Google Android software and hardware: Post here

[haven]

Here's a good example of what the standard Android tablet will look like in Spring 2012:

Acer Iconia Tab A200
1.2 GHz nVidia Tegra 2 dual core processor
1 GB RAM, 16 GB flash memory
1280x800 pixels, 10.1 inch color touchscreen
WiFi only, no 3G or 4G option
Android 4.0.x
price $349

Several manufacturers will produce machines with faster quad core processors, but I think people will find that the apps available don't take advantage of 4 cores very efficiently. The result will be that most people won't see much benefit to the more expensive quad core designs. This will change in time as the price of the quad core chips comes down and app developers learn how to take advantage of the new technology.

[haven]

Lenovo is offering the IdeaPad A1 tablet for $167 while supplies last (white or pink models only, black costs $199). This is the lowest price I've seen for a new Android tablet from a mainstream manufacturer.

The A1 has a GPS chip, making it a reasonable choice if you're thinking about a tablet for navigation in your vehicle. Other features missing from low price tablets like the Kindle Fire, but found in the A1, include cameras front and rear, Bluetooth, and access to Android Market applications.

The problem with the A1 is that it has only 512MB of RAM. Android 4.0 will fit, but Lenovo has no plans to release a version for the A1.

Update: Never mind. The offer is sold out. The web site price is back up to $199, which is still a good deal for a tablet with GPS.

[haven]

Even though we can't buy the Galaxy Tab 7.7 in USA today, the tablet is coming soon. Several of the usual suspects have purchased review units from European sources. Conclusion: The Galaxy Tab 7.7 is the best Android tablet yet, of any size.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/07/s...tional-edition

http://www.netbooknews.com/44424/samsung-galaxy-tab-7-7-review-the-new-ipad-killer

One feature the 7.7 shares with the Samsung Galaxy Note 5.0 tablet is a GPS chip that receives signals from both USA and Russian GPS satellites. The result is faster and more accurate positioning.

The Samsung tablets still run Android 3.x. I think I'd hold off my purchase until Samsung releases Android 4.0, which should be any day now.

[ThomD]

Hmm. 7.7 Galaxy. Tempting.

BTW, the new weather app 1 Weather is most excellent.

[haven]

Barnes and Noble just introduced a less expensive version of the Nook Tablet. The new model has 8GB of storage, like the Kindle Fire has, and is priced at $195. The 16GB Nook stays at $249. The price of the original Nook Color has been lowered to $169.

All 3 models of the Nook have an IPS color LCD screen that is generally considered to be easier to read and more colorful than the screen used in the Kindle Fire. The Nook models also have a slot for a 32GB Micro SD flash memory card, allowing you to take more books and movies with you. The Fire has no memory expansion slot.

The Nook Tablet models have 1GB of RAM for program execution, while the Fire has 512MB. This extra memory may become an advantage as the hacker community works to find ways to load Android 4.0 onto these less expensive tablet.

[haven]

Here's a new product that shows where Android tablet prices are headed.

The Hyundai A7 has a Cortex A8 single core processor that runs at 1.5 GHz. The tablet has 512MB of RAM and 8 GB of flash storage. The capacitive color LCD has a resolution of 480x800. The tablet has a USB port and HDMI port. The USB port can support an external data modem for 3G service. The battery has a capacity of 3000 mAh. And the tablet runs Android 4.0.

Eighteen months ago, a tablet like this cost $400. Price today: $111.

The tablet is not super thin or sleek like the expensive brands. The tablet lacks Bluetooth support, and has no built-in GPS. There might be a way to attach an external GPS via the USB port. But overall, the tablet looks solid. I can't find a less expensive way to gain experience with Android 4.0.

For more information
http://www.focalprice.com/CE0031W/HY...iFi_White.html

[haven]

AT&T is offering the Pantech Element tablet. The Element has one interesting feature: The tablet is waterproof to a depth of 3 feet for 30 minutes. So it's well sealed against rain, dust and grit. The tablet has assisted GPS, and an extra-large battery. All three features make this tablet well suited for adventure travel.

As interesting as these features are, I think I'll wait until Pantech offers a version of the Element running Android 4.0.

Here's a review of the Pantech Element
http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/p...element-review

[ThomD]

I was surprised to find that neither the Kindle Fire or Nooks offer bluetooth headset support. I guess I'll have to wait for the Samsung 7.7 to come out.

[haven]

Let's say you're looking for a well designed tablet from a name brand supplier. You want a 7 inch display for portability, dual core processor, and built-in GPS. And you want to spend about $200.

Today, you've got a new choice: The Blackberry Playbook.

The Playbook has been around for a year, but never gained much respect due to the need to pair the tablet with a Blackberry phone for email, calendaring and contacts. All that has changed with the release of the 2.0 version of its QNX operating system. The 2.0 software includes native email, calendar and contacts programs that can use WiFi to update.

Why talk about a machine running QNX in a thread about Android devices? The new 2.0 software includes the ability to run many Android programs. Developers have to make a couple of small changes to make their Android apps run under QNX 2.0.

[762X39]

I had absolutely no interest in a tablet till I read the above. Looks like there is a playbook in my future.