Iphone 5s

Saturday 19 November 2011

Under the Mistletoe (Deluxe Edition)Justin Bieber

Open iTunes to preview, buy, and download music. iTuneshttp://itunes.apple.com/us/album/under-mistletoe-deluxe-edition/id474930087

Galaxy Nexus, Android.com and Google Music show beauty

Google starts a makeover. New smartphone (operating system), website and music store show the company’s future in mobile.

Take note Apple, Google is trying its best to win the beauty pageant mobile war by bringing a more polished smartphone operating system, operating system’s website, and the operating system’s official music store: Meet the new Galaxy Nexus, the new Android website and the new Google Music store for the Android smartphone.
The new set of improvements were implemented this month and it looks like the search engine giant is playing the “momentum game” inside the arena filled with beauty and intuition. The newest Android smartphone with the much-anticipated Android Ice Cream Sandwich arrived on Wednesday in the United Kingdom, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
The new Galaxy Nexus sports 4.3-inch Super AMOLED HD screen with 720p resolution, plus 1.2GHz dual-core SoC, 1GB of DDR2 RAM and the new ICS or Android 4.0 operating system. The available variant is the HSPA+ model, but customers here in United States are poised to get the LTE or Long Term Evolution variant that will run under Verizon Wireless.

On the same date, Google has launched the Google Music store in United States (even without the LTE Galaxy Nexus yet) which also supports the Android ecosystem. The new Google Music online store is slightly similar to the Apple iTunes or Amazon’s Mp3 store, but with a twist.
According to Google, buying to playback is easier using Google Music because the store is accessible online using the web browser or on mobile using a native app or the phone/tablet’s web browser. After buying song/s, Google will do the rest related to syncing, storing files etc.
And to kill at least three birds using one stone, Google is running a free song per day promo only available on the Android Market. So if you want free songs, you need a Google Music account and an Android-powered smartphone. Plus, you also need a Google+ account to enjoy the third feature because Google Music customers can also share purchased music files (stream only) via Google+. Three birds: Google Music, Android and Google+.
Lastly, Google showed off the latest official website of the Android operating system to add more excitement juice, the Android.com featuring new design, texts and other images that will surely give the geek-favorite platform its much-needed eye-friendly revamp (and not just codes and other geeky stuff).
The new website features the new operating system’s user interface sneak peek, features and notes about the platform’s more advanced support for applications to end the so-called Android fragmentation (see Google for more information). Apparently, the new Android operating system is the sum of the two older operating system versions, the Gingerbread and the Honeycomb. The new updates are Google’s steps as it stems fragmentation to compete with Apple’s iOS 5 and Microsoft’s beautiful but still not so popular Windows Phone.
Android still maintains a strong lead in the smartphone market share, largely due to the fact that the model offered by the platform is the “open-source” system and several device makers like Samsung, Motorola and HTC can take advantage of it. However, not all companies are treating Android’s openness as a positive advantage. In fact according to Nokia’s Stephen Elop, Android is fragmented because it is allowing OEM customization (ex: Sense, TouchWiz), while Windows Phone is a more unified and more beautiful user interface. He said:
“In terms of (Windows Phone) doesn’t allow for the Sense UI or whatever, I would suggest that one of the biggest challenges facing that particular ecosystem is the fact that there is more and more of that going on. And when I go into the store and look at what that brand was supposed to stand for, I’m not quite seeing it — it’s just unclear what the standard is for the user experience.”
Elop’s argument obviously came from the heart, but I’m not in the position to comment about it because I find Samsung’s Touchwiz (the version running on the Galaxy S II) to be very helpful especially in Gingerbread. Instead of being laggy and very intrusive, it actually adds nice and much-needed features that I sometimes wish were available in stock Gingerbread operating system. Apparently, the Android 4.0 is making TouchWiz or HTC’s Sense an irrelevant software.
Either way, the new wave of Android development is not actually related to Apple and its intuitive and less-geeky operating system, but the Android 4.0 is big response to stop Nokia and Microsoft from getting its much-needed double-digit market share score. According to the latest tally, Windows Phone is stuck at single-digit market share here in US.

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Galaxy Nexus, Android.com and Google Music show beauty, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
Search for more Galaxy Nexus, Android and Google articles:
Droid Razr vs iPhone 4S review video appeared online
Galaxy Nexus release date “reconfirmed” by Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Nexus release date “movement”

Galaxy Nexus Verizon release date on December 8?

New rumor is suggesting that the Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus will not enjoy a Black Friday treatment.

This new rumor is actually a big “bad news” if you’re a Verizon Wireless customer or a customer in the US and planning to purchase the first Android Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone. A new report is suggesting that the release date of the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus (or Nexus Prime if you want) is on December 8, 2011.
According to the source of the new rumor, Droid Life, the new release date is based on marketing materials or the “ad stuff” used by stores to promote the new smartphone. It is worth noting though that multiple Droid Bionic release date rumors based on marketing materials appeared to be wrong or was greatly misinterpreted.
Our own source who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to talk about the device, the Galaxy Nexus will arrive in US this month, because it is “still on schedule.” Matias Duarte also told the Verge in an interview that the Galaxy Nexus will arrive this month, but it is not yet clear if he was talking about the UK launch, or the US launch. Apparently, the Galaxy Nexus is now available in the UK.
Another event worth mentioning is the Fox Business report about the Galaxy Nexus featuring Samsung’s Vice President of Product Planning Nick DiCarlo. The host of the show told the viewers (in the US obviously because it is a US cable channel) that the Galaxy Nexus will arrive this month (November), and it is highly possible that the information’s source is Mr. DiCarlo because he was the guest of the show.
Either way, Verizon and Samsung will release the device this year. Early reviews have confirmed that the Galaxy Nexus is the best Android smartphone in the market right now (sorry Droid Razr), and it is the only Android device that can compete against the iPhone 4S, Apple’s most popular smartphone to date.
According to Joshua Topolsky of the Verge, the Galaxy Nexus is the best smartphone in the market. The phone’s operating system is its most compelling feature, while its build quality is its weakest. For starters, the Galaxy Nexus is running the pure Google Android operating system without Samsung’s custom user interface customization. The Galaxy Nexus is also the only Android Ice Cream Sandwich device of 2011, while other OEMs are set to follow suit next year but with the possible inclusion/s of custom UIs like Sense, TouchWiz and “MotoBlur.”

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Galaxy Nexus Verizon release date on December 8?, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
Search for more Galaxy Nexus Verizon articles:
Galaxy Nexus Google page hints Verizon limited exclusivity
Nexus Prime, Galaxy Nexus, Android Ice Cream Sandwich: A roundup
Galaxy Nexus release date hint?

Kindle Fire and Amazon’s credit card strategy

Why every credit card counts.

