Transformer

Inside Google's Ice Cream Sandwich phones, tablets

While user-facing software is what usually makes or breaks a platform--and Google's Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is no exception--underlying hardware can make the critical difference between a snappy and slow device. So what's going to power upcoming Android 4.0 phones and tablets?

Texas Instruments will be leading the way on Android 4.0. Its dual-core OMAP4460 chip is inside the Samsung Galaxy Nexus which, in turn, is the launch vehicle for Android 4.0.

This didn't happen overnight. TI and Google have been preparing for this week's Ice Cream Sandwich launch for a while. … Read more

Asus' new Android Transformer tablet going quad-core

Asus Chairman Jonney Shih unveiled his company's next-generation Android tablet today, a 10-inch model in the Transformer family that will come with Nvidia's quad-core Kal-El processor.

Shih, speaking at All Things Digital AsiaD conference in Hong Kong, said the model will be 8.3 millimeters thick and features USB and mini HDMI ports, but reserved further details for a formal launch on November 9, according to All Things Digital's report. The tablet is called the Transformer Prime, according to Endgadget. … Read more

Samsung Transform Ultra: Hands-on impressions

It's been about a month since Boost Mobile and Samsung announced the Samsung Transform Ultra, but we only just got our hands on it at CTIA.

The specs are nothing to sneeze at--they include Android 2.3 Gingerbread, a 1GHz processor, a VGA front-facing camera, and a 3-megapixel rear-facing camera--but the phone is much more compelling in real life than its numbers suggest, and it's more different from the original Samsung Transform than we'd expect.

It still has Sprint ID (the Transform was one of the inaugural phones to have that option), as well as that QWERTY keyboard, but the keyboard is a different model, and a bit flatter and less appealing in our opinion. What we do like are the four nicely tactile, physical buttons below the screen.

We'll soon put the Transform Ultra through our usual workout; but until then, check out the photos in the slideshow above. The Transform Ultra, by the way, is available now, and costs $229.99.… Read more

Tablet vendors scurry to undercut $500 iPad

What's the sweet spot for tablet pricing? We're finding out as Hewlett-Packard, RIM, HTC, and others learn that trying to sell a tablet at the iPad's starting price of $500 may be a fool's errand.

Lenovo and Best Buy are the latest to bring down pricing, selling the 10-inch Lenovo IdeaPad K1 tablet with 32GB today and Monday for $329, down from $499. And that 10-inch tablet comes with a dual-core Nvidia processor and Android 3.1.

At Best Buy, HTC also recently knocked down the 7-inch HTC Flyer to $299 from $499. This happened--probably not … Read more

Rumor: iPad 3 could launch by Thanksgiving

Rumors about the iPad 3 are ramping up again, with one report claiming the next version of Apple's tablet could launch as early as Thanksgiving.

A story in yesterday's Taiwan Economic News cited industry executives as saying they estimate Apple will release the iPad 3 "by this Thanksgiving or next year."

Whether its next tablet reaches consumers by this year's holiday season, Apple is expected to sell the iPad 3 at current prices and then discount the iPad 2 to clear out inventory, said the sources.

Calling the iPad 3 a "threat" to … Read more

The 404 852: Where it's always bummy in Philadelphia (podcast)

It's our last show before the three-day weekend, so we're wrapping up with a review of the movie box office, and some new services that'll help with the cost of tickets. We're also exploring the idea of 4D movie theaters, and quizzing Wilson on another episode of Tang that Tune. Also, be sure to tune into the second half of the show for the debut of Jeff's new recurring segment, Squishy Moments with Jeff Bakalar!

The 404 Digest for Episode 852

MoviePass: See unlimited movies in the theater for $50 a month. 4D movies: what the heckbeans is that? Do something cat! 2/5 stars for Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

Episode 852 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Razer game peripherals get Transformers treatment

Seems like Razer's making even more branded peripherals. This time, the company's DeathAdder mice, Vespula mats, and laptop sleeves are getting a Transformers 3 makeover.

Each DeathAdder mouse and sleeve will be colored differently, based on a specific robot (four versions in total). The mouse mats, on the other hand, will only feature the leaders from the Autobots and the Decepticons. Sadly, none of these can transform and do anything more.

Both the Transformers-themed DeathAdders mice and Vespula mats are already retailing at $69.99 and $44.99 respectively. The laptop sleeves will be available for purchase at a later date.

On a side note, it'll be interesting to see if we get Winnie the Pooh merchandise from Razer once that movie comes out later this year.

(Source: Crave Asia) … Read more

DisplayMate puts tablet screens in their place

I love conducting in-depth analysis of technology; however, the problem with such analytic endeavors is that the deeper you go, the more time it takes to reach your goal.

This is why I'm always impressed with the abyssal depths of analysis DisplayMate's Ray Soneira travels when he covers display quality. In his latest article, the man gets downright subterranean.

Soneira takes the iPad 2, Xoom, and Asus Transformer and completely scrutinizes their screens on the basis of brightness, contrast, color quality, screen reflectiveness, viewing angle, and backlight power consumption. That's pretty much anything and everything important when … Read more

Asus boasts it'll outship other tablet makers, except iPad

Asus is ramping up production of its EeePad Transformer tablet and wants its competitors to know.

Asus CEO Jerry Shen was quoted yesterday in the Taiwan Economic News saying that he plans to outship all other tablet makers this month. Except for the iPad.

Asus will ship 300,000 of the 10-inch Android tablets in the month of June, according to Shen. That, he points out, is an increase over the 200,000 per month Asus was shipping in April and May. Shen believes the tablet will account for 10 percent of Asus' revenue.

His comments appeared to be aimed … Read more