GOTechWorld

Apple explains why it yanked devices from environment registry

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 01:26:00 -0700

As concern swells around Apple opting out of the EPEAT registry, however Apple products are superior in other important environmental areas not measured by EPEAT.

Apple responded to criticism today for pulling its products from a green-electronics certification registry. Apple said it uses rigorous environmental standards to measure its devices, many of which are not used by the certification registry. This registry is called EPEAT and was created by the U.S. government's Environmental Protection Agency and several device manufacturers (including Apple). EPEAT lists products certified to be recyclable and energy efficient.

Here's what Apple's spokesperson Kristin Huguet told The Loop:

Apple takes a comprehensive approach to measuring our environmental impact and all of our products meet the strictest energy efficiency standards backed by the US government, Energy Star 5.2. We also lead the industry by reporting each product's greenhouse gas emissions on our website, and Apple products are superior in other important environmental areas not measured by EPEAT, such as removal of toxic materials.

Apple has a comprehensive section of its Web site dedicated to showing the size of its carbon footprint, along with other environmental information such as its toxin output, carbon emissions, and how much it recycles each year. For instance, the company shows that in 2011, it estimated it was responsible for 23.1 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions

Google Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for Nexux devices

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 05:54:00 -0700

Google releases Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for its Nexus devices.

Google has announced that those who have Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ devices will be able to update their handsets to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean from today onwards.

Users will be prompted with an alert about the update over the next few days.

New Android 4.1 features include a faster user experience, improved Voice Search, and more expansive notifications.

Other products that can have a Jelly Bean update include: the Galaxy Nexus, the Nexus S, the Motorola Xoom, and the Nexus 7 Tablet.

What could Apple have up its sleeve for WWDC?

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 02:15:00 -0700

A new version of iOS and new apps for maps and photo sharing may be among the items announced at this month's developers conference, says a Sterne Agee analyst.

Apple will likely unveil a new lineup of Macs at its upcoming WWDC, but one analyst thinks the bigger news will be in the software arena.

The Iphone maker is expected to announce iOS 6 at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, which kicks off June 11, says Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu.

Apple announced iOS 5 at last year's WWDC, though the OS didn't reach the market until October.

A new Maps app also has the analyst and other Apple watchers buzzing. Based on industry checks, Wu sees a new in-house Maps app replacing the current Google Maps on all iOS devices. The new app will tap into the power of 3D, offering users the ability to view 3D versions of various locales.

"From our understanding, it is internally developed and will be radically different and better than existing Maps from others," Wu said. "We hear the key reason why [Apple] decided to do this is that it believes it can deliver a much better user experience in Maps, not to mention provide further differentiation for its mobile devices business."

Reported details and photos of the new Maps app have already leaked onto the Internet, courtesy of blogging sites BGR and 9to5Mac. One photo in particular clearly displays an option to switch to 3D mode.

Also on track for WWDC may be enhancements to the iOS camera and photo apps, according to Wu. Users can currently use the Photo Stream feature to share photos via iCloud, but many still rely on third-party apps such as Instagram, the analyst said. The new features would enable better sharing directly through the built-in photo app.

But the new Macs will be nothing to sneeze at. Wu expects the full lineup of Macs to benefit from an overhaul.

The iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and potentially the Mac mini and Mac Pro will likely be upgraded to Intel's Ivy Bridge chipset, offering better performance and superior graphics.

And speaking of graphics, several Mac models are expected to follow their mobile counterparts by sporting high-definition Retina displays.

Facebook tied into Apple's iOS 6, report says

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 01:56:00 -0700

Apple's next major version of iOS will sport deep integration with Facebook, according to a report from TechCrunch.

The next major version of iOS will be getting a lot more social, according to a new report.

TechCrunch says it's heard Apple's iOS 6 -- which is expected to be unveiled at Apple's annual developers conference in a little less than a week and a half -- will have built-in connections to Facebook.

According to the report, the integration will give app makers an easier way to let users log in with their Facebook account, presumably without kicking them out to Facebook's app, which is how the behavior is presently treated.

What's not mentioned is whether Facebook will get included in the sharing options alongside Twitter, which was added as part of iOS 5 last year, and set to be a built into OS X Mountain Lion when it's released this summer.

