Tablets

Sprint today announced the availability of two McAfee security apps for select Android smartphones and tablets. Now in the Sprint Zone in the Android Market, the McAfee Mobile Security and McAfee Family Protection Android Edition promise additional virus protection, parental controls, and the ability to secure information on lost or stolen devices.

McAfee Mobile Security will support both smartphones and tablets. You can get a free trial for seven days, but you'll need to get a $29.99 yearly subscription after that. Features on the app include device location and tracking, backup and restore for contacts and data, remote … Read more

Honeycomb tablet and iPad users are in for a new Google News experience, as Google took to its news blog last night to announce a number of tablet-optimized enhancements to the popular news Web site.

Google News now features a slightly modified UI with colors and buttons that fall closely in line with other recent changes to the tablet user experience. The news site also renders well in both landscape and portrait orientations, taking full advantage of available screen space without feeling cluttered.

Additional features include support for finger swiping across images when viewing the multimedia strip in the expanded … Read more

Logitech is putting a new spin on its Zagg wireless keyboard case by offering a version made specifically for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. The handy case/keyboard combo is currently available for preorder, and is due out in September for $99.

I've had some hands-on time with the case and can safely say that it is more than just a reshaped version of the iPad 2 case. There are more than a few shortcut keys that are specific to the Google Android Honeycomb OS. Across the top you'll find buttons for cut, paste, voice command, e-mail, and more.

Like the iPad 2 version, though, the case can be used as a stand to prop up your tablet in either portrait or landscape orientation. The keyboard works wirelessly over Bluetooth and recharges an internal battery over Micro-USB. To really get that mobile office experience, Logitech also offers an Android tablet Bluetooth mouse.

If you're a Tab 10.1 fan with some serious typing to do, I definitely recommend giving this a try. It's not as broadly practical as a generic Bluetooth keyboard, but the dedicated Android keys and the added advantage of protecting your tablet screen make it a great solution. … Read more

Google is reportedly in a hurry to unfreeze Ice Cream Sandwich.

The company is hoping to take away a little heat from Apple by trying to roll out its next of version Android before the iPhone 5 debuts, says AppleInsider.

Dubbed Ice Cream Sandwich, the next flavor of Android was initially slated to appear toward the end of the year. But Google has apparently been working hard to push up the launch date, with the first devices aiming to reach consumers as early as October, according to Boy Genius Report.

Citing information from a "source with knowledge of Google'… Read more

This week: Toshiba's glasses-free 3D laptop has gone from prototype to release in record time; we pick our favorite back-to-school systems; and the World Wide Web hits 20 years old. The gang ponders the recent success of Xbox Live games such as Fruit Ninja Kinect and Bastion, and we take an informal poll on Google Plus and Spotify use.

Special guests this week are TJ Allard and Josh Goldman. You may remember TJ as one of Dan's co-panelists on the cult favorite video game shows Play Value and Best Game Ever. Check out some old Play Value episodes on YouTube, and we've embedded one below for kicks.

Bonus: Download the show's jaunty theme song as a free MP3 here.

… Read more

Apple has filed a complaint with the European Union over the design of the Motorola Xoom, FOSS Patents is reporting.

According to the blog, Apple's complaint against Samsung, which was filed in German court, includes mention of a complaint that Apple filed against Motorola. Exactly when Apple filed the complaint with the EU is unknown, but FOSS's Florian Mueller said that it could have happened either before or at the same time Apple took aim at Samsung.

The Android-based Motorola Xoom comes with a 10.1-inch display, and users can choosef Wi-Fi-only or Wi-Fi-and-3G connectivity. The device retails … Read more

Benchmarking apps are useful for measuring the performance of your device and comparing the scores with similar devices. They test the performance of processors, graphics systems, Web browsing, and more. Here are five benchmarking apps for Android devices that you can use to see how your device measures up:

Quadrant Standard Edition Quadrant Standard Edition tests CPU, I/O, and 3D graphics. After running through the tests, you're required to submit the score to the company's servers in order to see the results. The bar chart shows your overall score and compares it with other devices.

Linpack Linpack … Read more

Maybe you just need to see how a download is progressing, or maybe you need to kill a process that's eating your network alive. If you're on-site, it's easy, but if you're working remotely, you need a solution. PC Monitor lets you check in with and exert control over your Windows or Linux machine from almost any smartphone. Here's how to get started with it: 

Subscribers to major newspapers such as the Chicago Tribune and Orlando Sentinel may soon find themselves reading their daily rag on an Android tablet. New reports have surfaced that indicate news publisher Tribune Co. is working in conjunction with Samsung to release a tablet with apps and services that feature the regional newspapers.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, several current and former Tribune employees provided details of the plans. According to the sources, readers can receive a free or highly subsidized tablet in exchange for longer term commitments and a data plan with a wireless provider.

The tablets are … Read more