MYIDEVICES

Nokia 808 PureView ushers in a revolution in smartphone imaging

2012-02-27T02:05:00.001-08:00

Nokia sets a new industry standard with the first in a range of high end experiences based on exclusive Nokia PureView imaging technologies.

Nokia ushered in a new era in high-end smartphone imaging with the Nokia 808 PureView. This is the first smartphone to feature Nokia PureView imaging technologies, bringing together high resolution sensors, exclusive Carl Zeiss optics and Nokia developed algorithms, which will support new high-end imaging experiences for future Nokia products.

The Nokia 808 PureView features a large, high-resolution 41 megapixel sensor with high-performance Carl Zeiss optics and new pixel oversampling technology. At standard resolutions (2/3, 5 and 8 megapixels) this means the ability to zoom without loss of clarity and capture seven pixels of information, condensing into one pixel for the sharpest images imaginable. At high-resolution (38 megapixel maximum) it means the ability to capture an image, then zoom, reframe, crop and resize afterwards to expose previously unseen levels of details. With superior low-light performance and the ability to save in compact file sizes for sharing in email, MMS, and on social networks, the Nokia 808 PureView makes it possible for anyone to capture professional looking images in any conditions.

In addition to superior still imaging technology, the Nokia 808 PureView, also includes full HD 1080p video recording and playback with 4X lossless zoom and the world's first use of Nokia Rich Recording. Rich Recording enables audio recording at CD-like levels of quality, previously only possible with external microphones. The Nokia 808 PureView also features exclusive Dolby Headphone technology, transforming stereo content into a personal surround sound experience over any headphones and Dolby Digital Plus for 5.1 channel surround sound playback.

Image: Nokia 808 PureView

"Nokia PureView imaging technology sets a new industry standard by whatever measure you use," said Jo Harlow, executive vice president of Nokia Smart Devices. "People will inevitably focus on the 41 megapixel sensor, but the real quantum leap is how the pixels are used to deliver breath-taking image quality at any resolution and the freedom it provides to choose the story you want to tell."

Nokia is a global leader in mobile communications whose products have become an integral part of the lives of people around the world. Every day, more than 1.3 billion people use their Nokia to capture and share experiences, access information, find their way or simply to speak to one another. Nokia's technological and design innovations have made its brand one of the most recognized in the world.

Launchy:Forget your start menu(windows)

2012-02-06T21:53:00.000-08:00

Developer: Josh Karlin

Version: 2.5

Price:Free

License Type:free

Date Added: 02/07/2012

Operating Systems: Windows

File Size: 4.34Mb

what is it?

Launchy is a free windows utility designed to help you forget about your start menu, the icons on your desktop, and even your file manager

You can download it right here

Google Sketch up for animators

2012-02-06T21:35:00.000-08:00

Google sketch up

Developer: Googlet

Version: 8.0.4811

Price:Free

License Type:free

Date Added:

02/07/2012

Operating Systems:

Windows

File Size: 40.11 MB

what it does?

Google SketchUp gives you the ability to easily create your own 3D models. With an easy-to-use interface and a wide swath of Help features, it's the perfect tool for beginner and intermediate designers alike.

You can download it right here

How to create an uncrackable password

2012-02-06T21:25:00.000-08:00

Every password you have is important. Here's how to make your passwords uncrackable.
We live in a password-driven world, where between four and 20 characters are the difference makers in whether you're able to access your data, communicate with friends, or make your online purchases. The problem is that passwords should be different everywhere you use them, and that can make it difficult to remember them all. And, if a password is truly strong, that makes it even more difficult. That's why we've put together this helpful password guide. Follow these tips and tricks to take total control of your terms for access.

Common Problems with Passwords
Use Different Passwords Everywhere

Why would you do this when it's so easy to just type "fido" at every password prompt? Here's why: If "fido" gets cracked once, it means the person with that info now has access to all of your online accounts. A study by BitDefender showed that 75 percent of people use their e-mail password for Facebook, as well. If that's also your Amazon or PayPal password and it's discovered, say good-bye to some funds, if not friends.

Remember the Underwear Meme
The saying goes like this: Passwords are like underwear. You should change them often (okay, maybe not every day). Don't share them. Don't leave them out for others to see (no sticky notes!). Oh, and they should be sexy. Wait, sorry, I mean they should be mysterious. In other words, make your password a total mystery to others.

You can make your password sexy if you really want, however. I won't judge.

Avoid Common Passwords
If the word you use can be found in the dictionary, it's not a strong password. If you use numbers or letters in the order they appear on the keyboard ("1234" or "qwerty"), it's not a strong password. If it's the name of your relatives, your kids, or your pet, favorite team, or city of your birth, guess what—it's not a strong password. If it's your birthday, anniversary, date of graduation, even your car license plate number, it's not a strong password. It doesn't matter if you follow this with another number. These are all things hackers would try first. They write programs to check these kinds of passwords first, in fact.

Other terms to avoid: "god," "money," "love," "monkey," "letmein," and for the love of all that's techie, if you use "password" as your password, just sign off the Internet right now.

App of the week:DropIt 3.9

2012-02-06T21:15:00.000-08:00

Organizing the files on your computer is tricky business. Not that the act itself is difficult, just moving / copying file from one place to another; but you are walking a fine line in terms of saving. One one hand an organization system makes it easier and saves time while trying to locate files later on; on the other hand if you spend too much time organizing, then you're not saving much anyway.

