Sunday, July 31, 2011

Eneloop:Sanyo’s New Mobile Booster

Sanyo has launched this week the details of its newly upgraded Eneloop Mobile Booster has been fully developed. Proponents Eneloop new phone has been designed not only to recharge smart phones and tablets like the iPhone and the iPhone, but also be capable of providing power to various devices with USB power Eneloop ports.
Sanyo Eneloop Mobile Booster Eneloop:Sanyos New Mobile Booster

The new update is available in two models KBC-L54D equipped with a 5400mAh battery and the smallest KBC-L27D equipped with a 2700mAh battery. Both models will arrive in Japan in September 2011 for 5,000 and 3,500 yen respectively, but unfortunately no information on pricing or availability around the world has been launched.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

iPhone price cuts hitting Radio Shack, Target tomorrow?

iPhone price cuts hitting Radio Shack, Target tomorrow?

Let the speculation begin! It may not be a sign of an iPhone refresh, but we've received multiple tips today about an imminent price drop for Apple's flagship smartphone. According to a pair of trusty tipsters, Radio Shack is prepping to cut the cost of AT&T's 16GB iPhone 4 to $169.99, with a two-year contract, from $199.99. The 32GB version will likewise take a $30 plunge at the Shack, ringing in at $269.99, and the price of the 8GB 3GS will drop to $19.99. Phone Arena is likewise reporting on Target slicing up the old Apple price tag, but lists varying numbers based on carrier. If all this talk turns out to be true, those prices should be ripe for the picking starting tomorrow.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Getac’s Rugged Flagship Now Runs Faster and Longer

Getac’s Rugged Flagship Now Runs Faster and Longer Getac’s Rugged Flagship Now Runs Faster and Longer

Getac B300 rugged laptop

Getac UK’s flagship B300 rugged laptop has been supercharged to deliver improved functionality and performance across military and field service applications. Already Getac’s leading product in those sectors, the upgraded B300 now runs 20 per cent faster with a battery running time of up to 30 hours[i] – meaning field-based operators can use the unit for more than a day without the AC adaptor. These advancements come courtesy of new engineering and the latest IntelDell Huron River platform – which offers cutting edge graphic performance without the need for additional hardware (discrete VGA).

Vice President Getac UK, Peter Molyneux, says the new B300 is designed to be one of the toughest and highest performing laptops in the Getac range. “The rugged laptop offers outstanding graphics capability as well as extended battery life – performance factors that are key to field-based operations. The original B300 has been extremely successful in tough environments within the military and field service sectors, and this new model is set to be even better.”

 

The upgraded unit also features more connectivity, with multiple Input/Output ports available. They include two serial ports, three USB 3.0 ports, two eSATA ports, an expansion slot for smart cards and an HDMI port for integrated video and sound; 4G connectivity is also available.

 

“This diversified connectivity enables the B300 to have greater functionality in the field,” Mr Molyneux says.

 

“Multiple devices can be connected to the unit and the HDMI interface coupled with performance graphics allows high-definition display in certain applications. The inclusion of the latest USB 3.0 technology also allows for high speed data transfer.”

 

The fully rugged B300 is MIL-STD-810G and IP65 compliant, and can perform in temperatures as low as -29 degrees C (in both AC and battery modes) and as high as 60 degrees C. It features a 13.3” LCD VGA screen with optional 1400NITS sunlight readable display with touchscreen.

 

“The laptop’s CPU advancements coupled with improved connectivity and battery performance will ensure the B300 remains one of the top selling rugged solutions in military and field service sectors.”

 

The unit is available with either an IntelDell Core i7 or i5 processor, and Salt Fog Compliance is an option for those in marine-based environments. Getac’s fan-less technology comes as standard.

 

IntoNow from Yahoo! launches new Android app, collaborates with “Project Runway” to connect viewers

IntoNow from Yahoo launches new Android app collaborates with “Project Runway” to connect viewers IntoNow from Yahoo! launches new Android app, collaborates with “Project Runway” to connect viewers

IntoNow Android app

IntoNow from Yahoo! has officially launched its first Android app, making it easier for millions of additional passionate TV viewers to engage with their friends around their favorite television on their mobile phones. Using patented SoundPrint technology to identify previously aired and real-time TV content, the new Android app allows people to easily chat with friends, discover new shows, and get TV recommendations based on their interests.

Plus, all the tech and fashion savvy mobile users will be excited to learn that the launch of the Android app kicks off IntoNow’s integration with Lifetime Television’s mega-hit “Project Runway,” allowing viewers to unlock free digital content and engage in real-time conversations with friends and other fashionistas.

 

To download the free IntoNow from Yahoo! app for Android, search for IntoNow on the Android Market and head over to Yodel Anecdotal for even more details: http://ycorpblog.com/2011/07/28/intonow-2/.

 

LauncherPro dev's skinnable UberMusic player finally hits the Android Market

We were thoroughly infatuated with LauncherPro developer Federico Carnale's then-unnamed music app the first time we saw it in beta, bringing Metro UI styled playback to our Android lifestyles. Now UberMusic v1.0 is available on the Android Market, flexing its customizable skills for the princely sum of $3.49. Don't think this is just some ripoff however, while one of the skins (that can also be found on the Market)is a Zune lookalike, third parties can make it look however they might like, including the widgets. If you missed our demo the first time around you can check out the video after the break to see why we're so excited, or hit the source link to purchase now. Allergic to spending money on apps? Don't give up all hope, as the creator tweets an ad-supported free version may be on the way as well.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Qriocity video streaming coming to Xperia packing pocket near you

Qriocity on Xperia phone

Sony's Qriocity video streaming service is going mobile. The on-demand pay-per-view offering (which is probably best known for its supporting role in the recent PSN outage debacle) is making the jump from the living room to your pocket -- provided said pocket is stuffed with a 2011 Xperia smartphone. Initially it will only be available to Mini and Mini Pro owners, but eventually it'll be pushed to rest of the current lineup in nine markets, including the US, UK and Japan. Check out the source link for more details.

