SmartUup

Mobile phone can monitor skin changes, check for acne

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:37:00 +0000

A MOBILE phone that monitors the user's skin condition, checking for blemishes and colour, has been unveiled in beauty-conscious Japan.

The "Hada Memori" (skin memory) program allows women to keep tabs on their complexion and track changes over time by storing records in the cloud.

Users can also share their data through social networking sites, says IT giant Fujitsu, which plans to use the information to target advertising of beauty products.

A spokeswoman said the skin system comes with a small card that has a 15 millimetre hole, which must be pressed to the cheek. The smartphone's camera then takes a picture of the skin and analyses the result.

The Hada Memori is the first of a series of devices that will measure users' stress levels, exercise habits and quality of sleep, helping the company gather a significant pool of health data which it can then sell.

"We will be able to offer the data to service providers eventually," said Hayuru Ito, senior manager of Fujitsu's strategic planning division.

A model demonstrates how to take pictures of her face using a smartphone, which checks her skin condition through a cloud computer system produced by Fujitsu.

Fujitsu is aiming to have one million users of the system in the next two years.

Source: News

Despite Rumors, Nokia Is Not Switching to Android

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:16:00 +0000

Recently, there was speculation that Nokia was considering giving up on Microsoft's Windows Phone and switching to Android. A company exec has pulled the rug out from under the basis for this rumor.

What set off the discussion was a job posting from Nokia looking for an expert in "embedded Linux device software and hardware drivers for our exciting new products." As Android is a Linux-based operating system, some jumped to the conclusion that Nokia was considering making smartphones running this operating system.

This would be a major change, as Nokia and Microsoft have built a partnership for creating devices running Windows Phone. However, sales of their first and second-generation models have yet to take off, so it's not completely unreasonable to consider that Nokia could be considering a change to a different OS.

However, a Nokia spokesperson threw cold water on this theory this morning by posting "Our recently posted job is linked to our HERE Maps support for other platforms, including iOS and Android." HERE is the new name for Nokia's navigation software, which recently launched for the iPhone

Source: BrightHand

Nokia attempts to block BlackBerry sales after patent dispute

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 14:41:00 +0000

Nokia has won a patent dispute with RIM over the inclusion of WLAN technology in its BlackBerry handsets, and has asked for a sales ban in the UK, US and Canada

The Finnish company made the disclosure by submitting a US court filing that asked for enforcement of the earlier ruling that RIM infringed on a Nokia patent by including WLAN in its BlackBerry handsets.

According to Nokia the ruling was that RIM could not manufacture or sell any WLAN product without paying royalties first, and so it has filed cases in the US, Canada and the UK to have the ruling enforced - which could mean a sales ban on BlackBerry handsets.

It has to be said the squabble comes at a remarkably bad time for both companies. Nokia is struggling to capture a foothold in the smartphone market, despite recent releases in the form of the Nokia Lumia 920 and the Nokia Lumia 820.

Meanwhile BlackBerry continues to lose ground to the likes of Apple and Samsung, and is heavily relying on the new BlackBerry 10 operating system that was originally slated to appear this autumn but has been pushed back to early next year.

So far RIM has yet to comment on the ruling but has said that it will respond to Nokia in time. Whether a royalty agreement will be reached by the two companies remains to be seen.

Microsoft and Amazon To Launch Smartphones in 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 14:36:00 +0000

According to a report coming out of Asia, both Microsoft and Amazon will introduce their own lines of phones next year. Foxconn International Holding, a subsidiary of iPhone-maker Foxconn, will reportedly assemble both of these devices.

While unnamed sources at FIH were willing to leak the existence of these two smartphones toDigiTimes, they did not have many specifics about them.

Microsoft's device will certainly run its Windows Phone operating system, but nothing is known about Amazon's. Still, this retailer's line of tablets runs a modified version of the Android OS, and its handset might as well.

There have been rumors about both these companies introducing smartphones for many months, especially after each came out with a line of tablets. Their plans are apparently moving forward, as the sources at FIH indicated that these phones will be released around the middle of next year.

Sources: BrightHand

ZTE building eight-core smartphone for launch next year?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 09:46:00 +0000

Forget dual core, or even quad core, the latest generation of smartphones will be rocking no less than eight cores if new rumours are to be believed

ZTE, the Chinese manufacturer known for giving us the likes of the ZTE Grand X and the ZTE PF100 apparently has an eight-core smartphone in the works, set for a 2013 release.

According to sources, the manufacturer's new handset is codenamed "Apache" with a CPU provided by MediaTek and based on the 28nm microarcitecture.

Other rumours beginning to emerge give the Apache handset a 13MP camera, 4G connectivity and a Full HD screen.

Although ZTE has yet to achieve any real penetration here in the UK mobile phone market, it overtook HTC last month as the world's fourth largest mobile phone manufacturer - thanks almost solely to sales in China.

In real terms though, you won't need to abandon your iPhone 5 or Samsung Galaxy S3 for an eight-core device just yet. Apps and programs designed for use on a dualcore or quadcore phone won't run any differently on an eight-core device.

Where the extra muscle comes in handy is for multitasking - but given the screen real estate on the average handset ain't exactly expansive, we don't see this as a deciding factor.

Still, the race for greater power isn't going away anytime soon. Samsung is reportedly working on its own eight-core device, although it looks like ZTE might have beaten it to the punch with the Apache.

Whether or not the Apache will make an appearance at CES 2013 is anyone's guess but we'll keep our ears to the ground to bring you the latest developments.

Sources: Android Headlines and TechRadar

Windows Phone 8

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 09:44:00 +0000

Windows Phone 8 - Start Screen

Microsoft’s big Windows Phone 8 event wrapped up last week with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer taking the stage to announce all of the new Windows Phone 8 devices and when they will launch.

“We wanted to build a phone that would be personal for each of us,” said Ballmer. To that end, he showed off a variety of Windows Phone 8 smartphones from HTC, Nokia, and Samsung.

He began by showing off Nokia’s flagship Windows Phone 8 device, the Lumia 920. Ballmer was present at an announcement earlier this year when Nokia announced its new lineup of Lumia smartphones. The Samsung ATIV S came next, then the HTC Windows Phone 8X.

Ballmer then announced that these phones, and others, will begin launching starting this weekend. In the U.S., three of the major wireless carriers will be carrying windows phone, with Sprint the major carrier that wasn’t mentioned at the event.

In addition to being sold through carriers, Microsoft Stores will carry every Windows Phone 8 smartphone available in the U.S., and all color options for these devices will be available through the online Microsoft Store.

Smart Features:

Xbox SmartGlass allows control of an Xbox 360 with a phone (Available for Windows Phone, iOS and Android)
Xbox Music and Xbox Video services support playback of video and audio files in Windows Phone, as well as music purchases.
Easy transfers
Native code support (C and C++), allows for simplified porting from platforms such as Android, Symbian, and iOS
Simplified porting of Windows 8 apps to Windows Phone 8 (compatibility with Windows 8 Metro apps)
Remote device management of Windows Phone similar to management of Windows PCs
VoIP and video chat integration for any VoIP or video chat app (integrates into the phone dialer, people hub)
Firmware over the air for Windows Phone updates
Minimum 18 month support of Windows Phone updates to Windows Phone 8 devices
Camera app now supports "lenses", which allow third parties to skin and add features to camera interface
Native screen capture is added by pressing home and power buttons simultaneously

Windows Phone 8 minimum device requirements
Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor
Minimum 512MB RAM for WVGA phones; minimum 1GB RAM for 720p / WXGA
Minimum 4GB flash memory
GPS and A-GNSS; GLONASS is supported if OEMs decide to include it
Support for micro-USB 2.0
3.5mm stereo headphone jack with three-button detection support
Rear-facing AF camera with LED or Xenon flash, optional front-facing camera (both need to be VGA or better) and dedicated camera button
Accelerometer, proximity and ambient light sensors, as well as vibration motor (magnetometer and gyroscope are optional)
802.11b/g and Bluetooth (802.11n is optional)
DirectX graphics hardware support with hardware acceleration for Direct3D using programmable GPU
Multi-touch capacitive touch screen with minimum of four simultaneous points

HTC Windows Phone 8X and Nokia Lumia 820 running Windows Phone 8

Sources: Wikipedia, Webpronews

Google's Nexus 4 is a Sell Out

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 09:43:00 +0000

GOOGLE'S latest phone can't claim to be unpopular. It sold out in Australia in 22 minutes.

It is hard to pinpoint exactly why this phone was so popular - perhaps its software, its hardware or its low price.

Made by LG, the Nexus 4 is Google's latest reference device for Android software and features the very latest version of Jelly Bean, v4.2, before any other phone. This update adds several useful if not major additions.

Drag two fingers down the phone and new software delivers a fresh shortcuts menu to popular settings. Swipe a finger to the left when unlocking it and you can add widgets for quick access to mail, messages or calendar.

The Nexus 4's camera has also received software additions. Tapping a round icon delivers quick access to camerher automatically. This mode rarely stitched photos together seamlessly in our tests, but it was fun to use.

Software aside, the Nexus 4 is instantly recognisable as a Google device, thanks to its curved form.a settings, while a new Photo Sphere mode helpfully stitches 360-degree panoramas toget

Unusually, though, it features Corning Gorilla Glass 2 on the front and the back, with the rear offered a sparkly treatment.

The 4.7-inch IPS screen is much more attractive, and clearly the reason Google tapped LG for this job. It features a 320ppi resolution that is sharper than its price point should allow.

On the downside, this phone's storage cannot be expanded, its battery is about average, the glass facade is bound to unnerve clumsy users and, unlike some other Nexus models, it does not up the power stakes.

Priced under $400, though, this slick and powerful Google phone is bound to add to its early, keen following.

Source: www.news.com

RIM Bringing Out a QWERTY Smartphone ... for Developers Only

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 07:09:00 +0000

2 days ago, RIM announced a newest part of its BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha program.

Beginning back in May RIM started its BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha testing device program relasing over 7,500 test devices to developers around the world. The devices previously released allowed developers to test their applications on the BlackBerry 10 all-touch model.

Now RIM wants to offer the same opportunity with its QWERTY model, which is also set to release sometime in Q1 of 2013.

RIM has announced that it will only release a small number of these test devices, and that they will only be given to developers working on a minimum of two applications for BlackBerry 10. Additionally, RIM will conduct priority seeding for the developers based on a point system.

The system offers 50 points for ported Android applications, 250 points for all other applications. Developers who are building certified built for BlackBerry applications will receive 1,500 points, while previous Dev Alpha A/B recipients will start off with 200 points, and BlackBerry Elite members will also start off with 200 points.

The Blackberry 10 Dev Alpha C offer is set to begin on Dec. 1, 2012 and will run until February 5, 2013.

Source: Brighthand

Samsung Smart TV

noreply@blogger.com (Aziz Moghul) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 11:28:00 +0000

You can enter a whole new world of home entertainment with Samsung Smart TV. Bringing you so much more than just the best of TV, Samsung TVs let you chat, surf and share from the comfort of your sofa. Keeping in touch with your friends and family is simple thanks to the Facebook and Twitter applications, and enjoy simple surfing with the ‘Search all’ and web browser for the best of the internet. Samsung AllShare, letting you connect to plenty of other compatible devices.

This Series includes Smart TV functions, which brings even more entertainment to your fingertips. Whether you want to catch up with the latest TV programmes via BBCi or ITV player, keep in touch with friends and family or simply check out some online content from YouTube and other websites, the Smart TV features bring everything. With a built-in webcam, you can even use Skype to chat from the comfort of your sofa.

All you need to do to take advantage of these great features is to connect to your home internet using the built-in WiFi connection.

Smart made really easy.
Find everything you're looking for with the Smart Hub.

Sources: Samsung

Big Change at Apple Inc

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 03:50:00 +0000

Scott Forstall, the person who oversees the development of Apple’s iOS mobile software, is leaving the company.

Today, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook announced two major departures from the company’s senior management.
SVP of iOS Software Scott Forstall will be leaving the company sometime next year, as will SVP of Retail Operations John Browett who had only recently joined the company, replacing the man who pioneered the Apple Store and Genius Bar concepts, Ron Johnson.

While Browett’s departure likely won’t signify big changes for Apple’s products since retail is a secondary focus for the company, Forstall’s influence has been significant.

Forstall was the person behind the development of the iPhone’s software – now known as iOS – software which powers the vast majority of the products that Apple sells from a revenue point of view. If you’ve ever swiped, tapped or downloaded an app on one of Apple’s iPhones, iPods or iPads, you’ve experienced Forstall’s work.

orstall’s exit from Apple could signify a victory of sorts for Ive. According to GigaOm’s Erica Ogg, he will “become responsible for a new Human Interface.” Of course, there’s also a chance that Fortsall is being made to pay a hefty price for the decision to launch Apple’s in-house Maps app, before it was ready-for-primetime.

Sources: Sync Blog

Android 4.2 (JELLY BEAN)

noreply@blogger.com (Aziz Moghul) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 06:39:00 +0000

Android 4.2 takes the speed and simplicity of Jelly Bean to a different level – a completely new camera experience that’s beyond smart, a new form of typing that helps you power through your messages, and much more.

One tablet, many users.

It’s your fully customized tablet. And theirs, too. With support for multiple users, you can give each person their own space. Everyone can have their own homescreen, background, widgets, apps and games – even individual high scores and levels! And since Android is built with multitasking at its core, it’s a snap to switch between users – no need to log in and out. Available only on tablets.

Share what’s on your phone on the big screen.

Android 4.2 allows devices to enable wireless display. You can share movies, YouTube videos, and anything that’s on your screen on an HDTV. Just connect a wireless display adapter to any HDMI-enabled TV to mirror what’s on your screen quickly and easily.

Sources: Andriod

Amoled Transparent Display

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 06:23:00 +0000

Here’s something innovative that Apple (AAPL) can’t accuse Samsung (005930) of copying from the iPhone: transparent displays. Samsung on Monday announced that it will be bringing its new NL22B transparent display to the IFA electronics trade show in Berlin, which kicks off on August 31st and lasts through September 5th.

Samsung says that the display, which will be launched shortly after the IFA, comes complete with “a built-in PC, speakers, LED bar and protective glass” that make it perfect for retail companies who want to create interactive display cases for their products. Samsung also noted that the display’s “thin LCD panel on the front of the transparent display allows images and animations to dynamically interact with the merchandise inside the showcase while still enabling passers-by to view the product.”

According to Samsung, the display is designed to help users create "artistic video walls," daisy-chaining up to 100 separate units together.

Sources: Planar