Category Archives: Computers

IFA, tablets

Acer Announces Three New Tablets Including The Iconia One 8, Iconia Tab 10 and $150 Iconia W8

1 Comment

acer-iconia-tab-10_tablet

Over in Berlin at IFA 2014 Acer has just announced three new tablets in its Iconia lineup. The first two are the company’s latest entry into the Android-powered slate arena, with the Iconia One Tab 8 which packs an 8-inch, 1,280 x 800 IPS display on top, along with a quad-core Intel Atom Z3735G processor under the hood.  The 8.5mm slate runs Android 4.4 KitKat which is designed by Google and it is Google’s latest Android system. The specifications of the One Tab 8 also indicate that you are getting a pair of decent camera sensors on the front and the back, as well as microSD slot expansion to store all your valuable media including pictures, video, and music. Acer is said to start selling this tablet across Europe next month for only $149.

The Iconia Tab 10 is the second model in Acer’s inexpensive Android series. It boasts a 10.1-inch 1,920 x 1,080 IPS display up front with a scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 3 cover atop. Furthermore, the pack includes a quad-core MediaTek processor chip inside, tucked with a built-in micro-HDMI port along with a Dolby Digital Plus sound system and  an Android 4.4 KitKat for the OS. The Tab 10 will be available sometime this month in black or white colors, priced at only $199.

Acer-iconia-tab-8-w_tablet

Finally, Acer has also announced it will soon release the Iconia Tab 8 W, which is an 8-inch 1,280 x 800 pixels tablet, capable of running a Windows 8.1 operating system. Believe it or not, it is a similar product to the One Tab 8 device, only with a slightly different type of experience if you come to compare it with the Android usability and the applications it offers. It will be launched next month in Europe as well for €150, with a US release sometime in November for $150.

Click on the Play to see the videos

[youtube id=”Pbn-QgGBAPI”]

[youtube id=”z2Wb3HcSFpk”]

IFA, tablets

Toshiba Launches $120 Encore Mini Windows Tablet

 

The battle for the cheapest Windows tablet device is hitting up the podium again with Japanese corp Toshiba announcing a 7-inch Windows 8.1 slab, dubbed the Encore Mini. The device, as you may figure out already, is pretty small, to say the least, and with a smaller screen usually comes a very small price. Of course, it doesn’t mean that for the $120 that Tosh is planning to list the slate (and the $99 it wants to sell it for), you’re getting the top of the line. On the contrary, the screen resolution is a mediocre 1024 x 600 and the tablet is powered by Intel’s Atom Z3735G processor that has four cores humming at 1.33 GHz. Still, if you find it in the bargain bin I’d suggest picking it up. The pieces are there, but it does not function to very high specifications.

What else do you get inside? With the integrated microSD card slot, your Encore Mini has up to 128GB of internal storage which would pair very well with the 1GB RAM, and the 16GB capacity below. Toshiba is also throwing in a pair of 2MP and 0.3MP cameras, as well as 802.11n Wi-Fi adapter, Miracast support for wireless video streaming, Bluetooth 4.0, and a bunch of other goodies, such as a free one year subscription of Office 365 and 1TB of One Drive storage.  Sounds like a really good bargain, No?

IFA, tablets

Sony Announces Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact With 8-Inch Display

1 Comment

Well, well, well, what do we have here? Looks like a new mid-range tablet joiner, courtesy of the talented Sony engineering team. The slate, which goes under the “Xperia Z3 compact” moniker, is Sony’s latest and greatest device, featuring  a slim 6.4-mm(!) profile and chassis design, as well as 3GB of RAM, along with a powerful 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor plus a 1080p TILUMINOS screen display on top. The 8-inch tablet  is waterproof and well protected (IP65/68) and has an 8.1-megapixel rear camera and a 2.2-megapixel shooter up front. For battery life, it will offer up to 13 hours of video playback, as well as LTE network, and a new PlayStation 4 Remote capabilities, allowing you to play your latest games away from the tele. It will run under the Android 4.4 KitKat operating system right out of the box and you’ll be able to nab one sometime in the Fall. Prices are yet to be released.

[Sony Mobile]

IFA, tablets

Asus To Launch a Sharper and More Powerful MeMo Pad 7 Tablet

Asus-Memo-Pad-7-Android-4-4-2014

IFA in Berlin is just around the corner and Taiwanese electronic giant, Asus is already gunning for everyone else with a new iteration of the popular Memo Pad 7. First and foremost, I have to admit that I personally own this one particular device myself, and truly love it. However, while the former model was featuring less pixels at 1280 x 800 screen and a relatively sluggish ARM Cortex-A7 processor under the lid, the latter excels in all relevant hardware specifications, from the new 1.83GHz quad-core Z3560 Intel Atom chip onboard to the super stunning 7-inch display with 1,920 x 1,200 pixel resolution and 323 ppi.

The new Memo Pad 7 measures in at just 8.3 millimeters and weighing only 269 grams. The Android 4.4  KitKat tablet, which comes loaded with the ZenUI interface and is known as model number ME572C/CL, said to be equipped with 2GB of RAM, your choice of  16GB or 32GB of internal storage, optional 4G LTE wireless connectivity, and a MicroSD card adapter for extra memory if needed. In addition the upcoming slate, which is expected to go on sale “in the next few weeks” in the UK, and will cost around £179 (around $260) for the 16GB version, also features a 5MP rear camera, a 2MP front-facing camera and SonicMaster-enhanced stereo speakers.

Design wise, If you are interested in looking at this part, the tablet feels well-designed and very expensive, if you will. You get this delicate and trendy purse-like shape all over the place, with some stylish fancy colors (such as champagne gold, black, or burgundy) coating on the back of the tile.

The Asus Memo Pad 7 is a neat mini tablet that attempts to compete with the iPad Mini and the Google Nexus 7, but at a much lower price. If it can do that, it should succeed because the need for a good budget tablet will be there.

Hit the play button to watch the video

[youtube id=”dIudY1Kke1E”]

tablets

Archos Announces the ’80 Cesium’ a Cheap Windows 8.1 Tablet

archos-80-cesium-windows-tablet

French hardware maker Archos is making its first foray into the Windows tablet market with a new device called the 80 Cesium that features an 8-inch display with an 1200×800 resolution and a 1.2Ghz Intel Quad-core processor. The new slate, which the French corp describes as “the user experience of your desktop on the go” is said to be available sometime in October with attractive prices that will start at $149. And while most details are scarce at the moment, we are told that it’ll boast the usual wifi and bluetooth connectivity, as well as a micro-USB input and integration of accelerator and proximity sensor components inside. The images also indicate that front- and rear-cameras will be present on the device, though it is still unclear about the specs and features completely. The software platform under the hood is Windows 8.1, that’s for sure, and we hope to hear more details about it at IFA.

