Microsoft says it's increasing Surface RT production, expanding retail presence this month

It's still a bit light on specifics, but Microsoft announced today that it's increased production of the Surface with Windows RT and is planning to expand its retail presence beyond Microsoft Stores "as early as mid-December." That retail availability will initially be limited to the United States and Australia, with availability in additional countries promised in the "coming months." In a statement, Microsoft's Steve Schueler says that "our plan has been to expand the retail presence for Surface after the first of the year,' but added that "based on interest from retailers, we are giving them the option to carry Surface with Windows RT even earlier." If those locations don't cover you, Microsoft's also announced that it will be extending its current holiday stores into the new year, with "several" of those said to be transitioning to permanent stores. As before, the tablet starts at $499, with the Touch and Type Covers sold separately.

Update: That certainly didn't take long. Staples has now chimed in and confirmed that it will be offering the Surface RT at its retail locations and online store as soon as tomorrow, December 12th.

Update 2: And now, Best Buy has noted that it'll begin offering the Surface beginning tomorrow (Wednesday) at 12:00PM CST and in all Best Buy and select Best Buy Mobile specialty stores nationwide this Sunday, December 16th.

[Source: Engadget]

Tablet-optimized version of Google News rolling out over the next few days

It's not a dedicated app, but Google says that tablet users will soon have access to a new version of Google News that's better tailored to their devices. That includes the ability to swipe back and forth between sections, a new "explore in depth" button that can be tapped to bring up additional articles and information, and some extra spacing between articles that promises a better reading experience. According to Google, you can expect it to appear your tablet (at least on the Nexus 7, Nexus 10 and iPad) sometime over the "next few days." Alas, this revision appears to be a US-only one for the time being.

[Source: Engadget]

Kindle Fire HD 7.2.2 update adds Camera app, Swype along with FreeTime Unlimited

Liked the sound of Kindle FreeTime Unlimited? Well it turns out that's not the only new goodie on the way. Software update 7.2.2 for the seven-inch Kindle Fire HD also brings a few other bonuses. First up, is a Camera app, to let you take mug-shots with that front-facing shooter, while the keyboard gets a boost with added Swype functionality. The update should come over the air automatically, but if that's not the case -- or, like us, you're not the patient type -- then you can manually initiate a software sync. More details on that can be found in the source.

[Source: Engadget]

Amazon Kindle FreeTime Unlimited launches, bundles kid-friendly media, menu for a fee

We got a peek at Amazon's Kindle FreeTime during its press conference back in September, but now it's making the family-friendly feature part of a subscription package available across the family of Kindle Fire devices. More than just a submenu of video like the ones offered by Netflix and Hulu Plus, it resembles theKid's Corner launcher in Windows Phone 8 by password locking children out of the rest of the device, but with a preselected package of content to fill it.

Available to Prime subscribers for $2.99 per month, per child or for $6.99 for a family-wide license of up to six kids (don't have Prime? you can pick it up for $4.99/$9.99 a month), kids can browse through the selection of educational apps, games, books, movies and TV shows. It also throws in other features parents will dig, with a personalized login and bookmarks for the kids, plus the ability to set time limits on use that can be specifically tailored by category.

[Source: Engadget - Click here to reade the full story]

The Times UK offers digital newspaper subscriptions with subsidized Nexus 7

While News Corporation's big tablet newspaper experiment, The Daily, may have ended with a whimper, it's not stopping the global media company trying new strategies to pick up more (paying) digital readers. The Times, one of the only UK national papers to keep its content firmly behind a paywall, has decided to offer a discounted Google Nexus 7 tablet alongside its digital subscriptions. Knocking £149 from the original £199 price of the 32GB Nexus 7, the device will arrive accompanied by an 18-month subscription with access to the full site and its mobile apps, costing £18 per month, discounted to just shy of £300 in total if you're willing to pay it all upfront. However, it's not the first time we've seen a news organization fold in a gadget incentive for new subscribers -- Barnes and Noble offered discounted Nooks alongside one-year subscriptions to The New York Times at the start of the year. UK readers can check out the deal at the source below.

[Source: Engadget]

Six Reasons Why You Should Get a Tablet This Christmas

Once upon a time, laptops were the big Christmas purchase. Now, however, it’s the tablet’s time to shine. If you’re looking into getting one of these portable touchscreen computers either for yourself or a lucky loved one, you may be wondering whether it’s worth the investment. If this is the case, here are a few things for you to consider before you buy.

Portability

As with many small electronic devices, tablets are great for taking out and about. Smaller andmore svelte even than laptops, they’re perfect for using in all kinds of places from long train journeys to coffee shop visits.

Ease of use

Thanks to their touchscreen interfaces, tablets can easily be operated even by those who might be considered somewhat less tech savvy than the average person. Even if they do prove a little daunting at first, a few minutes of the basics should soon see anyone well on their way to using a tablet all by themselves.

Productivity

Believe or not, tablets can help you keep on top of work on the go. Whether you’re a student or an office worker, being able to access your emails, files and even office software remotely can be a lifesaver.

