Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: better than the iPad?

from www.techcentral.co.za:

>>Samsung’s decision to include the option of haptic feedback when using onscreen keyboards on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is great. Haptic feedback — those subtle vibrations that provide tactile confirmation of a “button” press — is something that’s common on smartphones but far less used on tablets despite being no less useful.

Toshiba announces 7-inch Thrive tablet

from Engadget:

>>It looks like the AT200 isn't the only Toshiba tablet poised to land in time for the holidays. The company just announced the Thrive 7", a (surprise!) 7-inch version of the original.

Semtech – Ground-breaking touchscreen technology goes beyond X, Y, Z – to pressure

Analog and mixed-signal semiconductor specialist, Semtech, has announced a new ground-breaking 4D-Touch touchscreen controller platform designed to bring out the best user experiences by enabling the capability to sense in the X, Y, Z+ (proximity), and Z- (pressure) directions in many touch-interface applications including smart phones, tablets, handheld GPS, automotive consoles, and POS terminals.

The innovative touch devices integrate a proximity detection feature that gives OEMs the ability to introduce a new type of sensing experience to their products well before a user even touches the device. This high resolution capacitive proximity sensing is implemented with Semtech’s proprietary analog front-end design, which enables detection from a long distance as well as sensing through thick overlays and materials with low permittivity. This key differentiator in touch sensing will enhance the user experiences across a wide variety of applications.

http://www.electropages.com/2011/09/semtech-4d-touch-touchscreen-controller/

Immersion Corporation has certified the SX8657/58 as optimal motor drivers for its TouchSense® 3000 haptic control software suite of haptic waveforms available to all customers via an Immersion license.

"The SX8654 family is a ground-breaking platform for resistive touchscreen applications. By enabling built-in proximity sensing using any resistive panel, Semtech has added especially expensive high-end features at the fraction of the cost of traditional IR proximity sensing," said Sam Massih, Product Line Director, Consumer Analog Products for Semtech. "Combining that with direct drive haptics feedback, the SX8654 platform provides OEMs an opportunity to revolutionize and upgrade almost all their resistive touchscreen applications with value added features."

http://investors.semtech.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=594679

Further expansion for Equinix Slough facility

from http://eandt.theiet.org/:

>>Data centre services provider Equinix has opened its 50th International Business Exchange (IBX) data centre in Slough, UK. The expansion of the second phase of the company’s Platform Equinix offering, LD5 IBX adds 4,000 square metres of customer space and capacity for 1,400 cabinet equivalents.

LD5 IBX first opened in April 2010, and was built on the same site as Equinix’s existing LD4 IBX data centre.

Create High-Definition Designs with Haptic Driver

from www.designworldonline.com:

>>Tactile feedback for research and consumer use is growing. The latest device comes from Texas Instruments. The DRV8662 is an integrated piezo haptic driver for mobile consumer and industrial designs.

Six crucial tech companies you've never heard of

from www.infoworld.com:

>>Behind the headlines, these firms help form the foundation of the IT industry -- and the modern world wouldn't work without them

Samsung GALAXY S II continues success reaching 10 Million in global sales

Global popularity with customers drives momentum for Samsung's flagship smartphone

SEOUL, Korea – September 25th, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced that the Samsung GALAXY S II (Model: GT-I9100) has achieved 10 million global channel sales, doubling from five million in just eight weeks.

The GALAXY S II is Samsung's flagship smartphone device - a beautifully thin (8.49mm) and lightweight dual-core smartphone that combines an unmatched Super AMOLED Plus viewing experience with powerful performance, all on Android, the world's fastest-growing mobile operating system. The next generation smartphone also includes Samsung's four content and entertainment hubs, seamlessly integrated to provide instant access to music, games, e-reading and social networking services.

"Since its launch in late April 2011, the GALAXY S II has seen continued sales success, demonstrating Samsung's industry-leading capabilities in - and commitment to - the smartphone market" said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung's Mobile Communications Business.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/25/samsung-moves-10-million-galaxy-s-iis-pats-itself-on-the-back/