DBC Network

Friday 28 January 2011

Sony NGP / PSP 2

Sony NGP / PSP 2 – eyes only


The new PSP NGP will boast both 3G and WiFi connectivity, a five-inch multi-touch OLED display and run on an ARM Cortex-A9 core CPU. The new portable playstation system also incorporates a unique multi-touch pad on the rear, together with a front touch display panel.



Tuesday 25 January 2011

Tending Mobile Phone

Tending Mobile Phones Uk : No Longer A Luxurious Gadget


In order to sustain any kind of relationship, you need to be keep in touch and for that, a mobile phone is an indispensable. Mobile phone users are growing day by day in UK and to keep that in mind , all leading mobile brands are coming with many cheap mobile phones in order to match the customers demand.

In the UK market, all top mobile phone maker like Nokia, LG, Samsung, Sony are offering a wide range of mobile phones with some amazing free gifts like free LCD TV, free washing machine, free Laptop, free ipod, fee text messages and also free mobile handset with cash back offers. Currently, mobile phones are coming with many multimedia features like GPRS, 3G, video calling etc, that one can keep in touch with their friends and loved one's on their mobile phones.

There are many network providers like vodafone, virgin media, T mobile, Three mobile and orange network are providing various cheap deals as per the customer's suitability and budgets out of which, contract deals, pay as you go and sim free deals are most sought after. In contract deals, one need to sign a contract for a particular period wit the service provider by paying a certain amount of monthly rental and he can't change the service provider until that contract period overs but the sim free deal is the most flexible deal, as there is no contract to stick to a certain network provider and in Pay As You Go phones , one need to credit his number in advance as per his needs and budget.


Mobile phones are going to be very cheap because of keen competition among mobile makers and availability of wide range of customers in the market.

Network providers are making a great impact in order to make these mobile phones cheap and reachable to everyone. Various online shopping portals are providing informations regarding these mobile phones and what you can do, just go and visit and book for a best mobile phone at a cheap price.

iPhone 5

iPhone 5 and iPad 2 Could Get NFC


iPad 2 300x230 iPhone 5 and iPad 2 Could Get NFC









Early last year we saw a patent that indicated that NFC (near field communication) was heading to the iPhone 4. This of course didn't happen which then led to speculation that the iPhone 5 might be the device which sees NFC implanted inside it.

Bloomberg is reporting today that Apple appears likely to add NFC to the iPhone 5 and the iPad 2 making them into mobile payment systems.

The main goal for Apple would be to get a piece of the $6.2 trillion Americans spend each year on goods and services, Crone said. Today, the company pays credit-card processing fees on every purchase from iTunes. By encouraging consumers to use cheaper methods — such as tapping their bank accounts directly, which is how many purchases are made via PayPal — Apple could cut its own costs and those of retailers selling Apple products.

What NFC does is allows the owner of the NFC enabled device use it as a debit card. Card information is stored within the device (iPhone 5, iPad 2) and when a contact point is tapped the payment is debited from the users account. When we say the user needs to tap, the system does work at a distance of about 4 inches.

If Apple does choose this route, which it probably will in the next gen iPhone and iPad, then it could require a revamp to the iTunes service allowing users to store NFC details on their accounts as well as collect loyalty points on purchases. With the size of Apple's userbase, the company could easily push NFC mainstream.

Sunday 23 January 2011

gadget maniak | iPhone android

Brand power — or was iPhone’s competition Android or no-iPhone

Verizon iPhone

The Verizon iPhone is coming February 10 and some of the big questions are: who will leave the AT&T iPhone for the Verizon iPhone, who will leave the Verizon Droid for the Verizon iPhone, and most importantly, what will the next huge wave of Verizon feature phone upgraders choose?

AT&T’s reception — or the lack thereof in some areas — will certainly propel some current iPhone users to switch networks (our poll shows about 19% of TiPb readers are considering doing just that). Some wanted the iPhone badly enough that they tolerated a poor network experience for years but now that they have the choice they’ll switch to a network that better suits their needs as soon as contract and/or cash allow.

On the flip side some wanted the iPhone but just couldn’t or wouldn’t live with AT&T service in their area so stuck with Verizon and got BlackBerry Storms or, especially lately, Verizon Droids. I’m deliberately using Droid and not Android because, like it or not, Android is not a mainstream brand. And no matter how much market metric companies like to graph it, it’s not a phone any consumer can buy. Droid is, in several models, and thanks to Verizon’s massive advertising campaign coupled with Google’s powerful software, it’s a phone that gained some mainstream mindshare.

(Samsung’s Galaxy S, while popular, has a fragmented brand with different names on every carrier so despite incredible sales it collectively doesn’t enjoy the same level of mainstream mindshare.)

No doubt many people bought Droids because they love Android. They’re probably the same people who know what Android is and specifically why it’s great at what it does. They also know Galaxy S and the other models. Many others just wanted a smartphone and Droid did — original, Pro, 2, Incredible, Bionic, etc. They went into the store and it was a brand they recognized thanks to Verizon’s advertising and, with the only other recognizable brand being BlackBerry, they probably picked one or the other (increasingly Droid based on the share numbers).

Now those same customers will walk in and see iPhone. Money Verizon used to spend on marketing Droid is now also being used to market iPhone on Verizon. Apple is also marketing iPhone on Verizon. AT&T will continue to market iPhone (Verizon and AT&T will be competing not just for users but for iPhone users and that benefits the iPhone brand). No one else is marketing Droid.

Some who previously bought BlackBerry Storm or Droid will switch to iPhone, also when cash and/or contract allows. Some will stay with both (productivity mavens and power users), but those who wanted the iPhone and couldn’t get it will switch when they can.

Existing smartphone users are also only the tip of the iceberg. The giant, ship-crushing base of the iceberg is feature phone users who either waited for the iPhone or see the iPhone as just another phone they’ll enjoy using (as opposed to other, more complicated even if more powerful smartphones). The partial migration of AT&T iPhone users and Verizon BlackBerry and Droid users is one thing. The inevitable migration of mainstream feature phone to mainstream smartphone users is another. Because right now iPhone is almost synonymous with mainstream smartphone.

Right now Verizon customers going into a Verizon store to get a new phone might recognize BlackBerry or Droid. Next month they absolutely will recognize iPhone. Just look at how Verizon is positioning it:

  • iPhone is front and center on the Verizon home page
  • Click on Verizon’s Phone menu and what choices do you get? iPhone, smartphone, feature phone.

Not only is iPhone listed first, Droid and BlackBerry aren’t listed at all. You have to dig for them. [Daring Fireball]

The number of Droid users — of all Android users — on Verizon today is small compared to the number of iPhone users on AT&T. Collectively, across all US networks, Android phones have numbers that equal or beat iPhone just on AT&T. [New York Times]

Next month iPhone will be on Verizon as well. How many will switch to iPhone from Droid? How many will switch to the Verizon iPhone as their first smartphone? No one knows for sure but the number will pass 1 million very quickly, probably in the first week, and several million, probably the first quarter.

Up until now the choice may have been iPhone on AT&T or Droid on Verizon. It also may have been iPhone on AT&T or no-iPhone on Verizon. We’ll find out which next month. My suspicion is Apple’s investment in brand will pay huge dividends and will be something other OS makers and manufacturers will have to start taking much more seriously.

gadget maniac | Nexus Android 2.2.2

gadget maniac | Nexus One gets tiny update to Android 2.2.2, fixes SMS routing issues


Not to be outdone by its Samsung successor, the Nexus One's getting a miniature over-the-air update as well, sending users on a mind-bending ride from Android 2.2.1 (version FRG83D) to the FRG83G build of Android 2.2.2. When they emerge thoroughly dazzled and confused on the other side, what will they find? We spoke to Google and it's just a few bug fixes, but one of them's rather important -- this update will go down in the annals of history as the one that doesn't inadvertently send humorous texts intended for your co-workers to your deathly serious boss. Oh, and if that sounds like something you'd like to have immediately, rather than waiting for a formal rollout, you can find the file you need at Google's servers right now.

Wednesday 19 January 2011

AMD chases Intel into gadget market

AMD chases Intel into gadget market with embedded chips



Intel has focused its Atom microprocessor on new kinds of devices from netbooks to tablet computers. Advanced Micro Devices is now launching a new version of its Fusion chips — which combine a processor and graphics in the same chip — to go after the same market.

This means we’ll likely see smarter and smarter internet-connected gadgets in the future. Shane Rau, an analyst at IDC, expects this market segment to grow at a double-digit rate in the next five years.

The new AMD Embedded G-Series platform uses the first Accelerated Processor Unit (APU, or a combo chip), which AMD has designed for “embedded systems,” or the gadgets that aren’t considered phones or PCs. Embedded systems typically serve one or two functions and are generally not programmable for other tasks.

AMD has offered chips in the embedded market for some time, such as its AMD Geode processor from 2003. But it has steadily increased the computing power of the chips it has offered in the space, culminating with an APU that is optimized for low-power consumption, smaller size, lower prices, and high performance.

AMD is targeting the new chips at a variety of vertical markets. Those include thin-client computers for enterprises, kiosks and cash register systems, digital signs, industrial controls, rugged military systems, medical imaging, game machines, single-board computers, storage, and telecommunications/networking gear. With the G-Series, computer makers can design a PC with a 3.5-inch circuit board (pictured).

The AMD Fusion family of APUs combines a microprocessor with a graphics system all on one chip. The G-Series platform has two “Bobcat” microprocessor cores, a variety of video processors and a controller hub for display output and input-output functions. AMD has lined up a number of developer tools for support. And its customers include Microsoft’s new Surface table computers, MediaVue, Quixant, Wyse, Fujitsu, Advansus, Compulab, Congatec, Haier, Kontron, Mitec, Sintrones, Starnet, WebDT, and Hewlett-Packard.

AMD says its embedded G-Series platform uses chips that are smaller than Intel’s equivalent Atom chips. That means they use less power and cost less.

Low-Cost Cherrypad Android Tablet



gadget today | Low-Cost Cherrypad Android Tablet Not So Low-Cost Anymore


You may remember the Cherrypad, a sub-$200 Android tablet that, while receiving less-than-stellar reviews, still sold a few units out of sheer cheapness. The latest version of this budget device, however, isn’t so budget. The specs have gone up, and with them, the price.

Mobile Magazine has gotten hold of the specs for the new Cherrypad (unconfirmed at the moment), and the improvements actually put it in the running… well, not with the Xoom or iPad, but certainly with the Galaxy Tab. It’s getting a higher-res 7″ screen (1024×600) and a capacitive touchscreen, replacing the lower-res resistive screen of the old version. It’s also getting dual cameras with flash and 8-16GB of onboard memory (plus MicroSD slot). Android 2.2 is what it’ll probably ship with.

Most importantly, perhaps, there’s a new 1GHz Cortex A8 CPU with 512MB of RAM, HDMI out, and a GSM antenna. That makes it a relatively modern, all-purpose tablet. The price, please? Apparently “in the $300-$400 range” — unfortunately for them, that doesn’t undercut the far more well-known Nook Color, and may even get direct competition from the iPad, depending on what happens over the next month.

At any rate, it should get an official announcement in a few weeks, and we’ll keep you posted.

Problem With Android Updates

Problem With Android Updates, Samsung Galaxy Phones Are Stuck in the Past


The Problem With Android Updates, Again (Or: Why Samsung Galaxy Phones Are Stuck in the Past?)


If you own a Samsung Galaxy Android device, there's a good chance you're expecting an update to the second-most-recent release of Android, version 2.2, aka Froyo. It has not arrived! A purported insider explains why. Short version: Money. Updated.

Update: Samsung's official response:

"Samsung does not charge carriers for updates to new versions of Android.

We are working to make the Android 2.2/Froyo upgrade available to all U.S. Galaxy S owners as soon as possible. Due to the complexity and unique functionality of each Galaxy S device, we are performing additional testing. Samsung feels it is important to make the Android 2.2/Froyo upgrade available only after we feel that we can give the millions of U.S. Galaxy S owners a simple and reliable upgrade experience."

As commenter The Samsung Secret tells it on XDA developers, there are a few kinds of updates for phones. Namely, critical, maintenance and feature updates. Phonemakers develop and release them, based on a contract they sign with a carrier. Critical updates, resolving a crazy bug are provided to carriers from phonemakers for free; maintenance updates, the routine ones, "have some maintenance fee associated with them"; and finally, according to their account, feature updates, which add new things, "are usually costly."

According to him (or her!), Samsung considers major Android updates to be a feature update, and "requires carriers to pay a per device update fee for each incremental Android update." (Unlike other major Android phonemakers, who this person says do not charge for Android updates. And indeed, we verified with a major Android phonemaker that they don't charge carriers for big Android releases, so this is not routine.) Anyway, according to this person, carriers don't want to pay for these updates. Or as they put it, "all U.S. carriers have decided to refuse to pay for the Android 2.2 update, in hopes that the devaluation of the Galaxy S line will cause Samsung to drop their fees and give the update to the carriers."

It's worth noting the definite facts at hand: Samsung's international Galaxy phones have been updated to 2.2—it's just the US ones that are stuck on 2.1. And Samsung been resoundingly opaque on when the updates are coming.

We've reached out to some carriers, along with Samsung, for some comment on the allegations, but haven't heard anything as of press time. If they have to something to add, we'll update. Whatever the case may be, one thing's certainly true: The update to Android 2.2 hasn't arrived for Samsung phones, even though it has for others, and some vocal portion of Galaxy owners are beginning to get antsy.

(Feel free to make your own comments about the irony of Samsung making the Nexus S, the only device running the latest, best version of Android.) [XDA developers via Lifehacker]

Send an email to matt buchanan, the author of this post, at matt@gizmodo.com.



Gadget Maniac | Apple COO Tim Cook Dismisses Android Tablets As “Bizarre”


Apple’s iPad is a hit. The company sold 7.3 million iPads in the December quarter of 2010, a 75 percent increase from the previous quarter. But judging from all the Android tablets announced at CES, it is about to face an onslaught of competition. So far, though, Apple COO Tim Cook has “no concerns” with the tablets that are out there today, and goes so far to call current Android tablets “bizarre.” On today’s Apple earnings call, Cook characterized the competition as falling into two buckets: Windows-based tablets, which are “big, heavy and expensive” and suffer from “weak battery life,” and current Android tablets, which are “scaled-up” smart phones.

Here is his response to the question, based on MG’s notes:

Q: What about iPad competitors?

TC: There’s not much out there as you know. There are two kinds of groups today (in the market) — the ones using a Windows-based operating system. They’re big, heavy and expensive. Weak battery life. Need keyboard or stylus. From our point of view, customers aren’t interested in that.

Then you have the Android tablets. The variety shipping today, the OS wasn’t designed for a tablet — but Google said this. So you wind up having the size of a tablet that’s less than reasonable. Or one that’s not even a real tablet experience. It’s a “scaled-up smartphone” – that’s a bizarre product in our view. Those are what is shipping today. If you do a side-by-side with an iPad, some enormous percentage are going to pick the iPad. We have no concern there.

In terms of next generation. There’s nothing shipping yet. So I don’t know. “Today they’re vapor.” However, we’re not sitting still. We have a huge first-mover advantage. And a huge user advantage from iTunes to the App Store. Huge number of apps and an ecosystem. We’re very confident entering into a fight with anyone.

He thinks Apple is just scratching the surface in terms of fulfilling demand for tablet computing. He notes that there is interest across the gamut from consumers to enterprises.

Tuesday 18 January 2011

6 Foot Android

Tragic, 6 Foot Android Costume Lost or Stolen



Some sad, sad news has come out of Cincinnati. It appears that Cricket’s Mr. Android costume – one they often use to publicly promote and display their love and acceptance for Android-based products – has fallen off of the back of a pick-up truck. Cricket’s offering $1,000 for the recovery of the costume. Steep reward, no? That’s because the thing cost $4,500 to make. Yea, I didn’t believe it at first either.

If you’re in Cincinnati and have seen the whereabouts of Mr. Android, please do all of us a favor and turn it in. I long for another day of someone standing in the costume looking just as happy as an Android robot can look. Hell, I even took a picture with the thing, so you can understand why I’m hurt and distraught over this. Do the right thing. [via AC]

Samsung Vibrant 4G for T-Mobile

Samsung Vibrant 4G for T-Mobile Poses for Photo, Shows Off Android 2.3


Samsung Vibrant 4G for T-Mobile Poses for Photo, Shows Off Android 2.3 [Update]

4 Comments 17 January 2011 by Evan Selleck



Worth Reading?

NoYes

+2 [6 votes]

The Samsung Vibrant 4G has been getting a lot of press lately, but not for the right reasons. The device’s feature set should be the focus for potential customers. Instead, suggestive politics and rumors foreshadow this still unannounced device’s upcoming availability. For one unnamed tipster, who managed to get some hands-on time with the device, the next generation Vibrant handset from Samsung is all set to bring T-Mobile’s 4G network to the handset. That, and an unexpected update to the mobile Operating System.

Previous rumors about the Samsung Vibrant 4G pegged the device launching with Android 2.2, or Froyo. However, the tipster who managed to take the picture of the device in their time with it, says that the handset is indeed running Android 2.3, or Gingerbread. The picture clearly shows the familiar tell-tale signs of Gingerbread, with the green-fused indicators within the notification bar.

Of course, the device could be running a ROM, or Samsung may just be changing things up in this early build of the handset. We know it’s an early build, because the tipster says that Samsung is working on adding their proprietary TouchWiz (3.0?) interface to the handset. In the picture though, we see “vanilla” Android 2.3. Further points of interest in the baked ROM department: the inclusion of the PM in the time slot. That doesn’t show up in an actual, standard 2.3-based device, and is usually added in ROMs. Can anyone else point out the differences between stock 2.3 and the version above?

As for the device’s feature set, the Vibrant 4G will take advantage of T-Mobile’s self-titled 4G network with the 21Mbps HSPA+ radio on board. It will have a 4-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen display. Further details about the Vibrant 4G haven’t been confirmed, but there’s suggestions that the 1GHz Hummingbird processor will once again make its presence known under the hood. There’s a front-facing camera for video chats.

[Update] All right, looks like we can probably call this image a fake. As BriefMobile has pointed out, there’s plenty of “what ifs” in here that just can’t be ignored. They also pointed out that the PM was included in the time, as we did above, but they also point out that the device has WiFi turned on, meaning a 4G indicator wouldn’t have to be preset. Furthermore, this device is using an old Android 2.2-based icon for successful download of an application, instead of a 2.3 icon.

Like we said above, this could just be the transition for Samsung as they add their TouchWiz User Interface (UI) to the device, but we doubt it. This looks like an original Vibrant device with a front-facing camera mod. So, the rumors about the handset launching with Android 2.2 under the hood are still on track, it seems.

Acer building Sandy Bridge tablets for Android



Acer building Sandy Bridge tablets for Android, will use them to 'phase out' netbooks

You'd be forgiven for expecting that the dual-core Tegra 2 that swept all before it at CES would be the king of tablet processors for a good while, but Acer is already plotting ways to overthrow it. Admittedly, Acer is kind of cheating by jumping into x86 land and snatching some unspecified Intel Sandy Bridge silicon, but are you really going to complain about getting multi-core grunt under the hood of your well-lubricated Android machine? An official from the company has promised two to three new tablets, sized at either 7 or 10 inches diagonally, for the first half of this year -- a tasty morsel of information, which he garnishes with the forecast that netbooks will eventually be phased out in favor of such touchy-feely slate devices. If you can fit a full second-gen Core CPU inside a tablet, why the heck not?

Updated: Acer's US team has clarified for us that the Android tablets it announced in November are still set to hit in April. Obviously, these Sandy Bridge versions would be farther off, but we've also heard from another source that Acer would likely wait for Intel's ULV-based Sandy Bridge processors, which aren't due until the spring / summer timeframe.

Android

Plants vs. Zombies, Peggle coming to Android


Things are looking up for game-loving Android owners. First, we unveiled the Android version of the Joystiq app and now, much less interestingly, PopCap reveals that both Peggle and Plants vs. Zombies are headed to Android as well. Posting on Twitter, PopCap's Jeff Green uploaded images of both games running on an Android device. In response to another Tweet, Green also stated that the games won't be supported by ads, but will "probably" be sold via "the various marketplaces."

We've contacted PopCap to see if we can dig up any more information. We'll plant an update right here if we hear anything.

Update: PopCap isn't sharing details on its upcoming Android titles, saying only that they are "coming along" and that the first titles -- not necessarily Plants vs. Zombies or Peggle -- should launch in Q2 2011

Leatherman Skeletool CX Multi-Tool competition

gadget maniak | Leatherman Skeletool CX Multi-Tool competition


Leatherman Skeletool CX Multi-Tool with Nylon Pouch.jpgThe first competition of 2011 is overdue! Up for grabs this time is the Thinking Man's toolkit, courtesy of Digi-Key who sponsor the Gadget Master blog.

The new Skeletool "platform" says the manufacturer, represents "Minimal weight, compact size and endless capabilities". Specifically, features include: Tungsten Dlc Scratch-Resistant Coating, Carbon-Fibre Handle Scale, Needlenose Pliers, Hard-Wire Cutters and a Bit Driver. Just the ticket for a Gadget Master. It would set you back £57 on Amazon (RRP £90).

