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Google has fancied up some search fun for everyone by adding a full featured Scientific Calculator to the Search results. Simply perform a mathematical search and poof! A full fledged Scientific Calculator pops right up.
Users that input the beginnings of an equation from either the desktop site or mobile version (landscape only) will instantly see a 32-button layout appear in the space below, mapped for all the mathematical functions you can handle.
[Google]
Apple has just confirmed in their Q3 earnings call that the next version of their OS for computers will be available for download starting tomorrow. The upgrade will be just $19.99 (unless you’ve recently bought a new Mac — in which case it’ll be free) and will be available via download on the Mac App Store in 24 hours or less.
Sony’s SmartWatch is not only meant to work with Xperia Phones, but all Android devices. The watch is a revision to the popular accessory by Sony Ericsson called LiveView. This version adds a lot of new features to the mix, allowing a lot more functionality and interaction.
The Sony SmartWatch features an easy-to-use, ultra-responsive touch display. The new interface allows you to download compatible applications from Google Play and utilize the maximum potential of the SmartWatch.
In the box you not only get a wrist strap but also an adapter to attach your own 20mm strap. allowing you to mix and match not only materials but colors as well. It measures 36 mm x 36 mm and has a thickness of 8 mm the watch weighs 15.5 gand 26 g is the weight of the watchband. The front of the watch has a Multi-touch color OLED display, with no detailed specs available. The whole interface is built on Bluetooth™ core version: 3.0 allowing fast sync and updates over the air.
Sony Xperia Neo L is a revision to the Xperia Neo V launched last year. This smartphone is the first Sony handset to arrive integrated with ICS. Hardware components include a 1GHz processor, a 5MP autofocus camera, a 4-inch screen with a 854 × 480p resolution and a front-facing VGA camera for video calling.
The phone has a microSD expansion slot, 1GB of internal memory and 512 MB RAM, a1500mAh battery is expected to provide the juice for about 8 hours of talk time and approximately 575 hours of standby on 2G.
Unlike its siblings like Xperia S, Xperia U and Xperia Arc S, the Neo L runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system straight out-of-the-box, which gives it a slight edge over others as most phones being sold in market are still based on Gingerbread. However, in an already flooded Android market, the question remains whether Sony Xperia neo L will stand out at a price of Rs 18,499, especially when HTC One V is available at Rs 18,599 and the similarly-priced dual core-powered Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 is scheduled to hit India in a few months.
Expect A full review post launch.
The iPhone 5, Apple’s next generation iPhone expected to go on sale around October, will come with a 19-pin connector port at the bottom instead of the proprietary 30-pin port “to make room for the earphone moving to the bottom”, the sources said.
It would mean the new phone would not connect with the myriad of accessories such as speakers and power chargers that form part of the ecosystem around iPods, iPads and iPhones, without an adaptor.
The redesign may annoy owners, but accessories manufacturers are preparing for a sales boom, according to analysts.
“It represents an opportunity for accessory vendors,” said Pete Cunningham, London-based analyst at technology research firm Canalys.
“The iPhone connector has been a standard for a long time now and I would expect the same to be true for a new connector, should Apple change it as expected.”
Tech blogs have long speculated on the demise of the 30-pin connector, which at 21mm wide takes up a lot of space, especially as the latest technologies such as microUSB offer more power in less space. They say that a smaller connector would give Apple more scope for new product designs or a bigger battery, or simply to make ever smaller products.
Aircel has slashed the prices of the Apple iPhone 3GS 8GB model and it is now available for Rs. 9,999. This deal is for now available only for Aircel postpaid customers.
In order to attract customers, Aircel is also offering unlimited 3G data for a full one year with the purchase of iPhone 3GS by paying an additional Rs. 3,000 upfront at the time of purchase.
However, this option is available only in 3G circles and there is a fair usage cap of 2GB per month, post which users can continue to download unlimited data at the speed of 128kbps.
In 2G-only areas, buyers would have unlimited 2,500 local and national SMS, 100 minutes of local and STD calls and unlimited 2G data for a period of 6 months.
However, if an Aircel subscribers opts for the company’s ‘money saver plan,’ then they would have to pay Rs.20,990 for this very iPhone.
