Roughly two years since the introduction of the iPad, tablet computers have achieved smartphone status in at least one respect: model overload.
From the Motorola Xoom to the Samsung Galaxy Tab to the Asus Transformer, it is increasingly difficult for new versions of iPad wannabes to stand out.
A new release that moves the needle a bit is the Pantech Element. It sports an 8-inch touchscreen, which is smaller than the 10-inch iPad but larger than the 7-inch Kindle Fire.
The unique screen size is closer to the iPad in terms of viewable real estate for Web browsing, but offers some benefits found on smaller tablets. Those include easier two-finger typing while held in landscape mode (the iPad is simply too big for that) and ultra-portability. The Element weighs about a pound.(It’s worth noting that Apple is reportedly testing an 8-inch iPad.)
The Element is powered by Google’s Android Honeycomb operating system, which runs a little sluggishly even though the tablet has a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and 1 gigabyte of RAM. There are occasional, and very annoying, lags when scrolling through websites and switching between programs.
The device includes vibration technology that sends out a subtle pulsation when an on-screen button is tapped or the top or bottom of a Web page has been reached. The technology definitely adds to the tablet’s appeal, reminiscent of the shock feature included in many gaming joysticks.
The Element is billed as a waterproof tablet, which could potentially be helpful if you use the device on the beach or in a rainstorm, or if you have kids running around the house.
To support the waterproof design, Pantech closed off all ports on the device, including the headphone and charging ports. That means a clip needs to be moved each time the device is charged. It is a minor inconvenience, but one that arises daily. That’s the trade-off for the peace of mind that a coffee spill won’t damage your gadget.
AT&T holds exclusive rights to the Element, which is compatible with the carrier’s high-speed Long Term Evolution network. The LTE network is not yet live in the Denver area, though it’s expected to be lit up this year.
The Element costs $300 with a two-year service commitment that includes a data plan of at least $35 a month, or $450 without a contract. The device is best suited for active, on-the-go tablet users.
Andy Vuong : 303-954-1209 or
