Google's tablet Android Honeycomb will be updated to
3.2 in the "
next few weeks" for tablets like the Motorola XOOM, but the new version also brings 7-inch screen size compatibility, and support for Qualcomm chipsets, which means that tablets like the
HTC EVO View 4G or the
Asus Eee Pad MeMO 3D will be able to take advantage of it.
In that line of thought, the
7" Acer Iconia A100 tablet, which got delayed, is now appearing in Walmart's inventory system for $349, evidently about to hit shelves some time this summer. The display stickers still say Android 3.0 Honeycomb, so we are wondering if the delay was actually due to waiting for Android 3.2, or just manufacturing/logistics issues.
7-inchers with Android 3.2 Honeycomb, however, are not about to hit before August, when slates like the
Huawei MediaPad are expected to launch. Updates to existing 7-inchers like the
HTC Flyer, should start being rolled out around that time as well, if the
tablet Sense UI doesn't get in the way of timeliness.
Android 3.2 Honeycomb will be the last Android version before
Ice Cream Sandwich, which will be merging the tablet and smartphone experience together. Besides different screen size and chipset support, Android 3.2 will have updated Movie Studio, as well as Movies and Music aps, not to mention the widgets, which are also poised for an update, and improved hardware acceleration.