Monday, October 21, 2013

Cook cops an earful as man sues Apple over iOS 7 auto-downloads

Cook cops an earful as man sues Apple over iOS 7 auto-downloads Tim Cook labelled a 'corporate thug' by claimant

Apple CEO Tim Cook is being sued by a California man annoyed about the automatic downloads of the iOS 7 software to his family's iPhones and iPads.

Mark Menacher wants a mere $50 (About £31, AU$52) from Apple, plus a way to get rid of the iOS 7 install file on his devices so he can use the space for other apps and content, CNET reports.

Regardless of whether iOS device owners wish to install the new operating system, the large install file downloads by itself and requests users install each time they restart their device.

However, those, like Mr Menacher, who don't wish to upgrade to the colourful new OS, are lumbered with the sizeable file, rending the once-available storage space unavailable.

Apple's policy is partly why there's always such a speedy adoption of its annual software tweak, with iOS 7 usage reportedly up to 72 per cent at the time of writing.

In his submission to the Superior Court of California, the claimant reserved some choice words for Apple's boss when it comes to customer service.

He wrote: "Apple's disregard for customer preferences in relation to iOS7 is corporate thuggery. Steve Jobs was reportedly rough on company employees in pursuit of happy customers, but Tim Cook apparently cultivates a culture of contempt for customer satisfaction in pursuit of corporate profits. It is a policy that will eventually fail."

According to the report Mr Menacher is considering taking the case to a higher court as well as establishing whether there are grounds for a class action suit.

Thilina  /  at  8:30 PM  /  No comments

Cook cops an earful as man sues Apple over iOS 7 auto-downloads Tim Cook labelled a 'corporate thug' by claimant

Apple CEO Tim Cook is being sued by a California man annoyed about the automatic downloads of the iOS 7 software to his family's iPhones and iPads.

Mark Menacher wants a mere $50 (About £31, AU$52) from Apple, plus a way to get rid of the iOS 7 install file on his devices so he can use the space for other apps and content, CNET reports.

Regardless of whether iOS device owners wish to install the new operating system, the large install file downloads by itself and requests users install each time they restart their device.

However, those, like Mr Menacher, who don't wish to upgrade to the colourful new OS, are lumbered with the sizeable file, rending the once-available storage space unavailable.

Apple's policy is partly why there's always such a speedy adoption of its annual software tweak, with iOS 7 usage reportedly up to 72 per cent at the time of writing.

In his submission to the Superior Court of California, the claimant reserved some choice words for Apple's boss when it comes to customer service.

He wrote: "Apple's disregard for customer preferences in relation to iOS7 is corporate thuggery. Steve Jobs was reportedly rough on company employees in pursuit of happy customers, but Tim Cook apparently cultivates a culture of contempt for customer satisfaction in pursuit of corporate profits. It is a policy that will eventually fail."

According to the report Mr Menacher is considering taking the case to a higher court as well as establishing whether there are grounds for a class action suit.

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In depth: Following the Bay Trail: 5 Intel tablets to make you drool

If you've been keeping one eye on the current spate of smaller Windows tablets cropping up on the market, you'll know that many of them house Intel's latest Atom Bay Trail CPU.

Though you could say that the chipmaker was a little late to the mobile party, it appears to be making up for lost ground now with the diminutive processor, allowing for more portable, powerful and affordable devices that consume less power.

And they've arrived at the right time too, funnily enough. Now that Windows 8.1 has landed, Bay Trail-toting tablets will ship with a host of new features out of the box. Here are some of the ones to have caught our eye.

Pricing: $329.99, around £204 exc VAT, or AU$432

Acer Iconia W4

Acer's Iconia W3 attracted criticism for its appallingly bad capacitive display, but it's an entirely usable device that's also super portable when combined with its Bluetooth keyboard dock.

Love it or hate it, the W3's white bezel has returned on its successor, the Iconia W4, which has been equipped with an IPS display (1280 x 800 pixels) to widen the viewing angles to 170 degrees.

The W4's 1.8GHz Bay Trail CPU should make it nippier than its predecessor and its touted 10 hours' battery life gives it the legs to go the distance and then some.

We've not had the chance to use the W4's new Crunch Keyboard and Cover accessories, but it'll be interesting to see if they make us hungry for some marathon typing sessions.

Pricing: 32GB - $299, around £185, or AU$310. 64GB - £349, around £215, or AU$362

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Lenovo is aiming to do things a little differently with its Miix2 slate, which bolts a hinge to the left-hand side of the device to give it iPad mini-style protection in a snap. The cover even folds over itself to form a small triangle to prop the tablet up.

It's promising to be one of the most diminutive 8-inch outings yet, measuring just 8.1mm thick, meaning you won't have to be a clown to carry full-fat Windows 8.1 around in your pocket. It weighs just 0.77lb too, which only adds to its portability.

Again, it gets a 1200 x 800 pixel-resolution display that's powered by an Intel Bay Trail-T Quad Core processor. On the negative side, we're a little cautious about a stylus pen being bundled with a device this affordable, and Lenovo's claim of seven hours of battery life falls short of the competition.

Pricing: $299.99, £349 exc VAT or around AU$310

Dell Venue 8 Pro

Dell has entered the Bay Trail fray with its 8-inch Dell Venue 8 Pro tablet, a no-nonsense device the company is offering to business users with full enterprise support and an optional Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for rock solid security.

That's not to say that its appeal is limited to tablet-toting executives rocking up at meetings with slates up their sleeves. With an IPS display, optional HSPA+, Wi-Fi connectivity, a folding keyboard accessory and free Microsoft Office, there's a lot for anyone to like.

The tablet, which measures 8.9mm thick, also gets a 5-megapixel camera on the back, a front-facing sensor and a stylus pen, meaning you can take a photograph of yourself and draw on a big moustache afterwards. And who wouldn't want to do that? OK - just us then.

Pricing: $399.99, UK/AU pricing TBC

Asus Transformer Book T100

Whereas other entries on our list seem to offer keyboards because they have to, Asus' Transformer Book T100, as with previous devices bearing the Transformer name, makes its an integral part of the package.

The tablet itself snaps onto the keyboard, which dons a small trackpad roughly the same size as those on Microsoft's Surface Touch and Type covers, alongside a powered USB 3.0 port for charging other devices.

Its 10-inch IPS display differs slightly by offering a 1366 x 768 pixel resolution but, on the plus side, Asus is claiming 11 hours of battery life thanks to extra juice provided by the dock, making it suitable for marathon sessions on the road.

Better yet, i ts maximum 64GB of internal storage can be doubled thanks to a microSD card slot, giving you a spacious 128GB to play with.

Pricing: $329, £249 or AU$361

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Toshiba's Encore isn't really a looker - it features a similar design to the company's Excite range of devices styled with black bezels and silver plastic back panels.

It does, however, offer a range of pluses including an "instant on" feature that Toshiba claims allows it to come to life in under 300ms.

But that's not all - like the Transformer Book T100 - it features a microSD card reader that lets you bump up storage, along with dual mics, an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front camera that's "Skype certified" for tip top video calling.


View the original article here

Thilina  /  at  3:57 PM  /  No comments

If you've been keeping one eye on the current spate of smaller Windows tablets cropping up on the market, you'll know that many of them house Intel's latest Atom Bay Trail CPU.

Though you could say that the chipmaker was a little late to the mobile party, it appears to be making up for lost ground now with the diminutive processor, allowing for more portable, powerful and affordable devices that consume less power.

And they've arrived at the right time too, funnily enough. Now that Windows 8.1 has landed, Bay Trail-toting tablets will ship with a host of new features out of the box. Here are some of the ones to have caught our eye.

Pricing: $329.99, around £204 exc VAT, or AU$432

Acer Iconia W4

Acer's Iconia W3 attracted criticism for its appallingly bad capacitive display, but it's an entirely usable device that's also super portable when combined with its Bluetooth keyboard dock.

Love it or hate it, the W3's white bezel has returned on its successor, the Iconia W4, which has been equipped with an IPS display (1280 x 800 pixels) to widen the viewing angles to 170 degrees.

The W4's 1.8GHz Bay Trail CPU should make it nippier than its predecessor and its touted 10 hours' battery life gives it the legs to go the distance and then some.

We've not had the chance to use the W4's new Crunch Keyboard and Cover accessories, but it'll be interesting to see if they make us hungry for some marathon typing sessions.

Pricing: 32GB - $299, around £185, or AU$310. 64GB - £349, around £215, or AU$362

x

Lenovo is aiming to do things a little differently with its Miix2 slate, which bolts a hinge to the left-hand side of the device to give it iPad mini-style protection in a snap. The cover even folds over itself to form a small triangle to prop the tablet up.

It's promising to be one of the most diminutive 8-inch outings yet, measuring just 8.1mm thick, meaning you won't have to be a clown to carry full-fat Windows 8.1 around in your pocket. It weighs just 0.77lb too, which only adds to its portability.

Again, it gets a 1200 x 800 pixel-resolution display that's powered by an Intel Bay Trail-T Quad Core processor. On the negative side, we're a little cautious about a stylus pen being bundled with a device this affordable, and Lenovo's claim of seven hours of battery life falls short of the competition.

Pricing: $299.99, £349 exc VAT or around AU$310

Dell Venue 8 Pro

Dell has entered the Bay Trail fray with its 8-inch Dell Venue 8 Pro tablet, a no-nonsense device the company is offering to business users with full enterprise support and an optional Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for rock solid security.

That's not to say that its appeal is limited to tablet-toting executives rocking up at meetings with slates up their sleeves. With an IPS display, optional HSPA+, Wi-Fi connectivity, a folding keyboard accessory and free Microsoft Office, there's a lot for anyone to like.

The tablet, which measures 8.9mm thick, also gets a 5-megapixel camera on the back, a front-facing sensor and a stylus pen, meaning you can take a photograph of yourself and draw on a big moustache afterwards. And who wouldn't want to do that? OK - just us then.

Pricing: $399.99, UK/AU pricing TBC

Asus Transformer Book T100

Whereas other entries on our list seem to offer keyboards because they have to, Asus' Transformer Book T100, as with previous devices bearing the Transformer name, makes its an integral part of the package.

The tablet itself snaps onto the keyboard, which dons a small trackpad roughly the same size as those on Microsoft's Surface Touch and Type covers, alongside a powered USB 3.0 port for charging other devices.

Its 10-inch IPS display differs slightly by offering a 1366 x 768 pixel resolution but, on the plus side, Asus is claiming 11 hours of battery life thanks to extra juice provided by the dock, making it suitable for marathon sessions on the road.

Better yet, i ts maximum 64GB of internal storage can be doubled thanks to a microSD card slot, giving you a spacious 128GB to play with.

Pricing: $329, £249 or AU$361

x

Toshiba's Encore isn't really a looker - it features a similar design to the company's Excite range of devices styled with black bezels and silver plastic back panels.

It does, however, offer a range of pluses including an "instant on" feature that Toshiba claims allows it to come to life in under 300ms.

But that's not all - like the Transformer Book T100 - it features a microSD card reader that lets you bump up storage, along with dual mics, an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front camera that's "Skype certified" for tip top video calling.


View the original article here

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Larry Page hints at future smartwatches, YouTube mobile use mounts

Larry Page hints at future smartwatches, YouTube mobile use mounts Google CEO drops a watch wink

In what will be CEO Larry Page's last regular earnings call, Google laid out just how it performed in Q3 2013 and dropped a few hints about what we can look forward to from Mountain View.

Without reading too much into it, Page referenced a type of wearable tech many expect his company to jump into with the still-unconfirmed Google watch.

"People increasingly have more than one device," he said in a spiel about our multi-screen world. "Screens are proliferating in the home as well as wearable screens like watches and Google Glass."

That was that on the watch front, but this is the first time we've heard Page reference smartwatches during a recent earnings call, if any call. With rumors pointing to the debut of the Google watch, codenamed Google Gem, happening on October 31, Page's words may be weightier than an up-on-the-times reference.

Page, who will likely sit out most future earnings calls to focus on the demands of running Google, also referenced Google's work towards building a unified user experience:

"We are closing in on our goal of a simple, beautiful and intuitive experience regardless of devices," he said.

He's also very excited about Chromecast and Chromebooks, by the way.

As for the figures, Google raked in a higher than expected $14.9 billion (about £9.22b, $15.4b) in revenue but was still knocked by the financial hemorrhage that is Motorola.

Revenue for the division went from $1.78 billion (about £1.1b, AU1.8b) in Q3 2012 to $1.18 billion (about £730m, AU$1.2b) this quarter. Motorola snagged an operating loss of $248 million (about £153m, AU$257m), more than the $192 million (about £118m, AU$199m) losses recorded in the same quarter last year.

Finally, for all you YouTubers, mobile now accounts for 40% of the video service's traffic. Last year, mobile accounted for 25%.

Thilina  /  at  12:21 PM  /  No comments

Larry Page hints at future smartwatches, YouTube mobile use mounts Google CEO drops a watch wink

In what will be CEO Larry Page's last regular earnings call, Google laid out just how it performed in Q3 2013 and dropped a few hints about what we can look forward to from Mountain View.

Without reading too much into it, Page referenced a type of wearable tech many expect his company to jump into with the still-unconfirmed Google watch.

"People increasingly have more than one device," he said in a spiel about our multi-screen world. "Screens are proliferating in the home as well as wearable screens like watches and Google Glass."

That was that on the watch front, but this is the first time we've heard Page reference smartwatches during a recent earnings call, if any call. With rumors pointing to the debut of the Google watch, codenamed Google Gem, happening on October 31, Page's words may be weightier than an up-on-the-times reference.

Page, who will likely sit out most future earnings calls to focus on the demands of running Google, also referenced Google's work towards building a unified user experience:

"We are closing in on our goal of a simple, beautiful and intuitive experience regardless of devices," he said.

He's also very excited about Chromecast and Chromebooks, by the way.

As for the figures, Google raked in a higher than expected $14.9 billion (about £9.22b, $15.4b) in revenue but was still knocked by the financial hemorrhage that is Motorola.

Revenue for the division went from $1.78 billion (about £1.1b, AU1.8b) in Q3 2012 to $1.18 billion (about £730m, AU$1.2b) this quarter. Motorola snagged an operating loss of $248 million (about £153m, AU$257m), more than the $192 million (about £118m, AU$199m) losses recorded in the same quarter last year.

Finally, for all you YouTubers, mobile now accounts for 40% of the video service's traffic. Last year, mobile accounted for 25%.

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New Kindle Paperwhite heads to Big W and Dick Smith

New Kindle Paperwhite heads to Big W and Dick Smith Kindle Paperwhite the second looks no different.

Amazon's refreshed Kindle Paperwhite e-reader is available at Big W and Dick Smith from today.

Two versions of the Paperwhite will be available in Australia, and while the Wi-Fi version is on sale now for $159, 3G versions are set to hit shelves in the coming weeks for $229.

These prices are cheaper than what the original Paperwhite model is listed on both retailer's websites, priced at Big W for $179 and $248 respectively for each model, while Dick Smith has only the 3G version available for $249.

Announced in September, the new Kindle Paperwhite models touts the same form factor, 206g weight and eight week battery life as its predecessor with improvements laying heavily on its internals and screen.

The 2013 model has E Ink's new Carta display, which Amazon says boosts the screen's contrast renders and offers better reflectivity and better touchscreen control.

It also has a 25% faster 1GHz processor, and an updated built-in light to help guide light closer to the screen, which should translate into less eyestrain.

The next-gen Paperwhite will also feature Smart Lookup, Vocabulary Builder and Kindle Page Flip features.

Late last month, Big W launched its own ebook store, which the company said was to create home-grown competition for the "likes of iTunes and Amazon".

While Amazon's Kindle Fire range owners are able to access ebooks bought from the retail chain, they would not be accessible on the Kindle Paperwhite.

However, Scott White, Head Technology Buyer for Big W said: "Big W is always looking for ways to bring the very latest in cutting edge technology to its customers at the lowest price and that's why we are so excited to be ranging the new Kindle Paperwhite."

Big W also carries other Kindle products that also do not support ebooks purchased outside of Amazon's Kindle ebook store.

Thilina  /  at  8:46 AM  /  No comments

New Kindle Paperwhite heads to Big W and Dick Smith Kindle Paperwhite the second looks no different.

Amazon's refreshed Kindle Paperwhite e-reader is available at Big W and Dick Smith from today.

Two versions of the Paperwhite will be available in Australia, and while the Wi-Fi version is on sale now for $159, 3G versions are set to hit shelves in the coming weeks for $229.

These prices are cheaper than what the original Paperwhite model is listed on both retailer's websites, priced at Big W for $179 and $248 respectively for each model, while Dick Smith has only the 3G version available for $249.

Announced in September, the new Kindle Paperwhite models touts the same form factor, 206g weight and eight week battery life as its predecessor with improvements laying heavily on its internals and screen.

The 2013 model has E Ink's new Carta display, which Amazon says boosts the screen's contrast renders and offers better reflectivity and better touchscreen control.

It also has a 25% faster 1GHz processor, and an updated built-in light to help guide light closer to the screen, which should translate into less eyestrain.

The next-gen Paperwhite will also feature Smart Lookup, Vocabulary Builder and Kindle Page Flip features.

Late last month, Big W launched its own ebook store, which the company said was to create home-grown competition for the "likes of iTunes and Amazon".

While Amazon's Kindle Fire range owners are able to access ebooks bought from the retail chain, they would not be accessible on the Kindle Paperwhite.

However, Scott White, Head Technology Buyer for Big W said: "Big W is always looking for ways to bring the very latest in cutting edge technology to its customers at the lowest price and that's why we are so excited to be ranging the new Kindle Paperwhite."

Big W also carries other Kindle products that also do not support ebooks purchased outside of Amazon's Kindle ebook store.

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Lenovo unveils the A10, a convertible laptop with Android on board

Lenovo unveils the A10, a convertible laptop with Android on board Flipping out for an Android laptop (credit: The Verge)

Lenovo has made thin and light laptops by way of ThinkPad and IdeaPad computers, but now its hardware is going to sport an equally lightweight operating system by way of an Android notebook.

The Lenovo A10 is a 10.1-inch convertible laptop with a touch-enabled screen that can be flipped around 300 degrees.

The 1366 x 768 HD display is therefore optimized for Google Play store apps and all forms of entertainment.

In addition to a its "stand mode," the dual-form A10 can be put into a "fold-back mode" that prevents the usual shaking and bouncing that comes about when using a 10-point multi-touch screen.

Lenovo revealed through a press release that its budget-friendly notebook contains an RK3188 1.6GHz quad-core Cortex-A9 processor inside.

The company boasted that it's the highest frequency for all quad-core ARM-based CPUs on the market.

The A10 also has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, according to The Verge, and its battery is supposed to last up to nine hours even with video playback when it comes out.

That's the real question, though: When is the A10 release date?

Lenovo hasn't gotten back to us regarding its exact timing, but did mention that it will be sold in Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific countries to The Verge.

It'll be sold for the equivalent of $240 (about £148, AU$148), but won't make its way to US shores just yet.

Instead, if you want an Android-powered laptop in the states, you'll have to turn to something like the Asus Transformer Book Trio.

Thilina  /  at  4:36 AM  /  No comments

Lenovo unveils the A10, a convertible laptop with Android on board Flipping out for an Android laptop (credit: The Verge)

Lenovo has made thin and light laptops by way of ThinkPad and IdeaPad computers, but now its hardware is going to sport an equally lightweight operating system by way of an Android notebook.

The Lenovo A10 is a 10.1-inch convertible laptop with a touch-enabled screen that can be flipped around 300 degrees.

The 1366 x 768 HD display is therefore optimized for Google Play store apps and all forms of entertainment.

In addition to a its "stand mode," the dual-form A10 can be put into a "fold-back mode" that prevents the usual shaking and bouncing that comes about when using a 10-point multi-touch screen.

Lenovo revealed through a press release that its budget-friendly notebook contains an RK3188 1.6GHz quad-core Cortex-A9 processor inside.

The company boasted that it's the highest frequency for all quad-core ARM-based CPUs on the market.

The A10 also has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, according to The Verge, and its battery is supposed to last up to nine hours even with video playback when it comes out.

That's the real question, though: When is the A10 release date?

Lenovo hasn't gotten back to us regarding its exact timing, but did mention that it will be sold in Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific countries to The Verge.

It'll be sold for the equivalent of $240 (about £148, AU$148), but won't make its way to US shores just yet.

Instead, if you want an Android-powered laptop in the states, you'll have to turn to something like the Asus Transformer Book Trio.

Posted in: , , , , , Read Complete Article»

Sony working on faster wireless charging for Xperia handsets

Sony working on faster wireless charging for Xperia handsets Charged up in an hour flat (credit: XperiaBlog.net)

Samsung isn't the only smartphone manufacturer looking to shake up wireless charging, as Sony is rumored to be working on technology capable of charging its Xperia handsets in one hour flat.

Pocket-lint reported today that Sony engineers may be working on a way of speeding up the process of wireless charging, with an eye toward implementing the technology into next year's Xperia smartphones.

According to a report from Nikkei, Sony's new device uses only 10-15 watts of electricity, but supplies twice the amount of current wireless chargers.

The result is that, come late 2014, a compatible Xperia smartphone could be charged in half the time, reducing a two-hour wireless charge down to only an hour.

Sony's work is reportedly based upon specifications now being finalized by the Wireless Power Consortium, and will be implemented as part of the existing Qi international standard.

Similar work is also underway by Rohm Co., who are developing the microchips necessary to charge with the increased 10-15 watts of power without overheating.

Earlier this week, a separate report revealed that Samsung is also eyeing improvements for wireless charging for inclusion in next year's Galaxy S5 smartphone.

Samsung's technology would allow handsets to be charged from a distance by using magnetic resonance, even when the source charger isn't actually making contact with the device.

Don't forget to check out our exhaustive review of Apple's new iPhone 5S!
Thilina  /  at  12:32 AM  /  No comments

Sony working on faster wireless charging for Xperia handsets Charged up in an hour flat (credit: XperiaBlog.net)

Samsung isn't the only smartphone manufacturer looking to shake up wireless charging, as Sony is rumored to be working on technology capable of charging its Xperia handsets in one hour flat.

Pocket-lint reported today that Sony engineers may be working on a way of speeding up the process of wireless charging, with an eye toward implementing the technology into next year's Xperia smartphones.

According to a report from Nikkei, Sony's new device uses only 10-15 watts of electricity, but supplies twice the amount of current wireless chargers.

The result is that, come late 2014, a compatible Xperia smartphone could be charged in half the time, reducing a two-hour wireless charge down to only an hour.

Sony's work is reportedly based upon specifications now being finalized by the Wireless Power Consortium, and will be implemented as part of the existing Qi international standard.

Similar work is also underway by Rohm Co., who are developing the microchips necessary to charge with the increased 10-15 watts of power without overheating.

Earlier this week, a separate report revealed that Samsung is also eyeing improvements for wireless charging for inclusion in next year's Galaxy S5 smartphone.

Samsung's technology would allow handsets to be charged from a distance by using magnetic resonance, even when the source charger isn't actually making contact with the device.

Don't forget to check out our exhaustive review of Apple's new iPhone 5S!

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Sunday, October 20, 2013

Review: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

Ask anyone who's read one of our thirteen page reviews and they'll tell you, staring at a screen can be murder on the eyes. After a while, even a gorgeous, pixel dense HD display can make you want to spray your eyeballs with the garden hose.

That's the beauty of Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite. Its e-ink display is a half step between paper and screen, giving you the convenience of an ebook ecosystem with less wear and tear on the old optic nerve than an iPad 4 or Nexus 7.

It manages to be a more pleasant reading experience than your average display, all while having a subtle backlight and jaw dropping battery life: this new Kindle Paperwhite can go weeks without a charge.

Then again, so could last year's model. This new Kindle Paperwhite is an incremental update, a bit like going from the iPhone 4 to 4S, only without something as fun as talking to Siri.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

On the outside, the two models are almost identical. Internally, the hardware has been given an uptick, and the uneven backlight, which left dark spots on the bottom of the original model's display, is completely fixed.

This has all been done without any markup in price on the WiFi model. A WiFi version of this new Kindle Paperwhite is still just $119 (£109.00) for a model with "special offers," (aka ads on the lock screen), $139 for the ad-free model. The 3G versions, however, have been bumped up ten dollars each, going for $189 (£169.00) and $209, respectively (last year's models were $179 and $199).

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

The Kindle Paperwhite is the best ereader on the market, bar none. If you need, or even want, an ereader, this is the one to have. The question is, do you need, or even want, an ereader?

The Paperwhite an admirably focused product. Unlike jack of all trades tablets, which will leave you wanting for a keyboard should you attempt some actual productivity, the Paperwhite does one thing and it does it very well. Reading a book on this device is simply a pleasure; voracious readers willing to forgo the artisanal qualities of a paper text will adore it.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

However, for the gadget head who already has a tablet, is it worth dropping more money, and packing yet another device in your bag? The answer lies before you, so read on, and keep some Visine handy.

The overall build of the Kindle Paperwhite has always been quite diminutive, even when compared with little guys like the Nexus 7 or the iPad Mini. It's just 6.7 x 4.6 x 0.36 inches.

Your average tablet customer might feel cheated, since there's only 6-inches of screen real estate. That was our reaction when unboxing the device, but quickly realized that this is actually a fantastic size for an ereader. Even if your grip isn't terribly big, it's easy to hold in one hand for an extended period of time.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

At a glance, Amazon's new Kindle Paperwhite is nigh indistinguishable from last year's model. It's built from the same soft touch plastic, comes only in black and bares a Kindle logo below the screen.

However, the new Paperwhite has an improved display with a more even backlight, and better contrasts. Also, if you're looking for a quick way to tell the model years apart, the new one has an Amazon logo on the back, while the old one says Kindle.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

The Paperwhite is still very light, weighing just 7.5 ounces (213 grams). You can hold the Paperwhite between your thumb and forefinger with ease. It's even easier to hold in one hand than your average paperback book, since there are no pages or front cover to pin back as you read.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

Some might complain that the Paperwhite hasn't dropped any weight since last year's model, but it's something of a moot point in our eyes. If it got any lighter it would be at risk of being swept up by an errant breeze. It's still small enough to toss in a bag on impulse, in hopes of finding some spare time to read.

On the rear of the Paperwhite you have one large Amazon logo. The backing is the same material as the front, with no extra grip. Amazon and other third-parties make a lot of nice cases for the Paperwhite. The device is the tiniest bit slippy, and you might consider picking one up if you're going travel with it or plan to throw it carelessly in a bag. A drop can give the Paperwhite an unsightly scuff.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

On the bottom you'll find a charging port and the power/lock button. The Paperwhite charges through microUSB, and while you will find a USB cable in the box, there's no AC adapter or wall plug in the box.

Amazon did the same thing with last year's Paperwhite. It's an odd, kind of cheapskate decision, but at least you can charge it with the plug for the smartphone you more than likely own, or just hook it into your computer. Also, you won't even need to charge the Paperwhite more often than every few weeks. More on that in the Charging and Battery Life section of this review.

The new Kindle Paperwhite is well built. Just like the original model, it feels solid and minimal, with zero fat on its frame. Anyone who's struggled with the bulk of a tome like Gravity's Rainbow, Infinite Jest or a meaty biography will love being able to hold this ereader above them while lying in bed, without fear of having their face smashed should they begin to nod off. Yeah, we've all been there right? Right?


View the original article here

Thilina  /  at  8:07 PM  /  No comments

Ask anyone who's read one of our thirteen page reviews and they'll tell you, staring at a screen can be murder on the eyes. After a while, even a gorgeous, pixel dense HD display can make you want to spray your eyeballs with the garden hose.

