We didn’t get a huge chance for hands-on as we stumbled across the Toshiba press event at IFA today and with the device locked to the wall, without and sort of Internet connection and without any supporting technical staff, it was difficult to do a good test on the Toshiba Folio 100. We want to go back and ask about pricing, Google apps and Android 2.2 availability for the keyboarded version that we’re doing extended testing on, the AC100. I’ve published a video on YouTube (below) that might give you a few snippets of information about the Folio but we’ll be back over the next few days with more information. We promise!

Click through for larger images.

After our hands-on with the Galaxy Tab we couldn’t resist a few benchmark tests. In the video below you’ll see the Sunspider test which is a single-threaded test. For reference we’ve seen 9000ms on the iPad and just under that on Tegra 2 (with Android 2.1) A netbook comes in at about 2000ms. The Galaxy Tab? About 7500ms showing that the a single CPU core (we’re not 100% on the CPU details yet we suspect a single Cortex A9 core at the moment.)

Next up you’ll see the Quadrant test that we ran on the Tegra 2 platform this week. On the Toshiba AC100 we saw a very impressive score of 1911 which is one amazing score. Remember the Quadrant test is a CPU, 2D and 3D test so it tests more than just the CPU. On the Galaxy Tab we saw a score of 1064. That might sound a lot less than the Tegra2 platform but it’s more than the impressive Samsung Galaxy S!

All is revealed in the video below.

We’ve managed to get some time with the Galaxy Tab at IFA and we’ve got pics, a video and some benchmarks following in the next post. It’s quite the looker, performer and a very good all-round tablet package.

Click to to see gallery

Fist impressions: Slick, fast, great weight/size ratio and Samsung have managed to include the Google applications AND their own app creations. The screen is sharp and, as expected actually, great quality with a contrast, brightness and ‘pop’ that we grew fond of with the Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC. Web sites loaded quickly and cleanly over 3G and capacative touch was smooth. Stereo speakers are loud and of good quality for the size. Another trick that Samsung performed on the Q1 Ultra!

We got an iPad and Dell Streak in for size comparisons and as you can see, it’s less than half the size of the iPad.

As for iPad and Dell Streak comparisons, I’m going to spend a few days thinking about it before I put any thoughts forward. We’ll get some more hands-on over the next few days and test out the Samsung apps and some applications from the Market. Stay tuned.

On to the hands-on video. [Uploading NOW!  Update: Benchmark details to follow in next post.]

Benchmark video also available.

We’ve managed to get some time with the Galaxy Tab at IFA and we’ve got pics, a video and some benchmarks following in the next post. It’s quite the looker, performer and a very good all-round tablet package.

Click to to see gallery

Fist impressions: Slick, fast, great weight/size ratio and Samsung have managed to include the Google applications AND their own app creations. The screen is sharp and, as expected actually, great quality with a contrast, brightness and ‘pop’ that we grew fond of with the Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC. Web sites loaded quickly and cleanly over 3G and capacative touch was smooth. Stereo speakers are loud and of good quality for the size. Another trick that Samsung performed on the Q1 Ultra!

We got an iPad and Dell Streak in for size comparisons and as you can see, it’s less than half the size of the iPad.

As for iPad and Dell Streak comparisons, I’m going to spend a few days thinking about it before I put any thoughts forward. We’ll get some more hands-on over the next few days and test out the Samsung apps and some applications from the Market. Stay tuned.

On to the hands-on video. [Uploading NOW!  Update: Benchmark details to follow in next post.]

Benchmark video also available.

Update: Product page now available.

Update: We got hands-on at IFA.

httpsh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8ZcEgT83yc

We won’t spend too much time reminding you of the Camangi Webstation. Despite a nice look, it was a rather weak entry into the tablet market. The Camangi Market launched at the same time and promised to offer tablet-focused apps. With just 80 apps (that I can find) its no wonder that the new Camangi product will have Google applications and the all-important Market.

The Sheng Tung Development Co., Ltd. are a supplier of Tawanese good and partner to Camangi are at IFA this week. They’ve posted information about the new, FM600 model on the IFA website. I’ve highlighted the important features.

We’ll be heading to their booth as soon as we can. (Probably on Friday)

Android 2.2 with 7 inch Mobile Internet Device ( MID ) / Tablet / Mobile Phone.
The worldwide first release 7 inch Android 2.2 system.
Capacitive touch screen with best multimedia experience.
Latest Google service and full internet function. Support Android Market, Youtube online watch, Fring, Facebook, Skype, Twitter….social network platform. Google Map & Navigation in 7 inch screen enlarge the view.
QR code access convenient the life. Dual cameras are for webcam and camcorder to take photo & video.
Support SIM card 2G/3G signal, it just become a smartphone with large screen when SIM card slot in.
Dimensions: 179.4 x 110 x 11.05/11.25 mm
Weight: Approx. 410 g
Display : 7 inch WVGA (800×480) capacitive single-touch screen
Chipset : Qualcomm MSM7227 600 MHz (Snapdragon)
O.S. : Android 2.2
Internal Memory: 512MB RAM/512MB ROM, Memory Card support up to 32GB
Connectivity: WLAN 802.11 b/g , Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, 3G SIM card slot
GSM Quad-band 850/900/1800/2100, UMTS (WCDMA) 900/1900/2100, GPRS Class 12 , GPS/AGPS
Interface: mini-USB (USB 2.0); 3.5mm audio jack
Camera: Main camera: 3 M Auto Focus, second camera: 300K VGA
Battery: 3240 mAh Li-Polymer battery, support PC USB charging
Less than 3 hours charging with 5V/2A AC adaptor (power-off mode)
Battery Life: Standby: up to 25 days
Talk time: up to 26 hours (GSM) / 9 hours (WCDMA)
Video playback & internet browsing: up to 5 hours
Others : G-sensor, E-compass, Vibration, microSD (TF) slot/SDHC
Video formats support: 3GP, MP4, AVI
Default: Calendar, Clock, Calculator, Browser, Camera, Cam Coder, Music, Gallery, eMail, Phone, Contact, Messaging
Pre-installed Application: Aldiko, Document-to-Go, File Browser, Note Pad, eReader
Google Applications: Android Market, Google Maps, Google Mail, Google Talk, YouTube, Navigation and more.

