by Matthew on February 5, 2010
This week the Symbian Foundation announced that the sourcecode for Symbian devices was now completely open source. To achieve this about 20% of the 200 or so 3rd party developers had requested their code be stripped out due to now wanting to open-source their code.
The information on this was revealed in an interview with Symbian Foundations chief where the future of Symbian was discussed. One of the more interesting points in the interview was where the question was asked about the possibility of Symbian-based tablets and netbooks to which the answer came…
“It’s very likely that, in the next year or two, you would see such a product hit the marketplace. A lot of companies are experimenting with PDA-tablet-style form factors, also for stereo systems, and internet-connected devices running low power on primarily ARM architecture — we do get occasional interest for a few of those.” [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 5, 2010
Just in the last few days, Google [GOOG] announced multitouch support for the Nexus One. We now hear that a new update to the Google Maps software brings multitouch to DROID phones that use the latest version of the software.
If you have a DROID then load up the market and go grab the new version which is numbered 3.4. When installed you should have full pinch to zoom support in the mapping application. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 5, 2010
When a company design a mobile phone you might expect they simply design how they want the phone to look (being realistic) and then put a circuit board, screen and a few other functions inside such as a GPS receiver, BT radio and Wireless radio and give it a name. Google [GOOG] have put together a video showing what went in to designing the Google Nexus One phone that was recently released and from what I see in the video a lot more thought goes in to it than I expected.
The Nexus One was designed in detail from the material used for the casing right down to what microphone they use to pick up your voice when you talk on a call. More detail in the video reveals that the Nexus One in fact has two micophones with one listening to your voice and surrounding sounds and the second just listening to surrounding sounds. Waves are combined and all but your voice is removed from the conversation. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 5, 2010
X2 Computing are launching the iTablet. The iTablet comes in two flavours which include a 10.2 inch or 12.1 inch screen version. Each version has multitouch capabilities and runs either the Linux operating system or Windows 7.
Powering the iTablet is a 1.6GHz processor and for storage the device has 250GB. For connectivity there is wifi and Bluetooth built in and X2 also provide an optional 3G/GSM module for connecting over mobile networks. Ports on the device include 3 x USB (2.0?) along with a HDMI output. A 1.3 megapixel webcam is also included in the device. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 5, 2010
When planning a trip out for a few days break you might be the sort who wonders if there will be a mobile phone signal available so you can check your work emails, personal emails and browse the web. If that description fits you then a new application could be the answer to finding honest coverage maps of various areas. A typical way of getting this data is to look on your phone carriers website and look at the coverage maps, however, they tend to be a little out sometimes.
A company called Sensorly has created the Sensorly app that users can install on their phone. When enabled the phone sends data back to the company who can then compile data from your signal strength information in areas you pass through. By collecting data from a number of phones, Sensorly aim to provide even more accurate coverage maps that will allow it to become more accurate than the carriers data. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 5, 2010
CultofMac have posted some interesting information on the Apple [AAPL] iPad and the user interface that it uses. Although a number of people have complained across the web about how it’s just a large iPod Touch, it makes you wonder if it does need to be different.
What Apple have said about the iPad is that it “improved the experience of doing every day computing tasks” ie, email, browsing and photo slideshows. This is where the iPad excels due to the larger screen. Although I can currently send emails from my T-Mobile G1, Dell Mini 9 netbook or regular laptop while on the move, that doesn’t mean it’s a streamlined process. Take the netbook for example, it’s small and takes several minutes to boot and finally load up web based outlook…. but the iPad aims to change that by providing a decent interface with quick connectivity. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 4, 2010
We mentioned project needlemouse a few months back which at the time the very limited information said that we could expect Sonic to return in 2010. We now hear that the new side-scrolling game is returning this year and Episode 1 of the game has been confirmed for the Wii, Xbox 360 and Sony PS3.
The game is classed as a proper sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and due to it following on has given the name as Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1.
A video, available after the jump, shows the official trailer that gives an overview of previous Sonic games starting with the original that was launched in 1991 then on to the second and third instalments that were launched in 1992 and 1994 respectively. The new 2D Sonic 4 is set to be released this summer as a downloadable title on all three of the major consoles. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 4, 2010
Ikonoskop have created the A-Cam3D that is capable of capturing 3D video at a 1080p resolution. Two video streams are captured simultaneously at a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels in RAW files. Colour depth is set at 12 bits and video is captured in either 25 or 30 frames per second.
The a-cam3D weighs 2.8KG which includes the weight of the memory cartridge as well as the battery. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 4, 2010
Vodafone have finally listed the Sony Ericsson X10 on their site and have given it a release date of April. The X10 is not available for pre-order just yet, but does have a registration form allowing you to sign up to receive details of when you can pre-order it.
The Sony Ericsson X10 is SE’s first Android based smartphone to hit the market and has been seen around several times keeping people wondering when it will actually arrive. The X10 has a 4 inch touchscreen, an 8 megapixel camera, GPS, Bluetooth and Wifi to name a few things. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 4, 2010
Some information has been discovered which indicates that the next generation iPhone could be capable of capturing video at HD resolutions of 720p.
The signs come from information that was revealed in the latest iPhone OS 3.2 SDK that was launched last week and reveals that the width of images has been upped from 768 pixels wide to 1280 pixels and is capable of capturing 921,600 pixels. A bit of quick maths shows that the vertical amount of pixels would be 720 making it 720p. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 4, 2010
PrePeat is a printer that uses a special thermal head and plastic sheets to print and erase documents allowing you to cut down on paper usage in the office.
The printer uses special paper made of plastic to print on and each sheet can be used up to 1,000 times allowing a document to be printed and then erased when finished with.
The PrePeat Printer is not cheap though and will set you back about $5,517 at today’s exchange rate with the paper costing $3,300 for a pack of 1,000 sheets. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 4, 2010
Since the latest iPhone 3.2 SDK was launched last week a couple of companies have announced that they have updated their iPhone applications to allow VoIP calls. Those companies include Fring and iCall.
With two other companies offering VoIP over 3G, a number of people have been wondering where Skype stands in all of this as their application has yet to be updated.
An answer was given yesterday by David Ponsford who says that Skype are holding their application back a little longer so they can fine tune it to give the best call quality possible. Although no official date for release has been given his answer simply said “soon”. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 4, 2010
Fusion Garage have announced that they have gone in to full production of the JooJoo tablet with the first shipments reaching customers by the end of this month.
As well as the first shipments going out in the next few weeks, Fusion Garage have also made a deal with CSL who are one of the largest OEM’s in Malaysia. A deal with the CSL group sees that CSL will cover the JooJoo’s manufacturing cost and take a cut of each JooJoo sold. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 4, 2010
Starting today, the source code for the Symbian platform has been made open source and available for download.
“The dominant operating system provider out there is Symbian,” says Lee Williams, executive director of the Symbian Foundation, “and now we are offering developers the ability to do so much more.”
Symbian is the operating system used on the majority of Nokia mobile phones and according to statistics it runs on a massive 330 million device. The operating system has been used by Nokia for about 10 years now. [click to continue…]
by Matthew on February 4, 2010
The H-Cell 2.0 is a new system built by Horizon that aims to bring more charge to an RC car by adding portably hybrid power to the said car.
The system sits on the chassis of the RC car above the battery and has two hydrogen tanks with one on each side of the car allowing even weight distribution. By adding the H-Cell 2.0 to your RC car you can increase run times by a factor of 3 to 4 times.
The battery provides the acceleration power, while the fuel cell provides cruise power as well as extra energy for the battery. This decreases the amount of batteries needed, eliminates the need to charge batteries, and provides much longer run times for the vehicle (factor of 3 to 4).
[click to continue…]
