by Matthew on February 5, 2010
This week the Symbian Foundation announced that the sourcecode for Symbian devices was now completely open source. To achieve this about 20% of the 200 or so 3rd party developers had requested their code be stripped out due to now wanting to open-source their code.
The information on this was revealed in an interview with Symbian Foundations chief where the future of Symbian was discussed. One of the more interesting points in the interview was where the question was asked about the possibility of Symbian-based tablets and netbooks to which the answer came…
“It’s very likely that, in the next year or two, you would see such a product hit the marketplace. A lot of companies are experimenting with PDA-tablet-style form factors, also for stereo systems, and internet-connected devices running low power on primarily ARM architecture — we do get occasional interest for a few of those.” [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 5, 2010
X2 Computing are launching the iTablet. The iTablet comes in two flavours which include a 10.2 inch or 12.1 inch screen version. Each version has multitouch capabilities and runs either the Linux operating system or Windows 7.
Powering the iTablet is a 1.6GHz processor and for storage the device has 250GB. For connectivity there is wifi and Bluetooth built in and X2 also provide an optional 3G/GSM module for connecting over mobile networks. Ports on the device include 3 x USB (2.0?) along with a HDMI output. A 1.3 megapixel webcam is also included in the device. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 5, 2010
CultofMac have posted some interesting information on the Apple [AAPL] iPad and the user interface that it uses. Although a number of people have complained across the web about how it’s just a large iPod Touch, it makes you wonder if it does need to be different.
What Apple have said about the iPad is that it “improved the experience of doing every day computing tasks” ie, email, browsing and photo slideshows. This is where the iPad excels due to the larger screen. Although I can currently send emails from my T-Mobile G1, Dell Mini 9 netbook or regular laptop while on the move, that doesn’t mean it’s a streamlined process. Take the netbook for example, it’s small and takes several minutes to boot and finally load up web based outlook…. but the iPad aims to change that by providing a decent interface with quick connectivity. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 4, 2010
Fusion Garage have announced that they have gone in to full production of the JooJoo tablet with the first shipments reaching customers by the end of this month.
As well as the first shipments going out in the next few weeks, Fusion Garage have also made a deal with CSL who are one of the largest OEM’s in Malaysia. A deal with the CSL group sees that CSL will cover the JooJoo’s manufacturing cost and take a cut of each JooJoo sold. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 3, 2010
A patent was published today that shows Apple [AAPL] describing an intelligent bezel on what looks to be a tablet based device. The intelligent bezel has sensors in it that can detect touch allowing functions such as changing the volume to be done with a swipe down the side of the screen.
Although the current Apple iPad makes no mention of this technology, we could be seeing a second generation iPad using the intelligent bezel. As well as being able to control volume, the bezel could also allow menu functions to be accessed. As the bezel surrounds the screen there could be different areas highlighted that take you to the home page and allow you to scroll through menus. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 2, 2010
We thought that with the official announcement of the Apple iPad last week that it would put an end to all rumours about the iPad. However, we are still hearing several things such as the possibility of the device actually having a webcam built in. This particular rumour started because of an image captured at 9 minutes 9 seconds in to the Apple [AAPL] keynote speech last week where something was spotted in the top bezel of the iPad just above the screen. This small object could be just an ambient light sensor though although interestingly enough, MissionRepair received some iPad spare parts this week which an internal frame has a cut out that just happens to fit a MacBook webcam inside. Perhaps version two of the iPad isn’t far away.
The rumours don’t stop there though as the iPhone OS 3.2 also shows some reference for the iPad camera. A camera is not listed on the official specs although some are saying that the lack of a camera now could be due to a shortage of stock. It will be interesting to see if a webcam is in the line-up when the iPad is launched in a few weeks, but for now we believe it’s just a light sensor in that gap. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 2, 2010
Google have created some concept drawings of Chome OS running on a Tablet style device. The video is more focussed on what the operating system could look like rather than the functions of the tablet it’s self.
The video shows a number of multi-touch features where windows are dragged around as objects and resized according to the needs of the program running. As well as showing various browser windows being dragged around it also shows how the Chrome OS will be able to multi-task where two windows are on display at the same time with data moving between each window. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 1, 2010
Apple [AAPL] have updated their site to show that the iPad will be made available in the UK in March for the wireless version and in April for the wireless/3G model.
