Tag Archives: surface

tablets

The Top 3 Best Tablets on the Market

 

When you’re ready to dish out some money for a new tablet, you obviously want to buy the best there is on the market. So, when time comes to buy, what should you look for? What are the best new models you can buy today? These are a few of the best tablets you can find on the market today, if you are ready to buy right now.

Amazon Fire 
With a 1.3 GHZ processor, a 7” screen, and excellent picture resolution (1024*600 pixels) you won’t find many tablets at this smaller screen size which has such excellent colour contrast and resolution. Add in the very light weight of only 11 ounces and you can literally carry this thing around without even feeling it in a bag. The 8 GB built in storage, and Amazon OS are fast, and allows for added storage if you need it. Excellent touch screen, easy to use features, and a small, sleek, elegant design, make this a must have tablet, especially for such a low-price point in comparison to other top manufacturer names in the marketplace.

Surface Pro 4  
This Microsoft tablet is another great option. It is sleek, has the unique kick stand design, detachable keyboard, lighted keys, and a very cool looking exterior. It features a larger screen size at 12.3” you can use it like a laptop, eliminating the need to own two devices. The 2.3 processor speed is extremely fast, so you won’t experience lag time or slow speeds, even if you are down or uploading, watching, or playing games, on the device. 1920×1200-pixel resolution also means sharper images, better depth perception, and great color disparity on screen. A bit pricey, but considering it can be a tablet as well as a laptop in one, it is a bundle and a great bargain.


iPad Pro 7
Apple has done it again. If you love large screen sizes, the 9.8” design is truly a great size you won’t find with many competitors on the market today. With the iOS operating system, you won’t be disappointed with speed, ability to browse the web, or do nearly anything (work or play) on this device. It is very responsive, has built in safety fingers (like fingerprint technology), and the 2048×1536-pixel resolution, makes it the very best, and provides the best screen resolution and image quality, regardless of what you plan on using the iPad to do. It is very thin, it is very light, and it comes from the most trusted developer in Apple.

A true must have device, but do consider the high price tag if you are comparing this with other Android based devices which are much cheaper in the price spectrum. The  iPad Pro7 can be very expensive depending on the model you go for. Luckily catalogue companies have started to provide different payment plans like buy now pay later, pay weekly, pay monthly. Over the past few years buying tablets on finance has become more and more popular due to the price of the product.

No matter what you are looking for when it comes to buying a new tablet, you have hundreds of options out there. For the budget shopper, for the high-end shopper, and for those who are in between, these are three great models to consider, which will offer great resolution, speeds, and quality, for the price point you can spend when purchasing a new tablet.

tablets

Microsoft Announces a $499 Surface 3 Tablet With Full Windows Operating System

Microsoft-Surface-3-tablet

While the Surface Pro 3 is Microsoft’s best hybrid Tablet/PC to date, the company today announced the launch of a new Surface 3 device, which one can easily describe as a lighter, thinner, and less-expensive iteration of the great Surface Pro 3.

Given that the Pro 3 lineup ranges between $800 to $2,000, Microsoft has apparently decided to adjust the pricing model with the new Surface series, so that it would be more affordable for new consumers as possible, but there is still a lot of stuff here. The new tablet, which boasts a gorgeous 10.8-inch display at 1,920 x 1,080 screen resolution is offered with your choice of either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, but the higher the storage capacity, the more you’ll pay.

Therefore, a 64GB of internal storage and 2GB of RAM will run you up to $499, while a 4GB RAM model and 128GB storage will set you back for $599, only a hundred dollars more.

Moreover, the slate is powered by a new quad-core 1.6GHz Atom x7 processor under the hood, alongside an 8MP camera on the back and a 3.5MP shooter on the front. The Surface also includes a multitude of ports, it sports a full-sized USB 3.0, plus a Mini DisplayPort, a microSD card expansion, a microUSB charging port, and a 3.5mm headphone socket for audio. A 4G LTE network support is optional.

