Samsung has announced the release of four new tablets this year. While little is known about them, but some of the features look really interesting. These releases will feature the traditional model of the middle class, the budget version with two SIM-cards and a tablet with an eight-core processor.

All tablets are equipped with screens with PLS or AMOLED signature matrices. Low-end model Galaxy Tab DUOS 7.0 stands out of the crowd with its support for two SIM-cards. A bit strange to see such a decision on the tablet, but it is not the first such experiment in the market. Lenovo has previously released such a tablet computer.

PLS-resolution display of Galaxy Tab DUOS 7.0 will be 1024×600 – as in younger netbooks. In the tablet there will be installed dual-core processor. Its model and the frequency are not yet known, but most likely it will be A15 (Exynos 5250). Camera specifications can be a little upset to all photo fans: the main one has 3-megapixel resolution and the rear one – 2 megapixels.

Only the seven-inch model will be have a limit of 32 GB capacity memory cards of microSD format. The remaining three tablets will support twice as much.

Galaxy Tab 8.0 will receive an eight-inch AMOLED screen with FullHD resolution. The note states that the company must first solve a number of technical problems with such displays. The basis of the tablet will be quad-core A9 (Exynos 4412). The device will also has two cameras: main one with a resolution of 5 megapixels, and the front one with 2 megapixels resolution.

Galaxy Tab 11 will be equipped with a screen developed on a matrix of Super-PLS with a diagonal 11″. The tablet will also be provided by company’s devs with energy efficient dual-core A15 (Exynos 5250) and the main camera with a resolution of 8 megapixels. Camera for video calls and will remain a megapixel one.

Most intriguing of all other 11-inch tablet from Samsung is NEXUS 11. If approved by Google, it will be one of the first tablets with eight cores A15 / A7 (Exynos 5410). The same chip is expected to be built in 3 Galaxy Tab Plus.

Microsoft announced the release of a new version os Xbox console. The device will have more options for communication with social networks, while games will play a secondary role. This is the way Microsoft will try to cope with increasing competition from manufacturers of smartphones and tablets.

New console will go on sale on Christmas holidays. It should also be mentioned that it will be released at the same time with its main competitor – Sony PlayStation 4.

The presentation will take place on May 21 at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The event will be streamed online on Xbox.com, Xbox Live and Spike TV.

“On this day, we will share with you our vision of the Xbox and let you feel the real taste of the future” – the company said in a corporate blog.

The gaming industry is facing the increasing competition from manufacturers of smartphones and tablets. The company IDC predicts that by the end of 2013, the number of gamers who pay for games on smartphones and tablets will surpass the number of console users. Sales of new video games, consoles and game accessories in the United States in March 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 decreased by one third. The largest drop in sales occurred in the sector of games for consoles – down by 32%, according to a study by NPD Group.

The new device from Microsoft will be equipped with faster chips from the company Advanced Micro Devices, and with improved hand controller Kinect, which transmits the movement of the player to the console.

“Xbox demonstrates new ways of extending the life cycle of the console with wireless controller Kinect, a new dashboard and partnership in the field of entertainment content,” – says Microsoft’s statement.

But the games are not the main function of the new Xbox: console is designed for using entertainment content, including streaming movies and TV shows. The ability to play games on the console remains, but these will be simple games.

Sony has also made the emphasis on the social component in their console Sony PlayStation 4 (PS4). The device was announced in February 2013. PS4 has a function that allows you to broadcast the games in real time on the social network Facebook, and the user’s friends can leave comments on the game, and also suggest moves or take control and pass the level. The console will be available also at the season of the holidays – almost simultaneously with the new product from Microsoft.

Xbox gaming console along with search engine Bing are one of the main generators of Microsoft’s profits due to lower sales of personal computers and the low popularity of Windows 8. Thanks to them in January – March of this year, the corporation was able to increase its net profit to $ 6.1 billion (an increase of 19% compared to the same period in 2012). Revenue was $ 18.8 billion (an increase of 8.2%). Adjusted for deferred revenue and the European Commission imposed a fine of $ 733 million Microsoft earned 65 cents per share, according to her statements for the III quarter of the fiscal year (January – March 2013).

It has been nearly two years since the release of the first representatives of the line of budget laptops called Chromebook. At that time for many of them people predicted the fate of the “Windows killers”, which will take a significant niche in the post-PC era, but the harsh reality is decided to go different from the expectations.

You may have heard, or even seen in action Chrome OS. In fact, it is a browser, modified to the operating system. Obviously, such OS is designed to work exclusively with the Internet connection and does not imply any major computing on the user’s computer. In other words, Chrome OS is useless without Internet connection.

Company NetMarketShare, which specializes in the analysis of the presence of certain products and technologies on the Internet, drew attention to the Chrome OS.

The result is impressive – the share of Chromebooks is 0.023% of world traffic. A great figure for 2 years of market presence.

It is worth noting that even the first Chromebook is not a success. When Acer released their Chromebooks, they were able to sell something like 5,000 units during 6 consecutive months.

Industry giants Lenovo and HP also make their budget Chromebooks. Samsung has thrown on the market is quite tempting device: Chromebook on ARM, comparable in size to the MacBook Air, priced at $ 249. And then comes the great and mighty Chromebook Pixel, whihc also was no use.

Perhaps with such major manufacturers and a variety of models Chromebook has become popular? No. Only Samsung and their budget model for some time resided in the top of Amazon’s notebook category.

But it is not only Google that bad. For the 6 months since the release of Windows 8 has managed to get only 3.31% of desktops. The sad Vista at one time reached a rate of 3.02% for 3 months. More or less alive looks only Windows RT, Ahead by popularity Chrome OS for 3 months from the date of the release.

Microsoft issued a warning for users of Windows 7 on the need to uninstall a patch for the operating system that was released on Thursday. If users have not had time to establish a system of automatic updates, Windows Update until Friday evening, the defective patch was not installed on the computer.

The problem with the patch 2823324 is due to the fact that he was on some PC locks down the operating system by sending it in an endless loop of reboots.

Microsoft says that users of Windows 7, who either manually or through Windows Update has downloaded the update 2823324, but have not faced with endless reboots, should remove the patch from the system as soon as possible. “Microsoft encourages customers to remove this update,” – says the official document technical support.

Over the past two days, many users of Windows 7 on various Internet forums are actively discussing BSOD-error (Blue Screen of Death), which completely blocked the ability to use a computer. The first error message came from Brazilian users of Windows 7, after reports emerged that the error could be due to “Kaspersky Antivirus”, if installed on the computer. According to PatchManagement.org, most problems fixed on machines where the Windows 7 software installed Kaspersky Endpoint Security 8 for Windows.

Many users report that the problem provokes constant performance over hard disk diagnostics utility CHKDSK at boot time.

The report of the Russian anti-virus vendor says that the problem occurs on computers with Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, or Server 2008 R2. Microsoft says that the problem occurs when an update is reacted with a “third-party suppliers of some projects.”

Intel has started deliveries of processors of new generation, code-named Haswell, CNet reports citing informed sources. Haswell – the next generation of processors for Ivy Bridge. The source said the new processors in the market will be the end of June 2013 they will be installed in laptops.

New microarchitecture Haswell will offer “record improved battery life when switching from one processor generation to another,” said earlier Intel CEO Paul Otellini, who in May 2013 resigned.

The production of Haswell processors sticks to the previously used technology standards – 22 nm. The company switched to it together with the architecture of Ivy Bridge. Following Haswell in 2015 Broadwell will be processors based on 14 nm process technology.

In the meantime, in the first game chipset architecture Haswell a bug has been identified that leads to the disappearance connected to a USB-drive system after exiting sleep mode.

Intel confirmed the error and reported it in batches, starting from April 19, it will be corrected. The problem does not apply to any peripherals and does not result in damage or loss of data on storage devices, the company said.

This isn’t the first time when Intel is spotted in missing some bugs in its production. In 2011, a similar problem affected chipsets for Intel Core second generation. Error influenced the hard drives, connected via SATA. Defect was found after the first personal computers with defective chips came to market. The company fixed the problem in subsequent batches.

American startup EnerG2 started producing electrodes from the so-called “hard carbon.” It allows you to increase the capacity of a lithium ion battery with no significant design changes and the introduction of new production processes, according to Technology Review.

According to the EnerG2, carbon electrode (in this case – the anode, the positive electrode of a battery) can increase the battery capacity by up to 30%.

EnerG2 electrode made of carbon with an amorphous structure in which the atoms are not arranged in contrast to graphite, with its crystal structure, the traditional material for anodes. This material can be stored up to 50% more energy per unit of its surface than graphite.

The first products, where a new technology has been applied, have lead-acid batteries and parts of capacitors. However, both products are relatively narrow segments of the market, compared with lithium-ion batteries.

According to EnerG2 CEO Rick Luebbe, the disadvantage of this material is that after the first charge the battery loses its capacity. Startup managed to reduce the size of the loss to a value acceptable for the manufacture of commercial products.

It’s worth noting that the value of the anode of solid carbon is about 20% higher than graphite. For this reason, the technology is unlikely to be able to afford manufacturers batteries for electric vehicles, according to analysts. As for the manufacturers of electronic gadgets, then they might as well pay for it, to make the device thinner and lighter.

In addition to batteries, EnerG2 exploring other options for the application of solid carbon, including the storage of natural gas at a lower pressure. In 2010, the company received a grant from the state of $21 million.

