It looks like Acer is preparing to launch its third Android tablet. The Acer Iconia Tab A200 made at stop at the Bluetooth SIG website on its way to reality. There’s no information about the tablet’s processor, operating system, or even size. All we really know at this point is that the device will be Bluetooth and WiFi capable. Judging by…
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Update: The first alpha release of CyanogenMod is now available for the HP TouchPad. You can follow our step-by-step instructions for downloading and installing Android on your HP TouchPad. As the CyanogenMod team continues its work to port Google Android to run on the HP TouchPad tablet, it looks like the team has crossed another item off the to-do list….
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Wireless chips that bundle WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G, GPS and other functions are pretty standard for smartphones. But most notebooks and netbooks which offer Bluetooth use separate wireless cards for WiFi and Bluetooth functions. That makes it easy to offer Bluetooth as an option rather than a standard feature. But wireless chip-maker Broadcom wants to make it easier to just offer…
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The BlackBerry PlayBook will come with WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities, but no built-in 3G modem. Instead Research in Motion has been promising that you’ll be able to tether the tablet to a BlackBerry smartphone to share a mobile broadband connection. But the folks at CrackBerry say that the tethering option will let you connect the tablet to any phone with…
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Atheros is introducing a new wireless chip for tablets and other mobile electronics. The AR6233 solution offers 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 ins asingle package. This is also one of the first “system-on-a-package” solutions to offer Bluetooth 4.0, which includes a low power mode to help extend battery life on mobile devices. The AR6233 supports x86 and ARM processors and…
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While the US version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab won’t be able to make and receive phone calls, that’s a core function of the version offered in Europe. But clearly a 7 inch tablet is a bit of a behemoth to hold up to your head while talking on the phone. That’s where Bluetooth headsets and other accessories come in……
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Computer accessory maker Kensington is bringing a new iPad case to market with a built in Bluetooth keyboard. The synthetic-leather case offers a bit of protection for the touchscreen tablet, while also making text entry a heck of a lot easier. The keyboard case will run $99 when it begins shipping in October. I got a chance to spend a…
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Sure, tablet-style computers let you walk around the house pretending you’re in a Star Trek episode. They can be good for surfing the web, watching videos, or even writing short messages. But if you want to get some serious work done, nothing beats a full sized keyboard. But who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? The…
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The Dell Streak is a 5 inch Android tablet without a physical keyboard. But if you really want a keyboard for it, the folks at StreakSmart have a good idea. Logitech has been selling a 5 inch wireless keyboard called the DiNovo Mini for the past few years. It’s designed as a Bluetooth keyboard for controlling a media center PC…
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Bluetooth is a wireless technology that lets you connect devices over short distances. For instance, you can use Bluetooth to connect a headset to your phone without wires, or link a wireless mouse to a computer. You can also transmit other forms of data, such as sharing an internet connection between two devices. The problem is that Bluetooth, like WiFi,…
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The vast majority of Bluetooth devices are still toting Bluetooth 2.1 or earlier instead of the more recent Bluetooth 3.0 technology. But the folks behind the short distance wireless data standard have announced the Bluetooth 4.0 standard is ready to go. The update will bring support for a low energy mode for devices like remote controls and watches that don’t…
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Netbook keyboards are generally pretty good these days. Sure, some of the earliest netbooks had tiny keyboards that felt cramped and difficult to use. But most 10 inch netbooks have keyboards that are 90% full sized or larger. But if you’re shooting for 100% (or if you have a devices without a keyboard such as a tablet or mobile phone)…
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