Tablet: Asus with Android and Windows Operating System

It is common for us that PC with two OS, but what about two OS in a tablet? Asus tablet which is yet-to-be-named has been spotted on a FCC listing, with indications that it could run Android, Windows or both. As per Engadget, who first spotted the FCC listing of alleged Asus tablet, the Taiwanese giant might launch three primary variants of the tablet based on Android, Windows or both (dual-boot). However, the report claims that the company would launch a total of nine variants.

This alleged Asus tablet spotted at FCC could be an entry level tablet with support for Wi-Fi (802.11n) and Bluetooth (4.0), notes the report. The report has also quotes FCC documents that reveal the model numbers of the alleged Asus tablets, the Windows only variants (M80T, L80T, R80T); Android-only models (M81T, L81T, R81T) and Android, Windows dual-boot variants (M82T, L82T, R82T).

As of this time, there is no more details about the unnamed Asus tablet has been revealed, though the report speculates that Asus could introduce its alleged tablet with dual-boot support at CES (Consumer Electronic Show) 2014.

A report revealed Asus's plans for the third generation Nexus 7 tablet. As per the report, Asus's CEO Jerry Shen while talking about tablet shipments claimed that it might go up to 13 million units if the company could get order for the third-generation Nexus 7 tablet.

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Posted in android, android asus, Asus Tablet, Tablets, windows, windows asus, windows tablet asus. android tablet asus

Android 4.4 KitKat

Did you update your Android phone to the latest version? If not read this. The latest iteration of Google's mobile operating system, Android 4.4 or KitKat has finally made its presence felt in the  monthly OS distribution data, provided by Google.

Android version chart

Sharing the distribution data of different versions of Android, Google reported that the most recent version of Android, KitKat or Android 4.4, is now present on 1.1 percent devices. Notably, the new version of the operating system ships only with the Nexus 5, though Google had also released Android 4.4 updates for the Nexus 4, Google editions of HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4, and the Motorola Moto X, in addition to the Nexus 7 tablets (both 2012 and 2013 editions).

Different versions of Android Jelly Bean are now running on 54.5 percent of all Android devices with Android 4.1.x on 37.4 percent devices (it was 37.3 percent, last month), Android 4.2.x on 12.9 percent (it was 12.5 percent, last month) and Android 4.3 on 4.2 percent devices (vis a vis 2.3 percent, last month). Last month, Android Jelly Bean's combined share was 52.1 percent. Android 4.0.x or Ice Cream Sandwich, in Google's latest report, registered a share of 18.6 percent, a decline of 1.2 points.

Android 2.2 Froyo's device distribution share was 1.6 percent, a dip of 0.1 points while the share of Gingerbread (Android 2.3.x) was 24.1 percent, compared to 26.3 percent last month. While Gingerbread's share reduced by 2.2 points this month, it still has the second-largest share, making things difficult for developers who've been trying to put Android 4.0 as the threshold. This means that a significant number of Android users don't get access to the latest version of some apps.

In April, the distribution data charts are now based on the data collected from each device when the user visits the Google Play store. Google says this is to make it more accurate and reflect the percentage of users who are actively engaged in the Android and Google Play ecosystem. Prior to this, data was collected when the device simply checked-in to Google servers.

Last September, Google stopped including Android 1.6 Donut and Android 2.1 Eclair in the data as it is gathered from the new version of Google Play store app, which supports Android 2.2 and above. It's worth pointing out that the total sample excludes forked variants of Android (the ones on Amazon's Kindle Fire tablets) and variants in China that don't include Google services. 

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Posted in 4.4 kitkat, android, android 4.4 kitkat, android kitkat, android latest version, androit 4.4 kitkat, google, kitkat

Expert review for iPad Air

The Apple Inc. has not reinvented the wheel with the iPad Air but the thinner device, priced higher than many of its competitors. A major improvement on a successful product, the reviewers said.

Writing for the Wall Street Journal, Walt Mossberg called the iPad Air the best tablet he has ever reviewed.

"That isn't just because of its slimmer, lighter design, but because Apple boasts 475,000 apps optimized for tablet use - far more than any other tablet platform," according to Mossberg.

