Sharp Releases Sharp IS01 Mobile Internet Device, Short On Details, Yet Carrying a High Price Tag

Sharp has just released their new Sharp IS01 tablet, or mobile internet device to be more precise. The IS01 seems to have a boatload of features, but a few of them are fairly out-dated. The IS01 is a clamshell device with a 5 inch 960x480 capacitive touchscreen display and a full QWERTYkeyboard when you open it up, and a 5.2 megapixel camera on the back of the device. There is also a front facing camera on the inside of the device, which is lower resolution at just 0.43 megapixels. Apart from these external features there are also a few hardware surprises. The Sharp IS01 features a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, 4 GB of built in memory, plus a microSD card slot for expansion, a 4 GB card is also included. As for connectivity, the IS01 features WiFi 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR, a 3G radio, GPS, infrared, and some sources also suggest that it has a TV tuner of some sort. As for the battery, the IS01 includes a 1400 mAh battery, but it is unknown how much use that will actually give you. The Sharp IS01 also has a built in microphone and speaker, and a microphone and speaker jack. For data transfer you get a microUSB port. One of the most important details about the Sharp IS01 is that it runs Android 1.6, which is very outdated, especially now that Android 2.3 Gingerbread has been released, and it is also unknown if it will be upgradeable or not. The IS01 measures 149 x 83 x 17.9mm and weighs 227 grams, which isn’t exactly small. Importer Conics is selling the device in the United States for $300 in black or in sky blue for about $20 more, which is a little overpriced for the features, plus the fact that they aren’t very certain. Details on the Sharp IS01 are a little short, and with the ones that we have it seems that it has some great features like the QWERTY keyboard and 1 GHz processor, but many are outdated and insufficient. Overall, the Sharp IS01 probably won’t overtake devices like the Apple iPad, the Samsung Galaxy Tab, or even some mid-range devices like the Archos line of tablets. I wouldn’t really recommend the IS01 for most, as it doesn’t exactly give you a great value. 

Acer Announces New 10.1 Inch Tablet, Not Many Specifications Announced

Acer has announced an entire line of tablets and this is just one of them. Although there aren't very many specifications available we are able to make some predictions about how Acer's 10.1 inch tablet will fair in the now competitive tablet market. Acer's 10.1 inch tablet doesn't actually have an official name yet, but one will probably be announced soon. The Acer 10.1 inch tablet will run on Windows 7, although there is no information available on which version of Windows 7 it will be. It will also have both a 1.3 megapixel front facing and back facing camera allowing you to take pictures and videos as well as do video conferencing. The Acer 10.1 inch  Windows 7 tablet will also feature WiFi and 3G connectivity, but there is no word on which carrier the 3G will be on. We hope that Acer will do something like what Google did with the Nexus One and make it available on all carriers, although we don't want it to be pulled from the market after just a short period of sales like the Nexus One was. Other than those specifications and speculations Acer is also saying that their 10.1 inch Windows 7 tablet will be very thin at under 15 mm and very light at under 2.2 pounds. The tablet will also run on an AMD processor, which is very unusual for a tablet, and it will also come with a docking center and keyboard, which is great so that you don't have to use a potentially problematic touchscreen keyboard all the time. As you probably already know, the Acer 10.1 inch Windows 7 tablet has a 10.1 inch display, and Acer is saying that it will be high resolution, but they haven't actually given any details on what resolution it will be. Those are absolutely all of the specifications that we have for the Acer 10.1 inch tablet, and they are very few. The device will be shipping in February of next year and there is also now word on pricing. The Acer 10.1 inch tablet seems promising from the specifications that we have, but we'll have to see it to believe it. Press release and another image below.



10.1" Windows Tablet: Versatility in a tablet form factor
Acer's range of tablets also includes a 10.1-inch device offering an extremely innovative solution that combines touch screen user-friendliness with the comfortable experience of a physical keyboard. In fact, the tablet comes with a docking device that includes a full-size keyboard and more connectivity options to enhance the user experience.

Thanks to this simple solution, this tablet will provide optimal ergonomics and ease of use both on the go and at your desk. Thin and light (only 15 mm and less than 1kg), and with a 10.1", high resolution display, it's easy to carry around and really unobtrusive. This tablet ensures outstanding entertainment and a superior touch experience.

The tablet will run on the next-generation AMD platform and will be equipped with two 1.3MP cameras, one rear and one front-facing, allowing you to take pictures, record video, chat and videoconference. Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity lets you keep in touch with your world at all times.

Available February 2011

Technological developments are changing the way we interact with devices. No longer a single product but a multitude of instruments with diverse form factors and display sizes designed to meet the specific connection need of that particular moment, allowing the digital individual to stay connected and interact with his world, anytime, anywhere.

Social networks, music, email, instant messages, photos, videos, chat and the web have become essential in everyday life. The content we produce, and the availability and accessibility to it at all times is what drives us towards new instruments.

Interaction, connecting, sharing and mobility. Welcome to the Acer tablet.

