Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Malata's 2012 / 2013 roadmap reveals a very tablet-friendly future]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/malata-2012-2013-tablet-roadmap/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/malata-2012-2013-tablet-roadmap/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/malata-2012-2013-tablet-roadmap/#comments Malata's 2012 / 2013 roadmap reveals a very tablet-friendly future
Chinese manufacturer Malata is relatively unknown in the tablet universe, as it hasn't been in the spotlight since showing off its SMB-A1011 back in 2010. Now, the outfit's quietly unveiled a roadmap that's got more than a handful of noteworthy slabs in sight. The company plans on launching a variety of Tegra 3-packing slates dubbed SMB-B1023, including a 7, 9.7 and 10.1-inch version, all of which are said to be sporting ICS. Furthermore, Malata plans to rollout port-heavy variants of the aforementioned that'll be rocking USB, mini-USB and card reader ports, though these won't be tasting any Ice Cream Sandwich. While tabs are obviously the main focus, the company's also planning to bring along a 5-inch handset blessed with Gingerbread to compete with the likes of the Galaxy Note or that shiny new LG Optimus Vu. Let's hope Malata makes a MWC appearance so we can give some of these our full hands-on treatment.

Malata's 2012 / 2013 roadmap reveals a very tablet-friendly future originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10 inch10-inch10Inch7 inch7-inch7Inch9.7 inch9.7-inch9.7Inchmalatamalata roadmapmalata smb-b1023MalataRoadmapMalataSmb-b1023roadmaproadmapsslateslatessmb-b1023tablettablet roadmapTabletRoadmaptabletswanlidaWed, 22 Feb 2012 18:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Huawei's alleged 10-inch slate shows up at photoshoot ahead of MWC]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/huawei-alleged-10-inch-android-tablet-leaks/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/huawei-alleged-10-inch-android-tablet-leaks/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/huawei-alleged-10-inch-android-tablet-leaks/#comments Huawei's alleged 10-inch slate shows up at photoshoot ahead of MWC
Shortly after Huawei's Ascend D1 made a trip to the studio for some glamour shots, an incognito slate is following suit. A set of photos from Russian site hi-tech@mail reveals what could be in store from the Chinese outfit at MWC 2012 (you know we'll be there), though the lack of full-body pics makes us question whether it's in fact the 10-inch tab it claims to be. Aside from the questionable size, we do see a tour around its purported metal casing, which is very reminiscent of that T-Mobile-bound MediaPad we showed you last year. Allegedly, the tablet will come sporting an 8-megapixel rear shooter, Ice Cream Sandwich and will be priced at about 20,000 Russian Rubles (or around $670). Those of you feeling intrigued can hit up the source link below to catch the rest of the sneaky shots.

Continue reading Huawei's alleged 10-inch slate shows up at photoshoot ahead of MWC

Huawei's alleged 10-inch slate shows up at photoshoot ahead of MWC originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10 inch10 inch tablet10-inch10-inch tablethuaweihuawei 10 inch tablethuawei 10-inch tablethuawei mediapadhuawei slatehuawei tabletleakleaksMediaPadmobile world congressMobileWorldCongressmwcrumorsslatetabtabletsTue, 21 Feb 2012 11:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Pantech Element review]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/pantech-element-review/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/pantech-element-review/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/pantech-element-review/#comments
You've heard of singin' in the rain (and have likely seen the movie). You may have even attempted it once or twice, but tableting in the midst of a downpour? That doesn't exactly conjure the same whimsy and spontaneous dance numbers. Yet, Pantech's making such joyous, on-the-go content consumption possible with the aptly named Element. It's yet another addition to the growing stable of LTE devices propping up AT&T's newly expanded 4G fort. Rather than run the risk of this being seen as another garden-variety Honeycomb tablet, though, Pantech's imbued this guy with waterproofing.

Of course, that's not all this skinned Android slate's bringing to the party. With a dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8060 CPU complemented by 1GB RAM, a 1024 x 768 TFT XGA display and a healthy 6,400mAh battery, this impermeable tab stands on equal spec footing with its post-PC peers. At $299 on two-year contract, it's certainly priced to sell, but should you dish out the dollars for a middle-ground tablet from the likes of a lesser-known manufacturer? Does a limited and possibly frivolous imperviousness to water warrant your attention? Should you stash that plastic until Pantech confirms an ETA for that Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade? Find all this out and more after the break, as we force this 8-incher to brave the elements.

Gallery: Pantech Element review

Continue reading Pantech Element review

Pantech Element review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.5GHz8-inchAndroidAndroid 3.2Android 3.2 HoneycombAndroid3.2Android3.2Honeycombdual-coreElementhoneycombPantechPantech ElementPantechElementQualcomm APQ8060QualcommApq8060reviewtablettabletsvideoTue, 21 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Switched On: Think form factors, not PCs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/19/switched-on-think-form-factors-not-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/19/switched-on-think-form-factors-not-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/19/switched-on-think-form-factors-not-pcs/#commentsEach week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.


The iPad, launched in 2010, kicked off the post-PC era. The combination of a multitouch display and keyboard-less design enabled mobile computing in a way not done before. On the other hand, maybe the IBM Simon, launched in 1992, kicked off the post-PC era. Widely considered to be the first smartphone, it enabled mobile computing in a way that was not done before. Then again, maybe the Osborne I, launched in 1981, marked the beginning of the post-PC era. After all, it was widely considered to be the first portable computer, enabling mobile computing in a way that was not done before.

Continue reading Switched On: Think form factors, not PCs

Switched On: Think form factors, not PCs originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columndesignIBMinput technologiesInputTechnologiesinterfaceipadMac OSMacOsmobile OSMobileOsOSOsborne IOsborneIpost PC eraPostPcEraproductivityslatesswitched onSwitchedOntabletsToshibatouchWindows 8Windows8Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Arnova launches 8b G2 slate, hopes to keep it cheap]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/19/arnova-launches-8b-g2-android-tablet/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/19/arnova-launches-8b-g2-android-tablet/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/19/arnova-launches-8b-g2-android-tablet/#comments Arnova launches 8b G2 slate, hopes to keep it cheap
Arnova isn't exactly a newcomer when it comes to dealing with budget-friendly tabs, already having produced the 9 and 10 G2s. The outfit's newest addition to its tablet lineup is simply dubbed 8b G2, honoring its 8-inch, 800 x 600, TFT display. Coming in what some could consider "last year's specs," the slate's packing a 1GHz CPU, 512MB of RAM, a front-facing shooter, microSD slot for extra storage (4 or 8GB built-in) and a predictably outdated piece of Gingerbread. Presumably price will be its best asset -- Arnova hasn't given us a figure but, if its predecessor is a telling sign, we can't imagine you'd part ways with more than 200 bucks.

Arnova launches 8b G2 slate, hopes to keep it cheap originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8 inch8-inch8-inch tablet8-inchTablet8Inchandroidarchosarchos 8b g2archos arnova tabletArchos8bG2ArchosArnovaTabletarnovaarnova 8b g2arnova tabletArnova8bG2ArnovaTabletgingerbreadminipostslateslatestablettabletsSun, 19 Feb 2012 16:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon elbows past Samsung for No. 2 tablet spot in Q4, according to IHS]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/amazon-elbows-past-samsung-for-no-2-tablet-spot-in-q4-apples/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/amazon-elbows-past-samsung-for-no-2-tablet-spot-in-q4-apples/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/amazon-elbows-past-samsung-for-no-2-tablet-spot-in-q4-apples/#comments EDIT Amazon elbows its way past Samsung for No. 2 tablet spot
Amazon had some serious trombone action going on last year -- what with all the horn tooting it did about Kindle Fire demand. Turns out Amazon was on to something, as the company has apparently grabbed the No. 2 spot from Samsung for tablet sales in the last quarter, according to research firm IHS iSuppli. Based on its numbers, Amazon sold 3.89 million tablets during the fourth quarter, eclipsing Samsung's 2.14 million units. The numbers equal a 14 percent share of the tablet market for Amazon while Samsung grabbed an 8 percent share, down from 11 percent in the third quarter. The brisk sales came at a price for Amazon, which saw fourth-quarter profits drop since it sold Kindle Fire tablets at a loss. Amazon's tablet sales also were still below the 15.4 million iPads sold by Apple for the period. All the competition is apparently taking a bite out of Apple's market share, however, which fell to 62 percent in 2011, compared to 87 percent in 2010. Samsung did manage to hold on to the No. 2 spot for the year, but with rumors already swirling about new iPads plus the Galaxy Note 10.1, the tablet wars aren't likely to cool off anytime soon.

