Saturday, June 30, 2012

Ideum unveils speedy Platform and Pro multi-touch tables, says PixelSense ain't got nothin' (video)



Who knew giant multi-touch tables would trigger the next big speed race? Ideum clearly thinks that the PixelSense-based Samsung SUR40 is lagging with that AMD Athlon II X2, because it just rolled out a pair of speed demon 55-inch, 40-point touch surfaces (but not Surfaces) in the Platform and Pro. The Platform has a respectable dual 2.2GHz Core i7 and 8GB of RAM, but it also carries a pair of 256GB solid-state drives in case that museum exhibit app won't load quickly enough. Hopping to the Pro switches to two not quite as speedy 500GB hard drives in standard trim. It more than makes up for this with a quad 3.4GHz Core i7 and NVIDIA's Quadro 600 for the truly stressful projects -- the combination can juggle multiple users and tasks even more smoothly than its MT55 Pro ancestor. Outside of raw speed, picking a table depends mostly on svelteness versus expansion: the Pro has a full-fledged HP tower inside that can drop in SSDs and other upgrades you might fancy, while the Platform is half as thick as a SUR40 (at two inches) and sleeker overall than its big brother. We're working to get price quotes, but the early five-digit figures we've seen in the past likely rule out upgrading the family coffee table. You can convince yourself with a video after the break.

Valve Source Filmmaker makes a movie out of any Source game, now you're directing with Portals (video)



Creating machinima with a video game engine usually requires accepting one of two truths: either that it will require a lot of fudging or that it will have all the sophistication of playing with action figures. Valve Software isn't very happy with that dichotomy, which is why it's posting its very own movie-making tool, Source Filmmaker, as a public beta. Any game that runs on the Source engine, whether it's Left 4 Dead 2, Portal 2 or another in the family, can have gameplay run-throughs edited and dissected right down to custom facial expressions. As Valve expounds in the video after the break, throwing a gaming-grade PC at the task gives directors the advantage of seeing exactly how any changes will look in the final scene; there's no rough wireframes or pre-rendering here. Budding Francis Ford Coppolas can sign up for an invitation to the Filmmaker beta at the project page. If you'd just like to see how far someone can go with the end results, we've also included the latest Team Fortress 2 character profile video, Meet the Pyro, after the jump.

Instagram adds Photo Page to web: new colors, user comments, not much else



Instagram's been moving along briskly with its Android and iOS apps, but the hipster-tinter-photo-sharing-Facebook acquisition's web presence has been lagging behind in comparison. But there's good news now if you're desk-bound thanks to the new "Photo Page," which lets you log in, change your profile and add comments or likes to images. The other tweak is a fresh look for the site, matching the app with a blue, dare we say, Facebook-esque theme and larger images, no doubt to show off those mega-megapixel smartphone cameras. It's likely a first step in unifying its web offering and apps, and with a name like Photo Page, no one can accuse it of wasting that Facebook booty on marketing whizzes.

Qualcomm restructures itself for summer, R&D division becomes wholly owned subsidiary


You know all those lawsuits swirling about in the tech industry? Yeah... Qualcomm is looking to avoid some of the weighty implications of courtroom battles with an air gap strategy that will restructure its R&D division into a new, wholly owned subsidiary known as Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (QTI). While the parent company will retain the company's existing patent portfolio, QTI will be responsible for product development and the existing semiconductor business. Interestingly enough, it's also said that the subsidiary will ramp up its use of open source software, and it'll strive to avoid the patents of parent company, Qualcomm. It's also said that the restructuring will help the business bring its products to market more quickly, and if the company is able to avoid just one lawsuit / injunction, it may be very correct with that assertion.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Samsung brings out WB100 camera with 26x lens for zoom-loving Brits


Samsung has been quiet on the superzoom camera front, but it's leaping back into the fray with the WB100. The camera doesn't have the longest zoom we've seen, but with a 26x lens and a wide-angle 22.3mm minimum zoom, odds are that just about anything you come across during vacation will fit into the frame. A choice to use AA batteries instead of a lithium-ion pack also emphasizes that focus on travelers. We're otherwise looking at a very deliberately middle-of-the-road camera with a 16-megapixel sensor, ISO 80 to 1,600 sensitivity (3,200 if you like 3-megapixel photos) and 720p movie making. The company doesn't have pricing, nor word as to which countries get the WB100 treatment outside of the UK -- for now, you're most likely to see this camera slung around a suntanned British neck in Ibiza.