Qriocity Sony Video Service Aimed at Xperia smartphones

Sony has announced that its video service will be available Qriocity in a range of smartphones from Sony Ericsson is August, the first and service users can buy and rent movies on their smartphone Xperia.
Xperia Sony Smartphone Qriocity Sony Video Service Aimed at Xperia smartphones

Qriocity service will be available in a wide range of Sony Xperia devices at first, including the Arc de Xperia, Xperia Neo, Play, Xperia, Xperia Pro and other devices and will be released as a software upgrade to devices.The service that will provide an intuitive and user to buy or rent movies and TV shows from NBC Universal International Television Distribution, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and local studies. The latest versions will be available along with an extensive catalog.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Motorola Atrix sequel gets candid with the camera, heading for AT&T?

With all of the hype building for the Droid Bionic's arrival, we can't say we were expecting to see an unannounced Motorola device receive love from the camera instead. But sure 'nuff, we beheld our gadget-lusting eyes on a handset that's likely AT&T-bound in the near future -- the carrier's logo is flaunted on the front, at least -- and may even be the next-gen Atrix 4G. Sporting a coincidentally similar design to its supposed predecessor, we only know of a few specs so far: the mystery device offers an 8 megapixel camera with 1080p video capture, HDMI connectivity, Moto's new Blur UI replacement and a curved display similar to the Nexus S -- though this time there's no fingerprint scanner onboard. It looks and sounds great, but let's just hope that this one really is the "world's most powerful" smartphone. The gallery below shows the device in all its glory.

Motorola Atrix successor

RIM Delivers Revolutionary Social App Experience with BBM 6

RIM Delivers Revolutionary Social App Experience with BBM 6 RIM Delivers Revolutionary Social App Experience with BBM 6

BlackBerry Messenger

BBM (BlackBerry Messenger), one of the largest mobile social networks in the world is now enabling a new and revolutionary social experience. Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the availability of BBM version 6 (BBM 6), which provides support for “BBM connected” apps, allowing users to easily interact with each other from within the BBM connected app.

BBM connected apps integrate the popular functionality of the BBM service and offer users the ability to interact with their friends from within the app itself. For example, with a BBM connected game app, users can invite their BBM friends to join them in a game and then chat with one another in real time while the game is being played – without ever leaving the game app.

 

BBM 6 launches today and a selection of BBM connected apps are already available on BlackBerry App World.

 

“BBM 6 marks the beginning of an even greater social experience for BlackBerry smartphone users,” said Alistair Mitchell, VP, BBM Platform & Integrated Services at Research In Motion. “It also represents an incredible opportunity for developers to leverage the viral nature of the BBM service and we have already begun working with various developer partners who will be bringing their BBM connected apps to BlackBerry App World this week, offering users highly engaging app experiences.”

 

Some of the additional functionality users can expect to see with BBM connected applications include the ability to:

 

• Share app experiences with friends – When a user discovers a great new BBM connected app, they can instantly let their friends know about it. Users can simply select a BBM contact directly within the BBM connected app they are using.

 

• Have a BBM chat within apps – Users can simply pull up their BBM contact list directly from within the BBM connected app and start chatting.  For example, the functionality can enable everything from enhanced social game play to collaboration through productivity apps.

 

• Discover apps through friends – Users can also discover new apps by viewing the list of apps that are posted to a BBM friend’s profile. They can also click on an app within the list, and instantly download it from BlackBerry App World.

 

The BBM 6 software will be available later today at www.blackberry.com/blackberrymessenger. A selection of BBM connected apps will also be posted on BlackBerry App World this week, with many more expected over the coming months.

 

Acer S5201M Projector Combines Short-Throw Projection with Interactive SmartPen for Enhanced Presentations, Collaboration

Acer S5201M Projector Combines Short Throw Projection with Interactive SmartPen for Enhanced Presentations Collaboration Acer S5201M Projector Combines Short Throw Projection with Interactive SmartPen for Enhanced Presentations, Collaboration

Acer S5201M Projector, ultra short throw projection, Acer SmartPen, Acer Projector

Acer America today debuts the Acer S5201M Projector with ultra-short-throw projection and an Acer SmartPen that writes directly on the projected image to enhance presentations, improving audience collaboration, communication and learning.  This product is now available to customers in the United States and Canada.

As demonstrated at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) show in Philadelphia, the Acer S5201M can project images onto flat surfaces from as little as 19.2 inches away, so groups in smaller classrooms and conference rooms can enjoy large-screen, vibrant presentations, images and videos. Also, this projection flexibility ensures space maximization since the projector can be adjusted to fit as needed from a range of distances. The Acer S5201M projector has a 0.61:1 throw ratio, projecting a large 77-inch diagonal image from only 37.4 inches away.

 

Included with the Acer S5201M projector is the Acer SmartPen, which transforms the projector into an interactive collaboration center. Presenters can use the pen to “write” on the projected images to emphasize aspects of the presentation, explain questions for the audience, and even enhance the presentation with additional information on-the-fly. The pen can be used from up to 32 feet away from the image, so audience members may also use the pen to “write” feedback and questions on the presentation. It also allows the presenter to import presentations and then upload them to a website with recorded notes from the Acer SmartPen.  In addition, NXBoard™ software allows the presenter to import web images, animations, videos and web resources to add life to lessons.

 

In addition to providing an interactive environment, the included Acer SmartPen also acts as a remote control to let presenters control their presentation. The Acer SmartPen includes a scroll wheel to move through PowerPoint™ operations, so the presenter can easily move through the presentation while also enhancing it with the SmartPen writing feature.

 

“The Acer S5201M projector is an incredibly flexible and powerful projector that provides maximum viewing comfort for the audience in a range of environments and conditions,” said Chris White, senior director, product marketing, Acer America. “Plus, it turns any session into an interactive white board that can save whatever happens during the session and upload it to a website.  As a result, presenters, teachers and trainers will have the confidence that their audience will be able to enjoy and get the most out of their presentation.”

 

The Acer S5201M projector is ideal for professional environments, such as conference rooms in corporations, classrooms in high schools and colleges, as well as government agencies due to its remote monitoring control and reporting via LAN and WiFi.

