Google reportedly partners with LG to launch new Nexus Tablet

Google is reportedly working on adding another product to its Nexus range of devices, partnering with LG to deliver a new Honeycomb-powered tablet device which could be released in the Summer.

According to industry insider Eldar Murtazin , a man famed for his ability to get information we could only dream of obtaining, Google will introduce a new version of it’s Honeycomb operating system when it launches its own-branded tablet in partnership with LG, making the software available to partners only when the Google-branded device has hit the market.

A Nexus tablet, if true, would signify Google’s desire compete with Apple and claim a larger piece of the tablet market, which is almost entirely dominated by the iPad.

Also included in Murtazin’s report was the suggestion that Google will not allow tablets running Android 2.x to receive a Honeycomb upgrade in the future. Apparently, if a hardware partner releases a tablet on an older version of Android, the Honeycomb licensing agreement will not allow them to be updated.

If the rumour is true, owners of the 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab, HTC Scribe and numerous other tablets will be locked to their current firmware, at best receiving an update to Froyo or Gingerbread.

Rumours of a Nexus tablet is hard to judge and we suggest holding on to see what materialises now speculation has begun. We will of course update you as soon as we know more.

MagicWand: A sleek, handy tool to unify Apple gadgets

An accessory by Twelve South is a sleek, simple and handy tool that combines your wireless Apple Keyboard and Magic Trackpad into one badass unit.

MagicWand brings together typing and gestures, allowing users to relax the couch without the need to juggle two separate gadgets, and although it’s barely visible beneath your Apple accessories, it matches them with its matte silver finish.

Twelve South’s design, weighing in at only 45 grams, enables an Apple keyboard and Magic Trackpad to be snapped in. This works by the use its flat surface that’s equipped with a slot (H-Beam) that fits the accessories into place, and the Magic Trackpad can be positioned on either the right or left of the keyboard.

The H-Beam has soft, rubbery, anti-slip feet to prevent it from moving around and scratching while on a desk. The material itself additionally aims to stop scuffs, it’s made Polycarbonate (same material of the Macbook) which reduces the chances of a metal on metal scratch.

Overall, the MagicWand is fantastic solution for unifying gestures and typing. Truly perfect for Apple fans who often control their Macs or Apple gadgets from the couch. It’s available for $29.99 at Twelve South’s site. Have a look at the video and let us know what you think.

BlackBerry PlayBook touted for April 10 launch

Sources have told BoyGeniusReport that RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook is due to hit stores on April 10, falling just outside the first-quarter launch RIM stated when it first announced the tablet device last year.

The PlayBook’s QNX operating system is expected to made a Gold Master release on March 31st, giving RIM four weeks to fine-tune, optimise and incorporate new features before the tablet is released. However, this could mean that when consumers turn on the device for the first time, they could be prompted to install a newer version of the operating system, updating the PlayBook to a newer version of the OS.

With Apple announcing its next-generation iPad later today and a raft of Android Honeycomb-powered tablets due for release in the coming months, RIM will not want to hold back any longer on the PlayBook’s release for fear of being left behind by its rivals.