New Gadget 2011

When it comes to the world of tablets these days, it seems that the Android operating system has the most �fans�, as many hardware manufacturers have adopted the free operating system, hence helping keep the costs of the tablet device as low as possible. The iPad 2 from Apple needs no introduction, while the BlackBerry PlayBook is struggling although we do not have any concrete data on how the HP TouchPad would perform in the near term. What about Windows on tablet devices? Those are quite rare as well, but with Viewsonic helping out by throwing their weight with the ViewPad 10pro, things might spice up a bit in the tablet market. This 10? device has arrived at the FCC, and interestingly enough, it allows you to switch between Windows 7 and Android.

We do know that the Viewsonic ViewPad 10pro will feature Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity and an Intel Oak Trail 1.5GHz processor. This is not a true blue dual-boot device though, since it runs Android in a Windows-based virtualization application, so you can rule out reaping the full rewards of a true blue Android tablet. I wonder what kind of strain the processor goes through with the virtualization process going on�
source: Ubergizmo

We thought that the MediaPad was first 7? Honeycomb tablet to be released later this year, but now it looks like there are other companies in the running in the race as well. Acer and ViewSonic both have their own offerings on the way - the Acer Iconia Tab A100 and the ViewSonic 7x. The 7x has just been officially announced to have a mid-August release date, while the A100 hasn't got a release date yet. Huawei's MediaPad has been said to be available globally by Q3, so August sounds pretty likely as well, we'll just have to see which one arrives first.

The ViewSonic 7x will pack a 7? 1024 x 600 Gorilla Glass display, Android 3.2, NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of flash storage, 2-megapixel front facing camera, 5-megapixel rear camera, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, mini HDMI output, USB 2.0 slot, and will be priced at about $499 for the WiFi-only model.
source: Ubergizmo

ViewSonic has yet another Android tablet on the way, in the predictably rectangular shape of its ViewBook 730. It'll arrive with a 7? screen running at 800�480 resolution, and will come loaded Android 2.2. Inside is the popular, but slightly aged, Cortex-A8 1GHz processor, meaning it'll run Flash Player 10.1 � and a deal has been done to pre-load Amazon's Kindle app.

And here it is. Our initial observations are �That's a lot of bezel��

A US price of $249.99 has been announced for it, which is pretty decent for a 7? tablet with a front-facing camera and HDMI output. Isn't it? Here's the press release:

ViewSonic Changes the Face of Tablets

New ViewBook(R) 730 Tablet Is a Fully-Featured Low-Cost Powerhouse

ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today expanded its tablet offerings with the launch of the ViewBook tablet line and new ViewBook 730.

Designed for the value seeker who doesn't want to compromise on features, the ViewBook 730 makes it easy for anyone to make multimedia mobile. This Android� 2.2 OS tablet combines a fast and powerful ARM� Cortex-A8 1Ghz processor with Wi-Fi� and Bluetooth� support in a convenient 7? form factor. Whether experiencing 1080p video playback via the HDMI connection, or engaging in video chat and conference calls using the integrated front VGA camera, the ViewBook 730 is the ideal tablet for staying connected and enjoying all the exciting possibilities of digital media content on the move.

With its RiteTouch technology, the ViewBook 730's high-resolution 800�480 LED backlit screen serves as a great tool for pen writing. Whether taking notes in the classroom, highlighting excerpts within a novel or textbook, or working on art projects with the pre-installed Sketcher� app, the included stylus and RiteTouch make it easy to write directly on the screen of the device, swipe across content and scroll through emails.

Fully integrated with the Amazon Appstore, the most popular games and entertainment have already been installed: from Twitter, to Amazon's MP3 music downloader, shopping on Amazon.com, plus YouTube and Mediafly, along with Amazon� Kindle� software for industry-leading eBook reading.

�In the tablet marketplace, there are plenty of solutions to choose from,� said Michael Holstein, vice president of business development, ViewSonic. �We recognized a need for a tablet device that offers users an excellent multimedia experience with a very affordable value proposition. From the pre-installed Amazon Kindle eReader to full Amazon app integration and Flash 10.1 support, our new ViewBook 730 enables consumers to do all the fun things that they want to do on a tablet without the added cost for features they don't need.�

In addition to an ample 8GB of memory, the ViewBook 730 offers up to an additional 32GB of storage capacity via the microSD card slot. Teamed with a long-lasting battery for up to 8 hours of use per charge, consumers can bring all their favorite multimedia content with them wherever they go. For added convenience and functionality, the ViewBook 730 offers ViewSonic's AirSync technology to ensure that tablet owners will receive over-the-air device updates as they are rolled out, from feature add-ons to software updates. The ViewBook 730 will be available at the end of June 2011 for an ESP of $249.99.
source: Eurodroid

It's no Honeycomb powerhouse, but ViewSonic has introduced the ViewBook 730, a 7-inch Android 2.2 tablet that will sell for $250. At that price, the 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 slate is sure to sell a few units when it hits shelves later this month. The LED backlit touchscreen display runs at a resolution of 800�480, and other specs include 8GB of internal storage expandable via microSD, USB and HDMI connectivity, and Bluetooth 2.1 support.

ViewSonic is aiming to hit a sweet spot that combines a well-polished Android experience with plenty of multimedia support at a cost that won't break the bank. We get the sinking suspicion this one might become a favorite of hackers and modders based on the price alone.
source: Android Phone

ViewSonic is famous for their range of HDTVs that offer value for money, and sometimes even performance levels that are beyond those of so-called branded models. Guess the same can be said in the future for the tablet market as ViewSonic prepares to release an an expansion of its tablet family � which is the ViewBook line, and to kick off proceedings, we have the ViewSonic ViewBook 730.

This 7? tablet device will retail for a highly affordable $249, where it will deliver 1080p video playback right out of the box, where you will need to hook this up via the HDMI connection, while video chatting and conference calling are supported via its front VGA camera. Apart from that, the ViewBook 730 will also sport Amazon Appstore integration, delivering hugely popular games and apps like Twitter and YouTube from the get go. When you use it with the Amazon Kindle software, you will be able to jump straight into the world of e-books, although this display might not be too suitable for long term reading.

Other specifications include a high-resolution 800 x 480 LED backlit display, a stylus, RiteTouch technology, an ARM Cortex-A8 1Ghz processor, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Sounds like a steal at that price, no? Hopefully the battery life will be able to last the distance, or at least be comparable to its competitors. [Press Release]
source: Ubergizmo

Here you are what could be the world first 7" Android 3.0 or Honeycomb Tablet, the ViewPad 7x Series! Running Android 3.0.1, this new slate comes with a 7x1024�600 screen, the usual Tegra 2 Dual Core CPU, a pair of Camera, HDMI out in just 380g! Tempting? You Bet! And if I am telling you that this bad-ass will also includes HSPA+ I am sure that you will start saving money immediately to get one as soon as they start to be available!
source: Akihabara News

With many new devices and gadgets being offered at the recently held Computex 2011 in Taiwan, it seems that the new tablets being offered have stood out on their own. It has become a battle between the new Android tablets, with the rapidly increasing market presence of those Windows tablets. As for the former, ViewSonic has introduced what is said to be the very first 7 inch tablet running on Android 3.0, the ViewPad 7x tablet.

The ViewSonic ViewPad 7x is built on top the current ViewPad 7 tablets. But this time the ViewPad 7x tablets run on the Honeycomb or the Android 3.0 tablet OS. As introduced, the new ViewPad 7x tablet is powered by a Tegra 2 Dual Core CPU,a 7 inch 1024x600 touchscreen, a pair of cameras and HDMI output. This new ViewPad tablet also weighs just 380g. It is also said that the ViewPad 7x will come with HSPA+ support. It is currently up on Computex 2011 for exhibit. No information yet on when it will be made available in the market and how much this tablet will cost.
source: Gadget.com

ViewSonic has all sorts of goodies for us at Computex this time around, including new tablets galore. The company unveiled their 10-inch, dual-booting Windows 7/Android 2.2 ViewPad 10Pro along with their 7-inch, dual-core ViewPad 7x with Honeycomb. Actually, dual-boot might be the wrong term for the ViewPad 10Pro. The 1.5GHz Intel Oak Trail tablet actually virtualizes Android on top of Windows, making switching back and forth between the two operating systems quick and painless. Other specs for the 10Pro include 32GB of storage and 1080p playback (you can get 4.5 hours of said playback thanks to the 3500mAh battery).

The ViewPad 7x is another tablet claiming to be the world's first 7-inch Honeycomb slate, and runs at 1024�600 pixels. It comes with a NVIDIA Tegra 2 clocked at 1GHz and features HSPA+ connectivity. Pricing and release details are not available for either new tablet at this time.
source: Android Phone