When the long-awaited BlackBerry tablet hits the U.S. and Canada on April 19, Research in Motion (RIM) has a surprise up its sleeve: support for Android apps.
The company announced today that in addition to its new native SDK, the BlackBerry PlayBook will support apps written for Android 2.3 and BlackBerry Java. RIM also announced that it is bringing the Airplay and Unity 3 game engines to the PlayBook.
Android support on a BlackBerry-branded device is a big deal. Rumors about this sort of arrangement have been ongoing since early 2011, but it seemed an unlikely development until now. In a statement, RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis said: “The upcoming addition of BlackBerry Java and Android apps for the BlackBerry PlayBook on BlackBerry App World will provide our users with an even greater choice of apps and will also showcase the versatility of the platform.”
The technical details surrounding Android-compatibility aren’t clear. We assume RIM is using a virtual machine that can support Android code. This method is likely similar to what the QNX-based tablet will do to run apps written for older BlackBerry handset devices.
RIM says developers will just need to repackage, code sign and submit existing Android apps to the Blackberry App World.
For developers that want to create native apps for the PlayBook, RIM says its BlackBerry Tablet OS Native Development Kit will be in open Beta by this summer. It seems odd to release a device to consumers before the native development kit is even in open beta, but we guess that’s why RIM is expanding its options to also include apps written for BlackBerry Java, Android and Adobe Air.
The big question is: how will Android apps be presented on the PlayBook? Our guess is they will appear in home-screen widgets with a full-screen option, given the differences in orientation and resolution. That could actually be an interesting experience, depending on execution.
To be clear, the apps that the PlayBook supports will be Android 2.3 — not Android 3.0. So this means that developers that want an easy port of a utility or basic game will have an easy time moving to the PlayBook. Developers building new tablet apps from the ground-up for Honeycomb, however, will still need to consider alternate development paths for PlayBook.
What do you think of the PlayBook and its Android app compatibility? Does it make the device more attractive? Let us know in the comments.
Samsung rolled out a 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab that’s thinner and lighter than the iPad 2, but will it be able to compete against the Apple juggernaut?
The numbers are all there for the specmeisters, with this reworked Galaxy Tab rocking a slightly larger touchscreen over the iPad 2, higher resolution, a 1GHz dual core processor and lighter 595g weight compared to the 601g of the iPad 2 Wi-Fi. But the most important number of all is its price. Unlike Samsung’s overpriced predecessor, the 16GB Wi-Fi Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will cost exactly the same as the iPad 2 Wi-Fi 16GB: $499. Bam!
The first Galaxy Tab didn’t fare too well. In fact, the day of the iPad 2′s rollout, even Samsung’s Executive VP of its mobile division Lee Don-Joo admitted its shortcomings: “We will have to improve the parts that are inadequate… Apple made [the iPad 2] very thin… The 10-inch (tablet) was to be priced higher than the 7-inch (tablet) but we will have to think that over,” he said.
We didn’t care much for the first Samsung Galaxy Tab, either. When we got our hands on it earlier this year in Barcelona, it was flimsy, felt cheap, and we thought its much-ballyhooed Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) interface was confusing and buggy. And, the device got uncomfortably hot in one corner.
While this thinner, redesigned model reportedly felt much better in all respects, it’s still missing one key number, and that is the hoard of software Apple offers for the iPad 2, more than 60,000 apps specifically created for the platform. But that impressive number also includes the fart apps, too. Even so, Apple has a huge head start.
Meanwhile, Samsung introduced another contender it calls the Galaxy Tab 8.9, a little more than an inch smaller than its big brother. It includes the same 1GHz dual-core processor, and looks just about the same as the 10.1-inch model, as you’ll see in the gallery below.
Both of Samsung’s new tabs beat the iPad 2 easily in the camera spec department, with a 3-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel up front, both shooting 1080p video. In what could be the clincher for many users, the Samsung tablets boast another capability lacking in the iPad 2: Adobe Flash playback.
Want to try one? You’ll have to wait until June 8 for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 Wi-Fi, priced at $499 for the 16GB version and $599 for 32 gigs. Samsung was not as specific with the release date for the Galaxy Tab 8.9 Wi-Fi, which it said would be available in “early summer” at $469 for 16GB and $569 for 32 gigs.
So is the Galaxy Tab 10.1 an iPad 2 killer? I don’t think so, but it’s a lot closer to being competitive than Samsung’s first attempt. Tell us in the comments if you agree.
Here’s a gallery featuring both new Samsung Galaxy Tabs:
The world’s first Android 3.0 Honeycomb powered Tablet PC – MOTO XOOM by Motorola is just an amazing craft of technology. Motorola’s new innovation looks very nice and slim – only 12.9mm thick, 10.1-inch touch screen with 1280×800 screen resolution, and the built-in microphone, stereo speakers, 3.5mm headset jack, support for HDMI, USB 2.0, Bluetooth 2.1, transmission and other functions makes this tablet - A Complete Device.
In addition, MOTO XOOM is also equipped with built-in 32GB memory capacity, and an expansion slot for the use of memory cards up to 32GB. This is something which you really want to hold in your hands. Let’s dive in more depth about the features and specs of the device, here is the detailed review of insanely powerful device.
Equipped with Powerful Hardware
MOTO XOOM, in addition to emphasizing the use of Android 3.0 operating system also has a powerful hardware, combined with NVIDIA Tegra 2, dual-core 1GHz processor and 1GB DDR2 RAM, can make an excellent operating environment and is showing the effects of different levels. On the network side, MOTO XOOM has a mainstream 3G network support, you can also upgrade to the 4G LTE; other connectivity functions include Wi-Fi wireless networks, Bluetooth 2.1, Mobile Hotspot function – to create a personal and exclusive virtual wireless network.
Power of New OS and Apps
MOTO XOOM comes with Android 3.0 – Honeycomb, the latest and specifically designed OS for Tablets. It harnesses the full power of Tablet PC hardware and gives you a new experience level. The new Apps are also coming for this version which are more extensible and gives more features and functionalities.
Outstanding Multimedia Entertainment
MOTO XOOM is equipped with 10.1-inch touch screen having 1280 x 800 screen resolution and 16:10 Aspect Ratio which gives you a superb movie watching experience. It have a 5 Megapixel rear end camera and 2 Megapixel front facing camera, dual LED flash provides a static shot and 720p HD video recording. On the other hand, MOTO XOOM has also designed a display base where in addition to a charge use, you can also add speakers, HDMI output connector and can also be used as audio and video output to enjoy your stuff at high-definition TV.
It supports a wide variety of file formats for playback including AAC, H.263, H.264, MP3, MPEG-4, ACC+ Enhanced, OGG, MIDI, AMR NB, AAC+ and comes with pre-installed Video Editing Software Movie Studio.
Tech Specs
10.1 inches Multi Touch Screen, WXGA 1280 x 800 Screen Resolution with 16:10 Aspect Ratio .
Motorola introduced a wide variety of new accessories for MOTO XOOM to enhance the functionality of device. The main accessory includes Standard Dock, Wireless Keyboard, Car Charger, Speaker Dock, Protective Gel Case and many more are there. To show and view full range of accessories visit the link available below.
Pricing & Availability
The base retail price of device is marked at $799.99 and available with Verizon Wireless in USA. You can buy it either from Motorola Store or from BestBuy.com or Verizon Store. Verizon is offering XOOM is $599.99 with 2 year contract and free shipping.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that Motorola XOOM is the most powerful tablet PC currently available in market but the question here is, do we currently able to utilize this power?
Apple also recently launched the iPad 2, though it don’t have so powerful hardware specs as XOOM is packed with but iPad 2 have iOS in it and 65,000 Apps available in App Store which makes it far more useful than any other Android powered tablet. MOTO XOOM comes with latest version of Android OS, so there are not much apps available in the market which can really harness the power of this device. It is also costly than Apple iPad2 and offers almost same functionality as iPad 2 but XOOM can promise some great use later on as some outstanding apps for Android 3.0 will come in market.
