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Apple-Created Touchscreen Shortage Blamed For RIM PlayBook Delay

2011-04-07T18:22:00.000-07:00

Research In Motion—RIM to you and me—was forced to delay the release of its PlayBook tablet because Apple pretty much exhausted the supply of touchscreen displays. The tablet has been delayed for about a year now, so a few extra days probably won’t make too big a difference.

The PlayBook will be available on April 19, but unlike the Motorola Xoom it won’t require a second mortgage to finance its purchase. It’ll come in three flavors: 16GB ($499), 32GB ($599), and 64GB ($699). It should also be noted that it has a 7-inch display, but I could have sworn I’ve seen threads online wherein people wish there was a smaller version of the iPad, the current size being a tad too big to comfortably tote about town without constantly being reminded, “Oh, yeah, I’ve got this thing with me.” Jump

Verizon’s Samsung Galaxy Tab to Receive Update, No Honeycomb in Sight

2011-04-07T18:21:00.000-07:00

I’m not sure if you should expect Android 3.0 Honeycomb to ever grace the 7-inch founder of the Galaxy Tab family, but if you are on Verizon a new update is prepped and ready to roll for the tablet. The 34.6MB update has some fixes and enhancements that promise better web browsing, more efficient (less battery drain) searching for Wi-Fi hotspots, and improved email and messaging. You can find all the info you need over at Verizon’s support page. The update should be rolling out now or in the very near future, let us know in the comments below if you have received yours!
[via DroidLife]

Google starts developing Chrome OS for tablets

2011-04-07T18:20:00.000-07:00

Chrome OS, the web based closed source Linux based operating system from Google, is now being developed to work on tablet computers. According to CNET, "details in Google's source code reveal that company programmers have begun building a tablet version". This may not come as a surprise to many as Google had previously released a mockup last year (pictured), however this latest news shows that a release will happen, although we are not sure when.
Chrome OS is different from the open source Chromium OS, launched in 2009, in that it is closed source and only developed by Google, unlike Chromium which can be compiled by anyone from the widely available source code. The closed version was originally meant to be released on specific hardware last year, however various reports have said the release will be delayed until mid 2011.
So far Google have acknowledged the news but would not talk about any specific details, instead they said "We are engaging in early open-source work for the tablet form factor, but we have nothing new to announce at this time", and explained how a tablet version is not a priority at the moment, "Chrome OS was designed from the beginning to work across a variety of form factors. We expect to see different partners build different kinds of devices based on Chrome OS, but for this initial release we are targeting the notebook form factor."
CNET listed a few points which show further proof of the development, these include finding a specific "user-agent string" in the source which would allow sites to see which version of a website needs to be produced, either touch-based or traditional mouse-based and a "virtual keyboard with a number of keys--tab, delete, microphone, return, and shift" which shows obvious signs that a touch screen version is in the pipeline. Jump

Half of World's Smartphones Will Run Android by 2012, Says Gartner

2011-04-07T18:18:00.000-07:00

This post is part of our ReadWriteMobile channel, which is dedicated to helping its community understand the strategic business and technical implications of developing mobile applications. This channel is sponsored by Alcatel-Lucent. As you're exploring these resources, check out this helpful resource from our sponsors: Cultivating a Developer Ecosystem: Understanding Their Needs

In Android market share news, analysts at Gartner are now forecasting the Google-created mobile operating system will reach 49% smartphone market share by the end of 2012, based on handset sales. By the end of this year (2011), Android will be the most popular operating system in the world, as worldwide smartphone sales reach 468 million units.

Meanwhile, iOS will remain the second largest platform through 2014, says Gartner, despite seeing slight market share decreases this year. RIM will decline, and Nokia will push Windows Phone up to the mid-tier by the end of 2012, it predicts. By 2013, Windows Phone will be the third-largest platform.

This isn't the first analyst firm to forecast that the Nokia/Microsoft partnership will have a major impact on smartphone market share. In March, IDC also said that Windows Phone would be boosted, arriving in the number two position by 2015.

