Crave

Sony is one of the last major manufacturers to jump into the tablet wars, but at least it's arriving in style. Today, Sony published all the details surrounding its two planned Android 3.1 tablets, originally codenamed S1 and S2.

For the first bit of business, the official names have been figured out. The larger of the two tablets with the 9.4-inch screen will be called the Sony S tablet, while their folding tablet made from two 5.5-inch screens will be called the Sony P tablet. The P, apparently, stands for "pocket."

The S tablet … Read more

The MP3 player will never die. You can show me your smartphones and your tablets and all of the dozens of ways we have now to listen to music, but there will always be a place in the world for a cheap, reliable MP3 player.

SanDisk's latest Sansa Clip Zip is proof of this point. Starting at just $49 (4GB) and decked out with an enviable array of audio format support (including AAC and FLAC), an FM radio, a voice recorder, a stopwatch, and a 1.1-inch color screen, the Clip Zip is destined to become the same kind … Read more

Jawbone has pushed out a free software update for its Jambox portable Bluetooth speaker that enables a new audio-enhancement feature the company calls LiveAudio.

Two things strike me about this. First, how cool is it that your speaker can get a software upgrade? I can only hope that Jawbone is busy scripting a software update that will fix the speaker quality in my crappy car next. I won't hold my breath.

The best part of this news, though, is that the upgrade is genuinely worthwhile. Counting myself as a professional audio snob who has heard some dreadful audio spatialization … Read more

HP ruins the tablet party for everyone else; Stormtroopers ride in style; and Eric weaves in a Geek Pop segment on comic movie news. Plus, some tough love from a listener.

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Eric and Donald reveal their TV watching habits and the lies behind tablet marketing. Also, the bionic arm just got cooler, the human computer interface is a temporary tattoo, and plans to put the Crave show in a van... a small one.

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Just when I thought the tablet market was settling into a Honeycomb malaise, a rogue tablet has jumped into the mix. The Grid 10 from Fusion Garage (yes, that Fusion Garage) was unveiled today as a 10-inch tablet alternative to Apple's and Google's offerings, due to ship on September 15.

Sure, at $499 for a 16GB model the pricing suffers from the same delusions that afflicted HP's TouchPad and RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook, but at least Fusion Garage is in good company. Like HP and RIM, Fusion Garage is banking on a post-iOS, post-Android gag reflex to drive consumers into its arms. … Read more

Logitech is putting a new spin on its Zagg wireless keyboard case by offering a version made specifically for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. The handy case/keyboard combo is currently available for preorder, and is due out in September for $99.

I've had some hands-on time with the case and can safely say that it is more than just a reshaped version of the iPad 2 case. There are more than a few shortcut keys that are specific to the Google Android Honeycomb OS. Across the top you'll find buttons for cut, paste, voice command, e-mail, and more.

Like the iPad 2 version, though, the case can be used as a stand to prop up your tablet in either portrait or landscape orientation. The keyboard works wirelessly over Bluetooth and recharges an internal battery over Micro-USB. To really get that mobile office experience, Logitech also offers an Android tablet Bluetooth mouse.

If you're a Tab 10.1 fan with some serious typing to do, I definitely recommend giving this a try. It's not as broadly practical as a generic Bluetooth keyboard, but the dedicated Android keys and the added advantage of protecting your tablet screen make it a great solution. … Read more

Jordan's King Abdullah wants to build a $1.5 billion haven for Trekkers and artist Chris Burden creates a 30-foot-tall dream city filled with racing Matchbox cars. Also, Tokyo paves the way for creepily realistic clone dolls, Apple innovates in headphone design, and Gummi bears make your ears smell.

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You can now officially add Lenovo to the list of computer manufacturers pushing out Android tablets this year. In fact, put the company down for two.

Meet the Tango & Cash of tablets. The ThinkPad Tablet is the business-minded one of the pair, with its optional digital pen and suite of DocsToGo software. The IdeaPad K1 is the party animal, with certification for Netflix streaming and a SocialTouch app that puts all your social networks within easy reach.

Both tablets are set for major release in August, though the IdeaPad K1 can be ordered directly from Lenovo and select partners starting today. The base price on the ThinkPad Tablet is $499 (16GB), and the IdeaPad K1 starts at $449 (16GB).

For the ThinkPad, that $499 gets you a Wi-Fi-only connection to the Web. Other options, such as 3G data modules, preinstalled software, and keyboard portfolio cases, can all be added to your bill. An extra $30 will get you the N-trig digital pen, which can be neatly tucked away inside the tablet frame. Because Lenovo is ultimately targeting the enterprise market with the ThinkPad Tablet, it can be tailored in hundreds of different ways to suit the need. So whether you need VPN-secured desktop virtualization software, or a custom app store filled with company-approved software, Lenovo has your back. … Read more