Twitter for Windows Phone gets pushy, adds Notifications support



Starting this week, Windows Phone users with a Twitter fixation will have a much easier time feeding the little, blue, bird-shaped beast. The latest update to the app features long-awaited Notifications support. Downloading version 1.5 will deliver such important Twitter info as retweets, mentions, direct messages, new followers and favorited tweets to the forefront where they belong. You can download the app in the source link below and then tell all your friends through the microblogging service of your choice, whatever that might be. Fair warning in the meantime -- a number of folks are reporting issues with the update, and we've had some difficulty getting it up an running on our own handsets. Feel free to sound off in the comments below -- since you may have some trouble doing so on Twitter.

Government-backed movie streaming service coming to China in Q4, bringing Paramount titles along

Government-helmed China Movie Channel's site M1905 announced this week that it's joining forces with Jiaflix -- a consortium comprised of Hollywood-types like former Columbia exec Sid Ganis -- to launch a movie streaming service in China. The still unnamed offering is set to stream both Chinese and international films, including a deal struck with Paramount that will bring the studio's back catalog and future releases to the service. The fruits of the partnership are set to launch in the fourth quarter of this year, bringing streaming to a number of platforms, including smartphone and tablets. Jiaflix and China Movie Channel added that they'll have a plan in place to combat potential piracy through the service, but have yet to spell out what such a plan of action would entail.

RIM: QWERTY BlackBerry 10 phone launches in 'close proximity' to its all-touch cousin


RIM hasn't had much good news to offer along with its glum fiscal first quarter, but it has given a reason to mark early 2013 on the calendar if you're a BlackBerry fan. CEO Thorsten Heins revealed during the results call that the first QWERTY BlackBerry 10 phone will arrive in "close proximity" to its touchscreen-only counterpart. What that entails is still very much under wraps, although there were clues. Heins stressed that the early batch would focus on the "premium" space, while BlackBerry 7 would hold down the entry and mid-range markets until their BlackBerry 10 replacements were ready. The tidbits won't provide much comfort to someone who has to decide on a phone by the holidays, but they hint that the truly patient could be rewarded for their calm under pressure.

Analyst: Relax Apple, The Nexus 7 is Just Another Android Tablet

Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White says Apple’s iPad is in little danger of losing its spot atop the tablet market to Google’s new Nexus 7. He says it’s “just another Android-based tablet.”



AppleInsider:
As expected, Google unveiled its $199 Nexus 7 tablet, the result of a partnership with Asus, on Wednesday at its Google I/O developer conference. The device, which features a quad-core CPU by Nvidia and a 1,280-by-800-pixel display, will go on sale in July.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Nintendo: Wii U will be 'hard to understand' until gamers go hands-on

 Wii U concept hasn't been fully grasped by some gamers yet 

For the second year in a row gamers exited E3 with more questions than answers about the merits of the forthcoming Nintendo Wii U console.

It's fair to say the company's keynote last week did little to quell fears or raise the excitement levels ahead of the Christmas 2012 launch date.

10 Most Wanted Features in iOS 6

Next Monday at the big WWDC keynote we should find out all the new features of iOS 6. What features are the “Most Wanted”? Here’s my list for the “Top 10 Most Wanted Features in iOS 6?. (In no particular rank, the numbers are just because I REALLY like Top 10 lists…)


Cloud Computing - The Next Step Is Here


There are many technological innovations that have revolutionized the present day world. One such technology is that of 'cloud computing'. Cloud computing means sharing of same data by millions of computer users across the world. Prior to the innovation of this system of data sharing people wanted to buy and install softwares in their computer. They should bear the cost for the same. But with the aplication of cloud computing the computer user can gain a lot of advantages. Let us look into more about cloud computing.

