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Monday 28 March 2011
Google Nexus tablet: the iPad rival the world needs?
And so the rumours begin. Google’s foray into the world of tablets is about to get a whole lot more interesting, with gossip flying that it’s working on a Nexus tablet. Made by LG, it’ll reportedly follow the same pattern as the Nexus One and Nexus S, offering a ‘pure Google’ experience with the very latest software.
The latter is of vital importance, with online chatter suggesting the Nexus tablet will have an updated version of Android Honeycomb before any other slate. The Nexus tablet raises a few questions. First, why is Google moving its Nexus brand into the tablet space?
The reasons are manifold, but essentially it will help push the Honeycomb platform forward and show manufacturers what Google expects from its partners. Seeing as it’ll run a vanilla version of Honeycomb, it will also act as the perfect showcase for the OS’s skills, unlike some other efforts.
The new Galaxy Tabs, smart as they are, will offer a specially built Samsung UX, while the HTC Flyer will use a version of HTC Sense, stranded on the smartphone-centred Gingerbread software
But what everyone really needs to know is whether this can be the iPad rival Google so desperately needs? That’s very much dependent on how you look at it. In terms of volume, it’s doubtful that it will be able to match or beat Apple’s slate. But in terms of new tech, which will prove that Google is the leader in the smartphone and tablet space, the Nexus tablet could be just the ticket.
While other Android tablets look great and have Google’s support in as far as they use its operating system, none have the full Google marketing behemoth behind them. That will change with the Nexus tablet, which will benefit from being bigged-up by the search giant and won’t come with the baggage of custom skins or bloatware.
Like the Nexus One and Nexus S before it, the Nexus tablet will act as a pointer for the industry. Both those smartphones have shown the way in the past, and the latter will doubtless have an influence on the next iPhone. Apple would deny this, but you can’t escape the fact that these are the best Android devices going and have helped Cupertino enormously.
The Nexus tablet will be a great test bed for new tech (just as the Nexus S shows off NFC smarts) and will push boundaries. Volume and sales won’t concern Google too much. The Nexus tablet will be more focused on first adopters and those who want to push things forward. As an Android-based iPad alternative, it has to be worth waiting for.
The latter is of vital importance, with online chatter suggesting the Nexus tablet will have an updated version of Android Honeycomb before any other slate. The Nexus tablet raises a few questions. First, why is Google moving its Nexus brand into the tablet space?
The reasons are manifold, but essentially it will help push the Honeycomb platform forward and show manufacturers what Google expects from its partners. Seeing as it’ll run a vanilla version of Honeycomb, it will also act as the perfect showcase for the OS’s skills, unlike some other efforts.
The new Galaxy Tabs, smart as they are, will offer a specially built Samsung UX, while the HTC Flyer will use a version of HTC Sense, stranded on the smartphone-centred Gingerbread software
But what everyone really needs to know is whether this can be the iPad rival Google so desperately needs? That’s very much dependent on how you look at it. In terms of volume, it’s doubtful that it will be able to match or beat Apple’s slate. But in terms of new tech, which will prove that Google is the leader in the smartphone and tablet space, the Nexus tablet could be just the ticket.
While other Android tablets look great and have Google’s support in as far as they use its operating system, none have the full Google marketing behemoth behind them. That will change with the Nexus tablet, which will benefit from being bigged-up by the search giant and won’t come with the baggage of custom skins or bloatware.
Like the Nexus One and Nexus S before it, the Nexus tablet will act as a pointer for the industry. Both those smartphones have shown the way in the past, and the latter will doubtless have an influence on the next iPhone. Apple would deny this, but you can’t escape the fact that these are the best Android devices going and have helped Cupertino enormously.
The Nexus tablet will be a great test bed for new tech (just as the Nexus S shows off NFC smarts) and will push boundaries. Volume and sales won’t concern Google too much. The Nexus tablet will be more focused on first adopters and those who want to push things forward. As an Android-based iPad alternative, it has to be worth waiting for.
BlackBerry Playbook will run Android apps, RIM confirms
Android apps will run on the BlackBerry Playbook, Research in Motion (RIM) has confirmed, massively boosting the range of applications on offer at launch.
Speculation that RIM would offer support for apps created for Google’s OS first surfaced earlier this year. However, the phone maker has now made it official after issuing a statement that apps created for Android devices packing the 2.3 version of the OS will be fully compatible with the Playbook.
The company stated: “Developers wanting to bring their new and existing apps to the highly anticipated BlackBerry PlayBook tablet will soon have additional tools and options to enhance and expand their commercial opportunities.
“Developers currently building for the BlackBerry or Android platforms will be able to quickly and easily port their apps to run on the BlackBerry Tablet OS thanks to a high degree of API compatibility.”
RIM added: “The new optional app players will be available for download from BlackBerry App World and will be placed in a secure ‘sandbox’ on the BlackBerry PlayBook.”
The move is a real fillip for the first-ever BlackBerry slate as it looks to take on its Android powered rivals and see off the just-launched iPad 2. Not least because apps for BlackBerry kit tend to be productivity and business-focussed titles that lack crossover appeal.
UK consumers are expected to be able to get their hands on the PlayBook from June.
Saturday 26 March 2011
HTC Desire Z review: Desires A-to-Z
Introduction
A few months ago, the original Desire was teaching younger Droids the ropes. Though it's no time to retire just yet, the next generation is ready to take over. And we're talking no rookie here - the new Desire Z means business with a great QWERTY keyboard and Froyo. The two phones don't even look distantly related but the Desire genes and the bumped up specs bode well for the droid messenger.
Androids are friendly creatures in general but you might want to be careful with a metal-clad QWERTY messenger. We've come to expect solid build quality and premium finish from HTC and the Desire Z is ready to deliver. Another thing to watch for is new S-LCD screen. Froyo is a promise for a major performance boost and the latest Sense is also in the mix.
HTC Desire Z - A Closer Look(Video)
Key features:
Quad-band GSM and dual-band 3G support
14.4 Mbps HSDPA and 5.76 Mbps HSUPA
3.7" 16M-color capacitive S-LCD touchscreen of WVGA resolution (480x 800 pixel)
Android OS v2.2 Froyo with HTC Sense UI
Comfortable 4-row QWERTY keyboard
800 MHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM7230 processor
512 MB RAM and 1.5 GB ROM
5 MP autofocus camera with LED flash and geotagging
720p video recording @ 25fps
Wi-Fi b/g/n and DLNA
GPS with A-GPS
microSD slot up to 32GB (8GB card included)
Accelerometer and proximity sensor
Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
Stereo FM radio with RDS
microUSB port (charging) and stereo Bluetooth v2.1
Optical trackpad with confirm action
Quick boot
Metal finish
Smart dialing
DivX/XviD support
Very good audio reproduction quality
Main disadvantages:
The S-LCD screen is average (in terms of contrast, reflectiveness and sunlight legibility)
Non hot-swappable memory card
No front facing camera
Loose hinge
Quite heavy at 180 g
Nokia E7 review: Open for business
Introduction
Business as usual for the Eseries is a cliché – thank you very much. But the kind that makes the world feel right. The Nokia E7 could’ve been just another Eseries phone. Oh well, that wasn’t meant to be. The latest is implicitly the greatest but, in the case of the E7, the latest may simply be the last.
Symbian is just about to be knocked off the top-spot as the market-leading smartphone platform. Worse yet, while loyal users are still sitting on a fence about replacing their E71/E72s Nokia is deciding whether to euthanize Symbian. Question marks have been hanging over the platform’s approach to touchscreen since day one. And now it’s got WP7 at its very doorstep. It’s the worst of times for the Nokia E7. But it’s up to it to show that the Eseries are still open for business.
Key features
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
Penta-band 3G with 10.2 Mbps HSDPA and 2 Mbps HSUPA
Anodized aluminum unibody
4" 16M-color ClearBlack AMOLED capacitive touchscreen of 640 x 360 pixel resolution
Scratch resistant Gorilla glass display
8 megapixel fixed-focus camera with LED flash
720p video recording @ 25fps
Symbian^3 OS
680 MHz ARM 11 CPU and 256 MB RAM
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
microHDMI port 720p TV-out functionality
GPS receiver with A-GPS support and free lifetime voice-guided navigation
Digital compass
16GB of on-board storage
Active noise cancellation with a dedicated mic
DivX and XviD video support
Built-in accelerometer and proximity sensor
Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
Stereo FM Radio with RDS, FM transmitter
microUSB port with USB On-the-go
Flash and Java support for the web browser
Stereo Bluetooth 3.0
Good quality audio
Smart and voice dialing
Office document editor preinstalled
Main disadvantages
Symbian^3 is still behind Android and iOS usability standards
Ovi store content is inferior to Android market and App Store
Fixed-focus on an 8 megapixel camera is just wrong
Camera interface is decidedly outdated
Battery is not user-replaceable
No microSD card slot
Business as usual for the Eseries is a cliché – thank you very much. But the kind that makes the world feel right. The Nokia E7 could’ve been just another Eseries phone. Oh well, that wasn’t meant to be. The latest is implicitly the greatest but, in the case of the E7, the latest may simply be the last.
