Yahoo launches Axis, it's new mobile browser that is also a search tool

Yahoo is entering the crowded and competitive world of mobile browsing on Wednesday night when it launches Yahoo Axis on the Apple App Store. The browser can also be used as a plug-in for IE, Safari, Chrome and Firefox. Obviously, with the Yahoo name, search is a major function and instead of  a list in blue print you get visual responses to a query. For example, search for a web site and you will get a visual representation of the site. Yahoo says it has images representing 85% of all web sites. Bing will still be used for algorithmic search, but Yahoo will present results based on its long database of user history.

While searching with the browser, users will be able to see what's trending, answers and thumbnails of the top search results. Click on one of the thumbnails and Axis becomes a browser. Swipe from the top and you're back in search mode using what Yahoo calls "elastic refresh" to navigate results pages. Searches, recently visited sites and bookmarks stay constant across multiple platforms. Yahoo Axis will be part of a toolbar bundling deal with Firefox and Internet Explorer which resulted in the company shipping more than 80 million browsers last year

Yahoo will not look to make money with this, at least at first, with paid listing showing up in search results eventually. Built on HTML5, Yahoo Axis does not do Flash, nor will it show inline video although the latter is expected to change. Versions for Android and Windows Phone are expected and BlackBerry users will be shut out. Yahoo is also working on a Metro version, possibly for Windows Phone 8. The search engine can do basic web searches and image searches. And those who use social networks will be happy to know that Yahoo Axis has a tool for easily sharing web pages via Twitter, email or Pinterest (no Facebook, for some reason).

Again, Yahoo Axis will be available for free from the Apple App Store later Wednesday night. In the meantime, check out the three ads Yahoo produced, one each for the Apple iPhone, Apple iPad and for desktop users.

source: Yahoo via Forbes

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Toshiba launches new Regza tablets in Japan ranging in sizes 7 to 13 inch

Toshiba announced the launch of its new four-model line of Regza tablets, ranging from 7 inch all the way up to a gigantic 13 inch model. While the model launches are initially only available in Japan, it will be interesting to see if the unfamiliar sizes will take hold and spread around the world.

Many of the specs of the new tablets are the same among the devices. They all sport Android 4.0, a 5 megapixel rear camera, 2 megapixel front camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, SD card reader, and USB 2.0 port, they vary in processors, resolution, and screen size.

The Regza AT830 sports an NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor clocking in at 1.4GHz. Its display measures 13.3 inches with a resolution of 1600x900. The AT830 comes with a $1000 price tag. The Regza AT700 has a 1.2GHz Texas Instruments OMAP processor with a 10.1-inch 1280x800 display. Both models are now on sale with 64GB of internal storage.

The Regza AT570 touts a 1.3GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor, a 7.7-inch 1280x800 organic EL display, and can be yours for $883 for a 64GB version, or $744 for the 32GB version.

The Regza AT500 also comes with a 1.3GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and is on the shelf now in 64GB and 32GB versions, with a 10.1-inch 1280x800 display. We can't find a published price for the 32GB model, but the 64GB model retails for $643.

Are you confused yet? Toshiba hopes consumers will be excited about having the ability to select just the right size and specs their device will sport. We like the idea, but can't imagine it'll be easy for retailers to manage so many SKUs for the entire line.

Do you like the idea of being able to chose between so many sizes and configurations, or do you think the better business model is that of Apple or Samsung where there are only one or two sizes, and minimal configuration customizations available?

source: Electronista

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