tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29928865417942726752024-03-14T10:59:16.087+09:00iTecheandNewsiTecheandNews| World Wide News ,Mobile, Computer And Gadget News In One ...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-58792077888540244232013-01-22T16:03:00.000+09:002013-01-22T16:03:03.101+09:00Apple is going to replace Touchscreens with Voice control<br />
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No one knew a decade before what apple is and what it’s going to bring forth for us. Ten years later Apple changed the way of telephonic conversation, they brought new and innovative ideas which other companies failed to meet and Apple became king company of Smartphone’s. The mobile phones and tablets from apple were much lighter, thinner and more powerful than any other company produced. Their products are more user friendly and easy to handle. Now the question is, are they looking for a horizon beyond touchscreen as well. Because a few days before one rumor suggests that Apple could spearhead that future early next year, in the form of the iWatch.<br /><br />A Chinese blog claimed that Apple is trying to produce a new and innovative smart watch in collaboration with Intel. The features of iWatch include a 1.5-inch OLED screen and the device would be connected to an iPhone through a low powered Bluetooth 4.0. Using the Siri it will enable you to answer calls and operate other functions of the iPhone.<br /><br />Whether this rumor is true or not but Siri is going to replace touch screens with voice in our mobile devices for Apple company. Apple thrives on making tech products behave less like tech products, and more like natural human tools. When taken to its extreme, this could result in a device with a conversation-based interface.<br />
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<a href="http://www.irblogger.com/apple-is-going-to-replace-touchscreens-with-voice-control/" target="_blank">View the original article here </a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-84687570990849528922013-01-22T15:57:00.000+09:002013-01-22T15:57:49.816+09:00Always be sure where your baggage is!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Los Angeles – January 7, 2013 – According to the SITA, nearly 26 million bags go missing each year from airports around the world. Air travelers concerned about their valuables now have a simple, affordable luggage tracking solution from Trakdot™. The Trakdot Luggage™ tracker fits into a checked bag and reports city location in real time to any mobile, Apple, Android, or SMS capable devices. For the first time, Trakdot Luggage gives airline passengers unprecedented control at a wallet-friendly price, allowing them to keep track of checked-in luggage anywhere mobile phones work.<br />
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Trakdot Luggage is built for travel convenience, with a palm-sized tracker that is ultra-light and fits easily into any size bag. The luggage locator system delivers city-specific information on the whereabouts of checked baggage in real time. Even if the Trakdot protected bag does not reach the desired destination, passengers will still have the reassurance of knowing which city their luggage is in.<br />
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Once the device is registered on the Trakdot website and placed inside a checked bag, it will deliver location information directly to the user’s mobile phone or SMS device via text or email. Alternatively, travelers can track their luggage on Trakdot.com or use the free Trakdot Luggage app. An additional app alerts passengers as their baggage approaches on the carousel, making it easier than ever for them to find their bag.<br />
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“A recent passenger survey from the International Air Transport Association showed that 81% of travelers are interested in tracking their bags in real time,” explains CEO Harry Steck. “Trakdot Luggage empowers travelers to do just that, with a revolutionary product that is inexpensive as well as simple and convenient to use.”<br />
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The retail package includes the Trakdot Luggage device, luggage tag, and batteries. It works globally with any cell phone or SMS enabled device for a low annual price. Each device can be linked to multiple phones, and each phone can track multiple devices (as with family applications). For added convenience, Trakdot Luggage owners can track or locate bags on the web at www.Trakdot.com using a secure log-in.<br />
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The product will be available March 2013 for $49.95 MSRP with an activation fee of $8.99 and an annual service fee of $12.99. Media, sales, and distribution inquiries can be made by appointment during CES at LVH Meeting Room MP25639.<br />
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<a href="http://maxborgesagency.com/press/trakdottm-luggage-delivers-peace-of-mind-to-travelers-with-affordable-real-time-airport-baggage-tracking/" target="_blank">View the original article here </a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-9224051061561170952013-01-19T02:41:00.002+09:002013-01-19T02:41:59.686+09:00Samsung Galaxy S IV Early Rumor Roundup: 8-Core Exynos 5 Chip, 5″ 440ppi Display, Wireless Charging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here we are again, in the midst of Galaxy S IV rumor season, and this year’s brought about a bountiful harvest. The latest rumor in the bunch is that Samsung’s next flagship will feature a hardcore Exynos 5 Octa processor clocked at 1.8GHz, according to SamMobile.<br /><br />For what it’s worth, that’s eight cores.<br /><br />However, don’t get too instantly excited, considering that the Exynos chip in the Galaxy S III was swapped for a Snapdragon processor here in the states. On the other hand, the Galaxy Note 2 kept its Exynos processor, so anything could happen.<br /><br />In either case, the Galaxy S IV is sure to delight and surprise.<br /><br />For one, AnandTech spotted a Galaxy brand roadmap at CES that promised a 5-inch 440ppi display on a device set to launch in the first quarter of 2013.<br /><br />You know what else is set to launch in Q1 2013? According to an anonymous Samsung official, the Galaxy S IV is going to debut at MWC in February and see a global launch in March.<br /><br />Rumors and leaks have also suggested that the phone will pack 2GB of RAM under the hood, and sport a 13-megapixel (1080p video capture) rear-facing camera and a 2-megapixel front camera capable of 720p video capture for video chat. And just yesterday, DDaily reported that the Galaxy S IV would support Qi wireless charging.<br /><br />But hopefully you’re not too attached to the home button. One allegedly leaked press shot of the Galaxy S IV doesn’t seem to have any physical home button on the device. Interesting (scratches chin).<br /><br />Past that, we also expect to see Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean out of the box. <br />
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<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/18/samsung-galaxy-s-iv-early-rumor-roundup-8-core-exynos-5-proc-5-440ppi-display-wireless-charging/" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-26041070426986908912013-01-19T02:38:00.001+09:002013-01-19T02:38:35.866+09:00 Nokia Releases 3D Print Files For Lumia 820 Smartphone. Got A 3D Printer? Custom Print Your Own Removable Shell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Now this is cool: mobile maker Nokia has released 3D print files for one of its smartphones so owners of 3D printers can custom print their own removable shell. Nokia already sells different colour shells for the handset in question, the Lumia 820 — which has a removable backplate — along with shells that add wireless charging to the device or offer a bit more protection to standard plastic shells. But the company has decided to spice things up further by releasing a 3D template so people can print their own custom designs.<br /><br />It’s calling this a 3DK for short — see what they did there? Writing in a blog post on Nokia Conversations, Nokia says: “We are going to release 3D templates, case specs, recommended materials and best practices — everything someone versed in 3D printing needs to print their own custom Lumia 820 case. We refer to these files and documents collectively as a 3D-printing Development Kit, or 3DK for short.”<br /><br />The mechanical drawings for the shell are available for download here, here and here. Nokia claims it’s the first “major phone company” to release 3D templates for hardware. It’s certainly a bold move for a big corporate company to allow users to remix its design without any checks and balances on what they produce. But it’s also a savvy one — which recognises that building a community of engaged users necessitates giving up some control by giving people opportunities to get more involved in the creation process.<br /><br />R&D is already something that, increasingly, does not just take place behind the closed, locked doors of corporate research labs. Witness the success of the online crowdfunding model — via sites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo — where many projects take soundings from backers and incorporating their views into the final product.<br /><br />Nokia’s mechanical drawings add to a growing pool of 3D templates up for grabs — from sites like 3D printer maker MakerBot‘s Thingiverse — where custom designs for all sorts of smartphone cases and docks can be found, often licensed for use under Creative Commons.<br /><br />Nokia says it uses 3D printers internally for rapid prototyping of devices but envisages 3D printing having a much larger role to play in smartphone design in future. “In the future, I envision wildly more modular and customizable phones,” writes John Kneeland, a Nokia Community & Developer Marketing Manager, on the blog.<br /><br />Kneeland speculates that Nokia could sell a printable phone template in future — allowing entrepreneurs to “build a local business on building phones precisely tailored to the needs of his or her local community”. ”You want a waterproof, glow-in-the-dark phone with a bottle-opener and a solar charger? Someone can build it for you — or you can print it yourself!”<br />
