China-based InfoTMIC recently introduced an ARM-based SoC that has apparently been tapped to drive entry-level Android tablets priced at approximately $50.
According to CNX Software, the iMAPx15 SoC features 2 Cortex A5 cores (clocked up to 1.2 GHz) paired with a Mali-400 GPU (up to 400 MHz).
At a $50 price point or below, tablets equipped with the iMAPx15 SoC won’t support GPS or SATA, although they will stream full 1080p video, support HDMI out and run Android Jelly Bean (4.1). The tablets will also be equipped with a basic camera, as well as 2-3 USB ports.
It should probably be noted that InfoTMIC originally claimed the iMAPx15 SoC will power tablets priced as low as $35, although it remains unclear if the price point is accurate and pertains to devices sold individually, rather than in bulk. As such, $50 seems a much more reasonable price point, even if current-gen Android tablets (with higher specs) still have yet to hit the magical $99 price point. Still, it wouldn’t exactly surprise me if $50 Android tablets (of decent quality) could be found on the streets of China over the next year or so.
In other Android news, a company known as Remote Solution recently debuted a TV box designed to work with a mini touchscreen remote control and wireless keyboard setup.
According to Liliputing’s Brad Linder, the remote is basically a tiny tablet with direction buttons and dedicated hardware buttons.
As expected, most of the action occurs on the touchscreen, where users launch apps on their TVs, move an on-screen cursor by swiping fingers, type on an on-screen keyboard, or enter voice commands. Interestingly, the remote is designed to fit into a slot on a full-sized wireless keyboard which can be used for faster text input.
Specs? A 720 MHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor, 512MB of RAM, 2GB of storage and Android 4.0. Additional features include a 3.5 inch, 480 x 320 pixel touchscreen display, WiFi, Bluetooth and an IR port.
