WePad Tablet renamed WeTab

May 7, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Back in March we wrote about the WePad that was designed to take on the iPad. The company behind the WePad called Neofonie, have decided to change the name to WeTab.

The reasons for the name change are not clear although it could be related to Apple applying a bit of pressure, or perhaps Neofonie just getting a little scared and wanting to separate their product a little.

The WeTab is an 11.6 inch touchscreen device that has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. It is powered by an Intel Atom N450 processor and has integrated Intel GMA 3150 graphics. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Laptops

TomTom XL 350 and XXL 550 Quietly Launched

May 7, 2010 by Leave a Comment

TomTom has quietly launched a couple of new satnavs without any press release or particular mention on their website other than adding them to the lineup.

The two new satnavs are the TomTom XL 350 and the TomTom XXL 550. Both satnavs are for the US and are based on models from Europe that use the XL IQ routes. Both devices will use the same simplified menu system that is used on the TomTom EASE devices.

TomTom XL 350

The first device is the TomTom XL 350 that has a 4.3 inch screen. This device will cost from $169.95 when launched and will come with lifetime maps and optional lifetime traffic updates if you pay more upfront. [Read more…]

Filed Under: SatNavs

Toshiba could be building Worlds Lightest 13 Inch Laptop

May 7, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Toshiba is rumoured to be building the worlds lightest 13 inch laptop computer that will weigh just over two pounds and use an SSD (solid state drive) for storage.

The laptop is said to run fairly standard hardware components such as the SSD and for a processor it will run several options which include an Intel Core i3, i5 and an i7.

Where all the weight will be saved is in the battery where Toshiba are going to be installing a new type of battery called an SCiB or super charged ion battery. This is the battery that can achieve a 90% charge in just ten minutes and has been seen for a couple of years now but not widely adopted just yet. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Laptops

Orange Launch Pay-as-you-consume Apple iPad 3G Data Plans

May 7, 2010 by 2 Comments

Earlier today we received official details from Apple [AAPL] regarding the launch date and the price of the Apple iPad in the UK. We already knew a few of the networks over in the UK would be offering price plans and Orange are the first to step forwards with their offerings.

Orange are calling the plans pay-as-you-consume and they will offer several plans starting with a pay monthly for what you use plan where costs are 5p per MB with a limit of £40/month being applied to the account.

Next up are the bundle plans where you can sign up for a day, 7 days or monthly plans as follows…

iPad Daily (valid for 1 day until midnight) – £2 – 200MB
iPad Weekly (valid for 7 days until midnight) – £7.50 – 1GB
iPad Monthly 15 (recurring) – £15 – 3GB + unlimited browsing at Wi-Fi hotspots
iPad Monthly 25 (recurring) – £25 – 10GB + unlimited browsing at Wi-Fi hotspots [Read more…]

Filed Under: iPad

Apple iPad UK Release date is May 28

May 7, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Apple [AAPL] has finally given a date for the first international launch of the Apple iPad. In the UK we can expect to get the iPad on May 28 although prices have still not been provided. Press release below…

iPad Available in Nine More Countries on May 28

Pre-Orders Begin May 10

CUPERTINO, California-May 7, 2010-Apple® today announced that iPad¢ will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK on Friday, May 28. Customers can pre-order all iPad models from Apple’s online store in all nine countries beginning on Monday, May 10. In the US, Apple has already sold over one million iPads and customers have downloaded over 12 million apps from the App Store, as well as over 1.5 million ebooks from the new iBookstore.

iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch¢ user interface. iPad is 0.5 inches thin and weighs just 1.5 pounds-thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook-and delivers up to 10 hours of battery life.*

The App Store on iPad lets you wirelessly browse, buy and download new apps from the world’s largest app store. iPad includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for iPad and will run almost all of the more than 200,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for your iPhone® or iPod touch®. Developers have created more than 5,000 exciting new apps designed for iPad that take advantage of its Multi-Touch interface, large screen and high-quality graphics.

Pricing & Availability
Apple plans to release iPad in Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore in July. Apple will announce availability, local pricing and pre-order plans for these nine additional countries at a later date.

*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution with the Apple II, then reinvented the personal computer with the Macintosh. Apple continues to lead the industry with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system, and iLife, iWork and professional applications. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store, has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

Filed Under: iPad

Apple iPad with Spirit Jailbreak gets External HDD Support

May 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment

When iPhone OS is jailbroke, a number of interesting things can be accomplished that were previously locked up by Apple [AAPL]. The latest new feature to be added is for the Apple iPad running OS 3.2 that has been jailbroke by Spirit. The user in the video below has successfully managed to use the iPad Camera Connection kit to connect up an external hard drive, mount it and access it from the iPad.

