See what makes the iPad Air 2 so skinny
It’s safe to say that you don’t buy most Apple devices these days with the expectation that you can open them up, and it looks like the iPad Air 2 is no exception. Do-it-yourself repair shop iFixit has torn down the new tablet and found that it’s even tougher (or at least, more expensive) to fix than its predecessor in a few respects. That bonded display may be great for cutting back on reflections, but it increases the risk of breaking the panel when you’re prying things open — and it’ll cost more to replace if you do break it, since you can’t separate the glass from the LCD. Problems from last year persist, too, such as the use of glue to hold seemingly everything together instead of clips or screws. Is this a deal breaker if you’re set on getting an extra-slim iPad? Probably not, but it’s something to consider if you normally prefer to fix gadgets at home instead of taking them back to the store.
Source: iFixit
Barnes & Noble announces 10.1-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK 10.1
Earlier this year Barnes & Noble released the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Nook 7.0, a collaboration effort with Samsung to provide the functionality of a normal tablet and the benefits of an eReader. Well, on Wednesday they announced another tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Nook 10.1.
Despite the long name, B&N looks to provide more options to consumers when it comes to the eReader tablet market, with the option to choose between a 7-inch model, and now a 10.1-inch model. What’s great about this is you can get a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 for $300, and included is over $200 worth of free content from the Nook store. I don’t care who you are, that’s a good deal.
The tablet will be available at B&N bookstores nationwide, as well as on bn.com and nook.com immediately. Evidently you’ll get a refreshed version of the Nook interface as an over-the-air update once you purchase it that will have a refreshed look, more content searching tools, and more.
Would you get this tablet? Even if just for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1″ for cheap?
via Business Wire
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Samsung’s big Galaxy Tab 4 gets the Barnes & Noble treatment
We weren’t terribly fond of Samsung and Barnes & Noble’s first tablet mashup, but it seems at least a few people were. If you happen to fall into that category, congratulations — that odd couple has something else that might be up your alley. The new Galaxy Tab 4 Nook 10.1 is technically the largest Nook ever released (only because Samsung already did the heavy lifting with design and production) and once again it’s basically a stock tablet with BN apps like Nook Library and Nook Shop sprinkled into the mix for good measure. Everything else — from the 1.2GHz Qualcomm chipset running the show, to the 10.1-inch display running at 1280×800, to the full eye-searing load of Samsung software tweaks — is a well-known quantity so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into. On the plus side at least, the Nook-ified version of the Tab 4 10.1 costs the same $199 as the bog-standard version (after instant rebate, at least) and comes with $200 of sweet, sweet content gratis. Interest piqued? You can pick up yours starting today, but you should only do so after thinking about it really, really hard.
Source: Barnes & Noble
Apple wants all iOS apps to use 64-bit code starting in February
Apple may have only introduced 64-bit computing to iPhones and iPads a little over a year ago, but it’s already preparing for the day when legacy 32-bit code is gone for good. The Cupertino crew is now telling developers that their iOS apps must include 64-bit support from February 1st onward. While the company won’t kick out existing titles, both new apps and updated releases will have to make the switch. Theoretically, this is easy — developers just have to build apps using the most recent tools and standard settings.
