New Tech Lets You Look Like a Jedi While Unlocking Your Phone

If A Motorola Android Tab Leaks And It’s Just Like The Rest, Does It Really Matter?

So apparently there’s a new Xoom in the works. Big surprise, right? The old one is nearing its eight month birthday and thanks to the rapid Android aging process, it’s about as a relevant as a Handspring Visor at this point. But in all seriousness, does anyone care any more? I ask that with void of snark or sarcasm. I’m serious: Does anyone care about Honeycomb tablets anymore?

Honeycomb was supposed to be the iOS killer. It was supposed to stand-up, challenge the mighty iOS and ultimately slay the champion through a power combo of multitasking and openness. But it didn’t happen mainly because consumers don’t care about that nonsense. They want apps, which Honeycomb has very few. So here’s Android tablets now, sitting on retailers’ end-caps and shelves, huddled together, sharing the warmth of a single power brick just hoping someone will figure out how to unlock their screens.

Back to my question that’s not influenced by any nefarious bias. It was almost a given that Motorola would release a successor to the original Xoom. The original Xoom was the first Honeycomb tablet and it was supposed to be the Android faithful’s Joshua and purge the consumer landscape of the iPad insurgents. Companies don’t release a product, see what happens, and then start developing the next model. No, they map the course and what leaked today is just details about the next stop on Motorola’s Android trip.

The specs sound nice: an 8.2-inch HD IPS screen, an unnamed 1.2GHz CPU, faster RAM, Netflix HD, 1080p cam, and an IR emitter just in case you want a massive TV remote. Per ThisIsMyNext, all this comes in a casing that’s 9mm thick. That’s 0.2mm thicker than the iPad 2′s 8.8mm thickness in case that matters to you. (Hat tip to Droid-Life for the images)

But specs do not sell tablets. Most consumers are looking for a different experience than what they can get on their desktop or notebook. Without knowing it, they’re looking for lasting novelty. Sure, some consumers want multitasking, some want a tweakable interface, perhaps some out there even want a tablet with seven homescreens and an app drawer. That’s where Android tablets come in. The iPad, however, captures consumers with a slightly new paradigm in portable computing and does so with style and class.

Android tablet makers are going to steal their own revenue by following the PC notebook’s time-honored tradition of releasing new products every quarter. This upcoming Xoom model will steal sales from the original Xoom while seemingly offering nothing but a smaller casing. It will further divide the Android fanboys and ultimately dilute the appeal.

Little is really known about this next Xoom tablet. It could perhaps follow the trailblazing spirit of its predecessor by launching as the first Ice Cream Sandwich tablet, which would restart the iPad hype machine but would likely fall short again. Some commenters will no doubt cry that it’s premature declaring a product irrelevant or unwelcomed prior to its announcement, let alone release. They’ll state that we don’t have all the facts, or that this tablet could be different, or even, consumers are looking for something more than a large iPod touch. That’s what they said when I stated the BlackBerry Playbook, then called just by its codename of BlackPad, would crash and burn. (Here’s the post, but the hundreds of comments were lost when TechCrunch swallowed CrunchGear)

Look, I’m not an Android hater. I’m a very curious onlooker. I look at new Android tablets like I look at my Droid X vs the new Android phones and conclude that the new phones, say the Galaxy S II, lack any new compelling features besides the 4G radio.

Choice is good. But often, and this is coming from years of working retail, too many options overwhelm the average consumer who is just looking to get in and out of a store with the latest gadget and minimum hassle. So on one Best Buy shelve is a baker’s dozen of Android tablets, priced within a $100 of each other, all featuring nearly identical processing speeds and RAM types. Then, five feet away, is the iPad 2 advertised with its blockbuster apps where the only choice is 3G or WiFi and white or black. Apparently rather soon a new Motorola Android tablet will join its friends, but unless it features a $100 price tag, it will fail to get any attention.

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Build your own camera, launch it like a grenade

Meet the Firefly. Israeli defense contractor Rafael Armament Development Authority calls it a “revolutionary concept in tactical intelligence,” but really it’s a wireless camera that’s shot 500 feet in the air by a grenade launcher. And if a couple of hackers here at the [Defcon] hacking convention get their way, soon anyone will be able to buy this type of military grade technology for only US$500.

