• Tablet family gives consumers and business customers a variety of choices
• First Android 3.1 “Honeycomb” tablet certified for streaming from Netflix
• Global tablet portfolio delivers thousands of apps and services for consumers and business customers alike

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – July 20, 2011: Lenovo today announced its first family of tablets – the IdeaPad Tablet K1 for consumers, the ThinkPad Tablet for business customers, and the IdeaPad Tablet P1 for home and office use. The new Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet K1 and ThinkPad Tablets are the Company’s first mobile internet devices featuring the Android^ 3.1 platform, and the IdeaPad Tablet K1 is the industry’s first Android-powered tablet certified to deliver Netflix* video streaming. The Android-powered Lenovo tablets also provide access to more than 250,000 apps in Android Market^ as well as apps tested for the Lenovo device in the Lenovo App Shop.

“Tablets are extremely personal technology devices. That’s why we’ve created a family of tablets that has something for everyone, including entertainment-friendly features and content for consumers, or business-friendly features to enhance productivity for professionals as well as security and manageability for IT managers,” said Liu Jun, senior vice president and president, Mobile Internet Digital Home business group, Lenovo. “So whether it’s the IdeaPad for entertainment or the ThinkPad for business, we have listened to our customers and are delivering Android-powered tablets designed to meet their particular needs.”

Netflix Anyone?

As the first Honeycomb tablets certified for Netflix, Lenovo tablets can help turn every night into “movie night.” With HDMI output and Digital Rights Management (DRM) built directly into the IdeaPad and ThinkPad tablets, Netflix members can instantly watch movies and TV shows streaming from Netflix directly to a big screen TV.

“We’re very excited to see that TV shows and movies streaming from Netflix will be available on Lenovo’s family of Android-powered tablets,” said Bill Holmes, Netflix vice president of Business Development. “This is not only an important development for our company as we seek to expand the benefits of our services to more people, but also means that consumers now have greater choice in selecting a tablet device that best fits their entertainment needs.”

NVIDIA Anyone?

Building on Lenovo’s heritage of innovation, quality and reliability in PCs, Lenovo’s new tablets deliver an accelerated mobile experience. The IdeaPad and ThinkPad Android-powered tablets feature NVIDIA* Tegra* 2 dual-core mobile processors that offer extreme multitasking, noticeably faster web browsing with built-in Adobe* Flash* Player, console-quality gaming and low power consumption for improved battery life.

“The Tegra 2 dual core processor is the perfect fit for Lenovo’s tablets,” said Michael Rayfield, general manager, Mobile Business, NVIDIA. “Consumers can now enjoy the whole web with Flash*, console quality gaming, high definition video, and streaming Netflix. These are a must have for today’s tablets.”

IdeaPad Tablet K1: Open the Box and Play

Weighing just 1.63 lbs, the highly mobile IdeaPad Tablet K1 offers integrated Bluetooth* and 802.11 Wi-Fi connectivity. The IdeaPad Tablet K1 offers several key features and tools as standard, for flexibility, power and security to enjoy digital content anywhere. Simply put, the Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet K1 helps users who want:

More out of the box: The Android-powered Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet K1 is preloaded with more than 40 apps from partners like Netflix, Amazon*, Adobe*, Electronic Arts**, Rovio*, Zinio*, Dataviz*, and others (over $50 in value), including favorites like Need for Speed** Shift, Angry Birds*, Kindle* reading app and Documents to Go*.

More entertainment: Users can browse all websites and watch online videos with ease thanks to Flash 10.3. Plus, with DRM, they can rent movies in every available format. At a later date shortly after launch, users will also be able to both rent or buy movies to play off-line with a new application Lenovo will pre-load.

More social networking: Users can access an entire network of friends and social sites all in one place, with Lenovo’s exclusive SocialTouch* app, which effectively creates a one-stop social connection. And since one picture is still worth a thousand words, the Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet K1 comes with a two-megapixel front-facing and a five-megapixel rear-facing webcam.

More true HD: Users can watch movies and videos in breathtaking HD on a 1280 X 800 resolution screen. The mini HDMI connection allows up to 1080p HD viewing when connected to an HDTV or monitor, resulting in a powerful visual experience.

More cloud sharing: Users can sync, store and share files, music and photos with more integrated cloud storage, and less reliance on their local storage.

More Apps: Users can access hundreds of thousands of apps in Android Market and apps tested exclusively for premium function on the IdeaPad Tablet K1 in the Lenovo App Shop.

ThinkPad Tablet Brings Android to Business

The ThinkPad Tablet combines the superior media and entertainment experience of the IdeaPad Tablet K1 with the security, reliability and manageability features ThinkPad is known for to create the first true business-class tablet. Designed as a companion computing device for professionals on the go, the ThinkPad Tablet includes an optional digitizer pen, a full-size USB port, full-size SD card slot, and mini-HDMI for connecting to external projectors and displays, as well as an optional ThinkPad quality Keyboard Folio Case with optical TrackPoint.

Data remains safe on the ThinkPad Tablet with layered data security, and the device is easily supported by IT managers thanks to a suite of business partner solutions that include anti-theft software and the ability to disable the tablet if the device is lost or stolen with Computrace*. Additional security features include virtual desktop support with Citrix Receiver*, simple zero-touch deployment with LanDesk* and secure email support available from Good Technology*.

Offering a 10.1” WXGA (1280×800) display weighing a mere 1.65 lbs, the ThinkPad Tablet also comes with an IPS display for a 178-degree viewing angle and scratch-resistant Corning* Gorilla* Glass. This business-class device keeps professionals connected, productive and entertained while they’re away from the office and their home.

Get more on the go: When work happens on the go, ThinkPad Tablet allows users to view and edit Microsoft Office documents with the preloaded Documents to Go app by DataViz. Or they can jot down notes that automatically convert to handwritten text with the optional ThinkPad Tablet Pen. When even more versatility is required, users can plug in the Keyboard Folio for fast, comfortable and accurate typing and mouse control.

Get better connected: With WiFi connectivity, 2GB of free cloud storage, a standard size USB port and SD Card Reader, and Lenovo’s unique file copy utility, sharing media files and documents with other people and electronic devices is easy.  Presentations may look even better when connecting to an external monitor via the built-in mini-HDMI port.  Users can conveniently sync key files and folders with their tablet every time they plug into their Windows 7 PC. With Apps like ooVoo, dual cameras allow users to show either themselves or what they are looking at in a video conference. Users can keep in touch with friends and business contacts using Lenovo’s exclusive SocialTouch app, which puts social networks, email, and calendar notices all in one easy-to-use interface.

Get down to business: ThinkPad Tablet can connect to a range of devices and networks without hands-on help from IT administrators. Users can utilize corporate network passwords to access their device and connect to corporate email with the specially certified app, Good for Enterprise. IT managers can easily create access unique corporate preloads from the Lenovo Image Technology Center as well as share and distribute company purchased or developed apps to numerous devices through a custom, corporate-controlled app store. Most importantly, users will have the ability to protect confidential data with robust security features including SD card encryption, lost device disablement and anti-theft software.

Get solid protection: ThinkPad Tablet customers will have access to Lenovo’s full portfolio of enterprise-level services, such as ThinkPlus Support, which provides business customers direct access to advanced technicians with tablet and specific experience, and Tablet Protection, which gives business customers coverage for non-warranted damage from operational and structural damage due to drops, minor spills, electrical surges and other accidental damage incurred under normal operating conditions. In addition, Lenovo’s Imaging Services help save IT departments from having to do custom images for each machine, and ensures that even with flash images, the warranty is protected and the tablet is ready-to-go right out-of-the-box.

IdeaPad Tablet P1 with Windows 7 Does Double Duty in the Office and on the Couch

Lenovo’s 10.1” IdeaPad Tablet P1 with Microsoft Windows* 7 features a 1.5GHz Intel* processor so users can be more productive with Office* documents, or get creative with photos while on the move.

The IdeaPad Tablet P1 boasts a multitouch touchscreen display and optional stylus pen for added flexibility, easy access to Web content thanks to full Flash support and HD playback, and Microsoft Security Essentials for an extra layer of security.  At just 14.5mm thin and weighing less than 2lbs, the IdeaPad Tablet P1 with Windows 7 offers portability, power and versatility for the office, in the home and on-the-go.

