techtonictimes

Facebook working on a Truecaller-like app called 'Phone'

2015-03-23T19:18:00.002+05:30

Facebook, that company that is constantly trying to confuse you by naming its own branded apps after system apps, may launch another app it would now like to confuse you with, and it's called -wait for it - Phone. At least, that's what screenshots from a couple of folks who tipped us seem to say.

Facebook, as we know, generally does major interface updates to its application server-side, so users occasionally get seemingly random glimpses of new features or UI designs before they launch. The [FB-ONLY] tag on this button for Phone would seem to indicate somebody flipped the wrong switch, and this element went live before it was supposed to. Tapping the button to install or update it does nothing but throw you to a "no page found" error, which is probably because the application is stored internally on Facebook's intranet for security purposes.

What we can divine from this button is, well, not a huge amount - but then again, it does just seem to be a dialer replacement. Phone will block calls from commonly blocked numbers and show you detailed information about incoming calls, a lot like the Whitepages Caller ID app. Presumably, Facebook will also be anonymizing your incoming call data for marketing and research purposes, because why else would they want to release an app like this?

We don't know if or when Phone will come to exist as a thing publicly, but it does seem like Facebook is at least testing it.

Source : AndroidPolice

Tags : #Facebook #TrueCaller #Phone #CallerID #app #techtonictimes #techtt

OnePlus One to be available in India again without Invitation on Tuesday

2015-03-23T19:12:00.001+05:30

OnePlus One 'flagship killer' smartphone will be available to buy without any invites in India on Tuesday. The second open sale for the OnePlus One smartphone in India will kick off at 10am IST on Tuesday via Amazon. The company announced the news on Facebook.

An open sale for the One smartphone means that consumers will not require any invite to purchase the handset during the sale. The Chinese company has not revealed the number of units that will be up for sale on Tuesday; which means the the handset will be available to purchase without invite till stocks last. Last month, the OnePlus One smartphone went up for sale in its first open sale in the country.

The 16GB Silk White OnePlus One will be available on Amazon India at Rs. 18,999 while the 64GB Sandstone Black variant is priced at Rs. 21,999.

The open sale for the OnePlus One on Tuesday might be the last sale without invite before the company announces revised pricing for the India market. OnePlus last week hinted the prices may be revised soon.

Considering that OnePlus has already hiked pricing of its "2014 flagship killer" smartphone, the One, for EU regions citing the decline in value of the Euro, we can expect a slight hike in pricing of the handset in India as well.

Tags : #OnePlus #One #OnePlusOne #ttt #techtonictimes #Amazon #india

Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge launched in India

2015-03-23T19:06:00.004+05:30

Samsung has announced the launch of Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge flagship smartphones in India. The Samsung Galaxy S6 will be available at Rs. 49,900 for the 32GB variant while the equivalent Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is priced at Rs. 58,900.

The 64GB and 128GB Samsung Galaxy S6 variants are priced at Rs. 55,900 and Rs. 61,900 respectively, while the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge will be priced at Rs. 64,900 and Rs. 70,900 respectively for same storage capacities.

Both the smartphones will be available for purchase starting April 10, with pre-orders opening on Monday. Customers who pre-book will get price protection for the next 6 months. If Samsung reduces price of Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge - or introduces any cashback schemes - in India during that time, customers who pre-book will get the difference back as Payback points.

At the event, Samsung said that the company will be manufacturing the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge in India. However, there is no time frame when it will start manufacturing here. Samsung India has over 10,000 employess in the R&D division. Asim Warsi, VP , Mobile and IT for Samsung India also disclosed that Indian R&D centers of Samsung have contibuted significantly for the tech gone into making the new Galaxy flagships.

In terms of specs, the Samsung Galaxy S6 sports a 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLOED display with 2560 X 1440 resolution which comes to a very high 577ppi pixel density. The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge also sports a 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED but with dual edge display. Both use Corning Gorilla Glass 4 for protection. The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge have a metal frame and a glass body both on the front and back.

The devices are powered by Samsung’s Exynos 7 Octa-core processor which contain two quad-core processor clocked at 2.1 GHz and 1.5GHz respectively. The smartphones have 3GB RAM.

Both smartphones also use the 14 namometer mobile processor with a 64-bit platform, new LPDDR4 memory system and UFS 2.0 flash memory which the company claims, will provide higher performance and enhanced memory speed with lower power consumption.

The devices run on the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop and come with a 16MP rear camera along with a 5MP front facing camera. The Galaxy S6 has a 2,550mAh battery, while the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge has a 2,600mAh battery. Both support universal wireless charging. Samsung also claims that they support incredibly fast wired charging (around 1.5 times faster than the Galaxy S5) providing about 4 hours of usage after only 10 minutes of charging.

In terms of connectivity, the devices support 4G LTE, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), HT80 MIMO(2×2) 620Mbps, Bluetooth v4.1, USB 2.0, NFC and an IR Remote.

Tags : #Samsung #Galaxy #GalaxyS6 #GalaxyS6Edge #Smartphone

Walmart, Best Buy won’t accept Apple Pay at their Stores but their-own method is coming soon

2014-09-13T20:03:00.003+05:30

Though the highways and byways of America may be dotted with their stores, customers shopping at Walmart and Best Buy they won't be able to pay it using the new Apple Pay system announced this week. Both retailers are eschewing the NFC method of payment in favor of another mobile wallet application.

Apple’s new system is backed by some bunch of banks and credit-card issuers to provide support for Pay, which will allow customers to buy things at certain retailers with the newest iPhones.

But while the financial institutions might be all for it, it seems retailers are a bit more sluggish, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Thus far, iPhone 6 owners will only be able use Pay to purchase products at 220,000 retail locations in the United States, like McDonalds, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s. But that number pales in comparison to the more than nine million merchants in this country that accept credit and debit cards.

Using NFC requires retailers to install readers at the checkout line to accept the payments, but only about 10% of total merchants are using those readers. Best Buy had NFC-enabled scanners at many stores back in 2011, but stopped using them because it was too expensive to keep them, a spokesman said. It’s not planning on going back down that road, the company said, despite Apple’s push for Pay.

Walmart also confirmed that their customers won’t be able to use Apple Pay.

Instead, both retailers are getting behind a mobile technology group that’s owned by retailers, called the Merchant Customer Exchange. MCX is in turn launching a mobile wallet application called CurrentC coming in 2015, which will only require a software download instead of checkout scanners, and can be used on any iPhone or Android phone already in use, instead of just the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Which means there will be a strong rivel for the Apple Pay soon.

Source : ibtimes

#Apple #WalMart #BestBuy #Pay #iPhone #iPhone6

Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector for only 50,000 Dollars

2014-09-13T19:41:00.001+05:30

If you love watching in short-throw projectors and hate money, you can officially purchase Sony’s brand new short throw 4K projector for a grand total of $US50,000 dollars. But if and only if you live in the New York area.

When Sony says the VPL-GTZ1 ($50,000) is an "ultra-short-throw" projector, everyone thinks they are kidding but they showed it to all. It can project a massive image from 0 inches away yes Zero. The case can be against the wall you're projecting on.

But even more important was the news that you'll be able to get hundreds of 4K movies in your home very soon. Interested?

Honestly, though, if you can afford it, go for it. This thing is actually pretty great. [Sony]

#tags : #Sony #technology #projectors

Kevin Rose launches Tiiny, a fun iPhone app for sharing temporary photos and videos

2014-09-13T19:23:00.002+05:30

The cofounder of Digg has a new photo app that's perfect for people who don't like to post photos or videos of themselves. It's called Tiiny.

Tiiny has a simple interface that lets you capture a photo or 5-second-long GIF, without sound. All your media's are displayed in a continually-refreshing grid that your friends can follow and check's out. Your images appear very tiny - at 212 pixels x 212 pixels each - and your followers can't expand them to see detail. Your friends can only like them. Which means you won't have to be look impeccable in every shot, because no one will see all the fine details.

But that's not all: your photos and GIFs disappear after about 24 hours. Tiiny wants everyone to know their photos aren't permanent things sitting in some album on your online profile for everyone to examine and scrutinise. You should feel comfortable posting through Tiiny because things are small and won't come back to haunt you.

Kevin Rose former American Internet entrepreneur who co-founded Revision3, Digg, Pownce, and Milk, only recently launched Tiiny but won't be phased if it doesn't become a huge hit like Snapchat, according to TechCrunch. The app only took three weeks to build at his mobile lab called North, and the small team behind it plans to release a new app every few months until one explodes in popularity: “It’s about having as many shots on goal as possible,” Rose admitted in an interview.

Tiiny is available in Apple's App Store as a free download. It requires iOS 7 or later and is optimized mainly for iPhone 5.

Via: TechCrunch
Source: Tiiny

#tag : #Apple #Digg #Store #Tiiny

Motorola XT1097 specs leaks in Geekbench : is this Moto X+1.....??

2014-08-08T21:44:00.004+05:30

some says this is the image of Moto X+1 which was leaked some days before

Moto X+1 is expected to be announced soon, together with the Moto 360 smartwatch, judging from the bunch of leaks pouring for both devices lately. A mysterious Motorola device with model number XT1097 has been spotted at the Geekbench database.

The Motorola XT1097 is to be the company's highly excepted smartphone, Moto X+1. The leak at Geekbench suggests that Motorola XT1097 or Moto X+1 will run Android 4.4.4 Kitkat and Qualcomm MSM8974 chip, which is Snapdragon 801.

The site which claims that the next Motorola handset will use the 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor.

Besides, the clock speed noted at Geekbench is 2.46GHz, also says this newest phone will use Snapdragon 801 MSM8974-AC, which powers a number of high end smartphones such as Galaxy S5, Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet.

The Snapdragon 801 offers more clock speeds, adds eMMC 5.0 memory card and data transfer speeds of up to 400 MB/s when compared to its predecessor, Snapdragon 800.

The Geekbench data also viewing as single-core as well as multi-core performances, here the Moto X+1 scores 998 points with single-core and 2860 points with multi-core.

Other rumoured features include a 5.2inch 1080p display, 2GB RAM, and 32GB internal storage space also with microSD card slot. The handset is expected to have a 12 megapixel rear camera, 5 megapixel front camera and powered by 2,900mAh battery.

Interestingly, yesterday Moto G successor 'G2' has also made appearance in an benchmarking site ahead of the official launch. The database mention's it as Model no. XT1063 and its runs on Android 4.4.4. This smatphone has a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor

We cannot say that this information on the benchmarking database is true or fake till the official announcement which will be happening soon.

Source : Geekbench

#Tags : #Motorola #MotoX #Moto X+1 #MotoX #Geekbench #Benchmarking #Leak #MotoG #XT1097

Apple's next iPhone's could be announced September 9th

2014-08-06T23:17:00.001+05:30

The Californian smartphone maker is expected to launch two new iPhones – one with a 4.7-inch screen and a second with a 5.5-inch display on September 9th report says.

Apple has stuck with smaller displays on iPhones even as rival smartphone makers is sellling bigger screens and customers wants larger phones

Recode reports that Apple will hold an event to announce the next line of iPhones, which we expect to include at least one, and probably two, new models. They'll have new processors, maybe new materials, and even more. The Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal followed Recode's story with corroborating reports that new phones are on the way.

Despite the expectations for a new model, Apple reported strong sales in the quarter ended June 28. The company sold 35.2 million iPhones, up 12.7% from a year earlier and just shy of analysts’ estimates.

Apple’s shares recently went down 1.1% to $94.56. The stock is to up about 18% this year.

The date likely won't be confirmed until they announce that it takes place, but whenever it does happen, we'll be there live. And ready. In the meantime, just keep an eye here for updated news.

Source : The Verge

#tags : #Apple #Events #iPhone #iPhone6 #September

Moto G successor to feature 7MP camera, larger 5-inch display according to leaked benchmarks

2014-08-06T22:48:00.003+05:30

It's not a surprise to hear that Motorola is planning a successor to the hugely popular and hugely affordable - Moto G, and a recent benchmark may have shed some light on the successor.

The details popped up on GFX Bench, and seemingly reveal specs for a Motorola handset known only as "XT1063".

Well the standard 3G version carries the ID XT1032, so it's not exactly an obvious step with the ID in question closer to that of the Moto X (XT1052/3/5/6/8), but a quick look at the specs suggests the XT1063 is more likely to be a successor of the G.

Apparently we can expect the 4.5-inch 720p display will grow to 5 inches, while under the hood Android 4.4.4 KitKat and powered on a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 chip and 1GB of RAM - so there is no different to today's Moto G.

As well as a boost in screen size another important change on the possibly new Moto G is its cameras, with the rear snapper jumping from 5MP to 7MP with a higher resolution and the front facing option from 1.3MP to 2MP to HD.

But still lacks NFC and problem or feature is that its in single sim.

Biggest of all this problem is that we cannot say that its true. Just check out the column for Memory.

Source : GFX Benchmark

#tags : #MotoG #MotoG2 #Motorola #GFX #XT1063

3D Graphics Performance of Motorola XT1063

Graphics

Info

OS
Android 4.4.4

Display
1280 x 720, 5"

touchscreen with at least 5 finger gesture support

CPU
quad core CPU @1190MHz

SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (Cortex A7 - ARMv7)

GPU
Qualcomm Adreno ™ 305

3D API
OpenGL ES 3.0

Memory
0.8 GB

Storage
4.5 GB

Back camera
picture: 7 MP (3264 x 2448)
video: HD (1280 x 720)
- autofocus :
- face detection :
- flash :
- HDR photo :
- touch focus :

Front camera
picture: 2 MP (1920 x 1080)
video: HD (1280 x 720)

Features
- accelerometer :
- barometer :
- bluetooth :
- camera (face) :
- camera (rear) :
- compass :
- gps :
- gyroscope :
- lightsensor :
- nfc :
- proximity :
- simcards : 1
- wifi :

Spice may launch Android One & Firefox phones in India before Diwali

2014-07-25T01:07:00.000+05:30

Domestic handset manufacturer Spice on Wednesday (June 23) said about the launch of the much-anticipated Rs1,500 Firefox OS and Rs 6,000 Android One smartphones in India before Diwali.

This is not happening for the first time, Mozilla (developer of Firefox web browser) had partered with Indian firms - Intex and Spice - to bring smartphones priced around Rs 1,500 to India earlier this year.

Under the Android One initiative, tech giant Google has partnered Spice, Micromax, and Karbonn from India to deliver a smartphone under $100 (about Rs 6,000) which was announced in the latest I/O.

It is believed that both the handsets will give a tough competition in the fastest growing smartphone market in India.

Spice Retail CEO Devices T M Ramakrishnan said, "We will have the handsets in before Diwali. These phones are designed for driving connectivity at affordable prices. We were chosen for our innovation, we are among the chosen few to work with these global giants to bring these devices to India."

With the strong growth in its smartphone business, Spice is aiming to grow its revenues in the country by over 40% that is nearly Rs 2,000 crore this fiscal, added by Ramakrishnan.

Nearly 17.59 million Spice smartphones were shipped in India in the first quarter of 2014 just from 6.14 million in the same period of 2013.

Source : Gizmodo.in

#Tags : #Spice #Google #I/O #Firefox #AndroidOne #One #cheap #techtonictimes #India #Firefox OS #Intex #Micromax #Karbonn

Instagram may have leaked an ad banner of its Snapchat competitor, Bolt

2014-07-25T00:55:00.001+05:30

It looks like Instagram is working on its own Snapchat competitor.

A handful of Instagram users are reportedly seeing banner ads for a "One tap photo messaging" app called "Bolt", according to The Verge's Ellis Hamburger. Some thinkls thats it an accidently post by Facebook through Instagram.

Confused Instagram users have uploaded screenshots of the Bolt advertisement to Twitter, but no one has been able to download the app, as the "Free" download link doesn't working.

We have reached out to Instagram for comment.

Source : The Verge

#Tags : #Instagram #Facebook #Bolt #Snapchat #Slingsot #Twitter #techtonictimes

Samsung invests $13M in BlueStacks for Android microgaming console GamePop

2014-07-25T00:42:00.000+05:30

BlueStacks confirms on Wednesday that Samsung Ventures has taken a stake in the company as electronics giant has an interest in the company’s Android-based GamePop console thats for televisions.

“The size of the mobile gaming market, combined with the unique technology BlueStacks has developed for these games to run smoothly on TV, made this an easy choice for us,” Samsung Ventures VP Ilseok Yoon said in a statement. “The control mechanic they have developed for mobile gaming on TV makes it feel like the games were developed for TV in the first place. It’s very impressive.”

BlueStacks will tries to convince cable companies and TV makers to sell GamePop-powered devices under their own brands.

“In just the past six months we’ve seen demand for mobile gaming on TV really take off,” BlueStacks CEO Rosen Sharma said in a statement . “With Samsung behind GamePop, it is well positioned to be the leading gray-label option for cable companies and TV makers worldwide.”

The company has raised $24 million to date, with other investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Ignition Partners, Radar Partners, Redpoint, Intel and Qualcomm.

Source : Re/Code

#Tags : #Samsung #BlueStacks #Gamepop #gaming #console #techtonictimes #Andreessen Horowitz #Ignition Partners #Radar Partners #Redpoint #Intel #Qualcomm

SAMSUNG teams up with OCULUS VR for virtual reality headset

2014-07-25T00:28:00.001+05:30

A photo has leaked from the labs at Samsung, revealing a new virtual reality headset.

It appears that Samsung has been working on their own virtual reality headset that is expected to make its way to the consumer electronics show in Berlin in this September.

From the leaked photo we can see a touch pad on the side of the lens and a button that allows users to control “see-through” mode.

Nicknamed, Gear VR, the device will have a USB 3.0 dock that will allow users to connect their mobile device for head tracking.

Sources also says that Gear VR will come with a section of apps and a SDK for developers.

While Samsung has not confirmed the photo, tech sources are saying that Oculus Rift will provide the software for the Samsung device and are expected to announce the collaboration at their Oculus Connect conference which is also scheduled in September.

VR technology may be the next new thing and it seems Samsung is ready to stay top in this trends. We think that now they are partners..

Source : dailygadgetry

#Tags : #Smasung #Oculus #Gear #GearVR #IFA #Berlin #Oculus Connect

Uber app launches on Windows Phone technically relaunched

2014-07-25T00:00:00.001+05:30

Windows Phone users can finally take a ride with Uber. Well, they could do it before by using Uber's previous app which was a modified mobile site. But now the software is actually designed for Windows Phone and its the an official Uber app for Windows Phone users. It arrives long after Uber debuted on rival platforms Android and iOS,. Just set a pickup location in the app, choose the vehicle you want to ride on (Uber taxi, UberX, black car, etc.), and then sit back and just wait for your driver, thats all. Payment is automatically handled via credit card, and once you've arrived at your destination, a receipt will be sent to your email inbox.

But when time passes Uber customers may notice a couple things missing, though. There's no ability to split fares between other people riding with you, and the Windows Phone app can't yet provide fare quotes. Uber confired that it will adding both of those in updates just within a month, so just check for updates. The app can be installed from here.

Source : The Verge

#Tags : #Microsoft #Windows #Uber #Windows Phone #Launch #techtonictimes #techtonic

Xiaomi launched Mi4 just after Mi3 launched in India : Mi4 specs

2014-07-23T01:47:00.001+05:30

Chinese device maker Xiaomi has unveiled its new flagship smartphone, Xiaomi Mi 4. The phone will be available in China.

The phone has been priced at a range of $320 for the 16GB version and $400 for the 64GB variants.

This is the successor of the Xiaomi Mi 3, the phone features a stainless steel metal frame and a 5-inch full HD display made by Sharp or JDI. Its changeable plastic back cover is changable.

Xiaomi Mi 4 is powered by a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor and has 3GB RAM. The phone runs i MIUI 6, a new version of the company's operating system, which is based on Android 4.4 KitKat.

The phone packed with a 13MP rear and 8MP front Sony stacked CMOS camera and a 3080mAh battery. According to Xiaomi, the battery would last one and a half day with normal usage and will offer quick charging, reaching 60% charge in an hour's time.

The launch comes on the day of the Mi 3 launch in the Indian market. Available exclusively on Flipkart, the phone sold out in 45 minutes. According to Xiaomi, 100,000 people had registered to participate in the sale.

Xiaomi's Lei Jun announcing the new Mi 4

Specifications :

DESIGN

Device type:
- Smart phone
OS:
- Android (4.4.2) MIUI 6 UI
Dimensions:
- 5.48 x 2.70 x 0.35 inches (139.2 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm)
Weight:
- 149 g

DISPLAY

Physical size:
- 5.0 inches
Resolution:
- 1080 x 1920 pixels
Pixel density:
- 441 ppi
Technology:
- IPS LCD
Colors:
- 16 777 216
Touchscreen:
- - Multi-touch
Features:
- Light sensor, Proximity sensor

CAMERA

Camera:
- - 13 megapixels
- Flash:
  - LED
- Aperture size:
  - F1.8
- Camera sensor size:
  - 1/3.06"
- Features:
  - CMOS image sensor, Autofocus, Geo tagging, High Dynamic Range mode (HDR), Effects
Camcorder:
- - 3840x2160 (4K) (30 fps), 1920x1080 (1080p HD) (60 fps)
- Features:
  - High Dynamic Range mode (HDR)
Front-facing camera:
- - 8 megapixels

HARDWARE

System chip:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 801
Processor:
- Quad core, 2500 MHz, Qualcomm Krait 400
Graphics processor:
- - Adreno 330
System memory:
- 3072 MB RAM
Built-in storage:
- 64 GB

BATTERY

Capacity:
- 3080 mAh
Not user replaceable:
- Yes

MULTIMEDIA

Music player:
- Filter by:
  - Album, Artist, Playlists
- Features:
  - Album art cover, Background playback
Speakers:
- Earpiece, Loudspeaker
YouTube player:
- Yes

INTERNET BROWSING

Built-in online services support:
- YouTube (upload), Picasa/Google+

TECHNOLOGY

GSM:
- 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
UMTS:
- 850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz
Data:
- LTE, HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s, HSDPA+ (4G) 21.1 Mbit/s, HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s, EDGE, GPRS
Positioning:
- GPS, A-GPS
Navigation:
- Yes

Gallery :

Source : phonearena
#Tags : #Xiaomi #Mi4 #China #Mi3 #Smartphone #Xiaomi Mi4 #techtonictimes #techtonictweet

Apple iPhone 6 photo leak shows rear logo could light up for notifications

2014-07-22T01:00:00.005+05:30

iPhone 6 rumours and photos have started to leak steadily as the expected September reveal gets closer. Now a very reliable source has backed up the multi-source rumour that the rear Apple logo will light up on the iPhone 6.

The iPhone 6 may feature a rear light-up logo which will be used for notifications when the phone is face down. The latest leaked photo, showing the light-friendly rear case has come from reliable Apple leaker Sonny Dickson. It clearly shows a thin plastic space for the Apple logo that would allow light to shine out.

The clear plastic logo may also be an opening used for NFC transmission, where the metal of the rest of the rear case would block signals.

All the other rumours for the iPhone 6 seem to fit with this panel showing off the slicker finish with redesigned camera flash, rounded edges and strips along the rear. It also appears to be much thinner than previous versions of the iPhone.

Apple is expected to reveal the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 alongside a 5.5-inch iPhone Air this September. The iPhone 6 is expected to be available shortly after with the iPhone Air not around until 2015 owing to construction issues. The Apple iWatch is also expected to be unveiled at the September event.

Just wait to confirm.

Source : uswitch

#Tags : #Apple #iPhone #iPhone6 #Light #rumor

Google stops labelling apps with in-app purchases as 'Free'

2014-07-22T00:54:00.001+05:30

Google will no longer label apps that include in-app purchases as “free” on the Google Play store, in an effort to prevent users from unknowingly racking up costly bills.

Earlier this month, free-to-play games are labelled as 'FREE'.

Today, these titles no longer have a price listed.

The move comes in response to meetings with the European Commission, which raised concerns about how tech companies like Google and Apple handle in-app purchases. The commission was particularly concerned about incidents where children racked up huge bills on their parents’ accounts.

“This is the very first enforcement action of its kind in which the European Commission and national authorities joined forces,” read a statement from the European Commission. “This is significant for consumers. In particular, children must be better protected when playing online.”

Google has also agreed to set guidelines that discourage developers from marketing to kids.

In January, Apple agreed to refund US$32.5 million in in-app purchases to unsuspecting parents whose children racked up hundreds of dollars in charges from playing games.

Google was also hit with a class-action lawsuit earlier this year from parents of children who made unauthorized purchases in apps.

Source : globalnews

#Tags : #Google #Apps #Play #Store #Free #labelled

Microsoft’s unified 5 technology event which happens in May 2015

2014-07-22T00:31:00.000+05:30

This morning, the software company announced that it will end several of its standalone conferences, including its confabs for SharePoint, Lync, Project, and Exchange, along TechEd event. The five events will be replaced, and said “inaugural unified Microsoft commercial technology event.”

The gist is that Microsoft is bringing its wider enterprise-facing events together, which is worth noting. The event will take place in May 4-8, 2015, in Chicago.

The company released a blog post on the change, essentially noting that its former conference structure had become dated — with increasing integration across products categories, having separate events was simply too siloed an approach.

We confirmed with Microsoft that the decision has no impact on Build, the company’s other developer event. That’s hardly surprising. It would have been odd to see Microsoft lower its load of developer outreach at a time when it is scrambling to grow developer mindshare in certain product categories, and preserve where it already retains buy-in.

Source : Microsoft

#Tags : #Microsoft #Event #TechED #SharePoint #Lync #Project #Exchange

Facebook introduces Save, a Read-It-Later list for Links, Places, and Media Pages

2014-07-22T00:20:00.001+05:30

Two years after acqhiring read-it-later startup Spool, Facebook today launched a basic Pocket competitor called Save.If a user sees something on their timeline, they can indicate that they want to save it from their timeline by tapping on the top-right corner of the story. Facebook says places, movies, TV, and other items can also be placed in the Save list.

Users can view their saved items under the "more" tab on their smartphone or tablet. It will also be accessible through a standard Web browser on a computer.

While Save doesn’t cache content behind links like Pocket or Instapaper, it should give all Facebook users a quick way to stockpile links and content they find so they don’t have to interrupt their News Feed reading flow. As it rolls out over the next few days, Save could let people browse the feed in shorter bursts without worrying about forgetting things they don’t have time to explore right away.

Facebook tested a version of Save back in 2012, and in March of this year I reported that Facebook was trying a new design that looks quite similar to what launched today.

Introduction

Every day, people find all sorts of interesting items on Facebook that they don’t have time to explore right away. Now you can save items that you find on Facebook to check out later when you have more time. You can save items like links, places, movies, TV and music. Only you can see the items you save unless you choose to share them with friends.

Save Once, View Anywhere

You can view the items you saved at any time by going to your saved items in the “More” tab on mobile or by clicking the link on the left hand side of Facebook on the web.

Your saved items list is organized by category and you can swipe right on each item to share it with your friends or move it into your archive list.

Get Reminders About Your Saved Items

We’ll sometimes show you reminders of your saved items in News Feed. For example, we might show you links to articles you saved:

Save will be available to everyone on iOS, Android and the web over the next few days

Source : newsroom.fb.com

#Tags : #FB #Facebook #Social Network #Save #Pocket #Instapaper #Launch

Windows 8.1 update 2 said to arrive on August 12th

2014-07-22T00:10:00.002+05:30

The next update to Windows 8.1 will arrive during August's Patch Tuesday,

claims a Russian website.

Windows 8.1 update 2 is speculated to be released on 12 August.

Microsoft will release the Windows 8.1 update 2 on 12 August for users currently on its Windows 8.1 OS : report says.

Leaked information from Russian site PCPortal.org.ru pegs August 12 as the date for Windows 8.1 update 2, according to tech news site Neowin. Though the report can't be confirmed, Neowin considers it authentic based on prior information.

The report also goes on to add that users cannot expect even User Interface (UI) improvements within Windows 8.1 update 2.

This means that Microsoft should bring out multiple enhancements (new) within its next Windows iteration that is tentatively termed Windows Threshold (or Windows 9).

However, when we take into consideration the user flak that the Redmond-based company received for eliminating start button from Windows 8, it seems imperative for Microsoft to bring back the iconic start button as early as possible, or face user migration to rival operating systems, predominantly Apple Mac.

Microsoft, however, was quick to take user feedback, and incorporated new settings within Windows 8.1 update 1, that allowed users to boot directly to the familiar traditional desktop.

The alleged description leaked by PCPortal.org.ru did say the August update will include new features and functionality. However, previous reports suggest the update itself will be minor and may simply include bug fixes and stability tweaks for existing features. Microsoft initially planned to bring back the Start menu in Windows 8.1 Update 2. But the company apparently changed its mind and now intends to revive the Start menu in what could be Windows 9, or Threshold, slated for release in April 2015..

The company is said to be working on various desktop-centric features like allowing traditional Windows interface to boot up by default within desktops. This aspect will also lead to users being empowered to choose between traditional and metro-style user interfaces.

Windows 9 Threshold is also expected to work differently on different devices, as the OS would fit dynamically, in the device which it drives.

With Windows 9 Threshold expected to be a hotbed of enhancements, the Windows 8.1 update 2 will in all probability be Microsoft's final hurrah with regard to supporting Windows 8.1.

The Redmond-based company, earlier in the month, announced the end of mainstream support for Windows 7 that drives more than half of the world's computers even today. The OS is set to enter 'extended support' stage starting January 2015.

Source : ibtimes

#Tags : #Windows #Microsoft #Update #8.1 #9 #Threshold #techtonictimes #techtonic

Facebook Messenger comes to iPad

2014-07-06T09:11:00.002+05:30

Facebook Messenger makes the best on a phone, but plenty of people still want to chat on their tablets -- and apparently, Facebook knows it. The social network has just updated Messenger for iOS to support the iPad, letting you carry on a conversation without having to either dig through chats in the main Facebook app or rely on third-party titles. The iPad interface mostly like a super-sized version of what you see on an iPhone, although it miss out on a handful of recent feature additions, like tap-and-hold video capture and the split-screen selfie mode. But there's no corresponding native interface for Android tablets just yet, although the iPad refresh reminds as that there wiil be Android tablet version coming soon.

Source : Engadget

#Tags : #iPad #Facebook #iOS #Facebook Messanger #social network #update

Samsung Gear Live now available on Indian Play Store at Rs 15,900

2014-07-06T09:10:00.002+05:30

After being initially listed on the Google Play Store, Samsung Gear Live, Samsung's first Android Wear smartwatch is now available for purchase at Rs 15,900. The watch will be shipped by July 18.

Announced at Google's I/O conference, Samsung Gear Live sports a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED(320x320p) display.This runs on Android version for smartwatches. It is powered by a 1.2 GHz Processor and 512MB RAM, and comes with 4GB internal storage. It has a 300mAh battery and features a heart rate monitor like Galaxy S5. Gear Live comes with changeable straps, accelerometer, gyroscope and compass, and it is dust and water resistant(IP67).

The smartwatch is equipped with Google's voice recognition service and can perform simple tasks including checking email, sending text messages and carrying out an online search at users' voice command.

Source : timesofindia

#Tags : #Samsung #Google #PlayStore #launch #Gear #Live #Amoled #Smartwatch

Rumor : iPhone 6 and 5.5 inch 'iPhone Air' to debut on September

2014-07-06T09:04:00.000+05:30

Apple is planning to start sales of its next iPhone on Sept. 25 according to website China.com. The reports suggest that Apple is planning to launch a 5.5-inch "phablet" version of the next-gen "iPhone 6" called "iPhone Air," along with a 4.7 inch iPhone 6.

The same report states that the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 variant will be called the iPhone Air, similar to the largest iPad. Rumors claim that the next iPhone 6 will have a 4.7 inch thinner redesigned body, a faster A8 processor, improved cameras and a new lens module. The iPhone 6 is also rumored to have multiple sensors, including a new barometer sensor. Reports suggest that the 5.5-inch model may be available in a 128GB version and feature an optical image stabilization system. Apple's carriers in the country, China Mobile and China Unicom, have already begun field testing the iPhone 6 on their networks.

According to the China.com report, China will be one of the first countries to receive the iPhone. The report also mentions the pricing, claiming that the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 (32GB) will cost CNY 5,288 (approximately Rs. 50,800) which is the same as the 16GB iPhone 5S in China. The 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Air (16GB) variant will be priced at CNY 5,998 (approximately Rs. 57,600).

Recently Chinese pop-star Jimmy Lin had leaked images of the iPhone 6 on his Weibo account which shows device to have rounded corners and a smooth aluminum surface similar to the iPad Air.

This are only Rumors.

Source: GforGames, Tech.china

Google Play Store has a new section for Android Wear apps

2014-07-06T08:55:00.000+05:30

Android Wear watches aren't in the hands of many just yet, but developers are already starting to publish their apps for them into the Google Play Store. It appears that a specific section for the apps went live yesterday, collecting a little over twenty of them on a single page, including Google's own apps and third-party apps like Pinterest and IFTTT. For now, it's a good place to browse if you're curious about how much these watches will really be able to do once they're actually on people's wrists. For some reason, though, the page isn't comprehensive: a number of Wear apps are missing from it at the moment, including an app for Evernote.

Source: The Verge

#Tags : #Google Play #Wear #Android #Pinterest #IFTTT #Evernote #Store #watches

Nvidia working on Shield tablet, according to filing

2014-07-03T15:12:00.001+05:30

Nvidia appears to be taking its Android-powered portable Shield from mobile phone-sized devices to tablets, according to a filing with the Global Certification Forum validating the new device's wireless connectivity.

In a related tweet on Monday, the device is called a "Notebook/Tablet," perhaps indicating a dual function or convertible form.

NEW! @GCF_Certified Notebook/Tablet from @nvidia http://t.co/C3LwUTL20E— GCF (@GCF_Certified) June 30, 2014

The Verge, which spotted the GCF filing, notes that the Shield Tablet was alluded to in both an earlier submission with the Federal Communications Commission and even the appearance of the product's name on the Nvidia website.

Polygon has contacted Nvidia for comment on its plans and will update this story with any response it makes.

The Nvidia Shield launched on July 31, 2013, and it delivered a substantial update to its operating system in early April. For more on the device, see Polygon's preview of that update.

Source : polygon.com