Acer's 8 inch Iconia W3 Windows 8 tablet is officially official after a flood of leaks!

    We've seen this tablet more times than we can count, but now it's official, the Acer Iconia W3 will be one of the first 8 inch Windows 8 powered tablets on the market!

   The device features an 8.1 inch backlit LED display with a 1280 x 800p resolution, with support for 720p video playback. The device will be powered by Intel's dual-core 1.8GHz Atom Z2760 processor. Acer haven't said how much RAM is on board, but we would hope and we assume it's 2GB, but we don't know. Thankfully though Acer have managed to fit in 32GB or 64GB of storage depending on your budget and needs and there's the option to add a 32GB SD card if you need it.

    Acer have given this little tablet the majority of the things it will need with Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, and front and back 2-megapixel cameras. It's really nice to see the inclusion of a micro-HDMI port and micro-USB ports so that you can connect this device to TV's or projectors for presentations and you can plug in a mouse and keyboard if you choose not to buy Acer's own offerings.

   You can pick up this device this month for £280 or 329 euros for 32GB and £340 or 379 euros for 64GB. You can also opt for the keyboard which you can see in the image above and that might be a smart move because it's purposefully designed for this tablet, but it will add £58 to your order, or you could just get the grey or white cases to protect the device, which cost £22 and £24 respectively!

   By way of an added bonus the device comes loaded with full Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013, which makes it a lot more appealing!
Via PocketLint.

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Microsoft's latest Windows 8 ad pits the Asus VivoTab against the iPad: Commentary from Siri!

   As you might have guessed already this is another one of Microsoft's adverts which uses other companies devices to compare with theirs or those of the manufacturers which makes Windows devices. It's relatively funny, but it's not as good as the wedding brawl Lumia ad which we've seen before.

   The ad stars the 64GB iPad and the Asus VivoTab 64GB, which we've currently got in for review! The commentary is offered by Siri and it's basically Microsoft manipulating what she says to compare the things which you can do on fully fledged Windows 8 based tablets for about $200 less!

   Check out the ad below and let us know which device you're more inclined to get in the comments below and keep and eye out for the VivoTab review!

Via MKBHD Twitter.

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HP expand the X2 line with two new detachable computers: The Split and the SlateBook!

   HP have today announced two new new devices which continue along the same lines as the companies new HP Envy X2. They're tablets which you can dock into keyboards, much like we saw and continue to see with Asus' Transformer line of tablets! So lets get into the announcements!

The HP SlateBook X2:

   The first of HP's duo is the SlateBook X2. It's an Android tablet and it will be one of the first on the market which is rocking NVIDIA's Tegra 4 processor! That processor paired with 2GB of RAM should make Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean absolutely fly!

   Other internals include memory capacities of up to 64GB and that cheeky little dock which you can see pictured to the right, has an extra battery in there to keep your device going that little bit longer while you're out and about!

   HP were keen to promote the access to TegraZone which the Nvidia processor brings with it and the extra games which are available as a result. But to be honest that pales into insignificance when you remember that there's a 10.1" screen which has a better than HD resolution on this thing! The screen is actually 1920 x 1200p and everything should look absolutely stunning on that sort of resolution on something so small!

   A couple of other things which HP mentioned were the DTS Sound+ Solution, native printing capabilities which will work from most apps and the main draw is obviously the dock which adds HDMI out, a couple of USB ports and near enough doubles the tablets battery life.

   The dock and tablet will arrive together in August for $479 for the 16GB variant and for the cheapest version it will cost $479, but the tablet dock is included in that price!


The HP Split X2:

   The second device is another similar concept, but this time the device is powered by Windows 8 and it will be running on a 13.3" 1366 x 768p display.

   Where this device distinguishes itself from the Envy X2 is in the internal department. Yes there's a bigger screen, but there's also a lot more power under the hood. The Envy offered an Atom processor, but this thing comes with a Core i3 processor and 4GB of memory inside the tablet and there's anything up to 128GB of storage in the tablet half.

   The keyboard though helps to make this into a proper laptop because of the inclusion of a huge 500GB hard drive which is crammed into the bottom half! That of course is optional, but there will definitely be a battery in the keyboard, even if you decide you don't want to drop the extra money on the extra hard drive space.

   This tablet will also arrive in August and the starting price for both tablet and keyboard will be $799!



   HP hopes that these devices will give:

“Customers [what they] want to access and [let them] share content anywhere, anytime, on any internet connected device—and they expect those connections to be seamless...The HP SlateBook x2 and the HP Split x2 are next-generation devices and the latest examples of our continued commitment to evolving the computing experience by providing the flexibility necessary for customers to be productive at home, at the office or on the go.”  

If you're not sure which convertible is for you HP have a nice little comparison page, which is actually quite useful and the full press releases are available here!

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In Other News: 10/05/2013.

• According to Microsoft's Chief Financial Officer, Tami Reller, we shouldn't expect a version of iTunes optimised for touch to arrive on Windows 8 any time soon. Reller said: "You shouldn't expect an iTunes app on Windows 8 any time soon... iTunes is in high demand. The welcome mat has been laid out. It's not for lack of trying." Which is a shame, but perhaps if Windows tablets make more of an impact on the market Apple will reconsider!
  Via CNN.

• HTC's ever green HD2 has now been hacked to run Firefox OS! That device just won't give up having run Android, Windows Mobile, Windows Phone, Windows RT and Windows 8, we're sure there's more too. The Firefox OS port is a work in progress as you can imagine, but if you're interested then follow this post on XDA for all the updates!
  Via Slashgear.

• Nokia's launch of the Lumia 928 also revealed that Windows Phone app production is slowing down a bit. The total currently stands at 145,000 apps, which isn't too shabby at all, but that mean that only 45,000 apps have been produced for the platform in the last eleven months!
  WindowsPhoneBlog Via PhoneArena.

• According to reports on TechEye, Sharp are planning to lay off 5,000 workers over the next couple of years in China and Malaysia as the company sees sales of TV's dwindle.

• Three UK have announced on their Twitter feed that they will be carrying the Huawei P2! There's no word on pricing just yet, but you can find a few details about the phone on Three's site here.

• Facebook Home is now available for the HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S4! The app was updated on Google Play yesterday and it brought some bug fixes along with the added support!
  Via AndroidCommunity.

• The guys over at SamMobile think that they know when there will be Android 4.2.2 coming to the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 and the tweet below has the full details!

Android 4.2.2 for high-range devices from June #sgs3 #note2
— SamMobile (@SamMobiles) May 10, 2013

• Sony's Jelly Bean update for the Xperia S and Xperia SL is getting closer every day, with the latest test versions being approved here and there! Check out full details on the Xperia Blog. 

And finally, according to rumours from China Oppo's successor to the Find 5 will be the Find 6 and it will have a crazy spec sheet which will include a Snapdragon 800 processor, an 8 MP front-facing camera, which is paired with a 13MP rear sensor along with 2 GB of RAM, a 5-inch 1080p display, and NFC!

MyDrivers Via TheDroidGuy.

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Toshiba exec explains the Windows 8 teething problems, looks forward to the new range of devices!

   As it stands there aren't too many people out there who love Windows 8. We wouldn't say we love it, but once you're over the initial learning curve then things aren't too dissimilar to Windows 7 and when that Start button is back, assuming it is, then Windows 8 will be a well rounded and logical operating system again.

   That, however, doesn't detract from the fact that it wasn't well received from people and that sales have been somewhat limited. Indeed, Acer have been very vocal about their criticism of the Windows 8 and RT Operating Systems from Microsoft, but today it's time for Toshiba to step forward and offer their opinions.

   The comments today are from Toshiba's Mark Whittard who's the director of the company's Australian arm. In an interview with The Australian Whittard explained how it was difficult simultaneously marketing Windows 8 and Windows RT and he believes it confused some customers, he said:

"I think one of the challenges is, there was a lot of confusion with Windows 8, my personal view is that they (Microsoft) confused the market with a couple of different flavors."

   Whittard also mentioned how customers weren't expecting to have to shell out for apps on Windows RT because they were expecting that platform to support the same apps as full Windows 8. On top of that cost Whittard explains that people were used to Windows 7 computers having prices between $399 and $599, but when Windows 8 landed devices were going on sale at $699 for entry level hardware and that put consumers off, especially as Windows 7 laptop priced plunged as companies looked to clear their Windows 7-powered inventory.

   The same price complain was lodged against touch-based devices which Toshiba considered the premium to have been a bit excessive on. The Australian quotes Whittard as saying that the RRP on devices was not $100, but it was more like $400, which led customers to say: 'Hang on a sec, that's starting to get unpalatable, that price differential, and I'm not sure about this Windows 8 thing.'

   Despite these criticisms, Whittard believes have been mostly eliminated now and Toshiba will have a new range of Windows 8 devices this year with both touch, like the Kirabook pictured above, and non-touch displays!
Via CNet.

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Are HTC working on two Windows-based tablets?

   HTC might be starting to turn their fortunes around slightly in the last few months, but there's still a long way to go for them to return to a good level of profitability and financial security which they this time last year. Smartphones, especially the HTC One, will be a key part of that turn around, but according to the latest rumours tablets will have their part to play too.

   The guys over at PhoneArena, have received a 'tip' which suggests the Taiwanese company are working on a pair of tablets, but as always this is a rumour so take it with a pinch of salt! If the rumours are to be believed though HTC are busy working on tablets which won't be running Android, but instead they'll have Microsoft's less than popular Windows RT. PhoneArena covered their bases on this rumour though, they suggested that the actual OS is 'anyone's guess' and that it could be full Windows 8, Windows RT or a combination of the two which it's previously been rumoured that Microsoft would do with the Blue release of Windows 8. 

   If we stop to briefly look at the two devices, then we're told to expect the HTC R7 and the R12. The R7 is supposedly one of the new small band of Windows tablets and is tipped to land with a Full 1080p HD display which will be 7" and there's set to be one of those beastly 2.3 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800's under the hood, as well as 2GB of RAM. The rumours also say that there will be 16GB of built in memory which you can expand via a MicroSD card which you can fill up with pictures from the 13MP camera. The small device is rumoured to forgo HDMI, NFC and DLNA outputs in favour of LTE and or HSPA+ connectivity, Bluetooth 4 and a GPS connection of some sort.

   The big brother which is rumoured to go by the R12 codename is supposedly the same internally, but there will be additional connection ports available and the screen is meant to be a 12" panel with a fantastic 2048×1536 pixel resolution!

   At the moment that's all we know, in our minds it's a shame that HTC aren't going to give the Android tablet game another crack, but then again, we don't know for sure that they won't. The rumour concludes by saying that these devices will be released in October of this year, which fits with the sort of timeframe which we're expected Windows to get this big update in.