Nokia Launches New Nokia X2-01, Low Priced And Accordingly Featured

Nokia has just launched its new Nokia X2-01; an inexpensive full QWERTY keyboard device with a few other good features. The Nokia X2-01 features a 2.4 inch display with a resolution of 320x240, a VGA resolution camera, Bluetooth 2.1, an FM radio, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The X2-01 runs on Symbian S40 and also supports quad band GSM. Unfortunately, the Nokia X2-01 doesn't feature 3G connectivity, but it does have a full QWERTY keyboard. It also has 55 MB of internal storage which is expandable via a microSD card slot, which supports cards of up to 8 GB. Another connectivity option of the X2-01 is a microUSB port. The X2-01 measures 119.4x59.8x14.3mm and weighs just 107.5 grams. The battery life on the Nokia X2-01 is also pretty good at 480 hours on standby and 4 hours and 30 minutes of talk time coming from a 1020 mAh battery. Other than those listed above the Nokia X2-01 doesn't have any distinctive features. There is no GPS, WiFi, or anything else that could separate a phone from the crowd. The lack of all of these more advanced features is remedied by the low cost of the Nokia X2-01, which is just $110 without contract. The Nokia X2-01 will be available this quarter and will come in Red, Deep Grey, Silver, Lilac, and Azure. Overall, the Nokia X2-01 is a lower-end phone, but it will still appeal to users who just want a phone with a good keyboard for texting and maybe some light browsing. The price is also great, and if you combine it with the features it is a pretty good match. More pictures below. We've also included a user review.

"The cell phone that I am currently using is the T-Mobile Nokia. This is similar to the blackberry from major cell phone carriers. I paid $50 for the phone last year at a pawn shop. I would not recommend the phone to anyone simply because it is an older model and does not have much to offer in terms of features. I pay month to month for service which is convenient for me. The phone would be a lot more exciting, however the internet never works. This is terrible because the phone looks like it would have a lot to offer if it did. The screen is small so it would be uncomfortable to play games or do major searches. It would be nice to check email or Facebook while out I’m of the house. Really that is the only time I wish the internet worked. The buttons are very small and has a blackberry set up. It is extremely annoying if you make calls regularly and typing is very uncomfortable as well. The buttons themselves are wearing off because of text messages and phone calls. The phone is extremely durable and holds up very nicely. When dropped the battery usually comes out. This is very frustrating because the cell phone takes forever to load up once it has shut down, making it very difficult to check messages for at least 20 minutes. Because the internet doesn't work on the phone, checking emails with this device is impossible. The best feature in this phone is the battery life. This phone will last for days when it is fully charged. I make calls for a living so I use the phone all day. I am very pleased that the phone holds a charge so well. Another wonderful feature with this phone is the available space it has and although it is not a “smart phone”, it does hold up much better because the phone isn’t bogged down by apps and unneeded background programs. The camera is also a nice thing to have. I often forget it is there but it is very nice to have. It doesn’t have a flash and the pictures are generally blurry. I have had trouble in the past with charging the phone and sending text messages. This is no longer an issue and I am very happy that I am able to receive and send. Even though I cannot access the internet, as long as I am able to connect through text messages I can make it work. I use this phone quite regularly, as I work from home as a telemarketer of sorts. I am on the phone steadily for 4-6 hours a day. This phone fits all of my current needs because I have an Ipod Touch for apps and a laptop for internet needs. I use the phone for exactly what is was made for, making calls and saving numbers. I would only recommend this phone to someone who has those same needs in a phone. It is not considered a “cool phone” but I am happy with it for now."

Viewsonic Introduces Two New ViewPad Android And Windows 7 Tablets

Viewsonic has just announced that they will be releasing two new tablets in the United States; the ViewPad 7 and the ViewPad 10. The ViewPad 7, as you might have already guessed, features a 7 inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 800x480 and will run on Android 2.2 Froyo. The ViewPad 7 also features WiFi 802.11g connectivity, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, and two built in cameras.On the back you will find a 3 megapixel camera with autofocus, while the front features a 0.3 megapixel camera, presumably for video conferencing. For storage you get a built in 512 MB of memory, which is expandable to up to 32 GB via a microSD card slot. As for battery life, Viewsonic is saying the the ViewPad 7 will be able to give you up to 10 hours of use. The ViewPad 7 will also feature 3G connectivity, although there is no word on which carrier, and will have access to the Android Market, an impressive feat for a tablet considering all of the cheap Market-less tablets that have been released lately. The ViewPad 7 will be released sometime in November, and will be available for the hefty price of $480. This seems like a huge price to pay for a device like this, considering that you could get a decent netbook or even a cheap laptop for this price. The second device that Viewsonic has announced is the ViewPad 10, which features a 10.1 inch capacitive multitouch display with a resolution of 1024x600. Unlike the ViewPad 7 the ViewPad 10 will dual boot Windows 7 Home Premium and Android 1.6. The Windows 7 option is great, but Android 1.6 is extremely outdated. Aside from these features the ViewPad 10 will also feature a 1.66 GHz Intel Atom processor, 1 GB of RAM, a 16 GB SSD, a microSD card slot, an accelerometer, and a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera with a built in microphone for video conferencing. The ViewPad 10 will be launching in the first part of 2011 at a price of $630, which is overpriced in our opinion. The features of both the Viewsonic ViewPad 7 and the Viewsonic ViewPad 10 seem great, but the prices are immense and way too high for tablets in this range. Of course, we don't know exactly what the tablets will be like so we can't say anything about their performance, but unless they are something amazing the ViewPad 7's price of $480 and the ViewPad 10's price of $630 are too much to pay for a tablet with these features. The official press release and another image are below.

