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Friday, May 6, 2011

Best gadget news

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Best gadget news


News@8pm:Playboy iPad App and Sony CEO apology

Posted: 06 May 2011 12:00 PM PDT


Welcome to your nightly round-up of the day's news and goings on courtesy of T3.com.

Google Earth finally makes an appearance on Android tablets today, but only for those running Honeycomb. The app, which allows you to tour the world from the comfort of your sofa, comes at the same time as news that Android App store is on course to take Apple's crown to have the most apps this summer.

 

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App of the Day | Wikitude World Browser
Augmented reality app fed by Wikipedia and other sources to give you tons of information on your surroundings
T3 App Chart | Top 10 Android Apps Wikitude World Browser
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Apple's iPad range makes up 82 per cent of the US tablet market, with the iPad 2 building on the success of its predecessor. It appears that, despite being hampered by global stock shortages and the inability to meet the huge demand from consumers, Apple has still managed to monopolise the US market. The news comes as Playboy announces an app for the device, despite Steve Jobs having strong reservations about any nudity on his products. Hugh Hefner tweeted earlier today that a long-in-the-works completely uncensored digital version of the magazine will be hitting iPads from May 18th.
 

 

Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer has spoken out and apologised to users about the recent hack to the Playstation Network, two weeks after it emerged millions of user’s details had been stolen. The announcement comes with the network still offline, and Sony pointing the finger of blame of online vigilante group ‘Anonymous’. The tech giant's share price has been hit by the crisis, closing 2.3% down on the first day the Nikkei index resumed trading.

 

Sony Ericsson has unveiled plans Xperia Mini and Mini Pro handsets. The devices, said to be the world smallest Android phones with the ability to record HD video, are also heavily drenched in Facebook software, allowing users to tell friends of their every move and action. Another product announcement today was that of the HTC tablet stylus. The so called ‘magic pen' will be priced at £47.99, making it a weightily priced accessory for HTC's upcoming first tablet.

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Silicon Roundabout gets £1 million government boost

Posted: 06 May 2011 09:13 AM PDT


Old Street tech hub is booming

Britain’s answer to Silicon Valley in California is starting to take off, according to 7Digital CEO Ben Drury as the British government announces it is to inject £1 million in to the project.

 

With the cash offering to be split between 10 companies that impress with their pitches, each receiving £100,000, the incentive is being described by those involved as a “unique competition designed to promote the community dynamic within the Tech City area, encourage cooperation and grow business in the area."


 


London's so called Silicon Roundabout, known to some as Old Street, got its name after then Dopplr.com CTO Matt Biddulph suggested it on Twitter. The area is famed for its clusters of small web start up companies and has received massive  investment following the launch of the government's “East London Tech City” initiative in November last year.


Speaking to gadget blog Techradar, Drury, who isn't too keen on the name of the area, spoke of its importance to the UK tech industry, and talked about the real sense of community spirit developing in the area.

"[The Silicon Roundabout] is an awful name, but you do need a hub," said Drury. "We have started hanging out with other companies in the area, becoming part of the social scene and generally swapping ideas and getting advice."

"It takes time for a community to build up but it is starting to happen. I am more positive now than any time before in London."

Drury’s company 7Digital is a digital music download store founded in Britain, taking on the big boys like Amazon and Apple in a bid to make us part with our precious pounds.   

"People in Britain and in Europe have always been a bit afraid to take risks but this is also starting to change. There is now more of an entrepreneurial culture," Drury says.

Can you suggest a better name for London's tech hub? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook.

Via: Techradar

 

 

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Android Market to overtake Apple's App Store in August

Posted: 06 May 2011 08:24 AM PDT


Google to take Apple's mobile application mantle

Google’s Android Market is to overtake Apple’s App Store in the terms of the number of available applications as early as August, a new study has found.

 

Based on recent trends, the study, carried out by German firm Research2guidance, has found that despite a slow start to its life, the Android Market’s growth is now outstripping that of Apple’s iOS offering with the Google service set to take the lead this summer.

 


Starting this month with almost 1,000 fewer mobile and tablet applications than Apple, 294,738 to 381,062, Google’s Android operating system and app market is expected to surpass its fierce rival in August when both platforms are expected to top the 425,000 app milestone.

 

Having topped Apple’s offering of free applications recently, the Android Market, which has just 36 per cent of its apps as paid for content, will now look to end the Cupertino company’s reign as the dominant force in mobile applications.

 

Which service do you think offers the best mobile application content Apple’s App Store or Google’s Android Market? Let us know via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

Via: PCWorld
 

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iPad app news: Playboy uncensored coming May 18th

Posted: 06 May 2011 08:12 AM PDT


Is there a way past Steve Jobs' prudish app rules for Hefner?

Men's magazine Playboy will arrive on the iPad in all its glory on May 18th, according to a tweet from founder Hugh Hufner.

 

The completely uncensored digital version of the magazine has been long-in-the-works, with Playboy seemingly having a way past Steve Jobs' long-standing anti-porn philosophy.

 

"Playboy will be available on iPad, complete & uncensored, on May 18," tweeted the 252-year-old philanderer.

 

One theory is that Playboy might not be an app in the conventional sense, but instead deliver the digital version of the magazine via the web browser, although Hef's tweet seems to suggest that it'll be through the App Store.

 

It looks like all will be revealed, so to speak, on May 18th, just under two weeks away. It might be time to bust out those parental controls in iOS.

 

Link: Playboy (via Tapscape)

 

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Apple to ditch Intel in favour of ARM CPUs in all Macs

Posted: 06 May 2011 07:34 AM PDT


Intel reportedly given the boot by Apple

Apple intends to do away with Intel processing chips for its range of Mac devices instead opting to offer machines with ARM CPUs, new reports suggest.

 

The news, which comes via SemiAccurate, suggests ARM will expand its range of devices using ARM chips from the iPhone and iPad to the full computing line-up “as soon as possible.”

 


With 64-bit variants of the ARM CPU scheduled to launch at the end of 2012 or by early 2013, Apple is expected to be one of the first to sport the new processor offerings which SemiAccurate suggests is already a “done deal.”

 

Earlier this week Apple officially unveiled its latest update to its range of iMac machines with the infamous all-in-one range handed Intel i5 innards with both 21- and 27-inch models sports Intel’s new Sandy Bridge quad-core offerings.

 

Would a switch in CPUs have any real effect on consumer’s relationships with their Mac products? Let us know what you think via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

Via: SemiAccurate
 

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Weird News: Tweet from Mt Everest, Farmville for real

Posted: 06 May 2011 07:22 AM PDT


The week's weird and wonderful goings on in the world of tech

Play Farmville for real
Farmville is Facebook's second most popular game, with 47 million monthly users. But thanks to a farm in Cambridgeshire, you can now play the game for real, with a National Trust farm signing up online subscribers to vote on which crops to grow and what livestock to rear. For £30 a year, 10,000 people will take part in the MyFarm project, helping to manage Wimpole Home Farm. There also an app in offing so that users can keep abreast of developments on 'their' farm whilst on the move.

 

First tweet sent from top of Everest
A climber has tweeted from the highest point on the planet, after reaching the top of Mount Everest and discovering to his astonishment that he had access to a weak 3G signal. Unfortunately, Kenton Cool didn't provide us with any profound words of wisdom from the summit, instead tweeting 'Everest summit no 9! 1st tweet from the top of the world thanks to a weak 3G signal & the awesome Samsung Galaxy S2 handset! @samsunguk'. Kenton managed to connect to 3G masts erected last year in the area, which brought online services to Nepalese inhabitants and mountaineers, who in past climbs were forced to lug around heavy satellite phones. It was the ninth time the experienced climber had ascended the mountain.

 

Man's online date turns out to be his girlfriend
A man who thought he was in for exciting first date after meeting someone online arrived at a coffee shop in Canada to find the mystery woman he was meeting was no other than his actual girlfriend. Instead of a steamy date, the man got rewarded with something equally as hot as his girlfriend threw a cup of coffee on his face before slapping him. She was later arrested. Although on this occasion there may have been more than one lie told when the pair chatted online before hand, research suggests that people are more likely to be untruthful about themselves when they chat online.

  

Robots evolve to share
Researchers have created robots with digital "genes" that mutated over time and led to the robots learning how to share. The robots were tasked with collecting "food" and given the option to keep it for themselves or split it amongst their relatives. The more they decided to give to others with similar genetic makeup the more those virtual genes were passed on to future generations, including the one for altruism. It appears therefore that robots and humans can learn to coexist peacefully, despite what the Terminator films may try and make us believe.

 

Robot controlled by iPad catches balls
Developed in Germany, a robot has been created which catches balls that are thrown at him. It might not sound that impressive, but if you think about the amount of factors involved you soon realise that it’s no easy feat. Rollin' Justin, as the robot's called, can also apparently make a cracking cup of coffee. We’re not sure why.