   Can HTC go toe to toe with new Surface tablets or Acer's rumoured Iconia W3, if that's what it ends up being called? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Via PhoneArena.

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That rumoured 8" Windows tablet from Acer pops up on Amazon!

   We've already heard reports that Acer could be working on an 8" Windows-powered tablet and it seems as though those rumours have been justified this weekend with the news that Amazon has, perhaps prematurely, posted up the details of an Iconia tab!

   A listing over on Amazon has shown off an 8.1" tablet, which is going by the name W3-810-1600 and according to its spec sheet is a relatively well endowed little tablet. The listing reports that there's a 1280 x 800 p display, an Intel Atom processor, 2 full GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. All of that actually sounds pretty solid and it's definitely in line with what we've seen from competitors 10" Windows tablets thus far! The battery is said to be 3500 mAh, which would offer good, but not excellent battery life! Amazon's listing also said there was to be WiFi 802.11b/g/n, but there wasn't a mention of Bluetooth, which is a little concerning!

   The main thing though is the price and that was set at $379.99, before the listing disappeared. So no this isn't the cheapest thing on the market, but it's not too expensive either and given the fully-fledged version of Windows 8 on the device, it seems as though the price is probably skewed by the license cost of that platform!

   One thing we would point out is that the first picture, at the top of this page, was the original leak and the design of that tablet, perfectly matches the design of the one in the picture of the Amazon listing, which gives it a bit more credibility!

   What do you think? Would you be interested in one of these, if and when it's made official? Let us know in the comments below!
Via Slashgear.

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Acer's notebook teaser is worthy of Star Trek so it must be awesome!

   We're not normally impressed with laptop teasers. There's really only so much people can do aside from adding touch screens or using expensive materials, but it seems like Acer want to stand out from the crowd with whatever it is they're planning on bringing us on May the 3rd! 

   The video which is embedded below is the main attraction here and it seems like the guys are linking up with the new film Star Trek Into Darkness for the release of whatever this new notebook is. One thing which the video does confirm is that Windows 8 will be powering the device, but we expect the OS will look a tad dated by the time we get to the 23rd Century!

   If you check out the picture above it's quite clear that there's some sort of hinge which seems to push the screen outwards almost like your desktop monitor would. While it seems to make quite the fashion statement, we're not sure how practical that would be in reality, but you know we're always up for seeing something nice and innovative!

   If this makes the touchscreen usage of Windows 8 more pleasurable would you be prepared to pay a premium for this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Via Engadget.

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Microsoft exec teases 'small touch devices' at competitive price points: 7" tablets anyone?

   A few days ago we reported that Microsoft had updated to minimum screen requirements for Windows 8, something which we speculated could pave the way for 7" and even 8" Windows tablets. It seems we weren't too far off the mark because Microsoft's CFO, Peter Klein, has said that the Remond giants are working closely with OEM's on something along those lines.

   Klein's exact words were that Microsoft are working to produce "a new suite of small touch devices powered by Windows." He also added that we can expect these devices to be "available in the coming months" and at "competitive price points," both of which sound great to us!

   As you may remember Microsoft actually dropped their minimum screen resolution down to 1024 x 768p and at the time they said:

"We understand that partners exploring designs for certain markets could find greater design flexibility helpful."

   We could quite easily describe smaller tablets as an 'exploration' for Microsoft and their partners seeing as no diddy tablets have run the software before. Perhaps this much rumoured update to Windows 8.1 could be more heavily focused on optimisations for these new screen sizes and TheVerge even speculates that OEM's will release smaller devices running Windows 8 and then they will update them to Windows 8.1 which they are more tailored for.

   Let us not forget that 'small touch devices' is a very broad term and it could encompass everything from tablets through to smartwatches and anything else, perhaps even mobile phones, but we think that one is a bit of a stretch for now because of Windows Phone 8, but they fall into the category nonetheless and that shows how ambiguous the statement is.

   When TheVerge reached out to Microsoft for clarification on what 'small touch devices' were they were told that the Microsoft had 'nothing more to share at this time', it seems only time will tell! What do you think? Would you be interested in a 7" Windows 8 tablet? Let us know in the comments below!
Via TheVerge.

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Intel promise Windows tablets and Notebooks will get a lot cheaper and more powerful in the near future!

   Intel's CEO, Paul Otellini, has claimed that the company is hard at work trying to get the price of Windows 8 touchscreen devices into territory which would allow more people to feel confident buying them!  

   Otellini said that his company is hard at work on innovative new designs which will utilize a brand new generation of quad-core "Bay Trail" processors. The processors won't be limited to tablet computers they can be used in notebooks too according to Otellini, who added that:

"If you look at touch-enabled Intel-based notebooks that are ultrathin using [Bay Trail] processors. Those prices are going to be down to as low as $200."

   The new processors are completely reworked versions of the Atom micro architecture which means that Atom processors will be able to get closer to the performance of Intel's standard computer processors! According to an unnamed exec these new Bay Trail processors are set to be the:

 "The most powerful Atom processor to-date, doubling the computing performance of Intel's current-generation tablet offering... [and allowing designs] as thin as 8mm that have all-day battery life and weeks of standby."

   If you're excited for these processors the you can expect them to land in devices for the end of this year and they'll go head to head with the ARM processors which you find in your tablets at the moment!

Via Slashgear and CNet.

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PC shipments drop: Smartphones and tablets were the culprits.

   PC shipments have been struggling a bit for quite while now, but apparently the start of this year has been the worst quarter for PC sales yet! According to the IDC the first quarter of this year saw total shipments drop to 76.3 million, a drop which has been attributed to smartphone and tablet sales.

