Google shows Canada more Nexus love with new hero phone and tablets

Canadians now have more solid alternatives to the iPhone, iPad, and iPad mini to choose from, thanks to Google.

Hurricane Sandy put a damper on Google’s big launch event in New York City, but the company clearly couldn’t contain its excitement. Today, a slew of brand new Nexus devices were unveiled: a pair of upgraded Nexus 7 tablets, the beastly Nexus 10, and the quad-core Nexus 4 smartphone. And this time, Canadians have access to the whole line-up.

Let’s start with a quick look at the Nexus 7, the one device we could previously buy from Google Play. The 16GB version has moved down to the entry-level $209 price point and a new 32GB model now stands in its place at $259. There’s also a second 32GB Nexus 7 that comes with HSPA+ support, which only costs an additional $50. On the iPad mini, Apple dings you $130 for 4G LTE connectivity.

And if a 7-inch tablet just doesn’t fit into your tablet-purchasing plans, there’s the Nexus 10. Yes, it’s got a 10-inch display, but this one features an iPad-crushing resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. Its 300PPI puts the Nexus 10′s screen more in line with high-def smartphones than the Retina iPad, which has a 264PPI display. Google has also topped it off with a thin slice of Corning’s Gorilla Glass 2 for added durability.

So what else does the Nexus 10 have to offer besides a crystal-clear display? It’s powered by a Samsung Exynos 5450 processor, a powerful new chip and one of the first based on ARM’s Cortex-A15 architecture to hit the market (it’s also used in the new Samsung Chromebook). The tablet PC also packs 2GB of RAM, 802.11N Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC radios, 2MP front- and 5MP rear-facing cameras, and a whole slew of sensors (GPS, accelerometer, compass, ambient light, gyroscope, and a barometer). There are two models to choose from, a 16GB Nexus 10 for $409 and a 32GB for $509. Another model with a 3G modem is coming next month, but pricing hasn’t been revealed yet.

The Nexus 4 is LG’s first crack at a Nexus device, and it’s the first Nexus phone to go on sale in the Google Play store in Canada. LG opted to use the zippy Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro chip to power the Nexus 4, and it won’t disappoint power users. It’s capable of some pretty impressive benchmark scores and it performs just as well in the real world, tearing through browsing, apps, and games with ease.

As for the all-important display, it measures 4.7 inches on the diagonal and packs 1280×720 like most top-notch smartphones. It’s fully unlocked, and supports GSM,UMTS, and HSPA+ networks (again no LTE) — just bring your own SIM card. Other key features include 2MP and 8MP cameras, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi (MIMO), NFC for Android Beam sharing (and soon mobile payments, too), and an inductive charger, that those who remember the Palm Pre will find oddly familiar.

Here’s the big knock on the Nexus 4: it’s only available in two capacities, 8GB and 16GB. That’s not a lot of space, especially since the Nexus 4 stays true to its roots and skips a microSD expansion slot. Then again, the 8GB version sells for just $309 off-contract on Google Play and the 16GB model is just $50 more. The 16GB iPhone 5 costs twice that much ($699 from Apple) here in Canada. And apart from being a whole lot cheaper, the Nexus 4 ships with Google Maps installed (sorry Apple – couldn’t resist).

Two other details worth knowing about the Nexus 10 and Nexus 4 is that they’re the first Nexus devices with HDMI output, and they’re also both running Android 4.2. The updated OS includes Google’s new gesture-based keyboard (similar to Swype), lockscreen widgets, omni-directional panorama mode in the camera app, and even support for multiple users profiles on tablets. Yes, now you can let your kids use your Android device without worrying about them messing up your own painstakingly-customized account. Sony introduced their own version of this feature on their recently refreshed Xperia Tablet S, and we think it’s a great addition.

What do you think about the new Nexus devices, Sync readers? At these prices, and with these specs, will Google give Apple a run for its money?

Acer announces quad-core tablet with 12-hour battery

Starting at $449.99, the Iconia Tab A510 will be one of the most powerful and longest-lasting. It’s also branded with a 2012 Olympic Games logo.

 

Acer today has officially took the wraps off its first quad-core tablet in Canada and the U.S.

