New Technology Reviews!.: Spring

Apple iPad to nab 67% of tablet market in 2011

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="ipad3 Apple iPad to nab 67% of tablet market in 2011" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-185607" height="249" src="http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/470/ipad30798460.jpg" title="Apple iPad to nab 67% of the tablet market in 2011" width="400" /></div>Despite the glut of competitors over the next 12 months, Caris & Co. research said the Apple iPad will still have a commanding market share in the tablet space in 2011. 
The report said that the Apple iPad will account for 67% of the market next year as Steve Jobs’ company still has a head start over the competition. The company essentially kick-started the tablet market in the mainstream, even though Microsoft had been pushing for this form factor for over a decade. 
The report said the Apple iPad could move as many as 36 million iPad units next year, a sizable portion of the 54 million tablet sales it expects in 2011. While these are minuscule numbers compared to PC shipments and smartphone sales, becoming the leader in an emerging market could pay large dividends as more and more users pick up tablets. 
Part of the reason Caris is expecting the iPad to maintain its dominance is that we’re expecting the sequel to be announced in just a few short weeks, if Apple keeps up with its schedule. The original iOS tablet was announced in late January and hit in Spring, so it wouldn’t be too surprising to see the iPad 2 around the same time. 
We’re expecting the next-gen iOS tablet to have a front-facing camera for FaceTime video calling. We’re also expecting it to be thinner and lighter than the original and it may even have an extra expansion port (USB or a card reader). 
It won’t be an easy road though, as the competition is gearing up. We expect to see the Motorola Xoom Android Honeycomb tablet at next week’s CES show and it could be a credible contender. LG, Research In Motion, Palm and HTC are also working on gadgets to compete in this space and all have a chance to improve upon the iPad. 
[Via <a href="http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/12/31/caris.says.ipad.to.hold.two.thirds.of.tablets/">Electronista</a>]

Apple iPad to nab 67% of tablet market in 2011

Despite the glut of competitors over the next 12 months, Caris & Co. research said the Apple iPad will still have a commanding market sh...

New evidence that PSP Phone due next spring

<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/4581/psphoneprototype2002004.jpg" /></div>While there is still no official word from Sony on plans for the launch of the so-called 'PlayStation Phone' it is looking increasingly likely that the gaming phone will arrive next spring. 
The latest reports claiming a spring launch for the PSP-styled Android phone from Sony Ericsson come courtesy of Japanese newspaper the Asahi Shimbun - follow claims from anonymous sources earlier this month that an April launch was likely for the US and Europe. 
Europe and US first? 
According to the latest report from Japan the Sony Ericsson-developed phone might even go on sale first in the US and Europe, with Japan and other territories following at a later date. 
The phone will be based on the PSPgo with slide-out PSPgo-style gaming controls, with a touch-sensitive tracking pad instead of analogue thumb nubs. 
Sony Computer Entertainment and Sony Ericsson are still to comment on the latest reports from Japan. 
Xperia Play 
However, Sony Ericsson recently sent out a press invite to an Xperia experience at Mobile World Congress, in addition to inviting UK media to a briefing on 6 January about 'how Sony Ericsson plans to enhance the Android experience for consumers'. 
The Japanese-Swedish alliance promises to 'share its plans for 2011, including what's in-store for the Xperia line of devices' indicating that there is certainly going to be more than one Xperia phone in the near future. 
The Sony Ericsson 'PSP phone' may also well be called the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play after numerous domain names containing that name have recently been purchased by the company. 
All will be revealed later next month followed, no doubt, by a major PR offensive at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February. 
UMD-free and download only 
Whatever the official name and final specification, the PlayStation Phone is likely to be based on Google's Android 3.0 platform and feature "custom Sony Marketplace which will allow you to purchase and download games designed for the new platform." 
The Sony Ericsson phone is also looking likely to be based on a 1GHz Qualcomm CPU, with 512MB of RAM, 1GB of ROM, and a screen "in the range of 3.7 to 4.1 inches." 
Commenting on possible confusion between Sony Ericsson mobile products and Sony PlayStation gaming products and brands, Sony boss Kaz Hirai also noted recently that: "We don't want gamers to be asking, what's the difference between that [a PS phone] and a PSP... we have to come up with a message that users will understand." 
Hirai added: "It would have to be a product that keeps the PlayStation's strengths intact." 
Roll on next spring! 
 
<a href="http://www.techradar.com%20/">Source.</a>

New evidence that PSP Phone due next spring

While there is still no official word from Sony on plans for the launch of the so-called 'PlayStation Phone' it is looking increasin...

New evidence that PSP Phone due next spring

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/images/ps%20phone%20prototype-200-200.jpg"> While there is still no official word from Sony on plans for the launch of the so-called 'PlayStation Phone' it is looking increasingly likely that the gaming phone will arrive next spring. The latest reports claiming a spring launch for the PSP-styled Android phone from Sony Ericsson come courtesy of Japanese newspaper the Asahi Shimbun - follow claims from <a href="">anonymous sources earlier this month</A> that an April launch was likely for the US and Europe. Europe and US first? According to the latest report from Japan the Sony Ericsson-developed phone might even go on sale first in the US and Europe, with Japan and other territories following at a later date. The phone will be based on the PSPgo with slide-out PSPgo-style gaming controls, with a touch-sensitive tracking pad instead of analogue thumb nubs. Sony Computer Entertainment and Sony Ericsson are still to comment on the latest reports from Japan. Xperia Play However, Sony Ericsson recently sent out a press invite to an Xperia experience at Mobile World Congress, in addition to inviting <a href="">UK media to a briefing on 6 January</A> about 'how Sony Ericsson plans to enhance the Android experience for consumers'. The Japanese-Swedish alliance promises to 'share its plans for 2011, including what's in-store for the Xperia line of devices' indicating that there is certainly going to be more than one Xperia phone in the near future. The <a href="">Sony Ericsson 'PSP phone'</A> may also well be called the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play after numerous domain names containing that name have recently been purchased by the company. All will be revealed later next month followed, no doubt, by a major PR offensive at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February. UMD-free and download only Whatever the official name and final specification, the PlayStation Phone is likely to be based on Google's Android 3.0 platform and feature "custom Sony Marketplace which will allow you to purchase and download games designed for the new platform." The Sony Ericsson phone is also looking likely to be based on a 1GHz Qualcomm CPU, with 512MB of RAM, 1GB of ROM, and a screen "in the range of 3.7 to 4.1 inches." Commenting on possible confusion between Sony Ericsson mobile products and Sony PlayStation gaming products and brands, Sony boss Kaz Hirai also noted recently that: "We don't want gamers to be asking, what's the difference between that [a PS phone] and a PSP... we have to come up with a message that users will understand." Hirai added: "It would have to be a product that keeps the PlayStation's strengths intact." Roll on next spring! <a href="http://www.techradar.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</A>

New evidence that PSP Phone due next spring

While there is still no official word from Sony on plans for the launch of the so-called 'PlayStation Phone' it is looking increasin...

NFS Shift Sequel Confirmed for Spring 2011

<img alt="NFS Shift Sequel Confirmed for Spring 2011" border="0" height="150" src="http://technologyforum.x10.mx/image//113480matter.jpg" width="200" /> 
Electronic Arts has confirmed that the sequel for Need for Speed: Shift titled Need For Speed Shift 2: Unleashed is under way. The first successful quasi-simulation endeavour from the NFS franchise, after the flop NFS: Porsche Unleashed (2000), this game is slated to release in Spring 2011. EA says that Shift 2 will improve on the existing genre bending features in the reboot, along with a brand new rendering engine that is touted to bring even more realistic graphics to the table. 
 
Shift 2 will incorporate some of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit's signature features like the Autolog, which will add a social angle by keeping the player in the loop with friends; comparing their performance and achievements, in addition to allowing them to better their friends' point scores, lap times and otherwise let players challenge each other. The sequel producer, Marcus Nilsson, informed that the development team is "working closely with real-world performance drivers to ensure that Shift 2: Unleashed captures their experience and becomes the benchmark in authentic racing action". The game will be released on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 platforms. 
 
 
<img align="baseline" border="0" hspace="0" src="http://technologyforum.x10.mx/image//11348017shift600.jpg" /> 
 
 
While there are many quasi-simulators that aren't accurate, the idea is to lean towards being fun - striking a fine balance between reward and realism. While NFS Shift wasn't the most accurate simulator, it's one of the few games out there that can show you why a Lotus Elise is better than a Porsche Carrera, and what makes enthusiasts prefer the Pagani Zonda F over the Lamborghinis and the Ferraris of the world. 
 
Shift captured the essence of each car - things like the sharp steering response and the pivoting agility offered by the small wheelbase of the Lotus, and the ability to show the difference between the lack of mechanical grip at slow speeds and a gradual increase in high speed grip generated by massive downforce of a lightweight Zonda F. These are things that made it so awesome. Let's hope the sequel stays true to the spirit of Shift.

NFS Shift Sequel Confirmed for Spring 2011

Electronic Arts has confirmed that the sequel for Need for Speed: Shift titled Need For Speed Shift 2: Unleashed is under way. The first su...