Seasoned tech blogger. Host of the Tech Addicts podcast.
After months of rumours and speculation we are finally treated to Apple’s yearly phone update and how their tune has changed this year. Instead of all the focus being on one handset, we have two. A cheapie and a luxurious model.
As expected, Apple announced the iPhone 5C and the iPhone 5S whilst simultaneously withdrawing the iPhone 5 from sale.
Here’s the scoop on the other new Android tablets that Asus announced at IFA this year. They revealed their next-generation MeMo 8 and MeMo 10 tablets. Here’s a quote from their press release with the specs.
ASUS today announced two new affordable Android tablets, the MeMO Pad 8 and MeMO Pad 10, with an 8-inch and 10-inch screen, respectively. Both tablets feature a 1280 x 800 resolution, a quad-core processor and microSD card storage.
Designed for easy one-handed use, ASUS MeMO PadT 8 measures just 127mm from side to side and weighs only 350g, yet packs an 8-inch display that gives 30% more screen space than a 7-inch tablet. ASUS MeMO PadT 10 is equally portable, at just 522g.
Vibrant IPS displays and ASUS SonicMaster-enhanced sound
ASUS MeMO Pad 8 (ME180A) and MeMO Pad 10 (ME102A) both feature an LED-backlit display with a 1280 x 800 resolution and IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology for a bright and vibrant image, with wide viewing angles and great daylight visibility. High-quality dual speakers with ASUS SonicMaster audio technology give great sound quality, too.
MeMO Pad 8 also features a rear 5-megapixel camera that captures great quality photos, while MeMO Pad 10 features a 2-megapixel rear camera. Both models also capture 720p HD video and have a 1.2-megapixel front camera for video chat.
Powered by 1.6GHz quad-core processors for a perfect balance of multi-tasking performance and energy efficiency, MeMO Pad 8 has up to nine hours battery life with HD video playback and MeMO Pad 10 up to 9.5 hours. MeMO Pad 8 has 8GB of onboard storage, while MeMO Pad 10 has 8GB or 16GB. Both models also feature a microSDXC card slot. As we can see, the Transformer Pad Infinity isn’t the only Asus tablet to up the ante. Asus didn’t share any details on pricing or availability for these two tabs just yet, but that should be forthcoming fairly soon. These two tabs are likely designed to cover the mid-range and budget-friendly market segments.
Posted by: Gareth
Gareth and Matt enjoy a warm and fuzzy recollection of days gone by in this the latest instalment of the Retro Tech Addicts podcast.
This week we talk about IBM’s first Ddisk storage unit, eBay’s formation and what HTC were up to this dau in 2006.
It looks like September 4th just got even busier for big tech announcements. Not only are both Sony and Samsung holding big press events that day, Asus will be reveal something in the realm of the Android tablet. Asus just this weekend teased a new Android tablet will be announced on September 4th. They didn’t use that date specifically, but their teaser indicates something big will be coming in four days and they sent the announcement out on the 31st of August.
From the pic it is safe to say this is a new Transformer Pad, and although no details were shared other than the countdown, it’s a good bet that it will have a Tegra 4 chip in it, due to Asus’ close ties to NVIDIA. It’s worth noting that a previously unknown Asus tablet made its way through the FCC just a couple of weeks ago.
Posted by: Gareth
Today, ZTE and Virgin Media introduced the 4” ZTE Blade V in the UK, ZTE’s most competitive smartphone yet. The ZTE Blade V is available to purchase in store from the 4th September, and online shortly after, only from Virgin Media from £71.99 PAYG.
Read on for the press release.
Gareth’s pick ups from the last week include one semi-rare beat ’em up on a forgotten console and one of the Holy Grail collectors items for a handheld. Warning: If you are a collector you might be a little jealous.
Posted by: Gareth
It looks like Amazon have been p[using the boundaries of e-paper once again with a new display technology that promises big things for your reading experience. Continuing at the typical wallet friendly price the new Kindle looks to enhance the experience for reads without all the bloat of the typical tablet. Read on for the press release
It looks like Google was pulling some "sleight of hand" on us. Not only did we think the next iteration of Android was going to be Android 5.0, but was also won’t be called Key Lime Pie! According to Sundar Pichai himself, the next version of Android will actually be version 4.4 and shall be called "KitKat" instead of Key Lime Pie. Was it not the Android team themselves referring to the next Android as Key Lime Pie?
