Tag Archives: Video

tablets

Lenovo’s Windows 8 ThinkPad Tablet 2 Gets Official, Coming in October

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Lenovo have already shown us (at Computex 2012) a glimpse of things to come in the Windows 8 area. And thankfully, it wasn’t long till things got underway. As much as we look forward to Lenovo’s next-gen ThinkPad device, it’s Microsoft’s brand new operating system that makes us interested and curious; and the Thinkpad tablet 2 actually has it. Scheduled for release in October, the 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen slate runs an Intel Atom processor under the 1,366 x 768 IPS display. In addition, it will pack a micro-HDMI output, alongside  a 10-hour battery, a rear 8MP camera and a front 2MP for your video chats, optional 3G / 4G connectivity, NFC radio capabilities and  HSPA+ cellular support.

Other cool features of the ThinkPad 2 include a fingerprint reader, a quality stylus pen, a lavish black 9.8mm-thick design, an optional keyboard, and a portable docking station with a myriad of ports such as USB, HDMI-out and an Ethernet socket, on board. No word yet on pricing, but you can hit the jump for the full PR release and a very early hands-on video.

Update: Lenovo has recently announced the Tablet 2 will start at $649, with shipping to begin later this month (e.g October).

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Video courtesy of booredatwork

 

Lenovo Announces New ThinkPad Tablet 2 for Windows 8

Debuts premier table built for professionals and designed for life

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – AUGUST 9, 2012: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today unveiled its first tablet specifically designed for Windows 8, the ThinkPad Tablet 2. The multi-use tablet boasts differentiators that matter, including an optional digitizer and pen for precision input, 3G wireless with Lenovo Mobile Access pay-as-you-go plans and 4G models, along with security features like a Fingerprint Reader, IT manageability technologies, and corporate-level service and support.

“Customers want a versatile device that fits their lifestyle and the many ways they use technology,” said Dilip Bhatia, vice president and general manager, ThinkPad Business Unit. “Our new ThinkPad Tablet 2 marries incredible hardware and software to give consumers a great device for office, home or travel while also offering companies and IT managers the oversight they need to help secure and manage their company’s networks and data. “For the next generation of Lenovo PCs, designed to be great with Windows 8, we’re working closer than ever with Microsoft Corp. and our silicon partners. Today we are excited to reveal the fruit of this collaborative co-engineering, the ThinkPad Tablet 2, a joint effort between Lenovo, Microsoft and Intel.”

ThinkPad Tablet 2: New Power to Create
Technology like the multi-use ThinkPad Tablet 2 helps manage the increasing overlap between personal and work life today. Based on the upcoming Intel® Atom Processor-based mobile platform and Windows 8 Pro, the ThinkPad Tablet 2 works the way users do across their varied environments. It has an exceptionally thin and light design measuring 9.8 mm thin and weighing less than 600 grams (1.3 pounds), all in a 10.1-inch screen. The versatile tablet supports multiple input methods: multi-finger touch and an optional digitizer and pen, especially good for note taking, capturing signatures and completing forms. The optional ThinkPad Tablet 2 keyboard and dock can be paired with the tablet for more PC-like computing in the office. With an array of ports including a full-size USB port, workers easily can attach existing devices like monitors and printers.

Suited for commuting and in field scenarios, the tablet offers virtually anywhere connectivity and productivity with 3G and 4G wireless models. The tablet serves lifestyle computing uses just as well as business tasks with its package of communications and entertainment features: HD display, front and rear-facing cameras for video conferencing and uploading photos, noise canceling microphones, HDMI port and wireless video streaming.

While users will like the tablet for its aesthetics and powerful features, IT managers will particularly enjoy its security-enhanced and manageability technologies. With the optional Fingerprint Reader, passwords are biometrically stored. The encrypted internal and external storage meet the highest levels of security requirements. Using Windows 8 Pro and the Intel x86 architecture, IT managers can provide for VPN access, utilize existing Windows management tools, manage application deployment and block users from installing certain apps. In addition, Lenovo Services offer a complete suite of packages, including sealed battery warranties, accidental damage protection and custom imaging.

Availability
The ThinkPad Tablet 2 will be available when Windows 8 launches in October.

tablets

Samsung’s 10.1-Inch Galaxy Note To Go Live in August

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Oh! What do we have in here? No, this isn’t the Microsoft Courier, in case you were wondering. As a matter of fact, we didn’t really expect it to be released, at all. But because the overall look closely resembles the Redmond version, we thought it was definitely worth a mention. So what the heck is it? Well, It’s Korean, has a 1.4 GHz Exynos quad-core processor, a very handy stylus pen, and it’s called… (drums) the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1; which, as the name might indicate, features a 10.1-inch display on top. Other than that, we’re looking at a 3G-enabled tablet, packing a 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi connectivity, 2GB of RAM, Android Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) for the OS, and LTE wireless network support. It also has a rear 5MP shooter, and a 1.9MP front-facing camera, Bluetooth 4.0, a USB 2.0 hub and either 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of storage, at your choice. But what makes the new Galaxy Note device so special is the S Pen and the “multiscreen” feature which make everything run so nice and smoothly, thanks to the use of  Wacom’s built-in digitizer technology that comes to hand, out of the box. At this point, while we’re still waiting on official pricing, Samsung is planning to hold a US launch event that will take place on August 15th. Until then, you can peep the video and full PR after the break. 

Update: Quad-core Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet will be officially available on August 16, for $499 (16GB) or $549 (32GB). Please be sure to checkout the hands-on video after the break.

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SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 10.1 AVAILABLE GLOBALLY IN AUGUST

Samsung inspires a culture of active content creation, productivity and learning

London UK, August 6 2012 – Samsung today announced the launch of the Galaxy Note 10.1, an extension of the Galaxy Note category. The Galaxy Note 10.1 offers the functionality and precision of a pen and paper on a 10.1-inch large display, which will enable people to amplify their creativity, productivity, and learning ability.

Providing an intuitive experience and armed with a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor and 2GB RAM for enhanced performance, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is designed to simplify the process of capturing ideas, accessing information and multi-tasking, making each easier and faster and allowing people to express their ideas in an efficient way.

Simon Stanford, Vice President, UK & IRE Telecommunications & Networks Division, Samsung UK and Ireland said: “Following the success of the very first Galaxy Note which we launched at the end of last year, we’re delighted that our UK customers will now be able to experience the evolution of this device for themselves. The Galaxy Note 10.1 is a product we are very excited about and will offer our customers a new way to use and experience a tablet device. As well as being able to consume content such as videos, photos, document and the Internet, the Galaxy Note 10.1 also gives them the power to produce, create and customise that same content – something they won’t get from any other product on the market.”

The Galaxy Note 10.1 incorporates key intuitive features and capabilities such as side-by-side multitasking. This is thanks to its ‘Multiscreen’ on a 10.1-inch large screen; unique S Pen with a variety of S Note templates and productive tools (Shape Match and Formula Match); Learning Hub* for accessing educational curricula and Adobe’s premium creative application Photoshop® Touch.

True Multi-Tasking with Multiscreen feature

With the Galaxy Note 10.1’s Multiscreen feature, it’s possible to use two different applications side-by-side simultaneously. So Web pages and videos can be viewed, or applications launched using one half of the screen, at the same time as the other half is used for writing or sketching ideas with the S Pen. What’s more, customers can capture and crop images, and paste them onto the other screen to make personal notes. The Multiscreen feature allows people to be more productive and efficient whilst also enjoying multimedia content. Galaxy Note 10.1 brings a new culture of creation through the owner’s own notes, and enables an entirely new experience to improve productivity and enjoyment.

S Pen & S Note for Personalised and Organised Note-taking

Featuring its advanced 6.5mm S Pen, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is optimised for the creation of personalised and expressive content in the most natural and intuitive way. The S Pen’s feel and functionality are specifically designed for an optimal experience on the 10.1-inch screen. The S Pen is embedded directly in the device and, when removed, automatically launches specially optimised applications, including S Note, S Planner, Crayon physics, Adobe® Photoshop® Touch, and Polaris Office.

Alternatively, people can easily set their preferred application to be launched instantly. For example, S Note can be launched instantly when the S Pen is taken out from the device. Owners can also tap the screen twice while pressing the S Pen button for quick S Note access via the S Note-dedicated widget, which can be easily moved anywhere on the display, never hindering or obstructing creativity or productivity.

The S Note is a unique tool that enables notes and sketches to be combined with other digital content in ready-to-use templates. The Shape Match and Formula Match features help correct and digitise geometric shapes and solve numeric formulas hand-written with the S Pen. The S Note is also integrated with knowledge search engines so that content can be searched for and information obtained, and then easily drag and dropped onto S Notes without having to switch between screens. Exclusively pre-loaded on Galaxy Note 10.1, the Adobe® Photoshop® Touch application means owners can professionally edit photos with the ease and precision of the S Pen.

Active Learning Experience
The Galaxy Note 10.1 is an ideal learning tool that allows students to take notes directly on an eTextbook whilst in lectures, or research the Web at the same time as writing an essay. Samsung’s Learning Hub service is optimised for Galaxy Note 10.1 allowing owners to access extensive multimedia educational content whatever their age. This content includes eTextbooks, video lectures, interactive coaching and much more, and can be shared with multiple Samsung devices. Furthermore, Learning Hub comes with a learning management system providing schedule management and performance and achievement management tools so students of any age can learn at their own pace.

Superior Hardware Performance
Galaxy Note 10.1 is designed with advanced hardware technology, including a 1.4GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of internal RAM. Seamless multi-tasking, high-standard graphics, and blazing-fast performance without any lag are essential features of the device. The Galaxy Note 10.1 also includes a 5- megapixel main camera and a 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera.

Several other features have been added to the Galaxy Note 10.1, including Smart Stay, which tracks the owner’s eye to ensure that the screen is always on while being looked at; and Pop Up Play, which allows a video to be watched anywhere on the screen while simultaneously running other tasks. With AllShare® Play, content can be shared with a large group in real-time by connecting the Galaxy Note 10.1 to Samsung HD TVs, mobile tablets, laptops, and other consumer electronic devices on the same network. With AllShare Group Cast, people can also share and collaborate on documents, presentations, or images without loading the files separately.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 comes in three connectivity options: WiFi-only and WiFi-and-3G HSPA-Plus connectivity, which are both available at launch, and WiFi-and-LTE which will be available later this year.

tablets

High-end Asus Transformer Pad TF700 Coming to The U.S in July

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Asus is gearing up to break into U.S high-end tablet market with the whole new 10-inch Transformer Pad TF700, which was announced last February in Barcelona, at  the Mobile World Congress. Known as the Transformer Pad Infinity, the new TF700 is of all-Gorilla Glass construction on top, housing a 1920 x 1200 IPS display under the hood, and rocking 600 nits of brightness, at max. In addition, you will find 1GB of DDR3 RAM inside, paired with a quad-core Tegra 3 SoC, and in the 4G case, a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor. As for operating system, the TF700 ships preloaded with Android 4.0, the latest portable OS from Google. Moving forward, there’s also a built-in Bluetooth 3.0 for speedy wireless connectivity, and a pair of cameras, including an 8MP f/2.2 rear facing camera capable of 1080p video recording, and a 2MP secondary camera up front for video chat.

Word is it’s due to be released Stateside July 16th, and will cost about $499 for the 32GB model and $599 for the 64GB flavor. While the docking cradle will set you back $149. But if you already have any previous version, we’d recommend you keep it, they’re very compatible with each other.

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tablets

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

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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.

