Category: Gadget

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Smart Cap : A DIY Google Glass Replica Made For Only Rs.4500

We love to get ‘inspired.’ Our Bollywood movies are predominantly ‘inspired’ by previous works by other filmmakers who in-turn get their inspiration from others. But sometimes these inspirations lead to some cool new inventions like a Google Glass replica that costs a meager Rs. 4500 in comparison to the hefty price tag of Google’s Augmented glasses.

Though the Smart Cap looks rudimentary, it is quite functional

Now Cochin-based Arvind Sanjeev has invented the “Smart Cap” which is basically a nerdier version of the sleek Google Glass. Now we, of course, need to cut him some slack as he didn’t have huge monetary resources backing those researchers at Google X.

Arvind’s design though rudimentary is pretty functional. The raw materials that went into making the smart cap are easily available. The Smart cap uses a USB Webcam, an LCD panel, aspheric lens, headphones, a Raspberry Pi Board, a sun board sheet and glue which is a DIY guy’s favorite tool.

Now since creating an operating system would have been a long task, Arvind went with open Android as the OS for Smart cap. The front of the cap has the camera, the Raspberry Pi board, and 2.5 inch LCD display mounted on it. To make the LCD display legible at such close distance, he used an aspheric lens.

The Smart cap works by taking commands using the microphone on the headset. The device can help you with navigation, Google search, YouTube, webcam recording and first person viewing of other cameras, etc.

Smart Cap can be used to access maps, send emails, take photos and more.

What is really appreciable is that he put the entire project in DIY and posted it for anyone to create their own smart cap. He has been doing this for a while and has uploaded several DIY tutorials. He also owns a start-up called A.R.S devices which make devices for automation, connected devices and safety purposes. He has in line for a hardware patent which will let you control your car using a smartphone app. Now that’s an app we’d all love to have.

Even though the Smart Cap is inspired by Google Glass, Arvind’s audacity and patience in creating this device is commendable. The value of DIY has always been to bring replicated expensive technology and attaining similar levels of functionality using cheaper alternatives. The Smart cap stands up to the value, and though it looks rudimentary, it is pretty dope, almost like a prop from a sci-fi movie about robots. So if you have the talent of DIY, then go ahead, get in the game and teach the world how to make some awesome stuff inexpensively.

August 20, 2014
Top 5 Websites to Sell Your Old Gadgets Online

Re-commerce i.e. trading old gadgets for a price is not a common practice in India. But with more and more people wanting to buy the latest in technology, dispensing old gadgets safely has become important. And its all the more better if you can make some money while doing it. Even though prices offered depend on the time, market demand and the condition of the gadget, putting your old gizmos on sale is a good idea. There are numerous websites which offer the service of trading old gadgets.

We are listing 5 of these website where you can sell you old gadgets in return of cash.

1.YouRenew

The company offers consumers a profitable and environment-friendly way to dispose of their used smartphones, MP3 players, laptops, digital cameras, tablets and other electronic goods. The site is user friendly and three easy steps let you recycle your old gizmo. You need to type in the name of the device and if it is listed on YouRenew.com, then answer a few questions about the device and you’ll know how much the site would pay you.

2. Karma Recycling

Karma Recycling is one of the leading e-waste management services in India. The website is also quite user-friendly; you have go through 4 steps to sell your mobile. Choose your mobile, its condition and they will offer you a price. You can choose your payment through check , yatra.com or yebi.com gift card.

3. Atteroboy

Atteroboy works similar to Karma Recycling. Website works in a same way, choose you mobile, its condition and they will offer you a price. Though we noticed that they might pay you less than Karma recycling.

4. Cellforcash

The first thing to remember when you decide to sell old mobile phones online is if you send handsets in beat up condition – that do not work or without accessories – then don’t expect a high payoff. Cellforcash.com clearly highlights in its ‘Terms and Condition’ section that it is looking for quality used-items and the better conditioned the phone, the better chances of getting a nice payout.

5. Buymytronics

Buymytronics.com, earlier known as www.BuyMyBrokeniPod.com, lets customers sell used iPods, iPhones and consumer electronics like laptops, game consoles and digital cameras. The process of selling the item is the same as other websites — select the category of the gadget, select it from the list and specify its working condition. The site would then quote a price, and if you think it’s a good bargain, then you need to ship it to the address provided to you by email.

August 20, 2014
Sharp Launches Bezel-Less Smartphones

Sharp is not a company which people usually associate with Smartphones. But, Japanese electronics giant recently introduced a pair of amazing smartphones that barely have bezels.

Sharp has managed to stock a 5.5-inch screen into a body that stops right at the edge of that display. Not only that, the innards of the phone are also impressive. The 5.5-inch Sharp’s Aquos Crystal X is at 1080p resolution and there’s a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 801 ticking away inside its 10mm thick chassis.

The less powerful and slightly smaller Aquos Crystal packs a 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 400 and a 5-inch 720p display. The phone comes with a Harmon Kardon sound effects engine that delivers “Clari-Fi” to restore quality lost in music compression. There’s also “LiveStage” streaming and native compatibility with the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio Bluetooth speaker.

Sharp is said to enter the US smartphone market with these two phones soon. It has been reported that a invite from US Network Sprint that invites guests to “Take the edge off” has been spotted. It’s also decorated with crystals, suggesting the Sharp Aquos Crystal will be launched on 19th August in the US. The Japanese launch of the Sharp Aquos Crystal and Crystal X has already taken place via Sprint’s parent company SoftBank.

Sprint hasn’t officially confirmed it’ll offer the Crystal, the reports strongly suggest that it will happen. Sprint is holding a press conference in New York tonight, and its invitation is rife with crystalline symbolism and a tagline that associated with the Aquos’ bezel-less screen.

However, there is no word on pricing or availability in India right now but we’re hoping it arrives here soon. That or it inspires other phone manufacturers to create an interesting bezel-free design like this.

August 19, 2014
iGyaan’s Independence Day Weekend Gift Guide

We have moved to the age of convergence to make our existence comfortable. With the evolution and digitalisation of communication, photography, and even education, we are now moving to an era where we want gadgets that not only give us comfort but also the luxuries that we never imagined.

We are listing 5 amazing gadgets that make our lives better and would make for perfect gifts:

Fujifilm Instax Mini 50S

Polaroid Camera

The Instax Mini 50S combines best-in-class image quality with a small form factor that makes it easy to carry in a bag or hand without considerable discomfort. The film packs it uses are widely available online and inexpensive, costing less than Rs. 2,000 for 20 exposures. Loading the film, which is rated at ISO 800 is a child’s play. While the camera’s metering does well in the most favorable lighting conditions, you can adjust exposure brightness, which can help prevent overly dark portraits and highlight detail.

But it Now

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Nokia Lumia 1020

Camera Phone

As a phone, it doesn’t bring anything revolutionary to the table, but as an imaging device, it’s quite a stunner. The Nokia Lumia 1020 is the best camera phone in the market today. Thanks to its large, 0.6″ BSI CMOS sensor and 41MP camera. You get excellent details and enough resolution for large poster size prints.

Buy it Now

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Lenovo Yoga 2 13

Hybrid PC

Lenovo’s Yoga 2 13 does everything you would expect of a slim, lightweight ultrabook—plus it converts to a tablet and two modes in between. And the competitive price means you’re getting the convertible abilities essentially for free. It is an excellent ultrabook, even without digging into its hybrid capabilities. This new model adds a backlit keyboard and an impressive 3,200×1, 800-pixel-resolution display.

Buy it Now

Samsung UN65HU9000

4K Television

Samsung UN65HU9000 directly takes to the front row of Television technology. The UNHU9000 curved 4K LED LCD has an excellent picture with deep black levels, accurate color and great bright-room viewing qualities. Its styling is drop-dead gorgeous, and the curve lends a unique, futuristic look. The feature set is well-implemented and comprehensive, with best-in-class connectivity and upgradeability and a superb remote.

But it Now

Sony Smartwatch 2

Wearable Tech

With a 1.6-inch touchscreen, this Android-powered smartwatch connects with compatible smartphones over Bluetooth to sync time, date and weather information. It can be customised to add functions such as control the phone’s music player, view messages, email, Facebook, Twitter, as well as accept or reject incoming calls. It also has Walkmate available for fitness enthusiasts.

