Harness the Power of the Sun for Your Kindle

At this year's CES, Solarmio introduced the world's first solar e-reader cover for the Kindle and subsequently became a Design and Engineering Award honoree for the same device. The SolarKindle is a protective case with a solar panel affixed to the front, an internal backup battery, and a built-in LED reading light.  The Kindle “snaps” into place in a form-fitting interior compartment.  When the case is exposed to sunlight, it will start charging the Kindle.  Once the Kindle is at full capacity, it switches over and gives a charge to the internal battery, which powers the LED reading light.  If sunlight isn't available, the Kindle can be charged using this battery as well.  Since charging times depend on sun intensity and other factors, a rough estimate is that an hour of direct sunlight will provide a Kindle with up to three days of power. Right now this case is only compatible with Kindle 4, with products being planned for the Kindle keyboard, Kindle Touch, and other models in the future. The SolarKindle case is available through Solarmio for $79.99

Aura Slate on the cheap, welcomes hacking

Android's open nature as an operating system is one of the main “selling points”, and we have seen the benefits of it in the past such as custom ROMs, not to mention an approval-free Market. Of course, just as how every situation has their fair share of pros and cons, you might end up with spoilt ROMs that do nothing else but brick your device – not a good thing at all. Well, let us look at the glass half full today with the Aura Slate's release, where the company's own website invites one to tinker around with their motto, “Mischief encouraged, Hackers welcomed.” Already having two Android-powered tablets under their Aura Slate brand that come in 10″ and 7″ form factors, they seem to carry similar specifications such as an ARM Cortex A9 processor at 800MHz, a Gorilla Glass display, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich right out of the box. The 7″ Aura Slate retails for just $139 a pop, and budding developers who want to give the Android platform a go with their talents might just want to check it out.

CyanogenMod 9 for HP TouchPad gets nightly builds

We have seen the extremely alpha build of CyanogenMod 9 for the now defunct HP TouchPad in January this year, and here is additional news on the progress of the situation. It seems that nightly builds of CyanogenMod 9 Alpha are now available, and you will be able to take advantage of these nightly builds by synchronizing it with the main development branch of CM9 across all devices, making sure that the TouchPad version will always be on the receiving end of the latest updates. Of course, just because there is a new build each night, this does not mean you need to install it each night. Most of the time, the changes are not earth shattering, but rather, in small increments that you might not even notice. Teamwin are the brains behind this exercise, where they have come up with a Twitter account that will alert the world with new download links each time there is a spanking new build released. Of course, if you prefer to look for the information yourself, then you can always check out the latest builds at a download page.

Asus Transformer TF300T features uncovered: Android 4.0 ICS, Tegra 3 quad-core processor

Earlier this month, a new and mysterious Asus Android tablet was unveiled: the Eee Pad Transformer TF300T. We didn't know much about it back then, but we do know, thanks to Polish website Tabletowo. Reportedly, the Transformer TF300T runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (which isn't at all surprising), and features a 10.1 inch display with 1280 x 800 pixels, 1.2GHz quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, MicroHDMI, 8MP rear camera, 1.2MP front-facing camera, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory, MicroSD card reader, and docking station connector. The tablet weighs 640grams and measures 180,8 x 263 x 9,9 mm.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0N starts shipping in Germany

Just like the Galaxy Tab 10.1N, the 7.0N addresses the legal “issues” surrounding Samsung's slates. The tiny tablet was unveiled last month and now it's starting to hit shelves in Germany with its lawsuit-circumventing redesign in place. It's a little later than anticipated, but our friends in Deutschland can now pick up the tweaked Tabs starting at €499 for a 16GB WiFi version, while an HSPA+ model will set TouchWiz fans back €569.

Quad-core Acer Iconia Tab A510 approved by the FCC

Officially unveiled by Acer in early January at CES 2012, the Iconia Tab A510 has been approved by the FCC yesterday - this indicating that an eventual launch in North America is now possible. The Iconia Tab A510 is one of Acer's two new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich tablets (alongside the Iconia Tab A700). It features a 10.1 inch display with 1280 x 800 pixels, Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth, Dolby Mobile sound, HDMI, 5MP rear camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal memory. In Europe, the Iconia Tab A510 should become available in March, for prices starting at €399 (that's about $518).

Archos Arnova 9 G2 is a 9.7-inch Android 2.3 tablet now available for $229.99

For those of you who'd like to purchase a new Android-powered tablet but don't want to break the bank, a new offering has just gone on sale in the US. It's the Archos Arnova 9 G2. It has a 9.7-inch 1024×768 touchscreen, a 1 GHz single-core processor, 4 GB of built-in storage, a microSD card slot, Wi-Fi, and a battery good for 6 hours of video watching. And now for the bad news. The Arnova 9 G2 runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It also doesn't come with the Android Market installed, relying instead on the third party AppsLib market. So if you care about operating system versions and such, as well as having an experience closest to that envisioned by Google, you probably aren't going to buy the Archos Arnova 9 G2. If, however, none of that matters for you, you'll be happy to know that this tablet can now be yours for just $229.99. P.C. Richard & Son is where you should be headed to purchase one.

Acer Iconia Tab A510 hits the FCC

Acer's latest tablet, the Iconia Tab A510, has just hit the FCC – and that is is more or less the gadget equivalent of the “Bat Signal” that a device is being prepared for a general release in the US. Of course, just because a device arrives at the FCC and receives its approval does not translate to automatic release on the market, but at least it is safe to compete for consumer dollars. While we talked about the Iconia Tab A500 getting Ice Cream Sandwich in April, here is the Iconia Tab A510 that is tipped to arrive in the market this…well, what do you know, April, too. Definitely shipping with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box, it will feature Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS support, and 10″ of multitouch glory. No idea on whether there will be 3G or LTE support thrown into the mix or not, but you can be sure that it probably will not rain on the iPad 3′s parade anytime soon. After all, Acer's Iconia Tab range had not exactly burnt up sales charts to date.

Sharp Medias Tablet N06D

When it comes to devices and gadgets, the Japanese are known for exclusivity when it comes to the features they offer. It seems that there are gadgets that are just made specifically for the Japanese and nowhere else. But of course, some of these interesting devices also go stateside as some other countries try to adopt certain technologies that start in the Land of the Rising Sun. One of them might probably be this new Sharp Medias Tablet N06D for NTT DOCOMO. The new Sharp Medias Tablet N06D is being introduced as the world's thinnest waterproof tablet. It comes with a slim 9.9mm thin profile. It also features a 7 inch WXGA HD touchscreen display, equipped with high quality audio speakers and is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual core processor. It will run on the Android OS and is marketed in Japan to support the NOTTV channel that is set to start broadcast in April. The Sharp Medias N06D Tablet will be available through NTT DOCOMO and is expected to be available sometime in April. Pricing details for this tablet have not yet been announced.

Asus Transformer Android 4.0 update comes in February or March

While owners of the new Asus Transformer Prime tablet have been enjoying the benefits of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich for quite a while now, those of you who bought the older, original Transformer haven't been as lucky. At least so far. Asus promised that all its tablets will eventually run ICS, so the update is coming. Last month we heard that apparently it was in the ‘being tested by Google‘ phase, but after that all we had was complete silence from Asus on the matter. Until today. Which is when Asus, via its Singaporean arm, took to Facebook to announce that the update for the original Transformer will arrive either this month or in March. That's unfortunately a pretty vague time frame, and it makes us think that the update isn't going to arrive in February. That's because if it did (seeing as how the month is half over already) then we're guessing that Asus would have announced an actual release date (or release week, at least). Still, you can hope. But don't forget that in the worst case scenario, you still have about six more weeks of waiting to do until you can taste that yummy ICS. Don't be angry, though. You could have bought a Motorola Xoom 2, for example, in which case you would have had to wait until at least April for the update.

