Well, well, well, what do we have here? Looks like a new mid-range tablet joiner, courtesy of the talented Sony engineering team. The slate, which goes under the “Xperia Z3 compact” moniker, is Sony’s latest and greatest device, featuring a slim 6.4-mm(!) profile and chassis design, as well as 3GB of RAM, along with a powerful 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor plus a 1080p TILUMINOS screen display on top. The 8-inch tablet is waterproof and well protected (IP65/68) and has an 8.1-megapixel rear camera and a 2.2-megapixel shooter up front. For battery life, it will offer up to 13 hours of video playback, as well as LTE network, and a new PlayStation 4 Remote capabilities, allowing you to play your latest games away from the tele. It will run under the Android 4.4 KitKat operating system right out of the box and you’ll be able to nab one sometime in the Fall. Prices are yet to be released.
All posts by Nir Shein
Asus To Launch a Sharper and More Powerful MeMo Pad 7 Tablet
IFA in Berlin is just around the corner and Taiwanese electronic giant, Asus is already gunning for everyone else with a new iteration of the popular Memo Pad 7. First and foremost, I have to admit that I personally own this one particular device myself, and truly love it. However, while the former model was featuring less pixels at 1280 x 800 screen and a relatively sluggish ARM Cortex-A7 processor under the lid, the latter excels in all relevant hardware specifications, from the new 1.83GHz quad-core Z3560 Intel Atom chip onboard to the super stunning 7-inch display with 1,920 x 1,200 pixel resolution and 323 ppi.
The new Memo Pad 7 measures in at just 8.3 millimeters and weighing only 269 grams. The Android 4.4 KitKat tablet, which comes loaded with the ZenUI interface and is known as model number ME572C/CL, said to be equipped with 2GB of RAM, your choice of 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, optional 4G LTE wireless connectivity, and a MicroSD card adapter for extra memory if needed. In addition the upcoming slate, which is expected to go on sale “in the next few weeks” in the UK, and will cost around £179 (around $260) for the 16GB version, also features a 5MP rear camera, a 2MP front-facing camera and SonicMaster-enhanced stereo speakers.
Design wise, If you are interested in looking at this part, the tablet feels well-designed and very expensive, if you will. You get this delicate and trendy purse-like shape all over the place, with some stylish fancy colors (such as champagne gold, black, or burgundy) coating on the back of the tile.
The Asus Memo Pad 7 is a neat mini tablet that attempts to compete with the iPad Mini and the Google Nexus 7, but at a much lower price. If it can do that, it should succeed because the need for a good budget tablet will be there.
Hit the play button to watch the video
[youtube id=”dIudY1Kke1E”]
VIDEO: New iPhone 6 Purportedly Built Using Leaked Parts
As we’re getting close to the next Apple event, which takes place on September 9, the rumor mills ablaze around the clock. However, it seems there’s more than that if you come to think about it. Thus, the latest news and rumors about each of Apple’s products were pretty much spot-on in terms of everything on the technical side and overall design. A fact which frankly makes us hope and believe that the latest leak of the 4.7-inch iPhone 6, from Russia-based YouTuber Rozetked is actually very close to the real Apple deal.
The hands-on video which was recently published online, presents an iPhone 6 that has been assembled from different leaked parts, and the results are truly amazing, to say the least. Probably the best we’ve ever seen so far. The video suggests that the next iPhone – possibly called the iPhone Air – will likely include a dual-band antenna on the back, as well as nice curved edges, a relocated power button, redesigned speaker grills and your very familiar choice of colors including black, white, and the special space-gray.
Hit the play button to watch the action.
[youtube id=”657UeODW178″]
[Via 9To5Mac]
Archos Announces the ’80 Cesium’ a Cheap Windows 8.1 Tablet
French hardware maker Archos is making its first foray into the Windows tablet market with a new device called the 80 Cesium that features an 8-inch display with an 1200×800 resolution and a 1.2Ghz Intel Quad-core processor. The new slate, which the French corp describes as “the user experience of your desktop on the go” is said to be available sometime in October with attractive prices that will start at $149. And while most details are scarce at the moment, we are told that it’ll boast the usual wifi and bluetooth connectivity, as well as a micro-USB input and integration of accelerator and proximity sensor components inside. The images also indicate that front- and rear-cameras will be present on the device, though it is still unclear about the specs and features completely. The software platform under the hood is Windows 8.1, that’s for sure, and we hope to hear more details about it at IFA.
[Archos]
Apple Sends Invitations For September 9 iPhone 6 Event
Apple has just sent out the anticipated invitations to its next event, which is going to be held on Sept. 9, 2014 at 10:00 am. The title under the date says: “Wish we could say more” — What does it mean? Well, we clearly don’t have a clue at the moment, but the company is expected to announce a larger iPhone lineup with 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screens. In addition to that, the Cupertino-based giant may also introduce its upcoming smartwatch, also known as the iWatch. We’ll be reporting live on September 9.
So, what do you think? Will Apple’s next device announcement showcase a wristwatch, new set of iphone devices, Apple TV 4 or else?
Update: I think we’re really on to something here: If Apple is going to officially announce iOS 8 (which it already did unofficially), the 8 sign is that of eternal and continuous spiral motion. In other words, it looks exactly like eternity, a state to which time has no application, or a smartwatch, if you will. Now, if you take a look at the Apple invitation, they’re only showing the part of the Apple logo that looks like an 8 laying down, no?
13 Brands and Institutes That already Use Instagram’s New Hyperlapse App
Instagram has recently released Hyperlapse, a standalone app for taking time lapse videos on the iPhone and iPad devices. The app which already ranks #3 on the Apple App Store, is a very simple, yet sophisticated tool that lets you capture high-quality time lapse videos at a lower frame-rate than usual, but with a built-in stabilization technology that lets users create moving, handheld time lapses at a glance. Simply open up the app, tap to record video, and then choose the video speed, which can be varied from 1x to 12x, and tap again to end the session. Videos are given the opportunity to be shared directly to Facebook or Instagram.
We designed Hyperlapse to be as simple as possible. You don’t need an account to create a hyperlapse. Instead, you open up straight to the camera. Tap once to begin recording and tap again to stop. Choose a playback speed that you like between 1x-12x and tap the green check mark to save it to your camera roll. You can share your video on Instagram easily from there.
Instagram says that inner technology behind the Hyperlapse app is based on a video stabilization algorithm called Cinema, which basically helps us regular users to smooth our shaky videos out in a snap, and make them look very slick and professional. It’s like a “$15,000 video setup in your hand” said Wired and we couldn’t agree more.
[vimeo id=”104409950″]
We also witnessed a few popular brands and institutes that immediately decided to try the new app. It’s definitely a risky move from the marketing perspective, but you should know that whether you win or lose, at least you’ve done your best to engage with your audience in a fun and creative way.
Here are 13 brands already using the Hyperlapse application:
MERCEDES
Bud Light
THE WHITE HOUSE
Sonic Drive-In
NAKED JUICE
Polyvore
Sydney Opera House
Burton Snowboards
Taco Bell
Mountain Dew
Drink Arizona
Foot Locker
COSMOPOLITAN
If you have stumbled upon any other great examples of brands using Hyperlapse, please post them in the comments below.
Rumor: Apple To Release a 12.9-inch iPad Next Year
Earlier this year, reports suggested that a bigger Apple tablet could be released in the Fall. Today we get a little confirmation that the project is still very much alive with Bloomberg reporting that the Cupertino giant is set to launch a 12.9-inch iPad in 2015. According to various sources, close to Apple’s supply chain, the company is aiming at a bigger audience and will show another dimension of the popular iPad tablet next year, with production scheduled to begin by the first quarter of 2015. The leakers also reveal that a line of bigger screens is already in the works for at least a year now. Apple is rumored to hold a September 9 event where the company will probably unveil iPhones with screen sizes of 4.7 / 5.5 inches and an expected smartwatch gadget, but of course nothing has been made official by the company as of yet.
Leaked Footage of the iPhone 6 Back Plate Suggest New Logo and Hardware Rearrangement
It’s that time of the year again when iPhone rumors begin to circulate the internet, giving us the geeks and fanboys a special look at what appears to be the next upcoming device. Yes, the next iPhone is clearly on the horizon, but you should always take “leaks” with a little grain of salt. This time around, though, Apple is probably planning to launch two larger iPhone devices: one with a 4.7″ screen and another with a 5.5″ screen.
A new batch of leaked images sets the rumor-mill a-churning over the possibility of a bigger gold colored iPhone 6, tucked with some awkward bands around its back (probably to help with the wifi/bluetooth signals). The images also appear to suggest a different housing from the iphone 5S model, with a recessed logo area on the cover, plus a different hardware rearrangement for the purported iphone 6 (power button has moved to the side), with all pieces to lay inside a flat and thin surface structure.
Apple analysts believe an announcement on the new iPhone 6 will take place sometime around mid-September, with many suggesting it could go on sale later this month. Take a look at the following video:
[youtube id=”Jn35DkJdSdY”]
LEAKED: NVIDIA’s Next-Gen Gaming Shield Tablet (Update: Now Official)
Gaming company Nvidia has already been rumored to be developing a new gaming focused slate that could be running a Quad-core Tegra K1 processor inside as well as 2GB of RAM and a 7.9-inch screen display. While still unofficial, a leak courtesy of @evleaks seems to confirm the word on the street. So far, Nvidia was offering the Tegra Note 7 tablet as a way to highlight its Tegra 4 processor (which hasn’t been a huge success, btw) but now the company is looking to expand with more richer gaming experience and improved entertainment value of game (thanks to the Unreal Engine 4 capabilities).
A quick look at the picture above suggests that Nvidia’s next-gen Shield successor will probably be available in a gunmetal grey color, covering a front-facing VGA camera as well as a nice pair of stereo speakers along the top and bottom of its panel. The new device, which will run under an Android platform, is expected to launch before the end of the year.
Update1: Nvidia’s shield tablet is going up for sale in the US and Canada on July 29th, and in Europe on August 14th, with prices starting at $299 for the basic 16GB wifi-only model, and up to $399 for the 32GB device, including LTE 4G support. The gamepad accessory is another $59.
Update2: Now with an official video: and full specs:
Full specs:
- 8-inch “Full HD” 1920 x 1200 IPS LCD screen
- NVIDIA Tegra K1 SoC
- 5MP front-and-rear facing cameras
- Front-facing stereo speakers
- Black and Steel Gray colors
- Directstylus 2
- 16/32GB of internal storage, expandable up to 128GB via microSD
- WiFI a/b/g/n, Optional LTE
- 19.75 Watt Lithium Ion battery
[youtube id=”VohrddwVQqg”]
Apple Updates The iPod Touch With New Colors and Lower Prices
Apple today updated the iPod Touch lineup with the introduction of new vibrant colors and lower prices, making the perfect everyday music player an even better value. Now, starting at $199 for the 16GB model (instead of $229), the iPod Touch features a 5-megapixel iSight camera on the back, as well as several other colors including yellow, blue, silver, pink, space gray and red, plus the standard already-known specs which notably include a 4-inch Retina display, along with a front-facing camera, iOS 7 and Apple’s A5 processor inside. Finally, the other models (the 32GB and 64GB iPod touch), which were previously priced at $299 and $399, are now respectively priced at $249 and $299. The new models/prices are officially available in the U.S Apple store today and worldwide in the coming days.
[Apple]
LEAKED: HTC’s Next-Gen 8.9-Inch Nexus ‘Volantis’ Tablet
The Nexus 7 tablet is one of the best 7-inch slabs around. It is powered by Google Android OS and has a lot of great features at the price of $199. However, many reports have indicated an 8-inch version of the tablet will launch later this year. While there was no tangible evidence other than the rumors themselves, a new report from Android Police confirms the product might actually be real.
The report suggests an 8.9-inch HTC Nexus tablet, powered by a 2048×1440 screen, as well as a Tegra K1 processor, running under a zero-gap aluminum frame. The tablet which goes by the name Volantis is packed with a pair of cameras (3MP front, 8MP rear) that take pictures and videos just like real life forms. In addition it offers a choice of 16GB/32GB storage, along with 2GB of RAM, a bunch of high-quality stereo speakers, WiFi, Black/White casing, and an optional LTE connectivity aboard.
The tablet will launch later this year starting at $399 for the 16GB flavor.
Samsung and Barnes & Noble Announce Galaxy Tab 4 Nook
It’s been a while since we’ve last heard anything new from Barnes & Noble , but the company has certainly been putting its time to good use with a big update to its tablet lineup. The popular bookseller has just announced a new partnership with Korean hardware giant, Samsung. The two companies have signed a new strategic agreement that will help them build the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4. As per these, Samsung will be making the hardware, and B&N will provide the Nook software which will come pre-installed with the 7-inch slate.
And speaking about specs, what we know so far is that the upcoming mid-range device is likely to include a 7-inch display with 1280 x 800 resolution, powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, as well as 1.5GB of RAM, your choice of 8GB or 16GB of internal storage, a pair of integrated cameras (rear & front) and additional storage with a microSD card slot.
The co-branded Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK is said to be sold both in B&N stores and online at BN.com starting this August, with prices yet to be disclosed.
Update: Barnes & Noble officially launches the Galaxy Tab 4 Nook with prices starting at $179 and features that include a multi-window/tasking mode and an homescreen widget with recommended reading lists.
14 Groundbreaking Things Apple Launched At WWDC 2014
Apple kickstarted its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) with a traditional keynote that marked the launch of the new OS X Yosemite and the iOS 8. While the latest OS X got a design overhaul, now matching the flat design of iOS 7; Apple…
Dell Outs Two Android Venue Tablets, Starting at $160
Dell is refreshing its Android tablet lineup with two new budget offerings: Dell Venue 7 and Venue 8. The two slates which are considered as updated versions of the existing Venue series, will be powered by a more powerful processor under the hood and should be featuring Android 4.4 KitKat OS.
As you can guess, Dell’s Venue 7 is the 7-inch tinier model in the series, with 1280 x 800 pixels resolution that yields good color contrast, great for video, gaming, electronic books and browsing. It comes with 16GB of internal storage, as well as microSD card expansion (up to 64GB), 1GB of RAM, and pair of cameras, with the primary one at 5 megapixels and the front-facing VGA snapper at 1 megapixels overall. The commodity processor used in this model is a dual-core Intel Atom (Z3460) ‘Merrifield’ processor clocked at 1.6GHz, and the cost of the slab is ridiculously low – only $159.99 and not a single dime more. It weighs only 290 gm, and comes in swish black or red colors.
The Venue 8, is an obvious upgrade choice with 8-inch IPS display and a full-HD (1920×1200 pixels) resolution on top. It has the same set of cameras, only with a slightly bigger 2 megapixels shooter on the front. There’s a faster Intel Atom Z3480 processor inside, and the battery is of 4550mAh. It will go live online starting July 1 at $199.99 and the same variety of colors.
Toshiba’s Android, Windows 8 New Line Heat Up the Tablet Wars
Toshiba revealed on Tuesday a new line of Windows 8.1/Android tablets, at affordable and competitive price choices. The Japanese company, which has struggled to compete with the popular iPad and with Samsung’s Galaxy Tab series, has finally reached the point where it will be attractive to buyers. Yes, competition is the best way deliver what consumers want at the lowest possible cost.
Getting started with the Excite Go, this 7-inch slate offers rather low 1024 x 600 screen resolution but the tablet is packing merely 16GB of internal storage. Thankfully, there’s a microSD slot so you can add up to 128GB if needed. The Excite Go also runs Android KitKat OS, powered by a quad-core Intel Atom processor, and a battery that Tosh claims will last up to 8 hours on continuous use. The Go will normally retail for $109.99, but you will be able to nab one in early July for only $99. Not a bad deal at all for Toshiba, an international brand that offers high-quality products.
Moving on to the next batch, Toshiba is adding two more Windows tablets, the 8- and 10-inch Encore 2. The duo, which will start at $200 for the 8-inch and $270 for the 10-inch, are said to tout quad-core Intel Atom processors under the hood, as well as 1,280 x 800 IPS screens and up to 64GB of internal storage, expandable up to 128GB via microSD card slot. Toshiba promises up to 10 hours of battery life on average use, alongside a single-year subscription to Office 365 Personal package. Other notable features include an 802.11n Wi-Fi, together with a front-facing shooter plus a 5MP rear facing camera, tucked with an HDMI-output and a Micro-USB 2.0 port.
If any of you are thinking of buying one, let us know what you think.
Microsoft Announces New 12-inch Surface Pro 3 Tablet
Microsoft has officially announced the new Surface Pro 3 tablet, or what it calls ‘The tablet that can replace your laptop.’ Well, we’re not so sure it will be happening anytime soon, the way that Microsoft would probably want it to be, but it sure has evolved a lot since the days of the early model.
Microsoft has really spent the effort this time, to go after Apple. Particularly against the company’s Macbook Air. What are they trying to prove? Probably that you don’t actually need it anymore. For real. Especially now, that you can get the better (and lighter) option which was made in the form of the surface Pro 3. Oh, well.
As for the device itself, it has a beautiful 12-inch Full HD screen display (3X2 aspect ratio), with 2160 X 1440 resolution, designed to work with literally any stylus pen you’d get. Of course that Microsoft will provide you with one so there’s no need to worry too much about this part (as long as you pay another $49 for it).