Key features
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
Penta-band 3G with 10.2 Mbps HSDPA and 2 Mbps HSUPA
Anodized aluminum unibody
4" 16M-color ClearBlack AMOLED capacitive touchscreen of 640 x 360 pixel resolution
Scratch resistant Gorilla glass display
8 megapixel fixed-focus camera with LED flash
720p video recording @ 25fps
Symbian^3 OS
680 MHz ARM 11 CPU and 256 MB RAM
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
microHDMI port 720p TV-out functionality
GPS receiver with A-GPS support and free lifetime voice-guided navigation
Digital compass
16GB of on-board storage
Active noise cancellation with a dedicated mic
DivX and XviD video support
Built-in accelerometer and proximity sensor
Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
Stereo FM Radio with RDS, FM transmitter
microUSB port with USB On-the-go
Flash and Java support for the web browser
Stereo Bluetooth 3.0
Good quality audio
Smart and voice dialing
Office document editor preinstalled
Main disadvantages
Symbian^3 is still behind Android and iOS usability standards
Ovi store content is inferior to Android market and App Store
Fixed-focus on an 8 megapixel camera is just wrong
Camera interface is decidedly outdated
Battery is not user-replaceable
No microSD card slot
Alienware M17X
With Alienware’s first 3D-capable gaming laptop, your competition will be begging for mercy.
*Graphics pop off the screen with the first 3D-capable2 Alienware™ laptop
*Put yourself in the action with an optional 43.2cm (17"), full high-definition (HD) 1080p display
*Power through hard-core games and intense applications with the latest Intel® Core™ i processors
In-Your-Face 3D Graphics
You’ll be ducking for cover with the hyper-realistic graphics powered by the NVIDIA® or AMD graphics options on the M17x. Gamers can crank up in-game settings and enjoy the HD experience. Looking for another dimension? NVIDIA graphics on the M17x enables a 3D visual experience when playing high-definition 3D games and Blu-ray content.
Killer View
From any angle, the view of the M17x is amazing. Enjoy the optional full-HD, 43.2cm ( 17-inch) 1080p display delivering great image quality when viewing HD content. Admire the visual beauty and soft-touch feel of the system when taking it with you. It’s as intimidating outside as it is inside, packed with the perfect combination of power, performance and portability.
Dominating PowerSearch and destroy with confidence with the new optional Intel Core i7 quad-core processors and optional XMP 1866 MHz memory. Need extra power? Intel® Turbo Boost 2.0 automatically speeds up your processor for added performance. Need to get out of the house for a while? Long battery life will enable you to take the M17x with you wherever you go, leaving the AC adapter way behind.
Mission Control
AlienFX: lighting controls — Choose from an array of color and transition effects across distinct zones, including the keyboard, touchpad and more.
AlienFusion: power management — You decide when you need maximum performance or when to scale back for more everyday programs.
AlienTouch: touch pad controls — Customize your touch pad’s sensitivity to prevent accidental contact, and activate virtual scrolling to enable vertical and horizontal scrolling with just a simple touch.
Friday 25 March 2011
Windows Phone 7 updates: Microsoft openness impresses
There’s no getting around the fact that Microsoft’s update plans for Windows Phone 7 have been a complete mess. A preparatory software boost, designed to lay the groundwork for a heftier, copy-and-paste-packing upgrade, ended up bricking phones and caused delays which the company has tried hard to explain away. Now though, the latter update, dubbed “NoDo”, is ready-to-roll. Well, kind of.
Microsoft has said it’s ready, but that now it’s down to networks and OEMs to get their act together. And as Google knows, rolling out software updates to smartphones is a lengthy, laborious process if you’ve got loads of companies all working towards the same goal.
But here Microsoft must be commended. It’s released a table on its Windows Phone blog. Called ‘Where’s my phone update?’, it lays out update plans by carrier. Just hit the page and you can see how your network is getting on with releasing the first, preparatory update and the copy-and-paste one.
Sadly, the table doesn’t make for good reading. All the major UK carriers are either still testing or scheduling the copy-and-paste software, with some still testing the first patch. Yet while it’s easy to get wound up about this, it’s brilliant to see a big company actually telling its customers about a situation, rather than hiding behind short official statements and platitudes about why they care about and value their customers.
If anything, Microsoft is suffering from the same issues that dogged Android updates. Froyo’s lengthy rollout has caused much consternation and it appears Gingerbread is going to do the same. By releasing a table like this, perhaps once monthly along with fragmentation statistics, Google could do a hell of a lot to appease its huge customer base. And rather than just distribute the stats online for mobile watchers to pore over and phone fanatics to search for, it could make posters and signage for stores which sell its phones, explaining if and when an upgrade is coming.
That way, customers would have the full facts in front of them and know whether a phone they’re buying really is going to be at the bleeding edge whenever they want it to be.
Microsoft might be taking a sluggish approach to WP7. But with this simple table, it’s shown just how its rivals should operate. Here’s hoping that Google sits up and takes notice.
HTC HD7S Windows Phone 7 smartie unveiled
HTC has lifted the lid on a new iteration of its Windows Phone 7 powered HD7 phone, sweetening its spec sheet with the new NoDo iteration of the operating system and a better screen.
Unveiled at the CTIA tech expo, the HD7S replaces the LCD display of its predecessor with a Super LCD number for extra brightness. Its dimensions remain the same at a capacious 4.3-inches.
The handset will also run the just released new version of Microsoft’s platform out of the box, adding much-needed copy and paste functionality to the hub-based OS.
Elsewhere, the smartphone’s features are unchanged. That means you’ll get a five-megapixel snapper with HD video recording, a 1GHz processor to keep everything running smoother than Terry Thomas and a 16GB of internal storage for all your apps and games.
UK carriers have yet to confirm whether they’ll be carrying the HD7S. But the fact that the original is exclusive to O2 suggests they’re the most likely network to pick it up.
Thursday 24 March 2011
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HTC Evo 3D glasses-free 3D smartphone announced
HTC has announced it is joining the multi-dimensional revolution with the release of its first 3D capable smartphone, the Evo 3D.
Unveiled at the CTIA Wireless expo yesterday, the Evo 3D sports a 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor with an Adreno GPU of as yet unknown capacity and 1GB of RAM. But the real star of the show is its 4.3-inch qHD display with a 960 x 540 resolution - the highest yet on a 3D mobile device.
Like the Nintendo 3DS handheld console, this is an auto-stereoscopic number, which means it doesn’t require those silly specs to get the groovy effect.
Better yet, the Evo 3D packs not one, but two rear-mounted five-megapixel cameras with individual LED flashes. These can shoot clips at a searing 1080p in 2D and 720p in 3D. There’s also a front-facing 1.3-megapixel webcam for video calling - in 2D, in case you were wondering.
As one would expect, the Evo 3D will run Android 2.3, aka Gingerbread, out of the box with the latest HTC Sense UI slathered over the top. You can also look forward to a microSD slot for expandable memory of up to 32GB, Wi-Fi and a battery with a whopping 1730mAh to help the kit keep on rocking even with intense use.
Unfortunately, like the original Evo, the Evo 3D is currently only intended for the US carrier Sprint’s 4G LTE network. However, with any luck HTC will see sense and bring out a UK-friendly version in the future.
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play gets exclusive Backstab game
Gameloft has lifted the lid on BackStab - a slick looking Prince of Persia-style action adventure which will be exclusive to the Sony Ericsson (SE) Xperia Play.
Backstab, which will be available solely to Play owners for a month, features an open 3D environment for free roaming and looks to have a lot more going for it than the PS One-standard games we tried on the handset a few weeks back.
Steve Walker, head of marketing at SE, said: "BackStab sets a high benchmark graphically and technically for gaming on a smart phone and it is a fantastic addition to the fast growing portfolio of quality releases for Xperia Play.”
