Hasta La Gadget!

LG’s fleet of Optimus handsets got slightly larger yesterday, with the announcement of the Optimus Q2 — a follow-up to that LU2300 QWERTY slider we saw last year. Powered by a 1.2GHz Tegra 2 processor, this forthcoming device runs on Android 2.3, boasts a spacious, four-inch, IPS-based LCD with 700 nits of brightness and features a five-megapixel rear camera, along with a VGA front-facing shooter. The Korean manufacturer added that the Q2 will be about a tenth of an inch thinner and 0.35 ounces lighter than its 3.5-inch predecessor, and that it will ship with a wider keyboard. LG is expected to launch the handset in South Korea next week, though pricing and plans for a wider release remain a mystery. Head past the break for the full, translated PR.

Continue reading LG unveils Optimus Q2 QWERTY slider, slated for Korean launch next week

LG unveils Optimus Q2 QWERTY slider, slated for Korean launch next week originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 03:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Electronista, The Korea Herald  |   | Email this | Comments

Aftermarket infotainment and stereo solutions for cars have largely died off here in the US. Innotrends has cooked up an Android-powered box, called Ca-Fi, that might have you wishing this little in-dash computer could find a home in your vinyl-covered panel. The 1.2GHz chip inside pushes Gingerbread to the 6.2-inch touch screen for pulling up directions, playing tunes and performing searches using the integrated 3G radio. Of course, as ExtremeTech points out, the double-DIN slot used by the Ca-Fi has been largely abandoned by car makers (particularly in America). But hey, if you’ve been looking for a way to spruce up that Nova rusting away in your garage, this could be it. We just hope you’re the patient type — Ca-Fi isn’t expected to launch until Spring of 2012 and will be a Europe only affair at first. Head on after the break for one more pic and some PR.

Continue reading Ca-Fi is an aftermarket Android car stereo that won’t fit in your dashboard

Ca-Fi is an aftermarket Android car stereo that won’t fit in your dashboard originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink ExtremeTech  |   | Email this | Comments

The ViewSonic ViewPad 7e isn’t exactly what we’d call a barn burner. The 1GHz Samsung chip inside is enough for some basic web browsing and light app duty, but even the ViewSonic reps we spoke to referred to it as an “e-reader on steroids,” positioning it more as a competitor to the Nook Color than the iPad. In our brief hands-on, the little tablet ran Gingerbread capably enough that we weren’t drumming our fingers on the table, but the 7-inch, 800 x 600 screen was not always particularly responsive — it took three swipes to unlock the first time. Despite it’s noticeable bulk (you can see it resting besides a Galaxy Tab 10.1 in the gallery below) it was surprisingly light in the hand. Of course, it saves precious ounces by going with an all plastic build, but it hardly feels cheap or shoddy (though, the buttons are a bit stiff). On the left-hand edge you’ll find a microSD slot for adding to the 4GB of integrated storage, while along the top is the AC plug, a mini USB port and mini HMDI for pumping out 1080p video. As we’ve mentioned before this budget slate is available to pre-order now for $200. Don’t miss the bevy of photos below as well as the PR after the break.

Continue reading Viewsonic ViewPad 7e hands-on

Viewsonic ViewPad 7e hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, LG’s gone ahead and made the successor to the Optimus One all official-like. The device you’ve previously known as the Univa (E510) has been renamed as the Optimus Hub, and it’s set to arrive in Italy next month for €199 off-contract. The specs remain the same since we first peered at the handset, though we’re now able to fill in some additional gaps. First, the camera has received a bump to 5 megapixels, and while the phone’s ability to record video still tops out at VGA (640 x 480), it’ll now capture up to 24fps (rather than 18fps with the Optimus One). Sadly, an LED flash remains absent from the scene. This Euro version features quad-band GSM support, although its 3G connectivity is limited to the 2100 and 900MHz bands and HSDPA caps out at 3.6Mbps. HDblog (based in Italy) was fortunate to get some hands-on time with the device, and even if you don’t speak Italian, it appears to operate quite well — just take a peek after the break. How will it compare to offerings from Huawei and ZTE in the battle for your hard-earned coin? That folks, remains to be seen.

Continue reading LG Optimus Hub officially outed as successor to Optimus One dynasty (video)

LG Optimus Hub officially outed as successor to Optimus One dynasty (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Pocketnow, Unwired View  |  HDblog.it (translated)  | Email this | Comments

Sony announces Walkman Z PMP: 4.3 inches, Tegra 2, Gingerbread and ‘Throw’ originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Sony Product Page (Translated), Sony PR (Translated)  | Email this | Comments