Tag: launch

Twitter #music App Rolled Out For iPhone And Web, Coming To Android Soon

Twitter officially announced that Twitter #music will be going live today. So far Twitter users will be able to access the new music discovery app via the web (music.twitter.com) or through an iPhone app. It was built by the team behind We Are Hunted, which Twitter acquired last year.

Unfortunately it appears that Android users are going to be left out – at first.

What is Twitter #music? Twitter notes that it’ll “change the way people find music” and is all based on activity through the people and bands you follow. The app is categorized into 4 areas: Popular, Emerging, Suggested, and Now Playing. You have the option to listen to a song within the app, purchase, learn more about specific artists, or retweet songs or albums to your followers.

Twitter will access the millions of users, plus iTunes, Spotify and Rdio to find out what people are talking about and what’s popular. “By default, you will hear previews from iTunes when exploring music in the app. Subscribers to Rdio and Spotify can log in to their accounts to enjoy full tracks that are available in those respective catalogs.”

Twitter #music also includes a suggested music screen and the ability to search for music from your favorite artist. Find something you like and you can play it right from the interface. As you would expect, Twitter #music encourages instant sharing: you can tweet what you’re listening to directly from the Player screen.

This release should take the success Twitter has seen in their release of Vine earlier this year.

April 18, 2013
Facebook Home Available On The Google Play Store, US Only For Now

Facebook Home has officially launched on the Google Play Store. After some leaks and the update of the Messenger app which included the Chatheads feature, Facebook Home is now available for download, for the US only for now.

Facebook Home currently supports installation on the HTC One X, HTC One X+, Samsung Galaxy S3, and Samsung Galaxy Note II. Once you’re able to get your hands on an HTC One or Samsung Galaxy S4, those models will support Home, as well.

In case you missed it, Facebook Home is essentially a launcher that turns your phone into an all-encompassing Facebook device. Cover feed is a feature that places your friends status and posts in the center of your screen, and Chat Heads is essentially a redesigned Messenger that displays a floating chat window when using other apps.

Facebook’s Messenger app for Android was updated this morning with the Chat Head feature, which is available for any device that can run the Facebook Messenger app.

People have raised concerns about privacy and security with Facebook Home, questioning the company about data collection and the decision to create a default setting where a Home-loaded phone provides access to a Facebook account on the lockscreen.

For what it’s worth, Facebook’s chief privacy officer of policy Erin Egan and chief privacy officer of products Michael Richter responded to some of those queries in a joint blog post, stating that Facebook Home does not compromise privacy.

[PCMag]

April 13, 2013
Hands on with the new HTC One
HTC has recently launched the new HTC One, a flagship for the company with impressive specs and a wonderful new design. The HTC One comes with a unibody Aluminum design which is built into a seamless unit which is 4mm at the slimmest and 9mm at the thickest. Making it only roughly thicker than the iPhone 5.

What one really needs to appreciate is the new Blink feed on the gorgeous display. The new UI lays out social feeds, news updates, calendar info, friends data and more right on the home screen of the phone in this new super smooth flowing interface.

The HTC One has a Ultra pixel camera with a larger 4 MP sensor that will allow more light to be captured allowing for a beautiful print size of upto 8 x 12 inches directly from the camera of the phone. HTC has incorporated several camera enhancements in the HTC One , most interesting being ZOE that allows a user to capture few seconds of images and HD video at the same time allowing you to relive the experiences .

HTC also claims improved battery life with the HTC One lasting almost twice that on the iPhone 5, and 30% more compared to similar tests on a Galaxy S3 or a Note 2. The phone is 10% smaller compared to the HTC One X and slightly smaller in size when compared to the Butterfly.

(More Developing)

Quick Specs Check
- Android 4.1.2 with HTC Sense 5
- Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600, quad-core, 1.7GHz
- Total storage: 32GB/64GBi, available capacity varies
- RAM: 2GB DDR2
- Battery: 2300 mAh embedded rechargeable Li-polymer battery
CAMERA
- BSI sensor, Pixel size 2.0 ?m, Sensor size 1/3′
- Dedicated HTC ImageChip™ 2
- F2.0 aperture and 28 mm lens
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
- Smart Flash: Five levels of flash automatically set by distance to subject
- Front Camera: 88 wide angle lens with HDR capability
- 1080p Full HD video recording for both front and back cameras
- HDR Video
- Continuous shooting and VideoPic
- Slow motion video recording with variable speed playback
- HTC Zoe™ with highlights and HTC Zoe™ Share
- Retouch with Object Removal, Always Smile, and Sequence Shot
CONNECTIVITY
- 3.5 mm stereo audio jack
- NFC capable
- Compliant with Bluetooth 4.0
- Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX™ enabled
- Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 a/ac/b/g/n
- DLNA® for wirelessly streaming media from the phone to a compatible TV or computer
- Support consumer infrared remote control
- micro-USB 2.0 (5-pin) port with mobile high-definition video link (MHL) for USB or HDMI connection (Special cable required for HDMI connection.)
HTC BOOMSOUND™
- Dual frontal stereo speakers with built-in amplifiers
- Studio-quality sound with Beats Audio™
- HDR Microphone
- Sense Voice
NETWORK
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
- WCDMA (1900/2100 (B2/B1) MHz)
- CDMA (800/1900 BC0/BC1/BC10, Sprint)
- LTE (1900 (B25, SPCS)
- Frequencies will vary by region/operator
SENSORS
- Gyro sensor
- Accelerometer
- Proximity sensor
- Ambient light sensor
LOCATION
- Internal GPS antenna + GLONASS
- Digital compass
AC ADAPTER
- Voltage range/frequency: 100 ~ 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
- DC output: 5 V and 1 A
- SIZE: 137.4 x 68.2 x 9.3mm/4mm (max/min)
- WEIGHT: 143 grams with battery
- DISPLAY: 4.7 inch, Full HD 1080p, 468 PPI
February 21, 2013
Samsung Launches Galaxy Grand 5 inch WVGA Single / Dual Sim Jelly Bean Smartphone

Samsung has just announced that it will unveil the new Samsung Galaxy Grand at CES 2013 in Las Vegas. The Galaxy Grand will be available in Single and Dual Sim variants and boasts of a 5 inch WVGA display with a native 800 x480 px display (read: pixellated). The Galaxy Grand will also run Jelly Bean 4.1.2 out of the Box and will also feature a dual-core 1.2GHz processor. The new Phablet style phone will also have a host of the premium suite apps from Samsung’s TouchWiz UI, including Multi Window and Pop Up Play.

The Galaxy Grand has a 8 Megapixel Main camera and a 2 MP front faces with 720p video calling. On the inside you will find a 2,100mAh battery, 8GB of built-in storage and a microSD slot for expansion up to 64GB. Famous for various connectivity options Samsung includes HSPA+, Bluetooth, DLNA and WiFi.

The Galaxy Grand is expected to hit Asian markets including India early 2013.

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Samsung GALAXY Grand runs Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), Google’s latest operating system. Its vivid 5.0’’ display provides an expansive viewing experience, presenting messaging, multimedia and Web content in brilliant color and clarity. Even with the large screen, the phone is still slim, ergonomic and comfortable to hold. You can also enjoy true multitasking running multiple apps simultaneously and without switching screens using Multi Window feature.

GALAXY Grand with an impressive 1.2 GHz Dual Core processor supports seamless multitasking, faster web browsing, lightning-fast screen transitions and superior graphics for some of the most demanding apps and games.

The GALAXY Grand sports a powerful camera with zero shutter-lag and ultra-quick camera start-up. It includes a backside illumination sensor to ensure clear shots even in dark conditions, as well as Full HD video recording.

Samsung GALAXY Grand also includes intuitive features that make the phone easy to use. For example, Direct Callenables users to automatically dial a call by raising the device up to the ear; while users can also shake the phone to trigger status updates, or pan it to zoom into a screen. Smart Alert shows missed events such as missed calls and new messages just by picking up the phone. Popup Video, for example, lets users watch video in a pop-up window anywhere on the screen while running other tasks; S Voice lets you control the phone using your voice; and AllShare Play lets you share content across Samsung devices using a single account.

The phone is pre-loaded with the latest versions of Samsung Hubs to deliver the most popular games, movies and music direct to the user on demand.

The GALAXY Grand will be available in two versions – The Dual SIM version (GT-I9082) will launch first and the single SIM version (GT-I9080) will follow. For the dual SIM version, its innovative dual SIM feature provides total communication flexibility, allowing users to manage two phone numbers from a single phone. It is possible to receive calls on one SIM number while taking a call from the other, ensuring efficient management of personal and work commitments without ever missing a call. Dual SIM also offers the flexibility of selecting different billing plans for either SIM, switching between them to make the most of cheaper call and data plans.

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December 18, 2012
Samsung Galaxy SIII Mini Launching On November 8

Samsung’s hotly awaited new phone will launch on 8 November in the UK, the company has announced.

The compact version of the world’s best-selling Android phone, the Galaxy SIII, will be in shops a week today, and come with free games The Sims 3 and Bejewelled 2.

The Mini features a 4″ screen compared to the regular SIII’s 4.8” version. It also offers a dual core processor rather than the quad core in the main model.

Aimed at a more mid-range market, the device is expected to capitalise on Christmas upgrades, as well as appeal to those who find the larger screens of top Android phones too cumbersome.

Both the SIII and the SIII Mini have now been upgraded to the latest version of Android Jelly Bean (version 4.1), and changes to Gmail the search system Google Now announced earlier this week in version 4.2 can also be downloaded separately.

No news on the pricing yet though, but we expect it to be around the Rs 20,000/- mark.

November 2, 2012
LG Nexus 4 Quick Start Guide Leaked Online, Shows 8GB and 16GB Models, Wireless Charging

The Nexus leak factory has been relentlessly churning its goods in the past weeks, and it doesn’t look like there’s any sign of slowing down. Two days ago the world got their hands on the Nexus 10 tablet manual early, now the Nexus 4 too has its “Quick Start” booklet revealed ahead of its introduction.

LG UK uploaded the LGE960 “Quick Start Guide” for the Nexus 4 and have also reveals that the pure Android will come in both an 8GB and 16GB models.

The only other bit of news is that the manual confirms the device will have wireless charging capabilities: “If you use a wireless charger, you must use an approved model and only as direct- ed. The Nexus 4 travel adapter may not generate enough current to power a wireless charger.”

Although Google’s Android event will be held on Monday, don’t discount the possibility of seeing more leaks — if there’s still any left.

October 27, 2012
Apple Confirms iPhone Event on Sep 12, 10:30 PM IST

Apple has invited members of the Press and media to attend, what is supposedly going to be the next iPhone Launch, at San Francisco. Several rumors and leaks despite the lock downs by Apple, seem to have shaken the world of technology. Apple products have by far been the best kept secret, but this time around it just seems everyone knows what to expect. Although rumours of a separate iPad -Mini event seem to be doing rounds, we are still skeptical of any such announcement.

The event starts at 10:30:00 PM IST on 12 September 2012 , we will bring you all the dirt and coverage as we can.

September 4, 2012
Nikon Full Frame D600 may launch in September for half price of D800

Nikons current gen D800 is doing really well, with its full frame 24.7 MP sensor. Apparently Nikon is stuffing the same in the body of the D600 and launching it on 13th of September at photokina. Nikon is said to be kitting out the D600 with a 24.7-megapixel FX format sensor capable of shooting from ISO 100-6400, and a 3.2-inch, 921k-dot LCD display complete with ambient sensor control.

The Nikon D600 is also said to be able to record video in Full HD (1920×1080) at 30p, 25p and 24p as well as standard HD (1280×720) at 60p, 50p, 30p and 25p. The camera weighs 850g including battery and memory cards loaded (760g without). The Nikon D800 weighs approximately 1kg and costs US $ 3000 or about INR 1.75 lac , whereas the D600 is expected to retail for half around US$ 1500 or INR 75,00o.

August 25, 2012
The Galaxy Note 10.1 Priced at Rs 39990/- In India for 16GB version

We are live at the launch event of the Galaxy Note 10.1 in India also known as Note 800 , according to the information, the Note is going to be priced at Rs 39,990/- for the WiFi only version. The additional accessories that will be available for the Note 10.1 are the desktop dock, the tablet pouch, a book cover, Wacom Pen, car charger, stylus pen and HDTV Adaptor.

August 24, 2012
MTS launches three Android smartphones

MTS India has introduced three latest Android-based smartphones to expand its CDMA smartphone portfolio.

These three smartphone named MTS MTag 351, MTS MTag 352 and MTS MTag 281 are priced in the range of Rs. 5499 to Rs 7499. The MTS smartphone range run on Android 2.3 Gingerbread and come bundled with “˜Unlimited’ data plans.

MTS MTag 351 features 8.89cms (3.5″) 320X480 (HVGA) pixel display with capacitive touch. The smartphone is powered by 800 MHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 Processor and comes with a 1300 mAh battery.

MTag351 features a dual camera with flash (3.0 megapixel back and VGA Front) and will be available for Rs 7499.

MTS MTag 352 has the same features of MTag 351, however, it comes with a large 1400 mAh battery and priced at Rs 6499.

MTS MTag 281 is the cheapest smartphone with a price of Rs 5499. MTag 281 features 7.11 Cm (2.8″) 240X320 (QVGA) pixel display and comes with a 1200 mAh battery.

[quote] “With the launch of these three smartphones, we have now brought four new Android Smartphones in less than two months. MTS now offers a comprehensive range of Android smartphones for discerning, on the move, tech savvy youth,” SSTL Chief Marketing and Sales Officer Leonid Musatov said in a statement.[/quote]

August 23, 2012
Amazon launches India Kindle Store, Kindle e-reader

Amazon has launched the Kindle e-reader as well as the Kindle e-book store in India. The device – earlier generation non-touch e-reader – will be available at the Chroma retail outlets across the country at a price of Rs 6,999.

That Kindle model is the entry-level, non-touch-screen Kindle, which sells for $79 in the U.S. in a “Special Offers” ad-supported version. The Kindle sold in India will not be ad-supported.

Amazon says the India Kindle Store offers over one million books — now available for India customers priced in Indian Rupees (INR) — including 70 of 100 Nielsen Bestsellers, and has the “lowest prices of any e-bookstore in India.”

Along with those Nielsen Bestsellers, Amazon is serving up range of Indian authors, including Chetan Bhagat, Ashwin Sanghi, Ravinder Singh and Amish Tripathi. Additionally, Amazon has also launched Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) for independent authors and publishers in India. With the country having an estimated population of 1.2 billion people, the store should fill up quickly with self-published titles and Amazon is already offering such Kindle exclusives as “Love, Life and a Beer Can” by Prashant Sharma, and “Reality Bites; a not so innocent Love Story” by Anurag Anand (as well as over one million free classics).

August 22, 2012
Sony Xperia J previewed, official unveiling to come soon

The upcoming Sony Xperia J was given the hands-on treatment for an extensive preview ahead its supposed announcement later this month.

The Xperia J is one more model in Sony’s onslaught of new devices that it brought forth until now and will continue to until the end of this year. The Xperia J is a lower-midrange offering, with a 4-inch 480×854 touchscreen, 1 GHz single-core processor.

The battery is said to be a 1700mAh unit, which should provide a decent level of battery life given the reduced screen size and the same entry-level processor as the Xperia Tipo. RAM is set at 512MB. There is also a microSD card slot hiding away under the battery on the Xperia J.

The rear camera is a 5MP shooter with an LED flash, but apparently only shoots video at a pretty dreary 640×480. There is also a front facing camera, but nothing is said of it’s specs. Given the rear camera, we’re not expecting a lot from it.

The Xperia J is at least running Android 4.0 out of the box.

August 22, 2012
Micromax A100 Listed Online, To Be Launched Soon

Micromax’s A100 smartphone has popped up on an online shopping website (Homeshop18.com), though it’s listed as out of stock. The device was first reported on our website (read here).

According to the listing, the smartphone will be priced at Rs 9,999 and has a 5-inch display with 480×854 resolution. This dual SIM device runs on Android 4.0.4(ICS) and offers 3G connectivity.

Micromax A100 comes with a 2000 mAh battery, a 5MP camera, and 4 GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 32 GB.

August 15, 2012
Rumor : HTC To Unveil 3 Windows Phone 8 Smartphones In September

According to the latest rumors, HTC is set to unveil three new Windows Phone 8 devices in October, the Zenith, Accord and Rio. To date there hasn’t been any images of these devices surface online, but new details have potentially risen this morning. According to WPDang, HTC will beholding a media event in both New York and London sometime during the third week of September (17th – 24th) to announce their upcoming Windows Phone 8 devices.

The Zenith, Accord and Rio all come with various specs, but the flagship Zenith will be the star player and have a quad-core processor, 4.7-inch 720p Super LCD 2 display (300ppi), and an 8MP camera. It is rumored to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor.

The HTC Accord appears to sit in the middle of the range and is rumoured to have a 4.3 inch touch-screen, dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM. It’ll also have a 5 mega-pixel and support for both NFC and 3G.

Sitting at the bottom of the range is the HTC Rio which will be an affordable Windows Phone 8 smartphone. It’s specification is rumoured to include a 4 inch touch-screen, dual-core processor, 512MB of RAM and a 5 mega-pixel camera.

August 12, 2012
Google says voice is the future of web search, introduces Siri-like app for iOS

Google Inc showed off enhancements to its voice-based search technology for Apple Inc’s iPhone and said it was testing a new service that will combine its Web-based email with its search engine.

The new version of Google’s search app for the iPhone and iPad, expected to be available within a few days, will let users find information about everything from the weather to nearby movie showings by speaking into the devices, matching some of the capabilities offered by Apple’s own Siri technology.

Google’s new app recites answers to search results in a human sounding voice, similar to Apple’s Siri, which some analysts and technology observers believe could make iPhone users less reliant on Google’s search service.

The news comes as the relationship between the two companies grows increasingly competitive. On Monday Apple said it would no longer offer Google’s YouTube app as a pre-loaded app in future versions of its iPhone.

Google, which unveiled a version of the voice-based search app for its Android software earlier this year, showcased the version for Apple devices at a press event at its San Francisco offices on Wednesday.

The company also announced a test version of a new service that will integrate users’ personal emails into searches on the Google website. The service, which Google said will initially be available to 1 million users, aims to make it easier for consumers to access information such as flight schedules or shipping orders.

A truly universal search will “have all the information that humanity has put on the Web and information that’s your information,” Amit Singhal, senior vice president of Google Search.

The initial “field trial” will work with Google’s Gmail, but Singhal said the company was open to working with other email providers.

Source : Reuters

August 9, 2012