RIM slashes price off BlackBerry PlayBook to $299 for all models

Still not decided whether to get a BlackBerry PlayBook or not? Maybe this limited offer from RIM might push you to get one.

Until February 4, you can get a BlackBerry PlayBook from RIM’s US online store for just $299. That’s for any models. Whether it’s a 16GB, 32GB or 64GB. It’s a $400 discount for the 64GB version. You might want to act quick because that 64GB stocks might not last. Even so, a $299 16GB is already a steal anyway.

RIM is clearly moving stocks on the PlayBook because they really can’t do it without having some sort of a fire sale. If they can’t make a profit on the PlayBook maybe they can force you to spend on their accessories. Hehehe.

The BlackBerry PlayBook is beast of a tablet and the only thing it lacks are apps. If you’re not too concerned much on apps then at best it’s a great multimedia device. Or you could wait for the Android sandbox app to be available so you can install apps from the Android market. I know I am that’s why I’m not to keen on letting go of my PlayBook.

Zalman SSD-F1 SATA III Solid State Drive

Zalman introduces the new SSD-F1 series solid state drive using SATA III 6Gbps interface. Powered by SandForce 2281 controller, the F1 series offers up to 560MB/s read and 530MB/s write speeds. It complies with AATA-8 and ACS-2 standards and is AHCI mode optimized.

The Zalman SSD-F1 includes AES 128/256-bit data encryption. It supports S.M.A.R.T, NCQ command set and TRIM command. The 2.5-inch SSD has an aluminum alloy body and comes with a 3.5-inch bracket. The Zalman SSD-F1 is available in 60GB, 120GB and 240GB capacities.

HP Compaq LE2002xm LED Monitor

HP releases the Compaq LE2002xm, a 20-inch LED-backlit LCD display. The monitor features 1600×900 resolutin, 250cd/m2 brightness, 1000:1 static contrast ratio, 3,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 5ms response time and 170/160-degree viewing angle.

The HP E2002xm slim display offers DVI-D and VGA inputs. The price is $155.

Klipsch SW-115 Subwoofer

Klipsch launches the new SW-115, a new high performance subwoofer joining the company’s current subwoofer lineup capable of reproducing even the lowest frequencies with high-output and low distortion. It is designed with a front-firing port to blend into any setup without loss of sound, and provides endless placement options within living spaces, custom home theaters and in-room installations.

The Klipsch SW-115 features a 15-inch active, non-resonant, woven fiberglass, extra-long-throw driver, and is equipped with a BASH Digital Hybrid Amplifier with 400 watts continuous power to deliver efficient, reliable power. Its front-firing enclosure and slot port reinforce its large driver for maximum output, and the braced cabinet allows for extended, distortion-free bass.

The subwoofer has a pica-black finish. It has L/R Line-level RCA jacks, L/R High-level speaker binding posts, WA port. The Klipsch SW-115 is available for $849.99.

This micro iPhone projector brings 65-inch pictures to your wall, doubles as a battery pack

Japanese accessory maker Sanwa might not be a household name, but that’s the exact company that made this awesome micro projector compatible with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. The device doubles as a battery pack with its built-in 2100mAh juicer, which gives you 2.5 hours for you to project a whole movie and a bit more. Turning the romantically named 400-PRJ011 projector off, allows you to use the case to charge the phone.

The Sanwa projector projects images with a resolution of 640 x 360 pixels at a contrast ration of 1,000:1, and the maximum size of the projected image is 65 inches, which is pretty impressive.

The sad news is that this neat projector is currently only available in Japan for 19,800 yen, or around $260. Those of you who have fallen in love with it from the first look, can head to specialized stores like the Japan Trend Shop and try to get it shipped to US shores.

source: TechCrunch

HTC Flyer Honeycomb update starts arriving today

The 7-inch HTC Flyer stands out with its interface optimized for work with a stylus, but since the device was released in May 2011, we’ve only been hearing promises for update to Honeycomb. Now, it’s finally here - the Wi-Fi version of the Flyer is starting to get Honeycomb 3.2 pushed to the device.

The initial reports are also pretty warm. Users say they’ve gotten rid of wallpaper lag, and the UI feels smooth, plus they get the bragging rights of full hardware acceleration with Honeyomb.

We, however, are more curious whether the HTC Flyer is getting updated to Ice Cream Sandwich. That’s one thing that’d make 2012 even better, right?

source: Android Central

App downloads pass 1 billion for the first time in history over the last week, US in the lead

The Christmas season brought on another miracle in the mobile industry - combined app downloads from the App Store and Android Market passed 1 billion a week in the last one for 2011, to anchor at 1.2 billion apps gulped by our Android and iOS mobile devices. 

That's a first in history, and US leads the way here with 509 million downloads, followed by China with 99 million, and the UK with 81 million.

The December 25-31 period saw a huge number surge in the West, but the BRIC countries also saw an unprecedented number of app downloads. We can't wait to see the weekly numbers this year, when reportedly a lot of emerging countries will make strides in adopting mid- and entry-level Androids.

source: TNW

Next generation netbooks in 2012 powered by the new Intel Atom processor

For emerging markets such as ours, Intel is still banking on selling more netbooks for 2012. They recently announced their latest Intel Atom processor codenamed “Cedar Trail” which would bring netbooks to the next level.

For 2012, with the new Intel Atom processor, expect to see thinner, longer battery life, bigger display, Full HD viewing and some new features on your netbooks.

The dual-core Intel Atom processor N2600 and Intel Atom processor N2800 are paired with the Intel NM10 Express Chipset and feature a small form factor package size that saves system board real estate and enables thinner netbook designs.

The new Atom may have up to 10 hours battery life and weeks on standby. Intel increased the overall system performance while reducing power consumption by up to 20 percent.

The new design’s dedicated media engine enables full 1080p high-definition playback of videos and Blu-Ray content and includes additional digital display and output options including HDMI and DisplayPort. The integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3600/3650 combined with the integrated memory controller provides enhanced performance and system responsiveness, including an improvement in graphics performance up to 2X compared to the previous generation platform.

New features include the Intel Wireless Display and Wireless music which was only available in Intel Core processors. With these new features and wireless enabled devices, people can share videos or photos wirelessly from their netbooks to a television, or stream music through their home stereo speakers.

Also new in this platform is the Intel Smart Connect Technology which allows you to have an instant Internet connection as soon as you open your netbook, and have email, Twitter and RSS feeds automatically update even in sleep mode. There’s also the Intel Rapid Start Technology which enables fast resume from standby mode and helps conserve battery life.

Expect netbooks using the new Intel Atom processor to debut early this year from Acer, Asus, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, and Toshiba. I don’t think netbooks are already dead… not in the Philippines at least.