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The Top 5 Failed Gifts to Return after Christmas

Tim Attwood — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

In addition to returning your collectible Justin Bieber wig and your Kim Kardashian wedding photo album, don’t hesitate to return technological gadgets that provide insufficient quality for your buck. Sure, your family meant well when they gave you that cheap Android tablet, but you especially know that you can do better. By returning some of the lowest quality gifts of the season, you will have the chance to obtain better gadgets that will make your life easier.

1. Android Tablets

Return: Low Quality Android Tablets — Lousy Android tablets like the PanDigital 72-70FW 7-inch tablets will be buggy and slow. In addition, they will run a version of Android that may never be updated. Better to put the money toward an Android tablet that you will actually be using five years from now.

Buy Instead: Exchange now for the Samsung Galaxy Tab, or wait just a little while for the ASUS Transformer Prime to come out. If you’re getting the Samsung, then go with the Galaxy 10.1 or 8.9. If you’re waiting for the ASUS, then just be aware that the Wi-Fi was having issues right before shipment. Some ASUS models were delayed until after Christmas so that the Wi-Fi issue could be ironed out.

2. LCD eBook Readers

Return: LCD eBook Readers — LCD eBook readers combine the functionality of an eBook reader with the advantages of a tablet. Unfortunately, the eBook tablet is a jack of all trades and a master of none.

Buy Instead: If you want an eBook reader, then choose an e-ink display like the Nook Simple Touch reader or the ever popular Kindle. If you want a tablet, then choose an Apple iPad 2, Samsung Galaxy Tab or wait for the ASUS Transformer Prime.

3. Digital Photo Frame

Return: Digital Photo Frame — These gadgets looked neat on Star Trek 20 years ago, but digital photo frames have become obsolete.

Buy Instead: Replace your digital photo frame with a tablet on your kitchen table or a slide show on your television provided by a media center or a game console.

4. Point-and-Shoot Digital Camera

Return: Low-End Digital Camera — Digital cameras that function on their own can easily be exchanged for a smartphone that already has a camera included. You’ll carry one less piece of equipment while enjoying the multiple advantages of a smart phone.

Buy Instead: The Samsung Galaxy S2 is one of the best Android smart phones on the market today. In addition to superior camera and video shooting technology, you’ll get an intuitive user interface and the best that the Android Market has to offer. The Apple iPhone 4S also touts an impressive camera which can put any low-end point and shoot unitasker to shame.

5. Apple iPod Touch

Return: iPod Touch — The iPod Touch is a great device, but a newer and better design is just around the corner.

Buy Instead: Wait for the next version of the iPod Touch or for the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 promises NFC technology, which will help to transport you into the future of convenient payments and the latest in user-focused content. Also, expect an even better camera and a cleaner design.

Top 10 Gadgets for 2011 Holiday Gift Giving

Tim Attwood — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:00:53 +0000

Holiday shopping for any gadget lover in your life can be confusing unless you are equally technologically inclined. Between trying to keep track of new products and who is producing the best of each and then shopping around for the best deal, it can frustrate a shopper to the point of simply going into an electronics store and letting them talk you into whatever they want to sell you. Those of you who fall into this category, take heart; you need a list to use as a jumping off point. Here are ten of the best, most sought after new technological gizmos for 2011.

Unless you have been living in a cave for several years, you will not be surprised that a fruitful techno shopping trip involves a trip to the Apple product orchard.

1. Apple iPad 2 (16GB, Wi-Fi)

This is the Holy Grail of Christmas presents. As the originator of the tablet device, Apple’s head start has paid off; while its intuitive simple-to-use interface makes it ideal for even the most technophobe among us, it is still prized by those who pride themselves on being on the cutting edge of innovation. The iPad 2’s versatility assures its wide appeal; users can enjoy movies or get down to business with equal ease. Those who have ridden the latest technological wave from its beginning will especially appreciate the longevity of its battery life. Be aware, however, that all of this excellence comes at a price: between $550 and $650 except with especially good deals.

