Author: Parul Ritvik Sood

A German Village Built its Own Broadband Network

Lack of internet connectivity sounds may be a problem of the past for a few. Well, that’s certainly not the case for most of the German villages around the Danish border. Small towns and villages with population of mere 600 people can’t connect to the internet. But for the Germans, this sounded more like a challenge than a problem. The people of a small village called Löwenstedt have come up with a solution; building their own network. History of innovation and development triggers with the absence of it, this German village proved it right.

The village’s Mayor said that they never found a company willing to supply the necessary fibre-optics, which will be around 22km of stretch. Some 58 other communities in Northern Friesland face similar difficulties and so the idea was born of clubbing together businesses, individuals and villages to secure access to a modern technology that is taken for granted in most German towns and cities.

This network will work wonders not only the youth to get connected to the outer world easily, the network will also be used to establish more business, effective trade and help in the agriculture sector which is biggest part of economy in the village.

The firm working with the village people has collected more than €2.5 million ($3.4 million) in funds with the help of 925 shareholders who each contributed a minimum of €1,000. 94% of household from the village already signed up to the network for two years even before it started functioning.

Peter Kock, who runs an agricultural technology supply firm in the village, couldn’t be happier with this initiative. “It’s brilliant. There’s no comparison,” he said. Now data files that used to take two hours to load onto his computer screen now appear in just 30 seconds. This not only helped his business growing but also benefited his customers who can now easily check the availability spare parts online.

For now, however, it is only the village of Löwenstedt that has succeeded in mobilizing the solidarity of its inhabitants to build a high-speed Internet network. Other villages have been slower and have found it more difficult to follow Löwenstedt’s lead.

What villagers of Löwenstedt has done, this has been done earlier around the world. Companies don’t want to do the “last mile/km” because they will not get the money back in subscriptions. Even now after putting in the system, only 68% of the population is subscribed; to most companies that is unacceptable. Especially if your young population is leaving in droves and the majority of the local population is over 50.

June 3, 2014
The Asus Transformer Book V is a Laptop, Tablet and a Phone

New technology and innovations are flooding in everyday. With the ever growing laptop and smartphone market, companies are trying to woe buyer by introducing crazy ideas and innovation in their products. Asus Transformer Book V is an outcome of this rat-race. Asus announced that they are working on this new piece of hardware which can be used as a tablet, laptop and a phone.

The 3-in-1 device with dual operating system support means it offers five different modes. These include an Android smartphone, an Android tablet, a Windows tablet, a laptop running Android and a Windows 8.1 laptop.

A 12.5 inch laptop/ tablet screen run on Windows 8.1 is powered by Intel Broadwell Chip. The tablet can be used independently as an Android device, when combined with a keyboard dock it turns into an Android laptop and with a mere switch of a key it will turn into a powerful Windows laptop.

With a tap on the screen,the user can switch between Windows 8.1 tablet and an Android 4.4 Kitkat tablet, but only when the phone is docked. The tablet alone has built-in storage of up to 128GB. The un-docked phone of the Asus Transformer Book V runs Android 4.4 Kitkat, and Asus claims it is the world’s first 5in LTE smartphone powered by a quad-core Intel Atom processor. The phone is also powered by a impressive 2,500mAh battery that provides up to 10 hours of web browsing time.

Asus is known for its amalgamation of several form-factors in the same device. Earlier they have promoted this hybrid structure through their FonePad, PadFone and Transformer Book. We may not see this amazing hardware soon. Unless it is powered by an Intel Broadwell chip and launches at the same time as the processor, they it may hit the market this autumn. Asus did not give any pricing or availability details for the Transformer Book.

The company is attempting to create the perfect device for multi-taskers. The Transformer Book V is aimed to bring in greater flexibility for users so that they can easily switch between work and entertainment.

June 2, 2014
Airtel Hits Jalandhar with 4G

People living in Jalandhar can now enjoy high definition video streaming with zero buffering, download 10 movies in less than 30 minutes, uploading a full holiday worth of albums in less than 5 minutes by uploading 2 high quality photos per second and also connect multiple devices without any experience constraint.

After launching in Chandigarh and Ludhiana successfully, now Airtel is launching its 4G services in Jalandhar. iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c owners can start their mobile 4G experience right away by upgrading to a 4G SIM.

It is not only easy, but also affordable! While the USIM will come free with the purchase of dongle or CPE(Customer-premises equipment). Otherwise it will come for Rs 49 for mobile users, with the dongles priced at Rs. 1500, and the CPE is priced at Rs 2500.

A special pack of Rs. 999/- (for postpaid – mobiles, dongles and CPEs) and Rs. 995/- (for prepaid- mobiles only) have also been introduced for heavy data users which will offer 10 GB of 4G data. For postpaid mobile customers, the plans will start as low as Rs. 100/-.

You can also enjoy the Airtel 4G’s unbeatable speed on the Airtel 4G dongle, Wi-Fi CPE and 4G compatible handsets including Xolo LT 900 and LG G2 (model D802T) apart from the iPhone 5S (models A1530& A1518) and 5C (models A1529 & A1516).

Special demo zones and kiosks have been installed at the Airtel Office at 342, New Jawahar Nagar, Jalandhar for customers to experience LIVE demos and get started on 4G. Airtel is planning to launch this service in Delhi in July while Bangluru, Kolakata, Pune and Mohali already have this service.

So if you were wondering about buying an LTE capable phone, then this should tilt the scales towards a positive.

May 30, 2014
Samsung’s Tough Boy, Galaxy S5 Active Officially Launched

Two weeks back we were introduced to Galaxy S5 Active, through a leaked video by TK TechNews. And now Samsung’s Galaxy S5 Active is available today on AT&T. Unlike it’s other counterparts, it is rugged and tough.

The Galaxy S5 Active has the same full-HD AMOLED 5.1-inch screen. Its 16-megapixel camera and fingerprint sensor are also lodged into the rugged smartphone. That said, water-resistance is now part of the original Galaxy S5’s bag of tricks. There’s also the shock-resistant, dust-proof shell and a burlier look. Even if it’s a dreamy rendered view we’re seeing here, the metallic details and finish could well win over Galaxy fans that aren’t pro-plastic.

There’s an extra “convenience key” on the side of the phone that gives you easy access to all the phone’s apps that are related to outdoor activity.

Although the casing looks hardier than that of the Galaxy S5, it’s reasonably slim — a far cry from the bulky “rugged” phones of yesteryears that often looked closer to military hardware than something you’d carry in your pocket. It’ll be offered in “camo green,” “titanium grey,” and “ruby red” colorways.

The critics though are questioning the need for this phone as its predecessor, the Galaxy S4 Active, since the regular Galaxy S5 already offers more protection against the elements than most other devices on the market. Without a whole lot of extra functionality to define it against the water-loving Galaxy S5, the S5 Active’s main appeal could well end up boiling down to its tough-guy exterior.

The phone currently is only available in the USA. you can buy the S5 Active for $200 with a new, two year contract, for $27.50 per month with AT&T Next 18, for $35.75 per month with AT&T Next 12.

AT&T is also knocking $50 off the price of the Samsung Gear Fit if you buy it alongside the Galaxy S 5 Active.

May 30, 2014
The 10 Most Interactive Websites On the Internet

It’s the new age of marketing and companies have juiced every kind of media gimmick to promote themselves. It’s not only the online world, but all sorts of companies are looking to use new-age technology to attract more viewership. Now, interactive websites are the new ‘IT’ thing to advertise, as well as engage viewers with user-based interactive flash games.

Creating bespoke design and digital solutions help you glue the customers on your site. Here are 10 hand-picked websites that will glue your eyeballs to your laptop screens:

Hello Sour Sally

It is the first frozen yogurt store in Jakarta and their site is just so much fun! The site allows you to move “Sally” through a wonder world of ingredients. It is designed as a small game where you help sally collect all the ingredients to make the yogurt. Not the most easy to navigate, perhaps, but adorable.

May 30, 2014
Future Meets Reality? A Day Made Of Glass

First seen in 2011, this five-minute video shows a day-in-the-life of a family in the future to exhibit how a speciality glass may deliver astonishing benefits to daily products. From organizing your to-do list with a few touches on the bathroom mirror to altering the look of a car dashboard with a quick flick of your finger, or reading a classic novel on a thin piece of flexible glass – the video depicts a world of mobile communication and connection.

For more than 160 years, Corning has applied its skill in glass science to help enable the breakthroughs that have revolutionized our modern world, such as, Thomas Edison’s light bulb, glass windows for all U.S.-manned space flights, and the world’s first low-loss optical fiber for telecommunications networks. This track record for modernization continues today through Corning’s stanch pledge to research, a passion for glass, and their vision for the future.

The “A Day Made of Glass” video captured the imagination of millions on YouTube and was expanded in 2012 with Corning’s release of “A Day Made of Glass 2.” Set on the same day, this video takes a new journey with the same family, while extending the possibilities of glass into the hospital, classroom, and home of the future.

Today, the “A Day Made of Glass” series continues to grow, including new videos, an educational program, and a recently launched microsite. Visit the new microsite that features all of Corning’s “A Day Made of Glass” videos and content related to the company’s vision, including learning tools, feature stories, and FAQs on the video series.

It would be a stretch to label everything in these videos as digital signage, but the technologies they represent are so obviously cross-applicable that we might as well start getting ready for a world where digital signage isn’t just digital out-of-home, but digital in-home as well.

May 30, 2014
Skype’s Incredible New App Translates in Real-time

Skype clearly understanding the need of the hour has created an app which might be easiest way to stay in touch with your friends around the globe. With this app, Skype stays true to its motto and hopes to make its international connections easier. The new feature automatically translates conversations in real time. Before the end of 2014, Microsoft plans to release a beta Skype app that will enable real-time translation of people verbally speaking in different languages.

Skype Translator, as Microsoft is calling it, appears to be an extension of the real-time translation Microsoft has been developing for over ten years. The company had previously shown the technology in action, with the real-time translation of speech delivered by Microsoft’s Rick Rashid in China. Even more recently, Microsoft released Bing Translator, which performs the same function as Skype Translator, just on Windows 8.

The feature, dubbed Skype Translator, was demonstrated on Tuesday by Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella during an onstage interview at the Recode Code Conference in Palos Verdes, Calif. During the demonstration, Nadella conducted a conversation with Skype chief Gurdeep Singh Pall, who was speaking German, while Skype provided real-time translation of the German into English and vice versa.

On the Microsoft Research site, the company said it’s been working on machine translation for more than a decade, and that earlier translating voice over Skype was “considered a nearly impossible task.” However, four years ago the program got a jumpstart with a project that was able to translate phone calls in real-time. Meanwhile, a separate project improved speech recognition accuracy, Microsoft said. That eventually bolstered other services that listen to human voices, like Microsoft’s Cortana voice assistant for Windows Phone.

Microsoft had bought Skype in May 2011 for $8.5bn (£5.2bn) – making it the firm’s biggest acquisition at the time. However, it has been facing increasing competition from a multitude of rivals, including Google Hangouts, Apple’s Facetime, Blackberry’s BBM, Tango and Viber.

Manoj Menon, managing director at consulting firm Frost & Sullivan said that once launched, the new feature could have wide ranging applications in sectors such as education and tourism. He added that the translation feature may also help Microsoft to integrate Skype with its office social network site Yammer. Microsoft also bought Yammer – which operates like Facebook for communication within companies – for $1.2bn in 2012.

“Microsoft has acquired some great assets such as Yammer and Skype over the past few years,” Mr Menon said. “The ability to integrate these together will help unlock their value and the translate feature is a wonderful step in that direction.” Skype has also been taking other steps to try and attract more users. Last year, it confirmed that it had developed technology for 3D video calls. But it has said it could be many years before the technology is launched.

While it’s unclear how the beta app of Skype Translator will relate to Skype itself (will the two remain separate apps?), it’s certainly clear that Microsoft is moving ahead fast in terms of real-time translation.

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May 29, 2014
5 Apps You Should Hit to Get Fit

Your health is in your hands. Seriously, it’s right there—or it can be, in the form of flashy petite apps downloaded to your smartphone. But with so many options to select from, it can be hard to know which apps really facilitate desirable results. At a time when storage space is dear and your vigor even more so, we’ve hand-selected fitness apps and games intended to help you facilitate a healthier you. Here is to using our phones to get fit!

Fitness Point Pro: Is a simple app, made for gym rats who are dedicated to follow a fitness regime. A paid app, this would a super cheap replacement of your trainer. By downloading the app, you get access to a database full of exercises as well as a detailed description of each exercise with animation. The animations being the main selling point.They ensure you follow exercises correctly, steering clear of injuries. This app also encourages you to create new workouts, as well as suggests combinations. And you receive a calendar view of each and every log, not to mention both day and month views for training and exercises.

Johnson & Johnson Official 7-Minute Workout App: This app is one of most user-friendly app you would ever use – it has 36 exercises, 13 pre-designed workouts, and a custom workout feature to help you design your own 7-minute workout. You can choose the length of rest intervals, the number of times you want to run through a particular circuit, and tunes from your personal music library to further personalize your session. And with audio and visual instruction, you’re sure to get in a good workout anywhere there’s a floor, wall, and a chair.

Zombies, Run! 5K Trainer: This app is one of my favorite app in this list, nothing related to it’s name. Okay, we’re lying. The app works exactly the way it reads. Can you think of any better way to train for that 5K than to flee from hordes of zombies? Part interactive horror flick, part personal trainer, this app guides you through interval training while involving you in an apocalyptic story through which you’re meant to save humanity over the course of eight weeks. It’s a great way to keep yourself motivated, while having a little flesh-eating fun on your way to a win.

Cody: This one uses a strong social element to motivate its users to stay fit. Why do get fit alone when you can get fit with friends? Cody offers users inside connections to a fitness community where they can share and discover workouts (complete with video, photo, and text instructions) by following new and old friends. Users get their own cheering section! Friends can like and comment on each other’s workout activity. Cody also allows users to track their progress via a timeline packed with stats and highlights.

Fitocracy Macros: It’s way more than just a regular calorie-counting app. Fitocracy Macros tracks the calories you take in from macronutrients (protein, fat, and carbs). This macro-centered strategy is supposed to help prevent the low energy, hunger, and crankiness that other diets cause. Plug in your stats, body type, fit goal, and you’re set! The only downside is that you’ll have to research how many calories are actually in the macros you munch on, but that aside, it’s a simple and easy app that helps you reach your dieting goals.

May 26, 2014
One Step Ahead: 3D Imaging on New Google Tablet

“What if you could walk into a store and see exactly where that thing you need to buy is, or play hide-and-seek in your home with that character from your favorite game, or help the visually-impaired navigate that place they have never been able to to go on their own? We believe the possibilities are vast.” That’s been Google’s Project Tango‘s vision. And now, Google is reportedly working on a tablet version of this initiative, that incorporates multiple advanced imaging sensors into a portable device for real time 3D imaging and mapping.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the Internet search giant is further exploring into computer vision technology with a 7-inch tablet which has two rear-facing cameras, infrared depth sensors and highly customized software. The small-format slate seems to be an oversized version of the existing prototype Project Tango smartphone released in February by Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects division.

Google’s Project Tango webpage notes the sensor suite “allows the phone to make over a quarter million 3D measurements every second. Updating its position and orientation in real-time, and then further combining that data into a single 3D model of the space around you.”

In February, Google had released a prototype smartphone out of that group, which also boasts sensors that could come up with a 3D map of your surroundings. The tablet appears to have the same or similar imaging hardware as the smartphone version, which features a regular camera mounted near the top of the handset, a motion-sensing camera placed opposite and incorporated depth sensors mounted between the two. It is unknown what type of CPU will power the tablet, but the phone boasts two “computer vision” processors and assorted positioning sensors for calculating movement in three-dimensions.

The project’s recommended applications range from the ordinary, such as capturing the dimensions of a home before furniture shopping simply by waving the phone around a room, to the helpful, such as aiding the visually impaired inside unfamiliar buildings, to the playful, such as turning a foyer into a virtual-reality game space.

Facebook is also exploring advanced computer vision technology with its planned $2 billion acquisition of Oculus VR, the maker of virtual reality headset Oculus Rift. The headset was originally intended for use with gaming devices, but Facebook has said it plans to extend its virtual reality capabilities beyond gaming into areas such as communications, media, entertainment, and education.

Developers already have their hands on the phone and WSJ reports the company plans to release the tablet to select testers prior to Google I/O, which begins on June 25.

May 23, 2014
Moto 360 Watch Rumors Fly : What To Expect

Samsung has been ruling a still infant, smartwatch market with half-a-million Samsung Galaxy Gears dispatched this year. These have been hogging around 70 percent of the fast-growing market for smart timepieces. Motorola has since stepped in the game and has unveild its Moto 360(don’t mix it up with a popular games console). It is the least smartwatch-like smartwatch we have seen for a long time. It looks quite like a regular watch, which Motorola insists it isn’t in the least.

The Moto 360 will use Sapphire glass in order to keep scratches at bay and generally protect it against knocks and scrapes. With Gorilla Glass being designed for much larger pieces of glass, it’s unsurprising to see Motorola opting for a different material here.

Motorola has plans to release the Moto 360 in July with a $350 price tag, according to Journal du Geek, a French website. The company has also hinted that the Moto 360 would launch this summer. It did not however, mention whether it would come first to the U.S with a later release for Europe and the rest of the world. Motorola has released images of the Moto 360 with both leather and steel bands, and accidentally leaked leather color options went online earlier this year.

The Moto 360 will not feature ports for USB charging or any other wired connector, which means the purple plastic plate behind its face will allow it to utilize induction charging, a method of wireless charging that requires a powered mat or some other specialized charger. Induction charging does not currently transmit through metallic materials, which is probably why Motorola selected plastic.

The Moto 360 might be induction charged

Motorola could also use solar or self-winding chargers to supplement wireless charging in the Moto 360. This will help to increase the battery life of the watch before you finally have to set it down to charge. Of course, this is an unconfirmed leak and we are definitely hoping for a considerably lower price when the Moto 360 comes out stateside.

We hope Motorola can bring Smart and Sexy together in their endevour in Smartwatches, as they have done in the smartphone market with the Moto X, G and the baby E.

May 22, 2014
SingStar : Now Use Your Phone as a Karaoke Mic

Music games are great for parties with close friends who won’t judge you when you totally tear down that one riff in David Bowies’ Let’s Dance. But they do have one weak spot: you can’t play them without all the plastic instrument accessories, making impulsive sessions at a friend’s place somewhat of a chore. The creators of Sony’s SingStar series have found a solution for that.

To celebrate it’s 10th anniversary, the SingStar franchise is launching a new app that enables you to turn your phone into a microphone. SingStar Director Chris Bruce wrote on the playstation blog, “We’re really pleased to announce that SingStar will be coming to PS4 later this year. Not only that but we will also be launching a free SingStar app that will transform your smartphone into a microphone. That’s right, no more mics required!”

The app works with both PS3 and PS4 versions and is also compatible with most iOS and Android smartphones and devices. The app also lets you create your own personal playlists.

The karaoke party game series previously required players to use USB microphones to sing along and compete against friends. Later this year they have promised SingStar: Ultimate Party on PS3 and PS4, which will host a collection of 30 tracks, which represents great value for anyone new to SingStar. Players will be able to select playlists directly from their phones as well.

With its improved scoring system, you can also build up your XP and get rewarded for game activity, or challenge your friends online and entertain them with renditions of your favorite songs,

SCE London Studio is working to expand SingStar’s social features by making it easier to share the best bits of your night on Twitter and Facebook straight from the game. They have also promised to continue adding new tracks to the SingStore. Though the release date for its forthcoming upgrade has not been announced.

Check out the new trailer featuring Carly Rae Jepsen’s Call Me Maybe.

May 22, 2014
Meanwhile in Mumbai, Drones Delivered Pizzas

Picture this: You order a pizza, and as always, 30 minutes later the door bell rings. You’re expecting a cheery delivery guy with the hot cheesy pizza you ordered. But wait, what if instead it’s being delivered by a flying drone?

A lesser-known pizza chain in Mumbai called Francesco’s Pizzeria, did just that last week. It succeeded in making a test-delivery, less than 3km away from its outlet in Lower Parel by using a remote-controlled, GPS-enabled drone. A four-rotor drone took off with the order from its outlet in central Mumbai’s Lower Parel area and delivered it to a high-rise building in adjacent Worli area. It dropped the 13-inch plain margherita pizza, weighing half a kilo, on the 21st floor rooftop before taking off again for the return journey. The speed with which the delivery was made thus beat the record for most leading pizza chains, which manually deliver pizzas within 30 minutes. The company claimed that it was the first time a drone has been used for such a purpose in the country.

The drone used was custom-made, said an official from the pizza chain, adding that an auto engineer friend of his had helped him make the flight possible. The official said the chain had carried out the test-delivery as an experiment because they want to be ready for when regulations in India loosen.

Since commercial deliveries by drones is not allowed in India, the ‘customer’ was a friend of the chain’s CEO. It may not be considered an official sale, but in a way, it was a first time for an aerial product delivery.

Several roadblocks have ensured their limited use and drones are mainly used in India by filmmakers. Legal restrictions make it clear that they are only allowed to fly between the altitude of 200 to 400 feet. They are also barred from flying over security establishments, and then there are the technical difficulties such as the limited operating radius of 8 km, after which their batteries go dry.

In the past, Taco Bell and Dominoes USA have attempted similar strategies. An idea called the TacoCopter — an app that would dispatch a drone to deliver a taco to your door — went viral last year, but the service is illegal under U.S. law as well. Dominoes USA tried pizza delivery which help of drone called ‘Domicopter’. Even Amazon has been in the news for testing and planning an unmanned aerial vehicle delivery system since quite a while.

It’ll take some time for them to figure out the nitty-gritties, but this seems to be the future of quick-deliveries. Till then, it is working well for the companies as a marketing gimmick.

May 22, 2014
Details About The HTC One M8 Prime Leaked

Specification of a future HTC smartphone, referred as the M8 Prime have been leaked recently. If the information is accurate, it’s shaping up to be a real powerhouse. Over the past few weeks there has been a buzz about the upcoming phone, today got the first look at the rumored device. Top smartphone leaker @evleaks, has been on a roll about leaking details on the HTC One M8 Prime. On Tuesday he posted a full 3D render of the actual device, which apparently HTC had created for the press kits of the device.

Touted to release this summer, this new phone looks a lot like the HTC One M8 – the only difference is that its camera protrudes slightly on the back of the device, which isn’t present on HTC’s earlier phones. The reason for this might be because the One M8 Prime will have a camera which fairs better than One M8’s underwhelming camera. Though, it clearly seems to have come at the cost of having a smooth rear shell.

Based on multiple rumors, most of which were revealed by @evleaks, it should have a 5.5-inch 2560 x 1440 Quad HD display, and the latest 2.5 GHx quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor with 3GB of RAM. Also, a casing of liquid-metal or a new composite of aluminum and liquid silicon blend into one. This will make it lightweight and durable, yet handle thermals better, amongst other things.

It might also be water-resistant and have the new Cat 6 radio technology to deliver some of the fastest 4G LTE and WiFi speeds on a mobile device.

The HTC One M8 Prime is said to feature one of the best displays available, the fastest quad-core processor, tons of RAM and storage, and what could be one of the best cameras on any Android smartphone. It sounds too good to be true, but thankfully, this leakster has an excellent track record of being right.

May 21, 2014
Microsoft Introduces Surface Pro 3!

The new Surface Pro 3, launched today in the USA, is Microsoft’s third attempt at “the tablet that can replace your laptop.” Earlier, Microsoft had introduced its first two Surface tablets, the Surface RT and Surface Pro, in a surprise media event in June 2012. The tablets were initially received well, with curious online commenter’s praising the design, the built-in metal kickstand, and its split-screen feature. However, by the time the Surface went on sale months later, the enthusiasm had waned, and Microsoft failed to capture much foothold in the tablet market. Currently, that market is dominated by Apple’s iPad and various devices running Google’s Android operating system, including Amazon’s Kindle Fire.

The brand new Surface Pro 3 runs a full version of Windows 8, which only means that owners can run desktop Windows apps such as the Microsoft Office suite, as well as apps made solely for tablets. Buyers can also purchase an attachable keyboard and mouse to transform the Surface into a more traditional laptop.

The new hinge on Surface Pro 3 helps it adjust to an angle between 22 and 150 degrees, making it handy and super adjustable. And while it may be tempting to compare the Surface Pro 3 to the iPad, it was clear from today’s onstage remarks by Microsoft officials that they’d like to view its competitor as the MacBook Pro and other laptops. The company hopes that Surface Pro 3 will be viewed as an all-in-one device, serving the function of both a laptop as well as a tablet,without compromising on any features. The Surface Pro 3 sports a 2,160-by-1,440 display, which according to Panos Panay, Head of Microsoft’s Surface division, provides the “highest contrast ratios in the industry.”

Along with the Surface Pro 3, the company introduced several add-ons which are built keeping in mind the needs of its users.

The new Type Cover keyboard add-on, priced at $130, has a much-improved trackpad. The new design has a 68 percent larger area than the Type Cover 2, and 78 percent less friction. It’s better for lap use as well; you can lock it in the cover so that it doesn’t wobble when you perch the device on your lap. During the demonstration, Microsoft’s representatives admitted that the old version of the trackpad was “unforgivably bad”. The upgraded Type Cover’s trackpad is better responsive and larger than its predecessor.

The second major add-on available is the accompanying stylus. It is built to look and feel like a proper pen with a comfortable heft, bringing its own realm of functionality. For example, a single click of the top button turns on the pen and turns on the tablet for immediate use.

The company has also unveiled a docking station for those who want to use the new Surface as a makeshift desktop. Besides adding a bevy of extra connections (three USB 3.0, two USB 2.0, Ethernet and audio) to the tablet, the dock also lets you output video at 4K through its Mini DisplayPort. Both the station and the new Type Cover should be available when the Pro 3 launches in North America on June 20th, and there are promises of extra peripherals in the future.

Another key-feature is the new touch-based version of Adobe Photoshop CC. Adobe worked closely with Microsoft to tailor Photoshop for the Surface Pro 3. It’s all set to use the power of the screen, pen and touch. The earlier Photoshop tablet versions were restricted to the use of the pen, this version boasts a touch-optimized interface which means you can now use your fingers to zoom, pan, and edit. Michael Gough, VP of design experience for Adobe at the launch said, “when you take the power of Photoshop and put it on this powerful device, it’s a creatives dream come true.”

The U.S. release is slotted for June 20 with a worldwide release in late August. Starting price at $799, the tablet will be available in three configurations: with an Intel Core i3, Core i5, or Core i7 processor. The i3 version will be on sale in June, with Core i5 and i7 arriving in August.

May 21, 2014
Rumor Report : Twitter To Buy Soundcloud

Twitter had shown interest in the music scene before, by introducing its own Twitter Music app, which unfortunately proved to be a failure. But that hasn’t deterred the company’s effort to find a way to make music a larger part of its service.

According to Recode, Twitter is attempting to purchase SoundCloud, one of the internet’s best homes for sharing music.

Berlin-based SoundCloud is a free service that lets users upload and share audio files around the Web; it is popularly described as the “YouTube for audio.” In October 2013, the company announced that it had 250 million users.

If the deal is confirmed, the acquirement would be a huge move for Twitter, which has seen its stock worn out over the last few months – its investors anxious about its slow growth pace. If the deal goes forward, it would also be Twitter’s most pricey acquisition till date. Earlier this year, SoundCloud announced a $60 million funding round that valued the company at $700 million. Last fall, Twitter was preparing to go public with its acquirement of a mobile advertisement company called MoPub, in a deal that valued the company above $300 million.

A Twitter deal will also likely up the pressure on SoundCloud to reach a deal with big music labels to distribute their songs. SoundCloud currently has no such deals, which puts it in a gray area similar to YouTube in its early days. Some copyrighted songs are on the service without the owners’ permission, but others are uploaded by artists and labels that value the distribution SoundCloud provides.

The two are already linked in several ways. Twitter’s users frequently pass along SoundCloud links in their messages; Peter Watts, a music tech hacker, has been tracking the popularity of music services on Twitter, his survey found that Twitter users share SoundCloud links more than any other music service, including Spotify.

If SoundCloud can gets favorable music licensing deals to legalize how their users get access to published songs, then maybe we could see music become a deeply embedded feature on Twitter. This deal would give Twitter the much needed push into media by adding another interesting and popular publishing platform.

May 20, 2014