All posts by Nir Shein

Internet freak and technology geek; Aspiring screenwriter, devoted tech blogger & Technologer chief editor . Early adopter with a keen interest in gadgets, technology, internet and mobile.
tablets

HP Rolls Out Three New Android Tablets

It was just three months ago, when HP announced a new line of Android Jelly Bean tablets, but only now we have noticed that it has listed them on its website. Just in time for the holiday season, the US company is now offering a trio of slates in different sizes and hardware configurations. The first two, the Slate7 Plus and Slate7 Extreme, are 7-inch tablets which come with a 1280×800 screen resolution, 1GB of RAM and Google’s Android 4.2.2 for the internal OS. Both tablet devices also sport the same set of cameras on board (5-megapixel rear camera and 0.3-megapixel front-facing shooter), but that’s pretty much where the similarity ends. The $149.99 Slate7 Plus is by far the weakest member of the group with a 1.3GHz quad-core Tegra 3 processor inside, only 8GB of storage and a 4000mAh battery pack. The Slate7 Extreme, on the other hand, runs a 1.8GHz quad-core Tegra 4 chip under the hood along with 16GB of storage capacity and a 4100mAh battery option (apparently it is “Out of Stock” at the moment).

The third in the batch, also known as the Slate8 Pro, is about 1 inch bigger all around than the previous two, offering an 8-inch 1600×1200 display atop, along with a 1.8GHz quad-core Tegra 4 processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a bigger 5680mAh battery inside and a much better quality camera than before ( 8-megapixel rear camera, 720p HD front-facing shooter). It will set you back $329.99. Not by any means a bad deal, but we’re getting awfully close to the range where competition can actually be harmful.

 

[HP]

General

25 Cool Gadgets You Should Definitely Buy This Holiday Season

Mozart's Coffee in Austin

Holiday season shopping craze has finally arrived, ladies and gents, along with a good deal of options and affordable prices to meet your needs. This special time of the year can stress you out if you have a long list of gadgets to buy and no idea about what to get. This is exactly the reason why we have curated a list of some of the latest and greatest products in market from the web’s biggest retailers and popular brands. Actual item prices may vary as it is subject to factors like stocks, competition, supply and demand, etc. Some of the products are obviously more popular than others but then we felt we couldn’t give up on them, so here they are in all their glory.

What do you think? Any other cool gadgets you might have in mind? Please do share!

 

1. Apple iPad air

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $479[/li][/list]

Get it – http://tgt.biz/1fMtHyb

 

2. Nokia Lumia 2520

[list type=”plus”][li]Price: $499[/li][/list]

Get it  – http://bit.ly/1fMy7p0

 

3. Asus Google Nexus 7 2nd gen

[list type=”plus”][li]Price: $229.99[/li][/list]

Get it – http://bit.ly/1fMwYxr

 

4. 13″ Macbook Pro retina

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $1099 – $1299[/li][/list]

Get it –  http://bit.ly/1fMwTd9

 

5. Klipsch Image ONE Gen -2 Headphones

[list type=”plus”][li]Price: $69.95[/li][/list]

Get it – http://amzn.to/1fMwN5l

 

6. PowerUp 3.0 Paper Airplane

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $30[/li][/list]

Get it – http://kck.st/187unGJ

 

7. Kano: A computer anyone can make

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $99[/li][/list]

Get it – http://kck.st/1c1cagm

 

8. Vizio 60″ 1080p LED Smart TV

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $700 – $800[/li][/list]

Get it – http://bit.ly/1fMwvvh

 

9. Apple iPhone 5S

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $199 – $849[/li][/list]

Get it – http://bit.ly/18SbKpr

 

10. LG G2

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $199[/li][/list]

Get it – http://bit.ly/1fMuCyA

 

11. Nokia Lumia 1020

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $199[/li][/list]

Get it – http://bit.ly/1fMwdEC

 

12. Playstation 4

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $$499.99[/li][/list]

Get it – http://bit.ly/1fMw0S6

 

13. Xbox One

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $$399.99[/li][/list]

Get it – http://bit.ly/1fMvTpA

 

14. Razer BlackWidow Gaming Keyboard

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price:  $84.99[/li][/list]

Get it – http://amzn.to/1fMuuiH

 

15. ASTRO Gaming A40 Headset Kit

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $149[/li][/list]

Get it – http://amzn.to/1fMvdR4

 

16. Audioengine A2 Speakers

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $249[/li][/list]

Get it – http://bit.ly/1fMuJu7

 

17. SONOS PLAY:1

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $199[/li][/list]

Get it – http://bit.ly/1fMuQ94

 

18. Google Chromecast

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $29.99[/li][/list]

Get it – http://amzn.to/1fMyq2T

 

19. Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB SSD

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $69.99[/li][/list]

Get it – http://bit.ly/1fMuShf

 

20. SanDisk Ultra 64 GB SDXC Class 10 Flash Memory Card

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $34.99[/li][/list]

Get it – http://amzn.to/1fMvy6l

 

21. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $748[/li][/list]

Get it – http://amzn.to/1fMvDqu

 

22. Synology DiskStation 2-Bay NAS

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $199.99[/li][/list]

Get it – http://amzn.to/1fMvmE9

 

23. Anker USB 3.0 9-Port Hub

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $59.99[/li][/list]

Get it – http://amzn.to/1fMvL9z

 

24. Garmin Forerunner 110 GPS Sport Watch

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $138.34[/li][/list]

Get it – http://amzn.to/1fMvtzr

 

25. Withings Pulse

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Price: $99.95[/li][/list]

Get it – http://bit.ly/18LkKRF

[hr]
[Image by Trey Ratcliff]

tablets

Toshiba Reveals Budget Excite 7 Tablet

Toshiba today announces its latest 7-inch tablet, the Excite 7. Now, don’t expect this new device to be on par with the rest of the popular Excite tablet family. It is a budget 1.6GHz quad-core slate, with a mediocre 7-inch display on board, boasting 1,024×600 screen resolution and with Mali 400MP quad-core GPU. Not exactly the top-notch hardware you’d get with the Excite Pro and Excite Pure Android Jelly Bean slabs, but the price is to be respectively less as well. At its $169 base price, Toshiba’s entry-level tablet packs 1GB of RAM, your choice of 8GB or 16GB of internal storage, a microSD slot expansion, USB, HDMI out and a standard Wifi connectivity plus Bluetooth 4.0. The cameras on this fat bezel slate are at the low end of the digital spectrum range, with only 3-megapixel camera on the back and a 0.3-megapixel shooter up front. Again, it’s a cheap makeover but fairly new. On the other hand, there are quite a few great options out there that have more reliable performance technology inside, and that cost only a few dollars more; the new Nexus 7 for example. Anyways, everything is at your discretion what to buy and what not to.

[youtube id=”PXsc6_WcYcs”]

Video courtesy of Android Central

[Toshiba]

tablets

iPad Mini With Retina Display Now Available On Apple’s Store From $399

 

Well, what do we have in here? Looks like Apple’s latest and greatest iPad Mini with Retina display has finally made its way online, after a very short period of store downtime. Although the tablet was announced exactly three weeks ago official US launch dates weren’t revealed. To be honest, we were expecting  the second-gen mini device to go live in a matter of two weeks time, but as it appears it has arrived far too early and boy, we’re glad it did. So now you can officially go and grab yourself one (or two) in all sorts of settings at your choice, starting at $399 for the 16GB WiFi-only Retina Mini and up to a whopping 128GB storage version with 3G high speed network connectivity which will run you $829. 

If you already own a first generation iPad mini and you’re looking to upgrade, now it would be a great time. The new iteration boasts a 2048×1536 Retina screen on board, with a 64-bit A7 processor and an M7 motion-tracking coprocessor. The iPad mini with Retina-quality graphics has the same size 7.9-inch display, and is very convenient for people on the go. It will be available in Space Gray and Silver colors, with 1-3 days of shipping. 

Are you getting one? We hear a limited number of units will be available on the first round, which officially comes to life as of today, in countries like the US, the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Austria, Portugal, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, Canada, Mexico, Thailand and China.

tablets

Archos 101 XS 2 Tablet Announced, Coming in December For $279

Archos is looking to update its 10-inch tablet offering with a new model. The French corp has announced it will push the release of a new successor to the Archos 101 XS sometime next month. The upcoming slate, known as the 101 XS 2, will be featuring a quad-core 1.6GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor inside its sprawling gut, along with 2GB of RAM and an IPS display with a relatively low resolution of 1280×800. The tablet will run on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) out of the box, and said to be bundled with a nice detachable keyboard dock. In addition to that, the tablet will also pack 16GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD up to 64GB), dual cameras (2MP in the front and 2MP at the back), dual-band Wifi connectivity, Bluetooth, GPS and USB 2.0 ports. As already mentioned, the 101 XS 2 will be on sale in the US from the beginning of December with a retail price of $279 — which is still not too much, although, when compared to the $229.99 Nexus 7 tablet (with a 1920 x 1200 display) it definitely is.  

[Archos]

 

Image via clubic.com

tablets

Lenovo Officially Announces a New Line Of ‘Yoga’ Android Tablets With 8- and 10-inch Screens

1 Comment

You know how it goes, first there’s the leak and then there’s the official announcement, and in Lenovo’s case a new line of two Yoga Tablets. What was previously best known as the IdeaPad B6000 and B8000 is now available in 8-inch and 10-inch iterations with 1,280 x 800 IPS screens that can easily rotate up to 135 degrees. The Chinese corp has appointed Ashton Kutcher to promote the new products and unveiled a low introductory price of $249 for the smaller device and only $299 for the slightly bigger version (both are gonna kick off today on Best Buy).

The new slates will pack a quad-core MediaTek processor under the hood, along with dual cameras (1.6MP in front, 5MP in back), Google’s Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 for the OS, and up to 16GB of integrated storage (expandable via microSD slot). There’s also 1GB of RAM inside the box and a lithium battery providing up to 18 hours of continuous work. At least that is what the company says.

What’s unique about these Yoga tablets is the new and conceptual design with the massive kickstand thing positioned widely on the back of the slabs, the textured plastic cover and this rounded tube placed at the base – the kind of pipe you’d find on Apple’s wireless keyboards. While designs remain pretty much the same, the overall weight is slightly different between one Yoga device to another. The 8-inch model weighs only 0.88 pound while the 10-incher is at 1.33 pounds.

Hit the “play” and watch the video

[youtube id=”fzK_qP-rK80″]

Mobile, Phones

How Do Brits Use Their iPhone? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Have you ever wondered what people do on their mobile phones, and what exactly do they use them for? Yeah, well me too. Thankfully, we were given the opportunity to get a glimpse of the iPhone usage in the UK and the way the Brits interact with their mobile iDevices (AKA: Apple iPhones). From what we know and learn, the citizens of the United Kingdom still prefer communicating by voice with family and friends over sending and receiving text or multimedia messages; although SMS is still very popular at this part of the Western world. But the pattern of use remains traditional. Most interesting, though, are the facts that British men take more selfies than British women, and that 69% of the people of London use their iPhone while sitting on the toilet. 

Take a look at this infographic by UK’s fastest growing mobile network, Three, to find out more about their habits. 

A Snapshot Of UK’s iPhone Habits

View the iPhone 5s on Three

tablets

Apple Announces The iPad Air and IPad Mini 2

2 Comments

It’s super Tuesday, and Apple had a few announcements to make. Again, it’s no surprise that the Cupertino company was planning to launch a new generation of its iPad tablets. The only question that remained was whether there will be a Retina Mini 2nd-Gen or not, and we’re glad to report the iPad Mini 2 will indeed receive a Retina display and an A7 chip. Although the new iteration will be in short supply at launch, be sure it will meet with a great demand. Apple has also released a thinner, and much lighter version of the 9.7-inch iPad. The fifth-generation delivered the biggest surprise of the evening and from now on is said to be called the iPad Air. Perhaps a sign that Apple is going to separate the lines, but we’ll see. 

iPad Mini 2

As expected, the iPad mini 2 will be released with the Retina display. The resolution in case you were wondering is 2048 x 1536 pixels on a relatively small 7.9-inch LED Backlit display. Too bad there is no substantial improvement in the rear camera department, the iPad Mini 2 will stay precisely with the same 5-megapixel iSight shooter on the back, while the front-facing camera will work with a new feature called FaceTime HD. The new iPad mini also gets Apple’s new 64-bit A7 chip that delivers up to 4 times faster performance on CPU, and 8 times faster in graphics. It comes with a 10-hour battery life and your choice of either Silver White or Space Grey colors. The iPad Mini 2 will be officially out this coming November starting at $399 (wifi) and up to $529 (cellular), with storage capacities range from 16Gb to 64GB. First iPad Mini price drops to $299.

iPad Air

First thing you’ll notice is that the iPad Air is CRAZY thin (about 20% thinner in profile). It measures only 0.75 mm thin and weighs just about 1 pound from head to toe. As expected, the new iPad Air features that same stunning 9.7-inch Retina display on board. Besides the fact it is thinner and lighter than previous iPad versions, it will also sport Apple’s A7 chip inside, as well as the new mysterious M7 motion co-processor (as seen on the iPhone 5s). Other features of the iPad Air include a 64-bit desktop architecture support with more than 1 billion transistors, a faster WiFi connectivity, improved backside illumination, dual mics, and two integrated cameras: a 5-megapixel iSight camera on the rear and a 1080p FaceTime camera up front. The battery is claimed to maintain a 10-hour battery life as well. The iPad Air will be available November 1, either in Space Gray or White hues, with prices to start at $499 for the Wifi-only version and $629 for the cellular one. 

Mind you, there’s no Fingerprint ID button on Apple’s next-gen iPads.

Apple has sold 170 million iPads since the tablet launched in early 2010. There are over 475,000 apps designed for iPad in the App Store

Here’s a link to the full video of Apple’s event: http://bit.ly/18Gd42s

[youtube id=”XOPZBbbF9bA”]

[Apple]

tablets

Nokia Unveils The Lumia 2520, Its First Ever Windows RT Tablet

You probably have a lot of guts if you are ready to release a new product on the same day as Apple announces a new iPad lineup. This is something that only a company like Nokia would do. As a result of recent trends, the mobile giant is today announcing the official release of a new Windows RT slate. The 10-inch tablet which runs a full version of the Windows RT 8.1 OS will come equipped with a 2MP front-facing camera and a rear 6.7MP shooter with Zeiss optics technology on board to get you some real good photos and a great 1080p 60fps video experience. Other than that, the Lumia 2520 also includes a strong 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 chip under the hood, alongside a bright 650nit display made from Gorilla Glass 2. The slate is also going to be 4G LTE-enabled and has an 800mAh battery and a micro-USB 3.0 port. In addition to the basic Wifi and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, the 2520 will also be expected to have NFC which is enable ease in making online payments, and A-GPS+GLONASS receiver, designed primarily for navigation use. 

Nokia is expecting to ship its first ever Windows tablet, the Lumia 2520, in Q4 for $499, with your choice of Red, White (glossy), Cyan, and Black (matte) colors.

[youtube id=”HVA4-Adlm7g”]

[youtube id=”EFXRYrZFxsg”]

 

[Nokia]

General

Lenovo Introduces 8-inch Miix2 Tablet With Windows 8.1

One category that has been so frequently mentioned in the portable computing area is the 8-inch tablet range. Companies like Apple, Acer and even Dell are already on board with this burgeoning mid-size consumer trend. Another electronic giant that has officially announced a new slate in that same exact scale is HP, and Lenovo, who is a well known laptop company, has recently joined the growing field as well. But with all due respect to the others, I would like to keep this post focused on the last corp mentioned in that list. 

As of today, the Chinese group is offering its first 8-inch Windows 8.1 slate with a 1,200 x 800 screen resolution and an Intel quad-core Bay Trail SoC for better performance and low power consumption. The new tablet is dubbed as the Miix2, and will be made available sometime this month for $299 for the very basic pack. Besides the latest Windows operating system, you will also be getting the popular Microsoft Home Student Office and the new IE 11 browser for an optimized internet surfing experience. In addition, it also comes with two integrated cameras: a 2MP front facing camera and a 5MP rear-facing shooter. Buyers will get to choose between 16, 32, and up to 128GB of storage space, and there are many optional accessories to suit and complement the tablet from detachable cover casings to traditional stylus pens. 

[toggle title=”FULL PR TEXT”]

Lenovo Blends Entertainment with Productivity in New Miix2 8-inch Tablet
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – October 17, 2013: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today announced the Lenovo Miix2 8-inch tablet, a Windows 8.1 multi-mode device that packs an Intel quad- core processor and IPS wide-angle, high-definition display into a small tablet form factor. Paired with an optional stylus and detachable cover, the Lenovo Miix2 8-inch joins its popular predecessor, the Lenovo Miix.

Measuring only 8.35mm thick and weighing a mere 350mg, the Lenovo Miix2 8-inch tablet delivers a 16:10 widescreen experience that deftly balances visual experience with portability. The 10-point multi- touch WXGA display delivers an 800 x 1280 resolution and its impressive 178-degree viewing angle means no one is left out of the fun. Equipped with two webcams, one in front (2MP) and one in back (5MP) 1, the tablet is designed for effortless video chatting and photo sharing. Pre-loaded with Windows 8.1, the Lenovo Miix2 8-inch brings all the enhancements of Microsoft’s latest operating system, including enhanced searching and sharing; improved Web-surfing with the new IE 11, touch optimization and the return of the popular “Start” button.

Underneath the hood, Lenovo Miix2 8-inch packs a powerful punch with an Intel®Bay Trail-T Quad Core processor, based on Intel® AtomTM S architecture and integrated Intel HD Graphics (Gen7) with Clear Video HD technology for smooth video performance. This combination of speed and responsiveness separates the 8-inch tablet from the tablet pack, while making the most of the Windows 8.1 OS. With up to 128GB of eMMC onboard storage (expandable up to 32GB with micro-SD slot) 2 for videos, music and photos, the Miix2 is standout tablet designed for users “on the go.”

The Lenovo Miix2 8″ also encourages productivity outside the office. The device comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013, allowing users to easily view, edit and manage their documents right out of the box. The tablet also offers the option of a stylus and detachable cover. The cover protects the screen when not in use and doubles as a stand for viewing content on the device. The stylus is a perfect companion for drawing, sketching or taking notes and further enhances productivity.

