Nuts and Volts - October 2015

Big Tablet. Really Big.

Tablet displays have been creeping up in size since their introduction with, for example, the current run of iPads offering a 9.7 inch display and a Samsung Galaxy unit offering 10. 5 inches. If bigger is better, then check out the nabi Big Tab HD 24" (well, 23. 6 actually), offered as the "world's biggest HD tablet made especially for children and their families." The

1920x1080 multi-touch screen lets users play console-quality games (including air hockey, monopoly, and many others) in HD, and room-to-room portability allows you to watch movies, surf the ‘net, or play games anywhere in the house. [It weighs 13 lb ( 5. 9 kg), though, so get a good grip.] The Android-based device can be laid flat or propped up as desired. The unit features nabi's OS 3.0

Blue Morpho which includes more than 400 "kid-focused, parent-approved features." Specs include a 1.6

GHz Tegra 4.0 quad-core processor, 2 GB of DDR3 memory, and 802.11bgn wireless. Don't stray too far from an AC outlet, though, as average battery life is rated at only 30 min.

Accessories include a microphone (with or without karaoke box), headphones, and an HD camera. One quick caveat: Don't let the kids see this unless you're prepared to shell out $500 (street price) for one. For more info, visit www.nabitablet.com. ▲ EVENTS, ADVANCES, AND NEWS

COMPUTERS and NETWORKING

Time for a New Scanner?

Way back in 1988, Apple introduced the first flatbed scanner, cleverly called the Apple Scanner. While revolutionary for its time, it offered only a four-bit image ( 16 levels of gray) and 300 dpi maximum resolution. On top of that, a full-page scan took a little over 20 seconds. But, hey, you only had to shell out $1,799 for one (plus $795 for Omnipage if you wanted to do OCR work). Today, you can pick up a unit that offers 4,800 dpi resolution, millions of colors, OCR software included, and various image processing features for a lot less. In particular, we're talking about the new Epson ( www.epson.com) Perfection V39, which allows you to scan, restore, archive, share, and send images directly to the cloud. The price is $99 MSRP, with street prices as low as $79.99. The V39 features convenient front buttons for simple scan jobs, plus a built-in kickstand if you prefer vertical operation. Additionally, the V39 comes with a software package that includes ArcSoft Scan-n-Stitch® Deluxe (allowing you to scan oversized prints and documents), 4 Easy Photo Fix® technology to restore color to faded photos, advanced digital dust correction to remove dust from scanned photos, and OCR capabilities. Okay, I know. You already have a scanner and it still works fine (unless the manufacturer is trying to force you to buy a new one by not upgrading the driver). Just also consider that the V39 takes up only 9. 9 x 14. 4 x 1.5 in ( 25 x 36. 5 x 3. 8 cm) on your desktop, and it is powered entirely through the USB connector — no power adapter needed. It might be worth 80 bucks just for the convenience. ▲