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#ICYMI: A cockroach robot, new half-boat drones and more
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-53482{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-53482, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-53482{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-53482").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: The tiny robot that's modeled after cockroaches because science is disgusting; the family-friendly tech gadget to teach your two-year-old to call her grandma, if only you didn't have to install the corresponding app on your Mom's phone; and Parrot's new drones include a hydrofoil option, for the sailors who know how cool that is. (If you don't, check out this physics explainer for how a hydrofoil gives speed and rad points.)
The top 12 tablets you can buy right now
It's true, we don't review quite as many tablets around here as we used to, but that doesn't mean slates have gone the way of the dodo. Microsoft's new Surface 3 is as much a budget PC as it is an iPad competitor, while Dell's sleek Venue 8 7000 reminds us that there's still a place for high-end tablets. Whether you're looking to update your own slate or pass one on to someone behind the curve, you'll find a summary of our top picks in the gallery below or you can head to our complete buyers guide for a full rundown.
Surface 3 review: Finally, a cheap Surface you'd actually want
Once again, the third time's the charm for Microsoft's Surface lineup -- for the most part. Last year's Surface Pro 3 was the software giant's most compelling implementation yet of its hybrid laptop/tablet concept. Now we have the Surface 3, the third entry in its cheaper Surface lineup. And while it may look similar to its predecessors, it's actually a completely different beast. It's a $499 Surface tablet that can actually run all of the Windows programs you're used to, not just Windows 8 apps. And to Windows RT, the stripped down version of Microsoft's OS that previously powered the non-Pro Surface tablets, all I have to say is: So long, goodbye. Don't let the door hit you on the way out! By giving up on Windows RT, Microsoft has finally managed to make a decent cheap Surface.
Washington, DC's 911 dispatch system beset by delays and malfunctions
Washington, DC, has a new 911 dispatch system and it's not working. Late last year, tablets were installed in ambulances and firetrucks. But instead of boosting efficiency, the system has been malfunctioning almost every day. Following the death of an 18-month-old boy who choked on a grape, an investigation revealed that dispatchers alerted an ambulance about a mile away, instead of a unit closer to the toddler's home.
Lenovo rolls out new sub-$200 tablets, two with Dolby Atmos
Lenovo might still be a little sore from the Superfish scandal that recently rocked its PC division, but thankfully the company's mobile arm has remained unharmed. And that's a good thing, because it's kicking off Mobile World Congress with the announcement of not one, not two, but three new tablets, in both Android and Windows flavors. The Lenovo Tab 2 A10 and the Lenovo Tab 2 A8 are from the budget-friendly Android A series, while the affordable Lenovo Miix 300 is for those who prefer the operating system from Redmond. The overarching theme of all three of these is simple: value.
Pebble sets a new record, net neutrality passes and other stories you might've missed!
Pebble beats its own record, Motorola confirms what we already knew about the Moto E and Facebook takes a break from the sillier aspects of its site to get serious about mental health. Basically, we've got everything you need to know from this past week in one neat little package. Won't you catch up with us?
Daily Roundup: Microsoft predicts (most) Oscar winners, Google Wallet and more!
From Oscar winners to gadget leaks and a robot that feeds you tomatoes while you run, we've got plenty of stories to get you talking in today's Daily Roundup. Won't you join us past the break?
The top 11 tablets you can buy today
Unless you've opted for a pocket-busting phone, you can probably still see the utility of having a tablet to handle books, movies or even a bit of on-the-go productivity. There are plenty of options for different budgets, and we've lined up our top picks to help you find your next. Dell's sharp new Venue 8 7000 nails the visuals with its high-res OLED screen and RealSense 3D camera, while the obvious choice for powerful, portable computing is still Microsoft's Surface Pro 3. Apple retains a top spot in the tablet world with its slim and speedy iPad Air 2 (we're still championing the last-gen iPad mini 2 over its higher-priced successor). Gamers have an option too, with NVIDIA's powerful Shield Android tablet. You can check out the full rundown in our complete buyer's guide, but if you just want to quickly flip through some of the best tablets on the market, head to the gallery below.
Motorola smartphone sales double in a year as Lenovo takes over
Despite a supposedly weak PC market, Lenovo does very well, thank you. It's trying to sprinkle the same golden dust on to its latest acquisition, Motorola, and appears to be succeeding. Sales for the iconic brand are up 118 percent over last year to $1.9 billion (with more than 10 million units shipped). Part of that surge happened prior to the official purchase, but nonetheless helped bump Lenovo's united mobile division 78 percent in a year -- third overall behind Samsung and Apple. Motorola also lost less money than forecast, with Lenovo suggesting it could become profitable in as little as a year, despite the fact that it has yet to go on sale in China. Lenovo confirmed in its latest financial report, however, that Moto is "soon to re-enter" its home market where Apple, for one, has fared pretty well of late.
Surface RT will only get some of Windows 10's upgrades
Well, that was quick: Despite Microsoft saying that Windows 10 was coming to its misfit tablet, the Surface RT, that isn't quite the case. As Thurrott reports, Redmond is working on an update for Surface which will have "some of the functionality" of Windows 10. The SuperSite for Windows founder goes on to say: "Since those [Windows RT and Surface RT/2] are the only Windows RT devices that ever sold in any measurable quantity, two conclusions are obvious. Other Windows RT devices may not be updated at all (i.e. this Windows 10 subset update may literally only be for Surface RT/2 devices). And more generally, Windows RT is dead." And it very well may be. The RT platform's always been a bit of an odd duck with its inability to run standard Windows apps, and it looks this this could be Microsoft's kiss of death. You can read the official word from a Microsoft spokesperson after the break.
HP's convertible Elite X2 and latest tablets are built for tough work
HP is refreshing a slew of its high end mobile devices with upgrades that make them even more compelling for businesses -- and that's good news for consumers, as well. We got our first look at the new Android-powered Pro Slate 8 and Pro Slate 12 tablets today, along with the revamped Elite X2 convertible. Naturally, they're all a step up from HP's current lineup when it comes to hardware, but this year the company also focused on a few small tweaks to differentiate them from other devices aimed just at consumers. That could make them enticing options for anyone looking for a tablet that's a bit tougher than your average Android slate.
Here's what you missed on the second day of CES
CES is in full swing now, and most of the companies here have already laid their cards on the table. It's bittersweet: It means that there are fewer major announcements from big companies to gush over, but also that we have more time to cruise the show floor for hidden treasures. It's also the day Engadget picks out the finalists for the official Best of CES awards. What did we find and who made the cut? Check out the gallery below and find out. [Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Microsoft's Office preview for Android tablets is now available to everyone
If you've wanted to try the preview of Office for Android tablets during its brief history, you've had to request to join a Google+ group. That's not the hardest thing to do, but do you really want to participate in a special club (and in some cases, sign up for Google+) just to try some productivity apps a little early? As of now, you don't have to. Microsoft has posted the previews of Excel, PowerPoint and Word on Google Play, so you can download them like you would any other app. The only major requirements are that your slate runs at least Android 4.4 KitKat and that you're comfortable with less-than-polished software. You may not want to finish an important report with these releases, then, but it's now easy to experiment with the new Office suite before it's completely ready.
Wireless charging for tablets is finally coming next year
We're still waiting for the Rezence standard to bring wireless charging to laptops, but Freescale is taking a big step towards making that a reality. It just announced a new wireless product that's powerful enough to recharge tablets, portable medical devices, and other large gadgets. The 15-watt system, which should hit the market early next year, offers three times as much electrical power as Freescale's phone charging solution. It also plays nicely with other standards like the Wireless Power Consortium's Qi technology, VentureBeat reports. (Unfortunately, existing 5-watt devices won't get any upgrade from the 15-watt setup, FreeScale tells us.) If you've ever used a USB battery pack to recharge your gadgets, you've probably noticed that tablets typically need to be plugged into higher wattage USB ports to get juiced up. The same basic idea applies here. Increased power could also mean that tossing your phone on a wireless charger before you run out the door could actually be useful. After all, when charging your phone over a USB cable is three times faster, the minor convenience of wireless is a lot less compelling. [Photo: A Lumia phone on a Nokia wireless charging pad.]
Dropbox Carousel comes to iPad and web today, Android tablets soon
Ever since the first cloud storage services hit the web, they've been a prime destination for thousands upon thousands of uploaded photos. Unfortunately, many of those services don't have polished user interfaces that allow for easy viewing and sharing -- unless you're just a big fan of file manager-esque folders and list views. In April, Dropbox debuted Carousel, an app that seeks to solve that problem by grouping your images together by date and letting you scroll through endless years of photos and sharing your favorites with friends and family. The service was only offered on iPhones and Android smartphones until today, when Dropbox announced that it's now available for iPads and the web, with support for Android tablets coming in the coming weeks.
NYPD is getting equipped with over 40,000 mobile devices
Thanks to a massive $160 million investment, the New York City Police Department is on its way to receive a combination of up to 41,000 smartphones and tablets. Known as the NYPD Mobility Initiative, which will be mostly financed by criminal asset funds provided by the Manhattan DA's Office, the goal is to provide the the city's law enforcement with tools that can improve and streamline their overall workflow. NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said there are a few key elements to this plan, such as offering better case support for detectives, providing features including real-time 911 data, enhanced database access for patrol staff, quick entry points to info like Amber Alerts and email accounts for every officer.
Point-and-click classic 'Myst' is getting a TV show and a new tie-in game
Need a shot of early-'90s nostalgia? The classic PC adventure game Myst is getting a TV adaptation. The game's creators at Cyan Worlds have signed a deal with Legendary TV and Digital Media (a branch of the film production company) and the show will apparently bring a tie-in game to go along with it, according to Deadline. The companion game sounds very much like it'd be appearing on tablets, considering Legendary cites a statistic that 70 percent of slate owners use their device while watching TV "at least several times" per week, something Cyan sees as a way to expand its interactive narrative. Variety points out that Legendary has yet to decide whether the show will be a traditional broadcast program or if it'll be a digital project (its movie based on the Dead Rising series is a Crackle exclusive).
Hands-on with Tesco's Hudl2
Tesco announced its Hudl2 tablet today, and by now you already know what it's about and how it stacks up against the original Hudl. Well, we've had a chance to play around with the device, and it's immediately clear this is a significant upgrade. Despite a notably larger 8.3-inch screen, the Hudl2 saves on width and thickness, with a taller frame accommodating all those extra pixels. The chunky bezels of Tesco's first tablet have all but disappeared, giving the Hudl2 a much sleeker look that betrays its £129 price point.
BlackBerry looking to release more 'unconventional' devices
For better or worse, much has been made about the distinct shape of BlackBerry's new smartphone, the Passport. And, according to Ron Louks, president of the company's Devices division, we can expect BlackBerry to start pushing more out-of-the-ordinary hardware, like its latest, in the years to come. During an interview with Reuters, Louks said BlackBerry can afford to take risks after sorting out its financial situation, adding that the goal is to introduce "at least one unconventional device" every year. "When it comes to design and being a little bit disruptive, we want that 'wow' factor," he said. Louks also stated that BlackBerry is already working on yet another unusual device, and while there were no details revealed on what it is exactly, he did say carriers have had some positive feedback toward it. Whatever it may be, you can definitely color us intrigued.
Apple tops ACSI personal computer list for 11th straight year
This shouldn't come as surprising news to anyone who has watched Apple's sales figures over the past decade or so, but the company has just ended up at the top of the American Customer Satisfaction Index list for personal computers, laptops and tablets. This marks the eleventh year in a row that Apple has topped the list, but there was a slightly ominous tone to the numbers as the score dropped from 87 in 2013 to 84 this year. Dell is the second single company on the list with a score of 76, dropping from a 2013 score of 79. HP is now at the bottom of the list of major manufacturers, falling from 80 to 74 in just one year. Oddly enough, smaller PC and tablet manufacturers including Samsung, Lenovo and Asus are close behind Apple. Those companies make up a group called "all others" and saw a sizable increase in their ACSI score from 76 last year to 82 in 2014. Overall, customer satisfaction with the personal computer category dropped 1.3 percent. ACSI noted that "as the early enthusiasm with tablets wears off, customer satisfaction dips" with desktop computers leading the satisfaction numbers. The ACSI report is available for free (registration required) here.