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<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/18/nokia-releases-3d-print-files-for-lumia-820-smartphone-got-a-3d-printer-custom-print-your-own-removable-shell/" target="_blank">View the original article here </a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-81835561712916933842013-01-17T03:05:00.001+09:002013-01-17T03:05:43.000+09:0010 iPad Apps for Teaching Kids About Science<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabYt0BTddi4_pF5mBh-Bkgx6kaiovbIeaC3fbspIgx3YgjmHDlK3tWh7nk7R0pWPDQm7EBA8nuxokDKtpk3LjbZIrgwKKx7RqS-20zymR_kzySz3XqrarwuEQ853A1V1cvtU2_f4BLYk/s1600/10-ipad-apps-science-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabYt0BTddi4_pF5mBh-Bkgx6kaiovbIeaC3fbspIgx3YgjmHDlK3tWh7nk7R0pWPDQm7EBA8nuxokDKtpk3LjbZIrgwKKx7RqS-20zymR_kzySz3XqrarwuEQ853A1V1cvtU2_f4BLYk/s1600/10-ipad-apps-science-1.jpg" /></a></div>
Compared with mastering multiplication tables, struggling with Shakespeare or memorizing a slew of dates, science class has always been pretty lively. After all, where else could you play with volatile chemicals, fire, magnets and even the occasional dead frog (OK, so maybe that part wasn't "play" for everyone).<br /><br />Now, thanks to some very smart people who paid attention during science class (and a few other periods), we have another way to study science: the iPad. In just a few short years, this ubiquitous tablet has proved its versatility and usefulness in all sorts of ways. Perhaps most valuable among these is education. Science apps written for the iPad let us explore space, look inside the human body, test out theories and yes, even dissect a frog (although with much less mess). Science itself has made educating people about it more fun and interactive than ever.<br /><br />Here we present 10 iPad science apps that are so engaging and entertaining that kids won't even mind that they're learning while using them.<br /><br /><a href="http://computer.howstuffworks.com/tablets/10-ipad-apps-for-teaching-kids-about-science.htm" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-81538916801952949412013-01-11T02:53:00.001+09:002013-01-11T02:53:39.399+09:00 Apple Locks App Screenshots To Ward Off Scammers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Apple has announced that app screenshots will be locked in iTunes Connect once an app is approved. New screenshots can only be added when developers submit a binary for an updated to an existing or new app.<br /><br />This move will help combat a common scam tactic that tricks people into buying fake apps with screenshots stolen from more popular or non-iOS games. Past examples include fake descriptions for various apps titled Halo 4 that were actually just a chess or racing game and a non-functional “Pokemon Yellow” app. Many scam developers managed to get past App Store monitors by using different screenshots when they first submitted their apps for approval and then later changing the store description.<br />
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<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/09/apple-locks-app-screenshots-to-ward-off-scammers/">View the original article here </a>Sortandsweetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03134947209822510631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-70554187860732160372013-01-11T02:50:00.002+09:002013-01-11T02:50:37.990+09:00Amazon’s “AutoRip” Service Goes Live, Giving Customers Free MP3s For CDs Purchased On Amazon As Far Back As 1998 (Hands-On)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Amazon is today introducing a new service called Amazon AutoRip, which automatically gives customers free MP3 versions of any CDs they’ve purchased from Amazon since the launch of its Music Store back in 1998. Customers will also have access to a growing number of new releases. The digital music is being placed in users’ Amazon Cloud Player accounts, the company’s answer to Google Music, iTunes Match, Rdio, and other services that store users’ own music collections in the cloud.<br /><br />News of the service’s debut was leaked last night by CNET, which said it would be arriving “soon.”<br /><br />At launch, the AutoRip service is offered for over 50,000 albums on Amazon.com, with more on the way, including both back catalog and most new releases. The option has been made possible by deals made with record labels and music publishers, Amazon says. According to Steve Boom, Amazon’s VP of Worldwide Digital Music, the company now has deals in place with the three major labels (EMI, now a part of Universal; Sony; and Warner) as well as hundreds of independent labels. On the publisher side, Amazon has participation from all the major music publishers and “hundreds, if not thousands,” of smaller publishers, says Boom.<br /><br />Amazon’s customers won’t have to take any action to switch on AutoRip. In fact, even if users have never signed up or downloaded the Cloud Player software, the option will be enabled if they’ve ever purchased a CD on Amazon. In that case, those customers will receive an email shortly after the service’s launch today informing them that a digital copy of that purchase (or purchases) is now available in the cloud for free.<br />
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<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/10/amazon-launches-autorip-service-giving-customers-free-mp3s-for-cds-purchased-on-amazon-as-far-back-as-1998/">View the original article here </a>Sortandsweetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03134947209822510631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-32914731022704416352013-01-03T20:41:00.001+09:002013-01-03T20:41:59.242+09:00The Ubuntu smartphone (which no one will use) is a glimpse of the future<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ubuntu's new mobile software will let users run their PC from their phone.<br />NEW YORK (CNNMoney)<br />Ubuntu has long been a favorite Linux desktop operating system for open-source fanatics and those who like to tinker with their technology. Now it's stepping out into a new frontier: mobile.<br /><br />Ubuntu developer Canonical unveiled a new interface on Monday reimagined for touch devices, with a design that borrows cues from Android and Windows 8. The hard sell here isn't simply that Ubuntu now works on mobile devices. Canonical hopes that future devices (read: arriving sometime in 2014) will not only run the new mobile OS, but will also boot the desktop variant of Ubuntu when docked to a keyboard, mouse and monitor.<br /><br />That would let you literally use your phone to power your PC.<br /><br />This concept isn't entirely new, as Canonical revealed similar plans last year to attach its desktop software to devices running Android. Before that, Motorola tried to turn Android phones into laptops with its Atrix line of phones and docks. And let's not forget the hybrid operating system experiment that is Windows 8.<br /><br />But no one -- not even Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500) -- has attempted to serve up its own phone OS and desktop OS in a single package. Despite its desktop-like features, Android considers itself a phone and tablet system, while Microsoft still has Windows Phone 8 operating autonomously from the tablet and desktop-centric Windows 8.<br /><br />Is Ubuntu's new creation good enough to make even the tiniest inroads against the likes of Android, Apple's iOS and Windows Phone?<br /><br />Video footage previewing the new software shows off an attractive user interface and some clever ideas for navigation, but there's no indication that the wheel has been reinvented.<br /><br />You'll be able to swipe from the edges of the phone to switch apps and access menus. You can log in to your favorite online services, and Ubuntu will assimilate that data into its own framework. In general, the emphasis seems to be on getting you the info you need in a quick and easy-to-digest way. From the looks of things, the desktop build will have its own interface tailored to mouse and keyboard, but Canonical envisions a single installer app having both desktop and mobile builds.<br /><br />This would all be great if the only challenge for a mobile operating system was offering up a solid product. It's not. Carving out a niche in the seemingly unshakable mobile space -- ruled by the Android-and-Apple duopoly -- still requires a critical mass of users and a lively ecosystem of app developers.<br /><br />Realistically speaking, the chances of this even upstaging Windows Phone or BlackBerry 10 are slim. At best, Ubuntu seems like a sandbox for the most enthusiastic early adopters and a cheap enterprise solution for companies on a tight budget.<br /><br />Still, pushing aside the concerns about market viability, this could be a very real glimpse of how we compute in the future. The central brain for all our computing needs might eventually live in our smartphones, and we'd simply attach them to whatever form factor the situation calls for.<br /><br />That differs from some current experiments, like Microsoft's vision for the Surface tablet: a single piece of hardware that can be used in multiple ways. It seems just as valid a solution, though, for the inevitable convergence of mobile and desktop computers. To top of page <br /><br /><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/02/technology/mobile/ubuntu-smartphone-linux/index.html" target="_blank">View the original article here </a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-25391209331470012432013-01-02T19:12:00.001+09:002013-01-02T19:12:30.188+09:00The 20 Best iOS And Android Apps Of 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Editor’s note: Brad Spirrison is the managing editor of mobile app discovery services Appolicious. Follow him on Twitter @spirrison.<br /><br />Nearly six years after the debut of the iPhone, mobile applications are beginning to mature. The best mobile apps of 2012 – with a few notable exceptions – are more about refined practicality rather than anything revolutionary.<br /><br />So while this year’s list lacks medium-defining breakthroughs like Instagram and Shazam, it showcases new and meaningfully updated apps that simply work better than their competitors. In this age of algorithmic aggregation, we also salute titles that have a decidedly human touch.