Sponsoer by :

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Best gadget news

Sponsored

Best gadget news


Tech Today: Google Music, Android movie rentals official

Posted: 10 May 2011 12:23 PM PDT


In a special edition of TechToday, we run down a monster evening of Google and Android news from the I/O conference in San Francisco.

Music Beta by Google is finally official
The long-anticipated cloud storage service from Google is now available in the shape of Music Beta by Google.  Announced today, the service will allow users to store 20,000 songs free of charge for playback on Android devices over the cloud. Music Beta will initially only be available in the US via invite.
Link: Engadget


Movie rentals are here too
It's not just cloud music storage on the Android agenda, Google today announced an Android Market movie rentals service to rival iTunes. All of the top titles are now live to download on the webstore, with dedicated apps coming for Android phones and tablets. Again, we're sorry to say it's US-only at the moment.
Link: TechRadar

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
App of the Day | 1112 Episode 01
An unsettling and intriguing adventure title set in America where everything is banned.
T3 App Chart | Top 10 iPhone Apps1112 Episode 01 Review
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

New versions of Android Incoming
Google used its I/O conference to confirm the newest versions of its Android operating systems. Android Ice Cream Sandwich will arrive later this year with a new UI and a renewed effort to unite all Android phones, while Honeycomb's next update will be Android 3.1 and that'll also come to Google TV.
Link: TechCrunch

 

Android coming to the home
Another whopping announcement from the I/O keynote in San Fran saw Google announce Android @ Home which will allow you to push your music around the house and also control your home environment, with the example being light switches, on your phone or tablet. Are you ready for your Android to take over the house?
Link: Gizmodo


The white Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
Sick to the back teeth of hearing about the White iPhone 4? Us too. Well here's another gadget arriving in a whiter shade of pale, the white Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Shown off at I/O, this Honeycomb-running tablet will be limited edition as it carries a version of Honeycomb unburdened by the custom Samsung UI.
Link: Engadget

 

News@8: Before the Google news bombardment Tuesday saw more rumblings of the iPhone 5 specs, more bad news for PlayStation Network users and Nokia's interest in developing a 3D tablet. Catch-up on that and more in our daily News@8 round-up.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

News@8pm: iPhone 5 specs and PSN delays

Posted: 10 May 2011 12:00 PM PDT


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


Sony today revealed further delays to the re-launch of the Playstation Network. The online gaming portal will now be closed until May 31st following last month's cyber attack.  Meanwhile, Activision finally broke their silence on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, giving the biggest hint yet of a release later this month.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
App of the Day | 1112 Episode 01
An unsettling and intriguing adventure title set in America where everything is banned.
T3 App Chart | Top 10 iPhone Apps1112 Episode 01 Review


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Nokia could be set to unveil a 3D tablet device in the future, if a patent filed by the phone-maker in late April is anything to go by. The device would be similar in design to that of the Nintendo 3DS, providing users with a glasses-free 3D experience. For fans of Ninty's portable games console, it was confirmed today that FIFA 12 will be coming to the device. Players can look forward to the standard 11 vs 11 action as well some 5-a-side 3D Street Football.
 

 

Latest iPhone 5 rumours suggest  the new iPhone will feature a new voice controlled interface. Apple has partnered up with speech recognition experts Nuance, beating Microsoft to the software, reports say today. The Californian company is reportedly looking to utilize its recent acquisition of voice tech company Siri to improve user’s audio interface in future handsets. In iPad news, the mystery of how Playboy got its app past Steve Jobs’ no porn policy has been revealed: they didn't. The uncensored, subscription based iPad content will be available to users via an optimised website, rather than as a downloadable app.
 

 

In the world of smartphones, the HTC Salsa will only be available to users on O2 network. The handset dubbed the 'Facebook Phone', is to be released in June alongside the HTC ChaCha. Elsewhere, LG has revealed a free 3D augmented reality browser app in the lead up to the release of its much touted LG Optimus 3D smartphone. The phone is the first to feature glasses free 3D technology, and is due to be released this summer.
 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Duke Nukem Forever to hit iPhone and iPad next month

Posted: 10 May 2011 09:17 AM PDT


Delayed game reported to be coming to iOS

The long overdue arrival of Duke Nukem Forever is scheduled to finally launch next month with the eagerly awaited gaming release now rumoured to be coming with an iOS surprise.

