Review Roundup: This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar
This week's popular reviews on TechRadar include the iPad 2, which went on sale in the UK on Friday 25 March, and the Nintendo 3DS, which also went on sale on Friday.We also brought you an exclusive review of the Acer Iconia Tab W500 tablet which is running Windows 7, and in the graphics card world, we got our hands on the new Nvidia GeForce GTX 590.
Read on to find out how we rated this week's hottest new tech products.
Top five reviews on TechRadar
Acer Iconia Tab W500 review
The problem for Acer is its choice of operating system - Windows 7 wasn't designed for use on a tablet, and it really shows.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 590 review
It's slightly disappointing that with this Zotac GeForce GTX 590 it couldn't have pushed the performance past what we've already seen in the AMD Radeon HD 6990.
Nokia X2 review
The Nokia X2 is an entry-level handset with plenty of features and a penchant for music playback. It sits somewhere between the Nokia C1-01 and the Nokia X3 Touch and Type in both functionality and price.
Apple iPad 2 review
For all the negatives, for now we think the iPad 2 is still the best tablet around. It is much better for consuming media, has more compelling apps (especially for the larger tablet size), has a better app store ecosystem, and is light and useable.
Nintendo 3DS review
While 3D gaming still splits opinion, this is a relatively cheap, accessible way to enjoy it and the quality is more than good enough to offer an impressive and immersive experience.
Amplifiers
Lehmann AudioRhinelander review
A headphone amp that can serve its own preamp duties.
Musical FidelityV-Can review
The V-CAN is cheap for a good headphone amp. Too cheap?
Creek OBH-21SE review
A serious headphone amplifier for the discerning audiophile with an individual tonal balance.
Audio systems
Primare CD32 CD player and I32 amp review
With its new approach to Class D amplification and a new CD player, Primare's new duo is a force to be reckoned with.
Tivoli Model 10+ review
Tivoli's new Model 10+ is wasted on the general public; for here's a small radio for the audiophile.
Audio Analogue Crescendo review
Understated elegance, clever stuff on the user interface front, plus an incredible price for Italian-made Hi-Fi.
Exposure 2010S2 review
Looks and features are old-school to perfection, but the sound is bang-up-to-date from this 2010 combo.
Rega Saturn and Mira 3 review
The legendary Essex rhythm kings are making a rare test performance and always remain on the beat.
RotelRCD-1520 CD and RA-1520 review
Rotel's only current CD player and integrated amplifier retain a classic look, but hide clever modern internals.
AV accessories
Ebode Take10 review
A flexible remote control with bespoke macro facility, but you'll need a big coffee table...
Blu-ray players
Sharp BD-HP90S review
Steve May looks for substance behind the style of Sharp's first 3D spinner.
Compact cameras
Fujifilm FinePix X100 review
With its hybrid viewfinder and retro styling, is the Fuji X100 the ultimate enthusiast compact?
Hi-fi Accessories
Isol-8 Substation LC/HC review
A noisy mains supply can ruin the sound of your hi-fi so we test the latest technology from Isol-8's SubStations.
Laptops
PackardBell EasyNote TS review
Luxury level laptop features at a low, low price? Surprisingly, it's possible.
Media streaming devices
Sony SMP-N100 review
Martin Pipe likes Sony's first standalone networkable multimedia player.
Mobile phones
Nokia C2-01 review
The Nokia C2-01 is a candybar mobile for those who don't want fancy features.
Printers
Epson Stylus Photo PX660 review
We put Epson's new Stylus Photo PX660 all-in-one printer to the test.
Projectors
JVC DLA-X3 3D review
JVC's affordable 3D lightbox ushers in a new era for D-ILA home projectors.
BenQ W1000+ review
This budget full HD projector has much to recommend it.
Epson EH-TW3600 review
An affordable LCD projector that loves living rooms.
Software
The DailyThe Daily review
The Daily ushers in a new dawn for iPad newspapers with rich multimedia content.
Swype Inc.Swype review
Find out why the ingenious Swype is the best time-saving app you'll install this year.
The National TrustThe National Trust app review
The National Trust app helps you find the UK's hidden gems on the move.
Microsoft Office Web Apps review
Microsoft Office Web Apps lacks many of its offline counterpart's most useful features.
AdobeAcrobat.com review
Acrobat.com gives you a fairly good word processor, but little else worth mentioning.
InstaCollLive Documents review
With its Flash gloss, Live Documents looks more impressive than it actually is.
MozillaFirefox 4 review
It's the best Firefox yet. Is it better than its rivals, too?.
Speakers
EMP Tek Impression 7.1 review
We get to grips with a giant US-made 7.1 speaker system.
Jamo D500 THX Select2 review
We worship at the church of THX and the surround sound spec that's become the gold standard for serious speakers.
XTZ 99 Series review
This 5.1 speaker system uses high-quality Scandinavian engineering and boasts tweaks a-plenty.
Tablets
Viewsonic ViewPad 10s review
Can this Android tablet right the wrongs of its predecessor?.
 |  |
Read More ...
In pictures: Apple mania hits as iPad 2 goes on sale
The iPad 2 has officially gone on sale in the UK. Over at the Regents Street Apple store, they simply could not wait until the stated 5pm with the first customers getting their hands on the tablet as early as 4.53pm. With rumours of stock shortages flying, the once relatively short, worm-like queue had blossomed and grown into a python-like behemoth snaking around the West End.
It went on…
And on…
And on…
And even doubled back on itself.
The blue-clad Apple genii had their traditional whooping and clapping at nothing session just before the doors opened.
First in line Jewels was in good spirits as he was ushered into the store after waiting a around 34 hours outside for the privilege. He went in…
And he came out. He was more pleased with his new iPad 2 than he looks, we promise.
And thus the iPad 2 went on sale in the UK. Whether the people at the end of the queue will get their coveted slates or not is a story for another day.
| |
Read More ...
In pictures: Apple mania hits as iPad 2 goes on sale
The iPad 2 has officially gone on sale in the UK. Over at the Regents Street Apple store, they simply could not wait until the stated 5pm with the first customers getting their hands on the tablet as early as 4.53pm. With rumours of stock shortages flying, the once relatively short, worm-like queue had blossomed and grown into a python-like behemoth snaking around the West End.
It went on…
And on…
And on…
And even doubled back on itself.
The blue-clad Apple genii had their traditional whooping and clapping at nothing session just before the doors opened.
First in line Jewels was in good spirits as he was ushered into the store after waiting a around 34 hours outside for the privilege. He went in…
And he came out. He was more pleased with his new iPad 2 than he looks, we promise.
And thus the iPad 2 went on sale in the UK. Whether the people at the end of the queue will get their coveted slates or not is a story for another day.
| |
| |
Read More ...
Hands on: Google Chrome OS netbook review
We first glimpsed the CR-48 prototype Google Chrome OS netbook at CES in January and they've finally appeared in the UK courtesy of the Big G. Our Chrome OS netbook has arrived in the office today, so we've ignored the big hot sun to bring you more in-depth thoughts on Google's Windows basher than we were able to put together in a few minutes on a baking show floor at CES.
First thing's first, this is still very early kit. Some of the creases we'll explain here will be ironed out by the time Chrome OS gets into your hands in hardware from many of the usual netbook vendors.
Second thing's second, Google Chrome OS looks like Chrome the browser because, essentially, that's exactly what it is. Here's a few of the different bits. That's what it is. It's a browser. There is no desktop. And that in itself takes an awful lot of getting used to. We won't lie - we've been spoilt with fully-fledged operating systems.
Chrome OS does attempt to make up for the limitations of this in many of the ways that phone OSes fail to - there is a (very basic) file browser so you can transfer files between somewhere like Dropbox and Google Docs. Or where you might save an image from the web to upload as your Facebook profile pic.
Chrome OS also comes with the Scratchpad note-taking tool. Of course, you don't need Chrome OS for this, but it's a handy tool and can sync with Google Docs.
You sign in using your Google Account, though you'll need to be connected to the internet (or the integral cellular) to sign in – so you can have multiple people signing in on your Chrome OS netbook. Guest access does exist, but you can disable this.
If you already sync your Chrome browser to the cloud like us, your Extensions and other details download automatically. You're offered to take a webcam pic for your account picture when you first sign in....
...while there are also options for logging onto Wi-Fi and cellular networks, even before the point of login should you not already be connected...
...and there's also the ability to set the time and date. Otherwise, pretty much everything is handled inside the standard Chrome interface including all the settings.
There are some usability flaws. Our main criticism is that, well, things are a bit slow. We know how fast the Chrome browser is (answer: fast) and strangely that speed just isn't replicated here.
Admittedly, we have a fair amount of Extensions installed – could that be a factor? – but it doesn't seem a problem for the versions we've used on Windows or Mac OS X.
Also fonts in the browser seem really rather patchy in terms of the way they render - as do some other elements. Despite us having the new Google bar on all our other machines, it isn't replicated on Chrome OS. As we said, it's early days.
And then there's the issue of connectivity. The key issue of connectivity. Chrome OS is currently a bit rubbish without the internet. Google Docs will again support offline use in due course but until this happens and becomes reliable, there's at least a little to be desired.
We mentioned the cellular data support of the CR-48 - the SIM slots in inside the battery compartment. This is essential to the success of Chrome OS as a system.
Hardware-wise, the CR-48 prototype is surprisingly tidy in appearance and very usable. The keyboard is pleasant, the matt finish smart and the matt screen excellent for usability. There's a webcam, mic and a VGA connector. Here we're using the webcam through Google Talk, which pops up at the base of the browser.
So what else is there to shout about hardware-wise? Well it seems pretty well-prepared - the sole USB port accepted our Logitech cordless mouse without issue, for example.
There's also a VGA adapter. Like the decals? They were included in our Chrome OS box.
The function keys atop the keyboard for maximising and minimising Chrome OS, changing brightness, switching tabs and the like work well.
Indeed, the marriage between hardware and software isn't too shabby and many Windows netbooks could take a look at the simplicity on show here. Leave it on and it will sleep. Any key will wake it. Close the lid, it will sleep. Resume is instant.
The Caps Lock key has been replaced with a search key that brings up a new tab for us. If you really want Caps Lock back, you can get it though.
So although Chrome OS is quite usable for basic web use when you have connectivity, it's those moments offline that Google really needs to think about.
Naturally, the real battle will be price. How cheap can Chrome OS netbooks be? They'll have to be sub-آ£300 to be a serious alternative to Windows netbooks for starters.
| |
Read More ...
Hands on: Google Chrome OS netbook review
We first glimpsed the CR-48 prototype Google Chrome OS netbook at CES in January and they've finally appeared in the UK courtesy of the Big G. Our Chrome OS netbook has arrived in the office today, so we've ignored the big hot sun to bring you more in-depth thoughts on Google's Windows basher than we were able to put together in a few minutes on a baking show floor at CES.
First thing's first, this is still very early kit. Some of the creases we'll explain here will be ironed out by the time Chrome OS gets into your hands in hardware from many of the usual netbook vendors.
Second thing's second, Google Chrome OS looks like Chrome the browser because, essentially, that's exactly what it is. Here's a few of the different bits. That's what it is. It's a browser. There is no desktop. And that in itself takes an awful lot of getting used to. We won't lie - we've been spoilt with fully-fledged operating systems.
Chrome OS does attempt to make up for the limitations of this in many of the ways that phone OSes fail to - there is a (very basic) file browser so you can transfer files between somewhere like Dropbox and Google Docs. Or where you might save an image from the web to upload as your Facebook profile pic.
Chrome OS also comes with the Scratchpad note-taking tool. Of course, you don't need Chrome OS for this, but it's a handy tool and can sync with Google Docs.
You sign in using your Google Account, though you'll need to be connected to the internet (or the integral cellular) to sign in – so you can have multiple people signing in on your Chrome OS netbook. Guest access does exist, but you can disable this.
If you already sync your Chrome browser to the cloud like us, your Extensions and other details download automatically. You're offered to take a webcam pic for your account picture when you first sign in....
...while there are also options for logging onto Wi-Fi and cellular networks, even before the point of login should you not already be connected...
...and there's also the ability to set the time and date. Otherwise, pretty much everything is handled inside the standard Chrome interface including all the settings.
There are some usability flaws. Our main criticism is that, well, things are a bit slow. We know how fast the Chrome browser is (answer: fast) and strangely that speed just isn't replicated here.
Admittedly, we have a fair amount of Extensions installed – could that be a factor? – but it doesn't seem a problem for the versions we've used on Windows or Mac OS X.
Also fonts in the browser seem really rather patchy in terms of the way they render - as do some other elements. Despite us having the new Google bar on all our other machines, it isn't replicated on Chrome OS. As we said, it's early days.
And then there's the issue of connectivity. The key issue of connectivity. Chrome OS is currently a bit rubbish without the internet. Google Docs will again support offline use in due course but until this happens and becomes reliable, there's at least a little to be desired.
We mentioned the cellular data support of the CR-48 - the SIM slots in inside the battery compartment. This is essential to the success of Chrome OS as a system.
Hardware-wise, the CR-48 prototype is surprisingly tidy in appearance and very usable. The keyboard is pleasant, the matt finish smart and the matt screen excellent for usability. There's a webcam, mic and a VGA connector. Here we're using the webcam through Google Talk, which pops up at the base of the browser.
So what else is there to shout about hardware-wise? Well it seems pretty well-prepared - the sole USB port accepted our Logitech cordless mouse without issue, for example.
There's also a VGA adapter. Like the decals? They were included in our Chrome OS box.
The function keys atop the keyboard for maximising and minimising Chrome OS, changing brightness, switching tabs and the like work well.
Indeed, the marriage between hardware and software isn't too shabby and many Windows netbooks could take a look at the simplicity on show here. Leave it on and it will sleep. Any key will wake it. Close the lid, it will sleep. Resume is instant.
The Caps Lock key has been replaced with a search key that brings up a new tab for us. If you really want Caps Lock back, you can get it though.
So although Chrome OS is quite usable for basic web use when you have connectivity, it's those moments offline that Google really needs to think about.
Naturally, the real battle will be price. How cheap can Chrome OS netbooks be? They'll have to be sub-آ£300 to be a serious alternative to Windows netbooks for starters.
| |
| |
Read More ...
Review: Panasonic TX-L42E30B
Panasonic might reign unchallenged as king of plasma, but the LED-powered TX-L42E30B proves that its commitment to LCD is no less fierce. The 42-inch set sits near the top of Panasonic's 2011 range and is only out-specified by the smaller, 3D-toting TX-L37DT30B and TX-L32DT30B. The E30 range also features a pair of smaller screens, the TX-L37E30B and the TX-L32E30B.
It's a bit of a looker, too. While some recent Panasonic TVs appeared to have been designed by a collection of three-year olds armed with a bunch of black crayons, this one hits all the right notes.
Combining a sleek cabinet factor with a thin bezel around the screen and a neat, dark grey finish. It's not as eye-catching as Samsung's new D8000 series LEDs, but many will find its mature aesthetics a better match for their living room.
Aside from a lack of 3D support, the TX-L42E30B is a state-of-the-art screen. It continues Panasonic's theory that a modern TV should act as a home's entertainment hub, by providing playback of video, music and photo files from USB and SD card, and DLNA media streaming from a network-connected PC or Panasonic Diga recorder.
Accessible files are displayed by tapping the green Viera Tools button on the remote and sectioned into Photo, Video, Recorded TV and Music (for USB/SD card) and Media Server for any DLNA-attached devices. Usability is good – we had no trouble viewing various music and video files located on a Western Digital NAS drive and a PC.
The TX-L42E30B is net-savvy, too. Viera Connect is the 2011 iteration of Panasonic's online portal – previously known as Viera Cast - and comes with plenty of new features. Described as a 'cloud-based internet service', Viera Connect currently offers music and video on demand in the form of YouTube, Acetrax, Dailymotion, Ustream and SHOUTcast; Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Picasa, Skype and other apps; interactive games such as Blackjack and Catch Up TV from BBC's iPlayer.
That may not sound very different to Viera Cast, but the platform is now open to third-party developers, so expect much more to be added in the near future. For instance, Panasonic has said that the capacity to expand hardware functions through linking health and fitness equipment or game controllers will be introduced later this year, so maybe it's time to dig out your tracksuit bottoms.
The Viera Connect interface is a treat, and more finely tuned than that of the TV itself. A dedicated Viera Cast button on the remote control (Panasonic obviously hasn't got round to updating its handsets yet) brings up the bright, colourful, hi-res homepage, with icons for Skype, iPlayer, Acetrax etc.
The iPlayer app is particularly worth investigating. It includes BBC HD playback, is easy to navigate and picture quality is on a par with material from the TV's own tuner.
Prospective buyers should be aware, though, that Viera Connect doesn't allow unrestricted web browsing (a la Philips' Net TV).
Another handy feature is recording to a USB storage device, which brings with it trickplay features like pausing and rewinding live TV. Recordings can't be played back on other devices, though, which makes one wonder why Panasonic doesn't just build a hard-disk drive into the TV when it's on the production line.
The TX-L42E30B sports a healthy array of connections. The back panel houses three HDMI jacks, a component input, RGB Scart, PC input, stereo analogue audio in/out and an optical audio output. There's also an Ethernet port and pair of USB sockets. Further connections sit on the side of the bezel for easy access, including a third USB, HDMI input and an SD card slot - the latter perfect for owners of Panasonic's digital cameras.
Features related more to the TX-L42E30B's AV performance include Panasonic's V-Real Live picture processing engine, Intelligent Frame Creation Pro motion smoothing, a Freeview HD tuner; an IPS Alpha LCD panel, edge LED lighting and, of course, a full HD 1,920 x 1,080 resolution.
Despite the TX-L42E30B's lack of in-depth picture adjustments, it delivers an assured picture performance with little to fault it, particularly with hi-def Blu-rays.
Tweakers may bemoan the absence of serious colour management tools and will have to make do with an on/off Vivid colour mode, but Panasonic compensates for this by providing colour accuracy out of the box. With the TV in cinema mode and the Warm preset selected, we measured a spot-on 6,500K colour temp, so your DVD and Blu-ray platters should look close to how the director intended, colour-wise.
A 16-step colour gradation test shows the TX-L42E30B excels in green, yellow and blue reproduction. It's only with the brightest red shades that subtle shifts are lost.
With Toy Story 3 on Blu-ray this solid colour performance equates to a superbly cinematic experience; the exotic palette employed by Pixar is delivered with aplomb, without ever veering into gaudy territory. Some LED-lit screens can give film material an artificial feel, but not the TX-L42E30B.
Working in tandem with that considered colour presentation is a healthy black level. Panasonic is too grown-up these days to bother itself with outrageous contrast level claims (it just quotes 'High') and what's on offer here is fine enough. Darker areas of the picture remain free from crushed blacks, so shadow detailing, frequently evident in Toy Story 3 when Woody and chums are abandoned in a toy box, is maintained.
The solid black level is helped by an edge-LED lighting system that doesn't cause any unsightly light-pooling. Well, as long as you are sitting on-axis. We found that portions of the screen can brighten considerably if viewed from an angle.
The TX-L42E30B is also commendably adept with motion. When fed a sequence of vertical, horizontal and diagonal camera pans, and scenes with fast-moving objects, the Panasonic didn't falter. Motion was smooth with detail levels kept up.
Switching on the Intelligent Frame Creation Pro engine (it has two levels) makes things even silkier (almost comically so), but can introduce artefacts with multi-layered material. The TX-L42E30B's natural motion handling is sufficiently impressive to render IFC Pro all but redundant.
As you'd expect from a full HD panel, detail levels are high. Close up footage of a dissected kiwi fruit (an odd, but effective reference scene) was so lifelike it made us hungry. Blu-ray movies that make the most of the format's high-pixel count look gorgeous. Back in the land of Woody and Buzz, the exquisite textures of everything from a wooden door frame to Mr Potato Head's moustache are jaw-dropping.
With no 3D playback to get stuck into, the only other picture quality to report on is that of the TV's built-in Freeview HD tuner. Naturally, switching to this from Blu-ray brings a step-down in quality.
Macro-blocking and mosquito noise take the shine off SD channels (although the latter can be countered by the TX-L42E30B's effective P-NR noise reduction) and even the HD channel lack the razor-sharp panache of Blu-rays. Not that the Panasonic's Freeview pictures are worse than the competition (they are more stable than many budget rivals), it's just that Freeview itself is beginning to look a bit shoddy.
Sound
In the last few years Panasonic flatscreens have consistently delivered above average audio and the TX-L42E30B upholds this tradition with a pair of 10W speakers that pack a surprisingly bassy punch and can reach a decent volume. Perhaps by not slimming the TV down to within a millimetre of its life Panasonic has given its drivers room to breathe.
As with the picture tweaks, though, there aren't many sonic options to play with. Of the two presets, Music and Speech, you're best off sticking with the former, as the latter robs the soundstage of low-frequency grunt.
Other than that you're limited to the V-Audio and V-Audio Surround modes, which don't really add much in the way of separation or depth. Thankfully, the optical digital output, and the presence of an HDMI input with support for the Audio Return Channel (ARC), means hooking up the TX-L42E30B to a dedicated surround system or soundbar is simple; a screen of this size and quality really deserves an appropriately refined audio partner.
Value
In value for money terms the Panasonic perhaps falls a little short. With an approximate launch price of آ£900 it feels expensive, especially when you consider that it lacks 3D support; some future-gazers who would consider it almost obsolete in this respect.
Quality never comes cheap, though and the performance and feature set of the TX-L42E30B almost justify its price. Find a retailer offering it at آ£800 and you can't have any complaints.
Ease of use
The TX-L42E30B puts many of its competitors to shame when it comes to usability, starting from the moment you unbox it. Although we're certain Panasonic would recommend that you got a buddy to help lift the TV from its cardboard coffin, you can easily do it yourself. Attaching it to the desktop stand is a doddle, too, involving no more than four screws and a minimal amount of faff.
Moving onto everyday use and this air of simplicity remains. The remote control, while not in danger of winning any RIBA awards, is well laid out and responsive.
This combines with Panasonic's lightning-fast GUI to make browsing its menus and sub-menus a Luddite-friendly process. It helps, of course, that the TX-L42E30B isn't overladen with user adjustments and tweaks, but what it does offer is easily findable.
The TX-L42E30B is proof that Panasonic's love of television doesn't begin and end with its top-end plasmas. Nor is it ignoring those who haven't yet succumbed to the lure of three-dimensional home entertainment. This is both a high-quality display and a nifty multimedia device that will look good in all but the gaudiest living rooms.
We liked
The Panasonic TX-L42E30B offers a quality, hi-def picture that retains the cinematic, naturalistic tone of the brand's plasma panels, plus an above-average audio performance, all wrapped up in a neatly designed and robust-feeling bezel.
Usability is first-rate, too. The set's additional features, including the Viera Connect portal, broaden its appeal, and USB recording means you may decide you can throw away your clunky PVR once and for all.
We disliked
The lack of 3D support means it's hard to recommend this set to anyone who wants to stay future-proofed, and not integrating an open web browser into Viera Connect is an unnecessary shackle. And why Panasonic insists on persevering with the advertisement-laden Guide+ EPG is a mystery.
Final verdict
The 40/42-inch flatscreen market may be one of the most competitive, but Panasonic's TX-L42E30B offers enough to stand out. Good-looking, well connected and a top performer, it's definitely worth auditioning.
Related Links
| |
Read More ...
Review: Panasonic TX-L42E30B
Panasonic might reign unchallenged as king of plasma, but the LED-powered TX-L42E30B proves that its commitment to LCD is no less fierce. The 42-inch set sits near the top of Panasonic's 2011 range and is only out-specified by the smaller, 3D-toting TX-L37DT30B and TX-L32DT30B. The E30 range also features a pair of smaller screens, the TX-L37E30B and the TX-L32E30B.
It's a bit of a looker, too. While some recent Panasonic TVs appeared to have been designed by a collection of three-year olds armed with a bunch of black crayons, this one hits all the right notes.
Combining a sleek cabinet factor with a thin bezel around the screen and a neat, dark grey finish. It's not as eye-catching as Samsung's new D8000 series LEDs, but many will find its mature aesthetics a better match for their living room.
Aside from a lack of 3D support, the TX-L42E30B is a state-of-the-art screen. It continues Panasonic's theory that a modern TV should act as a home's entertainment hub, by providing playback of video, music and photo files from USB and SD card, and DLNA media streaming from a network-connected PC or Panasonic Diga recorder.
Accessible files are displayed by tapping the green Viera Tools button on the remote and sectioned into Photo, Video, Recorded TV and Music (for USB/SD card) and Media Server for any DLNA-attached devices. Usability is good – we had no trouble viewing various music and video files located on a Western Digital NAS drive and a PC.
The TX-L42E30B is net-savvy, too. Viera Connect is the 2011 iteration of Panasonic's online portal – previously known as Viera Cast - and comes with plenty of new features. Described as a 'cloud-based internet service', Viera Connect currently offers music and video on demand in the form of YouTube, Acetrax, Dailymotion, Ustream and SHOUTcast; Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Picasa, Skype and other apps; interactive games such as Blackjack and Catch Up TV from BBC's iPlayer.
That may not sound very different to Viera Cast, but the platform is now open to third-party developers, so expect much more to be added in the near future. For instance, Panasonic has said that the capacity to expand hardware functions through linking health and fitness equipment or game controllers will be introduced later this year, so maybe it's time to dig out your tracksuit bottoms.
The Viera Connect interface is a treat, and more finely tuned than that of the TV itself. A dedicated Viera Cast button on the remote control (Panasonic obviously hasn't got round to updating its handsets yet) brings up the bright, colourful, hi-res homepage, with icons for Skype, iPlayer, Acetrax etc.
The iPlayer app is particularly worth investigating. It includes BBC HD playback, is easy to navigate and picture quality is on a par with material from the TV's own tuner.
Prospective buyers should be aware, though, that Viera Connect doesn't allow unrestricted web browsing (a la Philips' Net TV).
Another handy feature is recording to a USB storage device, which brings with it trickplay features like pausing and rewinding live TV. Recordings can't be played back on other devices, though, which makes one wonder why Panasonic doesn't just build a hard-disk drive into the TV when it's on the production line.
The TX-L42E30B sports a healthy array of connections. The back panel houses three HDMI jacks, a component input, RGB Scart, PC input, stereo analogue audio in/out and an optical audio output. There's also an Ethernet port and pair of USB sockets. Further connections sit on the side of the bezel for easy access, including a third USB, HDMI input and an SD card slot - the latter perfect for owners of Panasonic's digital cameras.
Features related more to the TX-L42E30B's AV performance include Panasonic's V-Real Live picture processing engine, Intelligent Frame Creation Pro motion smoothing, a Freeview HD tuner; an IPS Alpha LCD panel, edge LED lighting and, of course, a full HD 1,920 x 1,080 resolution.
Despite the TX-L42E30B's lack of in-depth picture adjustments, it delivers an assured picture performance with little to fault it, particularly with hi-def Blu-rays.
Tweakers may bemoan the absence of serious colour management tools and will have to make do with an on/off Vivid colour mode, but Panasonic compensates for this by providing colour accuracy out of the box. With the TV in cinema mode and the Warm preset selected, we measured a spot-on 6,500K colour temp, so your DVD and Blu-ray platters should look close to how the director intended, colour-wise.
A 16-step colour gradation test shows the TX-L42E30B excels in green, yellow and blue reproduction. It's only with the brightest red shades that subtle shifts are lost.
With Toy Story 3 on Blu-ray this solid colour performance equates to a superbly cinematic experience; the exotic palette employed by Pixar is delivered with aplomb, without ever veering into gaudy territory. Some LED-lit screens can give film material an artificial feel, but not the TX-L42E30B.
Working in tandem with that considered colour presentation is a healthy black level. Panasonic is too grown-up these days to bother itself with outrageous contrast level claims (it just quotes 'High') and what's on offer here is fine enough. Darker areas of the picture remain free from crushed blacks, so shadow detailing, frequently evident in Toy Story 3 when Woody and chums are abandoned in a toy box, is maintained.
The solid black level is helped by an edge-LED lighting system that doesn't cause any unsightly light-pooling. Well, as long as you are sitting on-axis. We found that portions of the screen can brighten considerably if viewed from an angle.
The TX-L42E30B is also commendably adept with motion. When fed a sequence of vertical, horizontal and diagonal camera pans, and scenes with fast-moving objects, the Panasonic didn't falter. Motion was smooth with detail levels kept up.
Switching on the Intelligent Frame Creation Pro engine (it has two levels) makes things even silkier (almost comically so), but can introduce artefacts with multi-layered material. The TX-L42E30B's natural motion handling is sufficiently impressive to render IFC Pro all but redundant.
As you'd expect from a full HD panel, detail levels are high. Close up footage of a dissected kiwi fruit (an odd, but effective reference scene) was so lifelike it made us hungry. Blu-ray movies that make the most of the format's high-pixel count look gorgeous. Back in the land of Woody and Buzz, the exquisite textures of everything from a wooden door frame to Mr Potato Head's moustache are jaw-dropping.
With no 3D playback to get stuck into, the only other picture quality to report on is that of the TV's built-in Freeview HD tuner. Naturally, switching to this from Blu-ray brings a step-down in quality.
Macro-blocking and mosquito noise take the shine off SD channels (although the latter can be countered by the TX-L42E30B's effective P-NR noise reduction) and even the HD channel lack the razor-sharp panache of Blu-rays. Not that the Panasonic's Freeview pictures are worse than the competition (they are more stable than many budget rivals), it's just that Freeview itself is beginning to look a bit shoddy.
Sound
In the last few years Panasonic flatscreens have consistently delivered above average audio and the TX-L42E30B upholds this tradition with a pair of 10W speakers that pack a surprisingly bassy punch and can reach a decent volume. Perhaps by not slimming the TV down to within a millimetre of its life Panasonic has given its drivers room to breathe.
As with the picture tweaks, though, there aren't many sonic options to play with. Of the two presets, Music and Speech, you're best off sticking with the former, as the latter robs the soundstage of low-frequency grunt.
Other than that you're limited to the V-Audio and V-Audio Surround modes, which don't really add much in the way of separation or depth. Thankfully, the optical digital output, and the presence of an HDMI input with support for the Audio Return Channel (ARC), means hooking up the TX-L42E30B to a dedicated surround system or soundbar is simple; a screen of this size and quality really deserves an appropriately refined audio partner.
Value
In value for money terms the Panasonic perhaps falls a little short. With an approximate launch price of آ£900 it feels expensive, especially when you consider that it lacks 3D support; some future-gazers who would consider it almost obsolete in this respect.
Quality never comes cheap, though and the performance and feature set of the TX-L42E30B almost justify its price. Find a retailer offering it at آ£800 and you can't have any complaints.
Ease of use
The TX-L42E30B puts many of its competitors to shame when it comes to usability, starting from the moment you unbox it. Although we're certain Panasonic would recommend that you got a buddy to help lift the TV from its cardboard coffin, you can easily do it yourself. Attaching it to the desktop stand is a doddle, too, involving no more than four screws and a minimal amount of faff.
Moving onto everyday use and this air of simplicity remains. The remote control, while not in danger of winning any RIBA awards, is well laid out and responsive.
This combines with Panasonic's lightning-fast GUI to make browsing its menus and sub-menus a Luddite-friendly process. It helps, of course, that the TX-L42E30B isn't overladen with user adjustments and tweaks, but what it does offer is easily findable.
The TX-L42E30B is proof that Panasonic's love of television doesn't begin and end with its top-end plasmas. Nor is it ignoring those who haven't yet succumbed to the lure of three-dimensional home entertainment. This is both a high-quality display and a nifty multimedia device that will look good in all but the gaudiest living rooms.
We liked
The Panasonic TX-L42E30B offers a quality, hi-def picture that retains the cinematic, naturalistic tone of the brand's plasma panels, plus an above-average audio performance, all wrapped up in a neatly designed and robust-feeling bezel.
Usability is first-rate, too. The set's additional features, including the Viera Connect portal, broaden its appeal, and USB recording means you may decide you can throw away your clunky PVR once and for all.
We disliked
The lack of 3D support means it's hard to recommend this set to anyone who wants to stay future-proofed, and not integrating an open web browser into Viera Connect is an unnecessary shackle. And why Panasonic insists on persevering with the advertisement-laden Guide+ EPG is a mystery.
Final verdict
The 40/42-inch flatscreen market may be one of the most competitive, but Panasonic's TX-L42E30B offers enough to stand out. Good-looking, well connected and a top performer, it's definitely worth auditioning.
Related Links
| |
| |
Read More ...
Limewire owes us $75 trillion, says music industry
The 13 record companies currently suing peer-to-peer filesharing service Limewire have estimated that the company owes them between $400 billion and $75 trillion. That top amount is comes in at آ£46,650,361,440,306.00 but hey, it's such an unfathomable amount of money that it barely warrants converting.
We can't help but picture Dr Evil proudly demanding "One hundred billion dollars!" of in order not to blast the world with his "lay-ser" from his "death star" (air quotes).
Absurd
Dr Evil was laughed out of town and so, thankfully, were the record companies – Judge Kimba Wood, who is hearing the case, called the request "absurd".
"As defendants note, plaintiffs are suggesting an award that is 'more money than the entire music recording industry has made since Edison's invention of the phonograph in 1877'," she wrote.
The outlandish figure was reached because the record companies want compensation for each time a song was shared and re-shared by Limewire users; Judge Wood has now concluded that Limewire can only be fined a single statutory fee per work infringed.
| |
Read More ...
Limewire owes us $75 trillion, says music industry
The 13 record companies currently suing peer-to-peer filesharing service Limewire have estimated that the company owes them between $400 billion and $75 trillion. That top amount is comes in at آ£46,650,361,440,306.00 but hey, it's such an unfathomable amount of money that it barely warrants converting.
We can't help but picture Dr Evil proudly demanding "One hundred billion dollars!" of in order not to blast the world with his "lay-ser" from his "death star" (air quotes).
Absurd
Dr Evil was laughed out of town and so, thankfully, were the record companies – Judge Kimba Wood, who is hearing the case, called the request "absurd".