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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.

Operating Systems, software

Apple Officially Announces iOS 6 at WWDC With More Than 200 New Features

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apple-ios6

The WWDC 2012 keynote at Moscone Center has ended not long ago. During the Worldwide Developers Conference Apple did not announce any new iPhone 5 hardware, nor did it unveil a 7-inch iPad or a new TV set. Instead, we got a truck load of cool announcements, including a new line of Macs and the all new iOS 6. This post will focus on the iOS 6 that has added more than 200 new features to the next-gen mobile platform, and will hopefully go live sometime this fall (developers version to be available today).

But before we start, we would like to share some interesting facts that Apple has reported for the keynote. Currently, the App store has about 400 million user accounts with a valid credit card attached – “This is the store with the largest number of accounts with credit cards anywhere on the internet that we’re aware of,” says Mr.Cook. There are more than 650,000 apps available to download, 225,000 are made for the iPad. During the years, Cupertino has paid out over $5 billion to developers, and users have downloaded merely 30,000,000,000 apps in total.

As for iOS stats, 365 million iOS devices sold through March, 1.5 trillion push notifications created on iOS, 150 billion iMessages sent, and 10 billion tweets were launched from iOS 5.

So what’s new in iOS 6?

Siri, the queen of the platform, just got a whole lot smarter. From now on it will get you, on real time, all the sporting details you’d expect, including scores, stats and game summaries. In addition, Siri can instantly launch any app in your phone, and is able to tweet your personal messages with a new voice dictation. Siri in iOS 6 will also integrate with iPad devices, and will gain knowledge in few more languages. It is also likely to get a smarter ‘Eyes Free’ car integration in the foreseeable future.

Facebook gets a deep integration in iOS 6, as well. Basically, it means that the process of importing contact lists from the popular social network to mobile is now a lot more simple. But that’s not all, my fellow readers… Both Facebook events and birthdays will be syncing with your smartphone on a daily basis.

Maps in iOS 6 are “a worldwide effort” says Apple. There’s a Turn-by-Turn navigation capability, and Siri, the automated voice, is also being supported, “Just ask Siri to take you somewhere and you’re on your way. Ask questions along your route, like where can I get gas?” and you’re on.

Other than that, we’re looking at some really solid features. I like that you’re getting Facetime over 3G, instant photo sharing over iCloud, “Do Not Disturb” notifications tweak, and a much better mail and Safari UI experience.

All in all, iOS 6 is likely to support  iPhone 3GS devices and later, iPad 2 / 3, and the iPod touch 4th generation.

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[Apple]

 

Apple Previews iOS 6 With All New Maps, Siri Features, Facebook Integration, Shared Photo Streams & New Passbook App

Available to iPhone, iPad & iPod touch Users This Fall

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apple® today previewed iOS 6, introducing over 200 new features to the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, and released a beta version to iOS Developer Program members. iOS 6 will be available to iPhone®, iPad® and iPod touch® users this fall as a free software update. New iOS 6 features include: an all new Maps app with Apple-designed cartography, turn-by-turn navigation and an amazing new Flyover view; new Siri® features, including support for more languages, easy access to sports scores, restaurant recommendations and movie listings; Facebook integration for Contacts and Calendar, with the ability to post directly from Notification Center, Siri and Facebook-enabled apps like Photos, Safari® and Maps; Shared Photo Streams via iCloud®; and Passbook, the simplest way to get all your passes in one place.

“iOS 6 continues the rapid pace of innovation that is helping Apple reinvent the phone and create the iPad category, delivering the best mobile experience available on any device”
“iOS 6 continues the rapid pace of innovation that is helping Apple reinvent the phone and create the iPad category, delivering the best mobile experience available on any device,” said Scott Forstall, Apple’s senior vice president of iOS Software. “We can’t wait for hundreds of millions of iOS users to experience the incredible new features in iOS 6 including the new Maps app, expanded Siri support, deep Facebook integration, Shared Photo Streams and the innovative new Passbook app.”

iOS 6 includes an all new Maps app with vector-based map elements that make graphics and text smooth, and panning, tilting and zooming incredibly fluid. New turn-by-turn navigation guides you to your destination with spoken directions, and the amazing Flyover feature has photo-realistic interactive 3D views. Real-time traffic information keeps you updated on how long it will take to get to your destination and offers alternate time-saving routes if traffic conditions change significantly. Additionally, local search includes information for over 100 million businesses with info cards that offer Yelp ratings, reviews, available deals and photos.

Siri, now available for the new iPad as well as iPhone 4S, includes language support for English, French, German and Japanese, and adds support for Spanish, Italian, Korean, Mandarin and Cantonese. Siri is optimized for use in 15 countries and helps you get even more done with just your voice, whether it’s finding the latest sports scores or making restaurant reservations. You also can ask Siri to update your status on Facebook, post to Twitter or launch an app. Additionally, Siri takes hands-free functionality even further with a new Eyes Free mode, enabling you to interact with your iPhone using nothing more than your voice.

Built-in Facebook integration is the best ever in a mobile device, allowing you to sign in once and post from Notification Center, Siri and Facebook-enabled apps, including Photos, Safari and Maps. Your Facebook friends’ information is kept up to date across all your iOS devices, automatically updating details in Contacts when they change, and scheduling events and birthdays in your Calendar. You can also “Like” content directly from the App Store™ and iTunes® and see what your friends recommend.

With more than 125 million users already enjoying iCloud, iOS 6 introduces new ways to share photos with friends and family using Shared Photo Streams. Simply select the photos you want to share, pick which friends you want to receive the album, and the Shared Photo Stream album is instantly available on their iOS devices, iPhoto® and Aperture® on their Mac®, via the web or even through Apple TV®. You and your friends can leave comments on or “Like” any photo in a shared album.

The new Passbook app is the simplest way to get all your passes in one place, such as boarding passes and baseball tickets. Passbook lets you scan your iPhone or iPod touch to use a coupon, get into a concert or check into your hotel. Passbook automatically displays your passes on your Lock Screen based on a specific time or location, so when you walk into your favorite coffee shop your loyalty card appears and you can scan it to buy a coffee or check your balance. Passbook can even alert you to last minute gate changes or flight delays at the airport.

Building on Apple’s commitment to provide innovative solutions for education and accessibility, iOS 6 introduces Guided Access. This new feature allows a parent, teacher or administrator to disable hardware buttons to lock an iOS device into a single app, especially useful for test taking or helping someone with a disability stay focused on learning. Guided Access also includes the ability to confine touch input to certain parts of the screen.

Additional new iOS 6 features include:

• enhancements to Safari, the world’s most popular mobile browser, such as iCloud tabs, offline reading lists, photo uploads and full screen view;

• support for FaceTime® calls over cellular networks;

• the ability to set up a VIP Mailbox, making it easier to quickly view messages from important people you designate as VIPs;

• the option to decline incoming calls with a quick message, set a callback reminder and enable a new Do Not Disturb option; and

• a whole new set of improvements and services specifically for iOS users in China, such as improved text input and built-in support for popular Chinese services including Baidu, Sina Weibo, Youku and Tudou.

Availability

The iOS 6 beta software and SDK are available immediately for iOS Developer Program members at developer.apple.com. iOS 6 will be available as a free software update for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, the new iPad, iPad 2 and iPod touch (fourth generation) this fall. Some features may not be available on all products.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

Computex, tablets

Lenovo Shows Off a 10.1-inch Windows 8 ThinkPad Tablet

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Another day, another Windows 8 tablet demo over at Computex 2012. This time a Lenovo Thinkpad prototype, spotted around the Intel booth, running a full-fledged Win 8 software behind the lid, and said to include a 10.1-inch 1366 x 768 screen, sitting on top of a 9.7mm black sturdy body that packs two cameras (8MP rear, 2MP front), a docking connector, a volume rocker, and a micro-HDMI port. At this point in time, we are looking at one of the very early-stage devices out there, and the final product might look just a little different – And that’s probably why most specs are scarce right now. As far as CPU goes, it’s mainly some sort of an Intel Clover Trail processor, while the battery is rumored to deliver around 10 hours of continuous and reliable performance to each and every charge. And make no mistake, this is a Windows 8 slate and not an Android 4.0 device – It is a bit confusing and does take time to get used to, we know. The overall look seems to be more thought out and reserved, you get a typical Thinkpad design around the slab, with a softy scratches-free plate covering the upper hood. But as we’ve mentioned it’s still early days, so please keep a look out for more details and info.

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Video by netbooknews

Photo by CNET

Computex, tablets

ASUS Introduces Tablets 600 and 810 with Tegra 3 and Windows 8

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Alright, I get it, the hybrid tablets trend is my personal bet on what will become the next big thing in portable computing. We have already seen the Asus Transformer lineup making a splash all over the world in the past few months, Acer has just released its very own Iconia hybrid tablets series, and the Taiwanese corp, Asus, is coming back again this term to launch the forthcoming new iteration, with Windows 8 on board. The new lineup includes two refreshing flavors, the Transformer Tablet 810 and the Transformer Tablet 600, both running Microsoft’s latest and greatest software under the hood, while the 600 is an ARM-based model with Windows RT for the OS, and the 810 packs a stronger Intel processor with full Windows 8 pre-loaded  inside.

The first tablet in that group, the Transformer Tablet 600, comes out of the box with a quad-core Tegra 3 chip, tucked with a 10.1-inch 600-nit 1366×768 Super IPS+ panel, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage. There’s a micro HDMI port around the chassis, and a microSD card slot for extended storage. In addition, you will find  an eight-megapixel camera plus LED flash on the back, a two-megapixel camera up front for video conferencing, WiFi  b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, eCompass and NFC support.

The second, the Transformer Tablet 810, uses the same Super IPS+ 1366 x 768 touchscreen, with a bigger 11.6-inch display on top. Other than that, we’re looking at a 64GB Windows 8 device, boasting Intel’s Medfield CPU (Atom’s next gen), along with 2GB of RAM and a Wacom digitizer pen support. The rest of the specs are pretty much similar to the 600 version (i.e WiFi, Blouetooth, cameras and GPS).

 

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Videos by netbooknews

Image by notebookitalia

ASUS Presents a Complete Solution for the Ubiquitous Cloud Computing Era
Chairman Jonney Shih unveils ASUS Open Cloud Computing, integrating software, services and the ultimate ASUS transformation devices into one seamless platform

Taipei, Taiwan (4 June, 2012) – At ASUS’ pre-Computex press event “Incredible Innovation Endless Possibilities”, Chairman Jonney Shih unveiled the company’s total solution for the ubiquitous cloud computing era, ASUS Open Cloud Computing (A.O.C.C.).

“At ASUS we have been incubating for the arrival of this exciting era for several years. We believe that an open and balanced architecture can provide the best, ultimate solution for the new ubiquitous cloud computing era,” said Mr. Shih as he introduced A.O.C.C. and unveiled an entire line of incredibly innovative products including ASUS TAICHI, Transformer AiO, Transformer Book, Designo MX monitors and RT-AC66U router which took transformation into a whole new level.

ASUS TAICHI
The ASUS TAICHI is a slim and stylish ultraportable with an astonishing double-sided LED-backlit IPS/FHD display. With a touch screen on the outside of the lid, the TAICHI opens up a whole host of new mobile possibilities as it plays the role of both notebook and tablet. With the lid open, it’s just like any other notebook computer, but with the lid closed the TAICHI instantly becomes a multi-touch tablet computer with stylus support. Better still, the two screens are completely independent of each other and can be used simultaneously for a host of innovative new applications. Available in both 11.6″ and 13.3″ screen sizes, the TAICHI is as light and thin as the ASUS ZENBOOK™ and delivers uncompromised mobile performance, with 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors, fast SSD storage and dual band 802.11n Wi-Fi.

