As you might already know, the National Football League (NFL) allows coaches and players access to only laminated playbooks and Polaroid images, and strictly no device that records or plays video is allowed. But that’s going to change with this new deal between the NFL and Microsoft, which will bring the company’s Surface tablet on to the sidelines.

The deal is apparently worth $400 million over five years, and if everything goes as planned you will be seeing teams playing with the Surface to check out replays and plan their next move this season.

Currently many teams might prefer using the Apple iPad as a playbook, about which Darren Rovell says, “Under the Microsoft/NFL deal, players and teams can still use iPads for playbooks, but Apple branding has to be covered up”. There will be Microsoft branding on the replay booth.

Just in case you are wondering, one reason for NFL’s technophobia is that they want to ensure competitive balance. They do not want a team with good techies to have an advantage over other teams. If you are a Formula 1 fan, you should know what we are talking about.

The big question is whether or not the deal will help further popularize the Surface line or not? What do you think of the NFL agreement with Microsoft?

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Tech lovers everywhere should be excited about the 2013 Google I/O conference which kicks off today! So what all things are expected to be unveiled at the event? Let’s take a look.

The search giant has been rumored for quite some to be working on a music streaming service similar to Spotify. And apparently Google has already signed deals with Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group for launching a paid subscription service which will give users access to a whole library of music and not just individual songs or albums. As for the fees, they most probably will ask close to $10 per month. Spotify users are charged $9.99 a month for listening to as many songs as they like.

If Google launches their service today, it would give them a head start on Apple who themselves are reportedly trying to introduce a service similar to Pandora. But recent reports have suggested that the Mac maker’s service will be delayed due to deal making problems.

Next up is Google Glass, their high tech wearable computer. They could have plans to announce some more exciting stuff about the device. But don’t expect too much as the developers are still testing the “Explorer” edition and it will take about a year for the final product to arrive.

We might get a peek at the next version of the Android OS “Key Lime Pie”, but it is looking more likely we will instead see another version of Jelly Bean. And the Jelly Bean update could be previewed on new hardware, maybe an upgraded Nexus 7 with a much faster CPU and improved display. And if that device is also given the $199 price tag, that will be more trouble for the iPad Mini starting at $329. The iPad Mini sales are reportedly against Apple’s expectations at the moment, probably because consumers are waiting for the device’s successor.

Also expected is a possible Nexus 4 smartphone refresh. There also are quite a few gaming-related announcements planned!

What do you hope to see shown off at I/O?

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Samsung is right now leading the smartphone race, so something big certainly should come from Apple if they have plans to reach the top again. Apple is expected to bring out their next iPhone at their worldwide developer conference in June. Further evidence that this is happening comes from reports claiming that suppliers are already making the display for the so-called iPhone 5S.

While other companies have already started the manufacturing, the next gen iPhone’s LCD displays from Sharp will enter production in June. All these developments are pointing to a possible launch sometime in June or July.

The iPhone 5S is expected to run iOS 7 and come with an updated processor, a fingerprint sensor, improved cam, and more RAM, among other additions. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has earlier said that the device will take time to arrive due to delays in development of the fingerprint sensor and their next OS.

Meanwhile, the rumored low cost iPhone, which is expected to be unveiled beside the iPhone 5S, could enter mass production sometime in the near future. This has been suggested by a new rumor about Apple supplier Pegatron’s plans to increase its workforce in China by 40 percent in the second half of 2013.

As for their upcoming iPad Mini 2, it is expected to arrive with a high resolution Retina Display, which could delay the manufacturing of the device.

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When modern tablets first started surfacing, they were generally of the 10-inch variety and a demanded a pretty substantial price to take em’ home. Things change quickly, don’t they? Nowadays, 7-inch tablets like the Google Nexus 7 can be yours for as little as $200.

But what if you want more screen real-estate, without paying more of your hard earned cash? That’s where the Cube U35GT could come in.

We’ll be upfront here and say that the Cube is a Chinese branded tablet, and that means you probably won’t get the same build quality as you might expect from more commonplace brands. It is also aesthetically a clone of Apple’s iPad Mini.

