Just yesterday we saw Samsung confirming that they were working on a tablet and now we’ve come across a leaked image of the mystery slate. What some call the Galaxy Tab was spotted in a fellow’s hand, as you can see in the image below. All we know about the unit is that it runs Android (2.2 most likely) and it’ll sport a 7 inch touch display.
No info on pricing, launch date or specs for now… The industrial design language used for this device reminds us a great deal of Samsung Galaxy S, which is a good thing, considering its success.
Microsoft’s CEO, Steve Ballmer recently announced that the Redmond giant needs to focus on developing their tablet segment products, specially now that the iPad has reached strong sales. The Wall Street Journal mentions that MS is working with its hardware partners on a bunch of new slates, that rely on Windows 7.
Hewlett-Packard is one of these partners, but the company will only use Windows 7 on a business tablet, making a consumer slate that uses WebOS, gained from the Palm purchase.
After finding out that Samsung is readying an Android tablet, that’ll debut near the year end, LG didn’t even wait for a day to pass and they’ve announced the same thing: a slate ready for Q4 debut. The device will run Android and we learn that it’ll be a part of the Optimus smartphone series, that will also include slates.
3 Optimus smartphones were revealed so far, including the Optimus Z model, packing Android 2.1 and a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset. The rush to get an iPad rival out is intensifying and LG, Samsung, HTC and Nokia will certainly be packing heat before the year end.
Microsoft is reaching out to tablet-making partners, this time in the business segment, as we’ve figured from the latest pairing of the software giant with the Hanvon company. This brand is known as a “mature x86 tablet manufacturer” on the Chinese market and we’re expecting the device to be paired with Windows 7 and Microsoft’s top business solutions.
No info on a name of the product, or specs or a launch date… The interview below, with a Hanvon official might be of help, if you’re wondering what the company is all about.
Amazon has just introduced a new Kindle model, that will appeal to those who are keen on reading on the go. Set to debut on August 27th, the device is 21% smaller and 15% lighter than its predecessor, while its refresh rate is 20% faster than the previous e-reader. The new Kindle is based on E Ink technology and will come in two colors: graphite and white.
You’ll get the unit in two versions: one with WiFi, for $139 and one with 3G support (on AT&T), for $189. The display will stick with the 6 inch diagonal and we learn that Amazon claims page turns are faster and contrast has been enhanced. Internal memory is now 4GB and the battery life is able to reach a month, with no wireless, or 10 days with the wireless on.
As far as software is concerned, you get a Webkit-based browser and other modifications include a new and more subtle rocker.
Samsung Electronics recently announced that it plans on introducing Android tablets in Q3, as we’ve learned from one of Reuters’ tweets. The new product will be an iPad rival and fit in with the direction taken by the rest of major tech companies, also preparing slates for launch. Samsung’s device will feature a 7 inch display, making the unit smaller than the 9.7 inch iPad.
No other details were released and we learn that LG is also planning to launch an Android slate, but in Q4. Microsoft also wants to be in the game, introducing tablets based on Windows, while cooperating with Acer, Toshiba and other major brands.
A recent survey that involved 20,000 people found that iPad owners may be educated and sophisticated, but they’re also selfish and unkind people. Meanwhile, PC owners are independent geeks, according to consumer research outfit MyType. The group of people defined by selfishness and unkindness is called “selfish elites” and such folks are 6 times more likely to buy an iPad than the average person.
iPad critics are focused on self-direction, conformity and are keen on videogaming, electronics, the Internet and science. The independent personalities of the previously-mentioned group of people make them criticize the device that’s going for mainstream adoption.
Tainell is a Chinese company from Shanghai, that recently introduced an iPad clone of its own. The device packs a 10 inch display with multitouch support, it runs Windows 7 OS and measures 14mm in thickness. Its battery life reached 10 hours and that’s video playback time. Too bad that this is where the specs list ends…
Nobody seems to miss the iPad in India, where the tablet isn’t available yet, mostly because companies like Notion Ink and iProf are catering to the needs of the public with rival products. iProf is a company that targets the Indian education market, with slates that aren’t available for sale, but they’ll be delivered to students that take part in the company’s programs.
The iProf slates are meant to revolutionize the way Indian students learn and evolve, with the study material being available in multiple formats (animations, audio/video lectures, performance analysis and more). Moving on to another local business, Notion Ink’s Adam tablet is a familiar face you’ve seen on our site, a very promising product.
Adam was supposed to launch in June or July in the US, but it’s now being delayed till Thanksgiving for unknown reasons. However, the Indian market debut will take place first and we learn that Notion Ink will get a financial contribution thanks to Reliance Industries Limited, an Indian conglomerate company interested in this market segment.
Canada’s BlackBerry-making RIM has set its wheels in motion, for what seems to be the announcement of a tablet device. Apparently, RIM has purchased the BlackPad.com domain, maybe to toy with us, or maybe just to launch a tablet called “BlackPad” and pair it with its very own website. The domain purchase took place days ago, so we might be gearing for a slate announcement.
Apparently, the domain’s history is a bit longer, as it belonged to at least a party before RIM, ever since January 2002. No trademarks were filed yet for the BlackPad name and we have to remind you that this branding was mentioned before in the same sentence with a BlackBerry tablet.
Most people seem to think that the BB Slate will be in fact a companion device for RIM’s smartphones. What do you think?
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