Hasta La Gadget!

Apple‘s rumored mini Dock Connector for the iPhone 5 and other future iOS devices takes a simple approach to a common problem, it’s reported: figuring out which way to plug it in. Believed to not only slim down in comparison to the existing, 30-pin connector, but support being connected with the port facing either direction, the new version will take a straightforward path and simply double-up on its pins.

That means, while the connector itself will essentially be an 8-pin one, the plug will have twice that amount, so iLounge‘s sources claim. The female side – i.e. on the iPhone, iPad or iPod – will have eight, and either way the plug is inserted a connection will be made.

This new detail could explain why some rumors have indicated the new Dock Connector will be a 16-pin port, with a casual glance unlikely to explain that each active connection has two pins apiece. It’s also the best argument against Apple using regular microUSB in favor of its own, unique connection: microUSB, like the existing large Dock Connector, can only be inserted in one way.

Previous leaks have indicated that Apple will use the new style of port to introduce more stringent authentication for third-party accessories. Unlicensed add-ons for iOS products would be locked out altogether, so the sources claim, with a special chip at each end of the connection handling identification.

iPhone 5: 8-pins good; 30-pins bad is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Sony’s been under the microscope for all the wrong reasons lately. Today, however, the spotlight’s focusing on the rumored successor of that lovable Xperia S. According to the reliable folks over at ePrice, the upcoming Xperia SL has been tweaked in a couple of ways since its last showing; not only popping up in different (and more subtle) livery, but it’s also received a decent speed bump with the alleged inclusion of a dual-core, 1.7GHz Snapdragon S3 CPU — which is slightly different than the 1.5GHz chip previously reported. Either way, this Xperia SL cup will remain half full for the time being, as other useful details like pricing and availability are still widely unknown.

[Thanks, Joseph A.]

Filed under: Cellphones

Sony Xperia SL shows up in multiple colors, allegedly sports a beefy 1.7GHz processor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lenovo‘s next attempt at a pen-enabled tablet has been prematurely revealed, the ThinkPad Tablet 2, this time running Windows 8 on an Intel dual-core Clover Trail processor with an optional keyboard dock. The business-focused slate has a 10.1-inch WXGA touchscreen, so presentations slides leaked to The Verge reveal, along with 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Update: Full specs now leaked, read on for all the details…

There’s also NFC, a fingerprint reader, and HSPA+/LTE connectivity for mobile use. It’s the accessories that have us most curious, however, one being a keyboard dock complete with trackpoint navigation – and hopefully delivering that envied typing-feel from Lenovo notebooks – and a pen stylus for handwriting and sketching.

Exactly what technology thee pen will use is unclear at this stage. Lenovo is likely to be using an active digitizer, for more precise input, however, given the company has already used such technology in previous Windows-based ThinkPad tablets (which have usually been convertible notebooks rather than slates).

Pricing and availability are unknown at this stage, but Lenovo’s marketing document is keen to position the ThinkPad Tablet 2 as not only a rival to Apple’s iPad but to other Windows models using the ARM-focused RT version of the OS.

Update: Thanks to more of the leaked slides shared with Techin5, we know more about the ThinkPad Tablet 2. The tablet will measure in at 262.6 x 164 x 9.8 mm and weigh 650g, and have a 10-finger multitouch display with an optional digitizer (i.e. the active digitizer we suspected). It will have twin 1W speakers, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera and 8-megapixel rear camera, both with LED flash, and a dual microphone array with digital noise reduction.

The fingerprint reader and NFC will be a bundled option, while ports will include Mini HDMI, a 3.5mm headset port, microSD and a USB 2.0, along with a docking connector. HSPA+ will be optional. GPS, a digital compass, ambient light sensor and a vibration motor will be included, along with a physical volume control and a rotation-lock switch.

Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 leaks: Win 8 with keyboard dock and pen [Updated] is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Sony’s next Android slate, the Sony Xperia Tablet, has been spotted in a set of leaked presentation slides, a slimline and splashproof Tegra 3 model with a 9.4-inch 1280 x 800 display. The Xperia Tablet SGPT1211 keeps the folded-paper profile of its Tablet S predecessor but trims it down to 11.85mm at its thickest according to mobiFlip‘s premature documentation; overall, it’s 42-percent thinner, Sony claims, and made of aluminum rather than plastic.

Inside there’s NVIDIA’s latest quadcore chipset, a choice of 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of storage, and a 6,000 mAh battery good for up to 10hrs of WiFi browsing, double what Sony promised from the Tablet S. Connectivity includes WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 and (likely optional) 3G, along with an SD card slot and headphone socket. The 3G models have A-GPS, while the WiFi-only models get S-GPS. Both have ambient light sensors, gyroscopes, a digital compass and an accelerometer.

Unsurprisingly, Sony is pushing multimedia and gaming for the new Xperia Tablet. There’s no integrated HDMI output – instead you get an optional HDMI dongle that plugs into a special expansion port – but there is DLNA streaming and PlayStation Certification for games, along with a clever docking station with integrated speakers.

The 8-megapixel main camera is joined by a 1-megapixel front facing camera, and there’s also a docking stand with three USB ports and an HDMI connection. Sony also throws in a clever Guest Mode, which allows for a separate interface – with limited access to apps and other data – for visitor use of the tablet, while keeping full Ice Cream Sandwich functionality locked away.

Other accessories include a regular carrying case and a keyboard case, which both props up the Xperia Tablet and offers easier text entry. A USB Host cable will allow external devices – such as full-sized keyboards – to be plugged in.

According to the presentation, the Sony Xperia Tablet will go on sale from $449.99 for the 16GB model, rising to $549.99 for the $32GB, and $649.99 for the 64GB. The carrying cover will be $59.99 ($20 more for the leather version) and the keyboard cover will be $99.99.

As for docks, the Dock Speaker will be $119.99, the Docking Stand $99.99, and the Cradle $39.99. A Simple Stand – propping the tablet up at a choice of three angles – will be $24.99. The HDMI cable will be $29.99 and the USB Host cable $19.99.

[via The Verge]

Sony Xperia Tablet revealed is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Apple’s plans for its next iPhone refresh may be getting very tangible, very quickly. It all started when iMore heard that Apple was preparing to hold an event unveiling the new hardware on September 12th, with a launch the following week on September 21st. Although the relative newcomer to the iPhone release date rumor game is still building its track record, that claim may have just gotten some extra meat: AllThingsD is joining in the chorus and touts its own sources pointing to an event in the same timeframe. While it’s almost a month earlier in the year than Apple’s iPhone 4S event was in 2011, it’s supported by an Apple filing with the SEC showing a sharp uptick in supply purchasing during the spring, which it would need to start production for the fall. All of it is still rumor, of course, but past experience suggests that iOS fans may want to plan any September camping trips for the Apple Store line late in the month, not Labor Day weekend.

Update: Jim Dalrymple at The Loop, who’s well-known for his accurate one-word confirmations and denials of rumors, just posted his trademark “yep.”

Filed under: Cellphones

Two sources talk of Apple iPhone event around September 12th, part sales back it up (update: one more clue) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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