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Kontron announced a COM Express module sporting one of Intel's new “Sandy Bridge” Core processors along with a USB 3.0 interface. The ETXexpress-SC includes a 2.1GHz, quad-core Core i7-2715QE CPU, up to 16GB of DDR3 memory with ECC support, and either Type 2 or Type 6 pinouts, according to the company.
Samsung and Verizon Wireless announced a 4G version of its Galaxy Tab Android tablet for Verizon's LTE network that also boosts the clock rate to 1.2GHz and cranks up the camera to five megapixels. Verizon then pre-announced a 4.3-inch “Samsung 4G LTE” Android smartphone and tipped a 4G LTE version of Novatel Wireless' MiFi hotspot.
Ericsson announced an “Xperia Arc” smartphone featuring a 1GHz Qualcomm processor, a 4.2-inch display, and an 8.1-megapixel camera. The Arc nominally runs Android 2.3, but was spotted at CES running Android 2.4, reinforcing the notion of a fork between tablet (3.0) and phone (2.3/2.4) Android versions.
The Linux 2.6.37 kernel was released this week with improved symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) scalability and the addition of many new hardware drivers. Other 2.6.37 highlights include security, power management and memory management enhancements, plus an I/O throttling speed boost and an option to disable the Big Kernel Lock.
Verizon Wireless capped off a week of Android-based smartphone introductions with two new 4G LTE-ready, 4.3-inch models: HTC's ThunderBolt and LG's Revolution. The phones will compete on Verizon with Motorola's similarly 4.3-inch Droid Bionic, announced earlier this week, which ups the ante with a dual-core, Nvidia Tegra-2 processor.
Google released a video overview of Android 3.0 (“Honeycomb”), confirming that it is designed for tablets while hinting at exclusivity for tablets. Honeycomb enhancements include a revamped, “virtual and holographic user interface,” improved multitasking, drag and drop widgets, video chat with Google Talk, Google eBooks integration, and tablet-oriented overhauls for the browser, Gmail, and YouTube.
Motorola Mobility announced its long-awaited Android 3.0 (“Honeycomb”) tablet, featuring a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor. Destined for Verizon, the Xoom is equipped with a 10.1-inch, 1280 x 800 touchscreen, supports 1080p HD video with HDMI output, and, unlike Apple's iPad, offers dual cameras.
Nvidia announced it has licensed ARM's Cortex-A15 core for future-generation Tegra processors. The company also says it has obtained an ARM architectural license, which it will use to develop a CPU that “fully integrates” a GPU (graphics processing unit).
LG Electronics announced a four-inch Android 2.2 phone called the Optimus Black — claimed to be the world's slimmest and touted for its high-luminance, low-power “Nova” screen technology. In addition, T-Mobile pre-announced an LG-manufactured, 4G-ready “G-Slate with Google” tablet that will run Android 3.0.
Dell announced a seven-inch Android 2.2 tablet called the Streak 7, featuring a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, dual cameras, and compatibility with T-Mobile's 4G-like HSPA+ network. The company also announced an unlocked, GSM-ready “Dell Venue” smartphone that runs Android 2.2 on a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, with a 4.1-inch AMOLED display and eight-megapixel camera.
Eurotech says it will offer a COM Express module with two of Intel's new “Sandy Bridge” processors. The Adbc8034 will sport the embedded-oriented Core i7-2715QE or Core i5-2515E CPUs, up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM, four SATA ports, eight USB ports, VGA/SDVO/LVDS video, and “multiple” PCI Express interfaces, according to the company.
HP announced a netbook-like portable computer that combines an 11.6-inch display with a dual-core AMD Fusion CPU. The Pavilion dm1 includes 3GB of RAM and up to 750GB of hard disk storage, a VGA port and an HDMI output, and a six-cell battery that can last more than ten hours, the company says.
Motorola is now officially two companies, after having been “tangled in its own underwear,” in the words of one analyst. Motorola Mobility will be focused on smartphones and tablets while Motorola Solutions will produce a range of enterprise solutions including 4G wireless equipment.
Asus unveiled three Android based tablet devices running Android 3.0, due to ship this spring. The tablets include a Snapdragon-based, 7.1-inch “Eee Pad MeMo” tablet, and two 10.1-inch keyboard convertible tablets running on dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processors: the Eee Pad Slider, which offers a slide up design, and an Eee Pad Transformer with a fold-up, detachable design.
Lenovo has reannounced a device that is part Windows notebook, part Android-based tablet. The IdeaPad U1 includes the 10.1-inch LePad, a device that has its own 1.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, plus a base unit with an Intel CULV (consumer ultra low voltage) CPU, the company says.