This weekend the first wave of Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 reviews were released. Despite an overwhelming appreciation for the hardware, build quality and design, the slate carved out ho-hum scores due to its OS, Android Honeycomb.
As a firm believer in software’s ability to wield better performance from existing hardware I’m perplexed by the Honeycomb situation. Developers are not flocking in droves like I’d expected and in three months we have just a handful of Honeycomb-optimized apps.
The most popular alternative Android keyboard, Swype, has just been updated to version 3.0 beta. In order to participate in the beta, you’ll need to register for a Swype account and be willing to live with a few kinks here and there. The reward for your time is an Android Honeycomb-compatible virtual keyboard rockstar.
Swype 3.0 beta supports both landscape and portrait mode in Android Honeycomb. In addition to sliding your fingers across the screen, letter can be tapped out individually to use the keyboard’s predictive text function. Another nice touch is the keyboard can be resized much like the virtual keyboard found on webOS for the HP TouchPad. There’s also three positions to choose from: left, center, right.
Typically known for entry to mid-level smartphones, Huawei is quietly working on its first Android Honeycomb tablet. The unnamed slate will reportedly feature either a 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon or a Nvidia Tegra 2 chip processor. Here’s what we know so far.
Beyond the lighting quick chip, the Huawei tablet will run Android Honeycomb (3.x) and feature a 7-inch display running at a resolution of 1280 x 800 . Normally a 7-inch display would not receive much fanfare, but considering the resolution matches 10-inch competitors, this is no small feat.
The Android Market is a work in progress. Yesterday Google updated its application store to include a list compatible handsets beneath each title. Although screening was previously available while browsing on an Android smartphone, the update is particularly useful for those who browse and install via the web store.
Unfortunately Google made one major omission with the update. They forgot to include a filter for Honeycomb apps. As an Android tablet owner I cannot begin to explain my frustration in finding quality Honeycomb-optimized apps. We are no closer to solving the issue today than we were several months ago when 3.0 launched.
Good news if you’ve grabbed an Asus Eee Pad Transformer – your Android 3.1 update should be arriving over the air any minute now. Catching up with US Motorola Xoom owners, it turns your Asus slate into an Android games console…
The Ecopad tablet is not your ordinary ‘green’ device. In fact, this tablet offers something no other tablet can claim — it requires no external charging of any sort. This means no fumbling for power adapters or dreading interruption from non-stop 24/7 use. The secret behind the Ecopad is NANO piezoelectricity film which collects power from every touch and swipe on the screen. Are you ready for a glimpse into the future of eco-friendly tablets?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 might have gobbled up the spotlight following the generous giveaway at Google I/O, but let’s not forget the tablet has a smaller, lighter and thinner relative: the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9. The smaller Tab has just received approval from the FCC; a tall tale sign the tablet is on track for an early summer release date.
With Android updates becoming a scarce commodity outside the circle of Google Nexus devices, the need for rooting Android smartphones is on the rise. Unfortunately, there’s a cost of doing business that might have you retracing your steps. Google has officially blocked rooted phones and tablets from accessing its movie rental service. Other paid online streaming services such as Blockbuster have also followed suit.