Acer Iconia Tab A100 and A500 will be updated to Android 4.0 in mid-April in the US

Good news if you own an Acer Iconia Tab A100 or A500 and you bought it in the US! You now know when your beloved tablet will be updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Bad news if you own an Acer Iconia Tab A100 or A500 and you bought it in the US! Your beloved tablet will only be updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in mid-April. That info comes straight from the horse's mouth – the horse, in this case, being Acer America, and the mouth being its Twitter account. The company clearly made this announcement as a response of sorts after yesterday its division in Australia and New Zealand broke the news that the ICS update for the Iconia Tab A500 was only going to arrive in April. As we speculated at the time, there's no reason for an update to a Wi-Fi-only tablet to arrive a lot later in some parts of the world compared to others, so it was reasonable to expect that the update would be going out worldwide around the same time.

BlackBerry Tablet OS 2.0 Makes The PlayBook Even More Awesome [Video]!

The updated version of the OS brings the much-awaited native email, calendar and contacts applications besides rolling in with a plethora of enhancements, updates and bug fixes. BlackBerry Playbook has been, since it release, criticized for the lack of these features. However, all that should now come to an end. Graually. There update doesn't just push the version to 2.0 but transforms the overall BlackBerry Table UI into an adorable and even more utile real estate. Now, there's more meaning to the UI, snappier user interface and yes, peppier performance. For instance, the new Unified Inbox, support for multitasking inside email, better social networking connectivity, and such plenteous enhancements tend to assuage the pain that's been breaking hearts since the launch of the tablet. Other enhancements include deeper social networking integration with a 'people-centric calendar', 'relationship-centric' contacts application, extended support for document editing and BlackBerry Bridge and much more. There are a whole lot of such features (click here to read the full description). Besides that, RIM has promised to launch a BlackBerry Video store, and release even more apps in the BlackBerry App World for its first and unfortunately not-well received but awesome tablet PC. In conclusion, there's finally some rising hope that BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 update will help PlayBook find more takers, particularly so considering that it now has almost all of those features whose absence left us whining since long. Watch the following video to see BlackBerry Tablet Os 2.0 in action! Click here for more information on BlackBerry PlayBook. Join us on our Facebook fanpage, add us to your circle on Google+ or follow us on Twitter to stay updated.

ZTE Light Tab II hits the UK

ZTE rides forward in the world of highly affordable Android-powered tablets with their latest release, the Light Tab II. Retailing for £235 a pop, this spanking new tablet will come with a 7″ touchscreen display, running on a 1.4GHz single-core processor while having 4GB of internal memory that can be further expanded by a microSD memory card slot. At the back lies a 3-megapixel shooter, while in front there is a 0.3-megapixel camera which caters for your video call needs. With Android 2.3 Gingerbread running in the background, the ZTE Light Tab II will come with an integrated FM radio, and will play nice on GSM, UMTS and HSPA networks. Tipping the scales at a mere 402 grams, it is highly portable, and will come preloaded with apps such as Google Talk and YouTube to get you connected and entertained right out of the box.

Iconia Tab A500 to get Ice Cream Sandwich in April 2012

Acer originally promised to introduce the Iconia Tab A200 tablet with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich preloaded to the masses when the device first launched, but somehow that did not happen, and it was just recently that Iconia Tab A200 owners were on the receiving end of the Ice Cream Sandwich update. Ah well, I would go so far as to say that this is better late than never. As for the A200′s bigger sibling, the A500, well, Acer has dropped the ball that Ice Cream Sandwich for this particular tablet will be released only when April rolls around. Not only that, this particular announcement came about from Acer's Australian and New Zealand's branch Twitter account, making us wonder whether folks living outside of those two countries will also receive Ice Cream Sandwich when the jester strikes in April. On the bright side, at least you know that the Iconia Tab A500 will be getting Ice Cream Sandwich – it is just a matter of ‘when'.