ASUS Transformer AiO
Part tablet, part All-in-One PC, the Transformer AiO is an innovative device that can seamlessly switch between both, and features dual operating systems to give users the option of switching between Windows and Android to suit their needs. Engineered to work with Windows 8, the Transformer AiO features an extended 18.4″ 10-point multi-touch LED-backlit display which can be easily removed from its base station to become a wireless display for the AiO PC, extending the range of the PC and allowing users to continue with their work anywhere in the home. The display can also be converted into an Android-based tablet for the home with the press of a button.

ASUS Transformer Book
The ASUS Transformer Book is the world’s first convertible notebook – allowing users to instantly switch between a notebook and a tablet by simply detaching the screen. It is aimed at users who prefer the portability of a multi-touch tablet computer for leisure, but still want access to a more traditional Windows-based notebook for productivity use. Thanks to 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors and discrete graphics, along with SSD and HDD storage, 4GB DDR3 dual-channel RAM and USB 3.0, the Transformer Book delivers performance that rivals other notebooks on the market. It also features ASUS SonicMaster technology to deliver crystal-clear sound with deep rich bass through its integrated speakers.

ASUS Tablet 810 (Windows 8) ASUS Tablet 600 (Windows RT)
The ASUS Tablet 810 (Windows 8) features the Next Generation Intel® Atom™ processor and 2GB of RAM with a 64GB eMMC for user storage. The 11.6″ display with 1366 x 768 resolution uses Super IPS+ technology to deliver superior visual clarity both indoors and out, while its 10-point multi-touch is complemented by Wacom digitizer stylus support.

The ASUS Tablet 600 (Windows RT) utilizes the NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core processor and 12-core GPU for outstanding mobile graphics performance; it also has 2GB RAM and a 32GB eMMC for user storage. The 600’s 10.1″ display with 1366 x 768 resolution features Super IPS+ technology for excellent readability both indoors and out.

Key to both the 810 and 600, however, is the supplied mobile dock that instantly transforms the tablets into compact clamshell ultraportables, complete with full QWERTY keyboards, a trackpad, additional USB expansion and a second battery for extended usage away from the power socket. Both tablets also include ASUS SonicMaster technology for supreme audio and built-in NFC sensors for easy syncing with other NFC-enabled devices.

ASUS Designo MX279H and MX239H monitors
ASUS’ displays are industry leaders when it comes to vibrant colors and elegant design. With their attractive looks and bezel-free matte IPS panels with LED-backlighting, ultra-wide 178° viewing angles and outstanding color reproduction, the new Designo 27″ MX279H and 23″ MX239H displays ensure customer happiness with their slim and stylish design which exudes beauty. Dual HDMI inputs provide flexible connectivity options, while ASUS SonicMaster technology, co-developed with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower® audio delivers incredible audio fidelity.

ASUS RT-AC66U router
The ASUS RT-AC66U router integrates dual-band Gigabit wireless with fifth generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology, also known as 5G WiFi, which enables speeds up to three times faster than existing 802.11n. As one of the first routers to achieve this, it tops Gigabit wireless requirements with a combined 2.4GHz/5GHz bandwidth of 1.75Gbps. This massive data rate makes it an excellent high speed router for demanding online applications, coupled with exclusive ASUS AiRadar signal amplification and shaping technology. Easy ASUSWRT setup, multiple SSIDs, and IPv6 support further enhance networking, while strong USB-based capabilities turn the RT-AC66U into a 3G, FTP, DLNA, and printer server for genuine multi-role functionality.

Computex, tablets

Acer Announces 11.6-inch Iconia W700 and 10.1-inch W510 Windows 8 Tablets

3 Comments

At Computex 2012, Acer has just unveiled a new line of Windows 8 tablets under its Iconia family, the Iconia W700 and Iconia W510. In general, it feels like we’re at the early beginning of a very exciting time for Microsoft and Windows 8 tablets, and Acer’s recent introduction was quite a fine start.

The first model that we’re going to see from Acer in the coming months is the sturdy 11.6-inch W700, which has a 1920 x 1080 full HD screen display on top, with up to 10 fingers support. In addition, it offers three USB 3.0 ports, along with up to 8 hours of battery life and an integrated Dolby Home Theater audio system that lets you share your music directly with others. Other than that, the W700 comes with a dedicated keyboard and a proprietary cradle attachment solution that enables quick and easy mounting at 70 degrees for landscape, or 20 degrees of viewing mode. The brand new tablet is also equipped with a built-in Thunderbolt video/storage connection, paired with a micro HDMI, two speaker grills on the back, headphone and power jacks around the chassis and of course, a set of volume controls. A rear five-megapixel autofocus camera is also included in this fancy schmancy package, tucked with the usual VGA shooter that sits on the front.

Up next, is the Iconia W510 which sports a 10.1-inch IPS touchscreen, crammed with a bunch of stereo speakers on both sides, and a slew of integrated ports, such as microSD, micro-USB, HDMI and a SIM card slot. There’s also a detachable apple-like keyboard dock goodness included in the bundle, that can stretch your tablet’s battery life up to 18 hours of continuous work. But it’s not just the extended battery at stake, the dock houses a full-size USB 2.0 port, paired with a proprietary connector, etched into the left side of the object.

Regretfully, there are no further details as to devices specifications, price, or availability, so stay tuned or hop the break to see the full breakdown.

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Videos by netbooknews.com

 

Acer Presents Windows 8® Tablets

Featuring multipurpose viewing on Full HD touchscreens

TAIPEI, TAIWAN (June 4, 2012) – Acer presents two of its newest Windows® 8 tablets at Computex Taipei. The ICONIA W510 evolves the computing experience with three different modes of touchscreen operation, while the ICONIA W700 is the best-performing Windows 8 tablet with the added versatility of a cradle. Both designed to set new standards in ergonomics and user-friendliness.

The most unique part of the W510 tablet is the tri-mode, allowing users to touch, type and view. Aside from the conventional tablet mode, it can be used in productivity mode. A detachable keyboard dock can be connected to the tablet for optimal typing as well as extending the battery life up to 18 hours. Rotating the tablet 295 degrees allows it to be used in presentation mode, which is excellent for watching a video, browsing a webpage or viewing a PowerPoint presentation.

In addition, the W510 has Always On, Always Connect technology, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen, providing a wider viewing angle with more vibrant, consistent and accurate colors. It is an everyday tablet with convertible functions, smartly designed for modern day explorers whose primary needs are freedom of usage for slate, keyboard and hands-free touch.

Acer’s W700 comes with a multipurpose cradle that allows for several viewing options. When using it in landscape, it can be tilted up to 70 degrees for better viewing, or 20 degrees for convenient touch. Furthermore, it can be used vertically like a portrait for easy browsing and reading. The W700 also has three USB 3.0 ports for expansion.

The W700 is equipped with an 11.6-inch Full HD touchscreen as well as Dolby® Home Theater® for multimedia pleasure; it is set to become the optimum-performance Windows 8 tablet for modern day explorers on-the-go, at home or in the office.

software

Untethered iOS 5.1.1 Absinthe 2.0 Jailbreak Released

This is coming as very good news to those of us who have been waiting anxiously to jailbreak they’re iOS 5.1.1 devices, ever since the latest firmware update was officially out. A “large collaborative effort between Chronic-Dev Team and iPhone Dev Teams” made this possible for you guys to finally let the magic happen, and for those who’ve been waiting, the day has finally come. An untethered jailbreak tool called Absinthe 2.0 is now available through the well-known channels, supporting the following:

iPad1,1 – 2,1 – 2,2 – 2,3 – 3,1 – 3,2 – 3,3

iPhone2,1 – 3,1 – 3,3 – 4,1

iPod3,1 – 4,1

(Support for iPad2,4 will be added at a later date)

For further instructions and software download please visit here.

Update1: Make sure to check out the video after the break.

Update2: It looks like the Dev-Team has already released version 2.0.1 to fix the hanging issue.

[youtube id=”xV30IeIx8vs”]

tablets

Lenovo IdeaTab S2109 Quietly Introduced With Ice Cream Sandwich On Board

1 Comment

Lenovo has finally jumped on the Ice Cream Sandwich bandwagon. That’s right folks, the Chinese Corp. just quietly unveiled (on YouTube ) a 9.7-inch tablet, and claims it will launch with an Android 4.0 OS on board. And while price and availability are yet to be determined, the 8.9mm-thick device, called IdeaTab S2109, is said to be including some sort of a TI OMAP chipset, alongside a 1024 x 768 IPS screen display, a microSD memory card expansion, microUSB plus micro-HDMI ports, quad speakers on the back and a 1.3 megapixels shooter up front. Right now, there are no capacity details to share, but the battery life would approximately last up to 10 hours of work. So without further ado, hit the jump and watch the video.

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[via SlashGear]

tablets

ASUS Transformer Prime To Get a GPS Add-On Fix

The Wall Street Journal reports that Taiwanese Corp. Asus has officially confirmed that it plans to begin the roll-out of a special kit in order to fix, once and for all, those GPS issues that’ve recently plagued its most powerful Transformer Prime tablet. According to a Friday announcement from Asus, the company will soon offer Transformer Prime users to register online their personal slates (on a dedicated members site) and secure themselves an external dongle that “may help improve signal reception and optimize the user experience.” In that regard, the GPS Extension Kit is scheduled to be released somewhere around mid-April of this year, and will be given away to all customers as a free hardware solution. Not bad Asus, not bad at all.

Update1: Looks like Asus has officially opened up doors to Prime users from across the world, to register their “Pads” and have the dongle shipped over. And while there’s no exact date on when this GPS add-on will be delivered, the offer will expire on July 31st.

tablets

Archos Officially Unveils The G10 XS Series, World’s Thinnest Tablets

French multimedia company Archos has just shown the world a glimpse of its upcoming G10 xs tablets lineup. According to journos who were briefed on the issue, the company plans to launch three new flavors, sized at either 7, 8, or 10-inch diagonally, and priced between 200 to 400 Euros, respectively. There still isn’t much information from Archos about the handsets’ Android OS, although it’s likely to launch with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) running on board. Furthermore, the 7.6mm (thick) metal devices which will become available later this year, are likely to be offered alongside an optional keyboard docking station; the same kind you’d find in ASUS’ Transformer Prime models. And for the record, the size of the two components attached, is not greater than 12mm (The New iPad measures 9.39mm, in case you wondered). To get a better idea, just click the source link below, or watch the video teaser after the break.

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[via ArcTablet]

tablets

The New iPad Gets The Unboxing Treatment

1 Comment

If you are running out of patience and desperately want to get your hands on Apple’s New iPad, there’s still couple of days before the official release. But in the meantime, until the new Retina display iPad officially goes live, a group of Vietnamese bloggers has managed to snag a white flavor of the purported iPad 3 device, and have slapped together an unboxing video. Unfortunately, we hardly speak their language, but the 4G evidence is all over the  place. Not to mention the high-def 9.7-inch touchscreen on top, and the 5-inch camera on the back. Wanna take a closer look? Just hit the jump and watch the video, or click on the source link below to see more detailed images.

