Category: Brands and Companies

All Brands and Company Names

Microsoft Awarded $14.5 Million In Patent Case Against Motorola

A federal jury late Wednesday backed Microsoft Corp. in a dispute over Motorola Mobility’s licensing of so-called standard, essential patents used in Microsoft products.

In the second of two trials in federal court in Seattle, the jury agreed with Microsoft’s claim that phone maker Motorola, owned by Google Inc,, broke agreements with standard-setting bodies to license certain patents at a fair and reasonable rate, according to Microsoft.

The case revolves around patents owned by Motorola on the 802.11 wireless technology standard and the H.264 video compression. These technologies are used in numerous devices, including Microsoft’s Xbox game consoles. It is common business practice to pay patent owners a licensing fee in order to use the said patents, but it seems that the two tech giants couldn’t see eye to eye on just how much money is really involved.

In 2010, Microsoft filed a lawsuit against Motorola, claiming that the now Google-owned company is charging excessive licensing fees that could reach up to $4 billion per year. While Microsoft has no qualms about paying royalty fees, it could not agree to Motorola’s demand to be paid 2.25 percent of profits from Microsoft’s products using the said patents.

The jury awarded Microsoft about $14 million in damages, Microsoft said, about half what the company had asked for. That consisted of $11 million for the costs of relocating a warehouse in Germany due to an injunction on certain Microsoft products brought by Motorola in that country, and about $3 million in legal fees for fighting that injunction.

“This is a landmark win for all who want products that are affordable and work well together,” Microsoft said in a statement.

September 5, 2013
Android 4.3 Update For Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, Note 2 Coming Next Month

Samsung will be bringing Android 4.3 to some of its older devices in October, according to a company representative. The announcement was made during the unveiling of the Galaxy Gear smart watch, which is only compatible with the Android 4.3-based Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) at launch due to the requirements for Bluetooth 4.0 LE.

The original Galaxy Note was quite late in being updated to Android 4.1 from its shipping version of Ice Cream Sandwich, and doesn’t look to be receiving any future updates. So too will the Galaxy S2 remain on Jelly Bean 4.1, since both devices lack the hardware capable of being used with the Gear (among other resource-intensive reasons).

It was announced in July that the Galaxy S3 and Note II would skip Android 4.2 for a “future Android version,” and now that we know it is Android 4.3, we have to wait to see if Samsung follows through with its promise.

The Galaxy S4, which was launched earlier this year, shipped with Android 4.2.2 and the update to Android 4.3 should be hassle free considering that the Google Play Edition of the Galaxy S4 is already running the latest version.

Android 4.3 is still a variant of Android Jelly Bean (along with 4.1 and 4.2) but it does bring some interesting new features including restricted profiles (a much better way to handle multiple users on the same tablet), Bluetooth 4.0 low-energy support, OpenGL 3.0 support, a T9 dialer and improvements to the notification system.

September 5, 2013
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 And USB 3 Combines Together

Samsung just launched 3 new products, Galaxy note 3, Galaxy Gear and Note 10.1 2014. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is supposed to be the only phone that has USB 3.0 connectivity.

The benefit of USB 3.0 is that it offers faster data transfer rates, which might increase the speed of transferring music, videos, and other stuff to and from your phone. The speed will totally depend on the quality of the storage Samsung has packed with the Galaxy Note 3. With USB 3.0, users will be able to charge the phone directly from the computer much faster than before. As USB 2.0 ports generally provide up to 500mA current, while USB 3.0 provides current at 900mA which might boost a quick charge.

The USB 3.0 adds a different style of charging port to the Note 3, its bigger than the normal port we are used to see. The USB 3.0 cable can be familiar to the ones who uses the latest portable hard-drives, this new port can be used from either side(backwards-compatible).

While you impatiently wait for the Galaxy Note 3 to be available soon, when you own one do not forget to get your charger out with you as your friends charger might not be an alternative this time.

