Media reports say that Apple has already begun working on iPhone 5S, as well as the iPad 5 and a big screen television called iTV.
Though Apple launched iPhone 5 to blockbuster sales just two months ago, it may have already begun working on the launch of next version of its smartphone. If reports are to be believed, Apple is actively working on the seventh generation iPhone, tentatively being called iPhone 5S in tech circles.
According to Commercial Times, a Chinese newspaper, Apple is this time working on cheaper iterations of the iPhone and iPad, along with a big screen television purportedly called iTV. It is, however, not clear if iPhone 5S is the reported more affordable version of Apple's smartphone. Apple has already broken the cycle of launching only one version of a product a year by unveiling the third and fourth generation iPads in 2012.
Moreover, it has faced bigger pressures on its margins and marketshare vis-a-vis Android smartphones than ever before. Therefore, it won't be surprising if the company adopts an aggressive go-to-market strategy next year than ever before.
Commercial Times also said that iPhone 5S will go into 'trial production' as early as December 2012, when only 50,000-100,000 units of the device will be manufactured. On the other hand, mass production of next generation iPhone will commence in the first quarter of next year, it said.
While the report pegs the launch date of iPhone 5S in March, the fifth iteration of iPad is expected to make its debut in April or May. iTV, the large screen television that the company is said to be making, is also expected to be finally unveiled in the first half of 2013, though no time period was mentioned.
Saturday, 24 November 2012
Monday, 19 November 2012
Wii U
Generation Eighth generation
Release date NA November 18, 2012
EU November 30, 2012
AU November 30, 2012
JP December 8, 2012
Introductory price Basic: US$299.99, £249.99, €299.99, ¥26,250, AU$349.95, NZ$469.95, 11999 RUB
Deluxe (NA)/Premium (EU): US$349.99, £299.99, €349.99, ¥31,500, AU$429.95, NZ$569.95, 13999 RUB
Media 12 cm 25 GB Wii U Optical Disc
12 cm Wii Optical Disc
Digital distribution
CPU IBM Power Architecture-based multi-core processor[3]
Storage capacity Internal flash memory
SD card, SDHC Card
USB storage device
Display
Video output formats
Composite video
480i
S-Video
480i
RGB SCART
480i, 576i
YPBPR (component/D-Terminal)
480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
HDMI
480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
Wii U GamePad
FWVGA
Graphics AMD Radeon-based GPU
Sound
Audio output formats
A/V-Multi
Analog stereo
HDMI
LPCM
5.1ch
Controller input Wii U GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller, Wii Remote Plus, Wii Nunchuk, Wii Balance Board
Connectivity Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g/n[2]
4 × USB 2.0
Online services Nintendo Network
Miiverse
Backward
compatibility Wii
Predecessor Wii
Website www.nintendo.co.uk/Wii-U/Wii-U-344102.html
The Wii U is the first Nintendo console to support high-definition graphics, capable of producing video output up to 1080p, and has 2 GB of memory with half dedicated to the console's operating system.The console was released in two versions: a "Basic" white-colored version with 8 GB of internal Flash storage; and a "Deluxe" black-colored version with 32 GB of Flash storage, which includes stand and docks. An HDMI cable is included with both versions. The Wii U's primary controller is the Wii U GamePad, which features an embedded touchscreen. The touchscreen is used to supplement the main gameplay shown on the television or, with supported games, can allow the player to continue playing games by displaying the main gameplay even when the television is off. In addition to the Wii U GamePad, a more traditional controller, called the Wii U Pro Controller, may be used.
When Nintendo first broached the idea of multiple-screen video games in 2004, many critics were skeptical that players could focus on two images at once. Yet the handheld DS, blending one touch-sensitive screen with a slightly larger video display, became a runaway hit.
Turns out the portable DS may have just been a dress rehearsal for Nintendo's latest home console, the Wii U, which blows up the dual-screen concept to living-room size. It goes on sale in the US on Sunday, starting at $300.
The Wii U is the heir to the Nintendo Wii system, whose motion-based controls got couch potatoes around the world to burn calories as they swung virtual tennis rackets, bowled and flailed around in their living rooms. The new console still allows you to use your old "Wiimotes," but its major advancement is a new controller, the GamePad, with a built-in touch screen that measures 6.2 inches (15.7 centimeters) diagonally.
The GamePad looks like the spawn of a tablet computer and a classic game controller. Its surface area is a little smaller than an iPad's, but it's about three times as thick, largely because it has hand grips that make it more comfortable over prolonged game sessions. It has an accelerometer and gyroscope for motion-controlled games, as well as a camera, a microphone, speakers, two analog joysticks and a typical array of buttons.Gaming like promising features place-shifts all the action to the GamePad controller. It essentially gives you Wii U graphics and performance in a tablet-size form factor, eliminating the need for a TV altogether.though the double screen makes you feel distracted
It's the touch screen that really makes the difference. In some cases, it houses functions that are typically relegated to a game's pause screen. In others, it allows a group of people playing the same game together to have different experiences depending on the controller used. Nintendo Co. calls this "asymmetric gaming."
In the mini-game collection "Nintendo Land," you can shoot arrows or fling throwing stars by swiping on the touch screen. One of the games in the collection, "Mario Chase," uses the GamePad to provide a bird's-eye view of a maze through which you can guide the hero. His pursuers - up to four players using Wiimotes - see the maze from a first-person perspective on the TV screen.
"New Super Mario Bros U" brings the asymmetric approach to cooperative action. While Wiimote-wielding players scamper across its side-scrolling landscapes, the GamePad user can create "boost blocks" to help them reach otherwise inaccessible areas. If you're going solo, you can play the entire adventure on the GamePad screen, freeing up the TV for family members who might want to watch something else.
On a more basic level, the GamePad lets you select your next play or draw new routes for your receivers in Electronic Arts Inc.'s "Madden NFL 13." You use it to adjust strategy or substitute players in 2K Sports' "NBA 2K13."
Ubisoft's "ZombiU" - the best original game at launch - turns the GamePad into your "bug-out bag." It's where you'll find all your undead-fighting supplies, from bats and bullets to hammers and health kits. It lets you access maps and security-camera footage as you navigate the devastated streets of London. If you hold it vertically, you can scan the virtual space in three dimensions to locate zombies who are lying in wait.
Essentially, the GamePad functions like the bottom half of the portable DS, with triggers, buttons and the touch screen offering additional information and an added dimension of control. In this comparison, your living-room TV would be the equivalent of the DS' top display.
It's somewhat gimmicky: Much of the time, you can easily imagine playing with just a regular joystick. But in "ZombiU," the GamePad adds to the atmosphere, creating the panicky feeling of scrambling around in a backpack while another undead horde approaches.
The high-definition graphics produced by the Wii U are close to those of Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 and Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3. That should bring back some of the game makers who had fled the underpowered Wii - at least until Microsoft and Sony bring out their next-generation consoles (neither company has announced any plans yet).
Some fine games from the past couple of years - Warner Bros.' "Batman: Arkham City," Electronic Arts' "Mass Effect 3" and THQ Inc.'s "Darksiders II" - are finally coming to a Nintendo console. The enhanced GamePad controls don't substantially alter their DNA, and if you've already played them on the Xbox or PS3, you aren't missing much. But if I'd had the option to play them the first time around with the enhanced GamePad controls, I would have.
The Wii U's online functions include video chat, its own social network and the ability to search for TV shows and movies from services such as Netflix and Hulu. These are all free. I wasn't able to test those features before writing this review.
I don't expect the Wii U to make as big a splash as the original Wii did six years ago. Nintendo's competitors are dipping their toes into the dual-screen pool as well: Some Sony games link the PS3 with the handheld Vita, while Microsoft's SmartGlass app for tablet computers adds bonus material to Xbox games such as "Halo 4" and "Forza Horizon."
Still, the Wii U goes all in on the multiscreen concept for a relatively inexpensive price. And in a world where people tweet on their iPads while watching sports or reality shows on their TVs, the whole GamePad concept feels perfectly natural.
The Wii U's success will depend on what Nintendo and other developers do with that second screen. The early results are very promising.
My final verdict would be
If you are for a gaming experience then with games like batman arkham city armoured edition,assasins creed 3 and, More you are out for a mind bobbling experience!