   The IDC revealed that PC shipments fell 13.9% compared to the same period in 2012 and that is considerably worse than the projected 7.7% sales drop which was forecast. For the purposes of clarity the IDC lists desktops, portables, mini notebooks, and workstations as PCs but handhelds, x86 servers and tablets aren't considered computers.

   With that in mind the table below demonstrates how the biggest five PC companies are getting on and it's bad new for everyone except Lenovo, who probably have their home market CHina to thank for their flat-lining sales. Everyone else's sales dropped down by varying amounts.

   The IDC's David Daoud said that:

"Although the reduction in shipments was not a surprise, the magnitude of the contraction is both surprising and worrisome.. The industry is going through a critical crossroads, and strategic choices will have to be made as to how to compete with the proliferation of alternative devices and remain relevant to the consumer."

    Windows 8 is also taking some of the blame here too with Bob O'Donnell adding that:

"While some consumers appreciate the new form factors and touch capabilities of Windows 8, the radical changes to the UI, removal of the familiar Start button, and the costs associated with touch have made PCs a less attractive alternative to dedicated tablets and other competitive devices."

   In case you were wondering where Apple were, because they normally top the PC sales charts with statistics companies who include the iPad in their figures, well they're in sixth in this chart. The guys from Cupertino sold 4.1 million Macs, compared to the 47.8 million iPhones and 22.9 million iPads in the last quarter. The Mac sales were down from 5.2 million in the year before. Their CFO, Peter Oppenheier said:

 “We established new all-time quarterly records for iPhone and iPad sales, significantly broadened our ecosystem, and generated Apple’s highest quarterly revenue ever.”

   Obviously this year over year decline is worrying for all manufacturers and it goes a long way to explaining why we've seen a lot more devices like the Asus Vivotab and the HP Envy X2 knocking around. We'll keep an eye out for more comparisons in the coming months to see how things fare!
BusinessWire Via PocketLint.

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Microsoft rumoured to have a 7-inch Windows 8 tablet in the works!

    Microsoft and their Windows 8 platform haven't exactly set the world on fire with their adoption rates since the platform was launched last year. Instead we've seen a huge decline in PC shipments which were down 13.9% compared to the time last year! It's reported because of the gains made by smartphone and tablet sales that Microsoft is rumoured to be working on a 7" Surface tablet.

    According to the Wall Street Journal "people familiar with the company's plans" have said that Microsoft have reconsidered and a 7-inch tablet is now part of their plans because the Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD and the iPad mini at 7.9 inches have been so wildly popular.

   What we're intrigued to see is whether or not Microsoft put Windows RT, Windows 8 or even Windows Phone on the 7" device, because the dividing line is becoming increasingly thin. Perhaps Windows Blue is for this exact purpose! What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
WSJ Via PocketLint.

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In Other News: 05/04/2013

• BlackBerry's new qwerty-equipped Q10 is now up for pre-order and Phones4U is seemingly the most compelling place to order it from in the UK! If you get in quick (among the first 300 people) you'll get a totally free 64GB PlayBook thrown in! The phone is available for £36 a month on a contract or alternatively you can get one for £549.95 SIM-free! To get the deals check here!
  Via Engadget.

• Firefox have updated their browser's beta streams for Android and desktop users. Android users will son have open-source fonts to choose from to replace the default options and there's also some HTML5 compatibility tweaks. Desktop beta users will get more "do not track" options as well as the choice to re-open tab thumbnails that've previously been closed.
  Via Engadget.

• HMV have been bought out by Hilco in a £50 million deal. That deal will mean that 66 stores will go as will 930 jobs. There will however be 2,500 jobs saved and a tonne of stores kept open as part of the deal. There's also said to be a renewed emphasis on 'enhanced music and visual range' and electricals will not be sold by the company any more! To see which stores will be saved and which will be closed then check here!
  Via HotUKDeals and TechRadar.

• Nokia have released their app Nokia Music for both Windows 8 and Windows RT devices! The app is essentially a full-sized version of the app for phones, but everything's correct and present so head over to the Windows Store here to get it!
  Via TheVerge. 

• Nokia Lumia 720 is now available in the UK for £22 per month on contract or £300 on pay as you go! You can get the phone from O2 here!
  Via Engadget.

• Google has confirmed that their forked version of Webkit called Blink, will soon be powering their Chrome browser. The guys are working fast and the new engine should be availabe in Chrome 28 in about 10 weeks time!
  Via AndroidBeat.

• It turns out HTC's new Facebook powered smartphone, the HTC First, will run stock Android beneath that Home launcher. The phone is looking to be around $450 sim-free so it's not quite cheap enough to be a viable stock alternative to the LG Nexus 4. Facebook also confirmed that their launcher will eventually have ads, but they won't be tailored to users, they will just be like they are on the current Facebook app.
  Via Clove and Slashgear.

• Some of HP's execs are on the way out! Check out the Tweet below for more details.

HP Chairman Ray Lane resigns, Ralph Whitworth to be interim chairman
— Reuters Tech (@ReutersTech) April 4, 2013

• LG's Optimus 4X HD is currently getting an update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean!
  Via UnwiredView. 

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Microsoft's Windows OS to be bumped to version 8.1 this year?

   Sources at both The Verge and ZDNet have seemingly confirmed that the next version of Windows 8, which was previously codenamed Windows Blue, will officially be Windows 8.1. The news was first revealed by Mary Jo Foley from ZDNet and The Verge subsequently checked with their sources who seemed to agree.

