Acer to Launch 7- and 10-inch Tablets This Year

HP's Android tablet might be shelved for now, but Acer has plans to release two slates powered by the Google OS before the year is out.

Digitimes reports that Acer will launch 7- and 10-inch Android tablets later this year. Both will run Android 2.2 (or Froyo) and be ARM-based. With the advantage of Android 2.2's Flash support, Digitimes reports that these two devices will be multimedia tablets with entertainment capabilities and will debut in Q4. Acer is said to already be in talks with Far EasTone Telecommunications, which suggests the device will have 3G and, dare we hope, may be available subsidized from carriers?

The tablets will be separate to the e-ink ereader Acer introduced in May and the full-color, Qualcomm-powered Android reader it showed off last month at Computex.

Toshiba in Hot Water Over Free Laptops Offer

Toshiba's latest ad campaign has resulted in a lot of unhappy customers.

In an effort to capitalize off of the World Cup, Toshiba ran an advertising campaign offering customers in several European countries full rebates on purchases if their country won.
The deal was advertised in Spain, Germany, England, Portugal and Italy and offered customers purchasing Toshiba Core i5 laptops or Toshiba TVs a full refund if their country of origin was victorious. However, it seems Spanish customers are having trouble getting their money back and consumer association, Facua, is taking issue with how Toshiba organized the special offer.
Toshiba's promotional materials included fine print that directed customers to the Toshiba Website for full details. However, not all customers checked the site before buying and were surprised to learn that they're not eligible for a refund because they didn't register their product before June 17. Engadget cites Facua as saying such a huge condition to availing of the offer should not have been hidden away on the website, but clearly marked on the promotional materials. The group is arguing that because of this oversight, Toshiba should have to honor every single customer's rebate regardless.
While it's definitely an underhanded move on Toshiba's part, it's hard to believe people wouldn't look at the terms and conditions of a deal offering a free laptop or TV before jumping in with both feet.

Google Launches 'Google Fiber For Communities'

Google has launched a Website to keep Americans informed about its plans for fiber internet.

You might remember a few months back when communities across the country went nuts competing for Google's 1GB fiber internet; cities changed their name to Google and mayors swam with sharks.

Though it's been three months since these stunts were carried out, Google has yet to make a decision on what town will be part of the pilot program for it's project. Google says it won't name the winner (or winners!) at the end of the year.

However, the search giant isn't resting on its laurels until D-day. The company this week launched 'Google Fiber for Communities,' a Website designed to keep folks up to date on the project, educate people on the technology and thank them for all their efforts. It also provides tips on how you can help bring fiber Internet to your community.

In total, 1,100 communities and 200,000 individuals responded to Google's call for a test site for the project. Check out the video below to see some of their submissions and thank you messages from Google employees.

Windows Phone 7 Does Remote Erase, Location

Tuesday Microsoft unveiled the Windows Phone Live companion site for the upcoming Windows Phone 7 device. It will supposedly be a one-stop hub for everything the user needs, whether its to see published images, check email, exchange OneNote files, check their Windows Live calendar, and more. All files will be synchronized between the web, PC, and the handheld.

According to Microsoft's Aaron Woodman in the Windows Phone Blog, the site will also provide users with 25GB of SkyDrive cloud-based storage, and a Find My Phone service that will help owners manage their missing phone using map, ring, lock and erase capabilities. Both services will be provided to Windows Phone 7 users free of charge.