Amazon elbows past Samsung for No. 2 tablet spot in Q4, according to IHS originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonanalystapplefireihsipadkindlekindle fireKindleFiremarket shareMarketShareq4q4 2011Q42011resultssalessamsungtablettablet salestablet sharetabletsTabletSalesTabletShareFri, 17 Feb 2012 13:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Auraslate opens Android tablets up to developers, welcomes mischief]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/auraslate-opens-android-tablets-up-to-developers-welcomes-misch/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/auraslate-opens-android-tablets-up-to-developers-welcomes-misch/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/auraslate-opens-android-tablets-up-to-developers-welcomes-misch/#comments HTC aside, not every manufacturer is willing, ready and committed to opening up its device portfolio to the idle hands of hackers. Which is why Auraslate, a recently launched start-up, is stepping in to fill that void, instituting a sea change in how devs translate their unsanctioned software concepts into actual end user products. To do this, the humble outfit's offering up 7- and 10-inch Android tablets that range in price from $139 to $270 and come loaded up with an ARM Cortex A9 CPU, 4GB storage and a Gorilla Glass-coated capacitive touchscreen. Prospective haxxors can choose between two configurations available on the site: an Advance Development Kit which includes a source code disk and a cheaper Novice option. For the money, you'll get that aforementioned hardware, peripherals (usb plug, power adapter), as well as access to Aura's forums and ROM refreshes, although ICS is limited to its top shelf Lifepad 1026. So if you're tired of damning the Man with every OEM-issued, security-patching update and just want to be left to your coding best, it might be wise to bask in this company's glow.

Auraslate opens Android tablets up to developers, welcomes mischief originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidAuraslatedevelopersdevshackershackingLifepadstartuptablettabletsFri, 17 Feb 2012 04:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Acer Iconia Tab A510 hits FCC, refuses to reveal all its secrets]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/acer-iconia-tab-a510-hits-fcc-refuses-to-reveal-all-its-secrets/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/acer-iconia-tab-a510-hits-fcc-refuses-to-reveal-all-its-secrets/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/acer-iconia-tab-a510-hits-fcc-refuses-to-reveal-all-its-secrets/#comments Acer Iconia Tab A510Rumor had it that Acer's latest slate, the Iconia Tab A510 would be hitting the market in April. Well, the Android 4.0-sporting slab just inched closer to its debut by sauntering through the FCC. This particular model comes loaded with Bluetooth, WiFi and GPS, but there's no 3G or 4G in sight. The ten-inch tablet didn't reveal all its secrets to us in the filing, and the images of its prerequisite dissection have not been posted yet. Still, it's nice to know that this slimmer and pleasantly plasticky device should be hitting the market soon and serving up a much needed slice of Ice Cream Sandwich. Hit up the source link if you're really into graphs and radiation reports.

Acer Iconia Tab A510 hits FCC, refuses to reveal all its secrets originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A510AcerAcer Iconia TabAcer Iconia Tab A510AcerIconiaTabAcerIconiaTabA510AndroidAndroid 4.0Android4.0FCCgoogleIce Cream SandwichIceCreamSandwichIconia Tab A510IconiaTabA510icsslateslatestablettabletsThu, 16 Feb 2012 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 to debut at MWC? Definitely, maybe.]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/samsung-galaxy-note-10-1-to-debut-at-mwc-definitely-maybe/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/samsung-galaxy-note-10-1-to-debut-at-mwc-definitely-maybe/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/samsung-galaxy-note-10-1-to-debut-at-mwc-definitely-maybe/#comments Galaxy Note 10.1We've all heard of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy Note... but the Galaxy Note 10.1? That's a new one to us. The pinch of salt you should take this with could rim the entire nation's margarita glasses for a year, but hints have come from more than one source now that Samsung has an up-sized styli-friendly slate in the works. The unconfirmed device was listed on the Samsung site, alongside the standard Note, Wave 3 and Wave Y as being highlighted at a developer event at MWC. We'd have ignored it and written it off as a typo if it wasn't for a listing at Backstage looking for "teen student" to use "his Galaxy Note 10.1." Intriguing, no? Even more suspicious, both the casting call and the developer day listing have been removed. Of course, it's entirely possible that both appearances of the Note 10.1 were simple typos but, we won't lie, we're really hoping a larger sized slate with an S Pen.

Update: Samsung told us that it doesn't "comment on future product announcements." Looks like we'll have to wait.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 to debut at MWC? Definitely, maybe. originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbackstagecasting callCastingCallgalaxy note 10.1galaxy tab 10.1GalaxyNote10.1GalaxyTab10.1mobile world congressmobile world congress 2012MobileWorldCongressMobileWorldCongress2012mwcmwc 2012Mwc2012rumorrumorss pensamsungsamsung galaxy notesamsung galaxy note 10.1samsung galaxy tab 10.1SamsungGalaxyNoteSamsungGalaxyNote10.1SamsungGalaxyTab10.1slateSPentablettabletstouchwizWed, 15 Feb 2012 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[WSJ: AT&T and Verizon will sell LTE iPads]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/13/wsj-atandt-and-verizon-will-sell-lte-ipads/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/13/wsj-atandt-and-verizon-will-sell-lte-ipads/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/13/wsj-atandt-and-verizon-will-sell-lte-ipads/#comments Citing sources "familiar with the matter," The Wall Street Journal is now stating rather unequivocally that both AT&T and Verizon Wireless are set to begin selling LTE versions of Apple's iPad. The latest revelation is hardly a leap of faith, as rumors to this effect have been swirling for a month now. Still, it coincides rather nicely with the recent chatter surrounding the launch of Apple's next iPad, which is currently thought to launch during the first week of March. It remains unknown whether Sprint will be stocking a 4G version of the iPad to call its own. Perhaps Mr. Hesse and crew will be forced to sit this one out.

WSJ: AT&T and Verizon will sell LTE iPads originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleattbreaking newsipadipad 3Ipad3lterumorrumorssprinttablettabletsverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessMon, 13 Feb 2012 23:11:00 EST<![CDATA[NPD: Hardware sales hit $144 billion in 2011, PCs lead the moneymaking pack]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/13/npd-hardware-sales-hit-144-billion-in-2011-pcs-lead-the-money/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/13/npd-hardware-sales-hit-144-billion-in-2011-pcs-lead-the-money/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/13/npd-hardware-sales-hit-144-billion-in-2011-pcs-lead-the-money/#comments NPD: Hardware sales hit $144 billion in 2011, PCs lead the moneymaking packCanalys recently announced that smartphone shipments surpassed those of PCs for the whole of 2011. Well, NPD's just released its own set of hardware numbers, this time focused on revenue shares, and it appears PCs (that's laptops and desktops for NPD's purposes) are still far and away the biggest moneymakers around, bringing in about 19 percent (or $28 billion) of the reported $144 billion in hardware sales last year. TVs, PCs and gaming hardware each saw a decline in revenue share while smartphone and tablet sales grew -- slates and e-readers experienced a five percent increase, taking up nearly 11 percent of the hardware pie and raking in $15 billion. Unsurprisingly, Apple topped the chart for sales by manufacturer, seeing a 36 percent increase over 2010, while HP, Samsung, Sony and Dell rounded out the top five with varying levels of sales declines. For more number crunching and statistical whatnots, check out the full PR after the break.

