Sunday, April 15, 2012

Update - 277



Posted: 22 Mar 2012 07:05 PM PDT

Here’s an interesting story from the guys at TheVerge. We’ve all heard or read about the long, drawn out fight-to-the-death patent lawsuits from Apple and Samsung. It got so bad that we just stopped reporting on them (unless it was a major development/ruling). Well, back when the Apple vs. Samsung lawsuits first hit our desks, we heard from Apple that they actually reached out to Samsung before ever going to court, letting them know of their alleged patent infringement. Samsung, of course, denied these claims and left it at that.
Well, in a recent filing, Apple actually detailed these supposed “negotiations that never happened” that occurred between July and September of 2010. According to Apple, there were 4 meetings in which both Apple flew out to Korea, and Samsung was brought to Cupertino where the 2 sides sat down with one another. Allegedly, these meetings (presumably, with tension so thick, you could cut it with a knife) are where Apple presented Samsung with photos, charts and diagrams on exactly which patents Apple felt Samsung was infringing upon. Here’s a little excerpt from that federal court filing:
On or about August 4, 2010, Apple representatives met with Samsung in Korea and showed a presentation titled ‘Samsung’s Use of Apple Patents in Smartphones.’ This presentation emphasized Samsung’s copying of the iPhone and identified two of the patents-in-suit (the ’002 and ’381 patents), giving Samsung actual notice of at least these patents, and many more.
On or about August 26, 2010, Apple sent Samsung an electronic archive file containing claim charts further illustrating Samsung’s infringement of Apple patents. A presentation document that accompanied these claim charts identified the ’002 and ’381 patents as two patents that Samsung products infringed, and it substantiated these allegations with text from the patents and photographs of Samsung devices illustrating infringing functionality. Apple later presented these slides to Samsung at a meeting in Cupertino, California on or about September 9, 2010.
For a hellbent Jobs, aimed at destroying Android, he seemed rather civil in his talks with Samsung. What do you guys think? Could Apple really have been the good guy, trying to settle things peacefully while Samsung gave them the middle finger? Say it ain’t so.

Posted: 22 Mar 2012 04:36 PM PDT
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China has long been known for a few things. Smog. Communism. And cheap knockoffs. Unsurprisingly enough, an Android themed store in Zuhai, Guangdong popped up, the very same district where Apple is currently battling against a company over the iPad trademark. Even if they aren’t as lavish as the “Androidland” that recently popped up in Australia, I think every city could use a dedicated Android shop.
At first glance, I thought it was kind of cool to see an Android store (the store’s name loosely translated reads: “celebrities smartphone experience store) showcasing the latest from Google’s mobile OS. But, in what could be seen as nothing short of blasphemous to the die-hard Android fanboy, you’ll see this little shop is also selling iPhone’s and Apple accessories. Gotta make that yuan, yo.

How would you guys feel if real Android shops began popping up in your neighborhood (selling only Android products of course)? Would something like this even be feasible with all the Android variants out there?
[IsidorsFugue | RegHardware]

Posted: 22 Mar 2012 03:33 PM PDT
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The HTC Vivid received an upgrade to Android 4.0 earlier today, but AT&T isn’t keen on keeping quiet about the rest of their Android stable. They’ve announced 10 more devices will receive Android 4.0 in the coming months. I highlight the Motorola ATRIX 4G because it was one of AT&T’s first dual-core and 4G phones, and it’s a bit dated. While we know the hardware is more than capable, sometimes devices are updated based on user-base or how long it’s been out. It’s good to know AT&T didn’t take age into consideration for the ATRIX 4G. Find the full list of devices below.
  • LG Nitro
  • Motorola ATRIX 2
  • Motorola ATRIX 4G
  • Pantech Burst
  • Pantech Element
  • Samsung Captivate Glide
  • Samsung Galaxy Note
  • Samsung Galaxy S II
  • Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9

Posted: 22 Mar 2012 02:59 PM PDT

Amazon just pinged us to let us know that they’ve issued a nice upgrade to their Kindle for Android app. Parents of young children will love the ability to access over 1,000 children’s books such as Brown Bear and Curious George, as well as comics such as Batman and Superman. This is thanks to the arrival of Kindle Format 8 support.
They’ve also implemented a feature that would allow you to send documents to your Kindle Fire or other Kindle-enabled device (pretty much most Android devices) using your Email-to-Kindle address. The documents are also stored in the cloud for easy downloading to other Kindle devices later on. Find the new upgrade in the Google Play Store and at Amazon’s Appstore.