 

Chimney demolished by Pickups
Forget dynamite; real men use pickup trucks to demolish buildings. Lines of rope 200m long were tied to four pickup trucks to demolish a 220m tall tower in Reading, Berkshire, which was nearly as high as Westminster Abbey. The stunt was done by Volkswagen to publicise their new Amarok pickup truck.

 

Skater sets off speed camera
A speed skater sped across streets to get up to 40mph so that he could set off a speed camera. The stunt, shown in the video below, has become a sensation on Youtube since it was posted by professional rollerblader Sam Tuffnell. He has been slammed by road safety campaigners following the incident...

 

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Sony's share price down 2.3 per cent after security breach

Posted: 06 May 2011 06:54 AM PDT


Shares in Sony take a kicking following the breach of the Playstation Network last month

As Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei index resumed trade after the Golden Week holiday, shares in Sony have fallen 2.3 per cent, and were down more than 4 per cent earlier in the day.

 

The drop follows the well publicised hacking of both the Sony Playstation Network and Sony Online Entertainment with the services still offline following an attacker breaching security controls and stealing the personal data of 77 million users. It is still unclear as to what the fallout will be from the incident, though Sony has given assurances that credit card details of users are still secure.
 



Sony boss Sir Howard Stringer has apologised to users "for the inconvenience and concern caused", saying "I know this has been a frustrating time for all of you".

 

However, the incident continues to embarrass the company, with a US senator recently demanding to know more details about the attack from Sony. Many are also concerned about what the future holds for the tecnology giant, with one Citigroup analyst in Japan saying "there is a real concern that trust in Sony's business will decline".

 

Sony has blamed online vigilante group Anonymous for the attack, though the group has firmly denied being involved in the incident. 

 

"Let's be clear, we are legion, but it wasn't us. You are incompetent Sony," said the group's website yesterday. But Sony continues to point the finger of blame at Anonymous, with invesitagations bringing to light a file found on network servers containing the phrase "We are legion"- a moto used by the group. 

 

In a bid to restore confidence to online users of the Playstation Network, Sony has revealed that it will insure each user for losses up to the value of $1 million. The company has also stated that it is in talks with it's own insurers to help pay costs associated with the security breach, with some experts believing payouts could add up to billions of dollars.

 

Do you think Sony's reputation can recover following the attack? Get involved in the conservation on our Twitter and Facebook pages.

 

Via: BBC News

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Lynx Stream iPhone and Android app launches

Posted: 06 May 2011 06:23 AM PDT


Did I really say that? Yes you did....

Deodorant makers Lynx have officially launched its Stream Mobile app for both iPhone and Android platforms helping you to piece together that boozy big night out.

 

The app works by pulling in all your video, pictures, texts, tweets, check-ins and status updates from you and your friends into a live stream which is then turned into a highlights video.

 

You can then choose to share the video through the likes of Facebook and Twitter so everyone involved can re-live the best action of the night.

 

If you're worried something has made into in the stream that you prefer not to share, you will have the option to edit those like it never even happened.

 

The Lynx Stream Mobile app is available to download for free from the Apple App Store and Android Market now.

 

Link: Lynx Effect

 

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Google Earth comes to Android Honeycomb tablets

Posted: 06 May 2011 06:13 AM PDT


Honeycomb users can finally tour the World's sites from their tablets

Up until now, those owning Android tablets haven’t had the best experience of using Google Earth. With the app only being available for smartphones using Android 2.1, those with larger devices have had to magnify the image, making touring from world from your tablet a rather blurry affair.
 
 

Not anymore however, with the release of Google Earth for those tablets running Android 3.0 Honeycomb. The app is tailored specifically to a larger screen, and features a location bar for easier navigation and search, as well as support for fully textured 3D building renders.

 

Several layers are also available, with the App incorporating Google Places, Panoramic photos, and Wikipedia information. Touring the world's sites from your sofa has never been easier.
  

Will you be downloading the Google Earth? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook.

 

Via: Geek.com

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Creative unveil iPod Nano rival in the ZEN Style M300

Posted: 06 May 2011 04:32 AM PDT


Creative release MP3 player that's only budget in price

Creative has once again taken aim at the Apple iPod, unveiling a new micro MP3 player that rivals the iPod Nano in terms of looks and functionality, but for less than half the price.



The Creative ZEN Style M300 boosts a 1.45-inch tft touchscreen, and is available with capacities of 4GB, 8GB or 16GB. For those with a more expansive music library, a microSD slot is also provided that will take cards up to 32GB. Support is only provided for MP3 and WMA files, so DRM-free AAC tracks purchased from iTunes won't work with the player.



