Hasta La Gadget!

Back in July, word got out that Huawei was prepping a revised version of its entry-level Android tablet, dubbed the MediaPad 7 Lite. As that name implies, this Android ICS tab’s of the 7-inch variety and, thus, lends itself well to one-handed use for busy on-the-go types. Considering this isn’t part of the outfit’s top shelf portfolio, its mix of specs have been kept quite modest: there’s a single-core 1.2GHz Cortex A8 CPU underneath that 1,024 x 600 IPS display. But before you knock it for falling short of even 720p territory, bear in mind this device’s being marked at a 229 Euro price point — so it’s affordable and geared squarely for the budget segment.

Loaded up with a mostly stock version of Android 4.0.3 and global radios for 3G / WiFi, this humble tab’s made for mobile use, as the OEM’s VP of Euro operations assured us repeatedly. Performance-wise, its lack of a dual-core setup is heavily apparent, since there was a considerable lag between our touch input and onscreen effect. The tab also sports 8GB of internal storage, a rear 3.2-megapixel camera and VGA front facer — helpful if you’re out and about and want to video chat — in addition to a 4,100mAh battery.

As for the MediaPad 7 Lite’s build, well, it’s a bit disappointing especially given the attractive design of the Nexus 7 which is comparably priced and higher specced. In all, it feels rather chunky in-hand, but it does feature a metallic back bordered by solid white plastic. It’s set to be released this August in South Africa, China, Russia, Philippines and Taiwan, followed by Germany in October for 249 Euros. Check out our gallery below and head past the break for a video tour.

Continue reading Huawei MediaPad 7 Lite hands-on at IFA 2012 (updated: video)

Filed under: Tablets

Huawei MediaPad 7 Lite hands-on at IFA 2012 (updated: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 07:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD has made a somewhat circuitous journey across our eyes, through our hands and past the FCC’s screwguns. Finally we know when you can get one, as they go on sale starting in September. The devices are already available in China, and will be rolled out to Europe next month with the rest of the world “to follow,” according to Huawei. Its specs have changed since we last saw it, as it’ll now feature a quad-core 1.4GHz Cortex-A9 processor instead of the K3 Balong CPU we saw earlier. Everything else stays the same: Android 4.0, a 10.1-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 IPS display, an 8-megapixel rear camera that captures 1080P video, and 150Mbps LTE compatibility. We’ve already expressed our ardor about its gorgeous screen, great aluminum body and decent performance — if you feel the same, check the PR to see when it’s coming to your neck of the woods.

Continue reading Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD hitting stores starting in September with new specs in tow

Filed under: Laptops, Tablets

Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD hitting stores starting in September with new specs in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 06:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It wasn’t long ago that Acer announced the elegantly named Liquid Gallant: a dual-SIM Android handset made for the jetset. And now, here at IFA 2012, we got a chance to spend some time with the device up close at the company’s booth. As single-core handsets go, this one was quite brisk, loaded up with a 1GHz MTK 6575 CPU buffered by 1GB RAM that handled the mostly stock version of Android 4.0.4 with ease. The screen itself was also rather nice, spanning 4.3-inches and delivering a 960 x 540 qHD resolution. Build-wise, this phone is on the bulkier side and definitely gives the impression of having been stacked together in layers. There are some nice flourishes to its design, such as the silvery plastic grill along its back bottom, but that’s about as impressive as this one gets.

As we mentioned earlier, the Liquid Gallant packs slots for two SIMs (which you’ll notice in our gallery below), a 5-megapixel rear camera accompanied by single LED flash and micro-USB port. Internally, the phone also sports 4GB of storage, so you’ll most likely need to lean upon that microSD slot for expansion. Clearly, this isn’t a high-ender, but it doesn’t need to be. With a nearly vanilla Android experience, sturdy though unattractive chassis and appreciable resolution, it’s a considerable option for globe-trotters with less intense mobile needs. Head on past the break for a video tour.

Mat Smith contributed to this report.

Continue reading Acer Liquid Gallant hands-on (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

Acer Liquid Gallant hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 05:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It was at the last IFA we got some time with Elgato’s EyeTV Mobile for the iPad, and this year they’re at it again with a redesigned iDongle and a brand new model for Android gear. The smaller EyeTV Mobile will have you watching DVB-T broadcasts on your iPhone 4S or iPad (2 or new), while the EyeTV Micro swaps Apple’s dock connector for, you guessed it, microUSB. Not all Android devices support the Micro — you’ll need a dual-core CPU, Neon support and at least the 4.0.3 build of ICS. That said, the Micro’s a generous little chap, as you can use the included USB cable to hook it up to your PC or Mac and get your TV fix on bigger screens, too. Both peripherals can be used with myriad aerials to meet your reception needs, provided you’re in Europe, of course. The Mobile and Micro will be available in September for £89.95 and £54.95 (around $143 and $87), respectively, and we hope to see one on the show floor before IFA 2012 is done, so stay tuned.

Continue reading Elgato outs smaller EyeTV Mobile for iPhones and iPads, EyeTV Micro for Android

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Peripherals, Tablets, HD, Mobile

Elgato outs smaller EyeTV Mobile for iPhones and iPads, EyeTV Micro for Android originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 05:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There’s nothing quite like a behind closed doors briefing at a busy tradeshow like IFA. Creative wasn’t quite ready to take its new D5 Air out onto the showroom floor just yet, but the company did let us take a sneak peak at the thing in a small testing room room. As the name implies, this sound bar is an AirPlay speaker, so you can use it with devices that utilize Apple’s proprietary streaming technology. We got a quick demo of the thing via an iPhone, and it sounded nice and loud.

The player has a small, square screen on the front that is “visible from any part of the room,” according to the company, so you can sit on your couch and still see what’s going on, while controlling it via your Apple device or the included remote control. Aesthetically, the single speaker system looks like exactly what you’d expect from Creative, all black, with the vast majority of the rectangle monopolize by mesh and shiny plastic ends on either side. There’s also a black line with illuminated white dots that runs down its center, up to the iPhone / iPod dock on its top.

The D5 Air has a bass port built into the back and is constructed from a monocoque exoskeleton to help minimize vibration. It’ll run you $399 when it starts shipping at the end of September.

Continue reading Creative D5 Air Airplay speaker hits IFA, readies itself for a late-September release

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Peripherals

Creative D5 Air Airplay speaker hits IFA, readies itself for a late-September release originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 04:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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