Category Archives: Computers

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

1 Comment

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.

[youtube id=”uNF_cx7hh4Y”]

 [youtube id=”6Ay7JiUZou4″]

 

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]

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

 

[toggle title=”FULL TEXT”]

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.

[/toggle]

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.

[youtube id=”pdAmUa07STU”]

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.

[youtube id=”Uzwx8NkwEy4″]

Video courtesy of pocketnowvideo

 

[toggle title=”FULL TEXT”]

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.

[/toggle]

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.

[youtube id=”pjlcA-cdEP8″]

Video courtesy of minipcpro

 

[toggle title=”FULL PR TEXT”]

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.  

[youtube id=”_Hfp-IAyCto”]

Video courtesy of PhoneArena

 

[toggle title=”FULL PR TEXT”]

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.

[/toggle]

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.

[toggle title=”FULL TEXT”]

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.

[/toggle]

 

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.

[toggle title=”FULL TEXT”]

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

[/toggle]

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″]

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. 

[youtube id=”5LysTmwDan8″]

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

[youtube id=”PO2ZsvwRMuY”]

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.

 

[toggle title=”FULL PR TEXT”]

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.

[/toggle]

 

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

[toggle title=”FULL PR TEXT”]

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.

[/toggle]

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]

tablets

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

2 Comments

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.

[youtube id=”6R1CeE_jLrE”]

Video courtesy of tabtechde

 

[toggle title=”FULL PR TEXT”]

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).

[/toggle]

 

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]

tablets

NTT Docomo Announces Aquos Pad SH-08E With a 7-inch High-Res Display

Sharp-Aquos-sh08e-tablet

The mid-range segment has already become the mainstream of the tablet market. All of a sudden, it seems that everyone wants to get involved and be part of it, and so does Japanese telecom giant NTT DoCoMo that has recently revealed a 7-inch chap, known as the Sharp Aquos Pad SH-08E. And if you think this machine isn’t powerful that’s just not true. Well, for starters this isn’t your average Android 4.2 device, but a super-fast Pad, you’re looking at, with a 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor under the lid, a 4,200mAh battery, and native 1,920 x 1,200 of high-res IGZO display. Not enough? you’re also getting an 8.1-megapixel rear facing camera, tucked with a 2.1-megapixel shooter on the front. There’s also WiFi, NFC, an integrated TV tuner, and LTE band support. The body itself is made out of waterproof material, so you don’t have to worry about dropping it in water. What you may have to worry about, though, is the price, but it hasn’t been disclosed yet. What we do know, however, is that it will be available in Japan, sometime before the end of July.

[NTT DoCoMo (PDF)]

tablets

Acer’s New 7.9-inch Iconia A1 Tablet Officially Announced

1 Comment

Acer_iconia_a1_android_tablet

Earlier this weekend in New York City, Acer unveiled the Iconia A1, a 7.9-inch Android Jelly Bean tablet with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor under the hood, a very sharp IPS panel, and 1024 x 768 pixels screen resolution for high definition display. This isn’t Acer’s first foray into the popular mid-range tablet market. The company announced another 7-inch device, with Android’s latest 4.1 version, only four months ago. And while the first iteration (also known as the Iconia B1-A71) packs a dual-core processor, the new product boasts a quad-core technology onboard. In other words, a lot more power and a lot more speed that you get in here. Other than that, this 11.1mm thick slate, which is going on sale in the US of A later this month, also comes with WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, a 5MP rear-facing camera, and your choice of either 8GB or 16GB of data storage, with an expandable microSD slot. The forthcoming tablet will retail for a very competitive price tag of $169 and $199, respectively.

[youtube id=”mIQ1uSxnQ9E”]

Video, courtesy of phoneArena

 

tablets

Samsung Officially Announces The Galaxy Tab 3 Tablet

1 Comment

Samsung-Galaxy-Tab-3

Another day, another Samsung Galaxy tablet. That’s right folks, the S.Korean corp has just announced the official release of yet another mid-range Android Jelly Bean device, also known as the Galaxy Tab 3 model. After the previous 8 incher this 7 inches (1024×600) slate looks pretty much the same, only with about 1-inch less of your fancy touch-screen real estate. Other than that, we’re basically looking at a tad thinner and lighter Sammy version (compared to the Galaxy Tab 2 iteration), with a dual-core 1.2GHz processor under the lid, either 8GB or 16GB of internal storage (expandable up to 64GB via microSD card slot), a 3 MP rear camera and 1.3-megapixel front camera for video calling, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth 3.0, and GPS + GLONASS navigation system. There’s also a 4,000 mAh battery pack inside this slab, and an optional 3G HSPA+ capable baseband. While pricing information is still largely unknown, Samsung has announced that it will begin selling the Tab 3 WiFi -Only brand sometime in May, and the 3G edition about one month later.

 

[toggle title=”PRESS RELEASE”]Samsung Unveils GALAXY Tab 3

SEOUL, Korea, April 29, 2013 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the introduction of the GALAXY Tab 3 – 7-inch tablet featuring sleek design and enhanced capabilities that bring capabilities that bring better performance and multimedia experiences to your fingertips.

With the new GALAXY Tab 3, Samsung has evolved its range of innovative tablets, making them smaller and easier to carry, while increasing the user experience overall

• Easy Handgrip and Portability: Its compact, one-hand grip form factor ensures users can hold comfortably for hours as well as store in a pocket or small bag for reading and entertainment on the go. The sleek and stylish design encompasses thinner bezel than the previous GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0). • Better Multimedia Performance: Powered by a 1.2GHz Dual Core processor, the device allows for faster downloads and sharing, while providing easy access to videos, apps, games, and the web. Offered with either 8/16 of internal storage plus up to 64GB of expandable memory, the device has plenty of space to hold your favorite photos, music, apps, videos and more.

• Enhanced User Experience: The GALAXY Tab 3 7-inch is equipped to better capture life’s moments in stunning clarity and resolution with its 3-megapixel camera rear camera and 1.3 -megapixel front camera. Combined with the latest Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), it allows users to share photos, videos, and life’s special moments through a few quick taps and swipes.

The GALAXY Tab 3 7-inch WiFi version will be available globally beginning May and 3G version will follow in June. The product availability varies by market and will be rolled out gradually.[/toggle]

tablets

Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface RT Now Available in More Countries

microsoft-surface-pro-front

Microsoft Surface tablets have in fact been around for more than six months already, but they’re now expanding into several new markets. According to a recent announcement by the Redmond giant, the company will have both its Windows 8 Surface Pro and Surface RT available worldwide, in 29 different markets (all in all). Launch is scheduled for April 25th, when the first batch of Surface RT devices is expected to hit the beautiful country of Malaysia and then, about a month later, to Mexico, and by the end of June, the RTs will officially go live in Thailand and Korea. The Surface Pro, on the other hand, is planned to have a second round of debut by the end of May in 19 additional markets across Europe, Asia and the Pacific. Finally, the company says it is trying to keep up with the growing demand for its 128GB Surface Pro device. So if you’re looking for one, rest assured that the product is consistently in stock.

[Microsoft]

tablets

HP’s 7-Inch Slate 7 Gets May 1st UK Release

HP-slate-7-android-tablet

HP has already announced plans to release a 7-inch Android tablet sometime this year, after its first webOS device, the TouchPad, failed to make a dent in the market. Now, the company seems to be ready to fight back, and grab a little market share from popular players like Apple’s iPad Mini, and Google’s Nexus 7. The product, which the US hardware maker is going to actually role out, is set to have a UK release on May 1st, with a tiny £129 price tag, and a formidable list of internal specs, including a 7-inch 1024×600 display, 1GB of RAM, an ARM Cortex A9 dual-core 1.6GHz processor, 3.15MP plus 0.3MP cameras, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for the tablet OS. With the new Slate 7, we’re also looking at 8GB of storage (expandable up to 32GB via microSD), Red or Silver hues at your choice, and integrated Beats Audio software. Those who are looking to be the first to have this one within the European boundaries, can officially pre-order the slab from HP’s UK online store, right away. There’s still no word when you will be able to get this one Stateside.

