"The last year has been a phenomenal one for the Android ecosystem. Device activations grew 250% year-on-year, and the total number of app downloads from Android Market topped 11 billion. As the platform continues to grow, we’re focused on bringing you the best new features and innovations - including in security."

I've never had a problem with a bad app doing serious damage. The worst problem I had was an app that was giving me advertisements as notifications. It wasn't hard to find the app and after I removed it the notifications stopped. This blog post explains some of the safeguards that are in place to protect your Android phone. One thing they highlight is the "Bouncer" service that Google developed to scan the Android Market and look for bad apps. It's good to know that however bad this problem is on Android Google is taking it seriously.

Have you ever had a problem on your Android device caused by a virus or malware?

"Samsung wants to make an Android tablet for everyone, which is why they have four screen sizes: 7.0", 7.7", 8.9", and 10.1". For many, their 7.0" and 7.7" tablets provide an excellent level of portability while also giving you plenty of screen to warrant a great tablet experience."

A super AMOLED Plus screen with a pixel density of about 196 ppi (iPad 2 is about 131 ppi, for comparison) at 1280x800 makes this tablet a delight to the eyes. Two models are currently shipping: one with wifi and one with wifi and unlocked GSM/UMTS bands. A 4G LTE version is planned for 2012 from Verizon. An unusual (but interesting) feature, the Tab 7.7 has an earpiece, making phone features a possibility, bit it is not yet enabled in the software. Overall, this is a great tablet, but is currently hampered (per the reviewer) by Android 3.2's quirkiness. Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) is expected sometime in 2012 Q1. Battery life is outstanding, thanks in part to the Super AMOLED Plus screen's efficiencies. There are currently several resellers, and costs start at $572 for the wifi-only version, or $668 for a version that'll work with an AT&T SIM. With Android 4.x onboard, this may be getting close to the perfect tablet: long battery life, beautiful screen, and fast!

"Google has released a pretty useful update for their Android version of Google Docs, providing offline access for your files and a better overall experience for tablet users by providing high-resolution versions of your documents."

This was a much needed update! To not have access to files when you have no network is just dumb. Large collections of media or things you don't need often, maybe that can stay in the cloud, but small text files, documentation, or notes, I want available all the time. It sounds like the synchronization is done well also. I played with it a bit and it's easy enough to save a file locally as shown in the screen shot above. Improving the app for tablet owners was a very smart idea as well. Really, I think that should have been done when the first Xoom was released but better late than never.

"The folks at Adonit have been working hard on their new product, the Jot Touch, a pressure sensitive stylus with a built-in antenna and a free SDK kit for drawing app developers."

Too much as in it seems pretty complicated to me, but then again i'm used to just a regular old stylus or the tip of my finger. I suppose being able to have tight control over the end of the stylus would be useful for those doing intricate work on their iPad or tablet, but for the regular user like me, I don't see the value. What are your thoughts?

"So you're walking with your iPhone in one hand, and a Starbucks latte in the other, and granted it is possible to use the iPhone in one hand, it could prove to be "fatal" since one hand tends to offer less support compared to two, and we all know that heart wrenching feeling when your brand new gadget slips out of your hand and onto the hard pavement."

Basically very simple, as all this does is attach to the iPhone case or the iPhone itself and you slide your fingers in and can start using your iPhone one handed without fear of dropping it. I can also be attached to the back of your iPad, or any other tablet for that matter. As you can see from the photos, it doesn't have to be an Apple product to work. Three sizes (small, medium and large) depending on the finger size and you can get them for $29.95 USD each from the Flygrip store located here. That seems a bit spendy to me, and I think I would rather just spend that on a better case. What are your thoughts?

Product Category: Camera Bag

Manufacturer: Manfrotto

Where to Buy: Best Buy, Amazon

Price: $50 - $99 USD

Holds: DSLR with lens attached as well as 1 to 2 other lenses, 17" Macbook (15.4" laptop) and personal effects.

Specifications: Product Height 12.2", Product Width 7.5", Product Depth18.9",Product Weight 2.2 lbs.

Pros:

• Lightweight;
• Cost Effective;
• Lots of Storage Space.

Cons:

• Shoulder Pad is not Comfortable;
• No Regular Tripod Attachment;
• No Easy Access Side Pockets.

Summary: The Manfrotto Unica VII Messenger Bag is a great camera bag for photographers on the go or who travel frequently. It is stylish and has an easy access top zipper that lets you get to all your gear in a hurry. That same zipper makes it easy to grab your laptop out for airport security checkpoints and, yes, the whole bag is carry-on friendly for both domestic and international flights.

The ability to carry a pro body with a battery pack attached and a 17 inch laptop along with other lenses and equipment without weighing a ton or requiring you to stop and find a place to sit your bag down in order to access your equipment is a lifesaver. The messenger bag style makes it easy to carry around all day and doesn't scream "I have an expensive camera in here!". The price point on this can't be beat - at $50 - $100, it easily compares to bags twice the price.

A Camera Bag and More

No matter what your level of expertise, if you have spent good money on a nice SLR or DLSR, you are going to need a decent camera bag. I've been shooting professionally for 27 years and I feel like I have spent half that time just trying to find the "perfect" camera bag. Of course, there is actually no such thing as the "perfect" camera bag. It is as elusive as Big Foot or Nessie. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that if you just need one camera body with you, the Manfrotto Unica VII Messenger Bag comes pretty close.