Doubting the Analysts

Of course, these forecasts are not without their doubters. Both ZDNet and Engadget questioned IDC's numbers last month, and today, independent analyst Horace Dediu of asymco is questioning Gartner's.
He says that Gartner's assumption that Apple is "interested in maintaining margins rather than pursuing market share by changing its pricing strategy," contradicts statements made by Apple's COO Timothy D. Cook. He also doubts that RIM will be able to migrate from BlackBerry OS to QNX (the PlayBook OS) by 2012, as Gartner states. Finally, he doubts that the Nokia/Microsoft partnership will have that much of an effect by 2012, calling such a thing, if it was to occur, "an organizational miracle."
Dediu shared a useful chart, too, which showcases the current forecasts from various analyst firms, as well as the historical market share figures. The chart clearly shows that not all firms are on the same page when it comes to the future of the smartphone market. ABI Research, for example, sees more of a future in Samsung's Bada OS than it does in Windows Phone.

While it should be noted that Dediu is a decidedly pro-Apple analyst, he often makes more sense than some of the larger analyst firms. That said, predicting smartphone market share in an industry like this is usually a shot in the dark. Things change fast around here - long-term forecasts of any kind probably shouldn't be banked on. Jump

Galaxy S to Get Android 2.3 Gingerbread Update Very Soon

2011-04-07T18:15:00.000-07:00

The Samsung Galaxy S will get an update to Android 2.3 Gingerbread as early as this month from what we hear today. No exact date has been provided, but we have been informed that we could expect the update sometime mid-April.
We can assume at the moment that the update will be for unlocked handsets not tied down to a specific contract. However, the Three network in the UK has also stated that the Galaxy S on its network will be arriving within the next couple of weeks.
The confirmation came in the form of a tweet from the official Three twitter account and read as follows:

@relentl3ss It’s expected in the next couple of weeks but we cannot confirm a date.

This was in response to a question asking about the Android 2.3 update.
The Samsung website also makes mention of 2.3, along with the April release date. Remember that Samsung isn’t the best when sticking to dates, so don’t get your hopes up too high at the moment. Jump

Newest Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9

2011-03-25T21:07:00.000-07:00

Does this list apply to you? A.) You don't want an iPad. B.) You want a tablet. C.) Ten inches is too big. D.) Seven inches is too small. If so, you might soon be in the market for a Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 ($470-$570). Powered by Android 3.0 Honeycomb and a dual-core 1GHz processor, the 8.9 features a 1280x800 8.9-inch display, HSPA+ networking, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a three-megapixel rear camera, a two-megapixel front camera, Sammy's TouchWiz UX interface — the first custom job for Android 3.0 — either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, and all the glory that comes with being the only person you know who owns an 8.9-inch tablet.

BlackBerry PlayBook with Wi-Fi. Finally Available!

2011-03-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

It's the best in portability with access to a web without restrictions. It's next generation communication with amazing media capabilities. It's raw performance with incredible speed and unmatched security. It's ready for work play and everything in-between. It's the BlackBerry PlayBook - and it's everything you've been waiting for in a tablet. Pre-order now for $500. In stores April 19.