What the tablet lacks in originality of design, it somewhat makes up for with its 7.9-inch display with a resolution of 1024×768. Areas where the U35GT ones-up devices like the Nexus are the addition of microSD, a 2MP rear cam, and VGA front cam. The tablet is powered by an ARM Cortex-A9 quad-core processor. Other specs include 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, WiFi, mini-HDMI, stereo speakers and a battery that gets about six hours of usage. The tablet also features Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

Unfortunately, the U35GT also has some very big weaknesses like a lack of Bluetooth and GPS support. Still, at $187.82, it could be a perfect device for those that need a bigger display budget tablet that still packs a fair amount of punch for gaming, entertainment and other apps.

For those that want and need GPS, Bluetooth, the latest OS updates, and a more reliable brand – you are probably better off with the Nexus or perhaps Apple’s iPad Mini. What do you think of the Cube U35GT, would you consider it or not?

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It has been talked about for a while that HTC is working on Windows tablets to be released sometime this year. According to a new rumor, the Taiwanese manufacturer is planning to release two tablets running Windows RT Blue in October.

First up is the smaller of the two, the HTC R7, which could be the first of a wave of small screen Windows tablets expected to be available in the coming months. The R7 apparently boasts a 7-inch full HD screen, a 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB RAM, a 13 MP cam, 16GB of storage (and microSD slot), and it will be available as a Wi-Fi only version and as a model with LTE/HSPA+ support.

The R7’s bigger screened brother, the HTC R12, will reportedly feature a 12-inch display with a resolution of 2048×1536 (similar to the iPad’s Retina Display). It will come equipped with the same internal specs as the R7, though the R12 will add NFC and HDMI.

The rumor suggests that the devices will be launched on October 13^th. There’s currently no info regarding possible price tags, though we believe that they won’t come cheap looking at the specs. If the R7 is coming with the reported features, it is less likely to hit the market as a budget tablet to go against tablets like the Nexus 7. For that segment, “Clover Trail” tablets are expected to arrive sometime in the future.

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We have been seeing a lot of good deals from Barnes and Noble recently, and now an even better one. They are currently offering both the Nook HD and the HD+ at discount rates through Mother’s Day on May 12.

You can now get the 8GB Nook HD for $149 and the 16GB version costs $179 (a $50 discount). The 9-inch 16GB HD+ will be yours for $179 (down from $269) and the 32GB model for $209 (drop from $299). The devices are available online at Barnes & Noble bookstores and on Nook.com, and at retailers including Best Buy.

The Nook tablets have suddenly become more appealing with this price drop, and also the slates now support Google Play (so access to more than 700,000 apps and games. That’s a big advantage over the Amazon Kindle Fire devices. At Amazon, the entry-level Kindle Fire has a price tag of $159, the 16GB Fire HD costs $199 and the 32GB 8.9-inch Fire HD tablet is available for $299.

As for other rivals, the Google Nexus 7 starts at $199 and Nexus 10 retails from $399. The Mac maker’s iPad mini starts at $329. Bottom-line, for the hardware, the Nook HD and HD+ are nothing less than a steal at their reduced pricing. What do you think, are you interested?

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Late last month we reported on a leaked tablet, the Acer Iconia W3. At the time, the W3 was believed to be the world’s first smaller-screen Windows tablet, though little details were known. During the weekend, Amazon put up a listing for the tablet giving us a lot more details, at least until the page was taken down.

So what can we expect from the Acer Iconia W3-810, provided Amazon’s listing got things right? First, it will be powered by a dual-core Intel Atom processor, accompanied by 2GB of RAM. Next, we know it has an 8.1-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 800. Some of the other specs that we are aware of include 32GB internal storage, 2MP rear cam, 8 hours battery life (average) and 1 USB 2.0 port.

The tablet runs on Windows 8 and manages to weigh just 1.1-pounds. It certainly sounds like a decent enough tablet, but what about pricing? The original listing points to a price of $379.99, which is quite a bit more expensive than the iPad Mini’s $329 price tag or the Nexus 7 32GB model’s price of $249.

Still, this is the cheapest we’ve seen from a Windows tablet so far and with an x86 processor in tow, the Acer Iconia W3-810 also has the advantage of working with a vast array of Windows legacy software. This might not matter so much to the average Joe, but for business users, it could certainly be an important difference.

Personally, I was hoping to see Microsoft and its partners aim for a $275-$350 target range for these smaller tablets. At the current range, they still could offer an important value for those that are highly invested in the Microsoft brand and ecosystem, but $380 is still a bit of a hard sell compared to Android and iOS small-screen tablet pricing.

What do you think, is Microsoft asking too much or are they priced just right?

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Have an iPhone or iPad? Thinking about buying a new app? Today’s the day to do it. Apple is currently running the 50 billion apps competition.  One lucky winner will snag a $10,000 Apple Store Gift Card if they happen to be the 50 billionth app purchaser.

You can finally get that Macbook you’ve been wanting and a lot of swag to go along with it.  The 50 billionth download will get the grand prize, but fear not if you are not the lucky type, the next 50 downloads will each win a $500 gift card.  The promotion began on April 29, and will run until the last card has been given away.  They are already up over 49 billion, so you better get on it!

No entry required, just download and you’re in the running.  You are limited to 25 entries and must be 13 years or older. There is also a no purchase necessary option, just go to http://www.apple.com/itunes/50-billion-app-countdown/entry-form/ and complete the entry form.  It’s nice to see companies giving back to their customers, so hop on the Apple Store and get downloading!

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Apple is still top dog when it comes to tablet market share, a pretty impressive feat for a company with only 2 tablet models to choose from, however they aren’t sitting quite as pretty as before as their share has slipped while rivals begin to catch up.

When the ‘tablet wars’ kicked off, the Apple iPad seemed all but unbeatable, but times have changed and the iPad mini came a little late to the party giving the likes of Samsung, Amazon, Asus and others the chance catch up with their pint-sized offerings. The shift in market share is quite dramatic with Apple slipping from a 65% share at the start of 2012 to just under 40% this year. In second place Samsung enjoys a 18% market share, with Asus and Amazon making up the rest and Microsoft coming 5th with 1.8%.

From what we have been seeing Apple’s share will continue to slip unless they really do something special with the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2, but even then it won’t be easy, as a new Nexus tablet is expected soon, along with more Samsung tablets on the way.

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Windows 8 might not be selling like hot-cakes, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been a success at least at some level. With the mobile-centric OS, Microsoft hoped to push into tablets in a more meaningful way than ever before. That mission has been accomplished, at least to some degree.

According to the latest IDC stats, Windows say a measly .2 million tablets shipped last year, which for most of that year means Windows 7 devices. Three months into 2013, tablet shipments are up 700% with 1.6 million units. Microsoft also now represents 1.8% of the tablet market thanks to its Surface line, making it the fifth most significant tablet brand if IDC’s numbers are correct.

Sure, these numbers are paltry compared with Apple, Samsung, Asus and other brands – but it is still a foot in the door, and that’s what Microsoft was aiming for. Now they just need to push on with the Surface brand, and with the upcoming Windows Blue. It won’t be an easy road, but the groundwork is perhaps finally there to at least allow Microsoft to compete as a solid third place contender in the mobile world.

So what’s next for Microsoft? While we can’t say for sure, DigiTimes claims to have some insider information. Before we go forward, just remember that DigiTimes has a very mixed reputation when it comes to rumors, so speculation is needed.

The latest gossip ships to indicate that the second generation Surface line is coming in June at Microsoft’s BUILD Conference, which could see not only a new 10-inch model, but also 7 and 8-inch variants.

While this is a rumor, it isn’t terribly far-fetched. We already know that Windows Blue is going to be officially shown off at BUILD, and even a Preview version might be released. We also know that Microsoft has previously talked about the possibility of 7-inch tablets, and that rumors indicate Windows 8.1 Blue will be more tablet friendly.

Smaller Windows tablets and a smaller Surface are coming eventually, it’s just hard to say if June is too early or not. What do you think, would you be interested in a smaller-screen Microsoft Surface tablet if Microsoft can position the device at a price equal to or lesser than the iPad Mini?

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