Will the Nexus 7 be the “standard” for future tablets smaller than the iPad but bigger than a phone? After using a review unit for nearly two weeks, I think so, even though the Nexus 7 isn’t without a few minor flaws. Overall, I’m impressed. Read more »
In this week’s audio podcast, Matt and Kevin share hands-on insights with the Galaxy S III, Nexus 7 tablet and Nokia PureView 808 phone. Plus some impressions of Android 4.1, also known as Jelly Bean: It’s sweet! Plus some thoughts on the $99 Motorola Atrix HD. Read more »
News Corp.’s digital tabloid The Daily has been on borrowed time since it was an idea, given enough resources by Rupert Murdoch to launch but no guarantee of longevity. But Editor-in-Chief Jesse Angelo says reports that time may be running out are wrong. Read more at paidContent »
A survey of mobile application developers shows falling confidence in the future of BlackBerry devices. Aside from waning support for RIM’s mobile platform, recently announced to be a late delivery, nearly a third of BlackBerry programmers are shifting to Google Android efforts. Read more »
That $199 Nexus 7 tablet Google sells directly to consumers costs $151.75 in materials, suggesting that Google is earning a profit on the hardware, supplementing sales of software, ads and services. With a low-cost tablet platform making a profit, others are sure to follow; even Apple. Read more »
Amazon is getting more serious about gaming on the Kindle Fire with the introduction of GameCircle, a social engagement layer for developers who want to add achievements, leaderboards and cloud syncing to their games. The service is Amazon’s answer to Apple’s Game Center. Read more »
Apple is set to sell its latest iPad in China, just weeks after resolving a trademark dispute with Proview over the name of the iPad. The Retina display iPad goes on sale Friday, July 20. Read more »
Cloud-based storage and cross-device syncing of media content are two of the most competitive areas in consumer IT. Apple, Google and Amazon see cloud-based media services both as a way to increase attachment to their platforms and a means to extend and amplify their broader strategic goals. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Next Issue Media’s tablet magazines are finally available for the iPad, three months after the platform launched on Android 3.0. Users can read popular magazines like People, Vogue and the New Yorker for a flat monthly fee. So is the cost worth it? Read more at paidContent »
After escalating for the past two years, there could be relief in sight for the ongoing mobile patent wars, as the International Telecommuncations Union is planning an October meeting in Geneva with handset makers, platform providers and standards boards. It’s about time. Read more »
Amazon is reportedly set to unveil a new version of its Kindle Fire tablet by August. A hurry-up launch could spike interest in its flagging Fire product but would also come at a time when a growing number of discount tablets are crowding the market. Read more at paidContent »
Tech giant Amazon is getting into the mapping business with the acquisition of New York-based 3D mapping startup UpNext. Read more »
For the Android crowd, this was an eventful week, thanks to the many announcements at Google I/O. Here’s my first look at the Nexus 7 tablet and Android 4.1 on the Galaxy Nexus, which is temporarily unable to be sold due to Apple winning an injunction. Read more »
In just a short time with the Nexus 7 tablet, it’s clear that the device will appeal to the traditional Android crowd. But make no mistake: The Nexus is aimed squarely at low-cost consumption slates, such as the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet. Read more »
At its I/O conference Google unveiled the next update to Android, version 4.1, aka Jelly Bean. The update, which will first become available as an over-the-air download next month, brings a lot of nice improvements and some cool enhancements to search, notifications and navigation. Read more »
All eyes of the Android faithful will be squarely on Google this week, as the company is holding its annual Google I/O event in San Francisco. Here’s a look at what is likely to be introduced, even though Google could yet have some additional surprises. Read more »
Gmail users on iOS have an early gift prior to this week’s Google developer event: The Gmail on iOS app was updated on Monday with Notification Center support and more, suggesting that Google wants users to access its services everywhere on all sorts of mobile devices. Read more »
After showing off its high-end Transformer Prime at CES, the wait for the newest Asus tablet is nearly over: The renamed Transformer Pad Infinity TF700 launches in the U.S. the week of July 16 and will cost $499 for a 32 GB model. Read more »
Google is widely expected to debut its own Nexus tablet later this week at its Google I/O event, but early details are reportedly leaking out. According to Gizmodo Australia, the tablet is dubbed the Nexus 7 and will start at $199 for an 8 GB model. Read more »
A report earlier this week that found ownership of Android and Apple tablets had pulled even in the U.S., but other data shows those devices’ web use isn’t close at all. That will matter a lot to people trying to target mobile ads on these devices. Read more »