Viewsonic Unveils Android™-Based ViewPads®

Thousands of open-sourced apps available for 7” Android 2.2 3.5G capable ViewPad 7 and 10.1” dual-boot Win 7 and Android 1.6 ViewPad 10

WALNUT, Calif. – November 1, 2010 – ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today announced its ViewPad line of Android-based devices, featuring the ViewPad 7 and ViewPad 10.

“Leveraging our 20-year display heritage, these new ViewPad solutions provide users with anytime anywhere connectivity,” said Jeff Volpe, vice president and general manager for ViewSonic Americas. “With access to the universe of Android apps, our new ViewPads are perfectly suited for enjoying digital entertainment and social media. Office productivity is also a snap with robust web browsing functionality.” 

ViewPad 7 – The Android 2.2 ViewPad 7 combines a powerful processor with 3.5G capable data technology in a lightweight, pocket-sized 7” form factor. With an 800x480 WVGA LCD screen, this device is one of the only 7” tablet solutions with Android Google Mobile Services (GMS). As a result, consumers can connect to a selection of more than 100,000 apps and games along with Gmail, YouTube and more for a superior and convenient entertainment solution that fits today’s mobile lifestyle.
 
With its wireless 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth® connectivity the ViewPad 7 supports instant messaging, VoIP, and all the web browsing and USB connectivity functions of a capacitive multi-touch device. The ViewPad 7 features 2 built-in cameras: a 3-megapixel, auto focus camera in the rear and a 0.3 megapixel camera in the front. In addition to the integrated 512MB of memory, the ViewPad 7 offers up to an additional 32GB of storage capacity via the micro SD card slot, along with battery life of up to 10 hours. The result is the ultimate device for connected fun and multitasking – in a compact size easier to carry than a netbook and with better media performance than a smartphone.

The ViewPad 7 will be available in late Q4 2010 for an ESP of $479. Third-party accessories and ViewCare™ extended warranties will also be available at launch.

ViewPad 10 – Innovative and productive, this 10.1” dual-boot Wi-Fi device gives users a choice between Windows® 7 Home Premium and Google Android 1.6 within the same device. With a high performance, high speed Intel® Atom™ 1.66GHz processor, integrated 1GB of memory, 16GB SSD hard drive and expandable micro SD slot, the ViewPad 10 is ideally designed to view Flash-based content and Office programs with Windows, and for an optimized mobile entertainment experience with Android. Additionally, the 1024x600 LED backlit panel includes a G-sensor and capacitive multi-touch for intuitive navigation across multiple applications. Teamed with a 1.3-megapixel webcam with built-in microphone, the ViewPad 10 is great for videoconferencing as well.

The ViewPad 10 with dual-boot OS will be available in Q1 2011 for an ESP of $629. Third-party accessories and ViewCare™ extended warranties will be available at launch.

For further information on ViewSonic products, please visit ViewSonic.com or follow ViewSonic on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. 

T-Mobile Introduces Their Latest And Lowest Cost Android Device Yet, The T-Mobile Comet

T-Mobile has just announced their new T-Mobile Comet, their latest and lowest cost Android device yet. This is quite a feat considering they recently released their new LG Optimus T for just $30, and that it is available from some third part retailers for free. The Comet is pretty much T-Mobile's version of the Huawei Ideos. Although the T-Mobile Comet is T-Mobile's lowest cost Android device, it doesn't mean that it isn't fully featured. The T-Mobile Comet features a 2.8 inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 240x320, a 3.2 megapixel camera, 3G connectivity with HSDPA speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps, a microSD card slot supporting cards of up to 32 GB, an FM radio, WiFi 802.11n connectivity, aGPS, and a Qualcomm processor with a clock speed of 528 MHz. This is all on top of Android 2.2 Froyo. Another feature on the software side is built in Swype. The big and perhaps only downside of the T-Mobile Comet is the 2.8 inch display, and perhaps the 528 MHz processor, which could cause Android to run slowly on the device, but we are not sure on that one yet as the device has not been released. Aside from the small screen the T-Mobile Comet has all the features you could ever want, and at a price point that is sure to fight off most dumb phones. Now, the moment that you have all been waiting for, the price. The T-Mobile Comet will be available for just $10 with a two year contract and a smartphone data package. The required data package is the only thing standing in the way from of T-Mobile Comet and beating off dumb phones completely. Of course, now that T-Mobile is offering a 200 MB smartphone data package for just $10 a month more customers might be willing to pay that small fee for the benefit of a decent Android device for a low price, plus 200 MB of data. The 200 MB data package could also appeal to those users who would like a higher end Android device, but are planning to use it mostly on WiFi or just don't want to dish out a hefty sum of cash for a data package. Now, back to the T-Mobile Comet. The Comet launches on November 3 for just $10, and is available in black. The Comet will also be available prepaid for less than $200. The press release is below.



T-Mobile Kicks Off the Holidays With a Compelling Lineup of Affordable Android-Powered Smartphones and new Low-Cost Data Service Plans

T-Mobile Is Making It Easier for Families to Stay Connected This Holiday Season and Beyond

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Nov. 1, 2010 PDT T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced new products and service plans designed to help families stay connected without busting their holiday budgets.  Beginning Nov. 3, T-Mobile is planning to offer a variety of new Android™ smartphones, including the T-Mobile® Comet™, LG Optimus T™ with Google™ and Motorola DEFY™ with MOTOBLUR™, each for less than $100. 
 