To achieve the external hard drive compatibility you’ll need any iPad along with an external hard drive, iPad Camera Connection kit, split USB cable for providing extra juice to the hard drive and some terminal software that allows you to mount the drive when needed. [Read more…]

Filed Under: iPad

Google Goggles Gets Text Translation

May 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Google [GOOG] has updated their Google Goggles app for Android that now brings text translation in to the mix.

Gizmodo describe the new application as having a little multi-linguist living in your phone.

To get the system to work you simply load up the application, point the camera at the text you want translating (making sure you get a clear shot of it) and capture the image. Once captured the system is capable of detecting the language you are looking at in most cases, and after a short wait the English translation will appear on screen. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones

Apple iPhone to get Mobile Payments

May 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Visa and DeviceFidelity are working with Apple [AAPL] to bring mobile payments to Apple iPhone users. The new system works with the iPhone sat in a protective case that has a secure memory card that is home to a contactless payment application called Visa PayWave.

The system is only designed right now to work with the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS with no next-gen model being mentioned. When active, the system will allow users to easily pay for small products and items as well as make purchases at vending machines by simply waving the phone in front of a contact-less pay system.

In the US there are 1000’s of companies who already accept contactless payment that are compatible with this system. As well as working with the iPhone with a special case, any mobile phone with a memory card slot will also work as the Visa chip can also utilise a microSD card slot. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones

AT&T iPhone Exclusivity extends to 2011

May 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment

It appears that Verizon [VZ] are not going to be getting the Apple iPhone on their network this year thanks to Apple [AAPL] extending the exclusive agreement until the start of 2011.

Reasons for the extension are believed to be the way AT&T handled the Apple iPad 3G subscription charges and pricing structure.

The deal is claimed to have happened as follows…

AT&T had to do something dramatic to get the iPad. [AT&T’s negotiated a 50% discount on iPad data plans with Apple] For that pricing, AT&T was able to negotiate a six-month extension on the iPhone exclusive.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones

Viewsonic PJD6531w HD 3D Projector

May 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment

The Viewsonic PJD6531w is a HD projector that is capable of reproducing 3D content. The w in the name is there as it works in a wide format. The projector is capable of producing an image at 120Hz that is required to reproduce 3D content.

Technical spec wise, it has a 3000 lumen rating and can display content at 1280 x 800 pixels in a WXGA format. Connectivity wise it has an RJ-45 connector allowing it to hook up to a network. The contrast ratio is 3200:1.

BrilliantColor¢ technology

Latest BrilliantColor¢ technology delivers stunning all-digital clarity with life-like color, sharp graphics and outstanding video. The sophisticated 5-segment color (RGBWY) wheel provides greater color accuracy than standard DLP projectors with a 4-segment color wheel

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Displays

Google Nexus One owners to get Partial Tax Refund

May 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment

When Google [GOOG] launched the Google Nexus One, the tax was calculated slightly wrong and rather than being based on the sale price it was based on the full retail price. So, if you overpaid the tax, Google are now returning the overpayment to you.

The money you over paid will be paid back to the card you paid on originally unless the card has expired and in those cases, it will be refunded to the same account on to the new issued card.

The letter reads as follows…

Hello,

We’re writing in regards to your recent Nexus One purchase. There was an issue with the way the sales tax was applied to your order. When your order was placed, you paid taxes on the full retail price of the phone. However, you should have only been charged taxes on the sales price of the phone. We apologize for this issue and wanted to let you know that Google will issue a partial refund for the difference in the amount of taxes you were charged.

The refund will be issued to the debit/credit card used to complete the original purchase. To verify which card will receive the refund, please sign in to your Google Checkout account at and click ˜View order’. The payment information for the order will be listed at the bottom of the order receipt.

If the debit/credit card used to complete your purchase has been closed, your card-issuing bank should forward these funds to your new account or mail a check to you for the amount of the refund.

If you have any questions about the refund, or if you need further assistance, please reply to this email and we’ll be happy to help.

Sincerely,

The Nexus One Team

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones

Pioneer Launch 6 new SatNav Units in Japan

May 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Pioneer are launching six new satnavs over in Japan that will cost from 112,000 to 352,000 Yen which is the equivalent of $1242 – $3904. The six new units, obviously top of the range units, are split in to two categories.

The first is the H9990 series that has a 7 inch screen capable of an 800 x 480 pixel resolution. This is in a 1+1 Din form and includes a 12Seg TV tuner along with other features such as DVD, CD, DSP, HDD and supports a number of file formats for playing back MP3 files, WMA, AAC. For connectivity it has Bluetooth as well as an iPod and iPhone connector although this is optional.

The next range is the AVIC-ZH9990 that is a 2 DIN device while the AVIC-H9990 is a 1 DIN HDD based GPS. Confused? Never mind as we definitely won’t be seeing these over in Europe or the US at least for now. [Read more…]

Filed Under: SatNavs