Smartphone growth will slow in 2011, says IDC

While global sales of smartphones will continue to increase, they will do so at a much slower pace this year, according to International Data Corp. (IDC). They predict that in 2011, smartphones will grow by 49%, which is far less than the 74% growth in 2010.

IDC explains that the recession is responsible for the shift in growth rates: "Last year's high market growth was due in part to pent-up demand from a challenging 2009, when many buyers held off on mobile phone purchases." So now that those reluctant consumers felt comfortable enough to buy smartphones in 2010, they will be less likely to do so in 2011.

In line with most analysts' predictions, IDC sees Android grabbing a vast lead by 2015 with 45.4% (from 39.5%). But somewhat surprisingly, they predict that Apple's iOS will slip to 15.3% (from 15.7%). Of course, they also see BlackBerry losing some ground, and Symbian obviously vanishing after it's no longer part of Nokia's lineup.

Their most interesting prediction, which mirrored that of one Ovum analyst, regarded Windows Phone 7. They see the combined Windows Phone 7 and Windows Mobile market share rising from 5.5% to 20.9% by 2015, making it the second largest smartphone OS. And they attribute this growth to Nokia's vast production capacity.

source: IDC via Bloomberg

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HP criticizes Apple's limited partner relationships

The senior VP of the HP Americas Solution Partners Organization, Stephen DeWitt, criticized the Apple's lack of developer partner relationships. At an HP conference in Las Vegas, DeWitt said that "Apple's relationship with partners is purely transactional, completely. Apple doesn't have an inclusive philosophy of partner capabilities, and that's just absurd."

That concern has been previously voiced by Apple's solution providers, who felt that Apple didn't have a cooperative mindset. The criticism, of course, was meant to contrast HP's partner-oriented strategy for webOS. HP is actively investing in training partners to contribute to the webOS experience as a whole.

One solution provider that has worked with both HP and Apple, said that "Unlike Apple, HP is very channel friendly. And if you have an issue with HP you can pick up the phone and talk to someone. That's something that's impossible with Apple."

DeWitt, though optimistic about this partner-oriented strategy, still admits that they have a long road ahead: "This is new business for our partners, and its new business for HP, and we're going to learn where we need to invest". But he's confident that by fostering a more collective space for webOS, their application and UI strength will flourish in the years ahead.
source: CRN via Electronista

Pre-order your BlackBerry PlayBook now at Sears Canada

If you are looking to pre-order a BlackBerry PlayBook, simply look toward the north-to Canada that is, where Sears Canada is offering its customers a chance to reserve a 16GB, 32GB or 64GB version of the tablet with shipment expected on April 19th. The price of the tablet is $499.99, $599.99 and $699.99 respectively.

While the pricing of the BlackBerry PlayBook is the same from retailer to retailer, Sears Canada is "under the radar" and could make it the place to go for your PlayBook if you're looking for a simple and smooth experience.

source: SearsCanada via Crackberry

You can pre-order your BlackBerry PlayBook now from Sears Canada

Check out our BlackBerry Storefront for RIM deals.

U.S. gov't working on a panic button for captured democratic activists

As you're surely aware, new media technologies, including cellphones, have played a key role in recent uprisings around the globe. And the U.S. government is working on an app of sorts that would protect these democracy campaigners. This "panic button" would be capable of deleting the user's phonebook, while also sending a warning message to fellow campaigners.

This project falls under the purview of the U.S. State Department, and is a part of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's efforts to expand Internet freedoms. Their first such initiative took place during the Iranian election protests of 2009, where they convinced Twitter to delay an update that would have cut communication from Iranian protest organizers.

Since 2008, they've budgeted $50 million to fund and promote new circumvention technologies. Michael Posner, the assistant U.S. Secretary of State, explains that they're "operating like venture capitalists...looking for the most innovative people who are going to tailor their technology and their expertise to the particular community of people [they're] trying to protect."

Posner admits that these circumvention technologies carry risks, namely the potential for use by drug cartels and terrorist organizations. But Posner purports that groups like al Qaeda probably have their own systems in place, and the U.S. gov't is focusing on protecting "people who are, in a peaceful manner, working for human rights and working to have a more open debate."

source: Reuters via Engadget

New York Attorney General to take a critical look at AT&T's acquisition of T-Mobile

The proposed purchase of T-Mobile by AT&T has ruffled more than a few feathers. Despite AT&T's promises of expanded LTE coverage and improved service in rural areas, most consumers are wary of the potentially monopolistic combination.

One such critic is New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who says that the proposed acquisition will undergo his "thorough review". Schneiderman offered the following: "Affordable wireless service and technology, including smartphones and next-generation handheld devices, are the bridge to the digital broadband future...We want to ensure all New Yorkers benefit from these important innovations that improve lives.”

Schneiderman is specifically concerned about Upstate cities like Albany, Rochester, etc., where there are fewer wireless options, as their wireless menu would be more drastically changed by the proposed acquisition. And, as are many consumers, Schneiderman is worried that the merger might eliminate the low-cost options which T-Mobile provides.

AT&T spokesman Mike Buckley responded, saying that they "look forward to sharing information with the AG's office and remain excited about the significant consumer and competition benefits that this transaction will provide". Buckley reiterated AT&T's guarantees of expanded LTE service throughout the U.S.