“Many users want the convenience of a smaller screen tablet, but do not want to lose the performance and convenience of a powerful, quad core Windows 8.1 device. With the Lenovo Miix2 8-inch, users can take advantage of a small, light form factor without sacrificing performance,” said Bai Peng, vice president and general manager, notebook business unit, Lenovo Business Group. “The Lenovo Miix2 8-inch is a great example of how thoughtful design can deliver the best of both worlds.”

The Miix2 8-inch will be available later this month beginning at approximately $299. *

[/toggle]

Events, General

Confirmed: Apple To Hold a Media Event Next Week, October 22

1 Comment

After all the rumors, Apple has finally confirmed a special press event on Tuesday, October 22nd, in which it is expected to unveil plenty of stuff. At least that is what we learn from the beautiful invitation the company has just sent. Which leads us to the question: What exactly is Apple going to reveal during the company’s next event? Well, we already covered the new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c last month, so we can get them out of the way for now. And yet, there are so many possible options on stake that it is extremely hard to predict or assess. One thing is almost certain though, we’re now very likely to see a new iPad 5, the latest and greatest from Apple’s full-size tablet (9.7-inch). There’s also a good chance we’ll see an iPad mini with a Retina display, or even a new MacBook Pro, and a fourth iteration of the Apple TV label. A rumored iWatch that Apple is probably working on is not likely to show up this time, but I guess there could be an optional keyboard cover, as the tagline implies. We’ll be here day in and day out to cover it live.

tablets

Archos Officially Introduces the GamePad 2 Tablet

Archos has just announced the second generation model of its handheld gaming tablet, the GamePad 2. Admittedly, I had been using the previous model for a couple of months and while I loved the build quality and form, I think it was a bit slow and sometimes unresponsive. This new one, however, is definitely a step up. While the screen is expected to remain at 7-inches, the resolution will be bumped up to 1,280 x 800 pixels, and the processor has also been improved to a quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 chip, clocking in at 1.6GHz. Of course, you can find the standards: Wifi, Bluetooth, HDMI out (mini), plus a Micro USB 2.0 and a microSD card slot. But if all that isn’t enough, the GamePad 2 will also include a bigger battery pack, as well as 2GB of RAM, an integrated microphone, a pair of stereo speakers on the front, and an earphone jack to let you use the slab as a music player on the go. The French says it will be running on the latest Android 4.2 Jellybean OS while internal storage will come in either 8GB or 16GB options. The slate is is expected to make its debut in Europe by the end of the month for an estimated price of $245, and will ship in the US in Q4 for $200.

tablets

Online Retailers Leak Lenovo IdeaPad B6000 and B8000 Android Jelly Bean Tablets

1 Comment

Lenovo is prepping at least two new tablets with an 8-inch and 10-inch screens, according to new details out of some German retail stores. The displays are LED-backlit, featuring a standard WXGA panel beneath with a native resolution of 1280×800 pixels. Reportedly, both slabs will be running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean for the OS, and are said to be powered by a 1.2GHz MediaTek MT8125 quad-core processor. Additionally, the two variants which appear to be quite similar to each other, incorporate a hinge that can rotate 360 degrees to give you several viewing angles and more flexible ways of using them both. The tablets, which seem to be part of Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga portable family, will also include 1GB of RAM, a 5-megapixel camera on the back, at least 16GB of internal storage, Wifi, Bluetooth and a micro-USB 2.0 port. While the 8-inch form, the IdeaPad B6000-F, will retail for 215 euros, the bigger iteration, the IdeaPad B8000-F, will set you back around 280 euros a piece, with no release info available as of yet. 

[via MobileGeeks]

tablets

Dell Announces Venue 8 Pro and Venue 11 Pro Windows 8.1 Tablets

If Android operating system is not exactly your cup of tea and if you aren’t as enthused as holding a Microsoft Windows tablet in your hand, Dell’s Venue 8 Pro and Venue 11 Pro might be a really good option. Well, at least if you are willing to shell out a minimum of $300 for the 8-inch tablet, and up to $500 for the 10.8-inch model. Yes, the Venue 11 screen size is actually a little bit smaller than you’d expect, but not that much. In any case, the display on this particular Dell device is a full HD with 1920 X 1080 pixels resolution and with 10 multi-touch points at a time. Measuring in at 8.9mm thick and tipping the scales at 712g (or 798g, depending on setup), the new Venue 11 Pro has a matte-textured design and offers up to 10 hours of battery life. Moreover, this tablet uses Intel’s Atom quad-core Bay Trail processors under the hood, or alternatively, Intel’s fourth-gen Haswell Core i3/ Core i5 chips, has two cameras, front at 8-megapixel and back camera with 2-megapixel resolution, massive 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, WiDi wireless capabilities, Wifi, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC control. The Windows 8.1 device comes equipped with a range of ports, including HDMI out, a full-size USB 3.0, and a microSD card slot, expandable up to 64GB of storage on the go. 

Dell will also offer an accessory bundle to complement the Venue 11 Pro, including a folding style case with keyboard, similar to the one offered by Redmond with Microsoft’s flagship model, the Surface Pro, a Mobile Keyboard which will get you an additional built-in battery, full keyboard and touchpad capabilities plus USB and HDMI ports.

The Venue 8 Pro is Dell’s compact 8-inch iteration, running Intel’s new Atom quad-core processor code-named Bay Trail inside, along with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The 8.8mm thick device packs a 1,280 x 800 IPS display on board (with an optional digitizer pen), as well as a Micro-USB 2.0 port, 802.11n wifi connectivity, and a pair of cameras: 5-megapixel on the back, and a 1.2-megapixel in front. The tablet will be available in WiFi-only, HSPA+ and/or LTE configurations on October 18 for the reasonable price mentioned above.

Update: Dell’s Windows 8.1  Venue 8 Pro tablet finally goes on sale Stateside, and will be priced at starting price of around $300 while the stylus pen option will set you back $35. 

[youtube id=”6y_z6RW-s_c”]

[youtube id=”YhW4du9GUKY”]
[toggle title=”FULL PR TEXT”]

Dell Introduces New Line of Tablets and Updated XPS Laptops: Create, Share and Access Content from Virtually Anywhere

· New Dell Venue Pro tablets offer the ability to connect, share and access content with ease
· XPS 11 is the world’s thinnest, lightest and most compact 2-in-1 in the world with the world’s first Quad HD display on an 11.6-inch 2-in-1
· XPS 15 powerhouse laptop offers the world’s first 15.6-inch Quad HD+ display for jaw-dropping visuals and the ultimate experience

Bracknell, UK, 2nd October, 2013 – Dell today took a bold step in unveiling a new family of tablets and new laptops, including a 2-in-1 Ultrabook. The Dell Venue Pro line of tablets is comprised of two new ultrathin models designed to address the changing way people live and work today. Dell’s “damned sexy” tablets, as described by leading Enderle Group analyst, Rob Enderle, deliver leading performance and quality, backed by Intel processing technology. With compact designs that make it easy to stay connected on the go, the Dell Venue Pro tablets have an exquisite fit and finish.

In addition to the versatile new Dell Venue Pro tablets, Dell is introducing new XPS laptops, each with breakthrough displays for a phenomenal viewing experience with vibrant, crisp images in any available screen size. The new XPS 11, the thinnest, most compact 2-in-1 in the world, also features the first Quad HD (2560 x 1440) display on an 11.6-inch 2-in-1. The XPS 15 multimedia powerhouse boasts a stunningly thin design, and offers as an option the first 15.6-inch Quad HD+ (3200 x 1800) display in the world, which is the highest resolution available on a laptop of that size. Dell is also refreshing its award-winning XPS 13 Ultrabook with faster processors, touch Full HD (1920 x 1080) display and improved battery life. With these three laptops, Dell is leading the industry with the highest resolution displays possible.

“People today expect the best experience possible from their technology – they are counting on it to keep them connected and move with them, wherever they are,” said Sam Burd, vice president Dell Personal Computing Group. “The new Dell Venue tablets and XPS laptops give customers the stellar experience they expect from us, with performance that allows them to work how they want, when they want, in a design they’ll be proud to show off and own.”

Dell Venue Tablets: Connect, Share and Access Content With Ease
Dell Venue Pro tablets are designed to give people on-the-go a selection of sizes and options to meet their varying needs. With the 8 and 11-inch Windows-based tablets complete with keyboard and stylus options, Dell has created a dedicated brand of tablets to meet the needs of customers who are the epitome of the evolving workforce.
· The Dell Venue 8 Pro and Dell Venue 11 Pro Windows 8.1-based tablets combine the level of performance, design and responsiveness end-users love while giving IT departments what they need – the ability to integrate into an existing corporate environment with full compatibility with current Windows applications and Microsoft Office integration. Both tablets feature optional advanced security features and services such as TPM.
· The lightweight Dell Venue 8 Pro runs Windows 8.1, has a bright HD IPS display, advanced connectivity options and provides long battery life so range anxiety is no longer an issue. People can also stay productive with Office 2013 Home & Student, included with the device, and the optional Dell Active Stylus.
· The Dell Venue 11 Pro, also based on Windows 8.1, provides ultimate 2-in-1 flexibility with the power of an Ultrabook, convenience of a detachable keyboard and experience of a desktop. Unlike competitive tablets, it has a user removable/replaceable battery, and its large, Full HD display with wide viewing angles makes it easy to read and create content while staying mobile. It is also available with a variety of keyboard and stylus options:
o Dell Active Stylus makes it easy to annotate, draw or take notes.
o Dell Slim Keyboard, designed for travel, also serves as a cover for the screen when folded up.
o Dell Mobile Keyboard with integrated battery provides all day productivity with a full-sized keyboard while extending the battery life.
o Dell Tablet Desktop Dock for full productivity on a desk with USB 3.0 ports, and dual display out ports for display extension.

Both Dell Venue Pro tablets are based on Intel processing power for speed, responsiveness, and battery efficiency. The Dell Venue 8 Pro and Dell Venue 11 Pro feature the new Intel Atom quad-core Baytrail processors, code named “Bay Trail”. The Venue 11 Pro offers up to 4th Generation Intel Core i3 and i5 processor options and Intel vPro for manageability.

Dell XPS Laptops and 2-in-1: The Ultimate Experience with Gorgeous Displays
Dell’s award-winning XPS laptop line just got even better with the new XPS 15 powerhouse laptop, the introduction of the XPS 11 2-in-1, and an update to the flagship XPS 13 Ultrabook. In keeping with the XPS tradition of offering the best computing experience in any product category, the XPS laptops and 2-in-1 feature machined aluminium, carbon fibre, vibrant displays, and Corning Gorilla Glass NBT for performance, durability and the ultimate experience.

· Starting at 2.5lbs / 1.1kg¹ and just 11-15mm thin, the XPS 11 is the world’s thinnest, lightest and most compact 2-in-1 Ultrabook available today, offering a tablet-first design with laptop functionality. It easily transitions from tablet to laptop with a 360 degree rotating hinge design, and an innovative solid surface backlit touch keyboard that provides a superb experience from lap to bag. The XPS 11 has a bright, crisp viewing experience. The display also features True Color viewing powered by eeColor, which enables customers to enjoy true, rich consistent color in nearly any lighting environment.
· The XPS 15 continues to be a multimedia powerhouse delivering the highest resolution in its class, and incredible power in an ultra-thin, light wedge design, starting at 4.44lbs / 2kg¹. Designed for creative enthusiasts, the XPS 15 packs 4th Generation Intel Core i5 and i7 quad core processor options and NVIDIA discrete graphics options. Every XPS 15 boots and resumes within seconds with hard drive configuration options from 500GB to 1TB², both with a 32GB mSATA SSD, to a 512GB solid state drive, all including Intel Rapid Start Technology³.
· The award-winning XPS 13, with its 13.3-inch, edge-to-edge display that innovatively fits into a footprint similar to an 11-inch laptop, is razor thin and light, starting at under 3lbs / 1.3kg¹. It is now even faster with 4th generation Intel Core processors, Intel HD 4400 graphics, and has longer battery life for the mobile professional who values a sleek design, responsiveness and ultimate mobility. Its Full HD display provides a brilliant viewing experience and is now even more versatile with a touch option.

“Dell appears to have its innovative mojo back,” said Tim Bajarin, President of Creative Strategies. “These new products clearly emphasize Dell’s commitment to create innovative mobile solutions for businesses and consumers and I believe represent some of the best products they have made in many years.”

Get the Most Out of Your Technology with Dell Services
Dell customers can get the most out of their technology with Dell Services, dedicated to keeping them connected and productive, whether they’re using their tablet or XPS purchase for work or home. Dell’s technology experts are available around the clock. Consumers can include additional protection such as Accidental Damage Service, Premium Phone Support and Rapid Return for Repair services. Business customers can be rest assured that their devices will fit seamlessly and securely into their corporate IT environment with Dell ProSupport on the Dell Venue 8 Pro and Venue 11 Pro tablets.

Availability and Pricing
The Dell Venue 8 Pro tablet will be available from November 19th and the Dell Venue 11 Pro tablet will be available from November 7th on www.dell.co.uk. Pricing and availability for the XPS products will be available in the coming weeks. Starting prices for the new tablets are as follows:
· Venue 8 Pro: pricing available in the coming weeks
· Venue 11 Pro: £349 excluding VAT & freight

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tablets

Dell Introduces Venue 7 and Venue 8 Android Jelly Bean Tablets

2 Comments

Dell, the popular company that manufactures and sells desktop and laptop computers all around the world, was notably absent from the tablet market scene for quite some time, but not anymore. The US electronic giant has just unveiled a pair of new Android tablets at a press event in New York City;  both of which use the moniker “Venue” and are likely to run on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS. In addition to that, the two newcomers from Dell, which appear to be a more accessible and budget-friendly than before, will respectively include 1.6GHz/2GHz dual-core Intel Z2580 chips under the lid, alongside a 1,280 x 800 IPS panel, a microSD slot expansion (expandable up to 64 GB), GPS, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Wifi-only option, with a choice for you to upgrade to a 4G LTE version. 

So, what’s the difference between the two, you ask? While both slates are practically the same in terms of quality and performance (with a minor advantage to the bigger model), the smallest device out of the two, also known as the Venue 7, will basically come up with a 7-inch screen, as well as a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera plus a 3-megapixel camera on the back, a total of 16GB of internal storage, and a relatively small and very lightweight body shape (only 8.3 ounces in weight).

The Venue 8, on the other hand, will obviously have a slightly bigger screen on top (at 8 inches diagonally), along with a little better camera set on both sides (2 megapixels on the front and 5 megapixels on the back), and the privilege to choose between 16GB and 32Gb of internal storage mods. As already mentioned, this tablet version is actually a tad larger than the first one, at 10.3 ounces and 8.3 x 5.1 x 0.35-inches all around, compared to the 7.6 x 4.6 x 0.38-inches the 7-incher boasts. 

The new tablets are due out October 18, in red or black hues, with prices to range between $149 for the Venue 7 model , and up to $179 for the basic Venue 8 flavor. 

[youtube id=”a-QWx2IqJus”]

General, tablets

New 8-inch Acer Iconia W4 Tablet Spotted in the Wild

1 Comment

While still unofficial, a rumor about a new successor to Acer’s Windows-powered Iconia W3 tablet has reportedly been floating around for quite some time now. The Taiwanese corp has yet to say a word about it, but nonetheless the device was already spotted yesterday at an Intel event. It is very similar looking in design to the previous model, the W3. It is quite small, and would fit in the palm of your hand quite easily, but then of course there are some differences as well. The most notable one is the new Intel Bay Trail chip, the 1.33GHz Atom Z3740 processor. But the 1,280 x 800 display has been improved as well (IPS panel, contrast, viewing angles), while the storage and memory remain exactly the same – 32GB  of storage capacity with 2GB of DDR3 RAM. Pricing and availability haven’t been disclosed at this point, but you can check out the Bouweenpc.nl video to learn even more.

Update: The new W4 is now officially available for a purchase starting at $330 for the 32GB model and only $50 for double the storage capacity.

[youtube id=”c-zC3Bc8SmE”]

tablets

Amazon Unveils the Kindle Fire HDX 7 and 8.9-inch Tablets

The rumors were there floating all over the web and now the real deal has finally been revealed. Today Amazon has officially announced what we already knew – a new pair of Kindle Fire machines in 7 and 8.9-inch flavors. The new tablets are dubbed as Kindle Fire HDX and run on “Mojito” which is an updated version of the Kindle Fire 3.0 OS. The slate in both cases includes a powerful 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor under the hood, and double the RAM at 2GB. Both the sizes are available now for pre-order, with the 7 inch 16GB variant starting at $229 (they ship on October 15) and $329 for the LTE-supported version (will ship on November 14), whereas the 8.9-inch model will retail for $379 (shipping November 7) and $479 for the 4G LTE-version (to be available in December).

The differences between the two models is obviously the size, but the screen is of the same, an HDX display with an astonishing pixel density of 339 ppi and 4 million pixels plus 100% sRGB color accuracy, and dynamic image contrast. The tabets are effectively designed for high performance at very low power. And as a result, the tablets will feature 3x faster processor, 4x faster GPU and 2x the memory, with an All-Day battery life, capable delivering up to 11 hours of mixed use and 17 hours of reading.

The new Kindles are more attractive and better to look at or hold in your hand. For instance, the 8.9” Kindle Fire HDX weighs in only 13.2 ounces, about 34% lighter than last year’s model. In that regard, the new slabs are great for those who like to use them “naked” and show off the shiny little light bar on the back. However, if you want something to keep ’em in when travelling, Amazon is offering a few colorful Origami covers as well. The new covers can fold for both landscape and portrait viewing. 

Both the 7” and 8.9” Kindle Fire HDX flavors boasts a front-facing HD camera for video calling, while the 8.9-inch variant also includes an 8MP shooter on the back. Still in the hardware department, the HDX tablets come standard with only one built-in micro-USB port. In addition, you’ll find a fine pair of stereo speakers, powered by the Dolby advanced audio technology. 

More on the two new tablets, Amazon has also added a new and revolutionary Mayday button to its Quick Settings menu, enabling real-time video tech support. It’s free, and apparently will be available for customers 7 days a week, with activity around the clock. Nice!

As for the software, Amazon has added a new service called the Prime Instant Videos, which basically provides an offline viewing options for members who travel a lot. Amazon has also improved its X-Ray solution for music, by adding lyrics that let you follow along with songs. Karaoke style. On that same note, X-Ray for music and TV now shows a wide range of info, including the list of songs that play in the video, themes, titles, some interesting highlights, and more. The service is powered by the IMDb database, and can also provide a second screen streaming experience.