   So what is this upgrade and why isn't it a Service Pack like we would expect around this point? Well it seems as though this update, which is still totally unconfirmed officially, will include lots of changes, which are not normally included in Service Pack updates (You can check out Microsoft's definitions of service packs, releases, feature packs and more here!). The Verge said that this will mark a new approach for Windows as future versions will be updated on a yearly basis. If  what what The Verge says is in fact correct, then there will be yearly updates for consumers and that would mean there will be a considerably lower amount of support for each version of Windows. 

   We're sceptical that Microsoft will choose to go down that road, we'd instead expect them to offer incremental changes to Windows just like Google do with Android. Given the current situation which Microsoft finds themselves, with Windows 8 having had a lukewarm reception, perhaps offering a number bump to Windows 8.1 and sharing it around as a free update, might change the general public's perception and convince people that the guys in Redmond have got all of the kinks ironed out! We certainly hope so, because we can't imagine people shelling out for updates to Windows every year!

   Microsoft will reported release their first Windows 8.1 public preview at the Build developer conference in late June. Other items expected on the agenda for that event include the new Xbox, the future of Windows Phone, and Windows Server on top of news for Windows!
Via ZDNet and TheVerge.

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Windows 8 hardware requirements change: Hint at 7" tablets!

   Microsoft have quietly made some amendments to the hardware requirements for their Windows 8 operating system! The changes allow devices with a resolution of 1024 x 768 to rock Windows, whereas previously the lowest resolution was 1366 x 768.

   There's a few reasons for this change, but the key one is probably that this resolution is suited to 7" tablets. The iPad Mini uses this resolution and along with a lower resolution and a smaller screen comes a lower price. This could be key to Microsoft: we've already seen how well the iPad Mini is selling compared to its larger and pricier brother and we only have to look at how popular Amazon's Kindle Fire's are to realise that consumers don't want to spend a shed load o money on their tablets all the time!

   Unfortunately, the new guidelines so make a difference to one bit of functionality. If you have a device with a screen with that resolution then you will not have the option to snap your open windows to either side of the screen, so you can only really use one app at a time.

   Microsoft added that :

"This doesn't imply we're encouraging partners to regularly use a lower screen resolution. In fact, we see customers embracing the higher resolution screens that make a great Windows experience. We understand that partners exploring designs for certain markets could find greater design flexibility helpful."

Via PocketLint and HotHardware.

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01/02/2013: Windows 8 market share after 3 months. The impact of war games on gun sales, PS4 news and much more!

Microsoft's Windows 8 only has 2.2% of the market?

   Since the release of Windows 8 we have seen a complete barrage of devices! There have been literally hundreds released running the new operating system, but there's not been too much of a big dent made on the market share front.

    The new OS has exactly 2.26% of the OS market share, which after three months doesn't compare too favourably with the market shares which Windows 7, at 44.48% and Windows XP at 39.51% hold.

   To be fair we are only three months after the release of the platform so we can only learn so much from these figures, but it's safe to conclude that Windows 8 hasn't taken the world by storm, perhaps because Windows 7 is such a good platform already people just haven't felt the need to upgrade.

NetMarketShare Via Slashgear.

The impact of war games on gun sales!

   Apparently Call of Duty, Medal of Honour, Battlefield and any other war and shooting game series you can think of may well be having more of an impact on you than you think! According to an interview conducted by Eurogamer gun brands are very happy to have their guns included in the game because this will sooner or later transfer into actual sales of the weapons.

   It's somewhat surprising, from a British perspective, that playing video games can actually make you more inclined to buy guns from certain brands in real life. Although, it is in effect in game advertising and the real impact of this in-game exposure has been highlighted by Ralph Vaughn, the man charged with negotiating deals for the inclusion of Barrett branded weapons in games. He said:

   "It is hard to qualify to what extent rifle sales have increased as a result of being in games... But video games expose our brand to a young audience who are considered possible future owners."

   If you're interested in this subject we cannot recommend this article from Simon Parkin on Eurogamer, the source of this news, highly enough. It goes into fantastic depth and some of the reactions from games makers are somewhat concerning!

In other news:

• HP will be closing down their site in Ruesselsheim, south-west of Frankfurt, Germany by the end of October this year. This is reportedly part of a multi-year restructuring plan and it will unfortunately see the loss of around 850 jobs.
  Via Reuters.

• Sony's controller for the upcoming PS4 console will reportedly have a little touchscreen area for you to control certain games with. The whole thing will reportedly add in more social features too!
  Via TheVerge.

• Evasion are reportedly going to be releasing the first untethered jailbreak for iOS since May 2012 on Sunday! Check out their website on Sunday here and you can have full control of your device again!
  Via Slashgear.

• The Gamestick has had an insanely successful Kickstart and the funding wrapped up today with $647,658 raised in total. If you backed the project and everything goes nice and smoothly then you the first batch of units will be in people's hands at some point next month!
  Via Slashgear.

• Amazon have locked down an exclusive on the TV show Downton Abbey! This comes as Amazon and Netflix really try to step up their offerings!
  Via TheVerge.

And finally, the WSJ is reporting that Sony will unveil their plans for the next generation of Playstations on the 20th of February. Visitors will reportedly "see the future" at the event. The people the WSJ thinks are familiar with the matter believe the Playstation 4 will debut on February the 20th. We're not entirely convinced it will, but they will probably show off some details. It's only because the current PS3 debuted nearly two years after the Xbox 360, so it would be strange of Sony to shorten their product cycle so much compared to their nearest competitor! But, we'll have to wait and see!