Business enterprises are able to reduce their cost to a great extend by adopting the cloud computing data sharing method. There is no need for buying a separate software and install in the computer. They can use the shared data in their computer without even upgrading the hardware.

US and Mexico strike public safety spectrum deal along national borders


The FCC announced today that Chairman Julius Genachowski has entered into an agreement with Mexico's telecommunications officials to create a new spectrum sharing scheme along the nation's borders. The move will normalize 800MHz and 1900MHz spectrum use within 68 miles of the common border, and is primarily intended to reduce interference and allow for reliable public safety communications in the region. Further rollout of commercial services is also central to the pact, as Sprint has been authorized to deploy its CDMA service in the 1900MHz spectrum along the border. The move is hardly a free gift, however, as Sprint had previously surrendered a share of its 800MHz holdings to pave way for the agreement. A bi-national task force will oversee the adjustment process, and both nations have agreed to discuss future spectrum coordination along the border in future meetings. Proof that cooperation isn't completely dead, folks. To gain a greater understanding of where both nations are headed, just hop the break for the announcement.

The Laptop

Laptop computers today are filled with features and also the task of choosing the best one for you may be a challenging. To choose a laptop which will be practical, doing just a little research as well as knowing the fundamentals will help you find an ideal one for you personally. With a lot of to select from, you should try to learn some basics which will take the strain off of obtaining your following laptop.

When buying a laptop computer, the first aspect to consider is what you will be using this for. Knowing what programs you will need, narrowing lower choices becomes just a little easier. A gamer defintely won't be happy on the laptop having a weak images card, and the graphics custom wouldn't be pleased with a low-end processor chip. If you would like something that may handle multiple kinds of programs, aim with regard to something in the centre. A mid-range overall performance laptop could be had close to $900-$1100. If you are strictly the actual web-surfing as well as e-mail kind who wrist watches a movie or 2, lower finish models begin at $400-$500 An issue to consider; give your self room to develop into it rather than being limited when you wish to attempt new applications. Starting your site, you're likely to want to make use of pictures. Whenever you get in to pictures, you will want some picture editing abilities; buying the least expensive laptop you'll find might depart you needing stronger features just a few months in the future. If you realize you'll in no way expand your requirements, a budget laptop may suit a person fine.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Apple's WWDC 2012 keynote is tomorrow -- get your liveblog right here!




Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference opens up tomorrow, with Tim Cook taking the stage at 10AM PT to deliver what'll have to be... well, some fairly important company news. He asked us back in March to look forward to more in 2012, and if the deluge of rumors is indication of what's to come, this could very well be the most monumental WWDC in recent memory. Or, you know, maybe we'll just hear that iOS 6 is indeed coming after iOS 5. Our own Tim Stevens and Darren Murph will be on hand at Moscone West in San Francisco to bring you second-by-second coverage, and if you're looking for a bookmark, you can return here tomorrow to catch the liveblog. We'll also be broadcasting live outside of the venue (sorry, Apple won't allow video streaming from within!) before and after the fireworks, so be sure to keep it locked for a full day's worth of mayhem.

Gorgeous High-Res 3D ‘iPhone 5′ Rendering Created Based on Leaked Parts

Most of us have already seen the leaked “iPhone 5” design schematic, and high-res images of supposedly leaked next-gen iPhone parts. So, what’s next? How about an insanely detailed 3D render? MacRumors points to an incredible set of 76 high-res 3D renders based on the “leaked” parts and diagrams, as well as an awesome video of the 3D models he created.


Lamborghini joins the luxury Android market with its new smartphones, made of gold and crocodile skin


Those that can afford it find ways to stand out from the crowd. Many of us can purchase the best smartphones in the market, but can we pocket out $2,750 for a phone made of gold and crocodile skin? Lamborghini is sure that some of you can and has decided to manufacture luxurious Android smartphones and tablets running at that price-point.

