Amazon tipped to launch a 'Super Kindle' Android tablet

Amazon is preparing to launch an Android tablet as the company seeks to make a successful transition from the e-book reader market.
The online retailer has put in an order with Taiwanese manufacturer Quanta Computer for 800,000 touch-screen tablets, according to widespread reports.

No specifications are available at present, but the device is widely tipped to run the Android operating system as Amazon already provides a dedicated online marketplace for the platform, known as Amazon Appstore for Android.
However, despite huge success in the e-book reader market, Amazon will find it difficult make a tablet that directly rivals the Apple iPad, according to Francisco Jeronimo, research manager for European mobile devices at IDC.
"The Kindle has been such a success because it is a good product that costs just $100 and Amazon will need to retain a budget price to attract users," he told V3.co.uk.
"Amazon is likely to build a 7in 'Super Kindle'-type tablet which runs on Android and can support video, social applications and full web browsing."
Jeronimo pointed out that Amazon will also have to push magazines and newspapers via the device, as the Kindle app is also available on competing devices and will not be enough of a differentiator.
V3.co.uk contacted Amazon for information on the tablet, but the firm declined to comment on future plans.
Meanwhile, the tablet market continues to heat up with big things expected from Android Honeycomb tablets such as the Motorola Xoom and forthcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab line.
However, Jeronimo suggested that only a handful of the 200-odd devices expected to come on the market this year will succeed.
"Apple will retain 80 per cent of the market, but RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook is expected to do well in the enterprise," he said.
"Consumers perceive tablets as an extension of smartphones, and manufacturers such as Dell and Sony, which come from a laptop background, will always find it difficult to break into the space."

 

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Motorola Xoom review

The Motorola Xoom was the first Android Honeycomb tablet to be launched worldwide and is finally available to buy in the UK.
Comparisons between the iPad 2 and the Xoom are inevitable as equivalent 32GB versions both have a starting price of £479.99.
The Xoom comes with superior specifications and a refreshed version of the much loved Android interface. During our tests we found that the Xoom performed admirably and offers business users a genuine alternative to the iPad 2.
Hardware
With a 10.1in screen, the Xoom is the biggest Android tablet on the market and comes with a 1,280 x 800 WXGA resolution. The display also packs a 16:9 ratio meaning that videos and web sites can be viewed in full, as intended.
However, the brightness is a tad disappointing and the screen is visibly duller when placed side by side with an iPad 2. Like other devices, the Xoom is also a fingerprint magnet and we were disappointed that no cleaning cloth was supplied, as it is essential.
The Xoom is also a little bulky at 730g, making it 100g heavier than the equivalent 32GB Wi-Fi iPad 2. This extra weight is noticeable, but it is not a deal breaker.
The Motorola device has dimensions of 249.1 x 167.8 x 12.9mm making it thicker than the iPad 2 and Samsung Galaxy Tab, which have dimensions of 241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8mm and 190 x 120 x 12mm respectively. Apple's tablet is noticeably wider when the two tablets are directly compared.



A 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor powers the Xoom supported by 1GB of RAM. This makes the the tablet nippy when it comes to performance, and there is no lag between opening and switching applications or when swiping between homescreens.
Motorola supplies 32GB of internal memory for storage, and there is also a micro-SD card slot to increase capacity and facilitate quick transfer of files with smartphones.
However, the micro-SD card slot is currently unusable although a Honeycomb upgrade is expected imminently to fix this issue. This is disappointing and suggests that the operating system has been rushed out much like Windows Phone 7.
Additional connections include micro-USB, mini-HDMI output and a proprietary charging port that uses a very thin connector, similar to the one used to charge devices such as the Nokia 6300. USB charging is not supported, an all-too-common problem with tablets.

Read more: http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/review/2045013/motorola-xoom-review#ixzz1KTNQdsMm
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Chrome notebook for sale this summer?

The Cr-48 is just about out of beta testing and could be yours by this summer - provided you're ready for a subscription plan possibly linked to a Google account.