 

Excellent Technology and Features

The ultra-short throw projection feature and Acer SmartPen are further enhanced by the projector’s first rate technology for businesses and classroom environments. The Acer S5201M projector provides crisp, rich visuals with a brightness of up to 3000 ANSI lumens, a high 4500:1 contrast ratio and a vertical refresh rate of up to 120Hz, making it 3D ready when paired with a 3D software player and DLP Link 3D glasses. Its native XGA resolution (1024×768) and 4:3 aspect ratio are ready for presentations, photos, multimedia and more. The projector can also be adjusted to a maximum UXGA (1600×1200) resolution as well as 1080p (1920×1080) output with a true 24p frame rate and a 16:9 aspect ratio to share cinema-quality video content such as that from Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD.

 

The Acer S5201M projector has a range of outputs to give presenters the flexibility to use the projector in the way that works best for them. It has two HDMI ports, two USB ports, mini USB, composite video, component video, S-video mini DIN, and a stereo mini Jack. Also, the USB Slide Show feature lets presenters plug in a USB flash drive into the USB port to display a presentation, photos or video without a laptop computer. The projector is also equipped with multiple connectors for multiple-PC source input, so multiple PCs can be connected for fast switching between presentations.

 

Manageability

The Acer S5201M comes with Acer eProjection Management software, which allows customers to have complete control of their projector via LAN or WiFi (with the optional WiFi dongle) for greater convenience. Also, the Acer S5201M is compliant with the Crestron Network System and comes with the Crestron web-based tool can be downloaded from the projector to provide centralized control of multiple projectors in different nearby locations, such as classrooms and training centers.

 

The Acer S5201M projectors reduce lamp replacement costs and ensure long-term dependable projector use by providing up to 4000 hours of lamp life.(1)  The extended lifespan and consistent image quality lower the total cost of ownership and translate into savings for businesses and organizations.

 

The Acer S5201M has a sleek, elegant design with rounded contours and a dark steel-gray finish. It weighs only 7.7 pounds and measures 11.4″ W x 10.0″ D x 3.9″ H.

 

Eco-Friendly

The new Acer projector employs an environmentally friendly management solution – Acer EcoProjection – which reduces standby power consumption by up to 80 percent, from 5W to only 1W.  Additionally, it delivers 20 percent additional power savings if it does not receive a signal input after five minutes. An included tool also lets customers create customized power-saving configurations, for example, by reducing the brightness down to 2400 lumens.

 

Priced at Only $999; Backed by Three-Year Warranty

The Acer S5201M projector is available now for customers in the United States and Canada at leading VARs and retailers for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $999.99 (U.S. and CAD). The new Acer S5201M projector is backed with a three year warranty on the DLP chip and 90 day warranty on the lamp.

 

Sandisk Ultra Solid State Drive (SSD) Ships to Retailers

Sandisk Ultra Solid State Drive SSD Ships to Retailers Sandisk Ultra Solid State Drive (SSD) Ships to Retailers

SanDisk Ultra solid state drive (SSD)

SanDisk Corporation, a global leader in flash memory storage solutions, today introduced the SanDisk Ultra solid state drive (SSD) for the retail market. The new SSD can extend the life of desktop and notebook PCs, and offers greater performance, durability and power efficiency than a hard disk drive.

The SanDisk Ultra SSD is a convenient drop-in solution for technology enthusiasts looking to upgrade their own PCs for an enhanced user experience. The new SSD features:

Fast performance: the drive’s up to 280 megabyte per second (MB/sec)1 sequential read and 270 MB/sec sequential write speeds deliver fast data-transfer rates; up to 3 Gb/s random speeds surpass other SATA II SSDs and enable faster system boot and application launch times

Power efficiency: the drive’s low power consumption extends battery life, and with no moving parts, the SSD offers silent operation

Long-term reliability: Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF)2 of up to 1,000,000 hours

 

“Replacing a computer’s hard disk drive with the SanDisk Ultra SSD is more cost effective than buying a new PC,” said Kent Perry, director, product marketing, SanDisk. “Our new SSD delivers greater speed and reliability than a hard disk drive at an affordable price.”

 

The drive comes in 60 gigabyte (GB), 120GB and 240GB capacities carrying MSRPs of $129.99, $219.99 and $449.99, respectively. Consumers in the United States can order the drive now from online retailers such as www.newegg.com.

 

Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy SII presents something Different

With AT&T recently making the buzz that their Samsung Galaxy SII’s will be presented in two versions, the keyless and the QWERTY slider, Sprint also runs in the race of offering something unique for customers. The SII experience for Sprint becomes special as it includes a dual-band Wireless-N WiFi, and WiMax 4G connection for mobile internet wahoos out there, something that AT&T might have considered adding. After all, AT&T may have just focused on the appearance of the units.

 

As expected, everything else should be the same with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, which may be on a 2.3.4 update, powerful dual-core processors, and the Super AMOLED display. The casing, including the product logo is the very same as seen on the leaks a few days back. To be released as Samsung Within, the new Sprint phone offering is expected to be out in the open for sale some time August.

Source: Wireless Goodness

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Verizon just keeps the LTE train chugging, new and expanded markets coming on August 18th

Verizon LTE

We can't remember a single new WiMAX market being lit up in 2011, meanwhile Verizon just keeps lighting LTE fires all across the country. We've actually given up trying to keep a tally of how many new markets Big Red has launched this year -- there are only so many fingers and toes between the Engadget staff. The carrier just flipped the switch on 28 new markets last week, and now it's announced plans to add at least 15 more on August 18th. In addition to finally blessing the folks in Albany, NY and Tuscon, AZ with a little 4G love, it will also be expanding coverage in in areas including Boston and Salt Lake City. It's the perfect mid-summer gift to go along with a brand new Galaxy S II or Droid Bionic. Check out the full list of upcoming LTE meccas just after the break.