Starting in July, eight different Samsung Galaxy Tab models will see a software upgrade to Google Android 4.0; a.k.a. Ice Cream Sandwich. The Touch Wiz user interface is surely part of the upgrade, but might some software features from the Galaxy S III be included too? Read more »
Microsoft did what many would consider unthinkable by introducing Surface, a slick 10.6-inch tablet with two different models designed and built by Microsoft. There’s a key strategic difference, however: Surface tablets place Microsoft in direct competition with its licensees for both tablets and PCs. Read more »
On this week’s audio podcast, Matt and Kevin offer early hands-on impressions of iOS 6 and a discuss the pros and cons of Verizon’s new Share Everything plans. Matt’s Kobo Vox turns into a full Android tablet this week while Kevin is loving his new ChromeBook. Read more »
What a week for Samsung: First, Amazon lists its upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 as available for pre-order, and now a video surfaces that shows it in action for a whole whopping five minutes. The only way to top this might just be releasing it already. Read more »
Speculation has begun that Microsoft will launch its own tablet device on Monday, but will it be a full computer or a consumer device? No matter what’s announced, it could have implications regarding Windows partnerships and the public’s desire, or lack thereof, to buy Microsoft hardware. Read more »
The Kobo Vox tablet now comes preloaded with the Google Play app. Current Kobo Vox owners will see the app the next time their device updates. Separately, Books on Google Play is launching in Germany. Read more at paidContent »
Acer’s response to Apple’s iPad with Retina Display is called the A700. The 10.1-inch tablet offers a high-definition screen with 1,920 by 1,200 resolution powered by a Tegra 3 chip and Android 4.0. Priced at $450, it sounds like a good value for Android tablet buyers. Read more »
Verizon’s new “Share Everything” plans use one bucket of data for up to 10 devices on an account. Instead of buying a data plan for each device, one monthly charge covers voice, messages and data to be shared. And it will likely save you money. Read more »
Unlike last year’s product launch, the Galaxy S III will hit the U.S. on multiple carriers soon after the product debuts internationally. Five carriers are ready to sell Samsung’s flagship; a single model for all. HTC’s patent woes continue and Toshiba’s new small slate shines. Read more »
Smartphone owners are driving tablet demand in the U.S. as 23.6 percent of those with a smartphone now own a slate: Nearly 1 in 4 consumers with a smartphone purchased a tablet between February and April of this year. Half of those slates are video players. Read more »
Toshiba is set to add another choice to the small slate market: the company will soon sell the Excite 7.7 tablet running on the latest version of Google Android. Here’s a first look video and early impressions of the 16 GB tablet with Wi-Fi. Read more »
Once a rising star, HTC continues to lose lustre as it not only faces increased competition from Apple and Samsung, but also due to alleged patent infringements and limitations on future products. With three issues at once, this may be the worst week in HTC’s history. Read more »
Season 2 of HBO’s Game of Thrones series may have ended last week, but HBO GO is just getting started: Amazon’s Kindle Fire is now supported. Although Amazon has its own content ecosystem, adding media from others could actually add more revenue to Amazon’s coffers. Read more »
German e-reading service txtr hopes to take on Amazon and Apple by becoming the biggest provider of third party reading apps — and a deal with four major American publishers and a New York office could be the latest steps in that journey. Read more »
Android enthusiasts have a new way to control their smartphone or tablet, courtesy of Microsoft. The company released a new Android app and supporting web service Tuesday called on{X}, which lets users create JavaScript code or simple recipes that add automated tasks to their connected device. Read more »
Microsoft unlocked an new achievement this month, surpassing 100,000 apps for its Windows Phone mobile platform. But there are several reasons why this number isn’t equating into sales of Windows Phones. There’s a still a key question Microsoft hasn’t answered about its mobile platform. Read more »
The ongoing saga between Apple and Samsung over the latter’s Galaxy 10.1 tablets took another twist this week as US District Judge Lucy Koh refused to grant a preliminary injunction banning the devices. Read more »
Details of the expected Nexus 7 tablet, appeared in server logs this week. It appears Google has a 7-inch, quad-core slate to debut at its I/O event later this month. Flipboard opened a beta for Android users while Motorola’s smart watch gains Twitter and Facebook. Read more »
ETSI, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, approved specifications for SIM cards even smaller than the micro SIM used in Apple’s iPhone 4/4S. Several handset makers submitted proposals, but the approved design is similar to that of Apple’s, adding evidence that Apple wants to own subscriber relationships. Read more »
The adoption of tablets, social media and new interfaces and the changing nature of the TV itself mean the digital living room will continue on its path of rapid change, thanks to new ways of creating, viewing, bundling, distributing and selling content. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
