Facebook to launch iPad app
Facebook is reportedly planning to introduce a free app in the coming weeks that is designed and tailored especially for the iPad’s touch-screen interface. Sources told the New York Times that the app,which has been in development for more than a year, is now in the final stages of testing. According to the report, Facebook Chat and Groups features have been overhauled, and the app will allow users to upload photos and videos shot by the iPad.
iPad users have been waiting for Facebook to offer an iPad-native app since Apple began selling the device in April 2010. This is the latest in what seems like a series of developments that Facebook has in store for Apple users. Facebook is also reportedly working on a new platform for mobile Safari called Project Spartan, which will be HTML5-based and aimed at iOS devices like the iPad and iPhone. It also recently leaked that Facebook is going to release its own photo-sharing application for the iPhone that will be a standalone option for users that leverages Facebook’s social graph.
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More bad news for RIM
Research In Motion Co-CEO Mike Lazaridis on Thursday announced that the 4G versions of RIM’s PlayBook tablets will not launch this summer, as the company had previously said. Instead, it looks like 4G Playbooks will be released this fall. The three 4G versions of its PlayBook — an LTE model for Verizon Wireless, a WiMAX model for Sprint, and an HSPA+ model for AT&T — have all been expected to launch this summer. RIM also noted that the new BlackBerry Bold 9900 / 9930 would be delayed until the end of August. Like the 4G PlayBooks, RIM has said previously that the new Bold would launch this summer.
RIM has also just announced its first quarter results, and things are not looking good. The company’s net income for the quarter was $695 million, which is down from the $934 million of the previous quarter as well as down from the $769 million of the same quarter last year.
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Panasonic to launch 10.1-inch android Toughbook
Panasonic is set to launch a 10.1-inch tablet that will provide a secure solution for enterprise, government, and business users. The company has released smaller tablets, like the U1 Ultra (running Windows), or convertible tablets, like the Toughbook 19, in the past. According to Panasonic Solutions Company president Rance Poehler, enterprise customers are very interested in the tablet market, but have been frustrated by the lack of appropriate solutions.
“The vast majority of tablet devices—regardless of the OS—are engineered for consumers and don’t offer appropriate levels of security and durability or the functionality needed for business use. Like all Toughbook products, our Toughbook tablet will be designed and constructed with the mission-critical mobile user in mind.”
Set to be released in the 4th quarter of this year, the Android Toughbook offers a 10.1-inch XGA that can support up to 1,024 by 768 resolution (720p HD). Though the screen will not be glossy like the ones on the Apple iPad 2 and Samsung Galaxy Tab, the Toughbook has a daylight screen and high brightness that allows it to be viewable in the field. The tablet also features multitouch functionality and comes with a stylus for those who need to take signatures or require a more precise pointing device. The Panasonic Toughbook tablet does come with added security. Other features include satellite GPS, battery life to last through your shift, and optional 3G or 4G mobile broadband connectivity.
