Stream TV Networks is shipping an upgraded version of its seven-inch eLocity Android tablet for $230. The eLocity A7+ is equipped with a “1.0-1.2GHz” Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, offers 4GB of internal storage, and improves the seven-inch capacitive screen to 1024 x 600 resolution — but aside from the much lower price is otherwise much the same, right down to its Android 2.2 operating system.

According to Stream Networks, the A7+ "takes the Amazon Fire and B&N Nook tablets head on with a more powerful CPU, the Tegra 2 processor." It's not clear, however, that the 1.0-1.2GHz dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 system on chip  — a slighter faster version of the 1GHz Tegra 2 found on the eLocity A7 — is much faster than the 1GHz, dual-core Texas Instruments OMAP4430 found on the $200 Amazon Kindle Fire and the $250 Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet.

The A7+ pricing, however, is a dramatic improvement, sitting about halfway between the Fire and the Nook Tablet. The original eLocity A7 debuted at $370 in Sept. 2010, before dropping to its current $320. The A7+ will be just $230, according to Stream Networks.

eLocity A7+
(Click to enlarge)

The 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage, and 32GB-ready microSD slot remain the same, but the company has improved the seven-inch capacitive display to 1024 x 600 resolution. The 400-nit, backlit display on the A7+ is touted as having four-point multitouch capabilities, and is said to be available with an ambient light sensor and accelerometers.

Like the eLocity A7, the A7+ is equipped with 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.1, and an HDMI port with six-foot cable. The tablet offers a standard USB 2.0 host port, capable of plugging in 64GB USB drives, letting the tablet supports up to 100GB of total storage, says the company.

The single, front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera is still available, and as before, the tablet offers a 3.5mm headphone jack, a mic, and 0.5 W stereo speakers, according to Stream TV Networks. The A7+ supports 1080p video playback using H.264, MPEG-4, DivX, and Real Video formats, says the company.

The A7+ measures exactly the same as the A7, at 8.2 x 4.8 x 0.5 inches, and weighs the same at 1.02 pounds, says Stream TV Networks. A two-cell 1530mAh battery is also said to be available.

Disappointingly, the A7+ still runs Android 2.2 instead of upgrading to the year-old Android 2.3. In place of Android Market, ones gains access to the GetJar App Store, says Stream TV Networks.

Stream TV has upgraded its A7 tablet with a higher resolution screen and slightly faster processor, while cutting an impressive $90 off the price. On the other hand, it's still $30 pricier than the hot-selling Kindle Fire, and seems dated with its Android 2.2 operating system. Still, if one is looking for dual-core power on an affordable seven-inch tablet — without the customized UI and marketing onslaught of the Fire and Nook Tablet — the A7+ might be worth a look.

Stated Mathu Rajan, CEO of Stream TV Networks, "We're glad to follow up the A7 with a model that raises the bar. We've exceeded the industry standards for resolution."

Availability

According to Stream Networks, the eLocity A7+ is available now at J&R and NewEgg.com, though we couldn't find the device on the retailers' websites at the time of writing. ShopNBC will launch eLocity A7+ value bundle sales on Dec. 8, lasting until Dec. 19, the manufacturer adds.

More information may be found at Stream TV Network's eLocity A7+ product page.

This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.