Motorola Xoom 2 review
Motorola’s Xoom 2 arrives at a point where Apple’s iPad (first- or second-generation…) still dominates the tablet market. The original Xoom was the first tablet to arrive with Android Honeycomb, an OS dedicated to the tablet form. In the months since we gave it a middling review, plenty more tablets arrived, faster, thinner, and more longevous (like the Galaxy Tab 10.1).
So what now? Well, Motorola has recast its Xoom: it’s made it faster, slimmer and lighter.
They’ve beefed up the disappointing screen found on the original, it’s now a Gorilla Glass-coated IPS screen that promises 178-degree viewing angles. But Motorola has also cut more corners than the four you see before you — ones that it hopes customers won’t miss. Read more 
Lenovo unveils the LePad S2007 and LePad S2010, both with Honeycomb and 1.5GHz dual-core chip
Oh no, it isn’t just about the 5-inch tabletphone today. Announced at the same event in Beijing just now are a couple of larger tablets from Lenovo: the LePad S2007 and the LePad S2010. Interestingly, the latter 10.1-inch device isn’t quite the same as what we saw in our exclusive scoop from two weeks ago: it’s 1.5GHz Qualcomm dual-core rather than 1.6GHz NVIDIA quad-core, 1GB RAM instead of 2GB, no funky fingerprint scanner on the back, and it’s launching with Android 3.2 instead of Ice Cream Sandwich. But fret not, as we’ve been informed that its international counterpart — aka the IdeaTab K2 in our scoop — will launch with the latest Android OS; so we’re just waiting for a release date.
Both of these Honeycomb tablets share many similarities: Qualcomm’s dual-core 1.5GHz chip, 1GB RAM, 1,280 x 800 IPS display (pretty nice on a 7-inch form factor, with 216ppi density), eight megapixel main camera, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, dual-mode 3G (China Telecom’s EV-DO plus China Unicom’s WCDMA) for data plus voice calls, and plans to upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich in the future. Aside from the obvious physical differences, these tablets also come with different battery capacities: the 360g-heavy, 9.7mm-thick S2007 comes with 3,780mAh that can last up to eight hours on WiFi; whereas the 670g-heavy (almost the same as the original WiFi iPad, uh-oh), 9.9mm-thick S2010 has a generous 7,560mAh that can push it to 11 hours. Like the S2005 tabletphone, both tablets will be available in China next month; so for now, stay tuned for some hands-on photos from our folks over at Engadget Chinese.
Archos Debuts The Arnova 9 G2
Remember back in July when Archos debuted the G9 series? Yeah I barely did too. I had to refresh on them myself. Head slumped with shame Check this out, maybe it will help you too. Well this isn’t a G9 it’s a G2, and even thought there is no pricing with this announcement. We can assume this will priced around the level as all other mid-range tablets. The Arnova 9 G2 is 12.5mm thick and is sporting a 5 point multi-touchscreen at 9.7 inches, 1GHz processor, and is running Android 2.3.Gingerbread. Not a high-end device, but not everyone needs a high-end device. Check out the source for all the details. Keep an eye on us as well. As soon as we hear about prices we will be sure to let you know about it.
Archos 101 G9 review
Archos were making “tablets” before the majority of manufacturers had even considered it. It had large screen devices before the birth of the iPad and before Android even existed. Of course they were called portable media players in those days, and it was a slightly messy business involving software packs and docks.
But can experience in portable media devices give Archos the edge they need in this competitive market? Can their blend of affordability and media handling result in a package with universal appeal?
Design
Beginning with design, as we so often do, doesn’t get the G9 Archos tablet off to the strongest start. The choice of plastics reminds you that this has been designed to a price point and although there are some interesting twists, it doesn’t really manage to stand apart from other budget tablets. Read more
HTC Jetstream review
When HTC entered the tablet game, it did so in reverse course. Where other manufacturers were jostling for elbow room in a 10-inch form factored world, the company opted for smaller, more familiar battleground, eschewing the rough-hewn Honeycomb OS for a Gingerbread-baked Sense overlay on the Flyer. Naturally, the time for that mini-slate to shine has come and gone. In its stead, we’re treated to a flagship of sorts — HTC’s first 10-incher and AT&T’s inaugural 4G LTE slate. Android 3.1 makes an appearance here, as does Sense 1.1 for tablets, but is the skinned experience really any different from the custom UX we’ve all come to love or hate on phones? Can the added Scribe pen functionality, repurposed here from its 7-inch brother, transform the Jetstream from third pillar offering to an always-on, on-the-go assistant? And will those newly hatched 700MHz speeds convince you to cough up for that weighty $700 price tag? Follow along past the break to see how it fared. Read more
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime: 10-inch Super IPS+ display, 12-hour battery and quad-core Tegra 3, ships in December for $499
For three weeks now, Android fans have been fidgeting impatiently. Specifically, ever since ASUS chairman Jonney Shih took the stage at last month’s AsiaD conference and teased the next-gen Transformer tablet. Though he only gave us a quick glimpse, he recited a laundry list of specs: a 10.1-inch display, 8.3mm-thick body, mini-HDMI output, microSD slot and an update to Ice Cream Sandwich by the end of the year, if not sooner. Not to mention, it’ll pack NVIDIA’s hot-off-the-presses Tegra 3 SoC, making it the first-ever quad-core tablet. We knew this: we’d learn more on November 9th. Read more
Acer Iconia Tab A100 review
Acer’s Iconia Tab A100 has some great redeeming features in its dinky compact chassis. That said, even the cheaper price isn’t enough of an added impetus to go out and buy it.
