Tablet

Tablet sales will climb to $64B this year, ABI says

The tablet market should post strong growth this year, ABI Research said, as the traditional computing market slumps.

The tech research firm expects tablet sales to climb 28 percent this year to $64 billion. In terms of shipments, ABI projected a jump of 38 percent to 150 million in 2013.

"The convenience and mobility benefits afforded by tablet computers are showing no signs of slowing interest after record unit shipments and revenues were reported by device vendors in 2012," ABI said.

The tablet growth rate contrasts sharply with the traditional computing market, though PC shipments should still be … Read more

Microsoft reportedly has 7-inch tablet in development

Microsoft is reportedly getting ready to take on Apple and Google on their tablet turf with a 7-inch slate of its own.

The smaller tablet is expected to go into production later this year, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal. The 7-inch tablet wasn't part of Microsoft's original strategy last spring, but executives realized they needed a slate to compete with Google's 7-inch Nexus and Apple's 7.9-inch iPad Mini, the Journal's sources said.

CNET has contacted Microsoft for comment and will update this report when we learn more.

The Journal … Read more

Alleged image of iPad 5 shows thinner front panel

The next-generation iPad will follow its smaller counterpart in offering a thinner design, at least according to an image leaked by French Web site Nowhereelse.fr.

The alleged image of the iPad 5 shows the front cover and the surrounding bezel with a much thinner design than that of the current iPad. The thinness of the case suggests that Apple is borrowing some design tips from the iPad Mini for its fifth-generation iPad.

Past rumors have already suggested that the next 9.7-inch iPad would sport a thinner design. But this may be the first photo evidence to back up … Read more

Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Turn off the screens at our concerts

Go to any live concert these days and you'll see many audience members watching the performance through a small screen instead of their own eyes.

In response to this epidemic of diverted attention, indie rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs recently put the proverbial foot down on concertgoers with a sign that instructs those with a smartphone, tablet, and/or camera to "Put that s*** away."… Read more

Tablet Tuesday: Get a 10.1-inch Android 4.0 tablet for $129.99

When it comes to browsing the Web, playing games, and watching movies, nothing beats a big tablet -- by which I mean one with a 10-inch screen.

Typically that means paying at least $399, but not today. For a limited time, and while supplies last, Digideal (via Rakuten, formerly Buy.com) has the Kocaso M1062 10.1-inch Android tablet for $129.99 shipped.

Quick caveat: I first spotted this deal yesterday afternoon, so there's a possibility it was a one-day-only offer that's due to expire at any moment. If it does, my apologies. For the record, it sells … Read more

Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Lots of features, beautiful screen, high price

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is an 8-inch tablet that costs $399. In a world where the 7-inch Nexus 7 exists for $200 and even the 7.9-inch iPad Mini starts at $330 or lower, $399 is a tough sell. If you're looking for a simple small tablet, the Nexus 7 is still your best bet and the iPad Mini provides Apple's still unbeatable app ecosystem in a smaller, lighter, and cheaper package than the Note 8.

The Note 8 is arguably Samsung's best tablet yet, but depending on your experience with the company's offerings, the … Read more

Microsoft Surface dissed in China over warranty policy

First Apple, now Microsoft. China is again raising a ruckus over warranty policies on U.S. tech products, this time targeting the Surface tablet.

China National Radio, the government's mouthpiece, argued yesterday that the Surface tablet should follow national law by offering a one-year repair policy for the entire tablet and a two-year warranty for its major parts, Bloomberg reported. China National Radio claims that Microsoft offers a one-year warranty in China both on the device and its components.

Microsoft, however, contends that Surface is covered by a two-year warranty. A spokeswoman for the company sent CNET the following … Read more

Hey, HP board, how do you like them Apples?

commentary Back in 2011, Hewlett-Packard's chairman Ray Lane was photographed using an Apple MacBook Air as he was trying to turn HP around. Personal preference speaks volumes about HP and the fate of the PC industry.

Lane stepped down today as chairman of HP just after, coincidentally, Gartner released a report forecasting dim prospects for the PC industry.

Things seem to get dimmer with each forecast, as the tablet -- which means Apple's iPad for the most part -- takes a bigger bite out of PC sales.

Here's what Carolina Milanesi, research vice president at Gartner, said … Read more

Facebook Home: Tablet users will need to wait

If you want to take a gander at Facebook Home on your tablet computer, get ready to wait.

Facebook, which today announced a family of apps for Android phones, said a tablet version will not be ready for several months.

Smartphone users will be able to start downloading the apps April 12. In his brief appearance on stage during the announcement, Facebook's director of mobile engineering, Cory Ondrejka, did not offer more specifics about the company's timetable.

Get a refurbished Kindle Fire tablet for $69.99

Just yesterday I told you about Ematic's new 7-inch Android tablet, which goes on sale next month for $79.99. If you can't wait, or prefer to stick with a name brand, today's your lucky day.

While supplies last (and I guarantee you they won't last long), CNET has this exclusive deal: the refurbished Amazon Kindle Fire (first gen) tablet for $69.99 (plus sales tax) when you use coupon code CNETFIRE at checkout. There's no shipping charge because the seller is Best Buy, and you'll need to visit your closest store to pick … Read more