People just love hacking the Jesus tab

Recently, we saw some clever so and so hacking their iPad to run Windows 95. Impressive? Yeah, we suppose so.

But Windows 95 was rubbish in 1995 so we couldn't quite understand what the point was.

If you're gonna hack your iPad, at least use a more contemporary OS or, even better, one that doesn't officially exist yet.

That's what Hexxeh has done with his hack job, which runs the open source Chromium OS (that will be used for the forthcoming Google Chrome OS) via the Apple device.

It's a brief demo, and we'd like to see more, but we like it never-the-less.

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Tags: Chrome OS Tablets iPad Apple Video

 

VIDEO: iPad + Chrome OS = ChromePad? originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:07:00 +0100

High street clothes retailer has ?180 tab up for sale

Well, we have to admit that we didn't see this one coming.

We expected a barrage of Android tablets to hit the market, from the usual players like Samsung, Toshiba, LG and HTC - but Next? Next?

Obviously, the clothing giant wouldn't have manufactured the device itself - unless it has secretly opened an electronics assembly line over in the Far East that we don't know about - but even so, this Next branded tablet does come a little out of left field.

Whatever it is (most likely a re-branded existing tablet), we know that it is a 10.1-inch tablet, packing:

- A backlit LED screen with a 1024 x 600 resolution

- An ARM 1GHz LNX Code 11 processor

- 256MB or RAM

- 8GB of onboard storage

- Android 2.1

- 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi

- A USB port

- A microSD port

- Stereo speakers

The downsides? The battery life is just 3 hours apparently, and it has a resistive touch screen.

But, for ?180, this is a very affordable, if somewhat surprising, entry to the exciting Android/tablet world.

It is available to order directly from next.co.uk now.

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Tags: Android Next Tablet Next Tablets

 

The next Android tablet comes from, er, Next originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 09:42:00 +0100

Three RIM execs say it's happening, but official line isn't so clear

RIM has confirmed to Pocket-lint that QNX and the BlackBerry OS will eventually become a single symbiotic entity in the future.

Although refusing to be drawn on the specifics of when that future might be, Alan Panezic, vice president platform product management, told Pocket-lint that such a move would be a "logical conclusion".

The executive's comments line-up with a number of other BlackBerry bigwigs that are also hinting and confirming what most people expect to be the eventual outcome.

“There’s no reason to rule it out”, Alan Brenner, senior vice president, BlackBerry Platform, told Bloomberg in an interview at the conference.

The news agency is reporting that RIM’s senior management has signalled that such a move might make sense, though the company hasn’t announced plans.

Meanwhile website IntoMobile states that an unnamed RIM VP has confirmed to them that the QNX operating system?would, "be finding its way to smartphones in the long run, and ultimately replace the existing BlackBerry OS" adding that the VP suggested that we should expect BlackBerry 7 as a likely stepping stone before a full switch.

Talking more to Research In Motion spokespeople at the company's DEVCON event in San Francisco, it's clear the company hasn't formulated a definitive answer on whether QNX and BB OS will be merged.

As for a definitive answer as to will it/won't it, RIM is currently staying quiet.

Tags: Phones Tablets QNX BlackBerry RIM BlackBerry PlayBook Operating Systems

More confirmation that QNX coming to BlackBerry smartphones originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 21:41:00 +0100

BlackBerry maker could face naming problems with its tablet

Reports have emerged that suggest that Research In Motion do not own the trademark rights to the PlayBook name in the UK - indicating that the Canadian manufacturer could run into difficulties naming its tablet on this side of the pond.

V3 is reporting that the trademark belongs to media mogul Felix Dennis, owner of Dennis Publishing, who registered the name in 2006.

The report quotes Mark Owen (not the one from Take That unfortunately), of Harbottle & Lewis, who states that RIM would probably already be aware of the issue and may have already taken steps to rectify any problems.

"RIM could have already reached a deal with Felix Dennis or be in discussions to resolve the issue, but the fact that [the trademark] is already taken underlines the constant risk firms face when they introduce products using variations of common words", the IP lawyer said.?

"The fact that RIM's PlayBook has a capital 'B' in the name makes no difference, as the trademark that exists is for the entire word. So anything that is similar or identical could be classed as an infringement".

With the BlackBerry PlayBook not likely to see the light of day for a while yet, we think that RIM will have plenty of time to iron out any issues.

And if not, it could always go with another name. PadBerry anyone?

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Related links:

• See also - QNX BlackBerry Tablet OS: detailed and explained
• Guide - BlackBerry PlayBook vs Apple iPad vs Samsung Galaxy Tab
• News - RIM working on 3G and 4G enabled BlackBerry PlayBooks

Tags: BlackBerry PlayBook BlackBerry Tablets RIM Hardware

PlayBook trademark not RIM's in the UK originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:01:00 +0100

First 5, then 7, now 10....when will it end?

Following Michael Dell's announcement last week that his company would be releasing a 7-inch tablet to follow up the 5-inch Dell Streak, reports now suggest that a 10-inch offering could also be on the horizon.

The Wall Street Journal quotes Dell Greater China president Amit Midha, who said that a "whole slew" of Dell tablets would be arriving in the next 6-12 months including the 10-inch version, as well as smaller 3 and 4-inch devices.

Regarding the 7-inch tablet that the Dell boss demoed, Midha said: "It was showed off at Oracle World by Michael last week and we'll be launching very, very soon - within the next few weeks".

"In fact, very much in the near future we'll be launching the seven-inch tablet as well as the additional three-inch product".

Midha confirmed that the 7-incher would be an Android model, but stated that the company may also use Microsoft operating systems on some of the other devices.

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Related links:

• Photos - Dell 7-inch tablet
• News - Dell shows off second tablet
• Review - Dell Streak

Tags: Tablets Dell Dell 1130 Hardware

Dell prepares 10-inch tablet to follow 7-incher originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:52:00 +0100