If you’ve been waiting to buy a tablet or smartphone, now might be a great time to get in on the fun….at a great price. Apple and third party retailers are having some great deals on iPads and iPhones – if you don’t care about the rumored iPhone 6 or iPad mini, this could be the deal of the year.
Can’t escape the past? Is your Logitech keyboard full of shattered pieces of skittles and broken dreams? Looks like a retro style USB Typewriter keyboard is just what you’re looking for. Type away by slamming down on the ancient keys and if your mom asks what you’re doing, simply say: “I’m writing the next great American novel.” (i.e. playing Skyrim). Works with all PC, Mac and Linux machines and tons of tablets – Check out more pictures and video after the break…
According to John Gruber of Daring Fireball, Apple has a working 7.85 inch iPad but has no plans to release it anytime soon. On this week’s The Talk Show with Dan Benjamin, Gruber said that Apple has a working prototype, with a 1024 x 768 resolution – so the same resolution as the 1st and 2nd iPad but with a pixel density of around 163ppi. All this iPad mini or iPad Nano news isn’t exactly surprising, as we’ve been hearing rumors for ages about Apple possibly releasing a smaller iPad that can compete (price point & Size) with Amazon’s Kindle.
Now that Apple’s new iPad has taken the US by storm, it’s time for an additional 25 countries to feel its wrath….and by wrath, I mean joy. Apple will introduce its new tablet to the following countries today (March 23):
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Availability and pricing fluctuate on unit shipments and country tax codes but it still looks like the US is the cheapest place to buy the iPad. Aaron Souppouris, from TheVerge.com breaks down some of the pricing:
…in Spain the new iPad starts at €479 (around $635) for the 16GB model, in Luxembourg it’s only €455.25 ($605), and in heavily-taxed Norway the same tablet costs 3,790 kroner ($655)…
Source: The Verge
For all of you wanting to give Apple your money, looks like March 16th (Friday) is your day. Apple released a press release stating that the new iPad will go on sale at their retail stores this coming Friday.
Apple® today announced the new iPad®, the third generation of its category defining mobile device, will arrive at Apple’s retail stores and the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com) on Friday, March 16 at 8:00 a.m. local time in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland and the UK; along with Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands….
Just a reminder, you can find our whole iPad article here or read on for the short version: the “New iPad” has added HD cameras (front & back), a beautiful retina display (2048×1536 display, that’s 264ppi), a A5X processor (clocked at 1Ghz/Quad-Core GPU & 1GB RAM_) and LTE connectivity (AT&T & Verizon). For all of you not really bothered about the new specs, Apple has also kept around the iPad 2 (Previous Gen) and it now starts at $399 – which is a great price for the hardware/ecosystem. The “New iPad” pricing is below – if you live outside of the states, you can find pricing here. Full Apple Press Release Here….
Source: Apple
The ASUS PadFone is an incredible 4.3″ smartphone featuring a Super AMOLED qHD display, the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 1.5Ghz dual core processor and an ultra-sharp 8 megapixel digital camera, all wrapped in an exquisite design optimized for AndroidTM 4.0. When placed inside the optional PadFone Station, it transforms into a 10.1″ tablet with five times the battery life.
Apple news is just pouring in today and to make things even more enjoyable, how about we take a look at a concept video showing what Apple might have in store for us down the line. Aatma Studio’s has made this iPad concept video and some of the tech has me reaching for my wallet now. Cool stuff guys.
There you have it folks – Apple is to hold an iPad 3 event on March 7th in San Francisco. This news is coming from tech websites 9To5Mac and The Verge. If you want to set your calendars and reminders or if you wanna go and stand outside, it’s at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco at 10 a.m. PST. This goes along with the news that we covered earlier today about the CNBC tweet, all except Apple holding the event in NYC but if we are to beleive CNBC’s specs:
If Apple can pull this package together and keep the current iPad 2 price point – this is a killer tablet. If Apple does the unthinkable and keeps the iPad 2 at a lower price point ($399) – Samsung, HTC, Motorola and the lot are in for some serious trouble. By the way, releasing this news on the same day Eric Schmidt gave his speech at MWC in Barcelona is the ultimate “kick in the nutz.”
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple is in the testing phases for a smaller screen size iPad – something in the range of 8inches. The information has come from un-named component suppliers, which have said that Apple’s smaller tablet will have a lower resolution screen similar to the iPad 2.
The move comes as Apple is preparing to announce a new iPad in early March, according to people familiar with the matter. That device is expected to have a higher resolution screen than the iPad 2 with a similar screen size, according to people familiar with the matter. A version will run on fourth-generation wireless networks from Verizon Wireless and AT&T Inc.
