Choosing a tablet need not be a hard pill to swallow

Laying it on the tablet

Choosing a tablet need not be a hard pill to swallow

by S Shiva
Updated 02:01 PM Jun 10, 2011

HTC Flyer video review

Acer Iconia Tab A500

The Acer Iconia Tab A500 is a bit of a left-field choice, with its simple design and large form factor, but this underdog will surprise you with its quality hardware and long battery life.

Sporting a 10.1-inch display panel and weighing in at a hefty 730g, the A500 may not be the most portable tablet around, but it feels durable and its screen size is big enough for comfortable viewing.

The A500 is powered by Android's Honeycomb OS. As with all tablets operating on Honeycomb, there is a slight learning curve before you get used to the interface.

Something interesting about the A500's dual-core processors is that they are from NVIDIA, a name synonymous with graphic cards and video games. So, evidently, the A500 places more emphasis on games - which you can download from the Android Marketplace - than other tablets do.

The A500 features a rear-mounted 5-megapixel camera capable of shooting videos at 720p, and a front-facing camera for video calls, but what really steals the show are its speakers.

Thanks to a speaker system from Dolby, the sound on the A500 is excellent. The only problem would be that they are back-facing, a problem shared by many tablets. Nonetheless, the sound quality of the A500 is unmatched in this category.

With all these functions, one might expect the A500 to run out of juice quickly, but it exceeds expectations by lasting for more than eight hours with heavy usage, and almost 24 hours under average use.

The Acer Iconia Tab A500 may be not be the most obvious choice at first, but its sturdy, metal body, powerful speakers, and battery life make it a tablet worth considering for anyone who wants something different.

The Acer Iconia Tab A500 is available now for S$799.

Apple iPad 2

Anyone who has used the original iPad before, or even an iPhone for that matter, will be able to jump right into the iPad 2's user interface. Utilising the same set of controls and the same layout as other devices under the same brand, the iPad 2 is an incredibly user-friendly device that is simple to pick up and use.

While the iPad 2's screen resolution is the same as its predecessor's, its dimensions have changed significantly. The iPad 2 is stunningly slim, even thinner than the iPhone 4 at just 8.88mm. The device is also incredibly light, and is very portable overall.

As with all Apple products, the iPad 2 has access to the App Store, allowing games, handy guides for transport timings, and even maps to be downloaded straight into the device.

Whatever the iPad 2 lacks in hardware enhancement, it makes up for in the user experience. A demo of the GarageBand and iMovie, which can be purchased from the App Store for US$4.99 (S$6.15) each, showcased how apps can be functional enough for an amateur musician yet intuitive enough to be used by a toddler. In fact, we're sure said toddler could teach us a thing or two about the iPad 2.

With iPad 2, Apple took an already amazing product, improved it, and made it better than before. Apple fans are going to love it, and so will anyone who relish the "experience".

The iPad 2 is available now, from S$668.


PROLiNK TA8

The PROLiNK TA8 blurs the line between work and play with features that are on par with other tablets in the market, but still stay professional enough for a business environment. With a 10.1-inch high definition screen, the TA8 ensures that what you see is the best quality you can get. If the occasion calls for it, connect the TA8 to a bigger HDTV screen via its built-in micro HDMI port.

With a 5 megapixel CMOS camera, the TA8 is able to capture images faster than normal tablet cameras. View photos and videos on its gallery,with a total video playback of up to eight hours.

The TA8 offers premium leather finish on its back that makes the device both sleek to look at and provides protection.

The PROLiNK TA8 is available now for S$649 and comes with a free screen protector and standing case (worth S$88) during PC Show 2011.


Motorola Xoom

One look at the specifications on the Motorola Xoom and you'd know it is a beast compared to other tablets in the market.

With dual-core processors and Google's Android Honeycomb OS, some consider the Motorola Xoom the closest competitor the Apple iPad has.

The Motorola Xoom has a familiar user interface, but it takes some getting used to, even for experienced Android users.

Featuring a 10.1-inch high-definition display, the Motorola Xoom delivers a visual feast for the eyes, with photos and videos appearing beautifully crisp and vibrant.

The Xoom comes with a built-in HDMI port, which allows the tablet to be linked to a HDTV set, bringing the experience onto a bigger screen.

Taking photos is also a snap with both front- and back-mounted cameras. The 5-megapixel camera on the back has decent photo-taking capabilities, and can record videos in up to 720p resolution. The 2-megapixel camera can be used with the Google Talk app to make video calls.

While a fierce competitor to the iPad, the steep learning curve of the Honeycomb OS might be off-putting. However, for those looking for a breath of fresh air among tablets, the Motorola Xoom is a powerful device that is able to match the iPad on many levels, and surpass it on others.

The Motorola Xoom is now available for S$888.

Blackberry PlayBook video review



Asus EEE Pad Transformer

The Asus EEE Pad Transformer may seem, at first glance, like any other Android-powered tablet - until you realise the trick it's hiding up its sleeve. Once attached to the compatible keyboard accessory, the Transformer turns from a tablet to what is essentially a netbook in mere seconds.