[Archos]

tablets

Rumor: Apple To Release a 12.9-inch iPad Next Year

1 Comment

Apple-ipad-tim-cook

Earlier this year, reports suggested that a bigger Apple tablet could be released in the Fall. Today we get a little confirmation that the project is still very much alive with Bloomberg reporting that the Cupertino giant is set to launch a 12.9-inch iPad in 2015. According to various sources, close to Apple’s supply chain, the company is aiming at a bigger audience and will show another dimension of the popular iPad tablet next year, with production scheduled to begin by the first quarter of 2015. The leakers also reveal that a line of bigger screens is already in the works for at least a year now. Apple is rumored to hold a September 9 event where the company will probably unveil iPhones with screen sizes of 4.7 / 5.5 inches and an expected smartwatch gadget, but of course nothing has been made official by the company as of yet. 

tablets

LEAKED: NVIDIA’s Next-Gen Gaming Shield Tablet (Update: Now Official)

Nvidia-Shiels-Tablet-gamepad

Gaming company Nvidia has already been rumored to be developing a new gaming focused slate that could be running a Quad-core Tegra K1 processor inside as well as 2GB of RAM and a 7.9-inch screen display. While still unofficial, a leak courtesy of @evleaks seems to confirm the word on the street. So far, Nvidia was offering the Tegra Note 7 tablet as a way to highlight its Tegra 4 processor (which hasn’t been a huge success, btw) but now the company is looking to expand with more richer gaming experience and improved entertainment value of game (thanks to the  Unreal Engine 4 capabilities).

A quick look at the picture above suggests that Nvidia’s next-gen Shield successor will probably be available in a gunmetal grey color, covering a front-facing VGA camera as well as a nice pair of stereo speakers along the top and bottom of its panel. The new device, which will run under an Android platform, is expected to launch before the end of the year.

Nvidia-shield-tablet

Update1: Nvidia’s shield tablet is going up for sale in the US and Canada on July 29th, and in Europe on August 14th, with prices starting at $299 for the basic 16GB wifi-only model, and up to $399 for the 32GB device, including LTE 4G support. The gamepad accessory is another $59.

Update2: Now with an official video: and full specs:

Full specs:

  • 8-inch “Full HD” 1920 x 1200 IPS LCD screen
  • NVIDIA Tegra K1 SoC
  • 5MP front-and-rear facing cameras
  • Front-facing stereo speakers
  • Black and Steel Gray colors
  • Directstylus 2
  • 16/32GB of internal storage, expandable up to 128GB via microSD
  • WiFI a/b/g/n, Optional LTE
  • 19.75 Watt Lithium Ion battery

[youtube id=”VohrddwVQqg”]

tablets

LEAKED: HTC’s Next-Gen 8.9-Inch Nexus ‘Volantis’ Tablet

HTC-Volantis-tablet

The Nexus 7 tablet is one of the best 7-inch slabs around. It is powered by Google Android OS and has a lot of great features at the price of $199. However, many reports have indicated an 8-inch version of the tablet will launch later this year. While there was no tangible evidence other than the rumors themselves, a new report from Android Police confirms the product might actually be real.

htc-volantis-nexus

The report suggests an 8.9-inch HTC Nexus tablet, powered by a 2048×1440 screen, as well as a Tegra K1 processor, running under a zero-gap aluminum frame. The tablet which goes by the name Volantis is packed with a pair of cameras (3MP front, 8MP rear) that take pictures and videos  just like real life forms. In addition it offers a choice of 16GB/32GB storage, along with 2GB of RAM, a bunch of high-quality stereo speakers, WiFi, Black/White casing, and an optional LTE connectivity aboard.

The tablet will launch later this year starting at $399  for the 16GB flavor.

 

[Android Police]

tablets

Samsung and Barnes & Noble Announce Galaxy Tab 4 Nook

Samsung-Galaxy-Tab-4-Nook

It’s been a while since we’ve last heard anything new from Barnes & Noble , but the company has certainly been putting its time to good use with a big update to its tablet lineup. The popular bookseller has just announced a new partnership with Korean hardware giant, Samsung. The two companies have signed a new strategic agreement that will help them build the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4. As per these, Samsung will be making the hardware, and B&N will provide the Nook software which will come pre-installed with the 7-inch slate.

And speaking about specs, what we know so far is that the upcoming mid-range device is likely to include a 7-inch display with 1280 x 800 resolution, powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, as well as 1.5GB of RAM, your choice of 8GB or 16GB of internal storage, a pair of integrated cameras (rear & front) and additional storage with a microSD card slot.

The co-branded Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK is said to be sold both in B&N stores and online at BN.com starting this August, with prices yet to be disclosed.

Update: Barnes & Noble officially launches the Galaxy Tab 4 Nook with prices starting at $179 and features that include a multi-window/tasking mode and an homescreen widget with recommended reading lists.

tablets

Dell Outs Two Android Venue Tablets, Starting at $160

dell-venue-7_8-android-tablets

Dell is refreshing its Android tablet lineup with two new budget offerings: Dell Venue 7 and Venue 8. The two slates which are considered as updated versions of the existing Venue series, will be powered by a more powerful processor under the hood and should be featuring Android 4.4 KitKat OS.

As you can guess, Dell’s Venue 7 is the 7-inch tinier model in the series, with 1280 x 800 pixels resolution that yields good color contrast, great for video, gaming, electronic books and browsing. It comes with 16GB of internal storage, as well as microSD card expansion (up to 64GB), 1GB of RAM, and pair of cameras, with the primary one at 5 megapixels and the front-facing VGA snapper at 1 megapixels overall.  The commodity processor used in this model is a dual-core Intel Atom (Z3460) ‘Merrifield’ processor clocked at 1.6GHz, and the cost of the slab is ridiculously low – only $159.99 and not a single dime more. It weighs only 290 gm, and comes in swish black or red colors.

The Venue 8, is an obvious upgrade choice with 8-inch IPS display and a full-HD (1920×1200 pixels) resolution on top. It has the same set of cameras, only with a slightly bigger 2 megapixels shooter on the front. There’s a faster Intel Atom Z3480 processor inside, and the battery is of 4550mAh. It will go live online starting July 1 at $199.99 and the same variety of colors.

tablets

Toshiba’s Android, Windows 8 New Line Heat Up the Tablet Wars

Toshiba revealed on Tuesday a new line of Windows 8.1/Android tablets, at affordable and competitive price choices. The Japanese company, which has struggled to compete with the popular iPad and with Samsung’s Galaxy Tab series, has finally reached the point where it will be attractive to buyers. Yes, competition is the best way deliver what consumers want at the lowest possible cost.

toshiba-excite-go-android-tablet

Getting started with the Excite Go, this 7-inch slate offers rather low 1024 x 600 screen resolution but the tablet is packing merely 16GB of internal storage. Thankfully, there’s a microSD slot so you can add up to 128GB if needed. The Excite Go also runs Android KitKat OS, powered by a quad-core Intel Atom processor, and a battery that Tosh claims will last up to 8 hours on continuous use. The Go will normally retail for $109.99, but you will be able to nab one in early July for only $99. Not a bad deal at all for Toshiba, an international brand that offers high-quality products.

Toshiba-Encore-2-windows-tablets 

Moving on to the next batch, Toshiba is adding two more Windows tablets, the 8- and 10-inch Encore 2. The duo, which will start at $200 for the 8-inch and $270 for the 10-inch, are said to tout quad-core Intel Atom processors under the hood, as well as 1,280 x 800 IPS screens and up to 64GB of internal storage, expandable up to 128GB via microSD card slot. Toshiba promises up to 10 hours of battery life on average use, alongside a single-year subscription to Office 365 Personal package. Other notable features include an 802.11n Wi-Fi, together with a front-facing shooter plus a 5MP rear facing camera, tucked with an HDMI-output and a Micro-USB 2.0 port.

