Android 4.0 Mediapad Launched by Huawei in 13700

Chinese telecom-equipment maker, Huawei, has officially launched its MediaPad 7 Lite tablet in India. This has to be one of the few budget slates sporting a metal-clad body. Another aspect that sets it apart from the other 7" tablets, is the onboard 3G slot and voice calling capability. On the software front, the MediaPad 7 Lite offers Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) out of the box. Moving on to its specs, you get a 1.2 GHz Cortex A8 CPU, coupled with 1 GB of RAM. Here is the complete list of features:

• 1.2 GHz Cortex-A8 CPU, GC800 GPU, 1 GB RAM.
• 7" LCD capacitive multi-touch IPS screen with 1024x600 pixels, 16 million colours.
• 3.2 mp rear camera, 0.3 mp front-facing camera.
• 4 GB of internal storage, MicroSD card slot (up to 32 GB).
• Wi-Fi with hotspot, Bluetooth 3.0, A-GPS.
• Micro USB 2.0 (with OTG support), 3.5 mm jack, Gravity sensor.
• Android 4.0 (ICS).
• Voice calls supported; GSM (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), 3G (2100 MHz).
• 7.6" (l) x 4.7" (w) x 0.4" (11 mm) (d), 370 grams.
• 4100 mAh Lithium Polymer battery, 15 hours of talk time (12 hours on 3G), 5 hours of video playback.
• Package Contents: Charger, Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card, Headset, Data Cable.

Sony launched Xperia tablet after mobile success

Sony Corp released an upgraded version of its Android tablet on Wednesday, branding its rival to Apple Inc's iPad and Samsung Electronics' Galaxy as "Xperia" in a bid to unify its mobile devices under one name.

Sony has identified its mobile devices unit, which also makes Xperia smartphones, as one of its key units as it tries to overcome losses from televisions that contributed to an overall record net loss of 455 billion yen ($5.8 billion) in the year ended March 31.

Featuring a 9.4 inch screen and loaded with the Android 4.0 operating system, the Xperia is the second tablet from Sony, which released its first models in April last year.

At the time, Sony said it wanted to claim second spot in the increasingly competitive tablet market ahead of Samsung, but failed to ignite enough consumer interest in the devices.

The iconic Japanese consumer electronics brand also wants to boost sales of digital cameras and games consoles, while nurturing new businesses including medical devices.

Though more powerful than its predecessors, the new tablet from Sony also faces a more crowded marketplace. In June, Microsoft Corp introduced its first tablet, dubbed Surface.

Signs of a turnaround for Sony are yet to emerge.

On August 2 it cut its full-year operating profit forecast to 130 billion yen from 180 billion, and slashed its combined sales target for Vita and PSP handheld games consoles to 12 million from 16 million.

The Xperia tablet will retail in the U.S. from September 7, costing $399 for a 16 gigabyte version and $599 for a 64 gigabyte model, the company said in a press release. Like Microsoft's device it is also available with a keyboard that doubles as a cover, for which consumers will be asked to pay an addition $99.99.

(Reporting by Tim Kelly in TOKYO; Editing by Daniel Magnowski)

Wed Aug 29, 2012 11:47am EDT Source-Reuters

Lava launches budget E-Tab Z7H ICS tablet at Rs. 5,899

Lava has launched the E-Tab Z7H, a 7-inch budget ICS tablet, priced at Rs. 5,899.

The company hopes to compete with the host of other budget ICS tablets in the market, with its support for a majority of 3G dongles, a bouquet of content, and its Flick technology.

Lava Mobiles says the E-Tab Z7H is the first of a series of strategically priced tablets. It runs Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich on a 1.2GHz Cortex-A8 processor. It features Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, a 3.5mm jack, a G-sensor, and built-in storage of 4GB, along with microSD expandability up to 32GB.

The Lava E-Tab Z7H weighs in at 350 grams, and features the following dimensions: 122x204x11.9mm. Lava has bundled a number of apps with the tablet as well, such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, TOI, Nimbuzz, Google Search, Flyte Flipkart Music App, Gmail, Google Latitude and Google Voice Search.

Other preloaded and bundled content includes a few games, and even 14 ebooks (in partnership with McGraw-Hill Education), such as Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s Envisioning an Empowered Nation, Word Power and Dhiru Bhai Ambani’s Biography.

Lava has also partnered with Meritnation, and offers free Vedic math’s content and a discount of Rs 750 on any of meritnation.com package. LAVA has also tied up with Hungama.com, to offer the movie ‘3 Idiots’ bundled, choices worth Rs 1,250 to stream up to 6 movies from Hungama.com website, for free. Lava is also offering a Tata Photon+ dongle bundle with the tablet.

Source-thinkDigit

Aakash 2 to be launched very soon: Sibal

Hyderabad: An upgraded version of Aakash, the low cost tablet billed as the cheapest computer in the world for students and the teaching community, is set to be launched "very soon", HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said on Sunday.

The improved version is fitted with a faster processor and enhanced battery life among other features. "It (the idea of low cost computer) was rejected throughout the world and it was said that India would not be able to make it.

Our HRD ministry was committed to the Aakash project and ultimately we came out with the first version of the Aakash which costs Rs 2,276.

"Now, Aakash 2 has been rolled out with battery life of three hours, 800MHz processor, providing internet access everywhere and it has a capacitive screen. The process to distribute this device has begun and it would be formally launched very soon," Sibal said.