Last month we heard that Google was all out of Cr-48 models for beta testing, but that “partner devices” would be available later this year. And if Neowin’s “reliable source” is correct, Google will indeed begin selling its notebook in late June or early July.
But of course, it won’t be a cake walk to get your hands on the elusive Cr-48. According to the insider, Google is planning on implementing “an unconventional form of distribution to customers.” They will be available via a subscription that Gmail users are privy to. It seems that Google is trying to keep some air of exclusivity around the Cr-48 and users who pay the premier account rate will get the first go at it. It will then eventually trickle down to general Gmailers. In an even stranger move, in addition to buying a Cr-48 up front, Google will reportedly have some sort of lease, or rental option on the units, pricing them at $10-$20 a month.
The notebook will receive updates in a similar fashion to the Android OS, and Google will also include hardware upgrades with the subscription fee. How exactly all of this will actually play out remains to be seen, and it sounds like a complicated system for a notebook. That said, we still really want to get our hands on one.

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Fujifilm FinePix F550 EXR Review

It’s easy to feel like there’s a price ceiling when it comes to point-and-shoots: If you spend too little, you’ll be replacing the thing every six months. Spend too much and you’ll end up feeling like you may as well have sprung for a DSLR. So before you write off the Finepix F550 EXR and its hefty $349.95 price tag, there are a few things to consider. The camera comes packed with Fujifilm’s latest sensor technology, which truly improves on the typical pocket cam experience. It’s also outfitted with enough scene presets for any shooting situation you’ll come across, as well as one of the most intuitive manual operation UIs of any point-and-shoot camera on the market today.

Features and design

The first thing we noticed about the F550 EXR is how different it looks from many competitor point-and-shoots. Many high-end models are indistinguishable at first glance, but Fujifilm makes no qualms about standing out from the pack. It’s a little thicker than rival pocket cams, and perhaps a little heavier than some might like. Personally, we think a little heft gives a camera a high-quality feel, and the F550 EXR definitely isn’t oversized. The camera measures 103.5×62.5×32.6mm (WxHxD) and weighs in at roughly 7.6 ounces, battery and memory card included.

The closed lens slightly protrudes from the face of the camera’s chassis, and it features a grip panel. This further helps to give it a more professional feel, although the camera is small enough to do without it, so it ends up looking a little like it’s just there for show. Around back, the F550 EXR features a mode dial that sits at an angle, straddling the top and back face of the camera. This is yet another unusual element of the device’s design, and while aesthetically it doesn’t distract–and actually frees up room around the shutter button, zoom toggle, and power button–the mode dial’s positioning proves a little difficult to maneuver. It’s a small concession to make, but it is easier to turn the dial with our thumb alone at the base of the dial, otherwise it becomes difficult to properly grip. Again – small concession.

The rest of the back of the camera is much more recognizable and the control dial, playback button, and additional mode button for extended manual use complete the interface. This makes for intuitive use, and it helps users navigate inside what may at first appear to be an unfamiliar scene. Familiarity is all well and good, but the F550 EXR’s 3-inch, 460k dot resolution LCD display steals your attention. Just to offer a comparison, the Canon Powershot S95 (which retails for $400) features a 3-inch, 461k display that beats most, if not all, competitor point and shoot LCD screens out there – and the 550EXR has no problems rivaling it in this department. It’s incredibly bright with impressive, natural contrast.
As for the insides, Fujifilm packed the F550 EXR with some impressive and surprising technology. The most obvious of these features being the camera’s EXR CMOS sensor. The F550 EXR marks its debut, and the idea is that EXR and CMOS capabilities are combined to offer improved resolution and speed. The camera’s 16-megapixel resolution is mildly impressive for its size and price, and its BSI (back side illuminated) sensor improves its ability to shoot in low light and cut down on noise at high ISOs. Of course, its 15x optical zoom and 24-360mm range doesn’t hurt either. The camera’s pop-up flash is also easy to control, and it’s discreet.
In a somewhat surprising move, Fujifilm doesn’t include as many art filters as other point-and-shoots. Honestly, we’re willing to sacrifice these for higher quality presets, which the F550 EXR delivers. The camera includes settings for its EXR mode (to prevent washout, shoot detail, or for high IOS/low noise situations), auto, dogs and cats, panorama, high speed movie, and various other options, like beach/snow, party, and landscape. We actually didn’t miss the built-in fisheye mode we’ve become so accustomed to in pocket cams

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o new PlayStation, Xbox console til 2014

Patience is a virtue, and one Xbox and PlayStation apparently take very seriously: It's looking like both are waiting until 2014 to release next-gen consoles.

