Category: Brands and Companies

All Brands and Company Names

Apple Hires Nike FuelBand Designer Ben Shaffer, iWatch Coming Soon ?

Apple has hired the Nike design director Ben Shaffer, according to a source at Nike with knowledge of the details behind Shaffer’s departure. Ben Shaffer was the Studio Director of the Innovation Kitchen which is Nike’s research and development lab where new product designs are created.

Nike was named the most innovative company in 2013 by Fast Company. Nike’s Innovation Kitchen has been connected to wearable products like the popular Nike Fuel Band, and most recently, the Flyknit shoe. Earlier, Apple also hired fitness expert and Nike FuelBand consultant Jay Blahnik.

After all this one can simply assume that the company’s upcoming wearable will incorporate some of Nike’s fitness-tracking tech, probably the iWatch would have the same or better qualities. Only time will tell, or if we get any exclusive leaked news we will keep you informed!

September 28, 2013
Google To Pay €300,000 Fine for Privacy Violations to a French Agency

France’s National Commission on Computing and Freedom (CNIL) threatened Google with a €300,000 fine due to the company’s lack of compliance with a June decision aimed at protecting users’ private data. The French agency that regulates information technology says Google had not satisfactorily responded to its June decision giving the company three months to be more upfront about the data it collects from users.

In a statement Friday, France’s National Commission on Computing and Freedom, known as CNIL, said:

Google hasn’t made requested changes, including specifying to users what it uses personal data for, and how long it’s held. CNIL said it will now launch formal sanction proceedings, a process that could take months.

On the other hand, Google spokesman Al Verney said:

Our privacy policy respects European law and allows us to create simpler, more effective services. We have engaged fully with CNIL throughout this process and will continue to do so going forward.”

The National Commission on Computing and Freedom said five other European countries are also taking similar steps in a staggered offensive against Google’s privacy policy between now and the end of July. It said Google has largely ignored earlier recommendations from European regulators. Similar actions are underway in Spain, Germany, Britain, Italy and Netherlands.

September 28, 2013
Sony Xperia Z1 Honami Unboxing and Hands on Review

As promised, we are back with the unboxing and hands-on review video of the Sony Xperia Z1 Honami.

The Sony Xperia Z1 boatst modern specs worthy of a flagship smartphone, including a 5-inch full HD 1080p display (441ppi) sporting Sony’s TRILUMINOS screen tech and X-Reality for mobile that debuted on the Xperia Z Ultra 6.4-inch phablet. There is a 2.2Ghz Snapdragon 800 SoC inside, along with 2GB of RAM. 16GB of storage (expandable via MicroSD) and a 3000mAh battery.

The device sports a 20.7 MP Exmor RS sensor with a size of 1/2.3″, along with a G Lens from its higher-end cameras. Its F2.0 aperture and 27 mm wide-angle lens can be the biggest competitor for the Nokia’s flagship device Lumia 1020.

The camera on Sony Xperia Z1 will include set of Xperia Camera Applications like Social Live, Info-Eye, Time Shift Burst and Ar Effect. You can expect are hands on this device really soon.

Stay tuned for the full review of the Sony Xperia Z1.

September 27, 2013
Rumoured Specs Of iPad 5 And iPad Mini 2 (In Gold) Leak

The iPad Mini 2 is rumored to come in the same colors as the new iPhone 5S, we have already seen a photo of the Space Gray version, and now it looks like we have some photos of the gold version of the iPad Mini 2.

Sonny Dickson, the Australian blogger who revealed most of the details about Apple’s iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c before it was launched, has just revealed a ton of details and shared leaked photos of the next generation iPad mini.

Dickson also mentioned that, according to his sources, the iPad mini 2 would include Apple’s new A7 64-bit chip, the M7 motion coprocessor we’re seeing in the iPhone 5s, along with 1GB of RAM. As for the 9.7-inch iPad 5, Dickson’s sources revealed that it will pack 2GB of RAM under the hood, presumably sporting the same specs as little brother. He also claims that iPad mini 2 will come in Space Gray, Gold and Silver. The iPad mini 2 will also include Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which was introduced with the launch of iPhone 5s.

