Hasta La Gadget!

Just yesterday it was revealed by an intrepid magnet-holding developer in the wild that the Google Nexus 7 tablet had a magnetic secret – and today the fear begins for Google (and/or ASUS). The manufacturer of this tablet, ASUS, certainly must have considered that the magnetic display shut-off embedded in this device would ruffle the feathers of the likes of Apple as they’ve been using similar techniques in their notebooks and the iPad 2 for some time – but do ASUS or Google need to be worried? Perhaps not.

As it turns out, the patent for the iPad Smart Cover and the iPad 2 (as well as 3) owned by Apple is quite specific about its usage with the iPad, not necessarily with the rest of the tablets in the world. Another fine point that’ll certainly be made in court, if this situation does end up in such a place, is the fact that this tablet’s magnetic feature is close to the pogo-pins it’s also got prepared for a future docking device. The argument could be made that this device’s technique has nothing to do with a “smart” cover, instead lending its abilities to the audio dock we saw several months ago, also from ASUS.

Meanwhile the until-now-hidden feature on the Google Nexus 7 is still not reported in the Google Play store nor is it mentioned in any pre-sale pushes for the device from Staples, Office Depot, or Sam’s Club. These are the three stores that thus far have confirmed they’ll be carrying the device, while pre-orders are set to arrive slightly before the drop which will be happening within the next week.

Those of you that’ve not yet gotten the opportunity to see this tablet in action, head to our Nexus 7 tablet full review and be sure to hit up the timeline below for additional Nexus 7 action from the past week or two!

Nexus 7 magnetic sensor spells trouble for Google is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Andy Rubin has already made it known that Google isn’t planning to profit from the Nexus 7’s hardware — according to him, it’s being sold at cost. However, a teardown conducted by TechInsights (and reported by Fudzilla) suggests that the true extent of our ‘discount’ may have been underplayed, because the Nexus 7’s parts alone reportedly add up to around $184. That’s just $15 below the current asking price for an 8GB model, before you even get to all the added costs like packaging, distribution, support, marketing and the tidy $25 Google Play voucher that comes as part of the bundle. Now, these figures may not be reliable, because who knows what deals Google and ASUS managed to negotiate, but still, it’s further evidence (in case you needed it) that this tablet makes for a smart purchase.

Is Google selling the Nexus 7 at a loss? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 08:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PhoneArena, Android Authority  |  TechInsights, Fudzilla  | Email this | Comments

Thermaltake’s new Black Element Cyclone Gaming Mouse isn’t the first PC gaming accessory to cool a player’s hand during intense FPS battles. But it certainly boasts the laziest fan design. More »

The Xbox 360 pilot program’s breaking out of its Microsoft Store-only confines and heading to more ubiquitous electronics retailers Best Buy and GameStop starting today. If you’ll remember, Redmond intro’d this subsidized plan last month, giving prospective buyers within reach of one of its 16 participating locations the ability to purchase a 4GB version of the console for $99 with a two-year commitment. In exchange for those contract chains, gamers forking over the $15 monthly fee not only get the privilege of owning the console at a discounted, upfront cost, but also Gold level membership to Xbox Live. We’d caution you to think twice and do some hard math before you hand over the plastic, though. Tempting as that low-price barrier to entry is — in total, a $460 value — you might be better off grabbing this console outright at $420 or less.

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 $99 on-contract deal expands to Best Buy, Gamestop originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq  |  Major Nelson  | Email this | Comments