Release date NA November 18, 2012
EU November 30, 2012
AU November 30, 2012
JP December 8, 2012
Introductory price Basic: US$299.99, £249.99, €299.99, ¥26,250, AU$349.95, NZ$469.95, 11999 RUB
Deluxe (NA)/Premium (EU): US$349.99, £299.99, €349.99, ¥31,500, AU$429.95, NZ$569.95, 13999 RUB
Media 12 cm 25 GB Wii U Optical Disc
12 cm Wii Optical Disc
Digital distribution
CPU IBM Power Architecture-based multi-core processor[3]
Storage capacity Internal flash memory
SD card, SDHC Card
USB storage device
Display
Video output formats
Composite video
480i
S-Video
480i
RGB SCART
480i, 576i
YPBPR (component/D-Terminal)
480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
HDMI
480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
Wii U GamePad
FWVGA
Graphics AMD Radeon-based GPU
Sound
Audio output formats
A/V-Multi
Analog stereo
HDMI
LPCM
5.1ch
Controller input Wii U GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller, Wii Remote Plus, Wii Nunchuk, Wii Balance Board
Connectivity Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g/n[2]
4 × USB 2.0
Online services Nintendo Network
Miiverse
Backward
compatibility Wii
Predecessor Wii
Website www.nintendo.co.uk/Wii-U/Wii-U-344102.html
The Wii U is the first Nintendo console to support high-definition graphics, capable of producing video output up to 1080p, and has 2 GB of memory with half dedicated to the console's operating system.The console was released in two versions: a "Basic" white-colored version with 8 GB of internal Flash storage; and a "Deluxe" black-colored version with 32 GB of Flash storage, which includes stand and docks. An HDMI cable is included with both versions. The Wii U's primary controller is the Wii U GamePad, which features an embedded touchscreen. The touchscreen is used to supplement the main gameplay shown on the television or, with supported games, can allow the player to continue playing games by displaying the main gameplay even when the television is off. In addition to the Wii U GamePad, a more traditional controller, called the Wii U Pro Controller, may be used.
When Nintendo first broached the idea of multiple-screen video games in 2004, many critics were skeptical that players could focus on two images at once. Yet the handheld DS, blending one touch-sensitive screen with a slightly larger video display, became a runaway hit.
Turns out the portable DS may have just been a dress rehearsal for Nintendo's latest home console, the Wii U, which blows up the dual-screen concept to living-room size. It goes on sale in the US on Sunday, starting at $300.
The Wii U is the heir to the Nintendo Wii system, whose motion-based controls got couch potatoes around the world to burn calories as they swung virtual tennis rackets, bowled and flailed around in their living rooms. The new console still allows you to use your old "Wiimotes," but its major advancement is a new controller, the GamePad, with a built-in touch screen that measures 6.2 inches (15.7 centimeters) diagonally.
The GamePad looks like the spawn of a tablet computer and a classic game controller. Its surface area is a little smaller than an iPad's, but it's about three times as thick, largely because it has hand grips that make it more comfortable over prolonged game sessions. It has an accelerometer and gyroscope for motion-controlled games, as well as a camera, a microphone, speakers, two analog joysticks and a typical array of buttons.Gaming like promising features place-shifts all the action to the GamePad controller. It essentially gives you Wii U graphics and performance in a tablet-size form factor, eliminating the need for a TV altogether.though the double screen makes you feel distracted
It's the touch screen that really makes the difference. In some cases, it houses functions that are typically relegated to a game's pause screen. In others, it allows a group of people playing the same game together to have different experiences depending on the controller used. Nintendo Co. calls this "asymmetric gaming."
In the mini-game collection "Nintendo Land," you can shoot arrows or fling throwing stars by swiping on the touch screen. One of the games in the collection, "Mario Chase," uses the GamePad to provide a bird's-eye view of a maze through which you can guide the hero. His pursuers - up to four players using Wiimotes - see the maze from a first-person perspective on the TV screen.
"New Super Mario Bros U" brings the asymmetric approach to cooperative action. While Wiimote-wielding players scamper across its side-scrolling landscapes, the GamePad user can create "boost blocks" to help them reach otherwise inaccessible areas. If you're going solo, you can play the entire adventure on the GamePad screen, freeing up the TV for family members who might want to watch something else.
On a more basic level, the GamePad lets you select your next play or draw new routes for your receivers in Electronic Arts Inc.'s "Madden NFL 13." You use it to adjust strategy or substitute players in 2K Sports' "NBA 2K13."
Ubisoft's "ZombiU" - the best original game at launch - turns the GamePad into your "bug-out bag." It's where you'll find all your undead-fighting supplies, from bats and bullets to hammers and health kits. It lets you access maps and security-camera footage as you navigate the devastated streets of London. If you hold it vertically, you can scan the virtual space in three dimensions to locate zombies who are lying in wait.
Essentially, the GamePad functions like the bottom half of the portable DS, with triggers, buttons and the touch screen offering additional information and an added dimension of control. In this comparison, your living-room TV would be the equivalent of the DS' top display.
It's somewhat gimmicky: Much of the time, you can easily imagine playing with just a regular joystick. But in "ZombiU," the GamePad adds to the atmosphere, creating the panicky feeling of scrambling around in a backpack while another undead horde approaches.
The high-definition graphics produced by the Wii U are close to those of Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 and Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3. That should bring back some of the game makers who had fled the underpowered Wii - at least until Microsoft and Sony bring out their next-generation consoles (neither company has announced any plans yet).
Some fine games from the past couple of years - Warner Bros.' "Batman: Arkham City," Electronic Arts' "Mass Effect 3" and THQ Inc.'s "Darksiders II" - are finally coming to a Nintendo console. The enhanced GamePad controls don't substantially alter their DNA, and if you've already played them on the Xbox or PS3, you aren't missing much. But if I'd had the option to play them the first time around with the enhanced GamePad controls, I would have.
The Wii U's online functions include video chat, its own social network and the ability to search for TV shows and movies from services such as Netflix and Hulu. These are all free. I wasn't able to test those features before writing this review.
I don't expect the Wii U to make as big a splash as the original Wii did six years ago. Nintendo's competitors are dipping their toes into the dual-screen pool as well: Some Sony games link the PS3 with the handheld Vita, while Microsoft's SmartGlass app for tablet computers adds bonus material to Xbox games such as "Halo 4" and "Forza Horizon."
Still, the Wii U goes all in on the multiscreen concept for a relatively inexpensive price. And in a world where people tweet on their iPads while watching sports or reality shows on their TVs, the whole GamePad concept feels perfectly natural.
The Wii U's success will depend on what Nintendo and other developers do with that second screen. The early results are very promising.
My final verdict would be
If you are for a gaming experience then with games like batman arkham city armoured edition,assasins creed 3 and, More you are out for a mind bobbling experience!
Sunday, 18 November 2012
Google Nexus 10
When I first turned on Google's new tablet computer, I immediately thought of it as a mere conduit to Google services.
Besides giving you quick access to Gmail and YouTube, the Nexus 10 steers you to digital movies, books and other content available for sale through Google's online Play store.
Because of that, I wasn't thinking of the Nexus 10 as an alternative to Apple's general-purpose iPad - even with a price tag that's $100 cheaper, starting at $399. It took more thought and time with the Nexus to change that perception. After all, apps available for Android smartphones work on the tablet as well.
Still, the Nexus really shines when it comes to media - especially content bought through Google.
For the past year, Google has been trying to challenge Apple and Amazon by selling digital content.
The Play store is Google's version of iTunes for Apple devices. There, you can get a variety of apps, some free and some for a small fee. You can buy or rent movies and obtain books, magazines and music. Google isn't satisfied with building search engines and selling ads. It wants a bigger role in the digital economy.
Over the summer, Google came out with a 7-inch (17.5-centimeter) tablet called the Nexus 7. Just as Apple made an iPad Mini that's about the size of the Nexus 7, Google is now selling a larger version of the Nexus, about the size of Apple's regular iPad. It starts shipping this week.
On the Nexus 10, icons at the bottom of the screen emphasise Google's media products available through Play. Click on a picture of film to watch movies, headphones to listen to music and a book to, well, read books. Another icon gets you to the Play store to obtain more content and apps.
The Nexus has a rubberised back and fits more snuggly on my lap than the metal-backed iPad. In my hands, I don't feel as if the Nexus would slip out and crash on to the hard floor, as I continually do with the iPad.
There are front-facing speakers going up and down both sides of the Nexus, compared with just one tucked in a corner on the back of an iPad. You feel more immersed watching video with sound coming right at you from the entire device. I hadn't considered that a problem on the iPad, but I began to notice it once I played video on the tablets side by side.