Acer’s Iconia Tab A100: Build
Acer’s Iconia Tab A100 is one of the cheapest and dinkier tablets here, with a 7-inch screen that still does the job when watching movies or catching up with last night’s telly. An nVidia dual-core processor means the Iconia Tab is as adept as most tablets when it comes to playing games and messing around with apps. HD movies play with next to no stuttering and the built-in speakers are surprisingly loud, although they sound rather tinny on top volume.
Acer’s Iconia Tab A100: Screen
The 1024 x 600 resolution keeps images sharp, and you won’t get eye strain thanks to the comfortable brightness levels. The excellent viewing angles mean you can enjoy a movie with a fellow traveller without crushing your heads together.
Acer’s Iconia Tab A100: Features
Browsing the web is a silky smooth experience, thanks to the responsive touchscreen. Pages load almost instantly over a decent Wi-Fi connection, and Flash is supported so you can enjoy BBC iPlayer and other video streaming sites. The screen is responsive to swipe and prods, although it does gather fingerprints in seconds so make sure you keep a cloth handy.
Acer’s Iconia Tab A100: Battery
Battery life is sadly less impressive. We didn’t even get through four hours of TV before the Tab died, the worst result here. However, the light and compact body means it’s still highly portable. The 13mm body is just 405g, so you can slip it into a handbag or tiny manbag without busting its seams. We liked the curved corners and swirling pattern on the rear, a welcome break from the traditional black rectangular design.
Acer’s Iconia Tab A100: Verdict
If you need something tiny and light to carry around, and don’t mind the short battery life, the Iconia Tab is a worthy entertainment device.
Acer’s Iconia Tab A100 availability: Out now
Acer’s Iconia Tab A100 price: £259
Toshiba Thrive 7 Android tablet revealed
Toshiba has pulled the wrappers off of its new Thrive 7 Android tablet. As the name suggests, this is a 7-inch version of its older 10.1-inch Thrive slate, offering similar functionality but in a less chunky form.
There’s micro SD and micro HDMI included, as well as an NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor for keeping things ticking along nicely under the hood. Android 3.2 is also kicking it inside, which means this is about as up-to-date as a tablet can get right now.
There are 16GB and 32GB models, with US prices set to kick off under the $400 mark. Word is the Thrive 7 will be out across the pond in December, although plans for a UK release are as yet unclear.
Fancy getting a Thrive 7? Or got your eyes on a different slimline slate? Tell us all about it in our comments section below.
Kindle Fire release to be followed by second Amazon tablet
Ahead of today’s Amazon Kindle Fire release date announcement new reports have revealed the online retailer is to launch a second Android tablet in January 2012.
Ramping up the second-generation Amazon Kindle Fire rumours before the original device has even entered the realms of reality, tech blog Gdgt has claimed the next Amazon tablet will be unveiled early next year as a superior model to today’s “stopgap” offering.
With the next-gen Kindle Fire 2 tablet believed “to be the device Amazon really believes in,” it is claimed the model set to be unveiled today was hit by repeated delays and was originally planned to launch much earlier in the year.
Amazon Kindle Fire Release Date
Expected to hit online stores next month, the original Amazon Kindle Fire is set to capitalise on the upcoming Christmas shopping rush. Whilst a second Amazon tablet launching within a matter of months would be sure to annoy early adopters it would no doubt put Amazon in a strong position ahead of the expected iPad 3 release date around April or May.
Amazon Kindle Fire Specs
Much speculation has surrounded the Amazon Kindle Fire features. Hotly tipped for inclusion is a 7-inch display alongside a 1.2GHz dual-core processor with the Amazon Android App Store to supply content for the device alongside the Kindle ebook store and a number of new film and television content deals the retailer has recently penned.
What Amazon Kindle Fire features would you like to see touch down later today? Let us know via the comments box.
via Kindle Fire release to be followed by second Amazon tablet | T3.
Motorola Xoom 2 coming with 8.2-inch Media Edition
The Motorola Xoom 2 has been spotted out and about and, whats more, is that it seems to have a little friend in tow – the 8.9-inch Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition.Both tablets have been leaking like an Android filled tap all over the web this past weekend, ramping up excitement levels of fandroids everywhere.Starting with the biggie, and guestimates suggest that were again looking at a 10.1-inch model but with a meatier engine room running the Android 3.2 and Flash 11 action. The RAM is said to be the same as the original at 1GB, but it will be powered by a dual core 1.2GHz chip, possibly of the TI OMAP 4 variety.1080p video recording is said to be on board the 5-megapixel camera, which is why theres a HD logo on the camera which now finds itself in the centre of the Xoom sequels back. Also on the back are the physical buttons or, at least, theyre pointing backwards due to the 2s sharp angled design which measures 9mm thick.The Motorola Xoom 2 Media Editions 8.9-inch display is apparently a HD IPS one that is made of Gorilla glass and is splashproof. Its packing an integrated IR remote and a subwoofer on the chassis.Codenamed Fleming, it is also said to be running Android 3.2 and has reported thickness of 9.3mm and a weight of 430g. Theres LTE on board and, like its big bro, theres also backwards facing buttons and a 5-megapixel camera – this time positioned front and centre in a portrait setup.No official word as of yet, but hit up the original sources for plenty of leaky image action.
via Motorola Xoom 2 coming with 8.2-inch Media Edition – Pocket-lint.
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