That's the beauty of Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite. Its e-ink display is a half step between paper and screen, giving you the convenience of an ebook ecosystem with less wear and tear on the old optic nerve than an iPad 4 or Nexus 7.

It manages to be a more pleasant reading experience than your average display, all while having a subtle backlight and jaw dropping battery life: this new Kindle Paperwhite can go weeks without a charge.

Then again, so could last year's model. This new Kindle Paperwhite is an incremental update, a bit like going from the iPhone 4 to 4S, only without something as fun as talking to Siri.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

On the outside, the two models are almost identical. Internally, the hardware has been given an uptick, and the uneven backlight, which left dark spots on the bottom of the original model's display, is completely fixed.

This has all been done without any markup in price on the WiFi model. A WiFi version of this new Kindle Paperwhite is still just $119 (£109.00) for a model with "special offers," (aka ads on the lock screen), $139 for the ad-free model. The 3G versions, however, have been bumped up ten dollars each, going for $189 (£169.00) and $209, respectively (last year's models were $179 and $199).

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

The Kindle Paperwhite is the best ereader on the market, bar none. If you need, or even want, an ereader, this is the one to have. The question is, do you need, or even want, an ereader?

The Paperwhite an admirably focused product. Unlike jack of all trades tablets, which will leave you wanting for a keyboard should you attempt some actual productivity, the Paperwhite does one thing and it does it very well. Reading a book on this device is simply a pleasure; voracious readers willing to forgo the artisanal qualities of a paper text will adore it.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

However, for the gadget head who already has a tablet, is it worth dropping more money, and packing yet another device in your bag? The answer lies before you, so read on, and keep some Visine handy.

The overall build of the Kindle Paperwhite has always been quite diminutive, even when compared with little guys like the Nexus 7 or the iPad Mini. It's just 6.7 x 4.6 x 0.36 inches.

Your average tablet customer might feel cheated, since there's only 6-inches of screen real estate. That was our reaction when unboxing the device, but quickly realized that this is actually a fantastic size for an ereader. Even if your grip isn't terribly big, it's easy to hold in one hand for an extended period of time.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

At a glance, Amazon's new Kindle Paperwhite is nigh indistinguishable from last year's model. It's built from the same soft touch plastic, comes only in black and bares a Kindle logo below the screen.

However, the new Paperwhite has an improved display with a more even backlight, and better contrasts. Also, if you're looking for a quick way to tell the model years apart, the new one has an Amazon logo on the back, while the old one says Kindle.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

The Paperwhite is still very light, weighing just 7.5 ounces (213 grams). You can hold the Paperwhite between your thumb and forefinger with ease. It's even easier to hold in one hand than your average paperback book, since there are no pages or front cover to pin back as you read.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

Some might complain that the Paperwhite hasn't dropped any weight since last year's model, but it's something of a moot point in our eyes. If it got any lighter it would be at risk of being swept up by an errant breeze. It's still small enough to toss in a bag on impulse, in hopes of finding some spare time to read.

On the rear of the Paperwhite you have one large Amazon logo. The backing is the same material as the front, with no extra grip. Amazon and other third-parties make a lot of nice cases for the Paperwhite. The device is the tiniest bit slippy, and you might consider picking one up if you're going travel with it or plan to throw it carelessly in a bag. A drop can give the Paperwhite an unsightly scuff.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

On the bottom you'll find a charging port and the power/lock button. The Paperwhite charges through microUSB, and while you will find a USB cable in the box, there's no AC adapter or wall plug in the box.

Amazon did the same thing with last year's Paperwhite. It's an odd, kind of cheapskate decision, but at least you can charge it with the plug for the smartphone you more than likely own, or just hook it into your computer. Also, you won't even need to charge the Paperwhite more often than every few weeks. More on that in the Charging and Battery Life section of this review.

The new Kindle Paperwhite is well built. Just like the original model, it feels solid and minimal, with zero fat on its frame. Anyone who's struggled with the bulk of a tome like Gravity's Rainbow, Infinite Jest or a meaty biography will love being able to hold this ereader above them while lying in bed, without fear of having their face smashed should they begin to nod off. Yeah, we've all been there right? Right?


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