ASUS ‘PadFone’ to be the final name of the phone-docking tablet?

PadFone. Well, as silly as it sounds, the name sure speaks for itself. Unearthed by our friends over at Pocketnow, this USPTO trademark document was filed by ASUS merely four days ago. Such timing suggests that this could very well be the final name of the company’s eccentric “pad or phone” combo, which is to be unveiled at Computex next week. As expected, no specifics are detailed in this application, but it does mention “electronic pens for computer touch screens” — possibly hinting that the PadFone will be compatible with N-Trig’s DuoSense or similar stylus technology.

Alas, that’s all we have for now until ASUS lifts the curtain on Monday, but let us point you to Notebook Italia’s brilliant mock-up to quench your thirst for the time being — we, too, suspect that the phone would slide onto the back of its companion tablet, hence the bump. That said, do bear in mind that this phone is already proven to be not as tacky looking, but is likely closer to a full-fledged Android handset. Anyhow, check out the artist’s impressions after the break.

Update: Oh hey, remember Windows SideShow? Good times.

Continue reading ASUS ‘PadFone’ to be the final name of the phone-docking tablet?

ASUS ‘PadFone’ to be the final name of the phone-docking tablet? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 13:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lenovo IdeaPad K1 tablet hits some online retailers, still not buy-able

Lenovo still hasn’t officially confirmed it, but all signs are pointing to an imminent US launch of its Android-based IdeaPad K1 tablet. It just hit the FCC under the “K1” moniker earlier this month, and it’s now gotten a full blown listing on Buy.com, complete with specs and some pictures that show off Lenovo’s “custom-built Android interface.” Those specs include a 10.1-inch display, a Tegra 2 processor (not a Snapdragon as we had seen on the LePad), 32GB of storage, dual cameras (5 megapixel rear and 2 megapixel front-facing), a microSD card slot, a micro HDMI out, and even a SIM card slot — somewhat notably it’s also listed as coming with Netflix pre-installed. While most of those specs seem like a safe bet, others apparently aren’t quite set in stone, the listing alternatively mentions both Android 3.0 and Android 3.1, for instance, and both a 1280 x 720 and 1280 x 800 resolution (though the latter seems likely). What’s more, while Buy.com isn’t providing a price just yet, the tablet has also hit Krex Computers of all places, where it’s listed at $510. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look.

Lenovo IdeaPad K1 tablet hits some online retailers, still not buy-able originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 11:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Netbook News  |  sourceBuy.com, Krex.com  | Email this | Comments

ZiiLabs unveils Jaguar family of Honeycomb tablets for OEMs to devour

Just a few weeks after unveiling its ZMS-20 and ZMS-40 StemCell processors, ZiiLabs has now designed a new family of slates to house them. Developed with the OEM market in mind, the company’s new Jaguar Honeycomb tablets come in two breeds — one with a seven-inch, 1024×600 LCD and another with a ten-inch 1280×800 display. Unlike their ZiiO predecessors, these 64GB siamese twins call for both capacitive and resistive touchscreen capabilities, support OpenGL ES 2.0 3D graphics and, as you can see in the image above, feature front- and rear-facing five-megapixel cameras. And, of course, there’s a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 ZMS-20 or quad-core ZMS-40 helping them purr right along, both clocking in at 1.5 GHz. The two Jaguars will be uncaged at next week’s Computex tradeshow in Taiwan, but you can find more information in the PR that awaits you after the break.

Continue reading ZiiLabs unveils Jaguar family of Honeycomb tablets for OEMs to devour

ZiiLabs unveils Jaguar family of Honeycomb tablets for OEMs to devour originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 11:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another Samsung WiFi Galaxy Tab 10.1 hits the FCC, this time dubbed GT-P7310

This week brought news that Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 would be released into the wild in just a few days. Today, a WiFi tablet from the Korean company made its way through the FCC bearing model number GT-P7310. Which, you see, is slightly different from the GT-P7510 moniker we saw in another FCC filing earlier this month, and this ended up being the limited edition 10.1 passed out at Google I/O. While some may think that this could well be the 8.9-inch version of Sammy’s Android tablet, the above drawing is actually identical to the previous one bar the extra text at the bottom, so our money’s on 10.1 again — maybe this variant is destined for other countries? We shall see.

Update: A bit more digging found a pair of 10.1-inchers demonstrated in Monaco with models listed as the GT-P7300 (a WiFi plus 3G Galaxy Tab 10.1) and GT-P7310, which, you guessed it, is a WiFi-only version.

Another Samsung WiFi Galaxy Tab 10.1 hits the FCC, this time dubbed GT-P7310 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 05:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS to unveil a phone-docking tablet at Computex?

We love teasers, but the wait can be unbearable sometimes. Luckily, all it takes is a tweak in the URL to uncover ASUS’ upcoming Computex teaser pics ahead of time, as discovered by our eagle-eyed reader Anas. As you might have already figured out, the image on the left — which just went live — seems to be just a reminder of the Eee Pad MeMO’s June launch, though the words “A Tablet That Jumps Out at You” could also imply a device bearing 3D functionality of some sort. Maybe ASUS managed to upgrade said 7-inch Honeycomb tablet just in time? We shall see.