Some experts were surprised that the New York State AG was getting so involved in the process, as the final decision rests with the FCC and the Justice Department. But one expert did point out that the New York AG's involvement will slow the review process.

source: Bloomberg via TmoNews

Kin Studio might come back from the dead as Windows Phone service

A job listing on the Microsoft career site has revealed a little of what Microsoft is up to in terms of broadening the features available on the Windows Phone OS. One listing mentions a mobile studio for Windows Phone that would "redefine the mobile phone". Heady and ambitious words, to be sure, but no other clues were on the job listing. The premise seems to be that Microsoft would use the cloud based services on the now defunct Kin Studio and bring back the studio for its smartphone OS. The UI would be different from the version once seen on the twin Kins as the Redmond based manufacturer raises the age level for the service instead of focusing on the teen market.

While Windows Phone does have simple cloud-based features that can upload photos to a SkyDrive, the OS has no way to easily share pictures and can't share other data. This is where the resurrection of Kin Studio comes into play. The original use of the Studio was to provide cloud-based services for Microsoft's two teen-oriented handsets, the Kin One and the Kin Two. Almost immediately after being launched by Verizon, the smartphone duo was removed from the carrier's roster only to return as 3G feature phones with limited capabilities and no cloud support.

source: Electronista

The Kin Studio is coming back from the dead for the Windows Phone OS

Angry Birds Rio now available at Android Market

Why, it was just yesterday when we told you that an ad-supported version of  Angry Birds Rio was coming later this week to the Android Market. Rovio wasted no time in making all of the last second adjustments necessary to launch the game, which is now available for free at the Android Market.

If you are looking to play the game without paying a dime, than the Android Market version-supported by ads-is for you. On the other hand, if you have had enough commercialization whether it's YouTube or Angry Birds, the Amazon app store has the exclusive rights to offer an ads-free version of the game. Of course, you would normally have to pay for that privilege, although it is currently free for a limited time as a promotion.

It's not as easy a decision as paper or plastic, but either way, you get the pleasure of playing the highly addictive game. Rio brings 60 new levels of Angry Birds action which means you will be zoning out, holding your smartphone in front of you for quite a few hours.

source: AndroidCentral

The ad-supported version of the Angry Birds Rio is now available at the Android Market

iOS 5 might easily recognize voice commands spoken in plain English

The latest iOS 5 rumor is unlike anything that we've reported about recently and revolves around yet another improvement that iOS' next version will adopt. Curious to hear about it? Well, some say that the future version of Apple's mobile platform will come with powerful voice control integration – more sophisticated than anything seen on an iOS device before.

How sophisticated you may ask? Reportedly, iOS 5 will be capable of recognizing commands in plain everyday English. For example, “asking” your iPhone what is going on in your city today will result in a comprehensive internet search bringing up relevant current events, or maybe inquiring about your favorite store chain will bring up a map with directions to the nearest outlet. Google's Voice Search with Voice Actions, which runs on Android smartphones, offers identical functionality and has been around for several months already, so it is about time for Apple to upgrade iOS' rather more basic voice control.

Some of you may know that the advanced feature is not an idea that originates from Cupertino, but it was never widely adopted by the mainstream – something that Apple might be intending to change. “Smart” voice control for the iPhone and the iPad is actually based on an iOS app called Siri, which Apple bought the rights for last year, supposedly with plans to twist it in its own way before implementing it in its gadgets.

We doubt that the next iPhone will be able to fetch your newspaper on command, but having powerful voice controls sounds like something that will make iOS feel a bit more intelligent, especially if third party apps are granted access to it. The functionality is rumored to be introduced in June during WWDC along with the announcement of iOS 5 and OS X Lion.

source: TechCrunch via Redmond Pie

iPhone to grow in popularity in China according to a Morgan Stanley survey

Underestimating China is not an easy job these days - the longtime "sick man of Asia" is an economical phenomenon nowadays, and more and more people start to develop an interest in its history, language and culture.

And it seems this newly-found economic prowess is a good news for Apple - the latest Morgan Stanley survey of China's smartphone market shows that the iPhone is set for an astonishing growth in the "country in the middle".

The sample, in which 2,029 Chinese mobile phone users took part, shows that 87% of the participants claimed their next phone will be a 3G device, while 30% stated they expect it will be an iPhone. When price was removed from the equation, the percent of the wanna-be iPhone owners jumped to 53.

Of all major manufacturers that were named in the survey, only RIM and Apple are more desired when the price of their products is not taken into account - 3 percent of the participants plan to buy a BlackBerry device - a percent that increased to five when price wasn't mentioned.

The opposite trend is witnessed with Nokia, HTC and Samsung. According to this Morgan Stanley AlphaWise survey, 25% of the people who participated in it plan to buy a Nokia handset, while 7% responded they expect to purchase an HTC phone and 5% claimed they lean towards a Samsung handset. When price wasn't taken into consideration, these percents dwindled to 20% for Nokia, 5% for HTC and 4% for Samsung.

This research seems to indicate that not only the iPhone is growing in popularity in China, but also that its potential far exceeds its current market share, which is surely a good sign for Apple's long-term future.

source: Morgan Stanley via All Things Digital

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Verizon's Spring roadmap leak shows Samsung Droid Charge, Xperia PLAY coming in April

Verizon's ultra-fast 4G LTE network might be up and running, but there is only one handset making full use of those speeds. This, however, will change very soon as the 4G LTE-capable Samsung Droid Charge was leaked with an April 7th launch date. The LG Revolution will further revolutionalize the 4G experience when it arrives on May 5th and will be followed by the Motorola Droid Bionic, the Motorola Droid X 2 and the SamsungGalaxy S II later in May, all supporting the amazing LTE speeds, according to a leak on Phandroid.

The gaming-centered Sony EricssonXperia PLAY will hit shelves with the Verizon logo in mere two weeks, but in the meantime feel free to check out our in-depth coverage of all of its gaming prowess.

In addition, the CDMA HTC Trophy will also arrive on Big Red on April 15, equipped with Windows Phone 7. Finally, the HTC Incredible S, rebranded as the HTC Incredible 2, is expected to bring joy to your senses with HTC Sense as soon as April 28th. With so many announcements, it looks like we're going to have a hot spring, doesn't it?

source: Phandroid

Windows 8 starting to look more and more like the Metro UI on Windows Phone 7

Two screenshots leaked from an early build of Windows 8 show once again that the minimalistic UI, as found in the Zune Player and on Windows Phone 7, will be present in Microsoft's next OS.

There have been some leaks before of the next Outlook interface with similar unobtrusive graphics, which means Microsoft Office will also get it. Besides the fusion with Microsoft's Metro UI concept design, Windows 8 is rumored to get two different interface overlays - a flexible 3D one for the desktop, and one codenamed "Mosh", with WP7's Live Tiles, which will be plastered on devices with touchscreens, running Windows 8, such as tablets.

Other goodies include seconds for the system to go into full hibernation, as well as less than 10 minutes installation time. We are really curious what Microsoft has in store for the tablet-oriented Windows 8, which should be ready for initial demonstrations in June. Below is what you might see when BSOD event occurs.

via WPCentral

China economist blasts dollar dominance on eve of G20

 
BEIJING  - Dollar dominance is sowing the seeds of financial turmoil, and the solution is to promote new reserve currencies, a Chinese government economist said in a paper published on the eve of a G20 meeting about how to reform the global monetary system.
Although not an official policy statement, the paper by Xu Hongcai, a department deputy director at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, offered a window onto the domestic pressures bearing on Beijing to move away from a dollar-centric global economy.
The China Center, a top government think tank, has represented the Chinese government in organising a forum on Thursday in Nanjing that will bring together finance ministers, central bankers and academics from the Group of 20 wealthy and developing economies.
Xu's paper, "Reform of the international monetary system under the G20 framework", was published in Chinese on the center's website this week (www.cciee.org.cn).
"Nations around the world have no way of restricting dollar issuance by the Federal Reserve. The current international monetary system lacks both stability and fairness," Xu wrote.
He said the global monetary system had fallen into a "dollar trap". While it would be sensible to reduce dollar holdings in official currency reserves, nations cannot easily cut back, because doing so would only lead the dollar to weaken and so hit the value of their assets, he said.

Libya rebels flee oil town under Gaddafi bombardment

TRIPOLI  - Libyan rebels fled in headlong retreat from the superior firepower and tactics of Muammar Gaddafi's troops on Wednesday, highlighting their weakness without Western air strikes to tip the scales in their favour.
The rapid reverse comes just two days after the rebels raced westwards along the all-important coastal road in hot pursuit of the government army whose tanks and artillery were demolished in five days of aerial bombardment in the town of Ajdabiyah.
Gaddafi's army first ambushed the insurgents' convoy of pick-up trucks outside the "brother leader's" hometown of Sirte, then outflanked them through the desert, a manoeuvre requiring the sort of discipline entirely lacking in the rag-tag rebel force.
The towns of Nawfaliyah, Bin Jawad and Ras Lanuf fell in quick succession to the lightning government counter-strike.
"They are coming from the desert," yelled one fighter among a group of a dozen rebels 10-15 km (6-8 miles) west of Brega training their guns south into the Sahara. Wisps of dust could be seen rising in the distance.
Scores of rebel pick-ups and cars streamed past them in a chaotic caravan east towards Brega.
In town after town, Gaddafi force's have unleashed a fierce bombardment from tanks, artillery and truck-launched Grad rockets which has usually forced rebels to swiftly flee.
"These are our weapons," said rebel fighter Mohammed, pointing to his assault rifle. "We can't fight Grads with them," he said before joining the rush towards Brega.

Nexus makes a mouse that has no noisy click

If you work in an office where you have lots of people sitting very close to you it may drive you crazy that most mice and keyboards are so noisy. If you want a mouse that makes no noise at all, that can be hard to find. Every mouse I have ever used has made clicking sounds when you hit a button or scroll the mouse wheel.


A company called Nexus has a new mouse called the Silent Mouse that has a new patented switch for the button that makes no sound when used. The mouse is also wireless with 2.4GHz tech for good range and low latency. The mouse uses a tiny nano receiver.
I really like the nano style receivers since you can plug them into a notebook and just leave them. The mouse has 1000 or 1600 dpi sensitivity with a switch to choose. That is more than your average mouse offers at 800dpi and will be welcome by users that have big screens on their computer. Check out the video below to see the mouse in action.

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer and Eee Slate EP121 officially priced & dated

ASUS has confirmed availability and pricing of the Eee Pad Transformer and the Eee Slate EP121, the company’s two new tablets. The Tegra 2 based Android 3.0 Honeycomb Transformer will drop on April 6 – pre-orders will kick off today – priced at £379 ($608) for the 16GB version and £429 ($688) for the 32GB version. Throwing in the optional keyboard – which also has an integrated battery that boosts runtimes to 16hrs – bumps the 16GB model to £429. A 3G model will follow on in around two months time.