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Nikon Coolpix P7000 Looks Like A P&S, Controls Like A DSLR

We speculated this morning that the new Nikon P7000 was going to be a G11 fighter, and now that we have the official specifications it certainly appears that is the case. I’d go so far as to say that Nikon specifically went after the Canon G11 by putting a 10.1 megapixel sensor in the camera, and then making the lens have a slightly wider zoom range (28-200mm, vs Canon’s 2-140mm), by making the ISO range slightly higher (to 6400 over Canon’s 3200). It seems that the P7000 is all about trying to go one better, and it looks like Nikon may have a winner.

In addition to the high ISO range and wider zoom, the P7000 also records video 720p video at 24 FPS, and allows you to autofocus and zoom while recording. The CoolPix also has the ability to record audio using an external microphone via a microphone input jack, a CoolPix first. The new Nikon CoolPix P7000 will be available later this month with an MSRP of $499.95.

MELVILLE, NY (September 8, 2010) – With advanced functions and features similar to those found in Nikon’s line of award winning and critically acclaimed D‐SLRs, Nikon Inc. today introduced the COOLPIX P7000, the ultimate compact camera that’s ready to take on most any photo assignment. At home in a pro’s gadget bag or in the hands of a spirited enthusiast, passionate photographers of all levels will benefit from the P7000’s high performance, extensive manual controls, stunning image quality and advanced shooting functions.
The 10.1‐megapixel COOLPIX P7000 features a large 1/1.7” CCD sensor coupled with a 7.1x Wide Angle Optical Zoom‐NIKKOR ED Glass Lens for consistent superior image quality that explodes with vivid color and sharpness frame after frame. Taking Nikon’s commitment to image quality a step further, the P7000 adopts Nikon’s new EXPEED C2TM high performance digital image processing engine to ensure high‐ quality pictures with stunning color and sharpness.
“The COOLPIX P7000 represents the best of both worlds. It is an exciting compact camera offering from Nikon, as it not only provides expanded creative control found in digital SLR cameras, but also provides photo enthusiasts with the portability and simplicity of COOLPIX digital cameras,” said Bo Kajiwara, director of marketing, Nikon Inc. “The P7000 is the perfect complement to an advanced photographer’s D‐SLR, and it inspires the entry‐level consumer to explore the boundaries of their photographic capabilities and fulfill their creative vision.”
ISO sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to 6400 (expandable to ISO 12,800 in low noise Night Mode) to ensure incredibly sharp, crisp images when shooting in low‐light or photographing fast‐moving subjects. The P7000 also offers a variety of functions that enable superior rendering when shooting at high sensitivities, including a Low Noise Night Mode and a Noise Reduction Filter. The camera also features 5‐ Way VR Image Stabilization System, which utilizes a variety of tactics including optical lens shift to minimize the effect of camera shake to help banish the blur while shooting handheld or in low‐light.
Thoughtful engineering has led to the addition of features that will be welcome to current D‐SLR users. The Zoom Memory function allows the camera’s 28‐200mm (35mm equivalent) lens to be used in a way that simulates use of a prime lens, ideal for shooting at a preferred angle of view. The P7000 also adds controls and buttons for key features like ISO, white balance, bracketing and exposure compensation. The new innovative and independent Quick Menu dial ensures easy access to key functions with the comfort of analog operation. Advanced users will also enjoy the benefits of shooting RAW/NRW* files for creative freedom, and macro abilities as close as 0.8 inches.
While the image quality of the P7000 is nothing short of stellar, the video capabilities are far beyond that of a typical compact. The P7000 records HD video at 720p at 24 frames‐per‐second (fps) with optical zoom and autofocus control. A COOLPIX first, users can now record audio with an external stereo microphone via the microphone input. An accessory microphone or Nikon Speedlight can be mounted on the P7000’s hot shoe.
Additional features of the Nikon COOLPIX P7000 digital camera include:

• 7.1x Wide‐Angle Optical Zoom‐NIKKOR ED glass lens (28‐200mm f/2.8‐5.6) allows for detailed
  close‐ups and dramatic landscapes.
• 3.0‐inch 921,000‐dot Clear Color Display with wide viewing angle makes it easy to compose,
  view and share still images and movies that come alive with rich detail and improved contrast.
• Large optical viewfinder with diopter adjustment dial Tone Level Information helps photographers achieve their desired exposure with a histogram display, allowing them to determine the exposure while checking the balance between highlights and shadows.
• Electronic Virtual Horizon Indicator gives the user visual confirmation that the camera has a
  level horizon.
• In‐camera editing functions include exposure compensation, COOLPIX Picture Control, noise
  reduction filter, Quick Retouch, D‐Lighting and Active D‐Lighting.
• 5‐Way Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization System
• Optical VR Image Stabilization by lens shift minimizes the effects of camera shake.
• Hybrid VR Image Stabilization by lens shift and electronic VR.
• Motion Detection automatically detects moving subjects and adjusts shutter speed and
  the ISO setting to compensate for camera shake and subject movement.
• High ISO up to 6400 at full resolution for optimal results when shooting in low‐light or
  photographing fast‐moving subjects.
• Best Shot Selector (BSS) automatically takes up to 10 shots while the user presses the
  shutter and saves the sharpest image.
• Full Manual Controls‐PSAM (Program, Shutter, Aperture, Manual) control gives creative
  control over images.
• NRW (RAW) file function compatible with Mac® and Windows® Operating Systems.
• Bracketing functions for Automatic Exposure (Sv and Tv) and White Balance allows the user to take consecutive shots with slightly different settings and select the one that best matches their
  intention.
• HD (720p) Movie with Stereo, Mic Input Jack and HDMI Output records at 24 fps with optical zoom, autofocus and stereo sound.
• Subject Tracking automatically activates autofocus while tracking moving subjects, like active children or unpredictable animals.
• Scene Auto Selector automatically recognizes the shooting situation and adjusts the camera’s settings accordingly for great pictures anywhere. Smart Portrait System integrates the following features to make it a snap to capture stunning portraits:
• In‐Camera Red‐Eye FixTM automatically fixes most instances of red‐eye. o Enhanced Face‐Priority AF can detect up to 12 faces from a variety of angles.
• Skin Softening ensures smooth skin tone on the face of subjects by leveraging built‐in
  face‐detection technology.
• Smile Timer automatically detects when a subject smiles and releases the shutter.
• Blink Warning alerts the photographer if a subject has blinked.

The Nikon COOLPIX P7000 will be available in late September 2010 for $499.95** MSRP.

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Looks Like Dyson, Priced Like A Knock-off, Still Blows

Not content to stick to the cheap imitation of tablets and other computers, the clever copiers at Abiko have produced a “homage” model of the Dyson bladeless fan. Keep in mind that the knock off isn’t of the newest models, but rather the 10-inch desk fan that we reviewed last year.

So they changed the color, removed that pesky logo, and now you too can have a desk fan that doesn’t use blades. The buttons are in the same place, and the fan will probably work the same way as the Dyson. It’s still expensive though – the real version is $300, the knockoff is still a wallet draining $223. For $75, you can have the real thing. I’m guessing you won’t find this fan in any US retail outlets, though I’m sure you can find it for sale on the internet if you look hard enough.

[via Crave]

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T-Mobile’s G2 pricing revealed, priced like you’d think a smartphone should be

Nothing surprising here — leaked T-Mobile internal documents show the pricing of the G2 at $199.99 on contract/after rebate, and $499.99 if bought outright.  This would be the same as the Vibrant, Droid Incredible, HTC Evo 4G, and just about every other top tier smartphone — with the exception being the Epic 4G. (We’re going to go out on a limb here and opine that there will be earbuds, a charger and maybe some documentation in the box, too — you heard it here first!). So save your pennies and check in the ashtray for change, and hopefully we will see this one soon.  [TmoNews]

Posted originally at Android Central

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Rumored Apple Event: What I’d Like to See

Ricoh’s New Rugged G700 Camera Looks Like A Disposable

Ricoh has a sort of aesthetic going on here. I only just realized what it is the recently-released CX4 reminds me of: one of those disposable cameras. This new G700, although it looks like a totally solid camera, definitely looks like you’d throw it away when you were done.

