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Nokia Introduces Ultra-Affordable Camera Phones: Nokia 108 and Nokia 108 Dual-Sim

Nokia has announced two new feature phones, the Nokia 108 and Nokia 108 Dual-SIM. The Nokia 108 Dual-SIM has already been listed on Nokia’s official Indian site.

The Nokia 108 has a built-in VGA camera, the device also features an integrated MP3 player, FM radio and more. The Nokia 108 comes with a battery life of up to 31 days standby, both devices comes with a 950 mAh battery that can deliver up to 14 hours of talktime.

The Nokia 108 and its dual-SIM variant share identical designs and specifications, except that the Nokia 108 Dual-SIM comes with dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) and dual standby support.

Both phones come with dimensions 110.4 x 47 x 13.5 mm and weigh just 70.2 grams. The Nokia 108 and Nokia 108 Dual-SIM feature a 1.8-inch QQVGA (128×160) display. There is 4 MB of RAM, and the phones offer expandable storage support via microSD card.

Commenting on the launch, Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president, Mobile Phones, Nokia said:

We continue to connect millions of people, including those for whom mobile phone ownership was previously out of reach. There remains a huge segment of the global population that has yet to own a camera phone. For the next billion people and beyond, we aim to bring new mobile experiences to ever-lower price points, and the Nokia 108 and Nokia 108 Dual-SIM are great examples of this commitment.”

The Nokia 108 and Nokia 108 Dual SIM have a recommended retail price of 29 USD(excludes taxes). Available colors include red, white and black at launch, with yellow and cyan to follow. The devices are expected to start shipping in Q4 this year.

[toggle title=”Press Release “]The Nokia 108 and Nokia 108 Dual SIM – Capture, Share and Play

Espoo, Finland – Nokia today unveiled two new ultra-affordable camera phones: the Nokia 108 and the Nokia 108 Dual SIM. Perfect for people purchasing their first-ever camera phone, the new handsets offer more than just calls and texts. The Nokia 108 also lets people take pictures and record video, helping them capture life’s important moments with an attractively-priced device. With Nokia’s Slam technology on board, content can be shared faster and more easily with friends and family via Bluetooth. Support for up to 32GB of external memory ensures there’s plenty of space to store people’s most cherished content.

Nokia 108The Nokia 108 delivers new mobile experiences without the huge price tag. In addition to a built-in VGA camera, the Nokia 108 also features an integrated MP3 player, FM radio, Snake the game, multiple alarms and flashlight for staying entertained and productive while on-the-go. With exceptional battery life of up to 31 days’ standby when using the single SIM Nokia 108, people will also be able to enjoy the phone for longer.

The Nokia 108 extends the Nokia design story with its softly rounded corners and raised island keys, making it a pleasure to use. Available in Nokia’s signature red, white, black, yellow and cyan, the colorful back covers are also removable. Made with Nokia’s renowned quality and attention to detail, the Nokia 108 gives people an outstanding introduction to mobile technology at a great price, and makes staying in touch with friends and family more fun and enjoyable.

“We continue to connect millions of people, including those for whom mobile phone ownership was previously out of reach,” said Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president, Mobile Phones, Nokia. “There remains a huge segment of the global population that has yet to own a camera phone. For the next billion people and beyond, we aim to bring new mobile experiences to ever-lower price points, and the Nokia 108 and Nokia 108 Dual SIM are great examples of this commitment.”

Great value as a first mobile or back-up phone

The Nokia 108 and Nokia 108 Dual SIM are great value, beautifully designed handsets for calls, texts and on-the-go entertainment including photos, Snake, music and video. With expandable storage of up to 32GB, people can store thousands of images, music tracks and hundreds of videos. With standby time of up to 31 days for the Nokia 108 and up to 25 days for the Nokia 108 Dual SIM, they also make for highly reliable back-up phones for occasional or emergency use. The Dual SIM variant enables people to select which SIM card to use when making a call or sending a text message, helping them manage costs and maintain network coverage on-the-go, without the need to use several phones.

The Nokia 108 and Nokia 108 Dual SIM have a recommended retail price of just 29 USD, excluding taxes and subsidies. Available colors include red, white and black at launch, with yellow and cyan to follow. The Nokia 108 and the Nokia 108 Dual SIM are expected to start shipping in Q4 this year.

