Google tablet targets iPad Mini

With the addition of the -iPad mini, Apple offers touchscreen devices in three sizes. Now rival Google is doing the same, introducing a 10-inch tablet, an upgraded 7-inch tablet, and a new smartphone.Introduced Monday, the Nexus 10, which Google developed with Samsung, is the company's first tablet that competes directly with Apple's 9.7-inch iPad. Most significantly, it undercuts the iPad's price: A Nexus 10 with Wi-Fi and 16 gigabytes of storage costs $400, compared with $500 for an equivalent iPad. Google did not say whether a model with cellular data would be available.Google's Nexus 4 smartphone, which it developed with LG, has a 4.7-inch screen and wireless charging capability.Google also upgraded its samsung keyboard, which was introduced this year, to include a cellular data connection which is the predecessor to the newest cell technology, 4G LTE. The model with the newest technology has 32 gigabytes of storage costs $300.
 Now that Windows 8 is finally available the genuine discussions are beginning, and back on Earth Microsoft faces major challenges with Windows 8 tablets and PCs, including a mostly indifferent public.However, Windows 8 also has the potential to streamline the tablet, PC and smartphone experience in the enterprise like no other company can.To push the mobile envelope even further, Microsoft on Monday announced Windows Phone 8, an updated version of Microsoft's struggling smartphone OS that will share compatibility with Windows 8. If anything, Windows 8, Windows RT and Surface just made the increasingly competitive tablet market even more exciting, along with Apple's iPad Mini and fourth-generation cheap China Mobile last week.
Consumers and businesses now have more tablets of various shapes and sizes at their disposal from Apple, Amazon, Google and, at long last, Microsoft. All this choice is great for you and me.Microsoft now needs to beef up the Windows Store, a sparsely populated area within Windows 8 and Microsoft's Achilles' heel. Yet industry analysts say that the 9,000 apps now in the Windows Store is a sufficient amount for a launch and something to build on.
Last Friday, I was a guest on NECN (New England Cable News) to discuss these subjects and more with NECN Business host Mike Nikitas. Check it out below.The average person now has available to him or her gadgets that 18 years ago would have been considered magical, if not impossible. With only one week's worth of minimum wages in California ($8/hr), you can buy yourself an iPad mini: a device that connects you to all information in the world; that holds and displays and edits and takes thousands of videos and photos; that holds your entire music library; that lets you read millions of books; that holds and displays maps of the entire world; that lets you explore the cosmos by simply pointing at the stars at night; that lets you read hundreds of newspapers; that lets you plan and reserve flights and hotels all over the world for free.

Otterbox iPad mini Case Announced

Today Otterbox announced its new Defender Series iPad mini cases that are available for pre-order now for $69.95.The new Defender Series case for iPad mini features a hard shell that covers the back, sides, and bezel of the new 7.9-inch tablet. The case also includes a screen protector to keep the screen safe from scratches and fingerprints.Like every Otterbox case, the Defender Series for iPad mini covers every port on the device, but allows for easy access to each of them. Every open port has a silicone case that covers it to keep out dust and moisture, though the speakers are left open.The Defender Series also comes with a shield that adds further protection to the screen beyond the polycarbonate protector. The shield also serves as a stand to make it easier to watch movies or read books when the device in on a table. The stand only appears works in landscape mode, however.
Otterbox designed the Defender Series iPad Mini on leaks that appeared in the weeks and months before the announcement. Because of that some of the images Otterbox has of the device have an opening for the mysterious hole in the top middle of the iPad mini's back. The final iPad mini design doesn't have that hole in the back.Potential iPad mini buyers can pre-order the Otterbox cases now or sign up for a notification when the cases go on sale. Otterbox doesn't have an estimated date for when the case will ship yet.The SGP GLAS.t screen protector is made with ultra-hard coated glass that helps prevent scratches from knives and keys.
Thanks to its oleophobic coating it resists finger prints and other oily residue.The SGP GLAS.t for the iPhone 5 is thicker than plastic and because it rises above the surface more than plastic screen protectors, hitting the Home button can be more different.Several Home button stickers are offered by SGP to avoid the awkward feel.The SGP GLAS.t protector uses a strong silicon adhesive to adhere to the iPhone screen. It is easy to apply and makes air bubbles easy to press out.The iPhone 5 GLAS.t premium tempered glass screen protector comes at a price of $27.99.The key to applying a screen protector sans bubbles is patience. It's also imperative that you apply the protector immediately after purchasing your device, as even hairline scratches will produce unavoidable bubbles.Remove the backing from the screen protector, and hold it along the edges. You may start from the top or bottom of your device, but a good rule of thumb is to start with the end that will require the most precise alignment. (For example, on the iPhone, it would be the home button.) Once you've aligned the protector, adhere it to the screen, following with the credit card to push out any bubbles.

