tablets

Report: RIM testing new BlackBerry, tablet

While Apple and Google have been getting the lion's share of attention in the smartphone world of late, Research In Motion isn't going quietly, according to a report.

The Wall Street Journal reports that RIM has a new touchscreen version of its BlackBerry smartphone up its sleeve, this time with a slide-out keyboard. The operating system running on the test device is also new: BlackBerry OS 6, which the company previewed earlier this year. It has some of the same features as Apple's iOS, which allows swiping and pinching motions on screen, as well as a new … Read more

Rumor: Apple Store coming to App Store Tuesday

Those looking to buy Macs or an Apple TV from an iPhone might soon be in luck.

Apple is planning to launch an Apple Store application for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, according to the Boy Genius Report and MacRumors. Citing only "sources," the publications claim the app will be available for free, launch on Tuesday, and allow consumers to purchase products from their mobile devices. The sources say consumers will also be able to use the app to make Genius Bar appointments and browse the company's entire listing of products.

So far, details on the … Read more

Writing on the tablet

Multitouch capacitive screens and pads are arguably the first new style of input and device interaction to hit the mainstream since the gamepad became the standard for most modern gaming consoles.

Even if we most associate multitouch with the Apple product ecosystem at this point, by itself that's still an enormously high-profile "niche."

HowStuffWorks describes the technology of the iPhone's touch screen and one of Apple's relevant patents, for a mutual capacitive screen, can be found here. A mutual capacitive screen includes two active layers; one contains lines with a driving current, the other contains … Read more

Amazon.com has the Wacom Bamboo Pen and Touch CTH460 Small Tablet for $82.10, after $17.85 savings.

Save $17.85 on the Wacom Bamboo Pen and Touch CTH460 Small Tablet from Amazon.com >> Regular price is $99.95 >> Sale price is $82.10 >> Savings $17.85 (17.86%) >> Click here for deal

Android Atlas Weekly 2: Android takes on iPhone 4 (podcast)

Brian Tong joins us to talk about the high points of yesterday's WWDC announcement and how the new iPhone 4 compares to current Android hardware. Also, the HTC Evo 4G breaks a Sprint record, Android tablets for $100 and Google Music... coming soon? Plus copy/cut/paste shortcuts and a review of DoubleTwist.

HTC’s Evo 4G smartphone debuts http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_15228405

HTC EVO 4G sets new sales records for Sprint http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/06/07/htc-evo-4g-blows-away-sprints-first-day-sales-records/… Read more

Archos 7 tablet offers Android on the cheap

The tablet wars have begun, although not exactly with a bang.

The Archos 7 Home Tablet has plenty going for it: a big 7-inch screen; broad audio and video format support; MicroSDHC memory expansion; and a low price of $199.

Ultimately, though, you get what you pay for. For a device that's all screen, the screen ain't that hot. The Android 1.5 OS is stale and stripped down, and the app store is more like a mini mart.

Still, the Archos 7 Home Tablet isn't half bad, given the price. And since Archos is the first … Read more

CNET UK reviews Dell Streak

Editors' note: The following is CNET UK's review of the Dell Streak. Once the product is available in the U.S., we will update our Dell Streak product page with a new review specific to U.S. consumers.

If bigger is better, then the Dell Streak is the greatest smartphone in the world. But size isn't everything, and although the Streak's large screen and powerful Android operating system provide heaps of fun, it needs some more polish before it lives up to our Android tablet fantasies.

Mega phone Is the Streak a phone or a tablet? We … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1242: Mucho Bogo, AT&T (podcast)

You're going to have to listen to the show to understand the evolution of our favorite new phrase, "mucho bogo." Speaking of evolution, the HTC EVO 4G is officially available, just in time to be stomped into dust by the forthcoming iPhone. Maybe. Also, Google's going to hand over its intercepted WiFi data, to make a bad problem worse, and we're giving a big (BIG) no to the Kno.

Did the tablet kill the smartbook?

Back at CES 2010, we saw two parallel trends developing: a renaissance of touch-screen tablets and slates, and a series of smaller-than-Netbook laptops called "smartbooks" that promised to have automatic 3G, simplified operating systems and very slim profiles.

Well, so far one has come to fruition (thanks largely to the iPad), whereas the other has gone into a state of hibernation.

Lenovo's recent announcement that its "Skylight" smartbook and U1 hybrid tablet/laptop would be delayed underlines the sudden lack of momentum smartbooks have suffered. Lenovo claims it's due to an OS switch from proprietary Linux-based software to Android, … Read more

Hands-on with the Kno tablet

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif.--While the iPad is the device that everyone is talking about, another tablet made its debut at D: All Things Digital on Wednesday.

The Kno, with its dual 14-inch screens and touch-based Linux operating system, is aimed at students and is slated to hit the market at the end of the year. Kno isn't talking price just yet, but the company's goal is for it to be well under $1,000.

I had a chance to catch up with Kno CEO Osman Rashid just after his onstage demo and got a firsthand look at … Read more