Apple launched the new Apple iPad 2 in a special event at Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco on 2nd March 2011. The iPad 2 has been unveiled to world by the CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs. He cleared in first instance that iPad 2 is not just an upgrade of iPad but it is completely a whole new device designed from scratch.
When we compare iPad 2 with first generation iPad, the difference is not really viewable on the Software side but major alterations are viewable on Hardware side. This Apple device is equipped with faster processor (1 GHz dual-core Apple A5 Processor Chip), Twice of RAM capacity (iPad 2: 512MB/iPad: 256MB), better Screen Resolution and Graphics etc.
Apple also transformed the looks and design of iPad2, making it not only lighter and thinner but also more better than the iPad. It is 33% more slim than the first generation iPad. The iPad 2 is available for both GSM 3G and CDMA EV-DO Cellular network. Apple planned to keep both AT&T and Verizon customers happy at the same time.
It have the latest version of iOS installed in it. The iOS v4.3 is the most advanced mobile OS available in this world and it lets you do many things just with a single touch. 65,000 Apps ready market makes it really useful.
So, is this new iPad ready to meet your expectations? Let’s decide it after reading our review on iPad 2.
New Light and Thinner Design
iPad 2 is fully re-designed and it is much differ from the older one, it is now comparatively thinner – 8.8mm only, thinner than iPhone 4. It is flat and not as much oval as before from the back and also has been changed to a simple form around the speakers. It is available in both black and white colors.
Camera
Apple installed both front and rear end cameras in iPad 2 for 3G video calling and HD video recording. A VGA camera in front and a camera with 720p HD video recording capability on back side. The camera’s aren’t quite impressive as other tablets are equipped with 5MP+ camera for high quality of photography.
FaceTime
As we said, there are two cameras in iPad 2, therefore there will be a property of Elvis Time that lets you connect video and audio devices supporting the iOS or Mac as well as this feature would allow you to talk to your friends in real rather than the voice or text based chats.
Gyroscope
iPad 2 has a support for gyroscope inherited from iPhone 4 and also the iPod Touch fourth generation. Gyroscope works collectively with device accelerometer to increase motion sensing precision and allows the iPad to measure in which path you are moving or rotating it in space (roll, pitch and yaw), how much and how fast.
iPad 2 Screen
The screen is the same as in the previous model and has almost same specifications.
The LED screen measuring 9.7 inches with IPS panel and Backlit.
High Resolution of 1024 × 768 and the presence of 132 pixels per inch.
Covered with a layer of Finger-print resistant oleo-phobic coating so that iPad 2 is not affected by fingerprints.
Video Mirroring
iPad 2 provides support for Video mirroring and video out in HD Up to 1080p with use of Apple Digital AV Adapter or Apple VGA Adapter. (cables are available separately).
Air Play
This is an additional feature in Apple iOS 4 devices, which Apple has dramatically improved in iPad 2. It is also available on the iPad, it allows you to sync all your media files in the iPad with your HD TV or Mac/PC wirelessly using Wi-Fi connection.
Air Print
Air Print on iPad 2 lets you print your email, photos, web pages, and documents right from your iPad over Wi-Fi. There’s no software or drivers are required to download or install, and no cables to connect. With just a few taps, you can get a printed copy of whatever you are viewing on your iPad screen.
Tech Specs of iPad 2
Processor: Apple equipped iPad 2 with its latest A5 Processor Chip. It’s a 1GHz Dual Core Processor.
Graphics Processor: Graphics processor is nine times faster than the previous model, which helps you to watch movies at its best and also the sights and playing heavily graphics processor consuming games is much better.
Device Storage: It comes with option of 16GB, 32GB and 64GB storage sizes.
Connectivity Solutions: Wi-Fi + 3G model: UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), Wi-Fi + 3G for Verizon model: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz), Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology.
Connection Options: 30-pin dock connector port for charging, 3.5-mm stereo headphone mini-jack, Built-in speaker and Microphone.
Battery: iPad 2 comes with the same battery of iPad 1, set to run up to 10 hours when fully utilizing the device and a full month when kept in standby mode.
