Author: Shivaank Rana

A Guide To PC And TV Cables

Despite advances in wireless technologies, most computer networks and Televisions in the 21st century continue utilizing cables as a physical medium for devices to transfer data. Several different types of network cables exist, each designed for specific purposes.

We try explain the most commonly used cables, both for your PC as well as your TV/Entertainment console.

1. HDMI

Technically speaking, HDMI (which stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface) is a global connectivity standard developed by a consortium of major electronics manufacturers including Hitachi, Panasonic, Philips, Sony, Thomson (RCA), Toshiba, and Silicon Image. HDMI establishes a “future-proof” foundation for the transmission of high-definition video and multichannel audio among a wide variety of audio, video and computer products. Today, more than 800 companies have adopted the HDMI standard and are building HDMI into their products.

Having a single cable handling both images and sound has the potential to make home theaters much simpler. This cable connects every device to your home network, allowing you to distribute movies, music and photos from PCs to HDTVs.

2. Component Cable

Component cables provide a high definition connection between devices, such as between an HD converter and an HDTV. They include three separate color-coded video wires. To ensure that the three cables are connected to the correct ports, devices usually identify the ports by both color and letter:

1. Y — Green

2. Pb — Blue

3. Pr — Red

Component cables are for video up to 1080p, but audio cables must also be used.

3. Composite Cable

Composite is what the name says – a composite signal made up of all the components of the video signal, limited to 480 line (standard definition) resolution.

There are three separate colored wires in a composite cable:

1. Red and white for left audio and right audio.

2. Yellow for video.

Composite cables are sometimes referred to as RCA cables, Audio/Video cables, or just A/V cables. They are common on older equipment.

4. DVI

DVI (Digital Visual Interface) is a digital video interface developed by the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG). It is able to support both digital and analogue video signals over a single DVI cable and is commonly found on computers, LCD monitors, projectors and other digital display equipment.

The DVI digital connection removes the digital – analogue – digital conversion process that plagues older generation devices, and so removes inaccuracies and information loss due to each conversion process.

The DVI interface has proven to be extremely versatile; it provides manufacturers with the flexibility to support digital devices while remaining backwards compatible with analogue devices.

Many PCs now have built-in AV connectors, but DVI, a video-only screen output, is still the most common way to get HD images out of a computer.

5. Cat-5e (Ethernet Cable)

Cat-5 cable, sometimes called Ethernet cable, is short for Category 5 cable, a current industry standard for network and telephone wiring. This type of cable is unshielded wire containing four pairs of 24-gauge twisted copper pairs, terminating in an RJ-45 jack.

The Cat 5e standard was first released in 1999 as part of the Telecommunications Industry Association’s TIA/EIA-568-5-A document specification.

This cable connects every device to your home network, allowing you to distribute movies, music and photos from PCs to HDTVs.

6. RCA Audio Cable

The RCA connector is named for the Radio Corporation of America, which first used it in the 1940s to connect phonographs to amplifiers.

It is a standard type of cable used to transmit analog audio and composite-videosignals between devices such as televisions, satellite or cable receivers, VCRs, game console systems, speakers and more. Typical RCA cables will have two or three color coded connectors.

RCA cables transmit analog, or non-digital, signals. Because of this, they cannot be plugged directly into a computer or other digital device.

7. Auxiliary Cable

If you buy a new car or borrow a friend’s you may be presented with a handy-dandy aux jack. Aux stands for auxilliary, it lets you hook up your music player to the car’s stereo. You’ll also find these ports on stereo systems, as well.

Let us know in the comment’s section below if we missed out on any other important cables!

June 26, 2013
Sony Xperia Z Android 4.2.2 Update Starts Rolling Out

Following the Sony Xperia Z Ultra unveiling yesterday, latest reports have suggested the Sony Xperia Z Android 4.2.2 update has started rolling out.

According to Xperia Blog, users from all around the world are reporting receiving firmware version 10.3.A.0.423.

Among those who have received the Sony Xperia Z Android 4.2.2 update are owners of LTE-enabled models sold in Spain and Ukraine (C6603); carrier customized versions in Austria, Czech Republic and the Netherlands; as well as unlocked HSPA+ model sold in Taiwan (C6602).

That’s obviously just a part of the list with others, including Indian customers, getting the new software in the next few days or weeks.

The Sony Xperia Z Android 4.2.2 update brings little in terms of UI changes, bar the ability to use special lock screen widgets. A changelog for the 4.2.2 release states that in addition to the updated software, Sony has pushed newer versions of its media apps, thrown in a remote phone location app, a new Functionalities widget, and support for MicroSD cards up to 64GB.

If you want to check to see if the update is ready for your phone, you can force check for an update via Android’s settings. Alternatively you can use the PC companion app included with the Xperia Z to do the same thing.

Let us know below if you’ve been able to get the update on your device!

June 26, 2013
Mozilla Firefox 22 Launched With Web Video Calls, 3D Gaming

Mozilla this week launched the latest version of its Firefox 22 browser seeking to woo users with new features including 3D gaming and video calls.

Support for video calls, voice calls and file sharing are also available without the need to install additional software or use third-party plugins.

