Tech Talk; NEW Android Tablets coming out

[Dan in Florida]

I'm chomping at the bit waiting for the new Tablets coming out this year. I don't want an iPad.

I was wondering if anyone else is waiting like I am and may have favorites?

So far, I am intrigued by the TOSHIBA TAB (un-named) 10.1" - WiFi ONLY
CNET VIDEO from CES & New Tossiba Tab site

Release date: 1st half of this year. Rumor price: $500

or I may get the SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 7" - WiFi ONLY
CNET VIDEO

Due out by release in Q1 of this year. Rumor price: ?

The Motorola Xoom is rumored to be out by Feb 17 for $799 - ouch

Either way, I'm waiting for the WiFi Versions, I'm not paying monthly fees.

I will probably wait until mid year before buying because competition SHOULD lower prices and give more options.

[SoCalBrownsFan]

I heard the Etch-A-Sketch tablet is pretty awesome.

[Tobalaz]

I'd love an android tablet as long as it's OS 2.2 or better with access to the Droid store.
My iPod touch just sucks ass as an e-reader because of the small screen and it'd be great to load all my gaming books onto it for fast access without lugging around a 70 lb bag every Saturday.
That, and using it for the internet would be sweet. Smaller than a laptop works for me, and have you ever tried to use a laptop in your lap? It just sucks.
And Angry Birds, that game is pretty damn addictive (it's free on Droid, pay to play on Apple).
Come to think of it, most of the sub $5 stuff in the Apple market is free on Droid.
Plus Droid 2.2 and beyond supports flash, something Apple refuses to do, and we all know flash is a big part of the net.
The only thing that worries me is if Android code may have to be re-written so anyone with an older Droid OS might wind up getting screwed.

[Dan in Florida]

I want an Android Tablet BUT this one may interest some of you (pretty cool)

it's the Samsung Sliding PC 7 Series - (10.1" touch tablet)

What's cool about it is that it's a Tablet that can slide open and turn into a Netbook (with full keyboad). Runs Windows 7

Check out the Review & Videos:
Samsung Sliding PC 7 Series hands-on preview (video) -- Engadget

Price estimated at $699. Estimated release time is May 2011

[Dan in Florida]

I found something INTERESTING (to me)...ANDROID 3.0 aka Honeycomb, which is optimized to work with Tablets, has just been pre-released to developers. I believe the Honeycomb release is what's holding up the GAGGLE of Tablets from being released. Anyways, I found a link that shows 37 Screen Shots of Honeycomb.

Hint: Under each screen shot, click "View Full Size" and it will explain what each page is (at the top of the enlargement)
LINK: Android 3.0 Honeycomb, home screen | TechRepublic

[Dan in Florida]

Google Unveils Android Honeycomb Logo, Schedules Press Event [to showcase new operating system (steaming live) on February 2nd on several devices and announce it's release]

By Murad Haddad Friday January 28, 2011, 9:12 pm ET



The world’s largest online search engine, turned mobile OS giant, Google Inc., has unveiled a new logo for its upcoming Google Android 3.0 tablet centric operating system code-named “Honeycomb”.

The original Android logo features a robot figure, which is also incorporated in the new logo. The company in the past also incorporated the original Android robot figure in other versions of Android, including Android Donut, and Android Cupcake.

Google has also sent invitations to members of the press to attend an Android press event at the company’s Mountain View headquarters next Wednesday, February 2.

The company has made it clear the event would focus on showcasing the new Android Honeycomb operating system, which is the first operating system by the company designed specifically for larger screen tablet computers, rather than traditional smartphones.

Android Honeycomb 3.0 will include a number of new features, one of the most notable being a completely new user interface that includes Fragments where users could create multiple customizable panes.

Google will be showcasing in-depth demos of functions and applications, including video-chat and instant messaging support with Gtalk, native Google applications such as Google Maps Navigation, and even allow some hands-on time for invited guests.

The tech giant has already published a simple teaser video [embedded below] that showcases the new operating system’s graphical interface, among other features.

The upcoming press event would be used to give the world a closer look at the new operating system for the first time.

If you don’t have an invitation to the event, it is not a problem, you could still catch all the fun by streaming the event live starting at [Event starts 9:15am (California Time)], may start streaming at 10am PST, from the YouTube Android Channel.


The Motorola Xoom tablet computer, the first device to use Google's new Honeycomb operating system for tablet computers. Expected to launch in Q2 2011 on Verizon

Motorola will be the first device manufacturer to offer a (the Motorola Xoom) tablet device powered by Android Honeycomb.

The Motorola Xoom is expected to launch by the end of the first quarter of 2011 on the Verizon network, with an expected price-tag of at least $800 per unit.

Many other firms, including Toshiba, High Tech Computer (HTC) Corp., among other firms are also going to release their own devices with Google’s latest tablet OS.

[Dan in Florida]

Dell Streak 7 to be released by T-Mobile on Feb 2nd for $199 with 2 year commitment.

Review: Dell Streak 7

[Tobalaz]

I know this is about tablets and not phones, but just wanted to toss in a quick blurb about the DROID OS.
I just got a DROID 2.2 phone and it's amazing!
There are so many free apps that are helpful.
It's easy to use.
It's fast.
The whole Android experience has been a blast so far.
I've got an iPod Touch as well, and if I were to chose an iPad or DROID tablet based strictly off of my experience between the 2 OSes, I'd go DROID.

[Dan in Florida]

Originally Posted by Tobalaz

I know this is about tablets and not phones, but just wanted to toss in a quick blurb about the DROID OS.
I just got a DROID 2.2 phone and it's amazing!
There are so many free apps that are helpful.
It's easy to use.
It's fast.
The whole Android experience has been a blast so far.
I've got an iPod Touch as well, and if I were to chose an iPad or DROID tablet based strictly off of my experience between the 2 OSes, I'd go DROID.

Phone talk is OK...that's what got me interested in Android Tablets. I have an old Droid (now) running 2.2 Froyo

[Legacy Fan]

Originally Posted by Dan in Florida

Phone talk is OK...that's what got me interested in Android Tablets. I have an old Droid (now) running 2.2 Froyo

Same here. I had a BB Tour that died (in 13 months. Sweet) and luckily my folks lost Verizon service at their farm and were able to get out of their contract (unheard of). They snagged iPhones and Dad slung me his O.G. Droid
Currently running 2.2.1 And loving it. Great OS & feature set.

Contract is up 3/30 and will be going to the iPhone 4 for its style/appearance and form factor (size & weight) and its app selection (not better apps, just ones I want/ will use). My only complaint with the Droid is the lousy camera. Speed is awful, lighting & AF is terrible and inability to recognize portrait or landscape when sharing/posting is disappointing. I have a DSLR for taking nice photos of the family, etc. but I want my phone to take a quick crisp photo for instant memories / events, etc. iPhone does that, Droid does not.

I will absolutely miss Google Nav. Without exception it's the very best Nav app out there (and it's free). But only available on Android (understandable).

[Dan in Florida]

Originally Posted by Legacy Fan

. I have a DSLR for taking nice photos of the family, etc. but I want my phone to take a quick crisp photo for instant memories / events, etc. iPhone does that, Droid does not.

I totally agree on the Droid camera sucking. I've heard about the Iphone's nice photos.

[Dan in Florida]

Just debuted at the MWC (Mobile World Congress) today:

YouTube - Samsung galaxy Tab 10.1 - live MWC preview