RIM to launch new PlayBook line next week

(Reuters) - Canada's Research In Motion has chosen its home country to launch a PlayBook tablet with built-in support for cellular networks, a crucial feature missing from its poor-selling initial models.

The BlackBerry maker said on Thursday it would launch the new tablets in Canada next week and roll them out in coming months in the United States, Europe, South Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The PlayBook tablet, introduced more than a year ago, is strategically important for RIM as it is the first product to use the QNX operating system that RIM is adapting for a new generation of BlackBerry phones designed to compete with sexier devices already on the market.

But the PlayBook was widely criticized at launch for lacking basic features such as email, and it has failed to wow consumers despite sharp discounts and a major software upgrade.

Karbonn launches India's first Jelly Bean tablet at Rs 6,999

Nilabh Jha, The Mobile Indian

New Delhi: Karbonn has launched the upgraded version of its Smartab 1 Android tablet with the latest Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system. The tablet has the same specification as earlier and is available for the same price tag of Rs 6,999.

Karbonn SmartTab 1 comes with a 7 inch capacitive screen, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS, 1.2 GHz processor and 3700 mAh battery. It also has a mini HDMI port (to connect it to a TV), a micro SD card slot for storage of up to 32 GB, and also a USB port that can be used for a 3G USB dongle. The tablet, which bears a 2 megapixel camera, has a 3D gravity sensor for better gaming.

Those who already own the Smartab 1 will get the upgrade to Android 4.1 shortly. Currently that latest tablet version can be bought from Karbonn's website but the tablet is expected to hit the retail stores within a couple of days.

Karbonn has plans to launch several tablets and smartphones based on Android 4.1 Jelly bean in the coming months.Source-IBNLIVE

Sony Tablet S successor to cost at least $450, report says

                                                                                   Sony's first-generation Tablet S.

                                                                                          (Credit: CBS Interactive)

The device will come with the same 9.4-inch display but include the Tegra 3 processor and offer a 64GB option this time around.

Sony's Tablet S could be nearing a refresh, according to a new report.

German tech site Mobiflip today published slides (Translate) purporting to show information on a second-generation Sony Tablet S. Judging from the images in the slides, the device looks about the same as its predecessor. However, it comes with a host of internal improvements.

According to the slides on the Mobiflip site, the next Tablet S will come with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or later, rather than the Honeycomb running on the first-generation device. In addition, Sony will bundle a quad-core Tegra 3 processor in the device and improve its front and rear cameras with 1-megapixel and 8-megapixel options, respectively. A better battery will deliver 10 hours of Wi-Fi browsing time, rather than the 5 hours available now.

In terms of storage, according to the slides, Sony will be offering the same 16GB and 32GB versions it's selling now, but will add a 64GB flavor.

Sony launched the first Tablet S last year. In CNET's review, the device earned 3.5 stars out of a possible 5, winning high marks for its ergonomic design and integrated IR universal remote control. The device's screen brightness proved to be a problem, as well as its proprietary charging adapter, CNET's Donald Bell noted in his review.

Sony sells its Tablet S for $400 and $500 for the 16GB and 32GB models, respectively. According to the slides on Mobiflip, the company plans to start its second-generation model at $449.99 for the 16GB version. The 32GB and 64GB versions will retail for $549.99 and $649.99, respectively.

CNET has contacted Sony for comment on the Mobiflip report. We will update this story when we have more information.

by Don Reisinger

  July 31, 2012 10:03 AM PDT

(Via The Verge)

Huawei MediaPad 7 Lite Android tab to make India debut soon

New Delhi: Chinese handset manufacturer, Huawei has announced the launch of its low-cost Android tablet Huawei MediaPad 7 Lite in India.

The official price of the tablet has not yet been confirmed but the gadget market is speculating that it would compare with Google Nexus 7 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0.

Key Features

Powered by Android 4.0 and is expected to upgrade to Android jelly bean 4.1

1.2GHz processor with 1GB RAM

Has 7" WSVGA Capacitive Multitouch screen with a 7 inch display and a 1024 x 600 pixel resolution

Rear 3.2Mp, Front 0.3Mp camera for high definition recording

4100mAh battery

Micro USB 2.0, Bluetooth 3.0, b/g/n wireless


Last Updated: Saturday, July 28, 2012, 11:10 


Source-Zeebiz Bureau

Tablet review: BSNL Penta Tpad WS802C

New Delhi: Public sector telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) had some time back introduced three low cost tablets in India. Manufactured by Noida based Pantel Technologies, the tablets fall in the Rs 3,000-Rs 14,000 price bracket.

We have already done a first hand review of the cheapest BSNL tablet - Penta IS701R. During our first few hours with the costliest BSNL tablet, Penta Tpad WS802C, we liked the device and thought it good value for money.

We further upped the bar during a month long intensive review process to find out its metal and here's how the BSNL Penta Tpad WS802C fared:

Look and feel

The tablet looks decent in its pure white colour. The plastic body does not inspire much confidence and its slippery surface further makes things worse. So you have to be very careful while handling this 8 inch tablet. Further, there is unnecessary space around the display, which makes it look a lot bigger and you feel like you are handling a 10 inch tablet.

Nonetheless, BSNL and Pantel have provided a number of buttons at convenient positions on the Penta Tpad WS802C. All the ports - 3.5 mm jack, USB, HDMI, reset button, OTG and charging port - are at the lower part of the tablet; the SD card slot, volume rocker and on/off button are on the lower right side while on the left, there is the SIM slot.

There are two speakers on the top back side. You will find the front camera along with four capacitive buttons at the bottom of the display.