Author: Shivaank Rana

Samsung Working On A Smart Watch Of Its Own

Samsung this week confirmed that it has a smartwatch in the works.

In the wake of an earlier rumor about Apple’s work on a smart watch—supposedly involving a team of 100 engineers—this feels a bit like a new kind of tech arms race. At the very least, it’s the race to be the first to hint at products that may be many months or even years in the future, in order to prop up the endless hype cycle required to capture the interest of consumers who have come to expect that revelations like Google Glass should arrive with some regularity.

Bloomberg is reporting that Lee Young Hee, EVP of Samsung Mobile, said “We’ve been preparing the watch product for so long. We are working very hard to get ready for it. We are preparing products for the future, and the watch is definitely one of them.”

There was no hint of when the Samsung’s smartwatch will be available, or at what cost. In addition, one would think that a product like this would fall under the Galaxy naming scheme and be called something like the “Galaxy Watch.”

[pullquote_left] ”The issue here is who will first commercialize it so consumers can use it meaningfully,” Lee said. [/pullquote_left]

Smart watches have been attempted before. Sony tried one. Motorola’s MOTOACTV gave it a go with a health twist. Recently Waterloo-based Pebble broke through ice and gained mass popularity. But none really took off as well as the companies would’ve hoped.

According to an analyst report from early March, the smart watch industry could generate more than $6 billion in sales this year.

[Bloomberg]

March 19, 2013
Skype For Windows Phone v2.4 Update Brings HD Video Support
Skype for Windows Phone 8 has received an update today. Now at version 2.4 this popular video calling app update brings 720p HD calls to “higher-end devices,” such as the Nokia Lumia 920, HTC 8X and Samsung Ativ S.

“Lower end handsets” will have to settle for VGA video, though Microsoft says call quality across the board was improved in update 2.4.

We assumed Microsoft were going to send out several updates to bring the application to par with it’s Android and iOS counterparts, given how the Redmond giant now owns Skype. But that wasn’t the case. Updates have been few and far between, with the last one coming in January.

Version 2.4.0.108 of the Skype for Windows Phone application mainly brings People Hub integration. Unfortunately, you have to have installed the Portico update to be able to take full advantage of the People Hub integration. If all is well, you should be able make Skype calls and send messages straight from you contact list.

New features in Skype for Windows Phone 8 Preview v2.4
- Higher quality video calling, and up to 720p on supported devices and depending on network conditions
- Video calling in landscape mode
- Ability to switch between front and back cameras on video calls
- Skype contacts are now listed in the People Hub to start a conversation easily
- Option to switch accounts
- Bug fixes
You might have to wait until the update is available your area/region. If the update hasn’t been pushed to your region yet and you are desperate for it, you can always hit the Window Store icon > hit search when in Store > type Skype > Choose Skype and the update should show up.
March 19, 2013
Panasonic To Terminate Plasma TV Production In Order To Curb Losses

Panasonic Corp is considering exiting from the plasma screen market as part of a major restructuring over the next three years, a news report said Monday.

The embattled consumer electronics producer plans to terminate production of plasma panels at its main plant in the western Japanese city of Amagasaki around the financial year starting in April 2014, the Nikkei business daily reported without citing any sources.

[pullquote_left] “We are considering a number of options regarding our TV business. But nothing has been decided yet,” a Panasonic spokesperson said. [/pullquote_left]

A quick look at Panasonic’s books however show that it’s hardly a surprising move. The company has struggled in recent years, with the TV division failing to turn a profit for the past five quarters. It’s thought that Panasonic will instead refocus its efforts on the automotive and enterprise divisions, as well as in-flight entertainment systems, an area where they are proving more successful.

There’s been suggestion that Panasonic would be pulling plasma production to a halt for some time now, with rumours suggesting the company had stopped pumping money into its plasma research and development centres some time ago.

It is still widely argued that plasma is the better display technology for picture quality, specifically with fast motion and black level representation. It could be argued that if Panasonic exits the market it dominates, it will sound the death knell for plasma TV technology full stop.

