USB 3.0 – The time has come

Jun 272011
 

Several years ago, the only medium for data transfer was the RS-232 port which offered a painful transfer speed of 28 Kilobits per second. In 1995, came the game changer USB 1.0 which could transfer at the rate of 12 MBPS and then there was no looking back. In 2000 came the USB 2.0 with the speed of 480 MB per sec.  The scenario isn’t the same with USB 3.0. Introduced in 2008, the USB 3.0 offers transfer speeds of upto 5GB per sec.

USB 3.0 besides having ten times the speed of its predecessor also supports asynchronous data transfers, which means that, it won’t have to wait to poll a USB device every time data has to be exchanged. In addition, the transfer method used is that of Bulk Streams which supports multiple data stream transfer, this will help in easily accessing the data which acquires large space, directly from an external hard disk.

When compared with eSATA (External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment), USB 3.0 didn’t disappoint either. While reading data from USB 3.0, we get impressive speeds of around 100 MBPS whereas eSATA manages around 75 MBPS but while writing into the disk, eSATA retains its speed whereas USB 3.0 drops to around 60 MBPS. Even comparing other aspects like power supply, USB 3.0 is a step ahead. In eSATA drives you will need an external supply whereas USB 3.0 has an advantage in this area.

The port used for USB 3.0 is different than the one in USB 2.0. This was not the case with USB 2.0, as compared to the port used in USB 1.0. When looked at casually, the port appears to be the same, but the USB 3.0 has 8 wires and bluish tinge on the top. This port is rarely provided by main laptop providers (Sony, HP, Dell etc).

Initially USB 3.0 port did not get the response it deserved, but now the time has arrived when the old USB ports will be replaced by the new one.

PS Vita- An Overview

Jun 242011
 

Sony hasn’t been having much luck lately, with the PSN network being ravaged by hackers, the failure of their PSP Go, and the fact that they called their new device the ‘Vita’. Sure, it means life in Latin, but NGP for Next Generation Portable just sounds a hell of a lot better, wouldn’t you agree? But anyway, if these details are anything to go by, the PS Vita might be a change in Sony’s fortunes for the better.

First of all, let’s look at the device’s exterior. It looks exactly like the PSP, but with the addition of an extra analog stick. While seemingly insignificant, this was a major gripe with the PSP, especially in racing or adventure games, with less control over the camera in general. The directional pad is located above the left analog stick, where it could be slightly irritating for users to reach with their left hand. This is because, on the rear of the device is a touch sensitive interface, providing an extra axis of control for games. Possible uses are for games like Okami, where the player has to draw patterns in order to advance in certain areas. However, drawing on the back might not be as appealing as drawing on the Vita’s 9″ touch sensitive OLED screen. In addition to the usual features, such as stereo speakers integrated into the device, Sony has included a front and rear facing camera into the Vita, much like the iPad 2.

The Playstation Vita also features Sixaxis support, providing yet another axis of control to the device- for a total of three inputs; Button, Touch, and Kinetic. To round off the package, the device also includes an inbuilt GPS, and Wi-Fi reciever. Bluetooth is also included, but the Vita also brings 3G connectivity into the mix. Powered by the same family of graphics processor used in the iPad 2, the Vita uses a beefed up version of that processor, adding another two cores into the mix. E3 demos have already showcased the device being able to play Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, and Lost Planet 2. To store these enormous games, the Vita features a new storage media. Gone is the UMD from the previous generation, instead, the Vita features flashcards, storing up to a maximum of 4GB on each card. ‘Much larger’ cards have been announced by Sony to be released after the Vita’s launch .

Live Area in action

According to Sony developers, the Vita is very similar to the PS3, which means that other ports of PS3 games are very likely, as well as more interest into the two Sony systems in general. Unlike the PS3, the Vita features a new user interface; Live Area. Appearing as a series of bubbles, the touch base interface seems like a small nod towards Apple devices. But with the dominance that tablets are now having in the marketplace, will the Vita stand out like its predecessor the PSP?

The Vita does have a definite advantage over a lot of tablets in terms of capability, and certainly in price. Announced at $250 for the Wi-Fi only version, and $300 for the 3G version, it has a definite cost advantage when compared with Apple’s entry level iPad 2. What remains to be seen, is the Vita’s battery life. After all, with great power comes not so great longevity.

$1 Billion+ Acquisition of Popcap Games?

Jun 232011
 

 

Once, there was a backyard lawn that grew a multitude of plants including, sweet peas, corn, walnuts and sunflowers. However, after an arcane ritual went wrong, causing a devastating plague to sweep over humanity, causing zombification, your plants mutated somehow providing you with a cure against the undead disease as well as becoming your first line of defense against your brain hungry neighbors. In other words, Plants vs Zombies.

The company behind Plants vs Zombies, Popcap Games has been reported by TechCrunch as being under an acquisition process, with offers reportedly reaching over a billion dollars, unfortunately, the possible buyer has not been named yet. Possible suitors by TechCrunch comment that Zynga could have been a possible buyer, but with the Facebook game company’s comparatively low market capitalization, it would certainly be a colossal purchase for them. EA has been hinted at as a possible suitor too, and with its recent purchase of Playfish, EA does seem to be a contender in the acquisition of Popcap Games.

But, with comparatively small market capitalization versus the asking price of $1 billion, it also seems unlikely that EA will pick up the company. That leaves the ‘big 3′ so to say, Microsoft, Google and Apple. Microsoft seems like the most likely purchaser, after all, the massive company already does own an entire console, and the operating system that most games run on. Purchasing Popcap would allow the company to take another step in its plan of gaming domination.

Apple certainly does have the money to purchase Popcap, but it seems slightly unlikely that they would have reason to purchase Popcap Games. Some of the companies products have been released in the App Store anyway, such as Plants vs Zombies anyway. Purchasing Popcap to use as an exclusive application developer seems excessive, considering the huge numbers of willing developers to contribute to the App Store.

And then there’s Google, with their Android devices. Like the other two big companies, money really isn’t an issue here. However, they could use Popcap games to create a ‘killer app’ of sorts, to attract more users to Android phones in general, and embrace the market place. But with the market share of Android phones growing rapidly, it seems that Google won’t feel the need to purchase Popcap games to bolster their already accessible lineup.

Popcap games has refused to comment on these ‘rumors’ at this point in time. But expect a big announcement from the indie games developer soon.

Steelseries – Diablo 3 Headset

Jun 222011
 

 

Normally, licensed products don’t really work out. By licensed, I mean that a company is ordered by another company to make products based on their companies products. An example of such would be those crappy movie games that always accompany the latest kids movie/TV show such as Avatar, Transformers, and so on.

This disdain of licensed products usually causes me to sneer at the general range of licensed products, the ‘Tron’ and ‘Starcraft II’ accessories released by Razer are some that immediately come to mind. Quoted by many as being overpriced for what they can achieve, usually people give them a wide berth when purchasing professional gaming grade products. And that leads onto the second problem, they usually aren’t as good as the standard products the outsourced company makes. So, after being referred to a ‘sick looking Diablo 3 headset’ by a friend, I opened it like a good cynic, expecting to smirk and laugh at them the next day, pointing out the flaws in their product.

And then, that pent up supremacy never came. Based on the Steelseries Siberia V2, these Diablo 3 issue cans look awesome. The little features really do add to the aesthetic appeal of this headset, from the sinister looking obsidian edges, to the red grilles on the outside of the speakers. There are eighteen LED’s incorporated into the device, seven of which can be seen in the picture above. The stylized ‘III’ lights up, as well as the four curved lines that form an incomplete circle around the speaker.

As you can see, the suspension on the headphones is exactly the same as the Steelseries Siberia V2′s. As I’ve been meaning to buy Siberia V2′s for quite a while now, they were recommended to me by quite a few friends as they are extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time. After trying on a friend’s V2, he wasn’t kidding, it really does feel weightless on your head. The headset also features a retractable microphone that is on the Siberia V2′s, hopefully the microphone quality will be better than it’s cousins one.

Compared with the Siberia V2, the biggest differences between the two headphones, apart from their aesthetics, are the cables that connect the devices to your computer or otherwise. These new headphones feature braided cables, ala Razer Carachias. The cable is significantly stronger compared to the Siberia V2′s, and a lot less likely to break under stress. The integrated controls in the cable feature your standard volume control, as well as the ability to change the pulsation and brightness of the LED’s on the headset.

The Siberia V2′s also have the older 3.5mm jacks that plug into your computer, to provide audio input/output. Using an adapter, it can be connected to an iDevice, such as your iPhone/iPad. Otherwise, when you use it for gaming, you can connect your headset to a provided USB soundcard, which will dramatically increase your devices performance. These new headphones connect directly through USB, so it isn’t possible to connect it with an iDevice… yet. Fingers crossed perhaps.

Otherwise, these headphones are released in October, during Blizzard’s annual… Blizzcon. They are expected to cost around $119, and the only thing lacking is a name at this point. ‘Mephisto’ has a nice ring to it, no?

Tokyoflash Watches

Jun 222011
 

 

These days, when you ask someone for the time, it’s unlikely that you’d see a person glance down at their watch. Instead, a click of the ‘lock-screen’ button will do it, with mobile phones being more commonly used to keep the time these days. A little known fact is that, in most pairs of denim jeans, there is a fifth pocket, usually located on your right hip. Most people dismiss it as being a strange design quirk, or used to store coins/guitar picks/dentures, but evidence points towards its original intent in holding a pocket watch.