The Pro 3 is slim, measuring in only 9.1mm (0.36 inch) in thickness and weighs only 800 grams (1.76 pounds) with no keyboard attached. It will come in three hardware configurations: Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7, with all versions to be available for pre-order starting tomorrow with prices as follows:
- i3-4GB RAM, 64GB – $799
- i5-4GB RAM, 128GB – $999
- i5-8GB RAM, 256GB – $1299
- i7-8GB RAM, 256GB – $1549
- i7-8GB RAM, 512GB – $1949
At this point we should mention that the Surface Pro 3 is about 1.2mm thinner than previous Surface variants, and is likely to be getting you roughly 10% more in performance. Battery life is claimed to be around 15%-20% better than any other Surface model.
Accessories wise, there will be a docking station with support for 4K display plus three USB 3 ports, two USB 2 ports, gigabit Ethernet, audio input/output, and a mini-DisplayPort connector, that will run you $199, as well as new type covers, redesigned with 68% bigger trackpad area. The kickstand on the back is now offering users a relatively comfortable near flat writing position that will bring the slab to an angle of up to 150 degrees. It’s particularly useful when you wanna get things done in the comfort of your laps.
Straight from the @Panos_Panay #SurfacePro3 dictionary. #lapability pic.twitter.com/9ewZftP5JA
— Surface (@surface) May 20, 2014
Surface Pro 3 Specifications
| Size | 7.93×11.5×0.36 inches |
| Weight | 1.76 lbs |
| Display | 12 inch 2160×1440 multitouch |
| Processor | Unspecified 4th generation (Haswell) Core i3, i5, and i7 options. |
| RAM | 4 or 8GB |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Connectivity | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0 LE |
| Cameras | Front and rear, both supporting 5MP still/1080p video |
| Ports | USB 3, microSD, mini DisplayPort, headphones |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, 256 level pressure sensitive battery-powered pen |
| Battery | 9 hours |
| Other | TPM 2.0, front and rear-facing microphones, Dolby-enhanced stereo speakers |
Update: Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 tablet now available to pre-order both in Europe and the U.S. (overall in 22 countries worldwide).
Check out the videos below
[youtube id=”1t7rSZT_77E”]
[youtube id=”mkKPt1gnl_0″]
second video is courtesy of expertzone
Xiaomi Announces Its First Ever 7.9-inch Mi Pad Tablet Device
Xiaomi, a company that I think is doing a lot of great things in the mobile phone market these days, has officially launched the Mi Pad, Its first foray into the wild world of mid-range Android tablet devices. It’s clear the Chinese electronics company wants to take some of the tablet profits away from giants like Apple and Samsung but will it translate to success on the field? Well, judging by design and specs it’s definitely a chance worth taking.
The tablet itself, which looks exactly like a colorful outline of the popular iPad Mini, packs a 7.9-inch 2048 x 1536 high-def screen (326 ppi), courtesy of Sharp, along with 2GB of RAM, a WiFi-only internet connectivity, your choice of 16 or 64GB of built in storage, as well as a microSD slot, supporting up to 128GB of extra portable storage.
Xiaomi’s Mi Pad tablet runs a new version of its own MIUI, based on Android 4.4.2 KitKat. It is also one thin and light product, measuring in only 7.5mm thick and weighing 360 grams. The battery of the Mi Pad is 6,700mAh and the company promises to deliver 11 hours of video playback and 86 hours of quality audio.
Some other parts of the upcoming slab include Nvidia’s next gen Tegra K1 SOC, featuring a 2.2GHz 4 plus 1 core CPU and a 192 core Kepler GPU. For imaging, there is an 8-megapixel rear camera with flash and f2.0 aperture and a 5-megapixel front-facing variant for those free video chat calls.
As far as retail pricing goes, the Mi Pad tablet will start at $240 for the 16GB version, and up to $270 for the 64GB flavor.
While the actual release date is still under wraps, the launch is expected in a few months period (perhaps in time for the holiday season). Meanwhile, we hear that the slate will go on a beta test program in China sometime in June.
Xiaomi MiPad specs
- 2.2 GHz NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor with 192-core Kepler GPU
- 7.9-inch (2048 × 1536 pixels) display at 326 ppi with Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- 2GB of RAM
- 16GB or 64GB of internal storage
- 6700 mAh battery
- Android-KitKat MiUI ROM
- 8MP rear camera with Sony BSI stacked sensor, 1080p video recording, f/2.0 aperture
- 5MP front-facing camera with f/2.0 aperture
- WiFi 802.11/b/g/n/ac Dual Band
[youtube id=”lVp34KQbAqk”]
LG Announces a Trio of G Pad Android Tablets
Today LG announced a trio of Android tablets powered by Android version 4.4 (KitKat), and soon to be available in various sizes ranging from seven to 10.1 inches (with LG admitting that “not one size fits all”). The new lineup will be categorized under the company’s G Pad series which already includes the 8.3-inch tablet iteration – whether with the Google Play addition or without it. The names are obviously going to suggest the tablet size in this case, and the package to be wrapped up with some basic LG software such as QPair 2.0 (direct calls and notifications from a paired smartphone) and the new Knock Code wake-up security platform. No word on pricing or availability but expect these to become official during the MedPl 2014 trade show which takes place this week in Monaco.
Next Generation Samsung Galaxy Tab Slates To Have Super AMOLED Screen Displays
By now you may be starting to think that you’ve seen it all this year, then BAM! Another variant in Samsung’s portable collection. The source of information this time is from SamMobile who claims to have obtained exclusive footage of Sammy’s next-gen series, also known as the Galaxy Tab S. And while the overall design may be somewhat somber, the line of specs is simply phenomenal.
Even though the possible release is still unconfirmed, the latest report indicates there are two versions of the Tab S tablet iteration: the 8.4-inch and the 10.5-inch, both equipped with a Super AMOLED display.
Unfortunately for us, most details are scarce at the moment, and we know only that the 10.5-incher packs a 1.9GHz Exynos 5 Octa processor under the lid, as well as Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, dual cameras, 8MP for the rear-facing one and 2.1MP for its front-facing counterpart, Android 4.4 KitKat OS, and a great large display on top with a massive resolution of 2560×1600 pixels.
Pricing and availability information has yet to be disclosed, though we might learn more very soon.
Microsoft to Announce an 8-Inch Surface Mini Tablet
Surface Mini rumors have been floating around the internet for quite some time now, but today it looks like those rumors may finally be getting an email confirmation which has been officially received in the form of a Surface invitation. Yes, Microsoft has publicly invited people to come and attend a special company event which will take place in New York City on May 20th, and where it is expected to unveil a brand new 8-inch tablet to the market with an ARM-based chip under the hood and a handy stylus pen. The tablet will probably compete with 7.9 inch iPad Mini and is expected to run a full version of Windows 8.1 OS. The price is likely to match the iPad Mini starting price of $299/399 as well, but these are only speculations at this early stage. Do stay tuned to find out more updates from us!
Acer Debuts New Line Of 7-inch Iconia Tab Android Tablets
The mid-range tablet market is heavily crowded with great devices. Acer today launched another addition to their Iconia Tab family of 7-inch tablets. The following, which will go under the Iconia One 7 and Iconia Tab 7 monikers, are said to replace some of the company’s previous market generations (the B1-720 and the Iconia Tab 7 1st gen).
The Iconia One 7
A new 7-incher with a nice bump in the screen resolution (1,280 x 800), featuring a faster Intel Atom Z2560 processor, 8GB of storage (16GB version will be optional as well), and Android 4.2 Jelly bean for the OS (KitKat upgrade to be available sometime in the future). Acer says the battery life in this slab will last up to seven hours of use time, and that pricing will likely begin at $130 when Canada/U.S. sales commence somewhere around May.
Acer Iconia Tab 7
The company has also announced a new iteration of the Iconia Tab 7, with a 1,280 x 800 screen resolution as well as a quad-core MediaTek chip, set to push this Android KitKat 4.4 device even further ahead in the tablet competition. Furthermore the slate will offer 3G HSPA+ networks, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, built-in GPS and your choice of Black or White hues with either 8GB and 16GB internal storage, starting at $205 for basic configurations.
Lenovo Introduces a Business Friendly ThinkPad 10 Tablet
Lenovo’s commitment to innovation continues with ongoing new product introductions, both on Android and Microsoft’s Windows 8 platforms. Today, we’re looking at a brand new 10-inch Windows 8.1 tablet, dubbed Lenovo ThinkPad 10, and which may be considered as a good complement to the company’s Thinkpad 8. In general, we’re talking about a 10-inch slate with a 1,920 x 1,200 screen, packing a 1.6GHz quad-core Atom Z3795 processor, as well as 4GB of RAM, and up to 128GB of internal storage. In addition, it has an 8 MP camera sensor resolution on the back, plus a 2 MP front-facing digital camera for video calling and selfies. Moreover, it supports 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC technologies, as well as 4G LTE, EVDO, and HSPA+ cellular networks (optional).
A diverse range of accessory bundle will also be available, including a Quickshot Cover, a tablet dock with 3 USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, Ethernet jack, and PXE boot support, and a separate keyboard dock and case if you like to type whilst on the go for instance. Price and availability are yet to be determined.
Update: Prices to start at the $499 range, with shipments to begin sometime in June.
[via TabTech]
The Next Big Thing in Job Recruiting? Check Out Your Mobile [Infographic]
Job hunting is not an easy task for any job seeker. Sometimes in order to get a desirable job you have to try very hard, especially in a tough economy like today. So what do you do to find your next gig? In most cases you will have to spend a good part of your morning browsing through a bunch of job portals online and via newspapers, or alternatively subscribe to receive them by e-mail and fax.
Using social media networks to find a new job requires more than passive use. According to a Linkedin survey 72% of job seekers view company pages for career opportunities while 64% browse for them on the company social media pages.
And while success of the web is evident through its dominance, the importance of mobile devices seems to be gradually taking over. In that regard, 7 out of 10 people search for jobs on their mobile devices with the numbers increasing substantially and steadily in the next two years.
Here’s some more details about this growing phenomenon, curated by the staff.com editorial team.
Staff.com – Connecting Great Companies with Global Talent
[Image Credit, Flickr, Maria Elena]
Apple iOS 7.1.1 Officially Released For iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch
Apple has just rolled out a new version for iOS 7. The update which is tagged as iOS 7.1.1 (Build 11D201) is now available for download via Software Update in your settings area, featuring some bug fixes to the operating system, as well as security updates. More particularly, this minor update is offering a noticeable improvement in Touch ID fingerprint recognition, a small fix to an issue with the Bluetooth keyboards used with VoiceOver commands, Safari support for new top-level domains, and a slow keyboard responsiveness bug fix.
The latest version fully supports Apple devices such as iPad 2 or later, iPhone 4 or later, and fifth-generation iPod touch.
This update contains improvements, bug fixes and security updates, including:
- Further improvements to Touch ID fingerprint recognition
- Fixes a bug that could impact keyboard responsiveness
- Fixes an issue when using Bluetooth keyboards with VoiceOver enabled
[Apple]
Video: Drop Test Samsung Galaxy S 5 Vs iPhone 5S, VS HTC One M8, Which Stronger
Now that both Samsung and HTC officially released their latest and greatest flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S5 and the HTC One M8, it is time to put to a test which of the phones is stronger enough to survive a random drop test. In this following video, the two has been put up to the test alongside Apple’s popular iphone 5S. Can you guess which model has managed to last longer? The answer may well suggest what would be a good investment for your money. As a reminder, the back of iPhone 5S is made of aluminium and glass, while the HTC One M8, is entirely made from a metal alloy and the rear part of Samsung’s Galaxy S5 is made from plastic. Check out the video below to see the result.
[youtube id=”NYgg6RMB6g4″]
Lenovo Introduces Four Entry-Level Android Tablets
It’s been a while since we last posted about a new budget-friendly device. Surely, we should have seen more of these available in the market, but not at the expense of quality and size, right? Well, depends on who you are asking I suppose. However, with that in mind the big news of today comes courtesy of Lenovo, where they have just revealed their latest collection of entry-level slabs. The new line, which is comprised of four different Tabs, the A7-30, A7-50, A8 and A10, comes equipped with a quad-core MediaTek processor under the hood, as well as Dolby-powered dual-front speakers and a version of Android OS that is yet to be disclosed.
The first model, which happens to be the smaller and weaker of the four, is the Tab A7-30. It has a 7-inch 1024×600 resolution display along with a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek processor, a 3500mAh battery, and a suite of low-resolution cameras (2MP on the back plus a VGS up front), with an optional cellular support.
Lenovo’s A7-50 really isn’t much of a difference except the slightly better 7-inch “HD” display which boasts 1280×720 screen resolution. Other than that it packs the same batch of cameras, an optional SIM card tray and an 8GB storage for all your media source files, including video, photos and audio.
The Lenovo A8-50, which you can see in the picture above, is said to be coming with a larger 8-inch HD display on board, coupled with 1280×800 pixel resolution along with a 5MP rear camera plus a 2MP camera on the front.
The last tablet in this series is the Tab A10, which runs a 10.1-inch wide HD screen at 1280×800 resolution. There’s also a larger 6340 mAh battery inside and the mix of cameras offers 2MP front-facing camera and a 5MP shooter on the back. It will be available worldwide from Q2 2014 for £169.99, while the other three will cost £99, and £139 respectively.
Is This Samsung’s Next Galaxy Tab 4 Tablet? (Update: Confirmed)
Serial leaker @evleaks has recently unveiled what is believed to be the next generation of Samsung’s mid-range Galaxy Tab iteration, the Galaxy Tab 4 — a great compliment to the company’s next 10-inch Galaxy Tab slate, which has just passed through the FCC today (dubbed as SM-T805), featuring a 10.5-inch display, as well as 2,560×1,600 screen resolution, Android 4.4 KitKat for the OS, and your choice of either Wi-Fi, 3G, or LTE models. The 8.4-inch Galaxy Tab version, which appears to go under the SM-T801 moniker, is likely to come with that similar gigantic 2,560×1,600 resolution, paired with a Samsung Exynos powerful processor and a minimal amount of in-screen bezel. More details to follow soon.
Update1: Samsung has officially confirmed the new batch of Galaxy Tab 4 devices, featuring the 7-inch Galaxy Tab 4 7.0, 8-inch Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 and the 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 4 10.1, and with a list of system specifications that includes a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU, 1.5GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, duo cameras at the 3MP and 1.3MP shooting range, Android 4.4 KitKat for the operating system, MicroSD slot, and LTE Category 4 standard support. The Tabs are scheduled to come out sometime this quarter in black or white hues.
Update2: The new line of Galaxy Tab 4 devices is finally coming Stateside, in 7.0, 8.0 and 10.1 inch sizes, with WiFi iterations to land in US shores on May 1st starting at $200 for the seven-inch slab, and up to $350 for the 10-incher.
[via Sammobile]
iPhone App Rollit Will Help You Sync Your Photos With Ease
Yesterday, a friend of mine was asking for my help. He was going through a simple iphone restoring process (from his iTunes backup) but, alas! when he finished the update he was surprised to realize that all of his photos had gone missing. Thankfully, he had a second backup of the iTunes backup, and all he had wanted was to upload those pictures back onto the Camera Roll.
Sounds very easy, right? Well, not exactly. When you sync your iDevice with iTunes, you can easily add or remove your photo albums back and forth. However, it does not export directly to the Camera Roll. iTunes just doesn’t let you transfer your photos in there, but in whatever album you had organized them into.
Camera Roll is like your temporary portable SD card, which needs to be cleaned up and wiped off from time to time. You can easily import photos from the Camera Roll directly to your desktop or laptop computers, whether via Apple’s iTunes or some other popular software solutions such as the iPhoto for Mac. Normally, it would let you sync in one direction, then you make a backup of your personal media libraries from your desktop to external hard drive storage.
But what if you insist to get your photos back to the Camera Roll? Well, that’s where you may have a problem. If your iTunes backup simply doesn’t work, you’ll need to find a different third-party solution. And that’s where the Rollit app can come to your help. It would clean up the mess of transferring photos or videos from your average desktop onto your personal iPhone, iPad or even your iPod — All of that in a matter of seconds (the total time taken may depend on the size of your album)
How does it work?
The app works through a regular USB connection which is 3x faster than your average WiFi connectivity. Simply connect your USB compatible device to your personal computer (no third-party software is required), fire up your iTunes, pick up your iDevice from the top menu bar , then choose the “Apps” tab page and scroll all the way down to the File Sharing area. Now, click on the Rollit icon to your left, hit the “add” button and choose any photo or video that you are interested in adding to your iOS device. At this point you need to mark them all (there’s no limit of size or number of transferred items and the app supports a wide range of multimedia formats, including jpg, gif, png, tif, tiff, bmp, bmpf, ico, cur, xbm, mov, mp4, m4v). Now that you have chosen the files, you can easily add them to the Rollit area where it will auto-sync with your Cupertino gadget. Select the items that you’d like to transfer to the Camera Roll, click the “Transfer” button aannd DONE! Your items will immediately show up again in your iphone/ipad/ipod’s Camera Roll. That easy. The app retains all the data, including metadata like Exif information or geo-location, and the media will be transferred in its full quality.
The app is $1.99 U.S., but here are 12 promo codes to the Technologer community. Enjoy!
[toggle title=”Promo Codes”]
KRREFJ7XY7K6
PMAJLXN3TMXA
6XJE4JWLPMKK
Y9TLKP69EL49
JW9L39HJMRE4
7LWEHNAY3FET
YWFKPE3FWN4W
77KLE6M47XEW
7NXJT6YNE9JE
FMHA9PRP33NT
NPYXHPFAAMME
9WXLW4JKRKNP
[/toggle]
iTunes Link : http://bit.ly/1j4dXXy
[youtube id=”vJ76glTEKcc”]
Video courtesy of chamanchlach
Google Announces Android Wear, Its Line of Android Smartwatches
Moments ago, Google announced that its popular mobile operating system, Android, is coming to your wrist in the form of wearables. Yes, Google is now officially getting into the smart watch race, and its doing it through a program they’re calling…
Microsoft Launches Surface 2 Tablet With LTE Support
Good news at last! Microsoft has officially announced that it will be releasing a Surface 2 with LTE support first thing tomorrow morning. The 10.6-inch tablet which touts a 1080p screen resolution, runs a Windows 8.1 operating system under the hood and said to be powered by AT&T’s 4G LTE wireless network. As part of the deal, the slab will go on sale for $679 with 64GB of internal memory, but the key point is that there is no obligation to the cellular company, as far as we know, however the slate itself does require an AT&T micro-SIM card to work properly. In addition, the new surface 2 tablet also supports LTE bands 4, 7 and 17, as well as internet access on 3G UTMS network and GSM 800/900/1800/1900MHz.
And while there’s still no word about a Surface Pro 2 with integrated LTE, the 4G Surface 2 will be sold exclusively at Best Buy and directly from Microsoft stores and MicrosoftStore.com. The tablet which packs a Tegra 4 quad-core processor inside comes equipped with a dual-position kickstand, paired with a full-sized USB 3.0 port, a 5MP rear camera and a 3.5MP shooter up front. Microsoft also keeps the “goodies box” from previous package, including a 200GB of SkyDrive storage for 2 consecutive years as well as unlimited Skype calls to landlines for one year long, in addition to Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 RT and Outlook 2013 RT.
Good luck in trying to get yourself one.
Apple Rolls Out iOS 7.1 Update
Apple has just released to the public iOS 7.1, featuring a number of notable changes including official support for Apple’s in-car CarPlay system, a manual control how long Siri listens to your mobile devices, some calendar tweaks, a few minor bug fixes, and some tiny bits of integrated functions, such as faster iphone 4 experience, continued user interface refinements, an HDR auto settings improvement, and additional changes to the OS control.
Apple users with the following devices will be able to download the iOS 7.1 update over the air (OTA) or via iTunes: iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPad Air, iPad mini with Retina display, iPad mini, iPad (3rd and 4th generations), iPad 2, and iPad touch (5th generation).
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3VLILsESFQ]
Here’s the complete list of fixes:
CarPlay
– iOS experience designed for the car
– Simply connect your iPhone to a CarPlay enabled vehicle
– Supports Phone, Music, Maps, Messages, and 3rd-party audio apps
– Control with Siri and the car’s touchscreen, knobs, and buttonsSiri
– Manually control when Siri listens by holding down the home button while you speak and releasing it when you’re done as an alternative to letting Siri automatically notice when you stop talking
– New, more natural sounding male and female voices for Mandarin Chinese, UK English, Australian English, and JapaneseiTunes Radio
– Search field above Featured Stations to easily create stations based on your favorite artist or song
– Buy albums with the tap of a button from Now Playing
– Subscribe to iTunes Match on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to enjoy iTunes Radio ad-freeCalendar
– Option to display events in month view
– Country specific holidays automatically added for many countriesAccessibility
– Bold font option now includes the keyboard, calculator, and many icon glyphs
– Reduce Motion option now includes Weather, Messages, and multitasking UI animations
– New options to display button shapes, darken app colors, and reduce white pointOther
– New Camera setting to automatically enable HDR for iPhone 5s
– iCloud Keychain support in additional countries
– FaceTime call notifications are automatically cleared when you answer a call on another device
– Fixes a bug that could occasionally cause a home screen crash
– Improves Touch ID fingerprint recognition
– Improved performance for iPhone 4
– Fixes display of Mail unread badge for numbers greater than 10,000
– Continued user interface refinements
[Apple, video by DetroitBORG]
MtGox Finally Makes a Public Statement About Its Shutdown
MtGox, the bitcoin exchange site that handled most of the bitcoin transactions online, and whose website went down on Tuesday after a ‘Huge Theft’ has just released a new statement clarifying the current situation. Here is the short statement in full:
Dear MtGox Customers,
In the event of recent news reports and the potential repercussions on MtGox’s operations and the market, a decision was taken to close all transactions for the time being in order to protect the site and our users. We will be closely monitoring the situation and will react accordingly.
Best regards,
MtGox Team
While it’s difficult to measure actual effects of the aforementioned text on the future of global bitcoin market, MtGox exchange has apparently decided to take its website down without ever taking responsibility for what may affect the outcome. From now on, and until a new notice is made, the Bitcoin-related payment processing company will suspend any further activities concerning the trade in the bitcoin.
Update1: According to a somewhat “authentic” yet unofficial slide that is floating around the internet and is called “Crisis Strategy Draft,” Mt.Gox has lost roughly 744,408 bitcoins due to theft, worth around $350 million. In addition, it says that the digital currency exchange has a future plan to rebrand itself as Gox.
Update2: The guys over at Fox Business have just confirmed with Mt. Gox CEO, Mark Karpelesthe, the authenticity of the slide (PDF) that recently leaked.
Update3: Mt.Gox has officially filed for bankruptcy protection ater losing 750,000 of its customers’ bitcoin savings plus 100,000 bitcoins of its own, worth together more than $450 million. In a press conference held after the bankruptcy filing, Mt. Gox CEO Mark Karpeles said that regretfully, all the bitcoins are GONE “due to weaknesses in the system.”
Update4: Mt. Gox source code just leaked by a Russian hacker with the nickname of nanashi_. It. The code, which has approximately 1700 lines, includes the Bitcoin class for Mt. Gox exchange and the transaction processing system that used to drive the online activity. The hackers also say that they have managed to obtain a 20GB treasure trove of customers’ personal data information, including passport scans and contact information (some belongs to the company’s employees).
Update5: Mt. Gox has filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy proceedings in the United State.
Check out the video for this action:
[youtube id=”NeuCuM9CkBc”]
[Image credit: Antana]
Lenovo Takes Wraps Off The Android-Powered Yoga Tablet 10 HD Plus
Lenovo’s Yoga Tablet 8 and 10, which only launched four months ago, are somewhat of a different breed in their appearance and design, featuring a long wide kickstand at the back and a curvy handle that’s not afraid to bend a few rules. Today, however, the company has slightly improved these fancy shamncy Android models even further with the addition of a better line of specifications. While the overall shape of the Yoga is preserved, the internal structure has been functionally upgraded.
The new version, known as the Yoga Tablet 10 HD+, comes equipped with a 10.1-inch 1,920 x 1,200 Full HD display, compared to the early model’s 1,280 x 800 screen resolution. This model features a quad-core 1.6GHz Snapdragon 400 processor under the hood, while previous slates were mostly based on a 1.2GHz MediaTek processor. Finally, the internal memory is doubled to include an integrated 2 gigs of RAM and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera vs. a 5-megapixel shooter on the first iteration of Yoga tablets.
Lenovo offers 16GB or 32GB storage configurations with the new Yoga 10 HD Plus. Moreover, there’s an optional 3G wireless connectivity as well as microSD slot expansion, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11n standard Wi-Fi, and last but not least, a massive 9,000mAh battery pack, with up to 18 hours of continuous run time.
Yoga 10 HD+ tablet is likely to be shipped with Google’s Android Jelly Bean version sometime in April with prices starting at $349 for the 16GB option.
[youtube id=”flZCgPbaNu8″]
Video courtesy of Mobilegeeks
HP Unveils ProPad 600 And ElitePad 1000 Windows Business Line Of Tablets
A new lineup of Windows tablets shine at Mobile World Congress 2014 — HP intros two of them for the business end users who are using Microsoft technology, the ProPad 600 and the ElitePad 1000. Both units are equipped with Intel’s latest Atom Bay Trail quad-core processors under the lid, 10.1-inch displays with 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution and a thin environmentally friendly cover of Corning Gorilla Glass atop. The two also offer a choice of Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Pro operating systems.