The Transformer recognises that the keyboard is attached immediately, and lets you take full control of the tablet using the keys and the track pad on the keyboard. It even folds shut, like a netbook, for easy storage.
Despite its lower price compared to other tablets, the Transformer looks and feels surprisingly robust, with its edge crafted out of a strip of bronze metal. The pattern on the back, made of embossed plastic, also gives you a better grip on the tablet.

The Transformer is powered by Android Honeycomb OS and offers direct access to the Android Marketplace, where a wide range of apps can be found and downloaded.

The camera on the back of the Transformer has can capture video of up to 720p, while the front mounted 1.3-megapixel camera is good enough for video calls and simple photos.

The Asus EEE Pad Transformer is a well rounded tablet with well-developed features, and while it's not the most advanced tablet around, it more than makes up for it with its lower price point. The added bonus of being able to control it with the keyboard dock is definitely a welcome addition - the Transformer is the easiest tablet to type on yet.

The Asus EEE Pad Transformer is now available from S$699 as a standalone unit, and S$799 bundled with the keyboard docking station.

For updated prices and deals on tablets and other electronics at the PC Show, check our Tech Talk blog here.

Source: www.todayonline.com

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iPad 2 Apple's next-generation tablet

iPad 2: First impressions

We get our hands on Apple's next-generation tablet - and can't bear to let go of it
by Hedirman Supian
Updated 12:35 PM Mar 18, 2011

POOR iPad. Its haters simply dismissed it as an upsized iPhone or iPod touch from Day One.

It has now singlehandedly defined a new product category and remains the yardstick for any tablet that enters the consumer sphere (take that, naysayers). Version 2.0 of the iPad matters because, simply, it will be the new benchmark to beat.

It's a third thinner and 15 per cent lighter than its predecessor (the size of its touchscreen remains the same at 9.7-inches), but when Today got our hands on a set this week, the difference was more dramatic than the numbers suggested. The tapered edges give the illusion that the iPad 2 is thinner than it actually is. If you've been lugging the original iPad around, you'll appreciate its newfound svelteness - it's gorgeous.

Under the hood, its processing speed has been doubled and graphics performance is now nine times faster, according to Apple. In our tests, it rendered complex websites perceptibly faster, though it still can't display any Flash-based content. Graphic-intensive games like Infinity Blade played smoothly and content creation apps like iMovie on the iPad give a taste of how powerful this little package can be.

There are now two cameras, a VGA one on the front for video conferencing and another on its back that can record high-definition video at 720p. We got a kick out of using the large 9.7-inch touchscreen as a viewfinder, while the appeal of Apple's Photo Booth app that lets you take stylised spontaneous snapshots will, no doubt, be abused by hipsters and toddlers worldwide.

We didn't find the image quality of the pictures to be on a par with that of the iPhone 4's relatively excellent camera. But those who lament the iPad 2's poor image quality need to - don't mind the pun - see the bigger picture. Simply by having a bigger screen, the original iPad provided an immersive experience when viewing rich media like high-definition games or movies.

Now, with the iPad 2's cameras, developers can create even more immersive experiences with applications that employ technologies such as augmented reality.

Apple's thoughtfully designed smart cover deserves a special mention. It effortlessly attaches to the iPad via hidden magnets. When you flip its edge over ever so slightly, the iPad wakes up from its slumber. Delightful.

We've had the device for a day now and we haven't had to charge it despite putting it through our tests, intermittent WiFi connectivity, games and regular app usage. Apple claims it can last up to 10 hours on a single charge.

Major dislike: Unlike Android-based tablets and smartphones, iTunes on a computer is still the ball-and-chain that iPad users will have to grapple with when they need to sync, set up their devices or do back-ups.

Those not yet on the bandwagon might think that the allure of the iPad is an irrational one driven primarily by its lovely industrial design. But the range of quality apps made for its large format is currently unmatched on any other mobile or tablet platform (face up to the truth, Android fanboys). And Apple's easy-to-use interface on the device makes it instantly accessible to almost any demographic.

It might seem like a superfluous device that mimics the functions of your touchscreen smartphone or laptop, but the iPad - and now the iPad 2 - still remains in a class of its own because it makes it effortless for you to access all that computing power in the palm of your hands; there's no keyboard or mouse separating you from technology.



Special thanks to local developers Personae Studios (www.personaestudios.com) for allowing us to cop a feel of their iPad 2.



Don't just take our word for it. What does the man on the street think of the new iPad? Watch the video at http://bit.ly/TDY_ipad2


Source: www.todayonline.com

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Apple iPad 2: It just gets better

To appreciate the new iPad, get your hands on one;

by Shane Richmond technology@mediacorp.com.sg

05:56 AM Mar 04, 2011

 

The new iPad is an evolution from its predecessor, not a revolution. That was the word that began to seep out in the build-up to yesterday's launch, and so it has proved. However, that's not to say that it isn't a very impressive device.

The iPad 2 is strikingly thin, and though it isn't that much lighter than the original iPad, its slender form makes it feel less hefty overall.

The improvement in the form factor is similar to the change between the early iPod touch and the more recent model, but in the iPad's case the difference is even more stark.

I never really liked the white version of the iPhone 4 - yes, I was one of the lucky few to have seen one - but the white iPad 2 looks good and is bound to be very popular. Personally, I still prefer black.

The new tablet, which is running a new version of Apple's iOS, feels faster. Apps open and close very quickly, and even switching between screens seems faster.

The difference is subtle because the original iPad never really felt slow but there seems to be an extra zip to things on the new device. The changes powering that speed are hidden away inside; more obvious are the two cameras, one on the front and a second on the back.

I'm not entirely convinced of the need for a camera on the back of the device. The iPad is certainly not an obvious gadget to use for taking photos, though it's possible that app developers will find a use for the rear camera, perhaps for augmented reality.

The front-facing camera is a more obvious addition. FaceTime works brilliantly but it's Photo Booth that really shows what the device can do.

The photo app, which lets you play around with funny self portraits, shows several realtime videos of you at once, each with different effects applied. The app is a trivial one but this bit shows the power of the device.

The new Smart Cover is one of the highlights, perhaps because it's something we've never seen before.

Its magnetic hinges fix it to the side of the iPad, and it slips into place over the screen, putting the device to sleep as it does so. Lift the cover off and the iPad wakes up. The cover then rolls up to form a handy stand to put the iPad in position for typing or watching a video.

It's the sort of thing that Apple's critics will dismiss as gimmickry, but it's actually a very clever solution to the problem of protecting the iPad screen without adding too much bulk to the device.

The time that I had with the iPad 2 was nowhere near enough to form a detailed impression. I want to try it with a range of apps to get a sense of how performance has improved, and I'd like to sit on the sofa with it for an hour so that I can tell how much lighter it feels in practice.

One thing's for sure: I've had long enough with it to know that I'd like use it more.THE TELEGRAPH

Soure: www.todayonline.com

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Apple shows off smart design of new iPad covers

SAN FRANCISCO

APPLE did not just release news about its iPad 2 on Wednesday; it also showboated new iPad covers, made of a sheet of flexible leather or polyurethane, attached to a set of metal hinges.

The cover has magnets inside its case that will secure it to the iPad.

The iPad even goes to sleep once it is covered, and wakes automatically when you flip back the cover.

The cover can be flipped behind the iPad.

The case can even be folded to make a small, triangular stand for the iPad. Apple will offer a polyurethane version for US$39 (S$49) and a leather case for US$69.

Source: www.mypaper.com.sg

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iPad 2

SAN FRANCISCO

SO, THE iPad 2 is thinner, lighter and faster, but is it as revolutionary as the hype over it suggests?

Put it this way: Critics are saying that the iPad 2 is predictable. Mr Daniel Ionescu, editor of PC World’s blogs, said that “judged on specifications alone, the Apple iPad 2 doesn’t do much more than keep pace with its tablet rivals”.

He noted that it is a bit thinner (at 8mm thick, it is thinner than the iPhone 4) than its major rivals, and is lighter (it weighs 603g) than most.

“But its processor appears to be on a par with those of other tablets, and its cameras’ resolution seems to be lower,” he said.

Others said that the iPad 2 has not lived up to its hype. Mr Rik Myslewski, editor of The Register, commented: “Let’s be kind and call it iPad 1.5.”

He added that the iPad 2 is really a “refinement” of the original iPad.

He noted that the new gadget is twice as fast as the original, with its Apple-designed A5 chip. Its slimmer form is “sexier” but, with its weight, it still remains “a handful”, he said.

The original iPad’s Wi-Fi version weighs 680g, while its Wi-Fi and 3G model weighs
730g.

CNet felt that the iPad 2 is not a radical departure from the original, as it retains many of the original’s features, such as the 9.7-inch screen. But it still labelled the new tablet as “awesome” and said that “the iPad 2 has plenty to brag about”.

Pricing for the gadget held steady. In the United States, the iPad 2 starts at US$499 (S$633) for a 16GB Wi-Fi-only model, and costs US$829 for the 64GB version with 3G.

The tablet, revealed by Apple chief executive Steve Jobs in a surprise appearance, hits shelves here next Friday.

An Apple spokesman in Singapore said that no launch date has been announced for the island but, tantalisingly, the gadget is slated to hit 26 countries on March 25.

Still, despite naysayers, the iPad 2 got mostly accolades.

Said Mr A. M. Sacconaghi Jr, an analyst with Sanford C. Bernstein & Company: “It is an incremental step forward. But it certainly makes Apple very competitive in the market today.”

In January, the company said it sold nearly 15 million iPads last year, generating about US$9.5 billion.

Source: www.mypaper.com.sg

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