Skytone Alpha 680 Android smartbook gets video review

We last heard of Skytone’s Alpha 860 smartbook back in May. Its main claim to fame was being the first Android netbook to be announced, despite somewhat anaemic specifications. The 7-inch (800 x 480) Alpha 680 is powered by an ARM 11 533MHz processor, 128MB RAM and 1GB of flash storage as standard. An optional upgrade to 256MB RAM and 4GB flash storage is possible. For those that want more, a SDHC slot is also supported.

Jason from Rockland got hold of a (garish) yellow Alpha 680 and shot some video impressions. Whilst the specifications may not be too grand, the form factor looks promising. It is a convertible netbook with touchscreen display and he demonstrated some touch features of Android. It does seem that it’s not entirely market ready right now, for example the accelerometer doesn’t seem to work. However, as a proof of concept it looks like something like this could take off with the right balance of hardware/price/design. Check out the video after the break. Read more

First pictures of Skytone’s Alpha 680 Android netbook

Skytone’s Alpha 680 7-inch netbook with 800 x 480 resolution screen won’t get too many people excited, especially with its anaemic specifications, its appearance is more symbolic than anything. It is the first known Android netbook and also one of the first ARM-powered netbooks we’ve seen.

We have already seen a video demo of the Alpha 680’s Android OS in action and we now have some pictures of the netbook in the flesh. These particular photos show a bright red 680 complete with swivelling screen as well as game controls mounted on the screen.

The Alpha 680 is powered by an ARM 11 533MHz processor, 128MB RAM and 1GB of flash storage as standard. An optional upgrade to 256MB RAM and 4GB flash storage is possible. For those that want more, a SDHC slot is also supported. The unit is expected to launch within the next three months for around $250. Click through for some photos of the Alpha 680. Read more

Video demo of Skytone’s Alpha 680 Android netbook

Skytone recently announced the first Android netbook, the Alpha 680, which is expected to be released in the summer for approximately $250. We now have a video hands on of the 7-inch convertible tablet, which shows the Android OS in action.

Obviously, Android is at the early stages in being ported from smartphones to netbooks. This shows in the video, in what is frankly a disappointing demonstration. The applications seems to run relatively smoothly, however each app seems to take the full screen which means only one application can run at once. It seems that the phone OS was just plugged into the larger 7-inch display, as the buttons and icons look huge.

As we discussed recently, ARM chips have limited flash video support right now. Therefore it is not surprising to see Android unable to support Flash. At the $250 price point, the Skytone Alpha 680 will have to do more to entice customers to part with their cash. Check out the videos after the break. Read more

Skytone’s Android netbook to cost around $250

Skytone announced the first Android-powered netbook earlier this week, when the Alpha 680 quietly appeared on the company’s website. Whilst this 7-inch netbook with 800 x 480 resolution screen won’t get too many people excited, especially with its anaemic specifications, its appearance is more symbolic than anything. It is the first known Android netbook and also one of the first ARM-powered netbooks we’ve seen.

More details on this ARM-powered convertible tablet have emerged. The Alpha 680 will cost around the $250 mark when it is released within the next three months. Whilst the Alpha 680 is going through final testing at the moment, final prototypes are expected in June. ARM executives hope that its chips will usher in an era of sub-$200 netbooks. The Alpha 680’s price-point is somewhat higher than that, but Skytone expects pricing to come down as it ramps up production. Read more

Skytone Alpha 680 – World’s first Google Android netbook

Almost from nowhere, the world’s first Google Android netbook has appeared from a Chinese manufacturer, Guangzhou Skytone Transmission Technologies, more renown for producing low cost netbooks targeted to kids. On Skytone’s website, you can clearly see the Alpha 680 which is meant to be a refresh of the Linux-based Alpha 600.

The Alpha 680 has a 7-inch screen with 800 x 480 resolution and is powered by an ARM 11 533MHz processor. Given its believed trade price point at $100, the rest of the specifications are very weak. The Alpha 680 comes with only 128MB RAM and 1GB of flash storage as standard. An optional upgrade to 256MB RAM and 4GB flash storage is possible. For those that want more, a SDHC slot is also supported. Read more