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Topic: Android

Acer to produce Android tablet with Intel inside?

Summary: Acer is reported to be readying an Android tablet based on the Intel Oak Trail processor for the July timeframe. The Android Honeycomb tablet is allegedly in mass production according to suppliers.

James Kendrick

By for Mobile News |

Acer is reported to be readying an Android tablet based on the Intel Oak Trail processor for the July timeframe. The Android Honeycomb tablet is allegedly in mass production according to suppliers, thus the rapid release time. Intel has been desperately putting pressure on mobile device makers to get its processors in shipping products. The company has been slapped in the face by Microsoft recently, first with the deal with Nokia that kicked MeeGo to the curb and then with the push to get Windows running on the ARM platform.

While it makes sense that Intel needs to get a position in the mobile segment, especially tablets, it's not clear what benefits Intel chips will bring to Andtel products. Devices with Intel inside usually get worse battery life than those with ARM or Nvidia Tegra 2 processors, and that is a key area. Tablets are different from laptops as Intel will no doubt discover, as they cannot be used while being charged as can notebooks. A tablet with a dead battery is a big paperweight, thus battery life for them needs to be rated in days, not hours as is the case with Intel products. Tablets must last all day on a single charge of the battery, without exception, and it's not clear Intel can deliver that.

Tablets running with ARM and Tegra processors are plenty powerful enough to handle anything that users need to get done, so while Intel Oak Trail might handle heavier loads than the competition it really isn't necessary. Tablets running non-Intel chips are good enough already, so Intel must come up with a compelling reason for consumers to switch. That pretty much just leaves pricing, an area Intel has not been able to successfully compete with the other guys.

Image credit: IntelFreePress

Topics: Android, Hardware, Intel, Laptops, Mobility, Tablets

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22 comments
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  • I don't see any issue with that. Intel, come on down!

    and join the party!
    And while you're at it James, let's see what you got to report on Meego 1.2 and the upcoming Nokia N950 (formerly identified as N9).
    Dietrich T. Schmitz, ~-~ Your Linux Advocate
    Reply Vote

    • Except many apps won't work...

      @Dietrich T. Schmitz, ~-~ Your Linux Advocate

      For many of the games are using the NDK.
      Bruizer
      Reply Vote

  • Precisely my thought

    "its not clear what benefits Intel chips will bring to Andtel products" (Andtel? did I fall asleep for a while?)<br><br>We will see how they sell. If Intel donates the chips and the tablet price is low enough, maybe a few people will buy them. If I could dual boot Android and Windows or Ubuntu, even I might give it a whirl.
    Economister
    Reply Vote

  • What have you been smoking this morning?

    I can use my Iconia Tab all day long while hooked to the charger if needed, no problem.

    It will NOT charge via the USB connection as the current and voltage requirements are higher than a USB port can provide. Is that what you intended to say?
    babyboomer57
    Reply Vote

    • Huh?

      @babyboomer57

      "...while hooked to the charger if needed"?

      The whole point it to NOT need to be hooked to the charger.
      Economister
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Acer to produce Android tablet with Intel inside?

        @Economister Correct... but the way the article is written it sounds as though tablets cannot be used while charging.

        James: Please update your article to reflect this.
        flippedout
        Reply Vote

      • I see

        @flippedout

        It would probably be helpful to quote the specific "offending" part. You are presumably both referring to "as they cannot be used while being charged as can notebooks". I guess I skimmed over that because the rest of the text makes it fairly obvious what James is referring to imho.

        Nevertheless, I stand (sit) corrected and my apologies to "babyboomer57" for my reply, but as I said earlier, a specific reference would help alleviate these types of misunderstandings.
        Economister
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Acer to produce Android tablet with Intel inside?

        @Economister <br><br>No problem. I usually do quote the article but was already late for an appointment.<br><br>Also, I use my tablet off and on 10-12 hrs a day without charging it, unless I fire up a couple of particular games that could suck the life out of a trolling motor battery in less than an hour. <br><br>Good times.
        babyboomer57
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Acer to produce Android tablet with Intel inside?

      @babyboomer57 In my experience tablets are a royal pain to use while plugged in. That's what I meant.
      JamesKendrick
      Reply Vote

  • What benefits?

    Your joking right? What does Google TV (which run on Intel) have that none of the ARM-Android Tablets have.

    1. Netflix (Native x86 app)
    2. Chrome Browser (Native x86 app)

    If those two things were on a x86 android tablet, winner established. Not to mention another Intel technologies such as WiDi, Intel insider, Light peak, etc.

    "Tablets running with ARM and Tegra processors are plenty powerful enough to handle anything that users need to get done"

    - Those are the types of comments that get laughed at 5 years down the road.
    sbbarnes
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Acer to produce Android tablet with Intel inside?

    Wow! Power? You mean the battery has to last a while? I'm sure Intel has not even considered that. Holysmokes, someone go tell them, quick!
    danoutwest
    Reply Vote

    • Were you trying to make a point?

      @danoutwest

      Other than a childish, pathetic and frankly embarrassing attempt at ridicule?
      Economister
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Acer to produce Android tablet with Intel inside?

    Power... Battery life! That's what this is about?? Who would have thought? Intel announces trigate transistors, 22nm manufacturing, but according to James, Intel is oblivious to the power requirements for tablets.
    danoutwest
    Reply Vote

    • More idiocy

      @danoutwest

      So are you saying Acer will be using this new "announced" Intel technology in these tablets? Didn't think so, in which case you are just babbling through your hat, but you had already made THAT perfectly clear.
      Economister
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Acer to produce Android tablet with Intel inside?

    I suspect that if Intel is diving in, they no how deep the water is. ARM and Nvidia have done well in the market and Intel's competition will only sweeten the deal. I really like the innovative EEPC keyboard docking station for their tablet, usb, battery, etc. solution hints around!!
    don stroud
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Acer to produce Android tablet with Intel inside?

    to say that present day tablets have more than enough power for what the tablet is to be used for is indeed not too bright. Tablet users would love to be able to use their tablets without worrying how long it will take to load a page or really do any worthwhile work. Tablets need to be able to handle relatively light stuff like presentations, spreadsheets and such like that could be worked own away from the desk. Isn't that what mobile computing is supposed to be all about. I'll wait until then.
    nnewman@...
    Reply Vote

  • Multiple OS's

    The main advantage Intel is touting for their Oak Trail Atom chips is the ability to run Android, Windows and Meego. Something Nvidia's chips can't do. Viewsonic recently unveiled a dual boot tablet that can be used with either Honeycomb or Windows 7. Expect intel dual boot OS tablets to flood the market by end of summer.
    babyfacemagee
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Acer to produce Android tablet with Intel inside?

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