Apple makes it official! Apple Unveils Thinner, Faster iPad 2

2011-03-03T07:31:00.000-08:00

Apple on Wednesday finally unveiled its next-generation tablet, dubbed the iPad 2. The device is 33 percent thinner, runs a new A5 chip, and will come in white, Apple said.
The iPad 2 will start shipping on March 11 in the U.S., and on March 25 in 26 additional countries. Like the original iPad, pricing will start at $499 for the Wi-Fi-only 16GB. The 32GB Wi-Fi iPad 2 will be $599, and the 64GB will be $699. For Wi-Fi+3G, the 16GB will be $629, the 32GB will be $729, and the 64GB will be $829.
Despite taking a medical leave of absense earlier this year, Apple CEO Steve Jobs was on hand in San Francisco to unveil the new device, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. "We've been working on this product for awhile and I didn't want to miss today," Jobs said.
As expected, the iPad 2 will include a front- and rear-facing camera, and a built-in gyroscope from the iPod touch and iPhone. The rear camera supports HD up to 720p at 30 frames per second; the still camera has 5x digital zoom. The front camera is VGA.
The new device is thinner, going from 13.4 mm to 8.8mm thick. It's thinner than the iPhone 4, Jobs said. It is 9.5 inches tall and 7.31 inches wide, and weight 1.33 pounds. Jobs said that despite the smaller size, battery life will remain at 10 hours.
The iPad 2 will include a new, faster 1-GHz A5 chip from the Apple "chip wizards." The dual-core processor boasts up to 2x faster CPU performance, 9x faster graphics, and low-power consumption. "This will be the first dual-core tablet to ship in volume," Jobs siad.
Jobs also promised that the iPad 2 will ship in black and white from day one. It will also be available on both Verizon and AT&T.
On the accessory front, a $39 HDMI video-out accessory cable delivers mirrored video output up to 1080p, which works with all apps. Anything you see on an iPad screen you can see on the TV, Jobs said. There's no setup or configuration and you can charge your iPad while using it.
Jobs also unveiled a Smart Cover, which will better showcase the iPad 2. Jobs said he didn't like the original iPad cover because it covered up his pretty product and made it bulkier. The Smart Cover bends and folds around to double as a stand. It instantly wakes up the iPad when you open it and puts it to sleep when it's closed. Smart Cover magnetically grasps the screen and auto-aligns perfectly, Jobs said.
Smart Case comes in five poly colors, all $39, and five leather colors, which will retail for $69.
Apple also showed off iOS 4.3, the next version of its mobile operating system.
Jobs ribbed his competitors during the presentation, dubbing 2011 the year of the copycats. People laughed at Apple for calling the iPad "magical" and said the price was unreasonable, he said, but ask those competitors now if the price is reasonable. Apple sold 15 million iPads in 2010, bringing in $9.5 billion in revenue. That left competitors "flummoxed," Jobs said.
The App Store now has 65,000 iPad-focused apps. Competitors, meanwhile, launch with "at most," 100 apps, "and I think we are being a little generous here," Jobs said.
Jobs also confirmed that Random House books are now available via iBooks.
The announcement caps off months of speculation - from when the fabled tablet would actually appear to what new features it might contain. Most were in agreement that the device would include a front-facing camera, particularly since that feature is now available on competing devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Motorola Xoom. Others also thought a slimmer and lighter form factor was in the works. Talk about a white iPad was also in the mix.
Via PC mag

Apple makes it official: iPad 2 launch on March 2

2011-02-23T16:00:00.001-08:00

According to Jim at Loopinsight.com, Apple has begun officially sending out invites to the iPad 2 event which will indeed be held on March 2nd.

According to the invitation received by The Loop, the event will be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts at 10:00 am. This is the same venue Apple has used to introduce a number of products in recent years.

The invite, above, clearly shows an iPad which is conveniently covering the area where a camera would be.

RIM shows off TAT-developed BlackBerry PlayBook apps

2011-02-23T15:56:00.000-08:00

We've been eager to see what The Astonishing Tribe (otherwise known as TAT) would come up with for the PlayBook since RIM acquired the design firm back in December, and we're now finally getting our first glimpse at a few of the things they've been working on. Those include a scrapbook app that takes advantage of four-fingered multitouch, and a weather app dubbed "Aura" that was built with the WebWorks platform and makes use of the PlayBook's accelerometer -- both of which are relatively simple, but are intended to demonstrate how easy and quickly developers can build applications for the PlayBook. Also on display at Mobile World Congress this week was fairly impressive media player that can be used when the tablet's connected to a TV via its HDMI port -- it will not only let you view videos, but play games (albeit just a Rubik's Cube in the demo) and even view 3D content as well.