The HP ProPad 600, which is the cheapest of the two, will boast a WiFi-only platform, paired with a microSD card slot, micro HDMI output, dual 8MP and 2MP cameras, 2GB or 4GB of RAM configurations, Bluetooth 4.0, and pressure sensitive stylus for detailed drawing and easier navigation. The ProPad will be available in April with prices to be determined.
The ElitePad 1000 model, on the other hand, will be available in March with a starting price of $739. It packs pretty much the same specs as above but slightly better, with both 802.11 a/b/g/n wifi connectivity and 4G LTE radio support, as well as your choice of 32GB or 64GB of internal storage capacities, a much stringer 64-bit processor and the same sharp 1,920 x 1,200 screen on top. Of course, you will also have all the ports necessary for a daily work included inside, such as USB 3.0, microSD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack and an HDMI out for video streaming on your TV screen.
Update: HP has also unveiled an 8-inch Android tablet which is expected to sell for $170. The new device which falls under the obvious name of HP 8, is packing a mediocre 1,024 x 768 screen, along with, a quad-core ARM chip, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a 3,800mAh battery pack and an Android 4.2.2 pre-loaded for the OS.
Huawei Announces 7-Inch MediaPad X1 Android Tablet: Lightest in the World!
Huwei introduces a new 7-inch Phablet, Android tablet with a mobile phone function, which also happens to be the lightest in the category weighing in at just 239g and only 7.18mm-thick. As much as we would welcome any change or innovation in the global mobile market, a 7-inch tablet will always look preposterous as a “hold up to your ear” smartphone, right? While you could always use it as a tool in getting connected via mobile, the tablet part seems to be the main purpose most of the time.
But will the new slab be a player in an increasingly crowded market? Well, it’s definitely possible due to the increasing size of the manufacturing company and the top-notch quality of the internal specs. The name, if you were wondering, is the Huawei MediaPad X1 and it is likely to contain some of the greatest specs available in the market today, including a high-res 1,920 x 1,200 LTPS display (323 ppi) on top, alongside a 1.6GHz quad-core Cortex-A9 processor, 2GB of RAM and a Mali-450 MP4 GPU.
The MediaPad X1, which has an rigid aluminum frame, will also include a 5,000mAh battery pack, claims to provide up to 5 full days of work, as well as 802.11n WiFi connectivity, a HUGE breed of 5-megapixel f/2.2 front-facing camera plus a 13-megapixel f/2.4 shooter placed on the back. In addition, it will sport both 4G LTE network capabilities, WCDMA technology configuration and 3G connection wherever you go. There is also a healthy 16GB of built-in storage, expandable up to 32GB via microSD card slot.
The X1 which runs on Android Jelly Bean OS will be available in various countries around the globe such as China, Russia, Western Europe, the Middle East, Japan and Latin America from March 2014 for an unknown price.
Update: Huawei will also release a basic 7-inch tablet under the M1 moniker and with some entry-level specs, including a 7-inch 1,280×800 pixel HD IPS display, a rear-facing a 5-megapixel camera plus a 1-megapixel shooter on the front. Storage wise, you get the choice to choose between 8GB or 16GB capacities and up to 32GB expandable memory via microSD card slot. The M1 will be available in May for 299 Euros.
[youtube id=”yo171G-2kAg”]
8-inch Archos Helium 4G Tablet Breaks Cover
Archos has just taken the wraps off of the 80 Helium 4G tablet, an 8-inch follow-up to the well-reviewed French line of gadgets. And while, admittedly, this isn’t exactly an official announcement, the company decided to unveil the slate moments ahead of MWC 2014 where the tablet is expected to be seen for the very first time. The basic 80 Helium 4G offer is said to be featuring an 8-inch 1024 x 768 IPS screen, paired with a 1.2GHz Cortex-A7 quad-core processor, and an Android 4.3 Jelly Bean for the operating system. It will also include a 4G/LTE network support, with 1GB of RAM, a 5MP rear-facing camera capable of 1080p Full HD video capture, plus a standard 2MP front-facing shooter sitting up front. Moreover, the Helium, which is going to be priced at roughly $250, is cramming inside Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi and GPS for use with Google Maps and Navigation. We should get more details at MWC 2014.
Facebook Buys Whatsapp For $19 Billion
Holy wow! This is by far the most amazing deal of the year. Facebook just announced the acquisition of mobile messaging app WhatsApp for $19 billion. As a matter of fact it is much more than that, as the regulatory filing states. The popular app, which was founded by ex-Yahoo employees in 2009, has already raised about $60 million in funding and has more than 430 million monthly active users. Damn, that’s a lot! The deal includes $12bn in FB stock, $4bn cash, $3bn RSUs and a $1bn break-up clause, which brings the overall payout to roughly $19 billion in total.
Basically, there are no ads, no games, no stickers and no other gimmicks inside the app. In addition, the text messenger phenomenon is offered for a free download and after one year of free use, the service costs $1 per year. So what’s going to happen now?
In a recent blog post WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum said the following:
Almost five years ago we started WhatsApp with a simple mission: building a cool product used globally by everybody. Nothing else mattered to us.
Today we are announcing a partnership with Facebook that will allow us to continue on that simple mission. Doing this will give WhatsApp the flexibility to grow and expand, while giving me, Brian, and the rest of our team more time to focus on building a communications service that’s as fast, affordable and personal as possible.
Here’s what will change for you, our users: nothing.
And here’s Mark Zuckerberg’s official statement about the deal:
Post by Mark Zuckerberg.
Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet Specs Leaked (Now Official)
Another day, another @evleaks leak. This time it’s a new successor to the beautiful Sony Xperia z1 tablet, which happens to be registered under the name of Xperia Z2 (is anyone surprised?). If rumors are proven correct, the next Xperia iteration is likely to pack a SnapDragon 800 2.3GHz x4 processor under the hood, alongside a 10.1-inch 1920×1200 Full-HD Triluminos Display, with a system memory of 3GB RAM, and an internal storage capacity starting at 16GB and doubling at each step. The storage is obviously expandable via microSD slot expansion, and the camera features are top of the line as well. Apart from 8MP rear camera, the device also holds a 2MP secondary camera for video calling and runs on Android Kitkat 4.4 OS. And while the actual product photo is not available, It is also rumored to come with a very thin body measuring at 6.4 mm and it’ll also be enclosed in a waterproof body. More details to follow.
Update1: The guys over at @evleaks just posted an unverified image of the next Xperia tablet. Initial look and feel is very similar to the first generation, the Z1 tablet, only with some better specs. We look forward to learning more about this product at Sony’s Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona on February 24.
Update2: Mobile World Congress 2014 began yesterday in Barcelona, lifting the curtain of the upcoming Xperia Z2 tablet which Sony claims to be the thinnest and lightest waterproof slate in the world. Other than that, leaks were right on the spot with the new Z2 packing a 10.1-inch 1,920 x 1,200 pixel Triluminos display along with 3GB RAM, a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, dual 8.1/2.2-megapixel cameras, and a super slim chassis measuring in only 6.9mm thick. Naturally, it comes running the latest and greatest Android OS known as 4.4.2 KitKat.
[youtube id=”fA4dIRau5Mc”]
video courtesy of T3
Here’s What The Future of Mobile Will Look Like [infographic]
Mobile is a hot topic these days, everyone has a phone, or a smartphone for this matter, and wants to do all kind of daily stuff with it, from taking beautiful pictures to navigating your car, playing games, sending instant messages, emailing, and surfing the web; it’s all possible, even on a small mobile phone.
With such a promising given scenario, you’re always wondering how things are going to look in the future.
Three Mobile have used current data to predict ways in which mobile technology will change the way we live. Three estimate that by 2016, more than 309 billion apps will be downloaded to devices from the different app stores, by 2017, almost a billion of us will be connected through 4G technology, and that by 2020 more than 50 billion things will be connected to the internet, and by 2025, more than 5.4 billion people will be connected to the internet – 80% via mobile.
Clearly the future is bright for the mobile world and in the next few years we will see global adoption as this technology continues to develop. Check out the stats in this infographic:
View the latest mobile phones on Three
[Image credit: Jon Fingas]
Archos Unveils Three New Neon Android Tablets
French manufacturer, Archos, is once again aiming to reach out to the mass market with a variety of new tablets offered under the Neon moniker. The trio, which are expected to be announced just under $200, will pack a quad-core A9 processor, along with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage (expendable via microSD expansion up to 64GB), WiFi connectivity, and Micro USB 2.0. It has also been confirmed that the budget-friendly devices will run Android 4.2 Jelly Bean under the lid, paired with an integrated speaker, a built-in mic, an embedded G-sensor for device orientation, and a Lithium Polymer battery pack. The new Neon series is coming in three variants: the 9-inch Archos 90 Neon (800 x 400 screen resolution), 9.7-inch 97 Neon (1024 x 768 screen resolution), and the 10.1-inch 101 Neon (1024 x 600 screen resolution), while the first and third models will only include a front-facing VGA shooter which caters for all your video chat needs, and the second, the 9.7-inchers comes with an additional 2-megapixel rear-facing cam. U.S. availability is yet to be determined but in Europe, the tablets are already on sale.