There’s also a three-position kickstand at the back, but you can find these tablets even more expensive with the optional 3-designed Type Cover keyboard bundle (+$129) which converts the slabs into a full-fledged laptop form factor, running under a full Windows 8.1 OS.  In addition to that, you can add in another $49 if you want to add a bit of color to your tablet with a Surface pen.

Microsoft-Surface-3-Type-Cover

As for the goodies, Microsoft is giving away, for a very limited time, a year of free subscription to Office 365 including a full version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote, as well as 1 TB of Microsoft’s OneDrive online storage service.

The Surface 3 is due out on May 5, so stay tuned for exciting news to come!

Hit the Play and watch the video

[youtube id=”vPto6XpRq-U”]

[Microsoft]

tablets

Microsoft Announces New 12-inch Surface Pro 3 Tablet

2 Comments

microsoft-surface-pro-3-tablet

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

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

photo by pcworld
photo by pcworld

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

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

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

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

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

 

Surface Pro 3 Specifications

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

 

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

Check out the videos below

[youtube id=”1t7rSZT_77E”]

[youtube id=”mkKPt1gnl_0″]

second video is courtesy of expertzone

tablets

Microsoft to Announce an 8-Inch Surface Mini Tablet

microsoft-surface-pro-2

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

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

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

Microsoft Surface with Windows 8 Pro Finally Gets Official, Ships In January

2 Comments

The world has been waiting for this day to come for couple of months now (since Microsoft has launched the Surface RT tablet), and today, ladies and gents, it finally arrived, as the Redmond-based company officially announces a full-fledged Windows 8 Pro Surface for the masses. The new device, which claims to be a substantial upgrade to the ordinary Surface RT, starts at $899 for the “basic” 64GB version, and will go all the way up to $999 for the 128GB flavor. In addition, you’ll have to spend about a hundred bucks more if you want to have one of Microsoft’s latest and greatest add-ons, the Touch or Type Cover. Regretfully, they are not included in the bundle. Note, however, that the stylus pen does.

And while the overall design is similar to Redmond’s regular RT device, in many respects (same beautiful VaporMG casing and equivalent 10.6-inch display), some changes have been made inside. In that regard, we’re looking at a full 1920 x 1080 screen resolution instead of 1366 x 768, with the CPU power climbing up to a third-gen Core i5 processor, and the GPU is the Intel HD Graphics 4000, with 4 gigs of RAM. Good news in the battery department as well, according to Microsoft it will be strong enough to deliver “approximately half the battery life of Surface with Windows RT” (roughly 4.5 hours). In addition, you’ll find a Mini DisplayPort, capable upscaling your slate to 2560 x 1440 resolution, and a full-size USB 3.0 interface that is huge for data transfer speeds.

The Pro edition will be available sometime in January 2013, and is sure to be in popular demand.

[Microsoft]

tablets

Microsoft Surface RT Pricing unveiled, $499 or $599 with Touch Cover keyboard

2 Comments

We were quite pleased when Microsoft announced their long awaited Windows 8 tablet, the Surface, back in June. But one thing that was missing was the price, and today this secret information has finally been revealed (surprisingly, Microsoft has already pulled the page a few minutes after publishing it). Powered by a Windows RT operating system and equipped with a stunning 10.6-inch display, the new tablets will go on sale on October 26th, starting at $499 for the basic 32GB configuration without Touch Cover, and up to $699 for  the 64GB version with a Touch Cover keyboard bundled in the box.

Though Microsoft has since taken the page down, the original product listing revealed that pre-orders will start soon, with Touch Cover prices set to run at $119, and Type Cover for $129.99, independently.

Hop past the break for the “secret” webpage screenshot.

Update: Looks like Microsoft has officially confirmed the prices above, with additional info about specs and shipping dates. Apparently, the Surface will be available for purchase “at all Microsoft Store locations” in the United States and Canada, while online orders to start at the very same date in 8 different countries, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and the United States.