The new full-sized iPad goes on sale from Friday and will be priced starting $499. The New York Times writer Damon Darlin said that the iPad Air is lighter than its predecessors, adding that the gadget is a delight to use.

Reviewer David Pogue, who recently left the New York Times to start a new consumer-tech website at Yahoo, said the iPad Air is "a fantastic leap into the future if you're upgrading from an original iPad, or if you've never owned a tablet before."However, all three reviewers highlighted that the iPad Air is pricier than many of its competitors.

"Do you need to plunk down $500 or more for an Air if you already have an earlier version of the iPad?," Darlin asked, calling the improvements on the new device "incremental, not revolutionary." Amazon.com said that the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HDX costs $379, Microsoft's Surface 2 starts from $449, while Samsung's Galaxy Tab 3 10.1-inch tablet has a suggested retail price of $400.

Pogue said that given the price, an iPad probably does not need replacing every year or even every other year. Mossberg concluded: "Bottom line: If you can afford it, the new iPad Air is the tablet I recommend, hands down."

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Posted in Apple, iPad Air, iPad air price, iPad review, Microsoft, Samsung, Tablets

Nokia Lumia 2020 to be release next year

Microsoft's Nokia is probably busy pushing out its recently announced Lumia 2520 tablet globally. However, a new report suggests that the Finnish manufacturer might unveil its next tablet, the alleged Lumia 2020, as early as Q1 next year.

A report by Digitimes citing sources familiar with the matter, Nokia has plans to expand its tablet portfolio by launching a new tablet, the Lumia 2020, and that the company would be targeting the mid-range tablet segment with it, while it targets the high-end with the Lumia 2520.

Nokia announced its first Windows RT tablet, the Lumia 2520, at Nokia World in October. The Nokia Lumia 2520 tablet runs Windows RT 8.1 and comes with a 10.1-inch full-HD IPS LCD display that boasts of enhanced sunlight legibility and a Corning Gorilla Glass 2 screen.

Earlier reports had suggested that Nokia might launch the rumoured Lumia 2020 at MWC 2014alongside the Lumia 1820 Windows Phone.

Prolific tipster has already revealed that Nokia has codenamed Illusionist its second Windows RT tablet sporting an 8-inch tablet.The Nokia Lumia 2020 aka Illusionist is thought to sport a similar design to the Lumia 2520 tablet, and that it would come with a lower Lumia model number to differentiate it from the larger 10.1-inch sibling. Further, the Nokia Lumia 2020 is said to be powered by a Qualcomm processor, would run Windows RT 8.1, just like the Lumia 2520 tablet and in addition would come with stylus support.

Earlier speculation had pointed to a Lumia 2320 name for the more affordable Illusionist tablet, similar to naming scheme of the two announced phablets from the company, the Lumia 1320 and Lumia 1520.

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Posted in Microsoft, Nokia, Nokia 8inch tablet, Nokia Illuisionist, Nokia Tablet, Tablets, Windows Rt

Hunger Games: Catching Fire - for iOS and Android

 The Reliance Games and Lionsgate have announced the next chapter in The Hunger Games saga to mobile devices (Android and iOS). 

Hunger Games: Catching Fire Game

It's based on the film The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which opened in theatres worldwide on last November, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Panem Run mobile game puts the movie's action in the palms of players' hands. The game will employ both competitive and social elements, allowing players to challenge fellow Hunger Games fans to see who can bring glory to their District, achieve the greatest distance, and attain the highest score.

"With its epic story of struggling for survival, The Hunger Games franchise lets us recreate the competitive world of Panem in a social mobile game," said Manish Agarwal, CEO of Reliance Games. "In partnering with Lionsgate, we'll build a community of Hunger Games fans, teaming up to face unique challenges together as they run through the Districts of Panem.""

"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Panem Run mobile game it's a fun and exciting complement to the film's spectacular action and story," said Danielle De Palma, Lionsgate Senior Vice President of Digital Marketing.

You can download the Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Panem Run, via Google Play and iTunes app stores.

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Posted in android, app release, Apple, Apple apps, application, apps, gadget, ios, iPad mini, Samsung

Apple "World's Most Valuable" by Forbes

Apple logo : Photo bostinno.co

Apple has topped the 'World's Most Valuable List' compiled by Forbes magazine with a brand value of $104.3 billion, nearly twice other technology major Microsoft, which has a brand value of $56.7 billion.

