h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This one was an interesting read, it's about Tegra 2 so more hardware than software based.

http://blog.laptopmag.com/nvidia-ceo-netbooks-and-tablets-to-meld-hints-at-tegra-powered-webos-devices

Dell's Android based mini tablet is being launched this week.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10146000.stm

Oh, it'll be interesting to see how many people buy it and what they say. Odd that they are releasing it first in Europe and then in the US. Normally it's the other way around.

I want to see the 10" version myself.

That tablet looks fairly good, if it sells for a decent price I may look at getting that one, just need to convince my mum. I have fairly square hands so a larger phone may suit me better. I just wish I knew which version of Android it's running, some say 1.6 others say 2.1. There's definitely an OTA update coming for it which looks to update it to 2.2 but that might not happen till September.

I asked in the Carphone Warehouse today about it and the person didn't even know that they were in line for selling it!

Kindles will not be available with color screens for the foreseeable future.
http://consumerist.com/2010/05/no-color-kindles-in-near-future-says-amazon.html

Big delay for the Notion Ink Adam. Possibly November. http://www.liliputing.com/2010/06/notion-ink-adam-tablet-slated-for-november-launch.html

With all of the waiting I've kinda lost interest in the Adam, I've been looking more at Android phones recently. Still, all of the other tablets out there are nowhere near as good as the Adam, with teh exception of the ICD Gemini, that needs a Pixel Qi screen though. Still I guess we have to wait and see what happens. The only good thing about this depends on he Gingerbread release of Android. If Gingerbread releases Q4 then maybe they can get this on the tablet for release but something tells me I'm being optimistic. And I want to know what NI are cooking up for the Eve. Whether that will be a tablet or a phone, now that could be cool. Whatever they do they'll certainly have the experience of the Adam to work from, and there may well be some major hardware advancements between then and now, batteries certainly need working on.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/notion-ink-adam-on-track-for-q3-after-all-may-have-more-aggr/

No google market for Adam, unless that changes I'm definitely out. It will have it's own version but I doubt it will have the same number of apps.

Another Pixel Qi display tablet, not running on Tegra 2 but an Atom. So that's me out for this one as well.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/innoversals-pixel-qi-based-tablet-prototype-530-for-the-displ/

Thanks for that news MP. The market issue is disappointing, but that wasn't a priority for me. If it comes out soon, I'll probably pick one up.

I have recently got an Android phone and I am so pleased with it I am now eagarly awaiting news of decent Android powered tablets.

FB

Actually I have more news on Android tablets and Android develeopment.

Android 3.0 (version number may change) is apparently having a new UI and minimum specs are a 1ghz processor, 512MB RAM, displays from 3.5", 1280×760 resolution of 4” and higher.

Android’s development has split into 2 branches, 3.0 for top of the line/high end devices. Cheap, low-end mass market handsets will keep Android 2.1/2.2.

Android 3.0 looks like it will support tablets better but the other interesting stuff from Google is Chrome OS which appears to be aimed towards netbooks/tablets. Apparently they look to be releasing updates ever 6 weeks! Chrome OS however is very web-based so I'm not sure how well it would work on a tablet which are more media heavy (I think) than a netbook.

I'd definitely prefer an android or chromium based tablet. I'm still awaiting definite news on the Notion Ink, Adam, but hope is fading. Especially after reading about the purported "$35 tablet/laptop" from India in the news this week. That's obviously NOT going to happen anytime in the foreseeable future. It seems to be a trend or maybe business as usual for Indian tech companies to announce devices they never intend on actually releasing. I sincerely hope that Notion Ink. isn't following that trend.

If anyone actually delivers an Android or Chromium based tablet (or Ubuntu when it releases a more touch screen friendly OS) that has a similar display to the Adam (one that is visually pleasing indoors and outdoors without sucking batteries like kids suck juice boxes), I'll buy it.

I don't see anything like that other than the Adam yet announced. I'm now contemplating buying maybe a Nook E-Reader (nookie reader, ) as a stepping stone until something like that comes out now that they've lowered the price.

I read about these:-

http://androinica.com/2010/07/26/augen-to-release-150-7-android-2-1-tablet-this-week-at-kmart/

Probably not quite the spec they would need to have for me to be interested but surely the incredible sales for the iPad mean android development on pads will steam forward.

And when the 3.0 (Gingerbread?) is released I suspect we will see a slew of them.

FB

This looks pretty clever in all:-

http://blog.laptopmag.com/viliv-x10-android-tablet-blows-our-mind-with-1366-x-768-screen-3d-graphics-hp-video

FB

3.0 = gingerbread. Although they haven't confirmed the version number it looks like it'll be a big release so that may well stay at 3.0, and the codename is likely to say as Gingerbread.

btw as of Gingerbread Google is going for a yearly update cycle with Android, they've got the core bits of android where they want it now so they're working on other bits and pieces now. So there should be less versions on the market which will make it easier on app developers.

I think you're right though, most tablets will probably come out sometime after Gingerbread is released as it will natively support lager screen sizes and the UI should be better for the bigger screens (and more polished in general, especially as Google employed Matias Duarte, the have the guy who designed the UI of webOS, to oversee the new look) so it will be easier for manufacturers to make and sell them.

That does sound much better. I have an HTC Desire and am anxiously waiting for the Froyo update. Unfortunately the HTC "sense" skin is delaying things unless I wanna get dirty and use an unofficial rom or something....

But the gingerbread updates do sound spiffy.

FB

Oooh, the Desires nice, pretty much the same phone as the Nexus One, and the Nexus One has Froyo so I guess you should be able to get it soon, I depends on the company though.

Yeah the skins always delay the updates as the skin has to be updated for it as well. Personally I like stock 2.2 but can't wait to see what 3.0 looks like. Apparently it comes out Q4 this year, I've heard October as a month mentioned so we'll have to wait and see. October makes sense for back-to-school and also for manufacturers getting it ready for Christmas as well.

Seems to be loads of these on ebay:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10-2-TOUCH-SCREEN-TABLET-PC-UMPC-APAD-NETBOOK-ANDROID-/250666618205?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3a5ce50d5d

10.2 inch Hi Def screen and 1ghz processors sporting andoird 2.1. But only 256 ram and does not say if they support multi touch.

The tech does seem to be coming along at a rate of knotts.

FB

It's an ARM A8 processor which, I believe, isn't very good. Hence why the latest chips use The Cortex-A9 processors, it also doesn't mention the GPU used which is important for stuff like HD-Video, h/w accelerated stuff (Flash, animations etc).

The display isn't HD, the display res is 1024x600 and HD* needs to be 1024x768, and the ratio of 1024x600 is 10:6, which is weird. Most screens are are 16:9 because that suits the human vision better. And it claims it can play 1080P video, but not on that screen, also a higher resolution is better for seeing more stuff on the screen.

256mb memory isn't great, that's low end even for android smartphones. And for that cost its probably not multi-touch, you need a capacitative screen and they are more expensive.


Motorola want phones with 2ghz chips by the end of the year!


*well HD Ready is 1024x768.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/28/htc-beginning-froyo-rollout-tomorrow-maybe-maybe-not/

Info on the Froyo update for the Desire.