The Cure for the Common Case: An iPhone 4S Case Round-Up

Despite what that recent line at your local Apple Store may have led you to believe, not all owners upgraded to the iPhone 5. There are many of us who are still content with our 4/4S models that simply didn't feel the need to cough up any additional dough for a new phone. Not when we can spend that money on swanky cases and other accessories.With that in mind I recently took a trio of specialty covers for the previous iPhone model for a test drive, and I found each to offer its own unique strengths. The Waterproof iPhone Case from Outdoor Technology, for example, boasts one very specific selling point – it truly is waterproof. It's a tight fit for your iPhone inside this shiny plastic shell, but its solid build did indeed prove waterproof (in my ridiculous sink-and-bathtub tests) thanks to a hefty inner sealing gasket coupled with three separate exterior lock points. Installing the case is a very deliberate process that takes some time, but for those instances when cheap Protective Case is a must it's a true lifesaver. Watertight up to one meter in depth for at least 30 minutes, this OT solution manages to keep your phone dry without sacrificing screen, camera or call functionality. Now, that's not to say your call clarity doesn't suffer a bit through all that shielding, so it's best if used in tandem with a Bluetooth headset if you're planning to chat it up on the high seas. It's also important to note that this case doesn't offer much in the way of drop protection, which can easily damage both the watertight seal and your precious iPhone.
For those in the market for true phone armor, the Ballistic Hard Core takes on reigning king Otterbox head-on. Designed with the same sort of multilevel protection – including a hardy plastic frame, a silicon outer sleeve and an integrated screen cover – as the stalwart Defender, the Hard Core even comes with a similar(ly atrocious) belt holster. This case is perfectly functional, protecting your iPhone while still iphone4 protective cases to all ports and buttons with or without the exterior silicon jacket in place. Sadly it's uniquely styled square Home button cover and scalloped outer edges don't detract from the fact that it's freakin' huge! It's not as if the case is that much bigger than similar models on the market, but the Hard Core really does swallow your diminutive iPhone in all these various levels of coverage. Of course if you're in the market for such high-impact protection it's likely that the trade-off of size for safety is acceptable. The only real downside other than the sheer girth of the case itself is its back-end camera lens cover; the thing captures mounds of dust and smudges that serve to wash out photographs.

The Week in iPhone Cases: In protection we trust

The launch of the iPhone 5 has brought a veritable avalanche of cases for Apple's latest mobile handset. As usual, your faithful Macworld staff is on, uh, the case with a roundup of the latest and greatest.The Zero 5 (iPhone 5; $20) is one of the thinnest iPhone cases available; at only 0.5mm thick, it is, in the words of the manufacturer, almost unnoticeable when installed. The iPhone 5 model of the case has been improved to provide additional protection and be more scratch-resistant than its predecessor. It's available in black, white, blue, or clear.
The Embrace (iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S; $89) is an aluminium bumper designed to protect your handset from bumps and scratches while accentuating its beautiful, glass-and-metal design instead of trying to cover it up. It comes with a compimentary backplate, available in black, carbon-fiber black, or titanium gray. The case itself can be purchased in a variety of exotic hues, including Kyoho Sauvignon, Champagne Blush, Phantom Gray, Space Gray, Peach Glamour, and Oyster Blue. The company's latest iPhone 5 offerings include the Axis Wallet (iPhone 5; $50), with its genuine-textured-leather construction, a convenient card slot, and wraparound construction with a front cover that doubles as a stand for viewing at multiple angles. It comes in black, white, or red. The Stealth (iPhone 5; $35) features a compartment that is normally hidden away and can be used to store an RFID-enabled card so that you can make quick purchases, enter the office, or get on the subway without having to dig into your wallet. It's available in white or black.Finally, if you like wallet cases but prefer your cards to be easily accessible, the Solo Wallet (iPhone 5; $40) comes with two pockets that can hold either cash or plastic; like the Axis, the Solo Wallet is made of genuine leather; it can be purchased in white, black, or red.
The company's iPhone vinyl skins (iPhone 5; $15) are now available in a size that matches Apple's latest mobile offering. Like before, there are literally dozens upon dozens of designs to choose from, in themes that go all the way from artsy to pop, and almost all with their own matching iPhone 5-sized wallpapers.The Bamboo Case (iPhone 5; $60) is a snap-on shell made entirely of one of the most environmentally-friendly protective materials available. The two-piece design fits your handset snuggly, and it's lined with soft velvet that helps protect it from bumps and scratches. The case also features the appropriate number of cutouts and openings to ensure unhindered access to all of the iPhone's ports and cameras.

Latest iPad mini leak reveals battery that's three times larger than iPhone 5′s

Apple (AAPL) is expected to announce its 7.85-inch iPad mini on October 23rd. With all of the component and case leaks, and even retail store arrangements, the smaller tablet is now much more than just a rumor and now MacRumors has photos of what is believed to be the iPad mini battery. Although MacRumors was unable to confirm its authenticity, the photos suggest the iPad mini will have a 16.7Whr battery that runs at 3.72 volts. If the part isn't a fake, the iPad mini's battery will fit perfectly between the iPhone 5′s 5.45Whr and the new iPad's massive 42.5Whr battery. It's also just slightly under the iPad 2′s 25Whr battery.
But China Battery Case suppliers life shouldn't take too much of a hit, if any, considering the fact that the iPad mini has a smaller screen and will likely have a processor that's optimized for more efficient power consumption. One of the iPad's many advantages over other tablets is its 10-hour battery. It would be foolish for Apple to sell what is essentially an iPad 2 with a smaller screen without a battery that lasts just as long.The first thing that surprised me about this comparison was that under my Verizon account, the iPhone 5 is the same price as the Samsung Galaxy S3. I was expecting the price to differ by at least $100.
When comparing the 4s, 5, and Galaxy s3 on Verizon's website, the major hardware difference I saw reported was the standby and usage time.The iPhone 5 has a reported standby time of 225 hours. The iPhone 4s reports as having 200 standby hours and the Galaxy S3 has a WOW factor of 400 hours. For usage time, both the iPhone 5 and 4s report back at having eight hours and the Galaxy s3 reportedly has fifteen hours! Wow…I don't expect that kind of battery life from any phone.I was definitely surprised to see that the iPhone 5 is lighter than the Galaxy s3. I've held my mom's Galaxy phone before and that sucker is pretty light.
It's because of this that I preach iPhone safety to all my friends and everyone I meet. I have seen way to many iphone4 4s battery charger bite the dust from a freak fall or spill. For example, a fellow coworker of mine bought an iPhone 4s recently and the first thing I told her was to buy an Otterbox. She said the case was too bulky (and expensive) and put it in a cheap silicone sleeve. The same day she got her iPhone, she dropped it and cracked the glass on the back. Lesson learned…It's for that very reason I never take mine out of its protective case. I'm terrified that I'll drop it and my precious will be gone forever.I wish I could put a memory stick in when I start to run out of space, but that is still a pipe dream with the iPhone. On the upside, it forces me to keep my phone clean of anything I don't absolutely need to have.

The Sealed Battery showstopper: Heroes and Villians

I've commented before at length (and quoted below) on the pros and cons of having sealed batteries in our smartphones, i.e. batteries which can only be removed or changed at your manufacturer's designated service centre. My stated bullet points are all very well, but I've now had direct experience in the last month that strongly leads me to declare having a sealed battery as a showstopper, for me personally, at least. Below is my tale of woe and a handy table of which smartphones are vulnerable to potential disaster in this way.One upon a time, all smartphones came with a battery that you could take out. Often to reset the phone if all went horribly wrong, sometimes because you have a second, charged battery ready to go on a long day out, most of all to perhaps replace the original after a year or so when it wasn't delivering enough charge anymore. All good reasons (and expanded and tabulated below), but then the world changed in 2007 with Apple's introduction of the first iPhone.
Coming in a sealed 'Apple knows best, only Apple is trusted to open this thing up' package, the iPhone created a growing tide of 'imitators' (some caught out in the courts, mainly for copying other iPhone aspects, as you'll know from the news), all of which tried to go down the same route..I'd say that the popularity [among manufacturers] of user-replaceable and sealed batteries are running at roughly 50:50 - so one particular way of doing things certainly hasn't won out... The split neatly reflects the balance of pros and cons for each design system when it comes to batteries:All important pros and cons, and you'll weight them yourself, according to your own preferences. But there's a possible elephant in the room here, for normal phone users at least. Us gadgeteers and power users will be swapping smartphones at least once or twice a year, either through contract upgrades or, more likely, by just buying a new phone, selling the old one and slotting our SIM in as needed.
But more average phone users may well be locked into a 18 month or 24 month contract, or they may simply not have the finances to keep buying/upgrading. And there's every chance that the sealed battery in their smartphone may well be down to 50% or 60% of original capacity after 18 months.At which point it's appropriate to share a few tales of my own from just the last 12 months. Bear in mind that I've got 20 years of experience in the PDA and smartphone world and that I've been through (at last count) 164 different main phones/organisers in that time (including a fair number of review devices, obviously), so I'm speaking as the voice of someone who's 'been there done that', etc.

Motorola confirms death of Webtop, laptop accessories

 Motorola Mobility's Webtop concept, which enabled its phones to act as the brains of a laptop or television entertainment hub, has quietly been killed off, the company confirmed to CNET today.Webtop was software that allowed a Motorola smartphone, such as the Atrix 4G for AT&T, to be docked into a special laptop accessory and run with some computer functionality such as the browser. When it was unveiled, many had called it the future of mobile computing.Unfortunately, the execution wasn't so smooth and sales were disappointing. Motorola, a unit of Google, said today that adoption wasn't strong enough to justify devoting more resources to the project. Webtop will no longer appear on phones, starting with the Photon Q, Droid Razr M, Droid Razr HD, and power bank 6600mah. In addition, Motorola said that Webtop would increasingly be redundant as the Android operating system began to include more desktoplike features.
Phonenews.com had last month reported that Motorola was killing off Webtop at Google's behest, citing unnamed sources.The laptop dock was a key standout feature when Motorola unveiled its flagship Atrix 4G smartphone at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2011. It helped the company differentiate its products from the sea of other Android phones that debuted at the show.The idea was a critical hit, and some, including CNET's Jason Hiner, believed it was a potential weapon Android could use to bridge the gap between the PC and mobile worlds.When it was about to launch, samsung battery cover and AT&T executives talked about the potential the device had to run in the office, and replace the need for a laptop for road warriors.
But its initial momentum was halted when AT&T and Motorola priced the phone and laptop dock for $500, an eyebrow-raising price tag that had many pausing and reconsidering the potential of such a device. While later devices continued to run with Webtop and their own laptop dock accessory, the excitement had largely disappeared.In addition, the early version was slow and didn't offer the greatest experience, though Motorola would later improve the software. Prior to the takeover, Webtop was one of former CEO Sanjay Jha's favorite projects to talk about.Motorola, now under CEO Dennis Woodside, instead will focus on a few core principles, including better battery life, a focus on LTE, and ensuring the latest updates to Android with its newer smartphones. The company has been aggressively cutting costs, and Webtop is just the latest casualty.