2. Apple MacBook Air (11-inch)

Apple devotees will consider this the only noteworthy notebook, but even those who aren’t completely sold on the “all Apple all the time philosophy of computer technology” will love this one; it is hands down the fastest and the easiest to tote with you on the go. The MacBook Air costs less than its nearest competitors and is more solidly made. Although not the lightest in weight or the one with the most memory or storage, its speed combined with its price sends it to the top of the list for those wishing for an ultrathin notebook. Cost: between $900 and $1000.

3. Apple TV

Probably the most affordable member of the family, this Apple product provides HD TV streamed from either an iPhone or an iPad. Apple TV is also compatible with Netflix and the only one that can stream iTunes so even those new to the Apple family can enjoy this item. Cost: about $100.

4. Roku 2 XS

Those not already entrenched in the Apple universe will love this ultimate in streaming devices for its multitude of programming options. Among those items available on Roku but not on Apple TV are FoxNews.com, Al Jazeera English, Facebook photos and AngryBirds. Another advantage, albeit probably a temporary one, is that Roku will stream all TV and not just the high-definition programs. Cost: about $100 or less.

5. HTC Sensation 4G (T-Mobile)

This is the best all-round smart phone on the market, and many people who have not smart phoned-up want one; even those who say they do not, really do. Perhaps it is because of the importance email has achieved in our lives and the desire for mobile email capability that has fueled the passion for smart phones. Whatever the reason, HTC is a good option for both the novice and those looking to upgrade. In addition to the highly publicized 4G, it also features an 8.0 mp camera equipped with LED flash and HD capable video record and play. For many, the superior reception is reason enough to choose this phone.

6. Apple iPhone 4S

Apples lovers will want nothing less than the iPhone 4S. Despite its lack of 4G, it does have a fantastic camera and there are also the innovations that can only be had with an Apple product, such as access to the iCloud, the ultimate in a hosted exchange where everything from photos to music can be safely stored and retrieved as needed by the iPhone or other Apple device.

7. Amazon Kindle Fire

The new Kindle goes way beyond being just an eReader; it can run thousands of applications thanks to its dual-core processor, including streaming capacities. For those who scoffed at its earlier limitations as well as those who loved its simplicity, this updated version will be much appreciated. It is perfect for those who are trying to ease their way into the multitasking device arena and makes an ideal stepping stone to more advanced gadgets.

8. Kodak Playsport

Perfect for the Spielberg wannabe on your list, the Playsport is a sturdy mini camcorder that can go where the action is without needing kid gloves treatment. It is waterproof up to 3.0 meters (9.8 feet) yet is made of a textured plastic with rubberized grip to reduce the chance of it being dropped. Be forewarned that the Kodak Playsport will not float, so although waterproof, it will have to be retrieved before it reaches its depth limit.

9. Nintendo Wii

Those who did not immediately buy a Wii when it first came out can pat themselves on the back; the newest addition of Nintendo Wii employs wireless and motion-sensitive technology to entertain as well as invigorate the user. This wireless feature makes it more user-friendly for shut-ins who can benefit greatly from the exercise it can provide as well as for small children who sometimes forget and become tangled in a wired device.

10. PlayStation 3

A big seller this year will be Playstation 3 both for its drop in price and its versatility. In addition to its obvious role as a gaming machine and its ever-expanding list of games exclusive to Playstation, it also can be used as a Blu-Ray player. Other features that illustrate how this item is a cross between a multimedia device and an entertainment center including online music streaming and Internet access capabilities.

The Future of WebOS – HP News and Rumors

Chinonye — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:00:13 +0000

Hewlett-Packard hasn’t had a particularly good summer in 2011. It’s been exciting enough, certainly, but not for the reasons that senior VPs like Richard Kerris of the HP webOS development team were hoping for. Over the last year and a half, HP has been making a great deal of noise about moving into the tablet and mobile phone space, most notably by acquiring Palm and the webOS in April of 2010, and then announcing the launch of their very own tablet, the TouchPad. Released in July 2011, sales of the tablet went from bad to worse, and now the company has announced that TouchPad production will cease, and rumors are flying that the Pre³ phone won’t see a launch in the U.S. either. WebOS appears to be dead – but is all hope lost?