This is not the first such time Facebook has been rumored to be headed to iOS. Earlier this year, tech site iMore claimed iOS 5.1 -- a supplemental update to last October's iOS 5 -- would add connections to the social network. That evidence came from a beta version of the software delivered to developers. Pre-dating that, a report from Business Insider in early 2010 claimed Facebook contact syncing would make it into iOS 4.0.

Of note, Apple CEO Tim Cook recently said to "stay tuned" on the company's relationship with Facebook. During an interview at the D10 conference on Tuesday, Cook said he has "great respect" for the social networking giant, and that "I think we can do more with them."

Apple famously yanked planned support for Facebook in Ping, the company's lackluster social music sharing network built into iTunes, at the very last minute. According to an interview with then-Apple CEO Steve Jobs, Facebook had demanded "onerous terms."

Facebook itself has since said one of its biggest weaknesses is mobile advertising, something it could hope to bolster by getting more users signed up, and making it easier to integrate on other platforms, including Apple's.

Apple is expected to fully detail iOS 6 at WWDC, which kicks off on June 11 at 10 a.m

Apple New Ipad will release in China on Monday.

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Sun, 3 Jun 2012 03:34:00 -0700

Apple has recently granted license for 3G devices, which simply means that the latest Apple

Ipad will be sold in China this Monday, according to Patently Apple.

According to Chinese Sources, the news for this week is that country’s regulators has approved

An Apple device with 3G capabilities.

This may mean a big money to Apple because in China products are highly coveted.

Over the past few months China has become increasingly important to Apple as a source of growth.

Google Wallet

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Sun, 3 Jun 2012 03:28:00 -0700

We are on a quest to see that what actually is worth buying with Google Wallet.

It’s been a year since Google has introduced its Google Wallet: mobile payment app for android smartphones. We want to check out if it is beneficial that carrying plastic money or not.

Let’s check this out.

Before we could buy anything we need to fill our wallet first. The only bank card Google Wallet allows is Citibank MasterCard holder. Fortunately, users have option of adding money to th app Google prepaid card from any other credit card. So we move on with HTC Evo4G LTE.

Transit : Google Wallet can be used to transit money.

Eat : Google Wallet can be used to buy the food stuff from worldwide restaurants like McDonald’s.

Google Wallet can also be used for travel and shopping .

Docomo unveils smartphone with dual-sided see through (transparent) touchscreen.

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Fri, 1 Jun 2012 05:27:00 -0700

Japan’s Docomo has come up with a brand new android smartphone with an exciting transparent touchscreen which can be operated from both front and back.

This device was unveiled by Docomo this week at Wireless Japan Show in Tokoyo.

The technology developed together with electronic firm Fujistu,
allows the use to carry out tasks via back touchscreen.

A screen like this, would open many possibilities for user as user can operate it from both front and back.

Docomo may not be the first company to introduce the transparent touchscreen, but it is the first to incorporate android with transparent touchscreen making it to look more genuine and smart.

The screen size of this phone is 2.4 inches which is small as compared to today’s standards. And Docomo is working on it. Another issue with this phone is its brightness which is less, making it difficult to be viewed in bright lights. Again the company is working on it.

Overall this phone will be found interesting by the users no doubt.

Japan has unveiled first new smartphone with inbuilt radiation detector.

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Fri, 1 Jun 2012 00:37:00 -0700

A new mobile phone with an inbuilt radiation detector has been unveiled by Japan, tapping into nation’s continued fears including last year nuclear crises.

Previously, we have talked about the android app (Twakon),

which detects the radiation level of smart phone. But this smartphone introduced by Japan has got inbuilt radiation sensor chips to detect radiation exposure of phone.

The new smartphone developed by Softbank Corp., is said to be the first of its kind phone which contains inbuilt sensor chips designed to measure the radiation exposure of phone.

This mobile phone, which will on sale from this summer, will also keep record of the locations where the user has detected the radiations. This is to keep track of Japan’s atomic hot spots.

Masayoshi Son, founder and president of Softbank and an outspoken critic of nuclear power, described how the introduction of new smartphone is portable affordable and user friendly to Geiger counter.

“The threat of nuclear accidents cannot be seen from human eye and continues to be the concern for many people, especially mothers with small children.” , said Masayoshi.

The new smartphone , unveiled as a part of Softbank’s Pantone series, will be available in eight bright colors, each containing high tech radiation chips by Softbank Corp.

The price of this smartphone has not been disclosed yet.

Apple App Store introduced new Editors’ Choice picks.