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[via Tinhte.vn]

tablets

iPad 3 Reported To Have 2048×1536 Retina Display On Board

While you should always take early reports with a little grain of salt, especially when it comes to Apple, the good guys over at MacRumors say they have managed to put their hands on one of those black market HD displays, claiming to be Apple’s next iPad 3 touchscreen surfaces (somehow labeled as OEM replacement parts for the iPad 3). And while current iPad 1 and iPad 2 displays feature a 9.7-inch screen size and 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch, the new one, which may well be released early next month, boasts the same aspect ratio, but  offers a full resolution of 2048×1536 – twice the linear resolution of the first two Cupertino tablets. In other words a “game changer,” definitely when we are talking about online media and HD television. Full details are not yet known but the formal announcement is expected on March 7, so stay tuned.

Update: iFixit guys have gotten their paws on the alleged iPad 3 display and given us a very insightful look at what we should bbe expecting, hopefully this March. Hit the jump and watch their video.

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tablets

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) Officially Breaks Cover With Ice Cream Sandwich Running On Board

2 Comments

Well it’s not just a rumor anymore! Samsung has officially announced the release of the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0), a contemporary version to Sammy’s latest and greatest Galaxy Tab Plus edition, that will probably go live sometime this March, with Android 4.0 operating inside alongside a 1024 x 600 LCD, 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, A-GPS, 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot, and your choice of Wi-Fi or always-on 3G connectivity out of the box. Furthermore, the 10.5mm tablet will pack a  3-megapixel rear-facing camera, paired with a typical 1.3-megapixel flavor on the front. There’s also a 4,000 mAh battery under the lid, an optional HSPA+ connectivity (in case you’re interested), and a DLNA support to wrap it all up. Prices are yet to be determined, but full PR release and the video announcement can be found, after the jump.

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video by dotekmánie

 [via Sammyhub]

Samsung’s new GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) offers optimal multimedia experiences in life

February 13, 2012

Samsung expands the GALAXY Tab range with GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) powered by the AndroidTM 4.0 and a 1GHz dual core processor

Prague, February 13, 2012 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today introduced its first line-up of tablets for 2012 with the launch of the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0), expanding the choice of tablets to customers. Light and portable, the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) is the ideal personal on-the-go device, available in 3G and WiFi versions. Starting from UK, the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) will be launched in global market from March.

“Two years ago, Samsung GALAXY Tab began to offer customers more possibilities on the go. Since then, Samsung has actively enhanced our tablet line-up with several tablets in different sizes,” said JK Shin, President of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “The new GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) will provide people with delighted multimedia experience and allow efficient communication.”

Samsung’s first Android 4.0 Tablet

Samsung’s first Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)-powered tablet offers a variety of new and improved Android OS features. An upgraded Android Market enables access to more than 400,000 applications which can be enjoyed across phones or tablets. Furthermore, a more intuitive user interface includes the ability to swipe-control applications as well as a wholly redesigned app gallery for easier sharing of content. The new OS’s vastly faster performance and response times across multiple applications is further enhanced by HSPA＋ 21Mbps or WiFi connectivity.

Additionally, Android 4.0 includes a selection of embedded Google applications that enables users to quickly launch sites and applications that they use frequently; meanwhile, the innovative Face Unlock feature unlocks the tablet through unique facial recognition software.

A complete experience with enriched multimedia content

The GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) offers users easy multimedia access, playback and sharing experiences with Samsung Hub services. Samsung’s Music Hub provides a full music store solution with access to over 17 million tracks. Additionally, the Readers Hub provides the user with access to over 2.3 million e-books, 3,500 magazines and over 2,000 newspapers in 51 languages, while the Game Hub instantly connects users to the latest game titles. Samsung is also introducing the Video Hub, which offers over 1,000 film titles for purchase or rent, and provides reviews, trailers and recommendations for easier content selection using the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0).

Complementing the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0)’s multimedia offering is Samsung’s upgraded Touchwiz user interface that features Hub widgets for one-step access to users’ content in Hubs; the device also presents S Suggest, a new service offering recommendations of apps suited to users’ tastes directly on a home screen.

The GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0)’s superb multimedia experience is further boosted by Samsung’s AllShare Play, a new content-sharing service available for the first time on any Samsung mobile device. AllShare Play allows users to play or live-stream their multimedia content on their GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) from PCs, other Samsung smart devices as well as third-party web storages. Users can also easily transfer content to other devices or directly to web services.

Better Communication Capabilities

Connecting socially has never been easier with GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0)’s built-in powerful communication capabilities.With the voice call capability, the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) can be used just as easily as a phone, affording users the handy convenience of a second device in case they misplace their primary phone. It also lets users to spontaneously arrange multi-party video calls via Google＋ hangouts, as well as engage in group chats or micro-communities to collectively chat or share content. In addition, ChatON, Samsung’s cross-platform communication service, connects all phone users of any platform into a single community. ChatON uses phone numbers instead of ID and passwords, and provides easy instant messaging and group chatting in various formats-images, video, voice, contacts-to make messaging simple and intuitive.

Applications, Mobile, software, tablets

Untethered iOS 5.0.1 Jailbreak for iPhone 4S and iPad 2 Finally Goes Live

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here. A “Dream Team” of iOS experts have just rolled out an untethered jailbreak for Apple’s dual-core A5 iDevices, dubbed Absinthe A5, and designed to target iPhone 4S and iPad 2 running iOS 5.0.1 on board. Please note that it’s for Mac users only, at the moment, but a Windows version is probably going to be out very soon. As usual with most hacks, proceed with caution, but definitely proceed. Click the following link to learn more about the new release, get jailbreaking file here or hit the jump to watch the video.

Update: Well, that didn’t take long. Shortly after the Absinthe A5 untethered jailbreak released for OS X users, the Dream Team further extended their hacking solutions and returned back with a new jailbreak file, designed for Windows aficionados. So either click the source link below, or get the real thing right over here. Once again, you should plan carefully every step.

[youtube id=”ZKR7F-3kGvY”]

video by iJailbreak

[greenpois0n]

Operating Systems, tablets

HP TouchPads Get Ice Cream Sandwich Thanks To a CyanogenMod 9 Alpha 0 Release

If you’re one of those very lucky guys, who have managed to put their hands on HP’s “not available anymore”  Touchpad devices, you need to pay close attention to possible opportunities arising from an early Alpha 0 build of CyanogenMod 9 that lets you run your own edition of Ice Cream Sandwich instead of the pre-loaded WebOS platform available on board. Of course you can have a triple boot tablet constructed from webOS, CM7 and CM9 all together, but that’s not really recommended. However, toying with the idea of bringing this new Android 4.0 into the Touchpad, definitely is (even though you may run into some minor issues when it comes to the camera, video acceleration and Android Market access). To learn more, please visit the RootzWiki link below, or click the jump to watch the video.

[youtube id=”u8imU7nzLG4″]

[via RootzWiki]

tablets

ViewSonic Announces Three New Low Budget Android Tablets

1 Comment

At CES 2012, ViewSonic is announcing three new Android tablets for low-mid U.S markets. The first, known as the ViewSonic E70, runs the latest and greatest Ice Cream Sandwich platform on board, along with a 7-inch WVGA touchscreen on top of the slate and a 1GHz CPU, 4GB of internal storage, WiFi, micro-HDMI out, a front-facing camera, optional 3G connectivity, and micro-SD slot under the lid. This one will be ready for shipping somewhere towards the end of March for ONLY $169, which makes it very competitive price-wise, with the additional upgrades. The second, the ViewPad 10e, will go on sale by the end of the month for $299, and reportedly sports a 10-inch IPS display, paired with a robust 9.1mm chassis, a 1Ghz Cortex A8 CPU and either Honeycomb or Ice Cream Sandwich for the OS, to be determined later, after the show. And last but not least, is the 10-inch (1280×800) ViewSonic ViewPad 10pi, that houses a 1.5GHz Intel Oak Trail z670 chip, powered by dual-boot of Android 2.3 and Windows 7 OS. Now, frankly speaking, we’re not a huge fans of those two different platforms, running together under one slugish roof. It’s slow, very choppy and not a good user-friendly / user experience we, the gadget lovers, are striving for while we’re watching a video or surfing the net. That said, we leave it to your discretion, as long as you’re willing to pay $849 for it. Check out the videos after the jump.

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[videos courtesy of phonearena.com]

tablets

Ainovo Makes It Out With a $79 Novo7 Paladin Ice Cream Sandwich Tablet

You really can’t expect much in a tablet that is so cheap. That, however, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy yourself one, especially if you are struggling to end the month with a positive cash flow. for those who would settle for the second best or just the average tablet device, we would highly recommend getting this brand new $79 Ice Cream Sandwich slate from Ainovo, also known as the Novo7 Paladin tablet. And while we’ve already seen some NOVO7 creatures running an Android 4.0 OS  inside their guts, this one, now available in China, runs a bit cheaper at around $79 or so. In addition to the lower rates, we’re looking at a 7-inch 800 x 480 multitouch display, packed with a MIPS-based 1GHz single core processor, 512MB of RAM, 8GB of storage,  a GC860 GPU, a 3.5mm jack and miniUSB/microSD ports. Unfortunately $79 probably won’t actually buy you GPS or integrated cameras, but it doesn’t really matter for us, is it? Anyway, make sure to check out the video after the break.

[youtube id=”jW0c8chJ5wE”]

tablets

Acer To Launch Iconia Tab A200 In North America For $330

Acer has just confirmed that it’ll be releasing Iconia Tab A200 Stateside, on January 15th, for merely $330. The 10-inch Android Honeycomb tablet which runs NVIDIA’s dual-core Tegra 2 SoC inside, along with a 1280 x 800 display, 8GB of internal storage (16GB version is $20 more), a 2MP front-facing camera and a built-in microSD card slot, is said to include a battery with up to eight hours of work time, and a full-sized USB 2.0 port, to shift your files from one place to another. In addition, we hear that Acer is said to be working on an Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) update that will go live somewhere around mid-February of 2012, but ’till then you can click the jump to read even more about it.

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Acer Expands Popular Tablet Lineup with Iconia Tab A200, A Full-Featured HD Tablet at an Attractive $329 Price

SAN JOSE, Calif., January 5, 2012 – Acer America today announced availability of the Iconia™ Tab A200, the latest addition to Acer’s line of full-featured Android tablets. The new 10.1-inch Iconia Tab A200 is a portable activity hub for gaming, e-books, movies, music, photography, social networking and more. Offered at the attractive price of $329.99, the Iconia Tab A200 will be available to U.S. customers on January 15.

The new Acer Iconia Tab A200 tablet enables customers to interact with and enjoy technology in ways that are both truly natural and exciting. Loaded with the latest edition of Android™ Honeycomb™ 3.2 operating system, the Iconia Tab A200 is user-friendly and extremely interactive with resizable app widgets and fun features the whole family can enjoy. The Iconia Tab A200 also comes with a free upgrade to Android 4.0 (known as Ice Cream Sandwich), which will be available in mid-February.

“The Acer Iconia Tab family of tablets is an excellent example of Acer’s ability to deliver high-performance, full-function mobile devices at unbeatable values,” said Eric Ackerson, senior product marketing manager for Acer America. “Acer brings the Iconia Tab A200 to consumers at an affordable price, without making sacrifices on key tablet features such as expansion, connectivity to other devices, HD displays and cameras.”

High-Quality Performance for Hours of Fun
Sleek and easy to hold, the Iconia Tab A200 weighs 1.5 pounds. The tablet is wrapped in a slim, titanium gray-colored casing, with an eye-catching patterned back side, which is soft to the touch. On the front, the A200 showcases a beautiful HD multi-touch display featuring crystal-clear 1280 x 800 resolution for an outstanding viewing experience.

