Alex, I agree with you on additional size possibilities for tablets. So far, this product space has gained an unbelievable amount of traction in a short period of time. It's clear that users like the smaller sized devices and the basic touch interface. It's clear we will see an almost explosive number of new products in the next 12 months including smaller screen sizes.
I'm wondering if there's a market niche for a form-factor that's smaller than an iPad 2, but larger than an iPhone. Of course, the Blackberry Playbook fills precisely that niche, but it hasn't taken off for other reasons (namely, the software's not fully baked, and it's viewed as an enterprise product rather than a consumer one). The reason I posit the intermediate form factor is that I personally still prefer the iPhone, even though I have an iPad. I think it's the weight issue. I actually like the iPad better, but I find it far easier to read an iPhone when recumbent, its smaller screen notwithstanding.
I can't help but notice the iPad 2's impression, and therefore costly, bill of materials. Now that Steve Jobs has sadly passed, I expect we will see a raft of Android tablets which strive for highly cost-constrained BOMs.
Yes, always great to see a product teardown. It appeals to the primal engineer in me; ogg, ugh! I'll never forget the first time I got to teardown a Ipod Touch that was dropped into a cup of coffee (it didn't survive). Such an impressive assortment of manufacturing techniques employed into these robust handheld devices. Good stuff, thanks!
Specs I've seen have the Kindle Fire based on the dual-core 1 GHz Texas Instruments OMAP (assuming version 5) processor. With all of the high-end graphics and processing power needed by emerging HTML5 code, it looks like multi-core will soon no longer be competitive advantage, but a requirement.
Always interesting to get a peak inside these coveted electronics. With Motorola and Apple now clearly on the dual-core processor bandwagon for their tablet offerings, does that mean this is now a standard for this form factor going forward? I see Apple's new iPhone 4S announced yesterday uses the same dual-core A5 chip. Is Amazon's new Kindle Fire based on a dual-core processor as well?
With LEDs dropping in price virtually every year, automakers have begun employing them, not only on luxury vehicles, but on entry-level models, as well.
The 3D printing revolution seems to have a knack for quickly moving technology ahead by way of collaborative effort and even a little friendly competition -- all of course in the name of scientific advancement.
Advantech has launched a new series of motion-control I/O modules to meet the increased demands that come with more distributed industrial systems that require control of a growing number of axes and devices.
Using almost 200 light-emitting diodes in the front and back of the new 2014 CTS, Cadillac designers are showing how LEDs can change the character of a vehicle.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
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A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
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