Microsoft's Pricey Tablet Gamble

Business Insider has this story on Microsoft's plan to charge vendors desktop prices for Windows 8 on tablets. The end result of this would be all Windows tablets would cost $100 more than their iPad counterparts.



I got agree with the story, if Microsoft doesn't change their stance, their tablet efforts are doomed before they even start.

WebOS Lives

It looks like WebOS lives! It is going to be opened sourced by HP. However, tablets only, no more phones.



The Verge: WebOS Open Sourced



It will be nice to have another open source option. But since it is tablet only, you have to wonder if it will have the same kind of traction of iOS and Android.

Kindle Fire Burns up the Tablet Market

Well there is big news today and it is the new tablet from Amazon, the Kindle Fire. Here are the quick facts:



Price: $199

Size: 7 inches

Memory: 8 Gig

Camera: None

Networking: Wifi, but no 3G

OS: Amazon's version of Android



Functionality

• Book Reading


• Web Browsing


• Music player


• Amazon Store App


• Games (They already have Angry Birds)


• Videos - An Amazon Prime movies and streaming app

Note: Rumor has it that a 10inch version is in the works. So if you are more interested in a full size tablet, you may want to think twice about buying this version.



My thoughts are as follows.



First, the price is huge. A $300 dollar price difference is significant. Many people who have balked on the $500 iPad may take a hard look at the $200 Fire. Heck this is cheaper than most iPods! All the other tablet manufacturers are gonna be under serious pressure. They can't make money on the books, videos and music like Amazon. Right away it looks like Amazon and Apple are the only horses on this race.



Second, it has all the key features a tablet needs. Web browsing, book reading, and movie playing. (At least that is what I do the most on my iPad 2.) I really think features like cameras and 3G are not something wanted or needed by most consumers. People will ask themselves if they really need an iPad?



Third, this puts pricing pressure on rival Barnes and Noble right away. By also announcing a black and white Kindle touch at $99, this will probably force Barnes and Noble to drop the price of their most excellant Nook Touch and Nook Color.



Fourth, this announcement is a direct shot at Apple. Amazon is gonna put their integrated music, video, ebook, and shopping services against Apple. This is why I scolded Apple for their silly attempt to get 30% of any in app purchases. You risk waking the sleeping giant. And now, the sleeper has awakened and he looks angry.



Finally, this makes me wonder about Android or at least Android on the tablet. Does this move put Amazon firmly in control of the UI on Android tablets? From the demos I've seen, the interface is a lot more elegant than any Android device I have seen to date. This is the danger of open source software, someone might fork the code right at your existing business model.



Well anyway, it should be interesting to watch. Here are links you might find interesting.



Feature Comparison from This is My Next

Molly Wood from CNet

Josh Lowenstein from CNet

Engadget Video Demo

Android Tablet: First Reaction

Just got an Asus EEE Pad Transformer last weekend. So after a little bit of use here is my reaction.



I don't think Apple has much to worry about at this point in time. From a hardware standpoint, the EEE pad is really nice. A beautiful screen, fast processor, and good battery life. However, I can't say the same for the Android operating system. With Android, every task seems to take 2 or 3 more clicks to do compared to the iPhone. In addition, the application interfaces lack consistency. Each new application is like a new puzzle. lol. This is not a good thing. No performance problems so far. The screen rotation is a little clunky, but mostly works.



Anyway, more to come on this subject.

Nook Touch Loses Charge or Discharges Quickly

Is your brand new Nook Touch lasting 4 days instead of 2 months? The Nook Touch can't hold a charge? This is the problem I ran into days after getting this wonderful new e-reader.



Solution:

This appears to be a software problem. To "fix" the battery try the following.



(1) Turn your Nook all the way off. Hold the On/Off button for like 5 seconds. A popup will appear asking if you wish to turn off the device. Confirm this and let the machine go off. Wait a minute or so. Hold the On/Off button for about 5 seconds to get the device to turn on.



According to the Nook forums, this has solved the problem for a number for people. However I had to do a little more.



(2) Let your Nook battery run all the way down. The Nook will display a message stating that you must plug in your Nook if you wish to turn it on. I was unable (or too impatient) to drain the device any further. I then plugged the device in for 4.5 hours. Then I did step (1) above.



The 2nd set of steps was given to me by Nook tech support. It worked for me. If neither of these methods works for you, please call Barnes and Noble Tech Support.

Android Honeycomb 3.1 Comes To The Asus Eee Pad Transformer

The Asus eee Pad Transformer has gotten Android 3.1. Here is the scoop.



Android Honeycomb 3.1 Comes To The Asus Eee Pad Transformer - HotHardware

Lookout iPad, a Family of Amazon Android Tablets on the Way

This story broke at the end of last week and over the weekend. Amazon is readying a family Android based tablets to compete with the iPad.



Will Amazon make a tablet? 'Stay tuned,' says Jeff Bezos

Tom's Guide: Amazon Says ''Stay Tuned'' On Tablet Front

ReadWriteWeb: Will Amazon Become the Dominant Player in the Android Ecosystem?



This has probably been in the works for a while. Given the success of the iPad. Both Barnes and Noble and Amazon realized they should be in this space. However, with Apple's new requirement that any in App purchases go through the App Store, book retailers would be required to give Apple a 30% cut on any book sold. This wipes out any profit for a book retailer and has already put small book retailer iFlowReader out of business. Apple has not yet blocked the ebook reader apps from Barnes and Noble or Amazon. But they could, and both book retailers know it.



To me, the in app purchase policy is not a smart move by Apple. Up until now, they have had very little real competition in the iPod and iPad space. Now they are creating 2 very large and highly motivated competitors. Apple's own actions are creating the competition for their devices. Plus, Apple is also opening themselves up to anti-trust scrutiny with this move.



The stories indicate Amazon is creating a whole family of devices. Mainly tablets from 7" to 10". Don't be surprised if this move includes iPod touch like music and movie playing devices as well. Amazon has to protect its business anyplace you would read a book, listen to a song, or play a movie.



So if you are thinking about getting a tablet or an iPod touch. You may want to wait a few months. The hounds of competition are about to be unleashed.

Original iPad Case for iPad 2

Ever since I received my iPad 2, the new fancy magnet cover has not been to my liking. Yes, the Apple iPad 2 cover is cool and innovative with automatic on and off etc... However, it is also flawed. I find the cover does not help me hold the iPad 2. It flops around if you leave it completely open. If you fold it in half, this eliminates the flopping around, but you must unstick the magnets when you close the cover. In addition, I always feel like I am gonna rip the thing off since it is only held on by magnets at the top. And since I spend most of my time holding the iPad 2, the flaws get annoying over time.



For me, the Apple case for the original iPad worked great. Simple, easy to use, and functional.



So I have been looking for someone to come out with the an original style Apple case for the iPad 2. Griffin Technology, makers of many accessories Apple, has done just that.

Griffin Elan Folio Slim

Best Buy: Elan Folio Thin



I guess the case has been out there for a few months, but I just ran across it in Best Buy yesterday. The case is very thin with a fake leather cover. Personally, I prefer the more polyurethane feel of the original Apple case, easy to hold onto, and sticks better to table tops. But the Griffin case is a big improvement over the cover. Please note that in the Best Buy reviews, several customers reported quality issues. I have not experienced any, but will update this post if I do.



Bottom line, if you want the old style case for your iPad 2, this seems to be the best option.

Asus Eee Pad Transformer sells out online on day one

You know how I have been writing about the EEE Pad Transformer the last couple of weeks. And I have been looking forward to getting my hands on the first Android Honeycomb 3.0 tablet for $399. Well... the EEE pad came out yesterday and is already sold out. :(



Asus Eee Pad Transformer sells out online on day one - Yahoo! News



I guess I should not be surprised. Although it is not on the radar of much of the tech media, Engadget alone has probably built up enough buzz to sell it out. Also, it is my understanding they are shipping pretty low quantities to the US as the device was launched in other countries first.



One other fact learned in the last week. The keyboard that makes the transformer tranform, is not free. It costs an additional $150. So really the device has a price of $549 as opposed to $399 when all is included.

B&N NookColor graduates to big boy pants, brings apps and Flash

Well... It looks like the NookColor has just graduated to big boy pants. Today, Barnes and Noble has released version 1.2 of their software with full Android support. This includes an e-mail client, contact manager, and app store. Basically, many of the features you would get with the iPad but at only a $249 sticker price. Pretty sweet if you have not dipped your toe in the tablet lake yet.



Up until today, the NookColor was primarily a Wifi color ebook reader with a very nice web browser. But unlike the Kindle, the NookColor has always been a little more. It has a touch interface with an color LCD screen which makes it closer to an iPad than a Kindle. It is about the same size as a Kindle (a little bigger) and weights a bit more (around 1 pound). From what I can tell, book prices are about the same as Amazon.com and selection is similar. Haven't tested battery life yet, but is supposed to be similar to an iPad. Oh and one other thing... No syncing with iTunes! Yay! A device that is actually designed to work stand alone.



With today's update, the NookColor is now firmly in the iPad category of tablets. So if you have been looking to try a tablet, but don't have $600 for an iPad, you may want to give this a look. Click the picture if you want to buy one from me. :)



Engadget has all the details on todays update:

B&N Nook Color update released, brings Froyo, apps, and Flash, we go hands-on (video) -- Engadget

RIM Blackberry PlayBook on Sale in US

The RIM Blackberry playbook is on sale now in the US.



BlackBerry PlayBook now on sale in the US and Canada, starting at $500 with 16GB of storage -- Engadget



The PlayBook uses the QNX operating system and a Webkit browser. It is supposed to be able to run Android apps at some point, but that sounds like a bit of a kluge. This will probably do well in the corporate world, but I can't see it having much impact outside it.

Asus EeePad Transformer to Cost $399

Confirmation from Tom's Hardware that the EEE Tab Transformer will be showing up in the US at Best Buy stores for $399.

Asus EeePad Transformer to Cost $399



This is great news. This looks like an awesome device and it will be great to see it in stores so soon.

Nook Color - Android Tablet Worth a Look

Did you know that the Barnes and Noble Nook Color is an Android Tablet? I sort of did, but it didn't really hit me until I saw one last week. Wow the web browser on that little guy was fast and looked really good. Much better than the primitive one you find in a kindle.



Anyway, I plan to get one in a couple of weeks and then more reviews will ensue. I've added links to the device in this post and on the main page if you are interested in checking it out. Most Barnes and Noble stores also have demo units available in the store.

Asus EEE Pad Transformer: First Android Tablet you should buy?

Maybe. With all the buzz around Motorola and Samsung tablets, the Asus EEE Pad Transformer has been kind of lost in the shuffle. Basically, the EEE pad is a tablet with a keyboard dock that allows your to use it as a laptop or tablet. SlashGear has all the details.



SlashGear: ASUS Eee Pad Transformer first-impressions [Video]



The review is very positive. Honeycomb 3, a beautiful screen, and great battery life. Plus Asus is known for being very aggressive with price. My experience with their netbooks and laptops has been mostly very good.



According to a London Telegraph story, it should be released in the UK next week. One story hinted at an April release in the US. I guess we will see.

Tablet Support Android a Ways Off

According to this Mashable story, tablet support for Android is still a ways out. Real support will have to wait until Android v3.



I'm kind of surprised that Google is this far behind. Expect Apple to up the ante with an iPad 2 in the spring.

Cool Looking Android Tablet

According to CrunchGear, Samsung will soon launch 7" and 10" Android based tablets. From the picture, it looks very nice and comparable to the iPad. I just wonder what the price will be.