[HP]

tablets

Galaxy Note 8.0 To Make US Debut on April 11th for $400

2 Comments

samsung-galaxy-note-8.0-slate

We have already talked about the Galaxy Note 8.0 announcement back in February, when Samsung has put out the official global media coverage. Some details were scarce, back then, but now we know it will finally get its U.S. release on April 11th for $400. The new mid-sized device, which is similar in spec to the original early model that was unveiled at the 2013 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, is driven by a 1.6 GHz Exynos 4 Quad ARM Cortex-A9 processor, and boasts an 8-inch 1280×800 pixels display, 2 GB of RAM, 5MP camera on the back, plus 1.3 MP up front, your choice of  16/32 GB of internal storage, as well as a 4,600 mAh battery pack, WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, A-GPS, and a microSD card for memory expansion. Finally, it is worth noting that Uncle Sam’s Galaxy Note 8 version is a wifi only slab, without the cellular access built in. Will you get yourself one? $400 per unit sounds like really a lot. Hit the “+” to read the full PR.

 

[toggle title=”Show Full PR Text”] Samsung Brings Power and Portability to the U.S. with the Galaxy Note® 8.0 Tablet

In stores April 11, the Galaxy Note 8.0 delivers an unparalleled tablet experience for work and play

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – April 9, 2013 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today announces that theGalaxy Note 8.0 is coming to the U.S. market on April 11. Unveiled globally at Mobile World Congress inFebruary, the Galaxy Note 8.0 will be available in stores and online at retailers including Amazon, BestBuy/Best Buy Mobile, h.h. gregg, Newegg, P.C. Richard & Son, Staples and TigerDirect.com. A mid-sized addition to the Galaxy Note family of products, the Galaxy Note 8.0 has the power andadvanced technology to enable multi-tasking at home, at work or on the go. The Galaxy Note 8.0 is theperfect size for entertainment and productivity, with unrivaled multimedia performance in a compactformat. The S Pen has evolved to improve everyday usability with Air View; and Multi Window nowsupports more apps to perform tasks simultaneously allowing users to do more.

“The Galaxy Note defined an entirely new smartphone category and the Galaxy Note 10.1 tabletredefined the tablet experience for consumers,” said Travis Merrill, vice president of Samsung ElectronicsAmerica, Inc. “With the Galaxy Note 8.0, we fully expect to ignite the mid-size tablet market Samsungpioneered with the first Galaxy Tab. The Galaxy Note 8.0 is small enough to fit in your pocket or purseand packs the power needed for full mobile entertainment and productivity.”Galaxy Note 8.0 at Play

The Galaxy Note 8.0 will be the first product to feature Samsung WatchON, a new search andrecommendation service that alleviates the chore of channel surfing and makes finding TV shows and ondemand video content faster and easier. Samsung WatchON simplifies the process of discovering newcontent to watch by searching across multiple content sources, such as live TV and streaming video-ondemand sources such as Samsung’s Media Hub*, to recommend movies and TV shows. It also providescomplementary content including actor bios, reviews and related information.

With the built-in IR blaster, the Galaxy Note 8.0 acts as a powerful universal remote, eliminating the needfor multiple remotes to control the TV viewing experience. Users can browse for content then change thechannel on the TV or cable box directly from the search window.

For entertainment on the go, the Galaxy Note 8.0’s screen is great for everything from content viewing toreading. With its dazzling 8-inch WXGA screen, the Galaxy Note 8.0 is perfect for watching HD content,packing 1280 by 800 pixels. The Galaxy Note 8.0 also has Reading Mode, which adjusts color andbrightness to an optimal level for reading. It provides the ability to customize fonts and themes so selectbooks, magazines, documents and Web pages are easier to read. Combined with Smart Stay, whichkeeps the screen awake while you are reading, the Galaxy Note 8.0 is customized to ensure the bestreading experience.

Galaxy Note 8.0 at Work

The tablet is quickly becoming a primary computing device for employees. The Galaxy Note 8.0 offersmulti-tasking and productivity features, making users more efficient at everyday tasks, whether working atthe office or on the go:

Multi Window: The Galaxy Note 8.0 offers true PC-like multitasking, so you can use two appsside-by-side. Multi-Window now supports 20 apps, including Polaris Office, Google Chrome andFacebook.

Air View: Conveniently preview your content without opening files or folders. The S Pen held abovethe screen allows you to preview pictures in the Gallery, open menus on Web sites, and preview amessage or an attachment in an email.

AllShare® Play: Pass content to the TV or remotely access files on your desktop computer.

Polaris Office: View, create, and edit Microsoft® Office Word® documents, Excel® spreadsheets andPowerPoint® presentations right on your tablet. With the Galaxy Note 8.0, you can add handwrittennotes and drawings to your documents.

Awesome Note: A note-taking application and to do list manager, Awesome Note enables you tocustomize folder icons, colors, fonts and backgrounds for quick reference and visual organization.

Group Play: Share and collaborate on content, including documents, which allows users to worktogether.

For those using tablets for work, Samsung offers improved security levels for IT managers andemployees. SAFE, or Samsung for Enterprise, is the security standard to provide enterprise- andconsumer-friendly devices to businesses and their employees. With SAFE, the Galaxy Note 8.0supports the needs of IT managers while providing businesses with the functionality needed to enhanceproductivity.

Powerful Performance

The Galaxy Note 8.0 features a powerful 1.6GHz Quad Core processor and 2GB of RAM to ensureoptimum performance. Wi-Fi technology with dual-channel bonding offers more efficient connectivity forfaster loading of Web pages and video streaming.

With a large, 4,600 mAh battery, the Galaxy Note 8.0 offers long battery life to work and play all day.

Beyond the 16GB** of internal memory, the Note 8.0 can handle microSD cards up to 64GB, for acombined possible 80GB of storage. The 5-megapixel camera on the back can shoot 1080p video, andthe 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera can handle video chats at 720p resolution.

Preloaded with Content and Services

Buyers will enjoy pre-loaded content and services valued at over $200, including 50GB of free Dropboxstorage for 2 years***, 1 month free of unlimited music streaming in Samsung’s Music Hub, Samsung’sSmart Remote, Awesome Note, and more. For a limited time, they will also receive a $25 Google Playcredit with the purchase of a Galaxy Note 8.0, when they register their device.

The Galaxy Note 8.0 will be available in white for $399.99 MSRP. Accessories will be available beginningmid-April. These include Book Covers in white, grey, pink or green, as well as USB and HDMI adapters,and a travel charger that connect via the device’s microUSB port.

For multimedia content and more information, please visit www.samsung.com/us/note8.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), is a recognizedinnovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology. A wholly owned subsidiary ofSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA delivers a broad range of digital consumer electronics, IT and homeappliance products. Samsung is the market leader for HDTVs in the U.S and America’s fastest growinghome appliance brand. To discover more of the award-winning products you love with Samsung, pleasevisit www.samsung.com.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for peopleeverywhere. 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 ofUS$187.8 billion.

*Subscription required.

**Accessible capacity varies; MB = 1 million bytes, GB = 1 billion bytes, TB = 1 trillion bytes. Please note that a portion of the harddrive is reserved for system recovery, operating system and preloaded content software.

***See www.dropbox.com/help/338 for terms and conditions of Dropbox offer.

# # #
[/toggle]

tablets

Did Apple Accidentally Reveal the Next iPad Design?

Apple-future-ipad-design

A lot of people have played down the question “What will the next iPad look like?” Well, thanks to Apple itself we don’t have to wait that long to know the answer. According to a patent filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (under serial number 228282), the Cupertino giant is planning to refresh the design of its highly popular iPad tablet lineup. The slate, which has become an industry standard in terms of look and feel, is expected to show off a slightly updated design, with a more boxy shape, and a better front-to-back alignment. 

We’re guessing that the body of this futuristic device will be constructed of durable high quality materials, possibly aluminum, or some sort of a light and strong type of  plastic (maybe polycarbonate). In addition, as tablets improve, we are happy to learn that Apple is planning to change the rear facing camera location, as well as adding a new heat baffle, for the processor so it can exhaust the heat, and either backside, or alternatively, a full edge speaker.

At this point, there’s no way we can tell if the changes will take effect immediately or at some time in the future. But one thing for sure, there’s plenty to be waiting for.