Lenovo App Shop — Premium Ecosystem of Apps and Content Services

In addition to the hundreds of thousands of apps available in Android Market, IdeaPad Tablet K1 and ThinkPad Tablet users have access to apps in the Lenovo App Shop — a unique app marketplace, which features popular applications that have been tested specifically for Lenovo IdeaPad and ThinkPad Tablets. The Lenovo App Shop offers apps within a broad range of categories including music, movies, books, productivity, social networking, weather, printing and more.

The Lenovo App Shop will also support enterprise applications and a private corporate application store to help businesses more easily integrate tablets into their daily operations. In addition, Lenovo will offer country-specific applications, currency, and languages.

Pricing and Availability

The 32GB model IdeaPad Tablet K1 is priced at $499, and can be ordered in the U.S. starting July 20, 2011, through select business partners and retail stores nationwide, or online at www.lenovo.com/tablets.
The product will be generally available in the U.S. in August 2011 and generally available worldwide during the third quarter 2011.

The 16GB ThinkPad Tablet is priced at $479 without the digitizer pen, and at $509 including the digitizer pen, for Wi-Fi models. The 32GB ThinkPad Tablet (Wi-Fi model) with digitizer pen is $589. There is also an optional keyboard portfolio carrying case available for $99. At a later date, shortly after launch, ThinkPad Tablets with 3G will become available. ThinkPad Tablet can be ordered in the U.S. starting August 2, 2011, online at www.lenovo.com/tablets, or through business partners nationwide. The product will be generally available in the U.S. in August 2011 and generally available worldwide during the third quarter 2011.

The IdeaPad Tablet P1 will be available in the fourth quarter 2011.

All Lenovo tablets come with a one-year warranty. Lenovo also offers warranty upgrade options that can extend the IdeaPad product warranty for one additional year, and the ThinkPad Tablet for two additional years.

For the latest Lenovo news, subscribe to Lenovo RSS feeds or follow Lenovo on Twitter and Facebook.

I jumped at the chance of this review as the timing was perfect. I have been planning a multi room sound system for a while  and Sonos was top of my list. I am looking for a system that is always available (no PC servers required) and is quick and easy to use.

The system I reviewed consisted of a pair of Sonos S5 Zoneplayers along with a Sonos wireless bridge. The Sonos S5 is a wireless music player, with built in amplifier and speakers. All that you need to make them work is a music store (either a Network Attached Storage device, or a PC). All Sonos units are designed to work together to provide a multi room sound system.

First impressions of the S5 units are excellent. The build quality is solid and you feel that these units would take some wear and tear. I’m not sure if it was an intentional design feature but the subwoofer tube at the back of the S5 makes an excellent carrying handle. All units were well packaged, contained good documentation and all necessary software and leads.

The installation instructions provided are very clear. After installing the controller software and connecting the Sonos to my network it should have been a simple matter of pressing a couple of buttons on the unit to connect. Unfortunately this was not the case for me and the controller software did not detect the S5 or wireless bridge units. After searching through the excellent Sonos forums I read that a few people had problems using the controller software on 64 bit Windows 7. This seemed to be the problem as when I tried the same controller software on another PC (32 bit Windows 7) it worked first time. The Sonos website says that 64 bit Windows 7 is supported, but there seems to be some issues here they need to address.

Once the S5 was detected and the controller software was pointed to my music collection (on a Western Digital NAS drive in my case), the software happily scanned my music. I have put a lot of effort into tagging my MP3 collection and the Sonos did an excellent job of sorting my music by artist, album, genre… as you would expect from any music player. The system can be configured to rescan your library at any given time (ideally overnight).

So with everything set up I was ready to be blown away by the advertised “crystal-clear, room filling sound”.  The sound was certainly room-filling and I was able to crank to volume up to an intense level without any distortion. The sound quality of the S5 unit is not bad. Unfortunately for a unit costing as much as the S5 I’m not sure “not bad” is enough. I tested with a wide variety of music, and in all cases the sound seemed to have a slightly over-warm boomy quality. I wouldn’t go as far to say that the units sounded bad, just not “crystal-clear”. They certainly did not compare to a PC connected to a normal stereo amplifier playing music from exactly the same source. I asked for second and third opinions from friends and both agreed the S5 sound quality was average.

The Sonos system shows it’s strengths when more units are added to the mix. I changed the configuration by plugging the wireless bridge into my wired network, and then locating the S5 units at opposite ends of the house (with no wired network connection at all). On reconnecting the units the controller software recognised both S5 units and allowed me to name the “zones” according to the rooms they were in. Playing music is simply a matter of choosing the zone, some music and clicking play! The software makes it easy to play the same music to all zones or send different music to each. The wireless range of the units was faultless and I couldn’t find a location in the house that caused the wireless network a problem. The Sonos units use a custom wireless frequency, so shouldn’t cause any bandwidth issues with your own home wireless network.

One of the configurations that is supported is to use a pair of S5 units as a stereo pair, each being setup as a left/right channel. As I was beginning to expect this worked perfectly and was very straightforward to setup.

The supplied PC controller software is basic to say the least. The music is displayed using a tree structure and finding an album to play is quite a chore. To be fair, it’s unlikely that most people would use a PC to control the Sonos system music and using one of the other portable controllers is a much better option. Controller software is available for iPad, iPhone and Android phones. As far as I could determine, no Windows Phone version is available yet, although there is a third party app called Phonos, which was quite flaky and slow.

The iPad controller software connected first time and was intuitive and smooth. As you would expect with iPad software it also looks fantastic. The Android phone controller software also functions perfectly but, not having the screen size of the iPad, the user interface is a little squashed and awkward. Sonos actually produce their own hardware controller but this only has a 3.5 inch screen and costs more than an iPad (in New Zealand at least) so I’m not sure that this is a practical option.

The controller software supports internet music services such as Rhapsody, Napster and AUPEO. As these are not specific to Sonos I did not try them, but I did test the built in free radio stations and these worked well and played smoothly with no stuttering.

So the big question – am I still considering purchasing a Sonos S5? Sadly the answer is no, but I am definitely serious about buying one of the other Sonos Zone players. Their Zoneplayer 120 allows you to plug in your own speakers and control it using the same controller software. The near perfect interoperability of the Sonos components paired with an iPad could be pretty close to my perfect system.

Pros

• Solid build quality
• Excellent interoperability with other Sonos units, even better with a Sonos wireless bridge
• Easy to configure
• Custom wireless network takes the load of your own wireless network
• Very smooth iPad controller software
• Hardware and software integration which “just works”

Cons

• Issues with the controller software on 64 bit Windows 7  plus the PC controller is basic
• Average sound quality

You know the name. You know the products. Now let’s get to know the history and focus of the minds behind Seidio. We recently had the opportunity to be in contact with Seidio execs and asked them a set of questions to know just that. So, without further ado, here are the answers from Seidio to some of the questions that you too might have of the popular manufacturer of accessories for some of the most popular smart devices.

Describe the history and business structure of Seidio.

Seidio was founded in 2002 with the emphasis on creating much-needed accessories for Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).  The offerings included cases, styluses, screen guards and more.  As PDAs became integrated with cell phones and evolved into popular devices such as RIM BlackBerries and Palm Treos, Seidio saw the opportunity and developed a line of revolutionary rubberize-coated hard cases and matching holsters to protect these delicate investments.  Over the next several years, the smartphone market experienced exponential growth, and Seidio grew right along with it.  Innocell Extended Life Batteries were created to help power users get through the day, and Desktop Cradles and Innodocks kept the device synced and charged up.  Today, Seidio is a leading premium accessories company with among smartphones and tablets.  By offering accessories that works with one another, Seidio is able to develop smarter mobile accessories that cater to professional and causal users alike.

The mobile accessory market is a highly competitive one. What differentiates Seidio to make it standout amongst its competition? What is your target market?

