Velocity Android Tablet

 If last year was the ‘Year of the eReader’, then this year is the ‘Year of the Tablet’.  All the biggest new devices will be some sort of tablet or tablet/eReader hybrid.  Honestly, it makes sense as the next device evolution.  You have an eReader that just lets you read books, magazines, etc.  We don’t have much use for a device that just does one thing.  As a society, we are all about convergence, just look at all things our latest smartphones can do:  phone, camera, music & video player, e-mail, web surfacing, games, etc.  Let’s take a look at the latest announcements:

Velocity Micro announces a series of tablet/eReaders known as the Cruz.  The Cruz is designed to focus on the multimedia experience running on the Android OS.  The prices range from $149 to $299.  That’s cheaper than a netbook.  There are 3 members of the Cruz family:  kid-friendly Cruz StoryPad, Cruz Reader, and Cruz Tablet.  The Cruz StoryPad is the base model with the tablet coming in at $299. 

Cruz StoryPad features:

Cruz Reader additional features:

Cruz Tablet additional features:

The Cruz StoryPad and Reader will be available in August, and the Tablet will be available starting Sept. 1.  For me, this sounds like a great item for travel.  When I’m traveling for pleasure, I just want to be able to check my e-mail, and do a bit of web serving.  I would love to give this tablet a try.   With the Incredible, I have already been exploring the Android world.  The main issue I see is how many apps will be available in the Cruz marketplace.  Apps make or break a device. 

Via BGR

Today, Motion Computing has finally released an upgraded version of their pure slate model, the J3500.

Now featuring the Core i5 vPro or Core i7 vPro, the new Motion Computing J3500 is an update of the J3400.

This new rugged slate is equipped with Gorilla glass (the one you find on the Dell Streak), to offer enhanced breakage resistance, with up to 4 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD option. A 3 megapixel camera will allow you for a quick documentation, which will be enriched by GPS information (optional).

Here you find the press release:

Motion Launches the J3500 Rugged Tablet PC

Enhancements include advanced Intel® Core™ vPro™ processors, and a host of new options including dual touch technology, durable Gorilla™ glass and expanded storage capabilities

AUSTIN, Texas – June 22, 2010 – Motion Computing®, a leading provider of integrated mobile computing solutions, today announced the J3500 tablet PC. Built on the Motion® J-Series line of tablet PCs, the J3500 features Intel® Core™ vPro™ processors for enhanced performance, security and manageability. The J3500 also offers a variety of integrated features including touch technology, Gorilla™ glass, and expanded storage options.

New Capacitive Dual Touch
The J3500 with capacitive dual touch enables mobile workers to take advantage of the natural gesture navigation features built in Windows® 7 and other software applications. Optimized for digitizer and touch input, users can navigate touch-enabled software applications or legacy programs with smaller targets that require the accuracy of pen input. For more flexibility, palm rejection technology distinguishes between intentional and false touch while stylus recognition enables users to easily switch between input modes.

“Motion has long been recognized as an innovator in tablet computing, and is again offering new ways for enterprise users to enhance productivity through multiple interaction methods,” said Eddie O’Brien, VP Microsoft OEM. “Now, mobile workers can take full advantage of tablet computing, benefitting from the accuracy of pen input and the convenience of natural gestures, enhancing productivity as they navigate applications in the field.”

Enhanced Integrated Features
The J3500 also offers new features to help improve productivity and durability across Motion’s target vertical markets such as construction, field service and healthcare, including:

• Extra-durable Corning Gorilla™ glass, offering up to a 4 times improvement in breakage resistance, and new anti-smear coating for improved visibility
• Enhanced system storage, with available 160GB hard disk drive (HDD), and 64GB or 128GB solid state drive (SSD) options and up to 4GB of RAM
• Improved 3.0 megapixel documentation camera
• Integrated Gobi2000™ mobile broadband with GPS

“Governments today must empower an extensive mobile workforce that depends on accessing information whenever and wherever,” said Darrell Lewis, VP of Product Management at Accela, Inc. “With Accela Mobile Office™ software running on the J3500, field workers in areas such as permitting, licensing, code enforcement, and public works, can take advantage of enhanced mobile computing capabilities in a sleek, rugged device.”

Intel Core vPro for Enhanced Performance, Security and Manageability
Now with Intel® Core™ i7 or Core™ i5 vPro™ technology, the J3500 offers a significant improvement in performance and enables Motion customers to experience:

• Enhanced remote management capabilities enabling IT technicians to repair and secure the PC from any location, even while powered-down or in sleep mode, enabling greater levels of energy efficiency and streamlined maintenance processes
• Increased security with fully manageable hard drive encryption, and Intel® Anti-Theft technology used with Computrace®, protecting valuable data in case of loss or theft
• Improved multitasking with smart technology that adjusts processor speed to support workload changes, providing power when needed and working more efficiently when possible

“Enterprises have embraced the J-Series line of Motion Tablet PCs based on their flexibility, performance, mobility and durability,” said Mike Stinson, Vice President of Marketing, Motion Computing. “With the J3500, we extend the enterprise benefits with a tablet PC solution that is powerful, durable, multi-functional and mobile, enabling mobile workers to significantly improve productivity and collaboration through real-time access to enterprise data in the field.”

Enterprise-Ready, Durable Tablet PCs
Tested to withstand harsh mobile work environments, the rugged and flexible J3500 Tablet PC meets MIL-STD-810G and IP-52 ratings to ensure protection against bumps, drops, rain or other conditions that can damage commercial-grade computing solutions. Additionally, the dual hot-swappable battery solution extends the computing day and enables easy replacement of charged batteries without interruption. Built to fit seamlessly into enterprise environments, Motion’s complete line of tablet PCs utilize either the Windows® 7 or Windows XP operating system, reducing the burden on IT and enabling mobile workers to manage the same applications available to office-based employees.

Availability
The new Motion J3500 is now available through Motion’s network of value-added resellers and distributors. For more information or to find a certified Motion reseller visit Motion’s Channel Resources page.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MotionComputing
Facebook: http://facebook.com/MotionComputing

Sure this kind of device is not for everyone, but if you happen to need an affordable slate, this should serve you very well and for a long time.

Via: Motion Computing

Computex is starting and as many were expecting, a lot of tablets and touch enabled devices are emerging.

Image courtesy of Engadget

Today at Computex ASUS has showed to the world its new Eee Pad, namely the 10-inch EP101TC and the 12-inch EP121.

The first device is a Windows Embedded Compact 7, i.e. the Win CE.

The second one looks like a notebook with a detachable screen, featuring an Intel’s Core 2 Duo CULV processor, Windows 7, and battery life of around 10 hours.

The price tag is told to be in the $399 to $499 , with availability starting first quarter of 2011. Hopefully, ASUS will be more speedy than with the Eee Keyboard.

Image courtesy of Engadget

Image courtesy of JKKMobile (EP121) 

Despite the screen size, 10-inch and 2-inch, both devices are on the huge side of the Tablet affair, as can be seen from the videos. The EP121 is impressive, and when it is detached from the keyboard/dock you can have a feeling of its dimensions.

You can find some videos at JKKMobile (EP101TC and EP121) as well as some hands on at Engadget.

Via: JKKMobile