MEEP! Tablet is for kids

At the Toy Fair 2012 this week, Oregon Scientific will be unveiling its latest edutainment device - the MEEP! Tablet. At the moment not much is known about the tablet expect that it's meant to be childproof (rugged design) and shouldn't cost a bomb (it is aimed at kids after all). The tablet will feature a 7″ touchscreen display, WiFi connectivity, a G-sensor, SD card slot, and will run on Google Android with support for music, movies, apps and eBooks. Content and websites that are viewable on the tablet can also be monitored by intuitive parental controls that are adjusted on any computer or mobile device with a web browser and internet connection. It will also be sold with a bunch of optional accessories, including musical instruments. No word on pricing, but don't expect it to cost a bomb.

Acer Iconia Tab A200 receives Ice Cream Sandwich

Acer's Iconia Tab A200 was promised Ice Cream Sandwich at launch, but unfortunately Acer didn't manage to deliver on that front. However, it looks like the wait for the upgrade didn't take too long. It has been reported that the Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Iconia Tab A200 has started rolling out today. A changelog hasn't been released for the update but it is said to improve battery life, performance and introduce a new app for the 2-megapixel camera on the tablet - and of course, upgrade the operating system to Android 4.0.3. As usual, remember to backup your files just in case anything goes awry. If you don't see the notification to update on the tablet yet, try forcing the update by going into Settings > About Tablet > System update > Check now. Let us know how it goes for you.

Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich update for Acer Iconia Tab A200 rolling out now?

Back in January, Acer said that it would update its Iconia Tab A200 to Android Ice Cream Sandwich starting mid-February. And it looks like the company is keeping its promise, si several users are reporting over at the Acer Tablet Forum that the update (which brings Android 4.0.3) is available as of yesterday. Of course, the update is being rolled-out gradually, so you A200 might not have received it yet. But you can always check manually for it (go to Settings / About tablet / System update / Check now). Already available in Europe and the US, the Acer Iconia Tab A200 features a 1.GHz dual-core Nvidia Tegra processor, 1GB of RAM, 10.1 inch display with 1280 x 800 pixels, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capability, 2MP front-facing camera, 8GB or 16GB of internal memory, and MicroSD card support.

New 7 inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 with Andorid 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich announced

Samsung has officially unveiled its seventh Android tablet – the Galaxy Tab 2, which is the first to come with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich from day one (and the first in the company's 2012 lineup). Like the original Galaxy Tab P1000 and the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, the Galaxy Tab 2 has a 7 inch display with 1024 x 600 pixels. Measuring 193.7 x 122.4 x 10.5 mm and weighing 344 grams, the new device features: Samsung says the Galaxy Tab 2 will be available globally starting March (for an unknown price). Most likely, the new tablet is going to be showcased at MWC 2012 later this month - we'll be there to check it out.

Samsung Announces First Tablet with Android 4.0

Samsung thinks smaller tablets are the way to go to succeed in the US market, so it is no surprise it unveils the 7-inch Galaxy Tab 2, its first tablet powered with Android Ice Cream Sandwich. Apart from the new OS, nothing much new can be seen with this new tablet. It still sports the same PLS display and 4,000mAh battery like the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, as well as the 3-megapixel back camera and VGA front-faced shooter. What is even more dismaying is the apparent downgrade with its 1GHz dual-core processor, compared to the 1.2GHz of the 7.0 Plus. Nevertheless, if the Android 4.0 pleases you, we guess this device will be worth the wait once it debuts next month (in United Kingdom).

7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 Android 4.0 finally revealed

Samsung will kick off its 2012 tablet lineup with the upcoming launch of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0), an Android 4.0 “Ice Cream Sandwich”-powered tablet sporting a 1 GHz dual-core SoC and a 7-inch WSVGA (1024 x 600) PLS TFT screen. The tablet will launch in both Wi-Fi only and 3G/Wi-Fi versions the UK first, followed by additional territories thereafter for an undisclosed price and date. “Two years ago, Samsung Galaxy Tab began to offer customers more possibilities on the go. Since then, Samsung has actively enhanced our tablet line-up with several tablets in different sizes,” said JK Shin, President of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “The new Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) will provide people with delighted multimedia experience and allow efficient communication.” According to the hardware specs, the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) will feature a rear-facing 3MP fixed-focus camera and a front-facing camera for video calling. Also included will be Bluetooth 3.0, a USB 2.0 port, 802.11 b/g/n connectivity, Wi-Fi Direct, a standard Li-ion 4000mAh battery, an accelerometer, and a digital compass. It will also pack 1 GB of RAM, a microSD card supporting up to 32 GB of extra storage, and internal storage capacities of 8 GB, 16 GB and 32 GB, depending on your wallet. In addition to the hardware, the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) will also offer services like the Samsung Hub which combines the company's Readers Hub, Music Hub, Games Hub and Video Hub all under one virtual roof. Also provided will be Samsung's ChatON mobile communication service, AllShare Play content sharing, and Samsung Apps in addition to Google's suite of mobile services. “Connecting socially has never been easier with Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0)'s built-in powerful communication capabilities,” the company said on Monday. “With the voice call capability, the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) can be used just as easily as a phone, affording users the handy convenience of a second device in case they misplace their primary phone. It also lets users to spontaneously arrange multi-party video calls via Google＋ hangouts, as well as engage in group chats or micro-communities to collectively chat or share content.” North American pricing and actual availability is unknown at this point, so stay tuned.

Quad-core Acer Iconia Tab A510 will be available in Europe in March for €399

Aside from the Iconia Tab A700, Acer has another quad-core Android tablet in the works – the Iconia Tab A510. This has a lower-res display compared to the A700 (1280×800, and not 1920×1080), but is very similar, if not identical, otherwise. The Iconia Tab A510 was showcased in January during CES, and then it was announced by Acer for Europe a while later. Last we heard anything about it, it was going to become available in April for a price around €500. Today the Iconia Tab A510 was officially unveiled in France, and with that announcement came a more solid release time frame as well as pricing info that should be good news if you were thinking of picking this gadget up. The tablet will be out in France in March, so earlier than previously anticipated. That's always a good thing. That said, it may make it to countries other than France later, we don't have word on that yet. The price asked for the A510 in France will be just €399, which is a lot more affordable than what we previously heard – and makes a lot more sense. Expect the Acer Iconia Tab A510 to receive similar, if not identical pricing in all the other major European markets when it launches there. The A510 will be out in black and silver. Full specs have also been outed. The Acer Iconia Tab A510 comes with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, 1 GB of RAM, 32 GB of built-in storage space, microSD expansion slot, Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1, micro HDMI port, micro USB port, a 5 MP main camera, a secondary front-facing camera as well, and a pretty large 36 Wh battery. It weighs 675 grams, and its dimensions are 260x175x10.95 mm. It runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The Acer Iconia Tab A510 looks like a solid quad-core ICS tablet, and one that should do quite well, sales-wise.

ZTE V9A Light Tab II officially announced for the UK

Last month the UK retailer Clove informed us of the existence of the ZTE V9A Light Tab II, which it started taking pre-orders for. This is a rather affordable 7-inch Android tablet with 3G connectivity built in. Unfortunately, it runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, which is an OS version designed with phones, not tablets, in mind. And it's unlikely to ever be updated to anything else. Still, for a 3G-enabled 7-inch tablet the £234.99 price isn't that bad. The ZTE Light Tab II is still up for pre-order at Clove, with shipping projected to start in late February or early March. Today though, ZTE has decided to officially announce the Light Tab II for the UK. Apparently the tablet is already on sale in Spain, Indonesia, and Hong Kong. The press release that the Chinese company has put out doesn't go into any details regarding a possible release date in Blighty. The ZTE Light Tab II will have a 7-inch 1024x600 touchscreen, a 1.4 GHz single-core processor, 512 MB of RAM, 4 GB of built-in storage, microSD card support, a 3.2 MP rear camera, a 0.3 MP front-facing camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 14.4 Mbps HSDPA, and a 3,400 mAh battery.

