IFA 2012, which has just opened its doors to tech enthusiasts yesterday in Berlin, isn’t just a place to announce and showcase never-seen-before products that have yet to hit the market. In Lenovo’s case, it’s also an opportunity to give an “old” product its moment in the spotlight. Aside from introducing some fresh slates, namely the IdeaTab A2107 and the IdeaTab A2109, Lenovo also took the time to debut the IdeaPad S2110. Wait, isn’t this the same tablet that has been on sale since last month?
Perhaps, Lenovo feels the IdeaTab S2110 deserves a second wind. What better place to garner more press attention than the one event where journalists and consumers alike hunt for the latest and greatest gizmos and gadgets?
At this point, we pretty much know the ins and outs of the Lenovo IdeaPad S2110. But for folks who may have missed the excitement before, here are the specs of the hybrid tablet once more:
10.1-inch IPS HD display
Dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor
16GB/32GB onboard storage
1GB RAM
5MP rear camera with autofocus and LED flash
1.3MP HD front-facing camera
Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi b/g/n, GPS
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
When we say hybrid, it’s not just a buzz word that serves no real purpose. Like the Asus Transformer series, the IdeaPad S2110 has an optional keyboard dock of its own – one that allows you to get the netbook-like experience when using the combo.
At a mere $399, the 16GB Lenovo IdeaPad S2110 is quite a steal for those in search of a great 10.1-inch tablet that’s already available in the market. If you think you’ll be doing a lot of typing on the tablet, you may want to opt for the tablet + keyboard deal that Lenovo is offering for $499.
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It’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with Lenovo’s hectic tablet branding, but we can at least try to do that, can’t we? After unveiling the 9-inch IdeaTab A2109, the Chinese have made the 7-inch A2107 official too. Confused much? Wait till you get a hold of the IdeaTab A2105, also expected to be revealed at the IFA 2012.
Aside from the confusingly similar names and a couple of design points, the A2107 shouldn’t be very difficult to set apart from its bigger “brother”, the A2109. Not only is the A2107 smaller, but it’s also more modestly equipped and will most likely target tech users on a very tight budget.
Sporting a 7-inch display with 1024 x 600 pixels resolution, the brand new IdeaTab is powered by a pretty modest 1GHz MTK Cortex-A9 processor. This should however not be as disappointing as we thought in the past, being a dual-core unit and not a single-core.
There’s 1GB of RAM under the 7-incher’s hood, as well as a bunch of connectivity options, modems and radios including Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and WCDMA/GSM. In terms of storage, there’ll be three different versions of the tab, equipped with 4, 8 and 16GB of on-board memory. All these will come with microSD support and will either have Wi-Fi or both Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity options.
Unlike one of its most important future competitors (Google’s Nexus 7), Lenovo’s 7-incher will come with dual cameras. Neither of those two “shooters” won’t be extremely capable though, with the rear-facing one being equipped with a 2MP sensor, while the front-facing webcam will be an even more modest VGA unit.
One particular detail that might sweeten the deal is the A2107’s soft matte finish and roll cage enclosure, which should make the 7-incher stronger than your average tab, resistant to bumps, bruises and scratches. We certainly hope this added layer of protection won’t cancel the slate’s portability, although we’ll have to wait and see, as we have no information yet on its weight or thickness.
The A2107 will run Android 4.0 ICS upon launch and, while we can certainly hope for a swift upgrade to Jelly Bean, that’s unlikely to happen by the end of the year. As for the battery capacity, that hasn’t been officially detailed, but is thought to be of 3,700mAh.
Lenovo is still mysterious on the tablet’s release and all we know right now is that it’ll be made available “sometime in September”. We have no clue on the pricing either, but we should hear something soon. After all, September is just around the corner.
Who here thinks that Lenovo is onto something with this brand new 7-incher? What would be a fair price to ask for it?
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Ok, so the Samsung Unpacked event is now underway and the South Korean giant has finally officially announced the Galaxy Note 2 phablet, a device that has stirred the interest of the entire online tech media, as well as that of Android and Samsung fans from all around the globe.
Now that we’ve all seen what the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is all about, I’ve noticed a few questions arise on everyone’s lips: how much better is the Galaxy Note 2 when compared against the original Note? Is upgrading from the original Note to the Note 2 a wise buying decision? We’ll answer all that and even more as we go through a thorough deathmatch between the original Galaxy Note and the Galaxy Note 2.
