Apple introduced the new iPad — the third generation of its category-defining mobile device — featuring a stunning new Retina display, Apple’s new A5X chip with quad-core graphics, and a 5-megapixel iSight camera with advanced optics for capturing incredible photos and 1080p HD video. iPad with Wi-Fi + 4G connects to fast networks worldwide, including AT&T’s and Verizon’s 4G LTE networks, and still delivers the same all-day 10-hour battery life while remaining amazingly thin and light.

The new iPad will be available in black or white through the Apple Online Store and in Apple Retail stores on Friday, March 16, beginning at $499 (US). Customers can begin pre-ordering their new iPad today on the Apple Online Store.

Nokia today ushered in a new era in high-end smartphone imaging with the Nokia 808 PureView. This is the first smartphone to feature Nokia PureView imaging technologies, bringing together high resolution sensors, exclusive Carl Zeiss optics and Nokia developed algorithms, which will support new high-end imaging experiences for future Nokia products.

The Nokia 808 PureView features a large, high-resolution 41 megapixel sensor with high-performance Carl Zeiss optics and new pixel oversampling technology. At standard resolutions (2/3, 5 and 8 megapixels) this means the ability to zoom without loss of clarity and capture seven pixels of information, condensing into one pixel for the sharpest images imaginable. At high-resolution (38 megapixel maximum) it means the ability to capture an image, then zoom, reframe, crop and resize afterwards to expose previously unseen levels of details. With superior low-light performance and the ability to save in compact file sizes for sharing in email, MMS, and on social networks, the Nokia 808 PureView makes it possible for anyone to capture professional looking images in any conditions.

In addition to superior still imaging technology, the Nokia 808 PureView, also includes full HD 1080p video recording and playback with 4X lossless zoom and the world’s first use of Nokia Rich Recording. Rich Recording enables audio recording at CD-like levels of quality, previously only possible with external microphones. The Nokia 808 PureView also features exclusive Dolby Headphone technology, transforming stereo content into a personal surround sound experience over any headphones and Dolby Digital Plus for 5.1 channel surround sound playback.

“Nokia PureView imaging technology sets a new industry standard by whatever measure you use,” said Jo Harlow, executive vice president of Nokia Smart Devices. “People will inevitably focus on the 41 megapixel sensor, but the real quantum leap is how the pixels are used to deliver breath-taking image quality at any resolution and the freedom it provides to choose the story you want to tell.”

When calling those who have not yet downloaded the app, Vonage Mobile provides ultra low-cost international calling with per-minute rates that are on average 70 percent less than major mobile carriers and 30 percent less than Skyp. Users can instantly add calling credit directly from the app through iTunes or Android Market in increments of $4.99 and $9.99.

Vonage Mobile uses the phone’s existing mobile number and contact list, eliminating the need for unique user names and duplicate identities for contacts. Users can instantly build a free global calling and texting network using the app’s multi-invite system from their existing contacts.

“Vonage Mobile consolidates the best features of our prior applications, while adding important functionality, better value and improved ease of use,” said Marc Lefar, CEO of Vonage. “It combines the best of free high-def voice and messaging along with incredible value for traditional international calls, all while using the existing mobile number and address book for unsurpassed ease of use.”

In addition, calls to any phone in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico from anywhere in the world will be free for a limited tim³.

Users do NOT need to be a Vonage customer to use the app. However, as an added benefit to all app users, calls to Vonage home or business lines are also free. The Vonage Mobile app can be downloaded to any iPhone or Android device for free; and it also works on the iPad, iPod Touch and Android Tablets.

For more information on Vonage Mobile, please go to iTunes, Android Market or www.vonagemobile.com.

After disappointing figures that failed to meet predicted profit margins, Blackberry manufacturer Research in Motion have announced that they will be lowering the price of their PlayBook tablet in an attempt to increase sales. The Canada-based company have reduced the original selling prices by almost 50% – on the official American RIM website, the 16GB model has been reduced from $499 to $199, the 32GB model from $599 to $249, and the 64GB from $699 to $399. These kinds of major discounts can be seen at UK retailers including Curry’s and PC World. However, RIM have also announced a limit to this generous offer which will only run until December 31st. Whether RIM will affect a permanent discount after this period has yet to be seen.

RIM had a difficult time drumming up interest in their version of the tablet PC, having to compete with existing forms like the iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab. HP had similar struggles with their TouchPad, which was also discounted a few months ago leading to a dramatic rise in sales. No doubt Blackberry are hoping to cause a similar surge in sales of their PlayBook with this end-of-season discount. The device itself has been receiving mixed reviews, but will receive an upgrade to 2.0 software next year according to reports. It can be synched with Blackberry phones and use Wi-Fi to access the internet. The seven inch tablet runs on Blackberry’s unique QNX software.

In spite of the substantial discounts that Blackberry are now offering on the tablet, many retailers remain sceptical about the device’s potential. As it is only capable of accessing the internet through Wi-Fi and is not 3G enabled it is general classed towards the lower end of the tablet market, and that is a small market to begin with. It seems unlikely that many consumers desiring a tablet would opt for the Blackberry device when there are superior alternatives on offer. Visit phones4u.co.uk to find out whether or not there’s a promising future for Blackberry phones and the Playbook.

Oregon Scientific announced its entry into a hot new category: kid’s tablets. Leaving cartridge-based devices behind in the dust, the new Wi-Fi enabled MEEP! tablet runs on the Android operating system and offers music, movies, e-books, and apps from leading developers – all on a large, 7-inch color touch screen! The MEEP! tablet will be unveiled for the first time at the Toy Industry Association’s (TIA) 109th American International Toy Fair this weekend.

Sharing a mobile device is a tough feat, especially for parents, when there is a risk it could be dropped, broken, scratched or rendered useless. The MEEP! tablet is an affordable fix for a tech –hungry generation of kids, featuring a tough design and an enhanced rubber silicon sleeve for added protection. Geared for children age 6 and up, the MEEP! tablet is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing access to a sea of web content that can be downloaded to its internal memory or SD card and viewed from any angle courtesy of the tablet’s internal G-Sensor. All websites and content can be monitored through intuitive parental controls that are adjusted remotely on any computer or mobile device with a browser and an Internet connection.

The MEEP! tablet from Oregon Scientific will feature a variety of accessories sold separately, including musical instruments.

This news has reportedly come from two different insiders, one from the U.S.. and the other from within Apple’s Asian supply chain which would obviously be close to preparation and planning behind the unveiling and then full-scale shipments on the tablets launch date.

There was also recent news floating around the web that appears to have originated with Bloomberg that we could indeed see LTE first gracing the iPad 3, along with the long awaited hi-res display (Retina Display).

LTE connectivity would also imply that the iPad 3 would be sporting an improved battery as it would produce substantial drain on the current battery, limiting the battery life between each charge. Some suspect we won’t see LTE till the iPhone 5 however.

Cloud gaming service, OnLive, announced that it is bringing console-class gaming to tablets and phones with the a new app for tablet and mobile platforms. The latest, top-tier, high-performance games-previously limited to only consoles and computers-will be available for instant play via the free OnLive app on over 500 million mobile devices over Wi-Fi or mobile networks in the US and UK. A growing library of 25 console-class games have been adapted for touch-screen control, including the gritty, award-winning hit L.A. Noire from Rockstar Games and family titles like LEGO Batman: The Videogame, which will be given free to anyone who downloads the OnLive app. Additionally, almost all games in OnLive’s growing library of nearly 200 games are playable with the new Universal OnLive Wireless Controller, compatible with many tablets and smartphones.

OnLive harnesses the power of the cloud to instantly deliver high-end games on demand over the Internet with the simplicity of streaming video. OnLive’s breakthrough cloud gaming technology arrived in the UK in September, enabling UK gamers on PCs, Macsand TVs to instantly jump into console-quality games on demand, without discs or lengthy downloads, regardless of the performance of their local device. With today’s launch, gamers can now experience the same instant-play, top-tier games on tablets and smartphones, despite the fact that these games require vastly higher performance than is achievable on a mobile device.

Any game purchased on one OnLive app device (TV, PC, Mac, tablet or mobile device) can be played instantly on any other OnLive app device with full cloud save game data intact, allowing users to start play on one device, and continue playing on any other device, whenever and wherever they want.* OnLive’s cross-platform capability extends to multiplayer gaming, enabling, for example, a tablet gamer to play with TV, PC, Mac and smartphone gamers. OnLive’s exclusive social features, such as international massive spectating and Brag Clip videos, are available on tablets and mobile devices, as well as chat and Facebook posting of videos, messages and achievements. And unlike downloaded games, OnLive games are streamed over the internet just like streaming music and video, never taking up storage on any mobile device.

The OnLive app is available for free download for tablet and mobile devices starting today (release dates and times subject to mobile app store certifications). The Universal OnLive Wireless Controller will soon be available for purchase in the US and UK through the OnLive web store at http://www.onlive.com/store and http://www.onlive.co.uk/store.

A trailer showing the new OnLive app is available at http://www.youtube.com/onlive

Netflix today released a new member experience for Xbox 360 that makes it easier and more compelling than ever to discover and instantly watch TV shows and movies streaming from Netflix on the Microsoft entertainment console.

The new Netflix experience on Xbox makes it more intuitive and easier to explore the expanding Netflix catalogue, allowing Netflix members of all ages to find great entertainment that match their tastes and moods.

The update brings the following to your Xbox 360:

• Up to three times as many titles available on a single screen
• Display of three related titles at the end of a movie
• An easy way to play the next episode following a TV show
• Rich interaction during play, including display of related titles, rating capability, control of subtitles and audio settings, all simply by engaging the bottom of the screen
• Control of the Netflix browsing and play experience with voice and gestures through Kinect for Xbox 360
• Adaptive streaming that automatically optimizes the picture quality based on the available bandwidth
• Support for 720p high definition (HD) streaming and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound

Current Netflix members who already use Xbox will receive the new experience included in the Dec. 6 Xbox update from Microsoft. Netflix members who don’t currently use Xbox can download and install the Netflix application from within the Xbox Marketplace. An Xbox LIVE Gold membership, high-speed Internet connection and a Netflix unlimited streaming membership are required.

Motorola and Verizon Wireless today introduced two new additions to the DROID family, the Droid Xyboard tablets.  The two new DROID tablets present new options for consumers looking to stay connected, productive and entertained.  Additionally, Verizon Wireless will debut the Motorola Droid Razr in a flashy new white color.  All three products will be upgraded to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

The new Droid Xyboard tablets both boast the blazing speeds of Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network and the power of dual-core 1.2 GHz processors, 1 GB of RAM and MotoCast for remote access to non DRM-protected music, pictures, videos and documents stored on work or home computers’ hard drives.  Both are equipped with scratch-resistant displays that use Corning Gorilla Glass to stay brilliant and a coating of water-repellent nanoparticles makes them resistant to accidental spills and splashes.

Lighter than a paperback book and thinner than an AAA battery, the Droid Xyboard tablets feature Android 3.2 Honeycomb, brilliant high-definition displays with wide viewing angles, magnesium-reinforced bodies with aluminum housing and super portable form-factors.  Both tablets offer robust Business Ready features, including enterprise-grade security and apps such as Quickoffice HD for document editing and creation, Citrix GoToMeeting for productivity and collaboration and Google Talk for video conferencing.

The Droid Xyboard 10.1 is optimized for productivity with stylus support for easy notetaking and markup using a precision tip stylus, included in the box. The Xyboard 8.2 is perfect for portable entertainment with 2.1 adaptive virtual surround sound and a high-definition display for enjoying Netflix movies in up to HD quality, concert-like music and serious gaming.

Additional features for Droid Xyboard tablets:

• 10.1-inch and 8.2-inch high-definition In-Plane Switching (IPS) display for Droid Xyboard 10.1 and Droid Xyboard 8.2 respectively
• Mobile Hotspot Capability – share 4G LTE connection with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices
• 5-megapixel rear-facing HD cameras with digital zoom, autofocus and LED flash,  optimized for capturing the moment
• 1.3-megapixel HD front-facing cameras perfect for video chatting with friends and family
• Dijit app allows Droid Xyboard tablets to double as a universal remote control with an electronic programming guide for TVs, Blu-ray Disc players, digital video records (DVR), and most other consumer electronics
• Supports a wide array of separately purchased accessories including an HD station for connecting to speakers and a larger screen, an HD dock to send content via HDMI out to HDTVs and home theater speaker systems and a stylish portfolio with Bluetooth-enabled keyboard and mouse
• Wi-Fi Connectivity (802.11 a/b/g/n)

Pricing:

• The Droid Xyboard 10.1 will be available in three models: 16 GB for $529.99, 32 GB for $629.99 and 64 GB for$729.99 all with a new two-year customer agreement.
• The Droid Xyboard 8.2 will be available in two models: 16 GB for $429.99 and 32 GB for $529.99 both with a new two-year customer agreement.
• Customers that purchase a Droid Xyboard tablet will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data plan starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

The iPad is the most sought after gift, and along with this year’s favorite holiday gadget, comes bundles of accessory options to enhance the iPad experience. Topping the wish-list is the latest model of the ClamCase product line. The ClamCase not only elevates the iPad’s efficiency, but the new sleek white design also gives it an extra touch of style.  

It’s thinner, lighter and whiter. The fresh white design perfectly complements the white iPad 2 and continues to offer all the versatility that users have come to know and love. It features a white, ultra-durable, high-grade plastic shell, the signature hinge (now in white) and a scissor-action white chiclet style keyboard, creating a balance between beautiful design and the ultimate in functionality.

The White ClamCase for iPad 2 is currently available at the ClamCase online store at www.ClamCase.com.