We don’t know if you are as excited as us when looking at all of the potential “iPad killers” that manufacturers are scrambling to develop and release, but one device that seems to keep impressing again and again is the BlackBerry Playbook .
RIM’s QNX-powered tablet has already been shown off by its CEO Mike Lazaridis at a number of different events but yesterday he was in attendance at the D: Dive Into Mobile conference and gave us the best demonstration of the Playbook UI and apps we have seen to date.
Lazaridis only shows us what he deems the public should be able to see but its enough to get a feel for how the Playbook operates; transitions are smooth, switching between apps is easy and different web technologies (Flash, Air) are also demonstrated. Video playback is smooth, the tablet looks to have nailed the grey area between the laptop and the smartphone, something Apple will no doubt be working on improving for its next iPad .
The device is expected to launch in the US in Q1 2011 and in Q2 worldwide .
Take a look at the video, lets us know what you think.
Playstation Phone emerges on video again, this time with more Playstation
Sony Ericsson’s Playstation Phone (Zeus Z1) has emerged again in two independent videos, this time giving us a good look at the gaming elements of the handset.
Following a leak three days previous , the first spy video ( which we showed you earlier ), gives us a close-up view of the Zeus, showing the homescreen and the software specifications of the device. Gingerbread is present on the prototype, as is an interesting little Playstation icon in the Android menu. Unfortunately for us the app never actually gets launched, meaning we don’t get to see what Sony Ericsson hopes will captivate gamers.
Luckily, the same person who provided us with the first overview of the handset returns to demonstrate the Playstation application and give us the first look at the Zeus’ Playstation gaming personality. Although the app loads, there are no games available, so just an empty game library is displayed.
All that is missing now is the official confirmation from Sony Ericsson. Now that the device is leaking consistently it could mean the device could be unveiled soon.
Rumours suggest we will have to wait until February, will the buzz surrounding the handset be sustainable if its left that long?
Radio Shack experiencing nationwide iPhone shortage
According a report by AppleInsider , Radio Shack stores across the nation are experiencing shortages of the iPhone after the store began a sale on all models of the popular device.
Radio Shack’s deal consists of two parts. The first, $50 off any iPhone device with a two year contract on AT&T.
The second portion allows iPhone 3GS owners to trade in their device for a $25 iPhone 4. It has been running for only a couple of days now and you can see why inventories around the United States are already becoming depleted.
For instance a store located in North Carolina apparently confirmed that the “entire region” was sold out of the iPhone 4. We made a quick check to a couple of Radio Shack stores in San Francisco and they all had the same response:
Their iPhone 4 stock is sold out, the other models are close to being sold out and they hope to have more soon.
This spells trouble for those attempting to cash in on this deal because it’s rather tough to buy an on-sale item if it’s well, not for sale. So if you live near a Radio Shack and were thinking about an iPhone 4 for a family member, then you probably want to head to the nearest one immediately.
The success of Radio Shack’s offer could also present problems for the company itself. The iPhone 4 is in pretty high demand because of the holiday season and if the company isn’t able to replenish their in-store stock quick enough, they might lose out on some customers.
