Asus and Intel Join Together To Create Fonepad

Intel is desperate to enter the tablet market. It has joined forces with Asus to create Fonepad. A 7-inch tablet running Android. There are two main selling point with the Fonepad, it can make phone calls and its price. For $249, it is quite a bargain.

The already blurry line between larger and larger mobile phones and smaller and lighter tablets has now become even fuzzier with Asus’s announcement this week of the “Fonepad,” a 7-inch Android * tablet powered by an Atom™ Z2420 processor platform. Yes, it’s a tablet that makes phone calls. Call it a “phablet.” 

Source: Intel Software Blog

Aside from the 7-inch tablet, Asus is also releasing a 5-inch tablet with similar specs called the Padfone.

The Intel processor used is the Atom family processor, Z2420. A processor that Intel hopes will be able to break into ARM controlled market.

Image Credit : Intel Software Blog

Apps Marketplace Need to Filter Its Apps

Privacy is a major concern right now. Social media and mobile apps are arriving in droves daily. To use them, we do need to provide real life information. It is therefore prone to misuse by the apps providers. A recent article from The Droid Guy indicates that "iOS Apps Collect More Personal Information than Android apps, says Study".

A good take from the article is that both Google and Apple can actually do something about it by filtering apps to use only what is needed.

Apps on App Store as well as Play Store, generally take up more permissions from user than required. For instance- Why does a shooting game need permission to read SMS/ make calls? Why does a newsreader app require permission to capture photos? If Apple and Google could filter the permission owned by each and every app and make sure they only do what they intend to do, maybe we would have less privacy concerns. Also, while downloading/installing, apps should clearly mention what permissions they need and why they need it. Everything should be mentioned in plain, easy-to-understand language. Most people don’t understand complex tech jargons. And, Apple as well as Google should devise mechanisms that prevents apps from identifying user preferences and collecting personal data. 

Source: The Droid Guy

I completely agree with that article, it is the Apps Marketplace Owner task to filter them and requires that apps use permission that is needed. But, I do not think any of them will do it. It takes too much time and strict requirements means less apps.

What Price Is Expensive For Tablets

Here is a very interesting article on tablet price from SlashGear titled "At What Point Do Tablets Become Too Expensive?".

Apple have always been known to produce high quality products at a premium price. But how high will the customer be willing to pay ?

When I first learned that Apple was planning to sell a 128GB iPad, I was excited. For years now, I’ve been waiting for a company to deliver ample storage for all of my videos and movies, and now, Apple is doing it. Although 64GB was nice, it wasn’t enough for someone like me who has all kinds of video. With 128GB, I should be good for at least the next couple of years. 

But then I saw the price. For the Wi-Fi-only version of the 128GB iPad, I’d need to drop $799. For the Wi-Fi-and-cellular model, I’d be set back $929. 

Needless to say, those prices gave me more than just a little sticker shock. Yes, I realize that I’m getting double the storage for only $100 more than the 64GB option, but I can’t help but think that paying nearly $1,000 for a tablet is ridiculous. I’m all for paying a fair price for a high-quality product, but dropping that much cash makes me wonder why I just don’t buy a notebook and be done with it.

Perhaps Apple is killing itself slowly by capitalizing on its own strength ? Who knows...

Android Tablet in the meantime keeps getting cheaper with better quality.

Android Tablets chewing iPad marketshare

iPad created the tablet PC craze and dominate the market, however it looks like Android are rising to challenge iPad dominance.

Apple still has a firm grip on the top spot in the tablet market at 43.6%, but that number is down--way down--from a year ago, when it held more than half of all tablet market share at 51.7%. At the same time, Samsung saw its tablet market share explode from 7.3% to 15.1%, representing a 236% increase in year-over-year shipments in Q4. For as incredible as Samsung’s growth is, however, ASUS’ is staggering; the company saw 402.3% growth, from about 600,000 units to 3.1 million, thanks largely to sales of the Google Nexus tablet, and it now holds 5.8% market share. 

Source: Hot Hardware

The data reported by Hot Hardware is based on IDC Q4 2012 data. What is interesting is that Asus, the maker of Google Nexus 7 saw 400% growth. While Samsung with its extensive range of tablets saw 236% growth. Apple still king at 43.6%, however it is no longer in control of over 51% of the market.

Looking at Asus growth, it looks like cheap good tablet PC are helping them to grow at an incredible rate. Looking at their MeMO Pad series, it looks like they are going to continue creating cheap and good tablet PC.

Jazz 10-inch Cheap Android Tablet

Montgomery Ward has a 10-inch Android Ice Cream Sandwich tablet in stock for $299.

Be the kid on the block with the coolest Ice Cream Sandwich tablet technology. It's fun, and affordable with Montgomery Ward credit! With upgraded ease of multi-tasking, intuitive navigation and customizable screens, so you can browse the Internet, check email, listen to the newest songs, watch popular videos and more with a simple touch to the 5-point LCD touchscreen. The operating system includes an app store with games, tools and apps for every occasion, from fun to education to productivity. 16:9 aspect ratio. Other features include 0.3 MP camera to take pictures and record video, built-in speakers, headphone jack, USB port and SD card slot (supports up to 32 GB memory card, not included). Includes 5-volt adapter, stylus and USB cable. 1024 x 600 resolution. 6 1/2" w x 10 3/4" h x 1/2" d.

• Light and ultra-thin, only 1/2"

• Pinch-to-size LED touchscreen

• Capacitive screen with precision drawing stylus

Source: Montgomery Ward

Ice Cream Sandwich is becoming the default Android OS for tablets these days.

Archos Titanium and Platinum series from CES 2013

During CES 2013, Archos introduces its Titanium and Platinum tablets. Can Archos brings together cheap and good in a tablet PC ? Check out K.T. Bradford coverage of those tablets over at Digital Trends :

Overall, the entire Titanium family looks solid. The two largest tablets felt the best in our hands. We like how light all of them are and the designs that make them comfortable to hold, even over long periods. All of them are Google certified and will run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with no skin. The 70 and 101 Titaniums will be in direct competition with Google’s two Nexus tablets at a significantly lower price. It will be interesting to see if Android lovers will make a choice solely based on price. 

If you like the look of the Titanium series but want tablets with more power, step up to the Platinum series. Both of these tablets boast aluminum cases and solid construction, no creaks or bending. Aside from the aluminum design, the Platinum tablets are about the same as the Titanium on the outside. Neither tablet is significantly heavier and the design is still comfortable and holdable. They have the same ports, same IPS displays, same resolutions (1024 x 768 on the 8-inch, 2048 x 1536 on the 9.7-inch). The big difference is inside. Platinum tablets have quad-core chips and 2GB of RAM, so performance should be even better. 

Read more: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/archos-titanium-platinum-tablets-hands-on/

Superpad 10-inch 4GB Best Price

Here is a great deal for Superpad 10-inch Android tablet. A 4GB version is available for $127.95 with free shipping and bundled with a carrying case.

Features include a 10" touchscreen LCD, 4GB internal storage, WiFi, memory card slot, USB port, HDMI output, and Google Android 4.0 OS (Ice Cream Sandwich). 

Source: CNET

It is available on eBay from a top-rated seller, santanaudiovideo. Go to the deals page for details. This deal will not last forever, so go check it out while it is still available.

eFun Nextbook 7GP to debut at CES 2013

eFun is set to show its Nextbook 7GP Android tablet at CES 2013. With availability in February 2013 at a budget price of $129.99.

The 7-inch tablet is part of the Google Play Series and runs Android 4.1. It features a high definition (1024 x 600) multi touch screen, front and back cameras, and a HDMI-out port to send 1080p HD video to an HDTV or computer. Internally, the Nextbook has a 1.5GHz dual-core processor along with 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of internal memory though this can be extended to 32GB using the micro SD card slot. 

Image Credit and Source: Click Online

Well, unless Google releases a $99 tablet, this is going to be a great alternative for those of us looking for a budget tablet in the 7-inch range.

US Cheap Tablet Options For 2012

The 2012 Holiday Season is surely the hottest holiday season for tablets. While the iPad is still dominating the tablet market, we are now seeing cheap tablet with good quality, thanks to Android tablet.

My Desert recommends two options, other than the iPad. The Google Nexus and Amazon tablets. Why ?

Android tablets — which run Google’s Android operating system — are becoming a big threat to the iPad. Though Google has made Android available to all tablet makers, your best bets for now are Google’s own flagship tablets, the Nexus 7 ($199) and Nexus 10 ($399). 

These gadgets run the latest version of the Android operating system, 4.2 or Jelly Bean, and are the first to receive updates. They can go neck-and-neck with the power, features and usability you’ll find on similarly sized iPads, too, but at a lower cost. In some ways, the Nexus tablets are actually better. 

Source: My Desert

And for Amazon ?

Amazon’s Android-based Kindle Fire tablet got a major upgrade recently, along with a few siblings, making it a more competitive option.

Source: My Desert

What do you think ?

Ainol Novo 10 Hero II

Here is a Chinese tablet worthy of your consideration. Running Android Jelly Bean, with 10" display, priced at $210. The Ainol online store listed the tablet as "Out Of Stock".

