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Google TV Announced

May 20, 2010 by Leave a Comment

After months of rumours, Google [GOOG] has finally announced Google TV. The new service will either come installed on new TV’s that have the processing power to run it, or be provided on a set-top box for those who already have a TV without it.

The Google TV service was designed because of how complicated TV surfing can be. With programs being on at a specific time on one of hundreds of channels, Google say we often need to change our schedule to fit in with the TV.

Compare that to the internet where everything is on demand on sites such as YouTube. These services allow users to just type in what they want to watch and then watch it.

Google TV is an attempt at merging the two technologies… ie, the on demand web with the regular TV which is a more fun way to watch TV show. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Home Gadgets

Wikitude Drive Beta Augmented Reality SatNav Beta

May 20, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Wikitude Drive is a satnav system that uses augmented reality to overlay a route on to a live video stream.

The company behind it has launched a beta version for testing that works worldwide. The software is compatible with Android based smartphones and allows the system to either use a live video stream, or 3D maps if you prefer.

Driving directions not only appear on screen, they are overlaid on the live video stream of the very street you are driving on. As a result, you are seeing the real world and real road in front of you, while being directed by a digital route on top of it.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: SatNavs

Apple MacBook Teardown

May 20, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Apple [AAPL] launched a new 13 inch MacBook a few days ago that included a 10 hour battery life along with NVIDIA GeForce 320M integrated graphics and new processors.

iFixit decided to teardown the new MacBook, as they do with a lot of new gadgets, and took a look at what exactly was inside. A few highlights include the battery which measures the same size and is the same shape, but managed to get a rating of 63.5Wh compared to the older 60Wh battery used in the older model. The battery weighs just a few grams more than the older one and can actually be switched out to an older model to provide a bit of extra juice.

The layout of the new MacBook is similar to the older model and parts from the old can be used to fix the new in most cases. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Laptops

Apple iPad Controlls a Toy Blimp

May 19, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Although the Apple iPad has a number of limitations such as the lack of flash, no camera and a few other things, it still doesn’t prevent users from getting a little creative with the device.

In this case a company called BREAKFAST who is based in New York, has managed to create a small blimp that carries a wireless video camera and remote control features that the Apple iPad can hook up to.

The camera is accompanied by a couple of bright LEDs to light up the way and the video feed is wirelessly transmitted back to the iPad so the user can fly around by looking at the screen if needed. To control the blimp you simply rotate the iPad like a steering wheel and the fans are adjusted to push it in the direction you want it to go. [Read more…]

Filed Under: iPad

Sprint HTC Hero Android 2.1 Update Almost Ready

May 19, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Sprint has finally allowed Android 2.1 to land on the HTC Hero.

By installing Android 2.1 from Google [GOOG] you’ll get an enhanced Sense User Interface along with enhanced corporate email support and a number of bug fixes.

To install the update you first need to check the version of your device. I’m not 100% sure why this matters other than perhaps needing to do an inbetween update rather than a full install. Either way, you then need to make sure you read the following and backup all data as this install wipes your Hero completely clean.

Important Note: Installing the 2.27.651.5 update will delete all the data and information on your phone. You will lose contacts that have not been synced to an email account, text messages that have not been forwarded, saved voicemail messages older than 5 days, voicemails older than 20 days that have not been listened to, and call history. The calendar and email settings will also revert back to factory defaults. Pictures, music, videos and files are stored on your microSD memory card, which should be removed before updating your phone.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones

Apple iPhone App lets you Fake a Social Life

May 19, 2010 by Leave a Comment

If you ever wanted to look popular to your friends, but don’t happen to be the popular type then this app could be perfect for you. The application is called iNotifyYou and is capable of faking notifications on your iPhone so you can show your friends that you are so popular because you have over 5,000 text messages waiting for your reply.

The application lets you alter notification numbers for any application that runs on your home screen. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones

Facebook Launch 0.facebook.com for Free Facebook with No Data Charges

May 19, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Facebook has announced a new mobile website called 0.facebook.com that allows free access to the Facebook service on some network carriers around the world. What we mean by free access is that there will be no data charges to get to facebook at this web address.

