MediaTek MT8127 SoC to Bring H.265 Video Support to Mid-Range Android Tablets

MediaTek has just announced MT8127, a quad core ARM Cortex A7 processor @ 1.5 GHz with Mali-450MP GPU, that provides hardware support for HEVC (H.265) video playback, and targets “super-mid” range Android tablets. HEVC/H.265 video codec will allow to half the required bandwidth and/or storage for a given quality compared to H.264, or to greatly improve quality at the same bitrate. The latest Mediatek processor will also support 1080p video playback and recording, and up to 13MP cameras, as well as  1920×1200 LCD screen display. As with other Mediatek SoCs,  a Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, FM receiver and GPS combo-chip can be coupled with MTK8127. The company also claims Miracast and NFC support. The first tablets to integrate this solution will be ALCATEL ONETOUCH PIXI 7 and Cube U25GT, as well as ALCATEL ONETOUCH PIXI 8, which will be launched later this year. Via Liliputing Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)Jean-Luc started CNX Software […]

NXP Smartphone Quick-Jack Solution Connects to Your Smartphone Audio Jack and Interfaces with Sensors, HMI Devices

We already knew the audio jack on your mobile device was not only for your headset, thanks to small items like Pressy hardware button. But it’s actually possible to do much more, as shown by NXP smartphone quick-jack solution, a board that can interface sensors to your Android smartphone / tablet or iPhone / iPad via the headphone/microphone jack of your device. The company claims it can be used for various applications such as cloud-based tracking of sensor data, external input devices to smartphone, wearable health monitors, personal exercise trackers, handheld weather stations, handheld inventory monitors, handheld/portable POS devices, and universal remote controls, using powered harvested from the audio jack, and optionally a battery. Let’s go through the hardware specifications of this little board codenamed OM13069: MCU – NXP LPC812 ARM Cortex M0+ MCU @ 30 MHz with 16KB flash, 4KB SRAM On-board peripherals – Joystick, temperature sensor, and LEDs […]

Toshiba Excite Go 7″ Android Tablet Powered by Intel Atom Quad Core Processor Sells for $110

If you still think that only products based on ARM can be inexpensive, Toshiba Excite Go might change your mind. The latest Toshiba tablet is somewhat similar to HP 7 Plus with a quad core AllWinner A31 SoC and a 7″ display with a resolution of 1024×600, but instead it features an Intel Atom quad core processor, and sells for just $10 more at $110 (MSRP), but CNET reports it might even sell for just $99. The complete specs have not been released, but here’s what we do know, and/or can speculate with educated guesses and pictures from Engadget: SoC – Intel Atom “Bay Trail” Quad core SoC. Probably one of the cheapest Bay Trail-T, so either Atom Z3735F or Z3735G both listed for $17 (Tray price). Z3735F supports up to 1Gb RAM, Z3735G up to 2GB RAM. Both are clocked at 1.33 GHz, and up to 1.83 GHz (Burst […]

Rockchip to Design Intel x86 “SoFIA” SoCs for Android Tablets

Intel has just announced it has entered into a strategic agreement with Rockchip to design Intel-branded SoC platform for entry-level Android tablets. The Chinese SoC vendor will design two quad core tablet SoC one with 3G and one with LTE, which will part of Intel’s SoFIA mobile SoC platforms for Android mobile devices. Intel will bring Intel Atom and 3G/LTE modem IP, and Rockchip will work in the integration and overall design. The 3G model should become available in the first half of 2015 and target entry-level and value tablets, and the LTE version is also scheduled for H1 2015. That’s about all that’s been disclosed for now, and we don’t know for example which GPU will be part of these SoCs. Here’s what Brian Krzanich, Intel CEO, had to say about the agreement: The strategic agreement with Rockchip is an example of Intel’s commitment to take pragmatic and different […]

Hewlett Packard Unveils $100 HP 7 Plus Tablet Powered by AllWinner A31 Quad Core SoC