If any of you are thinking of buying one, let us know what you think​.

tablets

Microsoft Announces New 12-inch Surface Pro 3 Tablet

2 Comments

microsoft-surface-pro-3-tablet

Microsoft has officially announced the new Surface Pro 3 tablet, or what it calls ‘The tablet that can replace your laptop.’  Well, we’re not so sure it will be happening anytime soon, the way that Microsoft would probably want it to be, but it sure has evolved a lot since the days of the early model.

Microsoft has really spent the effort this time, to go after Apple. Particularly against the company’s Macbook Air. What are they trying to prove? Probably that you don’t actually need it anymore. For real. Especially now, that you can get the better (and lighter) option which was made in the form of the surface Pro 3. Oh, well.

photo by pcworld
photo by pcworld

As for the device itself, it has a beautiful 12-inch Full HD screen display (3X2 aspect ratio), with 2160 X 1440 resolution, designed to work with literally any stylus pen you’d get. Of course that Microsoft will provide you with one so there’s no need to worry too much about this part (as long as you pay another $49 for it).

The Pro 3 is slim, measuring in only 9.1mm (0.36 inch) in thickness and weighs only 800 grams (1.76 pounds) with no keyboard attached. It will come in three hardware configurations: Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7, with all versions to be available for pre-order starting tomorrow with prices as follows:

  • i3-4GB RAM, 64GB – $799
  • i5-4GB RAM, 128GB – $999
  • i5-8GB RAM, 256GB – $1299
  • i7-8GB RAM, 256GB – $1549
  • i7-8GB RAM, 512GB – $1949

At this point we should mention that the Surface Pro 3 is about 1.2mm thinner than previous Surface variants, and is likely to be getting you roughly 10% more in performance. Battery life is claimed to be around 15%-20% better than any other Surface model.

Accessories wise, there will be a docking station with support for 4K display plus three USB 3 ports, two USB 2 ports, gigabit Ethernet, audio input/output, and a mini-DisplayPort connector, that will run you $199, as well as new type covers, redesigned with 68% bigger trackpad area. The kickstand on the back is now offering users a relatively comfortable near flat writing position that will bring the slab to an angle of up to 150 degrees. It’s particularly useful when you wanna get things done in the comfort of your laps.

 

Surface Pro 3 Specifications

Size 7.93×11.5×0.36 inches
Weight 1.76 lbs
Display 12 inch 2160×1440 multitouch
Processor Unspecified 4th generation (Haswell) Core i3, i5, and i7 options.
RAM 4 or 8GB
Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Connectivity 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0 LE
Cameras Front and rear, both supporting 5MP still/1080p video
Ports USB 3, microSD, mini DisplayPort, headphones
Sensors Accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, 256 level pressure sensitive battery-powered pen
Battery 9 hours
Other TPM 2.0, front and rear-facing microphones, Dolby-enhanced stereo speakers

 

Update: Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 tablet now available to pre-order both in Europe and the U.S. (overall in 22 countries worldwide).

Check out the videos below

[youtube id=”1t7rSZT_77E”]

[youtube id=”mkKPt1gnl_0″]

second video is courtesy of expertzone

tablets

Xiaomi Announces Its First Ever 7.9-inch Mi Pad Tablet Device

Xiaomi-MiPad-android-tablet

Xiaomi, a company that I think is doing a lot of great things in the mobile phone market these days, has officially launched the Mi Pad, Its first foray into the wild world of mid-range Android tablet devices. It’s clear the Chinese electronics company wants to take some of the tablet profits away from giants like Apple and Samsung but will it translate to success on the field? Well, judging by design and specs it’s definitely a chance worth taking.

The tablet itself, which looks exactly like a colorful outline of the popular iPad Mini, packs a 7.9-inch 2048 x 1536 high-def screen (326 ppi), courtesy of Sharp, along with 2GB of RAM, a WiFi-only internet connectivity, your choice of 16 or 64GB of built in storage, as well as a microSD slot, supporting up to 128GB of extra portable storage.

Xiaomi’s Mi Pad tablet runs a new version of its own MIUI, based on Android 4.4.2 KitKat. It is also one thin and light product, measuring in only 7.5mm thick and weighing 360 grams. The battery of the Mi Pad is 6,700mAh and the company promises to deliver 11 hours of video playback and 86 hours of quality audio.

Some other parts of the upcoming slab include Nvidia’s next gen Tegra K1 SOC, featuring a 2.2GHz 4 plus 1 core CPU and a 192 core Kepler GPU. For imaging, there is an 8-megapixel rear camera with flash and f2.0 aperture and a 5-megapixel front-facing variant for those free video chat calls.

As far as retail pricing goes, the Mi Pad tablet will start at $240 for the 16GB version, and up to $270 for the 64GB flavor.

While the actual release date is still under wraps, the launch is expected in a few months period (perhaps in time for the holiday season). Meanwhile, we hear that the slate will go on a beta test program in China sometime in June.

 

Xiaomi MiPad specs

  •  2.2 GHz NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor with 192-core Kepler GPU
  • 7.9-inch (2048 × 1536 pixels) display at 326 ppi with Corning Gorilla Glass 3
  • 2GB of RAM
  • 16GB or 64GB of internal storage
  • 6700 mAh battery
  • Android-KitKat MiUI ROM
  • 8MP rear camera with Sony BSI stacked sensor, 1080p video recording, f/2.0 aperture
  • 5MP front-facing camera with f/2.0 aperture
  • WiFi 802.11/b/g/n/ac Dual Band

 

[youtube id=”lVp34KQbAqk”]

tablets

LG Announces a Trio of G Pad Android Tablets

LG_G_Pad_tablet_series

Today LG announced a trio of Android tablets powered by Android version 4.4 (KitKat), and soon to be available in various sizes ranging from seven to 10.1 inches (with LG admitting that “not one size fits all”). The new lineup will be categorized under the company’s G Pad series which already includes the 8.3-inch tablet iteration – whether with the Google Play addition or without it.  The names are obviously going to suggest the tablet size in this case, and the package to be wrapped up with some basic LG software such as QPair 2.0 (direct calls and notifications from a paired smartphone) and the new Knock Code wake-up security platform. No word on pricing or availability but expect these to become official during the MedPl 2014 trade show which takes place this week in Monaco.

tablets

Next Generation Samsung Galaxy Tab Slates To Have Super AMOLED Screen Displays

samsung-galaxy-tab-s-android-tablet

By now you may be starting to think that you’ve seen it all this year, then BAM! Another variant in Samsung’s portable collection. The source of information this time is from SamMobile who claims to have obtained exclusive footage of Sammy’s next-gen series, also known as the Galaxy Tab S. And while the overall design may be somewhat somber, the line of specs is simply phenomenal.

Even though the possible release is still unconfirmed, the latest report indicates there are two versions of the Tab S tablet iteration: the 8.4-inch and the 10.5-inch, both equipped with a Super AMOLED display.