Dubbed the Acer Iconia Tab A510, this 10.1-inch touchscreen tablet will feature an NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor (formerly codenamed Project Kal-El), designed for serious performance, especially for memory-intensive tasks, like video editing and online gaming – plus it offers hardware-accelerated support for Adobe Flash 11 (which comes preinstalled on the tablet). In fact, Acer says the beefy CPU and 1GB of system memory (RAM) is complimented by a high-performance 12-Core GeForce NVIDIA graphics processing unit (GPU). This puppy will be able to handle a lot more than Angry Birds in Space.

The processing power also speeds up everyday applications like web browsing, email, music playback or flipping through ebooks, plus multiple cores also helps smooth out multitasking between open apps and extends battery life to an industry-leading 12 hours on a single charge (the iPad, by comparison, leads the pack today at up to 10 hours). It also doesn’t hurt that it’s a 9800mAh battery, which is one of the highest capacities in the industry.

With all this power and performance, it’s no wonder the Acer Iconia Tab A510 is a special Olympic Games Tablet Edition of the Acer Iconia Tab line, featuring an Olympic logo on the back of the silver or black chassis.

The Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) tablet was also designed as a productivity tool as it’ll ship with the full Polaris Office 3.5 suite — including apps for word processing, spreadsheet creation and presentations — which is compatible with Microsoft Office files. The Acer android  tablet will also include Acer Print, allowing users to print wirelessly to a wide range of printers.

Speaking of wireless, while there isn’t a 3G/4G option, the Acer Iconia Tab A510 includes 802.11a/b/g/n wireless (Wi-Fi) technology and integrated Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (enhanced data rate) connectivity.

The 1.5-pound tablet boasts a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with HD video recording – though Acer hasn’t said whether it’s 720p or 1080p – and a 1-megapixel front-facing camera for video calling.

Other features includes a WXGA (1280×800 resolution) HD display with 16:10 aspect ratio, Dolby Mobile 3 audio, HDMI port, micro USB 2.0 port and a microSD card slot to expand the tablet’s 32GB internal flash memory up to 32GB, per card.

While the Iconia Tab A510 is now available for pre-order, Acer did not specify when it would start shipping the unit. [UPDATE: Acer says the tablet will begin shipping by mid-April]. But if the specs are any indication, to say this tablet looks promising would be a serious understatement.

Acer says Microsoft should think twice before selling its Surface tablets

RIM’s capable PlayBook tablet gets a long awaited upgrade to 4G/LTE, but the steep price for this feature will have all but the most loyal users looking elsewhere.

 

The new 4G LTE PlayBook launched by RIM yesterday, with all three major carriers, is essentially the same PlayBook the company released a little over a year ago. To say this is a “new” PlayBook would be overstating things. Other than the 4G/LTE cellular data connection option indicated in the model’s name, the only difference is the processor, which received a modest speed bump from 1 GHZ to 1.5 GHZ.

Literally everything else about the 7″ tablet remains the same. Even the box it ships in.

So you’d think that this slightly updated PlayBook would be priced in-line with the non-LTE versions you can find on store shelves today i.e. $229 for a 32GB model. Nope, not even close.

Turns out the 4G/LTE PlayBook, which only comes in the 32GB capacity so far, retails at most carriers for the astonishing price of $549 without a contract.

Let that sink in for a moment…

If you want a PlayBook with 4G/LTE connectivity and a slightly faster processor, you’ll be shelling out an additional $320, or put another way, 139% more.

Just to be clear, this is not an indictment of the tablet itself. The PlayBook, while still under-appreciated by much of the tech media, and certainly not a fan-favourite with consumers, in nonetheless a very good tablet. To see how well it has aged, check out Marc Saltzman’s comparison between the PlayBook and the brand-new Google Nexus 7. The addition of 4G/LTE is a really great option – much like other 4G/LTE devices, it absolutely blazes along. In downtown Toronto at mid-day (peak network usage time) I was able to get speeds of 35Mbps download and 5Mbps upload. Not too shabby.

But poor sales numbers forced RIM to heavily discount all models of the PlayBook, thus changing the landscape dramatically. No longer were we to compare the PlayBook to its larger and more expensive competitor – the iPad. Instead, especially here in Canada where the Kindle Fire isn’t on sale, we now see the PlayBook as a great alternative for people who don’t want an ereader and a tablet pc – the PlayBook is small enough and inexpensive enough to be both (precisely the territory Google is hoping to exploit with the $209 Nexus 7).

All of which means, unfortunately for RIM, you can’t put the genie back in the bottle.

There is no world now, in which a 32GB PlayBook with 4G/LTE is worth $549.

The very most RIM can expect to people to pay for this mobile speed premium is $130 – the same price difference that Apple slaps on all 4G/LTE versions of the iPad – which means a new 4G/LTE PlayBook should actually cost $359. Coincidentally (or perhaps not) that is exactly $10 more than the 3-year term subsidized price of the new PlayBook: $349.

Now, I know there are folks out there who will point out that even at $549, the 4G/LTE PlayBook is still $100 cheaper than a comparably equipped 16GB iPad which only has half the storage. That’s absolutely correct. But don’t forget, Apple’s latest iPad is a technological tour-de-force with a screen resolution unmatched by any android  tablet. And even if comparisons to the iPad were meaningful (they aren’t at this point in time), it can’t change the fact that RIM’s own discounting of the original PlayBook has created this unfavourable situation.

RIM, expecting the backlash from the 4G/LTE pricing, has decided to throw the carriers under the bus. “RIM works closely with its carrier partners on its product launches. Pricing, plans and contracts are determined by the carrier,” according to RIM’s agency, Brodeur Partners of New York.

This seemingly out-of-touch-with-reality pricing  might be, in some twisted way, RIM’s way of getting you to buy a BlackBerry. I know, sounds wacky, but hear me out:

For $99 on a 3-year contract, you can get RIM’s range-topping Bold 9900 4G. It may not have LTE speeds, but it’s still a great device for productivity. And because the PlayBook’s biggest draw for BlackBerry owners is the ability to tether the two devices seamlessly, sharing one data connection, you could pick up a 32GB non-4G/LTE PlayBook for $229. Since you’ll already be paying for the monthly carrier charges on the Bold, there’s no need to pay again just to provide the PlayBook with its own data connection.

If RIM still has a surplus of PlayBooks it’s trying to get rid of, which the current pricing seems to confirm, this strategy might make sense: in giving people lots of incentive to buy BlackBerrys and PlayBooks together instead of just PlayBooks on their own, the company addresses two problems at once – getting rid of their soon-to-be-obsolete BlackBerrys and surplus PlayBooks.

It’s a long-shot, to be sure, but these days – sadly – everything about RIM is looking like a long-shot.

I like the PlayBook. Especially at its current $200 price point for 16GB. Everyone I’ve spoken to who owns one still enjoys using it and has no regrets. But I can’t get behind a $320 premium for 4G/LTE connectivity, the value simply isn’t there.

Battle of the 7-inch tablets: Google Nexus 7 vs. BlackBerry PlayBook

At first glance these tablets look very similar, plus they’re priced comparably. So, which one gives you more bang for the buck: Google’s Nexus 7 or the BlackBerry PlayBook?

So, you’re in the market for a new tablet and have $200 in your pocket. While there are a few options, the two you’re likely torn between are the BlackBerry PlayBook (from $199.99 for 16GB model) and the Google Nexus 7 (from $209.00 for 8GB).

While you might look at the price and capacity of each and think “well, duh, the PlayBook has twice the storage for almost $10 less,” there are a few other considerations you should make note of before you decide on one or the other.

BlackBerry PlayBook

Down from $500 when it launched in the spring of 2011, Research in Motion’s $200 machine packs a lot of punch.

The 7-inch tablet weighs 0.9 pounds and features a dual-core processor, 1 gigabyte of RAM (for fast performance and smooth multitasking), a stunning 1024 x 600 WSVGA screen and dual HD cameras (an outward-facing camera to snap 5-megapixel stills or shoot 1080p HD video and a front-facing 3-megapixel camera for video chats).

A microHDMI jack lets you connect the PlayBook to a HDTV, if desired.

One of the coolest PlayBook features is the clean and intuitive interface, as part of the QNX platform. Simply swipe left and right on the horizontal touchscreen to cycle through your apps, all divided into groups such as “All,” “Favorites,” “Media” and “Games.” Tap an icon to launch the app (such as a web browser) and while it’s running, you can swipe up from the bottom border to minimize the program, select another app (such as streaming radio), swipe up again to launch some photos, and so on. You’ll see all open apps side by side in “card view” but to expand the app full-screen, simply tap the window.

The Wi-Fi-enabled RIM PlayBook lets you do a number of things found on other tablets can – browse the web, pick up email (thanks to a recent update), watch video, listen to music, get directions (via GPS chip), read e-books and snap photos or videos – plus if you have a nearby BlackBerry you’ll get added functionality such as the ability to use BBM on your PlayBook or use your smartphone to control features on the PlayBook, such as using it like a mouse or remote control to play and pause content when the android tablet is plugged into a TV, for example.

But with relatively few apps, the BlackBerry PlayBook cannot be customized in as many ways as the Google Nexus 7 (more on this in a moment), plus while there’s now support for BlackBerry smartphone apps and some Android apps, finding and installing these isn’t as easy as direct access to the Google Play store (formerly Android Market).

To summarize the BlackBerry PlayBook, it’s an aggressively priced and powerful little device, with an intuitive user-interface, great-looking screen and beefy security features. Is it as “fun” as the Nexus 7? No. but the price, capacity and business applications might be just what you’re looking for with this Canadian product.

It should be noted there is now a Long Term Evolution (LTE/4G) model of the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Google Nexus 7

Like the BlackBerry PlayBook, Google’s first official tablet is black, 7-inches and under $200 to start (there’s also a 16GB model for $259, just as there are pricier PlayBooks, too).

But while the PlayBook costs less and with double the capacity, the Google Nexus 7 is thinner and lighter (0.4-inches thin and weighing just 0.7 pounds), faster (a quad-core processor) and runs on the latest Android 4.1 (“Jelly Bean”) platform.

Because it’s an Android device it benefits greatly from the Google Play store, now with more than 600,000 apps to customize the tablet in a myriad of ways. Plus, there are many integrated Google apps — such as Search, Maps, Gmail, Google+, YouTube, Chrome browser, etc. — and smooth multitasking for those who like to juggle multiple apps at once. But in RIM’s defense, a few Android apps have been found to contain malware (malicious software) and have been pulled from the Google Play store.

Speaking of content, a few freebies are preloaded on the Google Nexus 7: the feature film Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon, along with Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Dominion ebook and some free music, too.

You can also customize the look of the home screen by placing icons and “widgets” across multiple pages, something that’s not possible with the BlackBerry PlayBook.

The scratch-resistant high-definition screen offers more detail at 1,280 x 800 resolution than the BlackBerry PlayBook, plus it also seems to offer better contrast when placed side-by-side — resulting in colours that pop and deep, dark blacks. The screen can also be viewed at wide angles (up to 178 degrees), which makes it easy for two side-by-side kids to watch something at the same time, for example.

Battery life is comparable at between 9 and 10 hours per tablet pc.

While the Wi-Fi only Google Nexus 7 offers a number of compelling features, it only has one forward-facing camera instead of the PlayBook’s two cameras and there is no HDMI port to connect the tablet to a big-screen TV, monitor or projector.

Summary

As you can see, there are pros and cons for both the BlackBerry PlayBook and the new Google Nexus 7. Because they’re the same size and almost the same price, choosing one or the other depends heavily on your operating system preference, the importance of apps and cameras, security track record and capacity (again, the PlayBook offers twice the storage for about $10 less than the Nexus 7).

If you want to share your views on the PlayBook or Nexus 7, be sure to drop us a line in the Comments section below!

Sony Xperia Tablet S

 

Update Friday, October 5: Sony has halted sales on the new Xperia Tablet S due to concerns around the device’s ability to deal with liquid spills. According to Reuters, the company has discovered small gaps between the frame an the screen, which can let liquid in, thus compromising the tablet’s seal.

A year ago, Sony launched its first tablet effort, the Tablet S. It was 9.4” touchscreen device running what was then Google’s only version of Android for tablets – Honeycomb.

It had a unique design with its wedgy, folded-edge body, a good screen, and a built-in IR transmitter that could turn the Tablet S into a remote control for your home theatre equipment.

But it was pricey, the remote control feature lacked macros, and thanks to Honeycomb, the user experience wasn’t especially snappy or compelling. You couldn’t even use the included SD card support for anything but transfering your media files to the device’s internal memory. And there was no HDMI out – a feature that surprised many given that the tablet was supposed to (among other things) play nicely with Sony’s line of Bravia TVs.

While many reviewers praised Sony’s industrial design, the high price and poorly executed feature set kept the Tablet S from earning wide support amongst reviewers or consumers.

The Xperia Tablet S

Fast forward barely a year and Sony is back, on a mission to show that they can take constructive criticism and respond with a better product.

And that’s exactly what the new Xperia Tablet S is – a better tablet in every way.

Design

The new Xperia Tablet S preserves some of the folded-magazine design from the first version

Those of us who tried the original Tablet S gave Sony high marks for being willing to take some risks with the physical shape of the product. Its asymmetrical design meant that the top edge was thicker than the bottom. Or if you held it sideways in portrait mode, the right or left side was thicker. This not only gave the Tablet S a slight incline when using the device on a flat surface, making typing a little more comfortable, but also made holding the device while using it to read or surf the web one-handed a much better experience too.

And while the new Xperia Tablet S has toned down the wedge-shape, the folded-edge profile remains and still delivers a great reading and surfing experience thanks to the textured finish on the tablet’s backside.

Gone is the all-plastic case, replaced with a combination of plastic and aluminum which give the Xperia Tablet S a higher-end feel and puts it on the same level as the iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab in terms of materials. The tablet feels surprisingly light in the hand considering its overall dimensions are similar to other, heavier tablets. Sony claims battery life is about 12 hours for watching video and 10 while wirelessly surfing the web. These are excellent numbers however I wasn’t able to fully verify them. My guess is that real-world use will prove to be slightly less.

Dual stereo speakers sit near the bottom edge, concealed behind slits covered in a fine mesh. The sound quality is great for a tablet PC, and more than ample for watching YouTube videos or listening to the occasional song, but you’re still better off with dedicated external speakers for any serious listening activities.

The new Multi-Port comes with a removable cover that needs to be kept in place if you want your Tablet S to remain splash and spill-proof

Around the left side, you’ll find a covered panel containing the SD card slot and immediately above that is the headphone jack, while on the bottom edge, protected by a removable cover is the new Multi-port. The Multi-port works much the same way as Apple’s dock connector. It handles charging and data transfer via the included USB cable, and with the help of an optional $39 adapter, it can be used as an HDMI-out jack for sending HD video to your HDTV.

Perhaps the best part of the Tablet S’s new physique is the one you can’t see: Sony has equipped this baby with an invisible hydrophobic coating that makes it spill-proof. You won’t be able to immerse the android tablet in liquid, but as long as you keep the protective covers for the side and bottom ports in-place, the Tablet S should be able to handle most of the common mishaps that can befall a device that is left on a kitchen counter.

The screen is still not on par with Apple’s industry-leading Retina display, but it nonetheless delivers crisp, rich images and video. Unless you’re holding the two displays side-by-side it’s unlikely you’ll feel cheated by the Tablet S’s lower pixel density.

Under The Hood

Inside, the new NVIDIA Tegra 3 Quad-Core CPU does a great job at keeping the Tablet S quick and responsive, while delivering enough graphics performance to easily handle the many 3D games available for the Android platform, plus Sony’s own PlayStation Mobile offering which will headed to tablets including the Tablet S in October.

That quick new processor is part of what makes the Tablet S a joy to use, but the larger part is Google’s Android 4.0 OS, better known as Ice Cream Sandwich.

If you’ve never used an ICS device, you don’t know just how good Android has become as an operating system.

Android 4.0

Gestures are recognized instantly, while transitions are handled without stutter and apps execute without hesitation. Scrolling is buttery smooth, which in itself is a big improvement over the previous Honeycomb OS. Android on tablets is now a lot of fun.

As good as ICS is, there’s always room for improvement. Normally when manufacturers try to layer their own software on top of the stock Android experience, results can be mixed, which is really to say, not good. The previous Tablet S was an example of Android-meddling yielding no real benefits.

This time around, however, Sony has left the core ICS experience virtually untouched, adding only enough functionality to help the Tablet S stand out from the crowd – in a good way.

Universal Remote

The Tablet S’s Universal Remote Control app has a minimized view that can float over your other open apps for always-on access

The first exclusive feature is the media remote capability that Sony preserved from the first Tablet S. Unlike the first version, which was little more than a graphical display of your existing remotes and thus not very helpful, the revamped app brings the missing piece of the puzzle: Macros.

Macros are, for the uninitiated, user-customizable “groups” of commands that can combine any amount of “key presses” from your standard remote controls. It’s macros that give a product like the Logitech Harmony Remote its popularity. Being able to hit a single button labelled “Watch TV” and then sit back while the remote turns on every device in your home theatre and sets all of the right inputs is the holy grail.

Sony’s Universal IR Remote Control can do that. And unlike the Harmony, if you’re not happy with the way a given macro works, you can edit the sequence of commands right on the screen – no cables or syncing with a PC required.

You’re still left dealing with the fact that a smooth-surfaced tablet screen isn’t as intuitive to use as a physical remote, but that is the only drawback.

The second, and arguably the best of the exclusive features, is the Tablet S’s Guest Mode.

Guest Mode

Finally, you can now hand over your tablet to a friend, child, co-worker or spouse and not have to worry that they might accidentally delete an important email or pull up a webpage that you were on which (ahem) you’d rather they not see.

All of this because Guest Mode creates the equivalent of user accounts on a PC or Mac. As the tablet’s administrator, you can assign different accounts, each with its own name and permissions. You could for instance, create a “Kids” account and set it so that it only has access to specific games, and perhaps the YouTube app. Or you could create a profile for your spouse that gives access to everything, but keeps your email and web surfing separate. Passwords can also be assigned to keep those folks where they belong!

Given that our tablets are quickly becoming the most used appliances in our homes, and everyone feels a certain ownership, Guest Mode is a feature whose time has come. Every tablet should have it.

More…

I’m not going to spend much time on the other apps that Sony has included such as Walkman, Movies, Music Unlimited etc. These are all decent media playback or store apps but, with the exception of the Walkman app – which includes all of the features found on Sony’s excellent line of portable media players such as the SenseMe auto-playlist function, these apps are mostly on par with the stock Android equivalents.

It is worth noting however, that these native Sony media apps all have the ability to “throw” audio and video (depending on the app) to DLNA-compatible devices on your network e.g. a Sony PlayStation 3 or a set of DLNA-equipped Wi-Fi speakers. This means that content playing on your tablet can play wirelessly on your HDTV or other devices. Think of it as similar to Apple’s AirPlay feature, but not quite as universally executed.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t point out how aggressively Sony is supporting the Xperia Tablet S with a slew of accessories.

 

From covers, to keyboard cases, to stands that dock, charge and let you rotate the tablet into various positions, what Sony doesn’t have in 3rd-party support for the Tablet S, they are making up for themselves with some genuinely innovative and well-designed accessories.

Finally, let’s cover price. The Xperia Tablet S starts at $399 for the 16GB model, while the 32GB model will run you $499. That’s it – no other memory capacities and no 3G/4G cellular options (at least, not in Canada). Those prices aren’t exactly a bargain compared to other Android tablets, which you can find for up to a $100 less, depending on the brand and model, but it’s also a $100 less than what Sony was charging for the 16GB model of the first Tablet S.

Notably, it’s also $120 less than a comparably equipped iPad.

Factor in Sony’s superb build quality, splash/spill-proof coating, Guest Mode and IR remote control and there’s a strong argument to be made that the Xperia Tablet S is actually the value leader in the 9-10” tablet category.

Conclusion

While Sony’s first tablet effort left us wanting more – much more, the new Xperia Tablet S delivers the missing pieces, throws in a few welcome surprises, and carries a price tag that while not a bargain, is certainly not a show-stopper.

If you have been holding off on buying a tablet, the Xperia Tablet S would make an excellent first purchase. It’s beautifully designed, it runs Google’s superb Android Ice Cream Sandwich and it has been built to handle nearly everything a household will expect from it, or throw at it.

Far from throwing in the towel on tablets, Sony is back, and better than ever.

A Question of Ecosystem Viability

Two major rumors in the last week have me thinking about ecosystem viability and what it means for tablet PCs in the next year or two. The first rumor was a potential game changer as a video surfaced (via CrackBerry) of a Playbook demo in which an RIM representative can be overheard saying the PlayBook will support Android Apps. It’s not the first rumor of this sort, but it’s the first one to come directly from RIM (even unconfirmed).

The other rumor is that Microsoft’s newest operating system – Windows 8 – won’t be ready for tablet integration until the second half of 2012. With recent rumors pinning the development of Windows 8 around build 3 and a beta likely to be released this summer, the timing seems about right (though possibly a bit earlier in 2012 than some people think). That’s a long time to wait to get into a market that is starting to boom as we speak.

 

Both rumors (and the reaction of writers to them) point to one thing – the market can only support so many development ecosystems. It’s not so much about the people who buy these devices. If the Apps and hardware are there, people will buy any number of different operating systems.

That’s not the problem. The problem is that when there are too many options, developers tend to shift resources to those platforms that are the most profitable – in this case iOS and Android. RIM seems to be at least contemplating that as they don’t deny rumors of Android support on the Playbook. And while this is a great way to drive sales, it will probably further deflate the Playbook development community. Why would a developer produce two apps – one for Android and one for Playbook – when they could just as easily create only an Android app?

On the other side of the coin, Microsoft is still playing catch up, and unfortunately they are doing it slowly. It’s sad to see a company that was so much at the front end of android  tablet PC development fall so far behind the curve. By the time they release their first tablet specific OS, if Windows 8 is tablet specific, the iPad will have been on the market for two full years with a third generation device just having launched (if it follows Apple’s normal development cycle).

Android will have had a full year to propagate on new tablets and there will be at least two other major players on the market in the Playbook and HP’s WebOS. If Windows 8 was released right now, it would be a little late to the party. By 2012, the party might be moved somewhere else entirely.

This is a new age of ecosystem sales. People don’t just buy devices – they buy the experience those devices offer. And the more people buy into the iOS and Android experiences, the less likely any of them will shift to a new model, especially developers who make so much money with the current offerings.

 

• Of course, things can change. We don’t know what Windows 8 for tablets will look like. Deep integration with a desktop, advanced handwriting support, a centralized app store, actual ARM support for longer battery life – these are all features that could help Microsoft’s new offering succeed. But, will it be too little too late? That remains to be seen.

Tablet computing for seamless lifestyle

Way back in 2006 I blogged about meeting Dr. Neil Roodyn, and being introduced to Tablet computing.  I’m proud to say that 11-years later I’m still part of Tablet computing and still close mates with Neil. A lot has happened since then and there has certainly been a gap between my blogging. I’ve got three kids now, my Tablet business have grown from a simple garage operation at home, to business operations in Australia, Europe and North America. Dr. Neil has also established himself globally and in the process become a Microsoft Surface MVP; the world’s first actually.

 

I caught up with Neil in his office recently and share a chat about his latest software development and in particular “seamless computing” techniques [as seen on Engadget] called nSquared Presenter. I truly love the concept. Watching as users flick and send each other notes, images and deliver presentations from Surface Table, to iPhone to Tablet is amazing. As long as you are part of the Wi-Fi (or connect) network, i.e. same subnet mask, then the content will be seamlessly shared between yourself and your colleagues. It’s truly a step in the right direction and part of the manner in which 2012 will see effective use of the plethora of devices now ubiquitously carried by all.

 

About nSquared Presenter:

nsquared presenter allows you to collaboratively create and deliver presentations using all the devices you find in a meeting room. From your tablet to the projected screen on the wall and the iPads your colleagues have, nsquared presenter has it covered.

Your team can build a new presentation timeline of content including slides, spreadsheets, documents, images and movies brought together from different files. It can be done on the android tablet, a table-top computer, an interactive touch screen, or all three! This timeline you create together becomes the new presentation and will synchronize with all of the other devices running nsquared presenter.

Should Your Tablet Be a Desktop Extension?

I like to use my tablet PC as a replacement for most of the technology I own. That’s not to say I don’t use a PC or mobile phone at all, but in general, if I can get away with using a tablet, I do. So, I am always intrigued when a new player in the remote desktop market arrives and people start talking once more about how useful it is to access your PC on the go.

Specifically, Citrix has finally released their GoToMyPC software for the iPad – something many Citrix subscribers have been waiting for. LogMeIn and Team Viewer have both been available for a while on the iPad and there are a handful of cloud tools to access files and remote file structures, so this isn’t new, but it is interesting.

 

It comes down to one thing though – should a tablet PC be a fully functional workstation replacement? The question has been asked a lot lately because, frankly, the first few generations of tablets tried very hard to be fully functional. Even modern Windows 7 tablets provide full functionality of a PC with some hardware limitations. It was the iPad that changed all that – paring down what a tablet does to simple, intuitive multi-touch gestures. Android tablets are a little more powerful and have far more latitude for developers, but the same idea remains – it’s not a complete desktop replacement…yet.