As it seems, watches aren’t being seen as often as they used to be. Of course, there’s the fancy bankers with their Rolexes and Cartiers, impressing their clients which can’t afford as high tier watches, and poker players that do the same thing, but more to intimidate their competitors. Some Japanese company named Tokyoflash has seemingly rejuvenated the wheel, creating unique looking digital time pieces that are sure to draw some attention.

I could go into detail about the ‘crowd-sourcing’ design process, where you can make a huge cut of the profits if your watch is sold, the ingenuity in these designs that makes telling the time look mysterious and exclusive, the fact that all watches are on a limited run, and once sold out, can never be bought again… If that sounds intriguing, here’s Tokyoflash’s website if you want to find out more.

If you’re like me, and just like the eye candy, or you are unconvinced, here’s a few more images of watches that are still available

 

Fujitsu K – World’s fastest Super Computer

Jun 202011
 

Fujitsu K super computer has taken the first place in the 37th TOP500 list of super computers. This was announced today at the 26th International Supercomputing Conference (ISC’11) held in Hamburg, Germany. This ranking is based on a performance measurement of the K computer currently under the joint development of RIKEN and Fujitsu. This is the first time since June 2004 that the Japanese supercomputer also referred to as the “Earth Simulator” has been ranked first on the TOP500 list.

The K computer is capable of making 8.162 quadrillion (a quadrillion is 1 followed by 15 zeroes) calculations per seconds—or 8.162 petaflops.  When finished, the supercomputer will be comprised of over 800 computer racks—each equipped with ultrafast and energy-efficient CPUs—that access into a network capable of an immense amount of interconnectivity. The previous fastest machine was the Chinese computer Tianhe-1A, which was clocked at 2.507 petaflops.

LINPACK is a program developed by J. Dongarra, Ph.D., of the University of Tennessee, for solving a system of linear equations using matrix computation.  This ranks the performance of the K supercomputers and is the benchmark program for cracking into the TOP500 list. LINPACK recorded the top performance of 8.162 petaflops, which was given by Fujitsu’s K supercomputer.

Some other jaw dropping facts are that it consumes electricity equivalent enough to power 10,000 homes for a full year. Its performance can match the combination of one million desktops and its efficiency is an extraordinary 93%. When finished the total cost of running the machine $10 million (£6.2 million) annually. Hence, aptly this has been titled the” Earth Simulator”.

Use of the K computer is expected to have a groundbreaking impact in fields ranging from global climate research, meteorology, disaster prevention, and medicine, thereby contributing to the creation of a prosperous and secure society. RIKEN and Fujitsu will continue to work tirelessly toward completing the system’s deployment. They aim of beginning shared use by November 2012.

 

Cloud Desktops: Just Bring Your iPad!

Jun 202011
 
cloud-desktop-virtual-desktops-6-21-11

Cloud – we see the term everywhere – it’s the newest buzzword, but what is it really?  In simple terms, rather than owning your servers, hardware, and software –storing your data on your own site on your own power, on your own ram– Cloud Computing is a form of computing where all of that is located off-site.  Instead of owning these components, you ‘rent’ or ‘lease’ them, paying only for the resources you consume –like a timeshare.  Thanks to virtualization technology, everyone is moving and gravitating towards putting their IT infrastructure in the Cloud.  Because this form of computing creates economies of scale, for a small business owner presently operating on their own infrastructure, that could result in savings of 20-50% on total cost of ownership (TCO).  I liken the paradigm shift to the Cloud to that of the displacement of the electricity generator by the electricity grid.  Pretty soon small business networks will become completely displaced by a ‘server grid.’

Cloud Computing is the way of the future but it seems it’s not only servers and software that are making a move into the Cloud –desktops are going the way of the Cloud too –and it’s happening already.  A Cloud Desktop is a virtual desktop whereby your computer is located in the Cloud.  The image you see on your monitor is just a virtual image of all of the processing happening in a datacenter off-site. This means that as long as you have an internet connection, you have full access to your own personal desktop, with all of the icons, programs and settings you individually customize.

I published an article on my blog SheBytes.com about two weeks ago on Cloud Desktops and the enhanced productivity they give us. But after reading over my post  and thinking about just how awesome this technology really is (namely my ability to literally carry my office anywhere I go) using nothing but my Verizon iPhone 4 (as an internet tether) and my iPad 2, I realized that much more needed to be shown! So my intern Jesse and I made a video to demonstrate how quick and efficient the process of connecting to a Cloud Desktop is. 

If you know anything about the Cloud, you know there’s mega hype about security and protection of personal data; security is a top priority!  In the demo above, I demonstrate how extra security is built into the Cloud via a requirement that I establish a VPN (virtual private network) to the Cloud using Cisco AnyConnect.  The free Cisco app requires that I authenticate with not only a username and password but also a six digit security token (hence, a 2-factor authentication).  What’s nice is Vasco allows you to install a soft token onto a BlackBerry or an iPhone, so I don’t need to carry a physical token around.  My Vasco Digipass soft token provides a unique number that changes every 60 seconds; without entering this 6-digit number during login, I can’t authenticate.  What that means is that even if someone were to obtain my username and password, without my (personal) dynamic token, there’s no way to gain access to my data in the Cloud. 

Once a VPN has been established, I use VMware View Client to establish a connection between my iPad 2 and my Virtual Desktop in the Cloud (located in an off-site datacenter).  It’s all really simple and painless!

What are the benefits of Cloud Desktops?  A virtualized desktop is elastic and infinitely scalable and it makes your Operating System (OS) completely agnostic of the hardware you are running it on. This allows me to seamlessly load and run a Windows Desktop on an Apple Device (or vice versa).

So I know that some of you are thinking; “so what’s the difference between using a Cloud Desktop and running a remote desktop protocol (RDP) client on my iPad; aren’t they the same?” The short answer is no. The VMware View Client is an entirely different animal as compared to RDP. VMware uses PCoIP, which it dubs as a ‘Purpose Built Protocol’. In simple terms, PCoIP is smart enough to throttle graphics quality depending on available bandwidth. To demonstrate just how RDP compares to PCoIP, have a look at the graph below:

 

Source: VMware

There is a bunch of other cool stuff that PCoIP can do, like support true multi-monitor support up to 1920×1200 resolution, clear type fonts dynamic resizing, multimedia redirection and USB support for Human Interface Devices.

As I mentioned above, once my Cloud Desktop loads, what you see on my iPad 2 is just a duplicate image of the computing that’s happening in the Cloud (a datacenter off-site). Since everything is processing on the hardware in the Cloud, I can run complex applications and programs that are otherwise unsupported by an iPad 2 or other thin client.  This can dramatically decrease the TCO of computer ownership because you don’t need to spend a lot of money on robust physical machines. 

Cloud Desktops open up countless business opportunities and possibilities due to their flexibility. This fluidity of the workplace is gaining even more momentum as the popularization of tablets like the iPad, grows consistently. Cloud Desktops are making bulky and robust physical machines outdated, unnecessary and moreover: excessive.

Sneak Peek into Nokia’s Windows Phone 7

Jun 202011
 

Since the time Nokia and Microsoft announced its collaboration around the Windows Phone 7, the news has been making waves in the market. At the Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, they went a step further by giving a glimpse of what the new Nokia Windows Phone 7 will look like. Two versions were displayed during Nokia’s keynote. Both the versions were sleek and slim.

 The first one was slim with rounded corners, had a speaker grill at the bottom, a standard headphone jack at the top and a hardware camera shutter. The volume rocker was visible at the side of the device. Multiple colour schemes for the same device seem to be in Nokia’s plan book.

 The second phone showed a slightly different concept model of a Windows Phone 7 that looks like the higher-end of the line of devices planned. The phones feature the three standard Windows Phone 7 buttons at the front, with an overall minimalist look. Also visible are a camera with flash on the back, as well as a standard headphone jack and a power button at the top of the phone.

 However, these were experimental pieces and no confirmation was given whether the same versions will reach the market, but they do give an insight on the future plans of the phone giant especially at a time when Symbian is losing its sheen.  At an event held by Nokia a couple of days ago, a company representative disclosed the company’s plans to snatch the business Smartphone market, which is almost dominantly held by RIM‘s BlackBerry. Let’s see whether the WP7 can save the sinking ship.

According to some reports, the Vice President of Nokia has disclosed that the first WP7 based Nokia devices will be released in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK later this year. However, a Nokia spokeswoman, Anna Martin, refused to confirm his comments about the release of the first Nokia WP7 phones.

US can be in for a disappointment as it was omitted out of the list. This might have been a part of the sales strategy, as Nokia’s market in the US isn’t as strong as UK. A point to be noted is that Finland was also missing from the list which is strange as it is the home of the mobile giant.

The company is holding a Nokia Connection event on June 21st, where the company will supposedly show off some new Symbian Anna handsets, and probably announce the WP7 phone that has been talked about for quite a long time now. Do check out our blog for the latest developments regarding Nokia’s WP7.

Four Reasons You Should Worry About the Wii U

Jun 172011
 

Being in development since 2008, Nintendo has been working furiously on the Wii’s successor, the Wii U. Apart from the naming of the device, which is a concern, but not one covered in depth here, there are significant concerns about the device, hopefully these will be rectified by further preview trailers, or at another conference down the road.

Wii U Coming Out Soon - E3

  1. The Controller

Without a doubt, many an E3 attendee was smitten by the design of the Wii U’s controller. It features an accelerometer, gyroscope, front facing camera, and get this; a 6.2 inch resistive touch screen. On top of this, it features normal controls, likened by some to a GameCube controller, with triggers and a Directional pad, and did I mention that its wireless? Now, you must be thinking, what my concern is here. The most obvious one to start with, is the cost of one of these controllers. A Playstation 3 SixAxis controller already costs around $70 dollars, for a wireless gamepad, that has a degree of motion control in it, and a touch of vibration. When compared to a controller that 01net likens to an iPad with buttons, you can start to get a feel of the costs involved. Apple’s iPad 2 costs approximately around $579 for the base model. Somehow, I think family units will be… slightly disrupted, when your brother/sister/kids fight over who gets a turn on the console.

But that’s not the issue here. The controller already seems quite large in the display video. If we can all remember the original Frankenstein of a controller the original Xbox had, it is difficult to imagine that, despite its slimness, the Wii U’s controller will be a joy to hold. The touch screen and the controller itself also provide controls to games… Three axes of control sound slightly daunting, even the iPad only has a touch screen and accelerometer.

And of course, my major concern with the controller itself, the battery life. Supposedly, the controller is powerful enough to stream classic games from the console, so that you can enjoy the odd spot of Metroid , or a Link to the Past while doing something crazy, like moving away from your television. Something tells me, that the battery life for this controller is going to be, pretty short, forcing you to shackle your wireless controller back to the console anyway.

  1. Raw Cost

When the Playstation 3 was released, it cost approximately $820 for the base model. Mind you, this was in 2006, quite a while back. It featured a Blu-Ray drive, relatively powerful CPU, and of course, a GPU that was equivalent or better to an nVidia 7800, and of course, it featured the new HDMI output. The Wii U features a multi-core processor being developed by Intel, as well as a GPU that is rumoured to be as powerful as an ATI 4890. It can run the original, unwatered down Crysis, as well as featuring a sensor bar, and an onboard wireless suite to interact with the console’s controller. Oh yes, and the controller’s cost itself… It seems as if the Wii U will be more expensive, if not more than the PS3 at launch. Considering the 6 year old PS3 still sells at around $400-500, this could be saying something… something like extending another line of credit to purchase this console.

 

 

  1. Potential-ity

Even now, developers such as Square-Enix (the makers of Final Fantasy) comment that the PS3 hasn’t reached its full potential yet, while other developers comment the difficulty in coding for the PS3. This is interesting, considering the PS3 is using hardware which is almost six years old now, horrifically outdated by modern technology at this point. And yet, it still looks amazing, with games such as Metal Gear Solid 4, and the announced Final Fantasy Versus 13 showing off the awe-inspiring power of the console.

Perhaps this is just a minor concern, but might the Wii U never reach its full potential, before its successor is released? Already, the PS4 was announced to be in development, with Sony’s PS Vita rumoured to be as powerful as the PS3, but housed within a handheld console. Hopefully this is allayed… The Wii U certainly has a huge amount of potential to it.

  1. Console Exclusivity- A tale of Intellectual Property

Back in the old days of the Xbox, Playstation 2, and the new kid on the block, the Wii, there was the classic battle of the Master Chief, Mario, and Solid Snake. Sure, console developers still make games for their own consoles, despite that, two out of the three characters above, which are the figurehead of these consoles are made by third party developers, namely Kojima Productions, and Bungie Studios.

And the Third Party Studios have become bigger and bigger, before being bought up by some even larger development companies, namely EA, Ubisoft, and Activision. Console games are becoming less and less exclusive, for example, Tekken 6, a game many a fan thought would permanently stay on Sony consoles moved to the Xbox 360 recently. Metal Gear Solid games are being announced for the Nintendo 3DS. Crysis 2 is multiplatform, as was its slightly younger cousin, Far Cry 2.

Why is this a problem? Even today, games that are released across multiple platforms seem to do better than on some, then others. Last year, Assassins Creed: Brotherhood was released on the 360, and the PS3. Most commented that the PS3 version was buggier, and had worse frame rates. Because of the ‘one size fits all’ approach that games are seemingly taking these days, the Wii U’s power might never be truly exploited by development companies. Why spend effort on a game that can only be played by one console in its generation after all?

In conclusion, the Wii U looks set to be an early challenger to the 8th Generation of Consoles. Already, the console looks amazing, with its ability to handle the Crytek engine something to marvel at. Perhaps the fears of the short lived battery, and the possible enormous cost will be allayed by the next presentation, but the lingering doubt if the Wii U will be used to its full potential, like the almost forgotten PS3 remains a question.

Google search was never so much fun – Google adds voice, image search and much more to its search engine

Jun 152011
 

Google today conducted an event named “Inside Search” where it gave us an insight about the future of search and its search engine. Google has been at the head of innovations and people are working tirelessly at the Google labs to roll-out new products and services that excite the user and make life much simpler for him. Google today announced some new search features that are sure to interest you all.