As for the ASUS Eee Slate EP121, that will arrive on April 10 as an Amazon exclusive in the UK (until May 1). It will be priced at £999 ($1,602) complete with a 12.1-inch touchscreen with active digitizer and stylus, Intel Core i5-470UM processor, WiFi b/g/n and a 64GB SSD.
We’re at ASUS’ London press event today, and will be grabbing hands-on with the Transformer and EP121 as soon as they let us. Keep reading SlashGear for more!
Press Release:

Transform your life at home, work and beyond with the ASUS Eee Pad tablet
ASUS launch Eee Pad Transformer tablet with Android 3.0 Honeycomb and unique hybrid docking design
ASUS have today announced the launch of the hugely anticipated Eee Pad Transformer tablet – the first to market with Google’s Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system.
Boasting a unique design and up to 16 hours’ battery life* the 10.1” Transformer can be used as an independent pad or can be docked with the fully functional keyboard base for a traditional notebook approach.
The Eee Pad Transformer is fun-sized and lightweight – perfect for bags and big pockets. It features a non-slip lid and Corning® Gorilla® scratch-proof screen for a safe and worry-free way to keep connected and entertained in every situation.
With stunning picture and sound quality and Adobe Flash 10.2 support this intuitive tablet offers the means to enjoy a mini-cinema experience, whilst two high quality cameras provide instant support for video conferencing.
What’s more – unlimited online storage and access to Android Market opens the door to thousands of applications with one for every need, whilst the ASUS Waveface interface brings a host of utilities to the fingertip including remote access and a personal library for both books and multimedia.
The Eee Pad Transformer will be available from 6th April 2011 at a price of £379 inc VAT for the pad only, or £429 for the pad and keyboard dock.
Key benefits:
* Unique two-part design with docking keyboard
* Android 3.0 operating system & ASUS Waveface Interface
* NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor for optimum performance
* Up to 16 hour battery life for all-day computing (pad + keyboard dock)
* 10.1” LED backlit high resolution, scratch-proof screen
* Lightweight, non-slip design for practical portability
* Front and rear facing high quality cameras
* Access to thousands of home and work applications via Android Market
* 10 Finger Multi-touch support and sensors including GPS
* Preloaded utilities including remote access, work suite and library
* Mini HDMI output to extend stunning visuals to external devices
* 3D Stereo audio quality with SRS sound technology
A world of entertainment, productivity and online content available at your fingertips:
Google’s Android 3.0 (nicknamed ‘Honeycomb’) is a long-awaited new operating system which has been tailored especially for tablets, and brings an uncompromised combination of performance, entertainment and mobile diversity to your hands – whether you are at home, at work or on the move.
Honeycomb and the ASUS Waveface user interface are geared to enrich and make life easier, fun and more productive, with an ASUS Launcher toolbar offering the means to experience a host of applications, online content and services through just a few taps.
56% of users want more applications on their tablet device**, and the Eee Pad Transformer is the perfect solution with access to Android Market; an ever-growing service which offers thousands of applications to download including many for free. The apps database covers a multitude of topics such as home & garden, learning, games, business or shopping.
Applications as complex as piano-playing or multi-player games can be experienced to the max thanks to the 10 finger multi-touch support. Internal sensors such as the gyroscope and G-sensor make movement-based games possible whilst the added GPS and compass modules mean you need never lose your way again.
ASUS Waveface also plays host to a set of helpful and unique utilities:
* MyNet: In 3 simple steps you can wirelessly stream media content between devices around the home including desktops and TV.
* MyLibrary: A clever way to consolidate your must-read books and magazines into one easy-to-navigate profile. Supporting PDF and ePub formats, it offers global content including Googlebooks, and a set of handy utilities to make reading easier including a dictionary, translator, bookmarker, notes and even text-to-speech (requires app download).
* MyCloud: Easy access to cloud content including WebStorage and the ASUS @Vibe media library (which offers downloads of a huge range of music, video and games to enjoy wherever you are).
* MyDesktop: A secure remote log-in application which lets you control files and applications on your other devices via the Eee Pad Transformer – including Android, Windows or Mac computers. So, if you forget to email an important file to work and it’s still on your home computer, you can connect to Desktop and do it from where you are.
Android 3.0 is also preloaded with Polaris Office 3 – a professional standard productivity suite which supports the viewing and editing of popular document formats including PowerPoint (.ppt), Excel (.xls) and Word (.doc), making it easier than ever to keep on track with work outside the office.
Switch between a tablet or a notebook to suit your mood and style:
The Eee Pad Transformer does exactly what it says on the box – it transforms. Thanks to a unique docking keyboard, the modernistic device can be used either as an independent tablet when you want a lightweight option to carry around the home or whilst travelling, or with a simple clip-in-place action it transforms into a traditional netbook perfect for longer typing demands or recharging. With such freedom of design you can perfectly tailor the Eee Pad Transformer to suit your tasks at hand.
The portable docking attachment boasts a fully functional QWERTY chiclet keyboard making it comfortable and intuitive for longer use and a obliging response to demand – 33% of users wanted larger keyboards in tablets**.
Additional Android function keys provide a one-click way to control media, brightness and volume or toggle wireless options on or off with ease.
A whopping 16 hour battery life* mean you can stay connected and efficient all day long:
The standalone pad offers up to 9.5 hours of battery life, and charges when docked to the keyboard station. When docked, this already-impressive battery life extends to up to 16 hours – more than enough to keep those active kids quiet on long car journeys. Even the slim-line AC mains adapter (which connects to each half of the device) has been thoughtfully designed so that when you need more time you can still travel light.
A tablet designed for real life: non-slip, bump-proof, scratch-resistant and as light as a feather:
Given the extraordinarily wide range of uses for an Eee Pad Transformer, ASUS have thoughtfully designed it to laugh in the face of life’s demands.
Measuring 271 x 177 x 12.98mm and weighing a mere 680g, the curvy pad is barely larger than an A5 piece of paper and lighter than a bag of sugar. Such a portable size means the Eee Pad Transformer is ideally placed to fit into backpacks, handbags, large pockets or even just carry around – the textured lid gives some grip and means it won’t slip out of your hand.
The IPS panel screen is made from Corning® Gorilla® glass – a super-strong material which is bump and scratch proof yet still reassuringly lightweight, so when the kids get hold of it to check out the latest homework hints, you can smile and stay worry-free.
Store, share and synchronise with no fuss:
ASUS WebStorage offers unlimited online storage (free for 1 year) to complement the 32GB internal space and provides a reliable and secure means of accessing your data from anywhere, anytime.
What’s more, with the inclusion of high-speed wireless (802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1, SD/eMMC card-readers and a port to connect and synchronise your PC, it’s reassuringly effortless to back-up, store and share your favourite photos and important documents without any additional hardware.
The Eee Pad Transformer is designed for sharing, and even supports 10 finger multi-touch gestures to allow more than one person to play multi-player games on the same device.
Front and rear cameras make sure you can capture the moment in high quality:
The Eee Pad Transformer features two built-in cameras; one on the front (1.2MP) and one on the rear (5MP). With auto focus technology and the ability to record movies in high definition quality, this double-helping of practical technology will make sure you don’t miss the best moments in life for sharing.
Not only that, but the Eee Pad Transformer makes it easier to stay in touch with long distance friends and family or work colleagues through video conferencing and to experience the latest virtual reality-based applications and games on the Android Market.
Powerful hardware with spectacular video and sound for versatile, outstanding entertainment at home and on the move:
The Eee Pad Transformer integrates an array of powerful hardware, including 1GB of memory and the super-speedy NVIDIA Tegra 2 – a Dual Core processor which delivers uninterrupted web browsing and fast response times even whilst multi-tasking.
Supporting Adobe Flash 10.2 for rich HD content streaming alongside fast graphics support, the device delivers outstanding mobile game playability for console-quality gaming, alongside a visually engaging and highly-responsive user interface.
The 10.1” LED backlit screen (1280 x 800 resolution) provides the perfect balance between portability and a respectable size for working and watching movies. Visuals are crisper and harbour a 50% more accurate colour range in comparison with other tablets available today, and with a generously wide viewing angle of 178°, it’s never been easier to gather friends and family around to share your favourite content in astonishing clarity.
With a mini HDMI port integrated into the keyboard dock, you can also connect external devices to stream photos, video and other content onto a larger HDTV or projector, making this the must-have versatile gadget not only for home entertainment but for professional work presentations too.
Discrete speakers radiate a superior 3D stereo audio experience thanks to the built-in SRS Sound Technology with 5.1 channel, maximum bass response and a wide sound field. Movie and music fans will love the ability to hear every sound in the finest detail, from the creaks and rumbles of horror and action movies to the rhythmic notes of your R&B or pop stars.
A video of the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer can be found on the ASUS Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/asus
Pricing and Availability:
Tablet, 16GB, WiFi, unlimited ASUS Webstorage: £379
Tablet & keyboard dock, 16GB, WiFi, unlimited ASUS Webstorage: £429
Tablet, 32GB, WiFi, unlimited ASUS Webstorage: £429
UK-wide range of retailers including PC World, Currys, Comet and Carphone Warehouse – pre-order online at Amazon.co.uk and Ebuyer.com from midnight today (30th March 2011).
In stock from April 6th (first units will be available in stores and pre-orders will be delivered shortly afterwards)
About ASUS
ASUS, the world’s top 3 consumer notebook vendor and the maker of the world’s best selling and most award winning motherboards, is a leading enterprise in the new digital era.
ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today’s digital home, office and person, with a broad portfolio that includes motherboards, graphics cards, displays, desktop PCs, notebooks, netbooks, servers, multimedia, wireless solutions, networking devices and mobile phones.
Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS won 3,268 awards in 2009, and is widely credited with revolutionizing the PC industry with the Eee PC™. With a global staff of more than ten thousand people and a world-class R&D team of 3,000 engineers, the company’s revenue for 2009 was US$7.5 billion.

Press Release:

Eee Slate EP121: The Intuitive Way to Work, Learn & Play
ASUS Announce Eee Slate EP121 with Intel Core i5 Processor and Windows 7 Home Premium Operating System
ASUS have today announced the launch of the Eee Slate EP121 – a handy slate computer which combines the freedom of a tablet with the functionality of a notebook.
With Windows 7 Home Premium and a range of input options including a Bluetooth keyboard and Wacom Digitaliser, the Eee Slate EP121 is an intuitive, easy-to-use option for a range of uses from home entertainment to learning in the classroom, through to working on the move to presenting at the office.
The Eee Slate EP121 is also the first tablet to feature a full-power Dual Core Intel Core i processor, providing a wealth of power and performance to ensure a smooth, responsive environment for the multi-tasking users who demand it.
The Eee Slate EP121 will be available to buy from Amazon.co.uk at a RRP of £999 inc VAT (http://amzn.to/hBGp6C).
A product video and additional information can be found at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Demo/159011907481873?sk=app_186464421389010
Key benefits:
* Multiple input options: fingertip, Wacom Digitaliser stylus or fingertip
* First tablet with Dual Core Intel Core i processor (Intel Core i5-470UM)
* Intel GMA HD graphics and Adobe Flash 10.1 support
* Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
* Highly durable and scratch-proof Cornel Gorilla 12.1” LED Backlit screen
* 64GB SSD drive for robust data storage
* Front facing 2MP camera for video conferencing
* Lightweight and slim profile for travelling – just 17mm thick
* Mini HDMI output for connecting to external HD devices
Multiple input options to suit you in every working scenario:
The Eee Slate EP121 offers three clever ways in which data can be inputted into the device:
Bluetooth Keyboard: Using the bundled Bluetooth keyboard, users can easily input large quantities of text with speed, ease and comfort over long period of use. The slate boasts Bluetooth 3.0 technology ensuring a smooth, uninterrupted typing experience.
Stylus: When out and about, the active stylus accessory with Wacom Digitiser will make a lighter option to travel with whilst still providing a high level of precision, thanks to the intelligent palm rejection function to improve accuracy. What’s more, built-in pressure recognition technology makes the stylus a particularly useful tool for creating graphics and artwork, and those in the design industry or even just those with a creative bug, will appreciate the pre-loaded Art Rage graphics application.
Fingertip: With a multi-touch screen, fingertips can be used to pinch, scroll, zoom and manipulate data on screen. Not only does this provide an incredibly intuitive and natural way to navigate (especially for younger children), it supports multi-user input, providing a collaborative interface for sharing media, games and work projects with friends and colleagues.
A reassuringly durable design provides protection against loss both inside and out:
In such a portable form (it boasts a profile only 17mm thick) it is inevitable for the Eee Slate EP121 to be used in a range of demanding scenarios both inside and out – glaring sunlight, rough journeys or even just excited kids. ASUS have thoughtfully designed the device both inside and out to ensure damage and data loss is kept to a minimal risk.
Inside, data is stored on a Solid State Drive (SSD) which, with no moving parts, is much more robust against physical bumps and shocks than traditional hard disk drives. With a 64GB capacity there is plenty of space to keep your most prized documents and photos safe.
On the outside, the Eee Slate EP121 features a 12.1” Cornel Gorilla screen, which is highly durable and scratch-resistant. Optical bonding ensures reduction in condensation and sunlight reflection, making it far easier to read and see the screen in a range of external environments – whether it’s on a sunny day in the garden or on a dimly lit plane journey for meetings.
Perfect for sharing media and staying connected with friends, family and work:
The Eee Slate EP121 plays host to a range of features which make sharing files and staying connected a breeze.
The 12.1” LED backlit screen with AFFS boasts a 175 degree viewing angle which means it can be turned and rotated and still be easily viewed by a big audience – a feature great for sharing videos with friends or showing a project outline with colleagues or classmates.
With a mini HDMI port included, users can easily connect an external HD display and enjoy movies and presentations in full 1080p HD quality for a rich cinema experience.
A high quality front-facing camera (2MP) means users can take advantage of video conferencing tools – whether it’s for staying in touch with long distance friends or conducting a last minute work meeting across the miles.
Integrated fast wireless (802.11b/g/n) alongside Bluetooth 3.0 and a built-in card reader means it is fast and effortless to copy files between your devices or to share across networks with friends or colleagues.
High performance technology provides a smooth environment for work and play:
As the first tablet to feature a full-power Intel Core i processor, the Eee Slate EP121 surpasses performance levels previously possible in a slate form and can handle high demands responsively.
The Intel Core i5-470UM processor in combination with Intel GMA HD graphics allows users to enjoy a rich multi-tasking environment for work, learning and play without compromising performance. Support of Adobe Flash 10.1 means the Eee Slate EP121 is readily compatible with a huge range of video, animation and gaming content online.
What’s more, the processor integrates Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 alongside Hyper threading technology – essentially this combination means that the Eee Slate EP121 distributes power and performance to applications which need it most at the right times, giving users a speedy and uninterrupted experience whether they are enjoying movies with family or preparing an important work presentation.
Windows 7 Home Premium provides a convenient and familiar environment to use:
Many users don’t have time to learn a whole new operating system just to take advantage of the mobile benefits of tablets.
The Eee Slate EP121 with Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) provides a familiar, convenient way to work and play, with a huge range of compatibility and support for files and applications already in existence.
Microsoft Office is supported by the system, and users can easily navigate their working environment by organising windows side by side, viewing previews of open applications from the taskbar or viewing lists of recent documents.
Plug-and-play is recognised so users can easily connect a variety of external devices such as cameras, printers and scanners without the need to install extra software.
Windows Live Mesh enables synchronisation between other computers, with easy access to the latest version to avoid working on an older document – making it a superior option for those who often work away from the office/home, or for collaborative groups who share working documents.

Lucasfilm taps Prime Focus to convert Phantom Menace to 3D

By now, any fan of Star Wars will know that Lucasfilm is getting ready to start releasing the films again in theaters, but this time around, they will be in 3D. A company called Prime Focus has announced that Lucasfilm has tapped it to turn the flicks into 3D.


The company says the selection processor for the films was “exhaustive” and I bet it was. Prime Focus will use its proprietary View-D processes on the film that is currently set for a theatrical release on February 12, 2012. “It was incredibly important to me that we have the technology, the resources and the time to do this right,” said Star Wars creator George Lucas. “I’m very happy with the results I’ve been seeing on Episode I.”
Industrial Light & Magic supervisor John Knoll will closely supervisor the 3D conversion of the film. “Getting really good results from stereo conversion requires a lot of attention to detail and it is imperative that you take the time to get it right – and that’s just what we’re doing,” said Knoll. ”We’re taking a different approach than you might expect. George’s vision has been to add dimension to the film in subtle ways. This isn’t a novelty conversion, with things jumping out at the audience; our goal has been to enhance the classic Star Wars theatrical experience, utilizing the latest cinematic tools and techniques.”

Knowles Acoustics unveils new low-power digital MEMS joystick for handhelds

One of the things that most mobile phones that are used for gaming and a lot of the portable game consoles lack is a joystick. I for one would like to see joysticks get integrated into consumer devices to replace tilt sensors and virtual d-pads.


A company called Knowles Acoustics has unveiled a new low-power digital MEMS joystick that is specifically for handheld consumer devices. The joysticks are small and should fit on many different devices. The controller measures 9.8 x 9.8 x 1.6mm and needs no additional controller IC.
The lack of need for controller IC means that the controller can be integrated into thinner and smaller devices. The maker claims that the joystick has the feel of an analog joystick with the low current consumption needed for extending battery life on portable gadgets.

Lenovo ThinkStation E30 and ThinkCenter M81 computers announced

Lenovo has announced a pair of new computers for business users called the ThinkStation E30 and the ThinkCenter M81 desktop. Both of the machines are designed for created, engineering, and financial pros. Both of the machines are packed with some powerful hardware including Intel Core processors.

The E30 can be optioned with a Xeon processor that has Intel Turbo Boost to overclock the processors. The machine can be fitted with an 80GB or 160GB SSDs for storage and it has NVIDIA Quadro or NVS graphics. It also has USB 3.0 ports and up to 16GB of RAM. The memory is ECC to eliminate memory-related failures.
The M81 is a small tower machine with second gen Core processors, up to 160GB SSD storage, and ATI discrete or Intel integrated graphics. It also has USB 3.0 ports and RapidBoot tech to get you working safer. Both of the machines are also energy efficient to save power costs. The E30 is set to launch in May starting at $629 and the M81 in April for $599.

Knock on Wood stickers for iPhone and more

I think we have all said “knock on wood” before after bragging that we have done this or that and had no problems. It’s just an expression for me and I never really think about truly knocking on wood. Some superstitious types take the saying literally and need to have some wood around to knock on.


If you are one of these sorts, some new stickers for your iPhone and other gear have surfaced that are actually made from wood. The stickers are Torchwood Stickers and have self-adhesive goo on the back to stick them to your gadget.
The stickers come in a pack of three real wood stickers. One of the stickers is a circle, one is a square, and one is a rectangle. The stickers can be ordered right now for £5.00 or roughly $8 in the US. They come from a company called Suck UK.
[via ChipChick]

Jolicloud Desktop gets Google Docs access

Back in November of 2010 Jolicould launched its firm’s netbook running its Jolicloud OS. We haven’t really heard much from the company since then. Today Jolicloud has announced that it’s Jolicloud Desktop now has access to Google Docs. That means you can work on your documents stored on the cloud service from wherever you are.


Jolicloud notes that the new feature is available right now and if you don’t see if you just need to refresh your desktop. To set the new feature up the user needs to follow the steps on the Jolicloud blog. Once setup is complete, the Google Docs will appear in the browser and users can browse other files uploaded to Google Docs in addition to documents.
Previews are supported as well. The Google Docs feature is persistent too so you won’t have to jump through hoops to access the documents each time. Anytime you log on the documents will be available to you. Jolicloud also has a Chrome app that will let you use it as a home page.

100-year-old secret underwater dome is fraudster’s amazing folly

As awesome additions to your home go, a billiard room hidden under a lake – complete with Bond villain style dome – sounds like the kind of place any self-respecting geek should covet. Turns out, the concept isn’t new; J. Whitaker Wright, a trader, engineer and convicted fraudster, lavished masses of money on Witley Park back in the 19th century, a 32 bedroom mansion which extended into various labyrinthine underground passages and a beautiful underwater room.


Unfortunately the house – once owned by the UK National Trust, but then sold off privately – isn’t open to the public, but that hasn’t stopped some photographers from getting in and taking photos of the eerie mansion. There are some amazing photos by cybergibbons, LargePig (responsible for the image above) and paolo999 showing not only the domed room but the various passages, shaped like something out of a science fiction film, as well as underwater routes that lead up to a private island.
The fact that the billiard room – which is apparently submerged just below the surface of the lake – has managed to keep the water out for over 100 years is more than impressive. Now excuse us while we attempt to build a mini version using LEGO in the bathtub.
[via Geekosystem and via Twitter]

Dell slates iPad business potential as Microsoft exec suggests tablet appeal short-lived

If you can’t beat ‘em, slate ‘em. iPad 2 demand remains sky-high, but that hasn’t stopped Dell from sniping at the Apple tablet with the suggestion that it had failed – and would continue to fail – to penetrate the enterprise market (and coming up with some spurious figures to try to illustrate that). Meanwhile, Microsoft is casting doubt on whether the tablet segment as a whole is going to stick around at all.


Speaking to CIO Australia, Dell global head of marketing for large enterprises and public organisations, Andy Lark, argued that “open, capable and affordable will win, not closed, high price and proprietary” and suggested that the initial burst of enthusiasm around the iPad was a short-term thing. The tablet’s price and the limitations of Apple’s ecosystem in working with other enterprise hardware, software and services are his primary criticisms:

“Apple is great if you’ve got a lot of money and live on an island. It’s not so great if you have to exist in a diverse, open, connected enterprise; simple things become quite complex. An iPad with a keyboard, a mouse and a case [means] you’ll be at $1500 or $1600; that’s double of what you’re paying. That’s not feasible.” Andy Lark, Dell

Still, it’s hard to see how Lark’s figures add up. Even taking into account the fact he was likely talking in Australian dollars (the iPad 2 begins at AU$579 in Australia) you’d have to be choosing some pretty expensive peripherals to reach $1,500-1,600. Even the top-end, 64GB iPad 2 WiFi + 3G (at $AU949) paired with Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard and a leather Smart Cover only comes to less than $1,130.
As for Microsoft, global chief research and strategy officer Craig Mundie has admitted recently that “there’s an important distinction – and frankly one we didn’t jump on at Microsoft fast enough – between mobile and portable” reports SMH; however, the exec also casts doubts on whether tablets are likely “to remain with us or not.”