[Nikkei, Reuters]

March 18, 2013
WhatsApp Yearly Subscription Model To Come To iOS In 2013

Users of Apple’s iOS platform who are utilizing popular instant messaging application WhatsApp could be looking at subscription fees headed there way this year if reports prove true.

WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum recently revealed in his statement to a Dutch journalist Alexander Klopping that the service will be introducing annual paid subscriptions to its iOS app this year. Once it takes effect, users will have to pay annually to use the app instead of paying a single download fee at the outset. The new subscription model will only apply to new users, and not to existing users.

Currently, one of the perks to owning iOS is that WhatsApp for iOS is a onetime payment of $0.99. Other platforms like Blackberry, Windows Phone and Android get to download the app for free, but after a year they are expected to pay $0.99 in subscription fees every year. It’s not a very huge fee but ultimately it could cost more than its iOS counterpart.

Koum hasn’t identified an exact date on when the subscriptions would begin, nor did he clarify much on why WhatsApp decided to change its pricing model, although a likely cause could be increased competition with the likes of LINE, Kik Messenger, and KakaoTalk, along with a number of other apps, most of which have exceeded 100 million users total with the exception of KakaoTalk, who had 57 million registered users as of August 2012, and is likely coming close to the 100 million mark.

For those waiting on a desktop version of WhatsApp to be used with Windows 7, Windows 8, and Mac devices, Koum revealed that, unfortunately, a desktop version is not in the pipeline:

“We get that question asked a lot. We feel strongly that the world is moving to mobile and … we want to be mobile-only. Your phone is with you all the time, and desktop is to many becoming a secondary experience. … our answer is no, not anytime soon.”

March 18, 2013
Unannounced Canon EOS-b DSLR Leaked On Best Buy

It looks as though Canon will have a new DSLR to announce very shortly, if a listing on Best Buy’s website is any indicator. The page offers us no images to ogle, but it betrays an unannounced 18-megapixel shooter dubbed the EOS-b, accompanied by an 18-55m lens kit and an $800 price tag. Canon Rumors notes a smaller footprint, trimming five ounces of fat and bulk off the T4i’s measurements.

The product specifications on Best Buy show that the camera will have a DIGIC 5 image processor and a 3-inch color TFT-LCD screen on the back. That screen has a resolution of 1,040,000 pixels and is touch sensitive.

The camera will record high-definition movies and has Movie Servo AF to keep your subject in focus while filming video. The camera also has an integrated monaural microphone and Video Snapshot feature with integrated editing capability. The listing calls out the ability to shoot photos at four frames per second.

[toggle title=”Product Features”]Product Features
18.0-megapixel CMOS APS-C sensor
Along with a DIGIC 5 image processor captures vibrant high-resolution images up to 5184 x 3456 pixels.

18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S zoom lens
For intricate picture detail.

3″ color TFT-LCD touch-screen display
With approximately 1,040,000 dots offers a clear view and easy navigation.

HD movie mode
Along with Movie Servo AF, a built-in monaural microphone and Video Snapshot with editing capabilities lets you shoot detailed video clips.

Burst shooting mode
Captures up to 4 fps for fast-action shots.

ISO 100-12,800 (expandable to 25,600)
Enables shooting in a variety of lighting conditions.

9-point AF system
Features a high-precision, dual-cross f/2.8 center point that ensures ideal image capture when shooting through the viewfinder. Hybrid CMOS AF II offers a widened focusing area for enhanced speed and accuracy.

Optical viewfinder
With 95% coverage and approximately 0.87x magnification helps you frame your shot.

Built-in flash
With auto, flash on, flash off and slow sync modes helps create optimal lighting conditions. Red-eye reduction ensures natural-looking eyes in portraits.

Optical image stabilizer
With the included lens reduces image blur caused by camera shake for crisp pictures.

White balance controls
Include auto, preset (daylight, shade, cloudy, tungsten light, white fluorescent light, flash) and custom white balance correction and bracketing, so you can achieve natural tones under different lighting conditions.

