$49 Android Desktop Computer from Via Revealed

Via, a manufacturer of integrated circuits in Taiwan appears to be playing in the Android game with an intriguing new creation. They unveiled a PC running Android OS that will only cost $49. The new PC’s motherboard is approximately the size of a little tablet.

The unit features an 800MHz ARM 11 processor, 512MB of RAM, 2GB NAND flash, Ethernet port, HDMI port, VGA port, microSD card slot and more.

The small device is enclosed in a black plastic case. For $49 the unit will only run Android 2.3 Gingerbread as of the moment (maybe they’ll upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich soon) so you can’t expect too much. If you are not a heavy 3D gamer and only do basic tasks like listening to music, playing simple 2D games, and web browsing, this Android device is for you.

Via did not disclose any information about the launch date but you can see more details from the press release below.


Press Release:

VIA Initiates APC: The $49 Android PC
Taipei, Taiwan, 22nd May, 2012 – VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficientcomputing platforms, today unveiled the $49 APC Android PC system.
Powered by a WonderMedia ARM processor, APC integrates memory, storage, and a full set of consumer I/O features in a small footprint Neo-ITX motherboard that can be connected to a TV or monitor. The system also features a custom build of Android that has been optimized for keyboard and mouse input, and comes with a browser and a selection of preinstalled apps.
“APC brings the familiarity and convenience of Android to the PC at a US$49 price point that will open up exciting new markets and applications,” said Richard Brown, VP of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. “Like a bicycle for your mind, APC will enable more people than ever before to explore the vast online universe.”
APC is based on the new Neo-ITX form factor measuring just 17cm x 8.5cm and can be housed in any standard Mini-ITX or microATX chassis, providing enthusiasts with unrivaled flexibility to create new mods and DIY projects as well as ensuring rapid time to market for system integrators and OEMs utilizing the platform.
APC consumes only 4 watts when operating at idle power and 13.5 watts at maximum load. This is ten times less than a standard PC system and ensures significant power savings in large scale deployments.APC Features
APC combines an optimized version of Android with a rich hardware package to deliver the best of the internet to users. With the inclusion of hardware acceleration for the most demanding video formats, the APC delivers stunning HD quality multimedia, either streamed from sites such as YouTube or stored locally and delivers a great gaming experience on a large screen monitor or TV.
Key Features:- Optimized Android OS- HD TV support- Hardware acceleration of the most demanding video formats- VGA and HMDI display ports- Four USB 2.0 ports- One microSD slot- One 10/100 Ethernet port- Audio-out/ Mic-in- VIA WonderMedia ARM 11 SoC- 2GB NAND Flash- 512 DDR3 SDRAM- 15W power adaptor

7-inch Hyundai A7 Ice Cream Sandwich Tablet for only $110

We already seen a lot of cheap Android tablets being sold in the market but this tablet has pretty good hardware. The A7 is actually not related to the car company Hyundai. For only $110, you get a 7-inch 480 x 800 Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) tablet. The touch screen is a 5-point capacitive multitouch.

The Hyundai A7 tablet should run most apps and games because it features a Cortex 1.5 GHz A8 processor and a 512 MB of RAM. It also features an 8 GB of internal storage, micro-SD extra storage, and a micro-HDMI port for watching High Definition movies on a larger screen.

Even though the tablet’s design is not the prettiest around, the Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) OS is enough for you not to judge its looks. The tablet has been around for more than a month now and has lately in-stock again.

If you already have this tablet, please leave a comment below and give us your opinion if the Hyundai A7 is worth your money.


Source

Google plans to make a Low-priced tablet

Google is partnering with hardware makers based in Asia on a budget friendly 7-inch tablet to challenge what Apple and Amazon.com is offering, according to a report.

According to Wall Street Journal and Digitimes, the hardware will be built by Asustek and Samsung, while the software side will run Android supported by the California Internet Giant. It is set to go against Kindle and iPad devices.

The Asustek tablet is expected to be released on May 2012 with a competitive price of $199. It should be an option for consumers considering the Amazon.com made tablet called Kindle Fire, according to Digitimes.

This action by Google will surely pressure other tablet manufacturers to lower the price of their tablet PC’s.