Last we heard, the next Xbox console was speculated to debut in 2015, but a new report from Kotaku claims that PlayStation and Xbox are aiming for 2014. “Industry sources” say that Sony and Microsoft are both planning to squeeze as much life out the PS3 and Xbox 360 as possible before introducing the next generation versions.
Does three years feel like an eternity to you? Maybe – the Xbox 360 was introduced in 2005, and the PS3 in 2006. Both consoles are just now hitting their strides with new software that is pushing the hardware to its limits, but both systems may start showing their age sooner rather than later. So for those that are ready for the next-gen, the good news is that an insider said 2013 isn’t out of the picture, but only if one of them “feels pushed.” There is also a chance that a 2013 product launch for Microsoft could be a “Kinect-upgraded 360,” followed by the upgraded console the next year. PlayStation gamers have no such luck with an earlier upgrade: Spokesperson Patrick Seybold said Sony PlayStation is “laser-focused” on its existing lineup and coming handheld device.
If it’s any comfort, the wait should be worth it. While it appears that both companies are trying to eke every last dollar out of their current models, they aren’t entirely trying to torture their loyal gamers. Microsoft and Sony are likely both focused on taking big steps with a new device, delivering noticeably advanced technology and entirely new features for their consoles. Details about either machine are still relatively unknown, although there have been whispers about an Xbox 720, that could feature Blu-ray capability and 3D.
This is all good news for Nintendo, which would have the attention all to itself and the Wii 2 at E3 this year – not to mention the lack of competition for the new console when (can we say “when” yet?) it appears on shelves in 2012

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Hot, High-Tech Travel Gadgets

Before you slam the trunk, gas up and hit the road, check out some of our favorite high tech travel gadgets for finding your way, staying in touch, and keeping connected.

Money? Check. Identification? Yep. Clean clothes? Uh huh. The necessities of travel haven’t changed much over the years, but a number of high-tech toys can help make your upcoming trips more fun, productive and hassle-free. A good camera and/or camcorder is a given, sure, but also consider one or more of these following gadgets, ranging in price from $25 to $500.

Weight a minute

Avoid the embarrassing surprise of the “luggage shuffle” at the airport, where you must shift the contents between two or more suitcases to avoid the excess weight charge. Instead, the Balanzza ($24.95; balanzzastore.com) is the first digital luggage scale that lets you easily weigh your luggage at home or at the hotel before heading to the airport. Simply attach the strap to your luggage, use the handle to lift it up with one or two hands and hold it until you hear a beep.

A smarter smartphone

A smartphone is a must-have companion in today’s day and age, as it not only lets you stay in touch with those who matter — via phone, text, email or IM — but you’ve got a web browser at your fingertips, apps for currency conversion and language translation, music and games, GPS navigation, a camera, and much more. A good pick is the HTC Evo 4G ($199.99 with 2-year contract; sprint.com), a powerful Android phone with support for the speedy (and growing) WiMax network.
Check out our HTC EVO 4G Review.

Hit the road, Jack

Not all GPS navigation devices are created equal. The Garmin nuvi 1370T ($239.99; garmin.com), for instance, includes maps for both North America and Europe out of the box. This 4.3-inch dashboard device also features support for Bluetooth (allowing you to chat hands-free via a nearby phone), lifetime traffic alerts in supported cities and a lane assist feature that prepares you for upcoming turns or off-ramps. Leaving the car? A pedestrian and public transit mode could be helpful, too.

Thin is in, light is right

While many adventurers will opt for a netbook or notebook — and they are both ideal travel companions — the Apple iPad (from $499; apple.com) offers a number of appealing advantages over a conventional computer. It’s only 1.5 pounds, turns on instantly, last up to 12 hours between charges and supports more than 200,000 applications right from the get-go. The iPad is also a competent e-book reader, media player, and more.

    

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Nokia X7 released

Nokia has released the X7, a brand new gaming phone.
The pverall chassis is made from stainless steel and glass and comes equipped with a 4-inch display and an arching back panel, perfect for gamers.
Other features include an 8-megapixel rear camera with a dual-LED flash and is also capable of recording HD 720p video.
the X7 will come preloaded with “Galaxy on Fire” and “Asphalt 5 HD”, other games will be available in the Ovi Store. The X7 will be arriving around Q2 of 2011 and priced at $547, (£334 app)

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