[youtube id=”ylP4DDwXZb8″ width=”100%” height=”300px”]

September 5, 2013
Jelly Bean Now Installed On 45% Of Active Android Devices

After a couple years of handing on by a small percentage, both Eclair and Donut (Android 1.6 and 2.1) have both jumped ship from Google’s monthly Android distribution chart. The main reason for this is the new version of Google’s new Play Store app, which only supports devices running OS 2.2 or higher. Google does note that Eclair and Donut accounted for “about 1% of devices that checked in to Google servers.”

Digging deeper into the the September numbers reveals Jelly Bean is on 45.1% of active devices, up from 40.5% last month. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich dipped by one percent to 21.7%. Missing from the list is the newly released Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, but since more devices will become available over the next few weeks we’ll certainly see this flavour make itself known.

Since Honeycomb has all but vanished, with less than 0.1% of devices, it’s safe to say that the remaining festering sore on Android’s record is Gingerbread. Android 2.3 still comprises 30.7% of all active users, with Froyo at a quickly-diminishing 2.4%. Many developers have cut off those pre-ICS Luddites, requiring Android 4.0 and above as a minimum, but until Gingerbread disappears, there will continue to be a division between modern apps — those that take advantage of Android’s newest and most effective APIs, and those that simply cannot. Most devices still running Gingerbread don’t support the newest versions of OpenGL, and lack GPU-based acceleration within apps.

September 5, 2013
Samsung Galaxy Gear Smart-watch Launched At IFA

Samsung today unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Gear, an accessory for the Galaxy phones. The device connects easily with the Note 3, Note 10.1 2014 and the S4, while updates for other devices like Note 2 and S3 would come in October.

The Galaxy Gear has a 1.63-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a resolution of 320 x 320-pixel. There’s a speaker and a pair of mics for recording, playing back video content and communicating with a caller with the help of the built-in dialer, which works with the default phone app in your connected Galaxy device. The Galaxy Gear includes a 800MHz processor and is powered by a 315 mAh battery which is said to last 25+ hours.

The gear has a BSI sensor and autofocus lens mounted on the wrist strap, with 1.9-megapixel stills and 10-second video clips at 720p, with VGA resolution and sound. The image quality might not be the best, but keep in mind the camera is meant for on the go photography. You just have to simply swipe down and an image will be captured. The gear has built in S-voice support, that can be useful to do a quick voice search and to call anyone on your contact list.

The gear has a 4 GB of inbuilt storage and can support upto 10 apps at a time. The device is available in 6 colors, pricing has not been disclosed, however the Gear will be available from 25th of September. The Samsung Galaxy Gear seems to be a true innovation, what do you think ?

September 5, 2013
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Announced With Improved S-Pen
Samsung has announced the Galaxy Note 3 smartphone, a device that promises to be demonstrably faster than its predecessor while keeping the tradition of being thinner, lighter and more compact than the Note II.

The 5.7-inch device has been upgraded to 1920×1080 pixels, and at 168 grams and 8.3mm thick, it’s actually thinner and lighter than the Note II. It comes with a soft-touch, textured backing in three colours, black, white and pink.

The backside of the Galaxy Note 3 features a 13-megapixel camera which is capable of 4K video recording and a faux leather cover. Sandwiched in-between those parts is a Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 (for the LTE model) / Quad-core 1.9 GHz Cortex-A15 & quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 (For the 3G model) with 3GB of RAM, 32GB/64GB storage expandable up to 64GB and a 3,200mAh battery. As expected, it runs on Android 4.3 with TouchWIZ.

“We introduced the original Galaxy Note in 2011 and launched a whole new smart device category. The undeniable success of the Galaxy Note strengthened our conviction that consumers want higher quality features for smart devices and they want those new features to make their lives better,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics.

“Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a powerful, original approach that enables users to tell the stories of their lives through dynamic and seamless expressions of their passions across work, play and life experiences. With a simple click of the S Pen button, users can unlock opportunities for self-expression, features that transform everyday activities into extraordinary events and access to new experiences delivered to them on Note 3’s larger screen”.