The smaller form factor iPad could be Apple’s move to secure marketshare, in the wake of Amazon’s Kindle Fire (7-inch), which has been successful even though Amazon is essentially taking a loss on ever Fire sold. Regardless of Amazon’s business philosophy, they have exposed a market for smaller form factor tablets and Apple is keen on getting in.
Samsung’s 5.3-inch Galaxy Note and Amazon’s 7-inch Kindle Fire have been selling well. It means consumers want a tablet that is smaller than the existing 9.7-inch iPad,” said Diana Wu, an analyst at Capital Securities in Taipei. “IPad’s features are good enough but pricing would be an important factor in the mass market, especially in big emerging markets like China and India.
Currently, Apple holds 61.5% of the tablet marketshare and introducing multiple screen sizes, as they did with the iPod, could solidify their dominance in the tablet market. Personally, this seems like a no-brainer and any cannibalization that might happen to the 9.7inch iPad will most likely be offset by taking marketshare away from Samsung or Amazon.
Source: Wall Street Journal
BGR has posted what it claims are leaked specs from Apple’s upcoming iPad 3 and if the info is correct, Cupertino’s next tablet is going to pack some serious horsepower. The source providing the information to BGR has said that they have an iPad 3 production unit and have used a system utility called iBoot to record its internal specs. How about these specs:
…the model numbers are J1 and J2 (iPad3,1 and iPad3,2), and while DigiTimes reported this a few weeks ago, these two models are not different devices, just a single iPad available in two versions — one with Wi-Fi only and one with Wi-Fi and embedded GSM/CDMA/LTE for all carriers. Also included in the photos is, for the first time, confirmation of which processor Apple will be using in the iPad 3: an A6 processor with model number S5L8945X. For reference, the Apple A4 model was S5L8930X and the A5 is S5L8940X. The new processor will also apparently be a quad-core model, making the upcoming iPad 3 the fastest iOS device ever….
So, what does this mean for us? Well, from the above specs, it looks like Apple’s next iPad will sport an A6 quad core processor – adding additional horsepower. Additionally, it looks like Apple will use a new broadband chip, allowing it to make one iPad, which will be able to use GSM (AT&T/T-Mobile) CDMA (Sprint/Verizon) and LTE (GSM/AT&T) high speed mobile data. One iPad to rule them all! If Apple can add a high resolution screen and sell the iPad 3 for $499 – lights out for the competition! If it also decides to continue to make and sell the iPad 2 for $399 – God help Samsung, Motorola and the lot.
Source: BGR
While the US economy might not be recovering the way everyone would like, Americans still ended up buying record numbers of tablets and e-readers over the holidays season. A new study from Pew Internet claims that tablet/e-reader ownership nearly doubled from November 2011 (10%) to December 2011 (19%). Additionally:
…The number of Americans owning at least one of these digital reading devices jumped from 18% in December to 29% in January….
While lower priced e-reader and tablets have pushed down Apple’s iPad dominance, it’ll be interesting to see how the iPad 3 will effect marketshare, especially if Apple continues to produce the ipad 2 and sell it as a lower price point ($399). Also, Apple’s continues to make inroads into the education sector, which has been completely abandoned by most of the other big time players – Amazon, Google, HTC, Motorola, etc.
Source: MacRumors – Pew Internet
Vizio started making consumer electronics in 2002 and today they are one of the largest TV manufacturers in the world but apparently that wasn’t enough. Yesterday at CES 2012, Vizio announced that they would enter the all-in-one pc market and the ultra-book laptop market – all by this spring! While countless pc manufacturers are trying to spin off their low/no profit pc businesses, Vizio is trying to get in! Strangely, Vizio’s philosophy has always been: “Enter the market with the lowest price point and gain market share accordingly” but how are they going to do this when the average windows 7 pc is going for $600-700? Where are they going to find the profits in those numbers?
While we don’t have specs or pricing, Vizio has really dropped a bomb shell at this years CES 2012 conference – especially with talk about creating a 10″ tablet as well. Is there nothing this company won’t do……or try? Stay Tuned, Vizio promises the hardware this spring. Still, have to admit that their “Macbook Pro” style laptops look good.
Source: Vizio
Hasbro has taken issue with ASUS using the “Transformer” name for their newest tablet/ultrabook (The Asus Transformer Prime), specifically the use of “Transformer” + “Prime .” With all that said, it’s off to court we go – trademark violation. Asus, do me a favor and hire a marketing team – come up with some original names. What’s next: Asus Goofy tablet with optional Daffy Duck bluetooth keyboard?