Here's the January/February compo!

The prize question:

As always, we'll keep the format familiar and straightforward: correctly answer this question for a chance of winning the toolkit.

The recent Home is where the gadgets are... featured a number of posts involving home-based gadgets. Which one contains an image showing what looks like a big blue electrolytic capacitor?

NB: You must be over 18 to enter this competition.

Once you know the correct response, just email competition@electronicsweekly.com stating the title of the blog post that has the correct image in it.

The competition closes end of play Friday 25 February. You can view the Terms and Conditions.

Good luck!

Users Download

gadget maniak | Users Download an Average of 60 Apps Per Apple Device


Last week, Apple announced that the App Store was about to hit 10 billion downloads since its launch. Along with that announcement the company also will be offering $10,000 USD to the person who downloads the 10 billionth application.

To move on past that news Asymco, a market intelligence site, has done a bit of number crunching and calculated that on average, each device that can connect to the App Store has downloaded an average of 60 apps.

This number has been steadily rising since the launch of the App Store in July 2008 which shows some impressive adoption rate.

The numbers cover iOS based devices which includes the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

app store downloads Users Download an Average of 60 Apps Per Apple Device

How many apps have you downloaded to your iOS based device? I have to admit, I have more than 60 apps on my iPhone.

Armpit Gadget Will Predict Fertility [Video]

Ovulation pattern temperature monitor



DuoFertility is an ovulation pattern temperature monitor from Cambridge Temperature Concepts Ltd. The DuoFertility technology was profiled by Medagadget back in 2008 when it was in prototype stage. This gadget can predict a woman’s fertility based on the temperature of your armpit.

Now the fully developed device that has an auxiliary temperature monitoring patch and a receptacle that downloads temperature data from the patch and sends it to a service center. The idea is to use the temperature variations of a woman to extrapolate the best day(s) for her to conceive.

According to the company’s CEO and founder Dr Shamus Husheer, the device is already selling quite well in emerging markets such as Middle East and Asia, and is on its way to wider use in Europe. The company is hoping to obtain US FDA approval sometime in the near future.

Gadget Calendar 2011

2011 Gadget Calendar – when can you buy that new gadget from CES


CES has packed up for another year, so now you know all about the new gadgets that are on the way. But when will you actually be able to get your mitts on them? We’ve put together a list of all the launch dates that we know about to save you scrabbling around on the Internet.

We’ve only included products that we’ve been given a rough (or exact) launch date for, so if we don’t yet know when or if it will be available, you won’t find it on this list. We’ve also given prices where we have them – US launches are given in dollars.

Some launch dates and prices are approximate and could well change before the products actually arrive. Don’t blame us if these things don’t turn up on time. It’ll be the manufacturers running into a few unforeseen issues. So use this list as a guide, but keep your eyes peeled and we’ll bring you updates when we have them.

?

1st Quarter

It’s a common ploy from manufacturers that are still working on their products not to give a specific date, but a suggested quarter. It means they can launch a product within a 3-month window giving them plenty of time to get all the pieces in place.?

Highlights of the quarter include the Parrot Asteroid, a couple of Garmin GPS units and the MSI G Series. So, we’re talking car audio, car navigation and some high powered gaming laptops. We advise you don’t use the latter in the car but then, so long as you’re not driving, it’s your call really.


January

CES has only just finished and we’re nearly half-way through January already, so the manufacturers in this section haven’t got much time to get their skates on and their products out. There’s a fairly long list of gadgets due for a January release with the roll call being largely made up of cameras. Highlights for the month include several models from Fujifilm, along with two compacts from Olympus.

Other big releases will include the HTC Evo Shift 4G in the US, along with the first of a range of tablets from Asus, in the form of the Eee Slate EP121. You should also be able to get your hands on Alienware’s M17x R3 range of high-end gaming laptops. With time ticking away, we wouldn’t be surprised if at least a couple of these get pushed back to February.


February

There are plenty of products due to land on the shelves in February and with all the new year’s resolutions about not spending so much money on gadgets now a mere memory, it’s time to get stuck in. As with January, cameras feature quite heavily again, with both the Kodak Easyshare Touch and Mini due for release along with several models from Samsung, as well as the Korean brand’s 2011 camcorder line-up.

Dell will be releasing the first of its new products in February, including its Streak 7 tablet while the LG Optimus 2X dual-core processor phone should be hitting this month too.?If you’re thinking about investing in a new laptop then you might want to cool your heels and wait for the Sony Vaio F Series of 3D-capable models to hit the shops. As we said before, it would be a surprise if a few of the products pencilled in for January didn’t in fact make their first appearances in February.


March

As we move into March, we’re approaching the cut-off point for all those products that have been promised for the first quarter. Once again, this month will be big for camera launches. Not only will we see four new models from Casio, but we’ll also get Sony’s new Cyber-Shot range hitting the stores. Add to that several Samsung cameras and the brand’s HMX-Q10 ambidextrous camcorder and you’ve got a lot of imaging kit to choose from.

And if three-dimensional video capture is your thing then you’ll be pleased to hear that JVC’s GS-TD1 3D will hit the shops. The product highlight of March is almost certainly the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc phone – a launch that plenty of gadget aficionados will be looking forward to. The geek fraternity will also get its first glimpse of the ViewSonic 10s tablet when it goes on sale.


2nd Quarter

When a company says that its products will launch in the 2nd quarter, this can mean any time from April until June, and it usually tends to be later in that window, rather than sooner. As we move from the spring into summer we can expect to see lots of goodies arriving in the shops, including Panasonic’s Viera TV lineup and Sharp’s gigantic 70-inch LC-70LE732 TV.

Before summer, you should also be able to get your hands on the iRiver Story HD and the Samsung RMC30D Touch Control. If you’re in the US, then you’ll also be treated to the Motorola Xoom, Philips’ BP9001 portable Blu-ray player and Sony’s 3D Bloggie camcorder complete with its 2.4-inch glasses-free 3D screen, so you can get a decent idea of what you’re footage looks like with added depth.?


April

With the 1st quarter complete, our release schedule beings to slow down somewhat in April. In the UK, this months brings with it plenty of bank holidays (including an extra one for the Royal wedding) so you’ve got no excuse not to get down the shops for a healthy dose of gadget shopping. In April you can expect to see the next product from 2011 Asus line-up in the form of the Eee Pad Transformer – an Android tablet with a bolt-on keyboard.

You’ll also have the chance to buy the colourful Acer Liquidmini Froyo handset, along with Kodak’s shockproof Playsport and Playfull pocket camcorders. Casio’s innovative TRYX camera will also be making its retail debut. And for sporty types, there’s the Nike+ SportWatch GPS which also happens to look rather swish.


May

Gadget launches continue to get quieter still as we approach the end of spring and the beginning of what will hopefully be a warm and sunny summer. May will see yet another product from the comprehensive 2011 line-up from Asus, this time it’s the turn of the Eee Pad Slider – a tablet device that slides back to reveal a hidden keyboard underneath.

This is also the month when you’ll get the chance to get your paws on one of the models from Lenovo’s IdeaPad Y Series. Hopefully, we’ll see some of the products labelled as “second quarter” making their debuts in the shops in May, else it’s a pretty lean month as the gadget calendar goes.


June

This month marks the end of the 2nd quarter and as there’s plenty pencilled in for this period, we can certainly expect to see some of those products seeing daylight in June. Once again, we’ll be seeing another Asus product hitting the shelves, with June being the set launch month for the Eee Pad MeMo tablet – a product that could give the Samsung Galaxy Tab a run for its money.

June will also be the month that Microsoft’s new Touch Mouse scuttles onto the scene. You may think it looks rather like the Arc Mouse but this one?has multi-touch capabilities and can differentiate between one, two or three fingers so?offers?up advanced controls and a more natural way of using a mouse. That’s the idea, anyway.


3rd Quarter

July, August and September tend to be relatively quiet months in the gadget world’s calendar as not only is everyone on holiday, but also, most of the big brands are saving up their product announcements for the IFA tech show in Berlin that takes place during the first week in September. However, we are due to see a couple of big launches during the 3rd quarter including the release of Toshiba’s tablet and the US retail debut of the BlackBerry PlayBook 4G.

What’s more, there’s usually a big Apple event in September, so we can expects to see some new products from Steve Jobs and his posse around that time. Whether the iPad 2 and iPhone 5 will have turned up already, we don’t know but there’s bound to be a new take on the iPods.


4th Quarter

There’s sure to be a lot of gadget releases around the 4th quarter, just in time for the all-important Christmas market, it’s just that we don’t know about all of them yet. What we do know is that 2011 continues to be a good year for Apple refuseniks who want an alternative to the all-powerful iPad. The closing months of the year will see Sharp’s Galapagos E-Media Tablet getting its general release, along with the Panasonic Viera Tablet.

If you can’t afford a tablet just yet, then perhaps Mattel’s cool Hot Wheels Racer – a webcam-quipped toy car – will float your boat. Your other alternative is a psi-battle with a friend or family member as Mindflex goes two player.



How to Use Tablet Computers-iMito iM7


How to Use Tablet Pcs-iMito iM7

iMito iM7 Android 2.one Tablet Pc MID 7 inches

How to Use Tablet Pcs-iMito iM7

According to Net Pro Information, pen-based mostly computing has been about since the late 1980s, but these kinds of products did not reside up to their first hype. It wasn’t until eventually Microsoft reintroduced the idea in 2002 that so-named “tablet PCs” became well-liked in expert sectors, even gaining some assist from house-based mostly personal computer customers. Nevertheless, even with this improved reputation, tablet computers are by no implies commonplace. Common desktop computers nonetheless dominate the marketplace, and numerous people really don’t know how to appropriately use a tablet personal computer. Luckily, with a number of simple steps you can be on your way towards helpful tablet personal computer use.

How to Create Pcs

Studying how to put together a laptop or computer system can be a beneficial ability to obtain regardless of whether you… More
A lot more: See All Content in this Essentials

Problems: Moderately Effortless
Recommendations

1.
Start up the laptop or computer like you usually would by pressing the “power” button. When the personal computer has booted up, apply “clicking” on desktop products employing the pen. Tablet personal computers use the very same Windows XP or Vista interface as standard PCs; the principal big difference between tablet and common PCs is that tablet designs use a handheld pen rather than a mouse. To click on on an merchandise, merely tap the display screen with the pen.

two.
Relaxation your hand on the computer’s display screen alone for stability although you practice clicking on desktop objects. The tablet laptop or computer is intended to reply only to the pen device, and your hand will not impact efficiency.

3.
Tap on a desktop icon twice in fast succession to initiate a “double-click,” opening the file or folder linked with the icon. Near the file or folder and consider double-clicking once again until eventually you come to feel assured in your pen-primarily based double-clicking capabilities.

4.
Tap a desktop icon and hold down the pen. Now that you’ve realized fundamental clicking, you can move onto “appropriate-clicking” and “dragging.” Preserve holding the pen down until finally you see a little mouse icon seem in close proximity to the pen, then lift the pen; according to Microsoft.com, this will activate a right-click operation. With most icons, a correct-click operation will convey up a menu of clickable choices. Highlight the options and click on as you normally would to pick a menu selection.

five.
Tap on an icon and maintain down the pen once again. This time, as a substitute of lifting the pen when the mouse icon seems, keep holding down the pen. Drag the pen throughout the desktop to drag the icon to a new location. Lift the pen when you’ve completed dragging. These identical pen-based clicking features are relevant on all software program put in on your tablet computer; with fundamental single-click on, double-click on, correct-click and drag proficiency, you can efficiently use your tablet personal computer.

Are you going to purchase a android tablet Computer? imito im7 7″ android will be a excellent selection. imito im7 7″ android have the latest google android 2.1 method. imito im7 7″ android brings a whole lot happiness of your spare time. Acquire it now, reward to your good friend and oneself. iMito iM7 from http://www.agoodic.com/viewproduct.asp?/iMito_iM7_-_MID_-_Black_Tablet_Computer.htm

The Future of Cars is Gadget-based, not Mechanical

The Future of Cars is Gadget-based, not Mechanical


My friend Chuck Eglinton posted an interesting note on Facebook about how automakers like Toyota are concerned that younger people are more interested in buying the next smartphone than they are in buying cars, quoting Toyota President Jim Lentz "That's a serious problem we need to address".

The fact is, all the smart auto manufacturers get this and the ones that are marketing to the younger generation have already realized that cars are evolving into the ultimate personal consumer electronics gadget, one that just happens to have wheels. The next generation of auto buyers won't care about engine specs, safety features or anything mechanical, they'll make buying decisions based on the "gadget quotient" of their vehicle. Does it have a nav system? Does the stereo sync with their smart phone? Does the car have a rudimentary heads-up display? Does the car know when they're walking up to it with proximity sensors? Is there a biometric security option?

Even the new safety features that we're starting to see show up on luxury cars like BMW and Mercedes-Benz are gadget-based, like automatic braking, collision avoidance, and parking computers. Antilock brakes and airbags are great examples of what I'm talking about, tech features that have become standard on modern vehicles and are now more notable in their absence and unlikely to influence a purchase decision.

I know because I have a high GQ car myself, a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. It has all sorts of onboard computers, a smart nav system with a big touch screen, bluetooth handsfree that works (more or less) with my iPhone, 11-speaker audio system, and more. The Toyota hybrids are very geek-friendly, for sure.

And yet, for a 2008 model year car, I had to add a third-party iPod interface in the aftermarket (stupid, and my iPod Classic just sits in my glove compartment 24x7), the bluetooth doesn't support AD2P stereo bluetooth so I can't just push music out from my iPhone / smartphone to the stereo, and the phone sync doesn't include the ability to push my address book into the car computer (which, with over 450 entries, would be a bit of a capacity test anyway).

Notice that I didn't talk about the tires, the drivetrain, the engine, the hybrid system or the door locks. Really, the mechanical features of modern cars are totally commoditized and we as consumers can safely ignore those issues because they're all solved problems. I don't expect any major innovations in four-stage gasoline engines in the next decade, and while the hybrid systems might be disappointing from an environmental perspective, they are now getting pervasive on vehicles and aren't particularly competitive anyway since they're all tapping into what seems like a single design anyway.

This engaging KIA Motors ad sells tech and fashion, not a car..

If they don't compete on gadget quotient, what DOES a modern carmaker compete on? The strength of the steel used for the car body (Lexus)? The ability of their car to brake to a stop faster than any other car (Audi), or the fact that it's made in the United States of America (Ford)? Honestly, do modern -- especially younger -- car buyers really give a tinker's cuss about any of those features, particularly if you break it down further and find out that some of those "foreign car companies" end up with a higher percentage of parts made and assembled in the USA than the so-called American car companies? [ref]

So when Lentz says "we need to address" the problem of car makers turning away from the basic automotive building blocks, you can bet that his team at Toyota has long since recognized this trend. After all, that's where the successful Scion line was born.

But tell me about your own experiences. Do you have a gadget-friendly car? Do you care? And what do you dream of having in the next car you purchase from a technological perspective?

Tuesday 4 January 2011

GIFTS WITH GADGET

GET THE DESIRED GIFTS WITH GADGET


There are number of mobile phones which are capable of satisfying the users in large ways. The several leading brands includes Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, blackberry, HTC, LG, Apple and so on. All of them are manufacturing such handsets which are equipped with latest features and technologies. This may include high quality and resolution camera, blue tooth facility, Internet connection, huge memory space, high end display features along with sleek looks and so on, the list is end less.

Like wise there are number of leading network providers which are offering tempting mobile phone deals to the users. These deals are being offered to them by O2, Vodafone, Virgin, Three, T-Mobile, Virgin and Orange networks. They all are offering huge benefits or we can say profits in some ways or the other to the users.

They are offering different offers such as contract phones, pay as you go phones, SIM free phones and so on.

Under the contract phones, the users have to maintain an agreement with any of the service providers for some limited time period which may vary from 12 to 18 months. Once the user gets into the contract, he cannot withdraw or switch to other network till the time the contract duration is not over.

The users can even be benefited with free gifts along with mobile phones such as free LCD TV, free Laptops, free DVD players, free apple i-pod, free mobile accessories, free mobile insurance, free Digital cameras, instant cash back, free Nintendo Wii games, free Xbox games, free home cinema system, free mobile phone appliances and lot more are included under this category. This is not the limit the users are even beneficial with various free incentives such as free calling minutes, free text messages, free line rental, free connection and so on.


power packed changeful gadget

Apple iPhone 4 16GB: power packed changeful gadget


The inimitable name and multi-touch sift for sloppy activeness provides it completely diametrical condition in the represent of fashionable flying handsets. Amazingly, the touch-screen appears to be even writer susceptible, and the keyboard more correct.

The iPhone 4 comes with a 5 megapixel camera, overlooking compactness retina presentation with Ponged Glaze, LED jiffy that allows you to strike awesome pictures steady in low feathery and dull environments and HD recording transcription as advisable. The disturb strainer furnishes the remnant of the mortal as multitasking is Apple's effectuation of Folders, an increasingly needed increase. To add icons into a folder, you only inspire one picture on top of added to create the folder, which automatically incorporates the sanction of the assemblage those applications assets or, if you upgrade, you can rename the folder at that time itself.

iPhone 4 16GB features an intimate rechargeable fire and can be charged when adjacent to a computer for syncing crosswise the included USB to herb connector wire.

The Crystal clear display is one the most striking features of this iPhone.

This proud bit of school squeezes 326 pixels into a piece progress of the showing. It substance that nevertheless finish you ascending in to text, the edges testament always appears undivided. It makes pictures and movies sensing unimagined, but where it really proves its worth and makes an ordinary is when it comes to representation books on your pattern.

16GB Apple iPhone 4 Black Sim Free Unlocked:- This Apple iPhone is enabled with the 5 mega component swollen document camera. Stop the clearest image or tidy a finest video from this camera along with the improved in LED heartbeat.
Group who someone been vision active video business for a longish measure this sound ends up their oblong desire with iPhone 4 movement it into a actuality. With fair a tap, you can send greeting to your kids, send a smile from across the orbit, or surveillance your friend laugh at your hilarious jokes.

Phone video job is now adequate and consumers can turn in between the forward coat self-portrait camera and indorse coating scenic digital camera throughout a telephony say. With 7 hours of teach term, 10 hours of video or 40 hours of frequency, this 5-megapixel phone packs in sufficiency knowledge to let you do speedy multitasking and then both many - there are over a 100 new features unified in it. So go and get your 16GB apple iPhone 4 and add that style statement to your profile.

Gadget show

Gadget show brings iPad competition


An image provided by Toshiba shows the Toshiba Tablet.  The Japanese computer and flat-screen TV maker is set to unveil the tablet at the annual International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week.
By: AP Photo/Toshiba ** NO SALES **
An image provided by Toshiba shows the Toshiba Tablet. The Japanese computer and flat-screen TV maker is set to unveil the tablet at the annual International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week.

THE CONTEST: Apple's popular iPad is getting its strongest competition thus far as gadget manufacturers unveil tablet computers at the annual International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week.

THE PLAYERS: Major companies including Motorola, Dell and Toshiba are expected to trot out new models. Companies that aren't known for mobile devices, including high-definition TV makers Vizio and AOC, have already announced new tablets.

THE FEATURES: Apple competitors are trying to set their devices apart from the iPad by setting low prices, using an upcoming version of Google's Android software and adding front-facing cameras for video-chatting, back-facing cameras for taking photos and high-definition screens for watching movies.


With Electronic Gadgets, Even the Concept of 'Built to Last' Is Outdated


Upgrades are necessary. Gadgets must be replaced regularly. Modern-day consumers are programmed to accept these as golden rules that must be followed—not because gadgets break down or completely stop functioning, but because to not upgrade is to fall behind, to tempt failure, to be uncool and out of it. But why do we accept these rules? Are consumers that easily manipulated by electronics manufacturers and marketers, who obviously make tons of cash in a world where a two-year-old phone is considered pitifully outdated? Or is the consumer who has an attention span of a two-year-old and who demands a steady stream of impressive shiny new objects to blame?

In the Week in Review section, David Pogue in the NY Times writes:

The iPhone, iPod or iPad you buy today will be obsolete within a year. Every pocket camera model on sale today will no longer be sold six months from now. And Android phones — forget it. They seem to come out every Friday afternoon.

OK, this is a good business model, no argument there. But why do consumers go along with this? Why do people insist on buying every new model that comes out, like kids following along as they're subtly manipulated into collecting Zhu Zhu Pets, then Silly Bandz, then … oh I lost track.

There used to be a small subset of early adopters, who the mainstream might have considered trendsetters or suckers. The early adopters were like pioneers, in that they sometimes get the glory for their boldness, but they can also come away with "arrows in their butts," not to mention the weird pride associated with paying three or four times higher than mainstream adopters pay later on.

Now, however, mainstream consumers are convinced they must adopt new technology earlier, and certainly more often. We're all "often adopters." This gets expensive. Is there another way? In his column, Pogue doesn't really bother addressing the "planned obsolescence" inherent in today's gadgets. That's just the way it is, and it seems that consumers are as much to blame as manufacturers and marketers.

