Productopia | Tablet Computers

While anticipation builds regarding a possible mini version of the iPad (probably in October), Amazon headed in the other direction, rolling out a larger, 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD at an event on Thursday. Priced at $299, it offers tons of new features (a front-facing camera, for example), robust Wi-Fi MIMO technology, more memory (16 GB), and a faster processor than the original to go along with a high-resolution 1200 by 1900 pixel display. You can check out CNET (as well as about a hundred other sites on the net) for a full rundown on the specs. A version with a 7-inch screen, but otherwise identical features, will sell for $199. Amazon also announced a step-up version of the 8.9-inch Fire, with 32 GB of memory and 4G LTE connectivity via AT&T. It's priced at $499, plus $50 per year for a data plan that allows just 250 MB of traffic a month -- fine for web browsing or checking email, but far too little for streaming movies or even music. The 7-inch Kindle Fire HD ships Sept. 14, while the 8.9-inch versions ship on Nov. 20. Read more

Although tablet computers have only been readily available for a couple of years, they seem to be popping up everywhere. Go to any doctor's office, school sports practice, or shopping mall and you'll usually see at least one person on one of these devices. According to Gartner Research, sales of tablets are on track to increase by 98 percent during 2012 to sales of 118.9 million units. With such a large growth in popularity, tablet users will soon become the norm. Read more

Are you one of the multitudes that have caught iPad fever? Apple has sold out online for Friday delivery of the new, 3rd generation iPad, with waits now extending out for two to three weeks at last look. Planning to line up on Friday to get one in-store? Expect a bit of company as some analysts are predicting that as many as 1 million new iPads will be sold that day alone -- and yes, some eager souls (or, as Gizmodo calls them, "pathetic iPad line goons") are already camping out. But for those that already own a 1st or 2nd generation iPad, have you given any thought to what's to become of your former love when your shiny new one finally reaches your hands? Here are some ideas. Read more

You have to hand it to Apple. The company is a master when it comes to building up anticipation in advance of a new product or even a product refresh -- as was the case with last year's iPhone 4s. It's no wonder, then, that things had built up to a fever pitch ahead of yesterday's unveiling of the new Apple iPad -- yes, just iPad, not the iPad 3 or iPad HD as just about everyone had expected. One pre-launch survey said that nearly a third of users who own a mobile device expect to buy the new iPad. Other research reported that 42 percent of current iPad owners planed to upgrade to the latest version. Certainly, the new iPad packs in a bunch of technical upgrades, some pretty major. However will it be enough to sustain the pre-launch enthusiasm? That's an open question, but given Apple's track record, I wouldn't bet against it. Read more