The Tech Tinkle

2013-05-18T13:49:00.000+05:00

Microsoft IllumiRoom

Microsoft IllumiRoom and the CES 2013

Microsoft’s approach towards unveiling the curtains on its IllumiRoom Technology seemed rather queer to many at the CES. The software giant, who has been allegedly known to boast off their projects accompanied by tons of research papers and technical jargons, adopted somewhat a different strategy. Microsoft’s chief technology strategy officer Eric Rudder joined the Samsung keynote and showcased a video of an augmented reality projection unit designed uniquely to extend gaming onto nearby walls. The demo showed off a concept that appeared finely tuned, using what felt like a marketing video.

Based on what we saw at this year’s CES, the IllumiRoom adapts the science of 3D mapping, integrating it with the Microsoft’s Kinect sensors in order to “blur the lines between on-screen content and the environment we live in allowing us to combine our virtual and physical worlds.” Although Microsoft is trying to keep a hush hush on further details, the Illumiroom has already sparked interests of many around the world debating whether if it really is the future of gaming going beyond just our television sets or just another disappointment for its fans. Nonetheless, Microsoft is most probably going to release further details about the illumiroom in April at the ACM SIGCHI Conference at Paris about their plans to either develop the IllumiRoom as a consumer-friendly product or to use it as a jumping off point for further forays into the world of immersive gaming.

IllumiRoom and the Xbox rumors

As far as the rumors about its association with the next generation Xbox is concerned, Microsoft team has managed to remain smartly quiet about it. However, Rudder did share earlier that it's simply a proof-of-concept project and “the LED is projecting for a frame and then turning it off and Kinect IR is reading those layovers." "Then the Kinect turns off for a frame and then the projector goes on and then Kinect will go back and forth."

Based on what we heard from Rudder, Microsoft is indeed an incredibly sophisticated technology allowing you to project on almost anything irrespective of whether the surface is flat or not.

A glimpse behind the curtains:

The IllumiRoom system is self-calibrating and designed in a way that could work almost in any living room. The current prototype of the Microsoft Illumiroom uses a Kinect for Windows camera along with a projector to transfer content onto walls along with capturing both the color scheme and geometry of the room whereas the projector displays all of the visuals around your television set. Moreover, it also adds value to your games by not only extending the content, but also highlighting the edges of games and enhancing the selected game components such as weapons, fire and even explosions.

Additionally, the IllumiRoom also saturates the room colors by either making them appear as black and white or highlighting the edges of your living room. Microsoft is also rumored to be working on lighting effects in order to capture the motions from the game and display it within a living room thus extending the reality of the game objects and dispersing them out of the screen and onto a living room floor.

2013-05-18T12:43:00.001+05:00

Samsung S4 vs. Htc One --------- Survival of the fittest

So here we are, back once again contemplating on which android to opt for? Whether it is going to be the chic, sassy and durable HTC One? Or the revolutionary survivor Samsung S4…

Here are some key features to help you ease your decision and opt for one that would meet all your needs.

The Design

The new HTC One’s stunningly handsome 4.7-inch 1080p Super LCD3 display, edged on all sides by a thin black bezel backed up by a curved posterior not only gives it a perfect finish, but at the same time makes the device rather quite easy to hold, irrespective of its weight. The Samsung Galaxy S4 on the other hand, offers a larger display of almost 5 inches being comparatively thinner and lighter in terms of weight and gives a somewhat solid feel when held. However, it would be safe to point out here that when it comes to design HTC One undoubtedly offers a much more premium look and feel.

The Display

Nowadays when an HD screen has practically become one of the key standard requirements for all androids, HTC has definitely gotten the upper edge with a 1920 x 1080 pixel translating into a 468 ppi as compared to the Galaxy S4’s 441 ppi. Apart from this, the One also tends to outshine S4 in terms of brightness, registering 463 lux as compared to S4’s 296 lux causing its display to be somewhat dimmer and tougher to read.

The Features

The One’s 4 mega pixels rear camera makes it more sensational for shooting photos in the dark but it does not do much justice to the daylight, whereas the GS4 flaunts a 13 megapixel front and rear camera allowing users to exploit both photos as well as videos through its cameras along with a plenty of other creative options to explore the photographer within you. Additionally, Samsung has also successfully experimented with a range of other motions and gestures in S4 including Quick Glance, Smart Pause and even Air Browse while HTC seems to have played it safe this time, sticking to only Blink Feed that provides a visual news feed of everything that you would want to know or read.

The Final Verdict

Choosing between the two has been indeed no easy task …. at least not for me, since they both tend to have their own individual strengths and short comings. The S4 on one hand leads as one of the most feature rich android ever made, where you are bound to spend weeks just discovering its cool, enticing features. Moreover it is also equipped with a far more sophisticated keyboard and a spiky camera.

The One on the other hand confidently boasts its premium design and demeanor with enhanced speakers and a dazzling, vivid screen making it far more reliable for everyday usage.

Contributed by Kiren

Follow The Tech Tinkle on BBM Channels

2013-05-16T17:04:00.004+05:00

Just scan the following QR Code from within BBM or search for The Tech Tinkle and join in.

Blackberry Introduces BBM Channels!!

2013-05-16T16:45:00.000+05:00

Image Credits: Crackberry

Blackberry (formerly RIM) has announced some exciting stuff at their BlackBerry Live 2013 conference. Besides the third phone with BB10 OS, the Q5 specifically targeted towards teens and emerging markets, it also announced anew social platform BBM Channels, targeted towards brands, celebrities and businesses to stay in touch with their followers and give them instant updates and posts securely. Below is the blog post from the official BlackBerry blog:

Sharing: What 3D Printing Means for The Future.

2013-03-12T17:17:00.002+05:00

A very well written and knowledgeable article about 3D printing and its future, must read.

"Why this mattersThe ability to bring an object immediately into your home with the click of a button is bound to change the way our world works. 3D Printing is an inevitable part of our future, but what does that future look like?"

Link: What 3D Printing Means for The Future.

Image Credits: Above Article

Tech Tinkle Suspended!

2012-12-14T17:41:00.001+05:00

This blog is being suspended for some time, we hope to be back soon in a much better and improved way and with more indepth information about technology and smartphones!

Nokia Lumia 820

2012-09-07T14:21:00.000+05:00

So Nokia announced a refresh for its Lumia series of smartphones with Lumia 820 and Lumia 920. With Windows Phone 8 as the successor to Windows Phone 7/7.5 these new Lumia integrate some amazing and mind blowing hardware in them, to list a few:

Wireless Charging
NFC (rumored that iPhone 5 wont have it yet!)
Synaptics Touchscreen Technology/ You can use the phone even if you are wearing gloves
Carl Zeiss Optics

Specifications of Lumia 820:

Nokia Wireless Charging | Teaser Video

2012-09-05T19:59:00.000+05:00

Watch it and tell us in comments what you think and expect?

Game Changer? | Nokia Lumia and Wireless Charging

2012-09-05T18:26:00.000+05:00

Today on 5th of September 2012, Nokia and Microsoft are holding an event in NYC to launch and disclose Nokia's updated Lumia series with Windows Phone 8. We will also get to see Windows Phone 8 actually running live on the devices that will be demoed, unlike Samsung and others who only launched hardware but didn't show us WP8 working on them.

Now besides the updated Lumia series, Nokia is also rumored to show-off its Wireless Charging technology. Will it be a game changer and help Nokia regain its market share??? We will see in upcoming days, so stay tuned in to learn more.

Leaked Images of Lumia 920 & 820:

Wireless Charging:

Image credits: @evleaks

Tech World's Tinkle

2012-09-05T17:15:00.001+05:00

Yes its the time that Tinkle is on in the tech world. Last week at IFA in Berlin we saw some exciting gadgets from Samsung and many others powered by the upcoming Windows Phone 8 (we'll tell you about them in detail soon), then the rumors of iPhone 5 and the iPad mini, Nokia's another attempt to gain its "throne" by launching new devices with Windows Phone 8, leaking of BlackBerry 10 images, Samsung paying Apple $1 Billion in 30 trucks loaded with 25 cent coins (not exactly! they have filled an appeal for now) and much much more.

Advice: If you have got some money, save it, or start saving because in the next few weeks, there will be A LOT of exciting gadgets to get your hands on.

Keep tuned in for more!!!

Outlook.com | Microsoft vs Microsoft

2012-08-01T16:56:00.000+05:00

Microsoft launches its brand new, metro styled, email service Outlook.com. Currently being competition to its own Hotmail service, this could possibly be an upgrade path in upcoming future to upgrade Hotmail users to Outlook and phase out Hotmail over time, only time will confirm this, no official word yet.

Its simple, fast, metro styled, hub for your contacts from other social services, plus its UNLIMITED and offers a 7 GB SkyDrive. Now thats a good welcome gift. You could either signup for a new @outlook.com email or port in your existing @hotmail, @live or @msn emails to enjoy features of Outlook while keeping your old address.

Outlook.com

Microsoft Office 2013 | Customer Preview Download

2012-07-18T12:17:00.003+05:00

So finally Microsoft announced and revealed a Customer Preview of its flagship office suite, Microsoft Office 2013.

The 2013 version promises and incorporates the blending with the Windows 8 infrastructure, Metro Touch/Feel and the integration of Cloud technology. Check out the preview video below and head over to the download link to signup and grab a copy (upto 5 copies actually).

Download: Office 2013

Congrats RIM | Blackberry Appworld Crosses 3 Billion Downloads

2012-07-07T01:24:00.002+05:00

Well well well! With over 90,000 apps "up for sale" (as they like to call it ;) ) App World has finally crossed 3 billion downloads in just over 3 years, and the popularity of app world is growing at a great pace as highlighted in this article. One factor that personally made me very happy was the launch of Appworld in the emerging markets. Read out in more detail here:

Three Billion & Counting...

RIM Delays BB10 | Wait and Watch

2012-07-02T12:19:00.000+05:00

Update: I was about to write a detail article about the recent happenings around RIM, its quarterly loss, cutting down of about 5000 jobs and delay of its BB10 phones. Well i have changed my mind for now, and after the recent media appearances by RIM's executives, i think we need to wait and watch instead of giving an opinion at this point. So we will keep you posted and updated!!

iOS 6 Announced | Developers Download Now

2012-06-12T01:30:00.000+05:00

Today at it's WWDC 2012 event, Apple announced the much awaited iOS 6, with new and exciting features.

Apple iOS 6

Apple WWDC Keynote

iOS 6 is available to download for registered developers, final version is expected to be released in fall of current year.

(Un)Supported Devices:

iPhone 3gs, iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPod Touch 4g, iPad 2, iPad 3.
Support for iPad 1 and iPod Touch 3g has been dropped.

To mention a few of the new and upcoming features:

3D Maps (Built by Apple from scratch, says bye bye to Google Maps)
Updates to Siri + Siri for iPad 3
Passbook
Native Facebook Integration
Updates for Stock, Phone apps and other OS features
Guided Access (Parental Control)

Apple's WWDC 2012

2012-06-12T00:35:00.000+05:00

Today at its WWDC 2012, Apple announced tons of new stuff, ranging from new Macbook Pro, Mackbook Air, and the much awaited iOS 6.

Keep tuned in.

Image Source: Redmondpie

Xbox 360 | The Number 1 Console Worldwide

2012-06-05T02:02:00.001+05:00

Microsoft’s Don Mattrick has kicked off Microsoft E3 event today by announcing its flagship Xbox 360 console has gone from being the biggest selling console in North America to the most popular console worldwide.

