The cheapest tablet released

For those of you thinking of wanting to try out a tablet PC but think that the price is too steep (RM1000++ to RM2000++), India has released a cheap alternative at USD 60 (about RM180++).

Although the specs and battery life are nothing to shout about, the 32 GB memory seems to be more than what is expected on a tablet at this price point.

Th Aakash will be released in stores in India next month.

World’s Cheapest Tablet Released in India

If you thought Amazon’s $200 Kindle Fire was a steal, wait until you get a load of this: The Indian government has released a new tablet computer, Aakash, dubbed “the world’s cheapest.”

Aakash costs $35 with government subsidies for students or $60 in stores. The government is giving away 100,000 for free during its launch period. The first 500 tablets released received a mixed response, as some complained that they are slow.

The government hopes the device will bridge the gap between the rich and poor. “The rich have access to the digital world, the poor and ordinary have been excluded. Aakash will end that digital divide,” says Kapil Sibal, the communications and education minister.

If you’re wondering what a tablet that costs as much as a pair of sneakers can possibly do, here’s a bit more about its specs: Aakash runs Android 2.2 Froyo, has a 7-inch touchscreen, weighs 350 grams, and has 32 GB of internal memory, 256 MB of RAM and two USB ports. The 2100mAh battery should last for two to three hours. Although it comes pre-loaded with some apps, it does not access the Android Marketplace. It has been tested in 118 degree Fahrenheit conditions to replicate northern India’s summer.

Datawind, a small British company, developed the tablet with the Indian Institute of Technology. The tablet is being produced in India and should be available in stores next month. The government plans to start selling them at the subsidized price to students next year.

What do you think of this tablet? Is it worth compromising speed to bring access to millions who otherwise could not afford a tablet computer or any computer at all? Let us know what you think in the comments.

http://mashable.com/2011/10/05/worlds-cheapest-tablet/

Waterproof Tablet from Fujitsu

Finally, a waterproof tablet in the market next month but not in Malaysia :(.

Fujitsu's waterproof Arrows Tab LTE F-01D to launch on DoCoMo next month

First rule of expensive electronics 101 is don't get'em wet. For the Japanese, however, a waterproof gadget option's a welcome value-add to time spent soaking in that ofuro. We first got a sneak peek at DozCoMo's H2O-resistant LTE Fujitsu tablet just last week, and now the company's making the announcement official. Joining the Arrows Tab LTE F-01D on the carrier's new 4G Xi (read: Crossy) network is our good Samsung friend, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 LTE SC-01D. Both slates are set to hit the operator's Japanese airwaves next month, with Sammy's bowing in early October and Fujitsu's model landing a few weeks later. While we're already privy to all the internal guts and glory of the former tab, we finally have some spec confirmation on the Arrows. The 10.1-incher boasts a WXGA display, dual-core processor running Android 3.2, 1.3 megapixel front-facing / 5 megapixel rear camera setup, up to 32GB of storage and that ever useful waterproofing. Try not to be too jealous, statesiders -- there's always that glimmer of FCC filing hope.'

http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/08/fujitsus-waterproof-arrows-tab-lte-f-01d-to-launch-on-docomo-ne/

Tough iPad Alternative

For those people who want to have a tablet computer but afraid that it might break easily might consider this especially for those who always misplace their stuff.

Panasonic unveils Android Toughbook slate for Q4, sledgehammer sold seperately

Tired of handling your tablet with kid gloves? Go ahead, take them off -- a Toughbook slate is heading your way. Strutting its stuff at InfoComm this week, Panasonic's Android Toughbook tablet boasts a sunlight-friendly 10.1-inch multi-touch display, satellite-based GPS, full-shift battery life and optional 3G / 4G connectivity. Wrap it up in the same badass durability as its snowmobile-abused, tiger-gnawed brethren, and you've got a Android slab for the everyman. No specifics on pricing or release just yet, but feel free to hit up the press release after the break for a slew of feel-good factoids.

 

http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/panasonic-unveils-android-toughbook-slate-for-q4-sledgehammer-s/

HTC Flyer coming soon to Malaysia

HTC's tablet PC is coming soon on May 12th 2011, available from Maxis.


HTC Flyer To Hit Malaysia In May, For As Low As RM 199

At the same time of HTC Desire S launch yesterday, HTC has also unveiled their first ever tablet – the HTC Flyer. Spotting a 7-inch display, it is powered by a 1.5GHz single-core processor together with 1GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. It also runs on Android 2.4 operating system covered with the new HTC Sense 3.0 user interface.

The HTC Flyer comes together with HTC’s own stylus technology called HTC Scribe which allows user not only to sketch, draw and writes notes but also, record audio in line with their written notes for user to trace back later on. The Flyer will also become the debut platform for HTC Watch - the company’s own video subscription service – that is scheduled to be available in Malaysia sometime in Q4 2011.

Unfortunately, the new HTC Flyer is not available for consumers for the time being as it will only be released to the Malaysian market on 12th May 2011, again exclusively at all Maxis Centres and Maxis Exclusive Partners. Damage to the pocket? RM 2,499 - rather hefty, if you ask me.