The screen measures 10.1 inches (25.6 centimeters) diagonally, which is more than the iPad's 9.7 inches (24.6 centimeters). But the screen isn't any larger because while it's about an inch wider in horizontal mode, it's also about a half-inch less in height. This works well for widescreen content, which completely fills the screen. On the iPad, the latest movies and TV shows often have black bars, no matter how you hold the tablet. In some cases, you might see the sides of video cut off to fit the space, as I did watching this week's episode of "Revenge" on Hulu. Again, I hadn't considered that a problem on the iPad, until I began to notice it.
What makes the tablet's shape good for movies makes it less-than-ideal for magazines, though. There's wasted space on the top and the bottom for magazines on the Nexus. But I watch TV shows and movies online more often than I read magazines digitally, so I'll let it slide.
As for books, text on the Nexus' screen comes out sharp. News sites and apps also look nice. The Nexus has a screen resolution of 300 pixels per inches, slightly better than the 264 ppi for the latest full-size iPad (which itself is far better than the 132 ppi on the older iPad 2 model still available).
True, there are other tablets designed as media players, too. Amazon.com Kindle Fire and Barnes and Barnes & Noble Nook HD come to mind, and both have larger versions out this month. But neither has the diversity of apps available for the Nexus and other full-fledge Android devices (The Kindle and the Nook run on modified versions of Android and restrict apps to what's available through their own online stores).
So what does that mean?
Apps on my Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone automatically appear on the Nexus 10 after signing in with the same Google account. I'll note that the Nexus 10 is also made by Samsung Electronics, even though it's branded Google.
Three of my apps, for AccuWeather, Citibank and Dunkin' Donuts, aren't compatible for unknown reasons. But those I use most often - Facebook, Instagram, Foursquare and a slew of other weather apps - all work on the Nexus. The companion app for the TV show "Dexter" also works, allowing me to play trivia games and watch video clips.
Not all apps have been specifically adapted for the tablet's larger screen, but they take advantage of the entire screen, nonetheless, thanks to the way Android lets software programmers build their apps in modules. All the content gets blown up and still looks decent.
Apple's store has a far wider selection of apps, though, including a half-dozen apps for exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. A search on Play comes up with only one.
The Nexus comes with the latest version of the Android operating system, version 4.2. It introduces a new feature for sharing tablets, the way family members can share Windows and Mac computers while keeping personalized settings. You no longer have to fight with a kid who constantly changes the volume or moves apps around. Now, just sign in as separate users.
The Nexus is a tad lighter, while the iPad promises longer battery life and has an option for cellular broadband for $130 more, plus the cost of data plans. Neither has a slot to expand memory with SD cards. Both have two cameras - 5 megapixels on the back for taking photos and video, and a lower-resolution one on the front for videoconferencing.
The iPad remains king among tablets, with its ease of use, variety of apps and dominance in the market. But challengers such as Google offer choice. The Nexus 10 is a good choice if you already have an Android phone and use a lot of Google services. That's especially true if you also watch a lot of movies and TV shows, but don't want to be limited to that.
Besides giving you quick access to Gmail and YouTube, the Nexus 10 steers you to digital movies, books and other content available for sale through Google's online Play store.
Because of that, I wasn't thinking of the Nexus 10 as an alternative to Apple's general-purpose iPad - even with a price tag that's $100 cheaper, starting at $399. It took more thought and time with the Nexus to change that perception. After all, apps available for Android smartphones work on the tablet as well.
Still, the Nexus really shines when it comes to media - especially content bought through Google.
For the past year, Google has been trying to challenge Apple and Amazon by selling digital content.
The Play store is Google's version of iTunes for Apple devices. There, you can get a variety of apps, some free and some for a small fee. You can buy or rent movies and obtain books, magazines and music. Google isn't satisfied with building search engines and selling ads. It wants a bigger role in the digital economy.
Over the summer, Google came out with a 7-inch (17.5-centimeter) tablet called the Nexus 7. Just as Apple made an iPad Mini that's about the size of the Nexus 7, Google is now selling a larger version of the Nexus, about the size of Apple's regular iPad. It starts shipping this week.
On the Nexus 10, icons at the bottom of the screen emphasise Google's media products available through Play. Click on a picture of film to watch movies, headphones to listen to music and a book to, well, read books. Another icon gets you to the Play store to obtain more content and apps.
The Nexus has a rubberised back and fits more snuggly on my lap than the metal-backed iPad. In my hands, I don't feel as if the Nexus would slip out and crash on to the hard floor, as I continually do with the iPad.
There are front-facing speakers going up and down both sides of the Nexus, compared with just one tucked in a corner on the back of an iPad. You feel more immersed watching video with sound coming right at you from the entire device. I hadn't considered that a problem on the iPad, but I began to notice it once I played video on the tablets side by side.
The screen measures 10.1 inches (25.6 centimeters) diagonally, which is more than the iPad's 9.7 inches (24.6 centimeters). But the screen isn't any larger because while it's about an inch wider in horizontal mode, it's also about a half-inch less in height. This works well for widescreen content, which completely fills the screen. On the iPad, the latest movies and TV shows often have black bars, no matter how you hold the tablet. In some cases, you might see the sides of video cut off to fit the space, as I did watching this week's episode of "Revenge" on Hulu. Again, I hadn't considered that a problem on the iPad, until I began to notice it.
What makes the tablet's shape good for movies makes it less-than-ideal for magazines, though. There's wasted space on the top and the bottom for magazines on the Nexus. But I watch TV shows and movies online more often than I read magazines digitally, so I'll let it slide.
As for books, text on the Nexus' screen comes out sharp. News sites and apps also look nice. The Nexus has a screen resolution of 300 pixels per inches, slightly better than the 264 ppi for the latest full-size iPad (which itself is far better than the 132 ppi on the older iPad 2 model still available).
True, there are other tablets designed as media players, too. Amazon.com Kindle Fire and Barnes and Barnes & Noble Nook HD come to mind, and both have larger versions out this month. But neither has the diversity of apps available for the Nexus and other full-fledge Android devices (The Kindle and the Nook run on modified versions of Android and restrict apps to what's available through their own online stores).
So what does that mean?
Apps on my Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone automatically appear on the Nexus 10 after signing in with the same Google account. I'll note that the Nexus 10 is also made by Samsung Electronics, even though it's branded Google.
Three of my apps, for AccuWeather, Citibank and Dunkin' Donuts, aren't compatible for unknown reasons. But those I use most often - Facebook, Instagram, Foursquare and a slew of other weather apps - all work on the Nexus. The companion app for the TV show "Dexter" also works, allowing me to play trivia games and watch video clips.
Not all apps have been specifically adapted for the tablet's larger screen, but they take advantage of the entire screen, nonetheless, thanks to the way Android lets software programmers build their apps in modules. All the content gets blown up and still looks decent.
Apple's store has a far wider selection of apps, though, including a half-dozen apps for exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. A search on Play comes up with only one.
The Nexus comes with the latest version of the Android operating system, version 4.2. It introduces a new feature for sharing tablets, the way family members can share Windows and Mac computers while keeping personalized settings. You no longer have to fight with a kid who constantly changes the volume or moves apps around. Now, just sign in as separate users.
The Nexus is a tad lighter, while the iPad promises longer battery life and has an option for cellular broadband for $130 more, plus the cost of data plans. Neither has a slot to expand memory with SD cards. Both have two cameras - 5 megapixels on the back for taking photos and video, and a lower-resolution one on the front for videoconferencing.
The iPad remains king among tablets, with its ease of use, variety of apps and dominance in the market. But challengers such as Google offer choice. The Nexus 10 is a good choice if you already have an Android phone and use a lot of Google services. That's especially true if you also watch a lot of movies and TV shows, but don't want to be limited to that.
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Xbox tablet on its way-reports suggest
With the release of the Microsoft Surface tablets, as well as Windows 8, Microsoft is now looking to enter the handheld gaming market (so to speak) with an Xbox Surface tablet. The Verge reports that the Xbox Surface will be a 7 inch gaming tablet. According to a spec sheet, the Xbox Surface is packing two IBM Power7 SCMs, clocked at 3.1 GHz, 5 GBs of DDR3 memory, a custom GPU put out by AMD and 250GB of storage space. The 7 inch LED screen will be able to output a maximum resolution of 1280x720 @ 1080p. Not only that, the tablet will have 4 USB 3.0 ports, component and HDMI outputs, an ethernet port and support for 4 wireless game controllers.
