galaxy tab

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 and Tab 2 tablets get Android 4.1 update, new features

Today Samsung announced that its Galaxy Tab 2 tablets and Galaxy Note 10.1 would receive Android 4.1 Jelly Bean updates. Samsung, rather than including only cosmetic or back-end changes that you'll never actually see, has added a number of useful-sounding (that's a Youtube video link if you'd rather not read any further) features.

Most of the new features, like improved S Pen support, look to only be compatible with the Note 10.1, not the Tab 2 tablets. This update is so far only available for the Wi-Fi versions of the tablets.

A Samsung rep … Read more

Samsung pledges quick fix for Exynos security issue

Samsung plans to fix a potential security risk for a number of Android smartphones that feature specific Samsung-made Exynos processors.

The security exploit, first uncovered earlier in the week, opens the door for hackers and other ne'er-do-wells to take control of the system RAM and root the device. Once rooted, the phone or tablet would be susceptible to a variety of malicious activities, such as installing additional apps.

Thus far, only the Exynos 4210 and 4412 processors were found to be vulnerable to the one-click rooting; however, there are quite a few Samsung products that fall under this umbrella. … Read more

IDC device maker ranking shows Apple value, Samsung volume

In the brave new world of connected personal computing devices, Hewlett-Packard is a distant No. 4, with Samsung and Apple leading the way.

Think of IDC's "Worldwide Smart Connected Device Market" report as the 21st century equivalent of PC maker rankings.

Personal computing today includes tablets and smartphones, not just the laptop in your father's home office.

That global smart-connected device market grew 27.1 percent year-over-year in the third quarter to a record 303.6 million shipments valued at $140.4 billion, IDC said today in a research note.

"HP, which is virtually non-existent … Read more

Election, iPhone 5 top Yahoo's list of 2012's popular searches

The iPhone 5 couldn't quite edge out the election to be No. 1 on Yahoo's list of most-searched terms for 2012. But it came pretty close.

Yahoo today released its data for the most-searched terms in 2012. The lists include information on "obsessions" (viral sensations), memes, gadgets, Olympians, sports teams, songs/music lyrics, TV comedies, "what is" searches, how-to searches, recipes, and several others.

At the top of the list of terms most searched overall, unsurprisingly, was "election," followed by iPhone 5. Rounding out the top five were Kim Kardashian, Kate Upton, … Read more

Texas Instruments exits consumer phones, lays off 1,700

Texas Instruments is officially getting out of the consumer smartphone business, as major phone suppliers like Apple turn to internal chip designs.

"TI...will reduce costs and focus investments in its wireless business on embedded markets with greater potential for sustainable growth. Cost reductions include the elimination of about 1,700 jobs worldwide," TI said in a statement today.

While TI didn't mention any names, one of the most telling statements alluded to companies that are now designing their own chips. That would include Apple, which designs processors for its iPhone.

"Large customers are increasingly developing … Read more

Microsoft Surface edges out Samsung in display tests

Microsoft's Surface RT tablet topped Samsung's Galaxy tablet in a "shoot-out" done by display testing firm DisplayMate Technologies.

The Surface RT's display outperformed all of the standard resolution full size 10-inch tablets that DisplayMate has tested to date in its Shoot-Out series, Raymond Soneira, president of DisplayMate Technologies, said in a research note today.

"On-screen text is significantly sharper, it has a better factory display calibration, and also significantly lower screen reflectance than the iPad 2 and all full size 1,280x800 Android tablets," Soneira said in a statement.

For example, it bested … Read more

AT&T to sell Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 Android slate on November 9

AT&T today announced that it will soon be offering the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 tablet. Initially announced for the carrier back in late September, we've had to wait until today to learn final pricing and exact availability. That said, the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich tablet arrives on Friday with a $499.99 price tag. Subscribers can add the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 to an existing account for as low as $10 per month on a Mobile Share plan.

Like Sprint's forthcoming version of the Samsung device, the Galaxy Tab 2 10.… Read more

Android gains in tablets, Apple slows in third quarter, IDC says

Apple's tablet market share took a hit as consumers "sat out" the third quarter in anticipation of the iPad Mini, analyst firm IDC said. Android tablets made gains as a result.

After a strong second quarter, Apple's unit shipment growth slowed in both consumer and commercial (including education) markets, according to an IDC report published Monday.

"We believe a sizeable percentage of consumers interested in buying an Apple tablet sat out the third quarter in anticipation of an announcement about the new iPad Mini," said IDC analyst Tom Mainelli in a statement.

Apple's … Read more

Sprint to sell its first LTE tablet

If you're a Sprint customer but aren't interested in a new iPad Mini, perhaps the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is more your speed. The carrier just confirmed that it will sell the larger Android slate, its first to offer 4G LTE data, starting on November 11 for $549.99. … Read more