Strictly for Developers | Playbook OS 2.1

2012-06-02T02:23:00.000+05:00

RIM the maker of BlackBerry smartphones and tablet Playbook has released a developer update for its Playbook OS, numbered up to 2.1.0.560.

If you are a developer or are willing to test this build (and see some better things but also face some issues, ITS A BETA) click Download, register and update.

Change log:

Improved HTML5 support
Portrait support for Email, Calendar and Contacts
Improved folder support including IMAP folder support
Full device encryption is now supported, so that the whole device and personal partition can be secure.
Screenshots are now saved in lossless PNG format.
Each Android app will now run in its own window. This greatly improves the user experience and consistency among the other application runtimes.
Access to the Camera hardware is now supported for Android apps, allowing many more application types to work on the BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet.
In-App Payment is now supported through the BlackBerry Payment SDK, so Android applications can include virtual items for sale in their applications

Microsoft Releases Windows 8 RP

2012-06-01T02:52:00.000+05:00

Microsoft today announced another release of its upcoming OS Windows 8. After the Developer Preview and Consumer Preview, version out now is Release Preview. Download now:

System Requirements:

Query: Updating BlackBerry Curve 9300 to OS 6

2012-06-01T02:40:00.000+05:00

head over to the Download page and download the OS installer. Then follow the following instructions:

Install the downloaded file
Delete Vendor.xml file located here:
•64-bit: Computer/C:/Program Files (x86)/Common Files/Research In Motion/AppLoader
•32-bit: Computer/C:/Program Files/Common Files/Research In Motion/AppLoader
In the same folder run Loader.exe and follow the on-screen instructions.

WARNING: REMOVE THE MEMORY CARD BEFORE STARTING THE PROCESS.

Sell RIM | Shareholders Demand

2012-05-31T12:22:00.001+05:00

Going through extreme tough times, lowest ever stock price and all the competition it could have, RIM (makers of BlackBerry) is not OK. The management is asking for a chance to give a last try to turn the company around with the launch of BB10 devices later this year, whereas investors and shareholders demand to seek a potential buyer like Microsoft or IBM and sell the company. Lets see what's next for RIM!!

RIM Sale Set When Board Obeys Shareholders - Businessweek

'via Blog this'

Want Android Notifications On Your PC??

2012-05-27T21:58:00.000+05:00

Many times we are so glued to the screens of our desktops/laptops that we either miss a call or a notification/message on our phone, even when its just besides us. Well no more! here is an awesome app for your Android device and your PC that will notify you about all notifications on your phone, be it phone call, sms, email, or any other.

Download Desk Notifier now:

PC Client
Android App

P.S: IT'S FREE!!

Jailbreak iOS 5.1.1

2012-05-27T21:03:00.001+05:00

Now you can jailbreak your iOS device running iOS 5.1.1 with the help of a simple tool. Here are the 2 different but easy to use tools to jailbreak your device.

Absinthe 2.0.2 Windows | Mac (just follow the on-screen instructions)
Rocky Racoon:

If you are already running iOS 5.1.1 and have a tethered jailbreak, go to Cydia and in search type " Rocky Racoon 5.1.1 Untether ". Follow the instructions and enjoy!!

A big thanks to the Redmondpie, Developers & Jailbreakers :D

Yahoo Axis | Available for Public Now!

2012-05-27T20:52:00.000+05:00

Yahoo launches Axis, its browser extension and a standalone browser for iOS devices.

Check it out: Yahoo Axis

RIM to cut at least 2000 jobs!

2012-05-26T22:05:00.001+05:00

Research In Motion Ltd (RIM.TO), the company behind BlackBerry is preparing for a major restructuring beginning in the next couple of weeks that will see it eliminate at least 2,000 jobs worldwide.

Canada's RIM to cut at least 2000 jobs: report | Reuters

'via Blog this'