Designer: Graziano Friscione

Yanko Design

Although tablets come in a variety of sizes and run various operating systems including iOS, Windows 8/RT and even QNX (Playbook OS), Android rules the roost when it comes to the Indian market. Tablets that are being offered in the Indian market range from Rs. 1,500 to all the way to Rs. 40,000.

We thought it would be a good idea to help identify gems from the clutter and present to you five interesting tablets to choose from especially for those who are on a limited budget.

Here’s our list of the top five tablets priced under Rs.15,000 in no particular order.

Lava Etab Xtron
Lava Etab Xtron comes with a 7-inch IPS display sporting a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. There is a 1.5GHz Cortex A9 dual-core processor on-board, along with 1GB of RAM. The tablet runs on Android 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean) and comes with 8GB of internal storage, which can be expanded by up to 32 GB via microSD. Camera options include a 2-megapixel front camera.

The tablet comes with 3,500mAh battery. Connectivity options include 3G (via USB dongle), WiFi 802.11 b/g, Micro-USB port. Priced at Rs. 6,499, Lava Etab Xtron is a decent value for money option. It has good build quality and display. The only real drawback is that the battery is not too potent.

Spice Stellar Pad Mi-1010
Another interesting proposition comes from Spice. Spice has recently launched Stellar Pad Mi-1010 in the Indian market. This tablet comes with a 10.1-inch HD tablet with IPS display and is powered by 1.5GHz dual-Core processor with 1GB of DDR3 RAM. This tablet runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and is available for Rs. 12,999. For memory, there is 16GB of internal memory that can be expanded by up to 32GB through microSD card.

Spice Stellar Pad Mi-1010 comes with a 7600 mAh Lithium ion polymer battery, which the company claims will play video for 6 hours and has a standby of 15 days. It comes with a 3-megapixel rear camera shooter and a VGA front camera on-board. The Spice tablet too has a good display and decent viewing angles. Another advantage is it is offering Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) out of the box. However lack of Bluetooth connectivity may make you give this tablet a miss.

Asus MeMO Pad ME172V
Priced at Rs. 9,999, the Asus MeMO Pad ME172V packs in a 7-inch screen that has a display resolution of 1024×600 pixels and offers 10-point multi-touch. This tablet runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and offers full support for Google Play. The tablet is powered by VIA WM8950 processor that clocks 1GHz and is coupled with a Mali-400 GPU. For camera, there is a 1-megapixel front shooter with f/2.0 aperture that can record 720p video at 30fps. Asus MeMO Pad ME172V offers Wi-Fi connectivity but no SIM slot. There is a 4,270mAh battery on-board.

The latest tablet from Asus comes with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, which can be expanded by up to 32GB via microSD. Asus is also offering 5GB of cloud storage via ASUS WebStorage.

Asus MeMO Pad ME172V looks durable but the single core 1GHz processor may turn out to be underwhelming for some. Another disadvantage with this tablet is that it is a Wi-Fi only tablet and does not have a SIM slot.

Samsung Galaxy Tab2 311
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 311 sports a 7-inch PLS TFT LCD display with a 1024×600 (WSVGA) resolution. The tablet comes pre-installed with Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and 4,000mAh battery. For camera, there is a 3-megapixel rear and VGA front camera.

On the inside, the tablet is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor with 1GB of RAM and has 16GB of internal storage, which can be expanded to up to 32GB via microSD card. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 and USB 2.0.

Currently, this tablet is available on pre-order on Samsung e-store for Rs. 13,900 and should be available in the market soon.

Acer Iconia B1-A71
Sporting a price tag of Rs. 7,999 Acer Iconia B1-A71 is a tempting option. This tablet comes with a 7-inch display with a 1024×600 resolution and is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core Mediatek processor (MTK 8317T) alongside 512MB RAM and 8GB internal storage. It features a microSD card to expand the available storage by another 32GB. Connectivity options on the Acer Iconia B1 include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS, Bluetooth 4.0 and Micro-USB. The tablet comes with 0.3-megapixel front camera.

The build quality of the tablet is nothing to boast about and the 512MB of RAM can be underwhelming for some but an attractive price tag and Android 4.1 are the highlights of the Acer Iconia B1-A71.

NDTV News – Technology

Judge Lucy Koh on Friday ordered a new trial to set damages in the Apple-Samsung case, striking some $ 450.5 million off the original $ 1 billion-plus judgement against Samsung. Here’s what’s going to get left in for the next round and what’s now going to get left out.

The following products will be subject to a new trial.

• Galaxy Prevail
• Gem
• Indulge
• Infuse 4G
• Galaxy SII AT&T
• Captivate
• Continuum
• Droid Charge
• Epic 4G
• Exhibit 4G
• Galaxy Tab
• Nexus S 4G
• Replenish
• Transform

The original damages award totaling some $ 598.9 million, still applies to the following 14 products:

• Galaxy Ace
• Galaxy S (i9000)
• Galaxy S II i9100
• Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi
• Galaxy Tab 10.1 4G LTE
• Intercept
• Fascinate
• Galaxy S 4G
• Galaxy S II Showcase
• Mesmerize
• Vibrant
• Galaxy S II Skyrockeet
• Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch
• Galaxy S II T-Mobile

CNET News

Designer: Wang Hui

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Yanko Design

VoucherCodesPro have conducted a survey which consisted of 1,003 British consumers to see what they thought of the Wii Mini which is coming to Europe on March 22nd. Interestingly, 76 percent of those who were surveyed thought that the Wii Mini wasn’t a very exciting prospect. The poll asked, “Are you excited about the Wii Mini announcement?” 76 percent said no, while the remaining 24 percent said yes. Those who said no were asked to give a reason, here’s the results:

1. Don’t see the point – 74%
2. No advance in graphics – 56%
3. Just rehashing an old console, not a technological advancement 49%
4. Small size not a big enough selling point- 47%
5. Already own an original Wii – 42%

Those who were surveyed were then asked “Would you be likely to purchase a Wii Mini once it’s released?” participants replied:

• No – 61%
• Yes – 22%
• Don’t know – 17%

“It seems that despite the release of the Wii U and with the recent announcement of the PS4 and the anticipated Xbox 720, Nintendo still felt the need to get in there with another release. Unfortunately for them, gamers just aren’t bothered; according to our poll at least.”

“It’s an exciting time for gamers who’ve been waiting several years for the next big console release. But the Wii Mini doesn’t carry the same gravitas. With no anticipation of improved graphics and no real advance on the original console, is it the case of flogging a dead horse?”

- VoucherCodesPro’s George Charles

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My Nintendo News

The stick has an LED display showing the which direction to go

A walking stick with built-in sat-nav has been developed by Japanese technology giant Fujitsu.

The Next Generation Kane is designed to help elderly people find their way, as well as monitor things such as heart rate and temperature.

Its location can also be followed online – and can be set up to send email alerts if it thinks the user may have fallen over.

Technology for the elderly is a key concern for Japan’s ageing population.

Fujitsu, like several companies in the region, is looking at ways to help us remain mobile and connected later into our lives – potentially extending our ability to keep on working.

The prototype device, shown off at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, is equipped with various connection technologies such as GPS, 3G and wifi – and has an LED display on top of the handle.

If a change of direction is needed, the walking stick vibrates, and an arrow appears.

‘Mature customer’

Although designed for the elderly, Fujitsu envisions it being used by any vulnerable person.

The Stylistic smartphone runs a heavily modified version of Google Android

The stick sends data back to a host computer, so a carer or relative can see the location of the user, with additional data, such as heart rate, being streamed.

If the stick detects an irregular heartbeat, it can automatically contact emergency services.

Also on show at MWC was Fujitsu’s smartphone designed for the elderly – or the “mature customer”, in their words.

The Stylistic runs Google’s Android operating system, but is modified to aid people who have perhaps not used a smartphone before.

The interface includes question marks at various locations to explain what each function is.

The phone is also able to change the frequency of audio to make it easier for older ears to hear.

There is as yet no planned release date for the Next Generation Kane, but the phone will launch in Europe in June, beginning with France.