[via patentlyapple]

 

tablets

Amazon Rolls Out Kindle Fire HD 8.9 in Europe and Japan, Cuts Prices Stateside

kindle-fire-hd-tablet

The Kindle Fire HD tablet is already selling extremely well in the US, and now it is finally ready to hit both Europe and Japan. According to Amazon, the growing demand for its 8.9-inch slab, as well as lower manufacturing costs through reduced cycle times, has had a positive impact on the outcome, and the Kindle prices in the US, which has now dropped to $269 and $299 for the WiFi-only 16GB/32GB models, while the 32GB/64GB versions with 4G LTE connectivity, will see a price cut of $100 to $399 and $499, respectively. Hit the plus for the full announcement.

[toggle title=”FULL PR TEXT”]

Amazon Launches Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ in Europe and Japan; Introduces New, Lower Price

Largest-display, highest-resolution version of Amazon’s best-selling tablet now available in Europe and Japan

New, lower price for Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ in the US – starting at just $269 for Wi-Fi and $399 for 4G

SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Mar. 13, 2013– (NASDAQ: AMZN) – Amazontoday announced that Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ – the large-screen version of its best-selling tablet – is now available in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain andJapan. With the expansion of Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ to Europe and Japan, Amazonalso announced it is able to lower the price of Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ in the US, with the Wi-Fi version now starting at $269 and the 4G version starting at $399.

“We’re thrilled with customer reaction to Kindle Fire HD 8.9″. Customers tell us they love our large-screen version of Kindle Fire HD for web browsing, email, gaming, watching TV shows, reading magazines, and more,” said Dave Limp, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. “As we expand Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ to Europe andJapan, we’ve been able to increase our production volumes and decrease our costs. Across our business at Amazon, whenever we are able to create cost efficiencies like this, we want to pass the savings along to our customers.”

Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ is the highest-resolution, largest-display Kindle Fire. Designed for entertainment, it is perfect for web, apps, movies, games and magazines. Features include:

  • Large 8.9″ display has the highest resolution of any Kindle Fire (1920×1200, 254 ppi), with rich color and deep contrast; ideal for movies, apps, and gaming.
  • Custom Dolby audio and dual stereo speakers for crisp, rich sound.
  • Over 23 million movies, TV shows, songs, magazines, books, and audiobooks.
  • The most popular apps and games.
  • Ultra-fast web browsing and streaming with built-in dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi.
  • Front-facing HD camera for taking photos or making video calls.
  • Exceptional battery life – Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ gets 10 hours of battery life.
  • Easy-to-use e-mail, calendar, and contacts for work or home, including Gmail, Hotmail, Exchange, and more.
  • New Amazon-exclusive features like X-Ray for Movies, X-Ray for Textbooks, Immersion Reading, Whispersync for Voice and Whispersync for Games.
  • Kindle FreeTime, a free, personalized tablet experience just for kids and exclusively available on Kindle Fire. Parents can set daily screen limits and give access to appropriate content for each child.
  • “Buy Once, Enjoy Everywhere” with Amazon apps available on the largest number of platforms so customers can use theirAmazon content on any of their devices.
  • Amazon’s top-rated, world-class customer service.

Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ is available starting today at this new low price atwww.amazon.com/kindlefirehd.

.[/toggle]

tablets

ASUS Officially Announces The FonePad: A 7-inch Tablet with Phone Capabilities

Asus-FonePad-tablet

All in a sudden, the tablet-phone trend has become visible at Mobile World Congress. First it was Samsung to include a cell phone functionality inside the Galaxy Note 8.0, and now it’s the Taiwanese corp with their latest and greatest Asus FonePad (not to confuse with the company’s PadFone), which still features the same 7-inch 1,280 x 800 IPS form factor, alongside a 1.2GHz Atom Z2420 chip, 1GB of RAM, and a PowerVR SGX540 GPU. The positive point of this tablet other than the display sharpness and relatively strong CPU, is the stylish design, with either gray or gold colors covering the back, and the thin bezel that gives the unit a clean and polished look. The FonePad comes equipped with a 4,270mAH battery that can provide up to nine hours of continuous work, and of course, as the title suggests, there’s an HSPA+ radio connectivity, running under Google’s Android 4.1 Jelly Bean platform. Inside the device you’ll also find a micro-SIM slot, 16GB of built-in storage, a digital mic, and a microSD card reader (expandable to 32GB).

Asus has revealed it is planning to release the FonePad in Europe, this coming March, for £179 or €219, depends on your country of residence. And while a US release date has not yet been set, Asus has already confirmed a $249 price tag. Hit the break for full PR and some videos.

[youtube id=”TuMHScgnRUI”]

[youtube id=”1Ki_LaDoYwk”]

ASUS Announces Fonepad™
ASUS’ latest mobile lifestyle device features built-in 3G for fast mobile data and full telephony support along with the versatility and power of a 7″ tablet

Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, Spain (25th February, 2013) – ASUS today announced Fonepad™, a competitively priced handheld with 3G voice and mobile data for all the features of a smartphone, with the versatility of a 7-inch tablet. Powered by a new Intel® Atom™ Z2420 processor with Android 4.1, Fonepad™ features a vibrant HD display with IPS technology for wide viewing angles and outstanding clarity.
“It is ideal to have a larger screen with entertainment, social media and other online activities now playing an increasingly important part in our mobile lifestyles,” said Jonney Shih, ASUS Chairman. “The incorporation of 3G mobile data with full telephony support makes the Fonepad™ a perfect combination of tablet and phone in one single device.”
“Extending our long history of collaboration, including most recently on the Ultrabook™ and Intel-based tablets, we are very excited to be partnering with ASUS again,” said Hermann Eul, Intel® vice president and co-general manager of the Mobile and Communications Group. “Intel’s new Atom™ Z2420 processor delivers the power, performance and flexibility required to accommodate a range of devices and market needs. We think the ASUS Fonepad™ is a very innovative device in an emerging category of 3G tablets with telephony features.”

Beautiful metallic design with Intel® Atom™ performance
ASUS Fonepad™ is ideal for people who value both the voice communication features of a smartphone and the entertainment opportunities afforded by a tablet, but prefer the convenience of carrying just one device. Fonepad™ is a sleek and compact tablet with a metallic design that can be held comfortably in one hand, thanks to its light 340g weight and slim 10.4mm profile. Powered by the latest Intel® Atom™ Z2420 processor with full Android compatibility, Fonepad™ features a perfect balance of performance and energy efficiency, with hardware-accelerated 1080p Full HD video decoding and up to nine hours of battery life.
The 7-inch screen features 10-point multi-touch, and a crisp 1280 x 800 HD resolution for crisp, readable web page text and incredibly detailed photos. IPS technology ensures vibrant color with 178-degree wide viewing angles, and images that are clear and bright, even outdoors.

Built-in 3G for mobile data and voice calls
Built-in 3G with HSPA+ mobile data means ASUS Fonepad™ is an always-connected mobile device for seamless web browsing, fast downloads from Google Play Store, and smooth streaming of audio and video. Thanks to its full 3G telephony support, Fonepad™ can also be used for voice calls using the built-in noise-cancelling digital microphone or a Bluetooth headset. With just one mobile data plan to pay for, running costs are also much lower than those of a separate smartphone and 3G tablet.
Fonepad™ will be available in the UK with 16GB of internal storage and up to 32GB of additional storage with a microSD card. All models feature a front 1.2-megapixel camera for easy video chat and ASUS SonicMaster audio technology with MaxxAudio 3 processing by Waves ensures clear, well-rounded sound quality.

Exclusive ASUS apps and accessories for greater productivity
ASUS Fonepad™ comes with a number of exclusive ASUS productivity apps: Floating App for easy management of running apps and multi-tasking; SuperNote Lite for handwritten notes and drawing; and WebStorage Office Online for Microsoft Office-compatible document editing on the move. Fonepad™ users also get 5GB of free lifetime ASUS WebStorage for syncing and sharing data with other devices.
Two new optional accessories are also available for Fonepad™. Available in four different colors, VersaSleeve 7 is a wraparound cover with a folding design that both protects Fonepad™ and props up the screen in two different positions for typing and watching video. Turn Case is a lightweight hard-shell case for Fonepad™ that features a soft interior to keep the screen clean and a built-in stand that places the screen at a perfect angle for watching video.
###
*Specifications may vary without prior notice. Options, pricing, performance and availability dependent upon region. For more details about the product mentioned in this press release, please visit http://press.asus.com .