Eventually, I envision a tablet PC market that can utterly replace desktops. It happened with notebooks and laptops in the 2000s. Early laptops were heavy, had very poor battery life and couldn’t keep up with even mid-range desktops. That has changed. You can buy laptops today that last for 6+ hours unplugged and provide plenty of power for desktop publishing, graphic design, and even gaming.

So, it will probably not be long before we see a sharp increase in the viability of tablet PCs as notebook and desktop replacements.

 

But, it goes beyond the power under the hood. You can make a super powerful tablet PC, but if the software and input solutions are not there to provide users with the intuitive interface they need to use something like Photoshop CS5 or Office 2010, it gets tricky. And that’s when people start looking to software solutions like GoToMyPC.

Personally, I think this software is fantastic. It provides a great option for enterprise users especially who don’t want to upload sensitive documents to the cloud where they are vulnerable. It also allows us to access software not yet available on the iPad or Android devices. But, as time passes, we as consumers need to support the idea that the developer community building up around tablets will provide these solutions and finally allow us to use our tablets as full blown workstations.

The time is coming – it’s just a matter of when.

MOTOROLA XOOM Android Tablet (10.1-Inch, 32GB, Wi-Fi)

Redefining the tablet by providing more ways to have fun, connect with friends and stay productive on the go, the Motorola XOOM boasts a dual core processor with each core running at 1 GHz, 10.1-inch widescreen HD display, and ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking. Winner of the Best of Show award at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the XOOM also offers support for Adobe Flash Player–enabling you to view the web without compromise.

It runs Google’s Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system, which offers a multi-touch, holographic user interface that improves on Android favorites such as widgets, multi-tasking, browsing, notifications and customization. It also offers the latest Google Mobile innovations, including Google Maps 5.0 with 3D interaction, access to over 3 million Google eBooks and Google Talk with video and voice chat.
The Motorola XOOM features a front-facing 2-megapixel camera for video chats over Wi-Fi via Google Talk, as well as a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera (with LED flash for stills) that captures video in 720p HD. The 10.1-inch display delivers console-like gaming performance on its 1280 x 800-pixel display, and it features a built-in gyroscope, barometer, e-compass, accelerometer, and adaptive lighting for new types of applications.
Other features include a 32 GB internal memory, memory expansion via optional microSD cards (with future software upgrade), 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, access to personal and corporate e-mail, HD 1080p video playback, HDMI output for connecting to a compatible HDTV or monitor, and a 3250 mAh battery for up to 10 hours of Wi-Fi internet browsing.

Android 3.0 Honeycomb

Specifically optimized for devices with larger screen sizes such as cheap android tablet PCs, the Android 3.0 platform (dubbed Honeycomb) introduces a brand new, truly virtual and “holographic” UI design.  With five customizable home screens, you can easily access your favorite live widgets or application shortcuts. Each screen features a familiar launcher to access to all installed applications, as well as a Search box for universal search of apps, contacts, media files, web content, and more.

Multitasking in Android 3.0 is easier than ever, and you can use the Recent Apps list in the System Bar to see the tasks underway and quickly jump from one application context to another. You’ll even see a snapshot of the last screen viewed in that app as a visual reminder. The Android onscreen keyboard has also been redesigned to make entering text fast and accurate on larger screen sizes.

HP TouchPad Wi-Fi 32 GB 9.7-Inch Tablet Computer

The new HP TouchPad is designed to work like you. Letting you connect, play, surf, and share more easily. No barriers. No complications. Just a seamless flow from one thing to the next. TouchPad. There’s nothing like it.cheap android tablet PCs

Super Natural

Works like you, so you get more done.

Next-level Multitasking

Get a simple, natural way to move from one thing to the next. Have related activities automatically grouped together.

HP Synergy

Get contacts, calendars, messages, photos, and email automatically synced from sources like Facebook,^® Google,^™ and Microsoft^® Exchange.

• Keep multiple email accounts open at once
• View work and personal messages together or separately

Just Type

Simply start typing to search the web, update your status, or begin just about anything. Think about what you want to do, not how you have to do it.

Entertainment Everywhere

Download movies and TV shows, play games, listen to music, read books and magazines, and view photos.

• Browse the full web with blazing speed, as well as support for the latest web technologies, including Adobe Flash
• Hear music the way the artist intended with Beats Audio^™—only from HP

Productivity Powerhouse

Receive a snapshot of new messages, email, and events without being totally disrupted. Act on what’s important—ignore what’s not.