By stripping away the geeky shell of Google's Android, with the Kindle Fire HD 7 Amazon has developed a device that delivers the shopping, listening and viewing (and occasional gaming and apping) that its customers demand. With a speedy processor, a nice 1280 x 800 pixel multi-touch screen, and standard microUSB and microHDMI ports, the Kindle Fire HD 7 aims for all those millions who just want to use their tablet and have easy access to Amazon. [See full Kindle Fire HD 7 review by Dan Rasmus] -- Posted Friday, December 28, 2012
Digitimes: Tablets to pass notebooks in 2015
Digitimes published a new global mobile device shipment forecast that's pretty interesting. All in all, mobile device shipments are pretty much on a straight increase from about 100 million in 2007 to about 420 million in 2015. However, notebook shipments leveled off at about 200 million in 2010 and no further growth is projected. Tablets, however started at virtually zero in 2009 and will increase at a high growth rate until they pass notebook shipments in 2015. -- Posted Friday, December 14, 2012
Microsoft Surface RT gets expanded retail distribution
Microsoft announced plans to make Microsoft Surface available at additional retailers as soon as mid-December. "Our plan has been to expand the retail presence for Surface after the first of the year. Based on interest from retailers, we are giving them the option to carry Surface with Windows RT even earlier," said Steve Schueler, corporate vice president, Microsoft Retail Sales and Marketing. [See Microsoft press release] -- Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Wacom introduces new "feel" pens for a more natural writing experience
Wacom announced the Bamboo Stylus feel, a new addition to the Bamboo Stylus family powered by Wacom's EMR (Electro-Magnetic Resonance) technology used in tablets such as such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, Microsoft Surface Pro and Asus Slate. The new pressure-sensitive feel pens provide precise note-taking, sketching and navigating, while emulating the feel of a traditional ball-point pen or pencil. [See Wacom "feel" page] -- Posted Tuesday, December 4, 2012
News Corp to shut down "The Daily" tablet newspaper
CNN Money reports that News Corp is shutting down its "The Daily" tabled-based publication. Launched with an initial US$30 million investment, 100 staffers, and a US$26 million annual running cost, The Daily turned out to be financially unfeasible despite a claimed over 100,000 paying subs. [See CNN's article] -- Posted Monday, December 3, 2012
Sharp rolls out new Touch Display Launcher for Aquos interactive display systems
Sharp is rolling out its new Touch Display Launcher, an easy-to-use desktop solution created to keep apps, documents, web links and other programs organized and easily accessible for users of 60, 70, and 80-inch Sharp AQUOS BOARD Interactive Display Systems. The launcher is part of the downloadable Sharp Pen Software version 2.5 upgrade. [See Sharp AquosBoard and Sharp Pen Software pages] -- Posted Monday, December 3, 2012
Socket Mobile adds iPhone 5 support for its cordless hand scanners
Socket Mobile announced iPhone 5 support for the Socket Bluetooth Cordless Hand Scanner (CHS) line of portable barcode scanners. Socket Mobile also said it has updated the SocketScan 10 SDK to take full advantage of the new A6 processor and taller screen of the iPhone 5. The ScannerSettings and SocketPad utilities for the CHS have also been updated on the Apple App Store with iPhone 5 and iPad mini support. -- Posted Monday, December 3, 2012