In addition to announcing availability for the XO tablet, Vivitar is outing the new 7-inch Camelio slate at CES. Like the XO, it has a family-friendly bent, with optional $20-$30 “personality kits” that customize the user experience with themes like Thomas the Tank Engine. Vivitar had the slate on hand — and even provided approximate pricing and availability info — but it’s mum on specs for the moment, as it still considers this device to be in the prototype phase. About that MSRP: it will be about $129, with a release date in late spring.

We spent a few minutes playing with the Camelio, and though there were no pre-loaded kiddie apps or personality kits to play with, it’s clear that this device is made for the younger set. The slate isn’t incredibly thin, but its rounded edges and textured backing make for a grippable design that looks ready to withstand a few drops. The 7-inch screen doesn’t dazzle with bright images; we’d guess the resolution is a standard 1,024 x 600. When the device ships, expect it to run Android 4.2. At least on the version we saw today, there’s not as much of a personalized skin as you’d expect with a child-friendly tablet. That’s likely because most of the customization comes via the optional theme kits. Each of those kits includes a case for the tablet along with a code that unlocks wallpapers, widgets and other branded content.

Along the edges are the standard volume toggle, power button and headphone jack, along with a microSD card slot and a micro-USB port. This is a WiFi-enabled device, and Vivitar said battery life is rated for seven to nine hours. Check out our hands-on gallery, and check back for a video soon.

Continue reading Hands-on with Vivitar’s kid-friendly Camelio tablet

Filed under: Tablets

Comments

See more here:
Hands-on with Vivitar’s kid-friendly Camelio tablet

YouTube has been experimenting a lot with its look of late, but an intriguing new spin on its video player has really grabbed our eyes. By right clicking on any video on its desktop website (control clicking for Mac users) and selecting “Pop Out,” you may see a minimalistic new player, and by then clicking on the “home” icon, a YouTube Trends selection along with a column of new icons. So far, those don’t seem to function, and we haven’t heard from Google yet as to whether this look presages something more permanent for the site. Considering the way Mountain View’s been futzing lately with its “broadcast yourself” portal, don’t get comfortable just yet.

Filed under: Internet, Google

Comments

Source: YouTube

Read more:
YouTube pops out new look: sneak preview, or just another test?

As one might imagine, there’s plenty of shiny things to get excited about in BeatBots’ San Francisco office, one of which is suspended on a wall in between paintings of Keepon and his power-promoting British cousin, Zingy. Marek Michalowski gave us a look at the still-unnamed wall drawing robot he’s been fiddling around with. Still in its early stages, the ‘bot is supported by wires that also power it, using an Arduino brain to drag a dry erase marker across the white surface of the wall. Check out a quick video explanation after the break.

Continue reading Keepon co-creator Marek Michalowski shows off his Arduino-powered wall drawing robot (video)

Filed under: Robots

Comments

Source:
Keepon co-creator Marek Michalowski shows off his Arduino-powered wall drawing robot (video)

If you’re down for a round of crystal ball gazing into the future of Google Play, then you’d best thank Android Police, which recently tore apart the latest APK in attempt to learn what new features might be on deck. Most curiously, the mobile app suggests that pre-order functionality may work its way into Google Play, and while there’s nothing definitive about how it might be implemented, it goes without saying that the feature would make more sense for hardware rather than software. Not to stop there, it also appears that developers are working to integrate the app review system with Google+. As is, it seems that you may be required to be a Google+ member in order to review apps, and your name and picture will be publicly tied to these reviews. To learn more about these features and other potential new additions, be sure to hit up the source link below.

Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, Google

Comments

Source: Android Police

Read more from the original source:
Latest Google Play APK suggests pre-orders in the works, app reviews may require Google+

Firefox on Android has been a luxury that devices running Google’s mobile OS with ARMv7 processors have had, but now Mozilla is broadening its browser’s horizons. Now, the latest version of Firefox’s mobile incarnation adds support for phones sporting ARMv6 processors with minimum speeds of 800mhz alongside at least 512MB of RAM. With those specs, that brings the HTC ChaCha and Status, LG Optimus Q, Motorola Fire XT, Samsung Galaxy Ace and others into the fold. In addition, the browser’s latest version brings Explore by Touch support on Jelly Bean and hardware and software decoding of H.264, AAC and MP3 formats on Android 4.0 and 4.1 devices. Fixes that address instability on Android 4.2 and text deletion issues also tag along in the release. To get your mitts on the download, simply tap the second source link below.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile

Comments

Source: Mozilla Blog, Google Play

Continued here:
Firefox for Android adds support for select smartphones with ARMv6 processors