<br /><br />Of course, any attempt to rank the “best” apps within any period of time will be questioned and debated. Ask 100 different people to rank their favorites, and you’ll likely get 100 different variations.<br /><br />The apps we selected were either released or significantly updated between January 1 and December 21 of this year. Titles that debuted on iOS or Android in 2012 that were previously available on another platform are eligible for inclusion. All of our selections were sourced, ranked and finalized by Appolicious advisors and members of our community. In all, about a dozen members of the Appolicious editorial team offered their favorites. We also surveyed the most active and influential users of Appolicious sites and applications. We did not account for the number of app downloads or overall popularity. Our qualitative assessment is based primarily on the production value, utility and creativity baked into each cited application.<br /><br />Here goes.<br /><br />google-maps-iconGoogle Maps (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android free)<br />While Tim Cook was a runner-up to President Obama for Time Magazine’s Person of the Year 2012, the app of the year comes from Apple’s primary nemesis. Google Maps was far from broken when Apple, for business reasons, elected to go with its own Map app for iOS 6. When the iPhone 5 came out, users tapping into the iOS 6 Maps app couldn’t see the Statue of Liberty. This was just one of countless Apple Maps fails. Of course, it’s easy to lambaste Apple for laying an egg here. Yet the larger point is that we take for granted the reliability, clarity, and ease of use of Google Maps. This stuff is hard. That is why we are thankful that Apple earlier this month approved a brand-new version of Google Maps for iOS 6 devices. New competition from Apple, which will inevitably improve its mapping capabilities, pushed Google to develop the best map app yet for any device.<br /><br />Camera AwesomeCamera Awesome (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad free)<br />During our mid-year check-in, we had Camera Awesome as the best new app to come out during the first half of 2012. Developer SmugMug is not resting on any laurels. Since that time, Camera Awesome became universally available on all iOS devices and is inspiring many of us to snap pics with our iPads. Camera Awesome – which is superior to the pre-installed iPhone camera and all other third-party photography apps – also integrated with Tumblr. The app’s “1-Tap Share” feature is now accessible with all major social networks.<br /><br />Slices for TwitterSlices for Twitter (iPhone, iPod touch $4.99 Android free)<br />From reading commentary during live news and sporting events, to sharing information about public transportation during Hurricane Sandy, to finding out what your friends are up to this weekend, Twitter in 2012 emerged as a (if not the) primary resource for real-time news and information for mainstream users. With millions of feeds to follow, however, it’s challenging for five-year veterans and newbies alike to keep this vast flow of information organized. While there are many third-party apps that help users categorize who and what they follow on Twitter, Slices is the best one for smartphones right now.<br /><br />flipboardFlipboard (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android free)<br />The worldwide leader in socially curated news had a busy year after being named our favorite app of 2011. Highlights from 2012 include Flipboard’s arrival on Android devices, YouTube, and Google+ integration, as well as a picture-perfect partnership with the New York Times. I’d argue that it’s better to read all the news that’s fit to print via Flipboard than anywhere else.<br /><br />Khan AcademyKhan Academy (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad free)<br />Touchscreen devices will revolutionize education in the months and years ahead. In early 2012, Salman Khan took his library of more than 3,500 lesson-specific educational videos to iDevices. The Khan Academy app enables users to easily navigate their way through comprehensive and engaging tutorials on subjects that range from raising venture capital to the Baroque period in art history. Khan Academy also lets users view the transcripts from each lesson, and easily find and drill down on passages that are most insightful.<br /><br />songzaSongza (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android free)<br />Audio streaming services like Pandora, Slacker and Spotify are changing the ways in which we consume music. Rather than listening to albums or pre-programmed playlists, we now have access to entire “stations” on our computers and mobile devices built around our favorite artists and songs. This year, the Songza app added a human element to this kind of algorithmic-driven music curation with a major update that showcases playlists created for particular moods or times of day. Best of all, even after hundreds of hours of happy listening, I still haven’t heard an ad on the free service.<br /><br />viggle-logoViggle (iPhone, iPod touch, Android free)<br />You no longer need to feel guilty about wasting the day away curled up on the couch watching television. With the Viggle iPhone app, you can get compensated from the likes of Amazon.com, Starbucks and the Gap merely for watching and checking in to many of your favorite programs. Viggle uses audio recognition technology similar to what is found in apps like IntoNow and Shazam to do much of the work for you. Just sit back and appreciate that you are getting rewarded for doing absolutely nothing.<br /><br />Brewster Address BookBrewster Address Book (iPhone, iPod touch free)<br />Keeping track of all your contacts across email, telephone numbers and social networks is challenging. Brewster is an uber contact-management tool that syncs to your iPhone’s contact list, but also Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Gmail and Foursquare. The app has a simple and visually striking interface that showcases the images and names of your contacts as you scroll across the screen. Brewster will automatically determine your “Favorites” based on activity, and lets you easily search for contacts or create your own distinct lists.<br /><br />NextDraftNext Draft – The Day’s Most Fascinating News (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad free)<br />While there is nothing technologically groundbreaking about this app, which publishes daily email newsletter content from satirist and current events junkie Dave Pell, you will feel smarter and happier after you download it. There are hundreds of apps that let you filter and curate news around your particular interests, but there is only one that compiles 10 of the “Day’s Most Fascinating News” stories with Pell’s unique wit and insight.<br /><br />Action Movie FXAction Movie FX (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad free)<br />From the production company of producer J.J. Abrams (Lost, Super 8, and the latest iteration of Star Trek) comes this entertaining app, which lets users superimpose special effects into video clips they record with their iDevices. While Action Movie FX suffered from early stability issues and is not really an app you’ll need to use every day, its playful production values and Skywalker-inspired sound effects make it worthy of top billing.<br /><br />AtlasAtlas by Collins (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad $6.99)<br />The world is at your fingertips with Atlas by Collins. This robust app features satellite mapping images, physical maps, political maps with states and territories marked out, environmental maps, population statistics and even mobile technology and Internet usage maps. Atlas By Collins also features street-level viewing for any location on the map, in-depth country profiles, and 200,000 data points for cities, towns and major natural landmarks.<br /><br />CrackleCrackle – Movies & TV (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android free)<br />While there were no technological breakthroughs from this Sony-developed video-streaming service in 2012, we salute Crackle for its exclusive programming. In August, Jerry Seinfeld returned to the small screen with his “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” online series that was shown exclusively on Crackle. Netflix and Hulu may be splashier, but neither could show Seinfeld riffing with Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner while eating Chicken in the Pot soup and watching Jeopardy.<br /><br />vyclone logoVyclone (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad free)<br />Vyclone may be the next big video-editing app thanks to its social take on video recording. When users take a video with Vyclone, the app looks for others who are shooting video nearby and then edits the video clips together so the same footage can be seen from multiple angles. Ideal for large events like sports games, events and concerts, Vyclone could create a new socially focused, video-editing standard.<br /><br />StitcherStitcher Radio (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android free)<br />Although podcasts don’t have the same pop-culture cachet as apps, the digital audio files are a godsend to talk-radio junkies and anyone who appreciates the spoken word. From past episodes of This American Life and Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! to comedy programs like The Nerdist and WTF with Marc Maron, to long-form interviews from your favorite sports commentators, there are podcasts that appeal to virtually every interest. Regrettably, the Podcasts app that Apple debuted earlier this year is buggy and – if not monitored correctly – can eat up a lot of storage. The best bet for podcast discovery on iOS and Android devices comes from the fifth-generation edition of Stitcher Radio, which rolled out earlier this year.<br /><br />highlightlogosucksHighlight (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android free)<br />Highlight, which alerts you when a Facebook friend or individual with similar interests is in your vicinity, was the most successful app of its kind to emerge from South By Southwest in March. Since that time, Highlight has significantly improved with new features that let users send group messages to those nearby and comment on their friends’ profiles. The app’s notification system is also vastly improved.