“Mobile is something that you want to use while you’re moving, and portable is something that you move and then use. These are going to bump into one another a little bit and so today you can see tablets and pads and other things that are starting to live in the space in between. Personally I don’t know whether that space will be a persistent one or not.” Craig Mundie, Microsoft

However, Mundie did not go on to say what exactly he believed would kill off tablets, whether that would be more capable smartphones, lighter and longer-running notebooks, or something else. Microsoft’s Windows 7 OS, while found on several tablets in the market, has failed to grab attention or market share away from the iPad.

Android Market in-app billing enabled: Try-and-Buy apps, extra levels, more

The Android Market has had in-app billing enabled, allowing developers of Android apps to offer upgrades, virtual goods, extra levels in games and other services from within their titles. Using the same checkout system as the Market itself, Google will take the usual 30-percent cut from developers’ proceeds and do all the hard work when it comes to processing. The system will also allow for try-and-buy apps, offering a test period of use and then the ability to unlock the full title rather than having to re-download the app.


Google has worked with the developers behind Tap Tap Revenge, Comics, Gun Bros, Deer Hunter Challenge HD, WSOP3 and Dungeon Defenders: FW Deluxe to demonstrate the in-app billing system, and the updated versions are now available in the Android Market. There are more details for developers here.
[via Android Community]

Gmail mining Priority Inbox, more, for targeted ad campaigns

Google’s Priority Inbox for Gmail may help you find the messages you’re interested in quicker, but it’s also a new source of personal preference information that the search giant can mine so as to show you more appealing adverts. Google has quietly announced a new push for “better ads in Gmail” which will take into account attention and interest in how it decides which contextual ads to display.

Video after the cut

“For example, if you’ve recently received a lot of messages about photography or cameras, a deal from a local camera store might be interesting. On the other hand if you’ve reported these messages as spam, you probably don’t want to see that deal” Google

Meanwhile, TechCrunch spotted that “Offers and coupons for your local area” are one of Google’s suggested uses for the new system, something Google itself claims isn’t yet operational but will eventually part of the local push. This could well be linked in with Google’s mobile payment plans.
The company is quick to point out that the service is all automated and no Google employees actually read your email, but it’s nonetheless likely to provoke the usual privacy arguments as users quail over the thought of their personal content being used to shape advertising. Usefully, then, there’s an opt-out control for those who have had the personalized advert system turned on, which allows them to shut down the so-called “importance signals.”

HTC ThunderBolt vs Apple iPhone 4

Introduction:

Two of the newest smartphones to hit Verizon Wireless this year are the HTC ThunderBolt and Apple iPhone 4. Both have a lot to offer customers, as the ThunderBolt is the first 4G LTE smartphone for the carrier, which also takes advantage of Android's highly-customizable nature, while the iPhone 4 features a world of quality apps and a deeply polished software experience. We’ve used both devices for quite a while now, so we'd like to show you how they stack-up next to each other in some key areas. So, let’s get it on!


Design:

In terms of their overall design and appearance, the HTC ThunderBolt and Apple iPhone 4 are literally comparing apples to oranges. The ThunderBolt looks like a “big boy’s phone” as its size is on the large side, as is its weight at 6.23 oz. Even though it is constructed out of plastic, it feels solid and firm overall. Meanwhile, the iPhone 4 is more compact, easier to hold, and doesn’t feel quite as heavy. It also has a more high-end look and feel to it, with the solid-piece glass on the front and back, and the metal trim around the sides. But the one thing that we do like about the ThunderBolt is the use of the soft-touch coating on the back, as it doesn’t show fingerprints like the glass back of the iPhone 4 – as this is a trade off. Between the two, the iPhone 4 does look and feel better overall, but the ThunderBolt is still made well, as long as it’s not too big for your hands.

The HTC ThunderBolt (L) and the Apple iPhone 4 (R)

The main reason the ThunderBolt is on the beefier side is due to the large 4.3” 480x800 pixel resolution touchscreen display, while the iPhone 4 is using a smaller 3.5” display, but it’s pixel density is much higher due to its 640x960 pixel resolution. We love both…really. The larger screen on the ThunderBolt is quite good, images and text look sharp and videos also look great. When we viewed the same content on the iPhone 4, it did look a bit clearer (due to the higher pixel count) and colors did look more natural, but you are limited to a much smaller screen. One thing that we did notice when using the phones outside on a sunny day was that the screen on the ThunderBolt looks almost blacked-out (even though we turned the backlight brightness all the way up), while the screen on the iPhone 4 is somewhat viewable.

The displays of the HTC ThunderBolt (L) and the Apple iPhone 4 (R)

As you probably already know, the iPhone 4 just has the one solitary physical button on the front that takes you back to the home screen, while the ThunderBolt has 4 touch-sensitive buttons at the bottom for home, menu, back, and search. These do come in handy, as you could be in your email’s inbox and just click the search button and type in a search for it to perform. However, the side buttons on the ThunderBolt could have been designed better, since the power/lock button is rather small and flush with the surrounding plastic, and the volume rocker is one piece and you’re not sure where to press. By comparison, the iPhone 4 has separate volume buttons that have nice feel and “click” to them when pressed, as does the top power/lock button. Both devices come with a standard 3.5mm headset jack on the top, but for charging and PC connectivity, the iPhone 4 uses Apple’s proprietary 30-pin plug, while ThunderBolt uses the more common microUSB connection, which is a plus.

The HTC ThunderBolt (left, down) and the Apple iPhone 4 (right, up)