Lining up with this is, are reports that Microsoft has opened up its own facility for Surface tablet production. It would be interesting to see Microsoft take a step towards handheld gaming to compete not only with other tablets but with Sony's PS Vita console as well. Will it come into fruition is the question.
Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT ) Chief Executive Steve Ballmer is hinting at additional hardware releases in 2013 and beyond. According to Reuters , Ballmer said that it is "absolutely clear that there is an innovation opportunity on the scene between hardware and software and that is a scene that must not go unexploited at all by Microsoft."
Ballmer also addressed whether the company's partners would "build the lion's share of all Windows devices over the next five years."
"The answer is, absolutely," he said.
Ballmer's statements come at a time when Surface sales are beginning to take off . In addition to the Surface-style smartphone that Microsoft is rumored to be developing, the company is also thought to be creating its first handheld game console. Designed as a seven-inch tablet to take on Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL ) iPad and Sony's (NYSE: SNE ) PS Vita, Xbox Surface could provide Microsoft with a new venue for content distribution. As of March 2012, more consumers used their Xbox 360 consoles for Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX ) than for gaming .
That said, gaming has been and always will be an essential part of the device. Without it, hundreds of thousands of consumers would not have lined up at GameStop ) and other retailers to purchase an Xbox 360 seven years ago when it was released. Video games inspired consumer to buy the console over other devices (such as those that only play video). Over time, Microsoft has successfully repositioned Xbox 360 as a multimedia entertainment machine.
Microsoft could feasibly do the same for its seven-inch tablet. By launching with a major video game property, such as Halo, the Windows maker will be able to grab hold of the core gaming market. Better still, those consumers will inevitably use the tablet for more than gaming; they'll surf he Web, check e-mails, download apps, watch videos, etc. And as the price of the device comes down in the months and years after its release, additional consumers will be likely to buy it and take advantage of its multitude of features.
Aside from content (which will be the key to selling an Xbox tablet), Microsoft faces one immeasurable challenge: how to sell the device at a fair (but profitable) price. If the MSRP is too high, Microsoft will run the risk of alienating consumers in the same way that Sony has with its latest device. Since February, Sony has only sold a few million PS Vita units worldwide.
Lining up with this is, are reports that Microsoft has opened up its own facility for Surface tablet production. It would be interesting to see Microsoft take a step towards handheld gaming to compete not only with other tablets but with Sony's PS Vita console as well. Will it come into fruition is the question.
Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT ) Chief Executive Steve Ballmer is hinting at additional hardware releases in 2013 and beyond. According to Reuters , Ballmer said that it is "absolutely clear that there is an innovation opportunity on the scene between hardware and software and that is a scene that must not go unexploited at all by Microsoft."
Ballmer also addressed whether the company's partners would "build the lion's share of all Windows devices over the next five years."
"The answer is, absolutely," he said.
Ballmer's statements come at a time when Surface sales are beginning to take off . In addition to the Surface-style smartphone that Microsoft is rumored to be developing, the company is also thought to be creating its first handheld game console. Designed as a seven-inch tablet to take on Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL ) iPad and Sony's (NYSE: SNE ) PS Vita, Xbox Surface could provide Microsoft with a new venue for content distribution. As of March 2012, more consumers used their Xbox 360 consoles for Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX ) than for gaming .
That said, gaming has been and always will be an essential part of the device. Without it, hundreds of thousands of consumers would not have lined up at GameStop ) and other retailers to purchase an Xbox 360 seven years ago when it was released. Video games inspired consumer to buy the console over other devices (such as those that only play video). Over time, Microsoft has successfully repositioned Xbox 360 as a multimedia entertainment machine.
Microsoft could feasibly do the same for its seven-inch tablet. By launching with a major video game property, such as Halo, the Windows maker will be able to grab hold of the core gaming market. Better still, those consumers will inevitably use the tablet for more than gaming; they'll surf he Web, check e-mails, download apps, watch videos, etc. And as the price of the device comes down in the months and years after its release, additional consumers will be likely to buy it and take advantage of its multitude of features.
Aside from content (which will be the key to selling an Xbox tablet), Microsoft faces one immeasurable challenge: how to sell the device at a fair (but profitable) price. If the MSRP is too high, Microsoft will run the risk of alienating consumers in the same way that Sony has with its latest device. Since February, Sony has only sold a few million PS Vita units worldwide.
Sunday, 11 November 2012
Sony Xperia ION review
Sony Xperia ion is a decent looking phone that is easy to hold and seems sturdy enough to survive a fall without much damage. The Japanese manufacturer has used a combination of plastic and red (YES!) metal back cover to construct the body of the new phone. Notably, it has done away with the silly fluorescent coloured stripe to mark the three buttons that it used in earlier devices like Xperia S.
Xperia ion measures 133x68x10.8mm and weighs 144 gram, not much considering it has a 4.6-inch screen. It feels good in the hand and holding it is never an issue, despite its dimensions and all hardware keys are easy to access and press.
Located on the right side of the phone are three hardware keys - power on/off, volume rocker and camera. On the left are HDMI and microUSB ports, which are covered by a common flap which is quite troublesome to close once oipened. The headphone jack is located in top-centre which again is a very inconvenient location. The bottom plays home to the mic and nothing else. The front panel has a video calling camera, ambient light sensor, indicator light and proximity sensor. Now, we were flummoxed why the company put an ambient light sensor in the phone since it does not support automatic brightness feature.
Overall the build quality feels good, but the red metal back is prone to fingerprints, which is simply weird, considering that the much cheaper devices like Samsung Wave III never get any fingerprints.
The four keys below the capacitive touchscreen of the Xperia ion gave us a lot of trouble, just like the Xperia S. When we tried to press any of the keys, the touch did not register and we had to often press more than once in order to execute a command or see options. None of the keys light up when the screen is on; rather, each key has a bar underneath it that lights up. You would think of either tapping on the bar or the key itself in order to go back or see options. But you would be wrong, since you actually need to tap on the space between the keys and the touchscreen. It means Sony has repeated the same design idiocy that it had in Xperia S. So be prepared to make accidental presses on the screen, as we learnt the hard way.
Such an issue - and a continuing one - on the hardware front is major gaffe on Sony's part and needs to be rectified with immediate effect if it wants to be a serious player in the smartphone reckoning.
While buying the Xperia ion, bear in mind that the device only accepts a micro-sim card. Though obtaining a micro-sim card is a simple process, it can still be an inconvenience for some.
When you insert the micro-sim and microSD card in the Xperia ion, remember to keep the manual with you. Otherwise you will be hard-pressed to find the two slots. You need to take off the plastic cover from the top - and not bottom - to insert the two cards in the phone. It took us a while to figure this out and we never really felt a manual could be needed.
Hardware
Sony Xperia ion runs on a dual-core 1.5GHz processor that is snappy and executes all applications and graphics fluidly. However, it lags behind quad-core touting devices like Samsung Galaxy S III and HTC One X in benchmark tests, pushing it just a step back. 1GB of RAM in the Xperia ion helps the phone handle all the apps seamlessly, never giving any lag. Yet, upon using for a few days, we discovered the phone would suddenly reboot once or twice a week, all on its own.
The 4.6-inch touchscreen with Mobile Bravia Engine is a pleasure to look at and colours seem only slightly washed out when you step out in full daylight. This device could have been able to render better colours in daylight if automatic brightness function worked, but sadly that is not the case.
With 13GB of internal memory and support for up to 32GB memory card, you would never feel short of storage which is quite pleasing.
Ice Cream Sandwich with Timescape UI
Xperia ion now runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) layered with Sony's Timescape UI, which focusses heavily on social integration with everyday usage. The new menu/app drawer interface of ICS (where widgets are accessed from the menu) can be seen here as well. But Sony does not refrain from giving access to widgets from the home screen itself, as you simply need to tap the home screen itself to get options for themes, wallpapers and widgets. Those not in favour can remove the widgets.
Navigating the Sony Xperia ion with ICS and Timescape is simple and easy, with the standard five panel home screen. Those who have used Sony smartphones previously will be familiar with most of the aspects of the Timescape UI, including Facebook Friends, Facebook Feeds etc. A new feature is Recommender, which will recommend games, apps and music used by friends to you, featured as well as popular.
