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Rumored NVIDIA Tegra Tab 7 Leaked Specs, Possible Stylus Support!

The chipset company is been into rumors for making a tablet from a long time now, there have been many leaks about the new upcoming tablet which is claimed to be the NVIDIA tab P1640.

The tablet has been spotted on the website of the Taiwanese certification agency, NCC, as per Techkiddy NVIDIA tab is listed as P1640 on the certification agency’s website.

The website reveals some specifications of the tablet which include a 7-inch HD display with a resolution of 1280×768 pixels and NVIDIA’s own 1.8GHz quad-core Tegra 4 processor. The alleged P1640 is also said to have a 5-megapixel rear camera and is expected to run Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. Some other features are a Micro-HDMI port, USB port, audio output jack, Bluetooth and WiFi. The site adds further that the tablet will come with a stylus support and it possibly shows it in the leaked images which can be seen below. The site also suggests that the alleged Nvidia Tegra Tab 7 could be announced at the IFA in Berlin, starting today.

[via]

September 4, 2013
Watch Live The launch of Samsung Galaxy Note 3 at the Unpacked 2013 event

Samsung will start its 2013 Unpacked event at IFA at 19:00 CEST / 13:00 EDT, for those in India the time is IST 9:30 PM. Catch the live stream above. and catch our live updates below.

The Samsung Unpacked 2013 Episode 2 livestream will likely see the official announcement of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 , Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch and potentially one or more new tablets. The Samsung Unpacked 2013 Episode 2 event is being held in advance of the major IFA 2013 conference in Berlin, Germany. Like many other companies, Samsung is attempting to get a jump on the competition by announcing its major product releases early. Sony is holding a rival event on the same day where we can expect to see the Sony Xperia Z1 “Honami”, Sony Xperia Z1 Mini “Itsuki” and possibly the Sony Lens camera. Other companies we can expect at IFA Berlin 2013 include HTC and LG.

September 4, 2013
Is this the Nexus 5 ? Google slips up in its own video

Earlier today Google Announced the new version of Android 4.4 aka Android KitKat. During the video unveil of the new statue at the campus, a Google employee seen in the green shirt above seems to be hold a unique device which appears to be bigger than the Nexus 4 seen on the right being held by the woman. The word Nexus is spelled out in a different direction, the camera seems different, and it looks bigger than the Nexus 4, but it appears to have an LG logo on the bottom. Could this be the next nexus aka Nexus 5?. Google has stuck its guns for the Nexus 7 and continued production for the Nexus 7 with Asus, so LG may as well be next manufacturer for the Nexus 5.

Google has removed the official video from the company’s Youtube channel, sort of confirming the misappropriated leak, but you can see a version of it below and decide for yourself.

[youtube id=”hn795s9h8n8″ width=”100%” height=”300px”]

September 4, 2013
“KitKat” will be the next version of Google’s OS : Android 4.4
After the previous minor upgrade retained the “Ice Cream Sandwich” moniker, the next version of Android OS aka Android 4.4 will be called KitKat. Google’s SVP Sundar Pichai has just confirmed by posting the image of the statue across the social networks.

“It’s our goal with Android KitKat to make an amazing Android experience available for everybody. :- Google

The company is remaining mum on the project and on what new features the new name will bring. Google has also already worked out a no money agreement with Nestle for the name sans a space in the middle, hence, KitKat vs the original Kit Kat. Google SVP Pichai also announced that there are now over one billion Android device activations, surpassing the 900 million mark back in May this year.

The list of Android versions incase you have not kept up
1. Cupcake (1.5)
2. Donut (1.6)
3. Eclair (2.0)
4. Froyo (2.2)
5. Gingerbread (2.3)
6. Honeycomb (3.0)
7. Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0)
8. Jelly Bean (4.1-4.3).
9. KitKat (4.4)
The deal between Nestle and Google closed within 24 hours of the first phone call to the confectionary manufacturer.

John Lagerling, director of Android global partnerships, also confirmed that his team did originally consider “Key Lime Pie” as a potential name for Android after Jelly Bean, but the issue was “very few people actually know the taste of a key lime pie.” The BBC reports that there will be more than 50 million Kit Kats promoting the Android mascot in 19 markets (including Brazil, India, Japan and Russia).

Watch a fun video by Nestle below.

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

[toggle title=”Press Release”]Google has ended months of online speculation about the name of the latest version of its Android mobile operating system by revealing it will be called ‘Android KitKat’, after Nestlé’s popular chocolate and wafer confectionery.

The creators of the world’s most popular mobile platform have teamed up with the world’s biggest food and beverage company to name the next release of the platform ‘Android KitKat’.

Sweet themes

Android has been developed by the company’s engineers under sweet-themed names ever since the release of Android Cupcake in 2009 and continuing in alphabetical order until the most recent version, Android Jelly Bean.

The news that the letter ‘K’ will be dedicated to Nestlé’s KitKat will surprise most technology commentators, who had widely thought the latest version would be ‘Android Key Lime Pie’.

“We couldn’t imagine a better name for our Android K release than the tasty chocolate that’s been a favourite among the team since the early days of Android,” said Marc Vanlerberghe, Director of Android Marketing.

Strong digital presence

“We’re excited to announce this partnership with Android, the world’s most popular mobile platform, which will help us to enable even more KitKat fans to enjoy their break,” said Patrice Bula, Nestlé’s Head of Marketing.

“KitKat is one of the world’s top ten fast-moving consumer goods brands in social media in terms of fan numbers and engagement,” he continued. “We continue to build on its strong digital presence with interactive, creative branding campaigns.”

To mark the release of Android KitKat, more than 50 million specially branded KitKat bars will be available in 19 countries including Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, Dubai, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The packs will lead consumers to the website android.com/kitkat where they will have the opportunity to win prizes including a limited number of Google Nexus 7 tablets, and credits to spend in Google Play, Google’s online store for apps, games, music, movies, books and more.

A small number of Android robot-shaped KitKat bars will also be offered as prizes in selected markets.

Closer to consumers

Nestlé’s branding partnership with Google is the company’s latest move in its ambition to leverage digital technology and online content to get closer to its consumers to better understand and cater to their preferences.

Earlier this year, Nestlé acquired its first-ever piece of online content property, the Petfinder website in the United States. The online database, which links prospective adopters with adoptable pets, is visited by more than 100 million pet-lovers annually.[/toggle]
September 4, 2013
iPhone 5C Revealed In Entirety By Case Manufacturer

If one needed any more proof of the iPhone 5C existence, here’s some: case manufacturer CaseMate has actual renders of the device adorned with its glitzy cases on its website.

The company cites a sell-before date of September 20th at 8am, likely aligning with the availability of the phone in stores.

The first case, pictured above, shows a foldable flip cover for the iPhone 5c, which reminds us a lot of Apple’s Smart Cover for the iPad.

Another render, seen above, shows the iPhone 5C as it will look inside a couple of different cases: a bumper-style case, and a hardshell case. More intriguingly, the leak specifies a very particular launch window for Case-Mate’s cases: “EST. SHIP DATE 9/20/2013 08:00:00 AM.”

It’s unknown whether CaseMate is using its own renders (likely) or an official one (unlikely) for this mockup, but the delineated plastic volume buttons shown through the small side gap indicate that this is indeed different from the iPhone 5.

Additionally, 9to5Mac has posted photos of promo shots for a number of new Switcheasy cases — new cases from the company’s Numbers, Colors, Nude, and Tones lines. Most of the cases are for the iPhone 5C, but the Odyssey case is notably listed as compatible with the iPhone 5 and 5S, according to the post.

We’ll know more in the coming days — Apple is likely sending its invite for the September 10 event this week — but for now, enjoy the bedazzlement.

[Via, Via]

September 3, 2013
HTC BoomBass : A Bluetooth Subwoofer With NFC

With its dual front-facing speakers, the HTC One smartphone already provides some of the best noise you’ll get from a phone. If that’s not quite enough for you then check out the BoomBass.

The HTC BoomBass is a little device that measures 64mm³ but can supercharge the sound coming from your aluminium-shod phone.

It’s a rubberised unit, with the bottom layer a natty orange/red colour, sitting underneath a grey section. The lower area actually slides out to provide a dock for your HTC One, finally giving a proper area to watch your visualisations and sing along with the lyrics if you’re that way inclined.

It does as its name suggests and only delivers the low bass frequencies to help give a better overall sound when used in conjunction with the aforementioned dual speakers.

It has a built-in battery, so won’t drain your phone’s, and has been designed to slide out so that the phone can be popped on top, making it a sort of mini dock.

Pairing is simple enough, achieved via NFC, and the low frequencies are sent from your phone to the BoomBass using Bluetooth 3.0.

Supplying a discrete subwoofer and nothing more is a bit interesting, since HTC already has the Beats Pill accessory which works well. Pricing and availability are yet to be revealed.

[toggle title=”Press Release”]Boosting the bass for HTC One
In the HTC One, HTC redefined the smartphone sound experience with HTC BoomSound and has now raised the bar again with the introduction of a new accessory for the HTC One family. HTC BoomBass, a compact, Bluetooth-enabled subwoofer with a dedicated amplifier, provides clearer, more powerful bass when combined with the HTC Onefamily’s BoomSound. The subwoofer enables HTC BoomSound’s speakers to produce enhanced quality of lower range frequencies so, no matter what music you’re playing or video you’re watching, you are guaranteed immense and exceptional sound that can travel with you.[/toggle]

Featured image via TheNextWeb.

September 3, 2013
Apple Patents New iOS Unlocking Features

A patent just awarded to Apple allows for a user of an iOS to lock or unlock a device based on a gesture — perhaps the equivalent of a child-proof cap.

The patent, as spotted by AppleInsider and reported by TechCrunch, would allow access to one set of apps — let’s say games for instance — with the drawing of a letter with a fingertip, and then another set, say email, with another, separate gesture.

Apple’s U.S. Patent No. 8,528,072 for a “Method, apparatus and system for access mode control of a device,” describes a system that creates user access modes guarded by predetermined gesture inputs.

Currently, as Apple Insider reports, Apple’s iOS offers passcode unlocking as a means of access control. Under this method, users must input a simple code or password to gain complete access to the device. Apple also provides a certain level of user configuration, allowing access to Siri, Passbook and Reply with Message even when a device is locked.

Such unlocking methods are definitely not new and various Android devices in the past along with custom ROMs have allowed similar functions, whereby a user can “draw” a letter or a shape to launch a specific app, such as the drawing of an envelope that would launch the email app.

This patent by Apple is also accompanied with the effective feature of “Guest Mode”. In this feature Apple will build a lock screen launcher that will easily be accessed by the user through gestures, voice, keyboard, mouse or stylus, already covered in the Apple patent.

September 3, 2013
Screenshot Of 1080p Windows Phone 8 UI Leaks

Evleaks has today added fuel to the Windows Phone GDR3 1080p HD support rumours with a leaked screenshot from the Nokia “bandit” device. The image is 1080×1920, a resolution Windows Phone does not currently support, but it’s reported to be from the Lumia 1520 “phablet”, possibly packing GDR3.

The image shared by @evleaks this morning shows a Windows Phone start screen with an extra Live Tile column than the Windows Phone 8 layout that we’re accustomed to. That extra column enables users will be able to place a large Live Tile and medium Live Tile right next to one another without issue.

The leaked screen shot also reveals what appears to be a new application called Story Teller.

It is expected that larger “Phablet” style Windows Phone devices will be released soon, with Nokia supposedly working on a device which will be called a Lumia 1520 which will have a 6 inch screen with a resolution of 1080×1920. this has apparently been codenamed “Bandit” which you can see below.

The rumour mill has suggested that Nokia is planning to hold an event on Sept. 26 that will be used to show off the Bandit as well as a new Windows RT-powered tablet. There’s no word yet on when either device might arrive on store shelves.

September 3, 2013
Here is Why Microsoft’s Buying Nokia

Microsoft and Nokia have been strategic partners for the manufacture of Windows Phone devices for a couple of years. Microsoft helped the company bail out of its financial woes when Nokia took 1 Billion USD to exclusively manufacture Windows Phone devices and drop plans to make devices on Android, Symbian and Meego. Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia comes in after the successful transition of Motorola into Google, for the company may be a proud owner of a high tech manufacturing brand. Such an acquisition will enable Microsoft to manufacture devices as per their own set norms and create benchmarks for other partners. Along with the hardware and services Microsoft will also become the owner of a wide array of patents and licenses that Nokia owns, one of which earns US $ 1 for every iPhone sold.

Microsoft puts it out there, the company claims that buying a manufacturer like Nokia will enable Microsoft to deliver a

“first-rate Microsoft phone experience for users”.

Microsoft has been trying to be a hardware manufacturer in the past few years, as it attempted with the “bust” Windows RT and 8 based Surface Tablets, the Acquisition of Nokia could lead to new Hardware under the Microsoft name in the mobility segment. What the future of the once world leader in Mobile telephone will be post the acquisition is unknown, but we hope that this does not pan out similar to the HP – Palm acquisition, which ended the life of a very innovative company.

Microsoft could easily be blamed for this acquisition as well, 3 years ago Nokia was valued at well over US $ 25 Billion, Microsoft’s so called “Strategic Partnership” basically ended the marketshare that Nokia had enjoyed in the good old days of Symbian and S40. Analysts claim, if Nokia had stuck to new operating systems like Meego and relatively young Android ( at the time), the company would have prospered and would have been close to the likes of Samsung and Apple in number of movements.

Today Nokia heavily depends on its feature-phone sales for its revenues, and in a global world where the 100$ smartphone is overtaking the 100$ feature phone, Nokia may have realized the limited lifecycle it had left.

Microsoft is no stranger to takeovers, and with many a past companies under its sleeve, Nokia would be more of a trophy, just so the execs at Redmond can say “Hey, We manufacture our own phones! Just like Apple and Google.”

Microsoft really has an opportunity, with the vast array of designers and young minds at Nokia, years of experience and a complete team of experts in mobility, maybe the top brass at Microsoft will be more open to world changing ideas, than they were back at Nokia. Heck in 2006 a fully capacitive touchscreen phone was rejected within the Finland HQ at Nokia stating that the world was not ready for a full touch phone. In 2007 June, the iPhone was launched, Nokia couldn’t have been more wrong.

September 3, 2013
Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, Stepping Down Because Of The Upcoming Transition

Microsoft’s Acquisition of Nokia Devices and Services will also result in the end of tenure for Nokia CEO Stephen Elop. After the completion of the deal, CEO Stephen Elop is to step down to become Executive VP of Devices & Services, and should join Microsoft (If he choses to do so).

The shift in rank should minimize any perceived conflict of interest during Elop’s transition: Nokia says.

Chairman of the Board Risto Siilasmaa will assume an interim CEO position while the company looks for a permanent replacement for Elop. Meanwhile, key Nokia executives Jo Harlow, Chris Weber, Juha Putkiranta and Timo Toikkanen are also expected to follow Elop to Microsoft, Executive VP of Design Marko Ahtisaari plans to step down on November 1st, and will leave the company on November 30th to once more become an entrepreneur. Having said that, Microsoft is getting most of the cellphone industry’s better known leaders all together, should they head down Google-rola’s Path.

September 3, 2013
Microsoft Will Acquire Nokia for €5 billion

Microsoft is set to buy Nokia’s Devices and Services unit, bringing the Lumia lineup under its own ownership. The move unites Windows Phone 8 with its biggest hardware supporter, giving the company the integrated mobile offering that it has been looking for with the Microsoft Surface and other similar devices. When the deal closes in the first quarter of 2014, Microsoft will pay 3.79 billion Euros to Nokia, plus another 1.65 billion Euros for its portfolio of patents.

Microsoft hopes that acquiring the largest Windows Phone manufacturer will speed up growth of the operating system that has yet to see commercial acceptance like similar platforms i.e. Android.

“It’s a bold step into the future – a win-win for employees, shareholders and consumers of both companies. Bringing these great teams together will accelerate Microsoft’s share and profits in phones, and strengthen the overall opportunities for both Microsoft and our partners across our entire family of devices and services.”- Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer.

According to the press release from Nokia, about 32,000 Nokia employees will migrate to Microsoft on the completion of the deal. The release further adds that Nokia is assigning its long-term patent licensing agreement with Qualcomm along with other patents to Microsoft.

Microsoft also announced that it has selected Finland as the home for a new data center that will serve its consumers in Europe. The company also said it would invest more than a quarter-billion dollars in capital and operations of the new data center over the next few years, with the potential for further expansion over time.

September 3, 2013
BBM for Android gets shown of in a Video

Event though the BBM for iOS and Android has not yet arrived, videos are starting to leak out and that is a good sign. Folks over at BlackberryOS have got hold of a test video of the new BBM for Android and it might just live up to the hype. Apart from the swipe in from the sides to chose chats and setting, the video shows the ability to transfer contacts through NFC, which is good sign that the messaging app will make the most of these the new features that are present in Android Devices.

Let us know below what you think.

September 3, 2013
Lenovo CEO Shares $3 Million Bonus With Workers

Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing will share $3.25 million of his bonus with the company’s workers, this is the second year in a row that the Lenovo boss has decided to share his annual bonus with his staff.

Around 10,000 Lenovo employees will receive a share of the $3.25 million bonus, and each employee will get around $325 in 20 countries around the world, according to a memo written by Gina Qiao, senior vice president of human resources.

“Employees who receive the bonus are mostly those in manufacturing paid on an hourly basis, who are not eligible for other bonus programs or sales commission,” said the company in a canned statement.

“This payment is personally funded by Yuanqing,” Qiao said. “He believes that he has the responsibility as an owner of the company, and the opportunity as our leader, to ensure all of our employees understand the impact they have on building Lenovo.”

It’s the second year running Yang has shared the wealth – last year he handed out $3m to his staff.

Lenovo posted revenue of $34 billion and PC shipments of 52.4 million units in the 12 months ended March 31 as the company gained market share and expanded sales of smartphones and tablets.

It’s worth noting that Yang won’t exactly suffer too much as a result of his generosity, since his last annual bonus was reportedly worth US$5.2 million, and his net personal income for the year totaled US$14 million. It still is a really nice gesture!

September 2, 2013
IFA 2013 : Acer DA241HL All-In-One Android PC Introduced

Acer has unveiled interesting all-in-one computer that fans of the Android operating system may find very interesting. The DA241HL is the AiO in question, packing a NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor.

The Acer DA241HL is being touted for its combination of the Android Jelly Bean 4.2 operating system and Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core CPU. By opting for Android instead of Windows, the DA241HL offers an experience that Android-tablet users will find familiar, complete with apps and media from Google, easy syncing with smartphones and tablets, and a more powerful processor than those found in most tablets and phones. The Android All-in-One is also family-friendly, supporting up to five separate users, complete with personal customization and apps.

“It’s designed to offer users the same familiar experience as with tablets and smartphones,” the company said. “The Tegra processing power provides access to the top sold [sic] games and features on Google Play that are not supported or slow to play with other processors.”

Interestingly, Acer has not mentioned how much storage the Acer DA241HL will have to offer, which is certainly something potential buyers may be interested in.

Other features include MHL connectivity (for smartphone connections), HDMI and USB support and a tilting angle of 20 to 75 degrees for “comfortable touch experience.”

The Acer DA241HL can connect to Windows 8 PC via HDMI or USB, in which case it becomes a monitor with 2-point multitouch. Pricing and availability for the Acer DA241HL are unannounced at this time.

September 2, 2013
PS4 Will Support Voice Commands, Facial Recognition Via PlayStation Camera

Sony last night addressed whether the PS4 features voice command capabilities through the PlayStation camera, but the company’s statement may not reveal as much as it initially seems.

The rumour that the PS4 would feature voice command capabilities popped up when video of a presentation made by SCEA’s group manager of retail training and advocacy Sean Coleman at this week’s GameStop Expo in Las Vegas was uploaded to YouTube on Thursday.

At the 5:30 mark a slide is shown for the Eye that says: “From navigational voice commands to facial recognition, the PlayStation Camera adds incredible innovation to your gaming.”

Speaking to gaming site Polygon a Sony spokesperson said: “Sony Computer Entertainment can confirm that PlayStation Camera allows for voice recognition and we will look forward to sharing more details in the lead up to the launch of PS4 on November 29.”

SCEA’s group manager of retail training and advocacy Sean Coleman outlined some PlayStation Camera features at the GameStop 2013 Expo in Las Vegas this week. “From navigational voice commands to facial recognition, the PlayStation Camera adds incredible innovation to your gaming.”

The PS4 PlayStation Camera will have some unique functionality with the new DualShock 4 controllers. It will be able to use facial recognition to detect who is holding which controller, and apply that player’s preferred controller profile.

September 2, 2013