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Fri, 1 Jun 2012 00:23:00 -0700

A number of applications are included in editors’ picks in the App Store, including Facebook Camera , Extreme Skater, and Cobook.

When Apple users boot up the Mac App Store, they are gonnna find new feature called Editors Choice. Apple says that for its ‘inaugural pick’

it chose CoBook, an address book application that supplements usability by accessing social networks. The company also chose Deus Ex Revolution as another Editors’ choice. Facebook Camera Application and Extreme Skater.

In addition to Editor Choice, Apple is also offering its users a limited –time chance to download paid apps for free. However, the criteria for choosing which paid apps which are allowed to be downloaded for free is not clear.

Tawkon: The Android app which detects the radiations emitted from your mobile phone.

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Sun, 27 May 2012 00:12:00 -0700

The Tawkon app predicts the level of radiation emitted by your mobile phone and notifies you when you are in high exposure.

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is the amount of radio frequency (RF) radiation absorbed by us when we use a mobile phone. Every phone or handset is measured and rated in terms of their SAR. It is common in U.S.A and Canada. The maximum allowable SAR for any handset is 1.6 watts per kilogram. So while buying any cell phone do check its SAR ratings.

We are not sure whether these radiations are harmful to users or not, some studies show that these radiations are harmful and linked them to infertility,
cancer, reduction in sperm count etc while some studies show link at all.

You can believe in either of the studies Tawkon will here for the android users, which will tell you about the SAR rates. This app detects the radiation output of your phone and notifies you when you are exposed to high pressure. Tawkon doesnot count the actual radiation output of you phone because you phone doesnot have any in-built Geiger Count. Instead app calculates SAR according to an algorithm. For example, suppose your device is in weak signal that means it needs to boost up its RF. Tawkon uses an algorithm based on your network, signal strength, handset model and data. It is not a perfect system but still reliable. According to electromagnetic-field –testing-company Satimo, Tawkon is reliable and it is able to predict the SAR levels almost as actual radiating equipment.

Google add fact boxes for smarter search results.

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Sat, 26 May 2012 06:41:00 -0700

Google search results will now be a little different now. Google has introduced the Knowledge Graph, a database of 500 million people, places and things. The Knowledge Graph, will make your search results better and will show you the related topics and related searches about the searched item. Google in next few days will make it available for desktops, tablets and mobile users.

We have always listened about the rumors about the next Iphone, and maximum number of times we assume them to be true. Now we have the 100% true news about the next Iphone, which is : the next Iphone will have larger screen. As we have seen from the sources that apple has ordered larger screens.

When Windows 8 is released later this year, it will become easier for parents to moniter their child’s PC. As weekly lists about the websites visited by their children will be available to them. This can also be seen that their child has played which game and had spent how much time on any particular website. This will be definitely better than checking and standing on their shoulders when their child is on PC.

After all the rumors, conclusion about Apple Iphone 5.

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Sat, 26 May 2012 05:41:00 -0700

Since long before the release of iphone 4S, rumors about Iphone5 are swirling on everyone’s mind. We try our best to tell you al about the iphone 5, but this video will show you the whole concept of Iphone 5. This video is created by Sir Issac Royo and is the Apple best promotional video.

This video is based upon all the rumors and concepts of Iphone 5.

Watch this video below and know about 3.95-inch screen, a Thunderbolt port, 12-megapixel camera, retina display, 4G LTE, and so much more.

Total run time is only 75 seconds

New iPad Tops Three Million

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:34:00 -0700

CUPERTINO, California - Apple has announced that it has sold three million of its incredible new iPad, since its launch on Friday, March 16. The new iPad features a stunning new Retina display, Apple’s new A5X chip with quad-core graphics, a 5 megapixel iSight camera with advanced optics for capturing amazing photos and 1080p HD video, and still delivers the same all-day 10 hour battery life* while remaining amazingly thin and light. iPad Wi-Fi + 4G supports ultrafast 4G LTE networks in the US and Canada, and fast networks around the world including those based on HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA.**

“The new iPad is a blockbuster with three million sold―the strongest iPad launch yet,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Customers are loving the incredible new features of iPad, including the stunning Retina display.”