Airtel is currently selling the same device for Rs. 20,908, which is double the price of Aircel’s version.
Samsung Electronics today announced the launch of Samsung Galaxy Beam projector smartphone in India, priced at INR 30,000. The smartphone will enable the users to display and share multimedia content anywhere on a large luminous projector screen or on a clear wall or surface.
The Beam is said to house a 15 lumen bright lamp that is capable of projecting a high definition 50″ wide image at a distance of 2 meters. It comes with a 4″ WVGA multi-touch capacitive LCD screen, and is powered by a 1 GHz dual-core CPU. Weighing in at 145 grammes, this phone is just 12.5 mm (0.5″) thick, with the rest of the dimensions being 123.9 mm (l) x 64.2 mm (w).
Other specs include a 5 MP snapper capable of 720p video capture, a front 1.3 mp camera for video chat, and 8 GB of internal storage that’s expandable up to 32 GB via microSD. According to the spec sheet, a pair of 2000 mAh battery packs offer up to 20 hours of talktime. However, it’s wise to take this claim with a pinch of salt, as the figure seems a little too far-fetched to be true. In addition to a wide range of apps available through Google Play, the smartphone comes bundled with a drawing tool for presentations, which is touted to aid in drawing viewers’ attention without the need for a laser pointer.
However, we feel that the phone might not be able to outshine its competitors based on its Projector feature alone.
YouTube has launched a feature which blurs the faces of people in videos uploaded to the site.
According to a Wednesday blog post by the video sharing site, this application is its first step toward providing visual anonymity for YouTube videos, enabling the sharing of “sensitive protest footage” without showing the faces of activists involved, or protecting the identities of people in the videos.
[quote]“Whether you want to share sensitive protest footage without exposing the faces of the activists involved, or share the winning point in your 8-year-old’s basketball game without broadcasting the children’s faces to the world, our face blurring technology is a first step towards providing visual anonymity for video on YouTube,” wrote Amanda Conway, a YouTube policy associate, on the company blog post.[/quote]
The technology is similar to the one deployed by Google across several of its services such as StreetView and Google goggles.
People can check if the blurring has worked frame by frame through a preview function.
[quote]Conway added: “This is emerging technology, which means it sometimes has difficulty detecting faces depending on the angle, lighting, obstructions and video quality. It’s possible that certain faces or frames will not be blurred. If you are not satisfied with the accuracy of the blurring as you see it in the preview, you may wish to keep your video private.[/quote]
LG has just Launched four new smartphones in India, at a launch in Mumbai. The LG L Series L7, L5 and L3 along with the LG 4X HD are the devices launched at the event.
Optimus 4X HD
Price : Rs. 34,990/-
|
Product Specification- LG Optimus 4X HD |
||
|
Sr. No. |
Specification |
DLP |
|
1 |
Display Type |
Full touch screen |
|
2 |
Screen size |
4.7” |
|
3 |
Camera |
8.0 MP AF with Flash |
|
4 |
Internal Memory |
16 GB |
|
5 |
OS |
Android OS, v4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
|
6 |
Processor |
1.5 GHz Quad core- Tegra3 |
|
7 |
GPS |
Yes |
The L Series
LG Optimus L7:
Price Rs. 19,990/-
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Product Specification- LG Optimus L7 |
||
|
Sr. No. |
Specification |
DLP |
|
1 |
Display Type |
Full touch screen |
|
2 |
Screen size |
4.3” |
|
3 |
Camera |
5.0 MP AF with flash |
|
4 |
OS |
Android OS, v4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
|
5 |
Processor |
1 GHz |
|
6 |
Resolution |
800x 480 pixels |
|
7 |
GPS |
Yes |
LG Optimus L5:
Price Rs. 13,199/-
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Product Specification- LG Optimus L5 |
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Sr. No. |
Specification |
DLP |
|
1 |
Display Type |
Full touch screen |
|
2 |
Screen size |
4.0 |
|
3 |
Camera |
5 MP AF with flash |
|
4 |
OS |
Android OS, v4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
|
5 |
Processor |
800 MHz |
|
6 |
Resolution |
320×480 |
|
7 |
GPS |
Yes |
LG Optimus L3:
Price Rs. 8,995/-
|
Product Specification- LG Optimus L3 |
||
|
Sr. No. |
Specification |
DLP |
|
1 |
Display Type |
Full touch screen |
|
2 |
Screen size |
3.2 |
|
3 |
Camera |
3 MP |
|
4 |
OS |
Android Gingerbread |
|
5 |
Processor |
800 MHz |
|
6 |
Resolution |
240x 320 pixels |
|
7 |
GPS |
Yes |
[toggle_box title=”Press Release” width=”Width of toggle box”]
Mumbai, July 19th, 2012: LG Electronics, a worldwide technology and design leader in mobile communications, today announced the launch of their 4 new smartphones in India- LG L series (L7, L5 and L3) and LG 4X HD Quad core. These sleek hi-tech phones run on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, except for L3 which runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
These high-end phones launched by LG are a seamless amalgamation of style and technology.
