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Transformer Prime firmware update protects gamers from themselves

I had the chance to briefly play around with the latest Transformer Prime update. My impressions are thus:

System bar lock By enabling the system bar lock, the system bar (which lies across the bottom of the screen) will be unavailable until unlocked by the user.

This could prove especially useful if playing a game like Riptide GP where your fingers are usually locked into position at the bottom corners of the screen. With the lock on you'll no longer waste precious nanoseconds instantly popping back into the game after you accidentally tap the Settings icon. Say "thank you" gamers.

Not to say it works perfectly, though. Periodically, after locking the screen, it would revert back to an unlocked state after a couple seconds. … Read more

Tegra 3 Android tablets to cost as low as $199?

Remember the 7-inch tablet that Nvidia teased at CES earlier this year? The Tegra 3-powered device that was supposed to cost $249? It could turn out to be more affordable than we thought.

According to The New York Times, Nvidia's head honcho, Jen-Hsun Huang, indicated that the company is working on lowering the cost of its latest Tegra 3 processors. He also hinted that Android tablets will go for $199 by the second half of the year. … Read more

Google said to launch tablet via its own online store

The Google tablet is reportedly on the way and could be released this year, according to The Wall Street Journal. What is more, it could be sold in exclusive Google-only online stores.

Rumors and reports on the Google tablet have been spreading over the last couple of months. First there were claims that the Android tablet would be positioned to challenge Amazon's Kindle Fire. Then reports said it would be 7-inches and cost between $149 and $199, which directly targets the Kindle. And earlier today, DigiTimes said the Internet giant planned cooperate with Asus to launch an inexpensive tablet. … Read more

Hasbro loses bid to block sales of Transformer Prime tablets

Hasbro has lost a round in its effort to protect its "Transformers" territory from encroachment by tablet maker Asus.

The toymaker claimed in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles federal court in late December that the electronics maker was creating confusion by blending the "Transformers" and Optimus Prime names. Hasbro accused Asus of counting on consumers associating the new tablet with children's toys to sell the Transformer Prime.

However, a judge denied the toy maker's request for a temporary restraining order preventing Asus from selling the tablets under the Transformer Prime name.

"There … Read more

Asus RT-N66U router review: Worth the wait

I waited for a while before reviewing Asus's latest RT-N66U Dark Knight Double 450Mbps N router, which is the successor of the award-winning RT-N56U.

And it was worth the wait.

The reason for the holdup was the router's initial versions of the firmware had a few known bugs. I tested it with the latest, version 3.0.0.3.108, and while I could still find some minor quirks, the router proved itself to be one of the best N900 routers on the market.… Read more

Google Nexus tablet a 'done deal,' claims report

The latest scuttlebutt about the rumored Google tablet makes the case with a lot more certitude. In fact, an Android enthusiast site goes so far as to say it's a "done deal," citing sources.

Let's get right to what that site, Android and Me, is claiming. The Asus MeMo 370T (see photo above)--which appears to be the template for the Google tablet--has been "scrapped after Google contracted with Asus to produce their 'Nexus tablet,'" the report begins.

Android and Me continues. "Earlier reports said the device would retail for $199-$249, but … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 89: YouTube vs Android: a war for content (Podcast)

A nexus tablet, Instagram is here, but not really and google fails to entertain, all that and more on this week's episode of Android Atlas Weekly for March 14th, 2012.

NEWS:

Jessica Dolcourt with the Samsung Galaxy S II on US Cellular -Samsung Galazy S II

-Google Pin Frenzy

-Google’s entertainment strategy is in disarray

-Nokia Maps gives turn-by-turn walking navigation to all

-Hottest new apps out of SXSW 2012

-Instagram coming to Android ‘really soon’

-Android Tablets Will Overtake iPad by 2015, IDC Says… Read more

CNET looks at current and upcoming tablets

Editors' note: This list was originally posted on March 2 and is updated regularly. If sifting through long HTML tables isn't your thing however, skip over to our top tablets list or check out all our tablet reviews and features.

The tablet market is like that kid in school who, at first, no one really noticed. Then, a year later he starts the school year a foot taller, with a new wardrobe, and suddenly everyone wants to be his friend. But, does he deserve his newfound popularity?

I really don't know. Personally, I've yet to purchase a tablet, and I've still not seen a compelling reason to do so. Still, millions feel differently and have already dived full on into the tablet sector.

Yet, every day there seems to be a new announcement of another manufacturer's plans to release a tablet. It's getting confusing and a little crazy out there, and we at CNET wanted to provide you with a snapshot of not only the current tablet landscape, but a look into the near future and how it's evolving.

We've compiled a list of all the major U.S. released current tablets interwoven with all the tablets yet to be released in the U.S. Enjoy, and if there's any other information you'd like to see on this list, let us know in the comments or via e-mail. … Read more

What makes the new iPad tick: A peek inside

The new iPad isn't waltzing into a competitive vacuum. That wow-worthy display notwithstanding, Apple still has to go head-to-head on performance.

Chip-review site Anandtech confirmed with Apple that sitting right next to the A5X's quad-core GPU (graphics processing unit) is a dual-core CPU (central processing unit).

Apple had nothing to say about the CPU (which typically garners the most attention) when it announced the new iPad, because the CPU really hasn't changed from the iPad 2.

The upshot is that Apple is pitting the A5X's quad-core GPU against a quad-core Nvidia CPU.

So, how does it … Read more

Google, Asus to hook up on 7-inch Android tablet, says report

Yet another report is claiming an imminent 7-inch Google tablet. And add Asus to the mix as that company will make and co-brand the device.

Google and Asus will unveil a 7-inch co-branded tablet PC as early as May, said DigiTimes in a report dated March 9.

NPD DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim told CNET last month that the tablet will have a 1280x800 resolution 7-inch display and production is slated for April. The initial production run is between 1.5 million to 2 million units, Shim said.

And another report earlier this month said at least one model will retail … Read more