IFA 2012: The Samsung Galaxy Note II - Samsung's most powerful device to date and its first Android Jelly Bean device

After all the rumors and leaks, finally the Samsung Galaxy Note II is official. Well, what can I say? I have never really liked the Note (except for the Galaxy Note 10.1). Like the Windows Phone 8 powered ATIV S, the Note II also follows the SGS III deign aesthetics. No word yet on pricing but Samsung is preparing to launch the device starting in October in major markets in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. This is an apparent upgrade or the official successor to the Galaxy Note and expect its specs to more beefier. For the record, this is Samsung's most powerful device to date since it sports Sammy's most powerful chipset ever, the Exynos 4412 Quad. To top all the goodies up, this is Samsung's first Android 4.1 Jelly Bean device.

IFA 2012: HTC announces the HTC Desire X

HTC is not letting Samsung or even Sony get all the spotlight in Berlin. The Taiwan-based phone maker has announced the HTC Desire X at IFA 2012. The Desire line of smartphones from HTC was once their flagship Android smartphones but now, it ain't. The Desire X is said to be a mid-end smartphone. Probably this comes after the HTC One X. HTC will be launching the smartphone in September at selected markets for a price that will apparently vary in every market. 

IFA 2012: HP announces the Envy X2 hybrid Windows 8 tablet

Can I say that HP is back? I am a bit surprised with this announcement, honestly, but I will and I know everybody will take this. HP, at IFA 2012 in Berlin. This is the HP Envy X2, a Windows 8 running device that is a hybrid between a laptop and a tablet. HP is scheduled to launch the Envy X2 in the US for the Holidays and says that "pricing will be available at a later date".  I don't have the full list of the device's specs. HP did not disclose them. I suggest you head over to Endgadget and check out the specs of this device. Below are some photos of the Envy X2. Head over here to read on HP's full presser.

IFA 2012: Samsung ATIV S Windows Phone 8

Aside from announcing Samsung's first Windows 8 tablet, the Korean company also announced their first Windows Phone 8 smartphone, the Samsung ATIV S. Correct me if I am wrong, but this is probably the world's first announced Windows Phone 8 smartphone. Apparently, this will be Samsung's flagship Windows Phone device which, I should say follows the design aesthetics of the Galaxy S III. Anyway, like the ATIV Tab, there is now word yet on when the device make it through to store shelves and how much it is priced. Just savor the specs after the break. 

IFA 2012: Samsung unveils their first Windows 8 tablet the Samsung ATIV Tab

At IFA 2012, Samsung joined the ranks of other phone makers like Sony Mobile Communications in unveiling a slew of devices. Let's first stop by their Windows 8 offering. Dubbed as the Samsung ATIV Tab, this is Samsung's first Windows 8 tablet and is probably the world's first (correct me if I am wrong). Anyway, Samsung in their official press release made effort in explaining where the naming "ATIV" comes from. Well, according to Samsung, ATIV is the reverse of the Latin word VITA which means "Life". Well, they can't use Vita can they? That name is probably already owned by Sony with their PSP Vita. Anyway, Samsung did not mention anything about when the device will become available nor the price, so we will just have to wait for that information. For now, go after the break to check the device's specs.

IFA 2012: Sony announces the Sony Xperia Tablet S

Aside from announcing three new Xperia smartphones at IFA 2012 in Berlin, Sony also announced one tablet device at the show. The name is not new for those who loves to follow tech news its the Sony Xperia Tablet S but its not entirely a re-announcement, that'd be stupid. This is more of an upgrade and a bit of polishing the design here and there. Apparently, it follows, as far as design goes, the aesthetics of the first Xperia Tablet S. The device runs on Android 4.0 ICS and sports an nVidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor. Sony is marketing the tablet as a perfect companion for the Xperia T that they also announced, together with the Xperia V and Xperia J. With regards to when the tablet is scheduled to be launched in September starting at $399.

Opera 12.02 released

Opera has released a new version of their browser. Opera 12.02 is a stability and security release and Opera recommends that all of you out there, including me, who has Opera to upgrade to the latest version. According to Opera, the focus on this update is on stability and crash fixes and some bug fixes here and there. To update your Operas simply click through the Opera button > Help > Check for updates. You can also download Opera 12.02 via the official download page.

Archos announces a gaming tablet dubbed as the GamePad

Archos the company that almost always spits out the most affordable Android devices for the market has officially unveiled a game-centered Android tablet called the Archos GamePad. The photo of the device speaks for itself right? It has dedicated gaming buttons here and there to really put your games in the center of it all without taking the tablet feature of it all. The device runs on Android 4.0 ICS and packs a 7" touchscreen display, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor with a matching quad-core Mali 400 GPU, and an 8GB of internal storage. According to UV, the device is scheduled to be available in the UK by October for €149.