<br /><br />ClearClear (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad $0.99)<br />What separates Clear from hundreds of other task-management apps are its ease of use and beautiful design. A recent update enables the app to work alongside iCloud, so you can share task lists between your MacBook and iPhone seamlessly. Other newer features include the ability to switch lists quickly, and paste text into Clear and have it auto-format into a list.<br /><br />PocketPocket (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android free)<br />While many were predicting the demise of Pocket with the arrival of iOS 6 and the ability to read articles offline in Safari, the app remains the best “Read it Later” alternative for all iOS and Android devices. Accessing content through the app is a pleasure. Its other features – such as changing text size, sharing through myriad services, and archiving finished content – are simple and intuitive.<br /><br />ShowyouShowyou (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad free)<br />A fully operational Apple TV is at least six months away — likely longer. In the meantime, there are a handful of great video-discovery apps that can be viewed on the big screen thanks to Apple TV and AirPlay Mirroring. Showyou is the best. This year, Showyou completely revamped its iPhone application, making it easy to locate videos shared by Facebook and Twitter contacts, as well as via search and a curated directory. What separates Showyou from its competitors are clever in-app messaging features and a vibrant community.<br /><br />Paper FiftyThreePaper by FiftyThree (iPad free)<br />Doodlers and more serious artists alike can embrace this beautifully designed iPad application, also named by Apple as one of the best of 2012. Created by the Microsoft team that brought us Courier, Paper cleverly labels drawing tools by utility (“sketch”) rather than their actual name (“pencil”). There is a lot here that can be enjoyed for free, with extra tools on sale within the app.<br /><br />ZinioZinio (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android free)<br />Although Zinio first appeared on iOS devices in 2009, the digital magazine application is more recently pioneering how consumers purchase advertised and editorially curated products on touchscreen devices. A partnership with ShopAdvisor lets readers purchase and learn more about products they are interested in without leaving the page they are reading. Zinio has a roster of more than 5,500 publications that can be read seamlessly across any mobile and desktop device worth owning.<br />
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<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/23/the-20-best-ios-and-android-apps-of-2012/" target="_blank">view the original article here</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-84460815765488927172013-01-02T19:08:00.000+09:002013-01-02T19:08:05.449+09:00References To iPhone 6, iOS 7 Reportedly Seen in Developer Log <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The iPhone 5 just finished its global rollout, but it looks like leaks about the iPhone 6 are already starting to surface. An iOS developer saw a device named “iPhone 6.1″ running iOS 7 making requests from an IP address within Apple’s Cupertino campus, according to TNW. The iPhone 6 is expected to be released by the middle of next year. TNW says that “although OS and device data can be faked, the unique IP footprint leading back to Apple’s Cupertino campus leads us to believe that this is not one of those attempts.”<br /><br />So does this show anything significant, aside from the fact that Apple will continue to regularly push out new iPhone models and iOS versions? Probably not. Over the last two years, since police raided Gizmodo editor Jason Chen‘s home after he obtained an iPhone prototype, Apple’s attitude toward secrecy has become increasingly lax despite Tim Cook’s insistence otherwise. And, as TNW notes, references to the new iOS 6 software were seen in May a month before its official launch, giving this latest round of leaks a precedent.<br /> <br />
<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/01/references-to-iphone-6-ios-7-reportedly-seen-in-developer-log/" target="_blank">View the original article here </a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-14016173108818303052012-12-31T23:25:00.000+09:002012-12-31T23:25:10.186+09:00Great game deals to kick off the new year How about Halo 4 for $34.99? Or Far Cry 2 for $2.49 (with a $5 Amazon credit)? Those deals and more...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to my last post of 2012. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday, and I wish you the best as we head into what will hopefully be a saner, safer new year.<br /><br />Personally, I'm hoping to find a little more time for fun -- more books, more sports, and more gaming. Especially cheap gaming, which makes it even more fun in my book. Today I've rounded up some pretty spectacular game deals for consoles and PCs; take a look:<br /><br />1. While supplies last, Newegg (via Ebay) has an Xbox Live Gold 12-month Membership Card for $37.99 shipped. Typical price: $59.99. Xbox Live Gold lets you play games online and stream content from the likes of Hulu and Netflix.<br /><br />2. While we're on the subject of Xbox, Newegg also has Halo 4 for $34.99 shipped when you use coupon code EMCYTZT2716 at checkout. (You need to be a Newegg newsletter subscriber to use the code.) Buy it at retail and you'll pay $59.99 (plus sales tax, natch). That's the lowest price by far I've seen on this smash-hit sequel.<br /><br />3. Switching gears to PCs, Amazon has Far Cry 2: Fortune's Edition for $2.49 -- and if you buy it by the end of the day, you'll get a $5 credit good toward any "Editor's Choice" game download you purchase in January. By the way, ignore the negative reviews; they're mostly griping about the game's DRM. Get the more accurate scoop in GameSpot's full Far Cry 2 review. By the way, this download includes the Fortune's Pack add-on.<br /><br />4. Got younger gamers in the house? For my money you can't beat the LEGO series, especially when they're priced like this: Green Man Gaming has LEGO Batman: The Videogame (PC) for $4.75 when you apply coupon code GMG30-DPLIM-DN831 and the much newer LEGO Batman 2: DC Heroes for $8.40 with the same code. (The latter still sells elsewhere for the full list price of $29.99.) Tremendous bargains, both.<br /><br />5. Finally, Steam continues to serve up some great holiday deals, today focusing on franchises like BioShock, Grand Theft Auto, and Far Cry (you can get that same $2.49 deal on Far Cry 2, but without the Amazon credit), and Galactic Civilizations. These are available until around noon tomorrow, at which point they'll be replaced by other deals.<br /><br />Have a safe, happy, and fun-filled new year, cheeps!<br />
<a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13845_3-57561326-58/great-game-deals-to-kick-off-the-new-year/" target="_blank">View the original article here</a><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-52276734787225732742012-12-31T23:20:00.001+09:002012-12-31T23:20:41.220+09:00Samsung to sell first Tizen smartphone next year, report says Tizen is an alternative Linux-based operating system seen as a more open platform that will rival Google's Android and Apple's iOS.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Samsung at the Consumer Electronics Show.<br />(Credit: Samsung)<br /><br />Samsung Electronics will be the first to sell a smartphone running on the Tizen operating system through Japanese carrier NTT Docomo and other partners next year, according to Japan's Daily Yomiuri.<br /><br />Samsung, NTT Docomo, and their partners hope to build a platform that will rival the major operating systems from Apple and Google. Other carriers interested in Tizen include the U.K.'s Vodaphone and France Telecom, according to the report.<br /><br />CNET has contacted Samsung for comment, and we'll update the story when the company responds.<br /><br />Tizen is a Linux-based operating system that emerged from the death of Nokia's MeeGo. Intel, which originally worked with Nokia on MeeGo, and Samsung took over the development of the operating system, which is also overseen by the Linux Foundation. It is seen as more open than Google's Android, which despite its claims of openness, has irked some partners with certain restrictions, including the inability to make massive changes to the underlying platform.<br /><br />The various companies involved with Tizen see the platform as a potential alternative with both Android and the closed iOS operating system from Apple getting too powerful. Samsung has seen its market share and dominance over the smartphone industry soar with Android, but is hedging its bets. Samsung is also juggling Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system as well, but so far the platform hasn't taken off for the company.<br /><br />Beyond phones, Tizen could be used for other devices, including televisions and tablets. Samsung has been quick to add platforms capable of running apps in devices such as televisions and even appliances.<br /><br />NTT Docomo, meanwhile, is the only major Japanese carrier to not sell the iPhone, and Daily Yomiuri said that the carrier hopes that Tizen will help reverse the subscriber losses.<br />