New Markets:

Frederick, MD

Tuscon, AZ

Ft. Collins, CO

Johnstown and Altoona, PA

Omaha and Council Bluffs, NE

Bakersfield, Salinas, and Monterey, CA

Provo/Orem, UT

Ithaca, Albany, and Syracuse, NY

Greater Worcester, MA

Expanded Markets:

Salt Lake City, UT

Nyack, West Nyack, Orangeburg, Pearl River And Spring Valley, NY

Cincinnati and Columbus, OH

Metrowest, MA

A New Samsung Phone is born on the Leaks as SHV-E120S

Every new and anticipated phone begins with a leak, usually from an information interchange with manufacturers or other personnel. This is how everything begins with the new Samsung SHV-E120S. What makes this new handset worth the watch is its rumored large LCD on WXGA, 1280×768-image resolution. The display is now beyond smartphone standards with Galaxy SII, Infuse 4G, and Droid Charge only having WVGA, already a powerful display at the current trend.

One thing that can be expected is that it may run on Android Gingerbread 2.3.5 or beyond it. Although the leak reports that it could have a 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8250, it would definitely be a dual-core. There are also developments that the phone could be a 5.3-inch Samsung Galaxy Q 4G LTE. It may be too soon to assume that, but it is a possibility. That would be it for now, but more information may come out in the next couple of weeks.

Source: CareAce

KYOCERA Launches the “Mi-Look” Mobile Phone for Safety & Well-Being of Elderly Users

KYOCERA Launches the “Mi Look” Mobile Phone for Safety Well Being of Elderly Users KYOCERA Launches the “Mi Look” Mobile Phone for Safety & Well Being of Elderly Users

Kyocera Corporation today announced the launch of its “Mi-Look” (only available to the Japanese market) mobile phone

Kyocera Corporation today announced the launch of its “Mi-Look” (only available to the Japanese market) mobile phone for the au network which was developed for elderly users in order to help support family members who look after them by providing safety features and movement notifications. The Mi-Look is part of KDDI Corporation’s new handset lineup, launched on July 21. 

With a rapidly aging population in Japan, the Mi-Look is a new type of mobile phone which was developed specifically to support families who provide primary care to elderly parents who live alone. The handset operates as a mobile phone*1, but is also equipped with a pedometer and movement sensor (on the charging dock), an emergency buzzer & notification system, GPS tracking and other features which allow family members or primary caretakers to stay aware of the user’s whereabouts.

 

A pedometer in the handset keeps track of daily movement and a sensor on the charging dock, which when placed by a doorway for example, detects how many times the user passes by. These in turn send automated messages to the pre-registered caretaker’s email address, thus allowing them to be notified of the user’s daily activity. For the elderly user, the handset has an LCD screen with highly visible large font sizes and easy to use color-coordinated buttons marking simple operations for ease of use.

 

Background

 

Presently Japan has the highest percentage of elderly citizens in the world, with 23.1% of the total population over the age of 65. Moreover, 15.6%, or roughly 4.57 million elderly people, are living by themselves*2. Since the national census began, the number of elderly single-resident households has been increasing, and this trend is expected to further continue into the future.

 

In these circumstances, there have been an increasing number of requests for a mobile phone that allows adult children who act as primary caretakers to stay aware of their elderly parent’s daily activity, while at the same time providing simple operability for the user themselves, and setting limitations on calling and other functions to prevent various types of phone-related fraud which have targeted elderly people in recent years.

 

Kyocera has responded to these changing social conditions and user needs to create a mobile phone with a simple design and easy-to-use features for elderly users; while at the same time providing a method for caretakers of the elderly to stay connected with their daily activities and support care giving even if the two are living separately.

 

Main Features

 

1. Notification of daily activity (pedometer notification)

Mi-Look allows for up to four pedometer notifications per day to the pre-registered contact person.

 

2. Movement sensor equipped in the charging dock

The sensor in the charging dock counts the number of times someone has passed by, and sends email notifications to the pre-registered contact person at regular intervals.

 

3. GPS tracking and movement history

GPS tracking allows the pre-registered contact person to check the whereabouts of the user at any time via mobile phone or PC, and even to see a history of their movement. Also, this function can be turned on or off at any time by the caretaker by simply sending an email to the phone.

 

4. Emergency notification

By pulling the strap on the handset, an emergency buzzer is activated and an emergency notification of the user’s whereabouts is sent by email to the pre-registered contact person.

 

5. Limitation of outgoing and incoming calls to pre-registered contacts

Call functions are limited to pre-registered contacts; allowing one for outgoing calls and 20 for incoming calls, which prevents elderly users from becoming victims of phone-related fraud (other emergency numbers for police, ambulance and fire services are exceptions). Furthermore, if the user does not pick up the phone after eight seconds, the phone will automatically answer and switch to speakerphone so the caller can hear and be heard.

 

6. Earthquake early warning system

The phone is equipped with an earthquake early warning system which sounds an alarm and clearly states that an earthquake is coming so that elderly users can prepare themselves in advance.

 

7. Waterproof*

Mi-Look is waterproof so users do not need to be worried about getting caught out in a sudden rainfall or spilling water on the handset.

 

Model  ;Mi-Look

 

Color   ;White

 

Sales Companies          ;KDDI Corporation, Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company (Japan only)

 

Size      ;Approx. W89H48D17(mm)

 

Weight ; Approx. 84g (battery and strap included)

 

Display ; Approx. 2.0 QVGA

 

Talk Time         ; Approx. 260 minutes

 

Standby Time   ; Approx. 380 hours

 

Outgoing / Incoming Call Limitations     ; 1 / 20 (+ Emergency service numbers)

 

Cyber-shot from Sony with up to 10x Clear Image Zoom in maximum resolution and artistic Picture Effect mode

Cyber shot from Sony with up to 10x Clear Image Zoom in maximum resolution and artistic Picture Effect mode Cyber shot from Sony with up to 10x Clear Image Zoom in maximum resolution and artistic Picture Effect mode

Cyber-shot DSC-WX30

Two new Cyber-shot digital cameras from Sony make it easy to capture the moment with DSLR-style still photos, Full HD video and amazing 3D images. The Cyber-shot TX55 and WX30 both feature a 16.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, plus new ‘By Pixel Super Resolution’ technology that boosts zoom range to 10x without quality loss at the image sensor’s maximum resolution (16.2 million pixels). The two easy-to-use models also mark a Cyber-shot first with new Picture Effect mode that broadens artistic possibilities with no editing software needed.

