Monthly Archives: July 2011

ASUS Eee Pad Slider Available in August Product Catalog in Portugal

Posted by on July 31, 2011 No comments


The ASUS Eee Pad Slider is yet another unique product for ASUS, that already has a hit on its hands: the Eee Pad Transformer, selling 400k units a month. This time we’re getting a treat that consists of a product that should have come earlier, the Eee Pad Slider, the slate with a sliding QWERTY segment.

This device has just popped up in the August catalog for Portuguese electronics retailer Phone House. The device is listed with 349 euro price tag and it comes with the classic specs of a Honeycomb slate: dual core 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, WiFi, Bluetooth, A-GPS and mini HDMI. This model debuted at CES together with the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, that’s already known success.

I’m not yet sold on the whole slide and tilt idea, that reminds of a Nokia model or two… Speculations say we might also see an Intel Oak Trail version of the device, but nothing has been confirmed just yet. The price mentioned above translates to $467 and it comes with a ZON contract, while off contract, you’ll pay $684 for the slider slate. Will this 10 incher also sell well?

Related posts:

  1. Asus Eee Pad Slider Launching in August… At Least in Poland
  2. ASUS Eee Pad Slider (SL101) Reaches the FCC After Bunch of Delays
  3. ASUS Eee Pad Transformer 3G and Slider Coming to the UK in August


Nokia 10 Inch Tablet Packs a 3D Camera

Posted by on July 31, 2011 No comments


It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything about a Nokia tablet, unless you count those WeTab Tabco rumors… Now we have a 10 inch slate with Nokia branding, the creation of Gregory Pizzatto and a mere concept right now.

Gregory created a Nokia tablet with a 3D camera at the back, that relies on a dual photo/video sensor. The slate comes with a black piano finish or a silver one and it’s pretty strange to see iOS action the screen, in an old version of the platform no less. The speakers are also pretty badly rendered on the back side, but the camera is believable.

The interesting part is that segment with a virtual keyboard, that actually looks interesting and original. Will the real deal be close to this concept?

Related posts:

  1. Xperia X Tab 10 Tablet Packs 10 Inch Display, 16MP Camera
  2. Intel MeeGo Tablet UX Runs on Nokia N900, Looks Good (Video)
  3. Nokia MeeGo Tablet Strangely Resembles Dual-Core ST-Ericsson U8500 Reference Platform (Video)


In Russia You Don’t Use the iPad, the iPad Uses You… Now Banned

Posted by on July 31, 2011 No comments


The Russian Government doesn’t seem too keen on the best selling tablet of the moment, so the Apple iPad will be banned from official working places. Security concerns have prompted this move, according to Russian business news site RBC Daily.

The authorities are looking into alternatives such as the BlackBerry PlayBook or Android slates. Even a brand new device made in Russia is taken into account, as the security experts want to rely on a device with good data encryption, or at least better than the one on the iPad. The PlayBook has received a FIPS 140-2 certification, that allows it to be used for governmental purposes.

This is the only tablet with FIPS certification, making the BlackBerry once again a household name for environments were the state’s safety is at risk. Well, one way or the other we’ll see Android in the hands of Russian officials, since the PlayBook also has support for this platform’s apps.

Related posts:

  1. BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet Ready for U.S. Government Use After Approval
  2. Apple Books Up Components for iPad Units, Causes PlayBook Delays, Partner Production Revamp
  3. BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet Gets Priced, Launch Date Announced


Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet Available on August 23, Priced at $479

Posted by on July 30, 2011 2 comments


Lenovo debuted a trio of tablets last week, with the IdeaPad K1 being directed to consumers, while the ThinkPad is aimed at business folks. This unit was supposed to be coming to the USA on August 2nd, according to rumors. Now that’s changed and the slate has been delayed to August 23.

Priced at $479, the tablet is available in a 16GB version without the digitizer pen. With the pen, you’ll pay $509 for it and if you want more storage, the 32GB version will set you back $59. There’s also an accessory to purchase, an optional keyboard portofolio going for $99. These are all WiFi models, with the 3G ones being launched in the following months.

The ThinkPad slates will reach the international market in September, packing a 10.1 inch 1280 x 800 display, dual core Tegra 2 1GHz CPU and mini HDMI port. Will you buy one?

Related posts:

  1. Lenovo Details Future Tablets: Honeycomb ThinkPad and More…
  2. Lenovo Shows The World a Trio of Tablets: IdeaPad K1, ThinkPad Tablet and IdeaPad Tablet P1
  3. New Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet With Android Leaks


LG Optimus Pad (G-Slate) Gets Unboxed! (Video)

Posted by on July 30, 2011 1 comment


LG is all about premieres this year, starting from the first dual core smartphone internationally (Optimus 2X), to the first 3D display/camera phone (Optimus 3D) and now the first 3D tablet: LG Optimus Pad. Also known as the T-Mobile G-Slate in the US, this model gets unboxed by me in the video below.

We’re dealing with a Tegra 2 Honeycomb 3.0 slate with a dual 5MP camera capable of 3D capture, but more about that in the full review to come in the following days. The device includes an 8.9 inch display and inside the box of the G-slate (Optimus Pad) we find a charger, USB cable, HDMI cable, an adapter, a manual and a pair of 3D glasses.

Keep in mind that the display on this tablet is not a glasses-free one, but rather a standard 2D screen, so all the 3D action you get here is tridimensional capture with the dual core cameras. The 3D player on board will only give you three dimensions if you use the included glasses. Or you can use the HDMI cable to play the content on a 3D TV…

Related posts:

  1. LG G-Slate Renamed Optimus Pad, Coming to MWC 2011; Runs Android 3.0, Sports 3D Display
  2. LG Optimus Pad Slate to Begin Pre-Orders on March 15 (Japan)
  3. T-Mobile G-Slate Unboxed, Hitting Stores, Ready for Official Release


ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Successor in the Making Now… Prepare to be Stunned!

Posted by on July 30, 2011 No comments


Since we’ve just finished testing the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, a successor for the device was bound to be spotted. ASUS chairman confirms the follow-up to the 400k a month selling tablet, the most successful Honeycomb unit so far.

Jonney Shih, the ASUS chairman made these claims in a recent meeting with Forbes, but sadly he didn’t reveal any details about the device. He only said that the slate will be impressive and so far we know that this unit might come with the quad core Tegra 3 chip dubbed Kal-El. Previously Nvidia had promised longer battery life and improved performance from its new CPU, that will be available on devices in September.

Shih also mentioned that Asus will release more tablet before the year is out. Transformer is undoubtedly a hit, thanks to a $395 price tag, the dual core CPU inside, high quality IPS display and the keyboard accessory. Meanwhile, Apple sold 9.25 million iPads in the last quarter and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down….

Will the ASUS Transformer 2 grab a bite out of the slate market share?

Related posts:

  1. ASUS Eee Pad Transformer International Launch Hit by Delays, Because of High Demand
  2. ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Debuts in the US, Sells Out Fast
  3. ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Gets Unboxed – Here’s What the Best Selling Android Tablet is About (Video)


Google’s Design Lead Talks About Developing On Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted by on July 30, 2011 No comments

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Android was obviously a hot topic at today’s Mobile First CrunchUp (just ask Chamillionaire). There was a lot of discussion on the difficulty Android developers face when designing for Android. During an earlier panel, Tech Crunch even went as far asking why iPhone apps simply look better than Android apps. With the day winding to a close and during the last roundtable session Mike Isaac from Wired threw out another question to Matias Duarte, Google’s design lead, regarding the next version of Android (Ice Cream Sandwich). He wanted to know how ICS would help developers produce better looking apps across the many form factors Android has to adapt to like Google TV, phones and tablets. Duarte explained that things will continue to get better as the Android platform evolves and becomes more mature.

Here’s a little paraphrased excerpt of Matias Duarte’s describing the next version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich:

Ice Cream Sandwich will continue the very challenging job of trying to create an embeddable platform that has the flexibility of the web. We’re trying to make one size fits all, and there are different products for different needs. That said, we know it is hard to design in that environment. Ice Cream Sandwich gives you a lot of tools to help you build one app that works more seamlessly across a variety of screen sizes and different form factors. And before that, we’re rolling out tools that help developers focus and optimize. We recently launched features that let you have multiple APKs and specific device targeting. We’re looking to make that transition easier and create really good-looking stuff on Android.

So there you have it, straight from Google’s design lead, Matias Duarte. Developing for multiple form factors will still prove a challenge for devs but Ice Cream Sandwich should help to alleviate some of that pain. I’m just excited to get a “mini” Honeycomb UI on my Android smartphone but lets hope it wont be at the cost of fragmentation.

[Via TechCrunch]

Chamillionaire Speaks Out – Tells Google’s Design Lead That All Android Devices “Suck”

Posted by on July 30, 2011 No comments

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TechCrunch was holding one of their tech conferences today called Mobile First Crunch Up. During one of the closing panels, Google’s design lead Matias Duarte was there representing Android, at one point saying the choice between Android and iOS is nothing more than preference (I would 100% agree).

Well, during the Q&A session, rapper extraordinaire, Chamillionaire took to the mic and let Duarte know exactly how he felt about Android saying, “I’ve used all these different devices, they suck.” Apparently, Mr. Illionaire feels like there still hasn’t been a single Android device released that can compare to his iPhone. This obviously drew a big reaction from the crowd and murmurs of, “Oh no he di’int!” could be heard across audience.

But Duarte didn’t let it phase him, he then explained to Chamillionaire that everyone has different tastes and that his competitors also make great products as well. Did that stop Chamillionaire? Not entirely. He wanted to know which device he should use next. Duarte responded with, “I’m hoping that pretty soon we’re gonna have an android phone you’re gonna love," Clearly hinting at Google’s upcoming Nexus Prime (Using my psychic powers passed onto to me at birth, I will add what else he was thinking, “…and it will melt your face off.”)

When TechCrunch followed up on Chamillionaire’s questiong by asking Duarte which device he was using at the moment, he said it was the Nexus S and Chamillionaire agreed to drop a couple bills on it. We’ll have to wait and hear his thoughts at a later time (need to charge my psychic powers). But what do you guys think of Chamillionaire’s statement? Would you even want a phone that Chamillionaire would deem worthy as an iPhone replacement? Maybe he needs Android to provide a native police scanner app so the po-po’s don’t catch him ridin’ dirty…

UPDATE: Chamillionaire clarified some things on his Twitter yesterday. As it turns out, he was never knocking the Android OS. In fact, he’s actually owned 3 different Android devices and according to Chamillionaire, it was only the build quality he was referring to when compared to Apple devices. It turns out, Chamillionaire is just a tech enthusiast like the rest of us who is “an expert at keepin it real.” Can’t knock him for that.

[Via TechCrunch]

UberMusic Released Into the Android Market – Custom Themes and Widgets Galore

Posted by on July 30, 2011 No comments

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If you fancy yourself a music aficionado but the current crop of music players for Android just aren’t doin’ it for ya, a new challenger has entered the ring. UberMusic was just released today onto the Android Market and comes to you from the creative force behind Launcher Pro, Federico Carnales. Obviously, Mr. Carnales knows a little something about customizing and this is where UberMusic receives arguably, its biggest feature: themes. Yup, it’s possible to get 3rd party skins from the Market that will allow you to completely transform the whole UI of UberMusic, even adding custom themed widgets and an “uber” nice live wallpaper. So if you have always been into the look of say, the Zune music player (guilty!), you can finally have your cake and eat it too.

UberMusic is available right now in the Android Market for $3.50 and if you’re one of “those types” that doesn’t like paying for their apps or simply can’t because of your region, Mr. Carnales mentioned today via Twitter that a free version of the app could be in the works.

[Via Engadget and Twitter]

Leaked Radio Shack Memo Shows LG Thrill Delayed Til The End of August

Posted by on July 30, 2011 No comments

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Looks like the LG Thrill may be delayed before an official release date was ever announced. My good friend Jerry, from AndroidCentral, posted a leaked internal memo from The Shack showing the LG Thrill has been pushed back to August 21st. Originally, it was rumored that the Thrill would launch on August 7th but doesn’t look like that’s going to be happening.

As usual with authorized retailers, this could be a Radio Shack only delay but judging by the wording in the memo, sounds more like an overall AT&T thing. Could the delay have something to do with the Samsung Attain that passed through the FCC yesterday? Guess we’ll find out soon enough!

[Via AndroidCentral]