There’s not too much to say: 12 megapixels, 5x optical zoom, ISO 64-3200, 720p video. The main thing, though, is the ruggedness. It looks to be about as rugged as those in our roundup a few months back: 5m underwater, 2m drop, dust and chemical sealed.

Nice touch: you can use the regular rechargeable battery pack, but you can switch to AAAs if you find yourself away from an outlet. I like Ricoh. Not sure why, I just like those guys.

View full post on CrunchGear

Did The iPad Preemptively Kill The US Tablet Market Like The Kindle & Nook Killed Other Ebook Readers?

Want an ebook reader in the states? You have two choices: the Kindle or the Nook. That’s it about. Either other manufacturers are pulling out of the US market or they’re avoiding it altogether. Samsung introduced its ebook reader with much fanfare at CES 2010, but now it’s not going to be released here. This isn’t exactly a bad thing as both the Kindle and Nook are well-polished devices and are about as good as the form factor gets. Still, the lack of competition will eventually be a bad thing as there won’t be clear motivation for innovation or competitive pricing.

It’s a different story in Euroland or Asia. There are many ebook readers available, as two devices backed by content providers don’t dominate the market. This creates true consumer choice and opportunities for new ebook readers. Now, the Kindle is still huge everywhere, but at least manufacturers haven’t totally given up on the market like they have in the US.

But did Apple just destroy the US tablet market in the same way? Are manufacturers really going to invest millions upon millions of dollars in R&D and marketing when consumers are buying the iPad by the millions? Is the US tablet market dead?

It’s been about five months since the iPad launched. Since then we’ve heard bits and pieces of info concerning upcoming tablets from some big names. So far, the only tablet that’s actually made it to market from a major manufacturer is the Dell Streak, but with a 5-inch screen, it’s not exactly after the same crowd as the iPad.

Nearly every week something drops that says Acer, Asus, Lenovo, everyone is working on a so-called iPad killer. But where are they? Did the iPad really come out of nowhere and catch everyone off guard? Surely it doesn’t take that much time to design and manufacture a keyboardless-netbook running Android?

That’s what’s so strange: Tablets have been made for years and they really haven’t changed all that much, but yet since the launch of the iPad five months ago, the whole industry has been silent. Only a few convertible netbooks have dropped including the Viliv S10 and Asus Eee T10.

Sure, there’s a steady stream of cheap Android tablets flowing out of China, but none of the top PC makers has responded with a proper competitor. It really feels like the whole market is holding its breath.

HP has perhaps the best chance to shatter the silence with the Palmpad. After all, it’s coming to the market bearing any major unforeseen hurdle and might be the best chance the tablet market has to spur true competition and innovation. WebOS failed the first time around mainly because of poor hardware, but hopefully that won’t be the case with the Palmpad. But the longer HP delays its launch, the iPad gains marketshare and furthers its conquest for total domination. It only took the iPad two months to hit the three million-unit mark. Just think what will happen if it has this Christmas shopping season all to itself.

Now that HP owns Palm and the rights to webOS, they have the same advantage as Apple. They can develop the OS specifically to their hardware. Everyone else is relying on Android underpinnings developed by Google. Then there’s the Android updating issue and all the fractioning. Android and tablets simply do not seem to be a recipe for success.

The iPad is killing the tablet market even more so than the iPod killed in PMPs. The iPod was the top dog for years, but there was always a race for second place between Creative, Archos, SanDisk, and eventually Microsoft with the Zune. This might not be the case with tablets as they’re more expensive to develop than MP3 players and makers have a lot more to lose. So rather than competing specifically in the US market where the iPad is the king of kings, they might go after other markets in Europe or Asia or ignore the form factor altogether.

I truly hope I’m wrong. I don’t even own an iPad, nor do I want one. The only Apple product I use on a daily basis is the full-size keyboard. But look at the numbers: the iPad has a gigantic head start against any other tablet. So much so that it probably already “won.” All I hope is that manufacturers haven’t totally gave up in that space and plan on outing innovative competitors. I just don’t see it happening anytime soon, though.

View full post on CrunchGear

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Droid X is now hard to get, just like Droid Incredible and Evo before it

The new Motorola Droid X is already hard to get, apparently due to shortages of components like its display.

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