Samsung teams with Microsoft on two-in-one tablets to take on Apple’s iPad Pro

Pro tablet ... Samsung Australia teamed with Microsoft to create the Galaxy TabPro S two-in-one computer that it says will challenge the Apple iPad Pro in design.

SAMSUNG and Microsoft have teamed up to challenge Apple's stranglehold on the tablet computer market in Australia and will today release a slender device designed to take on the iPad Pro.

The Samsung Galaxy TabPro S is significantly lighter and cheaper than its equivalent iPad Pro, slimmer than Microsoft's Surface tablets and, unlike both, comes with a keyboard cover included in its purchase price.

But Samsung warns its new professional tablet is not a replacement for a desktop computer even though it could eat into laptop sales in Australia.

SMALL IS BIG AGAIN: Tablets that act as laptops are big business this year

ALMOST A LAPTOP: Microsoft's Surface Book is a hybrid that leans towards laptop

First unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this year, Samsung's TabPro S is its first Galaxy-branded two-in-one tablet, and its first to run Microsoft's Windows 10 software.

Samsung Electronics Australia mobile vice-president Prasad Gokhale said the company teamed with Microsoft to create the hybrid machine even though it would compete for customers with its popular Surface tablet.

Hybrid travel computer ... Samsung's Galaxy TabPro S two-in-one computer weighs less than 700g.Source:Supplied

The unlikely partnership aimed to produce a device attractive enough to challenge its Cupertino rival, as well as traditional PC makers turning their attention to hybrid devices.

"A lot of the computer companies don't produce devices that can go up against Apple in terms of design, so Microsoft is very happy to work with Samsung to do that," Mr Gokhale said.

The TabPro S features a 12-inch AMOLED touchscreen and a body that is slimmer than its own smartphones at just 6.3mm.

It comes with a keyboard that connects to the machine magnetically, promises a battery life of 10.5 hours, uses an Intel Core M chip with a speed of up to 2.2GHz, and a 4G version of the tablet will be launched in Australia in the coming weeks.

Unlike Microsoft's Surface, however, it does not feature removable storage or a full-sized USB port, and unlike Apple's iPad Pro, users can only use a fingerprint to unlock this device if they have a compatible Samsung smartphone, like the Galaxy S7.

Samsung's two-in-one computer will also arrive late into what has become a beacon in the computer market.

Mr Gokhale said Samsung recognised the potential of hybrid tablet computers, not to replace desktop machines but to stand in for laptops, particularly while travelling.

"People will ask, are we copying? Absolutely. This is a growth segment. It's a long game. It's not a short game," he said.

"Australia has one of the highest demands for two-in-one devices, and the market is definitely growing."

Many uses ... Samsung's Windows 10-based Galaxy TabPro S hybrid computer will come with a keyboard as standard, but accessories include a stylus and multi-port connection hub.Source:Supplied

Research firm Telsyte predicted Australians would buy almost 1.5 million two-in-one computers in 2017, representing one in every three computer sales.

"Windows-based tablets and 2-in-1s will benefit from an upgrade cycle that started with the arrival of Windows 10 and is expected to continue into 2017," managing director Foad Fadaghi said.

The two-in-one tablets feature laptop-level pricing, however.

Samsung's Galaxy Tab Pro S will start at $1499 with a keyboard included, the equivalent iPad Pro 12.9-inch tablet costs the same without the keyboard, and Microsoft's Surface Pro 4 128GB model costs $1249, with keyboards costing $199.

Samsung's new professional tablet will also clash with Apple's newly launched 9.7-inch iPad Pro on timing. Apple's new professional tablet arrived in Australian stores yesterday, while Samsung's model lands in Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi and Samsung Experience Stores today.

Source: Samsung teams with Microsoft on two-in-one tablets to take on Apple's iPad Pro

Tablet Games:

Earlier this month Nintendo revealed that pre-registration for their first official mobile game release, called Miitomo, would be starting soon. Well 'soon' has finally arrived as pre-registration for ...  3D Games  Casual Games  Development  Game News  Gaming News  Preview  Sim Games  Tablet Games  Tablet Gaming
Source: Tablet Games:

Google Nexus 7 2016 Release Date Update: New Nexus Made By LG or HTC?

Google Nexus 7 2016 release may happen very soon, but the information about the new Nexus device is still scarce.

Google is set to unveil its new generation of Nexus device in May, according to reports. However, Google's third party manufacturer is still unknown. Rumors point that it is Taiwanese manufacturer HTC's turn to make the next Nexus device. HTC teamed up with Google before and was in charged in making HTC Nexus 9 tablet.

However, NSEAVOICE reported that LG will be teaming up with the tech giant once again as the South Korea tech company signed a new three-year contract with Google, although the complete details of the said contract are not disclosed by the website. Thus, there is no way to confirm if this report is credible.

LG and Google may have another agreement as the former contributed a lot to the growth of the Google Nexus project. LG took the helm in making two of the most popular Nexus handsets – Nexus 4 and Nexus 5. Last year, LG also helped the company and made the mid-range Nexus smartphone – Nexus 5X.

Some of the rumored Google Nexus 7 2016 features are: 7-inch screen display, NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor paired with 4GB of RAM, and Android N operating system.

Reports claimed that the Google Nexus 7 2016 will be a tablet or a phablet, and thanks to Android N OS, the device will have a premium build and revolutionary features optimized for maximum productivity. Reports added that the tablet will come with features thanks to pure Android N operating system. The tablet will be marketed to professionals and businesses, which productivity is of utmost importance.

Google Nexus 7 2016 release will be held at the company's annual I/O Developers' Conference in May, although other reports claim that the device will be released in October.

However, there is still no official announcement from Google about the official release date and features of the rumored Google Nexus 2016.

Source: Google Nexus 7 2016 Release Date Update: New Nexus Made By LG or HTC?

World's first Ubuntu tablet goes up for pre-order at £200

THE WORLD'S FIRST UBUNTU TABLET, the BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition, is now available to pre-order ahead of a release in April.

The BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition was shown off at this year's MWC, and Canonical touted it as not only the first Ubuntu-powered tablet but the first that can transform into a fully-fledged PC. 

Canonical said that Ubuntu is the only platform capable of running a full touch-based mobile experience and a proper PC experience from a single device, taking a dig at the Continuum functionality offered by Microsoft's pushy Windows 10 operating system.

Once hooked up, the BQ Aquaris M10 switches from a touch-friendly tablet interface to a desktop interface. For example, apps go from full-screen to floating windows that can be resized and moved around, just as with Windows or Mac OS X. 

"Competitors are moving in the same direction, which I think offers some validation of this vision that we have been laying out for several years," Canonical said.

On the hardware side, the BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition features a 10.1in screen powered by a quad-core MediaTek chip. There's also an 8MP camera with autofocus and dual LED flash, 16GB of storage expandable up to 64GB, a 7,280mAh Li-Po battery and a microHDMI port for connecting the tablet to a monitor. 

The Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition can be picked up for €259 (around £203) or €299 (around £236) on BQ's official website, depending on whether you opt for the standard HD or Full HD tablet. You'll get an iPad-style case thrown in too. 