Seidio stands out among others in the industry in a variety of ways. Our accessories work together like a system. For example – the Desktop Cradles are compatible with most of our cases, and extended batteries. While most people have to take off their case in order to charge their phone on docks, Seidio allows you to keep your phone protected when charging your phone. We provide this ease in usability and protection to create the highest value for our customers, hence our tagline “Smarter Mobile Accessories”. We also have full control over manufacturing with in-house manufacturing and are able to develop quality accessories and release to market quickly.

Our target market is professionals looking for premium quality accessories. We target technologically savvy high income working professionals looking for a durable, high quality product. We also have a large target market within the first responders, EMS community, Army men/women, police officers, trucking industry, etc. This is our current focus, but as our company expands, we will continue to add product lines that appeal to other markets.

Seidio’s latest line is the ACTIVE available for a range of smartphone and tablet devices. Explain the process involved in developing a new product.

In developing any products, Seidio looks first to customer feedbacks and market demands.  Our internal Marketing and Product Development Groups research exhaustively to address the needs and wants of device owners.  By combining that with nearly a decade of experience in production and extensive testing, Seidio is able to offer precision fitting products that enhance and protect your device.  Different from many others, product development doesn’t end when we ship out the products.  Seidio continuously gather feedbacks from numerous sources to ensure customer satisfaction and reacts quickly whenever attention is needed.

I have recently had the opportunity to test out ShareEye’s new iPhone 4 rugged case, it fits both Verizon and AT&T iPhone 4 and they also have a version for the iPhone 3GS.

In a quick summary, it is everything I need in a case.  It had a snug fit for my phone, no sliding around scratching the glass, an easy open front cover that allowed me access to the screen, and one thing I really appreciated; there was a rubber plug for each one of the holes that helps keep dirt and grime out.  And there are also cut-outs for the speakers, so you can still hear everything.  The screen is pretty transparent, which allowed me to see any notices I had without having to open it up every time.

For due diligence, what I got in the box:  A three-piece case, which is the main focus of this article, two screen protectors and a belt clip.

Putting the phone in the case was pretty self-explanatory.  The screen protector slides easily over the phone, and then you put the two of them into the top of the case together, and finally slide on the bottom of the case, which clips into the top, holding it all together.  Once you have your phone in the case, it will fit in the belt clip with the screen facing in or out. The clip revolves a full 360 degrees, which is one feature I like, as it allows me to carry the phone with the top of it pointing straight down, so when I remove it from the case to answer it, it is already the way it needs to be.  The case, itself is smooth plastic, which allowed it to slide into and out of my pocket with relative ease.

One drawback is that it adds some serious bulk to the phone in size, which makes wearing it on your belt difficult, and it pretty much fills up your pocket too.  Another issue is that due to the thickness of the case and screen protector, I found myself missing the keys that are on the edge.  The only other issue I found is similar to the issue I had with the screen, the hole for the silence switch is small, and I had to use my pinky finger to get to it.

This case retails for $49.95.  I think it is worth it, and if you need a case to help protect you from the bumps and bruises that life throws at you, this one will do it.

Visit SharkEye HERE

We have had the opportunity to review this powerful device courtesy to Lily and Louis, and LG New Zealand.

Before I begin, I wish to point out that our unit is quite possibly a pre production unit, and had been used for various reviews prior (there were imperfections).

The LG is a little ‘heavy’ but was very comfortable to hold even for a small handed person. Turn the phone on and you’re greeted by a beautiful WVGA screen, bright and crisp. Controlling the touchscreen is a breeze; it is light and responsive, and with 4.3-inches of real estate, there’s more than enough room to manoeuvre. It needs a little more firmness than the iPhone 4, for example, but it’s not massively noticeable.

The screen, although large, isn’t so wide that it’s difficult to control with one hand, although typing is noticably more comfortable with two.

The handset is running a standard version of Android 2.2, with multiple home screens and widgets as standard. Consequently the messaging inboxes, contacts and media player are all standard froyo.

Now to the 3D, which I am sure what you all are here for to find out.

LG has grouped all the LG Optimus 3D’s tri-dimensional content into one handy hub, accessed by the 3D button on the side of the handset. This includes a guide to 3D, to familiarize newcomers with what’s on offer.

There’s also a shortcut to 3D apps and games, which currently houses the three games available. One interesting thing is LG’s deal with YouTube, which sees users able to upload their 3D videos directly to YouTube using the hub.

The background may have been spectacular, but the foreground was a little bit trickier. There’s a definite sweet spot directly in front the face and if you mediate from here you end up with quite a bit of fuzz and loss of the 3D effect.

Displaying an undoubtedly impressive 3D image when you hold the phone in the right place, it is a real shame that the LG makes your eye water rather quickly. There’s no way anyone be able to play an entire game or watch a full movie with aching eyes, which defeats the purpose of the 3D display.

We found the camera on the 7Q was a bit better with how they were positioned, instead of the 3D launcher where the button on the 3D is utilised for. If you’re not careful, you can slightly shake your phone and you will take a pretty average picture out of the 5MP camera.

The camera also records 1080p HD video – the quality is hard to judge on just the handset screen, but it certainly looked crisp and the colour quality felt natural.

There is an HDMI port for connecting the handset to a larger screen though; it can also output 3D video to a 3D TV, if you’ve invested in one (although 3D content will be 720p HD).

The Negatives:

As mentioned this device is a demo, pre production unit that has been handled by various testers and media personnel. We find the device to hang at various activities, to the point that I need to pull the battery out and put it in again.

In conclusion:

This phone is definitely worth all the hype of a 3D device without glasses, however I would not recommend using it to play games all day long. If you are not wearing any glasses, no doubt you will soon require one.

The device is excellent, and definitely a contender for top spot. It has no competition in the market until the HTC Evo 4G 3D (a mouthful) comes out.

I am not a huge believer in statistics provided by market research firms. However, there is a recent article which mentioned something I never thought would be possible at this stage or in the near future. This is the article I was referring to, with a catchy title of “Android ‘clear smartphone leader’“. I didn’t read the article then, and I still have not read it to this day. Recent events got me thinking about the title and what it actually means, and how I think it can actually be true!

My daily phone is still the HTC Desire, which I am mostly happy with. In the past month or so it developed a problem with its USB connectivity, and finally I had to send it back to the UK for inspection and repairs as it is still under warranty. In a stroke of luck Huawei and Burson Marsteller handed us an Ideos X5 to review. Knowing that the unit has to be returned after a week I bought a cheap Huawei U8150 Ideos as a backup phone. Now I have nearly a “full range” of Android phones, from the HTC Desire at the top, followed by the Ideos X5 in the middle, and U8150 at the bottom.

The main differences in specification can be summarised as:

These points are those that matter to me in the total of 3 weeks using the 3 devices. The price of each device is half of the previous one as you walk down the performance range. The Ideos X5 impressed me very much in general day-to-day usage, performing well with only minor lags compared to the HTC Desire. The main complaint I have is the camera. While it has the same resolution as the HTC Desire it produced lower quality images. Screen quality is also lower but this was to be expected compared to my AMOLED HTC Desire. I have never seen the SLCD model and cannot comment on quality. One thing that bugged me was not having a trackpad/ball or arrow keys to navigate around bodies of text. It nearly drove me insane trying to work out how to edit emails and other messages.

Having returned the Ideos X5 I went and bought myself the Huawei U8150 while waiting for the HTC Desire to return from the UK. It took some time (less than a day) for me to get used to the small screen size. Once that’s overcome the lags were not such a big deal. I easily got used to the lags and screen quality by remembering how much this unit cost – NZ$189! Keeping the cost in mind I was thoroughly impressed by the device.

Having used these three devices made me think of “how the others live”. There are others in my office who use various smartphones, ranging from high-end Android devices, to various Windows Mobile versions, and the ubiquitous iPhone. In my view the U8150 is by far the most feature rich and easiest to use compared to any Windows Mobile devices I have seen around the office. The ease in which I could hook up my corporate MS Exchange account was surreal compared to the hassles my colleagues have had with their WinMo devices. Capacitive screen? At sub-NZ$200 cost? Unbelievable! If you’re willing to spend an extra couple of hundred bucks you can easily go up to the Ideos X5 and be happy with its performance. However, these days secondhand HTC Desire units can be had at very reasonable price, comparable to a brand new Ideos X5.

All in all, for those looking for an introduction into the smartphone world there is no excuse not to start now. While it is trendy to have an iPhone it may not be within your budget. Get yourself a cheaper mid-range Android device, use it for a year or so, and you can then decide what to move up to. With the range of Android devices out in the market I can see the platform gaining a dominant chunk of the smartphone market.

Auckland, NEW ZEALAND – 14 June 2011. Toshiba (New Zealand) Pty Limited today confirmed the details of its up-coming Tablet product which is set to launch in New Zealand at the end of June.

“The new Toshiba Tablet (AT100) offers a number of stand-out features to give consumers the ultimate choice in connected convenience and importantly offers more features than other similar products in the market,” said Mark Whittard, Toshiba (ANZ) Pty Limited, Managing Director.
Powered by NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 and AndroidTM 3.0 “Honeycomb”, the Toshiba Tablet features a 10.1” diagonal High Definition multi touch, LED backlit widescreen screen (1280 x800), allowing consumers to connect, browse and enjoy videos, movies, games, photos and more, through a crisp image experience.

“The Toshiba Tablet provides a range of choices.  Users can customise the way their Tablet looks with a number of stylish removable back covers.  They can also easily watch movies on a big screen tv through the full size HDMI port and also view photos by simply placing their SD card straight from their camera to the Toshiba Tablet.  Importantly the removable back cover allows easy battery replacement for extra battery life when required,” Mr Whittard said.

Designed for easy connectivity and continuity with other digital devices, the Toshiba Tablet features a robust collection of familiar, full-size ports, including USB 2.0, HDMI® and an SD Card slot, giving consumers the ability to easily sync and share their content with other devices.

Pre-loaded software includes Toshiba Media Player which enables streaming of music and videos to a DLNA wi-fi enabled TV.  Also included is Toshiba’s Resolution+ technology that enhances videos by up scaling and increasing the resolution of the original source to make for a clearer image.

The Toshiba Tablet is equipped with a pair of high-resolution cameras, including a 2MP front-facing webcam and 5MP rear-facing camera. Stereo speakers tuned with sound enhancement technologies from Toshiba and SRS® Labs deliver more natural sound and enhanced clarity for entertainment and video calls.

The Toshiba Tablet will be available for Available for $799 RRP (inc GST).

Accessories

A range of stylish, interchangeable coloured back covers sporting a slip-resistant, Easy Grip pattern will be available in Silver Sky, Blue Moon, Green Apple, Rasberry Fusion and Lavender Bliss colours. Available from participating retailers for $39.95 RRP (inc GST).

The removable battery pack offers further flexibility with a 6 cell battery (approx 8 hours battery life) available for $110.00 RRP (inc GST).

Also available is the Toshiba Multi Dock with HDMI – perfect for movie watching, web surfing or enjoying HD content.  The dock includes a full-size HDMI port for connecting to an HD TV or LCD monitor, two USSB 2.0 ports for connecting a key board or external hard drive and a 3.5mm stereo audio port to take advantage of external speakers or headphones.   The Dock makes it simple to securely store and charge the Toshiba Tablet using the AC adaptor that is included with the Tablet.  Available for $129.00 RRP (inc GST).

The stylish Portfolio case is designed specifically for easy access to ports and features a durable hard shell construction for additional protection.  The case also transforms with an adjustable stand for the tablet allowing you to adjust the tablet to the perfect viewing angle.  Available for $69.00 RRP (inc GST).

We mentioned back in March Powerskin’s great new line of smartphone extended battery cases for a wide range of devices and are excited to hear news that they now offer cases for the iPhone 4. Packed with an additional 2000mAh of juice providing up to 8 additional hours of life, you’re also getting peace mind that your device is safely protected with a quality shock-absorbing silicone case. Currently available for the HTC EVO, Droid X and X2, Samsung Galaxy, Samsung Vibrant, HTC HD7, and myTouch 4G, Powerskin already has plans to release cases for the Samsung Nexus S, BlackBerrys, HTC Thunderbolt, HTC Inspire and more.

