honeycomb

How to get Swype on your Honeycomb tablet

Swype 3.0 beta was released in June of this year and officially began support for Android 3.1 Honeycomb tablets. Here's how to sign up for the open beta (for now) and get the popular keyboard replacement app onto your Honeycomb tablet:

This How To is broken down into four sections:

Allow installation of non-Market applications Download and install Swype Installer app Install Swype keyboard app Enable Swype Allow installation of non-Market applications

Since Swype 3.0 beta is not available through the Android Market, we need to allow applications from unknown sources to be installed on the … Read more

How to take screenshots on your Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 lacks a native screenshot app. If you don't want to root your Android Honeycomb tablet but still want to take screenshots, here's how:

USB drivers, JDK and Android SDK

Step 1: Download and install the the Samsung mobile USB drivers.

Step 2: Download and install the Java Development Kit (JDK) from Oracle.

Step 3: Download and install the latest Android Software Development Kit.

Step 4: At the end of the Android SDK installation, choose to start the SDK Manager. After it's done searching for packages, click the Close button.

Step 5: … Read more

Get an Acer Iconia 10-inch Android tablet for $299.98

Been eyeballing a tablet? There are some pretty spiffy new models hitting the streets right now, most of them powered by Android Honeycomb. Alas, prices start at around $400--less than what you'd pay for the low-end iPad 2, but still pretty steep.

If you have a Staples store near you, you can save $100 on nearly any tablet using this printable coupon. Yowza! That translates to some of the best tablet prices anywhere.

For example, the Acer Iconia A500 10-inch Android tablet sells for $399.98, but when you stroll in with your coupon, you can walk out with … Read more

ThinkPad and IdeaPad K1 Android tablets, hands-on

You can now officially add Lenovo to the list of computer manufacturers pushing out Android tablets this year. In fact, put the company down for two.

Meet the Tango & Cash of tablets. The ThinkPad Tablet is the business-minded one of the pair, with its optional digital pen and suite of DocsToGo software. The IdeaPad K1 is the party animal, with certification for Netflix streaming and a SocialTouch app that puts all your social networks within easy reach.

Both tablets are set for major release in August, though the IdeaPad K1 can be ordered directly from Lenovo and select partners starting today. The base price on the ThinkPad Tablet is $499 (16GB), and the IdeaPad K1 starts at $449 (16GB).

For the ThinkPad, that $499 gets you a Wi-Fi-only connection to the Web. Other options, such as 3G data modules, preinstalled software, and keyboard portfolio cases, can all be added to your bill. An extra $30 will get you the N-trig digital pen, which can be neatly tucked away inside the tablet frame. Because Lenovo is ultimately targeting the enterprise market with the ThinkPad Tablet, it can be tailored in hundreds of different ways to suit the need. So whether you need VPN-secured desktop virtualization software, or a custom app store filled with company-approved software, Lenovo has your back. … Read more

HTC's 10-inch 'Puccini' tablet clears FCC with AT&T bands

The rumored HTC Puccini 10-inch tablet has surfaced once again, and it appears the follow-up to the HTC Flyer is headed to AT&T, possibly later this summer.

This is based on recent FCC filings that show an HTC tablet with support for AT&T's GSM 850 and 1,800MHz frequencies, as well as the carrier's 4G LTE network. AT&T is in the beginning stages of rolling out its LTE network and is expected to launch it in five major markets this summer: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and San Antonio.

It's not yet … Read more

First Take: Sony S1 and S2 tablets

Sony has taken some heat for being late to the tablet party, but we cut it some slack the minute we glimpsed the S1 and S2 tablet prototypes back in April 2011. Both tablets promise a unique spin on what has so far been a series of cookie-cutter 10-inch Android tablets. Sony may be late, but at least it's bringing something special.

Though they won't hit shelves until the fall, we were lucky enough to get our hands on both tablets today. Sony is mum on pricing, but given Sony's history, we think it's fair to say these tablets will not be positioned as a cheap iPad alternative. To give each tablet sibling its fair time in the spotlight, here's our separate take on each of Sony's Honeycomb tablets. … Read more

How to erase and restore a Honeycomb tablet

Tablets running Google's Android 3.0 Honeycomb software do an amazing job connecting you to all of your personal online accounts. But how do you remove all of that personal information once you're done with it? How do you literally wipe the slate clean?

In this How To, you'll learn about erasing an Android Honeycomb tablet and restoring it to its factory settings.

Free Amazon app of the day, June 21

You bought it from the games marketplace on the Xbox 360. You've played the demos and flash versions of it on the PC. Now, you can it get for free on your Android smartphone or tablet. The last of three PopCap exclusives to be released in Amazon's Appstore for Android is none other than Peggle, and it's the free app of the day.

A couple of things before downloading: As with all three PopCap exclusives, Peggle is a Wi-Fi-only download and the file size is approximately 75MB. Once installed, just move it over to your phone's SD card, and the internal file size gets considerably smaller (just mere kilobytes).

Some of what you can look forward to are: 55 standard levels and 75 grand master challenges; Adventure, Quick Play, Challenge, and Duel modes; the ability to replay your memorable moments; and new tricks, like Off the Wall, Double Long Shot, and Extreme Slides, earn you more bonus points.

Suffice it to say that it will work on the majority of Android phones to date. The app is supposedly not optimized for tablets--pixelation may occur--but if you have one, try anyway. It's free!

If you find yourself having a problem with downloading the game directly through your smartphone or tablet, here is a workaround:

Go to Amazon's site and log in to your account. Hover to Amazon for Android tab on the sidebar to the left. Click Apps. Click on the image of the app of the day (which takes you to the page) and on the right side you'll see a Get now with one-click button. It may warn that you're buying an app that may be incompatible with your device. Just click OK (and buy). It'll start to download in your account on the PC. Once it's done downloading, you can then install through the Amazon Appstore on your phone.… Read more

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 accessories, hands-on

For those of you considering a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Honeycomb tablet over an Apple iPad 2, we have some good news and bad news.

The good news is that Samsung is offering accessories for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 that match Apple's offerings. There are cases that convert into stands, tactile keyboard, and even a charging dock with multimedia connections.

The bad news is that--just like Apple--Samsung's tablet includes just one universal dock connection that requires pricey adapters for the privilege of connecting to a TV or loading images from SD cards.

If you're curious … Read more