RIM Basically Confirms New BlackBerry 10 Tablets Coming

RIM just announced that it’s going to run an ad during the Super Bowl. That’s great, but buried in the release the company also re-confirmed that BlackBerry 10-powered tablets are in the pipeline. Here’s the clip that stands out most:

RIM confirms that BlackBerry 10, its new mobile computing platform that will power the next generation of smartphones and tablets, will be featured in a commercial during Super Bowl XLVII.

We haven’t heard of any news on when RIM will launch a follow-up to the PlayBook, but we hope it doesn’t botch this tablet launch as badly as it did that one.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Surface Pro out on 9 February for $899, UK may have to wait

Microsoft's Surface Pro -- the version of its Surface tablet that runs fullWindows 8 -- will be on sale in a matter of weeks in the US and Canada.

The powerful tablet will cost from $899 -- £570 -- when it goes on sale on 9 February, but other nations may be left waiting, as the Verge reports that additional countries will "follow in the coming weeks and months".

That means Brits keen to get their mitts on Microsoft's kit may be waiting a while longer. That's frustrating news for UK gadget fans who may have held off buying the already-released Surface RT tablet, in the hope of snapping up the full-fat model.

The first Surface, which was released in November to faint applause, can only install software via Microsoft's own app store, which makes it a poor laptop replacement (though it does cost a more palatable £399).

The Surface Pro, on the other hand, will let you install anything you like, and also packs an Intel Core i5 processor and a 1,920x1,080-pixel screen. It's heavier than the Surface RT though, and a little thicker at 13.5mm.

While Windows 8 has an attractive new interface, it's fair to say it hasn't set the world on fire since it was released towards the end of last year. Microsoft annoyed some of its hardware partners by deciding to make its own tablet, and Samsung canned its Ativ Tab device, blaming Microsoft for not explaining Windows RT properly. Acer has also stuck its Windows RT tablets on hold.

In other words, Microsoft could probably use a big win right now, and perhaps a cuddle too. Neither are likely to be forthcoming if shoppers have to wait ages before they can snap up the Surface Pro, however.

[Source: CNET]

Sony announces the quad-core, 10-inch Tablet Z

Sony Mobile has announced the Android 4.1-powered Xperia Tablet Z, right as we expected them to do so. The specs also match last week's rumors, with a few extra surprises thrown in. The Tablet Z comes equipped with a 10.1-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) display complete with the Mobile Bravia Engine 2, 2 GB of RAM, 32 GB of on device storage, a microSD card slot, NFC, and an 8.1 MP Exmor R camera. Providing the juice for all this is the Qualcomm quad-core APQ8064 processor clocked at 1.5 GHz, with an LTE modem on board for the ride. As rumored, the Tablet Z is also extremely thin (6.9 mm) as well as water and dust proof like it's slightly smaller cousin the Xperia Z.

What we don't know is pricing and availability. Hopefully we get word at Mobile World Congress next month if not earlier. We'll keep an eye out and let you know when Sony has anything further to tell us all. We've got a picture of the rear after the break.

[Source: AndroidCentral]

Sony Xperia Tablet Z Expected to Launch in Japan on NTT DoCoMo

We recently caught wind of a new Sony tabled dubbed the “Xperia Tablet Z” and now there’s already word that the device may be unveiled in Japan in the coming days. NTT DoCoMo recently listed the slate on a product page, but has since pulled any mention of the tablet. Sure, it may have been mentioned, but we have a feeling this is a product that will make its official debut during Mobile World Congress next month.

What can you expect when it finally does hit store shelves? Leaks suggest it will pack a quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor clocked at 1.5GHz, a full HD 1920 x 1200-pixel resolution display, 32GB of storage,a large 6,000mAh battery and 2GB of RAM. 

Those specs are all competitive with high-end tablets, so don’t expect a budget price point.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Tegra 4 Likely to Power Next-Gen Surface RT Tablets

NVIDIA’s quad-core Tegra 3 processor powers the current generation Microsoft Surface RT, so it seems like a natural fit for Microsoft to sign NVIDIA on again for the next-generation Surface. Digitimes expects NVIDIA to become a go-to player in the Surface RT market, and believes that the firm’s next-generation Tegra 4 chip will indeed be tapped to power the second-generation Surface RT.