Read more about the Nokia 108 and Nokia 108 Dual SIM on Nokia Conversations.

About Nokia
Nokia is a global leader in mobile communications whose products have become an integral part of the lives of people around the world. Every day, more than 1.3 billion people use their Nokia to capture and share experiences, access information, find their way or simply to speak to one another. Nokia’s technological and design innovations have made its brand one of the most recognized in the world. For more information, visit http://www.nokia.com/about-nokia.

– See more at: http://press.nokia.com/2013/09/16/nokia-introduces-new-ultra-affordable-camera-phone-the-nokia-108/#sthash.EMUny3Tf.dpuf[/toggle]

September 17, 2013
YouTube Testing Chromecast support

Anyone wanting to stream YouTube videos through a Chromecast currently has to visit YouTube’s website or run one of its mobile apps. However, YouTube has started to add support for Chromecast to its embedded web player, allowing Chromecast users to beam videos displayed on third-party websites straight from their browser to their TV.

Google has confirmed to GigaOM that it is publicly testing Chromecast support for embedded YouTube clips on third-party web pages. Currently, the access to stream YouTube videos is random, as the (send to) button shows up some times, and may not be available for everyone.

The company says it is monitoring feedback from these experiments and it could offer embedded video support to more Chromecast owners if all goes well. As said by a YouTube spokesperson:

With more videos coming to YouTube every minute we’re always experimenting with ways to help people more easily find, watch and share the videos that matter most to them. As always, we’ll consider rolling changes out more broadly based on feedback on these experiments.”

September 17, 2013
Facebook and Twitter reportedly Unblocked in Iran

Facebook and Twitter became widely accessible to Iranian users on Monday for the first time since 2009, when the services were blocked in the midst of widespread protests against former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, according to reports emerging from the country.

Various reporters for print as well as Network media located in the country were able to access the services starting Monday.

“Some other blocked sites are reporting themselves unblocked – the National Iranian American council is reporting themselves unblocked as well,” York said, referring to a U.S.-based nonprofit group.

Iranian authorities blacked out Facebook and Twitter in the summer of 2009, when Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election victory sparked massive protests that gained momentum with the help of organizers using social media. The new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had stated earlier this month, that he would have a more open minded approach to social media when compared to the hard minded predecessor.

[VIA]

September 17, 2013
Watch the Galaxy Note 3 , Galaxy Gear Launch Live on iGyaan

Samsung will launch the Galaxy Note 3 in India today at 12:15 pm IST, get the live video and key moments from the event below. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is the third iteration in Samsung’s Note series of phones, which usually are considered flagship devices. The Note 3 was launched globally on 4th September at a press event held during IFA 2013 in Berlin, Germany.

Samsung will also launch the Galaxy Gear “smart watch” alongside the Note 3 with an expected prcie tag of Rs. 17999. India will be one of the first countries in the world to get these devices, showing how big a market India is, for Samsung.

We broke the news of the launch of the Note 3 and Gear in India early last week when the company was still finalizing pricing and specs for the final version intended for the Indian market. Today’s launch will remove all doubt from the mind of those in a quandary.

September 17, 2013
BenQ Expands Its Offerings for the Indian Education Sector With New Launches At World DIDAC 2013

BenQ today showcased new technologies at the WORLD DIDAC INDIA 2013, an international event that brings together the education and training industry at a common platform.

In FY 2012 BenQ installed over 50,000 projectors in the Education sector enabling more than 20 lac students to use the latest technology of delivering education in classrooms. The company has already established its leadership in the Projector business and with the introduction of new technologies over the years; BenQ aims to lead the increasing growth in demand for IT products in the education sector.

Speaking at the event said Rajeev Singh, Country Head & GM at BenQ India Pvt. Ltd said, “The education sector across the globe has transformed itself by adopting new and advanced technology that has re-defined how the information is imparted among students at different level. Being the number 1 player in the Indian education sector it has been our constant endeavor to provide world class solutions for traditional as well as modern digital classrooms that makes content simpler for students to learn new things with high level of retention. At present BenQ has 40 SKUs in the projector segment out of which 10 models are purely for education, Seeing the growth in tier 2 & 3 cities we are working towards increasing the penetration of projectors in these markets by strengthening our partner networks from 150 direct partners to 200, and active resellers from the present 600 to 800 by 2013-end.”

He further added “Keeping in mind the rise in demand for projectors from the education sector in India, this year at the World DIDAC India 2013 we are announcing the launch of our two new short throw projectors with 10,000 hours of lamp life and Interactive flat panels with large screen sizes upto 65inches”

At the World DIDAC India 2013 BenQ announced the launch of its RP & RM series Interactive Flat Panels in 55” & 65” screen sizes. These come with 5 point touch, 4 pen interactive display system with 2 way wireless transfer for amazing classroom. These Interactive Flat panel will keep students, customers or employees informed with the large- format interactive tool of communications, enabling users to access the latest information proactively means less staff effort, better perception and higher satisfaction.

In addition, the MX819ST and MW820ST short-throw projectors have been launched in India, both projectors come with XGA and WXGA resolutions, contrast ratios up to 13000:1, and more than 3,000 ANSI lumens of brightness and enhanced SmartEco energy-savings modes capable of extending lamp life up to 10,000 hours.

September 16, 2013
Google Acquires Content Sharing App Bump

Bump, the contact and media sharing app for Android and iOS, has been acquired by Google.

Bump co-founder and chief executive David Lieb said the company was “thrilled” to join Google, citing similar passions for sharing information between people and devices.

In September 2011, the company announced it had 50 million downloaders and 10 million active “bumpers.” Just less than a year later, more than 600 million photos were shared by “bumping” phones. Later it released an iPhone-only version photo-sharing app dubbed Flock (not to be confused with the social browser of the same name).

It’s worth adding here that Bump doesn’t use NFC, merely “whatever Internet connection is available on your device”, be that WiFi or cellular. The mobile app uses the phone’s sensors to “feel” the bump, thus actioning the actual transfer.

“The Bump team has demonstrated a strong ability to quickly build and develop products that users love, and we think they’ll be a great fit at Google,” said a Google spokesperson. Google declined to comment on what team Bump will be joining.

The full announcement on the Bump blog is as follows.

[toggle title=”Announcement”]“We’re excited to announce that the Bump team is joining Google!
Our mission at Bump has always been to build the simplest tools for sharing the information you care about with other people and devices. We strive to create experiences that feel like magic, enabled behind the scene with innovations in math, data processing, and algorithms. So we couldn’t be more thrilled to join Google, a company that shares our belief that the application of computing to difficult problems can fundamentally change the way that we interact with one another and the world.
Bump and Flock will continue to work as they always have for now; stay tuned for future updates.
We’d like to extend a special thank you to all of you who have used our products so far. It continues to be a pleasure to serve you, and your feedback and evangelism inspire us every day.
David Lieb
CEO and cofounder
Bump
We also want to thank our investors, advisors, and supporters — Marc Andreessen and all of a16z; Greg McAdoo, Tim Lee and all of Sequoia; Paul Graham, Jessica Livingston, and everyone at Y Combinator; Ron Conway and SV Angel; Ram Shriram of Sherpalo; Aydin Senkut of Felicis — and our friends and family who have encouraged us to dream big and push the world forward.”[/toggle]

[Via]

September 16, 2013
BenQ Launches Its Digital Signage and Interactive Touch Display Solutions At Infocomm India

BenQ today announced its product lineup for InfoComm 2013. With an award-winning family of projectors, monitors, and flat-panel displays, BenQ will demonstrate the industry’s new standard for brightness, image quality, and energy savings within the business, education, and digital signage spaces.

“BenQ not only strives to provide the best-of-breed products in consumer, professional, and commercial categories, but also assures consumers with services from its pan India network backed by the synergy of partners behind the BenQ Group,” said Rajeev Singh, Country Head & General Manager at BenQ India Pvt.. Speaking on the participation at Infocomm India 2013 he further added, “BenQ’s Infocomm 2013 introductions continue to lead the marketplace by setting new standards in brightness, image quality, and energy efficiency. With the success of our new expanded line of flat-panels and interactive touch displays, we’re bringing innovations to today’s public spaces. Plus our projection solutions keep on offering the smartest and most comprehensive features lowering total cost of ownership for today’s eco-friendly users.”

