Gadget and Techno Updates
Techno Updates
Amazon’s Scratchpad domains pointing to tablet name?
Mar 30th
Amazon’s legal department appears to have purchased rights to several domain names using the term ‘Scratchpad,’ igniting fresh speculation regarding anunannounced tablet device. The list of domains, which were registered just last week, includes AmazonScratchpad.com and several similar adaptations that include references to MWS.
Although several reports, including a post on Fusible, focus on rumors surrounding a secret tablet project, others point out that MWS is a reference to Amazon’s Marketplace Web Service. Developers may already be familiar with the company’s Scratchpad tools, which are used to test APIs, according to a The Next Web report.
Rumors of an Amazon tablet have More >
Dell insists iPad can’t succeed in enterprise
Mar 30th
Dell’s head of global enterprise marketing Andy Lark told CIO in an interview Tuesday that he was certain the iPad would be overtaken in the enterprise by Android and Windows. He saw the runaway sales as having created the market for tablets in the office but that a “diverse, open, connected” approach would ultimately win. Dell would succeed because it had a “very considered” approach that included more than one operating system and addressed the workplace, not just the home, like Apple.
The executive made questionable claims as to what might hold Apple back. He argued that an iPad with a More >
Windows Phone 7 may get NFC in 2011 in five-way fight
Mar 30th
Hints that Microsoft might add NFC to Windows Phone 7 gained corroboration Tuesday with a pair of tips from insiders. The feature would be used for the expected role of mobile payments and would have the feature baked into the OS itself. NFC may come early, however; it could be in shipping devices before the end of 2011, Bloomberg was told.
Earlier tips had NFC likely woven into the Qualcomm chips Microsoft would use as the reference design for the next wave of WP7 devices. Little has been said of how the software would work, but Microsoft already has commerce systems More >
Motorola Xoom confirmed for UK first week of April
Mar 29th
Motorola has confirmed to Engadget that its Xoom tablet will begin shipping in the UK next week. Despite this, however, prices or an exact date haven’t been revealed. The Android 3.0 tablet will arrive at electronics retailers Carphone Warehouse, Currys, Dixons, and PC World.
It’s not known whether the Wi-Fi only version will ship, just the 3G model or both at the same time. The Wi-Fi model is expected to cost £500 (the equivalent of $ 800), with the 3G version coming in at £600 ($ 960), though either is yet to be confirmed.
Sony Ericsson to allow unlocking bootloaders
Mar 29th
Sony Ericsson announced it will allow whom it calls advanced developers to load bootloaders and unlock its smartphones in a secure and legal way. Certain phones shipping later in the spring will get the functionality, including some versions of the Xperia arc, Xperia neo, Xperia pro, and Xperia Play. Some requirements will need to be met, including having a SIM-unlocked phone.
Sony Ericsson said the move was now possible as the company had found a secure technical solution. Sharing the bootloader would violate agreements with Sony Ericsson’s partners, opening up their apps and games. Users can tell if their phone More >