The new iPad is already available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Switzerland, UK and the US Virgin Islands and will be available in 24 more countries through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The new iPad Wi-Fi models are available in black or white for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad Wi-Fi + 4G for either AT&T or Verizon is available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad is sold in the US through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. Additionally, the incredible iPad 2 is now offered at a more affordable price of INR 24,500 inc. VAT( INR 23,333 ex VAT) for the 16GB Wi-Fi model and just INR 32,900 inc. VAT ( INR 31,333 ex VAT) for the 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G model.

*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

**4G LTE is supported only on AT&T and Verizon networks in the U.S. and on Bell, Rogers, and Telus networks in Canada. Data plans sold separately.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

Best Apps in app store of Apple

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Thu, 24 May 2012 06:03:00 -0700

1.4G Speed - Internet Speed Test

About 4G Speed - Internet Speed Test
4G-Speed was designed to measure the following connection types: Wi-Fi, 4G, 3G, GPRS and even EDGE.

An average speed will be revealed after a couple of tests.

What’s New in this Version
- Fixed landscape bug
- Updated accuracy of results
- Redesigned for HTML5 compliance
- Improved graphics quality for iOS4
- Add fullscreen standalone interface support

2. Carbon Footprint Calculator

About Carbon Footprint Calculator
This is an easy to use app that estimates how many trees are needed to offset your carbon footprint.

Calculations are based on:
- The miles you drive.
- Your airline travel
- Your electricity usage
- Train travel
- Your Natural gas usage
- Oil heating and more!

What’s New in this Version
- Added more options to the calculation.

The app store of Apple has reached 25 billion downloads.

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:48:00 -0700

Finally, the app store of Apple has reached 25 billion downloads. Browse this collection of the App Store’s most popular offerings - as determined by al the users - since Apple’s July 2008 launch. As the 25 billionth download approaches, Apple is thanking all the users.

It was announced by Apple that you download any of the more than 500,000 apps on the App Store for iPhone, iPod touch or iPad - if you download the 25 billionth app, you could win a $10,000 App Store Gift Card

The 25 billionth app download, Where's My Water? Free, was downloaded by Chunli Fu, of Qingdao, China. As the grand prize winner of Apple’s 25 Billion Apps Countdown Promotion, Chunli Fu will receive a US$10,000 App Store Gift Card.

iPhone 5 Rumors: Apple Testing 3.95-Inch Prototypes Internally; Bigger Display Also Features More Pixels

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Wed, 23 May 2012 06:54:00 -0700

It's almost summertime, which means iPhone 5 rumors should be heating up if Apple hopes to release the smartphone between June and October, which would fit its typical 11-month upgrade cycle.

The latest report comes from 9 to 5 Mac, which says it has "independently heard" that Apple is testing multiple versions of its sixth-generation iPhone, and the displays are not only bigger, but sharper, too.

"Right now we know of a few next-generation iPhone candidates in testing," 9 to 5 Mac said. "These prototype phones are floating around Apple HQ in thick, locked shells in order to disguise the exterior design to 'undisclosed' employees. We know of two next-generation iPhones in testing with a larger display: the iPhone 5,1 and iPhone 5,2. These phones are in the PreEVT stage of development and are codenamed N41AP (5,1) and N42AP (5,2). Because Apple reserves certain models for internal-only usage (such as the N96 phone we previously reported on), we're not sure which of the two devices will make its way into the world later this year."

Regardless of which iPhone model Apple eventually releases to the public, the phone will reportedly sport a larger display than its predecessors. While every iPhone released so far had a 3.5-inch screen, 9 to 5 Mac says all of the new prototypes measure at least 3.95 inches diagonally. This fits with previous reports that said Apple was working with new screens that measured "at least 4 inches diagonally," and had been working with several screen manufacturers in Asia to make it happen, including LG Display, Sharp and Japan Display, a merger of Sony, Hitachi and Toshiba's mobile display businesses.

Based on earlier rumors, we surmised that if Apple didn't end up building a bigger screen, it could potentially build a better-quality display instead. 9 to 5 Mac believes Apple will do both.

The company believes that Apple will boost the iPhone's display resolution from 960 x 640 pixels (at 326 pixels per inch) to 640 x 1136 pixels, an extra 176 pixels higher. The screen's width will reportedly stay the same at 1.94 inches, but the height will grow from 2.76 inches to 3.45 inches. This resolution and size would likely give the iPhone's screen a 16:9 ratio, which would be perfect for playing videos at their native aspect ratios. Thanks to the additional pixels, this iPhone would still be considered having a "Retina Display," which means the pixels are so close together that the human eye cannot distinguish them.