Made especially for multimedia enjoyment, the Iconia Tab A200 packs hardware and apps for loads of fun. The tablet provides an enhanced level of performance with its NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 dual-core mobile processor and integrated GeForce™ GPU that allows users to enjoy HD gaming, 1080p video, Flash-based applications, faster browsing and multitasking.

Gamers of all ages will enjoy the preloaded Tegra Zone Android app, which allows users to search and download the best Android games that are optimized for NVIDIA Tegra powered tablets. The Iconia Tab A200’s fast gaming experience is also supported by a six-axis motion sensing gyroscope, essential for high-precision gaming so actions and animations are more correctly performed.

Users can enjoy up to eight hours of cable-free battery life , providing endless hours to surf the web, watch movies, play games and read e-books, far from the nearest electrical outlet. The Iconia Tab A200 comes pre-loaded with apps like Kindle for countless reading selections and Netflix for instant delivery of movie and entertainment titles. One tap on the Android Market allows users access to thousands of downloadable apps.

Packed with Practical and Fun Features
Offering superior expansion and connectivity, the Iconia Tab A200 has a full-size USB 2.0 port for hooking up other devices and a MicroSD slot and micro-USB port for passing data. A two megapixel front-facing web camera enables face-to-face chats or quick snaps for still photos. For an enhanced social networking experience, the Iconia Tab A200 includes Acer SocialJogger, which consolidates Facebook, Twitter and more into one spot.

The Iconia Tab A200 improves multitasking with the unique interactive Acer Ring interface, allowing users to customize their tablet experience by putting their most commonly used applications into one easy spot. Users can launch the ring by tapping the double circle located in the system bar, opening a series of key apps, settings, bookmarks or contextual menu options. The tablet also features Screenshot, which quickly captures web images, articles, Google Maps and even smiling faces from video calls. Screenshot can be used in any app for maximum convenience.

Acer clear.fi is installed on the Acer Iconia Tab A200 to connect with any other DLNA-compliant device to quickly and easily share digital medai. Clear.fi automatically connects all Acer devices on a network (smartphones, notebooks, desktops, HD media plays and storage devices) and gathers and organizes media files by type (video, music, photos, pre-recorded TV).

Affordable Pricing Starting at only $329.99
The Acer Iconia Tab A200 will be available in the U.S. on January 15 at national retail stores. The Acer Iconia Tab A200-10g16u with 16GB of memory has a manufactuerer’s suggested retail price of $349.99, while the Acer Iconia Tab A200-10g08u with 8GB of memory has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $329.99.

tablets

Coby To Introduce Five Ice Cream Sandwich Tablets in Q1 2012

It wasn’t so long ago when Ainol announced that they will be debuting a new Android 4.0 tablet pretty soon. And as you can see in the subject, it was just the beginning of good things to come. And when we say “things” then how about 5 new Ice Cream Sandwich tablets from Coby? Well, that’s exactly what the company says in a recent PR document – Five tablets, based on Google’s latest and greatest platform, to be available in early 2012. Now on to the nitty gritty stuff, all tablets will reportedly include 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, 1GB of RAM, WiFi, HDMI output, up to 32GB of storage and a whole new arsenal of capacitive touchscreen displays, range between 7-inch (MID7042) and 10-inch (MID1042) at most. Additional information will be granted at CES 2012, but in the meantime you can checkout the official press release right after the break.


Lifestyle CE Leader to Be Among the First to Market with Extensive Lineup of Powerful Ice Cream Sandwich-Operated Capacitive Touch Units – Q1 2012

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Dec. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Coby Electronics Corporation, the CE leader with products designed to fit every lifestyle, today announced it will ring in the New Year with the exciting launch of its all-new, highly-anticipated collection of Android™ 4.0 OS – “Ice Cream Sandwich” – Internet tablets. Among the first to market with one of the largest lineups of Ice Cream Sandwich-operated tablets, Coby will debut five standout introductory models, giving consumers a wide variety of unique styles and sizes to choose from – all at incredible prices – starting Q1 2012. The brand-new Coby Android 4.0 OS tablet collection will be unveiled at the International Consumer Electronics Show, Booth #12027, in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 10-13, 2012.

“Coby is thrilled to announce our premiere range of feature-packed Android 4.0-powered Internet tablets that will put the world in consumers’ hands as never before,” said Jodi Sally, Vice President of Marketing, Coby Electronics. “We also are proud to be among the first companies to make available a wide range of the newest, Ice Cream Sandwich-operated units, helping to further underscore our commitment to meeting the demands of a broad base of consumers with innovative products in the hottest CE categories.”

Following on the success of Coby’s current top-selling Internet tablets, the exciting Android 4.0 assortment will include the 7″ MID7042, 8″ MID8042 (4:3 aspect ratio), 9″ MID9042, 9.7″ MID9742 (4:3 aspect ratio), and 10″ MID1042. With lightning-fast access to thousands of apps and wireless web browsing, the upcoming units all will feature 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 CPU and offer capacitive multi-touch screens, up to 1GB of RAM, expandable memory up to 32GB, Wi-Fi and HDMI 1080p output. Overall, Coby has stream-lined its features to address the core applications including: browsing the web, playing games, email and viewing one’s favorite media.

tablets

Ainol Announces the NOVO7, World’s First Android 4 Tablet

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Ainol is a well known Chinese player, active in the low-budget tablets market. Frankly speaking, it has never been much of an interest for us, but today it definitely is, as the company announces the world’s first Android 4.0 tablet, or in its most friendly name: Novo7. The 7-inch capacitive touchscreen device which is supposedly based on Ingenic JZ4770 mobile applications processor and powered by a 1GHz XBurst CPU, runs Google’s latest and greatest Ice Cream Sandwich for the OS, and features a Vivante GC860 GPU clocked at 444MHz, along with a VGA front-facing camera plus a rear 2MP, microSD slot expansion (up to 32GB), USB 2.0, an HDMI output, WiFi, built-in G-senor and a battery that can deliver in one single charge 25 hours of video, or about 6-8 hours of continuous video playback work. The price, if you insist on asking, stands at $99 or just above the one hundred mark including shipping. Wouldn’t you get one, now that we’ve told you that? Anyway, while thinking about it hop on in for the full update and a quick video after the break.

 [Ainovo]

Continue reading Ainol Announces the NOVO7, World’s First Android 4 Tablet →

tablets

Acer Iconia Tab A701 and A700 Pop Up In The Wild With Tegra 3 Inside

My, my, what do we have here? Looks like Acer is exploring jumping into the Tegra 3 tablets market, less than a year after unveiling the 10.1-inch Tab A500 slate at CES 2011. According to a leak at the company’s online support page we are expecting to see two new high-res tablets coming out in the next couple of months, dubbed Iconia Tab A700 / A701 and sport NVIDIA’s latest and greatest quad-core chipset, paired with a 10-inch 1920 x 1200 WUXGA touchscreen on top, an HDMI output to hook ’em up to your tele, GPS, Bluetooth connectivity, and Google’s Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich platform, to handle the software under the lid. And just in case you were wondering, the only difference between the two is that the A700 is apparently listed as a WiFi-only model, while the A701 is likely to have a 3G connectivity as well. Price and availability are yet to be disclosed (probably at CES 2012).

Update: We’ve just added a quick Iconia Tab A700 hands-on video, curtesy of androidandme.com. Check it out after the break.

[via Notebook Italia]

Continue reading Acer Iconia Tab A701 and A700 Pop Up In The Wild With Tegra 3 Inside →

tablets

Lenovo is Preparing To Launch a 10.1-inch Ice Cream Sandwich Tablet With Tegra 3 Processor (Update: Lenovo IdeaTab K2)

Rumor has it that Lenovo is planning to release a 10.1-inch Ice Cream Sandwich tablet with a 1.6GHz Tegra 3 chipset inside, by the end of the year. According to a tipster to engadget, the nameless Lenovo device which boasts a brush metal cover on its back, will presumably include NVIDIA’s latest and greatest quad-core Tegra 3 T33 “Kal-El” SoC, paired with 2GB of DDR3 RAM, a full sized USB port, a fingerprint scanner, a rear facing camera of some undetermined description and Google’s top-notch Android platform running on board. Other than that, we have no real details as far as measures, pricing or availability, so stay tuned to learn even more.

Update: New details emerging from the CES show are clearing up the speculations around Lenovo’s upcoming Android 4.0 tablet, the IdeaTab K2, which is rumored to include a high-def 1,920 x 1,200 IPS display, along with a pair of surround technology speakers, and either 1.6GHz or 1.7GHz speed clock CPUs at your choice. To learn more, simply click the jump and watch the hands-on video.

Continue reading Lenovo is Preparing To Launch a 10.1-inch Ice Cream Sandwich Tablet With Tegra 3 Processor (Update: Lenovo IdeaTab K2) →

tablets

Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime Goes Live in Early December With a Quad-Core Tegra 3 Processor On Board

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Asus is upgrading its Eee Pad Transformer Android tablet lineup, launching the Transformer Prime, a 10.1-inch Super IPS plus slate with the first Nvidia quad-core Tegra 3 CPU running on board. This powerful device, which packs the latest and greatest technology available on market at the moment, comes with a stunning 1280 x 800 10-inch IPS screen that claims for 178-degree viewing angles and Gorilla Glass cover on top. In addition, it has an 8.3mm-thick body that houses 1GB of RAM, a GPS navigation module, SonicMaster audio system, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich for the OS (update), and a 1.2 MP front-facing camera, paired with an 8MP lens, sitting on its back. The rear one can auto-focus at f/2.4, and is powered by a back-illuminated CMOS sensor that allows you to capture up to 1080p video frames. In terms of ports, you’ll find inside a mini-HDMI output, 3.5mm audio jack, and a microSD slot, while the battery will deliver up to 12 hours in one single charge, and storage wise, you get to choose between the 32GB version that is about to retail this coming December for $499, or the 64 gigs that will set you back for $599. Finally, there’s an optional mobile keyboard dock, but you’ll obviously need to splurge $149 more. Naturally, it will ease your typing efforts and speed up your projects on-the-go. You will find an integrated USB 2.0 port built into it, and a full-sized SD card slot. It’s a Tegra 3 machine and we’re looking forward to testing it ourselves, furthermore. Until then, you can hit the jump and read the full PR blurbs, or so.

Update1: Checkout the Eee Pad Transformer Prime in action, running Shadowgun at buttery smooth speeds. Hit the break to watch the video.

Update2: Well, looks like the Eee Pad Transformer Prime is finally coming out Stateside, and already available for your pre-orders in places like Amazon, B&H Photo, Tiger Direct and Best Buy. That’s $500 for the 32GB version and $600 for the 64 gigster, remember?

Update3: We’ve just added a quick Ice Cream Sandwitch demo video running on the Eee Pad Transformer Prime. Check it out after the break.

Update4: Looks like most Transformer Prime users are going to be very pleased with the latest news on the pipeline, as Asus officially announces an imminent release of the Ice Cream Sandwich update which is better known as the Android 4.0. It should start showing up all over the world whithin the next couple of hours, so stay tuned and get your brand new tablets ready.