AVAILABILITY & PRICING – UK
ASUS Fonepad™ and accessories will be available in the UK late Q2 2013. Prices start from SRP £179 (inc VAT) for the 16GB Fonepad. VersaSleeve costs £19.99 and Turn Case £39.99 (both SRP inc VAT). Exact pricing and specifications will be confirmed closer to launch.

tablets

Lenovo Rolls Out Three New Android Tablets, 7-inch A1000 and A3000, and 10-inch S6000

lenovo-idea-tab-a3000-android-tablet

As a leading manufacturer of personal computers, and laptops, Lenovo has predictably returned to Mobile World Congress with a heaping armful of new tablets of both the 7-inch and 10-inch variety, all of which run Android Jelly Bean under the hood, and will probably be globally available sometime in Q2. Starting with the 7-inch models, key specs for the entry level A1000 tablet, include a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, alongside a microSD slot expansion (32GB at max), 1,024 x 600 screen resolution, and up to 16GB of inbuilt storage. The A3000, on the other hand, boasts a tad stronger 1.2GHz quad-core MTK processor inside, together with an IPS display, expandable microSD slot (up to 64GB), and optional HSPA+ network.

The 10-inch form factor, dubbed the S6000, is an high-end slate, housing a 1.2GHz quad-core MediaTek’s 8389 / 8125 CPU, a much better 1,280 x 800 IPS display, a shell that’s 8.6 mm thick and weighs just 560 grams (the 7-inchers measure at 11mm), and with eight hours of battery life to work with. Regretfully, there are no price details at the moment, but you can check out the videos and read the full PR after the break.

Update: Lenovo has finally begun selling the A1000 and A3000 slates online, with prices starting at $149 (after $40 discount) for the very basic IdeaPad device, and up to $229 in case you’d like to try the better alternative.

[youtube id=”an01GtoGX_c”]

[youtube id=”so4haeRrlnk”]

The two videos are courtesy of gadgetjm

 

Lenovo Announces New Android Tablets

Series includes new functionality and various configurations, tailored for distinct customer segments

BARCELONA – February 24, 2013: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today announced a line-up of new Android tablets, offering configurations and form factors to match consumer needs for both ultra-portable tablets and multimedia performers. The portfolio, which also boasts unique connectivity features, will be available starting in the second quarter 2013.
The range starts with two new A-series tablets, seven-inch devices, designed for optimal mobility while still packing a performance punch. The A1000 is ideal for first-time tablet buyers and features enhanced audio, while the A3000 offers quad-core processing for speedy performance whether for gaming or web-browsing. Alongside these models, Lenovo also announced the new 10-inch S6000, which offers extended I/O options, a large, vibrant screen and a super-slim profile that looks sophisticated and elegant, whether the user is web-surfing in the coffee shop or enjoying movies and games at home.

“Lenovo’s latest Android tablet family is designed to meet the demands of a wide range of customers, particularly young, active users who are always on the go, and have adopted the seven-inch form factor as their own. With these latest additions to our tablet portfolio, we’ve created devices that address these customers’ needs, as well as devices for more demanding gamers and multimedia users,” said Chen Wenhui, vice president Lenovo and GM Mobile BU, “We believe that our Android family of tablets will appeal to customers across the world as we’ve built our products to be highly accessible and flexible to serve multiple needs and budgets.”

S6000, Mobile “Home Entertainment” Center
As tablets have continued their march into the mainstream, increasing demands with regards to larger screen devices have raised the bar for tablet makers. Lenovo has responded with the S6000, a sleek and powerful option for customers looking for a device that switches seamlessly from entertainment to social media and beyond. Powered by the MTK 8389/8125 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, the S6000 shines as a multimedia and gaming tablet fronted by a 10.1-inch IPS 1280X800 display with a wide, 178-degree viewing angle, micro HDMI port and digital microphone. The S6000 also offers a number of additions to optimize its performance as a connectivity tool for social networkers including optional HSPA+ and a substantial battery that allows for more than 8 hours of continuous WiFi web browsing. Even with these specifications though, the S6000 does not lose track of style and convenience; it is all tied together in a super slim (8.6mm) and light (560g) frame that feels good and helps you look good.

A3000, Full Performance in a Compact Package
In today’s connected world, devices must be mobile, without skimping on performance. The A3000 bristles with specifications typically found in a much larger device, all packed into a seven-inch form factor that is thin and light. Powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core, MTK processor, the A3000 optimizes the user experience for games, video, photo-sharing and web-browsing, offering seamlessly fluid navigation and highly responsive performance. The benefits of the seven-inch form factor are not ignored on the A3000 either. The tablet, which sports an IPS 1024×600 screen, weighs in at less than 340g and is only 11mm thick, but can still hold a wealth of content with an extensive memory, which can be extended to 64GB with the external micro-SD card. Optional 3G HSPA+ support ensures you stay connected when you’re on the go with Lenovo’s ultra-portable tablet.

A1000, Pocket Studio with Dolby®

The A1000 delivers an audio experience normally reserved for more expensive tablets in a seven- inch device. With Dolby Digital Plus integrated into the device and large, front-facing speakers that ensure the sound is directed at the users’ ears rather than the floor, the A1000 is perfect for music lovers and those seeking a “pocket studio” for either music or movies. The A1000 runs Android Jelly Bean 4.1 on a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and has on-board storage of up to 16GB, extendable to 32GB with a micro-SD slot, so users can load content up and take it to the gym, the office or anywhere else they want to experience high-quality sights and sounds. It also comes in either black or white, allowing users to customize their Lenovo pocket studio to their lifestyle.

Lenovo Mobile Access
All the new Android tablets come with Lenovo Mobile Access, a unique service that allows users to connect instantly “out of the box”. When customers first power up their Lenovo device, they will see an icon indicating Lenovo as their access provider. Without having to set up a special data plan, they can immediately start browsing web pages, accessing their email and sharing content with friends using HSPA+ 3G access or through WiFi according to their specific configuration. When the initial Lenovo Mobile Access service expires users will be prompted with the option to easily renew their plan or select an alternative service.

Pricing and Availability
The newest Android tablets will be available worldwide from Q2, 2013. Although pricing varies according to market, configuration and model, each tablet in the range is competitively priced to ensure maximum accessibility to a premium user experience for all customers.

tablets

HP Drops a Bomb, Announces $169 Slate 7 Android Tablet with Beats Audio Speakers

2 Comments

hp-slate-seven-red-tablet

At MWC 2013 — HP announces their entrant into the increasingly crowded mid-sized tablet market (after a not so successful run with the Touchpad), with a brand new 7-inch slate. The new device, which runs a Jelly Bean platform under the lid, aims to be one of the cheapest tablets across the pond, only $169, and yet still offers a fairly reasonable line of specs, including a 1.6GHz dual-core A9 ARM processor, 1GB of RAM, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, dual camera (3MP rear and VGA front facing), advanced Beats Audio system for superior sound quality, about 16GB of internal storage, and 1,024 x 600 resolution of FFS+ LCD touchscreen display. The cover is stunning with the brilliant Red or Silver colors, and the casing materials are of finest standards. Touring around the slate, you’ll find a micro-USB port down the chassis, a volume rocker on the right, a microSD slot expansion, and a headphone jack plus  a power – lock button placed at the top. HP says the Slate 7 slab will be out in April, and we have every reason to believe these should sell like hotcakes. Full PR and a first-impression video after the break.  

Update: The 7-inch HP slate is now officially available for purchase in the US, through the company’s online store, at only $170 a piece.

[youtube id=”oVDWEQ1f9Ws”]

Video courtesy of pocketnowvideo

HP Unveils Android Consumer Tablet

 

HP today announced the HP Slate7, an affordable Android Jelly Bean consumer tablet that provides customers with easy access to Google Mobile services.

With a 7-inch diagonal screen and weighing 13 ounces, the HP Slate7 is an ideal trusted personal companion, featuring a stainless-steel frame and soft black paint in gray or red on the back. It also is the industry’s first tablet to offer embedded Beats Audio, for the best-sounding, richest audio experience available on a tablet.

