Microsoft reveals how much of Surface RT's disc space is actually yours

If you've wondered how much space Windows RT, Office and Microsoft's bundled apps occupy on your shiny new Surface RT, worry no longer. Microsoft has revealed that once you've accounted for binary conversion, recovery provision and the software itself, the 32GB device will have 16GB of free space, while 64GB units will get 46GB of room to store your media. Naturally, you can use microSD cards (or USB Drives) to add to that space, and if you'd like to know how to get the device to treat it as if it's all coming from a single library, check out our tutorial.

[Source: Engadget]

New Google commercial for Nexus 7 takes a 'Life Aquatic' turn

Advertisements don't always make for compelling viewing, but when Google makes one, sometimes they're worth watching. After all, ads are only truly bad if they're for things we're not interested in, right? 

So, props to Google for this, their latest effort at advertising the Nexus 7. Anyone who has ever seen the Bill Murray movie, "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" will feel right at home. Those who haven't -- firstly, check the link below to the movie in the Play Store -- maybe not so, but it's still worth a watch.  With Google refreshing the Nexus 7 line up as part of their recent Nexus-fest of announcements, we're sure to see a big push on marketing as we enter the holiday season.

[Source: Android Central]

Blackberry PlayBook 3G+ now available in the UK, 1.5GHz dual-core, 32GB storage

It was over a year ago now that we first heard about RIM's plans to release a 3G PlayBook, but it looks like it is finally here, popping up on the UK BlackBerry site. Of course, since then it's gone one better and delivered an LTE version, but if you're in the UK, and want a little PlayBook action with data to go, you can order one today. Much like its LTE sibling, it comes with 32GB of memory, and gets the same faster 1.5GHz processor too. (The original was 1.0GHz.) The kicker here? The price, at around £420 (about $690 by conversion) this is only £30 ($48) shy of Apple's 32GB WiFi and cellular iPad mini (at UK prices). On a positive note, while RIM might have had the 3G model lingering for some time, it did beatits own projections. But, with the UK now enjoying LTE, perhaps those interested in a PlayBook might campaign for the faster model to be added to the roster also.

[Source: Engadget]

Nexus 7 sales clocking in at close to a million per month

While it was pretty clear that Asustek's Google-partnered Nexus 7 contributed heavily to the Taiwanese maker's healthy Q3 results, there was no official confirmation on its exact sales figures so far. Asustek CFO David Chang has now come clean and told the WSJ that the 7-incher is close to touching the one million per month mark, just about double the rate of sales at its launch. While this number is a fraction of the iPad's sales (14 million in the last quarter alone), it could well go up due to the recent price dropand the addition of new 32GB models to the portfolio. On the flip side, the Nexus 7 is sure to face heat from close rivals, the Kindle Fire HD and the 7.9-inch Apple iPad mini, while the mega-spec Nexus 10will also entice some buyers away from Asustek's reach.

[Source: Engadget]

ASUS brings you the new Nexus 7 by ASUS with 32GB & 3G connectivity

ASUS today announce that the UK’s best-selling Android tablet has been upgraded to 32GB storage and will be offered with 3G connectivity. The original Nexus 7 by ASUS was voted Tablet of the Year and Gadget of the Year at the recent T3 Awards, in addition to scooping numerous other industry accolades.

Nexus 7 by ASUS with 32GB will be priced SRP £199 and will be available from 4:30pm (UK time) today from a range of retailers including PC World, Currys, Comet, Carphone Warehouse, Ebuyer, HMV, Tesco, John Lewis, Littlewoods, Argos, ASDA, GAME and Sainsburys. The Nexus 7 by ASUS with 32GB and 3G connectivity will be able from Three.co.uk around the middle of November. Three.co.uk will shortly announce further details including tariffs and exact date of availability. The Nexus 7 by ASUS has proven to be a huge success with consumers and is the most successful Android tablet to launch in the UK.

Nexus 7 is built by ASUS and comes with a NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core processor so everything is faster – pages load quickly, gameplay is smooth and responsive, and running multiple apps is a breeze. Patented 4-PLUS-1™ design gives users processing power when needed, and battery saving efficiency when they don’t. It comes with Android 4.2, the latest version of the world's most popular mobile platform – featuring an improved keyboard that helps users say and do more, new actionable notifications, updates to Google Now and much more.

Nexus 7 was made for Google Play, putting entertainment users love right in their hand: the world's largest collection of eBooks, millions of songs, thousands of movies and TV shows, and the latest magazines – plus over 675,000 apps and games. Nexus 7 comes with all the favorite Google Apps – like Gmail, Chrome, Google+ and YouTube – putting the best of Google in the palm of the hand.

Tech Specs

• Processor: NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 T30L Quad-Core @ 1.2GHz
• Display: 7” WXGA (1280 x 800) high-definition LED backlit IPS panel with 178-degree viewing angles, scratch-resistant Corning® Fit Glass, 10 finger multi-touch, 400nits, ASUS TruVivid technology for improved clarity and brightness
• Operating System: Android 4.2, Jelly Bean
• Camera: 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera
• Sensor: G-Sensor, light sensor, gyroscope, e-compass, GPS, NFC, hall effect sensor
• Battery: 4325mAh, 16Wh Li-polymer (Movie playback: 8hrs; book reading: 10hrs; web browsing: 10hrs; audio playback: 50hrs; standby: 300hrs)
• Google Mobile services: Google Play, Gmail, Google Earth™, YouTube, Movie Studio, Google Maps, syncing with Google Calendar, Google+
• Connectivity: 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi direct
• Network: GSM/EDGE - 850/900/1800/1900 WCDMA - 850/900/1700/1900/2100
• Memory: RAM 1GB, ROM 8/16/32GB
• Size and weight: 198.5 x 120 x 10.45mm; 340g
• Audio and interface: 2-in-1 audio jack (head-out/MIC), 1x micro-USB, 2x digital microphone, 2x high quality speakers, 1x docking pin

Ubuntu lands on Nexus 7 slates with Canonical's one-click installer

If you'd rather not let your Nexus 7 live out its life as a Jelly Bean-toting device, Canonical's freshly minted Ubuntu Nexus 7 Desktop Installer can help. Instead of allowing Ubuntu to ride shotgun with Android, the installer requires unlocking the device's bootloader, which wipes the slate clean. Once the Nexus 7 is unlocked, started in fastboot mode and connected to an Ubuntu machine, the one-click installation software takes care of the rest. Roughly 10 to 15 minutes later, your tablet will be running full-blown Ubuntu. Since development is currently focused on getting the core of the desktop OS up and running, there's no tablet-specific Unity UI to see here. However, Raring Ringtail is set to flesh out the mobile experience with an emphasis on sensors, memory footprint and battery life, among other features. Those who regret ousting Google's confection-themed operating system can simply reload their device with stock Android. For the entire walk through, hit the first source link below.

[Source: Engadget]

Surface pre-order deliveries delayed in the UK and Canada, Microsoft offers coupon for the inconvenience

We began hearing grumblings of delayed Surface deliveries in the very early hours of this morning, and it seems it's not an unlucky few that are suffering, but an unlucky many. There were reports of delays to shipments in the UK and Canada less than a week ago, but Microsoft was quick to dismiss the claims as an error and put minds at rest. Now, it seems, the white flag has been waved and blame acknowledged. Eager to appease disgruntled customers, the company is offering a £50 or $50 Canadian coupon (depending on your accent) to spend in the Windows Store as recompense. While it provides little relief to those who had a shut-in weekend planned, at least you can trick out your new toy when it finally arrives, at Microsoft's expense. And, if you've received neither a Surface nor a coupon, we suggest you reach out for the freebie -- if your fingers aren't hitting tiles, they might as well be hitting keys instead.

[Source: Engadget]

Google Nexus 10 leaks: Android 4.2, Exynos 5250 (1.7GHz), 2,560 x 1,600 resolution

Unless we're looking at one of the most elaborately photographed fakes in the world, this is the Nexus 10. With the Nexus 7 apparently going over quite well at just $199, it was only ever a matter of time before the Nexus family expanded to house a 10-incher. With Google's own Vic Gundotra posting images from a unit that he's using at some exotic locale, it seems that another unit has slipped beneath the camera at BriefMobile. The site has managed to apprehend one of the 10.1-inch slates, and in turn has discovered quite the bounty of information.

[Source: Engadget - Click here to read more]

Apple's Tim Cook sees Microsoft Surface as a 'fairly compromised, confusing product'

Anyone wondering what Apple CEO Tim Cook thinks of Microsoft's new Surface tablet didn't have to wait long to get an answer. Cook offered a fairly blunt assessment of the device on the company'squarterly earnings call today, saying that while he hasn't personally played with one, "we're reading that it's a fairly compromised, confusing product." He went on to say that "I think one of the things you do with a product is make hard trade-offs. The user experience on the iPad is absolutely incredible," adding, "I suppose you could design a car that flies and floats, but I don't think it would do all of those things very well. When people look at the iPad versus competitive offerings, I think they'll continue to want an iPad."

As for Apple's own new tablet, the iPad mini, Cook dismissed the notion that it would cannibalize other iPad sales. "The way that we look at this," Cook said, "is that we provide a fantastic iPod touch, an iPad, and an iPad mini. Customers will decide which one, two, three or four they want, and they'll buy those." He went on to add that "we've learned over the years not to worry about cannibalization of our products. The far bigger opportunity is the 80 to 90 million PCs shipped each quarter. I think a great number of those people would be better off buying an iPad, or a Mac. That's a bigger opportunity for Apple. Instead of looking at cannibalization, I see an incremental opportunity."

[Source: Engadget]

Visualized: A sea of Surfaces

A table of 100 of iPads at WWDC 2012? How about a sea of hundreds of Microsoft's Surface RT tablets and accessory keyboard covers standing under the hot lights?

[Source: Engadget]

New Kindles start shipping today in Europe, Lovefilm launches on Kindle Fire

As promised, Amazon has started shipping its latest Kindles on the other side of the Atlantic, with theKindle Paperwhite as well as the Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD making the trip. Amazon's branded video services did not make the trip, so Lovefilm is filling in, offering a free month to buyers of either Fire tablet. Despite the switch in names, the Kindle Fire / Fire HD Lovefilm app will support features owners have gotten used to in the US like Whispersync pause / resume across devices, watch list and X-Ray for Movies that brings in extra info about any actors or scenes that are being watched. The Kindle Fire 8GB is available for £129/€159, while the Fire HD in 16GB or 32GB editions costs £159/€199 and £199/€249, respectively. The Kindle Paperwhite isn't invited to the video party, but it starts at £109 for the basic model or £169 with 3G.

[Source: Engadget]

Apple announces iPad Mini with a 7.9-inch, 1,024 x 768 display

There it is, the long-telegraphed iPad mini has just been announced at Apple's late-2012 press conference. The 7.9-inch display device has the same 1,024 x 768 resolution as the iPad 2, which doesn't bode well for the elder slate's future. The new hardware is 7.2mm thick, .68 pounds heavy and has been manufactured with a new process with the same anodized edges as the iPhone 5. While Phil Schiller didn't mention the Nexus 7 or Google directly, he compared the new device against its rival in terms of its app library and screen size. He claimed that the .9-inch increase in diagonal space gives Apple's slate 35 percent more display area than Google and ASUS' collaboration.

If you were hoping for equal specifications to the current-generation iPad, you'll be mildly disappointed. The iPad Mini has Apple's A5 CPU, although it will run LTE and has a 5-megapixel camera. The lack of retina display may contribute to the reported 10-hours of battery life, despite its small size. For the base 16GB, WiFi only model, it'll set you back $329, while the 16GB, LTE version costs around $130 more per model. The WiFi models will begin to ship November 2nd.

[Source: Engadget]