Finally, Amazon has also updated the 7-inch Kindle Fire HD with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, and a display that features 1 million pixels and a resolution of 1920×1200 pixels. This one will cost a mere $139 and scheduled to ship on October 2.

tablets

Microsoft Announces the Surface Pro 2, Surface 2 Windows 8 and Windows RT Tablets

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At a press event in Skylight Modern, New York City, Microsoft has unveiled two models of its new and improved Surface tablet lineup. The next generation of slates, which would include the Surface Pro 2 and the Surface 2, has been described by the good fellows from Redmond as Lighter, Thinner, and Faster… and it probably is true. The two proposed models are indeed smaller and lighter compared to the first generation. Thus, the Surface 2 will measure 8.9mm thick and weighs 676 grams, while the Pro version will be 13.4mm thick and weighs 907 grams.

So without any further ado, let’s jump straight into it:

Surface Pro 2

Microsoft says this is probably the “most productive tablet” they’ve ever built. According to the company’s head of the Surface product division, Panos Panay, the Surface Pro 2 is faster than 95% of all laptops available on the market today, with graphics performance improved by 50 percent, and 20 percent faster than its predecessor. What we’re looking at is a full laptop in a tablet design, said Panay. And he was right, the second-gen of the Surface Pro is probably the most powerful slab we have ever seen. It will run Windows 8.1 OS on a 1.6GHz Core i5 Haswell processor, while the ClearType Full HD display remains the same at 10.6-inch with the resolution of 1080p. 

The battery life on the Surface Pro 2 is 75 percent better than the Surface Pro, and overall has been optimized for up to 60 percent longer life compared to the previous model. The company has also introduced a new variant of Type cover, dubbed Power Cover, with a built-in battery, backlit light, and a snap-on keyboard arrangement. The new Power extension will be able to provide the Pro 2 about 2.5x more battery life over the first generation. Microsoft has also showed off the Type Cover 2, which is an upgraded iteration to the previous Type Cover attachment, now 1mm thinner, comes in various colors and has a backlit, plus proximity sensors to save on battery.

On the back of the tablet, there is a sturdy little two-way kickstand for viewing data in a more convenient way. 

Microsoft is also preparing a Docking Station for Surface Pro 2 and Surface 2 tablets. The station includes 3x USB 3.0 ports, 1x USB 1.0, Mini DisplayPort, Ethernet, audio in/out, and will be capable of powering some other monitors around.

Pre-orders for both the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 will kick off September 24th, at 8AM EST, and will hit the stores on Oct. 22. A 64GB  Surface Pro 2 will start at $899, but you can easily up the price if you will buy a different configuration.

Update: The Surface Pro 2 is now shipping with faster 1.9GHz Intel i5-4200U processor, instead of the 1.6GHz version the tablet was running about two months ago. Microsoft’s spokesperson said that “Microsoft routinely makes small changes to internal components over the lifetime of a product, based on numerous factors including supply chain partnerships, availability, and value for our customers,” and he also added that “With any change to hardware or software, we work to ensure that the product experience remains excellent.”

Surface 2

The Surface 2 is the replacement to the Surface RT tablet. It is said to run a Windows RT 8.1 on board, and likely to come with a Tegra 4 quad-core processor (which now has 72 graphics cores vs. the 12 of the original Surface). Alongside with Nvidia’s chip, you’ll find available 4 GB of RAM, a combination of Ethernet, WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity, a full-sized USB 3.0 port , and either 32GB or 64 GB of standard storage options. Moreover, the Surface 2, which is easily one of the most beautiful slates we got to see so far, is showing a 25 percent increase in battery life over the first Microsoft Surface model, while managing to retain the same 1080p ClearType HD display. 

In terms of design, the Surface 2 will house that same two-angle kickstand on the back, for better display and use. Additionally, it has a robust and aesthetically pleasing finish on the outside while the casing is made of a dual-phase magnesium-based alloy.

The main camera has been updated as well and now features a 5MP rear lens and a 3.5MP shooter up front. With the new sensor on the Surface 2, you’ll be able to shoot a lot better low light videos on the go, or alternatively use it for making some great video conferencing calls. Yes, you will be able to make calls from almost any place in the world thanks to the free international bundle from Skype that Microsoft is giving you as part of the package.

Speaking about freebies, you also get 200GB of SkyDrive storage for 2 years when buying Surface 2.

The Surface 2 is due out October 22nd, with a retail price of $449 for the 32GB flavor.

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Videos are courtesy of Mobilegeeks

tablets

HP Announces Four New Android-based Tablets, and a Windows 8.1 Model

2 Comments

HP is on a roll this week: The company announced the release of four new Android tablets for the holiday season, plus a Windows-powered slate, running Intel’s Bay Trail processor inside. This isn’t the first time the giant computer corp. has been involved in the tablet market, after the TouchPad webOS device debacle in 2011. Earlier this year, the company surprised with a $169 Slate 7 Android tablet, while in the past year it has also released the Slate 8 Windows slab, which was at the higher end of the portable product line.

Now, the company is looking to add a few more tablets to its growing portfolio. Four Android units, which range in size from 7 to 10 inches, and one more Windows device, optimized for a 10-inch screen. The names of the upcoming machines are the HP Slate 7 HD, Slate 10 HD, Slate 7 Extreme, and the HP Omni 10. They are all expected to be out within six weeks, or so, at prices which are yet to be disclosed.

First up are the HP Slate 7 HD and Slate 10 HD. Both models are at the entry-level range, with 1280 x 800 IPS displays, sized at either 7 or 10 inches diagonally. In addition, the two also include a nine-hour battery under the hood, along with a dual-core processor of some sort, and a trendy set of Beats Audio system. There’s also an optional 4G support through T-mobile network.

Moving on to the Slate 7 Extreme. Still at the 7-inch range, this tablet includes some of the finest specs available on the market today. First and foremost, the model comes with a Nvidia Tegra 4 processor for ultimate multi-media and gaming experience. The screen of the tablet is at 7-inch diagonally, with 1280 x 800 pixel HD native resolution, which is quite a good choice overall, but also a bit of a touch disappointing. Well, you can’t really even compare it to the new Nexus 7 screen, which has a higher PPI, and a Full HD 1920×1200 display. Still, you’re getting a stylus inside for handwriting work and touchstreen strokes and gestures. As far as storage goes, the Extreme edition will be offering a 16 GB option (expandable to 32 GB via microSD), paired with a 1 GB of RAM and a rear 5 megapixels shooter, plus a front-facing camera for video conversations.

The Slate 8 Pro is of the high-end variety, offering a 7.98-inch display, with 1,600 x 1,200 pixels resolution and 4:3 aspect ratio. It crams a Tegra 4 processor inside, a microSD slot, micro-HDMI output, a full-sized micro-USB jack port socket and two amazing cameras, main camera has 8MP and the front one has 2MP.

The final device in HP’s new series is the Omni 10, a Windows 8.1 tablet running on Intel’s Bay Trail quad-core processor. As the name doubly implies, it’s a 10-inch tablet with full HD 1,920 x 1,080 resolution; not a ground breaking experience but it’s definitely worth a mention. Other than that, the Omni 10 comes equipped with 2GB of RAM,  64GB of storage, a 2 MP front-facing camera and an 8 MP lens sitting on the back. There’s also a microSD slot, tucked with a micro-HDMI out and a micro-USB port.

 

 

[HP]

General, Mobile

iPhone 5S and 5C Go Live, With Queues Forming Outside Apple Stores Around The World

Apple’s iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C go on sale today in a few selected countries around the world, including US, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore and the UK. Eager fans camped overnight outside the Apple stores and the vibes around are definitely getting louder and very positive, overall. The 5S and 5C come with iOS 7, which Apple described as “the most significant iOS update since the original iPhone”. And while the 5C model is basically an iPhone 5 coming in a colored plastic case, the 5S, on the other hand, includes a faster processor, which Apple claims is about twice as fast as the iPhone 5, a new A7 chip, which makes the phone “the world’s first smartphone with 64-bit desktop-class architecture,” an improved 8-megapixel iSight camera on the back, a new M7 motion chip under the lid, and a Fingerprint Touch ID sensor that can replace your passwords and be used to make purchases from Apple’s iTunes store.

Here’s a few examples of some of the lines starting to form outside Apple Stores around the world:

We’re updating the post from time to time

Detroit, Michigan, United States 

Fifth Avenue, New York City, United States #1

Fifth Avenue, New York City, United States #2

Fifth Avenue, New York City, United States #3

Fifth Avenue, New York City, United States #4

Fifth Avenue, New York City, United States #5

Fifth Avenue, New York City, United States #6

Fifth Avenue, New York City, United States #7

Soho, New York City, United States

New York City, United States

Huntington Station, New York, United States

Chicago, Illinois, United States #1

Chicago, Illinois, United States #2

Shadyside, Pittsburgh, United States

Boca Raton, Florida, United States #1

Boca Raton, Florida, United States #2

Miami Florida, United States

Miami Beach, Florida, United States

Maryland, United States

Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Dallas, Texas, United States

San Antonio, Texas, United States

Minnetonka, Minnesota, United States

Santa Monica, California, United States

Stanford University, California, United States

Glendale, California, United States

El kiosco, Hong Kong

Yorkdale Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Montreal, Canada

Monaco, French Riviera

Saint-Laurent-du-Var, French Riviera

Opera House, Paris, France #1

 Opera House, Paris, France #2

Louvre, Paris, France

Montpellier, France

Norwich, United Kingdom

Liverpool, United Kingdom

Regent Street, London, United Kingdom #1

Regent Street, London, United Kingdom #2

Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom

Tokyo, Japan

Ginza District, Tokyo, Japan

Sapporo, Japan

Berlin, Germany

Munich, Germany #1

Munich, Germany #2

Sydney, Australia #1

Sydney, Australia #2

Melbourne, Australia

Adelaide, Australia

Beijing, China

General, Mobile, Operating Systems

Apple iOS 7 Now Available Worldwide

Apple has officially begun to roll out the iOS 7 today, with users around the world now reporting to get the upgrade notification. Apple has made some significant changes to the interface of the new platform and has completely revamped the visual design of the operating system, including the apps, and much of the OS itself to be compatible with the 64-bit technology which the company will be using in future devices (starting with the new iphone 5S). Apple iOS 7, which includes a range of notable updates, is immediately available for download via iTunes or over-the-air (OTA), and supports iPhone 4 and later, ipad 2 and higher, iPad Mini, and iPod Touch fifth generation. As always, we recommend taking a full backup of your iDevice before updating the new firmware.

Update: Apple has just rolled out iTunes 11.1 with some notable features such as Podcast stations which sync over iCloud, Genius Shuffle which Apple defines as a magical new way to shuffle your music library, an expected sync compatibility with Apple devices that run under Cupertino’s “just-released” iOS-7, and probably the biggest of ’em all, the iTunes Radio that offers free music streaming based on your music preferences, a la Pandora.

Here’s the full Change log

iTunes Radio. iTunes Radio is a great new way to discover music. Choose from over 250 stations or start a new one from your favorite artist or song. Enjoy iTunes Radio ad-free once you subscribe to iTunes Match.

Genius Shuffle. Introducing a magical new way to experience your music library. Choose Genius Shuffle and iTunes instantly plays songs that go great together. Click it again to hear something new—enjoying your music has never been this easy.

Podcast Stations. You can now create custom stations of your favorite podcasts that update automatically with new episodes. Your stations, subscriptions, and current play position sync over iCloud to the Podcasts app.

Sync with iOS 7. You can now use iTunes to sync your favorite music, movies, and more to devices with iOS 7. In addition, iTunes now makes it even easier to quickly organize and sync apps to your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

tablets

Nvidia Launches 7-Inch Budget Tablet Called Tegra Note

1 Comment

Nvidia has unveiled its latest product today in the form of the 7-inch Tegra Note tablet. The new device, which features the Tegra 4 SOC and runs on Android Jelly Bean operating system, is offering some of the latest and greatest technology on board, including a quad-core Cortex-A15 processor, 16GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM and a 72-core GeForce GPU. The latter, will help the Tegra Note deliver better graphics and faster rendering work.

In addition to having a smaller 7-inch size with 1,280 x 800 IPS display, Nvidia’s new slab is expected to boast a 10 hours battery pack, along with a micro-HDMI hub, and a microSD card slot. There’s also a a built-in stylus made of flexible materials for a variety of writing styles and convenience hand strokes. Nvidia has also packed in a 5MP rear-facing camera, and dual “HD Audio” speakers with a unique bass-reflex port.

Finally, the tablet is expected to be available worldwide in October for about US$199, via Nvidia’s global partners such as EVGA, PNY Colorful and ZOTAC.

tablets

Alleged new Kindle Fire Photo Suggests New Design

1 Comment

While details are still scarce, word on the street is that Amazon is planning a new, updated Kindle Fire product range, with a particular focus on revamping the external design. If latest leaks from @evleaks prove to be true, the online retail giant is giving its tablets a complete makeover. Not only does it have a bit bigger and slightly curvier bezel around the screen, there is a notable omission of the front facing camera. Which may suggest that we are looking at a standard Kindle Fire version, and not necessarily the Fire HD, which was recently rumored to include a massive 2,560 x 1,600 display resolution, alongside a front 2MP webcam and an Android 4.2.2 for the OS. Other than that, the guys over at BGR claim that we should probably expect at least two different screen sizes (e,g 7, 8.9-inches) to show up in the next aforementioned line, with both models to feature a 2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor under the hood, 2GB of RAM and your choice of 16GB, 32GB or 64GB storage capacities. More details to follow soon.

tablets

Asus Takes Wraps Off $349 Transformer Book T100 Tablet

Asus-Transformer-Book-T100-tablet

Asus has expanded its Transformer tablet lineup with the latest introduction of  Transformer Book T100. The 10.1 inch tablet/laptop hybrid, which sports a 1366 x 768 IPS display, was built upon its predecessors by adding more powerful specs, while retaining the original look and overall feel. The tablet device, that is expected to show up in the market on October 18, is said to house Intel’s brand new quad-core Atom Bay Trail-TZ3740 CPU which has been designed for tablets rather than notebooks. It runs a Windows 8.1 platform under the lid and likely to keep the pricing low to compete well with the 7-inch range. In that regard, the 32GB model will cost only $349, while the 64GB version will set you back $399.

Taking a tour around the Book T100, the first impression is that the tablet seems light and portable. At 2.4 pounds in weight, (0.93 inches thick), it’s easy to carry around on the go as you would your iPad or any other mobile phone.

Other hardware perks include an Intel HD Graphics card for a rich and vibrant display, 2GB of RAM, a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera (no back camera?), micro-USB, micro-HDMI, a microSD card reader, and a Full USB 3.0 port. The T100 also ships with a 31Wh battery, offering up to 11 hours of continuous work.

The new Transformer Book T100 will come bundled with MS office 2013 and a nice chiclet Keyboard Dock, which is a great deal for the price. 

[youtube id=”8foKu6hOJSU”]

Video courtesy of minipcpro

 

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ASUS Transforms Expectations for Mobile Computing with New Transformer Books at IDF 2013
Transformer Book T100 and Transformer Book Trio combine the productivity features of a laptop with the flexibility of a tablet

San Francisco, US (September 11, 2013) – ASUS today showcased two new Transformer Book ultraportables at an ASUS product launch event during Intel® Developer Forum (IDF) 2013. The event was hosted by ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih and featured special guest Tom Kilroy, Intel Vice President. Transformer Book T100, and Transformer Book Trio are the latest models in a wide range of mobile and desktop computers from ASUS that will transform your expectations about technology.

“The ASUS Transformer Book T100 is the perfect transformation of the Eee PC with full compatibility, detachable touch screen, immersive entertainment and enough battery for all-day computing,” said ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih. “It is truly a game-changer for our mobile lifestyle.”

The ASUS Transformer Book T100 and Transformer Book Trio both feature a two-part dockable design that combines the productivity features of a laptop with the portability of a tablet and the flexibility to switch between the two in an instant. Transformer Book Trio goes further still, with a keyboard dock that packs its own processor, so it can be used as a self-contained desktop PC when its display is detached for use as a tablet.

Transformer Book T100- high-mobility notebook and tablet combined
ASUS Transformer Book T100 is a 10.1-inch ultraportable with an Intel® Atom™ ‘Bay Trail’ quad-core processor and detachable HD display that can be used as a standalone Windows 8.1 tablet. Featuring a sleek design and durable finish, Transformer Book T100 is not only one of the lightest ultraportables currently available at just 2.4lbs, but also one of the lightest 10-inch tablets around, at 1.2lbs.

Transformer Book T100 features the new Intel AtomTM Bay Trail-T Z3740 quad-core processor for smooth multi-tasking performance and incredible energy efficiency that can last up to 11 hours1 on battery power. The lightweight keyboard dock features precision-engineered keys designed for comfortable extended use, a multi-touch touchpad with full Windows 8.1 gesture support and USB 3.0. Transformer Book T100 features a brilliant HD 10.1-inch tablet IPS multi-touch display with wide 178-degree viewing angles for razor-sharp images. Transformer Book T100 features Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 with full versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, the perfect productivity solution for both school and work.
The new ASUS Transformer Book T300 is a larger version of the T100, with a detachable 13.3-inch Full HD IPS multi-touch display that acts as a standalone Windows 8 tablet. Powered by a 4th generation Intel Core processor for seamless multi-tasking performance, Transformer Book T300 has up to eight hours battery life and features a sleek metallic design with a durable soft-touch finish.

Transformer Book Trio – laptop, tablet and desktop PC in one sleek design
ASUS Transformer Book Trio features a sleek and durable metallic design powered by a 4th generation Intel® Core™ processor for seamless multi-tasking performance and outstanding energy efficiency in Windows 8 laptop mode. When it’s time for entertainment to take over from productivity, the 11.6-inch Full HD IPS display detaches from the ‘PC Station’ keyboard dock for use as a multi-touch Android tablet with its own Intel Atom™ dual-core processor.
With the display docked, Transformer Book Trio can switch instantly between Windows 8 and Android 4.2 by pressing the dedicated ‘Trio’ key on the keyboard, with data shared between the two operating systems via the tablet’s storage. Unlike other dockable ultraportables, Transformer Book Trio’s PC Station is not dead weight when the tablet display is detached. With an external display connected via Mini DisplayPort or Micro-HDMI, the PC Station can be used as a self-contained desktop PC featuring Windows 8, which means two people, in two different places, can use the Transformer Book Trio at the same time.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING
US Pricing for Transformer Book T100: MSRP $349 (32GB) / MSRP $399 (64GB)
For other markets, please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.
1 Specifications and product availability are all subject to change without notice and may differ from country to country. Actual performance may vary depending on applications, usage, environment and other factors.

