HP is rumoured to be releasing a few tablet computers although it’s not exactly clear just yet which direction they are going. Earlier this year the HP Slate was announced where Microsoft [MSFT] showed the Slate running Windows 7. Shortly after that it appeared that the Windows version of the HP Slate was going to be scrapped due to HP buying Palm which included the rights to webOS. We then heard a HP webOS tablet would be launched as well as a HP Android Tablet.

We now hear that the Android variant of the tablet has been shelved for now while it seems that HP are focusing on a HP webOS based tablet. [Read more…]

Microsofts [MSFT] Worldwide Partner Conference kicks off today over in Washington D.C. where it is expected that the HP Slate could be on show again. A few months back it seemed like the HP Slate had been dropped due to HP buying Palm and webOS. Most people expected that a HP Slate running webOS was going to happen.

Over on the WPC website, captured above and below, it shows Windows 7 Slates with HP being listed as one of the “partners” which kind of indicates that there could actually be a Windows 7 HP Slate launching perhaps this year.

Other companies listed include Sony, Dell, ASUS, Panasonic and a number of other large brands. [Read more…]

The iRiver Story eBook reader when launched lacked the connectivity it needed for those who wanted to grab books whilst on the move. iRiver has included an update on the latest model which sees the eBook reader now get a WiFi connection built in.

As well as gaining WiFi, the Story eBook reader also connects up to the WH Smiths online ebook store allowing users to grab books wherever they are.

The wireless addition is the only addition to the latest version whos other specs have remained identical. It’s still a nice upgrade though for those who wanted the iRiver Story but held back due to the lack of connectivity. [Read more…]

ezGear is launching a new tablet computer called the SurfBoard. The SurfBoard 700 runs Google Android. It comes with a 7 inch screen as well as WiFi for connectivity.

The SurfBoard is designed to browse the internet, correspond via email and watch movies in high resolution. As the device is Android OS based, it allows you to download apps from the Market to further enhance the device.

Technical features of the SurfBoard 700 show that it has a two megapixel camera that can capture still pictures and digital video. The front of the device is home to controls to help you navigate through the device which also include a built in mouse. [Read more…]

The Huawei S7 is an Android based tablet that has a 7 inch screen and sits in-between the likes of the Apple iPad and the Dell Streak.

One of the main problems with the Huawei S7 is that it appears the nice capacitive touchscreen that we expected to see has been replaced with a resistive screen which just doesn’t work that well on Android based devices. Hopefully the review unit is just a one off and that the S7 will have capacitive screens.

Battery life is also a downer with tests showing that just over 1.5 hours of active use can be achieved which is way below the 10 hours that other devices set. [Read more…]

Recently Amazon has dropped the price of the Kindle. The new Kindle that comes in Graphite, has dropped $110 to $379 while the smaller model dropped to $189. Barnes and Noble also dropped the price of the Nook to $149 (wifi model – 3G dropped to $199). Sony seems to be following by dropping the price of the Sony Reader. There are several models which have dropped in price as follows…

Sony Readers:
Pocket Edition: From $169 to $149
Touch Edition: From $199 to $169
Daily Edition: From $349 to $299

Pocketbook Series:
Pocketbook 360: From $239 to $199
Pocketbook 301: From $279 to $219
Pocketbook 302: From $339 to $279

[Read more…]

LG are currently working on a Windows 7 based tablet from what we have heard previously. We now hear today that the company is also building an Android OS tablet for launch towards the end of this year.

Technical details of the LG Android Tablet are not clear yet. Of course it will include WiFi, but we do not know screen size, specific Android details (likely 2.2 though) and if it will have 3G connectivity built in as standard.

We have heard that LG say the table will be different when compared to other tablets, but it isn’t known what that difference will be just yet although we suspect it just means “better” as in more memory, more connectivity as well as running Android 2.2. [Read more…]

The large German Webhost 1&1 has created a new tablet called the SmartPad. It runs Google Android and has a 7 inch touchscreen.

The new SmartPad tablet device has been designed for new 1&1 customers who subscribe to the DSL service for their home broadband connection. As well as offering the Android tablet to new customers, existing customers will also be allowed to purchase the tablet. Pricing details have not been revealed just yet although it is expected it will arrive this month.

Technical specs on the device show it has wireless built in (802.11b/g/n) as well as the ability to use a USB 3G modem. [Read more…]

Amazon [AMZN] is launching a new Kindle DX next week on July 7. The new model has a higher contrast e-ink screen that allows for clearer text and sharper images. Amazon reports that the display contrast is increased by 50 percent.

The new Kindle DX will be priced at $379 making it $110 lower than the previous version. It has a 9.7 inch screen and is enclosed in a Graphite cover.

“There’s no turning back once you read on our beautiful new Kindle DX screen,” said Steve Kessel, senior vice president, Amazon Kindle. “With 50 percent better contrast and darker fonts, you’ll find it easier than ever to read wherever you happen to be, whether it’s outside in bright sunlight or under the low light of your living room. We’re excited to offer the new Kindle DX with free 3G wireless at the lower price of $379.”

[Read more…]

When the Microsoft Courier was first introduced last year, the idea behind it looked fantastic. The Courier is a dual-screen device that allows you to colaborate projects with others as well as organise your life. The UI that was demonstrated on video looked easy to use and appeared to be very intuitive. Microsoft [MSFT] never officially announced the Courier although they did announce it’s death.

When I say it was never officially announced, it was but in the same paragraph it was also killed as follows…

At any given time, we’re looking at new ideas, investigating, testing, incubating them. It’s in our DNA to develop new form factors and natural user interfaces to foster productivity and creativity. The Courier project is an example of this type of effort. It will be evaluated for use in future offerings, but we have no plans to build such a device at this time.

[Read more…]

Cisco [CSCO] has unveiled a new Google Android based tablet called the Cisco Cius. The Cius is Cisco’s first attempt at an Android based tablet. It features a front facing HD video camera that can capture HD at 720p at 30 frames per second.

The front panel has a 7 inch high res screen Super VGA touchscreen (800 x 600 probably). On the back is another camera that has a 5 megapixel sensor that captures still images and VGA video. With the HD camera being on the front of the device it appears that it will be aimed at mobile HD video conferencing.

For connectivity it connects to all wireless networks which includes 802.11a/b/g/n and Cisco will also be adding 4G connectivity in the future for high speed mobile connections. [Read more…]

The Android operating system has problems in general with the Bluetooth HID profile that is needed to connect up keyboards and mice via Bluetooth. The Dell Streak is an Android based device and this actually supports the profile out of the box.

A user over at StreakSmart managed to easily connect up a Think Outside Bluetooth Keyboard without any problems at all to his Dell Streak.

The keyboard was reported at responding very well and working well on websites such as GMail with no lag reported. [Read more…]