“We’re heading into this holiday season with our strongest and most affordable lineup ever of Android-powered smartphones,” said Cole Brodman, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile USA.  “Combine that with low-cost data service plans and even easier ways to give T-Mobile products as gifts, and we believe families will make the move to smartphones -- enriching how they communicate in the new year.”

Affordable Android Smartphones for All

T-Mobile’s compelling suite of affordable Android smartphones appeals to each member of the family, even first-time smartphone users. In addition to providing access to the mobile Web while on the go, Android-powered smartphones provide customers with one-click access to their favorite Google services, such as Google Maps™, Gmail™, YouTube®, and over 100,000 applications in Android Market™. For less than $100 with qualifying rate plan on a two-year agreement (plus taxes and fees), T-Mobile customers can purchase any of the following devices during the holiday season:

The T-Mobile Comet offers a compact form factor, 528 MHz processor, 2.8-inch full touch screen display and a 3.2 megapixel camera. Perfect for customers who are ready to make the affordable transition to their first smartphone, the T-Mobile Comet is also available for prepaid customers at less than $200 (plus taxes and fees), the lowest-priced 3G Android smartphone in the T-Mobile portfolio. The T-Mobile Comet is available in a black finish.
The LG Optimus T is an easy-to-use smartphone with a user customizable home screen, 600 MHz processor, 3.2-inch full touch screen display and a 3.2 megapixel camera with video capture. Featuring Voice Actions for Android pre-loaded on the device, the LG Optimus T allows customers to perform commands through voice entry, such as calling, texting, e-mailing and navigating to a specific destination. The LG Optimus T is available in a burgundy or titanium finish.
Slim and pocket-able, the Motorola DEFY is equipped to withstand all that life throws your way. The DEFY is scratch- and water-resistant, as well as dust-proof, combined with MOTOBLUR™, an 800 MHz processor, a 3.7-inch full touch screen and a 5-megapixel camera with flash and video capture. The Motorola DEFY is available in a black and linen finish.
The Motorola CHARM with MOTOBLUR features a full QWERTY keyboard for easy messaging, a 2.8-inch touch screen paired with a BACKTRACK™ pad for simple navigation, and MOTOBLUR, making it easy to keep up with family and friends. Also featuring a 600 MHz processor and a 3 megapixel camera, the Motorola CHARM is available in a golden bronze or cabernet finish.
Services Families Can Afford

In addition to affordable Android-powered smartphones, T-Mobile is delivering new low-cost data service plans expected to be available this holiday season, making data even more accessible for families. New value offers include these:

Mobile data plans. With T-Mobile data plans, customers will have two options for data: the Web – 200MB plan or the Web – Unlimited plan. The Web – 200MB plan will be available for $10 per month with a new two-year service agreement or contract extension for a limited time or for $15 per month, which will not require a two-year contract extension. The Web – Unlimited plan will be available for $30 per month. Both data plans will be sold paired with a new or existing voice and text message plan. 
Tethering and Wi-Fi Sharing service plan. T-Mobile is offering a new tethering service plan that enables select smartphones to function as wireless modems for connecting devices, such as laptops, tablets and netbooks to the Internet through the T-Mobile network. Customers can add the Tethering and Wi-Fi Sharing plan to their Web – Unlimited $30 monthly plan for an additional $14.99 per month. 
Availability

The T-Mobile Comet, LG Optimus T and Motorola DEFY are expected to be available starting Nov. 3 at T-Mobile retail stores, select dealers and online at http://www.t-mobile.com. The T-Mobile Comet will also be available as a prepaid Android smartphone at Best Buy, Radio Shack and Target. T-Mobile expects its new mobile data plans and tethering service plan will be available this holiday season.

Making it even easier for consumers to give T-Mobile devices and accessories to their friends and families this holiday season, T-Mobile Gift Cards can be purchased and redeemed at select T-Mobile retail stores nationwide.

For more information on T-Mobile products and services, visit http://www.t-mobile.com.

LG Optimus T Priced At Just $30, Hitting T-Mobile on November 3

T-Mobile has just announced the release date and pricing of their newest Android device, the LG Optimus T. Our previous post had all the specs but for those of you who haven't seen it the Optimus T features a 3.2 inch HVGA touchscreen display, which is most likely capacitive, a 3 megapixel camera, and Android 2.2 Froyo. $30 for a decent device like the Optimus T is a pretty good price, especially since it is probably the cheapest Android smartphone available. Of course, to qualify for the $30 price of the LG Optimus T you have to sign up for a qualifying data plan and wait for the $50 mail in rebate to come in. The Optimus T could be a huge contender to dumbphones with its low price point. You can get the LG Optimus T for just $30 on November 3, available in black or burgundy.

