Micromax A114 Canvas 2.2 quad-core Android phablet available online at Rs. 12,999

Micromax seems all set to introduce a new mid-range phablet for the Indian market, dubbed A114 Canvas 2.2. The Micromax 114 Canvas 2.2 is now available at an online retailer at Rs. 12,999.

The Micromax 114 Canvas 2.2, first spotted by Gogi, runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and is a dual-SIM phablet (GSM+GSM) with support for micro-SIM cards instead of regular SIM size. It features a 5-inch qHD IPS display with a 540x960 pixels resolution. The phablet is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6582M processor along with 1GB of RAM.

It sports an 8-megapixel autofocus rear camera accompanied by a flash and also includes a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. It comes with 4GB inbuilt storage, which can be expanded up to 32GB with the help of a microSD card. The Micromax 114 Canvas 2.2 packs a 2000mAh battery which, as per the online retailer's listing, can deliver up to 7 hours of talktime and up to 290 hours standby time. Connectivity options on the phablet include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPRS, EDGE, GPS/ AGPS and 3G. The Canvas 2.2 measures 145x73x9.7mm and weighs about 147 grams. It also includes a host of sensors like G sensor, light sensor, and proximity sensor.

The Micromax 114 Canvas 2.2 is now available via online retailer, Flipkart.

Earlier, Micromax launched a budget smartphone, the Bolt A61. The entry-level Micromax Bolt A61 runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out-of-the-box. Micromax's new budget Android smartphone is a dual-SIM

(GSM+GSM) device with dual standby support. It comes with a 4-inch TFT display with 480x800 pixels resolution, and is powered by a 1GHz Spreadtrum SC7710 processor along with 256MB of RAM.

It includes 512MB of inbuilt storage, which is further expandable up to 16GB via microSD card. The Micromax Bolt A61 sports a 2-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and also includes a VGA front-facing camera. The device packs a 1500mAh battery that the company claims can give a standby time of up to 160 hours, and up to 3.5 hours of talktime.

Xolo Play Tegra Note 'world's fastest tablet' launched at Rs. 17,999

Xolo has launched its 7-inch Nvidia Tegra 4-powered tablet in India, the Xolo Play Tegra Note, at Rs. 17,999.

The tablet will be immediately available online and off-the-shelves beginning from Monday. The Xolo Play Tegra Note is a Wi-Fi only tablet and runs Android  4.2.2 out of the box, which will be later upgraded to Android 4.3 and 4.4 KitKat, as per company's website.This will most likely be via over-the-air software updates directly from Nvidia.

The Xolo Play Tegra Note tablet is based on Nvidia's Tegra Note reference design. It comes with a 7-inch HD IPS LCD (1280x800) display and is powered by a 1.8GHz Tegra 4 processor with a 72-core GeForce GPU and quad-core Cortex-A15 CPU. The tablet also packs in 1GB of RAM, coupled with 16GB of

inbuilt storage that is expandable up to 64GB via microSD.

Xolo claims that the Nvidia Tegra 4-powered Xolo Play Tegra Note is the 'world's fastest tablet' and that's certainly the case as far as synthetic benchmarks are concerned. The tablet comfortably beat other tablets and its performance was comparable, and in some cases, even exceeded that of Qualcomm Snapdragon 800-powered smartphones.

The Xolo Play Tegra Note features a 5-megapixel rear camera and a VGA front-facing camera. It also sports front-facing HD audio stereo speakers with bass-reflex port.

The various connectivity options on the tablet include Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Hotspot, WLAN, Bluetooth 4.0 and USB 2.0. The tablet's battery is rated at 15.17wH / 4100mAh, which according to the company can deliver up to 8.2 hours of web browsing over Wi-Fi and up to 10 hours of HD video playback.

The Xolo Play Tegra Note tablet measures 199x119x9.6 mm, and weighs in at 320 grams.

Few other features in the Xolo Play Tegra Note tablet are the DirectStylus technology for the bundled stylus, Nvidia PureAudio technology, SmugMug Camera app (one of the camera apps on iOS comes to Android), and Nvidia TegraZone that provides access to Tegra-optimized games and apps.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z Kitchen Edition launched

Sony has launched the Sony Xperia Tablet Z Kitchen Edition, a new variant of its flagship tablet.

The Xperia Tablet Z Kitchen Edition comes with 32GB internal storage and includes some preloaded apps for cooking. The company mentions that the tablet includes $115 worth of recipes, content and accessories. The Xperia Tablet Z Kitchen Edition also packs an iGrill, which is an app-enabled Bluetooth wireless digital meat thermometer that can help monitor food from up to 200 feet away. The iGrill can alert the cook via the Xperia Tablet Z. The company is also bundling a lightweight foldable stand with tablet.

Other preloaded apps include BigOven, which offers 2,50,000+ recipes, Evernote Food, Juicing Recipes, which offers information on juicing, and Food Planner Pro that allows users to keep a meal plan and lets recipe collections sync between multiple devices. The company also includes 260 preloaded classic recipes and a how-to video series provided by Saveur on the tablet. The rest of the specifications are identical to the original Xperia Tablet Z, which was launched in January.

The Xperia Tablet Z features a 10.1-inch display with full-HD (1920 x 1200 pixels) display. It runs Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and is powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and 2GB of RAM. The major USP of the tablet, however, is its form factor. At 6.9mm, the Sony Xperia Tablet Z is currently amongst the slimmest tablets around and weighs 495 grams. It sports an 8-megapixel rear camera featuring Exmor R for mobile and a 2-megapixel HD front-facing camera. It is a dust proof and water resistant tablet that comes with a 6,000mAh battery.

The Sony Xperia Tablet Z Kitchen Edition has been rolled out in the United States at a starting price of $649.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z Kitchen Edition key specifications

• 10.1-inch full-HD display
• 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro
• 2GB RAM
• 32GB internal storage
• 8-megapixel rear camera
• iGrill, Bluetooth wireless digital meat thermometer
• 6,000mAH
• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
• 495 grams

iBall Edu-Slide educational tablet for IIT aspirants launched at Rs. 30,999

iBall has expanded its education tablet portfolio with the latest Edu-Slide tablet featuring a 10.1-inch display. The tablet comes with educational content for IIT-JEE entrance test aspirants (from Bansal Classes) and includes a master problem package, eBooks for Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with personalization tools.

The iBall Edu-Slide features a 10.1-inch IPS HD display with a resolution of 1280x1024 pixels. The iBall Edu-Slide runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The tablet comes in two variants - Wi-Fi and 3G. The iBall Edu-Slide 3G version is powered by a quad-core processor (unspecified clock speed and type) and supports dual-SIM, while other specifications remain the same as the Wi-Fi variant.

The Wi-Fi variant of the iBall Edu-Slide is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core Cortex A9 processor and 1GB of RAM. It comes with 8GB of inbuilt storage which can be expanded up to 32GB via microSD card. The tablet sports an 8-megapixel rear camera and a VGA front-facing camera. Connectivity options on the device include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI port and 3G via USB dongle. The tablet is backed by a huge 8000mAH battery.

Apart from the IIT-JEE main and advanced content, the iBall Edu-Slide bundles the foundation content for standard 11th and 12th for PCM (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics) with over 200 hours of audio visual content and question banks.

The iBall Edu-Slide Wi-Fi variant comes at a price point of Rs. 30,999 while the 3G variant has a price tag of Rs. 35,999.

Commenting on the launch, Sandeep Parasrampuria, Director of iBall said, "We hope iBall Edu-Slide will provide students an excellent additional learning tool to all - those who are attending any classes or preparing without attending any classes."

iBall Edu-Slide key specifications

• 10.1-inch IPS HD display with a resolution of 1280x1024 pixels
• 1.5GHz Dual-core A9 processor in Wi-Fi variant
• Unspecified Quad-Core processor in 3G variant
• 1GB of RAM
• 8GB of built-in storage, expandable up to 32GB via microSD
• 8-megapixel rear camera
• VGA front camera
• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

DOMO Slate X14 tablet with Android 4.2 launched for Rs. 4,990

DOMO has launched the Slate X14 tablet for Rs. 4,990, targeting students.
Commenting on the launch, Mazher Shaikh, Business Development Manager at DOMO said, "DOMO Slate X14 has been designed especially for student offering value for money features. With support for most 3G dongles, users can stay connected to internet on the go."

The DOMO Slate X14 comes with 7-inch LCD display with a resolution of 800x480 pixels. It is powered by a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor, that is coupled with a Mali 400 GPU and 512MB of RAM. The tablet comes with dimensions of 182x121x10mm and weighs in at 305 grams. It features 4GB of built-in storage which can be further expanded up to 32GB with the help of a microSD card. The tablet runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with Flash support,

Other specification of the Slate X14 include a 2-megapixel front camera, and such connectivity options as Wi-Fi, Micro-USB and 3G via external USB dongle. The tablet does not come with SIM support. The DOMO Slate X14 can playback 1080p videos, and runs on a 3000mAh battery.

Recently, Lava's budget tablet E-Tab Velo+ went up for pre-order online at Rs. 4,699. The Lava E-Tab Velo+ features a 7-inch IPS display (800x480) and is powered by a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor along with 512MB RAM. The tablet also runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. It sports a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera, and features 4GB of built-in storage that can be expanded up to 32GB via microSD card.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, USB and 3G support through external dongle. The tablet is backed by a 2500mAh battery, and includes a video player app, an audio player app and a 3.5mm audio jack.

DOMO Slate X14 key specifications

• 7-inch LCD display with a resolution of 800x480 pixels
• 1GHz Cortex A8 processor with Mali 400 GPU
• 512MB of RAM
• 4GB built-in storage, expandable up to 32GB via microSD card
• 2-megapixel front-facing camera
• 3000 mAh battery
• Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean

Nvidia Tegra Tab 7 leaked again, premium and budget variants hinted

Thanks to the FCC filing spotted by Engadget, Nvidia's rumoured Tegra Tab 7 tablet has made yet another appearance on the Internet rumour mills. However, Nvidia has not revealed any plans of launching an Android tablet, yet.

The latest FCC (Federal Communications Commission) listing confirms that the alleged Nvidia Tegra Tab 7 tablet is dubbed the P1640.

The listing hints that Nvidia may roll out two different variants of the 7-inch Tegra Tab tablet. The listing of the rumoured Nvidia tablet reveals some new features like stylus support, SD card support, HDMI and rear camera will be for premium model of the tablet, features that will probably not be available in the more affordable model.

Earlier, the tablet was spotted in a bunch of high-resolution images that emerged online, revealing the overall design of the tablet and also claimed that the tablet from Nvidia will come with a stylus.

Previously, AnTuTu benchmark results of the alleged Nvidia Tegra Tab 7 surfaced online. The results suggested that the alleged tablet from Nvidia is powered by a quad-core Tegra 4 SoC clocked at 1.8GHz and scored more than 27,000 on AnTuTu benchmarks. It also claimed that the tablet runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

The tablet is rumoured to come with a 7-inch HD display with a resolution of 1280x768 pixels, and said to sport a 5-megapixel rear camera. Other features include a Micro-HDMI port, USB port, audio output jack, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and even a SIM tray that hints that the tablet may come with 3G or 4G support.

Lenovo S5000 tablet with 7-inch HD display launched

Lenovo kicked off its IFA 2013 event with the roll out of new products that also includes the new S5000 tablet.

The Lenovo S5000 tablet comes with a 7-inch display with 1280x800pixels resolution and 350nit brightness levels. It is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core MediaTek 8389 processor. It sports a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 1.6-megapixel front-facing camera. The tablet runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

The Lenovo S5000 tablet includes a USB on-the-go port for storage expansion or for charging other devices and is backed by a 3,450mAh battery that can deliver up to eight hours of Wi-Fi web browsing or up to six hours of HD video viewing. It measures about 7.9mm (sides) and weighs 246 grams. The company claims that the tablet is nearly one-fifth times lighter than other tablets. Connectivity options on the tablet include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G connectivity in select countries. There is 16GB of internal storage on the tablet.

Commenting on the launch, Wayne Chen, vice president and general manager, mobile business unit, Lenovo said, "With the S5000 tablet, these carefully crafted devices unleash a powerful blend of beautiful and smart technology to improve people's lives."

The tablet comes in two variants - Wi-Fi and 3G. The Lenovo S5000 tablet is expected to be rolled out in Q4 2013. However, the company has not revealed any pricing details for the tablet.

Other Android tablets unveiled at IFA 2013 include the Asus MeMo Pad 8 and MeMo Pad 10. The Taiwanese maker also refreshed its Fonepad 7 tablet that now comes with voice calling support.

Earlier, Toshiba which is usually more active in the laptop segment also launched a new tablet, the Toshiba Encore based on Windows.

Lenovo S5000 key specifications

• 7-inch display with 1280x800 pixels resolution
• 1.2GHz quad-core Media Tek 8389 processor
• 5-megapixel rear camera
• 1.6-megapixel front-facing camera
• 246 grams
• 16GB of internal storage
• 3450mAh battery
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro and ThinkPad Yoga convertible laptops unveiled

Hot on the heels of the announcement of the new Vibe X smartphone and the S5000 tablet, Lenovo has also launched the Yoga Pro 2 and ThinkPad Yoga at the IFA 2013.

Yoga 2 Pro carries the legacy of the original Yoga that created quite a buzz with its full 360 degrees flip back screen. The Yoga 2 Pro laptop comes with the four modes of operation - laptop, tablet, stand, and tent, just like the original Yoga. The Yoga 2 Pro features a 13.3-inch QHD+ display with 3200x1800 pixels resolution. Its 350-nit display features a 178 degree wide angle view. It is 15.5 mm thin and weighs about 1.39 kilogram. The laptop is backed with fourth-generation Intel Core i7 U series processors and is based on Windows 8.1.

Yoga 2 Pro comes with 512 GB SSD (Solid State Drive) with 8GB of RAM and features Intel WiDi for streaming content wirelessly to a TV. The laptop can deliver up to nine hours of battery life. It comes with backlit keyboard and will be available in its signature Grey or Clementine Orange colour. The Yoga 2 Pro sports stereo speakers with Dolby Home Theatre and Dual Array Digital Mic.

On the other hand, the ThinkPad Yoga comes in two display models - Corning Gorilla Glass HD IPS display or a full-HD IPS display both featuring a 12.5-inch screen. It runs on Windows 8.1. The laptop is powered by Intel fourth-generation Core i7 processor with up to 1TB of storage.

"The flexibility and mobility provided by the Yoga 2 Pro and ThinkPad Yoga offer no-compromise solutions for customers," said Jordan Chrysafidis, vice president of worldwide OEM marketing, Microsoft Corp.

The company has announced that Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro will come with a price tag of $1,099.99 and will be available beginning in October while the ThinkPad Yoga will come at $949 and will hit stores in November.

Xolo Tab with voice calling, Android 4.1 launched for Rs. 13,499

Xolo has just officially lifted the wraps off its first tablet, the Xolo Tab. The tablet was earlier spotted at an online retailer at its launch price of Rs. 13,499.

The Xolo Tab (QC800) comes with an 8-inch IPS display with 1280x768 pixels resolution and boasts a pixel density of 160ppi. The tablet is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8225Q processor along with 1GB of RAM and Adreno 203 GPU. The tablet comes with SIM support and voice-calling. The tablet includes 4GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 32GB via microSD card.

The tablet sports a 2-megapixel rear camera that comes with HD video recording support and features like auto focus, geo-tagging, touch focus and face detection. It also includes a VGA fromt-facing camera. The Xolo Tab runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. Connectivity options on the tablet include Wi-Fi, EDGE, GPRS, GPS and 3G. It is backed by a 4000mAh battery which can deliver up to 360 hours of (3G) standby time while up to 4 hours of Web browsing on 3G network or up to 4.9 hours of Web browsing on Wi-Fi network.

Xolo's newly launched tablet will be up against tablets from Samsung, Micromax and Karbonn which have devices in the same price segment.

Earlier, Xolo launched the Xolo Q1000S smartphone at a price point of Rs. 18,999. The Xolo Q1000S features a 5-inch HD IPS display with OGS display technology and boasts a resolution of 720x1280 pixels with 294ppi pixel density. It runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

Xolo Tab key specifications

• 8-inch IPS display with 1280x768 pixels resolution and a pixel density of 160ppi
• 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8225Q processor with Adreno 203 GPU
• 1GB RAM
• 4GB internal storage, expandable up to 32GB via microSD card
• 2-megapixel rear camera
• VGA front facing camera
• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
• 4000mAh battery

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 with 5.7-inch full-HD display, Android 4.3 launched

Samsung has officially launched Galaxy Note 3 phablet at the sidelines of IFA 2013 in Berlin.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 comes with a 5.7-inch full-HD Super AMOLED display, but weighing at 168g and 8.33m wide, is both lighter and slimmer than the Samsung Galaxy Note II. Just like the Samsung Galaxy S4, the Galaxy Note 3 will come in two variants. The LTE variant will be powered by 2.3GHz quad-core processor and the 3G version will be powered by a 1.9GHz octa-core processor.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 comes with 3GB RAM and a 13-megapixel rear camera alongside 2-megapixel front camera. It is powered by 3,200mAh battery and runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. As rumoured, the Galaxy Note 3 will be available in 32GB and 64GB variants, with the company doing away with the 16GB variant after controversy on the available storage with the Samsung Galaxy S4. Both variants come with support for up to 64GB of additional external storage.

Connectivity options on the Note 3 include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, GPS/ GLONASS, NFC, Bluetooth v4.0 (LE), IR, and MHL 2.0. It comes with various sensors like Gesture, Accelerometer, Geo-magnetic, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer, Temperature & Humidity, and Hall Sensor.

Samsung says the Galaxy Note 3 will launch starting from September 25 in more than 140 countries around the world. There's no word on pricing yet.

Apart form the Galaxy Note 3, Samsung also unveiled the Galaxy Gear smart watch and Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 key specifications

• 5.7-inch full-HD display
• 2.3GHz quad-core processor or 1.9GHz octa-core processor
• 3GB RAM
• 32GB/ 64GB storage options
• 13-megapixel rear camera, 2-megapixel front camera
• Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, GPS/ GLONASS, NFC, Bluetooth v4.0 (LE), IR, MHL 2.0

ASUS MeMO Pad 8 and MeMO Pad 10 tablets launched

                                                 

Asus has added two new MeMO Pad tablets in its portfolio, the MeMO Pad 8 and MeMO Pad 10.

The Asus MeMO Pad 8 comes with 8-inch IPS display with 1280x800 pixels resolution. It is powered by a 1.6GHz quad-core processor along with 1GB of RAM. It sports a 5-megapixel rear camera that can record 720p videos and a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera. The tablet measures around 127mm from side to side and weighs 350g. The Asus MeMO Pad 8 comes with 8GB of internal storage and supports a microSDXC card slot for expansion. Asus claims up to nine hours of HD video playback on a single charge .

On the other hand, the Asus MeMO Pad 10 comes with 10-inch IPS display with 1280x800 pixels resolution. The tablet weighs 522 grams. The MeMO Pad 10 sports a 2-megapixel rear camera which can record HD videos and also includes a 1.2-megapixel front camera for video chat. It is powered by a 1.6GHz quad-core processor along with 1GB of RAM. The Asus MeMO Pad 10 can deliver up to 9.5 hours of battery life with HD video playback. The tablet comes in two storage variants - 8GB and 16GB with support for a microSDXC card slot.

Both the tablets feature dual speakers with Asus SonicMaster audio technology. However, Asus has not revealed the details about pricing of the tablets or when they'll be available in the market.

Asus MeMO Pad 8 key specifications

• 8-inch IPS display with 1280x800 pixels resolution
• 1.6GHz quad-core processor
• 1GB of RAM
• 5-megapixel rear camera
• 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera
• 350gram
• 8GB of internal storage
• 9 hours of battery life with HD video playback

Asus MeMO Pad 10 key specifications

• 10-inch IPS display with 1280x800 pixels resolution
• 1.6GHz quad-core processor
• 1GB of RAM
• 2-megapixel rear camera
• 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera
• 522 grams
• 8GB and 16GB of internal storage
• 9.5 hours of battery life with HD video playback

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition unveiled

Samsung has unveiled the latest member of the Galaxy Note tablet family in the form of Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition features a 10.1-inch WQXGA (2560X1600) Super clear LCD display. Just like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, it comes in two variants. The 3G + Wi-Fi variant is powered by a 1.9GHz octa-core processor, while the Wi-Fi + LTE variant is powered by a 2.3GHz quad-core processor. There is 3GB of RAM and the tablet comes with 16GB/ 32GB/ 64GB internal storage options. It sports an 8-megapixel rear camera with BSI sensor and autofocus accompanied by an LED flash, as well as a 2-megapixel BSI sensor. It run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

The tablet, like its predecessors, comes with S-Pen stylus. A number of new features like Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write and S Finder have been introduced on the new flagship Galaxy Note 3, will also been seen on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 2014 Edition. The device houses a large 8220mAh battery. The newly launched Galaxy Note 10.1 also comes pre-loaded with Samsung KNOX for enhanced security.

Connectivity options on the tablet include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct and AllShareCast, as well as 3G/ LTE as indicated earlier.

The company has announced that the Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) tablet will come in three connectivity options: Wi-Fi only, Wi-Fi and 3G, Wi-Fi and LTE. It will come in two colour options Jet Black and Classic White.

Commenting on the launch JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics said, "The new Galaxy Note 10.1 is the most progressive 10-inch tablet, delivering the best viewing and multitasking experiences. It is the most recent demonstration of Samsung Mobile's focus on constant product innovation to stay aligned with shifting consumer interests. The Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) unites a range of features that will consistently surprise consumers as they realise how much easier and more enjoyable it makes their everyday lives."

The tablet will be available starting Q3 2013. There's no word yet on pricing.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition key specifications

• 10.1 features a 10.1-inch WQXGA (2560X1600) Super clear LCD display
• 1.9GHz octa-core processor (3G/ Wi-Fi version) and a 2.3GHz quad-core processor (LTE version)
• 3GB of RAM
• 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash
• 2-megapixel front-facing camera
• 8220mAh battery
• 16GB/ 32GB/ 64GB internal storage
• Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
• S-Pen stylus

Toshiba Encore 8-inch Windows tablet unveiled

Toshiba the company which is usually more active in the laptop segment has launched a new tablet, the Toshiba Encore.

The Toshiba Encore comes with an 8-inch HFFS multi-touch display (1280x800 pixels). The tablet weighs about 479 grams. It is powered by an Intel Bay Trail Atom processor. The company says that the Encore has been developed in close collaboration with Microsoft and has been optimized for Windows 8.1. It is also compatible with both Windows 8 apps (Modern UI apps) and legacy Windows programs. It sports an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The tablet is equipped with dual-microphones and is optimized for Skype.

The Toshiba Encore includes 2GB of RAM and there is 32GB of internal storage which can be further expanded up to 32GB with the help of a microSD card. Connectivity options on the tablet include a Micro-USB port, Micro-HDMI port and Wi-Fi. The tablet comes preloaded with the full version of Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 and Xbox SmartGlass app that turns the device into a secondary screen for the Xbox 360 and Xbox One gaming consoles.

Commenting on the launch Carl Pinto, vice president of marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division said, "Encore is poised to re-energize the opportunity for Windows tablets in the market. Our fundamental approach to designing Encore was to create a better convergence of hardware and software so the overall app experience and capabilities on a Windows-based device is better than ever. Windows has a lot to offer for a tablet user, and with the new features that Windows 8.1 brings, we believe that Encore will deliver more choice against a range of competitive tablets."

The Toshiba Encore tablet will hit the market shelves in November and will come with a price tag of $329.99.

Jordan Chrysafidis, vice president of Worldwide OEM Marketing, Microsoft Corp. said, "We look forward to working with Toshiba on the launch of Windows 8.1 and seeing its holiday 2013 devices delight customers worldwide."

Earlier, Acer launched the Iconia W3 which was the first Windows 8 tablet to come with an 8.1-inch screen.

Toshiba Encore key specifications

• 8-inch HFFS multi-touch display (1280x800)
• Intel Bay Trail Atom processor
• 32GB internal storage, expandable further up to 32GB
• 8-megapixel rear camera
• 2-megapixel front-facing camera
• Optimized for Windows 8.1
• Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013
• Micro-USB port, Micro HDMI port and Wi-Fi

Lava E Tab Velo+ tablet with Android 4.2 now available online for Rs. 4,699

Lava has quietly released another budget tablet, the E Tab Velo+ at a price point of Rs. 4,699. The tablet has not been officially announced yet, but is available through ecommerce site, Snapdeal.

The Lava E Tab Velo+ features a 7-inch IPS display (800x480pixels) and is powered by a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor along with 512MB RAM. The tablet runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. It also sports a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera. There is 4GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 32GB via microSD card.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, USB and 3G support through external dongle. The tablet is backed by a 2500mAh battery. The tablet includes a video player app, an audio player app and a 3.5mm audio jack.

The Lava E Tab Velo+ is the newest addition to the company's eTab portfolio that already features five tablets, namely Xtron, Xtron+, Connect, Z7S and Z7C+.

Earlier, Lava rolled out the 3G calling tablet, Z7C+ for Rs. 8,499. The Lava Z7C+ features a 7.0-inch capacitive WVGA display with a resolution of 800x480 pixels. It's powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with 512MB RAM. The Z7C+ runs the outdated Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. It sports a 2.0-megapixel camera and a VGA front camera. The highlight of the device is that it comes with a SIM card slot and supports 3G calling. The internal storage capacity stands at 4GB which can be expanded up to 32GB via a microSD. Backing the device is a 3,000mAh battery. The tablet is being shipped in only one colour, Classic Silver.

Lava E Tab Velo+ key specifications

• 7-inch IPS display (800x480)
• 1GHz Cortex A8 processor
• 512MB RAM
• 4GB internal storage, expandable up to 32GB via microSD card
• 0.3-megapixel rear camera
• 2500 mAh battery
• Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean

Nvidia Tegra Tab 7 Android tablet pictured online, specifications detailed

Over the last couple of months, there have been indications that Nvidia was preparing to enter the tablet market with a device dubbed as the Tegra Tab 7. It appears that the chipset maker is a step closer to making it a reality as the tablet has now been spotted on the website of the Taiwanese certification agency, NCC, which is believed to be the equivalent of FCC.

As per Techkiddy, Nvidia's alleged 7-inch tablet is listed as P1640 on the certification agency's site.

The technology site reveals some specifications of the alleged tablet that include a 7-inch HD display with a resolution of 1280x768 pixels, and Nvidia's 1.8GHz quad-core Tegra 4 processor.

The tablet is also said to sport a 5-megapixel rear camera, though there is no mention of a front-facing camera in the listings. The tablet is expected to run Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. Other features include a Micro-HDMI port, USB port, audio output jack, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and even a SIM Tray that hints that the tablet may come with 3G or 4G support. The site also notes that the tablet will come with stylus support. However, not all details related to the tablet have been revealed as is often the case with certification filings. The site also suggests that the alleged Nvidia Tegra Tab 7 could be announced at the IFA in Berlin, this week.

Earlier, AnTuTu benchmark results of alleged Nvidia Tegra Tab 7 surfaced online. Reportedly, the device was dubbed as TegraTab7-Premium and was seen being tested in China.

Samsung Galaxy Note 12.2 tablet's first purported image leaks online

The first image of the long-rumoured Samsung Galaxy Note tablet featuring a 12.2-inch display has surfaced online.

Korean website, Moveplayer, has published what it claims to be an image of the yet to be announced Samsung tablet's front panel. As per the site, the leaked tablet is expected to be the Galaxy Note 12.2 which was formerly dubbed as SM-P900. The site also notes that the alleged Samsung Galaxy Note 12.2 tablet will be sold under the Samsung 9x series.

While the leaked render does not offer any details about the innards of the device, it does reveal the overall design language of the tablet. The tablet's front panel that appears in the leaked image includes a physical Home button accompanied by Back and Settings button, similar to the Galaxy tablet range. The alleged images of the tablet also reveal that it will not feature rounded corners and instead, will be rectangular. There is Samsung branding on top of the front panel alongside the sensors.

Earlier, a report by The Korea Economic Daily claimed that Samsung was working on a 12-inch tablet, which would be the biggest screen size yet on a Samsung tablet. The report claimed that the alleged 12-inch tablet PC was expected to use Samsung display's LCD panel while it was likely to sport a higher than full-HD resolution.

In July, @evleaks had posted the specifications of Samsung SM-P900, a 12.2-inch device that would boast a resolution of 2560x1600 pixels and be powered by an Exynos Octa 5 processor. The device was also expected to support the S-Pen, Samsung's stylus solution for its Note series tablets and phablets. Another technology site also published specifications of the alleged 12.2-inch variant of the Samsung tablet dubbed as SM-P900. The site suggested that the SM-P900 tablet will run Android 4.2.

Alcatel One Touch Evo 8 HD tablet with Android 4.2 launched

Alcatel has revealed details of its first tablet, the One Touch Evo 8 HD. The new tablet has now been listed on company's official website.

The Alcatel One Touch Evo 8 HD tablet comes with an 8-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1024x768 pixels. The tablet measures 152.5x222x9mm and weighs around 415 grams. It runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The device is powered by dual-core processor clocked at 1.6GHz along with 1GB of RAM. There is 3-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front camera. It comes with 4GB of internal storage which can be expanded up to 64GB with the help of microSD card. The tablet comes 3G and 4G connectivity options as well as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and Micro-USB. Alcatel One Touch Evo 8 HD comes with a 4160mAh battery that can deliver up to 200 hours of standby time with a charging time of 3.5 hours.

However, Alcatel has not announced the pricing of the tablet or when it is expected to hit the markets.

Alcatel has also listed two new smartphones in its One Touch portfolio, the Idol S and Idol Mini.

The Alcatel One Touch Idol S comes with a 4.7-inch IPS HD display with 720x1280 pixels resolution and features Dragontrail Glass with oleophobic coating. The smartphone is powered by 1.2GHz dual-core processor with 1GB of RAM. The One Touch Idol S sports an 8-megapixel rear camera accompanied by an LED flash and is capable of recording full-HD videos. It also comes with a 1.3-megapixel front camera. The smartphone runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

The Alcatel One Touch Idol Mini features a 4.3-inch FWVGA display with 480x854 pixels resolution. It is powered by a 1.3GHz dual-core processor along with 512MB RAM. The Alcatel One Touch Idol Mini comes in two variants - single SIM and dual SIM. The internal storage on the single-SIM variant is 4GB, which can be expanded up to 32GB, while the dual-SIM variant comes with 8GB of non-expandable storage.

Alcatel One Touch Evo 8 HD key specifications

• 8-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1024x768 pixels
• 1.6GHz dual-core processor
• 1GB RAM
• 4GB internal storage, expandable up to 64GB via microSD card
• 3-megapixel rear camera
• 2-megapixel front-facing camera
• 3G, 4G, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

Sony Xperia Tablet Z receiving Android 4.2.2 update

After releasing firmware updates for some recently and not so recently launched Xperia smartphones, Sony is reportedly rolling out the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update for the Xperia Tablet Z's Wi-Fi variant.

Xperiaguide claims that the company has officially rolled out the Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.C.0.136 firmware update for the Wi-Fi only variant of the Xperia Tablet Z SGP311 and SGP312.

The site notes that Android 4.2.2 10.3.1.C.0.136 firmware update for the tablet is a major update, compared to the previous ones and is a 786MB download. The site also notes that users in UK and France have confirmed receiving the new update on their Xperia Tablet Z device. It is available via the PC Companion desktop tool.

Some of the major highlights of the latest firmware update include multi-user support, a Notification bar added at top of screen with Quick Settings options, support for 64GB microSD cards, a Semi-transparent bar in the lockscreen and the addition of a new kind of widget functionality on both the Homescreen and lockscreen.

Sony unveiled the much talked about Xperia Tablet Z in India, earlier this year. The Xperia Tablet Z sports a 10.1-inch screen with full-HD (1920 x 1200 pixels) display. It runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). It is powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and comes with 2GB of RAM. The major USP of the tablet, however, is its form factor. At 6.9mm, the Sony Xperia Tablet Z is currently amongst the slimmest tablets around and it weighs 495 grams.

Earlier, Sony rolled out a firmware update for its flagship phone, Sony Xperia Z Ultra smartphone. The new update added a number of features; however it still kept the device on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

Not too long ago, the Sony Xperia S, Xperia SL, Xperia Acro S and Xperia SP smartphones also received a firmware update.

Swipe MTV Slate tablet with Android 4.2, voice-calling launched for Rs. 14,999

Continuing its association with MTV, Swipe has launched a new tablet dubbed as the MTV Slate for Rs. 14,999.

The Swipe MTV Slate features a 7.85-inch HD IPS display with a resolution of 1024x768 pixels. The tablet runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and weighs 400 grams. It is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Cortex A7 processor with 1GB of RAM. The device sports a 5-megapixel rear camera and a VGA front-facing camera. It packs 8GB of internal storage, expandable up to 32GB via microSD card. The tablet comes with SIM card support with voice-calling capability. Connectivity options on the tablet include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and 3G. The device also includes a 3200mAh battery. It also features FM Radio with recording.

Commenting on the launch Shripal Gandhi, Founder & CEO, Swipe Telecom said, "MTV Slate is yet another innovation as a result of an intense market research conducted across the country followed by a development phase and has been custom designed for the end consumers power packed with the latest features and astounding looks, MTV Slate will further strengthen our product portfolio for the youth."

Earlier, Swipe had launched MTV Slash tablet at a price point of Rs. 9,499.

The tablet featured a 7.0-inch display with a resolution of 1024x600 pixels. It is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor with 1GB RAM and runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The device supports dual SIM (GSM+GSM) with dual standby. It comes with 4GB internal storage which can be expanded up to 32GB. There is a 5.0-megapixel camera at the back accompanied by a flash in addition to a front facing VGA camera. The dimensions of the device are 188x108x9.4mm and it weighs around 290 grams.

Swipe MTV Slate key specifications

• 7.85-inch HD IPS display with a resolution of 1024x768 pixels
• 1.2GHz quad-core Cortex A7 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB of internal storage, expandable memory up to 32GB
• 5.0-megapixel rear camera
• VGA front camera
• 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS
• 3200mAh battery
• Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)

Samsung's new tablet is built with your toddler in mind

Samsung announced today the Galaxy Tab 3 Kids, a variant of the earlier Galaxy Tab 3 designed specifically with kids in mind. Clad in the brightest yellow you can get and surrounded by an easy-to-grip bright orange bumper, the Galaxy Tab 3 Kids is a fairly low-end device with a 7-inch 1024 x 600 pixel display; 3-megapixel rear camera and 1.3-megapixel front camera; and a dual-core processor. It runs Android 4.1, but your kids probably won't ever see that, since Samsung is including its own software layer and app store targeted at children. The Tab 3 Kids also has a Time Management mode, which lets parents set specific time limits for use on the tablet. It doesn't sound much different than the time management features available in the Kindle Fire HD from Amazon.

To accessorize the Tab 3 Kids, Samsung is offering a case option with a handle that can double as a kick stand and has something called the C Pen, which will let children draw on the tablet without worrying about marking up other objects. Naturally, Samsung is releasing the Galaxy Tab 3 Kids in Korea first, with rollouts planned for China, Europe, US, Africa, South America, and South East Asia. Pricing has not been announced, but we wouldn't expect the Tab 3 Kids to be much more expensive than the standard 7-inch Galaxy Tab 3, which is priced at $199.