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Newnex reveals what it say is the first USB 3.0 active repeater-- the FireNEX-uLINK-D, capable of repeating a USB 3.0 signal for over 14 metres of standard USB cable.

Shown at a press event at CES 2012, the FireNEX-uLINK-D is bus powered (needing no external power or drivers) and plug and play.

Also seen at CES is the FireNEX-5000-- the first USB 3.0 optical repeater according to Newnex. Using fibre it sends USB signals for over 100m, far beyond the standards of regular USB cable.

The company says the repeater can find many applications, including machine vision, security and professional audio/video.

The FireNEX-5000 should hit the market on Q2 2012, while the FireNEX-uLINK-D is already available.

Go Newnex

Despite previous predictions of Apple gradually losing share in the tablet market, the iPad continues to dominate-- taking over 88% share of the Q4 2011 W. European tablet market according to CONTEXT.

In comparison the iPad's Q3 2011 market share totals 76%.

As a result the analyst predicts such a trend is a "precursor to a two-tier industry" based on pricing-- with luxury brands (chiefly iPad) at one end and cheap-and-cheerful devices (such as the Amazon Kindle) on the other.

CONTEXT says customers want devices with "integrated and reliable" platforms-- something Windows 8 promises to deliver, resulting in some success for traditional PC vendors stepping into tablet territories. Vendors might also find success with hybrid tablet/laptop designs (like the Asus Eee Pad Transformer), particularly within the enterprise segment.

Go CONTEXT Sees Emergence of Two-Tier Tablet Market

German courts dismiss Apple's bid for an emergency ruling banning Galaxy Tab 10.1N sales, stating the Samsung tablet differs significantly from iPad.

“Apple’s iPads and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1N now are two competing products of equal value,” the court statement says.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1N is a revised version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, with a broader screen bezel, loud speakers and a Samsung tag on the front. The Dusseldorf appeals court banned German sales of the original Tab 10.1 earlier this year.

Apple also sued Samsung for allegedly infringing screen-related patents-- an appeal rejected by the Munich Regional Court last week.

Either way, expect the mobile patent wars to go on, and on, and on...

Go Apple Loses German Case Over Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1N

Oregon Scientific enters the kid-centric tablet market with the MEEP!-- an Android-powered 7" tablet ideal for your customers' offspring.

It carries a Neonode zForce touchscreen inside a tough design, together with a rubber silicon sleeve for extra protection. Internet connection come through wifi, and parents can monitor their children's internet usage via parental controls adjustable through internet enabled devices.

An SD card slot allows the expansion of internal memory. Oregon Scientific says a MEEP! accessory range (including musical instruments) will also be available soon.

Go Oregon Scientific Announces New Tablet for Kids

Go Oregon Scientific