“Since Nvidia has a long history of cooperation with Microsoft in terms of graphics and GPGPU computing technologies, while demand for GPU computing has started to weigh heavier, these advantages are all expected to help Nvidia become competitive in the Windows RT market,” Digitimes Research analyst Eric Lin said.

Lin believes NVIDIA may also struggle to build and ecosystem for the NVIDIA Project Shield gaming device, however, which is a bit bizarre since it will run PC games and Android games. In other words, a media ecosystem is already well established.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

CES 2013: Archos FamilyPad 2 hands on

Well that was quick. Just a few months after Archos introduced their behemoth, family-sized FamilyPad to the UK, the company is here in Las Vegas showing off their follow-up, the FamilyPad 2. Archos was tight-lipped on specs and specifics, but recent rumors suggest the FamilyPad 2 will feature a minor processor bump with a 1.6 GHz Cortex A9-- up from the original's 1 GHz A8. The other major improvement is in onboard storage-- look for 16GB here rather than eight. Based on what we saw today, it looks like the FamilyPad 2 will ship with Jelly Bean, a welcome addition.

Aside from the minor bumps, the rest of the specs look to be the same, including 1 GB of RAM and that behemoth 13.3-inch IPS display. It's a beauty, despite its relatively low 1280 x 800 resolution. As you can see in the video below, handling this thing takes some flexibility, as the sheer size and weight make one-handed operation downright impossible. Make no mistake about it: this thing is a beast, and puts on no airs about being portable or lightweight.

The upside of its huge size is its multimedia capabilities-- watching videos, movies, and streaming content will look gorgeous, and the FamilyTab 2 is large enough for multi-person viewing. As you can see, Archos had it on a nice stand, which in your home would make the FamilyTab 2 a nice small television replacement.

Performance wise, everything seems up to snuff, though we would have loved to test out some games, which this tablet will certainly be ideal for. With Jelly Bean onboard and a more-than-capable processor, I wasn't able to find any lag or serious problems with the basic UI, though we'll reserve judgment until we get one in our home.

As always, we'll keep our eyes peeled for a proper spec sheet, release and pricing information. More photos and a hands-on video can be found after the break.

[Source: AndroidCentral]

CES 2013: Panasonic 4K tablet prototype hands on

The Panasonic liveblog was barely finished when we saw this beauty calling out to us from the show floor. This is Panasonic's 20" 4K tablet, running Windows 8. It's a prototype design right now, but seemed to be pretty well put together, and not something quickly knocked up for the show. Given that it's not a full release model, details on specifications are sparse, but we can tell you that as well as that truly jaw dropping display, there is a front facing camera (no details on resolution, but possibly 2-megapixel), and an Intel Core i5 running the show. Input / output wise there wasn't a lot going on, but there was micro-USB, microSD and at least WiFi. If you're thinking that that display is going to pretty much keep you tethered to a wall to keep it powered, then we were told that it will at least give you two hours of use on the go.

Panasonic also told us that Anoto digital writing technology features in the tablet, which makes sense given that -- judging by the display section for this device -- that the tablet is aimed at marketing professionals, architects, photographers and other such business users. Given the tablet's size, it's not the sort of thing you are likely to be slinging in a rucksack and taking out on the road. That said, in our time with it, picking it up and moving it about wasn't terrible, and you can imagine swanky design houses and media companies lining the walls of their offices with these things. No word on price or availability, but Panasonic were confident that this would make it to production.

[Source: Engadget]

Acer announces Iconia B1-A71, a wallet-friendly 7-inch Jelly Bean slate

Acer is expanding its tablet lineup with a new budget-minded 7-inch slate running Jelly Bean. The Iconia B1-A71 pairs a dual-core 1.2GHz processor from Mediatek with 512MB of RAM for a machine that certainly wont set any benchmark records, but wont hurt any wallets either. The rest of the specs, like the WSVGA screen, 8GB of storage and lone 0.3-megapixel camera are certainly also helping keep costs down. At 11.3 ounces and 11.3mm thin it's a pretty svelte device, especially considering its expected starting price of under $150. Sadly there's no concrete time frame for release.