The HP Slate7 delivers the Google experience with services like Google Now, Google Search, Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive and Google+ Hangouts for multiperson video chat as well as access to apps and digital content through Google Play.(1)

“To address the growing interest in tablets among consumers and businesses alike, HP will offer a range of form factors and leverage an array of operating systems,” said Alberto Torres, senior vice president, Mobility Global Business Unit, HP. “Our new HP Slate7 on Android represents a compelling entry point for consumer tablets, while our ground-breaking, business-ready HP ElitePad on Windows® 8 is ideal for enterprises and governments. Both deliver the service and support people expect from HP.”

The HP Slate7 joins the recently introduced HP Chromebook as part of HP’s push to offer access to the Google experience.

HP’s tablet offerings reside in the company’s newly formed Mobility Global Business Unit, established in September 2012 with the hiring of Torres. Torres joined HP from Nokia, where he was executive vice president and oversaw the MeeGo products and platform.

HP Slate7 makes computing easy while on the go

Powered by an ARM Dual Core Cortex-A9 1.6 GHz processor, the HP Slate7 is fast and responsive. Integrated wireless allows customers to access email, the internet and key applications, while the High-aperture-ratio Field Fringe Switching (HFFS) panel offers wide viewing angles that provide easy viewing of documents, games, photos and videos-even in outdoor lighting conditions.

The HP Slate7 includes a 3-megapixel camera on the back and a VGA camera on the front for chatting, videos and photos.

With the HP ePrint (2) application, customers can easily print while at home or on the go, and the exclusive native printing capability enables customers to print directly from most applications. A micro USB port allows customers to easily transfer files, and a suite of applications from HP spans exclusive games to productivity tools.

HP will provide an array of simple and easy-to-access support tools and resources to help customers take full advantage of all of the features the HP Slate7 has to offer. In addition to extensive phone and online support offerings included with the HP Slate7, HP is offering customers the opportunity to add to the standard product limited warranty with its HP Care Pack services. HP Slate7 customers will have the option to protect their investment with a two-year HP Care Pack for $29 or a two-year HP Care Pack with Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) for $49.(3)

Pricing and availability(3)
The HP Slate7 is expected to be available in the United States in April with a starting price of $169.

Additional information about the HP Slate7 is available at www.hp.com/slate and The Next Bench.

tablets

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 Now Official

3 Comments

Samsung-Galaxy-Note8-tablet

Samsung was obviously looking to build on the success it had with the Galaxy series (both mobile and tablets), and so the question we needed to ask was when rather than if the next Galaxy device, will be launched. Today the company officially announced the Galaxy Note 8, and finally confirmed our previous suspicions. No actual release date has been mentioned, only that the mid-sized slate will be globally available sometime in Q2. Other than that, we have learned that Sammy’s new slab is going to include an 8-inch 1,280 x 800 TFT display (189ppi), alongside a 1.6GHz Samsung Exynos 4 Quad processor,  2GB of RAM, WiFi a/b/g/n connectivity, Bluetooth 4.0, A-GPS navigation platform (with  GLONASS), your choice of 16GB or 32GB storage capacities, both expandable via microSD, and HSPA+ 21 (850/900/1900/2100MHz) network support.

In terms of look, the Android Jelly Bean Note 8.0 tablet measures only 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.31 inches, and sports a plastic covering, with a 4,600mAh battery under the hood. The system comes pre-loaded with all sorts of S Pen apps, running with added TouchWiz UX, and Smart Stay, Air View and Multi-Window support. There’ also an AllShare Play and Cast feature, along with those Popup video capabilities, e-reader functionality, and some 3rd-party bloatware such as Flipboard, and Awesome Note. Of course, you can use it as a living room companion, thanks to the integrated Smart Remote app and the inbuilt IR blaster, up on the right. And while prices are yet to be determined, you can jump past the break to read the full PR, and share with us your feelings and thoughts.

Update: We’ve also added a quick hands-on video, so check it out after the break

[youtube id=”ZPTg3VuOvU8″]

Video courtesy of AndroidCentral

 

INTRODUCING THE GALAXY NOTE 8.0,

A NEW ERA OF PORTABILITY AND EVERYDAY PRODUCTIVITY

SEOUL, Korea [February 24, 2011] – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the launch of the 8 inch tablet, the GALAXY Note 8.0; a new era of intelligent Note technology set to re-ignite the mid-size tablet category that Samsung established in 2010. Providing unrivalled multimedia performance within a compact one-hand-grip screen, the GALAXY Note 8.0 has the power and advanced technology to evolve the tablet experience and ensure you achieve new levels of efficient multi-tasking while benefitting from superb voice call functionality*. Furthermore, the intelligent S Pen brings together the latest innovation and the ease of using a traditional pen and paper; creating a sophisticated mobile experience that will enhance life on the go.

“Back in 2010 the launch of the first Samsung GALAXY Tab with 7 inch screen opened a new chapter in the mobile industry. Now almost three years later, Samsung continues to evolve the sector that meets the demands of modern life.” said JK Shin, President of the IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics.

“The GALAXY Note 8.0 breaths fresh life into the category as it delivers the perfect fusion of portability and everyday productivity – the result is a pioneering, pocket-sized solution that enhances and enriches our everyday lives, whether at work or play,” added Shin.

At the core of the GALAXY Note 8.0’s innovative solutions are beneficial functions, including multi-window options to split the portable 8inch screen and allow optimal access to a number of live applications; a new generation of Samsung’s intelligent S Pen with advanced usability; access to a suite of S Note templates and tools that allow you to create, edit, manage and share everyday documents; the Samsung “reading mode” technology to enjoy e books with optimized resolution, video and voice calls*. In addition, a suite of exciting new content and services are pre-loaded for users at no additional cost including, for the very first time on Samsung GALAXY tablet, the innovative Flipboard, and Awesome Note.

A smart diary for life on the go

Slim and compact enough to become the perfect on-the-go work and play companion, the GALAXY Note 8.0 brings powerful performance and functionality to support even the most demanding of lifestyles. Designed to store and manage your personal and professional data efficiently, the new era device gives users the perfect pocket-sized hands-on organizational tool. Practical S Note templates and S Planner feature help to manage everyday tasks, including meeting notes, to-do lists and even personal diary entries. All content can be entered and updated with the finest of detail thanks to the evolution of the intelligent Samsung S Pen. Enhanced precision is offered with Handwriting-to-Text conversion and advanced Productivity Tools that support formula and shape recognition are now available at the touch of your S Pen.

New content and services

GALAXY Note 8.0 is packed with pre-loaded content and apps specifically for the value maximizing, mass multimedia consumer. Upgraded Chat-On provides easy instant messaging and group chatting in multiple formats – images, video, voice, contacts – for simple, enjoyable communication. Awesome Note, an integrated application that is introduced in android tablet for the first time with NOTE 8.0, is capable of unlimited note-taking uses including Memo, Diary and Must-remember lists. With Flipboard, your news, social network and other feeds come together in one stylish, flippable format so you can enjoy all your news and life’s great moments in one place. Flipboard developed a customized version of its application exclusively for Samsung that allows users to take the S Pen’s hover feature and preview article headers beneath Flipboard’s main screen tiles. Finally, Smart Remote, gives you a universal remote control and electronic programming guide allowing you to manage TV and video watching seamlessly.

A new age of S Pen intelligence

Optimized to aid personalized creativity, the Samsung S Pen has evolved to increase everyday usability and enhance creation expression. Embedded within the tablet, the S Pen is an extension of the GALAXY Note 8.0. Removing the S Pen from the device will automatically launch innovative features such as Pen Detection that will suggest adapted menus that it thinks you’ll need and Page Buddy, a feature that will intuitively activate your most recently adapted S Note home screen.

S Pen technology is now so advanced that it doesn’t even have to touch the screen. With Air View, the S Pen needs only to hover over the screen to see previews of videos, emails, photos and appointments on SPlanner without opening the file or application in full. S Pen Gesture allows images and content to be easily edited and cropped, whilst Paper Artist and Photo Note allow photos to be artistically personalized.

In addition, for the very first time in GALAXY NOTE category, you can use S Pen to control the physical menu/back buttons on the device with WACOM technology.

Maximizing mass multimedia consumption

Creative multi-tasking with the GALAXY Note 8.0 is effortless due to innovative Dual View feature, two multi window options that seamlessly allow you to facilitate multi-screen usage. Dual View’s split screen accommodates optimal operation of different apps, such as launching the S Note on the web browser screen and allowing content to be resized, dragged and dropped as required.

Multi-tasking is extended to phone calls*. Pop Up Note allows you to access S Note at any time to keep track of key actions and Pop Up Video ensures you can keep surfing the web whilst chatting – content windows can be easily resized by pinching to enlarge or reduce.

Perfect info-tainment partner

Packed with features to engage, entertain and excite, the GALAXY Note 8.0 supports your practical everyday needs. Reading Mode transforms the GALAXY Note 8.0 into an e-Book reader, provides the optimal reading conditions to ensure you can curl up and enjoy a good book. You can even turn it into a universal remote control with Smart Remote, to seamlessly manage TVs, set-up boxes, DVD & Blu-ray players.

tablets

Alleged iPad Mini 2 Device Shows Up Online

ipad-mini-2-leaked-images

Apple’s next-gen iPad Mini 2 is obviously a hot topic these days. I think we all know that it’s gonna have a Retina display, right? Well, it’s still a guess at the moment, but a Chinese forum called WeiPhone took its turn today with a new report claiming the photos below are the actual design of Cupertino’s upcoming Mini 2 tablet. And while we can’t really decide whether this is true or not, the silver casing on the top, is somehow thicker than its predecessor. Perhaps more space for a bigger battery that is much needed to support a high resolution Retina Display device; pure speculation, but it seems reasonable. Anyway, judge for yourselves.

[via Ubergizmo]

tablets

ZTE V81 Tablet Caught in The Wild With 7-inch Display And Android Jelly Bean

zte-v81-jelly-bean-tablet

Chinese corp, ZTE have been all over the place lately. All in all, the company have shown immense levels of energy and managed to grab a lot of global headlines, mainly in the mobile industry. But if the company’s 5-inch Grand S recent launch wasn’t enough, prepare yourself for a grand tablet invasion. The latest and greatest, which most likely will be announced in  Mobile World Congress, is the new V81 device, that boasts an 8-inch 1,024 X 768 display right over the top, and runs a dual-core,1.4GHz processor under the lid. Moreover, according to ZTE’s own website, the slate which sports an Android Jelly Bean platform for the OS, also includes 1GB RAM, about 4GB of internal storage, a full-size USB hub, GPS, WiFi, and HDMI output. In addition, it comes with a microSD card, expandable up to 32GB, and has two standard cameras (2.0MP +0.3MP pixels), front and back. At only 11mm thick, and with a 3,700 mAh battery, the V81 appears to be a good solid entry level tablet. As long as it offers competitive prices, of course.  

 

[ZTE]

tablets

Apple Unveils 128GB iPad with Retina Display, Starting at $799

ipad-4-tablet

The rumors have finally come true. Apple officially announces a 128GB iPad version for its fourth-gen tablet series, with Retina display on a 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit screen. Prices should peak at $799 for the WiFi-only model and up to $929, for for the WiFi-LTE iPad iteration. Besides the massive storage capacity upgrade, the specs are pretty much the same, with an A6X processor under the hood, paired with a quad-core PowerVR SGX554MP4 GPU, 1GB of RAM and a pair of cameras — 5-megapixel, rear-facing camera capable of 1080p video recording, and a 720p FaceTime HD camera on the front. And while you can’t find it available on Apple’s store yet, the company says it will be on sale come February 5th.

Update: The 128GB variant is now officially available on Apple’s online store, starting at $799 for the WiFi-only version, or $929 if you prefer the LTE 4G model.

 

[Apple]

tablets

Samsung’s 8-Inch iPad Mini Killer Leaked

1 Comment

Samsung-galaxy-note-8-tablet

Word on the street is that Samsung is in the works to launch a new 8-inch iPad Mini killer tablet. So far it’s just a rumor, yet a plausible one, considering a new set of leaked images, exclusively reported by dday.it. A quick look at the photos reveals a slab-shaped whitish device, probably around the 7/8-inch range, with a silver-tone Samsung branding framed on top. At this point, I think it’s for you to decide whether the pictures are real or not, but keep in mind that there is a Sammy plan to launch an 8-inch tablet, under the name of the Galaxy Note. The specs, if you were wondering, include an 8-inch 1280 x 800 Super Clear TFT display, paired with a Jelly Bean platform for the internal OS, 2 gigs of RAM, two cameras at 1.3/5 megapixels, and a 1.6 Ghz Quad Core Processor. We look forward to hearing more about it at the 2013 MWC show in Barcelona, next month. In the meantime, you can hop on past the break and read what you get in the box.

 

[via SamMobile]

 

Samsung-galaxy-note-8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full specification:

Code name: KONA
Android version: 4.2 Jelly Bean
Official name: GALAXY Note 8.0 (3G, Wi-Fi)
Product codes: GT-N5100, GT-N5110
Battery: 4600 mAh
Dimension: 211.3×136.3×7.95 mm , 330 gram.
Display: 8.0”1280×800 TFT (Super Clear LCD)
GSM networks: EDGE (850/900/1800/1900) HSPA+21.1Mbps, HSUPA 5.76Mbps (850/900/1900/2100)
Camera: 5 Megapixel (BACK)
Camera: 1.3 megapixel (FRONT)
Processor: 1.6 quad-core processor
RAM + Storage: 2GB (RAM) + 16/32GB (optional) + microSD (up to 32GB)
Connections: BT 4.0, USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, A-GPS

tablets

Sony Announces Xperia Tablet Z: a 6.9mm Device with Quad Core CPU and Full HD Screen

1 Comment

sony-xperia-tablet-z

At a press conference in Japan, Sony has announced its latest and greatest Xperia Z tablet. I suppose you could say it’s yet another Android device. Well, let me tell you something… IT’S NOT. First and foremost, it is CRAZY thin, only 6.9mm thick, and it boasts a dazzling 10.1-inch 1,920 x 1,200 screen (with Mobile Bravia Engine 2). In addition, it runs an Android Jelly Bean under the hood, and packs a Qualcomm 1.5GHz quad-core APQ8064 processor, alongside 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, microSD card expansion and Sony’s “S-Force” virtual surround sound technology. Told you guys, it’s a premium device, with some top-notch equipment inside. In that regard, we’re also looking at a brilliant 8.1-megapixel Exmor R camera, paired with an NFC technology and LTE support (MDM9215M radio). Finally, there’s a 6,000mAh battery, that can sustain whatever media apps you are utilizing. Both pricing and availability yet to be revealed.

Update1: Sony has made it official. The company announced plans to launch its Black ultra-thin Tablet Z, throughout Sony stores and authorized sellers, this coming May, while the white version is said to be available only via Sony’s official stores. In addition, the Japanese corp has also announced a plan to release a WiFi-only version with 64GB storage in the US, this year. In terms of pricing, the 16GB model will run you $499, and the 32GB flavor will set you back $599. Official video after the break.

Update2: And looks like the 10-inch Xperia Z is now officially available for purchase at the U.S Sony Store, with prices starting at $500 for the 32GB model and up to $600 for 64GB flavor.

[youtube id=”h5QWbURNEpA”]

[Sony Mobile]

tablets

Vizio Introduces a 10-inch Tegra 4 Tablet and a Skinny 7-inch Android Slate

Vizio-Tegra-4-Android-tablet

Vizio is all over the place at CES 2013, whether it’s their smartphone, TV, laptop or tablet. Earlier this week the company announced its first entry into the Windows 8 tablet market. Today, however, the US-based company is back on track to launch a new pair of  Android Jelly Bean devices. The first, and certainly the most interesting of Vizio’s latest tablets is a 10.1-inch slab, powered by Nvidia’s Tegra 4 chip – the world’s fastest mobile processor, to date. But it’s not only the super fast and powerful CPU that makes us so curious about it, but also the 2560 x 1600 high-pixel resolution screen, which is quite remarkable, to say the least. Some of the other specs of the product include a stock Android Jelly Bean OS, running smoothly under the shell, 32GB of internal storage, WiFi connectivity, Bluetooth 4.0, an NFC antenna and 5-megapixels rear camera alongside a 1.3-megapixels snapper on the front.

The 7-inch frame, which is quite impressive as well, will come pre-loaded with a lower resolution of 1280 x 800, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean for the OS, 16GB of in-house repository, and a “rather weak” Tegra 3 processor. No NFC capabilities in this forthcoming tablet form.