Posted: 22 Mar 2012 01:51 PM PDT

Motorola has announced a new Golf Edition of their MOTOACTV smart watch. The device, as you’d imagine, includes new software-based tools which will enhance your 18 holes experience. GPS tracking allows you to record where you’ve taken your shots from in each round of golf, and will also tell you approximately how far you are from several areas on the green.
You can use the app or visit the site later on to check out how you did and compare your play to the pros. Available April 1st, the device will cost $300. Those with the original edition aren’t SOL, however, as Motorola has committed to bringing an upgrade to bring these very same features.
Motorola Mobility and Bubba Watson, Three-time PGA Tour Winner, Team Up to Introduce MOTOACTV™ Golf Edition
LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. - March 22, 2012 - Open your stance. Head down. Eye on the ball. Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) introduces the MOTOACTV Golf Edition, a cutting-edge GPS Golf tracker, virtual caddy and online clubhouse. Users can track their golf game on up to 20,000 courses worldwide right from their wrist. GPS tracks the front, center and back distances to green and to hazards. A virtual caddy keeps track of your scorecards, clubs and key statistics. Plus, users can sync their rounds wirelessly to visualize and study their game online at MOTOACTV.com and view rounds from the Pros. Track data like total steps taken, distance covered and calories burned on the course – it’s the ultimate way to stay fit and shave shots from your score. Attendees of the Arnold Palmer Invitational will get a sneak peak of these exciting golf capabilities in Orlando, Florida starting today where pro golfer and three-time PGA Tour winner Bubba Watson will be taking the course.
Yardage from Your Wrist
Play up to 20,000 courses globally and see your distance to the front, center and back of green, as well as distance to the hazards. It also contains the PAR information for your favorite courses. No more fumbling with laser finders, phone apps or rummaging through your bag.
Virtual Scorekeeping
Throw away those tiny pencils. MOTOACTV keeps track of your scorecards, clubs and key stats such as the number of putts taken and even the greens in regulation that you hit. Users can even customize the clubs that you have on MOTOACTV to match the ones in your golf bag.
Online Clubhouse
MOTOACTV syncs your rounds wirelessly at MOTOACTV.com where you get an unparalleled virtual representation of your round using a satellite view of the course. Move your mouse over the arc of the ball flight and pull up details of the shot you played. You can also keep every scorecard for reference, and similar to other MOTOACTV workouts you can share your rounds with friends. Plus, see how the pros like Bubba Watson play on select courses before you play them yourself.
MOTOACTV has teamed up with pro golfer and three-time PGA Tour winner Bubba Watson, a self-taught golfer who definitely knows a few things about taking his game to the next level.
“The new Golf Edition of MOTOACTV has features that allow players to make better decisions on the course,” said Watson. “From the weekend warriors trying to find the distance to the back of the green to great golfers who want to analyze their game and share their stats with friends, MOTOACTV helps improve scores and makes the game more enjoyable.”
Be sure to visit www.motoactv.com to hear more from Bubba Watson about how MOTOACTV Golf Edition can help amp your game. Also, Bubba will be featured in digital advertising across various golf outlets starting today.
Best of the Best
From golf to cycling to ultramarathons, MOTOACTV encourages athletes and fitness enthusiasts to boost their game. In addition to Bubba Watson, check out MOTOACTV.com for expert advice and inspiration from other top athletes, including:
Dean Karnazes - After running in all 50 states and on all seven continents, ultramarathon man Dean Karnazes uses MOTOACTV to push his body to even higher heights.
Chris Carmichael - A leader in innovative training methods, professional trainer Chris Carmichael adds MOTOACTV technology to train the best coaches and athletes in the country.
George Hincapie - A 15-time Tour de France veteran who was once hailed as “America’s premier classics rider,” world-champion cyclist George Hincapie uses MOTOACTV as he prepares to dominate his next race.