Some of the helpful widgets in the phone are Contact, Google Photos, Top Contacts and (power control) Tools, which make everyday tasks like turning on Wi-Fi and calling your best friend easier.
Facebook remains a key ingredient of Xperia ion's social experience as the device integrates your Facebook account with its Calendar, Contacts, Photos and Music apps. Thus, you can link all your Facebook friends' birthdays and anniversaries in your calendar and can link their accounts with phone numbers in your device's address book. Friends' Music is an app that shows all the music and videos your friends have posted on Facebook.
Telephony and messaging
The phonebook is simple and neat, with four tabs - Contacts, Dialer, Starred and Groups. You simply need to star those whom you frequently contact in order to cut the time you take to call, or club them together to send group messages etc. The phonebook of Xperia ion also features Smart Dialling after the ICS update.
Sending a SMS is easy, with three keyboard options. The keys are easy to tap and you can insert images, notes and add attachments and location to an SMS in order to convert it into a MMS. You can take a photo even if you are in the middle of typing a message as the device has a dedicated key for that on the keyboard.
Making life easier for heavy texters is the Swype-like intuitive typing feature, where you just slide your finger over the requisite keywords in order to type it. Another cool feature is starring your SMS, incoming as well as outgoing, which will be highlighted when you are searching for a SMS.
The Messaging and Calls apps show the number of unread SMSs and missed calls on the home screen and even the menu.
Poor call quality
For a top-end phone, Sony Xperia ion gave a surprisingly poor performance in our call test. If you wish to buy this phone, then keep in mind that you will be able to attend calls only when you are inside.We found the calling experience outdoors surprisingly poor. We sincerely hope that this was a defect in the piece we had, but if not, Sony needs to pull its socks up and correct the issue.
A good feature of Sony Xperia ion is that you can end an incoming call by sending a SMS even as the phone is ringing. Connectivity
Sony Xperia ion is the Japanese manufacturer's first 4G LTE enabled smartphone and can transfer data at up to 100Mbps. However, the best you will get in India right now is 3G speeds or Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n). The phone is also compatible with 2G networks and can transfer data over Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) and EDR (Enhanced Data Rate).
Another nifty connectivity option is Near Fields Communication (NFC), which will enable you to transfer data with just one bump. Other connectivity features include Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot and microUSB 2.0.
You can also make SIP-based calls over the internet using this phone.
Music and videos
Sony has long been known for its prowess in the field of audio technology and this can be seen in Xperia ion as well. The phone comes pre-installed with Walkman-branded music player, which is simple to use and allows users to access all common functions like repeat, play and en queue. But that's not all, since you can also find the video of the currently playing song on YouTube, search the artists' information on Wikipedia, check out lyrics via Google Search, find karaoke versions of the song on YouTube and find more extensions, all without leaving the Walkman. The FM radio is quick to start and find the stations, while TrackID will easily give you the lyrics of the songs you play.
Video player of the Sony Xperia ion is good and can handle heavy movies in various formats quite easily. The 4.6-inch touchscreen with Mobile Bravia engine technology plays its role quite well in making the movie viewing experience enjoyable.
The sound quality of the Sony Xperia is also good, but considering Sony's legacy in terms of music and audio, there is still room for improvement.
Camera
Xperia ion boasts of a 12MP camera with LED flash, while competitors like iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S III and HTC One X are content with 8MP snappers. However, this does not translate into better performance as the phone's camera produces images expected of a lower resolution camera, rather than the beautiful rendition that a 12MP sensor should give.
The phone's 12MP camera comes with five capture modes, namely scene recognition, normal, 3D sweep panorama, 3D sweep multi-angle and sweep panorama, along with front camera capturing. Panorama, scene recognition, sweep panorama are commonly used camera features, but 3D sweep panorama and 3D sweep multi-angle modes may find a niche audience for themselves.
Sony Xperia ion's camera comes with the regular options that most other Android phones have, so it's business as usual in that regard. However, the presence of a hardware camera key on the right helps a lot.
Videos taken from the Xperia ion are recorded at full HD (1080p@30fps) are smooth, but there is nothing exceptional in them to give them the look and feel of a 12MP camera.
The 1.3MP front camera is decent and can take videos at 720p@30fps. Nothing much to talk about there.
Gaming
Sony Xperia ion comes pre-installed with an EA Sports app that offers free games, such as Need For Speed Shift and Plants Vs Zombies. The phone handles these games, as well as other heavy games from Google Play quite well and the 1.5GHz dual core processor ensures there is never any lag.
Battery
Sony Xperia ion is powered by a 1,900mAh Li-ion battery that performed well in our test. The phone did not turn off for approximately one day on a single charge after medium usage. This included 1-2 hours of internet browsing, 2-3 hours of calling, around one hour of calls and 6-7 hours of music playback. Pretty decent.
The last words
Sony Xperia ion is a great smartphone and would have squashed all the competition had it been launched a year ago. But despite all the advancements, it does not measure up to market leader Samsung Galaxy S III and the other contender HTC One X.
With a price tag of around 698 dollars (Rs 36,999)it is simply too expensive and you would be better off buying a rival phone. Moreover, its overall performance is marred by the unresponsive haptic keys on the screen and the poor call quality. Neither does it come with innovations like S Voice, S Beam Smart Stay that come with Samsung Galaxy S III, nor does it offer free DropBox storage that HTC One X offers. It's best not to compare it with Apple iPhone 5, the new kid on the block that has the potential to blow the competition away.
Xperia ion measures 133x68x10.8mm and weighs 144 gram, not much considering it has a 4.6-inch screen. It feels good in the hand and holding it is never an issue, despite its dimensions and all hardware keys are easy to access and press.
Located on the right side of the phone are three hardware keys - power on/off, volume rocker and camera. On the left are HDMI and microUSB ports, which are covered by a common flap which is quite troublesome to close once oipened. The headphone jack is located in top-centre which again is a very inconvenient location. The bottom plays home to the mic and nothing else. The front panel has a video calling camera, ambient light sensor, indicator light and proximity sensor. Now, we were flummoxed why the company put an ambient light sensor in the phone since it does not support automatic brightness feature.
Overall the build quality feels good, but the red metal back is prone to fingerprints, which is simply weird, considering that the much cheaper devices like Samsung Wave III never get any fingerprints.
The four keys below the capacitive touchscreen of the Xperia ion gave us a lot of trouble, just like the Xperia S. When we tried to press any of the keys, the touch did not register and we had to often press more than once in order to execute a command or see options. None of the keys light up when the screen is on; rather, each key has a bar underneath it that lights up. You would think of either tapping on the bar or the key itself in order to go back or see options. But you would be wrong, since you actually need to tap on the space between the keys and the touchscreen. It means Sony has repeated the same design idiocy that it had in Xperia S. So be prepared to make accidental presses on the screen, as we learnt the hard way.
Such an issue - and a continuing one - on the hardware front is major gaffe on Sony's part and needs to be rectified with immediate effect if it wants to be a serious player in the smartphone reckoning.
While buying the Xperia ion, bear in mind that the device only accepts a micro-sim card. Though obtaining a micro-sim card is a simple process, it can still be an inconvenience for some.
When you insert the micro-sim and microSD card in the Xperia ion, remember to keep the manual with you. Otherwise you will be hard-pressed to find the two slots. You need to take off the plastic cover from the top - and not bottom - to insert the two cards in the phone. It took us a while to figure this out and we never really felt a manual could be needed.
Hardware
Sony Xperia ion runs on a dual-core 1.5GHz processor that is snappy and executes all applications and graphics fluidly. However, it lags behind quad-core touting devices like Samsung Galaxy S III and HTC One X in benchmark tests, pushing it just a step back. 1GB of RAM in the Xperia ion helps the phone handle all the apps seamlessly, never giving any lag. Yet, upon using for a few days, we discovered the phone would suddenly reboot once or twice a week, all on its own.
The 4.6-inch touchscreen with Mobile Bravia Engine is a pleasure to look at and colours seem only slightly washed out when you step out in full daylight. This device could have been able to render better colours in daylight if automatic brightness function worked, but sadly that is not the case.
With 13GB of internal memory and support for up to 32GB memory card, you would never feel short of storage which is quite pleasing.
Ice Cream Sandwich with Timescape UI
Xperia ion now runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) layered with Sony's Timescape UI, which focusses heavily on social integration with everyday usage. The new menu/app drawer interface of ICS (where widgets are accessed from the menu) can be seen here as well. But Sony does not refrain from giving access to widgets from the home screen itself, as you simply need to tap the home screen itself to get options for themes, wallpapers and widgets. Those not in favour can remove the widgets.