The quad-core featuring720p display-flashing LG Optimus 4X HD is a wonderful addition to LG’s mobile family. This 4.7 inch True HD IPS display on the Optimus 4X HD offers a superior high-clarity viewing experience with superb resolution of 1280×720. The phone has a 2150mAh battery, which is the largest amongst quad core smartphones.
The core essence of L style features a timeless design with defined details, which further differentiates LG mobiles from its competition. L-Style’s design philosophy comprises of five elements – Modern Square Style for a comfortable grip, Floating Mass technology for a slimmer look, seamless layout, harmonized design contrast and sensuous slim shape.
“Both L series and LG Optimus 4XHD are feature packed Smartphone, offering a great mix of design, intelligent features, performance and display. These smartphones, with their fast processors and superb display, take user experience to a whole new level. Design has always been a major priority for LG and our design leadership has been well established and consistently maintained. The launch of L series, with L-Style’s design philosophy, is just another milestone and there are many more to come.” says Sanjay Maheshwary Business Head or Head Mobile Communications, LG India.
“With the smartphone segment consolidating even further, it’s now apparent that both great software and great hardware should go hand in hand. LG’s 4X HD is our proof that we not only understand our consumers’ needs but also cater to them. The 4X HD also features LG’s new User Experience (UX), which allows users the ability to instantly jot memos or noted from any screen. LG’s 4X HD is a complete package which packs powerful features to back it sleek frame” added Mr. Maheshwary.
One of the biggest mobile buzzwords of 2012 would be quadcore. While quadcore processors have already infiltrated the tech world, these processors have great potential to improve a smartphone’s performance. LG Optimus 4X HD boasts of a 1.5GHz quad core plus 1 processor, NVIDIA Tegra3 which delivers unparalleled speed. When maximum power is needed, Tegra3 automatically activates all four cores, but when less power is required, it defaults to the fifth battery-saver core.
After China, India is the second largest mobile handset market in the world, and the up rise of the smartphone market in India and it is expected to witness 100% growth in 2012 (according to Convergence Catalyst). The growth in smartphones is likely to surpass the overall growth in the mobile handset industry. With over 94% (according to eBay India Mobile Commerce Survey) of the consumers accessing the internet via their cell phones, the use of social networking sites through mobile apps and booking movie and travel tickets online is becoming increasingly popular. Smartphones have now become an integrated part of consumers’ lives, becoming involved in most of their daily activities. Apps like Google maps and Calorie Counter are as absolutely creative as they are useful. Near Field Communication is another trend that is slowly sweeping through the smartphone world. With so much going on in the smartphone market, and its rising popularity, LG is betting big on the further rise of smartphones.
Keeping the current market trends in mind, and anticipating the future trends, LG smartphones would keep evolving consistently to reach that ultimate smartphone future.
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Microsoft on Wednesday announced that its next-generation operating system tailored for a world shifting from personal computers to smartphones and tablets will be available on 26 October.
Windows unit boss Steven Sinofsky revealed the Windows 8 debut date at a sales meeting, Microsoft communications manager Brandon LeBlanc said in a blog post.
Windows 8 will be available in 109 languages across 231 markets worldwide, according to LeBlanc.
Microsoft has promised to make the new operating system available in August for computer, tablet or smartphone makers to build into hardware.