For the TouchPad, almost certainly. Early price discounts of $100 off didn’t spark consumer interest, thanks to a limited number of apps available at launch and nothing that really set it apart from its main competitor, the iPad. Steeper discounts leading to a $99 price tag for the device saw it selling out at stores across the country.

And while HP has no plans to bring the tablet back from the grave or do another production run, they have announced that webOS will not be going the same way – consumer response, they say, has encouraged them to continue developing the operating system. Speculation abounds as to how exactly that development will take place, with blogs from the company indicating that research will continue and some experts saying that the OS will be used in HP desktops and printers as well as any other electronic devices that are produced. WebOS contained a number of features that made it attractive, even if such attraction was not enough to drive sales. Multitasking, the ability to easily sync HP devices and webOS email were all highlights, and HP believes they are worth carrying forward.

As for the Pre³, there are rumors of an email from a U.S. parts supplier which indicates that the Pre³ will not be shipped and that the launch of the device with AT&T has been completely canceled. There is no official word from AT&T as yet, but many expect word soon that all launches of the Pre³ will not be happening. According to Leo Apotheker, CEO of HP, the “ramp up” to the broader market of tablet and mobile phone consumers was simply too long, and the HP device lines simply hadn’t gained enough traction.

Now, HP has also announced that they will sell or spin out their PC business in order to retain “flexibility and agility” in the market. As of the third week in August, HP has seen a rise in their share price, indicating that despite grumbling about the TouchPad launch and subsequent failure, consumers still place a measure of trust in HP, and in their webOS.

BlackBerry Playbook Update: What’s New?

Chinonye — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:00:07 +0000

The BlackBerry Playbook tablet was announced in the latter part of 2010, and many Web sites, pundits and BlackBerry enthusiasts reveled in the anticipation of its launch. With a strong list of features including a 7” screen, front and rear cameras, an accelerometer, GPS, 1Ghz dual core and 1Gb of ram, quite a few previews had high hopes for the Playbook as a business alternative to other tablets on the market. If nothing else, there was a feeling that the Playbook would force the dominant tablet manufacturer to innovate.

On April 22, 2011, the BlackBerry Playbook launched to much fanfare, and there were an estimated 50,000 sales on release day, a figure that surpassed other tablets such as the Motorola Xoom or the Samsung Galaxy. Expectations were that RIM would ship 500,000 units in the first quarter, and things looked relatively bright for BlackBerry.

Unfortunately, time hasn’t borne out the rosy predictions that initially accompanied the Playbook’s release. Even with ad campaigns touting the device’s ability to use Flash, sales have been sluggish, and the RIM-backed tablet controls only 3.3% of the market, according to Strategy Analytics. Windows controls 4.6%, while Apple still owns over 60% of the market.

Some initial concerns about the device’s functionality – the power button was in a poorly-located spot, for example – couldn’t be addressed without new physical version of the Playbook being released, but there have been four software updates to the tablet in an attempt to give it greater overall functionality.

The first happened on May 2, 2011, and included the addition of video chat as well as BBM over BlackBerry Bridge. On June 11, the company added a Facebook App, In-app payments, as well as charging improvements. June 20th saw the release of Flash support along with a series of television commercials, and July 19th included extra language support and connectivity for BlackBerry Bridge.

But these service updates don’t seem to have been enough to push the Playbook into the big leagues with other competitors on the market, and rumors abound that RIM will be discontinuing the production of the PlayBook. In addition, rumors about a possible 10-inch BlackBerry have died down, with several sources claiming that sluggish sales have convinced the company to put their efforts into developing a new “superphone”. RIM is now speculating that they will sell just under 1 million tablets in the second quarter of 2011, well down from the 2.4 million they had initially forecast, fueling further rumors about Playbook discontinuation or the abandonment of tablets by the company altogether.

A slick UI and full-featured Web browsing does give the Playbook some advantages over other tablets on the market, and has proven popular among BlackBerry loyalists. But with too few apps and nothing to really set it apart from the competition, the Playbook has a tough road ahead.

Windows 7 Tablets: What’s Hot, or What’s Not?

