Motorola XOOM Going to be the First Honeycomb Device

The first device on Google’s new Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system designed from the ground up for tablets. The Honeycomb user experience improves on Android favorites such as widgets, multi-tasking, browsing, notifications and customization and features the latest Google Mobile innovations. Boasting a dual core processor with each core running at 1 GHz, delivering up to 2 GHz of processing power, and 10.1-inch widescreen HD display, Motorola XOOM gives Verizon Wireless customers a new type of mobile computing experience on a stylishly thin device that is 4G LTE upgradeable.

Motorola XOOM redefines the tablet device category by providing more ways to have fun, connect with friends and stay productive on the go. It allows consumers to experience HD content right on the device, supports 1080p HD video and HDMI output to display content on larger HD screens, and plays video and other rich web content seamlessly with Adobe® Flash® Player. Motorola XOOM features a front-facing 2-megapixel camera for video chats over Wi-Fi or 3G/4G LTE, as well as a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera that captures video in 720p HD. It delivers console-like gaming performance on its 1280x800 display, and features a built-in gyroscope, barometer, e-compass, accelerometer and adaptive lighting for new types of applications.

The Motorola XOOM device will launch as a 3G/Wi-Fi-enabled device in Q1 2011 with an upgrade to 4G LTE in Q2. Starting in Q2 2011 the Motorola XOOM will be a 4G LTE/Wi-Fi- enabled device.

India to launch Sakshat Tablet today

Mumbai, Jan 10: Here comes India's best contribution to the gadget world. It's nothing other than the world's cheapest tablet, Sakshat. According to sources, the new Indian sensation, Sakshat tablet will be available at just $35 (around Rs 1,500).

The Sakshat tablet will be launched on Monday, Jan 10. It will be available in different screen sizes like 5-inch, 7 and 10. Other features include 2GB of RAM, web-conferencing, PDF reader unzip, WiFi, camera and USB connectivity.

Sakshat tablet has been developed as part of the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology that aims to link 25,000 colleges and 400 universities on the subcontinent in an e-learning program via an existing Sakshat portal.

Sakshat tablet will be launched by HCL technologies. According to a contract with the government of India, HCL will manufacture 100,000 tablets in the first phase. Indian government has assigned Rs 300 million for Sakshat tablet project.

Mumbai, Jan 10: Here comes India's best contribution to the gadget world. It's nothing other than the world's cheapest tablet, Sakshat. According to sources, the new Indian sensation, Sakshat tablet will be available at just $35 (around Rs 1,500).

The Sakshat tablet will be launched on Monday, Jan 10. It will be available in different screen sizes like 5-inch, 7 and 10. Other features include 2GB of RAM, web-conferencing, PDF reader unzip, WiFi, camera and USB connectivity.

Sakshat tablet has been developed as part of the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology that aims to link 25,000 colleges and 400 universities on the subcontinent in an e-learning program via an existing Sakshat portal.

Sakshat tablet will be launched by HCL technologies. According to a contract with the government of India, HCL will manufacture 100,000 tablets in the first phase. Indian government has assigned Rs 300 million for Sakshat tablet project.

Samsung Nexus S Debuting Next Week with Google Android OS 2.3

After weeks of leaks and rumors, the Samsung Nexus S has just been officially announced. This high-end smartphone will be the first with Google's Android OS 2.3 (code-named Gingerbread). It will also have a large, Super AM-OLED display, dual cameras, and much more.

The Nexus S will be the follow-up to the Google Nexus One, and like its predecessor, the upcoming model will be the debut of a new version of Google's operating system (OS 2.3 instead of OS 2.1) and it will be sold unlocked, directly to the public.

This Samsung smartphone will also have much in common with this company's Galaxy S series models, including a tablet shape with a 4-inch, WVGA (800 x 480), Super AM-OLED touchscreen. The latest model, however, will have what's being called a "Contour Display" which curves to fit against the user's face.

The Nexus S will have a front-facing video camera, and Google has built support for multiple cameras into the latest version of its operating system. Android OS 2.3 also has support for VoIP/SIP software, though the rumored Google Talk client is not included.

Google has also tweaked the user interface of its operating system a bit.