The interactive IL Series features up to six-point multitouch displays — the highest number of touch points in the industry as well as ambient light sensors for energy efficiency and LAN Control for remote management and maintenance. The ultra-slim P Series, featuring a super-narrow bezel design of only 5.6 mm between two adjacent screens and up to 10×10 display capability, delivers more seamless video walls within large signage environments.

For further details, check out the press release below.

[toggle title=”Press Release”]BenQ strengthens its foothold in the Pro A/V segment with the launch of its Digital Signage and Interactive Touch Display solutions at Infocomm India 2013
Mumbai, INDIA, September 16th 2013, BenQ, an internationally renowned provider of digital lifestyle innovations and No. 1 player in the Indian projector segment with a market share of 20% (FutureSource Consulting and PMA report for projector business Q2, 2013), today announced its product lineup for InfoComm 2013. With an award-winning family of projectors, monitors, and flat-panel displays, BenQ will demonstrate the industry’s new standard for brightness, image quality, and energy savings within the business, education, and digital signage spaces.

“BenQ not only strives to provide the best-of-breed products in consumer, professional, and commercial categories, but also assures consumers with services from its pan India network backed by the synergy of partners behind the BenQ Group,” said Rajeev Singh, Country Head & General Manager at BenQ India Pvt.. Speaking on the participation at Infocomm India 2013 he further added, “BenQ’s Infocomm 2013 introductions continue to lead the marketplace by setting new standards in brightness, image quality, and energy efficiency. With the success of our new expanded line of flat-panels and interactive touch displays, we’re bringing innovations to today’s public spaces. Plus our projection solutions keep on offering the smartest and most comprehensive features lowering total cost of ownership for today’s eco-friendly users.”

Leading Commercial-Grade Flat-Panel Displays for Any Application
With three new flat-panel display lines designed for around-the-clock-operation, BenQ is bringing big changes to digital signage for retail, corporate, education, hospitality, and public spaces. Made for today’s high-traffic retail and restaurant settings, the durable mainstream SL Series provides a dust-proof design, daisy chain capabilities, and delivery of dynamic content to different locations. The interactive IL Series features up to six-point multitouch displays — the highest number of touch points in the industry as well as ambient light sensors for energy efficiency and LAN Control for remote management and maintenance. The ultra-slim P Series, featuring a super-narrow bezel design of only 5.6 mm between two adjacent screens and up to 10×10 display capability, delivers more seamless video walls within large signage environments.

Bright Light, Big Picture: BenQ’s Large Venue, High-Brightness Projectors
To bring the full A/V experience to big spaces at a lower total cost of ownership (TCO), BenQ has introduced three new additions to its high-brightness projector lineup. BenQ’s PW9600 & PX9500 with interchangeable lens and 6,000 lumens are the latest introduction professional projector range. SH963 and SX914 projectors shine at an astounding 6,000 lumens of dual-lamp power with extra-sharp XGA resolution (SX914). The full HD 1080p models feature high contrast ratios of 50,000:1, detail-enhancing HQV processors, big zoom capabilities, horizontal/vertical lens shifting, 2D keystone correction, and throw ratios of up to 2.43 to decrease setup time and enable more efficient presentations. With a number of connectivity options including dual HDMI®, these projectors deliver amazing picture quality to any of today’s conference room or lecture hall environments.

The World’s First Wireless Full HD Projection Solution with 3D Support
BenQ is unveiling its powerful 3D solutions with the world’s first built-in 5GHz wireless full HD 1080p projector. Designed mainly for home theater settings, the new W1500 projects uncompressed full HD images from sources such as Blu-ray and DVD players, AV-R players, set-top boxes, and gaming consoles without the need for HDMI cables. The unit also enables mobile device integration for easy wireless connectivity with an Apple® TV or iPad®.

BenQ products are displayed at booth D60 at InfoComm 2013 India in Mumbai at the Bombay Exhibition Centre from September 16- 18, 2013. More information is available at www.BenQ.co.in

About BenQ Corporation
BenQ Corporation, a leading provider of networked digital lifestyle devices, is a multi-faceted company with strengths in product design, visual technology and mobile technology. BenQ offers unrivalled breadth and depth of products and integrated technologies across platforms through the brand promise of “Bringing Enjoyment and Quality to Life,” including digital projector, LCD monitors, laptop PCs, Netbooks, All-in-One PCs, LCD TVs, digital cameras, storage devices, eBook reader, mobile phones, storage media and human interface devices such as mice and keyboards.

About BenQ Group
The BenQ Group is currently comprised of 16 companies that operate independently while sharing resources and leveraging synergies among them. The BenQ Group companies include BenQ Corporation, AU Optronics Corporation (world’s top 3 manufacturers of large-size TFT-LCD panels), Qisda Corporation, Darfon Electronics Corporation, Daxon Technology Inc., Daxin Materials Corp., Forhouse Corp., Light House Tech, SiPix Imaging, Lextar Electronics Corp. BenQ Guru Software Co., BenQ Hospital, Darwin Precisions, Ltd, Raydium Semiconductor Corporation, Cando Corporation and Wellypower Co., Ltd.

About InfoComm International
InfoComm International® is the international trade association of the professional audiovisual and information communications industries. Established in 1939, InfoComm has 5,000 members, including manufacturers, systems integrators, dealers and distributors, independent consultants, programmers, rental and staging companies, end-users and multimedia professionals from more than 80 countries. InfoComm International is the leading resource for AV market research and news. Its training and education programs set a standard of excellence for AV professionals. InfoComm International is the founder of InfoComm, the largest annual conference and exhibition for AV buyers and sellers worldwide. InfoComm also produces trade shows in Europe, Asia and China.[/toggle]

September 16, 2013
Report: Nexus 5 And Android KitKat Will Launch On October 14th

With the Nexus 4 being sold out at Google Play and it receiving its carrier ‘end of life’ status, rumours are that the leaked ‘Nexus 5 will be officially unveiled in October. The first sign of a potential release date comes with Android-focussed site AusDriod stating that Google and LG will unveil the Nexus 5 on Monday, October 14th – which is 1-month away.

Documents on the FCC reveal that the phone will have a 4.96-inch diagonal display and will be just 131.9 mm x 68.2 mm.

In addition to this date, it’s also expected that the Nexus 5 will bring the availability of Android OS 4.4 KitKat to the masses. Little is known about the specific features Google will rollout, but the upgrade is rumoured to bring the following:

– New notification widgets
– Firmware availability to older phones
– Fragmentation changes (screen resizing)
– Miracast updates
– New Gallery Visualisation
– New APIs regarding animations
– Change android default blue to other preset palette colours

Of course as we do with all rumours, we suggest you take this one with a healthy grain of salt. At any rate, an October release is sounding more than likely.

[Via]

September 16, 2013
BBM For Android Leaks As APK

BBM for Android and iOS are coming soon, but the former suffered a leak this weekend that lets users sideload the APK file and open the app. Unfortunately for most, likely because BlackBerry saw this day coming from a mile away, the actual functionality — logging in with a BlackBerry ID and using the app — is restricted to a small number of whitelisted accounts.

We saw the application leaked on video a couple of weeks back, with one lucky user giving us a nice run through of everything we can expect. It’s full-on Blackberry, with the company’s design time ditching Holo for an experience that matches what you can find on their own devices.

BlackBerry said the service would go live before the end of the summer, following its announcement at BlackBerry World Live 2013 in May.

More recent reports have claimed BBM will launch before the end of September although BlackBerry is remaining very tight-lipped about concrete release dates. Adding fuel to the speculative bonfire that is when-will-BBM-come-to-Android is the news that Samsung Galaxy handsets may get the service first via the company’s Samsung Apps portal.

Statement from BlackBerry:

The excitement around the upcoming launch of BBM for Android and iPhone users is amazing. We want to thank everyone for their enthusiasm, but wanted to let people know that the program is structured so that only those in the beta will be able to use the app. The version we’ve seen on the Web in the last couple of days can be downloaded, but will not work on devices that are not approved in the beta program.

[Via. Via]

September 16, 2013
Now, a Finger Will Not Only Unlock Your iPhone But Will Also Work As a Speaker: Disney Research

Disney has developed a device to transmit sound through the human body. The Ishin-Den-Shin technology uses a standard microphone to record audio and then converts it into an inaudible signal transmitted through the body of the person holding the microphone. This is also know as electronic whisper.

Touch someone’s ear while holding the mic, for example. Disney has not said if will build Ishin-Den-Shin into any products, but the technology is simpler than in the electrostatic speakers or headphones.

It records sounds through a device fitted to the microphone that creates a “modulated electrostatic field” around the user’s skin. The Sony’s website shows

When touching another person’s ear, this modulated electrostatic field creates a very small vibration of the earlobe”. As a result, both the finger and the ear together form a speaker, that makes the signal audible for the person touched. The inaudible signal can be transmitted from body to body, using any sort of physical contact.”

For more information, you can watch the video below:

[youtube id=”Iw1FhmY1sIU” width=”100%” height=”300px”]

[toggle title=”Press Release “]Electronic Whisper: Disney Research Technology Transmits Audio Messages Via Finger’s Touch

“Ishin-Den-Shin” Wins Honorable Mention in Prix Ars Electronica 2013 Competition

Disney Research, Pittsburgh, has added a new dimension to interpersonal communication, creating a microphone that enables a person to record an audio message, transmit it silently through his body and reproduce it with the touch of a finger.

Called “Ishin-?Den-?Shin,” a Japanese expression for communicating through an unspoken mutual understanding, the technology turns an audio message into an inaudible signal that is relayed by the body. When the communicator’s finger slightly rubs an everyday object, the physical interaction creates an ad hoc speaker that makes it possible to hear the recorded sounds.

If the finger touches a recipient’s ear, the message can be heard just by the recipient.

“Ishin-?Den-?Shin lends an unequaled level of intimacy to digital communications,” said Ivan Poupyrev, principal research scientist and head of the interaction technology group at Disney Research, Pittsburgh. “It explores the continued blurring of the boundaries between the human body, the messages we generate and the world around us. It’s almost as if a person’s finger can whisper in your ear or playback a message hidden in an everyday physical object.”

The technology also makes it possible for a group of people who are in physical contact to turn their bodies into a transmission medium, with the signal passing silently from one to another until someone touches an object.

Ishin-?Den-?Shin won an honorable mention in the interactive art category in Prix Ars Electronica 2013, the International Competition for CyberArts.

The Ishin-Den-Shin system includes a handheld microphone connected to a computer’s sound card. When someone speaks into the microphone, the computer turns the sound into a looped recording. The recording is then converted into a high-voltage, low-current inaudible signal that flows into a thin wire connected to the exterior of the microphone. This looped, inaudible signal creates a modulated electrostatic field around the body of the person who is holding the microphone and can be transmitted from person to person via any sort of physical contact. The modulated electrostatic field produces a very small vibration of a finger touching an object, which forms a speaker. The Ishin-Den-Shin technology thus can turn everyday artifacts into interactive sound devices without the need to instrument them with any apparatus.

The Disney Research, Pittsburgh, team that created Ishin-Den-Shin includes Olivier Bau, an interaction researcher, and Yuri Suzuki, a design associate, as well as Poupyrev.

More information, including a video, is available on the project website, http://www.disneyresearch.com/project/ishin-den-shin/[/toggle]

September 16, 2013
Google Glass No Longer Requires Tethering Plan, Gets App-Based Data Sharing

Explorer Edition of Google Glass is continuously being updated with new tricks, In a normal case scenario to use internet on the Glass, one needs smartphone tethering plans which adds more expense to the ownership of the Glass.

However, the latest update to the device shows a way to save this additional cost. With XE9 loaded onto the device, the Android app stores data to and from the hardware, overcoming the smartphone’s Bluetooth tethering settings and extra plan needed from some carriers.

Google Glass is currently only on the faces of a small number of early adopters, so this is not suppose to massively disrupt any carrier incomes. Once the device becomes available to the general public, this firmware update could see some push-back from carriers.

September 16, 2013
‘Grand Theft Auto V’ Goes on Sale Tomorrow

The much anticipated game of this year, the Grand Theft Auto V will be available for purchase starting 17th September 2013. The franchise, which boosted after Grand Theft Auto III (2001) has been titled the best selling action-adventure video game series by Guinness World Records. This new GTA V game is the biggest production ever from the Rockstar Games.