 

Confirmed for the Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and PC, gaming blog Touch Arcade has now spotted references to Apple’s iOS App Store in the publisher’s licensing agreement for the repeatedly delay hit Duke Nukem Forever title.

 


The teasing references appear to suggest the gaming great will be landing on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad in an optimised form at the same time as it hits the major gaming consoles.

 

Elsewhere in Duke Nukem news, retailer GAME has announced it is to give customers the chance to meet Duke ahead of the new games release with an in-store appearance at the London Oxford Street store tomorrow, May 11th.

 

“Duke Nukem is 20-years-old this year and the release of the fantastic new game, Duke Nukem Forever is the perfect way to celebrate his birthday. Ahead of the launch, we’ve got our own Duke in-store, in his first ever-public appearance,” announced Head of UK PR for GAME, Neil Ashurst.

 

Will Duke Nukem finally touch down next month or is another trademark delay in the works? Let us know what you think via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

Via: | TouchArcade
 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

LG unveils the world's first 3D augmented reality browser

Posted: 10 May 2011 08:54 AM PDT


Free 3D augmented reality browser app announced ahead of smartphone release

LG and Wikitude have unveiled the the World's first 3D augmented reality browser, designed for the upcoming LG Optimus 3D smartphone.


Put simply, augmented reality information is displayed over the image you see though your smartphone's camera, say, for example, you want to find a cafe in your local area, you'd simply hold up your phone in the direction you wanted to go and on your screen you'd see all the cafes in your area layered on top of the image your camera displays.

 


This technology, though very useful, has yet to take off in the way software designers had hoped. With a 3D browser however this could change, as places, landmarks and objects all become much easier to distinguish though the screen on your smartphone.

 
“AR technology has been praised for its potential to replace the ‘abstract’ realities of standard mobile browsers with ‘actual’ reality streamed through the camera of the smartphone,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, CEO and President of LG Mobile Communications Company. “LG’s cutting-edge hardware and 3D API software technology now pushes this reality a step further.”

 
The Wikitude 3D augmented reality browser, available for free from LG's dedicated appstore, provides information on over 100 million locations around the world, with contributions from more than 1,000 content providers. Users will be able to discover details about their surroundings and access related Wikipedia articles and Twitter information.

 

The unveiling of the app coincides with the release of the much anticipated LG Optimus 3D, available this summer. The phone will feature a dual-core processor, as well as a 3D platform providing glasses-free viewing, recording and sharing of 3D content.

 

Are you excited about the release of the LG Optimus 3D this summer? Join in the conversation on our Twitter and Facebook pages.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

iPhone app news: Joby launches stop motion app

Posted: 10 May 2011 08:44 AM PDT


Is this the best camera app on the iPhone?

Joby, the maker of the ultra-flexible GorillaPod tripod, has today launched a stop motion camera app that allows you to create animations on your iPhone 4 handset.

 

The Frame X Frame app which is free to download from the App Store will stitch together up to 2,000 photos taken at differing intervals from one-per-second up to one every 24 hours. There's also a host of different frame rates for you to play with.

 

So if you want to create your own Wallace and Gromit, you can move your characters slightly every few seconds, or you can take a picture of, say the different stages of the moon every night.

 

The app will automatically stitch all of the photos together leaving you with your very own video animation that you're then able to share through all of the usual means; Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

 

As well as the stop motion functionality there's also a bunch of other features which boost the iPhone's camera, such as Time Lapse, Self-Timer, 3 Shot Burst and Press Anywhere. It's a very impressive package.

 

Of course, Joby wants you to use the GorillaMobile tripod for iPhone to ensure a steady hand on all of your creations, which is probably why this really cool app is free of charge.

 

Here's a clip of the Frame X Frame app in action. Visit the Joby website to enter a stop motion animation competition for the chance to win a Canon 7D. 

 

Link: Joby

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

HTC Salsa to be exclusive to O2 in the UK at launch

Posted: 10 May 2011 08:11 AM PDT


Not on o2 network but fancy getting your hands on the upcoming HTC Salsa? Think again...

The O2 phone network has bagged exclusive rights to the new HTC Salsa, according to online handset retailer Clove.

 

The Salsa is one of two so called Facebook phones due to be released by HTC in June, the other being the annoyingly titled HTC ChaCha. Both phones are deeply integrated with software from the social networking site, and have dedicated Facebook buttons to keep friends updated with your every move.

 


On a blog on Clove's website, it states that "the HTC Salsa will launch in the UK as an O2 exclusive and as of yet there is no indication as to when/if it will be available SIM-free.' They have reportedly confirmed this news with O2.

 

Amazon yesterday made the HTC handset available for pre-order in the UK on a SIM-free basis. The online retailer and Kindle producer is offering the HTC Salsa for £319.99 with a June 26th release date.

 

Does the idea of a dedicated social network phone fill you with excitement or dread? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook.

Via: Techradar

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Editor's desk competition: This week's winners revealed

Posted: 10 May 2011 07:52 AM PDT


Find out what this week's mystery prize was and past editor's desk giveaways

Tuesday’s are often a day of dread, the buoyant energy recovered from the weekend is gone and the following weekend’s recuperation is nothing more than a mere spot on the ever distant horizon. Fear not though for your trusted T3 brings you the unique opportunity to claim some tasty tech swag each and every Tuesday through our competition: ‘What’s on the Editor’s desk?’

 

This week we had a i-tempt terrier radiator control to give away with the eco green gadget prize eventually going to Facebook follower Elisa Ruff following a flurry of correct answers across both Facebook and Twitter.

 

Gallery of previous editor's desk competition prizes

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related Links:
- What's on the editor's desk competition: How to enter
- Win great prizes in the T3 competitions
- Become a fan of T3 on Facebook
- Follow T3 on Twitter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

To be in with a chance of winning next week’s mystery editor’s desk prize simply follow T3 on Twitter and Facebook and await the first clue next Tuesday at 10am. Still not quaking with excitement? Then take a look at the prizes we have already given away to our Facebook fans and Twitter followers:

 

- Five Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power Razors
- Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2011
- Pioneer HDJ-2000 Pro DJ Headphones
- Sony Ericsson LiveView
- Logitech QuickCam Sphere AF webcam
- SEGA branded bag
- Novero Lexington Bluetooth headset
Exspect iPad Executive Wallet
- Super Scribblenauts for Nintendo DS
- True Utility Smart Things for Keyrings
- Speak TuckPack Notebook Sleeve
- Back to the Future Tilogy Blu-ray boxset
- PowerKit Eco Mains Charger
- Powertraveller PowerChimp charger
- Griffin FlexGrip case for iPad
- Angry Robots Rampage for Xbox LIVE
- Two tickets to the BT Digital Music Awards
- Thumb Camera, Audio Spy bug and Keyshark
- NoHands Stick 'em up smartphone accessories
- ECO Kitsound Infinity-X Solar Powered Speaker
powertraveller motormonkey in-car charger
- Doro ProSound hs1910 DECT wireless headset
Five pairs of ACS ER20 ear plugs
 

 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 unveil in 'the coming weeks'

Posted: 10 May 2011 07:26 AM PDT


Formal Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 announcement coming soon, Activision confirm

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the next addition to the hugely popular gaming franchise, is to be officially unveiled in “the coming weeks,” publisher Activision has announced.

 

Teasing the eagerly awaited game’s arrival during the company’s earnings call last night, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick, failed to formerly name the widely expected third instalment of the Modern Warfare series but announced: "We'll be releasing more details on the various Call of Duty initiatives for this year and the coming weeks.”

 


“We expect to support these with the largest integrated marketing and retail campaign we have ever executed,” announced the games house leader, later adding: "We will once again set a new benchmark for best-in-class execution in conjunction with our partners around the world, who are equally invested in making Call of Duty the must-have entertainment experience of the year."

 

Whilst the gaming world awaits the arrival of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, last year’s CoD release, Call of Duty: Black Ops was confirmed during the same earnings call to have become the bestselling game of all time in terms of dollars generated.