Wireless connectivity is available thanks to the inclusion of Bluetooth, and there’s also a handy FM radio built in. For those who don't need these features, Creative have also released a stripped down version in the form of the ZEN Style M100.

 
Available in a choice of four colours: black, white, red or yellow, the ZEN Style M300 is priced at a very reasonable £39.99 for the 4GB version.


What do you think to Creative’s latest offering? Get in touch on Twitter and Facebook and let us know whether you would buy one or not.

 

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Sony Ericsson unveils Xperia Mini and Mini Pro handsets

Posted: 06 May 2011 04:07 AM PDT


It's often said the best things in life come in small packages...

Sony Ericsson has officially unveiled the Xperia mini and Xperia mini pro handsets with the two micro devices acting as updated versions of last year's X10 range.


Despite their pint sized proportions, the phones feature many of the features found in bigger brother smartphone the Xperia Arc, with both devices boasting a crisp 3-inch 'reality display' screen. This is fuelled by a Mobile Bravia Engine, which apparently reduces image noise while improving colour, sharpness and contrast.



The phones, available in a range of colours, are also capable of high definition 720p video recording, with Sony Ericsson claiming the Xperia mini is the smallest Android phone to have such a feature. There’s also a decent enough 5-megapixel camera on the back, partnered with a front facing VGA offering.

 
Under the bonnet, the Xperia mini is powered by a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and utilises the latest 2.3 Gingerbread version of Android. The pro version features a QWERTY keyboard for those who like the old fashioned method of tapping buttons.


Sony Ericsson is also rather proud of new feature, Facebook Inside, which simply put means that every aspect of the phone is connected to the social network, much like the soon to be released HTC ChaChaCha. Features like the music player, the picture and video gallery, phone book and calendar all have Facebook connectivity, meaning that you'll be able to share your every move with friends.


The phones are available later this year sometime around Autumn, with pricing unconfirmed at time of writing.


Does the idea of a dedicated Facebook phone appeal to you? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook.



Via: CNET

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Sony CEO speaks out over recent PSN and SOE hacks

Posted: 06 May 2011 03:38 AM PDT


Sir Howard Stringer faces PSN faults and offers users piece of mind

Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer has spoken out over the recent hacks to the PlayStation Network and Sony Online Entertainment, two weeks after it emerged millions of user’s details had been stolen.

 

Publicly tackling the well publicised attacks for the first time, Sony has release a ‘letter from Howard Stringer’ in which the CEO reassures users of the global online services that it does not appear hackers are using the accessed personal information for malicious purposes.

 


"As a company we – and I – apologise for the inconvenience and concern caused by this attack,” announced the Sony head. He added: "To date, there is no confirmed evidence any credit card or personal information has been misused, and we continue to monitor the situation closely.”

 

Attempting to appease user’s understandable concerns Stringer stated: "Under the leadership of Kazuo Hirai, we have teams working around the clock and around the world to restore your access to those services as quickly, and as safely, as possible.” Further looking to calm the situation Stringer revealed Sony will offer all US users of the PSN an identity theft insurance policy set to cost the company $1 million (£610,000). Identity protection schemes for other regions and countries are to be revealed in the coming days.

 

With the PSN scheduled to re-launch within the next week boasting “stronger defences,” Stringer has tackled worries users had over the time it took Sony to notify consumers to the hack.

 

"I know some believe we should have notified our customers earlier than we did. It's a fair question. As soon as we discovered the potential scope of the intrusion, we shut down the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services and hired some of the best technical experts in the field to determine what happened.

 

"I wish we could have gotten the answers we needed sooner, but forensic analysis is a complex, time-consuming process.

 

"Hackers, after all, do their best to cover their tracks, and it took some time for our experts to find those tracks and begin to identify what personal information had – or had not – been taken."

 

Has the recent spate of hacks and widespread data loss put you off returning to use Sony’s PSN and SOE services? Let us know you views of the situation via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

Via: TechRadar
 

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Apple's iPad range controls 82 per cent of US tablet market

Posted: 06 May 2011 03:13 AM PDT


Second-gen iPad boosts Apple's tablet market share

Apple’s much hyped iPad 2 has built on the success of its predecessor and helped the Cupertino tech giant control a staggering 82 per cent of the US tablet market, a new study has revealed.

