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.

ASUS Transformer Prime receives new OTA update

If you own an ASUS Transformer Prime tablet, look out for a new OTA update that is being delivered to the Android device today. Apparently the update brings the tablet up to version 9.4.2.13, kernel version 2.6.39.4 and WiFi to version 6.1.1.18 and Bluetooth to 9.26. The update is said to fix previously reported problems that were plaguing the Transformer Prime in the past: random reboots, screen flickering, and apps crashing. The new update also improves the speed of WiFi, but it does break root access - for those of you that have it on your tablet. The update should be rolling out now for everyone in the US, but if you haven't received the notification yet, go to Settings > About Tablet > System Firmware update to manually request it. Let us know how the update goes for you.

Toshiba's AT200 (Excite 10) Android tablet released in the UK

Announced for the US market under the name of Excite 10, the Toshiba AT200 is now available in the UK, where Carphone Warehouse has started selling two versions of it. The British retailer is offering the AT200 16GB for £399 (about $631), and the AT200 32GB for £449 (about $710). A bit pricey, I'd say. Anyway, you can buy the tablets only online (here) for now - but starting February 15 Carphone Warehouse's physical shops will have it, too. At just 7.7mm, the Toshiba AT200 is considered the thinnest tablet in the world. Its features include a 10.1 inch LED-backlit display with 1280 x 800 pixels, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, A-GPS, HDMI, 1.2GHz dual-core TI OMAP processor, 1GB of RAM, HDMI, 5MP rear camera with 720p video recording, and a 2MP front-facing camera. Unfortunately, the A200 is running Android 3.2 Honeycomb. But an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich will be available at some point. In the US, prices for the Toshiba AT200 / Excite 100 will start at $529.99.