OnlyGizmos

Endless Racing Game: Where the car goes beyond your iPhone screen

Kunal — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:05:12 +0000

The “Endless Racing Game” is an iPhone App that is as amazing as it is fun. The game keeps jumping from one iPhone to another endlessly until the car reaches a finish line. The video promo (after the break) was developed by aligning several iPhones, resulting in a really cool iPhone game in action.

The developers (a Dutch online insurance company called VrijVerzekerd) claim that the endless gaming action can be achieved by using two or more handsets via Bluetooth. The game can also be played on a single-player mode, where if you reach the finish line within 60 seconds, the car will “jump” to the other connected iPhone handset.

The Endless Racing Game app is available for free from the AppStore.

[via iPhoneSavior]

Similar Posts:

Retweet Limited Rollout : Official Retweet (in Beta) by Twitter

Kunal — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:42:04 +0000

The most popular feature of Twitter is interestingly something that was not invented by Twitter. We are talking about the RT – or the “Retweet” – option. We do not know how exactly the Retweet function started, but we surely know that it got Twitter interested. Twitter has been working on the Retweet function (of its own) for a long time now, and has finally made it live – at least in beta form.

Twitter has launched a limited edition of the official Retweet feature. This is available to a certain set of users. Twitter has added a retweet button next to the reply button on the tweet.

Once the feature is fully live, it will show all those users who have retweeted a particular tweet right under that specific tweet. For now, those accounts in which the Retweet feature has not yet been activated will see the RT prefix on the retweet. One can also cancel a retweet by clicking ‘Undo’ in the same tweet.

A disappointing thing is that these retweets cannot be edited. So, the popular practices of writing +1 or leaving a comment before the RT will no longer be available when using the Official Retweet. Another issue is that most Twitter clients (like Echofon) do not feature the Official Retweet. But this is a temporary issue, and should be solved with future updates in these clients.

With the editing feature missing from the Official Retweet, would you rather stick to the popular practice of writing RT? Do tell us in the comments.

[via Twitter Blog]

Similar Posts:

The Droids are here!

Kunal — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:37:12 +0000

The much awaited Motorold Droid and HTC Droid Eris are now up for sale. Both the handsets are amazing and both feature Google’s Android OS. The Motorola Droid is available for $199 with a two year contract while the HTC Droid Eris is availabe for $99 with a two year contract. Both the phones are availabe on Verizon Wireless.

Motorola Droid is also available at a discounted rate of $188 with 2 year contract at Walmart. Another retail option for the Motorola Droid (other than Verizon Retail and Walmart) is Best Buy.

For those (in the US) who are eager to buy the HTC Droid Eris but don’t want a contract, this cellphone is available for $499 from Best Buy.

Which Android-cool handset are you going to buy?

[via AndroidCentral]

Similar Posts:

Free Photoshop App for Android too

Kunal — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:22 +0000

Adobe has introduced the Photoshop.com application mobile application for the Android OS. Photoshop for Android is similar to the Photoshop App we saw for the iPhone/iPod Touch. Like the iPhone application, Photoshop for Android is also slick and features the following functions:

Basics: Crop, Rotate, and Flip
Color: Exposure, Saturation, Tint, Black and White Filters: Sketch, Soft Focus
Effects: Vibrant, Pop, Border, Vignette Blur, Warm Vintage, Rainbow, White Glow, Soft Black and White

The good thing here too is that the application is FREE and comes with a 2GB free storage account. So if you missed out on the Photoshop.com application because you didn’t have an iPhone/iPod Touch and you happen to be an Android user, don’t miss it this time.

Check out the demo video of the Photoshop app for Android in action on the T-Mobile G1.

[via Photoshop.com Mobile Android App]
Similar Posts:

No, it’s not a fancy-pants calculator

Kunal — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:55:32 +0000

At the first look i thought that the iNO CP09 is a special kind of calculator. On the contrary, it is actually a straightforward cellphone. The simple yet beautiful iNO CP09 handset is a very basic phone for those who find the inclusion of too many features more of a hassle than a utility. The oversized keypad and simple-to-use phone is quite ideal for grandparents and kids.

The iNO CP09 features a standard calling function along with SMS. A small monochrome LCD display shows the time, battery and network signal. The phone also features an FM radio with a standard headphone jack at the bottom of the handset. An interesting feature is the red SOS button at the back of the phone. Pressing this SOS button triggers an alarm and calls a predefined number in case of an emergency.

[via OhGizmo]

Similar Posts:

After all the efforts, only 2% of our cellphones are recycled :(

Annkur — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:29:05 +0000

We aren’t big fans of reports and surveys, but this one is an eyeopener. After all the go green buzz that we hear about, according to a report by ABI research only 2% of unused cellphones are actually recycled.

Some more facts of the research:

currently only 6% of used mobiles are refurbished
only 8% mobiles are disposed properly
in 5 years 18% of mobile would be either refurbished or recycled

Various companies have tried to send across the message by promoting environmentally safe packaging and products. Apple uses minimum packing for its product s, thus leaving lesser carbon footprint in transit and ensuring environmentally safe certification for its latest releases. Nokia had an interesting remade concept that used junk materials to make a cellphone and a “TakeBack” program for recycling used phones and accessories. At the same time Motorola had its ‘Renew’ phone made from 100% recyclable materials. Samsung also recently has had its recycled phone ‘Reclaim’ on offer at $50 and the solar-powered ‘Blue Earth’. Even Google has offered its recycled mouse on sale to push the go green message.

With all these efforts underway, we should expect things to get better in the years to come.

[via Unwired View]

Similar Posts:

Otas Spy camera + MP3 player is built inside fancy glasses

Annkur — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:50:39 +0000

GeekStuff4U is selling a couple of cool Otas glasses with a spy camera integrated along with one of them also featuring a MP3 player. The 1.3MP pinhole CMOS camera won’t give you the best recording but good enough for a concealed camera matching up the 640 x 480 resolution that we saw with that Spy Pen earlier.

With memory size of 4GB /8GB and priced between ¥12,450.00 (USD 137) and ¥19,890.00 (USD 219) , this works fine for localized pranksters, gizmo freaks aswell as some professionals

Via Akihabaranews
Similar Posts:

Apps: the reason why the iPhone won’t go the Wii way

Nimish — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:23:34 +0000

It is not often that you find the head of a company admitting that his company’s flagship product has lost steam. So you can bet that our ears pricked up when Nintendo’s President, Santoro Iwata, admitted that the Wii – the console that had so famously rubbed the noses of PS3 and XBox 360 in the dirt -had stalled. “Games of high demand could not be continuously released and the good mood has chilled,” Iwata told Japan’s Mainichi Newspaper in an interview that has been doing the rounds of the gaming circuit. And he certainly needs to be commended for being realistic – after the initial euphoria surrounding its amazing motion-sensing gaming concept, the Wii came up short in the department that matters most for many gamers – gaming titles. And with both Microsoft and Sony promising motion sensing gameplay in the coming months, the Wii literally ran out of steam.

There are many in the tech world who believe that there are parallels between the Wii and the iPhone. The iPhone just like the Wii beat better specced rivals mainly on the basis of its innovative touchscreen interface and its App Store. With other cellphone manufacturers upping the ante with larger, equally response touchscreens and launching app stores of their own, it is only a matter of time, say these gents and ladies, before the iPhone gets off its cloud. While this line of reasoning does have its appeal, it is a trifle over-simplistic. The iPhone will not stall like the Wii – at least, not yet – and the main reason for it is the massive lead it has picked up on the App Store front. With Apple confirming that there are more than 1,00,000 applications on its App Store, an iPhone user will have more app options than a Win Mo, Symbian S60, BlackBerry, Palm Web OS or Android user. In fact, the App Store right now has more apps than its rivals put together!

