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All posts tagged "viewsonic"


Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The ViewPad 10s 3G Reviewed

Posted by Hooch Tan in "Laptop Thoughts News" @ 02:00 PM

http://www.pocket-lint.com/review/5...d-10s-3g-review

"It’s a shame that ViewSonic couldn’t ape the design of the ViewPad 7 in some way, or bring some of the official Google certification that the smaller device has. As we’ve seen a number of times before with Android tablets (from Advent, Archos, Creative, etc.), the ViewPad 10s comes with Android 2.2, but misses out on the Google endorsement, so that means no official Gmail, Google Maps, Contact, Calendar, Android Market…"

Whether you like the easy to view 10" tablet, or prefer a more slvete 7" pocketable, it is a good year to want a tablet. Dual core tablets are becoming more common, and there are enough manufacturers out there that you actually have a selection in quality and price. The ViewPad 10s is a decent contender, and the price makes thing that much more attractive. 3G, of course, is a nice bonus, and I am pleased to see that at least one Canadian carrier has decided to offer a multiple-device bucket when it comes to 3G data. The only downside it seems with many of the Android tablets coming out is lack of Android Market support. I know there are certain technical (Read:Google) reasons for this, but until there is a sizeable competitor, these tablets will remain hobbled.


Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Viewsonic Showcases Android Goodness

Posted by Hooch Tan in "Laptop Thoughts News" @ 04:00 PM

http://www.talkandroid.com/30367-vi...s,+and+Updates)

"If you’ll recall, we mentioned ViewSonic had a couple of devices in production, such as the ViewPad 4 and the V350 and it looks like the MWC showcase indicates that they have almost reached fruition. ViewSonic’s appearance at MWC brought along the impressive duo with a new and fresh perspective."

I remember when ViewSonic used to make monitors. I think they still do. However, their two recent offerings, the ViewPad 4 and ViewSonic V350 (and how, exactly, do they come up with these names?) look like decent products. What has caught my interest is the dual-SIM nature of the V350. Yes, there are other devices that offer dual-SIMs but they are still relatively rare in Canada. The nature of our wireless market means that most mobile phone hardware we buy is locked into a specific carrier, so the thought of dual-SIMs and its implied multi-carrier status means that either Canada will only see this through importers, or a castrated version will appear.

One other trend I have noticed though, is with the number of Android phones growing faster than bunnies in Australia, I am getting really frustrated with the "universal" accessories market. There are plenty of accessories for iPhones, Blackberries and extremely popular Android devices, but if you have anything else, you have to settle with car mounts that wiggle, or non-existent docking stations. Does anyone know of a store out there that sells accessories for less popular gadgets?


Saturday, February 12, 2011

One Tablet OS is not Enough

Posted by Hooch Tan in "Laptop Thoughts News" @ 02:00 PM

http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/11/...ws-7-android-d/

"Moving on, there's a highly intriguing new tablet in the waiting -- the ViewPad 10Pro. This 10-incher (shown after the break) is a "professional" slate with dual-boot functionality, enabling users to tap into Android 2.2 or Windows 7 Professional at their leisure."

It happens to me all the time. I am out on the road, working away on my Windows 7 tablet, and I think, "You know what would be great? If I could switch to Android and do my stuff through that OS for a while". It looks like ViewSonic has been read my mind! The ViewPad 10Pro. No more compromises! You get the best of both worlds. I only hope that in Android mode, there are some more tangible benefits than just having access to some Froyo goodness like extended battery life. Dual boot tablets have been tried before, and companies are still trying to find a sweet spot. Maybe the ViewPad 10Pro will do just that.


Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Viewsonic ViewPad 7 Disappoints

Posted by Chris Gohlke in "Other Slates & Tablets" @ 03:00 AM

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/re...iewpad_7_review

"At first glance, the ViewPad 7 looks like an iPad 4 that’s been taking injections of gadget growth hormone. Like the latest iPhone, ViewSonic’s tablet has rounded-off edges, a handsome metal band skirting its circumference, and a glossy black backing plate. From an industrial design perspective, it’s the slickest Android tablet we’ve tested. And, while the ViewPad 7 easily bests the Dell Streak and lesser Android tablets from a real-world use perspective, it falls short of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab, and lags far behind the iPad."

I'm really having a hard time figuring why there hasn't been an awesome Android tablet yet. At least from my perspective, the requirements don't seem too stringent. Make it do the same thing my phone does, just in a larger package. You can also drop the 3G coverage and make it WiFi only as far as I'm concerned as I'll mostly be using it where there is a network or just tether it to my phone. Now come on, somebody get it done!


Friday, December 10, 2010

Sneak Peek At Viewsonic's G Tablet and Tegra 2

Posted by Karey Westfall in "Android Slates/Tablets & Accessories" @ 03:00 PM

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4054/...ormance-preview

"The slate computing market is about to explode, with a literal flood of new tablets releasing over the coming months. Many of them will be Android based, running Nvidia's Tegra 2 SoC."

Here's a preview of Viewsonic's new G Tablet and the performance of Tegra 2. The tablet boasts a 10 inch WSVGA screen, Tegra 2 SoC and Android 2.2. Also included along with the preview is a comparison with the Galaxy Tab. Take a look and let us know which one you would be more interested in!


Monday, November 29, 2010

When is an iPad not an iPad?

Posted by Hooch Tan in "Laptop Thoughts News" @ 01:00 PM

http://www.daniweb.com/reviews/review327951.html

"The iPad, without doubt, energized a genre by pretty much redefining it. Of course, that energy is boosted by competition and nowhere is this stronger than the small army of Android-powered tablets that are now available for the seasonal shopper."

If anyone mentions the word tablet these days, most people will immediately think iPad. Slate tablets have definitely been around a long time, but the recent generation of tablets are unlike anything we have seen. While the iPad continues to dominate, there are many competitors which might be worth your consideration. Based on the reviews and comments from Daniweb, there seems to be many limitations to the current crop of Android tablets, and it may be best to wait for them to start supporting to newer Android OS versions which are much more tablet friendly. These tablets also seem to be lacking support for the Android Market, which pretty much means that that lovely tablet you just bought is likely to offer very little in terms of what you can do with it. If you must go Android though, the Froyo tablets are your best bet as they will give you as close to a full Internet experience as can be had. Otherwise, look towards the Fruit for your tablet needs.


Friday, November 19, 2010

Viewsonic ViewPad 7 Unboxing

Posted by Michael Knutson in "Other Slates & Tablets" @ 05:30 PM

http://www.netbooknews.com/14181/vi...ablet-unboxing/

"The ViewPad 7 gets unboxed!! In case you missed it, its got a 7-inch display capacitive touchscreen with 800×480 resolution, phone capabilities, front and back-facing cameras, 3G connectivity, a SIM card slot, and Android 2.2 "Froyo"."

Pretty good looking tablet, advertised as a Smart Pad with a Phone! Nice additions include SD and microSD slots. The ViewPad 7 ships with a case, with the case differing by geography. If you're in the UK, you can take part in Viewsonic's upgrade plan where you get up to £125 cash back when you trade in an old laptop, notebook or netbook. No additional solid details are available, like estimated price or availability in North America.


Tuesday, September 7, 2010

A Slate For Every Taste

Posted by Hooch Tan in "Laptop Thoughts News" @ 10:30 AM

http://gizmodo.com/5630935/five-of-...revealed-so-far

"Last week alone saw ViewSonic, Toshiba and Samsung all officially unveil new models of keyboard-less computer, with a mish-mash of operating systems and screen sizes hoping to somehow build themselves a market in the wake of Apple's market-leading device. So here's a summary of five of the best tablets out there and on the way this year. Or, to put it another way, the iPad +4."

Is the slate tablet market really that hot, or is this simply a whole bunch of hype intended to get everyone to open their wallets? Tablets might be the next step in casual computing and thankfully, it seems like it draws a large part of its inspiration from smartphones. The only one that stands out for me, and not in a good way, is the ViewPad 100. Dual-booting just seems like such a hassle and it is not like dual-booting slate tablets have not been tried before. Just ask HTC. Most likely, the iPad will continue to dominate the space though there will be a large amount of Android devices to pick from.


Monday, September 6, 2010

ViewSonic ViewPad 10 With Windows and Android Coming Soon

Posted by Michael Knutson in "Other Slates & Tablets" @ 09:30 PM

http://blog.laptopmag.com/hands-on-...onic-viewpad-10

"Today we had more hands-on time with ViewSonic's other exciting new tablet, the ViewPad 10. That's the dual Windows 7/Android slate I mentioned yesterday. For a Windows slate it has some pretty impressive specs. And just as with the ViewPad 7, ViewSonic avoids the mistakes that hindered other similar devices we've seen this past year. But is it awesome enough to compete with the iPad or Toshiba's Folio 100?"

The ViewPad 10 (10-inch screen) seems to be destined to be one of several 'business-class' tablets soon to be appearing on the scene. Details are a bit sketchy at this point, but the demo system was running Windows Home Premium 32, with full touch capabilities, and the Android version is 1.6, apparently the latest version supported by Intel. The tablet uses an Intel Atom N455 processor with a 16GB SSD, so performance promises to be at least equal to a comparably equipped netbook. Weight is 1.6 kg (3.5 pounds) so this is no lightweight tablet, but the form factor should allow it to be easily carried. Availability is 'soon' for Europe, and 'unknown' this side of the Atlantic, and price is estimated to be 549 Euros.


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