Continue reading NPD: Hardware sales hit $144 billion in 2011, PCs lead the moneymaking pack

NPD: Hardware sales hit $144 billion in 2011, PCs lead the moneymaking pack originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gaminghardwarehardware salesHardwareSalesnpdnpd groupNpdGroupnumberspcpcssalessales figuressales numbersSalesFiguresSalesNumberssmartphonesmartphonesstatisticsstatstablettabletstvsMon, 13 Feb 2012 18:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Refresh Roundup: week of February 6th, 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/12/refresh-roundup-week-of-february-6th-2012/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/12/refresh-roundup-week-of-february-6th-2012/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/12/refresh-roundup-week-of-february-6th-2012/#comments Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Continue reading Refresh Roundup: week of February 6th, 2012

Refresh Roundup: week of February 6th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon kindle fireAmazonKindleFireandroidandroid 2.3android 4.0.2Android2.3Android4.0.2asusasus transformer primeAsusTransformerPrimebellbell mobilityBellMobilitybioniccanadadroid xyboarddroidbionicDroidXyboardg-tabletgalaxy nexusGalaxyNexusgingerbreadhackhackedhacksice cream sandwichIceCreamSandwichkindle fireKindleFirelglg phoenixLgPhoenixmiuimobilepostminimotorolamotorola droid bionicmotorola xoomMotorolaDroidBionicMotorolaXoomphoenixrefresh roundupRefreshRoundupromromsrootrootedrrsamsungsmartphonesmartphonessonysony tablet sSonyTabletStablettablet sTabletStransformer primeTransformerPrimeupdateupdatesverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessviewsonicviewsonic g-tabletViewsonicG-tabletxoomxyboardSun, 12 Feb 2012 19:50:00 EST<![CDATA[ComScore report finds drastic shift from web-based to mobile email among younger users in past year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/11/comscore-report-finds-drastic-shift-from-web-based-to-mobile-ema/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/11/comscore-report-finds-drastic-shift-from-web-based-to-mobile-ema/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/11/comscore-report-finds-drastic-shift-from-web-based-to-mobile-ema/#comments
ComScore released its annual US Digital Future in Focus report this week, offering a year-end wrap of many of the trends its tracked throughout the past year and a look towards the next. One of the more telling stats concerns email use among those in their teens and twenties. According to the report, web-based email use among 12-17 year olds dropped 31 percent in the past year, while use among those 18 to 24 saw an even bigger drop of 34 percent. Some of that can no doubt be attributed to Facebook and other email alternatives, but a big factor is the growth of email use on mobile devices; both of those age groups saw double-digit growth in that respect, with mobile email use jumping 32 percent among 18 to 24 year olds.

In terms of sheer growth in the past couple of years, though, there's not much that matches the trajectory of tablets (obviously aided by one in particular). ComScore notes that US tablet sales over the past two years have topped 40 million, a figure that it took smartphones as a category a full seven years to reach. Another area that saw some considerable growth in 2011 is digital downloads and subscriptions (including e-books), which jumped 26 percent compared to the previous year, leading all other areas of e-commerce. The full report and some videos of the highlights can be found at the source link below.

Continue reading ComScore report finds drastic shift from web-based to mobile email among younger users in past year

ComScore report finds drastic shift from web-based to mobile email among younger users in past year originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comscoreemailemail useEmailUseinternetinternet useInternetUsereportsmartphonesstatstatstablettabletstrendtrendsSat, 11 Feb 2012 13:12:00 EST<![CDATA[HP Veer 4G, Pre 3 and TouchPad celebrate a melancholy birthday]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/10/hp-veer-4g-pre-3-and-touchpad-celebrate-a-melancholy-birthday/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/10/hp-veer-4g-pre-3-and-touchpad-celebrate-a-melancholy-birthday/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/10/hp-veer-4g-pre-3-and-touchpad-celebrate-a-melancholy-birthday/#comments Just one year ago, HP officially introduced the TouchPad, Pre 3 and Veer to its lineup. Much has happened in the 365 days since that time, which marked the end of the Palm brand, the discontinuation of the company's webOS hardware development and the decision to open source the crown jewel, webOS. Today, we hope you'll join us after the break as we bow our heads, sing some praises and remember the final three members -- for now, anyway -- of HP's webOS lineup. We'll have fireworks at the end.

Continue reading HP Veer 4G, Pre 3 and TouchPad celebrate a melancholy birthday

HP Veer 4G, Pre 3 and TouchPad celebrate a melancholy birthday originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hphp pre 3hp touchpadhp veerhp veer 4gHpPre3HpTouchpadHpVeerHpVeer4gmobilepostcrosspalmpalmprepre 3Pre3smartphonesmartphonestablettabletstouchpadtouchpad goTouchpadGoveerveer 4gVeer4gvideowebosFri, 10 Feb 2012 21:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Desktop apps may run on Win8 for ARM after all... maybe]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/07/desktop-apps-may-run-on-win8-for-arm-after-all-maybe/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/07/desktop-apps-may-run-on-win8-for-arm-after-all-maybe/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/07/desktop-apps-may-run-on-win8-for-arm-after-all-maybe/#comments Windows 8The issue of whether or not the ARM edition of Windows 8 will support both desktop and Metro-style apps has been pretty hazy. Some have claimed it would, others that it wont and, even when they've issued denials of the nay-sayers, Microsoft has stopped short of saying that ARM hardware would offer a desktop mode for non-Metro apps. Well, buried in a post about improving power efficiency over at MSDN blogs was a passing reference to "both desktop and Metro style apps" running on "System on Chip (SoC) architectures." Some, including the well regarded Mary Jo Foley, have read this to mean that desktop apps will indeed work on ARM-powered Windows tablets. Now, this seems to make sense since all of the SoC coverage has been focused on the powerful new RISC chips getting crammed in new slates and smartphones, and we've heard that Win8 and Windows Phone 8 will share the same kernel. But, there is one tiny wrinkle in this narrative -- Intel will have its own SoC solutions soon enough thanks to Medfield, so the passage could simply be a reference to those x86 chips. You'll find the relevant excerpt at the via link.

Desktop apps may run on Win8 for ARM after all... maybe originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armmary jo foleyMaryJoFoleymedfieldmicrosoftsocsystem on a chipsystem on chipsystem-on-chipSystemOnAChipSystemOnChiptablettabletswindows 8windows 8 armwindows on armWindows8Windows8ArmWindowsOnArmx86Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Refresh Roundup: week of January 30, 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/05/refresh-roundup-week-of-january-30-2012/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/05/refresh-roundup-week-of-january-30-2012/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/05/refresh-roundup-week-of-january-30-2012/#comments Refresh Roundup: week of January 30, 2012Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Continue reading Refresh Roundup: week of January 30, 2012

Refresh Roundup: week of January 30, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid 2.3android 2.3.6android 4.0.3android 4.0.4Android2.3Android2.3.6Android4.0.3Android4.0.4atrix 2Atrix2attbarnes and nobleBarnesAndNoblecarrier iqCarrierIqcasioCasio gzone commandoCasioGzoneCommandocommandocyanogenmodcyanogenmod 7cyanogenmod 9Cyanogenmod7Cyanogenmod9droid razrdroid razr maxxDroidRazrDroidRazrMaxxepic 4gEpic4gevo 4g shiftEvo4gShiftgingerbreadgzone commandoGzoneCommandohtcice cream sandwichIceCreamSandwichinfuse 4gInfuse4gmobilepostminimotorolanexus s 4gNexusS4gnook tabletNookTabletpeter alfonsoPeterAlfonsorefresh roundupRefreshRounduprezoundrrsamsungsmartphonesmartphonessprinttablettabletsupdateupdatesverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessSun, 05 Feb 2012 11:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Canalys: More smartphones than PCs shipped in 2011]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/canalys-more-smartphones-than-pcs-shipped-in-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/canalys-more-smartphones-than-pcs-shipped-in-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/canalys-more-smartphones-than-pcs-shipped-in-2011/#comments
2011: the year Smartphones supplanted computers, at least according to the bundle of spreadsheets that just arrived from Canalys Research. Vendors shipped (shipped, not sold) 488 million of the devices, compared to 414.6 million "PCs," which erroneously includes Tablet PCs of all shapes and sizes. Looking at Smartphones exclusively (IDC's numbers from yesterday concerned all mobile handsets), Apple remains king of the hill having shipped 93.1million iPhones. Samsung is close behind, with 91.9 million and Nokia is kicking along in third with 19.6 77.3 million. For all of the doomsaying around RIM, it's nestled in fourth, although Canalys chose not to include its numbers. Framing the research as "PCs versus Smartphones" isn't the wisest, given the fragmentation and hybridization prevalent in the market today. Drilling down into those numbers, we learn that 63.2 million tablets were pushed out last year, cannibalizing netbook shipments (dropping 34.5 percent in a year), but desktop and laptop movements remained relatively stable. We've included the full report and the most relevant table of data for your perusal and insight (hint: there's no points for saying netbooks are on the way out).

