By Aldo Panessidi

Is 2012 the year of Research In Motion? Last year was rough for the once mighty smartphone and tablet OS company, but with its recent CES recognition for the impressive QNX car technology and now the PlayBook 2.0 something tangible to review, RIM may have some more blue skies in its futures.   View this interesting video for more insight on Blackberry’s PlayBook 2.0

According to recent reports, the PlayBook 2.0 will be available in February and will make the tablet actually functional again. How? Top of the list is that native email and calendar are now included and the company has caught up with the times and integrated social media networking (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc) and all of your friends posts and activities can be viewed in the Contacts Hub.

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Next, the keyboard has been drastically revamped to incorporate autocorrect and algorithmic predictive typing. That will adapt to your typing style and suggests its guess of your next typed word. Surprisingly, this tablet does feature Android apps in its App World and reviews indicate that they run as smoothly as native code.

In fact, Alec Saunders, the VP of Developer Relations, has hinted at RIM learning its mistakes from its initial PlayBook launch and are humbly making changes to bring a competitive product to market that will allow for innovation with developers, tech accessories, and other peripheral technology. This attitude change has brought valuable partnerships with EA Games and Rovio and will create a compelling story for customers.

Enhance your mobility and turn your device into a power tool!  Discover select accessories such as; stylus & pens, micro SD memory cards, batteries, docking stations, Bluetooth headsets, data cables and glider gloves all specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

Added incentive for investing in RIM and the PlayBook upon its release in 2012 is its competitive pricing. At $299 it may very well be the contender it was created to be in a market dominated by Apple and to a lesser degree Android.  As more news is released on the upcoming launch, we will keep you posted on whether the body has changed drastically enough to require new protective cases purchases and how current PlayBook customers will be able to recycle their other existing  accessories.

By Aldo Panessidi

No doubt, Nokia cell phone Lumia 900 made quite an impression at CES, but another (non-Samsung and non-Apple) smartphone contender made waves as well.  That is Sony Ericsson’s Xperia S. Taking the approach of tailoring and optimizing software to the hardware, Sony has taken the familiar and effective Gingerbread OS and made a device that runs incredibly smoothly and also has the look and feel of a great smartphone.

Like the Nokia Lumia handsets, the Sony Xperia S smartphone is made of a single piece of high density polycarbonate which feels substantial and appears chic and modern. It also serves as a great frame to the 720p screen that uses the Sony Bravia Engine and fuses the LCD glass to bring down reflections.  Let the latest in trend setting fashionable accessories express your unique style!  Discover an extensive array of award-wining design protective cases and skins deliver modern style, stunning design and smart protection.  Make your mobile devices stand out.  Customize your look – how cool can you be?

Another impressive feature is this handset’s camera.  For what it lacks in flashy new Android OS updates, a 12 megapixel rear facing camera that can be used with just the press of a side button – even when the phone is turned off! Incredibly zippy, this camera goes from zero-to-shutter in less time than the Galaxy Nexus. And, the photo quality far surpasses the competition as well.

Enhance your mobility and turn your device into a power tool!  Discover select accessories such as; stylus & pens, micro SD memory cards, batteries, docking stations, Bluetooth headsets, data cables and glider gloves all specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

Unfortunately, Sony Ericsson opted to use the Snapdragon S3 chip instead of the S4. Also disappointing is the lack of LTE on this device (which the manufacturer doled out to its AT&T exclusive Xperia Ion in the US). There are rumors that an LTE Sony phone will come Canada’s way in Q3, but in tech terms that is quite a ways out.

Some silver lining to the LTE regret is Sony will be bundling Video Unlimited support and the Xperia S is Playstation Certified which is great news for gamers who will have access to an ever growing number of PSOne games. This makes a case for purchasing better earpieces and headphones, speakers and additional MicroSD Memory cards to get the most of the device investment.

Canada should see this smartphone hit the market in March or so, but actual release dates and carrier availability are bound to follow, so keep tuned!

By Aldo Panessidi

With buzz words like “CES,” “Android 4.0,” “tablet,” and “$170,” ViewSonic has our attention! The 7-inch device is to be released later in Q1 and will undoubtedly be a great choice for frugal consumers who enjoy the latest technology.  The company’s vice-president of development, Michael Holstein, says this about their upcoming tablet “ViewSonic is committed to delivering advanced technology designed with the consumer in mind […]“Featuring the latest Android operating system, along with leading apps and services for entertainment content, the ViewPad E70 continues the ViewSonic tradition of bringing feature-rich products to new markets.”

The news that this tablet will be rocking the Ice Cream Sandwich version of the Android OS is definitely a highlight in comparison to its other specs. It will have a 1GHz single-core processor, 4GB of storage, an HDMI-out, and a front facing camera. With these less than stellar specs, customers considering this option should invest in some performance enhancing accessories like stylus & pens, micro SD memory cards, batteries, docking stations, Bluetooth headsets, data cables, earpieces and headphones, speakers and additional MicroSD Memory cards cards. A separate device like a media player or more amped-up smartphone for music and pictures may also be considerations when looking to purchase this tablet.

But, as the ViewPad E70 does have the latest Android OS, it is being touted as device particularly suited for web surfing, e-reading, and gaming. This also brings customers the premium apps and services in a very light and compact tablet. The 1080p HDMI output does help compensate for the low 4GB by giving users the option of streaming multimedia. The low cost of the ViewPad E70 means that customers can invest in great accessories to take advantage of the best features of this device.

There will likely be those potential users who will be concerned with the limited 4GB (and let’s be honest, compared to other smartphones and tablets on the market, this is quite low), Luckily, there are removable storage and memory options out there to keep the tablet running as fast and light as intended.

By Aldo Panessidi

Today’s lifestyle is becoming increasingly more connected and ‘on the go’… from the stay-at-home mom, to the student to the business executive.    More and more consumers are exploiting mobile devices and in particular smartphones as pocket PC’s and quickly exhausting power supplies.  Currently the only true mobile charging solution are car chargers; which severely limits the global market from becoming ‘versatile and unrestrictedly mobile’. These power user are clamoring for dual purpose protective carrying bags/charging solutions.  It is no wonder that this year’s Customer Electronics Show saw a huge amount of interest in the “Powerbag”… which offers this built-in versatility and convenience.

This technological line of bags combines form and function with iPhone, microUSB, and regular USB ports to help us ensure our various smarthpones, tablets, and media players don’t go without a charge and you don’t go without a tech appendage. And for anyone who has been in a situation where a dying smartphone can lead to a missed conference call, unsent email, or any number of other mishaps, these bags can be a lifesaver.  These unknowns make a great case for being prepared whether it is having additional memory cards on hand or investing in a bag that will keep you up and running.

Depending on the size of the bag, the interchangeable batteries are available in 3000, 6000, or 9000mAh cells. These battery cells can also be purchased separately for backup power and added hours of charge which is great for some of the larger bags that allow for as many as four devices to charge at once. To take advantage of power sources when available, the bag itself is rechargeable by plugging it into a wall outlet.

In addition to juicing up our mobile devices away from home, this power system is smart and will provide the correct voltage according to the device plugged in. Not only is this a great safety feature, this ensures fast, optimal charging speeds and has us geeked to see the product in person to play and see what other selling points we will find.

Discover the latest innovative protection solutions… stylish top brand bags, sleeves and cases specifically designed to protect your devices from scratches and blemishes.  Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside these brand name protection accessories combine complete device coverage with sleek artistic expression.

At the moment, the retail cost for the bag (not including spare battery cells) will be generally in the range of $140 and$200 USD.  While not yet on the market, the prototypes are going to be made available to review in a few weeks.

By Megan Fleet

Apple’s iPhone and iPad are undoubtedly two of its most iconic products. They were also revolutionary, creating demand for tablets, smartphones and apps that tied into customers’ existing iTunes infrastructure. With these kinds of accolades and cult-like following, there have been twinges of disappointment for Apple’s more recent launches of the iPad2 and iPhone 4S as they were so comparable in “look” and functionality at first glance.

This trend towards subtlety (and maybe towards a safer path in the post-Jobs era?), looks to be continuing with the iPad3. Attendees to the Consumer Electronics Show this past week could have perused the Apple booth and have had the iPad3 right in front of them without recognizing it as a the latest version of the tablet.

Like the iPhone 4S, there are differences, but touting this particular version as the iPad3 instead of the iPad2 or some other such moniker seems a bit overdone. This potential newest tablet addition has a body that is approximately 1mm thicker than its antecedent. For cases and various other accessories this minimal change will allow customers to recycle their previous purchases. The exception is for those protective cases designed to be exactly form fitting.

Another similarity to the iPhones 4S, this latest iPad contender has a noticeably larger rear camera, but does not have the LED flash. These improved features in camera quality and images will win over some customers. But, the front of the device is very much the same as the iPad2.