Via WSJ.

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17/01/2013: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 rumoured, EE store closures, Lenovo's new Chromebook and much more!

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 specs released!

   Samsung's Galaxy Note range is insanely popular, the Note II has sold millions of units since it was released, as people were drawn in by the unique size of the 'phablet'. So Samsung has realised that they're onto a good thing so they're planning to expand the line with a new 8 inch model. 

   This device will be a follow up to the stunning Galaxy Tab 7.7 and a competitor to the iPad Mini, a market which Samsung only really offers the Galaxy Tab 7.0 in. In case you're wondering about a list if specs, it's embedded.

Code name: Kona
Android: version 4.2 Jelly Bean
Official name: GALAXY Note 8.0 (3G, Wi-Fi)
Product codes: GT-N5100, GT-N5110
Battery: 4600 mAh
Dimension: 211.3×136.3×7.95 mm , 330 gram.
Display: 8.0”1280×800 TFT (Super Clear LCD)
GSM networks: EDGE (850/900/1800/1900) HSPA+21.1Mbps, HSUPA 5.76Mbps (850/900/1900/2100)
Camera 5 Megapixel (BACK)
Camera 1.3 megapixel (FRONT)
RAM + Storage: 2GB (RAM) + 16/32GB (optional) + microSD (up to 32GB)
Connections:  BT 4.0, USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, A-GPS

   If the rumours are to be believed then this device will be with us by MWC next month!
Via SamMobile.

EE to close 78 stores!

   EE has announced that they are going to be closing a fair few of their high street stores. Now this isn't necessarily a cost saving measure, instead it's 'consolidation resources' because they currently have a couple of stores of every high street because of the Orange and T-Mobile merger. 

   The plan is to close around about 11% of their stores, so 78 out of the 700 stores will be closed down. This move does seem to make sense, there's not much point having multiple EE stores on every high street, in some cases the stores are right next to each other and from a business point of view this makes little or no sense.

   An EE spokesman said:

"We have reviewed our retail estate to improve the service our customers are receiving on the high street, as part of this we have decided to consolidate. This makes commercial sense and will also help us manage the high levels of demand in our stores and improve the customer experience."

   Thankfully for EE employees they won't have to threat over their futures as the employees from the closing stores will be shifting across to the nearest store:

“All front line staff will be moving to the other store which will boost service levels significantly. A store can only have one manager, so we will look to redeploy the small number of affected managers where possible.” 

   The closures started this month and we can expect them to be completed at some point this year!
Via ITProportal.

In other news:

• Sony's Xperia Z was promised to be getting its Android 4.2 update 'soon after launch' and the company has pledged to share more information about the update over the next couple of weeks!
  Sony Via AndroidCentral.

• Google is no longer offering the Nexus Q for sale. We expected Google would replace their Nexus Q with an updated an cheaper version, instead we're not sure if the device will be delayed until there is another version later this year. Naturally we'll keep you updated if we hear any more on the matter!
  Google Play Via Phandroid.

• Asus is reportedly working on a Windows 8 powered variant of their Padfone. We're not currently sure exactly how this would work given the divides between Windows Phone and Windows 8, but it does sound like a good idea!
  Via WallStreetJournal.

• Lenovo has announced a new Chromebook, the ThinkPad X131e! The laptop is specifically been made to survive the abuse from younger people and there is a rubberised bumper , reinforced corners, as well as strengthened hinges and brackets which aim for 50,000 opens and closes!
  Via HotHardware.

• Sony's PS Vita has a bizarre app issue. Sony seems to have limited the amount of installed games to 100, no matter how much memory card storage is available. We're not sure if Sony will release some firmware to fix this, but this shouldn't be an issue for most users!
  Via Engadget.

• Sony has also announced that they're offering one game a week for free for the next six weeks if you have a 'Playstation Certified' Android device, such as the Xperia S, Xperia ion, Xperia PLAY, or any of Sony's tablets. You might have the certification if you own a HTC device. The only restriction is that you have to live in Japan, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain or Australia. We're not sure about US availability for this promotion yet! We'll update you if we hear more! In the meantime the first app is Samurai Beatdown!
  Via Clove.

And finally, Samsung will be bringing some more colour options to their Galaxy Note II's. Soon there will be amber brown and ruby wine available in Korea, but we're not sure if these options will be offered to the rest of the world.

Via Engadget.

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CES 2013: Lenovo show off their new Windows 8 computers!

Lenovo IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC.

   This one is first up because it made us say wow! First and foremost, no you did not read the name of this computer incorrectly, it is indeed an oversized tablet and it's a 27" beast at that! Naturally, this computer is running Windows 8 and the its main selling point is the unique game playing opportunities it offers you.

   To this end Lenovo has teamed up with the likes of Electronic Arts and Ubisoft to offer games which make use of the touchscreen display, as well as a special collection of games which make use of Lenovo's novel and potentially very interactive accessories, namely the e-dice and four joysticks which come with the computer (pictured below).