Unfortunately for us, most details are scarce at the moment, and we know only that the 10.5-incher packs a 1.9GHz Exynos 5 Octa processor under the lid, as well as Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0,  dual cameras, 8MP for the rear-facing one and 2.1MP for its front-facing counterpart, Android 4.4 KitKat OS, and a great large display on top with a massive resolution of 2560×1600 pixels.

Pricing and availability information has yet to be disclosed, though we might learn more very soon.

tablets

Microsoft to Announce an 8-Inch Surface Mini Tablet

microsoft-surface-pro-2

Surface Mini rumors have been floating around the internet for quite some time now, but today it looks like those rumors may finally be getting an email confirmation which has been officially received in the form of a Surface invitation. Yes, Microsoft has publicly invited people to come and attend a special company event which will take place in New York City on May 20th, and where it is expected to unveil a brand new 8-inch tablet to the market with an ARM-based chip under the hood and a handy stylus pen. The tablet will probably compete with 7.9 inch iPad Mini and is expected to run a full version of Windows 8.1 OS. The price is likely to match the iPad Mini starting price of $299/399 as well, but these are only speculations at this early stage. Do stay tuned to find out more updates from us!

General, tablets

Acer Debuts New Line Of 7-inch Iconia Tab Android Tablets

acer-iconia-one-7-android-tablet

The mid-range tablet market is heavily crowded with great devices. Acer today launched another addition to their Iconia Tab family of 7-inch tablets. The following, which will go under the Iconia One 7 and Iconia Tab 7 monikers, are said to replace some of the company’s previous market generations (the  B1-720 and the Iconia Tab 7 1st gen).

The Iconia One 7

A new 7-incher with a nice bump in the screen resolution (1,280 x 800), featuring a faster Intel Atom Z2560 processor, 8GB of storage (16GB version will be optional as well), and Android 4.2 Jelly bean for the OS (KitKat upgrade to be available sometime in the future). Acer says the battery life in this slab will last up to seven hours of use time, and that pricing will likely begin at $130 when Canada/U.S. sales commence somewhere around May.

Acer-Iconia-Tab-7-Android-Tablet-2014

Acer Iconia Tab 7

The company has also announced a new iteration of the Iconia Tab 7, with a 1,280 x 800 screen resolution as well as a quad-core MediaTek chip, set to push  this Android KitKat 4.4 device even further ahead in the tablet competition. Furthermore the slate will offer 3G HSPA+ networks, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, built-in GPS and your choice of Black or White hues with either 8GB and 16GB internal storage, starting at $205 for basic configurations.

tablets

Lenovo Introduces a Business Friendly ThinkPad 10 Tablet

lenovo-thinkpad-10-windows-tablet

Lenovo’s commitment to innovation continues with ongoing new product introductions, both on Android and Microsoft’s Windows 8 platforms.  Today, we’re looking at a brand new 10-inch Windows 8.1 tablet, dubbed Lenovo ThinkPad 10, and  which may be considered as a good complement to the company’s Thinkpad 8. In general, we’re talking about a 10-inch slate with a 1,920 x 1,200 screen, packing a 1.6GHz quad-core Atom Z3795 processor, as well as 4GB of RAM, and up to 128GB of internal storage. In addition, it has an 8 MP camera sensor resolution on the back, plus a 2 MP front-facing digital camera  for video calling and selfies. Moreover, it supports 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC technologies, as well as 4G LTE, EVDO, and HSPA+ cellular networks (optional).

A diverse range of accessory bundle will also be available, including  a Quickshot Cover, a tablet dock with 3 USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, Ethernet jack, and PXE boot support, and a separate keyboard dock and case if you like to type whilst on the go for instance. Price and availability are yet to be determined.

Update: Prices to start at the $499 range, with shipments to begin sometime in June.

[via TabTech]

tablets

Lenovo Introduces Four Entry-Level Android Tablets

2 Comments

lenovo-tab-a8-50-android-slate

It’s been a while since we last posted about a new budget-friendly device. Surely, we should have seen more of these available in the market, but not at the expense of quality and size, right? Well, depends on who you are asking I suppose. However, with that in mind the big news of today comes courtesy of Lenovo, where they have just revealed their latest collection of entry-level slabs. The new line, which is comprised of four different Tabs, the A7-30, A7-50, A8 and A10, comes equipped with a quad-core MediaTek processor under the hood, as well as Dolby-powered dual-front speakers and a version of Android OS that is yet to be disclosed.

The first model, which happens to be the smaller and weaker of the four, is the Tab A7-30. It has a 7-inch 1024×600 resolution display along with a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek processor,  a 3500mAh battery, and a suite of low-resolution cameras (2MP on the back plus a VGS up front), with an optional cellular support.

Lenovo’s A7-50 really isn’t much of a difference except the slightly better 7-inch “HD” display which boasts 1280×720 screen resolution. Other than that it packs the same batch of cameras, an optional SIM card tray and an 8GB storage for all your media source files, including video, photos and audio.

The Lenovo A8-50, which you can see in the picture above, is said to be coming with a larger 8-inch HD display on board, coupled with 1280×800 pixel resolution  along with a 5MP rear camera plus a 2MP camera on the front.

The last tablet in this series is the Tab A10, which runs a 10.1-inch wide HD screen at 1280×800 resolution. There’s also a larger 6340 mAh battery inside and the mix of cameras offers 2MP front-facing camera and a 5MP shooter on the back. It will be available worldwide from Q2 2014 for £169.99, while the other three will cost £99, and £139 respectively.

tablets

Is This Samsung’s Next Galaxy Tab 4 Tablet? (Update: Confirmed)

samsung-galaxy-tab4-android-tablet

Serial leaker @evleaks has recently unveiled what is believed to be the next generation of Samsung’s mid-range Galaxy Tab iteration, the Galaxy Tab 4 — a great compliment to the company’s next 10-inch Galaxy Tab slate, which has just passed through the FCC  today (dubbed as SM-T805), featuring a 10.5-inch display, as well as 2,560×1,600 screen resolution, Android 4.4 KitKat for the OS, and your choice of either Wi-Fi, 3G, or LTE models. The 8.4-inch Galaxy Tab version, which appears to go under the SM-T801 moniker, is likely to come with that similar gigantic 2,560×1,600 resolution, paired with a Samsung Exynos powerful processor and a minimal amount of in-screen bezel. More details to follow soon.

samsung-galaxy-tab-4

Update1: Samsung has officially confirmed the new batch of Galaxy Tab 4 devices, featuring the 7-inch Galaxy Tab 4 7.0, 8-inch Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 and the 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 4 10.1, and with a list of system specifications that includes a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU, 1.5GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, duo cameras at the 3MP and 1.3MP shooting range, Android 4.4 KitKat for the operating system, MicroSD slot, and LTE Category 4 standard support. The Tabs are scheduled to come out sometime this quarter in black or white hues.

Update2: The new line of  Galaxy Tab 4 devices is finally coming Stateside, in 7.0, 8.0 and 10.1 inch sizes, with WiFi iterations to land in US shores on May 1st starting at $200 for the seven-inch slab, and up to $350 for the 10-incher.