 

Continue reading Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime Goes Live in Early December With a Quad-Core Tegra 3 Processor On Board →

Mobile

Apple Announces New iPhone 4S: 8MP Camera, A5 Dual-Core Chip, Siri Intelligent Voice Assistant, Coming October 14

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apple-iphone4s-mobile

At the “Let’s Talk iPhone” event in Cupertino, Apple officially introduces its iPhone 4S, an upgrade to the iPhone 4 with the “S” mark stands for Speed (Or Super Man, your call). The 4S will run on HSDPA network (dual CDMA / GSM) and will launch on October 14 in the US (Canada, Australia, UK, France, Germany, and Japan), priced at $199 for 16GB, $299 for 32GB and $399 for 64GB, while orders start October 7th.

The new iPhone 4S will sport a rear eight-megapixel camera  (capable of 3264-by-2448 pixel resolution) with a backlit sensor, a DSLR lens mount, and last but not least: 1080p HD recording. Besides that, it boasts 1GB RAM (vs. the 512mb on the iphone 4), a powerful dual-core A5 processor, a 7x times faster graphics integration and finally, and maybe a little disappointing, the same concept/design of the good ‘ol iphone 4.

What else inside, you’re asking? Well, it has that same stunning 3.5-inch Retina display up front, paired with the nice and fragile glass cover on the back, a built-in Wifi connectivity, Bluetooth 4.0 +A2DP, a battery that delivers impressive 8 hours of 3G talk time, 6 hours of 3G browsing, 10 hours of video playback and up to 40 hours in music mode.

Software wise, the iPhone 4S will run Apple’s latest and greatest iOS 5 platform which will be released, free of charge, on October 12th, along with other cool features such as AirPlay mirroring, Notifications center, Reminders, the iMessages, a Newsstand app, and the big daddy of them all – iCloude support. The 4S is also the first iDevice to run Siri, your personal intelligent voice assistant that lets you ask any question about weather forecast, directions, technological issues, restaurants recommendations and more – Compatible with English French and German languages in the Beta stage – Or set up calender meetings, voice-to-text messages, alarms, different kind of web searches/activities and many other options on board.

Apple also plans an 8 GB iPhone 4 that will be launched at the same day for $49.99(!), replacing the iPhone 3GS that will be offered for nothing but $0 at the entry level point.

Make sure you checkout the Official iPhone 4S/Siri introduction videos after the break, along with the full PR announcement and a comparison table between the new 4S device and its twin brother – iphone 4.

Update1: Whether it’s the Steve Jobs effect or the iphone 4S attraction, one thing’s for sure – the iphone 4S mobile device is already a hit. According to the latest news, the Cupertino giant has already received over 200,000 AT&T pre-orders in the first 12 hours of online availability (since October 7), which means the entire first iphone 4s U.S online stock is GONE and it would probably take one or two weeks of shipping for those who aim for a second round of orders. That’s crazy! To say the least.

Update2: And to be even more precised, Apple has just issued a new press release announcing even more staggering numbers – Over one million pre-orders for the iPhone 4S in 24 hours. Wow. Almost twice the previous single-day iphone 4 selling record of 600,000.  Full PR after the break.

 

[Apple]

Continue reading Apple Announces New iPhone 4S: 8MP Camera, A5 Dual-Core Chip, Siri Intelligent Voice Assistant, Coming October 14 →

tablets

Amazon’s 7-Inch Kindle Fire Tablet Officially Live: Only $199

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We’ve heard the rumours, but now it’s official. Amazon just announced its latest and greatest 7-inch Kindle Fire tablet that will be sporting a powerful dual-core processor inside, along with a 3.5mm jack, 8GB of storage, micro USB hub and an Android platform for the operating system. The most anticipated device, which lacks 3G capabilities, is priced very competitively for such a high quality slab (only $199), and comes with  a 7-inch Gorilla-glass and an IPS panel touchscreen, paired with an integrated WiFi and a wide range of audio/video formats support. Software wise, you’ll be getting a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime, as well as full access to the Kindle books section, the Magazines, the Movies, the TV shows and of course, Google’s online Android Appstore. There’s also an option to connect your device to the big screen whenever you want, and last but certainly not least, Kindle Fire’s release date: November 15th, although we’d truly like to get our hands on it as quickly as possible and grab one for ourselves early before they hit all the stores. Make sure you check out the first commercial video plus full specifications after the break and please stay tuned for plenty stuff more.

Update: We’ve just added a quick Amazon Kindle Fire walkthrough video, courtesy of Thisismynext, so hit the jump and take a look.

 

[via Amazon]

Continue reading Amazon’s 7-Inch Kindle Fire Tablet Officially Live: Only $199 →

tablets

Toshiba To Introduce a 7-inch Android Thrive Tablet

We’ve already seen a 10.-inch Toshiba Thrive version breaking cover in the mids of summer 2011, and now we have an official announcement about a new 7-inch tablet from the company that will allegedly go under the name Thrive 7. Design wise, it does seem to have quite a lot in common with the original ten incher, but in terms of specs there are quite a few changes. For instance, there are no full-sized ports anymore, due to the slim design (you’ll get mini-USB / micro-HDMI jacks and microSD slot), and the operating system is likely to be an Android 3.2 (instead of 3.1). Other than that, we have that same  Tegra 2 chipset, paired with a duo of cameras – 5MP on the back (this time with a LED flash) and another one at 2MP, up front. There’s still no word about pricing, but you’ll be able to nab one either at 16GB or 32GB sometime around Thanksgiving or early December. Hit the jump to read the full announcement.

Update: We’ve also added a quick hands-on video, courtesy of Donald Bell and good guys over at Cnet. Check it out after the break.

 

Continue reading Toshiba To Introduce a 7-inch Android Thrive Tablet →

tablets

Sony S and P Tablets Now Officially Official

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We have been hearing about Sony’s much-anticipated line of Android tablets ever since it first appeared as a quirky piece of mysterious sketches. And while the Japanese corp has officially announced it back in April, the REAL introduction came just four months later, at the 2011 IFA press event, earlier this week. Basically speaking there are two different tablets in this category: The Sony S (used to be called “S1”) that looks like a squarish curvy tablet device, and the Sony P (previously known as the “S2”), which is more of a clamshell design. Both tablets are running Android Honeycomb inside so in terms of use, the look and feel is very similar, though experience wise it is a whole different story – One has a single 9.4-inch touchscreen, while the other packs dual five-inch 1024 x 480 displays. In addition we’ve been told they are both planned to go out in Europe at the end of September and November, respectively, with prices set at €479 and €599, while a US release is still unconfirmed but strongly suspected within weeks (for $499 and $599).

Drilling Down to the nitty-gritty details, the Sony P, the one with the two 5-inch screens (we know, it’s confusing), is said to include a dual-core 1GHz Tegra 2 SoC chip, 5MP rear camera plus a VGA on front,  a 3,080mAh battery, an HSPA/radio, 4GB of internal storage, a micro-USB hub, 3.5mm jack and an SD card slot. The dual screens can both work together or in some cases, independently, while the Android 3.2 platform (the powerhouse behind the Sony P) seems to be running smoothly, all over the place, and at all times!

The second device, the Sony S, comes with a traditional tablet design, on first look, but there’s a typical Sony twist out there, when you get to show it off – especially on sides and behind. As mentioned, it boasts a 9.4-inch (1,280 x 800) IPS display with Sony TruBlack Bravia TV technologies, Android Honeycomb OS, 16GB or 32GB of storage capacities at your choice, WiFi,  Bluetooth, and a full-sized SD card slot. There’s also a Terga 2 chipset under the hood, along with a nice volume rocker on the side, and a battery that provides long hours of intense working time.

Make sure to check out the two videos after the jump, courtesy of netbooksnews.com and our friend Sascha, from the 2011 IFA conference in Berlin.

Update1: And looks like Sony’s S version (the one with the bigger screen), is now officially available for a pre-order both in Amazon and Sony’s own site, with shipping due to September 16th, and prices set at $499 and $599, depends on storage size.

Update2: Good news fellow readers, Sony has cut the price of its latest and greatest 9.4-inch Tablet S by a single Benjamin ($100), a 16GB model will run you $400 and the 32GB version will set you back for $500. Now that’s a competitive move, isn’t it?

 

Continue reading Sony S and P Tablets Now Officially Official →

tablets

RIM’s PlayBook is Getting Its Very Own Email Client

Rim’s 7-inch capacitive Playbook tablet is already available for a pre-order, but the single fact that it doesn’t come with a native email client has already made the blogsphere whine and grumble about it quite a lot. But not anymore. According to a Bloomberg report, RIM’s Co-CEO, Jim Balsillie, has been updating that the company’s forthcoming slate will be getting the full-fledged business environment support and provided hints for a possible “over the air email client to announce very very soon…” – Hit the jump to watch the interview.

tablets

Archos 7c Android Tablet Gets a Video Intro (Update: Now Shipping)

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Oh! What’s this? Looks like Archos is about to roll out yet another 7-inch Android device. At least that’s what the guys over at ARMdevices are saying, after taking a tour of the company’s Chinese compound and tackling with the forthcoming multi-touchscreen 7c tablet for a few hours. And while the 7-inch Active matrix Capacitive display that Archos has added on top of the slate is pure joy, the screen resolution (800 x 480), on the other hand,  isn’t exactly the type we were looking for. Other than that, there’s a 1.2GHz Cortex A8 processor under the hood, paired with a RK2918 chipset, a built-in Speaker, microSD card slot, WiFi, one USB hub, a recharchable battery pack and Android 2.3 (Gingerbreard) running on board. Prices are said to be at affordable range – under $200 – while the official release date (in Europe and the US) will be somewhere in June, we guess. Hit the jump to watch the action.

Update: And looks like the Archos 7c Home Tablet is now ready for shipping across the US, packing that 7-inch capacitive display, alongside a Cortex A8 processor, 8GB of flash storage, built-in speakers, wireless N connectivity, a microSD card slot and Android 2.1 (Eclair) platform – with a possible upgrade path for Honecomb – running on board. There’s also a direct access to Google’s Android Market, which is definitely a positive thing, and all in all the complete package will run you for $220 and not a single penny more.

 

[via ARMdevices.net]

Continue reading Archos 7c Android Tablet Gets a Video Intro (Update: Now Shipping) →

tablets

HP Touchpad Tablet Gets The Hands-on Video Treatment

At this point, it looks like HP is really geared up towards their long-awaited debut of the WebOS Touchpad device, which has been recently made into a quick hands-on video that shows a little about the capabilities of the company’s upcoming 10-inch tablet. In that same period, the Touchpad seems to be able handling very smoothly powerful enterprise apps such as Citrix and eDrawings Viewer, while at the same time, running day-to-day tasks like sending emails or surfing the net are far easier than expected. Need some more steps to prove this? Hit the jump and see for yourselves.

[via PreCentral]

Continue reading HP Touchpad Tablet Gets The Hands-on Video Treatment →

tablets

Packard Bell’s 10-Inch Liberty Tab Honeycomb Tablet Introduced

Packard Bell, the company that was one of the major computer manufacturing players back in the 90’s, is trying to make a big comeback. Yes, PB is here again! and it’s adding yet another Android device to the overcrowded tablets market. But I don’t think you should have too high an expectation, after all we’re only talking about one of those re-badged slates, so nothing new besides this Liberty Tab name – it maintains look and specs that one can get for $450 when buying Acer’s Iconia A500 tablet. That having been said, if you’re still into the 10-incher slob, you can get yours for an undetermined price, somewhere around June. Meanwhile, you can hit the jump and catch up with the hands-on video, courtesy of Notebook Italia.