Correction: Nokia sold 19.6 million phones in the last quarter, but sold 77.3 million in total last year.

Continue reading Canalys: More smartphones than PCs shipped in 2011

Canalys: More smartphones than PCs shipped in 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleBlackBerryBusinessCanalysCanalys ResearchCanalysResearchDataDesktopsGalaxyiPhoneLaptopsLumiamobilepostcrossNetbooksNokiaNumbersRIMSamsungShipmentsStatsTabletsFri, 03 Feb 2012 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Canalys: Apple leading PC maker in Q4 2011, if you count iPads]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/30/canalys-apple-leading-pc-manufacturer-if-you-count-ipads/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/30/canalys-apple-leading-pc-manufacturer-if-you-count-ipads/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/30/canalys-apple-leading-pc-manufacturer-if-you-count-ipads/#comments
Best quarter in Apple's history? Check. Retaking the smartphone crown from Samsung? Check. How about becoming the world's largest PC manufacturer? If you're Canalys and you factor iPads into the equation, then yes, another check. Per the research firm, "client PCs" (which include "desktops, netbooks, notebooks and tabs") grew by 16 percent to hit 120 million in Q4, from which Apple's 20 million units (15 million iPads + 5 million Macs) grabbed the leading 17 percent share. Cupertino's followed by HP, Lenovo, Dell and Acer in that order -- all of whom, save for Lenovo, saw their piece of the PC pie shrink. Not only did their slices shrink, but without slates the entire tart was .4 percent smaller than last year -- meaning that all of the growth in "client PC" segment was due to tablets. With that kind of statistical precedence Windows 8 can't come soon enough, right Stevie B?

Continue reading Canalys: Apple leading PC maker in Q4 2011, if you count iPads

Canalys: Apple leading PC maker in Q4 2011, if you count iPads originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acerapplecanalysdellhpipadipad 2Ipad2lenovomarketsharepc salesPcSalespost-pcslatetablettabletswindows 8windows 8 tabletWindows8Windows8TabletMon, 30 Jan 2012 18:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon-bound ZTE V66 slate gets photographed, looks just like you imagined]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/verizon-zte-v66-lte-tablet-picture/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/verizon-zte-v66-lte-tablet-picture/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/verizon-zte-v66-lte-tablet-picture/#comments Verizon-bound ZTE V66 slate gets photographed, looks just like you imaginedIt wasn't long ago that we first crossed paths with the ZTE V66 tablet, though at the time we were unfortunate to only meet its dull black-and-white renders. Those of you unfamiliar with the tab won't have your jaws dropped by its innards, which are expected to be missing out on the Ice Cream Sandwich treatment. Aside from the OS letdown (still, it's not as bad as shipping with Gingerbread), the V66 is pretty standard fare for a modern tablet. It'll be running on Verizon's speedy LTE network, sporting a 7-inch (1,280 x 800) display, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and a 4,000mAh battery will help keep it chugging along. We've yet to hear an official word from the Big Red about price and availability, so we'll let you know how deep into your wallet you'll have to dig as soon as we find out.

Verizon-bound ZTE V66 slate gets photographed, looks just like you imagined originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid tabletAndroidTablethoneycombltetablettabletsv66verizonverizon lteverizon zte tabletVerizonLteVerizonZteTabletztezte v66ZteV66Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung 2011 Q4 earnings official: $42 billion in sales, $4.7 billion operating profit]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/26/samsung-2011-q4-earnings-official-billion-in-revenue-4-6-bi/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/26/samsung-2011-q4-earnings-official-billion-in-revenue-4-6-bi/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/26/samsung-2011-q4-earnings-official-billion-in-revenue-4-6-bi/#comments It might not be making as much money as the competition in Cupertino, but that doesn't mean Samsung isn't raking in cash at an astonishing clip. We reported earnings estimates a few weeks ago, but now it's official that the firm posted a 5.3 trillion won ($4.7 billion) operating profit in Q4 2011. That represents over a 2 trillion won ($1.8 billion) increase year over year. In all, it pulled in 47.3 trillion won ($42 billion) in sales, thanks in no small part to the over 300 million phones Sammy sold last year. While mobile accounted for roughly 40 percent of company sales and half of its operating profit (2.6 trillion won, or $2.3 billion), its semiconductor business did almost as well, raking in 2.3 trillion won ($2 billion) in profit over the same period. Samsung's Display Panel business outperformed 2010 -- buoyed by strong sales in LED televisions -- as sales were up almost 20 percent, to 8.55 trillion won ($7.6 billion).

Well the call just finished up, and Sammy provided some prognosication for 2012. It anticipates the mobile business to continue to grow, with LTE and and new market segments (read: Galaxy Note) helping drive sales. TV sales are also expected to remain on the uptick, as Samsung anticipates demand to continue growing due in part to the London Olympics and roll-out of more Smart TVs. Feel free to check out all the numbers giving Samsung reason for its optimism at the source link below.

Samsung 2011 Q4 earnings official: $42 billion in sales, $4.7 billion operating profit originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfinancialsgalaxyhdpostcrosshdtvlcdmobilepostcrossphonesplasmaprofitprofitsq4q4 2011q4-2011Q42011quarterlysalessamsungsmartphonestablettabletstvThu, 26 Jan 2012 19:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Belfry brings Stocks and Weather, other native iPhone apps to jailbroken iPads]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/25/belfry-bring-iphone-apps-to-jailbroken-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/25/belfry-bring-iphone-apps-to-jailbroken-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/25/belfry-bring-iphone-apps-to-jailbroken-ipad/#comments Belfry brings Stocks and Weather, other native iPhone apps to jailbroken iPadsRounding out the honeymoon period with that freshly jailbroken iPad 2? Well now we have some new apps for you to play with, and you may already be acquainted. iOS hacker Ryan Petrich's most recent project, dubbed Belfry, lets you install stock iPhone apps that are otherwise absent from both versions of Apple's tablet including Clock, Voice Memos, Stocks, Calculator, Compass and Weather. As to why these aren't included already is beyond our knowledge, but at least there's an alternative. Users can install Belfry directly within Cydia for free from the BigBoss repository. If you're looking for proof to seal the deal, you can catch the bashful Belfry and his silent film antics after the break.

Continue reading Belfry brings Stocks and Weather, other native iPhone apps to jailbroken iPads

Belfry brings Stocks and Weather, other native iPhone apps to jailbroken iPads originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppAppleApplicationApplicationsAppsCalculatorClockcommunityCompassCompatibleCydiaiPadiPad 2ipad jailbreakipad jailbrokeniPad2IpadJailbreakIpadJailbrokeniPhoneiPhone 4Siphone appiPhone AppsIphone4sIphoneAppIphoneAppsJailbreakJailbreakingmobilepostcrossoptimizedPortRepoRepositoryRyan PetrichRyanPetrichStockstabletTabletsTweakTweaksvideoVoice MemosVoiceMemosVoiceUtilsWeatherWed, 25 Jan 2012 15:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Acer Iconia Tab A510 to hit European retailers this April?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/25/acer-iconia-tab-a510-to-hit-european-retailers-this-april/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/25/acer-iconia-tab-a510-to-hit-european-retailers-this-april/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/25/acer-iconia-tab-a510-to-hit-european-retailers-this-april/#comments Amidst the madness that was CES, Acer quietly snuck its Iconia Tab A510 onto the showroom floor, tucking the tablet into the folds of NVIDIA's booth. While the company was more than willing to fess up to the slate's specs -- quad-core Tegra 3 processor, skinned Ice Cream Sandwich UX, 1280 x 800 display -- little in the way of pricing and availability were revealed. If a report out of Germany is to be believed, however, Europeans (sorry, statesiders) might very well see the 10.1-incher hit retail as early as this April, with a €500 price tag in tow. That's all the rumor mill's wrought for now, folks, but we'll keep you posted should the news go official at CeBIT 2012.