[via Sammobile]

tablets

Microsoft Launches Surface 2 Tablet With LTE Support

microsoft-surface-2-lte-tablet

Good news at last! Microsoft has officially announced that it will be releasing a Surface 2 with LTE support first thing tomorrow morning. The 10.6-inch tablet which touts a 1080p screen resolution, runs a Windows 8.1 operating system under the hood and said to be powered by AT&T’s 4G LTE wireless network. As part of the deal, the slab will go on sale for $679 with 64GB of internal memory, but the key point is that there is no obligation to the cellular company, as far as we know, however the slate itself does require an AT&T micro-SIM card to work properly. In addition, the new surface 2 tablet also supports LTE bands 4, 7 and 17, as well as internet access on 3G UTMS network and GSM 800/900/1800/1900MHz.

And while there’s still no word about a Surface Pro 2 with integrated LTE, the 4G Surface 2 will be sold exclusively at Best Buy and directly from Microsoft stores and MicrosoftStore.com. The tablet which packs a Tegra 4 quad-core processor inside comes equipped with a dual-position kickstand, paired with a full-sized USB 3.0 port, a 5MP rear camera and a 3.5MP shooter up front. Microsoft also keeps the “goodies box” from previous package, including a 200GB of SkyDrive storage for 2 consecutive years as well as unlimited Skype calls to landlines for one year long, in addition to Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 RT and Outlook 2013 RT.

Good luck in trying to get yourself one.

[Microsoft]

tablets

Lenovo Takes Wraps Off The Android-Powered Yoga Tablet 10 HD Plus

lenovo-yoga-tablet-10-HD

Lenovo’s Yoga Tablet 8 and 10, which only launched four months ago, are somewhat of a different breed in their appearance and design, featuring a long wide kickstand at the back and a curvy handle that’s not afraid to bend a few rules. Today, however, the company has slightly improved these fancy shamncy Android models even further with the addition of a better line of specifications. While the overall shape of the Yoga is preserved, the internal structure has been functionally upgraded.

The new version, known as the Yoga Tablet 10 HD+, comes equipped with a 10.1-inch 1,920 x 1,200 Full HD display, compared to the early model’s 1,280 x 800 screen resolution. This model features a quad-core 1.6GHz Snapdragon 400 processor under the hood, while previous slates were mostly based on a 1.2GHz MediaTek processor. Finally, the internal memory is doubled to include an integrated 2 gigs of RAM and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera vs. a 5-megapixel shooter on the first iteration of Yoga tablets.

Lenovo-Yoga-Tablet-10-HD-Plus

Lenovo offers 16GB or 32GB storage configurations with the new Yoga 10 HD Plus. Moreover, there’s an optional 3G wireless connectivity as well as microSD slot expansion, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11n standard Wi-Fi, and last but not least, a massive 9,000mAh battery pack, with up to 18 hours of continuous run time.

Yoga 10 HD+ tablet is likely to be shipped with Google’s Android Jelly Bean version sometime in April with prices starting at $349 for the 16GB option.

[youtube id=”flZCgPbaNu8″]

Video courtesy of Mobilegeeks
tablets

HP Unveils ProPad 600 And ElitePad 1000 Windows Business Line Of Tablets

hp-elitepad-1000

A new lineup of Windows tablets shine at Mobile World Congress 2014 — HP intros two of them for the business end users who are using Microsoft technology, the ProPad 600 and the ElitePad 1000. Both units are equipped with Intel’s latest Atom Bay Trail quad-core processors under the lid, 10.1-inch displays with 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution and a thin environmentally friendly cover of Corning Gorilla Glass atop. The two also offer a choice of Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Pro operating systems.

The HP ProPad 600, which is the cheapest of the two, will boast a WiFi-only platform, paired with a microSD card slot, micro HDMI output, dual 8MP and 2MP cameras, 2GB or 4GB of RAM configurations, Bluetooth 4.0, and pressure sensitive stylus for detailed drawing and easier navigation. The ProPad will be available in April with prices to be determined.

hp-propad600-windows-tablet

The ElitePad 1000 model, on the other hand, will be available in March with a starting price of $739. It packs pretty much the same specs as above but slightly better, with both  802.11 a/b/g/n wifi connectivity and 4G LTE radio support, as well as your choice of 32GB or 64GB of internal storage capacities, a much stringer 64-bit processor and the same sharp 1,920 x 1,200 screen on top.   Of course, you will also have all the ports necessary for a daily work included inside, such as USB 3.0, microSD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack and an HDMI out for video streaming on your TV screen.

Update: HP has also unveiled an 8-inch Android tablet which is expected to sell for $170. The new device which falls under the obvious name of HP 8, is packing a mediocre 1,024 x 768 screen, along with, a quad-core ARM chip, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a 3,800mAh battery pack and an Android 4.2.2 pre-loaded for the OS.

Mobile, tablets

Huawei Announces 7-Inch MediaPad X1 Android Tablet: Lightest in the World!

1 Comment

Huawei-MediaPad-X1-tablet

Huwei introduces a new 7-inch Phablet, Android tablet with a mobile phone function, which also happens to be the lightest in the category weighing in at just 239g and only 7.18mm-thick. As much as we would welcome any change or innovation in the global mobile market, a 7-inch tablet will always look preposterous as a “hold up to your ear” smartphone, right? While you could always use it as a tool in getting connected via mobile, the tablet part seems to be the main purpose most of the time.

But will the new slab be a player in an increasingly crowded market? Well, it’s definitely possible due to the increasing size of the manufacturing company and the top-notch quality of the internal specs. The name, if you were wondering, is the Huawei MediaPad X1 and it is likely to contain some of the greatest specs available in the market today, including a high-res 1,920 x 1,200 LTPS display (323 ppi) on top, alongside a 1.6GHz quad-core Cortex-A9 processor, 2GB of RAM and a Mali-450 MP4 GPU.

The MediaPad X1, which has an rigid aluminum frame, will also include a 5,000mAh battery pack, claims to provide up to 5 full days of work, as well as 802.11n WiFi connectivity, a HUGE breed of 5-megapixel f/2.2 front-facing camera plus a 13-megapixel f/2.4 shooter placed on the back. In addition, it will sport both 4G LTE network capabilities, WCDMA technology configuration and 3G connection wherever you go. There is also a healthy 16GB of built-in storage, expandable up to 32GB via microSD card slot.

The X1 which runs on Android Jelly Bean OS  will be available in various countries around the globe such as China, Russia, Western Europe, the Middle East, Japan and Latin America from March 2014  for an unknown price.

Update: Huawei will also release a basic 7-inch tablet under the M1 moniker and with some entry-level specs, including a 7-inch 1,280×800 pixel HD IPS display, a rear-facing a 5-megapixel camera plus a 1-megapixel shooter on the front. Storage wise, you get the choice to choose between 8GB or 16GB capacities and up to 32GB expandable memory via microSD card slot. The M1 will be available in May for 299 Euros.

