MWC 2013: Samsung shows off the Galaxy Note 8!

 

Samsung may be holding back its Galaxy S4 announcement until a later date, but the Korean firm did have something to show at this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The Galaxy Note 8 is gunning for the Nexus 7 and iPad Mini, and slots neatly in between the “phablet” Note 2 and the full-scale Note 10.1 in the company’s tech portfolio.

It’s just 8mm thick and weighs only 338g, making it the ideal travelling companion. There’s a quad core processor inside to keep things nippy, and the inclusion of a SIM card slot means the device is truly mobile. You can even make calls on it, although holding something that size to your ear in public won’t do your street cred any favours.

The star of the show – and what will set the Note 8 apart from its aforementioned rivals – is the iconic S Pen. Already a hit on the smaller Note models, this stylus allows you to doodle on the tablet’s 1280×800 resolution screen, making it perfect for shopping lists and general note-taking.

The only potential sticking point is the price – given that you can make phone calls on this thing, its likely to cost more than a standard Note 2, which retails for about £500 when purchased without a contract. Considering the Nexus 7 costs less than half that figure, the Note 8 could find itself in a tough position, but we’ll wait for final pricing before we cast any dismal predictions.

Is the Note 8 the mid-size tablet you’ve been waiting for all these months? Leave a comment to tell us what you think.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 rivals: Five phablet rivals to watch out for

 

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and its predecessor have all but invented a new genre: the phablet. Short for phone-tablet, they can make calls, and they’re just small enough to hold to your ear for a chinwag, but they’re big enough to browse the full size web, watch videos and much much more.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 2 is the undisputed king of the category right now – it’s already sold more than three million worldwide – but it’s got some fierce competition coming up. Read on to meet the contenders.

HTC Droid DNA

HTC says it’s not a phablet, but with a huge five inch screen, it’s hard to argue that point. The HTC Droid DNA is an absolute beast of a phablet, with 4G and a full HD resolution screen, making it the sharpest phone on the planet right now. One thing it lacks compared to the 5.3-inch Samsung Galaxy Note 2 however is a stylus for handwriting and doodling memos and pictures: it’s fingers all the way here. It’s out later this month in the US, though it’s not clear when we’ll see it in the UK just yet.

 

LG Optimus Vu 2

The LG Optimus Vu 2 will be the Samsung Galaxy Note 2’s biggest rival when it arrives in the UK: what makes this five-inch beast stand out isn’t the blazing fast 1.5GHz processor (they’ve all got one), but its unusual aspect ratio. Like an iPad, it’s got a much wider 4:3 aspect ratio than the widescreen you’re used to on smartphones, which LG hopes will make web browsing easier and more productive. Time will tell – we’ll bring you a review of the LG Optimus Vu 2 as soon as it hits our shores.

Huawei’s giant secret

If you thought the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 was big, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Chinese giant Huawei is reportedly gearing up to crash the phablet party, with an epic 6.1-inch Android device to call its own. Huawei’s still a relative unknown in the UK, but if it can partner with a big mobile network, it could take the market by storm.

ZTE’s epic Windows Phone

Much of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2’s competition will run Android, but not all, it seems. Last week, images leaked out of a 5.9-inch Windows Phone device from ZTE, Huawei’s arch-rival. Curiously, it’s supposed to be a full HD number like the HTC Droid DNA, but this isn’t a resolution that Windows Phone 8 officially supports – yet.

Pantech Vega R3

This bad boy may never see the light of day outside of South Korea, but the Pantech Vega R3 certainly packs the specs to kick it with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. As well as a 5.3-inch screen, it boasts a beefy 2GB of memory, as well as a monster 13 megapixel camera sensor.

What do you make of the new trend for phablets? Daft or desirable? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments

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New Windows 8 tablets, Nintendo 3DS successor primed, Canon EOS 650D out in UK & the best iPhone game for football fans

 

Welcome to our weekly Gadget Digest. Now the working week is over, it’s time to sit back and catch up on some of the gadget stories that slipped under the radar. Here’s our roundup of even more story tidbits that hit the headlines this week that we didn’t get the chance to tell you about earlier.

