Seasoned tech blogger. Host of the Tech Addicts podcast.
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
Gareth returns this week with a few odds and ends he has picked up, including some hidden posters and booklets he wasn’t expecting.
Posted by: Gareth
Mobile Tech Addicts Podcast 208: 4G for all and everyone too
Gareth, Matt and Dan are here with another UK update on the mobile front.
Featuring Gareth, Dan and Matt
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Motorola has decided to drop the Xoom brand name. Apparently, it isn’t entirely because they didn’t want to keep it either. There were complications a few years ago as Motorola was sued in 2011 for using the Xoom name by a payment company called Xoom Corp. Here’s a quote with the details,
Motorola has inked a deal with payment company Xoom Corp. that will see the handset and tablet maker put an end to its use of the "Xoom" name, American Lawyer reported on Tuesday, citing people who had knowledge of the deal. The agreement was reportedly signed on Monday, and the settlement between the firms has been kept confidential.
Xoom Corp. sued Motorola in 2011, alleging that the mobile firm violated its trademark by using the Xoom name for its tablets. Motorola decided to fight the lawsuit, but according to American Lawyer, it has called a ceasefire.
It’s not clear exactly when the Xoom name needs to be chopped, but the report claims that the Google-owned company must "eventually phase out its Xoom tablet brand." Essentially this means there will never be another Xoom tablet, but it doesn’t necessarily mean we will never see another Motorola tablet.
Posted by: Gareth
LG communications executive Dimitar Vulev, recently confirmed in an interview that LG is working on several new Android devices, some of which will be out by the end of the year. He confirmed the existence of the LG G Pad Android tablet, and indicated the company is working on an LG phablet alongside a smartwatch. He also confirmed that LG’s flexible display technology might be used on the smartwatch, although the smartwatch won’t come out until 2014.
Recent filings at the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) revealed that LG’s recent device filings included the G Watch, G Pad, G Band, G Hub, a G Glass, and G Link.
Samsung and LG reportedly have finally overcome the technical hurdles with their flexible OLED display technology. According to a report, both companies will be mass producing flexible displays and they will be showing up in devices as early as November of this year. The first generation of flexible displays will only be able to bend in a single plane rather than multiples, but this is still a big start. The primary advantages of the flexible tech is that displays will be lighter, thinner, unbreakable, and will consume less power.
Those seem like fantastic reasons to bring the technology to market. Right now, Samsung has the capacity to make 1.5 Million 5-6-inch flexible displays per month, although the yields will be less than that since that is only their 100% capacity. The amount that LG will be able to produce was not disclosed although it will be less than that initially hoped.
Posted by: Gareth
Gareth takes you on a tour of his recent acquisitions of old technology in a new series of weekly videos showing off all that is old and nearly forgotten.
This week sees the series start with a bang as Gareth adds a Holy Grail game for a particular console to his collection and unpacking new computer holds a nasty surprise.
Posted by: Gareth
Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer rocked the tech world by dropping a bomb-shell on the media yesterday. He announced his retirement from Microsoft. It will be effective within the next 12 months after they have found a replacement for him.
Ballmer said, “There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time. We have embarked on a new strategy with a new organization and we have an amazing Senior Leadership Team. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our company’s transformation to a devices and services company. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction.”
Steve Ballmer has been with Microsoft since Bill Gates hired him as a business manager in 1980. He became the CEO of Microsoft in 2000 when Bill Gates announced his retirement. Despite a string of recent financial misfires from Microsoft with slow Windows 8 adoption and the monstrous Surface RT failure, Ballmer was instrumental in spearheading Microsoft’s entry into the gaming console business in 2001 with the first Xbox.
Despite his departure, this will now be a time of opportunity for Microsoft. It will be exciting to see the person they find to replace him.
Posted by: Gareth
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