"The Apple name is as strong as ever. Apple is the most valuable brand in the world for a third straight time at $104.3 billion, up 20 percent over last year. It is worth nearly twice as much as any other brand on the planet by our count," Forbes said. Meanwhile, Microsoft's brand value has remained flat over the past three years, as the company struggles to make a transition from PC to the mobile world, the magazine said.

"Growth has slowed, but it is still one of the most profitable brands in the world with operating margins of 34 percent in its latest fiscal year," it said.With a brand value of $54.9 billion, Coca-Cola was ranked third in the list, followed by IBM ($50.7 billion), Google ($47.3 billion).

Among the top 10 brands, McDonald's, with a brand value of $39.4 billion, was ranked sixth, followed by General Electric ($34.2 billion), Intel ($30.9 billion), Samsung ($29.5 billion) and Louis Vuitton ($28.4 billion).Brands from US-based companies make up just over half of the list of 100, with the next biggest representation from Germany (nine brands), France (eight) and Japan (seven). Technology brands are the most prevalent with 19, including six of the top 10.Samsung, which came at No.9, had the strongest one-year gain of any brand in the top 100, up 53 percent to $29.5 billion. The company's value soared 136 percent over the past three years.

"Sales for Samsung's Galaxy S4 smartphone have been on fire and the company also benefits from its market leading position with memory chips," Forbes said.

Forbes, however, said the value of a brand can collapse in the complex, fast moving technology world. Forbes had valued the Blackberry brand at $6.1 billion last year, but this year it stood at just $2.2 billion and has come out of the top 100 brands list.Similarly, three years ago, Forbes had deemed the Nokia brand worth $27.3 billion, ninth highest in the world, while today it is worth $7 billion, which ranks the company at the 71st place.

Forbes valued the brands on three years of earnings and allocated a percentage of those earnings based on the role brands play in each industry. The 100 most valuable brands span 15 countries across 20 broad industry categories.

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Posted in Apple, Blackberry, Forbes, gadget, mobile, Nokia, Samsung

Angy Birds Go! So expensive at $100

Are you fun of Angry Bird's apps? You might be shock with this news. Rovio's upcoming kart racing game, Angry Birds Go!, will be full of in-app purchases with some priced as high as $100. While the game will be widely launched on December 11, the Finnish developer has now launched it in New Zealand via Apple's iTunes App Store as part of a soft launch. Mobile gaming focused website PocketGamer, has
already previewed the game, and discovered that it's a free download but features a number of in-app purchases including cars, energy systems, pay-for power-ups, multiple currencies and advertising priced as high as $100.

Angry Bird Go! Photo: www.konbini.com

The Angry Birds Go! preview also describes the game play, mentioning that the action can be controlled with tilt or touch but one can't jump and drift. Races can be started by catapulting birds from the start line.
 
The report points out that Angry Birds Go! power-ups can be used free of charge once or twice following which one needs to use premium currency, in the form of gems to buy power-ups. To purchase gems after you run out of the initially allocated quantity, you need to pay in real cash.
 
Karts can also be upgraded through in-app purchases, and most notably, there is even a Big Bang Special Edition car, that costs a whopping $99.99.  It even uses a waiting system wherein you'll need to "re-energize" your player by paying in gems, or have to wait for it to be ready.While there's still time for the game's full launch, and there might be some changes, as the initial reaction has been of outrage, similar to how mobile gaming enthusiasts reacted to games, like Real Racing 3, which were full of irritating in-app purchases.
 
Rovio released the game play trailer of Angry Birds Go! last October. It is a kart-racing game that brings the Angry Birds characters to a brand new downhill kart racing set-up. The game would be available worldwide on December 11 on all major mobile platforms including Android, Apple ios, Windows Phone 8 and even BlackBerry 10, via respective app stores. 
 
Angry Birds Go! will be the 8th game in the popular series, following the original Angry Birds, Angry Birds Seasons, Angry Birds Rio, Angry Birds Space, Angry Birds Star Wars, Angry Birds Star Wars II and Angry Birds Friends, and excluding the Bad Piggies spin-off.  

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Posted in android, app release, Apple apps, application, apps, blackberry 10, december, gadget, ios, windows 8