Resurrected from the archive, the news about Amazon’s Kindle Fire strategy to compete against the iPad and other Android tablets has resurfaced online.
Teardown site unveiled that Amazon loses about $2.70 for every Kindle Fire they sell.
Apparently, the Seattle-based retail giant shells out $201.70 for every Fire tablet that’s built, basically the Kindle Fire you’re holding right now doesn’t benefit Amazon profit-wise, instead, they’re relying on the consumers’ purchase of online content from their website such as ebooks, news and magazine subscriptions, movies, music, et cetera…
The costliest part of the Kindle Fire is said to be the IPS LCD (In-plane Switching, Liquid Crystal Display) and touch panel from LG Display and E Ink Holdings which is said to amount a total of $87 and that the main PCB (Printed Circuit Board) accounts for about $64.45 of the Fire’s price majority of the PCB’s components are supplied by Texas Instruments, as stated by IHS, TI contributes the applications processor, which provides the core functionality of the tablet. The TI OMAP4430 processor costs $14.65, accounting for 7.9 percent of the Kindle Fire’s total BOM. However, TI also supplies other devices, including the power management device and the audio codec. This gives TI a total of $24 per each Kindle, or 12.9 percent of the BOM. The display and the tablet’s semiconductors alone already totals to  $151.45, this doesn’t include the enclosure (costs $14.40) and the battery ($16.50) yet.
Even the box’s contents amount to $3.25 and if we’re to add up the manufacturing costs, enclosure, battery, as well as EMS (Electronics Manufacturing Services) margin, this will bring the price up to a total of $201.70 which is obviously higher than the Kindle Fire’s current $199 price tag.
Obviously, Amazon’s not making any money out of this thing, they’re completely relying on online downloads for recovery of losses and to gain profit of course. In short, every credit card transaction by a Kindle Fire user counts.
Rooting your device and purchasing content from other websites (simply put, patronizing piracy) are one of the things that can KILL Amazon’s ecosystem, so if you’re feeling a bit of guilt now it’s safe to say that Amazon’s actually taking risks to make you read only the stuffs that they want you to read–kind of ironic but that’s how it works. Amazon is essentially the Apple/iTunes of the eReader world, just not as tyrannic.
Now you know why Amazon hates ePubs.

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Kindle Fire and the credit card strategy, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
Search for more Kindle Fire articles:
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Nook Tablet effect: Nook Color price cut
Nook Color 2 vs Kindle Fire this month: Reports

Droid Razr vs iPhone 4S review video appeared online

Site compares the new Motorola Droid Razr from Apple’s most popular smartphone to date, the iPhone 4S.

Phone Arena has posted a video comparing Motorola Mobility’s “best smartphone to date” from Apple’s “most popular to date,” a video featuring the Motorola Droid Razr and the iPhone 4S side by side.
Apparently, multiple reviews have spoken that the Motorola Droid Razr is the best Motorola phone to date based on its features like thin profile, Kevlar back cover, Long Term Evolution and its operating system upgradeable to Android’s Ice Cream Sandwich operating system which will arrive “early next year.” However, some reviews also revealed that the Droid Razr’s screen and short battery life are some of the issues that may not please its customers.

According to Phone Arena, Apple’s new Siri, the novelty voice control feature, is one of the best offerings of the iPhone 4S aside from the dual-core processor and the 8-megapixel camera, while the Droid Razr’s LTE or Long Term Evolution feature is its most compelling feature. The review also talked about the lack of Adobe Flash on the iPhone, and the Droid Razr’s Android Gingerbread operating system which supports the Flash for Mobile version 11. It is worth noting though that the Android Ice Cream Sandwich doesn’t support Adobe Flash.
Droid Razr also offers a larger touchscreen, a 4.3-inch Full Color Super AMOLED screen with qHD resolution compared to the iPhone 4S and its 3.5-inch screen sporting the Retina display resolution. Apparently, the iPhone 4S offers a more vivid display due to higher pixel density or “ppi.”
Aside from the iPhone 4S, the new Droid Razr is also competing against Android’s first Android Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone (specifically in the United Kingdom), Samsung’s new Galaxy Nexus which features screen with higher pixel density and of course, a more advanced operating system.

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Droid Razr vs iPhone 4S review video appeared online, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
Search for more Motorola Droid Razr and iPhone 4S articles:
Galaxy Nexus: Samsung S2 and Google’s Nexus in one
Galaxy Nexus (Nexus Prime) not designed to avoid Apple patents
“Droid Razr” by Motorola revealed [Spoiler]


The Most Disappointing Thing About The Kindle Fire Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-kindle-silk-browser-2011-11#ixzz1e8ye3497


The absolutely most disappointing thing about the Kindle Fire from Amazon is the "Silk" web browser.
When Jeff Bezos introduced the Fire he spent a lot time talking about the browser. He promised it was going to be ultra smooth, ultra fast.
After using it for a while, we can safely say none of that is true. The Silk browser is laggy, and jagged. It feels like a really crappy Android browser, not some super slick custom-made Amazon browser.
This is bad news for any tablet, but it's especially bad for the Fire because it's primary function, as far as we can tell, is to surf the web.
Yes, the Fire is nice for reading books, but at half the price an e-ink Kindle is a better book reading experience. Yes, the Fire is good for streaming video, but it's WiFi only, so you're likely to be at home. If you're at home, it's nicer to watch video on your TV, or laptop since they have bigger screens.
The Fire has a decent selection of applications, but it's nothing like the iPad. So, we're mostly surfing the web with the Fire.
This is version 1.0, so it's possible the browser gets better. But, if there was one feature Amazon should have nailed on take one, it was the browser. The fact that it didn't is just embarrassing.
Don't Miss: Our Kindle Fire Review


Droid Razr review roundup: Motorola’s best phone

Motorola Droid Razr is a strong Android contender, but bad screen and shorter battery life were the “issues”