[youtube id=”yo171G-2kAg”]

tablets

8-inch Archos Helium 4G Tablet Breaks Cover

Archos-Helium-4G-Tablet

Archos has just taken the wraps off of the 80 Helium 4G tablet, an 8-inch follow-up to the well-reviewed French line of gadgets. And while, admittedly, this isn’t exactly an official announcement, the company decided to unveil the slate moments ahead of MWC 2014 where the tablet is expected to be seen for the very first time. The basic 80 Helium 4G offer is said to be featuring an 8-inch 1024 x 768 IPS screen, paired with a 1.2GHz Cortex-A7 quad-core processor, and an Android 4.3 Jelly Bean for the operating system. It will also include a 4G/LTE network support, with 1GB of RAM, a 5MP rear-facing camera capable of 1080p Full HD video capture, plus a standard 2MP front-facing shooter sitting up front. Moreover, the Helium, which is going to be priced at roughly $250, is cramming inside Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi and GPS for use with Google Maps and Navigation. We should get more details at MWC 2014.

tablets

Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet Specs Leaked (Now Official)

Sony-Xperia-Tablet

Another day, another @evleaks leak. This time it’s a new successor to the beautiful Sony Xperia z1 tablet, which happens to be registered under the name of Xperia Z2 (is anyone surprised?). If rumors are proven correct, the next Xperia iteration is likely to pack a SnapDragon 800 2.3GHz x4 processor under the hood, alongside a 10.1-inch 1920×1200 Full-HD Triluminos Display, with a system memory of 3GB RAM, and an internal storage capacity starting at 16GB and doubling at each step. The storage is obviously expandable via microSD slot expansion, and  the camera features are top of the line as well. Apart from 8MP rear camera, the device also holds a 2MP secondary camera for video calling and runs on Android Kitkat 4.4 OS. And while the actual product photo is not available, It is also rumored to come with a very thin body measuring at 6.4 mm and it’ll also be enclosed in a waterproof body. More details to follow.

Update1: The guys over at @evleaks just posted an unverified image of the next Xperia tablet. Initial look and feel is very similar to the first generation, the Z1 tablet, only with some better specs. We look forward to learning more about this product at Sony’s Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona on February 24. 

Alleged-Xperia-z2-Tablet

Update2: Mobile World Congress 2014 began yesterday in Barcelona, lifting the curtain of the upcoming Xperia Z2 tablet which Sony claims to be the thinnest and lightest waterproof slate in the world. Other than that, leaks were right on the spot with the new Z2 packing a 10.1-inch 1,920 x 1,200 pixel Triluminos display along with 3GB RAM, a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, dual 8.1/2.2-megapixel cameras, and a super slim chassis measuring in only 6.9mm thick. Naturally, it comes running the latest and greatest Android OS known as 4.4.2 KitKat.

[youtube id=”fA4dIRau5Mc”]

video courtesy of T3
tablets

Archos Unveils Three New Neon Android Tablets

archos-neon-tablet

French manufacturer, Archos,  is once again aiming to reach out to the mass market with a variety of new tablets offered under the Neon moniker. The trio, which are expected to be announced just under $200, will pack a quad-core A9 processor, along with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage (expendable via microSD expansion up to 64GB),  WiFi connectivity, and Micro USB 2.0. It has also been confirmed that the budget-friendly devices will run Android 4.2 Jelly Bean under the lid, paired with an integrated speaker, a built-in mic, an embedded G-sensor for device orientation, and a Lithium Polymer battery pack. The new Neon series is coming in three variants: the 9-inch Archos 90 Neon (800 x 400 screen resolution), 9.7-inch 97 Neon (1024 x 768 screen resolution), and the 10.1-inch 101 Neon (1024 x 600 screen resolution), while the first and third models will only include a front-facing VGA shooter which caters for all your video chat needs, and the second, the 9.7-inchers comes with an additional 2-megapixel rear-facing cam.  U.S. availability is yet to be determined but in Europe, the tablets are already on sale.

[Archos]

Computers

Happy 30th Birthday Apple Mac

Apple-Thirty-Years-of-Mac

Apple is celebrating 30 years of the Mac today. The Cupertino company has revamped its website completely, including a page dedicated to the special event with a nice and interactive timeline that is walking you through the various models the company has launched throughout the years. In addition, there’s a special place where you can share with Apple some info about your first Mac, how did you discover it and what did you use it for.

Here’s the statement the company has released, along with the Mac’s 30th anniversary video

Thirty years ago, Apple introduced the Macintosh with the promise to put the creative power of technology in everyone’s hands. It launched a generation of innovators who continue to change the world. This 30 year timeline celebrates some of those pioneers and the profound impact they’ve made. 

[youtube id=”Xp697DqsbUU”]

[Apple]

tablets

Samsung’s New 7-Inch Galaxy Tab 3 Lite Aims For The Low End Market

Samsung-Galaxy-Tab3-Lite-Android-Tablet

As if the mid-range tablet market isn’t crowded enough, Samsung is officially announcing yet another Android tablet, dubbed the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite. The new device, which has leaked just a few days ago, is packing a 7-inch WSVGA display with 1024×600 pixel resolution (170 ppi) on top. It’s good, but not as good as you would expect from a company like Samsung. We thought we’d see a 1920×1080 pixels screen instead, but since that’s not really a premium device, we’ll just have to settle for this!

Other than that by taking a look at its inner specifications, it still seems subpar to other major tablets such as the iPad Mini and the Google Nexus 7. With a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD card slot), Sammy’s new Tab 3 Lite may not be enough to satisfy your gaming itch, but most consumers will be very happy with it, I suppose. In addition, this Android 4.2 slab will come with WiFi-only and WiFi+3G variants; both to include a rear-facing 2-megapixel camera, and a 4-cell 3,600mAh battery pack.

No word on pricing and availability yet but it will be offered in a variety of colors when taken out.

[Samsung]

tablets

Lenovo ThinkPad 8 Breaks Cover! 8-Inch Windows Tablet Packs HD Screen and 2.4GHz Quad-Core Processor.

1 Comment

Lenovo-Thinkpad-8-windows-tablet

At CES 2014 — Lenovo has officially announced a new joiner to its burgeoning Windows tablet lineup. Once again, we’re looking at a mid-range 8-inch device which is expected to launch by the end of the month. What stands out about the display however is the exceptional high-def screen resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixel it has, while most other contenders have only 1280 x 800 pixel screens to offer (iPad Mini aside). The Thinkpad slate, which is conceptualized as being more for business use, comes with an 8.3-inch screen, 2GB of RAM, your interesting choice of 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB storage capacities, a micro-HDMI output, microUSB 3.0 port, a nice aluminum back panel, and an optional 4G LTE support. The device features a 2.4GHz Intel Atom Bay Trail processor under the lid, and its batteries will last for about 8 hours of continuous work.

The Thinkpad 8 is very thin, measuring in at 8.8mm thick (weighing in at 430g), and features a primary camera of 8-megapixels on the back, and a 2 megapixels one on the front. Naturally, as a business-class device, the Thinkpad 8 will come with some nice exclusive goodies for free, such as the Microsoft MS Office, and all the benefits that Windows 8.1 Professional offers, like Snap, Share, and so many more.

As mentioned, the tablet will be available later this month, with prices starting at $399 for the wi-fi only model. Lenovo is also offering an optional smart cover case called the “QuickShot cover” which will be available for a purchase online and in stores at roughly $50. The kicker of this cover is that it attaches magnetically at the side of the tablet (same as Apple’s smartcover), protecting the screen from scratches or damages and waking it up when it’s removed or putting it to sleep when it’s attached. In addition, you can easily fold back the cover to use it as a stand.