Apple discovered how to pack even more pixels into a display as it was researching ways to create higher-resolution displays for its new iPad, which successfully doubled its pixels from its predecessors. To break it down, a pixel is made of red, blue and green subpixels, and a separate signal tells each subpixel when and how much to light up. This is what creates colors on a screen. Apple wanted to shove four times as many pixels into the same space, but learned that by doing this, the signals can easily get crossed, which results in fuzzy and distorted images. Apple needed to solve that particular problem, and eventually discovered that by elevating the pixels onto a plane separate from the signals, the signals don't get crossed, and the images look crystal-clear. As a result, Apple's new iPad packs in 3.1 million pixels, which is about 1 million pixels more than an HDTV.

An earlier report said Apple was testing prototypes of the iPhone 5 with an A5X chip, the same quad-core graphics processor used to power the Retina Display in the new iPad. If Apple needs extra power for its screen, it's possible that Apple is looking to switch from LCD to OLED, which can produce richer colors and better pictures in limited amounts of space.

Besides the next iPhone's display, 9 to 5 Mac also believes the company's next mobile operating system, iOS 6, will take advantage of the new-fangled iPhone display with a "tweaked home screen," a new interface for navigating applications, and a fifth row of icons -- not counting the stationary dock at the bottom. The company also mentioned the next-gen iPhones will "definitely include a home button," as well as a smaller dock connector which is much narrower than current dock connectors.

In addition, 9 to 5 says it has even more information about the iPhone 5, but will release those notes throughout the week. The company said that it has learned important information about the iPhone's processor specs, maps, and "other goodies."

Other Possible Features And "Goodies"

Apple-Made Maps App. The first iPhone launched in 2007 with a maps application from Google, which helped users find local businesses, find their own location, and get directions. Five years later, Apple is looking to introduce a new in-house application, which will be made from the technologies of three acquired mapping companies, including Placebace, Poly9, and C3 Technologies, which were purchased in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. The new application promises incredibly detailed 3D maps, 2D maps and street views, and more information about traffic and location data. According to 9 to 5 Mac, Apple will introduce the new Maps application alongside iOS 6 at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

LTE connectivity. It's already a foregone conclusion that Apple will implement radio bands for 4G LTE in the iPhone 5, given that Apple introduced the high-speed network on its new iPad, released on March 16, which was likely done as a "practice run."

LTE features significantly higher download and upload speeds compared to 3G technologies, but previous implementations of LTE in smartphones tended to ravage battery life, which was a major complaint from users. If Apple wanted LTE in the iPhone 4S at the time, it would have been forced to increase the phone's thickness to accommodate a larger circuit board and a bigger battery. Apple CEO Tim Cook, in a company earnings conference call in April 2011, said "first-generation LTE chipsets force a lot of design compromises."

Fortunately, Qualcomm recently unveiled the fifth iteration of its new chip, which supports TD-SCDMA, TD-LTE, HSPA+, EV-DO, embedded GPS, and LTE on TDD and FDD networks worldwide. The chip works with Android and Windows 8 devices, but there's a great chance this will be the same chip inside the iPhone 5.

Crack-Proof Glass. Apple's patent for crack-resistant glass, granted on Nov. 15, uses the same alumino silicate glass solution used in the iPhone 4 and 4S, but chemically treats it with potassium and sodium ions to achieve greater compression thresholds on the surface and edges of the glass, making it less susceptible to cracks.

Apple also included a handy feature that will appeal to everyone who's ever dropped their iPhone: The patent calls for a shock mount to be placed between the glass and the body of the device, which will instantly inflate if the device senses it's falling. If the iPhone's internal accelerometer senses it's falling, an actuator within the device sucks in the cover glass as it accelerates to the ground, protecting it from damage.

Advanced Haptics. Another recently published Apple patent describes a new haptics feedback system that allows a user to interact with the content on the screen by touching it, which is accomplished with sensors and actuators working simultaneously. The new multi-tiered system is extremely sophisticated: Using several layers of elastic screens stacked on top of each other, Apple's screen can produce 3D buttons or objects to interact with, as well as give texture to images, like topographical maps.

Apple's haptic system can create different types of actions, including vibration, net displacement, bending, deforming, or any combination of those elements. The technology can also work with a secondary display screen or audio system, which would be useful if Apple ever builds its iTV, but the system can also be applied to flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) screens. This advanced haptics system would also work with almost every portable Apple device, including iPhones, iPod Touch devices, iPads, MacBooks, and even TVs, video projectors and e-Ink displays.

