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Sunday, November 15, 2009

ITG's xpPhone gets options for larger screen and Windows 7, loses sense of identity

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/14/itgs-xpphone-gets-options-for-larger-screen-and-windows-7-lose/

It makes sense to release your mostly-theoretical (so far, anyway) desktop OS-based slider handset with the world's newest and best version of Windows, but when your slider handset is dubbed "xpPhone" things become a bit more muddled. But that's the word from Pocketables, who's been in touch with ITG and learned that the MID / phone will not only ship with a Windows 7 option, but also be available in 4.3-inch, 4.8-inch and 7-inch screen sizes. There's also rumors of price ranging from $500 to $700, but what we'd really like at this point is a bit of a demo of this thing in action -- especially now that there's a similar ViewSonic-branded device breathing down its neck.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

ITG's xpPhone gets options for larger screen and Windows 7, loses sense of identity originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CrunchPad is 'steamrolling along,' will cost between $300 and $400

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/15/crunchpad-is-steamrolling-along-will-cost-between-300-and-4/

Michael Arrington's CrunchPad still not available, maybe never will be?

We're not super familiar with the term "steamrolling along" as it applies to device launches, but apparently it's good news for Michael Arrington's CrunchPad tablet. Mike dropped the news on a recent episode of Steve Gillmor's "Gillmor Gang" podcast (like "Gilmore Girls," but with less inter-generational drama), saying that he's not sure where the rumor of cost being too high came from, since costs continue to come down. The "$300 to $400" price range he's quoting is a bit higher than we'd heard previously, but it still sounds pretty good for a 12-inch touchscreen device. He also made mention of "soft revenue" and "sponsorships" on the device, akin to the revenue Firefox gets from its Google search box, and added that it won't impact the user experience. Outside of those tidbits Mike says they're working on making it "perfect," and that there should be some big news about the device coming shortly. Video is after the break, CrunchPad discussion starts at the 39 minute mark.

[Via UMPCPortal]

Continue reading CrunchPad is 'steamrolling along,' will cost between $300 and $400

Filed under: Handhelds, Tablet PCs

CrunchPad is 'steamrolling along,' will cost between $300 and $400 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Friday, November 13, 2009

Sleek Vega Tablet with Android 2.0, Touchscreen, and 3G Arrives Next Year [Android]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/X5lRDq9Fl58/sleek-vega-tablet-with-android-20-touchscreen-and-3g-arrives-next-year

I'm psyched to see Android moving into tablets. Some of the first will be from Innovative Converged Devices (ICD), who say their Tegra-powered 7-, 11-, and 15-inch tablets will arrive through "tier one" carriers in the first half of 2010.

I hadn't heard of ICD before, either: they're actually based in the UK and Seattle. They say the Vega tablets are intended to be low cost, so it looks like some carrier subsidies may be in store, too.

The largest model has a 15.6-inch resistive screen (grr) that supports a resolution of 1366 x 768. It'll have a Tegra processor, 512MB DDR DRAM, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi (no N), and Bluetooth 2.1. The built-in 512MB NAND Flash storage can be expanded via MicroSD cards. It's expected this mode will weigh about 45 ounces and have a battery life of around 4 hours.

The 15-inch Vega also looks pretty similar to the stylish reference Tegra tablet that we spotted Nvidia's chief with earlier in the week. The good news is we'll be able to get a closer look at it come CES time in January. [Innovative Converged Devices]

xpPhone Runs Windows 7 and Has Several Screen Sizes [Cellphones]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/lb8h9G7NnGc/xpphone-runs-windows-7-and-has-several-screen-sizes

A new order page reveals some surprising new info on the netbook-like xpPhone. Looks like 4.3-, 4.8- and tablet-style 7-inch touchscreen versions will be available, and you'll be able to add a 5-megapixel camera, Windows 7, and dual GSM/CDMA support.

As you can see in the screen grab above, customized orders also include the choice of an 800 x 480 or 1024 x 600-pixel LCD. I've no idea why MS-DOS is listed; maybe it saves potential Linux modders from having to pay for Windows. And as for the 7-incher? A Bluetooth headset would avoid needing to hold the thing to your face.

A standard 4.8-inch screen on the xpPhone (aka XPInSide) never quite sat well with me. It seemed too big for a phone, yet too small for a tablet. I'm thinking a smaller, lighter 4.3-inch version sounds just about right. That'll be an "over 1GHz" AMD Super Mobile CPU for me, please. Still no word on pricing, but I'll let you know when I hear more. [ITG]

Standard Configuration
• CPU: AMD Super Mobile CPU
• Memory: 512M/1G
• SSD: 8G/16G/32G/64G
• HDD: 30G/60G/80G/120G
• LCD: 4.8' TFT Touch-screen LCD 800 x 480
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP
• Network: GSM/GPRS/EDGE/WCDMA (HSDPA/HSUPA)
• CDMA/CDMA2000 1X/CDMA1X EVDO,TD-SCDMA! , TD-HSD PA
• Wireless: WiFi 802.11b/g,WiMax (optional), Bluetooth, Stand-alone, GPS
• Camera Specifications: CMOS, 300k/1.3 Million/5 Million
• Ports: 1 x earphone jack, 1 x microphone jack,Docking Connector (includes VGA output signal ), 1 x USB 2.0, SIM Slot
• Battery: Removable Lithium-ion
• Talk time: about 5 hours,Stand by time: about 5 days
• Real life: about 7 hours(Standard), about 12 hours(Large)
• Weight: 400g (include battery)

ICD confirms Vega tablet, includes Android 2.0, Tegra processor, our hearts

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/13/icd-confirms-vega-tablet-includes-android-2-0-tegra-processor/

The CrunchPad may be dead, but with devices like this on the docket forgive us if we're not shedding any tears. The mystery tablet from earlier this week is the Vega from Innovative Converged Devices, or ICD. Available in 7-, 11-, and 15-inch sizes it's a simple but beautifully svelte design, and with that Tegra processor should have plenty of muscle. The resistive nature of those screens may be a bit of a bummer for some, but it'll naturally it'll do everything Android does -- though without a GPS sensor we're guessing Google Navigation is out. The only questions left left now are when, how much, and who will be pumping the bits to its cellular antennae? Those are answers we hope to bring you from Vegas in two months' time.

Gallery: ICD Vega tablet