  • First up is the mobile search feature that today gets a face-lift. From today onwards you will see a better mobile local search UI that shows your location on a map and dynamically changes map with AJAX to highlight each result as you look at it. Also, there will be integrated query suggestions from a user’s previous search history so that the user can more quickly get to things that they search quite often.
  • Next up is a refreshed tablet search UI.
  • Thirdly, Google announced that it will soon launch voice search for desktops. This feature has already been embedded in Android and now Google is planning to offer the same voice search experience to desktop users.
  • Google has also announced that it will soon launch image search feature wherein a user can simply drag and drop an image or cut and paste an image in the search box and Google search will then try and recognize the image and return relevant results like the location of the photo. This new feature will be available from www.images.google.com and can be accessed within the next few days so keep checking Google for the same.
  • Lastly, Google also announced the Instant and Instant Page feature whereby the user will not have to wait for a page to load when he clicks a link he has searched for. The new feature will load pages at least 4-10 seconds faster than before and I am sure Google will try to bring that figure down to zero. This feature will be available in Chrome Beta by this week end whereas it is currently available in Chrome’s developer version. This feature will also be extended to mobile devices and it will be launched on mobile in coming weeks.

 

Samsung Tab 10.1 Review (Specs Info and Release Date)

May 302011
 

We have received a special edition of Samsung Tab 10.1 also known as Samsung Galaxy Tab 2. Today we want to provide you with some specs and info on Samsung 10.1 and the reason why we say it’s a special addition is because we received this Tablet with white background which you are going to see in the pictures below. Model that you will be able to buy in stores will have black background. Samsung Tab 10.1 release date is scheduled for June 8, 2011 and it will be sold for $499 -16GB and $599 -32GB in USA, which is in price range with other tablets that are currently offered.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Specs and Info

Samsung Galaxy is loaded with Nvidia Tegra 2 – 1GHz dual core processor, which is one of the best and fastest processor out in the market. As we mentioned above Samsung 10.1  has two models to offer 16GB and 32GB ,unfortunately they have not made 64GB model yet. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 comes with 6860mAh battery which gives you 10 hours off movie playtime and about 1800hrs standby time in 3G mode. Operating system is Android 3.0 also known as honeycomb which is the latest android operating system and only few tablets in the market have Android 3.0, to us it is only known that two tablets have Android 3.0 which is Motorola Xoom and Samsung galaxy Tab 10.1. If you like to take pictures this tablet comes with two cameras: 8MP rear camera with LED flash and 2MP front camera which you can use for video conferencing with apps such as Skype or Fring. It records full HD video 1080p at 30fps and can also playback full HD video 1080p at 30fps (frames per second)

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Review

We don’t like to compare tablets with iPad 2 but this tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab is very similar to what iPad 2 has to offer, battery life is outstanding, takes incredible pictures better than any tablet. Due to Nvidia Tegra 2 processor this tablet is very fast and responsive, we were able to load many applications without any problem or delay. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is only 589 g light  which is really good when you’re holding it for longer period of time, such as reading books oe watch movie. Samsung really nailed all the major features with this tablet, the price is right, its fast, its light, takes incredible pictures and has Android 3.0 operating system.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Pictures

If you had an eye on that beautiful girl picture, that’s an app called Weather Girls which you can download for almost any android. It tells you the weather temperature and visualizes for you how hot it is, with Weather Girls App.

I know I have not answered all of the questions regarding the Samsung galaxy Tab 10.1 but if you do have any additional questions or would like to know more information about Samsung galaxy tab please comment in the section below.

Asus and the year ahead

May 302011
 

It is the time of the year when all the major technology giants showcase their latest innovations to the rest of the world. This year Asus has come up with some really cool gadgets which are currently being displayed at the Computex 2011 fair being held in Taipei, Taiwan. Asus chairman Jonney Shih unveiled the following new products:

  • The highly anticipated Padfone
  • UX series notebooks
  • Redesigned N Series notebooks with SonicMaster audio technology
  • Eee Pad Memo 3D
  • Eee PC X101 netbooks
  • Motion sensing WAVI Xtion device
  • 27-inch All-in-One HD desktop PC

Let us have a look at all these exciting devices one by one.

The PADFONE –

This revolutionary design incorporates a 10.1-inch tablet powered by a 4.3-inch Smartphone. Confused, well read on. From all the info that we have on this device, it seems as if the 10.1-inch slate is basically a dock for the phone which adds an expanded display, extra battery life, and a pair of speakers to the phone. Well, it is certainly the age of convergence and I somehow like the idea of this device which will offer me the feel of a tablet but using the resources of the Smartphone. It would be interesting if the Padfone will support multiple phone models so that the 10.1-inch display can be clubbed with phones having different internal specifications. In this case the Padfone will really be future ready as one would only have to change his/her Smartphone for a change in processor, GPU, OS, etc. Considering the fact that people do tend to change their phones more often then they tend to change their tablets this offer would seem pleasing enough.