The switch could have a meaningful impact on the apps you use. At the least, it should reduce the need for iOS to juggle both 32- and 64-bit code. That’s good for performance, whether or not there are meaningful upgrades to the apps themselves. The move may also spur more developers to fine-tune their apps for the A7 and A8 chips in recent iOS gear — even if they don’t need to use higher-precision 64-bit math, that could still lead to faster games, media players and other demanding titles. It’ll likely take much longer for Apple to drop 32-bit support altogether, but the ball is clearly rolling on that transition.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Apple
Via: 9to5Mac
Source: Apple Developer
Google gives you the tools to build apps for Android 5.0 Lollipop
The official Android 5.0 Lollipop upgrade for your phone may be weeks away, but Google has delivered all the ingredients for you to make Lollipop-ready apps. The search firm has released both the finished Lollipop developer kit and a fresh batch of stripped-down Android test releases for Nexus 5 and 7 devices. There’s also a new round of Material Design guidelines and assets to make sure apps look at home in Google’s flatter aesthetic. This won’t help much if you just want to try all the whiz-bang features, but you’ll definitely want to hit the source links if you’re a software creator.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile, Google
Source: Android Developers Blog
Here’s every device getting Android 5.0 Lollipop so far
If you’re a die-hard Android fan, you’re probably champing at the bit waiting for that Lollipop upgrade — when will you get it? Are you going to get it? Thankfully for you, a number of companies have already promised to upgrade some of their devices to this candy-flavored OS. Google’s Nexus 4, 5, 7 and 10 models are naturally first in line, as are Android One and Google Play Edition hardware; its outgoing Motorola brand is equally on top of things with plans to patch the Moto E, G and X alongside Verizon’s Droid Mini, Maxx and Ultra. HTC and OnePlus don’t have full details, but they’re both pledging to give their recent flagships a taste of Lollipop within 90 days of receiving finished code. NVIDIA and Sony, meanwhile, are being vague. While they’re respectively teasing plans to update the Shield Tablet and the Xperia Z series, they won’t say when just yet.
As for other manufacturers? Well, don’t hold your breath. LG tells TechRadar that it has nothing to say on “if / when” Lollipop will reach the G3, let alone older gear. The upgrade is likely coming, but the statement is far from reassuring. Mum’s the word from Samsung as well, although leaks show that a Lollipopped version of TouchWiz is in the works. It’s also reasonable to expect that relatively large brands like Acer, ASUS, Huawei and Xiaomi are on deck — just don’t be shocked if their older devices don’t make the cut.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Samsung, Sony, HTC, Google, LG, NVIDIA
Via: TechRadar, MobileBurn
Source: HTC (Twitter), Motorola, Sony Mobile Blog
Flickr chooses a great time to launch its iPad app
Apple has chosen to focus on the iPad’s camera abilities with the upcoming Air 2 (we wish they wouldn’t) and apparently, finally snagged Flickr’s attention. Yahoo’s photo sharing service somehow managed to beat Instagram to the punch so perhaps the introduction of its first iPad-ready app (four years after Apple’s slate arrived) isn’t that late. So what’s in the (now universal) Flickr iOS app? iPad-optimized layouts for members to browse pictures whether their own or others that “cascade in a lovely waterfall format.” If you must take a picture with your tablet, the app can record photos or videos with live filters and a full suite of editing tools. It requires iOS 8 to work, and some of the upgrades that stretch across devices include support for the new sharing extensions, photo detail editing and a new unified search. The update is live in the app store now, and of course there’s no time like 3AM ET on a Saturday to give it a try.
We’ve heard you loud and clear! Flickr for #iPad is here: http://t.co/E3ZnrfDrXq
– Flickr (@Flickr) October 18, 2014
Filed under: Internet, Mobile, Apple
Source: iTunes, Flickr Blog
iPad Air 2 vs. the competition: Is it the tablet to beat?
There was a time when it was hard to find someone who would argue with Apple’s claim that the iPad was heavyweight tablet champ. But now Android slates like the Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1, the Xperia Tablet Z2 and the recently-announced Nexus 9 are making a run at the title. Sure, the iPad still has some great apps, but how does the latest iPad Air compare to the competition under the hood? Check out the tale of the tape below, and decide for yourself if the iPad Air 2 has what it takes to stay on top.