Buy it Now

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August 16, 2014
Apple Might Name the New 5.5-inch Model ‘iPhone 6L’

We’ve been hearing about the next generation of the new redesigned iPhone a hell lot. All rumors point toward bigger screens for the next iPhones, and now a Chinese website claims Apple is going to name the 5.5 inch version of the revamped device as ‘iPhone 6L’.

The leaked pictures of purported iPhone 6L by Apple Daily, a premier Chinese language newspaper, shows the device has a purple interior and is juxtaposed with a 4.7-inch iPhone 6.

Leaked Image by Apple Daily

It’s unclear how the site discovered the name (it doesn’t appear on any of the photos), so we’re taking this news with a pinch of salt. The report reveals three components bound for Apple’s rumored 5.5-inch iPhone, which some predict will launch alongside — or shortly after — a new 4.7-inch version of the smartphone.

Apple Daily reported that iPhone 6L will have 2915mAh Battery

The 5.5-inch iPhone 6L is shown with a high-capacity 2915mAh battery, which is nearly twice the size of the 1810mAh power pack inside the 4.7-inch iPhone 6, both which are notably larger than the 1560mAh battery on the iPhone 5s. Also, the new iPhone(s) are said to be built with nearly-unbreakable sapphire-crystal screens. Though, it seems that the new screen is creating trouble for the company, which may result in higher price and a delayed release date.

Another rumour has pointed out that Apple is working on making these large size phablets/phones comfortable to use. The report points out that Apple has made the area around the home button significantly smaller than on the iPhone 5s, thus leaving a lot more space for the display without making the phone’s basic frame significantly larger.

Leaked image by uSwitch

It is also noted how Apple has thinned out the side bezels on the iPhone 6 compared to earlier releases, which will again allow it to have phones with larger displays that could still fit comfortably in your hands.

However, as much as these reports seem exciting, nothing can be confirmed till we see Tim Cook and his Cupertino crew reveal the new iPhones.

August 16, 2014
Sony Launches Affordable Headphones and Earphones in India

Sony India announced the launch of three new products in its audio range, including two new headphones and an earphone, priced Rs 790 onwards. The latest range claims to deliver the best quality sound, providing acoustic characteristics needed to reproduce music.

These products include MDR-AS200, an earphone that is best suitable for people who engage in sports, and two new headphones in the bass-rich range of MDR-XB headphones.

1. MDR – AS200

If you want to incorporate music in your sporting routine, this is the friend you need. MDR-AS200 has a 13.5mm highly sensitive driver which provides premium sound. Most importantly, it commits to be a water resistant and sweat proof product. This set comes at a very competitive price as well. An adjustable ear loop that fits an assortment of ear sizes makes it a product that would suit your comfort. Further, MDR-AS200 has a flat serrated cord allowing a tangle free experience. This model is available in orange and blue color options and is priced at Rs. 790.

2. MDR – XB250

This is an ideal headphone for people with an affinity towards music with rich bass. The 30mm dynamic driver not only delivers a powerful sound, but it also succeeds at keeping the bass level high. The slim, swivel folding style of the headphones make it convenient for the user to stash it in their handbag. The flat serrated cord and pressure relieving ear pads provide a tangle free and an extended comfort experience respectively. This model is available in black and white color options and is priced at Rs. 1,490.

3. MDR – XB450

In the same bass-rich range of MDR-XB headphones, MDR-XB450 has a unique style with a frequency response of 5Hz-22000Hz. The high quality, powerful sound is provided by the 30mm dynamic driver which keeps the bass component high. Convenient to store because of its slim, swivel folding style, this range is perfect for a comfortable experience while commuting long distances. The flat serrated cord allows a tangle free experience. This model is available in black, white, red, blue and yellow color options and is priced at Rs. 2,190.

August 14, 2014
uBeam to Bring Revolutionary Wireless Charging Technology to Market

Los Angeles-based startup uBeam is developing a wireless charging technology that will allow people to charge their devices without cords and without having to be right next to the charging station.

