Google Chrome Browser

Until recently I was a devoted Firefox fan. However, Google’s Chrome browser has worked it’s way into my heart and it now is my favorite. I’m writing this post in Google Docs and will do a cut-and-paste tomorrow morning to post it in our blog. Why am I telling you this? Simple, because Chrome made it so easy to do!

I’m just starting the initial testing of a Sony VAIO S laptop and I was dreading having to do all of the initial startup stuff I have to do with any system before it becomes useful. The Sony came pre-loaded with Win7 Home and that meant the browser was IE9. Since I despise IE I needed to install a new browser. My first thought was Firefox but I decided to go with Chrome for this test. What a great decision it turned out to be!! I downloaded Chrome and answered the few questions the install asked.

What I ended up with, in mere minutes by the way, was the exact browser I have been using every single day on another computer. Every bookmark and all of my preferences were there in seconds. I merely clicked on my Google Docs bookmark and ended up where I always go to write blog articles. My email, address book, calendars, documents and browser settings were all there waiting for me.

Thanks to Google any computer or Phablet I use is linked together and all of my information is there for me. Thanks again Google!

Star Trek saw the future of computing

On Wednesday April 4th Google showed the first version of what may well be the real future of computing, Google glasses. The current prototypes actually look very cool and, from what we’ve heard, actually work. I’m reminded of Star Trek when I see them and I have a hunch that’s what Google is looking for.

Actually, by the later versions of the Star Trek TV show (not the original Shatner version) they had very good guesses at what computing would be like in the near term future, not hundreds of years in the future. If you recall, everyone used tablets!! I’m a dreamer but I admit I can’t imagine what computing will be like 50 years from now, let alone hundreds of years from now.

The only real fear I have is that people are not ready for the kind of connectivity Google glasses will give them. How many people will die on the highways if this enormous distraction is available while they are driving? I’m very afraid at this point. Let’s see what the future holds.

The OLPC Concept Grows Up

We have always been huge fans of the OLPC, One Laptop Per Child, concept. It has always seemed to be a perfect way to provide an education to children in any country, developed or not. Since laptops have gone the way of the dodo bird it is time for a OTPC. One Tablet Per Child. We read this on DigiTimes.com and think it is well worth repeating.

Intel is set to push a tablet PC product codenamed StudyBook to target emerging markets and will adopt the same sales model as its Classmate PC, according to sources from PC players. The StudyBook tablet PC will feature a 10-inch panel with Intel's Medfield platform and adopt dual-operating systems and will target the emerging markets such as China and Brazil, the sources noted.

The sources pointed out that Intel's Classmate PC project has been operating for about five years and the company has already established a partnership with many emerging countries. The StudyBook tablet PC will be released in the second half of 2012 and in addition to the education procurement market, Intel also hopes to push the product into regular retail channels priced below US$299.

Second-tier notebook maker Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS), which has close relationship with Intel and is also the OEM of Classmate PC, is expected to manufacture the StudyBook for Intel, while China-based Malata will also receive the tablet PC orders from Intel.

Are laptops dead?

We recently saw the work desk of one of our friends who works in hi-tech on Facebook. It’s a 21st Century desk. There is no desktop or laptop computer, just a Tablet with a keyboard and full size monitor behind it.

We have tested quite a number of Phablets and honestly feel that for most purposes they work as well as a much more expensive laptop or desktop computer. The 10.1 inch screens on many of the Android units provide plenty of real estate to see what you’re working on and the processors are more than adequate for online work and most writing.

Sony just sent us a Sony VAIO S notebook computer to review with a 15.5” screen and every bell and whistle you can imagine. It will be an interesting review and we’re wondering if it will prove to be worth $1,429.99 plus $149.99 for the extra battery. How many Phablets can you get for that money?

Apples and Oranges

We have had the opportunity to review some very interesting digital cameras lately. Our latest camera to test is the Pentax Q and it takes ILCs (Interchangeable Lens Cameras) to a new extreme for us. It is smaller and lighter than any ILC camera we’ve tested but has rather incredible specs.

We’re working on an interesting article (we hope) for our ePub comparing apples to apples. What do we mean by apples to apples? Simple. We’re taking three different digital interchangeable lens bodies and three system lenses from multiple makers and comparing them. Each body will have about a 12.4MP sensor and all lenses will have a 28-84mm equivalent lenses on them. The focal length difference ratio to sensor size is the key here.

The three systems we’re testing are:
Pentax Q with the 5-15mm f/2.8-45 lens
Pentax K-r with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens
Olympus E-P3 with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens

We’re looking forward to seeing just how well each of them works and how good the pictures are that they take. It should be interesting.

An Indian Language Tablet

We received this announcement from VIA Technologies and thought our readers would be interested in the news.

VIA Technologies, Inc. today announced that the WonderMedia PRIZM WM8650 ARM SoC has been adopted by Wishtel in the world’s first tablet computer to feature support for native Indian languages.       

Designed and manufactured in India, the Wishtel ‘IRA’ and ‘IRA Thing’ will enable Indian users to enjoy a rich computing, entertainment, and internet experience in their own native language such as Hindi, for the first time, and combine advanced multimedia, connectivity, and computing capabilities with a rich feature set in a sleek, light, yet highly durable device.

“With the introduction of the IRA and IRA Thing, Wishtel is leading the way in driving tablet innovation in India,” commented Richard Brown, VP International Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. “The potential for these devices is breathtaking, particularly in areas such as education.”

Milind Shah, CEO, Wishtel, said, “This launch is the first step in our long term vision of bringing people closer to technology by creating gadgets that truly touch their lives. By enabling support for Indian languages, we are providing the opportunity for hundreds of millions of Indians to join the tablet revolution that is sweeping the globe today. We also hope to reach out to those brilliant minds in India that are inhibited for the lack of proper resources.”

The tablets also come with a rich set of personal productivity, social media, communications, and entertainment apps, making them ideal solutions for a wide variety of home, educational, and corporate uses. These include an innovative eBook reader app that will allow users to enjoy eBooks in Hindi and other Indian languages on their device, as well as a growing range of course content for ICSE, CBSE and state boards plus engineering, medical, and other higher education offerings.  
      
Availability & Pricing
Powered by the VIA WonderMedia PRIZM WM8650 SoC, the tablets are available nation-wide at prices between INR 4,000 (US$80 approx) to INR 5,500 (US$110 approx) through over 350 distribution and support centers throughout India.

The main features include the following:

·          High-resolution 7” capacitive and resistive touch screens

·          WonderMedia PRIZM WM8650 ARM SoC

·          720p HD video support

·          802.11b/g WiFi

·          3G WCDMA EVDO USB dongle support

·          UBS 2.0 port

·          External microphone, 3.5mm earphone, internal stereo speakers

·          Built-in camera

·          Up to four hours battery life

·          Google Android 2.3 or Linux (native Indian Language)

Besides the above, a rich array of productivity, communications, social media, and entertainment apps, including Internet browser, email, word processor, photo album, music album, video player, Facebook, Twitter, and eBook reader will also be provided.

What I don't like about Android

I have been a very vocal fan of Android for a long time now. My Phablets are all Android and for the most part, I’m very happy with them all. There is one thing that really bothers me though, the incredibly inconsistent upgrade path.

Google will be bringing version 5 to the market some time late this year and version 4.0, also know as Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS), has been out since late last year. Would you like to guess how many of the half dozen of so Phablets we have have upgraded to 4.0 already? None, that’s how many. Google leaves the upgrade path to the makers of the devices and doesn’t interfere with what versions are offered. Yesterday I received another Tablet to review and was disappointed to find Android 2.3 on it. Not ICS, not even 3.1 but 2.3. Come on people! Let’s get with it!

I don’t often have nice things to say about the iFruit company but at least all of their products use the latest version of iOS. I’m not sure how it can be done but I really wish manufacturers would get together and somehow or other start providing an upgrade path for Android Phablets!