   On the software front it's Windows 8 with the Lenovo App Shop which is essentially Intel's AppUp in disguise, which should offer you plenty more gaming options. The exclusives which we mentioned earlier include Monopoly, FishingJoy and Raiding Company, obviously those e-dice will be mighty useful for monopoly! Lenovo is also kjeen to point out the availability of BlueStacks integration which will let you use those good old Android apps too! Microsoft seem quite excited by this particular device too

“It’s exciting to see Lenovo continue to drive innovation and creativity in its new hardware designs. With the 27-inch display, touch UI and built-in battery, the Horizon Table PC enables a range of computing scenarios for Windows users, from PC productivity to social connectivity and family game play.” – Stephen McCall, senior director, OEM, marketing, Microsoft Corp.

    The computer is configured with NVIDIA GeForce graphics, a 3rd Gen Intel Core i7 processor and Dolby Home Theatre v4 audio. The IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC will be available sometime in the early summer months and it'll set you back $1,699 USD.

The Lenovo Erazer X700: One for the gamers!

   Normally when we hear about gaming PC's we think about Alienware or someone who would build your PC for you like Maingear, so forgive us for being slightly surprised to see Lenovo show off a gaming PC at this years CES. It certain looks the part and there's one thing in particular which might make people sit up and take notice of this machine, but we'll come to that later.

   So what does $1499 or more buy you these days? Well first up there's dual graphics support, so you can choose either two NVIDIA GeForce GTX660 chips or ATI CrossFireX, or up to dual AMD Radeon HD 8950 graphics. You can opt for configurations which go up to Intel's Core i7 Extreme processor, you'll get 32GB of RAM as standard and you can add up to 4TB of storage to the set up, thanks to the hot-swappable external drive bays. Other than that you'll be getting an optical drive, plus the option to connect up to six monitors at once thanks to AMD Eyefinity technology. 

   The one interesting feature is the option to overclock your computer without going into BIOS through Lenovo's Onekey feature. If your computer is struggling with the game you can bump it up without fiddling around a whole bunch, which is a nice inclusion for gamers who really push their machines!

   The X700 is set to be release in June and as we said earlier the basic configuration will set you back $1499 and it's only upwards from there!

ThinkPad, IdeaPad and All-In-One refreshes!

   With Windows 8 the touchscreen desktop experience seems to have come of age. It's no surprise then that Lenovo is offering a huge range of these computers. The best thing to do is to have a little look through this rather extensive list here if you're interested in a certain set of innards or you're after one in a specific price bracket, or if you can stand the thought of it, the press release is at the bottom of this page!

   Just as with the All-In-One computers there is a fair few of these and if you're after a specific device it's best to check them out here for full details!

If you're interested in the phones Lenovo launched at CES then check out this link here. Unfortunately none of these phones will be coming to any where except emerging markets!

The Full PR is embedded below!

Lenovo Unleashes New Windows 8 Touch Devices
Portfolio of consumer laptops, all-in-one desktops and companion mobile monitor
LAS VEGAS– January 6, 2013: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today announced its new lineup of consumer and business Windows 8 touch-optimized devices at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show. Headlining the collection are new additions to the ultra-portable IdeaPad U Series Ultrabooks™ and the multimedia intensive IdeaPad Z Series laptops as well as new models of IdeaCentre all-in-one desktops, from the sleek and stylish A Series to the affordable and space-saving C Series.
Lenovo also introduced an extreme performance gaming desktop PC, the Lenovo Erazer X700, designed for enthusiast-level gaming and graphics-hungry applications. For small businesses, the ThinkPad Edge E431 and E531 laptops introduce a unique Lenovo OneLink technology for new docking capabilities, and to complete the new range of Windows 8 touch devices, the ThinkPad Mobile Monitor makes a great companion as a second display, especially for complementing non-touch devices with touch functionality.
"People love touch. It's everywhere in today's PC+ world and is driving new interactions with devices and digital content," said Peter Hortensius, president, Product Group, and senior vice president, Lenovo. "We've aggressively integrated touch across our consumer PCs so that we have one of the largest portfolios of Windows 8 touch products available."
Premier Thin and Light IdeaPad U and Mainstream Z Series
Lenovo's signature IdeaPad U310 and U410 mainstream Ultrabook™ devices take thin and light to the next level with new 10-finger touch support. These stylishly thin and light consumer Ultrabooks™ are incredibly mobile at just 18mm thin and are ultra-responsive, waking up from sleep in just one second with Instant Resume. They come with up to a 3rd gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor, the latest NVIDIA GeForce® graphics with DirectX® 11 and an extended battery life for all day computing
The IdeaPad Z400 and Z500 laptops are the latest-generation of the Z Series and optimized for the Windows 8 touch-based user interface. They support 10-point touch, feature specialized stereo speakers for extra bass with Dolby Home Theatre v4 for an immersive sound experience, come with up to 3rd gen standard voltage Intel® Core™ i7 processors and include the latest NVIDIA GeForce graphics technology. These laptops give consumers large 14-15.6-inch touch screen real estate to experience the full power of Windows 8. The backlit AccuType keyboard even lets users comfortably see what they're typing when they're in the dark.
Erazer X700 - Extreme Gaming with One Click
The Lenovo Erazer X700 with its eye-catching diamond-cut and cold blue lighting design caters to enthusiastlevel gamers and those who run intensive multimedia applications. The desktop comes with Lenovo's exclusive Onekey™ Overclocking feature that allows users to unleash extreme processor performance, ie, "overclock," at the click of a button while simultaneously preventing the PC from overheating thanks to its liquid cooling system. Many similar gaming PCs require users to adjust the setting in the BIOS. Because the Erazer X700 leverages AMD Eyefinity technology, users can connect up to six monitors to enjoy a panoramic screen display and add up to 4 TB of storage without tools while the PC is still running. The desktop also comes with 32GB of memory, dual graphics support (NVIDIA® GeForce® or ATI CrossFireX™1, up to dual AMD Radeon™ HD and the
latest Intel Core family of processors.
IdeaCentre A730 Slimmest 27-inch AIO Plus Affordable C Series AIO Desktops
The IdeaCentre A730 all-in-one desktop (AIO) combines an optional 27-inch Quad HD (2560x1440) or 27-inch Full HD (1920x1080) frameless display with 10-point multi-touch into an less-than-an-inch thin frame with a widely adjustable screen angle from -5° to 90° so people can use it comfortably in any position. The A730 supports up to Windows 8 Pro, includes choices of the 3rd gen Intel Core family of processors and features large storage options up to 1TB.
The Lenovo C540 AIO with an optional touch screen is one of the most affordable and space saving 23- inch touch AIOs for family entertainment. It bundles powerful technologies including a 3rd gen Intel® Core™ i3 processor and NVIDIA GeForce discrete graphics for an affordable computing solution.
ThinkPad Edge Laptops Pioneer OneLink Technology
The ThinkPad Edge E431 and E531 are the first ThinkPad laptops to include Lenovo's all new OneLink technology. Designed to offer simplicity through a single cable connection, the new unique interface eliminates cable clutter without compromising performance. The first device to support the new technology is the new ThinkPad OneLink Dock. Offering superior lag-free graphics and audio performance through native video with dedicated HDMI and audio ports, it can also play host to a number of accessories through four USB ports. This industry unique technology will also charge laptop and mobile devices. Lenovo plans to offer additional OneLink devices in 2013. In addition to touch functionality, the slim ThinkPad Edge E431 and E531 laptops feature improved graphics options for more vivid content on their displays up to full HD and a fivebutton ClickPad lets users control Windows 8 features from the keyboard.
The Wired/Wireless Mobile Touch Screen Companion
The slim and sleek ThinkVision LT1423p Mobile Monitor Touch is Lenovo's next generation mobile monitor that offers extra screen real estate and touch functionality for users who demand more productivity on-thego. Improving from its award winning predecessor's innovative design, the LT1423p will be available in wired or wireless editions and boasts a thin design with a 13.3 inch 1600 x 900 AH-IPS panel protected by Gorilla Glass for an incredibly wide viewing angle and offers a great Windows 8 touch experience. Consumers can even experience touch control gestures on non-touch PCs, and as an added benefit, business customers can take advantage of 10-point touch capability or adopt paper-less commercial transactions by using the electromagnetic stylus.
To keep users up and running, Lenovo offers a full suite of services including In-Home Warranty upgrades for service at the owner's home or business, and Accidental Damage Protection on select products to help insure against damage from accidents like drops, spills, electrical surges, or screen malfunctions. Additionally, Lenovo Premium Support's expert technicians are available when needed with convenient over the phone or remote session support from the comfort of home.
Pricing and Availability
The IdeaPad Z500 Touch will be available starting in April. Models start at approximately $699.
The IdeaPad Z400 Touch will be available starting in March. Models start at approximately $699.
The IdeaPad U310 Touch will be available starting in March. Models start at approximately $779.
The IdeaPad U410 Touch will be available starting in April. Models start at approximately $850.
The Lenovo Erazer X700 will be available starting in June. Models start at approximately $1,499.
The IdeaCentre A730 will be available starting this in June. Models start at approximately $1,499.
The IdeaCentre C540 is available in February, non-touch start at $549. Touch models will be available in June.
The ThinkPad Edge E431 and E531 will be available starting in May. Models start at approximately $539.
The ThinkPad OneLink Dock will be available starting in May at approximately $99.
The ThinkVision LT1423p Mobile Monitor Touch is available Q2 2013 and price will be approximately $349.

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CES 2013: Vizio refreshes their computer range: keeps the same industrial design!

Vizio's new Touchscreen All-In-One!

  

   This time last year Vizio launched their first ever range of computers as the company sought to branch out form their hugely popular television range. Last year the computers were complemented on their metal construction, but they had something lacking when it came to performance and some things like the trackpads.

   So what are the changes to this range? Well first up the all-in-one desktops and the 'Thin + Light' laptops will come standard with touchscreens and they should perform a lot better as they'll be fully equipped with quad-core processors, some of which will be from AMD, breaking with last years Intel only affair! if we get model specific it's best to quote Engadget directly:

 "Both the 14- and 15-inch Thin + Light Touch are available with either a Core i7 CPU or AMD's top-of-the-line A10 chip. Likewise, the 24-inch all-in-one is now the All-in-One Touch, and it too will be available with AMD and Intel processors. The 27-inch model, however, will be Intel-only."

   All of these computers have 1080p screens apart from one, which is the 14-inch Thin + Light. That one has to make do with a very respectable 1,600 x 900 resolution display. Also, it's worth bearing in mind that Vizio offers you a clean install of Windows, not one with hopelessly large amounts of bloatware!

   At the moment Vizio doesn't have any specifics when it comes to pricing, but they have announced that they'll be coming to a store near you half way through February!
Via Engadget.

Here's Vizio's new touchscreen laptops!

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25/10/2012: Microsoft announces Windows 8 and RT details! CPW leak full Nexus 4 details and much more!

Microsoft announces a slew of Windows 8 details.

   Microsoft has started introducing their Windows 8 line of devices today! See what they have to say after the jump!

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