The Note 3 also comes with a few interesting software features, including Air Command, an on-screen portal to four specific features:
- Action Memo – Quick handwritten notes that can be converted into actions. For example, you can write out someone’s name, phone number and address and the software will automatically parse the data and add him or her to your address book.
- Scrapbook – Basically a mobile Evernote Web Clipper, this allows you to grab pieces of web page — text or photo — and save it in various notebooks
- Screen Write – Full screen memos with annotations
- S Finder – Finds content online or in the phone just by entering keywords
- Pen Window – Arguably the most interesting piece of the puzzle, it allows users to open a separate app in a window size of your choosing, overlaid on top of another app. For example, if you’re chatting about expenses with your wife or husband in the SMS app, you can overlay a calculator on top and perform the addition without leaving the app.
There’s also a new and improved Multi Window feature, which now allows for data sharing and interaction between apps.

Samsung has also done plenty of work to the S-Pen. The stylus is now more a part of the Galaxy Note 3 than ever before.

‘The S-Pen is now the key that unlocks all the power, functionality and features of the Galaxy Note 3.’ Samsung detailed the following new attributes of its S-Pen at launch:
- Action Memo allows users to handwrite a note and automatically execute a function or convert that handwritten information into formatted content. Action Memo can instantly initiate a call, add to contacts, look up an address on a map, search the web, save a task to a to-do list, and more
- Air Command – hold the S-Pen on the Galaxy Note 3’s display and it brings up five Quick Commands in a circular menu. The idea here is to allow for quick note taking from anywhere in the Galaxy Note 3’s UX.
- Scrapbook enables users to organise or track down content and information from various sources including the web, YouTube and Gallery in one place so that users can easily look back at collected content all at once. When consumers save content for future use, Scrapbook also collects source material or URLs allowing them to easily refer back to the original source
- The Screen Write feature captures the full screen image of the current page on the device and allows users to write comments or additional information onto the captured image
- S Finder allows users to expansively search for content on their device regardless of the type. By putting in keywords or filters such as date, location and content type, users can search related documents, events, communication threads, and even the Help page – all in one place. In addition, users can also search for hand-written content in their Notes and memo applications, as well as symbols and formulas
- Pen Window allows users to use the S Pen not only for drawing sketches or writing notes, but now also for opening a small application window for a true multitasking experience. Simply by drawing a window of any size, anywhere on the screen, users can easily and quickly open another application window such as YouTube, calculator or Browser without pausing current activity on the screen
The new Galaxy Note 3 is slated to begin rolling out to consumers on Sept. 25, and Samsung says that it’ll eventually hit 140 countries around the globe. This new Note is expected to be available worldwide in October. Stay tuned for pricing information!

Expect an iGyaan style review soon!
September 4, 2013
Sony Launches All New Music Video Recorder ‘HDR-MV1’

Sony has announced a new camcorder concept designed and made specifically for musicians, called the HDR-MV1 Music Video Recorder. The video camera lets any artist to shoot and share every performance with Full HD image quality and dynamic studio quality sound thanx to the Dual mic.

Marrying Sony’s industry-leading audio and digital imaging technology, HDR-MV1 is the perfect video capture solution when audio is key,” said Hidenori Toyoda, director of the camcorder business at Sony Electronics. “With the web being a major hub for established and budding music talent, the camcorder’s ability to easily upload high quality content sets it apart from other devices.”

The company claims that this device is ideal for studio like voice recording as well as full HD video, this device also has built-in Wi-Fi that allows users to instantly share their Music Video Recorder content to a smartphone or tablet for easy upload. The Wi-Fi connection also allows control of the camera with any compatible device, for start/stop recording as well as to select movie/audio modes. This camera also has NFC that makes it even better.

The new HDR-MV1 Music Video Recorder will be available in December for a suggested retail price of $299.99.

September 4, 2013
Sony QX100 and QX10 Lens Cameras Unveiled At IFA

The much rumoured Sony lens camera has been launched today at IFA. The QX100 and QX10 are two lens based cameras that attach to the smartphone to bring the best picture quality. Though these add on appear bulky but they are of great use, as the company claims these can change the Xperia Z or Xperia Z1 into compact cameras.

These lenses can directly fit with the Xperia devices, but if you are not a Xperia user and you are completely astonished with these lenses, with the help of an adapter you can connect these with any of your smartphone.

Both these cameras have ‘one touch’ and WiFi, the QX10 has 10x optical zoom and the QX100 has a one-inch sensor and Karl Zeiss lens. Check out the specification sheet:

The new Cyber-shot QX100 and QX10 lens-style cameras will available later this month for about $500 and $250, respectively.

[toggle title=”Press Release “]NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2013 – Merging the creative power of a premium compact camera with the convenience and connectivity of today’s smartphones, Sony today introduced two “lens-style” QX series cameras that bring new levels of fun and creativity to the mobile photography experience.

The innovative Cyber-shot® DSC-QX100 and DSC-QX10 models utilize Wi-Fi® connectivity to instantly transform a connected smartphone into a versatile, powerful photographic tool, allowing it to shoot high-quality images and HD videos to rival a premium compact camera. It’s an entirely new and different way for consumers to capture and share memories with friends and family.

With a distinct lens-style shape, the new cameras utilize the latest version of Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile™ application (available for iOS™ and Android™ devices, version 3.1 or higher required) to connect wirelessly to a smartphone, converting the bright, large LCD screen of the phone into a real-time viewfinder with the ability to release the shutter, start/stop movie recordings, and adjust common photographic settings like shooting mode, zoom, Auto Focus area and more.

For added convenience, the app can be activated using NFC one-touch with compatible devices. Once pictures are taken, they are saved directly on both the phone and the camera*, and can be shared instantly via social media or other common mobile applications.

“With the new QX series cameras, we are making it easier for the ever-growing population of ‘mobile photographers’ to capture far superior, higher-quality content without sacrificing the convenience and accessibility of their existing mobile network or the familiar ‘phone-style’ shooting experience that they’ve grown accustomed to,” said Patrick Huang, director of the Cyber-shot business at Sony. “We feel that these new products represent not only an evolution for the digital camera business, but a revolution in terms of redefining how cameras and smartphones can cooperatively flourish in today’s market.”

The new compact, ultra-portable cameras can be attached to a connected phone with a supplied mechanically adjustable adapter, or can be held separately in hand or even mounted to a tripod while still maintaining all functionality and connectivity with the smartphone. They can also be operated as completely independent cameras if desired, as both the DSC-QX100 and DSC-QX10 cameras have a shutter release, memory card slot and come with a rechargeable battery.

Premium, Large-Sensor QX100 Camera

The Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 camera features a premium, high-quality 1.0 inch, 20.2 MP Exmor® RCMOS sensor. Identical to the sensor found in the acclaimed Cyber-shot RX100 II camera, it allows for exceptionally detailed, ultra-low noise images in all types of lighting conditions, including dimly lit indoor and night scenes.

The sensor is paired with a fast, wide-aperture Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 3.6x optical zoom and a powerful BIONZ® image processor, ensuring beautifully natural, detail-packed still images and HD videos. As an extra refinement, the DSC-QX100 sports a dedicated control ring for camera-like adjustment of manual focus and zoom.

Several different shooting modes can be selected while using the camera including Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Intelligent Auto and Superior Auto, which automatically recognizes 33 different shooting conditions and adjusts camera settings to suit.

High-Zoom Cyber-shot QX10 model

Boasting a powerful 18.2 effective megapixel Exmor RCMOS sensor and versatile 10x optical zoom Sony G Lens, the Cyber-shot DSC-QX10 camera allows mobile photographers to bring distant subjects closer without sacrificing image quality or resolution, a common problem in smartphones. It’s also extremely portable and lightweight – weighing less than 4 oz and measuring about 2.5”X2.5”x1.3”, it’s a great tool for travel photography.