CTL 2goPad SL10 Surfaces With Windows 7, Decent Specifications

CTL has just announced their new CTL 2goPad SL10, one of the few Windows 7 tablets on the market. The 2goPad SL10 features a 10.1 inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024x600, an Intel Atom N450 processor with a clock speed of 1.66 GHz, 2 GB of RAM, 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth, a 1.3 megapixel camera, a built in omni-directional microphone, and stereo speakers. The CTL 2goPad SL10 also has most of the ports that you would find on a regular computer including a LAN port, a microphone and speaker port, a mini VGA output (comes with and adapter for full VGA), 2 USB ports, and a microSD card reader. Battery life on the 2goPad SL10 is also pretty good; the 2goPad SL10 features a four cell lithium-ion battery which CTL says will give you about five hours of battery life with moderate use. The 2goPad SL10 has 250 GB of storage, and of course, the tablet runs on Windows 7, but there are no details on which version it is. The 2goPad SL10 also comes with a custom case. Pricing on the CTL 2goPad SL10 isn’t too bad at $550, and the 2goPad SL10 is available now. CTL is saying that they have massive demand for the 2goPad SL10 and have sold out, but more devices will ship out in November, so you might have to wait awhile to receive your device. Overall, the CTL 2goPad SL10 seems like a good Windows 7 tablet for the price. 

Five New Archos Android Tablets For Any Type of User

Archos has released a new range of tablets and they are both cheap and fully featured. There are five tablets in total, all of them running Android 2.2 Froyo. Only one of the tablets has actually been released, but the rest are soon to follow. 

The first of the five Archos tablets is the Archos 28 Internet Tablet. As you might have guessed, the Archos 28 features a 2.8 inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 320x240. There is no word on whether the display is resistive or capacitive, but looking at the price point it is most likely restive. The Archos 28 runs on a 800 MHz ARM Cortex A8 processor and also features WiFi 802.11n, a built in microphone, an accelerometer, and it runs on Android 2.2 Froyo. The Archos 28 doesn’t seem to feature speakers, though. If all this wasn't enough, the device also supports a large number of video and audio codecs and formats. An interesting feature is a USB 2.0 port with USB host capabilities. As for battery life the Archos 28 gets up to 16 hours of music playback, up to 4 hours of video playback, and up to 6 hours of web browsing. The device also comes with your choice of 4 or 8 GB of built in flash memory. Unfortunately, the Archos 28 doesn't support the Android Market, and neither do any of the other Archos Android devices. In terms of size and weight the Archos 28 is 100x54x9 mm and weighs just 68 grams. The Archos 28 hasn't been released yet but Archos is marketing it as being under $100, presumably for the 4 GB version. 

The second Archos tablet is the Archos 32 Internet Tablet. As you have probably already predicted, the Archos 32 features a 3.2 inch resistive touchscreen display with a resolution of 400x240. You might think that being resistive the touchscreen won't be very responsive, but there are reports that it feels like a capacitive touchscreen display. The Archos 32 also features 8 GB of internal flash memory, Android 2.2 Froyo, WiFi 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1, a built in microphone, an accelerometer, and the same 800 MHz ARM Cotex A8 processor as the Archos 28. A disadvantage of the Archos 32 is that there are no built in speakers.  Another feature that the Archos 32 shares with the Archos 28 is a USB port with USB host capability. The biggest improvement of the Archos 32 from the Archos 28, aside from the increased screen size is the addition of a camera with the ability to record VGA video, but no still images. Battery life on the Archos 32 is also slightly improved from the Archos 28, and you will get up to 24 hours of music playback, up to 6 hours of video playback, and up to 8 hours of web browsing. The Archos 32 also supports a large range of video and audio codecs and formats and as with the Archos 28 and all of the rest of the Archos Android tablets does not have access to the Android Market. As for the size of the Archos 32, it measures 105x55x9 mm and weighs just 72 grams. The Archos 32 is also the only Archos tablet that is currently available for purchase, and it goes for just $150. 

The next Archos tablet is the Archos 43 Internet Tablet, and you guessed it, it features a 4.3 inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 480x854, and Archos is also saying that the display is high resolution. There is no word on whether the display is resistive or capactive. The Archos 43 also features Android 2.2 Froyo, WiFi 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1, a built in speaker, a built in microphone, an accelerometer, a built in kick stand, and a camera capable of recording HD video at 720p. The camera is also capable of taking 2 megapixel stills. A big improvement from the Archos 28 and 32 is that the Archos 43 features a 1 GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor. As for its similarities, the Archos 43 features a USB 2.0 host device and has support for a large number of video and audio codecs and formats, and the Archos 43 is also capable of playing 720p HD video. Another feature that differs from the previous Archos tablets is that the Archos 43 has a mini HDMI output and an external microSD card slot. Battery life is also improved and you get up to 36 hours of music playback, up to 10 hours of video playback, and up to 12 hours of web browsing. The dimensions are 135x65x9 mm and it weighs just 130 grams. The Archos 43 will be available with either 8 or 16 GB of built in flash memory, but the 16 GB model is available for pre-order now for just $250. There is no word on how much the 8 GB model will cost.