It is this software edge that is likely to keep the iPhone going for quite a while. Even if the competition does manage to catch up in number of apps, the fact that there are so many devices and that not every app will work with each one will tie down the rivals. Android, with its one-store-for-all-devices policy, is the only one that comes close to mimicking the Apple App Store in this regard. Nokia’s Ovi Store and Microsoft’s Windows Market Place have some excellent apps but many of these are restricted to certain devices, unlike the App Store where most apps run on all generations of the iPhone (although that is slowly changing).

The Wii’s users gave up because they could not get the games and software they wanted on their console. The iPhone’s users are not likely to face that situation soon. Which is why the iPhone will not go the Wii way. Not yet.
Similar Posts:

Nokia launches five new economical handsets

Kunal — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:46:50 +0000

The mobile giant from Finland has introduced five new handsets for the low-end market. The handsets will be available all over the world very soon. These new handsets are the Nokia 1280, Nokia 1616, Nokia 1800, Nokia 2220 slide and Nokia 2690. Below are the essential specifications of each phone with their pricing.

Nokia 1280

GSM 900 / 1800
1.36″ Monochrome display, 96 x 68 pixels
MP3 ringtones
3.5mm audio jack
FM radio
Exchangeable color covers – Black, Gray, Blue, Orchid
Flashlight
Symbian S30 UI

The dust and scratch resistant handset is the cheapest handset from Nokia. It will be available for EUR 20 ($30).

Nokia 1616

GSM 900 / 1800
1.8″ TFT, 65K colors display, 128 x 160 pixels
MP3 ringtones
3.5mm audio jack
FM radio
Exchangeable color covers – Black, Dark Blue, Dark Gray, Dark Red
LED Flashlight
Symbian S30 UI

The Nokia 1616 will cost EUR 24.

Nokia 1800

GSM 900 / 1800
1.8″ TFT, 65K colors display, 128 x 160 pixels
MP3 ringtones
3.5mm audio jack
FM radio
Exchangeable color covers – Black, Dark Blue, Dark Gray, Dark Red
LED Flashlight
Symbian S30 UI

The Nokia 1800 is fully recyclable and the materials used are nickel-free. It will cost EUR 26.

Nokia 2220 Slide

GSM 900 / 1800
1.8″ TFT, 65K colors diplay, 128 x 160 pixels
32MB internal memory
VGA camera, 640×480 pixels
WAP browser
FM radio, FM recording
Nokia XpressAudio messaging
GPRS

The Nokia 2220 slider will be retailing for EUR 45. It would be available in six colors, viz. Hot Pink, Graphite, Turquoise, Warm Silver, Purple, and Blue.

Nokia 2690

GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
1.8″ TFT, 256K colors, 128 x 160 pixels
3.5mm audio jack
microSD support, up to 8GB
GPRS, EDGE
Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP
microUSB
VGA camera, 640×480 pixels
WAP Browser
FM radio
MP3 player

The Nokia 2690 would be available in four colors – Graphite, White Silver, Hot Pink, and Blue. It will cost EUR 54.

via [Unwiredview]

Similar Posts:

How your iPod classic / netbook would support 320GB

Annkur — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:29:11 +0000

Toshiba has unveiled the largest capacity 1.8″ HDD, the MK3233GSG, supporting 320 GB of data storage. The MK3233GSG offers SATA interface, 3.0Gbps data trf speeds at 5400 RPM. The hard drive isn’t in mass production yet, but we are sure netbook / PMP manufacturers would already be lining up to place a few orders.

via Engadget
Similar Posts:

Flashsticks: USB drives get a touch of nature

Annkur — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:52:58 +0000

We absolutely love the natural wooden treatment given to any gadget and Flashsticks (UK) makes some really cool and natural wooden pen drives. Each of these USB flash drives are made from locally hardwood wood from a renewable source. The wood is collected from the woods of Berkshire in England. This is fallen wood from the previous winter’s storms. Thus no two of these drives are similar.

So if you are fascinated by the combination of silicon chips and nature or simply want to stand out with a unique gadget connecting your notebook, FlashStick is just what you need. Fully compatible with USB 2.0 and a unique design is enough to attract me.

Currently available in a 2GB version (upgrades coming soon), this wooden Flashstick would cost you £15. And if you are lucky you can take home one of these FREE. Flashticks UK is giving away one of these cool wooden drives to a random commenter on this post. So let us know in comments below why you want this! (contest closes in 72 hours)

Video demo of product / Where to buy

Similar Posts:

Re-download purchased apps from Ovi Store for free*

Kunal — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:27:17 +0000

Have you lost or deleted any of your Nokia application due to some odd reason? You don’t have to worry anymore. Nokia now allow its users to re-download purchased applications, with the *only* provision that you are re-downloading onto the same device from where you had originally purchased the application. Below is a video demonstrating how it works.

Many times users end up formatting the memory cards due to some kind of bug troubling their devices. This re-download option from the Ovi Store might be very useful and save some money too. But if you end up losing or damaging your old cellphone, you will end up paying to have all your previously-purchased apps downloaded for the new handset.

via [PhoneArena]
Similar Posts:

Windows 7’s real headache: Win XP!

Nimish — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:12:40 +0000

Now that all the applause and hype surrounding Windows 7 has abated (somewhat, anyway), it is time to take a cold, hard look at the OS’ prospects. And the more one looks at the mass market, the more one realises a rather startling fact – the real challenge for Win 7 is not its predecessor (the not-so-lamented Vista), or the latest from Cupertino, or even the newest distro from Penguintown, but a eight year old product, that should by conventional tech history have been obsolete – Windows XP.

On the surface, that should be an absurd notion. An eight year old product should be the least of a new product’s problems. But the more one talks to XP users (and there are still millions of those around) the more one realises the challenge it poses to Windows 7. Most XP users’ arguments are simple – in terms of functionality, they can do most of their basic as well as advanced computing tasks on Windows XP, which has a lower hardware requirement than Windows 7. So why on earth should they upgrade? Windows 7 does look stacks better and has some terrifically cool features, but so far Microsoft has not come up with a compelling reason for Win XP users to move to it. Even removing support for it might not really work, given the fact that it has been around for almost a decade and even non-techies seem at home with it.

Ironically, Windows XP might just have died a quiet death a couple of years ago – manufacturers had stopped installing it on new systems and were going for Vista – but for Microsoft’s decision to allow netbook manufacturers to use it. At that time, it seemed a sensible move to stymie the threat that Linux posed on these smaller notebooks, but what it also did was expose a lot of users to an operating system that ran very smoothly indeed – most netbooks are far more endowed technologically than the computers for which Windows XP was originally intended.

The result: Windows XP is alive and kicking and is set to remain on netbooks until Win 7 comes up with a way to run faster and consume less battery and hard disk space. And even as it, manufacturers and developers will keep coming out with hardware and software that supports it, thus further extending its life.

A close friend of mine provides the perfect example of why some people might not take the Win 7 plunge. He has been using an R series Thinkpad since 2004, with 512 MB RAM, a 20 GB hard drive, and a Celeron processor. He is perfectly delighted with it and when I showed him Windows 7, said, “Yes, it is very pretty. But I can access e-mail, run MS Office, surf the Net, play around with PhotoShop, access all my social networks, blog and all on my current notebook. Why should I bother upgrading? I will need a new notebook or will need to upgrade this one significantly, pay for the new OS, and will have to invest in software all over again.”

Unless Microsoft can come up with a convincing answer to that query, it might just find its old OS chomping up Windows 7’s market share or at the very least, slowing its growth.
Similar Posts:

MTNL offers 3G connection for as low as Rs 109 ($2.2)

Annkur — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:11:52 +0000

While leading industry players await the spectrum sale for 3G operations in India (which is delayed multiple times and the road ahead looks bleak with the telecom ministry shadowed with corruption allegations), state owned MTNL and BSNL have exclusive rights to provide 3G services across the nation before anyone else. However with just 902 subscribers in Mumbai and Delhi (until August) for an exclusive 3G service, MTNL has so far done a terrible job of selling us its ‘Jadoo’.

And their strategy to promote the service better is unfortunately nothing but ‘lower rates’. You can go and now grab a MTNL 3G prepaid card for as low as Rs 109 (approx $2.2) and enjoy 25mb of free internet, 25 mins video calling and 50 minutes of local voice calls (Rs 25 worth talktime). MTNL under its Jadoo 3G service offers national video & video calls for just Rs .75. This would probably be the cheapest 3G service anywhere around the world. Only if MTNL could get over its government co. image and provide proper service things would be very different. Poor network connectivity and non availability of SIM cards at local stores makes the service at best only a backup option for serious users.

via

Similar Posts:

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 now Official

Kunal — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:42:28 +0000

The most anticipated Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 has been officially announced by SE today. The phone packs all the rumored and speculated features we saw till now along with some new amazing features. The Android-powered SE X10 features a 4” touchscreen, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 8.1 MP camera and the Rachael UI. The design of the phone is the same as we saw in the leaked out pics. But the way SE has presented it in the introductory video, it just looks more stylish, sleek and curvy.

Xperia X10 plays the Android version 1.6, highlighting to us the importance of the Verizon – Google partnership blessing the Motorola Droid with Android Eclair (V2.0) or the Rachael UI / customization costing Sony Ericsson the opportunity to upgrade. However the phone introduces Timescape, a multi-platform social networking integration that brings Facebook, Twitter, emails, photos, and text messages all in a single application. Another new feature is the Mediascape, where you’re able to access media from everywhere, be it online or on the phone – with PlayNow, YouTube, or your phone memory. The face recognition feature recognises as many as five faces in a photo and automatically tags them with the contact information. This feature also allows you to directly call your tagged friends by tapping on their face in the picture.

Sony Ericsson is also planning to launch a line of Rachael UI devices with the Xperia X10 being the flagship model. The Rachael UI would be expanded to other platforms such as Symbian and Windows Mobile. The Rachael-powered handsets are expected to hit the market somewhere in 2010. (We already know about the Xperia X2 running WM)

One thing both the Droid and the Xperia X10 lack is multi-touch, and this is where the iPhone and the Palm Pre score for me. Would be interesting with the rumors that Droid has a multitouch version in works, and the HTC Hero also getting the Android 2.0 love soon

Sony Ericsson hasn’t release any information on the pricing and availability of the Xperia X10, and we are all a tad disappointed. But we surely expect SE to release that information soon. Sony Ericsson needs a big comeback in the smartphone market. Will Xperia X10 help Sony Ericsson to bounce back? Tell us in the comments.

Similar Posts:

Windows 7 community launch: Delhi

Annkur — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:02:06 +0000

The OG team happened to be one of the lucky few to attend multiple Windows 7 community launches, here are a few exclusive shots from the #7party in Delhi on 1st November. Hosted at Oxford Store’s awesome ChaBar, this was quite a contrast from Mumbai’s Boat Club

If the Mumbai #7party gave you a headache with all the loud music and drinks, this sure was the antidote

Thx @ Mohit Bhargava for sharing some of his pictures with us.

Similar Posts:

Verbalize! Google Mobile Search gets Speech Recognition

Kunal — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:27:36 +0000

Too busy to type out your Google search? Or are ya just too lazy? Either way, Google has been thinking about these scenarios lately with their introduction of voice recognition in its Google Mobile Search app. The voice support is designed specially for the Indian accent. The voice recognition technology is currently available for Nokia S60 users only.

The application supports search for local businesses, such as restaurants and pharmacy stores, along with including other features like cricket score updates. “The downloadable application automatically detects the user’s location and facilitates faster access to Google Search,” Google India products head Vinay Goel said.

The application also minimises any typing while using the mobile keypad using ‘Google Suggests’. Nokia mobile users can download the free-to-use Google Search mobile application from m.google.com/search. Mobile users can go to the same address for downloading the application directly to their mobiles.

[via ThaIndian]
Similar Posts:

“Switchital” is the most amazing clock concept yet

Kunal — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:15:23 +0000

Swiss Designer Mattihas Pugin has designed this amazing digital wall clock that works by moving hidden magnets to form different digits ‘in time’. The moving magnets looks more like an animation than a real thing. Switchital, as the designer calls it, seems to be a better concept than the Chasing Time clock.

Do check out the video (after the post) that briefly shows the unbelievable working of this clock.

via [HackedGadgets]
Similar Posts:

Symbian introduces its App Store, finally!

Kunal — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:39:30 +0000

With the major cellphone OS application stores already in place, why should the one having the largest market share be left out? We are talking about Symbian. The platform has announced that its own application store is now ‘open’.

The announcement about the Symbian application store, dubbed Horizon, came at the annual Symbian Exchange and Exposition 2009. The “Horizon” is now live and currently has only 50 applications, with the promise of featuring “thousands of applications in 2010“. Apps for the popular Facebook, Qik, Twitter and YouTube services are included in the current offerings.

Most cellphone manufacturers had already estimated the potential of a Symbian application store. So, there are application stores already in place like the Nokia Ovi Store, Samsung Application Store and Sony Ericsson’s PlayNow Arena. Also, stores from China Mobile (Mobile Market) and AT&T (MediaMall) offer Symbian apps.The good thing is that all the offerings from Horizon will be integrated in these application stores.

“We recognize that developers face many challenges in bringing their products to market on Symbian devices,” admitted Symbian Foundation executive director Lee Williams. “In particular, the diversity of application stores in our ecosystem increases the burden on developers by requiring multiple submission and review processes. But this diversity can also offer an advantage over competitors’ closed systems, where applications sometimes receive arbitrary or commercially motivated rejections. Symbian Horizon retains this advantage while reducing the burden by becoming a conduit to multiple stores, helping developers reach the largest global mobile market in the world more efficiently.”

Symbian is also working on revising its Symbian Signed process, which would allow the developers to add their applications to the Horizon store automatically. The developers would be registered online where they can edit their applications and developer profiles that will provide more details to apps buyers and developers.

Symbian would still be lagging the Apple application store by some 100,000 applications. But the huge market share may really help Symbian to compete with the big Apple.

via [TrustedReviews]

Similar Posts:

ICANN approves Non-Latin Domain Names

Kunal — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:50:22 +0000

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), or the Internet’s governing body has approved using non-latin domain names. Thse would include domains in native languages.

The process for registering non-latin domain names would start on November 16. The first phase would involve ICANN approving the languages in which the domains can be registered. The respective countries can then start registering the domain names.

“Right now Internet address endings are limited to Latin characters – A to Z. But the Fast Track Process is the first step in bringing the 100,000 characters of the languages of the world online for domain names,” ICANN chairman Peter Dengate Thrush said in a statement.

Rod Beckstrom, ICANN’s President and CEO, believes that the move will invite more individuals, especially those who are more comfortable with the native language or who are not familiar with Roman characters. ICANN had been working on the non-Latin domains for years. The delay in the process happened due to technical issues in the implementation, policy development and global cooperation.

“Our work on IDNs [internationalized domain names] has gone through numerous drafts, dozens of tests, and an incredible amount of development by volunteers since we started this project,” said Tina Dam, ICANN’s Senior Director for IDNs. “The launch of the Fast Track Process will be an amazing change to make the Internet an even more valuable tool, and for even more people around the globe.”

Does that mean that we would need new keyboards for the new non-Latin domains? Or would we have a pack of virtual keyboards to download for free? Only time will answer these questions.

In the meanwhile, are you comfortable with the idea of having non-Latin domain names? Would it make Internet usage easier or will it just end up complicating it more? Tell us in the comments.

via [PCMag]

Similar Posts: