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‘Grand Theft Auto V’ Goes on Sale Tomorrow

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The official statement given by the company:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Via]

September 14, 2013
Report : Nokia Was Testing Android On Lumia

Back in February of 2011 Microsoft and Nokia entered into a partnership that made Windows Phone “its primary smartphone strategy.” While Nokia reportedly represents over 80% of all the Windows Phone handsets sold, their market share has slowly declined.

Before Microsoft decided to spend a whopping $7.2 billion to purchase Nokia’s Devices & Services, Nokia was considering options – a ‘plan B’ of sorts. According to a report in the New York Times, Nokia was actively testing Android on Lumia devices.

“A team within Nokia had Android up and running on the company’s Lumia handsets well before Microsoft and Nokia began negotiating Microsoft’s $7.2 billion acquisition of Nokia’s mobile phone and services business, according to two people briefed on the effort who declined to be identified because the project was confidential. Microsoft executives were aware of the existence of the project, these people said.”

This isn’t entirely surprising. Many people thought that Android would’ve been a smart route for the Finnish company to take. These same people noted that Microsoft executives were certainly aware that Nokia was testing Android on Lumia devices before and during the negotiations. They also made clear that Android was not a part of discussions between the two companies, even though it was “widely recognized” that it was possible Nokia would be using Android on smartphones in the future.

Notably, Nokia had an option to exit its partnership with Microsoft at the end of 2014 and may have used the threat of switching to Android as tool in its dealings with the company.

[Via]

September 14, 2013
Report : BlackBerry Might Be Broken Into OS And Patents Divisions

Reuters reports that some potential bidders are looking at breaking BlackBerry apart and keeping only the operating system and the patents around its keyboard.

For several years many investors have been pushing BlackBerry to be split up into several parts: network, device and patents. Unfortunately, something of this nature just might happen.

According to a report in Reuters, several unknown bidders have signed confidentiality agreements and are looking into ways to break the company up into two parts – operating system (BlackBerry 10 and the network assets) and its vast collection of patents, specifically highlighting its keyboard. Possibly vanishing from the plan is its hardware production. However, there is a glimmer of hope as the report states there might be interest from “a Canadian pension fund to team up with an investor to buy the whole company, which is currently worth a little more than $5 billion.”

Reuters notes that “According to analysts, BlackBerry’s assets include a shrinking, yet well-regarded services business that powers its security-focused messaging system, worth $3 billion to $4.5 billion; a collection of patents that could be worth $2 billion to $3 billion; and $3.1 billion in cash and investments. Even at a conservative estimate, that is more than the company’s $5.4 billion market value. Analysts said the smartphones that bear its name have little or no value and it might cost $2 billion to shut the unit that makes them.”

BlackBerry announced in August that it was looking into “strategic alternatives”, including selling itself to help figure out its future. Its market value has fallen to $5.4 billion, from $84 billion at its peak in 2008.

[Via]

September 14, 2013
Express Yourself with Doodles, Doodly Doo

Messaging apps have become very popular, specifically applications like WhatsApp. These apps allows one to send and receive not only text messages but also images, videos, locations, audio the recent feature and some songs as well.

Making up doodles or expressing your self was first spread out by the Samsung’s Note series, using that one could easily sketch anything down and share it seamlessly. But the default S note is limited to certain things only.

However, for doodling its not necessary that you would need a stylus, as not all phones supports one. We are talking about the app that can help you to express your opinion in a different way, the app is called ‘Doodly Doo’.

Doodly Doo is an app that allows you to doodle anything that you imagine or to take the artist out of you. You can simply draw anything on the app, there are many brush size options along with a lot of color options. You can also take inputs from the camera, gallery, maps, google images and can also add text, rage faces, smileys and greetings to make your ideas of sketching better.

You can simply use the map option to direct someone where you exactly are, and give your personal message on it. And the greeting option shows up greetings for occasions like Happy birthday, Anniversary and ‘Alot’ more.

The app plays back the doodle on the receiver’s screen exactly the same way it is drawn. Users can also post these doodles to their Facebook, WhatsApp and even send links to watch these doodles to the ones who don’t use this app through SMS.

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September 14, 2013
Sony BRAVIA Smart Stick Revealed

The Sony NSZ-GU1 Google TV device has been revealed, and it is called the Sony BRAVIA Smart Stick. The is an MHL dongle that runs both Google TV and Sony’s own BRAVIA apps. The features are just like Google TV boxes Sony has released before, with a remote that has QWERTY and voice search support.

Additionally, its “picture-and-picture” feature lets users see a browser in one window and TV in another. Since it’s a true Google TV device it can install and run Android apps from the Play Store, but any other details will have to wait until it’s officially announced on Sunday.

Users can launch applications or easily search contents, such as weather or movies of your favorite actor, simply by saying your query.

When it comes to specs and features, the NSZ-GU1 will offer a low-power Marvell De3108 SoC, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of memory, 720p video support Wi-Fi b/g/n, USB support, IR support and Bluetooth 3.0.

This smart stick will only work on 2013 and later Sony BRAVIA models, you can view the manual here. Pricing and availability is not revealed yet.

September 14, 2013
A USB Condom To Keep Your Smartphone Safe!

The power receptacle on a smartphone is also a data transfer port, so there’s at least some risk of your bits being snatched while using an unfamiliar USB outlet. This is called juice-jacking, but now there’s a handy prophylactic defense — the USB condom.

The USB condom is a new device from Int3.cc that blocks a USB port’s data pins while leaving its charge pins open, denying any potentially harmful requests. The simple board at its core carries only the current from the outside pins on a USB connector — which pass along the 5V needed to charge. The middle pins that would normally transmit data can’t, as there’s no circuitry to do so on the Condom. You’ll be able to confidently charge in public as long as you’ve got your USB Condom handy, safe in the knowledge that no juice jacker is going to mess with your precious device.

The device is not yet available for purchase, but it will be at some point next week. All we have to go on is a simple board diagram. It will be a stripped down component — maybe even a naked board, but it should be complete and functional as delivered.

[Via]

September 13, 2013
Hackers Bid To Enslave London’s Santander Bank Foiled

Police have foiled a plot to steal millions of pounds after a gang allegedly took control of a bank’s computer remotely.

Scotland Yard described the cyber-attack on a Santander branch in Surrey Quays shopping centre, south-east London, as the most sophisticated case of its kind that police had encountered.

The hackers were hoping to use highly sensitive information displayed on the computer to access accounts and drain money from them, but the Hollywood-style cyber heist was foiled.

The men allegedly fitted a computer within the branch in Surrey Quays shopping centre, southeast London, with a “keyboard video mouse” (KVM).

The device, which can be purchased online for as little as £10, allowed them to transmit the contents of the computer’s desktop and take control of the machine remotely.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said it was not clear whether any money was taken, but Santander said “no money was ever at risk”.

Police added that detectives and bank officials had thwarted a “very significant and audacious cyber-enabled offence” that would have cost Santander millions of pounds.

Although it is not the first time police have seen the device used, a Met spokesman said it was the first time it had been used by “an organised criminal network”.

Det Insp Mark Raymond said: “This was a sophisticated plot that could have led to the loss of a very large amount of money from the bank, and is the most significant case of this kind that we have come across.

[Via]

September 13, 2013
Dell CEO : “Dell Not Getting In The Mobile Phone Business”

Founder and chief executive Michael Dell said a day after Dell Inc. shareholders approved his $25 billion buyout bid that taking the company private will help give it “long-term focus.”

Emphasizing the company’s main business was its enterprise business, Mr. Dell said the company was focused on “powering those clouds that are being fueled by this enormous explosion of mobile devices.”

Dell will participate in tablets and other client devices, he said, but “won’t be getting into the mobile phone business.”

Asked if layoffs were in the offing, CFO Brian Gladden said there would be a company “re-alignment,” without elaborating.

Dell, who founded the company from a college dorm-room in 1984, and partner Silver Lake fought for months to convince skeptical investors his offer was the best option. This week, he gained the upper hand after one of his staunchest opponents, activist investor Carl Icahn, bowed out of the conflict because he said it was “impossible to win.

As The Verge reports, the CEO pledged his company will continue its aggressive push into enterprise services, but also promised new products designed for regular consumers. “Dell will participate in tablets and all sorts of client devices,” he said. “This is the Dell that many of you are very, very familiar with, and you’re going to see it in all its glory.”

September 13, 2013
HTC One Makes an Appearance in Gold

We recently witnessed Apple unveil the new iPhone 5s in a new Gold color variant, earlier this week. It now appears that another flagship smartphone is all set to join the Gold league that was kicked off by Apple.

HTC’s flagship, the Full HD screen phone has been spotted in a Gold colour. The leaked images have been posted by the Chinese forum Weibo. The leaked images show the front and rear chassis of the HTC One Gold model. However, the parts from the rear panel are missing in the images. The site does not reveal any additional details related to the alleged HTC One Gold variant.

Originally the HTC One was launched in two colour variants, Black and Silver. Soon, the company showcased a ‘Glamour Red’ version of the device. The Glamour Red variant of HTC One was offered initially in the UK.

Recently, HTC announced a new colour option for the HTC One, dubbed as Vivid Blue which joined the three existing colour options – Black, Silver and Red. Recently, it was announced that the HTC One will get Android 4.3 by the end of September.

[via]

September 13, 2013
Burberry Uses iPhone 5s to Capture Spring/Summer 2014 Runway Show

Apple and Burberry today announced that iPhone 5s is being used to capture and share beautiful photos and videos before, during and after the Burberry runway show in London on Monday, September 16. It will use the the all-new iSight camera on iPhone 5s, Burberry is shooting high quality photos and video for runway and beauty looks, product details, and backstage moments.

“iPhone 5s makes it even easier to take great photos with the world’s most popular camera,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPhone & iOS Product Marketing. “We’re thrilled to see the amazing photos and HD video Burberry has captured with the incredible all-new iSight camera.”

“This collaboration celebrates our relationship and shared foundation in design and craftsmanship. We have a mutual passion for creating beautiful products and unlocking emotive experiences through technology, which has made it intensely exciting to explore the capabilities of iPhone 5s,” said Christopher Bailey, Burberry Chief Creative Officer. “We’re inspired by what this could mean for the future as we continue to explore the merging of physical and digital experiences.”

Through photos and video shot exclusively on iPhone 5s, consumers globally can share in the anticipation of the show build up, as well as the excitement of the day itself, across Burberry social media channels and on www.burberry.com starting today. In addition, customers can watch the show live on Monday, September 16, at 2:30 p.m. GMT+1 at www.burberry.com.

This can be a good advert for Apple if the videos taken come up crisp and clear.

September 13, 2013
Chrome 29 for iOS Brings Voice Search With Pronoun Support
Google just updated Chrome for iPhone and iPad, this new update Chrome 29.0.1547.11 contains some new features which include:
- Geting back to your Search Results faster
  - Do a search and click a result. Not what you wanted? Now when you hit back, your search results will instantly appear, ready for you to choose the next one.
- Data cost savings enhancements
  - View your data savings in Bandwidth Management Settings.
  - Please Note: This feature is being rolled out incrementally and will be available to all users over time.
- Voice search pronoun support
  - Try queries like: “Who is the president of the United States?” followed by “Who is his wife?”
- Improvements to Single Sign On with other Google Apps
- Stability / security improvements and bug fixes
Which means, the browser’s voice search now supports contextual pronouns like “her” or “them;” ask a question and you can run a follow-up search without mentioning the subject by name. The update also lets you quickly jump back to search results if you visit the wrong result, and it’s now easier to view bandwidth savings.

All this will come in the new update available at the app store, as shown on the Google blog by Karen Grünberg who is a Technical Project Manager for Google Chrome.
September 13, 2013
Sony may launch the Xperia Z1 in India on 18th Sept

We just got invites for a special Sony Xperia event and we are calling out to the Xperia Z1. Sony’s new 20.7MP shooting flagship the Xperia Z1 was unveiled at the IFA 2013 trade show in Berlin, just over a week ago, and if the company has already set up the launch, it shows that Sony is serious about the Indian market and will show aggresive launches ahead.

The Sony Xperia Z1 will boast modern specs worthy of a flagship smartphone, including a 5-inch full HD 1080p display (441ppi) sporting Sony’s TRILUMINOS screen tech and X-Reality for mobile that debuted on the Xperia Z Ultra 6.4-inch phablet. There is a 2.2Ghz Snapdragon 800 SoC inside, along with 2GB of RAM. 16GB of storage (expandable via MicroSD) and a 3000mAh battery

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

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

The pricing information remains mum for the time being but it looks like the phone will be available for around Rs. 49,990 to begin with, so if you have your pockets left after the September 17th flagship and wearable announcement from a competitor, the Z1 will get some love.

If Sony does launch the Xperia Z1 on the event, expect an iGyaan Style review asap.

September 13, 2013