Acer Iconia Tab A500 may only be updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in April

Here's something we're pretty sure Acer Iconia Tab A500 owners didn't want to hear. After not materializing in January as previously announced, the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for that particular tablet model may not be out this month either. Or in March. In fact, it may only be out in April. That's quite a long way from now, and it's quite a lot later than the Iconia Tab A200′s update to the same operating system version, which started rolling out yesterday. We're not sure though. See, Acer's arm heading its operations in Australia and New Zealand told its customers over there that the update will arrive for them in April. Now there's still a slim chance that, if you're not in Australia or New Zealand, you'll see the update sooner. A very slim chance, since there shouldn't be any difference between the bits pushed in Australia or New Zealand and anywhere else in the world for a Wi-Fi-only tablet. So unless Acer is intentionally going to hold back on the update in Australia and New Zealand (and why would it do that?), it probably means that if you own an Iconia Tab A500 you still have some serious waiting to do before you can get your taste of Ice Cream Sandwich. It's unfortunate, but at least you know it's coming. Now sit tight. Relax. Enjoy the ride.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (US Wi-Fi-only model) is getting a software update

Wi-Fi-only Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 units sold in the United States are now in the process of receiving a minor software update. It comes over-the-air, so your tablet will notify you when it's available to download and install, and you go from there. If you're impatient you can force your tablet to check for the update by going to Settings. This is not, unfortunately, an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, although that should come at some point too. The update rolling out now is meant to fix a few nagging issues, and it also brings with it the newest version of the Android Market (3.4.4). The update's build ‘number' is UEKMP, and it fixes email attachment problems, auto-rotation not working properly, Wi-Fi reconnects should also work as intended, you should see less force closes, and power consumption is now improved.

ZTE V9A Light Tab 2 Coming to UK

If you do not mind buying a Gingerbread device and you live in the United Kingdom, well good news! The ZTE V9A Light Tab 2 is now available in Great Britain. This tablet sports a 7-inch TFT LCD capacitive touch screen with 1.4GHz single-core Qualcomm MSM8255 processor, Android 2.3, dual cameras (3MP at the back; 0.3MP in the front), FM radio, WiFi, 3G connectivity (no word on service provider), and a battery life that lasts up to 5.5 hours while movie watching. Also included is the 4GB internal storage with a microSD slot for expanded memory. It comes pre-installed with popular apps like YouTube and Google Talk. No word on whether the device can be upgraded into Ice Cream Sandwich. The ZTE V9A Light Tab 2 is also available in Spain, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.

German court upholds ruling against Apple, clears Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1N for sale

Apple's legal team has been dealt another blow in Germany, where a court today shot down the company's requests for a preliminary injunction against the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1N. In a statement issued this morning, the Dusseldorf Regional Court said it found “clear differences” between the 10.1N and Apple's iPad, affirming a preliminary ruling handed down in December, and a similar decision announced in Munich this month. It's certainly not the news that Cupertino wanted to wake up to, but we're also a long way from this drama being over.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 launched in India as Galaxy Tab 680

Samsung has introduced its thinnest Android tablet - the Galaxy Tab 7.7 - in India, where the device is being sold under a different name: Samsung Galaxy Tab 680. The Galaxy Tab 680 costs 33,600 INR (about $678), and should be available via major Indian retailer as of today. The new tablet runs Android Honeycomb (upgradeable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich), and features a 7.7 inch Super AMOLED Plus display with 1280 x 800 pixels, 1.4GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, HSDPA, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, 3.2MP rear camera, 2MP front-facing camera, and a 5,100 mAh battery - all in a 7.9mm thin case. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 will also be released in the US (via Verizon, with 4G LTE connectivity), and in Canada (Wi-Fi-only version).

Amazon prepping 9-inch Kindle Fire for mid-2012 launch, report claims

Amazon is reportedly preparing to launch an updated 7-inch Kindle Fire alongside a brand new 9-inch tablet this summer. Pacific Crest analyst Chad Bartley on Thursday raised his full-year Kindle Fire shipment forecast to 14.9 million units, up from his earlier estimate of 12.7 million. “We believe there is an upward bias, particularly from the new 7- and 9-inch models, which we expect to launch in mid-2012,” Bartley wrote in a note to clients. BGR exclusively reported last May that Amazon was working on two tablet models, the 7-inch “Coyote” that ended up launching at the Kindle Fire last November, and the quad-core 10-inch “Hollywood.” A later report would suggest that Amazon tweaked its tablet roadmap, however, pushing the release of its 10-inch model back in order to first  launch a new 8.9-inch tablet. Bartley also lowered his shipment estimates on Amazon's E Ink Kindle eReaders from 28.6 million units to 24 million units.

WikiPad: Tablet and Game Console in One 3D Device

Scheduled to be available in spring 2012, the WikiPad is a glasses-free 3D Android 4.0 tablet that will make gaming enthusiasts deadly happy, thanks to the attachable video game controller. The device was debuted at CES in Las Vegas last month and mentioned as the world's first in the catagory. The well-designed game controller attaches easily to the tablet and instantly allows gamers to play their favorite games with better gaming experience. And switching the productivity mode is easy, just remove the controller and happy tableting! I don't know what's the main purpose in buying tablet: productivity, entertainment, or gaming? If we can enhance and optimize all of the functions, why not. I wonder how good the experience of enjoying 3D movies like James Cameron's AVATAR on this 8-inch tablet. Are you feeling lucky? Find WikiPad tablet at Amazon.com or visit www.gadgeture.com for the latest unique gadget news.

Telus Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE and LG Optimus LTE outright prices unveiled

The LG Optimus LTE and Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE will be among Telus' first LTE devices, and should be released tomorrow, February 10. Although one is a tablet and the other one is a smartphone, both will have about the same price when bought outright: $649.99 for the Galaxy Tab 8.9, and $629.99 for the Optimus LTE. The price for the Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE on contract is not known for now. But we know how much the LG Optimus LTE will be on contract: $99.99 (3-yr), $529.99 (2-yr), or $579.99 (1-yr). Starting February 14, Telus will offer yet another LTE Android device - the Samsung Galaxy Note (which should cost $249.99 with a new 3-y contract agreement).

teXet TM-7025 lacks the kitchen sink

If there is such a thing as a perfect tablet in this world, then what you see above could very well be it. I am talking about the teXet TM-7025, where this particular tablet retails for just a couple of Benjamins, running on Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread with the promise of Ice Cream Sandwich coming later. Underneath the hood lies a Boxchip A10 Cortex A8 1GHz processor that is accompanied by 512MB RAM, 4GB of internal memory, a microSD memory card slot for expansion purposes, and a 3D accelerator that ought to pack some punch into your viewing experience. The display is on the smaller end of the spectrum, weighing in at just 7″ in 800 x 480 resolution, but at least you can always load up Full HD movies on this and play it on your HDTV via HDMI. Apart from that, if you really need the additional space, the teXet TM-7025 will let you hook up a 500GB hard drive without the need to tote around an extra power supply, while a 1TB hard drive would require such an accompaniment. Other specifications of teXet's effort include Wi-Fi connectivity, a VGA front-facing camera, a 3,100 mAh Li-Ion battery, and a miniUSB port – all crammed into a chassis that is just 12.1mm thin. Out in Russia now, it should arrive elsewhere in the world soon. Does this mean it is due for an appearance over at the FCC?