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General, Mobile, Phones

Apple Unveils Faster, Stronger iPhone 5S and Cheaper, Colorful iPhone 5C

6 Comments

Apple’s Tim Cook took the stage today at the company’s media event in Cupertino to officially introduce the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C, Apple’s next generation of mobile devices. As most rumors already suggested, the iphone 5S, which is considered as Apple’s new flagship machine, looks exactly the same as the previous model, AKA the iPhone 5; rear aluminum build and a front glass panel, surrounded by a metal stripe around the sides.

Clearly, the new 5S is Apple’s fastest handset yet, and it runs a super powerful A7 chip under the lid. It’s the first and probably the only smartphone in the world to ship with a 64-bit configuration in the form of the new A7 processor, with a “desktop-class architecture” housing 1 billion transistors, which are twice the amount you’ll find on an A6 chip. This brings the A7 chip performance to more than double the speed of an “old” iphone 5. As for the graphics, Apple has announced a new support for the OpenGL ES 3.0 standard like the new Nexus 7. But that’s not all, ladies and gents, because there seems to be a secondary chip, that Apple is tossing in alongside the A7 processor, and it’s called the M7. This one, is more of a “motion processor” and it will help measure motion stuff like the accelerometer, compass, and gyroscope. In addition, it’ll improve support in a few apps within the health and fitness fields.

One of the most important questions the media had to deal with was how big is the screen on the Apple iPhone 5S/5C smartphones? Today, we’ve finally got the answer, the new Apple iPhones come with a 1136 x 640 pixel 4-inch Retina display, which is about the same as we had as with the iPhone 5 model. In other words, DISAPPOINTMENT. We truly expected from Apple to offer a larger screen alternative. But I guess it won’t happen until probably the next iphone generation, number 6, I presume.

As mentioned, the outside box doesn’t bear any notable changes from the older version, except one significant update in the form of a revolutionary fingerprint sensor that Apple has placed under the home button. Yes, you’re getting a fingerprint sensor that is likely to boost your mobile security BIG time, and will ultimately replace all those user ID passwords. NEAT. The button itself is said to be made from a laser-cut sapphire crystal materials, which are basically unscratchable. And while rumors were spot on, this fingerprint reader – The TouchID – that Apple has managed to attach underneath the iphone home button is nothing but amazing. The technology behind it can literally read  your fingerprint at “an entirely new level” if you will. Touch ID Sensor is about 170 microns thin, and senses 500 ppi resolution. Generally speaking, it can scan all of your “sub-epidermal skin layers.” Touch the button and DANG, your phone’s unlocked.

Another cool thing that Apple has added, is the upgraded camera. The company has improved the current rear 8MP camera from the iPhone 5 with a new f/2.2 aperture. The new camera technology features a backside illumination, and will apparently endorse about 15 percent larger active sensor area. Other than that, we’re also looking at a new flash at the back of the phone (with two LEDs attached), and a cool shooting option with an auto image stabilization mode. The front facing webcam is at 1.2MP, while the rear one was specifically designed to capture 720p HD video at a very high speed, at 120FPS. It basically means that you can easily take slow-motion videos out of your phone. Last but not least, you will now be able to shoot at burst mode & up to 10 frames per second. Which is crazy if you come to think about it.

In addition to that, the iPhone 5S will also include support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 4G LTE network. As far as storage goes, the 5S model will ship with your choice of either 16/32/64 GB of storage — No 128 GB flavor for you at this point. Bummer.

The phone will arrive in Silver, Gold, and a new Space Gray colors. Is anyone surprised?

The second device that Apple has officially unveiled today is the iPhone 5C which the good guys over at Cupertino are aiming for the low-mid mobile market. The cool thing about this model is the variety of colors that you can choose from (Blue, White, Pink, Yellow, and Green), and the fact that it’s light and made from a cheap plastic flavor. Apple says that It’s made of a hard-coated polycarbonate material, if you really want to know. It also features a 4-inch Retina display with the same 8-megapixel rear camera and the regular support for LTE bands, dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity, and Bluetooth 4.0. The chip inside is an A6 processor, same as the iPhone 5.

Both devices will run Apple’s latest and greatest iOS 7 out of the box. The platform, which Apple has completely built from the scratch around the 64-bit technology, in a new “flat” design, is due out September 18th. Supported devices include the iPhone 4 or later, iPad 2 or later, iPad mini or fifth-generation iPod touch.

As for prices and availability, the two new iphones will officially go on pre-order at Apple’s online store September 13th, with both devices to start shipping on September 20th in the US, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore and the UK. The most significant thing here is that it would probably be the first time that China is getting in the first phase of the iPhone’s release. This is huge for a company like Apple who’s been making efforts to penetrate the Chinese market for quite some time now.

The iPhone 5S will offer a range of 16 GB to 64 GB models and will be priced as follows:

  • 16 GB: $199 (with a 2-year contract), or $649 off-contract.
  • 32 GB: $299 (with a 2-year contract)
  • 64 GB: $399 (with a 2-year contract)

The iPhone 5C will offer 16 GB/32 GB capacities and will be priced as follows:

  • 16 GB: $99 (with a 2-year contract), or $549  off-contract.
  • 32 GB: $199 (with a 2-year contract)

Apple will also offer dyed leather cases for $39 each, and a set of rubber skin cases for the iPhone 5C, priced at merely$29 apiece.

Finally, Apple to discontinue the iphone 5, while the 4S version remains as a free model in a 2 year contract.

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IFA, tablets

Sony Vaio Tap 11 is The “World’s Thinnest Windows 8 Tablet PC”

Sony products always seem to be on the high side, with simple and elegant design, but also with a very high price tag. The Vaio Tap 11, which was recently announced by the Japanese corp at the IFA 2013 tradeshow, is no exception. In fact it’s fully loaded with many of impressive new features. The 1,920 x 1,080 IPS screen on this slate is beautiful. It measures 11.6 inches diagonally and is extremely clear and bright. Additionally, It will also include an N-Trig digitizer to enable more expressive forms of pen-touch input.

The new Tap 11, which is claimed to be the “world’s thinnest tablet PC” is obviously trying to take on Microsoft’s flagship Surface Pro. It’s only 9.9mm thick, and like the Surface, boasts a fully retractable kickstand behind, for portrait or landscape propping. The Windows 8 tablet turns on fast and aims to combine PC power and tablet portability in one single slab. The Vaio Tap 11 runs on Intel’s new Haswell CPU, with your choice of Core i3, i5 or i7 processors. In addition, it packs 4GB of RAM and a range of 128GB to 512GB SSD storage configuration. As far as battery goes, Sony says it will offer up to 6 hours of battery life and can be charged in a reasonable time. There’s also NFC on board, which supports one-touch pairing with Sony’s range of machines.

Apart from all that, the Tap 11 is also equipped with a full USB 3.0 port, a micro-HDMI input to connect LED TVs and some other HDMI-capable devices, a built-in IR remote, microSD card slot, dual stereo speakers, and a front 2 megapixels shooter plus an 8 megapixels rear-facing camera, tucked with Sony’s own Exmor-RS sensor. Software wise, you’ll have pre-loaded inside a nice batch of Adobe Creative Cloud programs.

Along with the Vaio Tap 11, Sony is offering a slim & detachable wireless keyboard that can also be used as a nice protective cover, in particular when you charge the battery. There’s also a touchpad built into the chiclet keys, and it can be turned off at the switch on the keyboard.

Both price and availability are to be determined, so you’ll have to wait a while if you want it.

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Video courtesy of pocketnowvideo

tablets

Toshiba Encore 8-inch Windows Tablet Breaks Cover

Toshiba has made its first foray into the world of mid-range Windows tablets with the recent release of the Encore Windows tablet. The 8-inch device, which sports a 1200 x 800 pixel resolution multi-touch display, will measure 10.68mm thick, making it just slightly thinner than Acer’s 8.1-Inch Iconia W3, its main Taiwanese rival. The new slate is said to be powered by an Intel Bay Trail Atom processor under the lid, and will be coming pre-loaded with Windows 8.1 OS. You will also get 32GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD up to 32GB) along with a rear 8-megapixel camera and a front 2-megapixel shooter, for Skype video conversations. As far as I/O is concerned the Encore slab is fully equipped with a micro HDMI, micro USB, 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi connectivity, and Bluetooth 4.0. The tablet also includes a full-featured suite of productivity software including Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013, and Xbox SmartGlass app to play movies, music, or more from the slab on your Xbox 360 console, or even track and connect with your Xbox Live friends, compare achievements, and change up your 3D avatar. The new Encore tablet will be available for purchase this coming November, with pricing to start at a cool $329.99 price tag.

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Video courtesy of pocketnowvideo

 

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TOSHIBA REVEALS ENCORE, A POCKET-SIZED TABLET SET TO DELIVER A FULL WINDOWS 8.1 EXPERIENCE
All-new Encore Tablet With an 8-inch Multi-touch Display and Intel Atom Processor Delivers Fast, Full-screen Web Browsing, Best-in-class Skype Experience, Xbox Second-screen Capabilities and Much More
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
– Optimized for Windows® 8.1 and developed in close collaboration with Microsoft, the Encore hardware features are designed to support a full-spectrum software and apps experience.
– Equipped with dual microphones for a best-in-class Skype experience.
– Powered by the latest-generation Intel® Atom processor with InstantGo, unleashing fast, fluid
performance with connected standby capabilities and long battery life.
– Includes full version of Office Home & Student 2013, Xbox SmartGlass app, free streaming pass
to Xbox Music, Norton Anti-Theft and more.

IRVINE, Calif. – Sept. 5, 2013 – Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today unveiled the Encore tablet, a consumer device designed to deliver an exceptional Windows 8.1 experience in a pocket-sized form factor. Developed in close collaboration with Microsoft and built for consumers seeking a versatile small-screen tablet for home, work and play, Encore is well-positioned to accelerate the market for Windows-based tablets by delivering software- optimized features and sleek hardware design at a competitive price point.

“Encore is poised to re-energize the opportunity for Windows tablets in the market,” said Carl Pinto, vice president of marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. “Our fundamental approach to designing Encore was to create a better convergence of hardware and software so the overall app experience and capabilities on a Windows-based device is better than ever. Windows has a lot to offer for a tablet user, and with the new features that Windows 8.1 brings, we believe that Encore will deliver more choice against a range of competitive tablets.”

Smart, Small-screen Design
Designed to be held in one hand, the 8-inch1 Encore tablet is optimized for use at home or on the go. A high-resolution (1280 x 800) multi-touch HFFS display is well-suited for entertainment with wide viewing angles, while the new scaling capabilities of Windows 8.1 maximizes the screen real estate, making room for full-screen web browsing and an unencumbered Start screen view in both portrait and landscape orientations. Encased in a stylish silver textured backplate, Encore is both slim and lightweight, measuring 0.42 inches (10.68mm) and weighing just 16.9 ounces (479g)2.
Encore is powered by the power-efficient Intel® Atom processor, which delivers great performance, fast start-up and page loads, and exceptional battery life. It also includes the connected standby capabilities of InstantGo, enabling the device to receive updates while sleeping so content is always up to date when use is resumed. In addition, Encore includes top quality features, such as an 8-megapixel camera, a full suite of sensors, including a gyroscope, accelerometer and GPS, as well as stereo speakers.

“Toshiba continues to drive touch innovation by bringing new and exciting Windows 8 form factors to life,” said Jordan Chrysafidis, vice president of Worldwide OEM Marketing, Microsoft Corp. “We look forward to working with Toshiba on the launch of Windows 8.1 and seeing its holiday 2013 devices delight customers worldwide.”

Optimized for Skype
Encore is optimized for Skype, making high-quality video chatting and calling possible. Utilizing on-board dual microphones with beam forming technology and integrated 2-megapixel front camera – consumers can chat with clarity with friends and family throughout the world.

Easy Sharing and Streaming with Windows 8 Devices
Completely compatible with both Windows 8 apps and Windows 7 programs, Encore offers seamless integration and content sharing with other Windows devices, giving the device an edge for multi-device home users looking to stream and share content from room to room.
Great for play. Ideal for work.

The Encore tablet supports a wide range of applications – from books, games, movies, music and photos to productivity – making it a versatile device that can be used and enjoyed at home, at work or on the go. Ready to go right out of the box, Encore will feature Xbox Movies, Music and Games entertainment services, Amazon’s Kindle e-reading app, as well as the Xbox SmartGlass app which turns the tablet into a secondary screen for the Xbox 360 and Xbox One game consoles. Also included is a full version of Office Home & Student 2013 for convenient viewing and creation of Word, Excel® and PowerPoint® documents.

Equipped with Tablet Essentials
Encore includes 32GB of storage4 and is equipped with essential ports including a Micro USB 2.0 port, Micro HDMI® port and a microSDTM slot for up to 32GB more storage. Ultrafast dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi® enables easy wireless media streaming.

Pricing and Availability
The Toshiba Encore tablet will be available for purchase in November at major retailers, e-tailers and direct from Toshiba at ToshibaDirect.com for $329.99 MSRP5.

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tablets

Lenovo S5000 7-Inch €199 Jelly Bean Tablet Announced

Today, at IFA 2013, Lenovo has officially introduced its latest and greatest 7-inch  Android tablet, dubbed the S5000. Measuring 7.9mm thick and weighing 236 grams, the ultra-thin slate includes a capacitive 1280×800 pixel resolution screen, paired with a 1.2GHz quad-core Media Tek 8389 processor, and a 3450 mAh battery which offers up to eight hours of continuous work. The new device is expected to run Android Jelly Bean for the OS and sport a 5-megapixel camera at the back and a 1.6MP shooter up front. Of course, there is WiFi and Bluetooth technology that lets you connect to other devices and the Internet, wherever you go, and there’s an optional 3G HSPA+ connectivity version that you will be able to choose in some of the countries around the world. But Not In The U.S. as far as we know. As for pricing, the 16GB S5000 will retail in Europe for €199, while the 3G model will be €249. You can expect one sometime Q4 this year.

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Video courtesy of minipcpro

 

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Lenovo Wraps Style and Intelligence into New Smartphone and Tablet
Latest PC Plus products combine elegant hardware with trendsetting photo capabilities and sharp screens

Vibe X smartphone, the newest member of Lenovo’s premium smartphone portfolio, packs twin camera technology and amazingly brilliant display into sleek package
S5000 tablet takes thin and light mobility experience to new level

BERLIN, GERMANY – September 5, 2013: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today at the 2013 IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin announced the latest additions to its PC Plus portfolio: the Lenovo
Vibe X smartphone, the newest member of Lenovo’s premium smartphone portfolio, and the ultra mobile Lenovo S5000 tablet. Both devices combine a sleek design with intelligent performance and a vibrant viewing experience.

Additionally, the remarkably thin and light Vibe X smartphone uniquely sports powerful front and rear cameras and a high resolution beveled edge glass display, while the S5000 makes its mark as one of the industry’s slimmest and lightest premium seven-inch tablets available. Those who crave style and function will appreciate the devices’ laser-engraved fabric-feel surface on the back covers and their attractive side chrome accents.

Lenovo Vibe X: Ready to Capture Life’s Precious Moments
The Lenovo Vibe X smartphone comes encased in style with a premium polycarbonate body and an advanced mold, laser-engraved 3D tactile finish. Its slim, featherweight frame continues its focus on premium design by measuring just 6.9mm, as thin as a pencil, and it weighs in at less than other smartphones its size – just 121 grams (0.26 lbs), about the weight of five AA batteries. The dazzling five- inch 20/20 Vision display1 boasts a 1920×1080 full HD resolution, an IPS panel for wide-viewing angles and ultra-sharp 440 pixels per inch (PPI). The 20/20 Vision Display sits under a scratch resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 screen beveled at the edges.

The Lenovo Vibe X packs two advanced cameras to capture great-looking photos and videos. The front- facing camera offers one of the highest megapixels in the market today, at five megapixel (MP), and together with a wide-angle 84° lens, effortlessly captures high-quality self-portraits. Users can also use pinch-to-zoom gestures easily and effectively to adjust their shots. It also includes a built-in software editor to help enhance facial features. The 13MP auto-focus rear-facing camera comes enhanced with a back-illuminated sensor for sharper images and also has an LED flash.

The Vibe X comes preloaded with a full-featured photo application that gives users a fresh way to view and organize pictures, including creating unique custom tags or folders, as well as fun and fresh display arrangements on the screen. Users can also create puzzles and customize specific games from the photos. The camera application makes it easy to choose custom settings and filters, as well as edit and share any photo or video instantly.
The Lenovo Vibe X runs on the AndroidTM 4.2 operating system and on a Quad-Core MTK 6589T 1.5GHz processor for advanced performance to enjoy the latest games, apps and videos. With 2GB of memory and 16GB of internal storage, users can download and install dozens of apps, listen to hundreds of music tracks and snap thousands of digital photos.

Additionally, Lenovo continues to refine its smartphone portfolio by updating its popular premium Lenovo K900 smartphone2 with several new features including choices of new colors in either black or orange as well as storage options of 16GB or 32GB.
S5000 Tablet: Stay Mobile, Stay Stylish, Stay Connected
Measuring just 7.9 mm, the S5000 is one of the slimmest tablets in the market. It weighs in at just 246 grams (0.54 lbs), nearly one-fifth lighter than many of the premium tablets being sold today. Inside this thin and light frame resides plenty of horsepower, starting with a seven-inch 1280×800 resolution, 350 nit brightness and full HD wide-viewing angle display to make it easy to share photos and videos with family and friends.

The S5000 camera gives tablet users an ideal high-definition photo experience. The 1.6MP front-facing camera boasts a sharp high definition experience for crystal clear video chatting while the rear-facing 5.0MP camera takes quality photos and videos and can also scan QR codes and capture photos from long distances.

The S5000 tablet runs on the Android 4.2 operating system (Jelly Bean) and on a Quad-Core Media Tek 8389 1.2 GHz processor and features optional 3G HSPA+ connectivity3. The S5000 relies on its “On the Go” USB port for storage expansion or charging other devices and 3450mAh battery for up to eight hours of non-stop WiFi web browsing or six hours of HD video viewing to keep up with the demands of mobile users.