UX Series ultraportables –

These thin ultraportables are made from a light yet strong aluminum  alloy with a unique finish. Measuring a mere 17mm at its thickest point is powered  with the latest 2nd generation Intel Core iX series processor (up to Core i7), SATA 6Gb/s SSD, the instant on feature and a 7 hour battery life.

N Series notebooks and All-in-One PC with SonicMaster –

The new N series notebooks designed by Asus and world renowned designer David Lewis comes with the SonicMaster technology that Asus developed in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen ICE Power and a dedicated external subwoofer for deep bass.

Eee Pad MeMO 3D –

This device has a 7-inch portrait multi-touch screen with stylus support which gives users the option for handwriting input. This Android Honeycomb device comes bundled with a MeMIC Bluetooth hands-free headset for listening to music and making calls. Flipping this gadget to landscape mode turns it into a glasses-free 3D display. Earlier Asus had announced some more devices of this sort namely the Eee Pad Transformer, Eee Pad Slider and Eee Slate.

Eee PC X101 -

This new netbook is just 17.6mm thick and weighs less than 950g. It packs a 10.1″ screen, an Intel Atom N435 processor. 802.11b/g/n WiFi, MeeGo operating system. There is also the X101H model which has all the same features but comes with a hybrid hard drive and choice of Window 7 or MeeGo operating system.

WAVI Xtion –

This device has been developed in close collaboration with PrimeSense (the leader in motion-sensing technology). This is the world’s first and only open-source controller-free gesture-based device for PC. The Xtion browser will offer users a unique way to surf the net that is with their hands and body movements. The Xtion Portal will be an app store where users can purchase new games and utilities. The device will ship with a game bundle that will include MayaFit, Beat Boosyer, and DanceWall. I can’t even wait to get my hands on this device.

27-inch All-in-One HD ET2700XVT desktop PC –

This device features a 27-inch HD display with ultra-wide 178-degree viewing angles, HDMI-in ports, a digital TV tuner and SonicMaster audio, and an optional 10-point multitouch.

It is the time of the year when all the major technology giants showcase their latest innovations to the rest of the world. This year Asus has come up with some really cool gadgets which are currently being displayed at the Computex 2011 fair being held in Taipei, Taiwan. Asus chairman Jonney Shih unveiled the following new products:

· The highly anticipated Padfone

· UX series notebooks

· Redesigned N Series notebooks with SonicMaster audio technology

· Eee Pad Memo 3D

· Eee PC X101 netbooks

· Motion sensing WAVI Xtion device

· 27-inch All-in-One HD ET2700XVT desktop PC

Let us have a look at all these exciting devices one by one.

The PADFONE – This revolutionary design incorporates a 10.1-inch tablet powered by a 4.3-inch Smartphone. Confused, well read on. From all the info that we have on this device, it seems as if the 10.1-inch slate is basically a dock for the phone which adds an expanded display, extra battery life, and a pair of speakers to the phone. Well, it is certainly the age of convergence and I somehow like the idea of this device which will offer me the feel of a tablet but using the resources of the Smartphone. It would be interesting if the Padfone will support multiple phone models so that the 10.1-inch display can be clubbed with phones having different internal specifications. In this case the Padfone will really be future ready as one would only have to change his/her Smartphone for a change in processor, GPU, OS, etc. Considering the fact that people do tend to change their phones more often then they tend to change their tablets this offer would seem pleasing enough.

UX Series ultraportables – These thin ultraportables are made from a light yet strong aluminum alloy with a unique finish. Measuring a mere 17mm at its thickest point is powered with the latest 2nd generation Intel Core iX series processor (up to Core i7), SATA 6Gb/s SSD, the instant on feature and a 7 hour battery life.

N Series notebooks and All-in-One PC with SonicMaster – The new N series notebooks designed by Asus and world renowned designer David Lewis comes with the SonicMaster technology that Asus developed in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen ICE Power and a dedicated external subwoofer for deep bass.

27-inch All-in-One HD ET2700XVT desktop PC – This device features a 27-inch HD display with ultra-wide 178-degree viewing angles, HDMI-in ports, a digital TV tuner and SonicMaster audio, and an optional 10-point multitouch.

Eee Pad MeMO 3D –This device has a 7-inch portrait multi-touch screen with stylus support which gives users the option for handwriting input. This Android Honeycomb device comes bundled with a MeMIC Bluetooth hands-free headset for listening to music and making calls. Flipping this gadget to landscape mode turns it into a glasses-free 3D display. Earlier Asus had announced some more devices of this sort namely the Eee Pad Transformer, Eee Pad Slider and Eee Slate.

Eee PC X101 – This new netbook is just 17.6mm thick and weighs less than 950g. It packs a 10.1″ screen, an Intel Atom N435 processor. 802.11b/g/n WiFi, MeeGo operating system. There is also the X101H model which has all the same features but comes with a hybrid hard drive and choice of Window 7 or MeeGo operating system.

WAVI Xtion – This device has been developed in close collaboration with PrimeSense (the leader in motion-sensing technology). This is the world’s first and only open-source controller-free gesture-based device for PC. The Xtion browser will offer users a unique way to surf the net that is with their hands and body movements. The Xtion Portal will be an app store where users can purchase new games and utilities. The device will ship with a game bundle that will include MayaFit, Beat Boosyer, and DanceWall. I can’t even wait to get my hands on this device.

Store more with the world’s first Kingmax 64GB microSD

May 262011
 

The world’s first 64GB microSD card is here thanks to Kingmax who has managed to leverage its die technology to create this piece of excellence. The card complies with the latest SD 3.0 and Class 6 specifications and it is also compatible with SD Card Association’s SD 2.0 specification.

The Kingmax microSD packs in a massive storage capacity of 64 GB as compared to its small size of 15mm x 11mm x 1mm. The mircoSD card can be connected to an adapter and can be used as a SD card or a USB flash drive which means users can use this device in their digital cameras, PC’s, card readers, Smartphones, etc. Before buying this device be careful enough to read the specifications of the device you intend to use this card with as most of the devices (especially Smartphone’s) do not have the architecture to support a microSD of this capacity.

This card not only offers huge data storage capability but is also intelligent enough. In order to ensure reliable data transmission between two devices this microSD incorporates an in-built ECC or Error Correction Code which detects and reconstructs list data to ensure reliability. We all know that memory devices usually have pre-defined read write cycles and hence they eventually get damaged. In some cases some parts of the storage device may be used more often to save the data which might result in a reduction of product life. Kingmax’s 64GB microSD ensures that the information is well spaced out in different areas so as to increase the average use of each area and hence increase the product life.

Moreover, the card is CE, FCC, and RoHS approved. As is the case with all its products Kingmax is offering a lifetime warranty with this device also. Pricing and availability are still unknown but we are sure to hear about it soon and will let you in on that piece of news.

Droid X Gingerbread (Android 2.3) Update Coming this Friday

May 252011
 

 

Droid X Gingerbread Android 2.3

Long waited Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS is coming finally to Droid X this Friday. Finally Droid X users can now enjoy new Gingerbread features like Manager app that allows users to manage apps etc. User interface on Droid X will be refreshed but you should not lose current setting, but it might change a bit.

Owners of Droid X with Android 2.3 Gingerbread will also be able to do app grouping which means you can group your favorite apps together, just like you would put them in folders.

New Droid X Android 2.3 Gingerbread Features

  • Multi-Touch key
  • Improved Word Selection
  • New User Interface and Colors Scheme
  • Doc Icons
    • Static Phone, App Launcher and Contacts icons are replaced within a customizable
      dock

You can view some additional Droid X Gingerbread new features here

Droid X will be able to download new Android 2.3 Gingerbread this Friday, to update your current OS simply follow these steps

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Click on About Phone
  3. Click System Updates
  4. Download

Download should take about 20-30 minutes plus 5 minutes for installation, download of Android 2.3 Gingerbread will be faster if you are on WiFi!

HTC to add a 4.5-inch Smartphone codenamed “Holiday” to its arsenal

May 242011
 

HTC HolidayAs per latest news leaks HTC might be gearing up to launch a Smartphone codenamed “Holiday” which will support a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8660 processor coupled with 1GB of RAM and running on the latest version of Android operating system i.e. Ginbgerbread (v2.3.4). This behemoth will have a 4.5-inch screen size that will support a resolution of 540×960 pixels. The leak also suggests that it will have an 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi 802.11b/g/n and this device might just be making its way into the market through AT&T.

Although, we are quite familiar with the 4.3-inch form factor but this 4.5-inch form factor will be the latest addition to HTC’s arsenal. I personally like phones with big screen sizes provided I am able to work on it for at least a day without completely draining the battery. The major point of concern for HTC would be to ensure that this beast is able to last that long on a single charge as the 4.5-inch high resolution screen and the dual core processor are sure to tax the battery.

This new phone HTC Holiday might be a reply to Samsung’s 4.5-inch Infuse 4G which was released this May. The Samsung Infuse runs on a 1.2GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor and Android 2.2 operating system. It has an AMOLED display with a resolution of 480×800 pixels. The differentiating factors between the HTC “Holiday” and the Samsung Infuse 4G will be the screen resolution, the processor, the battery life, and off course the obvious liking for the HTC sense UI which has managed to appeal the users more than Samsung’s TouchWiz 3.0 UI.

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