Posted: 22 Mar 2012 01:27 PM PDT
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Well isn’t this the season of closing call centers or what? After hearing unfortunate news that Verizon had to close three call centers, T-Mobile looks to be doing the same. They’re closing seven call centers nationwide.
Allentown, Pennsylvania; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Frisco, Texas; Brownsville, Texas; Lenexa, Kansas; Thornton, Colorado; and Redmond, Oregon are the cities affected. Some 3,300 employees will be affected by the move, but not all stand to lose their jobs.

T-Mobile’s offering relocation packages to fill 1,400 more positions in other call centers around the country, but that still leaves 1,900 people out of work. Those 1,900 people won’t be too much out of luck, though, as T-Mobile will offer severance packages and outplacement support. T-Mobile will also provide two months of health insurance under COBRA.
It’s hard to take news like this but the best you can hope for is a company who will support you through it, and we’re thankful T-Mobile is doing just that.
T-Mobile is also expected to make more corporate changes in May, but call center reps, technicians and retail employees of T-Mobile corporate retail stores will not be affected. Read on for the full memo reportedly sent to employees by CEO Philip Humm. [via TmoNews]
Dear colleagues,
I have difficult news to share today: we are consolidating our call center operations and closing seven of our 24 facilities. This decision was not easily reached, but it is a necessary measure. The reality is our cost structure must be better optimized to match our customer base and call volumes.
The affected Customer Service facilities are Allentown, Pennsylvania; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Frisco, Texas; Brownsville, Texas; Lenexa, Kansas; Thornton, Colorado; and Redmond, Oregon.  The consolidations will result in 1,900 net job reductions. Approximately 3,300 employees at the seven impacted facilities will be affected, and we will begin hiring immediately at the remaining 17 call centers to fill as many as 1,400 positions.
Impacted call centers will remain open for three months following this announcement.  Affected customer service representatives will have the option to transfer to any of the remaining 17 call centers.  Employees who choose not to transfer and are employed on the date the center closes, will be offered transition packages with severance pay and outplacement support. T-Mobile is partnering with an outplacement firm to provide on-site career centers at all seven facilities. Every employee will have access to a personal career coach and be offered job search training and tools. In addition, T-Mobile will pay for two months of continued health care coverage under COBRA (which is available for up to 18 months for eligible employees who elect this option).
Looking ahead, we will also be restructuring other parts of the company. It is important to note this will not include our customer service representatives in the remaining 17 call centers, technicians in engineering or front line employees in our T-Mobile corporate-owned stores. In other parts of the organization, the majority of changes will be announced by the end of May 2012. Senior leaders are intently focused on making the best possible choices standing on the foundation of our shared T-Mobile Values. The outcome will be an organization that is structured efficiently and closer to the customer. Leaders will share more information as plans evolve.
These are not easy steps to take - or, I know, to read. We must address our business realities so we can focus on getting T-Mobile back to growth.
Our commitment, as we go through this process, is to provide clear perspective and understandable rationale, be forthright in our communications regarding our decisions, and be respectful and compassionate in our treatment of affected individuals.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment and support.
With sincere appreciation,
Philipp Humm
CEO & President

Posted: 22 Mar 2012 11:59 AM PDT

Google’s just pushed a very nice and useful upgrade to Google Voice in the Google Play Store. The application will now integrate with your dialer so you won’t have to leave your missed calls list to check voicemail. New voicemail from a particular call will show up to the right of it and you can play it right there.
It’s a great feature that does even more to make the Google Voice experience more seamless than some carriers’ own visual voicemail services. They’ve also added the ability to slow down messages (for catching a phone number or address) and speeding up messages (for getting through a long voicemail). You’ll want to get these features ASAP so grab the update in the Google Play Store. [via Google]