Acer Iconia Tab A510 to hit European retailers this April? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A510AcerAndroidAndroid 4.0Android4.0CeBITIce Cream SandwichIceCreamSandwichIconia Tab A510IconiaTabA510quad coreQuadCorereleaserumorslateslatestablettabletsTegra 3Tegra3Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Tim Cook: The tablet will be bigger than the PC one day]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/24/tim-cook-the-tablet-will-be-bigger-than-the-pc-one-day/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/24/tim-cook-the-tablet-will-be-bigger-than-the-pc-one-day/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/24/tim-cook-the-tablet-will-be-bigger-than-the-pc-one-day/#comments iPad 2This probably shouldn't shock too many people but, Tim Cook believes the future isn't with the PC, but with the tablet. After shipping 15.4 million iPads in Q1 Cupertino is clearly comfortable with the idea that tablets are taking off and, as we begin to demand our devices become more mobile, it only makes sense that these finger-friendly slates will one day outsell less portable options like laptops and desktops. When might that day come? Well, Mr. Cook refused to speculate, but he was confident that the tablet market will be bigger, at least in terms of units sold, than traditional computers. Cook is already seeing a shift, with the iPad cannibalizing some Mac sales, but he does believe "there's more cannibalization of Windows PCs by the iPad," a trend he clearly loves. We hope, for their own sake, Dell and HP are ready for the coming revolution.

Tim Cook: The tablet will be bigger than the PC one day originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecomputersdesktopsearningsipadipad 2Ipad2laptopspcsspeculationtablettabletstim cookTimCookTue, 24 Jan 2012 17:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Switched On: Connected Electronics Show]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/22/switched-on-CES-connected-electronics-show/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/22/switched-on-CES-connected-electronics-show/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/22/switched-on-CES-connected-electronics-show/#commentsEach week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Compared to CES 2011, which featured an explosion of tablets and high-powered smartphones poised to jump on emerging 4G networks, this year's edition of Gear and Gloating in Las Vegas was a more muted affair when it came to mobile devices. Sure, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile trotted out a few devices and there were even a few standouts, such as the Transformer Primesque Lenovo IdeaTab S2 with its its docking keyboard as well as the heavily promoted Galaxy Note, coming soon the U.S. after launching in Europe.

Continue reading Switched On: Connected Electronics Show

Switched On: Connected Electronics Show originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gAppleBoxeeces 2012Ces2012CetoncolumnDishDVREyefiG.hnGalaxy NoteGalaxyNoteGoFLex SatelliteGoflexSatelliteHomeGridHomePlugIdeaTab S2IdeatabS2LTEOLED TVOledTvRokuSimplet.TVsmartphonesswitched onSwitchedOntabletsTaggVoxxSun, 22 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[US Wi-Fi Xooms now getting Ice Cream Sandwich OTA]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/xoom-ice-cream-sandwich-update/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/xoom-ice-cream-sandwich-update/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/xoom-ice-cream-sandwich-update/#comments US Wi-Fi Xooms now getting Ice Cream Sandwich OTAYou might have thought being the first Honeycomb tablet, and offering a completely stock Android experience, would give the Motorola Xoom some sort of priority when it comes to updates to Android 4.0. Sadly and surprisingly for tablet early-adopters that was not the case, with the Transformer Prime first to hop the update train to Ice Cream Sandwich Town. A week later the Xoom is now catching up, with an OTA update percolating down from the cloud to users, but for the moment it appears only American Wi-Fi versions of the slate are receiving. International and LTE-equipped ones are going to have to wait at least a little longer.

US Wi-Fi Xooms now getting Ice Cream Sandwich OTA originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidice cream sandwichIceCreamSandwichmotorolaotasoftware updateSoftwareUpdatetablettabletsupdatewi-fixoomWed, 18 Jan 2012 06:34:00 EST<![CDATA[LG makes Optimus Pad LTE official, 8.9-inch IPS tablet coming first to South Korea]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/lg-announces-optimus-pad-lte/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/lg-announces-optimus-pad-lte/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/lg-announces-optimus-pad-lte/#comments You've already seen this little guy in the wild, but LG has gone ahead and made its first LTE tablet very official -- ladies and gentlemen, meet the Optimus Pad LTE. The 9.3mm thin slate packs a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm CPU and an 8.9-inch 1280 x 768 IPS display, along with an 8 megapixel camera on the rear and a 2 megapixel option up front. Users can expect an SD card slot that supports modules up to 32GB, and there's also HDMI connectivity and DLNA certification for good measure. It's powered by a 6,800mAh battery, but out of the gate, it'll ship with Android 3.2 -- no word on when the latest Pad hopes to grab a bite of Ice Cream Sandwich. The Optimus Pad LTE's scheduled to arrive first in LG's home territory of South Korea, but for those interested in a more complete rundown, be sure to check the PR after the break.

Gallery: LG Optimus Pad LTE

Continue reading LG makes Optimus Pad LTE official, 8.9-inch IPS tablet coming first to South Korea

LG makes Optimus Pad LTE official, 8.9-inch IPS tablet coming first to South Korea originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gandroidandroid 3.2Android3.2honeycomblglteoptimus padoptimus pad lteOptimusPadOptimusPadLtesouth koreaSouthKoreatablettabletsTue, 17 Jan 2012 21:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Windows 8 hardware requirements: some good, some not-so-good]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/microsofts-windows-8-hardware-requirements/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/microsofts-windows-8-hardware-requirements/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/microsofts-windows-8-hardware-requirements/#comments
First, an apology: Microsoft released details of Windows 8's tablet hardware requirements back in December, but we were too preoccupied with Christmas and CES to notice. Now that the only thing we're suffering from is jet-lag, let's take a quick tour of some notable extracts from the documentation and what it'll mean for users when the operating system arrives towards the back end of the year.

Continue reading Microsoft's Windows 8 hardware requirements: some good, some not-so-good

Microsoft's Windows 8 hardware requirements: some good, some not-so-good originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ARMHackHackingHardware RequirementsHardwareRequirementsIntelLinuxLockoutMicrosoftOpen SourceOpenSourceSecurityTabletTabletsUFEIWindows 8Windows 8 DocumentationWindows 8 Hardware CertificationWindows 8 TabletWindows8Windows8DocumentationWindows8HardwareCertificationWindows8TabletTue, 17 Jan 2012 13:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Coby unveils its family of Ice Cream Sandwich slates, we go hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/coby-unveils-its-family-of-ice-cream-sandwich-slates-we-go-hand/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/coby-unveils-its-family-of-ice-cream-sandwich-slates-we-go-hand/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/coby-unveils-its-family-of-ice-cream-sandwich-slates-we-go-hand/#comments It's hard to tell whether CES 2012 beat out last years show for tablet numbers, but there were plenty of slabs less likely to throttle your wallet in 2012. Coby has leapt onto that very bandwagon, with a whole slew of tablets. Several, but not all, made their first appearance at this year's CES and we were itching to see how they would stack up against some very price-savvy devices. We were informed (several times) that these were still prototypes, but user experience differed substantially between models. Budget tablet fans can check out our impressions and a brief video summary of the Coby clan right after the break.

