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[haven]

Hyundai tablet w/ Android 4.0 $111

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/HYUNDAI_A7_7_Capacitive_Android_40_Tablet_with_3G_WiFi_White.html

 

[haven]

Pantech Element

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/pantech-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]

Blackberry Playbook software major update

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.

 

[tdesanto]

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.

Well, I think that is a lot to ask of a $200 tablet.

 

[haven]

HTC Flyer $200

Buy.com is offering a refurbished HTC Flyer for $200 with free shipping. The tablet has a 1.5 GHz dual core processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage, 7 inch 1024x600 color lcd screen, and GPS chip. The Flyer ships with android 2.3, but HTC has announced they will provide an upgrade to Android 4.0 in March. The HTC Flyer has full access to Google's Market of Android applications.

edit to add: Flyer has Bluetooth, too

$200 is the cheapest price I can find for a 7 inch tablet with GPS. Another alternative at $200 is the Blackberry Playbook, but the Playbook has limited compatibility with Android apps.

http://www.buy.com/prod/refurbished...een-android-os-2-3-1-5ghz-16gb/228259799.html

 

[Fireman78]

Pardon my silly question here, but what good is a bluetooth with a tablet? We use a Kindle Fire and never once have I wondered about a Bluetooth. Just curious.

 

[ThomD]

Pardon my silly question here, but what good is a bluetooth with a tablet? We use a Kindle Fire and never once have I wondered about a Bluetooth. Just curious.

Not a silly question at all. I use it for videos and podcasts while riding the train with my noise cancelling headsets. Packing and unpacking cords twice a day gets to be a real drag, especially if I have to stand.

I have almost 200 episodes of How It's Made to work my way through.

 

[haven]

Bluetooth is useful for attaching peripherals. There's the headset ThomD mentioned, wireless keyboard or mouse, even external GPS.

 

[Fireman78]

Ok, so I am ready to pull the trigger on a Samsung 8.9 wifi only. Or possibly the 7.7- but rumor has it it will never be availible in the US Does anyone have one of these? Before I buy one, I want to hear from somebody about the internal GPS? Does it have to have a wifi signal to work? Anybody use this for mapping? Thanks in advance. I use a GPS puck with my Overland navigator software, I think it would be super duper cool to have a wireless GPS puck with the Samsung!

 

[ThomD]

The tab 7.7 will hit Verizon on 1 March. $500 on contract. $700 off contract. I haven't see anything on a WiFi only version. Do not look at the screen of the 7.7 if you do not plan to buy it. The AMOLED screen is beautiful.

 

[Fireman78]

Well, i picked up a Samsung 8.9 yesterday, it is awesome. Only problem is, NOBODY makes a decent case for them. Gumdrop makes one for the 10.1, and Otterbox makes a great one for the 7". I am stuck with a fragile tablet Im afraid to use.

 

[ThomD]

Well, i picked up a Samsung 8.9 yesterday, it is awesome. Only problem is, NOBODY makes a decent case for them. Gumdrop makes one for the 10.1, and Otterbox makes a great one for the 7". I am stuck with a fragile tablet Im afraid to use.

Amazon shows a couple. Oddly several are listed as no longer available, but I see Belkin has one, as does Snugg.

 

[Fireman78]

I picked up the Snugg one for the time being going to keep writing OtterBox I guess.