 

[via Notebook Italia]

Continue reading Packard Bell’s 10-Inch Liberty Tab Honeycomb Tablet Introduced →

tablets

Acer Aspire ICONIA TAB A100 Goes Up For Pre-Order, Ships on April 20

We’ve already heard a few interesting anecdotes about Acer’s 7-inch Iconia Tab tablet device, back in January of 2011, but only now (three months later) has it decided to finally unleash the Honeycomb slate, namely Iconia A100, into the wild and overcrowded market. As far as hardware goes, there are 5MP and 2MP megapixel cameras on board, along with a Tegra 2 processor, 512MB of RAM, WiFi (3G optional), Bluetooth connectivity and 8GB of internal storage capacity which are fairly reasonable but not enough for huge video files to load. In terms of price, the A100 may be considerably cheaper when compared to other devices in the category – only £299.99 (about $485) as it appears on Amazon.co.uk, with April 20th release date in the UK itself and later on all over the world. Good job, Acer.

Update1: And looks like the 7-inch ICONIA A100 tablet is now available for pre-order on Amazon UK with 3G WWAN capabilities attached and Android 3.0 running on board. Prices are at the £400 ($660)  range while shipping is due to May 14.

Update2: We’ve just added a quick hands-on video of Acer’s forthcoming Iconia TAB A100, courtesy of Steve Chippy. Check it out after the break.

 

 

[via Netbook News]

Continue reading Acer Aspire ICONIA TAB A100 Goes Up For Pre-Order, Ships on April 20 →

tablets

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer and Eee Slate EP121 Officially Out in The UK

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Asus officially rolls out their latest and greatest Eee Slate EP121 and Eee Pad Transformer for the European market. The two, which are scheduled to start selling before the end of April 2011, are part of a fascinating high-end tablets lineup, and the first to incorporate the new Android Honeycomb / Windows 7 platforms into their budget priced models. And while the Transformer version (the one with the sliding keyboard) is said to go for £379 (16GB) and £429 (32GB), the powerful Core i5-compatible EeePad slate will set you back for a whopping £999 with a 12.1-inch IPS capacitive display, 4GB of RAM, 64GB SSD, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, HDMI output, a  2 megapixel front facing camera and a SD/SDHC card reader slot. Still no word on a US  release for these two mobs.

Update1: Oh! What do you want to know? US prices? Looks like we’ve unofficially managed to get ’em for you, as US retailer Best Buy just posted them online for couple of seconds and then pulled them off. And while details aren’t confirmed yet, we’re looking at a $400 price for the 10.1-inch Honeycomb tablet (the Transformer) and another $149 if you really must have the dock. Sounds very attractive, isn’t it?

Update2: And looks like we finally have an official product page for the upcoming Asus Eee Pad Transformer slate, complete with the full software details and a list of hardware specs which apparently include a 10.1-inch IPS 1280 x 800 capacitive touchscreen display (178-degree viewing angles), alongside 1GB of RAM, a Tegra 2 processor, WiFi, GPS, dual camera on front and at the back, surround stereo speakers, SD card reader and a battery pack that is capable of delivering up to 16 hours of continuous work. Software wise, there’s an Honeycomb platform running on board, together with Polaris Office suite application (for spreadsheets, presentations and documents editing), Asus own Waveshare app, a launcher UI and Adobe’s Flash 10.2 support.

Update3 The good guys over at Slashgear have finally managed to put their hands on a brand new Eee Pad Transformer slate and leaked it to the web in a nice and short walkthrough video which can be found after the break.

[via Slashgear]

Continue reading ASUS Eee Pad Transformer and Eee Slate EP121 Officially Out in The UK →

tablets

Samsung Galaxy Tabs 8.9 and 10.1 Tablets Now Official

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As promised earlier this month, Samsung has officially announced their two new Galaxy Tabs, with the expected 8.9-inch and 10.1-inch models in line. The new Honeycomb Tabs which herald Samsung’s entry into ultra-thin and ultra-light tablets market – both measure only .33-inches thick- will be available starting June 8 of this year, featuring a 1GHz dual-core processor on board, alongside WXGA 1280×800 HD displays, a 2 megapixel front-facing camera and another at 3 megapixel on the back, 3.5mm headphone jacks, SIM card compartments, 802.11 b/g/n wifi connection, Bluetooth 2.1 and microSD card reader slots. Further more, both Sammy’s new devices are said to include gyroscope, accelerometer, a digital compass and an ambient light sensor, whereas the smaller version houses a 6000mAH battery pack and the bigger one boasts a 6860mAH cell under the hood. Remember, these are WiFi only flavors, though Samsung does plan to release 4G-enabled models later in the year to go. On the cost department, Samsung’s prices seem to finally be getting competitive and more affordable for the average consumer, as the 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab is claimed to be offered at launch at $469 (16GB) and $569 (32GB), while the 10-incher Tab will set you back for $499 (16GB) and $599 (32GB) and not a single dime more. So there you go ladies and gentlemen, two revamped Galaxy Tabs on the stake and one PR announcement half past the break.

Update1: We’ve just added a few introduction videos of the Galaxy Tabs, courtesy of the Android Community fellows who recently had a chance to play with the new tablets.

Update2: And just in case you wanna get into the full spirit of the event, we’ve also added Samsung’s CTIA Wireless 2011 keynote after the break.

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Tabs 8.9 and 10.1 Tablets Now Official →

tablets

ASUS Eee Slate Gets a Whole Bunch of Interactive Ads

Whether you’re an artist, a blogger, a mom or just a business owner, looking to be productive and efficient, the Asus team seems to have a brand new Windows 7 slate to offer. That’s right folks, there is a new player on the field and it plays for all the marbles. With a 12.1-inch display and a Core i5 processor on board the new high-end Eee Slate combines Microsoft’s Windows 7 platform along with Wacom’s digitizer technology and a special dedicated whitish stylus pen to design and execute your very own storyline through drawing and rendering shapes, figures and models. Too bad it’s more than twice the cost of Apple’s iPad 2 wonder. Hit the jump to watch the action.

 

[via Electronista]

 

Continue reading ASUS Eee Slate Gets a Whole Bunch of Interactive Ads →

software, tablets

Motorola XOOM Update Brings Adobe Flash 10.2 Support

Motorola-Xoom-Android-tablet

We were so fed up with the fact that we couldn’t have a descent flash player running on the Motorola Xoom, out of the box. Thankfully, the company (in partnership with Adobe) now has announced a new release update that will fix this well known issue, once and for all. Starting on March 18th, Adobe/Motorola will officially begin rolling out their latest OTA software upgrade, which supposedly includes required enhancements to support the upcoming Adobe Flash 10.2 player and many other things more. Huzzah!

Update1: Apparently, the OTA will hit XOOM tablets earlier than expected, and is likely to support Android’s most recent platforms, such as Android 2.2 Froyo, Android 2.3 Gingerbread and a beta version for Android 3.0.1 Honeycomb, which will soon enjoy the benefits of a smooth Android browser rendering engine that significantly improves the efficiency of data between images, H.264 playback, HTML coding, and GIF animation control.

Update2: There seems to be a manual OTA upgrade for the Motorola XOOM which can be downloaded directly from Verizon’s system update platform. The update is classed as version 3.0.1. An unofficial leaked update is now available for download here.

Update3: Meanwhile, before you rush and get your updates installed, feel free to hit the jump and take a look at the videos below. Full PR is also there for a read.

 

[Adobe]

Continue reading Motorola XOOM Update Brings Adobe Flash 10.2 Support →

Hardware, tablets

Apple iPad 2 Gets Dissected by iFixit

Well, looks like it didn’t take the good fellows over at iFixit a long time to get their hands on a brand new iPad 2, and then tear it apart into several small bite-sized pieces. To put things in a nutshell, their findings suggest (at least when it comes to the WiFi-only version) that Apple’s second-gen iPad device (model number A1395) includes pretty much the same size battery as the iPad 1 – a 3.8V, 25 watt-hour unit, alongside a 1GHz A5 CPU, 512MB of RAM, 16GB of Toshiba TH58NVG7D2FLA89 NAND Flash, and a Broadcom: BCM43291HKUBC WiFi controller. Furthermore, there’s also a clear evidence for the existence of a S6T2MLC N33C50V Power Management IC, tucked with a tiny biny gyroscope (AGD8 2103), and a small pair of integrated speakers. And if you’re seriously interested in this fascinating topic, head on past the break to watch iFixit’s full-fledged explanatory coverage.

 

[iFixit]

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tablets

iPad 2 Lines are Popping Up all Over The US

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Credit: Marguerite Reardon/CNET
Credit: Marguerite Reardon/CNET

OK, so It’s Apple’s iPad 2 first day of sales over there, in famous Uncle Sam’s land, with downtown stores opening their doors somewhere at sunset, roughly 5:00 PM, as brave people start gathering around, while average (solid) queues length varies from small town to big city. Although, this definitely isn’t the crazy scenes we’ve seen in iPad’s first-gen / iPhone 4 debuts, back in 2010, there’s still quite a bit of potential there, assuming those queues are only going to grow bigger and longer. We’ve been busy gathering for you a few examples of images, taken by random Twitter users. More pictures after he break.

Reminder: Appe’s iPad 2 will launch in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK on March 25.

Update 1: We’ve just added a couple of videos from The Cube in New York, Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, WA, and another one from the Walden Galleria . Check ’em out after the break.

Update 2: We’ve also added a few unboxing videos after the break.

Continue reading iPad 2 Lines are Popping Up all Over The US →

tablets

Apple iPad 2 Officially Announced, Claimed To Be Thinner, Lighter and Faster

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Apple has ended months of speculation by officially unveiling the iPad 2, company’s most anticipated second-gen tablet that will start shipping Stateside on March 11th and March 25th in other countries, with prices as follows: $499 (16GB), $599 (32GB), $699 (64GB), add $130 for 3G. The formal announcement which took place this morning at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, California was super exciting, with Apple CEO Steve Jobs surprisingly taking the stage himself.

The iPad2 is only 8.8mm thick, 33% thinner than the original one (and thinner than iPhone 4), weighs 1.35 pounds, and has that same 9.7-inch LED-backlit IPS display (Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating) that offers a full capacitive touch screen, supported by 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch. Apple promising a “nine times faster on graphics” 1GHz custom built A5 (dual-core) chip (twice faster on cpu), while tablet capacities are claimed to be the same traditional ones, at 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of flash storage.

The iPad2 comes either in black or White hues, with 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1 plus EDR technology, as well as a large speaker on its back, microphone, 512MB or RAM, and a 30-pin dock connector, downstairs. The new iPad will also be available in a 3G flavor with speeds up to 7.2Mbps, while battery life is estimated at 10 hours or so. In addition, the industry giant and innovator says “…that 2011 will be the year of iPad 2” with 65,000 apps compared to 100 only on Google’s Honeycomb.

So, what else is new in iPad 2, you ask? Well, there are two built-in cameras inside, one on rear, capable recording a 720p video at 30fps, and a front-facing one, supporting 5x digital zoom. Some cool accessories that Apple is tossing, such as the HDMI video out which will run for $39, and a stunning smart cover case, made of materials like micro-fiber and “magnet” elements – that’s $39 for the plastic version or $69 for the leather.

Software wise, iOS 4.3 being announced (available for download on March 11, free of charge) with new iTunes Home Sharing features, Airplay updates, and Nitro Javscript Safari improvements, delivering much faster surfing results. Other than that, we’re looking at the new ability to “share your 3G connection via wifi” which is best known as Mifi personal hotspot, a lovely revamped Photo Booth edition, supporting nine live video streams at once, Apple’s FaceTime feature for video conferencing purposes , a whole new version of iMovie, that takes advantage of the iPad’s big screen (about $4.99) and the most famous “touch instruments” OS X app, GarageBand  that will join the lineup with 8track recording, 250+ loops, effects, amps and plenty stuff more for a very small price tag ($4.99).

