Asus Launches Dual-Screen ‘Taichi’ Notebook

It probably wasn’t the best day for a computer maker to unveil new devices, as everything would inevitably be overshadowed by Apple’s concurrent unveiling of new iPads.  Nevertheless, Asus pushed forward with an event in New York City, where they introduced a slew of new Windows 8 notebooks and tablet-notebook hybrids.  Existing product lines were updated, like the Zenbook family of Ultrabooks, while entirely new lines were launched.

The standout product was the Taichi, an Ultrabook featuring two HD screens, one on the inside of the notebook lid and the other on the outside.  The inside screen functions like a regular display while the outer screen is a touchscreen.  When closed, the Taichi can be used as a tablet (with included stylus).  In the open position, it functions as a typical laptop, with the focus placed on the inner screen and keyboard.

Asus made some interesting user case scenarios for the dual screens, which can simultaneously display either the same content on both screens or different content on each.  For business professionals, the inner and outer screens could potentially be used during presentations, with one screen facing the user and the other facing clients. At home, parents can work using the inner display and keyboard, while kids watch a movie on the outer screen.  It’s a unique concept and a creative departure from similar Windows 8 notebooks with single screens that flip or twist to become tablet touchscreens.

The Taichi’s dual screens measure 11.6 inches and the device will be offered in three different configurations, with either an Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor.  All will have 4GB of memory and an Intel HD 4000 graphics processor and either 128GB or 256GB of SSD storage.  Starting price is $1,299 and availability begins this November.

Source : abcnews[dot]go[dot]com

Apple to offer live stream for its iPad mini event tonight

As a welcome break of tradition, Apple is going to offer live streaming of its iPad mini event tonight. The company will let you become a part of the unveiling of its latest product through its web site or, if you happen to own one, through Apple TV.

As you probably know by now, Apple is going to hold an event, which starts tonight at 17:00 GMT and should see the introduction of the first 7.85” iOS tablet, probably called iPad mini. Sporting a more compact design and a more attractive price tag than its larger sibling, the iPad mini should help iOS get an even firmer grasp of the tablet market.

Source : blog[dot]gsmarena[dot]com

Microsoft Surface RT pricing and availability surfaces, goes after the iPad

A slip-up at the Microsoft online store has finally lead to the unveiling of the Surface tablet’s pricing. Scheduled to hit store on October 26, the pricing of the Microsoft Surface starts from $500 without the cool Black Touch Cover with keyboard.

However, chances are that you’ll want the cool accessory, which basically transforms the Surface into a fully-fledged notebook replacement. In that case, you’ll need to shell out $600. Both prices apply for the 32GB version of the slate.

The 64GB variation is priced at $700 with the Black Touch Cover included. The Touch Cover is also available for purchase separately for $120 a pop and comes in red, black, white, blue or purple. There’s also the Type Cover retailing for $130, but that’s only available in black.

Unfortunately, the listing on the Microsoft online store isn’t available any longer.

With the Surface’s advertisements already showing on TV and all over the Internet, and rocking the same price as the iPad 3 (32GB), Microsoft’s slate is ready for a fight in the upcoming holiday season.

Source : blog[dot]gsmarena[dot]com

Can The LG Optimus G Make You Go O-M-G?

It didn’t get a fancy unveiling event in New York or San Francisco, but the LG Optimus G E973 is quite as interesting as any other smartphone launched far this month. The new flagship phone from the Korean electronics company has its work cut out for it, but it should be a viable contender based on its spec sheet. Let’s check it out in greater detail here.

Courtesy image by By reviewsongadgets

Specs

Looks like there won’t be any major leaps as far as spec sheets go from last year’s flagships to this year’s batch, although there are some improvements. The LG Optimus G comes with a 4.7-inch True HD IPS LCD screen with a 768×1280 resolution. It is powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core Krait processor and an Adreno 320 GPU and it runs on Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich (skinned with LG’s Optimus UI 3.0), likely set to get a 4.1.1 update.

There’s 2GB of RAM on board to make sure that the games and apps run fast and well. 32GB of internal storage should be ample for most users, although you can add up to 64GB of expandable memory via the microSD slot. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and LTE.

Those specs are pretty neat, yes? On paper, that looks good—if not better than—the current crop of flagship phones available on the market. Unless the remaining players like Sony and Samsung reveal something new to trump the Optimus G, it’s going to have quite a good run. Of course, the spec sheet gives us the numbers and won’t really make or break the success of this phone.

Flickr image by reviewsongadgets

Key Features

LG presents us with one of the more intriguing functions in a smartphone in recent memory: the QSlide Function, which takes multitasking to a whole new level by allowing users to overlap 2 different screens with different apps. A couple other notable functions are Cheese Shutter, which triggers the camera shutter based on your voice commands, and Application Link. You also get stuff like Dual Screen Dual Play, Screen Zooming, and Icon Personalizer. These functions are all in line with LG’s focus on “cross-tasking” and commitment to engaging user experience.

Depending on the market, the Optimus G will come with either an 8MP rear camera or a larger 13MP snapper. The camera UI features a number of goodies like the aforementioned Cheese Shutter, Time Catch Shot, Smart Shutter, and Low Light Noise Reduction.

Even telephony should get a boost with the active noise cancellation and dedicated microphone. You can make decent calls even in noisy situations, and you won’t likely experience call quality problems even when you’re using a VoIP service application or video-calling via Skype or some other provider.

Design

The unibody design and Prada- and Chocolate-influenced aesthetics should appeal to many prospective buyers, making the Optimus G a prime alternative to already-revealed smartphones that don’t really bring anything new to the table design-wise. While the Optimus G looks really good, its design doesn’t really stand out all that much, either. But with very little in terms of embellishments, the smartphone keeps the user focused on what he’s doing on the phone itself, which is why the 4.7-inch IPS screen becomes so prominent on the design.

This isn’t a review yet, of course, so we can’t really tell you anything about performance. However, the smartphone looks good on paper, and it’s pretty easy to see it challenging flagships from other manufacturers better than how the Optimus 4X fared against rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S III and the HTC One X. Priced right, the Optimus G can give other flagships a run for their money. However, at the moment, estimates have the phone’s price at around $900, which just won’t do considering the alternatives are priced much more attractively.

Still, with what we’ve seen so far—and with some hands-on videos you can find all over tech blogs and on YouTube—you get a pretty good first impression of the Optimus G. It won’t take the spotlight from the iPhone 5 or from a new Galaxy S model should there be one, but it’s going to get people thinking about it and looking at it and, ultimately, consider purchasing it.

Tags: voip service

Source : techtalkafrica[dot]com

Walmart taking iPhone 5 pre-orders Friday morning, cheaper than competitors

Walmart will be taking pre-orders for the iPhone 5 at its US stores from Friday morning – for a price that undercuts its competitors.

Following the unveiling of the latest iPhone in San Francisco on Wednesday, it’s possible many owners of the 4S are already looking at their device like it belongs in a museum. It’s a safe bet many will be chomping at the bit to rid themselves of their ‘ancient’ handset in favor of the new one, with its bigger screen and faster processor.

If you happen to be one of these people, or if your current phone is on its last legs and the iPhone 5 seems like a fine replacement, you may be interested to know that Walmart will be taking pre-orders for the new handset at its US stores from Friday morning – for a price that undercuts its competitors.

The retail giant is offering the 16GB version of Apple’s new phone with a $189.97 price tag, as part of a two-year contract. Meanwhile, Apple, AT&T and Verizon will be selling the same phone for 10 bucks more – $199. Walmart’s prices for the 32GB and 64GB versions aren’t known.

Those choosing to buy the new handset from the store are asked to pre-order in person. In return for a $25 deposit, you’ll be given a reservation card, needed for when you collect the phone a week later.

Walmart is also slashing the price of the old iPhone 4S from $148 to $89.97, with a two-year contract. Even cheaper is the iPhone 4, going for just 97 cents with a two-year contract. That’s down from $48.88. If the iPhone 5 seems a little on the pricey side but you’d still like to bag yourself an iPhone, you have choices.

Many analysts believe sales of the Cupertino company’s new smartphone will break all records, selling 10 million units even before the end of the month. The iPhone revolutionzed the handset market when it burst onto the scene in 2007, and in the intervening years has sold a staggering 244 million units.

Users upgrading from an earlier iteration to the new model will gain a lighter, slimmer device with a larger screen, a faster processor, 4G LTE compatibility, and a better camera.

It’ll be available for pick-up on September 21.

[Source: Bloomberg, LA Times]

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Samsung aiming to shoot down iPhone 5 with upcoming anti-Apple ad

It's not only Apple that's gearing up for the unveiling of the iPhone 5. It appears Samsung is too, as reports suggest the Korean company is currently filming a new anti-Apple ad likely targeting the new handset (and its fans).

Despite being clobbered in the courts by Apple to the tune of a billion bucks recently, Samsung appears to have retained its sense of humor, with a report on Tuesday suggesting the Korean tech giant is currently filming another of its TV ads poking fun at devotees of the Cupertino-based company.

The latest ad, being shot in Los Angeles, looks to be along the same lines as previous Samsung productions, reports The Verge, featuring a store with more than a passing resemblance to an Apple Store, complete with Apple-style signage (showing slogans like “join the crowd”), cardboard cut-outs of smiling ‘Apple Geniuses’ and mock-ups of various Apple products.

Earlier ads, one of which you can catch below, have shown hordes of people waiting in line for the doors of an Apple-style store to open so they can get their hands on the tech company’s refreshed phone. “If it looks the same, how will people know I upgraded?” asks one worried person in the line. Next they take an interest in someone walking by using a nifty-looking handset. They seem to like it, until they discover it’s made by Samsung. “I could never get a Samsung, I’m creative,” says one guy. “Dude, you’re a barista,” his friend tells him. The pay-off line? “The next big thing is already here.” We can expect more of the same in the new ad.

The Korean company is using its anti-Apple ads as part of an ongoing strategy to dampen down consumer enthusiasm for the iPhone. In fact, a study conducted following the airing last year of one of Samsung’s anti-Apple ads appeared to show that they were indeed having a damaging effect on consumer perception of Apple’s iPhone 4S. No wonder the company’s filming another one.

Last month the iPhone’s main competitor, Samsung’s Galaxy S3 smartphone, outsold the iPhone 4S for the first time ever, though admittedly this may have been in part down to Apple fans holding out for the soon-to-launch iPhone 5.

With Apple just hours away from unveiling the next iteration of its popular handset, we can expect to see the Korean tech giant’s latest pop at Apple coming to our screens in the very near future.

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Confirmed: Built-in screenshot capabilities coming with Windows Phone 8

Today, Microsoft’s Corporate VP for Windows Phone, Joe Belfiore, stepped on stage to demo some never before released features of the upcoming Windows Phone 8 in honor of the unveiling of the new generation of Nokia Lumia phones. One of the first features he was to quick to show, was the new built-in screenshot feature in the new iteration of the mobile OS.

Now built-in screenshots are really not a make-or-break feature for any mobile OS, but we guess the presentation stated with that as an ice-breaker. To make a screenshot, you press the power and home keys simultaneously. It’s the same shortcut as on the Apple’s iPhone, but I hope Apple won’t go on and sue Nokia and Microsoft about this now.

Source : blog[dot]gsmarena[dot]com