[Archos]
Happy 30th Birthday Apple Mac
Apple is celebrating 30 years of the Mac today. The Cupertino company has revamped its website completely, including a page dedicated to the special event with a nice and interactive timeline that is walking you through the various models the company has launched throughout the years. In addition, there’s a special place where you can share with Apple some info about your first Mac, how did you discover it and what did you use it for.
Here’s the statement the company has released, along with the Mac’s 30th anniversary video
Thirty years ago, Apple introduced the Macintosh with the promise to put the creative power of technology in everyone’s hands. It launched a generation of innovators who continue to change the world. This 30 year timeline celebrates some of those pioneers and the profound impact they’ve made.
[youtube id=”Xp697DqsbUU”]
[Apple]
Samsung’s New 7-Inch Galaxy Tab 3 Lite Aims For The Low End Market
As if the mid-range tablet market isn’t crowded enough, Samsung is officially announcing yet another Android tablet, dubbed the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite. The new device, which has leaked just a few days ago, is packing a 7-inch WSVGA display with 1024×600 pixel resolution (170 ppi) on top. It’s good, but not as good as you would expect from a company like Samsung. We thought we’d see a 1920×1080 pixels screen instead, but since that’s not really a premium device, we’ll just have to settle for this!
Other than that by taking a look at its inner specifications, it still seems subpar to other major tablets such as the iPad Mini and the Google Nexus 7. With a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD card slot), Sammy’s new Tab 3 Lite may not be enough to satisfy your gaming itch, but most consumers will be very happy with it, I suppose. In addition, this Android 4.2 slab will come with WiFi-only and WiFi+3G variants; both to include a rear-facing 2-megapixel camera, and a 4-cell 3,600mAh battery pack.
No word on pricing and availability yet but it will be offered in a variety of colors when taken out.
[Samsung]
Lenovo ThinkPad 8 Breaks Cover! 8-Inch Windows Tablet Packs HD Screen and 2.4GHz Quad-Core Processor.
At CES 2014 — Lenovo has officially announced a new joiner to its burgeoning Windows tablet lineup. Once again, we’re looking at a mid-range 8-inch device which is expected to launch by the end of the month. What stands out about the display however is the exceptional high-def screen resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixel it has, while most other contenders have only 1280 x 800 pixel screens to offer (iPad Mini aside). The Thinkpad slate, which is conceptualized as being more for business use, comes with an 8.3-inch screen, 2GB of RAM, your interesting choice of 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB storage capacities, a micro-HDMI output, microUSB 3.0 port, a nice aluminum back panel, and an optional 4G LTE support. The device features a 2.4GHz Intel Atom Bay Trail processor under the lid, and its batteries will last for about 8 hours of continuous work.
The Thinkpad 8 is very thin, measuring in at 8.8mm thick (weighing in at 430g), and features a primary camera of 8-megapixels on the back, and a 2 megapixels one on the front. Naturally, as a business-class device, the Thinkpad 8 will come with some nice exclusive goodies for free, such as the Microsoft MS Office, and all the benefits that Windows 8.1 Professional offers, like Snap, Share, and so many more.
As mentioned, the tablet will be available later this month, with prices starting at $399 for the wi-fi only model. Lenovo is also offering an optional smart cover case called the “QuickShot cover” which will be available for a purchase online and in stores at roughly $50. The kicker of this cover is that it attaches magnetically at the side of the tablet (same as Apple’s smartcover), protecting the screen from scratches or damages and waking it up when it’s removed or putting it to sleep when it’s attached. In addition, you can easily fold back the cover to use it as a stand.
If you’re in the market for a new Windows tablet, you really should check out Lenovo’s new Thinkpad 8, it’s a wonderful device and definitely worth the purchase.
[youtube id=”YV732xJOra8″]
[youtube id=”kzA_1SWbsVI”]
Videos courtesy of Lenovo and Mobilegeeks.de
Asus Unveils New VivoTab Note 8 Windows 8.1 Tablet
Asus is ramping up its VivoTab lineup with a new 8-inch tablet. This portable handheld device, dubbed the VivoTab Note 8, runs on Windows 8.1 and has an Intel Atom Z3740 quad-core processor rocking under the lid, alongside a 1,280 x 800 IPS touchscreen, about 2GB of RAM, up to 64GB of internal storage, and a microSD memory card. In addition, the new slate will also pack a Wacom stylus pen that can apply up to 1,000 pressure levels, as well as a set of integrated cameras: 5-megapixel rear camera and an HD front facing shooter. The VivoTab Note 8 tablet is expected to be released between Q1 and Q2 starting at $299 for the 32GB model and only $50 more ($349) for a 64GB version.
Update: Microsoft officially starts selling the ASUS VivoTab Note 8 tablet in the US, with prices starting at $329 instead of the $299 price tag it was initially announced.
[youtube id=”pDJZel1JdHM”]
Video courtesy of Mobilegeeks.de
[ASUS]
8.4-Inch Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro Tablet Images Leaked (Update: Now Official In 8-, 10- and 12-inch Sizes)
It’s 2014, ladies and gents, and Samsung is obviously planning some big things to be announced later on! Not one of them leaked to the media, up until now. Today, however, we’ve been fortunate enough to learn of a new tablet device (courtesy of @evleaks) which will hopefully be a part of this company offerings real soon. The culprit, also known as the Galaxy Tab Pro, is said to be wearing an 8.4-inch WQXGA 2,560×1,600-pixel display atop, alongside a 2GB of memory and up to 32GB of internal storage. The slate is also packing Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box, and is likely to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor. In addition, we hear that the 8-incher may also be accompanied by a second model sized at 10-inch, and a third iteration sized at 12-inch tall. All three will be running the same operating system and rumored to be rocking the same screen resolution under the hood, while the larger models will also deliver an higher performance Exynos 5 Octa processor, with bigger memory and storage capacities. Finally, the 10.1 and 12.2 tablets are likely to be available in three connectivity options: Wi-Fi-only, 3G, and 4G LTE high speed broadband. Stay tuned for a lot more to come.
Update: Samsung has officially taken the wraps off of its three new tablets at CES 2014. The trio are measuring at 8-, 10-, and 12-inch sizes, when all three run the same exact Android KitKat OS on board (with the multi-window system), and are expected to include an impressive 2,560×1,600-pixel resolution. Sammy’s brand new Galaxy Tab Pro lineup will come in WiFi, 3G, and LTE variants. Options for internal memory will be in the range of 32 or 64 gigabytes, but the bundle includes a 50GB of Dropbox storage freebie. In addition to that, the back of each model is covered with some kind of a leather texture which would be cool to grab, alongside the Samsung Galaxy S-Pen Stylus Pen and two cameras: an 8-megapixel one on the back as well as a 2-megapixel one on the front. Last but not least, the Wi-Fi models are powered by Samsung’s Exynos 5 Octa chip while the LTE models will utilize Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800. Price and availability are yet to be determined.
[youtube id=”XKop29JrepQ”]
Video courtesy of talkandroid
[toggle title=”FULL PR TEXT”]
Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO series set a New Rule for the Tablet Experience at CES 2014
Extending the company’s innovation legacy with best-in-class media consumption and productivity capabilities
Las Vegas, NV – January 6, 2014 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled the Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO line of tablets, setting a new standard of mobile excellence, equipped with innovative and meaningful technology. Sporting four powerful devices in the lineup – the Galaxy NotePRO (12.2-inch), TabPRO (12.2, 10.1, 8.4-inch), Samsung’s Galaxy tablet portfolio redefines what a tablet can do.
“We created the Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO series to kick-off a year in which Samsung truly establishes its leadership in the tablet market,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics. “This new line offers the best-in-class content consumption and productivity, combining a stunning viewing experience with Samsung’s design legacy. The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO truly demonstrate our commitment to providing our customers with extraordinarily versatile product offerings, tailored to tablet users of every description.”
Providing users with an extraordinary display and a matching feature set, the Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO series bring premium style and powerful performance in a single device. Created to satisfy every possible type of user case scenario, the Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO combine a crystal-clear, WQXGA display for a world-class viewing experience, powerful productivity tools, and unique features with preloaded and free downloadable content, producing a superior mobile solution.