Scene modes
Include special scene modes (kids, food, candlelight, night portrait, handheld night scene, HDR backlight control) and more. Scene Intelligent Auto mode optimizes photos and provides enhanced scene detection when shooting at night.

Advanced imaging features
Include Effect Shot mode, background simulation and advanced creative filters, which can be displayed in real time during Live View shooting.

Face detection technology
Allows you to take high-quality pictures of family and friends.

Multicard slot supports Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity and SDXC

[/toggle]

It is possible that this Best Buy listing could be it, and if it is, hopefully it is a sign that an announcement could be on the horizon.

[Engadget]

March 18, 2013
BlackBerry CEO : iPhone UI Is Old, Lacking Innovation

Thorsten Heins, BlackBerry’s CEO, has been on a mission to bring back the glory days of the smartphone maker. A huge sign of adoption occurred last week when BlackBerry revealed that an unknown partner signed up to purchase 1 million BlackBerry 10 smartphones – this was the “largest ever single purchase order in BlackBerry’s history.”

Now Heins has laid a burn on the iPhone, pointing out that its software is starting to look a bit dated. He is currently visiting Australia for the launch of the Z10 and had some choice words for their competitors, namely Apple.

Heins said “Apple did a fantastic job in bringing touch devices to market… They did a fantastic job with the user interface, they are a design icon. There is a reason why they were so successful, and we actually have to admit this and respect that. History repeats itself again I guess… the rate of innovation is so high in our industry that if you don’t innovate at that speed you can be replaced pretty quickly. The user interface on the iPhone, with all due respect for what this invention was all about is now five years old.”

Mr Heins said one area that the new BlackBerry phones had surpassed the iPhone was in the ability to multi-task – running multiple apps at once – meaning that users could work in the same fashion on their smartphone as they liked to on a laptop.

Apple’s future direction with iOS and its user interface are now a point of interest for the company, as it parted ways with its previous iOS software chief, Scott Forstall, late last year. That role, along with control of the design of OS X, has been handed to Jonathan Ive, who has overseen development of the company’s iconic hardware for years.

[Via Financial Review]

March 18, 2013
Microsoft To Support Windows Phone 8 Until July 2014

A support document on Microsoft’s website reveals that the company will end support of both Windows Phone 7.8 and Windows Phone 8 in the second half of 2014. For Windows Phone 8 the “Mainstream Support End Date” is July 8th, then Windows Phone 7.8 ends in September 9th – both revealing an 18-month support cycle.

The document also says Windows Phone 8 is already past its “lifecycle start date”, aka the point at which Microsoft starts counting down to the end of support.

Those who enjoy death riding Microsoft’s mobile efforts, which have never achieved success commensurate with the company’s size and influence, could see the short life of Windows Phone 8 as a sign Redmond is backing away from the mobile phone, the better to concentrate on its Surface hybrid tablet devices.

A more favourable and sensible interpretation could suggest the swift demise of Windows Phone 8 is actually a sign of strong ongoing support for Windows Phone, as if Microsoft already knows the day on which it will shut down support for Phone 8 it must have either Windows Phone 8.5 or Windows Phone 9 ready to go pretty soon now.

There has been rumours that Microsoft will unveil the “next release” Windows Phone, currently codenamed “Blue,” sometime during the holiday period of this year. However, there’s no indication of what new features will be included.

[Via Engadget]

March 18, 2013
500,000 Google Reader Users Migrate To Feedly

Feedly,a news aggregator or RSS feed reader application service for Web/mobile iOS and Android users, is riding high, announcing that it has picked up 500,000 new users in a mere 48 hours. This follows Google’s recent move to shutter its Reader service has helped to boost the RSS service.

Feedly is now using ten times the bandwidth it was using before Google’s announcement. The app is now the number one free app in the Apple App Store.

Google’s decision to kill off its Reader product led to a storm of complaints. Despite RSS being an aged technology whose best days are firmly in the past, Reader retained a core, active constituency. That userbase was up for grabs the moment that Google decided to end Reader, and many alternatives stood up to accept the fleeing masses.

The company claims that Google Reader users can, prior to the end of Reader, “migrate seamlessly” to its service.

The most recent post on Feedly’s official blog states, “Our main priorities over the next 30 days are 1) to keep the service up, 2) listen to new users for suggestions and 3) add features weekly.”

Reports earlier this week from social news company Digg confirmed that they would be working on a replacement to the Google Reader.

With all of the time and money spent by these sites trying to replace Google Reader, wouldn’t it be funny if Google decided that with all of the petitions and the number of new accounts opened by other sites, it decided to give Reader another shot?

March 17, 2013
Kinect for Windows SDK March 18 Update To Bring Kinect Fusion With It

Microsoft is expected to release Kinect for Windows SDK 1.7 this Monday, March 18th, and the SDK brings with it the long awaited Kinect Fusion.

Microsoft announced two new gestures for Kinect for Windows, the PC-specific version of its Kinect interface. Within the new Windows for Kinect 1.7 SDK are two new gestures: the “push” or “click” gesture, and a closed-fist gesture for scrolling and panning a screen.

Bob Heddle, Director of Kinect for Windows at Microsoft states users can expect “push-to-press buttons, grip-to-pan capabilities, and support for smart ways to accomodate multiple users and two-person interactions,” Engadget reports.

Perhaps most importantly, SDK version 1.7 will include “Kinect Fusion,” Microsoft’s at-home 3D modeling solution that allows the Kinect to capture and fabricate real-time 3D models of people and objects. We first saw Kinect Fusion in action way back in August of 2011, when the concept surfaced as a Microsoft Research project.

“Kinect for Windows SDK 1.7 will be made available this coming Monday, March 18. This is our most significant update to the SDK since we released the first version a little over a year ago, and I can’t wait to see what businesses and developers do with the new features and enhancements. On Monday, developers will be able to download the SDK, developer toolkit, and the new and improved Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) from our website,” Microsoft stated in an official blog post.

Bob Heddle, Director, Kinect for Windows at Microsoft, said that these “Kinect Interactions” (as the gestures are called) came about because Microsoft notices that many developers were using the Kinect for core UI functions much more than Microsoft originally expected. Microsoft wanted to standardize those gestures so developers could focus on the unique parts of their apps.

The company will also make code samples for its open-source channel, the Kinect for Windows development site (CodePlex)

[Engadget]

March 17, 2013
Belkin Completes Linksys Acquistition, To Market Linksys Independantly

Belkin completed its acquisition of Linksys on Friday and will keep the longtime home networking company’s brand, products and support channels.

Cisco Systems agreed to sell Linksys to privately held Belkin in January for an undisclosed price. The move continued a shift by Cisco away from consumer products and toward large architectures for enterprises and service providers.

Belkin will maintain both its own brand and the Linksys brand into the future, according to Mathieu Whelan, a Linksys marketing manager who now works for Belkin.

“Linksys has a rich heritage, a passionate customer base and a wide product line, all of which fueled our decision to acquire the company and our plan to maintain the Linksys brand,” said Chet Pipkin, CEO of Belkin. “The Linksys portfolio will continue to exist and evolve to include even richer user experiences and network management functionality. Smart Wi-Fi is an innovative and easy way for consumers to stay connected to their home network and we look to continue investing in it by adding more features and products.”

Belkin, which is based in Playa Vista, California, will also be acquiring the Linksys headquarters in Irvine, about 50 miles away. The companies declined to discuss the future roles of top Linksys executives at Belkin.

“This acquisition will help us realize our vision as being the global leader in the connected home market,” said Mike Chen, Belkin’s senior director of networking. “Linksys is a premium brand, due primarily to its dependability, reliability, and proven quality. It will be marketed for use in the home and in the small business environment.”

[toggle title=”Press Release”]Belkin Completes Acquisition of Linksys

PLAYA VISTA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Belkin today announced the completion of its acquisition of Linksys. Linksys’ technologies, including its routers and the popular and innovative Smart Wi-Fi portfolio and services, will be managed and maintained as a separate brand and product portfolio.

“Linksys has a rich heritage, a passionate customer base and a wide product line, all of which fueled our decision to acquire the company and our plan to maintain the Linksys brand,” said Chet Pipkin, CEO of Belkin. “The Linksys portfolio will continue to exist and evolve to include even richer user experiences and network management functionality. Smart Wi-Fi is an innovative and easy way for consumers to stay connected to their home network and we look to continue investing in it by adding more features and products.”

Linksys customers and retailers will continue to see new Linksys products come to market in the near future, starting with several announcements in the spring time frame. By maintaining the Belkin and Linksys brands in home networking, Belkin aims to address a broader range of consumers with distinct networking solutions and will create the premier ecosystem for mobile devices and smart homes.

Support for Linksys products remains available through the existing Linksys support channels. For service, Linksys customers should go to the support page on the Linksys website. All valid warranties will be honored for current and future Linksys products.

“A lot of exciting things are happening in today’s connected lifestyle segment, and we are honored to continue the Linksys brand and enable new connected experiences,” added Pipkin. “Linksys and Belkin are now one team. We are ready to do fantastic things as a team and deliver products that delight consumers and support the increasingly connected, mobile world.”[/toggle]

[Via Engadget]

March 16, 2013
THX Sues Apple Over Speaker Patent

Apple Inc. has been accused by THX Ltd., a company founded by “Star Wars” producer George Lucas, of stealing speaker technology used in iPhones, iPads and iMac products.

According to the complaint, Apple knowingly infringed and continues to infringe upon THX’s U.S. Patent No. 7,433,483 for “Narrow profile speaker configurations and systems,” a property granted in 2008 describing methods to effectively enhance sound quality in compact speaker arrangements integrated into consumer electronics like computers and televisions.

As noted by Bloomberg, THX claims Apple’s violation caused monetary damages and irreparable harm, and seeks royalties or damages to make up for lost profit.

Given the products Apple allegedly uses the technology in, it is reasonable to assume that monetary damages could be a substantial sum.

THX originated as a way to make sure that the audio in Lucas’s Star Wars movies could be properly produced outside of the theater. The company did this by establishing standards, as well as a certification for sound systems, reports Bloomberg.

This year, San Rafael, California-based THX announced its first mobile application, THX tune-up, available in Apple’s iTunes App Store, according to a Jan. 29 statement from THX. The app allows consumers to use an Apple device with the iOS operating system to adjust the performance of televisions, projectors and speakers, according to the statement.

Neither company would comment outside of THX which simply said that this was a “pending legal matter”.

[Via Bloomberg]

March 16, 2013
Google Reader RSS Aggregator To Be Retired Due To Declined Usage

Google is shutting down its Google Reader service due to a declining number of users – and fans of the service have been given three months to find an alternative.

Google Reader, which was launched in 2005, is a content aggregator of web feeds, meaning users can go to just one place to view content from their favourite sites.

But the company said Google Reader would be retired on July 1 due to a dwindling number of users.

[pullquote_left] “There are two simple reasons for this: usage of Google Reader has declined, and as a company we are pouring all of our energy into fewer products,” Google said in its official blog. [/pullquote_left]

Despite a near-obsessive following among journalists – who have few options as comprehensive as RSS feeds from news sites – updates through Twitter, Flipboard and other networks have largely replaced it.

Since the announcement on Wednesday night, a petition on Change.org has already amassed more than 15,000 signatures. User Daniel Lewis started the petition because he says that despite using it less, he still relies on it several times a week.

At least one dedicated website has been set up asking Google to reconsider.

Bringgooglereaderback.com opens with “Dear Google” then displays an animation of Mad Men actress and Comic Con favourite Alison Brie looking at first shocked, then upset on apparently hearing the news.

The website then displays the words: “You should bring back Google Reader.”

In addition to killing off Reader, from next week Google is ending support for the Google Voice app for BlackBerrys, instead pointing users toward the HTML5 webapp.

March 16, 2013
Airtel Ordered To Stop 3G Services In 7 Regions, Fined

DoT on Friday issued a fresh order to Bharti Airtel to stop intra-circle 3G roaming in seven circles where it did not have the spectrum and also levied a penalty of Rs 350 crore (Rs 50 crore per circle) on the company for violating the licence terms and conditions. Airtel has been asked to stop the services within three days.

DoT is expected to send a similar notice to Vodafone India Ltd next week. Bharti Airtel is likely to approach the Delhi high court for a stay on the notices. Friday’s notice is the second to be sent to Bharti.

Last week, DoT made a case for sending the notices on the grounds that the operators were selling new 3G connections in circles where they did not get spectrum in the 2010 auction. This was not allowed as their telecom licences in those circles were not modified to allow them to offer the high-speed wireless data services. The licences were specifically amended for circles where they won 3G spectrum in 2010.

Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea won 3G airwaves in 13, nine and 11 circles, respectively, in the 2010 auctions, and between them have a national footprint. They subsequently entered into intra-circle roaming pacts with each other and rode on the airwaves of their partners in circles where they did not hold spectrum themselves. This enabled them to offer high-speed data services on a pan-India basis.

[Via LiveMint]

March 16, 2013
Facebook Pushing Android App Update Outside Play Store

There are reports that Facebook is pushing updates to its Android App outside of the Google Play Store, meaning users would still install the app initially through Play, but updates after that would come straight from Facebook. This functionality would only be for Android users, because this sort of thing would be impossible on iOS.

As Liliputing first reported, users are receiving a persistent notification letting them know that an update is ready, and on clicking the notification are taken directly to the Facebook app to download the new version, known as 141046.

This Facebook update is reportedly talking about adding some new and seemingly expected features such as being able to change your profile picture as well as being able to download files without notification.

The updates would only be downloaded over WiFi, and won’t use your data plan.

According to Facebook product manager Ragavan Srinivasan, “We’re working quickly to improve Facebook for Android and want to make sure everyone is using the best version of our app. You’ll experience these updates when you are on Wi-Fi, and they won’t rely on your data plan.”

One reason for this update to be pushed outside of the Play Store could be that Facebook is just trying it out, and it isn’t the final version yet.

It is interesting to note that Google’s terms of service does not give permission for apps “that cause users to unknowingly download or install applications from sources outside of Google Play.” Will the legal eagles there deem Facebook as crossing the line this time around?

March 16, 2013
Apple Suffers Setback In iPhone Trademark Apple In Mexico

Apple’s appeal to overturn a previous ruling against its sole ownership of the “iPhone” trademark in Mexico was rebuffed on Friday, with the Mexican Supreme Court saying a local tech company holds the official rights to the “iFone” name in the country.

In a case of David vs. Goliath, the Mexican Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling that iFone, a small IT company in Mexico City, is the rightful owner of the iPhone name in that country.

The company registered the name in 2003, four years before Apple rolled out the smartphone it dubbed the iPhone, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The case goes back to 2009, when Apple tried to register the phone brand name in Mexico and the Mexican Industrial Property Institute said it was already taken. Apple tried to take the name by suing, arguing that it had expired for iFone, but a federal court disagreed.

Ifone, based in Mexico City, specializes in server-based telecommunications systems, such as software that controls IP telephony, and is the local representative for software-based communications solutions provider AltiGen Communications Inc.

The ruling marks another setback for Apple in Latin America. A month ago, Brazilian authorities rejected Apple’s attempts to register the iPhone name because Brazilian electronics maker IGB Eletronica SA, better known by its brand name Gradiente, already owned rights to the name.

Last year Apple fought with Chinese company Proview over the rights to the iPad trademark in the country. That dispute, which threatened sales of the popular tablet, was settled last July for $60 million.

[Via LA Times]

March 16, 2013