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Rumour : HTC One Max Will Rival iPhone 5S With Fingerprint Sensor

The HTC One Max is coming — this is known — but whether it will have a few features to differentiate it from the growing line of jumbo Android devices remains to be seen.

In a recently-leaked photo, the HTC One Max appears to have a fingerprint reader around back, underneath the UltraPixel camera sensor. It’s unclear whether it will perform similarly to that of the iPhone 5s, or even the Motorola Atrix, which debuted in 2011, but that it is becoming a trend is clear.

In the midst of Apple unveiling it’s iPhone 5S, which features a fingerprint scanner, the stakes are suddenly higher for several competitor manufactures for whom fingerprint scanner rumors have circulated for months. Notably, many other rumored fingerprint scanners appear to be in different locations on their devices. The fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 5S can be found superimposed into the power button on the device, while the supposed fingerprint scanner on the HTC One is located on the back panel.

Based on rumors, HTC One Max will feature a 5.9-inch full HD display sporting a resolution of 1080 x 1920, quad-core Snapdragon 800 chipset with a clock speed of 2.3GHz, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage with a microSD card slot, a massive 3,300 mAh battery and an UltraPixel camera on the back. On the software side, the purported HTC One Max will run Android 4.3 out of the box.

[Via]

September 17, 2013
Kik Crosses 80 Million Users Milestone

Kik Interactive, the Waterloo-based company that is building a messaging empire in Kik Messenger, announced today they have reached a user base of 80 million users.

By adding 225,000 users every day, the company has managed to grow its base by 30 million users since April, when it released its last major version, and is poised to continue its quick rise as it focuses on adding more content to its HTML5-based Cards ecosystem.

Kik began monetizing its platform by charging for sticker packs and coins, which are redeemed for intra-Card purchases. Partners like Zynga have begun offering games within the app, and Kik has added single-serving features like Reddit photo and YouTube search, the results of which can be shared between users.

The messaging wars, as they’re facetiously referred to, are big business, with companies like Facebook and Path attempting to get an edge in. Thanks to Kik’s ultra-fast delivery system they have an advantage, but it will be interesting to see what they do to ensnare the next 80 million.

The company raised a Series B funding round of $19.5 million back in April, and though they have been relatively quiet since then, launching version 6.6 in early September, it’s clear there are loftier plans in the pipe.

September 17, 2013
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear Launched in India (PR)

Samsung has officially announced the Galaxy Note 3 smartphone in India, a device that promises to be faster than its predecessor while keeping the tradition of being thinner, lighter and more compact than the Note II.

The 5.7-inch device has a full HD Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels, is 8.3 mm thick and weighs 168 grams, it is actually thinner and lighter than the Note II. The device is also powered by a 3200 mAh battery and comes with a soft-touch, textured backing in three colors, black, white and pink.

Note 3 White

The back of the Galaxy Note 3 features a 13 megapixel camera which does Full HD Recording @60fps and is not capable of 4k video recording, as the Note 3 comes with 1.9 Ghz Octa-Core(Exynos) processor in India unlike the snapdragon 800 in the other countries. The device comes with 32 GB of inbuilt storage and is priced at 49,990 INR.

The back of the Note 3 seems hand crafted which gives a premium feel, he added – We are proud of the way it looks and performs” – Vineet Taneja (Country head, Samsung India)

The new S-pen comes with alot of new features like: Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write, S Finder and the Pen Window.

New S -Pen

The Note 3 has a new Multi Window, in which users can toggle between apps without closing the window or opening a new window. It also has drag and drop mode in which users can easily drag and drop content like text or image from one window to another. The Multi Vision featires allows users to put together upto five Galaxy note 3, and create a big screen experience. The device will include the Samsung KNOX and Find My Mobile apps.

The Galaxy Note 3 will also include a 12 month of premium membership for the Evernote app, and will give 2 GB of internet data to the Vodafone customers for two months. The device will come preloaded with support of 11 regional languages including Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Oriya and Assamese.

Galaxy Gear

Along with the Galaxy Note 3, Samsung also launched the Galaxy Gear in India. The device, Samsung claims, is a true companion to the Note 3. The Galaxy Gear gives notification for messages, emails and calls alerts to the users. If an user wants to view the message on the phone instead of the Gear, as soon as one would look at the screen the smart relay feature would pop up the same message on the bigger screen of the phone.

At the launch Vineet Taneja (Country head for Samsung India) said that the Galaxy Gear will be compatible with Galaxy Note 3 for now, and soon we will get updates for it to work with Galaxy S4 and the Note II, he also said that the Gear should work with any device that supports Bluetooth 4.0 for its basic features. The Galaxy Gear is water resistant and is price at 22,990 INR.

For More information, you can see our Hands On with the Galaxy Note 3 and Gear Here.

[toggle title=”Press Release”]
Design the Story of your Life with Samsung GALAXY Note 3

– Enhanced S Pen features and larger screen optimized for multitasking provide a delightful mobile experience that brings passions to life

– Samsung Galaxy Gear launched in India

New Delhi, India – September 17, 2013 – Samsung Electronics, India’s number one smartphone provider, today introduced GALAXY Note 3, the latest update to the Note product line. The new Samsung GALAXY Note 3 adds delight to daily tasks and infuses innovative features that help consumers tell the story of their lives. Samsung GALAXY Note 3 delivers a larger and better screen for the best viewing experience and more powerful multitasking, and introduces significant S Pen improvements that make everyday life easier and faster.

GALAXY Note 3 makes your everyday life amazing

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vineet Taneja, Country Head, Samsung Mobile & IT, stated, “The GALAXY Note 3 represents the next evolution of the GALAXY Note experience. It meets the needs of consumers for a smarter larger screen, makes everyday life easier with the S pen and is much slimmer, lighter, more powerful, and comes with a beautiful design. At Samsung, our goal is not just to make great devices, but to empower consumers to truly experience…enjoy…and fulfill their busy life with our devices, like the Note 3 and the Gear.”

Samsung GALAXY Note 3 comes with a larger (5.7inch) full HD Super AMOLED display, yet slimmer (8.3mm) and lighter (168g) hardware design, and more powerful and longer lasting (3,200mAh) battery. Also, equipped with a 13 megapixel rear camera with Smart Stabilization and high CRI LED flash, Samsung GALAXY Note 3 enables users to crisply capture every visual story in their lives, even in low light and active situations. Incorporating the industry’s largest 3GB RAM, the GALAXY Note 3 also provides faster and more powerful performance.

Balancing GALAXY Note 3’s strength with artistic design

In addition to meaningful technological advancements, Samsung GALAXY Note 3 delivers a new premium look and feel. Expanding on the modern Samsung GALAXY design approach, Samsung GALAXY Note 3 adds a soft and textured-touch back cover and delicate stitching. It also features a serration pattern on the side of the device that evokes a connection to the timeless and enduring strengths of classic notebooks and planners. Samsung GALAXY Note 3 will be available in Jet Black, Classic White and Blush Pink. In order to encourage its customers to express their personality and taste, Samsung will also offer exchangeable back covers in dozens of additional colors at launch.

Click S Pen to make life easier, faster and more exciting

The new S Pen reinvents and modernizes the classic note-taking experience by providing the ability to accomplish everyday tasks with just one click. The advanced S Pen is designed to be fully functional as a communication driver between the phone and the user by creating essential input and control features. It plays an integral role in how users interface with the device, making all daily routines easier.

A simple click of the S Pen button while hovering over the screen introduces users to Air Command, a palette of five powerful features that truly make tasks easier and faster. With the Air Command feature, there is no need to toggle between screens, memorize commands or look up different menus. The Air Command feature provides access to the following key functions:

• Action Memo allows users to handwrite a note, and automatically execute a function or convert that handwritten information into formatted content. Action Memo can instantly initiate a call, add to contacts, look up an address on a map, search the web, save a task to a to-do list, and more.
• Scrapbook enables users to organize or track down content and information from various sources including the web, YouTube and Gallery in one place so that users can easily look back at collected content all at once. When consumers save content for future use, Scrapbook also collects source material or URLs allowing them to easily refer back to the original source.
• The Screen Write feature captures the full screen image of the current page on the device and allows users to write comments or additional information onto the captured image.
• S Finder allows users to expansively search for content on their device regardless of the type. By putting in keywords or filters such as date, location, and content type, users can search related documents, events, communication threads, and even the Help page – all in one place. In addition, users can also search for hand-written content in their Notes and memo applications, as well as symbols and formulas.
• Pen Window allows users to use the S Pen not only for drawing sketches or writing notes, but now also for opening a small application window for a true multitasking experience. Simply by drawing a window of any size, anywhere on the screen, users can easily and quickly open another application window such as YouTube, calculator or Browser without pausing current activity on the screen.

For more advanced note-taking, the new S Note presents a comprehensive solution that enables consumers to easily write, organize, edit and browse notes with a user-friendly interface and the Easy Chart feature. The new S Note can also be synced with Evernote or a Samsung account and be enabled for accessing and viewing from different devices. Furthermore, when a user wants only a certain part of an image to be taken from the web or Note 3 content, the advanced new Easy Clip feature allows them to roughly draw around the desired image and then it converts that content into a more precisely cropped image.

Larger Note screen delivers enriched viewing experience and enables you to do more

The Samsung GALAXY Note 3 delivers a larger screen and the increased size is matched with powerful improvements that allow users to fully utilize the additional screen space. The 5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED screen provides a stunning and defined video viewing experience for watching Full HD content, distinct clarity for reading and an elegant canvas for content creation.

My Magazine provides a personalized news, social media, entertainment and in-the-moment content experience. Developed through a partnership with Flipboard, it offers an integrated content consuming experience in a modern and dynamic magazine-style layout.

The GALAXY Note 3 enables enhanced multitasking capabilities that allow users to fully utilize the larger screen.

• With the new Multi Window, users can toggle seamlessly between applications without closing the window or opening a new page, allowing for enhanced productivity and collaboration across programs. Consumers can also run one application in two windows at the same time. For instance, users can read the news in one browser while conducting a web search in another, or send an instant message through ChatON to a friend while reading a message from another friend.
• In addition, using Drag and Drop mode within the new Multi Window, users can easily drag and drop content such as a text or image from one window to the other in an instant.
• Pen Window from Air Command further enhances multitasking experience by allowing consumers to draw a window on the screen and launching popular applications while continuing current tasks on the GALAXY Note 3.

An improvement to Group Play, video sharing, is now available. Originally introduced along with the GALAXY S4, Group Play allows users to play the same music, to play games together, and to share documents. It now enables consumers to share videos and play content together with their friends simultaneously. Users can also connect up to five devices alongside each other to create a “big screen” viewing experience using the Multi Vision feature of the Samsung Note 3.

Samsung KNOX & Find My Mobile

The new GALAXY Note 3 comes with enhanced privacy and security protection provided by Samsung KNOX. Users can activate Samsung KNOX with ease which allows them to run and store security-sensitive applications and data inside a protected execution environment called “container.” The security inside the container is strengthened by system-level protection of Samsung KNOX against malware and phishing attacks as well as hacking attempts on physical devices when devices are stolen or lost. For instance, important personal pictures or video can be stored in the container with no worries for data leakage due to hacking. In addition, users may choose to store enterprise applications and data such as corporate email, contacts and calendar and allow the IT department to manage the container through EAS (Exchange ActiveSync Server). These features make the GALAXY Note 3 an ideal device for BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device to work)

Furthermore, the GALAXY Note 3 is equipped with an improved Find My Mobile feature that allows users to disable the phone when it is stolen or lost. With the enhanced user authentication, the technology prevents stolen mobile phones from being reset to factory settings, and allows users to remotely track or erase the data from their lost or stolen mobile phones.

GALAXY Gear, the smart companion for GALAXY Note 3

Simultaneously announced with Samsung GALAXY Note 3, GALAXY Gear is a new concept device that allows users to live life in the moment while staying connected. GALAXY Gear will notify users and give them quick previews of incoming texts, emails and more coming from GALAXY Note 3. It will provide a range of other valuable features and commands that extend the GALAXY Note 3 experience. When an incoming message requires more than a quick glance, users can simply pick up their Samsung GALAXY devices and the Smart Relay feature will instantly reveal the full content on the screen. Together, GALAXY Note 3 and GALAXY Gear extend Samsung’s efforts to provide users with the opportunity to design their lives, to express their passions and to make everyday life more easy and enjoyable.

Available with 32GB internal storage along with an additional microSD card slot for an additional storage of upto 64GB, the Samsung GALAXY Note 3 and GALAXY Gear will be available in India commencing September 25, 2013. Consumers can also pre-book the device on the Samsung mobile e -store starting today.

Vernacular Language Support

The GALAXY Note 3 will come pre-loaded with support for 11 regional Indian languages including Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Oriya and Assamese.

Users get Offers worth INR 15000 absolutely free. Users can enjoy preloaded applications like Evernote, Dropbox and sketchbook pro. Through a Special zone called Content Gifts within Samsung apps starting 1st of October users can also enjoy offers on wide range of services like NY Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Bitcasa, Oxford Dictionary and Angry Birds Star Wars 2.

Price and Offers

The Samsung GALAXY Note 3 is priced at Rs 49,900/- while the Gear is priced at Rs. 22,990/-. As part of its introductory offer, all Samsung Note 3 customers who are using Vodafone 2G services will get 2GB Internet per month free for two months on Vodafone 3G/EDGE/2G Networks.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 270,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.
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September 17, 2013
Hands on with the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear

Samsung today launched two new devices for the Indian market, the Note 3 and the Galaxy Gear smart watch. Both devices intended for higher end segment of the consumer market, keeping the word “premium” prevalent throughout the launch event.

The Galaxy Note 3 is the third iteration smart phone in the Note series of devices in the Samsung Galaxy stable, and keeps up with the yearly enhancements. In India the Note 3 is priced at a hefty Rs. 49900. for the 32GB variant. Major changes include a 5.7 inch Super AMOLED with a 1920x1080p resolution, a 13 MP rear camera and new enhanced SPen functions : including Air Command, an on-screen portal to four specific features Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write, S Finder and Pen Window. There’s also a new and improved Multi Window feature, which now allows for data sharing and interaction between apps.

The over build quality appears to have been improved thanks to a warmer-feel back panel, which unfortunately on the inside remains completely plastic. The new S Pen is also sleeker and appears to have been redesigned. The phone is practically as big as the Galaxy Note 2, so really no difference in size, but you do see a difference in screen size and overall usable display real estate.

India gets the restricted version of the Galaxy Note 3 with the Exynos chipset which restricts a lot of features like 4K video recording and LTE connectivity. The only version available in India will have a 32GB storage, while the company also claimed that no other variants will be officially available.

The Galaxy Gear has a definitive mind changing appeal, the series of images and digital renders by Samsung have failed to show the real feel of the Galaxy Gear. That being said the concept of an added wearable product is still young, and what the market is looking for is a real device not a tethered accessory. The Galaxy Gear is available for a strange price of Rs. 22990, which puts it above the most required space. Most people will be happier buying second devices rather than go in for a Bluetooth Accessory .

Check out the images below and stay tuned for our hands on video, along with unboxing and reviews coming shortly.

New S -Pen

Note 3 White

September 17, 2013
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