Posted: 22 Mar 2012 11:45 AM PDT
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About a week ago it was revealed that AT&T let slip an upgrade to Android 4.0 for some HTC Vivid. Whether it was an accident or a test, it doesn’t matter now – everyone should be able to pull the OTA update. It’ll step you up to Android 4.0, of course, but there are other details you’ll want to know about.

As rumors have suggested, the device will only get HTC Sense 3.6 instead of the massive Sense 4.o update that can be found on the HTC One devices. This is due to the device not having an S4 or Tegra 3 processor. Hopefully a Sense 4.0 ROM will be hammered out by the awesome development community surrounding Android.
This also brings Beats Audio support. Beats Audio allows you to utilize several sound profiles as long as you have your device hooked up to headphones or output to other 3.5mm jack-enabled devices. Here’s the full list of select features AT&T’s advertising:
  • Beats Audio - Enhance your music and video experience with Beats Audio. Whenever a media file is played using the default media players or most third-party applications, the Beats Audio indicator will appear in the notification bar. Simply tap the notification to enable or disable Beats Audio. You can also turn Beats Audio on or off in the Settings menu. Note: Beats Audio will only work when headphones or an external speaker is connected. This is to ensure the best possible audio quality.
  • Face Unlock - Face Unlock is a new screen-lock option that lets you unlock your device using face recognition. It takes advantage of the device’s front-facing camera and state-of-the-art facial recognition technology to register a face during setup, and then to recognize it again when unlocking the device. Just hold your device in front of your face to unlock, or use a backup PIN or pattern.
  • Improved email - Easier to send, read and manage through recipient auto-completion, stored text, and nested sub-folders. For enterprises, the Email app supports EAS v14. It supports EAS certificate authentication, provides ABQ strings for device type and mode, and allows automatic sync to be disabled while roaming. Administrators can also limit attachment size or disable attachments.
  • Bluetooth Mouse and keyboard - Use a Bluetooth mouse and/or keyboard with your device and adjust its settings.
  • UI Improvements - Access the notification bar on the lock screen. Drag apps/shortcuts on top of one another to create folders. New fully customizable Launch Bar at the bottom of the screen. Resizable widgets.
  • Advanced Voice and Text Input - More robust and can be used to dictate an entire email. Intelligent enough to recognize pauses, breaks and punctuation. Advanced Spell Checker. 
Head to AT&T’s site for more details and update instructions.

Posted: 22 Mar 2012 08:43 AM PDT
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The Motorola DROID PRO update we first learned of last week has begun making its way to handsets. The new software brings the Pro’s build number to 4.7.3 and provides enhanced keyboard backlighting along with other small improvements and fixes. Pre-installed Verizon apps also see an update. And if it wasn’t already obvious, this is not Ice Cream Sandwich. You can get the rundown on the update at Verizon’s support site.
[via DroidLife]