Additionally, the camera has built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization to combat camera shake, keeping handheld pictures and videos steady and blur-free. It has Program Auto, Intelligent Auto and Superior Auto modes to choose from, and will be available in two different colors – black and white.

Pricing and Availability

The new Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 and DSC-QX10 lens-style cameras will available later this month for about $500 and $250, respectively.

The cameras and a range of compatible accessories including a soft carry case and dedicated camera case attachment for Sony Mobile phones like the Xperia™ Z can be purchased at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.

Please visit www.blog.sony.com for a full video preview of the new Sony Cyber-shot QX Series cameras and follow #SonyCamera on Twitter for the latest camera news.
[/toggle]

September 4, 2013
Sony Xperia Z1 Announced : 5″ Full-HD Display, 20.7MP Camera

As expected, Sony has unveiled the follow-up to its Xperia Z smartphone today, the aptly-named Sony Xperia Z1. The device looks visually similar to its all-glass predecessor, but comes in a bit taller, wider, thicker and heavier. It has a unibody aluminum chassis.

The Sony Xperia Z1 will boast 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 5-inch Sony Xperia Z1 sports a 20.7MP Exmor RS sensor with an unprecedented size of 1/2.3″, along with a G Lens from its higher-end cameras. Its F2.0 aperture and 27mm wide-angle lens means that photos should be sharper, faster and more detailed than most of its rivals, though we will wait until a review unit for a verdict on its efficacy.

There’s a new social feature, Social Live to broadcast “precious moments” directly to Facebook. The time Shift Burst takes about 61 images in two seconds, all photos that you take are stored online in a cloud based library.

Running Android 4.2.2 with Sony’s slight but pleasing customizations, the experience should be familiar to anyone running an updated Xpera device.

The Sony Xperia Z1 is also rated at IP55 and IP58 for water and dust resistance, similar to the Xperia Z and will come in black, white and purple variants.

Expect an iGyaan style review soon!

September 4, 2013
Micromax Canvas Ego A113 Now Available Online

Micromax is trying hard to win the smartphone market in India by providing its smartphones in all price ranges for the consumer. After the recent high end devices like Canvas 4 and Doodle 2, Micromax is set to launch a new mid-range device which is the Canvas Ego A113.

The Micromax Canvas Ego A113 sports a 4.7-inch display. The device is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor coupled with 1GB of RAM. The device comes with a 4GB of internal storage which can be expanded up to 32GB via micro SD card. Canvas Ego has a 8 MP rear camera with an LED flash while there is no word about the front-facing camera on the online retailer’s listing. The Micromax Canvas Ego runs on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. It is a dual-SIM phone with support for GSM+GSM. It also powered by a 2000 mAh battery. Micromax Canvas Ego A113 is not yet announced officially but is available on Snapdeal. The box would include some standard stuff like Charger, Headset, Data Cable, Battery, Handset, User Manual and Warranty Card.

The device seems to have a unibody type construction, the Canvas Ego A113 is priced at 12,999. What is your take on this device from Micromax ? Stay tuned for more detailed information.

September 4, 2013
Watch Live The launch of Samsung Galaxy Note 3 at the Unpacked 2013 event

Samsung will start its 2013 Unpacked event at IFA at 19:00 CEST / 13:00 EDT, for those in India the time is IST 9:30 PM. Catch the live stream above. and catch our live updates below.

The Samsung Unpacked 2013 Episode 2 livestream will likely see the official announcement of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 , Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch and potentially one or more new tablets. The Samsung Unpacked 2013 Episode 2 event is being held in advance of the major IFA 2013 conference in Berlin, Germany. Like many other companies, Samsung is attempting to get a jump on the competition by announcing its major product releases early. Sony is holding a rival event on the same day where we can expect to see the Sony Xperia Z1 “Honami”, Sony Xperia Z1 Mini “Itsuki” and possibly the Sony Lens camera. Other companies we can expect at IFA Berlin 2013 include HTC and LG.

