Facebook Phone – Is the wait over?

Facebook phones are actually the concept and the product that has been launched earlier from AT&T.

The names of the phones were HTC Status and HTC Salsa but, they failed to live up to their names, and the concept of the Facebook Phone still remains worth anticipation. The wait finally seems to be over if the report of All Things Digital is assumed to be authentic.

Is it named Buffy?

These reports suggest that Facebook Inc is working with the Cell Manufacturer and, the result could be the ‘Facebook Phone’ which is named Buffy! The name is said to be derived from the Television Serial named Vampire Killer. This is reported to be an exclusively Facebook Phone and will be miles ahead of the phones with Tiny button of Facebook!

Facebook Phone with Android Operating System

Reports also claim that Facebook has tweaked the Android Operating System, this version is said to be the base of the operation of this new Facebook Phone. Facebook was supposed to launch this innovative Gadget with assistance from Samsung earlier, but on some inevitable grounds, Facebook have now approached HTC, Taiwanese Smart Phone maker for the same.

There is no information available about the reasons or the causes behind this decision. When asked about this anticipated product from the Facebook, the official spokesperson of it declined to comment directly on it. However, he mentioned that “We have a simple approach about these gadgets and it is about the Social Value of it.” He also stated that “We are working on the Giant Canvas consisting of the Operating Systems, Manufacturers and the Mobile Operators across the globe.” The other name involved in the news, HTC Inc also declined to comment on this issue. We think it is better to wait and till then enjoy the Android App of the Facebook which is available on the Android Market.

Nokia Nuron 5230

Nokia’s presence in the US market has dwindled tremendously since the explosion of the modern cell phone era came about during the early portion of this decade. Since then, the only segment where we continue to see Nokia’s focus in the US is profoundly noticed in the entry level area where it’s littered with flip and candybar phones – generally doubled for prepaid and postpaid offerings. Every now and then, we truly are greeted to some devices that are a bit outside of the box from Nokia’s known offerings in the US; say like the Nokia Twist and Mural. That’s where the Nokia Nuron 5230 strategically comes into play for T-Mobile as it finally brings forth a carrier branded Nokia touchscreen device. Despite its arrival, the Nokia Nuron has the monumental task of bringing the limelight back to them in the US as it finds itself in the thick of competition.

The package contains:
• Nokia Nuron 5230
• Quickstart Guide
• 4GB microSD card pre-installed
• Charger
• Hands-free Headset
• USB Cable
• Stylus pick lanyard

As we’ve already seen with the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic and 5530 XpressMusic, the Nokia Nuron 5230 follows in tradition to those handsets in design. Clad in a white and silver color scheme, the Nuron’s plastic feeling exterior doesn’t exude a high-quality design that would impress anyone holding it for the first time. Granted though it’s extremely light weight when compared to other similar phones, the Nuron is your typical pocketable touchscreen phone that can slip into a pocket unnoticed. Despite it’s plasticy feel, the construction feels solid like it should due to the fact there are no moving parts to make us worry about how it’ll hold up in the long run.

Samsung Diva S7070

We have finally managed to get our hands on the Samsung Diva S7070, a handset of the Diva Collection 2010. Actually, the device is so very womanly that we believe it should be stigmatized by all self-respecting feminists’ organizations worldwide. It is aimed at the fairer sex and people, enchanted by handsets with exquisite style and dainty appeal. At least that´s what the manufacturer says and demonstrates in every possible way. For an instance, the phone box is adorned with fake diamonds (that don´t quite look like the Real McCoy). So, what´s inside, except for the cell phone itself? There is a wall charger, headphone set, USB cable, CD and user guide. We tend to think that an elegant pouch to complement the accessory set would have been a great idea in this particular instance, although Samsung has decided this is irrelevant. Quite odd indeed, given previous models targeted at ladies, like the E500 and E530, did come with similar piece of accessory.
You might be thinking this is not a big deal really and while that´s exactly the case on many occasions, such an accessory is virtually mandatory for the Samsung Diva S7070, because the handset is almost entirely white and gets dirty fairly easy. Its back is one of the distinguishing features of the device, due to its unique, cool rugged (quilt-like) pattern that makes the handset truly hard to accidentally slip out of your hand. The diamond-shaped button that lends color to the front side is another, quite spectacular at that, design element. We do like the fact that you can press it just like any other key, because it features great travel and proved to be trouble-free to use.

Motorola BACKFLIP

There's a lot to say about AT&T's undeniably slow gallop in joining the Android table, but nonetheless it's finally here to some degree with minimal fanfare surrounding its launch. For a brief time we saw AT&T seemingly knock on Android as they probably were under the mercy of Apple – who of course sees Android as their biggest competitor right now. To that degree, we see the hints of that on-going animosity as AT&T officially announced getting into the Android game with the Motorola BACKFLIP. Instead of following Verizon’s lead in premiering a high-end contender in the Android market, AT&T takes the approach on a slightly different path as they intend on offering a device that sets itself apart from the usual line of Android smartphones we’ve seen. We’ll see how the BACKFLIP can attract AT&T customers that have been stuck on the mindset of seeing the iPhone OS as the carrier’s flagship platform.

The package contains:
• Motorola BACKFLIP
• Quickstart Guide
• 2GB microSD card pre-installed
• Charger
• USB Cable
There’s no question that the BACKFLIP’s strength mostly lies in its unusual form factor that really manages to separate it from all the existing pack of slate/candybar devices – essentially requiring a literal backflip to expose its QWERTY. Taking plenty of design elements from the Motorola CLIQ, the BACKFLIP sports a slightly smaller frame (4.25” x 2.09” x 0.60”) that easily makes it more compact and comfortable when holding in the hand thanks to the rounded soft edges. The silver metallic-like casing feels high quality and constrasts well with the black color that adorns the touchscreen and QWERTY – not to mention it feels light weight (4.69 oz) in the pockets as well. Unlike the CLIQ, with its questionable build quality, the BACKFLIP does exude a higher level of workmanship that doesn’t make us worry about the hinge that holds the two parts of the phone together.

Vodafone 360 Samsung H1

There is no doubt that the Linux-based, open-source Android operating system is flourishing right now, thanks to some pretty good devices like the Motorola DROID and Google Nexus One (and their advertising). However, this is not the case with every other Linux-based OS out there. The young LiMo R2 platform for example, currently found only on the high-end Samsung H1 and the mainstream Samsung M1 is still what someone would call a “no-name”.

In this review we will be examining the LiMo-powered Samsung H1, which is strictly designed for the Vodafone 360 services. It can be purchased either through Vodafone, or unlocked at some stores. We are using an unlocked unit, which means that we aren’t able to check out the Vodafone services, but we can closely examine the LiMo R2 OS and see if it has the potential to become a full-featured mobile platform.
As with many other hi-tech cell phones with large touch-sensitive screens, the first time that you open the box with the Samsung H1, you get surprised by how huge, sophisticated and interesting it looks. With design language reminiscent of the Ultra series, the Samsung H1 is by no means ugly. It’s actually quite bearable, but unfortunately lacks any sense of the fashionable appearance that was a distinctive mark of the Ultra series.