But why spend time doing what the computer can do near instantly? Automating things is a computer's job so manually organizing files is like heating a clothes iron on a stove. DropIt automates the tedious task of ensuring that the right files go to the right folders.
DropIt allows you to specify any number of "associations" that define how files that meet a particular criteria should be treated. For example, you might want to move all large .exe files (software setups) to a particular folder. For each association, you can specify, with wildcards, what patterns of file names and paths the rule is applicable to, and can filter based on the file's size and creation, modification and last opened dates.

Of course you also need tell the software what to do with the files that match your defined criteria. Here you have nine options, Move, Copy, Compress, Extract, Rename, Open With, List, Delete, and Ignore.
For each option you need to specify a destination. For Move, Copy, and Extract it is the destination folder; while for Compress and List it is the name of the output compressed / list file; for Delete you can specify whether the file is to be deleted to the Recycle Bin, permanently deleted, or securely deleted; Renaming needs a file renaming pattern; and finally Open With is to have the file opened with some other software.
Open With leaves the door open for pretty much anything. You can have it filter all your videos of a particular format, and have them sent to your video encoding software with the right parameters. Listing creates an HTML file with the list of files matching the criteria in it. This output can be themed using templates.

In most of these cases, you have access to a large number of system parameters, such as the name of the file, the extension of the file, the current time / date, common folders, and even the drive letter on which Drop It is installed. This last one can be very useful if the DropIt is running off an external drive; you can then have it search the computer it is connected to for a particular type of file (for example all documents), and collect them all it its own drive.

The DropIt floating icon.
Now that you have a bunch of associations you can have them applied to any number of files by dropping them on a floating DropIt icon. Optionally you can have these actions applied to a folder automatically a specified period of time; a great way to keep your downloads directory or Desktop directory organized. A bunch of rules can be bundled together as a profile; so you can have one profile automatically applied to your desktop every some time, while another is used when you drag and drop files to the DropIt icon.

DropIt is free open source software. You can download the latest version from here

Angry Brides to take on dowry in India

2012-02-06T02:14:00.000-08:00

Angry Brides

The awareness campaigns against the evil practice of dowry have now inspired a free online game. Named Angry Brides, the game is a spoof of the popular game, Angry Birds. The free online game was launched by the matrimonial website Shaadi.com. The game is available at the group's Facebook page – www.facebook.com/shaadi.com. The Angry Brides promo features a red-clad, eight-armed woman resembling a powerful Hindu goddess. The photo features a caption - "A woman will give you strength, care and all the love you need ... NOT dowry!"

To play the game, users have to try and hit three dodging grooms. The Angry Brides are given a wide range of weapons to choose from, including a stiletto shoe, a frying pan, broomstick and tomato. Each groom has a price tag, starting at Rs. 1.5 million. Every time user hits a groom, his value dips and money is added to user's Anti-Dowry Fund. According to Ram Bhamidi, senior vice president and head of online marketing for Shaadi.com, more than 270,000 people have liked the app since the game was launched.

Like Angry Brides, a similar game called Angry Anna was launched in August last year. Inspired by Anna Hazare's anti-graft movement, Angry Anna game featured Anna and his aides wiping out the corrupt politicians. The game has received massive popularity.

12 things you need to know about Facebook Timeline

2012-02-06T02:03:00.000-08:00

Mark zukerberg

Basically, until recently, users were able to opt-in to Timeline; now they will be automatically switched over. When you get Timeline, however, you'll have a seven-day preview period, during which you can delete the content that is on your profile and hide what you don't want displayed."

From the time you receive notification that you'll be getting Timeline, whether you want it or not, you have seven days—or until you hit "publish," whichever comes first—to check it out privately, before anyone else can see it. You can also jump the queue and turn Timeline on now, but do note that once you turn it on, you can't turn it off.

I turned on Timeline early, back in September, to learn as much as I could about it and put together some answers and tips for people when Timeline became non-optional. Here's a summary of what I've learned. You can also take a tour of Timeline in the slideshow, in case you want to get a closer look at some of the editing option and other buttons without turning it on.

Q: What is Facebook Timeline?
A: Timeline is a section of a Facebook user's account that replaces the Profile and Wall pages, and merges them together. It shows the story of your life, as you choose to tell it or as Facebook has recorded it, in a visual, scrolling, reverse-chronologically ordered timeline. It's a cross between visual blog and online scrapbook. Fun fact: Facebook Timeline was accidentally released very briefly to the public back in December 2010 when it was called "Facebook Memories," but it was promptly removed.

Q: How can I get Facebook Timeline?
A: Go to the Facebook Timeline announcement page and look at the bottom of the page for a green button that says "Get Timeline." If you press this button, there is no undo! And if you don't take this step, Facebook will automatically turn on your Timeline within the next few weeks.

Q: What appears on my Timeline?
A: Status updates, photos, friendships made, as well as job history, marital status changes, and other information that you've recorded in your profile.

Q: Is the Timeline replacing my Facebook wall?
A: Yes. Timeline replaces your Profile and Wall. But it does not change your news feed page. When you log into Facebook and go to Facebook.com, that feed page of Recent Stories will still be the same. But, when you or visitors go to your unique Facebook URL, such as facebook.com/jillduffyNYC, they'll be able to see your Timeline instead of your old profile information and wall.

Q: How do I edit what appears on Timeline and who can see it?
A: Every Timeline entry has two icons for editing: a pen icon in the upper right corner where you can hide or delete the object, and a cog or silhouette (depending on the type of object) found next to the time or date of the activity, that lets you adjust who can see the activity. See the image above for an example. Additional images in the slideshow illustrate these two editing principles in more detail.

Q: Can I restrict which people who can see certain pieces of information, photos, and other details of my Timeline?
A: Yes! In the same way that you can manage who can see a status update or photo, you can limit who sees all the entries of your Timeline. Each entry has a drop-down menu next to it that lets you filter who can see the item.

Q: Can I delete status updates, images, and other content from my Timeline?
A: Yes! Deleting is an option. Just click that pen icon to edit, and you'll see "delete."

Q: When will I be forced to have Timeline?
A: If you don't have Timeline yet, you will be forced to have it "in the next few weeks," according to Facebook. The company has not given any more specific information. And from the day you get Timeline, you have seven days to see it privately before other users can see it.

Q: It sounds like you've used Facebook Timeline a lot. How is it?
A: I must admit that I liked playing with it a lot more than I liked filling in standard profile information. I set up Timeline on a Facebook account that doesn't have too much data in it, so it didn't feel overwhelming, but I could see how an active Facebook user would feel totally bowled over the first time he or she opened the Timeline. If you have thousands of status updates and photos on Facebook, you could be in for a very busy seven days between the time you are forced to have Timeline and the day it goes live for all to see.

You will want to use those seven days to tease your Timeline into shape, adding the permissions you want, deleting or marking private images you don't want everyone to see, and so forth.

But remember, by and large, this is a one-time setup process. After the one-time setup, new Timeline entries will come from your Facebook activity, and you'll be adding permissions and making other adjustments as you go. In other words, you have the tools to edit who can see what every time you put something on Facebook, and those permissions carry over onto Timeline. But, in the earlier days of Facebook, no one had those permission settings, so all old materials is public to all by default.

Other parts of Timeline that I like: that you can add life events, either current or back-dated. Some of the life events are pre-set in Facebook, like getting a new job and buying a home, but you can also create a custom life event or milestone.

Back-dating entries is great for photos. Say you post an old photo from 10 years ago. You can add the year 2002 so it shows up on Timeline with some sense of chronology and context.

You can back-date entries on your timeline with a nice calendar that lets you quickly jump to a year in the past, and optionally, you can add a month. If you want to add a memory from your childhood or back-date photos from your past, it's pretty easy to do so.

Q: What are some of the cons to Facebook Timeline?
A: The biggest cons: It's mandatory, or non-optional. You have only seven days from the date you're forced to have Timeline to when it is visible to all to review what's on it.

A minor con is that the dimensions for display images are unconventional, and I found that I didn't like how most of my images looked when I uploaded them without manipulating their size and dimensions. You can drag an image around the viewer space, but you can't crop or resize from directly within Facebook. (I'm taking bets now on how soon Facebook will build an image editor, or acquire a company that already makes one.)

Q: What is Timeline Apps integration?
Timeline Apps integration lets you post to Facebook Timeline the activities that you do in other apps. There are about 80 apps supported right now. For example, if you allow the Web site Pinterest permission to post to your Timeline (and yes, you have to turn it on; it's off by default), Pinterest will create a little box on your Timeline where it shows your Pinterest activity. Another example: You can set up the Wall Street Journal online to post to Timeline when you have read an article. Or you have have Spotify post to Timeline when you listen to a song. It's basically the same as apps activity in the Facebook Ticker, but on your Timeline.

Serenade(to sing a song) Your Date On Valentine's Day!

2012-02-06T01:50:00.000-08:00

Send something special to someone special this Valentine's Day with a little help from Heineken!

If you've ever felt like serenading a potential Valentine with a song that says everything you want to say (but better!), then check out Heineken's latest video in the ongoing "Open Your World"campaign: Serenade.
This video accompanies a Valentine's Day Facebook App, launching on 1st February. Clicking the video sends you straight to the App, where you can create your own fully personalized Serenade for a date in just four clicks. You must first select Who you would like to take on a date, Why you want to go out with them, then decide What you want to do on your Legendary Date, and of course, explain why your chosen date should step out with you - Why Me. Once you've made your choices, your Serenade will be ready to send to your lucky date.

Once complete, it's all about waiting to see whether you will receive a Yes or No from them. With a total of 640 different Serenades available (and in 20 different languages, no less), you should be able to find the legendary Serenade that will bring you romance.

Both the sender and the recipient will have to allow the Facebook App to send and open their Serenade respectively. Supporting the App, Serenade Live is an eight-hour live, global event taking place on 9th February, which will be streamed on Heineken's YouTube channel. Full of live content, it's shaping up to be a great campaign that will see the world making connections everywhere.

10 technologies that will make your next road trip a whole lot of fun

2012-02-06T01:33:00.000-08:00

1. OnTheWay
A little bit of planning goes a long way. On theWay shows you routes toward your destination and culls data from Foursquare, Yelp, Google Places and Lonely Planet to find interesting stops en route to your final destination. The pit stops can be added to your trip itinerary to create custom maps.

2. GasBuddy
Thousands of people regularly post gas prices on GasBuddy.com. This data fuels the website and its smartphone apps (for iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows devices) to help you find the cheapest gas nearby. No more second guessing yourself when you’re on the road wondering if the station you just passed is too expensive or actually a fair price.

