ipads

Analyst predicts 7.85-inch iPad 'Mini' for October

On the heels of Google's $199 Nexus 7, Pacific Crest analyst Andy Hargreaves is predicting that Apple will introduce a 7.85-inch iPad in October:

"We anticipate an entry-level 7.85" iPad with 8GB of NAND capacity to price at $299 with an initial gross margin of 31%. We estimate Apple will sell 10.0 million 7.85" iPads in FQ1 (Dec. 2012) and 35.2 million in all of F2013. Based on estimated component order volume, we believe our iPad mini unit estimates are well within Apple's production capacity. We anticipate 25% cannibalization of … Read more

Slacker Radio now streaming lifestyle advice

Popular streaming radio service Slacker Radio today launched a new category of stations that offers a different sort of listening experience to its users: lifestyle. Debuting as part of a partnership between Slacker and ABC Radio, the new stations offer curated talk radio content that includes advice and other stories dealing with the lifestyle interests of both men and women.

For now, Slacker's new lifestyle stations come in two flavors: Men's Life and Women's Life, with much of the content coming from sources like Esquire, Car & Driver, Consumer Reports, Popular Mechanics, Complex Magazine, and GQ. The … Read more

ITC says it will revisit ruling in Apple vs. Motorola case

The U.S. International Trade Commission today said that it will revisit an earlier ruling it made in a case between Google-owned Motorola Mobility and Apple over allegations of patent infringement.

In April, ITC administrative law judge Thomas Pender issued an initial determination in the case, which Motorola filed in 2010, saying Apple was violating one of four Motorola Mobility patents covering 3G wireless technology.

As relayed by Reuters, the ITC now says (pdf) it will revisit that decision.

"Having examined the record of this investigation, including the ALJ's final ID (Initial Determination), the petitions for review, and … Read more

Pocket-eAzl: Nifty folding stand for tablets and e-readers

I just came across Crimson's Pocket-eAzl, and while it isn't brand-new to the market (it's been out a few months), I thought I should give it a quick shout-out because it seems pretty nifty.

There isn't much to describe here because it's just an adjustable stand for your tablet or e-reader that folds up into a compact form factor that's pocket-friendly.

It comes in silver, black, or pink and retails for $39.95. Check out the video below.

Microsoft's Surface tablet said to come with only Wi-Fi

Microsoft's much talked about Surface tablet may be Wi-Fi only, according to Bloomberg.

The news agency reports that people familiar with the tablet's specs say the device will go on sale without any mobile-phone network connection, but will come with a short-range Wi-Fi connection. This could change in later models.

Surface will be running Microsoft's next-generation Windows operating system and marks the company's first foray into the ever-expanding tablet market. Though the software giant has unveiled Surface, it has yet to release all the details on the specifications.

Apparently, the tablet is thought to be a … Read more

iPads, tablets coming to a restaurant near you (video)

It used to be that people went to restaurants so they could disconnect from their smartphones. But increasingly, eateries are introducing table-top technology that lets you order, pay the check, play games, and scan news headlines.

Chevy's Fresh Mex restaurants, for example, have installed "Ziosks" at about a dozen locations. Ziosks are interactive computer screens where diners can see pictures of entrees, order items, and pay the bill, all sans waiter.

There is a gee-whiz factor about these gadgety dinner guests, but during a recent lunch rush at a San Francisco-based Chevy's, many customers were reluctant … Read more

Lifeproof expands colors for iPhone case, shows iPad case

The folks from Lifeproof stopped by our office in New York and gave us a peek at some upcoming products, including new colors for its fast-selling $80 waterproof iPhone 4/4S case, a flotation accessory, and its much-anticipated waterproof iPad case, which is due to arrive in August and will fit both the iPad 2 and third-generation iPad.

The new iPhone cases are due to arrive in the next few weeks, though the orange and lime green cases (on the right) will be delayed a bit. The new cases will retail for the same price as the current Lifeproof cases (… Read more

Google tablet timing set, says report

The June tablet cavalcade will continue with a Google Nexus device, say Asia-based reports.

In the wake of Computex and today's Microsoft Surface announcements, June is turning out to be a hot month for new tablets.

And now it's Google's turn. The 7-inch Nexus tablet, jointly developed with Asus, will be unveiled at Google I/O, which starts on June 27, according to a report from Taipei-based Digitimes. An earlier rumor made a similar claim.

Other specifics include Wi-Fi-only connectivity and no rear camera, due to its low $199 price, the report said. (There is a front … Read more

As tablet use grows, Android use on par with Apple, report says

The number of tablet users is on the rise, according to a report from the Online Publishers Association released today.

By 2013, nearly half of the United States' Internet users will own tablets, the study estimates, based on a survey examining demographics and consumer behavior and attitude toward advertising. That means more than 117 million people will own slates in the U.S.

The survey found that 31 percent of consumers already own tablets this year -- a 12 percent increase from last year.

A look at the breakdown of which platform tablet users own, Android has actually caught up … Read more

Next Xbox could have glasses, new Kinect

Today we're shooting cowboys in the living room and bringing game shows to our tablets:

A leaked PDF document hints at what Microsoft could have in store for the next version of Xbox. If the 56-page document is true, the Xbox 720 has a planned release for 2013 and will play Blu-ray movies, 3D videos and it would work with special glasses for augmented reality gaming. The document also suggests the next version of the Kinect will track four people at once, have improved voice recognition and it could be split into two units on both sides of the … Read more