It may be one of the most important tablet computers shown at CES this year, not because of a unique build and design, but because it’s made to play full-fledged PC games. Project Fiona isn’t your everyday tablet; in fact, its about as far as you can get from an iPad or Android tablet. And that, along with some high-end and completely secret hardware, is the secret sauce that may make Fiona worth forgetting about any other tablet coming out this year.

After all, don’t you want to have a full-PC running in a tablet?

Razer, the gaming peripheral company that has recently grown to manufacturing a high-end gaming laptop (the Razer Blade), is working on a 11″ gaming tablet that functions just like any other tablet – full touchscreen, built-in battery, etc. – except that it currently has Windows 7 Touch Edition and will eventually ship with Windows 8. Besides for that it’s a gaming laptop sans keyboard, with built-in gamepad controllers on both sides of the tablet. The design is a little clunky now, but it’s not set in stone exactly how it will end up.

In speaking with Razer, I asked about possible designs where the controllers are separate and/or attachable, and it’s currently something that the company is researching. The tablet itself is pretty thick at a full inch and fairly heavy too. It runs an Intel i7 CPU, full-power (not the ultrabook low-powered models), so it can be anything from 2.4-3GHz, though likely dual core. It will also have a high-end GPU, though it’s unclear which model it will have, likely an Nvidia 600 model, but without knowing what Nvidia is planning in the future for their GPU line it’s impossible to tell.

However, the plan is to release the tablet with Windows 8 for under $1,000, thereby making it a perfect gaming tablet that can potentially replace gaming laptops. Ironically enough, it would in a sense compete with Razer’s Blade laptop.

I played Space Marine at 720p (the screen display was actually 1280×800, which is strange because it looks like a widescreen display (16:9), but has a standard PC 16:10 resolution. The game ran smoothly, but the control setup was a bit strange. Like joysticks on the Playstation Move Navigation Controller or Razer’s own Hydra controller. Holding the entire device is…well, it’s big. Razer reps assured me that the battery will last at least 1.5 hours, which means that more basic functions like email and web-browsing should last much longer, especially if Windows 8 has significantly better power management functions as expected.

The game quality was great, and though I’d love to know what the settings were, that info wasn’t shared. Once again neither were the specs. Project Fiona is expected to fully release, likely under a new name, in Q3 or Q4 this year. But it’s also all experimental, so we’ll have to wait and see. Because if suddenly people can play on the go, and it’s under $1,000, there will be a line around the block to pick one up.

It may go without saying that the Samsung Galaxy S II is an incredible phone. Actually, they are incredible phones. They’ve done so well that there are at least five variants available worldwide today, four of which you can purchase in the US. The Galaxy Note is the most different and largest smartphone on the market, just not the US market. Not yet, anyways. That’s going to change very soon.

The Galaxy Note is huge with a 5.3″ 1280×800 display. Powering that is a 2500mAh battery, but don’t expect better battery life than today’s smartphones. The larger screen and faster 1.4GHz processor will drain the battery faster than on smaller devices, but besides for that you get the same basic phone as the Samsung Galaxy II. Same high-powered GPU, same SuperAMOLED display, plus a few extras like a stylus for that massive touchscreen.

I played with the Note briefly, and the first thing that came to mind is that this is the perfect size for people who want a phone and tablet built into one. It’s thin and light, though that big screen has a high enough resolution to view full web pages while still fitting in your pocket. The stylus and drawing functions aren’t everything I want; like the HTC Flyer, you can write on anything, but all it does is create an image of the page. So business people can’t sign PDF documents or do higher-functions, but note-taking and written to typed text is available.

Is the Note a worthy phone? Based solely on my brief hands on and the Galaxy S II and Epic 4G Touch, there’s no reason to doubt the Note’s capabilities. Whether the bigger screen is right for you, and whether it is good enough to replace your current smartphone and tablet remains to be seen. But we’ll find out soon enough.

This week I got a chance to play with the Toshiba Thrive. And the first thing I noticed about this Android Tablet is its rather robust in its design and a tad hefty. Also, with its 10.1” wide-screen touchscreen, with a resolution of 1280 x 800, it’s easy to see how Toshiba had movie watching in mind. But the sad fact is, that’s pretty much all I’d really use the Thrive for, that and maybe some Facebook or Twitter. And even then, there’s an utter lack of frustration in the experience that really isn’t Toshiba’s fault … it’s Android’s.

First off, before we get into that, let’s break down it’s specs.

Hardware

Dimension wise, the Toshiba Thrive is a bit thick at .62 inches, and could stand to go on a diet with a weight of 1.6 lbs. The tablet is 10.75” x 6.97” x 0.6, and has a ribbed, rubberized, non slip backing which makes the user feel like it’ll stay in hand without worry. The Thrive has a wide screen a dual-core 1GHz Tegra 2 chip and 1GB of RAM – pretty mainstream in the Android Tablet market. That makes it great for video gaming and watching a movie on it’s 10.1-inch, 1280 x 800 screen. But sadly, the speakers that come with the Thrive are woefully terrible – very tiny and distorted – almost like a cheap AM radio. And the volume buttons are backwards?! Very strange. So if you’re going to do anything that requires listening to audio, the best bet is to use a pair of headphones.

Other features include a full-size HDMI for connecting to your HDTV, but you can also take advantage of the latest fun feature in the mobile world – mirroring, where the video image can be wirelessly streamed to a compatible HDTV. The Thrive also comes with either 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB and it has the usual SD card slots for increasing your on board storage. There’s also the usual USB plug. Navigation buttons are all virtual through the Android 3.1 Honeycomb OS, giving the screen a tad more real estate.

The Thrive also uses dual cameras – one a typically cheap 2mp for video chat and then a 5 MP rear facing camera, which frankly I don’t consider a big deal because if I’m out and about taking pictures, I’m doing it with my smart phone. Using a tablet for taking photos is just, plain ungainly.

The Thrive comes with a removable 2030 mAh battery which claims a battery life of 11 hours.

Performance

OK, now that we’ve gotten the physical description out of the way, let’s turn it on. The power button on the upper right is really nothing to write home about. It works. It’s not super responsive, meaning you have to push down solid and hold for a second, but what else is new? And ironically, turning off is faster. But do I really have to confirm I want to turn it off? I guess it’s prudent, but come on. I turned it off, didn’t I? Don’t ask again.

Boot time to the screen is about average – as it has to run through a tedious flash animation while it loads the Android OS. Then you have move the lock to get to the main screen. There, you get the basic Android experience.

Now some like Android, and that’s fine. But I really don’t care for it. It’s the “PC” to the iOS’s Mac. Clunky and not ready for prime time. You have to go into settings and then manage applications just to force close or uninstall an App and that’s just plain tedious. Booting into apps like Facebook, Twitter and the Browser is fairly fast though, but I had several crashes with other apps. But that may be the fault of the apps themselves. Downloading, even on a broadband WiFi connection took longer than I would have liked. In fact, when watching trailers at Quicktime Trailers, I often had to wake the tablet up. And there were several trailers I just plain gave up on. Watching YouTube, I sometimes had stutter. On the iPad, by contrast, they would pop right up and start playing with great audio and no jitter. The Thrive handles Flash pretty well, don’t get me wrong, but cheap mono audio and streaming live video left me with a lackluster, “artifacty” experience.

The screen is crisp if you’re watching video indoors and away from a strong light source. Otherwise the glare from the screen can be off putting unless you angle it slightly. But even at extreme angles you can watch the screen, making sharing a video doable.

But where the Thrive really shines is in game play.  We played the demo of Need for Speed and the game was extremely responsive and fun to play (too bad I stink at driving games). Playing Angry Birds was a ton of fun with decent graphics, but the sounds simply doesn’t cut it unless I use headphones.

Skype worked via WiFi, and that’s where you’re reliant because the Thrive has no 3G connection, so you have to Skype where you’re WiFi connection is.