No prices were given, but both machines are due out in the first half of 2013. 

[viddler id=”47dfebe6″]

Video courtesy of engadget / Image credit: IGN.com

tablets

Gigabyte Unveils 11.6-inch S1082 and S1185 Windows 8 Tablets

gigabyte-windows-8-tablets

At CES 2013, Gigabyte is finally up and ready to launch a new line of Windows 8 tablets, including the S1185 which is targeted for the personal consumer market, and the S1082 that is more of a business oriented. The first model, S1185, that you’ll be able to see over the next few months, boasts a 1080p 11.6-inch IPS screen, powered by a robust Intel Ivy Bridge processor at your choice (either Core i3 or Core i5 chips), two cameras, back and front (at 5MP and 1.3MP, respectively), a range of 64GB to 256GB of internal flash storage, HDMI out, and last but not least, a VGA port. Besides that, the S1185 offers a complete set of useful accessories alongside the tablet itself. A magnetic keyboard is one of the options, but also an optical finger navigation device, to ease your way while using the slate. The entire pack, if you’re wondering, is set to go live sometime before April, for about $1,000. The second slab, the S1082, sports the usual dual-core Intel processor under the plate, with cellular HSPA+ data capabilities to connect to GSM/UMTS networks worldwide, your choice of either 500GB HDD storage drive or the faster solution of the SSD housing. This new 10.1-incher (1,366 x 768 pixels) will be getting the same VGA/HDMI ports attached to its bulkier chassis, as well as LAN connectivity and a similar set of keyboard and cover add-ons. The  S1082 will be priced at $649 and will be available come February 2013.

[via Mobile Geeks]

tablets

Asus Updates VivoTab Windows 8 Series With a New VivoTab Smart Tablet

asus-vivo-smart-windows-8-tablet

Las Vegas — Asus has just added a new tablet to its latest and greatest Windows 8 VivoTab series, the ASUS VivoTab Smart. So what is so different about it that merited the “Smart” in its name? The 10.1-inch, 1366 x 768, screen display looks pretty much the same, and so does the camera pack (8-megapixel on the back plus 2-megapixel on the front) and the NFC technology support. The chip inside, however, is an Intel Atom Z2760 dual-core processor, and you’re also getting a brand new “TransSleeve” keyboard dock, that will serve you well in protecting your slate, as well as a comfortable and quiet typing surface, thanks to the low-profile physical keys, and as a solid case that doubles as a stand. Pricing and availability are still unknown at the moment.

Update1: More info is coming from the CES show floor. Apparently, the ASUS VivoTab Smart will be priced at $499 in the US market, while the case-keyboard-stand sleeve will most likely run you an extra 129 bucks. Take a look after the break.

Update2: The 10-inch Vivo Tab Smart is now set to hit British shores on January 31st, under the ME400 moniker, with prices to start at £399 for the basic Windows 8 tablet with a dual-core 1.8GHz Atom processor behind the lid. Besides that, the cover add-on will run at £39.99, while the cover plus keyboard extension will set you back £89.99. Full PR after the break.

[viddler id=”69b75757″]

Video courtesy of engadget

ASUS Launches VivoTab™ ME400 Tablet with Intel® Atom™ Processor
for Full Windows 8 Experience

Affordably priced 10.1-inch tablet with TranSleeve Keyboard provides full compatibility with existing Windows software and hardware

London, United Kingdom, (22 January, 2012) – ASUS today launched the VivoTab™ ME400 tablet with 10.1-inch HD display and full Windows 8 experience, all at an affordable price. The ASUS VivoTab™ ME400 is perfect for work and play, at home or on the move. Thin and light, ASUS VivoTab™ ME400 features an Intel® Atom™ dual-core processor for full compatibility with new and existing Windows 8 software, and an optional TranSleeve Keyboard that magnetically combines screen protection with a wireless keyboard for enhanced productivity.
Perfect for productivity, ideal for entertainment

Just 9.7mm thin and 580g light, ASUS VivoTab™ ME400 has a 10.1-inch LED-backlit display with a crisp 1366 x 768 HD resolution. IPS display technology delivers 178-degree wide viewing angles and ensures clear and bright images, even when seen from the side. VivoTab™ ME400 also features 5-point multi-touch for fluid fingertip control with Windows 8. The TranSleeve Keyboard is an innovative accessory that is a cover, keyboard, and stand all rolled into one. It not only aids in the typing experience, but protects the tablet as well.

With its Intel® Atom™ Z2760 dual-core processor, the ASUS VivoTab™ ME400 delivers fast and responsive performance, while still providing up to 9.5 hours battery life on a single charge. The ASUS VivoTab™ ME400 gives complete peace of mind to users too, thanks to complete compatibility with both Windows 8 Store and Desktop apps, along with plug and play support for a wide range of existing peripherals.

The ASUS VivoTab™ ME400 features high-quality cameras front and rear. The 8-megapixel rear camera with auto-focus, five-element lens and 1080p Full HD video recording captures precious moments with crystal clarity, while the front 2-megapixel camera is perfect for face-to-face video chat. The ASUS VivoTab™ ME400 also features renowned ASUS SonicMaster audio technology for incredible sound quality for all kinds of listening material from its built-in stereo speakers.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

The ASUS VivoTab™ ME400 comes in ceramic white, diamond blue and poppy red, and is available as of the 31st January 2013 from Argos and CarPhone Warehouse. The ASUS VivoTab™ ME400 has an SRP of £399.

ASUS TranSleeve Keyboard will be sold separately.

tablets

Alcatel Announces Evo 7 and Evo 7 HD Android Tablets

alcatel-android-jelly-bean-tablet

You may have noticed we haven’t heard much from Alcatel in the tablet area so far, but then you may ask what is CES for? Today the company officially announced it is going to release a new line of Android products, with two 7-inchers on the stake.

The first, out of the duo machines, is the 7-inch Evo 7 tablet that is claimed to include a single-core 1GHz processor, under the lid, alongside a front-facing VGA camera, an Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) for the OS, 1GB RAM and 4GB of integrated storage. Other than that, the French corp has also tossed in a microSD slot, paired with a Bluetooth 2.1 technology and WiFi support. In addition, you’re getting the option to add a mobile data HSPA+ 21 module, but that will cost you just a little more (prices are yet to be determined).

The second device, the Evo 7 HD, features an upgraded line of specs. While display remains at 7-inch, the screen resolution was updated to 1,280 x 800, and camera wise, you get two instead of one, a 3-megapixel rear camera and a VGA shooter up front. Furthermore, it packs 4GB of internal memory, microSD card slot for memory expansion (up to 32GB), a dual-core 1.6GHz CPU, and Android Jelly Bean for the OS. Of course, there’s a 802.11 b/g/n WiFi on board, together with a Bluetooth 4.0. Finally, you can either choose between the optional  3G module setup that will run you $249, or the 4G module that will set you back $349.

tablets

Acer Unveils a New 7-inch Jelly Bean Tablet, Under Iconia Line

Acer-iconia-b1-a71-jelly-bean-tablet

Acer officially joins the 7-inch tablet club, intros a brand new entry-level device, the Iconia B1-A71, with 512MB of RAM and a nice rounded-shape body. The WSVGA (1,024 x 600) screen machine, boasts a 1.2GHz dual-core processor behind the lid, paired with a single 0.3-megapixel front facing camera, well enough for Skype conversations, and 8GB of storage for all your ebooks, apps music and videos (expendable via microSD slot). Despite being a ‘budget’ slate (under $150), specifications remain decent with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS navigation system, micro USB hub (for syncing or charging) and a full fledged USB 2.0 port. Acer has yet to announce a concrete date for when this tiny, 11.3 ounces, Android Jelly Bean tablet will be released. But until that happens, you can read some more details about it after the break.

Update1: Be sure to check the video after the break.

Update2: Acer has officially confirmed the Iconia B1 Android tablet release, says it is about to go live in Africa, Europe and the Middle East, for €139. No word about availability in North America.

[viddler id=”525e1232″]

Video courtesy of engadget.