Lenovo Smart Apps for Secure Sharing and Saving
The Lenovo Vibe X and S5000 come preloaded with custom applications that allow users to conveniently share photos, videos, and documents, protect their device from malicious software, as well as backup and restore important data. On the Lenovo Vibe X, users can also launch the preloaded Facebook app enhanced with additional screensaver and notification functions.

Quotes
“Lenovo continues to bring head-turning innovations to the PC Plus marketplace with the Lenovo Vibe X smartphone’s uncompromising hardware design, its rich display and memory-making camera technologies,” said Wayne Chen, vice president and general manager, mobile business unit, Lenovo. “Along with the S5000 tablet, these carefully crafted devices unleash a powerful blend of beautiful and smart technology to improve people’s lives.”

Pricing and Availability4 The Lenovo Vibe X smartphone will be available in China starting in October and in countries where Lenovo smartphones are sold beginning in December. The Vibe X smartphone is not for sale in Europe. The K900 smartphone in black and orange with 16GB/32GB storage is available beginning immediately in China and will be available later this year in countries where smartphones are available. The S5000 tablet will be available in 4Q 2013.

Dana Wollman contributed to this report.[/toggle]

tablets

Samsung Refreshes Their Tablet Lineup With a New Galaxy Note 10.1 Slate, 2014 Edition

1 Comment

Electronic giant Samsung  is set to refresh its tablet roster this year. The South Korean corp. has revealed new details about the 2014 edition of the Galaxy 10.1-inch tablet, which is expected to have an upgraded high-resolution screen of 2560 x 1600, compared to previous Galaxy Note 10.1 model that came out to the market with only 1280 x 800 pixels. Moreover, the new Galaxy 10.1 iteration will boast Sammy’s powerful 1.9GHz 8-core Octa chip under the hood, with 3GB of RAM, and your choice of 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB of internal storage (expendable up to 64 via microSD).

The new Note 10.1 will run Google’s latest and greatest Android 4.3 platform, alongside a much better software, including a better multitasking functionality, and improved S Pen and S Note support. To some people’s disappointment, the new slate will continue to have Samsung’s own TouchWiz UI running atop, rather than going with a stock Android experience, instead. Nevertheless, it is truly a beautiful device, offering a slim and sleek look, with a stunning glossy plastic design (in black or white colors). Not to mention the top-notch technology on board, such as Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, a front 2MP webcam plus an 8MP rear shooter with BSI, AF and LED flash situated underneath, an 8,220mAh battery, WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, USB 2.0, 3G data enhancements, and 4G LTE frequency support.

We still have no idea what price the the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 iteration will launch with but, given the specs we can guess it will be within the $400-$600 range, depends on the type of configuration: Wi-Fi only, Wi-Fi / 3G, and Wi-Fi / LTE. The slab is due out sometime in Q3.

Update: Samsung will be pushing out the tablet to US buyers starting October 10th, with Wifi-Only prices ranging between $550 for the 16GB model, and $600 for the 32GB flavor. Moreover, you’ll be getting a 3 months voucher to spend on Hulu Plus, as well as 50GB of extra online storage on Dropbox, another 3 months freebie subscription for the New York Times magazine, and a 52-week subscription to the Bloomberg Businessweek outlet.  

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Video courtesy of PhoneArena

 

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The New Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 Delivers Unparalleled Tablet Viewing, Productivity and Mobility

Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) delivers the ultimate productivity and beauty

Berlin, Germany – September 4, 2013 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a global leader in digital media and convergence technologies, today unveiled the GALAXY Note 10.1, 2014 Edition, an original approach to balancing productivity, powerful content creation and consumption in one portable tablet device. Equipped with WQXGA Super clear LCD (2560×1600) resolution in a stunning 10-inch display, 1.9 GHZ Octa Core processor (for 3G / WiFi only version) and 3GB RAM, the GALAXY Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) demonstrates Samsung’s innovation leadership by delivering ultimate productivity capabilities while remaining extremely thin and light.

“The new GALAXY Note 10.1 is the most progressive 10-inch tablet, delivering the best viewing and multitasking experiences. It is the most recent demonstration of Samsung Mobile’s focus on constant product innovation to stay aligned with shifting consumer interests,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics. “The GALAXY Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) unites a range of features that will consistently surprise consumers as they realize how much easier and more enjoyable it makes their everyday lives.”

The new GALAXY Note 10.1 expands on the advanced productivity and creativity leadership delivered by the original Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1. In addition to enabling productivity, the device has been redesigned with a sleek, light, slim frame that is both fashionable and portable.

Richer Viewing Experience, Enhanced Multitasking

The large, bright and crystal clear screen delivers four times the pixel density of the original GALAXY Note 10.1, providing a premium content viewing experience.

The magazine style UX allows users to organize their favorite resources in an easy to use dashboard and then access that content for a stylish reading experience. Whether watching videos or reading magazines and e-books, the new GALAXY Note 10.1 provides an immersive media consumption experience. New design characteristics, like a warm and textured back cover with stitching, inspire a sense of elegance and sophistication.

The device’s screen size also enables enhanced multitasking. With Multi Window, users will be able to run separate instances of the same application, and use an enhanced S Pen to drag and drop content from one window to another. 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 calculator.

Improved S Pen and S Note Functionality

The updated S Pen included with GALAXY Note 10.1 improves responsiveness, delivers day-to-day efficiency enhancements and produces more creative input capabilities. The tablet also includes GALAXY Note 3’s updated S Pen features such as Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write and S Finder. Combined with the tablet’s larger screen, these enhanced S Pen capabilities present users with unique creative opportunities and the space to explore them.

With new Scrapbook capabilities, users can easily indicate any interesting content with the S Pen and organize it into individualized scrapbooks, creating a log of discussion points for a future work conversation, a wish list for new clothes or a home redesign project, or a personal favorites list.

S Note has been upgraded with a more intuitive, easy-to-use interface. Users will have access to both note files and notepads, with the ability to use the S Pen to take handwritten notes. With Easy Chart, hand-drawn visualizations of data can be instantly transformed into more formal charts and graphs.

Offering Content for Enhanced Entertainment and Creativity

The new GALAXY Note 10.1 will also offer a host of exciting partner content that complements the device’s entertainment, productivity and creativity properties. With premium partner applications and free memberships and services, the new GALAXY Note 10.1 provides everything a user might need in one place. The Samsung Content Gifts include content from leading news sources such as Bloomberg Businessweek+, The New York Times, Autodesk Sketchbook for GALAXY for painting and sketching, a redesigned version of social broadcast network Twitter optimized for the device, and much more.

In addition, the GALAXY Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) will also include a Samsung Apps widget that will direct users to additional beneficial content provided by Samsung. The widget will live on the home screen and include a “Special Offer for GALAXY” section that will highlight unique, country-based content for users.

Samsung KNOX, comprehensive mobile security for consumers and enterprise

The new GALAXY Note 10.1 comes with enhanced privacy and security protection provided by Samsung KNOX. Users can activate Samsung KNOX with ease which allows them to run and store security-sensitive applications and data inside a protected execution environment called “container.” The security inside the container is strengthened by system-level protection of Samsung KNOX against malware and phishing attacks as well as hacking attempts on physical devices when devices are stolen or lost. For instance, important personal pictures or video can be stored in the container with no worries for data leakage due to hacking. In addition, users may choose to store enterprise applications and data such as corporate email, contacts and calendar and allow the IT department to manage the container through EAS (Exchange ActiveSync Server). These features make the GALAXY Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) an ideal device for BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device to work)

The GALAXY Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) will come in three connectivity options: WiFi Only, WiFi and 3G, WiFi and LTE, available in 16/32/64GB + Micro SD. Comes with two color options, Jet Black and Classic White, the GALAXY Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) will be offered globally and will be available starting from Q3, 2013.

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General, Mobile

Confirmed: Apple iPhone Event is Set For Sept 10

After a long time rumors about a possible event, Apple has finally sent invitations for a press conference to be held September 10, 2013, at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern, at the Cupertino Headquarters, to announce details about the upcoming line of flagship iphone devices, and probably some other very interesting stuff, such as the iOS 7 and more. By “more” we hope to get an official release date for Apple’s latest and greatest OS X 10.9, also dubbed Mavericks, and a refresh to the Retina display iPads or the Retina MacBook Pros. 

Apple’s invitations usually include some hints as to what the event will be about, and this year the tagline, which appears at the bottom of some sort of an abstract colorful polka dot background, is saying — “this should brighten everyone’s day” — the event, that is, of course. As for the colorful dots, that could probably confirm early leaks about a possible release of some bright multi-colored iPhone 5C casing, but hell, we’d certainly want to see a gold iPhone variant as well.  

Another theory suggests that the colorful dots and the style of the fonts (above) were designed in the spirit of the new iOS 7 (a flat design). We can’t be too sure about it, but let’s give out our chance and hope for the best.

IFA, tablets

Acer Launches 10.1-inch Iconia A3 Android Jelly Bean Tablet

Acer has added a new tablet to its burgeoning Android portfolio, introducing a 10.1-inch model, dubbed Iconia A3, to complement its existing 7.9-inch Iconia A1. The new slate, which is expected to go on sale in Europe, Middle East, and Africa early October, will be available in both WiFi and 3G configurations, while the starting price set at €249. The A3 will be housing a 1,280 x 800 resolution screen, touting a WXGA IPS panel, along with a 5MP rear-facing camera, and a quad-core 1.2GHz Cortex A7 processor onboard. The 10.1-incher will also include a Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean for the OS, a virtualized 5.1 channel surround system, and either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage at your choice. US release is yet to be announced.

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Acer Launches a Touch More Entertainment with 10.1″ Android Tablet
@ IFA 2013

Update: Iconia A1 and Iconia B1 with a touch more colour

Editors’ Summary:

• Immersive, cinematic sound experience with Dolby Digital and ergonomic speaker placement
• Smooth media performance with quad-core processor
• Vivid, consistent visuals on 10.1″ LED-backlit display with IPS¹ technology

BERLIN, Sept. 2, 2013 – Acer will unveil at IFA 2013 the new Acer Iconia A3, a 10.1-inch tablet was designed to offer a touch more entertainment, multimedia, gaming and web experiences. Movie and music lovers will find in the Iconia A3 their perfectly balanced couch mate with immersive sound, wide viewing angles and quad-core performance to further enhance their entertainment and enjoyment.
The Acer Iconia A3 was introduced alongside other product updates, including the Acer Iconia A1 and B1 with additional colour options. The full-featured single-handed use 7.9-inch tablet is now available in a touch of white, smoky grey and ivory gold. The Iconia B1 7-inch tablet, targeted at first time users or tablet newbies, is now also available in a touch of oceanic blue and vermilion red.

A touch comfier

Designed for rich multimedia entertainment, the Iconia A3 comes with Dolby® Digital Plus™ creating a virtualized 5.1 channel surround experience over headphones, reduced background noise and dialogue volume boost resulting in clear dialogues and consistent volume levels, without sways across content and apps. To top this off, the Iconia A3 boasts an ergonomic placement of the speakers on both sides creating a virtual sound box for stereo sound effects.

The 10.1″ WXGA display (1,280 x 800) with IPS technology offers crisp and accurate colours from wide viewing angles for a better visual experience whether users are lounging on the sofa, lying on the bed or sharing the view with a loved one. The 16:10 aspect ratio of the Inconia A3 is ideally suited to watch video content and playing games in landscape mode. Complete with a built-in micro HDMI port, users can connect the tablet to an external display to share and enjoy movies and videos on a bigger screen. The Acer Iconia A3 keeps consumers connected to Wi-Fi networks or built-in 3G mobile data connection. Plus, the integrated Bluetooth 4.0 lets consumers quickly connect the tablet to a variety of other devices, such as headsets and printers.

A touch smarter

Powered with a quad-core 1.2GHz cortex A7 processor, the Iconia A3 delivers smooth 9 hours of video playback, better mobile gaming, as well as fluid and fast navigation through apps and websites.
Acer IntelliSpin expands the tablet’s screen image rotation feature, so that even when lying flat, the screen image will rotate to match the tablet’s orientation when turned.

Acer’s Touch WakeApp provides users with fast access to their favourite apps straight from sleep mode. A great feature if the tablet is shared by different users, the multi-user support featured by Android 4.2 allows customers to create up to eight separate and customisable user spaces on a single device.

To maximise user fun, the 5MP back camera can take snapshots at full video resolution while recording a video. It can also snap immersive 360° pictures and wide angle shots. Available as 16GB or 32GB version with the option to expand via microSD, the Iconia A3 is the ideal home entertainment companion for people who like sharing and consuming multimedia content.

A touch purer

A smooth profile with rounded edges make it easy to grab the tablet with one hand. The minimalist design is accentuated by the silver profile that sets off the white of the back cover and complements the current design of Acer’s Android tablet family. With a slim profile at just 10.15 mm and a weight of less than 600 grams, the Iconia A3 is easy to carry along and check anything in a flash whenever needed.

Pricing and Availability

The Iconia A3 (WiFi) version will be available in Europe, Middle East and Africa early October with a suggested a starting price of €249.

The Iconia A3 (3G) version will be available in Europe, Middle East and Africa early November with a starting price of €299.

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IFA, tablets

LG Unveils The G Pad 8.3 Android Jelly Bean Tablet, Set to Take on The iPad Mini

2 Comments

LG has officially introduced the G Pad 8.3 to the world, which is the latest addition to the company’s Android family of devices. The new slate, which sports an eight-inch screen with full-HD (1920 x 1200 WUXGA) display, is likely to compete with the likes of Apple’s iPad Mini and Google’s Nexus 7, both of which have been around for quite some time and have sold in very high numbers. The new gadget that will make its debut at the IFA event this week, includes a massive 1.7 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor under the lid, as well as 2GB of RAM, a 4,600mAh battery, dual camera at 5MP on the rear and 1.3MP on the front, about 16GB of internal storage and Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 running on top. The 8.33m thick device is said to weigh 338 grams, which is about as the same as Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8.0. In addition it’ll boast the usual Wifi/Bluetooth connectivity, alongside the company’s QPair and QSlide software enhancement onboard. At this point in time there is no pricing information to share with you, however it will be available worldwide, in black or white, some time in Q4.

Update: The G Pad will be available to buy in retail from November 3 for as little as $350.

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LG TAKES ON GLOBAL TABLET MARKET WITH ‘LG G PAD 8.3’

New Tablet to Debut at IFA 2013, Worldwide Rollout to Follow

SEOUL, Sep. 1, 2013 – LG Electronics (LG) today announced the LG G Pad 8.3 tablet, the latest addition to its G Series lineup of premium mobile devices. The all-new LG G Pad 8.3 boasts the first Full HD display on an 8-inch class tablet, a unique user-experience and wide range of connectivity features. Set to officially debut next week at the IFA 2013 trade show in Berlin, the LG G Pad 8.3 builds on the recent launch of the LG G2 superphone, reinforcing LG’s commitment to leadership in advanced mobile devices through its premium G Series products.

“Complementing our G Series smartphones, the introduction of the LG G Pad 8.3 further strengthens LG’s premium lineup consisting of our most cutting-edge devices,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Our G Pad is just another example of LG delivering devices with the unique selling points consumers around the world will appreciate.”

Pocket-Sized Portability with Powerful Battery
Despite its large display, the LG G Pad 8.3 features a slim and sleek form factor that is comfortable enough to hold in one hand. Such compact portability is based on LG’s learning from consumers regarding the optimum size of a tablet. While maintaining its portability, the LG G Pad 8.3 squeezes in a powerful 4600mAh battery for long-lasting usage time but is still as light as a newspaper at just 338g.

First Full HD Display Tablet in 8-inch Class
Incorporating a key attribute of other premium G Series devices including the G Pro and G2 smartphones, the LG G Pad 8.3 is the first 8-inch class tablet to offer a Full HD display. The G Pad is equipped with a 1920 x 1200 WUXGA (Widescreen Ultra Extended Graphics Array) display capable of delivering picture quality with even higher resolution than a standard Full HD display. In addition, the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600 Processor with 1.7GHz Quad-Core CPU enhances the viewing experience with powerful performance as users will be able to enjoy Full HD content without any compromise.

True Convergence Experience with QPair
The LG G Pad 8.3 meets the demanding requirements of the convergence age by improving connectivity between multiple devices. With the unique QPair app, every call and message received on a smartphone will appear on the G Pad for a true convergence experience. Users can then send simple replies through the LG G Pad 8.3. QPair also allows the G Pad to easily connect to other manufacturers’ smartphone and tablets (Jelly Bean OS recommended). Notes created on the G Pad’s QMemo can be seamlessly saved into users’ smartphones and shared from either device.

User Experience Maximized for a Tablet
The LG G Pad 8.3 offers practical features that provide real-life benefits, such as enhanced multitasking. Thanks to its 8.3-inch Full HD Display, user experience (UX) features unique to the LG G Pad 8.3 are maximized for the large screen:

1. Slide Aside enables seamless multitasking by simply “sliding” currently open apps off to the side using a three-finger swipe
2. QSlide controls up to three different apps in one window with no interruption, especially convenient on a large screen
3. KnockON turns the device on and off by tapping the display twice

The LG G Pad 8.3 will be rolled out globally in key markets including North America, Europe and Asia as well as other regions starting in the fourth quarter of 2013. Prices will be announced at launch time.

Key Specifications:
– Processor: 1.7GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600 Processor
– Display: 8.3-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200 pixels / 273 ppi)
– Memory: 16GB eMMC
– RAM: 2GB LPDDR2
– Camera: Rear 5.0MP / Front 1.3MP
– Battery: 4,600mAh
– Operating System: Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2
– Size: 216.8 x 126.5 x 8.3mm
– Weight: 338g
– Colors: Black / White

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General, Mobile, Phones

Alleged iPhone 5C Cases Start Showing Up Online

Apple is gearing up for one of those major events, where it’ll officially announce the iPhone 5S and the iphone 5C, on September 10 or so. While rumors continue to circulate about the possibility of two different iphone machines, the 5S which is the company’s heir to the throne, and the 5C that is expected to emerge as Apple’s “low-end” offering, alleged soft cases for the iPhone 5C are beginning to appear online these days, and they may provide us with some clues about the overall design and the size of each dimension. 

One such online store we’ve stumbled across, that is offering Apple’s new cases is Deal Extreme, which has just started to sell the goods. Looking at the picture they posted (above), we see the same pattern and exact shade of colors as we have already seen before. But the specs are new for the most part. A quick glance at the ultra-thin protective back case, for instance (that is about the closest we get to the actual dimensions of the real phone), will teach us that it will measure in at 4.96 in x 2.36 in x 0.35 (12.6 cm x 6.0 cm x 0.9 cm), exactly the same as in the previous releases. In other words, NO size change, in case you were speculating on the topic. Perhaps a tad thicker, as some other cases suggest, but we expect the overall layout and design to remain pretty much the same.

We’ll keep you updated as more information comes in.

Mobile

Here’s How The Future Apple iPhone Will Probably Look Like

3 Comments

No one knows anything about what’s coming next month at Apple’s event (which is rumored to be kicking off September 10). But the closer we get to that inevitable date,  the bigger the madness surrounding the event, and the trickle of rumors around the products. At this point you may ask yourself if there’s any truth to the rumor about a new batch of iPhone models coming out anytime soon. While there is no conclusive answer to this question, it seems these rumors are likely to be correct. Just a pure fact of business logic, if you insist, mixed with a good level of knowledge — In the past couple of years, the Cupertino giant has released a new iPhone in September. 

Apple will probably launch an iPhone 5S with a camera, perhaps around the 8 to 12 megapixels sensor, along with a speculated fingerprint scanner built into the smatphone’s home button, and a better GPU with a much stronger processor (maybe a new A7 chip). There could also be a 128GB internal storage option, paired with an NFC chip, supporting peer-to-peer contactless communications. A lot of reports suggest that Apple will be keeping the same look and feel as the iPhone 5, but might just add a little more color variants. How about a gold iPhone 5S model, alongside the usual black and white flavors?

There’s also a rumored [PDF] plastic version, known as the iPhone 5C (with C probably aiming for ‘cheap’) that Apple is allegedly planning to release in multiple colors such as red, yellow, blue, green, and white. And since the outside of the phone is made up of plastic (compared to the 5/5S aluminum and metal materials), it will definitely be more affordable, we’re guessing at the $199 – $249 range. 

Apple is also expected to officially launch its latest and greatest iOS 7, during the upcoming event, featuring a complete new design along with a wide range of new features. 

All that’s left now is to sit back and be patient, right?

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Video courtesy of Tanner Marsh.

tablets

ASUS MeMO Pad FHD 10 LTE Gets Detailed in New Video

With an official release only a short time away, Asus has just released a new spankin’ video with more details about its upcoming tablet, the ASUS MeMo Pad FHD 10 LTE. There’s lots of details in that clip, suggesting a Snapdragon quad-core processor under the hood, alongside a 10-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS display with 178 degrees of horizontal viewing angle. Pretty decent for a slab,  if we may say. 

The 9.9mm thick device will also include a 10-hour battery, as well as a rear 5 megapixel auto focus camera, and a microSD card slot with which you can expand your memory by another 64GB of storage for pictures, videos, music and much more. There’s also an optional Folio Key keyboard cover accessory that you can buy if you want, together with an integrated WiFi connectivity and Bluetooth 4.0. The sleek, lightweight slate will also supposedly feature a pair of stereo speakers behind, and is likely to be sold range of different colors. Pricing and availability for this LTE version are yet to be disclosed.

[youtube id=”08h5_vu4kY0″]

Mobile

Rumor: Apple To Announce Next-Gen iPhone On September 10

1 Comment

Over recent releases, Apple events have become a bit more predictable than in the past; the price of working with so many manufacturers, I suppose. Nevertheless, their products still raise a great deal of public interest whenever they surface in the press, around the world. Surely, the next few quarters may be somewhat more challenging for the Cupertino giant, and the outright anticipation for the main event is something that cannot be duplicated. 

So when is this happening, you are asking? Well, according to the guys over at AllThingsD Apple will be holding a media event on September 10, to, reportedly, announce the next-gen iphone, dubbed iPhone 5S. There’s a good chance the company will also unveil a low-budget device, known as the iphone 5C. What else? Reports suggest that Haswell MacBook Pros may be announced by Apple, as well as official release of the company’s iOS 7, and a global roll out of the Mac OS X, known as Mavericks. Stay tuned for a lot more to come.

 

tablets

Report: Apple is Working On a New iPad Mini Without Retina Display, But Things May Change Soon

apple-ipad-mini-tablet

Apple is reportedly experiencing some major issues fitting a Retina Display in the next generation of its iPad mini. While the latest report suggests that the Cupertino giant is testing a high-res retina screen from Samsung (due out in the fourth quarter of 2013), a hidden line within iOS 7 code leads us to believe that the company is working very hard on some new iPad Mini forms, known as the “2,8,” “2,9,” and “2,10” and as opposed to the current iPad “Minis” which are commonly represented by “2,5,” “2,6,” and “2,7” codes (as pointed by the good guys over at 9to5Mac).

In terms of specs, the three suggested devices will presumably include the same A6 chip, one can find inside of Apple’s iPhone 5 and fourth-generation iPad. In addition to that, there are clear references to a similar array of cellular technologies and the usual gear of the good old baseband platform. Another report, by NPD DisplaySearch, suggests that the new Mini lineup, which is rumored to be launching in the first quarter of 2014, will be featuring a slimmer design than the current generation but specification wise, there is no clear evidence for a complete internal makeover.

As part of the ongoing debate about whether the next iPad mini would include a Retina display or not, the latest version of the iOS 7 code (the fourth) is ever more distressing given the absence of the double-resolution images found on Apple’s most popular Retina devices. To put it simply, there is no Retina Mini for you, at least not now. 

Sure, lots of things could be wrong because in the real tech world there’s no such thing as absolute certainty. But the iOS code is a good source of information to learn about Apple’s most secret plans for the near and distant future. Whether there will be a Mini Retina or not, we’ll have to wait and see.

tablets

New Nexus 7 Available For Pre-Order at $229.99 With Android 4.3 On Board

3 Comments

Oh my my, what do we have here? It looks like Google is all set and ready to launch the new iteration of its popular Nexus 7. The tablet, which is the product of joint venture between Google and Asus will soon be featuring a 1920 x 1200 display resolution (323ppi), along with 2GB of RAM, and a powerful 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro 8064 processor, with Adreno 320 for the graphics. In addition, this highly anticipated device, which proves to be a great upgrade to the already high level of quality in the first generation, will pack a 5-megapixel camera on the back (about time!) while the front-facing camera will sport 1.2 megapixels, and the slate will run a future generation of Android 4.3 OS. The pre-order page at Best Buy suggest it’ll go for between $229.99 with 16GB of internal storage, and  $269.99 with the 32GB option.

Update1: Google officially announces the Nexus 7. Google’s Sundar Pichai says that the new device is 2 mm thinner, 6 mm narrower, and 50 grams lighter than the earlier Nexus 7. Further more, the Android 4.3 machine includes dual band wifi (802.11 a/b/g/n), along side the NFC technology and 4G LTE support. There’s also an HDMI output to connect the tablet to your tele, together with a Bluetooth 4.0 and wireless charging capabilities.

Update2: The Nexus 7 will be available Stateside on 30 July in wide range of stores and retailers like Amazon, Walmart, RadioShack, and Best Buy. Other countries, such as Canada, UK, Germany, Spain, France, Japan, Australia, and South Korea will hopefully get the new slate sometime in the following weeks. 

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Check out this quick hands-on video, courtesy of Android Police.

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tablets

Huawei Introduces The MediaPad 7 Vogue, an Entry-Level Android Phablet

huawei-mediapad-7-vogue-tablet

Chinese electronic corp. Huawei is on a roll these days. They have recently launched their flagship Ascend P6 smartphone, and now they’re announcing a new iteration to the MediaPad 7 tablet, called the MediaPad 7 Vogue. Now, before you jump to conclusions and assume this is another mid-range slab with just an ordinary 7-inch display and regular specs, keep in mind it has a voice calling feature which practically differentiate this tablet from many of the sub 10-inch devices. Not only does this slate let you make free audio/video calls, but you can do so over 3G networks as well (same as the ASUS FonePad or Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8.0 do).

huawei-mediapad-7-vogue-slate

Other than that, however, the Vogue is offering your typical Android tablet hardware with a quad-core Huawei 1.2GHz Cortex-A9 processor running under the lid, as well as 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage (expandable up to 32GB via microSD slot), a 1,024 x 600 IPS screen, plus a 0.3-megapixel shooter on the front, and a 3-megapixel rear-facing camera with 1080p camcorder at 30 frames per second. The tablet houses an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for the OS, and has a 4,100mAh battery for roughly 6 hours of continuous work. While there is no official word about a US release, the tablet is said to be launching in China later this month, and in Europe, sometime in July, priced at about $590 USD.

 

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Huawei launches the multi-talented MediaPad 7 Vogue

All the functionality of a tablet, smartphone, and entertainment center, in one stylish package

[Shenzhen, China, 24 June, 2013]: Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today launched the HUAWEI MediaPad 7 Vogue, the latest in Huawei’s range of products that make great technology accessible. With a 7-inch display, aluminum unibody and quad-core processor, the MediaPad 7 Vogue provides the perfect mix of functions from a tablet, smartphone and entertainment center in one stylish and portable device.

“Building on the popularity of the HUAWEI MediaPad series, we’ve created a new tablet that caters to fashionistas, technology seekers, entertainment junkies, and people who simply expect more from their technology,” said Richard Yu, Chief Executive Officer, Huawei Consumer Business Group. “We’re delighted to introduce the MediaPad 7 Vogue, our call-enabled tablet with world-class entertainment capabilities and long-lasting battery power. The MediaPad 7 Vogue is a perfect example of Huawei’s dedication to making extraordinary experiences possible.”

The HUAWEI MediaPad 7 Vogue boasts a built-in receiver for direct calling capabilities that remove the need for headphones. It features a powerful quad-core 1.2GHz processor CPU and 16-core GPU, fluid 3D gaming and 1080p full HD video playback. The 3G module supports DC-HSPA+, and downlink speed can reach up to 42Mbps, and the Wi-Fi connection supports 802.11b/g/n for fast streaming of movies or videos. MediaPad 7 Vogue also features a 4100mAh Li-Polymer battery and Huawei’s proprietary power-saving technology, enabling playback of four HD movies or more than 20 hours of continuous calling on one charge. The MediaPad 7 Vogue’s antenna performance is top-class, exceeding most operator standards in the US and Europe.

With its strong and sleek aluminum metal unibody design, the MediaPad 7 Vogue is ultra light and compact at just 9.5mm thin and weighing only 335g. Its 7-inch capacitive 1024 x 600 (IPS) multi-touchscreen with full view-angle and vivid display, offers a dazzling visual experience to bring your photos and videos to life.

Running on Android 4.1, the MediaPad 7 Vogue is pre-installed with email, word processing, Facebook, YouTube, and GPS navigation, and also features Huawei’s proprietary Emotion UI 1.5 providing a more user-friendly and personalized experience.

Offering seamless connectivity, the MediaPad 7 Vogue’s Micro USB port is compatible with a full-range of accessories including an external keyboard, mouse and USB flash disk, while the Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Airsharing functionalities allow for swift content sharing wherever you are.

The MediaPad 7 Vogue comes in black and white and will be available in China this month, with other markets to follow.

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tablets

Samsung Introduces ATIV Tab 3, a 10.1-inch Windows 8 Tablet with Galaxy DNA

Samsung-Ativ-Tab-3-Tablet

It’s been less than three weeks since Samsung announced a new line of Galaxy Tab 3 tablets, and we already have another new device: Samsung Ativ Tab 3, the most thinnest Windows 8 slab in the world. How thin it is? Roughly around the 8.2mm mark, which makes it ultra portable without sacrificing visual space. And speaking about size, visuals are sent to a 10.1-inch screen, with a native resolution of 1,366 x 768 pixels. Frankly speaking, we expected to get a lot more from such a high-end slate, but it is what it is, whether you like it or not. Moreover, it is likely suited for graphic artists and designers, thanks to the wonderful set of S Pen and apps that Sammy has included inside the package. Other than that, the ATIV Tab 3 also features an Intel Z2760 Atom CPU, along with 2GB of RAM, a slew of multimedia and productivity connections such as microSD, micro-USB and HDMI ports, WiFi, Bluetooth, dual cameras, one on the back and one on the front, and up to 10 hours of battery life, which eliminates the trouble of frequent charging. This model comes out of the box with 64GB of internal storage, while color options are simple and straightforward, Piano Black or White, with a cool chrome pattern. 

As for the software part, the ATIV Tab 3 runs Windows 8 under the lid, as well as Microsoft’s Office Home & Student 2013 RT, that you receive for free together with a neat keyboard case cover.

The whole thing will cost you about $699, and will be released in early to mid August. 

[youtube id=”OmrpCx6NhzY”]

Video courtesy of PhoneArena

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SAMSUNG STRENGTHENS TABLET OFFERING WITH INNOVATIVE NEW ATIV MODELS New convertible ATIV Q, and the world’s thinnest Windows Tablet ATIV Tab 3, offer versatility and productivity on the go

London, UK – June 20, 2013 – Samsung Electronics today unveiled two new tablets, the ATIV Q and ATIV Tab 3. Both powered by Windows 8, the ATIV Tab 3 is the world’s thinnest tablet while the convertible ATIV Q is able to run Android apps.

“We’re committed to offering our customers choice and convenience in personal computing, and the convertible nature of both these new tablets delivers the freedom and versatility our customers demand” said Simon Stanford, Vice President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland said. “These innovative devices have been designed with busy people in mind, and the adaptability they offer is better suited to busy lives than any tablet on the market.” The ATIV Q is a convertible device with the ability to change modes and has both Windows and Android capabilities. Built with today’s busy lifestyles in mind, it works as a notebook or tablet and gives you more flexibility and convenience than ever before.

Addressing a common desire among PC users to be able to access Android apps on a Windows-based PC, the ATIV Q allows you to now experience both Windows 8 and Android (Jellybean 4.2.2) on the same device. Not only will you get access to Android apps via Google Play, but you will also be able to transfer files seamlessly and share folders and files from Windows 8 to Android.

The ATIV Q sports a hinge design that allows you to transform it into four functional modes. You can lay the display flat over the keyboard for tablet mode; raise the display upright to type just as you would a laptop; float and adjust the display to a comfortable viewing angle; or flip the display to place in the stand mode to watch movies. The four-in-one design of the ATIV Q easily adjusts to give you every possible option in the one device. The ATIV Q is also extremely thin and lightweight, at 1.29kg and only 13.9mm, making it very Finally, the ATIV Q introduces the world’s highest resolution, QHD+ (3200×1800) display. Its 13.3-inch touch screen offers 2.8 times higher pixel density (275ppi) than full HD displays, and the device is also designed to give you an optimised viewing experience regardless of where you are or the brightness of the environment you are in.

A tablet with the power of a PC, the ATIV Tab 3 makes personal computing easier than ever. As the world’s thinnest Windows 8 tablet – as thin as many popular smartphones – it shares a similar design and premium look and feel of the Samsung Galaxy series. It is perfect for creativity and productivity as it features Samsung’s S Pen functionality, high level pen display and S Pen compatibility with MS Office.

Incredibly thin and lightweight at only 8.2 millimetres thick and 550g in weight, the ATIV Tab 3 is the ideal device to take on the daily commute to work. With up to ten hours of battery life, it is also a great device for taking on most long distance flights.

The ATIV Tab 3 runs Windows 8, has the ability to run all Windows apps and programmes and comes preloaded with Office Home & Student.

SideSync is available with both the ATIV Q and ATIV Tab 3, enabling you to easily switch from working on a PC to an Android-based Samsung smartphone. The PC keyboard can be used to respond to a text on a mobile phone, view maps on a larger screen, display photos and videos on both devices to make editing files even easier, or use an ATIV PC to back up and charge mobile devices.

The ATIV Q and ATIV Tab 3 will all be available to buy in the UK from selected retailers later this year.

Be among the first to know when the ATIV tablet range is available, by visiting www.samsung.com/ uk/ATIVBookQ/ and www.samsung.com/uk/ATIVTab3/. Or go to www.samsungmobilepress.com for multimedia content and additional information.

-EndsNote to Editors:

ATIV Q Product Specifications

Category Details Specifications

Performance

128GB SSD

Battery Life Battery Life 9 hours

Dimensions

I/O Ports USB Ports 1xUSB3.0, 1xUSB2.0, HDMI,RJ45 (dongle), HP/Mic combo, micro SD Size 13.3″

Resolution 3200×1800, 275ppi

OS Windows8

Processor Intel Core i5

Graphics Intel HD Graphics 4400

Memory 4GB DDR3L

Hard Disk

Drive

Camera 720p HD

Dimensions 327.0×217.8×13.9mm

Weight 1.29kg

Colour Ash Black

ATIV Tab 3 Product Specifications

Category Details Specifications

Performance

Size 10.1

Resolution HD 1366×768

OS Windows8

Processor Intel ATOM Z2760

Graphics Shared

Memory 2GB LPDDR2

Hard Disk

Drive

Camera 720p HD

64GB eMMC

Battery Life Battery Life 10 hours

Dimensions

Dimensions 8.2mm

Weight 550g

Colour White

I/O Ports USB Ports 1x micro USB 2.0, micro HDMI, micro SD Samsung, ATIV, SideSync and ChatON are all trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered trademarks.

*All functionality, features, specifications, and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

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Computers, Events, Mobile

Apple Unveils iOS 7, OS X Mavericks and New MacBook Air at WWDC 2013

5 Comments

Apple-wwdc13-event

Apple’s annual event for WWDC 2013 has finally come to an end. In a nutshell: no new Apple iphone or iPad. So what did we end up getting? Some rumors have indicated that we would see Apple laptop hardware updates this week, while other rumors pointed to a whole new software design. At the end of the day, I guess it was probably a good mix of both. From the hardware part, Apple has announced a refresh of its MacBook Air & Macbook Pro devices, and software wise, the guys over at Cupertino launched a new OS X (10.9) and the most anticipated iOS 7, which Tim Cook referred to as the “biggest change to iOS since the iPhone.”

But first, as usual they started with some numbers:

•  Apple says that under 5 years, users have downloaded from the App Store about 50b times.

•  There are now 900,000 apps in the App Store, of which 375,000 are for the iPad.

•  Over 600 million iOS devices sold.

•  800 billion iMessages sent.

•  240 million Game Center users.

Apple-Mackbook-Air-Haswell

Macbook Air & OS X Update

Apple just announced the next generation of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air products, with claims that the power consumption will be reduced for both machines (they call it the “all day battery life”). The new MacBook Air is distinctively similar to the previous model, but if you’re going to take a closer look you’ll find the new “Haswell” 4th-gen processors from Intel. In addition, the new line is said to offer a faster 802.11 ac Wifi connectivity, alongside Intel HD Graphics 5000, which is supposed to provide graphics performance that is 40 percent faster. Apple claims 9 hours of battery life for the 11-inch model, while the 13-inch MacBook Air now provides up to 12 hours of continuous work. They’re both available starting today, with the 11-inch Air going at $999 for the 128GB base model, and $1,199 for the 256GB version. The larger 13-inch Air will be priced at $1,099 for the 128GB entry model, and $1,299 for double the size (256GB).

Apple unveils its latest operating system, the OS X “Mavericks.” First thing you’ll notice, is that the company is replacing its traditional practice of calling Mac operating systems after cats. Instead, it is going after an undersea rock in California that apparently creates big waves. Symbolic, isn’t it? Anyway, the new operating system is said to extend battery life to the most, reduce boot-up time, and enhanced multiple display support (with the ability to tweak elements between screens). Furthermore, the Mavericks features a range of improvements and new features aimed at both users and developers alike. That includes the “finder tabs” addition, which will organize different finder windows into one, documents tagging, new iBooks and Maps app integration, a new version of Safari browser, including a whole new bookmark bar, a redesigned calendar, improved notifications, and a powerful iCloud keychain feature, an encrypted 256-bit AES functionality for password and private info management.

apple-itunes-radio

 iTunes Radio

Music streaming services are growing big these days. Google has recently unveiled its Google Play Music and the market is packed with some major streaming players such as Rdio, Spotify and Pandora. Today, Apple is joining that group with recent announcement of its iTunes Radio music platform, which was described by the A-team as “a new way to discover music.” At present, there is no need to pay any fee for this, but the free radio service supported by ads. You can either listen to the channels the service offers from various sources (e.g Twitter trending songs, integrated stations, your personal music collection), or simply create your private iTunes Radio station at your choice. You can also modify existing stations to your own taste by choosing the ‘Play more like this’ or ‘Don’t play music like this’ sections. The service is expected to launch in the U.S first and then expand globally, sometime in the future.

Apple-iOS-7

iOS7

And now we’re finally getting to the highlight of the show: Apple has revealed a completely new iOS 7 software, featuring a all-new design with a modern “Flat” approach. It has a much smoother look, and considered by the Cupertino-based company as “the biggest change to iOS since the introduction of the iPhone.”

With so many new options and  features installed, I think that iOS7 was definitely worth the wait. It has a nice clean form, some pretty colorful icons and a very friendly interface on top. What else can we find in there?

Control Center – An Android-like area where you can manage and adjust some of the most important settings on your phone. (Wi-Fi, brightness, volume, etc.). To get in there, you simply need to swipe the screen down from the upper area on your mobile device, and voila!

Airdrop – This is an OS X feature that Apple has finally imported to its mobile devices. What it basically does is to enable mobile users that have smartphones, tablets or laptops to send files or pictures to anyone around them in real time. Unfortunately, it only supports iPhone 5, fourth generation iPad, iPad mini, and fourth-gen iPod touch.

Multitasking – The multitasking app cards were a major feature of Palm’s WebOS platform. This is probably the best way to switch between the apps, monitor them and determine which ones are being used the most. With the card interface, you get a clear view of your content instead of multiple tiers of very tiny icons.

Siri – As you all probably know, Siri is a personal assistant built into the iphone. In iOS 7 Siri gets a whole new look and a new refreshing voice. From now on, you’ll be able to adjust your settings with Siri, conduct search queries from Bing and Wikipedia, and dictate your map navigation and messages, thanks to the in-car iOS support (Apple is said to bring iOS dashboard to Honda, Mercedes, Nissan, Chevy, Kia, Volvo, Acura and others).

Camera and Photos – There’s a new stuff going on in the Camera app and the Photos section. For a start, they both look very good now, with the latest and greatest iOS Seven. Users can now create Shared Photostreams  in a two-way collaborative system, while the new Photo app is now capable of intelligently organize and present your entire digital albums, by automatically clustering them into “Moments” or collections (chronologically). With the new Camera app, you can easily swipe between various modes such as video, still, or “square” (for Instagram shots), and even spice them up with a wide range of integrated filters.

Safari – Apple’s good ‘ol browser is getting a fresh new look in iOS7. The interface is much bigger than what we have known in previous versions, and there’s a new tabbed view (which is kinda similar to Chrome for Android), along with a vertical cover-flow carousel browser. The search field has been upgraded as well, to a unified search menu, and you are also getting access to the iCloud keychain password management control.

New App Store – The App Store segment is also getting a new design in your phone. In that regard, the apps will now start updating themselves automatically in the background, and you’ll be able to search for apps, based on rates, popularity and your personal preferences and location.

Activation Loc – Basically, if your iphone gets stolen and the thief tries to turn the Find My iPhone off, then he or she will not be able to reactivate it again, without including  your personal iCloud password.

Release Date

iOS 7 coming to developers TODAY, and for the rest of the world, sometime in the fall. The platform will support the following devices: iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, iPad mini, and iPod Touch 4th gen.

[youtube id=”H7KXr3tKGDg”]

 

[Apple]

tablets

Toshiba Rolls Out Three Android Tablets With Tegra 4 Inside

Toshiba-Excite-Tegra4-Tablet

Uh oh, look who’s back in town.. Toshiba! The Japanese-based company, which is most well known for its wide range of high-quality television sets, has just officially introduced a couple of new Android Jelly Bean slabs, the Excite Pure, Excite Pro and the Excite Write. Mind you, these are not your average tablets. While they are banking on the 10-inch high-def form factor to be enough to drive sales, there’s a lot more to like here. For a start, have a look at the $300 Excite Pure model. It features a Tegra 3 SoC, alongside a 1,280 x 800 screen with Gorilla Glass 1 on the top. In addition, it packs a wide range of ports, and either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage to choose from. The immediate next higher model is the Excite Pro. A big upgrade that includes the brand spanking new Tegra 4 chip, paired with 32 gigs of storage, Harman Kardon speakers, 8MP rear-facing camera, and a whopping 2,560 x 1,600 (300 ppi) Gorilla Glass 2 screen on top. Just for the record, the iPad 4‘s Retina resolution screen is at 2048×1536, so you can get a good sense of what this tablet is about. Anyway, if you’d like to order yourself one, it will be available from early July, for $500.

Moving on to the third (and last) model in that group, the Excite Write. Overall, this is a top notch machine with almost similar specs as the Toshiba Excite Pro: A 10.1-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 display, Tegra 4 SoC, 32GB of internal storage, and an 8-megapixel shooter on the back of this Tosh. But what really sets this model apart from the rest is the active digitizer feature that improves your writing precision and supports up to 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity, which is one big deal, to say the least. This one will go for $600, sometime next month.

[youtube id=”RJPW9yJ1Nw8″]

Video courtesy of Cnet

[toggle title=”FULL PR TEXT”]

TOSHIBA REFRESHES EXCITE TABLETS – UNLEASHES NEW DISPLAY, PEN AND PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGIES

Newest Android Tablet Features Include 10.1-inch PixelPure Super High-resolution Display, Digitizer Technology and the Latest Processors From NVIDIA. With Three All-new Models, Excite Tablet Family Offers Something for Everyone and Prices Starting at $299

IRVINE, Calif. – June 3, 2013 – Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today introduced three new devices in its Excite™ family of Android tablets – the Excite Pro, Excite Write and Excite Pure. Outfitted with the latest tablet technologies, including a 2560 x 1600 PixelPure™ display, NVIDIA® Tegra™ 4 processor1 and premium Harman Kardon® speakers, Excite Pro and Write models introduce new entertainment and productivity possibilities to Toshiba’s tablet category, while Pure delivers essential performance and features at a lower price point. The Excite Write also comes equipped with a touchscreen digitizer for precision pen and handwriting. All three models are powered by Android™ 4.2, Jelly Bean, ensuring consumers can take advantage of the latest Android features right out of the box.

“With more and more consumers adopting tablets as their go-to devices for entertainment and travel, we wanted to push the boundaries even further and equip our new Excite tablets with the technology and features needed to maximize the potential of these devices,” said Carl Pinto, vice president of marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. “By focusing on boosting the capabilities of the screen – from increasing the resolution to adding a digitizer option – we’re also evolving the way consumers can use these devices from consumption to creation.” Pixel Perfection for the Eyes, Sublime Sound for the Ears

Excite Pro and Excite Write models are the first Toshiba tablets to feature a 2560 x 1600 native screen resolution, currently the highest in the tablet market. Pushing an astounding 4 million pixels (300 pixels per inch), images, video and text come alive across the 10.1-inch PixelPure display2 with stunning color and razor-sharp clarity, making it an ideal choice for entertainment-lovers, photo enthusiasts and image-quality seekers.

Proving that sound quality doesn’t have to be sacrificed on a tablet device, Excite Pro and Write models utilize Harman Kardon stereo speakers, making them the first tablets to feature speakers from a premium audio brand. Enhanced with DTS® Premium Voice Pro audio processing technology, the audio experience on these two devices is hallmarked by more natural sound with enhanced bass, audio leveling and more clarity for VoIP web chats.

A “Tru” Boost in Productivity

Outfitted with a digitizer display and precision TruPen featuring 1024 pressure points, Excite Write delivers greater productivity possibilities by bringing a ‘pen and paper’ experience to the tablet screen. Most ideal for students, as well as mobile and creative professionals, Write models offer the precision and performance needed for note-taking and sketching. Loaded with Toshiba’s own TruNote application providing a fun and easy way to store, organize, navigate and edit their notes, as well as a full version of 2

ThinkFree Office Mobile for Android, Write users can easily create and edit documents with greater creativity and accuracy. Productivity capabilities are enhanced further with TruCapture, a Toshiba-developed application that quickly and easily captures whiteboard content using the tablet’s built-in camera and converts the snapshot for easier integration into presentations and documents.

Blazing Performance for Browsing, Games and Entertainment

All three Excite models are equipped with the processing power of NVIDIA Tegra. Pro and Write models are among the first to feature the NVIDIA Tegra 4 mobile processor, delivering greater power and efficiency, along with new camera capabilities. Equipped with an 8MP F2.2 camera, Pro and Write models achieve robust photo-taking capabilities by enabling high-dynamic range (HDR) and panorama effects, in addition to steadier shooting with enhanced image stabilization.

For consumers on a budget, Excite Pure delivers the robust performance of the NVIDIA Tegra 3 mobile processor, delivering more price-performance value along with plenty of capability for multi-tasking, gaming and more.

“NVIDIA Tegra processors bring an unmatched multimedia experience to the new Excite tablets from Toshiba, one of the world’s most popular computing brands,” said Matt Wuebbling, director of product marketing for the Mobile business at NVIDIA. “With Tegra, the Excite family features incredibly fast web browsing and new productivity and creativity tools that professionals and consumers will both enjoy.”

Optional Keyboard Cover

Toshiba now offers a protective 2-in-1 keyboard cover that fits all the new Excite tablets. Featuring a raised tile Bluetooth® keyboard and magnetized notch that allows the tablet to easily prop up the tablet screen, the keyboard delivers a convenient way to maximize the capabilities of the tablet at home or on the go.

Models, Pricing and Availability

Excite Pure pricing starts at $299.99 MSRP3. Key specs include a 10.1-inch AutoBrite™ display (1280 x 800), NVIDIA Tegra 3 mobile processor, Android 4.2, Jelly Bean, 1GB DDR3 memory4, 16GB internal storage5, a 3MP rear camera, stereo speakers with DTS Premium Voice Pro, and built-in Micro HDMI®, Micro USB ports and a Micro SD slot.

Excite Pro is priced at $499.99 MSRP. Key specs include a 10.1-inch PixelPure display (2560 x 1600), NVIDIA Tegra 4 mobile processor, Android 4.2, Jelly Bean, 2GB DDR3, 32GB internal storage, an 8MP rear camera, Harman Kardon stereo speakers with DTS Premium Voice Pro, and built-in Micro HDMI, Micro USB ports and a Micro SD slot.

Excite Write is priced at $599.99 MSRP. Key specs include a 10.1-inch PixelPure digitizer display (2560 x 1600) featuring Corning Gorilla Glass 2, pressure sensitive Toshiba TruPen and TruNote application, NVIDIA Tegra 4 mobile processor, Android 4.2, Jelly Bean, 2GB DDR3 memory, 32GB internal storage, an 8MP rear camera, Harman Kardon stereo speakers with DTS Premium Voice Pro, and built-in Micro HDMI, Micro USB ports and a Micro SD slot.

All three tablet models will be available beginning on June 25, 2013 and can be purchased directly from Toshiba at ToshibaDirect.com or from major retailers and e-tailers nationwide beginning in early July.

Image Gallery: http://bit.ly/ExciteJune2013.

[/toggle]

tablets

Asus Announces The Asus MeMo Pad HD 7 and MeMo Pad FHD 10 Android Jelly Bean Tablets

1 Comment

Asus-Memo-Pad-HD7-Tablet

Hey, it’s party time over at Computex 2013, and thought you might like to join the blog-hop fun! Asus is here and with it, a plethora of tablets and crazy-cool gadgets. Well, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you, but the company has now launched a whole new line of products. The first, is a budget tablet at the 7-inch range, called The MeMO Pad HD 7. It’s a nice looking slate with a 1,280 x 800 IPS display on top, and an ARM Cortex A7 quad-core processor under the hood. It runs an Android Jelly Bean for the operating system, and offers either 8 or 16GB of internal storage, at your choice. Both are expandable via a microSD slot. Of course, there’s also a fine 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat, plus a 5-megapixel shooter at the back, but the most interesting part is the new pricing structure, which makes this package a very affordable option. Only $129 for 8GB model, and $149 for the 16GB flavor. WOW! In addition to that, you can choose from four bright colors (Black, White, Pink and Green) to personalize your tablet.

Asus-Memo-Pad-HD10-Tablet

 

 Moving on to the bigger alternative, the MeMo Pad FHD 10. This time we’re looking at a 1,920 x 1,200 backlit 10-inch screen, powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2560 processor, Android Jelly Bean for the OS, and a solid luxury “micro-weave finish” on the back. The 9.5mm thick device also comes with a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera plus 5-megapixel rear-facing shooter, either 16 or 32GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM, and a GPS receiver for accurate positioning and navigating control. Pricing and availability are yet to be announced.

tablets

Samsung Introduces a New Line of Galaxy Tab 3 Tablets, Including 8- and 10.1-Inch Flavors

1 Comment

Samsung-GALAXY-Tab-3

 Samsung has already announced a 7-inch Galaxy Tab 3 version, and is now planning to add at least two more. The first in that range is the 8-inch Galaxy Tab 3 flavor, which would run an Android 4.2 for the OS, and will feature a WXGA TFT 1280 x 800 (189 PPI) display, alongside a 1.5 GHz Exynos dual-core chip, 1.5GB of RAM, and 16GB or 32GB of internal storage at your choice, expandable up to 64GB through a microSD slot. In addition to that, we’re looking at a 4,450mAh battery pack in that slate, accompanied by a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, and a 1.3-megapixel shooter on the front. Prices are yet to be set, so you will have to wait a little while, before you can choose from the three different variants, including the WiFi only version, WiFi + 3G HSPA-Plus and WiFi and LTE form.

The 10.1-inch model is particularly interesting since it would be the first Samsung Android-powered device that uses an Intel processor on board. And if we are really going to get down the nitty gritty stuff, the ten incher Tab will have an Intel 1.6 GHz dual-core processor under the lid, paired with a 1280 x 800 (149 PPI) WXGA TFT screen, 1GB of RAM, a 3-megapixel rear-facing camera and another one at the 1.3-megapixel range, up front. The battery life is much better in this slate thanks to a 6,800 mAh battery pack, and the storage selection is pretty much similar, with either 16 or 32GB, supporting up to 64GB via microSD slot. This device will be running on Android 4.2 operating system as well, and will hopefully go on sale with the three same variants.

Both slates set to be launched in early June 2013.

Update: Samsung has just updated the pricing and availability of the Galaxy Tab 3 lineup on its network. The new tablet series which includes 7, 8 and 10.1-inch sizes, is going to hit US shelves (at Amazon, Best Buy, Office Depot and Wal-Mart, stores) on July 7th, with prices starting at $199 for the 1.2GHz 7-inch model (with a dual-core processor, Android 4.1, 8GB of storage and 1,024 x 600 resolution), $299 for the 8-inch version, and only $399 for the 10.1-incher. 

 

[Samsung]

Computex, tablets

MSI Unveils The Primo 81, a 7.85-inch iPad Mini-Like Tablet

MSI-Primo-81-android-tablet

Computex 2013 is definitely a place for global exhibitors to make new product announcements. And that includes MSI which today introduced their latest entry to the mid-range tablet space, in the form of a 7.85-inch slab, dubbed the Primo 81. At this point, I’m sure you all think that it looks exactly like the iPad Mini, and there’s certainly a lot of similarities in appearance between the two, but the primary difference is that the Mini runs an iOS software, while the Primo will receive an Android Jelly Bean soul. That being said, both tablets feature the same 1,024 x 768 capacitive IPS display, made by LG, with similar version of the 1GB RAM stick, and almost identical finish and size in dimensions. But the CPU is slightly different from each other. While the Mini comes with a Dual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A9 chip inside (Apple A5), the Primo provides a fairly cheap and powerful upgrade — It has the quad-core Allwinner A315 processor. We also know there will be a 16GB capacity version for the MSI model, but can’t be sure about any other storage forms. Unfortunately, there’s still no word about pricing or availability but we’ll keep you posted as we find out more.

[via YugaTech]

tablets

Hisense Launches Entry Level Sero 7 LT and Pro Android Jelly Bean Tablets

8 Comments

hisense-sero-7-android-tablet

Buying a tablet doesn’t require a big fortune these days. All you have to do is go down to the local supermarket, and get yourself a brand new mid-range slate. At Wal-Mart, for instance, you’ll find an inexpensive pair of Android Jelly Bean devices, currently sold under the popular Chinese brand of Hisense (for either $99 or $149 US dollars a piece). The two, the Sero 7 LT, and the Sero 7 Pro, are in fact very similar in design and cut, but somewhat different in technical specs. While the cheaper version boasts a fairly reasonable 1.6GHz dual-core processor under the lid, alongside 1GB of RAM, 4GB of storage, a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera, 4 hours battery life, and 7-inches screen, supporting 1024 by 600 pixels resolution, the Pro version runs inside a powerful 1.3GHz quad-core Tegra 3 chip, accompanied by 1GB of RAM, 8GB of  internal storage, dual-camera configurations, with a 5MP rear camera, and a 2MP front shooter, WiFi, Bluetooth and a crisp 1280 by 800 HD resolution display. Now, that’s not bad at all considering the fact that the hardware is far superior than other tablets in that range.

Update: We’ve added a brief video hands-on to help you get a sense of what this tablet is all about.

 [youtube id=”VRgsutdhiOY”]

[toggle title=”FULL PR TEXT”]

Hisense Launches Sero 7 LT and NVIDIA Tegra 3-Powered Sero 7 PRO Android Tablets Exclusively at Walmart

Category-Leading Battery Performance, Screen Quality And Pricing Redefine Value For Broadest Market Appeal

New York, NY, May 23, 2013 – Hisense today entered the tablet marketplace with the Sero 7 Series, delivering category-leading battery performance, stunning screen quality and exceptional value. The Hisense Sero 7 PRO ($149) and the Sero 7 LT ($99) are available in Walmart stores and on Walmart.com on May 24.

“Hisense is proud to introduce cutting-edge tablet technology that is accessible to the broadest demographic, with unmatched performance in the current market landscape,” said Jonathan Frank, Vice President of Marketing, Hisense USA. “Our new Hisense Sero 7 tablets provide Walmart customers with an attractive, robust and highly powerful entertainment, communication and productivity tool.”Powerful, High Quality Tablet at $149

Hisense Sero 7 PRO is a 7-inch 1280 x 800 High Definition touch screen powered by NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 quad-core processor and runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Key features include:• NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor

• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

• 7 inch, 1280 x 800 IPS display

• 1GB of RAM

• 8GB of on-board memory

• 2.0MP front camera

• 5.0MP rear camera with flash and auto-focus

• Mini HDMI, SD, and USB ports

• 10-hour battery life – Twonky Beam, which allows users to share local and Internet resources with other equipment via a DLNA network• Built-in NFC (Near Field Communications) to share pictures, playlists and videos clips

• Bluetooth enabled, providing secure transmission of data to and from devices

“Tegra 3’s quad-core processor and fifth battery saver core deliver outstanding performance and amazing battery life,” said John Lonergan, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Americas, NVIDIA. “The Hisense Sero 7 PRO, powered by Tegra 3, functions effortlessly with battery-saving technology and brilliant graphic capabilities, providing an amazing experience at a fantastic price for consumers.”$99 Tablet With Stunning Screen, Unmatched Features

The Sero 7 LT is a feature-packed introductory tablet that is the foundation for the Sero 7 family. It is a perfect gift, PC companion or introduction of technology to a young child at just $99. Features include:• 1.6 GHz dual core processor

• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

• 7 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display

• Built-in WiFi, Mini HDMI, SD, and Micro USB ports

• 1GB of RAM

• 4GB internal memory

In addition to being Google Play certified which provides users with an almost-endless array of apps, games and more, the Hisense Sero 7 tablets come preinstalled with VUDU, walmart.com, sams.com, Nook eReader, Pandora Internet Music, Facebook and NVIDA’s TegraZone applications.

“Driven by enthusiastic, technology-loving consumers combined with dynamic and progressive app stores, the tablet has quickly evolved from a standalone computing device into a highly connected, eminently-useful component of the home ecosystem. As one of the largest and most advanced true CE manufacturers – with offerings in entertainment, communication, HVAC and white goods – it’s fitting that Hisense makes a strong showing in the tablet sector and today’s introduction of Sero 7 comprehensively achieves this goal!” concluded Frank.

For more information please visit: www.hisense-usa.com.

About Hisense USA Corporation

Established in 2001, Hisense USA Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hisense Company Ltd., headquartered in Qingdao, China.

Hisense USA offers a broad range of technology driven consumer electronics products that are manufactured and distributed across North American, including televisions, refrigerators, air-conditioners, dehumidifiers, beverage coolers and freezers. Hisense USA sells into national retailers across North America, including Walmart, Sams.com, hhgregg, Canadian Tire and more. The Company has established R&D centers in Atlanta, Georgia and San Jose, California to enable localized product development and innovation.

Hisense Company Ltd. has production facilities in China, South Africa, Algeria, Egypt as well as Mexico and is one of the largest television manufacturers in the world with over 10 million televisions produced per year. The Company has sales offices in North America, Europe, Australia, South Africa, the Middle East and Asia while exporting products to over 130 countries and regions throughout the world.

[/toggle]

tablets

Amazon Now Selling The 7-inch and 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD Tablets in Over 170 Countries

amazon-kindle-fire-hd-tablet

Amazon announces Kindle Fire HD 7 and 8.9-inch availability in over 170 countries and territories around the globe. The giant online retailer will officially start taking in pre-orders for both slates, starting today, with shipping to begin in a weeks time (edit: June 13). As for pricing, the 1280 by 800 Kindle Fire HD 7 will run up a $214 bill for the 16GB model, or you’ll be able to pick up a Kindle Fire HD 8.9 unit at a mere $284, with a set of premium slab specifications, including  1GB of RAM, a dual-core 1.5 GHz TI OMAP 4470 processor, 32/64GB of internal memory, and 1920 by 1200 of high-res screen resolution. In a new PR release that the company issued, Dave Limp, VP of Amazon Kindle was quoted as saying:

Kindle Fire HD is the #1 best-selling item in the world for Amazon since its launch, and we’re thrilled to make it available to even more customers around the globe today.

And also:

Not only does Kindle Fire feature advanced hardware, it’s also a service. When combined with our content ecosystem, great email and browsing and top-rated customer service, we hope people around the world will agree that Kindle Fire HD is the best tablet for an incredible price.

Whether it is true or not is up to you to make the decision.

 

[Amazon]

General, Mobile

How To Clear Your iOS App Cache and Get a Lot of Free Extra Storage

apple-apps

Somewhere along the way people started complaining about the lack of available storage on their handsets. To help in that regard, here’s a tip for iOS users who are interested in solving this particular problem:

You all probably noticed the fact that many apps taking up big GB space from your personal iPhone / iPad storage (you can find out how much space they actually take by opening the Settings and clicking General > Usage and finding the app in the Storage section). The main reason for this, is because they are using some sort of a cache mechanism to optimize and improve their day to day performance. Unfortunately, you can’t control it that much, but the phone automatically resets the storage space of an app every week or so, anyway. However, if the app storage total capacity has grown beyond a reasonable range (or activity), you can either delete and re-install it back, OR you can clear the cache by simply using free third-party apps such as iFunbox. Choosing this path, you’ll have to hook up your iDevice either to your laptop or desktop machines, then pick up the app you want to clear the cache for, go to “Library” and delete the “Cache” folder section or the files that it used to house and store. That’s it, the cache is clean and the size of the app is back to normal again.

Update: You do not need to have a jailbroken iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, for that matter.

tablets

Acer’s New 8.1-Inch Iconia W3 Tablet Shows Up Online, Has Windows 8 Pro Onboard (Now Official)

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Acer-Iconia-W3-tablet

Acer seems to be very active within the mid-range tablet market lately, with most of the attention given to its Android-powered lineup. That, apparently, is about to change in the upcoming months, though, as the Taiwanese corp has quietly launched an 8-inch WXGA slate with Windows 8 as the main OS platform. You got that right, ladies and gents, a mid-range device running Microsoft’s latest Windows 8 Pro onboard. Sheesh, that sounds awesome. But more importantly, it looks so great. And by “it,” we refer of course to the new Iconia W3 slate, which has just been introduced online on the company’s Finnish website. In terms of its technological specs the W3 is nothing out of the ordinary with an Intel Atom Z2760 chip running under the hood, as well as 2GB of RAM, a 1,280 x 768 display, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 for wireless connectivity. Other than that, it sports a 2-megapixel front-facing cam, a microHDMI output, USB 2.0 hub, and up to 64GB of internal storage. The battery pack, if you wondered, is rated to provide up to 8 hours of battery life, and the picture in the info source link also indicates a bunch of accessories like a portable keyboard dock and a cover case that doubles as a stand.

Update: At Computex 2013, Acer has just made the 8.1-inch Iconia W3 official, and boy does it look great. Anyway, as promised the little mid-range slate runs a full Windows 8 version under the hood, tucked with a 1,280 x 800 display, and a dual-core 1.8GHz Atom Z2760 processor. Acer claims the battery life for the W3 to be around 8 hours, and you can choose between either 32 or 64GB storage options, plus an extra 32GB maximum via microSD. As for ports, we’re looking at a micro-USB, and an integrated micro-HDMI slot. But you can also find a pair of speaker grills at the bottom of this slab, a volume rocker to the left, and two front/rear-facing cameras, at 2MP each. In addition, the 540 grams device supports WiFi 802.11b/g/n, and boasts a Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity so you can wirelessly connect to compatible external devices. The new tablet is apparently due out sometime before the end of June (at 329 euros / 379 euros, respectively, and $379 in the US), while pre-orders for the slate will start from tomorrow, it will be made available through all of Microsoft’s retail stores, as well as Amazon, Office Depot, OfficeMax, Staples and Walmart.

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Video courtesy of tabtechde

 

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Acer Debuts Industry’s First 8-Inch Windows 8 Tablet

Pre-installed with Microsoft Office, the Acer Iconia W3 is the only tablet that can put the desktop into a single hand

Taipei (June 3, 2012) Acer today unveiled the Acer Iconia W3, the industry’s first full-featured 8.1-inch tablet running Windows 8, bringing entertainment and full PC capabilities into a single hand. Further solidifying its spot as the ultimate mobile companion, the Acer Iconia W3 comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013, a €139 ¹value, at no additional expense.

The Iconia W3 carefully considers the human element with a design that is compact enough to use comfortably in one hand for reading and web browsing, yet sports a screen large enough for both productivity and entertainment. As a result, it’s ideal for business people, students and families who already use programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote for school and work.

The Acer Iconia W3 was introduced today at a press event at Computex along with other new products, including the Acer Aspire S7 and S3 Ultrabooks as well as the Liquid S1 phablet. The new line of Acer mobile products highlights the company’s focus on redefining the computing experience through progressive design. #AcerTouch.

“With the Iconia W3, Acer is giving the millions of students, consumers and professionals who create, read, work and play in the Windows environment a single-handed device that does it all,” said Luca Rossi, vice president, consumer business unit, Acer Europe. “These adventurous will enjoy the industry-leading combination of a Windows 8 tablet in a sleek and lightweight 8-inch design, giving them a new and more effective way to take their fun and productivity on the go.”

Productivity Boosting Office Suite and Design
Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 comes pre-installed with the new Iconia W3, so customers can begin using it for school and work right away. A €139¹ value, Microsoft Office Home & Student Edition includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, giving customers the applications they need right at their fingertips.

The Iconia W3’s design makes it incredibly useful for productivity in several different ways. The slim and sleek device weighs only 540 grams and measures only 11.35 mm thin, so it’s easy to take anywhere. The device pairs with an optional full-size Bluetooth keyboard that holds the tablet upright for typing and then conveniently docks to the tablet to lay flat for easy transportation while protecting the screen. The keyboard mirrors the size of those found on larger 13.3-inch notebooks, so it is comfortable to use and makes working on documents and presentations even more convenient. Further boosting productivity, the Acer Iconia W3 was designed with a virtual keypad that is the ideal size for thumb typing, a common way for savvy mobile customers to connect in messaging and social platforms.

Windows 8 Companion Brings PC Capabilities Anywhere

Since the Acer Iconia W3 runs Windows 8, it keeps files, photos, and contacts synced across other Windows 8 devices, so customers can work on documents and programs on the go and then conveniently access the most current version from another device. Plus, because it runs full Windows 8, the Acer Iconia W3 is compatible with x86 legacy Windows programs. Consumers can customize Windows 8 by utilizing Live Tiles right on the start page to keep updated on the topics, news, weather and other events that they care about most.

The range of capabilities paired with the slim size makes the Iconia W3 great for sharing at school, work and home. Windows 8 supports multiple user IDs, so customers will have access to their email, Live Tiles and other apps. The device keeps content secure and safe with multiple layers of security and parental controls, even with multiple people using it.

On the Go Performance for Productivity and Entertainment

The new tablet is powered by an Intel Atom Z2760 mobile-optimized processor to smoothly handle a range of apps, including web browsing and enjoying digital media. Plus, the Acer Iconia W3 provides up to 8 hours of battery life(2) to boost all-day productivity in classes, while traveling, or simply for staying in touch throughout the day. Connected Standby helps extend battery life by turning the display off while the device remains powered on to handle background tasks. The Acer Iconia W3 keeps consumers connected to Wi-Fi networks and hotspots with 802.11b/g/nwireless technology.

The crisp 8.1-inch LED-backlit display brings 720p video to life with incredible detail and brightness. The 1280 x 800 resolution makes photos and multimedia as well as text and graphics, appear crisp and clear. The tablet’s front- and rear-facing 2MP webcams ensure that customers can capture images and video for social networking, video conferencing and sharing.

The Iconia W3 was designed to enable quick sharing of data between devices to bring full PC productivity to a tablet form factor. It has a micro-HDMI port for connecting to a TV or external display for sharing presentations, photos and video. The micro-USB port allows easy sharing of data and a connection to devices like phones, MP3 players, USB drives, or a mouse. The new tablet is available with either 32GB(3) or 64GB(3) of internal storage, and customers can add an additional 32GB(3) via microSD for extra storage and convenient transfer of photos and video between devices.

Pricing and Availability

The Iconia W3 with 32GB and 64GB capacities will be available in June from retailers starting at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of €329.- and €379.-.(4) The optional keyboard will be available for a price of €69.- and the case will be available for €24.90.- (grey) and €27.90 (white).

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tablets

Archos Introduces New $200 Xenon 80 Tablet

Archos-80-Xenon-Tablet

If you are in the market for a new mid-range tablet, but don’t feel like spending too much money on it, the new 8-inch slate from Archos, dubbed Xenon 80, is probably a very good option for you. Why you might ask? Because for $200 not only do you get the usual specs like a 1,024 x 768 IPS display, 4GB of internal storage (expandable up to 64GB via microSD slot), 2 megapixel rear camera shooter, and Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) operating system along with a layer of Archos own suite of multimedia software, but you also get a strong 1.2GHz Qualcomm quad-core CPU under the lid, plus 3G capabilities to surf the internet while travelling. That sounds like a lot of performance for less money than other hot slabs in the market, right? I guess we’ll have to check it out ourselves, when this one comes out next month (June). 

 

[toggle title=”FULL PR RELEASE”]ARCHOS Unveils the ARCHOS 80 xenon, the Newest 3G Tablet in the Elements Range

Specially designed for an on-the-go experience, the ARCHOS 80 xenon has 3G built-in to stay connected anywhere at only $199.99

Denver, CO – May 16th, 2013 – ARCHOS, a pioneer in Android™ devices, is pleased to announce the latest addition to the Elements range of tablets, the ARCHOS 80 xenon, a specially designed 8″ tablet with built-in 3G and WiFi for an on-the-go experience. This Google™ certified tablet features a powerful Qualcomm Quad-core CPU at 1.2 GHz, Android™, 4.1 Jelly Bean for an improved smooth interface and a sharp and clear IPS multi-touch screen that delivers amazing vivid colors and impressive wide viewing angles. The ARCHOS 80 xenon will be available for $199.99 SRP starting in June, 2013.

“We designed the ARCHOS 80 xenon to meet the growing need and desire for large screen connectivity while on the go,” says Loïc Poirier, CEO of ARCHOS. “Taking advantage of the recent arrival of affordable 3G subscriptions, the ARCHOS 80 xenon provides a full connected tablet experience anywhere, anytime.”

As a Google certified tablet, the ARCHOS 80 xenon has complete access to Google Play™ and its 700,000 applications and games and as a “Un-SIM-locked” device, it can accept SIM cards from any operator even pay-as-you-go SIM cards. Additional features and functions include:

Built-in GPS: The 80 xenon includes an integrated GPS combined with Google Maps™ and Google Maps with Navigation beta, for easy access to maps and directions Vibrant Screen: The ARCHOS 80 xenon is equipped with an impressive 8” IPS screen that provides amazing image quality, extra wide viewing angles, excellent screen sharpness and vivid colors ARCHOS Media Center Applications: The ARCHOS 80 xenon includes the best of multimedia with tailor made apps for Video and Music that include metadata scraping, auto-subtitles, wireless media sharing and the best format and codec support around including HD video decoding Pure Android Experience: Powered by an unskinned version of Android™ 4.1, Jelly Bean, ARCHOS 80 xenon delivers a pure Android™ experience including optimizations for a super-smooth UI experience and Google Now™ voice assistance Full Suite of Google™ Mobile Apps: The full suite of Google™ mobile apps are available on the ARCHOS 80 xenon; whether it’s to keep in contact via Gmail™, Google Talk™ and Google+™ (with multi-user video calling), planning a trip with Google Maps™ or accessing content on the cloud with Google Drive™. Other Key Specs: 1024×768 IPS screen Quad-Core CPU @ 1.2 GHz with 1GB RAM Expandable MicroSD slot (up to 64GB) 2 Megapixel Back Camera

For more information about the ARCHOS 80 xenon or other ARCHOS products visit www.ARCHOS.com.

ABOUT ARCHOS ARCHOS, a pioneer in the portable audio and video player market, and now specializing in Android Tablets, has repeatedly revolutionized the market for consumer electronics since 1988. Today, ARCHOS offers Android Tablets, Tablet PCs and MP3/MP4 players. In 2000, ARCHOS launched the Jukebox 6000, the first MP3 player combined with a hard disk. Then in 2003 ARCHOS introduced the first portable multimedia players with TV recording. In 2006 Wi-Fi is implemented and then touch screens in 2007. In 2008, ARCHOS launched the first generation Internet Tablets, and then the first ever Android powered tablets in 2009. ARCHOS has offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. ARCHOS is quoted on Compartment C of Eurolist, Euronext Paris, ISIN CodeFR0000182479. Website: www.archos.com.[/toggle]