Tag Archives: tablet

ASUS Intros ZenPad S 8.0 Android Lollipop Tablet Series

June 1, 2015 Nir Shein

Computex 2015 — ASUS has officially rolled out a new line of super stylish Lollipop tablets, also known as the ZenPad series. The slates on stake which are said to replace the previous range of MemoPad variants include the ASUS ZenPad 8.0 (Z380C) and ZenPad S 8.0 (Z580CA) models, both of which to be available in 7-inch, 8-inch and 10.1-inch versions and are aimed at the low-end and the premium tablet market.

The first out of the two is the Asus ZenPad S 8.0 slab, a premium product for the high-end user with a sharp 2,048 x 1,536 (324 ppi) IPS display, as well as Intel’s 64-bit Atom Z3580 chip processor, 4GB of RAM and your choice of either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage.

Measuring in at only 6.6mm thin, the ZenPad S 8.0 tablet runs on an Android Lollipop 5.0 OS and is coming with an 8MP rear-facing camera, a 5MP front-facing camera, one USB Type C connector on the side and a 15.2Wh battery, capable of up to 12 hours of continuous work.

The second model, the ASUS ZenPad 8.0 Z380C, which provides a good entry-level consumer-business experience tablet with an Atom X3 (SoFIA) quad-core processor and Mali 450MP4 GPU is offering either 1 or 2 gigabytes of RAM under the hood, as well as your choice of either 8 or 16 gigabytes of internal storage. In addition to the standard 1280×800 pixel display on top, you’re getting a 5MP rear camera behind, together with an Android Lollipop 5 OS and an optional Audio Cover cradle for adding 5.1 surround sound for your tablet. Connectivity options include WiFi, Bluetooth, and the optional dual 4G LTE network support.

Pricing and availability still remain undisclosed at the moment.

tablets

Samsung’s iPad Killer The Galaxy Tab S2 To Launch Next Month

May 12, 2015 Nir Shein

Samsung is going all-force with its Galaxy Tab tablet lineup. At this point, it would be safe to assume we’re all too familiar with the wildly successful Tab S series, right? I mean, seriously who hasn’t heard about it, especially if you’re into the tech and gadget worlds.

And Sammy has definitely put an honorable effort to create a nice, functional user-friendly slate that can be truly compared against the iPad. However, it doesn’t seem to have been enough. As it looks, the company still tries to improve it in a yearly basis.

The latest word on the street is that the S. Korean corp. is planning to announce their awesomely designed Galaxy Tab S2 next month. The new series, which will probably consist of 8-inch and 9.7-inch screen-sized slabs, is rumored to be much thinner (only 5.4mm) than the 6.4-mm iPad Air 2, and with a similar resolution screen at 2,048 x 1,536.

What’s inside, you may ask? According to the leaked information, the Galaxy Tab S2 devices are said to be running under Samsung’s latest 64-bit Exynos processor, as well as 3GB of RAM and up to 32GB of internal storage with a microSD slot supporting up to 128GB.

There’s also an Android 5.0.2 Lollipop OS installed, along with an 8 megapixel main rear camera and a 2.1 megapixel shooter upfront. Battery wise, the 8-inch model will have a 3,580 mAh battery unit, while the 9.7-inch comes in with a bigger 5,870 mAh pack.

Same as previous Galaxy S lineup, Samsung is expected to launch four versions of the Tab S2, including both WiFi and Cat. 6 LTE-enabled models of the slates.

In all, this seems like a great upgrade, and while pricing and release dates are sketchy at the moment, we would definitely love to see them sometime next month.

[via nowhereelse]

tablets

Dell Unveils the Venue 10 7000 Tablet

April 12, 2015 Nir Shein

Following on from the initial success of the Venue 8 7000 tablet, one of the best mid-range Android machines available right now, Dell has announced a brand new, bigger iteration of the very same device, the Venue 10 7000.

Claimed to be designed to impress with stunning features, the 10.5-inch paper-thin model has been apparently restructured to increase max performance. Under the lid of Venue 10’s aluminum body you’ll get to find 2GB of DDR RAM, as well as a 2.3GHz Intel Atom Z3580 processor. There’s also that fabulous 8-megapixel rear camera shooter (supporting Intel’s RealSense3D technology), alongside a 2MP front-facing camera, as well as a 7,000mAh battery pack, delivering up to 15 hours of continuous usage.