[Microsoft]

tablets

$450 Sony Xperia Tablet Appears In The Wild

2 Comments

So, Sony is planning a new tablet. While it’s currently unofficial, German news site, Mobiflip is reporting that the Japanese corp is hard at work on a new iteration of the Sony S Android tablet; or at least that’s what a few slides prove. And if this turns out to be true, then we can all expect a new generation of slim and light Android 4.0 (or later) Xperia Sony Tablet. What else can be expected? A Tegra 3 quad-core processor, a choice of 16, 32, and 64GB of storage, 3G connectivity, a 6,000mAh battery with up to 10 hours of Wi-Fi browsing, and a folded-magazine design made of durable 8.8mm-thick materials (which are 42 percent thinner than previous model).

The leaked slides also suggest the next-gen Sony Xperia device will feature a portable keyboard, similar to the Microsoft surface, only with a full-fledged “smart” cover. In addition, there’s one doc that covers the “tentative suggested retail prices” which currently stand at about  $99.99 for the keyboard case, and $450, $550 and $650 for the slabs (depends on the size). There’s one more picture after the break, and we are hopefully going to hear a lot more about, in the coming weeks!

[via The Verge]

tablets

Microsoft Unveils The Surface, a 10.6-inch Windows 8 Tablet

2 Comments

Microsoft has just unveiled a Windows 8 tablet, called Surface. In a late night press conference from Los Angeles, CEO Steve Ballmer stunned the world when he officially announced that his company is making a brand new slate running an Intel i5 CPU on board and powered by the all-mighty NVIDIA ARM processor. The 9.3mm thick device that will come out sometime before the end of 2012, is said to include a 10.6-inch Gorilla Glass 2 HD display on top, along with two 2×2 MIMO antennas for better WiFi connectivity, 32GB or 64GB of storage at your choice, and a slew of common ports such as micro HDMI, microSD and USB 2.0. The surface is made from high-quality elements and coated with VaporMg magnesium materials. Such process and specs require great efforts to adapt, but nonetheless, the retail cost will continue to remain very attractive, says Ballmer, very similar to those other ARM tablet machines available in the market.

But that’s not all, ladies and gents… Let me direct your attention to additional stuff the Redmond team has recently introduced. Yes, there’s another tablet configuration out there, and if the first model was built to be compatible with the very basic Windows RT OS version, the latter – A Premium Device – is said to be strong enough to support Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 Pro. So what does it pack inside? First and foremost, an Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor, that is tucked with a bigger 42 W-h battery, either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, a similar batch of micro SD, micro HDMI and Mimo WiFi installations, and last but not least, the latest USB 3.0 ports. The 10.6-inch ClearType touchscreen is claimed to feature a higher 1080p resolution and the tablet itself will boast a dedicated pen with a special “Palm Block.” No word on price or availability yet, but we’ll keep you posted. In any case, they’ll be “on par with Ultrabook-class PCs” and out roughly 3 months after the Windows 8 official release.

Accessories wise, Microsoft has partnered with a group of aftermarket suppliers to develop both cover and keyboard accessories to the Surface line of tablets. Yesterday, the company has officially introduced two of those futuristic peripherals, Touch Cover and Type Cover. The first, is a 3mm thick cover made of Polartec materials, which hooks to the Surface with those Smart Cover-like magnetic attachments. No, that ain’t original but if it works, it works, right? Well, that’s your decision. Anyway, the Type Cover is the kind of things we’re used to seeing over the last couple of years. In general, we’re looking at a 5mm-thick keyboard docking station product that turns your tablet into a hybrid netbook/tablet machine. As simple as it seems.

[youtube id=”dpzu3HM2CIo”]

[youtube id=”PP6aTFgkNL4″]

[youtube id=”jozTK-MqEXQ”]

Second video by laptopmag

 

Microsoft Announces Surface: New Family of PCs for Windows

Microsoft-made hardware to be available starting with release of Windows 8 and Windows RT.

LOS ANGELES – June 18, 2012 – Today at an event in Hollywood, Microsoft unveiled Surface: PCs built to be the ultimate stage for Windows. Company executives showed two Windows tablets and accessories that feature significant advances in industrial design and attention to detail. Surface is designed to seamlessly transition between consumption and creation, without compromise. It delivers the power of amazing software with Windows and the feel of premium hardware in one exciting experience.