If Apple wants Touch ID to be taken seriously and gain mass appeal, it makes sense to have it on as many devices as possible. With that in mind, we’d say it was likely that the iPad 5 will get the same fingerprint scanner, although we can’t say for definite.

Rumour has it that Apple is hosting a media event on Oct 15, which likely will serve as the iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 release date and Apple fans are crossing their fingers for the prayer to become real.

[Via]

September 27, 2013
Microsoft Streams Halo 4 To Demonstrate Cloud Gaming

Microsoft’s Halo franchise is set in space, but the cloud is where today’s most interesting advancements seem to be happening for the Mast Chief-helmed video game series.

Microsoft has long been suspected to have been working on its own brand of cloud streaming technology for Xbox software, and the latest reports suggest they’re making progress on that front.

The Verge writes that sources familiar with Microsoft’s internal machinations describe a demonstration by company officials that showed Xbox 360 blockbuster Halo 4 running smoothly via network streaming on both a PC (presumably running Windows 8) and a Windows Phone device, specifically the 4″ Nokia Lumia 520.

We understand that Microsoft is building the service as a way to stream games to its Windows devices. Microsoft’s demonstration included a Windows Phone with a Xbox controller attached through an accessory, and a low-end hybrid PC. Microsoft has not yet branded the cloud games service, and officials stressed it was simply prototype at this stage.

It seems unlikely Microsoft will have their cloud game streaming service ready in time for the launch of PlayStation Cloud, which Sony has announced for release in early 2014.

This could be the company’s answer to making the vast library of Xbox 360 backward compatible with the forthcoming Xbox One console. It could be utilized for “more complicated things like rendering full games like a Gaikai and delivering it to the box.”

September 27, 2013
Google Introduces The Most Addictive Doodle Ever

Google, the search engine giant, was founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, students of Stanford University. Although the company was founded a few weeks earlier but September 27 is celebrated as its birthday.

Google has always been famous for some interactive doodles, today Google is celebrating its 15th birthday with yet another amazing doodle game.

Google has featured an addictive playful doodle which shows the popular Mexican birthday game pinata, it is a addictive game as you get some tries to make the highest score.

Did you try your hands-on it yet ?

September 27, 2013
Microsoft To Merge Windows Phone And Windows 8 App Store

Microsoft is planning to merge both Windows Phone appstore and Windows appstore in to a single appstore according to reports.

It isn’t entirely clear whether this will result in complete cross-platform compatibility for both Windows 8 and WP8 apps — like Apple’s iPhone and iPad App Store — or if it’s more a case of designing an app store that both platforms will then use independently of each other.

Terry Myerson, the VP of Operating Systems at Microsoft, said that this unification will allow both apps stores to work as one, but did not go into detail on how users would be able to use different apps on different sized hardware.

One set of developer APIs will also encourage developers to build apps for the platform. Currently the developer interest in Windows Phone is less compared to iOS or Android, this should change as the combined appstore becomes quite bigger and will attract more eyeballs.

But all apps wont work on all platforms, like Windows Phone apps wont work on Windows RT tablets, and some of the desktop apps wont work on Windows RT tablets. Windows RT runs on ARM architecture and desktops use Intel chips in most cases.

We expect this unified app store to be released sometime in Spring 2014 alongside a slew of new updates to the Windows ecosystem.

[Via]

September 27, 2013
Bill Gates Says the Combination of ‘Ctrl + Alt + Del’ Was a Mistake

Bill Gates, Microsoft’s chairman and co-founder admitted that the tricky combination of keys used to reboot machines was not well thought out.

Forcing early computer owners to simultaneously press the difficult key combination of Control-Alt-Delete to log on to their machines was a mistake, the Microsoft co-founder said in an interview at a Harvard fundraising campaign. The command was originally designed to reboot a PC and on older versions of Windows was used to log-in, but since Windows 8 launched, it has been used to access the task manager bar.

He explained the original idea was to use a taxing key combination to ensure it was difficult for other software to fake a log-in screen and steal passwords.

[youtube id=”cBHJ-8Bch4E” width=”100%” height=”300px”]

September 27, 2013
Apple Releases iOS 7.0.2 Update To Fix Lock Screen Bug

Apple has started to roll out iOS 7.0.2 to fix a lock screen security bug which was discovered just the very next day when iOS 7 was available for the general masses.