Apparently, after reflecting on this, the folks at Google believe that not enough people know what "Key Lime Pie" is. They decided that a KitKat, which is a bit more universally recognised, would be a better dessert to choose for the next Android codename. John Lagerling, the director of Android partnerships said, "very few people actually know the taste of a key lime pie." He added that the company "decided to reach out to the Nestle folks." An agreement was reached allowing Google’s Andy the Android to use the KitKat name although it’s "not a money-changing-hands kind of deal." A new chocolatey version of Android depiction is breaking onto the net as you read this.
Posted by: Gareth
Archos have announced their entire lineup of new Android products early. They will be debuting the devices at IFA in Germany next week, but they decided to share details a bit early in a press release. The list of devices is extensive and includes several tablets, a smartphone and potentially a smartwatch. Here’s the full press release below,
Quote:
IFA 2013: ARCHOS Confirms Mobile Connected Strategy with Innovative Tablet and Smartphone Lineup
ARCHOS, a pioneer in Android devices, is pleased to announce its tablet and smartphone strategy for year-end 2013.
Leveraging its four years of Android expertise, ARCHOS has optimised its product development aiming at offering innovative products based on Android and focused into the mobility segment, from tablets to smartphones to connected objects.
"This combination of innovation, value for money and rich product portfolio should allow ARCHOS to further increase its market share in the coming months," said Loic Poirier, CEO of ARCHOS.
CONTINUING TABLET INNOVATION: Powerful, Google certified tablets with HD screens
The Platinum range – featuring Quad-Core processors, sleek Aluminum design, wireless display technology and IPS screens up to 2048 x 1536 running Android 4.2.
The new Gen11 tablet, the ARCHOS 101xs2, is designed for performance, media playback and productivity. Powered by a quad-core processor with HD IPS screen it also features front-facing dual stereo speakers and ARCHOS’ unique magnetic keyboard functionality.
RENEWING THE THEMED TABLET RANGE: products designed for specific use
Unique to the new line of themed devices is a home screen application developed by ARCHOS that curates the more than 1 million apps inside of Google PlayT. Here each user can discover a selection of apps that best fits the purpose of the tablet making it easier for the end user to find the right content.
The new ARCHOS ChildPad range features a user interface designed for children, Google Play filtered for children, full parental controls and will run Android 4.2. Additionally, this range will feature the 101 Childpad designed to bridge the gap from the digital world of the tablet to content in the real world using magnetic figurines.
For gamers, the new ARCHOS GamePad 2 is the perfect combination of Android tablet and gaming console with access to thousands of the latest games. More details on this device to be released soon.
EXPANDING ANDROID EXPERTISE TO 3G TABLETS & SMARTPHONES
Expanding its deep Android expertise and answering user demand, ARCHOS is moving full speed ahead enhancing its existing line of 3G and 3G + tablets.
The new ARCHOS Xenon Range of 3 tablets will feature HD screens, up to Quad-Core CPUs, and will run Android 4.2 offering 3G connected devices cheaper than Apple or Samsung Wi-Fi tablets.
The new ARCHOS Smartphone line will include the Oxygen range, additions to the Platinum range and the Titanium range. All smartphones will feature pure un-skinned Android OS and Google Certification.
The flagship smartphone, the ARCHOS 50 oxygen, features a full HD IPS screen, Quad-Core CPU at 1.5 GHz, 16GB storage, Android 4.2 and 13MP back camera and a 5 MP front camera.
The Titanium range, starting at £99 with a 4 inch device, will feature Dual-Core CPUs, Bluetooth, GPS, Dual SIM card slots, Android 4.2, 5MP back cameras and 0.3 MP front cameras.
Archos will provide further details and unveil this product strategy on their stand at IFA 2013, located in Hall 17, Stand 106.
Further information will also be available on the Archos website upon launch – ARCHOS.
Future plans in the ARCHOS product strategy include enriching its smartphone lineup with the addition of 4G LTE models and to develop a full range of Connected Objects, including a unique Smart Watch concept.
Posted by: Gareth
Wearable computing could be the next big technological revolution or it could end up as the next technological red herring. Regardless of which side of that fence you perch, right now Samsung’s Galaxy Gear is the primary device people are talking about in the smartwatch segment of wearable computers. It is widely known that Samsung will be launching their Galaxy Gear smartwatch at their pre-IFA press event on September 4th.
So far, a smattering of details have been hinted at for the device, and more info continues to trickle out. The latest drop of intel is a leaked peek at the companion app which will supposedly come with the Galaxy Gear and allow it to sync up with your other Galaxy devices. A couple of pics of this “Gear Manager” app were recently posted (pictured above). The pics make it clear the Galaxy Gear will have built-in NFC functionality, and will be designed to function with several apps on Samsung phones like the Galaxy S4.
Source: Twitter – @evleaks
Posted by: Gareth
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