Intel is another one of these companies who have been around for sometime and know how to bring products to market. As a result, back in September Intel launched what they dubbed Intel Reference Design for Android (IRDA). In short, this program was designed to help lesser known OEMs to bring tablets and devices much quicker to market. This is achieved by Intel providing a list of pre-approved components and specifications. By signing up to this sort of program and sticking to Intel’s guidelines, OEMs are more likely to get their devices in user’s hands much quicker. However, one of the most interesting aspects of the IRDA program is that Intel promised any device under this program will receive Android updates two weeks after they were released to AOSP. So in short, Android 5.0 (Lollipop) hit the AOSP on November 3rd and therefore anyone buying one of these IRDA approved devices could expect Lollipop as early as November 17th. Fast huh!
So where can you get one? Is that what you asked? Well, it seems the first IRDA device has now hit the market in the form of the TrekStor SurfTab xintron i 7.0. Catchy name! This is a tablet by the German OEM TrekStor. As this is a German product it is probably no surprise that it is currently only available in Europe and via the German Amazon. If you are interested then the TrekStor SurfTab xintron i 7.0 comes with a 7″ screen with a 1280 x 800 resolution. Inside, the device comes with 1GB RAM and an Intel Atom Z375G Bay Trail processor. Memory comes in the form of 8GB internal storage as well as a microSD card slot. If cameras matter (and yes they do) then there is a 5MP rear camera along with a 1.26MP front shooter. The device is currently up for sale for EUR 129.99 which is roughly $160. So yes, not a great big spec device but also not a great big price.
Now before you all move to Europe just to get Lollipop quicker it is worth noting that although the device has just been announced and gone on sale it looks like it might already have sold out. You can still add-to-cart on Amazon although the shipping is being noted at least 2-4 weeks which suggest the initial stock might be gone. So if you do now try to buy the device you will get it after the suggested Lollipop update time-frame. It will be interesting though to see if the SurfTab does get the update by November 17th as promised. If so, it might be worth paying attention to future IRDA devices. Not only do they look to be cheaper units on the whole but also getting crazy fast Nexus-like updating. Is faster updates enough of a reason for you to try a new device?