No exact release date has been given, but BQ promises that deliveries will begin in the second week of April. µ 

Source: World's first Ubuntu tablet goes up for pre-order at £200

Pixel C 25% discount expanded to 8 more countries

Google recently announced a discount on the Pixel C tablet for developers. With the release of the Android N Developer Preview, Google wanted to give developers a chance to test their apps on the new version of Android ahead of release by taking 25% off the price of a Pixel C tablet. Presumably, a boost in tablet development is another big reason for this sale.

Previously, the sale was only available in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and United States. Google has now expanded that to Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. You can request a code from Google for 25% off, and people who aren't developers have managed to get a code so it may not be limited to developers.

This discount will knock the 32GB model down to $375 and the 64GB model to $450, though this does not include the keyboard. But you'll be getting a high end tablet with the ability to run the Android N Developer Preview.

The discount code takes a while to get to people, from a few hours to a few days, so be patient. The offer ends July 15 or until supplies run out. How many of you are jumping on this discount?

Source: Pixel C 25% discount expanded to 8 more countries

Google Nexus 2016 Release Date in May; To Launch Tablet And Smartphone

In fact I used the double tap app switch far more often than the new split-screen mode. Developers therefore came up with the ROM for the handset. This feature is available in Android Wear and lets you text quickly and conveniently without having to open the messaging app.

The features are regarded as advanced because the sources claim that the features this device would possess would be new to the nexus series and have not been seen in the earlier Nexus devices. From now through April 13, developers can enter by submitting experiments to the gallery.

Not much is known about the changes included in the update, but Xiaomi Mi 3 and Mi 4 owners will be pleased to know that they will be able to refer to Updater application on their devices for the full changelog. Small improvements like this are very welcome if it makes a phone easier and faster to use. The software is created to highlight Google's search engine, maps and other features, giving the company more opportunities to sell the digital ads that generate most of its revenue.

Android N will also offer bundled notifications wherein multiple notifications from the same app can be grouped together. The other flagship phones of top brands are also rumored to have Android N. However, the exact dates are unknown.

Here's how Android N (developer preview) differs from the existing Android Marshmallow which saw the light of the day in September a year ago.

Without a pure Android model, consumers have experienced the frustration that comes with each OEM taking its sweet time to provide Android updates.

Rumors have been circulating online about the possibility of Google releasing a 7-inch Pure Android tablet within the year.

At last years Google I/O 2015, we saw some awesome creations on show which were made by ordinary Android developers and users.

As before, Google is especially interested in projects that look interesting, use Android's new features creatively, and make people rethink the way they use mobile devices.

Source: Google Nexus 2016 Release Date in May; To Launch Tablet And Smartphone

FDA Requires Immediate-release Opioids To Sport New Boxed Warning

The agency has added the new policy to all immediate-release opioids, including Percocet (acetaminophen/oxycodone).

The Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday plans to add a boxed warning - the most serious type - to all immediate-release opioid painkillers, which include roughly 175 branded and generic drugs.

The medications now have a black box warning-the most serious of FDA's cautions.

Robert Califf, FDA commissioner, said, "Opioid addiction and overdose have reached epidemic levels over the past decade, and the FDA remains steadfast in our commitment to do our part to help reverse the devastating impact of the misuse and abuse of prescription opioids".

The new labels update information about dosage for the patient including the size of the initial dose, how to monitor patients using opioids and a warning not to abruptly stop treatment for a physically dependent patient. Those are given for pain severe enough to require daily, round-the-clock treatment and contain more drug per tablet than immediate-release tablets.

The FDA is also requiring several additional safety labeling changes across all prescription opioid products to include addition information about the risk the medications pose.

The announcement comes on the heels of efforts from other federal agencies to educate prescribers and patients about the potential risks related to opioid use.

Deaths linked to misuse and abuse of prescription opioids climbed to 19,000 in 2014, the highest figure on record, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The FDA wants to warn doctors and patients about the dangers of the drugs while ensuring they remain available for patients who need them to alleviate pain.

"We know that there is persistent abuse, addiction, overdose mortality and risk of NOWS associated with IR opioid products", said Douglas Throckmorton, M. D., deputy center director of regulatory programs, FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Unfortunately, it has taken FDA far too long to address the grave risks of these drugs that have claimed the lives of thousands this year alone".

The move is one of a series announced recently by the FDA as it seeks to tackle the problem of opioid overdose and death.

A year-old opioid initiative within the Department of Health and Human Services is focusing on three priority areas: informing opioid prescribing practices, increasing the use of naloxone (a rescue medication that can prevent death from overdose) and expanding access to and the use of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) to treat opioid use disorder.

"The main driver of our opioid epidemic is addiction, and the immediate-release products are just as addictive... that's why they should be prescribed more cautiously", said the group's founder, Dr. Andrew Kolodny, an addiction therapist.

Source: FDA Requires Immediate-release Opioids To Sport New Boxed Warning

Best Android Rugged Tablets For Outdoor Use

The tablet market is overflowing with devices that target just about any use case imaginable. There are tablets with very small displays and lightweight construction that are perfect as ebook readers, larger tablets with high-definition displays that are fantastic for multimedia consumption, and even convertible tablets with detachable keyboards that can be used as a full-fledged laptop replacement. However, most of these devices are not designed to withstand rough handling and outdoor use. Manufacturers expect that you will keep your tablet protected from the elements, ensure that you won't accidentally drop it on the ground, or expose it to extreme temperatures.

Best Rugged Android Tablet

Luckily, some exceptions exist, and we took our time to examine what the rugged category of tablets has to offer in order to recommend you the best rugged tablet currently available on the market. Such tablet is perfect for professionals who need to use it right on the job site, small kids who are still too clumsy to handle a regular tablet, businesses that intend to use it as a point of sale device, and just about anyone else who values durability above everything else. We have narrowed our selection down to just two tablets: one smaller and one larger. As a bonus, we also cover two great alternatives that are worth considering as well.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active is Samsung's first rugged tablet, designed for individuals with an active lifestyle. It was first released at the end of 2014 and is still very much relevant to this day. The 8-inch device is packed with advanced connectivity features, capable hardware, and, above all, features a very durable construction that deviates from Samsung's typical sleek design and smooth, curved lines.

Design and Construction

We have to say that for a rugged tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active is a very attractive device. The black and gray design looks clean and professional, and the removable backplate, which hides the replaceable battery really makes you feel that it will survive just about everything. Indeed, the tablet is IP67 certified to be dust and water-resistant up to 1 meter and 30 minutes and survive up to 1.2 meters drop.

The front side resembles regular Samsung tablets: there's a small oval speaker grill on the top and three physical navigation button on the button. The device also hides a small pen, which can be used to navigate the operating system, draw diagrams, or precisely input text. It's also fantastic for people who have to wear protective gloves, as it allows them to keep them always on.