3D Photography. While existing 3D cameras and video recorders can gather three-dimensional information from objects, they're generally incapable of getting detailed enough information in relation to the shapes, surfaces and depth of the objects. Apple's solution involves a series of systems, tools and methods to capture a 3D image by using multiple sensors and cameras. One sensor would capture a polarizing image, while two other sensors would capture two different non-polarizing images, and Apple's system would combine the images into a composite.

3D Object Recognition. On May 10, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a series of Apple patents relating to 3D face and object recognition technology. Apple's system involves taking a picture -- either with a front or rear camera -- and the 3D recognition software would distinguish between the two-dimensional projection of the image and the three-dimensional shape of the objects in the image. The process would be fully automatic, which would help for identifying faces in a group of objects, or even identifying objects in X-ray images.

NFC. Near-Field Communication is nothing new. In fact, many current smartphones have the chip built-in so owners can use mobile payments solutions like Google Pay. Apple has held off on implementing NFC technology into its iPhone, but a slew of recently granted patents seem to suggest that will change with the sixth-generation model. Two of the major features said to use NFC rather heavily are the iWallet, and iTunes "Gifting."

The iWallet. Apple won a major patent on March 6 for a piece of technology called the "iWallet," which is a digital system that gives users complete control over their subsidiary financial accounts on their iPhones, and also leverages Near-Field Communication technology to complete credit card transactions directly on the phone as well. The iWallet has many different features, including giving users the ability to see their entire credit card profiles, view statements and messages from their banks, and even set parental controls for their children, should they also want to use their iPhones as digital wallets. Outside of the iPhone, users can keep track of their payments and statements within the iTunes billing system, which keeps credit card information and records safe and secure. There's a possibility that iWallet could also work with other Apple utilities, which could allow users to buy things like movie tickets directly within the apps, but only time will tell with that one.

iTunes Gifting. While downloading and storing digital media with online service providers has become commonplace -- more so than purchasing DVDs and CDs at physical retail stores -- it's not very easy to transfer digital files from one individual to another, usually because of copyright laws. Apple believes it has a solution to this issue: A gift-giving platform where users have a standardized way for buying, sending and receiving media files from a media provider (iTunes) between multiple electronic devices (iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch devices). The process is simply called, "Gifting."

One method for gifting requires the sender to authorize a gift charge to their iTunes account, which is then transmitted from the sender's device to the receiver's device -- via tapping, or as long as they're nearby -- thanks to the NFC chip. If the recipient of the gift isn't nearby -- or you want it to be a surprise -- the gift-giver may submit an official request with iTunes, which then processes the request and charges the initiator's account for the given file. The patent also allows for multiple gifts to be sent in a single transaction, as well as certain customization options for the gifts -- including voice greetings and custom gift images, likely to conceal the gift's identity before the receipient opens it.

Apple Avatars. If you want to buy movies, apps, or any content through Apple's iTunes Store or App Store, Apple requires you have an Apple ID. Your Apple ID sticks with you in the company's Game Center, which keeps track of a user's achievements across purchased and downloaded games. But if this recently granted patent has any bearing on the immediate future, Apple users may soon get to make customizable Apple Avatars, which users would use to represent themselves within potential online or gaming environments. Apple users could create a 3D model of themselves, customizing features like hair, eyes, nose, and eyebrows, as well as other features and accessories. While avatars seem to be geared towards kids, it would actually help give users a source of identity while making the Apple brand -- and identification procedures -- a little more fun. Don't be surprised if Apple had Pixar's help on this one: Just look at the eyes.

Multi-Player Gaming. The iPhone 5 might also be the first phone to feature a new piece of software for multi-player gaming. On March 15, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that describes a system for multi-player gaming, which allows groups of people to play the same game together and even see it from different perspectives according to the devices' physical relation to one another. The system actually mimics that of the "Find My Friends" app, in which a user's device detects other nearby devices that it recognizes as "friends," and invites them all to join a common application. The technology also determines the relative position of those devices, so some games -- like turn-based role-playing games or card games -- can be played in a specific order.

* * *

Will you buy Apple's next iPhone, even if it's not called the iPhone 5? Which is more important to you, the size of the screen or the overall quality of the display? Let us know in the comments section below.