The Redmond, Washington-based firm has gone on record stating that Surface tablets would hit the market when the Windows 8 operating system became publicly available.
Lara Croft and The Guardian of Light today launches exclusive to Xperia devices (including flagships: Xperia S, Xperia ion, Sony tablets and Xperia PLAY), with 30 days Android exclusivity.
Today, the ultimate gaming heroine, Lara Croft, leaps onto Xperia smartphones as an Android exclusive treat.
Featuring an arcade style fixed camera view, the game has already been a console success and is now available across our Xperia smartphone devices, including Xperia S, Xperia Ion and Xperia PLAY!
Available for the first time on Android devices as part of a limited period exclusivity deal with Sony, the critically acclaimed LARA CROFT AND THE GUARDIAN OF LIGHT™ launches today for flagship devices, Xperia S and Xperia ion, as well as gaming smartphone, Xperia PLAY.
This play-anywhere adventure sees Lara immersed in a world of fast-paced action that’s loaded with evil enemies, terrifying traps and perplexing puzzles. Guardian of Light follows Lara’s adventures through Mayan ruins as she joins an ancient tribesman named Totec to take down an evil threat – Lara and Totec must use their own set of unique skills to work together and fight through each level. LARA CROFT AND THE GUARDIAN OF LIGHT TM features unlockable weapons, upgrades and an isometric camera giving gamers greater detail.
Join Lara as she ventures deep into the jungles of Central America in search of the Mirror of Smoke,a powerful artifact from a lost age. Whoever wields this relic holds the future of mankind in their hands, with the power to rid the world of light. With the Mirror now in the clutches of Xolotl, the God of Darkness, Lara and Totec, the Guardian of the Mirror, have until sunrise to defeat him or risk plunging the world into an age of darkness once again. Take-on Xolotl and his armies of creatures with an all-new intuitive and accessible touch-screen control system – along with specially optimized controls on XperiaTM PLAY’s unique gamepad – letting you explore the world and solve puzzles at your own pace.
LARA CROFT AND THE GUARDIAN OF LIGHT is available from today from the Google Play Store at a special launch-week only price of £0.99p/$1.29/1.19€, before returning to the usual price of £1.99/ $2.99/2.39€ from 23rd July 2012.
G’Five has launched five new dual-SIM Android smartphones under its ‘G-Cloud’ range. These devices are G’Five A79, A86, i88+, G95 and G3D. Another interesting addition is that all these devices come with company’s self-developed G-Cloud technology and will offer users 5.5 GB of free cloud space.
The A86 shows off a 4-inch WVGA display with a 480 × 800p resolution. Adding considerable weight to the specs sheet is the inclusion of an 8MP rear snapper and a 0.3MP front facing sensor. Running on 3G and supporting wireless connectivity too, the device is fueled by a 1GHz processor. The G’Five I88+ also comes across as feature-packed with ICS, an 8MP snapper, a 4.3-inch display, 512 MB RAM and more.
The G95 arrives with a noticeably large display spanning 5.3 inches. It brings forth a bite of ICS and is affixed with an 8MP snapper. The G3D tows along a 1GHz chipset, an HDMI output and 512MB RAM. Its front panel is graced with a 4.3-inch 3D qHD screen proffering images in a resolution of 540 × 960p. An 8MP camera stays in place for photography, while the complete show is run by ICS.
The G’Five A79, A86, I88+, G95 and G3D Price details read at Rs. 6,999, Rs. 7,999, Rs. 8,899, Rs. 9,499 and Rs. 11,799, respectively.
Apple’s next iPhone, currently being manufactured by the company’s Asian component makers, will boast a thinner screen of the likes used by its rival Samsung. Above, the Apple store in Hong Kong.
Japanese liquid-crystal-display makers Sharp Corp. and Japan Display Inc.—a new company that combined three Japanese electronics makers’ display units—as well as South Korea’s LG Display Co. are currently mass producing panels for the next iPhone using so-called in-cell technology, the people said.
The technology integrates touch sensors into the LCD, making it unnecessary to have a separate touch-screen layer. The absence of the layer, usually about half-a-millimeter thick, not only makes the whole screen thinner, but improves the quality of displayed images, said DisplaySearch analyst Hiroshi Hayase.
