At CES, Innovative Converged Devices (ICD) demonstrated two Android-based touchscreen computers based on Nvidia's Tegra 250 processor — a 15.6-inch Vega kitchen computer and a seven-inch Ultra tablet. Also at CES, ICD and T-Mobile UK announced that the latter will launch the Vega later this year in the U.K.

ICD first announced the Vega kitchen computer in November, and the smaller Ultra tablet was tipped in early December by Engadget's Joshua Topolsky, who promptly showed off his new find on The Jimmy Fallon Show. (ICD, which has offices in both the U.S. and U.K., is also said to be working on an 11-inch Android device.)

ICD Ultra
(Click to enlarge)

Both the Ultra and the Vega use Nvidia's ARM11-based Tegra 250 system-on-chip (SoC). Announced last week, the "Tegra 2" SoC is touted as being "specifically designed for tablets." The Tegra 250 offers up to four times the performance of the previous Tegras, and can easily handle 1080p video playback, claims Nvidia.

The Tegra 250 includes eight independent processors overall, which may be "used together or independently to optimize power usage at all times," says Nvidia. The SoC is said to incorporate a dual-core version of ARM's Cortex-A9, clocked at up to 1GHz.

The 1.3-pound Ultra is otherwise equipped with a seven-inch, 1366 x 768 resistive touchscreen (with optional capacitive screen), and offers HDMI output. Loaded with 256MB DDR DRAM and 512MB NAND flash, the device can be expanded to 32GB via an external microSD slot.

For communications, the Ultra provides WiFi, Bluetooth, optional GPS, and optional 2G or 3G cellular. A USB port, FM tuner, accelerometer, light sensor, and 1.3-megapixel webcam are also supplied. The 5.4AH 3.9V lithium-ion battery is said to top out at four hours of battery life.

Specifications listed by ICD for the Ultra are said to include:

• Processor — Nvidia Tegra 250 (1GHz)
• Memory - 256MB DDR DRAM
• Flash — 512MB NAND flash; external micro-SD slot for up to 32GB
• Display — 7-inch 1366 x 768 resistive touchscreen (optional capacitive); 1024×600 or 800×480 resolution; HDMI output
• Wireless:
  • 802.11b/g WiFi
  • Bluetooth 2.1
  • Optional 2G or 3G cellular
  • Optional GPS
• USB — 1 x USB 2.0 High-Speed OTG
• Camera — 1.3-megapixel
• Audio — 3.5mm audio jack; external speakers; dual microphones
• Other features:
  • Accelerometer
  • Ambient light sensor
  • FM tuner
• Power — 5.4AH 3.9V lithium-ion battery (4 hours life); 110-240V input
• Dimensions — 7.3 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches (186 x 158 x 18mm)
• Weight — 1.3 lbs (600g)
• Operating system — Android 2.0

The ICD Vega kitchen computer

At CES, ICD announced with T-Mobile UK that the two companies have been collaborating on their Vega kitchen computer/tablet hybrid for 18 months, and that the companies will bring it to market in the U.K. later in the year. The Vega is described as "the centerpiece of the family hub," offering integration with the web and cellphones.

ICD Vega

Designed primarily for kitchen use, the tablet can be undocked from its base to act as a somewhat hefty (2.9 pound) tablet device. The Vega boasts full 1080p video playback even while the tablet is undocked from its base, says ICD.

The device's Tegra 250 processor is backed up with 512MB DDR DRAM, 512MB NAND flash, a 32GB internal SD card, and an external micro-SD slot, says the company. The 15.6-inch resistive touchscreen offers 1366 x 768 resolution, says ICD. The Vega's 11AH 3.9V lithium-ion battery is said to offer four hours of battery life when the device is undocked from its base.

Equipped with a T-Mobile SIM, the T-Mobile version of the Vega will enable hands-free cellular call. Other hardware features appear to be similar to those of the Ultra, except for the lack of a GPS option, and include WiFi, Bluetooth, USB port, FM radio, and a camera.

The Android software on the device offers one-touch access to a household calendar, enabling families to organize schedules in one place, say the companies. The web-accessible device can automatically send SMS text reminders of calendar items to cellphones. Additional features are said to include web browsing, on-demand TV, access to social networks, video chat, and games.

Specifications listed by ICD for the Vega include:

• Processor — Nvidia Tegra 250 (1GHz)
• Memory - 512MB DDR DRAM
• Flash — 512MB NAND flash; 32GB internal SD card; external Micro SD slot
• Display — 15.6-inch 1366 x 768 resistive touchscreen; HDMI output
• Wireless:
  • 802.11b/g WiFi
  • Bluetooth 2.1
  • Optional 2G or 3G cellular
• USB — 1 x USB 2.0 High-Speed OTG
• Camera — 1.3-megapixel
• Audio — 3.5mm audio jack; external speakers; dual microphones
• Other features:
  • Accelerometer
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Charging dock
  • Magnetic docking
• Power — 11AH 3.9V lithium-ion battery (4 hours life); 110-240V input; 12VDC output (35 W, for dock)
• Dimensions — 14.7 x 10.0 x 0.6 inches (373 x 254 x 16mm)
• Weight — 2.9 lbs (1.3kg)
• Operating system — Android 2.0

According to a Laptop hands-on review from CES by Kenneth Butler, the docking station also offers an extra audio speaker. The story notes, however, that the promised HDMI port was not available in the pre-release unit shown at CES.

Butler concluded that "Our time with the Vega has only fueled our enthusiasm and anticipation for the device, especially as a tablet for media and web surfing."

Both the Vega and Ultra are intended as flexible designs aimed at ODMs and targeting distribution by wireless carriers. Previous ICD products ran Windows, including the Windows Vista-based Momento digital picture frame (DPF) and the Windows Mobile-based Velocity Mobile Velocity 83 phone, which ICD says was a collaboration with Inventec.

Stated Richard Warmsley, head of New Proposition Development, T-Mobile, "We spoke to over 1,000 families who told us they often found it a hassle to organize a busy family life without nagging or forgotten appointments. They said that something simple and affordable to help with this would be invaluable. We're developing a fantastic package to meet exactly these needs — by creating a family communication network — using ICD's exciting new Internet and entertainment tablet, with T-Mobile's award-winning network at its heart."

Availability

ICD and T-Mobile UK did not offer more information about the pricing and availability of the Vega device, which will be available in the U.K. later this year. The Ultra is scheduled for distribution through Tier 1 carriers across North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East in the first half of 2010, says ICD, which did not offer any additional pricing or availability details.

More information on the two devices may be found at ICD's website, here.

The Engadget video of the Ultra on The Jimmy Fallon Show may be found here. The Laptop hands-on with the Vega may be found here.

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