These devices are the Lamborghini TL700 (smartphone) and the Lamborghini L2800 (tablet). And just like its competition (Tag Heuer being the most popular), the specs of the device are not even close to being considered high-end.

Asus Demos First Non-Apple Thunderbolt Display

Intel’s Thunderbolt technology has been exclusive to the Mac for over a year now, and it’s so far failed to really thrive in the consumer tech market. The technology is now making its way to the remainder of the PC market.

New Tech Start Up Companies



Entering the fast track to technology and business success is at the forefront of many young tech companies’ minds (or groups of small tech companies). With some incredible ideas coming into play the tech market remains hard to pin down, but exciting non-the-less.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Meebo discontinuing most of its services next month


Talks of Google purchasing Meebo have been circulating the internet for almost a month. We found ourselves very confused about what the outcome could be, but it seems some major changes are taking place – Still leaving us confused. Meebo just announced most of its services will be discontinued come July 11th.

Video Chat, Bringing People Closer


Video chat is getting to be the most-recent methods of connection over and above, exactly what a style of connection it has now turned out to be. It will be forever changed the definition of chatting and precisely what technology can perform on this field. Video chat and video spreading has brought family members closer, one that was dispersed wide and apart by globalization. Right now, with the mouse click, it's possible to video chat with an individual sitting a long way and continents apart in several countries. The truth is those today grandparent are thankful to this invention because it is very easy for them to talk and see their loved ones, especially their grand children through the video chat.

Dropbox confirms Galaxy S III on AT&T and Verizon won't include 50GB storage


If that extra Dropbox storage helped swing the Galaxy S III pendulum in your favor, and you're a customer of AT&T or Verizon, it's not good news. Droid Life reports that one such expectant customer was asking Dropbox, via its forums, where their storage was. The cloud-space provider informed them that not all carriers are offering the deal, with those two big hitters being among them. This is further confirmed elsewhere on its support pages (check the source). So, just as we thought operators were loosening their grip, it seems some old habits don't die so easily.

Apple TV SDK may bring third-party apps to set-top box

 Could an Apple TV SDK give us some clues about the rumoured iTV set? 

Apple may begin paving the way for the standalone 'iTV' by opening up the existing Apple TV set-top box to third-party app developers.

Boy Genius Report reckons the company will announce an SDK for its hobby project at the WWDC conference in San Francisco, which kicks off on Monday.

Naturally, that would bring an Apple TV App Store to sit alongside the iOS and Mac OS X offerings and open the little hockey puck up to more video on-demand, internet and gaming applications.

Nintendo's Hideki Konno discusses the 3DS and the element of surprise


As E3 was coming to a close, we sat down with one of the men responsible for Nintendo's 3DS, Hideki Konno. Konno's official title is manager / producer, but because he's involved at such a high level with both software and hardware development on the 3DS, our conversation covered quite the range of topics. When asked about the handheld's performance in the last year, he drew parallels to the success of the DS that preceded it and he hopes that the 3DS will experience a similar growth curve. Due to the mention of the DS, we inquired about the possibility of a larger 3DS. While Mr. Konno wasn't able to confirm plans for a super-sized version of the current-gen handheld, he did express his affinity for the DSi XL's increased real estate -- he finds the larger screen is much easier to gaze upon. You can draw your own conclusions as to exactly what that means. When chatting about mobile gaming, we asked about the impact of smartphones on the outfit's handheld. Konno offered that Nintendo prides itself on surprising gamers with new "compelling experiences" that handsets can't provide.

iPad - Simply part of our evolution


Your life definitely will become better if you have had an iPad. An iPad are probably the many innovations of Apple with which has dominated the forex market with her excellent elements and software programs. Online potential customer reviews need revealed that an iPad seems to have numerous applications which are usually helpful in various day-to-day recreation. iPad not to mention smart cellular phones have developed our lives very easy. There are actually several in-built applications in your iPad you can use efficiently for your practical intention. Some consultants are : Skype, Bebo, Facebook, BBC iPlayer, Dropbox, Mist Go, and then the World from Goo. These are among the best iPad apps which happen to have won a large number of hearts across the world.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Microsoft delves into Windows 8's media core, promises HD chat and 3D video for all


Microsoft's deep exploration of Windows 8's numerous tweaks has swung to one of the most important components for the onslaught of tablets we're about to see: the media foundations. The pipeline is now much leaner than it was in Windows 7, both through lower lag and miserly energy use that should keep that Skype video call from falling out of sync and killing your battery. Tuning up the video performance also makes in-the-box HD webcam support an easy feat, and Microsoft has thrown in extras like Stereo 3D video and multiple audio tracks for one video. There's much (much, much) more detail from Microsoft's group program manager Scott Manchester, so if you want to know the intricacies of Windows 8's moving pictures and sound, head on over to the source and get an eye- or earful.

LG Optimus 4X HD set for European launch this month, have some “major surprise” too



The 4.7 inch, Tegra 3 powered Optimus 4X HD looks set for launch in Europe this month. LG will be bringing the device to Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain and Italy first, and also have some “major surprise” regarding the launch itself. They do have their work cut out in publicizing it, though, with the Euro 2012 football (or soccer, if you prefer) tournament going on.
[via Engadget]

Dausen iPhone pico projector battery case at Computex 2012 (hands-on video)


It's not the first iPhone 4/4S pico projector battery case we've come across here at Engadget, but we spotted this little number at Computex 2012 and just couldn't resist sharing it with you. What makes this accessory a bit more unique is that it incorporates the latest in DLP technology from Texas Instruments. As such, it's capable of projecting a 640x360-pixel image up to 70 inches across with 1000:1 contrast ratio. The 2200mAh battery lasts about 3 hours on a charge an can even top off your iPhone in a pinch. Additional features include a built-in speaker powered by a 0.5W audio amplifier. We spent a few minutes using the pico projector and while it works pretty much as advertised, it clearly struggled with the harsh lighting conditions of the show floor. Stay tuned for pricing and availability, but don't miss our hands-on gallery below and our demo video after the break.

AiAiAi takes its TMA-1 headphones out from the DJ box, into the Studio (video)


You pretty much can't say (or read) AiAiAi's name without feeling happy and performing a dancey hand gesture -- or maybe that's just us? It's fair to say we're fans of their work. So when we heard the Danish firm had released some new TMA-1 "Studio" cans, our ears perked up. Where as the original TMA-1s were all about the DJ, the new pair are for... well, the studio. So what's different? Mainly that 40mm titanium driver, which has been tickled to make it more transparent, and better for referencing. Those cushions now go fully over-ear for comfort and isolation, along with some more padding around the headband. You can grab them with or without a mic -- we assume for Skyping on the road, not singing a capella -- priced at $249 and $269 respectively and up for pre-order now.

Verizon and AT&T Samsung Galaxy S III will not offer 50 GB free Dropbox space



If you were looking to pick up the Samsung Galaxy S III on either Verizon or AT&T, we’ve got some bad news for you. The free 50 GB storage that has been offered to users of the phone around the world will not be provided to customers on the two networks.

Why? Probably because neither the networks, nor Samsung wanted to pick up the tab. While it’s hardly a deal breaker for most people, it does offer an opportunity for T-Mobile, Sprint and other networks such as US Cellular to differentiate themselves a bit. 50 GB on Dropbox is a $100/year value (or $200 over the two years users have access to the space) which could tempt some people who don’t have a preference for a network.
[via Android Central]

New Windows Phone store lets you wear your 'I heart WP' on your sleeve


So you love Windows Phone, but how can you let the world know? Until now, you'd either have to wave your object of desire around, or keep showing colleagues those "Smoked by Windows Phone" YouTube videos. Now, you can simply wear your alliance across your chest, or favorite beverage, thanks to a new CafePress store. Revealed in a Windowsteamblog post, the shop will let you grab mugs, t-shirts, stickers, magnets and more emblazoned with "I Heart Windows Phone" in icons. Not only that, in case all those soccer moms didn't know which side of the fence you stood, you can clear up the doubt by snagging a bodysuit for your youngest. Credit card at the ready? Jump on that source link for the goods.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