Loads of Wireless CapabilitiesThis smartphone is designed to work with T-Mobile's network, and will offer 3G (HSPA) but not this carrier's faster HSPA+ service.

Like virtually all high-end models, it will have Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 and A-GPS.

In addition, support for Near Field Communication (NFC) technology has been added to Android OS 2.3. This allows users to read information off of everyday objects like stickers and posters that are embedded with NFC chips.

More High-End FeaturesThe Nexus S is going to be built around a 1 GHz Samsung processor, and it will have 16 GB of internal storage and 512 MB of RAM.

This smartphone will include 5 megapixel rear-facing camera with support for recording 720 x 480 video at 30 fps.

Also on the specifications list are a 1500 mAh battery, gyroscope, accelerometer, digital compass, as well as a proximity and light sensors.

Coming Next WeekThe Samsung Nexus S is going to to be available online and in-store from Best Buy retailers in the U.S. starting after December 16.

In the U.K., it will be sold at Carphone Warehouse retailers after December 20.

This device is being sold unlocked, which means it will work with any carrier that uses the GSM standard. However, the U.S. version only includes support for T-Mobile's 3G network.

UPDATEPricing for the Nexus S has not yet been announced.

The Nexus S is going to cost $200 with a two-year T-Mobile voice and data plan. It will sell for $530 without a contract.  

LG Optimus 2X Price in India and Features

LG Optimus 2x is world’s first smartphone powered with a dual core processor.  With its 1Ghz Dual-core Processor (NVIDIA Tegra 2)  processor LG Optimus 2x provides smoother and faster web browsing and application performance.

Other major features of Optimus 2X are HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) mirroring, exceptional graphics performance, 1080p HD video playback and recording, can connect wirelessly to any DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) compatible digital device such as HD TVs for a console-like gaming experience taking full advantage of the phone’s HDMI mirroring, accelerometer and gyro sensor.

Initially Optimus 2X will ship with Android 2.2 (Froyo) and will be upgraded to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) later.

• 1Ghz Dual-core Processor (NVIDIA Tegra 2)
• 4-inch WVGA screen
• 8GB memory (up to 32GB via microSD)
• 1,500 mAh battery
• 8 megapixel rear camera and 1.3 megapixel front camera
• HDMI mirroring
• 1080p MPEG-4/H.264 playback and recording

As per the official LG press release LG Optimus 2X will reach Korean Market by next month.

Samsung, Nokia and other smartphone manufacturers are also working on dual core processor based smartphones as next trend in the highly competitive mobile handset market is going to be Dual Core Smartphones.

LG Optimus 2x Price : There is no official confirmation about the pricing but it is expected to be around Rs 35,000/-

Launch date announced for Sakshat, the $35 Indian tablet

he Sakshat, the $35 Indian tablet everyone's been buzzing about, has an official launch date of early next year and will be brought to you by the same company that once made the world's cheapest Windows laptop.

That Indian $35 laptop we told you about in July is slowly approaching reality, as the Indian government awarded the manufacturing contract to HC LTechnologies. The local computer services firm will deliver the now-officially-named Sakshat by January 10, 2011. HCL has been contracted to manufacture 100,000 units in the first phase.

HCL is no stranger to low-cost laptops, having partnered with Microsoft to roll out the world’s cheapest Windows laptop, the Classmate PC, back in 2008.

According to Live Mint, the Indian Institute of Technology in Rajasthan will test the tablets “in intensive laboratory and field tests across the country.” Testing will also include weather conditions. After testing, the government will purchase one million units to distribute to university students in the second half of the year. There is no information currently available about how the million units will be distributed; there are over 12 million higher education students in India.

The government has allocated 300 million rupees, or $6.5 million, for this project.

LiveMint reports a 9-inch tablet, but there are still several Websites claiming the initial phase will be a 7-inch tablet, with 5-inch and 9-inch versions to follow at a later date. The Sakshat will support video, Web conferencing, and include a PDF reader, unzip utilities, Open Office, Internet browser, and a media player. Specs include 2GB RAM memory, Wi-Fi connectivity, a camera, and a USB port. Power requirements are astoundingly low, requiring only two watts of juice.

Interestingly, the name is recycled from the $10 handheld device the Ministry of Human Resource Development announced last year, but never delivered on. There seems to be no consensus on what Sakshat actually means in Sanskrit, with various reports claiming capability, personification, before your eyes, and embodiment.

The price tag is still expected to be $35 with prices to drop further with government subsidies, although the latest announcement did not address pricing.

Android Honeycomb not coming to Samsung Galaxy Tab; requires dual-core

Here’s good news for some and bad news for others. Google’s Android 2.4 version or Honeycomb will need the power of a dual core processor to run it. No surprise that tablet manufacturers, other than Samsung, are all advertising dual core processors in the specifications of their products. According to Bobby Cha, managing director of Korean consumer electronics firm Enspert, single core processors that are or will be on Gingerbread will not be able to upgrade to Honeycomb because of this hardware limitation.

This is not going to make Samsung Galaxy Tab owners happy. Especially those who have only just picked up the product in the holiday season of 2010, with the hope of enjoying Honeycomb capabilities when the version is out.

News is that Motorola’s 

tablet Droid Xoom will be announced at CES 2011 and possibly LG’s Optimus Pad too. Both boast dual core processors and Android Honeycomb. Other tablet manufacturers may not be able to meet this deadline because of possible Honeycomb resource issues. Honeycomb will be available for mass consumption by the end of this month only.

CES 2011: The Coolest Cameras of the Show

CES, being the big daddy of all technology shows on the globe, sees the largest number of products being announced, launched and displayed. The number of products launched are purely mindboggling and we’ve seen everything, from the extremely expensive TVs to the cheapest of iPhone covers being shown off. Obviously, digital cameras were also part of the show and the photography enthusiasts didn’t miss out on any of the launches. We present to you a compilation of some of the hottest cameras that were unveiled at CES 2011.

DSLRs weren’t so much the focus of the show. Although there were many anticipating some important launches from Sony and specifically the much rumoured Sony Alpha DSLR codenamed the A77, those following the CES 2011 launches were disappointed to see nothing come out of it. That didn’t dampen the excitement built up over the weeks though, as the show saw plenty of action in the point-and-shoot digital camera segment.

Fujifilm FinePix X100
Although Fujifilm isn’t the most popular brand in the circle of enthusiast and professional photographers, there was one camera that was making the news through the days. The Fujifilm FinePix X100 is a completely unique camera in many ways, with its design being the obvious one. It’s been designed to look like an old film camera. Fujifilmclaims to have kept professionals in mind by accurately position all of its controls, to minimize hassle. The body is a magnesium alloy one and most of it is covered with a leather-like material. The dials on most cameras are made of plastic, but on the X100, they’re all metallic. 

Fujifilm's classically designed X100

Even the rear of the camera has the same classic camera look to it, but there’s really no way to hide the LCD screen. One of the unique features would be the dedicated RAW shooting mode button. A 12 MP AFS-C size sensor will be reside at the heart of the X100. It’s turning out be a great camera and we can’t wait to get our hands on it when it comes out.

Casio TRYX
Casio is another brand that’s present in India, but is somewhat difficult to find. That doesn’t mean we’re not eager to see what they’re coming out with this year, though. The highlight from Casio was clearly their TRYX point and shoot camera, which is out to capture photos, minds and dropping jaws. Casio claims the TRYX has a radical design and there’s no denying there’s nothing like it. It’s really slim at just .59-inches in thickness and it weighs no more than 157g.

Casio's compact, yet feature packed TRYX

The TRYX packs in features and performance as well; a 12.1 MP CMOS sensor which should take great photos and also record 1080p videos. One of the unique features is the slow motion recording mode which requires you to reduce the resolution to 432 x 320, but that allows for higher frame rates of 240 fps, and that in turn allows slow motion recording which is something very few cameras do. 

CES 2011: What's Trending This Year

CES 2011 has been going on in Las Vegas for the past couple of days, and there’s a buzz in the air that will definitely take a while to die down. There have been plenty of really big announcements from companies large and small, and these announcements have definitely made a lot of people happy. There have also been some trends that have developed in the last few days, and it is these trends that are going to carry the electronics industry farther this year.