Cyber-shot TX55

Just 12.2mm slim, the Cyber-shot TX55 is the world’s thinnest camera that captures Full HD AVCHD video clips as well as 16.2 megapixel still images. It also shoots super-detailed panoramas with 42.9 megapixel resolution, 3D Sweep Panorama and 3D Still Image to enjoy on your 3D TV. The camera’s back panel is dominated by a super-size 8.3cm/3.3″ Xtra Fine OLED wide touch-screen: it’s perfect for showing off your photos and movie clips with incredible detail.

 

Enabling its incredible slimness, the TX55 is the first Cyber-shot compact digital camera that includes a slot to accept Memory Stick Micro (M2) and MicroSD/SDHC flash memory cards. Sony offers a choice of ultra-compact, high quality media in capacities up to 16GB (newly introduced M2 Mark2, ideal for AVCHD video shooting) / 8GB (microSDHC). All cards come with free PC software (available via download), File Rescue for quick, easy recovery of deleted or damaged photos and files, and x-Pict Story that simplifies creation of dazzling slideshows from your photos.

 

Cyber-shot WX30

Super-compact and sleekly curvaceous, the Cyber-shot WX30 offers an equally tempting range of imaging options for stills, Full HD video and 3D shooting. It’s also the first-ever Cyber-shot WX-series model featuring a spacious 7.5cm (3”) Xtra Fine LCD wide touch screen for beautifully simple fingertip operation.

 

Best-ever stills and Full HD movie shooting

Each camera features a highly sensitive Exmor R CMOS sensor with 16.2 effective megapixels resolution. Whether you’re shooting still images or Full HD video, you’ll be rewarded with incredible image detail and ultra-low picture noise – even in low light conditions.

 

Both Cyber-shot models introduce brand-new ‘Clear Image Zoom’ that boosts magnification without lowering pixel count in the final image. Exclusive to Sony, ‘By Pixel Super Resolution’ processing further extends the camera’s 5x optical zoom range, allowing full-resolution 16.2 megapixel images with a maximum 10x zoom.

 

‘By Pixel Super Resolution’ technology also significantly boosts still image quality during movie recording. At a touch of the shutter button, ‘Dual Rec’ grabs detail-packed 12 megapixel-level still photos without interrupting Full HD video shooting.

 

Newly enhanced with additional electronic image stabilisation for vertical and horizontal handshake correction, SteadyShot Active Mode compensates for handheld camera movements during Full HD video shooting. You’ll enjoy crisper, blur-free movie clips at all zoom settings, even if you’re holding the camera while walking.

 

Intelligent Sweep Panorama also features HR (High Resolution) mode, letting you capture breath-taking 42.9 megapixel panoramas. Just sweep the camera: then enjoy the results on your connected HD TV, or zoom in with PlayStation®3 to reveal the finest details.

 

3D Still Image captures dramatic 3D photos without needing a big, bulky camera with stereoscopic lenses. Just press the shutter button once: 3D Still Image grabs a pair of frames in quick succession, estimating depth information to create a dramatic three-dimensional still image. Other 3D shooting options include 3D Sweep Panorama and Sweep Multi Angle.

 

Great results made easy

Making its Cyber-shot debut on the TX55 and WX30, Picture Effect broadens everybody’s artistic options with an exciting range of in-camera image treatments. You don’t need special editing software: just press the shutter button. A choice of seven Picture Effect options includes HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature, Toy Camera, Partial Colour, Pop

 

Colour and Soft High-key.

 

Both digital cameras make it simple for anyone to achieve DSLR-like picture quality without fuss. Superior Auto mode recognises a wide range of shooting situations, adjusting exposure and other settings for more professional-looking images with low noise and high dynamic range.

 

Cyber-shot WX30 is compatible with the Party-shot IPT-DS2 docking base – your ‘personal photographer’ that’s perfect for parties and fun family gatherings. Party-shot pans, tilts and zooms the camera as it searches for faces in the room, automatically shooting natural, beautifully-framed photos while you enjoy yourself.

 

The compact, beautifully styled new Cyber-shot TX55 and WX30 cameras by Sony are available from September 2011. The range of MSA[X]GN2 memory Stick Micro and SR[X] series MicroSD/SDHC media cards from Sony is available now.

 

Also available is an expanded range of co-ordinating accessories – including the colourful new LCJ-THF camera cover, AC-UD10 AC adaptor and BC-TRN2 fast battery charger.

 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

AT&T to Upgrade Android Smartphones to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)

AT&T has confirmed that upgrades to the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) platform are planned for all post-paid Android smartphones already introduced this year.  Motorola ATRIX 4G users will receive an update to Android 2.3 beginning today and HTC Inspire 4G users will receive the update in the coming weeks. Motorola ATRIX 4G update will also provide the ability to download applications from third-party stores. HTC Status arrived in stores July 17, the first AT&T smartphone running Android 2.3.

Customers who purchased an Android smartphone from AT&T introduced in 2011 can expect to receive an update to Android 2.3.  All of these devices are planned to be upgraded from Android 2.2 to Android 2.3, also referred to as Gingerbread. In addition, Samsung Captivate owners will be able to upgrade to Gingerbread.

Monday, July 25, 2011

GSMA Names Barcelona the First Mobile World Capital

After an 18-month search, the GSMA today announced that Barcelona has been selected as the Mobile World Capital from 2012 to 2018. As the Mobile World Capital, Barcelona will be the home of the mobile industry’s must-attend event, the GSMA Mobile World Congress, and will also develop a range of other programmes and activities that will span the entire year and will benefit not only the citizens of Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain, but also the worldwide mobile industry.

“We are thrilled to announce that Barcelona will be the Mobile World Capital for the next seven years,” said John Hoffman, CEO, GSMA Ltd. “All of the cities who competed for this title presented extremely innovative and compelling bids, but in the end, Barcelona truly demonstrated that it deserves the title of the Mobile World Capital, with its combination of outstanding exhibition and conference facilities, its transportation and hospitality infrastructure, its commitment to expanding the reach of mobility throughout Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain, and the strong support of the public and private sectors. This is an exciting time for Barcelona and for the mobile industry as a whole.”

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Mac App Store has OS X Lion Compatible Apps

We were hoping that Apple will release OS X Lion yesterday, unfortunately it did not happen so it probably will have to wait until next week for Mac OS X Lion to start, but it seems that some applications have supported Leon started to appear in application of Mac Store.
Mac OS X Lion Compatible Apps Mac App Store has OS X Lion Compatible Apps

According to boys OS X Daily, a number of applications for OS X Lion have made their way into the Mac App Store, which should mean you will not have to wait much longer OS X Leo launch.Apple originally said Len OS X will launch in July, but gave no specific date, we have little more than two weeks left until the end of July, and a number of reports have said that Leo is now launching next week.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Verbatim Portable USB Audio Bar, USB speaker for notebooks

Verbatim Portable USB Audio Bar USB speaker for notebooks Verbatim Portable USB Audio Bar, USB speaker for notebooks

Verbatim Portable USB Audio Bar

Verbatim’s new Portable USB Audio Bar makes your summer the perfect musical experience. The lightweight and small audio speaker delivers clear and powerful sound and its slim design with piano black finish makes it the ideal companion when travelling on business, on holiday or even at home. It is USB plug’n'play compatible and does not require an additional soundcard, so can be easily connected to any laptop or desktop PC. The Portable USB Audio Bar from Verbatim is available in shops now costing €19.99 (RRP).

• USB plug’n'play

• Piano black finish

• Retractable clip to secure the speaker to your notebook while in use

• Weight of only 108 grams

• 2 Watts (RMS) total output power

• Red LED power indicator

• Speaker cable length: 60cm

• Speaker Dimensions: 200mm x 34mm x34mm (W x H X D)

 

Although small and lightweight, the Verbatim Portable USB Audio Bar emits music with real vigour. Thanks to its low weight of only 108 grams, its easy-to-use plug-and-play USB connection and its excellent digital sound quality, the Verbatim Portable Audio Bar is perfect for any trip – for work or for pleasure.  There is no requirement for an additional sound card as the speaker contains 2 x 40mm x 20mm pre-amplified magnetically shielded metal drivers giving you perfect digital sound

 

HTC EVO 3D Cases by Otterbox

Otterbox has introduced three new cases have been launched to help owners maintain their HTC EVO 3D secure devices, with the introduction of Defender cases, proximity and impact. All three offer slightly different levels of protection and style to your smartphone HTC EVO 3D.
Otterbox 3D HTC Cases HTC EVO 3D Cases by Otterbox

Defender Series EVO HTC 3D is perfect for hardcore people who need protection while traveling to the HTC Series EVO 3D is a thin case provides high quality protection against harmful shock and shocks.Finally cases series impact have a nucleus inside the box to dissipate shock, and include a self-adhesive screen protector. HTC’s new 3D EVO Defender, suburban and serial impact cases will be priced at $ 49.95, $ 34.95 and $ 19.95 respectively

RIM brings video editing service JayCut into the BlackBerry fold

RIM and JayCut

If it's going to try and compete in the tablet world, whether or not it wants to be known as the enterprise-friendly slate, RIM will have to step up its multimedia game. The company clearly understands this, that's why it's snatched up the online video-editing service JayCut. It's obvious the startup's expertise will be used to create a video editing app for the BlackBerry platform, but we wouldn't be surprised to see some sort of sharing and cloud storage service built on top of it as well. Obviously we're just speculating for now. Check out the brief announcement posts at the two source links.

Friday, July 22, 2011

T-Mobile hawks Micro SIMs for 'free', hopes your iPhone likes EDGE data

Been wanting to stick it to Ma Bell, but have found yourself shackled by those pesky micro SIMs and your inexplicable fear of all things pointy? If you're wielding an unlocked device with a diminutive slot, T-Mobile's giving away the pint-sized cards gratis -- provided you're also willing to sign your precious life away on contract. It's a shameless play for Cupertino's sweetheart, sure, and this isn't the first time we've seen the carrier try to ship us some teensy SIMs. Making the plunge? Enjoy your rebellious ways while they last -- we hear Little Magenta's assimilation by the borg isn't too far off.

Comscore: Android's UK market share explodes as Apple overtakes Symbian

Look at the chart above and you'll see two things happening. First, Apple has overtaken Symbian to become the top smartphone platform in the UK (with a 27 percent market share). And secondly, Android has grown 634 percent year-over-year to shoot into second place, with less than half a percentage point keeping it from the top spot (other reports already place it ahead). As you might expect, much of that growth isn't coming from folks switching from one smartphone to the other, but from new smartphone users -- Comscore found that 42 percent of all mobile users in the UK used a smartphone in May of this year, compared to just 27 percent a year ago. Of course, that also means that 58 percent of UK cellphone users are still potential smartphone users (to say nothing of those that still don't have a cellphone at all), so there's certainly still plenty up for grabs for all involved.

Visualized: this gel-filled Sprint head is testing all sorts of futurephones

Chamber testing is most certainly nothing new for your average carrier -- every one of the big boys here in the States already does something similar to this -- but it's not often that we're given an inside look at what exactly happens within those elusive doors. During a recent Sprint campus walkthrough, we peeked into the carrier's network development lab for a glimpse at what it takes to certify a phone for use on its network. Granted, the vast majority of Sprint's testing is done elsewhere across the industry, and we were informed that the yellow dome shown above is actually a minty fresh model that includes "gel" within its borders, seemingly to produce a more realistic testing ground. You know -- because human brains are clearly shrinking, while craniums are being increasingly filled with nondescript fluids. All jesting aside, we were told that this is the place where Sprint ensures Antennagate never comes to its side of town, and every Now Network phone (present and future) has to roll through here before being allowed out. The reason? Sprint needs to be absolutely certain that there's no stray radio emissions bleeding into frequencies that it doesn't support, and of course, to ask the Verizon guy if he can hear him now.

Sprint HQ reception test head

Netflix Hits Nintendo’s 3DS Console

Netflix has now reached about 3DS Nintendo console owners now allows 3DS to view TV shows directly from their consoles. Currently the Netflix service is only a matter of 2D and the new application is available today for free download from Nintendo’s eShop. To use the new service to all users need is a console 3DS, Wi-Fi and of course a subscription.
Netflix Nintendo’s 3DS Console Netflix Hits Nintendo’s 3DS Console

Nintendo Netflix has also launched a new service for users in Europe and Japan 3DS how their new “Video Nintendo” service for downloading videos free 2D and 3D, the service is expected to arrive in the U.S. during the summer months.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Motorola Droid 3 review

The third installment of a trilogy is typically the most satisfying. The Empire Falls, Frodo destroys the ring, Cinderella goes back in time. (Okay, that's a stretch.) Our protagonist in this tale is the Droid 3, which bears an uncanny resemblance to its dad and granddad-- but Verizon's added a few new components and made some minor design tweaks in attempt to improve the overall experience.

Are these adjustments enough to save the series? The original Droid launched with much fanfare, a device that steered Motorola back onto the path of success from its post-RAZR Hades. It had a refreshing gold-laden design that oozed elegance, top-of-the-line specs for its time, and was the pioneer that helped usher Google's mobile OS into a new era. Each new iteration has received less attention than the one before, however, and the Droid 3 experienced such a quiet launch that we blinked and almost missed it. No matter, though -- as long as the phone can speak for itself, it doesn't need the confetti to accompany it. But is the third time another charm for the Droid? Or will it be buried by other heavyweights like the Droid Bionic or Samsung Galaxy S II Function? Join us after the break to find out.

Motorola Droid 3 review

Hardware

As mentioned earlier, the Droid 3 is a spitting image of its predecessors: the same large, boxy body, the lower lip extending out from the rest of the phone, as well as that full QWERTY keyboard. But upon closer inspection we found more than a few cosmetic differences. Dimensionally, the latest rendition may be the thinnest of the bunch at just a hair under 13mm (compared to 14mm and 13.7mm for the first two Droids, respectively), but it's also the largest. While the first two Droid generations had mid-sized 3.7-inch (480 x 854) LCD displays, this one steps up to a gorgeous 4-inch qHD screen. The bezels on the Droid 3 are thicker and larger on all sides, which unfortunately adds unnecessary heft.

Consequently, the device is also the heaviest of the series, weighing in at 6.49 ounces (184g) compared to 5.96 ounces and 6.0 ounces. As the Droids have always been a rather gravity-loving group, an extra half ounce amounts to a relatively minor add-on. Being as relatively heavy as it is, you may be tempted to think this is a rock-solid phone with no durability concerns at all -- and you'd be right. Motorola fashioned its latest device out of polished metal on the sides and rubberized plastic on the back to make for a more comfortable, firm grip. The screen's also covered with Gorilla Glass for scratch protection. All told, that added depth makes the Droid 3 easier to grasp, though the larger size regrettably makes it annoying to hold onto for long periods of time.

A defining feature of the three Droids is the lower lip that protrudes from the rest of the phone. This cosmetic landmark is a result of making the bottom half of the handset -- the keyboard half -- just a little longer than the top half. Not only does this contribute to the phone's elegant look and feel, it also makes room for a larger keyboard. Sadly, there isn't much else about the Droid 3 that exudes grace or luxury; gone are the gold accents adorning the original, as well as the chrome detailing and light blue tint on the second. What we are left with otherwise is a plain boxy phone with the standard keys. There's nothing new or innovative here.

Apart from that, the newest Droid has made some layout tweaks over the last version. It adds an HDMI port next to the microUSB charger on the left side, swaps the power button and 3.5mm headphone jack up top, and has a slightly retooled volume rocker on the right side. On the back we see a pop-off battery cover (which, by the way, can be substituted for an inductive wireless charging cover, if you prefer), 8 MP shooter with LED flash, and a speaker grill and mic hanging out near the bottom.

Underneath the hood lies a SIM card matching the Droid 3's international roaming capabilities, as well as a slot for the microSD. Alas, the phone doesn't come with a memory card, though Motorola at least provides us with 16GB of internal storage -- enough to hold a fair number of apps and multimedia files. If this isn't enough, the handset supports an additional 32GB of external storage, bringing the total of 48GB. This is an obvious improvement over the 8GB that came standard with the last-gen Droid 2.

Lastly, there are a few significant improvements in the internal hardware department. The Droid 3 houses a 1GHz dual-core TI OMAP4430 processor, 512MB RAM, and a 1450mAh battery (more on that later). Finally, it adds a VGA front-facing camera, while the rear camera got a bump to 8 megapixels. The only thing spec-wise that we would've really appreciated was an LTE radio for superfast broadband access. Riches and glory could be showered upon the Droid 3 as the first full QWERTY on Verizon's 4G network; without it, however, its success can't be so easily written in stone.

Having a full QWERTY device capable of working on Verizon's 4G network could potentially become a large success, given the lack of variety we've seen in Big Red's lineup thus far.

Keyboard

Motorola Droid 3 Keyboard

Speaking of improvements, the keyboard is the area Motorola appeared to focus on the most. The Droid 2's board, while better than the original by a country mile, still left plenty of room for improvement. Interestingly, the current model steps up by splitting the difference between those two keyboards. For instance, the keys aren't as bouncy or rubbery, but they also aren't flat. It's actually the perfect balance of give and clickiness -- the keys feel natural to type on, and we didn't experience any learning curve, making it a decided improvement over the Droid 2. The sliding mechanism's a bit stiff, though usable; if given the choice we'd rather have it err on the side of solid as opposed to flimsy.

We also applaud HelloMoto for including a row of dedicated number keys. It's a major frustration for us when companies omit this from QWERTY keyboards, since it throws off our "typing groove" -- having to stop mid-sentence to hunt down the ALT or Fn keys and manually enter each number really breaks up the flow.

Motorola also seemed to learn its lesson from the debacle that was the original Droid's direction pad, as it was retooled for the second-gen devices and remains in tact this time around. The d-pad is much smaller and relegated to the lower right corner of the keyboard, which leaves enough room to make every individual key larger and easier to press.

The keys are also backlit, which makes it a great deal easier to text and email at night or in a darkened room. This is infinitely better than being forced to use the onscreen keyboard in order to see what we're writing. With that said, however, the virtual version of the 'board is still a breeze to use. On top of the default Moto keyboard, the Droid 3 comes with Swype pre-installed as an option. We understand that many people have love-hate relationships with Swype, and much of it depends on its accuracy; on this device, however, we felt it handled our need for typing speed well, with few incorrect guesses.

