Apple iPad 3 review

This year, it’s all about the screen. The third-generation iPad has lots of other improvements but it’s the brilliance of the display which leaps out at you as soon as you wake the screen.
Apple has come in for some criticism that the new iPad doesn't offer as many new features as some had hoped. But, with the new screen and improved GPU the battery has also had to be improved and its capacity increased – it's nearly twice as capacious as the one in the iPad 2. With all that, it's not a huge surprise that there aren't a raft of new features.

Jaw-dropping screen

As you may know, it has four times as many pixels as last year’s iPad 2, which wasn’t exactly a slouch in the display department. The 3.1 million pixels give a resolution of 264 pixels per inch, which is enough to make picking out the individual dots completely impossible.

As a result, text which had previously seemed perfectly readable is suddenly sharper, with a crispness that rivals print. No more jagged edges on curved lines, no matter how much you squint. It’s hard to convey what a major, but also subtle, change this is. Stare at it in the right light and it looks like it could be a printed photograph, not an electronic display.

Suddenly, even if you absolutely prefer reading books to ebooks – and who wouldn’t? – the new iPad becomes a much more tempting prospect. Of course, it is still a backlit screen rather than restful-on-the-eyes paper, but this is the first iPad to be a better e-reader than the Kindle in terms of sharpness. Though in bright sunlight Amazon’s e-ink screen still wins out.
The new screen also has greater colour saturation – an increase of 44 per cent, according to Apple – which lifts the vividness of the screen. And it does this without becoming over-saturated or garish.
This is a great technical achievement: to squeeze in this many pixels could easily have resulted in image noise, crosstalk or any number of visual artefacts, but Apple has pulled it off. Not once have we seen the display look blurry or anything less than stable and pin-sharp. According to Apple, that’s because the pixels have been distanced from the signal which tells them when to turn on and off or how brightly to burn. However it’s been achieved, it works flawlessly.

Of course, it’s down to the A5X chip, as well. This is an improvement to last year’s A5 CPU, found in the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S. It’s worth noting that the CPU itself remains the same, but the graphics capabilities have been specifically changed, upgrading the graphics processor to quad-core.
There’s more to say about the 2012 iPad than just the new display, but in passing, let’s note that this is an expensive component. It’s hard to believe that rival tablet-makers will be able to match, let alone undercut, Apple’s prices.

Developers are gearing-up for high resolution

Enhanced graphics in iPad games will arrive quickly as app developers update their programs to match the high-resolution screen, though until then, they’re upscaled nicely.

Some apps are already being retina-ed, such as Pocket-lint favourite Tweetbot. Comparing the new iPad to the iPad 2 shows the new version is discreetly different. The text is universally sharper and tidier, and profile photos look punchier – though obviously the quality of those images is variable.

Improved camera

The camera on the new iPad is a big improvement over last year’s iPad 2, where the resolution of the video-optimised camera was less than 1 megapixel. Although the new model is 5MP, not the 8MP you’ll find on the iPhone 4S, it’s pretty good. Not least because of the lens structure, the f/2.4 aperture and the backside illuminated sensor - it sounds vulgar, but it just means the camera’s wiring isn’t in the way of the sensor.

No tablet is going to become your camera of choice because it’s just not compact enough to be handled easily, but the results here were impressive. Happily, the newly released iPhoto shines on this display, so you can look at the shots you’ve just taken in all their glory. This app is a powerful and effective photo editor that is a joy to use.

Dictation is here, but no Siri

There’s no Siri on the new iPad – which is a shame – though arguably the best part of it is here: dictation. With Siri, if you’re dictating a text message and Siri mishears a word, you have to start dictating again from the beginning. With dictation, things are much better. As with the iPhone 4S, if you have an internet connection, every keyboard that appears has a microphone key. Touch it to launch dictation and the software will listen and transcribe, including punctuation marks.

If you have an iPad 2, you can use Dragon Dictation or Vlingo, excellent apps which transcribe very well, but don’t make it easy for you to attach the transcribed text to an email, say. Apple's dictation lets you talk straight into an email.

4G, just not in the UK

Dictation is just one application that needs a decent data speed to work well. The new iPad has the capability to handle up to 42Mbps - though the masts that offer these speeds are far from ubiquitous. And though the box says “Wi-Fi and 4G”, you’ll get 4G LTE speeds only in the US, not the UK, even when 4G LTE arrives.

Not perfect, but not far off

The iPad still isn’t perfect. If we really can’t have 4G, at least an indication when you’re connected to the fastest speeds (HSPA+ etc) instead of plain 3G would be good. After all, the iPad is set up to say when you're on plain old GPRS or EDGE.
It would also be good if there were better connectivity: not more slots, but a more effective USB adaptor so it’s easier to take photos off the tablet when there’s no data connection, for instance. And we'd like it if, among all the localisation that is embedded,  a UK iPad knew we spell “Favourites” with a u in it.

It's also worth remembering that new, high-resolution apps will take up more space on your iPad. Apple still hasn't moved beyond the 64GB maximum storage capacity yet, and we really think this new iPad could use a storage boost. Especially if you factor in new, 1080p videos coming to iTunes.

 via: http://www.pocket-lint.com/review/5778/apple-ipad-3rd-generation-review

New Samsung Galaxy S III

Another day, another Samsung Galaxy S III rumour and this time there’s even an image. Now for the caveat. We don’t buy it.
Despite the protests of the offending site claiming that this latest leak is the real deal, to our naked eye even the screen looks as though it’s been photoshopped on to the phone.
Talking of which, is it just us or does the body look remarkably like a Samsung Galaxy Note?
This latest photo can be added to a long line of Samsung Galaxy S III rumours.
We had the image that appeared in a leaked “invite”.
Then there was the Twitter conversation that claimed over 10 million Galaxy S IIIs had already been pre-ordered by various channel partners.
With so much hearsay, by the time the Samsung Galaxy S III does finally arrive, we’re probably be so bored we won’t even bother reporting it.
Not really folks, we can’t wait!
Do you think this is the real Samsung Galaxy S III? Let us know what you think.
Via: techsnapr.com Via: opda.pl

new mobile phone release 2012

Have you been looking at your cell phone contract just waiting for the day that you can get a new phone? You’re not alone. Part of the perk of staying in contract is the capability of buying a new phone every two years. If you’re contract is up next year, count yourself among the lucky! 2012 promises to be a giant leap for mobile devices.
Here are the most anticipated cell phones for this year:
1. HTC Edge
Tech reviewers are concerned that this new introduction to the HTC line will not include Android’s Ice Cream Sandwich. If it does, however, this may be the perfect phone. With 1GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, the phone is literally a computer in the palm of your hand. Bonus: it can make phone calls, too!
2. Nokia Lumia 900
Nokia’s first Lumia was a bit of a disappointment. Give it up for the company, however, as they have quickly taken heart of their failings and have turned out an amazing phone operating on the Windows 7 system. The second edition of the Lumia will have a larger screen, a front facing camera and 4G speeds.
3. iPhone 5
If you are addicted to iPhones, get ready to break your contract early if need be. Apple is expected to completely redesign the iPhone for 2012. Analysts are hoping that the new version will have revamped hardware but the folks at Apple aren’t talking. The specs of iPhone5 have been tightly guarded but rumors about: a thinner phone with 4G LTE is what is hoped for.
4. BlackBerry10
For all the “Crackberry” lovers out there, don’t trade in your phone until you have the opportunity to get your hands on BlackBerry London, also known as BlackBerry 10. The internal workings of the phone will be nothing new to current BlackBerry users but the design is expected to turn heads like no BlackBerry before it.
5. Amazon Kindle Phone
Though it isn’t yet a fact, release of a Kindle Phone from Amazon is highly anticipated. With the popularity of the Kindle Fire, a mobile phone is a very real possibility. Amazon has recently made noise about purchasing RIM, or Research In Motion, the makers of BlackBerry.
6. Facebook Phone
Much like a Kindle Phone, this one is just a rumor for now. Depending on the source, it is either a rumor without merit or the social network is already working with HTC to develop a phone. If it’s true, the possibilities are huge. The phone is expected to have FB deeply integrated making using the social network on the go more user-friendly than the current apps.
Technology is released to the public on an alarming basis. However, for tech heads, this is a good thing! Be sure to keep start researching the new phones now so you’ll be ready to make the right purchase when they are released this spring and summer.
Stephanie Sanders is a communications consultant and writes for mobilephones.org.uk, a provider of all the latest cell phones and many unique plans.

MMT Monitor2Go hands-on

MMT is back at CES this year, with a revamped version of the Monitor2Go. This time around, the company has bumped up the portable display's screen size to a full 15.6 inches, while expanding its resolution to 1600 x 900 (compared with the 1280 x 800 seen on last year's rendition). A descendant of the Field Monitor Pro, this refreshed Monitor2Go comes with an iPad 2 or Android tablet slot and rotatable display that can turn up, down, clockwise and counterclockwise, allowing users to share their slate's screen with virtually anyone around them. The device can rest in either landscape or portrait mode, and comes equipped with HDMI and USB outputs, enabling owners to daisy chain up to six devices on a single port. The Monitor2Go is up for pre-order now, with the first shipments slated to head out within the next three months. No word yet on price, though we're told that it should be "under $300." Video after the break.

Monitor2Go hands-on

via: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/mmt-monitor2go-hands-on-video/#continued

ESI 250 deskphone wants to make business smartphones easy

Over at Showstoppers, ESI offered up an Android-based desktop phones hoping to bring the world of Google's OS kicking and screaming onto a business desk near you. The ESI 250 runs on Android Froyo (2.2), with a color display capable of running a limited bunch of (ESI-vetted) third-party Android apps like Evernote, text messaging and visible voicemail and reminders.
Looks-wise, aside from the touchscreen, it's business as usual. The Android interface is a little sluggish, although our major issue , we'd prefer to be handling Gingerbread by now, if not Ice Cream Sandwich. The enterprise phone is pegged for a Q2 launch, with prices pegged at a suitably business-like price of $300 per unit.

via;  http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/esi-250-deskphone-wants-to-make-business-smartphones-easy-hands/

SONY TABLET S TO HIT U.S. STORES SEPTEMBER 16TH

Sony voiced that the Wi-Fi usually models of the Sony Tablet S will land upon U.S. shores Sep 16th, forward of the European launch as well as the accessibility of the AT&T chronicle in November. The Sony Tablet S costs $499 for the 16GB chronicle as well as $599 for the 32GB version, that is standard for the march with 10-inch tablets, as well as is accessible right away for pre-order from Sony’s website.

The 9.4-inch inscription has the little standout features, such as an asymmetrical design, the non-standard arrangement distance (1280 x 768 res), an IR port, as well as harmony with PlayStation PSX games. But similar to each alternative Honeycomb tablet, it sports an Nvidia Tegra thinly slice (1-GHz) as well as 1GB of RAM, as well as front as well as behind confronting cameras.

Reviews have been mixed, fixation the Tablet S upon tip of the loyal Android Honeycomb flops though not utterly during the tip of the towering with the Galaxy Tab or the iPad. And so distant the full exhale of accessible apps as well as games isn’t clear. So if you’ve been watchful until the inscription essentially ships for some-more first-hand accounts, we won’t have most longer.
The Sony Tablet S will be accessible both upon Sony’s store as well as around large box retailers. Are we starting to pre-order formed upon the reviews or cling to behind until the early adopters have had the go?

Toshiba Satellite L745D-S4220: Our Deal of the Week

The 14-inch Toshiba Satellite L745D-S4220 is a general-use notebook with a price point doable for students returning to school in the fall. For $450, users receive a system with an AMD E-350 dual-core processor with an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 6310 GPU, 4GB DDR3 memory at 1066MHz, and a 500GB capacity hard disk drive at 5400rpm.

In our review of the notebook we said its highlights include good HD and light gaming performance and a responsive keyboard that is easy to type on. Its build quality is standard for the rest of the budget-priced Satellite line; it features a rounded clamshell chassis with a mixture of matte and glossy plastics in brown and black.
We said that it comes with an adequate selection of ports: three USB 2.0 ports, a DVD optical drive, HDMI, VGA, Ethernet, and a lock slot.

The full-sized keyboard is a hybrid between a traditional and island-style keyboard. It features flat keys that are not spaced apart so they offer great key-travel and responsiveness. The matte Synaptics touchpad is textured and the drivers allow for smooth cursor sailing.
For its price, the performance of this system at this configuration was surprisingly good--we said its hardware makes the notebook "small yet powerful." It will be good for doing tasks such as writing papers, browsing the web, and watching films, for example. The AMD E-350 processor performed slightly better in the synthetic benchmark tests than the processor in our HP Pavilion dm1 review unit. The battery life is also a plus--during our standard battery test the notebook remained on and active for five hours and eleven minutes.
More specs:

• Windows 7 Home Premium, 64-bit
• 1366x768 display resolution (720p)
• 802.11b/g/n wireless
• 5.09 lbs
• Dimensions: 13.3 x 9.1 x 1.3-1.5 inches

Be sure to read our full review on the 14-inch Toshiba Satellite L745D-S4220 to learn more about its performance, display, audio, and more.