One of the biggest trends that came out of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show was the advent of 4G. Sure, people have been talking abut it and a few companies have even started offering 4G services, but now it's completely out in the open. Several manufacturers have been showing off their 4G enabled mobile phones as well as tablets. The 4th generation of cellular wireless standards will enable high mobility communication at blisteringly fast speeds. You could be traveling by train and browsing at speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s. Low mobility connection speeds will be way faster at speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s. And all this, as I sit and work on my 512 kbps connection. Whoa!

Among the devices that have been announced, a few have really caught peoples’ eyes. The most eagerly awaited device is definitely theRIM’s Playbook tablet . This awesome gadget sports a 7-inch display with a dual-core and is lighter than the iPad by 400g. This wonder-tablet will hopefully start shipping sometime early this year. 

RIM's Playbook - this will definitely be fun to play with

Another device that was unveiled at CES 2011 was the Dell Streak 7, and it is looking good! This is Dell’s first 4G tablet and will run Android 2.2. This 7-inch tablet will have some killer features such as the almost indestructible Gorilla Glass touchscreen, NVIDIA’s Tegra dual-core processor and front and rear facing cameras to name a few. The Dell Streak 7 will be launched with T-Mobile.

Well, it looks like we’ve got a long way to catch up here in India, because we’re still waiting on the damn 3G connections to be easily available. But that doesn’t stop me from drooling, as it is my right. And yours too!

Another trend that has been popular this year is 3D TVs. It was big all of last year as well, but this year’s going to be even bigger, as there are plenty of glassless 3D TVs on their way. I honestly don’t like 3D vision too much and a lot of my dislike probably stems from the fact that I have to wear those weird, uncomfortable glasses every time I want to watch 3D content. But that’s all going to change; soon. 

Sony announced a prototype 3D TV that doesn’t require glasses. This TV apparently has a supremely wide viewing angle even for 3D content. Now that’s something! On a similar note, Sony has also announced the launch of 27 new HDTV models, 16 of which will support 3D playback.

CEO of Sony Corporation of America, Howard Stringer gives a speech about 3D

This next one is from a relatively unknown Korean company called iStation. They’ve announced the launch of a tablet called the Zood that supports 3D without glasses. And what’s more, it also supports 2D to 3D conversion, as well as full HD.

TVs seem to be getting a whole lot thinner as well. AMOLED screens are making it possible for companies to produce wafer-thin screens that look mind-bogglingly beautiful. Some of these TVs are so thin that they might as well be invisible!

Samsung has announced the launch of 16 new ultra-slim plasma TVs, the D6500 and D8000 Series, which feature a new narrow bezel design that adds an extra inch of viewable screen size over last year’s products. These TVs also offer better connected entertainment options, as they will include more apps and connected devices. 

LG has really outdone themselves this year, as they showcased theworld’s slimmest AMOLED TV that measures just 2.9 mm in depth! This TV boasts of features such as a 1920 x 1080 resolution, passive 3D playback capabilities, a super-wide viewing angle and an “infinite” contrast ratio.  

LG's new AMOLED screen - deliciously wafer-thin

While I’m talking about TVs, did I forget to mention that they’re getting bigger too? And I’m not talking about a small growth spurt here, as some of these TVs look like they’ve been fed chickenfeed from KFC’s farms (figuratively speaking, anyway). Oh well, you know what they say; the bigger the better. 

LG and Sharp seem to have fed their TVs well, as they’re getting bigger! LG has announced the launch of a 72-inch LED TV, the LZ9700 which is capable of 3d playback and work a smart TV. Sharp has also launched the 70-inch C-70LE732U, which is its latest Quattron LED-backlit model. Although this TV has some decent features such as Wi-Fi, it’s quite surprising that they’ve left out 3D, as everyone seems to be jumping on that bandwagon.

I thought I’d leave the best for last. Panasonic displayed a 12.6-ft wide 3D plasma TV this year. Yes, that is correct. Panasonic says that they’ve developed "ultra high-speed 3D drive technology," new chips necessary to enable high-quality Full HD 3D display on this gargantuan 4,096 x 2,160 pixels panel. This TV is expected to cost half a million USD or more! Wow.

Panasonic says that bigger is definitely better

So that wraps up some of the biggest trends to emerge for this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. I really liked what I saw, and I’m sure those of you who have been following the stories feel the same way. I only hope all this exciting technology makes it to India soon.