ConsumerIT - For Europe's High Volume PC Retailers, Distributors & Builders

Intel announces an addition to the Classmate education-aimed product family-- the Studybook, a tablet it describes as "a student's rugged window to the world."

Currently available as a reference design, the Studybook has most of the features one expects in a device for younger customers. It is a 7" (1024x600) Atom-powered tablet running on either Android 3.0 or Windows 7 with 1GB of RAM. Storage ranges from 4-32GB to a 128GB SSD.

Construction is in plastic with a rubber band reinforcing the bezel, and can apparently withstand drops of up to 70cm.

It also has a variety of ports (all with protective rubber gasketing)-- USB 2.0, HDMI, headphone jack and microSD/SIM slots.

Educational software is also important-- pre-loaded applications will include classroom management, the LabCam scientific suite and an optimised e-reader, all within a friendly UI.

Intel claims OEMs will be able to sell Studybook tablets for $200 or less (even if Intel doesn't actually set prices), and gives no word on when the tablet will be actually available for sale.

Go Intel Learning Series Expands Product Portfolio

According to Gartner 2012 WW tablet sales will grow by 98% Y-o-Y to total 118.9m, as the Apple iPad continues dominating the market.

In comparison 2011 tablet sales total 20m units.

The analyst projects iPad global market share will reach 61.4% in 2012-- with non-Apple vendors finding limited success in the market, despite the international Amazon Kindle Fire launch.

Making things worse for the competition is Apple resetting "the benchmark for the product to beat" with the new iPad.

What are non-Apple vendors to do? Gartner believes many are waiting for the Windows 8 release with hopes the Microsoft brand will help capture both consumer and enterprise markets-- estimating Microsoft tablets will account for 4.1% of 2012 tablet sales, before growing to 11.8% by 2016.

Meanwhile Android tablets will account for 31.9% of 2012 tablet sales, even if device sales are still hampered due to the lack of dedicated Android tablet apps.

Windows tablets are particularly attractive for enterprise markets-- both IT departments and suppliers are familiar with the OS. Gartner predicts enterprise markets will account for around 35% tablet sales in 2015, even if many workplaces will also operate BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies.

Go Gartner Tablet Forecast 2010-2016

Google is really working on augmented reality (AR) glasses-- the company just revealed Project Glass, a futuristic visor providing a Terminator-style augmented view of the world.

A fancy demo video shows the point of view of someone wearing the glasses, showing a variety of graphical overlays (weather, maps, text messages) and smartphone functionality (social network integration, voice messaging, video conferencing).

On the other hand concept designs Google shows feature what looks like an empty set of sleek metal frames with small rectangular display perching over the right eye-- unlike earlier reports of prototypes looking like a pair of Oakley Thumps sunglasses.

Best Buy announces the sudden resignation of CEO Brian Dunn following investigations into allegations of personal misconduct.

A company statement says "Certain issues were brought to the board's attention regarding Mr. Dunn's personal conduct, unrelated to the company's operations or financial controls, and an audit committee investigation was initiated... Prior to the completion of the investigation, Mr. Dunn chose to resign."

The resignation comes at the worst time for Best Buy, currently struggling as more customers prefer to do their CE shopping online. A still-ailing economy does not help matters much, either.

Dunn has a 28 year history with the retailer (3 of which as CEO), and recently presided over the company decision to close 50 large stores, cutting 400 jobs in the process.

Replacing Dunn as interim CEO is director G. Mike Mikan, while Best Buy founder Richard Schulze continues serving as chairman.

Go Best Buy Announces Leadership Transition