Advances in Industrial Design

Conceived, designed and engineered entirely by Microsoft employees, and building on the company’s 30-year history manufacturing hardware, Surface represents a unique vision for the seamless expression of entertainment and creativity. Extensive investment in industrial design and real user experience includes the following highlights:

Software takes center stage: Surface sports a full-sized USB port and a 16:9 aspect ratio – the industry standard for HD. It has edges angled at 22 degrees, a natural position for the PC at rest or in active use, letting the hardware fade into the background and the software stand out.

VaporMg: The casing of Surface is created using a unique approach called VaporMg (pronounced Vapor-Mag), a combination of material selection and process to mold metal and deposit particles that creates a finish akin to a luxury watch. Starting with magnesium, parts can be molded as thin as .65 mm, thinner than the typical credit card, to create a product that is thin, light and rigid/strong.

Integrated Kickstand: The unique VaporMg approach also enables a built-in kickstand that lets you transition Surface from active use to passive consumption – watching a movie or even using the HD front- or rear-facing video cameras. The kickstand is there when needed, and disappears when not in use, with no extra weight or thickness.

Touch Cover: The 3 mm Touch Cover represents a step forward in human-computer interface. Using a unique pressure-sensitive technology, Touch Cover senses keystrokes as gestures, enabling you to touch type significantly faster than with an on-screen keyboard. It will be available in a selection of vibrant colors. Touch Cover clicks into Surface via a built-in magnetic connector, forming a natural spine like you find on a book, and works as a protective cover. You can also click in a 5 mm-thin Type Cover that adds moving keys for a more traditional typing feel.

An Amazing Windows Experience

Two models of Surface will be available: one running an ARM processor featuring Windows RT, and one with a third-generation Intel Core processor featuring Windows 8 Pro. From the fast and fluid interface, to the ease of connecting you to the people, information and apps that users care about most, Surface will be a premium way to experience all that Windows has to offer. Surface for Windows RT will release with the general availability of Windows 8, and the Windows 8 Pro model will be available about 90 days later. Both will be sold in the Microsoft Store locations in the U.S. and available through select online Microsoft Stores.

Contributing to an Expanded Ecosystem

One of the strengths of Windows is its extensive ecosystem of software and hardware partners, delivering selection and choice that makes a customer’s Windows experience uniquely their own. This continues with Surface. Microsoft is delivering a unique contribution to an already strong and growing ecosystem of functional and stylish devices delivered by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to bring the experience of Windows to consumers and businesses around the globe.

Additional Product Information

Surface for Windows RT

OS: Windows RT

Light(1): 676 g

Thin(2): 9.3 mm

Clear: 10.6″ ClearType HD Display

Energized: 31.5 W-h

Connected: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae

Productive: Office ’15’ Apps, Touch Cover, Type Cover

Practical: VaporMg Case & Stand

Configurable: 32 GB, 64 GB

Surface for Windows 8 Pro

OS: Windows 8 Pro

Light(1): 903 g

Thin(2): 13.5 mm

Clear: 10.6″ ClearType Full HD Display

Energized: 42 W-h

Connected: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae

Productive: Touch Cover, Type Cover, Pen with Palm Block

Practical: VaporMg Case & Stand

Configurable: 64 GB, 128 GB

(1), (2). Actual size and weight of the device may vary due to configuration and manufacturing process.

Suggested retail pricing will be announced closer to availability and is expected to be competitive with a comparable ARM tablet or Intel Ultrabook-class PC. OEMs will have cost and feature parity on Windows 8 and Windows RT.

For more information about Surface, visit http://www.surface.com.

News, Operating Systems

Microsoft Windows 7 Multi-Touch Demonstration

Microsoft has revealed a very nice demonstration, at the All Things Digital conference, showing some snippets of the next windows 7 OS (coming up in 2009) with amazing multi-touch capabilities that were shifted from the Microsoft Surface to a Dell Latitude XT tablet PC. The images undoubtedly prove that Microsoft wants to change the user interface experience by assimilating finger gestures that let you move, rotate or shrink images, navigate maps, play the piano and a lot more, with a simple touch of a finger. Checkout the video to see the future:

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/eFFMW13q3zc" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

[via windowsvistablog]