The iPad is a unique innovation that allows people to access the internet, personal documents, and a variety of applications while on the go. The iPad combines the best features of a laptop and an iPhone in order to offer uses a tablet that is easy to transport, fun to use, and includes a screen just big enough to comfortably watch videos, browse pictures, and even read books. However, while the iPad was the first and currently most popular tablet to be released, there are a variety of others that can compete with its technology.

The Blackberry Playbook.

This tablet offers users a 1 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB of RAM, and all of the capabilities of a laptop. The Blackberry Playbook is great for internet browsing, game play, video, and can even be used for video conferencing. What makes this tablet an iPad competitor is its Flash capabilities and its camera. While the screen is almost three inches smaller than the iPad, users can take pictures and enjoy carrying a lighter tablet.

The Dell Streak.

Currently, at five inches, this is the smallest tablet offered. While this may appeal to some users, others might dismiss this tablet in favor of one offering a bigger screen. However, this tablet is extremely portable, offers a camera, and at $299, is much more affordable than the iPad.

The WePad Android Tablet.

The WePad is an 11.6 inch tablet, offering a 1.66GHz processor, memory expansion options, a camera, and supports Flash. This tablet also has a SIM card slot and two USB ports, which is an upgrade from the iPad. While this tablet offers users a larger number of features than the iPad, it is a bit pricey. These tablets range from $611 to $744, which may just place them out of many consumers’ price range.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab.

This Android tablet will appeal to users comfortable with Google. This tablet is also priced approximately $100 less than the iPad and includes a camera, which the iPad is lacking. While 7-inch tablet may not be as large as the iPad, it supports Flash, offers memory expansion options, and will appeal to shoppers looking for a deal.

The Amazon Kindle 3G.

There are a number of things about the Kindle 3G that makes it a strong iPad competitor. The first thing is its price. The Kindle 3G retails for $189, which is hundreds of dollars cheaper than even the most affordable iPad. The second thing is the fact that the Kindle screen uses e-ink, and can be read easily outside in direct sunlight. While users cannot watch videos or use apps, the affordable price is a huge benefit to many budget conscious consumers with simple needs.

When she’s not getting excited about new gadgets, Britney Baker writes about prepaid cell phones for PrepaidCellphones.net. Her latest article took a look at the GoPhone from AT&T.

“White space” broadband technology could use unlicensed and partially vacated spectrum created by the shift to digital television to create a new wireless broadband delivery system. You’ll recall that in 2008 the National Association of Broadcasters was busy bickering with the companies pushing white space usage (Dell, Google, Microsoft), and the FCC began fielding comments on possible rules for the technology. According to the Wall Street Journal, the FCC may vote on final white space rules at their upcoming September meeting, though the agency has a mountain of unresolved issues already on their plate.

Link to the original article…

If anything in this day and age says “it’s about to be put on sale soon”, it’s official pre-sale sign-up pages. And the 5-inch, Google Android based Dell Streak tablet finally has one up [ view here ]

In case you don’t know what the Dell Streak is, here’s a quick rundown:

Introducing the Dell Streak. The perfectly-sized, go-anywhere entertainment, social connection and navigation device.

• Widescreen display optimally designed for mobile web, video and movies
• Integrated social networking widgets and apps, plus tons of apps through the Android Marketplace
• Crystal-clear damage-resistant Gorilla® glass screen
• Google Maps with navigation and text-to-voice, turn-by-turn directions with Street View
• Multitasking Google Android OS that give you the freedom to do what you want

With a sales date of “Late July”… I hope all of the above points to darn soon. Price is still TBD.

[ Links: Dell Streak, Dell Streak Sign Up ]

Earlier this month, AT&T launched their first Android-based smartphone the Motorola Backflip, and many were annoyed (but unsurprised) to learn of a few Ma Bell “modifications.” In addition to replacing Google with Yahoo search, the device came complete with AT&T bloatware that couldn’t be removed, and couldn’t run unsigned applications (running contrary to the whole point of the Android OS).

Now as AT&T prepares to launch the first Android-powered Dell smartphone (the Dell Aero), Phone News confirms with Dell that the Aero also won’t allow unsigned applications:

To Google’s credit, the chief developer of Android wants no part of these restrictions, and is refusing to put the “with Google” branding on Backflip or Aero. Still, legal questions loom large for device manufacturers willing to consent to these hinderances [sic]. As Android touts a gatekeeper-less universe of open application development, these changes make it questionable if users should be notified pre-purchase about said hinderances [sic].

AT&T showed off the Aero at CTIA this week but apparently wouldn’t let the press play with it for longer than a few moments, lest they notice AT&T’s special “enhancements” to the device. Of course AT&T-imposed restrictions on a platform designed to be (largely) open does nothing to stop the eventual migration to truly open mobile platforms, though it does act to undermine the AT&T brand. Of course you can now buy a Nexus One from Google for 9 (but not unsubsidized through AT&T), though that effectively creates a system where real application freedom becomes a luxury option.

Link to the original article… ]]> http://www.removethelabels.com/2010/03/29/att-locks-down-android-tight/feed/ 1 http://www.removethelabels.com/2009/12/12/860-million-dollar-fines-for-lcd-manufacturers-that-plead-guilty-to-price-fixing/ http://www.removethelabels.com/2009/12/12/860-million-dollar-fines-for-lcd-manufacturers-that-plead-guilty-to-price-fixing/#comments Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:23:19 +0000 William http://www.removethelabels.com/?p=25652

Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO), among some others, seemed to have gotten a bit greedy for almost 5 years by secretly meeting and agreeing upon setting the price(s) for some TFT LCD displays used commonly in computer monitors.

“Six companies have pleaded guilty to worldwide price fixing of Thin-Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Displays from Sept. 14, 2001, to Dec. 1, 2006. For violating the Sherman Act, the companies have agreed to pay criminal fines of over $860 Million. In addition, nine executives have been charged in the scandal. The pricing scam affected some of the largest companies at the time, including Apple, HP and Dell. (If you bought a TFT-LCD from them in that time frame, you may be one of the victimized consumers.) From the DOJ release, ‘According to the charge, Chi Mei carried out the conspiracy by agreeing during meetings, conversations and communications to charge prices of TFT-LCD panels at certain pre-determined levels and issuing price quotations in accordance with the agreements reached. As a part of the conspiracy, Chi Mei exchanged information on sales of TFT-LCD panels for the purpose of monitoring and enforcing adherence to the agreed-upon prices.’”

Probably explains why CMO earned $30 billion dollars in 2009 alone. Yes, billion… with a “b“.

[ Source: Slashdot.org ]

Dell Precision M6500 tops the Dell series by high-end hardware as well as its prices. Surely it will be wallet-crushing amount; however it is not announced yet. Taking into consideration M6400 with Intel Core 2 Quad Extreme costs start at $2,149; the new M6500 with Core i7-920XM will be even more.

M6500 has a 17-inch screen and 1920 x 1200 resolution with LED backlight and pretty odd resolution for HD devices with 16:10 ratio. The customers can choose to equip their notebook with either ATI FirePro M7740 or NVIDIA QUADRO FX 3800M graphics chips. Besides, it supports up to 3 hard drives with RAID configurations. Core i7 supports up to 16 GB of 1,333MHz of DDR3 memory.

Link to the original article…

But for the last two weeks, I’ve been traveling for business without a laptop and posting via the iPhone is definitely not fun.

Updates and more regular gadget news is upcoming. I promise