Hewlett Packard has just launched HP 7 Plus Android 4.2 tablet with an AllWinner A31, or possibly AllWinner A31s considering the screen resolution, that sells for $99.99, but you may also be able to get it for $85 with SLICK15HP coupon. This price includes shipping, but unfortunately this is only available in the US. I’ll also check out alternatives of the rest of us. HP 7 Plus specifications: SoC – AllWinner A31 (A31s?) quad core ARM Cortex-A7 @ 1 GHz with PowerVR SGX544MP2 GPU System Memory – 1 GB DDR3 Storage – 8 GB eMMC + micro SD slot (up to 32GB) Display – 7″ diagonal WVA IPS multitouch-enabled (1024 x 600) Camera –  0.3 MP fixed focus (front-facing); 2 MP fixed focus (rear-facing) Audio – Mono speaker, 1x integrated microphone, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack Connectivity – 802.11b/g/n (Miracast compatible) USB – 1x micro USB 2.0 Sensors –  Accelerometer Battery […]

Xiaomi MiPad is a 7.9″ Tablet Powered by Nvidia Tegra K1 Quad Core SoC

Xiaomi has just announced the MiPad, with a 7.9″ display using 2048×1536  (same as iPad mini) and an Nvidia Tegra K1 quad core Cortex A15 SoC with a Kepler GPU. There will be two versions one with 16GB flash, and the other with 64GB, which will be sold respectively for 1499 and 1699 CNY (~$240 and $275). Here are the specs for the MiPad: SoC – Nvidia Tegra K1 quad core Cortex A15 processor @ 2.2 GHz with a 192-core Kepler GPU System Memory – 2GB LPDDR3 Storage – 16 or 64GB eMMC, extensible to 128GB via microSD card Display – 7.9” IPS display, 2048×1536 326 PPI Camera – 8MP rear / 5MP front camera Connectivity – 802.11ac 2×2 Wi-Fi Battery – 6700 mAh battery Dimensions – 202.1 x 135.4 x 8.5 mm Weight – 360 grams The first tablet by Xiaomi happens to be the first consumer tablet featuring […]

Asus MeMo Pad 7 ME176C Android Tablet Powered by an Intel Quad Core Bay Trail SoC to Sell for $170

Until now, most Intel “Bay Trail” based tablets sold were running Windows 8.1, unless you checked on Aliexpress.  It now appears Asus will soon sell an Android Kitkat tablet, ASUS MeMO Pad 7 ME176C, powered by Intel Atom Z3745 quad core SoC, and featuring a 7″ IPS display, 1 GB RAM and 8GB flash, for as low as $166. ASUS MeMO Pad 7 ME176C specifications: SoC – Intel Baytrail-T Z3745 quad core processor @ 1.33 GHz (Burst frequency: 1.86GHz) with Intel HD graphics. 2W SDP. System Memory – 1 GB DDR3 Storage – 8 or 16 GB NAND Flash depending on model + microSDXC card slot Display – 7″ IPS display (1280 x 800 pixel) Camera – 5.0MP rear camera + 2.0MP front camera Connectivity – Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS Audio – 1x Head phone/ Mic-in USB – 1x micro USB (OTG?) Battery – 3910mAh, 15 Whr […]

Dimple NFC Sticker Adds Four Hardware Buttons to Your Android Device (Crowdfunding)

If you’d like to add one button to your Android smartphone, you could use pressy. But what if you wanted or needed more. Dimple may provide a solution if your Android smartphone or tablet supports NFC. It is a thin NFC sticker, about 0.5mm thick, that you can attach to the back of your device to add 4 hardware buttons. The sticker is compatible with devices running Android 4.0 and above, not made out of metal, and with NFC support. This means HTC One M7 and M8 smartphone are not compatible due to their metallic bodies. Using the NFC sticker appears to be extra simple. Once you’ve sticked your Dimple to the back of your device (or your case), simply install Dimple.io app to configure the buttons to do what you want to: launch your favorite apps, take a picture, turn on & off the flash light, call your mum, […]