What's new on SlashGear.com

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• Genius Light Switch Design by Taewon Hwang
• iPad 2 Accessories, Scosche and Verizon
• Sprint’s CTIA Special Event Invitation Received
• iPad 2: Another Step Forward for Tablets
• Twitter Temporarily Suspended Fake Steve Jobs Account With 460,000 Followers
• Volkswagon Bulli Concept, an iPad Microbus?
• Booqpad Folio For iPad 2 Fuses Tablet With Traditional Notepad
• iPad 2 vs iPad 1 [Original]
• Motorola XOOM WiFi reappears with inflated price
• iPad 2 Browser Benchmarks
• Apple iPad 2 To Ship In Both Black And White
• Nintendo 3DS to get AT&T WiFi Hotspots, Netflix streaming
• No Hybrid Modem for 3G iPad 2; Verizon iPad 2 lacks Global Roaming
• Apple iPad crushes the competition
• No 720p FaceTime HD for iPad 2
• iPad 2 Hands-on [Video]
• iPad 2 vs Motorola XOOM
• Apple slashes $100 off iPad to clear old stock
• Apple Demos GarageBand For The iPad 2
• iMovie for iPad revealed
• iOS 4.3 due March 11 for iPad, iPhone & iPod touch
• iOS 4.3 Photo Booth Introduced
• Apple’s iPad 2 Official, Lighter and Faster
• Apple iOS 4.3 Released at iPad 2 Event
• iOS Apps 65,000 vs Android 3.0 Honeycomb Apps at 100
• iPad 2 Smart Covers Revealed
• Apple iPad 2 Official
• Apple iPad 2 Event Liveblog
• D-Link DHP-1320 Wireless-N router adds PowerLine 200Mbps
• B&N settles in Spring Design ereader legal spat

Genius Light Switch Design by Taewon Hwang Posted: 02 Mar 2011 03:24 PM PST Have you ever walked into a house and had trouble figuring out what switch controlled which light? Designer, Taewon Hwang comes through with this delightfully intuitive light switch concept. He takes the floorplan of a house and turns it into the design for the light switch. One of these switches could make it easy to control every light in your home from one location, or you can install multiple switches for any configuration or purpose you can imagine. You walk in the front door to your brand new house, you haven’t even slept here one night yet. The glow of your Taewon Hwang designed home-lighting-panel illuminates your entry with a soft glow. You toss your keys on the hook next to the door and press the three different buttons to illuminate your path to the kitchen. Taewon Hwang imagines an intuitive design for whole-house lighting systems able to be controlled from custom panels set anywhere in the house. [via Yanko Design] Relevant Entries on SlashGear The lazy light switch Pure Sun Uses Sun’s Rays to Provide Green Light Lichtinfusion IV Light design – looks sick New design offers up stereo Bluetooth and a solution to tangled headphone cables Toasty the Toaster: It makes toast!

iPad 2 Accessories, Scosche and Verizon Posted: 02 Mar 2011 02:41 PM PST We recieved an e-mail from Scosche Industries talking about a number of different accessories coming out for the iPad2 this month. They partnered up with Verizon to offer consumers a wide range of iPad2 accessories through the Verizon retail outlets. Scosche led with the the usual range of covers, from the folio style foldIO P2 in black and white with either a carbon fiber or leather finish, to the glosSEE P2 flexible rubber case in pink, smoke, clear, blue and purple. Check out the gallery inside for a sampling of what they have to offer. It’s not all about the covers though, the sneakPEAK series of cables is getting an upgrade with the sneakPEAK II and the sneakPEAK HD. They allow your iPad or iPhone to connect to the RCA on your TV so you can show movies and photos to your friends and family in high definition. Scosche is also offering a handful of new solutions for charging your Apple device. On the top of the pile, you can choose from the powerPLUG low profile car charger, or the goBATT II portable charger that comes with two USB ports so you can charge multiple devices simultaneously. The reVIVE II series of chargers also has two usb charging ports, they come in separate wall-socket and car-charger versions. You’re covered. Scosche is also releasing a line of iPad2 screen protectors. On the low end they have the scratch resistant klearCOAT p2. On the high end they brought out the privaSEE p2, a polarized privacy guard for your iPad2. The satinSHIELD p2 offers glare reduction. For more product details visit Scosche Industries, and the rest of our iPad 2 coverage from today. [via Scosche Industries, Consumer-Tech Division] Oxnard, CA, – March 02, 2011 – Scosche Industries, award-winning innovator of consumer technology, is excited to announce its complete iPad 2 accessories line-up will be available this month. The Scosche iPad 2 product line-up is highlighted by three new cases, a waterproof Bluetooth mini keyboard and a variety of new charging options. "We take pride in consistently being one of the first accessory manufacturers to market following a new Apple product announcement," said Kas Alves, Executive Vice President of Scosche Industries. "This time we are taking our commitment to being a market leader to a new level by delivering all our new iPad 2 products in the same month as Apple's announcement." iPad 2 users looking to protect their new tablet will have no shortage of options from Scosche. Inspired by the popular foldIO for the original iPad, the foldIO p2 is a stylish folio case. Available in black and white leather options, as well as black and white carbon fiber textured models, the foldIO p2 adds an element of sophistication to Scosche's iPad 2 case line. Priced at $49.99, the foldIO p2 features three landscape viewing positions and a suede interior for enhanced protection. The Scosche glosSEE p2 is a translucent, flexible rubber case for the new tablet that provides an enhanced grip and superior protection. Priced at $39.99, iPad 2 owners can choose from Crystal Clear, Smoke, Deep Purple, Rocker Pink and Blue options. Available in the same fun colors, the Scosche snapSHIELD p2 is a low profile polycarbonate case for iPad 2. The shatterproof snapSHIELD protects the iPad and features an open design, providing access to all the tablet's connections and controls for just $29.99. Scosche has also put together an offering of screen protectors for the iPad 2. Models include the klearCOAT p2, satinSHIELD p2 and privaSEE p2 and they are priced at $19.99, $24.99 and $49.99 respectively. The $59.99 Scosche freeKEY is a water resistant, Bluetooth keyboard, perfect for working on the go. The rugged, high quality silicone keyboard has a wireless range of up to 30 feet, a retractable USB cable for charging, and rolls up for easy storage. iPad 2 customers worried about running down the new tablet's battery can pick up a 2.1A powerPLUG for charging in the car for just $17.99, or the Scosche goBAT II dual USB battery back-up and charger for $79.99. Scosche's dual USB reVIVE II chargers are perfect for simultaneously charging an iPad 2 and another USB powered device at home or in the car and are available for $24.99 and $29.99 respectively. All of Scosche's tapLINE II earphones are also compatible with the second-generation iPad. In addition, to volume and track control, these earphones provide iPad 2 users with a high quality mic for FaceTime and voice memos. The Scosche sneakPEEK II, HD audio video output solution, also works with the iPad 2 and is perfect for sharing media on the iPad 2 with friends and family and is also available at www.scosche.com for $59.99. Follow Scosche at twitter.com/scosche or facebook.com/scosche for the latest news on the company's complete line of of iPad 2 accessories and all of Scosche's award-winning products. About Scosche Industries: Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2010, Scosche Industries is an award-winning innovator of iPad, iPhone and iPod accessories. Scosche is founded on its commitment to quality, value and customer service. With over 55 patents and countless industry awards it is easy to see that Scosche is consistently at the forefront of technology and innovation. Scosche Industries is the parent company of several distinct brands including: Scosche, REALM, EFX, BlueFusion and Accumat. Founded in 1980, Scosche is still 100% family owned and operated with over 120 great people alongside them. For more information visit our website at www.scosche.com. Media Contact: Mark Olson Max Borges Agency for Scosche Account Supervisor 305-576-1171 x17 markolson@maxborgesagency.com Relevant Entries on SlashGear First iPad kickstand emerges kicking Scosche unveils new revive II dual USB chargers for iPad and iPhone Scosche unveils new foldIO case for iPad fans Scosche reVIVE II Brings USB Charging for the iPad on the Go Scosche revive II Dual USB Car and Home chargers for iPad available for purchase

Sprint’s CTIA Special Event Invitation Received Posted: 02 Mar 2011 02:17 PM PST CTIA in Orlando, Florida is just three weeks away and we’re starting to get invites to various special events to take place during the major 3-day wireless exhibition. One of the carriers we’re looking forward to herding from in particular is Sprint – and lucky us, look what we got in the mail! Sprint has just sent out their invites and we look forward to seeing what new phones they have to offer. Last week, Sprint had some issues with their Samsung Epic 4G updating to Android 2.2 Froyo. But the problem seems to be resolving and we’re itching to see if they’ll push forth any devices featuring Android 2.3 Gingerbread or beyond at CTIA. It will be interesting to see what innovations they have planned and how much of that involves new Android devices. Hopefully, it won’t turn out like last times joint event with Kyocera for the unveiling of the ever-so-slightly strange dual-screen Echo – although we do love magic. Relevant Entries on SlashGear HTC to unveils its Android based phone on May 6? T-Mobile’s invitation to experience the new T-Mobile myTouch 3G Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9-Inch To Debut At CTIA CTIA Wireless 2006 in LA: SlashGear’s All Over It! SlashGear goes to CTIA Wireless 2007

iPad 2: Another Step Forward for Tablets Posted: 02 Mar 2011 02:03 PM PST Today Apple unveiled what’s next for the iPad. Last night I wrote an article pointing out a number of things I hoped were in store for the iPad 2. Luckily, Apple delivered on several key things I feel are important to move this category. More importantly Apple has provided a glimpse of where the iPad and the tablet category at large is heading. Moving Beyond a Hobbyist Gadget If you recall the early days of the microcomputer, many proclaimed that the new invention was a toy only for hobbyists and enthusiasts. There were many early visionaries who understood what exactly the personal computer was and could become, but it wasn’t until software like VisiCalc hit the scene that the microcomputer was truly turned into a productivity tool. With the new GarageBand and iMovie for iPad, Apple has taken a similar step and shown us how the iPad is coming into its own as a tool to be used by more than just hobbyists and enthusiasts to consume content. Of course it can consume content, that much is proven. however the iPad is capable of something more. This is not to say that GarageBand and or iMovie for iPad are the single applications that will change tablets forever, instead they are a signpost and a solid first step in that direction. As Steve Jobs pointed out during his presentation that his hopes were that the software community go above and beyond the first party apps Apple creates. As I stated in my article last night, an application like iMovie shines in a touch computing environment. iMovie is a typical OS X application used by many on the mouse and keyboard PC, yet in a touch computing environment the entire experience changes and becomes in some ways a more powerful tool for the job at hand. Advancing Hardware Advances Software Hardware, however, can’t stand still if we want new and better software to be created. The iPad is clearly on its way to becoming a stand-alone computing device and Apple’s continued advancements in their semiconductors shows they understand. By creating their own dual-core processor for the iPad 2 and optimizing their software to utilize this new performance, Apple has made a crucial hardware advancement. This advancement will not only benefit their software but also the software created by their rather formidable third party developer community. By Apple’s initial claims the new A5 dual core processor delivers up to 2x faster performance over the first generation iPad and 9x graphics performance. Software benefits from this kind of continued advancement in semiconductor performance, and if history is any indication we are just scratching the surface with software in this category. From Toy to Tool If people were not convinced yet that we are in the post PC era hopefully today will change their mind. The devices that we grew up knowing and loving called computers have evolved. A PC does not need to be a clamshell device with a physical keyboard and mouse in order to still do computing and perform productive tasks. Apple has proven this and hopefully provided a glimpse to the software community about what is possible. Today may very well serve as an inflection point for tablets as we look back in several years at how tablets have become not just essential entertainment tools but also tools for productivity and content creation. If that comes true we will have to credit Apple with at least playing a role as a catalyst to move this category forward, if not the catalyst that developed the market. In my mind we are just scratching the surface with touch computing and software that takes advantage of touch to let us compute in new and amazing ways. This much is clear tablets are more than simply consumption devices. Those who make tablets or tablet software with consumption only in mind will be missing out entirely on what is actually happening in this market. As Apple and others put great hardware on the market it becomes the tasks of software visionaries to utilize it. Much like what happened with VisiCalc in the early days of computing we are just now scratching the surface and I can’t wait to see what amazing software gets created. Relevant Entries on SlashGear 3DVIA unveils iPad 3D model viewer iPad can play SNES with four-step process iPad clone wraps Android in Apple UI Motorola tablet will miss the important holiday shopping season HP Working on webOS-Based Tablets That Will be Similar to the iPad

Twitter Temporarily Suspended Fake Steve Jobs Account With 460,000 Followers Posted: 02 Mar 2011 01:45 PM PST With the Apple iPad 2 event being the rage today, I couldn’t ignore the news that Twitter temporarily suspended the fake but popular Steve Jobs account yesterday. @ceoSteveJobs has over 460,000 followers and has been openly impersonating the CEO, posting humorous Apple-related tweets for quite some time now. It is unclear why the action was taken, but as of this morning the account has been reinstated. On January 1st of this year, a new “online impersonation law” was passed in California that banned people from assuming another person’s identity online in order to defraud or cause harm. This may have factored into the suspension, however, the @ceoSteveJobs account did not violate Twitter’s Terms of Service, which allowed parody accounts as along as they followed certain guidelines. The @ceoSteveJobs account does make it clear in its profile that it is not representing the real Steve Jobs. It is not certain why the account was suspended and now reinstated. But the good news is that it has been reinstated just in time for @ceoSteveJobs to tweet about the new iPad 2. [via ReadWriteWeb] Relevant Entries on SlashGear Fake Steve’s secret identity has been revealed Andy Rubin tweets “definition of open” as Jobs retort Recent Jobs iPhone 4 emails fake says Apple PR Microsoft Zune HD tweet rumor was fake Android no nightmare says TweetDeck CEO to Steve Jobs

Volkswagon Bulli Concept, an iPad Microbus? Posted: 02 Mar 2011 01:12 PM PST Volkswagen announced plans for a re-imagined Microbus for 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show. Germans call this iconic vehicle the Bulli. This concept carries a 113 horsepower motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. Theoretically, a full charge will carry you up to 186 miles with an hour of downtime to come back to full charge. It comes bundled with Apple’s iPad, integrated throughout the car’s systems. The tablet can interface with the Fender stereo system, the navigation, and even the air conditioner. The team at Volkswagen really took the iPad integration seriously. This isn’t just a simple docking system. The design comes included with a semicircular multifunction display just under the speedometer. This display can communicate with the iPad to display and control the navigation system, media playback, the integrated trip computer, and the bluetooth enabled communications package. Volkswagen kept the Bulli true to the spirit of the Microbus. It’s definitely of the same line, just brought up into the present day. For a nod to the car-camping culture that spawned the popularity of VW’s Microbus throughout the past sixty four years, the seats fold down into a bed for use as an impromptu camper. Check out the concept renderings Volkswagon released in Geneva. [via Autoblog] Relevant Entries on SlashGear Coconut fiber concept iPad case straight out of Gilligan's Island Apple rumored to be working on another larger tablet, possibly based on Mac OS X iPad Cam-Case concept sets sights on big-screen FaceTime PC tablet concept has matching smartphone used as QWERTY keyboard iPad multi-user UI concept is super-simple and much needed

Booqpad Folio For iPad 2 Fuses Tablet With Traditional Notepad Posted: 02 Mar 2011 01:02 PM PST The Apple iPad 2 has just been officially unveiled, so new accessories for the revamped device should be rolling out in droves. First one to catch our attention is the Booqpad Folio made for the iPad 2 that elegantly combines protection for the ipad with a traditional notepad. Unfortunately, it does not automatically transfer what you doodle on the notepad onto the iPad. For that you might look into LiveScribe’s smartpens. But for someone like myself that finds it difficult to do creative work directly on a computer or a tablet–such as when I’m sketching out my webcomics for SlashGear–a folio like this is a nice way for me to easily carry a traditional sketchpad along with my iPad. The Booqpad ships with a 50-sheet notepad and comes in 5 different color combinations made with a weatherproof leatherette material. It is also designed symmetrically so that it can be flipped for either right-hand or left-hand use. There’s room for a pen, stylus, business cards, and even cash. The Booqpad Folio is available now for $49.99 at Booq where you can also find a myriad of other iPad accessories including messenger bags, backpacks, and skins. Press Release: ooq Fuses Past and Present, Unveils the Smart and Stylish Booqpad Folio for iPad 2 With simple elegance and superior functionality, Booqpad provides the ideal solution to create, store, and present your next big idea Sierra Madre, California – (March 2, 2011) – Booq, a leading brand of premium laptop and iPad carrying cases, announces Booqpad for iPad 2. The ultimate accessory for today's creative professional, Booqpad combines the newest tablet on the market with the original tablet, the notepad. Booq combines these creative tools together perfectly in this simply elegant folio. Available at www.booqbags.com with eco-friendly and weatherproof versions for $49.95 and a higher-end luxury option for $99.95, the Booqpad is the ideal tool for designers, writers, engineers, and creative professionals everywhere. Whether you're designing the next app, sketching your latest product design, or just taking notes, pen and paper is sometimes the best way to bring your big idea to life. By fusing this tried & true method with the revolutionary iPad 2, booq makes it easy to create, store, review, and present your latest ideas all from one case. The highly functional interior layout includes designated areas for a pen, stylus, cash, paper notepad, and of course the iPad 2. A pair of business card slots, provide easy access to your cards, as well as a holder for all the important contacts you make during your day. Designed symmetrically for right and left hand users, each Booqpad ships with a 50-sheet A5 notepad made from at least 30% post-consumer materials and printed with soy ink. Paper refills come in multiple options, all tailored for creative professionals on the go. Each notepad has a specific layout created with certain tasks in mind, including website development, app design, sketching, 3D art, and creative writing. Notepad sheets are the exact size of the iPad screen and each is micro-perforated for a clean tear-off every time. Booqpad features include: • Easily stores pen, stylus, cash, business cards, paper notepad, and iPad 2 all in one elegant folio • Designed symmetrically for right and left handed users • Secures and protects iPad 2, providing in case access to all buttons and ports • Ships with 50 sheet notepad made from 30% post consumer materials and printed with soy ink • 5 interior/exterior color combos: white/berry, sand/plum, gray/green, coffee/cream, black/gray • $49.95 (Booqpad w/notepad) – $99.95 (coffee/cream model) – $9.95 (3-pack notepad refills) Notepad options include: • 5 MM-Ruled – Writing and note taking. Features a 18cm ruler with mm markings on the right edge for quick access • 960 Web – Website, app, and banner development. Each page is printed with a 20 pixel grid and color lines & numbers indicating a 60 pixel-wide column with 20 pixel gutters • 5 MM Grid – 3D product and packaging development. 5mm grid makes it easy to draw scaled or full-sized 3D objects • ½ Inch Ruled – Note taking. Lines spaced ½ and 1 inch with the right edge featuring a 7 inch ruler perfect for measuring your products • Blank – Ideal service to sketch out concepts, layouts, or brainstorm session ideas • Blank Gray – Gray canvas allows sketching with light colored pens and colored pencils inspiring more creativity and design • Available in 3-packs for $9.95 With attention to style and quality, booq provides multiple materials to choose from. Two models (gray-green, sand-plum) are constructed with a custom-made duotone fabric woven with 100% recycled PET, giving your water bottles an afterlife. For a higher-end option, booq crafted the luxuriously elegant coffee-cream model using supple first-grade Nappa leather. The slick black-gray and white-berry models sport an extremely durable, weatherproof leatherette exterior. Booqpad becomes the newest addition to the booq line of folios, messengers, backpacks, and iPad bags & skins. Shipping in late March, Booqpad for iPad 2 is available starting at $49.95 (recycled PET, leatherette) and $99.95 (Nappa leather) on www.booqbags.com and various retailers throughout the U.S., see www.stores.booq.com. To request additional information about booq, please contact PR Representative Brad Hobbs at (305) 576-1171 x19 or by e-mail at bradhobbs@maxborgesagency.com. To learn more about booq, go to www.booqbags.com. About booq: Booq strives to create high-end laptop bags while providing excellent customer service to the next generation of ambitious creative professionals. It is no accident that this privately-held family company was started, and is still run, by a small team of highly motivated creative individuals who are committed to providing the highest level of product performance and service to some of the world’s most demanding customers for many years to come. For more information please visit www.booqbags.com. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Booq Boa folio case for iPad reminds me of grade school European geeks can now get Toshiba FOLIO 100 Android tablet Aiptek My Note Digital Notepad Periscope Lighted Folio now fits Kindle 2 and Nook in black or pink Griffin jump on iPad accessory gravy train

iPad 2 vs iPad 1 [Original] Posted: 02 Mar 2011 12:57 PM PST What’s changed between a few hours ago and now? If you were to have purchase an iPad yesterday, would you be crying today? Short answer – yes. Long answer – lets look at the specs on both machines. While it may appear from about 20 feet away that these devices look basically the same, there’s quite a few lovely additions to the iPad 2 that bring it right in line for competing with what Apple has called the “Year of the copycats” – referring directly to Android and Blackberry devices on the horizon (and in the streets, if you consider Motorola XOOM, the first Android 3.0 Honeycomb OS optimized tablet.) But what’s the real question here for those dedicated fans of Apple? What will I get when I trade in my old iPad for the iPad 2? First of all, there are a bunch of things that essentially haven’t changed at all between iPad and iPad 2. The display is exactly the same as before, as is the resolution: 9.7-inch LED-backlit IPS LCD with 1024 x 768 pixel resolution. The next thing that’s exactly the same is the storage options, 16, 32, and 64GB being your options. Your Wifi will still be 802.11 a/b/g/n, your Bluetooth will still be 2.1 + EDR, accelerometer stays the same at 3-axis, and you’ll be able to get your iPad in black. But from there on out, things start improving in sweet ways. You’ll be able to get your iPad 2 in black, but you’ll also have the option of a white bezel. Does this mean the next iPhone will have the same option out of the gate? Perhaps. Your iPad 2 processor has been improved from a 1GHz Apple A4 to a 1GHz dual-core Apple A5. That’s slick! We’re not sure yet of the improvements in RAM or Graphics power, but we do know that whatever they’ve done inside, they’ve figured out a way to make the whole package lighter. Where before your iPad was either 680g or 730g depending on if you wanted 3G or not, the heaviest new iPad is 613g, and that’s the AT&T model. Next lightest is 607g with Verizon, and 601g with just Wifi. In the iPad 2 you get a gyroscope where iPad 1 did not include one, the thickness of the entire unit has been reduced 33% from 13.4mm down to 8.8mm, and you get not one, but two new cameras. Not much is known about the capabilities of these cameras quite yet, but the front camera being a VGA webcam and the back being capable of recording video at 720p is definitely a step up from having no cameras at all. Your cellular radio has been added to, where before you only had EDGE plus triband HSPA, you now have EDGE plus triband HSPA OR CDMA / EV-DO Rev. A. We ran a Spider benchmark on both devices and came up with the following: iPad 1 rang in at 8492 iPad 2 with 2021 Lower is better. In fact it’s so good, we wrote a whole [post] about it. Sound sweet? That’s only the specs. New items have been added to iOS 4.3 that’ll make your experience on this new tablet a completely re-vamped one, and Apple has taken it upon themselves to introduce a new cover system that works with magnets and automatically turns off and on the device when its screen is blocked. Oh and there’s HDMA out for HD video display. This HDMA capability works with whatever’s on your screen, out of the box, and the connector only costs $39. Also the cost for iPad 2 is the same as iPad 1. Better product for the same amount of money. And you can take that to the bank. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Apple slashes $100 off iPad to clear old stock AT&T Clearance On iPad Accessories To Make Way For iPad 2? iPad 2 Possibly Revealed Next Week? iPad 3G SMS hack gets video demo First Gen iPad Pulled from Best Buy Inventory

Motorola XOOM WiFi reappears with inflated price Posted: 02 Mar 2011 12:53 PM PST After the Motorola XOOM WiFi was spotted appearing on PC World’s site yesterday at £449.99, the UK retailer promptly whipped down the pre-order pricing for the Honeycomb slate. The good news is that it’s now back; the bad news is that PC World has increased the price, which is now at £499.99. That seems a sneaky increase to us, though we’re sure PC World would argue that the original pricing was a mistake and, since the pre-order button wasn’t working at the time, there are no customers who might demand the retailer honor the lower figure. The XOOM is expected to arrive at the end of April, along the with the – so far unpriced – 3G version at Carphone Warehouse. [Thanks Theo!] Relevant Entries on SlashGear WiFi-only Motorola XOOM clears FCC WiFi-only Motorola XOOM pricing confirmed Motorola XOOM WiFi-only in April; 800k shipments expected Q1 Motorola to launch Xoom in Europe in Q2 Motorola Xoom Pricing Confirmed $799

iPad 2 Browser Benchmarks Posted: 02 Mar 2011 12:44 PM PST The iPad 2, Steve Jobs took to the stage to tell us, offers twice the performance of the original iPad and 9x the graphics performance, thanks to its dual-core 1GHz Apple A5 processor. Still, what does that mean for daily use? Considering most people spend their time on tablets browsing, we ran some side-by-side SunSpider benchmarking on Apple’s old and new iPads to see how the new model shaped up. Check out the results after the cut. SunSpider, for those unfamiliar, tests core JavaScript performance with a variety of tasks intended to replicate real-world behaviors. So, it generates a tagcloud from JSON input, a 3D raytracer, performs cryptography tests and code decompression, and other tasks that might be encountered in everyday browsing. In SunSpider, a lower score is better, and the iPad 2 proved more than 4x as fast as the iPad overall. The original tablet scored 8594.9ms, while the iPad 2 managed 2121.7ms. Among the individual benchmarks the iPad 2 scored 263.4ms in 3D testing (vs 1202.2ms), 265.0ms in access (vs 1247.1ms), and 142.8ms in cryptography (vs 572.7ms). Now, there’s more to browsing than just JavaScript of course, but this is a pretty first fantastic showing from the new Apple slate. Click the image below for the full-sized results; the iPad 2 is on the left, the iPad on the right. Relevant Entries on SlashGear iLunascape browser brings tabs and more to the iPad Benchmarks appear for the upcoming ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT AMD K10 Benchmarks – They don’t look good, but there’s still hope WoW streamed to iPad gets fans excited iPad Hands-on Gallery and Video

Apple iPad 2 To Ship In Both Black And White Posted: 02 Mar 2011 12:38 PM PST Isn’t amazing that Apple’s new iPad 2 is now thinner than the iPhone 4? But perhaps even more amazing is that they somehow managed to produce a white version of the iPad 2, something seemingly impossible to produce with the iPhone 4. After numerous delays, the promised white iPhone 4 has yet to surface. As you may have seen in our earlier hands-on with the iPad 2 live from Apple’s unveiling event, that the new device is being shown off side by side in both white and black. The body features a metal chassis that is ultra thin but still flex-resistant. A matte aluminum encases the back while the glossy front side once only black, now comes in white. Both versions will ship immediately on March 11th. There will be no waiting around for the white version as we have had to with the iPhone 4. But by now, it is likely a pipe dream, and that Apple may just reserve the white version for iPhone 5. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Apple iPad Keyboard Dock won’t ship until mid-April Apple iPad Torn Apart by FCC Apple iPad accessory delays lengthening Apple updated but still no white iPhone 4 MIC Store unveils 3-in-1 iPad Camera Connection Kit

Nintendo 3DS to get AT&T WiFi Hotspots, Netflix streaming Posted: 02 Mar 2011 12:31 PM PST Nintendo obviously didn’t get the memo that the news cycle belonged to Apple and the iPad 2 today; CEO Satoru Iwata took to the stage at GDC 2011 and announced two collaborations for the Nintendo 3DS, with Netflix and AT&T. The Nintendo 3DS will drop in the US on March 27, and after a software update at the end of May, be able to automatically connect to AT&T’s 10,000 WiFi hotspots. Meanwhile, this summer will bring Netflix to the 3DS. Those subscribers with an unlimited plan - starting at $7.99 a month – will be able to stream movies and TV shows over WiFi connections. They’ll also be able to start watching content at home, via Netflix on the Wii, and then pick up where they left off on the 3DS. The May update will also activate the Nintendo eShop. Iwata also announced a 3D Super Mario game, with “traditional Mario game play” and developed by the same Nintendo team that created the Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 for the Wii. Press Release: NINTENDO PLANS NEW 3D SUPER MARIO GAME, ANNOUNCES AT&T, NETFLIX COLLABORATIONS Upcoming Nintendo 3DS System Will Expand the World of Nintendo Entertainment SAN FRANCISCO, March 2, 2011 – A new 3D game from Nintendo’s iconic Super Mario series is in the works for the Nintendo 3DS™ portable system. Nintendo also announced two upcoming collaborations: Nintendo 3DS owners will be able to connect automatically to the Internet at more than 10,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots, while Netflix members will instantly stream movies and other content on their Nintendo 3DS systems. These features were announced today at the Game Developers Conference during Nintendo President Satoru Iwata’s keynote address, titled “Video Games Turn 25: A Historical Perspective and Vision for the Future.” During his speech, Iwata said Nintendo 3DS gives developers new tools to create games and experiences never before possible while enabling them to reach the public in new ways. “There is great potential to increase the number of people who enjoy video games by opening up new game-play opportunities that are only available through the use of 3D.” Iwata said. “Nintendo 3DS will be the most connected Nintendo device ever, with its ability to link people via local wireless connections, while at the same time connecting them to people and content worldwide via hotspot connectivity.” Nintendo 3DS launches March 27 in the United States at a suggested retail price of $249.99. It lets users view 3D content without the need for special glasses. The announced 3D Super Mario game will feature traditional Mario™ game play and will fulfill the dream of Nintendo video game designer (and Mario creator) Shigeru Miyamoto to bring true depth and distance into the game’s mechanics. The game is being developed by the same Nintendo team that created the Wii™ console hits Super Mario Galaxy™ and Super Mario Galaxy 2. At the end of May, Nintendo will provide Nintendo 3DS owners with a wireless system update that will activate the Nintendo eShop and give users access to a number of features: A short-form video service will let people view trailers for Hollywood movies in 3D and access video game trailers, screen shots, background information and links to publishers’ websites. Content will include short video clips, such as comedy shorts or music videos, selected by Nintendo and delivered to Nintendo 3DS users who choose to receive them. Downloadable classic games via the portable Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console™ service will include Game Boy™ and Game Boy Color games, as well as those from the Game Gear and TurboGrafx-16 systems. “3D Classics” will introduce select classic video games remastered in 3D. Games currently offered as Nintendo DSiWare™ and an Internet browser will be available. The system update will also provide a solution for Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™ owners to transfer their Nintendo DSiWare games to their new Nintendo 3DS systems. To help make the wireless features of Nintendo 3DS as smooth as possible, Nintendo has collaborated with AT&T to provide Nintendo 3DS owners with automatic and free access to more than 10,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots nationwide with the May system update. Nintendo’s aim is to make getting connected easy for everyone, so people who opt in to the system’s SpotPass™ service will tell their Nintendo 3DS systems to automatically connect to AT&T Hot Spots at restaurants, book stores, coffee shops and airports across the country. This summer, Nintendo 3DS will incorporate Netflix functionality. Netflix members who have an unlimited plan starting at $7.99 a month can access a broadband wireless Internet connection and instantly stream movies and TV shows directly to their Nintendo 3DS systems, similar to how the service is used on the Wii console. This means people can start watching a movie via Netflix on their Wii systems at home and then pick up the same movie later from a different location using their Nintendo 3DS systems. For more information about Nintendo 3DS, visit http://www.nintendo3ds.com. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Netflix instant-streaming for Nintendo Wii? 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No Hybrid Modem for 3G iPad 2; Verizon iPad 2 lacks Global Roaming Posted: 02 Mar 2011 12:19 PM PST Unlike the original iPad, Apple is offering AT&T and Verizon versions of the iPad 2 WiFi + 3G out of the door. Unfortunately, carrier choice doesn’t offer quite the flexibility we were hoping for: according to Apple, “the iPad model you purchase is specially configured to work with either AT&T or Verizon — not both.” “While you don't have to activate 3G service right away, you should choose your iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G according to the carrier you prefer” Apple warns. We’d hoped that the iPad 2 would have a hybrid GSM/CDMA modem which could be used on both AT&T’s 3G/UMTS and Verizon’s EVDO Rev.A networks, but sadly that’s not the case. In fact, if you opt for the Verizon iPad 2 WiFi + 3G, then just as with the Verizon iPhone 4 you won’t be able to access cellular services outside of North America. The modem is CDMA-only, rather than a so-called World Phone modem, and don’t even think about 4G LTE. We’ll have to wait until the first teardowns to know whether, as in the Verizon iPhone, there’s actually a dual-mode modem in there that’s simply locked to one or the other connection types. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Verizon FIVESPOT hands-on Verizon iPad MiFi commercial released [Video] Verizon launches UMW190 USB world modem Hutchison Austria to give iPad discount with 2-year 3G modem contract Apple iPad accessories: Keyboard Dock, case & more

Apple iPad crushes the competition Posted: 02 Mar 2011 12:11 PM PST Jobs announced a major win this morning while unveiling the new iPad 2 to those of us in the press. Speaking from San Francisco, he announced the release of this new tablet and spoke of the strength of the company moving into 2011. Apple’s sales are more than strong. The industry giant has managed to nail the tablet market while hitting a huge milestone in the smart phone market. Steve Jobs announced this during his presentation today in San Francisco. He also presented figures on the more than phenomenal 2010 iPad sales figures. Apple didn’t even have a year to smoke the competition. Through April-December last year, Apple cornered 90% of the market on Tablets and still managed break 100 million total units sold on the various models of iPhone. This means 9.5 billion dollars in revenue for just nine months of 2010, and that’s from the iPad alone. Marry this to 200 million paying accounts with credit cards and one-click purchasing, and Apple has a revenue generating empire. They have consumer trust, they have brand identity, and they are kicking the competition out the window right now. Relevant Entries on SlashGear First Gen iPad Pulled from Best Buy Inventory Apple Cuts Off iPad Supply Ahead Of iPad 2 Announcement iPad Coming in 7-Inch Version, Bringing Two Cameras Along With it in 2011 iPad 2nd Generation Could Feature Camera and Mini USB Port, Analysts Say International iPad on sale now

No 720p FaceTime HD for iPad 2 Posted: 02 Mar 2011 12:03 PM PST Apple showed off the new slim form of the iPad 2 along with iOS 4.3, A5 chip, faster CPU and graphics speeds and demoed new creativity apps, GarageBand and iMovie, at today’s unveiling event that was overall pretty awesome. However, one thing that the iPad 2 truly fails to impress is the uninspiring quality of their front and rear facing cameras which means no 720p FaceTime HD for the new device. The front facing camera is only VGA quality and can record up to 30 frames per second with audio. VGA quality is only 640 x 480. The rear facing camera is slightly better but still Apple seems a bit evasive on the specs. The back camera can record video in 720p HD up to 30 frames per second with audio and can take still images with 5x digital zoom. Exact resolution information for the cameras to do a megapixel to megapixel comparison between the iPad 2 and competing tablets may be intentionally omitted. But based on what’s been shown, its apparent that the Motorola Xoom’s 2MP front camera and 5MP back camera with dual LED flash has got the iPad 2 beat. Relevant Entries on SlashGear iPad 2 FaceTime, Camera and PhotoBooth support spotted FaceTime to use Apple ID & email for iPod touch & iPad users? FaceTime for Mac 1.0 hits Mac App Store for $0.99 iPad Cam-Case concept sets sights on big-screen FaceTime iPad 2 Rumors Confirmed By Wall Street Journal

iPad 2 Hands-on [Video] Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:53 AM PST Make no mistake, the iPad 2 is one very skinny tablet. It’s obvious the amount of effort Apple has put into reducing what was already a pretty slender slate to a ridiculously thin slice of iOS goodness; the 8.8mm body – thinner than an iPhone 4, don’t forget – should feel delicate, you worry, but the metal chassis still feels sturdy and the whole thing is flex-free. Thanks to the new 1GHz dual-core Apple A5 processor and the latest version of iOS, 4.3, the whole thing feels quicker and smoother than the original iPad. Still, we should notice the improvement more when the iPad 2 starts getting loaded down with apps; the iPad was never a slouch when it came to gaming, and the new model will only improve that. Apps open quickly and screen rotation is snappy; we appreciate being able to lock it again with the side-switch, a new addition to iOS 4.3. Despite concerns that a white bezel might be distracting from the screen, the white iPad 2 is actually surprisingly usable: it feels a lot more like a pad of paper, and should be popular with those who primarily use their tablet for reading ebooks. The Smart Covers work just as Steve Jobs described, clicking into place instantly and proving surprisingly sturdy in the magnetic grip. The polyurethane versions may be cheap – at $39 each – but they don’t feel that way, and they’re lighter than the original iPad case too. The automatic sleep functionality works just like a BlackBerry holster, and adds to the feeling of the iPad 2 being a magical book that’s always ready and waiting for you when you need it. All in all, while there isn’t the huge resolution change many hoped for, and iOS 4.3 offers much the same as before, the overall usability feels significantly improved. Simply being able to hold the iPad 2 more easily with one hand makes a big difference, and the lighter chassis and dual-core CPU will make for a more instantaneous user-experience. We’re definitely excited to get our hands on an iPad 2 for a longer review period, but until then check out the hands on gallery below. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Apple iPad video galore: Keynote & Hands-On Apple iPad 2 To Ship In Both Black And White iPad more likely to be purchased by current Apple owners iPad Hands-on Gallery and Video Boingo WiFi will support iPad from day one

iPad 2 vs Motorola XOOM Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:47 AM PST Behold the new fistfight. While we have had many a competition between tablets of Android and the iPad original, this is 2011′s real brawl. We’re talking the official Google approved Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet vs Apple’s hero product, the second generation in what’s quickly become a game-changing device in the whole world of consumer electronics. Who will emerge victorious? Lets begin with the XOOM: This Motorola produced tablet is being carried by Verizon currently and runs Google’s first tablet-specific Android OS, Android 3.0 Honeycomb. This tablet was made by Motorola who worked closely with Google to produce what they’re pushing as the perfect platform to show off the capabilities of the Honeycomb OS. The dimensions on this device are 9.80 x 6.61 x 0.51 inches (249 x 167.8 x 12.9 mm) and the weight is right around 25.75 oz (730 g) depending on what you’ve got inside. On the front is a 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 pixel resolution WXGA display capable of delivering HD 720p video playback (AAC, H.263, H.264, MP3, MPEG-4, ACC+ Enhanced, OGG, MIDI, AMR NB, AAC+). Around the display is a black metal bezel, on the back is either a black metal cover (USA) or a silver metal cover (EURO.) There’s also a special edition floating around out there with a slightly more gold tinge to it. As for the processor you’ll find a 1GHz Dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2. Also inside you’ll find memory up to 32GB for storage. Accelerometer, CDMA800 /1900 LTE 700, Rx diversity in all bands connection, GPS, headphone jack, Wifi 802.11 a/b/g/n, microUSB, HDMI out, Bluetooth 2.1, and over 8 hours of heavy-use battery time, with 24 hours of standby (with supposedly a max at 14 days.) Cameras include a 2 megapixel webcam on front and a 5 megapixel 720p-capturing photo and video camera on the back with dual-LED flash. Access to Android Marketplace and Google’s collection of standard apps. We’ve got reviews on Android Community [here for unboxing] and [here for a massive Q and A] as well as on SlashGear [here]. Next, the iPad 2: This is Apple’s new big fish, with the iPad 1 being one of the biggest devices in the tech universe in 2010, a second generation of this tablet must be on the ball to follow up, especially since the Android universe is responding in kind this year with a wave of opposing tablets. This new iPad comes with everything in the original plus it’s running the latest version of Apple’s iOS, version 4.3. The iPad 2 comes packed with a dual-core A5 processor.  Apple included dual-cameras, a VGA webcam up front, and a 720p camera on back – both of which we’re unsure of as far as still photos go. There is the same 9.7inch LED-backlit LCD display, but with a 33% thinner and 15% lighter frame than the original. Apple is claiming up to ten hours of battery life, even with the reduced weight. They are offering models with up to 64GB of internal storage and Wi-Fi and 3G are both supported. There’s a built in gyro, HSUPA support for enhanced 3G uploading speeds on AT&T. They also put in HDMI mirroring for your iPad so you can mirror your iPad screen on any HDTV.  That looks like a good package for some amazing online games, both on the go, and at home. In just a few minutes we’ll have a full hands-on look at this brand new device so you’ll be able to judge it your nicest or harshest in the correct amount of light. EDIT – for those of you who prefer a more list-like and less paragraph-esque sort of look at these two tablets, here’s this: OS Android 3.0 Honeycomb Display 10.1-inch WXGA 1280 x 800 Pixel Resolution Touchscreen Weight 730 g Dimensions 9.80 x 6.61 x 0.51 inches Color Black [USA], Silver [EURO], Gold [SE] – all variations in back panel Cameras – front, -back Processor Dual-Core NVIDIA Tegra 2 Battery 8 hours heavy use (so says we), up to 14 days standby Price $799 Verizon, $600 Verizon Wifi-Only, £499.99 Euro Wifi-Only Connections accelerometer, CDMA800 /1900 LTE 700 (4G), Rx diversity in all bands connection, GPS, headphone jack, Wifi 802.11 a/b/g/n, microUSB, HDMI out, Bluetooth 2.1, mic, 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack, miniUSB OS iOS 4.3 Display 9.7-inch LED-backlit IPS LCD 1024 x 768 Resolution Touchscreen Weight 613g [AT&T], 607g [VERIZON], 601g [WIFI] Dimensions 9.5 x 7.31 x .34 inches Color Black or White – both variations in front bezel Cameras VGA Webcam (unknown quality) – front, 720p Video (additional qualities unknown) -back Processor Dual-Core Apple A5 Battery 10 hours heavy use (says Apple), up to 1 month standby Price $499 16GB, $599 32GB, $699 64GB, $629 16GB+3G, $729 32GB+3G, $829 64GB+3G – all models include Wifi Connections gyroscope, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, HUSPA support, HDMI out, Wifi 802.11a/b/g/n, 3G, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology, mic, 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack, 30-pin dock connector port, GPS and Cellular location on 3G models One thing we should mention here is that neither of these devices are fully released just yet. There’s certainly testers out there for the XOOM, but the iPad 2 has been under HEAVY wraps for some time now. Once we get the chance to put the iPad 2 through the same hoops we’ve been pushing the XOOM through, we’ll know for sure who mister victorious is. For now though, we’re content having both pads in our backpack. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Motorola Xoom $1200 Best Buy Pre-Order Page Pulled $1,200 Motorola XOOM listing: madness or mistake? Motorola XOOM Named Best in Show Motorola XOOM WiFi/EVDO/HSPA detailed; “ability to deliver 50MB/s” justifies $799 price Motorola XOOM WiFi reappears with inflated price

Apple slashes $100 off iPad to clear old stock Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:39 AM PST The iPad 2 won’t go on sale until March 11, but the first-gen iPad has already slipped into Apple’s bargain basement. You can now pick up any iPad WiFi or iPad WiFi + 3G with $100 off the original price, which means the entry-level 16GB model is now just $399. We’ve already heard that supplies at resellers are low, so you may struggle to find third-party vendors offering these sorts of discounts. Expect a big impact on those trying to offload their original iPads on eBay and through other routes, too, in advance of the new iPad 2. More on the iPad 2 here. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Apple iPad stock shortages tip iPad 2 imminent Milo will find in stock iPads at Best Buys near you International iPad goes on sale 300,000 iPad 3G sold in first weekend claims analyst International iPad preorders delayed again: vague “June” delivery estimate

Apple Demos GarageBand For The iPad 2 Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:24 AM PST Apple’s director of music marketing, Xander Soren, demoed a new GarageBand app for the next-gen iPad. This new app now makes music and creativity an easy part of your life on the go. Once only available on your Mac desktop or notebook, now you can transport your instruments with you for creative rifts that you can save and share on the new ultra thin iPad 2. The GarageBand app features a whole slew of different instruments that you can select to play. It also has Smart instruments that can teach you to play if you do not already know how. Using the accelerometer feature, the app can recognize different pressures applied and hence play different sounds accordingly. Octaves can be altered by tapping through the notes and tones can be changed using little sliders. The music you create or record using the app can also then be edited and mixed, with creativity your only limit. The music you make can then be emailed to friends or sent to your iTunes library. “Anyone can make music now, with something this thick, and only weighing 1.3 pounds,” says Steve Jobs. “I cannot tell you how many hours teenagers will spend, making music with this.” GarageBand for the iPad 2 will be available March 11th for $4.99. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Apple GarageBand 11 Announced with Flex Time and Groove Matching Apple Confirms no Trial Software or Demos in Mac App Store No 720p FaceTime HD for iPad 2 First Gen iPad Pulled from Best Buy Inventory Apple Cuts Off iPad Supply Ahead Of iPad 2 Announcement

iMovie for iPad revealed Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:22 AM PST Apple’s is taking on criticisms that its tablet is only intended for content consumption, and alongside the iPad 2 it has also unveiled iMovie for iPad. Set to go on sale on March 11 – alongside the iPad 2 – for $4.99 in the App Store, it allows for video editing of the 720p HD video the new slate’s rear camera can record, with a precision editor and support for multitrack audio. There are three preset themes – Neon, Simple, and CNN iReport – which each come with titles, transitions, and an accompanying soundtrack, and you can drop in still photos with Ken Burns-style panning effect that uses face recognition to make sure peoples’ faces are always in frame. There’s also titling support, with various fonts and finishes. The integrated microphone allows for voice narration, and there are 50 preloaded sound effects. Once you’ve finished, you can export to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, or CNN iReport, or stream via AirPlay or using the iPad 2 HDMI adapter. iMovie for iPad will work on the iPad 2, iPhone 4 and 4th-gen iPod touch. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Geek ports iMovie to iPhone 3GS iMovie ’11 blocks studio names over new Movie Trailer intros Apple iMovie is Coming to iPhone 4 iMovie for iPhone 4 arrives in iTunes Verizon iPad MiFi commercial released [Video]

iOS 4.3 due March 11 for iPad, iPhone & iPod touch Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:09 AM PST Apple has officially announced iOS 4.3, which will ship pre-loaded on the iPad 2 and be available as a free download for existing iPad, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 (GSM) and 3rd/4th-Gen iPod touch owners from Friday, March 11. The new version includes the Nitro Javascript engine from the OS X version of Safari for faster web-browsing, along with an updated version of iTunes Home Sharing that allows you to stream music from iTunes on the desktop to your iOS device. Meanwhile there’s also the new version of AirPlay, with audio and video sharing support for third-party App Store apps. The AT&T iPhone 4 will get Personal Hotspot functionality, like the Verizon model has, and – perhaps most anticipated – the side switch will be user-assignable to either mute or rotation-lock, particularly handy on the iPad. iOS 4.3 will be available to iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users as a free software update on Friday, March 11. iOS 4.3 is compatible with iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 (GSM model), plus third and fourth generation iPod touch Press Release: Apple Introduces iOS 4.3 Update Includes Faster Safari Performance, iTunes Home Sharing, AirPlay Improvements & New Personal Hotspot SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Apple® today introduced iOS 4.3, the latest version of the world's most advanced mobile operating system. New features in iOS 4.3 include faster Safari® mobile browsing performance with the Nitro JavaScript engine; iTunes® Home Sharing; enhancements to AirPlay®; the choice of using the iPad™ side switch to either lock the screen rotation or mute the audio; and the Personal Hotspot feature for sharing an iPhone® 4 cellular data connection over Wi-Fi. "With more than 160 million iOS devices worldwide, including over 100 million iPhones, the growth of the iOS platform has been unprecedented," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "iOS 4.3 adds even more features to the world's most advanced mobile operating system, across three blockbuster devices — iPad, iPhone and iPod touch — providing an ecosystem that offers customers an incredibly rich experience and developers unlimited opportunities." The Safari mobile browsing experience gets even better with iOS 4.3. The Nitro JavaScript engine that Apple pioneered on the desktop is now built into WebKit, the technology at the heart of Safari, and more than doubles the performance of JavaScript execution using just-in-time compilation. With the Nitro JavaScript engine, Safari provides an even better mobile browser experience working faster to support the interactivity of complex sites you visit on a daily basis. New iTunes Home Sharing allows iOS 4.3 users to play music, movies and TV shows on an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch® from their iTunes library on a Mac® or PC over a local Wi-Fi network. With a simple tap you can enjoy all the media in your iTunes library wherever you are in your home. You can stream a movie from your Mac in one room to your iPad in another or stream an iTunes mix to your iPod touch from the office to the kitchen. With Home Sharing on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch you've got your entire iTunes library in your hands wherever you are in your home. iOS 4.3 includes enhancements to AirPlay, the breakthrough wireless technology that allows users to stream music, photos and video to Apple TV®. With iOS 4.3 you can stream additional content including video from third party apps and web sites, videos from the Photos app and previews from the iTunes app to your TV.* AirPlay also allows you to bring photos to life on the TV screen by using one of the stunning new slideshow transitions, or shoot a video on your iPad 2, iPhone or iPod touch and stream it directly from the Photos app to Apple TV. The new Personal Hotspot feature in iOS 4.3 lets you bring Wi-Fi with you anywhere you go, by allowing you to share an iPhone 4 cellular data connection with up to five devices in a combination of up to three Wi-Fi, three Bluetooth and one USB device.** Joining a Personal Hotspot is easy and once the feature is enabled a status bar displays how many devices are currently connected. Every connection is password protected and when not in use Personal Hotspot turns itself off to save battery life. More than 10 billion apps have been downloaded from the revolutionary App Store℠ and more than 350,000 apps are available, including more than 65,000 native iPad apps, to consumers in 90 countries. Users of the more than 160 million iOS devices around the world can choose from an incredible range of apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. Availability iOS 4.3 will be available to iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users as a free software update on Friday, March 11. iOS 4.3 is compatible with iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 (GSM model), plus third and fourth generation iPod touch. For more information please visit www.apple.com. * AirPlay video requires second generation Apple TV running the latest software. ** Personal Hotspot requires supporting data plan. Customers should check with their carrier for availability. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Another geek shows off untethered Jailbreak for iPod and iPhone iPod Touch – A case of identity crisis GSLO at work on version of ApplePeel 520 for iPad Apple doubles max storage for iPod Touch and iPhone Optimus Touch is an iPod Touch wannabe

iOS 4.3 Photo Booth Introduced Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:08 AM PST Apple introduced a rather strange little character in their keynote speech on iOS 4.3, a system released right alongside the second iPad. iPad 2 will be featuring a brand new version of Photo Booth, an application popular for first-time users of Apple products over the past few years as it’s one of the only instantly fun-to-use apps loaded on every OS X product. Now it’s here on the iPad 2 in iOS 4.3 with an oddly tantalizing set of features. It’s capable (on the new tablet, at least,) of loading 9 live video streams at once so you know how your face will be distorted (since that’s essentially the main function of this neat little app. Also you can manipulate effects by touching your screen, whip back and forth through effects, do basically anything you want to an image of whatever your iPad is looking at. This appears for now to be an app aimed at the front-facing camera of the tablet, but more than likely will be working with the back-facing camera sooner than later. Fun to be had! Relevant Entries on SlashGear Geurilla-style Dandruff campaigns by Head and Shoulders and Unilever iLife ’08 is introduced Personal Music Showers Introduced at Burger King in Japan Personal cell phone booth – Shutting out your conversations The Cell Zone

Apple’s iPad 2 Official, Lighter and Faster Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:03 AM PST Apple’s new iPad 2 has officially debuted and Steve Jobs was on stage for the event to show off the new device now 33 percent slimmer than its predecessor and features a dual-core A5 chip. The iPad 2 with the new A5 chip featuring dual processors should be twice the CPU speed and have up to nine times faster graphics running on the same low power as the A4 chip. This tablet will be the very first dual-core tablet to ship in mass volume. The body is not as angular as previously speculated, but much thinner indeed. The original 13.4mm thickness has dropped down to 8.8mm. This change reduces the weight from 1.5 pounds to 1.3 pounds. Relevant Entries on SlashGear iPad 2 Rumors Confirmed By Wall Street Journal The Cigarette Shaped Lighter Official Etch a Sketch app for iPad lands iPad WiBro planned for South Korea? Apple iPad 2 Liveblog Reminder!

Apple iOS 4.3 Released at iPad 2 Event Posted: 02 Mar 2011 10:58 AM PST Scott Forstall stood on stage after Steve Jobs introduced the first official look at the iPad 2 as we sat in the audience and looked upon the new icon with a gigantic 4.3 emblazoned upon it. This is definitely been in the cannon for a little while, its release being timed perfectly with the release of iPad 2. Safari performance has been improved with the Nitro JavaScript engine (exciting!) iTunes home sharing is introduced, allowing you to get all of your content directly over a Wifi connection. AirPlay has been improved, with a single tap on the AirPlay icon popping up a window that shows your Apple TV if it’s in range (or whichever other device will play nice with it, we suppose!) Continuing on with the AirPlay improvements, sharing photos now has a built-in slide show option. Furthermore, apps from the store as well as websites can do both video and audio. Then comes the biggest little news blip of all in iOS 4.3: the iPad switch can now either be used as a mute button or as an orientation lock – hooray! Then there’s another little blip about iPhone 4 – iOS 4.3 now adds personal hotspot to its list of dealings. At the point where Scott Forstall reached this tidbit in his speech about iOS 4.3, he moved on the Photo Booth, which we find important enough to make its own post about, thusly you can get that information here: [link added in a moment] March 2, 2011 18:45 UTC Apple Introduces iOS 4.3 Update Includes Faster Safari Performance, iTunes Home Sharing, AirPlay Improvements & New Personal Hotspot SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Apple® today introduced iOS 4.3, the latest version of the world's most advanced mobile operating system. New features in iOS 4.3 include faster Safari® mobile browsing performance with the Nitro JavaScript engine; iTunes® Home Sharing; enhancements to AirPlay®; the choice of using the iPad™ side switch to either lock the screen rotation or mute the audio; and the Personal Hotspot feature for sharing an iPhone® 4 cellular data connection over Wi-Fi. "With more than 160 million iOS devices worldwide, including over 100 million iPhones, the growth of the iOS platform has been unprecedented," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "iOS 4.3 adds even more features to the world's most advanced mobile operating system, across three blockbuster devices — iPad, iPhone and iPod touch — providing an ecosystem that offers customers an incredibly rich experience and developers unlimited opportunities." The Safari mobile browsing experience gets even better with iOS 4.3. The Nitro JavaScript engine that Apple pioneered on the desktop is now built into WebKit, the technology at the heart of Safari, and more than doubles the performance of JavaScript execution using just-in-time compilation. With the Nitro JavaScript engine, Safari provides an even better mobile browser experience working faster to support the interactivity of complex sites you visit on a daily basis. New iTunes Home Sharing allows iOS 4.3 users to play music, movies and TV shows on an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch® from their iTunes library on a Mac® or PC over a local Wi-Fi network. With a simple tap you can enjoy all the media in your iTunes library wherever you are in your home. You can stream a movie from your Mac in one room to your iPad in another or stream an iTunes mix to your iPod touch from the office to the kitchen. With Home Sharing on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch you've got your entire iTunes library in your hands wherever you are in your home. iOS 4.3 includes enhancements to AirPlay, the breakthrough wireless technology that allows users to stream music, photos and video to Apple TV®. With iOS 4.3 you can stream additional content including video from third party apps and web sites, videos from the Photos app and previews from the iTunes app to your TV.* AirPlay also allows you to bring photos to life on the TV screen by using one of the stunning new slideshow transitions, or shoot a video on your iPad 2, iPhone or iPod touch and stream it directly from the Photos app to Apple TV. The new Personal Hotspot feature in iOS 4.3 lets you bring Wi-Fi with you anywhere you go, by allowing you to share an iPhone 4 cellular data connection with up to five devices in a combination of up to three Wi-Fi, three Bluetooth and one USB device.** Joining a Personal Hotspot is easy and once the feature is enabled a status bar displays how many devices are currently connected. Every connection is password protected and when not in use Personal Hotspot turns itself off to save battery life. More than 10 billion apps have been downloaded from the revolutionary App Store℠ and more than 350,000 apps are available, including more than 65,000 native iPad apps, to consumers in 90 countries. Users of the more than 160 million iOS devices around the world can choose from an incredible range of apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. Availability iOS 4.3 will be available to iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users as a free software update on Friday, March 11. iOS 4.3 is compatible with iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 (GSM model), plus third and fourth generation iPod touch. For more information please visit www.apple.com. * AirPlay video requires second generation Apple TV running the latest software. ** Personal Hotspot requires supporting data plan. Customers should check with their carrier for availability. Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Apple Cuts Off iPad Supply Ahead Of iPad 2 Announcement Apple Event confirmed for March 2nd: iPad 2 incoming Apple iPad 2 event Wednesday March 2? Apple iPad 2 Event Liveblog iPad 2 Possibly Revealed Next Week?

iOS Apps 65,000 vs Android 3.0 Honeycomb Apps at 100 Posted: 02 Mar 2011 10:58 AM PST This has to be one of the most significant differences between Honeycomb and Apple’s iOS mobile platform, or so Apple would note to us at the Apple event held on March 2nd, 2011. This was known as the iPad 2 event, and indeed from start to finish it was definitely aimed at that crowd and market. One of the items we were wondering about, as we’re sure many others in the tech world were wondering about as well, was how Apple would react to the oncoming wave of Android tablets with the release of Android 3.0 Honeycomb, a tablet-based system. Apple’s counterblow came in the form of a single graphic showing the Honeycomb bee logo and “00,100″, one hundred apps compared to iOS which has 65,000. Of course this is all relative when you count how many apps will soon be available in the Honeycomb arena, but the blow is still severely significant. In a time when the Motorola XOOM is coming out in full force, both the release date for this event as well as this single graphic say a lot about how Apple will be approaching the Android possible threat. For more information on how the iPad 2 is progressing, check out our official [iPad 2 Portal]. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Auto Draft Finalized Honeycomb SDK released for Android 3.0 developers Notification System, App Optimization Detailed at Google Android Honeycomb Event Report: Android App Market Outpacing iPhone Apps Adobe AIR for Android arrives in Android Market

iPad 2 Smart Covers Revealed Posted: 02 Mar 2011 10:55 AM PST Instead of creating what Apple considered a “case,” they’ve come up with what they’re calling a cover, a Smart Cover. The first model they’ve showed us at the special iPad 2 event was blue, and will work as a sort of flap system that can fold back and also act as a stand for the device. You can not only cover the front of your pad when your moving it from place to place, you can stand it up horizontally and vertically. When you fold the Smart Cover back, the iPad 2 is automatically awakened, this entire process working with the smooth use of magnets. When you fold the flaps back down, the iPad 2 falls back asleep. This new Smart Cover comes in polyurethane or leather, has micro-fiber lining to clean the screen, adds what Apple says is minimal weight and thickness, and has an auto-align feature that works when the magnets grasp your device. The poly case will run you $39 while the leather case will cost you $69. Out of the gate there will be 5 colors for either model, 10 in total. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Extra geeky iPad and pillow covers debut from Happy Covers Auto Draft Orange offers cheap subsidized iPad Samsung “smart cameras” hinted at for August 13th Verizon iPad MiFi commercial released [Video]

Apple iPad 2 Official Posted: 02 Mar 2011 10:54 AM PST We’re here at the Apple iPad 2 event where we’ve just been informed of none other than the big news maker itself, the iPad 2. This device is set to be released with a new Apple A5 dual-core processor, 512MB or RAM, front and rear-facing cameras, FaceTime for iPad support, and a display that’s the same size and resolution as the original. This device comes in both black and white, the metal on the back still being silver, the front bezel giving you the opportunity to side with the light side or the dark! Inside you’ll find a dual-core A5 CPU, up to 2x faster with 9x faster graphics, with the same low power as the A4 chip. This is what they say will be the first dual-core tablet to ship in volume. There will indeed be a camera on the front of the tablet as well as the back, and the entire thing will be 33% thinner than the iPad 1. This means 13.4mm to 8.8mm. This is thinner than the iPhone 4 (not by a whole lot, but some!) Instead of weighing 1.5 pounds, this new tablet weighs in at 1.3 pounds. Instead of just shipping in black, the iPad 2 ships in black OR white!Of course both the Verizon and the AT&T 3G versions releasing at the same time. The battery will have the same life as the first Apple tablet, 10 hours of working and over a month on standby. And the price? Exactly the same as the current model, $499 for the cheapest iPad 2. The iPad 2 will be launched on March 11 in some places, March 25th in the rest of the pre-approved 26 countries in the world. Then there’s HDMI video out, mirrored video output, all on 1080p, all whilst charging your iPad at the same time. No setup or configuration is needed, rotation works, all apps work with this function, and the cord you need to make this work costs $39 USD. One amazing product that just keeps getting better. March 2, 2011 18:37 UTC Apple Launches iPad 2 All New Design is Thinner, Lighter & Faster with FaceTime, Smart Covers & 10 Hour Battery SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Apple® today introduced iPad™ 2, the next generation of its magical device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading ebooks and much more. iPad 2 features an entirely new design that is 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter than the original iPad, while maintaining the same stunning 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen. iPad 2 features Apple's new dual-core A5 processor for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics and now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime® and Photo Booth®, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video, bringing the innovative FaceTime feature to iPad users for the first time. Though it is thinner, lighter, faster and packed with new features, iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours of battery life* that users have come to expect. iPad 2 is available in black or white, features models that run on AT&T's and Verizon's 3G networks, and introduces the innovative iPad 2 Smart Cover in a range of vibrant polyurethane and rich leather colors. "With more than 15 million iPads sold, iPad has defined an entirely new category of mobile devices," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "While others have been scrambling to copy the first generation iPad, we're launching iPad 2, which moves the bar far ahead of the competition and will likely cause them to go back to the drawing boards yet again." With the new front and rear cameras, iPad 2 users can now make FaceTime calls to millions of iPhone® 4, iPod touch® and Mac® users so they can see family and friends anywhere there is Wi-Fi. Photo Booth lets you apply fun visual effects, including eight photo special effects like Squeeze, Twirl and Kaleidoscope, to photos captured by either camera. iPad 2 comes with iOS 4.3, the latest version of the world's most advanced mobile operating system, with new features including faster Safari® mobile browsing performance; iTunes® Home Sharing; enhancements to AirPlay®;** the choice to use the iPad side switch to either lock the screen rotation or mute audio; and Personal Hotspot to share an iPhone 4 cellular data connection over Wi-Fi.*** Additional iPad 2 features include a built-in gyro for advanced gaming; HSUPA support for enhanced 3G upload speeds on iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G on AT&T, and HDMI Video Mirroring that lets users mirror their iPad screen on an HDTV using an optional adaptor. The innovative new iPad 2 Smart Cover provides protection for the iPad screen while maintaining its thin and lightweight profile. Designed with a unique self-aligning magnetic hinge that makes it easy to attach and remove, the new iPad 2 Smart Cover automatically wakes iPad 2 when it's opened and puts it to sleep when it's closed, and has a soft microfiber lining to help keep the screen clean. The Smart Cover also folds into a stand for typing or viewing videos and is available in vibrant polyurethane for $39 or rich leather for $69 in a range of colors, including a (PRODUCT) RED one which helps support the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. Apple also introduced two new apps: iMovie® and GarageBand® for iPad, both available on the App Store℠ for just $4.99 each. With iMovie, iPad 2 users can shoot and edit videos right on their iPad and post their movies to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo and their MobileMe℠ gallery; watch them on their iPod®, iPhone or iPad; as well as view them on their HDTV using AirPlay and Apple TV®. GarageBand turns your iPad into a collection of touch instruments and 8-track recording studio, allowing you to perform with onscreen keyboards, guitars, drums and basses using multi-touch gestures–even if you don't play a musical instrument. iPad 2 runs almost all of the over 350,000 apps available on the App Store and there are more than 65,000 native iPad apps available from an incredible range of apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. The iTunes Store gives iPad users access to the world's most popular online music, TV and movie store with a catalog of over 14 million songs, over 50,000 TV episodes and over 10,000 films including over 3,500 in stunning high definition video. The iBooks® app for iPad includes Apple's iBookstore℠, the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device. Pricing & Availability iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available on March 11 for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G compatible with the Verizon network will be available in the US only for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 will be sold in the US through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iMovie and GarageBand for iPad apps will be available on March 11 for $4.99 each from the App Store on iPad or www.itunes.com/appstore. iPad 2 will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK on March 25; and in many more countries around the world in the coming months. Further international availability and pricing will be announced at a later date. *Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary. **AirPlay video requires second generation Apple TV running the latest software. ***Personal Hotspot requires supporting data plan. Customers should check with their carrier for availability. Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices. Relevant Entries on SlashGear Apple iPad accessories: Keyboard Dock, case & more MIC Store unveils 3-in-1 iPad Camera Connection Kit Apple iPad Keyboard Dock won’t ship until mid-April Apple iPad video galore: Keynote & Hands-On iPad camera adapter unlocks other tasty USB capabilities

Apple iPad 2 Event Liveblog Posted: 02 Mar 2011 08:46 AM PST Apple’s first-generation iPad has had a good run, in effect shaping the market for consumer slates, and the iPad 2 looks set to raise the bar for rival tablets. Apple’s iPad 2 Event kicks off today, March 2, at 10AM Pacific – that’s 1PM EST and 6PM London – and SlashGear is liveblogging the whole event after the cut. The liveblog automatically updates with new entries, as do the Disqus comments, so you don’t have to hit refresh to see the latest news and opinion. Don’t forget to let us know your thoughts on all Apple’s new announcements in the comments below! [liveblog] Relevant Entries on SlashGear SlashGear’s Apple iPad tablet liveblog: Wednesday January 27th at 10am PST Apple iPad 2 Liveblog Reminder! Apple Cuts Off iPad Supply Ahead Of iPad 2 Announcement Apple iPod Liveblog reminder: Join us at 10AM Pacific! Apple iPad video galore: Keynote & Hands-On

D-Link DHP-1320 Wireless-N router adds PowerLine 200Mbps Posted: 02 Mar 2011 08:37 AM PST D-Link has unveiled its latest router, the DHP-1320, a combination Wireless-N and PowerLine 200Mbps hybrid. Packing three 10/100 ethernet ports, WiFi g/n wireless with WPA and WPA2 encryption, and up to 200Mbps data through your home or office electrical wiring, the D-Link DHP-1320 promises sufficient speed to stream HD video without having to worry what walls are in the way. As well as the DHP-1320, D-Link is also offering a PowerLine AV 4-Port Switch (DHP-346AV) for $99.99, a PowerLine AV Wireless N Extender (DHP-W306AV) for $119.99, and a PowerLine AV Network Starter Kit (DHP-307AV) for $139.99. However, the system is compatible with any HomePlug AV kit, so it should fit in with other manufacturers’ offerings too. The D-Link DHL-1320 will be available from today, priced at $129.99. Press Release: D-Link® Hybrid Wireless-N PowerLine Router Now Available 200 Mbps Combination Wi-Fi and PowerLine Router, Along with PowerLine Adapters and Switches, Enable Consumers to Work, Play, View, and Share Anywhere in the Home FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. – March 2, 2011 – D-Link® today announced its Wireless-N PowerLine Router (DHP-1320), a combination networking solution for extending wired and wireless home networks throughout the house by tapping into a home's electrical wiring, is now available. This combination IPv6-ready network solution merges PowerLine 200 Mbps technology with a Wireless-N router and Ethernet ports, offering consumers two connectivity options to extend home network coverage and enjoy high-bandwidth applications, including HD video content, multimedia, VoIP calls, and more. "As the amount of high-bandwidth Internet-based content viewed and shared in today's homes continues to grow exponentially, superior network coverage is essential," said Daniel Kelley, associate vice president of consumer marketing, D-Link North America. "With this combination router and D-Link's line of PowerLine accessory products, we're able to provide consumers with a simple way to extend their networks into 'dead zones' where wireless coverage has previously been limited or spotty, such as a basement, an upstairs bedroom, or other hard to reach locations." Wired and Wireless Network Coverage Anywhere in the Home The DHP-1320 extends wired and wireless networks to all devices in the home with optimal speed and bandwidth for a range of HD video-on-demand, gaming and other applications. Essentially turning a home's existing electrical system into an Ethernet network, PowerLine's extended coverage can be obtained without any drilling, difficult installation or messy cables. Simply plug the DHP-1320 into an electrical outlet and the technology distributes broadband to Internet-connected devices both wirelessly and through the electrical wiring in a home. D-Link® PowerLine adapters then plug into outlets anywhere in the home to extend wired coverage to additional rooms and devices where coverage is limited. The DHP-1320 also provides IPv6 support, enabling consumers to future-proof their home networks for the next-generation of the Internet, ensuring connectivity with new wireless devices for years to come. Additional features of the Hybrid Wireless-N PowerLine Router (DHP-1320) include: · HomePlug AV certified with up to 200Mbps throughput · Wireless N 300 · 3-Port 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Ports · Wi-Fi® Protected Setup™ (WPS) for Simple Push-Button Wireless Network Configuration · Atheros Hy-Fi™ technology expands coverage, improves performance and simplifies network set up and management · Built-in QoS Engine Enhances Internet Experience · Supports Secure Wireless Encryption Using WPA™ or WPA2™ · Supports 128-bit AES Encryption For PowerLine Network Security · PowerLine Sync Connection (ENY) Button · Plug & Play Installation Also shipping are a number of 200 Mbps PowerLine accessory products, including the PowerLine AV 4-Port Switch, Wireless N Extender, and Network Starter Kit. Combining these products with the DHP-1320 allows consumer to create the ultimate wired and wireless home network. Availability and Pricing The DHP-1320 Hybrid Wireless-N PowerLine Router is now available throughout D-Link's vast network of retail and e-tail outlets in North America, and at the company's online store, http://www.dlinkshop.com, with an MSRP of $129.99. The following 200 Mbps PowerLine products are also now available: · PowerLine AV 4-Port Switch (DHP-346AV); $99.99 · PowerLine AV Wireless N Extender (DHP-W306AV); $119.99 · PowerLine AV Network Starter Kit (DHP-307AV); $139.99 Relevant Entries on SlashGear Netgear releases new Powerline Extender Powerline-ethernet technology continues to grow with new I-O DATA routers TRENDnet shows off new TPL-304E and TPL-304E2K powerline networking gear TP-Link shows off 450Mbps dual band wireless router D-Link unveils new DAP-1560, DIR-865, and Pocket N Wireless Router

B&N settles in Spring Design ereader legal spat Posted: 02 Mar 2011 08:03 AM PST Spring Design may be voluntarily “phasing out” the Alex ereader but its taken a settlement offer from Barnes & Noble to end the ongoing lawsuit between the two firms. According to a B&N press release, “Spring Design will grant Barnes & Noble a non-exclusive, paid-up royalty free license for the entire portfolio of Spring Design patents and patent applications.” The financial terms of the deal have not been revealed, so we don’t know how much B&N is paying Spring Design in return for the patent access. The smaller company had alleged that Barnes & Noble used privileged information in their ereader hardware development, that had been gleaned during negotiations prior to the original NOOK’s release when Spring Design were in the running to develop the device. B&N had sought to have the litigation dismissed, but were rejected by a court decision that there was “genuine dispute” over whether IP theft had taken place. [Thanks Andy!] Press Release: Barnes & Noble, Inc. Settles Litigation with Spring Design New York, NY – March 2, 2011 – Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world's largest bookseller, today announced that it has settled a lawsuit brought against the Company by Spring Design, Inc. Spring Design initiated legal action against Barnes & Noble in November 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, in connection with Spring Design's Alex eReader. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Spring Design will grant Barnes & Noble a non-exclusive, paid-up royalty free license for the entire portfolio of Spring Design patents and patent applications. The terms of the settlement are otherwise confidential. The settlement agreement announced today resolves all claims brought by Spring Design, which will be dismissed with prejudice. Eugene V. DeFelice, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Barnes & Noble, Inc., said, "We are pleased to put this matter behind us. NOOK Color™ and NOOK™, together with Spring Design's patents and patent applications, have become two of our most innovative and highly-sought after devices. Barnes & Noble is pleased to add Spring Design's patents and patent applications as a complementary addition to our rapidly growing digital portfolio." Relevant Entries on SlashGear Spring Design to officially unveil Alex eReader at CES Spring Design “phasing out” Alex ereader Spring Design and Google team to bring content to Alex eReader PS3 gets ready to rumble NOOK design theft suit with Spring Design to continue

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