Verizon-ready Nexus 7 tablet sneaks into stores
Verizon has repeatedly promised that it would officially support the Nexus 7 on its LTE network, only to fall short each time. However, it now seems that a launch really is close at hand — a Droid-Life tipster has revealed that a Big Red-approved Android tablet is making its way into Verizon stores, complete with the carrier’s logo on the box. While staffers can’t sell the Nexus 7 just yet, the arrival supports rumors that the device would be available on February 13th. It’s coming too late for anyone content to use the regular LTE model, but it could be handy as a last-minute Valentine’s gift for the tablet lover in your life.
Filed under: Tablets, ASUS, Google, Verizon
Source: Droid-Life
Padcaster’s tablet movie rig comes to the iPad Mini
The big iPad’s large, high-res screen is a plus for shooting video, but wielding it can make one look like, shall we say, a dork. One way to overcome that stigma is by shooting with the original Padcaster (pictured above), a metal frame that lets you mount your tablet on a tripod and attach lenses and other accessories. The company has now launched a version for the iPad Mini on Kickstarter, which you may prefer for its less bulky size but equally capable 1080p camera and (optional) retina screen. Like the last model, the Padcaster Mini consists of a frame with threaded holes for video accessories, a bracket for 72mm and 58mm lens adapters and a DSLR attachment if better video is needed. That’ll let journalists and bloggers broadcast live straight from an iPad, or even use it as a makeshift teleprompter or support to watch TV in bed, for instance. It’s now about halfway to its goal, so if you’re looking to cast in style from your own Mini, you can pledge at the source starting at $99.
Source: Kickstarter
California law could end grand theft mobile with kill-switches in all smartphones
Lawmakers in California are so intent on curbing record levels of smartphone theft, they’re ready to fine phone makers if anti-theft measures aren’t available on their devices. The New York Times reports that the order will come from State Senator Mark Leno, who is set to introduce a new law requiring all smartphones and tablets sold in the state to include a “kill switch” solution. Ignore the ruling and device makers could face a $2,500 fine for each device sold.
San Francisco and New York prosecutors George Gascón and Eric Schneiderman set the ball rolling when they met with representatives from Apple, Google, Samsung and Microsoft last year. Apple then won praise for including its Activation Lock feature by default in iOS 7, requiring device owners to set a passcode that stopped thieves reactivating a stolen phone. While it would only officially cover California, the new law could force phone makers into a full US rollout, likely upsetting the carriers. The CTIA, which represents the likes of AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint, believes its stolen phone database is a better solution and will fight the ruling. If it is signed into law, phone makers will have until January 1st, 2015 to implement a solution or they will not pass Go and will be forced to hand out more than $200.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Wireless, Internet, Software, Mobile, Apple, Samsung
Source: New York Times
Engadget UK Giveaway: Win an Advent Tegra Note 7 courtesy of NVIDIA
Is there a tablet-shaped hole in your life? Or maybe you’re something of a collector? Either way, we have three Advent Tegra Note 7′s sat here looking for a good home. You can thank the kind folk at NVIDIA who supplied the goods, which you may also remember from our review of another Tegra Note 7 family member. Want in on the action? Head past the break where out trusty competition-o-matic 3000 (ok, it’s just a widget) awaits you. And, as always, please read the terms and conditions. Good luck!
The Rules:
- Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above.Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
- Contest is open to all residents of the UK, 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at ourlawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
- Winners will be chosen randomly. Three (1) winners will win one (1) Advent Tegra Note 7 tablet.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes a contact email or Facebook login. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Expansys, and Engadget / AOL are not held liable to honor warranties, exchanges or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until Feb 12th 2014 at 00:00 BST. Good luck!
Filed under: Tablets, HD, Mobile, Alt
Source: NVIDIA
Sky’s Now TV beta lets you stream shows on most Android devices
Android-toting Sky subscribers won’t have to worry about what hardware they use to catch up on their favorite shows. The British broadcaster has just launched a new Now TV beta that runs on most devices using Android 4.0 or higher, including tablets like the Nexus 7. It also introduces support for the £5 Entertainment Month Pass, which offers 10 live channels that include Comedy Central and Sky1. You can still use the earlier Now TV app if you’re running an older Android version, but don’t count on the software hanging around — Sky plans to phase it out later this year.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD, Mobile
Source: Google Play, Now TV
Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 revisits the FCC with AT&T-capable LTE
You might not have to sign up with Verizon to buy a cellular edition of Samsung’s Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 in the US. The gargantuan tablet has returned to the FCC, only this time in a variant with AT&T-native LTE and HSPA+ frequency support; it can also handle the big three Canadian carriers. The slate is otherwise much like its Verizon counterpart, although the absence of T-Mobile 3G means that the UnCarrier likely won’t be selling this model, if it sells the Note Pro at all. There’s also no certainty of an AT&T launch, but we can’t imagine that Samsung repeated the FCC approval process just for laughs.