<a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57561316-94/samsung-to-sell-first-tizen-smartphone-next-year-report-says/" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-60788256146017813302012-12-06T20:37:00.000+09:002012-12-06T20:37:07.641+09:00HTC Said To Be Prepping Its New “M7″ Flagship Android Phone For A Q1 2013 Launch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Financially speaking, HTC hasn’t had the best track record this year. Even after promising to focus on hero devices in 2012, the company has had to deal with rough quarter after rough quarter. It seems that HTC is already working to make 2013 a bit brighter though — recent report from Focus Taiwan points out that the company is currently slaving away on its next flagship smartphone, tentatively named the “M7.”<br /><br />There’s very little known about the device at this point, but a little digging from the folks at HTC Source seems to have unearthed an early spec sheet. If true, the M7 could ship with a 5-inch display running at 1080p, an aluminum unibody chassis, a 13-megapixel camera, and (most importantly) a Qualcomm APQ8064 quad-core processor.<br /><br />On some level it seems like HTC is rushing into things — after all, the Taiwanese company just launched a pair of 1080p display-toting phones in Japan and the United States within the past two months, though it doesn’t seem like either of them will land in Europe any time soon. Then again there’s not a whole lot of time for players in the wireless industry to sit around and catch their proverbial breath. Rivals LG and Samsung are both widely expected to launch followups to their own respective flagship phones (complete with 1080p displays as well) within the first half of 2013. The eventual announcement may not be the most welcome news for customers who have just taken the plunge on another device, but hey — that’s just the nature of the beast.<br /><br />If this thing really is in the works, then I imagine it won’t be too long before it makes its grand entrance — HTC usually shows off some impressive new hardware (the One series, anyone?) at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, and that’s less than three months away. Couple that with some analyst chatter about a March 2013 launch and the company’s track record with employees’ loose lips, and we have all the makings of a potential leakfest sooner rather than later.<br />
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<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/05/htc-m7-rumor-q1-2013/" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-90137147716147765912012-12-06T20:33:00.000+09:002012-12-06T20:33:07.280+09:00Sony reveals 3.5-inch Xperia E single or dual-SIM Android phone, coming early next year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sony has just announced the new Xperia E smartphone sporting a 3.5-inch HVGA 320 x 480 display and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (though the specs indicate ICS), available with single or "Xperia Edual" mode SIMs. It's touting the new handset as a way to "stay on top of your data and battery usage," sporting special software that disables WiFi and data traffic when the screen has been asleep for more than a few minutes. With the dual-SIM option, you'll also be able to switch between carriers with a single touch "to stay on the most cost effective plan." It'll come with HD Voice and Walkman xLOUD technology for optimal sound quality, according to Sony, and other specs include a 1GHz processor, wireless DNLA connectivity, a 1500 mAh battery and black, white or pink color options. Pricing has yet to be announced, but it'll launch in Q1 2013 according to the PR, which you can find along with a video right after the break. <br />
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<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/05/sony-reveals-3-5-inch-xperia-e-smartphone-in-single-or-dual-sim/" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-38566969049811248622012-12-05T23:48:00.001+09:002012-12-05T23:48:44.765+09:00The Gangnam Style Onslaught Continues With An Official Live Wallpaper For Android Devices<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It’s been, what, five months since PSY’s Gangnam Style first made its YouTube debut? You’d think that Gangnam fever would’ve died out long ago, but it just keeps chugging along — the video recently beat some Justin Bieber garbage to become the most-watched thing on YouTube, and some expect it to hit 1 billion views in short order. If all that weren’t enough, there’s now an official Gangnam Style live wallpaper for Android-toting K-Pop fanatics to throw their money at.<br /><br />Sure, it’s not the first one to worm its way into the Google Play store, but it’s by far the best. To wit: double-tapping the wallpaper causes the otherwise dull background image to slide apart and reveal the infamous elevator thrusting scene (accompanied by brief snippets of the song, naturally). It’s funny enough, but Gangnam Style purists will probably be miffed when they discover that none of the snippets actually match up with what’s happening visually.<br /><br />What’s more, each new email or text message you receive also causes the wallpaper to spring to life. Jaded though I may be at this point, watching PSY gallop about like a ninny whenever I got a new message still manages to elicit some giggles. To top it all off, an audio file called “sexy_lady” is automatically set as your device’s default notification sound once the live wallpaper has been enabled — you can probably guess exactly what happens, but here’s a video just in case your imagination is a little lacking:<br />Terribly obvious visual gags aside, the live wallpaper will occasionally display PSY’s latest tweets, as well as upcoming concert dates and tour stops. If all this sounds like a recipe for a good time, you may want to mosey on over to the Google Play Store to see for yourself. Be warned, though — most reviewers didn’t seem to have much trouble with it, but I found that the live wallpaper would occasionally force close on my Nexus 4. If you’re thinking about shelling out the $1.99 for this thing, do yourself a favor and take advantage of the 15-minute return window if things turn sour right out of the gate.<br />
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<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/04/the-gangnam-style-onslaught-continues-with-an-official-live-wallpaper-for-android-devices/?icid=trending11&grcc2=351d72769b531e124e68dd9243a4b36c%7E1354718481021%7Efca4fa8af1286d8a77f26033fdeed202%7Ee49109ae1b2298598060cfef96b3d426%7E1354718481018%7E98%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E9%7E6%7E10%7E14%7E-1%7E-4241336530751783312%7E%7Ehttp%3A%2F%2Ftechcrunch.com%2F2012%2F12%2F05%2Fgoogle-maps-on-the-wii-u-lets-you-wander-the-worlds-streets-with-your-gamepad-beginning-in-january%2F%7E" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-77856593283472453512012-12-05T23:44:00.002+09:002012-12-05T23:44:37.421+09:00Google Maps On The Wii U Lets You Wander The World’s Streets With Your GamePad Beginning In January<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While I’ve managed to resist the call of the Wii U so far, neat tricks with the GamePad like the newly-announced Google Maps app Street View integration have me sorely tempted. Nintendo announced today that Google Maps will be arriving on the Wii U gaming console in early 2013, delivering a unique Street View mode for the GamePad touchscreen controller that allows users to pan around various locations as they view satellite map imagery on their television.<br /><br />Initially, I might have questioned the need for a mapping app on a home gaming console, which tend to be stationary, but the ability to take essentially walking tours from the comfort of your living room in a way that’s much more immersive than just panning around on a computer screen or mobile device makes this very interesting. Japan’s Wii U owners will be able to grab the Google Maps app beginning in January, where it will be available free at least through March.<br /><br />Nintendo also discussed a special Panorama View app, which will feature 360-degree videos, not just static imagery, that users can pan around using the GamePad. This app was originally unveiled at E3, and will arrive in Spring 2013 in Japan. U.S. releases of both features are expected to follow their Japanese introductions.<br />
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<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/05/google-maps-on-the-wii-u-lets-you-wander-the-worlds-streets-with-your-gamepad-beginning-in-january/?icid=trending9&grcc2=31dd72f060b809b0662397eea76f658b%7E1354718466048%7Efca4fa8af1286d8a77f26033fdeed202%7Ee49109ae1b2298598060cfef96b3d426%7E1354718466046%7E98%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E9%7E6%7E10%7E14%7E-1%7E-2730134290326020073%7E%7Ehttp%3A%2F%2Ftechcrunch.com%2F2012%2F12%2F05%2Fnokia-unveils-latest-windows-phone-8-device-lumia-620-packs-3-8-inch-clearblack-display-nfc-costs-249-before-taxes%2F%7E" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-43285609945796405942012-12-05T23:40:00.001+09:002012-12-05T23:40:29.597+09:00Nokia Unveils Latest Windows Phone 8 Device: Lumia 620 Packs 3.8 Inch ClearBlack Display, NFC, Costs $249 (Before Taxes)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Marko Ahtisaari, Executive VP of Design, Nokia, has unveiled its latest Windows Phone 8 device: the Nokia Lumia 620. The product design chief was speaking at the LeWeb conference taking place this week in Paris.<br /><br />The phone is smaller (and cheaper) than other Windows Phone 8 Lumia devices — with a 3.8 inch screen, 1GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor and Nokia’s ClearBlack display to improve the viewing experience outdoors in bright sunlight. (Full device specs can be found here.)<br /><br />Nokia is also adding some new casing colours with this Lumia device — overlaying one translucent colour layer over an opaque layer to produce new “bold blends” with a “depth effect” — such as lime green and orange. Seven colours are being offered in all, with exchangeable shells — in gloss and matte finishes.<br /><br />“We knew there was space in the portfolio for something more compact,” said Ahtisaari. “Something that fit beautifully in the palm of the hand. But something that still had the camera, a solid camera, and the signature apps that Nokia is noted for. And as well we wanted something that would take our pure colour story and just give it a burst of playfulness — mix it up a little bit.”<br /><br />The more compact form factor of the Lumia 620, means Nokia has opted for a “softer, rounder” form factor than for its other two — larger — Windows Phone 8 devices: the Lumia 920 and 820, noted Ahtisaari.<br /><br />The Lumia 620 also includes NFC for linking up with accessories such as speakers, an “especially loud speaker” on the back of the phone, a “very fast” five megapixel camera and Nokia-specific Windows Phone 8 apps/features — such as SmartShoot, Cinemagraph, City Lens, Lenses, Maps, Music, Drive and Transport. Also on board: a front-facing camera for video calls.<br /><br />The design chief said the phone will cost $249 (before taxes) — its cheapest Windows Phone 8 device by far — and is set to ship in January, to Asia-Pac, Middle East and Africa first, with Europe and Canada following “soon thereafter”.<br />
