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HP TouchPad release dates, Google Music Beta, Dell Streak 10 Pro: US Update
Dell Streak 10 Pro and Windows 7-based tablet confirmed: headed to China
Asus Eee Pad Slider spotted on Amazon Germany, release date still a mystery
Motorola Xoom Father’s day special: free wireless keyboard, valued at £59.99
Google Music Beta roll out begins in the UK: time to celebrate!
‘Flare red’ Nintendo 3DS and Star Fox 64 3D launch July 14
Apple iBookstore now available in the UK with over 30,000 free ebooks
The history of 3D in five parts: The 1800s
HP TouchPad hits the UK mid-July, pre-orders begin June 19th
Nokia says Apple made Android, Assassin’s Creed for Nintendo Wii U and more: Lunchtime Lowdown

HP TouchPad release dates, Google Music Beta, Dell Streak 10 Pro: US Update

Posted: 09 Jun 2011 09:45 AM PDT

So much tech news, so little time. In today's US Update we've got the UK HP TouchPad release date and pricing information, a 'flare red' Nintendo 3DS', confirmation of the Dell Streak 10 Pro and so much more. Let's dive right in.

The HP TouchPad will be released in the UK mid-July with pre-orders starting June 19th. The release will follow a July 1st release in the U.S., France and Germany July 1st. Pricing is set at £399 for the 16GB model and £479 for the 32GB.

The Apple iBookstore is now open in the UK. There's more than 20 categories of books to choose from, all of which can be downloaded directly to your iPod touch, iPhone or iPad. A red version of the Nintendo 3DS is headed to Japan next month. Dubbed the 'flare red' edition, the console will launch alongside the July 14th release of Star Fox 64 3D.

Google Music Beta is reportedly working in the UK. Invites to the cloud-based music streaming service have been received by some Nexus S owners running Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread. Did you get your invite? Motorola is offering a free wireless keyboard with the purchase of the Motorola Xoom from now until June 14. The manufacturer is also throwing in free 2-day shipping — sounds like the perfect Father's day gift if you ask me.

The Asus Eee Pad Slider has been spotted on Amazon Germany. No release date or pricing information is listed, but this is a great sign we'll see a launch very soon. Last in this morning is the Dell Streak 10 Pro. The 10-inch tablet is now confirmed and headed to China "later this summer" according to Dell's website. The company also confirmed a Window 7-based tablet for enterprise users is planned.

That wraps up the latest and greatest in this fine world of tech news. As always I'm Nick Marshall and I'll see you again tomorrow.

Dell Streak 10 Pro and Windows 7-based tablet confirmed: headed to China

Posted: 09 Jun 2011 09:13 AM PDT

After first quarter revenues exploded 22 percent in China this year, Dell has decided to take its 10-inch slate to the far East. The once rumored Dell Streak 10 Pro is now confirmed along with an enterprise-friendly Windows 7-based tablet. Both of the tablets are due out "later this summer".

Before you go scratching your heads over why Dell chose China for its Streak 10 Pro release, consider this. The next one billion people to come onto the Internet will be from emerging countries, with the majority from the so-called BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China).

The recent upswing in Dell's revenue stream in China, combined with a target audience of more than a billion potential sales is more than enough motivation. Although China will be the first country launch the new tablets, Dell has not ruled out other launches, citing, "we will evaluate other regions and segments in the second half of 2011". Expect the Dell Streak 10 Pro to hit the UK and US in late 2011 to "allow developers more time to create robust apps, particularly for mobile professionals".

Coming Soon | Dell | TBD

Asus Eee Pad Slider spotted on Amazon Germany, release date still a mystery

Posted: 09 Jun 2011 09:00 AM PDT

Originally scheduled to launch in May, the Asus Eee Pad Slider has quickly become one of the most highly anticipated Android Honeycomb tablets to date. Thanks to an almost a cult-like following, the sliding slate seems destined to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, the Asus Eee Pad Transformer.

Over on Amazon Germany, the Eee Pad Slider is now listed as coming soon. Release date and pricing information remains a mystery, but a listing on Amazon is always a good sign. Word on the street is the slate will retail for a price somewhere in the range of $500-$800 (£304-£486).

As a friendly reminder, the Eee Pad Slider will feature a 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 pixel display, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, Tegra 2 processor, 5-megapixel rear camera (1.2mp front-facing camera), miniHDMI, miniUSB and support microSDHC cards.

So what's it going to be? Motorola Xoom, Eee Pad Transformer, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 10.1v or the Eee Pad Slider?

Coming Soon | Asus | £304-£486

Motorola Xoom Father’s day special: free wireless keyboard, valued at £59.99

Posted: 09 Jun 2011 08:30 AM PDT

Motorola just gave us one more reason to get dad the Motorola Xoom for Father's day this month — a free Bluetooth keyboard, valued at £59.99. The promotion, currently underway until June 14, is a considerable savings for anyone looking for a taste of Android 3.1 Honeycomb.

To sweeten the deal, Motorola is adding free 2-day shipping. After putting the Xoom through its paces in our review, we can honestly say adding a keyboard to the mix is a game changer. The addition of the keyboard turns the Xoom from a consumption device into a full-fledged workhorse.

The free wireless keyboard promotion applies to both WiFi and WiFi/3G versions of the Motorola Xoom. Promotion ends at noon ET June 14 so time is ticking. Android 3.1, a 10.1-inch HD widescreen display, Tegra 2 processor and 32GB of internal memory awaits.

Out Now | Motorola | Free

Google Music Beta roll out begins in the UK: time to celebrate!

Posted: 09 Jun 2011 08:26 AM PDT

Reports are flooding in that Google has extended invites to its cloud-based music streaming service for residents of the UK. The buzz over Google Music has been building since it launched in the US following Google I/O.

In order to enjoy the music-streaming goodness that is Google Music Beta, you'll need a Nexus S running Android 2.3.4. Users who fit the bill will be greeted with a self-install notification following the completion of the sign up on Google's website.

Pocketnow is reporting Google's Books is also available to owners of the Nexus S in Europe, but we haven't been able to confirm this. If you're unfamiliar with Google Music Beta, don't forget to check out our review, here.

via PocketNow

‘Flare red’ Nintendo 3DS and Star Fox 64 3D launch July 14

Posted: 09 Jun 2011 07:50 AM PDT

A 'flare red' Nintendo 3DS will join the 'aqua blue' and 'cosmo black' varieties on July 14. The launch will be joined by the release of Star Fox 64 3D, also set for the 14th. As the first post-release color variation, the 'flare red' 3DS could be the must-have console of the summer.

Joining the red Nintendo Wii, the 'flare red' 3DS will make its debut in Japan next month. Pricing is set at ¥25,000 (£190), right in line with the other two color choices. In addition, Nintendo has outed a new Wii bundle, set to launch June 23rd.

The new Wii bundle includes two Wii Remote Plus controllers (one in black or white, one in blue) and Wii Sports Resort for ¥20,000 (£152). Nintendo has not announced plans to bring the 'flare red' 3DS to the UK, but it's been customary to begin the launch in Japan before heading west. Let's just hope Nintendo delivers so we have a 3DS to match our red Wii.

P.S. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time goes on sale June 16.

July 14 | Nintendo | £190

Apple iBookstore now available in the UK with over 30,000 free ebooks

Posted: 09 Jun 2011 07:00 AM PDT

Today is the day to explore books on the go with your iPad, iPod touch or iPhone. Apple has launched the iBookstore in the UK, bringing its vast library to iTunes. Your favorite books are just a finger swipe away.

With 24 categories to choose from, the iBookstore is one of the most comprehensive collection of reads on the net. Pick and choose from categories like crime & thrillers, sci-fi, sports, politics and even comics.

Just like all content on iTunes, books in the iBookstore include basic descriptions, customer reviews and other titles customers also bought. To match Amazon, Apple is offering a free sample. To receive book samples you need a compatible iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 4.3.3 or later with the latest version of iBooks installed and Automatic Download enabled.

Out Now | iBookstore | Free and up

The history of 3D in five parts: The 1800s

Posted: 09 Jun 2011 06:27 AM PDT

It may be in vogue for blockbuster movies, but 3D has a much longer history than you might think. Find out how we got from 19th century photo viewers to Final Destination 5, with retro clips galore along the way, in our history of 3D.

1. The beginning

Way before the cinema there were ways of viewing photos in 3D, so if you think Fujifilm made history with its Finepix Real 3D W1 a couple of years ago, think again. In 1838 Sir Charles Wheatstone invented the Stereoscope, but it wasn't until 1844 that David Brewster introduced prisms to it, helping unite dissimilar pictures. While Brewster is often credited as inventing the Stereoscope, he only really improved it.

The stereoscope was small enough to carry in your pocket, and introduced the principle still fundamental to 3D: separating images to the left and right eye, which are then combined to create the illusion of depth. The images would be the same but from very slightly different perspectives; your eyes are forced to cross, and as the images diverge a 'third' image emerges out of the two, creating depth. It’s amazing to think the fundamentals behind today's 3D technology were put down over 170 years ago.

Early pictures tended to be landscapes or people sitting on chairs, but the image coming out towards the viewer was a first.

Above, a modern example of stereoscopy

HP TouchPad hits the UK mid-July, pre-orders begin June 19th

Posted: 09 Jun 2011 06:25 AM PDT

Lay the rumors to bed, the HP TouchPad has been given an official release date in the UK: "from mid-July". The release will follow the July 1st launch in the U.S., France, and Germany. Pre-orders kick off on June 19th, let the webOS revolution begin.

The HP TouchPad will be available in two flavors: 16GB for £399 and 32GB for £479. At launch there will be several accessories including the HP Touchstone charging dock, HP TouchPad wireless keyboard and HP TouchPad case.

Jon Rubinstein, senior VP and GM has promised the HP TouchPad "is only the beginning of what HP's scale can do with webOS". The "next-level multitasking experience, access to the web, premium audio playback with stereo speakers and Beats Audio technology" are just a few of the many reasons webOS should be on your shortlist of tablet considerations.

Can webOS compete with Android, iOS and BlackBerry Tablet OS? We'll find out in a little over a month.

mid-July | HP | £399, £479

Nokia says Apple made Android, Assassin’s Creed for Nintendo Wii U and more: Lunchtime Lowdown

Posted: 09 Jun 2011 04:15 AM PDT

It’s om nom time, so stop what you’re doing and tuck into everything from this morning right here in the lunchtime lowdown news roundup.

First up, let’s talk mobile. Nokia‘s CEO Stephen Elop has caused quite a stir this morning, claiming that Apple, of all companies, created Google’s Android OS. That’s not all either: he also pledged Nokia services for Samsung phones too.

Over in gaming meanwhile, we got fresh details about an Assassin’s Creed game for the Nintendo Wii U, and speaking of Nintendo, we set loose our full review of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the 3DS.

Finally, in computing, we got more details on what to expect in OS X Lion, while Microsoft is rumoured to be making its own Windows 8 tablet.

Still want more news? Roll on over to the homepage and help yourself to it all as it breaks!