Display

The 8-inch TFT display has a resolution of 1280×800 pixels (189 PPI). Even though this resolution is only half of what Samsung puts in their latest devices, it's still clear enough for comfortable everyday use. The most important aspect of this display is how easily readable it is under direct sunlight. You don't even need to crack up the brightness to the max to see what's on the screen. Viewing angles are equally pleasant, and your coworkers will have no problem seeing what you have to show them even if they don't stand directly in front of the tablet.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset with Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor and Adreno 305 GPU. This entry-level SoC (System on Chip) has never been known for being the most powerful chip out there, but it still holds surprisingly well to this day. No, you won't be playing any latest high-fidelity 3D games on this tablet; its primary target is someone who needs to comfortably access the web, view and edit documents, take the occasional picture, and use a selection of production-oriented applications.

Battery

The built-in 4450 mAh battery can get you through the entire day of moderate to heavy use. That's largely because of the excellent software optimization and a lower-resolution screen. If you don't mind the extra weight, you can also pack a portable battery charger and extend its life on the go. Some newer chargers pack more than 20,000 mAh worth of battery capacity, which means that you could charge this tablet, at least, 3 times.

What's more, the battery is removable, so you can replace it with a newer one when the original begins to lose its capacity. Replacing it during the day is somewhat cumbersome because you first need to remove the backplate held by 4 screws.

Extra Features

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active includes two cameras: 3.15 MP in the back and 1.2 MP front-facing self-portrait one. The main camera can record 720p video at 30 frames per second and has an LED flash for low-light situations. The picture quality is really nothing to brag about, and you probably won't find yourself using any of those two cameras very often. Still, it's nice that they are there for when you might really need to document something without having anything better that you could use.

Professionals who would like to use this tablet outdoors will be pleased to know that the built-in navigation system is among the best we have ever come across. It's compatible with GPS and GLONASS satellites and always connects incredibly fast and the signal stays strong no matter where you are.

Verdict

If you want a small durable tablet with long battery life and enough performance to do just about anything you could realistically want from it, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active is a great choice.Get It Now On Amazon

The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A1 is an enterprise-grade rugged tablet with a 10-inch screen and impressive battery life. Needless to say, the tablet is meant for industry professionals who can bear the extra weight and thickness.

Design and Construction

This tablet is a rugged beast. Weight 952.5 g (2.10 lb) and being almost 2 cm thick, it has much more in common with smaller laptops than it does with other tablets. But make no mistake, the extra weight and size have been put to a good use, as the magnesium alloy chassis encased with ABS and elastomer received the MIL-STD-810G and IP65 certification. Simply put, you can put this device through anything and it will survive with just a few scratches.

Display

The 768 x 1024 pixels (127 pixels per inch) LCD display doesn't impress with its resolution, but that's because it has a few other tricks up its sleeve. For starters, the display is coated with an anti-reflective and anti-glare layer, making it easily readable under direct sunlight. Additionally, it has a special touch layer that allows owners to use styluses for precise input and signatures.

Performance

By far the biggest downside of the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A1 is the performance. Tablets and smartphones have come a very long way during the last 5 or so years and the outdated dual-core 1.2 GHz Marvell CPU simply doesn't cope well with modern applications and heavy multitasking. Installing the latest version of Android OS would probably be a painstaking task, which cannot be recommended to anyone. The fact that there is only 1GB of RAM doesn't help either.

Battery

The large case of this tablet hides an equally large Li-Ion 4590 mAh battery that can last an entire day. You don't have to think twice about purchasing a used model, because you can easily remove the back cover and replace the battery by yourself.

Extra Features

The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A1 features two cameras: 5 MP in the back and 2 MP in the front. Both offer a decent image quality and will work fine for the intended purposes. Just don't expect them to reveal any details in the shot or cope well with bad lighting conditions.

Verdict

The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A1 is a capable device that still has a few years of good use left in it despite its relatively old age. That's mainly because Panasonic wisely decided to make the battery easily serviceable, thus allowing owners to virtually infinitely expend the life of this device.Get It Now On Amazon

One good alternative to rugged tablets is to pair a regular tablet, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S, with a durable protective case. The Bobj Rugged case has been designed specifically for the Tab S, and it helps to protect the device from shocks and drops. It's available in 5 different colors, which means that you can match it with your company image, and the special interior cooling system ensures that your tablet will stay operational even during extremely hot summer days.

The tablet itself features a powerful Exynos 5 processor (1.9 GHz Quad Core + 1.3 GHz Quad Core) with 3 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage space. The beautiful 10.5-inch Super AMOLED Display with 2560×1600 resolution is one of the very best that you will come across. It's perfect for multimedia consumption, working with large documents and PDF files, and the 8 MP rear-facing camera allows you to leave your point-and-shoot camera at home.

Samsung has included some pretty great features that you won't find anywhere else. The Multi Window feature allows you to use two applications side-by-side, which is extremely useful for referencing two documents or composing an email with the aid of information displayed using the web browser. The built-in fingerprint scanner greatly enhances the overall security of the device and guarantees that nobody can access your personal or business data. Last but not least, the large non-removable Li-Ion 7900 mAh battery can last up to 11 hours of moderately heavy use, allowing you to use the tablet without charging through the entire day.

The only downside of using the tablet inside the rugged case is that you will still have to keep it protected from the elements. This means that using it the rain or is very dusty environments could prove fatal for the device.

Get Samsung Tablet Now On Amazon

Get Rugged Case Now On Amazon

The Panasonic Toughbook 19 is the latest iteration of the most popular line of rugged laptops in the world. What stands behind this success is Panasonic's ability to create an extremely reliable product that meets all dements of professionals in many different fields across the world. The laptop is jam-packed with innovative technology that you simply won't find in any consumer-grade laptop.

Despite the slightly misleading name, the Panasonic Toughbook 19 actually has a 10.1″ LCD touch-screen display with special backlight technology that uses direct sunlight as a source of illumination, allowing it to be as bright as 6000 nits (a unit of luminance equivalent to one candela per square meter).

The machine is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 processor and comes with 2GB of RAM, which can be expanded to up to 8GB. The 160GB HDD sits in a special protective enclosure, which helps it resist shocks, and the included quick-release mechanism makes it possible to remove the disk in just a few seconds to save data in case of emergency. However, it's very unlikely that you would be unfortunate enough to ever get yourself in a situation that the Panasonic Toughbook 19 wouldn't survive. The laptop is a 6-foot drop and IP65 certified and capable of resisting water splashes from all directions.

The large built-in, removable battery lasts up to 9 hours and can be removed and replaced on the go. The aluminum chassis comes with expansion slots for a fingerprint scanner, GPS, second LAN, ExpressCards, and many other devices.

If everything sounds too good to be true, that's because there's a small catch: the laptop starts at approximately $2,500 for a relatively basic configuration with outdated hardware. For comparison, you can get many times as powerful machines without the ruggedness of the Panasonic Toughbook 19 for just around $500.

We hope that our overview of some of the best rugged tablets on the market helped you decide which is the right one for you. If you are still uncertain, consider asking your employees and coworkers about their opinion or check out some online video reviews.Get It Now on Amazon

Source: Best Android Rugged Tablets For Outdoor Use

Samsung Prepping For Galaxy S7 Release Next Month?

No foolin', the official LG G5 release is set for two weeks from today, Friday April 1, and it won't cost you almost as much as the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.