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<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/05/nokia-unveils-latest-windows-phone-8-device-lumia-620-packs-3-8-inch-clearblack-display-nfc-costs-249-before-taxes/?icid=trending6&grcc2=0599827381344712752bbc6970d9da80%7E1354718096011%7Efca4fa8af1286d8a77f26033fdeed202%7Ee49109ae1b2298598060cfef96b3d426%7E1354718096009%7E98%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E9%7E6%7E10%7E14%7E-1%7E1913297211481051194%7E%7Ehttp%3A%2F%2Ftechcrunch.com%2Fgadgets%2F%7E" target="_blank">View the orginal article here</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-40126067089380008822012-12-05T02:55:00.001+09:002012-12-05T02:55:56.515+09:00Samsung to ship more than 60M smartphones in Q4, says analyst The Korean smartphone maker could ship as many as 61.5 million smartphones, a 5 percent gain from the prior quarter, says a UBS analyst. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Samsung should enjoy a profitable quarter if one analyst's smartphone projections are on the money.<br /><br />The company is expected to ship 61.5 million smartphones in the fourth quarter, said UBS analyst Nicolas Gaudois, as reported by the Yonhap News agency. That number would prove a 5 percent gain over the 58 million estimated shipments for the third quarter.<br /><br />And the figure could grow as high as 63 million, the analyst forecast, depending on how many units are actually sold to consumers. The gain in shipments will be triggered in large part by the Galaxy Note 2, which Samsung released in September.<br /><br />"The Galaxy Note 2 has shipped 3 million units in its first five weeks of sales, with sell-through strong in Asia and Europe, and the U.S. gathering pace post-launch," Gaudois said in his investors note, according to Yonhap. "We hence forecast 7 million Galaxy Note 2, compared to our initial expectation of 5 million for the fourth quarter."<br /><br />Samsung's Galaxy S3 will also be a major factor in the higher shipments.<br /><br />Unveiled in May, the new Galaxy S flagship brought in unit sales of more than 5.5 million just in October. Despite concerns that the iPhone 5 might steal away some business, the analyst sees little effect on S3 sales.<br /><br />"We see a limited ramp-down, if any at all, for the Galaxy S3, and we feel comfortable with our 15 million estimate for the fourth quarter of 2012," Gaudois added.<br /><br />Samsung and Apple virtually own the smartphone market. The two have been duking it out for the top spot, but recent reports from IDC and other research firms show Samsung still clearly in the lead over its archrival.<br />
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<a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57553167-94/samsung-to-ship-more-than-60m-smartphones-in-q4-says-analyst/" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-57303167966612175872012-12-05T02:41:00.000+09:002012-12-05T02:41:41.685+09:00Facebook hopes new Messenger app will outpace SMS The big social network is angling to replace text messaging with a new Facebook Messaging service requires a phone number but no Facebook account.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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PARIS -- Facebook revamped its Facebook Messenger service today in an attempt to get people to dump mobile-phone text messaging in favor of something more sophisticated.<br /><br />Facebook Messenger today is essentially an instant-messaging network, complete with separate apps to use the service. But with the new incarnation, people need only a phone number, and no Facebook account, said Peter Deng, Facebook's director of communications product management, at the LeWeb show here.<br /><br />The service is available initially in South Africa, India, Australia, Argentina, and Venezuela, he said, and in India's case in partnership with a carrier. Many young people have shown a major preference for text messaging over e-mail, and Facebook hopes they'll get opt for a more elaborate option from Facebook rather than the ordinary Simple Message Service.<br /><br />"The SMS protocol has been around for 20 years. It's designed for old phones, and it don't take advantage of location or rich features like picture taking," Deng said. "We want to let people connect to each other."<br /><br />Facebook isn't the first to try to replace SMS. There are innumerable instant-messaging applications, including Microsoft's Windows Messenger, which is to be replaced with Skype, and Apple is working to extend SMS itself with iOS and OS X.<br /><br />The service has no ads and works on a wide array of feature phones, not just higher-end smartphones, he said.<br /><br />And though it doesn't require Facebook use, the company unsurprisingly hopes Facebook Messenger will lead to it, particularly in developing markets.<br /><br />"It could lead to other parts of the Facebook product -- post a status message or share an album," Deng said.<br /><br />With its Web site geared for use on personal computers, Facebook has struggled to cope with the onset of mobile technology. Now, though, the company has put mobile devices in the center of its development plans.<br /><br />"We're thinking about mobile first," Deng said. "It turns our development philosophy on its head. We've gone native."<br /><br />And it's not easy. Developers have a pile of feature phones available to ensure their mobile apps and mobile site features work, he said, but there are innumerable compatibility challenges.<br /><br />"Every single day, Facebook is accessed by 7,000 different types of devices," Deng said. <br />
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<a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57557003-93/facebook-hopes-new-messenger-app-will-outpace-sms/" target="_blank">View the original article here </a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-53680326867997090762012-12-04T00:01:00.000+09:002012-12-04T00:26:55.901+09:00Verizon's Motorola Droid RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD Getting Android 4.12 Upgrades this Week<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqlPh6Rj1gBvnU2qx1Ql2zmxhvqCPHRpsJ87gb2C3691fws63fgT3QHzoC711DKgNWQAJ62BZR6ggaFLbFwJOP_APSXaHpDS2KZepK55b9gc1vjpeyUg-uowLqdrDv_9BNFJvBSOyfVE/s1600/23210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqlPh6Rj1gBvnU2qx1Ql2zmxhvqCPHRpsJ87gb2C3691fws63fgT3QHzoC711DKgNWQAJ62BZR6ggaFLbFwJOP_APSXaHpDS2KZepK55b9gc1vjpeyUg-uowLqdrDv_9BNFJvBSOyfVE/s1600/23210.jpg" /></a>When the Motorola Droid RAZR HD and Droid RAZR MAXX HD came out this fall, they debuted running Android 4.0, an out-dated version of Google's operating system. These two Verizon smartphones will soon be receiving upgrades, though not to to latest version of Android.<br />
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Motorola's newest will be getting upgrades to Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), which is about a year old. Version 4.2 debuted this summer. Still, few devices from any company are running this version yet.<br />
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4.1 brings some new features, including Google Now, expandable notifications, Android Beam (letting users share media with other users), and new widget capabilities.<br />
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Verizon says that the Motorola Droid RAZR HD and Droid RAZR MAXX will start going out in phases this week. This is a standard practice for smartphone system software upgrades -- rather than everyone getting it at once, groups of users are given access to it in a schedule spread out over a few days.<br />
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Customers can visit Verizon's support page for more information about the Android 4.1 upgrade.<br />
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<a href="http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=19551" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-44720357286633927252012-12-02T20:14:00.004+09:002012-12-02T20:15:45.833+09:00Zapstreak Goes Global With Public SDK Launch For Its AirPlay For Android Solution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Poznan, Poland-based startup Zapstreak has just brought its AirPlay-style media streaming solution for Android out of beta, making the SDK it provides available to developers worldwide after a six-month extended testing period. The company’s tech allows Android developers to build music, video or picture-streaming right into their app. Because the tech is built on the DLNA standard, it doesn’t require devs to worry about additional hardware capabilities in consumer devices, and it should work out-of-the-box with a variety of existing TVs, receivers and other home AV equipment.<br />
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DLNA is built in to most connected TVs on the market, and it also works with audio-only devices like stereo receivers and even some game consoles (Xbox 360 and PS3 both support DLNA streaming). Developers can build in support for DLNA streaming on their own, but Zapstreak’s SDK is designed to make things much easier, taking away additional work and development costs and giving devs a plug-and-play solution they can integrate easily. Ease of use was what Zapstreak beta partners musiXmatch and video2brain cited as key to their decision to use Zapstreak as their means of providing DLNA access through their apps.<br />
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Back when Zapstreak debuted its product in April, founder Stefan Bielau explained how it originally wanted to build just a single app for streaming media, but recognized that there was a clear gap in the Android ecosystem with this type of tech, one which Apple was actively expanding on its own platform. Apple brought expanded AirPlay capabilities to the iPad first with full system mirroring, a feature which later also made it to iPhone devices. AirPlay video and desktop streaming is now also available from Mac OS X computers, features which alone make the Apple TV an attractive purchase to users heavily engaged in the Apple hardware and software ecosystem.<br />
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But times have changed. In the ensuing six months, Google has introduced and revoked its own Android media streamer (the Nexus Q), and Google wants to build media streaming right into Android with an open AirPlay standard that will be available cross-platform, according to a recent report from GigaOm. Many Android handsets also now ship with Miracast built in, which is a Wi-Fi Alliance-certified standard manufacturers are now putting into televisions as well as smartphone hardware. Android 4.2 brings official system-level Miracast support to Google’s mobile OS.<br />
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Zapstreak is offering free access to its SDK for a month after sign up for new developers, but after that, it starts at $29 per month. That might be a lot to ask developers looking for a service that could soon be provided by Google for free, but DLNA has the advantage of working with existing home theatre setups, and it’s available now, not planned for the future. Zapstreak is also working on similar SDKs for both iOS and Windows developers, though there’s no firm timeline on when those will make a public appearance just yet.<br />
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<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/11/29/zapstreak-goes-global-with-public-sdk-launch-for-its-airplay-for-android-solution/" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-66659481205782825702012-12-02T20:11:00.001+09:002012-12-02T20:11:25.824+09:00Apple Will Reportedly Start Selling Unlocked iPhones As Early As Tonight In The U.S.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Apple has yet to release the unlocked iPhone 5 in the U.S., even though early on they let images leak depicting pricing of that device on its website. Now a new report from 9t05Mac claims that the company will start selling unlocked iPhones as early as tonight via its online store, with physical retail availability coming shortly thereafter. As we reported at launch, unlocked pricing for the iPhones will be $649, $749 and $849 respectively for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions.<br /><br />9to5Mac’s generally solid retail sources say that the phone will be made available unlocked beginning around 9 PM PT tonight at the earliest, and that physical stores will have them “soon,” but haven’t received a firm starting date for sales as of yet. The report does claim that unlocked device inventory is already making its way out to retail locations, however, in advance of being put on sale. Finally, their sources also indicate that customers will start being able to reserve devices ahead of time anytime, rather than just after 10 PM, as is the current practice.<br /><br />Unlocked devices are on the market through Apple in other markets, like the Canadian store. These come SIM-unlocked, meaning you can use them with the carrier and plan of your choice. Customers still have to ensure that the version of the iPhone they pick up is compatible with the network of their choosing. In the U.S., Apple offers two versions of the iPhone, one that works with Sprint and Verizon 4G networks, and one that works with AT&T frequencies. It’s unclear from this report whether both versions will be made available unlocked, but hopefully we’ll find out later this evening.<br />
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<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/11/29/apple-will-reportedly-start-selling-unlocked-iphones-as-early-as-tonight-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank">View the orginal article here</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-79794734642970043282012-12-02T00:24:00.000+09:002012-12-02T00:24:15.723+09:00HTC Won’t Sell The Entry-Level Windows Phone 8S Smartphone In The U.S.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The HTC 8S is a Windows Phone 8 handset that’s lightly specced compared to its more powerful sibling, the HTC 8X. The 8X is HTC’s flagship phone based on Microsoft’s mobile OS, and apparently the only one the U.S. market may ever see, according to an official statement from HTC issued late Friday afternoon. The budget 8S won’t make it to U.S. shores, an HTC official told Engadget, which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.<br /><br />The HTC 8S is a not a bad-looking piece of hardware, based on the versions I saw at CTIA MobileCon before they were allowed to be displayed running a live version of Windows Phone 8. But inside it’s a device built for a budget: It lacks a front-facing camera, has a much lower resolution display, a weaker rear camera, less RAM and a slower processor than its big brother. The Verge reports that delays in carrier testing of the 8S had already pushed back its retail availability (where it was targeted for T-Mobile), but the new statement from HTC indicates we probably won’t ever see the phone on sale stateside.<br /><br />The Windows Phone 8X is now said to be HTC’s area of focus on the Windows Phone side for the U.S. market, where it’s sold at AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. While Windows Phone 8 sales are said to be exceeding the launch performance of Windows Phone 7 devices, no one’s putting any firm numbers behind that as of yet. It’s possible that what HTC saw regarding sales of its 8X indicated that the wise course would be to focus on promoting a single WP8-based device in the U.S. market, rather than splitting their focus between two handsets.<br />
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<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/01/htc-wont-sell-the-entry-level-windows-phone-8s-smartphone-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank">View the original articele here </a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-41188488471976820362012-12-02T00:20:00.002+09:002012-12-02T00:20:16.495+09:00Apple Gains On Samsung In U.S. Mobile Phone Market Share, Lands Second Overall For The First Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For the first time in the history of comScore’s MobiLens U.S. mobile market share report, Apple has come in second overall among handset OEMs. Apple grew its U.S. market share by 1.5 percentage points from 16.3 to 17.8 percent in the three-month period ending October 2012, according to the report. During the same period, Samsung also saw its share grow, but only by 0.7 percentage points, from 25.6 to 26.3 percent. Apple seems to have begun narrowing the gap on the back of the iPhone 5, which went on sale in the U.S. towards the middle of the period covered by comScore’s latest report.<br /><br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_oYFX9I_4DMRQqYOrRgo894CwpKYoEGmUqy90tZLcV11ioA9sMoPE_8NDS9dQC6TBW7KmeLJ7v5EOGi4ng8GlgvjUt4C__pKc6-PlgFIOGC8AIO8yqpNPnrdn9nH0knS1TzvnUT_OAI/s1600/screen-shot-2012-12-01-at-8-34-07-am.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_oYFX9I_4DMRQqYOrRgo894CwpKYoEGmUqy90tZLcV11ioA9sMoPE_8NDS9dQC6TBW7KmeLJ7v5EOGi4ng8GlgvjUt4C__pKc6-PlgFIOGC8AIO8yqpNPnrdn9nH0knS1TzvnUT_OAI/s400/screen-shot-2012-12-01-at-8-34-07-am.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Screen Shot 2012-12-01 at 8.34.07 AMApple climbed to second over LG, which saw a dip of 0.8 percentage points from 18.4 to 17.6 percent during the period. Motorola and HTC rounded out the top five, both experiencing slight drops and finishing the quarter with 11 and 6 percent of the market, respectively. Another key metric comScore found, and one which helps explain what finally pushed Apple into second place, is nearly 52 percent of all subscribers in the U.S. were on smartphones, up 6 percent from the previous quarter. Apple only sells smartphones, so its fortunes rising in lockstep with the decreasing popularity of feature phones makes perfect sense.<br /><br />As mentioned, Apple also released the iPhone 5 during the quarter covered by this report. We’ve already seen from Kantar Worldpanel that the iPhone 5 propelled Apple back to the top of the U.S. smartphone charts, and it’s likely that device is also the reason Apple now comes in at number two overall among handset makers of all stripes.<br /><br />Platform market share still shows Google with a commanding lead, and one which grew during the period, from 52.2 percent of subscribers to 53.6 percent. Apple also gained, rising 0.9 percentage points from 33.4 percent to 34.3 percent, while RIM was the biggest loser among the top five with a decline of 1.7 percentage points. Microsoft and Symbian round out the top five, both with minor drops in overall share.<br /><br />The next quarter will be an interesting one to watch for. It covers November through January, which means that we’ll see the holiday effect on all OEMs. It also should include LG’s sales of the Nexus 4 device, which seems to be remarkably popular, or at least in very short supply. Depending on how LG allocates supply among its Optimus G and Nexus devices, we could see it claw back into second, since the gap is still quite narrow, but it has to contend with Apple’s holiday iPhone sales, which are generally very strong.<br />
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<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/01/apple-gains-on-samsung-in-u-s-mobile-phone-market-share-lands-second-overall-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank">View the original article here </a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2992886541794272675.post-82571628014250892492012-12-01T03:02:00.000+09:002012-12-01T03:02:09.092+09:00A First Look At The 2012 21.5-inch iMac, And How It Compares To Generations Past<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnaDP4HbqfCPYok4a3kYR5xW_RmG495lVBkeAf_ITanpHtSC8PDNgxgCCD69hhMImCx_eRrxpviwVQqsYs-JTDSF4ozJUO37EaoDp3ruFIwioTJ7mGjjDtLGMpLKaJGQXGNf9tFpzI18/s1600/imac-13retinambp-sidebyside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnaDP4HbqfCPYok4a3kYR5xW_RmG495lVBkeAf_ITanpHtSC8PDNgxgCCD69hhMImCx_eRrxpviwVQqsYs-JTDSF4ozJUO37EaoDp3ruFIwioTJ7mGjjDtLGMpLKaJGQXGNf9tFpzI18/s320/imac-13retinambp-sidebyside.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The new iMac all-in-one desktop computer from Apple goes on sale today, and it includes a significant hardware redesign. Apple has cut bulk and thinned out the edges with a tapered design that is only 5 mm thick at the edge. Leaving aside what’s new under the hood, the case itself is impressive enough that it merits a good look. Here’s what the new 21.5-inch version of the iMac looks like, and how it stacks up to other Apple hardware, past and present.<br />