If you’re looking to compare the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 with more regular sized smartphones, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered as well! Follow these links for VS articles comparing the Note against the HTC One X or against its smaller brother, the Samsung Galaxy S3.
Display & Footprint
I don’t usually include the footprint as a main factor in VS articles and that’s mainly because a regular smartphone – that’s anywhere between 3.5 inches and 4.8 inches across the diagonal of the display – is usually pocketable no matter how big the bezel is. And then there’s the fact that footprints are usually proportional with the size of the display.
But these articles should be nothing if not flexible by nature, so when comparing the original Galaxy Note against the Galaxy Note 2, the footprint becomes a major factor. And that’s because it’s almost the same with both smartphones, despite the fact that the Galaxy Note 2 has a display bigger by 0.2 inches than its predecessor. The original Note measures 146.9 x 83 x 9.7 mm, while the newly announced Galaxy Note 2 measures 80 x 151.1 x 9.4 mm.The Note 2 is also a couple of grams heavier than the original Note, weighing in at 180 grams.
The original Samsung Galaxy Note features a 5.3-inch Super AMOLED display running at a native resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, meaning you get a 285 PPI (Pixels Per Inch) ratio. Unfortunately, the only thing Samsung did with the display on the Galaxy Note 2 was to add an extra 0.2 inches to its diagonal, as the resolution remains the same (while the PPI ratio drops to 274 since the number of pixels is divided by a bigger surface).
Both displays use Samsung’s PenTile technology, meaning the subpixels are shared by adjacent pixels. At such densities, the differences between a PenTile display and one based on an RGB matrix (as are most displays) are barely visible to most people. Sure, take a look at these displays via a microscope and the differences are huge, but who would care about such a thing anyway?
Verdict: As much as it surprises me, Samsung opted not to improve the display of the original Galaxy Note. It’s the exact same display, except it’s 0.2 inches longer. Considering that the phablet principle is really all about the display, I’m seriously disappointed, although I’m aware of the fact that this could have a lot to do with the S-Pen compatibility.
Internal Hardware
The international version of the original Note featured a 4210 System on a Chip (SoC), one that encapsulated both a 1.4GHz dual-core A9 processor and a Mali 400 GPU. On the other hand, the U.S. version, featured a lesser Qualcomm Snapdragon 8255T SoC, one that sticks together a 1.5GHz single-core Qualcomm Scorpion processor and an Adreno 205 GPU.
But while the differences between the two versions of the original Note are easily noticeable, the Galaxy Note 2 outperforms both of them by an even more significant margin, thanks to the overclocked Samsung Exynos 4412. Samsung also used the Exynos 4412 inside the international version of the Galaxy S3, but the quad-core processor inside the Note 2 was overclocked from 1.4GHz per core to 1.6GHz per core. The Mali 400 GPU is the same as inside the Galaxy S3, essentially an overclocked version of the Mali 400 GPU inside the original G Note.
The second incarnation of the Galaxy Note comes with 2GB of RAM, double the amount of RAM featured by the original Note. From the looks of it, all flagship smartphones scheduled to be released in the second half of the year will feature 2GB of RAM, and Samsung did not disappoint. Expect multitasking on the Galaxy Note 2 to be as smooth as it gets.
When it comes to the internal storage, Samsung has decided to make the Note 2 available in a 64 GB variant as well, besides the 16 GB and 32 GB variants that mirror the original Note. Additionally, while the original Note could handle microSD slots only up to 32 GB in size, the Note 2 can work with cards up to 64 GB in size. Sure, you’ll have to spend some extra cash to raise your total storage space up to 128 GB (64 GB internally plus 64 GB via the card slot), but it’s a good thing that it can be done, right?
Unfortunately though, it is highly unlikely that the 3100 mAh battery on the Galaxy Note 2 will be able to yield better results than the 2500 mAh battery used in the original Note (with the quad-core Exynos CPU and slightly larger screen sucking more battery and al).
When it comes to cameras, the Note 2 looks to be identical to the original Note, both using an 8MP primary camera and a 2MP secondary camera. However, we’re unable to tell if these are the exact same sensors. We’ll update this article with picture samples as soon as we’ll have the opportunity. Verdict: The Note 2 wins this round by a couple of lengths thanks to its faster, quad-core CPU and overclocked GPU.
