Microsoft’s Tablets

Microsoft’s impressive new Tablets finally come to the Surface

It’s been a long time coming but Microsoft have finally made their first official leap into the consumer Tablet market. The introduction of their new Surface PCs for Windows 8 Pro and Windows RT has set the tech world alight this week. These unique 10.6-inch slates offer an uncompromising user experience thanks to rich productivity apps like a touch-based Office 15 suite and an innovative ‘Touch Cover’ keyboard solution.

The Redmond tech giant is not known for its device-making exploits, being best known perhaps for making PC Mice and the Xbox, but the Surface Tablets seem set to finally allow them to compete directly againstApple’s iPad. No pricing or official release date have been provided on the two devices so far but for now you can check out our full analysis and discussion video by clicking on the YouTube video box below.

Specs:

• OS: Windows RT (aka, Windows on ARM)
• Display: 10.6-inch HD Display.
• Chip: Nvidia Tegra.
• Weight: 676 g (iPad 652 g)
• Thickness: 9.3mm (iPad 9.4mm)
• Ports: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video
• Software: Office 15, among other apps
• Battery: 31.5 watt-hour (iPad: 42.5 W-h)
• Configs: 32GB, 64GB

• OS: Windows 8 Pro (aka, Windows on Intel)
• Display: 10.6-inch HD Display: 16:9, 1920×1080.
• Chip: Intel Core i5 “Ivy Bridge.”
• Weight: 903 g
• Thickness: 13.5mm
• Ports: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort Video
• Battery: 42 watt-hour
• Configs: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB

Android to your living room

Diamond Multimedia brings Android to your living room with AMP1000 Media Player

Diamond Multimedia is bringing Android Gingerbead to your television, with its new new AMP1000 media player. This device is designed to operate as a set-top box for use under your television and provides full 1080P video playback. Among the other noteworthy  features include 802.11n Wi-Fi capability, HDMI output, SD card slot, USB and Ethernet. The player allows you to experience the full gamut of multimedia content and entertainment like games, magazines, eBooks, photos, music and web surfing.

The attractive package includes a 3-in-1 remote control that functions as a mouse, keyboard and motion control input for gaming. With a considerable number of alternative media player boxes already on the market, it will be interesting to see how a full Android option competes against the existing stalwarts like the Roku, Apple TV, Boxee and Xbox 360. Certainly the advantage of having the full Android ecosystem from the comfort of your sofa will make it an attractive prospect to many consumers. Full access to Google Play store has also been included, which will provide a convenient way to purchase new apps and games. The Diamond Multimedia AMP1000 Media Player is available now from Amazon, among many other popular retailers for $119.

Which new tech product

Which new tech product are you most excited about this year?

In the world of consumer technology, there is always some tantalising gadget on the horizon just waiting to lighten our wallets. Our appetite for that new fangled device, software product, component or computer is sufficiently moistened by the global electronics roadshows, conferences and press events from various manufacturers. Anticipation for that new purchase is always part of the excitement. The final quarter of 2012 looks to be one of the biggest and most frenetic product launch windows in recent years. Tech giants and long standing rivals will all be grappling for top spot in the upcoming holiday shopping lists and themobile arena will be hotly contested.

Apple has an enormity of products to update with iMacs and Mac Pros among the most eagerly awaiting in their lineup, along with a certain 13-inch Retina Display MacBook Pro. However it’s their new 2012 iPhoneand the elusive iPad Mini (rumored name) that will likely steal all the headlines. Microsoft also have their own plethora of tech toys to excite this fourth quarter, with both Windows 8 and RT operating systems expected soon along with their new flagship Surface Tablets. Smartphones and tablets sequels make for a consistent theme across the board with the HTC Desire X2, Amazon Kindle Fire 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 all expected to get tech geek hearts racing this winter.

In this week’s tech poll, we’re asking you: Which tech product are you most excited about this year? Looking forward to your comments as always.

HP introduces

HP introduces new Windows 8-powered Laptops and Desktops

October is set to be the month of all-things Windows, with the launch of the RT Surface tablet from Microsoftand the latest edition of their ubiquitous Windows OS. Manufacturers from all corners are gearing up to release their newest Windows 8-clad products and HP have just unveiled a range of their own new PCs. First up is the 14-inch m4 laptop with third-generation Intel Core series processors for $899, followed by the Pavilion Sleekbook 14 and the 15 for $449 and $559 respectively. Included AMD A-series APUs are also billed to provide “a significant leap in PC graphics”. Also included are USB 3.0, Intel Hyper-threading, Dolby Advanced Audio and HP SimplePass technology for “Enhanced security with just a swipe of a finger”.

Next up, is the Envy Phoenix H9, which is an ideal desktop system for gaming purposes. It comes complete with an “armor-plated” design and a toolless hard drive setup. The H9 comes with additional options such as liquid cooling and ExpressCache SSDs, which will offer users with fast boot-up and application start-up times. HP also released a plethora of accessory products from monitors to wireless mice and portable speakers to HD webcams. For more information on these exciting product launches, check out the full press release here.

Samsung Galaxy S IV

Samsung Galaxy S IV to have unbreakable screen and launch in April?

As the winter chill brings a freeze on new product launches, the smartphone wars are expected to heat up once again in 2013, beginning with CES in January and if rumours are to be believed, an April launch of Samsung’s new Galaxy S IV smartphone. Yes it’s hard to believe that we’re already onto the fourth generation of that device. Although details are sketchy at present, speculation suggests it will have a new Exynos 5440 quad-core processor, which currently powers the Nexus 10 tablet. Other expected specifications include a larger 5-inch OLED display, which I’m sceptical about because that would probably cannibalise Galaxy Note 2 sales. A 13 Megapixel camera seems to be a strong possibility but the major talking point appears to be its rumoured unbreakable glass display.

Samsung are believed to be leading the way in the development of flexible display technology and although such screens are some years away from being common in the consumer space, prolific use of plastic OLED panels could be a potent precursor to their introduction. Apple’s iPhone has been criticised for its use of a fragile glass display, which is prone to shattering all too easily when dropped. Smartphones have become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives and an unbreakable display would certainly be a welcome addition, considering the  everyday, wear and tear usage they are expected to experience throughout their life time.