Linux News: Tablets

Lenovo Shoots for Sexy With Svelt, Sleek Portables
May 15, 2012

Lenovo on Tuesday announced new Ultrabook ThinkPad laptops based on Intel's latest Ivy Bridge processor. Heading the procession is the upcoming X1 Carbon, which will use premium carbon fiber materials and is aimed head-on at the Apple MacBook Air. The lineup also includes new models in the ThinkPad T, X, L and W series aimed at small businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and large corporations.

Code Clues Reheat Google Tablet Rumors
May 15, 2012

Murmurs about Google's supposed plans to launch its own tablet soon are growing to a roar. Source code from Google and Samsung indicate that a Nexus tablet is in the works, Slashgear reported. "It seems logical that it will be a Google Nexus device consistent with the Nexus smartphone, but the problem is there's nothing unique about the Nexus smartphone," suggested Andrew Eisner, director of community and content at Retrevo.

Facebook's Face-Melting Fast European Network
May 14, 2012

Today in international tech news: Ahead of its upcoming IPO, Facebook taps a Swedish telecommunications company to build and operate a massive pan-European optical network. Elsewhere, Change.org launches a UK platform, Apple decides to drop "4G" from the third-generation iPad, and Facebook cofounder Eduardo Saverin renounces his U.S. citizenship.

Windows RT and the Dastardly Browser-Exclusion Deed
May 14, 2012

Life is never dull here in the world of technology, but some weeks it's hard to remember that this is actually the real world, and not some epic tale of the battle between good and evil. We've seen plenty of examples of good pulling ahead in the struggle in recent weeks, of course -- but there's never any shortage of dastardly deeds being committed, either.

Mozilla and Google ARMwrestle Microsoft
May 12, 2012

Mozilla and Google are challenging Microsoft's decision to shut out all browsers other than Internet Explorer from Windows 8 devices that use ARM processors. This restricts user choice, reduces competition, chills innovation, and might have antitrust implications, among other bad things, Mozilla general counsel Harvey Anderson asserted.

iPad: Desperately Seeking Guest Mode
May 10, 2012

After you get over the worry that kids or grandmothers are going to drop your iPad and then accidentally trod on it or stab it with the leg of a walker, other problems quickly arise: For instance, what sort of iMessage or Reminder is going to pop up from your crass buddy and mortify your grandma? Which email from the friend who won't stop sending the joke emails is going show up in front of a kid?

The Un-Death of the PC
May 07, 2012

This occurred to me last Thursday when first-quarter PC sales came out. Apparently, sales are up 21 percent year-over-year and HP retook the lead from Apple in this segment. In this report, Apple's numbers include iPads, and sales for iPads collapsed in the first quarter. This got me thinking of the scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail when the cart is picking up dead bodies during the Black Plague and one "corpse" not only isn't dead but feels like dancing.

Tidal Wave of Tablets on the Horizon
May 05, 2012

By 2016, tablet PCs will reach an inflection point, a new study predicts: That is the year tablet shipments are predicted to outpace those of notebook PCs. That is one prediction in the quarterly NPD DisplaySearch Tablet Quarterly report. It also forecasts that shipments of tablet PCs will grow from 81.6 million units in 2011 to 424.9 million units by 2017.

The Samsung Galactic Empire
May 05, 2012

This past week has been especially kind to Samsung. Big sales numbers were followed by the unveiling of the Galaxy S III, the company's latest flagship phone and one that could very well own the market this summer. The S III runs Android Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest version of Google's operating system and one that up to this point hasn't taken residence on a very large number of phones.

Target Throws Kindles Into the Brush Pile
May 02, 2012

Target has decided to stop selling anything carrying the Amazon and Kindle brands. "We still have some of the product in our stores, and we expect they'll be sold by the end of May," Target spokesperson Molly Snyder told the E-Commerce Times. There's been some speculation that this move is tied in with Apple's plans to open mini-stores in select Target retail locations, but Snyder dismissed that possibility.

BlackBerry 10 Could Be RIM's Savior
May 01, 2012

Research In Motion officially unveiled new BlackBerry software Tuesday at the company's annual conference for developers, corporate customers and the media. President and CEO Thorsten Heins took the stage at BlackBerryWorld 2012 in Orlando, Fla., to officially introduce the new operating system to developers.

Microsoft Carves a Notch in Nook
May 01, 2012

Microsoft on Monday said it will pay $300 million to get a piece of Barnes & Noble's Nook tablet action for the Windows 8 platform. The two companies will partner in a new Barnes & Noble subsidiary which will push further into the education market. Barnes & Noble will initially create a Nook app for Windows 8.

Amazon Investors Shake Off Profit Drop
April 27, 2012

Amazon's first fiscal quarter surprised shareholders Thursday by beating performance expectations. Investors sent shares upward even though the online retailer reported a 35 percent drop in net income. Amazon announced a net income of $130 million, or 28 cents a share, for its latest quarter.

The MacPad Will Come - but Software Convergence Will Come First
April 26, 2012

Despite all the fantastic numbers delivered by Apple when it revealed its latest fiscal quarterly profits this week -- such as an eye-popping 94 percent net profit year-to-year increase -- one question and one rambling answer from Apple CEO Tim Cook made me sit up in my chair. The question: Will Apple create a converged iPad/MacBook with a built-in keyboard?

Entertainment Device Convergence: The State of Play
April 13, 2012

The tumultuous convergence of entertainment devices, greater interaction with the television-viewing experience, and increased involvement of social networks were all in the Klieg lights at the IP&TV World Forum, the Internet television show I attended recently in London. I was immersed in the future of television content delivery mashed with user interaction.

iPhone Lucre and iPad Cash Form Raging River of Revenue
April 11, 2012

Apple's market capitalization passed the $600 billion milestone Tuesday, a first for the company. Shares of the stock went as high as $644 on Tuesday, putting Apple's market cap at $600.2 billion. The company is riding on record product sales, especially with its iPhone 4S and new iPad, as well as the announcement that an investor dividend is coming.