The next Archos tablet is the Archos 70 Internet Tablet with a 7 inch capacitive multitouch display and a resolution of 800x480. The Archos 70, like the previous Archos tablets, runs Android 2.2 Froyo. As for the specifications it features a 1 GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, WiFi 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1, built in speakers, a built in kickstand, a build in microphone, an accelerometer, and a front facing VGA camera for video conferencing. An interesting thing is that the Archos 70 has “speakers”, versus a “speaker” on the rest of the tablets. This leads us to think that the rest of the tablets have a mono speaker while the Archos 70 has stereo speakers. There is no back camera on the Archos 70, which is a surprise. The Archos 70, as with the previous Archos tablets, supports a large variety of audio and video formats and codecs, and also plays 720p HD video. A mini HDMI output is also included as well as a USB 2.0 host port. Battery life on the Archos 70 is great with up to 36 hours of music playback, up to 7 hours of video playback, and up to 10 hours of web browsing. An interesting thing about the Archos 70 is that there is a model with 8 GB of flash memory built in and a model with a 250 GB hard drive. These models differ slightly because, first of all, one of them has 242 more GB of memory, but also because the flash version has a microSD card slot. There is also a size and weight difference; the Archos 70 flash memory version measures 201x114x10mm and weighs 300 grams while the hard drive version measures 201x114x14 mm and weighs a hefty 400 grams. The Archos 70 is probably the best tablet of the entire lot so far because of the large screen size and resolution, the 1 GHz processor, and the capacitive display. The biggest downside is that there is no access to the Android Market, but Archos does have its own AppsLib app market available, and while it might not be the Android Market there are still some pretty good applications. You can also download applications directly to the Archos 70. There is no word on a release date or pricing for the Archos 70.

The last of the Archos tablets is the Archos 101 Internet Tablet, which is very much like the Archos 70 except for the different screen size. The Archos 101 features a 10.1 inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024x600, but there is no mention of whether it is capacitive or resistive. It also runs Android 2.2 Froyo, like all of the other Archos tablets. For connectivity you get WiFi 802.11n and Bluetooth 2.1. The Archos 101 also features a build in speaker, a built in kickstand, a build in microphone, an accelerometer, a microSD card slot, and a front facing VGA camera for video conferencing. Some other features are a mini HDMI output, a USB host, and a USB slave. Like the Archos 70 and the Archos 43 the Archos 101 also plays 720p HD video and supports a wide range of audio and video codecs and formats. The Archos 101 also features a front facing VGA camera for video conferencing. Battery life on the Archos 101 is great and you get up to 36 hours of music playback up to 7 hours of video playback, and up to 10 hours of web browsing. The Archos 101 is obviously the biggest and the heaviest of the range, measuring 270x150x12 mm and weighing 480 grams, which doesn’t exactly make it pocketable. The Archos 101 comes in two versions with either 8 or 16 GB of built in flash memory. As with most of the other Archos tablets there is no word on the release date or pricing of the Archos 101, but I would expect it to be more expensive than the rest of the tablets as it is the largest.

Overall the Archos tablets seem great, but there are a couple of drawbacks. First of all, none of them have support for the Android Market, which is a huge drawback. To make up for this Archos has created their own app store called the Archos AppsLib, which has a large amount of applications but not as many as the Android Market. Another way to install applications to your device is by directly downloading the APK and installing it. Another drawback is the lack of GPS connectivity on any of the tablets, which is a drawback for some people, but could be unimportant for others. Other than that the Archos tablets are great. The best choice would probably be the Archos 70, as it has a capacitive display which isn’t too small or too large. The Archos 70 also has an option for the largest storage capacity. In the end it is up to you to decide which Archos tablet you will get, if any. The Archos line of tablets is great for any type of user.

Huawei Ascend Coming to Cricket, One of The Cheapest Android Smartphones We've Seen

The Huawei Ascend is one of the cheapest smartphones we have seen at just $150, no that is not with a contract or a two-year agreement, the Huawei  Ascend actually costs $150 without a contract. The Ascend will be Cricket's second Android device. Surprisingly the Ascend actually has some pretty good features, despite the extremely low price. The Ascend features a 3.5 inch capacitive touchscreen display with a 320x480 resolution, 3G connectivity (EV-DO rev.A), a 600 MHz processor, 256 MB of ram, a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, Android 2.1, GPS, WiFi 802.11g, a 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth, an accelerometer, a compass, a 1500 mAh battery, and last but not least a microSD card slot. The Huawei Ascend has a surprising amount of features for a cheaper low-end Android device. While it does have many features a lot of them are very low quality. For example, the 600 MHz processor will most likely be unbearably slow and the camera is reported to only shoot CIF video. There are also reports that the device has very low build quality and feels cheap and fragile. The screen resolution is also pretty bad. If you compare the Huawei Ascend to Cricket's current Android smartphone, the Kyocera Zio, you will find that you are probably getting a much better value with the Zio. First of all, the Kyocera Zio has a screen resolution of  480x800, which is amazing compared to 320x480. The Kyocera Zio also records VGA video versus the Ascend's CIF. These are just of few of the advantages of the Zio, but there are many more. Of course, there are some advantages of the Ascend over the Zio. For example, the Ascend runs on Android 2.1 versus the Zio's 1.6. The Zio is also slightly more expensive, and goes for just $230. If, for some reason, you do want to get the Huawei Ascend, it should be available mid-October for just $150.

CherryPal Announces Cheap New Android Tablet, The CherryPad America

CherryPal, the company that brought you the $100 netbook, has just announced a cheap new Android tablet. The CherryPad America is a 7 inch tablet running Android and has plenty of features, despite the low price point. The CherryPad America features a 7 inch resistive touchscreen display with a resolution of 800x480, Android 2.1 (An upgrade to Android 2.2 is planned to be released later), 256 MB of RAM, 2GB of memory, a microSD card slot, WiFi 802.11g, an 800 MHz ARM processor, and an accelerometer. The device will also feature a built in microphone and speaker. As for battery life, the CherryPad America runs off of a 3200 mAh battery, which should give you six to eight hours of use. The device also has an aluminum case and weighs just 1.1 pounds. Another great feature of the CherryPad America is that it will have access to the Android market, unlike other cheap Android tablets. CherryPad is saying that the CherryPad America is by no means a competitor to the iPad, but insists that it is "neither an iPad killer nor an iPad clone, it's a completely different product designed for a different market". The CherryPad America is available now through online retailer Zecozi, and will cost you just $188. Overall, the CherryPad America seems like a great tablet for the lower-end tablet market. Below is another image of the CherryPad America and the full press release. 

PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct 07, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cherrypal, a California-based manufacturer of high quality, low-energy consuming and affordable personal computers, today announced the availability of its new sub $200 tablet computer, the CherryPad America.

The CherryPad was designed for consumers who are looking for an affordable, powerful, high quality, and low energy-consuming tablet computer with the ability to run the Android operating system. CherryPad is powered by the fast Samsung ARM11, (CPU + GPU + DSP, OpenGL 2.0) 800 MHz processor and runs Android 2.1 and all Android applications. An upgrade option to 2.2 is planned for the fourth quarter 2010.

The CherryPad America features a 7-inch resistive touch widescreen display (no stylus needed) at 800x480 resolution with built-in gravity sensor. Memory, storage and wireless functions include 256 MBs of DDRII RAM; 2 GB NAND Flash; Micro SD (1x) reader, and WiFi 802.11 b/g.

Standard I/O ports include USB 2.0 supported by an external adapter; 3.5 mm headphone jack, built-in speakers and microphone, DC port, optional external 3G modem. The CherryPad America's Polymer 3200 MAH battery has a run time of 6-8 hours. The device weighs just 1.1 pounds and is housed in a sturdy aluminum case. MSRP of the CherryPad America is $188.

"The CherryPad America does not compete against the Apple(C) iPad. The CherryPad addresses the sub-iPad market," said Cherrypal CTO Max Seybold.

According to Seybold, CherryPad has been designed for consumers who seek a lower cost, more compact tablet PC with the ability to run Android.

"The CherryPad is neither an iPad killer nor an iPad clone, it's a completely different product designed for a different market," Seybold said. "The screen of the CherryPad is only 7-inches big, the processor is slightly less powerful, and the CherryPad comes with Android 2.1 and not Apple's iOS." At a MSRP of $188, the price for a CherryPad is also less than half of the iPad.

"Early user tests confirmed the CherryPad user experience has been extremely positive. Users appreciate full access to the Android Market, its powerful processor, battery run time, and high quality," Seybold said.

Cherrypal Partners With Zecozi Cherrypal also announced a strategic partnership with Zecozi (www.zecozi.com), a new online shopping site for conscious consumers. All Cherrypal products will be exclusively sold through Zecozi in the United States, with the exception of volume buyers. Every Cherrypal comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, as well as a 1-year replacement warranty.

"We are a hardware manufacturer first and need to focus on our core competence in order to drive down costs and offer quality products that consumers can afford. We can offer our products for such a low price because we are frugal with non-product related costs. When we looked for a strong partner who shares our green, open and fair corporate value system, Zecozi was the obvious choice," said Cherrypal CEO John Collier.

About Cherrypal Corporation Cherrypal (http://www.cherrypal.com) is a Palo Alto, California based manufacturer of high-quality, energy-efficient and low-cost computers with worldwide sales operations. Cherrypal's products are designed in Palo Alto, California and manufactured in Asia.

About Zecozi Zecozi (www.zecozi.com) is a community-driven marketplace for conscious consumers, that enable users to shop with friends and come together in real-time with the community to collectively define sustainability. The Zecozi community is the next generation of sustainable commerce.

iPad and Apple are registered trademarks of Apple. Other products/company names are either trademarks or trade names of their respective holders.

T-Mobile Introduces Their Latest Android Device, The LG Optimus T

T-Mobile has just introduced their latest Android device, the LG Optimus T. The Optimus T is supposed to be an affordable and easy to use Android device. T-Mobile hasn't released many details but we do know that the LG Optimus T will feature a 3.2 inch HVGA touchscreen display, which is rumored to be capacitive, a 3.2 megapixel camera with video capture, Android 2.2 Froyo, and much more. The Optimus T will also come pre-loaded with a 2 GB microSD card, but will support cards up to 32 GB. From the pictures it looks like the UI isn't stock Android, but it also isn't changed beyond recognition. There are no pricing details available yet, but T-Mobile has said that the Optimus T will be released sometime in the holiday season. No exact date has been released, but hopefully it will be soon. The device will be available in black and burgundy. The LG Optimus T should be a great device for those of you looking for a budget Android Device on T-Mobile's network. Below is the official press release and a picture of the burgundy version.

Exclusive to T-Mobile customers, LG Optimus T offers Android 2.2, Voice Actions for Android and one-touch access to popular Google services to keep customers connected while on the go

Bellevue, Wash. — Oct. 6, 2010

T-Mobile USA, Inc. and LG Mobile Phones today announced the latest easy-to-use and affordably priced smartphone to join T-Mobile’s extensive Android™ portfolio, LG Optimus T™. Equipped with the latest Android platform, LG Optimus T features a responsive touch screen sleek form-factor and deep integration of Google™ services, including Voice Actions.

