based MID/UMPC.

But before I can get into any device comparisons, general impressions, and other usage notes, I need to get the PA series out of the box first.

UMID M1 gets rebadged as Sagemcom Spiga PocketBook

The UMID mbook M1 may not please everyone with its limited amount of RAM, non-standard ports, and lack of a pointing device, but something about its compact clamshell design is obviously compelling enough for other companies to rebrand the unit as their own.

First it was Kohjinsha, who chose one of the lower configurations and called it the PM series. And now it's French technology group Sagemcom, who hopes to begin selling the Spiga PocketBook, which is basically the 3G-enabled UMID with an 8GB SSD and 1.1GHz Intel Atom CPU, this month for €499 (~$742). If mobile operators and their data contracts become involved, the price of the device will of course be lower.

SmartDevices SmartQ V7 launched in China

If you've been waiting for SmartDevices to release the SmartQ V7, then you'll be happy to hear that it is now available in China for 1500 yuan (~$220). Though cosmetically identical to the SmartQ 7, the V7 is actually the big brother of the SmartQ V5 and classified as an HD MID. The tablet is capable of playing back full HD 1080p video and outputting the signal to a TV/monitor via an HDMI or analogue composite connection. Like the V5, the SmartQ V7 can also run Ubuntu, Windows CE, and Android with all three operating systems pre-installed from the factory.

Other features include a 7-inch WVGA touchscreen, 600MHz ARM11 CPU, WiFi (802.11 b/g) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR connectivity, 4500mAH li-polymer battery, 256MB RAM, 2GB of inbuilt storage, and a microSD slot supporting up to 32GB. The HD MID can also receive the PPS Network TV-on-demand service, streaming a large variety of news, movies, sports, and other television programs for users to enjoy.

The choice of operating systems and HD video playback/output capabilities of the SmartQ V7 makes it a very versatile internet tablet and PMP. There currently is no news on availability outside of China, although there appears to be a few units available on eBay for inflated prices of over $400. Any takers?

Creative announces plans to enter e-reader market with Zii MediaBook

At its Annual General Meeting a few days ago, Creative surprisingly announced its intention to enter the growing e-reader market with a new product currently designated as the Zii MediaBook (mock-up at left). Unlike other e-readers from companies such as Amazon and Sony that feature electronic paper displays and limited additional functionality beyond e-books, the MediaBook will be positioned as more of a complete media device with full multimedia and internet functionality.

There currently are no finalized specifications, but early reports suggest the device will sport a large full-color LCD touchscreen (around 7 inches), a text-to-speech function, and an SD card slot; it is also rumored to use Creative's Zii Technology, specifically the ZiiLABS ZMS-05 processor. This indicates some impressive capabilities including multitouch support, decoding for most audio and video formats, HD (720/1080p) video output, and support for Creative's Plaszma OS and/or Google's Android OS. With the promised online functions, we can also assume the MediaBook includes WiFi and maybe even 3G connectivity. Creative is currently negotiating with 10 international and local (Singaporean) publishers to provide content for the Zii MediaBook.

Unfortunately there are no further details concerning price and launch dates, but epiZENter found a leaked video taken at Creative's AGM event showing the Zii MediaBook's prospective design and UI. Check it out below.

Eston adds MID-05 slate to Android MID lineup

If the Eston MID-02 slider's oversized bezel was one of the reasons that kept the device off your gadget radar, then perhaps the company's newest Android/WinCE MID will pique your interest.

Meet the Eston MID-05, a keyboard-less slate/tablet with a 5-inch WVGA touchscreen, SDHC card slot, 802.11b/g WiFi, and 624MHz Marvell PXA303 processor. The CPU is disappointing, I know, but Eston does seem to be improving its products with each new release.

The MID-01, for example, had a smaller 4.3-inch display with a lower resolution of 480 x 272 and only ran Windows CE 6.0. So it's probably only a matter of time before we start seeing Bluetooth, a better processor, and other improved specs included in something like the MID-10 or MID-11.

Cowon prepping Atom-powered W2 MID for release

About a year ago, I heard a rumor that Cowon was working on a UMPC called the W1 that might be revealed at CES 2009. When the device didn't show up there or anywhere else over the next few months, I figured it would never materialize and put it near the bottom of my watchlist.

Six months later, Stellist Design found a listing for a USB keyboard that they suspected could be an accessory for a Cowon MID. A few weeks after that, IT Inside (another Korean blog) published a post that included the following translated line as its summary: "MID PMP Cowon type comes out in October." Something was obviously in the works, yet none of my "cowon UMPC" or "cowon w1" searches yielded any useful results.

And now I know why.

Soyea unveils Z5 MID with Intel Atom, 3G, and Windows XP

This isn't the first MID to come out of China with an Intel Atom CPU nor is it one that boasts the highest specs, but the Soyea Z5 holds its own with a 1.2GHz Z515 processor, 1GB of RAM, 5" WVGA touchscreen, Windows XP/Linux, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, 802.11b/g WiFi, and integrated 3G connectivity courtesy of China Telecom. The 12.3-ounce slate is unfortunately equipped with only an 8GB SSD, but the microSD slot, mini USB and VGA ports, stereo speakers, optical mouse, mouse buttons, and webcam help to take some of the sting away.

Wistron MID makes the trip to Moorestown

With the line between smartphones and MIDs blurring more and more as they evolve into more than capable replacements for UMPCs and netbooks for casual usage, it's starting to become evident that we will not have a shortage of devices to talk about in the near future. As seen yesterday, the blur continued with the introduction of the Motorola Droid, running atop Android 2.0 and bringing yet another choice to the marketplace.

Continuing the theme today is a prototype MID from Wistron, and what makes this one interesting is the fact that it was being shown at an Ericsson booth, which corresponds with the work that Ericsson and Intel are doing on bringing integrated 3G broadband to the Moorestown platform next year.

A few more pictures (courtesy of mobile+notebook) follow past the break.