Apple's iPad 3 to usher in pixel-packing tablets

Pixels per inch will jump to an average of 200 in the second quarter of 2012.
(Credit: DisplaySearch)
iPhone 4S' retina display.


Apple's next-gen iPad won't be the only new tablet design with lots more pixels. Market researcher DisplaySearch said today that the average pixel density of tablets will surge next year.

The forecast calls for the average resolution of tablet displays to grow to more than 200 pixels per inch (PPI) in the second quarter of 2012 (see chart above), according to David Hsieh, an analyst at NPD DisplaySearch. Currently, displays average just shy of 150 PPI.
















iPhone 4S' retina display.
(Credit: Apple)

The transition to very-high-resolution 9.7-inch tablet displays will begin with a bang on the iPad 3's 2048x1536 display likely due in the first quarter of next year. This is expected to have a PPI of 264, twice that of the iPad 2.

DisplaySearch's Richard Shim said Apple will pretty much eat up all supply of the 9.7-inch 2048x1536 displays. (Note that 9to5Mac has found new references by Apple to next-gen iPads here.)

But Apple isn't the whole story. Android tablet makers dominate the 10.1-inch display size and these will jump to resolutions of 1920x1200 at the high end, according to DisplaySearch. Right now, the top Android tablet makers making products in this size range include Samsung, Motorola, Acer, and Asus. It's highly likely that most or all of them will turn to higher resolution displays as more tablets are populated by faster silicon like Nvidia's Tegra 3, Qualcomm's Krait, and Texas Instruments OMAP 5.

Tags: iPad 3, Android, 9.7-inch, Motorola, Samsung, iPad, 2048×1536, 10.1-inch, Ice Cream Sandwich, 1920×1200, Android Ice Cream Sandwich

Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-57333310-64/apples-ipad-3-to-usher-in-pixel-packing-tablets/

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Apple selling unlocked, contract-free iPhone 4S

iPhone 4S buyers looking for an unlocked version of the new phone can now grab one directly from Apple.

The company has just started selling an unlocked and contract-free version of its new phone. In a nutshell, that means you can use the iPhone 4S without shelling out money for the usual two-year carrier contract. You can then jump from one network to another by picking up and inserting a micro-SIM card, which is available from each supported carrier.

An unlocked phone is especially handy for people who travel around the world and want to be able to use it across a range of countries and carriers.











The iPhone 4S is now available unlocked and contract-free.
(Credit: Apple)
Of course, there are one or two catches.

The unlocked edition of the iPhone 4S supports only GSM carriers, so using the phone with CDMA-based Verizon Wireless or Sprint is not an option. And since there's no two-year contract, you'll pay the full, non-subsidized price for the phone. The 16GB iPhone 4S runs $649, the 32GB version costs $749, and the 64GB model is priced at $849.

Apple's Web site currently shows a wait time of one to two weeks for the unlocked iPhone, the same number of weeks you'd wait for the regular subsidized version. As usual, you can buy the phone in either black or white.

Apple had initially teased users in early October that it would unveil an unlocked iPhone 4S sometime this month.

The company also sells an unlocked iPhone 4 for $549 and an unlocked 3GS for $375.

Tags: GSM, Apple, unlocked, smartphones, , micro-SIM card, Apple iPhone 4S, Apple unlocked iPhone 4S, Apple smartphones, Apple iPhone 4, Apple iPhone 4S Price

Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57323098-37/apple-selling-unlocked-contract-free-iphone-4s/

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iOS 5 on almost 40 percent of iPhones

(Credit: Apple)

Just a few weeks after its debut, iOS 5 finds itself nestled on almost 40 percent of iPhones, according to stats from online ad network Chitika.

Analyzing iOS traffic on its own mobile network from October 22 to October 28, Chitika broke down the percentage of iOS 5 upgrades among Apple's three major mobile devices: the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

The iPhone came in first, with 38 percent of users having already updated their phones to the latest mobile OS. In second place was the iPad with 30 percent of its owners already using or updating to iOS 5 during the last week of October. And bringing up the rear was the iPod Touch with 12 percent of its users bumping themselves up to the new OS.

The large majority of users of all three devices are on iOS 4, while a small number are still stuck on version 3.

(Credit: Chitika)

Chitika speculated as to why there were differences in iOS 5 adoption among the three devices.