Features included in all PowerSkin cases:

• Outfitted with impact-resistant silicone rubber
• One piece tough case featuring a non-slip grip for ultimate protection
• Patented XPAL Powered™ battery technology that provides twice the power, extending phone life up to 8 hours for the iPhone 4
• 100% recycled case (except for the battery and internal components)
• Micro USB recharge port
• LED battery status lights that indicate exactly how much power remains
• On/off button

PowerSkins for the iPhone 4 are available for $79.99 on www.Power-Skin.com as well as online and brick and mortar retailers.

Global warming or a natural cycle to the Earth’s climate patterns. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Regardless of the explanation, it is becoming more and more evident that weather patterns are changing and we are evidencing more extreme weather systems more frequently. The key to keeping one’s self and loved ones safe is early warning and Oregon Scientific is bringing that to a personal level with its Public Alert Radio system. By monitoring U.S. Emergency All Hazards and Emergency Alert System (EAS) as well as National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association (NOAA) reports, Oregon Scientific’s Public Alert Radio system provides advanced warning and up-to-date details on developing and current emergency advisories effecting ones area.

Portable and rechargeable, Oregon Scientific’s Public Alert Radio system also comes with a Lifeline First Aid Emergency Kit, providing essential survival supplies in the event that one is faced with imminent extreme weather systems or other natural disaster. For peace of mind and advanced warning of inclement weather, Oregon Scientific’s Public Alert Radio system if your answer. Check out the following for full features:

Emergency Public Alert Radio features:

• Monitors U.S. Emergency All Hazards, and Emergency Alert System (EAS) weather bulletins, warnings, & forecasts
• Receives all National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association (NOAA) reports, which provides all available emergency advisories on tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, floods, evacuations, civil danger warnings & more
• Flexible programming – select Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) broadcasts in up to 9 different locations
• Manual and Automatic Channel Select
• 3 levels of messages: Statement, Watch, Warning, and Test in English, French, or Spanish
• Signal Strength Icon with Signal Loss Reminder
• Clock with alarm
• Programs up to 9 FIPS codes
• Modes for both home and travel use
• Includes rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack, belt clip, and charging dock

We last posted of Ballistic with the announcement of their SG™ (Shell Gel™) case for the iPhone 4 and are excited to hear of their new expanded line with both SG™ and HC™ (Hard Core™) cases now available to even more smartphones. The Ballistic HC™ case is now available for the Motorola Atrix, HTC Incredible 2, HTC Thunderbolt and Samsung Infuse 4G and the SG™ case covering the Blackberry Bold 2, HTC Incredible 2, HTC Thunderbolt, Motorola Atrix and Samsung Infuse 4G. Meeting military specifications for shock and impact protection, the HC™ case provides an amazing 5 layer protection system with the SG™ case providing a not to be scoffed at more slim form factor 3 layer protection.

The Ballistic Hard Core and Shell Gel cases for the Samsung Infuse are available now at AT&T retail locations as well as www.goballisticcase.com, The Ballistic Shell Gel for the Blackberry Bold, HTC Thunderbolt, HTC Incredible 2, and Motorola Atrix is available at www.goballisticcase.com as well as various retailers and e-tailers nationwide. The Ballistic Hard Core for the HTC Thunderbolt, HTC Incredible 2, and Motorola Atrix will be available in June at www.goballisticcase.com as well as various retailers and e-tailers nationwide.  The MSRP for Ballistic Shell Gel (SG) is $34.99 and $49.99 for the Ballistic Hard Core (HC).

About Ballistic
The Ballistic® brand was realized 6 years ago when the owner was getting out of his car and his phone fell, cracking the screen.  He believed there had to be a way to offer consumers a high level of protection in a case that still looked good.

The Ballistic engineers designed private label holsters and belt clips that simply would not break. During this time, the company made millions of OEM branded holsters and belt clips.

We think everyone will drop their phone.  We say, “Just Drop It!”–as long as you are using a Ballistic case.  Ballistic cases are Designed to Survive Life!™