Motorola Droid Razr is Verizon’s favorite Android smartphone according to a report posted last week quoting a Verizon spokesman who confirmed that the wireless carrier’s November ad blitz is for the new Motorola smartphone.
Apparently, Motorola is facing two Android rivals this month, the HTC Rezound and the long-rumored Samsung Galaxy Nexus which carries the latest version of Google Android operating system, plus, Apple’s new dual-core smartphone, the iPhone 4S.
Multiple reviews say the new Droid Razr is one of the best Android smartphones available in the market now, but there’s a catch — and surprisingly, issues mentioned by the reviews are the compelling features offered by its rivals.
One of the best reviews on the internet right now is from the Verge courtesy of Nilay Patel. Mr. Patel is claiming that the new Droid Razr is Motorola’s best phone, adding that the phone is “really thin” and the battery life is  However, he’s not liking the idea of sacrificing the display quality just to make the phone thinner. The Verge’s review gave the Droid Razr a “no buy.”
But unlike the Verge, Boy Genius Report is liking the screen of the new Droid Razr. According to Jonathan S. Geller, the Droid Razr is the “most exciting Android device” for him, adding that the battery life is impressive and the phone is well made thanks to the phone’s Kevlar back coating and thin profile. The site said the new Motorola LTE smartphone is “worthy of being the new Motorola RAZR.”
Meanwhile, PC World is screaming that the Droid Razr’s battery life is “bad” adding that it is a disappointment. According to the website, the Droid Razr did poorly in multiple battery life tests that they have conducted, and mentioned the Galaxy S II as the only Android device with the impressive battery life. It is worth noting though that PC World is the only website saying that the Droid Razr’s battery life is ugly.
In fact, other major tech sites agree that the Droid Razr packs a good, decent or OK battery life. CNET said the battery life of the Droid Razr is “decent,” while the PC Magazine said the new Moto phone has a better battery life compared to the older Droid Bionic and the inclusion of the new “Motorola’s Smart Actions” app will help extend the new Razr’s battery life.
Majority of the reviews say the new Motorola Droid Razr is a worthy rival of Apple’s new iPhone 4S or Samsung’s exciting new Nexus phone, the Galaxy Nexus. However, almost all reviews say the phone is too big, and Motorola’s next phone should include a better screen (with better screen resolution).


This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Droid Razr review roundup: Motorola’s best phone yet, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.

Friday 18 November 2011

BlackBerry PlayBook à la early Black Friday

Is RIM trying to follow HP’s footsteps?

We most certainly didn’t see this one coming, despite RIM’s slow and dreadfully fast downfall, we’ve been keeping our hopes up wishing that the Waterloo-based company will survive the demise it’s currently going through.
It’s not Black Friday yet, but retailers are now giving away slashing prices of RIM’s ill-fated tablet.
A massive price cut may seem like good news to consumers but it is actually a bad sign that a company’s product isn’t doing well in the market, the tech world is completely aware of the fact that the Playbook is one hell of an impressive tablet, despite this, it’s still not as favored by the masses for reasons that are quite obvious. One of which is the fact that RIM never actually decided which market to target its Playbook tablet, either for the general consumers (mostly teens) or business-oriented individuals.
According to reports the Blackberry playbook models have all gone through a massive price-tag diet and that the base model (16GB Playbook) will now sport a $199.99 price for a limited time only. The 32GB Playbook on the other hand now  boasts a $299.99 price and $399.99 for the 64GB version. (you can purchase the tablets from Best Buy, Future Shop and Staples starting today. Sale will last from November 16th to the 22nd in Quebec, and the 18th to the 24th in the rest of Canada apparently)
Despite the uncertain future of Research in Motion, purchasing a Playbook for a little under $200 is a pretty sweet deal since the hardware is more than enough for your demanding tasks and can easily handle your multimedia needs. You’re also sure to receive the Playbook 2.0 OS update this coming Spring so the QNX-based tablet will soon be able to run Android Apps officially to further maximize the device’s potential giving you access to thousands of free apps available at the ever-growing Android Marketplace.
So are you planning on getting one? How I wish I didn’t overspend at the mall yesterday.

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as BlackBerry PlayBook à la early Black Friday, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
Search for more BlackBerry PlayBook articles:
BlackBerry PlayBook running Android apps shows promise
BlackBerry PlayBook vs Kindle Fire: Amazon may get more “credit cards”
BlackBerry PlayBook WiMax cancelled, Sprint and RIM decision mutual

Galaxy Nexus: No Gorilla, no problem

Galaxy Nexus gets a scratch test, Gorilla Glass-less screen not actually an issue.

If you’re following all the news about the Galaxy Nexus, you probably know the fact that the Galaxy Nexus doesn’t include Corning’s branded Gorilla Glass “scratch free” screen coating. Some buyers said it is a “deal breaker,” but it looks like the lack of Corning’s technology is not actually a BIG issue.
a Youtube user named Samsung Mobiler Dom has uploaded a video to show us that the Gorilla Glass-less Galaxy Nexus Prime screen can withstand a car key — and obviously suggesting that the phone can withstand scratch damage from other hard objects.
“Keying this bad boy does nothing!” The uploader added, “Lots of people are rather worried about the durability of the screen on the Galaxy Nexus. I wouldn’t worry too much…” See the video below.

Viewers also reacted, one commenter said “Anyone still complaining about gorilla glass?” Another added, “Awesome!! It’s better than gorilla glass.” But not all are convinced. One guy wrote, “The relatively soft metal keys are made of is nowhere near hard enough to scratch even regular glass. Take a perfectly normal drinking glass out of your kitchen cabinet and key it; surprise, no scratches. This proves nothing.” Another one added, “try some rough sand paper. dull key proves nothing.”
Last month, Corning said in a Tweet that the Galaxy Nexus doesn’t include its screen technology, “For all who have asked, just confirmed (Corning) Gorilla Glass is not on the new Galaxy Nexus,” says the company in a tweet adding that buyers should “ask Samsung.”
Samsung quickly responded, but not in Twitter. One of the company’s rep has responded in Facebook, “instead of the Gorilla Glass we use another kind of fortified glass.” However, the Korean company has declined to mention the glass company behind the fortified glass of the Galaxy Nexus. Asahi? Well, maybe.
Many Android smartphones are using Corning’s Gorilla Glass to protect their new high-end devices. In fact, these OEMs often use Corning’s brand name just to convince customers that the phones are durable and sturdy enough to withstand the scratches.
Galaxy Nexus (or Nexus Prime if you hate Galaxy) is now available in United Kingdom and reports say Verizon will sell the LTE variant late this month or early next month. The Galaxy Nexus is the first Android Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone.

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Galaxy Nexus: No Gorilla, no problem, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
Search for more Samsung Galaxy Nexus articles below:
Galaxy Nexus Google page hints Verizon limited exclusivity
Galaxy Nexus Verizon release date MIA, starts its YouTube cameos
Galaxy Nexus release date “reconfirmed” by Samsung

Kindle Fire follow-up: an Android smartphone?

Does Amazon ‘Kindle Phone’ sound good to you?

Amazon is rumored to be partnering with Hon Hai industries, same company behind some of Apple’s products. Will the  online retail giant’s upcoming smartphone be a boon or a bane? Well, it looks like our previous post has a valid point.
Indeed, Amazon’s been expanding its boundaries like no other. Breaking  the bank to make people buy the Kindle Fire, aggressive marketing campaigns and product refreshes, et cetera… there’s no stopping the Seattle-based company from dominating the digital content market.
According to numerous posts, Amazon is planning on releasing a smartphone within the Q4 of next year, although it is said not to be directly targeted against current popular mobile platforms such as the Apple iOS and Google’s Android, the device may still pose as significant threat to these OSes given that Amazon’s devices are largely known to have a ‘always connected’ and ‘always updated’ content profile and that Amazon’s current online offerings is just as vast as the rainforest that it’s been named after.
According to Reuters in a research note dated November 17, the online retail giant is now said to be jointly developing a smartphone with the world’s top contract cellphone maker Foxconn International Holdings Ltd. and that Amazon’s expected to pay non-recurring engineering fees to Foxconn, but Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd. will be assigned to actually make the device and multiple components. The upcoming smartphone from Amazon is also said to possess an ARM-based processor from Texas Instruments (TI) and baseband chips are said to be supplied by Qualcomm.
The current Kindle Fire tablet possesses components from numerous Asia-based semiconductor firms such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Hynix Semiconductor (formerly Hyundai Electronics) and Texas Instruments, a Dallas-based semiconductor company. So it’s not surprising that they’ve chosen both Hon Hai and Foxconn to produce these rumored high-performance, low-cost smartphones.
Focusing on a different market apart from e-readers generally makes Amazon one heck of a risk-taking machine, they’re obviously well aware of the fact that they’re venturing unexplored seas but given that they have the guts to pull off such a risky move, they’re bound to stay successful no matter what.

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as , under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
Sources: Forbes, Reuters
Search for more Amazon and Kindle Fire Articles:
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iTunes 10.5.1 with iTunes Match now available

PS3 (Playstation 3) celebrates 5th birthday

A game changer in the Blu-ray gaming era.

On the 17th of November 2006, the PlayStation 3 gave PS console fans the shock of their lives when they first found out that the successor to the PS2 will cost them $500 to own one, because of the relatively high price tag, it was flooded with criticisms and complaints from numerous tech reviewers and buyers stating that the price was unjust and completely ridiculous, but look at how successful it is today.
We were awe-struck when Sony gave never-ending presentations regarding how much potential the Cell Broadband Engine had and that it could become a game-changer in the world of console gaming courtesy of the 7 SPEs (Synergistic Processing Elements) or cores, of course, there was also the fact that the PlayStation 3 was able to play Blu-ray discs, supported HDMI output (High Definition Multimedia Interface) and even had built-in WiFi support right out of the box–features that the first-gen Xbox 360 didn’t have on the day of its launch, in fact, the Xbox 360 console even required a special external HD-DVD rom for it to be able to play HD-DVD media discs–which, also required a separate purchase. Still, the Xbox 360, in no doubt wins in the online services war.
Also, despite lacking popularity and support from game developers, the SIXAXIS feature of the PS3′s wireless controllers (including the Dual Shock 3) paved the way for further development of consoles that are focused mostly on motion-sensing. There’s the highly popular Nintendo Wii and the impressive Kinect–Microsoft’s answer to the Wii and Sony’s SIXAXIS.
Having owned the latest models of both consoles, I can say that the argument between the Xbox 360 and PS3 can now end and that everything eventually boils down to preference and game titles. Microsoft has completely addressed the overheating issue regarding the Xbox 360s with the help of the completely redesigned 360 ‘S’ or Slim and Sony’s very slowly starting to focus their attention into making the PlayStation store a bit more useful for PS fans.
If you think that the Uncharted 3 is a pretty cool game and you own an Xbox, then you pretty much know what to do, if you’re a PS3 owner and would like to experience the BEST online service… Xbox is the answer.
Now, I can’t help but wonder how much RAM and processor cores the upcoming PlayStation 4 will have?

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as PS 3 (Playstation 3) celebrates 5th birthday , under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
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Galaxy Nexus Google page hints Verizon limited exclusivity

Google’s Nexus page shows “LTE or CDMA” for Galaxy Nexus (Prime), hints Verizon exclusivity for this year.

Verizon is the exclusive partner of Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus for this year? Well, that is highly possible based on the Google Galaxy Nexus page’s specs page (see Google.com/Nexus).
Apparently, rumors are circulating on the internet that other carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile may offer the device based on the FCC document posted last month hinting AT&T and T-Mo-friendly AWS bands, as well as the non-exclusivity drama involving the banner ad of Verizon. However, the Google page hints the possibility of Verizon’s limited exclusivity, and other carriers might just follow next year by offering the HSPA+ version, or the similar model being offered in UK. It is worth mentioning that the image provided by Google’s product page doesn’t include the 4G LTE logo of Verizon.
Speaking of United Kingdom, the Google.co.uk’s Galaxy Nexus page shows the 3G/EDGE/GPRS data technology which is the same network technology offered by AT&T and T-Mobile. Other Google sites like Australia, Hong Kong and Canada are not yet displaying the tech specs of the device, so it looks like the UK and US are the only markets that will get the phone this month.
Rumors say Verizon and Samsung will launch the device this month, packed with the faster LTE or Long Term Evolution data technology. Similar to the UK Galaxy Nexus, the Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus will be the first Android smartphone with the new Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.
For starters, the Android Ice Cream Sandwich is the latest and greatest Android upgrade yet, offering a new and more intuitive user interface, new built-in features like Face Unlock, new camera app with built-in photo editing software and support for Panoramic shots, polished contacts, gmail and messaging app, voice to text support, and more app friendly ecosystem which unites the Honeycomb (for tablets) and Gingerbread (for smartphones).

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Galaxy Nexus Google page hints Verizon limited exclusivity, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
Search for more Galaxy Nexus articles below:
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Apple Released IOS 5.0.1 Final To The Public

After several beta release of iOS 5.0.1, Apple has finally released the much awaited iOS 5.0.1 firmware to the version. Apple promises to end iOS 5 battery woes, bring multitasking gesture back to iPad family, patch iPad smart cover flaw and several minor bug fixings with this iteration release. In an order to end those woes, Apple did tested this version amongst limited group of people to confirm everything is working as planned. Only time will tell whether Apple has managed to keep the smile on their customers face or not by fixing bugs and battery issue with this release.

iOS 5, dubbed as a failure of Apple, has put them in misery when several iPhone 4S and other devices owners started complaining about depleted battery after upgrading, to so called the major firmware release. iOS 5 brings about 200 new features to the iOS devices, including but not limited to BB style messaging system, notification center, NewsStand etc.


However, iPad and iPhone 4S users started flooding Apple customer support center with several issue, amongst them the most notable issue was depleted battery life issue and absence of multitasking gesture in iPad.


Apple IOS 5.0.1 Betas


Apple took a wise move by testing iOS 5.0.1 beta 1 and beta 2 in developer section, which gave them enough idea and time to test this firmware. They also went one step ahead and invited few selected people who complained about battery life to test the firmware before releasing it to the public. In the past, jailbreaking teams (iPhone and Chronic Dev-team) expressed their concerns about the exploit found by Charlie Miller, which might have been patched in iOS 5.0.1 final release (more updates in following post). Before moving on to downloading iOS 5.0.1 onto your device read the changelog given below.