If you’re in the market for a new Windows tablet, you really should check out Lenovo’s new Thinkpad 8, it’s a wonderful device and definitely worth the purchase.

[youtube id=”YV732xJOra8″]

[youtube id=”kzA_1SWbsVI”]

Videos courtesy of Lenovo and Mobilegeeks.de

tablets

Asus Unveils New VivoTab Note 8 Windows 8.1 Tablet

asus-vivotab-note-8

Asus is ramping up its VivoTab lineup with a new 8-inch tablet. This portable handheld device, dubbed the VivoTab Note 8, runs on Windows 8.1 and has an Intel Atom Z3740 quad-core processor rocking under the lid, alongside a 1,280 x 800 IPS touchscreen, about 2GB of RAM, up to 64GB of internal storage, and a microSD memory card. In addition, the new slate will also pack a Wacom stylus pen that can apply up to 1,000 pressure levels, as well as a set of integrated cameras: 5-megapixel rear camera and an HD front facing shooter. The VivoTab Note 8 tablet is expected to be released between Q1 and Q2 starting at $299 for the 32GB model and only $50 more ($349) for a 64GB version.

Update: Microsoft officially starts selling  the ASUS VivoTab Note 8 tablet in the US, with prices starting at $329 instead of the $299 price tag it was initially announced.

[youtube id=”pDJZel1JdHM”]

Video courtesy of Mobilegeeks.de

[ASUS]

CES, tablets

8.4-Inch Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro Tablet Images Leaked (Update: Now Official In 8-, 10- and 12-inch Sizes)

Samsung-Galaxy-Tab-Pro-Android-Kitkat-Tablets

It’s 2014, ladies and gents, and Samsung is obviously planning some big things to be announced later on! Not one of them leaked to the media, up until now. Today, however, we’ve been fortunate enough to learn of a new tablet device (courtesy of @evleaks) which will hopefully be a part of this company offerings real soon. The culprit, also known as the Galaxy Tab Pro, is said to be wearing an 8.4-inch WQXGA 2,560×1,600-pixel display atop, alongside a 2GB of memory and up to 32GB of internal storage. The slate is also packing Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box, and is likely to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor. In addition, we hear that the 8-incher may also be accompanied by a second model sized at 10-inch, and a third iteration sized at 12-inch tall. All three will be running the same operating system and rumored to be rocking the same screen resolution under the hood, while the larger models will also deliver an higher performance Exynos 5 Octa processor, with bigger memory and storage capacities. Finally, the 10.1 and 12.2 tablets are likely to be available in three connectivity options: Wi-Fi-only, 3G, and 4G LTE high speed broadband. Stay tuned for a lot more to come.

Samsung-Galaxy-Tab-Pro-8

Update: Samsung has officially taken the wraps off of its three new tablets at CES 2014. The trio are measuring at 8-, 10-, and 12-inch sizes, when all three run the same exact Android KitKat OS on board (with the multi-window system), and are expected to include an impressive 2,560×1,600-pixel resolution. Sammy’s brand new Galaxy Tab Pro lineup will come in WiFi, 3G, and LTE variants. Options for internal memory will be in the range of 32 or 64 gigabytes, but the bundle includes a 50GB of Dropbox storage freebie. In addition to that, the back of each model is covered with some kind of a leather texture which would be cool to grab, alongside the Samsung Galaxy S-Pen Stylus Pen and two cameras: an 8-megapixel one on the back as well as a 2-megapixel one on the front. Last but not least, the Wi-Fi models are powered by Samsung’s Exynos 5 Octa chip while the LTE models will utilize Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800. Price and availability are yet to be determined.

[youtube id=”XKop29JrepQ”]

Video courtesy of talkandroid

[toggle title=”FULL PR TEXT”]

Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO series set a New Rule for the Tablet Experience at CES 2014

Extending the company’s innovation legacy with best-in-class media consumption and productivity capabilities

Las Vegas, NV – January 6, 2014 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled the Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO line of tablets, setting a new standard of mobile excellence, equipped with innovative and meaningful technology. Sporting four powerful devices in the lineup – the Galaxy NotePRO (12.2-inch), TabPRO (12.2, 10.1, 8.4-inch), Samsung’s Galaxy tablet portfolio redefines what a tablet can do.

“We created the Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO series to kick-off a year in which Samsung truly establishes its leadership in the tablet market,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics. “This new line offers the best-in-class content consumption and productivity, combining a stunning viewing experience with Samsung’s design legacy. The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO truly demonstrate our commitment to providing our customers with extraordinarily versatile product offerings, tailored to tablet users of every description.”

Providing users with an extraordinary display and a matching feature set, the Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO series bring premium style and powerful performance in a single device. Created to satisfy every possible type of user case scenario, the Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO combine a crystal-clear, WQXGA display for a world-class viewing experience, powerful productivity tools, and unique features with preloaded and free downloadable content, producing a superior mobile solution.

Introducing Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO (12.2) – the Definitive Tablet Viewing Experience

The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO present the world’s first 12.2-inch WQXGA Widescreen (16:10) display, offering crystal clear resolution (2560×1600) with more than 4 million pixels, making it an ideal platform for every type of content creation and consumption. With a larger viewing area, the defined screen allows users to enjoy stunning Full HD video play and view even more information at a glance. In addition to the industry-leading display, the devices have been designed with a sleek, light, slim frame that is both premium and highly portable.

A personalized Magazine UX, specifically optimized for a large screen, allows users to further tailor their Galaxy tablet experience for their own needs. The UX enables them to organize their favorite content in an easy-to-use dashboard with automatic feed or news updates and then quickly access the most frequently used apps for a more comfortable reading experience. By utilizing a screen size that is more comparable to traditional magazine-sized material, content is easier to view in its original format when reading digital magazines or e-books.

Powerful Partner for Productivity

The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO (12.2) come equipped with a variety of productivity tools to help users to manage both their personal and professional lives.

Multi Window enables users to split the screen up into four different windows and an innovative, Virtual Keyboard provides them with enough space to type comfortably, leveraging haptic feedback to produce a more realistic typing experience.

The Samsung S Pen included with the Galaxy NotePRO delivers a more responsive, productive and overall efficient tablet experience with access to features such as Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write and S Finder. In addition, Pen Window enables users to simply draw a window of any size on the screen, and instantly access unique in-application features such as YouTube or a calculator.

Users can easily access and control their home or office PC directly through their Galaxy NotePRO or TabPRO with Remote PC in order to seamlessly edit and save files remotely.

The Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO also come pre-loaded with Cisco WebEx Meetings platform, the industry’s leading web conferencing solution that provides users with an easy way to meet with anyone, anywhere. And now for the first time on Android tablets, users can share anything on their screen as well as starting a WebEx meeting from contact list. Samsung e-Meeting provides collaboration capabilities by giving users the ability to share content during a meeting without having to access a central server or network.