BBC News – Technology

Because of its unique grip, it relieves pressure on peoples’ hands and is very useful for those that suffer from arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Designer: Brollytime

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Yanko Design

Yanko Design

This solar-powered watch syncs with your iPhone to learn the time, and it buzzes you when a new call or e-mail comes in. Gadget Lab

We often do various things while taking a rest – for example, using a computer, reading a book, or eating something. Comfort Airport offers an easier environment. It is a convertible chair that can be easily transformed into a table on which people can use computers and mobile devices. In a grouped table configuration, it can also serve as a place to converse with friends or family. With its backrest and table folded down, it can be transformed into a daybed on which passengers can lay down for a nap.

Comfort Airport is a 2012 red dot award: design concept winner.

Designer: Kwon Jin-Seok

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Yanko Design

Offering big-screen, slick, slim smartphones at lower prices, Chinese manufacturers Huawei, ZTE and Lenovo will leverage the Mobile World Congress to chip away at the mighty duopoly, analysts say.

The handset battle is part of a broader revolt against a handful of companies with a stranglehold on the booming industry’s handsets, operating systems and microchips, they say.

Apple, as usual, is steering clear of the February 25-28 congress that draws 1,500 exhibitors to this Mediterranean city in northeastern Spain, and Samsung is not expected to launch its next big offer, the Galaxy S4, until some time after the show.

That may leave the field clear for rivals to tout their ambitions for a slice of the smartphone market, which is set to grow to a record one billion handset shipments in 2013 according to a forecast by global consultancy Deloitte.

“I think we will see challengers trying to make noise at the Mobile World Congress this year,” said Ian Fogg, London-based senior mobile analyst at research house IHS.

New players face a daunting task, though.

Samsung and Apple accounted for more than half of all smartphone sales in the final quarter of 2012 – 29.0 percent for Samsung and 22.1 percent for Apple – according to research firm Strategy Analytics.

Behind Samsung and Apple, however, Chinese firms held the third, fourth and fifth spots – with 5.3 percent for Huawei, 4.7 percent for ZTE and 4.4 percent for Lenovo.

Demand for smartphones in developing countries could give Chinese firms a bigger opening, said Magnus Rehle, senior partner at telecommunications management consultancy group Greenwich Consulting.

“Hundreds of millions of Africans and Indians and Asians want to have a smartphone and so far the blocking point has been the price,” said Rehle, speaking from Ghana.

Now the Chinese firms were offering attractive smartphones at lower prices, he said.

“I think they will be quite successful in grabbing the new market outside of Europe and the US, and that is where the growth is,” Rehle said.

An even mightier duopoly holds sway over the operating system software that makes the smartphones work.

Google’s Android ran 69 percent of all handsets sold last year and Apple’s iOS 22 percent, said a study by independent analytical house Canalys.

Yet they face challengers, too, including Mozilla’s new open-sourced Firefox OS, backed by an array of mobile phone operators.

Microsoft’s new Windows Mobile operating system is struggling, however.

“The number of apps that is available is one thing that is blocking Windows from being successful,” Rehle said.

“They have had problems and everybody is hoping this will change because the duopoly is maybe not good for the market.”

Firefox could face similar difficulties, he predicted.

A battle has broken out, too, over the processor chips that run the smartphones.

Santa Clara, California-based Intel is offering new high-performance chips to break its way into smartphones, of which almost all now use chip technology licenced by ARM, based in Cambridge, England.

Chinese group Lenovo, for example, is launching a new handset, the IdeaPhone K900, just 6.9mm thick with a 5.5-inch high definition screen, which contains an Intel Clover Trail processor.

The potential rewards for Intel could be rich: the market in processor chips for smartphone applications was worth nearly seven billion euros ($ 9 billion) last year, said Francis Sideco, communications technology analyst at IHS.

Despite robust growth in smartphones and tablet sales, however, the mobile industry still faces a major challenge moving customers over to new ultrafast fourth generation, or 4G, networks, which can offer speeds similar to a fixed fibre-optic connection.

“There are 3G networks in many parts of the world like in Sweden that have been overcrowded and then you have parallel 4G networks that are almost empty,” said Greenwich Consulting’s Rehle.

Network operators need to convince their customers to pay a little more for the faster speeds, he said, pointing to videos as the “killer application” to lure people to the system over the longer term.

If the operators succeed, they can make more money and invest in greater capacity, the analyst said.

“Otherwise, they will have problems.”

NDTV News – Technology