Enhance your mobility and turn your device into a power tool!  Discover select accessories such as; stylus & pens, micro SD memory cards, batteries, docking stations, Bluetooth headsets, data cables and glider gloves all specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

The iLouge writer who viewed the device at CES did note that the display model appeared to be six months old or so. That particular detail points to the many possible changes that could take place in revamping the iPad3 in the coming months. As we await the actual release of the tablet, current Apple users can continue to indulge their love of accessories without fear of them being obsolete when the new kid in town makes its debut.

By Megan Fleet

Let’s be honest, the latest hero device from the Nokia cell phone line-up, the Lumia 900 wowed spectators  at the CES. From the keynote Microsoft address that showed an impressed audience the fruits of its partnership with Nokia and how the device works with Microsoft peripheral devices like the Xbox. The stellar performance of the Nokia Lumia 900 was duly recognized by CNET which named the smartphone as its category winner at the 2012 CES.

The move from Symbian to Windows mobile OS and the added bonus of BlueStack’s technology which will bring Android apps to those customers has sparked excitement and hope into both Nokia and Microsoft that 2012 will bring a 180 degree shift in sales and market share.

What is better news is that the vague announcement that the Nokia Lumia 900 will be available in “the next few months” may be whittled down to a more accurate date if the rumor mill is based in any kind of truth. Even more reliable is that the March 18^th date is being bandied about by Windows gurus Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo Foley. These two “all about Windows” people came together to work on TWiT and discuss March as the release month in the latest Nokia developer newsletter.

Mister Thurrott is apparently not one for vagueness by making it clear that the Nokia Lumia 900 will be released precisely on March 18^th. Hopefully his crystal ball or tea leaves are accurate as anxious customers are bound to seek out this sleek unlocked cell phone as soon as possible.

Surely the smartphone manufacturer will make more accurate announcements that will include date of availability, the cost, and start touting more of the peripheral accessories that will heighten the handset’s popularity and longevity in a fickle, competitive and ever changing mobile tech market.

By Aldo Panessidi

If variation is the spice of life, Samsung is adding vanilla to its tablet spice rack for its Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy Tab 7.0 .   Scheduled to hit the North American market sometime in the coming months, the major question is what new features and major upgrades are to be expected besides the color change?

Well… nothing. The specs for both the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus are to remain the same. Whether this translates into a difference in price for the tablets is yet to be seen, but customers with the current black version should have no worries about their existing Galaxy Tablet’s innovative protection solutions… stylish bags, sleeves and cases specifically designed to protect your devices from scratches and blemishes.  Moreover the tablets are also designed for compatibility with other such docking stations and micro SD memory cards.

Some people may balk at this announcement saying that there is already a white version of the Galaxy Tab device, but it is only the rear of the tablet that is white. The front is still black bezel for those currently available in the US and Canada.

With the popularity of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus cell phones, there will undoubtedly be continued demand for its tablets as well. This eventual variation is bound to please customers who enjoy the Android device but simply want the cleaner look of the all-white offering. Another, more cost effective option is to personalize the look of the device with award-wining design protective cases and skins that deliver modern style, stunning design and smart protection Make your mobile devices stand out.  Customize your look – how cool can you be?

However, if you are in the market for a new tablet and have an eye out for the all-white Galaxy Tabs, keep posted for their North American debut.  Enhance your mobility and turn your device into a power tool!  Discover select accessories such as; stylus & pens, micro SD memory cards, batteries, docking stations, Bluetooth headsets, data cables and glider gloves all specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

By Aldo Panessidi

When Apple launched the iPhone 4S there were plenty of bystanders that were disappointed that the latest smartphone was not the elusive iPhone 5. The silver lining is that this prolonged release has given plenty of fodder for the tech gossip mill as we all speculate if the next generation iPhone will be drastically different.

Latest reports note that Apple’s upcoming device will be slimmer than the iPhone 4S and iPhone handsets and will also strut some new tech as well. The iPhone 5 may have a quad-mode chipset from Qualcomm that will work on all 4G LTE and 3G networks which has the implication of making this unlocked cell phone device more widely available across mobile carriers.

Giving credence to these details is a BGR exclusive last month that reported Apple’s intention to launch a completely redesigned iPhone in the fall. It will have an aluminum case and a rubber or perhaps plastic bezel that will protect and cover a new wrap-around antenna. Possibly more dependable accounts came from Morgan Stanley’s analyst, Katy Huberty, who noted that Apple sent a communication to clients last Friday. Those statements assured that Apple’s business will continue to grow even with a slowing demand for high-end smartphones. There is no question that the company’s strength is in its iTunes, iCloud and other proprietary technologies that marry customers so closely the OS platform.

Included in Huberty’s comments was the mention of Apple’s next generation tablet, the iPad3 which is slated to launch at some point in the first half of the year. With traditional pricing strategy in play, the iPad2 will be lowered in cost to attract additional customers to the iOS platform and to Apple’s strength in the tablet market.

Surely these new smartphone and tablet devices will come with revamped and original peripheral accessories. Leaving your valuable mobile devices unprotected is risky! Discover the latest innovative protection solutions… stylish top brand bags, sleeves and cases specifically designed to protect your devices from scratches and blemishes. Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside these brand name protection accessories combine complete device coverage with sleek artistic expression.

By  Megan Fleet

For a woman like my grandmother who was hampered by blindness and arthritis but who also embraced all technology that improved her quality of life and kept her as independent as possible, Clarity’s upcoming product, the Fortissimo speakerphone would have been a hit. So, right out the gate I would like to say that I love the functionality and purpose of this product.

Recent reports note that it is to be brought to market by Clarity sometime this Spring. A comprehensive solution that is geared towards the mobility-challenged and for those with other disabilities, the implications for communication, enhanced enjoyment of media, and leveling the playing field make this a winner out the gate. It features massively loud 95dB speakers, huge buttons,  Planttronics ‘Vocalyst’ technology,  DECT connectivity and Bluethooth capability… making wireless earpieces and  headsets great accessories to make the most of such a great gadget.  The combination of these technologies and design can make the world of difference for those who are limited by hearing, seeing, and mobility challenges.

The Fortissimo features Plantronics’ Vocalyst technology that takes the physical design considerations to the next level by pushing social network updates, send messages, and push emails. This capability helps connect those who are more easily isolated to the world and could have safety implications as well.

To ensure that customers aren’t left in the dark if things go awry, there is a dedicated button on the device that will automatically call the Clarity support center. From there, a rep can remotely program the phone which will offer a huge sigh of relief for those who are not so tech savvy.

With a projected launch of April or May, the device is said to retail for $500 and will undoubtedly be a worthwhile investment.

By Aldo Panessidi

Who doesn’t want to have technology customized and tailored to personal wants, needs, and preferences? This desire is what likely led Steve “Cyanogen” Kondik to create the CyanogenMod a breakthrough  aftermarket firmware that empowers Android based device such as the Samsung Galaxy S 2 cell phone and Galaxy Tablets users the ability to install a custom ROM and then tweak the device to best met their needs and lifestyle.

There are other such programs out there that will help users achieve the same end result, however, CyanogenMod is designed increase performance and reliability over Android-based ROMs and offers a variety of features & enhancements that are not found in the current versions of Android.  These enhancements  account for its popularity for exceeding one million downloads. Needless to say, the technology isn’t stagnant either. There is a CyanogenMod team in place that develops up-to-date customer ROMs that will supercharge a smartphone’s capabilities by adding features and utilities. Throw in any number of Android accessories or devices and users of that OS will be the envy of their friends.

Enhance your mobility and turn your device into a power tool!  Discover select accessories such as; stylus & pens, micro SD memory cards, batteries, docking stations, Bluetooth headsets, data cables and glider gloves all specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

In the spirit of continued innovation, one such CyanogenMod team member, Koushik Dutta, has been mulling around the idea of making an app store that is exclusively for root apps. The big motivation for creating this and for its likely success is the continued policing of the Android Market. The “Clopen” approach of the giant has it and its partner carriers on the lookout for tether apps, one click root apps and emulators.

With these newly developed apps being squashed by the big boys, developers and customers alike are getting frustrated because they aren’t getting what they need or want. The idea of a root app store was proposed to Amazon and they were not interested. Whether it was because the proposed store would be open-source to any customer ROM (and therefore not just selling CyanogenMod) or if it simply didn’t align well with Amazon’s business model is unknown.

Thankfully, these actions point to a tech evolution that works to bring greater freedom to the consumer to choose their carrier, customize their handset, and optimize their use in everyday life. The case for unlocked cell phones and carrier neutrality is being made even more strongly by developers which is a step in the right direction for customers.