News of additions to the line-up of titles for the Play comes ahead of its official UK launch next month. Almost every UK carrier is on board with the phone, which packs the latest Gingerbread version of Android, plus dedicated gaming controls and a 1GHz processor.
Ahead of its appearance, SE has today unleashed some rather smart ads starring Kristen Schaal of Flight of the Conchords fame. There’s five of blighters, but these are our favourites:
Backstab, which will be available solely to Play owners for a month, features an open 3D environment for free roaming and looks to have a lot more going for it than the PS One-standard games we tried on the handset a few weeks back.
Steve Walker, head of marketing at SE, said: "BackStab sets a high benchmark graphically and technically for gaming on a smart phone and it is a fantastic addition to the fast growing portfolio of quality releases for Xperia Play.”
News of additions to the line-up of titles for the Play comes ahead of its official UK launch next month. Almost every UK carrier is on board with the phone, which packs the latest Gingerbread version of Android, plus dedicated gaming controls and a 1GHz processor.
Ahead of its appearance, SE has today unleashed some rather smart ads starring Kristen Schaal of Flight of the Conchords fame. There’s five of blighters, but these are our favourites:
Wednesday 23 March 2011
Samsung 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab specs revealed
Specs for Samsung’s upcoming 8.9-inch Android powered Galaxy Tab slate have leaked ahead of its official unveiling at the CTIA expo happening later today.
The tech mob at PocketNow have managed to grab hold of snaps of what appears to be an information stand intended for Samsung’s CTIA booth, to educate the press and investors alike of what to expect from the latest nine-inch iteration of the original Galaxy Tab.
Other than the obvious 8.9-inch touch-sensitive screen, the tablet-optimised Android 3.0, AKA Honeycomb powered, Galaxy Tab 8.9 sports a 1GHz dual core processor, a 1280 x 800 WXGA resolution display, dual Wi-Fi antennas at 2.4GHz and 50Hz respectively, plus the bespoke Samsung UX UI overlay and a Mini Apps Tray at the bottom of the screen to give quick access to running apps without leaving the one already open.
It also boasts some impressively slim dimensions, measuring just 8.6mm in thickness and weighing just 470 grams.
Samsung has also announced a 10-inch addition to the Galaxy Tab family at the Mobile World Congress last month. Both tablets are expected to hit store shelves in Europe this quarter.
Angry Birds Rio hits iPhone & iPad today
The latest instalment of Angry Birds - AKA Angry Birds Rio - has hit the Apple App Store today, offering 60 all-new, Brazil-themed levels for casual gamers to play through.
The title, which coincides with the soon-to-land animated movie, Rio, starring the A-List avians, is available as separate apps for the iPhone and the iPad, priced 59p and £1.79 respectively.
In line with the plot of the movie, the game charges you with using the full array of birds to rescue two exquisitely plumed macaws Blu and Jewel who’ve been kidnapped by animal smugglers. And in a first for the series, there’s a brand new type of challenge in the shape of a boss fight, plus a host of achievements to strive for.
Not an iGadget owner? Good news: the title is available for Nokia Symbian^3 smarties (such as the N8 and the E7) and for Android phones today too. The former is present and correct in the Ovi Store. However, if you’re in the latter party you’ll need to head to the just opened Amazon Appstore, which has exclusive rights to sell Angry Birds Rio for a limited period.
Incredible S Android phone gets red re-spray
A previously unseen edition of the HTC Incredible S has been espied online with a smart red finish, adding to the appeal of what was by common consent already the year’s best looking Android smartie.
Clocked on the Danish site Dustin.dk by those ever reliable chaps at Ubergizmo, the red edition of the handset has yet to be picked up by any UK carriers.
However, with the black edition reportedly doing some pretty brisk pre-sales business at Carphone, hope springs eternal that some enterprising network will do the decent thing and range it.
Features of the Incredible S, which stands out for us due to its smart industrial design touches in a sea of identikit Android smarties, include a four-inch touchscreen, plus a four megapixel rear mounted camera and secondary front-facing snapper for video calling.
The handset will ship with the ageing Froyo iteration of Google’s OS, AKA Froyo, but it’s reportedly set for a bump to the newer Gingerbread version soon after release.
Interested in the Incredible S? Find out more in our full review
An incredibly smart new phone from HTC
Smartphone maker HTC Corporation launched its new handset HTC Incredible S in the Indian market.
"HTC Incredible S is the answer for those looking for the perfect combination of performance and style and will help them stand out from the crowd as an icon," HTC India Country Head Ajay Sharma said in a statement.
The handset, priced at Rs 28,900, is equipped with features like 4-inch WVGA Super LCD display, eight megapixel camera with dual flash, maps and HTC Sense.
Take a look at the incredible features here.
"HTC Incredible S is the answer for those looking for the perfect combination of performance and style and will help them stand out from the crowd as an icon," HTC India Country Head Ajay Sharma said in a statement.
The handset, priced at Rs 28,900, is equipped with features like 4-inch WVGA Super LCD display, eight megapixel camera with dual flash, maps and HTC Sense.
Take a look at the incredible features here.
Monday 21 March 2011
The World’s Cheapest Tablet for Only $30 each by INDIA
HTC Ignite Windows Phone 7 smartie leaked and incoming in summer
HTC looks set to add a brand new member to its Windows Phone 7 family, the HTC Ignite, as leaked snaps of the handset have emerged online.
Posted on Chinese blog xda.cn, the Ignite is the second handset from the Taiwanese firm to be exposed this week, after snaps purportedly belonging to an upcoming Android powered smartie, the HTC Pyramid, were also revealed.
According to the site, the HTC Ignite will sport a rather underwhelming 800MHz Qualcomm processor, and, perhaps more disappointingly, a 3.7-inch touchscreen of the ‘resistive’ variety, rather than the capacitive type that smartfans are used to prodding around. RAM is slightly more respectable at 512MB RAM and a 5MP camera with LED flash means it’s not a total relic.
We can confirm right now that the Ignite is very much real, definitely runs on Windows Phone 7 and will be arriving this summer without giving away any more, so there is no question about its authenticity.
What is in question, however, are the below par specs are which fall way below the minimum standards set out by Microsoft. It could be just that the specifications are simply incorrect or that HTC has somehow managed to convince Microsoft that a cheap, low-spec kit could do wonders for its platform, which truth be told, has been struggling in a market becoming crowded with cheap Android smarties.
Despite the disappointing gen, we’re rather impressed by how slick the Ignite looks. It may not be made for existing smartphone users, but could be a match made in heaven for those looking to finally migrate from feature phones to something slightly more upmarket.
Sunday 20 March 2011
Top 10 most anticipated gadgets of 2011
Now that the year's two biggest tech expos – the Consumer Electronics Show and the Mobile World Congress – are done and dusted, we've got a good idea of what to look forward to over 2011. Time to rewrite your shopping list?
1 Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Ninty’s latest handheld puts 3D gaming in the palm of your hand. And you don’t need special glasses to get the effect, so your cred will remain intact while taking public transport.
Titles to look out for in the something-for-everyone launch line-up include Ridge Racer 3D, Super Monkey Ball 3D, The Sims 3 and Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition. Also planned are new additions to some of Nintendo’s biggest franchises, such as Nintendogs and The Legend of Zelda.
3 LG Optimus 3D
With so many Android phones on the market, handset makers have had to try harder to distinguish their product from the competition. LG has opted to do that by equipping its flagship smartphone challenger with 3D playback and video recording.
Right now, the biggest challenge it faces is the lack of 3D content available. But as more devs and film makers get on board with the tech, that surely won’t be a problem for long. And in the meantime, you’ve got a special 3D version of YouTube to keep you entertained.
4 iPad 2
5 Cheap iPhone
This canard had been around for some time now. But the way that Apple’s rival Android’s growth has been driven by cut-price phones running the OS means that a pocket-money priced iPhone could really happen this year. If only because if it doesn’t, Apple is effectively conceding a massive part of the market to Google.
According to the online rumour mill, the cut-price phone could be around two-thirds the size of the iPhone 4 and to keep costs to $200 (about £125), it’ll recycle parts used in the fourth-gen handset.
6 Motorola Xoom
Motorola’s first-ever tablet will also be the first device of its kind to showcase the slate-optimised Honeycomb version of Android. That means it’ll offer larger icons to fill its 10.1 inches of screen real estate and the option to drag and drop apps into a 3D, rotating carousel. And for the first time, tabbed browsing too.
Other standout features include a 1GHz dual core processor, dual cameras for getting your video call on and 32GB of on board memory, with scope to boost this further with a microSD card – so you’ll have plenty of room for all your apps, videos and photos.
7 BlackBerry PlayBook
Tablets aren’t just for entertainment you know. They’re serious business tools, too, which can be invaluable for presentations on the fly and video conferencing.
BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion’s slate packs dual cameras capable of recording in HD, as well as a crystal clear high-definition display and clear, rich stereo sound for the optimum video conferencing experience. And to ensure multi-tasking is seamless it packs a dual core processor to help you make the most of your life.
Users also benefit from the option to sync the PlayBook with their BlackBerry phone to easily transfer content and mails. Plus you can tether your tablet to your phone too, so there’s no need for a separate mobile internet contract.
8 Nike+ Sportwatch
This GPS enabled timepiece cum wristwatch mounted personal trainer is the result of a collaboration with between Nike and TomTom. Use it and you’ll be able to track your times, pace and distance covered.
Plus, it measures calories burned and your heart rate while you’re pounding the pedways. And we can’t help but notice that it looks much cooler than other GPS watches, as well, which is a real boon for fashion-conscious joggers.
9 Samsung Galaxy S2
The successor to one of the biggest-selling Android phones so far improves on its forbear in every way.
Measuring just 8.5mm thick, it’s the slimmest smartphone so far. But it’s still got room for a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, an eight-megapixel camera with HD video recording and a dual core processor.
In keeping with predictions that Oyster Card-style contactless payments via mobile phones will really take off this year, Sammy has also included support for Near Field Communications (NFC).
10 Nokia Windows Phone 7 smartphone
It’s only now that the shockwaves from Nokia’s seismic announcement of a deal with Windows Phone 7-maker Microsoft have actually subsided. But for all the backbiting and cynicism about the deal in the tech press, there’s actually much to look forward to.
By replacing Symbian^3 with the user-friendly, slick Windows Phone 7 UI, Nokia is fixing the single biggest problem with its phones in one fell swoop. Meanwhile, we’ll still get the things that Nokia does well, such as free Nokia Maps and an affordable price point for its handsets.
Sony Ericsson: Xperia Play & Arc supplies could run short
Components shortages stemming from the Japanese earthquake crisis is likely to hit supplies of the Xperia Arc and Play, Sony Ericsson (SE) has admitted.
The London-based joint venture’s two newest Android powered flagship phones are coming to market in the next few weeks. Consumer interest is expected to be especially strong for the Play, AKA the PlayStation phone, which is due to drop on March 31st.
However, while early birds are expected to encounter little problem getting their mitts on the Gingerbread-flavoured handsets, Sony Ericsson has tacitly admitted that supplies are almost certain to run short soon after.
The phone maker stated: “The affected area in northern Japan supplies a large portion of the world’s electronics industry with components, and the current situation will impact Sony Ericsson’s business.
“Although the full impact of the current situation on our business will take additional time to assess, Sony Ericsson anticipates disruption to its supply chain operations.”
SE is currently looking to source components from other suppliers to ameliorate shortages caused by damaged factories in northern Japan.
The London-based joint venture’s two newest Android powered flagship phones are coming to market in the next few weeks. Consumer interest is expected to be especially strong for the Play, AKA the PlayStation phone, which is due to drop on March 31st.
However, while early birds are expected to encounter little problem getting their mitts on the Gingerbread-flavoured handsets, Sony Ericsson has tacitly admitted that supplies are almost certain to run short soon after.
The phone maker stated: “The affected area in northern Japan supplies a large portion of the world’s electronics industry with components, and the current situation will impact Sony Ericsson’s business.
“Although the full impact of the current situation on our business will take additional time to assess, Sony Ericsson anticipates disruption to its supply chain operations.”
SE is currently looking to source components from other suppliers to ameliorate shortages caused by damaged factories in northern Japan.
Nokia Windows Phone 7 delay shows Espoo made the wrong choice
Since Nokia decided to relegate Symbian and MeeGo to the second tier and throw its lot in with Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 (WP7) OS, plenty has been said about when we’d see blowers made in Espoo rocking the Big M’s operating system.
Official renderings, released just days after the tie-up was confirmed, suggested the wait wouldn’t be too long. Hints were then dropped that Nokia was desperate to get a WP7 device on shelves by the end of 2011. And why not?