Apple says iOS 7.0.2 will fix the issue where users could bypass an iPhone lock screen to gain access to personal information like photos, email, text messages, Facebook, Flickr, and Twitter accounts. It seems iOS 7.0.2 is a basic security update, however, Apple also said that the new update will also include a Greek keyboard option for passcode entry.

A NULL dereference existed in the lock screen which would cause it to restart if the emergency call button was tapped repeatedly. While the lock screen was restarting, the call dialler could not get the lock screen state and assumed the device was unlocked, and so allowed non-emergency numbers to be dialed. This issue was addressed by avoiding the NULL dereference,” said Apple.

[via]

September 27, 2013
Google Unveils Upgrade to Search Algorithm: ‘Hummingbird’

Google said it has updated the way its search engine functions so that it can respond better to more complicated and human-like queries, as it faces competition from services like Apple’s Siri, that seek to simplify searching for information.

The new algorithm which is codenamed as Hummingbird, is the first major upgrade in the last three years. It has already been in use for about a month, and affects about 90% of Google searches.

Google stressed that a new algorithm is important as users expect more natural and conversational interactions with a search engine, Hummingbird is focused on ranking information based on a more intelligent understanding of search requests, unlike its predecessor, Caffeine, which was targeted at better indexing of websites.

It is more capable of understanding concepts and the relationships between them rather than simply words, which can lead to more fluid interactions. It is an extension of Google’s “Knowledge Graph” concept introduced last year aimed at making interactions more human.

In an example, shown at the presentation, a Google executive showed off a voice search through her mobile phone, asking for pictures of the Eiffel Tower. After the pictures appeared, she then asked how tall it was. After Google correctly spoke back the correct answer, she then asked “show me pictures of the construction” and then a list of images appeared.

Google said in a blog post that it is expanding the results users get for questions without simple answers like “Tell me about Impressionist artists.” Such a search will yield links to sites with information about the artists and their paintings.

At the event, Google also announced an updated search app on Apple’s iOS, as well as a more visible presence for voice search on its home page.

September 27, 2013
BBM For Desktop Showcased By BlackBerry

If you’re a heavy BBM user, it seems that during the BlackBerry Jam Asia 2013, BlackBerry showed off BBM running on a Windows computer, essentially mirroring the app on a desktop platform, similar to how BBM would be mirrored on the Playbook tablet.

The app allowed for quick conversations, attached files, send photos and works over Wi-Fi.

BlackBerry is reportedly working on a having BBM for Desktop available to Mac users, but there’s still no indication of when or if this will officially be rolled out.

There was no mention of a release date for this feature, but what do you guys think of it? Is this something you’d like to see happen in the near future?

[Via]

September 26, 2013
Apple Ordered to Pay $3 Million Over Patent Voilation in Japan

Apple is again into the news but this time it is not because of the iPhone 5c or the iPhone 5s, it is because of the iPod as Tokyo District Court ordered Apple to pay ¥300 million ($3.3 million).

Apple is been asked to pay this amount to Japanese inventor Norihiko Saito for infringing on a patent covering the touch-sensitive click wheel used in the iPod Classic and older models of its music player.

The patent that Norihiko Saito’s company applied for in 1998 covers a technology for the Click Wheel controller that Apple has adopted for the music player in Japan since 2004, Judge Teruhisa Takano said in the ruling.

Saito’s damages come more than five years after he filed the patent lawsuit, during which time he demanded damages of ¥10 billion ($101 million), based partly on the number of iPods Apple had sold during that period. The final figure($3.3 million) that came up is way less than what was demanded ($101 million) before, Apple might not have any problems paying this amount considering the sales of the new iPhones.

September 26, 2013
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Benchmarks and Hardware

Samsung’s latest flagship the Galaxy Note 3 is now available across major cities in India, priced at 49,900 INR (you might get it cheaper) the Indian edition of the Galaxy Note 3 comes with an Exynos 5 chipset (1.9GHz Quad core + 1.3 GHz Quad core) along with 32 GB of storage and 3 GB of RAM.