Whether or not the gadget-buying treadmill is good, or even sustainable, for the individual's personal finances isn't really the point. Instead, Pogue focuses on trying to name ideas that at least make gadget production and consumption more sustainable. Here's a wholly sensible one:

Standardize connectors and accessories. In Europe, for example, every cellphone uses the same kind of power cord — micro USB — so people no longer accumulate boxes of orphaned, incompatible adapters. In time, manufacturers could stop including these standard cables in every box, saving money and redundancy.

Watch "The Story of Electronics" for more perspective on how we should be making, using, re-using, and recycling gadgets better.

Technology journalists are supposed to love whatever's hot and new, but guess what the HuffPost's Larry Magrid hopes for in 2011? He wishes for everything to just slow down a bit:

I'd be happier if there were fewer phones and instead of constant software upgrades, how about one or two a year that are really solid and noticeably better than what they replace.

That, I guess, is my problem with our mandatory-upgrade world. If upgrading or replacing a gadget represented a true noticeable improvement, that's one thing. But nowadays, it seems like the manufacturers keep pumping out new models just like the fashion industry churns out new lines every season, and despite the marketing hype, typical improvements are modest and mediocre.

So for 2011, a good resolution to make is this: If it ain't broke, don't replace it. Too many consumers subscribe to a mentality that's more along the lines of: If it ain't totally new and top-of-the-line, don't dare let anyone see it in your hand.

But why should any consumer be so accepting of a kneejerk-upgrade atmosphere that so blatantly benefits the gadget makers? From now on, put the onus on the gadget. Just being "new" isn't enough. If the benefit of the new product to you is marginal, not even noticeable, or just not worth the extra money it'll cost on the spot or in the form of an increased monthly wireless bill, just stick with what you have already.

And don't fret about falling behind the tech curve. If there's anything certain in modern-day life, it's this: Soon enough, there will be a new gadget that actually will rock your world, and that you will consider worth the money. Perhaps you'll even get a good two years' worth of enjoyment out of it before starting to feel like it's old and lame.


Gadget Show To Bring Fiercer Competition To iPad

Apple iPad

An man types on a Apple iPad during an event at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Jan. 27, 2010 in San Francisco.

From tjfang

CUPERTINO (AP) — Apple Inc.’s popular iPad is getting its strongest competition thus far as consumer-electronics manufacturers unveil tablet computers with bigger screens, front-facing cameras for video chatting and more.

The iPad has been a smashing success since its April launch, leaving other companies to play catch-up in the suddenly hot market for the keyboardless, touch-screen devices. Rivals are making a bigger push at this week’s International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, betting they can challenge Apple with such features as Android, the popular smart phone software Google Inc. developed to compete with the iPhone; high-definition touch screens and cameras for video chatting and taking photos.

The competition is going to be fierce. DisplaySearch analyst Richard Semenza estimated that a hundred different tablet models are in development, though not all of them will reach store shelves.

Major companies including Motorola Inc. and Dell Inc. are expected to trot out new models. At least two companies – high-definition TV makers Vizio Inc. and AOC – announced tablets Monday, days before the show’s official opening Thursday.

Toshiba Corp. also plans to unveil one this week. Tentatively called the Toshiba Tablet, it will include two cameras for video chatting and taking photos, a high-definition screen that is larger than the iPad’s and the upcoming Honeycomb version of Android that is more optimized for tablets.

“This is the starting gun for tablets, except Apple had a yearlong lead in the race,” BGC analyst Colin Gillis said.

Apple was expected to sell more than 13 million iPads in 2010, making up the vast majority of the total market. Although analysts believe the iPad will still account for the bulk of the 55 million tablets that Gartner Inc. expects will be shipped, there’s still room for rivals to vie for sales of the remaining 10 million to 15 million devices.

It is going to be difficult for tablet makers and software providers to make inroads, though, given the iPad’s name recognition and the hundreds of thousands of apps available for it in Apple’s iTunes Store.

Android’s growing popularity among smart phone users could give tablets that run Google’s system a leg up, particularly once Honeycomb is made available.

Google has said little about Honeycomb, other than the fact that it will allow applications to present information differently depending on whether they’re running on a phone or a tablet.

For example, Gmail on the tablet shows a list of e-mails in one column and the body of the one you’re reading in a second column. On an Android phone, you’d only see one column at a time.

Honeycomb is thought to be the operating system of choice on several devices expected to make an appearance at the gadget show.

One is Toshiba’s tablet, which the company said it plans to start selling by the end of June. A price has not yet been set, but the company believes it will be competitive with the iPad, which costs $499 to $829, depending on its memory capacity and wireless capabilities.

Handset maker Motorola is also expected to reveal a Honeycomb-based tablet, as it has hinted through the release of an animated video on YouTube last month called “Tablet Evolution presented by Motorola.” The video showed various tablets throughout history, ranging from an Egyptian hieroglyphic-laden slab to the iPad and Samsung Electronics Co.’s Galaxy Tab. It then focused on a black podium emblazoned with Motorola’s “M” logo that supported a mysterious covered object – presumably its own entry into the field.

A buzzing bee at the end of the video suggests that this may be the same Honeycomb-based tablet that Google’s top mobile executive, Andy Rubin, showed off at a December conference.

With so many companies making Android tablets, electronics makers will need innovative hardware or a super-low price to stand out from the noise, said Gillis.

“At CES, the noise is going to get extremely loud,” he said.

Companies not known for mobile devices are also getting into the tablet business. TV maker Vizio said its offering, the VIA Tablet, will have a screen that measures 8 inches diagonally and can play high-definition videos, an HDMI port, MicroSD memory card slot to add more memory and a front-facing camera. It will also include a universal remote control app for controlling devices such as television sets. VIA will run Android, but Vizio did not say which version. It also did not say when it will be available or how much it will cost.

AOC’s Breeze Tablet is less flashy and will cost less than $200. It will include the same size screen as Vizio’s VIA, but with a lower resolution that won’t show off high-definition video as nicely as the iPad and other higher-end tablets. It also runs an older version of Android – Eclair, which was released in late 2009 – and will include Wi-Fi for accessing the Internet. AOC did not say when the Breeze will be available for purchase.

Gillis is overall optimistic about non-iPad tablets, mainly because so few people actually own one.

“The marketplace is large and just barely penetrated, so they’ll have a modicum of success,” he said.

But competitors will still have a hard time catching up with Apple’s lead in the near term. Although it may seem as if the iPad business was created overnight, it actually took Apple years to develop, said DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim.

“I do think there will be a number of failures and it will take time,” Shim said. “I think the expectation is Apple will be the market leader for the next year or two at the very least. Even if you have the best platform out there, it takes time to develop an audience.”

Gadget show to bring fiercer competition to iPad



Apple Inc.’s popular iPad is getting its strongest competition thus far as consumer-electronics manufacturers unveil tablet computers with bigger screens, front-facing cameras for video chatting and more.

The iPad has been a smashing success since its April launch, leaving other companies to play catch-up in the suddenly hot market for the keyboardless, touch-screen devices. Rivals are making a bigger push at this week’s International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, betting they can challenge Apple with such features as Android, the popular smart phone software Google Inc. developed to compete with the iPhone; high-definition touch screens and cameras for video chatting and taking photos.

The competition is going to be fierce. DisplaySearch analyst Richard Semenza estimated that a hundred different tablet models are in development, though not all of them will reach store shelves.