Entertainment

Most tablets have access to hundreds of great games and other applications. Additionally, they can be used to browse the internet, watch films, listen to music and even read books thanks to their e-reader-like capabilities.

Affordability

Due to tablets becoming increasingly common with each passing month, there are now a number of incredibly well-priced options out there (for example the latest Novatech tablet). This means that, like smartphones before them, it will soon be possible for pretty much everything to have one.

Fun factor

There are few people who can honestly say they don’t find using a tablet quite entertaining. Whether it’s because the intuitive controls allow them to interact with various apps in exciting new ways or simply because it makes them feel like they’re in a science fiction film, most tablets are really quite fun to use. [spon]

Microsoft confirms Surface with Windows 8 Pro pricing: starting at $899 for 64GB version, shipping in January

Details on the Pro variety of Microsoft's Surface tablet have been hard to come by since the company first announced it back in June, but it's filled in some big ones today. It's confirmed in a blog post that the device will start at $899 for the 64GB model, with the 128GB version setting you back $999. Both of those are what's Microsoft's dubbing the "standalone" model, which means you'll get a Surface pen/stylus, but have to shell out extra for a Touch or Type Cover (each over $100). Both will be available in January, although there's no specific date or word on pre-orders yet.

As you can see, the device looks similar to the Surface RT, including the same "VaporMg" casing and built-in kickstand, and it also boasts a 10.6-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio. A key difference with that latter bit, though, is that the screen packs a full 1920 x 1080 resolution as opposed to the 1366 x 768 found on the RT model. You'll also get a Core i5 processor (no more specifics on that just yet), a Mini DisplayPort that can output a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a full-size USB 3.0 port and, of course, Windows 8 Pro with support for all your traditional desktop applications.

[Source: Engadget]

PSA: Barnes & Noble's Nook HD, HD+ tablets are now available in the UK

Following the arrival of Barnes & Noble's e-reader products in the UK, today's the day that the company's tablets follow suit. The Nook HD and HD+ are a pair of tasty little high-definition tablets, which can be snagged at stores such as Argos, Sainsbury's and John Lewis. The 7-inch HD can be yours for £159 with 8GB storage or £189 for 16GB, while the HD+ is priced at £229 for 16GB and £269 for 32GB.

[Source: Engadget]

Xperia Tablet S gets firmware update with VPN fix

If you picked up a Sony Xperia Tablet S before it was recalled over water resistance concerns, you'll be pleased to learn that the tablet has just received an over-the-air update. The patch to 'release6a' is still based upon Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich -- no Jelly Beanyet, unfortunately -- but it does fix a few problematic bugs with VPN connectivity on the Sony tablet, which could be useful if you're connecting the tab to a corporate network.

Xperia Tablet S owners can pick up today's update by heading to Settings > About tablet > Software updates. The Sony-made tablet is expected to go back on sale soon, presumably with fixed water-resistant capabilities.

[Source: Android Central]

Amazon adds Adobe's Photoshop Touch to Kindle Fire Appstore

Kindle Fire owners with a penchant for on-the-go image editing will want to take note: Adobe's Photoshop Touch is now live on the Appstore. The app, already a mainstay on iOS and Android's respective markets, has been optimized for Amazon's recent tablet lineup, scaling up for both the 7- and 8.9-inch form factors and retailing for the same $9.99 price. Unfortunately, it won't work for owners of the original Bezos-backed tab since it still runs on the Gingerbread kernel. Sorry early adopters, but that's the price you pay for progress.

[Source: Engadget]

32GB Nexus 7 can be yours for £180 from UK high street retailers

Despite having only just been made officially official, for UK Nexus 7 buyers savings can already be had on the new 32GB version. 2 different high street retailers are currently offering Google's 7 inch tablet for £179.99, £20 below list price. 

First up is Comet. While our thoughts are with each and every member of staff in these uncertain times the chain finds itself in, the result of the company's difficulties is a liquidation sale. While the majority of stock is reduced by a modest 10%, on a 32GB Nexus 7 that equates to a £20 saving. The sale only applies in store, and while stocks last. Our local branch still had them for sale though, so it's worth a look.

Rival retailer, Currys PCWorld, is also offering the Nexus 7 32GB for £179.99 after £20 cashback. Here though, the offer applies only when the tablet is bought with any case from their offering. But, since you're going to want to look after it, it's not a bad deal to be had. The saving would almost completely pay for an official Nexus 7 Travel Cover, should that be your desired choice.

[Source: Android Centeral]

Ballmer says Microsoft Surface RT sales off to 'modest' start

Microsoft's been holding Surface for Windows RT sales figures close to its chest so far, but CEO Steve Ballmer has allowed in an interview with Le Parisien that the much ballyhooed tablet is off to a "modest" start. The bombastic exec gave that appraisal while touting the imminent arrival of the tab's higher-powered sibling, Surface for Windows 8 Pro, though he didn't elaborate further. After all the cake it's no doubt lavished marketing the slate, we'll have to see if the software giant finds the hardware game tough to swallow.

[Source: Engadget]