IOS 5.0.1 Change-Log


Fixes bug affecting battery life
Adds multitasking gestures for original iPad
Resolves bugs with Documents in the Cloud
Improves voice recognition for Australia users using dictation
We advice jailbreaking community members not to upgrade to iOS 5.0.1 at this moment. MuscleNerd has already warned the users not to update to this version before they find out the loophole. iOS 5 is likely to get untethered jailbreak, so those who are bugged with tethered jailbreak should not update to latest build at any cost.

iPhone 4S battery life problem to get another antidote?

iPhone 4S battery problem reportedly not yet over, Apple may issue another update.

Rumors say Apple will release yet another software update that should end the remaining complaints circulating on the internet. Apparently, reports say the iOS 5.0.1 wasn’t “successful” to crush the “bug” which drains the battery of the iPhone 4S at a fast rate. Apple is still not issuing a statement regarding the iOS 5.0.1 battery drain reports.
According to rumors posted online, Apple may push the iOS 5.0.2 update this month, and the update should be out by the end of next week. Apple is also reportedly poised to release a major iOS update later this year that will include new Siri features and more battery life improvements.
Apple issued the iOS 5.0.1 on November 10, and many have reported (including us) that the battery life problem plaguing the new dual-core Apple smartphone has been fixed. However, not all customers were happy with the new software. One iPhone 4S user was quoted as saying that the battery life on the iOS 5.0.1 is “worse” than iOS 5.0. Another commenter has added that the phone is “still draining at the exact same rate,” even after the upgrade from 5.0 to 5.0.1.
It is worth noting that the battery life “bug” doesn’t affect all iPhone 4S models, and based on multiple reports including Apple’s statement, “a small number of customers” are suffering from shorter than advertised battery life. Many also believe that the problem may be related to the iCloud which is the latest cloud-syncing service offered by iOS 5. Tips say turning off the iCloud backup and other unused services saves more battery juice.
The iPhone 4S is the best-selling smartphone yet according to Apple based on the number of pre-orders and sales during its first weeks in the market.

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as iPhone 4S battery life problem to get another antidote?, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
Search for more iPhone 4S articles below:
iPhone 4S lines: iPhone 5 release date not yet needed
iPhone 4S battery life problem still exists?
iPhone 4S battery life problem fix: iOS 5.0.1 and Apple note

First puzzle game for iPad and iPhone released by Conceptis


Conceptis Fill-a-Pix for iPad and iPhone, the first in a series of mobile games by Conceptis, is now available on App Store™. The free game contains 21 Basic Logic puzzles with grid sizes from 5x5 to 40x60 and difficulty levels from ultra-easy to medium playable on most Apple devices. For iPad users only, additional 4 extra-large puzzles sized 70x50 are also available.


Enjoy playing the new game on your iPad or iPhone?


Conceptis Fill-a-Pix brings our uncompromising gaming experience to your mobile device. If you enjoy the game please take a moment to review and rate it on the App Store.
"This is an opportunity to thank the hundreds of avid fans who volunteered to the beta-testing program" says Dave Green, President of Conceptis. "Mobile puzzle gaming is a major part of our strategy and you can expect more Fill-a-Pix puzzles as well as Pic-a-Pix, Sudoku and other popular Conceptis games to be available in the future".


To download the free game click here or the App Store badge below:

Droid Razr now available in UK

Without the “Droid” branding, UK receives its own Razr smartphone.

Motorola Mobility started selling its first Android Ice Cream Sandwich ready device in United Kingdom on Thursday, multiple reports have confirmed. But there’s a catch, it doesn’t include the Droid branding, apparently because Verizon Wireless is the only carrier that offers the brand owned by Lucasfilm.
The new Motorola Droid Razr is one of the rivals of Google and Samsung’s new smartphone, the Galaxy Nexus and both smartphones are now available in United Kingdom.
Here in USA, the Galaxy Nexus is not yet available but Verizon Wireless is expected to offer the first ICS device later this month or early next month. Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus will be the first to include the LTE technology.
According to reviews, the Droid Razr is arguably the best Motorola smartphone yet due to its thin profile and snappy performance and ease of use. However, critics say the new Droid Razr’s screen and the non-removable battery are some of its weaknesses.
The Motorola Droid Razr is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core TI OMAP processor and 1GB of DDR2 RAM. The phone sports a 4.3-inch full color Super AMOLED touchscreen with 540 x 960 pixel resolution. Other features include 8-megapixel digital back camera, front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera, and Android Gingerbread upgradeable to Android Ice Cream Sandwich. Motorola said in a statement that the Droid Razr will receive the Android 4.0 upgrade early next year.

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Droid Razr now available in UK, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
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Gmail and Push for iPhone

Gmail and Push for iPhone
A week or two ago Google made everyone jump for joy when rumors surfaced that a Gmail App was close to being released for the iPhone just to let them down with a bug that made the App unusable from launch. They immediately pulled the App from the App store and have been reworking it to get rid of the bug. a couple of days ago they released the "fixed" version, fulfilling what we've all been asking for since the launch of the iPhone; push for Gmail. I have been using the App non stop with my Gmail account for two days now, and I am happy to report that they have done a pretty good job.

Functionality
The iOS Gmail App is very similar to the web version of Gmail so it will feel very similar to those of you who use the web version. Opening the App displays the first 20 messages in your inbox, with a "show more messages" button at the bottom to display more. New messages have bold text, while read messages are a light grey.  Just like on the web version of Gmail, there are check boxes next to each message allowing the user to select multiple messages for different actions ( deleting, moving to a folder, etc.).


A left to right swipe, or a tap of the menu button displays familiar folders, filters, and menus. Any folders that you may have created under your Gmail web interface will appear within this menu. Drilling down into the folders and sorting your content is easy and intuitive with this App.


Searching your content is simple with a tap of the hourglass in the top right corner. This icon is directly to the left of the new mail icon in the right corner. One notable function of this App is the attachment of items to mail. Unlike the native mail App on both the iPhone and the iPad, to attach an item to a Gmail email you must click the paperclip icon within a message. This will allow you to email that item (photo, pdf etc.).


Push
If there is one thing that I wanted this App for over anything else, it is PUSH messages. I know that there has been a hack out there using enterprise server to get Push for Gmail on the iPhone, but this is truly an integrated, working package. The Push works really well. I did a few tests and messages seem to come through faster on my iPhone than they do on my web account. Push is the biggest plus side of this App in my opinion

Something I'd Like To See
If there is one thing that I really, really want to see, it's support for multiple accounts. I currently have three Gmail accounts, so I picked the one that I get the most incoming mail on to use with the Gmail App. Google Says that there are improvements and added features on the way, including multiple account support.





The Bottom Line
Besides the initial bug contained within the original release of the App, this is a great first offering. I really hope that they continue to build on this and offer multiple account support in the near future.

Louis Daguerre Google Doodle and the Galaxy Nexus

Google honors photography icon in new Doodle.

Google Doodle is back on the search engine giant’s homepage to celebrate what would have been the 224th birthday of the French artist and physicist Louis Daguerre. Daguerre is the second French national to receive a Doodle this month. Google’s France website celebrated the birthday of French statesman André Malraux on November 3.
According to the Wikipedia entry about Louis Daguerre, he was recognized for his invention of the “daguerreotype” process of photography. Apparently, the technique was named after him.
Daguerreotype, still according to WikiPedia, was first commercially successful photographic process, and according to an NPR article posted last year, Daguerre’s Boulevard du Temple could be the first photograph to include a human being (homo sapiens). The photo was taken by Daguerre in 1838 in Paris, and it captured a man standing alongside the road.
Louis Daguerre achieve the Boulevard du Temple after exposing a chemically treated metal plate for ten minutes. Surprisingly, the person standing alongside the road was not the only person around that time. Other “human beings” were walking or riding in carriages down but they’re were moving so they didn’t show up.
Google’s new Doodle is really inspiring and very interesting. It shows the development of photography and how it affects our daily lives. Today, almost all smartphones have 5 to 8-megapixel cameras with 3 second to zero shutter lag.
Speaking of cameras, Google is selling a new smartphone today in United Kingdom which features a five-megapixel back camera with zero-shutter lag, the Samsung Google Galaxy Nexus which features the newest version of Android’s operating system, the Ice Cream Sandwich. Coincidence? Well, maybe.
Aside from polishing the user interface, the new Galaxy Nexus with the new OS features a sophisticated camera application that can shoot photos without the delay or lag and users can also edit images instantly.
So, after 200 plus years, photography has evolved and has revolutionised image making and the way we take “human photos.” Aside from the faster capture, it is now easier for us to snap a shot and easily share it to others through social networking sites like Google+, Facebook or Twitter.
Happy Birthday Louis Daguerre, and thanks Google for the new doodle.

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Louis Daguerre Google Doodle and the Galaxy Nexus, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
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Microsoft Surface 2 now up for pre-order

Are you willing to shell out $8,000 or more for a glorified coffee table?

Microsoft has just announced that the Samsung SR40 Aka. Surface 2 is now up for pre-order at Samsung’s website.
As opposed to sporting the rather aging 2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, a meager 2GB DDR2 RAM and 250GB SATA Hard Drive (for the base model Surface 1.0), the Surface 2.0 now packs an AMD Athlon II X2 which clocks in at 2.93GHz, AMD  HD6750M GPU and a 40 inch high-definition (1080p resolution) LCD display covered with Gorilla Glass as opposed to the first-gen Surface’s 30 inch panel.
It’s worth noting that the new Surface now supports the VESA standard for wall mounting and boasts a revamped Windows 7 graphical user-interface with full Windows Phone 7 support compared to its predecessor’s antiquated Windows Vista OS.
Also, the revamped version of the rather futuristic-looking Surface 1.0 (or first-gen Surface) now features PixelSense technology which means, the device no longer needs external infrared cameras to detect what’s being placed on top of the screen, instead, the individual pixels basically act as a bunch of cameras which literally ‘sees’ what’s being placed on top of the table, be it fingers, hands or objects. Other than giving the pixels the ability to see, the Surface 2.0 can now recognize up to 50-points of simultaneous interaction–which basically lets you and four other friends experience life in 2054 A.D. all at the same time. (Minority Report anyone?)
Despite being largely popular in the corporate industries such as casinos, hotels, hospitals and even high-profile restaurants, we couldn’t help but wonder, isn’t the Surface just an ultra-expensive-and-glorified Smart TV that’s mounted on top of a designer coffee table?
The Samsung SR40 is now up for pre-orders in just about any nation where people can afford Rolls Royce and Maybachs (23 countries), the list includes Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Netherlands and the United States.

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Microsoft Surface 2 now up for pre-order, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
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Windows 8 is an “exciting” upgrade

Microsoft finally decides to give Windows users a less-annoying working environment…

…for updates and restart notifications that is.
Being a Windows user myself, I cannot help myself from ranting about the fact that my Windows 7-laden laptop keeps on popping out these message balloons on the notification area telling me to restart my computer after it’s done installing an update, after choosing remind me in 4 hours, there it goes again, leaving me no other choice but to restart my computer instead of getting interrupted numerous times a day.
Finally, the Redmond-based software giant has finally decided to give its users a less annoying computing experience with the successor to their windows 7 OS. Well, everything’s still pretty much the same with the new Windows 8 operating system except one thing; the OS will no longer require you to restart your PC after almost every installation of update packages, instead, the OS will now only require users to restart their PCs once a month for patches to take effect, at least every second Tuesday or so of every month wherein Microsoft releases important security updates.
Microsoft’s Farzana Rahman (group program manager for the Windows Update group) stated: “The challenge we faced was to find the balance between updating with speed and giving notice to the user for upcoming restarts.” Rahman has also stated that there’s one major exception to this new feature. Updates such as a patch that’s issued to address a serious security threat like the Blaster worm for example, strictly requires an immediate restart upon installation to ensure the security of the users and, of course, stability of the OS. “This will only happen when the security threat is dire enough,” Rahman added.
So basically, deciding whether to sacrifice the security and stability of an OS in place of a less annoying OS environment for computer users was a hard thing to do. Also, there’s no denying that having to restart your PC every now and then reduces productivity, given that some computers have relatively aging hardware such as slow disk drives due to usage, meaning, slower installation of updates, shut downs, as well as boot-ups will always be a dreadful experience–mostly if you’re trying to finish a document that’s near the deadline.
Either way, Microsoft has found a pretty sweet spot in every Windows user’s heart with a once-a-month PC restart right? Let’s just hope that you get that dying hard drive replaced.

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Windows 8 is an “exciting” upgrade, under Gadgets and Mobile Category. Sources: informationweek, MSDN Blogs
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Thursday 17 November 2011

Navigon 2.0 is Here for iOS!

Navigon 2.0 is Here for iOS!

My favorite Turn-by-Turn voice GPS Navigation App has just been updated with a slicker, smarter interface. The 1st big change is that App has been cut down significantly in size. The North America version used to weigh in at about 1.7GB. Now the update is about 44MB in size. How can it get so small you ask? The good folks at Navigon took a brilliant approach in letting you selectively download the states/providences that you need. This is AWESOME! If i'm never going to drive through Alabama or Arkansas then why have those maps taking up space on my device? You can pick which states to download whenever you want.  You do have to be in Wi-Fi to download a state, but once it's downloaded you won't need a data connection at all to use the App. I downloaded Michigan (36.9MB) in a matter of just a few minutes over my WiFi/Cable connection. The next thing I noticed was that the new app launches SIGNIFICANTLY faster. Perhaps this is due to the weight loss  I'm not a fan of GPS apps that require a constant data connection as the maps are in cloud. Navigon's new approach is a perfect blend between the flexibility of only loading what you need AND not requiring a data connection to use the App once the maps are on your device.





Nice and clean UI



I'm a User Interface (UI) freak and have never been blown away by any GPS navigation system. I'm not saying that this new interface blows me away, but it's certainly WAY cleaner than before and probably will send several competitors back to the design boards. The menus are animated, but not in an obnoxious way. I like the little pull downs to quickly access things you need while navigating. Most of all I like not having to dig through several menus to find the things that should be at the top level. Great job!


The same In-App purchases are available and yes it will allow you to restore the ones you've already purchased. In my case I got the Lifetime LIVE Traffic, Panorama 3D view and Radar Info. They've added a new one called FreshMaps XL that gives you a 1 year quarterly Map update with not only new/changed roads, but they promise tons of POI additions/updates. It's only $14.99 but I'll pass on it for now since this update includes the latest maps for free!


There is one gotcha with this update! The 1st and only problem I've run into so far is that you lose all your saved Favorites. That really sucks since there is NO WARNING! When you fire up the new app they're just not there anymore. I'm hoping that this is just a bug and that they can fix it so that anyone else that's upgrading will be able to either keep their Favorites or back them up and restore them. Navigon shame on you for not warning us about this or allow saved Favorites to come into version 2.0. Otherwise, this update rocks!





UPDATE! The Favorites ARE there! They just won't show up unless you download the Maps/States that they are for. Makes sense, thanks goes to David Lumsden for his troubleshooting help in the comments below! Now I'm even happier about this update!

Galaxy Nexus Verizon release date MIA, starts its YouTube cameos

YouTube videos produced by Google start featuring the Galaxy Nexus.

Bye-bye Nexus S? What a very sad farewell.
Apparently, the new Google activity is related to the launch of the new device in United Kingdom.
Google has uploaded a set of new videos featuring the new phone running the latest version of Android operating system, the Android Ice Cream Sandwich: The Samsung Google Galaxy Nexus.
“Calling all pretty faces,” says one advertisement uploaded by Google in its own video sharing site YouTube featuring the controversial Face Unlock novelty feature. Another video showcases the Android 4.0′s Android Beam sharing feature, and one how-to video to discuss the phone’s back cover has confirmed the Verizon 4G LTE variant which is expected to arrive this month or early next month. Galaxy Nexus with the Verizon 4G LTE logo first appeared in Hong Kong where Google and Samsung officially announced the device.
One of the new Galaxy Nexus videos uploaded today is the “home screen how-to” explaining the new user interface being offered by the Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, and showing-off the more intuitive user interface of the popular operating system that will surely challenge the iOS. The video also explains how the virtual buttons (that replaced the capacitive buttons) work.
Multitasking guide video is also included in the list, and it shows how to jump from the current application to another running application. Google also talked about the flick-to-dismiss feature of the new phone platform. ”With Galaxy Nexus, quickly switch between apps with a dedicated recent apps button. Dismiss those you don’t care about with a swipe of your finger,” Google explains.
Matias Duarte is one of the geniuses behind the new operating system’s user interface, so the new Android UI’s similarities with another phone OS are visible here. For starters, Mr. Duarte was Palm’s VP of Human Interface and User Experience four years ago before he joined Google last year.
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is now competing against Apple’s new iPhone 4S, Samsung’s own Galaxy S II and Galaxy Nexus and a room full of HTC smartphones. Can the Galaxy Nexus outsell its competitors in the UK?

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Galaxy Nexus Verizon release date MIA, starts its YouTube cameos, under Gadgets and Mobile Category. 
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Galaxy S2 to bite the “Ice Cream” next year

Samsung “reconfirms” Galaxy S II’s Android Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade.

This is not actually a NEW news if you’re a follower of news related to Samsung’s “most popular phone to date.”
Samsung United Kingdom has confirmed, or let’s say reconfirmed, that the Samsung Galaxy S II or S2 is scheduled to receive the best Android update yet, the Roboto-inspired Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.
The confirmation via Twitter was made one day before the launch of the first Android Ice Cream Sandwich device on Thursday, the Samsung Google Galaxy Nexus (in United Kingdom). The Samsung Galaxy Nexus will be the only device that will run the ICS this year, and it is highly possible that the Galaxy S2 and other compatible devices will get the upgrade “early next year.”
Samsung Galaxy S II or S2 deserves the Android Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade because it is powered by a dual-core CPU, includes a full 1GB of RAM, many customers reportedly purchased it and “you get what you pay for,” because the phone is still expensive especially the unlocked model sold in Asia and European countries.
Other Samsung devices that will get the ICS upgrade are the Samsung Galaxy Note, the Nexus S (2010 Nexus device from Samsung), the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket and other popular Samsung Galaxy tablet PCs running the Android Honeycomb operating system.

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Galaxy S2 to bite the “Ice Cream” next year, under Gadgets and Mobile Category. 
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Galaxy Nexus customer purchased a “developer phone”

New report reveals Galaxy Nexus is really a “developer phone.”

The mistake is arguably acceptable because we’re human and we learn from it. A customer reportedly received a bad Galaxy Nexus (or Nexus Prime if you prefer) unit containing “weird” developer applications used to test the unit.
According to the report posted by Engadget, a Galaxy Nexus (not the Verizon variant) customer from United Kingdom mistakenly received a developer Galaxy Nexus unit, and the unhappy customer has reported the incident to the AOL Tech site.

But the developer phone is not actually the issue (because he can still exchange it if I’m not mistaken), the real issue here is the bad PR. Samsung has tweeted the picture of the guy… because he was the first customer to purchase the device.
Samsung UK, the team that tweeted the photo of UK’s first Galaxy Nexus customer, is not yet responding to the customer’s claims.
The good news: Galaxy Nexus is now available here on earth, and lucky UK customers can now purchase the first Android Ice Cream Sandwich device, while US Android fans are still waiting for the much-anticipated Verizon Wireless model packing LTE or Long Term Evolution.
According to rumors, the Verizon Galaxy Nexus may arrive this month, and the possibility of other variants for other carriers still exists based on an FCC document and the non-exclusivity of Verizon Wireless.

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Galaxy Nexus customer received a “developer phone” , under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
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Running 3 iPhone Apps Side-By-Side On Your iPad? There’s An (Unauthorized) App For That!

Running 3 iPhone Apps Side-By-Side On Your iPad? There’s An (Unauthorized) App For That!

Ever wanted to run 3 iPhone apps side-by-side on your iPad? Ok, me neither – but that hasn’t stopped some crazy jailbreak developer from making it happen! Read on!


Jailbreak app developer Aaron Ash is behind this project, which he says is, at the moment, mostly just a proof-of-concept that isn’t ready for widespread release. If finished and optimized, the app could enable a new form of multitasking – actually running multiple iPhone apps side by side.