September 4, 2013
Is this the Nexus 5 ? Google slips up in its own video

Earlier today Google Announced the new version of Android 4.4 aka Android KitKat. During the video unveil of the new statue at the campus, a Google employee seen in the green shirt above seems to be hold a unique device which appears to be bigger than the Nexus 4 seen on the right being held by the woman. The word Nexus is spelled out in a different direction, the camera seems different, and it looks bigger than the Nexus 4, but it appears to have an LG logo on the bottom. Could this be the next nexus aka Nexus 5?. Google has stuck its guns for the Nexus 7 and continued production for the Nexus 7 with Asus, so LG may as well be next manufacturer for the Nexus 5.

Google has removed the official video from the company’s Youtube channel, sort of confirming the misappropriated leak, but you can see a version of it below and decide for yourself.

[youtube id=”hn795s9h8n8″ width=”100%” height=”300px”]

September 4, 2013
“KitKat” will be the next version of Google’s OS : Android 4.4
After the previous minor upgrade retained the “Ice Cream Sandwich” moniker, the next version of Android OS aka Android 4.4 will be called KitKat. Google’s SVP Sundar Pichai has just confirmed by posting the image of the statue across the social networks.

“It’s our goal with Android KitKat to make an amazing Android experience available for everybody. :- Google

The company is remaining mum on the project and on what new features the new name will bring. Google has also already worked out a no money agreement with Nestle for the name sans a space in the middle, hence, KitKat vs the original Kit Kat. Google SVP Pichai also announced that there are now over one billion Android device activations, surpassing the 900 million mark back in May this year.

The list of Android versions incase you have not kept up
1. Cupcake (1.5)
2. Donut (1.6)
3. Eclair (2.0)
4. Froyo (2.2)
5. Gingerbread (2.3)
6. Honeycomb (3.0)
7. Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0)
8. Jelly Bean (4.1-4.3).
9. KitKat (4.4)
The deal between Nestle and Google closed within 24 hours of the first phone call to the confectionary manufacturer.

John Lagerling, director of Android global partnerships, also confirmed that his team did originally consider “Key Lime Pie” as a potential name for Android after Jelly Bean, but the issue was “very few people actually know the taste of a key lime pie.” The BBC reports that there will be more than 50 million Kit Kats promoting the Android mascot in 19 markets (including Brazil, India, Japan and Russia).

Watch a fun video by Nestle below.

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

[toggle title=”Press Release”]Google has ended months of online speculation about the name of the latest version of its Android mobile operating system by revealing it will be called ‘Android KitKat’, after Nestlé’s popular chocolate and wafer confectionery.

The creators of the world’s most popular mobile platform have teamed up with the world’s biggest food and beverage company to name the next release of the platform ‘Android KitKat’.

Sweet themes

Android has been developed by the company’s engineers under sweet-themed names ever since the release of Android Cupcake in 2009 and continuing in alphabetical order until the most recent version, Android Jelly Bean.

The news that the letter ‘K’ will be dedicated to Nestlé’s KitKat will surprise most technology commentators, who had widely thought the latest version would be ‘Android Key Lime Pie’.

“We couldn’t imagine a better name for our Android K release than the tasty chocolate that’s been a favourite among the team since the early days of Android,” said Marc Vanlerberghe, Director of Android Marketing.

Strong digital presence

“We’re excited to announce this partnership with Android, the world’s most popular mobile platform, which will help us to enable even more KitKat fans to enjoy their break,” said Patrice Bula, Nestlé’s Head of Marketing.

“KitKat is one of the world’s top ten fast-moving consumer goods brands in social media in terms of fan numbers and engagement,” he continued. “We continue to build on its strong digital presence with interactive, creative branding campaigns.”