Via IFA Website.

Update: There’s a Camangi II too. It’s running a Samsung Cortex A8 CPU and a 5mp cam.

Update2: We were told at IFA that this product won’t have the Google Market and aplications. I think we’ll have to wait and see though because details are very unclear right now.

Viewsonic announced their 7 inch Viewpad 7 Android tablet yesterday [Full Details now in the database] and we’re keen to get hands on with this one over the next few days while we visit IFA. It’s ticking nearly all the boxes so far with Google applications and Market, A-GPS, 3G, capacitive multitouch (beats the Huawei S7 that was in the running until now) and Android 2.2. The processor is a 600Mhz Snapdragon which shouldn’t be too bad at all with the latest Android version. The rear, 3MP camera is also interesting. We wonder if it’s an HQ job or just something to satisfy Google’s requirements. This thing can even make voice calls! There are question marks over the RAM and built-in flash. The price, 350 UK Pounds (which includes taxes.) That’s not super-cheap but with those specs, it’s right on the mark.

Latest news links for Viewpad 7:

Viewsonic Viewpad hands-on videos

Viewsonic Viewpad 7 live images – IFA

Viewsonic Viewpad 7 launch info

It’s under 24hrs to the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Tab, a 7 inch Android Tablet that’s getting a huge piece of the pre-IFA coverage and one that went straight to number 1 on our popularity charts. It’s not Samsungs first 7 inch tablet though. It’s actually their 7th. Yes, they’ve been in the 7 inch tablet business for over 4 years now and know a thing or two about tablet design. Their engineering skills are proven and they have access to some amazing electronic components. Screens, CPUs and storage that no other ODM has.

View all Samsung 7 inch tablets side-by-side.

Lets take a quick look at the history and then you can use the ‘Chooser’ to find out which one matches your requirements.

It was Feb 2006 when Samsung joined TabletKiosk, Amtek, ASUS and others to launch the first handheld tablets based on the Origami concept. They used low power laptop components coupled with CCFL-backlit screens and early 1.8 inch hard drives. The operating system was Windows XP Tablet Edition and you were looking at about 2.5hrs battery life for over $1000.

A VIA version appeared at IFA in the same year and introduced 3G and LED-backlighting to save power. The Q1b was a good product and the one I chose for my Solar-ultra mobile PC tour in 2007.

After Intel re-designed their Pentium to make a ‘Stealey’ CPU aimed at ultra mobile PCs, Samsung redesigned the ultra mobile PC to include a split keyboard, 1024×600 high-brightness screen, 4hr battery life, SSD and 3G options. There was even an Intel Core model, the ‘premium‘ which even today can still blow the socks off most UMPCs.

After that, Samsung took a break. They teased about new designs but in the end, the only thing they came up with was a VIA Nano-based device, the Q1EX that was good but not that different from the Ultra.

Tomorrow, we’ll see the next generation of Samsung’s 7 inch tablets. It will be running an ARM-licensed core architecture (Samsung’s own Hummingbird) and Android version 2.2. It’s a complete departure in terms of platform and will angle towards a consumer crowd. We expect great battery life, a very high quality screen and light-weight but we don’t expect a full internet experience. Flash may be included but it won’t be that smooth. The web browser will also have limitations. For the target market those problems won’t be an issue though and like most others, we’re excited to be getting a look at it tomorrow at IFA.

So which one is for you? I been through the main models and rated against various categories. All you have to do is choose your requirements and see what the winner is! Let us know if you get a surprise!

Product Chooser: Choose between a Galaxy Tab, a Q1 Ultra Premium, a Q1 and a Q1EX

There’s two ways of looking at this. Either you think about the issues of the Toshiba AC100 (no Google Apps, Market, Browser issues, crashes, standby battery life issues) and you think OMG – This is a fail from the word go, or you hope that the 2.2 upgrade and a touchscreen are going to fix it. Certainly if you take away the keyboard you won’t be tempted to try anything silly like writing a document so that at least solves one problem but I fear that the Market is still going to be missing.

There’s no way Google will licence Market for a device that is simply not supported by Android. Developers have no way at all to write screen-efficient apps for this screen size and the apps that do exist look annaemic on a 1024×600 screen.

I don’t want to be too negative but its difficult when you’ve tested three potentially great bits of hardware that were spoiled by having only half of an Android-based OS product.

I like the idea of Tegra 2 (with Android 2.2 it will, seriously, blow everything else out of the water in terms of Android benchmarks – i’ve seen it today) and the tablet form-factor at least ‘fits’ Android a little better but without the Google licensed apps, its only half of what it could be.

If I’m wrong about Google Market then great, we’ve got progress but i’m not holding my breath because I think only Android 3 can fix that.

Tablet Toshiba Folio 100: caratteristiche tecniche – Notebook Italia.