The screen on this a business-focused Android Lollipop platform device is of an OLED display with a pixel resolution of 2,560×1,600. In addition, you’ll find inside a microSD card slot expansion, supporting cards up to 512GB of external memory. This space is naturally of an extra accommodation to your choice of either 16GB or 32GB storage capacities the tablet is offering you outside of the box.

The Venue 10 is due out later this month, with prices starting at $499 for the 16GB version without the optional Bluetooth keyboard, and up to $629 with the very same keyboard included (offering five different angle positions: laptop, slate, stand, tent or clamshell modes). The company doesn’t mention the prices for the 32GB configuration In the US, at least not now.

[youtube id=”7UodJohNLL8″]

[Dell]

Video is courtesy of ubergizmodotcom

tablets

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

March 31, 2015 Nir Shein

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.

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

Huawei Intros Giant 7-Inch MediaPad X2 Phablet

March 4, 2015 Nir Shein

It was just a year ago when Huawei announced the release of the 7-inch MediaPad X1 tablet, which was until recently considered to be the lightest in the world. Today at WMC 2015, the company introduced an updated version of this giant Android Phablet with some various changes and upgrades all over the place to make it a better machine all-round.

The 7-Inch device that goes by the typical name of MediaPad x2, is said to arrive with a sturdy aluminum casing on board, featuring a 64-bit ultra octa-core chipset inside, as well as a 1200 x 1920 HD IPS display on top (323 ppi) and a Mali-T628 GPU for the graphics. Measuring in at a mere 7.18mm and tipping the scales at 239g, this beautiful slab will also be offering 2GB of RAM along with a 802.11ac WiFi connectivity, and 16GB of internal storage. Well, at least that’s what you’re getting in the X2 Silver version, while the premium Gold is offering 3GB of RAM and up to 32GB of internal storage.

Both models will also include an Android 5.0 Lollipop for the OS, alongside a massive 5,000 mAh Li-Polymer battery, as well as a 13-megapixel (f/2.4) rear camera and 5-megapixel (f/2.2) shooter up front.

Pricing and availability are yet to be determined, but they are expected to be around the same range of the previous model.

[youtube id=”LtmkLZF8ViE”]

Video courtesy of  Android Authority

tablets

Sony’s Next-Gen Xperia Z4 Tablet Unveiled (Update: Now Official)

February 26, 2015 Nir Shein

What’s that, Sony‘s brand new Xperia Z4 tablet leaked? Yeah, that definitely looks like it. Oops! It’s not that the company was intentionally leaking the next-generation of its high-end Android tablet a few days ahead of MWC 2015, that’s not the case this time, but the new one looks impressive and immediately more professional than the Xperia Z3 Compact, right?

While the image has already been pulled by Sony from Xperia Lounge, it does hint at the impending launch of the tablet, on March 3rd, and that it is likely to include a high-res 2K resolution display, as well as the “latest ultra fast processor” inside – whatever that means. Additionally, Sony describes the slim-looking tablet, which is expected to run under Android 5.0 Lollipop OS, as a lightweight premium device that features an “industry-leading battery performance.” Uh Oh, that sounds REALLY cool.

Unfortunately that’s all we can share about it for now, as they’ve yet to announce size, specifications, pricing, availability or anything else important to know, but we’ll be sure to bring you the updates very soon.

Update: At MWC 2015 in Barcelona, Sony has officially introduced its latest and greatest flagship tablet device, the Xperia Z4. The 6.1mm super-slim slate is housing a beautiful 10.1-inch 2K resolution display, tucked with a Snapdragon 810 processor under the hood as well as your choice of either Wi-Fi or LTE variants, packing at least 32GB of integrated memory. Out of the box, the Xperia Z4 slab is likely to run the latest edition of Android Lollipop operating system, and there’s an optional keyboard dock that literally turns the tablet into an hybrid laptop/tablet machine. There’s still no word on pricing, but the two will launch globally starting June 2015.

[Xperia Blog]

Accessories, tablets

Report: Apple’s Rumored 12.9-Inch iPad Pro Will Launch With a Special stylus Pen

January 19, 2015 Nir Shein

Apple’s rumored 12.9-inch “iPad Pro” is said to be released sometime in early 2015, with word on the street that a line of bigger screens is already in the works for at least one year or so. Now we’re learning from various sources close to the matter that the Cupertino giant is planning to extend the new breed of tablets with some new engaging features to enhance their work performance. One of the features worth noting is the handy stylus pen. Apple Insider reports that Apple might consider adding this tool to its upcoming lineup, while basing their info on a quote from Ming-Chi Kuo, a well reputed Apple analyst at KGI Securities, who has come to the conclusion by conducting his own research and observations of the company, along with the fact that Apple already filed for some patents of a stylus pen before.

To his words, “given that it’s more precise than a person’s fingers, a stylus can be more convenient to use than the combination of keyboard and mouse in some cases.” And “therefore, we believe Apple’s stylus will improve the user experience of 12.9-inch iPad.”

That makes a lot of sense, considering the fact there are plenty of apps that actually require a stylus these days, either for painting and drawing or simply because your handwriting sucks. And what’s better than a bigger iPad tablet to help you improve your skillset and creativity, eh?

Moreover, according to Kuo’s report, the first edition of the stylus will not require any hardware modifications to the iPad itself, however, future iterations of the pen, which are likely to include support for 3D handwriting technology, might do.

If rumors are true, then Tim Cook is clearly going against Steve Jobs’ wishes (who stated in the past that “if you see a stylus, they blew it”). However, it also means that the company is slowly getting into its full stride again after the sudden departure of its late co-founder.

Naturally we are all just speculating out of our geeky minds here but yeah, I think that time has come for Apple to finally release a stylus product as it adds functionality and features that were missing from the iPad.

[Image Credit, Flickr, Elmastudio]

CES, tablets

Dell’s Super Slim Venue 8 7000 Tablet Now Officially Available For $400

January 7, 2015 Nir Shein 2 Comments

We’ve already got the chance to see Dell’s ultra thin Venue 8 7000 slate when it was first unveiled back in September but now, at CES 2015 the 8.4-inch slab, powered by a 2.3GHz Intel Atom quad-core processor, is finally set to make a debut. And while not as cheap as some other mid-range Android devices available on the market right now, it is reassuring to know that your money is going to be well spent and not wasted on some ordinary specs. In that concern, the Venue 8 7000 device is well equipped with a stunning QHD 2,560 x 1,600 OLED edge-to-edge display, alongside Intel’s state-of-the-art Real Sense Snapshot 3D camera. That’s right, the tablet houses an in-depth rear 8MP camera at the bottom as well as duo 720p stereoscopic sensors atop. The Venue 7000 is definitely one of the first tablets to incorporate Intel’s latest 3D technology, hence the reason it arouses a lot of curiosity among the geeksters around the world.

Measuring in only 6mm thin (thinner than the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3) the Venue 8 7000 is said to include 2GB of RAM under the lid, along with your choice of WiFi or LTE connectivity options, an Android 4.4 KitKat for the OS and an internal memory of 16GB which can be further expanded via a microSDXC memory card.

The Dell Venue 8 7000 is now available on Dell’s website both in the US and in Canada for $399.99 and will complete global release in different countries like Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, India, Germany, and the UK by early 2015.

[youtube id=”A8HGZWZXQGg”]

Video courtesy of Liliputing

CES, Computers, tablets

Toshiba Introduces The 12.5-inch Portege Z20t Hybrid Tablet

January 6, 2015 Nir Shein

At CES 2015, Toshiba has officially introduced a possible 12.5-inch rival to the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet. The giant device, that will be released under the name Portege Z20t is actually serving as a hybrid machine between a PC and a tablet and is claimed to be powerful enough to deliver any project you’d be working on, even the most difficult ones.

The Portege Z20t which will go on sale this January, comes equipped with a low-power Intel Core M processor below the surface, as well as a 1,920 x 1,080 screen resolution on top of the slab and an optional Wacom-based digitizer, which enables up to 2,048 levels of pressure-sensitive pen input. As with many other handhelds available on the market these days, the screen is covered with an anti-glare protection layer to minimize glare and un-wanted reflections.

Measuring in only 0.35 inch thick and 1.6 pounds, the Z20t also includes a pair of cameras, as well as Wi-Fi 802.11ac connectivity, Bluetooth 4.0, Micro-USB hub, Micro-HDMI output, Ethernet, RGB, microSD slot expansion and two internal USB 3.0 ports. As for power, the Portege Z20t is said to provide up to 9 hours of battery life when you work with the tablet as a standalone device, and up to 17.5 hours of continuous work with the keyboard docking station attached.

