Tablets

If you are on Twitter, you most likely read about the death of Steve Jobs in the numerous tweets that seemed to take over the service for hours. You may have also noticed, or have even taken part in, sending a tweet with nothing more than an Apple logo icon, as a miniature tribute to the greatest visionary of our time.

Read on to find out how to get the Apple logo icon on your iOS device, as well as some other special characters that iOS and Emoji don't provide. … Read more

Android has found yet another way to run on HP's TouchPad, courtesy of a Chinese developer.

A developer dubbed Chomper has created a test version of a WebOS application package, or IPK file, containing Android. Installed on an HP TouchPad, the IPK file lets TouchPad owners essentially run Google's mobile OS as its own app.

TouchPad users daring enough to try it out can download the IPK from a Chinese Web site (Google Translate version) linked by a poster at a forum hosted by tech site PreCentral.

Installed this way, Android appears to run fairly smoothly, according to … Read more

MAKUHARI, Japan--Toshiba has underlined its commitment to boosting its tablet business with a 10.1-inch Android slate it calls the thinnest and lightest in the world.

People are lining up here at Ceatec 2011 outside of Tokyo to check out the Regza AT700, which runs on Android 3.2, is 7.7mm (0.3 inches) thick, and weighs 558 grams (1.23 pounds).

Toshiba also announced a 7-inch version, the AT3S0, at 12.1mm thick and weighing 379 grams (0.83 pound).

Like the company's Thrive tabs, the AT700 and AT3S0 run version 3.2 of Android, have 1GB of memory, 1,280x800-pixel resolution, and Resolution+ upscaling technology to improve low-resolution video. … Read more

T-Mobile's fall roadmap landed online earlier this week, tipping the carrier's device plans for October and November. Judging by the look of things, T-Mobile is betting heavily on Android for smartphones and tablets as the fourth quarter gets underway.

Two of the handsets listed, the HTC Amaze 4G and Samsung Galaxy S II, were recently announced by T-Mobile and will be available on October 12. According to the roadmap, there will be a third smartphone arriving a few days later on October 19 in the form of a Huawei "Wayne." Considering the $99 price (with contract), … Read more

When you can't make it home for every episode, or two shows you like are on at the same time, digital recorders can catch every moment for later viewing. However, if you're watching a lot of shows, it's hard to keep track of what's airing each night. So how about an easier way to see what shows are coming up and which ones are already in your queue for watching? Here's how to turn your Google Calendar or Reader into a personal TV guide:

Getting started

Step 1: Create an account at TVRage.com and … Read more

The time has finally come, and iOS 5 will be available to the general public October 12. During the last four months, we have been covering some of the key features of iOS 5 to ensure we were prepared to help you on the first day of iOS 5's release. Below you will find 15 tips and tricks to help you master iOS 5, and maybe even allow you to show off a bit to your friends. … Read more

Get another inside look at the action in the CNET Labs, as we demo a new Samsung touch-screen all-in-one, check out HP's new ultraportable, and pit two iPad arcade sticks against each other in a hands-on shootout.

… Read more

The Kindle Fire outsold the other three new Kindles combined despite the higher price for the Fire, according to a market research firm.

Kindle Fire sales hit an estimated 95,000 units in the first day of sales, according to eDataSource, a marketing research firm that tracks orders via e-mail confirmations of orders placed. The projected numbers are based solely on orders placed with Amazon's Web site, according to Carter Nicholas, CEO of eDataSource, which released the report on Friday. eDataSource tracks 800,000 inboxes, according to Nicholas.

The Kindle Fire launched last week at $199 and was made available for preorder immediately on the Amazon Web site. Shipments will start in November.

Along with the Fire, Amazon announced three other new Kindles, with prices of $79 for the new Kindle, $99 for the new Kindle Touch, and $149 for the Kindle Touch 3G. But those models combined still did not outsell the Fire, according to eDataSource, which estimates that sales of the other new Kindle units totaled approximately 25,000 units during the same period.

Alas, the Fire and the other Kindles can't hold a candle to sales of the original iPad. Apple reported that 300,000 were sold on the first date of sales in April 2010. … Read more

Barnes & Noble is now selling its Nook Color and Nook Simple Touch Reader at Target stores, the company announced today.

The devices hit Target store shelves yesterday, Barnes & Noble said. The Nook Color, which comes with Android and a 7-inch display, retails for $249. The 6-inch, e-ink-equipped Nook Simple Touch Reader sells for $139.

As a new retail partner for Barnes & Noble, Target joins other companies that currently sell the book retailer's devices, including Best Buy, Office Max, and Wal-Mart, in addition to Barnes & Noble's own stores.