Sony (Finally) Moves Past Kooky Tablet Designs, Introduces The Svelte New Xperia Tablet Z

This latest Xperia tablet has been the stuff of rumors for a few days now — a release from Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo first hinted that the so-called Tablet Z was in fact a real thing earlier this week – but the time for rumors has passed. Now Sony Mobile Japan has officially lifted the veil, and (to my utter surprise) the Tablet Z is both real and rather striking.

The first thing you’ll probably notice about the Android 4.1-powered Tablet Z is its 10-inch display. It runs at 1920×1200, and is bolstered by Sony’s occasionally eyeball-nuking Mobile Bravia image-enhancement engine. The internals in question are no slouch either, though chances are they won’t knock your socks completely off. Nestled snugly inside the Tablet Z’s dust-and-water resistant chassis is an unspecified 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm chipset, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, and an 8-megapixel rear camera complete with backlit sensor. Throw in a (slightly anemic) 6,000mAh battery, a microSD card slot, as well as requisite radios for Wi-Fi, LTE, and NFC, and you’ve got yourself a potential contender.

Really, though, perhaps the biggest draw here is just how slim the Tablet Z is. With its 6.9mm waistline, Sony’s latest tab is just a hair thinner than the iPad mini, and makes both the Nexus 7 and its larger cousin the Nexus 10 look downright chubby by comparison. The spec sheet may not be the strongest you’ll find on the market, but there’s little question that the Tablet Z is one of the sleekest, prettiest mobile computing packages to trickle out of Sony’s Japanese headquarters in a long time — if only the company would come clean with pricing and availability.

Sony’s brief (and completely Japanese) release leaves a fair bit to the imagination, but to call the Tablet Z a breath of fresh air for a company that never really managed to crack the tablet formula in a meaningful way is an understatement. What’s really got me excited here, though, is what devices like the Tab Z mean for Sony going forward. It was only a week or two ago that Xperia product manager Stephen Sneeden noted that the company was considering bailing out of the low-end smartphone market entirely, and a similar shift in the company’s overarching strategy for tablets would only be par for the course. Whether or not Sony can really claw its way into a position alongside superstar players like Samsung and Apple remains to be seen, but with hardware like this hitting the market, it seems clear that Sony is giving it the ol’ college try.

Nintendo introduces a fountain pen for your Wii U GamePad, as well as a screen jacket

Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Kick off 2013 with New One-of-a-Kind Experiences

From an Exclusive LEGO® Mission for Wii U to a Luigi's Mansion Sequel on Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo has Something for Everyone

NOTE: Multimedia available here

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Every video game offers a different experience. But only on Nintendo systems do these experiences transform into moments of shared joy and fun. It's the parent who pulls a game off the TV to play on the Wii U™ GamePad controller so the kids can watch cartoons. It's the group of friends passing the GamePad around the room and then sharing their experiences on Miiverse. It's the "you gotta see this" moment when people first experience glasses-free 3D and augmented reality on a Nintendo 3DS™ system.

The holiday season added many new Wii U and Nintendo 3DS owners who have already begun to discover these joyful moments together. Nintendo now builds on their enthusiasm with a fun lineup of games for early 2013.

"During the holidays we saw new players respond positively to new game-play experiences using the Wii U GamePad controller and the true 3D of Nintendo 3DS," said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "With such a diverse lineup of games on the horizon, people will experience a variety of ways to play, whether they're using the GamePad to scan for criminals or seeing ghosts in 3D on the Nintendo 3DS screen."

New on Wii U

The Wii U home console launched to great acclaim on Nov. 18 with the largest lineup of games in Nintendo history. The fun continues into 2013 with the upcoming release of LEGO City: Undercover on March 18. In this original LEGO game, exclusive to Wii U, players assume the role of Chase McCain, a tough-as-nails police officer who is a master of disguise. The massive, open world of LEGO City lets players explore the city using numerous vehicles from the real-life play sets to pursue criminal mastermind Rex Fury. On March 19, the fan-favorite Monster Hunter series descends on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS with Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate. The action RPG's expansive, gorgeous world features more to do than ever before. Players can hunt monsters, upgrade equipment and improve skills while they take part in more than 200 challenging quests.

Game & Wario™, The Wonderful 101™, Pikmin™ 3 and Wii Fit™ U will arrive in the first half of the year. Additional information about launch timing for these games will be announced at a later date.

To ensure that Wii U users get the most out of their GamePad controller, Nintendo will be offering a Wii U GamePad Accessory Set to help owners protect their screens. The set will be available at stores on Feb. 4 for a suggested retail price of $12.99 and includes a Wii U GamePad screen protector that fits over the screen to protect it from scratches and dirt, an extra-large stylus for comfortable touch-screen game play and a cleaning cloth.

New on Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo 3DS hand-held system continues its momentum going into 2013. Launching on Feb. 4 is Fire Emblem Awakening, a fantasy turn-based strategy game for Nintendo 3DS. On the same day, Nintendo will release a special bundle of the Nintendo 3DS system that has Fire Emblem Awakening pre-installed on the hardware. The blue hardware features Fire Emblem artwork and a 4GB SD memory card, and will be available at a suggested retail price of $199.99. A demo of Fire Emblem Awakening will be available today in the Nintendo eShop.

Brain Age: Concentration Training for Nintendo 3DS arrives on Feb. 10 to build on the mainstream appeal of the celebrated Brain Age series with new challenges to help players concentrate as they block out distractions. A demo will also be available in the Nintendo eShop on Jan. 24. On March 24, fans of the original Luigi's Mansion have reason to celebrate with the release of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon. In this game, a timid Luigi travels through more mansions and captures more ghosts using his upgraded Poltergust 5000. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity also hits the Nintendo 3DS system on March 24. In addition to playing as a Pokémon, players explore ever-changing Mystery Dungeons as they build Pokémon Paradise and recruit more Pokémon to their team. There is also a deep and compelling story full of unexpected twists. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity makes the most of the features of the Nintendo 3DS system, such as the ability to use the system's camera to open Magnagates – portals to new Mystery Dungeons in the real world. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate comes to Nintendo 3DS on March 5. This sequel takes place 25 years after Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and follows the famous Belmont clan as they set out to find and destroy the ruthless Dracula. The action-filled game features multiple playable characters and combines both 2D classic side-scrolling game play with full 3D areas. On April 21, another entry in the LEGO City: Undercover series arrives on Nintendo 3DS. LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins is a prequel to the Wii U game, and follows the exploits of Chase McCain as a rookie cop.

Below is a partial list of upcoming launch dates in the United States and Canada. Note that game titles and launch dates are subject to change.

Wii U
Publisher Title Available
Activision The Amazing Spider-Man™ Ultimate Edition March
The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct March 26
Capcom Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate March 19
D3Publisher The Croods: Prehistoric Party! March 19
Electronic Arts Need For Speed Most Wanted March 19
Nintendo LEGO® City: Undercover March 18
SEGA Aliens™: Colonial Marines Q1
Ubisoft Rayman® Legends Feb. 26
Nintendo eShop for Wii U
Gaijin Games BIT.TRIP Presents... Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien Q1
Neko Puddle Q1
SEGA The Cave™ Jan. 22
TECMO KOEI AMERICA Corp. Fist of the North Star®: Ken's Rage 2 Feb. 7
Two Tribes Toki Tori 2 Q1
Zen Studios Zen Pinball 2 Q1
Wii
D3Publisher The Croods: Prehistoric Party! March 19
Talking Stick Games Kids Learn Pets and Vets Bundle March 12
XSEED Games Pandora's Tower™ Spring
Nintendo 3DS
ATLUS (Index Digital Media, Inc.) Etrian Odyssey™IV: Legends of the Titan Feb. 26
Shin Megami Tensei®: Devil Summoner®: Soul Hackers April 16
Capcom Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate March 19
D3Publisher The Croods: Prehistoric Party! March 19
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate March 5
Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 3D Feb. 12
Little Orbit Monster High™ Skultimate Roller Maze™ March 13
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. NARUTO® Powerful Shippuden March 5
Nintendo Brain Age™: Concentration Training Feb. 10
Fire Emblem Awakening Feb. 4
LEGO® City Undercover: The Chase Begins April 21
Luigi's Mansion™: Dark Moon March 24
Pokémon™ Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity March 24
SEGA Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed™ Feb. 12
Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS
Agetec, Inc. Bloody Vampire Jan. 31
Witch's Cat Jan. 31
Big John Games Coaster Creator 3D Q1
Capcom Resident Evil®: The Mercenaries 3D Q1
Disney Interactive Disney/Pixar Finding Nemo: Escape to the Big Blue Jan. 17
Maximum Games Deer Drive Legends Jan. 17
Nicalis Ikachan Q1
Guxt Q1
Nintendo Tokyo Crash Mobs™ Jan. 17
Fire Emblem Awakening DEMO Jan. 17
Brain Age™: Concentration Training DEMO Jan. 24
Renegade Kid ATV Wild Ride 3D Q1
Rising Star Games Jewel Master: Cradle of Egypt 2 March 19
Shin'en Nano Assault EX Q1
Ubisoft Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® Shadow Wars Jan. 24
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell® 3D Q1
Nintendo DS
D3Publisher The Croods: Prehistoric Party! March 19
Talking Stick Games Kids Learn Animals Bundle Feb. 26
Kids Learn Math and Spelling Bundle Feb. 26
Kids Learn Pets and Horse Bundle March 26

Remember that Wii, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wii, http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu and http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii U™ and Wii™ home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ families of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 4 billion video games and more than 637 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™ and Wii systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company's website at http://www.nintendo.com.

VIA Motors introduces V-TRUX range of extended-range electric trucks, vans and SUVs

VIA Motors introduces V-TRUX range of extended-range electric trucks, vans and SUVs data = {blogUrl: "www.engadget.com",v: 250};when = {jquery: lab.scriptBs("jquery"),plugins: lab.scriptBs("plugins"),eng: lab.scriptBs("eng")}; var s265prop9 = ('20428684' !== '') ? 'bsd:20428684' : ''; var postID = '20428684'; var modalMNo = '93319229', modalVideoMNo = '93320648', modalGalleryMNo = '93304207'; when.eng("eng.omni.init", {pfxID:"weg",pageName:document.title,server:"",channel:"us.engadget",pageType:"",linkInternalFilters:"javascript:,engadget.com,joystiq.com,massively.com,tuaw.com,switched.com,techcrunch.com",prop1:"Engadget",prop2:"",prop9:s265prop9,prop12:document.location,prop17:"",prop18:"",prop19:"",prop20:"",mmxgo: true,disablepipath:true,mmxtitle:"us.engadget" + " : "}); adSendTerms('1')adSetMOAT('1');adSetAdURL('/_uac/adpagem.html');lab._script("http://o.aolcdn.com/os/ads/adhesion/js/adhads-min.js").wait(function(){var floatingAd = new AdhesiveAd("10000057",{hideOnSwipe:true});}); EngadgetMenu CESReviewsEventsPodcasts Engadget ShowFeaturesVideosGalleriesStoreTopicsHD Mobile Alt Announcements Cameras Cellphones Desktops Displays Gaming GPS Handhelds Home Entertainment Household Internet Laptops Meta Misc Networking Peripherals Podcasts Robots Portable Audio/Video Science Software Storage Tablets Transportation Wearables Wireless Acer Amazon AMD Apple ASUS AT&T Canon Dell Facebook Google HP HTC Intel Lenovo LG Microsoft Nikon Nintendo Nokia NVIDIA RIM Samsung Sony Sprint T-Mobile Verizon About UsSubscribeLike Engadget@engadgettip uswhen.eng("eng.nav.init")when.eng("eng.tips.init") VIA Motors introduces V-TRUX range of extended-range electric trucks, vans and SUVs Hands-onByTim StevenspostedJan 14th, 2013 at 5:39 PM 0

If you're launching a line of extended-range electric vehicles, ala the Chevy Volt, it's hard to imagine a better person to help you with the launch than Bob Lutz, the driving force behind that very car. Now he's working with VIA Motors, which today introduced a line of electric vehicles of a rather different scale. The V-TRUX line of big boy toys includes modified GMC trucks, SUVs and vans, customized to include a Volt-like powertrain that enables up to 40 miles of electricity-only driving before switching over to the onboard 4.8 liter V8. More details after the break. VIA V-TRUX eyes-onSee all photoswhen.eng("eng.galleries.init")

The V8 charges up a 24kWh battery pack, situated between the rear frame rails. This means those driving the national average of 35 miles a day would never burn a drop of gasoline. But, these are fleet vehicles, meant to be covering a lot more ground than that. In a worst-case scenario of 36,500 miles per year, you'd still be delivering 29 MPG from these vehicles. That's far better than the 15 city, 20 highway that same engine is rated in a full-sized GMC truck. VIA V-TRUXSee all photoswhen.eng("eng.galleries.init")

Lutz calls this truck a "Chevy Volt on steroids" and says that it offers "the torque of a monster truck"with the help of a 402hp electric motor. Verizon has signed on to add some of the panel vans to its fleet of vehicles, and PG&E already has a few test vans in service. FedEx and UPS have also signed on and could begin buying them by the thousands when they start shipping toward the end of 2013. The cost? About double that of the base vehicle, but the PG&E rep we spoke to believes that the fuel savings alone could more than make up for that within seven years -- never mind the savings to the environment.

Richard Lawler contributed to this report.

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Tags: boblutz, hands-on, hybrid, naias, naias2013, suv, truck, via

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