ipad

June was cruel to the iPad, which saw its tablet competition grow fearsome.

Microsoft showed off its Surface tablet, which is aimed squarely at stealing iPad lovers away with the lure of its keyboard case (though without pricing, launch date, or any real details, it's hard to know if the iPad has anything to fear). Not to be left behind, Google took the wraps off its much-rumored and ballyhooed 7-inch Nexus Tablet. All that excitement was enough to wake the dead; in this case, it reanimated the iPad Mini rumor, which had been laid to rest.

Not anymore! Analysts … Read more

On the heels of Google's $199 Nexus 7, Pacific Crest analyst Andy Hargreaves is predicting that Apple will introduce a 7.85-inch iPad in October:

"We anticipate an entry-level 7.85" iPad with 8GB of NAND capacity to price at $299 with an initial gross margin of 31%. We estimate Apple will sell 10.0 million 7.85" iPads in FQ1 (Dec. 2012) and 35.2 million in all of F2013. Based on estimated component order volume, we believe our iPad mini unit estimates are well within Apple's production capacity. We anticipate 25% cannibalization of … Read more

Popular streaming radio service Slacker Radio today launched a new category of stations that offers a different sort of listening experience to its users: lifestyle. Debuting as part of a partnership between Slacker and ABC Radio, the new stations offer curated talk radio content that includes advice and other stories dealing with the lifestyle interests of both men and women.

For now, Slacker's new lifestyle stations come in two flavors: Men's Life and Women's Life, with much of the content coming from sources like Esquire, Car & Driver, Consumer Reports, Popular Mechanics, Complex Magazine, and GQ. The … Read more

The U.S. International Trade Commission today said that it will revisit an earlier ruling it made in a case between Google-owned Motorola Mobility and Apple over allegations of patent infringement.

In April, ITC administrative law judge Thomas Pender issued an initial determination in the case, which Motorola filed in 2010, saying Apple was violating one of four Motorola Mobility patents covering 3G wireless technology.

As relayed by Reuters, the ITC now says (pdf) it will revisit that decision.

"Having examined the record of this investigation, including the ALJ's final ID (Initial Determination), the petitions for review, and … Read more

I just came across Crimson's Pocket-eAzl, and while it isn't brand-new to the market (it's been out a few months), I thought I should give it a quick shout-out because it seems pretty nifty.

There isn't much to describe here because it's just an adjustable stand for your tablet or e-reader that folds up into a compact form factor that's pocket-friendly.

It comes in silver, black, or pink and retails for $39.95. Check out the video below.

Microsoft's much talked about Surface tablet may be Wi-Fi only, according to Bloomberg.

The news agency reports that people familiar with the tablet's specs say the device will go on sale without any mobile-phone network connection, but will come with a short-range Wi-Fi connection. This could change in later models.

Surface will be running Microsoft's next-generation Windows operating system and marks the company's first foray into the ever-expanding tablet market. Though the software giant has unveiled Surface, it has yet to release all the details on the specifications.

It used to be that people went to restaurants so they could disconnect from their smartphones. But increasingly, eateries are introducing table-top technology that lets you order, pay the check, play games, and scan news headlines.

Chevy's Fresh Mex restaurants, for example, have installed "Ziosks" at about a dozen locations. Ziosks are interactive computer screens where diners can see pictures of entrees, order items, and pay the bill, all sans waiter.

There is a gee-whiz factor about these gadgety dinner guests, but during a recent lunch rush at a San Francisco-based Chevy's, many customers were reluctant … Read more

The folks from Lifeproof stopped by our office in New York and gave us a peek at some upcoming products, including new colors for its fast-selling $80 waterproof iPhone 4/4S case, a flotation accessory, and its much-anticipated waterproof iPad case, which is due to arrive in August and will fit both the iPad 2 and third-generation iPad.

The new iPhone cases are due to arrive in the next few weeks, though the orange and lime green cases (on the right) will be delayed a bit. The new cases will retail for the same price as the current Lifeproof cases (… Read more

The June tablet cavalcade will continue with a Google Nexus device, say Asia-based reports.

In the wake of Computex and today's Microsoft Surface announcements, June is turning out to be a hot month for new tablets.

And now it's Google's turn. The 7-inch Nexus tablet, jointly developed with Asus, will be unveiled at Google I/O, which starts on June 27, according to a report from Taipei-based Digitimes. An earlier rumor made a similar claim.

Other specifics include Wi-Fi-only connectivity and no rear camera, due to its low $199 price, the report said. (There is a front … Read more