HP CEO: Two Windows 8 tablets in 2012. webOS tablet in 2013 maybe.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

In an phone interview made by  allthingsd in Dec 9, Meg Whitman said they will launch two Windows 8 tablets in 2012 and because the roadmap for 2012 is already done, will launch a webOS tablet in 2013 depending in how it goes, after making webOS an open source OS.Q&A after the break.

Meg, in looking back to before your time as CEO when there was a plan to have webOS on printers and all the consumer PCs. Will there be any changes to those plans?

Whitman: I think we’ve got to walk before we run here. And let’s see what form webOS takes. In 2012 as you know we’re bringing two Windows 8 tablets to the market, we’re excited about that, we’re going to be working with them [Microsoft] constructively, but there may be an opportunity in 2013 to think of a different device, maybe come back to tablets. Let’s just see how it goes, but obviously HP would be one of the likely suspect hardware manufacturers for webOS.

 So you’re not closing the door entirely to hardware down the road, just not right away?

Whitman: In all likelihood, not in 2012. The 2012 road map is already done. 

 One thing that comes to mind is that, based on our reporting, there may be headcount reductions in webOS at some point. Can you give us any clarity on that?

Whitman: I can’t. We have released no numbers on that and the reason is we don’t know. I’d tell you if I knew, but we don’t know. We’ve got to get a business plan, a product road map, a business model that we think will work, and decide how we’re going to engage with other hardware manufacturers, how we’re going to engage the open source community and that will determine ultimately the types and numbers of people.

Samsung Windows 8 "The Build" Dev Tablets Already on eBay

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

The Samsung tablets Microsoft handed out to developers during the BUILD conference are already appearing on eBay, and they aren't cheap.

Last Tuesday during Microsoft's BUILD conference, the company handed out 5,000 Samsung tablets packed with a preview version of Windows 8. Developers cheered at Microsoft’s surprising sweep of generosity, but many seemingly repaid the favor by selling their expensive gifts on eBay at over-bloated prices.

Case in point: this eBay listing shows the Samsung Windows 8 BUILD developer tablet for a current bid of $2,700 USD.

 But it's not just a tablet: this bid is for a bundle consisting of the Windows 8 tablet, a dock with USB, HDMI and Ethernet ports, a Bluetooth keyboard, a touch pen, a unique carrying case, and a pre-paid 12-month 2 GB/month AT&T data contract (SIM card not activated).

As for the Samsung tablet, it's similar to the just-announced Samsung Series 7 slate but includes new and improved components including an ambient light sensor, a gyroscope, a Bluetooth LE chip, a Trusted Platform module and NXP's Near Field Communications chip (NFC). The tablet also offers a 2nd-generation Intel Core i5 CPU, 4 GB of DDR3 memory, a 64 GB SSD, a Samsung Super PLS 1366 x 768 11.6-inch display, a microSD card slot and more.

"This auction is a brand new, limited edition tablet PC which was given at the Microsoft Build Windows conference in Anaheim on 9/13/2011," reads the auction description. "It is running a pre-release developer preview version of Windows 8 and is a powerful development machine for that upcoming platform."

Other Windows 8 BUILD tablets appearing on eBay aren't quite so expensive, ranging from $1,525 USD to $2,275 USD.

Press Release: Sony Announces Optimally Designed “Sony Tablet” with Android 3.0. Promo Video.

WorldWideTech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

  Sony Announces Optimally Designed “Sony Tablet” with Android 3.0 that Complements Network Services for an Immersive Entertainment Experience.

26 April 2011

Also strengthening VAIO in expanding PC markets Sony Corporation (“Sony"), announces “Sony Tablet” that delivers the perfect combination of hardware, content and network with seamless usability for a high-quality, engaging entertainment experience. Based on decades of engineering heritage, Sony is developing two tablets with unprecedented design, including S1 (codename) which is optimized for rich media entertainment and S2 (codename) which is ideal for mobile communication and entertainment. “Sony Tablet” will become available in the global market starting in fall 2011.

“Sony Tablet” is equipped with the latest Android 3.0 which is designed for devices with larger screen sizes, particularly tablets. Both tablets are WiFi and WAN (3G/4G) compatible and users can not only browse the internet or check e-mail but they can also smoothly access digital content including videos, games and books through Sony’s premium network services and more, on-the-go at any time.

                                 

S1 has a 9.4-inch display for enjoying the web and rich content on a large screen. Its off-center of gravity design realizes stability and ease of grip as well as a sense of stability and lightness, offering comfortable use for hours.

S2 has two 5.5-inch displays that can be folded for easy portability. In contrast to existing tablets, its unprecedented dual screen presentation and usability allows its displays to be combined and used as a large screen or for different functions such as playing video on one screen while showing control buttons on the other.

“‘Sony Tablet’ delivers an entertainment experience where users can enjoy cloud-based services on-the-go at any time. We’re aiming to create a new lifestyle by integrating consumer hardware, including ‘Sony Tablet’ with content and network,” said Kunimasa Suzuki, Corporate Executive, SVP, and Deputy President of Consumer Products & Services Group.

“Android 3.0 is a new version of the Android platform with a new holographic user interface that is designed from the ground up for devices with larger screen sizes, particularly tablets. I'm excited about “Sony Tablet” as it will further spur the development of applications and network offerings which users are looking for.” said Andy Rubin, Senior Vice President, Mobile, Google Inc.

Also, in the mobile computing category, the market for PCs which realize high productivity is expected to steadily grow, particularly in emerging markets. Therefore, Sony will also remain committed to strengthening its VAIO brand and introduce increasingly compelling products which offer new value propositions to the market.

“Sony Tablet” features:

■ Designed for portability and intuitive gripping

With its off-center of gravity form factor, the 9.4-inch S1 offers stability and a sense of lightness, offering comfortable use for hours.

The dual screen S2 comes with two 5.5-inch displays which can be used together as one large screen to browse websites and more. They can also be used for different functions as users can watch a video on one screen and input commands on the other, or check email on one screen and use the other as a soft keyboard.

■ Seamless Usability and Performance

Through Sony’s knowhow for combining hardware and software, “Sony Tablet” realizes optimal usability and performance. Because of Sony’s rapid response technologies, users can perform smooth, quick touch-screen operations and enjoy fast and efficient website loading. The keyboard arrangement is also optimized for the large screen, making email and SNS communication a breeze.

■ Rich entertainment experiences through various network services

Through Qriocity¹ music and video services, users can enjoy rich video and music content. Also, through PlayStation®Suite, users can immerse themselves in high quality first generation PlayStation® titles. Additionally, users can easily download ebook content from Reader™Store² and use both tablets as digital reading devices. The integration with various services allows users to take their entertainment experiences on-the-go. Furthermore, “Sony Tablet” is equipped with functionality that organizes content for easy access.

■ Remote access functionality with AV devices

Through “Sony Tablet”, users can control home entertainment devices as well as enjoy content in new ways. S1 uses infrared technology and works as universal remote controls for a variety of AV devices starting with . Users can perform functions like turning on their TVs, changing the channel and adjusting the volume. Also, through DLNA functionality on “Sony Tablet”, users can “throw” personal content to large screen televisions or music to wireless speakers.

                                

In 2010, Sony launched a network platform called “Qriocity” which connects many of Sony’s network-enabled devices, and has been expanding its services into global markets. Also, Sony Computer Entertainment has been providing various contents and services for PlayStation users through PlayStation®Network, which now has over 75 million registered accounts (as of March 20, 2011) worldwide.

Simultaneously, Sony will continue to announce various devices which leverage these services. Starting in early 2011, Sony Computer Entertainment announced the next-generation portable entertainment system (codename: NGP) while Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications brought “Xperia™PLAY” to the market. Sony is introducing “Sony Tablet” to deliver an entertainment experience which integrates hardware with network services that deliver rich content.       

                         

With the establishment of Consumer Products and Services Group in April 2011, Sony will focus on accelerating the development of innovative next generation products and aim to deliver a new lifestyle by strengthening the integration of hardware and network services.

1 In markets where service is available

2 In markets where service is available

“Sony Tablet”, “Qriocity” and “Reader” are trademarks of Sony Corporation

VAIO and are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation

PlayStation is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Xperia is a trademark of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB.

Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

Editorial: Is Gartner wrong or is just an Apple´s iPad fan boy. ?

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Is Gartner wrong or is just an Apple´s iPad fan boy. ?

Gartner is one of the best research and forecasting  companies in the world, but on the latest tablets market share forecast made by them yesterday April 11^th about how is and will look the tablets market share worldwide  from years 2010 to 2015 is not completely reliable.

Let´s take a walk making some analysis of the chart:

1.-Gartner forecast with real facts numbers about the iPad because the tablet  has more than one year out and the version iPad2 is out now. The same panorama is for the Androids Samsung Galaxy Tab and Motorola XOOM, they are already out. However you cannot know how these companies and others  Androids to come like Acer, Archos will do their marketing strategy to get buy, yet.

2.-The Blackberry Playbook and the HP webOS  TouchPad are not even  out yet and Gartner says these brands will sell between 3,9 to 29,4 million units for the BB and 2,7 to 8,8 million units  for the HP, both for the years 2011 to 2015. You cannot forecast just because you have a hunch.

3.-The chart is not showing the years 2013 and 2014 forecasts.

4.-RIM and HP have a different enterprise approaches that the Apple´s  iPad lacks.

5.-We suggest to Gartner to make separated charts: One for the multimedia tablets and one for the enterprise tablets.

6.-HP is the world´s largest technology company and are projecting to have the webOS as OS in all the devices as possible in the next 2012. Gartner will need to consider that projection too, and make different charts.

7.- Barnes & Noble has publicly stated its intent to turn the Nook Color into a rich Android tablet; the company plans a software update this spring to do just that and is already accepting third-party applications for its app store. Is the Nook Color included in the chart data.?

8.- 2015 is at least two (or more) product cycles away.

 In the past 12 months, Apple’s iPad has already undergone one hardware revision as well as gained more software functionality: a dual-core processor with improved graphics, two cameras, and the ability to multitask, for example. While the iPad may not see monumental design changes each year, Apple is sure to evolve the device several times in the next four years. The same holds true for other tablet makers using different platforms.

“It’s too early to predict what the tablet market will look like several device iterations from now due to powerful new processors on the way, faster mobile broadband in wider coverage areas and improvements in mobile software and apps.”

9.-Conclusion:

The are too many market ways to change the consumer preferences, and forecasting  4 years ahead that way Gartner did ,is wrong, this time.

Related post: gigaom and gartner

Acer 3 tablets unvieled 5, 7 and 10 inch. with windows and android options.Video.

Image via Wikipedia

WorldWideTech.  Francisco De Jesús.



Acer has unvieled 3 tablets: a 4.8 (5) inch tablet phone, a 7 inch tablet and a 10.1  inch tablet with a Qualcomm dual-core 1 Ghz processor. This unit will feature the ability to show 1080p high-definition video and have full support for Flash. Configurations running Windows and Android will be offered. 


For customers seeking Android tablet options, the company will offer a 7-inch model, as well as a 5-inch "mini-tablet." All are expected to be ready in the early part of next year, depending on when Google finishes the Android 3.0 operating system.

At a press event in New York, the company also previewed some new software services for users of Acer hardware. In particular, the Clear.Fi service will allow home users to share content across different Acer and non-Acer devices. This service will be available within the next six months.

Acer also previewed Alive, a media service that allows users to download or stream videos, music, books, games and applications from a single console. Alive will be introduced in December in the U.K. and Italy, and in the U.S and other countries in the beginning part of next year. Initially, it will offer 8 million songs, 2,000 movies and 1,500 music videos, as well as some games and applications.

Acer president and CEO Gianfranco Lanci predicted that, within three years, the world will have over a billion mobile devices, across a wide range of form factors.

"I think the most important thing we want to communicate is that we want to be a global player in mobile solutions, be it with mobile smartphones, tablets, notebooks and other mobiles; and we want to be a player not only on content aggregation but content consumption," said Lanci, on the sidelines of the launch event.

In comments to IDG News Service, Lanci praised Microsoft's Windows Phone 7, noting that he has "started to see a lot of improvement. [It has a ] very good user interface, and [Microsoft has] started to leverage other assets like Windows Live and Xbox. I think Windows Phone 7 is already much better than before, and [it] will continue to improve."

"If you think of a billion devices three years from now there will be enough space for much more than one or two operating systems," he added.

Clearly Acer is grappling with an ever-wider array of operating systems for portable devices, some more finished than others. Acer's Android releases trail the Windows ones because "Android is less under our control, so it depends when the Android tablet operating system will be released," Lanci said. During the question-and-answer session following the presentation, Jim Wong, Acer senior corporate vice president, also noted that Acer will participate in the launch of Google's ChromeOS operating system, which should take place sometime next year.