Source: Venture Beat
DigiTimes is reporting this morning that their sources have told them that Apple will release a 7.85in iPad in 2012 – this chatter comes from supply chain insiders – take it as you will:
Apple is likely to launch a 7.85-inch iPad prior to the fourth quarter of 2012 in addition to a new iPad scheduled to be released at the end of the first quarter, according to sources in the supply chain…
While people have been calling for a smaller form factor since the original iPad was released, it has been noted that Steve Jobs was never in favor of the smaller screen size. The amazing success of the Amazon Kindle Fire (7inch) and its smaller form factor, as well as its much lower price point ($199) might have forced Apple into releasing a smaller/cheaper iPad – to protect market share.
Source: DigiTimes
It seems like Samsung wants Australia to know that quite possibly the best reason to buy their Galaxy Tab 10.1 is because: “Apple tried to stop it.” That’s right, Sammy’s new ad campaign in Australia points directly to the fact that the two companies went to court over the sale of the Galaxy Tab in Australia, with the most recent court ruling allowing the “ipad doppelganger” Galaxy Tab to be sold in the land down under. Apple’s initial issue with Sammy’s tablet dealt with its exterior look – specifically its close resemblance to the ipad but after months in court, the eventual ruling sided with Samsung.
Source: 9To5Mac
The chatter is heating up again, this time it’s DigiTimes claiming that supply partners are delivering components to OEMs for assembly of Apple’s next generation iPad. Production orders of Apple’s iPad 2 are starting to slow, which also points to a somewhat immanent refresh:
OEM production of iPad 2 will remain high at 14-15 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011 but decline to 4-5 million units in the first quarter of 2012, paving the way for the launch of the new iPads, the sources noted.
So what’s Apple’s Next-Gen iPad going to have? Rumors point to a A-6 processor (possible quad-core) – Retina display similar to the iphone 4/4S (sharp built) – Better batter life – Possibly a slightly thicker design. Besides those goodies, the rumor mill has been chatting about those specs only, so if Apple has any other upgrades, we’ll have to wait. If you’re in the market for a tablet and can wait a couple of months, best wait.
Source: Digitimes
Did you miss all the CTIA goodness? No worries, we have you covered! Samsung’s 2nd gen tab made its grand opening – or both of them made grand openings – if that makes sense. Sammy let loose upon CTIA the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1 – yea we agree, get a better marketing department. Both are thinner than the iPad 2 (WOW) and the 10.1 is crowned the thinnest and lightest tablet on the market - both look stunning.
Let’s talk price: The Wi-Fi only Galaxy Tab 10.1 will cost $499 for the 16GB model and $599 for the 32GB model. The Wi-Fi only Galaxy Tab 8.9 16GB will go for $469 and the 32GB model going for $569. Both are expected this summer and LTE/WiMax versions will follow later in the year. Overall, the exterior body of the tabs looks amazing, as for touchWiz…..just let Honeycomb do what it does best…..stock. Sammy has hit the price points but a summer release date allows Apple to have a 3-4 month head start. We shall see – see the Samsung Video below:
Source: Engadget.com
On the very day Rimm announced availability (April 19th) and pricing (16GB -$500) for its BlackBerry tablet, Apple counters with its own press release stating that the iPad 2 will go ahead and push into 25 more countries without delay on Friday, the 25th of March. This is what is called a ball-breaker! Apple will essentially have global distribution of the iPad 2 before the Playbook is even released in the States – Check & Mate!
Are you living in a lucky country? Have a look:
“…iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK on March 25 for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) the 64GB model. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 will be available in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and additional countries in April, and in many more countries around the world in the coming months. Further international availability and pricing will be announced at a later date….”
One thing is for sure, don’t expect such low prices, especially for my brothers living here in Europe. Higher tax rates and import duties have sealed our faith and our price points but for the die hard iPad fans, I’m sure you’ve already sold your first born.
Source: Apple.com
Would you look at that! We knew about the BlackBerry PlayBook for what seemed like years (more like months) but besides some specs and the fancy QNX based OS – we never really heard anything concret concerning price or release date……until today. Set your calendar boys and girls for April 19th – the entry level BlackBerry (16GB) will cost you, an “iPad 2 matching” $500 greenbacks, the 32GB goes for $600 and the 64GB model goes for $700 – pre-orders start today.
Where can you get your hands on one of these sexy tablet – where can’t you: Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, RadioShack, AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon will carry the Tab - along with additional online retailers. Can’t wait and just need to hand over your cash now – Best Buy is taking pre-orders, just click here.
How will the PlayBook stack up against the Xoom and iPad 2? Let’s wait and see what the sales figures and consumer reviews have to say but one things is for sure – the 7inch form factor is not going to look so good when compared to its 10inch counterparts. Consumers have a deep seeded belief that size/price ratio should be high/low – RIMM is going to have to convince a lot of people.