Obviously, the iPhone 4S, which comes with iOS 5, has to account for a certain portion of the 38 percent, especially since 4 million units of the new phone flew off the shelves during the first weekend. But Chitika also notes that many people use their smartphone as their primary communications device, so they might feel a greater tendency to keep it freshly updated.

iPad owners may interact more frequently with the tablet's interface, says Chitika, prompting them to also keep their devices updated with the latest software. But iPod Touch owners are more likely to use their devices on the go for music and entertainment and may not feel as much of a need to run the latest OS.

Of course, that's all conjecture on Chitika's part because the company didn't actually poll users to find out why they did or did not upgrade. Looking at just the raw data, someone could even assume that iPhone and iPad owners are early adopters compared with iPod Touch users. But that wouldn't tell the full picture since many Apple users own more than one mobile device.


iOS 5 untapped a variety of new features, including iCloud, iMessage, Reminders, Twitter integration, and Wi-Fi syncing. But it's also introduced a few bugs, most notably a battery drain issue. Apple has already been working on an update to iOS 5 to address the battery problem and various other glitches. That update is now being tested by developers and select users.


Tags: Apple iOS 5, Apple, Chitika, iPhone,Apple iPhone,iPod Touch, Apple iPod Touch, Apple iPad, iPad 2

Source:http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57321295-37/ios-5-on-almost-40-percent-of-iphones/

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Android 4.0 due in early 2012 for 7 HTC phones

The new HTC Rezound is among the phones that will get Google's Ice Cream Sandwich release of Android in early 2012.
(Credit: HTC)

HTC, which rose to smartphone prominence with Google's Android operating system, will begin offering the new Ice Cream Sandwich version in "early 2012," the company said today.

Expect Android 4.0 on some, but not all devices. HTC offered this preliminary list on its Facebook page:

HTC knows how excited our fans are to get their hands on Google's latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, so we're thrilled today to announce the first wave of HTC phones that will receive upgrades: We can confirm the brand new HTC Vivid, on sale beginning today, is upgradeable to Ice Cream Sandwich. In addition, Ice Cream Sandwich is coming in early 2012 to a variety of devices including the HTC Sensation, HTC Sensation XL and HTC Sensation XE, as well as the HTC Rezound, HTC EVO 3D, HTC EVO Design 4G and HTC Amaze 4G through close integration with our carrier partners.

There likely will be more, but HTC isn't committing yet. "We're continuing to assess our product portfolio, so stay tuned for more updates on device upgrades, timing, and other details about HTC and Ice Cream Sandwich," HTC said.

Android updates are a contentious matter. Google's new operating systems must filter through phone makers and mobile network operators before arriving in customers' hands, and that can be a long process even in the cases where it happens. Older Android phones can't handle new Android versions, and carriers that have customized the OS with their own features have to re-customize it for updates.

In a study of 18 Android phones, Michael Degusta found the Android phones lagged iPhone models in support for new versions of the operating system. Owners of even newer Android models aren't wrong to wonder if they'll see Ice Cream Sandwich on their phones.

Tags:Rezound, update, Android 4.0, HTC, Ice Cream Sandwich, Android Ice Cream Sandwich, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, HTC Sensation, HTC Sensation XL and HTC Sensation XE, HTC Rezound, HTC EVO 3D, HTC EVO Design 4G, HTC Vivid, HTC Amaze 4G, Google Android 4.0, Google Android Ice Cream Sandwich

Source:http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-57319534-264/android-4.0-due-in-early-2012-for-7-htc-phones/

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Motorola Motokey Social Finally Official

The Motokey Social has a dedicated Facebook button to access and share via the social network on the go.

Budget handsets are always a huge hit in the market. While most major brands like Samsung, LG, Motorola, and Nokia have more or less cemented their position in the entry-level smartphone segment, there's always room for more additions to the list. Now, since Facebook is an integral part of the youth culture, companies are more inclined towards rolling out FB phones. We saw HTC announce the fairly decent ChaCha and Salsa, which somehow didn't manage to impress or attract that many customers. As a matter of fact, retailers have pulled out the HTC Salsa off their listing. That doesn't tell a good story about how FB phones have fared so far. Then there was iNQ's FB phone (Cloud Touch) which we haven't heard a lot about. Nevertheless, Motorola has decided to step into the scene with a FB phone of its own called the Motokey Social. The handset in fact is the one we saw in September when it was listed on Bluetooth SIG under the serial EX-225.





