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Apple awarded patent for in-call App switching, readies the biggest lawsuit yet

Apple has been awarded a patent for a “portable electronic device with graphical user interface supporting application switching.”, this is going to be the company’s biggest win. What this basically means is that Apple has been awarded a patent for a SmartPhone. All brands and all manufacturers will fall under the knife of Apple’s lawyers. This will put and end to all legal battles that the company has with HTC and Samsung.

Of course the patent is worded very vaguely and covers almost all devices that allow you to switch between applications when on a call. This most definitely covers Android and WinPho devices if not Blackberry and Symbian. Apple should be already sharpening its knives to slaughter the entire opposition.

[USPTO]

December 21, 2011
Apple acquires Anobit for $500 million, will set up R&D in Israel

Apple has consumed yet another piece of the puzzle in a bid to have all in-house manufacturing. Apple uses all Nand Flash storage in their iDevices, including iPod, iPad and the iPhone, an acquisition of a company that manufacturers this storage was an obvious step from the self sustained giant. Apple has bought Anobit for a straight sum of US $ 500 million, with aims to lower costs and improve efficiency in their manufacturing process.

[threecol_one_last]

“Welcome to Israel, Apple Inc. on your [first] acquisition here. I’m certain that you’ll benefit from the fruit of the Israeli knowledge.”

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Apple is also planning to set up its first off-US Research & Development lab in Israel, with no confirmations from either sides of the deal. Apple is expected to come clean in its next financial report, where it shall disclose billions of dollars in earnings and some million spending.

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December 21, 2011
Apple fixes AppStore bug on iOS 3.1.3, upgrades till avoidable

If you are still feeling lazy after yesterday’s news on the download block by Apple on devices on iOS 3.1.3 or prior. Apple has acted swiftly and is prompt to say that it was merely a bug that was preventing download of apps directly to devices. There is no fix or update that needs to be installed and everything should be back to normal.

[Apple Support Communities]

December 21, 2011
ETC : Google’s total investment in Solar energy nears 1 Billion US $

Not only do you find Google everywhere when it comes to computing, mobility and softwares. Google also invests in the future, including several ECO investments from the multi Billion dollar company. Google has pumped US $ 94 Million into their California Solar Energy project, totaling their investment to over $915 million. Google along with Equity from Sacramento based Power company KKR will build a 88MW photovoltaic power plant that will power 1300 US homes via clean Solar energy. Google has already laid out further investment plans, ensuring that they cross the US$ 1 Billion mark sometime early next year.

[Google]

December 21, 2011
Samsung confirms list, Galaxy SII and Note will get ICS easily 2012 (PR)
Samsung has finally confirmed that most of its top end devices will support Google’s next OS “Ice Cream Sandwich”. This confirmation comes after weeks of consumer engagements and let downs. Samsung will be rolling out the Upgrade to ICS sometime in the first quarter of 2012. The upgrade is most likely not an OTA update and will require a full flash of the device using their proprietary desktop software called “Kies” The full List of devices includes

[threecol_one]

Confirmed Devices
- GALAXY S II
- GALAXY S II LTE
- GALAXY Note
- GALAXY R
- GALAXY Tab 10.1
- GALAXY Tab 8.9
- GALAXY Tab 7.7
- GALAXY Tab 7.0 Plus
[/threecol_one] [threecol_two_last]

[toggle title_open=”Press Release” title_closed=”Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]

Samsung Electronics plan to provide the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for GALAXY devices. The platform update for GALAXY S II and GALAXY Note will start in the first quarter 2012, and other GALAXY devices will soon follow.

The ICS-upgradable devices are the GALAXY S II, GALAXY S II LTE, GALAXY Note, GALAXY R, GALAXY Tab 10.1, GALAXY Tab 8.9, GALAXY Tab 7.7, and GALAXY Tab 7.0 Plus.

For upgradable models, Samsung will make separate announcements on details of OS updates schedule for each market according to market situation and carriers’ requirements.

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and Samsung GALAXY Nexus, the first Ice Cream Sandwich powered smartphone, were first unveiled at a Google/Samsung joint news conference in Hong Kong on October 19th.

Ice Cream Sandwich brings an entirely new look and feel to Android. It has a redesigned user interface with improved multi-tasking, notifications, Wi-Fi hotspot, NFC support and a full Web browsing experience. Ice Cream Sandwich also features a new People App which lets users browse pictures, messages and social network updates from friends, family and co-workers.

Ice Cream Sandwich also introduces innovations such as Face Unlock, which uses facial recognition to unlock the smartphone. Using NFC technology, Android Beam allows users to quickly share Web pages, apps and YouTube™ videos with friends by simply tapping two phones back-to-back. Users can even use fun effects while shooting video or video chatting with Google Talk™.

* Google, Nexus, Android, Android Market, YouTube, Google Talk, Gmail, Google Maps, Google Earth, and Google Calendar are trademarks of Google, Inc.

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This is a major let down especially for those who were on other Samsung devices, hoping to get in on the ICS action. Fear not the developer community is still strong, and almost all devices sporting a processor faster than 650MHz will be able to get a custom developed ICS ROM.

[Samsung]
December 21, 2011
Firefox gets updated to 9, faster Javascript and Lion compatibility added. links

Firefox browser has been updated to version 9. This version offers better compatibility on Mac computers running on Mac Lion 10.7, and a faster and juiced up Javascript handling. This is set to improve overall browsing speeds on the browser. Mozilla is claiming a overall 30% boost in performance post the JavaScript optimizations. Firefox 9 also improves theme integration and swipe navigation for Mac OS X users. Want to take it for a test spin ? Download your version below

[Mozilla Windows]

[Mac]

[Linux]

December 20, 2011
Still on iOS 3.1.3? Apple ends AppStore downloads for your iPhone, iPad and iPod

If you are still on an older version of iOS, namely 3.1.3, you will no longer be able to download Apps from the AppStore. For those with first generation devices that no longer support iOS updates beyond 3.1.3, they can download apps to the iTunes on their PC/Mac and transfer from there. A direct download to device is no longer possible. So its time to stop being lazy and get that update going. Seriously, you are missing out on quite a lot on iOS 5, iMessage?

December 20, 2011
Exclusive : Micromax to drop the price of A85 Superfone to Rs. 15290/- in India

Micromax is going to drop the price of its Dual Core Nvidia Tegra 2 powered Superfone to Rs.15290/- all inclusive for a special holiday offer. This is going to be possibly the best device to get in the 15k mark after the price drop which is all set to happen today.

If you have not already seen our videos on the device you can check them out below.

December 20, 2011
Nokia Lumia arrives, boosts Windows Phone sales throughout the board.

Since the massive AD campaign by Nokia for the Lumia series and limited availability, Windows Phone 7.5 based devices have seen a massive boost across the board of HTC and grey market Samsung devices. ConsumerReports states that there has been a 40 % boost in sales of HTC Radar since the announcement of Nokia Lumia devices.

A major cause of this is the high price and almost no stock of the units, Nokia has pushed devices to Nokia priority dealers and are selling the Lumia phones at MRP. With still a few days till stock arrives at major retailers, Samsung is all set to announce the Omnia W today. Lets see if Nokia is actually able to turn around the Windows Phone OS in the Indian market.

December 19, 2011
Apple kicks off discussions on Apple TV with Media Executives

Apple is reportedly discussing the possibility of the Apple TV (not the tiny box, but a real television) with global Media honchos. Steve Jobs’ next big thing before he passed away was the change in the Television industry. Apple’s new CEO Tim Cook has no plans to drop the idea as the company pushes the game forward.

An idea that includes a TV that packs wireless streaming with AirPlay to deliver TV shows and movies as well as technology it’s developed to tie-in DVR storage and iCloud, allowing personal access on tablets and devices handheld. There should be major voice activated control implemented in the whole ecosystem, possibility of that is the already popular Siri voice control systems.

Several companies including Google have already attempted this ill fated journey, only to fail all attempts. Lets see what Apple brings to the table and if it changes anything.

December 19, 2011
Adobe updates Flash 11.1 to support ICS

Adobe is following closely in Google’s footsteps, after the announcement early today. Adobe has confirmed that since a large mass of Android owners will be soon shifting to Google’s new OS, they have updated their flash 11.1 client for Android to support Ice Cream Sandwich aka Android 4.0.

There are however known bugs with the release, one that does not prioritize the audio during an incoming call. That means any current Flash clip will play audio before and after the call is received. In addition, the “enter” key does not work in multi-line text input fields.

Why push an update out without removing known bugs? However, Anyone with ICS on their plate should be able to get a add-on of new flash from the marketplace.

[Adobe]

December 17, 2011
Google Begins Updating the Nexus S to Ice Cream Sandwich

Got yourself a curvalicious Nexus S? Then you might fancy yourself a Ice Cream Sandwich. According to a tweet from the GoogleNexus team early last night, Google will now begin pushing ICS updates to lucky Nexus S owners. The information was also available on Goole+

[threecol_one]“We’re rolling out Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, to GSM/UMTS Nexus S devices over the coming month, starting today”[/threecol_one]

[threecol_two_last]The Nexus S is among the first phones to officially get the ICS update. Google has also made note that the Nexus One may also get ICS down the line.[/threecol_two_last]

[Read]

December 17, 2011
Hands on with the Spice Mi 350n, Dual sim & Android 2.3 at Rs 8000

Spice has just announced a tackle to its competitor, priced at just Rs. 8000, (Rs. 300 cheaper if you buy from their online E-commerce website). The device features a 2 point touch 3.5 inch capacitive screen with a resolution of 320 x 480 px. The processor is a 650MHz Mediatek M6573 with what they claim a 200MHz GPU ( say what?). with 512MB Rom and 256MB RAM this device seems like a good alternative to the dual sim android we unboxed a few days ago.

The battery is a 1400 mah pack, and Spice claims that the device has good battery management. The camera is a 3.2 MP autofocus camera at the back without any flashlight. The front camera is a VGA camera but there is Video call over 3G, so its a plus point. The device is chunkier than the A75 and a little less attractive as well. The back cover although metal is very fiddly. And we got a quick hands on video at announcement, before we do an actual unboxing. What we do know is that in-ear headphones + mic and button are included instead of standard ones. check out the images and subscribe to iGyaanTV as the video goes up shortly

December 16, 2011
App A Day : Asphalt 6 Adrenaline Free on iOS for today : iPad, iPod & iPhone

Shocker : Gameloft has made Asphalt Adrenaline 6 full version free for 24 hours on the App Store. The game is one of the most played games on both Android and iOS platforms. You can even take on friends in Online and Local Multiplayer mode for up to 6 racers. The game is only free for today so make sure you get it before the offer runs out.

The total download is 515.4 MB so make sure you have a decent connection.

[Download here]

December 16, 2011
AutoGyaan : 2013 Mercedes Benz SL550 is lighter and more robust

Mercedes is all set to launch a newer sixth generation Mercedes Benz SL, dubbed the 2013 SL- 550 and SL-350. This new revision will begin production early next year to make up for deliveries early summer 2012.

The SL550, which will begin shipping first, will be powered by Mercedes’ new 4.7-liter twin-turbo V-8, giving out 429 hp at 5250 rpm, 516 lb-ft at 1800. It will come with a standard 7 speed Auto-Transmission along with Start/Stop functionality. The company promises 0-to-60-mph time of 4.5 which is almost a second faster than the existing SL550. This improvement comes courtesy the all Aluminum body in a series-production model, which makes it 275 pounds lighter. The car is also slightly larger than its current version, adding 1.4 inches length, 2.2 inches width, and rides on a 1-inch-longer wheelbase.

The front styling is indicative of the SL lineup, it however adds the new LED day running lights and matte paint options. The Glass roof which was earlier optional willow come standard and dropping some serious dough will get you the Magic Sky Control, which is an electrochromic glass panel that can go from nearly translucent to opaque at the touch of a button. The roof is set on a magnesium frame.

For safety and security, the vehicle will come with Sstainless steel A pillars and roll cage, along with a new design of front impact cavities, also Pre-Safe makes its first appearance in an SL as does Attention Assist which should improve the drivers assist. Active park assist will be available, and the car uses the latest COMAND infotainment system, which features downloadable apps. Great for tech lovers.

The first lot of the SL will be dubbed Edition 1, this version package includes designo gray paint—designo denoting Mercedes’ extra-upscale trimmings—a designo red and black interior with piano black wood trim, an upgraded Harman/Kardon surround-sound stereo, the Airscarf neck warmer, and 19-inch AMG wheels.

Ready to pre book?

December 16, 2011