eFUN Intros $299 7" Next7 Tablet: 1GHz, Android 2.3

Here's an oddball. While most Android tablets hitting the market these days are doing so with Honeycomb onboard, eFun is trying something...different. Their new Next7 tablet steps down to the pocket-friendly 7" form factor (similar to the original Galaxy Tab), and offers a 7" capacitive screen along with Android 2.3. It offers built-in Wi-Fi, ASTRO File Manager (for sideloading applications), OfficeSuite Viewer, SlideME App manager and Kobo eBook Store.

It also uses a powerful 1GHz CPU, 4GB of memory, an SD card slot, 25 pre-loaded books, an MP3/photo viewer, built-in speakers and G-sensor. So, while you have to deal with Gingerbread, you are getting a break on pricing; it's set to sell for $299.99 starting this week. We're guessing that it'll be limited in functionality, but a $300 tablet with a 1GHz CPU? Hmmm, maybe Android 2.3 ain't so bad!

E FUN Announces Its Nextbook Premium 7 Android Tablet Computer, Available Now for Father’s Day

The First Model in the Premium Line of Android 2.3 Nextbooks, the Nextbook Premium 7 Comes With New Preloaded Software That Includes the ASTRO File Manager and OfficeSuite Viewer

WEST COVINA, CA – June 16, 2011 – E FUN, a consumer electronics designer and marketer of fun, easy-to-use lifestyle products, has released its Nextbook Premium 7 capacitive touch-screen Android tablet computer with Flash 10.1 support, just in time for Father’s Day. The 7” model, the first model in the Nextbook premium line, includes built-in Wi-Fi, an e-reader, Kobo app, SlideME application manager, and the new OfficeSuite Viewer and ASTRO File Manager.

“Our Nextbook Premium 7 Android Tablet is the first in our premium line of sleeker, faster models that can easily be taken and enjoyed anywhere,” said Jason Liszewski, managing director and vice president of sales for E FUN. “The easy-to-use touch-screen and built-in Wi-Fi make it the perfect tablet for the mobile lifestyle of today’s dads. Users can read their favorite book, browse the Internet, watch videos, download applications or listen to music, simply with a light touch or gentle swipe of a finger.”

The Nextbook Premium 7 features Google’s powerful Android operating system 2.3 and is fully upgradable with over the air (OTA) update capabilities. It also has a 1GHz processor, 4GB of built-in flash memory, a SD card slot to increase storage capacity, built-in speakers and a G-sensor.

With built-in Wi-Fi technology, Nextbook Premium 7 users can watch YouTube videos, listen to music, receive and send e-mails, or simply browse the Internet. Additional built-in features include a photo viewer, MP3 player, notepad, calendar, alarm clock, assorted games and other useful, fun apps. Thousands of third-party apps are also compatible.

Nextbook Premium 7 Preloaded Software Includes:

· Kobo eBook Store App: Users can easily download their favorite titles or choose from one of the 25 preloaded eBooks. The eBook Store has a selection of nearly two million titles, including New York Times Bestsellers, award winners, classics and more.

· SlideME application manager: Eases app downloading, management and purchasing with over 3000 Android applications.

· OfficeSuite Viewer: Gives users access to important documents and presentations on the go. It is the most complete document viewer application for Android devices, allowing users to open native DOC, DOCX, TXT, XLS, XLSX, CSV, PPT, PPTX, PPS, PPSX and PDF files and attachments.

· ASTRO File Manager: Makes it easy for users to copy, move, delete and rename files on their SD card, send files as attachments to emails, browse and create compressed files such as Zip and Tar files, backup and restore applications, manage running applications, and much more.

Accessories include an AC adapter, USB cable, a protective pouch and manual, along with an optional carrying case that is sold separately.

The E FUN Nextbook Premium 7 tablet computer has a MSRP of $299.99 and is available at online retailers June 19.