The uBeam system developed by Meredith Perry uses ultrasound and converts electricity into sounds, that are then transmitted by ultrasound to the required devices, charging them in the process.

Originally Perry studied astrobiology at the University of Pennsylvania with the goal of finding life on other planets. However during this process she accidentally stumbled upon the wireless charger technology to charge portable electronics using the ultrasound system. Perry explained :

“This is the only wireless power system that allows you to be on your phone and moving around a room freely while your device is charging. It allows for a Wi-Fi-like experience of charging; with everything else you have to be in close range of a transmitter. If wireless power is everywhere, then the size of your battery can shrink because it’s always charging. You’ll never need a cord again, and you won’t need international charging adapters.”

Ms. Perry’s company, uBeam, announced on Wednesday that it took an early prototype concept of this technology, first developed for Ms. Perry’s college innovation competition, and turned it into a fully functional prototype that the company now plans to build for consumers.

The company’s technology converts electricity to ultrasound, which is then picked up by a receiver in the device, where the ultrasound is converted back into energy. The transmitters can fill a room with ultrasound, charging devices that are equipped with receivers (much as Wi-Fi can provide connectivity to an entire room). Larger transmitters are being developed for stadiums and other large spaces. uBeam’s charging technology is expected to enter the market within the next two years.

Check out their video here:

August 9, 2014
WhatsApp Brings a New Update for Android Wear Devices

Messaging app WhatsApp has brought their fresh new update and this one has support for your Android Wear devices. With WhatsApp becoming a staple communication tool having almost replaced text messaging, it’s the right move from them.

The New version (Version 2.11.318) lets you access the app on your phone using voice controls and checking on the notifications. The update gives you options to view you entire message on the watch itself instead of just being short notifications.

You can also see all notifications individually without having to take out your phones and reply to them using the voice feature.

This new enhancement provided by Whatsapp is keeping up with the times and the app is ready for the age of the wearables. We can’t wait to see what the other app industry leaders have in store for this new world.

August 5, 2014
Hp’s Premium Smartwatch Brings Beauty and Geek Together

What does it take to put smartwatches on the wrists of the masses? Well, HP seems to believe a premium design is the answer. That is why they are teaming up with designer Michael Bastian and US-based premium retailer Gilt, to create a smartwatch that does not immediately shout ‘geek’ when worn on your wrist.

HP is going to take care of the internals on this timepiece, and it will have all the basic functions and capabilities of a smartwatch. These include notifications for all calls, text messages and emails, along with user controls for applications like the music player. HP is said to be building all the software that runs on this watch, so it is highly unlikely that it will run the Android Wear platform when it finally releases. The watch will be iOS and Android compatible. Functionality wise, it is highly reminiscent of the Pebble Smartwatch, the watch that many believe ushered in the wearable revolution.

Michael Bastian released sketches of the upcoming watches

Michael Bastian is going to take care of the design aspect of the smart watch, which will feature a circular 44mm stainless steel case. It will also have options for various interchangeable bands made of leather, rubber, or nylon. Bastian says the design cues came from luxury automobiles, namely interior features like the dashboard and trim.

The watch will be exclusively available on premium online retailer Gilt’s website, and is pinned for a release this fall. It is very likely going to carry a premium price tag to match that premium design.

The Gilt website provides very little detail on the actual smart watch, as it is simply labeled ‘A Michael Bastian Smartwatch’ and features a black body and a round, blueish dial. Perhaps a better idea is provided by these separate sketches prepared by Bastian himself, giving us a better look at what the timepiece might look like when it is finally released.

This is not the first time a manufacturer has tried to create a fashionable smart watch, as the Moto 360 has already wooed a fair share of the audience with its beautiful design. Even the recent Pebble Steel smart watch follows this mantra. But will HP’s effort have an added advantage due to it’s cross-platform compatibility? We’ll have to wait till this fall to find out.

By Pranav Arora

August 2, 2014
Oculus Rift’s New Developer Kit Has a Samsung Note 3 Display

One of the most eagerly awaited technology are the wearable Virtual Reality (VR) glasses and the name that comes to mind when talking of VR wearables is Oculus. Now serial teardowners, iFixit have gone ahead and dismantled the new version of Oculus Rift’s developer edition.

The previous Oculus outing saw tremendous complaints about pixelated screens and motion sickness inducing visuals. Oculus Developer Kit 2(DK 2) intends to address the complaints. One major discovery they made is that the DK2 comes with a Samsung Note 3 display.

Inside the impressive gadget is a Samsung display.

The display is left untouched and it even has the touchscreen controller on it. So you can easily get a replacement for your Oculus screen if you somehow get over involved in the virtual world and accidently bump into real world objects and damage the screen.

Oculus claims that the display works at 75 Hz which is above the standard 60 Hz refresh rate. On their website Oculus calls its display a low persistence OLED display to eliminate motion blur and judder, two of the biggest contributors to simulator sickness. The stunning 5.7 inch Note 3 display might address the pixilation issue and probably save people from the day long motion sickness they feel after wearing these headgears.

Meanwhile Samsung is proactively working on their own VR wearables. With Sony’s Project Morpheus and several start-ups trying out their luck with the technology, the market has started to heat up. We too are desperately waiting for the devices to come to the market so we can enjoy a walk on Mars or get a perfect first person shooting experience minus the PTSD of course.

August 1, 2014

Xiaomi Mi Power Banks Review

They were promised and here they are, the latest offering from the ferocious Chinese brand Xiaomi. The company has brought out their two Mi power banks in India which will make other power bank manufacturers really restless. With massive capacity and modest pricing, the devices, might indeed sell like hot cakes in the world of juice thirsty smartphone batteries.

The device comes with a rubber case and charging cable.

Now these devices look sure look impressive. This is what you get when you take inspiration from Apple products. The soap bar sized Mi power banks are quite the convenience to have. We tested out the 10400mAh version for you, and it is available in a 5200 mAh variant. The Mi power bank has a textured anodized aluminum casing that covers the entire battery and has a smooth metallic finish and fits in your hand. It is claimed to be water and corrosion resistant. The surface is a bit slippery but that can be easily addressed by using the rubber case provided with it.

Though it’s a slight bit heavy, about 250 grams, but with its massive capacity, the owners won’t mind lugging around some extra weight. The LED indicators for battery level especially stand out against the unadorned surface.

The LED indicators stand out on the device. — The LED battery level indicators stand out on the device.

The company claims that the Mi power bank is capable of charging the MI3 for about 2.5 times, an iPhone for 4.5 times and an iPad 1.5 times to full capacity which is quite impressive. With these power banks, you can worry free throughout your weekend trip.

The Mi power banks have been designed by the famous Texas instruments. Xiaomi claims that their technology was developed with safety and efficiency in mind. The power banks use chipsets to stabilizes the discharge voltage and make the device safer, durable and efficient. The devices are said to be 93% charging conversion rate for each device, which lets it charge different devices at their output levels.

Its massive capacity can handle all your charging needs for the weekend

Xiaomi has done extensive testing before bringing the portable chargers to the consumers. The USB port on the Mi power banks have been tested for 1500 removal cycles, and the MicroUSB port have faced 5000 removal cycles. Apart from these tests, the Mi power banks were tested for extreme temperature conditions; 70 degrees, 96 hours for high temperatures, -40 degrees, 96 hours for lower temperatures. These might make them for comfortable use all around India. Though we will not advocate you testing these parameters without proper scientific guidance, this is to prevent you from blowing your face off.

Coming to the issue of the moolah. How much does a chipset based Mi power banks cost? Here’s for your eyebrows to do some work- the 10400 mAh comes at a price of Rs. 999/- and the 5200 mAh comes at 799/-. Yes, that’s how it is, and No we did not miss an extra figure or a zero in the middle. At this price, the whole Xiaomi Mi3 disappearing act will be reenacted with these power banks.

Get it, it sure has got some style points.

Overall we charged a couple of our devices to full charge, and we had two LED’s still asking for more devices to juice up. The only concern with these is the absence of a second USB port which would have let us use its massive capacity to charge two devices at once. We will keep a vigilant eye on the device for now and keep you updated if the power bank fails to perform as it is advised. For now, go ahead and get in line for the Xiaomi Mi power banks.

Tech Specs:

Model	NDY-02-AD
Battery Type	Lithium-ion rechargeable cell
Power Source	DC 5V
Input Voltage	DC 5.1V
Input Current	2.0A (TYP)
Output Current	2.1A(TYP)
Rated capacity	3.6V/10400mAh(TYP)
Charging time	5.5 hrs with 5V/2A plug and standard cable12 hrs with 5V/1A plug and standard cable
Size	90.57721.6mm
Load detection	Auto-detect the plug-in and plug-out of devices
Safety	Input OVP, OCP, Output OCP OVP, short protectioncell protection including OVP OCP, thermal protection during charge and discharge stage
Out of power protection	Awake once plugged to the charger
Charging temperature	0°C-45°C (TYP)
Discharging temperature	Initial – 10°C~+50°C(TYP)Continous -20°C~+60°C(TYP)
Weight	250g

July 31, 2014

Apple Upgrades MacBook Pro with Retina Display to Better Processors

Today Apple refreshes its premium MacBook Pro with Retina display lineup, bumping up the CPU speeds and RAM, as well as dropping the prices of the high-end models.

Prior to this upgrade the base version of the 13.3-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display featured a 2560 X1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch retina display, 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 CPU, 4GB of 1600MHz DDR3L RAM, and 128GB of PCIe-based flash storage and it had a price tag of $1,299. For the same price this model now comes with a 2.6 GHz Intel Core i5 chip and 8GB of memory.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display features dual-core Intel Core i5 processors up to 2.8 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.3 GHz and 8GB of memory, up from 4GB in the entry-level notebook. The 13-inch model can also be configured with faster dual-core Intel Core i7 processors up to 3.0 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.5 GHz.

The top-of-the-line 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display has a new, lower starting price of INR 179,900. The 15-inch model features faster quad-core Intel Core i7 processors up to 2.5 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.7 GHz, 16GB of memory, up from 8GB in the entry-level notebook, and can be configured with quad-core Intel Core i7 processors up to 2.8 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 4.0 GHz.

“People love their MacBook Pro because of the thin and light, aluminium unibody design, beautiful Retina display, all day battery life and deep integration with OS X. The MacBook Pro with Retina display gets even better with faster processors, more memory, more affordable configurations and a free upgrade to OS X Yosemite this fall.”said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing.

iLife and iWork come free with every new Mac. iLife lets you edit your favorite videos with iMovie, create new music or learn to play piano. iWork on the other hand, allows productivity apps, Pages, Numbers and Keynote, which make it easy to create, edit and share stunning documents, spreadsheets and presentations. OS X Mavericks, the world’s most advanced operating system, also comes free with every new Mac. With more than 200 features, OS X Mavericks is designed for ease of use while taking full advantage of the powerful technologies built into every Mac, including core technologies designed specifically for notebooks to boost performance and improve battery life.

MacBook Pro with Retina display and MacBook Pro are available today through select Apple Authorised Resellers.

The pricing is as followed:

Description	Price
The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is available with a 2.6 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.1 GHz, 8GB of memory, 128GB of flash storage and Intel Iris graphics.	94,900 (inc VAT)
The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is available with a 2.6 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.1 GHz, 8GB of memory, 256GB of flash storage and Intel Iris graphics	109,900 (inc VAT)
The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is available with a 2.8 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.3 GHz, 8GB of memory, 512GB of flash storage and Intel Iris graphics	129,900 (inc VAT)
The 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is available with a 2.2 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.4 GHz, 16GB of memory, 256GB of flash storage and Intel Iris Pro graphics	144,900 (inc VAT)
The 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is available with a 2.5 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.7 GHz, 16GB of memory, 512GB of flash storage, and Intel Iris Pro and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M graphics	179,900 (incl VAT)
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is available with a 2.5 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.1 GHz, 4GB of memory, Intel HD Graphics 4000 and a 500GB hard drive	78,900 (inc VAT)

This update to the MacBook Pro line comes ahead of the release of OS X 10.10 Yosemite, which is scheduled for release this fall, and brings a number of new features to users, including much closer integration between Mac and iOS devices.