Motorola now has now made the phone official with the handset going live on it's official website and listed as coming soon. Though there's no official word on the release date, we can guess that it will not take long to hit the retailer shelves. As far as the price is concerned, we don't see this handset going hard on the customer's wallet. The Motokey Social features a 2.4" capacitive touchscreen, a 3 MP camera on the back, 64 MB RAM with 128 MB ROM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a dedicated FB hardware button for quick access to the social network. Since this is a feature phone, you will not find Android running inside. Instead this will run on a stock OS seen on most of Motorola's low end devices. The Motokey Social (EX-225) looks like a pretty decent feature phone with the potential to make it big in the market if priced right, though that is a question which only time can answer. There is no doubt that Motorola will start selling the handset in India as well. We should see the company make an announcement by the end of this month.

Tags: Motorola Motokey, Motokey, c, Motokey, MotoKey Social EX225, Motorola MotoKey Social EX225, Motorola Motokey Social Price, Motorola's Facebook Phone

Source: http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Motorola_Motokey_Social_Finally_Official/551-116093-615.html

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Motorola launches Xoom 2 tablets

Motorola is hitting the market with all new Xoom tablets.

Dubbed the Xoom 2, the new Android tablets are making their initial debut today for consumers in the U.K. and Ireland. The tablets come in two flavors--a traditional 10-inch Xoom 2 with built-in options for business users and an 8.2-inch Xoom 2 Media Edition.

Both tablets are powered by dual-core 1.2 GHz processors, run Android 3.2 Honeycomb, and offer Wi-Fi connectivity. The displays are strengthened with Corning's Gorilla glass and come with a special splash-guard coating designed to make them more durable and stain resistant.


The two tablets sport a 1.3 megapixel camera in front and a 5 MP camera on the back, both with digital zoom, auto focus, and LED flash. Both come with 1 gigabyte of RAM and 16 GB of storage.

Each tablet inclues a new MotoCast app that allows users to wirelessly stream music, photos, videos, and other content between their tablets and their PCs. A special "Work and Play" kit lets people connect the tablets to an HDTV and control them via a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.




Motorola's new Xoom 2 tablet
(Credit: Motorola Mobility)
The larger Xoom 2 is similar to the original Xoom in size and shape, but with a brighter and more vibrant display, according to Motorola. The edges have been designed with a flattened edge that's supposed to make the tablet easier to hold. The battery on this model promises more than 10 hours of life on a single charge.

And with a nod toward business users, the Xoom 2 comes preloaded with data encryption, VPN support, and Active Sync for synchonizing e-mail, contacts, and calendar appointments. It also includes both USB and Ethernet ports.

The smaller Xoom 2 Media Edition is geared more toward entertainment. The screen offers a 178 degree viewing angle to let more than one person watch movies or videos at the same time. Motorola claims a 20 percent improvement in graphics performance and has added virtual surround sound, turning the Media Edition into a gaming device. This model can also double as a remote control for TVs and other equipment courtesy of a pre-loaded remote control app. Battery life is rated at only around six hours per charge.

Rumors about the new tablets popped up recently but had pegged them as offering 64 GB of storage and 4G access.

"Tablets are quickly becoming a must-have tool for staying connected, getting work done and having fun at home and on the road," Victoria McManus, marketing director U.K. & Ireland for Motorola Mobility, said in a statement. "We are very excited about these two new additions to our tablet portfolio that build on the success of the original Motorola Xoom to now deliver more powerful tablet experiences to the European market."

Both tablets will sell at Carphone Warehouse in the U.K. and Ireland, as well as Best Buy, PC World, Dixons, and Currys in the U.K.

We've reached out to Motorola to find out when the new tablets might be available in other countries, including the U.S.



Tags:Android, MotoCast, Honeycomb, Xoom 2 Media Edition, Motorola, tablets, Xoom 2 , motorola xoom, motorola xoom 2, motorola xoom 2 media edition, motorola xoom 2 price, motorola xoom 2 news

Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57317576-93/motorola-launches-xoom-2-tablets/?tag=mncol;cnetRiver

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