Chinonye — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:00:53 +0000

With a huge number of tablets now on the market, OS can make all the difference in seeing large sales numbers or being left out in the cold. For the Window 7 Tablet, competition is fierce.

Currently, a number of devices on the market do run the Window 7 OS, including the Samsung Sliding PC7, which was announced at CES earlier this year. This Tablet comes in at $649, and according to recent reviews on Cnet, among others, the tablet performs well, with both a “sharp design and powerful Intel [Atom] CPU”. Reviews say it is one of the few Windows 7 tablets that stands out in the market as being more than a toy. Despite its high price detracting from its appeal, it was still listed on ZDnet as one of the top 10 tablets of 2011

Other tablets which are also running a Windows 7 OS include the Acer W500 hybrid tablet, the ThinkPad X220i tablet, the ExoPC Slate tablet, and the Toshiba WT310/C. All of these tablets have a similar price point to the Samsung, and share a similar refrain from reviewers – that while Windows 7 makes an excellent desktop, it does poorly as a tablet OS, and can’t deliver the performance of other tablet OSs that are currently on the market.

As a result of their late entrance to the tablet market, much like their debut in the smartphone world, Microsoft is not seeing a large share of the market for tablets. Currently, Apple enjoys over 90% of the tablet sales and Web traffic in the US, with Android taking most of the remaining room and Microsoft, HP, RIM and others left to fight over the few percent up for grabs.

Now, many people wonder if the Windows 7 tablet is finished, despite more positive reviews and announcements of new tablets with the OS like the Asus Eee EP121, which will have a massive 12-inch screen, and the Viliv X70, which comes in at less than a pound with less than a 7-inch screen.

Rumors from DigiTimes are that Microsoft has been in talks with Texas Instruments and manufacturers in Taiwan to create a Microsoft-branded version of a Windows 8 tablet, and the New York Times claimed that the company would announce a Windows 8 tablet at CES at the beginning of 2011. This didn’t happen, but speculation has ramped up about a Nokia Tablet running Windows 8 that will launch in 2012.

No specifics have been released, but the rumor is that the interface for the new tablets will look a great deal like the current Windows Phone 7 and will work with a touch interface as well as a mouse and keyboard. While those in the know say a Windows 8 Tablet will look a great deal like an iPad, they’re hopeful it will have a slide-out keyboard, come with apps and app store, and be geared more for business rather than pleasure use.

The Tablet Generation: iPad, Android, TouchPad & Playbook

Chinonye — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:00:53 +0000

Everyone knows about the iPad. Initially, the tablet was criticized for being “too big” and for giving consumers what they already had in their iPhones – then charging them more for it. Now, the iPad is a market leader, and many are asking the question: can anyone else hope to keep up?

Since its launch in April of 2010, the iPad has sold over 25 million units, and while the company does not release sales figures by region, there is data to indicate sales of over two million iPads in the United States alone within two months.

Of course, with success comes other companies looking to cash in – most notably those like Android, HP, Samsung and Motorola. All of these companies have now released their own tablet versions in hopes of limiting Apple’s control of the market – but is it working?

In a word; no. According to predictions from research firm Gartner, the iPad and iOS will continue to dominate until at least 2015, and a comScore evaluation of US Web traffic in June of 2011 shows that Apple tablets are responsible for over 97% of all traffic from tablet devices, with Android in second place at a mere 2.7%. All other companies – including HP and RIM – are left with a 0.3% traffic share.

Some of these tablets are showing strong initial sales – for example, the Blackberry Playbook was able to sell 50,000 units on launch day, which outperformed sales of both the Motorola XOOM and Samsung Galaxy Tab. The Playbook also relies heavily on marketing hype around its inclusion of Flash on the tablet, while HP’s Touchpad focuses more on the business applications, including hosted exchange email and HP device syncing that can be done wirelessly with their tablet.

Other tablet sizes are being touted as well, moving away from Apple’s 9.7” rectangular screen. 10.1” wide-screen tablets are now on the market, as are 8.9” versions, 7” options, and a 12” option will likely hit the market soon.

