Lenovo adds to the Windows 8 laptop-tablet hybrid portfolio with the IdeaTab Lynx-- a Windows 8 tablet users can convert into a laptop by plugging it into the included keyboard dock.

It has an 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 IPS touchscreen and carries a dual-core 1.8GHz Cloverview Intel Atom processor, 2GB of RAM and either 32 or 64GB of flash-based storage.

The processor allows the tablet to run x86 programs in desktop mode-- separating the Lynx from other hybrid devices running Windows RT on ARM processors.

The detachable keyboard dock is also interesting. It has an AccuType layout (similar to that in bigger Lenovo notebooks), x2 USB ports, Micro HDMI, microSD card slot and a built-in 6800mAh battery providing up to 16 hours of extra power according to Lenovo.

The IdeaTab Lynx will be available from December 2012, together with all other portable Lenovo Windows 8 devices.

Go Lenovo Debuts Family of Convertible Windows 8 Devices

Amazon announces not 1, not 2 but 5 new and/or improved Kindle devices-- the Kindle Fire HD (in either 8.9- or 7-inch varieties), a Kindle Fire upgrade, the Kindle Paperwhite and a next-generation Kindle eReader. 

Clearly Amazon is taking the threat of both Google (with the Nexus 7) and Apple (possibly, at least) when it comes to the 7-inch tablet segment very seriously, while still not ignoring the general eReader market too much.

The (literally!) biggest news is the Kindle Fire HD-- with HD displays, dual-core TI OMAP 4470 processor, more RAM and MIMO (meaning dual antennas) technology Amazon claims provides "40% faster" wifi than the iPad. 

The flagship model has an 8.9-inch 1920x1200 display and 32GB of storage, while the smaller 7-inch model handles resolutions of up to 1280x800 and 16GB of storage. Both models also carry Dolby Audio technology with dual-driver stereo speakers. 

Fact-- Windows 8 tablet-laptop devices are big news at IFA 2012. So far Toshiba, Samsung, HP and Dell have hybrid devices at their stands, all to be available after the official Windows 8 launch.

One device at Berlin even reminds us of "Cove Point," (aka Letexo) the slick Intel Ultrabook-tablet hybrid reference design first seen at IDF 2012 back in April 2012.

That device is the Toshiba Satellite 925t-- a 12.5-inch hybrid device with a sliding mechanism holding display and keyboard instead of a more simple hinge. It allows users to either "fold" the display against the keyboard or slide it out and and bend it into a laptop-style standing position.

Games on a tablet are all well and good, but some customers might prefer buttons-- enter Archos and the GamePad, a 7-inch Android 4.0 tablet with physical controls as well as a touchscreen.

It runs on a dual-core 1.5GHz processor and a Mali 400mp quad-core GPU, and storage comes through 8GB internal and microSD card slot.

In addition to x2 analog sticks and a full set of buttons, Archos provides "automatic game recognition and mapping tools" to ensure the controls are compatible with most (if not all) Android games.

The company also says it has Google certification, meaning the tablet can access the Play app store and Google-made apps.

The Archos GamePad should be available from October 2012 with European pricing of “less than €150."

Go Archos GamePad