 

Despite this Black Ops success Kotick stressed: "This year's Call of Duty has a very high bar to exceed, yet we believe that this year's Call of Duty initiatives will result in the best overall Call of Duty experiences we have created to date.”

 

Will Activision unveil Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 or throw a curve ball and kick off a new CoD series this year? Let us know what you think via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

Via: CVG
 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Microsoft officially buys Skype for $8.5 billion

Posted: 10 May 2011 06:52 AM PDT


Microsoft's largest ever buyout sees Skype join the big M

Following much speculation Microsoft has officially acquired VoIP service Skype for a fee of $8.5 billion (£5.2 billion) as boards of directors from both companies approve the deal.

 

The cash fee sees Microsoft take control of the video calling service and its global user base that tops the 663 million milestone and marks the company’s largest ever acquisition eclipsing its previous high set following its $6 billion 2007 takeover of AQuantive Inc.

 


"Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer about the deal.

 

"Together we will create the future of real-time communications so people can easily stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in the world."

 

The $8.5 billion fee includes the covering of $775 million (£474 million) in active debt that Spotify held as well as a $30 million revolving credit line.

 

Microsoft has a lot of areas in its overall Internet business that it could be working on, and whether the acquisition of Skype is the key silver bullet that fixes all of that remains to be seen,” said Kunal Bajaj, head of telecommunications consulting firm Analysys Mason India Pvt. in New Delhi. “People go to Skype to make phone calls, and there isn’t much else in social networking, instant-messaging and status updates and things like that.”

 

Will the Microsoft takeover affect the Skype service we all know and love? Let us know what you think via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

Via: Bloomberg
 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Zuma Fitness retakes UK gaming chart top spot

Posted: 10 May 2011 06:22 AM PDT


The dance fitness craze sweeping the world has retaken the top spot in this week's UK video game charts

Zumba Fitness continues to dance all over it's rivals in the gaming charts, returning to the top spot after knocking Portal 2 into second place.

 

The game, which claims to offer the ultimate fitness experience, tops both the individual and multiformat charts for a second time running, with 85 per cent of its sales coming from the Wii version and only 5 per cent to the newer PlayStation 3 version. Previously, Zumba Fitness held the top spot for three weeks.

 


Inspired by Colombian native Alberto “Beto” Perez, a celebrity fitness trainer and choreographer for International pop superstars, the game fuses pulsating Latin rhythms with international dance moves to bring a sense fun to fitness regimes.

 

And with sales falling just 3 per cent week-on-week, compared to Portal 2's 43 per cent, gamers obviously have more than an appetite for the latin dance craze, putting Zuma Fitness way ahead of it's rivals in the charts. Who says playing computer games causes obesity?!

 

Whilst Mortal Kombat rounded out the week's top three, Call of Duty: Black Ops and Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars completed the multiformat top five. FIFA 11, Operation Flashpoint: Red River, Wii Fit Plus, Pokemon Black and Just Dance 2 were positioned between sixth and tenth respectively.

 

Have you shaken your booty on Zumba Fitness? Get in touch on Twitter and Facebook.

 

Via: Metro
 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Amazon Kindle tablet to run a tweaked version of Android

Posted: 10 May 2011 04:51 AM PDT


Could Amazon 'tweak' the Android OS Platform for the Kindle tablet?

Rumours on the potential Amazon Kindle tablet gathered strength today with speculation rife that the possible iPad challenger will run a skinned version of Google's Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system.

 

Whilst specs for the mooted Kindle tablet remain a mystery, attention has turned to Amazon's software aspirations, with respected tech site ZDnet speculating today on the rumoured device running a tweaked version of Google's Android Platform.

 


The online giant has been steadily growing it's portable device based offering for a while, with it's portfolio now extending to Kindle for Android, the Amazon Appstore, Amazon Cloud Player, Amazon MP3 and Amazon Video. Could Amazon's aspirations also extend to creating it's own operating system, or 'Kindlebread' as ZDnet jokily refer to it?

 

The company has hired a whole army of Android programmers over the past year or so, many of whom were brought in to oversee the development of the online retailers App store and Cloud player. Reports now suggest, however, that the smae developers could also be tinkering with the code in Google's opensource Android platform to tweak it for their own device. It's possible, and perhaps the next logical step for the Seattle based company which is quickly becoming a thorn in Google's side.

