Android tablet offers WiFi, optional 3G

By Eric Brown
2010-01-18

Article Rating:

/ 2

Rate This Article:

Add This Article To:

Taiwan-based startup Camangi is shipping an Android-based tablet computer with a 7-inch, 800 x 480 touchscreen. The WebStation is equipped with an ARM-based 624MHz Marvell PXA303 processor, and offers GPS, WiFi, and 3G USB dongle support, but a Laptop review faulted it for spotty video performance and limited viewing angles.

Numerous consumer-focused tablet and slate computers were on display at this month's CES show in Las Vegas, many of them loaded with Android, but few of them were actually shipping. Camangi announced its WebStation in October, and the device now appears to be shipping, joining only a few others in the 7-inch or larger tablet category for consumers, such as the Linux-based Archos 7.

Camangi WebStation

There are many more smaller 4- to 5-inch display models available, and the five-inch Archos 5 is now available in an Android version, but these smaller devices are generally referred to as mobile Internet devices (MIDs) instead of tablets. In addition, pricier Linux-based tablet, slate, and panel-PCs have been shipping for years to serve vertical markets such as medical practices. (For the full gamut, see our recently updated "Linux-based MIDs, UMPCs, and Tablets" showcase.)

Camangi offers some 60 Android apps for the WebStation, but no access to Android Marketplace.

The Camangi WebStation runs Android 1.5 on a Marvell PXA303 processor clocked at 624MHz. The PXA393 is one of the Monahans XScale family of PXA3x processors, such as the PXA320. Equipped with 128MB of Mobile DDR and 265MB NAND, the device ships with an 8GB SD card, expandable to 16GB, says Camangi.

The WebStation offers a stand, and can be set up as a digital picture frame.

Measuring 4.7 x 7.9 x 0.6 inches and weighing 13.75 ounces, the WebStation offers a 7-inch glass resistive touchscreen with 800×480 resolution, says the company. WiFi is the standard mode of communication, but one of the two USB ports is said to support 3G cellular dongles.

GPS and G-sensors are also provided, along with standard audio speakers, a microphone, and 3.5mm headphone jack. The battery is said to last four to five hours under typical use, with up to four days standby battery life.

The WebStation measures less than 0.6-inches thick

The WebStation supports only 3GP or MP4 video, but also supports 3GP, MP3, MP4, OGG, MID, and WAV audio, as well as a number of standard image formats which can be displayed in slide shows. The device is also billed as an e-reader of sorts, but it supports only EPUB and TXT files, not PDF files.

Specifications listed for the Camangi WebStation are said to include:

Processor -- Marvell PXA303 624MHz
Memory -- 128MB Mobile DDR
Flash -- 265MB NAND (system); 8GB microSD card, expandable to 16GB
Display -- 7-inch, 800 x 480 TFT LCD resistive touchscreen; 16M True Color
WiFi -- 802.11 b/g
USB -- Type A and mini-B USB ports
GPS -- GPS module
Audio:
- Speaker (80hm 2x 1W)
- 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
- omnidirectional microphone
Other features -- G sensor; suction-cup stand; white color, with black and pink coming soon
Battery:
- 3.7V 4000mAh lithium polymer
- Charging via 5V 3A DC in
- Up to 4-5 hours general use
- Up to 4 days standby (without WiFi or GPS use)
Dimensions -- 4.7 x 7.9 x 0.6 inches (120 x 200 x 14.5mm)
Weight -- 13.75 ounces (around 390 g)
Operating system -- Android 1.5

A Laptop review of the WebStation last week praised the device for its design and durability, as well as its Web browser. However, the review faulted the device for its relatively slow performance, unresponsive touchscreen, poor viewing angles, and limited support for video formats. In addition, the device lacks access to Android Marketplace, says the review, and only 60 Android apps are available at present from Camangi.

Availability

The Camangi WebStation is available now for $400, according to Laptop. However, the Camangi site says the "pre-order event" is over, and due to high demand and shortages, the device does not appear to be currently available for pre-order. More information on the WebStation may be found here.

The Laptop review of the device should be here.

Related Stories:

	Discuss Android tablet offers WiFi, optional 3G

	>>> Be the FIRST to comment on this article!



	>>> More News Articles >>> More By Eric Brown

Email Article To Friend ♦ Print Version Of Article ♦ PDF Version Of Article

FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.