Google closes $12.9B deal for Motorola Mobility

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Wed, 23 May 2012 06:36:00 -0700

Motorola Mobility Holdings' journey has seen the maker of the world's first commercial cellphone dominate its rivals, nearly fall into obsolescence and then claw its way back to relevance in a fast-changing industry.

Now, one of the Chicago area's most well-established technology players is a wholly owned subsidiary of Google, a Silicon Valley company that has built its empire not on gadgets but on Web-based services, including a mobile operating system. Google said Tuesday that it has closed its $12.9 billion acquisition of Libertyville-based Motorola Mobility, a deal that outfits the search giant with a robust smartphone patent portfolio and the ability to build mobile devices that are tightly integrated with Google services.

"Motorola is a great American tech company, with a track record of over 80 years of innovation," Google Chief Executive Larry Page said in a statement. "It's a great time to be in the mobile business, and I'm confident that the team at Motorola will be creating the next generation of mobile devices that will improve lives for years to come."

That team, however, will not include Sanjay Jha, the former Qualcomm executive who joinedMotorola Inc. in August 2008 as co-CEO to turn around the ailing mobile devices division and prepare it to be spun off as an independent company at the beginning of 2011. Google said Jha has stepped down as CEO of Motorola Mobility, which will be headed by Dennis Woodside, a Google executive who was president of the Americas before being tasked with overseeing the integration of Motorola Mobility.

Page thanked Jha for his work, crediting him for "building the company and placing a big bet on Android," Google's mobile operating system that Jha used for Motorola Mobility's smartphones. Jha will "continue to work with Google to help ensure a smooth transition," Page said.

Woodside is already reshaping Motorola Mobility's executive team, bringing in new leaders for finance, marketing and human resources, among other areas. These changes mean executives such as Chief Financial Officer Marc Rothman and Chief Marketing Officer Bill Ogle are leaving the company.

However, Google said "many members of Motorola Mobility's team will continue in their current roles." These executives include Iqbal Arshad, a product development head who was behind the successful Droid line of Android-based smartphones at Verizon Wireless, and Dan Moloney, who leads the set-top-box division within Motorola Mobility.

Chris Hazelton, research director for mobile and wireless at 451 Research, said he believes Google is interested in tapping Motorola Mobility's hardware prowess in addition to the company's 24,500 granted and pending patents.

"Just the leadership change really shows that they are working to align the hardware more with Google services," Hazelton said, adding, "whereas (the acquisition) was a defensive move for (intellectual property), it's also now a defensive move for protecting those services."

Google declined to make Woodside or Jha available for interviews Tuesday. In a statement, Woodside offered a brief peek at his strategy.

"Our aim is simple: to focus Motorola Mobility's remarkable talent on fewer, bigger bets, and create wonderful devices that are used by people around the world," he said.

Woodside's remarks indicate that under his leadership Motorola Mobility will cut down on its number of new product introductions. In the past, relying on a small number of devices has gone badly for Motorola. It stalled when it couldn't replicate the success of the Razr, for example. But Hazelton said the strategy could pay off.

"Even if you do launch one device, you can still provide a different set of services on that same device for a different carrier," he said. "Who are they going after? That's really Apple. And Apple has one device."

Google's acquisition of Motorola Mobility injects tension into the relationship between the Mountain View, Calif.-based company and other phone-makers that use Android. However, Google reiterated Tuesday that Android remains an open system, and Motorola Mobility will be a licensee.

In addition, The Wall Street Journal reported this month that Google will expand its Nexus program, which provides early access to new versions of Android, from one partner manufacturer to as many as five. These moves could soothe device-makers and keep them from jumping ship to other operating systems.

"What Motorola represents for (Google), in some ways, is a mobile devices skunk works to figure out how far they can push the experience," said Chris Silva, a mobile analyst at Altimeter Group. In other words, Motorola can be a laboratory for Google to experiment with Android and use the resulting knowledge to help their hardware partners.

The final closing price for Motorola Mobility's stock was $39.98, just pennies below the $40 per share that Google is paying in the deal. The stock will now be delisted. While the original purchase price was estimated at $12.5 billion, the final price tag rose to $12.9 billion because of additional equity awards that were issued, according to a regulatory filing.