 

Acer Tablet Family Welcomes New Arrival For New Users

Editor’s Summary:
Acer expands tablet portfolio with its 7″ Acer Iconia B1-A71
Ideal for new users or families opting for a 2nd tablet for their children
Also easy to carry, read and explore, and powerful enough for fast media consumption – it is an excellent mobile companion for the busy executive

TAIPEI (Jan. 7, 2013) – Acer today announced the Iconia B1-A71 tablet targeted at young or new users or families looking for an additional tablet for their children. The Iconia B1 is also ideal for busy individuals seeking a convenient mobile companion. At 7 inches – the same size as a standard book page – the display is comfortable for e-reading, web browsing, playing games and watching videos.

Super Portable: The Iconia B1 is easy to hold and use in one hand, a triangular corner grip on the lower left side improves single-hand usage even more. It’s also easy to tote around in a bag or jacket at a feather-light 320 grams, making it one of the lightest 7-inch tablets in the market.

Highly Responsive Fun: To take your experience to the next level, this tablet combines a 1.2GHz dual-core processor for fast and smooth gaming, web browsing and video watching
with Android’s Jelly Bean operating system to get quickly precise answers to your search
queries and seamless browsing. For many search queries performed through VoiceSearch, you can now hear a spoken answer quickly.

Fast and Free Media: Over 500 free online magazines from hundreds of publishers and top web sites are always at your fingertips thanks to Google Currents. The recently updated smart mobile app allows you to discover, read, and share your favorite new outlets, blogs and online magazine on the 7-inch WSVGA (1,024 x 600) capacitive display – even when offline. If you are into playing, you have more than 700,000 games and apps from the Play Store to choose from.

News releaseCapture and Share More: To top off the rich experience, the Iconia B1 comes with a frontfacing camera to engage in live chats with your friends. The camera is on the top right corner and works also when in landscape mode, allowing your friends to get into the picture during a video chat.

The Iconia B1 is an affordable entry level device to the wide family of Acer products and is designed for the everyday usage of Modern Day Explorers – in this case young explorers or busy mobile explorers. The Iconia B1 is, like its Acer family products, a device which provides the most premium experience at its price point. Available as 8GB version with the option to expand via microSD™ slot, the Iconia B1 is the ideal easy companion for tablet newbies or children while adults use their own.

The new Iconia B1 expands the Acer tablet family now offering three 10-inch Android, two 7-inch Android, one 11″ Windows 8 and one 10-inch Windows 8 Hybrid Tablets.

Pricing, Availability and Warranty
The Acer Iconia B1-A71 will be available with a starting price less than $150.

Acer Iconia B1-A71 features and specs:
-Android JellyBean operating system
– Mediatek dual-core 1.2GHz processor (MTK 8317T)
-7-inch diagonal WSVGA capacitive multitouch screen with 1,024 x 600 resolution display
-8GB(1) of internal storage and 512MB DDR3 memory
-Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n -Bluetooth® wireless technology 4.0 -GPS
-3.5mm headset/headphone/microphone jack
-internal speaker
-microSD™ expansion slot with up to 32GB support
-front-facing 0.3-megapixel webcam
-Rechargeable 2,710 mAh battery
-micro-USB (charging and PC connect) with USB 2.0
-Dimensions: 197.4 mm x 128.5 mm x 11.3 mm
-Weight: 320 g

tablets

Vizio Launches a New 11.6-inch Windows 8 Tablet, With AMD Processor On Board

1 Comment

vizio-windows8-tablet-pc Vizio has a well-earned reputation for launching products moments before the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas. In 2011 it was the 8-inch Vizio Via tablet, and this year it’s a whole new Tablet PC collection, powered by Microsoft’s Windows 8 OS. And while we’re still waiting on pricing and availability for most of these new products, the internal info has been released. In general, we’re looking at a 1080p (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) display, rocking a beautiful 11.6-inch screen, sitting on top of a 1GHz dual-core AMD Z60 chip. Quite an interesting setup for a Windows 8 tablet, isn’t it? Well, the other specs are nothing out of the ordinary; 64GB of SSD storage, 2GB of RAM,  a 2 megapixel front facing camera, micro-HDMI and micro-USB ports. More details to follow.

[viddler id=”75157d97″]

Video courtesy of engadget.

tablets

eFun’s 7-Inch Nextbook 7GP android 4.1 Tablet Announced; Set To Go Live at $130

efun-nextbook-7gp-android-tablet

We are just a few days away from CES 2013, where many small brands will be fighting their way to get in line for a new product launch, make lot of noise, and hopefully catch someone’s attention. One of them is the US-based, eFun group, that is set to release a new 7-inch Android Jelly Bean tablet. Equipped with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor under the hood, the new slate, officially dubbed the Nextbook 7GP, has been confirmed to receive the Android 4.1 OS, alongside a WiFi b/g/n connectivity, 1GB of DDR3 RAM, 1,024 x 600 screen resolution (exactly what the iPad Mini will grace you with), and HDMI-out. In addition, you’re getting a USB 2.0 slot, an integrated G-Sensor, microphone, front plus back cameras, and a complimentary microSD card expansion, to boost the native 8GB storage. This is a budget pack that will cost you only $130; perhaps over your budget, but worth every  penny. Full PR after the break.

 

E FUN to Introduce Its Newest Series of Nextbook Android Tablets at 2013 CES

First Model of Google Play Series Features Jelly Bean Android 4.1 OS; High Definition Screen; Up to 32GB Memory; and Front and Back Cameras

WEST COVINA, CA – January 2, 2013 – E FUN, a consumer electronics designer and marketer of fun, easy-to-use lifestyle products, has chosen the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show to unveil the first model in its newest line of Nextbook Android Tablets, the Google Play Series. Each model features the Jelly Bean Android 4.1 operating system, full access to Google Play, Dual Core processors and high definition screens. The initial unit, the Nextbook 7GP, has a screen size of 7″. The Nextbook Google Play series will be on display at CES in South Hall MP25067, January 8-11.

“With the many advantages of the Jelly Bean Android 4.1 operating system, users will enjoy the simplicity and ease of operating Nextbook Google Play tablets,” remarked Jason Liszewski, managing director and VP of sales for E FUN. “We are thrilled to be able to introduce a tablet series that gives consumers the hardware, software and content they desire on the world’s most popular mobile platform.”

Optimized for Google Play™, the Nextbook Google Play Series gives users numerous benefits including:

Access to more than 600,000 apps and games, millions of songs and books, and thousands of movies in the Google Play Store.
Capability to read, listen and watch content not just on the Nextbook but on any device including a desktop, laptop or mobile phone with Google Play’s cloud feature.
Access to preloaded Android apps from Google including Gmail™, Chrome™, Google Talk™, Google+™, Google Maps™, YouTube™ and much more.
5GB of free cloud storage with Google Drive™.

The Nextbook 7GP includes high performance hardware such as a Dual Core 1.5GHz processor, 1GB DDR3 RAM, a high definition (1024 x 600) capacitive multi touch screen, front and back cameras, and an HDMI-out port to send 1080p HD video to an HDTV or computer.

Other common features shared by the Google Play units include: 8GB internal memory; microSD card slot for memory expansion up to 32GB; 2.0 USB slot; G-Sensor; microphone; B/G/N Wi-Fi connection; and a built-in Lithium-Ion battery.

The Nextbook 7GP’s Jelly Bean 4.1 operating system is the fastest, smoothest version of Android yet. It features improved performance throughout the system, including faster orientation changes, faster responses when switching between recent apps, and smoother and more consistent rendering across the system through v-sync and triple buffering.

The Nextbook Google Play series tablets are preloaded with a wide selection of applications including the Barnes & Noble NOOK Store, Net Nanny parental controls and CloudLink’s “Productivity Toolbox”, which includes numerous free applications such as 5GB of free cloud storage, free mobile security, wireless printing, and credit card processing.

E FUN’s Nextbook 7GP tablet will be available February 2013 for a retail price of $129.99.

About E FUN
As its name implies, E FUN is a designer and markets fun, lifestyle e-products that are easily accessible. While appreciated by techies, E FUN products are primarily designed for consumers who desire the latest technological products, but are more concerned with what they do, not how they do it. E FUN’s ongoing product innovation focuses on making electronics and computing more fun! Initial products offerings from E-Fun include the APEN digital pen and Nextbook Android tablets. E FUN is headquartered in West Covina, California. For additional information regarding E FUN’s brands, please visit APEN at www.apenusa.com; and Nextbook at www.nextbookusa.com.