google tablet

iPods arrive while waiting for iPad Mini

Tuesday's CNET Update is in the mood for Tropical Skittles:

The colorful new iPod Touch and iPod Nano are now shipping. The newest members of the Apple clan have made their way to CNET, and you can check out our unboxing video here. The new Touch starts at $300 with 32GB of memory. Like its iPhone 5 cousin, the Touch sports a larger screen and works with Siri. It also comes in tropical shades of pink, yellow and blue, as well as light gray, slate and bright red for (Product) red. The new Nano is $150 and comes in … Read more

Facebook removes controversial feature

Break off a piece of that BlackBerry and friend some strangers on Facebook:

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion has long been struggling to turn the company around. With thousands of layoffs ongoing, it could be time for the company to try something drastic. One report says RIM is considering spliting itself into two companies by diving the messaging network from the hardware side, and possibly selling the hardware division. RIM didn't comment on specifics of this report by The Sunday Times. But RIM did say it is examining a wide-range of strategies. Perhaps new BlackBerry 10 devices can shake … Read more

Google next up against Microsoft Surface

June is the perfect time for backyard barbecues, lemonade and tablet warfare:

Microsoft is taking tablets into its own hands with the Surface. And next week, so will Google. It's expected that Google will show off the Nexus tablet at its developers conference that begins next week. And some reports have Google's tablet launching in July -- which will likely be before the Surface hits stores.

The Surface boasts solid hardware, a kickstand and a cover that also serves as a keyboard. But how much will it cost? All we know is that the light version, using Windows … Read more

Google tablet timing set, says report

The June tablet cavalcade will continue with a Google Nexus device, say Asia-based reports.

In the wake of Computex and today's Microsoft Surface announcements, June is turning out to be a hot month for new tablets.

And now it's Google's turn. The 7-inch Nexus tablet, jointly developed with Asus, will be unveiled at Google I/O, which starts on June 27, according to a report from Taipei-based Digitimes. An earlier rumor made a similar claim.

Other specifics include Wi-Fi-only connectivity and no rear camera, due to its low $199 price, the report said. (There is a front … Read more

Verizon's new data plan burns singles

Today we're rocking out in the cloud to take our minds off our mobile bills:

Verizon has completely restructured nearly all of its phone plans with something called a Share Everything Plan. The plans will give you unlimited text and unlimited voice. As for data, you have to pay for how much data you want a month. Then you have to pay another fee for each device that will use that pool of data.

Verizon is encouraging you to have multiple devices that can all share from the same plan, but it can make your bill more expensive if you're an individual. … Read more

Google said to launch tablet via its own online store

The Google tablet is reportedly on the way and could be released this year, according to The Wall Street Journal. What is more, it could be sold in exclusive Google-only online stores.

Rumors and reports on the Google tablet have been spreading over the last couple of months. First there were claims that the Android tablet would be positioned to challenge Amazon's Kindle Fire. Then reports said it would be 7-inches and cost between $149 and $199, which directly targets the Kindle. And earlier today, DigiTimes said the Internet giant planned cooperate with Asus to launch an inexpensive tablet. … Read more

Rumor Has It, Ep. 24: Google's gunning for iPad, with Asus' help (podcast)

I am writing this blog post from under my desk, because I am too embarrassed to face my esteemed colleagues after the stunt we pulled today. We play the most embarrassing Internet video yet. Starring moi. I have been blushing a deep purple ever since, and because I may now be notorious in downtown San Francisco as that crazy girl in front of the Apple store, I have decided to wear a disguise in public at all times. Guys, it's mortifying. Go watch it.

But--sweet relief!--with the new iPad no longer on our rumor roster, we get down … Read more

Google may enter tablet market with 7-inch design

Wondering when Google is going to jump into the tablet fray? It may happen later this year, a DisplaySearch analyst told CNET.

The Google-branded tablet will have a 1280x800 resolution 7-inch display, according to Richard Shim, an analyst with DisplaySearch. Production is slated for April. The initial production run is between 1.5 million to 2 million units, according to Shim.

By comparison, the 7-inch Amazon Kindle Fire has a 1024x600 display.

Shim's comments follow a January Asia-based report that said the Google tablet will run Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" and be priced around $199 … Read more

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 vs. Sony Tablet S

When a tablet manufacturer prices its product exactly the same as the Apple iPad, it's either confident or crazy.

Sony and Samsung have reason to be confident. Both companies offer beautifully designed Android tablets that are chock-full of unique features--some of which even the iPad can't match.

In this week's CNET Prizefight, we put the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 up against the new kid on the block--the Sony Tablet S.

See which contender comes out on top. … Read more