Source: BlackBerry.com
After countless discussions, predictions and just plain guessing – Motorola did us all a favor and released pricing on the much anticipated WiFi only Xoom Tablet. What will the 32GB wifi model cost you: $599 and it will be available in countless brick and mortar locations (Amazon.com, Best Buy, Costco, RadioShack, Staples, Walmart, Sam’s Club (select locations) on March 27th.
Let the wifi wars begin! The $599 price tag goes right up against Apple’s wifi only 32GB iPad 2 – being priced the same, will now allow potential consumers to make their minds up based on specs, ecosystem and mobile OS. Realistically, Motorola had to hit this price point, as Apple’s iPad 2 has been a massive hit with consumers. In fact, the success of Apple’s iPad 2 could help out Motorola’s Xoom, as now Apple’s website points to back-orders of 4-5 weeks for Cupertino’s slate. People not wanting to wait, could jump ship and grab the wifi Xoom and put a dent into Apple’s market share.
The one giant draw back, is the fact that Motorola doesn’t offer a 16GB wifi model for purchase. The $499 price point is well liked by consumers and is Apple’s most bought model, especially in this economy. Now that we know price, let’s wait for sales figures.
Source: BGR.com
This last Friday marked the first day Apple’s iPad 2 became available and four days into Jobs “third post-pc era”, we’re beginning to get some user reviews. From comments I’ve read across the blog-o-sphere, people seem to be very satisfied with the overall speed, thinness and graphics performance but one thing or should I say, “two things,” people are getting worked up about are the cameras. That’s right, Jobs & Co have placed two extremely low quality cameras (front/back) in their next gen tablet.
How bad are these cameras? Well, so bad that Apple didn’t even make mention about their specs at the iPad 2′s unveiling, nor can you find anything on Apple’s website. The chatter we’ve heard goes like this: The back side camera is upscaling 720p (like the 4th gen ipod touch) and the front facing camera (you know, the one meant for facetime) is less than 1 megapixel. If you want to sell us the full package Apple, go the distance – we don’t like foreplay.
Well, that didn’t take long at all. Hackers have successfully gotten root access to the Xoom (Android 3.0), which has allowed USB storage and peripherals to be used/connected to the Moto slate.
“Once performed, the Xoom will be able to plug in USB drives and play any multimedia files contained on them. Storage can also be added this way, and wired USB keyboards may also be supported by the hack.”
While the hack requires a OTG cable, root access into the XOOM (Android 3.0), will most certainly lead to so many great and creative hacks. It’s kind of funny really, that USB storage access isn’t enabled on more tablets and I don’t mean to single out only the XOOM – the same can be said about the iPad 2. It would seem like a fundamental feature for backup – outside of stock bundled software.
Source: Electronista.com / Image Source: Xoomout.com
During Apple’s March 2nd iPad 2 event, Steve Jobs began with the usual – Updates & Numbers! iBooks was talked about, iTunes/App Store accounts, developer revenue, iPhone sales and then, the line of the night:
“….Today, we’re here to talk about Apple’s third, post-pc blockbuster product.”
Steve went on to introduce the iPad 2 and the event went off…well, like any other Apple event – Magical and Revolutionary. Yet, after the dust settled, journalists and bloggers started writing about Steve’s phrase: “Post-PC” It started popping up everywhere, just do a search and see for yourself or look at mine – click here. Opinions were varied – some agreed and some didn’t but it was the blog-o-sphere and its fanboys/girls that really dug themselves in. Across the web, blogs echoed with the chatter and bile only Apple can birth and many took serious offense to the fact that Steve Jobs had not only named this new era but had also released it upon the world.
But this was not new. This was a long time coming, both in terms of Steve’s vision and in terms of computing’s evolution. This “watershed moment,” has been talked about and torn apart for years – just not at an Apple event. At the 2010 All Things D conference, Steve joined Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg on stage:
“…When we were an agrarian nation, all cars were trucks. But as people moved more towards urban centers, people started to get into cars. I think PCs are going to be like trucks. Less people will need them. And this is going to make some people uneasy…”
Hot on the heels of Jobs and Company’s iPad 2 unavailing, Samsung is hosting an event of its own on March 22nd and many believe it’ll be for the next Galaxy Tab. Sammy has done its best to get our mouth watering, with teaser posters and graphics, especially a new one (shown after the break) showing an ultra slim bezel, most likely from the Tab. While Sammy hasn’t hinted at specs or further details, we have heard that it was second guessing itself, especially after the ipad 2 unveiling. See for yourself and let us know what you think.
Source: Engadget.com