The 0.facebook.com site has been optimised for speed and is based around text rather than images and logos. A lot of the common functions and key features have been included at this web address and accessing them on a number of carriers will give you no charges unless you decide to open up photos and other media.

Facebook has worked with 50 mobile operators in 45 countries to get the zero charge facebook to users. A list of countries can be found over on the announcement page here. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones

Apple iPad used as Secondary Display via WiFi

May 18, 2010 by 1 Comment

Avataron has created an app that allows your Apple iPad to function as a secondary monitor for your Mac. The app is called Air Display and uses the WiFi built in to the iPad to transmit data to and from the Mac.

Simply put, it extends the desktop on your Mac allowing you to drag windows across to the iPad as and when needed. Another interesting feature of the application is it’s ability to use the touchscreen of the iPad as a mouse to control the mac if needed.

The application isn’t available just yet and is going to be submitted to Apple [AAPL] next week for approval. If approved you’ll get the ability to use the iPad as a mini screen assuming you also install the app on your Mac to allow the two to communicate together. [Read more…]

Filed Under: iPad

Dell Inspiron M501R AMD Phenom II X4 Laptop Announced

May 18, 2010 by 1 Comment

Dell has launched a new laptop called the Dell Inspiron M501R. This laptop is powered by an AMD Phenom II X4 processor making it quite powerful in terms of processing power.

Other features include the choice between a HD 550v graphics card or a 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250. The screen measures 15.6 inches and has a HD screen with a 720p resolution.

For connectivity the Dell M501R has WiFi 802.11n as well as Bluetooth and wired LAN. Around the edges three USB 2.0 ports can be found along with eSATA/USB and a 7 in 1 media card reader. Both a VGA and HDMI output are also to be found on this laptop. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Laptops

Google Chart shows Android 2.1 as the Most Used Android OS Build

May 18, 2010 by 1 Comment

Google [GOOG] has updated the platform version chart that gives a break-down of which versions of Android OS are the most popular.

The reason Google launch the chart is to give information to developers on which build they should focus on most. Up till last month Google Android 1.5 and 1.6 were always in the lead with versions such as 2.0 and 2.0.1 having a very small usage foot print. For the first time though, Android 1.5/1.6 have been kicked out of the top spot and replaced by Android 2.1. 2.1 accounts for 37.2% according to the chart (larger version below) and that is followed by Android 1.5 and then 1.6.

A few interesting things to note are that some users are still on Android 1.1 which indicates either some small network is not pushing out updates, or some people are just happy the way their phone is. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones

Amazon Kindle 3rd Gen Could get Games

May 18, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Some leaked information from Amazon indicates that a 3rd generation Amazon Kindle eBook reader could be launched later this year.

Amazon appears to be shifting towards games and social networks with it’s eBook reader. The main problem now is that the e-ink paper just doesn’t have the ability to achieve anything with fast movement or touch based applications. This is hinting that Amazon will launch a new generation Kindle with a superior touch screen.

It is believed that Amazon are shifting course due to the success of the Apple iPad that launched last month in the US. The 3rd generation device could do away with the e-ink screen to give a richer experience for users. The screen rumours come because of Amazon purchasing a company called TouchCo that could add multi-touch to the screen. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Tech News

HTC Wildfire Heading to Virgin Mobile UK

May 18, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Just yesterday a new Android OS smartphone was announced called the HTC Wildfire. The Wildfire is a budget handset that has slightly lower specs than the high end phones such as a slower Qualcomm processor running at 525MHz rather than the Snapdragon 1GHz chips we see in the high end phones.

Virgin Mobile in the UK has announced today that it will be offering the HTC Wildfire on it’s network in the UK. The message came from the official Virgin Media Twitter account where the company announced it is to get the new Wildfire smartphone, but prices are to be announced at a later date.

Right now we can speculate that the handset will be free, or very cheap on quite low plans such as the £20/month or £25/month contracts. We also expect a PAYG version will be launched also on the network. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones