tablet

3 Android apps for Wi-Fi calling with Google Voice

Google Voice allows you to give out one number to reach all of the phone numbers you're using at a given time. The ability to schedule "quiet time," and organize contacts into caller groups really make Google Voice a handy service. However, making Wi-Fi or data calls is a feature that has yet to make it to the app. That's where Android apps like Talkatone, GrooVeIP, and Phone for Google Voice and GTalk come into play.

Using one of these apps will allow you to sign in with your Google Voice number/account and dial calls … Read more

Koala iPad mount lets you stick it to your bathroom

I confess. I sometimes set my iPad on the bathroom counter and watch "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" episodes with closed captions turned on while I take a shower. No, it's not an elegant solution. There's a danger of shower splashing, or knocking it over while toweling off. I should probably be looking into acquiring a Koala Mount instead.

The $20 Koala Mount from Dockem is advertised as "damage-free," meaning you could potentially stick them all over your apartment and still have a good shot at recovering your security deposit when you move out. The Koala works with all iPad generations, even the iPad Mini, as well as several popular Android tablets.… Read more

Amazon dumps on report claiming $99 Kindle Fire on the horizon

Could Amazon offer a high-definition Kindle Fire tablet as cheap as $99? That's the latest rumor coming from the folks at TechCrunch.

Citing no specific sources, TechCrunch said it's "now hearing" that a $99 7-inch Kindle Fire is on the production line, with plans to ship sometime this year. Reportedly, the new device would use a TI chip and offer a 1280x800-pixel resolution, just like the current Kindle HD 7-inch tablet.

Amazon recently trimmed the prices on its Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch tablets. TechCrunch pointed to price drops as a way of either selling more … Read more

Google airs Nexus 10 ad focusing on how it's 'shareable'

In a new ad, Google aims to show just how "shareable" its Nexus 10 tablet is. The ad (see below) features a couple expecting a baby and has scenes bouncing back and forth between the two who each use the tablet to make calendar notes, share on Google+, and read up on pregnancy books.

It seems that Google's goal with the Nexus 10 ad is emphasize that more than one user can use the tablet, each with their own user login credentials. The ad ends with the line, "The shareable 10" tablet from Google." … Read more

Tablet Monday: Get a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 for $126.99

Lover of alliteration that I am, I generally try to wait till Tuesday to trot out the tablets. But today's deal couldn't wait.

For a limited time, and while supplies last, Best Buy has the refurbished Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 tablet for $126.99 shipped, plus sales tax where applicable. Barely a year ago, this same model sold new for $249, and still runs about $179 elsewhere.

Update: Drat! I knew this was too good to last: Looks like it's sold out already. But do check back throughout the day in case Best Buy releases … Read more

What's the best low-power Windows 8 tablet?

While there are some Windows 8 tablets that feature ultrabook-level performance, the majority of them use lower-power Intel Atom processors to keep costs down and battery life up.

Even though memories of the Intel Atom Netbook era may make one gun shy about using a low-power CPU, these systems all still run the full gamut of Windows 8 applications -- and even do a surprisingly good job at handling apps optimized for the Windows 8 experience, including IE10 and Netflix.

These are the Windows 8 "low-power" tablets, as we call them, that we've reviewed so far, all … Read more

Android tablets set to wrest throne from iPad in 2013

Apple's iPad is under attack from countless directions by an Android army that's finally catching up to the one-time undisputed sovereign of slates.

A forecast released this week from market researcher IDC predicts that 49 percent of all tablets shipped this year will run Android. This means that -- for the first time -- Google's OS will control a higher percentage of the market than Apple's iOS, which IDC projects will run 46 percent of all tablets shipped. Windows and Windows RT tablets combined will make up less than 5 percent of tablets shipped.

Last year, more than half of all tablets shipped were iPads, a level of popularity usually reserved only for leftist Latin American leaders and Honey Boo Boo.… Read more

Refurbished iPad Mini, fourth-gen iPad now on sale

Customers looking to get a break on the price of an iPad or iPad Mini, this one's for you.

Apple has started selling refurbished iPad Minis and fourth-generation iPads in its online outlet store. Apple is selling a customer's choice of the black or white 16GB fourth-generation iPad with Wi-Fi-and-Celluar. The price represents a $50 cut compared with the full-price model.

The iPad Mini's price is $429 -- a $30 drop compared to the $459 new option. The only refurbished iPad Mini on sale is the 16GB option with Wi-Fi-and-Cellular.

Buying refurbished products isn't necessarily a … Read more

Microsoft Surface Pro sales hit 400K in a hurry

Microsoft has sold 400,000 Surface Pros since launch, according to a Bloomberg report.

That's not a bad start for a very pricey tablet -- starting at $899 -- considering that the Windows 8-based Pro launched only about a month ago.

"That's a respectable number and it leads me to believe that Surface Pro will end up outselling Surface RT," Bob O'Donnell, an analyst at IDC, said in a phone interview.

O'Donnell is referring to the RT version of Surface, which is less expensive, starting at $499, but it is not compatible with older … Read more

Wireless mobile storage expander roundup: Your iPad wants one of these

It's really a shame that the iPad, or any tablet or smartphone for that matter, comes with such a limited amount of internal storage -- usually around 64GB (OK, there's a 128GB iPad, but it's just too expensive). And after the operating system and apps, the remaining space for digital content is much less than that. This is the reason a wireless storage expander is a must for savvy users who want to carry their entire digital library around with them.

The good news is there is now a relatively big selection of these type of devices. … Read more