Gallery: Coby Ice Cream Sandwich tablet family hands-on at CES 2012

Continue reading Coby unveils its family of Ice Cream Sandwich slates, we go hands-on (video)

Coby unveils its family of Ice Cream Sandwich slates, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidAndroid 4.0Android ICSAndroid4.0AndroidIcsCESces 2012Ces2012Cobygooglehands-onIce Cream SandwichIceCreamSandwichtabletsvideoMon, 16 Jan 2012 09:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel-powered Windows 8 tablets to struggle for sub-$600 pricing?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/intel-windows-8-tablet-pricing/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/intel-windows-8-tablet-pricing/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/intel-windows-8-tablet-pricing/#comments WintelMicrosoft has a big battle ahead to overcome the overwhelming popularity of the iPad on the tablet computing front, and its Intel-powered slates might be starting at a distinct disadvantage if a DigiTimes report is to be believed. The site indicates that neither Intel nor Microsoft are willing to cut their prices to help manufacturers, the former providing the Clover Trail hardware and the latter the Windows 8 software, which could see these machines starting at $599 and going way up from there. This could send manufacturers looking for lesser-expensive ARM-powered hardware, creating tablets incapable of executing the current gamut of x86 Windows software. Will users pay a premium for app compatibility as tablet prices on other platforms plummet? Just how attached are you to that copy of Wing Commander you've been hanging on to for decades?

Intel-powered Windows 8 tablets to struggle for sub-$600 pricing? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armcedar trailCedarTrailintelmicrosoftpricingrumorslatetablettabletswindowswindows 8Windows8Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:18:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 2012: tablet roundup]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/14/ces-2012-tablet-roundup/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/14/ces-2012-tablet-roundup/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/14/ces-2012-tablet-roundup/#comments
Couldn't keep up with the 600+ posts we wrote covering CES 2012 in Las Vegas? We're here to help sift the wheat from the chaff, and if you're hoping to see the best of what CES had to offer in the world of tablets, you've come to the right place. As you can imagine, finding the best slate is much easier said than done, since it seemed as though nearly every major company brought a tablet in some shape, form or color. Head past the break to see our personal favorites from the show.

Continue reading CES 2012: tablet roundup

CES 2012: tablet roundup originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acer iconia tab a200acer iconia tab a510acer iconia tab a700AcerIconiaTabA200AcerIconiaTabA510AcerIconiaTabA700asusasus transformer primeAsusTransformerPrimecesces 2012Ces2012ces2012bestofelementideapadideapad yogaIdeapadYogalenovo ideapad yogaLenovoIdeapadYogamarvellolpcolpc xo 3.0OlpcXo3.0pantech elementPantechElementtabletstf700ttransformer primeTransformer Prime TF700TTransformerPrimeTransformerPrimeTf700txo 3.0Xo3.0yogaSat, 14 Jan 2012 17:01:00 EST<![CDATA[TI's wireless charger for tablets does amazing things with electrons, sticky tape]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/14/tis-wireless-charger-for-tablets-does-amazing-things-with-elect/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/14/tis-wireless-charger-for-tablets-does-amazing-things-with-elect/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/14/tis-wireless-charger-for-tablets-does-amazing-things-with-elect/#comments Either TI has the hots for Arduino in a big way, or its latest wireless charging kit isn't quite ready for mass production. When it does arrive, however, it promises to do away with those cumbersome specialized sleeves and back covers that are currently needed for inductive charging. Instead, it'll deliver efficient in a package that's small enough to be installed as part of a device's internal circuitry. In addition to the Qi-standard 5W version we glimpsed a while back, the company is also working on a 10W variant for the iPad 2 and other tablets, which could wipe the smile off LaunchPort's face and perhaps make MicroUSB 3.0 superfluous before it even gets here.

TI's wireless charger for tablets does amazing things with electrons, sticky tape originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10wapplebatterychargingcharging coilChargingCoilinductive chargingInductiveChargingipad 2Ipad2qitablettabletstexas instrumentsTexasInstrumentstiwireless chargingWirelessChargingSat, 14 Jan 2012 09:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Gigabyte's CES 2012 lineup: tablets, laptops and netvertibles, oh my!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/gigabytes-ces-2012-lineup-tablets-laptops-and-netvertibles-o/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/gigabytes-ces-2012-lineup-tablets-laptops-and-netvertibles-o/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/gigabytes-ces-2012-lineup-tablets-laptops-and-netvertibles-o/#comments
Gigabyte's CES suite is something of an alternate universe. It's a place where Ultrabooks and ICS tablets don't exist, and Windows 7 slates, netvertibles and dockable systems are the norm. On display, of course, you'll find the S1081 Windows 7 tablet ($649), a refresh of the S1080 that steps up to a Cedar Trail CPU and adds an HDMI port in the process, but otherwise has the same specs and design. That'll land sometime this quarter. That netvertible of the nostalgic '90s variety would be the 10-inch T1006M ($559), which has Cedar Trail innards, 2GB of RAM, a 320GB or 500GB HDD and is "3.5G-ready." Availability details are hazy, as Gigabyte can't specify timing until Intel reveals when Cedar Trail will ship. Suffice to say, Gigabyte expects it to hit the US this quarter.

Other than that, the fare on display includes previously announced models just making their way to the states. These include the Booktop M2432 ($1,049 and up), a 14-inch, Core i5-powered laptop that can be plugged into a dock loaded with NVIDIA's desktop-grade GT 440 GPU. The M2432, meanwhile, is a more imposing sort of machine, with a 15.6-inch, 1080p display, Blu-ray drive, 750GB 7,200RPM HDD and Core i7 CPU paired with a 2GB GeForce GT555M card. Lastly, there's the dockable T1132N tablet ($1,169), which looks awfully familiar.

All told, we found ourselves primarily gravitating toward the Booktop, whose GPU-in-a-dock reminds us of the Sony VAIO Z, only with desktop-caliber graphics, and without the skinny laptop to go with it. We also looked twice at the T1132N, just because convertibles seem to be having their moment, though if you've seen the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga's 1600 x 900 IPS display, Gigabyte's entry seems common. Other than that, we were too busy taking photos of all the gear. Obviously.

Gallery: Gigabyte S1081 tablet hands-on

Gallery: Gigabyte T1132N convertible hands-on

Gallery: Gigabyte Booktop M2432 laptop hands-on

Gallery: Gigabyte P2532F laptop hands-on

Gigabyte's CES 2012 lineup: tablets, laptops and netvertibles, oh my! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BooktopBooktop M2432BooktopM2432cesces 2012Ces2012Electronic-ArtsGigabyteGigabyte BooktopGigabyte Booktop M2432Gigabyte P2532Fgigabyte s1081gigabyte t1006mGigabyte T1132NGigabyteBooktopGigabyteBooktopM2432GigabyteP2532fGigabyteS1081GigabyteT1006mGigabyteT1132nlaptoplaptopsnetvertiblesP2532FtablettabletsThu, 12 Jan 2012 23:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Google's Matias Duarte reveals design standards for Android 4.0 at CES 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/google-design-standards-android-4-ice-cream-sandwich/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/google-design-standards-android-4-ice-cream-sandwich/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/google-design-standards-android-4-ice-cream-sandwich/#comments Looking for a little more consistent UI experience with your Android devices? Google is looking to make that happen as the folks in Mountain View has revealed that the upcoming Ice Cream Sandwich OS will be the first Android software to institute design standards for developers. Android Design is a online repository for the UI guidelines and blueprints for version 4.0, which we learned would unify smartphones and tablets back at Google I/O. This set of information should make things all neat and tidy for ICS devices, keeping user interface characteristics a bit more cohesive from app to app. Here, devs will find all the basic info and elements that are native to platform in order to make the best applications possible for the OS. Mr. Duarte warns that if you choose to not follow the style guide, your software will stand out -- and not in a good way. He also quipped that these are indeed guidelines, not mandates. And that they will gain value as more folks adopt them. Yeah, we know... the competition from Cupertino has been doing this for a while now, but a bit more structure in the Android universe certainly won't draw any complaints from us.

Continue reading Google's Matias Duarte reveals design standards for Android 4.0 at CES 2012

Google's Matias Duarte reveals design standards for Android 4.0 at CES 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid 4.0Android Ice Cream SandwichAndroid4.0AndroidIceCreamSandwichappapplicationsAppStoreApprovalProcessbreaking newscesces 2012Ces2012designdesign guidelinesdesign standardsDesignGuidelinesDesignStandardsgoogleguidelinesIce Cream SandwichIceCreamSandwichmathias duarteMathiasDuartemobilepostcrosssmartphonessoftbankstandardstabletsUIThu, 12 Jan 2012 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Acer Iconia Tab A200 hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/acer-iconia-tab-a200-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/acer-iconia-tab-a200-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/acer-iconia-tab-a200-hands-on-video/#comments Here at CES, you'd expect little 'ol Tegra 2 to get lost in the mix amid the Medfield prototypes, Windows 8 samplers and quad-core Tegra 3 devices. Not necessarily -- not if the price is right, anyway. The Acer Iconia Tab A200 packs NVIDIA's last-gen SoC, and no, it's not the slimmest or lightest tablet on the block, but for $330 you get a 10-inch slate on the brink of an ICS update. That counts for something, right? We'd say so, especially if Ice Cream Sandwich does indeed correct some of the sluggishness that's plagued Honeycomb tablets (even Tegra 3-powered ones).

We got a few minutes of hands-on time with it today, and though we can't speak to potential deal-breakers like battery life or everyday usability, we came away feeling that all of the sacrifices Acer made in order to hit that $330 price are quite reasonable. Take the build quality, for instance. Although the A200 trades the A500's aluminum backing for plastic, it still has a soft, slightly textured finish that feels pleasant to touch and also makes cradling the thing that much more comfortable. It's noticeably chunkier than the Transformer Primes of the world but then again, it's also one of the few tablets with a USB 2.0 port, which would help explain the thickness. The 10.1-inch (1280 x 800) display is the same middling one you'll find on the A500; it doesn't compare to the A700's 1080p screen, but its relatively narrow viewing angles won't be an issue when you're streaming Netflix by your lonesome. It's missing a rear-facing camera, but do you really mind? (At this price, we don't.) And though you don't need the so-called Acer Ring for launching apps, it's an easy to use UI that manages not to get in your way.

For now, this could be a tempting deal for people who don't have $500 to spend, but after seeing other companies tease their wares here at CES, we're concerned that the price wars haven't yet hit a plateau. We know, we know: there's always going to be something faster, thinner and better, but in this case, that something better might cost less too. Take ASUS, for instance: the company is readying a 7-inch, quad-core tablet that will cost just $249. If this is where the market is headed (and recent remarks by NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang suggest it is), who knows how inexpensive Tegra 2 / 3 tablets will get over the coming months? The A200 seems fine for what it is; we just wonder if perhaps it's a transitional product, with a transitional price.

Update: To clarify, the A200 starts at $330 with 8GB of storage, as previously reported. The higher-end version has 16GB, and will sell for $350.

Billy Steele contributed to this report.

Gallery: Acer Iconia Tab A200 hands-on

Continue reading Acer Iconia Tab A200 hands-on (video)

Acer Iconia Tab A200 hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A200AcerAcer Iconia TabAcer Iconia Tab A200AcerIconiaTabAcerIconiaTabA200AndroidAndroid 3.2Android 4.0Android tabletAndroid tabletsAndroid3.2Android4.0AndroidTabletAndroidTabletscesces 2012Ces2012ces2012bestofGoogleHoneycombIce Cream SandwichIceCreamSandwichIconia TabIconia Tab A200IconiaTabIconiaTabA200ICStablettabletsvideoThu, 12 Jan 2012 15:48:00 EST<![CDATA[ViewSonic ViewPad 10e hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/viewsonic-viewpad-10e-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/viewsonic-viewpad-10e-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/viewsonic-viewpad-10e-hands-on-video/#comments You've already seen the ViewPad 10pi and the prototype E70, but we have one more tablet from ViewSonic for your thirsty peepers. Known as the ViewPad 10e, it'll go on sale at the end of the month for $299 and is squarely aimed at the budget crowd. Build-wise, you'd never know it, as the slab contains a downright sexy 10-inch IPS display with excellent viewing angles and a svelte 9.1mm profile. Unfortunately, this is where the good news ends. Rather than shipping with Honeycomb or Ice Cream Sandwich, the ViewPad 10e runs Gingerbread with some fanciful software enhancements. Further, because it lacks certification from Google, the Android Market is nowhere in sight, leaving users to fend for scraps in the Amazon Appstore. Using the tablet was generally a choppy endeavor -- visible even from the application menu -- and the experience became decidedly worse when we took the slate online. Perhaps most unfortunate, this effort suggests that ViewSonic could make an excellent tablet if it wished to do so. Instead, the ViewPad 10e feels like a half-hearted attempt.

Gallery: ViewSonic ViewPad 10e hands-on

Continue reading ViewSonic ViewPad 10e hands-on (video)

ViewSonic ViewPad 10e hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10eandroidandroid 2.3Android2.3cesces 2012Ces2012hands onhands-onHandsOntablettabletsvideoviewpadviewpad 10eViewpad10eviewsonicWed, 11 Jan 2012 23:41:00 EST<![CDATA[ViewSonic E70 tablet hands-on, seven-inches of Ice Cream Sandwich for $169 in March (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/viewsonic-e70-tablet-hands-on-with-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/viewsonic-e70-tablet-hands-on-with-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/viewsonic-e70-tablet-hands-on-with-video/#comments When we arrived at the ViewSonic booth, we expected to find only two new tablets of interest. As trade shows often go, the company surprised us with a pre-production model known as the ViewPad E70. With a 7-inch WVGA touchscreen, this tablet will ship out of the gate with Ice Cream Sandwich and will be available for a mere $169 by the end of March. While there's still much work to be done -- especially with the software interface -- this little guy could be an excellent value for many who want a tablet that's small and inexpensive. We're told the ViewPad E70 features a 1GHz CPU and 4GB of internal storage, along with WiFi, a microSD slot, a micro-HDMI port and a front-facing camera of unknown specification. Apparently, some models will feature 3G connectivity, although ViewSonic representatives were unable to provide further details regarding availability or network support.

Many features, including the camera and WiFi, have yet to be implemented, and hardware changes are certain before the device's official launch. For instance, the capacitive buttons along the bezel are going away, as this functionality is now built-in to the Android 4.0 interface. Further, the camera we spotted on the rear won't exist come final version. Still, if the shipping model is anything like the prototype -- which is only 10.9mm thick -- we think many will be quite satisfied with the product's look and feel. Like the company's other tablets, the ViewPad E70 won't include the Android Market and instead will ship with the Amazon Appstore -- unfortunate, but it is what it is.

Gallery: ViewSonic ViewPad E70 hands-on

Continue reading ViewSonic E70 tablet hands-on, seven-inches of Ice Cream Sandwich for $169 in March (video)

ViewSonic E70 tablet hands-on, seven-inches of Ice Cream Sandwich for $169 in March (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid 4.0Android4.0cesces 2012Ces2012e70hands onhands-onHandsOnice cream sandwichIceCreamSandwichprototypetablettabletsvideoviewpadviewpad e70ViewpadE70viewsonicWed, 11 Jan 2012 22:14:00 EST<![CDATA[ViewSonic ViewPad 10pi dual-boot tablet hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/viewsonic-viewpad-10pi-tablet-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/viewsonic-viewpad-10pi-tablet-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/viewsonic-viewpad-10pi-tablet-hands-on/#comments The ViewSonic ViewPad 10pi was announced here at CES, and according to the company, it'll be in retail stores later this month. This is a scary proposition. Sadly, our time with the tablet was filled with glitches and frustration -- as is, this dual-booter seems entirely unfit for the market. The Android 2.3 environment is nearly unusable and often freezes completely. While this could certainly be resolved with a software update, the hardware implementation is regrettably poor for Android use. Rather than capacitive navigation buttons, necessities such as home, menu and back are located along the edge of the tablet as small, physical buttons. Half the time, they didn't even work. Our fleeting moments with a usable Android environment were generally pleasant, but the system generally locked up after a few minutes. As another black eye, Android Market is nowhere to be seen, which means the Amazon Appstore will have to suffice. We're told that customers will need enable Android themselves, because out-of-the-box, the tablet will only run Windows 7. It's painfully apparent why this decision was made.

With a 1.5GHz Intel Oak Trail Z670, we had decent expectations for performance within Windows. Unfortunately, even web browsing was generally unsatisfying. Pinch-to-zoom and scrolling were both rather choppy, and -- as much as this comment pains us -- we longed to return to Android. Windows has never been friendly for touch use, and while ViewSonic has included a special environment that's designed to make applications and settings more accessible, in practice it takes a while to load and is no more useful than a set of well-appointed desktop icons. Another gripe, the included Swype keyboard would often appear at inopportune times, even when there was no option for text input. Priced at $849, we struggle to see much of a value proposition here. While the ViewPad 10pi attempts to be the jack of all trades, in reality it's just one big headache.

Gallery: ViewSonic ViewPad 10pi hands-on

Continue reading ViewSonic ViewPad 10pi dual-boot tablet hands-on (video)

ViewSonic ViewPad 10pi dual-boot tablet hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10piandroidandroid 2.3Android2.3cesces 2012Ces2012dual bootdual-bootDualBoothands onhands-onHandsOntablettabletsvideoviewpadviewpad 10piViewpad10piviewsonicwindows 7Windows7Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Lenovo IdeaPad S2 7 with integrated WHDI mirroring hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/lenovo-ideapad-s2-7-with-integrated-whdi-mirroring-hands-on-vid/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/lenovo-ideapad-s2-7-with-integrated-whdi-mirroring-hands-on-vid/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/lenovo-ideapad-s2-7-with-integrated-whdi-mirroring-hands-on-vid/#comments With inconvenient HDMI cables and half-baked wireless solutions, HD streaming from a tablet or laptop to an HDTV has been clunky, at best. And while WHDI has improved the experience drastically by minimizing lag and providing a standard platform, dongles went out of style long before the first slim tablet made its debut several years ago. A near-perfect solution may be on the horizon, however. Amimon has teamed up with Lenovo to integrate WHDI technology in the new IdeaPad S2 7, enabling wireless streaming without the need for an external transmitter -- you'll still need to attach a receiver to your TV for now. We had a chance to go hands-on with the tablet and TV at the company's suite at CES, and were quite impressed with how it performed.

Because all of the necessary hardware is integrated, there's not much to speak of on that front, though it's worth noting that adding WHDI functionality doesn't translate into a larger footprint. It's also very efficient, using "a few hundred milliwatts" of power to mirror the tablet's display to an HDTV, according to the company. There was no noticeable lag, and the picture appeared very sharp and consistent, both when playing back video and while mirroring apps and the interface to the connected Sony TV. Unfortunately, Amimon reps were unable to confirm that the technology will be included with upcoming Lenovo tablets -- or those from other manufacturers -- but judging by what we saw today, we wouldn't be surprised to see WHDI making its way to a variety of devices in the not-so-distant future. Jump past the break to see it in action.

Gallery: Lenovo IdeaPad S2 7 with integrated WHDI mirroring hands-on

Continue reading Lenovo IdeaPad S2 7 with integrated WHDI mirroring hands-on (video)

Lenovo IdeaPad S2 7 with integrated WHDI mirroring hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amimoncesces 2012Ces2012hands-onHD streaminghdmiHdStreaminghdtvideapadIdeaPad S2 7IdeapadS27lenovolenovo ideapadlenovo IdeaPad S2 7LenovoIdeapadLenovoIdeapadS27mobilepostcrossstreamingtablettablet pcTabletPctabletsvideowhdiwhdi streamingWhdiStreamingwirelesswireless streamingWirelessStreamingWed, 11 Jan 2012 19:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba 5.1-inch prototype tablet eyes-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/toshiba-5-1-inch-prototype-tablet-eyes-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/toshiba-5-1-inch-prototype-tablet-eyes-on/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/toshiba-5-1-inch-prototype-tablet-eyes-on/#comments Those 13- and 7.7-inch Toshiba concepts were pretty sweet, but what if you're in the mood something in slightly odder aspect ratio? The company had another prototype, one that we couldn't convince them to take out of its glass case, that's not unlike the Intel MID that was floating around back in 2008 and 2009. It's sporting a 21:9 screen in a Galaxy Note-class 5.1-inch size. The bottom of the phablet is home to the microUSB and HDMI ports, while all the physical buttons are on the right side, though, they're oddly positioned near the bottom of the device. One of the three keys is clearly the volume rocker and one is presumably the lock/power, but we're not entirely sure what the other is for. Check out the gallery below and, if we can convince them to open up the case, we'll return with more hands-on impression.

Gallery: Toshiba 5.1-inch tablet eyes-on



Billy Steele contributed to this report.

Toshiba 5.1-inch prototype tablet eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2012Ces2012concepteyes-onhands-onprototypetablettabletstoshibatoshiba 5.1-inch tabletToshiba5.1-inchTabletWed, 11 Jan 2012 17:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Vaio Hybrid and Slate tablet concepts showcase new form factors, flexible materials (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/sony-vaio-hybrid-and-slate-tablet-concepts-showcase-new-form-fac/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/sony-vaio-hybrid-and-slate-tablet-concepts-showcase-new-form-fac/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/sony-vaio-hybrid-and-slate-tablet-concepts-showcase-new-form-fac/#comments Black, bezeled and rectangular? That's pretty much the go-to design for tablets nowadays. But lately Sony's been straying from the pack and taking a different aesthetic tack, which it recently showcased with the Tablet S and P. On the showroom floor at CES, however, the company had two newer models secured behind glass to give consumers a sense of future form factors. These prototypes -- known prospectively as the Hybrid and Slate -- fall under the Vaio brand and clearly highlight an exciting direction for the Japanese electronics giant's impending offerings.

The Hybrid's most distinctive feature is its marriage of laptop functionality with tablet portability. Sliding the unit up and locking it into place reveals a keyboard in front (shown with a dedicated Windows button) and an expansive speaker grill behind. The company wouldn't elaborate on the materials used in the enclosure, but that sparkly, copper color manages to toe the line between cheap and space age -- a definite contradiction, for sure. At the base of the 11-inch unit is a dock that fits an included stylus, as this tablet is being designed to support touch pen input, in addition to the typical capacitive touch. None of the ports on the device are final, but when and if it ever ships, you can expect the usual array.

For a true glimpse into the next generation of tablet manufacturing, you need only look to Sony's tablet Slate -- the real stunner of this conceptual duo. With its use of a smart, soft touch flexible material -- the company refused to elaborate on just what -- that extends from the unit's back for easy table top mounting, it's easy to see a product like this setting consumers' interest on fire and nabbing that lust-worthy tech crown. Unfortunately, this particular scifi casing is more than likely a few years off, but it's good to see the company innovating and attempting to break free from the shackles of ordinary builds. The Slate is also designed to work with a wireless keyboard that shares the same intelligent material and appears to incorporate a touch interface. Click on through the galleries below for a tour of these two proof of concepts and make sure to click on past the break for a brief video tour.

Gallery: Sony concept tablet Hybrid


Gallery: Sony concept tablet Slate

Continue reading Sony Vaio Hybrid and Slate tablet concepts showcase new form factors, flexible materials (video)

Sony Vaio Hybrid and Slate tablet concepts showcase new form factors, flexible materials (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESCES 2012Ces2012ces2012bestofconceptconceptseyes-onflexible materialFlexibleMaterialfuturehands-onHybridSlatesmart materialSmartMaterialSonySony VaioSonyVaiostylustabletsVaiovideoWed, 11 Jan 2012 16:15:00 EST