Posts tagged Tablet
Mother’s Day tech gift ideas – The Digital Life
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we wanted to share some of our top tech picks for gift ideas for every mom out there.
Samsung Chromebook – $269.99
For the on-the-go business mom, the Chromebook is an inexpensive way to equip her with a computer that’s easy to use and portable! The Samsung Chromebook seamlessly merges sleek design with a Google Chrome operating system and built-in Google apps. Super fast and portable, a gadget- loving mom will have everything she needs in a computer.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0″ 16 GB Android 4.1 tablet with Exynos processor – $429.99
For the gadget-loving mom, upgrade her to the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 tablet. With an 8-inch display, S-Pen and all the functionality you can imagine packed into a truly portable device, it’s the perfect addition to her digital arsenal. For work, play, entertainment and anything in between, the flexible, intuitive and fun Galaxy Note 8.0 will be her go-to device.
Nike SportWatch with TomTom GPS – $169.99
For the fitness-enthusiastic mom, the Nike+ SportWatch is the ideal workout buddy. It tracks time, distance, pace, heart rate and the number of calories she’s burned so she can get the workout and results she’s looking for. It features a built-in GPS, powered by TomTom, so she’ll always get accurate readings indoors and outdoors.
Kobo Aura 6.8″ eReader touch edition – $169.99
For the on-the-go mom, the new Kobo Aura HD is a premium eReader with an extra-large, 6.8″ high-resolution screen and a book-inspired design that will feel as natural to hold as mom’s favourite novel. With up to two months of battery life, copious customizable fonts, and a ton of storage, she can enjoy a truly immersive reading experience on the go.
Monster Diamond Tears Edge on-ear sound isolating headphones – $349.99
For the all-dolled-up mom, a mom that loves her music and loves looking great when she listens to it, the Diamond Tears Edge headphones combine Monster’s remarkable audio technology and pristine sound with a head-turning design. They feature a diamond-inspired finish and soft, breathable and roomy ear cups.
*Products are all available at Future Shop*
CES 2013: The 21st-century connected family
With moms constantly on the go and kids demanding more than ever online (be it at home or in the classroom), families are facing more of a challenge to stay caught up with living in a digital home.
Apps, gadgets, and “smart” technology for the family are largely in focus at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, NV, this year.
Baby wireless monitoring is a technology being elaborated on this year for new moms, with gadgets like the Vtech Safe & Sound being unveiled. This state-of-the-art baby-monitoring device comes with a built in high-resolution digital camera, two-way intercom, and improved digital transmission so you get the clearest view and communication with your toddler.
More affordable tablet computers will be on market this year. The VINCI is a tablet computer built just for children between the ages of one and nine. The VINCI Tab MV is designed for young children, allowing kids to communicate, stay entertained, and play games appropriate for their age group. The device runs on your home Wi-Fi network.
When it comes to simplifying your everyday tasks around the home, “smart” appliances are set to go mainstream in 2013. Appliances on the market for around the house like your fridge, washer, and dryer will be connected to Wi-Fi. Consumers will be able to download an app on their smartphone, and notifications can be pushed to let you know when your laundry is done, or even when your child leaves the refrigerator door open.
Robots are coming to a playroom near you. LEGO announced the Mindstorms EV3, to come out in the second-half of 2013, allowing your child to build the toy, integrate motors with built in IR sensors to allow them to move around, and connect them to an app on your smartphone—perfect for stimulating the minds of your tech savvy kids.
What connected technology do you want to see in your home this year? Share them in the comments below.
Last-minute gifts for the tech lover – Toronto Star
Apple iPad mini, starting from $329.99, at Apple retailers or Apple.ca
Ideal for: Whiz kids who want the newest tech toy to working professionals who need to stay on top of emails. The small form-factor (it has a 7.9-inch [20-centimetre] screen) allows you to handily carry the device while the screen is large enough for easy readability.
What we love: It has optional cellular connectivity. You can reach up to lightning-LTE speeds, all without a contract or long-term commitment from the wireless carrier – just pay what you use.
Breakthrough features: This tablet is Apple’s smallest – measuring 23-per-cent thinner and 53-per-cent lighter than Apple’s iPad 3, and can fit in the palm of your hand.
What’s disappointing: With Apple focusing on keeping it affordable, the mini lacks a high-resolution retina display, a regular feature on other tablets like the recently announced Google Nexus 10.
Canon EOS M camera, starting at $829.99, at Canon-authorized sellers
Ideal for: Budding videographers and photographers in your life – novice to professional.
What we love: The mirrorless technology gives you the stunning image quality of a DSLR camera with the convenience of a point-and-shoot, minus the bulk. Plus, the APS-C-sized CMOS image sensor makes it a lightweight to tote.
Breakthrough features: With the new stepper motor built into the lenses (they’re included) the Spielberg in your family can capture HD movies in 1080p. The autofocus setting means you can simply hit a button and record up to 44 minutes of HD footage on a 16GB SD card. Now you’ll never miss another birthday or graduation.
What’s disappointing: Theabsence of traditional, standard digital camera features like a viewfinder and built-in flash; you have to carry a separate flash unit (included in the kit).
Sony VAIO T13 with Windows 8, $899, at most electronics retailers.
Ideal for: Those who thrive on processor power and need a machine that can take some abuse (it’s made out of durable aluminum and magnesium construction), all with an affordable price tag.
What we love: You can experience Windows 8 in all its speedy glory. Its elegant build, excellent battery and moderate price point makes this computer an overall mid-range laptop.
Breakthrough features: It comes equipped with all the bells and whistles like a full HDMI port, Windows 8 and a generously spaced keyboard. The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures and allows you to scroll and pinch-and-zoom photos.
What’s disappointing: This computer measures heavier (1.5 kilograms) than rival computers in its category. The keyboard isn’t backlit and the fan can be intrusive.
Samsung GALAXY Note II, $599.99 no term, at major wireless carriers.
Ideal for: The consummate traveller who needs a mobile office. It’s only 5.5 inches [14 centimetres], eliminating the need for both a smartphone and a tablet computer.
What we love: It’s a smartphone/tablet hybrid with a large, vibrant HD Super AMOLED 5.5-inch screen giving you quality and quantity. The included S-Pen allows you to be creative: draw fun pictures and take notes on the large screen.
Breakthrough features: While other phones have similar motion-gesture features, Samsung has perfected it to integrate directly with the operating system making it easier to use: silence calls when the phone is flipped over, and just shake to connect to Bluetooth.
What’s disappointing: The larger screen may be a tight squeeze for your pocket or your clutch. LTE data is battery-intensive, so turn it off when not in use.
BlackBerry PlayBook 4G LTE, $549.99 no-term, at major wireless carriers.
Ideal for: The workaholic who can leave his or her laptop behind, but still have access to email, media and productivity tools like Microsoft Office via Documents To Go, or the teen who doesn’t like waiting for movies to load before watching them.
What we love: It’s the size of an e-reader, but offers more features such as 4G LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity, a wide-selection of apps from Blackberry App World, two 1080p HD cameras and HDMI. It also brings the BBM service to a bigger, tablet-sized screen.
Breakthrough features: The BlackBerry Bridge app allows you to switch between your BlackBerry smartphone and PlayBook – giving you access to a larger screen. wide-selection of apps from Blackberry App World, two 1080p HD cameras and HDMI. It also brings the BBM service to a bigger, tablet-sized screen.
What’s disappointing: It’s designed to work with a BlackBerry smartphone via the BlackBerry Bridge application. iPhone or Android users may not appreciate the unified BlackBerry experience.
Kobo Arc, $199.99, at Indigo.
Ideal for: The literary aficionado or student who doesn’t want to tote around a dozen books at a time.
What we love: Kobo has one of the largest e-bookstores (access to over three million e-books — one million of which are free!). Its dual-core processor allows you to turn pages without lag, smoothly surf the web and speedily check your emails.
Breakthrough features: It’s not just your personal library. It allows you access to movies, music, apps and games — all in colour, and lighter than a traditional computer.
What’s disappointing: While it hasadditional tablet capabilities (load apps, music and movies), this shortens the battery life.
Sharp 60-inch LE845 TV, $2,699.99, at most electronics retailers
Ideal for: Families making the big upgrade for the family den, or a new toy for Dad’s man cave.
What we love: This sleek LED TV features Sharp’s Quattron four-colour technology, including a full 3D-2D conversion experience. The 240Hz edge-lit LED panel means your TV will deliver a natural and vibrant picture.
Breakthrough features: SmartCentral, Sharp’s link between TV and the Internet. Through Wi-Fi, you can download and access some of your favourite social apps or surf the web – all from the comfort of your own remote control.
What’s disappointing: The steep $2,699.99 price tag.
iPad mini: Is it an Educational Gem?
Is the latest addition to the Apple product family a gem for the educational world?
Are Tablets Really the Future of T.V.? – The Huffington Post
With the evolution of tablet computers over the past few years, it seems that notebooks have lost their top ranking as consumers’ preferred second TV. A new study released by Viacom indicates that “Tablet devices have emerged as the leading second-screen alternative to television for viewing full-length episodes, according to ‘Tapping Into Tabletomics.’”
The American study drew from an online survey of over 2,500 people between the ages of 8-54 years old, in addition to extensive interviews conducted with tablet users in New York, and Los Angeles.
Some of the results indicating that over the span of a few years, tablet computers have exponentially increased to the second preferred full-length television viewing device, behind the traditional television. The rising tablet trend accounts for 15 per cent of all full-length TV show viewing. Viacom’s press releasesays:
“Since tablets came into play, FLTV show viewing on desktops and smartphones has declined the most. Top genres viewed on tablets – comedy and music – align more with computers than the TV. Reality is the top genre viewed on television, followed by drama, science fiction and sports.”
It was found that there is a clear correlation between Netflix subscribers, Apple TV owners and AirPlay users, as they are also aggressive tablet users.
Other results from “Tapping Into Tabletomics” included that over one third of both AirPlay and WhisperSync users — 35 per cent and 34 per cent respectively — report that they watch more television shows on their tablets because of the wide availability of mobile applications.
While tablets are being reported as the second most-watched source for television shows, are the number percentages high enough to fuel the trend for the several years to come?
A large number of users are also participating in a “dual-screen” companion app experience — proving to be quite a success. Traditional television shows — a great example being Citytv’s Canada’s Got Talent – are integrating a digital interactive application. It allows viewers to interact via chat, Twitter and Facebook, into the television-watching experience acting as a complementary add-on, rather than separate television screen altogether.
“Our audiences are some of the most deeply engaged and active across social platforms,” said Colleen Fahey Rush, Executive Vice President and Chief Research Officer, Viacom Media Networks. “Co-viewing apps create more meaningful ways to reach them and represent an entirely new level of engagement for fans of our content.”
With the popularity of the iPad and similar tablets, these results may appear obvious to some. The traditional television still reigns supreme when it comes to providing the best experience. While the tablets are great for providing convenient on-demand content, the reality is people are still going to desire to watch their favourite football game, or HD content. The tablet is simply too small to watch games for hours on end.
Other factors one must take into consideration would include the ISP bandwidth, data usage bucket caps, reliability of the connection, and processing power/graphics of the tablet itself.
Are you watching more content on your tablet, versus your desktop PC? In past experience, what was the selection like for you, in terms of programming? Is it comparable to a traditional cable/satellite subscription? Do you find companion-apps to be a huge distraction to the show, altogether? Sound off in the comments below.
[With files from Viacom]
Follow Winston Sih on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WinstonSih
Repost from HuffingtonPost.com