Latest Gadgets, Tablets and Smartphones
LG Has announced the LG Vortex. The Vortex is an Android 2.2 device that has a 3.2 inch screen along with 3G/Wi-Fi connectivity.
The device runs the latest version of Android and comes pre-loaded with Bing Search and Bing Maps. With it running Android 2.2, the phone can also work as a wireless 3G hotspot for several devices to connect up to and share an internet connection. [Read more…]
Thanks to Cisco’s Umi telepresence, you will now be able to use this technology to utilise your existing HD TV set and broadband connection to gain…
“the most lifelike, natural video communication experience available to consumers today.”
Fring just released an update for Android that brings FringOut to the service. FringOut for Android lands at the same time as Skype for Android which indicates some battle between them is starting.
Prices for calls in the US start at 1c/min which matches Skype. Fring claim no hidden fees and that the 1c is the final amount rather than a 15% VAT surcharge.
Also, calls can be made of Wireless, 3G or 4G networks meaning you are not tied down to just wireless in the US like you are with Skype. [Read more…]
There’s already an app available for the Apple iPad that lets you use the iPad as a second monitor wirelessly for a Mac. The version for the Mac is called Air Display and although there’s talk of a Windows version, it hasn’t happened yet.
MaxiVista is an app for the iPad that allows you to use the iPad as a secondary monitor for Windows based PC’s. The iPad screen can have windows dragged on to it as well as play video, view Skype messages and whatever you want to use on the second screen. The Windows software works on both the 32 and 64-bit versions of windows from XP through to version 7. [Read more…]
HTC DROID Incredible users should be starting to get an OTA (over the air) update that started rolling-out this weekend. The new update was first mentioned early in July and as expected, has arrived.
The OTA update for the Incredible brings 720p video recording to the Android smartphone. Several bug fixes are also included along with Skype, MyVerizon and update widgets. We also hear the DROID red eye boot animation is also included.
The update is rolling out in stages and started with a few users over the weekend and should be ramping up for the next few days till all handsets have the update. [Read more…]
Last week, TechCrunch managed to get hold of a Google Voice Desktop client that allows users to log-in and make calls direct from their desktop in a similar way to how Skype and other services work. The downside of this is that Google [GOOG] apparently want to keep the software web-based rather than offering a downloadable software package.
Someone has created a petition over at GiveusGVDesktop.com that aims to collect half a million virtual signatures in an attempt to prove to Google that users want it. We are not sure if it will make any difference or not, but the software is certainly handy to have for those who use Google Voice and often work from a desk with a computer. [Read more…]
Apple [AAPL] has started approving iOS 4 ready apps so that they can now support multitasking when iOS 4 launches on Monday.
Although the new iOS 4 has support for 3rd party apps to use multitasking, this feature was not enabled by default. To get multitasking working on 3rd party apps, developers need to add a few lines of code to their applications and resubmit them to the Apple store for approval.
There are seven specific background services that can be used for multitasking in iOS 4 and developers will need to choose which ones they need for their app.
These include… [Read more…]
Apple [AAPL] is starting to accept applications designed and updated for the new iOS 4 that launches June 21.
At the moment there are no third-party apps on the iPhone that can multitask. This is because iOS 4 needs some code to be executed in the app to enable multitasking.
If developers decide not to upgrade their applications then those apps that are not updated wont be capable of being multitasked and instead, will just close out and re-open from scratch rather than opening from where they left off. Of course, not all apps will need to be multitask enabled due to what they do, but on the other hand, there will be many that we expect to see with the feature enabled. [Read more…]
Just recently HP purchased Palm so that it could use webOS integrated in to it’s systems. We now hear that they are purchasing some software called HyperSpace for around $12 Million.
HyperSpace is an operating system that allows users to quick boot. It is developed by Phoenix Technologies and is based around the Linux OS. What makes the software stand out is that it can boot in to the OS and launch a program such as Skype within 10 seconds which is quite impressive considering that software loadup is from hitting the power button on the laptop or PC.
$12 Million isn’t a lot compared to the $1.2 billion HP spent on Palm but the software if used correctly will be a big benefit to HP in that systems will be able to boot far quicker than they currently do. [Read more…]
Sony has announced the new Sony Vaio J all-in-one PC. The Sony Vaio J has an impressive 21.5 inch screen that is capable of showing a full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Powering the Vaio J is an Intel Core i7 CPU. 8GB of RAM is also included.
Other features of the Vaio J all-in-one PC include a Blu-ray disc and a multi-touch enabled screen.
“The J Series changes the way consumers interact with their PC enabling them to tap, drag, zoom, rotate and engage with their content and entertainment like never before,” said Mike Lucas, senior vice president of the VAIO business at Sony. “And with its attractive price point, this cutting-edge technology will reach a whole new audience.”
One of the big features announced today on the Apple iPhone 4 was FaceTime. FaceTime brings video calling to the new iPhone 4 from Apple [AAPL] and allows users to use either the front facing video camera or rear facing video camera to make video calls to other iPhone 4 users over a WiFi connection.
Note that we mentioned “over a WiFi connection”. At WWDC, Steve Jobs announced that FaceTime in 2010 was a WiFi only deal, but that Apple is working with carriers to bring FaceTime over 3G networks.
FaceTime works right out of the box according to the Apple site. When making a call to someone you can click on the video camera and if available, the user on the other side will be prompted to switch to FaceTime. If they accept the video streams will be activated. [Read more…]
The Apple iPad lacks a few things. One of those things is a camera which would make it a perfect device for video calls. A company has decided to make an external webcam for the Apple [AAPL] iPad. It comes from a company called Photofast and right now in prototype form, uses a regular Microsoft [MSFT] webcam connected to the dock port. We do hear that when launched it will look very different.
What it will allow the iPad to do is make video calls using services such as Skype. Note that the details in the photo show a camera capable of 640 x 480 pixels with a 200 meg sensor. I think they mean it has a 2 megapixel sensor. [Read more…]