Manufacture of solid carbon electrode is one way to increase the capacity of the batteries. For example, companies Envia Systems and Amprius, funded by venture funds, suggested using silicon electrodes, which also led to an increase in capacity. However, according to representatives EnerG2, silicon electrodes offer a smaller number of charge cycles and may require design changes.

The company Archos, a French manufacturer of high quality, low-cost tablet, officially confirmed the rumors about his appearance on the market of modern smartphones. True, the Internet information did not contain information on the date, but this is not a problem – Archos will release its first smartphone this year.

What will be the smart phone from Archos? In what price range it will go? These and many other questions yet unanswered, and it is unclear when we learn something about the new French mobile phone. Right now there is only one MobileDevice detail about the future of the smartphone – it will install the OS Google Android, as a chance to see it on Windows Phone is so small that it can be ignored. According to rumors, by the way, Archos is not limited to a smartphone – we are waiting for at least three models, based on which it can be assumed that the expansion will take place in several segments.

Not likely to be without state employees and average performance, but about the flagship unit faces too many doubts. In this area, Archos may face very serious competitors – Samsung, Apple and HTC (if she deigns to release his One piece in time and around the world). And by the way of geographical distribution: hardly Archos decides to limit it. Since this is her first experience in the production of smartphones, then you need to try to attract the attention of the maximum number of users. On the other hand, what is a smartphone? This decrease is a tablet with a radio module, no more, and tablets Archos does good, for which he received the appropriate reputation.

Sony has continued to implement its plan to enter the third place in the global smartphone market, ahead of Huawei and take a position just behind Samsung and Apple. The Japanese manufacturer is well aware that only one flagship product it does not do so now were the models of mid-range, the new smartphone Sony Xperia SP and Xperia L with powerful cameras Exmor RS.

Until now, only the flagship device Sony Xperia Z could have boasted of a camera with a sensor Exmor RS new generation, but now the high quality pictures are available on mid-range devices. Exmor RS sensors on smartphones Sony Xperia SP and Xperia L allow you to take photos and videos in HDR, and the launch of the camera application takes less than a second, even if the phone is locked.

Sony Xperia SP model is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro dual-core processor at 1.7 GHz, all popular communication protocols, including LTE and NFC. The handset is equipped with a large 4.6-inch display with a resolution of 720×1280 pixels. Supported by proprietary technologies Sony Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 for improving image quality on the display and Battery STAMINA to conserve battery power. Another notable feature of the Xperia SP is a transparent band at the bottom of the case, it is highlighted in different colors.

Smartphone Xperia L lacks support for LTE, and is replaced by high-resolution screen, 4.6 come with 4.3-inch FWVGA, that is 480×854 dots. Both new models from Sony are available in black, white or red body. No official information about the price yet, but unofficial estimates Holland Xperia SP model will sell for 399 euros, and for the Xperia L asked 279 euros. Both models will be available in the second quarter of this year.

Apple has started the production of iPhone 5S in the factories of its partner Foxconn, according to the Japanese blog Macotakara. The announcement of the device is expected in June of this year.

According to the blog, build iPhone 5S is carried out on the same production lines as the iPhone 5. Foxconn builds until production to the planned scope of the supplier has not yet emerged.

iPhone 5S – Apple next-generation smartphone, the announcement of which, according to the information KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Ko, to be held in June 2013, along with a cheaper model of iPhone.

It is expected that the device will have a more powerful processor Apple A7, a new built-in flash, a fingerprint scanner and a battery of high capacity.

It is assumed that the processor Apple A7 will have 4 cores instead of 2 in the Apple A6, which is in the iPhone 5. In addition, it is expected that the new chip will be equipped with 2 GB of RAM, compared to 1 GB in A6 (RAM processors Apple is in the same housing with cores) and graphics PowerVR SGX554MP4, borrowed from the iPad 4 processor – Apple A6X.

iPhone 5S will require a hardware upgrade because it goes on sale with a new version of the OS – iOS 7.0, – which will be more demanding on resources. Of the innovations in the platform is expected to expand voice control function Siri.

As for the design of iPhone 5S, it will remain the same as the iPhone 5: Apple traditionally maintains the previous generation smartphone design, increasing its power and functionality (for example, it was with iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, released in 2010 and 2011 respectively).

Analysts also believe that in 2013 Apple could update the iPhone to go twice a year and, thus, produce iPhone 6 before the end of the year, in the fall. However, recent reports blog Macotakara, the presentation of this generation will be held no earlier than next year.

Note that in the last year in July blog Macotakara reported the launch of the iPhone 5, that is, two months before his announcement. Perhaps, this time, the company decided to start production early in order to avoid a repeat of the iPhone 5 coming out from the factory with scratches on the body. Following those Apple strengthened quality control, and the market is a deficit of new smartphones.