Pad & Quill Littlest Black Book for iPod Nano Review

Pad & Quill, with their tasteful and elegant cases for iPad and iPhone have manufactured superior cases for electronic “i” devices. Hand constructed, well made and protective, Pad & Quill is at the top of their game. So I was surprised and, literally, delighted to see the Pad & Quill case for Apple's Nano Mp3 player.  Regular readers of The Gadgeteer.com might remember my enthusiastic gushing review  for Pad & Quill iPad cases.   For those of us who want more classic, traditional styling to house our devices, these cases fit the bill.  The cases, made of hand tooled birch and book binding, look like a book you'd find in the University of Notre Dame library. Now you've got the Littlest Black Book, the miniature case to house the iPod Nano.  I will go on record as saying that I did not have a Nano until I saw the Littlest Black Book.   Now I have both.  It's that addicting.  I've never once bought a pair of shoes that I had to build an outfit around and here I am purchasing an Mp3 player to go with the cute little Nano case. Aside from that, what you get with the Pad & Quill cases for larger electronics, you get with Littlest Black Book.  As with the other products, the Nano case is meticulously hand tooled, finished with the book binding and rich linen end-paper that you find in fine books and the P&Q cases.  Everything is miniaturized right down to the elastic band that fits snugly around the case. As with the other P&Q cases, if you saw it through a car window, you'd think it was a book belonging in a doll house.  If you saw it in a bag, you'd think it was a tiny notebook.  You could even mistake it for a tiny Bible. Either way, if someone is looking to steal your Mp3 player, they're going to overlook this. And as with the other cases, you have access to all ports, except the clip.  the device fits in very snugly and securely due to the Sure-Lock bumpers that help lock in the device.   Fitting the device into the case was no problem nor is getting it out.  I rather like having it in the case and since I have easy access to all ports, there really is no reason for me to take it out.  I have the protection I need and it matches the other cases I have for my other “i” devices of which I am now the proud owner of. If I had to point out a “con” and I guess I should, I would have to say that it would be hard to strap this to your wrist or waist if you go jogging.  You have to open the case up to access the applications inside and that can be tiresome but I would have to seriously say that's about it.  It certainly isn't a deal breaker for me. The Littlest Black Book offers tasteful elegant styling, security and protection that more exposed and sportier cases do not.  At $34.95, it certainly isn't the most expensive case being offered for sale and the Nano cost far more than that.  I am not as cavalier about the “disposable” element of my devices.  I use them and take care of them.  I don't trade them in the second Apple comes out with a new version.   Pad & Quill will help me keep the iPod Nano free from scratches both to the case of the Nano and the screen.  Frankly, if I am going to spend this kind of money for an Mp3 player and I did, I'm going to want a quality case to keep it safe.  Now I have it.

Microsoft launches the Office Next Blog

 

Just like Microsoft did with Windows 8, it looks like they're going to give us a more in-depth look at what they're going to do with the next version of Office (codenamed Office 15). Today the company launched the Office Next Blog. The site will be written by the team behind Microsoft Office and will let us know the improvements they've made, why they did it and what sort of feedback influenced their decisions. Sounds like a pretty good idea, seeing how well the Windows 8 blog was done.

We still haven't got a clue what the Office 15 is going to bring, but the launch of this blog corroborates with rumors about its official announcement next week. Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted. Check out the Office Next Blog via the source link below.

Sony Xperia Tipo with AT&T-friendly 3G hits the FCC

The Xperia Tipo - one of Sony's latest affordable Android smartphones - has showed up at the FCC yesterday, which means it could be introduced in North America soon.

The Tipo that's been approved by the FCC is the ST21a model. Usually, the "a" at the end of a Sony handset's model number denotes a device specifically made for America. Moreover, the handset has 1900x850 MHz WCDMA connectivity, so it's compatible with AT&T's 3G network. Of course, at this point only Sony knows if the Tipo will indeed make it to North America.

Running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the Sony Xperia Tipo features a 3.2 inch HVGA scratch-resistant display, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3.2MP rear camera, 800MHz processor, 512MB of RAM, 2.9GB of internal memory, MicroSD card support, and a 1,500 mAh battery. The handset has a dual-SIM edition called Xperia Tipo Dual (this one didn't hit the FCC, though).

MapQuest picks TomTom Maps to power iPhone and Android turn-by-turn navigation apps

Still trying to figure out which way to turn when it comes to on-phone navigation? How's about a free option to ponder? MapQuest's gratis iPhone and Android programs are set to get a heck of a lot better, and soon. The company just announced that TomTom would become its maps provider, enabling it to provide coverage for more than 7.5 million miles of roads across North America. Interestingly, it seems that TomTom is finding new life after the death of the PND (personal navigation device) in software; just last month, Apple knighted TomTom to power its own internal Maps app, which is set to debut with iOS 6.

NBC's 2012 London Olympics second screen and streaming apps for Android and iOS launch today

NBC mentioned it would deliver two complementary mobile apps for its extensive London Olympics coverage and now they have arrived. Available for Android phones and tablets as well as the iPhone and iPad, they're built on Adobe technology to deliver the information and live streaming video, as well as handle the TV Everywhere authentication with the cable providers that's necessary to view all of the content. The NBC Olympics Live Companion is specifically designed to operate as a second screen for users to pull up stats and extra info on while they watch TV, and the NBC Olympics Live Extra app delivers video of every event streaming live to users wherever they are. It supports multiple camera angles, social features like the Facebook tie-ins NBC announced yesterday and users can even switch between the two apps at will.

Redesigned PlayStation 3 Emerges In Pictures, May Launch Later This Year!

The new PlayStation 3 console seems to have a design change, particularly a keel-shaped surface with moderately noticeable curves, and also a redesigned front. There's a significant oddness in the design or perhaps it seems so - at least from the pictures we've included after the break. This apparently elucidates the doubts on whether a redesigned PS3 is in the works since the next generation console believed to be known as PlayStation 4 will only debut sometime in 2013, so a redesigned box with perhaps notable improvements is likely to be released in August this year. The pictures were filed for the Brazilian Agency of Telecommunications and suggest the existence of three PS3 models including CECH-4011A, 4011B and 4011C which could probably refer to the 160GB, 250GB and 500GB models of the new PS3 console. Besides this, there are no significant revelations or even a word about the new PlayStation 3 launch, but as far as we can guess, there should be none - at least in terms of processing power and other core components, since an overhauled console is set to be debut later - even if Sony announces a slimmer PlayStation 3 Slim this year - seemingly they'll save the best for the next. Furthermore, the leaked letter allegedly composed by Sony itself clearly mentions that the products have the same electrical components except the storage. We will keep you posted as more details surface. Stay tuned!

ASUS ZENBOOK UX32VD Ultrabook

As a powerful computing device, the ZENBOOK UX32VD is also equipped with 1GB GDDR5 video memory; full HD 1080p IPS panel with a 178 degree wide viewing angle; and an ergonomic inclined and backlit chiclet keyboard. Regarding battery life, the UX32VD offers up to two weeks of standby in S3 mode and an impressive 200-day in S4 mode. And last but not least, this sleek ultrabook utilizes USB Charger+ technology for quick mobile device charging.

Facebook For Android 1.9.7 Update Released, Now Available For Download!

The Facebook for Android update brings smoother UI navigation, bug fixes and security improvements. Besides, the application also allows to you easily switch between conversations, share bigger photos and even check who's online - just like the desktop counterpart. On a whole, it aims to further improvise the Facebook for Android user experience. Check out the list of features and download link on the other side of break. Keep up with friends, wherever you are with the Facebook for Android app. · Share photos and videos · Text, message and chat · Know who's seen your message, and who hasn't · Play games · Check into places you go · Use your favorite apps The application is compatible with devices running Android 2.2 Froyo or later releases. Click here to download Facebook for Android [Google Play link]. We will keep you posted as more details surface. Stay tuned!

Samsung gets expedited Galaxy Nexus injunction hearing

The US Court of Appeals has granted Samsung's request to expedite its appeal of the preliminary injunction against the Galaxy Nexus. The company must file its court brief to start the process before July 16 and Apple has until July 30 to respond.

The final comments on the case are due on August 6. Moreover, the court has accepted and will consider Apple's response to the temporary stay of the Galaxy Nexus sales.

Apple has also sent letters to some retailers instructing them to stop selling the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 or the Galaxy Nexus. Naturally, Samsung complained about said letters and got the following Apple stance:

Source | Via

Amazon's new Kindle Fire set to debut in early August?

We knew that there would be another Kindle Fire at some point, but we didn't know when it would arrive, or exactly what it'd look like. If the latest report from the China Times is true, however, we can expect Amazon's new slate to ship around August 7th. Like the first Fire, this new version will be built by Quanta, with a metal chassis and displays provided by LG and Panasonic. Other details, like its size or the contents within said metallic frame, are still nowhere to be found. What we can tell you is that the new tablet can't get here fast enough for Amazon given the Fire's declining sales numbers and its fresh competition from Mountain View.

Nikon releases D4 firmware 1.02 with minor display, formatting, network stability improvements in tow

Have you managed to get your hands on Nikon's elusive D4 full-frame DSLR? It should be smooth sailing from here, with the occasional firmware update being your only critical acquisition going forward. D4 firmware 1.02 brings a handful of minor fixes, but if you're in need of any of the enhancements listed below, it's surely a must have:

• Format memory card can now be added to My Menu.
• Gamut for Adobe RGB images displayed in the camera's monitor has now been changed. This enables more vivid display of images.
• The stability of network connections when the FTP upload option is selected has been increased.
• When recording movies using a lens with an aperture ring in [P] or [S] exposure mode, and Aperture ring selected for Custom Setting f10: Customize command dials>Aperture setting, the minimum aperture was applied. This issue has been resolved.
• When a still image captured during movie recording with 1920 ×1080; 30 fps; crop, 1920 × 1080; 25 fps; crop, or 1920 × 1080; 24 fps; crop selected for Movie settings>Frame size/frame rate and Live frame grab selected for Custom Setting g4: Assign shutter button was displayed in Capture NX 2 or ViewNX 2, the position of the focus point displayed differed from actual recording position. This issue has been resolved.
• An issue that caused the camera to freeze when attempting to format a memory card (setup menu > Format memory card) while the camera was connected to a network in HTTP server mode has been resolved.

HTC smartphones did not infringe Apple patents, U.K. Judge ruled

 

The Apple versus HTC war started way back in 2010, with the Cupertino-based tech giant filing its first ITC complaint against the Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer. It was widely known as the first ever lawsuit filed against an Android device manufacturer. Today, the battle for supremacy continues, as Apple, dubbed as the “patent troll”, takes the lawsuit to the U.K. However, it seems that HTC is winning the duel this time around. Bloomberg is reporting that Judge Christopher Floyd has ruled that HTC did not infringe Apple's four patents and added that three of those patents are actually invalid.

The four patents that Apple accused HTC of infringing include the slide-to-unlock feature, software allowing users to touch the screen in two spots simultaneously, and tools used to scroll through photographs and change alphabets. The court ruled that Apple's photo-management patent is valid but it determined that HTC did not infringe it. "Competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours," Apple said in a statement. On the other hand, HTC spokesperson Andrea Sommer said that HTC is  disappointed that Apple continues to favor competition in the courtroom over competition in the marketplace.

U.S. Judge Rejects Samsung's Request; Galaxy Nexus Remains Unavailable… Or Is It?

 

U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California, has rejected last Tuesday Samsung's request to lift a pre-trial injunction that would prohibit sales of Galaxy Nexus smartphone in the country. This comes after Judge Koh granted last week Apple's request to block the sales of Samsung's Android smartphone.

The judge also rejected a similar request to lift the ban on selling Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in the United States. But Samsung is not giving up just yet, as it has also appealed to a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., which has exclusive jurisdiction over intellectual property disputes.

Because of the injunction, Samsung and Google (developer of the phone's Android OS) will have to find a workaround to sell their Galaxy Nexus to eager Americans. Sources say that a software patch will be implemented “imminently” to avoid patent infringements from Apple. Also, the phone is currently listed in Google Play store as “coming soon,” just in case the software update would make the Galaxy Nexus clear of any legal issues.

Photo credit: Reuters/ Bobby Yip

Evigroup SmartPaddle Pro tablet dual boots into Windows 7 and Windows 8

 
Want to get a Windows-based tablet but you're not sure if you want it to run Windows 7 or Windows 8? You're in luck. The folks over at Evigroup have recently announced their new Intel-based tablet – the SmartPaddle Pro. What separates this tablet from other Windows tablets out there is its ability to dual-boot into Windows 7 or Windows 8. Granted, Windows 8 is not out, but the tablet will be shipping with the developer preview version of the operating system when it goes on sale. After Windows 8 is finally released, owners of the SmartPaddle Pro will be able to update their tablets to the full version of the operating system for free.

Specs of the tablet include: a 11.6″ touchscreen display, an Intel Atom N450 processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 32 or 64GB SSD. The tablet will be priced at 759 Euro ($951). No word on a release date or if it'll be making its way over to the US, but it certainly is an interesting idea that may or may not catch on. What do you think?

Nokia PureView 808 likely to be announced in the US on Monday

More than a month ago, Nokia USA's president said the company was planning to release the 808 PureView smartphone Stateside. And it looks like an official announcement related to this will be made on Monday, June 18.

Over at its US Facebook page, Nokia has shared three images which promise something for Monday. The PureView smartphone isn't mentioned, but all images are related to the 808 number. The first one is satellite photo of Hawaii, which has the 808 telephone area code. The second one shows the Roland TR-808 drum machine. And the third one matches the cover of an album released by a band called 808 State. And if that's not enough, All Things D reports that unnamed sources say the upcoming announcement indeed "has to do with the U.S. availability of the" PureView 808 - which, with its 41MP Carl Zeiss rear camera, seems to be the best cameraphone ever made.

As previously rumored, the 808 PureView might be sold in the US only unlocked, hence we will probably not see any mobile carrier offering it.

Mysterious Motorola slider spotted, heading for Sprint, not Verizon

Still in love with a hardware keyboard, and looking for something new on Sprint? You might be in luck, as this little guy (and it does seem little by today's standards) was spotted in the Android Central forums.

Not much can be said about the device, other than the buttonless approach from Motorola (thank you, Moto, somebody's got to follow Google's Android 4.0 guidelines). Android Central is guessing a qHD screen, possibly LTE. However, I have to reiterate again: nothing other than the 5-row keyboard, running ICS, being a Motorola device and heading for Sprint (there's a Sprint Music app) can be determined with certainty.

T-Mobile LTE, HSPA+ expansion update

 T-Mobile has put out a press release to give an update regarding the work on establishing their 4G LTE network and introducing their HSPA+ services on the 1900 MHz spectrum. The entire release is posted below, but the main points are:

1. LTE trials are underway, and the network should launch next year.

2. HSPA+ on the 1900 MHz bandwidth is currently being tested, and was spotted by a few people in San Francisco near the Moscone Center.

3. New equipment has been installed at “modernized GSM/HSPA+” sites, and the aim is to reach 2,500 sites by the end of July.

  Press Release

Fast Progress on 4G Network Modernization

June 14, 2012

We’re making great progress in just three short months since we first announced T-Mobile’s $4 billion 4G network evolution plan, including network modernization and deployment of long term evolution (LTE) service in 2013. Here are some of the highlights:

Just last month, T-Mobile announced multi-year agreements with Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks to support our $4 billion 4G network evolution plan, which will include a modernization of 37,000 cell sites and a move to the latest, state-of-the-art, LTE release 10 capable equipment.

Initially, this effort will improve existing voice and data coverage, make our 4G network compatible with a broader range of devices (including the iPhone), and pave the way for long term evolution (LTE) service next year.

With contracts in place, we’re making excellent headway on our network infrastructure transformation. By the end of this month we expect new equipment to be installed at our first 400 modernized GSM / HSPA+ sites and we plan to grow this to over 2,500 sites by the end of July.

We’ve also secured zoning approval or do not require zoning for over 19,500 sites and have completed necessary entitlement work, including obtaining building permits for over 4,000 sites.

As new equipment is in place, we’re turning up some small scale tests of 4G HSPA+ service in our 1900 MHz spectrum. Some customers with unlocked iPhones recently saw evidence of those tests; clocking much faster data speeds at the Moscone West conference center in San Francisco. More of these speed sightings will occur as we work toward introducing 4G HSPA+ service in our 1900 MHz spectrum in a large number of markets later this year.

Finally, LTE trials are underway and this summer we’ll begin using Release-10 equipment in these trials. The ability to launch with this next version of LTE technology is one advantage of launching next year.

Microsoft's mystery announcement happens Monday at 6:30pm EST, get your liveblog here!

What to do when Microsoft schedules two major announcements in one week? Plan a liveblog and cue the speculation, of course. With a sneak peek of Windows Phone Apollo coming in just two days, we're pretty confident tomorrow's press conference won't have anything to do with mobile phone software. But Win8 tablets? Perhaps a Kindle Fire competitor running Windows RT? Now we're talking. Or maybe there's a piddly chance we'll actually hear more about Xbox Music? With no hints coming out of Redmond, your guess is as good as ours until the event kicks off. Be sure to bookmark this link and join us tomorrow at 6:30pm EST as we give you up-to-the-minute coverage, live from Microsoft's press room in Los Angeles.

AOC Aire iPlay is the First LCD Monitor with Built-in iPod/iPhone Docking Station

The AOC Aire iPlay (e2343Fi) is a 23″ inch monitor that is only 12.9 mm-thin and offers full HD 1080p resolution, a 50,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio and 2 ms response time. The feature that sets this particular monitor apart from all the others on the market is that it has a built-in 30-pin docking station that allows video, audio and photo playback from iPhones and iPods. Built-in speakers offer SRS Sound and special Screen+ software allows the user to divide the screen into four self-contained work areas. The 23-inch AOC Aire iPlay (e2343Fi) would make a great gaming monitor for your Xbox or other console, or a second monitor for your PC. It is available for $279.99 MSRP at Amazon.com and other online retailers. AOC has a facebook contest going on right now to win one of these monitors just by liking their page.

Leaked document sheds light on next-generation Xbox, Kinect 2

Even though Microsoft confirmed that we wouldn't see it, some fans were still disappointed the company didn't reveal details regarding its next-generation Xbox gaming console at this year's Electronics Entertainment Expo. A newly leaked 56-page document detailing the “Xbox 720” may ease those frustrations, however. The document, which appears to be from mid-2010, presents a road map for the future of the Xbox platform through 2015. Microsoft will reportedly release the next-generation system during the 2013 holiday season as previously reported, as part of a $299 bundle with new Kinect hardware. The software giant is looking to sell more than 100 million units during the console's 10-year life cycle. The Xbox 720 will include support for Blu-ray, true 1080p and native 3D output, and will be six times more powerful than the current Xbox. At the time this document was created, the company was planning to use six to eight 2GHz ARM/x86 cores, with two additional ARM/x86 cores that would power the console's operating system and three PowerPC cores for backward-compatibility. The documents suggest that Microsoft is currently working on a new Kinect accessory as well that will be more accurate, with dedicated hardware processing and support for four-player tracking. Other improvements include a higher quality RGB camera, stereo imaging and improved voice recognition. Microsoft is also apparently planning to offer a head-mounted display device similar to Google's Project Glass. The hands-free glasses will be able to connect to Xbox Live and deliver real-time information on people, places and objects. The product is referred to as both “Kinect Glasses” and “Fortaleza Glasses,” and is scheduled for a 2014 release according to the leak. The information was originally posted on Scribed, and while there is no way to prove its authenticity, it has since been removed at the request of Covington & Burling, a law firm that represents Microsoft.

Samsung Galaxy S III Enterprise Version Coming to US

 
When Samsung launches its Galaxy S III in the United States, it will also unveil its boardroom-worthy version. The Android 4.0-powered smartphone will be Samsung's first American phone to be stamped with its SAFE (Samsung Approved for Enterprise) seal of approval.

The Samsung Galaxy S III enterprise edition will handle 256-bit AES encryption–regardless of the carrier–as well as upgraded support for Exchange, remote management, and VPNs you always find on any Android device.

Samsung also introduces the SAFE2SWITCH program that offers trade-in discounts for prosumers and corporate customers who are willing to swap their older devices in exchange for secured Galaxy S III, even if it is not part of any corporate deal.

The SAFE-ready Samsung Galaxy S III is expected to be available by July.

Boostcase Hybrid iPhone Case And Battery

 
No matter how new your portable device may be or how good its battery performs, that need for some back up power still remains. And with a device like the iPhone, having some back up power ready is somewhat like a necessity, given that people are really fond of using their iPhones all of the time. The Boostcase Hybrid will be quite handy in such cases.

The Boostcase Hybrid is a two-piece iPhone case and back up battery. This unique design to a common iPhone accessory would look quite appealing to most iPhone users. Boostcase Hybrid comes with a snap-on iPhone casing that can provide some added level of protection to your device. There is also a separate snap-on external battery that provides extra power to the iPhone, thanks to its 1900mAh lithium polymer battery. The external battery attaches to the Boostcase Hybrid casing with its 30-pin connector and a special locking mechanism. It is a unique design that gives your iPhone some ready back up power and yet also maintain a slim design with its casing. The Boostcase Hybrid is available at Amazon for US$80.

Pioneer Computers DreamBook Power W27CR 17.3-inch Notebook

Pioneer Computers Australia hits back with a new 17.3-inch notebook, the DreamBook Power W27CR. Specs-wise, the system sports a 17.3-inch 1600 x 900 or 1920 x 1080 display, a 2.7GHz Intel Core i7-3820QM quad-core processor, a GeForce GT 630M 1GB graphics card, up to 8GB RAM, a 1TB hard drive (hybrid drive with 500GB HDD or up to 240GB SSD), a Blu-ray drive, a 9-in-1 media card reader, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, built-in stereo speakers and runs on Windows 7 OS. Price itself starts at $599. [Product Page]

Microsoft announces Surface for Windows 8 Pro: Intel inside, optional pen input

Microsoft didn't just announce one Surface tablet today — it's announced one for each of the main varieties of Windows. That includes the Surface for Windows 8 Pro, which is slightly larger and decidedly more Intel-based than its ARM-fueled counterpart for Windows RT.

In addition to the more full-fledged OS, it packs a larger 42 W-h battery, an Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor (at least in the model on display today), USB 3.0 ports instead of 2.0, and your choice of 64GB or 128GB of storage (double the standard offerings of the RT Surface). You'll also get a higher 1080p resolution from the 10.6-inch ClearType display, but it comes wrapped in a package that's 13.5 mm thin and weighs 903 grams (compared to just 9.3 mm and 676 grams for the RT).

That's apparently not big enough to disqualify it from Microsoft's new keyboard-laden covers, though, and it even gets another accessory of its own: a pen with a “Palm Block.” As for pricing and availability, Microsoft is only going as far to say that it will be “on par with Ultrabook-class PCs” and available about three months after the Windows 8 launch (when the RT model will be available).

Barnes & Noble confirms they are NOT part of Microsoft's announcement today

 
We know that Microsoft has a major announcement coming up in a few hours' time, and according to our earlier report, the rumors are saying that this might be a Microsoft tablet that would be an effort between Microsoft and Barnes & Noble. If you thought that this spoilt the surprise for the upcoming announcement, you might be pleased to learn that this is not the case. According to the Business Insider, a Barnes & Noble spokesperson has confirmed that they will not have anything to do with today's announcement, which means at this point in time the announcement could be just about anything, although a Microsoft tablet does seem like the consensus at the moment. Either way we have several hours to go until the announcement, so be sure to check back with us then for the details!

Nexus Tablet confirmed by ASUS representative, Padfone coming to AT&T

One of the most exciting rumors currently is the said release of a Nexus Tablet. This device is said to be manufactured by ASUS and have a 7-inch display and a Tegra 3 quad-core processor. All for an exhilarating price of $150-$250. Nothing is official yet, but a substantial amount of Android fans has been holding off on purchasing current tablets for this one. And if you need just a bit more reassurance, our friends from Android Authority claim to have it. According to the mentioned site, an anonymous ASUS representative told them during Computex Taipei that the company is in fact working with Google to bring this tablet to the market. Furthermore, the representative mentions that said tablet will be coming by the end of June. If this happens to be true, we are almost sure this will be one of the highlights of Google I/O this year. We will be there to get you all the juicy details, of course. But if this tablet does happen to be announced at Google I/O, this means that the biggest winner could be one of you. If the Nexus Tablet is to be announced at Google’s developer conference, there is a high probability they will also be giving it away to attendees. Phandroid is giving away all of its Google I/O gifts; including Rob’s, Steve’s and Chris’ swag. So all of this geeky gear will end up in your hands, if you are lucky. Another bit of good news from the ASUS ninja is also that they are in the works to bring the Padfone to the US. The source mentions that while “carriers hate it,” AT&T has been the only one to give it a green light. The process is said to be going slower than expected, so we might have to wait a while, though. For now, you can get it from third-party retailers for a very hefty price. It seems interesting to think that carriers might hate such a unique device. But it becomes more clear as we think about the nature of its novelty. The ASUS Padfone is essentially both a smartphone and a tablet, meaning that users could be able to avoid tethering and tablet data fees. And we know carriers are not easily persuaded to give away their megabytes… or their money. Remember these are still rumors, so take them with a grain of salt. It all seems very likely, though. We will just have to sit back and see how everything unfolds.

EVGA's GeForce GTX 680 Classified tempts overclockers with watery siren call

Judging by a sneak Computex preview, EVGA's intentions for the upcoming GTX 680 Classified graphics card are not a thorny mystery. With an optional water-cooling block and voltage control inputs, there's plenty here to seduce the hardcore modder. The company isn't talking numbers just yet, but if terms like "14-phase power design" whet your appetite, then you're in luck. In any case, like its other Classified mates, it's apt to be the company's top GeForce GTX 680 performer. So, if you're plugging in the pumps and hoses for that next mod, you might want to leave a slot - or four - open for this one.

Chrono iPhone Case Straps you in for a Secure Grip

Trying to design a better iPhone case ranks right up there with designing a better mouse trap. Everyone thinks they can do it, but only a rare few have. Most iPhone cases bore me because they all look relatively similar and have nothing that makes them stand out from all the other cases on the market. When people send me links to cases that they want reviewed or mentioned, my eyes usually glaze over. So when I saw a new email in my inbox that had the subject of Chrono Case – an "Insanely Great" iPhone Case, I may have actually yawned. But then I read Mike Chan's email about his Indiegogo project (similar to Kickstarter). This case is made of aluminum and features a screwless design and an adjustable strap that is built into the back side of the case. This elastic strap can be used hold items like credit cards, money or your earbuds. But it can also be used as a gripping aid by sliding your fingers under the strap. A $55 pledge gets you on the list for a black Chrono Case. Higher donations will get you other colors. What do you think? Does it have potential?

LG Optimus 4X HD set for European launch this month, have some “major surprise” too

The 4.7 inch, Tegra 3 powered Optimus 4X HD looks set for launch in Europe this month. LG will be bringing the device to Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain and Italy first, and also have some “major surprise” regarding the launch itself. They do have their work cut out in publicizing it, though, with the Euro 2012 football (or soccer, if you prefer) tournament going on.

Verizon Wireless now selling the Sony SmartWatch

Time to stop the endless quest – The Sony SmartWatch can now be purchased straight from Verizon! It is hard to come accross a Sony store, and many of them don't usually have the accessory in stock. The Sony SmartWatch also can't be found in many other stores, so it is nice to hear that Big Red will be carrying this device.

Verizon has started selling the Sony Smartwatch though its website, as well as retail stores. It goes for the same $149.97 price, so this should be a no-brainer if you have been looking to purchase this smart watch. You should now be able to head over to your nearest Verizon store and (with some luck) find this bad boy in stock.

If you haven't heard of it yet, the Sony SmartWatch is a wrist accessory that connects to your Android 2.1 or higher device. It displays notifications and allows you to control certain functions straight from your wrist. The device is fairly new, so there is not a huge selection of apps and games available yet. But with 60 applications now available, and more coming, there should be more than enough to get you started.

Those interested can head over to their local Verizon store or purchase it online. But just out of curiosity, how many of you have been itching for one of these? I currently use an iPod Nano as a wrist watch and I have to say I am not satisfied. It does not offer the same functionality as one of these, though.

Alleged image of the AT&T branded Motorola 'Dinara' leaks

 Right when we began to wonder why is Motorola being so quiet on the US front these days, a juicy rumor regarding an upcoming smartphone from Google's newly acquired property sprung up. An AT&T branded Motorola, codenamed "Dinara" has leaked out in an alleged image.

The upcoming smartphone is rumored to offer 4.5" HD display and Motoblur-ed Android Ice Cream Sandwich, to go with its LTE connectivity. The rest of the specs are likely to be similar to the Motorola XT928, which is sold on the Chinese Market.

As the image mildly suggests, a late July launch is possible. Don't be surprised if you see the handset carry the Atrix 3 moniker when it goes official.

Source

The Ultrabooks of Computex 2012

It was last year that Intel chose Computex, a computer tradeshow in Taiwan, to introduce its Ultrabook concept to the world. Twelve months later, 110-plus models are in the pipeline, which meant the Taipei Convention Center was overrun by skinny, lightweight laptops. Make that skinny, touch-enabled laptops. Between those new Ivy Bridge chips and Microsoft putting the finishing touches on Windows 8, this week's show was nothing if not a five-day-long wedding between two tech giants: almost every device on display here was a vehicle for showing off Microsoft's glossy new OS. At every turn, a celebration of touchscreen notebooks. With more than 30 hands-on posts this week, we can see where one Core i5 laptop might look like the next, or how you might have failed to keep up with Jonney Shih's rapid-fire product announcements. Now that we're wrapping up here in Taiwan, though, we're ready to take a step back and think about what it is we just saw. Whether you felt overwhelmed by our wall-to-wall coverage or just need to catch up, we suggest you meet us past the break for a quick recap of all the new Ultrabooks. Oh, and if you're in the market for a new laptop, you can check your trigger-happy finger at the door. With few exceptions, we're not expecting these to go on sale until the fall, when Windows 8 is expected to start shipping. Acer Aspire S7 Acer was the first company to ship an Ultrabook, which means it's now showing off its third generation at a time when other companies are just getting around to announcing their first. Still, the Aspire S7 series marks a departure for Acer: these are the outfit's first touchscreen Ultrabooks, for one, and they also happen to be the company's sexiest. Plastic? Try unibody metal. A 1366 x 768 screen? How about a 1080p display that folds back 180 degrees? And while you won't find this on the 11-inch model, the 13-inch version has a slick glass lid, similar to the HP Envy 14 Spectre. For now, Acer isn't ready to reveal pricing or even specs like processors and storage options. In the meantime, we'll say we were impressed with those high-res touchscreens, though we wish Acer reconsidered its shallow keyboard design. Acer Aspire Timeline Ultra M5 Need a little less touch and a little more graphics oomph? Acer's got you covered there, too. The M5 series joins the similar M3 Ultrabook we reviewed earlier this year, and features the same Kepler-based NVIDIA GeForce GT640M graphics. The difference? The M5s (there are two of them) have a polished, brushed-metal design, along with narrower bezels. Otherwise, the specs are near-identical to what you'll get in the M3, which is to say they offer 1366 x 768 screens, Core i5 / i7 processors and a mix of HDD and solid-state storage options. Interestingly, although the 14- and 15-inch M5 differ in weight, both measure about 20mm (0.8 inches) thick. If you're in the UK you can buy one this month, but our US readers will have to wait a little longer for pricing and availability details. ASUS TAICHI Easily the most inventive design we saw this week, the TAICHI convertible laptop has dual screens: one facing the keyboard, just like on a normal notebook, and one on the lid. In laptop mode, you can view the 11- or 13-inch screen while using a backlit keyboard. Shut the lid, though, and you've got yourself a big-screen tablet, complete with pen support. Whichever way you use it, ASUS went decidedly all-out on the specs: the TAICHI makes use of a Core i7 processor, solid-state storage and a Super IPS+ display with an optional 1080p resolution. The best part, potentially: ASUS says the final version will be about as thin as the rest of its Ultrabooks, despite the fact that these have twice the screens built in. ASUS Transformer Books Think of it as the love child between an ASUS Transformer tablet and a Zenbook Ultrabook. At first glance, ASUS' Transformer Books are merely a group of 11-, 13- and 14-inch laptops with touchscreens. In fact, though, the displays can be lifted away from their keyboards, leaving you with an oversized slate. What's especially neat about this concept is that even after you detach the screen you've got a full-blown x86-based tablet, not some lower-powered ARM device. At the same time, the display has some of the amenities you'd expect in a regular Transformer - namely, front- and rear-facing cameras. Touchscreen ASUS Zenbook Prime It was only two weeks ago that ASUS announced a completely refreshed line of Ultrabooks, and yet they already seem outdated. Here at Computex, the company showed off the 11-inch UX21A with a touchscreen, making it easier to interact with Windows 8. (We'll let you decide if that's worth getting fingerprints all over that gorgeous 1080p, IPS display.) With the exception of the screen, the design and internal specs haven't changed, though an ASUS rep confirmed that the touch models will naturally cost more. No word on pricing just yet, but we're told this will eventually go on sale in the US, and it will be available in a 13-inch version too. Dell Inspiron 14z and 13z With a starting weight of 4.1 pounds and a fairly plain interior, the 14z was hardly the sleekest laptop on Intel's Ultrabook Wall of Fame. Still, a starting price of $700 makes it easily one of the most affordable. For now, the base model comes with a Sandy Bridge Core i3 CPU, unfortunately, but pay a little more and you'll get third-generation Core i5 and i7 processors, as you'd expect on any other Ultrabook. Really, the biggest tradeoff is likely to be storage: the 14z starts with a 320GB hard drive, and tops out with a 500GB HDD, meaning you'll have to step up to the XPS 13 if you want a solid-state drive. The good news: folks who need an Ultrabook before October can scoop one up June 19th. If the 14z's relative heft turns you off, there's also a 13-inch model, which weighs 3.8 pounds. Gigabyte X11 A hint to all the marketing types reading this: tech writers are suckers for superlatives. That explains our fascination with the X11, whose carbon fiber build makes this the "world's lightest" Ultrabook, at 2.15 pounds - or so says Gigabyte, anyway. After seeing it in person at the show, we can say this 11-inch ultraportable does indeed feel light in hand, though that carbon fiber weave isn't immune to greasy fingerprint smudges. What's more, we found the keyboard cramped, especially compared to the more spacious one on the 11-inch ASUS Zenbook Prime UX21A. We'll reserve judgment until we can test its performance and five-hour battery, but for now it's safe to say the X11 faces some formidable competition from similarly priced 11-inch Ultrabooks. LG X Note Z350 Need proof that Ultrabooks are the new netbooks? Just watch as every company on the face of the planet trots out a super-slim ultraportable with Ivy Bridge inside. LG, not especially well-known for its PCs, announced two X Note Ultrabooks, and we happened to catch the 13-inch Z350 hanging around Intel's booth at CES. Though its internals are fairly standard (Core i7, Wireless Display and an SSD), the port selection is pretty robust for an Ultrabook: not one, not two, but three USB 3.0 sockets. It's just too bad about the design: thanks to that faux-brushed-metal chassis, it doesn't look quite as nice up close as it does in photos. MSI Slider S20 Rewind a few years to the netbook era and MSI was a huge mover-and-shaker at Computex, with lots of pint-size laptops to choose from. Since then, the company has been largely dormant as far as mobile products are concerned, focusing more on nine-pound gaming rigs. That doesn't mean MSI is willing to sit out the Ultrabook fad, though: the company took the opportunity to show off the Slider S20, an 11-inch ultraportable with a touchscreen that slides back and up - yes, exactly like that Slider. In our brief hands-on, the sliding mechanism felt smooth, but the cramped, malleable keyboard brought us back to the netbook era, and not in a good way. Samsung Series 5 Ultra Touch and Convertible What do you do if you're Samsung and you've just refreshed your current Ultrabooks with Ivy Bridge? You trot out brand new models with touchscreens, naturally. Not one to miss out on a trend, the Korean electronics giant spent the week showing off not one, but two touch-enabled versions of its Series 5 Ultrabooks. This included a traditional clamshell laptop, as well as a convertible model whose screen folds all the way back, kind of like the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga. After a brief hands-on, we came away skeptical about the convertible, since using it in tablet mode means resting your fingers against an exposed keyboard on the backside. We'd also love to see Sammy improve the screen quality: as is, these panels are supremely reflective. Sony VAIO T13 Better late than never, right? After teasing its first Ultrabook at CES and then announcing it for the European market, Sony said it's bringing the VAIO T series to the US as well. And here's a surprise: if you privately thought Sony has been resting too much on its brand cache, the T13 starts at $800 - about as low as Ultrabook prices get. For the money, the base specs are pretty typical: a Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive, paired with a 32GB SSD for faster boot-ups. As with other budget Ultrabooks, though, you'll find yourself making a compromise between weight and convenience. On the one hand, it weighs 3.5 pounds, which is on the heavy side for a 13-inch Ultrabook. On the other, that 0.7-inch-thick chassis makes room for some valuable ports, including USB 3.0 and 2.0, HDMI, Ethernet, an SD slot and even a VGA socket. For students on the hunt for a new laptop, this is worth considering. Toshiba Satellite U845W Despite the fact that there are just so many gosh-darn Ultrabooks hitting the market, you shouldn't have a problem remembering the U845W. Its display measures an unusual 14.4 inches (with 1792 x 768 resolution), making it the world's first laptop with a 21:9 screen. Toshiba claims that extra real estate is ideal for multitasking and watching movies, and is even including some software that helps you divide the screen into zones (kind of like Snap in Win7, but with more windows). All told, the Harman Kardon speakers, aluminum chassis, soft-touch accents and backlit keyboard make it feel more premium than the Satellite U845, the other Ultrabook Toshiba announced this week. We're told it will go on sale in the US sometime in the next few months, starting at $999. Hopefully before then we can take a closer look, and weigh in on whether those viewing angles are any good. Toshiba concept devices running Windows 8 Okay, so these weren't on display at Computex, but we'll throw them in the ring anyway, since Toshiba chose this particular week to announce them. The company recently let us get hands-on with a trio of mock-up concept devices built with Windows 8 in mind: a touchscreen laptop, a Transformer-style tablet and a notebook with a sliding touchscreen. Had these been shown at Computex, they would have been in good company: we saw variations on each of these form factors throughout the week. Still, we can't help but be intrigued, especially since Toshiba hasn't said a word about specs and hasn't even shown these devices powered on. Maybe this just means we have something to look forward to at our next big tradeshow, IFA in August.

Samsung Galaxy S III on SK Telecom mixes 2GB of RAM and quad-core, importers break out credit cards

There's a Galaxy S III with a quad-core chip, and there's a Galaxy S III with 2GB of RAM. Never the twain shall meet? They reportedly will at SK Telecom: a comparison sheet leaked to Phone Arena has the South Korean carrier's SHV-E210S variant combining the 1.4GHz Exynos 4 Quad with the 2GB of RAM that the dual-core versions receive as a consolation prize. It's even supposed to keep LTE, which could suggest that Samsung isn't wedded to Qualcomm for 4G in South Korea like it is for North America. The phone's 4G support loses steam outside of its native country, and it gains an ever so slight amount of bulk, but we're looking at what could be the best of both worlds for Samsung's flagship. We have a hunch that a few foreigners might be eager for an import, or a surprise vacation to Seoul, when the E210S arrives in July.

Green Mesh PC case bares all

 Just what kind of PC case design appeals to you? Do you want something that looks totally out from the future, or is something more traditional your cup of tea? Well, the Green Mesh PC case will appeal to the non-traditionalists, where it is a new fanless PC case that is made out of mesh. Forget about a fully enclosed case complete with fan ports – the Green Mesh PC case leans more towards an open-air concept, showing off everything underneath the hood with a mesh acting as a physical barrier. There is one major drawback to this though – maintenance levels would be high, since there is absolutely no filter whatsoever to prevent dust from accumulating within, sprouting family after family of dust bunnies in due time.

However, the Taiwanese manufacturer behind the Green Mesh PC case claims otherwise – they say that the open-air design is the very same reason as to why dust will not accumulate within the case. Not only that, they boast that the Green Mesh PC case will in fact, have up to 75% less dust compared to a standard PC tower case. This is apparently made possible thanks to the “chimney effect” – where hot air will rise, acting as a barrier against dust. I suppose this happens optimally when the PC is running, but what happens when it is turned off?

Huawei Activa 4G announced for MetroPCS

MetroPCS and Huawei have come together to introduce the next 4G budget phone for the regional carrier. Its name is the Huawei Activa 4G, and it looks to be a decent affordable option for those who want a cheap 4G phone.The device sports a 3.5 inch display, a 5 megapixel camera, a VGA front camera, Android 2.3, and an 800MHz processor.

The device is available right now for $150 after rebates and with no contract, but note that this price tag is only being offered for a limited time. Grab it online here or check it out in your local MetroPCS store if you're interested. Hit the source link for full press details. [PR Newswire]

iOS 6 banner spotted at Moscone West convention center

 
Thanks to Instagram user, Zac Altman, he has managed to snap a photo of a banner for iOS 6 at the Moscone convention center which basically confirms its announcement at WWDC happening next week. Prior to the banner going up, it was only speculation that iOS 6 would be announced at WWDC since Apple had yet to confirm it. However given that WWDC is usually when Apple takes the wraps off their next major iOS update, we guess this was not a complete surprise. According to Apple's description of WWDC, the “future of iOS” will be discussed, which presumably will pertain to iOS 6 and its features. So far what we do know is that Tim Cook hinted at possible Facebook integration, the possible replacement of Google Maps with Apple's own, Siri for the iPad and possibly a redesigned iTunes App Store amongst other things. Will these rumors pan out? We guess we will find out in a couple of days, so be sure to check back with us this Monday for the details! In the meantime, what sort of features or changes are you looking forward to in iOS 6? Personally speaking I'm curious to see how Apple's own Maps will hold its own against Google Maps, a service which iOS users have been using and are familiar with ever since its inception.

SK Telecom's Galaxy S III merges quad-core CPU and 2GB RAM

While the difference in performance between Samsung’s quad-core Exynos version of the Galaxy S III and the dual-core LTE variant looks to be negligible, customers in the US will no doubt feel slightly cheated despite the presence of twice the RAM as found in the international version of the phone. Now a new leak seems to reveal that at least one version of the flagship device will merge the specs of both variants. Before those in other regions start to wonder why the same arrangement couldn’t be made for the handset destined for carriers like AT&T and Verizon, 4G support appears to be limited to HSPA+. The SHV-E210S version of the Galaxy S III also adds a bit of girth to accommodate the additional hardware elements.  For those hoping to get their hands on this version of the phone, find a good importer. It’s unlikely we will see this model outside of Korea.

Voice control comes to MOG's music streaming service with Ford SYNC AppLink

Good news for those who like music on-the-go, Ford had just added a new heavy hitter to its AppLink platform, and this time it comes from none other than MOG. The streaming service boasts a catalog of 15 million tracks, which is available to mobile devices for a monthly subscription fee of $9.99. With the Ford SYNC integration, users may access this vast library either through voice commands or in-dash controls, and as another nice touch, one's music queue will automatically resume from wherever they left off. Voice commands include "artist only" and "similar artists," along with "downloads" for situations when you aren't able to stream and "shuffle favorites." Finally, users may also create presets based on what's currently playing, simply by pressing and holding one of the in-dash preset buttons. This availability is solely for iOS users,

Spotted at Computex: LG's X Note Z350 Ultrabook (hands-on)

Part of the fun of covering tradeshows is that Yanks like yours truly get to handle products that might never make their way stateside. We're going to put LG's 13.3-inch X Note Z350 Ultrabook in that category, since the company doesn't exactly have a strong market presence in the US - at least not where PCs are concerned. The Z350 is one of many Ultrabooks on display at Intel's booth here at Computex, though it's one of the few we hadn't seen before. Though the press shots we showed you earlier this week make it seem as if this thing is made of aluminum, it's plastic with faux-brushed-metal detailing. The touchpad has the same texture as the palm rest and is so flush that it's nearly invisible from a few feet away. The keyboard is typical Ultrabook fare: shallow, but usable. Ultimately, what impressed us most was the port selection: Ethernet, HDMI and not one, not two, but three USB 3.0 ports. Not bad for an Ultra, eh? If you're curious, we've got close-up shots below, and stay tuned for a walk-through video. Myriam Joire contributed to this report.

Nuance Dragon ID secures phones, tablets and PCs with your voice

 Do you wish your phone would wake up when you commanded it to, like Galaxy S III? Well, it's not gonna happen (at least not without some hacking). But, your next phone might just sport the feature, all without having to be saddled with the rest of TouchWiz. Nuance is bringing its powerful voice recognition tech to OEMs and offering them the ability to not only unlock phones with voice controls, but lock them down using biometrics. In that way, it's actually got a leg up on S Voice. Dragon ID isn't a gimmick - it's a security feature. In fact, if properly integrated, it can recognize multiple voices and open up to custom homescreens for each user. Sadly we have no idea when or where this tech will first show up, but we wouldn't be shocked to see it on both Android and Windows 8 tablets, as well as smartphones and PCs in the near future.

Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.0.4 factory images now available on Google's servers

 The Nexus line's open secret is its most alluring, unadvertised feature: the ability to root. Easy access to those superuser privileges, however, comes with a high price of admission - namely, the loss of a warranty and the questionable stability of your device. Knowing that many an idle tinkerer has bricked his / her phone into a seemingly irrevocable death sleep, Google's tossed the IMM76K factory images for VZW's LTE variant up on its servers, rescuing ROM flashers with a stock Android 4.0.4 lifesaver. If you've been hanging your head in shame for unwittingly obliterating your handset, now would be a good time to hit up that source below and brush up on your command line skills.

Microsoft to launch Windows Phone 8 on June 20?

 
DigiTimes is reporting that Microsoft is planning  release Windows Phone 8, allegedly codnamed Apollo, this coming June 20. The Taiwanese publication is basing its report on reliable sources from the industry who also reportedly mentioned that most branded smartphone vendors, with the exception of Nokia, will be adopting a wait-and-see attitude toward the launching of the new OS. Why? DigiTimes explains that because the market share enjoyed by Windows Phone 7.5-based smartphones hasn't reached the desired expectations, it will be impractical to expect the launching of Windows Phone 8 to bring a turnaround for Windows phones immediately.

Sources are also saying that Microsoft is focusing more on the promotion of Windows 8, at least for now. That's because a successful launching of Windows 8-based tablet PCs will presumably encourage more smartphone vendors to jump into the Windows Phone 8 segment. “Nokia and branded vendors including Samsung Electronics, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Acer, Asus, and Lenovo which are capable of rolling out cross-platform mobile devices, are likely to the first batch of vendors to launch Windows Phone 8 smartphones,” DigiTimes said. Of course, it's important to take these matters with a grain of salt in hand. Unless we can verify the authenticity of the report, let's keep our fingers crossed.

Nintendo to Halt 3D Television Service on 3DS

Nintendo has announced that it will halt its 3D television service “Itsu no Ma ni Terebi” for 3DS beginning June 20, just under a month before it would have celebrated its first year since its launch in Japan. This service featured two-minute 3D video clips that were available for free.

The company did not state the reason for the closure, but it is safe to say that it has to do with Nintendo 3DS’ poor sales performance.

This announcement would be hard to swallow for Nintendo 3DS users in United States who continue to hold out for those 3D videos of sumo wrestlers and cute dogs.

Nintendo assures the public that the 3DS will continue intermitted distribution of 2D and 3D videos via Nintendo Video service.

Source: Nintendo Japan, via Kotaku

Myspace for iPhone App Review

Remember Myspace, one of the pioneers in social networking? Yes, it still around and actually comes with its own app for iOS.

Myspace Mobile is a more truncate and organized version of its web counterpart, providing users access to familiar Myspace features such as My Profile, Friends Status and Mood, Friend Updates, Bulletins, Comments, and Settings. Meanwhile, the bottom section features rows of access points that make for easier navigation.

This app works fairly organic, tapping the screen to view and add friends, comments and photos, as well as personal blogs and moods. It also does not have the usual mess you find in your web profile (you know, the moving texts, the glittery icons).

Users can also access band sites and get updated on their upcoming shows. It also features the artist’s music that you can download or listen to.

Myspace Mobile is available for iPhone and iPod Touch.

Samsung Omnia M Arrives in Europe

More Windows Phones are debuting from different brands, this time it is heading to Europe. The Samsung Omnia M, which eerily looks like the Omnia 7, will be distributed in the Old World.

This handset features a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, 1GHz processor, and comes pre-installed with Samsung-specific software add-ons like the cross-platform ChatON messenger app. Its front-facing VGA camera also links up with Omnia M’s video call features, white the 5-megapixel shoot comes with primary camera functions.

Samsung reveals that the phone will be available to other regions after its European launch. No word, though, whether the United States is included.

Source: Samsung, via Engadget

ASUS K55VD 15.6-inch Laptop Released In Japan

The new ASUS K55VD 15.6-inch laptop is currently available in the Japanese market. The laptop comes jam packed with the 3rd generation Intel Core i7-3610QM “Ivy Bridge” quad-core processor, which is combined with a 2GB nVidia GeForce 610M graphics card with Optimus technology, up to 8GB DDR3 RAM, a 500GB hard disk drive, a webcam, a card reader, a DVD burner and a 6-cell battery. The ASUS K55VD also provides several connectivity options such as Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and HDMI. Too bad, there is no info on pricing at this moment. [LifeAtMost]

NEC LE150H2 14-Inch Notebook

NEC is gearing up to drop another 14-inch notebook into the market. Known as the LE150H2, the system will feature a 14-inch 1366 x 768 LCD display, a 1.60GHz Intel Celeron B815 processor, an Intel HM65 Express Chipset, a 4GB DDR3 RAM, a 640GB hard drive, a DVD Super Multi Drive, a webcam, an SD card slot, WiFi, 2010 Office Home and Business pre-installed and run on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (SP1) OS. The LE150H2 will go on sale from early May for around 90,000 Yen (about $1,125).

Acer Aspire One 725 Shipped

Acer has finally released the Aspire One 725. Available in Caribbean blue and Volcanic black, the netbook features a high-brightness Acer CineCrystal LED-backlit display, with both HD resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio, making it perfect for both entertainment and productivity. The Acer Aspire One 725 provides an HDMI port, allowing you to watch HD movies on your HDTV, widescreen monitor, or projector. The Acer Aspire One 725 is powered by an AMD C processor, an AMD Radeon HD 6290 graphics, AMD’s APU Fusion technology and Acer’s HD CrystalEye webcam with Acer Video Conference Manager. [Press Release]

NEC LL770/HS 15.6-Inch Notebook

Here comes another 15.6-inch notebook from NEC, the LL770/HS. The system is packed with a 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD display, a 2.30GHz Intel Core i7-3610QM processor, an Intel HM77 Express Chipset, an 8GB DDR3 RAM, a 1TB hard drive, a webcam, a BDXL drive, an SD card reader, WiFi, CS degree / BS/110 ground ‘wireless digital TV’ via the included wireless LAN and runs on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (SP1) OS. The LL770/HS will become available soon for around 210,000 Yen (about $2,630). [NEC]

HP EliteBook Folio 9470m 14-inch Laptop

HP today introduced its new business-oriented laptop namely the HP EliteBook Folio 9470m. The 14-inch laptop features Intel’s Ivy Bridge core processor, up to 16GB of RAM, a choice of 500GB HDD or a 250GB SSD and a removable battery. The HP EliteBook Folio 9470m also provides an impressive collection of ports such as USB 3.0, Ethernet, DisplayPort and VGA. The company will launch the HP EliteBook Folio 9470m in October 2012 for $1,149. [HP]