LG Cookie Fresh GS290

As the original LG Cookie, the phone that foreshadowed the era of the budget touchscreen, proved to be quite a success, the manufacturer naturally seeks to keep this trend alive. The appearance of the LG Cookie Fresh GS290 is a proof of this. It is part of the newly-formed Cookie family. However, what place does it take among the rest of the family members is a tough question, as the Cookie Fresh takes some of the newer features found on the Cookie Plus, but sacrifices others that were initially found on the original. In short, it replaces the 3MP camera found on the first Cookie with a weaker 2MP one, and it lacks 3G, but sports a 3.5mm jack. So, in the final analysis, we can say the LG Cookie Fresh GS290 will be the handset of choice for those who enjoy listening to music while on the move, but would pay as little as possible.

For good or bad, the LG Cookie Fresh GS290 is the typical affordable touchscreen phone, in terms of design. Its appearance is by no means breathtaking, but it’s not bad either. LG plans to offer it in a plethora of color variations, trying to suit as many consumer tastes as possible.. The plastic, from which it is manufactured, feels fairly cheap, although not unpleasant to touch. It has smooth curves, which make the LG Cookie Fresh GS290 feel natural in the hand.

Palm Pre Plus

With minor changes in hardware the newer version of palm pre comes up with patch up keyboard and some little changes in user interface. It contains 3.1 inch multi touch screen with 320×480 resolution with HVGA display. In order to capture amateur video capture, it contains 3MP camera with LED flash. Palm Pre Plus will be coming up with Verizon. It runs on WebOS in its smartphone platform, which gives applications like Hotspot Tethering. You can get Palm Pre Plus for just 150 $ with two years Verizon contacts with their data plans.

PlayStation Phone by Sony

Sony, the leader of innovative technologies is ready to launch playstation phone code named “Zeus” in early 2011. Zeus would have Andriod 3.0 Gingerbread operating system. It also contains SD slot card having 8GB of memory with 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 processor. It comes up with 3.8 display and graphics processing unit of Adreno 205. This superb phone also contains 1GB ROM and 512 MB RAM. 3.8″ touch screen and its touch pad is just like gaming console of PSP. Through PlayStation Phone you can also download different games. So for those who love games, it is going to be a best product.

RIM BlackBerry Presenter

As many of you have already noticed that micro and mini projectors will be available soon. Manufactures like 3M, Microvision and other. Thank God this handy 3.4-inch x 2.4-inch boxlike accessory is designed, so that it can be used with BlackBerry smart phones. It is very simple in use. What you have to do is that, simply connect it with a projector or monitor and you can use Blutetooth connectivity in order to display Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 and 2007 slides directly from your handset. You can pause images, set slides to automatically swap at prearranged intervals and in this way you can enjoy the benefit of accurate reproductions with most visual and animated effects.

A Few Sony PSP Games and Accessories!

Sony is on the seventh cloud with the popularity of the Sony PSP games and accessories. It is the third consecutive success of Sony at gaming consoles after the Sony PS2 and PS3. The PSP is portable you can carry it wherever you go.

It is three in one equipment you can not only play games on it but also listen to songs and watch videos. Sony PSP games and accessories are available in a wide range. You can select the best you need.

Here are a few very good PSP accessories found useful and attractive by the people. A carry case is a must have PSP accessory. It will ensure that your PSP is safe even if it falls. You can also go for a case-type accessory called Logitech Play Gear Pocket. It not only keeps your PSP safe but is also customizable as you wish.

Another important PSP accessory is Hori Protective Filter, it is anti screen scratch. It gives you a clear view and also has anti-glare shield.

Laptop Accessories and Use!

The market is flooded with Laptop accessories of different shapes sizes and price. These accessories help in better use of the laptop. Some of the accessories give high level unimaginable performance. They are also designed amazingly to suit their need and performance. The look of many laptop accessories is sure to catch your attention.

The standard company laptop is accompanied by a laptop bag, charger and a manual. The other laptop accessories to add on include keyboard, mouse, stand, key cover, microphone, USB flash drive, web cam and others.

Each laptop accessory has its unique usability to facilitate easy use of laptop as below:

1. Laptop bag makes it easy to carry and protects against scratched.
2. The screen cover keeps the laptop screen clean and tidy.
3. Microphone and web cam help in online chats and listening to songs. Added benefit of web cam is we can even see the person on the other end.
4. USB mouse and keyboard make it more convenient to click on the destined folder or link and type large

Sony Unveils the Alpha DSLR-A380 14.2 megapixels camera with 2.7-inch LCD screen

Sony, company with a brand name in digital cameras and similar tech gadgets has once more thought to concur the market by unveiling it latest Alpha DSLR-A380 14.2 megapixels camera. This means you can take real clear pictures of real things around you.

You can view the images even more clearly on the 2.7-inch LCD screen which can be tilted in various direction so that you are comfortable shooting. Alpha DSLR-A380 comes with a BIONZ processor which gives it ability to respond fast. It also a self timer drive mode which can be set to quickly take snaps of the things you want to capture. There are many more features to be explored which will surely delight you.

Electronic Gadgets is So Important

All around us technology is really changing at a fast pace.

Technology is responsible for shifting our attention from simple tools to machines, and finally, towards numerous contemporary gadgets.

We see a lot of amazing gadgets in Hollywood films like the James Bond series, Spy Kids, and various action films. But the use of gadgets is not limited to the film industry alone. It has expanded its wide arms to every sector of society, increasing the demand for new and useful gadgets like never before.
It is very common to find an iPod in a student’s pocket or a kid attaching his wristwatch to the computer via a USB port.

Now housewives can cook as well as chat with friends with the help of a Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone.
Those with health issues can check and maintain their blood sugar level, heart rate, or blood pressure with the help of the medical gadgets at home. This is a huge benefit for senior citizens.

Gadgets like handheld GPSs, PDAs, LCDs, cell phones, and laptops have already entered our daily life. The latest electronic gadgets greatly impact the lives of men, women, and children of all ages, and we can hardly imagine living without them. The latest in spy cameras and video monitors have helped us to improve home and office security.

However, with so much of technology all around us, it becomes important for us to select the best gadget that suits our budget and requirements.

We here at electronicgadgetsbuyingtips will provide you with the best tips on buying the most popular electronics items.

You know, buying a gadget can be a big commitment. You invest a lot of money and then realize, ‘Damn! There’s a better model, ‘then you have the agonizing decision of whether to replace it or not.
We will focus on the most popular electronic gadgets and gizmos used in our daily life at home and office. You can read about the quality, durability, and prices of each particular model. This allows more freedom and options to you, the buyer, so that you can invest your money in better products that will enhance your lifestyle.

We have selected only well-known, top-end products from top brands so you can know exactly what to expect from the latest models of those devices without really using them.

This is one market where it is not a good idea to buy impulsively. Hence, it is recommend that you read and research the good and bad points of a particular gadget that you’re interested in, which can help you in making the important decision about purchasing that particular gadget.

Learning all the inside buying tips is important when considering purchases such as electronic gadgets like TVs, computers, phones, GPSs, etc. We first consider usability of the products along with technical maintenance, safety, and cost.

You can learn from actual users’ experience and opinions that will help you to know if the gadget really works in real time and is something that is worth the money you will be spending.

Rolex Ref. 116000 PVD Black

Estimated Price: 5000 – 10000 USD

Hammer Price: 9000 USD

Description

36mm in case dimeter, 12mm thick. Ref. 116000, automatic movement, central seconds hand, waterproof, stainless steel case plated with black PVD, Rolex Oyster bracelet with black PVD plated, screw-in case back and crown, matte black dial, luminous stick hands and Arabic hour markers, accompanied by a guarantee card and hang tags. To be sold without reserve.

3130 movement, rhodium-plated, oeil-de-perdrix decoration, 31 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperature and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, balance wheel with screw regulator, hack mechanism, dial, case and movement are all signed.
Sweeping Seconds, no date 3130, which is the basic movement of other Rolex series except the chronograph movement equipped in Daytona. Rolex’s entry-level model Air King adopts this movement in its all production line. To farthest cut the cost, most Air King watches haven’t been certificated by COSC. This special edition Oyster watch is a bit larger than the Air King in case diameter(Air King is 34mm, is the smallest Rolex model). The movement is COSC certified, the case is rare black PVD. Don’t miss it when you see a special Rolex watch, because it will certainly rise in price in the future.

Rolex Explorer Date Ref.5701 Cal.1530

The picture is my ref.5701, 14K gold Explorer Date, equipped with Cal.1530(1535), different from general Air-King Date, the letters on this special dial are EXPLORER DATE, Explorer dial 5501, 5506 and 5500 are very rare and hard to find, they are only sold in North America, Canada or some special area, the most common AIR-KING EXPLORER black dial is ref.1002 and 5500, but most are fakes(generally Cal.1570 is fake), the easiest way to identify is the willow leaf-shaped hands and the letters on the upper dial, four lines of words: 1, ROLEX, 2, OYSTER PERPETUAL, 3, EXPLORER, 4, DATE, or three lines: 1, ROLEX, 2, OYSTER PERPETUAL, 3, EXPLORER DATE.

The watch features a very attractive black dial with silver and gilt text. The words Rolex Oyster Perpetual are in gold type and the text, Explorer Date and Precision are printed in silver type. The dial also features steel arrowhead markers and steel dauphine shaped hands. Note the slight patina on the dial visible in the photos.

The movement fitted in the watch is a rugged workhorse from Rolex, the calibre 1530 automatic wind 25 jewel movement. The watch was just serviced by my Rolex trained watchmaker and is keeping excellent time.

The Anti-counterfeit Label in Rolex Crystal Glass

To prevent the increasing number of fakes in recent years, Rolex used high technology and carved a watermark-like crown mark with laser light at 6 o’clock. It is almost invisible to the naked eye, you must use a magnifier to confirm the very small watermark.

Some important information about this laser etched crown:

In 1999, Rolex Yacht-Master 16622 first adopted it.

In 2000, Rolex applied it on the new Daytona.

In 2001, the Rolex models like EX I, SUB/(SUB-DATE) and AIRKING that are equipped with Cal.3130 all adopted this feature.

In 2003, other sports model and standard Rolex watches adopted.

Today, most Rolex watches used this anti-counterfeit label, but you can’t assert that all models have.

LG Nitro HD hits AT&T

It does seem as though a new smartphone is released every other week or so, and with so many models to choose from, how are you going to be able to make a decision? Well, for those who are part of the Android camp will be pleased to know that AT&T has just announced the availability of the LG Nitro HD, which is the the latest handset from South Korean manufacturer LG that will deliver a high definition display, in addition to a speedy processor as well as support for AT&T’s 4G LTE capabilities.

This is the third 4G LTE smartphone for AT&T, and is also the first smartphone in the AT&T stable that will feature a true high definition display. Out on December 4th next month, it will require you to sign up for a 2-year contract apart from handing over $249.99 to AT&T’s coffers in the process. Let us take a closer look at what the LG Nitro HD can deliver so that you can show off your new phone to the rest of the visiting family this Christmas.

iMobifone hits the US

It goes without saying that even though there are reports of cell phone radiation being a possibility of a cancer risk, no one is going to ditch their handsets anytime soon. After all, the phone has already turned into an indispensable everyday tool, where it holds your wallet (for some countries that have systems which support a mobile wallet idea), not to mention is your calculator, pedometer, carries your grocery store list, tells you the weather, stashes your email, and many more – it really depends on the kind of apps that you install on the handset.

Having said that, surely you would have spent far more time on your smartphone than you would have on a regular feature phone (which was the only choice back then, really) back in, say, 1995. Well, if you still have some second thoughts about whether you might just grow another appendage due to the amount of time spent talking on your latest Android smartphone, then perhaps it is time you checked out the iMobifone.

Nokia X2-02 carries two SIM cards

Nokia is still king of the hill when it comes to feature phones as well as entry level models, especially in the developing market and third world countries, as these handsets typically cost less than $50 a pop, where doubling that amount would see you enjoy decent features without breaking the bank. How about those who have a couple of phones that they carry around always? If you prefer to travel light, then you might want to consider getting the Nokia X2-02 – where this handset sports an Easy Swap Dual SIM feature, letting you manage your costs without losing connection to your friends and family.

Apart from that, this handset will also feature an internal FM antenna, a built-in MP3 player, dedicated music keys, recording capability, an integrated loudspeaker for music playback, and 32GB of storage space, letting you stash away a whole bunch of tunes without batting an eyelid. This music-centric phone will also come with a special audio processing feature that will let you enjoy the clearest sound in its class. There is also the “Play via Radio” feature that lets you record songs directly from the radio, now how about that?

Sony Ericsson Xperia active is one tough cookie

I know that we’ve seen tough and rugged phones in the past, but none of them are definitely as attractive as this particular Android-powered offering from Sony Ericsson – the Sony Ericsson Xperia active. The name alone does give some of the game away, as those who indulge in a particularly active lifestyle will definitely have moments where they might fall or stumble, or make mistakes, dropping their precious smartphone to the ground (or another classic, sending it for a swim in the loo). Well, glad to say the Xperia active will be able to shrug all of that off non-chalantly, thanks to its water resistant and dust proof case.

Yes sir, another plus point of this unique Android-powered smartphone would be the unique incorporation of wet finger tracking that will make sure that the phone works perfectly, never mind if you have just plunged headlong into a rainy hike, trudging along snowy slopes or getting your adrenaline rush through mud-splattered bike trails. Another interesting point is this – the Xperia active is able to remain under three feet of water for up to half an hour, which is far longer than what any human (or most phones, for that matter) is able to do. Having said that, what’s a wee bit of rain or snow?

Sony Alpha SLT-A77

The 16-50mm lens is a pleasure to behold and to use. Adhering to the straight, cylindrical design of other Sony lenses, the lens looks somewhat incongruous against the A77's smooth organic shape, but the two work together very well. The stout, perfectly ridged rubber rings turn smoothly, though the action requires a little more pressure than normal. It gives a sense of solid design, with tight weather-sealing and a robust internal mechanism. Though there's a lock switch to hold the lens at 16mm, I have yet to experience any lens creep. Point the lens down all you want, it won't creep.

The mode dial is plastic with a knurled rubber band around it. It's comfortable to turn, and yet doesn't turn too easily for my taste. Front and rear control dials are also rubber, and both comfortable and responsive. Between the pop-up flash and hot shoe is a curved grille that conceals the stereo microphone. The grille is designed to minimize noise from the lens focus mechanism.

The Status LCD is handy to have, something the A700 lacked. All of the buttons are either smooth domes or concavities and give with clean, clear pops when pressed. Top deck buttons essentially mirror what you'll find on older Canon SLRs, including Drive mode, White Balance, ISO and EV. Since all of these are adjusted via the Status LCD, it makes sense. The shutter button has a fairly clear half-press, followed by uncertain mush. I quickly learned when it would fire, though.

Best Enthusiast dSLR

This is a tough one to pick, and a ton of readers will complain about this choice, no doubt. The truth is, the Nikon D7000 and Pentax K-5 are ridiculously evenly matched in just about every aspect. The D7000 has slightly better autofocus but resides in a bigger and less-refined body. The K-5’s control layout is impeccable and, while this is subjective, feels wonderful. Thankfully, Nikon has added Easy ISO to map ISO to a control wheel, so that major annoyance has been put to rest. The K-5 shoots at a slightly faster 7 frames per second and is the better performer at ISO’s above 3200. Yes that’s right, these cameras perform admirably up to ISO 6400 and even beyond. Though it costs $200 more than the D7000, the K-5 has in-body stabilization, which will save you a lot of money in the long run if you decide to invest further in the system (with Nikon, you pay for stabilization every time you pay for a lens). We haven’t really mentioned Canon’s 60D, and that’s not a knock against it. The 18 megapixel sensor is really great at low ISOs but can’t keep up at higher settings. It does have a great design, though; its articulating LCD complements its excellent video mode quite well. The prosumer dSLR market is a tight race, and all these cameras offer fantastic value. Pentax has just done something right with the K-5, and we feel it’s the one to beat next round.

Best Mid-Range dSLR

There’s simply nothing else that comes close to the Sony A55. If you’re willing to drop the conventional optical viewfinder of a dSLR and use a very good electronic viewfinder, the A55 provides performance far beyond its price bracket. The SLT design means that the camera doesn’t direct light away from the autofocus sensor at any time, resulting in continuous autofocus while firing 10 frames per second bursts and shooting 1080p video. Compare that to the 3.7fps and 4fps bursts found on Canon’s T3i and Nikon D5100, respectively. All the models in this category have articulating screens but the A55 is the only one, due to the electronic viewfinder, to feature 100 percent viewfinder coverage. The A55’s 16 megapixel sensor is up there with the best: Resolution and noise characteristics are competitive throughout the range. The closest competition comes from Sony’s own A580, a dSLR that trades the SLT and resulting autofocus tricks for a much better battery life and true optical viewfinder. Oh yeah, the A55 can also use that 10fps to automatically overlay photos for HDR, reducing noise, or crafting in-camera panoramas. Beast mode

Best Entry-Level dSLR

The Nikon D3100 is aimed squarely at first-time and casual dSLR users, and is a perfect match. It's still a strong camera, upping the ante with 1080p video with relatively fast autofocus. The live view autofocus doesn’t compete with the likes of Sony’s A33 (or any mirrorless cameras, for that matter), but it trounces the Canon 1100D, Pentax K-r, and Sony A290. The 14 megapixel sensor ekes out a little more detail than the 12 megapixel sensors found in the Pentax and Canon models, though noise performance isn’t quite as good. While the Pentax K-r has faster continuous shooting, a higher resolution LCD screen, and in-body stabilization for every lens, the D3100 just feels like a more beginner-friendly dSLR, in no small part thanks to its in-camera Guide Mode. For those new to photography and moving up from a compact camera, this mode simplifies photography by allowing the user to choose shooting settings based on intent without photographic technical knowledge. We know that this sounds like a standard scene mode, yet guiding menus are far more specific and malleable than a single scene mode can be. Frankly, all the cameras in this segment will take great photos; the K-r is in many ways the better choice for more experienced photographers (and it just happens to cost a similar amount), but the D3100 comes out ahead for appealing to the target market and making the picture-taking process a breeze. The Nikon system is also more universal than Pentax’s and offers more room for future growth.

Best Compact Mirrorless

The mirrorless or “interchangeable lens compact” class is coming into its own as a worthy alternative to traditional entry-level and mid-range dSLRs. Brands have developed identities and the camera-buying public is finally showing some interest in these compact dSLR alternatives. Sony’s NEX series seems to get the most attention thanks to an aggressive advertising campaign and prominent in-store placement. But the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system is still the genre leader, and the Olympus PEN E-PL2 is our favorite compact mirrorless camera. It’s a close call between the E-PL2 and Panasonic GF2 and both are very good cameras, but we’re siding with the PEN because it handles the dynamic range better, is more affordable, and has in-body image stabilization, which will save money on lenses down the line. The GF2 is more compact -- pocketable, almost, with a 14mm pancake lens -- and has a more solid build quality, so if you’re looking for more of a street-shooter type camera, it’s possibly a better option. One of the great aspects of MFT is that they can accept pretty much any lens every made with the help of an adapter, so if your lenses from the film era can’t fit on any of the current crop of dSLRs, they can find new life with these cool new compacts (in manual focus mode, of course). Users stepping up from point-and-shoots will feel more immediately comfortable behind one of these cameras than behind even a basic dSLR, so they make for excellent “step-up” shooters.

We’d also be remiss if we didn’t mention the Panasonic GH2 in this writeup. It’s a Micro Four Thirds camera, but significantly more advanced than the GF2 and pretty much in a class of its own. It’s the best MFT stills shooter on the market, yet it’s a truly excellent video camera as well.

Best Advanced Compact

The advanced or "pro-sumer" compact market really heated up this year, and it seems every manufacturer wants a piece of the action. Larger sensors, bright lenses, RAW capture, and a wide array of external manual controls define these cameras and set them apart from their cheaper brethren. Enthusiasts love them, and pros are known to tuck one away in their dSLR bags. While the competition is stiff, the Olympus XZ-1 stands apart due to its exceptionally bright f1/8-2.5 lens. We should be clear here, the XZ-1 isn’t far and away the best camera out of the bunch: Almost all the prosumer compacts (Nikon P7000 excluded) are about equal in image quality, but Olympus has managed to include just about every feature a photographer could want, all in a relatively compact package. The lens on the Samsung TL500 is actually just as fast as that on the XZ-1, but it can’t keep up with the XZ-1’s versatile 28-112mm range, doesn’t shoot HD video, and is a much heavier camera. The XZ-1 not as small as the Canon S95, but makes up for that by being 4x brighter at the long end of the zoom. The Canon G12 offers extra zoom range and an optical viewfinder, but the lens is slower and the body much bulkier. The LX5 is the closest competitor here, it’s only 1/3 of a stop slower throughout the lens range, boasts a bit wider range, and costs less, but the XZ-1’s control ring and high-resolution OLED screen make up for the price difference. Any of these cameras will do the trick, but the XZ-1 is arguably the most well-rounded, and should work well for just about any photographer in just about any situation.

Best Extended Zoom

Extended zooms, commonly known as superzooms, are the closest to all-in-one cameras as you can get, with enormous zoom ranges and stacked feature sets; though they're really just point-and-shoots on steroids, they offer out-of-the-box versatility that similarly priced dSLRs can't approach. Though it was released in 2010 and leaves plenty of room for improvement, the Panasonic FZ100 remains the best superzoom out there. It sports an ample 25-600mm (24x) lens with a handy 3-inch articulating LCD, hi-res electronic viewfinder, solid 1080i video mode, and speedy all-around performance including an 11fps burst mode. Overall image quality is solid, though JPEGs can look soft at large sizes. Thankfully, it's one of the few superzooms to support RAW capture, so the blemishes can be worked out in post-processing. No, it isn't a perfect package, but we haven't seen any compelling reasons to believe that any new models are any better, all things considered. There are some worthy options, though. The Nikon P500 is impressive mostly for its lens, sporting a class-leading 36x zoom range, starting at a class-leading 22.5mm. While reviews have knocked its image stabilization (but think of that telephoto!) and out-moded interface, its out-of-camera image quality is quite good, even in poor lighting. And for the best possible image quality, there's no better option than the Fujifilm HS20EXR. Unfortunately, reviews indicate that it's hampered by design issues, a wonky interface, and amateurish video mode. And if you really must fall into the budget-superzoom trap, lean toward the Nikon L120, the only cheap superzoom that doesn't feel like a toy.

Best Compact Zoom

Compact zooms (also known as travel zooms) are as close to an all-in-one camera as you can get: Feature-packed, pocketable shooters with huge zoom ranges that can shoot wide-open landscapes as well as candid close-ups from across a plaza. It's tough to choose a “best” compact zoom because so many different groups of photographers use them and each groups prizes different qualities. But, the compact zoom that promises to make the most people happy this year is the Canon SX230 HS, a 14x zoomer with 1080p video, a sharp widescreen LCD, GPS capability, PASM manual modes and, yes, the same 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor as our favorite ELPH models above. There are travel zooms with longer zooms, more features, and better image quality, but each one seems to have a critical flaw. Despite a few irritating design quirks (the same that hurt its predecessors), the SX230 wins this category mainly by not messing up. There are other options sure to appeal to subsets of users: Enthusiasts will gravitate toward the Fujifilm F550EXR, which has the best still-image quality and most manual control (including RAW capture) in the class, though the video mode and interface are hampered with usability issues. The Nikon S9100 will enjoy some attention thanks to its class-leading 18x zoom and low-light images that pop, though it takes a few liberties in color reproduction. And for a more budget-oriented option, the Panasonic ZS8 offers an impressive 16x zoom, intuitive interface, and consistent image quality, though its performance is not quite as speedy. Since a wide swath of camera buyers are interested in the compact zoom class, expect to hear tons of conflicting opinions; that said, we're confident that a large number of folks will side with the consistency of the Canon SX230.

Best Point and Shoot Over $200

The Canon ELPH 500 HS is basically a 'Lite' version of an advanced compact like the Canon S95 or Olympus XZ-1. The sensor is smaller -- 1/2.3”, like most point-and-shoots -- but it's a backside illuminated CMOS sensor (like the ELPH 100 above), capable of relatively clear low-light shots. More importantly, it's paired with an f/2.0 lens, which makes low-light shooting even easier. All the other trappings are here too -- speedy performance and continuous shooting, 1080p video, and all of Canon's fun filters and effects. The interface is entirely touch-based, and a mediocre one at that, which is sure to deter some prospective buyers. If that’s the case, the Nikon P300 is another worthwhile option. It’s also a CMOS/bright-lens combo, though the $329 price tag is a little bit steep. And for the sleekest, most affordable (though photographically least impressive) of the bunch, check out the Sony WX10. It sports a somewhat bloated 16 megapixel CMOS sensor, which has taken some flack for its performance in other new cameras, but the f/2.4 lens should mitigate some of those issues. Like most Sony cameras, it’s packed to the gills with “extra” features too.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS:

For about a decade now, Canon ELPHs have been the standard-bearers for point-and-shoot quality. They’re small, they’re affordable, they’re easy to use, and they take great pictures. What they lack in exciting, headline-grabbing features, they make up for with consistent quality.

Yep, consistency has been the name of the game thus far, but this year’s lineup got a big redesign -- at least internally. The 2011 ELPHs are all built around backside-illuminated CMOS sensors, a trend we’ve seen deployed with mixed results over the past year, but one that has the potential to lend a huge performance boost to the ELPH lineup.

At this moment, the entry-level ELPH 100 HS is the most affordable CMOS-based compact on the market. On specs alone, it has the potential to out-class every other compact in its price range in terms of low-light image quality (which seems to be increasingly important to camera buyers), video resolution, and performance speed. But we’ve also seen promising cameras fall victim to their CMOS sensors, with fine details smeared into mush. Read on to see if the new ELPH lives up to its potential and maintains its standing as one of the finest affordable point-and-shoots for another year.

Ares

Ares is a free open source file sharing program that enables users to share any digital file including images, audio, video, software, documents, etc.
You may now easily publish your files through the Ares peer to peer network. As a member of the virtual community, you can search and download just about any file shared by other users. Latest versions support BitTorrent protocol and Shoutcast radio stations. Ares allows you to download & upload files as much as you want, no limits, no fees, everything is completely free! Download high quality movies, games, music and other digital files without having too care about the size of those files. P2P software programs let users share information with other users around the globe. They allow users to view the contents of each others' "shared folders." If you have personal information in your shared folder, anyone else using the same P2P software has access to it. Another user could use that information to commit identity theft, or to embarrass you. Please pay attention to the files that you place in, or download to, your shared folder. Don't put information in your shared folder that you aren't comfortable sharing with strangers. Ares Galaxy has an integrated easy file search feature that allows you to categorize your searches by media type such as Audio, Video, Images, Documents, Software or Other. This useful feature allows you to find the files you are looking for even faster than before. P2P software may give users, including children, access to pornography. Some files containing pornography may be deliberately mislabeled to attract young or otherwise unsuspecting viewers. Distributing illegal pornography is a serious crime. Users whose shared folders contain illegal pornographic material, particularly child pornography, could be subject to criminal prosecution. For more info check on ares.

Mouse Computer's LuvBook S heals emotional scars, one Hello Kitty at a time

What the world needs now is just one thing, and that thing is a bejeweled Hello Kitty laptop. Fortunately, Japan's Mouse Computer is well aware of this, which is why it's unleashed the LuvBook S, pictured above. Designed in collaboration with Sanrio and Swarovski, this masterpiece is powered by a 2.2 GHz Intel Core i3-2330M processor and boasts an 11.6-inch, 1,366 x 768 display. It also packs a 500GB HDD and a 1.3 megapixel camera, but all that really matters is the swaggy centerpiece -- a heart-ensconced Hello Kitty mug made out of about 1,100 Swarovski stones and untold buckets of cuddles. The LuvBook is available now for ¥69,930 (about $900).

Engadget App for Blackberry

Engadget is the definitive source and final word for news on gadgets and technology. The site's team of expert editors and columnists cover the world of consumer electronics with unmatched passion and an obsessive attention to detail. From the latest smartphone news, to reviews and hands-on looks at laptops, HDTVs, gaming, and more, Engadget brings you all the tech news you need.
A non-stop, daily stream of all the news on Engadget, Engadget Mobile, and Engadget HD
See features, reviews, unboxings, and hands-on coverage as it happens
Share news and other tech stories via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter
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General Release: January 06, 2010
Seller: AOL
Copyright: 2010, AOL, Inc.
Version: 1.0.1

Storm Release: April 14, 2010
Seller: AOL
Copyright: 2010, AOL, Inc.
Version: 1.0.0

Engadget App for Windows Phone 7

Engadget is the definitive source and final word for news on gadgets and technology. The site’s team of expert editors and columnists cover the world of consumer electronics with unmatched passion and an obsessive attention to detail. From the latest smartphone news, to reviews and hands-on looks at laptops, HDTVs, gaming, and more, Engadget brings you all the tech news you need. The Windows Phone app delivers that experience straight to your Windows Phone, instantly.


KEY FEATURES

A non-stop, daily stream of all the news on Engadget, Engadget Mobile, and Engadget HD
See features, reviews, unboxings, and hands-on coverage as it happens
Check out photo galleries of the latest gadgets
Watch streaming video of “The Engadget Show” without leaving the app
Get quick access to the Engadget Podcast
Use the in-app option to tip Engadget on breaking news
Integrated mini web browser for viewing web content without leaving the app
Intuitive and clear interface

Fnatic pro gaming team gets limited edition headset and mouse from SteelSeries

As you may well be aware, professional gamers have been getting more and more pro over the years, even including the sort of product endorsements you'd expect from professional athletes. Case in point: this new limited edition headset and mouse pair from SteelSeries, which each sport the colors and logo of Team Fnatic. They are being released to coincide with the Dreamhack Winter LAN party / digital festival, and they're otherwise identical to SteelSeries' existing 7H headset and Sensei gaming mouse. Those interested will be able to pick up both the mouse and headset (pictured after the break) at Dreamhack or online for $100 and $140, respectively.

LittleBits for the little engineer in your home

When it comes to your kids, do you want them to live out your dream, or do you prefer them to pursue their very own dreams and ideas instead? I know that it can get pretty hard if you and three generations before you have been running a bakery, and here comes your tiny tot who wants to be an engineer when he grows up. I say, forget about following tradition – making sure the heart is set free is the far better option, hence ThinkGeek delivering the $129.99 LittleBits for budding electricians and engineers.

LittleBits are similar to LEGOs when it comes to the world of electronics. As how you snap LEGO bricks together in order to construct your very own castle, so too, can you snap LittleBits together in order to come up with a prototype of your next electronics project. In fact, it is as easy as snapping a couple of magnets together. Each bit will have its own function, be it lighting up, emitting some sound, work as a sensor, being a button…the list goes on. Each purchase comes with 10 snap-together modules, a carrying case, instructions, and a 9v battery to get you started right out of the box.

LG Optimus 3D

It's big, it's weighty and it's pretty darn expensive, but that pair of characters tacked on the end of the LG Optimus 3D's name might justify all that and more for you. For this, ladies and gents, is a technological milestone: the first 'glasses-free' 3D phone.

The good news is that the effect works brilliantly and that all-important screen is complemented by some great Android customisations on the software side.

Web performance is stellar too.The bad news is that even for a dual-core, the Optimus 3D can feel sluggish, the battery life is poor and – oddly for a phone sold on the back of cutting-edge tech – it's 'only' running Android 2.2. The Optimus 3D is as hefty as its price tag, but at least you're getting your money's worth in terms of sheer physical bulk. The 4.3-inch 480 x 800 resolution screen is surrounded by a large black plastic bezel, making the LG Optimus 3D feel like a whopping great rubbery brick in the hand. Beneath the screens sit four capacitive touch buttons. They're in a bit of an unusual order, with LG opting to be a pain in the arse by lining them up, from left to right, in the order of Menu, Home, Back and Search. The Menu button shouldn't really be given prime location on the left-hand side. We'd prefer the much more frequently pressed Home or Back to be there, as it's the easiest spot to find without searching.

These buttons are backlit, but the light only comes on when you press one of them. Which makes the backlight absolutely useless, as there's no point in a button lighting itself up once you've just pressed the wrong one. 

HTC Sensation

The HTC Sensation is meant to be the new alpha smartphone from the Taiwanese firm, and it certainly lives up to expectations.

With a 1.2GHz dual core processor from Qualcomm and a whopping 4.3-inch high-res qHD screen, this is the phone with best specs yet from HTC, plus it's the first smartphone with the new HTC Watch movie download service.

Is it better than the Samsung Galaxy S2? We think it's just a shade behind thanks to a slightly larger chassis and less advanced screen technology, but that's going to be a debate that rumbles on and on. The screen is also a different animal to most of the 4.3-inch offerings out there - with the qHD (540x960) resolution display, the Sensation is a thinner offering while still allowing movies to be played in widescreen. The phone itself is encased in toughened plastic and aluminium (which feels more like plastic) through the stripe in the centre - the whole back of the phones pulls away from the main device, with the antenna and suchlike pumped into the chassis rather than on the phone itself.

BlackBerry Bold 9900

While RIM has a great reputation for push email and corporate handsets, it's not known for being an innovator. For this reason, the Blackberry Bold 9900 is an intriguing proposition, packing some higher-end tech into a rather attractive shell.

The capacitive (and high resolution) touchscreen screen is a particular marvel, but the inclusion of a near-field communications chip and the brand new OS 7 show that the Bold 9900 was made to break new ground for RIM.

The result is impressive, but only if you're happy to operate within the boundaries of BlackBerry's traditional strengths. Those looking for an outstanding web browsing or media experience will still find themselves disappointed. Still, head over to the review to find out more about what our review dubbed the best BlackBerry to date.

HTC Desire S

Though the HTC Desire's technology is now being surpassed, it's aged beautifully thanks to some timely price drops. However, all things must come to an end (or at least be supplanted by something new). The HTC Desire S has arrived to take over from its predecessor in the Android race.

In many ways, it's quite similar. We'll still be looking at a 3.7-inch 480 x 800 screen, Android overlaid with HTC's Sense UI and a 1GHz processor. However, HTC hasn't totally rested on its laurels with its new mobile phones.

The design and build of the handset is excellent, save for a slight Wi-Fi cutting-out issue. The camera is good quality, producing serviceable still and HD video that would be quite good if it weren't for a small stuttering issue.

Call quality was excellent, with voices coming through crisp and clear, and it's a shame how little we get to say that about handsets these days.

The browsing experience was generally strong, with the speed that web pages load still impressing us, and Flash is taking yet more steps forward in its 10.2 guise. It was still finicky at times, but when it did work, it was fairly smooth, which is more than we could say for many Flash 10.1 single-core phones.

However, the reason the Desire has kept up with everything that's come after is because it was so far ahead in the first place. The Desire S isn't. It's a great phone, and one we would wholeheartedly recommend in a vacuum.

The HTC Desire led the revolution, but the Desire S could be just another member of the rabble.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc

Could Sony Ericsson finally be about to deliver on the promise of, well, every smartphone it's ever made that wasn't quite good enough? Maybe it was stupid to hope, but we did anyway with this new mobile phone.