While it is a bit interesting (especially for playing 2 games on Angry Birds at once!), I can’t help but think that it’s just not that useful. A strong aspect of the iPad experience is that it isolates you into one app at a time, minimizing distractions and helping to keep you focused on what is on your screen. If you want to multitask in this manner, why wouldn’t use just use a full-fledged computer?


Right now, the tweak maxes out at three apps, and automatically crashes when you try to launch a fourth. It also has numerous issues with the sound and accelerometer, and the developer is forecasting that it will take a few months to finish.


What are your thoughts? As always, sound off in the comments!

Twitter iPhone apps side by side

Twitter iPhone apps side by side

Twitter is now officially a part of my life. I find myself checking Twitter more often then my email, and that, I guess, forces me to be smart about how I use it.
I've been using Twitterific and Twinkle side by side for a while, but both annoyed me at times. They look like this:
I was missing the easy to reach replies tab, and found both to be a tad bit slow. I remembered from this post from Chris Brogan that he used Twittelator, so I downloaded that and played around. It's better, but it's not as simple and solid as I want my client to be. It's color schemes look cool though, check out this one:

The bad thing about it is that it takes too much screen per tweet, which makes it hard to read a lot of tweets quickly.
Now that I had installed 3 apps already, I thought what the heck, let's try the other ones. I found Twitterfon, and I think this one is here to stay. It's got everything you need, from a replies and direct messages tab to your normal timeline. It supports GPS and taking pictures and search with a history of your recent searches. And, to boot, it's by far the fastest Twitter app on my iPhone to start up. It looks clean like this:

Best thing about it? It's free!
So basically, I think Twitterfon will be my primary iPhone Twitter app for the coming months, as it seems to be everything I need from a Twitter client!


Wednesday 16 November 2011

Nook Tablet vs Kindle Fire starts early

Barnes and Noble’s new Android tablet now available in some stores, could be related to Amazon’s Kindle Fire.

Barnes and Noble’s new Android tablet, the Nook Tablet, is arguably one of the biggest rivals of Amazon’s cheap but very Kindle Fire (also an Android tablet), and it looks like the competition is starting to heat up. A new report revealed that a customer has successfully purchased the device ahead of the November 16 release date.
The report includes a photo of the product’s box and the official receipt issued by the unnamed Barnes and Noble branch.
The Nook Tablet is powered by 1GHz dual-core CPU, 1GB of RAM and supports additional storage via the device’s MicroSD card slot. Barnes and Noble’s tablet is more expensive than the Kindle Fire, priced at $249, while the Kindle Fire is sporting the tag price of $199.
The Nook Color and the Kindle Fire undercut the Apple tablet, the iPad 2 and challenges other Android tablets running the “more advanced” Honeycomb operating system. For starters, the Nook Color and Kindle Fire are running “tweaked” Android operating system, skinned to offer a new user interface and own digital stores.
Kindle Fire will offer Amazon’s own application store, the “App Store,” and other app stores like the Kindle e-book, the Amazon MP3 and the Newsstand with magazine offerings. The Nook Tablet offers the same, Nook’s own application store with games and productivity apps, and supports third-party apps like Hulu Plus, Netflix and Pandora.

Read more Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet articles.

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Nook Tablet vs Kindle Fire starts early, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
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Asus Transformer 2 (Prime) camera rivals the iPhone 4S

Asus Transformer 2 tablet’s camera test shots leak online, obviously challenges Apple’s new iPhone.

The Asus Transformer Prime or Transformer 2 and the iPhone 4S are not rivals but it looks the new tablet from the Taiwan-based company is set to challenge the powerful 8-megapixel camera of Apple’s new dual-core smartphone.
A new blog post by Engadget on Tuesday unveiled the first set of the Android tablet’s camera shots (or photo samples), and the quality is arguably on par with the iPhone 4S camera. According to Asus Transformer 2′s specs sheet, the device is equipped with an 8-megapixel back camera with f/2.4 aperture, which is the same aperture offered by the primary camera of the Apple iPhone 4S. The Transformer Prime also includes a front-facing camera for video chat applications.

The Asus Transformer 2 or Transformer Prime is getting a lot of attention lately due to its high-end CPU, the Tegra 3. For starters, the Tegra 3 is the latest CPU offering of Nvidia, the company behind the Tegra 2 dual-core CPU. Apparently, the Tegra 3 is the next-generation processor of Nvidia with quad-core technology, offering a lower power consumption and greater performance.
According to some reports, the Asus Transformer Prime is expected use the tag price of $499.99 for the 32GB model and $599.99 for the 64GB (in USA).


This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Asus Transformer 2 (Prime) camera rivals the iPhone 4S, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
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Galaxy Nexus (Prime) T-Mobile US rumors appear [Updated]

Google’s Android-related “Eleven” event sparks T-Mobile Galaxy Nexus rumors.

While we’re still waiting for the much-anticipated Verizon Galaxy Nexus release date announcement, speculation circulates on the internet: T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Nexus variant without LTE (of course).
According to Android and Me, the new rumor is related to the event happening today (November 16) in California with the tag “experience the world of T-Mobile & Google.” Engadget also asks the same question in the site’s own article.

Apparently, Verizon Wireless is not the exclusive carrier of the Galaxy Nexus. In fact, the company tweaked its “Exclusively” banner last month, and its actions obviously suggested the possibility of other Galaxy Nexus models for the US smartphone market.
Aside from the revised banner ad, the Galaxy Nexus FCC document (phone with codename Samsung GT-i92500 also appeared last month, and the device supports AT&T and T-Mobile’s AWS bands.
Rumors say the new Galaxy Nexus with LTE or Long Term Evolution will arrive this month or early next month. The Verizon Galaxy Nexus recently passed through the FCC, and according to Raphael Labuguen’s article, the November 23 or November 27 release date rumors are (still) highly possible based on the records made by the two other November LTE Android devices of Verizon, the Motorola Droid Razr and the HTC Rezound.
The Samsung Google Galaxy Nexus will official arrive in United Kingdom this month sporting the HSPA+ technology.
For starters, the Galaxy Nexus is the first Android Ice Cream Sandwich Android smartphone with the impressive 4.65-inch Super AMOLED screen sporting the screen resolution of 720 x 1280 or 720p (with 316 ppi pixel density) . It is powered by 1.2GHz dual-core TI OMAP CPU and 1GB of RAM. Other features include 5-megapixel digital back camera, front-facing camera, thickness of 8.9 mm (the GSM version) and weighs 135 grams only.
Update: No T-Mobile Galaxy Nexus was announced today. T-Mobile’s participation is related to Google Music. According to the wireless carrier, they will offer free music files, and customers can purchase songs directly using the T-Mobile account.

This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Galaxy Nexus (Prime) T-Mobile rumors appear, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
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