VIA Introduces $50 7-Inch Android Motherboard

Andrew Grush — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:37:29 +0000

Want a low-cost $50 Android PC? That’s exactly what VIA is now offering with their Android PC System (APC), which comes in at just 7-inches, featuring an ARM board that comes with a customized Android install. The APC will arrive in July and features a VIA ARM11 SoC, 512MB of RAM, 2GB flash storage, VGA, HDMI, speaker/microphone jacks, ethernet, microSD, and an impressive 4 USB ports.

The board only uses 4 watts when idle or 13.5 under max load, so this is certainly a great choice if you are looking for a low-power option. While I wouldn’t want to use this as my main PC or anything, for use as a hobbyist device, a child’s computer, or even some kind of customized vehicle computer, it could be very useful. At only $50, it’s hard to really feel like you’ve ‘wasted’ money, even if you just buy it to toy around with.

The shear amount of ports on this thing, such as 4 USB, is pretty incredible. I could be wrong, but I highly doubt you’ll get too much out of the video experience with this little guy, still, it’s pretty cool that they threw in an HDMI port. While this isn’t at all alone in the growing market of tiny, low-cost PCs, Via is a reasonably good brand and these are pretty decent specs for just $50.

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Vizio’s VIA Smartphone and Tablet run Android, to be revealed at CES

Bob Bounila — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:51:06 +0000

Vizio has officially announced they will reveal their VIA Smartphone and VIA Tablet at CES this week. The Smartphone has a 4-inch “high-resolution” capacitive touch screen, front and rear-facing cameras (VGA and 5 megapixels respectively) with the ability to capture HD video. Other features come by way of Wi-FI b/g/n, GPS, Bluetooth, Micro-SD and an HDMI-out port. The VIA tablet has an 8-inch touchscreen with similar connectivity and expansion options. Both devices have a 1GHz processor and built-in IR blaster which will allow them to work with Vizio’s Google TV. An unannounced version of Android will run both devices. More to come from the CES show floor beginning January 6th to the 9th.

[Vizio]

VIZIO Unveils New Smartphone and Tablet Featuring VIA Plus for Even More Entertainment Freedom

- Part of the VIA Plus Ecosystem, the VIZIO smartphone and tablet Feature a Unified and Intuitive User Experience to Simplify Today’s Connected Lifestyle

- The VIZIO smartphone features a 4″ high-resolution capacitive touch screen with 5 Megapixel camera for photos and HD video capture, and a front-facing camera for video chat

- The VIZIO tablet boasts an 8″ high resolution capacitive touchscreen with 3 speakers for stereo audio in portrait or landscape mode and a front-facing camera for video chat

- Both devices include HD video playback with HDMI video output, high quality audio processing and built-in universal remote control app that make these the ideal handheld companions to the HD entertainment experience

Irvine, CA-January 3, 2011 – VIZIO, America’s #1 LCD HDTV Company*, announced today it is expanding into the mobility category with the VIZIO smartphone and tablet (referred to as the “VIA Phone” and “VIA Tablet” below) — both part of the VIA Plus ecosystem, the next generation of VIZIO Internet Apps™, that features a unified, sophisticated and intuitive user experience across multiple CE devices including VIZIO HDTVs, Blu-ray players, smartphones and tablets.

“Both the VIA phone and tablet feature the highest performance coupled with innovative features that tie them into the media consumption experience,” said Matthew McRae, Chief Technology Officer at VIZIO. “And by integrating the VIA Plus user experience also found on our next generation TVs and Blu-ray devices, VIZIO is delivering the multi-screen, unified ecosystem others have talked about for years and never delivered.”

The VIZIO VIA Phone features a 1 GHz processor, 4″ high-resolution capacitive touch screen, 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS, a MicroSD card slot for memory expansion and HDMI output with HD video playback. It also features a front-facing camera for video chats and a 5 megapixel rear camera for photos and HD video capture.

The VIZIO VIA Tablet also features a 1 GHz processor, with an 8″ high-resolution capacitive touch screen, 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS, a MicroSD card slot for additional memory expansion, HDMI output with HD video playback, and a front-facing camera for video chats. It also boasts a unique three-speaker design for stereo audio in both portrait and landscape modes.

Both devices include a built-in IR blaster with universal remote control app for quick access to the entire home theater or nearly any other CE device in the home. Both run on the Android™ Platform, which will also allow users to access thousands of apps through Android Market™.

“As part of the VIA Plus ecosystem, the VIA phone and tablet are natural extensions of the HD entertainment experience that historically has centered around the TV,” added Mr. McRae. “Whether consumers are looking to enjoy content on the big screen, on their tablet or on a mobile phone, VIA Plus delivers on the promise of Entertainment Freedom for All by creating a rich and consistent user experience across all devices that’s accessible to everyone, from the power user to the casual browser.”

VIZIO will be demonstrating the VIA Phone and VIA Tablet in their private CES showcase at the Wynn Hotel from January 6 to 9, 2011.

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VIA Introduces $50 7-Inch Android Motherboard

Vizio’s VIA Smartphone and Tablet run Android, to be revealed at CES