Posted: 22 Mar 2012 07:59 AM PDT

US Cellular is launching the first device to take advantage of their shiny new 4G LTE network today. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 1o.1 is now available in stores and online. This is the same Tegra 2-powered LTE variant of the tablet we have seen elsewhere, 10.1-inch display and all. US Cellular is offering the Honeycomb slate with 32GB of memory for $499.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate, but those acting quickly can take advantage of an additional $100 in savings for a limited time. A two-year service plan with data is required with the purchase of the Galaxy Tab.
US Cellular will continue to expand its 4G coverage area and hopes to reach 54 percent of subscribers by the end of the year. In the meantime, only select markets can take advantage of LTE speeds on the carrier’s new tablet. Check out the press release below for more details.
SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 10.1 AVAILABLE ON U.S. CELLULAR ONLINE AND IN STORES TODAY
Tablet Launches U.S. Cellular’s Line-Up of 4G LTE Devices
CHICAGO (March 22, 2012) - U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) have announced that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1™ is available today, both in stores and online at uscellular.com. The Android™-powered tablet runs on the 4G LTE network, with speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G, and is the first device introduced in U.S. Cellular’s 4G LTE device line-up. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available for $499.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. For a limited time, the tablet will be available for $399.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate in markets currently covered by the 4G LTE network and in those scheduled to be covered by the end of 2012. Visit uscellular.com for detailed pricing.
The Galaxy Tab 10.1 features a widescreen display and dual surround-sound speakers, ideal for streaming video or watching movies while keeping families entertained on-the-go. The 2 megapixel front camera’s high-quality image is ideal for video chatting and the 3 megapixel rear-facing camera has HD video capabilities to ensure users will capture every memorable moment. Galaxy Tab 10.1 users have access to nearly half a million apps available through Google Play, formerly known as the Android™ Market, helping multi-taskers get more done throughout the day with calendars, email, news, weather and more. Google Play also features downloadable digital movies, books and music.
"The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is the first of many cutting-edge devices slated for use on the 4G LTE network," said Edward Perez, vice president of sales and marketing operations for U.S. Cellular. "This sleek and functional tablet makes it easier than ever for busy customers to simplify and organize their lives."
Highlighted features:
· 10.1-inch WXGA PLS TFT 1280×800 HD display
· Slim and lightweight at 1 pound, 3.9 ounces and .34-inch depth
· Battery life up to 12 hours of usage, with standby time of up to 400 hours
· 1 GHz dual-core NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 processor
· Powered by Android™ Honeycomb
· Front and rear camera: 3.2 megapixel rear camera with auto-focus, LED flash and HD (720p) video recording, 2 megapixel front camera
· 32 GB memory
The enhanced wireless experience on the 4G LTE network builds on the 3G data services U.S. Cellular customers already enjoy on the carrier’s nationwide network that has the highest call quality and network satisfaction. U.S. Cellular, in partnership with King Street Wireless, currently offers 4G LTE service in select cities in Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. In the second half of this year, 4G LTE coverage will expand to cover select cities in Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
The Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available to all U.S. Cellular customers and will run on the 4G LTE network in markets where it is available and on U.S. Cellular’s nationwide 3G network in all other areas. By the end of 2012, 54 percent of U.S. Cellular customers will enjoy faster 4G LTE speeds.
U.S. Cellular customers enjoy the only 4G LTE network with unique benefits, such as new devices faster without continuously signing contracts, free Overage Protection and free battery swap. U.S. Cellular also offers customers the only points-based rewards program in the industry, which rewards customers for simple things, such as paying bills on-time, adding a line or referring friends and family. Points may be used for faster phone upgrades, additional lines, devices, accessories and ringtones. It’s one of the reasons U.S. Cellular has the happiest customers in wireless.
For more information about the 4G LTE experience, visit uscellular.com/4G. For information about all of U.S. Cellular’s deals, plans and phones, and other restrictions on these offers, visit any U.S. Cellular store, go to uscellular.com or check out U.S. Cellular on Facebook.
The Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available for $499.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. For a limited time, the tablet will be available for $399.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate in current and upcoming 2012 4G LTE markets. Visit uscellular.com for detailed pricing. Purchase of a data plan is required and a new two-year agreement and activation fee may apply for new customers. Additional terms, conditions and/or charges may apply.

Posted: 22 Mar 2012 07:13 AM PDT

Again, we’re going to say probably not. While the image indeed shows a Samsung handset running Android 4.0, for whatever reason it just isn’t screaming “next-gen successor to the Galaxy S II” to us. PhoneArena reports that the picture shows the Samsung GT-i9300. The model number has been associated with the Galaxy S III as it seems to follow logically the pattern set out by the first two Galaxy S phones. The problem is, Samsung’s numbering scheme has gotten a bit sketchy with recent releases. True, the Galaxy S was the GT-i9000 while the Galaxy S II was the GT-i9100.
But then came the Galaxy Nexus with its GT-i9250 model number and a recent sample photo has suggested the Galaxy S III could even have the GT-i9500 designation. Regardless, whatever we are looking at here comes off as something a bit more mid-range than what we expect from the Galaxy S III. It doesn’t jive with any of the previously leaked images claiming to be Samsung’s next flagship model (not that any of those leaks are to be believed either).
So if it isn’t the Galaxy S III, what is it? It’s definitely a new handset built for ICS, but other than that we have little to go off of. Unless it is the Galaxy S III, in which case color us a bit disappointed as we eat our words.
[via PhoneArena]

Posted: 22 Mar 2012 06:28 AM PDT

Looking for a great deal on an Android tablet? Check out woot.com’s latest daily deal. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is available today for only $319.99 (plus $5 shipping). Woot is even throwing in the Galaxy Tab SD card adaptor. It is important to note that you will be buying a refurbished unit, but you hopefully won’t have to worry about any leftover data from the previous owner. If you’re looking for a quick chuckle, be sure to check out the description.
[via Woot | Thanks, killa357]

Posted: 22 Mar 2012 06:20 AM PDT

Critically acclaimed director Wes Anderson isn’t new to commercials. He isn’t new to stop-motion animation either (see The Fantastic Mr. Fox). But a new TV spot for Sony marks the first time Anderson has dabbled in the medium for the smaller screen. The cutesy commercial was inspired by Anderson’s discussions with children on how they imagine a smartphone works on the inside. In this case, one child speculates that an army of robots are really behind all the music, movies, and games we consume on our mobile devices. The result is something quite charming. Check it out for yourself and head over to the source link below for a bit more backstory.
[via TechCrunch]

Posted: 22 Mar 2012 06:00 AM PDT

Though the international Optimus 3D from which it is based was treated to an Android 2.3 update months ago, AT&T’s LG Thrill 4G is just now getting its upgrade to Gingerbread. To grab the update users will need the LG Mobile Support Tool for PCs. After sideloading the new software the Thrill 4G will be privy to all the bells and whistles that make up Gingerbread as well as some improvements to the Thrill 4G’s 3D features, including 2D to 3D game conversion. Plenty of other enhancements, tweaks, and fixes are packed within.
The Optimus 3D is now on track for an Ice Cream Sandwich update, but it’s unclear what LG and AT&T’s plans for the Thrill 4G are. It would be surprising, but not unheard of, if the Thrill doesn’t receive a touch of Android 4.0.
[via AndroidForums]

Posted: 22 Mar 2012 05:30 AM PDT

The Acer Iconia Tab A510 is now up for pre-order in the US and Canada. The tablet, which was first outed by NVIDIA at CES, features a quad-core Tegra 3 processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 10.1-inch  display. The A510 features a 5MP rear camera and accompanying 1MP front-facing camera and will ship with 32GB of storage. As was reported when Acer unveiled the Olympics edition of the tablet, the slate will ship with a mostly stock version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
There is no mention of when Acer will begin shipping their first quad-core tablet, but those interested in putting down money up front can expect to pay $449.99. The A510 will be available in either black or white color options.
Acer Iconia Tab A510 Tablet Delivers Quad Core Performance for High-End Entertainment and Productivity
Editor’s Summary:
* Acer first tablet with Quad Core Tegra 3 Processor
* Provides long battery life of up to 12 hours for video playback
* Pre-installed productivity solution: mobile office suite Polaris™ 3.5 and wireless printing app
* New tablet is first Acer Olympic Games Edition, exclusive design features Olympic rings
* Pre-sale starts now at $449.99 for 32GB Iconia Tab A510 in U.S. and Canada
SAN JOSE, Calif., March 22, 2012 - Acer America today debuts its first quad-core tablet in North America, the Acer Iconia Tab A510 with an NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor. It is designed to deliver outstanding performance and a visually rich experience for mobile game playing and entertainment such as enjoying video and lifestyle apps.
In addition, the new 10.1-inch tablet Acer Iconia Tab A510 goes beyond what most people expect of their tablets to enable heightened productivity. The new tablet comes with the full suite of Polaris™ Office 3.5, which is compatible with Microsoft Office and allows reading and editing of various document formats for mobile access to important information. The new Acer tablet also includes Acer Print, so customers have a convenient and seamless way to print wirelessly from their tablet.
The first rate tablet experience is heightened with Android™ 4.0 OS (Ice Cream Sandwich) which features a more intuitive interface and improved overall performance for faster browsing, better multitasking, as well as enhanced app and folder management.
“The new Acer Iconia Tab A510 will exceed the expectations of customers who are ready to embrace using their tablets for more fun, entertainment and a first-rate mobile gaming experience,” said Paul Tayar, director of product marketing for connected devices, Acer America. “Our second-generation Acer A510 builds on the success of its award-winning predecessor with notable improvements in performance, responsiveness and ease-of use, elevating it to the status of ultimate mobile companion. Plus, the tablet will really surprise people with its comprehensive suite of productivity apps that will enable them to remain productive and connected on-the-go.”
Ultimate Performance with NVIDIA Tegra™ 3 Quad Core Processor, Extended Battery Life
The Acer Iconia Tab A510 provides blazing speed and responsiveness powered by the NVIDIA Tegra™ 3 Mobile Processor and high-performance 12-Core GeForce NVIDIA GPU. This processor provides a unique Super 4-PLUS-1™ Quad Core CPU design with a fifth Battery Saver Core that allows up to four cores to be dedicated to demanding tasks such as watching video and playing the next generation of graphics-intense mobile games.
These four cores provide up to 2.6 times the performance and up to three times the graphics performance compared to previous generation processors, making the tablet incredibly responsive with life-like and crisp visuals for mobile entertainment and console-quality gaming on-the-go. The processor also provides up to four times faster web-browsing, smooth navigation, and hardware-accelerated support for Adobe Flash 11, which comes pre-installed on the tablet.
When the tablet takes on everyday tasks, the fifth Battery Saver Core becomes engaged in place of the other four cores, ultimately using less power and improving battery life. The 9800mAh battery, one of the highest capacity models in the industry, further improves battery life, so customers can enjoy their tablet for up to 12 hours(1) of video playback.
Productivity Suite, Printing, Make A510 Tablet a Mobile Workstation
The Acer A510 tablet is packed with a full suite of productivity apps optimized for use on a tablet that will give any road warrior a much needed boost. The anchor of the suite is Polaris™ Office 3.5, which provides customers a premium way to read and edit various popular documents while providing enhanced integration with other tablet apps. It also features Evernote, the easy-to-use personal assistant that keeps customers organized by allowing them to capture and save web pages, photos, ideas and documents and then store them to the cloud for access from other devices.
With Acer Print, customers can print wirelessly from the convenience of their Acer tablet, unlike some tablets that require confusing or costly apps that don’t support a wide range of printers. Acer Print is compatible with 87 percent of brand name printers on the current market. In addition to supporting a variety of printing formats (doc, pic and browsers), Acer Print also shows the exact print layout on the screen, no matter if it’s a spreadsheet for work or coupons for grocery shopping.
Additionally, the Acer A510 can be taken to a meeting to deliver a presentation; it supports HDMI to VGA for quick connection to projector.
Thrilling Extras for Entertainment, Connectivity
The Acer Iconia Tab A510 highlights lifelike and compelling 720p visuals thanks to the gorgeous 10.1-inch WXGA (1280×800 resolution) HD display. The Acer A510′s 16:10 aspect ratio and wide 85-degree viewing angle ensure an optimal viewing experience that is further improved by Dolby™ Mobile 3 audio. Plus, the display is a 10-point touch capacitive screen, so it delivers a remarkable degree of accuracy and responsiveness.
In addition, customers can share video stored on Acer Iconia Tab A510 with other devices via the tablet’s built-in micro HDMI port. Blu-ray™ quality 1080p video in 30fps can be streamed from the tablet to an external display. Plus, the micro USB 2.0 port enables quick content transfers to and from the tablet. Plus, the new tablet has been enhanced with the ability to conveniently charge it from its USB 2.0 port via another USB 2.0 device.
The Acer A510 is packed with features customers want in a tablet. Its 1GB of RAM(2) contributes to its fast mobile performance. The new tablet comes with an integrated 32GB of flash storage(2) for ample storage of photos, music and videos. The Acer A510 also has a Micro-SD card reader that supports up to 32GB Micro-SD cards(2) that can access additional digital content.
The Acer Iconia Tab A510 keeps consumers connected to Wi-Fi networks with reliable Acer 802.11a/b/g/n wireless technology. Plus, the integrated Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (enhanced data rate) allows consumers to connect the tablet to a variety of other devices, such as headsets and printers.
The 1MP fixed-focused front-facing camera has an improved zoom, making it ideal for video conferencing. The 5MP rear-facing camera is auto-focusing, and provides the ability to take snapshots while recording HD video. Video clips and photos can be enhanced on the fly, stored and searched for based on various tags, and conveniently stored on Google+™.
The Acer Iconia Tab A510 is ready for hours of entertainment with popular pre-loaded apps such as Kindle™ for reading and Netflix™ for instant movie enjoyment. Google™ Music allows customers to create and enjoy their own personal playlists on their tablet. The preloaded Tegra Zone Android™ app brings customers direction to the best Android™ games that are optimized for NVIDIA Tegra powered tablets.
Intuitive Experience with Android™ 4.0 and Acer Ring, clear.fi
The Acer Iconia Tab A510 runs on Android™ 4.0 OS to deliver faster browsing, enhanced app and folder management options, more intuitive navigation, and a more polished design with enhanced holographic effects. Customers can easily customize their Acer tablet and will enjoy improved integration with Gmail™ email and calendar functions as well as improved multitasking and switching between tasks.
The Iconia Tab A510 features the unique interactive Acer Ring interface that can be customized to launch favorite apps, programs and websites. The Acer Ring one-touch button is always at the bottom of the display, so customers are always only a single touch away from what they care about most. It also features Screenshot, which can be used in any app to capture images of a web site, high score on a game, map and even a still from a video call.
Acer clear.fi is installed on the Acer Iconia Tab A510 to connect with any other DLNA-compliant device to quickly and easily share digital media. Clear.fi automatically connects all Acer devices on a network (smartphones, notebooks, desktops, HD media plays and storage devices) and gathers and organizes media files by type (video, music, photos, pre-recorded TV).
Olympic Edition Highlights Sleek, Usable Design
The Acer Iconia Tab A510 is a special Olympic Games Tablet Edition of the Acer Iconia Tab line. It features the Acer and Olympic logos on the chassis to celebrate the company’s sponsorship of the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games. The new tablet was designed with on-the-go usability in mind. The chassis’ soft-touch finish is comfortable to hold and buttons such as volume and screen lock are well-placed. It easily fits in a purse, briefcase or book bag, as it measures only 10.2(w) x 6.9(d) x 0.43(h) inches and weighs just over 24 ounces.
Available in U.S. and Canada Starting at $449.99
The new Acer Iconia Tab A510 is available for pre-sale starting today at national electronics retailers in the United States and Canada at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $449.99 USD and CAD. The premiere models are the Acer A510-10s32 (silver) and Acer A510-10k32 (black).
Customers can purchase the sleek protective case to protect the Acer A510 tablet. The snug-fitting design prevents slipping on surfaces and props it up for improved access for game-playing and typing. It also allows convenient access to the connectors and ports. It is available through Acer at a price of $39.99.

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