Accessories
Smart Covers: Apple has introduced this brilliant new accessory for iPad 2 and it really makes iPad 2 looks super cool and protects the screen from getting dusty or damaged, Apple named it as Smart Cover, where you can cover iPad like blankets across the screen or if you prefer to hold iPad, the Smart Cover flips back and out of the way like a page in a magazine. It attaches with your iPad using magnets and align itself automatically to fit itself perfectly.
Apple Digital AV Adapter: The new Apple Digital AV Adapter mirrors exactly what you see on your iPad so that everyone in the room can enjoy it on your widescreen TV, video projection screen, or other HDMI-compatible display. The cable also lets you charge your iPad 2 at the same time.
iPad Camera Connection Kit: The iPad Camera Connection Kit gives you two ways to import photos and videos from a digital camera: using your camera’s USB cable or directly from an SD card.
These accessories really make iPad 2 more useful and easy to use with other devices. There are more accessories available also, you can find about them using the link available at the end of the review.
Inbuilt Apps in iPad 2
There are many essential apps comes pre installed in iPad 2 like Facetime, PhotoBooth, Safari, iBooks and many more. The whole list of inbuilt apps is available here. You can find all the apps for iPad from Apple here. The new apps for iPad 2 includes iMovie, GarageBand, Numbers, Keynote, Pages and many more. And these apps are insanely awesome, you’ll love using them!
iPad 2 Price and Availability
The price of different SKU’s for USA are as follows:
As illustrated in the table, there are two special models for iPad 2 with different pricing based on storage capacity. iPad 2 will be available by 11 March in the United States at Apple online store and by 25 March in the following 25 countries:
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Check
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Iceland
Italy
Poland
Ireland
Hungarian
Japan
Oxmberg
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Britain
In the Box of iPad 2
iPad
Dock Connector to USB Cable
10W USB Power Adapter
Documentation
iPad 2 special Launch event Keynote video
Conclusion
Apple iPad 2 will have to face real competitions with its peers like Motorola XOOM, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, HP Web OS based Tabs etc. in both consumer and business markets. Also, RIM is planning to launch 7-inch Playbook tablet soon in the market. But with the starting price tag of $499 USD of iPad 2, you just can’t beat it!
There are different versions available based on connectivity types (WiFi or WiFi + 3G), storage capacity, telecommunications services (GSM/CDMA) in the selection and support, and even in the functionality of the software (like GarageBand App) and with the current features which iPad 2 has, there is no substitute in the market really is available, and therefore it impulses iPad 2 boldly! It depends from individual to individual whether they want to upgrade to iPad 2 or not!
Apple was the king of tablet market last year and with new & excellent iPad 2, just like last year, we have no doubt that Apple will rule the market this year also.
The competition between Apple iPhone and AndroidPhones is not only in the number of users or quality of applications, but there is some aspects other than that , and one of these aspects is the performance of Browser.
As we know browsers of both phones works with Webkit engine. Despite the issuance of these browsers from the same engine but Android browser is faster than the iPhone browser. In a study submitted by Blaze inc. (a company specializing in improving the performance of Web sites) Android browser is faster than the iPhone browser by 52% in the load of 45 thousand page has been tested by the company.
Overall, the company found that Android browser loads pages faster than the iPhone by 84% and this is a big difference for the benefit of Android.
The report showed that the time that it takes Android browser to load the pages is less by one second of the iPhone browser and the second in the world of browsers is a big difference.
Finally, the company said an important point is that this difference does not occur with sites devoted to phones.
Mozilla has released the final version of Mozilla Firefox 4 browser for Android, Windows, Mac and Linux and they are now available for download.
HTML5 support has been improved and increase the speed of the browser, and improved JavaScript engine and display fees and improve the presentation of video clips.
Mozilla said that it addressed more than 8000 problem in the browser since the first beta version, and Mozilla has released this version in 80 languages, and Mac systems and Windows and Linux, and it is working with the developers of add-ons to make sure that it is work without problems with the browser Firefox 4.
To see the new features in Firefox 4 final version browser I recommend watching this video :
The concept of “free internet” never really takes hold until the very first moment you sit down at a Chinese computer and type in “Facebook.com.” Here in China, it’s blocked. And even though tech giant Google pulled out of mainland China over a year ago, it’s only been harder to access Google’s services recently.
One of the most noticeable effects of China’s Great Firewall as of late has been Gmail’s increased inaccessibility. The slowdown has been reportedly going on for weeks, since early March. A source in Beijing reports that Gmail has been “…slower definitely. By far. Sometimes we’ve been unable to connect, and many times unable to use Gchat.”
Even Google’s Person Finder for the Japan earthquake has been disturbed by the increased online scrutiny. China hasn’t let up its guard one bit.
Though news of the Egyptian revolution was censored on Chinese-language sites, small hints of a similarly-inspired Chinese “jasmine resolution” sprung up in February, leading authorities to further crack down.
According to the Guardian, Google says that the slowdown is designed to look like it is an inherent flaw with Gmail:
…Technology experts said it seemed to show an increasingly high degree of sophistication. “In the wake of what is happening in the Middle East I don’t think China wants to be seen making heavy-handed attacks on the internet, that would draw too much attention,” said one internet executive who wished to remain anonymous. He said making it look like a fault in Google’s system was extremely difficult to do and the fact that these attacks appear to come and go makes the attack look “semi-industrial and very, very sophisticated.”
The Great Firewall already blocks other services such as YouTube, LinkedIn and Blogspot. Google began doing business in China in 2005, but after censorship conflicts with the Chinese government, Google moved its operation to Hong Kong. (This post republished from Techland.)
More than most unannounced Apple products, the second-generation iPad–which we now know is the iPad 2–has been subject to wild swings of the Expectations-o-Meter. It was going to have a “retina display.” But only for awhile. Then it was going to be the meatier of two iPad revisions for 2011. It was also going to have two cameras. Until it wasn’t.
Finally, as of yesterday morning, the new iPad was supposed to be a “ho-hum” speed-bump of a refresh. Nothing to see, folks–move along.
At this morning’s press event, I sat next to gdgt’s Ryan Block. While I was gawking at Pixar’s John Lasseter, Ryan noticed that Apple COO Tim Cook and marketing honcho Phil Schiller were hobnobbing with the audience. Which meant they weren’t backstage prepping to host the event. Could that mean that Apple’s CEO would do the honors, Ryan wondered?
Yup. And the iPad 2 that Steve Jobs introduced easily cleared the low bar set by the last round of rumors. Everything about it is evolutionary, not revolutionary. But that’s okay: It means that Apple will have an even more fully-evolved, even more polished product out before most of its major competitors have managed to get their first-generation competitors out the door. (Motorola’s Xoom is good enough to get me hopeful about Google’s Android 3.0 Honeycomb, but it feels like an 0.9 release–not a 2.0.) The two most interesting things about the iPad 2 don’t involve (de facto) new features like the cameras and dual-core processor or the (minor) iOS 4.3 upgrade or the (very cool) iMovie and Garage Band apps. They don’t even relate to the Smart Cover–although the magnetic, articulated doohickey is remarkably interesting for a cover. No, what’s most significant about the iPad 2 are a few millimeters and a few inches, or the absence thereof. The iPad is .34″ thick (8.6mm) , vs. .5″ (12.7mm) for the first version; it weighs 1.33 pounds (Wi-Fi version), vs. 1.5 pounds for the original.
That doesn’t like a big whoop, but it is–as I discovered in Apple’s demo hall after the presentation, the iPad 2 is much easier to lift and easier to hold. The difference would be instantly recognizable even if you did it blindfolded. All in all, the device is more like a magazine that happens to be made out of aluminum and glass, and less like a (very stylish) notebook that’s lost its keyboard. (The more highly-tapered case edges also help a lot–they’re slimming, like a flattering outfit.) It still doesn’t have the go-anywhere, cute-little-paperback-book feel of Samsung’s 7″ Galaxy Tab, but it does feel more portable than its predecessor.
Steve Jobs repeatedly referred to the iPad as a post-PC device, and its svelter makeover certainly helps move it in that direction.