Australia’s Jetstar Airways takes the training wheels off iPad rental program, wants the tablet ‘on every aircraft’

2011-02-23T15:52:00.001-08:00

Here's a quick and easy way to escape the mediocrity of those tiny low-res LCDs embedded in the seat in front of you: slap down 10 Australian dollars and upgrade to the iPad's IPS goodness for the duration of your Jetstar Airways flight. This rental option has been available on the Australian airline's flights since June, but only in pilot form (insert your own jokes here), and the feedback has been good enough for the company to make it a fleet-wide policy. "Movies, music, magazines, books and games" will all come preloaded, so you shouldn't fret about having to shell out extra hunting around for content. Licensing agreements are expected to be finalized shortly, with the rental program rolling out in full this April.

Lenovo LePad set for a global June LeLaunch

2011-02-23T15:51:00.001-08:00

Lenovo's ready to get specific with dates now that Google's got itself an honest to goodness tablet OS. A company spokesman said that its LePad tablet -- first announced by that name back in June 2010 but previewed at CES all the way back in January 2010 -- will ship in its home country of China in March before making its way to the global stage in June. Unfortunately, Lenovo isn't saying anything about final specs or which countries are first on its list -- we already knew it was coming to the US in 2011. The company's also not talking price. Last time we saw LePad in January it was sporting Android 2.2 with a custom "LeOS" skin riding a 1.3GHz Snapdragon processor and 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 pixel display with a price just north of $500. Question is: will Lenny set it free with vanilla Honeycomb or will it feel compelled to apply the LeOS skin in order to avoid becoming just another Android tablet?

Dell Rosemount tablet will have Intel’s Oak Trail inside, stylus, removable battery and remote wipe

2011-02-23T15:50:00.002-08:00

Dell means business with its upcoming Windows 7 slate, if the whispers we're hearing are true -- we have it on good authority that the recently-leaked Rosemount will be a Latitude. An inside source says that the 10-inch tablet will not only sport Dell's storied business brand but will be geared towards enterprise through and through, with features like serviceable components (including a removable battery), software encryption and the ability to perform a remote wipe, and that it'll have a dual-digitizer to support both touch input and a stylus for fine details. We don't know about performance or battery life quite yet, but the slate will reportedly use an Atom chip, specifically Intel's Oak Trail, so we'll let you imagine the possibilities.

Motorola Xoom manual now available for download, ready to expose the ins and outs of Honeycomb

2011-02-23T15:50:00.000-08:00

Wish you had your Xoom tablet already? Yeah, us too. We can't get you there, but thanks to Droid Live you can at least pore over every page of the thing's manual. 64 pages, actually, covering everything from how to turn it on to, well, how to turn it off again. Looking for other excitement? You'll find a hipster on a bench on page 10, what appears to be Joanna Newsom on page 30, and a disgustingly happy couple on page 33. Oh, and lots and lots of details bout Honeycomb too. Check it out!

Sony Ericsson CTO- first LTE device coming ‘pretty soon,’ also considering Android tablets

2011-02-23T15:48:00.001-08:00

Back in late 2008, Ericsson boldly predicted that 2012 will be the year of LTE; and fast forward to today, one year shy of the big one-two, said company's joint venture with Sony is already teasing its first LTE device. In a recent interview with Fierce Wireless, Sony Ericsson CTO Jan Uddenfeldt talked about SE's renewed focus on the US market, and how its relationship with Google helped securing its first-ever deal with Verizon. While emphasizing that SE's been in the CDMA business for years in Japan, Uddenfeldt also referred to the TD-LTE demonstration with ST-Ericsson and China Mobile at MWC, which featured a prototype LTE device developed by his own gang. Looks like SE's all set to enter the game, but the question is when will we see its first LTE device on the market? Uddenfeldt said "pretty soon," and he further fuels speculation by mentioning a potential collaboration with Sony on some Android tablets (maybe the S1?). Oh, such a teaser this man is.

Motorola posts specs for GSM and WiFi-only Xoom, indentical to original save the radios

2011-02-23T15:47:00.000-08:00

What's the difference between a WiFi-only Xoom tablet and one equipped with EV-DO Rev. A or HSPA bands? Just $200 and the radio chip within. Motorola just released the full spec sheets for its full lineup of Android Honeycomb tablets, and they're otherwise exactly the same inside. That goes for the Tegra 2 SOC, of course, but also surprisingly the GPS, which is often baked right into the cellular radio in mobile devices like these. Good on Motorola for keeping the functionality in!