To mark the release of Android KitKat, more than 50 million specially branded KitKat bars will be available in 19 countries including Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, Dubai, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The packs will lead consumers to the website android.com/kitkat where they will have the opportunity to win prizes including a limited number of Google Nexus 7 tablets, and credits to spend in Google Play, Google’s online store for apps, games, music, movies, books and more.

A small number of Android robot-shaped KitKat bars will also be offered as prizes in selected markets.

Closer to consumers

Nestlé’s branding partnership with Google is the company’s latest move in its ambition to leverage digital technology and online content to get closer to its consumers to better understand and cater to their preferences.

Earlier this year, Nestlé acquired its first-ever piece of online content property, the Petfinder website in the United States. The online database, which links prospective adopters with adoptable pets, is visited by more than 100 million pet-lovers annually.[/toggle]
September 4, 2013
iPhone 5C Revealed In Entirety By Case Manufacturer

If one needed any more proof of the iPhone 5C existence, here’s some: case manufacturer CaseMate has actual renders of the device adorned with its glitzy cases on its website.

The company cites a sell-before date of September 20th at 8am, likely aligning with the availability of the phone in stores.

The first case, pictured above, shows a foldable flip cover for the iPhone 5c, which reminds us a lot of Apple’s Smart Cover for the iPad.

Another render, seen above, shows the iPhone 5C as it will look inside a couple of different cases: a bumper-style case, and a hardshell case. More intriguingly, the leak specifies a very particular launch window for Case-Mate’s cases: “EST. SHIP DATE 9/20/2013 08:00:00 AM.”

It’s unknown whether CaseMate is using its own renders (likely) or an official one (unlikely) for this mockup, but the delineated plastic volume buttons shown through the small side gap indicate that this is indeed different from the iPhone 5.

Additionally, 9to5Mac has posted photos of promo shots for a number of new Switcheasy cases — new cases from the company’s Numbers, Colors, Nude, and Tones lines. Most of the cases are for the iPhone 5C, but the Odyssey case is notably listed as compatible with the iPhone 5 and 5S, according to the post.

We’ll know more in the coming days — Apple is likely sending its invite for the September 10 event this week — but for now, enjoy the bedazzlement.

[Via, Via]

September 3, 2013
HTC BoomBass : A Bluetooth Subwoofer With NFC

With its dual front-facing speakers, the HTC One smartphone already provides some of the best noise you’ll get from a phone. If that’s not quite enough for you then check out the BoomBass.

The HTC BoomBass is a little device that measures 64mm³ but can supercharge the sound coming from your aluminium-shod phone.

It’s a rubberised unit, with the bottom layer a natty orange/red colour, sitting underneath a grey section. The lower area actually slides out to provide a dock for your HTC One, finally giving a proper area to watch your visualisations and sing along with the lyrics if you’re that way inclined.

It does as its name suggests and only delivers the low bass frequencies to help give a better overall sound when used in conjunction with the aforementioned dual speakers.

It has a built-in battery, so won’t drain your phone’s, and has been designed to slide out so that the phone can be popped on top, making it a sort of mini dock.

Pairing is simple enough, achieved via NFC, and the low frequencies are sent from your phone to the BoomBass using Bluetooth 3.0.

Supplying a discrete subwoofer and nothing more is a bit interesting, since HTC already has the Beats Pill accessory which works well. Pricing and availability are yet to be revealed.

[toggle title=”Press Release”]Boosting the bass for HTC One
In the HTC One, HTC redefined the smartphone sound experience with HTC BoomSound and has now raised the bar again with the introduction of a new accessory for the HTC One family. HTC BoomBass, a compact, Bluetooth-enabled subwoofer with a dedicated amplifier, provides clearer, more powerful bass when combined with the HTC Onefamily’s BoomSound. The subwoofer enables HTC BoomSound’s speakers to produce enhanced quality of lower range frequencies so, no matter what music you’re playing or video you’re watching, you are guaranteed immense and exceptional sound that can travel with you.[/toggle]

Featured image via TheNextWeb.

September 3, 2013