Tablets

A Nexus 11 coming?

There’s a new rumour hitting the web regarding the next generation Nexus Tablet from Samsung. Supposedly, Samsung is working on the Nexus 11, which will actually be an 11-Inch Premium style tablet. We’ve heard mention about this previously, but today we have a few more specs supposedly leaked. Here’s the skinny:

• 11-inch Super PLS TFT display
• 8-megapixel rear camera & a 2-megapixel front-facing camera
• A microSD slot
• Samsung’s Exynos 5 octa-core processor (this was rumored previously)
• Most likely Android 5.0

What is obviously new about this is the odd 11-inch display. If this intel is accurate, we may be seeing three new Nexus style tablets this year. Earlier rumours suggested a new generation Nexus 10 and Nexus 7. Of course, if Samsung is doing a Nexus 11, it may instead replace the Nexus 10 in the lineup. What do you guys think of a tablet this size?

Posted by: Gareth

A little marketing tactic from Samsung

There is a larger majority of people out there who believe that the iPad is the be all and end all of tablets. Some who would never entertain the idea of looking elsewhere. There are more and more choices out there, and perhaps the history of Android tablets doesn’t paint an inviting ecosystem. Samsung’s latest tablet campaign looks set to dispel the idea that their Android tablets are cheap and nasty alternatives. Samsung’s ad literature highlights the primary differences between their upcoming Galaxy Note 8.0 Tablet and the iPad Mini.

Here are a series of pics from Samsung detailing 6 reasons why their product might be the better choice. Obviously the usefulness of some of these differences will be relative to each user. Also, since this comes straight from Samsung, it is obviously biased, but it could still prove useful to a customer.

Split the cost of an iPad interest free – only with Expansys

Ever wanted to buy an iPad but couldn’t afford the large upfront cost? Now there is a solution. If you pick up the New iPad with a Cygnett stand case from Expansys you can split the cost over six months interest free!

Prices start from just £63 per month which is a lot more attractive than shelling out over £400 in one go. Applying is simple. Just head on over to Expansys and apply for credit at the checkout. Once approved the iPad and case will be on its way to you.

It doesn’t get much easier than that. Why not treat yourself?

Posted by: James

New Video Chat features with BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0

The below highlights the new video chat features in PlayBook OS 2.0 as brought to us by RIM Product Manager Vivek Gupta over on the BlackBerry Blog.

Now that the upgrade to the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet – BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 – is here, I wanted to give you a sneak preview of some of the great new features that are available in the updated Video Chat! We think you’ll agree, whether for work or play, it’s an easy and fun way to connect with people.

Simply put, Video Chat on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet allows you to make and take video calls with your friends, family, and colleagues who also have a BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. (Note: Both users of the Video Chat feature must be connected to the Internet for a chat to be enabled.) With just one click, you’ll be able to have virtual face-to-face conversations using the HD video cameras and stunning high-resolution screen on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 available to download

Pretty much bang on the rumored 10AM UK time BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 is available to download. At 401MB I strongly suggest a WiFi connection and make sure your battery is charged.

The BlackBerry Bridge app was updated last night to version 2.0 bringing the remote control option to the OS. This update kind of confirmed we would see the PlayBook OS updated today.

If you have a PlayBook go get the update.

New BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 features include:

• Integrated email client with a powerful unified inbox: With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 you have the option to use a unified inbox that consolidates all messages in one place, including messages from Facebook®, LinkedIn® and Twitter®, as well as personal and work email accounts.
• Social Integration with Calendar and Contacts apps: The built-in calendar harnesses information from social networks and makes it available where and when users need it. Contact cards are also dynamically populated with updated information from Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to create a consolidated view of contacts.
• Updated BlackBerry Bridge app: BlackBerry® BridgeT is a unique app that provides a Bluetooth® connection between your BlackBerry PlayBook and core apps on your BlackBerry® smartphone (including BBMT, Email, Contacts, Calendar and Browser) in order to let you view the content on the larger tablet display. With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, it’s easier and quicker than ever to take documents, web pages, emails and photos that appear on your BlackBerry smartphone and display them on your BlackBerry PlayBook for an optimized viewing and editing experience. The updated BlackBerry Bridge app also provides a new remote control feature that allows a BlackBerry smartphone to be used as a wireless keyboard and mouse for a BlackBerry PlayBook.
• Improved mobile productivity: Updated document editing functions, the new Print To Go app, and increased control and manageability of corporate data with BlackBerry® BalanceT allow you to get more out of your BlackBerry PlayBook every day. Plus, an updated virtual keyboard with auto correction and predictive next word completion learns how you type to enable faster, more accurate typing.
• New apps and content: Thousands of new apps are being added to BlackBerry App WorldT today (including a range of Android® apps that will run on the BlackBerry PlayBook). A new BlackBerry Video Store¹ is launching today. Enhanced web browsing capabilities are also available with BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0.

We will have a video of the new features later in the day.

Posted by: James

Samsung unveils new Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0)

Samsung Electronics today announced the first addition to its 2012 tablet line up with the launch of the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0). Powered by Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and a 1GHz dual core processor, the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) will be available in 3G and WiFi versions.

As Samsung’s first tablet to run on the latest Android platform, the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) offers a variety of new and improved Android OS features. Owners of the new device will benefit from faster performance and response times across multiple applications, such as embedded Google applications so they can quickly launch sites and applications they use frequently as well as the innovative Face Unlock feature.

In addition to enabling easy multimedia access, playback and sharing experiences with Samsung’s existing Hub range (Music, Reader and Games), the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) introduces Samsung’s new Video Hub, which offers over 1,000 film titles for purchase or rent. Complementing this multimedia offering is Samsung’s upgraded Touchwiz user interface featuring Hub widgets which allow one-step access to selected content, whilst a new service, S Suggest, offers real-time recommendations of apps suited to customers’ tastes directly on the home screen.

This multimedia experience is further enhanced by Samsung’s AllShare Play, a new content-sharing service available for the first time on any Samsung mobile device. AllShare Play allows users to play or live-stream their multimedia content on their Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) from PCs, other Samsung smart devices as well as third-party web storages, whilst content can also be transferred easily to other devices or directly to Web services.

A Gaming tablet for the extremists

Razer have shown off a concept at CES that will easily excite a few PC gaming fanatics out there. Call Project Fiona, this is the first gaming tablet. Despite the fact that Project Fiona is a concept, Razer does plan to release the product. Reports suggest that it is targeting a Q4 2012 launch, priced under $1,000 (£650). Razer said that other gaming tablets are suitable for casual titles, but the limited navigation and control capabilities make them "impossible for hardcore PC gaming".

"Adapted from a full featured PC gamepad, Project Fiona’s integrated dual controllers coupled with its advanced multi-touch screen are designed to make complex game navigation ergonomic and intuitive without compromising on the portability of the tablet," said the firm on its website.

"You’ll be able to carry out headshots and command troops in-game with ease. This first-of-its-kind PC gaming tablet with integrated dual controllers is definitely not for playing casual games about unhappy birds or zombie-killing flora."

Check out the videos below: