Google’s Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 are now on sale and ship with Android 4.2, which brings a number of software improvements and new features to the platform. Older Nexus devices are getting the software too, plus you can manually install it on the Nexus 7. Read more »
Could a smartphone be your primary computing device? With this $99 Samsung Smart Dock for the Galaxy Note 2, it’s possible. The dock supports 3 USB accessories — think keyboard, mouse and storage — and includes HDMI out for 1080p video on a monitor or HDTV. Read more »
Matt shares impressions of Nokia’s Lumia 810 and 822 while Kevin gives a summary of the Nexus 10: Great hardware but not quite up to par on the software front. Plus, both hosts are addicted to Angry Birds Star Wars: May the Force be mobile! Read more »
After 4 days without power thanks to Hurricane Sandy, something arrived today that will help keep my mobile devices fully charged and connected to the web. I backed a Fenix ReadySet on Kickstarter, which is a large battery that charges with an included solar panel. Read more »
Smartphones are use more for Wi-Fi hotspot connections as we want information from mobile devices on demand, but not by paying more for mobile broadband. Tablets are catching up to laptops in this regard too, making strong cases for hetnets, more hotspots and small cells. Read more »
Android’s fragmentation continues to recede with new data showing 28.5 percent of Google phones and tablets now running either Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean. The software’s pace of change has slowed and more devices are shipping with the newest software. Read more »
Tablet sales are rising says IDC, as 27.7 million slates were sold in the last quarter. Apple still holds a majority market share as Samsung, Amazon and others are catching up to the iPad. But there’s a bigger story here when it comes to PCs. Read more »
On this week’s audio podcast, Kevin shares hands on impressions of the iPad mini: he likes it better than iPad 3. Meanwhile, Matt explains what Microsoft announced at the Windows 8 launch event and recaps his usage of Microsoft’s Surface RT tablet. Read more »
This week was huge for Android devices. The Nexus 7 gained a 3G model and more storage for less money. LG’s Nexus 4 launched with a low no-contract price of $299 while for $100 more you can get a Nexus 10 tablet with outstanding screen. Read more »
Apple’s iPad mini is here, but does it offer a big experience in a small package or is this just a useless device for many? I like the form factor and it turns out that the lower resolution display isn’t all that bad! Read more »
Mobile technology and social networks aren’t just disruptive to existing industries like communications and media, they are also helping the change the way that students learn and how education is delivered both in North America and around the world. And the disruption is just beginning. Read more »
Brand advertising’s focus on cross-platform media measurement has grown dramatically in the past five years. Within the next 36 months cross-platform digital video advertising will standardize, driven by the shift in media dollars to online viewing and the adoption of the Making Measurement Make Sense (3MS) initiative. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
The purpose of the on-screen guide has shifted. By connecting the guide to content-recommendation engines and advertising platforms, service providers and connected-TV device manufacturers are using the EPG as an access point for understanding consumers and reaching out to them to own the living room. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Smartphones are from Mars, tablets are from Venus. Well, not exactly. But new data from Flurry shows how usage differs between the two devices and how consumers turn to them for different needs. Read more »
Google’s Android platform now comes in three sizes, available directly from the company’s store. The Nexus 4 smartphone, built by LG, is an unlocked GSM handset while the Nexus 7 gains storage and mobile broadband. And Google’s high-res Nexus 10 tablet launches for $399. Read more »
This week in Android seemed more a precursor to next week than anything else. This coming Monday’s Google event isn’t likely to hold many surprises as the result of various leaks such as the Nexus 10 tablet and more details of the Nexus 4 smartphone. Read more »
Google’s Android event next week may not hold many surprises. We’ve already heard about the Nexus 4 smartphone from LG coming and now there are reported images and specifications on Samsung-built Nexus 10 tablet: a super high-resolution 10-inch Nexus with Samsung’s fast new chip. Read more »
Along with Windows 8, Microsoft’s Surface RT tablet is here. The slate uses chips that typically power smartphones but Windows runs quite well on it and the hardware is extremely well made and — dare I say it — sexy? See for yourself in this early look. Read more »
Windows 8 is here and and Microsoft is holding a NYC event to tell its story. The new operating system provides support for older Windows apps, but also has the Windows RT offshoot for new, touch-friendly apps. Here’s our live blog of the event. Read more »
Following an investor call where it reported another loss on $8.7 billion in revenues, Sprint announced a special-offer on smaller tablet plans to help retain customers. New 100 MB and 1 GB tablet plan start next month for $10 and $15 respectively, with no activation fee. Read more »
The market for grid-scale advanced batteries is forecasted to reflect nearly $30 billion in investment through 2020. Tapping into this potential depends on the technical and market-focused innovations of a small industry ecosystem, one that faces considerable challenges in R&D and funding. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Now that Apple has a new $329 iPad mini, more people can afford the iPad experience. But what if you already have an iPad? Would you consider a smaller, second one or might the new 7.9-inch iPad become your primary tablet? Let us know! Read more »
It’s finally here: Apple launched the iPad mini, a 7.9-inch tablet that runs all iPad apps on a 1024 x 768 display. The small slate is meant to be held in one hand and taken everywhere, which is likely where there’s an LTE option available. Read more »
Dell’s XPS 10 is the company’s tablet that runs Microsoft Windows RT and it starts at a reasonable $499. Add the useful keyboard dock though — which also includes additional ports and a second battery — and you’re looking at a base price of $679. Is that compelling? Read more »
AT&T’s version of the 5.5-inch Samsung Galaxy Note 2 arrives in stores on November 8 with pre-orders expected to begin this week. The phone will use Samsung’s 1.6 GHz quad-core chip, promising speedy performance on the device, supplemented with AT&T’s LTE network for fast mobile broadband. Read more »
Even with new devices announced, the Galaxy Note 2 continues to impress. This week, I spent more time learning about the useful S-Pen. Meanwhile, Google’s mobile revenues are app; could content for the Nexus 7 be helping? Acer’s new small slate cuts a few corners. Read more »
By all measures, Google had a terrible day yesterday. The earnings news was accidentally released earlier than expected, and poor financials saw the stock tank. But there was some good news: Estimates of Nexus 7 tablet sales are near 1 million units for the quarter. Read more »
Looking for a low-cost, small Android tablet? There are several choices and now there’s one more: Acer’s Iconia Tab A110 launches by month-end for $229.99. Before you get too excited, though, look at the display, which has a lower resolution screen than competing products. Read more »
Google sent out a cryptic invite to media and press on Wednesday, with a New York City event taking place on Oct. 29. The focus will definitely be on Android, but will it be new hardware — the next Nexus, perhaps — new software, or both? Read more »
Normally, my gadget addiction compels me to buy new devices as soon as they’re available. So why didn’t I pre-order Microsoft’s Surface with Windows RT tablet? One key reason is that Microsoft hasn’t explained why I should; essentially this is a brand new mobile platform. Read more »
With the launch of Whispercast, a new service for purchasing and managing content across a fleet of devices, Amazon is ramping up its competition against Apple in the education market. Read more »
It’s not often I buy a mobile gadget and get a bonus, but that’s how I feel about the S-Pen in Samsung’s Galaxy Note 2. I never thought I’d use the digital pen, but I’m finding more uses for it every day; here are a few. Read more »
Apple stole the spotlight in the third quarter with the release of its iPhone 5, Amazon pursued the tablet market aggressively with a new line of tablets, and Microsoft prepped to launch Windows 8 and the highly anticipated Surface tablet. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Tired of synchronizing data, media and apps between a phone and a tablet? Asus is hoping so; the company introduced the PadFone 2, a powerful Google Android phone that docks into a thin 10.1-inch tablet shell and powers the slate for dozens of hours. Read more »
Microsoft announced its Surface RT tablet in June, leaving everyone wondering about the price. Now the details have appeared: $499 to start with more storage and a keyboard cover an additional cost. Is this what you expected or were you hoping for lower? Take our poll! Read more »
Pre-orders for Microsoft’s Surface RT tablet have begun and Microsoft is selling the device with 32 GB of storage for $499. That doesn’t include the thin keyboard cover: It’s a $100 option if bundled or $119 to add later. Is the iPad-like pricing just right? Read more »
Reports of Amazon considering the purchase of Texas Instruments’ mobile chip business for billions of dollars may not make sense at first glance. But there are several reasons why such a deal could make sense for Amazon in both devices and cloud computing activities. Read more »
Apple’s iPad Mini isn’t yet a real product: It hasn’t been announced yet. However, that may change soon with talk of an upcoming event. And now there is a retail inventory system reportedly showing tablet pricing in 4 different storage capacities with Wi-Fi and cellular. Read more »
Google is rolling out Android 4.1.2 to Nexus 7 tablets around the world, but it could take time before your slate sees it. Here’s how to get it now along with a video of the updates to notifications that Google included in the software. Read more »
Ebook pricing and device trends that hold in North American countries don’t necessarily work for less developed market. Executives from Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google, France’s FNAC and India’s Indiaplaza discussed similarities and differences between digital reading cultures Wednesday afternoon at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Read more at paidContent »