EVGA's GeForce GTX 680 Classified tempts overclockers with watery siren call



Judging by a sneak Computex preview, EVGA's intentions for the upcoming GTX 680 Classified graphics card are not a thorny mystery. With an optional water-cooling block and voltage control inputs, there's plenty here to seduce the hardcore modder. The company isn't talking numbers just yet, but if terms like "14-phase power design" whet your appetite, then you're in luck. In any case, like its other Classified mates, it's apt to be the company's top GeForce GTX 680 performer. So, if you're plugging in the pumps and hoses for that next mod, you might want to leave a slot -- or four -- open for this one.

E3 2012: the year of the lackluster blockbuster



The Electronics Entertainment Expo is no place for the easily distracted, every inch of convention center carpet devoted to capturing the attentions of calloused video game journalists. In spite of the customary flash however, it's hard to come away from this year's festivals without a creeping sense of disappointment, that for all the showmanship, we didn't actually see all that much at E3 2012 -- an in-between year that seemed lackluster even by those standards.

ZTE Tania waves Windows Phone flag for China, makes official mainland debut


When it rains Windows Phone in China, it pours. After HTC claimed top honors for being the first to bow a Redmond-powered handset in the region, the floodgates opened with Nokia quickly doling out its Tango wares and, now, ZTE. The company, formerly a white label manufacturer, has finally gotten its Tania act together, releasing the not-so-secret phone on China Unicom with a slight upgrade to its previously announced spec list. Though most of what it offers falls in line with WP hardware requirements -- 800 x 480 display, 512MB RAM -- the processor's been bumped from 1GHz to 1.4GHz, giving the 4.3-incher a welcome speed boost. Interested parties can also look forward to a 5-megapixel rear shooter, 4GB of storage, as well as black and white color options. If you're living in the land to the far east and like the live tile approach, you might want to consider this as your next.

T-Mobile to Offer iPhone-Compatible ’4G’ Service for WWDC Attendees

While T-Mobile currently doesn’t offer Apple’s iPhone to their subscribers (a fact they’re none too happy about), the carrier is currently planning to update their entire network with an iPhone-compatible 1,900MHz HSPA+ frequency in the coming months.

 

ASUS Padfone now available in Australia, priced at 899 AUD unlocked for phone and tablet



We got a tip early this morning that the ASUS Padfone is now available in Australia through Mobicity for 899 AUD (approximately US$890). Customers get the phone (unlocked) and the tablet dock for the amount.

Strangely enough, I haven’t found a mention of the keyboard dock, while the stylus-cum-bluetooth headset can be purchased for another 90 dollars.
Thanks, Jarrad!

Chameleon Kickstarter campaign crosses threshold, then cancelled and will restart



We’ve spoken in the past about Chameleon, an innovative new launcher designed for Android tablets, and it’s Kickstarter campaign. For those who supported the developers by pledging some money, here’s some bad news: a goof-up by the company means that they will now have to restart their entire campaign, right after meeting their $50,000 target.

Apple Reaches A$2.25M Settlement With Australian Regulator Over Misleading ’4G’ iPad Claims

Apple has reached an A$2.25 million penalty settlement with an Australian consumer right watchdog, after being accused of falsely advertising its new iPad as “4G” capable in the country.
AppleInsider:


In addition to the A$2.25 million (US$2.23 million) penalty, Apple is also expected to pay A$300,000 toward the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s legal fees, The Australian reports (via The Next Web). The ACCC filed its complaint against Apple in March shortly after the release of the new iPad.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Visualized: Swiss newspaper goes digital, prints front page in binary


Those newspaper types, give them an idea and they don't half run with it. Swiss (Zurich) daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung just went digital, and to celebrate thought it'd go whole hog and print the entire front page (bar the essentials) in binary. Crazy. We've not had chance to decode it all just yet, but if there was a day to be breaking bad news to the city, today might be it.