 

Despite being hampered by global stock shortages and the inability to meet the huge demand for the iPad follow-up, new figures from a survey carried out by the Nielsen Company have shown the effect the iPad and iPad have on the tablet world.

 


Of the 82 per cent of tablet owners who rock either generation of Apple’s 9.7-inch behemoth, 39 per cent of the tablet population claimed to own the Wi-Fi only model with the remain 43 per cent of iPad owners saying they sport the Wi-Fi + 3G offering.

 

Looking to close the gap on Apple’s market dominance, the survey revealed that Samsung and its 7-inch Galaxy Tab offering is the second most popular tablet choice with a 4 per cent market share ahead of Dell devices with 3 per cent and the first Android Honeycomb device, the Motorola Xoom claiming just 2 per cent of the US market.

 

Can anyone challenge the might and popularity of the iPad and IPad 2? Let us now what you think via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

Via: TabletsPlanet
 

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HTC Flyer tablet stylus to set owners back £47.99

Posted: 06 May 2011 02:47 AM PDT


HTC's first tablet to come with weightily priced stylus accessory

HTC’s first foray into the tablet market and attempted topper of Apple’s seemingly untouchable iPad, the HTC Flyer, is to see its touted Scribe Stylus land as an optional accessory priced a hefty £47.99.

 

Officially titled the HTC Flyer Magic Pen ST D500, the tablet stylus, which is available from HTC's online store, interacts with the 7-inch touchscreen device, allowing users to write notes and draw on the tablet’s screen with improved accuracy and detail. 



Described by the Taiwanese handset manufacturer as a “Battery Powered dual function pen [which] allows enhanced accuracy and precision for writing, editing and drawing applications,” the Magic Pen stylus also offers the ability to quickly highlight or annotate eBooks and web pages. 

 


With a Magic Pen stylus coming boxed with HTC’s 1.2GHz single core tablet which boasts 32GB of internal storage, dual cameras and full Wi-Fi and 3G capabilities, those looking to pick up the tablet device when it hits the UK on May 9th will be need to be careful not to misplace the accessory or be faced with an expensive replacement option. 


Can HTC and its stylus compatibility challenge the likes of the Apple iPad 2 and Samsung Galaxy Tab? Let us know what you think via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.
 

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LG Optimus Black UK release date confirmed for May 14th

Posted: 06 May 2011 02:42 AM PDT


Does the 'World's thinnest smartphone' claim still stand?

The LG Optimus Black has joined the ranks of those frustrating products that get showcased at CES in January, before suffering a huge wait for release. Good news for the patient: the smartphone that wowed the world as being the self-proclaimed world’s thinnest is now just a week from release, with LG suggesting that it will launch in the UK on or before the 14th May.

The handset looks to be well worth the wait; it’s a 4-inch beauty with a NOVA display ramped up to 700 nits of brightness. Not well versed with your nits? 700 basically means it’s as bright as the sun, and just as crisp as the iPhone 4. There’s also a pair of cameras - a 5-Megapixel number on the back and 2-Megapixel on the front – and a 1GHz processor.


All that, plus the bang-up-to-date Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) have been crammed into a body just 9.2mm thick. Sadly, that ‘world’s thinnest’ claim no longer washes – the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc sits at bang-on 9mm thick. Will you be picking up an LG Optimus Black next week? Let us know on the T3 Twitter feed.
 

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News@10: New Xperia handsets and HTC Flyer price

Posted: 06 May 2011 02:00 AM PDT


T3 scans the Twitterverse to bring you a handy daily round-up of gadget news, tech rumours and randomness from the WWW. Kick back with your morning cuppa and catch up.

Friday

 

TABLET NEWS

@Ubergizmo - HTC Flyer stylus is not going to come cheap

 

 

GAMING NEWS

@TGDaily - Saints Row 3DS game is cancelled

 

 

MOBILE NEWS

@TechRadar - Samsung Galaxy S II used to send world's highest tweet

 

 

MOBILE NEWS

@MobileBusinesBriefing - Sony Ericsson refreshes Xperia range

 

 

MUSIC NEWS

@TechRadar - Creative launches new iPod Nano rival

 

 

 Get more news, views and tech tips: 

 

T3 on Twitter

Direct your web attentions to twitter.com/t3dotcom for a feed of all the latest tech news and gadgetry goodness. We’ll also reach out for your opinions for future features, so have your brains ready.

 

 

 

T3 on Facebook

Facebook.com/t3mag is our handle. Don’t worry though, we spend much less time growing Farmville crops and poking strangers than we do divulging tech info.

 

 

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