In many respects, all of the tablet manufacturers listed are doing their best to find a niche in the market and corner it. HP is attempting to court business users, Blackberry is going after those who are looking for Flash, and some market from the position that they simply “aren’t Apple”. Right now, however, it is the way Apple delivers its content, not the amount of content included, that matters. Feature parity across devices is strong – most include app stores and the ability to capture video, sync to phones and run hosted tablet email exchange. The way that Apple sets up their devices, the intuitive and “sexy” GUI that the company is known for is, in large part, pushing them in the market.

While over time Apple’s US and worldwide leads will erode as other manufacturers step up and deliver a similar tablet experience, the tablet generation is currently owned, managed and directed by the iPad.

Android Tablets Galore: Who Will be the Champion?

Chinonye — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:00:57 +0000

The tablet market is heating up, and while Apple still holds the lion’s share of the industry, there are a number of manufacturers that are looking to get in on a small piece of the pie – most notably those that are running Android.

Over the last year, technology companies of all types have released Android platform tablets, some of which have seen great market success and some which have not been able to perform.

Those currently on the market include the Motorola Xoom, the Asus Eee Pad Transformer, and the Lenovo LePad. Coming soon will be the Samsung Galaxy, the HTC Puccini, the LG Optimus and Toshiba Thrive. Each of these tablets claims to have something that sets them apart from the pack, and promises to deliver an experience that is at least comparable to, if not better than, the Apple devices they are competition with.

The iPad is the current market leader, but even desire for Apple products has lagged slightly with the transition to iPad2. With few game-changing features, even Apple users are not convinced that the iPad2 will revolutionize the tablet world as the first version did, and while sales are still expected to be strong, the fact that there is some movement in the user base and their interest shows that Apple can still be dethroned.

iPhones are a good example. When the Apple-brand Smartphone first hit the market, it was the clear sales winner. Now, Google Android phones lead the pack, with Symbian-based phones in second place and the iPhone in third. Part of this is due to the diversification of Android among device manufacturers, and is a result that could be easily replicated in the tablet market.

Currently, there are a number of clear winners in the battle for shares of tablet sales. Samsung is a front runner, with sales of seven million expected this year for its Galaxy Tab. LG and ZTE are also predicted to do well, with three million units apiece, while HTC, Dell and HP all lag behind at two million units each. Over time, this division is likely to become more pronounced, with Samsung and HP trending strongly according to estimates and Dell showing only moderate growth.

Though currently dominated by Apple, the tablet market is ripe for an Android invasion – the only question is which manufacturer will post the best sales figures.

The Future of BlueTooth

Chinonye — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:13:00 +0000

That Bluetooth is dead is a song critics of the devices have been singing for years – but the special interest group is still around, and recently announced the development and impending arrival of Bluetooth 4.0.

The news of this new Bluetooth standard actually broke in 2010, shortly after the release of Bluetooth 3.0. Many users are even now running on 2.1, a perfectly respectable standard that many devices still support. 3.0 was focused on the notion of speed, of making the device run more efficiently and perform operations more quickly. Bluetooth 4.0, in contrast, is focused on low power consumption.

Very low

The new iteration of Bluetooth can not only be used in very low-power devices like watches and pedometers, which run on coin-cell batteries, but will be able to run on such batteries for years. According to Bluetooth SIG, “healthcare, sports and fitness, security and home entertainment” companies will all benefit with the addition of Bluetooth to their devices.

In addition to the lower power consumption, 4.0 comes with a lower peak, average and idle power usage, along with providing AES-128 encryption for data, and can send data packets at a 1Mpbs transfer speed.

What does this mean for the future of Bluetooth devices and for users at large?

On June 7, 2011, the Bluetooth Standards body announced that they had added support for two new datatypes in the 4.0 module – Health Thermometer and Heart Rate – allowing this type of biometric information to be sent from a Bluetooth enabled device to a smartphone or central data system. The portable health market is hot and growing, and is predicted to be worth $9.3 billion by 2014.