Ultimate User Content Gift Package*

For additional value and productivity right out of the box, the Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO (12.2) will feature up to approximately $700 worth of the premium pre-paid, long-term subscription offers from best-selling news, social media and cloud storage providers, including:Bitcasa, Bloomberg Businessweek+, Blurb, Cisco WebEx Meetings, Dropbox, Easilydo Pro for Tablet, Evernote, Hancom Office for Android, LinkedIn, LIVESPORT.TV, NY Times, Oxford Advanced Learner’s A-Z, and Sketchbook Pro (content packages may vary by region).

The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO line will come in various connectivity options: WiFi Only, WiFi and 3G, or WiFi and LTE. Users can choose between the 12.2-inch Galaxy NotePRO that comes with an included S Pen, and the 12.2-inch Galaxy TabPRO, Galaxy TabPRO 10.1-inch and 8.4-inch without the S Pen.

Designed to extend productivity even further, the following optional accessories are also available for purchase with the Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO: Various Book Covers, USB LAN HUB, Universal BT Keyboard and S Action Mouse (accessories may vary by product model).

The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO tablet line will be offered globally and will be available starting from Q1, 2014.

For more product information, please visithttp://www.samsungmobilepress.com / m.samsungmobilepress.com

[/toggle]

tablets

Acer Introduces New 7 and 7.9-inch Iconia Android Tablets

1 Comment

Acer-Iconia-A1-830-Android-tablet

Get ready to ring in the new year with a whole new gadget as Acer promises to deliver an array of mid-range Android tablets sub $200. The new devices, which fall under the Iconia series, will be on display at Acer’s booth at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas Jan. 7-10 2014. The first slate, known as the Iconia A1-830, is a premium device somewhat similar to the popular iPad Mini. Mainly in looks but not necessarily in specs. It boasts a 7.9-inch 1,024 x 768 display on top, alongside a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2560 processor under the lid. In addition it features 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage (expandable up to 32GB via microSD card), an Android Jelly Bean 4.2.1 for the internal OS, MicroUSB, Bluetooth 3.0 and roughly seven hours of battery workout. There’s also a front-facing 720p camera for video chats and a rear camera lens capable of shooting at a 2,560 x 1,920 HD resolution. The A1-830 is said to be available in early 2014 at merely $149 along with standard and optional accessories such as portable keyboard and protective cover case.

Acer-Iconia-B1-720-Android-tablet

The B1-720, which is a fairly basic model, packs a 1.3GHz dual-core processor inside, as well as 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a 7-inch screen (with 10-point touch), and up to five hours of battery life. The $130 slate will come pre-loaded with Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean platform, and in various flavors ( grey and red) to suit your requirements. It will come out Stateside soonish.

[youtube id=”-On_WuOnCRY”]

[youtube id=”MIyZkxHu714″]

Both videos are courtesy of mobilegeeks.de

CES, tablets

Polaroid To Release New Q Line of Android 4.4 Tablets

polaroid-Q10-android-tablet

Have you ever heard the name Polaroid before? Well, it is not exactly a glamorous company anymore, but it sure is making a formal comeback. And while we haven’t heard all that much about it lately, the 75 years old company apparently has some interesting plans to share with ya all. Today, Polaroid announced its Q line of Android-based tablets, including the 7-inch Q7, 8-inch Q8 and 10.1-inch Q10. Neither device is exactly best in breed, but the choices you get are fairly decent and the price is reasonable. For instance, all three tablets ship with Android 4.4 Kit Kat under the hood, and the processor inside is a quad-core Snapdragon 600. There’s also a Wifi connectivity, alongside an HDMI port, and dual HD cameras to capture video and photos. Unfortunately, that’s pretty much all the details we got to share with you now, but we certainly hope to bring even more. Overall it’s not that bad for the price you pay, which is about $129.99, $149.99 and $179.99 respectively.

[Polaroid]

tablets

Nvidia Tegra Note 7 Gets Updated With Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

1 Comment

nvidia_tegra_note_7_back

Some of you probably remember the Tegra Note 7 that has been recently released by hardware giant, Nvidia (and sold under brand names such as EVGA, ADVENT, Gigabyte, Shenzhen Homecare Technology, ZOTAC and XOLO). If you don’t, let me refresh your memory: It’s a 7-inch Android tablet device running a Tegra 4 SOC under the lid with a quad-core Cortex-A15 processor, 16GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM and a 72-core GeForce GPU. It was launched worldwide last October both in shelves and online for only $199, and has gained popularity over other basic slates available in the market.

Yesterday, we learned that Nvidia had apparently rolled out a new update for the 7-inch Note that promises to boost general usability. Aside from the OS upgrade to Android 4.3, the new update also improves the graphics tablet pen, which now offers support for left-handed users, as well as a wide range of manual setting features, and a better accuracy of touch in the DirectStylus response. In addition, you can transfer apps from the tablet’s internal storage over to a microSD card and by doing so save even more space.

Finally, the update has also added an always-on HDR function for the 5MP rear-facing camera, which means a real-time HDR engine when taking candid photos of people in the street. Some other enhancements include a new video stabilization feature and even better results in taking low-light photography moments.

The update is now officially available for a download over the air.

[NVIDIA]

 

Mobile, Operating Systems, software, tablets

iOS 7 Finally Gets an Untethered Jailbreak

ios7-evasi0n7-jailbreak

According to a chart posted on Apple’s developer website in early December, iOS 7 adoption is already at 74 percent. This means that three quarters of Apple iDevices are closely familiar with the new operating system, and that’s A LOT. What else happened since then? Glad that you asked, because the iOS 7 officially has an untethered jailbreak, courtesy of the great Evasi0n7. The tool, which many of you may have expected to see, is now available for both Windows and Mac users and can snappily help you unlock any iPhone, iPad and iPod touch models running iOS 7.0, 7.0.1, 7.0.2, 7.0.3 and 7.0.4, including the new ones (e.g iPad Air and iPhone 5s). As usual you should proceed with caution and happy jailbreaking!

Click the source below to get the software.

[youtube id=”QcZaDZb3zcs”]

[Evad3rs]

tablets

LG G Pad 8.3 Tablet Finally Gets The Google Play Edition

1 Comment

LG-G-Pad-8.3-Google-Play-Tablet

Although LG has already introduced the G Pad 8.3 tablet more than three months ago, it didn’t announce the Google Play Edition, and gladly it is doing so today. The new 8-incher which has been specifically designed to take on Google Nexus 7 directly, is running the latest and greatest stock version of Android 4.4 (KitKat) under the hood, along with similar ingredients that we have already encountered before, including a stunning 1920 x 1200 Full HD IPS display, a quad-core 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 system-on-chip, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage,  5-megapixel rear camera and a 1.2-megapixel shooter up front. In addition, the 8.3mm thick device, which happens to retail for exactly the same price as the regular one ($349), boasts the best technology in terms of connectivity (e.g NFC, Bluetooth 4.0,  and dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi), paired with a 4600mAh battery and a microSD card slot.

There are many benefits of having a stock Google Android machine instead of the company version, particularly when it comes to the frequency of updates, simplicity in UI, the absence of bloatware that can slow the system down, and the overall performance, which it is expected to deliver. The LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition is now officially available via Google Play — are you getting one?

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]

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″]

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]

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

[/toggle]

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”]