Now that the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S is out of the bag it's clear that Samsung is going to be competing with Microsoft and Apple which also have their own tablet/laptop hybrids.

One interesting indication points at Samsung presenting a massive storage option with the new Galaxy Note. Both phones must be purchased on Equipment Installment Plans, and you'll need to add a line for the second device. The main difference of the rumoured upcoming Galaxy S7 mini from the other phones is it has all the powers of its bigger version but only in a more compact unibody.

On the other hand, Samsung Electronics (OTCMKTS:SSNLF) Galaxy S7 global shipping has already commenced, following the launch event that was held at Mobile World Congress on February 21.

Yep, that's right, the carrier and leading Android phone brand have teamed up to offer you the chance to buy one Samsung phone and get another completely free. Wow!

According to Zdnet, the handheld device is touted to have a 4.6-inch AMOLED display with a high definition resolution of 720x1080.

The Snapdragon 820 or the Exynos 8890 may be utilized, with the latter being a processor that was produced by Samsung itself.

The chip is clocked at 2.2GHz, 4GB RAM the machine has a 128GB solid state drive and the beast is WiFi-only for now. The phones built on top of the processors are what really count.

The 2-in-1 tablet, which features both a tablet and attachable keyboard, runs the Microsoft Windows 10 OS, which Samsung said delivers full PC functionality with both Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro.

There are also lots of new features, some of which came with the Android Marshmallow update; therefore, they are also available on Samsung's Galaxy S6 and Note 5.

Source: Samsung Prepping For Galaxy S7 Release Next Month?

10 Best Tablet POS Providers Announced by topcreditcardprocessors.com for March 2016

10 Best Tablet POS Providers Announced by topcreditcardprocessors.com for March 2016

SOURCE: topcreditcardprocessors.com

March 27, 2016 03:00 ET

NAPLES, FL--(Marketwired - March 27, 2016) - The independent authority on payment processors, topcreditcardprocessors.com, has named their ratings of the 10 top tablet POS providers in the payment processing industry for the month of March 2016. Each month the independent research team at topcreditcardprocessors.com analyzes the top performing tablet POS providers and ranks them based on their performance during an in-depth analysis of their provided services. The ratings are revealed at the start of each month to assist businesses in selecting an effective solution.

The primary purpose of topcreditcardprocessors.com is to identify the most esteemed tablet POS companies the credit card processing industry has to offer. The recommendations provide clients of these solutions with a listing of companies which provide the best solutions based on the opinion of the independent authority with years of experience in research and analysis. The recommendations are updated monthly based on the thorough evaluation process, client referrals, and industry research and analysis.

The 10 best tablet POS providers for March 2016 are: 

1- eFLOW POS

2- Transparent Merchant Services

3- BankCard USA

4- RedFynn

5- Credit Card Processing Specialists

6- Squirrel Systems

7- AccuPOS

8- Leaf Holdings

9- Intuit

10- FuturePOS

ABOUT topcreditcardprocessors.com

topcreditcardprocessors.com is an online organizer of independent reviews and ratings. The recommendations of the best credit card processing services are released monthly to assist businesses in connecting with tablet POS services which feature a history of effective solutions. Thousands of credit card processing services are put to the test while only the absolute best services are featured in the recommendations.

Those interested in applying for the rankings can visit:

http://www.topcreditcardprocessors.com/apply-for-ranking

For a better experience using this site, please upgrade to a modern web browser.

Source: 10 Best Tablet POS Providers Announced by topcreditcardprocessors.com for March 2016

FDA will require warnings on immediate-release painkillers

Those are given for pain severe enough to require daily, round-the-clock treatment and contain more drug per tablet than immediate-release tablets.

A report published in the NYTimes said, "The agency said the changes would mostly apply to immediate-release opioids - usually intended for use every four to six hours - and would include new boxed warnings, the agency's strongest type, about the risks of abuse and death".

"80% of heroin addicts actually start with prescription opiates", said Gov. Mike Pence this week as he signed several bills related to drug addiction.

"This new indication, once finalized, will remind prescribers that immediate-release opioids are also powerful drugs with important safety concerns", said Dr. Doug Throckmorton, a deputy director in the FDA's drug center.

"[Tuesday's] actions are one of the largest undertakings for informing prescribers of risks across opioid products, and one of many steps the FDA intends to take this year as part of our comprehensive action plan to reverse this epidemic", Califf's statement continued.

Deaths linked to misuse and abuse of prescription opioids climbed to 19,000 in 2014, the highest figure on record, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The latest requirement brings the labels for all opioids into alignment.

Critics of the FDA's approach to regulating opioids, including the group Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing, have for years petitioned the FDA to bolster warnings on immediate-release opioids.

Sens. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) placed holds on Califf's nomination and ultimately voted against confirmation once the vote occurred.

The warnings will be similar to what the Food and Drug Administration required for extended-release and long-acting opioids like OxyContin (oxycodone) in 2013. States like Florida and NY have cracked down on "pill mills" using databases to monitor what doctors are prescribing. The new labeling will affect 87 branded products and 141 generics ranging from combination acetominophen-opioid pills to intravenous formulations.

In Connecticut and across the nation, politicians and experts alike have spoken about the dangers prescription opioids present.

Last week, the CDC released opioid prescribing guidelines for the first time.

While acknowledging that opioids are often prescribed to combat chronic pain, the agency said the risks far outweigh the benefits for most patients with long-term pain, except for those receiving cancer treatment or end-of-life care.

The new FDA label will specify that the drugs like Percocet should only be used when other medications and alternative therapies can not control patients' pain.

Ted Cruz: Donald Trump is a ratMeanwhile, the state's five unbound delegates-who are free to back the candidates of their choice-also are more likely to back Mr. The budget was late, and when polled most voters held the state legislature responsible, rather than the governor. "It wasn't.

Source: FDA will require warnings on immediate-release painkillers

FDA Issues New Labeling for Immediate-Release Opioids

The Food and Drug Administration announced a new labeling requirement Tuesday on instant release prescription opioids that warns of the dangers including addiction, overdose and death.

"We are at a time when the unfathomable tragedies resulting from addiction, overdose, and death has become one of the most urgent, devastating public health crises facing our country", FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, told reporters at a Tuesday news briefing. The labels also carry a warning to expectant mothers about the risks of chronic immediate release opioid use. The warnings will be included on packages of all immediate-release opioid painkillers like morphine and Percocet (acetaminophen/oxycodone).

The FDA is also requiring several additional safety labeling changes across all prescription opioid products to include addition information about the risk the medications pose.

It is well known that IR opioids are prescribed more frequently than their ER/LA counterparts, refle cting a general assumption by physicians that there are somehow safer drugs. "When a patient gets his or her prescription filled, the bottle should have a notification indicating there is a black-box warning for the drug".

"This new indication, once finalized, will remind prescribers that immediate-release opioids are also powerful drugs with important safety concerns", Throckmorton said.

Those are given for pain severe enough to require daily, round-the-clock treatment and contain more drug per tablet than immediate-release tablets.

Short-acting opioids account for 90 percent of prescribed opioids, the FDA said. Almost 2 million Americans aged 12 or older either abused or were dependent on prescription opioids in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

When taken with antidepressants and migraine medications, opioids can also cause a potentially life-threatening central nervous system condition known as serotonin syndrome, which oc curs when the body is overloaded with the brain chemical serotonin.

Califf added the new warnings will help, but the FDA can't regulate how doctors practice medicine. The FDA continues to increase the pressure on the prescription of opioids.

Markey said the FDA needs to do more to protect patients.

"We know that there is persistent abuse, addiction, overdose mortality and risk of NOWS associated with IR opioid products", said Douglas Throckmorton, M. D., deputy center director of regulatory programs, FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Unfortunately, it has taken FDA far too long to address the grave risks of these drugs that have claimed the lives of thousands this year alone".

The move is one of a series announced recently by the FDA as it seeks to tackle the problem of opioid overdose and death.

US Muslims scoff at Cruz's call for surveillanceIf Cruz wants to present himself as the more palatable GOP alternative to Trump , he should retreat from his unfortunate words. But Trump appeared unfazed by the criticism for calling for Muslims to be barred temporarily from entering the US.

Source: FDA Issues New Labeling for Immediate-Release Opioids

Leaked benchmarks suggest Google is trying to reinvent the tablet

Google

Alphabet's Google could be about to deliver the most revolutionary new tablet in years.

Last month a massive, 13.8-inch tablet from the search giant showed up in GFXBench's database.

The benchmarker has been a reliable source of device leaks in recent years. In 2015, the Nexus 6P and LGG4 showed up in its database weeks before they were formally unveiled.

According to GFXBench, the device won't come equipped with any particularly impressive hardware, but could be distinguished by something quite radical: modularity.

Google's ambitious plan to reinvent the smartphone

In 2014, Google announced Project Ara, an innovative initiative from its Advanced Technologies and Products (ATAP) Group. At the time, Google's team of engineers and designers had set out to remake the smartphone, giving it a feature it has long lacked.

Traditional PCs, most notably desktops and to some extent laptops, have offered a certain degree of modularity for most of their history. Key components, such as hard drives, video cards, RAM modules, and even motherboards, can be swapped out or upgraded over time. In doing so, consumers can extend the lives of their machines, or augment them with greater capabilities whenever they desire.

But the same has never been true of smartphones or tablets. A few can have their storage expanded with microSD cards, but it's virtually impossible to upgrade the camera module, processor, or cellular radio. With the right tools, some users may be able to swap out a cracked screen, but it's certainly not an easy process.

With Project Ara, Google is hoping to change that. Project Ara smartphones are composed of a series of modular bricks, which (almost like Legos) slide into a magnetic skeleton. Each module contains a different component -- say, the camera sensor, or the battery -- which can be swapped out for replacements on the fly.

Project Ara phones may not be able to offer the same performance as comparably priced non-modular phones, but over time, the ability to upgrade and replace components could reduce the cost of ownership and lead to a flurry of innovation.

It also could put pressure on Google's biggest rival in the smartphone space, Apple, giving Android a unique selling point over the iPhone.

But it was always speculative: Project Ara has never received a firm release date. Last year, at Google's developer conference, the company unveiled a working prototype, which stoked faith that it would eventually see the light of day. Google planned to conduct a public test of the phones in Puerto Rico during the second half of 2015, but late in the summer, announced that the test had been delayed indefinitely.

Since then, there's been little news, and with each passing day, Project Ara runs the risk of becoming vaporware.

Reuters/Heikki Saukkomaa/LehtikuvaSebastian Nystrom, head of product business at Nokia Technologies, presents N1, Nokia's new Android tablet, at the Slush 2014 event in Helsinki November 18, 2014. Android's lagging tablet success

Or at least, that had been the case until last month, when Google's tablet showed up in the GFXBench database. Labeled a Project Ara tablet, it suggests that Google could be expanding its modularity initiative to larger devices. On May 18, Google will hold its 2016 developer conference, and a Project Ara tablet could make for an interesting announcement.

Regardless, there's a good chance this year's Google I/O will center around Android tablets. In recent years, Google has used the conference to announce and detail the latest version of its Android operating system. Earlier this month, Google released an early preview of the next version of Android (Android N) aimed at developers. Android N is likely to include support for a vast array of new features, but the most crucial may center around multitasking.

Last year, Apple gave its iPads multitasking capabilities. With iOS 9, newer iPad models can run two tablet apps simultaneously. Obviously, this allows for much greater productivity and convenience. Some of Google's hardware partners have implemented multitasking capabilities in their own tablets, but to date, the core Android operating system has lacked such a feature. With Android N, that will change, as Google will bring multitasking to stock Android for the first time. Owners of larger Android phones will certainly benefit, but Android tablet owners could see the bigger boost.

Google's mobile operating system powers the majority of the world's smartphones and tablets, but it hasn't had as much success conquering the tablet market as it has the smartphone market. More than 80% of the world's smartphones are powered by Android, but only 68% of the world's tablets use Google's operating system.

In November, research firm Strategy Analytics projected that Google's share of the tablet market would decline in the coming years, falling to just 59% in 2019. Apple would see a slight boost (moving from 22% to 23%), but Windows would be the real winner, nearly doubling its share of the tablet market (from 10% to 18%) at Android's expense.

Android tablets have been cheap, but not very impressive. With a radical new device, and Android N, that could change.

Read the original article on The Motley Fool. Copyright 2016. Follow The Motley Fool on Twitter.

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Source: Leaked benchmarks suggest Google is trying to reinvent the tablet

Samsung Galaxy S6 Marshmallow Release Details

With the Samsung Galaxy S6 Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow release pushing ahead, we want to take a look at the most important things to know right now about the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow release for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge.

For weeks we've seen Samsung Galaxy S6 Android Marshmallow details tease owners of the regular variant, the Galaxy S6 Edge, and the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus. Until recently, those details didn't include an actual roll out.

Samsung has finally rolled out the red carpet for the Galaxy S6's Marshmallow update and it appears that the update is starting to roll out, in limited fashion, to Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge models. It's even rolling out in the United States.

The Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update takes the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge from Android 5.1.1 Lollipop to Google's most up-to-date OS.

With a Samsung Galaxy S6 Marshmallow release now underway, we want to take a look at the most important things Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus owners need to know about the release, Android 6.0.1, and more.

We'll continue to update this with new information as we get it. Samsung's Android roll outs are slow and the Galaxy S6 Android Marshmallow release will almost certainly take several months to hit every single device.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Marshmallow Release Date

Earlier this month, Samsung confirmed plans to start rolling out the Samsung Galaxy S6 Android 6.0 Marshmallow update. As expected, the first Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus Android 6.0.1 updates started rolling out in South Korea.

The Galaxy S6 Marshmallow roll out has moved to the United States. Sprint users have told us that the Galaxy S6 Android 6.0.1 update and Galaxy S6 Edge Android 6.0.1 update are rolling out right now bringing a 1GB+ update to the former flagship devices.

Sprint's also now rolling out the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update to the larger Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus.

As expected, the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update is full of new features, enhancements and fixes and it will land for all Sprint Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge users in the days ahead. Sprint's Android updates typically take a week or two to hit every single device.

The Galaxy S6 (SM-G920F) and Galaxy S6 edge (SM-G925F) Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow updates are reportedly rolling out in the UK right now on the country's Vodafone network.

Those on Vodafone should check their phone throughout the week for the OTA file. The update comes with a XXU3DPB8 build number.

The Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow updates are also now hitting several models in the Netherlands.

On top of that, the Galaxy S6 Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update is rolling out to users in Russia and the Galaxy S6 Edge Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update is hitting users in Austria. But wait, there's more.

Samsung's also now reportedly pushing out Marshmallow updates to Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge models in Croatia, Germany, Poland, Chile, Panama, Greece, Macedonia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Caucasus, France, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kazakstan, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and the Ukraine.

The Galaxy S6 Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update is also rolling out in India, one of the world's largest markets.

As for the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus Marshmallow update, it just started rolling out on SK Telecom bringing a huge file, a new build and tons of new features to the larger version of the Galaxy S6 Edge.

It's also reportedly rolling out in Iraq, Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Russia, India, France, Sweden, Portugal, Paraguay, Philippines Libya, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Cyprus.

If you live in one of those countries, keep an eye out for Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow in the days and weeks ahead.

Other Release Details

Now that Samsung's confirmed plans to release the Galaxy S6 Android 6.0.1 update in Korea and Europe, we are starting to see some other dominoes start to fall.

AT&T will reportedly start rolling out its Galaxy S6 Android 6.0.1 update on March 14th. This hasn't been confirmed.

Canadian carrier Telus has confirmed a trio of dates for its Samsung Galaxy S6 Marshmallow release. Up first is the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus update. It's expected to arrive on April 7th after several days.

After that, it's the Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy S6 Marshmallow updates. Both are expected to land on April 14th.

It's important to note that these dates are "approximate and subject to change" so there's a chance we could see further delays.

Canadian carrier Bell has also confirmed plans to roll out a Galaxy S6 Marshmallow update in March. It hasn't outlined a specific date yet but Canadian carriers typically roll their Android updates out around the same time as one another.

Elsewhere in North America, T-Mobile USA is planning Android Marshmallow updates for the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and the Galaxy S6 Edge+.

The carrier confirmed these updates several weeks ago and two of them, Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, have finally moved past the "Manufacturer Development" stage. They're now in for testing at T-Mobile, a sign that their release is close.

As for the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus update, it's still lagging behind in "Manufacturer Development" mode. It's not clear when it will move. 

A report from last year suggests that all five major U.S. carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, U.S. Cellular) will be pushing Android Marshmallow out to the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. Not that this comes as a surprise. The Galaxy S6 is less than a year old.

With Verizon pushing out the Verizon Galaxy Note 5 Marshmallow update, it should only be a matter of time before its Galaxy S6 model, and the others beyond Sprint's, gets a taste of Android 6.0.1.

Galaxy S6 Marshmallow Update: What's New

Thanks to the Galaxy S6 Marshmallow beta, Samsung's announcements, and the company's very own Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge Marshmallow consumers guide, we know what to expect from the updates in Korea, Poland and around the world.

The Galaxy S6 Android Marshmallow updates will deliver a number of new features, enhancements and fixes to the two flagship smartphones including changes to the look of app icons and a UI that prominently features the color white.

Samsung's updates come with Google Now on Tap which allows you to quickly bring up information on whatever you're looking at simply by holding down the home button. They also feature better control over app permissions, improved fingerprint support, and the battery saving feature Doze.

The company's also outlined changes to Samsung Internet 4.0 and Cross App boost functionality.

Samsung's new browser comes with improved security and functionality including a new Secret Mode that's very similar to Chrome's Incognito mode in that it doesn't store "browsing history, cookies, passwords, auto-fill data or anything else."

The Samsung Galaxy S6 Marshmallow update's new Internet 4.0 app also brings browsing support for Samsung's Gear VR.

In addition, the Cross App boost functionality "allows users to operate certain apps from within other apps."

Our Android 6.0 vs. Android 5.0 walkthrough and this gallery of photos will give you a better idea about what to expect from the Galaxy S6 Marshmallow update. So will Samsung's official Galaxy S6 Marshmallow consumer guide.

SamMobile recently got their hands on the official Marshmallow consumer guide and it takes you through the very basics of Marshmallow and its changes. From Doze to the app changes to the new UI colors, it's all there. Click here to download the powerpoint file.

Android 6.0.1

Samsung isn't rolling out the old Android 6.0 update. It's rolling out the newest version dubbed Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.

Android 6.0.1 is a whole lot different than the Android 6.0 update and there are some notable changes Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge users will want to be aware of as the roll out grows in size.

Samsung's Android 6.0.1 update for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge should bring the following along with it:

Additional quick settings toggles for Private Mode in the status bar.

New emoji characters (Android 6.0.1 brought more than 200 to Nexus users).

Improved visibility of notification panel icons.

When a fingerprint isn't recognized, you will only get vibration feedback.

A new 'Install overnight' option that will let you install an update at night between the hours of 2 to 5 AM.

Changes to the Galaxy S6 Edge panel.

The changes to the Galaxy S6 Edge panel can be seen in the video above and on Samsung's website. The company outlines the biggest changes coming to the Edge models with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow

For more on Android 6.0.1, take a look at our walkthrough. It will take you step-by-step through the differences between Android 6.0 and Android 6.0.1.

It's important to note that not every Galaxy S6 Marshmallow update will be created equal. Carriers typically put their own spin on these updates and we expect to see mostly minor but maybe some big differences between the updates in the United States and around the world.

Most carriers are mum about their plans for Marshmallow so we'll just have to wait and see what those are.

Marshmallow Problems

Google's Android 6.0.1 update (and Android 6.0 update for that matter) has been problematic for Nexus smartphone and tablet users. We expect some of the same problems to plague Samsung's Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge Marshmallow upgrades.

Samsung put these updates through a public beta process. And while the beta process likely caught some of the more glaring problems, there's no way it caught them all.

Problems always slip through the cracks and Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge owners will want to prepare for Android 6.0.1 issues.

We've been taking a close look at Android 6.0.1 problems in the weeks since the updates release. We encourage you to get familiar with the most common problems (battery life, etc) and get a feel for some potential fixes for those issues.

We'll keep you posted about Galaxy-specific Android 6.0.1 problems once the roll out picks up the pace in Korea, Europe and the United States.

10 Things to Do Before Installing Samsung Galaxy Marshmallow

Get Familiar with Android 6.0.1 & Marshmallow

Let's start with something very important. 

One of the first things you'll want to do is get familiar with the changes coming with your version of Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Each update is going to be a little bit different (carriers can't help themselves) but there some core elements to each. 

There are a number of resources around the web but we'll provide you with some great starting points right here. 

We've taken a deep dive into the differences between Lollipop and Marshmallow and you'll want to check the basics out so that you're comfortable with the changes. 

Android 6.0.1, the version of Marshmallow rolling out to Galaxy devices, is a little different than Android 6.0. You can get familiar with some of Android 6.0.1's basics right here.

And then we get to the device level. That is to say that the Galaxy S6 Marshmallow update is a little different than the Galaxy Note 5 Marshmallow update. We've outlined some of those differences and you can find them at the links provided. 

Things will be different at the carrier level as well and you'll want to look into those changes as well. Unfortunately, those changes will arrive whenever Samsung and your carrier decide to push out Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow for your device. We'll provide you with the Verizon Galaxy Note 5 Marshmallow release notes as an example. 

If you haven't been following along, now is a great time to look into the new features and enhancements so that you're as proficient as possible after you download and install Marshmallow on your Galaxy phone or tablet. 

Source: Samsung Galaxy S6 Marshmallow Release Details

Vizio M series TV includes free tablet remote and Dolby Vision HDR too

Vizio

The successor to CNET's favorite LCD TV of 2015, Vizio's M series, is getting improved image quality chops and a revamped smart TV system that includes a tablet remote in the box.

The 2016 version of the M series appeared on the company's website recently without any fanfare or pricing information. No, we don't know when it's coming out yet (the site says "soon") and we don't even know which sizes it will arrive in.

Vizio's representatives declined to give us any additional information beyond what's on the web site now.

According to the site, the new M series will pack many of the same features as the P series, which was announced Wednesday and starts shipping March 27. We suspect the M series will be cheaper, in the area of $1,500 for the 65-inch size. Here's what we know.

Vizio M series features

Full-array local dimming with 64 zones

HDR compatible with Dolby Vision support

4K resolution

Includes free Android tablet remote (6-inch screen)

Google Cast compatible

Those are some pretty impressive image-quality specifications. The M series halves the number of local dimming zones on the P series, but 64 is still an impressive number (more zones generally leads to improved image quality), and twice as many as the M had last year.

HDR is another high-end picture enhancement new for 2016, although it remains to be seen how Vizio will handle support for Dolby Vision's competitor, the HDR10 format found, among other sources, on 4K Blu-ray discs. One difference between the P and the M, judging from the website, is that the M series doesn't get the "Ultra Color Spectrum" feature, so I doubt its coverage of the P3 color space used for HDR will equal the P series' 96 percent.

The Vizio site indicates in a couple places that the tablet included with the M series has a 720p resolution screen (compared with a 1080p screen on the P series), but in ano ther table on the site all of the M series tablet specs are listed as "coming soon."

Just like the P series, the M does away with a traditional onscreen menu system in favor of the Google Cast feature and the Vizio SmartCast app.

See my write-up of the P series for more details.

Vizio's site also lists a new 2016 version of the less expensive E series. Here's how the series break down:

Series Price for 65-inch Availability Dimming zones HDR with Dolby Vision Wide color gamut Free Tablet remote Reference series $6,000 March 384 Yes Yes No P series $2,000 March 128 Yes Yes Yes M series TBD TBD 64 Yes No Yes E series TBD TBD 12 No No No D series $900 Now 16 No No No

When we find out more information, we'll update this article.

Source: Vizio M series TV includes free tablet remote and Dolby Vision HDR too

Samsung Galaxy Note 6 To Release With Android N, 6GB RAM

Buy one Samsung Galaxy S7 and get another free with AT&T

With the release of the new Samsung Galaxy TabPro S, Samsung has returned with a new Windows 10-based tablet for the market.

The Galaxy Note 5 measures 153.2×76.1×7.6mm and weights 171 grams.

Earlier this month, the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) was certified by China's TENAA, and Phone Arena was given the first look at the phone, the news portal said. There are some speculations that it may arrive in August.

According to Zdnet, the handheld device is touted to have a 4.6-inch AMOLED display with a high definition resolution of 720x1080.

Another notable achievement found on the latest Galaxy flagships is the return of the microSD card expansion slots, after Samsung disappointed fans previous year when it removed expandable storage from its Galaxy S6 line.

For customers who might have already ordered/bought the handset from the 23rd of February until the 17th of March, they will proactively receive the credit and will receive a monthly credit towards their upcoming phone bills.

The Galaxy J series is one of the smartphone lineups from Samsung. The new version will be even better.

Since Samsung has yet to comment on the matter available information should be taken with a grain of salt especially that the company jas not produced smaller smartphones with the same internals available on its flagship models. These features will be available via a software update in the coming weeks.

As far as snappers are concerned, the phablet will be a delight for camera lovers.

Samsung has started pushing Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update with a layer of TouchWiz UI for Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and S6 Edge+. It is expected to come with the new USB-C slot and is expected to integrate a large battery of 3600 mAh to 4000 mAh.

March Madness 2016: Buddy Hield helps Oklahoma beat VCU 85-81Isaiah Cousins averages 13 points a game and scored 16 in the win over CSU-Bakersfield and Jordan Woodard (12.6 ppg) added 15. The Sooners' balance would be hard for OR to match up with in a potential Elite Eight showdown.

Source: Samsung Galaxy Note 6 To Release With Android N, 6GB RAM

Opioid Medications to Get New Boxed Warnings

"This new indication, once finalized, will remind prescribers that immediate-release opioids are also powerful drugs with important safety concerns, " said Dr. Doug Throckmorton, a deputy director in the FDA's drug center. The FDA will provide new cautions about dosing and "a warning not to abruptly stop treatment in a physically dependent patient".

As part of the boxed warning on IR opioid analgesics, the FDA now requires a precaution that chronic maternal use of opioids during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS), which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated using protocols developed by neonatology experts.

The extensions of these warnings apply particularly to the immediate-release painkillers; the FDA already upped labeling restrictions for extended-release painkillers in 2013.

The FDA added similar warnings to long-acting drugs - such as OxyContin, which release their dosage slowly, over 12 hours or more - almost three years ago. Those are given for pain severe enough to require daily, round-the-clock treatment and contain more drug per tablet than immediate-release tablets. The labels "may have an impact on people using opioids for chronic pain - it's a reminder to them - but it's not going to impact the people that are really caught up in the heroin craze", Merrigan said. The new warnings include the risks of abuse, addiction, overdose and death. Ninety percent of all opioid prescriptions are for these fast-acting, or immediate-release, formulations.

"Opioid addiction and overdose have reached epidemic levels over the past decade, and the FDA remains steadfast in our commitment to do our part to help reverse the devastating impact of the misuse and abuse of prescription opioids", Califf says in a release about the new requirements. When prescribing opioids for short-term pain, the agency said doctors should prescribe a 3-day supply, whenever possible.

The move by FDA was praised by Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore City health commissioner, for informing prescribers and patients about the risks. As per the announcement by the FDA, when a patient gets his or her prescription filled, the bottle should have a notification indicating there is a black-box warning for the drug, reported Fox 8.

Califf added the new warnings will help, but the FDA can't regulate how doctors practice medicine.

Yesterday's announcement comes as pressures have mounted in Washington for officials to take action on what increasingly is being spotlighted as a public health crisis after being in the shadows for years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overdose deaths involving prescription drugs have quadrupled since 1999, and has followed an increase in prescribing.

In light of the prescription drug abuse epidemic, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is cracking down on the labeling of opioid painkillers.

"The main driver of our opioid epidemic is addiction, and the immediate-release products are just as addictive... that's why they should be prescribed more cautiously", said the group's founder, Dr. Andrew Kolodny, an addiction therapist.

The FDA's label change came as a House panel held a hearing March 22 on opioid abuse.

However, critics of the FDA - such as the group Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing - called on the agency to add the warnings years ago.

Over 100000 units Galaxy S7 series sold in first two daysThe new "Always on Display" feature allows users to easily check for updates, without having to worry about unlocking the phone. Users will easily find the Android Pay application within the Google folders on Verizon Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge handsets.

Source: Opioid Medications to Get New Boxed Warnings

Vizio's midpriced P-series TVs promise high-end picture quality, throw in a free Android tablet remote

Sarah Tew/CNET

If OLED TVs are still too rich for your blood, especially in bigger screen sizes, the new Vizio P series might be the best midpriced alternative in 2016. And that's not just because they include a free Android tablet in the box.

Last year, Vizio TVs were the highest-rated overall on CNET thanks to a combination of very good picture quality and affordable price. LG's OLED televisions delivered better images but they cost a mint, especially in sizes over 55 inches.

This year OLED shows no signs of reaching pocketbook range for normal humans, leaving LCD-based TVs to dominate the market. And the LCD TV that so far seems best positioned to score a high rating at CNET is, once again, a Vizio. I'll have to wait to see how it performs, of course, but on paper the P series is a beast.

It includes four sizes ranging from 50 inches for $1,000 up to 75 inches for $3,800, which is significantly cheaper than the competition. The series starts shipping on March 27.

P hits picture high points

I got a formal introduction to the new P series at a press event in New York and came away impressed. The TVs include all of the high-end picture-quality specifications I look for in a 2016 LCD TV, including full-array local dimming and compatibility with high dynamic range (HDR) content.

Those items promise an excellent overall picture, especially since Vizio specifies a big helping of dimming zones (at least 126), and more zones -- which allow sections of the image to brighten or dim independently -- often equate to a superior picture. And unlike the difficult-to-discern resolution increase of 4K, HDR expands the range of both contrast and color significantly, for a visible improvement in many cases. Although it lacks the quantum dot technology found on Vizio's more expensive 65-inch Reference Series TV, as well as Samsung's high-end TVs, the P series still covers a respectable 96 percent of the P3 color space.

Like the Reference Series, the P series will be compatible with the Dolby Vision HDR system. A software update will arrive "hopefully" within 90 days of launch that also allows the TV to handle the competing HDR10 system. That means Vizio's TVs will support both HDR formats, much like LG's. The 2016 HDR TVs from Samsung and Sony, meanwhile, only support HDR10 and not Dolby Vision.

Sarah Tew/CNET

At launch, the P series will have access to the more then 30 Dolby Vision movies by Warner available to stream from Vudu, including "Mad Max: Fury Road," "Black Mass" and "In the Heart of the Sea." Netflix and Amazon will also launch Dolby Vision streaming this year.

As for 4K Blu-ray, the P series won't display the HDR versions of current discs playable on the Samsung UBD-K8500 player until its HDR10 software upgrade rolls out. And if you've been paying attention recently, you're probably not surprised to learn that the P series is not UHD Alliance Premium Certified, and that like all recent Vizio TVs (and most new TVs in general), it lacks 3D capability.

Get a free Google Cast tablet, but lose Amazon

Confirming reports, the P series will do away with Vizio's antiquated Smart TV system in favor of one that relies solely on Google Cast, the software giant's popular TV streaming platform. But Vizio's reps assured me its system, dub bed Vizio SmartCast, is more robust than just dangling a $35 Chromecast from the back of the TV.

The P series includes a 6-inch tablet.

Sarah Tew/CNET

First off, the P series includes a full-function 6-inch Android tablet. It has 1080p resolution, Android Lollipop, a V8 octa-core processor, stereo speakers, 16GB of storage and complete access to the Google Play store, allowing it to function as a standard tablet independently of the TV. An included docking station charges the tablet wirelessly when it's not in use.

The TVs lack an onscreen Smart TV interface, so you'll need to use the built-in Cast capability to watch TV apps like Netflix and Vudu. Here's where I mention that Amazon, which has an Instant Video app on current Vizio TVs like the 2015 M series, doesn't work natively with Google Cast. If you want to watch Amazon on this TV you'll need to use screen mirroring (which has worse quality than native Casting) or connect another device like a Roku or Fire TV stick. And none of those devices can access Amazon's HDR content.

Unlike Chromecast, Vizio SmartCast will support 4 K streams from certain providers, including Netflix, YouTube, Vudu and UltraFlix. It will also support Vudu's Dolby Vision HDR, as well as Netflix's when it becomes available.

Sarah Tew/CNET

If you're not familiar with Google Cast, it's a system that allows content from a phone, tablet or PC to display on the TV. It typically delivers excellent performance, all of the features and frequent updates of the mobile app. The main downside is that you can't choose videos or initiate playback with a standard remote, or a universal model like Harmony.

The included tablet also ships with an app specifically for Vizio's TVs that allows direct control of volume, picture settings and other parameters, just like a regular remote. It also links directly to TV, Movies and other content from streaming apps, much like Google's own Chromecast app. The P series TVs will accept Cast sessions from other phones and tablets, including iOS devices, just like standard Chromecast. Vizio also includes a separate standard remote.

Here's how the models break down.

Model Size Price Dimming zones Refresh rate Panel type P50-C1 50 inches $999 126 60Hz VA P55-C1 55 inches $1,299 126 120Hz IPS P65-C1 65 inches $1,999 128 120Hz VA P75-C1 75 inches $3,799 128 120Hz VA

Those prices are significantly cheaper than other 2016 HDR TVs announced so far, including LG's OLEDs and Super UHD TVs, and Sony's 4K/HDR models. Samsung has yet to officially announce pricing, but I expect its new higher-end TVs, dubbed SUHD, to cost quite a bit more than the P series, too.

The table above deserves a bit of explanation. I don't expect the slightly different number of dimming zones to affect picture quality whatsoever. The 50-inch size's lower refresh rate might cause a bit more blurring with some material, but I doubt it will be a deal-breaker for anybody (Vizio itself quotes a higher "effective refresh rate"; the numbers above are the actual panel refresh rates). The biggest difference is likely to be the IPS panel type used on the 55-inch size; in past reviews we've found that IPS delivers worse image quality in many ways compared to VA.

We expect to review Vizio's new P series TVs soon.

Update March 23: Vizio has confirmed that these TVs lac k a built-in tuner, so they can't receive local TV stations available via antenna/over-the-air broadcasts. In fact, lack of a tuner means they're not technically "TVs" anymore, which is why Vizio's web site calls them "Tuner-Free Displays." If you're someone who watches a lot of TV via antenna, rather than cable, satellite or streaming service, Vizio recommends you purchase a third-party tuner.

Vizio's web site also revealed two other new 2016 series of TVs, er, "Tuner-Free Displays," the E-series and M- series. Pricing and availability have not been announced for either one yet. We'll publish more details soon.

Source: Vizio's midpriced P-series TVs promise high-end picture quality, throw in a free Android tablet remote