So how about this Ainol Nova 10 Hero II tablet? For $209 dollars you’ll get an IPS display, quad-core power, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Pretty good deal if you ask us. Obviously the question remains on build quality and that processor. Unlike some Chinese tablets, this indeed comes with the Google Play Store for full access to the 700,000 Android apps available today. The tablet isn’t quite available yet, but can soon be yours for $209 if you feel like making the jump and giving it a try. 

Source: Android Community

What about the specs ?

 Ainol Novo is a Chinese tablet manufacturer that left a mark on the 7 inch segment with its cheap, yet powerful 7 inch tablets. 

Today the company revealed its latest product – Novo 10 Hero II a 10.1 (1280 x 800) tablet which runs the latest Google Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system with the help of a ACT ATM7029 quad-core processor. 

Ainol Novo 10 Hero II also comes with 1GB of RAM, 16GB internal memory expandable for up to 32GB via a microSD card slot, dual-cameras (2MP on the back, 0.3 VGA in front), support for external 3G dongle, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, plays 1080p videos and a 8000 mAh battery. 

Source: Pocket Droid

This tablet is worth checking out.

Indian Mitashi PLAY BE 100

Image Credit : Mitashi

Look to India for cheap tablets. Mitashi has just released its PLAY BE 100. It runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Since Mitashi is a video game brand, it is very likely that this is an entertainment machine. The price is only Rs 6,790, about US$125.

It has 7” capacitive touch screen with 800×480 pixel resolution. It is powered with 1Ghz processor and RAM of 512 MB. The device comes with internal memory of 4GB which can be expanded up to 32GB with micro SD card. 

It has a 2MP rear camera and 1.3 MP front camera. The dual camera allows one to share endless conversations with one’s close family and friends – all of this makes it the complete entertainment package.This tablet is powered with a 2700 mAH Li-Po battery. Weighing 360 gms,the size of the tablet is 193 X 124.5 X 11 mm. 

The tablet supports 3G through USB dongle. To promote in the market, Mitashi offers a KB100 keyboard as an accessory which is priced at Rs 1,299. 

Source: Truth Dive

Of course, this brand is unlikely to spread beyond India, however it proves that cheap tablet PC is a great market with ready buyers.

Dreaming of $99 Google Nexus

Dreaming of getting good quality, reference tablet, Google Nexus for $99 ? Well, soon it will come to reality. Google is reported to be working with Quanta Computer to create a single processor tablet to launch by the end of the year. Google Nexus is by far a bestseller. This is likely Google answer to Apple iPad Mini, set to launch by the end of October.

Google might soon launch a cheaper Nexus tablet. 

The company is currently working with Taiwan-based Quanta Computer to produce a $99 Nexus tablet boasting a single-core processor that will launch by the end of this year, Digitimes is reporting today, citing sources. According to the tech-news blog's sources, the tablet isn't being developed in partnership with Asus, the company that helped Google build its Nexus 7. The cheaper tablet is, at least right now, separate from the Nexus 7 lineup. 

Digitimes reported on the possibility of a new Nexus tablet last month, saying that Google was prepping a version that would cost $99, as well as another that would retail for $199. At that time, the blog indicated that the device would be called the Nexus 7 and would be developed in partnership with Asus. Its sources seem to indicate now that neither of those are claims are true.

Source: CNET

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Best Buy Android Tablet

Best Buy is offering its own version of Android based tablet, called Insignia Flex. It will most likely be priced at $239 - $259. With 9.7-inch screen and 10-hour battery life, it should be quite a deal. No detail as to which version of Android it will be using.

The Insignia Flex will hit stores on Nov. 11 and be sold only at Best Buy, the source said on condition of anonymity because the details were not yet public.
The Insignia Flex is based on Google's Android software, which also powers Samsung's tablets, and features a dual-core 1GHz processor, 9.7-inch screen and 10-hour battery life, according to the Facebook page.
It will also feature a camera for video conferencing and weigh in at about 1.45 pounds, the source said.
The pricing compares with a starting price of $499 for Apple's 9.7-inch iPad and $399 for the older version of iPad. Google's Nexus 7 is priced at $199, and Amazon's Kindle Fire HD starts at $199.

Source:NBCNews

Aakash Tablet PC Made In India

India is planning to have its own 100 percent made in India tablet PC. The base production will be the Aakash Tablet PC, currently available at Rs 1,100 to students after government subsidy. This comes down to around $ 22 US dollars.

The manufacturer of the Aakash Tablet PC is Datawind, a UK based company and it is currently selling the Tablet under the brand Ubislate7 for Rs 2,500 (Around $35 US Dollars). It is manufactured in India.

The processor that is used to power the Aakash Tablet PC is clocked at 300 MHz. It is planned for the Aakash 2 Tablet PC to be clocked at 800 MHz. It is a WiFi only device, powered by Android 2.2