Intel Shows Off Its Smart Phone and Tablet for 2012

The era of the personal computer dawned thanks in no small part to the chip maker Intel. But the company has been only a spectator to the rise of smart phones and tablets in recent years. These mobile devices use chips based on designs licensed by the U.K. company ARM, which deliver the power efficiency the powerful, compact gadgets require.


Intel is about to fight back.

Last week, Technology Review tried out prototype smart phones and tablets equipped with Intel's latest mobile chip, dubbed Medfield, and running the Android mobile operating system created by Google. "We expect products based on these to be announced in the first half of 2012," says Stephen Smith, vice president of Intel's architecture group.

Known as "reference designs," the devices are sent out to inspire and instruct manufacturers interested in building products around Intel's latest technology. "They can use as much or as little of the reference design as they like," says Smith, who hinted that the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in January could bring news of gadgets in which Intel's chips will appear.

Intel's Medfield is the latest in its "Atom" line of mobile chips. So far none of them have seriously threatened the dominance of ARM-based chips in mobile devices, in part because they are more power-hungry. However, the new chip represents a significant technological step toward lower power consumption.

Read this article in detail at: http://www.technologyreview.in/computing/39378/

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Review of Sony Ericsson Xperia Active

See the detail Review of Sony Ericsson Xperia Active by WILL HARVIE.

REVIEW: Last month, I went through a long process identifying which mid-range smartphone suited my needs, and settled on Sony Ericsson's Xperia Active.

I have now operated the phone for some weeks.

Does it meet expectations? Yes. Almost everything I anticipated about the phone has come true.

For example, I expected the relatively small touchscreen (three inches v 3.5 inches on an iPhone) would hamper some activities, and that's true. I sometimes hit the wrong button, but it's a flaw I can live with, given the modest $400 price.

The battery needs charging almost every day, and I paid extra for a car lighter jack and cable. The biggest disappointment is the five-megapixel camera. Photos look great on the amazing Sony Bravia screen, but are disappointing when transferred to a computer or printer.



The Active is "slightly rugged" – meaning it's shock, dust and water resistant. I've already dropped the phone on concrete and it survived. A friend with the same phone left his in a bucket of water for 20 minutes without issues.

Sony targets the phone at "consumers with an active lifestyle" and Telecom says the handset can "take the rough and tumble of outdoor sports".

They mean the ruggedness and built-in GPS, barometer and compass, and preloaded fitness software of various capabilities.

So far, I've mostly used a pedometer (step counter), with mixed success because it can't be calibrated. Some day soon I'll download a better product from Google's Android Market.

The Active is powered by Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and I love it. The Android Market is a treasure trove of great and grim apps (software) that provide hours of fun and frustration.

Android, ruggedness and price were the main reasons I bought this phone and I'm happy with all three.

Sony and Vodafone sell a companion phone, called the Xperia With Walkman (also for $400, handset only) that targets people wanting a "social music experience". That's not me, but I'm satisfied Sony has fine-tuned that phone with the same skill and finesse it did with the Active.

I've been watching the mid-range smartphone market since I bought my phone and competition is still driving down prices. It's a great time to buy an unpretentious phone.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Active smartphone

$400 handset

Read detail full review at: http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/gadget-reviews/6162644/Review-Sony-Ericsson-Xperia-Active

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Samsung's Galaxy Nexus Review

As fans of Google's Android mobile software well know, each new version is named after a sugary treat, such as Gingerbread or Honeycomb. Android is about to get even sweeter with Ice Cream Sandwich a smooth, feature-rich operating system that will run first on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone.

The combination of Google's software and Samsung's hardware makes the Galaxy Nexus one of the best candidates to compete with Apple's latest iPhone, though its price is steep. It began selling last week in the U.S. for $300 with a two-year Verizon Wireless contract.



Like the previous phone in the Nexus line, the Nexus S, the Galaxy Nexus was jointly developed by Google Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. It features a slim frame with a large, curved glass screen that's comfortable for chatting with friends and excellent for watching videos. There are 32 gigabytes of built-in storage space on the Verizon version of the phone, but no external slot for a microSD memory card.

The screen, a pocket-busting 4.65 inches at the diagonal, makes the iPhone's 3.5-inches look diminutive. And despite the size, the Galaxy Nexus manages to weigh just 4.8 ounces, slightly less than Apple's offering.

On it, videos and Web pages looked crisp and bright, with rich colors. I started watching a video during testing — an HD copy of "The Help" that I rented from Google's Android Market — and had to force myself to break away to test other features of the device.

Continue to read detail review at: http://www.statesman.com/business/technology/review-samsungs-galaxy-nexus-a-sweet-smartphone-2039932.html

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Review of Nokia Lumia 800

Anyone who has seen the Meego-running Nokia N9 will instantly recognise the Lumia 800 as a spiritual successor. It has a sturdy polycarbonate unibody shell and feels great in the hand.

On top is a magnetically-held flap that hides a microUSB port. Next to it is a 'push and slide' compartment that houses the microSIM and a 3.5mm port. The speaker grill and buttons for power, volume and camera shutter are the only other 'openings'http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif.



It has a 3.7-inch anti-glare amoled polarizer display that makes it easy to view content even under direct sunlight. Although the display looks good on its own, the super amoled screen on the less cheaper Samsung Omnia W Windows Phone looks better when compared side-to-side.

Overall, the Lumia gets our vote for the best Windows Phone as far as overall looks and construction go. Inside is a 1.4Ghz processor with 512MB RAM and 16GB of non-expandable storage (no microSD slot). Metro UI works in the similar fashion we have seen on earlier phones - live tiles, smooth navigation and cool effects.

Read More: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/et-review-nokia-lumia-800/articleshow/11101755.cms

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First Look: Motorola’s Xoom Sequel, The Xyboard Tablet

Motorola is taking another shot at the tablet game with the Droid Xyboard, the company’s latest Android device to hit Verizon stores. After getting our hands on one this afternoon, we found that it’s a solid, well-performing slate that’s easy on the eyes. Too bad it has such a stupid name.



The 4G Xyboard is Motorola’s follow-up to its pricey, not terribly popular Xoom tablet, which was released in February. Available in 8.2-inch and 10.1-inch versions, the Honeycomb-powered Xyboard enters the market hot on the heels of the super-hot Kindle Fire. It’s on sale today for $430 (for the 8.2-inch) or $530 (for the 10.1-inch) with a two-year contract from Verizon, with options for 16GB or 32GB of memory on the smaller version, and up to 64GB on the larger one.

The first thing that struck me about the Xyboard is its industrial design. Rather than being perfectly rectangular in shape, the 8.2-inch slate has clipped corners, which actually makes it fit more comfortably when you hold it one-handed. The back, too, shows some stylistic creativity. A rubberized outer rim houses a power button and volume rocker, while centered in the back of the tablet is a sheet of dark gray brushed metal held in place by six visible screws. Think robot chic.

Read More : http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/12/hands-on-droid-xyboard/

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