An attractive design with a curved back that's just 8.7mm thick in the middle? Check. Impressive new Exmor camera technology? Check. Good spec list, including HDMI output? Check. Superb video player? Check.

The hardware is extremely impressive, both in terms of looks and performance. Forget the fashionable dual-core phones – when done right, a single-core 1GHz processor can do it all, although busy, dynamic websites will cause the phone to chug a little.

As it is, we're prepared to overlook the Xperia Arc's few minor flaws (small buttons, odd text entry) thanks to its stunning good looks, superb screen and very decent photo performance. You can't help but love it once you've held its magically thin body and gazed adoringly into its dazzling Reality Display.

HTC Sensation XE

This phone is so brand spanking new that it was announced just a day before we first held it in our palms. It adheres to the sensational HTC Sensation's template, but with the addition of ear-pleasing Beats Audio processing and a few spec upgrades.

You needn't be an audiophile to enjoy the new profile, but you will need a set of Beats Audio headphones.

Thankfully, a pair come with the device. In our tests so far, we've noticed a real difference, with the tinny edge of HTC's sound enhancer diminished, the crispness of sounds augmented and the only potential grounds for minor quibbles being the ear canal-shaking levels of bass.

The good news continues elsewhere, with a 1730mAh battery that should have more staying power than the original Sensation, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor to keep the experience smooth and an eye-pleasing design.

Treat your senses and check out the full review when it lands.

HTC Wildfire S

The first Wildfire from HTC spread almost like its moniker, so popular did its blend of HTC Sense, durable form factor and affordable pricing prove. Now that it's burnt out, however, it needs a successor to carry the torch. Rising from the ashes is the Wildfire S.

The handset carries on the legacy well enough, with an impressively solid chassis, great social features and responsive touchscreen. The market's changed since the first Wildfire blazed its trail into history, though. With dual-core 'superphones' to contend with, it's hard to consider a 600Mhz processor hot stuff.

And while HTC's Sense interface proves as compelling as ever, the lack of grunt means missing out on Flash support for iPlayer and the like.

All that wouldn't matter if the Wildfire S only required liberating a token sum from your account, but you'll need a fair few sheets burning a hole in your pocket (around £220 SIM-free, or £15 a month) to lay claim to this little fella.

In the highly competitive market of 2011, that makes the Wildfire S a tricky proposition. Beginners will be well-served by the Wildfire S's rounded package, but you can certainly get a lot more for not much extra cash. 

Design

HTC has refreshed the design substantially, giving the Wildfire S the same workmanlike black and chrome look as seen in the excellent HTC Desire S. There are no physical buttons on the front of the phone, with HTC opting for four capacitive touch-buttons. These are your standard Android Home, Menu, Back and Search options. They're responsive, plus HTC has put in a little vibration feedback to reassure your brain that your finger did indeed just hit the right spot. HTC has removed the optical trackpad, which has allowed it to make the Widlfire S a little shorter than last year's model. It's a very tiny phone and also manages to be lighter – 105g versus the original's 118g. The 3.2-inch screen runs at 320x480 resolution, so obviously isn't going to be as sharp as displays found on more expensive phones. But it is pleasingly solid, nice and glassy and responsive to even the lightest of touches. Given that the old HTC Wildfire had a screen outputting at a shameful 240x320, this is still a big step up. It's not particularly sharp, mind – there's a noticeable mesh over everything if you look closely.

Canon sx40 hs – Great Things Come Compact

For the serious professional or amateur photographer, nothing can compare to the new Canon sx40 hs Power Shot. This new compact digital camera comes equipped with a wide range of features that will make it an asset in any situation. Whether you need to capture a large family reunion or the wildebeast herds thundering across the Serengeti, the Power Shot is the camera you should turn to for results.

Regardless of application, the Canon Sx40 Power Shot is going to help you photograph with the best quality in even the worst situations. Due to its Intelligent IS technology, the camera will adjust and stabilize the system in response to the shooting conditions. If you are following a downhill skier across the slope, you will have the same stability as if you photographing a still life of fruit. Either way your pictures will be crisp and professional quality every time. When your photography takes you into dark or dreary locations, you can rest assured that the Canon Sx40 Power Shot will help you pick out the most innocous details. As an upgrade on previous models, the new Power Shot is equipped with an extremely versatile low light performance application. This ensures that you will never have a picture not turn out correctly due to light, or lack there of.

With an incredible 10.3 frames per second, the Canon Sx40 Power Shot will enable you to track and record any event with intrinsic timing. Whether it is your daughter’s ballet recital or the fligh of a hummingbird, you will have a multitude of single shots capturing the movement. However, if video is more important to you. The Canon Power Shot can also film an impressive 1080 p24 HD video, that will make viewers feel as if they were there in person.

Finally, while all of these features are incredibly important, the Canon Sx40 Power Shot still contains all the features that make the Canon brand so popular. With the fastest and most silent 35x ultrazoom lens, this camera will bring out details that you didn’t even manage were visible. And the 2.7 inch LCD screen allows for greater versatility and handling in any situation. It is a guarantee that the new Canon Sx40 Power Shot will be valuable at all those photographic moments.

If you are in the market for an incredible camera in a compact size, you will do no better than the Canon Sx40 Power Shot. Its lightweight and easy to handle design makes it the perfect travel companion, whether you are going in the backyard or across the sea. You will be able to photograph every excitement and every location that you visit in complete detail. The family slide shows will never be the same with the Canon Sx40 Power Shot.

8.9” Kindle Fire Hits the Market

Previously, it was rumored that Amazon is launching 10.1 inch Kindle Fire tablet in 2012, but supply chain trends and unnamed sources have surprisingly revealed that instead, Amazon will roll out its 8.9 inch version of the tablet by the second financial quarter next year.

The 10.1 inch Kindle Fire tablet has launch been stalled and will not come out now. The marketing researchers for Amazon is said to have advised to postpone the launch of 10.1 inch version only after the 8.9 inch version due present marketing scenario.

A Surprising yet Wonderful Decision

This decision has not come as a big surprise as the tablet market analysts are of the view that the 8.9 inch release is to emulate the popularity of the 8.9 inch displays of Samsung Electronics and LG Display. So, obviously it has been sure to avoid competition and customer confusion over the utility of an 8.9 inch display compared to the 10.1 inch gadgets. This would be turn out to be a timely, and compelling strategy timed to perfection so as to avoid undue competition and promote Amazon’s premium tablet product line.

Foxconn to Design Kindle Fire

Now the online store retail major has its supply chain makers come out with this strategic change in the tablet product line, as quoted by Taiwan’s news site DigiTimes on Monday. In the first quarter of next year, Foxconn, the Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) of the new 8.9 inch Kindle Fire Amazon tablet will also take responsibility of the design and fabrication of the present generation of Kindle Fire tablets. The Kindle Fire was built by Quanta although Amazon has a traditional tie up with Foxconn. It has been widely whispered in the industry circles that this was because Foxconn was busy designing iPad for Apple Inc. at that time.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Launch

The new Android smartphone that is hitting the headlines, the Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 phone and the much expected Samsung Galaxy Nexus will be available from vendors and mobile stores.