Other than that? Well, the Smart Cover is remarkably clever: It snaps to the side of the iPad using magnets that guide it into place, can be folded back in a way that doesn’t obstruct the rear camera, folds up to put the iPad at either a typing or a movie-watching angle, and has a microfiber lining designed to help keep the notoriously smudgy iPad display tidy. It’s not going to eliminate the need for standard cases–it doesn’t protect the iPad’s back or edges from scratches and other damage. But it’s earned a place in the Brilliant Accessory Hall of Fame among such gems as Think Outside’s Stowaway PDA keyboard.
Additional quick thoughts:
Just for the sake of comparison to the iPad 2′s .34″ and 1.33 lbs: The 7-inch Galaxy Tab is .4″ thick and weights .8 lb., the 7-inch BlackBerry PlayBook is .4″ thick and weighs .9 lbs, the 10.1″ Xoom is .51″ thick and weighs 1.61 lbs, the 10.1″ Galaxy Tab is .43″ thick and weighs 1.32 lbs, and the 9.7″ HP TouchPad is .54″ thick and weighs a hair over 1.6 lbs.
By keeping the same price while upping the features and refinement, the iPad 2 continues to benefit from voodoo economics (Apple would call it “magical pricing”): It’s a distinctly more more lux-feeling product than its competition at a meaningfully lower starting price. I’m still not sure how any other tablet maker intends to compete with that proposition…
I was glum over the fact that iOS 5 wasn’t part of the announcement–iOS 4.3 is, as its version number suggests, a modest-sized deal. (Pollyannish take: That means there’s presumably a meatier iOS update to come in the next few months.)
Anyone who can look at the new iMovie and GarageBand and insist that the iPad is a consumption-centric device for passive sheep is either a dolt or a poltroon.
I’m still somewhat uncertain about front-facing cameras and video calls on tablets, in part because it’s hard to hold the tablet at an angle that (A) shows your whole head, and (B) is flattering. (Until I adjusted the angle of the iPad 2 carefully, I looked a little bit like I’d been Photo Boothed into a pinhead.) But I’m pretty sure that Apple made the right decision to place the camera at the top of the iPad 2 in portrait orientation, so it’s more likely to be closer to your face than the Motorola Xoom’s camera, which is oriented for landscape-mode use.
I love SD slots. Love ‘em. (One of the best days of my life as a user of devices made by Apple was when it finally put SD readers in MacBooks.) I was up enough on my iPad rumors that I already assumed the iPad 2 had no SD slot and was therefore not crushed when that turned out to be the case. But with its newly skinny profile, I’m now concerned that it might not be possible to squeeze one onto the edge of any future iPad.
I don’t remember Jobs calling the iPad 2 a post-PC device before. Maybe he’s using the term in part because other tablets–especially Honeycomb ones–do have a more computerish feel to them. (I don’t mean that as a criticism, just a statement of fact about stuff like Honeycomb’s more traditional drop-down menus and pop-up notification panels.)
Jobs pointed out that the iPad has 65,000 apps to Honeycomb’s one hundred. That’s an entirely valid argument in favor of the iPad. But the big unanswerable question is one you wouldn’t assume Jobs would try and tackle: Where will Honeycomb be in, say, six months? (Not to 65,000, obviously…)
Now that a few hours have passed since the announcement, it’s not irrational to begin speculating about the iPad 3–whether it’s going to come out in the fall or a year from now. If all it does is add the rumored-about features that failed to materialize this time, it’ll have a “retina” display, 128GB of storage, an SD slot, the ability to roam between GSM and CDMA networks, a free version of MobileMe, and a nifty streaming-media service that feels like the second coming of LaLa. Sounds good to me…
Hi! I am a junior student at the SETEC University, Phnom Penh majoring in Computer Science. I always spend most of my free time from class for pursuing surfing on the internet and doing a google search to find out new and up-to-date technological information. This is really my most favorite hobby and ambition in my educational life.
9:35 PM
Kakrona Chan
When the long-awaited BlackBerry tablet hits the U.S. and Canada on April 19, Research in Motion (RIM) has a surprise up its sleeve: support for Android apps.
Posted in: 