Navigating the Sony Xperia ion with ICS and Timescape is simple and easy, with the standard five panel home screen. Those who have used Sony smartphones previously will be familiar with most of the aspects of the Timescape UI, including Facebook Friends, Facebook Feeds etc. A new feature is Recommender, which will recommend games, apps and music used by friends to you, featured as well as popular.
Some of the helpful widgets in the phone are Contact, Google Photos, Top Contacts and (power control) Tools, which make everyday tasks like turning on Wi-Fi and calling your best friend easier.
Facebook remains a key ingredient of Xperia ion's social experience as the device integrates your Facebook account with its Calendar, Contacts, Photos and Music apps. Thus, you can link all your Facebook friends' birthdays and anniversaries in your calendar and can link their accounts with phone numbers in your device's address book. Friends' Music is an app that shows all the music and videos your friends have posted on Facebook.
Telephony and messaging
The phonebook is simple and neat, with four tabs - Contacts, Dialer, Starred and Groups. You simply need to star those whom you frequently contact in order to cut the time you take to call, or club them together to send group messages etc. The phonebook of Xperia ion also features Smart Dialling after the ICS update.
Sending a SMS is easy, with three keyboard options. The keys are easy to tap and you can insert images, notes and add attachments and location to an SMS in order to convert it into a MMS. You can take a photo even if you are in the middle of typing a message as the device has a dedicated key for that on the keyboard.
Making life easier for heavy texters is the Swype-like intuitive typing feature, where you just slide your finger over the requisite keywords in order to type it. Another cool feature is starring your SMS, incoming as well as outgoing, which will be highlighted when you are searching for a SMS.
The Messaging and Calls apps show the number of unread SMSs and missed calls on the home screen and even the menu.
Poor call quality
For a top-end phone, Sony Xperia ion gave a surprisingly poor performance in our call test. If you wish to buy this phone, then keep in mind that you will be able to attend calls only when you are inside.We found the calling experience outdoors surprisingly poor. We sincerely hope that this was a defect in the piece we had, but if not, Sony needs to pull its socks up and correct the issue.
A good feature of Sony Xperia ion is that you can end an incoming call by sending a SMS even as the phone is ringing. Connectivity
Sony Xperia ion is the Japanese manufacturer's first 4G LTE enabled smartphone and can transfer data at up to 100Mbps. However, the best you will get in India right now is 3G speeds or Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n). The phone is also compatible with 2G networks and can transfer data over Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) and EDR (Enhanced Data Rate).
Another nifty connectivity option is Near Fields Communication (NFC), which will enable you to transfer data with just one bump. Other connectivity features include Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot and microUSB 2.0.
You can also make SIP-based calls over the internet using this phone.
Music and videos
Sony has long been known for its prowess in the field of audio technology and this can be seen in Xperia ion as well. The phone comes pre-installed with Walkman-branded music player, which is simple to use and allows users to access all common functions like repeat, play and en queue. But that's not all, since you can also find the video of the currently playing song on YouTube, search the artists' information on Wikipedia, check out lyrics via Google Search, find karaoke versions of the song on YouTube and find more extensions, all without leaving the Walkman. The FM radio is quick to start and find the stations, while TrackID will easily give you the lyrics of the songs you play.
Video player of the Sony Xperia ion is good and can handle heavy movies in various formats quite easily. The 4.6-inch touchscreen with Mobile Bravia engine technology plays its role quite well in making the movie viewing experience enjoyable.
The sound quality of the Sony Xperia is also good, but considering Sony's legacy in terms of music and audio, there is still room for improvement.
Camera
Xperia ion boasts of a 12MP camera with LED flash, while competitors like iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S III and HTC One X are content with 8MP snappers. However, this does not translate into better performance as the phone's camera produces images expected of a lower resolution camera, rather than the beautiful rendition that a 12MP sensor should give.
The phone's 12MP camera comes with five capture modes, namely scene recognition, normal, 3D sweep panorama, 3D sweep multi-angle and sweep panorama, along with front camera capturing. Panorama, scene recognition, sweep panorama are commonly used camera features, but 3D sweep panorama and 3D sweep multi-angle modes may find a niche audience for themselves.
Sony Xperia ion's camera comes with the regular options that most other Android phones have, so it's business as usual in that regard. However, the presence of a hardware camera key on the right helps a lot.
Videos taken from the Xperia ion are recorded at full HD (1080p@30fps) are smooth, but there is nothing exceptional in them to give them the look and feel of a 12MP camera.
The 1.3MP front camera is decent and can take videos at 720p@30fps. Nothing much to talk about there.
Gaming
Sony Xperia ion comes pre-installed with an EA Sports app that offers free games, such as Need For Speed Shift and Plants Vs Zombies. The phone handles these games, as well as other heavy games from Google Play quite well and the 1.5GHz dual core processor ensures there is never any lag.
Battery
Sony Xperia ion is powered by a 1,900mAh Li-ion battery that performed well in our test. The phone did not turn off for approximately one day on a single charge after medium usage. This included 1-2 hours of internet browsing, 2-3 hours of calling, around one hour of calls and 6-7 hours of music playback. Pretty decent.
The last words
Sony Xperia ion is a great smartphone and would have squashed all the competition had it been launched a year ago. But despite all the advancements, it does not measure up to market leader Samsung Galaxy S III and the other contender HTC One X.
With a price tag of around 698 dollars (Rs 36,999)it is simply too expensive and you would be better off buying a rival phone. Moreover, its overall performance is marred by the unresponsive haptic keys on the screen and the poor call quality. Neither does it come with innovations like S Voice, S Beam Smart Stay that come with Samsung Galaxy S III, nor does it offer free DropBox storage that HTC One X offers. It's best not to compare it with Apple iPhone 5, the new kid on the block that has the potential to blow the competition away.
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Apple publishes apology on its UK website
Reports over the past week confirmed that Apple is to publish an apology to Samsung, after the High Court of Justice of England and Wales ruled that the latter’s Galaxy Tab 10.1, Tab 8.9, and Tab 7.7 did not infringe upon Apple’s iPad designs. As directed, Apple has published its apology to Samsung using the Arial font with its size being no less than 14 points on its official website. Apple begins it apology by noting that, “On 9th July 2012 the High Court of Justice of England and Wales ruled that Samsung Electronic (UK) Limited’s Galaxy Tablet Computer, namely the Galaxy Tab 10.1, Tab 8.9 and Tab 7.7 do not infringe Apple’s registered design No. 0000181607-0001.”
In its public apology to Samsung, Apple added that the judge noted that Apple’s designs of the iPad bore extreme simplicity that was striking. “Overall it has undecorated flat surfaces with a plate of glass on the front all the way out to a very thin rim and a blank back. There is a crisp edge around the rim and a combination of curves, both at the corners and the sides. The design looks like an object the informed user would want to pick up and hold. It is an understated, smooth and simple product. It is a cool design," it noted further. Samsung’s designs for its Galaxy tablets, on the other hand were deemed as not being as cool as Apple’s, since from the front they appeared to belong to that family of which Apple's design was a part. Samsung products, however, were found to be very thin, "almost insubstantial members of that family with unusual details on the back. They do not have the same understated and extreme simplicity which is possessed by the Apple design. They are not as cool".
Galaxy Tab 10.1 did not infringe upon Apple's designs
In July this year, Apple had been ordered by Judge Colin Birss to publish a notice on its UK website, and in British newspapers to inform consumers that the Galaxy Tab's design has not been copied from the iPad. The notice that Apple had been asked to publish was to highlight the court's July 9 decision, wherein it affirmed that Samsung’s Galaxy tablets do not infringe upon Apple’s patented designs. At the time, reports revealed that, "The order means Apple will have to publish “an advertisement” for Samsung, Richard Hacon, a lawyer for Cupertino, California-based Apple, told the court. “No company likes to refer to a rival on its website".
Apple recently won after what had been one long battle, and Samsung Electronics is to cough up compensation to the tune of a staggering $1.05 billion. It is a big win for the company, and on the Internet is circulating a copy of the email that Apple chief, Tim Cook sent out to his employees. Incidentally, Cook also completes his one year on the job today. In the e-mail that Cook sent out to his employees after the big win, he wrote how that lawsuit has been about values, more importantly than patents or money. He adds that the lawsuit came into being only after repeatedly asking Samsung to stop copying Apple's work.
In its public apology to Samsung, Apple added that the judge noted that Apple’s designs of the iPad bore extreme simplicity that was striking. “Overall it has undecorated flat surfaces with a plate of glass on the front all the way out to a very thin rim and a blank back. There is a crisp edge around the rim and a combination of curves, both at the corners and the sides. The design looks like an object the informed user would want to pick up and hold. It is an understated, smooth and simple product. It is a cool design," it noted further. Samsung’s designs for its Galaxy tablets, on the other hand were deemed as not being as cool as Apple’s, since from the front they appeared to belong to that family of which Apple's design was a part. Samsung products, however, were found to be very thin, "almost insubstantial members of that family with unusual details on the back. They do not have the same understated and extreme simplicity which is possessed by the Apple design. They are not as cool".
Galaxy Tab 10.1 did not infringe upon Apple's designs
In July this year, Apple had been ordered by Judge Colin Birss to publish a notice on its UK website, and in British newspapers to inform consumers that the Galaxy Tab's design has not been copied from the iPad. The notice that Apple had been asked to publish was to highlight the court's July 9 decision, wherein it affirmed that Samsung’s Galaxy tablets do not infringe upon Apple’s patented designs. At the time, reports revealed that, "The order means Apple will have to publish “an advertisement” for Samsung, Richard Hacon, a lawyer for Cupertino, California-based Apple, told the court. “No company likes to refer to a rival on its website".
Apple recently won after what had been one long battle, and Samsung Electronics is to cough up compensation to the tune of a staggering $1.05 billion. It is a big win for the company, and on the Internet is circulating a copy of the email that Apple chief, Tim Cook sent out to his employees. Incidentally, Cook also completes his one year on the job today. In the e-mail that Cook sent out to his employees after the big win, he wrote how that lawsuit has been about values, more importantly than patents or money. He adds that the lawsuit came into being only after repeatedly asking Samsung to stop copying Apple's work.
Monday, 5 November 2012
Samsung announces Galaxy Premier
Samsung officially has announced the upcoming Galaxy Premier, a device whose specifications are reminiscent to that of Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the recently discontinued Google smartphone. In terms of looks, the all-new Galaxy Premier follows the pebble-esque design language seen before in Galaxy S III, Note II and, more recently, S III Mini.
Galaxy Premier boasts of a 4.65-inch SuperAMOLED touchscreen with 1280x720-pixel resolution. The smartphone runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) with Samsung's TouchWiz UI on top. This device is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor with 1GB RAM and comes in 8GB and 16GB variants, with support for microSD card of up to 64GB capacity.
South Korean manufacturer Samsung has included 4G LTE, 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC in the device for connectivity. The device sports an 8MP rear snapper with LED flash and a 1.9MP video calling camera in the front. Powered by a 2,100mAh battery, Galaxy Premier will have exclusive Samsung apps like S Voice, S Beam, Smart Stay and Pop-up Play.
Going by specifications, this smartphone will be placed between Samsung Galaxy S III and Galaxy S II, though the difference between the Galaxy Premier and Galaxy S III is quite less. Samsung said it will start shipping the device in Ukraine in December with a price tag of UAH 5,555. But considering that India is among Samsung's primary markets, the phone may hit the shelves here soon.
Key specs:
Display: 4.65-inch SuperAMOLED touchscreen with 1280x720-pixel resolution;
Operating system: Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) with TouchWiz UI;
Processor: 1.5GHz dual-core processor with 1GB RAM;
Memory: 8GB and 16GB variants, with support for microSD card of up to 64GB capacity;
Connectivity: 4G LTE, 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC;
Camera: 8MP rear snapper with LED flash and a 1.9MP video calling camera;
Battery: 2,100mAh
Galaxy Premier boasts of a 4.65-inch SuperAMOLED touchscreen with 1280x720-pixel resolution. The smartphone runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) with Samsung's TouchWiz UI on top. This device is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor with 1GB RAM and comes in 8GB and 16GB variants, with support for microSD card of up to 64GB capacity.
South Korean manufacturer Samsung has included 4G LTE, 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC in the device for connectivity. The device sports an 8MP rear snapper with LED flash and a 1.9MP video calling camera in the front. Powered by a 2,100mAh battery, Galaxy Premier will have exclusive Samsung apps like S Voice, S Beam, Smart Stay and Pop-up Play.
Going by specifications, this smartphone will be placed between Samsung Galaxy S III and Galaxy S II, though the difference between the Galaxy Premier and Galaxy S III is quite less. Samsung said it will start shipping the device in Ukraine in December with a price tag of UAH 5,555. But considering that India is among Samsung's primary markets, the phone may hit the shelves here soon.
Key specs:
Display: 4.65-inch SuperAMOLED touchscreen with 1280x720-pixel resolution;
Operating system: Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) with TouchWiz UI;
Processor: 1.5GHz dual-core processor with 1GB RAM;
Memory: 8GB and 16GB variants, with support for microSD card of up to 64GB capacity;
Connectivity: 4G LTE, 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC;
Camera: 8MP rear snapper with LED flash and a 1.9MP video calling camera;
Battery: 2,100mAh
Microsoft: WP8 will create a strong third player in smartphone market
TEL AVIV: Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said Windows Phone 8 being launched with its partners would create a strong third player in the smartphone market and sell quickly.
"With the work we have done with Nokia, HTC, Samsung and others ... there is now an opportunity to create really a strong third participant in the smartphone market," Ballmer said at an event to launch Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system in Israel, referring to Google's Android and Apple's iOS platforms.
"We're still relatively small ... I expect the volumes on Windows Phone to really ramp quickly."
Ballmer said Microsoft will do more marketing and advertising around Windows 8, its Surface tablet and Windows Phone than any products the company had ever done.
"With the work we have done with Nokia, HTC, Samsung and others ... there is now an opportunity to create really a strong third participant in the smartphone market," Ballmer said at an event to launch Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system in Israel, referring to Google's Android and Apple's iOS platforms.
"We're still relatively small ... I expect the volumes on Windows Phone to really ramp quickly."
Ballmer said Microsoft will do more marketing and advertising around Windows 8, its Surface tablet and Windows Phone than any products the company had ever done.
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Sony Duo
At least in the beginning, most of the made-for-Windows-8 devices you're going to see will have a very similar form factor -- namely, a tablet that slots into a detachable keyboard dock. Sony, though, is taking a different tack: the outfit is ignoring the hybrid trend altogether and will instead sell the VAIO Duo 11, one of a select few slider PCs to hit the market. we're just now learning about pricing and availability: the company just announced that the Duo is coming out October 26th (the same day as Windows 8) and will start at $1,100.
That's a lofty price, to be sure, but with a spec sheet that includes Ultrabook guts, a backlit keyboard, NFC, GPS and a 1080p, IPS, Gorilla Glass display, we don't see how it could've cost much less. Take a gander at the design, and you'll see it's mostly made of magnesium alloy and, having handled it ourselves, we can attest to the sturdiness of the hinge mechanism. Compared to other sliders, which often make do with cramped keyboards, this offers a reasonably spacious layout, though it comes at the expense of a trackpad. Indeed, there's no touchpad here; just an optical pointing stick. (Thankfully, it seems pretty precise.) Additionally, the Duo 11 supports pen input, and comes with a dual digitizer pen that can recognize 256 levels of pressure sensitivity. As a tablet-like device, it has not one, but two cameras, both capturing at 2.4-megapixel resolution.
Continuing our tour of the device, the 2.84-pound system is home to a surprisingly robust collection of ports, including HDMI-out, two USB 3.0 sockets, an Ethernet jack (!), memory card slot, headphone jack and VGA. Yes, VGA. This might be a good time to clarify that Sony envisions this as a machine for road warriors, though it comes not with Windows 8 Professional, but Home Premium. That would also explain the battery situation: in addition to the built-in 4,960mAh cell, it will be offered with an optional slice battery that promises to double the runtime. Bonus: the spare has its own AC port, so you can plug it directly into the outlet. Again, the Duo 11 starts at $1,100 with a Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD (you can upgrade to a 256 drive and a Core i5 or 7 CPU if you wish).
The Sony Vaio Duo 11 is different. Instead of the ARM-based processors you'll find in the iPad, Android tablets such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 or Windows RT tablets such as the Microsoft Surface, this runs a full Intel Core processor.
This means you can run full Windows programs as well as apps such as Angry Birds and TV catchup apps from the Windows Store.
It's not just the processor that's different. Instead of being a bland black slate, the screen lifts and slides back to reveal a keyboard. It's held together by a weighty hinge, meaning that wherever you go, the keyboard comes with it.
The lack of detachability indicates that Sony is aiming at the more professional end of the market. Being able to lose the keyboard means that people are more likely to use their device for playing games and browsing the web.
Specification
The main difference between the Sony Vaio Duo 11 and the rest of the tablet market is that x86 processor. It's an Intel Core i5 3317U chip clocked at 1.7GHz - the same low power variety found in Ultrabooks. While 1.7GHz may seem low, it can Turbo Boost itself to a whopping 2.7GHz under heavy strain, which means it's no slouch.
The Sony Vaio Duo 11 packs the power of a leading laptop into the body of a tablet. This means that advanced photo and video editing are more than within its capabilities, and you can multitask apps to your heart's content.
The thing I like about this tab cum pc is the connectivity,USB functions,163 min battery life,we can zip files,watch high definition movies,work on a pc as well as use apps for tables
Editing on Photoshop and running our favourite apps was also cause for celebration, as well as being able to sit back and enjoy the latest Windows apps from what's shaping up to be a promising selection.
The main reason for dislike is the weight of the tablet and price,the bulky tablet cum pc has a keyboard which cannot be detached,the keyboard looks cramped up and it's so heavy
While some tablets such as Samsung smart pc,Asus vivo their docks can be detached to make it lighter
While with Sony you are stuck with the bulky weight
Last verdict
If you are fine with the weight and price you are for one of the best tab in the market
It may not be wafer thin or super-light, but it has a gorgeous Full HD screen, 128GB of storage, full connectivity and is as good for work as it is for play.
That is something the iPad, Google Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire just can't compete with.
While it's not a perfect laptop-tablet hybrid, and certainly won't have mass appeal, Sony has furthered the Windows 8 cause with an exceptionally powerful device that challenges the perceptions of what tablets can achieve.
If you're a business user who wants on-the-go convenience and power then take the plunge, but for most people the Duo will be a luxury for problems that can be solved with an enormous range of cheaper, more versatile devices.
The Sony Vaio Duo 11 is also a solid piece of engineering, and despite its bulk it certainly turns heads. This in no small part thanks to the gorgeous 1080p screen, and if you need a device to watch a film on after a day working on the road, you have a top contender in the Sony Vaio Duo 11.
That's a lofty price, to be sure, but with a spec sheet that includes Ultrabook guts, a backlit keyboard, NFC, GPS and a 1080p, IPS, Gorilla Glass display, we don't see how it could've cost much less. Take a gander at the design, and you'll see it's mostly made of magnesium alloy and, having handled it ourselves, we can attest to the sturdiness of the hinge mechanism. Compared to other sliders, which often make do with cramped keyboards, this offers a reasonably spacious layout, though it comes at the expense of a trackpad. Indeed, there's no touchpad here; just an optical pointing stick. (Thankfully, it seems pretty precise.) Additionally, the Duo 11 supports pen input, and comes with a dual digitizer pen that can recognize 256 levels of pressure sensitivity. As a tablet-like device, it has not one, but two cameras, both capturing at 2.4-megapixel resolution.
Continuing our tour of the device, the 2.84-pound system is home to a surprisingly robust collection of ports, including HDMI-out, two USB 3.0 sockets, an Ethernet jack (!), memory card slot, headphone jack and VGA. Yes, VGA. This might be a good time to clarify that Sony envisions this as a machine for road warriors, though it comes not with Windows 8 Professional, but Home Premium. That would also explain the battery situation: in addition to the built-in 4,960mAh cell, it will be offered with an optional slice battery that promises to double the runtime. Bonus: the spare has its own AC port, so you can plug it directly into the outlet. Again, the Duo 11 starts at $1,100 with a Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD (you can upgrade to a 256 drive and a Core i5 or 7 CPU if you wish).
The Sony Vaio Duo 11 is different. Instead of the ARM-based processors you'll find in the iPad, Android tablets such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 or Windows RT tablets such as the Microsoft Surface, this runs a full Intel Core processor.
This means you can run full Windows programs as well as apps such as Angry Birds and TV catchup apps from the Windows Store.
It's not just the processor that's different. Instead of being a bland black slate, the screen lifts and slides back to reveal a keyboard. It's held together by a weighty hinge, meaning that wherever you go, the keyboard comes with it.
The lack of detachability indicates that Sony is aiming at the more professional end of the market. Being able to lose the keyboard means that people are more likely to use their device for playing games and browsing the web.
Specification
The main difference between the Sony Vaio Duo 11 and the rest of the tablet market is that x86 processor. It's an Intel Core i5 3317U chip clocked at 1.7GHz - the same low power variety found in Ultrabooks. While 1.7GHz may seem low, it can Turbo Boost itself to a whopping 2.7GHz under heavy strain, which means it's no slouch.
The Sony Vaio Duo 11 packs the power of a leading laptop into the body of a tablet. This means that advanced photo and video editing are more than within its capabilities, and you can multitask apps to your heart's content.
The thing I like about this tab cum pc is the connectivity,USB functions,163 min battery life,we can zip files,watch high definition movies,work on a pc as well as use apps for tables
Editing on Photoshop and running our favourite apps was also cause for celebration, as well as being able to sit back and enjoy the latest Windows apps from what's shaping up to be a promising selection.
The main reason for dislike is the weight of the tablet and price,the bulky tablet cum pc has a keyboard which cannot be detached,the keyboard looks cramped up and it's so heavy
While some tablets such as Samsung smart pc,Asus vivo their docks can be detached to make it lighter
While with Sony you are stuck with the bulky weight
Last verdict
If you are fine with the weight and price you are for one of the best tab in the market
It may not be wafer thin or super-light, but it has a gorgeous Full HD screen, 128GB of storage, full connectivity and is as good for work as it is for play.
That is something the iPad, Google Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire just can't compete with.
While it's not a perfect laptop-tablet hybrid, and certainly won't have mass appeal, Sony has furthered the Windows 8 cause with an exceptionally powerful device that challenges the perceptions of what tablets can achieve.
If you're a business user who wants on-the-go convenience and power then take the plunge, but for most people the Duo will be a luxury for problems that can be solved with an enormous range of cheaper, more versatile devices.
The Sony Vaio Duo 11 is also a solid piece of engineering, and despite its bulk it certainly turns heads. This in no small part thanks to the gorgeous 1080p screen, and if you need a device to watch a film on after a day working on the road, you have a top contender in the Sony Vaio Duo 11.
Apple iPad 4 performance
The new processor in the iPad 4 is an A6X chip that delivers even greater performance than the A6 found on the iPhone 5. When compared to the A5X SoC found on the third generation iPad, the upcoming 10-incher actually boasts an increase of 111% in performance.
The A6X has also been coupled with a new quad-core graphics chip in order to handle that huge resolution of 2048 x 1536, and the device also benefits from 1 GB of RAM. The results are pretty obvious and the iPad 4 blows the third generation out of the water.
Now, it remains to be seen whether or not the fourth generation iPad will blow its Android competition out of the water as well. The Google Nexus 10 sounds very promising as well. It comes with an even higher resolution (2560 x 1600) more pixels per inch (300 vs 264), a dual-core ARM Cortex-A15 processor running at 1.7 GHz, an ARM Mali-T604 GPU and 2 GB of RAM.however apple will not be able to compete with google in terms of price
More information will be coming about the iPad 4,stay tuned to know more of the upcoming win8 tablets and google nexus
The A6X has also been coupled with a new quad-core graphics chip in order to handle that huge resolution of 2048 x 1536, and the device also benefits from 1 GB of RAM. The results are pretty obvious and the iPad 4 blows the third generation out of the water.
Now, it remains to be seen whether or not the fourth generation iPad will blow its Android competition out of the water as well. The Google Nexus 10 sounds very promising as well. It comes with an even higher resolution (2560 x 1600) more pixels per inch (300 vs 264), a dual-core ARM Cortex-A15 processor running at 1.7 GHz, an ARM Mali-T604 GPU and 2 GB of RAM.however apple will not be able to compete with google in terms of price
More information will be coming about the iPad 4,stay tuned to know more of the upcoming win8 tablets and google nexus
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