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21.5-inch 2012 iMac, front view. It’s hard to tell in pics, but the screen is very impressive. Images sit so close to the glass.<br />
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21.5-inch 2012 iMac, side view. you can see here how it tapers out to a relatively thick point where the hinge attaches to the stand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z_Yb2ldEGzQVuxq0LHT5P7sLKK1nOJb4DzxSk88kysX6wV-ZeYPGOn2Zf2BMcn7uh7iAF-RyMhsU3MSCLDcaGgn1IcKS6DUmPuqaJElmk940AWlI2E1xffrAMCC0nas9VqhG2a2_4BM/s1600/imac-rear-angle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z_Yb2ldEGzQVuxq0LHT5P7sLKK1nOJb4DzxSk88kysX6wV-ZeYPGOn2Zf2BMcn7uh7iAF-RyMhsU3MSCLDcaGgn1IcKS6DUmPuqaJElmk940AWlI2E1xffrAMCC0nas9VqhG2a2_4BM/s320/imac-rear-angle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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21.5-inch 2012 iMac, from the back. Not much has changed here from the last generation. Ports, power button, etc all in the same place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkU8E3yGk2QwTjyXzao4-vT_Gj6rl4arPzA6xPrPgV1YW_bHqfBoIcWtkeWv13ibRGBLFDzSuLGnlMHCptIEfIAj5Oy3a9NDP_XUt0Aql2GU5anSpL1Mfm9JApQgBwXzuCbYcIUbKFiQ/s1600/imac-imac2008-facing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkU8E3yGk2QwTjyXzao4-vT_Gj6rl4arPzA6xPrPgV1YW_bHqfBoIcWtkeWv13ibRGBLFDzSuLGnlMHCptIEfIAj5Oy3a9NDP_XUt0Aql2GU5anSpL1Mfm9JApQgBwXzuCbYcIUbKFiQ/s320/imac-imac2008-facing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thickness comparison, 2012 iMac and 13-inch 2012 Retina MacBook Pro. You can see the edge of the iMac is just slightly thicker than the MacBook’s lid.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnaDP4HbqfCPYok4a3kYR5xW_RmG495lVBkeAf_ITanpHtSC8PDNgxgCCD69hhMImCx_eRrxpviwVQqsYs-JTDSF4ozJUO37EaoDp3ruFIwioTJ7mGjjDtLGMpLKaJGQXGNf9tFpzI18/s1600/imac-13retinambp-sidebyside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnaDP4HbqfCPYok4a3kYR5xW_RmG495lVBkeAf_ITanpHtSC8PDNgxgCCD69hhMImCx_eRrxpviwVQqsYs-JTDSF4ozJUO37EaoDp3ruFIwioTJ7mGjjDtLGMpLKaJGQXGNf9tFpzI18/s320/imac-13retinambp-sidebyside.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
2012 iMac next to 2012 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro. Apple’s design aesthetics are definitely still in tight lockstep between notebooks and desktops.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWx6hnD1mla8-BYMnIqtBvPPDDcfp-VZsHywmuwOvoDbYWUPSOC9bNjNFdgr6Zj4dZpemDJ8tmSj1mNVoyet2LuVnXNlDAweBBQfbPzGgtlmNWfEnhYlst9Rf9FytmStZecSryvjX7joA/s1600/imac-macbook-air.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWx6hnD1mla8-BYMnIqtBvPPDDcfp-VZsHywmuwOvoDbYWUPSOC9bNjNFdgr6Zj4dZpemDJ8tmSj1mNVoyet2LuVnXNlDAweBBQfbPzGgtlmNWfEnhYlst9Rf9FytmStZecSryvjX7joA/s320/imac-macbook-air.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Edge comparison, 2011 MacBook Air and 2012 iMac. At its thinnest point, the MacBook Air is still thinner than the iMac’s edge, but just barely.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVWQwMA3uQkEA8rOlMnKIUC4rjq4YVhRBCEX2wW6CcNAMS9dbIhQb9ZJZfEAg52ofryKXadr5GYAIACCrOhHvBzRIMoYWPfE6mTdilr7faQ89BXQJKgmu5paX5rpo2-I4t-rVdzaERkQ/s1600/imac-imac2008-sidebyside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVWQwMA3uQkEA8rOlMnKIUC4rjq4YVhRBCEX2wW6CcNAMS9dbIhQb9ZJZfEAg52ofryKXadr5GYAIACCrOhHvBzRIMoYWPfE6mTdilr7faQ89BXQJKgmu5paX5rpo2-I4t-rVdzaERkQ/s320/imac-imac2008-sidebyside.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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2008 20-inch iMac (left) next to 2012 21.5-inch iMac. My old kitchen workhorse comes out to showhow much has changed in four years. Note the thickness of the stand on the older machine. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkU8E3yGk2QwTjyXzao4-vT_Gj6rl4arPzA6xPrPgV1YW_bHqfBoIcWtkeWv13ibRGBLFDzSuLGnlMHCptIEfIAj5Oy3a9NDP_XUt0Aql2GU5anSpL1Mfm9JApQgBwXzuCbYcIUbKFiQ/s1600/imac-imac2008-facing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkU8E3yGk2QwTjyXzao4-vT_Gj6rl4arPzA6xPrPgV1YW_bHqfBoIcWtkeWv13ibRGBLFDzSuLGnlMHCptIEfIAj5Oy3a9NDP_XUt0Aql2GU5anSpL1Mfm9JApQgBwXzuCbYcIUbKFiQ/s320/imac-imac2008-facing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2008 iMac (right) and 2012 iMac (left) thickness comparison. The difference here is almost absurd.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk_o03vbYVEY4tE7-sBQnYKyC0vUNIiVR2fbECLmbOE-OBiQY1y1WenZB6UGRRYeg4YkGvQF15QgRBUJnymO2CsQa1CWRLiMVjnUtGw30_wsGrmYPDcoKH3dswcPWUVcsfOFVdaDO4RI/s1600/imac-imac2008-top-facing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk_o03vbYVEY4tE7-sBQnYKyC0vUNIiVR2fbECLmbOE-OBiQY1y1WenZB6UGRRYeg4YkGvQF15QgRBUJnymO2CsQa1CWRLiMVjnUtGw30_wsGrmYPDcoKH3dswcPWUVcsfOFVdaDO4RI/s320/imac-imac2008-top-facing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2008 iMac (right) and 2012 iMac (left) top thickness comparison. That taper accounts for all the saved volume on the newer machine.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36xFWsDqggltXUppkO6DjjN7TTGTkZhoWeT4VLuCdPEBC21DsG85bqcQ_5rk3sv27HVY4si3bDxXZvAhPXfIt8b4ol_cztR-ICoPFt0rscwaINzS0UGKePRqFfEXPtmisBacIRWbJirY/s1600/imac-imac2011-facing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36xFWsDqggltXUppkO6DjjN7TTGTkZhoWeT4VLuCdPEBC21DsG85bqcQ_5rk3sv27HVY4si3bDxXZvAhPXfIt8b4ol_cztR-ICoPFt0rscwaINzS0UGKePRqFfEXPtmisBacIRWbJirY/s320/imac-imac2011-facing.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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2011 iMac (left) thickness comparison to 2012 iMac (right). This is a comparison with the 2011 iMac released last summer. At their thickest point they’re close, if not the same at around 1.5-inches thick.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGBKijmDsdKSUQClBN6W888s4LO2q4Zk5N9OEc2U24dnGpjLVSKrw62he0JT2yFeXfUM1yDdB6s7XbUxdfBDt9yHA-MlVoOlyvDcMgmG5BdS2C5eYHGLw7SPmgRZnOa0YqrRiXK2LY2E/s1600/imac-icon-resolution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGBKijmDsdKSUQClBN6W888s4LO2q4Zk5N9OEc2U24dnGpjLVSKrw62he0JT2yFeXfUM1yDdB6s7XbUxdfBDt9yHA-MlVoOlyvDcMgmG5BdS2C5eYHGLw7SPmgRZnOa0YqrRiXK2LY2E/s320/imac-icon-resolution.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Close-up of Mail icon on 2012 iMac screen. It’s not a Retina display, but the further distance from the screen a user sits makes the difference harder to spot than on, say the iPad mini.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ5vybqdnrxex2v5nOnib_r_jOVRcf9arD6tdknqK2J17pssU-6QuwEih6Ll_PYA8z1y73YWGWk86XP9bfBmiuQnWFb6MyZxcWpo4FpwnFULo9VeWhuQKUo_JUHVsFW3V5gvxTvr3GrI/s1600/retinambp-icon-resolution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ5vybqdnrxex2v5nOnib_r_jOVRcf9arD6tdknqK2J17pssU-6QuwEih6Ll_PYA8z1y73YWGWk86XP9bfBmiuQnWFb6MyZxcWpo4FpwnFULo9VeWhuQKUo_JUHVsFW3V5gvxTvr3GrI/s320/retinambp-icon-resolution.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Close-up of Mail icon on 2012 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro. Here’s the comparison shot from Apple’s HiDPI Mac screen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGSkPZo-eM_s7vtqpR17PznyyPOYjopqSKUeB2n9bH307jotNANBALoOTlePoGuZFWQkqqeR-B2kHmelLufVGoA7anR1KPDLVBPwbUX3FaS-vehgUbtb-XeVNAJ9Fl9G941JaEJO2-f4/s1600/imac-edge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGSkPZo-eM_s7vtqpR17PznyyPOYjopqSKUeB2n9bH307jotNANBALoOTlePoGuZFWQkqqeR-B2kHmelLufVGoA7anR1KPDLVBPwbUX3FaS-vehgUbtb-XeVNAJ9Fl9G941JaEJO2-f4/s320/imac-edge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2012 iMac edge close-up. You can tell this is a precision-crafted machine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRuKNFjL8cTqPkvxP6arYNrY0LiTyt5WyMx9dyH1YJcsDSOPmDsAUZQj9yRVImThw5nqHpZBqvQVa6xTngO-T9G91bfHKl-brzsuk6DOqUUCNrGgGm5ZW8sITXs93oTK6XY3Kw4iLIO4/s1600/imac-vs-iphone-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRuKNFjL8cTqPkvxP6arYNrY0LiTyt5WyMx9dyH1YJcsDSOPmDsAUZQj9yRVImThw5nqHpZBqvQVa6xTngO-T9G91bfHKl-brzsuk6DOqUUCNrGgGm5ZW8sITXs93oTK6XY3Kw4iLIO4/s320/imac-vs-iphone-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
iPhone 5 and 2012 iMac thickness comparison. Thinner than iPhone 5 at the outer edge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOCDBuzICsHfTd0aWXdaGQliwpx-YbzkRLaX-dvbFMN7IgqIjmHcw1YGVIPlda5tVXeamgM0e4M5ty7HDCLmMEPjO0PoWY3hkrpeAaTGu9Pr8v3-e3Zg_h03kYnNp7Z2TTQtsdIS8u-A/s1600/imac-vs-ipad-mini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOCDBuzICsHfTd0aWXdaGQliwpx-YbzkRLaX-dvbFMN7IgqIjmHcw1YGVIPlda5tVXeamgM0e4M5ty7HDCLmMEPjO0PoWY3hkrpeAaTGu9Pr8v3-e3Zg_h03kYnNp7Z2TTQtsdIS8u-A/s320/imac-vs-ipad-mini.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pad mini and 2012 iMac thickness comparison. These are pretty close, too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcW7vi8ZBZ7JET9vL2WaMP99JisafqGDao2yUSdI0Qie6cpAGGMkv0jppvOgM8GN6tbqt1xG1mxIH-Jzvf_1V0HndrcCyM-ap5tBqfOnfe5CYWi-I20HNulDPneuTgtly3F23IAb0KHc/s1600/imac-vs-ipad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcW7vi8ZBZ7JET9vL2WaMP99JisafqGDao2yUSdI0Qie6cpAGGMkv0jppvOgM8GN6tbqt1xG1mxIH-Jzvf_1V0HndrcCyM-ap5tBqfOnfe5CYWi-I20HNulDPneuTgtly3F23IAb0KHc/s320/imac-vs-ipad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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iPad (3rd generation) and 2012 iMac thickness comparison. The iPad’s starting to look positively hefty in this context.<br /><br />We’ll have more on the new iMac in a proper review once I’ve had a chance to put it through more thorough day-to-day testing.<br />
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<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/11/30/a-first-look-at-the-2012-21-5-inch-imac-and-how-it-compares-to-generations-past/" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01354827027354873104noreply@blogger.com0