Any hold-ups would mean that it wouldn’t release a flagship smartphone in 2011, when every other OEM is storming ahead with next-gen goodies. But now Espoo says its first WP7 handset won’t come until 2012, eleven months after the deal was inked.
The news comes from Nokia India’s D Shivakumar in a US regulatory filing. And what’s more, he says the full strategy won’t be implemented until 2013. It appears that Nokia is not keen on the current version of WP7 and is holding out for the so-called “Mango” update, which will bring HTML5, copy and paste and more advanced social skills to the OS.
This is as much Microsoft’s fault as it is Nokia’s, The Mango software boost had been promised for this year, but problems with a less important upgrade, which has bricked certain WP7 phones, means it will have to wait. And now Nokia wants to play the waiting game too.
How this is even an option for them is a surprise. While they get to work on a WP7 cell, rivals across the spectrum will continue to forge ahead. It’s hard to see a Nokia WP7 phone being anything other than stillborn on arrival. By that point, the iPhone 5 will have been on shelves for six months, Google will have moved past Android Ice Cream and even webOS will be resurgent.
It all shows that in its attempts not to lose face, Nokia has made the wrong decision about which OS to back. It at least could have taken HTC, Samsung and LG’s route and opted for Android as well as Windows Phone. As it is, it’s thrown itself behind a platform that is critically lauded but seemingly struggling to do the numbers. Nokia has failed to learn the lessons of the past few years: namely, holding on for something to work is a bum move. It could have worked much faster with Android and released a device that would have soared in terms of volume.
So, the wait continues. The question is, will Nokia still be relevant in the smartphone world when its WP7 is finally put up for sale? Don’t bank on it.
iPad 2 hits a million already: can the competition even begin to keep up?
Analysts love to pontificate, especially when it comes to Apple. Scott Sutherland, of Wedbush Securities is the latest to pop his head over the parapet, claiming Apple sold a million iPad 2’s over the weekend, its first since launch last Friday. Specious? Maybe not. Supplies have all but dried up, with Apple stores running out and tech retailer Best Buy selling out in ten minutes.
Assuming this stat is spot on, Apple will doubtless be quick to confirm its veracity, if only to show-off to its rivals that it’s reached the million milepost in three days with the iPad 2. By comparison, the iPad took 28 days to get to the same landmark figure.
So what can the competition do? For all the chatter about Android Honeycomb tablets smashing the iPad’s dominance, only one is currently available, the Motorola Xoom. And even that is lacking Flash from the start - hardly a ringing endorsement.
It all begs the question whether the iPad’s rivals can keep up? Apple’s new slate might not have reinvented the wheel, but its breezy interface and stunning looks make it every bit as good as its new rivals.
At the start of 2011, it was assumed Apple was going to struggle to cope with the likes of the Galaxy Tab et al. And while its share is down, it’s still hovering around the 75 per cent mark. Apple has set the agenda, and the failure of Android OEMs to release their products in timely fashion is going to cost them dear.
It hurts to say it, but it looks like the iPad 2 will not have the kind of competition gadget fans and tech watchers are hoping for. This isn’t the story of the iPhone all over: that was a gadget working its way into an already evolved market. The iPad has set the tone and while everyone else watches, it’s romping into the distance.
Assuming this stat is spot on, Apple will doubtless be quick to confirm its veracity, if only to show-off to its rivals that it’s reached the million milepost in three days with the iPad 2. By comparison, the iPad took 28 days to get to the same landmark figure.
So what can the competition do? For all the chatter about Android Honeycomb tablets smashing the iPad’s dominance, only one is currently available, the Motorola Xoom. And even that is lacking Flash from the start - hardly a ringing endorsement.
Meanwhile, the HP TouchPad has now been officially pegged for June, when the iPad 2 will be out of sight. The HTC Flyer is unlikely to land until then, and while it has some excellent features, it’s going to come too late to the party. The BlackBerry PlayBook is so late arriving, you have to wonder whether it’s even worth its while coming to market at all.
It all begs the question whether the iPad’s rivals can keep up? Apple’s new slate might not have reinvented the wheel, but its breezy interface and stunning looks make it every bit as good as its new rivals.
It hurts to say it, but it looks like the iPad 2 will not have the kind of competition gadget fans and tech watchers are hoping for. This isn’t the story of the iPhone all over: that was a gadget working its way into an already evolved market. The iPad has set the tone and while everyone else watches, it’s romping into the distance.
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