In theory, the purpose of a camera bag is the ability to carry around your camera, lenses and other gear in a protective case. In real life, that purpose includes accessibility. Buying an expensive camera doesn't help you at all if you miss "the shot" because you were trying to get your gear out of the bag. The beauty of the Manfrotto Unica VII Messenger Bag is that it does both and it does it well, all while looking stylish and remaining compact.

Finding a Bag that "Just Works"

Camera bags have come a long way over the last decade or so. Manufacturers are finally figuring out that accessibility, style and function have as much or more to do with choosing a camera bag as protection. I recently purchased the Canon 5D Mark II and with it, my search for the right camera bag began again. It is one thing to find a compact, messenger style bag for a DSLR, it's another thing to find one that fits a pro body with a battery grip attached and a 17 inch laptop.

The first bag I bought was the Canon Deluxe Gaget Bag 10EG. It was recommended with the camera and for only $60 bucks I thought I would give it a shot. That was possibly one of the worst camera bags I have ever used. It was boxy, bulky and hardly carried enough gear. It looked like it was from the 70's and, of course, it did not have space for the laptop. The second bag I bought was a Tamrac CyberPro Express. At $250 bucks, it certainly did a lot, it rolled, carried a laptop and fit my DSLR (2 actually), all my lenses and a ton of other gear easily. The downside was it was HUGE, it weighed almost 10 pounds completely empty. Had its massive size allowed me to also carry my shoulder mount and some other video equipment, I probably would have settled on this monster and called it a day. Alas, it did not, so back to the drawing board.

I found a review on the Tenba Messenger bag and it seemed to have all of the features I wanted; compact size, messenger bag style, it fit a DSLR, 2 lenses and a laptop and it was cute. They even had it in purple. (I'm a pro first, but I am also a chick, so don't hold it against me that I bought a purple camera bag). The price was $109 bucks and I actually really liked this bag. The main downside is that it my camera just wouldn't fit with the battery grip attached. I had to remove it and store it separately every time I put the camera away. This also took away from space as the battery pack took up one of the lens slots. I also wished there had been at least a few roomy pockets on the sides or front, but there were not. I figured this was the best I was going to find at the moment and settled on the Tenba.

A few weeks later, I was out at Best Buy upgrading my phone when I spotted the Manfrotto Unica VII Messenger Bag. It looked very similar to the Tenba bag, but a little taller. I realized that this was because there was a bottom zipper that led to a big, roomy, padded compartment on the bottom of the bag that was perfect for storing bulky items. The bag was on sale for $79 (down from $99) so I bought it in the color "cord" which is a brownish grey color, and brought it home to see how it compared to the Tenba.

Figure 1: The Tenba Messenger Bag (Large). Seen here empty

Figure 2: The Manfrotto Unica VII Messenger Bag. Seen here fully loaded with all my gear

The Manfrotto Comparison

There really is no comparison. The Manfrotto is heads and shoulders above the Tenba bag in space and function. While both bags have the top zipper for easy access, the Manfrotto also allows me to reach the front pocket zipper from the top. Better news is that I don't have to remove my battery grip every time I put it away. It fits neatly in the shooting position with the lens attached and still leaves me room for additional lenses, a flash, the laptop and other various accessories.

Figure 3: Everything fits nicely with the battery grip and laptop, additional lens, flash, TTL cord and still has some wiggle room. I can also access the front zipper pocket from here.

Unlike the Tenba bag which has a fold up pocket that tucks inside the bag, making it near impossible to reach or find any of the items in it, the Manfrotto has this pocket on the outside under the Velcro flap, but it can be accessed from the top zipper as well. It has way more room for items than the Tenba bag and is far better in design and access. The center pocket is marketed specifically for the Manfrotto "Pocket" tripod. It has the Pocket Tripod logo and they are even nice enough to give you a little card tucked in there with ordering information. (This was a little tacky for me.) I don't mind little cards attached to the bag along the price tag, with photos or suggested items. But this was like saying "Now you can't use this pocket for anything but The Manfrotto Pocket Series Tripods". But hey, a pocket is a pocket to me.

Figure 4: The front facing pocket can store the Manfrotto pocket tripod, cell phone, cards, lens cleaning kit, pens, notebook, spare batteries and more.

There is a nice slim pocket on the backside of the bag for magazines or notebooks. I use mine for a rain cover and a reflector.

Figure 5: Back, slim pocket

]]> Stacie Huckeba Digital Home Hardware & Accessories http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/showthread.php?t=133135 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:17:00 GMT http://www.laptopthoughts.com/news/show/133041/dell-admits-that-slim-is-in.html http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/...book-announced/

"The company just announced the XPS 13, which weighs in at a shade less than three pounds (2.99, to be exact) and has a wedge profile that tapers from .71 inches to .24 (18 to 6mm). With a starting price of $1,000, it sports an aluminum lid and carbon fiber chassis -- a material we wish more Ultrabook makers would incorporate. Though it has a 13-inch screen, it's the kind of panel with bezels so narrow that Dell was able to build a chassis small enough for a 12-inch system."

It is hard to believe that the start of the ultra thin laptop rage started way back in 2008. While there certainly excessively thin laptops before the Macbook Air, the Air caught the attention of the consumer market in droves. It is four, yes, four years later, and Dell has put forward their latest competitor. If you are into thin, but not an Apple fan, Engadget's quick overview may give you the information you need. While I personally like the idea of laptops light enough that I can carry, I await the day that they carry more graphics punch. What about you?