Based on the information provided by people at Unwired View, sources from one of the largest mobile retailers in the country, MobiCity has said that the Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 smartphone will be available on the 24th of this month as the first shipment of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is expected to hit Australian shores on the 23th.

Where to Get Your Favorite Handset?

Presently, the Galaxy Nexus smartphone from Samsung is available for pre-order at $799 from MobiCity. Kogan, another famous mobile retail chain in the country, has said that the smartphone will be available from their outlets only after the 30th of this month. They also have said that the price of the Galaxy Nexus would be the same $799 at their stores.

New Features

The new Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the first to launch the new version of the Android operating system, the 4.0 Android Ice Cream Sandwich. It has got a whole range of new features and improvements from its predecessor versions. It has a dual core processor of 1.2Hz with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage memory, which is expandable. It has a curved glass contour display with 5MP continuous auto focus camera.

MobiCity is the best bet for an avid Android expert to make the current smartphone to get the first handsets to roll out into the market. None of its Australian carriers has made the Android 4.0 smartphone an ‘on contract’ device. It is expected to be announced soon. The newest Android gadget is all set to capture the imagination of the Australian tech-savvy people. Come on out and join the rush!

Windows 8 developer on First HTC touch based phone: learn how to install it

Microsoft has just launched the windows 8 version on the HTC smartphone. HTC shift was the first touch screen phone developed with the collaboration with Microsoft.

It served all the purposes of a PC with an Intel A110 Stanley CPU that had a speed of 800 MHz with the advent of this phone in 2008; it became the talk of the town with business houses reaping its benefits. It had software that was competent enough to hold windows 7. But with the advent of windows 8, Microsoft has added it to HTC smart phones to give it a new version.

Installation of windows 8

To install windows 8, you will have to clear all of your drives and do a clear installation. Getting help from Vista will be too complicated, so we will ignore it. Excluding the USB stick make sure all the other external storage gadgets have been removed. Start by enabling your Wi-Fi connection via the control panel found in the Vista. The capacity of the USB stick should be more than 8GB, and your computer must run with the normal windows. In Linux or OS, the steps will have slight variations. Clean out the phone and install windows 8 developer preview. Then manually apply all drives.

Worst case scenario

It is extremely common to experience problems while doing the above application. In case you fail, you will have to use Our Procedure to create a bootable Windows 8 USB stick. Then open the USB and create a folder called Drivers and in the newly created folder copy Intel GMA drives and Windows Mobile Device Centre. Download the archive that appears on your desktop.

Legal Jail breaking and SIM Unlocking of iPhones

UnlockiPhone-4S provides jail breaking and SIM unlocking services for iPhone 4 and 4S gadgets and is the most reputed iPhone unlocking service provider at a nominal cost.

UnlockiPhone-4S is reputed for its safe, legal and officially approved unlocks. Get access to hundreds of third party apps not obtainable through the Apple store and remove carrier inhibitions to realize the real edge of an iPhone.

Why do You Need to Unlock iPhones?

iPhone comes with extremely tight accessibility controls. Normally a newly purchased iPhone will not allow access to media player and web applications unless also registered and activated as a phone with registered and Apple approved mobile carriers. The iPhone iOS operating system is designed to run only Apple approved software with their unique cryptographic signature.

SIM unlocking is provided to users by the carriers at cost or on completion of a certain period after purchase. Jail breaking Apple’s cryptographic signatures to use third party applications have been legalized in the US since 2010. Although it has been said that a jail broke Apple iPhone iOS would be susceptible to malware and viruses, but it has not been reported yet.

What UnlockiPhone-4S brings to the iPhone User?

The main feature of UnlockiPhone-4S is the usability and professionalism of service. It just suffices to download the unlocking and jail breaking services. You also obtain lifetime membership at Unlock iPhone-4S and go on unlocking as many iPhones you have. The unlocking is permanent in nature.

It will not stop working if you update your OS or synchronize with Apple servers. It is the latest and most official unlocking or jail breaking service provided for iPhones. Being easy to unlock as it takes just about four minutes for the whole process after installing the unlocking software. Unlock iPhone-4S provides technical support and consultation regarding any problems encountered while using the software throughout the year round the clock.

Kinect Motion Tracking System in Windows PCs

The revolutionary gaming hardware interfacing technology, Kinect, is all set to be introduced into Microsoft Windows computer systems in early.

It was widely expected for Microsoft to make such a move, looking at the demand for such a hardware system with perceptive intelligence in personal computers where users can interact with Windows through gestures and by talking.

What is a Kinect System?

Kinect was introduced by Microsoft for the video game console, Xbox 360 in 2010. It is a state of the art technology comprising of motion sensitive hardware input device with the supporting software support. The main feature of Kinect enabled gadgets were that users were able to interact with the Xbox 360 console without touching any game controller.

It is based on the natural user interface that is, using gestures and spoken commands. By integrating the Kinect system for Xbox 360 to the Windows personal computer system, users can finally be able to use the revolutionary technology in their computers and maybe later in laptops and smaller gadgets in time to come. The decision by Microsoft is at a time when there is a massive uproar by hackers and techies about the possibilities of Kinect systems beyond the gaming consoles.

New Features in Kinect Hardware for Computers

Going the extra mile than the living room capabilities of Kinect for Xbox 360, it will enable ‘close up’ apps in its ‘near mode’. An update to the Kinect firmware is also on the cards. It is said to increase the depth camera resolution of the Kinect system to allow viewing of objects even at close ranges of 50cm. Simplifying the user experience, Microsoft is planning to reduce the length of the USB cable and introduce a USB dongle as an added functionality to be able to connect to other devices.

Facebook Phone – Is the wait over?

Facebook phones are actually the concept and the product that has been launched earlier from AT&T.

The names of the phones were HTC Status and HTC Salsa but, they failed to live up to their names, and the concept of the Facebook Phone still remains worth anticipation. The wait finally seems to be over if the report of All Things Digital is assumed to be authentic.

Is it named Buffy?

These reports suggest that Facebook Inc is working with the Cell Manufacturer and, the result could be the ‘Facebook Phone’ which is named Buffy! The name is said to be derived from the Television Serial named Vampire Killer. This is reported to be an exclusively Facebook Phone and will be miles ahead of the phones with Tiny button of Facebook!

Facebook Phone with Android Operating System

Reports also claim that Facebook has tweaked the Android Operating System, this version is said to be the base of the operation of this new Facebook Phone. Facebook was supposed to launch this innovative Gadget with assistance from Samsung earlier, but on some inevitable grounds, Facebook have now approached HTC, Taiwanese Smart Phone maker for the same.

There is no information available about the reasons or the causes behind this decision. When asked about this anticipated product from the Facebook, the official spokesperson of it declined to comment directly on it. However, he mentioned that “We have a simple approach about these gadgets and it is about the Social Value of it.” He also stated that “We are working on the Giant Canvas consisting of the Operating Systems, Manufacturers and the Mobile Operators across the globe.” The other name involved in the news, HTC Inc also declined to comment on this issue. We think it is better to wait and till then enjoy the Android App of the Facebook which is available on the Android Market.