Kno says some tablets will ship within 60 days, doesn’t explain pre-order delay

2011-02-23T15:46:00.001-08:00

We were somewhat taken aback when Kno confirmed its textbook tablet had been delayed without a word on when production would resume, but the company now says pre-orders will experience up to two months' delay before they ship out, and not all of them will. eBookNewser and CrunchGear report that shipments could be delayed until as late as April 14th, and that the first shipment will be restricted "to a limited number of students and teachers." Kno still hasn't provided a reason for the delay, but we think that the newly closed-off website says a lot. "You now need an invitation to get a Kno," it reads, "There aren't enough to go around."

Motorola’s Sanjay Jha on Xoom- ‘Our ability to deliver 4G justifies the $799 price point’

2011-02-23T15:45:00.000-08:00

Motorola's Xoom will cost a tad more than the competition, but company co-CEO Sanjay Jha has an explanation for why that might be: he told reporters that the Android Honeycomb tablet's price is justified by the promise of speedy 4G internet. Of course, the $800 Xoom doesn't actually come with 4G connectivity out of the gate, but Jha told reporters that the Xoom's LTE upgrade will be free, and that wonder of wonders, the tablet will be capable of pulling down 50 megabit per second speeds. Someone might want to check Sanjay's math -- sure, in the midst of a Verizon fog at CES 2011, we were able to manage 33Mbps, but we typically get less than half that speed on a day-to-day basis.

iPad 2 Is Now In Production

2011-02-22T17:59:00.000-08:00

WSJ must be on great terms with Apple due to almost all leaks from Apple are reported by them. Today they have reported that Apple has started manufacturing the new version of the iPad.

Apple Inc. has started manufacturing a new version of its iPad tablet computer with a built-in camera and faster processor….. be thinner and lighter than the first model….. It will have at least one camera on the front of the device for features like video-conferencing….. the resolution of the display will be similar to the first iPad….. It will also have more memory and a more powerful graphics processor.

They also mention that the iPad 2 will be initially available through Verizon Wireless and AT&T but no other carrier. I can see AT&T as the first carrier of the iPad 2 because that is what Apple has done previously. WSJ also believes that the iPad may not have an improved screen, however we have heard otherwise in other rumors that the iPad 2 has a thinner more lightweight screen than the first version. Will a Retina display be found on the iPad 2, I think that what was pointed out in my previous post on the retnia display on a second generation iPad proves that wrong. I think that they need a higher resolution screen but not a “Retina” display.
I think that this is a great leap for Apple in the Tablet market. But I believe that the front facing camera must be 1.3 megapixel and the rear must be capable of 720P video recording and the resolution of the screen needs to be upgraded for this to be able to compete with the new Android and Windows tablets currently in the market.
We do know however that the new iPad is destined to do well because many people wait for the second version of a device say the original iPad for flaws to be corrected. So the iPad 2 may completely shatter the first iPad’s sales records and give Apple another boost in the market, investors estimate this number to be around 35 million. How do you think the iPad 2 will do?

Find out what your tax return is on your iPad

2011-02-21T12:29:00.000-08:00

Tax time is usually not fun for anyone, even for those of us who get money back. Part of the reason for that has a lot to do with waiting to see what the amount is, and then waiting for Revenue Canada to cut a cheque. The TurboTax Refund Calculator is an easy — and free — way to find out just how much you can expect to get back.

The app is surprisingly deep in what it offers. You can determine your return or amount owing by not only inputting the basics like your income, but you can also throw in your RRSP contributions and income derived from investments, property and self-employed endeavors.

This is really easy to do if you go by your T4 slip or even the last pay stub you earned for 2010. The sliders are quick and simple to use, though you can just type in the proper amounts, if that’s easier for you. The “Caroline Says” section at the bottom right corner also pops up useful facts about tax rules and deductions that might make a difference, if they apply to you.

