Linx Commtiva N700 tablet brings cheap Android 2.2 jollies to Three
Want an Android 2.2 tablet but don't have the heap of cash you need right now? Forget loan sharks -- Three has you covered with the Linx Commtiva N700.
Who likes tablets? Everyone! But they're so expensive. Cash-strapped technophiles eager for some touchscreen computing action should listen up, because the Linx Commtiva N700 on Three will set you back a mere £99 initially, then £25 per month on a 24-month contract, with 15GB of data thrown in for good measure.
Maths enthusiasts will have spotted that the total cost over two years of the oddly named Commtiva will in fact end up at around £700, which isn't that cheap -- but you do get to spread the cost over two years, so if you don't have the upfront wonga to splash out on the Samsung Galaxy Tab or an iPad, this could prove a viable alternative.
The Commtiva N700 is a 7-inch affair (the same size as the Galaxy Tab) with a capacitive touchscreen with a 800x480-pixel resolution. There's a 3-megapixel camera round the back, and it weighs 375g, which again is about the same as the Galaxy Tab.
The only disappointment in those specs is the screen resolution, which is rather low for the size, and could make for a slightly fuzzy display. We'll let you know as soon as we get our hands on a review sample.
The best news is that the Commtiva N700 is running Google's Android operating system, version 2.2 Froyo to be precise. It might not be the hot new tablet-specific 3.0 version, but you'll still get access to thousands and thousands of apps via the Android Market, and because it's version 2.2, you'll be able to watch Flash video in the Commtiva's browser. Sweet.
The Commtiva N700 is available right now, should you feel the urge to acquire one. It's unlikely to be as slick as high-end tablets like the Tab or the iPad, but it looks like one of the better affordable Android tablets we've seen. Look out for a full review soon.
Update: A previous version of this article claimed the Commtiva N700 was made by Samsung, which was due to an error in a press release from Three. It's actually made by Basingstoke-based Linx.