To encourage the exploration of the game’s entirety, the designers for the first time let players control three different characters. Michael de Santa is joined by Franklin Clinton and Trevor Phillips.

It allows us to weave multiple stories together in an extremely compelling way that flows naturally to the player, and it gives the player more freedom in a game already synonymous with freedom,” says the game’s art director, Aaron Garbut.

Michael, Franklin and Trevor are the main leads in the game. With this new game players can entertain themselves by playing golf, doing yoga, building a real estate empire and alot more. For the first time, an online feature that lets players compete together and against each other.

The game is available for Xbox and PlayStation 3 starting 17th September and is available on mostly all online shopping websites. You can expect an iGyaan style review for this game ‘really’ soon. Stay tuned!

[youtube id=”hvoD7ehZPcM” width=”100%” height=”300px”]

September 16, 2013
HTC Corp. (US) Confirms Job Cuts

HTC Corp. has terminated more than two dozen jobs at its U.S. offices on Friday. The company said in a statement that the cuts were a decisive action by HTC Corp (US) to streamline and optimize our organization and improve efficiencies after several years of aggressive growth.

The specific number is not given, but as per source familiar with the situation said that about 30 positions were eliminated. It seems that the company is doing everything that is required to boost up the growth, as the company’s ‘Here’s The Change’ promotional campaign is also to its peak.

The official statement given by the company:

Today’s reduction in force is a decisive action by HTC Corp (US) to streamline and optimize our organization and improve efficiencies after several years of aggressive growth. Realigning its human resources against key strategic initiatives will help HTC more effectively advance into a new stage of growth and innovation. This is a hard decision that has direct impact on people who have contributed to the growth HTC has experienced the past several years. However, to achieve our long-term goals as a business and return maximum value to our shareholders, this is a necessary step to drive ongoing innovation, ensure our ability to create strong products like the HTC One, and forge strong customer relationships that solidify our future. HTC is proud of its employees and has a track record of hiring the best and brightest; we continue to hire in strategic areas and encourage impacted employees to apply for open positions that are a fit for their skills.

September 16, 2013
Google Maps Updated For Android, Better Navigation

Google Maps has got a new update (7.2) on Android. Now when you search for directions to a place and there are multiple routes, you will get Google Now card-like options with a new “Start Navigation” button, which saves a tap and a time overall.

The Android app’s latest update tweaks hotel search results by adding sponsored rate and booking links, which places a tiny “ad” icon next to services that paid for exposure.

The information for places such as restaurants, retail stores, etc. also has a minor update. The hours a business is open is now displayed right below the category of store it is in bold.

Navigation has been also been improved, with better traffic and route information, and the side menu now has a “tips and tricks” option that opens a maps help page in the web browser.

September 15, 2013
3D Realms Drops Duke Nukem Lawsuit Against Gearbox

When Gearbox released Duke Nukem Forever back in 2011, the game studio hadn’t anticipated that it will be slammed with a massive lawsuit by the original creators of Duke Nukem, 3D Realms. The legendary studio sued Gearbox for skimping on paying royalties on Duke Nukem Forever. But after a long tug of money war, a new press release issued earlier today revealed that 3D Realms has officially dropped the lawsuit

In its lawsuit 3D Realms argued that Gearbox had “refused and failed to make substantial royalty payments” related to the deal and that Gearbox had failed to take over responsibility for a $2.9 million loan – which was also allegedly part of that same agreement.

It also included a statement from Scott Miller, the CEO of 3D Realms (also known as Apogee Software), who apologized for the damage it had done to its relationship with Gearbox.

“After reviewing evidence regarding our business affairs, and without any money exchanging hands, we have satisfactorily resolved any and all differences that we perceived against Gearbox,” Miller wrote. “In all sincerity, we regret the misunderstanding that instigated our lawsuit. Now that we better understand–and appreciate–the actual nature of our business matters, we have voluntarily withdrawn our claims against Gearbox, with genuine apologies to Randy [Pitchford, president of Gearbox] for any damage that our lawsuit may have caused to the relationship.”

[Via]

September 14, 2013