The current iPhone 4S is 9.3 millimeters thick, according to Apple’s official website.
For Apple, the new technology would also simplify the supply chain and help cut costs as it would no longer need to buy touch panels and LCD panels from separate suppliers.
It was previously reported that the new iPhone will likely come with a screen larger than the current iPhone’s 3.5-inch display. A thinner screen could help offset an increase in weight due to the larger size.
Technological progress at LCD makers such as Sharp, Japan Display and LG Display is crucial for Apple, given that Samsung has been pushing its organic light-emitting displays as one of the unique features of its Galaxy phones. Samsung’s flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S III, comes with a 4.8-inch OLED screen and is thinner than the current iPhone.
The vast majority of OLED screens used in mobile devices today are supplied by Samsung. OLED screens, which don’t require backlighting, tend to be thinner than conventional LCD panels.
While Apple and Samsung together dominate the lucrative market for high-end smartphones, the companies are under constant pressure to meet high expectations for more-powerful, capable devices that are easier to carry.
A thinner screen in the next iPhone could make the whole device slimmer, or make extra room available for other components such as batteries. But in-cell touch screens are harder to manufacture than conventional LCD screens.
The people familiar with the situation said that LCD makers are finding the manufacturing process challenging and time-consuming as they scramble to achieve high yield rates.
Analysts have said that the new iPhone is expected sometime in the fall.
In May, people familiar with the matter said that the new iPhone will likely come with a screen larger than the current iPhone’s 3.5-inch display. A thinner screen could help offset an increase in weight due to the larger size.
The LCD industry has been working on the in-cell touch technology for several years. For LCD panel makers like Sharp, Japan Display and LG Display, Apple’s iPhone provides the environment where they can demonstrate their latest technological progress to show that LCD screens can continue to evolve and stay competitive against OLED displays. In the meantime, Sharp, Japan Display and LG Display have also been developing OLED displays.
At the same time, the adoption of in-cell technology is bad news for makers of conventional touch panels used in many smartphone screens now. Taiwan’s Wintek Corp. and TPK Holding Co., which supplied the touch-panel layer of the iPhone 4S screen, didn’t get orders for the next iPhone, people familiar with the situation said.
Source : Wall Street Journal
Nokia has launched its first full touch Series 40 feature phone, the Asha 305, in India. The phone, which was announced globally in June, is now available from Nokia’s online store for Rs 4,688. The handset is powered by Series 40 platform, which is world’s most widely used mobile platform
The Asha 305 sports a 3-inch resistive touchscreen with a resolution of 240×320 pixels and offers a new Swipe UI elements, which were supposed to be part of its abandoned Meltemi platform. Other features include a 2-megapixel camera, Dual-SIM capabilities and a microSD card support for up to 32GB.
Nokia sweetens the deal even more by offering 40 EA games for free including classics like Tetris, Need for Speed and Fifa 2012, which can be downloaded from the Nokia Store.
At a press event in San Francisco, Microsoft has unveiled the new Office suite, sporting a new look in line with Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.
One of the key features of the new Office is cloud integration using SkyDrive. Users will be able to sync key settings across multiple devices after logging in to SkyDrive. You can continue working on the same document using a different device, as well as share it with others.
Microsoft also showed off how users can collaborate on Office through social network integration. For example, you can see if your Skype contacts are available from any application in the new Office suite and make Skype calls directly from within Outlook. There’s also the ability to collaborate on documents through Microsoft’s Lync application.
Good news for tablet users: A Microsoft RT version of Office for ARM-based tablets will be included for free on RT devices, including the Surface.
The new Office will have touchscreen capabilities, where users can use taps, swipes, and other gestures to create presentations. You can also draw on your presentations using a stylus.
Meanwhile, the subscription-based Office 365 will now come with three tiers–Office 365 Home Premium, Office 365 Small Business Premium and Office 365 ProPlus–with pricing information to be announced later.
Microsoft also unveiled a new version of its notetaking app, OneNote, which will have touch, pen and keyboard input.
Although Office is currently being used by more than one billion people, it faces stiff competition from cheaper alternatives, such as Google’s suite of Web-based office applications.