Motorola Mobility employs 20,000 people worldwide, with about 3,000 in Illinois. The company has an agreement with the state to maintain a local workforce of 2,500 in exchange for more than $100 million in tax credit incentives over 10 years.

Google declined to comment Tuesday on its plans for changes to Motorola Mobility's workforce or facilities, though a spokeswoman said the company remains "committed to Illinois." Most of the new leadership team at Motorola Mobility are based in Sunnyvale, Calif., or Libertyville. Some are also in San Diego, where Jha and other executives were based before Motorola's separation into two companies.

Analysts said the pressure is on Google and Motorola Mobility to show what they can do in tablets, an industry where Android-based manufacturers have so far failed to match the dominance of Apple's iPad. Google must also fend off Microsoft, which is making a push with its Windows Phones in an attempt to claim a bigger piece of the smartphone market.

Bringing Motorola Mobility into the fold "will push Google's vision of what Android should be," Hazelton said. "That will help evolve Android and makes sure it stays competitive with other operating systems."

The LG Optimus 2X

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Wed, 23 May 2012 06:32:00 -0700

The LG Optimus 2X got an online ROM kitchen. From the kitchen you can cook your own custom ROM for the LG Optimus 2X.

3 Best Android 3.0+ Apps For Tablets

noreply@blogger.com (barkha) — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:45:00 -0700

ZeroPC Cloud Navigator HD

This app is like discovering a whole new OS that not only lives in the cloud but talks to, searches, and integrates with other cloud services - Dropbox, Google Docs, Evernote, Sugarsync, Instagram, etc.
It's free to use unless you want to get more storage or use advanced features. The tablet app allows you to see your cloud accounts, instantly search them, view and download files, and perform all kinds of cloud management all from one place (copying files between cloud services isn't supported yet in the tablet app - you'll have to use the web interface for that).

With ZeroPC Cloud Navigator’s instant search and smart browsing feature, it’s easy to find, manage, access and share all of your content on the go with a single ZeroPC login, right from your Android tablet.

Features

Connect all your cloud content with ZeroPC Cloud Navigator
- Instantly and securely connect to popular services—Box.net, Dropbox, Evernote, Facebook, Flickr, Google Docs, Instagram, Picasa or SugarSync—using a single sign-on and industry-standard Oauth (no password is stored in ZeroPC).
- View and access documents and notes, play music, watch videos, browse photos and more all on your Android tablet.
Easy and smart content browsing
- Quickly navigate though intuitive content hierarchy to access any document, photo, multimedia or social content regardless of where they are stored in one convenient place.
- Browse through your content by category tabs (Docs, Photos, Video, Music or ALL) and display only what you want with large thumbnails.
Powerful Universal Search
- Easily search your content on the go! Find and access everything using keyword or name search, content categories, or sub-folders.
Security and Privacy
- ZeroPC Cloud Navigator is safe to use. ZeroPC is compliant with all of the built-in security of the host 3rd party services such as Dropbox and Box.net. We use an industry standard and widely adopted encrypted token-based security technique called “Oauth”. All communication uses the same high level of encryption as banks and other financial institutions.
Official Android OS version support
- Honeycomb (Android 3.0, 3.1 and 3.2)
- Ice Cream (Android 4.0)
Your FREE personal lifetime cloud desktop
- When you sign up using the ZeroPC Cloud Navigator you also get a Free ZeroPC Web Virtual Desktop, turning your browser into a fully functional cloud desktop. You can quickly and easily navigate and launch built-in and favorite apps, run multiple apps, and access all your personal cloud content all within the same browser window. You can easily and securely create, access and share combinations of digital content - multiple folder, files - with anyone using a single URL. ZeroPC gives you 1GB of free cloud storage, plus integrated access up to an additional free 14 GB from popular cloud storage services. This is a total of up to 15GB of free combined storage!
- To access your Free ZeroPC Web Virtual Desktop account, just use the same login credential to sign in by going to www.zeropc.com. All you need is a browser!

Cocktail Flow Tablet

An absolutely gorgeous cocktail app, currently rated #2 on the Windows Phone Marketplaces, is now on Android.

Browse, find and discover cocktails with a continuously growing collection of drinks. The application features beautifully presented recipes and identifies cocktails that can be made from ingredients in your bar.

Photoon HD - Make your story

Photoon lets you create cool comic-style picture mashups. Just slice and dice however you want, throw in your pictures, zoom and rotate them, and you get something that looks totally bad-ass. Check it out: