Category: Tablet News

Touching a device has become a normal experience in this modern world. Today, we operate nearly every device, including cars and fridges, by touching or swiping a screen. However, when we think of touch screens, what comes to our mind are the consumer products that we love so much such as tablets and smartphones. A number of these devices now exist in the market but one thing we know for sure is that we cannot live without them.

In terms of history, touchscreen technology has been there for long, longer than even some of us. If what historians say is anything to go by, then this technology has been there since 1948. With the advancement of technology, the touchscreen interface is becoming vital for interacting with IoT data. IoT stands for Internet of Things. Already, the touchscreen has become a very important part of our lives and we expect it to be even more involved in our lives in the not too distant future. Even as we expect this, there are already five interesting uses of touchscreen technology in 2018 that you need to know. These interesting uses are as follows.

PoS Terminals

2018 has witnessed a dominating number of touchscreen PoS terminals being used at restaurants and kiosks. These terminals have proven to be faster and more intuitive when compared to older cash registers. When shopping for touchscreen terminals, however, it is important to consider durability which is a major concern for most heavily-used capacitive touchscreens.

Kiosks

Touchscreen technology has also found its use in Kiosks, especially at self-service checkouts or information kiosks. Such kiosks that have so far employed capacitive touchscreen have enabled users to find data that they need with a fluid experience. Generally, the use of touchscreen technology has enabled kiosks to cut costs of operation as well enhance user-experience.

Gaming

The use of touchscreen technology in gaming is not something new with some high-end gaming laptops already sporting touchscreens. Gaming applications are among the earliest platforms to ever adopt the technology. Currently, gaming applications are being shifted towards capacitive touchscreens. This has allowed current applications to accept games that are more complex as well as lower the lag-time that exists between contact registering and touching the screen. In 2018, a better and more responsive capacitive touchscreen has been innovated to bring to users a better gaming experience.

Industrial Automation

Another application of touchscreen technology that has resurfaced in 2018, is its use in collecting data, monitoring machine tools and running quality control in industries. With the increased revolution in industries brought by a rise in automation, touchscreen technology has continued to be increasingly used on the factory floor. In the current industry 4.0, automated systems have become central to making decentralized decisions. This has created the need for touchscreen technology as the need of keeping up with data collection continues to rise. A number of companies like AD Metro are already in the business of selling a capacitive touchscreen that is ideal for use in industries. Other areas of industrial automation that have created high demand for touchscreen technology include machine learning and cyber-physical systems.

Digital Signage Software

Digital signage software refers to that software that allows you to manage content on your screens. There exist four different categories of digital signage software, including digital signage player software, content management, and distribution software, content creation software, and device management software. The technology, which is affordable and easy to use, is currently being used to connect brands with audiences.

The use of touchscreen technology in digital technology has been at the forefront in 2018, advancing day after day. Various touchscreen technologies are currently being developed by companies for digital signage use. 2018 has witnessed a shift from the use of hands-free 3D displays to light measuring surfaces. What is even more enticing has been the advancements which now allow users to feel the seamless interconnection like that experienced when using smartphones or tablets.

Self-Service Check Outs and ATM machines

Another breakthrough in the use of touch screen in 2018 has been its increased usage in supermarket terminals and automatic teller machines (ATM). Touchscreen technology is now used in many supermarkets across the world to help in time-saving for both supermarket cashiers and customers. With touchscreen technology, the customer is provided with a display through which they can weigh produce, look up codes as well as choose their own preferred method of payment. With regards to its use in automatic teller machines, touchscreen technology has enabled users to input their data without any hassle of pressing buttons. What is even more enticing about this technology is the ability of users to even pay bills using the screen. Moreover, the widespread use of this technology in ATM machines has enabled users to process transactions faster as well as eliminate the need for paperwork which often results in undesirable long queues.

With the advancement in technology, the touchscreen is poised to become even more common in the near future. Interfaces that are more intuitive and faster are already changing our everyday life. We expect more impacts to be brought by this amazing technology in the coming years. In a nutshell, the five interesting uses of touchscreen technology in 2018 we have discussed so far include PoS terminals, kiosks, gaming, industrial automation, and self-service checkouts.

The new year is almost upon us, and with that will surely bring new devices and technology to the tablet world. But what exactly does the tablet market have in store for us in 2018? While no one knows for sure, I think we can speculate with at least some accuracy. Way back in 2016, the IDC predicted that tablet sales would rebound in 2018. Do you think this is true? Will we see more new devices that will make us want to shell out our hard earned money? Knowing what 2018 holds for tablets is tough to predict, but that doesn’t mean we won’t try.

Today I thought it would be fun to make a few predictions and speculations of my own. Now I’m not just pulling these out of thin air. These predictions are based on the history of the tablet market over the last few years and where we seem to be headed as we move forward into the new year.

Smaller Devices, Smaller Prices

One thing we have seen is demand increase for larger screened devices, but that doesn’t mean the 7-inch and 8-inch tablets are a thing of the past. In fact, these are still strong sellers, especially among families with children. What we have seen is a drop in price as consumers search for more affordable options in this category. “There’s a penchant for low-cost slates, and this holds true even for premium vendors like Apple,” IDC research analyst Jitesh Ubrani said in a statement. “However, many of these low-cost slates are simply long-awaited replacements for consumers, as first-time buyers are becoming harder to find and the overall installed base for these devices declines further in the coming years.”

Unfortunately for tablet makers, this means very low margins and small profits. In the end, these small tablets only become profitable when bundled with other features such as the Amazon Fire. Other than that, the sales volumes really only give companies bragging rights and market share.

Traditional Tablets Continue to Stagnate

The big talk over the last year has been the drop in the traditional tablet sales. These sales have been on a steady decline for a few years now, and I think it’s a pretty safe bet that these sales will continue to stagnate and maybe even decline further. We’ve already seen a reduction in the number of new traditional slates out there, with only Samsung, Apple and Microsoft really holding on to this design. So far, it seems Apple is the only one to truly not feel this pinch in the declining market, as iPad sales remain strong. But, as we move into 2018, I don’t believe the traditional iPad will be Apple’s main focus, as they move to strengthen the iPad Pro line instead.

2-in-1 Continues Growth

While the rest of the tablet market has been in a decline, one area that continues to perform strongly are 2-in-1 devices. For those of you that don’t know, a 2-in-1 device is a device that can perform as both a tablet and a laptop. Think about the Surface Book for example. It looks like a laptop, but its screen detaches and it becomes a tablet.

These devices are finally able to be a true laptop replacement, as they function as both on one device. This is a welcomed addition to the world of computers as consumers look for ways to trim costs while still staying current with the latest technology. Because of this functionality, you can expect the main growth in the tablet market to be in this category. Microsoft is an early leader in this world with their Surface line of hybrid devices, but even Apple is working to improve the iPad to satisfy customer demand for one device for everything.

You can also expect many OEM makers to get in on this game as well, and we are already seeing devices from the likes of Acer and ASUS that do just that.

Android Will Take a Hit

If there is one area that will lose out this year, I believe it will be Android. I hate to say that as I’m a huge fan of the Android operating system. But, Android doesn’t have as many 2-in-1 options as the other tablet manufacturers. The openness of the system may allow for something to change, and some companies are already working on versions of Android that are designed to be more of a desktop replacement, meaning better 2-in-1 devices could be in Android’s future. But the question is timing. Will these projects be ready for the mainstream in time to make a difference? I don’t think so. Hopefully, improvements in Android will change this, but it already seems Google’s focus for hybrids lies with Chrome OS and not Android. Although we are seeing these two operating systems come together as one, and that could change the fortunes of Android in the tablet and 2-in-1 world.

Microsoft Increases Market Share, but Apple Dominates

One company that is benefiting from these changes is Microsoft. The Microsoft Surface line of tablets and 2-in-1 devices continue to show strong growth, although they have yet to break into the top 5 devices as many predicted. Still, that doesn’t mean they aren’t popular. In fact, these devices are proving to be very popular with businesses and consumers alike. As we move into a more 2-in-1 focused market, you can expect Microsoft to perform strongly with their Surface Pro and Surface Book lines.

Despite this growth, Apple will continue to dominate the tablet market with their iPad Pro line. With the introduction of the Apple Pencil and the keyboard, these devices are more work friendly than ever before. I think it’s a good bet that many consumers and even businesses that prefer Apple products will scoop up these devices instead of purchasing new computers, although iOS has a long way to go to be a true laptop replacement. As Apple focuses more on businesses, you can expect iOS to evolve to meet these needs, and this could hurt Microsoft’s growth potential, although it’s hard to be a Surface product, especially in the business world.

Final Thoughts

In many ways, 2018 will bring much more of the same. Overall, traditional slates will continue to stagnate except for Apple, while 2-in-1 devices will continue their impressive growth as more and more consumers choose a one device for everything approach. This trend will help Microsoft most of all, but we will also see OEM manufacturers benefit as well.

All in all I think it will be a good year for tablets. I expect we will see many more new, feature-rich devices hit the market that will tempt our wallets, but I don’t expect it to be a landmark year of great change for the tablet market. Still, it will be a good time to buy, as the newer devices will be more powerful than ever and have more features than ever before.

Will you be buying a new tablet in 2018? If, what kind of tablet are considering? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below.

For years, iPads have been the ultimate benchmark of high-end tablets. It’s nearly impossible to forget how much of a sensation the first iPad was when it launched seven years ago. Customers everywhere, I included, were thoroughly impressed by the iPad’s stylish design, stable performance, and scratch-resistant screen, whose 768 x 1024-pixel resolution was awe-inspiring at the time.

But, that was just the beginning of Apple’s journey to the top of the tablet industry. By 2012, iPads accounted for about 60 percent of total tablet shipments in the world. IPad sales peaked in 2013, mainly due to the release of the acclaimed iPad Air.

However, Samsung and Lenovo were steadily gaining ground. Every year since has seen Apple give up a chunk of its market share to its relentless rivals. Although still a market leader, the company now holds only around 24 percent of the global tablet consumer base.

The iPad Mini discontinuation: We all saw it coming

The iPad Mini first hit the shelves in 2012 as a more compact alternative to the larger and heavier 9.7-inch iPad. Smartphones hadn’t grown as big as they are today, so buyers saw the iPad Mini as an excellent choice for light reading, web browsing, and gaming. The latest, and soon to be the last, iPad Mini was released in 2015 to rave reviews by critics.

Since then, Apple has launched the 12.9-inch and 9.7-inch iPad Pro tablets, and recently a new 9.7-inch iPad, which is undoubtedly the best value for money that’s ever come in an iPad. Meanwhile, other than software updates, little has been done to advance the iPad Mini line. Consequently, although iPad sales have been declining overall, the 7.9-inch tablet is said to be lagging the most, as buyers are instead opting for the newer models or the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus.

Amid slumping sales, a more definitive sign of the Mini’s coming end came earlier this year when Apple announced a trimming down of the line-up to include just the 128GB variant. Many have taken the move as the company clearing out the warehouses in readiness for a quiet discontinuation.

It’s therefore not surprising that the iPad Mini is slated to be axed. Sure, lovers of small-sized tablets will be at a loss. But with smartphones getting bigger every year, it’s admittedly proven less economically viable for tablet manufacturers, including Apple, to develop small tablets.

The future of the iPad

The iPad Mini may be headed the way of the iPad Air, but that isn’t to say that Apple is hitting the breaks on the iPad as a whole. Reports suggest that a redesigned iPad Pro with a 10.5-inch display is in the pipeline, as well as an update to the 12.9-inch version, which the Cupertino company will likely call the iPad Pro 2. Given the overwhelming success of 2-in-1s like the Microsoft Surface Pro 4, it makes sense for Apple to lay emphasis on the Pro line-up.

Nevertheless, the newly released 9.7-inch iPad has been well received among casual users and bargain lovers. While some analysts are foreseeing an upcoming smaller tablet that’ll fill the gap left by the iPad Mini, I think Apple’s plan for the future involves narrowing down iPad models to only two; the iPad Pro for college goers and professional users, and the iPad for regular customers.

Wrap Up

Nothing is official yet, but all signs point to the end of the road for the iPad Mini. If this is really goodbye, it’s likely the iPad Mini 4 will remain in stores for a while, and Apple will support it with after-sale services and software updates for a few more years.

If you’ve been aching for the tablet, snap one up before it’s too late.

When you mention the words “Microsoft Surface” to anyone, their thoughts often incline towards the Surface Pro 4. Of course, such mental reflexes are natural, especially if you consider how incredible the premium 2-in-1 is. One of my favorite tablet-laptops on the market, the Pro 4 combines elegance, portability, power and productivity in the best way possible. In fact, the device has held its position as the standard-bearer for Windows tablets since it first hit the shelves back in October 2015.

That said, the Surface Pro isn’t the only Surface tablet in Microsoft’s acclaimed line-up. Besides, if you’re going to follow up a tablet’s name with the word “Pro,” it makes all the sense to have a standard version as well. Unsurprisingly, therefore, Microsoft also has the Surface; a range of relatively cheap, non-pro Windows tablets that, although not nearly as famous as the higher-end variants, have maintained a decent reputation among budget tablets.

The most recent tablet is the 2015 Surface 3, which upon release was praised for running a full Windows version for the first time, and incorporating more processing power. Since then, however, we’ve seen the entry of similarly priced tablets like the Google Pixel C, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, and most recently, the 9.7-inch iPad 2017, all which when pitted against the Surface make it look significantly less remarkable.

So, while the Surface Pro 4 comfortably basks in the hybrid sun and an exceedingly promising Pro 5 looms, Microsoft has seemingly neglected the mid-tier tablet market. However, word on the street seems to imply that the tech giant may be gearing up to unveil the successor to its now discontinued Surface 3 tablet.

Scarce information

With Microsoft’s annual Spring event drawing nearer, there’s a wave of speculation that the company could take some of the time to unveil the new Surface 4 tablet. I think it’s unlikely, and instead, Microsoft will probably focus on new software developments, most importantly the highly-anticipated Windows 10 Cloud Edition. Then again, it could be readying the Surface 4 to be the first device running Windows Cloud, which in that case, I’ll have to take back my erroneous prediction.

Nevertheless, the reports surrounding an upcoming Surface tablet are inconsistent at best. For instance, there hasn’t been much speculation about the specs, other than a possible full-HD screen, a removable keyboard case, and an Intel processor. It’ll likely also leverage some of the new features introduced by the latest Windows 10 Creators Build, such as 3D apps, VR capabilities, gaming enhancements and enterprise security functions.

Other corners of the Internet suggest that the Surface 4 could use a side-attaching stylus, similar to the decorated S-pen on the Surface Pro 4, as well as a USB-C port and more kickstand options.

Pricing

It may be hard to predict what Microsoft plans to offer with the Surface 4, but if it’s in the pipeline, its price will undoubtedly be competitive enough to match current competitors.

To put matters into perspective, the Surface 3 launched at $499, excluding the keyboard, and although the cost has now dropped to $399, it remains rather expensive for its class. Unless Microsoft introduces a borderline premium device, such a price tag will hardly be acceptable. Therefore, expect the new Surface to start retailing at somewhere between $300 and $400, inclusive of the keyboard and stylus.

Wrap Up

Microsoft has, in recent years, worked hard to make the Surface a formidable brand in the tablet industry. However, as the Surface 3 continues to lag behind the competition, it’s as good a time as any to introduce its successor.

Late last month, the world saw Easter come early, in the form of some major announcements from Apple. In the mini press release, the Cupertino company introduced new hardware products, improvements to existing devices, and a new app. But, although the new red-aluminum iPhone 7 was met with notable praise, what really stole the show was a new iPad, which debuted with an impressively low price tag of $329.

Despite serving as the much-awaited update to the iPad Air 2, the tablet is simply called “iPad,” perhaps confirming the long-running speculation that Apple could soon do away with its “Air” line of iPads and MacBooks. Regardless of the name, however, the new iPad is as remarkable as mid-range tablets can get.

Now available in Apple Stores, select carriers and authorized retailers in over 20 countries, the iPad is quickly winning the hearts of not only iOS enthusiasts but budget lovers as well.

The iPad 2017: A closer look

At first glance, the new iPad strongly resembles the Air 2. However, having the two tablets in hand reveals a definite difference in thickness and weight. In fact, its design is a lot closer to that of the original iPad Air, a fact that’s led reviewers to dub it the tablet equivalent of the iPhone SE (or the iPad SE, if I may).

The 9.7-inch QXGA Retina display offers the same 264-ppi pixel density as the tablet it replaces but is significantly brighter. The screen has been a huge strength for the iPad since the beginning, and it’s great that even with its price, this one remains one of the best portable media players around. Sure, the iPad Pro’s screen is better with colors, and the recently released Samsung Galaxy Tab S3’s AMOLED display is much more vivid. But, starting at $599, both tablets are way above the new iPad’s price range.

Under the hood is the Apple A9 chip, which is itself an upgrade from the iPad Air 2’s A8X. As expected, the new iPad is faster than the Air 2, but a bit slower than the iPad Pro, which packs a newer A9X processor. Nevertheless, the iPad is comfortable with virtually all iOS 10.3 apps and games.

The base model comes with 32GB of storage, and as for the battery, Apple’s 12-hour claim seems to hold up pretty well with regular use, a step up from the iPad Air 2’s 9-hour battery life.

A great tablet, but lacks Pro features

As remarkable as a sub-$500 iPad sounds, it wouldn’t be so without a few compromises. In addition to an older design, as well as a chip that’s a generation behind, Apple’s new iPad lacks pro features like stylus support, quad-speakers and a clip-on keyboard, all that make the high-end iPad Pro a tempting albeit more expensive alternative. The Apple Pencil on the iPad Pro, for instance, is fantastic, especially when working with productive tools, such as Adobe’s photo editing and illustration utilities.

So, of course, you’ll miss out on a few things if you opt for the iPad versus the iPad Pro. However, if you’re only interested in a good-value tablet that can handle the usual iPad-like things, such as movie watching, gaming, web surfing and e-book reading, this should undoubtedly be the first iPad you consider.

Final Thoughts

All in all, the new iPad is an excellent successor to the now aged Air 2. It may feel cheaper, but it’s a lot more advanced. Although those with the previous device need not upgrade, I highly recommend the new tablet for first time iPad users, and those looking to strike a bargain.

If you’ve been searching for a new lightweight, portable tablet that could also be a laptop at your command, Dell claims they have the perfect device for you.

The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 hybrid is a follow-up to the company’s critically and commercially successful laptop, the XPS 13. Unveiled at CES 2017 earlier this year, the 2-in-1 borrows several ideas from its predecessor, while introducing a few of its own; key among them being, of course, screen hinges that allow the display to lie flat and rotate against the keyboard for use as either a tablet or a laptop.

However, while its older, more traditional sibling was a huge success, the 2-in-1 market is jam-packed with competitors. Will the XPS 13 hybrid triumph over the likes of the Surface Pro 4, Asus Transformer 3 Pro and the newly released Samsung Galaxy Book?

Design

In matters design, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 ticks all the boxes. Like its rivals, it’s remarkably thin and light. Its polished aluminum casing and well-cut edges make it one of the most comfortable convertibles when held in tablet mode.

However, the product’s strongest design feature is its Infinity Edge display, which enables Dell to pack a 13.3-inch panel into a body that typically houses an 11-inch screen. Hybrids are best known for their portability, and the XPS 13 is as compact as they come.

Display

I, like many other past XPS users, still remember the first time I powered on the QHD+ model of the XPS 13 laptop. I had seen the specs sheet, and I knew I was in for a treat, but I was still awed by the sheer quality of the display.

The new hybrid upholds its predecessor’s high standards by sporting a similar 3,200 x 1800-pixel resolution screen, whose picture quality perfectly complements the brilliant near-bezel-less display. With many other devices in its class packing lower resolution QHD displays, the XPS 13 is undoubtedly outstanding.

Nevertheless, if you want to dial things down a bit, you also have a cheaper Full-HD matte option, which is excellent as well. As far as visual quality is concerned, few 2-in-1s can stand in the way of the Dell XPS 13.

Performance and Windows 10

As with the XPS 13 laptop, Dell is selling the new hybrid in several hardware configurations on demand. However, the primary model packs a 7th generation Intel Core i5-7200U, 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD storage. Other brands might be catching up fast but, at the moment, Dell is among the few offering 7th generation processors in its 2-in-1 devices.

The XPS 13 2-in-1 runs Windows 10 perfectly, handling productivity tasks, such as processing documents and editing media with ease. And even when you have multiple apps open, the device rarely lags. That said, it does come with an unpleasantly large amount of bloatware from Dell and third-party developers, so you’ll probably have to spare some time to clean things up.

If you love streaming your media in HD, you’ll have no performance problems with the XPS 13 hybrid, the speakers are, admittedly mediocre, but that’s typical for 2-in-1s.

Battery Life and Extras

Convertibles are known to offer great battery life and, at 10 hours, the XPS 13 is no exception. Sure, you can find devices that last longer – the Surface Pro 4 pushes up to 12 hours on average usage – but that’s enough to get you through a busy day at work or school. The less power-hungry Full-HD variant is easier on the battery, but if you’re insistent on the best screen quality, you can purchase Dell’s Hybrid Adapter plus Power Bank, which will add an extra 11 hours of juice.

While the XPS 13 hybrid gets virtually all the major factors right, it didn’t give any less attention to the little things. Onboard is a comfortable and backlit keyboard, a responsive touchpad, and a speedy fingerprint sensor.

However, ports are rather scarce, with only a dedicated USB Type-C port for charging, and an additional Thunderbolt 3 port, which can adapt to HDMI. In comparison, the Surface Pro 4 comes with a full-sized USB 3.0 port. Nonetheless, it’s an inconvenience you can easily overcome with an external USB hub.

Conclusion

Dell had kept us waiting long enough for the XPS 13 2-in-1, but now that it’s finally here, I’m glad they took the time to make it as near-perfect as possible. Excusing the little downsides, it’s an excellent choice, especially if you’re looking for a 2-in-1 that looks and feels rather different from the many detachable devices in the market today.  We’ll just have to wait to see whether it’ll stand a chance against the fierce competition.

In what was the first major announcement since Samsung was forced to discontinue the Galaxy Note 7, the tech giant chose to break a four-year tradition and not unveil a flagship smartphone at MWC 2017. Instead, the presentation focused on two new tablets: The Galaxy Tab S3 and the Galaxy Book.

The 9.7-inch Tab S3 is the smaller of the two devices, while the Book comes in two sizes, 10.6-inch and 12-inch. The tablets are aimed at different consumer niches, but they share a few traits across the board, including design features, enhanced S-Pens, and support for detachable keyboards.

Galaxy Tab S3

The Galaxy Tab S3 is an update to 2015’s overly successful Tab S2 and, despite having big shoes to fill, the Tab S3 comes out bold and confident.

With a design that makes it look and feel like a blown-up Galaxy S7, the Tab S3 is as elegant as ever. Gorilla Glass covers both the front and the back, and an aluminum metal frame runs around the edges of the device.

The 9.7-inch Super AMOLED display is great. As expected, Samsung didn’t make the leap to 4K. Regardless, the 2,048 x 1,536-pixel QXGA resolution is enough to maintain excellent visual output in both images, video, and text. The display is also HDR-ready to support videos with high dynamic range.

Below the screen, and seemingly the only similarity the Tab S3 has with its predecessor is the Home button, equipped with a fingerprint scanner. Upon examining the sides, you’ll find two pairs of speakers, which according to Samsung auto-calibrate to adapt to how you hold the tablet.

Some preliminary reports had indicated that the Tab S3 would pack a Snapdragon 821 CPU and 6GB RAM, but Samsung opted to keep things rather cool, with a Snapdragon 820, complemented with 4GB of RAM. This is the same hardware configuration we saw in the S7 Edge last year, so it’s obvious the Tab S3 is a fast performer.

A more significant point of concern is the limited 32GB internal storage. Thankfully, there’s a micro-SD card onboard, and Samsung is planning on a 64GB follow-up version.

Rear cameras have a rather insignificant role in tablets, but that hasn’t stopped Samsung from armoring their latest flagship tablet with a 13-megapixel shooter. On the front is a 5-megapixel camera that will be enough for video calls and selfies.

Although the updates were warmly received, it’s new accessories that stole the show at MWC. The S-Pen brings new functionality to Android Nougat, such as Air Command and screen-off memo, the latter which lets you scribble notes when the screen is off.