While there is a lot here to go with, it’s not necessarily going to be totally accurate. Hence, why Intuit says clearly that it’s an “estimate” rather than a figure that’s going to be dead on. Mind you, if you have no investments or other income, it’s likely that what you see will be what you get.

And if you’re pulling in more than $200,000 a year, you can’t really use the app either, since that’s the ceiling income level. Self-employed and those with complicated taxes may not find the app quite as pervasive because it doesn’t include sliders for deductions and other write-offs. But if you’ve done the math already and know what your net income is (meaning the amount after all deductions have been subtracted), then you might be able to see the final tally.

Plus, this is just meant as a snapshot of your tax situation, so you won’t be able to file anything from the app anyway. Getting an idea of what to expect is still worth trying this out though.

Fujitsu LifeBook T580 Full Updated Review

2011-02-21T11:43:00.000-08:00

Most probably don't recall the Fujitsu LifeBook T580 launch because it occurred on Labor Day weekend, just about the time the Samsung Galaxy Tab was making headlines. It seems Fujitsu now has another shot at tablet headlines because the convertible notebook with near-netbook specs, or "netvertible" is finally available in the US on the Fujitsu online store just in time for Christmas.
The LifeBook T580 sports a 10.1-inch screen with a dual digitizer and N-Trig pen recognition, Windows 7 Professional and either an Intel Core i5 or i3 processor. The previously mentioned optional GPS seems to be excluded from this model. Here is the full spec sheet for the "Express Buy" unit, which is priced $1,149 at launch.

Intel Core i3-380UM Processor (1.33 GHz, 3 MB L3 cache)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
Microsoft Office Starter 20101
10.1-inch HD WXGA LED backlight LCD
4-finger capacitive multi-touch screen with pen input
2 GB DDR3 800 MHz SDRAM memory (2 GB + empty slot)
160 GB S-ATA 5400 RPM hard drive3
802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi
Bluetooth Wireless
Web Camera
Embedded Fingerprint Sensor, dedicated Smart Card slot
Integrated ambient light sensor
Spill-resistant keyboard with touchpad
Lithium ion battery (6-cell, 5,800 mAh)

RIM adds 4G options to Playbook tablets

2011-02-21T11:30:00.000-08:00

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion is stepping up its efforts to take a share of the computer tablet market with the announcement of two additional PlayBook tablets for faster, advanced wireless networks.
RIM said Monday at an industry conference in Spain that it will launch two additional tablets later this year to support fourth-generation networks that are suited to video streaming and high amounts of data.
"We are now building on the BlackBerry PlayBook's many advantages with support for additional 4G networks that will allow enhanced business opportunities for carriers and developers and unparalleled mobile experiences for users," said Mike Lazaridis, president and co-CEO said in a news release.
RIM (TSX:RIM) is expected to have its first PlayBook computer tablet out this spring, likely in March, and will be competing with Apple's iPad and tablets powered by Google's Android operating system.
Apple's iPad isn't yet available for fourth-generation networks.
The Waterloo, Ont., company has announced a family of PlayBook tablets to run on a variety of fourth-generation networks such as Long-Term Evolution and WiMax. The tablets will also work on short-range Wi-Fi networks and can support Bluetooth tethering.
National Bank Financial analyst Kris Thompson said he expects a "pent up" demand for the PlayBook from enterprise users since many businesses don't support Apple or Android's operating systems yet.
"Our view is that the PlayBook is more appealing to enterprise customers than to consumers, at least in the early days," Thompson wrote in a recent note.
Thompson said he's expecting RIM to ship 3.6 million PlayBooks in fiscal 2012 with an average selling price of $481 and 6.2 million units in fiscal 2013 with an average selling price of $450.
RIM is exhibiting at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, a major show featuring the latest developments in mobile communications.
Shares in Research In Motion were down 15 cents in late morning trading at $65.73 Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