Official UK pricing has not been revealed just yet, unlike the US counterpart which starts at $499 for the lowest 16GB wifi option. Don’t get too excited that Apple will follow the exchange rate though and sell it for £312 here in the UK… as with most electronic products we will more than likely see them priced a little higher and more like £399 for the base model. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on January 30, 2010
When the Apple [AAPL] iPad promotional video launched it showed the iPad tablet browsing the New York Times webpage along with Adobe Flash content integrated. This caused some interest around the web as people started to believe that the iPad would support flash content which would then lead to the iPhone and iPod Touch also including it as they will run from the same OS soon.
However, it seems like Apple’s marketing department actually added the flash content in manually to the final cut of the video as the more accurate result is that you should see a blue brick asking you to install flash. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on January 29, 2010
The iPad from Apple [AAPL] has only been officially known a few days but this hasn’t stopped a number of accessories being created for it that will be made available around the time of the official launch.
The next accessory we have spotted is the kickBACK Case from Scosche. The kickBACK allows the Apple iPad to function in both portrait and landscape mode. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on January 29, 2010
Belkin have created three new sleeves for the Apple iPad that are each reinforced on the front to protect the large touch-screen surface of the iPad.
Each of the three new cases is slim, but also allows for accessories to be carried around when needed. The sleeves are called the Vue, Max and Grip and measure about 10 inches diagonally to let an iPad sit comfortably but securely inside.
The Vue iPad case has a windowed pocket on the side allowing you to see the accessories you store such as a smartphone. The Max sleeve has a pleated design that allows the pocket to expand to store more accessories inside. When nothing needs to be stored the pocket folds away. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on January 29, 2010
Dell have launched the Adamo Admire that is priced below $1000 running at $999. What you get for $999 is a super slim great looking laptop that has a 720p HD screen measuring 13.4 inches. The processor isn’t the fastest at 1.4GHz although it is an Intel Core 2 Duo.
The Adamo Admire runs Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) and has a full sized keyboard. For memory it has 2GB of 800MHz DDR3 dual-channel memory and for storage, a 128GB solid state drive (SSD).
The full sized keyboard on the Adamo Admire is back-lit and has a metallic key cap design. A 1.3 megapixel webcam can be found integrated in the bezel as well as an integrated microphone. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on January 28, 2010
The iPad was officially announced yesterday by Apple [AAPL]. At the event reporters were able to get close to the device to see what it’s all about. The iPad runs the Apple A4 1GHz processor and from what we see on the video below, it runs things very smoothly.
Applications on the video include the calendar, photos, video, maps as well as others. The calendar app appears to work very well showing appointments on the right of the page with other information to the left. When viewing photos the movement of photos is very quick and smooth and scrolling around pictures is very intuitive allowing for gestures to be used to transition between menus. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on January 27, 2010
Today, Apple [AAPL] finally made their tablet device official and gave it the name Apple iPad. The iPad has a 9.7 inch LCD capacitive touchscreen with IPS technology. The full device measures 9.56 inches tall, 7.47 inches wide and 0.5 inches thick and weighs 1.5 or 1.6 pounds depending on if you choose the 3G model or not.
Back on to the display, it has a high resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels at 132 pixels per inch. The glossy screen is covered in a fingerprint resistant oleophobic coating.
Two different versions of the iPad will be made available. The first is a Wi-Fi version that is compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n networks. The second iPad model has an integrated 3G connection built in allowing it to connect to a number of networks which includes UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz) as well as GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz) networks. The 3G model also has the same wireless functionality built in as well as Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR that is included on both models.
Location based services are also available on the iPad and a built in digital compass can be found along with Assisted GPS, Cellular tracking and Wi-Fi tracking. [click to continue…]
by Alicia on January 27, 2010
MSI computer, a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions have announced the release of the MSI Wind U135 netbook – a special edition netbook featuring the powerful and efficient Intel Pine Trail Platform with the Atom N450 processor. The netbook features a 160GB or 250Gb hard drive, 1GB of DDR2 memory and Windows 7 Starter. The latest addition to the Wind family has an increased battery life of 15% and overall performance of 10%, achieved by its new CPU and single chipset architecture which combine to consume just 7 watts. The U135 is available with a 3 cell or 6 cell battery, with the 6 cell battery delivering upto 7.5 hours. The additional battery life is also achieved through MSI’s exclusive MSI ECO Engine Technology and an efficient LED display.
The ECO Engine Technology allows the user to choose from 5 power modes – gaming, movie, presentation, document and turbo battery, allowing you the flexibility to customise the power supply based on the usage requirements. [click to continue…]