LG Optimus T makes staying connected to friends and family while on the go a quick, one-touch process. Using Voice Actions for Android, customers can control their Android-powered phone by speaking commands to call, text, e-mail and even find directions on a map, among other tasks. LG Optimus T also offers customers close integration with popular Google services, such as Google Search™ (also by voice), Gmail™, Google Talk™ and Google Maps™.

“This holiday season, Android smartphones will be at the top of the wish list for multiple members of the family,” said Saj Sahay, director, product management, T-Mobile USA. “With the LG Optimus T, T-Mobile is helping customers who have not yet made the transition to the world of smartphones with an easy-to-use and affordable option.”

With access to Android Market™, LG Optimus T customers can download and personalize their phone with thousands of free and paid applications. In addition, the customizable home screen, expandable up to seven panes, on the Optimus T keeps life simple by bringing what matters most upfront and center, including favorite applications and widgets. The Optimus T comes equipped with a 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera with video capture, as well as pre-installed 2 GB microSD card and support for up to 32 GB of removable memory.

“LG Optimus T allows T-Mobile users to create a smartphone experience unique to their lifestyle and everyday needs,” said Ehtisham Rabbani, corporate vice president of marketing and innovation for LG Mobile Phones. “With Google features and a stylish design, LG Optimus T is the ideal device for first-time smartphone users ready to explore the Android world.”

Availability

Offered in a Burgundy or Titanium finish, the LG Optimus T is expected to be exclusively available to T-Mobile customers this holiday season. For more information about T-Mobileproducts and services, please visit http://www.T-Mobile.com.

Virgin Mobile Launches The New Samsung Intercept, Priced Pretty Well Too

Virgin Mobile has just released their new Samsung Intercept, their first Android device. They are launching the Intercept for just $250 with absolutely no contract or commitment, which is pretty good for a mid-range Android device, off contract, of course. The Samsung Intercept also has some pretty good features with a 3.2 inch capacitive touchscreen display, a 3.2 megapixel camera, and much more. You could argue that $250 is too much to pay for a device that you could get for a lot less on contract, but the freedom and low rates of Virgin Mobile will probably save you more than the cost of the device in the long run. The new Samsung Intercept will use Virgin Mobile's current Beyond Talk plans, which range from $25 per month to $60 per month, and the Intercept is available today at Target stores nationwide. The Intercept will also be launching at a number of other major retailers throughout the month, and will be available online sometime in mid October. For now, the Samsung Intercept looks like a promising device. The press release and some more images are available below.

Virgin Mobile Energizes Mobile Marketplace by Introducing Android Handset on a Nationwide, No-Contract Plan
Samsung Intercept Delivers Smartphone Luxuries with Monthly Unlimited Plans

WARREN, N.J. – Oct. 4, 2010 – The line between prepaid and postpaid mobile offerings has become even more blurred as Virgin Mobile USA enters the Android™ smartphone market. Beginning today at Target stores nationwide, Virgin Mobile adds the Samsung Intercept™, running on the Android mobile operating system, to its affordable, no-contract lineup of handset and service offerings. The Intercept will roll out to other major retailers throughout the month and will be available for purchase at virginmobileusa.com by mid-October for $249.99.

“As smartphone users come up for contract renewal and examine their monthly costs, they will start to wonder why they are paying more each month when they can get similar services from Virgin Mobile at a fraction of the price,” said Bob Stohrer, vice president-Marketing, Virgin Mobile USA. “With the Samsung Intercept on Android, Virgin Mobile is leading its customers into new, eagerly awaited territory while expanding our potential customer base.”

The Android device gives Virgin Mobile customers full integration of social networking apps, Microsoft Outlook Exchange e-mail and advanced messaging capabilities. Users of the Samsung Intercept also have access to more than 80,000 applications currently available on the Android Market™, and can sign up for one of Virgin Mobile’s Beyond Talk™ plans which include e-mail, data and Web along with 300, 1200 or unlimited voices minutes per month and are perfect for the person always on the go.

In addition to a 3.2-inch touch-screen display, a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a 3.2 MP camera and video, the Samsung Intercept also comes preloaded with multiple applications, including such favorite social apps such as You Tube®, Facebook® and Google Talk™ as well as the Virgin Mobile Live app used to access Virgin Mobile’s branded music stream.  Additional features include:

Contact and calendar sync via ActiveSync
Android Web browser
Access to the Amazon® MP3 store
Full integration of Google Apps™, such as Google Maps™, Google Talk, Gmail™ and Google Navigation™
Document file viewer
Portrait and landscape screen orientation
Dedicated keys for quick access to social networking
Numerous video and music file types supported
Built-in music player

The Samsung Intercept, paired with Virgin Mobile’s no contract Beyond Talk service options at $25, $40 and $60 a month, offers one of the best smartphone values in the industry.

About Virgin Mobile USA
Virgin Mobile USA, one of Sprint's prepaid brands, offers millions of customers control, flexibility and connectivity through Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk™ plans for mobile phone service and prepaid Broadband2Go high-speed Web access. Virgin Mobile branded handsets are available at more than 40,000 retail stores, including Best Buy, Radio Shack, Target and Walmart. Top-Up cards are available at approximately 150,000 locations nationwide and can be used for Broadband2Go services. Purchase and experience Virgin Mobile on the Web and at Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and www.virginmobileusa.com.