[Source: Engadget]

Amazon slashes $50 off Kindle Fire HD 8.9 models during January, but only for students

While many of us are still recovering from New Year's celebrations, Amazon is considerably clearer-headed: it wants us ready for the winter school term that's about to start. Appropriately, it's offering a surprisingly steep discount on the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 for students. Americans headed back to class can get $50 off the price of the larger tablet for the whole of January, regardless of the capacity or the presence of LTE. The catch, apart from needing a .edu email address for the Amazon Student program, is the requirement for an active Prime subscription -- although that's no great shakes when Amazon accepts both the free six-month offer and the $39 yearly student plan. At $249, the discounted Kindle Fire HD is tempting for anyone who can do their course shopping at the Kindle Store... or just wants a convenient distraction during mid-terms.

[Source: Engadget]

LG wants the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 terminated, says it breaches viewing angle patents

When Samsung came swinging with allegations of OLED patent infringements and corporate theft, LG promptly counter-sued. Samsung then escalated by broadening its list of patent complaints, forcing LG to do what any dignified electronics brawler would have to do: file for a retaliatory injunction against the "sale, manufacture and importation" of one of Sammy's products. The device at stake today is the unsuspecting Galaxy Note 10.1, which has no direct rival among LG's current product range but which is claimed to have breached three LG display patents concerning the improvement of viewing angles. For its part, Samsung is dismissing the attack as "unjustified" and doesn't seem overly concerned by LG's demand for damages -- nothing less than a billion won ($1 million) for each day the Note 10.1 continues to be made and sold.

[Source: Engadget]

Bloomberg: HTC will introduce 7-inch and 12-inch Windows RT tablets in 2013

Well, it looks like Microsoft has changed its tune about HTC's "experience" when it comes to churning out tablets. Today, Bloomberg reports that the Taiwan-based manufacturer will introduce 7-inch and 12-inch tablets that are based on Qualcomm chips with Windows RT. This news directly contradicts a previous report that suggested HTC would be excluded from the Windows tablet world. If the stars align, we can expect each of these devices to hit the market in Q3 of 2013, although pricing remains up in the air. Curiously, the 7-inch iteration is also said to make phone calls, which sounds eerily similar to the the Android-based Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7. One thing you won't find, however, are Windows 8-based tablets from HTC, which the company is said to have abandoned due to high costs. Sources speculate that HTC's entry into the fray is based on Microsoft's desire for more manufacturers and greater diversity in the tablet lineup. No doubt that a miniature RT device will accomplish just that.

[Source: Engadget]

Carphone Warehouse offering pre-Christmas deals on Kindle Fire and Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1

If you're in the market for an inexpensive tablet this Christmas time, be it for yourself or a loved one, Carphone Warehouse in the UK has just made the choice a little wider. Many -- including the Android Central staff -- would automatically recommend the Google Nexus 7. But, it's not for everyone. 

If you're more interested in a 10-inch tablet, the UK retailer has dropped the price of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 to just £195 for the 16GB model. Better still, the tablet is still eligible for £50 cashback from Samsung too, making the net price just £145. At that price it's a potentially compelling purchase, and add to that the recent Jelly Bean rollout that started here in the UK, and it could make a great gift. It's by no means perfect, but it's cheaper than even the Nexus 7. It's limited to 2 per customer and it looks like stock is selling fast. It's currently out of stock online but we found a couple of our local stores with stock left.

The Tab 2 isn't alone in the deals section either, as the 2nd Generation Amazon Kindle Fire has been reduced to just £98. As a content consuming device the Kindle Fire is a good choice, with built in LOVEFiLM streaming as well as Amazon's extensive content ecosystem. No Google Apps might be a deal-breaker for some, but at under £100 the Kindle Fire is a bonafide bargain.

[Source: Android Central]