OS & Software Tweaks
The first Galaxy Note was launched internationally back in October 2011, with Android 2.3 Gingerbread on board, and has started receiving (after quite a lengthy delay considering the status of the device) its Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update in July 2012. Since the original Note has just received its ICS update, I wouldn’t count on Samsung releasing an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for the first generation Galaxy Note anytime very soon.
Now, on to the Galaxy Note 2, it pleases me to say that Samsung has finally stopped its tendency to release top-end flagships without the latest version of Android available. I’m honestly quite surprised to say this, but the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will launch with Android 4.1:Jelly Bean pre-installed. The Android PDK project might have helped Samsung a bit, but the South Korean giant still gets my vote of confidence on this one.
The S Pen (the unique accessory that’s featured on all Samsung Note devices) has been redesigned and is now wider and longer, has a rubber tip to better simulate a pen and paper experience, and generally offers a better grip.
The Galaxy Note 2 uses all the smart functions that Samsung originally introduced with their Galaxy S3 (such as Smart Stay, Smart Alerts and such, read more about them in our previous article here). Obviously enough, the original Note has no such software tweaks. In addition, the Note 2 comes with several new features such as S-Pen Quick Commands, improved hand writing capture, a Screen Recorder that’s also able to record audio, as well as a software tweak that will alert you whenever the S-Pen is not in its holster (so that you don’t lose it). Verdict: The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 wins this round thanks to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and unique software functions.
Conclusion
While the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is definitely better than its predecessor, the difference is basically limited to a better SoC, a slightly larger display (that maintains the resolution) and an improved S-Pen. Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but I’d suggest that you don’t update to the Note 2 if you already own the original Note, unless you desperately want more processing juice.
In addition, if you own neither of these smartphones, the original Note might still represent a good buying decision, as its price will most likely drop once the Galaxy Note 2 becomes commercially available.
On the other hand, the Galaxy Note 2 features a larger display and much better CPU and GPU, Android 4.1: Jelly Bean, and an improved S-Pen. In addition, you should also consider that the Galaxy Note 2 should also receive a higher priority when it comes to future Android updates compared its predecessor.
What’s your take on this? Is the Galaxy Note 2 a substantial upgrade from the original Note? Or is it just Samsung’s way of begging for more money now that they’ve lost the patent war with Apple in the U.S.? Let us know what you guys think in the comment section below!
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Bellow is a sketch in which we, the adoring public, have a visual estimate of what the newest Samsung Galaxy Note will look like. Below, we have Samsung’s teaser video in which they don’t really tell us much, but do provide some geometric shapes that appear to subtly hint at the shape of the design. There’s also a glimpse of the famous S-pen being utilized.
In between here and there, it appears more details have developed in regards to the upcoming Aug. 29th release . Here’s what we have heard so far:
Sammy may be shocking us with Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean in lieu of ICS
“G-Note Duece” may have a bigger screen, a whopping 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display w/1280x720p resolution
The engine in this beast may be an Exynos 4412 quad-core processor
Options such as 3G and 4G LTE connectivity and a 16:9 aspect ratio have also been discussed
The usual items like an 8MP rear camera, 16GB and 32GB storage options are being being bandied about as well. Strangely, the name switch from GT-N7000 to GT-N7100 hasn’t done much in terms of gossip, but we have to ask Samsung: Why? We know why you’re possibly gluing sharp corners on your device (Thanks Apple!) but why go to all the trouble to stick a different digit in the name? Does the FCC really care?
In closing, consumer interest is at a fever pitch, and these rumors come with the standard “pinch of salt” warning. But on the 29th, at IFA Berlin, I have a suspicion we’ll all know what Samsung has been up to in their lab.
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I don’t know how you guys feel about Archos as a tablet manufacturer, but I have to say that while the French manufacturer might not be the first company that pops in mind when talking about top-end tablets, the fact is that they’ve been making decent low budget devices for a few years now. As a matter of fact, they have actually released a couple of decent mid-range tablets as well, including the Archos 10.1 G9 Turbo 250 GB that Brandon reviewed earlier this year.
Fortunately, Archos doesn’t seem to have plans to stop building its fan base, as the company has just announced the imminent release of another line of mid-range tablets, this time one that will be all about slimness: the Archos Gen10 XS tablet series. We’ve heard bits and pieces about the Archos G10 XS line of tablets before, but fortunately now we have concrete official information regarding the series.
The first member of the Gen10 XS family is called the Acrhos 101 XS and is bound to be released in October, to be followed later in 2012 by the ARCHOS 97 XS and ARCHOS 80 XS. While Archos has yet to make any announcements regarding the last two devices, it has shared all the specs of the Archos 101 XS. Spoiler: I’m a little bit impressed!
Since the XS in the name stands for extra slim, what better way to start talking about this tab other than mentioning that at 7.8 millimeters, the Archos 101 XS is an impressively 15 percent thinner than the Apple iPad 3. Archos did not mention the exact dimensions, so we’re unable to tell exactly how much space it will take up on your desk, but we do know that the display measures 10.1 inches diagonally and works at a (meh) resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels.
On to the internal specs, the Archos 101 XS will use a Texas Instruments OMAP 4470 System On a Chip (SoC), basically an updated version of the TI OMAP 4460 SoC you’ll find inside the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. This translates into a 1.5 GHz dual-core A9 processor and a PowerVR SGX544 that, paired with 1GB of RAM, should provide decent performance if you don’t go on an “open app frenzy” of some sorts. Sure, it might not be the quad-core Exynos 4 processor you can find inside the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (and the Galaxy S3), but this is just a mid-range tablet.
Other specs include 16GB of internal storage space, a MicroSD slot (supports cards up to 64GB), MicroUSB slots, a Mini HDMI output, WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0.
The Archos 101 XS will run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on launch date, but an update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is promised for Q4 2012. Judging on the fact that Archos has kept its word regarding OS updates in the past, I would be surprised if Jelly Bean will arrive later than November. Android purists will be very glad to know that Archos has opted for an unskinned version of the Android OS.
Now that you’ve got the specs figured out, you also need to know that the Archos 101 XS comes with a 5mm thick magnetic keyboard / cover, called the Coverboard. The official press release refers to the Coverboard as a unique magnetic keyboard, although I’m sure I’ve seen such a thing before (say… with Microsoft’s Surface). Nonetheless, the Coverboard also has a built-in magnetic kickstand and can act as a charging dock for the tablet when plugged into a power slot. The Coverboard comes bundled in every box, meaning there’s no additional fee to pay for it.
All this will set you back $399,99, not a bad price for such an interesting mid-range tab. The Archos 101 XS will become available online as well as in various North American retail channels starting this October.
The way I see it, the Archos 101 XS is one of the most interesting mid-range Android tablets you can find: ultra slim, decently specced, comes with a magnetic keyboard and runs a vanilla flavored Android OS.
Feel free to agree or disagree in the comment section below and also see our Archos 101 XS full review in our next post.
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Two more members of the Xperia family are joining the Ice Cream Sandwich club - congratulations to the Sony Ericsson (well, technically Sony now) Xperia arc and Xperia neo.
What they're getting is Android 4.0.4 - the latest available from Google - but they're sticking with an older kernel - 2.6.32. The update is being rolled out in stages, so it might not be available for your unit just yet.
Owners of an Xperia arc can check this page to see if the ICS update is available for their unit (you need to check the phone's SI number printed under the battery) and Xperia neo owners can have a look here.
The remaining Xperia phones from the 2011 lineup - Xperia mini, Xperia mini pro, Xperia pro, Xperia active and Live with Walkman - are also to get the 4.0.4 update starting some time this week, though we haven?t seen reports of updated phones yet (post in the comments if you do get the update). The Xperia PLAY will not be updated as previously reported.
Xperia phones that already got the ICS update (arc S, neo V and ray) will also be getting the Android 4.0.4 treatment soon (what they received was 4.0.3).
The NXT series will take a bite of the Ice Cream Sandwich starting with the Sony Xperia S (update expected in late June), with the Xperia P and Xperia U following in Q3.
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June is bound to be a good month for the owners of LG Optimus LTE, Optimus Vu, and Optimus LTE Tag. The Korean giant has announced that it will kick off the update of the smartphone trio to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on June 4, which is less than a week away.
Quite expectedly, the ICS update will include LG's latest version 3.0 of its proprietary UI. You are welcome to get a sneak peak of it in our hands-on of LG Optimus L7 over here.
Compared to its siblings, the LG Optimus Vu will get some additional software tricks utilizing its 4:3 aspect display.
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