"As defendants note, plaintiffs are suggesting an award that is 'more money than the entire music recording industry has made since Edison's invention of the phonograph in 1877'," she wrote.
The outlandish figure was reached because the record companies want compensation for each time a song was shared and re-shared by Limewire users; Judge Wood has now concluded that Limewire can only be fined a single statutory fee per work infringed.
| |
| |
Read More ...
Latest mobile phones 2011: hottest handsets reviewed
%20Product%20image%20(1)-200-200.jpg)
In the ever-changing mobile market, it can be hard to keep pace with the latest mobile phone trends. That's why we've put together this hub for our new mobile phone reviews: to give you the ideal jumping-on point for understanding the most current handsets around. We cover a plethora of brands, including Apple, HTC, Nokia, Palm and Blackberry, and operating systems, such as Android, iOS and Windows Phone 7, so you should find something that piques your interest here.
In short, if you're seeking a new mobile phone, this is a great place to start.
Nokia C2-01
With the ink now dry on the contract between Nokia and Microsoft, the C2-01 is among the last of a dying breed: a Symbian OS-toting Nokia mobile. Oh, and it's sans touchscreen, too.
Yes, for a new mobile phone, it's decidedly old-school. That said, it's cheap, simple and devoid of anything more fancy than a 3G connection, which will suit minimalists. But can it really hold up in market dominated by smartphones?
Read our full Nokia C2-01 review
HTC Incredible S
Incredible by name and only slightly less so by nature, this phone is HTC's entry into the underpopulated 4-inch touchscreen arena. In fact, it's among the first UK handsets to fill that niche, but more are on the horizon.
It's blessed with HTC's slick Sense UI and a high-quality screen, but is this latest mobile phone's foibles enough to warrant waiting for its incoming competitors, or the HTC Desire S?
Read our full HTC Incredible S review
Samsung Galaxy Ace
With a middle-of-the-range spec, 800Mhz processor and iPhone-aping looks, it may be hard to see why it's worth buying into the new Galaxy Ace. However, its Android 2.2 (Froyo) OS makes a considerable difference and is, in fact, this phone's ace in the hole.
It won't cost you the Earth either, so look deeper and you may find just what you were looking for.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Ace review
Motorola Atrix
Smartphones have long been encroaching on the computing market, but the Atrix is annexing new turf. How? By including a built-in desktop OS and the ability to turn your phone into a so-called webtop computer.
What's more, the dual-core 1GHz processor and 1GB of RAM that come stuffed into the Atrix should mean a blisteringly fast smartphone experience too. Follow the link to find out more about the Atrix's brand of magic.
Read our full Motorola Atrix review
HTC Gratia
Beneath the Gratia's divisive outer shell lies a great core experience that belies its slow-on-paper 600MHz processor. That sweet and gooey centre is down to the magic combination of Android 2.2 and HTC Sense.
Upon it lie layers of extra functionality, but a few of these are soured by poor implementation. Read our review to see if the resulting flavour of smartphone is something you can stomach.
Read our full HTC Gratia review
Nokia C5-03
A minor upgrade to last year's C5, the C5-03 could be a good place to start if you're new to this whole smartphone thing. It's easy to use and has great battery life, plus the interface will be familiar to many.
That said, it's not the fastest or most powerful beast, so let our review help you weigh up if it's really what you need.
Read our full Nokia C5-03 review
HTC 7 Pro
The only QWERTY keyboard in our latest mobile phone list, this is one of the first Windows Phone 7 mobiles to break cover since the OS's October launch died down, the HTC 7 Pro's headline feature is the slide-out keyboard that so many touchscreen smartphones eschew these days in favour of onscreen replacements.
While it didn't always push our buttons, the great screen, solid build and sound battery life mean it's still worth considering this able companion.
Read our full HTC 7 Pro review
LG Optimus 2X
A dual-core Tegra 2 processor, Android 2.2 and 1080p video recording from an eight-megapixel camera should all combine to make the LG Optimus 2X a potential powerhouse, especially for video.
But how does this 4-inch WVGA-screened monolith really perform, and can it invalidate all that's come before? Our early review with the pre-release software might still have some questions unanswered, but early signs show this dual-core wonder might lack the grunt we were all hoping for.
Read our early LG Optimus 2X review
Samsung Wave 2
The second incarnation of the Wave has now washed up on UK shores, bringing with it an updated version of Samsung's own Bada OS in the Wave 2.
The hardware it powers is undeniably great, with a 3.7-inch Super Clear LCD screen that lives up to its name and 1GHz of processing power. But can the OS ride that wave successfully, or is it a software wipe out?
Read our full Samsung Wave 2 review
Nokia C6-01
The C6-01 is sure to divide opinion. Some would call the UI comfortable and familiar; others would say it's old. It's hardly a slinky number either, and some cuts have been made to keep the price low.
On the flip side, it won't mean the gaping hole in your wallet that high-end mobiles are sure to inflict, and it can deliver much of the same functionality. Wrap your head around its intricacies by following the link below.
Read our full Nokia C6-01 review
Related Links
| |
Read More ...
Latest mobile phones 2011: hottest handsets reviewed
In the ever-changing mobile market, it can be hard to keep pace with the latest mobile phone trends. That's why we've put together this hub for our new mobile phone reviews: to give you the ideal jumping-on point for understanding the most current handsets around. We cover a plethora of brands, including Apple, HTC, Nokia, Palm and Blackberry, and operating systems, such as Android, iOS and Windows Phone 7, so you should find something that piques your interest here.
In short, if you're seeking a new mobile phone, this is a great place to start.
Nokia C2-01
With the ink now dry on the contract between Nokia and Microsoft, the C2-01 is among the last of a dying breed: a Symbian OS-toting Nokia mobile. Oh, and it's sans touchscreen, too.
Yes, for a new mobile phone, it's decidedly old-school. That said, it's cheap, simple and devoid of anything more fancy than a 3G connection, which will suit minimalists. But can it really hold up in market dominated by smartphones?
Read our full Nokia C2-01 review
HTC Incredible S
Incredible by name and only slightly less so by nature, this phone is HTC's entry into the underpopulated 4-inch touchscreen arena. In fact, it's among the first UK handsets to fill that niche, but more are on the horizon.
It's blessed with HTC's slick Sense UI and a high-quality screen, but is this latest mobile phone's foibles enough to warrant waiting for its incoming competitors, or the HTC Desire S?
Read our full HTC Incredible S review
Samsung Galaxy Ace
With a middle-of-the-range spec, 800Mhz processor and iPhone-aping looks, it may be hard to see why it's worth buying into the new Galaxy Ace. However, its Android 2.2 (Froyo) OS makes a considerable difference and is, in fact, this phone's ace in the hole.
It won't cost you the Earth either, so look deeper and you may find just what you were looking for.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Ace review
Motorola Atrix
Smartphones have long been encroaching on the computing market, but the Atrix is annexing new turf. How? By including a built-in desktop OS and the ability to turn your phone into a so-called webtop computer.
What's more, the dual-core 1GHz processor and 1GB of RAM that come stuffed into the Atrix should mean a blisteringly fast smartphone experience too. Follow the link to find out more about the Atrix's brand of magic.
Read our full Motorola Atrix review
HTC Gratia
Beneath the Gratia's divisive outer shell lies a great core experience that belies its slow-on-paper 600MHz processor. That sweet and gooey centre is down to the magic combination of Android 2.2 and HTC Sense.
Upon it lie layers of extra functionality, but a few of these are soured by poor implementation. Read our review to see if the resulting flavour of smartphone is something you can stomach.
Read our full HTC Gratia review
Nokia C5-03
A minor upgrade to last year's C5, the C5-03 could be a good place to start if you're new to this whole smartphone thing. It's easy to use and has great battery life, plus the interface will be familiar to many.
That said, it's not the fastest or most powerful beast, so let our review help you weigh up if it's really what you need.
Read our full Nokia C5-03 review
HTC 7 Pro
The only QWERTY keyboard in our latest mobile phone list, this is one of the first Windows Phone 7 mobiles to break cover since the OS's October launch died down, the HTC 7 Pro's headline feature is the slide-out keyboard that so many touchscreen smartphones eschew these days in favour of onscreen replacements.
While it didn't always push our buttons, the great screen, solid build and sound battery life mean it's still worth considering this able companion.
Read our full HTC 7 Pro review
LG Optimus 2X
A dual-core Tegra 2 processor, Android 2.2 and 1080p video recording from an eight-megapixel camera should all combine to make the LG Optimus 2X a potential powerhouse, especially for video.
But how does this 4-inch WVGA-screened monolith really perform, and can it invalidate all that's come before? Our early review with the pre-release software might still have some questions unanswered, but early signs show this dual-core wonder might lack the grunt we were all hoping for.
Read our early LG Optimus 2X review
Samsung Wave 2
The second incarnation of the Wave has now washed up on UK shores, bringing with it an updated version of Samsung's own Bada OS in the Wave 2.
The hardware it powers is undeniably great, with a 3.7-inch Super Clear LCD screen that lives up to its name and 1GHz of processing power. But can the OS ride that wave successfully, or is it a software wipe out?
Read our full Samsung Wave 2 review
Nokia C6-01
The C6-01 is sure to divide opinion. Some would call the UI comfortable and familiar; others would say it's old. It's hardly a slinky number either, and some cuts have been made to keep the price low.
On the flip side, it won't mean the gaping hole in your wallet that high-end mobiles are sure to inflict, and it can deliver much of the same functionality. Wrap your head around its intricacies by following the link below.
Read our full Nokia C6-01 review
Related Links
| |
| |
Read More ...
Hands on: EchoStar SlingLoaded HDS-600RS review
Freesat and EchoStar have teamed up on a set-top box that allows you to watch live TV and recorded programming on your mobile device as well as providing a traditional PVR service. The box itself has been designed to stand out rather than blend in – EchoStar says it's not one to hide away under the TV.
The design won't be to everyone's taste though – it's quite masculine and the abundance of red glowing lights will clash with certain decors.
Most of those glowing red lights are in fact touch-buttons for channel navigation, recording functions and volume control – the usuals.
On the left hand side of the front panel sits the LED display that lets you know what channel you're watching, and nestled next to that is the Sling light which lights up or not depending on how the box is being used; luckily you can switch this off.
A quick word, too, on the remote; you can't see it very well in this particular picture (below), but it has been split into three distinct sections for easy use; the top panel is for controlling the PVR function – record, rewind, play etc – the middle band is for navigating around the EPG and the bottom section has the number pad and traditional remote functions.
Another nifty inclusion is the +/- 30 seconds button, which allows you to skip exactly 30 seconds in either direction; great for those 'who's that guy? What's going on here? Why doesn't she turn around?' moments in which you miss the essential line that will prove important later on in the film because you're explaining simple plot points to inattentive fellow viewers.
Anyway, enough remote-porn. Back to the box and on to the screen; when used as a traditional set top box, the FreeSling gives you access to Freesat's range of channels via satellite, including HD channels like BBC HD.
Using the Freesat EPG you can skip through the programming guide and build your library of scheduled recording – the box comes with 500GB of memory so room for around 100 hours of HD content and 300 of standard-def.
It's not just about PVR functions though, the box comes with a couple of additional apps, including the iPlayer app so you can watch VOD content too.
Here's where it gets interesting; we tested the FreeSling with an iPad. Now, it's not exactly free to use; once you've shelled out آ£350 for the set top box and had your satellite installed, you'll need to pay around آ£20 for the SlingPlayer Mobile app.
But it is pretty darn cool. Using the app, you can remotely turn the STB on or off, watch TV live, pause and rewind the scheduled programme, set things to record or watch recorded programmes on the iPad.
Unfortunately, only standard definition playback is available on the mobile device, but the fact that you can watch whatever's on your box from wherever you happen to be in the world is good enough for now.
The iPad (or whatever device you're using, we tried it with an Apple slate) can be used simply as the TV remote when you're at home if all those pesky buttons are too much for you.
Commands have a slight delay between being actioned on the iPad and carried out on the TV; none more so than when you're entering a channel number on the iPad keypad.
This, however, is intentional; the box uses adaptive rate technology (patent pending) which reduces the quality of the picture if the network you're using is slow. This means you might wait an extra second or two for the channel to change, but means you won't miss any of your programme due to judders and jolts in the network.
One annoyance in the core functionality of the box is that if someone in the household is watching television on the traditional set and someone is elsewhere using the mobile app, they can only watch the same thing. Fine if you live alone, but could prove problematic for anyone sharing a TV.
There's no Wi-Fi connection on the SlingBox so it needs to be wired up to Ethernet and therefore placed fairly close to your router.
Anyone who's used a SlingPlayer before will know how brilliantly convenient it can be when you're away from home, and the new Freesat-enabled EchoStar HDS-600RS is no exception despite the dual-use drawbacks.
We'll publish our full EchoStar SlingLoaded HDS 600RS review in due course.
| |
Read More ...
Hands on: EchoStar SlingLoaded HDS-600RS review
Freesat and EchoStar have teamed up on a set-top box that allows you to watch live TV and recorded programming on your mobile device as well as providing a traditional PVR service. The box itself has been designed to stand out rather than blend in – EchoStar says it's not one to hide away under the TV.
The design won't be to everyone's taste though – it's quite masculine and the abundance of red glowing lights will clash with certain decors.
Most of those glowing red lights are in fact touch-buttons for channel navigation, recording functions and volume control – the usuals.
On the left hand side of the front panel sits the LED display that lets you know what channel you're watching, and nestled next to that is the Sling light which lights up or not depending on how the box is being used; luckily you can switch this off.
A quick word, too, on the remote; you can't see it very well in this particular picture (below), but it has been split into three distinct sections for easy use; the top panel is for controlling the PVR function – record, rewind, play etc – the middle band is for navigating around the EPG and the bottom section has the number pad and traditional remote functions.
Another nifty inclusion is the +/- 30 seconds button, which allows you to skip exactly 30 seconds in either direction; great for those 'who's that guy? What's going on here? Why doesn't she turn around?' moments in which you miss the essential line that will prove important later on in the film because you're explaining simple plot points to inattentive fellow viewers.
Anyway, enough remote-porn. Back to the box and on to the screen; when used as a traditional set top box, the FreeSling gives you access to Freesat's range of channels via satellite, including HD channels like BBC HD.
Using the Freesat EPG you can skip through the programming guide and build your library of scheduled recording – the box comes with 500GB of memory so room for around 100 hours of HD content and 300 of standard-def.
It's not just about PVR functions though, the box comes with a couple of additional apps, including the iPlayer app so you can watch VOD content too.
Here's where it gets interesting; we tested the FreeSling with an iPad. Now, it's not exactly free to use; once you've shelled out آ£350 for the set top box and had your satellite installed, you'll need to pay around آ£20 for the SlingPlayer Mobile app.
But it is pretty darn cool. Using the app, you can remotely turn the STB on or off, watch TV live, pause and rewind the scheduled programme, set things to record or watch recorded programmes on the iPad.
Unfortunately, only standard definition playback is available on the mobile device, but the fact that you can watch whatever's on your box from wherever you happen to be in the world is good enough for now.
The iPad (or whatever device you're using, we tried it with an Apple slate) can be used simply as the TV remote when you're at home if all those pesky buttons are too much for you.
Commands have a slight delay between being actioned on the iPad and carried out on the TV; none more so than when you're entering a channel number on the iPad keypad.
This, however, is intentional; the box uses adaptive rate technology (patent pending) which reduces the quality of the picture if the network you're using is slow. This means you might wait an extra second or two for the channel to change, but means you won't miss any of your programme due to judders and jolts in the network.
One annoyance in the core functionality of the box is that if someone in the household is watching television on the traditional set and someone is elsewhere using the mobile app, they can only watch the same thing. Fine if you live alone, but could prove problematic for anyone sharing a TV.
There's no Wi-Fi connection on the SlingBox so it needs to be wired up to Ethernet and therefore placed fairly close to your router.
Anyone who's used a SlingPlayer before will know how brilliantly convenient it can be when you're away from home, and the new Freesat-enabled EchoStar HDS-600RS is no exception despite the dual-use drawbacks.
We'll publish our full EchoStar SlingLoaded HDS 600RS review in due course.
| |
| |
Read More ...
Review: Android 3.0
Android 3.0 is here, and it's a stunner.Released only for the Motorola Xoom tablet so far, the new operating system, which started life on Android smartphones but is now formatted for the larger touchscreen, will eventually make its way onto the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 as well as other tablets from big manufacturers like Acer, HTC, Dell, Asus, LG, MSI and Toshiba.
Google's improved operating system boasts a number of upgrades that could give the iPad 2's operating system, iOS 4.3, a run for its money.
Android 3.0 release date
The Android 3.0 release date is currently unclear. The Motorola Xoom is already out in the US, although other hardware manufacturers say they're still waiting for Google to give them the all-clear to put their devices on the shelves.
Needless to say, the official, final release is just weeks away. And when that day comes, expect to see a flood of Android 3.0 tablets explode onto the market.
In 2008, we sat down with Erick Tseng, then a senior product manager at Google and the main point of contact for Android OS, for an article on Google research projects.
Curiously, Tseng never mentioned tablets, but he did talk about a new operating system that could work on many different types of computing devices. Tseng had an Android prototype phone he let us view over his shoulder.

Android 3.0 is an open source project helmed by Google. From all reports, the company doesn't make a great income from the operating system and plans to derive revenue the way they always do: from ads that appear when you search.
Developers gain full access to the code base and searchable documentation.
One of the main issues with Android early on was that the code is flexible enough to run on a variety of devices but the interface is designed for smartphones. Android 3.0 makes better use of the screen size for tablets.
For example, Gmail on a smartphone runs best in a vertical orientation so you can quickly scan through emails. On a tablet, Android 3.0 provides a way for the email client to run with your messages on the left and a preview pane on the right.
See full size imageAndroid 3.0 mostly accommodates the screen size, but there are a few times when the operating system could have been reformatted better, or when apps still run in a smartphone mode.
Compared to iOS 4.3, which is running on the iPad 2, Android 3.0 is much more streamlined for tablets. There are pop-overs, like a thumbnail view that shows you a preview of open apps, and the settings and status overlays are decidedly more advanced.
See full size imageAlso, Android 3.0 taps into the power of the Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor for showing videos, letting you flip quickly through photos and album covers, and playing games.
Google is committed to the platform. Even in the first week after the release of the Motorola Xoom, the company released a new version that works with Adobe Flash, even before that software update became available
Interface
Android 3.0 is designed for fingertip control. Like the smartphone version, you start apps by pressing on an App icon. You can flip to the left or right to access widgets that show a thumbnail of your Gmail messages, calendar and other info.
See full size imageOn the main Home screen, you'll see rows of apps – you can easily add more by pressing the Apps button on the upper right, pressing and holding down on the icon you want, and placing it on the main screen. Android helpfully shows a thin blue outline to indicate where you can place widgets and icons.
See full size imageTo access settings, you can press on the lower right of the screen to see basic options, such as whether you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, or press the Settings button to access all of the options available. This quick access comes in handy for seeing how much battery life is remaining, and for checking status updates about downloaded apps.
See full size imageInterestingly, Android 3.0 forgoes hardware buttons, at least on the Motorola Xoom. To go to the Home screen, you press the Home icon on the lower left. Here, you can also access a pop-up that shows open apps. You'll also find the Back button that comes in handy in the browser, in any settings screen and many apps.
See full size imageWhen you run an Android app designed for smartphones, including the Kindle ebook reader app, you will see a settings icon appear. This icon doesn't show up for true tablet apps because the settings and options are already on the screen. For some smartphone apps, the menu is required.
There are some minor ways that iOS 4.3 on the iPad 2 works better than Android 3.0. One is that, to lock the screen rotation on the iPad models using software, you double-tap on the Home button, then swipe left and select the lock icon. You can even set the switch on the side of the iPad to perform this function instantly.
To lock screen orientation on Android 3.0, you have to wade through several settings screens.
See full size imageThe iPad 2 also provides faster access to music controls, also by double-tapping on the Home button. Fortunately, Android goes a step further than iOS by supporting widgets, and you can place a music widget on the Home screen for fast access to forward, back, pause and stop options.
We prefer the software buttons on the Android 3.0 compared to the iPad's use of the hardware lock button and the Home button. One reason is simply that Android encourages you to focus on the software interface, not on hardware buttons. (You can control volume on the Xoom using up and down.)
There is also a vast difference between Android 2.2 devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab and 3.0 devices. The Samsung tablet is really just a large-screen smartphone. Apps run exactly the same on that device as they do on a smartphone, and the tablet does not make use of the extra screen size for email, calendar, games, or any other apps.
Performance and optimisation
For those thinking about whether an Android 3.0 tablet makes sense, know this: Google has designed the operating system for speed. We performed countless tests with the included apps to see if we could get them to stall or stutter, and these bundled Android 3 apps were very stable (the Motorola Xoom did cause a few third party apps to crash though so the platform is not totally bug free).
See full size imageFor finger swipes, Android is amazingly fluid. We had no trouble getting the Xoom to register our swipes on the Gallery app looking through photos, browsing websites or playing games like Angry Birds.
If anything, we wondered at times if the Android interface is just a hair faster and smoother than the iPad 2. It is certainly more colourful and the screen resolution, at 1280 x 800, is clearer.
The Xoom works well as a hardware platform for Android 3.0, but we did notice some differences compared to iOS. One is that, the iPad 2, running on the Apple A5 dual-core processor, seems to take advantage of the two cores better for video and music editing.
See full size imageThe Xoom doesn't really appear to be adding any performance boost to Android when you do movie editing, and there is no multi-track audio editor. In fact, the Movie Studio app seems to be the one app that tends to run slowly on the device.
See full size imageAndroid 3.0 does offer some good power saving options, though. You can quickly disable wireless networks using an Airplane Mode setting. And you can crank down the screen brightness, accessible from the setting pop-up on the lower left. You can also set the tablet to dim the screen after a very short interval – as little as 15 seconds. It's not exactly practical, but it is available.
Apps, games and widgets
Android 3.0 has one distinct advantage over the iPad 2's iOS in that you can install apps in one of three ways. The most common method is to use the Android Market, which contains both apps for tablets and for smartphones. Smartphone apps run in a window on a tablet and do not use the larger screen size to full advantage.
See full size imageAnother way to install apps is to use the online portal market.android.com. Here you can search for apps and then send them to the device for install. If you own more than one Android device that's tied to your Android account, there's a pop-up where you can select which device you want to use for the new app.
The other way to install apps on a tablet are to connect the device to your computer and copy an APK file to the device, then run it. Or you can even email an APK file to yourself and them install the app.
See full size imageThere are only a few dozen apps designed specifically for Android tablets, including a CNN News app, Angry Birds and three or four other games, Google Body (a great app for searching for and viewing parts of the body) and various document readers.
Fortunately, the tablet apps are grouped together at the top of the Android Market screen so you can easily keep tabs on what new ones have been released.
See full size imageAndroid apps for tablets are very easy to find and install. When you see one you want to download, click the Download button. Once downloaded, the tablet will proceed to install the app for you. You can check status messages on the lower right of the screen, which shows a checkmark icon when the app is installed.
See full size imageThe paltry lack of tablet apps is a serious problem for Android 3.0 devices, however. The staples of business travel – apps like Flight Status, which shows a colourful map of your current flight and can even show the progress of your flight – are missing in action here, as are hundreds of other important apps. You can find some exceptions: there is an Evernote app for Android 3.0.
But one check of the top iPad apps and you will see that nearly all of them missing for Android 3.0.
Customisation and personalisation
One of the major advantages of using an Android device is that you can customise the interface. Accessing these customisations is not that intuitive – you have to long-press on an open area of the Home screen.Once you find them, they are easy to use – you can chose a different wallpaper or use a live wallpaper that has a subtle animation, such as shifting lines that grow and expand. We figure Google will continue to release new live wallpaper animations, which look especially attractive on the larger screen.
See full size imageAndroid 3.0 beats the iPad 2 in customisations – you add widgets on up to five Home screens, and group app icons anywhere you want on those screens.
While some Android phones provide rich customisations, including the unique Sense interface on HTC models and several extra widgets, Motorola has provided the basic Android 3.0 interface on the Xoom.
See full size imageThere are no extra UI options beyond the standard offering, and that's not necessarily a bad thing: it could mean consistency across Android tablets, so if you pick up a Samsung Galaxy 10.1 tablet sometime down the road you will know exactly how it works.
Third-party apps that allow customisations are barely available – there are a few apps that let you stream music, but nothing that lets you tweak the interface. There isn't even an app to rent or purchase TV shows and movies like there is on the Samsung Galaxy (the Media Hub app).
Email and messaging
See full size imageAndroid 3.0 is one of the best email devices we've seen.
The reason it works so well is because of the underlying programming: the Gmail client and the more generic email app, which you can use with any POP mail account, shows messages on the left side of the screen with a preview pane on the right. It just works: messages come in formatted properly, which is not always true on the iPad and iPhone. It's an improvement on the more limited email client offered by the iOS 4.3.
See full size imageThe interface is also very easy to use. You can check next to messages and then press one Delete button to remove them from the list and the Gmail server. The fast Tegra 2 dual-core processor also works well for handling messaging activities, such as previewing documents and formatted rich HTML messages.
The search engine for email also worked reliably. On the iPad 2, it's sometimes necessary to take a trip out to the Safari browser, pull up Gmail.com, and search for messages because the client does not work that well for searching an archive.
See full size imageWe didn't find a text messaging client for Android 3.0, but there is a Google Talk instant messaging app. Text messaging is not the first thing you think of on a tablet, but better messaging integration on the device would be helpful. For example, if a message comes in with a signature line that contains a phone number, selecting the link to send a text message would make the messaging client more valuable.
Internet and browsing
Flash support in the Android 3.0 browser is a major advantage. Apple has detailed its reasons for not using Flash in the past, but with the extra power on offer iPad 2, we're not convinced they hold up as well any more. It is probably a political and not technical reason, since Flash is so important for web browsing.
See full size imageIn fact, there are are many 'gotchas' on tablets when Flash doesn't work. Banners and music players, animations at band websites, blogging portals that require a Flash widget, even entire websites won't work properly without Flash.
On Android 3.0, Flash works most of the time, but not always that fast. (This may be one of the technical reasons why it has not worked on smartphones.) We tested dozens of Flash sites including GamesRadar, Last.fm, YouTube, several blogging sites and quite a few gaming portals, and they all worked. At some of the gaming sites, the code loaded slowly but eventually worked.
See full size imageAndroid 3.0 also supports tabbed browsing, which changed how we used the Motorola Xoom. It meant opening multiple sites at once, leaving them open throughout the day, and switching between them. For example, we used Plaxo to check contacts and tasks alongside Gmail and Facebook throughout the day.
Non-flash sites also worked quite well – we never had any errors or crashes at the sites we tested, although on one occasion we had a memory error where we had too many apps running and too many tabs open, and the browser crashed.
Media
Media support on Android 3.0 is extensive yet limited. It's extensive because the OS supports a wide variety of media formats. For audio, you can expect to play AAC, AMR, MP3, and XMF files. For video, the OS supports MPEG-4 and the H.263 and H.264 formats.
See full size imageOn the Motorola Xoom, you can capture video at 720p and play 1080p movies. Importantly, Android 3.0 plays these file formats smoothly and without any stuttering or playback glitches.
However, Android has a long way to go in terms of a media ecosystem. Apple has a complete lock on audio and video content, having secured licensing arrangements with just about every media company on the planet (and a few on Mars).
See full size imageMeanwhile, Google seems to be sitting this one out. It has made some attempts at providing content. For example, you can use the Amazon MP3 app to purchase music, and the prices are reasonable.
See full size imageMotorola claims there is a Blockbuster app in the works for the Xoom so it will be possible, at some point in the future, to rent a movie or TV show. However, there is not one standard way to rent or purchase music and movies, and that is one area where Samsung has a decided edge with the Media Hub app. The app is not perfect – the interface is not that exciting and some popular shows and movies are not available, but it is a good first attempt.
There are very few tablet apps available for media overall on Android 3.0. That will change soon hopefully – there isn't even a Pandora client for Android 3.0 yet. Of course, you can use the smartphone version of Android apps running in a small window.
Fortunately, Android 3.0 has one advantage over the iPad 2 and Samsung Galaxy Tabs: you can view Adobe Flash content in the browser (the Flash support just became available late last week). To get Flash to work, you need the latest Android update and a Flash client that is free to download.
See full size imageOnce installed, you can access sites like Last.fm to play music, visit rich-content sites like YouTube to play videos and even play Flash games through the browser. Hulu.com doesn't work for US users, and blocks access to content, even though the Flash files do work.
Maps
Google Maps on Android 3.0 is another highlight and provides a distinct advantage over the iPad 2. You can view maps with satellite imagery, detailed terrain, or a faster map-only mode. When you zoom into a major metropolis like New York, you can see the Street View mode and flick your way down a city street. The Street View images look crisp and work smoothly on the larger screen size.
See full size imageAndroid 3.0 uses the Google Maps 5.0 client with support for 3D maps that show you buildings in major cities as well. You can swipe with a finger to zoom and twirl the interface around and get your bearings on a specific location. In many ways, the 3D imagery is a gimmick in the sense that it looks great but doesn't really provide a useful function – the buildings are not rendered as they actually are in real life.
See full size imageVoice navigation on Android 3.0 is exceptional. You can set a destination and then follow on-screen prompts for turns or a voice that guides you. Google Maps does not include some of the extra features of an app, like Navigon or TomTom on the iPhone with clearly-labelled markers for highways. You can easily see points of interest, however, including banks and petrol stations on the map interface.
See full size imageGoogle Latitude also works on Android 3.0, letting you share your current location with friends. On the Motorola Xoom, this functionality is a bit suspect, however. The Xoom only works for GPS coordinates when you use it outside. The iPad 2 does a better job of triangulating your location or using GPS as long as there's a window nearby.
Android 3.0: Verdict
In the end, Android 3.0 is an exceptional tablet operating system in almost every way. It runs fast on the Motorola Xoom, works well for browsing the internet, supports Adobe Flash, offers the best mapping technologies in 3D and Street View mode and seems poised to capture a vast market of tablet users who prefer the more open framework. It's great that you can email or copy an APK file to install apps.That said, Android 3.0 is still a work in progress to some extent. There is no standard way to rent to purchase TV shows and movies, and that's more of a problem on a larger tablet screen than it is on a smartphone. Not having that system available makes Android 3.0 less compelling because one of the main uses for a touch tablet is consuming media from the sofa.
There are also precious few tablet apps available – no Skype client, no Pandora, no movie playing apps, and only a handful of games. Motorola doesn't provide an custom UI options like HTC Sense, although you can customise some settings.
Overall, Android 3.0 is powerful and fast. It looks closer to what you'd expect in the modern computing age and not as much like an enlarged version of the smartphone operating system. A few problems still exist, but they are relatively easy to overlook.
Related Links
| |
Read More ...
Review: Android 3.0
Android 3.0 is here, and it's a stunner.Released only for the Motorola Xoom tablet so far, the new operating system, which started life on Android smartphones but is now formatted for the larger touchscreen, will eventually make its way onto the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 as well as other tablets from big manufacturers like Acer, HTC, Dell, Asus, LG, MSI and Toshiba.
Google's improved operating system boasts a number of upgrades that could give the iPad 2's operating system, iOS 4.3, a run for its money.
Android 3.0 release date
The Android 3.0 release date is currently unclear. The Motorola Xoom is already out in the US, although other hardware manufacturers say they're still waiting for Google to give them the all-clear to put their devices on the shelves.
Needless to say, the official, final release is just weeks away. And when that day comes, expect to see a flood of Android 3.0 tablets explode onto the market.
In 2008, we sat down with Erick Tseng, then a senior product manager at Google and the main point of contact for Android OS, for an article on Google research projects.
Curiously, Tseng never mentioned tablets, but he did talk about a new operating system that could work on many different types of computing devices. Tseng had an Android prototype phone he let us view over his shoulder.

Android 3.0 is an open source project helmed by Google. From all reports, the company doesn't make a great income from the operating system and plans to derive revenue the way they always do: from ads that appear when you search.
Developers gain full access to the code base and searchable documentation.
One of the main issues with Android early on was that the code is flexible enough to run on a variety of devices but the interface is designed for smartphones. Android 3.0 makes better use of the screen size for tablets.
For example, Gmail on a smartphone runs best in a vertical orientation so you can quickly scan through emails. On a tablet, Android 3.0 provides a way for the email client to run with your messages on the left and a preview pane on the right.
See full size imageAndroid 3.0 mostly accommodates the screen size, but there are a few times when the operating system could have been reformatted better, or when apps still run in a smartphone mode.
Compared to iOS 4.3, which is running on the iPad 2, Android 3.0 is much more streamlined for tablets. There are pop-overs, like a thumbnail view that shows you a preview of open apps, and the settings and status overlays are decidedly more advanced.
See full size imageAlso, Android 3.0 taps into the power of the Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor for showing videos, letting you flip quickly through photos and album covers, and playing games.
Google is committed to the platform. Even in the first week after the release of the Motorola Xoom, the company released a new version that works with Adobe Flash, even before that software update became available
Interface
Android 3.0 is designed for fingertip control. Like the smartphone version, you start apps by pressing on an App icon. You can flip to the left or right to access widgets that show a thumbnail of your Gmail messages, calendar and other info.See full size imageOn the main Home screen, you'll see rows of apps – you can easily add more by pressing the Apps button on the upper right, pressing and holding down on the icon you want, and placing it on the main screen. Android helpfully shows a thin blue outline to indicate where you can place widgets and icons.
See full size imageTo access settings, you can press on the lower right of the screen to see basic options, such as whether you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, or press the Settings button to access all of the options available. This quick access comes in handy for seeing how much battery life is remaining, and for checking status updates about downloaded apps.
See full size imageInterestingly, Android 3.0 forgoes hardware buttons, at least on the Motorola Xoom. To go to the Home screen, you press the Home icon on the lower left. Here, you can also access a pop-up that shows open apps. You'll also find the Back button that comes in handy in the browser, in any settings screen and many apps.
See full size imageWhen you run an Android app designed for smartphones, including the Kindle ebook reader app, you will see a settings icon appear. This icon doesn't show up for true tablet apps because the settings and options are already on the screen. For some smartphone apps, the menu is required.
There are some minor ways that iOS 4.3 on the iPad 2 works better than Android 3.0. One is that, to lock the screen rotation on the iPad models using software, you double-tap on the Home button, then swipe left and select the lock icon. You can even set the switch on the side of the iPad to perform this function instantly.
To lock screen orientation on Android 3.0, you have to wade through several settings screens.
See full size imageThe iPad 2 also provides faster access to music controls, also by double-tapping on the Home button. Fortunately, Android goes a step further than iOS by supporting widgets, and you can place a music widget on the Home screen for fast access to forward, back, pause and stop options.
We prefer the software buttons on the Android 3.0 compared to the iPad's use of the hardware lock button and the Home button. One reason is simply that Android encourages you to focus on the software interface, not on hardware buttons. (You can control volume on the Xoom using up and down.)
There is also a vast difference between Android 2.2 devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab and 3.0 devices. The Samsung tablet is really just a large-screen smartphone. Apps run exactly the same on that device as they do on a smartphone, and the tablet does not make use of the extra screen size for email, calendar, games, or any other apps.
Performance and optimisation
For those thinking about whether an Android 3.0 tablet makes sense, know this: Google has designed the operating system for speed. We performed countless tests with the included apps to see if we could get them to stall or stutter, and these bundled Android 3 apps were very stable (the Motorola Xoom did cause a few third party apps to crash though so the platform is not totally bug free).See full size imageFor finger swipes, Android is amazingly fluid. We had no trouble getting the Xoom to register our swipes on the Gallery app looking through photos, browsing websites or playing games like Angry Birds.
If anything, we wondered at times if the Android interface is just a hair faster and smoother than the iPad 2. It is certainly more colourful and the screen resolution, at 1280 x 800, is clearer.
The Xoom works well as a hardware platform for Android 3.0, but we did notice some differences compared to iOS. One is that, the iPad 2, running on the Apple A5 dual-core processor, seems to take advantage of the two cores better for video and music editing.
See full size imageThe Xoom doesn't really appear to be adding any performance boost to Android when you do movie editing, and there is no multi-track audio editor. In fact, the Movie Studio app seems to be the one app that tends to run slowly on the device.
See full size imageAndroid 3.0 does offer some good power saving options, though. You can quickly disable wireless networks using an Airplane Mode setting. And you can crank down the screen brightness, accessible from the setting pop-up on the lower left. You can also set the tablet to dim the screen after a very short interval – as little as 15 seconds. It's not exactly practical, but it is available.
Apps, games and widgets
Android 3.0 has one distinct advantage over the iPad 2's iOS in that you can install apps in one of three ways. The most common method is to use the Android Market, which contains both apps for tablets and for smartphones. Smartphone apps run in a window on a tablet and do not use the larger screen size to full advantage.See full size imageAnother way to install apps is to use the online portal market.android.com. Here you can search for apps and then send them to the device for install. If you own more than one Android device that's tied to your Android account, there's a pop-up where you can select which device you want to use for the new app.
The other way to install apps on a tablet are to connect the device to your computer and copy an APK file to the device, then run it. Or you can even email an APK file to yourself and them install the app.
See full size imageThere are only a few dozen apps designed specifically for Android tablets, including a CNN News app, Angry Birds and three or four other games, Google Body (a great app for searching for and viewing parts of the body) and various document readers.
Fortunately, the tablet apps are grouped together at the top of the Android Market screen so you can easily keep tabs on what new ones have been released.
See full size imageAndroid apps for tablets are very easy to find and install. When you see one you want to download, click the Download button. Once downloaded, the tablet will proceed to install the app for you. You can check status messages on the lower right of the screen, which shows a checkmark icon when the app is installed.
See full size imageThe paltry lack of tablet apps is a serious problem for Android 3.0 devices, however. The staples of business travel – apps like Flight Status, which shows a colourful map of your current flight and can even show the progress of your flight – are missing in action here, as are hundreds of other important apps. You can find some exceptions: there is an Evernote app for Android 3.0.
But one check of the top iPad apps and you will see that nearly all of them missing for Android 3.0.
Customisation and personalisation
One of the major advantages of using an Android device is that you can customise the interface. Accessing these customisations is not that intuitive – you have to long-press on an open area of the Home screen.Once you find them, they are easy to use – you can chose a different wallpaper or use a live wallpaper that has a subtle animation, such as shifting lines that grow and expand. We figure Google will continue to release new live wallpaper animations, which look especially attractive on the larger screen.
See full size imageAndroid 3.0 beats the iPad 2 in customisations – you add widgets on up to five Home screens, and group app icons anywhere you want on those screens.
While some Android phones provide rich customisations, including the unique Sense interface on HTC models and several extra widgets, Motorola has provided the basic Android 3.0 interface on the Xoom.
See full size imageThere are no extra UI options beyond the standard offering, and that's not necessarily a bad thing: it could mean consistency across Android tablets, so if you pick up a Samsung Galaxy 10.1 tablet sometime down the road you will know exactly how it works.
Third-party apps that allow customisations are barely available – there are a few apps that let you stream music, but nothing that lets you tweak the interface. There isn't even an app to rent or purchase TV shows and movies like there is on the Samsung Galaxy (the Media Hub app).
Email and messaging
See full size imageAndroid 3.0 is one of the best email devices we've seen.
The reason it works so well is because of the underlying programming: the Gmail client and the more generic email app, which you can use with any POP mail account, shows messages on the left side of the screen with a preview pane on the right. It just works: messages come in formatted properly, which is not always true on the iPad and iPhone. It's an improvement on the more limited email client offered by the iOS 4.3.
See full size imageThe interface is also very easy to use. You can check next to messages and then press one Delete button to remove them from the list and the Gmail server. The fast Tegra 2 dual-core processor also works well for handling messaging activities, such as previewing documents and formatted rich HTML messages.
The search engine for email also worked reliably. On the iPad 2, it's sometimes necessary to take a trip out to the Safari browser, pull up Gmail.com, and search for messages because the client does not work that well for searching an archive.
See full size imageWe didn't find a text messaging client for Android 3.0, but there is a Google Talk instant messaging app. Text messaging is not the first thing you think of on a tablet, but better messaging integration on the device would be helpful. For example, if a message comes in with a signature line that contains a phone number, selecting the link to send a text message would make the messaging client more valuable.
Internet and browsing
Flash support in the Android 3.0 browser is a major advantage. Apple has detailed its reasons for not using Flash in the past, but with the extra power on offer iPad 2, we're not convinced they hold up as well any more. It is probably a political and not technical reason, since Flash is so important for web browsing.
See full size imageIn fact, there are are many 'gotchas' on tablets when Flash doesn't work. Banners and music players, animations at band websites, blogging portals that require a Flash widget, even entire websites won't work properly without Flash.
On Android 3.0, Flash works most of the time, but not always that fast. (This may be one of the technical reasons why it has not worked on smartphones.) We tested dozens of Flash sites including GamesRadar, Last.fm, YouTube, several blogging sites and quite a few gaming portals, and they all worked. At some of the gaming sites, the code loaded slowly but eventually worked.
See full size imageAndroid 3.0 also supports tabbed browsing, which changed how we used the Motorola Xoom. It meant opening multiple sites at once, leaving them open throughout the day, and switching between them. For example, we used Plaxo to check contacts and tasks alongside Gmail and Facebook throughout the day.
Non-flash sites also worked quite well – we never had any errors or crashes at the sites we tested, although on one occasion we had a memory error where we had too many apps running and too many tabs open, and the browser crashed.
Media
Media support on Android 3.0 is extensive yet limited. It's extensive because the OS supports a wide variety of media formats. For audio, you can expect to play AAC, AMR, MP3, and XMF files. For video, the OS supports MPEG-4 and the H.263 and H.264 formats.See full size imageOn the Motorola Xoom, you can capture video at 720p and play 1080p movies. Importantly, Android 3.0 plays these file formats smoothly and without any stuttering or playback glitches.
However, Android has a long way to go in terms of a media ecosystem. Apple has a complete lock on audio and video content, having secured licensing arrangements with just about every media company on the planet (and a few on Mars).
See full size imageMeanwhile, Google seems to be sitting this one out. It has made some attempts at providing content. For example, you can use the Amazon MP3 app to purchase music, and the prices are reasonable.
See full size imageMotorola claims there is a Blockbuster app in the works for the Xoom so it will be possible, at some point in the future, to rent a movie or TV show. However, there is not one standard way to rent or purchase music and movies, and that is one area where Samsung has a decided edge with the Media Hub app. The app is not perfect – the interface is not that exciting and some popular shows and movies are not available, but it is a good first attempt.
There are very few tablet apps available for media overall on Android 3.0. That will change soon hopefully – there isn't even a Pandora client for Android 3.0 yet. Of course, you can use the smartphone version of Android apps running in a small window.
Fortunately, Android 3.0 has one advantage over the iPad 2 and Samsung Galaxy Tabs: you can view Adobe Flash content in the browser (the Flash support just became available late last week). To get Flash to work, you need the latest Android update and a Flash client that is free to download.
See full size imageOnce installed, you can access sites like Last.fm to play music, visit rich-content sites like YouTube to play videos and even play Flash games through the browser. Hulu.com doesn't work for US users, and blocks access to content, even though the Flash files do work.
Maps
Google Maps on Android 3.0 is another highlight and provides a distinct advantage over the iPad 2. You can view maps with satellite imagery, detailed terrain, or a faster map-only mode. When you zoom into a major metropolis like New York, you can see the Street View mode and flick your way down a city street. The Street View images look crisp and work smoothly on the larger screen size.See full size imageAndroid 3.0 uses the Google Maps 5.0 client with support for 3D maps that show you buildings in major cities as well. You can swipe with a finger to zoom and twirl the interface around and get your bearings on a specific location. In many ways, the 3D imagery is a gimmick in the sense that it looks great but doesn't really provide a useful function – the buildings are not rendered as they actually are in real life.
See full size imageVoice navigation on Android 3.0 is exceptional. You can set a destination and then follow on-screen prompts for turns or a voice that guides you. Google Maps does not include some of the extra features of an app, like Navigon or TomTom on the iPhone with clearly-labelled markers for highways. You can easily see points of interest, however, including banks and petrol stations on the map interface.
See full size imageGoogle Latitude also works on Android 3.0, letting you share your current location with friends. On the Motorola Xoom, this functionality is a bit suspect, however. The Xoom only works for GPS coordinates when you use it outside. The iPad 2 does a better job of triangulating your location or using GPS as long as there's a window nearby.
Android 3.0: Verdict
In the end, Android 3.0 is an exceptional tablet operating system in almost every way. It runs fast on the Motorola Xoom, works well for browsing the internet, supports Adobe Flash, offers the best mapping technologies in 3D and Street View mode and seems poised to capture a vast market of tablet users who prefer the more open framework. It's great that you can email or copy an APK file to install apps.That said, Android 3.0 is still a work in progress to some extent. There is no standard way to rent to purchase TV shows and movies, and that's more of a problem on a larger tablet screen than it is on a smartphone. Not having that system available makes Android 3.0 less compelling because one of the main uses for a touch tablet is consuming media from the sofa.
There are also precious few tablet apps available – no Skype client, no Pandora, no movie playing apps, and only a handful of games. Motorola doesn't provide an custom UI options like HTC Sense, although you can customise some settings.
Overall, Android 3.0 is powerful and fast. It looks closer to what you'd expect in the modern computing age and not as much like an enlarged version of the smartphone operating system. A few problems still exist, but they are relatively easy to overlook.
Related Links
| |
| |
Read More ...
O2 delays Sony Ericsson Xperia Play release date
O2 has announced that it will not be selling the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play from 1 April, the handset's official release date. The oxygenated network has decided to delay the release due to software bugs causing issues with the Xperia Play's performance.
In a blog post announcing the delay, Stuart Hibberd, head of O2's testing team, wrote. "We've been testing the phone non-stop for weeks and have found some bugs in the software that, if they're not fixed, means customers won't have a great experience."
All about the customers
He continued, "We've been working with Sony Ericsson to get these bugs ironed out, but haven't been able to get them fixed in time for us to be able to launch the phone on April 1st as we originally planned."
The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play is the first PlayStation-certified device and comes pre-loaded with six games when you buy it. The handset has a slide-out game controller panel and full touchscreen and runs Android Gingerbread.
O2 customers may have a longer wait on their hands for the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, but they can (eventually) get the O2-exclusive white variant of the handset.
Some white phones are worth waiting for – just ask white iPhone 4 fans.
| |
Read More ...
O2 delays Sony Ericsson Xperia Play release date
O2 has announced that it will not be selling the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play from 1 April, the handset's official release date. The oxygenated network has decided to delay the release due to software bugs causing issues with the Xperia Play's performance.
In a blog post announcing the delay, Stuart Hibberd, head of O2's testing team, wrote. "We've been testing the phone non-stop for weeks and have found some bugs in the software that, if they're not fixed, means customers won't have a great experience."
All about the customers
He continued, "We've been working with Sony Ericsson to get these bugs ironed out, but haven't been able to get them fixed in time for us to be able to launch the phone on April 1st as we originally planned."
The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play is the first PlayStation-certified device and comes pre-loaded with six games when you buy it. The handset has a slide-out game controller panel and full touchscreen and runs Android Gingerbread.
O2 customers may have a longer wait on their hands for the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, but they can (eventually) get the O2-exclusive white variant of the handset.
Some white phones are worth waiting for – just ask white iPhone 4 fans.
| |
| |
Read More ...
Internal tests suggest imminent Google Music launch
Google has begun internal testing of its long-awaited music service, Google Music, according to music industry sources. Google Music is set to take on iTunes and has been 'about to launch' for quite some time now, with a Motorola exec previously saying that it would launch with Android 3.0.
That obviously didn't happen. Nor did Google Music debut at Christmas, aboard the Xoom or at South by Southwest, as other rumours suggested.
Sans music
According to cnet's music industry sources, the technology of the service is good to go but Google Music is sadly lacking in one rather crucial element: music.
The cloud-based streaming service is supposedly intended to stream music collections stored online for users to stream to mobile devices, computers etc. but Google also wants to sell music through the programme.
Negotiations with publishers and record labels are said to be ongoing, and we won't see Google Music launch until it has some actual music.
| |
Read More ...
Internal tests suggest imminent Google Music launch
Google has begun internal testing of its long-awaited music service, Google Music, according to music industry sources. Google Music is set to take on iTunes and has been 'about to launch' for quite some time now, with a Motorola exec previously saying that it would launch with Android 3.0.
That obviously didn't happen. Nor did Google Music debut at Christmas, aboard the Xoom or at South by Southwest, as other rumours suggested.
Sans music
According to cnet's music industry sources, the technology of the service is good to go but Google Music is sadly lacking in one rather crucial element: music.
The cloud-based streaming service is supposedly intended to stream music collections stored online for users to stream to mobile devices, computers etc. but Google also wants to sell music through the programme.
Negotiations with publishers and record labels are said to be ongoing, and we won't see Google Music launch until it has some actual music.
| |
| |
Read More ...
Updated: Best iPad 2 data plans for UK buyers
Looking for the best iPad 2 data tariff? Look no further - we're collating details on the iPad 2 data deals from the major UK networks as we get them. iPad 2 on Orange
Orange is offering its customers the iPad 2 3G for آ£199 if you sign up for a two-year contract.
The offer is for the 16GB 3G iPad 2, and the آ£25 per month data package consists of 1GB of anytime data plus another 1GB of data from midnight to 4pm.
iPad 2 on Vodafone
Like Orange, Vodafone is to sell the new Apple iPad 2 to its existing customers for آ£199, again for those willing to sign up to a two-year deal.
The آ£199 offer is for the 16GB 3G iPad 2, with customers paying a monthly subscription of آ£24.50.
Data-wise, this package consists of a monthly data allowance of 2GB, plus 1GB of Wi-Fi access through BT OpenZone.
Additional data is charged at آ£15 per GB.
For new customers the iPad 2 price is آ£229 for the 16GB 3G model with a monthly tariff of آ£27.
Full Vodafone iPad tariffs as shown above can be found on the Vodafone site.
iPad 2 on T-Mobile
T-Mobile has announced its subsidised iPad 2 pricing - stating that you'll be able to pick up the next-gen Apple device for آ£199 if you're already a customer of the network.
If you're signing up as a new customer, the price goes up to آ£229.
For that, you'll be getting the 16GB iPad 2, and you'll be signing up for a two-year data plan which is آ£25 a month for existing T-Mobilers and آ£2 more for new customers.
This buys you 1GB of data a month, plus 1GB to use in T-Mobile's declared "quiet time" of 12am - 10am.
So, as an existing customer your total outlay over the two years would be آ£799 and as a new member of the T-Mobile club, it would be آ£877.
If you do want to take the T-Mobile plunge, T-Mobile will be taking orders online and on the phone from 5pm on 25 March
iPad 2 on O2
O2 is not offering any deals on the iPad 2, although the operator is offering a data package. O2 iPad 2 tariffs are as follows:
Daily - 24 hours; آ£2.04; 200MB data
Monthly - 30 days; آ£10.21 recurring; 1GB data
Monthly - 30 days; آ£15.32 recurring; 2GB data
Customers can also add 500MB of data as a one-off amount if they are within a recurring data plan.
iPad 2 on Three
Three is selling the iPad 2 at 45 selected Three Stores.
For existing customers, the 16GB 3G iPad 2 has an up-front cost of آ£199 while the 32GB model is آ£249. The 64GB iPad 2 is آ£349 for existing customers.
If you are a new customer, the 16GB 3G iPad 2 will set you back آ£229 plus آ£25 a month on a 24-month contract. The tariff includes 15GB of data per month. The 32GB 3G iPad 2 is آ£279 up front, while the 64GB 3G iPad 2 is آ£379. Again, these are on 24-month contracts at آ£25 a month with a data allowance of 15GB per month.
You can check out Three's complete pricing on its iPad 2 page.
iPad 2 from Apple
Apple's pricing for the iPad 2 is as follows
Prices are, including VAT:
Wi-Fi only:
16GB: آ£399.00 (آ£332.50 ex 20% VAT)
32GB: آ£479.00 (آ£399.17 ex 20% VAT)
64GB: آ£559.00 (آ£465.83 ex 20% VAT)
Wi-Fi and 3G:
16GB: آ£499.00 (آ£415.83 ex 20% VAT)
32GB: آ£579.00 (آ£482.50 ex 20% VAT)
64GB: آ£659.00 (آ£549.17 ex 20% VAT)
Those compare to prices last year respectively of آ£429, آ£499, آ£599, آ£529, آ£599 and آ£699. Calculating the differences, the retail (with VAT) price has fallen by between 4% and 7%, with the average being 5%; the ex-VAT price (the one you would normally compare against the US price) has fallen by between 5% and 9%, averaging 7.4%.
| |
Read More ...
Updated: Best iPad 2 data plans for UK buyers
Looking for the best iPad 2 data tariff? Look no further - we're collating details on the iPad 2 data deals from the major UK networks as we get them. iPad 2 on Orange
Orange is offering its customers the iPad 2 3G for آ£199 if you sign up for a two-year contract.
The offer is for the 16GB 3G iPad 2, and the آ£25 per month data package consists of 1GB of anytime data plus another 1GB of data from midnight to 4pm.
iPad 2 on Vodafone
Like Orange, Vodafone is to sell the new Apple iPad 2 to its existing customers for آ£199, again for those willing to sign up to a two-year deal.
The آ£199 offer is for the 16GB 3G iPad 2, with customers paying a monthly subscription of آ£24.50.
Data-wise, this package consists of a monthly data allowance of 2GB, plus 1GB of Wi-Fi access through BT OpenZone.
Additional data is charged at آ£15 per GB.
For new customers the iPad 2 price is آ£229 for the 16GB 3G model with a monthly tariff of آ£27.
Full Vodafone iPad tariffs as shown above can be found on the Vodafone site.
iPad 2 on T-Mobile
T-Mobile has announced its subsidised iPad 2 pricing - stating that you'll be able to pick up the next-gen Apple device for آ£199 if you're already a customer of the network.
If you're signing up as a new customer, the price goes up to آ£229.
For that, you'll be getting the 16GB iPad 2, and you'll be signing up for a two-year data plan which is آ£25 a month for existing T-Mobilers and آ£2 more for new customers.
This buys you 1GB of data a month, plus 1GB to use in T-Mobile's declared "quiet time" of 12am - 10am.
So, as an existing customer your total outlay over the two years would be آ£799 and as a new member of the T-Mobile club, it would be آ£877.
If you do want to take the T-Mobile plunge, T-Mobile will be taking orders online and on the phone from 5pm on 25 March
iPad 2 on O2
O2 is not offering any deals on the iPad 2, although the operator is offering a data package. O2 iPad 2 tariffs are as follows:
Daily - 24 hours; آ£2.04; 200MB data
Monthly - 30 days; آ£10.21 recurring; 1GB data
Monthly - 30 days; آ£15.32 recurring; 2GB data
Customers can also add 500MB of data as a one-off amount if they are within a recurring data plan.
iPad 2 on Three
Three is selling the iPad 2 at 45 selected Three Stores.
For existing customers, the 16GB 3G iPad 2 has an up-front cost of آ£199 while the 32GB model is آ£249. The 64GB iPad 2 is آ£349 for existing customers.
If you are a new customer, the 16GB 3G iPad 2 will set you back آ£229 plus آ£25 a month on a 24-month contract. The tariff includes 15GB of data per month. The 32GB 3G iPad 2 is آ£279 up front, while the 64GB 3G iPad 2 is آ£379. Again, these are on 24-month contracts at آ£25 a month with a data allowance of 15GB per month.
You can check out Three's complete pricing on its iPad 2 page.
iPad 2 from Apple
Apple's pricing for the iPad 2 is as follows
Prices are, including VAT:
Wi-Fi only:
16GB: آ£399.00 (آ£332.50 ex 20% VAT)
32GB: آ£479.00 (آ£399.17 ex 20% VAT)
64GB: آ£559.00 (آ£465.83 ex 20% VAT)
Wi-Fi and 3G:
16GB: آ£499.00 (آ£415.83 ex 20% VAT)
32GB: آ£579.00 (آ£482.50 ex 20% VAT)
64GB: آ£659.00 (آ£549.17 ex 20% VAT)
Those compare to prices last year respectively of آ£429, آ£499, آ£599, آ£529, آ£599 and آ£699. Calculating the differences, the retail (with VAT) price has fallen by between 4% and 7%, with the average being 5%; the ex-VAT price (the one you would normally compare against the US price) has fallen by between 5% and 9%, averaging 7.4%.
| |
| |
Read More ...
No comments:
Post a Comment