July 30, 2014

Vertu Contemplates a Luxury Smart Watch

British Luxury Smartphone after making a shift to Android are now contemplating going into the smart watch business. Vertu was established by Nokia as a wholly own subsidiary. The company is known for their ostentatious designs which separate them from all other phone companies. The company uses premium materials in designing their phones for their exclusive clientele.

As the market has slowed down for luxury products, the company now is intending to make a entry into premium wearables. Though it’s still in an exploration phase right now, but it can be a real game changer in the watch business. In a market which is dominated by Rolex and Swiss watch makers, a premium Smart watch will be appreciated by the opulent clientele of Vertu.

The Premium watch decision was inspired by the current Smartwatch boom

Until recently, Vertu was one of the few companies which still used Series 40 Symbian OS as their mobile OS. The company released their Android series under the name Vertu Ti and Constellation, thereby finally keeping up with times.

The part about Vertu that separates it from rest is that it offers an experience that matches to its customer’s opulent taste. The phones are handmade and they use materials like calf leather, alligator skin, lizard skin, ceramic, sapphire glass screens. They also use premium metals like titanium and Gold. As these customers have to deal with privacy concern, a basic Symbian set up helps them to access basic phone functionality while looking good doing it.

With their premium pricing which starts from $6000 and can go higher than $168,000 while just being a basic feature phone. If exclusivity is what the users are looking for, Vertu sits at the top-echelons of feature providers. With this affluent buy, the customer gets access to Vertu’s Concierge service. The service offers offers 24-hour worldwide assistance, recommendations and priority bookings, all with a personal touch. They facilitate users every request, from finding the perfect gift to accessing exclusive events, they do it all.

The company now also plans to make an entry into its “affordable” segment, which will still be far away from the reaches of regular consumers. By accepting Android into its phones, Vertu has brought back the aspirational aspect back but it will still be limited to people with unfathomably deep pockets.

July 19, 2014
No Signal? Pocket-Sized Device ‘goTenna’ Will Help You Stay Connected

Stuck in the desert or the mountains or even at home with no signal on your smartphone? Here’s the best way to communicate. GoTenna, a Brooklyn-based startup is offering a solution for off-the-grid travelers who need low-cost connectivity for their smartphone – and it doesn’t even rely on satellites.

GoTenna is a pocket-size communication tool that lets smartphones talk to one another without cell service.

This device connects to your phone via Bluetooth and turns it into a low-frequency radio with a range of several miles (up to 50 miles). Using an iOS or Android app, that’ll let you text or share GPS locations (no voice calls) over an unlimited, free ad hoc network with other goTenna users.

GoTenna is 5.8 inches in length and weighs 2 ounces. This pocket size device is easily portable and allows easy communication in the times of need

The team behind it says that everything is encoded, and the app will automatically retry until your message goes through. goTenna, however, doesn’t give your smartphone LTE-style data, so no Twitter scrolling or Facebook browsing.

The device is a little too big for your pocket, but it clips easily to a belt or a backpack. The company’s planning on selling a limited number for $150 per pair on their site to raise $50,000 in funding, after that, it’ll sell for $300.

July 18, 2014
Android Wear to Release API For Watch Faces

Smart watches are a buzzing product ecosystem right now. It’s a great new device and almost all major tech companies are trying their hands with this gizmo. Google’s Android Wear OS based devices are particular generating a lot of interest.

With Google providing development opportunities for apps for the Wear devices, there has been a boom in the apps for such smart watches. Android customizability has been its strength from the beginning. Now they are providing API to 3rd party developers to create new watch faces. With the options for square and circle shapes, the options can be endless.

Multiple watch face options will give versatile looks to the watches

Wayne Piekarski, Senior Developer Advocate at Google, announced through a Google+ post that the new API make it easy for developers to make all round watch faces. Think of the convenience of having multiple clock faces in one watch, you can literally have a new watch to flaunt every day.

Earlier, the process of making watch faces was a bit slow as a developer needed to integrate several tweaks for the watch faces but this API will simplify that process. He stated “Customization has helped Android thrive, and the same will be true for Android Wear.”

July 18, 2014