October 24 Time to Launch Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Samsung unveiled the monster-size (5.6 inches!) Galaxy Note II smartphone in late August, but the company has so far been vague about when it’s coming to the U.S. — although the carriers are known.

We’re still not 100% on the timing of the launch, but at least now we know when we’ll know. Samsung just sent out invitations to the press for an event in New York City on Oct. 24. Although the invitation says nothing about what will be on deck, it features a big picture of an S Pen — the Note line’s trademark stylus.

We’ve already had some hands-on time with the Galaxy Note II, and we can say pretty definitively that the stylus pictured belongs to it. It certainly doesn’t match the thicker S Pen that comes with the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet.

The original Galaxy Note was a fine smartphone, although we were a little underwhelmed by the stylus-powered abilities and taken aback by its sheer size (so were various members of the public at large). The Note II looks like a more refined version, but our first impression of it has us worrying about feature creep.

We’ll know soon enough. When it finally comes out, the Samsung Galaxy Note II will come to all four major U.S. carriers: Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile as well as US Cellular. We just need to know the date and the price, which should be forthcoming at the event.

Barnes & Noble Nook HD VS. Amazon Kindle Fire HD

Several weeks after Amazon took the wraps off its Kindle Fire HD lineup, Barnes & Noble did the same with two new HD Nook tablets of its own.

The Nook HD joins the Kindle Fire HD and the Google Nexus 7 in the 7-inch tablet game. But which is best? In our hands on with the Nook HD, PCMag found that it might have "the best screen on a 7-inch tablet to date." The Nook HD boasts a 1,440-by-900 display compared to the Kindle Fire HD's 1,280-by-800 screen. But for $199, you get 8GB on the Nook HD and 16GB on the Fire HD. You can bump up to 16GB on the Nook HD for $229 (a 32GB Fire HD is $249).

The Kindle Fire HD is slightly heavier than the Nook HD at 13.9 oz compared to 11.1 oz, but they're virtually identical in size. Both run a customized version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and TI OMAP chips, but the Fire HD sports a 1.2-GHz OMAP 4460 to the Nook HD's 1.3-GHz OMAP 4470.

Both include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support; the Nook HD will connect for free in all Barnes & Noble stores. If you're looking for a camera, the Fire HD has a front-facing one, but you won't find a camera on the Nook HD.

Content will likely be a major consideration. The Kindle HD taps into the Amazon Appstore and its approximately 50,000 apps. The Nook provides access to Nook Apps, which has about 6,000 apps. The Kindle can also access Amazon's video services, but B&N announced that it will soon launch Nook Video, which will serve up similar content.

For more, see the chart above. Also check out PCMag's hands on with the Barnes & Noble Nook HD and the slideshow below, as well as our full review of the Amazon Kindle Fire HD.

 

Top 5 Best Windows 8 Tablets and Tablet PCs

Are you planning to buy a Tablet PC? We have launched this blog dedicated for branded tablets and PCs. We will furnish comprehensive information and latest updates on upcoming various tablets and PCs in this site, which include Windows 8 Tablet PC

Windows 8 tablet PCs are expected to compete with Apple iPad and are expected to offer a lot more features optimized for touch operations. Windows 8 is the latest operating system from Microsoft with dual face, which can run on regular PCs as well as touch based tablet computers. If you are looking for new tablet computers and confused between buying a tablet or PC, wait for few months until some of the cool Windows 8 tablets hit the market. We are gathering forces to review all tablets that will come up later this year.

Samsung Ativ Smart Windows 8 hybrid PC (Aka the Series 5 slate)

Aka the Series 5 Slate is the other name of Samsung Ativ Smart Windows 8 PC, unveiled during IFA 2012 event with ability to transform into a standard laptop. This powerful hybrid machine features 11.6 inches display screen and runs on Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 platform with power engine of Atom-based Clover Trail CPU. Here below is the run down for specification and reviews for Ativ Smart Windows 8 hybrid tablet PC.

Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro Windows 8 hybrid tablet (Series 7 slate)

Samsung rolled up its sleeves with two new Windows 8 hybrid debuts in tablet market. Out of the two Ativ Smart PC pro version is a powerful and stylish tablet (also known as Series 7 slate in US) features 11.6-inches capacitive full Hd display and runs on Windows 8 operating platform with power of Intel’s Core i5 processor and sports dual camera and S Pen technology. Read this post to know specification and reviews for Ative Smart PC pro tablet-laptop from Samsung.

Archos Arnova 8 G3 Android tablet PC with Jelly Bean upgrade

Archos unveiled its new Archos Arnova 8G3 Android tablet targeted at low budget customers who are game lovers and want to read online contents. The Archos tablet features 8-inches capacitive touchscreen display with superb audio experience for users, performs fairly fast and runs multitasking applications. Go through this post to apprehend with specs, price and reviews for Archos Arnova 8G3 Android tablet PC.

Sony Xperia Tablet S

Sony unveiled its new impressive unique designed tablet – Xperia Tablet S featuring 9.4-inches LED screen, super-slim aluminum body and splash proof screen as well as folded magazine style shape. The device also sports dual cameras, xLoud technology and runs on Android 4.0.3 operating platform. This post covers specs, price and features for Sony XPeria Android Tablet S.

Asus Transformer Book Windows 8 Tablet

Asus declared world’s first Transforming tablet-laptop claimed to be switchable between a tablet and laptop very easily via a keyboard dock. Many models with 11.6”, 13” or 14” Full HD display, dual cameras, multi-touch ability and windows 8 OS with latest Intel Core i7 processor. This post covers specs, price, release and reviews for Asus Transformer Book laptop-tablet.

Android 4.1 Upgrade Starts Going Out to the Samsung Galaxy S III

Samsung had a problem when it introduced its new flagship smartphone in the spring -- just a few weeks after the debut of the Samsung Galaxy S III, Google unveiled Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). Since then, the S. Korean Company has been scrambling to get caught up.

Today, Sammy began remedying that. An upgrade to Google's latest operating system version has started going out for this popular model. Currently it's only available in a single country -- Poland -- but that's just the start of a process that will eventually bring the new version to users around the world.

Samsung hasn't laid out a timetable for this, so users will have to be content with the vague comment that the release of Android 4.1 upgrades will "vary by market and wireless carriers' requirements."

In the U.S., the carriers will have final control on when this upgrade is available, as they always test an operating system upgrades extensively before putting it into the hands of users.

What's New

Some of the highlights include Google Now, which tries to be a pro-active digital assistant, informing users of the information they want before they know they need it. This includes traffic and weather information, and much more.

The Notification system has been redesigned to be more interactive, and Google's developers made the user interface faster.

Good for Android

Since Android 4.1 was unveiled in June, only 1.2% of smartphones with Google's OS have installed it. Primarily, this is because of the slow pace at which Android upgrades typically go out -- many devices have only just recently received upgrades to Android 4.0.

The percentage of adoption is sure to go up when a very popular model like the Samsung Galaxy S III gets its version.

What Is NFC and What Can It Do for You

NFC is getting a great deal of attention as it becomes included in more smartphone, laptop, tablet, and other device. It's being hyped as The Next Big Thing that will change how we use our mobile devices: everything from shopping to interacting with your home and unlocking your car. Here's an overview of the current and potential uses of NFC.

NFC in a Nutshell

NFC stands for Near Field Communication, and, as the name implies, it's a set of close-range wireless communication standards. NFC-equipped smartphones and other devices can exchange information with each other with a simple tap or wave.

Remind you of tap-to-pay credit cards or apps like Paypal "bumping" to transfer money? That's because NFC is the technology behind many new mobile payments types such as these.

NFC and RFID (radio frequency identification) are sometimes used interchangeably, but NFC is really a newer version or extension of RFID. RFID waves can have very long ranges (e.g., RFID is the tech that helps highway toll readers read your car's toll pass), while NFC limits the range of communication to within 4 inches. This makes NFC perfect for more secure applications like paying for things or securely logging in at a location.

NFC also allows two-way communication, as opposed to RFID's one-way reading technology. So transferring photos or contacts between devices is a common use of NFC (see the "Android Beam" feature on many new smartphones).

Which Devices Have NFC?

Many smartphones and new laptops have NFC chips. NFC World has an exhaustive list of all the phones around the world that are NFC-equipped (available now, coming soon, with limited availability, and more categories). Google Nexus variants have NFC, as do several BlackBerries, HTC phones, and others. NFC chips are also embedded in "tags," which are stickers that your device can interact with.

Among the phones without NFC: The recently announced iPhone 5, despite previous rumors. Apparently, Apple thinks its Passbook feature is enough and people don't need NFC.

Devices that supports NFC:

BlackBerry Bold 9790, BlackBerry Bold 9900, BlackBerry Bold 9930, BlackBerry Curve 9350, BlackBerry Curve 9360, BlackBerry Curve 9370, BlackBerry Curve 9380, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Google Nexus 7, Google Nexus S, HTC Desire C, HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE, HTC Evo 4G LTE, HTC Incredible, HTC One X, HTC Ruby, Motorola Droid Razr, Motorola MC75A HF, Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE, Nokia 603, Nokia 700, Nokia 701, Nokia 801T, Nokia 808 Pureview, etc. (Read more here)

What You Can Do With NFC

NFC is most commonly associated with the "mobile wallet"—the idea that your smartphone will replace your cash and credit cards. In one tap or wave of your phone, you can pay for your groceries and redeem offers or coupons. Google Wallet, partnering with MasterCard PayPass, is one example. You can store all major credit and debit cards in Google Wallet and get a "virtual MasterCard" that pays for your purchases in-store wherever those PayPass scanners are or online.

At the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) this week in San Francisco, Intel showed off the interaction between a smartphone and an Ultrabook laptop. The phone, tapped to the laptop, logged into a site and paid for an online purchase—no form-filling required.

Beyond mobile payments, though, there are a world of uses for NFC, including:

● Paying for your parking meter, at least in some cities like San Francisco.

Getting tickets or boarding passes. Some airlines and buses are also experimenting with using NFC for boarding passes

● Opening doors. BMW has NFC-enabled car keys. Companies and universities are looking into or rolling out using NFC-enabled devices as security badges. To gain physical access somewhere, members need only tap their smartphones at the door.

● Downloading information. Advertisers and marketers can use NFC chips in porters and other promotional materials so all you have to do to get more information is tap or wave your phone (easier than QR codes, perhaps).

 

HTC Elation Windows Phone 8 Device Leaked, Includes Quad-Core Processor

HTC has accidentally posted its upcoming Windows Phone 8 device called HTC Elation on its website. HTC Elation will be the flagship Windows Phone 8 device with specs better than HTC One X. It features Quad core processor, 8MP camera, 32 GB Storage, 2000mAh battery, Beats Audio and 4.7inch SLCD display as well.

Update: As many of our readers pointed out, this "may be" a fan concept and not a real device from HTC. Specs and Design are great, I would like to see it as a real device. We have to wait till Wednesday to see actual details of the HTC flagship device.

5-inch HTC DROID Incredible X Specifications Leaked: 480ppi Screen

A new product launch will be held on September 19, 2012 by HTC. News from BGR lists the detailed specifications of HTC Droid Incredible X, which is said to own 5-inch HD screen and with 1080p video recording support. It is equipped with display screen up to 480ppi. In CPU, it adopts dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor. Besides, 4G LTE is supported, Sense 5 interface is employed and Scribe stylus is put to use. At the same time, it is with 1.5G RAM and 16GB storage space, of course, microSD card expansion is available. It is expected that it will be released in autumn this year.

 

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