Major companies including Motorola Inc. and Dell Inc. are expected to trot out new models. At least two companies — high-definition TV makers Vizio Inc. and AOC — announced tablets Monday, days before the show’s official opening Thursday.

Toshiba Corp. also plans to unveil one this week. Tentatively called the Toshiba Tablet, it will include two cameras for video chatting and taking photos, a high-definition screen that is larger than the iPad’s and the upcoming Honeycomb version of Android that is more optimized for tablets.

“This is the starting gun for tablets, except Apple had a yearlong lead in the race,” BGC analyst Colin Gillis said.

Apple was expected to sell more than 13 million iPads in 2010, making up the vast majority of the total market. Although analysts believe the iPad will still account for the bulk of the 55 million tablets that Gartner Inc. expects will be shipped, there’s still room for rivals to vie for sales of the remaining 10 million to 15 million devices.

It is going to be difficult for tablet makers and software providers to make inroads, though, given the iPad’s name recognition and the hundreds of thousands of apps available for it in Apple’s iTunes Store.

Android’s growing popularity among smart phone users could give tablets that run Google’s system a leg up, particularly once Honeycomb is made available.

Google has said little about Honeycomb, other than the fact that it will allow applications to present information differently depending on whether they’re running on a phone or a tablet.

For example, Gmail on the tablet shows a list of e-mails in one column and the body of the one you’re reading in a second column. On an Android phone, you’d only see one column at a time.

Honeycomb is thought to be the operating system of choice on several devices expected to make an appearance at the gadget show.

One is Toshiba’s tablet, which the company said it plans to start selling by the end of June. A price has not yet been set, but the company believes it will be competitive with the iPad, which costs $499 to $829, depending on its memory capacity and wireless capabilities.

Handset maker Motorola is also expected to reveal a Honeycomb-based tablet, as it has hinted through the release of an animated video on YouTube last month called “Tablet Evolution presented by Motorola.” The video showed various tablets throughout history, ranging from an Egyptian hieroglyphic-laden slab to the iPad and Samsung Electronics Co.’s Galaxy Tab. It then focused on a black podium emblazoned with Motorola’s “M” logo that supported a mysterious covered object — presumably its own entry into the field.

A buzzing bee at the end of the video suggests that this may be the same Honeycomb-based tablet that Google’s top mobile executive, Andy Rubin, showed off at a December conference.

With so many companies making Android tablets, electronics makers will need innovative hardware or a super-low price to stand out from the noise, said Gillis.

“At CES, the noise is going to get extremely loud,” he said.

Companies not known for mobile devices are also getting into the tablet business. TV maker Vizio said its offering, the VIA Tablet, will have a screen that measures 8 inches diagonally and can play high-definition videos, an HDMI port, MicroSD memory card slot to add more memory and a front-facing camera. It will also include a universal remote control app for controlling devices such as television sets. VIA will run Android, but Vizio did not say which version. It also did not say when it will be available or how much it will cost.

AOC’s Breeze Tablet is less flashy and will cost less than $200. It will include the same size screen as Vizio’s VIA, but with a lower resolution that won’t show off high-definition video as nicely as the iPad and other higher-end tablets. It also runs an older version of Android — Eclair, which was released in late 2009 — and will include Wi-Fi for accessing the Internet. AOC did not say when the Breeze will be available for purchase.

Gillis is overall optimistic about non-iPad tablets, mainly because so few people actually own one.

“The marketplace is large and just barely penetrated, so they’ll have a modicum of success,” he said.

But competitors will still have a hard time catching up with Apple’s lead in the near term. Although it may seem as if the iPad business was created overnight, it actually took Apple years to develop, said DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim.

“I do think there will be a number of failures and it will take time,” Shim said. “I think the expectation is Apple will be the market leader for the next year or two at the very least. Even if you have the best platform out there, it takes time to develop an audience.”

Sunday 2 January 2011

Android Trojan

Android Trojan


A sophisticated and classy Trojan mainly for Android devices has been marking loiter on the 3rd party Chinese Android application markets. This is the first ever bit of Android malware which is made with the capability to obtain instructions from server located at a remote location. In this way this becomes a part of a botnet.

The Trojan called “Geinimi” that is attached to versions of genuine applications, generally games like President vs. Aliens, Monkey Jump 2, Baseball Superstars 2010 and City Defense.

Till now it has been distributed only through 3rd party Chinese application stores. The versions of such applications haven’t been conciliated on the officially authorized “Google Android Market”.

As the affected unofficial application is installed, user needs to give more permission than usually required. This is when Geinimi kicks into action, crops the device’s positional coordinates, the IMEI and IMSI and then the information is send out to a distant server through some hard coded domain names.

The server has not been spotted transferring instructions to the Trojan until now, thus its ultimate purpose is not that clear yet. But it is known that it can download and influence the user to install an application or prompt the user to uninstall any application and also transmit the list of all the installed applications on that device to the aforesaid server.

Researchers state that Geinimi also make the use techniques of obfuscation in order to hide its actions, so it is much more difficult to spot or locate. Users generally suspect their devices being contaminated by some mobile malware when the phone shows unusual activities such as automated Messaging to anonymous recipients in random, sneaky installation of applications those are unknown, phone calls automatically generated, etc.

Occasional checking of outgoing SMSs and calls and confirmation on installing applications must become a practice for users.

Stream Photos, Music From Your Android Phone To XBOX 360, PlayStation (PS 3), TV Using iMediaShare


With ever increasing use of DLNA/UPnP compliant media devices, it’s now easy to instantly share media across various media devices. For instance we will now show you how to stream your photos and music stored in your android phone to your XBOX 360, PS3 or any DLNA/UPnP complaint devices.

A handy free android app called “iMediaShare” lets you share Photos and Music To XBOX 360, PlayStation 3. Note that streaming takes place via Wi-Fi network. Hence you need to have Wi-Fi network setup between your Wi-Fi Router and XBOX 360/PS3. Your android device also need to be connected to same WiFi network for successful streaming.

Stream Photos/Music/Video Media From Android Phone To XBOX 360/PlayStation 3

1. Install “iMediaShare” free app on your android phone. Paid version (iMediaShare Premium) let’s you share video.

2. Launch the app. You should see WiFi connectivity. Check “Sharing service is switched ON.

stream_media_android_xbox_1

3. Tap “Menu” –> “Settings”. Your android device will become server for streaming media. You can customize Server Name. For example we named it as “dkszone SHARE”. This name will be shown in XBOX 360/PS3/TV. You can also set time interval for slide show.

stream_media_android_xbox_4

4. Tap “My Phone” icon and add photos and music for streaming.

stream_media_android_xbox_2stream_media_android_xbox_3

5. Keep the app running in the android phone. Don’t tap return button as this will stop the iMediaShare service.

6. Switch ON your XBOX 360 or PS3 and make sure its connected to same WiFi network as your android device.

7. Go to “Picture Library” in XBOX 360. Here you will be able to see your android phone’s iMediaShare server. In our case it’s “dkszone SHARE”. Open it.

SAMSUNG

SAMSUNG

8. You should be able to see all the photos that you added for sharing in iMediaShare of your android phone.

SAMSUNG

9. For listening to music, go to “Music Library” from your XBOX 360 and select the android phone. You can directly listen to streamed music on XBOX 360 from android phone