Mouthguard Fundraiser

Fundraising Opportunities

Tommorrow Dr. Samuel Weisz  will be lecturing on mouthguards and dental emergencies at Grayslake North High School.

The dentists at Libertyville Dental Associates are excited to help set up a team sports fundraiser with the Libertyville, Gurnee, and Grayslake communities of Illinois to provide mouth guards for local sports teams. The unique idea was to give back to the community a service that every athlete could benefit from. This allowed the young athletes to promote their sport to others in a productive and meaningful way, while raising funds to travel for competition. If you would like more information about setting up a mouthguard program and protecting athletes teeth from a dental emergency contact us at

www.libertyvilledental.com
847.367.6360
1641 N Milwaukee Ave
Libertyville, IL 60048
Libertyville Dentist on Facebook

[Via http://dentistlibertyville.wordpress.com]

wings n things.

saturday night.

magazine+wings. fuuuuuuuuuuun…

where to begin…?
i feel bad about complaining about mac on my last post cause i went to the mac store later that day and to my pleasant surprise, they actually did have that viva glam gaga lipstick in stock. so i got it and i was happy. =)

such a pretty pale pink. goes good with dark eyeliner/mascara

surprised face..haha..and no nail polish!

anywhoo..i recieved a mysterious package in the mail last week….i saw it in my room and thought..
hmm..i don’t recall ordering anything online..i wonder what this could be

opened up the box..it was oddly heavy..and found about 50 issues of the 2010 spring harley-davidson motorclothes catalog that i’m in. yay! lol..

that’s me…

from this

to this

ha…

and if you want to flip through the catalog online, you can click HERE! and click spring catalog at the bottom

so anyway..i got a new phone a few months ago and sure enough, right after i got it, my friend bryan got a really cool phone and i’ve been wanting it ever since!

its the motorola cliq and its soooooo cool!!! and i want a phone with internet =X i feel so behind on technology. even though i have a laptop and ipod that both have wi-fi and i’m at home on the internet most of the time anyway..do i really need to have internet on my phone too?

…

yes!

blink.

oh and here’s a random picture from valentine’s day of my boyfriend

we ate at papasito’s and that’s the only picture i took =X

[Via http://annefrancis.wordpress.com]

(briefs from Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2010) China to Kick off Field Tests on TD-LTE

Telecom networking gear makers Hauwei Technologies, ZTE Corporation, Motorola, and Datang Telecom are set to kick off the second round of field tests shortly after the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) closed the first round of tests on 4G TD-LT

[Via http://hoeksteen.wordpress.com]

The Mobile Industry Delimna - Is the critical DNA lost, or being ignored?

Imagine if Boeing strapped on a couple of Piper Cub engines on its new 787 Dreamliner. It may look sweet, have a lot of options and features, get everyone talking about it, but nobody’s going to go anywhere fast. One of the DNA’s of good airplane building is making sure you have a good engines. Few would disagree -;)

The mobile industry too, has its own DNA. Keeping it intact lately seems elusive.

On the heels of Consumer Reports study that iPhones hog much more data than other smart phones, RIM’s co-CEO Mike Lazaridis, sounded an alarm; Blackberry Maker RIM Warns of Bandwidth Crisis. Earlier this month, Cisco Systems released its Visual Networking Index figures that predict mobile data traffic will leap an astounding 39x, a 108% CAGR between 2009-2014.  The average individual mobile subscriber data consumption will grow from 1.3 gigabytes/month to ~7 gigabytes/month. If you are interested in the other details of the Cisco report, GigOM did a nice job summarizing the report here: Cisco: The Mobilpocalypse Is Coming!!!!!

This is not a RIM vs Apple vs anyone else problem. It is an industry core DNA problem.

To be sure, RIM with 75+ million smart devices shipped to date, quite likely knows more about mobile data traffic optimization than any similar or peripheral provider in its industry. RIM’s own DNA is largely taken for granted by both business users and consumers alike. By definition, DNA (mobile or otherwise) should be transparent and assumed.

Remember this entire wireless data industry was created because the RIM Blackberry solutions felt fast and reliable on 1995 vintage 4.8-9.6 Kb/s low-speed, low capacity networks (mobitex, cdpd etc). Something nobody at the time could accomplish. Handset incumbents Nokia and Sony/Ericsson probably run a close second to RIM’s knowledge of end to end traffic optimization, Motorola likely a distant third. Relevant newcomers Google, Apple and Microsoft are hell-bent on the big bang broadband theory, thus efficient use of mobile network bandwidth seems assumed to be the “dumb pipes” problem, not theirs.

Ten+ years ago, in the middle of a blizzard in Waterloo, Jim Basille and Mike Lazaridis, were quite put out with me at one point during a private meeting. Let it be noted that it wasn’t the first time I have evoke that emotion, nor the last . Jim handed me a very early prototype of a RIM 9000 and said “what do you think?”. To their chagrin, I immediately tapped on the screen (like with that era Palm V’s) and said, hey, “no digitizer, no application OS, what gives?”. I doubt either Mike or Jim of remember that day, but over the course of that afternoon, we hammered out what I often refer to as the Mobile DNA. (The truth be told, they probably had already thought about this stuff and were humoring me!)

The key Mobile DNA from a subscriber view includes;

1. Simple ease of us.
2. Fast reaction to an expected outcome (eg get mail, open a website, use an app, make a call).
3. Long battery life.
4. Reliability
5. Utility

Without these elements of this DNA, how many apps (free or not) are in a storefront or  how “open” a system is, or is not simply doesn’t matter. Success cannot occur without a solution being great at one of the DNA elements and at least “ok” at the others. Bad DNA speaks for itself. One can already gauge the truth and importance of my thesis. Microsoft’s 55% collapse in mobile market share is because its solution has bad DNA – uncertain reliability, poor battery life, and terrible ease use. Apple is successful because it has good DNA – great ease of use, great utility and is “ok” at reliability, battery life and device speed (reactive). Nokia excels on reliability, battery life and utilities and exhibits “ok” DNA elsewhere. Google is not yet tested but is showing signs of tainted DNA in terms of battery life, reliability and reaction time. Google’s Eric Schmidt may want “a piece of Google in every mobile data transaction” but he has a lot of work to do and I think he knows it.

As mobile cloud services become dominate (and they will) network transaction/payload protocols optimizations between devices and the cloud will become more critical.
There are four reasons (at least) why this is true;

• users insatiable appetite for speed (bandwidth),
• users low tolerance for delay (latency),
• users requirements for longer battery life and
• more sophisticated apps that use isochronous data like voice and video.

In fact the Cisco report theorizes that 66% of mobile traffic by 2014 will be video.

Wireless network operators are in a period of 3G+ and 4G coverage build outs. While with each evolution of network technology comes with new capacity and economics, it seems seems we find ourselves facing a gap between available “dumb pipe” investments  in capacity and the accelerating use smartphone applications that consumer exponential levels of network capacity. In the early 90’s RIM worked with Ericsson to revamp its mobitex network, including a redesign on many of its network protocols and routing schemes. The point here, is this DNA issue is not an issue in isolation – no one element of the mobile ecosystem owns the problem. Mobile DNA is a socially relevant issue for all parties.

Network operators, handset manufacturers, network equipment suppliers purveyors of OS’s have a market mandate to refocus on core mobile DNA. Else risk stalled growth, collapsing economics, increased subscriber frustration that could lead to further regulatory impositions.

[Via http://mobileanalyst.wordpress.com]

When your smart phone isn't smart (2)

My old Motorola

My own statement that one also should enjoy disconnection is being tested this week. Sunday afternoon I discovered that my Nokia E71 again didn’t want to receive emails. But it wasn’t deconfigured like last time. I thought the solution would be quick and painless, but this time I had no luck.

It was impossible to re-install my email account after Nokia’s employee had deleted it and after some asking and insisting that they solve my problem at my telephony provider Comcel’s, a technician quickly concluded that the software on the phone was outdated. How come? I bought it mid December 2009.

It was Monday and they told me my phone had to stay in the repair shop until Friday. My heart sank: all week long without my smart phone. That is too much to bear.

At home I had an old Motorola but I feared it wouldn’t be able to read my new and stronger in capacity simcard. The Comcel boys and girls assured it would, but they have told me so much. One gets a little forewarned.

Fortunately they appeared to be right and my Motorola is functioning allright. I even managed to dismiss the dictionary in the messages: I mean you write a letter and the thing already starts to guess the word. I hate it. I just want a to be a, twice a to be b and three times a to be c, etc.

But oh, how I miss my Nokia E71 and how I have to convince myself very much that you can live without email and internet on your phone and that disconnection is also joyful.

[Via http://wiesubags.wordpress.com]

Luxirie by LRG The Micro Pique Polo in Pink,Tops (S/S) for Women

Luxirie by LRG The Micro Pique Polo in Pink,Tops (S/S) for Women

   Brand: Luxirie by LRG

   Availibility : N/A

Luxirie by LRG The Micro Pique Polo in Pink,Tops (S/S) for Women Overviews

Luxirie by LRG The Micro Pique Polo in Pink,Tops (S/S) for Women: Model is wearing a size Small Fitted polo shirt with stitched graphic on chest; logo detail on buttons; and stitched logo detail on left arm and back; 95% cotton 5% spandex. By Luxirie by LRG

*** Product Information and Prices Stored:Feb 16, 2010 12:31:30

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

Recommend : Buy Hasbro Transformers Shopping Garden Furniture Import Video Games

[Via http://homeandgardenideas.wordpress.com]

Cât costă gadgeturile noastre ?

Apple iPad
Preţ de vânzare SUA: de la 499 de dolari
Preţ de vânzare în România: de la 499 de euro (potrivit speculaţiilor din piaţă)
Costul componentelor: între 219,35 şi 334,95 de dolari

Cel mai nou produs Apple va fi disponibil pe piaţă din martie 2010 în versiunile de bază, iar din aprilie cele 3G. Modelul de 64 GB, care se vinde în SUA cu 829 de dolari, „înghite” aproape 335 de dolari pentru a fi realizat.

Google Nexus One
Preţ de vânzare SUA: de la 179 de dolari
Preţ de vânzare în România: 600 de euro
Costul componentelor: 174 de dolari

Construit de HTC, Google Nexus One este comercializat de operatorul de telefonie mobilă T-Mobile la preţul de 179 de dolari, cu doi ani de contract. Google vinde la liber telefonul, cu 529 de dolari.

Motorola Droid
Preţ de vânzare SUA: de la 199 de dolari
Preţ de vânzare în România: 1.798 de lei (quickmobile.ro)
Costul componentelor: 185 de dolari

Primul telefon de la Verizon Wireless cu sistem de operare Android se vinde la 199 de dolari, cu doi ani de contract. În reţeaua magazinelor Best Buy acesta poate fi cumpărat cu 599 de dolari.

Apple iPhone 3GS
Preţ de vânzare SUA: de la 199 de dolari
Preţ de vânzare în România: de la 199 de euro (Orange, versiunea 16 GB)
Costul componentelor: 179,16 dolari

Spre deosebire de alte cazuri, terminalele iPhone 3GS costă ceva mai mult decât generaţia anterioară (3G) în procesul de producţie. O explicaţie ar fi că preţul unor componente nu a scăzut atât de repede ca în trecut.

Palm Pre
Preţ de vânzare SUA: circa 200 de dolari
Preţ de vânzare în România: -
Costul componentelor: 137,98 de dolari

Potrivit iSuppli, ecranul touchscreen costă 39,51 de dolari, cei opt megabyţi de memorie flash – 15,96 de dolari, componentele wireless – 15,41 de dolari, iar camera de 3 megapixeli – 12,39 de dolari.

Amazon Kindle 2
Preţ de vânzare SUA: 359 de dolari
Preţ de vânzare în România: -
Costul componentelor: 185,49 de dolari

E-reader-ul Kindle 2 este mai subţire decât unul dintre prima generaţie şi ceva mai sofisticat. Displayul costă cel mai mult, aproximativ 60 de dolari, la care se adaugă modulul wireless de 39,50 de dolari.

Apple iPod Shuffle
Preţ de vânzare SUA: 49 de dolari (4 GB)
Preţ de vânzare în România: 331,12 lei (onsite.ro)
Costul componentelor: 21,77 de dolari

Cel mai nou iPod Shuffle, lansat în primăvara anului trecut, necesită aproape 22 de dolari pentru a fi construit, dintre care 6 dolari costă doar memoria flash, iar 5,98 de dolari procesorul Samsung.

BlackBerry Bold

Preţ de vânzare SUA: circa 300 de dolari
Preţ de vânzare în România: de la 299 de euro (Orange)
Costul componentelor: 169,41 de dolari

Brandul BlackBerry a fost lansat ca o replică dată iPhone-ului şi a reuşit să se impună în preferinţele multor consumatori.

Sursa: Business Week

[Via http://spuick3ru.wordpress.com]

Motorola, Ingersoll-Rand, SkillSoft are big movers (AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — The following stocks were among those that moved substantially or traded heavily on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq Stock Market Friday:

NYSE:

Motorola Inc., up 50 cents to $7.15

The company plans to split in two early next year, with one unit focused on consumer goods and the other on products for businesses.

Ingersoll-Rand Plc, down $2.65 to $31.26

The global industrial company returned to a quarterly profit, but results fell short of Wall Street expectations.

Pier 1 Imports Inc., up 60 cents to $6.06

An equity analyst boosted his rating and price target for the home-decor retailer, saying executive changes are improving sales.

McAfee Inc., up $1.94 to $39.83

Growing sales to corporations boosted fourth-quarter profit 20 percent for the security software maker.

General Cable Corp., down $3.72 to $24.44

The fiber optic and metal cable company posted a quarterly loss and its outlook was well below Wall Street analyst estimates.

NASDAQ:

SkillSoft PLC, up $1.27 to $11.03

Three private-equity firms are buying the corporate e-learning company, which is based in Dublin, Ireland, for $1.1 billion in cash.

JDS Uniphase Corp., up 57 cents to $9.25

The company is buying the network testing equipment business of Agilent Technologies Inc. for $165 million in cash.

Buffalo Wild Wings Inc., down $5.46 to $42.94

The restaurant chain’s quarterly profit rose 8 percent, but it didn’t grow as much as analysts had expected.

First Horizon closes down equity researchAmerican Axle, Tyson Foods, Corning are big movers (AP)

[Via http://marketsnewss.wordpress.com]

HipLogic announced OEMs can customize standard Android UI in cloud

So much for Google’s fragmentation of Android. HipLogic, a Fremont, California company announced that they will provide a way for operators and mobile handset OEMs to customize the standard Android user interface (UI), leveraging the openness of Google’s Android operating system to address some of operators’ toughest challenges—meaningful user customization, rising data consumption and limited brand differentiation. Hit the read link for more.

According to their CEO:

“We’re seeing an increased demand for a custom solution as the number of Android devices and offerings explode onto the market. HipLogic will empower operator networks and OEMs with the capability to create differentiated Android services and experiences” said Mark Anderson, CEO of HipLogic.

An OTA update in cloud computing that allows users to change their user interface on the fly? Sounds pretty sweet to us, now the question is: How well does it work?

“Our solution allows for over the air updates to content services and the cloud connected interface, even after the product is in consumer’s hands, making the experience unique and dynamic,” adds HipLogic Founder and CTO, Mark Young.

Until we get to a trial version of the UI, we will have to read the implementation info here:

HipLogic’s Android Interface offers:

• Customization that enables operators to differentiate their services
• The ability to update the services and applications on the device “over the air”
• Data optimization by delivering content in a highly compressed format when compared to HTML

[via HipLogic]

[Via http://fonefrenzy.com]

Motorola Devour Android 1.6 hits February 25th

So BGR has come through again with a little scoop. The Motorola Devour will be hitting the indirect distributors on February 25th. All channels are to follow on March 15th with the full launch of the new handset.

Beyond that, a pricing point has not been made but BGR seems to think that $99 bucks would be a good starting point. Judging from past experience with Verizon, I would hedge a bet that the price point will be $149.99 or higher for this device. Around that time, the price of the Droid should drop to make this the lead Android device, until the Nexus One drops in on big Red – which is expected to be sometime at the end of March. Also, I would imagine an update to 2.1 very, very soon.

Here is a breakdown of the specs on this new Android handset:

• 3.1” Touchscreen with Slide-Out QWERTY Keyboard
• Bluetooth v2.0+EDR v2.0+EDR. Bluetooth Profiles supported: Headset, Handsfree, Stereo, Phonebook Access, and Audio/Visual Remote Control
• 3.0 Megapixel camera, Video Capture w/1-touch playback and easy uploading to YouTube, Dedicated Camera /Video Key
• V CAST Music with Rhapsody®
• Android 1.6 (Donut) OS with MOTOBLUR
• Integrated Google, Exchange, Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter
• Push Email Support: Gmail & Exchange. IMAP and POP, MSN Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and AOL Mail also supported
• Google Calendar & Corporate Calendar  (supports Exchange 2003 and 2007protocol)
• 8GB microSD card pre-installed on-device. Up to 16GB microSD optional removable memory
• WiFi Capable (802.11 b/g)
• Bilingual Interface: English/Espanol
• aGPS capable for E911 emergency location/sGPS
• Speakerphone
• Advanced Speech Recognition
• Polyphonic and MP3 Ringtones. Embedded ring tones, vibrating alerts and silent
• Phonebook Contact capacity dependent upon optional removable memory
• TTY compatible
• Device Insurance Available : Advanced Device – Early Termination Fee of up to $350 applies
• Hearing Aid Compatibility = M4 T4
• Text, Picture & Video Messaging with threaded messaging feature
• Full Suite of Google Apps incl.: Google Maps with Street View, transit and Wikipedia information; GTalk with Presence; Gmail; YouTube™, Latitude, Google Calendar
• 1000’s of apps & 100’s of widgets avail. on Android Market
• HTML Web Browsing
• Photosharing: Facebook, Picasa, Photobucket and MySpace
• Visual Voice Mail Capable
• VZ Navigator capable
• Motorola Over the Air Software Updates
• All-Digital, 800/1900, CDMA EVDO rev A
• 3.1” HVGA, 320 x 480, 65K colors
• Memory (Flash/RAM): 512MB/256MB
• 3.5mm Headset Jack
• Dimensions: 2.4(w) x 4.55(h) x .61(d) inches
• Weight: 6.35oz
• Qualcomm MSM7627 processor with dedicated HW Acceleration
• SAR: Head: 0.45W/kg;Body: 0.72W/kg
• Usage Time -Up to approx. 340 min OR
• ƒStandby Time -Up to approx. 440 hours

[via BGR]

[Via http://fonefrenzy.com]

Android 2.1 for the Droid? This week

One of the main reasons that I purchased the Motorola Droid was that it is a “Google Experience Device” meaning that

the DROID is a Google Experience device, which should theoretically mean that it’s more likely to receive fast and frequent software updates than its skinned cousins like the CLIQ. The Google Experience is sort of the “gold standard” Android showcase for the company, so to speak, and it’s in Google’s best interest to keep it rock solid at all times — and since there’s no third-party skin to re-validate after every Android version is released, the update process should go a heck of a lot smoother. – from Engadget’s DROID review here.

OK. That makes some sense. I was happy when I first received my Android 2.0.1 update about a month and a half ago. That was awesome. Something that I have been biting my tongue about was the Android 2.1 update that is currently running on the Nexus One.

I remember a couple of weeks ago there were some rumors flying around that Verizon was starting to push out this 2.1 update and it even made it’s way to Engadget. After a couple of days of waiting and further investigation this was found to be false and it looks like us Droid users are still waiting in the wings.

Here is the problem that I am starting to see. Android devices are being released at a break-neck pace. Even Motorola is expected to put out a couple of new Androids the first half of the year. I suspect with these new phones we will see the updated OS and because of that Motorola may find themselves not as concerned with updating their flagship device. If this is the case, Motorola is going to piss off a lot of very tech centric and vocal customers (this one included).

With all that said…

Engadget points out that Moto’s official Facebook page lets us know that they are sorry for not giving information sooner and that Android 2.1 will start rolling out this week. I have been checking my DROID obsessively and no-go on 2.1 for this guy… yet.

I will post something after I get 2.1 detailing what has changed.

[Via http://droidsmith.wordpress.com]

Hoccer and SMUpdater

Two Apps I recently downloaded are SMUpdater, and Hoccer.

SMUpdater is a helpful little app built by the Sholes.info team to easily update, download, and flash their custom built ROMs directly from their servers, choose what mods you want installed or removed, overclock, root and unroot the Droid, and been updaing on a regular basis. You can either get it for a $5 donation in the Market (which I reccomend if you can afford it to help them out with their servers and expenses), or free on www.shole.info

The other app, Hoccer is free in the market, and also available for the iPhone and on their site www.hoccer.com (which was also mentioned in the description in the Android Market.)  Basically, it uses your GPS and a closeby friend’s GPS to “throw” and catch” media and data files. The sender flick the device forward to “throw” the file, and the recipient flicks the device toward them to “catch” it. According to comments, a few users mentioned you can also go from iPhone to Android.

[Via http://hackersavant.com]

Motorola Milestone (Droid)

Motorola Milestone is the latest Android 2.0 powered powered phone which is the world’s thinnest, QWERTY slider with 3.7” multi-touch & pinch display.

Designed to deliver Android without compromise, Motorola MILESTONE is a blend of form and function that offers the thinnest QWERTY slider on the market (13.7mm) and a hi-resolution, multi-touch and pinch display with twice the pixels of the leading competitor.

For users who want the ultimate smart phone experience, MILESTONE offers the ability to use multiple applications at the same time, effortless multi-touch pinch and zoom browsing, and cinematic navigation through music, videos and maps of the world.

Features include an enriched Web experience, enhanced navigation features and access to thousands of apps and widgets from Android Market™. A suite of Google™ applications including Google Maps™ with Latitude™, Google Mail™ and YouTube™ are also integrated onto the device.

“MILESTONE is a smart phone without compromise, delivering a wiser, richer web and messaging experience. This is possible through the combination of Motorola’s expertise in design and a truly differentiated Android experience,” said Ralf Gerbershagen, vice president and general manager of Motorola Western Europe.

“In MILESTONE, form and function align to offer a clearer, more brilliant widescreen for enjoyable pinch and zoom Web browsing, the thinnest slider keyboard for messaging and push email that syncs both work and personal accounts, and a range of entertainment features including DVD quality video playback.”

Key features include:
• World’s thinnest QWERTY slider at just 13.7mm
• 3.7” widescreen display with 854 pixel width and more than 400,000 total pixels (more than twice the leading competitor)
• Pinch & zoom and double tap features
• 5 megapixel camera with dual-LED flash
• Motorola Media Link and Motorola Phone Portal to manage and share media content across desktop, phone and the Web
• Stereo Bluetooth®
• 3.5mm headset jack
• CrystalTalk™ Plus for superior talk quality

Additional features and apps include:
• Full suite of the Google applications: Google Maps with Latitude, Google Talk™, Google Mail, YouTube
• Unified Google and Microsoft Office Contacts
• Navigation: GPS, MOTONAV * turn-by-turn navigation, Google Maps, E-Compass Latitude
• Email Support: IMAP and POP, Google Mail
• IM Support: Google Talk
• Calendar: Exchange, Calendar

[Via http://mobilebloger.wordpress.com]

Motorola Devour

This Android-based model will supposedly have a shape somewhat similar to the popular Motorola Droid, but without many of the high-end features.

Like its big brother, it will be a slider, with a landscape-oriented QWERTY keyboard. It will apparently have a smaller, lower-resolution screen than the Droid, though.

On this device’s front, next to the touchscreen, will be three touch-sensitive buttons and an optical trackpad, rather than a trackball or D-pad.

The Droid Devour will allegedly debut with Android OS 2.1, the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system, and have the standard suite of software for connecting to Google services.

In addition, it will have support for Verizon’s EV-DO mobile broadband network, plus it will include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The Devour is also allegedly going to have a 3 megapixel camera, 3.5 mm headset jack, a GPS receiver, a microSD memory card slot, and a 1420 mAh battery.

[Via http://mobilebloger.wordpress.com]

Palm Pre Plus is for women? Really?

If you weren’t sure which cell phone best suits your gender, Verizon knows. Check out these latest ads for the new Palm Pre Plus. I know that they are cheesy and campy on purpose, but come on. It’s a cell phone. Why? We shouldn’t even need to be discussing this! The Palm Pre ads are pretty direct, but the Droid are just as over the top but also violent!

And here are the ads for the Droid by Motorola. Subtle. Very subtle.

[Via http://mensantiviolencecouncil.com]

iPad, MSI Android Tablet, Archos Tablets

Whenever I hear of a Tablet PC, I think of a notebook with a keyboard with a touchscreen that flips open backwards to be used like a stand. From what I have been seeing, tablets are going more to the multimedia side, and away from the PC side. Three tablets that caught my attention are the iPad, The Archos 5 and 7, and MSI Android Tablet.

Let me start with the iPad. By looking at it, all it seems to be is a 10″ iPod. Same uncustomizable OS, same look, just bigger, and so is the price. The price range for the WiFi model is $500+ depending on flash drive size, and $800+ for 3G+wifi, and an extra $30 a month for unlimited 3g access, and $15 a month for limited. It is running a 1ghz processor, and the flash sizes are a predictable 16, 32, and 64gb.What I would have liked to see from Apple with the tablet is something similar to the Axitron Modbook. The second tablet I would like to talk about, even though limited information is available as of now, is the MSI Android Tablet. Aimed to compete against the iPad, it also is 10″ in size and priced at $500. From what I read, it will be released with multiple configuration depending open the users needs. Lastly, the tablet that has caught my eyes, is the Archos line which are Android and PC based based. The Archos 5 and Archos 7 are both android based, running 600MHz. The Archos 5 is 5″ in size, having the disk drive space ranging from 60GB-250GB, and now on sale for starting price of $299.99. The Archos 7 is what I would consider the big brother. It is 7″ in size, and disk sizes of either 160GB and 320GB. Besides running Android, these two devices have the ability to stream and download standard and HD movies, record TV shows on the device itself with its built-in DVR, or with a couple of wires, from the device to the TV. A price hasn’t been set yet for the Archos 7. The Archos 9 is more in a comparison to a netbook then a multimedia/internet tablet. It is 9″, running a 1.1GHz processor, a 60GB HDD hard drive, and Windows 7 Starter Edition. It is priced at $549.99.

[Via http://mechtapir.wordpress.com]