Filed under: Tablets, Samsung, AT&T
Source: FCC
Samsung’s Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 ships in the US February 13th for $850, up for pre-order now
Arriving in the US just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 is set to ship stateside February 13th with an equally beefy $850 price tag. If you’ll recall, the 12.2-inch behemoth was announced back at CES and sports the same S Pen chops as the Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 outed then as well. The 64GB WiFi version is up for pre-order for folks in the States over at Office Depot, should you be looking for extra screen real estate and don’t mind the added heft that it requires. Need a quick refresher on the device? Take a peek back at our hands-on to do just that.
[Thanks, Matt]
Source: Office Depot
Huawei’s new high-resolution tablet may give the Nexus 7 a run for its money
There isn’t much choice among 7-inch Android tablets with high-resolution screens — the Nexus 7 is frequently the only practical option. However, it’s about to get a proper challenger. China’s TENAA has certified the Huawei MediaPad X1 7.0, a small slate with a 1,920 x 1,200 display. It’s not clear that the X1′s 1.6GHz quad-core Hisilicon processor will outperform the Snapdragon S4 Pro inside the Nexus, but the device will be a featherweight at just 8.4 ounces and 0.3 inch thick. There’s also 3G inside. About the only clear setback is the use of Android 4.2 — where’s KitKat, Huawei? The company hasn’t said when it might reveal the new MediaPad, but certification raises the possibility of an announcement in the near future.
Filed under: Tablets
Via: The Droid Guy, Android Community
Source: TENAA (translated)
Tablet deals of the week: 01.31.14
Been considering a slate-style purchase? Well, today may be the time to make the leap. While Microsoft’s Surface Pro (no, not the deuce) gets a massive discount, and may very well be the most attractive tablet/hybrid buy of the week, we’ve nabbed a few other options too. Take a look at the other side of the break for discounts on the rest of the lot.
Just window shopping? No worries. Join us and add the gadgets you’re shopping for to your “Want” list; every time there’s a price cut in the future, you’ll get an email alert!
Microsoft Surface Pro
Price: $500
Regular Price: $900
Engadget Score: 75
Buy: Best Buy
It’s not the Surface Pro 2 that was announced last fall, but it’s still a stellar deal at $400 off of the regular price, and the device still isn’t a year old. If you’ll recall from our review, we were high on the 128GB version with its solid performance despite abysmal battery life of just under four hours. To see how this model stacks up with the current-gen models, take a gander at our comparison tool.
Kobo Arc
Price: $112
Regular Price: $250
Engadget Score: 73
Buy: Amazon
2013′s Kobo Arc mustered a better effort than the disappointing Vox, but it still wasn’t enough to compete with the 7-inch Android slate elite. However, with a 50 percent discount, this now-$112 16GB option may be worth a look for e-reading and tablet-style media consumption. Add the Arc (64GB version pictured) to the compare tool to pit it against the rest of the top-rated Android devices.
Nexus 7 (2012)
Price: $169
Regular Price: $249
Engadget Score: 88
Buy: Amazon
Once heralded as the best $200 tablet you can buy, the 32GB version of the original ASUS Nexus 7 is now priced well below the 16GB current-gen model. This 2012 version sports better battery life than the newer slate and you’ll still get a bite of KitKat, too. Take a look at how the two Nexus tablets compare right here.
Kindle Fire HD 8.9
Price: $229
Regular Price: $269
Engadget Score: 74
Buy: Amazon
If you don’t mind those pesky special offers and 16GB of storage, our price drop tool alerted us to Amazon cutting the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 by $40 earlier this week. Willing to hold out for a bigger discount? Add one to your “Want” list and you’ll get the next price drop alert when we do.
Filed under: Tablets
Sony add-on will let you graft a giant camera to your tablet
Whether you like it or not, tablet photography is here to stay — it’s only fair that slate owners get a fair chance at taking nice pictures. Sony certainly thinks so, since it has unveiled a new mount, the SPA-TA1, that attaches its QX lens cameras to tablets. The peripheral isn’t just for small devices, either; it includes six adjustable arms that accommodate larger hardware, like the Xperia Tablet Z and VAIO Tap 11. Sony ships the camera accessory to Japan this April for a suggested price of ¥3,675 ($36). There’s no word of a US release, but we wouldn’t rule out an eventual stateside launch.
Filed under: Cameras, Peripherals, Tablets, Sony
Via: Xperia Blog, Talk Android
Source: Sony (translated)
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