Mozilla said it and Ericsson demonstrated this at Mobile World Congress, to show how Firefox can integrate seamlessly with a users’ mobile phone “and make voice or video calls and share files.”

Mozilla demonstrated its new 3D capabilities in a blog post, by offering first-person shooter ‘BananaBread’ in a bid to lure developers. The technologies behind Firefox 22 include WebGL, Emscripten, asm.js and WebRTC.

Mozilla has been working on integrating the WebRTC protocol, which eliminates the need for separate browser plug-ins to enable those rich functions, for some time.

And asm.js, the new JavaScript protocol, is “a supercharged subset of JavaScript” that loads quickly and enables Firefox 22 to run intense applications such as games and photo-processing in real-time without the need for plug-ins.

It’s all part of Mozilla’s plan to “unlock the power of the web.”

“Firefox allows developers to create amazing high-performance Web applications and enables video calls and file-sharing directly in the browser, all without the need for plugins or third-party software. What has been difficult to develop on the Web before is now much easier, faster and more fun,” Mozilla said.

At the Game Developer Conference in San Francisco, the companies showed off Unreal Engine 3 applications running natively in Firefox using JavaScript.

June 26, 2013
Leaked : Motorola X Phone Image, And Ad Campaign

After last night’s cryptic leak about a possible ad campaign for Motorola, the internet is back today with some more info. Once again posted on B.A. Bäkken’s Behance page, these pictures present a different story. A story of Motorola’s return; emphasized with the phrase “hello again”.

The company is understood to be undergoing some sort of rebranding, re-emerging with its new Motorola X Phone on August 1.

“The Motorola that returns will not be the company you once knew. But we have some work to do”, reads one of the images. “So until we’re ready, we’re going away. No new ads or tweets. No site updates. Just silence until we begin the next chapter. Until we meet again, goodbye Moto.”

The most recent specs leak that we have seen came from an often-reliable source though, and these included a 1.7GHz MSM8960 Pro dual-core processor, 720p HD display, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal memory, a 10-megapixel rear camera and 2-megapixel front-facing shooter. Along with these specs we also heard that the Moto X phone would run the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system, but we must remind you that all of this is not yet confirmed. If accurate though, then the specs are decent enough, but we feel that many potential customers are hoping for a lot more.

PhoneArena also posted an image of the Motorola X Phone, which you can see above.

Google and Motorola have also indicated that the Moto X phone will use the phone’s sensors in interesting new ways. We’ve heard Motorola talk about how the Moto X phone will be able to know when you’re driving and it will dynamically adjust the interface based on that information.

[Via, Via]

June 26, 2013
Intel Launches 4th Generation Intel Core processors in India (PR)

Intel today introduced the 4^th Generation Intel Core™ processor family in India. Based on Intel’s leading 22nm microarchitecture, the 4th generation Intel Core processors deliver up to 50 percent increase in battery life in active workloads over the previous generation^1.This is the largest generation-over-generation gain in the company’s history, equating to 9 hours of battery life in active workloadsfor some Ultrabooks based on the new processors.

The 4th generation Intel Core processors will also serve as the foundation for a new era of 2-in-1 computing. A 2-in-1 device works as a PC when you need it and a tablet when you want it.

“Today we deliver on the vision set forth 2 years ago to reinvent personal computing with the introduction of our 4^th Generation Intel Core processors,” said Leighton Phillips, Director, Product Management & Pricing, Intel Asia-Pacific. “Today’s announcement accelerates a new category of 2-in-1 computing devices delivering the best of a notebook and a tablet in amazing new form factors.”

Delivering Intel’s largest generation-over-generation gain in battery life enablement in company history, the 4th gen Intel Core processors deliver up to a 50 percent improvement in battery life over the previous generation in active workloads such as watching movies or surfing the Internet, and two to three times improvement in standby battery life. For some systems coming to market this year, over 9 hours of active use battery life or 10 to 13 days of standby with fresh data on a single charge is expected.

Intel exceeded its expectations on power reduction at the CPU level to as low as 6 watts and also worked across the system for power optimization.

The 4th generation Intel Core processors also bring the great performance currently available in mainstream computing with the additional benefit of superior graphics support. People will be able to experience every day computing approximately two times faster; systems can wake up approximately eight times faster and users will have the ability to edit and share HD video about 20 times faster; than a similar 4-year-old computer.

[toggle title=”Press Release”]Intel launches 4th Generation Intel® Core™ processors in India
Reinvents computing experience by accelerating a new category of 2-in-1 devices

HIGHLIGHTS
? First system-on-a-chip for PCs, enabling new form factors and 2-in-1 designs.
? 4th gen Intel Core processors enable 50 percent improvement in battery life, biggest gain in company history
? 4th gen Intel Core with Intel® Iris™ graphics delivers up to double the graphics performance over the previous generation
New Delhi, June 26, 2013 — Intel today introduced the 4th Generation Intel Core™ processor family in India. Based on Intel’s leading 22nm microarchitecture, the 4th generation Intel Core processors deliver up to 50 percent increase in battery life in active workloads over the previous generation1. This is the largest generation-over-generation gain in the company’s history, equating to 9 hours of battery life in active workloads for some Ultrabooks based on the new processors. The 4th generation Intel Core processors will also serve as the foundation for a new era of 2-in-1 computing. A 2-in-1 device works as a PC when you need it and a tablet when you want it.

The new Intel Core processors provide incredibly responsive, secure and powerful performance for users to create and consume content wherever their mobile lifestyles take them. The new Ultrabooks as well as 2-in-1 devices, powered by the 4th gen Core processors are perfect for the new age Indian constantly on the move. The highest-performing processor family, 4thgen Intel Core processors are capable of delivering up to 15 percent better performance than the previous generation while consuming lower amounts of power.

“Today we deliver on the vision set forth 2 years ago to reinvent personal computing with the introduction of our 4th Generation Intel Core processors,” said Leighton Phillips, Director, Product Management & Pricing, Intel Asia-Pacific. “Today’s announcement accelerates a new category of 2-in-1 computing devices delivering the best of a notebook and a tablet in amazing new form factors.”

Speaking at the launch, Debjani Ghosh, Managing Director, Sales and Marketing Group, Intel South Asia said: “The 4th Generation Intel Core processors offer the most significant gain in battery life ever achieved by Intel, up to double the graphics and significant CPU performance improvements that will deliver an exciting user experience. Improvement have been made keeping in mind the user’s needs and requirements of a power efficient, high performance device.”

Also present to support the launch of the new processor family were Mr. S. Rajendran, CMO, Acer India Pvt. Ltd; Mr. Shishir Singh, Director EUC Marketing, Dell India; Mr. Vinay Awasthi Sr. Director, PC Category, HP India and Mr. Shailendra Katyal- Director, Consumer business, Lenovo India.

Speaking about the ecosystem support, Ms. Ghosh said, “It is heartening to see the ecosystem support the launch of the 4thgen Intel Core processors is receiving. To get great performance in the most innovative form factors we have a number of OEMs who are working to bring 4th gen Intel Core Processor based products to the market.”

Low Power + Stunning Performance + Graphics
With a surge in ‘on the move lifestyle’ in the country there is a strong need for devices with great battery life. Delivering Intel’s largest generation-over-generation gain in battery life enablement in company history, the 4th gen Intel Core processors deliver up to a 50 percent improvement in battery life over the previous generation in active workloads such as watching movies or surfing the Internet, and two to three times improvement in standby battery life. For some systems coming to market this year, over 9 hours of active use battery life or 10 to 13 days of standby with fresh data on a single charge is expected.

To achieve this breakthrough, Intel exceeded its expectations on power reduction at the CPU level to as low as 6 watts and also worked across the system for power optimization. These improvements range from System-on-a-Chip (SoC) and platform level technologies to Intel’s leading-edge 22nm process technology.

The 4th generation Intel Core processors also bring the great performance currently available in mainstream computing with the additional benefit of superior graphics support. People will be able to experience every day computing approximately two times faster; systems can wake up approximately eight times faster and users will have the ability to edit and share HD video about 20 times faster; than a similar 4-year-old computer.

Intel expanded its range of Intel graphics in the highly integrated SoC to deliver even more stunning visuals in thinner and lighter devices. Intel® Iris™ graphics, available on select SKUs of the 4th Gen Intel® Core™ processor family, delivers up to double the 3-D performance over today’s fastest mobile Intel HD Graphics solutions.

New Computing Experiences, More Peace of Mind with new Intel Core processor -powered Ultrabooks
The 4th gen Intel Core processor, completely redesigned from the ground up specifically for the Ultrabook represents a huge shift in the computing landscape because it enables a number of new computing interactions to enhance the user experience. It raises the bar for Ultrabooks and realizes the vision Intel outlined 2 years ago to combine best-in-class performance, impressive responsiveness and battery life and built-in security2 in thin and elegant mobile designs. All new Ultrabooks will be touch-enabled and have Intel Wireless Display3 capability built in to bring natural touch and motion interactivity and speed mode for low-latency gaming on the big screen. Ultrabooks are also equipped with built in security capabilities including Intel Identity Protection Technology4 (Intel IPT) and Intel Anti-Theft Technology5 (Intel AT) for more secure computing.

Making India future-ready with perceptual computing
With the introduction of “perceptual computing” Intel technology allows people to interact with their computing devices by using gestures, expressions, and language that humans use with each other., “We need to make technology less intimidating and allow people to interact with devices in a more natural way. We see a future in this space with perceptual computing and are committed towards its integration across various applications that help in fields like education and healthcare” said Debjani Ghosh.

Driving Local Adoption of Technology
Speaking at the launch, Ms. Ghosh further said, “For decades we’ve been working not only on creating compelling computing experiences in the country but we’ve also focused on building awareness of the importance of personal computing and increased domestic technology adoption in India. This launch further strengthens our resolve to bring a slew of exciting computing experiences to life for Indian consumers.”
Last year Intel in India launched the National Digital Literacy Mission where it partnered with other industry players and the government to drive digital literacy in India. In addition, Intel has recently undertaken a nationwide campaign to spread awareness on the importance of personal computing device in every household.
About Intel
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world’s computing devices. Additional information about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com and blogs.intel.com.
– 30 –
Software and workloads used in performance tests may have been optimized for performance only on Intel microprocessors. Performance tests, such as SYSmark and MobileMark, are measured using specific computer systems, components, software, operations and functions. Any change to any of those factors may cause the results to vary. You should consult other information and performance tests to assist you in fully evaluating your contemplated purchases, including the performance of that product when combined with other products. For more information go to http://www.intel.com/performance

Intel, Intel Atom, Intel Core, Intel Xeon, Centrino, vPro, Ultrabook, Iris and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries. * Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

1 Measured on OEM system using battery life during local offline video playback of a 1080p MP4 in landscape mode. Measured on OEM System using MobileMark* 2012. For more information, see www.bapco.com.

2 No computer system can provide absolute security under all conditions. Built-in security features available on select Intel® processors may require additional software, hardware, services and/or an Internet connection. Results may vary depending upon configuration. Consult your system manufacturer for more details. For more information, see http://security-center.intel.com/.

3 Requires an Intel® Wireless Display enabled system, compatible adapter and TV. 1080p and Blu-Ray* or other protected content playback only available on select Intel® Core™ processor-based systems with built-in visuals enabled, a compatible adapter and media player, and supporting Intel® WiDi software and graphics driver installed. Consult your PC manufacturer. For more information, see www.intel.com/go/widi.

4 No computer system can provide absolute security. Requires an Intel® Identity Protection Technology-enabled system, including an enabled Intel® processor, enabled chipset, firmware, software, and Intel integrated graphics (in some cases) and participating website/service. Intel assumes no liability for lost or stolen data and/or systems or any resulting damages. For more information, visit http://ipt.intel.com/. Consult your system manufacturer and/or software vendor for more information.

5 No computer system can provide absolute security. Requires an enabled Intel® processor, enabled chipset, firmware, software and may require a subscription with a capable service provider (may not be available in all countries). Intel assumes no liability for lost or stolen data and/or systems or any other damages resulting thereof. Consult your Service Provider for availability and functionality. For more information, visit http://www.intel.com/go/anti-theft . Consult your system manufacturer and/or software vendor for more information.
[/toggle]

June 26, 2013
Leaked : Images Of Upcoming LG G2, Show Rear Mounted Volume Controls

After showing off glimpses of itself in a few different leaks earlier this year, the LG G2 may finally have been revealed tonight in a set of leaked images that appear to be from a promotional video. Posted by @evleaks, who claims to have received them from a tipster, the shots show the front of a thin device that appears to have an LG logo at the bottom of its face, just like the phone in the first G2 leak.

This new flagship smartphone is expected to be unveiled on July 7th in New York and come with a 2.3GH quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, 13MP camera running Android OS 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. In addition, the LG G2 will have an “edge to edge” 5.5-inch full HD display.

The screenshots show the volume buttons have moved from the side of the device to the back, right under the camera. Could be an interesting shift in design, definitely useful for those who talk a great deal, but might be a but frustrating for who liste to music.

While it’s tough to say whether or not the device in these leaked images is that successor, it wouldn’t be a surprise to learn that LG is prepping some marketing materials for its next flagship smartphone with a debut that’s just a little over a month out.

Previous rumours indicated that LG would shed the ‘Optimus’ naming scheme and these pictures, if true, bring its truth. Vanished is Optimus and the device is called the “LG G2.”

[EVLeaks]

June 26, 2013
Saints Row IV Banned In Australia

Saints Row IV has been refused classification by the Australian Classification Board.

This makes Saints Row IV the first game to be refused classification under new guidelines that introduced an R18+ classification for videogames in Australia.

In a statement released this morning, the ACB said it classified the game “RC (Refused Classification)” in accordance with the new guidelines. Publisher Deep Silver told Joystiq developer Volition is reworking the game’s content for the territory.

“In the Board’s opinion, Saints Row IV, includes interactive, visual depictions of implied sexual violence which are not justified by context,” reads the ACB’s statement. “In addition, the game includes elements of illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards. Such depictions are prohibited by the computer games guidelines.”

Games that are rated Refused Classification are banned for sale, hire or public exhibition in Australia, and are illegal to possess in Western Australia and some parts of the Northern Territory.

Publisher Deep Silver has released the following statement:

“Deep Silver can confirm that Saints Row IV was denied an age classification in Australia. Volition, the developer, are reworking some of the code to create a version of the game for this territory by removing the content which could cause offence without reducing the outlandish gameplay that Saints Row fans know and love. Saints Row IV has been awarded PEGI 18 and ESRB M ratings where fans can enjoy their time in Steelport as originally intended.”

The new guidelines began on January 1 this year, and introduced a new adult level for video games, R18+, which restricts sale to anyone under the age of 18.

In the six months since the new rating was introduced, the ACB has applied it to 17 video games, including God of War: Ascension and Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel.

Earlier this month, the publisher announced a Saints Row 4 Collector’s Edition ahead of the Saints Row 4 release date of August 20 in North America and August 23 in Europe.

Saints Row 4 is slated to hit the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

[Via, Via]

June 25, 2013
LG LA6910 55 inch 3D Smart TV Review

At a time when manufacturers like Sony are concentrating on pushing forward their 4K televisions, LG recently released their new lineup of smart televisions, and among them was the LG LA6910 55-inch 3D TV.

The LG LA6910 has a 55″, 1920 x 1080 pixels display which is an advanced IPS LED LCD Panel. It has 9 aspect ratio modes including 16:9, Just scan, Original, Full Wide, 4:3, 14:9, Cinema Zoom 1, Zoom.

At the back it has a 2.1 speaker system (2way 3speaker) with Virtual Surround Sound Plus and Dolby Digital Decoder. The LG LA6910 has a bunch of engines to process images like Triple XD Engine, Dynamic Color Enhancer, Contrast Optimizer, Picture Wizard II, (3D MPEG) Noise Reduction.

In terms of design the LG LA6910 has a diminutive bezel with a brushed aluminum finish. A relatively thick brushed steel section of the bezel runs across the bottom lip that’s accentuated with a backlit LG logo at the centre. The stand has a unique chrome finish design with wheels at the bottom to make adjustments. Build quality is as you’d expect from a TV of this price range, solid.

Backlight bleed is virtually non-existent, and this is a mark of the emphasis that LG has paid in terms of the design and build-quality of the TV.

Since it is a smart TV you get access to various applications such as Skype and YouTube. You also have local apps such as NDTV which exist to cater to India-specific needs.

The LG LA6910 has the basic analogue video and audio inputs, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and USB connectivity options, in addition to 3 HDMIs.

The LG LA6910 is available in the market for about Rs 2,00,000/-.

You can watch our video review below :

[youtube id=”2GbYD26BC3M” width=”100%” height=”300px”]

June 25, 2013
Sony SmartWatch 2 Announced

Smartwatches today haven’t yet reached the must-have status among consumers—not yet. But companies, big and small, are banking on the market fully blowing up in 2013; the year wearable technology will be the next big mobile revolution. To get ahead of the trend, Sony has announced its brand new touch Sony SmartWatch 2 at the Mobile Asia Expo, a device the company claims is “the most advanced smartwatch available.”

The Sony SmartWatch 2 features a 1.6-inch 220×176 touchscreen, which is larger than the 1.3-inch display on the previous SmartWatch. Sony also promises that the display on the SmartWatch 2 is easier to read in sunlight. Along with its larger display, the SmartWatch 2 packs Bluetooth 3.0, NFC, a micro-USB port and the ability to be used with any standard 24mm wrist strap. Finally, the SmartWatch 2 is IP57 rated, meaning that it can withstand splashed water and rain.

“We have over 200 unique apps dedicated for Sony SmartWatch with over one million downloads to date and we are continuing to work with our strong developer network to deliver even more compelling smartwatch experiences,” said Stefan K. Persson, Head of Companion Products at Sony Mobile Communications.

On the software side of things, the Sony SmartWatch 2 is powered by Android and features a UI similar to Google’s mobile OS, which Sony says helps to make the SmartWatch 2 a more intuitive experience. The new wrist gear can also display a user’s missed notifications (including Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, calls and messages) and can be used as a remote for a Sony Walkman or other media players. Sony says that the SmartWatch 2 is compatible with “most Android phones.” The device is expected to begin shipping worldwide in September 2013.

June 25, 2013
Sony Xperia Z Ultra Announced Officially, Snapdragon 800, 6.4″ 1080p Display (PR)

After numerous leaks over the past few weeks, Sony today officially announced the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, a new smartphone with a 6.4-inch full high-definition screen and a Snapdragon 800 chipset.

The 6.4-inch, 1,920 by 1,080 pixel display is what Sony calls a TRILUMINOUS Display, incorporating technology from the Bravia television line, including the X-Reality video-enhancing software.

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra works with a stylus (or any pencil, Sony says) and runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. There’s a powerful Adreno 330 GPU to push all the pixels to the screen too, a part of the new Snapdragon 800 chipset, which also packs a quad-core Krait 400 processor clocked at 2.2GHz.

At 6.5 mmm Sony is heralding the phone as the “world’s slimmest and largest full HD smartphone.”

Other specs of note include an 8-megapixel camera, a 3,000 mAh battery and 16 gigabytes of internal storage, with about 11 GB available to the user, and a microSD card slot for extra space. (Props to Sony for being up-front about the usable storage space).

The battery, on the other hand, is a quite respectable 3000mAh, though that screen will definitely eat it up faster than more conventional phones.

The Xperia Z Ultra is set for a third quarter 2013 global release, with precise dates varying by market. There is no price set for the phone at the moment.

[toggle title=”Press Release”]

The new Xperia™ Z Ultra: The world’s slimmest and largest Full HD smartphone display*

6.4” Full HD TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile powered by X-Reality™ for mobile engine for the ultimate big screen entertainment experience
Ultra slim, waterproof** and dust-resistant (IP55/IP58) durable design
Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 800 processor with 2.2 GHz quad-core CPUs and 4G LTE for fast performance
Write and sketch with any pencil and selected stylus or pen
Full accessory ecosystem for premium entertainment and one-touch connectivity
Battery STAMINA Mode for outstanding battery life
25th June 2013, Mobile Asia Expo, Shanghai – Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today introduces the next revolution in premium large-screen Android smartphone entertainment. The new Xperia Z Ultra is waterproof**, ultra-slim with a lightweight design so you can enjoy it anytime, anywhere. It’s the first smartphone ever to incorporate a Full HD TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile powered by Sony’s latest X-Reality™ for mobile picture engine to deliver the most immersive viewing experience imaginable. Additionally, the Xperia Z Ultra will also feature the fully integrated Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 800 processor with 2.2 GHz quad-core CPUs, 4GLTE and HD voice to provide a seamless connected entertainment experience, industry-leading battery performance and amazing speed.

“The Xperia Z Ultra is the most exciting revolution in large-screen smartphone entertainment devices with both the slimmest and largest Full HD smartphone display* in the world that is second to none.” said Calum MacDougall, Director of Xperia Marketing at Sony Mobile Communications. “We’re already bringing the best of Sony technology and design across a range of premium smartphones and tablets, and now we are bringing this same premium offering to the large-screen smartphone segment, setting a new standard for others to follow.”

The world’s largest Full HD smartphone display*

Xperia Z Ultra features a 6.4” touchscreen Full HD display with Sony’s unique TRILUMINOS® Display for mobile, creating a wider palette of rich natural colours thanks to Sony’s BRAVIA TV expertise. The breakthrough technology includes X-Reality™ for mobile – Sony’s intelligent super resolution display technology which analyzes each image and reproduces lacking pixels to optimize quality for the sharpest videos. It analyses elements depending on the scene and adjusts them based on pattern, outline and colour composition. It also strengthens subtle patterns and accurately portrays their detailed feel, as well as reinforcing bold outlines. The large Full HD display has been optimised to experience at least 60%*** more of the screen than most other smartphones.

The world’s slimmest Full HD smartphone*

Xperia Z Ultra is supremely slim and lightweight with a beautifully crafted 6.5mm body and weighing just 212 grams for ultimate portability. Sony craftsmanship in design and attention to detail comes to the fore with clean lines and premium materials – the front and back are made of tempered glass, creating a seamless surface with the OptiContrast™ panel housed in an innovative solid metal frame which looks stunning from any angle. It features the same acclaimed OmniBalance design as Xperia Z and Tablet Z. The Xperia Z Ultra is available in a choice of black, white or purple colour finishes.

The only waterproof Full HD smartphone**Xperia Z Ultra is both elegant and durable. With an impressive rating of IP55 and IP58, this smartphone isn’t only resistant to dust, but is waterproof** too – giving you the freedom to enjoy it anywhere. You can even film in Full HD underwater, taking your large-screen smartphone experience to a new level. The camera features “Exmor RS for mobile”, HDR for both photos and film, and Superior Auto mode automatically activates HDR and noise reduction when needed, so you’ll get stunning imagery even in challenging light conditions.

Ultimate entertainment experience

The Xperia Z Ultra is uniquely positioned to offer the ultimate big screen phone entertainment experience for watching movies, playing games, reading books and browsing the web.

Sony’s “WALKMAN”, Album and Movies media applications enable discovery of online and offline content through a single access point with new ways to enjoy and share that content.

The “WALKMAN” application leverages Sony’s audio engine and Facebook integration for sharing and discovering new music and is unique in that it provides seamlessly integrated access to all your downloaded music as well as access to a global library of over 20 million songs2 from Sony’s cloud-based subscription music service, Music Unlimited3.

The Movies application brings new intuitive ways to discover, manage and play movie content, together with easy access to an extensive library of blockbuster movies and the latest TV episodes from the Video Unlimited2 service.

The Album application provides seamless integration with the PlayMemories Online2 service, letting you access all your photos and albums from within the Album app instantly and easily, wherever you are. You can even set an automatic upload of your photos to the PlayMemories Online service to access and enjoy from any your favourite Sony devices.

The Sony Reader app2 provides seamless Reader store2 access so you can download and enjoy the latest bestsellers – it even lets you sync purchased books in popular formats and continue reading from same page.
Xperia Z Ultra will include an exclusive free entertainment content offer, including a free trial of the Music Unlimited2 service (subject to availability).

Ultimate performance with the world’s fastest smartphone processor****

The Xperia Z Ultra features the world’s fastest smartphone processor**** – the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with HD voice, that together with Sony´s audio Sony’s ClearAudio+ mode and Xloud loudness enhancement, delivers not just exceptional speed and performance, but also unsurpassed voice and audio quality.

Battery STAMINA Mode significantly improves the standby time of your smartphone by four times or more1 as it recognises when you’re not using your display and automatically turns off the functions you don’t need, while keeping the notifications you want. As soon as you press the power button to wake up your screen, everything is up and running again.

Built for business

The Xperia Z Ultra is the ideal business partner thanks to the super responsive screen with handwriting recognition which is compatible with any pencil and selected stylus or pen (capacitive stylus or metal pen with tip diameter over 1mm). You can even write notes or sketches during calls so you’ll always be ready capture your ideas as they happen. The easy-toggle keyboard makes it ideal for one-handed input and multi-tasking, with small apps to help you improve productivity so you don’t lose time browsing between windows.

The robust security architecture safeguards both your corporate and personal data, with support for multiple accounts that are quick and simple to set up. Further business oriented applications will be made available in future as software updates, ensuring you get the best smartphone experience – whether for work or play.

Ultra connectivity

With one-touch functions you can instantly and easily share music, photos and videos from your smartphone to a wide range of NFC-enabled Sony devices, including speakers, SmartWatch, wireless headsets and TVs. There are several new and innovative accessories joining the range of popular connected devices.

The SBH52 is a dynamic Smart Bluetooth™ Handset that provides easy hands-free call handling with a single press, while leaving your smartphone conveniently in your bag. The OLED display conveniently lets you browse your call log, view text messages, and see who’s calling you. Use it as a quality stereo music headset to listen to your tracks or to the built-in standalone FM radio with RDS. Pairing and connecting is done simply by touching it to your Xperia Z Ultra or other NFC-enabled device. And it’s sleek, minimal design is splash-proof, meaning you can now use it anywhere, in any weather.

The latest generation of SmartWatch, the SmartWatch 2 SW2, helps you keep track of everything without taking your smartphone out of your pocket or bag. The SmartWatch 2 is a truly multifunctional digital watch and phone remote that lets you receive notifications, control your music, and connect with one-touch NFC to your Bluetooth™ headset for easy call handling. The water-resistant design makes it more versatile to use than ever and can be personalised with any standard watch strap. Use it as a standalone watch or with your smartphone. There are over 200 apps available for our first generation and with an open API we expect new applications will be developed quickly and easily for SmartWatch 2.

The Magnetic Charging Dock DK30 has an innovative magnetic pin that lets you to place your Xperia Z Ultra snugly in the dock using one hand, either with or without the phone cover on. While your phone is charging, it stands at a comfortable viewing angle easily allowing you to keep watching your favourite movies even while charging.

Xperia Z Ultra features

6.4” Full HD TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile powered by X-Reality™ for mobile engine for the ultimate viewing experience
Ultra slim, waterproof** and dust resistant (IP55/IP58) durable design
Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 800 processor with 2.2 GHz quad-core CPUs and 4G LTE for fast performance
Write and sketch with any pencil and selected stylus or pen (capacitive stylus or metal pen with tip diameter over 1mm)
8 megapixel camera with “Exmor RS for mobile” sensor and HDR for videos and photos
Full accessory ecosystem for premium entertainment and connectivity
Battery STAMINA Mode for outstanding battery life
The Xperia Z Ultra will launch globally from Q3 2013 (exact timing of availability will vary by market).

* Specifications verified by Strategy Analytics’ SpecTRAX service, as of 19th of June 2013 the Xperia Z Ultra is the slimmest smartphone with a Full HD display, for more information on Strategy analytics results go to: www.sonymobile.com/testresults

** As of 19th of June 2013, outside of Japan, the Xperia Z Ultra is the only waterproof smartphone with a Full HD display on global distribution. In compliance with IP55 and IP58, Xperia Z Ultra is protected against the ingress of dust and is waterproof. Provided that all ports and covers are firmly closed, the phone is (i) protected against low pressure jets of water from all practicable directions in compliance with IP 55; and/or (ii) can be kept under 1.50 metre of freshwater for up to 30 minutes in compliance with IP58. The phone is not designed to float or work submerged underwater outside the IP55 or IP58 classification range that may lead to your warranty will being void. Find out more www.sonymobile.com/testresults

*** Display area available compared to smartphones with a 5” display or smaller

**** Specifications of Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core 2.2GHz processor verified by Strategy Analytics’ SpecTRAX service as of 19th of June 2013, for more information on Strategy analytics results go to: www.sonymobile.com/testresults

1 Based on testing done with default settings, default accounts and applications for Skype™ and Twitter downloaded to the phone. The more applications installed, the bigger the effect of Battery STAMINA Mode.

2 Number of tracks available from this catalogue varies by country and may be less.

3 Sony Entertainment Network services are subject to availability by region. Please visit www.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com for more details.[/toggle]

June 25, 2013
Age Of Empires Heading To Android And iOS

According to a report from Japanese news outlet the Nikkei, by way of Reuters and MacRumors, Microsoft is gearing up to release some of their classic gaming franchises on iOS and Android devices. This initiative will begin this year and it is said that the first title to grace our touchscreens will be the historical real-time strategy epic Age of Empires.

A Microsoft representative has confirmed that a mobile version of the Age of Empires series is being developed for mobile devices as a result of the partnership, with no other games currently announced.

Microsoft has released an official statement to Polygon saying:

“Today, KLab Inc. announced a licensing agreement with Microsoft Corp. to develop a mobile version of Microsoft Studio’s Age of Empires franchise, which will be initially developed in English for iOS and Android and launched globally, with plans to release the game in other languages and on Windows Phone in the future. Some reports included incorrect information about additional Xbox Live-based games on iOS and Android but there are no further announcements beyond Age of Empires at this time.”

The mobile version of Age of Empires will follow a free-to-play model, and will be released by the end of the 2013 financial year. There are no more details at this time about which other titles Microsoft will bring to iOS and Android.

[Via, Via]

June 25, 2013
Microsoft Set To Reshuffle Company Structure

According to sources at AllThingsD, Microsoft is poised to make major changes to its executive team, cutting the fat from the top and reorganizing the company into four distinct parts — operating systems, applications & services, hardware, and enterprise — overseen by Steve Ballmer.

The company is holding its annual Build developer conference later this week, which coincides with a public launch of Windows 8.1, the first major update for the new operating system which was released in late October.

One virulent rumour to emerge from this department shuffle is the unification of Windows and Windows Phone into a single division, something that was seen as inevitable given the former’s dominance and the latter’s sustained obscurity. Windows Phone 8 brought a unified kernel, which made it easier to develop apps and games for both platforms at once, but the operating systems maintain separate app stores and update processes. Windows Phone also suffers from the fact that it entered a market entrenched by two dominant players, and has struggled, despite a warm reception, to gain market share, especially in North America.

Creating unified ecosystems for mobile and desktop seems to be a common theme for big tech companies at the moment, and might position Microsoft to challenge the king of the ecosystem – Apple – more effectively.

Microsoft is likely going to issue updates to its Surface RT and Pro tablets later this year, informed by the improvements made to Windows 8.1. Rumours persist of a smaller, cheaper Surface, likely in the 7- to 8-inch form factor, to better compete with the iPad mini. The Redmond-based company has recently been discounting its RT tablet, which runs an ARM-based Tegra 3 chip and is limited to apps distributed through the Windows Store, to spur lukewarm sales.

Microsoft is expected to issue a minor update Windows Phone 8 this summer with a more extensive “GDR3 overhaul coming later this year, which would bring 1080p display and quad-core chip support. Nokia will likely announce its Lumia 41MP EOS smartphone next month with the GDR2 update on board.

According to sources close to the situation, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is likely to unveil his plans to restructure the tech giant to a larger group of senior execs by July 1.

[Via]

June 25, 2013
iOS 7 Beta 2 Now Seeding To Developers

Apple has released iOS 7 beta 2 to developers today, which officially contains “bug fixes and improvements” to the redesigned and initially-divisive mobile operating system.

Apple first unleashed iOS 7 to the developer community at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) on June 10, but the release was only accessible on the iPhone and iPod touch.

One major addition in the iOS 7 beta 2 is support for the iPad and iPad mini, though support only goes back to the iPad 2.

Existing iOS 7 beta users can go to Settings / General / Software Update and begin the over-the-air download of iOS 7 beta 2. Registered developers can head to Apple’s Developer Portal for more information on how to sign up.

iOS 7 includes an all-new user interface and features such as AirDrop peer-to-peer file transfer functionality, Control Center for quickly accessing settings, a new Photos app, integration with cars, and new Siri voices and options.

Apple is scheduled to release iOS 7 this fall for iPhone 4 and up, iPad 2 and later, the iPad mini, and the fifth-generation iPod touch. If history is any indication, its release will also coincide with the launch of a new iPhone.

June 25, 2013
Leaked : Photos Of The Upcoming Sony Xperia Z Ultra

Sony is set to unveil a few new smartphones tomorrow, but the most noteworthy is a 6.4-inch stylus-friendly phablet likely to be called the Sony Xperia Z Ultra.

Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Note, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra is unlikely to come with a stylus. Instead, users will be encouraged to use other objects such as pencils to interact with the screen, though an intermediary piece of paper is encouraged. The technology behind the ZU is similar to what you find on the Nokia Lumia 920 and Samsung Galaxy S4, both of which offer screens of increased sensitivity that can be used with gloves. Sony takes this one step further by allowing non-capacitive styli to work with the screen.

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra is expected to feature Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with a clock speed of 2.2GHz, the handset will also feature an Adreno 330 GPU.

Other specifications on the Sony Xperia Z Ultra will include 2GB of RAM and 16GB of built in storage. The handset will also feature a 6.4 inch display with a full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

As you can see from the promotional shot above, someone is using a drafting pencil to sketch onto a piece of paper on top of the ZU, which in turn will appear on the screen. This could open up a lot of uses beyond just the obvious, but we’ll see what Sony has to say tomorrow.

[Via]

June 25, 2013
Apple 1 Computer Up For Auction

If you fancy owning a little bit of Apple history in the form of one of the very first Apple 1 computer systems, you will be pleased to learn that one of the rare Apple 1 computer systems is now available at auction by Christie’s auction house with a starting price of $300,000.

The first Apple computer designed way back in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. The Apple 1 computer was the foundation of the business that the two Steve’s created in the 70’s and is firmly seen as a piece of technology history.

The owner is a 70-year old man named Ted Perry who acquired the computer by trading some computer parts at a second-hand swap somewhere between 1979 and 1980.

The device still works, Perry affirms, and he says he has kept the computer mostly in a cardboard box since he acquired it more than 33 years ago. The new auction for Perry’s Apple 1 kicks off on June 24, next Monday, and will last until July 9, MacRumors said.

Though the Apple I sold modestly, an estimated 200 units, proceeds and experience gained from the project helped to set the foundation for the Apple II, the personal computer which would help to kick off the home computing revolution and make Apple a household name. Over time, the first Apple model became a collector’s item as Apple built itself into one of the most successful companies of all time.

Experts claim that only 30 to 50 of the first Apple computers are still alive and kicking.

June 24, 2013