First look at the ASUS Transformer Book Duet TD300

We have some photos of the two-headed beast, a convertible notebook that runs both Windows 8.1 and Android 4.2.2  and which features an Intel Core i7 processor with Intel HD graphics and 4G DDR3L 1600 RAM, giving it performance that’s up to twice as fast as existing tablets powered by ARM processors. It also comes with a 13.3-inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD IPS touchscreen display.

The Transformer Book Duet TD300 has 128GB of SSD storage that can be supplemented by a 64GB Micro SD card, while the keyboard dock houses up to a 1TB hard disk drive. The dock is also home to USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports, a LAN port, and HDMI 1.4 output with 1080p support. In terms of connectivity, ASUS Transformer Book T300 has 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 with EDR. This really is an ambitious take on the convertible tablet/ultrabook.

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Photos by Alex Davies, shot on a Sony CyberShot RX10

Google brings Nexus 5’s Google Now Launcher to Android flagships

Google has released its Google Now Launcher on the Nexus 5 as a standalone app for Nexus and Play edition devices. The app now brings the “Ok Google” hotword voice searches and view of the contextual cards to other Android users. Unfortunately, we’re not sure if Google plans on bringing the app to other Android devices outside of the flagships.

Source: The Next Web

Stephen Elop to head Microsoft Devices Group including Xbox and Surface

Stephen Elop is currently CEO of Nokia and he actually gave a great demo and launch event for the new Asha and Nokia X devices this week at Mobile World Congress. Word has it that once Nokia is fully absorbed into Microsoft, Elop, who many saw as contender for the CEO job which went to Satya Nadella, will head the Devices and Studios Group.

Originally a Microsoft employee, Canadian Elop gets the opportunity to steer one major aspect of Redmond as it aspires to fullfill its 'Devices and Services Company," destiny. Under Elop's stewardship will be  Xbox, Surface and all the accessories and physical doodads such as keyboards, mice and accessories from Microsoft. His experience in products from Nokia should come in pretty handy. 

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Apple's iPad Air wins Best Tablet at Mobile World Congress

Despite not being featured or on display at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Apple's iPad Air took the Best Tablet for 2014 honours as part of the the 2014 Global Mobile Awards. This is despite half-a-dozen new Android tablets having come to market since the iPad Air launched in October. 

The iPad Air and the past four generations of Apple's tablet have dominated the tablet space pretty much since Apple introduced the category in 2010. Various waves of tablets have tried to challenge the iPad in the 9.7-inch category. Competitors have diversified by making different sizes, connecting keyboard accessories and even releasing professional versions of their tablets.

Despite this, the iPad and its ecosystem have dominated not just the consumer space but the ever-evolving enterprise market. Apple has managed to make the iPad more portable and yet even more powerful with each suceedding iteration. 

Source: iSource