And as for battery life? Suffice it to say that like all PR Specifications that promise long battery life, the promise more hype than reality. I found the Thrive, with regular use, didn’t last the day, making it necessary to plug in at least once. And while we’re talking about plugging in, what’s up with the laptop size AC Adapter? Most tablets come with a tiny USB/AC plug, but Toshiba went old school and that means lugging around a hefty AC. FAIL.

At the end of the day, the Toshiba Thrive proves once again why the iPad enjoys a 24-1 sales ratio over all Android tablets. Although well put together, with a very wide screen cinematic design, it’s simply average in performance, making the name “Thrive” somewhat a misnomer.   If you’re an Android geek, this may be a tablet for you.

Editor’s Rating:

3 out of 5 stars

Good

The Bottom Line:  If you’re all about all around execution, then, at prices starting at $499, it should perform far better than it does.  But like I said, it isn’t really it’s fault.

Pros:

• Wide screen high resolution touchscreen
• Great for game play with Tegra 2 processor
• Rubberized, non slip backing

Cons:

• Horrible, mono speakers on board
• Android 3.01 OS not ready for Tablets
• A bit heavy to hold

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Size

The iPad weighs in at 1.33 lbs., while the Kindle Fire is only .09125 lbs., so the Fire wins here. But it’s smaller, with size specs that look like: 7.5 x 4.7 x 0.45. The iPad measures in at 9.5 x 7.31 x 0.34. Amazon’s claim to fame here is that it’s “easy to hold in one hand, so it’s small enough to fit anywhere….but so is an iPad, really.

Appearance

Apple likes black and white, so guess what? Those are the two colors available for the iPad 2! Amazon kept it simple and left the Kindle Fire in only a black option. But it did give it a sleek appearance that somewhat resembles the iPad 2.

Display

Amazon didn’t want to make the Kindle Fire too big, so it opted for a pretty standard 7-inch 1,024 x 600 touch screen. On the other hand, Apple’s iPad 2 boasts a 9.7-inch screen that’s almost about the same in terms of resolution, coming in at 1,024 x 768. But Amazon is claiming that its Fire display is state-of-the-art and is “chemically strengthened to be 20 times stiffer and 20 times harder than plastic,” making it very durable. Another feature worth mentioning is that the Kindle Fire and an IPS display while the iPad is LED Backlit AND IPS. This IPS screen allows you to lay the Fire down and still be able to look at it from the edge and see everything clearly since IPS screens have a 178-degree viewing angle.

Operating System

Amazon’s Kindle Fire is Android-based, running a customized version of the OS, but it’s unknown just how customized it is. It has a proprietary web page processing system that’s part of the OS though. So everybody knows that Apple’s stuff runs off of the iOS, so knowing that fact puts the iPad 2 over the Kindle since there are no surprises when it comes to the OS. Also, iOS is a lot easier to navigate and is much more user friendly. But Amazon does have some cool web processing stuff going on with its new Kindle Fire thanks to its “Amazon Silk.” It’s claim is that it’s a “revolutionary, cloud-accelerated browser” that uses a a “split-browser” architecture, which leverages the computing speed and power of Amazon’s Web services cloud. It also learn which sites you visit most and saves them, sort of like how Amazon stores what you look for and then suggests things to based on what you buy most. Oh, and it supports Adobe Flash Player, too!

Processor

Like most of Apple’s products at the moment (or at least their latest ones), the iPad 2 features an A5 process. Amazon decided to put a dual-core TI OMAP 4 processor in the Kindle Fire. Really, both are based on the same dual-core ARM processor, so it’s pretty even here.

Storage

Well, Apple is known to have various options when it comes to storage capability for its devices and its iPad 2 is no different. It comes in various versions, including 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB options. The Fire has only 8 GB of internal storage (with no micro SD slot to ad more, which is a bummer). However, you might not be able to save that much stuff on the tablet itself, but Amazon is offering unlimited storage on its cloud service, but you’ll need Wi-Fi to access it though. With that said, the Kindle Fire has 16,683 apps available, while the Apple iPad 2 has a whopping 500,000 with 90,000 made for the iPad alone!

Wireless Connectivity

The Kindle Fire is Wi-Fi based with no 3G option. Apple offers BOTH a Wi-FI and 3G option on all of its iPad 2 GB models, but the 3G ones increase the price. Both have Wi-Fi specs of 802.11 b/g/n. Oh, and if you’re wondering about Bluetooh ability, the Fire has none while the iPad is Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.

Camera and Video

Sadly, Amazon skipped putting in a camera so that obviously means no video, either. The iPad 2 has a front and rear camera, allowing you to take pictures and more. The back camera has HD video recording (720p) up to 30 frames per second with audio, as well as a still camera with 5x digital zoom. The front camera features: Video recording, VGA up to 30 frames per second with audio; VGA-quality still camera.

Battery Life

Amazon made its Kindle Fire have an 8-hour battery life, but the iPad boasts up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video or listening to music.

Carriers

So far, Verizon and AT&T are the only carriers for the iPad 2, with Sprint later jumping on now that they offer the iPhone so who knows. But, with carriers, there is extra data plans, which means more money to your monthly bill! There’s no carrier for the Kindle Fire, with Amazon being the main and only place that can light your Fire…literally. But Amazon offers this “Prime” membership ting where Kindle owners can enjoy: unlimited instant videos, Kindle Owners’ Lending Library and more for a yearly price of $79 a year and a one-month free trail.

Price

Amazon has priced its Kindle Fire reasonably low at only $199 for a tablet of its caliber, which features a heavily modified version of Android, can download books from Amazon’s huge store and is designed to be an e-reader and more! Although Apple has been dropping its prices on many of its older gadgets, the iPad 2 didn’t get that price drop and goes for $499 all the way up to $829 depending on the size of GB you want and if you want it to be 3G or Wi-Fi.

Winner

The iPad is by far a more impressive tablet, but that doesn’t mean anything to a lot of users. For those who want an e-reader disguised as a tablet, the Kindle Fire will rock your world! But for those that want more from their tablet, might still want to ask Santa for the iPad 2. The Kindle Fire ships November 15, but it’s now available for pre-order now.

Tablets right now aren’t business ready. They are great for media, games, and basic mobile communication. As tablets become more powerful, the complexity of applications will expand and the overall ability of these handheld devices will work for more situations. Today, even the best tablets are still highly limited. I agree with Bill Gates’ original premise: tablets need a pen. His mistake, basing operating systems around the mouse-like stylus, was Steve Jobs’ success. But we still need a pen.

The HTC Flyer attempts to remedy both of these issues with a tablet that works with a pen stylus and specialized software to run both Android and the company’s proprietary Scribe Technology software to write anywhere, anytime. In theory, this may seem superfluous to current tablet owners, but in reality it is the holy grail. Students could write notes in digital textbooks, professionals can work without requiring a keyboard, doctors can walk around the hospital and keep up-to-date on patients with a tablet, etc. The possibilities are endless.

Does the Flyer live up to the hype?

Hardware

The Flyer side by side with the Samsung Galaxy Tab

HTC built the Flyer small, with a 7” display, but packed it thick. The tablet runs on a 1.5GHz single-core Qualcomm processor and 1GB of RAM, with 16GB of space to play around in. The build is akin to a handful of HTCs smartphones, and in fact looks like a larger version of the Sensation 4G. On the right is a volume rocker, on top is the power/standby button, and the single proprietary charging port is on the bottom.

The 1024×600 glossy display is surrounded by a silver bezel that protrudes above the glass, a smart detail if the capacitive display extended all the way to the bezel. A 960×720 front-facing camera is seated on the right, while three navigation buttons light up on the bottom when the Flyer is activated. Like recent handsets including the Droid Incredible 2, the Flyer is designed for one landscape mode, 90° counterclockwise, and the navigation keys on the left light up when the tablet is turned. A fourth pen button is also accessible on the far right, but only reacts to the pen-stylus and not to touch.

From top to bottom: Sony Reader Wi-Fi, Samsung Galaxy Tab, HTC Flyer

The back panel is an aluminum plate with two white plastic slabs on the top and bottom, the former which hides the 5MP rear camera and microSD slot, and the latter which is inaccessible. Like the iPad 2, the Flyer is comfortable to hold and doesn’t feel cold to the touch for more than an instant, though the aluminum plate feels thinner. The overall design is very light at just 420g, much lighter than larger competing tablets but still heavier than the older Galaxy Tab. In the hand, the Flyer feels solid. Good to hold and comfortable one- or two-handed.

Pen & Writing

When it comes to the pen, the design feels completely different. The once firm and light tablet suddenly becomes small and cumbersome. Writing on a digital display has always been one of the biggest challenges for tablet designers over the past twenty years, and even today there hasn’t been a serious competitor to good old fashioned paper and the friction of a pen or pencil. Using the stylus on the Flyer has a number of problems, some of which likely couldn’t be solved by HTC at this time (such as making the display feel more like writing on paper), and some of which could have been easily remedied.

The biggest problem stems from the small display. As a culture we’ve accustomed to writing on 8.5×11” paper, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon. Some differences in size are fine, but moving to a 7” diagonal display is a huge change. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1, or even the iPad 2’s 8.9” display, would be far better suited for handwriting. On the Flyer, I found every handwritten note hindered by the dimensions of the screen. HTC could have easily made the Flyer a larger tablet. Rumors are that HTC is currently planning a 10” Flyer, but the company has released no word on it thus far.

HTC’s Scribe Technology is also severely handicapped. When I heard about using a tablet with a stylus, I imagined all of the troubles with signing documents to fax/scan and send, writing notes on PDFs, and all the other activities so many of us don’t need on a daily basis. I imagined them gone, easily remedied with a pen-tablet system. The Flyer doesn’t fix anything.

For a quick example, I often sign loan agreements for products to review. These are usually PDF or Doc files, which I print, sign, and fax. I’m also given the option to print, sign, scan and email, or even digitize my signature and email that. The latter has security issues, and plenty of professionals won’t use digital signatures except on secure systems. I tried using the Flyer to sign a loan agreement, but it’s not possible. That’s because the Scribe Technology software only takes a screenshot and then allows users to edit it in a Microsoft Paint-esque app. When finished, the image is saved on the device or stored in the cloud through Evernote. There is no option to save it on the PDF or Doc directly.

That means if you want to write directly on documents, pictures, or even websites, too bad. All users can do is take a screenshot and edit that, which is frankly a poor man’s excuse for tablet software. There’s nothing intelligent or revolutionary about it, and hardly anything useful either. Only through the include eBook reader software (see below) can users write on individual pages and have those notes saved on specific pages, without saving a screenshot image. Students taking notes may enjoy the easy Evernote synching, but professionals won’t have any reason to ever use the Flyer for work.

Software & Performance

The Flyer runs on Android 2.3 with HTC’s TouchSense, though updated for the Flyer and stylus. The bottom of the display has five buttons: apps, Notes, Reader, Watch, and Personalize. Notes is the selection of saved pen-written notes, while Reader is Kobo-driven eBook reader store and application, which works in conjunction with the stylus. Pages written on will retain notes, and the Flyer ships with eight classic titles like Bram Stoker’s Dracula and The Art of War. Finally, Watch is a video-viewing app.

Overall the software itself isn’t very different from what is available on HTC smartphones, let alone Android devices as a whole. There are some graphical differences, like the spinning home screen in landscape, which don’t improve on the design but are nice touches. Some applications have a tendency to crash, like Notes, while others won’t run at all, including one of the new benchmark suites I’ll be employing for future Android reviews.

If you plan on using the Flyer like any standard tablet, to use apps and view media, the software and performance is good, but not great. With a firmware update the Flyer would be much more stable, though for now it won’t be a problem for most users.

Performance on the Flyer is very good. It consistently posted high scores on benchmark tests thanks to the 1.5GHz processor and 1GB of RAM, though some more recent smartphones have already begun to overshadow it in graphical performance. Take a look at the graphs below to see performance comparisons.

The Flyer performed very well, though it couldn’t beat out the iPad 2 in a number of tests, both at processing standard web functions and javascript (Browsermark and Sunspider, respectively), and actually was slightly slower at processing basic graphics than two newer handsets, the Motorola Droid Bionic and Samsung Galaxy S2. However, in single thread processing, the Flyer’s 1.5GHz processor smoked the competition by a wide margin.

In graphics processing the Flyer also has strong performance, though the 1024×600 display is unique, and it can’t accurately be measured when framerates on GPU-focused benchmarks rely heavily on similar display resolutions. However, when it came to more detailed graphics processing, the Flyer was far under 30 frames per second, the standard requirement for games.

Everyday performance has proven to be sufficient for a tablet and current Android device. However, it runs Android 2.3 and not the current standard for tablets (3.1 or higher). The upcoming Android 4.0 (codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich) is expected to release later this month, presumably for both smartphones and tablets, and because of the Scribe software, the Flyer likely won’t see such an update. However, performing every tasks and running apps that don’t require two cores (which are rare already) is a fast and smooth process. If you’re interested in an Android tablet that is quick, and don’t care about the rest, based solely on performance the Flyer is an excellent option.

However, if you plan on using the Flyer for heavy gaming or graphic-intense processes, every GPU-heavy benchmark I’ve run has ended with poor results or crashing the tablet entirely.

Poor Camera and Battery Life

Tablets are not viewed as devices which require a camera at all, but the Flyer is one exception. Because of the promise to take notes with the device, and the option of easily taking photos and dropping them into notes, camera quality should really be there. However, this 5MP shooter is very poor. Certainly good enough for the device, much like the Nintendo DS cameras are, but put them on a computer screen and colors are washed out and noisy, and overall picture quality is poor to awful. Take a look specifically at the fountain image, one of the standards I use for all camera tests.

Battery life on the Flyer is decent, about a week’s worth with moderate use. With no 3G option, even on Wi-Fi the Flyer only needs a charge about once a week, though under heavy use I did need to charge it every other day. That’s with 4-5 hours of continuous use.

Conclusion

The HTC Flyer is a tablet with a lot of promise, and it’s also the fastest CPU available (albeit with just one core). However, the pen software that was meant to revolutionize tablets has failed to do so, and unless you buy all your books through the special Kobu store and really like writing notes on those books, there is little reason to purchase the Flyer for writing alone. It has no practical applications outside of book notetaking.

However, if you’re looking for a tablet that is quick and capable of running general apps, the Flyer is a great option. The Android Marketplace still doesn’t stand up to Apple’s App Store, especially for tablet-specific apps, but I’ve found one demographic that HTC hasn’t marketed towards that would particularly enjoy the simplicity of the Flyer’s design: children. Kids between the age of 2-7 can easily enjoy many of the functions built directly into the Flyer, such as the drawing application, and even the included Kid Mode app, by Zoodles. This one simple web-based app offers games, its own drawing app, books (which can be created and voiced by parents), and even a rudimentary email service that supports video mail.

For that audience, the Flyer is capable of being even stronger than the iPad 2, which can be too big and clunky for a child to handle. Adults, however, may struggle to find adequate uses for the Flyer, but young parents may come to love it, especially with more and more kid-friendly apps coming out daily.

Pros:

• Small form factor and pen design is excellent for children
• The 1.5GHz processor is blazingly fast, even for a single-core CPU
• The pen ($50 add-on) functions well and is highly accurate

Cons:

• Software doesn’t solve any pen-tablet expected functions, and is not suitable for professionals
• Small size makes writing on the device more of a hassle than it’s worth
• There is nowhere to keep the stylus on the Flyer
• Prices vary greatly between retailers (from $300-$500)
• Pen is sold separately, also for varying prices

2.5 out of 5 stars

Fair

Bottom Line: The Flyer is a solid tablet, but professionals shouldn’t confuse it with a serious business tool. It’s a solid media device, and has the neat pen, but it isn’t going to help you work or run a business. Kids, however, will love it.

Today Griffin unveiled the “all-in-one pen,”  called the Stylus + Pen + Laser Pointer.  While the name leaves something to be desired you simply can’t discount its utilitarian value.

At the core of the device is the always trusty ball point pen, developed October 30, 1888 by a man named John Loud.  By contrast, in terms of era, it also contains a laser pointer.  If you remove the pen potion from the body, and reverse it, you’ll reveal a soft rubber tip, ideal for touchscreens.

Griffin Technology calls it a “digital Swiss Army knife.”  While we can’t help but agree that it might be the ideal answer for a professor or two, it’s a stretch to call it a “Swiss Army knife”.

Nonetheless, you can pick up Griffin’s Stylus + Pen + Laser Pointer for $49.99.

Nashville, TN – September 1, 2011 – Griffin Technology, one of the world’s foremost creators of innovations for everyday life, has announced the launch of the Stylus + Pen + Laser Pointer, a precision tool for projection screen, touchscreen and paper.

“Mobile computing is transforming the way we digest and share new information, and Griffin is at the forefront of this trend, continually launching innovative accessories that address the modern day consumer’s needs,” said Mark Rowan, President of Griffin Technology. “Our latest stylus is like a ‘digital Swiss Army knife’ in the way it maximizes functionality of mobile devices while remaining compact enough to slide easily into your pocket.”

The Stylus + Pen + Laser Pointer features:
Soft rubber tip designed to mimic the press of a finger, giving users more control as they write, sketch, tap and drag on iPads, iPhones or other touchscreen surfaces
Integrated laser pointer useful for screen presentations
Refillable ballpoint pen for writing on paper

Designed to be an all-in-one tool for artists, students and everyday professionals, the new Stylus is ideal for sketching, drawing, photography, interaction with a variety of apps, and any other use where a finer degree of precision is required. It boasts a high-sensitivity, omni-directional point that won’t scratch or smudge your touchscreen and also includes an integrated clip for pockets and pencil loops for added convenience.

The Stylus + Pen + Laser Pointer is available for $49.99 from www.griffintechnology.com.

The inherent problem with most tablet computers is that they’re not a practical replacement to a laptop.  More often than not, they are infused with an underpowered processor to conserve on battery life and lack a full operating system negating it from becoming an everyday work horse.

Samsung thinks they’ve got the answer to the above problem and it’s arriving October 2nd.  It’s called the Series 7 Slate PC.  Samsung’s newest tablets is a fair bit thicker than Apple’s iPad, measuring .5-inches, but inside is a full blown computer minus a keyboard.    There are up to 4 configurations to choose from, but all models with include Intel’s Core i5 processor.

Much likes the Series 9 laptop, the Series 7 Slate will include an 11.6-inch screen, though this computer sports a capacitive version with a 1366×768 resolution and a 400 nit brightness.  Customers can choose between Windows Home Premium or Professional 64 depending on their needs.  There is also 4GB of DDR3 RAM, Intel Graphics HD 3000 and up to 128GB of solid state storage.

The Slate 7 weighs a tad over 2lbs (2.06 to be exact), but that doesn’t mean they’ve skimped on the battery.  It can achieve up to 7 hours of run time and can be recharged up to 1500 times before losing its zeal for life.  However, Samsung points out that you’ll probably need to shut down a number of applications and perhaps even disable the WiFi or WiMax connections.

Some other notable features include a forward facing 2 megapixel camera and a rear facing 3 megapixel shooter.  There is even a USB port, HSPA connectivity, a wake up time of 2-3 seconds and an optional Bluetooth keyboard and dock.

The Samsung Series Slate 7 PC will start at $1,099.

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With the heatwave that is hitting the country this month, electrical grids are pushed to the maximum. As such, brown outs are common. But when you have no electricity at all, how can you guarantee that your smart phone or tablet’s battery will go the distance? Here’s a few tips on how to squeeze every last minute out of your gadget’s battery.

1. Get a backup

Having a backup battery is often a great way to extend the life of your gadget. For some, like owners of the HTC Thunderbolt or Sprint Echo, having an extended battery is a way of life just to get through the day. But backups, whether a dedicated battery that you install, or one that is built into a protective case, like the Mophie Juice Pack Air (http://www.gadgetreview.com/2010/11/mophie-juice-pack-air-review-for-the-iphone-4.html) can be a godsend when you need extra time before hitting the plugs to recharge.

2. Engage your autolock feature

This has a two-fold benefit. First, it will put your phone’s display to sleep after a set time (mine’s a minute), and two, it can also be set with a password so that if someone steals your phone or you lose it, after ten tries, the phone erases all data.

3. Adjust your display settings

I like a bright screen and as such, I usually turn off the auto-brightness feature of my iPhone and adjust it myself. That way, I can determine how much I need at any given time. It also allowed me to turn it way down to save battery power during my recent power outage. Having the auto-brightness setting enabled can also help in that it uses the proximity sensor to determine the most efficient screen brightness during the day. Additionally, after using it, click the lock button to put it to sleep manually. This will save a we bit as the phone isn’t waiting for the autolock to engage.

4. Turn on WiFi and 3G/4G Data

If you’re going to be out all day, you really don’t need the phone’s WiFi radio searching for a signal. Doing so bleeds out battery power. So why not turn it off until you really need it? And turning off 3G/4G data in favor of a slower EDGE just to get you through the time won’t hurt either.

5. Avoid extreme temperatures with your phone

Extreme cold or heat will drain your battery faster than a vampire during Spring Break in Miami. The ideal temperature of your gadget is 72℉, 22℃. So keep it out of direct sunlight in the summer, and in your pocket during the winter.

6. Turn off your push feature

Rather than have data pushed to your phone all day, set the phone to search for emails, status updates, and text messages at intervals. This will save power – and data cap space – as your phone isn’t always searching for data that isn’t there.

7. Turn off Bluetooth

If you aren’t driving around and looking silly with a stubby headset sticking out of your hear, make sure your bluetooth capability is disabled.
8. Put the display to sleep while on a call. If you’re using your earbuds to talk, the phone will stay on until the autolock engages. So why not just put it to sleep manually? Also, limit any additional multitasking while on the phone. If you’re talking the old fashioned way, the phone’s proximity sensor will dim the screen while you’ve got it against your ear. So you’re good to go there.

9. Turn off additional apps completely

Most apps get left on when you leave them, and deactivating them completely will prevent them from using CPU power while inactive. This also gives you the benefit of having a faster phone when you need it.

10. Use your laptop to charge it

When our power was out last night and the battery started to die, I remembered that my laptop battery was completely fresh. So I hooked up my phone and topped it off using the laptop’s power through USB. And it only used up about 25% topping off both my phone and the backup battery (of which I have two).

11. Finally, limit the playtime

In situations where you don’t know when you’ll be able to recharge your battery, it’s probably best to prioritize your use of your gadget for the most important things like making phone calls, etc. Watching YouTube Videos or playing Angry Birds nonstop will leave you in the dark after only a few hours. So remember what’s important. You can do without playtime for a day to make sure people can keep in touch.

Today, Samsung made the existence of the WiFi only 7-inch Galaxy Tab official.  It will hit retail stores as soon as April 10th for $349.99.  Specs, compared to the 3G version sold by Verizon and a few other carriers, will remain the same, which includes Android 2.2, 32GB of built-in storage and support for Flash 10.1.

Keep in mind that Samsung has already announced plans for a sleeker and slimmer 8.9-inch and 10.1-inch version of the device.  And of note, we just saw the 3G Galaxy Tab available from Wirefly for $100 on contract.

Checkout our Samsung Galaxy Tab review.

Samsung Galaxy Tab™ Available for Purchase at Multiple Retail Stores and Online Outlets

Consumers receive chance to purchase WiFi-only version of Samsung’s award-winning Android™ platform mobile tablet

DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.1, announced today that several retail stores and Web sites will carry the WiFi-only Samsung Galaxy Tab™ by April 10, offering customers the opportunity to buy this powerful and compact mobile tablet for $349.99. Consumers can visit http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-tab for a complete list of retail outlets selling the WiFi Galaxy Tab.

“The 7-inch Galaxy Tab is the first truly mobile tablet on the market, allowing users to comfortably hold the device in one hand while typing or navigating the Web with the other.”
The Galaxy Tab is powered by the Android™ 2.2 platform and has a 7-inch TFT display with a 1024 x 600 resolution. The super-light and sleek device weighs just 13 ounces, is 12 millimeters thin and easily fits in a pocket or purse. The Galaxy Tab includes 32 GB of internal storage and offers microSD expansion to allow for up to 32 GB of additional storage.

“We are excited to have the WiFi version of the Galaxy Tab join our growing portfolio of Galaxy-branded devices,” said Dale Sohn, President of Samsung Mobile. “The 7-inch Galaxy Tab is the first truly mobile tablet on the market, allowing users to comfortably hold the device in one hand while typing or navigating the Web with the other.”

Outstanding Entertainment Options

The Galaxy Tab supports Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1 to deliver an enhanced content experience and allow users to engage with thousands of sites with rich Adobe Flash Player compatible applications and content including games, animations, rich Internet applications (RIAs), data presentations and visualizations, ecommerce, video, music and more. Plus, the device is designed with a rear-facing 3 megapixel camera for taking pictures on-the-go, and a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera and camcorder for video chat.

In addition, the Galaxy Tab includes access to Media Hub, Samsung’s own content service, offering a vast lineup of critically acclaimed films and TV programs for rent or purchase. The biggest and best names in entertainment, including CBS, MTV Networks, NBC Universal, Paramount and Warner Bros. provide new release movies, next day TV episodes and full TV show seasons to the robust Media Hub library. Media Hub also promotes content sharing, including the ability to send purchased films and TV programming to as many as five devices that carry the Media Hub application.

Google Services & Social Hub

Services like Google Maps™ Navigation and Google Goggles are available on Google’s Android platform. With useful location-based services like Google Maps™, consumers can search in Standard English instead of entering an exact address. A search-by-voice function is just as intuitive, meaning searches can also be completed easily on the go. Google Goggles™ is a powerful, visual search tool that uses the Samsung GALAXY Tab’s camera to uncover information – an image of a landmark or artwork is automatically used to perform a search, delivering relevant content like a description or history. In addition, with a camera, users can enjoy various augmented reality services which are downloadable in the application market. Plus, Galaxy Tab users have full access to more than 150,000 applications available for download from the Android Market™.

The Galaxy Tab keep users organized and connected with Samsung’s Social Hub application. Social Hub works with the user’s Messaging and Contacts to initiate the sending and receiving of information, whether it is e-mail, instant messaging, social network updates or SMS messages. Additionally, calendar information from portal calendars, such as Google Calendar, and social networking services are displayed together in one calendar with two-way synchronization.

Samsung Galaxy Product Portfolio

The WiFi Galaxy Tab joins other popular products under the premium Samsung Galaxy brand, including the upcoming Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy 8.9, Galaxy Player 5.0 and Galaxy Player 4.0 and the portfolio of Galaxy S smartphones.

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2009 consolidated sales of US$116.8 billion. Employing approximately 174,000 people in 193 offices across 66 countries, the company consists of eight independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

Android is a trademark of Google, Inc.

1 Number one mobile phone provider in the U.S. claim for Samsung Mobile based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, Q4 2010 U.S. Market Share Handset Shipments Reports.

4 out of 5 stars

A formidable question is whether tablets really need cases. Many people and companies seem to think so, both for protecting the screen and device altogether, as well as possibly making the device more stylish and/or more comfortable to hold. With the Samsung Galaxy Tab, users can opt to put down $50 for a hard leather case, or carry it around free and naked.

I prefer the former.

Samsung’s Leather Notebook Case for the Galaxy Tab is an excellent accessory to the device for a few very important reasons. First, it gives users peace of mind when throwing the tablet into a book-bag or tossing on the couch. This could be said about any tablet case, but the Notebook Case’s hard shell adds enough weight to the Galaxy Tab to make it feel even more solid, without bulking the handheld excessively.

More importantly and impressively, carrying the Galaxy Tab with the Leather Notebook Case is far more comfortable than without it. This isn’t only because both sides are closed, so users can hold the tablet as they see fit without worrying about smudging the screen. No, the actual feel and texture of the case is made specifically for grip. I’ve held it for over an hour and it never once got too uncomfortable to hold. The light weight of the Galaxy Tab and the sturdiness of the case combine into an excellent handheld to hold, even for long periods.

The Galaxy Tab locks into place gently on all four corners, and is easy to take out and put into the case. One oddity is that the flap opens from left to right, which is interestingly more comfortable when holding the device in the right hand. The felt surface keeps the screen safe while also sticking to the screen ever so slightly, keeping it in place so the flap doesn’t open in a bag.

There is only one discrepancy with the Notebook Case, that a cutout is available for the rear camera but there is no way to comfortably take pictures with the case on. Opening the flap and wrapping it around the Galaxy Tab blocks the camera, and leaving it half-open makes it less stable, and not suitable for taking pictures. It would have been better if the back of the case were completely closed off to also protect the camera.

As a standalone accessory, the Galaxy Tablet Leather Notebook Case is definitely worth getting, even if you don’t find carrying your Galaxy Tab around without protection uncomfortable. The case itself makes holding the tablet comfortable, and protects it simultaneously. The case doesn’t play well with other Galaxy Tab accessories, but it’s also very easy to remove the Tab. The price may be a bit high, but you won’t complain after putting it on your Tab and trying it out for even a few minutes.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Notebook Leather Case can be purchased from Samsung Direct.

1.5 out of 5 stars

When I undertook a month period without a laptop – only using an iPad – the most difficult readjustment when I returned to my laptop was to stop touching the screen. On the iPad, it’s very convenient to just flick the screen or click on links instead of using a mouse. The Dell Inspiron Duo offers a similar feature, utilizing a capacitive touchscreen capable of bringing together the best of both tablets and netbooks. Does it succeed, or fall flat on its face?

Dell’s Inspiron Duo is a netbook with a capacitive touchscreen meant to bridge the gap between tablets and netbooks. Many people, myself included, have been looking for a laptop solution with tablet qualities (or vice versa), but the major setback has been with Windows. Microsoft has consistently built operating systems capable of supporting tablets and touchscreens, but those controls have always been secondary to standard computing UI, the keyboard and mouse. Of course, Apple changed tablets forever by succeeding with the iPhone, and then the iPad.

The Inspiron Duo, behind the iPad and Galaxy Tablet

Netbooks are known for being slow, but are also capable of running Windows 7, though generally they run the lightest version, Home Starter. For touchscreen functions to work, Dell was forced to use the heavier Home Premium version of Windows on the Duo. Dell’s own software for touchscreen functions is always on by default, in case users flip the screen around and want those extra features. And, of course, Dell included bloatware like McAfee, a highly-rated but top-heavy virus protection application.

The Duo comes with a 1.5GHz dual core Atom processor, 2GB of RAM and integrated graphics. This may sound fast for a netbook, but as described below the Duo is actuallysluggish. When I first started the Duo, it booted so slowly that my initial thought was to reformat the netbook, thereby wiping out all bloatware and speeding up the machine. But I couldn’t because I needed to test the laptop as is. In addition, doing so would remove the necessary touch software.

Inspiron Duo on the bottom is easily 3 times as thick as the iPad, and heavier than both true tablets

After shutting down most of the unnecessary applications (through MSconfig), the Duo ran much better, though it’s still slow. Saving Word documents takes 5-7 seconds, some 480p and 720p streaming video stutters uncontrollably, even after fully buffering. General computing is a pain. All testing was performed after the Duo had been cleaned and the slow software had been shut down without actually uninstalling or removing any applications.

Touchscreen

The first thing I noticed about the touchscreen is that it needed calibration. Unlike most tablets, Windows requires calibration to read touch presses accurately. Dell even saw fit to enlarge the display 125% so that users would be able to use the touch display more precisely, which also stretches everything displayed. Images and text are all skewed and pixelated in the default view, and I immediately reset the screen to 100%.

Once calibrated, the touchscreen works extremely well. Its pinpoint accurate, the 10.1” screen is smooth and flows easily. The technology behind the touchscreen seems to work as well as any other touchscreen but the software behind it is a big letdown.

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Anyone familiar with Windows-based touchpads knows that the software was built specifically for two things: to be used with a keyboard and mouse with touch gestures the secondary option; and to be used with a stylus for touchscreens. This was how Bill Gates envisioned it over two decades ago and how Windows 7 was built. That is, in my experience, the core of Windows for touch controls.

Knowing this, Windows 7 on a machine like the Duo makes the Duo suffer. In many respects, I could never replace an iPad with the Duo. In other words, the Duo may look and act like a tablet, but it isn’t a tablet. It uses software that’s still based on a premise that no longer exists today. The Duo will always be a “tablet PC”, which business people bought ten years ago and never used. Anyone interested in replacing their current tablet, or anyone who wants to get a tablet with all the added benefits of a full-fledged laptop, needs to define what it is they want in a device before making that purchase decision.

Aside from the touch capabilities of the screen, the viewing angles on the Duo are awful. Built with tablets in mind, it’s a no-brainer that viewing angles should be a highlight for the Duo, but no. Tilt the screen too far or sit at too high an angle and the colors invert. Turn it a bit too far to the right or left and the screen, or at least part of it, will appear with faded colors. Just getting the sweet spot on the Duo is a problem, especially when holding the laptop like a tablet. It doesn’t just work ?????, and that’s a huge problem.

The whole issue with the screen is far worse when thinking about sharing pictures or video. I once used the iPad for a presentation instead of a projector and the results were exceptional. I would never even consider using the Duo in a similar fashion. The viewing angle is too poor to take into the field. Business users interested in wowing their audiences will not find that oomph in the Duo.

General Use and Performance

When Dell first announced the Duo, I told my brother to hold off on buying an iPad. He wanted to buy one to stream video comfortably, but wasn’t interested in paying for Hulu+. The Duo is a smart choice for such users because it’s still a laptop, and will stream any media no matter what major media conglomerates say or do. That is perhaps the best thing about the Duo, that users can watch streaming video on it as if it were a tablet, with all the benefits of using a laptop, and none of the extra cost.

The left side of the Duo, which has the flip-open USB and 3.5mm auxiliary ports…

And the right side, even emptier than the left with just the power button

As explained earlier, the Duo has a few major setbacks when it comes to general use. First is how bloated it is, which can only be partially corrected. If interested users have no qualms about skipping the included Dell Stage software, it would be smart to reformat, as long as you do so with a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium or better. I can’t guarantee that setting up the Duo as a Tablet laptop will be easy, however, as I didn’t do so for this review.

The Duo has2 USB ports, a single 3.5mm auxiliary port for stereo sound, and the power connector. No VGA/HDMI out, no Ethernet port, no media card reader…we get bubkis. On my first day playing with the Duo, I wanted to stream video to the big screen and couldn’t. “Wi-Fi only” means that even at home data transfer speeds are throttled(limited to) to whatever your wireless network can handle. Furthermore, the connectors have flip-open plastic covers for protection, which just gets in the way.

Using a laptop fulltime with just 2 USB ports is difficult, though having access to the touchscreen does eliminate the need for a dedicated mouse. As I did months ago with the iPad, I could now scroll – albeit less comfortably- by dragging the scroll bar up and down – instead of relying on the middle mouse scroll wheel. In fact, all of the main mouse functions can be achieved using the touchscreen. Right clicking uses the same three-second gesture to activate as it does on Microsoft’s Kinect: hold for three seconds and the left click becomes a right click. This is a slow process, and it’s more convenient to just use the touchpad’s buttons instead.

Even an episode of Castle is ruined thanks to the poor viewing angles on the Duo

The keyboard is decent, even good when compared to netbooks. The keys are small and easy to press, but at the same time there’s too much space between the keys which makes it too easy to misfire. The touchpad is frighteningly small. The surface is rough and it’s so tiny that it almost looks like Dell wants people use the touchscreen instead. As admirable as that may be, Windows 7 is just not built for it.

One larger concern in general use is not the screen size, but the multiple bezels. Like all smartphones, the glass and screen are separated by a slight black region of glass. On the Duo, that amounts to another square inch added to the entire glass plate. Then the actual frame, the true bezel, adds another square inch. The 10.1” screen looks tiny when compared to the laptop’s body; there’s a 10” screen on a 13” case. This gives users a larger perceived size for the display, in effect making the computer appear bulky and the screen tiny.

Forgive me for sounding like Jeff Foxworthy, but you can tell a computer runs slowly when it takes a full 10 seconds for the Windows search bar to find Word. There are load times for everything, from Office applications to loading webpages. Yes, even some heavier websites run slowly because the hardware needs extra time to process it. Physically turning the Duo to portrait mode takes anywhere from 4-7 seconds to switch over completely. Saving documents takes just as long. Some high quality 480p video and average quality 720p video will stutter, and are unwatchable.

If you require the performance an average netbook can offer, the Duo is on par with last year’s high-end models. If, however, you plan to use it as a media and viewing device, as long as you don’t expect anything better than DVD quality video and never have to share, there won’t be a problem, just some lag.

Battery Life

Performance on the Duo is mediocre, and sometimes tragic. Netbooks, in my opinion, don’t offer enough to warrant a purchase, especially when compared to recent inexpensive ultraportable notebooks. However, the key differentiator between the two is battery life. No ultraportable can boast the 8-12 hour battery life some netbooks can, and a 10-15% drop in performance is worth the extended use. Who wouldn’t want to compute throughout an entire transatlantic flight?

The Duo fails on both sides of this argument, taking the maximum drop in performance and offering a sad joke for battery life.

The average tested battery life of the Duo is between two to three and a half hours, depending on use. I can’t sit in a café and watch a whole movie over Wi-Fi. It couldn’t last through the entire Superbowl while word processing. Battery life just stinks. Everyone claims they buy tablets and netbooks for the apps, the small size, usability…but the reality is we want great battery life. Swap ten hours with five and nobody will buy that netbook or tablet. So what the hell happened with the Duo?

The main point for battery life is this: the Duo has a fraction of what tablets and netbooks offer. At best, you’ll be able to squeeze out three and a half hours with minimal Wi-Fi use and the lowest screen brightness. At worst, with heavy Wi-Fi and media use (such as streaming video) and average brightness, you’ll get two hours. For a netbook or tablet, battery life on the Duo is an absolute failure.

Docking Station

The Duo has an accessory docking station from JBL, which is sold with the Duo for an additional $100. It acts as both a speaker system for the Duo and a dock, with an Ethernet port, two additional USB ports, an auxiliary port and a media cart reader. The dock, as you can see in the image above, is made specifically for the touchscreen design, so you won’t be plugging it in and typing away when connected.

The JBL dock is a convenient way to plug in the Duo while showing off the touchscreen. The irony in this case is that, as mentioned earlier, Windows 7 just doesn’t successfully handle a touch-only interface which limits the Duo when solely using the touchscreen.

As a speaker dock, it will play any music or videos and produce better sound than the average laptop speakers. The sound quality from the JBL speaker dock is decent. Sound isn’t rich – the dock isn’t always pitch-perfect in the mid-range and high notes are a bit sharp – but the audio is clean. The dock also does a good job of acting as a sort of stand and speaker so that you can view media on it. If Dell’s software supported it, it could make a good digital photo album. Right now, however, using the speaker dock for anything other than a music player seems farfetched.

If the Duo is going to be your sole laptop and you’d like better audio when at home, get the docking station. If not, pass on it. The extra USB ports and memory card reader don’t help without external monitor support, and having a faster internet connection through cabled Ethernet is not worth the $100 laptop stand.

Conclusion

The Dell Inspiron Duo has a lot of promise. So much promise that I told my brother and some friends to wait for it before deciding on a tablet-like device. And it does have many great uses. It’s impossible to watch a plenty of streaming media without paying on a tablet, while the Duo has no such restrictions. I like using the touchscreen and being able to scroll, to quickly tap on windows, and to use certain gestures. It’s a brave new world and Dell has certainly pushed forward in an excellent direction.

But the company bit off more than it could chew. Windows 7 simply isn’t ready to compete with Android and iOS, let alone other upcoming mobile operating systems and hardware, like the Blackberry Playbook tablet or Android’s soon-to-be-released Honeycomb firmware upgrade specifically for tablets. Just comparing Windows 7 against the three year old iOS puts Microsoft’s beloved operating system to shame. Dell clearly had little choice if they wanted to include the best features of a regular netbook with the touch capabilities of a tablet.

Dell is, however, responsible for the preposterous battery life and slower-than-life processing. At $550, the Duo is certainly competitively priced with tablets, but if anyone walked into a Best Buy and tried the Duo, they would walk away instantly. The Duo isn’t smooth, it isn’t fast, and in nearly every way it pales in comparison to older, less powerful hardware. There are plenty of people who would be happy to pay double the price for a more powerful, faster machine, but it’s clear the company was aiming for a certain price point. Because of this, the Duo is seriously handicapped against even the weakest of competitors.

All that would be secondary if the battery life were at least three times as long as it’s current minimum of two hours. With at least six hours of battery life, the poor performance could be overlooked. After all, we all want to continue typing or touching away. But the Duo can’t even stream a 2+ hour movie. Slow performance and awful battery life are such major setbacks that it makes the terrible viewing angles almost insignificant.

I have no doubt that the Dell Inspiron Duo will live on as a stepping stone for other, similar devices in the future. Even today, as I type this review using the Duo, passersby are stunned by the rotating screen and ask how it works. There is something magical about it that attracts the eye. For now, however, it’s best to leave it as a fond memory and to look forward to what the future will bring.

4 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• 7″ design is excellent, a great form factor for tablets
• Hardware, software and data is fast as can be
• Excellent battery life

Cons:

• Android OS currently has no benefits for tablets; makes it a glorified smartphone
• Proprietary connector makes it feel like an iPad, but without any spare cables lying around
• No Wi-Fi only model, high prices on most carriers

The expectations are tremendously high for a tablet to compete properly against the iPad, and Samsung took up the challenge. After seeing their Galaxy S phones (the Fascinate and Epic 4G), we had high expectations for the Galaxy Tablet. What we didn’t foresee was how similar the larger device is to the cellphones which have been dominating the Android phone market.

With the Galaxy Tab, there was an expectation that it would change everything for Android users. Ironically, it does not, just as the iPad didn’t reshape the industry overnight as so many expected. However, unlike the iPad, the Galaxy Tab is far too similar to the Galaxy S phones, mostly due to identical operating systems. The Tab runs on Android 2.2, which was never optimized for tablets. Because of this, the Galaxy Tab is, for all intents and purposes, a larger Android device which cannot make phone calls through a phone carrier.

For someone who doesn’t already own an Android phone, that shouldn’t be a big concern, though until Samsung clearly states that the Galaxy Tab will be receiving the Android 3.0 update, expected sometime this month, there’s no way to know the lifespan of the Galaxy Tab. We expect it to support the update shortly after release, but you should know regardless.

The Galaxy Tab is a 7” tablet, which is significantly smaller than the 9” iPad. As seen in the picture above, the difference is stark. The Galaxy Tab has much less screen real estate, but is also much lighter and much easier to hold one handed. Unlike the iPad, which is a two-handed tablet – that is to say it almost always requires the use of two hands, either both holding the device or one hand holding on strongly while the other is used for navigation – the Galaxy Tab is more like a phone, where one or two hands can be used based on convenience, not on size or weight. That means it’s just as comfortable to type with your thumbs on the Galaxy Tab’s virtual keyboard horizontally as it is vertically. In retrospect, the iPad’s keyboard when held horizontally is made for two hands, and is just a tad too big for thumbs when held vertically.

Size is the key differentiator between the Galaxy Tab and the iPad. In many ways, it keeps them from being directly competing products. On the one hand, the iPad is made as a companion device for two hands, but isn’t necessarily comfortable to hold one-handed for reading or simple web browsing. On the other, the Galaxy Tab is light and small enough to hold one handed while your other hand rests comfortably. They both have the same basic functions, and yet they feel so different that it’s almost like comparing two equally powerful laptops, one 12” and one 17”. The larger one may feel better to use, but the smaller is better for travel. Neither is better, simply different.

For comparison, here’s the Kindle 1st gen on top of the Galaxy Tablet

The HTC Desire, and Motorola Droid 2 behind it, beside the Galaxy Tablet

That is, for their functions. The Galaxy Tab feels good to hold in one hand or two, both horizontally and vertically. The studded back makes it easy to grip, though the four touch-sensitive buttons take up space which could be used to better grip the front of the tablet. Like the Galaxy S phones, the power/standby button is on the right side, and below it the volume rocker. As seen in our first impressions and unboxing video, the bottom of the Galaxy Tab has two speakers and a special connector specific to the Samsung’s tablet, though the connector is surprisingly similar to Apple’s 30-pin cable used for all iPod and iPhones. On the left is the device’s single microphone, and on the top is a 3.5mm jack. There are two cameras, a front facing 1.3MP (1280×1024) and rear 5MP camera with LED flash.

Picture quality is very good, which shouldn’t be a surprise considering how good photography is on the Galaxy S phones we tested (the Fascinate and Epic 4G), as well as the more recent Samsung Focus. Though the Galaxy Tab drops down from a 5MP to a 3.2MP camera, picture quality is still very high, even in low light. Take a look at some of the photos below to see for yourself (click to see full-size images). The added size and weight of the device helps keep it steadier in the hand. Camera options are standard, with no real editing tools built into the camera app, though 3rd party applications will, or already have, enabled more customization in photography. Panorama photography is good, but not great.

My original concern with photography was that the Galaxy Tab would be too big. It is in some respects, but having a good camera works well with any device. Ultimately, we want whatever’s on-hand when there’s a picture to be taken. The front camera is also fairly good, and certainly good enough for video calls or a quick vanity shot. Video quality is also above par, though the resolution is limited to 720×480 (480p). This is certainly enough for YouTube and most TVs, but video junkies won’t be thrilled at the less-than HD video quality.

Applications on the Galaxy Tab are, as expected, fast. This is no surprise considering the hardware is identical to the already tested Galaxy S phones, with the exception of a higher resolution display (600×1024). Compared to the Galaxy S phones, there is a slight difference when running applications on the tablet. They are just a bit slower. But when compared to other phones like the Droid 2, the Galaxy Tab is faster to both boot and run applications. That is to say, it’s still blazingly fast for an Android device, just not the fastest.

The particular model I tested runs on Verizon’s 3G network, not the newer LTE (equivalent to 4G) network. In Los Angeles, Verizon is the second best carrier (behind Sprint, which dominates LA county with excellent coverage), and service was very good to excellent in all areas.

Battery life on the Galaxy Tab is excellent, depending on your use. Samsung rates 7 hours with Wi-Fi use, and I’ve found that to be a steady average. Watching flash content will quickly lower that number down to 3-4 hours, and if it’s 720p, down to 2-3. Then again, if you carry the tablet with you and use the 3G model, even with push email it can stay on for over a week without needing a recharge, with only minimal use. There’s no reason the Galaxy Tab can’t run for hours, though it should be noted that depending on your usage, battery life can go from two and a half hours to a week and a half. Once again, Samsung’s 7-hour estimate is fairly accurate for standard use (meaning daily use, having several applications open at once, but limited flash content). Suffice it to say, the Galaxy Tab won’t need to be plugged in daily like your phone.

What is the real selling point for me is the form factor. As a 7″ device, it fits in both one and two hands comfortably. You can read one-handed like you would with a book, which the iPad is just too big for. The widescreen display isn’t optimal for viewing web pages horizontally, but watching media is much better when the screen is entirely filled. Furthermore, when sitting on the couch, the Galaxy Tab is, frankly, more comfortable than the iPad. It’s smaller, lighter, and fits in a single hand effortlessly. Ultimately, that’s what a tablet should do.

As it stands, the Galaxy Tablet is a very strong device, though it’s limited mostly by software. Should Android 3.0 release soon and should carriers (and Samsung) push out their own version of the update quickly, we will reevaluate the Galaxy Tablet. However, for now, it is simply a larger Android device, meaning anyone with an Android phone will not have a reason to buy one whatsoever, especially if the Android phone is newer and large, like the Evo 4G. The purchase price is also a concern. An online search yields results from $447-$767 for a new, off-contract Galaxy Tablet. This particular model, on Verizon, costs $500 direct and a month-to-month contract starting at $20 for 1GB/month, with free tethering and hotspot functionality and a $35 activation fee.

Blackberry is not a name most people associate with a tablet when it comes up in conversation. Why, I’m not sure. That’s just the way it is. Clearly, it’s time to change that.

The Playbook is marvelous. Ten minutes with it and I forgot about the hording crowds of CES, the shuffle of feet and the overbearing attitudes. It was impressive. So much so that it’s safe to say that if Apple doesn’t bring some significant upgrades to the iPad, it could have it’s first serious competition.The Blackberry Playbook uses a 1GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM, which is quite powerful, but undoubtedly going to be the norm for this year’s tablets. I have no reservations that Apple will outline a similar model next month when they show off the updated iPad, and most tablets shown at CES thus far are similarly powered. The Playbook, however, does it with incredible finesse. It’s light at just under a pound, and the 7″ 1024×600 display is sharp and resolute.

It’s performance that was most interesting. I took the Playbook and just started opening applications, one after another, and they all continued to run simultaneously. After the fifth, the 720p video stopped running altogether, but up until then all of the applications continued running. Not just remaining on in a static way like iOS or Android applications, but actually running. One touch gesture allows quick swapping between currently-open Playbook applications, and the all continued working without fuss.

The OS is fluid and, from just 10 minutes, appears very capable. 3D applications run smoothly, video playback is fast, web-browsing works well and gesture controls are intuitive. It’s all quite impressive. The main screen isn’t, however, instead of a list of apps or a live background, it’s simply a background and an option to view apps, or have a partial view, as seen above.

I’m impressed with the Playbook tablet. Blackberry took Apple’s phone-to-tablet integration a step further by going outside the bounds of current devices and making a new UI, but one that isn’t so different that it requires the user to learn. The iPad may feel like a big iPhone, but the Playbook in no way feels like a big Blackberry. It feels like a tablet, and perhaps it’s the first genuinely so.

The expectation at any trade show is for company representatives to evangelize their products. As far as they’re concerned, they are promoting world peace, an end to world hunger, a cure for cancer, the second coming of Jesus…all wrapped in one tiny package. So it’s worth noting when one of them bluntly states to a reporter that they don’t think it’ll ever make it to market.

That’s exactly what happened with the Lenovo U1, the company’s tablet device which last year ran off Windows 7 when connected to a keyboard, acting as a standard laptop, and off a custom Linux-based UI when the screen was disconnected. This year, Lenovo showed off a nearly identical product, but with one notable change: the tablet now runs on Android. The laptop is still Windows 7.

But don’t expect it to hit the market in the US, at least not for awhile. One company representative, as I overheard a discussion with an editor at PCMag.com, said he doubts it’ll ever come to the US. “They’ll buy it in China. Nobody in the US would spend $600 for the tablet and another $500 for the laptop dock.” I’d say that depends, especially if that turns out to be the real price, but the Lenovo representative was confident the U1 wouldn’t see the light of day in the US.

As I did last year, I played around with the 10.1″ slate and it’s certainly interesting to use. The tablet feels very big, compared to both the iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tablet. The Android side uses a special four-pronged layout for apps, music, video and books, which is frankly convenient for the large device but nothing special. When connecting the tablet into the keyboard and locking it into place, it switched from Android to Windows 7 in about five seconds. Removing the tablet instantly starts Android.

The cool thing is that if you’re doing something in Android that can be done on your Windows 7 machine, like browsing online, the websites you kept open will automatically transfer to the Windows 7 browser when both devices are reconnected. But it may all be for naught, since we’ll likely never see it hit retailers.

A printer with a tablet built into it. A removable 7″ tablet running Android with the Android Marketplace. It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.

HP’s Photosmart eStation is probably the most perfect design for a printer ever. Not because it prints well, or because the hardware is intrinsically different from other printers. It’s made for the modern family, with functionality spanning far and above the call of a simple printer/fax/scanner/copier. This printer can surf the web, play games, read news and watch movies. And it’s all completely wireless. Because it’s completely wireless, there’s nowhere to plug in a fax modem…so all buyers get free online faxing…though after reading the fine print, it’s only 20 faxes inbound and outbound (40 total, but separately) before users have to pay for an online fax service.

Take it on a trip if you like…but don’t expect to print direct. You’ll still need to email the documents to print directly to he printer.

The eStation is built wonderfully, and with an Android Tablet built in and removable (with 4-6 hours of battery life under heavy use, according to one HP spokesperson), the price is expected to be astronomical. Samsung’s Galaxy Tablet is going for, at it’s cheapest on T-Mobile and Sprint, $400 with a 2-year contract. The eStation is the exact same price, $399 with a tablet.

And considering that the printer is no lightweight either with 32 pages per minute in color, scanning up to 1200×2400, Wi-Fi (only, no Ethernet port but USB printing is possible) b/g/n and copies up to 1200dpi. That, and from the same Wi-Fi network anyone can print directly from the tablet, which acts as a pseudo-remote/tablet. Print up webpages directly from the tablet, control how the printer operates from your living room, whatever you want. Simply, it’s genius. I can’t wait to see how it pans out.

The HP Photosmart eStation is available now, with an online deal of $350.

Asus isn’t playing around. They’re running straight into the tablet market with three separate devices, one 7″ Android, one 12.1″ Windows 7-based tablet, and a laptop-esque device with a removable keyboard. The first, the EeePad Memo runs a qualcomm snapdragon processor, undoubtedly the same model we’ve seen in recent Android phones and tablets, though it does boast 1080p playback, a front and rear camera, an IPS capacitive touchscreen, and it works even with a stylus. The Memo is expected to release in May for $499-$699.

But frankly, that’s not so special. We already have some Android tablets. The EeePad Slate EP121, a 12.1″ Windows 7 tablet, is beyond a workhorse. It runs an i5-470UM CPU, Win7 Home Premium, and we witnessed it run Photoshop live, albeit barely. It comes with a 64GB SSD, 4GB of RAM, and supports Wireless-N and Bluetooth 3.0, works with a stylus, and has HDMI, USB and a media card reader. It’s a bit ridiculous. You thought the iPad was big. Asus also claims that it’s twice as fast as the iPad. The Slate is expected to release this month for $999-$1099.

Then there’s the EeePad Transformer, a tablet that comes with a keyboard that plugs directly into the bottom of the tablet to make it into a laptop. Asus claims 16 hours of battery life, and the Transformer boasts a full size QWERTY keyboard, all the ports and outputs of the Slate EP121, and even better dual cameras (5MP rear camera with autofocus, 1.2MP front camera). Oh, and it comes with Tegra 2, which is Nvidia’s dual-core full-on processor, which works as the CPU and GPU. The Transformer is expected to release this May for $499-$799.

Finally, there’s the EeePad Slider, a tiny 2lbs .66″ thick tablet slider. That means it comes with a built-in and slide-out keyboard, but interestingly doesn’t run Windows 7, instead using Android 3.0 (Honeycomb). And it does all this with the same Tegra 2 processor as in the Transformer, a 10.1″ IPS display, the same cameras as the Transformer, and all the built-in goodies as the previous two tablets.

Update: Checkout our Dell Inspiron Duo review.

In attempt to stoke up interest, Dell just released a teaser video of the yet to be released Dell Inspiron Duo Tablet.  If you recall, it’s a netbook sized device (10-inch screen) that rocks a swivel screen allowing it to convert from a tablet to a full on netbook in a matter of seconds.   As of now we know that it will run a full version of Windows 7 Home Premium and that it’s powered by an Intel Dual Core processor.

Another video after the ‘leap’

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