From new cameras to Windows 8 tablet rumours, and this week’s essential app download – read on…

Amazon cancels Nintendo Wii U £199 pre-orders

Canon EOS 650D hits the UK

Arriving in stores today, the new Canon EOS 650D is an entry-level digital SLR with an 18-megapixel sensor, and full 1080p HD video capture. Its LCD offers multitouch, the ability to swipe through menus, playback footage, track faces and more. A HDMI output lets you share any images to a HDTV in an instant. As entry-level digital SLRs go, the EOS 650D sounds like one of the best around.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Solider still the top game, see our review

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Solider is the latest military shooter to top the UK’s gaming charts, mixing tactical warfare with a dose of all out action. It’s pretty good, too. Check out our Ghost Recon: Future Solider review to hear why.

Microsoft ready to unveil new tablets

Microsoft has scheduled a press conference for Monday, where it is believed Microsoft will detail its plans to undercut the iPad by launching cheaper tablets running on Windows 8 and ARM processors. Should Apple be worried? We’ll soon find out. 


Nintendo working on 3DS successor

The Nintendo 3DS is just a year old but already Nintendo’s legendary developer Shigeru Miyamoto is looking ahead to the next generation of Nintendo handheld, confirming that Nintendo is already putting together ideas for it. It shows that, as typical of Nintendo, the company is prepared as always to do its own thing in the face of growing competition from smartphones and tablets. And that’s good news for Nintendo fans.

Download of the week: New Star Soccer

Addictive isn’t the word. In new Star Soccer you live the life of an aspiring football superstar in this smartphone simulation for iOS and Android devices, playing games, training to up your skills, and making important life decisions that will shape what sort of footballer you end up being. A cross between Football Manager and Sensible Soccer, New Star Soccer will keep footy fans entertained possibly forever.

www.tell-me-first.com

Asus Transformer style tablets "not going to be pleasing to the user" says Apple

The Asus Transformer range, with its ability to transform into a laptop using a keyboard has got us all thinking about what the future holds for the tablet computer. However, such convergence is not for everyone. Apple CEO Tim Cook rubbished the idea that Apple will ever follow suit with an iPad/MacBook hybrid, saying: “those things are not going to be pleasing to the user.” 



Speaking at Apple’s earnings call, Cook compared blending the two forms together to pairing two incompatible kitchen appliances and expecting them to work.

“You can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but you know those things are not going to be probably be pleasing to the user,” Cook said. “Anything can be forced to converge,” he said. “But the problem is that the products are about tradeoffs, you begin to make tradeoffs to the point that what you have left at the end of the day doesn’t please anyone.

That pretty much rules out any dual-function tablets in future, despite more and more such devices appearing at technology shows. Examples being the Asus Padfone and the Asus Transformer Prime and the ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T.

The Padfone can be purchased separately or with a dock that transforms the device into a 10-inch tablet, blowing up the display to deliver more tablet-like functionality. The Transformer Pad TF300T meanwhile transforms the tablet into a laptop with more storage and battery life.

While the Apple iPad does benefit from a compatible keyboard dock currently stocked by Apple, the Apple keyboard dock is seen more as an accessory to the iPad than a device that adds extra functions previously not available to iPad owners. As a result there isn’t the “tradeoff’ that Cook speaks of.

What do you think? Should tablets remain tablets instead of trying to be laptops as well? Let us know what you think below.

Microsoft boasts of 32 different Windows 8 tablets to take on iPad

The Apple iPad continues to be the leading tablet computer. To combat this Microsoft is reportedly working with its hardware partners to launch not one, but a total of 32 different Windows 8 tablets this year, with some costing less than £200.

By flooding the market with Windows 8 tablets, the plan is to decrease the market share of the iPad from 70 per cent to below 50 per cent by mid 2013, reports Digitimes. The Windows 8 tablets are already in development.

It is estimated that at the current rate of development there will be 32 Windows 8 tablets arriving this year, launched by the likes of Dell, Lenovo, Acer, Toshiba, Packard Bell, and more, priced from around $300 (£187) rising to $1,000 (£623).

Any of the prices mentioned could deliver some serious competition not just to the iPad, but other tablet devices, too such as the Amazon Kindle Fire abroad. Despite the increasing presence of tablets in the market, there is still a lack of choice of truly great tablets worthy of toppling the iPad.

Former Apple CEO John Sculley recently described the Samsung Galaxy Tab as the “only serious” competitor to the Apple iPad. Asus would of course have something to say about that. Its new quad-core Asus Transformer Prime TF700 is already on our most-wanted list.

Gadget Digest: iPad Mini, world’s largest Ice Cream Sandwich tablet, Max Payne on iPhone, Windows 8 laptop and more

 

As another gadget-filled week comes to an end, it’s time to look back at some of the stories that would otherwise have slipped through the sieve of tech awesomeness. From rumours of an iPad Mini to the world’s largest Android 4.0 tablet, here are some more stories worth holding an ear to.

New iPad Mini (allegedly) on the way

Apple may have already released its new iPad but that has not stopped rumors of more iPads. According to reports iPad-makers Foxconn and Pegatron have already received orders for a smaller iPad said to be around 7.85-inches across. 



Facebook pay per view gigs on the way

We’ll soon be able to watch the latest gigs from Facebook. On April 29th the Backstreet Boys and the New Kids on the Block at the O2. To get more people watching a deal between the bands, Facebook and Livebeats to stream the gig at a cost of around £3. In full HD, too. 


Sky deal to show all Bond films

Everyone loves James Bond. Sky included. The television giant has signed a bumper deal to bring every single Bond film to Sky Movies. From Dr. No to Quantum of Solace: we’ll be seeing a lot more of the gadget-toting super spy on our screens.

Max Payne on iOS: does it work on a touchscreen?

Bullet-dodging hero Max Payne has made the crossover to portable iOS gaming in a very credible port of the PC original. Any doubts should be cast aside: Max Payne on iOS is lots of fun, and just the thing to get us in the mood for the upcoming Max Payne 3. 


Intel shows off Windows 8 laptop/tablet hybrids

Windows 8 is set to be the next big thing in the world of portable computing. A new generation of Windows 8 tablets are on the way, ready to take the limelight away from the iPad. We don’t have a release date just yet, but Intel has already been showing off a tablet capable of doubling up as a Windows 8 laptop. They could be arriving sooner than we first thought.

Seen any other stories that have tickled your gadget fancy? Let us know

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Gadget Digest: Nokia 808 PureView 41-megapixel smartphone, iPad 3 next week, Assassin’s Creed 3 and more

 

With the MWC 2012 mobile convention having taken place, this week has been one of 2012’s most exciting gadget fans. Lots of new phones and tablets have been the order of the last seven days. Away from MWC 2012, things were just as exciting. Here’s one clue: iPad 3. Read on for a catchup of five stories that made this week.

 

Nokia began the week by unveiling the Nokia 808 PureView – a phone with a massive 41-megapixel sensor. Incredible.

 

Assassin’s Creed 3 American setting confirmed

Assassin’s Creed 3 is coming on October 30th. Before this week we knew little about. We can now confirm that it’ll be set during the American revolution. Excited yet?

 

Apple invites confirm new iPad launch

Ahead of a new product launch Apple loves sending out invites. Its latest is the biggest clue yet that next week we will see a new iPad. The invite reads: The invite reads “We have something you really have to see. And touch.”

 

Budget Apple iPad 2 set to launch

As well as the anticipated launch of the iPad 3 comes word that Apple may also launch a smaller, cheaper iPad. If true, Apple could have the tablet market sewn up, we reckon.

 

MWC 2012 story roundup

Don’t head out just yet. Here’s a roundup of all the MWC 2012 stories we covered this week. Hit the link for the low down on all the most important mobile announcements that took place this week.

Archos Arnova 9 G2: New Android tablet goes official

 

Archos Arnova 9 G2: New Android tablet goes official

 

Archos has just made official the brand new Archos Arnova 9 G2 tablet. The Arnova 9 G2 is an Android tablet packing a complement of useful features. It should also sit at the affordable end of the range – read on to find out more.

The Archos Arnova 9 G2 tablet has more than a little in common with the Apple iPad 2. It shares the same screen technology, for a start, measuring in at 9.7-inches and offering a 1024×768 pixel resolution. It also uses IPS technology, as with its Apple counterpart.

Inside, the Archos Arnova 9 G2 is entirely different. This is a Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread device, as is the current norm for Android tablets. The Arnova 9 G2 is powered by a 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 single-core processor, so quick and smooth performance when navigating applications looks a cert.

Features-wise, we’re looking at 8GB of flash storage. A microSD card slot will let you transfer photos, videos and documents quickly and easily to the Archos Arnova 9 G2, as well as adding additional storage space. USB and micro USB ports also mean you’ll be able to use a range of accessories with it straight out of the box without having to buy an adaptor. A front-facing camera will also allow video calls.

While the exact price has yet to be revealed, it’s worth noting that Archos already has a number of tablets stocked in its G2 range for around the £240 mark, so expect the Archos Arnova 9 G2 to be priced not too far from that mark.

For comparison, a 16GB iPad 2 Wi-Fi model will set you back £399, so those looking for a capable tablet without paying premium prices would do well to keep an eye out when the Archos Arnova 9 G2 hits UK shelves

Motorola Xoom 2 Moto undercuts the iPad 2

 

Motorola Xoom 2 Moto undercuts the iPad 2

 

Following more than a little speculation, the Motorola Xoom 2 Moto made an official appearance in London yesterday, with the new Android tablet set to cost £379.99 when it hits the shops.

We’ve seen countless new tablets over the past few months, and the Motorola Xoom 2 Moto is the latest addition to a burgeoning market. The Xoom 2 Moto is bigger than the majority of its rivals, boasting a 10.1-inch display, but it also packs in plenty of other features.

 

The 1.2GHz processor is a dual-core chip, with 1GB of RAM helping to provide a similar level of performance as the Apple iPad 2. You’ll be able to store apps and files on the 16GB of integrated storage.

Unfortunately, there’s no sign of Ice Cream Sandwich on the Motorola Xoom 2 Moto, with the tablet running the older Honeycomb version of Android instead. Still, fingers crossed that Motorola makes an upgrade available in the near future.

Set to launch later this month, the Motorola Xoom 2 Moto will cost £20 less than the Apple iPad 2 – is that enough to tempt you? Leave a comment and let us know.

HP Slate 2 brings Swype to Windows 7!

 

HP Slate 2 brings Swype to Windows 7!

 

It’s almost difficult to remember all the Windows-based tablets that preceded the Apple iPad and Android, but HP hasn’t given up on the OS. The HP Slate 2 runs Windows 7, and gets the internals necessary to run a full-fat operating system.

This means that the HP Slate 2 looks distinctly old-school in comparison with the Apple iPad 2 or Samsung Galaxy Tab, with a slightly bulky design and a weight of around 700kg.

Those needing power and the versatility to run proper desktop applications will appreciate it, however, with an Intel Atom Z670 processor and 32GB of solid state storage onboard.

The screen on the HP Slate 2 measures in at 8.9 inches, and is both capacitive and capable of registering multiple touches. With Sywpe on board, it should a be a lot better than most Windows 7 devices when it comes to touchscreen usability.

As with the specifications and design, a battery life of six hours is more in keeping with tablets of yesteryear, falling a long way short of the ten hours plus offered by the latest Android and iOS options.

Still, that’s the price to pay for running a proper operating system – but at least you’ll also be able to install and run most of your regular software.

Would you buy the HP Slate 2? Or is Windows dead when it comes to touchscreen devices? Leave a comment and let us know what you think

Energy Sistem offers Honeycomb-lite on its budget tablets

 

Energy Sistem offers Honeycomb-lite on its budget tablets

 

The name may not role off the tongue like Sony or Apple, but a little-known company called Energy Sistem has been working on its own range of tablets, serving the budget end of the market and offering a host of features. Read on to find out more.

Not everybody has hundreds of pounds to spend on the Apple iPad 2 or Samsung Galaxy Tab, and if you’re a little short on cash but still fancy some tablet action, Energy Sistem could have the perfect solution.

 

The company has a range of budget tablets in the offing, measuring in at either a compact 7 inches or a slightly larger 8 inches. The smaller model gets a 16:9 screen, with the larger model more suited to eBooks than movies, with a 4:3 format.

The range-topping model gets a 1024×768 pixel resolution, and although it’s not as sharp as some tablets on the market, it should be more than good enough for browsing the web or watching your favourite movies.

The most unusual thing about these tablets? The fact that Energy Sistem has installed a Honeycomb-esq skin on top of Android 2.3, giving a contemporary look to a slightly older operating system.

Other features include a choice of 4GB or 8GB of storage space, with a microSD slot thrown in as well. According to Engadget, prices start at $185 and $270 in the US, so we could be in for a seriously cheap tablet if Energy Sistem bring the models to the UK.

Turn your iPad into a mini iMac with the Stabile Pro stand by The Gadget Show

 

Out of all the tablets currently on sale, the Apple iPad 2 remains one of the best, mainly thanks to the more impressive range of tablet-related apps available. If you just use your iPad for watching movies or browsing the web, however, it’s worth investing in a stand, and the Stabile Pro iPad 2 stand has to be the nicest we’ve seen yet.

One of the reasons lots of people have yet to switch to tablets is the fact that you still have to hold them or prop them up when you’re carrying out tasks that aren’t interactive. This may be a major selling point when you’re reading an eBook, or watching a movie on the move, but it’s a pain when you just want to settle down and watch a film at home.

A stand is the solution, and the Stabile Pro iPad 2 stand fits the iPad’s design perfectly. It features a steel design that’s in keeping with the stand found on the iMac – so will fit perfectly into the home of Apple fans – and there’s also a solid ball joint on the back for swivelling your iPad for better viewing.

You can attach the iPad in both profile and landscape orientations, and when hooked up to a Bluetooth keyboard it really does promise to turn your iPad into a mini computer.

Made by Thoughtout, the Stabile Pro iPad 2 stand is set to cost a pricey $85. Although based in the US, the company ships worldwide.

Have you invested in a stand for your iPad, and does it get used much if so? Leave a comment and let us know.

Tablet roundup: From iPad to Eee Pad, which is best?

Tablets are currently the must-have gadgets, letting you stay in touch, browse the web, read eBooks and play games on the move, with the comfort of a decent screen. There have been loads of new models out recently, however, making it a bit of a minefield if you don’t really know what you’re after. Read on for our tablet roundup.

Asus Eee Pad TransformerOut of all the tablets currently on sale, the Asus Eee PC Transformer is one of the most capable. It’s the perfect cross between a tablet and laptop, with a proper keypad when you need it – also offering protection for the screen – and the ability to just leave the keyboard at home when you just want to read an eBook or watch a movie.

Apple iPad 2Although we love the Transformer for it’s ability to turn into a proper little laptop, the Apple iPad 2 still has it licked when it comes to apps. iOS is perfect in tablet form, with lots of apps available that run full screen and at a decent resolution. The iPad 2 also offers excellent quality.

HTC FlyerFor lots of users, the HTC Flyer is the perfect size. It’s 7-inch screen makes it a lot smaller than the iPad 2, yet it’s still large enough to view websites or read eBooks without straining your eyes. It can’t quite match the Eee Pad Transformer or iPad 2 for quality, however.

Dell StreakThe only one of this group with a sub 7-inch form factor (the Streak actually features a 5-inch screen), Dell’s creation seems to blur the line between smartphone and tablet. It’s definitely small enough to take out on the road with you, but some people will find it too small to carry out the same tasks comfortably.

BlackBerry PlayBookDespite the PlayBook name, the latest BlackBerry tablet is actually aimed at business users. It looks good, it’s easy to use, but it falls down in one big area when compared to rivals – apps. Both Apple and Android devices offer loads of great software, where the PlayBook is limited at the moment.

BlackBerry PlayBook: Five killer features!

RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook has been on sale for under a week in the UK, yet already it’s proving more popular than established rivals like the Motorola Xoom. In fact, worldwide, the PlayBook has sold twice as many units as the Xoom in the same amount of time. Read on to find out more about some of the PlayBook’s killer features.

SizeThe Motorola Xoom’s 10.1-inch widescreen display may be perfect for watching movies in the home, or browsing the internet on your sofa, but it can’t match the PlayBook’s 7-inch screen when it comes to a life on the road. The PlayBook’s display is still large enough to do everything in comfort, but the extra portability makes it easier to take out and about with you.

Brand loyaltyThe BlackBerry PlayBook has one feature the Motorola Xoom would kill for, and that’s brand loyalty. Millions of people already use BlackBerry devices, both at home and at work, and many of these users are more than happy with their BlackBerry. It makes sense to stick with the brand they know then, especially when the PlayBook is designed to work perfectly alongside their BlackBerry smartphones.

Operating systemWe love Android as an operating system, but we can’t help but feel that it’s still aimed more at smartphones than tablets. The BlackBerry PlayBook features a unique QNX operating system, setting it apart from rivals and offering a truly different user experience.

Multi-taskingThe BlackBerry PlayBook is the ideal corporate tablet (despite the name), boasting more than enough power to work on the move. The 1GHz processor is a dual-core chip, and is aided by 1GB of memory. RIM has also designed its tablet to carry out symmetric multi-processing, making it one of the best when it comes to multi-tasking.

Email supportIf you already use a BlackBerry for work, then the BlackBerry PlayBook should be the perfect device for checking your emails on the go. It pairs effortlessly with your BlackBerry, offering full compatibility with RIM’s BlackBerry Enterprise Server.