What this heralds is the possibility of a host of wearable products and small, low-power sensors that can be worn by athletes and those with health problems alike. Runners will be able to actively monitor heart rates, and the elderly or infirm will be able to automatically transmit a warning from their devices if they are in distress. Thanks to the low-power consumption of 4.0, these devices won’t interfere with other device operations, such as mp3 players or pacemakers.

Paramedic use is also possible, with one-use pads being able to take instant reading of patient blood pressure or heart rate and sent it directly to a smartphone or hospital.

Bluetooth isn’t dead – and 4.0 aims to help people live longer.

Wii U: Nintendo’s Next Innovative Gaming Console

Tim Attwood — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:47:35 +0000

At the recent Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the “big three” in gaming consoles announced what they were working on for release in the next year. Sony spoke about the recent PlayStation Network hacking, as well as mentioning its new handheld console, the Vita. Microsoft talked mostly about support for its motion-sensing device, Kinect, but Nintendo was the star of the show with its new console, the Wii U.

At first glance, the Wii U looks very much like its predecessor, the Wii. This isn’t far off the mark, as it can play all Wii games and supports all controllers that were supported by the Wii. The big difference lies in what Nintendo is calling the “New Controller”. This New Controller incorporates traditional button controls along with analog circle pads, as well as a 6.2 inch, 16:9 touchscreen, something that Nintendo claims “removes the traditional barriers between games, players, and the TV”. But how?

The idea here is that the New Controller can be used in a variety of ways by the user, essentially turning it into a mini tablet. Games can be played on the New Controller alone, using its screen as a television, and it can also be used as a motion sensing device in combination with a game that is being played on the screen. A provided stylus allows players to draw or perform actions that are reflected on the TV, and the New Controller also allows users to zoom in on Web site or other content on the TV. But perhaps the bigger draw for the New Controller is that it can be used to enhance the experience of a game played on the television, by giving the user access to their hero’s inventory in an easy-to-see, touchscreen interface, or allowing them access to special moves or powers.

When compared with the PS3 and the Xbox 360, the Wii was already the standout with motion control and now adds touchscreen integration to widen the gap. Perhaps the only current complaint about the Wii U system is that while it will support up to four Wii Motion or Wii Motion Plus controllers, the system can only support one New Controller. This may change as the 2012 release date comes closer, and for now only slightly limits its overall functionality.

Will touchscreen controllers be the next gaming breakthrough? Nintendo and their Wii U hope so.

HP TouchPad: Palm WebOS in Tablet Form

Tim Attwood — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:07:39 +0000

HP is hoping to carve out a slice of the tablet market with its newest offering, the HP TouchPad. Pre-orders for the unit start on June 19, and it will come in two sizes – 16GB and 32GB. Using the Palm’s WebOS, the TouchPad is designed to work seamlessly with other HP devices, but will it bring something new to the table for HP or the tablet industry as a whole? Can it compete against juggernauts like Apple and Android?

HP hopes so. Their WebOS, a standard feature in all Pre phones and one of the things that set the smartphone brand apart, is back on the TouchPad, but has been tuned up to focus more on multitasking. With the ability to move back and forth between apps without losing your starting place, see related and recent activities group together for easy use and the ability to share Web sites with other WebOS devices, HP is making sure that the entire suite of mobile products it produces are able to not only provide multitasking at a user’s fingertips, but that they also do so amongst each other.

The TouchPad is also being marketed as a productivity suite, and includes things like Google Docs and Box.net setup right out of the box. In addition, the TouchPad supports wireless printing to any compatible and networked HP printer, and will come with a beta version of the next Adobe Flash Player. Audio, books and movies aren’t neglected either, with speakers by Beats Audio, the HP Moviestore and access to Amazon’s Kindle store.

For business users, the TouchPad features the ability to answer calls or texts that come in on your Pre³, and also supports native WebOS email as well as support for hosted exchange email. HP has recognized that its core market lies with those that do business, and in addition to creating a product that can stand up against the iPad in terms of looks, they have also addressed the need for business applications and functionality on a broad scale.

HP’s entry point to the market for tablets will be as a business alternative to the iPad and Android tablets, and its WebOS certainly seems to be a more productivity-focused system than others currently available. With iOS5 on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how HP’s WebOS can stack up in the long run.