Sony Xperia Tablet Z shortreview

Sony Xperia Tablet Z: Size and build

The Android -toting Sony Xperia Tablet Z weighs in a just 495g, compared to the 660g iPad 4 and the 597g Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. We were genuinely surprised when we first got our hands on the tablet - it really is amazingly light and easy to hold in one hand.

Both the design and build quality are similar to that of the Sony Xperia Z smartphone, with the tablet sporting a similarly slimline design, measuring just 6.9mm in depth.

The back of the tablet is crafted from a glass reinforced polymer, which means that it has a nice grippy texture as well as being extremely light.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z: Features

Like the Xperia Z phone, the new tablet is waterproof up to 1m for up to 30 minutes, handy for using in the kitchen without having to worry about any spillages. Although you can't actually operate the screen while it's completely submerged, you can use it when the screen is wet or you have wet hands.

The tablet features a similar UI to the Sony Xperia Z phone - a design experience that Sony is trying to use across all of its connected product, including TVs.

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor, clocking in at 1.5GHz, the Xperia Tablet Z is the first tab to use this particular chip, which also appears on the Xperia Z smartphone.

There'll be 16, 32 and 64GB models available with the 32GB version offering LTE/4G and there's also a micro SD slot on board for boosting the storage.

Connections include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and DLNA so there are plenty of options on board for hooking up to other kit around the house. The tablet can also be used as a universal remote for TVs, thanks to the onboard IR tech and an app that works with all the AV brands you could possibly think of and more besides.

The tablet is currently running Android 4.1, but an upgrade to Jelly Bean is due in the not too distant future.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z: Screen

The tablet's 10.1-inch scren sports a 1920x1200-pixel resolutionThe According to Sony, the new tablet has the widest colour spectrum of any tablet, while the brand's Mobile Bravia Engine 2 processing has been used to intelligently adjust the contrast and sharpness.

There are four speakers on the tablet, two on the sides and two on the bottom edge. The idea is that at least two of the speakers remain uncovered at any one time, whether you're holding the tab in your hands on resting it in a case.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z: Camera

Along with a front-facing 2MP camera, the Xperia Tablet Z sports a rear-facing 8MP camera. The camera uses a similar UI to that used on Sony's CyberShot cameras, including the Superior Auto mode. Along with all the usual arty effects, the snappers also offers Sweep Panorama as well a 10fps burst mode.

for complete see source

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Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Apple iPhone 5

After months of rumors, Samsung finally took the wraps off its next-generation Galaxy S4 at a huge press event at Radio City Music Hall in New York last night. That location was no coincidence. From its 1.9-GHz quad-core processor to its 13-megapixel camera, the Galaxy S4 is an almost theatrically overblown phone, stuffed to the plastic casing with hardware and features.
But is it good enough to lure Apple fanboys and girls over to Android? We've stacked up specs for the GS4 side by side against the iPhone 5 to help determine which phone is right for you. Comparing Android to iOS is a little like comparing apples to oranges, but as you can see from the specs, it's a pretty close call everywhere else.
When you look at the phones next to one another, one thing's for certain: the Galaxy S4 is a heck of a lot bigger. With a huge 5-inch screen, the Galaxy S4 technically meets our size requirements for a phablet, which we use to describe phones with screen sizes ranging from 5.0 to 6.9 inches. That means it's probably not as comfortable to hold and use the GS4 as it is the 4-inch iPhone 5, especially if you have smaller hands.

Name	Samsung Galaxy S4	Apple iPhone 5 (AT&T)
Dimensions	5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 inches	4.9 x 2.3 x 0.3 inches
Weight	4.59 oz	4 oz
Operating System as Tested	Android 4.2.2	iOS
Total Integrated Storage	16, 32, or 64 GB	16, 32, or 64 GB
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 Quad-Core	Apple A6
Processor Speed	1.9 GHz	1 GHz
Screen Size	5 inches	4 inches
Screen Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels	1136 x 640 pixels
Screen Type	Super AMOLED HD	Retina
Screen Pixels Per Inch	441 ppi	326 ppi
Camera Resolution	13 MP Rear; 2 MP Front-Facing	8 MP Rear; 1.2 MP Front-Facing
Video Camera Resolution	1080p Rear; 1080p Front-Facing	1080p Rear; 720p Front-Facing
802.11x/Band(s)	802.11 b/g/n/ac	802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth Version	4	4
GPS	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	No
microSD Slot	Yes	No
Battery Life (As Tested)		8 hours 40 minutes

But for those who think bigger is better, the Galaxy S4's monster screen is a step up from its predecessor in terms of size and resolution. Coming in at a full 1,920-by-1080 pixels, the GS4's Super AMOLED panel is rich and bright. At 441 pixels per inch, it's also a good deal denser than the iPhone 5's Retina display, which has 326 pixels per inch. On the other hand, Samsung's PenTile pixel arrangement can make things look a little fuzzy, which is sure to turn some people off.

Other specs are more difficult to compare. Qualcomm just confirmed the GS4 will be using its new Snapdragon 600 processor. We got a chance test it at MWC, but can't yet say how it stacks up against Apple's A6 in the iPhone 5. And the GS4's 13-megapixel camera has lots of crazy features, like the ability to record from both the front and rear cameras at the same time. But recent experience with phones like the LG Optimus G for Sprint has shown us that more megapixels don't necessarily equal better images. The iPhone 5 remains one of our favorite camera phones, so it'll be interesting to see how the GS4 compares.

The biggest difference is that the Galaxy S4 uses the latest version of Android (4.2.2; Jelly Bean), while the iPhone 5 uses iOS 6.1.2. iOS is an easier operating system to learn and use, especially for beginners, and the Apple App Store is still unsurpassed in terms of number of apps available and quality. But the Google Play store is nipping at its heels, and Android features a much more customizable interface for advanced users, which lets you configure your phone exactly how you want it.

There's still no price or release date for the Galaxy S4, but it will be available on all four major U.S. Carriers, as well as Cricket and U.S. Cellular. That means it'll be easier to get than the iPhone 5. But only time will tell if it will be better. For much review see source

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Amazon Kindle Fire HD shortreview

Plus

• Sharp, warm screen
• Unmatched media library
• Highly streamlined UI

Minus

• Online stores are sluggish
• Lack of core tablet functionality
• Poor app store

Starting from just £159, and offering a 7-inch HD display and a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU, the Amazon Kindle Fire HD appears to offer great value for money.

But it also needs to offer a stand-alone tablet experience that's capable of matching - or even surpassing - its illustrious rivals.


The Amazon Kindle Fire HD certainly matches the Nexus 7 in terms of price and raw hardware, and it comfortably trumps the iPad mini on price and screen resolution.
But, as we've come to realise, Apple's dominance in the tablet market has been built on strong design, coupled with a peerless content ecosystem and a super-slick UI.

The Amazon Kindle Fire HD may be cheap, but ultimately it will still need to embrace all three of these key elements if it's to succeed.
If you still think of Amazon Kindles as those little monochrome holiday companions, then you should know that the Amazon Kindle Fire HD is a completely different beast.
Rather than focusing on the very specific job of downloading and reading electronic books, this is an all-purpose tablet that acts as a window onto Amazon's wider multimedia world - films, music, apps and games are all included in the Kindle Fire HD's remit.
With that in mind, the Amazon Kindle Fire HD is a much simpler, purer design than the original Kindle.
The emphasis here is on the screen first and foremost, with the only hardware controls coming in the shape of some weedy and difficult-to-locate volume and power buttons on top of the device, right alongside its 3.5mm headphone jack.

The lack of a fixed home key adds to that minimalistic vibe (we'll discuss the effect that has on usability later). The only detail on the front of the device is a 1.3-megapixel camera for video calls - there's no rear-mounted camera here.
Despite that impossibly cheap price point, the Amazon Kindle Fire HD doesn't feel like a cheap device. It's solid in the hand, with none of the creak you find in many budget Android tablets.
There's a nice contrast between the Amazon Kindle Fire HD's smooth, glass front and its grippy matte back. It's quietly pleasing from a tactile perspective, even though it lacks the sheer machined precision and premium feel of Apple's tablets.
for complete see source 

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Microsoft Surface RT shortreview

For

• Excellent keyboards
• Useful kick-stand
• Great for Windows 8
• Stylish look and premium feel

Against

• Poor selection of apps
• Standard display
• Heavier than iPad 4
• Sluggish graphical performance

But there's no danger of Surface being branded as a clone of rival 10-inch tablets.

It boasts a distinctive design, helped by those unmistakable keyboard covers, enjoys a 10.6-inch widescreen display, and runs a version of the most popular operating system on the planet. But there's a crippling caveat which might be its undoing.

Windows RT won't run old PC programs, so any trip to the internet to download legacy programs such as VLC Player, or even big-name offerings like Photoshop Elements, just won't work. For that you need Surface Pro, or any Windows 8 device featuring an Intel processor.

It has the potential to cause mass confusion and the power to sink Microsoft's figurehead before it's even taken off.

On picking up the Surface one single sentiment falls from the mouth of every man, woman or child without fail: "It's thicker than I thought."

That is factually nonsense. At 9.4mm thick, it's exactly the same thickness as the iPad 4, except that instead of masking its true girth with tapered edges, Surface's design looks as if it's been chiseled from a slab of slate.

It's square and boxy, but fresh looking and the magnesium 'VaporMg' coating gives it a cool finish.

At 690g Microsoft Surface is noticeably heavier than its rivals. The iPad 4 weighs 650g due to shedding an inch of screen, but Surface feels richer for the extra space.

The 16:9 screen is suited to Windows, it enables you to multitask apps and 'snap' them literally side by side. It feels like you're using a laptop and that's a big leap towards a genuine hybrid experience.

Of course, the rear kickstand is an iconic part of Surface. It's also made of metal, and does a good job of propping up your tablet - to an angle of 22 degrees - even when on your lap.

However, we'd have liked it to be more adjustable – at the moment it has just one position – and a button release would also be handy as you need nimble fingers to pull out the stand.

It's also larger than the iPad - the screen is a 10.6-inch 1366x768 IPS panel, which falls short of the full HD displays of the Sony VAIO Duo 11 and Asus Taichi, but still looks clear and crisp.

It's not going to win any awards for screen vibrancy, and certainly never going to challenge Retina, but it's good enough - and helps Microsoft keep the price down to a reasonable level.

A keyboard-less 32GB Surface costs £399, the same as an iPad 4 with half the storage.

Under the hood is an Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, with the ARM technology that drives this new Windows RT operating system. It's the same you'll find in high flying Android tablets such as the Asus Transformer Prime and Google Nexus 7. There's also 2GB of RAM.

We'd love to say that it walked through every task that we threw at it, but in all honesty, we feel that Tegra struggles in Windows.

The system felt responsive to navigate but apps lingered on their splash screens for uncomfortable periods, seconds longer than they should.

There was no jerkiness or hangs, just a lethargy that frustrates when you're in a hurry.

We tested the 64GB Microsoft Surface, which offers plenty of storage, and even a Micro SDSX port hidden under the kickstand, which enables you to boost storage by another 64GB.

That makes Surface a great deal when you consider that you can get nearly 100GB of storage for the same price as the 16GB iPad. That's also not including the USB port for connecting USB storage, as well as traditional Windows peripherals.

Being able to plug in a memory stick in is especially refreshing, and makes Surface a genuine alternative to the iPad.

There's currently no 3G option for Surface, and with no dongles compatible with Windows RT at present, that's not an option right now.

Of course, one of the headline features is the Touch Cover, the clip-on keyboard that enables you to use your Surface as either a tablet or laptop. It feels shockingly light, as if it's made of cardboard.

Typing takes some getting used to, and the click sound that's used to denote a successful key press is essential to effective typing, as the lack of tactile feedback can be disorientating.

However, the keys are sensitive and speed typing is certainly possible with a few hours of practice.

What's more, despite the flat keyboard feeling like it's been hewn from old egg boxes, it features a multi-touch trackpad, should you want to use a mouse while in the traditional Windows interface.

The Touch Cover maybe a triumph of design but we would heartily recommend investing in the Type Cover for comfortable typing.

This offers a much more natural typing experience, and is one of the most spacious tablet keyboard accessories we've used.

It's much more comfortable and can easily be used for longer periods, but it does have an annoying flex in the middle, so the keys tend to bounce if you're a heavy typist.

We'd still recommend it, but it will cost you: the Type Cover costs an extra £110, rather than £80 for the Touch Cover. For much review see source

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iPad 2 shortreview

For

• Fantastic design
• Better ergonomics
• Good battery life
• iOS 4.3 brings improvements
• Facetime chats
• Smudge-resistant screen

Against

• Where's the innovation?
• No retina screen
• Still no Flash
• Negligable performance boost

The Apple iPad 2 might be getting a little longer in the tooth, but it's still a viable option in the tablet market. Can iOS 5.1 - soon to be iOS 6 - give it a decent refresh?

Long the most coveted device on the tablet scene, the Apple iPad 2 has been pushed from the top spot by its direct replacement, the new iPad.

Despite its expected, and even eagerly awaited, annual dethroning, the second-generation Apple tablet remains arguably the second best tablet device on the market with a new, lower price tag and a software update helping transform it into the first true new iPad challenger.

We've now updated our review with a longer test, based on more time with the iPad 2 and the new iOS 5.1 software.

Having set the benchmark for a generation of tablet devices, the iPad 2 is now almost uninspiring in terms of core specs on-paper, with its A5 dual-core CPU outstripped by the dual and quad-core offerings that feature in a number of the tablet's rivals such as the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime and the Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition.

Despite this paper value disadvantage, the overall package offered by the sleekly designed, angled backed tablet is paralleled only by its replacement with the iPad playing host to a user experience, high-end finish and cult-like popularity that is the envy of all other manufacturers.

While a number of devices such as the Amazon Kindle Fire, Google Nexus 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 continue to pioneer the 7-inch tablet form factor, the 9.7-inch aspect ratio laid out by the original iPad has remained largely the most popular and user-friendly tablet form on the market with the iPad 2 retaining the same 1024 x 768p resolution display with 132 PPI offering as its predecessor.

Although now bettered by the new iPad, this visual offering remains one of the best on the tablet scene and one that can hold its own against the flurry of emerging Android challengers.

Widely regarded as Apple's most reasonably priced product, and one that boasts the best value for money, the iPad 2 has undergone a considerable price cut since the arrival of the new iPad, with the now year-old tablet available for as little as £329/$399.

As well as being £70/$100 cheaper than its respectively specced replacement, the new cut price value sees consumers given the chance to join the Apple branded tablet revolution for around the same outlay as a selection of the less notable and commercially successful Android offerings.

Keeping the iPad 2 from drifting into the realms of obscurity, Apple has brought its now older generation tablet to the fore of possibility with the latest iOS 5.1 operating system software now coming pre-installed on the reduced iPad 2 range which includes only 16GB storage capacities for the Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G connectivity packing options.

Once again ensuring the resurgent iPad 2 fits the needs of as wide an audience as possible, the Bluetooth 2.1-capable 3G packing tablet can be tethered to the majority of major UK networks with Vodafone, Orange, O2 and Three all still offering data plans for the device. For comple review see source

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