| iPad Air 2 | Nexus 9 | Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 | Xperia Tablet Z2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 and up (WiFi), $629 and up (Cellular) | $399 and up | $499 | $499 or $549 |
| Thickness | 6.1mm (0.24 inches) | 7.95mm (0.31 inches) | 7.37mm (0.29 inches) | 6.4mm (0.25 inches) |
| Weight | 437g or 444g (0.96 or 0.98 pounds) | 425g or 436g (0.93 or 0.96 pounds) | 469g (1.03 pounds) | 439g (0.96 pounds) |
| OS | iOS 8 | Android 5.0 | Android 4.4 | Android 4.4 |
| Display | 9.7-inch IPS LCD Retina display | 8.9-inch IPS LCD | 10.1-inch WQXGA scLCD | 10.1 inch TFT LCD |
| Resolution | 2,048 x 1,536 (264 ppi) | 2,048 x 1,536 (288 ppi) | 2,560 x 1,600 (299 ppi) | 1,920 x 1,200 (224 ppi) |
| Processor | 64-bit Apple A8X | 64-bit, 2.3 GHz NVIDIA Tegra K1 | 32-bit Exynos 5 Octa (1.9GHz + 1.3 GHz quad-core) | 32-bit, 2.3 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (MSM8974AB quad-core) |
| Memory | NA | 2GB | 2GB | 3GB |
| Storage | 16 / 64 / 128GB | 16 / 32GB | 16GB | 16 / 32GB |
| Ports | Lightning | micro USB 2.0 | microSD, HDMI | microSD, MHL 3.0 |
| Front camera | 1.2MP FaceTime, f/2.2 | 1.6MP, f/2.4 | 2MP | 2.2MP, 1080p |
| Rear camera | 8MP iSight, f/2.4, 1.5µm pixel size, 1080p | 8MP, f/2.4 | 8MP | 8.1MP |
| Cellular radio | Optional GSM/EDGE CDMA UMTS/HSPA/ HSPA+/DC‑HSDPA LTE |
Optional GSM/CDMA/ HSPA/LTE |
Optional LTE | Optional HSPA+/GPRS/ EDGE/LTE |
| WiFi | Dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Dual band 802.11 a/c/g/n/ac | Dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | v4.0 | v4.1 | v4.0 LE | v4.0 |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | 10 hours | 6,700mAh | 8,220mAh Li-ion | 6,000mAh Li-ion |
EE’s newest 4G tablet only costs £99
When Vodafone announced its first own-brand LTE tablet, the £125 Smart Tab 4G, earlier this week, it suddenly made EE’s £209 Eagle look a little pricey. Knowing that cost is key in the lead-up to Christmas, the UK’s biggest carrier isn’t resting on its laurels and has shot back a its rival by pricing its latest 4G tablet even lower. Priced at £99, the vibrant Alcatel ONE TOUCH Pop 7S is the UK’s most affordable pay-as-you-go 4G slate, according to EE, and comes with a 7-inch WSVGA 1024 x 600 display, Android 4.3 (Android 4.4 KitKat available via an OTA update), a quad-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm MSM8926 processor, 1GB of RAM, 3-megapixel rear and 0.3 front facing cameras, 8GB storage (with microSD support) and a 3240 mAh battery. The operator will also throw in 100MB of free data every month with every 4G tablet bought between now and January 31st, sweetening the deal for parents or bargain hunters looking for a cheap connected tablet.
Filed under: Tablets, Wireless, Mobile
Via: EE
HTC Nexus 9 announced for November 3
The new Nexus family is out, and the HTC Nexus 9 brings the latest iteration of Android 5.0 Lollipop, to a beautiful tablet.
The Nexus 9 comes with the typical Nexus matte back finishing, and a metal frame, which seems to be the trend with Android devices nowadays. It has a 8.9 inch IPS LCD panel, with a resolution of 2048 by 1536 pixels, which gives it a pixel density of 288 ppi. It has a huge 6700 mAh battery, front-facing HTC Boomsound speakers, 8MP back-facing camera, 1.6MP front-facing camera, 2GB of RAM, LTE antenna, the new 64-bit dual-core NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor, which clocks in at 2.3 GHz, and the Kepler DX1 GPU.
Of course, it comes with all the perks and upgrades that one can expect from Android 5.0 Lollipop. However, this tablet seems to have taken a leaf out of LG’s book, as it comes with a feature called ‘double tap to wake’. It also has an accessory keyboard which is almost identical to the HTC Volantis keyboard patent leaks previously.
Pricing is currently unknown, and preorders will start on the 13th of October. It will be available from the Google Play Store and respective carriers will also soon announce pricing. The Nexus 9 will come in 16GB and 32GB variants, and in 3 different colours; Indigo black, Lunar white, and sand.
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