Google is trying hardware again by introducing the Nexus 7, a sleek, elegant 7-inch (1280 x 800 pixel) tablet powered by a quad-core Tegra 3 processor. There is 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth, a micro USB port, Corning glass, an 8-hour battery, GPS, gyroscope, magnetometer, accelerometer, and a front-facing camera. The 0.75 lbs. Nexus 7 is just 0.4 inches thick, will run Android 4.1 ("Jelly Bean") and come with either 8GB (US$199) or 16GB (US$249. If the device, which will start shipping mid-July, is as good as the specs suggest, Google may well have a big winner. [See Google Nexus 7 page] -- Posted Friday, June 29, 2012 by chb
Qualcomm launches Windows RT Metro Style App Developer Contest
Qualcomm announced at Uplinq 2012 the Windows RT Metro Style App Developer Contest, to identify the most promising app for Windows RT devices. The developers of the winning apps will be awarded up to $200,000 in cash prizes. Contest categories include best overall Windows RT app, most compelling connectivity use case, best gaming app, best productivity app and best AllJoyn peer-to-peer application. [See Windows Metro Style App Developer Contest] -- Posted Wednesday, June 27, 2012 by chb
Microsoft tablets a result of hardware partner failure? Not a chance.
Ever since Microsoft provided a glimpse at a couple of "Surface" tablet hardware prototypes, some in the media are describing Microsoft's apparent entry into the hardware market as a result of Microsoft hardware partner failure. As if, somehow, the combined might of the world's computer manufacturers failed to come up with tablet hardware good enough to do Windows justice. [... read more.] -- Posted Wednesday, June 27, 2012 by chb
Advantech 18.5-inch infotainment terminal now with Android 4.0
Advantech announced that its HIT-W181 infotainment terminal is now available with Android 4.0. The fanless HIT-W181 has an 18.5-inch 16:9 aspect ratio wide-format multi-touch screen and is powered by a 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Atom D525 processor. [See Advantech press release] -- Posted Monday, June 25, 2012 by chb
Overview of tablet computer history and future
With Microsoft's unveiling of the "Surface" tablet concept, there is in many places once again the misconception that somehow Microsoft invented the tablet back in 2001. Not so. Tablets have been around for much longer, and they were once nearly as hot as they are now (ever wonder why the ThinkPad laptop is called a pad?). For an interesting overview of tablet technology and some of the early products, view this presentation given by RuggedPCReview.com editor-in-chief Conrad H. Blickenstorfer in Taiwan in December of 2001. [View the "Past and Future of Tablets" presentation (PDF)] -- Posted Thursday, June 21, 2012 by chb
Finnish touch technology company Senseg recognized
Finnish Senseg announced it has been selected by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of its "100 Brilliant Companies" for its haptic touch technology that provides silent touch feedback without vibration by using Coloumb's force to create a small attractive force to finger skin. By modulating this force a variety of sensations can be generated, from textured surfaces and edges to vibrations and more. The technology can be integrated into a new generation of touch interface devices including tablet computers. [See Senseg technology page] -- Posted Thursday, June 21, 2012 by chb
Scriptel announces GloveCap glove-capable capacitive touchscreen technology
Scriptel Corporation announced GloveCap, a new capacitive touchscreen technology that can register contact through most types of electrically insulated materials and has the ability to distinguish touch from bare hands to thick insulated gloves. GloveCap technology can be used in a wide range of consumer and industrial applications including unattended outdoor interactive displays, tablets, computer monitors, medical devices, in-car navigation, and industrial controls. Products using GloveCap technology will be available in Q4 2012. [See Scriptel GloveCap page] -- Posted Wednesday, June 20, 2012 by chb
Motion Computing June 2012 newsletter
Motion Computing issued its June 2012 newsletter. Its spotlight is on Motion's large roster of peripherals for its CL900, F5/C5 and J-Series tablet computers. The newsletter also alerts to upcoming webinars and Motion news coverage. [See Motion Computing's June 2012 newsletter] -- Posted Tuesday, June 19, 2012 by chb
Making the Leap to Cloud Computing with Tablet PCs
MobileDemand posted a nice summary of cloud computing opportunities in a blog entry entitled "Making the Leap to Cloud Computing with Tablet PCs". -- Posted Tuesday, June 19, 2012 by chb
Microsoft unveils Surface tablets
Microsoft unveiled its "Surface" tablet computers in Hollywood, CA. The very iPad-esque looking Surface tablets, which are designed and engineered by Microsoft, will come in two varieties, one running Windows 8 on x86 processors (3rd gen Intel Core) and the other Windows RT on ARM-based systems. Both versions have 10.6-inch displays, kickstands and pressure-sensitive touch covers for typing in an arrangement similar to the Compaq Concerto of the mid-1990s. The x86 version will weigh two pounds and have a 42 watt-hour battery, the ARM version 1.5 pounds with a smaller 31.5 watt-hour battery. The RT model will be available when Windows 8 is released later this year, the x86 model three months later. Differences between the two versions: The x86 model has USB 3.0 instead of 2.0, microSDHC instead of microSD, DiaplayPort instead of Micro HD, up to 128GB instead of up to 64GB. [See Microsoft press release] -- Posted Tuesday, June 19, 2012 by chb
Bracketron unveils iRoom iDock keycard model
Bracketron announced the new Keycard model of its iRoom iDock, a powered, motorized in-wall iPad mounting solution for commercial and residential use. The Keycard model adds transponder technology to the iRoom iDock, providing additional security. The iRoom iDock Keycard can be flush-mounted in the wall to seamlessly integrate the iPad into any room. [See press release] -- Posted Friday, June 15, 2012 by chb
JLT Mobile signs partner agreement with FARA
Swedish rugged computer specialist JLT Mobile Computers said it has signed a partner agreement with Norwegian FARA, a provider of e-ticket solutions for the public transportation sector. In particular, FARA has chosen JLT’s rugged, flexible vehicle computer JLT8404 for its ticketing systems for buses. The computer was tailored to FARA's requirements that it be easily mounted in a bus. [See JLT press release] -- Posted Tuesday, June 12, 2012 by chb
Great article on the demise of Palm and the webOS
theverge.com ran a terrific, detailed story entitled "Pre to postmortem: the inside story of the death of Palm and webOS." Definitely worth reading! [See here] -- Posted Wednesday, June 6, 2012 by chb