So there you go ladies and gentlemen. Who’s buying the new iPad and who’s not?

Hit the jump for the video introductions along some few more pics and full PR notes.

[Apple]

Continue reading Apple iPad 2 Officially Announced, Claimed To Be Thinner, Lighter and Faster →

tablets

Archos Rolls Out Arnova 8 and 10 Android 2.1 Tablets

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A known fact is that high-end tablets such as the Apple iPad or the Motorola Xoom are by far the most popular technology headline figures nowadays, but keep in mind there are also some lower cost devices that still make it out into this overcrowded sphere, and frankly speaking, they’re getting better and better every day. Such new arrivals, like the Archos Arnova 8 and Arnova 10 are enjoying the benefit of a market that is growing stable and somewhat predictable, in terms of who’s dominant and who’s the average player. That being said, you can still get affordable and quality in the same sentence, and that’s exactly what these companies (like Archos) are aiming for, aren’t they? In general, the two cheap Archos slates, which had already received approval from FCC to operate within the States, boast a 600MHz Rockchip RK2818 processor, paired with a USB 2.0 hub, MicroSD slot expansion, WiFi, inbuilt accelerometer, integrated speakers, resistive touchscreen displays, sized 8-inch and 10-inch respectively, and last but not least, a preloaded Android 2.1 platform, also known as Eclair. Storage capacities are at 4GB and 8GB only, but that’s what you basically get for paying 150 and 199 US dollars, or just under $350 for the pair. In addition to the above, the French corp is planning to release a 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 Rockchip RK 2918 version with a more convenient capacitive touchscreen, sometime this April, for roughly the same amount of dough. And till then you can definitely dig in the two hands-on videos after the break.

[ARMdevices via Engadget]

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netbooks

NEC is Taking The Wraps Off a New Android Netbook, The LifeTouch Note

NEC has officially unveiled LifeTouch Note, a new 7-inch netbook device, based on Google’s android 2.2 platform on board. The Note, which boasts a 800 x 480 resistive touchscreen with a 2 megapixels webcam on front, offers a powerful Tegra 2 chipset, along with up to 8GB of memory, optional 3G connectivity, WiFi, GPS navigation feature, SD card reader and an SDHC slot. We still don’t know when exactly this new NEC Froyo netbook will be out in Japan. However, we do know that it would go for ¥45,000 (about $540) or somewhere around. Hit the jump to watch the video demo.

[via Akihabara News]

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tablets

LG Optimus Pad Becomes Official

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Looks like it didn’t take LG that long to make its newly born 8.9-inch Android 3.0 tablet, AKA: Optimus Pad (or T-Mobile’s G-Slate) official – and it all happened today, at the MWC 2011 event in Barcelona, Spain. The Optimus Pad, which boasts a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor along with a 1280 x 768 screen resolution and a special 3D camera array on the back, is LG’s first real foray into the tablet market place and frankly, dear fellows, it’s doing quite a nice job, isn’t it? Availability wise, the South Korean giant says that the Honeycomb-powered slate will go live worldwide somewhere around March, while prices are yet to be determined.

Update: Engadget has the hands-on video, from Spain, which can be found right after the break.

Continue reading LG Optimus Pad Becomes Official →

tablets

HP’s 9.7-inch Palm TouchPad Announced: 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon, Beats Audio engine and webOS 3.0 Platform

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We’ve already seen a glimpse of what HP’s 9.7-inch Touchpad device looks like, and today it finally sees an official announcement. And while the tablet itself doesn’t break any design ground, the new webOS 3.0 platform is simply mind blowing. Weighing in at 1.6 pounds and measuring only 13.7mm thick, the Palm TouchPad, which used to be called Topaz, also includes a dual-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor, along with a very sharp  9.7-inch 1024 x 768 touchscreen display, an integrated gyroscope, accelerometer, your choice of 16/32GB of internal storage, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, A-GPS capabilities, and a 1.3MP front-facing camera, for audio/video conferencing support. Also, as far as music entertainment at this new Hewlett-Packard tablet goes, you get yourself a set of inbuilt stereo speakers, powered by HP’s own Beats audio engine that produces a  ‘Jump Smokers Sound’ that will make you dance, shake and rock.

Software wise, HP/Palm’s webOS 3.0 is beating everything easily so far. Generally speaking, it does kick Apple’s ass in some of the places, and certainly a lot nicer to use than any Android-powered devices we’ve ever had a chance to experience. Not only is the UI slick and geared toward public consumption, it is probably the only one out there to feature a true multitasking, to date (you hear that Apple?). Besides that, there’s a very cool email app preloaded inside, as well as a virtual keyboard, VPN capabilities, touch to share integration, wireless printing, and well established QuickOffice, Google Docs, Dropbox, and Box.net support.

Regretfully, price wasn’t announced yet (someone’s probably waiting for Apple to announce iPad 2 first) and the ship is set for this undetermined “coming this summer,” date…but that doesn’t mean we are any less excited, right?

While waiting, make sure you hit the jump to watch the video.

Update: We’ve just added another quick hands-on video, courtesy of TechnoBuffalo.

Continue reading HP’s 9.7-inch Palm TouchPad Announced: 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon, Beats Audio engine and webOS 3.0 Platform →

Applications, tablets

Dell Streak 7 Has a Secret Phone Feature

Is Dell hiding secrets from us? Well, one can pretty much assume that if the 5-inch Streak comes with integrated 3G phone capabilities, its bigger sibling, the Streak 7, most definitely has them too – but regretfully it doesn’t. Not exactly. According to the good guys at Streak Smart, Dell’s new 7-inch Android Froyo tablet does seem to have this hidden phone application transplanted under the lid, only that no one has been willing to share it with us, at least until now. True, it doesn’t really work the other direction. In other words, there’s not much to do with it right now, and calls just won’t go through or get connected. Still, it’s really something to hope for, right? Well, can’t wait till it finally happens (and be sure it would). Until then, make sure you hit the jump and watch the video.

 

[via Streak Smart]

Continue reading Dell Streak 7 Has a Secret Phone Feature →

tablets

Google’s Android Honeycomb OS and Android Market Website Officially Announced

Looking back on early January 2011, we catch a glimpse of an awesome experience of the Android 3.0 video teasers. Looking forward to what’s ahead of this year let us capture a vision of the great Honeycomb OS which will inevitably make Android the dominant Smartphone and Tablet platform of the future. The rapid ascent of Android has prompted Google to go ahead and announce the official release of its latest creation, made by Palm’s former UI designer, Matias Duarte, and best known as the Android Honeycomb – Google’s answer to many of tablet -based OS out there. And while there wasn’t much news about it, it is still worth watching – especially for those that widgets, finger gestures, or 3D rendering matters spark their interest. The one thing however, that caught most people’s eyes was Google’s Android Market which has finally turned official, as a web client, and gone live couple of hours ago with a very neat and simple Market catalog to browse (more than 50,000 apps inside) with both free and paid Android applications preloaded on board. Move forward after the break to catch up with Google’s full event.

Continue reading Google’s Android Honeycomb OS and Android Market Website Officially Announced →

tablets

Dell Streak 7 Finally Gets Official, With Dual-Core Tegra 2 and Android Froyo On Board

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Of course we’ve already seen Dell tease us all with its upcoming 7-inch Android tablet, back in September. But today we finally get a chance to see a real unit of Dell’s production model, this time with a few more details, worth knowing, attached and the oh-so-not-surprising “Streak 7” moniker. And while availability or pricing are still particularly vague – excluding the rumors that indicate a release “in the coming weeks” – other specifications include an Android 2.2 platform (and potentially upgrade to 3.0?), paired with a Gorilla Glass-protected touchscreen, 16GB of storage, a 1.3MP front-facing camera (plus 5mp on the back) and a powerful 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 processor to improve your overall graphics and let you watch high-res content on board. Full PR plus Dell’s commercial video right after the break.

Update1: Are you curious about the inner part of the hottest Dell Streak 7? Make sure to check out the disassembling video right after the break.

Update2: And yet another quick hands-on video that you can watch after the break. This time in one piece 🙂

Update3: T-Mobile will be offering the 7-inch, Android Froyo slate, powered by 4G capabilities and equipped with NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 graphics, starting February 2nd, for $199.99 on a two-year contract (including a $50 mail-in rebate), or just $450 off contract.

Update4: And looks like Dell’s WiFi-only Streak 7 tablet officially goes live in the UK, with prices starting at £299 (about $485), and specs that include pretty much the same lineup (3G capabilities aside): a 7-inch (800 x 480) touchscreen, paired with a Tegra 2 dual-core CPU, 16GB of storage, a rear 5 megapixel camera, and another one at 1.3 megapixel up front. Regretfully, there’s “only” Android 2.2 running on board, but hopefully a Honeycomb update will be available for this device, somewhere before the Fall.

Continue reading Dell Streak 7 Finally Gets Official, With Dual-Core Tegra 2 and Android Froyo On Board →

tablets

Motorola Xoom Android 3.0 Tablet Gets Official at CES 2011

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If you think you’ve seen it all, then you need to check out Motorola Xoom that has recently been unveiled at the company’s stand at CES 2011 and surely looks quite promising. The 10.1-inch tablet that runs Google’s most anticipated Android 3.0 platform (Honeycomb) inside its bowels, along with a 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 chip for extended graphics use, and a high-resolution screen (1280 x 800) for 720p video quality, is likely to go live somewhere around Q1, while 4G connectivity will hopefully become available in Q2 of this year. Other then that it is yet another tablet with 32GB of storage, integrated WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, a 5 megapixel HD video camera at the back plus a front-facing camera, up front. Pricing details are yet to be determined, but there’s couple of videos and PR blurbs just after the break.

Update1: Motorola’s Latin America GM, Maurizio Angelone, has just confirmed the upcoming release of a WiFi-only Xoom tablet. According to Infobae, the company’s most hyped Android 3.0 device, that is claimed to include a built-in barometer alongside  an accelerometer, magnetometer, ambient light sensor and gyroscope, will first arrive in April of this year, which is almost a month earlier than Motorola’s 3G-enabled Xoom edition. Still no word about prices though.

Update2: Android Central has managed to obtain an inside document that lists Motorola’s flagship Android Honeycomb device (AKA: Xoom) along with some other cool products, at $800 bucks. Are you willing to pay that much for an Android tablet?

Update3: And latest news say that the Motorola Xoom (powered by an Android 3.0 platform) is finally set for official US release on February 17th, priced at $699.99. Stay tuned.

Continue reading Motorola Xoom Android 3.0 Tablet Gets Official at CES 2011 →

Operating Systems, tablets

Google’s Android 3.0 For Tablets Gets Demoed on Video

Wel…well…well, what do we have in here? Guess it’s Google’s future android 3.0 platform (Honeycomb) that Mountain View has specifically designed to compliment and match tablets UI. To put it in different words, the 3.0 version is “Entirely for Tablet” – and boy! it looks great! But instead of crafting words, just checkout Google’s video to get a better impression.

Update: Looks like Google has just issued an early build of its upcoming Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system. So if any of you Android Developers just so happen to log on, make sure to check out the platform’s uncompleted SDK version including the APIs. Video preview after the break.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPUGNCIozp0[/youtube]

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