Viewsonic ViewPad 7e Android Tablet Priced to Compete with Kindle Fire at $200

[dgstorm]

The Viewsonic ViewPad 7e Android tablet will be coming out later this month, and will be very competitively priced at the same $199.99 price as the Amazon Kindle Fire, even before the Amazon tablet is even launched. It's specs are even pretty decent for an "entry-level" device and actually offer some things that the Kindle Fire does not. Here's a quick breakdown:

• 3D UI designed by the same developer who created the SPB Shell 3D Android launcher
• Android 2.3 Gingerbread
• 1GHz single-core processor
• 7″ display
• microHDMI port that transfers 1080p quality video
• 3mp camera on back with a 0.3 mp camera up front
• Storage memory is 4GB with a microSD card slot that supports up to 32GB of storage.
• New “AirSync” program that will keep the device up to date via OTA upgrades via the built in Wi-Fi connectivity

Those are some pretty tempting specs for the price, and ViewSonic typically makes quality hardware. It's about time someone started getting serious about a competitively priced Android tablet. Does this seem like a bargain to you guys?

Here's the full Press Release,

ViewSonic Introduces New Sub-$200 Android-Based Tablet

ViewPad® 7e with ViewScene™ 3D interface is performance-packed at an irresistible price

WALNUT, Calif. – October 24, 2011 – ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today expanded its ViewPad tablet lineup to include the new ViewPad 7e.

Created with the economical consumer in mind, while offering the newest and most in-demand features, the ViewPad 7e is ViewSonic’s latest addition to the successful ViewPad tablet lineup. This convenient 7” Android™ 2.3 Gingerbread tablet combines a powerful 1GHz processor that is excellent for flash video and web browsing. The included Amazon Services for Android and Amazon Kindle™ for Android applications create a great tablet and e-reading device. With pre-installed apps like Twitter, TuneIn Radio and WildTangent games, a service for convenient browsing, downloading and purchasing of online and social games, the ViewPad 7e delivers a layered, intuitive experience that is sure to please all ages and wallets.

ViewSonic has further improved the Gingerbread experience with its exclusive ViewScene 3D interface to deliver an intuitive home screen layout with holographic visual effects. With the new ViewSonic user interface, usability and navigation is unparalleled. Users can quickly get up to speed and customize their favorite apps, delivered directly from the Android storefront.

With its RiteTouch technology and multi-touch capability, it’s easy to write directly on the ViewPad 7e’s 800×600 LED backlit screen. It is perfect for note taking in the classroom, or highlighting excerpts within a novel or textbook. RiteTouch technology makes it easy to swipe across content, zoom in and out, and scroll through emails using either a fingertip or a stylus. Texting couldn’t be easier with the built-in Swype™ keyboard, making typing lightening fast right out of the box.

“Our ViewPad tablet line offers a robust assortment of solutions designed to meet every individual’s mobile computing needs – spanning from business to entertainment,” said Michael Holstein, vice president of business development, ViewSonic. “The ViewPad 7e extends our quality commitment to consumers that want an excellent mobile multimedia experience, at a very aggressive price point.”

Whether experiencing 1080p video playback via the Micro HDMI connection, enjoying Flash 10.3 based applications, or engaging in video chats or taking photos using the dual cameras (3MP rear, VGA 0.3MP front), the ViewPad 7e delivers a robust yet cost-effective multimedia experience. In addition to 4GB of internal storage, the ViewPad 7e offers up to 32GB of additional storage capacity via the micro SD card slot. Teamed with Wi-Fi® 802.11 g/b/n and Bluetooth® support, consumers are able to stay connected to all their favorite multimedia content wherever they go. For added convenience and functionality, the ViewPad 7e offers ViewSonic’s AirSync® technology to ensure that tablet owners will receive over-the-air device updates as they are rolled out, from feature add-ons to software updates.

The ViewPad 7e will be available in North America at the end of October for an ESP of $199.99. Latin America will follow with product availability in November.

Source: AndroidTablets.net

 

[johnomaz]

I hope that render isn't of what the device will actually look like.

 

[akhenax]

I love how the display was photoshopped. LoL. It doesn't look like a bad looking device though.

 

[Ninjak]

The question is, who do you have to beg and bribe for them to put out a dual-core version of that?

 

[akhenax]

Dual Core on a device that costs less than $200 dollars??? Better find a Touchpad!

 

[Ninjak]

Dual Core on a device that costs less than $200 dollars??? Better find a Touchpad!

With my luck, someone would just carve up some apples and pears, toss their cores atop the tablet, and put out a press release claiming that multi-core support is included. "We've managed to have 20 cores sitting atop the screen and include a new 'fruit juice' scent for $300!"

 

[Vakharn]

It's interesting to me that these bargain tablets don't include 3g. Amazon offered 3g hardware AND a free connection for only what, $49 extra on the old kindle? How much does 3g hardware really cost?

 

[trestevenson]

This should be running Honeycomb.:disappointed:

 

[debdroid1a]

It's interesting to me that these bargain tablets don't include 3g. Amazon offered 3g hardware AND a free connection for only what, $49 extra on the old kindle? How much does 3g hardware really cost?

It's not the hardware, I think, it's the bandwith. The fire is color and movies will be played on it. The 7" works pretty good for movies (I have a cheap 7" one and put a converted movie on it and it looked nice). The 3G Kindle, from what I've read, doesn't have a great internet browser, so most probably use it for uploading new books where there isn't free wifi.

So until there's a data plan attached to a tablet, you won't be seeing 3g on these little tablets.

 

[NoBloatware]

The question is, who do you have to beg and bribe for them to put out a dual-core version of that?

Just buy two!

 

[jmorton10]

The 3G Kindle, from what I've read, doesn't have a great internet browser,.

that would be an understatement. I have a 3G Kindle & a Kindle DX & the browser is so poor/slow etc. it is almost unuseable.

I don't care as all I use the devices for is reading books & they are awesome for that (better than my ipad 2), but the browsers are something you would only use in an emergency.

~John

 

[debdroid1a]

but the browsers are something you would only use in an emergency.

~John

That's the same excuse people give for unauthorized tethering... :biggrin:

I just mainly use my 7" tablet for reading. Sometimes I play a game or two. I also wanted it to view crochet patterns on (some have color instructions). Or movies or TV shows, although I only did that once to test the battery.
It has wifi so I just go to a wifi place (McDonald's) and download what I need. Or I sideload apps, documents, etc.

 

[akhi216]

Dual Core on a device that costs less than $200 dollars??? Better find a Touchpad!

How about the Kindle Fire? it has a dual-core processor. When you get tired of watching movies just hack it and put ICS on it then watch movies from a browser.

Sent from my DROID3 using DroidForums

 

[SquireSCA]

I don't think the display was photoshopped. The desktop is SPD 3D Launcher, you can get it from the market for your phone. It is pretty slick actually, I have it.

 

[bL33d]

I don't think the display was photoshopped. The desktop is SPD 3D Launcher, you can get it from the market for your phone. It is pretty slick actually, I have it.

Look at notification bar and battery icons that is froyo not gingerbread.