KMart stocks a $150 Android tablet

Cheap Android tablets are officially starting to show up in the US. While we’re still waiting for higher end devices like the Dell Streak to go on sale, dirt cheap tablets running Google Android have been hitting the streets in China and other Asian countries for the past few months. Some of these cheap tablets are even available in the US thanks to companies that import goods from overseas. But now it looks like you may not even have to resort to ordering from obscure retailers to get your budget Android fix. Because Kmart is selling an Android tablet for $149.99.

The tablet in question is the Augen GenTouch 7 inch tablet. According to the company web site, it features an 800 x 480 pixel display, an 800MHz CPU, 256MB of RAM, 2GB of storage and WiFi, as well as an SD card slot. The tablet runs Google Android 2.1.

For $150, I wouldn’t bank on this tablet coming with top notch support, software updates, or other features you’d expect from a name brand device. But for $150, who cares?

Out of the box, this tablet probably won’t be able to access the Google Android Market, but you should be able to copy APK installer files to the tablet using a USB cable to install third party apps. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the Android hacking community eventually came up with an unofficial way to add Android Market support. (Yes, I know the Augen web site says you can install over 70,000 apps with just the click of a button, but I’d be shocked if this thing has Android Market access. Someone buy one and prove me wrong).

Update: While the Augen Android tablet appears to be in short supply at KMart retail locations at the moment, it looks like many folks are spotting a $99 Android powered netbook from Augen.

Update 2: Well, there does seem to be some evidence that the Android Market comes preloaded, although it doesn’t actually work yet.

via Android Guys

Posted on Monday, July 26th, 2010, 4:37 pm by Brad Linder

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http://liliputing.com/ Brad Linder

Don't get me wrong, Google will eventually add market access for tablets.
But I would shocked if a cheap Kmart tablet was the first to get it.
John Morris

I dunno, try clicking the link to the manufacturer's webpage. First paragraph extols Android Marketplace as a feature. I'd say it either ships with access to the Android Marketplace or somebody is about to get the ever lovin' poop sued out of em.

Looks like another pet meme around here is about to be toast. Every Android device had to suffer through bitchin' and moaning about Android Marketplace.

Every netbook that shipped with Linux went through the same cut/paste bitchin' about being crap since it couldn't run Photoshop. That one died out when Linux as an OEM preload pretty much disappeared.
http://scottsoapbox.com Scott

I will buy it and prove you wrong! ;P Maybe.

Seriously tho if this shows up in my local Kmart I will get it just to try it… (return policies are great
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Xn2thedarkx

i see that intepicture t has n app for the skype mobile… i wonder if you can turnitinto a phone.. something to also look into.. if anyone buys one anddecides t try it let me know
http://home.comcast.net/~tomleem/ BigGoofyGuy

IMO; it is affordable enough to give it a try. I will look for a K-Mart to see if it has it. It looks like some thing one would not mind taking to wifi hotspots to or on trips where one does not want to carry another computer.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Stephen-Merritt/100000034748129 Stephen Merritt

Went today to get a rain-check for the tablet since none around here has even got them in stock, & they had a Augen android laptop( 3 of em) , which the specs are not even on the Augen website yet, just a blank page.

On the box, Said it had android 1.6, 400mhz via 8505 (probably the 350mhz you usually get)

128mb of ram, very similar to the windows ce chinese laptops.
7″ non touch screen, $99
peterkirn

Yeah, I'd say the spec is simply wrong.
Cestmoimy

3 people at KMart cash check out in electronics section today, at the same time looking for the unit. It is on the KMart Sale flyer front page today at the store for $149.99… and the store had none in stock, manager didn't know when they would get them. I asked why those that were there wanted one? Ans: A) don't need or pay for cell phone, but wanted a device that could do what the friend's “Android Phone” did, only via WiFi connection. Didn't need the Cell phone web access. Just wanted a portable Android device that did cool things like friends phones do. What kind of touch screen does it have?
Anon

When will it get the Android 2.2 update? And how? Android 2.1 just is not what Android 2.2 is at all. We want Android 2.2 update anyone know if one is available for this unit?

What kind of touch screen ?
How much battery life per charge does it have?

Product Features
•800×480 color TFT touch panel screen
• CPU: 800 Mhz
• Ram: DDR2 256mb
• Internal Memory: 2GB
• Expansion Slots: SD/MMC card slot up to 16GB
• Wi-Fi Connectivity with Full Web Browsing Capability
• Supports Ebook Formats: Text, PDF, E-PUB, HTML
• Supports Media Formats: MP3, WMA, FLAC, AAC
• Supports most popular E-Book formats
• Picture Viewer in JPEG, BMP
• Video Player
• Rechargeable Lithium Battery
• Carrying case included

Accessories Included
• Leather Carrying Case
• USB Cable (for data transfers only)
• UL Certified AC Adapter
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http://home.comcast.net/~tomleem/ BigGoofyGuy

I have bought it and have given it a try. I have not been able to download anything to it. I tried the upgrade but I think I killed the tablet. I was suppose to hit the reset button but it gave a sizzling type sound. Augen US wanted $20 to install the upgrade if I could not provide the receipt. It might not worth trying to fix. I have found sites that indicated they returned it to K-Mart since they thought it was not worth keeping.

KMart stocks a $150 Android tablet

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