But the real meat here lies in the remaining image, which is scheduled to close the loop on the “Pad or Phone” teaser campaign this coming Sunday. What’s new is merely the intriguing line “How about Both?” below the old text, accompanying the silhouette of what appear to be a large tablet and a smaller phone-like device. Could this mean ASUS is toying with the idea of an Atrix-like docking combo, except the lapdock is instead just a tablet? We could well be stretching here, but hey, ASUS does say it wants to “break the rules,” right? Stay tuned as we’ll find out more at Computex 2011 next week.

[Thanks, Anas A.]

Update: It should be noted that the phone-docking idea we’re referring to is not related to the MeMO and MeMic duo — look at the second pic closely and you’ll see that the smaller device has four Android soft keys, whereas the MeMic has different buttons. Check out the close-up after the break.

Continue reading ASUS to unveil a phone-docking tablet at Computex?

ASUS to unveil a phone-docking tablet at Computex? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 23:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows tablet OS preview coming next week?

We’ve heard an awful lot about a Windows tablet OS this past year, with stirrings of a 2012 launch — heck, even Steve Ballmer’s fanned the flames of speculation — and now the rumor mill’s been set in motion with word of an impending preview expected next week. According to Bloomberg, three sources have confirmed Microsoft’s plan to flaunt the much-anticipated UI, possibly at upcoming appearances at AllThingsD and Computex. The showcase is supposedly set to run the touchscreen-enabled software on a Tegra-equipped machine. We’d previously reported on stirrings of a June demo. Considering all the evidence that’s stacked up over the past few months, we’d say 2012 is looking like a rather practical target.

Windows tablet OS preview coming next week? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 20:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Philips GoGear Connect 7 Android tablet launching in China soon?

Philips GoGear Connect 7

An Ode to the Philips GoGear Connect 7:

It’s rumored to be launching soon,
Supposedly hitting shelves in June.
Instead of picking Honeycomb,
Philips decided to go it on its own.
Underneath its skin you’ll find Gingerbread,
We’d prefer an “entirely for tablet” OS instead.
There’s a front facing camera for video chat
And a “drawing area” — imagine that!
It’s got a 7-inch screen and microSD,
As for price and processor it’s wait and see.

[Thanks, Holman]

Philips GoGear Connect 7 Android tablet launching in China soon? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 19:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Madfinger announces new Shadowgun game, with Tegra 2 and Kal-El support

Madfinger Games, the Czech Republic-based company behind Samurai II: Vengeance, has just announced Shadowgun — a futuristic, shoot ’em up game for Tegra 2-equipped Android phones and tablets. Available on both the Tegra Zone app and Android Market, Shadowgun promises to bring console-quality graphics and performance to mobile platforms — presumably with the extra geometric detail and high-res textures we’ve seen in other Tegra 2-tailored games. Madfinger is also developing a version for devices powered by NVIDIA’s forthcoming quad-core processor, alluringly known as Project Kal-El. Price and availability have yet to be announced, but you can find more information in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Madfinger announces new Shadowgun game, with Tegra 2 and Kal-El support

Madfinger announces new Shadowgun game, with Tegra 2 and Kal-El support originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 10:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Droid Life, Android Central  |  sourceMadfinger Games  | Email this | Comments

HTC’s 10-inch ‘Puccini’ Honeycomb tablet still rumored for summer release

What would a morning be without a little injection of rumorjuice courtesy of DigiTimes? Today’s tattle has HTC’s 10.1-inch LTE “Puccini” tablet hitting mass production in June with AU Optronics and Wintek pegged as the touch panel suppliers. Other specs, like the 1.5GHz MSM8660 processor and Android 3.0.1 build, seem to have been culled from that 911sniper leak which DigiTimes graciously cites as “sources in the supply chain.” Of course, the June date has been tossed around before by DigiTimes but it’s good to hear it again so close to the 10-incher’s rumored summer release.

HTC’s 10-inch ‘Puccini’ Honeycomb tablet still rumored for summer release originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 01:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Add GPS to your Viewsonic G-Tablet and test your soldering skills

GPS module in Viewsonic G-Table

If you picked up one of those G-Tablets, but are now suffering from buyer’s remorse after realizing how much you miss GPS, there’s a solution — provided you have a strong DIY streak. It turns out Viewsonic set space aside on the Froyo-powered slate’s motherboard to place a GPS receiver. Of course, if you even have to ask what flux is or what SMD stands for this is not the hack for you. And while apps that rely on 3G, such as Google Maps, won’t work properly, offline navigators like Navigon and CoPilot should be just fine. If you’re comfortable tearing open your device and poking at it with a hot iron, hit up the source link for a complete list of parts and some very detailed instructions… or, you could just buy a tablet that already has GPS.

[Thanks, Andrew F.]

Add GPS to your Viewsonic G-Tablet and test your soldering skills originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 May 2011 13:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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