Samsung's Galaxy Tab seems to be the one Android tablet in the spotlight lately, but ViewSonic is going to try and steal some of your attention this month with the ViewPad 7. The 7 will come packing full access to the Google Mobile Services, meaning you won't have to worry about getting access to the Android Market and all of the applications it has in store. Besides Market access, you can expect an 800x480 LCD display, a 3 megapixel camera on the back along with a VGA cam around front, 512MB of memory, "3.5G" capabilities, a 10-hour battery life, and Android 2.2. If those specs have piqued your interest, you'll be able to snag a ViewSonic 7 in late Q4 2010 for $479.
Perhaps you're interested in a ViewSonic-made Android tablet but want something a bit bigger? The company has also announced a 10-inch tablet that will dual-boot both Android and Windows 7, although with the 10 you're relegated to Android 1.6. Specs for the 10 include a 1024x600 LED display, 1.66GHz Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, a 16GB SSD, and a 1.3 megapixel camera. With the increased specs comes both an increased price and increased wait time for launch, though: the ViewPad 10 is slated to arrive in Q1 2011 for $629.
Both of ViewSonic's tablets look like solid offerings, but I'm especially interested in the 7. It may not boast stand-out specs, but with what looks like vanilla Android 2.2 on board, the ViewPad 7 could be attractive those those Android purists out there. Plus, it has a price tag lower than either the iPad or the Galaxy Tab. With both the ViewPad 7 and Galaxy Tab coming this month, the Android tablet wars are definitely beginning to heat up. Stay tuned!
VIEWSONIC UNVEILS ANDROID™-BASED VIEWPADS®
Thousands of open-sourced apps available for 7” Android 2.2 3.5G capable ViewPad 7 and 10.1” dual-boot Win 7 and Android 1.6 ViewPad 10
WALNUT, Calif. – November 1, 2010 – ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today announced its ViewPad line of Android-based devices, featuring the ViewPad 7 and ViewPad 10.
“Leveraging our 20-year display heritage, these new ViewPad solutions provide users with anytime anywhere connectivity,” said Jeff Volpe, vice president and general manager for ViewSonic Americas. “With access to the universe of Android apps, our new ViewPads are perfectly suited for enjoying digital entertainment and social media. Office productivity is also a snap with robust web browsing functionality.”
ViewPad 7 – The Android 2.2 ViewPad 7 combines a powerful processor with 3.5G capable data technology in a lightweight, pocket-sized 7” form factor. With an 800x480 WVGA LCD screen, this device is one of the only 7” tablet solutions with Android Google Mobile Services (GMS). As a result, consumers can connect to a selection of more than 100,000 apps and games along with Gmail, YouTube and more for a superior and convenient entertainment solution that fits today’s mobile lifestyle.
With its wireless 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth® connectivity the ViewPad 7 supports instant messaging, VoIP, and all the web browsing and USB connectivity functions of a capacitive multi-touch device. The ViewPad 7 features 2 built-in cameras: a 3-megapixel, auto focus camera in the rear and a 0.3 megapixel camera in the front. In addition to the integrated 512MB of memory, the ViewPad 7 offers up to an additional 32GB of storage capacity via the micro SD card slot, along with battery life of up to 10 hours. The result is the ultimate device for connected fun and multitasking – in a compact size easier to carry than a netbook and with better media performance than a smartphone.
The ViewPad 7 will be available in late Q4 2010 for an ESP of $479. Third-party accessories and ViewCare™ extended warranties will also be available at launch.
ViewPad 10 – Innovative and productive, this 10.1” dual-boot Wi-Fi device gives users a choice between Windows® 7 Home Premium and Google Android 1.6 within the same device. With a high performance, high speed Intel® Atom™ 1.66GHz processor, integrated 1GB of memory, 16GB SSD hard drive and expandable micro SD slot, the ViewPad 10 is ideally designed to view Flash-based content and Office programs with Windows, and for an optimized mobile entertainment experience with Android. Additionally, the 1024x600 LED backlit panel includes a G-sensor and capacitive multi-touch for intuitive navigation across multiple applications. Teamed with a 1.3-megapixel webcam with built-in microphone, the ViewPad 10 is great for videoconferencing as well.
The ViewPad 10 with dual-boot OS will be available in Q1 2011 for an ESP of $629. Third-party accessories and ViewCare™ extended warranties will be available at launch.
For further information on ViewSonic products, please visit ViewSonic.com or follow ViewSonic on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
About ViewSonic
ViewSonic® Corporation is a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions. ViewSonic develops, markets and supports a broad range of innovative products, including LCD TVs, computers, LCD monitors, projectors, digital photo frames, digital signage displays and digital media players. For further information, please contact ViewSonic Corporation at 800.888.8583 or 909.444.8888; or visit ViewSonic.com.
ViewSonic’s Finch Club offers resellers an opportunity to benefit from specialized product training and discounts. To sign up, please visit FinchClub.com.
(Image via IntoMobile)