That being said, Maxis will be offering the device at a lower price for their customers through their exclusive partnership with HTC but the telco have not reveal the actual subsidized pricing. They did give a hint though: from as low as RM 199. Yes, you have read that correctly- one hundred and ninety nine ringgit; more than 90% off the standard retail price.

Obviously, there will be a catch to this deal. Just that you can only find out about it on launch day itself, 12th May at www.maxis.com.my. So, get ready for whatever surprises that Maxis have in stores in slightly less than a month time. For the time being, enjoy the actual product shots taken at the launch event and its technical specifications right after the jump.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

---

http://www.lowyat.net/v2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4259&Itemid=1

Asus Tablet

AsusTek's answer to the iPad comes in the form of the EEE Pad Transformer.

AsusTek launches Android-powered Tablet

ANOTHER CONTENDER: A Taiwanese model displaying an Asus Eee Pad Transformer during its unveiling in Taipei, Taiwan. The Asus Eee Pad Transformer features a 10.1-inch touch screen, tablet with a detachable keyboard dock. - AP

TAIPEI: Asustek Computer Inc unveiled a sleek Tablet computer after the Taiwanese firm saw the sales of its once popular line of mini-laptops stall following the launch of Apple's hit iPad.

AsusTek said the EEE Pad Transformer, which runs on the Android 3.0 operating system, distinguishes itself with an optional keyboard that is superior to docking options for other Tablets because of its light weight and flexibility.

Its 10.1in screen with a front and rear camera can be detached from the keyboard to allow users on the move quick web browsing and film viewing. Plugging it to the keyboard dock, the device can then be used as a fully-fledged laptop.

"In our own pursuit of perfection, we offer users more options," AsusTek CEO Jerry Shen told The Associated Press. "They can get a full range of functions including 10-finger touch, Flash supported video viewing, e-book reading, and a physical keyboard so they don't have to deal with any inconveniences."

The EEE Pad Transformer, which just became available for pre-order in Taiwan, goes on sale in Britain on March 30, to be followed by US sales.

In Taiwan, the 16GB version without the keyboard sells for US$500 (RM1,600), while the keyboard version costs US$600 (RM1,920). The company did not provide prices for other markets.

Another Asus Tablet, the 12in e-Slate powered by the Microsoft Windows operating system, went on sale in January, while two additional Asus Tablet models will go on sale soon. Shen said he expected total sales of the four models to reach two million units this year.

Taiwan's Acer Inc, the world's third largest computer vendor, has already unveiled four Tablet models, as well as a 4.8in smartphone that doubles as a Tablet. The company says all will be on sale next month.

Shen acknowledged Apple Inc's current dominance in the rapidly expanding Tablet computer market, but predicted that its market share would fall to 50% by next year, as devices run on Android and Microsoft systems pick up steam.

Asus pioneered netbooks - mini-laptops - to great fanfare in 2007. Once seen as a key to the company's growth, sales remained flat in 2010, Shen said, following the iPad's appearance in the marketplace. - AP

http://techcentral.my/news/story.aspx?file=/2011/3/28/it_news/20110328102203&sec=it_news

Handwriting Input for PC

Now you can have a device to help you draw or write Chinese characters.

Wacom rolls out Bamboo tablets

GET CREATIVE:(From clockwise top)Bamboo Fun, Pen & Touch, Touch and Pen.

PETALING JAYA: Want to express your creative ideas freely on your computer? Wacom recently announced their new line of Bamboo tablets — the Bamboo Pen & Touch, Bamboo Fun, Bamboo Touch and Bamboo Pen.

With the exception of the Bamboo Pen, all the new Bamboo tablets come with multi-touch capabilities that enable users to perform natural gestures such as scrolling and rotating with two fingers and pinch to zoom in or out.

At the top of the line is the Bamboo Fun and Bamboo Pen & Touch, premium versions of the tablet that offer both pen and touch interaction. Both tablets feature a large active area that gives artists plenty of room to work with.

Wacom said the tablet is intelligent enough to activate multi-touch sensitivity when it detects fingers and switches to pen mode when the pen touches the tablet. Both the Bamboo Fun and Bamboo Pen & Touch come bundled with Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 / 7 for Mac and Windows respectively.

Wacom is also offering base line models of their Bamboo tablet, aptly named the Bamboo Touch and Pen. As you would guess, the Bamboo Touch offers users the same touch and gesture commands to make getting around the computer easier while the Bamboo Pen gives users more precise control over pen strokes for both writing and drawing.

All the multi-touch enabled tablets come with four ExpressKey shortcut buttons that users can customise to bring up actions in applications such as Photoshop.

The Bamboo Fun and Bamboo Pen & Touch are available at RM719 and RM419 respectively while the Bamboo Touch and Pen are priced at RM299. — CHONG JINN XIUNG

http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2009/10/1/technology/20091001171916&sec=technology

++++

www.wacom-asia.com