The keyboard is just as impressive, with well-spaced keys, great travel, and a firm magnetic port for attachment to the main body.

Galaxy Book

Samsung’s other new release, the Galaxy Book, is meant to compete with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the Microsoft Surface Pro 4. Designed for college students and professionals, the Book features PC-level specs, runs Windows 10, and comes with a foldable keyboard as a must-have accessory, not just a casual addition.

As mentioned above, Samsung announced two versions of the Galaxy Book. The 10.6-inch Full-HD model is seemingly the low-cost version, packing a 7th generation dual-core Intel Core m3 CPU, 4GB RAM and 128GB internal storage.

The 12-inch model, on the other hand, is more impressive, sporting a QHD AMOLED display, and a 7th generation Intel Core i5 under the hood. Customers will also get to choose either a 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD and an 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD configuration.

The other significant difference is with the cameras. While the 12-inch Book comes with a 13-megapixel camera on the back and a 5MP sensor at the front, Samsung chose to leave out a rear camera on the 9.7-inch version, which only has the front camera. Nonetheless, both tablets come with a microSD card slot, Wi-Fi and LTE capability, and S-Pen support.

Samsung dazzled the audience when it demonstrated one of the Galaxy Book’s best feature, Samsung Flow; which allows one to unlock the tablet with the fingerprint sensor on their Samsung phone, and even use it to receive phone calls and reply to texts.

Wrap Up

Samsung’s new tablets are nothing short of incredible. The Galaxy Tab S3 is a brilliant multimedia device that competes well with Apple’s 9.7-inch iPad Pro, while the Galaxy Book is a stunning 2-in-1 that gives the Surface Pro 4 a run for its money.

Samsung hasn’t said anything about pricing, or when the two devices will be available for purchase, but if you’re looking for a new tablet, both seem like great choices to keep an eye on.

The holiday season has come and gone, and there was one device that many of us were expecting for the holidays that never made an appearance. I’m talking, of course, of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, Samsung’s upcoming successor to the successful Tab S2 line of premium tablets. Unfortunately, it seems that the shipment of this new device has been delayed. So, the question is, where is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3? Will it be coming to a store near you soon?

It seems the tablet has been delayed until 2017, but we don’t know when it will come in 2017. Most industry insiders believe the tablet is due for a release sometime in the next few months, that puts it sometime in the first or second quarter of this year.

The tablet itself is said to borrow heavily from the Samsung Galaxy S7, and that is good. Most expect the tablet to include the Exynos 8890 chip that is in the S7, for example, which will bring a much faster processor for even more power when compared to the S2.

It is worth noting that while we still don’t know much about the tablet, it has actually made a trip through the FCC. Every smartphone and tablet must go through the FCC before being released. Because of this, you can expect that it won’t be much longer before the tablet reaches store shelves.

On top of remaining silent about the hardware in the device, the company hasn’t even released an image of it. One leak as seen below shows a new line of tablets from Samsung that look much like the Galaxy Tab S2. Check out the picture below:

If this does prove to be the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, it appears that Samsung is, for the most part, sticking with the existing design of the Galaxy Tab S2 for this next release. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as the design of the S2 is top notch.

As far as the screen is concerned, the leak appears to display a 16:10 screen, which would be a change from the previous model. You can expect that Samsung will stick with the same sizes of 9.7-inch and 8.0-inch as well, and you can pretty much expect it to be an AMOLED screen instead of IPS. Unfortunately, we haven’t heard anything about the resolution of the screen. Many are hoping that it will feature a 4K display, but that is just rumor at the moment. The other interesting tidbit about the screen is that it may be curved like the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. Samsung has invested a lot in this new screen and continues to push it heavily in its marketing, so we could be seeing a curved option in the S3 as well.

Remember, nothing has been confirmed as of yet. For many of the details, we are just going to have to wait and see when Samsung finally announces the release of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3. Are you looking forward to the release? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below.

Are you ready to give up using paper? It seems that one company believes the time has come to end our reliance on paper. The company in question, known as reMarkable, believes this new giant e ink tablet will be the key to ending our reliance on paper.

Paper as a medium has many benefits. It is recognized across the world, easy to get and to use and on top of that it is cheap. However, there are some drawbacks as well. It is heavy, it takes up a lot of space, and it can easily tear and rip. On top of that, there is an environmental impact that must be addressed as well, as paper takes trees to produce. A tablet, on the other hand, is light and easy to carry with you and doesn’t come with the environmental impact on our trees as paper does. The question is, will consumers adopt a paperless lifestyle? reMarkable believes the time has come. Just check out the video below:

The device itself is very minimalist in its design. It is lightweight and thin and designed to be used as a paper replacement and not much else. As such, it will only open documents, ebooks and PDF files and it will allow you to make notes on all of them. In order to make the replacement more familiar, the company has used “ultra high friction” materials on the screen in order to make it feel like you are writing on actual paper. At the same time, the company is using a new low latency technology to solve the latency issues that are well known on E Ink devices.

It features a large, 10.3-inch screen that is perfect for replacing a standard sheet of paper, and the blank notebook view can be used for sketching, taking notes, or any other type of writing that you need to do. All in all, if you ask me, it is a pretty nice piece of technology. Whether or not it will receive widespread adoption, of course, remains to be seen.

Think about the benefits. Your college students no longer have to lug around a big notebook or folders full of paper. Instead, they have one lightweight device that allows them to write and take notes as much as they need to. Think about the traveler for business? You won’t need that organizer in order to jot down notes while you are in your business meeting. All you will need is this tablet. Really it’s not a bad idea at all.

This isn’t the first attempt of getting rid of paper, but it definitely is a new spin on it and one that I can see has many real world applications. Currently, the tablet is available for preorder. So, if you are ready to give up paper and go completely digital, I suggest you give it a try.

What do you think about this latest attempt at replacing paper? Will the company see success or will this fall flat like other devices have in the past? Tell me your thoughts on this in the comments below.

The creators of the Eve V Tablet have released more detailed specs about their upcoming, crowd funded tablet. After taking a closer look, you can help but see that this tablet is taking a lot of inspiration from the Surface Pro 4 from Microsoft.

In the latest spec sheet from the Finnish company, the Eve V will include a 12.3-inch display and it will be a hybrid design much like the Surface Pro. The device will feature a detachable keyboard that doubles as a cover and it will also include the seventh generation Kaby Lake processor from Intel.

Take a closer look at the full specs below:

Last month the company announced that they had received backing from Intel for this project and promises to kick off its Indiegogo campaign on November 21, as the company is now seeking backers to help fund the manufacturing process.

As far as customization goes, you will be able to configure your tablet with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and can add 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage. The device will also include a fingerprint sensor built into the power button for added security. This button is also compatible with Windows Hello biometric authentication as well.

What’s really impressive is the amount of ports you will have access to on this tablet. The company plans on including the following:

• 1x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C formfactor)
• 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (USB-C formfactor)
• 2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (USB-A formfactor)
• 1x 3.5mm audio
• 1x MicroSDXC reader

The company also plans on adding a GPS, although there are concerns about its functionality mainly due to the aluminum body design, especially in the Wi-Fi only units. “Since Eve V has aluminum unibody enclosure, we can’t say yet for sure will the GPS work properly in the Wi-Fi model. What we can promise is that in the LTE model it would work. We just don’t know when the LTE model would be available,” the firm writes.

The company still hasn’t figured out exactly how the LTE model will be designed, again because of the aluminum design and the metals impact on antennas. “We need to create a new aluminum enclosure to introduce the LTE model. It has to house an additional plastic area for the LTE antennae to pick up the signal efficiently. Naturally, the casing would also have to feature the extra slot for the sim card,” it explains.

The fundraiser campaign will only feature 500 units, meaning if you think you may want one you better check out the fundraiser on day one. The company has yet to reveal what the final price tag will be for these devices. However, many predict that the low end model will come in at less than $900 while the high end models will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $1800 or less.

It is good to see new companies joining in the tablet and hybrid computer markets as they can often bring new innovations and features that some of the big companies have yet to introduce. How this machine will do in the market remains to be seen. However, from what I have seen so far, it looks like it could be a strong contender in the hybrid market once it is finally released.