Image: iOnRoad

gas hog

3. GasHog
It’s great to see new places, but I can’t help but feel a tinge of guilt every time I fill up. It’s not just my wallet that hurts, but the gas-pumping ritual makes polar bears sad, with their world melting underneath. I try to remind myself to drive efficiently. The surest way to know your hypermiling is working is by tracking your miles per gallon. It doesn’t get simpler than the iOS app GasHog, which keeps tabs on costs and offers tips to improve fuel economy.

4. iOnRoad
When your smartphone is mounted above the dashboard, the iOnRoad Android app, pictured left, uses your phone’s built-in sensors and camera to map objects in front of the vehicle while calculating speed in real time. When you might be in a precarious driving situation, the app will display visual and audio alerts.

5. Pandora
Do you have the time to burn a CD? Do you even have a spindle of blank discs lying around? Didn’t think so. Every road trip needs an awesome playlist. That’s where Pandora comes in handy.

These days, new cars are outfitted with infotainment systems that parallel a tablet experience. But if you’re like me and drive a car reaching clunker status, automatic windows and a multi-disc CD player are your car’s bells and whistles. A few simple accessories can offer small but noticeable updates.

smartphone window mount

6. Smartphone window mount
If you don’t have a dedicated GPS device, it’s probably time to get one. After all, it’s 2012. But smartphones do a pretty decent job too. Using navigation while fussing with your phone on the freeway is a lousy idea. An easy solution? A smartphone mount. Bracketron’s universal GPS window mount, pictured left, fits most handheld devices and includes a 360-degree rotating head.

7. USB car charger
Cars have adapted to meet our changing needs. Practically a staple in all newer cars, USB ports are sorely lacking in older models. USB car chargers, such as XtremeMac’s InCharge Auto Series lets you power up devices by way of the cigarette lighter when you’re on the go.

interactive backseat window

8. Interactive backseat window
If you think driving can be boring, think about antsy, sugar-fueled kids in the back. A new GM technology attempts to transform the backseat window into an interactive screen. The Windows of Opportunity project produced a prototype that can run various apps, including an app called Foofu, which simulates fogging up the mirror so you can draw with your fingers. Other apps include Pond, which lets you stream and share music with other cars on the road. Screaming “I’m going to turn this car around if you …” might be a thing of the past.

touch screen wheel

9. Touchscreen steering wheel
A touchscreen wheel prototype from Germany is attempting to make driving safer. Gestures on the wheel’s surface lets the driver control radio or navigate a map. The professor who came up with the device says the wheel could also work in tandem with head’s up display technology, which projects information onto the car’s windshield.

10. Driverless cars
Human error accounts for 95 percent of car accidents. You might not want to accept it, but a robot can drive a lot better than you. Though we’re still about a decade away from seeing driverless cars in dealerships, prototypes thus far have found them superior drivers. Their reaction is a whole lot faster than yours. Can you see 360 degrees? Not to mention that robot cars don’t get sleepy, drunk, or distracted by text messages. Personal chauffer? Yes please.

HRD to scrap deal with IIT -Rajasthan

2012-02-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

aakash ubislate 7

After initial reports suggested that the HRD Ministry might terminate its contract with DataWind to manufacture theAakash tablets, it seems the government will be pulling out the procurement tender for Aakash 2 from IIT Rajasthaninstead. The move comes after a spat between IIT-Rajasthan and DataWind. Adding insult to injury, the responsibility of drafting specifications and features for the new version has been transferred to the Ministry of Communications and IT.

A government official at the HRD ministry said, "We have realised that educational institutes are not capable of handling tenders as it involves large sums of money and handling vendors. Public sector undertakings are much better equipped to handle it". It's been reported that public sector undertakings such as ITI Ltd or Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd (TCIL) might be considered for procuring the next generation of the device instead.

More iphones are sold than babies born each day

2012-02-01T21:35:00.000-08:00

After Apple’s bonkers quarterly earnings announced yesterday, we learned the company sold more than 37 million iPhones during the last three months of 2011. Designer Luke Wroblewski (@lukew) took it one step further and pulled numbers from Wolfram Alpha to find Apple makes more iPhones than humans make babies. There are more iPhones sold per day (402k) than people born in the World per day (300k).

On a per-day basis, the number of iPhones sold breaks down to 377,900, higher than the average birth rate of 371,000.

But as The Next Web points out, two factors will skew these numbers: 1. The birth rate isn’t static, and 2. the Christmas season isn’t indicative of Apple’s year-round performance.

“But still, it’s a pretty staggering statistic, especially when you consider that Apple is selling every one of those devices it can make,” the blog writes. “In fact, demand for iOS devices was exceeded again in the quarter, even as Apple announced that it had sold some 135M total.”

Mission Impossible (Ghost Protocol) windows 7 theme

2012-02-01T21:22:00.000-08:00

The latest Mission Impossible movie Windows 7 theme is available for download from Microsoft official site. This theme will bring to your PC’s desktop both stills from the movie, as well as high resolution posters for it.

“Tom Cruise returns to try and save the International Monetary Fund in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to download the free Windows 7 theme and get a glimpse of the action and adventure that you can expect in the film.Get the feel on your desktop.

GHOST PROTOCOL WINDOWS 7 THEME

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ's About Downgrading Apple Devices

2012-01-04T02:44:00.001-08:00

What is Downgrading?

Downgrading is the process of installing a previous version of iOS, the software on your iDevice. In order to fight fragmentation (and other things), Apple does not allow users to downgrade their iDevice software. So the jailbreak community had to come up with their own solution.

If you’ve ever updated your iPhone’s software through iTunes before, you’ve probably noticed the “verifying restore with Apple” message before. That’s iTunes, talking with Apple’s servers, to make sure you are installing the newest version of iOS.

How is Downgrading Possible?

With a little bit of text editing and the use of applications like TinyUmbrella, we can actually trick iTunes into thinking it’s talking to Apple’s servers. When in actuality, the sync-software is redirected to Saurik’s servers which gives the thumbs up to proceed with the restore of the older firmware.

Why Would I Need to Downgrade?

As mentioned earlier, app developers who want to make sure their applications are compatible with earlier versions of firmware would want to downgrade. The most common reason you’ll see on this site however, is to save a jailbreak.

Although it only takes us a click of a button for us, the work behind jailbreaking can sometimes take months. If you update to a version of iOS that hasn’t been jailbroken yet, downgrading will allow you to revert to a version that has.

What Are SHSH Blobs and How Important are They?

We won’t get too much into what SHSH blobs are (click here for our detailed explanation), but they are important. Like you typically-can’t-downgrade without-previously-saving-your-SHSH-blobs important.

The blobs contain your iDevice’s ECID (digital fingerprint) and play an important role in the communication between iTunes and “Apple.” This is why before you upgrade your iOS firmware, we ALWAYS recommend you save your SHSH blobs from the current version.

This can be done with programs like TinyUmbrella or iFaith. Both are free to download and fairly simple to use. We recommend saving your SHSH blobs on every jailbroken firmware you land on, so even if your iDevice gets accidentally updated in the future, you can always go back.

iphone 4S vs Iphone 4 vs Nokia Lumia 800 browsing performance test

2012-01-02T22:46:00.000-08:00

Geeks really like benchmarks – they’re one of the best ways to compare hardware speeds, and things are no different in the world of the smartphone.

With the aim of comparing the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and Nokia’s Windows Phone 7-powered Lumia 800, YouTube user 359gsm set about running a selection of web-based benchmarks to see just which of the three phones is the quickest when it comes to rendering web pages.

The iPhone 4S did particularly well in the tests, with the older iPhone 4 more than holding its own, too…

Comparing the iPhone’s Mobile Safari with Windows Phone 7′s Internet Explorer Mobile will always raise a few eyebrows, especially with Microsoft making so much noise about its own offering. Interestingly, when the video shows all three devices running Microsoft’s own “speed reading” test, the iPhone 4S is the clear winner.

The reason this is so interesting is that Microsoft used the iPhone 4 as a comparison to Windows Phone 7 not that long ago, showing how much faster Internet Explorer was than Safari. Well, it seems someone at Apple saw the comparison too, and the iPhone 4S more than makes up for the iPhone 4′s lackluster performance!

Check out the full results below, and remember that the iPhone 4 is running iOS 4.3 while the iPhone 4S is using the 5.0 version of iOS. No, we’ve no idea why they decided not to upgrade the iPhone 4, either!

“Browsermark Test: Higher is better
iPhone 4 (iOS 4.3) – 37 503
Nokia Lumia 800 (WP7.5 aka Mango) – 30 452
iPhone 4S (iOS 5) – 86 702
Speed Reading Test:
iPhone 4 (iOS 4.3) – 2 fps (iPhone 4 with iOS 5.0 – around 37 fps)
Nokia Lumia 800 (WP7.5 aka Mango) – 40 fps
iPhone 4S (iOS 5) – 60 fps
Sunspider Test: Lower is better
iPhone 4 (iOS 4.3) – 4018.2 ms
Nokia Lumia 800 (WP7.5 aka Mango) – 7188.7 ms
iPhone 4S (iOS 5) – 2266 ms
Acid3 Test:
iPhone 4 (iOS 4.3) – 100/100
Nokia Lumia 800 (WP7.5 aka Mango) – 100/100
iPhone 4S (iOS 5) – 100/100
HTML5 Test:
iPhone 4 (iOS 4.3) – 210
Nokia Lumia 800 (WP7.5 aka Mango) – 141
iPhone 4S (iOS 5) – 296″

There’s life in the iPhone 4 yet!

All you need to know while buying a right kind of computer for youself

2012-01-01T21:02:00.000-08:00

Today, a person looking for a computer has half a dozen options, with different form factors, price segments and performance ability. Many people opt for more than one computer - one to park at the desk at home and another to lug around at work. So which one(s) works best for you? If you are confused, read through to learn the art of finding which computer works for you.

All-in-ones

All in ones combine the CPU (the box that contains the processor, motherboard, hard drive, etc.), speakers and display into one unit. Basically, it looks like a display on your desk. Its forte is its relatively compact form factor, freeing you from a tangle or wires, and depending on the model, it even manages to pack in some very decent specifications.

Some all-in-ones can even be used as televisions and feature touchscreens. Where they come up a bit short is in the fact that while they have more processing power than notebooks, they lag behind conventional desktops in this department. Also, in most cases the hardware cannot be upgraded as well.

PRICE: Rs 20,000 onwards

PROS: Compact; Fewer wires to tangle with; Decent performers

CONS: Limited upgrade options; Not on par with desktops in terms of performance

WORKS BEST FOR: Those who want a decent performing device on their desks, without too much clutter

Desktops

The fact that desktops have existed in more or less the same form factor for more than two decades now is a tribute to their resilience. Moreover, they can be customised almost infinitely - you can change the processor, the graphics, the display, the keyboard, et al - making them the favourite device of all power users.

Unlike other devices, you can actually configure a desktop as per your requirements. And all this at a relatively low cost. You can even start off with a relatively modest machine if restricted by your budget and keep adding to it in the years that pass. However, it does keep you anchored you to your desk, and more often than not, comes with a tangle of wires.

PRICE: Rs 20,000 onwards

PROS: Relatively affordable; Easy to upgrade and customise; Performance as per requirements

CONS: Bulky; No battery backup unless you get a UPS; Cables

WORKS BEST FOR: Those whose work needs high-performance computing such as gamers and designers, and who do not like to change machines often

Netbooks

They arrived four years ago and shook up the computing world by offering basic computing at rock-bottom prices. And that is where they remain, not withstanding significant improvements in processing speed and configurations. The netbook even today represents pretty much the bottom of the computing pyramid, delivering performance that is more than adequate if all you are looking for is browsing the Web and working on MS Office documents.

Handling high-end gaming and multimedia are not its forte, thanks to its limited processing power and relatively small displays (10.1-inches usually). But it more than compensates for these with its light and compact form factor (most weigh between 1-1.4 kg), connectivity options and a price tag that is the lowest in all mobile computing devices.

PRICE: Rs 10,000-Rs 25,000

PROS: Very affordable; Great for browsing and basic document handling; Compact and portable

CONS: Limited processing power; Not great for highend computing

WORKS BEST FOR: Those who are constantly on the move and want online connectivity, without spending too much

Apple Brings Fuel Cells Technology To Charge Up Their Devices For Weeks

2011-12-28T00:32:00.000-08:00

Late last week the US Patent Office released a patent application (PDF) filed by Apple in April of this year. The application deals with “a fuel cell system which is capable of both providing power to and receiving power from a rechargeable battery in a portable computing device.” Such a system “eliminates the need for a bulky and heavy battery within the fuel cell system,” thereby allowing for a significant reduction in size and weight of the device.

Over the last few years, battery technology has emerged as the major limiting factor in the advance of smartphone technology. Apple’s iPhone has been constantly plagued by reports of poor battery life, going all the way back to the iPhone 3G. The iPhone 4S pays for its more advanced technology – namely Siri and its faster processor – with a surprisingly short battery life. Apple is rumored to have a software fix in the works – iOS 5.1 is expected to help with battery issues – but there is only so much a software fix can do. The smartphone industry is in desperate need of a breakthrough in battery technology. Apple’s fuel cell technology may be just such a breakthrough.

The limitations imposed by current battery technology is mostly exclusive to smartphones. Apple’s notebooks – the MacBook Pro and MackBook Air – and the iPad tablet have all been largely immune to the kinds of battery life complaints leveled at the iPhone. The issue is one of size: the smaller a battery gets, the less power it will hold. The more technology Apple and other manufacturers try to cram into the shell of a smartphone, the smaller the battery becomes, and consequently the lower the battery life. Conversely, a battery that satisfied users’ power demands would increase the size and weight of the device, which would in turn lead to user complaints that the phone was too bulky. Fuel cells would go a long way toward solving this dilemma.

It is worth noting, however, that this is only a patent application. Apple has filed countless such applications as it has explored various technologies over the years, and not all of them have panned out. At present, all this means is that Apple is exploring the possibility of using fuel cell technology in their devices. So, don’t expect next year’s iPhone to suddenly be sporting fuel cells in place of traditional batteries. Indeed, we may never see fuel cells in Apple devices. But then again, we know that Apple is at least exploring the technology, so don’t be surprised if in a couple years Apple announces a phone that you only have to charge once a week, instead of once a day.

HTC Rhyme Complete Review And Price

2011-12-27T21:17:00.000-08:00

NEW DELHI: Rhyme is the latest addition to HTC's portfolio and it comes with a 'Charm' of its own. Well, the charm is an accessory included in the box. It's a small cube that lights up to indicate an incoming call or SMS. It connects to the phone's 3.5mm audio jack - which obviously means that you can either use the charm or listen to music (even the loudspeaker switches off since the phone thinks a headset is plugged in).

It could be useful in meetings and maybe in the movie theatre where you can keep the ringer off and have the charm notify you of calls and messages. Honestly, we think it will just end up gathering dust after the first few days of use. Like most other HTC devices, the Rhyme has a great build quality.

At first glance, you can see that it is heavily inspired by the HTC Radar's design. The area around the display is all-metal and it stretches to one third of the back as well. The rest of the phone is plastic -including the back-cover. The battery is not user replaceable - which may irritate some users. Another annoyance is the tight pull-out cover for the microUSB port.

The 3.7-inch S-LCD display on the phone is impressive - sharp details with good sunlight legibility, but it really can't compete with an amoled display (Samsung offers the Omnia W Windows phone with same size super amoled display for Rs 20,900). The phone in itself is a standard affair.

It has a 1Ghz processor with 768MB RAM and 1GB internal storage (expandable via microSD card). Other features are what you would expect - 3G, Wi-Fi with hotspot, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS and FM.

The 5MP rear camera is a good performer with excellent images in daylight. The backlight HDR mode is a welcome addition and provided for images with well-balanced colors and sharp details.

Video recording is limited to 720p HD and again the output quality is excellent (though the lack of TV-out was disappointing, especially at this price).

What is irritating is that you need to insert a microSD card for the camera to save images, it does not save them on the internal storage. HTC reworked the 'Sense' interface, making it much more stable than what we saw on the flagship HTC Sensation.

The main menu is now divided into three segments for quick access - all apps, frequent and downloaded. There are just two icons at the home screen - one to access the app menu and the other to launch the call log - simple and convenient. Another strength of the phone is battery life.

With a full charge; data, calls, SMS and various apps running, the phone easily managed to work for a day and a half. HTC has priced the phone at Rs 29,990, which just seems stupid. If you are looking to spend a similar amount, get the Samsung Galaxy SII, which has a larger and better display, better hardware (1.2Ghz dual core, 1GB RAM & 16GB storage), better camera and similar battery life.

Specifications: 3.7-inch S-LCD display, 1Ghz processor, 768MB RAM, 1GB Storage + microSD slot, HTC Sense 3.5 5MP rear/VGA front camera, 3G, Wi-Fi with hotspot, Bluetooth, Android 2.3, 1600mAh, 130g

Price: Rs 29,990

Plus: Excellent build quality, battery life, great camera, sound output

Minus : Expensive, requires microSD card to use camera, no TV out, rigid microUSB port

Pre-order UbiSlate 7+ Now In India

2011-12-27T20:47:00.000-08:00

Developed by the same parent company, DataWind, this slate sports a slightly higher price tag and comes integrated with more functions than the Aakash.

The forthcoming slate operates on a Connexant processor along with a graphics accelerator and an HD video processor. While the Aakash was aimed at the student brigade in the country, this tablet has been developed for catering to the masses, irrespective of age and profession. It comes equipped with 256MB of RAM and 2GB internal memory

which is capable of being expanded up to 32GB via the microSD card slot.

Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO of DataWind, explained, “This is a made-in-India product. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do this. The final goal is to either provide the same features at a lower cost or provide better functionality and features at the same cost.”

2.3 OS, this upcoming mobile device is incorporated with a 7-inch 800 x 480p display. The Wi-Fi enabled tablet features GPRS, which makes it capable of offering SIM and phone functionalities. Also, it runs on an integrated 3,200mAh battery and is compatible with almost all kinds of audio, video and document formats.

The UbiSlate 7+ will hit shelves in India starting January 2012 and can now be pre-ordered online at ubislate.com. It is priced at Rs. 3,000.

Water-powered radio hits the market

2011-11-27T03:01:00.001-08:00

For energy-conscious music fans who like to keep clean, it could be the answer to their prayers.

The man who helped turn the Wind-Up Radio into a global success in the 1990s has invented a radio that is powered by the motion of water flowing into a shower.

The H20 water-powered radio clips onto the water pipe that runs up to a shower head. Using micro turbine technology, the radio is powered by the water pressure running up a pipe.

“The radio runs on energy generated solely through the flow of water, starting as the shower is turned on. It harnesses power that would otherwise literally go straight down the drain,” said a spokesman for Tango Group, the radio’s manufacturer.

Tango hopes that the waterproof radio will enjoy the same success as the Wind-Up Radio. The H20 was invented by Vivian Black, a former director of Freeplay Energy Group, which helped turn Trevor Baylis’s Wind-UP Radio into a commercial success in the 1990s.

Mr Blick, who is now Tango’s managing director, said: “Having seen huge success with the commercialisation of the Wind-Up Radio, we were constantly looking into new ways that further innovations in the radio sector could be made.

“Creating the now-patented micro turbine technology, that allows the radio to operate solely through the flow of water, was the key to our new innovation; and thus the world’s first water-powered shower radio was created.”

The lightest material in the world

2011-11-19T10:21:00.000-08:00

Washington, Nov 19 (TruthDive): Scientists claim to have created the world’s lightest solid material so light that even a feathery dandelion can comfortably hold its weight without having its little fluffy seeds mashed.

A team of researchers from UC Irvine, HRL Laboratories and the California Institute of Technology have developed the material with a density of 0.9 mg/cc.

The substance is made of tiny hollow metallic tubes – the walls of which are 1,000 times thinner than those of a human hair – arranged into a criss-crossing diagonal pattern with small open spaces between them. It has a unique “micro-lattice” cellular architecture.

The secret to its lightness is a cellular architecture fabricated from hollow tubes that supports a material structure that is in reality 99.99 per cent air, according to the research team that built it.

That means the material’s density is less than one-thousandth that of water. And the stuff is pretty resilient as well—researchers said that when squashed to half its height, the material rebounds 98 per cent of the way back.

“The trick is to fabricate a lattice of interconnected hollow tubes with a wall thickness 1,000 times thinner than a human hair,” lead author Tobias Shandler of HRL said.

Bill Carter, manager of the architected materials group at HRL, said that to understand the structure of the material, it can be compared with either the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Golden Gate Bridge over San Francisco Bay. Like each of them, the material is light and weight-efficient, but on a Nano scale.

The material seen in the picture above is made out of 90 percent nickel. According to Carter, however, it can be made out of other metals as well — the nickel version was just the easiest to make, the report stated.

The first time the stress test was carried out and repeated the material became less stiff and strong, but the team says that further compressions made very little difference.

“Materials actually get stronger as the dimensions are reduced to the nanoscale,” said team member Lorenzo Valdevit.

According to the scientists, the material, extraordinarily strong and shock-absorbent, is like a feather. It floats down, and its terminal velocity depends on the density. When dropped from shoulder height, it takes more than 10 seconds to touch the ground.

Use your iphone to pay via credit card

2011-11-18T12:15:00.000-08:00

Credit cards aren’t just for store anymore. With fewer shoppers carrying cash these days, some non-profits have started embracing mobile-payment technology to raise funds.

This holiday season, bell ringers for the Salvation Army, which brings in almost $2 billion in revenue annually, began taking digital donations using Square, the New York Times reports. Ringers, equipped with Android smartphones donated by Sprint Nextel, will begin accepting Square in Dallas, San Francisco, Chicago and New York. The organization hopes Square will be more successful than its old credit-card terminal, which was last used nationally in 2009, after bringing in only $60,000. Cash donations, in contrast, totaled $148 million in 2010.

Earlier in the year, Intuit partnered up with Girl Scouts of Northern Ohio for the organization’s 99th anniversary to collect credit-card payments for cookie sales with GoPayment, Intuit’s mobile-payment app. In addition to its free reader, Intuit also reduced transaction fees for the scouts. In the past, troops had lost sales because fewer customers were carrying cash, the organization’s business director said. The initiative paid off. By accepting credit cards, troops saw a 13 percent increase in cookie sales, with each scout selling an average of 20 more boxes, according to Intuit.

These non-profits have learned that if you’re trying to raise funds, it’s time to start taking plastic.

Apple’s iPhone 4S will launch on 25th November in India

2011-11-14T11:04:00.000-08:00

Those living in India won’t have much longer to wait before they can get their hands on an iPhone 4S, according to reports.

The Times of India is reporting that Apple will begin selling its latest iPhone through at least one of its usual carrier partners in the country on November 25th, with both Bharti Airtel and Aircel set to offer the popular handset.

Aircel has already begun teasing the iPhone 4S to customers via its official Facebook page, similar to what UK and other international carriers did before their respective launches…

November 18th is the date pencilled in for the beginning of pre-orders, according to reports.

The Next Web has done the math based on the US selling price of an iPhone 4S 16GB, and it believes that the same model will retail for around ₹35,000 and ₹40,000. The devices will be unlocked, with the unusual reverse subsidy used to bring customers’ monthly payments down over a two-year contract.

As is the case in other countries, Indian carriers are expected to begin offering the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS at discounted prices once the 4S has gone on sale, giving Apple fans an entry point into iPhone ownership, no matter their budget.

Indian customers will no doubt be relieved at the news that they will receive the new iPhone much sooner than they have in the past. Customers have had waits of up to 11 months after the initial US release date before now, a trend which Apple seems to be leaving behind this time around.

The future of transportation-The multicopter(video)

2011-11-08T09:57:00.000-08:00

Small RC helicopters are fun at home, the park, even in the office. But combine a whole bunch of them together, and you get a “multicopter,” capable of shuttling around a person.

OK, so the e-volo multicopter is a bit more complex than office toys. The multicopter can take off and land like a helicopter with its 16 propellers. It can safely land even if four of the 16 motors fail, according to the company. If you’re still concerned about safety, rest assured that you can use a parachute on the e-volo since there aren’t propellers blocking the deployment area. For now, flight time is about 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the load and battery capacity.

The device runs entirely on electricity, using about 6 euros of electricity for a one-hour flight, and is controlled with a joystick. Since the control firmware can be integrated with obstacle detection, it’s possible to set automatic flight for predetermined points on a 3D map.

Still under development, e-volo says possible applications include aerial photography, field inspection of large facilities, sightseeing flights, air ambulance and air taxi. See a demonstration in the video below.

Women give birth to baby girl in a marathon

2011-11-08T09:43:00.000-08:00

Amber Miller had a long day on Sunday. She ran the Chicago Marathon. Then she had a sandwich with her husband, who also ran. Then they went to the hospital, where Amber gave birth to a baby girl.

When Miller registered for the marathon two days before she found out she was pregnant. The veteran of seven marathons continued running throughout the pregnancy, and got permission from her doctor before taking on the race. She half ran, half walked the 26.2 miles, explaining her time of 6:25- much slower than usual.

A few minutes after reaching the finish line, Miller, who was 39 weeks pregnant and a week from her due date, realized she was going into labor. She and the 7 pound, 13 ounce baby June are proof that some athletes just can’t be held back, and that people are capable of amazing feats.

Exercising during a pregnancy is important, though there are easier ways to stay in shape than running marathons.

Samsung debuts new product-The Note

2011-11-06T10:14:00.000-08:00

It had to happen. On Thursday, Samsung debuted a tablet-phone hybrid with the 5.3-inch Galaxy Note.

Samsung’s new product category, CNET reports, combines tablet-like functionality with smartphone features and portability.

The Note, with a 1.4-gigahertz dual-core processor, has a Super AMOLED touchscreen, which Samsung says is more vivid and brighter than standard hi-def displays. The screen — large for a smartphone, tiny for a tablet — makes is easy to view websites, books and documents, but overall the phone is pretty thin at 9.65 millimeters.

It runs on Android’s Gingerbread operating system, comes with a stylus (did we return to the ’90s?) and has both a 2-megapixel front camera and 8-megapixel rear camera. With 16-gigabyte and 32-gigabyte versions, the phone will also support the various 4G networks: one model will support HSPA+ and the other LTE. But details are scant on pricing and timing.