Coming to our benchmark tests, we started by running Quadrant Standard on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and the device performed well up to it’s hype and broke all the previous records in Quadrant Standard. We got a score of 20599 for Galaxy Note 3 in Quadrant Standard.

The Galaxy Note 3 managed to beat the HTC One and Samsung S4, which scored 11972 and 13001 respectively in Quadrant Standard.

Next up, we ran AnTuTu Benchmarks on the Galaxy S4 and the smartphone managed to better it’s competitors here as well, as it scored 34546 points, which is better than HTC One’s score of 25064 points.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Samsung Galaxy S4 HTC One

QUADRANT 20599 13001 11972

NENAMARK 60.4 59.9 61

ANTUTU 34546 28431 25064

Now, it was time to test the graphic performance of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, the smartphone scored 60.4 fps, where as the HTC One scores 61 fps and the S4 is real close with 59.9 fps in our benchmark tests.

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

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 did come up to our expectations and performed great, you can also check out are unboxing video here. Gaming video coming soon!

September 26, 2013
LG G2 Expected To Hit 10 Million In Sales By The Company

LG plans to rollout the G2 to over 130 wireless carriers and have already launched it in South Korea, United States and the UK. An overseas report from the China Times has LG banking on the device hitting a home run. Apparently Jin Bingheng, head of LG Taiwan, has gone on record and publicly announced that they plan on selling 10 million LG G2 flagships devices around the world. Unfortunately there’s no timing listed in the report of when LG plans to sell the 10 million units, hopefully by the end of the year.

The LG G2 intends to approach smartphone design slightly differently, by being ensuring that all of the buttons are located on the rear of the device, which would mean this is the first smartphone in the market to lack any side buttons at all. The idea for a Rear Key concept arrived after LG noticed that users found it more difficult to access the side keys properly the larger a handset is.

A spacious, 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with an amazingly thin bezel graces the front of the LG G2. Its resolution of 1080 by 1920 pixels ensures that everything on it will look nice and sharp, especially knowing that a standard RGB sub-pixel arrangement has been implemented. The screen panel will be countering the sun’s rays with 450 nits of maximum brightness output.

This is the first device announced to carry a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor (with 2GB of RAM), which will have four Krait 400 cores clocked at 2.26Ghz and the company’s new Adreno 330 GPU clocked at 500Mhz. This SoC is a huge upgrade over the Snapdragon 600, and should allow for next-generation 3D gaming (when it arrives).

[Via]

September 26, 2013
Rumoured Microsoft Surface Mini Specs Leak, Might Release Next Year

Microsoft hasn’t yet confirmed plans for a Surface Mini tablet, but sources close to the matter revealed earlier this year that a new device aimed to compete with the iPad mini and Nexus 7 is likely to arrive by December.

Analysts working at IHS iSuppli have told CNet that a Windows RT powered tablet with a 7.5-inch display is being worked on by Microsoft. This ‘Surface Mini’ tablet will use a 4:3 aspect ratio 1,400 x 1,050 pixel display and it is also possible it will be equipped with mobile broadband connectivity. Earlier analyst insights provided to CNet suggested that the device will hit mass production early in 2014.

Another report from ZDNet reporter Mary Jo Foley reads :

One of my sources who has been solid on Microsoft’s roadmap in the past says the Surface Mini is coming, but not in calendar 2013. Supposedly, this source claims, Microsoft is going to launch the Surface Mini in early 2014. The reason? The Surface Mini is going to come preloaded with a Windows 8.1 update, that is codenamed “Spring 2014 GDR.”

Of course, if the Surface Mini is coming, things certainly won’t be easy for Microsoft competing on the market against products such as the Google Nexus 7 and Apple’s iPad Mini. And there are also other players: HP with their Slate 8 Pro which runs Android and Slate 7 HD, and Toshiba with their Encore 8-inch Windows 8.1 tablet.

So are you interested in playing with a smaller tablet from Microsoft? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

September 26, 2013

	Samsung Galaxy Note 3	Samsung Galaxy S4	HTC One
QUADRANT	20599	13001	11972
NENAMARK	60.4	59.9	61
ANTUTU	34546	28431	25064