Motorola XYBOARD 8.2 and 10.1 updates from Verizon arrive

Verizon Wireless has already introduced the latest software updates for both the Motorola Droid XYBOARD 8.2 and XYBOARD 10.1 tablets (we have reviewed the two of them already, where you can read it here and here). As with any other update, you can expect a bunch of improvements, and this time around, global roaming is supported. Basically, this translates to the ability to connect to the Internet regardless of where your XYBOARD travels with you over a 4G network – as long as it is supported in that part of the world, that is, and also be prepared to be slapped with a rather shocking roaming fee at the end of the month. Something tells me that this is going to be a service used only in extreme emergencies, where you have exhausted all other avenues of getting online. On the other hand, when you are overseas, chances are you will fall back on Wi-Fi connectivity most of the time. Apart from that, this update will also deliver improved scrolling in the web browser, a superior touch response, wireless improvements, as well as the ability to use the keyboard whenever the tablet is placed within a docking station. You can read about the XYBOARD 8.2 update here and the XYBOARD 10.1 update here.

E Ink is dying because of tablets

E Ink recently announced its financial results and it looks like the screen technology isn't doing too well, thanks to the surge of interest in tablets. Apparently the company's revenue for January was only slightly above $48 million - 63% down year on year and 11% month on month, which is a pretty rapid decline. Despite that, the company is hopeful that its yearly results will show a 5% increase overall in revenue compared to last year. While the Amazon Kindle proves that there is still life in E Ink (it's still one of Amazon's best selling products), the company definitely needs to innovate or come up with some sort of breakthrough soon. What do you think? Will E Ink displays be forgotten in a few years, or will there always be a place for it on the market?

Verizon's Motorola Droid Xyboard tablets get global roaming abilities via software update

Verizon's recently launched oddly-named Motorola-made tablet duo, the Droid Xyboard 10.1 and the Droid Xyboard 8.2, have received a software update. It would be a rather minor affair, except for the fact that this update enables global roaming abilities for the two tablets. So if you like to travel overseas a lot (and take your Xyboard with you, of course), you should be quite happy about this. And you should apply this update as soon as possible. After updating, your Xyboard will run software version 1.6.0M_279. Alongside the global roaming abilities, there are other enhancements as well. The browser should handle scrolling better, you should now be able to open links in emails without your tablet rebooting, the touch response is better, and The Daily app is preloaded. Finally, there should be seamless switching between Wi-Fi and 3G and 4G LTE connectivity. The updates are approximately 83 MB in size, and should arrive over-the-air. When the update is ready to install, your tablet will prompt you to do so. Full installation instructions are available in this PDF for the Droid Xyboard 10.1 and in this PDF for the Droid Xyboard 8.2. Full details about the updates are over here in this PDF for the 8.2 inch tablet, and here in this PDF for its 10.1-inch sibling.

Sony Tablet S rooted

Rooting, the act of enabling those who own Android-powered device to obtain privileged control (better known as “root access”) within Android's subsystem, so that one can change or even replace system applications and settings for a more customized user experience, has now arrived at the Sony Tablet S‘ doorstep. Rooting is also considered by many as the synonym to jailbreaking on the iOS platform, and it seems that Dan Rosenberg has managed to successfully root Sony's precious tablet. The process of discovering the method could prove to be rather technical, so this is not a leisurely read even if you hit the link. Basically, you ought to make a backup of your Tablet S' data before you actually begin the rooting process, and be forewarned there is always a risk of your device ending up as an expensive brick instead. In order to root the Tablet S, you will need ADB access from your computer and this Windows-only file. Anyone given it a go already, and how did you find your experience? Nerve-wrecking?

$60 Aakash Tablet to cost no-cash?

Kapil Sibal's not resting after the explosion of interest that followed the initial launch of the $60 Aakash education tablet. He's now pushing to get the rebadged DataWind Ubislate 7 into the hands of students free of charge, rather than the $35 they currently pay. The plan is to offer a 50 percent government subsidy for each unit, with education institutions fronting the other half, but only if inclined to do so. He's also pushing for the tablet to be manufactured domestically rather than imported — hoping that the comforts of home will enable it to spread nationwide.