Introducing Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO (12.2) – the Definitive Tablet Viewing Experience
The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO present the world’s first 12.2-inch WQXGA Widescreen (16:10) display, offering crystal clear resolution (2560×1600) with more than 4 million pixels, making it an ideal platform for every type of content creation and consumption. With a larger viewing area, the defined screen allows users to enjoy stunning Full HD video play and view even more information at a glance. In addition to the industry-leading display, the devices have been designed with a sleek, light, slim frame that is both premium and highly portable.
A personalized Magazine UX, specifically optimized for a large screen, allows users to further tailor their Galaxy tablet experience for their own needs. The UX enables them to organize their favorite content in an easy-to-use dashboard with automatic feed or news updates and then quickly access the most frequently used apps for a more comfortable reading experience. By utilizing a screen size that is more comparable to traditional magazine-sized material, content is easier to view in its original format when reading digital magazines or e-books.
Powerful Partner for Productivity
The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO (12.2) come equipped with a variety of productivity tools to help users to manage both their personal and professional lives.
Multi Window enables users to split the screen up into four different windows and an innovative, Virtual Keyboard provides them with enough space to type comfortably, leveraging haptic feedback to produce a more realistic typing experience.
The Samsung S Pen included with the Galaxy NotePRO delivers a more responsive, productive and overall efficient tablet experience with access to features such as Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write and S Finder. In addition, Pen Window enables users to simply draw a window of any size on the screen, and instantly access unique in-application features such as YouTube or a calculator.
Users can easily access and control their home or office PC directly through their Galaxy NotePRO or TabPRO with Remote PC in order to seamlessly edit and save files remotely.
The Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO also come pre-loaded with Cisco WebEx Meetings platform, the industry’s leading web conferencing solution that provides users with an easy way to meet with anyone, anywhere. And now for the first time on Android tablets, users can share anything on their screen as well as starting a WebEx meeting from contact list. Samsung e-Meeting provides collaboration capabilities by giving users the ability to share content during a meeting without having to access a central server or network.
Ultimate User Content Gift Package*
For additional value and productivity right out of the box, the Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO (12.2) will feature up to approximately $700 worth of the premium pre-paid, long-term subscription offers from best-selling news, social media and cloud storage providers, including:Bitcasa, Bloomberg Businessweek+, Blurb, Cisco WebEx Meetings, Dropbox, Easilydo Pro for Tablet, Evernote, Hancom Office for Android, LinkedIn, LIVESPORT.TV, NY Times, Oxford Advanced Learner’s A-Z, and Sketchbook Pro (content packages may vary by region).
The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO line will come in various connectivity options: WiFi Only, WiFi and 3G, or WiFi and LTE. Users can choose between the 12.2-inch Galaxy NotePRO that comes with an included S Pen, and the 12.2-inch Galaxy TabPRO, Galaxy TabPRO 10.1-inch and 8.4-inch without the S Pen.
Designed to extend productivity even further, the following optional accessories are also available for purchase with the Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO: Various Book Covers, USB LAN HUB, Universal BT Keyboard and S Action Mouse (accessories may vary by product model).
The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO tablet line will be offered globally and will be available starting from Q1, 2014.
For more product information, please visithttp://www.samsungmobilepress.com / m.samsungmobilepress.com
[/toggle]
Acer Introduces New 7 and 7.9-inch Iconia Android Tablets
Get ready to ring in the new year with a whole new gadget as Acer promises to deliver an array of mid-range Android tablets sub $200. The new devices, which fall under the Iconia series, will be on display at Acer’s booth at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas Jan. 7-10 2014. The first slate, known as the Iconia A1-830, is a premium device somewhat similar to the popular iPad Mini. Mainly in looks but not necessarily in specs. It boasts a 7.9-inch 1,024 x 768 display on top, alongside a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2560 processor under the lid. In addition it features 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage (expandable up to 32GB via microSD card), an Android Jelly Bean 4.2.1 for the internal OS, MicroUSB, Bluetooth 3.0 and roughly seven hours of battery workout. There’s also a front-facing 720p camera for video chats and a rear camera lens capable of shooting at a 2,560 x 1,920 HD resolution. The A1-830 is said to be available in early 2014 at merely $149 along with standard and optional accessories such as portable keyboard and protective cover case.
The B1-720, which is a fairly basic model, packs a 1.3GHz dual-core processor inside, as well as 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a 7-inch screen (with 10-point touch), and up to five hours of battery life. The $130 slate will come pre-loaded with Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean platform, and in various flavors ( grey and red) to suit your requirements. It will come out Stateside soonish.
[youtube id=”-On_WuOnCRY”]
[youtube id=”MIyZkxHu714″]
Both videos are courtesy of mobilegeeks.de
Polaroid To Release New Q Line of Android 4.4 Tablets
Have you ever heard the name Polaroid before? Well, it is not exactly a glamorous company anymore, but it sure is making a formal comeback. And while we haven’t heard all that much about it lately, the 75 years old company apparently has some interesting plans to share with ya all. Today, Polaroid announced its Q line of Android-based tablets, including the 7-inch Q7, 8-inch Q8 and 10.1-inch Q10. Neither device is exactly best in breed, but the choices you get are fairly decent and the price is reasonable. For instance, all three tablets ship with Android 4.4 Kit Kat under the hood, and the processor inside is a quad-core Snapdragon 600. There’s also a Wifi connectivity, alongside an HDMI port, and dual HD cameras to capture video and photos. Unfortunately, that’s pretty much all the details we got to share with you now, but we certainly hope to bring even more. Overall it’s not that bad for the price you pay, which is about $129.99, $149.99 and $179.99 respectively.
[Polaroid]
Nvidia Tegra Note 7 Gets Updated With Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
Some of you probably remember the Tegra Note 7 that has been recently released by hardware giant, Nvidia (and sold under brand names such as EVGA, ADVENT, Gigabyte, Shenzhen Homecare Technology, ZOTAC and XOLO). If you don’t, let me refresh your memory: It’s a 7-inch Android tablet device running a Tegra 4 SOC under the lid with a quad-core Cortex-A15 processor, 16GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM and a 72-core GeForce GPU. It was launched worldwide last October both in shelves and online for only $199, and has gained popularity over other basic slates available in the market.
Yesterday, we learned that Nvidia had apparently rolled out a new update for the 7-inch Note that promises to boost general usability. Aside from the OS upgrade to Android 4.3, the new update also improves the graphics tablet pen, which now offers support for left-handed users, as well as a wide range of manual setting features, and a better accuracy of touch in the DirectStylus response. In addition, you can transfer apps from the tablet’s internal storage over to a microSD card and by doing so save even more space.
Finally, the update has also added an always-on HDR function for the 5MP rear-facing camera, which means a real-time HDR engine when taking candid photos of people in the street. Some other enhancements include a new video stabilization feature and even better results in taking low-light photography moments.
The update is now officially available for a download over the air.
[NVIDIA]
iOS 7 Finally Gets an Untethered Jailbreak
According to a chart posted on Apple’s developer website in early December, iOS 7 adoption is already at 74 percent. This means that three quarters of Apple iDevices are closely familiar with the new operating system, and that’s A LOT. What else happened since then? Glad that you asked, because the iOS 7 officially has an untethered jailbreak, courtesy of the great Evasi0n7. The tool, which many of you may have expected to see, is now available for both Windows and Mac users and can snappily help you unlock any iPhone, iPad and iPod touch models running iOS 7.0, 7.0.1, 7.0.2, 7.0.3 and 7.0.4, including the new ones (e.g iPad Air and iPhone 5s). As usual you should proceed with caution and happy jailbreaking!
Click the source below to get the software.
[youtube id=”QcZaDZb3zcs”]
[Evad3rs]
LG G Pad 8.3 Tablet Finally Gets The Google Play Edition
Although LG has already introduced the G Pad 8.3 tablet more than three months ago, it didn’t announce the Google Play Edition, and gladly it is doing so today. The new 8-incher which has been specifically designed to take on Google Nexus 7 directly, is running the latest and greatest stock version of Android 4.4 (KitKat) under the hood, along with similar ingredients that we have already encountered before, including a stunning 1920 x 1200 Full HD IPS display, a quad-core 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 system-on-chip, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, 5-megapixel rear camera and a 1.2-megapixel shooter up front. In addition, the 8.3mm thick device, which happens to retail for exactly the same price as the regular one ($349), boasts the best technology in terms of connectivity (e.g NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, and dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi), paired with a 4600mAh battery and a microSD card slot.
There are many benefits of having a stock Google Android machine instead of the company version, particularly when it comes to the frequency of updates, simplicity in UI, the absence of bloatware that can slow the system down, and the overall performance, which it is expected to deliver. The LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition is now officially available via Google Play — are you getting one?