Toshiba will offer the Portege Z20t with options for either 4GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB, 256GB and 512GB of SSD storage variants. Price wise, the slate will start at a whopping $1,399 for the basic entry-level unit plus a keyboard, but without the optional Wacom pen support. If you wanna try adding the pen, prices will jump all the way up to 1,899.

Video courtesy of Liliputing

tablets

Acer Takes the Wraps Off of 12-inch Aspire Switch Tablet

November 5, 2014 Nir Shein

All these talks about Apple having a 12-inch iPad device launching next year have brought the market into some interesting new highs, with Microsoft’s 12-inch Surface Pro 3 tablet already out around the globe, Lenovo announcing the 13.3-inch Yoga tablet Pro 2 model and Acer to intro the 12-inch Aspire Switch slab.

The later is actually a 12.5-inch (1920×1080) hybrid machine which is more of a combination of a basic laptop and a tablet sitting on top. The keyboard in here is obviously detachable, which makes it as an easy going tablet on-the-go, and the operating system is of a Microsoft Windows 8.1 breed.

Under the 12-inch swivel screen, which is only a tad bigger and sharper than the company’s own Iconia Tab 10 slate, you’ll also find Intel’s low-power Core M processor at 800MHz when in tablet form and up to 2.6GHz in a PC mode. In addition, you have a choice of either 60GB or 120GB of solid-state storage, tucked with a micro-HDMI video output, and a USB 3.0 port. The battery inside is good for up to 8 hours of continuous video work.

the 12-inch switch is claimed to be five devices in one with various uses and different modes of transform.

The Switch will be available in North America in early 2015, with no pricing details disclosed. The tablet will arrive in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia sometime before the end of this year, with prices expected to start around the 649 Euros.

Events, tablets

Apple Announces the iPad Air 2, Retina iPad Mini 3 With Touch ID Fingerprint Sensor

October 16, 2014 Nir Shein 2 Comments

Apple today has officially announced its latest and greatest version of the iPad tablet. The newly named iPad Air 2, which was tagged by Apple’s Phil Schiller as “the world’s thinnest tablet,” is only 6.1mm thick and about 18% thinner than the original iPad Air.

Apple says that it has sold 225 million iPads to date, and the next generation is likely to add a whole lot more to the inconceivable numbers which, by the way, are already bigger than the PC sales all together. Going back to the iPad air 2, that has the same 9.7-inch display form factor as previous models (2048 x 1536 pixel resolution), only with a new A8X processor, which Apple says is 40 percent faster, has about 3 billion transistors and bags about 2.5x faster graphics performance than the previous iPad Air.

The camera on the iPad air 2 is also getting an upgrade in the form of a 8-megapixel iSight shooter with 1.12 micron pixels, f2.4 aperture and a whole new image processor on board. You can basically take 43mp panorama images with it and shoot some beautiful timelapse footage as well as Slow Motion videos and more. In addition, Apple will offer some cool editing software like the Replay and the Pixelmator. Moreover, the new tablet includes the M8 coprocesor that will track your motion whenever you go, as well as a better battery life with up to 10 hour per day. Apple says the iPad Air 2 has faster data transfer rate on Wi-Fi thanks to the new 802.11AC with MIMO support. And finally, the latest addition – An integrated TouchID fingerprints sensor that will work exactly the same as it does on the iPhone.

The iPad Air will be available in silver, space grey and gold flavor options in the following storage/pricing configurations: 16GB ($499), 64GB ($599) and 128GB ($699). The cellular/LTE version adds $130 to those prices. Apple is also reducing the prices of some of its previous lineups with the iPad mini, iPad mini 2 and iPad Air first generation to start at $249, and go up to $299 and $399, respectively. All of the new iPads will be shipping with iOS 8.1, while pre-orders to start tomorrow and the shipping to begin by the end of next week.

Apple has also revealed the iPad Mini 3. The third generation of the 7.9-inch tablet appears to remain pretty much the same from the outside look with the single exception of a new Touch ID sensor. Yes, the smaller Retina tablet device will also be housing the Apple fingerprint ID security scanner on the bottom, along with a 5-megapixel iSight camera and with the same A7 processor inside. While a relatively modest upgrade, you cannot help but appreciate the company’s efforts to provide all the users with the latest and greatest technology available. The Mini 3 will come with your choice of silver, space gray, and gold color options with pre-orders starting tomorrow (and shipping next week), at $399 for the 16GB version, $499 for 64GB and $599 for 128GB.

Here’s the full video of the event: http://bit.ly/1vA9ROJ

tablets

Apple Reveals iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 Ahead of Official event

October 15, 2014 Nir Shein 1 Comment

Oops! Look what we have in here. Looks like Apple has officially unveiled its upcoming new line of tablets, which is due to be announced tomorrow. Though, of course, we’re not sure whether this is an intentional glitch (to draw some attention away from Google’s multiple announcements), or an unintentional mistake, the company released a few more details about the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 through iPad User Guide for iOS 8 within iBooks.

And while there’s not much to tell from the image, the visuals look both impressive and about the same as the previous versions, which is a good thing, when you come to think about it. As expected, the new devices will finally get a TouchID sensor, letting users unlock the tablet with their fingerprints ID, authorize app store potential purchases, and hopefully (hopefully) work with the company’s upcoming Apple Pay mobile payments system.

Price and availability are yet to be determined.

Update: Apple just pulled the screenshots from the iOS 8 guide.

[iTunes]

tablets

Google Introduces The 8.9-Inch Nexus 9 Android Lollipop Tablet

October 15, 2014 Nir Shein

We knew it was coming and now Google has finally shared details with its upcoming tablet, the Nexus 9. Slated to arrive in stores on November 3 (with pre-orders to start on October 17), the 8.9-inch 2048 x 1440 super HD slab, which was built in partnership with HTC, features a relatively small and portable device, made of a brushed aluminum all-metal body. The slate, which is set to cost about $399 for the 16GB packing version and $479 for the 32GB model is said to arrive with 2GB of RAM, as well as an Nvidia Tegra K1 chip, and a 8-megapixel rear camera shooter plus a 1.6-megapixel camera up front. The Nexus 9 will also include an optional 32GB 4G LTE variant, which will brandish a price point of $599 when it’s officially released.

The Nexus 9 is powered by Google’s latest edition of Android, also know as the Android Lollipop version 5. In addition to that, the Mountain View-based internet giant will also be offering a nice keyboard folio that magnetically attaches to the back of the tablet, and can easily fold into two different angles. The Nexus 9 will have a black, white or gold choice of colors.

[youtube id=”yYHY3MFiq1o”]

[Google]

tablets

LEAKED: Here’s What Apple’s Next iPad Air 2 Might Look Like

October 8, 2014 Nir Shein 1 Comment

If you’re in the market for a new tablet, what will you be going for? In case you are looking to nab a brand new iPad, mind you that Apple is rumored to launch the second-generation of its popular iPad air next week, on October 16. The next iPad may include a fingerprint scanner in its home button and the company is expected to bring its latest and greatest Touch ID sensor technology to the new line of tablets, along with a slimmer chassis (0.5mm thinner than previous model) and probably a new faster processor and with a Gold cover option.

That’s what we have heard so far from the rumored specs, and today, we are finally obtaining confirmation to those words, thanks to a bunch of new and pretty reliable photos, published by the Vietnamese blog Tinhte.vn. This isn’t the website’s first attempt to post what they are claiming to be Apple’s next iPad, which, as mentioned, appears to include a Touch ID fingerprint sensor and redesigned speaker grills, but with a proven track record, what could go wrong?

So what do you guys think so far, does it look like the real thing? Are you planning to get the new iPad Air for yourself, or is the iPad mini with Retina display a more attractive option?

[smartslider3 slider=2]

tablets

Amazon To Release New 6″ and 7″ Fire HD Entry-Level Tablets

September 18, 2014 Nir Shein

Budget tablet market begins to hot up, and no one seems to know that better than Amazon. The U.S e-commerce giant today announced two entry-level models for its Fire tablet line, making them the perfect purchase for holiday goers. The new series includes the Fire HD 6 (six-inches diagonal ) and Fire HD 7 (seven-inches diagonal), with both tablets featuring 1280 x 800 resolution displays, as well as 252 ppi and 216 ppi pixel densities respectively.

Amazon Vice President Peter Larsen said the company is aiming at broadening their target audience but without compromising on quality in any way. “If you get down to those low price points, you start to trade stuff off,” he said. “We hear about it from customers all the time.”

The two Fire HDs are expected to run under Amazon’s own Fire OS 4 Sangria platform, paired with similar 1.5GHz quad-core processors under the lid (delivering three times much faster graphics processing than previous models) and with Dolby Digital Plus audio, as well as dual camera i.e. both rear and front facing camera for photography and video calls.

The HD 6 price will start at ONLY $99, while the HD 7 is priced as much as last year’s Fire HD model, at $139. Both are said to be available in five different colors, including black, white, fuchsia, cobalt blue and yellow, with shipping to begin in October and pre-orders to start today.

Hit the Play to watch the video

[youtube id=”h6UnwplqWs4″]

Video courtesy of PCMag

tablets

Dell To Unveil World Thinnest Tablet

September 10, 2014 Nir Shein

Dell, one of the well-known manufacturer of electronic and tech devices, announced a brand new 8.4-inch tablet at the Intel Developer Forum today in San Francisco, California. Inspired by the iPad success, tablet makers have been battling to produce thinner devices. Dell is obviously one of the leading candidates for the highly prestigious accolade, and with its recent revelation, the Venue 8 7000, the company is aiming to set the new standards.

At only 6mm thick, the new slab, which will run on an Intel Atom Z3500 Moorefield chip, is supposed to be the world’s thinnest tablet ever made. So thin, that when you hold it to the light, you are able to see your hand through it (just kidding). As said, It sports an 8.4-inch 2560 x 1600 pixel edge-to-edge OLED display on top of the surface, tucked with 16GB of internal storage, plus an 8 megapixel camera on the back with a 2 megapixel front shooter. Dell is also setting the line with Intel’s latest technology, known as the RealSense 3D platform. It basically capable of turning any map into an in-depth 3D look in a snap.

More over, the rectangular 7000 model is also expected to pack 2 or 3GB of RAM, as well as WiFi, Bluetooth and 4G LTE type, plus micro-USB 2.0 ports, and an Android KitKat for the operating system.

If you want to hold out for the Venue 8 7000 it should be available by the 2014 holiday season, with prices yet to be announced.

[youtube id=”jJsADR4XcH8″]

Video courtesy of mobilegeeks.de

IFA, tablets

Samsung Intros 8-inch Waterproof Galaxy Tab Active

September 5, 2014 Nir Shein

You didn’t really think we’d have a European electronic show without a new Samsung gadget, did you? The Korean giant announced Thursday morning a new Android tablet at the annual IFA 2014 press event. This isn’t your regular tablet that just has a touch interface like all the rest you can buy these days. It is an 8-inch, ruggedized slab iteration of the Galaxy Tab, with a water and dust resistant proof around, which aims to lure enterprise users away from Apple iPads. The new slate, that comes pre-loaded with Samsung’s Knox security program is being described as a tablet with a tougher C-Pen stylus attachment and a protected cover which can withstand against a 1.2 meter drop. It packs a 1.2GHz quad-core processor under the hood, along with 1.5GB of DDR3 RAM, a 1280×800 LCD display, 16GB of internal storage, and a microSD card slot expansion (up to 64GB),

the slate which goes by the name Galaxy Tab Active, also includes a 3.1 megapixel rear camera to bring out the photographer in you, as well as a front-facing 1.2 megapixel camera that’s perfect for Skype calls with colleagues and friends.

Price and availability are yet to be determined.

Samsung adds that:

The Galaxy Tab Active represents Samsung’s commitment to meeting customer needs. In order to learn what business leaders wanted from a mobile device for optimal performance and efficiency, Samsung engaged in a series of advisory group workshops with Fortune 500 companies. The top companies across vertical markets, such as retail, logistics and transportation participated, providing valuable feedback that went directly into the development of the Galaxy Tab Active.

Hit the Play to watch the video

[youtube id=”oD70Lk5e5uU”]

Video courtesy of CNET

IFA, tablets

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

September 4, 2014 Nir Shein 1 Comment

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

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

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

Click on the Play to see the videos

[youtube id=”Pbn-QgGBAPI”]

[youtube id=”z2Wb3HcSFpk”]

IFA, tablets

Sony Announces Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact With 8-Inch Display

September 3, 2014 Nir Shein 1 Comment

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

[Sony Mobile]

IFA, tablets

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

September 3, 2014 Nir Shein

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

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

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

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

Hit the play button to watch the video

[youtube id=”dIudY1Kke1E”]

tablets

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

August 29, 2014 Nir Shein

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

[Archos]

tablets

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

August 27, 2014 Nir Shein 1 Comment

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

tablets

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

July 18, 2014 Nir Shein

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

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

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

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

Full specs:

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

[youtube id=”VohrddwVQqg”]

tablets

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

June 22, 2014 Nir Shein

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

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

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

[Android Police]

tablets

Samsung and Barnes & Noble Announce Galaxy Tab 4 Nook

June 6, 2014 Nir Shein

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

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

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

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

tablets

Microsoft Announces New 12-inch Surface Pro 3 Tablet

May 20, 2014 Nir Shein 2 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Straight from the @Panos_Panay #SurfacePro3 dictionary. #lapability pic.twitter.com/9ewZftP5JA

— Surface (@surface) May 20, 2014

Surface Pro 3 Specifications

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

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

Check out the videos below

[youtube id=”1t7rSZT_77E”]

[youtube id=”mkKPt1gnl_0″]

second video is courtesy of expertzone

tablets

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

May 15, 2014 Nir Shein

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

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

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

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

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

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

Xiaomi MiPad specs

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

[youtube id=”lVp34KQbAqk”]

tablets

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

May 11, 2014 Nir Shein

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

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

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

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

tablets

Microsoft to Announce an 8-Inch Surface Mini Tablet

May 7, 2014 Nir Shein

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

Lenovo Introduces a Business Friendly ThinkPad 10 Tablet

April 28, 2014 Nir Shein

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

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

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

[via TabTech]

tablets

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

March 27, 2014 Nir Shein

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

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

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

[via Sammobile]

tablets

Microsoft Launches Surface 2 Tablet With LTE Support

March 17, 2014 Nir Shein

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

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

Good luck in trying to get yourself one.

[Microsoft]

tablets

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

February 24, 2014 Nir Shein

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

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

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

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

[youtube id=”flZCgPbaNu8″]

Video courtesy of Mobilegeeks

tablets

8-inch Archos Helium 4G Tablet Breaks Cover

February 21, 2014 Nir Shein

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

tablets

Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet Specs Leaked (Now Official)

February 17, 2014 Nir Shein

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

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

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

[youtube id=”fA4dIRau5Mc”]

video courtesy of T3

tablets

Archos Unveils Three New Neon Android Tablets

February 4, 2014 Nir Shein

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

[Archos]

tablets

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

January 16, 2014 Nir Shein

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

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

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

[Samsung]

tablets

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

January 8, 2014 Nir Shein 1 Comment

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

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

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

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

[youtube id=”YV732xJOra8″]

[youtube id=”kzA_1SWbsVI”]

Videos courtesy of Lenovo and Mobilegeeks.de

tablets

Asus Unveils New VivoTab Note 8 Windows 8.1 Tablet

January 7, 2014 Nir Shein

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

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

[youtube id=”pDJZel1JdHM”]

Video courtesy of Mobilegeeks.de

[ASUS]

CES, tablets

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

January 6, 2014 Nir Shein

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

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

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Video courtesy of talkandroid

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Powerful Partner for Productivity

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

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

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

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

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

Ultimate User Content Gift Package*

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

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

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

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

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

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tablets

Acer Introduces New 7 and 7.9-inch Iconia Android Tablets

January 5, 2014 Nir Shein 1 Comment

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

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

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[youtube id=”MIyZkxHu714″]

Both videos are courtesy of mobilegeeks.de

CES, tablets

Polaroid To Release New Q Line of Android 4.4 Tablets

January 3, 2014 Nir Shein

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

[Polaroid]

tablets

Nvidia Tegra Note 7 Gets Updated With Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

December 27, 2013 Nir Shein 1 Comment

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

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

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

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

[NVIDIA]

tablets

LG G Pad 8.3 Tablet Finally Gets The Google Play Edition

December 11, 2013 Nir Shein 1 Comment

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

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

tablets

Toshiba Reveals Budget Excite 7 Tablet

November 21, 2013 Nir Shein

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

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Video courtesy of Android Central

[Toshiba]

tablets

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

November 12, 2013 Nir Shein

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

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

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

tablets

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

November 7, 2013 Nir Shein

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

[Archos]

Image via clubic.com

tablets

Apple Announces The iPad Air and IPad Mini 2

October 22, 2013 Nir Shein 2 Comments

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

iPad Mini 2

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

iPad Air

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

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

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

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

[youtube id=”XOPZBbbF9bA”]

[Apple]

tablets

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

October 22, 2013 Nir Shein

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

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

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[Nokia]

General

Lenovo Introduces 8-inch Miix2 Tablet With Windows 8.1

October 17, 2013 Nir Shein

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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