BlackBerry Playbook: Price and Release Date Update

2011-02-21T11:27:00.000-08:00

We haven’t heard too many details on the BlackBerry Playbook recently, but we have some pretty important news for those of you planning to pick up the WiFi version of the device, due out within the next few months.
As reported from Engadget, a leaked screenshot has not only revealed that the BlackBerry Playbook will be coming to select retailers aside from carriers, but also potential pricing information for the WiFi version of the Playbook.
If the image below is real, then we’re looking at $500 for the 16GB WiFi edition at Office Depot, meaning that RIM were not lying when they informed us that the price for the Playbook would come under the $500 mark. It also means that the Playbook will be considerably lower than the Motorola Xoom, which we’re hearing could be priced between $700 – 800.
If you take a look at the image, it also says week 17, which hints that the Playbook will be available sometime around April – the WiFi version at least. Let’s hope this $500 price is real as it will definitely prove to be a key factor when deciding which tablet to pick up in a few months time.

Arc-PurpleRomance iPad case and stand targets the fairer sex

2011-02-19T16:59:00.000-08:00

Since its launch, the Apple iPad has been the prime target of haute couture brands and designers, as they have filled the shelves with a range of accessories to go with your sleek and sexy iPad. The latest comes from The Joy Factory, and it’s the Swarovski crystal-studded, special edition Arc-PurpleRomance iPad case and stand. The Arc-PurpleRomance flaunts a luxurious violet case with a Swarovski crystal accent, making it a unique gift for any special occasion. Valentine’s Day is a few days away, and this stylish iPad stand makes for a great gift for your sassy girl. Sampson Yang, president of The Joy Factory and consumer electronics veteran, cited…

This chic release suits the tech-savvy woman on-the-go. Swarovski—known for their precision-cut luxury crystal—adds the perfect accent to the already stylish Arc. This slim, lightweight and durable Arc case and adjustable stand sports a sleek style and redefines effortless technology use in today’s fast-paced world.

The PurpleRomance has a unique all-in-one design that lets you tap and type right through the built-in screen protector. Every case comes with a premium washable microfiber dust bag. While the slip-resistant coating makes for easy handling, the four adjustable viewing angles provide greater comfort while working. Moreover, it features Joy Factory’s Joytracer program, which provides a unique identification system.
The limited edition Arc-PurpleRomance iPad case and stand sells for $110. more pics

When Are Tablets Better Than A Smartphone?

2011-02-17T12:12:00.000-08:00

Tablets are becoming quite the rage on the technical market, with seemingly everyone releasing their own version (and with a variety of operating systems). But in a lot of the cases the buyer of a new tablet device already owns a smart phone, more than capable of doing the same functions as the new tablet. So, is the purchase really warranted?

Well, it would depend on the situation, of course. In some cases it is more than justified, and in others it’s a convenience. And of course there are times when it just doesn’t make sense. Let’s take a look at the different areas where tablet and smartphone usage overlap, and see which one might be the best for the use at hand.
Text Only Books Are Not A Convincing Argument
First of all, let me buck the trend and throw this out – for books comprised of text (novels and short stories, if you will), a tablet is not really better than a smart phone. Now, this is based on a couple assumptions: 1) that you have a newer smartphone with a nice large display and 2) your eyesight is good. With those two stipulations in place, you can download a great reader for your smartphone that will allow you to adjust font sizes to a comfortable size, pick a theme that is easy on the eyes, and lets you browse and get books as desired.
The same size fonts on a back lit tablet is going to look very similar on your smartphone, plus it is easier to take with you. Sure, it looks nicer on a tablet, especially with a landscape display and two columns, but the act of reading text is arguably no different.
Most Comic Books Are Better On A Tablet
Tablets really shine when it comes to media designed for a page, and comic books are a great example of this. With a decent tablet you can usually read the page in its entirety, and you can easily zoom in to any areas that you want or need to see better. New tablets are great for existing digital comic book collections in a common format.
But tablets are not always that much better when it comes to the new interactive comics. A lot of the current comic offerings are designed to slide, zoom, and position themselves for you, making it a rather enjoyable experience on both styles of devices. In fact, for the latest Marvel digital comics, I find that I end up reading them on the smartphone because it is usually with me and more accessible.
Read on, here.