ICS PLAYS

Well, it's official the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY is getting Android 4.0 ICS! SE released the information on Facebook via their Deutsch fan page. Also giving statements to several sources that the entire 2011 Xperia line would be getting the upgrade to Android 4.0 ICS, just as soon as all 2011 Xperia smartphones have received the Android 2.3.4. GB upgrade. Which is currently being distributed worldwide!

SE has not given a specific day, nor even month, for the ICS upgrade; but has said that ICS will be distributed in either late 2011, or early 2012. Since I have the PLAY, you can imagine my enthusiasm when I heard of the ICS upgrade. With a facial recognition security interface, 3D panoramic views, and God only knows what else; who wouldn't want ICS?!?! And what's the best about it, is that it's coming to the Xperia PLAY!!!!!

Vizio THRIVE

INTRODUCTION:

The Vizio THRIVE tablet represents Vizio's debut into the world of tablets. And, with a 7" display, Android 2.3.2, and an internal camera; they haven't done to shabby. However, there are some things that the THRIVE just seems to be lacking.

TABLET:

Like the presence of a homescreen. Instead of the traditional Android homescreen, Vizio has instead opted to dispose of this and to replace it with the traditional Android applications menu. But, naturally, this is just a small flaw. Reaction speed is not great either. The camera, for instance, jumps around a little. Meaning that the picture is always just a few seconds behind what is actually happening. The screen quality seems to be good, but not exactly great.

The tablet comes equipped with Android 2.3.2, not the latest Android OS by a long shot, but for those with a low income, the tablet will simply have to do. It also comes with a built in IR blaster; which can be used to change channels and volume on television sets. Regardless of brand. This seems to be a huge up for those not wanting to buy an expensive IR blaster, and it's even better because it's not aimed strictly at Vizio devices!

HARDWARE:

The Vizio tablet comes with built in WiFi that supports up to 802.11n. As well as Bluetooth capabilities so that you can answer phone calls from your tablet. It uses the standard 1024x768 screen resolution, as well as a 1.3 GHz processor. As I mentioned before, the Vizio tablet operates off of Android 2.3.2, but it also is integrated with the Vizio Plus 1.2 OS. Nothing to be alarmed about, as they had to do this to be able to put in the tweaks that they made to the Android OS. Something that I found nice was the integration of the three control buttons. When switching from landscape to portrait mode, the buttons actually change their position based upon the position of the THRIVE!

CONCLUSION:

The Vizio THRIVE tablet isn't the greatest, or the latest, tablet out there, but it certainly has a good fighting chance price-wise. But, after coming from such a long line of quality HD screens, I must say that I thought that the THRIVE would live up to the expectations set by its ancestors.

If you are thinking about buying a THRIVE, then do so by all means! Just don't do it if you're looking for the latest, and greatest, thing on the market. I bought it for a school project - in which I'll be building an Android application. I wanted a cheap tablet so that, if I messed it up somehow, it wouldn't be all that big a deal. I'll be posting the unboxing video sometime tomorrow. So don't worry if you don't see it right away! :-)

Nook Touch :)

Ever heard of this thing before? If not, then it's time to crawl out from under whatever hole you've been hiding in. (No - by the way - I am not talking about the Nook Color!) The Barnes And Noble Nook is the Amazon Kindle's biggest competitor! But what many people don't know about the nook is that it operates off of the Android OS. The current Android OS version is: 1.0.1.0
The Nook Touch isn't like your typical Android device, though. And, although it is still touchscreen, it is a very dumbed-down version of the Android OS.
It does, however, feature social updating features. Such as Facebook, Twitter, as well as its own site called NookFriends. Which can only be accessed through the Nook. NooFriends allows you to lend books, request for people to lend you books, and recommend books to friends. You can also use it to share status updates, quotes, and your reading statues in your books. As well as ratings!
For the first time since the release of the Amazon Kindle, the Nook is in the lead when it comes to the e-reader market. I've had my Nook Touch since it was first released. However, the Nook Touch that I originally received turned out to be a factory defect, and I had to have it replaced. Other than that detail, I wiuld reccommend the Barnes And Noble's Nook Touch to everybody on this planet!