Camera

Motorola Droid 3 sample shots

The Droid 3's camera sounds great, right? An 8 megapixel shooter with 1080p video capture shouldn't be anything to bicker about on a high-end smartphone. Problem is, it's not all about megapixel count -- and it doesn't work in Moto's favor here.

It was disappointing to find that the dedicated camera button, proudly emblazed on the right side of both previous Droids, has mysteriously disappeared -- much like with the Droid X2. We understand that a dedicated camera button might not work for skinnier handsets, but there's more than enough heft on the Droid 3 to allow a spot for it. Worse still, there was also no ability to manually adjust contrast or exposure to our own liking.

We also encountered issues with the camera software itself. On more than one occasion the viewfinder froze. Usually, the bug would resolve itself as soon as we switched over to video mode and back again. We even had some problems getting the camera app to initialize, which we resolved by restarting the phone. More often than not, the camera would take its sweet time focusing -- especially in low light. As a result, we weren't able to catch a whol lot of impromptu moments.

Once we were able to make it through a full photo session using the camera, the images turned out to be mediocre -- they definitely weren't up on par with comparable smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S II. Colors were slightly washed out in bright daylight and ill-defined under overcast conditions, with objects appearing shadowy in low light.

In testing the video, we found that movements generally appear smooth. At times, however, it felt like the camcorder had a difficult time keeping up with us. Taking video of stationary objects was better, though it wouldn't remain focused indoors or in low-light -- anytime we breathed, let alone moved, the lens needed to re-focus. On occasion we noticed brief periods (read: less than half a second) in which certain parts of the viewfinder would go dark.

Software

Motorola Droid 3 screenshots

There is much rejoicing in the recent disappearance of the MotoBlur name, and we were incredibly relieved to boot up the Droid 3 and not be required to sign in or register for Motorola's UI experience. Rather, the currently-nameless user interface on the Droid 3 was a breath of fresh air, though it, too, has some cons.

The Droid 3 received a much-needed boost to Android 2.3, a feat that the others haven't yet accomplished (officially, anyways). Motorola chose to throw in a few stock Gingerbread elements, but it's easy to spot a good deal of customization scattered layered on top of the OS. Here, you navigate the app tray by swiping left or right, and you have the option of filtering apps by groups (a long-press of an app results in the choice of sending it to the home screen or attaching it to one of those groups). Motorola also threw in its own keyboard and dialpad, but opted for the stock music player and browser.

Other than the app tray, most shortcuts remained the same, with one refreshing exception. We discovered that pressing the home button twice from the main screen panel would take us directly to an app of our choice. We were able to change it to one of several different apps just by finding the option in the settings menu.

We were greeted by the same bloatware we've come to expect with any Android device on Verizon's networks: the usual VCAST suite, as well as Let's Golf 2 (did anyone ever play the first one?), MOTOPRINT, GoToMeeting, QuickOffice, NFL Mobile, Slacker, and some proprietary social networking apps. As always, there's no way to get rid of these apps, so you just have to get to work hiding them from your usual viewing routine by grouping them together and using your own customized groups as a default.

Performance

As far as performance goes, the Droid 3 is full of hits and misses. For a dual-core CPU, it performed without any lagging, per se. However, we grew impatient of the countless animations Motorola threw into its UI, each one taking at least two to three seconds to complete before moving on to the requested task. Examples include lengthy in-and-out transitions between menus, extra time to access shortcuts (such as the home key long-press and double-press), and opening up programs like the phone and Market. We know, we know, this sounds incredibly picky, but the fact is when using the phone throughout the day, 2-3 seconds for each transition eats up a lot of unnecessary time. The phone's hardware still functions admirably, but the UI effects are somewhat frustrating.

In our benchmarking tests, Quadrant scored 2324; Linpack processed at 44.076 MFLOPS (single-thread) and 66.378 MFLOPS (multi-thread). Nenamark 1 came back at 46.4fps, and Neocore offered a whopping speed of 58.2fps. Sunspider results were just a smidge over 4000ms (4091, to be exact). There was just one matter of curiosity that we couldn't quite explain: whenever we attempted to run the Nenamark 2 benchmark on the Droid 3, it froze. Every. Single. Time. Restarts, master resets, and app re-installs weren't able to resolve it. We can't draw any conclusions on this, since everything else ran perfectly fine, but we're definitely stumped.

The Droid 3 comes with a 1450mAh battery, but you'll definitely want a charger if you're away from home longer than a few hours. In our standard rundown test (we start at 100 percent and loop video endlessly until the battery dies) the phone lasted for 4 hours and 15 minutes. Our everyday use tests fared better -- we got nearly 10 hours of juice out of it when pushing emails, social networking, doing a moderate amount of web browsing, and taking pictures and videos. Still, we'd like to get a full day's use out of our smartphone if possible, though at least this would be long enough to cover a standard eight-hour workshift.

Wrap-Up

Trying to live up to a good name is a heavy responsibility to take upon ourselves, and smartphones aren't any better off, either. Such is the burden of the Droid 3, being slapped with the duty of impressing the masses to the same degree as its original namesake. Sadly, it feels as though the latest rendition of this tune is more of a swan song. It's had a good run, but the Droid series seems to be fading. By no means are we suggesting this will be the last of its kind -- only Verizon and Motorola can truly answer that question -- but instead of seeing the same elegance, poise, or confidence exuded by the series' firstborn, we see yet another blocky phone. Looks aside, we enjoyed its dual-core performance, though it's somewhat inhibited by UI effects.

Given the curious timing of the Droid 3's arrival paired with the Downy-soft launch, we're left to wonder what happened to it. Was it pushed out ahead of its pre-arranged time, its marketing dollars set aside for a much more hype-worthy Motorola Droid Bionic or Samsung Function launch? The Droid 3, with its top-notch keyboard and high-end specs (save for its 3G radio), is a phone we wouldn't mind using on a regular basis, but we're sensing something grander lurking just beyond the horizon.