Gary Marshall: Why does Apple have no respect for the English language?


Apple gets criticised for all kinds of things - warm iPads, Apple TV's horrible new user interface, being Apple - but when it comes to its most heinous behaviour, Apple gets off scot-free. You can sum it up in just five words: 'What's my day look like?'

If the phrase looks familiar, that's because it's the headline for the UK's current crop of iPhone ads. I can only assume that the idea is to make everyone who sees the ads think "Hey! Siri is so amazing, it can even understand simpletons who don't use words properly!"

What's my day look like, Siri? Well, Gary, your day is look like this!

Apple's becoming quite adept at abusing the English language. I'm not talking about wordplay here. When Apple makes up words such as 'resolutionary' to describe the new iPad or 'thinnovation' to sell the MacBook Air it's guilty of just the kind of bad puns the NME was famous for and I've spent years trying to emulate; 'Think Different' wouldn't have worked with 'ly' on the end; and I'm not going to point out that when Apple says the iPod touch "has fun written all over it" the photos show that actually, that isn't true.

No, what I'm talking about is actual language abuse. One of my pet hates is Apple's disregard for the definite article. "With an updated interface, more fitness features and new clock faces, iPod nano is Multi-Touch," Apple says, making me want to scream, "It's THE iPod! And capitalise 'nano' while you're at it! You've been doing this wrong for a decade!"

Monday, June 11, 2012

Review: TrustR – Make Your iPhone Extra Safe And Secure

iOS is generally seen as being as safe as it is possible to be when it comes to malware and viruses, and that’s probably true. However in some cases, some apps are not what they appear to be.They might pretend to do something when in fact they’re not, and as always when dealing with software, it’s always better being safe than sorry.

TrustR aims to give you that security, so whenever you have a doubt you can scan your system to see if you have any infections but also update you to the latest patches.


In Depth: Are solid state drives ready for the big time?


Storage is the final frontier of PC performance; CPUs and graphics chips have long marched to the drum beat of inexorable performance improvements. Not hard drives, however.

Granted, storage capacities have grown so fast you can now fit the combined wealth of all human knowledge on a £50 drive. Well, just about. But performance has only inched forward incrementally.

Don’t try older Samsung MHL adapters with the Galaxy S3! It won’t work


Many of you have pre-ordered the US versions of the Samsung Galaxy S3 by now, or already have an international version. And if you have been rocking an older Galaxy S device with the MHL adapter, it is important to note that the cable will not work with your shiny Galaxy S3.

Apple to Unveil TV SDK at WWDC, Open Up Apple TV to Third-Party Apps?

Following earlier reports that Apple may unveil a TV operating system at next week’s WWDC keynote, BGR this morning reports that Apple is planning to show off a new SDK to allow developers to create third-party Apple TV apps.



The report doesn’t provide many details – but does it really need to? The Apple TV seems ripe for a change. Third-party apps for alternative video services (or Angry Birds) would be a welcome addition, and as MacRumors points out, Steve Jobs himself noted that third-party Apple TV apps could be a possibility ”when the time is right”.

DSLR Camera - Understand The Ins & Outs

Written by Curtis Barber  Monday, 05 March 2012 00:00


A lot of people may possibly hear the phrase DSLR camera, however, might not exactly understand what it genuinely indicates. The acronym DSLR is short for Digital single-lens reflex, which is a kind of technology in cameras these days. It's fundamentally an electronic digital camera that utilizes an analog mirror system as well as pentaprism to direct light from your lens for an optical viewfinder about the back from the camera. These cameras tend to be utilized mostly by expert still photographers simply because they allow a precise to examine of framing near to the moment of direct exposure as well as for larger sensors. The devices or sensors tend to be the identical as the motion picture cameras which were used in the past days. The sensors permit an interesting depth of field as well as picture position just like the conventional film cameras.

Engineer makes light-up business cards with 555 timer, proves PCB skills


Sure, there have been some pretty creative variations on the standard paper business card, but if you're looking to make a career in electronics engineering, card stock isn't necessarily the best option for material. Such was the case for one student, who had the canny idea to make a card that demonstrates his printed circuit board know-how. He used a 555 timer that outputs a clock to the LEDs on the biz card, and placing a nine-volt battery on the terminals sets off the mini light show. See for yourself in the video below.

8 Best E3 Showings (and Contest Reminder)

NOTE: You still have a chance to win $2,000+ prizes in the GameFans.com contest!

E3 2012 just wrapped up and a lot of exciting new games were announced. From Microsoft’s SmartGlass and more Kinect-enabled experiences, to Ubisoft’s impressive stable of games and beyond, there was a lot to take in. But we’re thoroughly impressed by 8 specific games and showings that we think stole the show.

Microsoft SmartGlass and Internet Explorer


Sunday, June 10, 2012

ICS update for the Sony Xperia Mini Pro now available


We’ve got some good news for users of the Xperia Mini Pro: Sony’s now pushing out an update which will bring Android 4.0.4 to your handset. As always, you will probably get a notification. If not, go into settings and force a check for the update.

Explained: Nvidia Kepler GeForce GPU architecture explained


High above the sun-baked streets of San Francisco, in a hotel bar - which bears more than a passing resemblance to the Emperor's throne room on the unfinished Death Star - I find myself talking to a vice president at Nvidia (who shall remain nameless).

ComScore: Nearly a quarter of US smartphone owners have tablets, love their video


If you've got a smartphone, it's increasingly likely that you're also carrying a tablet as a sidearm. ComScore understands that 23.6 percent of American smartphone owners also have an iPad, Kindle Fire or some other large touchscreen slab as of April. That's only 16.5 percent of all cellphone owners in the land, but that's a huge jump from 9.7 percent of smartphone owners (4.7 percent of cellphone owners) just one year earlier. And if you do own a slate, odds are that you're watching your fair share of movies and cat videos. More than half of tablet users, 53 percent, fire up the likes of Netflix or YouTube at least once a month, with almost a tenth (9.5 percent) tuning in daily. Tablet lovers are unsurprisingly three times more likely to watch than their smartphone counterparts, suggesting that it's just a short hop from buying a tablet to catching up on Daily Show episodes.

Korean LG Optimus LTE now getting Android 4.0, is the LG Nitro HD next?



Like most manufacturers, LG is being especially careful about updating its devices to Android 4.0. Ice Cream Sandwich is a significant update, and we sure want our devices to work properly. And like most devices out there, the majority of LG’s devices are still stuck on Gingerbread or Froyo. Well, the ice creamy update has just started rolling out for the LG Optimus LTE… in Korea.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Facebook and Apple Finally Get it Together in iOS 6

Facebook and Apple have been making goo-goo eyes at each other recently, and it looks like the flirting is going to lead to a relationship. MG Siegler is reporting for TechCrunch today that Facebook integration will be included in the next version of Apple’s iOS.


TechCrunch:
…Facebook integration will be very important for iOS — tons of apps use Facebook for sign-ups and authentication (many use Facebook as the only way to do this, to the dismay of some). Apple was undoubtedly watching this activity and realized that it was time to formally bring Facebook on board.

Prepaid iPhones Headed to Boost Mobile in September?

Following yesterday’s announcement that U.S. carrier Cricket would begin offering prepaid iPhones, Boost Mobile may be the next in line. According to a source speaking to TechnoBuffalo, Boost Mobile will begin offering the iPhone with its own pre-paid plans starting in early September.


Considering that Apple has confirmed that Cricket will indeed begin offering the iPhone, it would make sense for Boost to begin offering the device as well. If true, this suggests the first significant effort for Apple to reach out to pre-paid mobile customers in the U.S.

WARNING: Mobile Me Users, You Have Thirty Days Left To Make The iCloud Transition

If you still use Mobile Me, you need to switch, and fast. Apple has sent a reminder out to all those who haven’t yet made the move to iCloud that the service is ending in thirty days time. So any photos, videos or media you have on Mobile Me will be deleted forever if you don’t back it up.