 

At this stage, it's all just speculation, with tight lipped Amazon not even announcing that they are bringing out a tablet, let alone giving a date for the device's release. Expect more rumours as details leak out.
 

Do you think Amazon could take on the might of the iPad 2? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook.

 

Via: ZDNet

 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Nokia to launch dual-screen 3D tablet next year?

Posted: 10 May 2011 04:17 AM PDT


Could Nokia be set to make it's mark on the tablet market?

 

With it's first batch of Windows 7 phones being put together as we write, it appears that Nokia could also be set to enter the tablet market with a device not completely dissimilar to the concept of Nintendo's 3Ds.

 

A patent filed by the Finish phone giant in late April has been unearthed showing a dual screen device with 3D capabilities and eye level tracking camera which, in technical terms, is a device with "auto stereoscopic rendering and display apparatus".

 


However, don't get too excited yet, as there may be a bit of a wait on our hands before concept becomes reality. Respected mobile phone commentator Eldar Murtazin has written on the Mobile Review forum that Nokia will launch a tablet in 2012, though this could be pushed back to 2013.

 

Nokia CEO Stephen Elop recently confirmed that the company was "right now assessing what's the right tablet strategy for Nokia." With this patent being released, it looks as if the company has finished these assessments.

 

The news follows rumours across the internet that Microsoft is putting together a tablet focussed around the upcoming Windows 8 OS, which is thought will appear at some stage next year. 
 

Would you buy a dual screen 3D tablet device? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook.

 

Via: Techradar

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Playboy uncensored iPad content to be optimised site

Posted: 10 May 2011 03:57 AM PDT


May 18th date given to iPad optimised Playboy content

The digitalised version of adult magazine classic Playboy is set to disappoint a number of expectant fans as the mooted uncensored iPad app is revealed to be nothing more than an tablet optimised website.

 

A number of recent Tweets from Playboy founder Hugh Hefner stating Playboy was coming to the iPad in a “complete and uncensored” form sparked widespread speculation that the ladies man had found away around Steve Jobs and Apple’s stringent anti-porn rules for App Store content.

 


With the service set to go live on May 18th via the site i.Playboy.com those looking to get their regular fix of high class nudity and access to a complete, uncensored back catalogue of every Playboy issue in its entirety will need to force out a subscribers fee of $8 (£4.90) per month.

 

Whilst the optimised iPad site is Playboy’s only tablet announcement at present, reports suggest Hefner and his band of bunnies are still eyeing up an uncensored iPad with the hope of slipping a bared nip past the smut banishing Jobs.

 

Will you be signing up to Playboy’s optimised iPad website or waiting until its editorials and other assets land in full app form? Let us know via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

Via: TechRadar
 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

iPhone 5 to see Apple partner with Nuance for voice features

Posted: 10 May 2011 03:19 AM PDT


Next-gen Apple handset to host improve voice features

Apple is to add improved speech recognition features to its upcoming iPhone 5 with specialist firm Nuance beating out Microsoft to provide the new software, new reports have revealed.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apple iPhone 5 video

 



Source:

Apple iPhone 5 video

|

T3 Tech Videos


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Looking to add a flurry of new voice recognition features to its mobile operating system to put iOS ahead of Google’s Android, Apple is reportedly looking to utilise its recent acquisition of voice tech company Siri and a deepened relationship with Nuance to improve user’s audio interface with their handsets.

 


Reported to have engaged in “months of tense negotiations” with Nuance over the use of its software in upcoming iPhone devices, Apple will do away with its Google integration seen in previous models following the company’s rise as a serious iPhone competitor through Android.

 

Although it is not known what form these reported improved voice recognition commands will take, they follow job listings from the Cupertino company that included the role of “iOS Speech Operation Engineer.” Apple is expected to officially unveil the mooted iPhone 5 and any new voice command features at WWDC next month.

 

What features would you like to see hit upcoming iPhone 5? Let us know via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

Via: AppleInsider
 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

FIFA 12 3DS announced

Posted: 10 May 2011 03:16 AM PDT


Street football also reprised for 3DS outing

EA Sports has announced that FIFA 12 will be coming to the Nintendo 3DS promising new touch controls for Ninty's glasses-free 3D console.

 

 - FIFA 12 3DS pictures

 

Following the arrival of Pro Evo 3DS as one of the launch titles for Nintendo's new portable console back in March, fans of the EA football franchise can look forward to the standard 11 vs 11 action as well some 5-a-side 3D Street Football.

 

Implementing new, optional touch screen controls, you'll be able to use the lower touch screen to hone your shooting and use the touch screen to add variety to your set-pieces. Nine different camera angles should also help you find the perfect playing view.

 

With 500 oficially licensed clubs to choose from, there's eight different game modes which include Career Mode, Tournament Mode, head-to-head gaming via Wi-Fi and Be A Pro Mode, which lets you carve a career from the streets all the way to pulling on the jersey for your national side.

 

Pricing for FIFA 12 3DS has yet to be detailed, but it is set to hit stores in the autumn.

 

Link: EA

 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Youtube: 3000 movies added for online rental in the US

Posted: 10 May 2011 03:08 AM PDT


But when will it come to the UK?

The on-demand movie war is heating up, with one of the web’s biggest forces now upping the ante; Youtube has struck up a deal with major Hollywood studios to allow users in the US to rent any of a 3000-strong library of films on demand. Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Brothers and NBC Universal are among those that are part of the new service, which is live now.



Among the lineup of recent films on offer are Inception, The King’s Speech, Little Fockers, The Green Hornet and Despicable Me. There are also plenty of older and classic titles too, though, ranging from the Harry Potters to, Goodfellas, Caddyshack, Scarface, and Taxi Driver.


On top of that, Youtube is boasting of intertwined extra features adding to the experience: “Discover a universe of related remixes, clips, and behind the scenes footage with YouTube Movie Extras,” reads the official line.


So what’s the word on price? Well, each rental will cost around $2.99 (roughly £1.80), but brand new releases may be slightly higher. There’s no word on whether Youtube will be bringing the service to the UK, but in the meantime there are still the 400 creative commons and classic movies on offer on the website’s movies section.


Would you like to see this arrive in the UK? Or would it destroy your data usage? Let us know on the T3 Twitter feed.
 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Windows Phone 7 update: preview on 24 May

Posted: 10 May 2011 03:01 AM PDT


So-called Mango update finally set to be detailed.

Microsoft will detail plans for its upgrade to Windows Phone on 24 May, sending out an invite to VIPs. The event is set to be centred around the so-called Mango software boost, which has also been dubbed Windows Phone 7.5.

 

 

Microsoft has already given tech fans a glimpse of what we can expect, with better Twitter integration, motion sensing smarts and multitasking are all high on the agenda. There’s no news on when the update will be rolled out, or if new handsets will be shown off at the same time.

 

This is undoubtedly good news for Nokia, as it looks to hurry along its plans for its own Windows Phone devices. And with the invite lacking any mention of Windows Phone 7, you expect the number to be dropped too.

 

For more on this story, stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Via Engadget

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Google Music finally set to launch today

Posted: 10 May 2011 02:23 AM PDT


Android exec drops details of Google Music early.

Google Music is expected to launch today at the search giant’s I/O event in San Francisco. The digital locker service is set to look very similar to Amazon’s Cloud Drive and Cloud Player offerings, although the Big G’s service is set to offer free space for a whacking 20,000 tunes.

 

When you consider Amazon only offers room for 1,200 tracks for free, it looks like Google is about to gazump its key rival completely. But the company’s not had it all its own way, with Android exec Jamie Rosenberg telling All Things D that initial plans for the service had to be shelved due to lack of co-operation from the major music labels.

 

“Unfortunately, a couple of the major labels were less focused on the innovative vision that we put forward, and more interested in in an unreasonable and unsustainable set of business terms,” he said.

 

That means that unlike Amazon’s service, you won’t be able to buy music directly from Google. However, there will be an automatic playlist creation tool. More details are expected later today, with Google Music being invite only to start. All US users will be able to play nice within weeks, however. The service is expected to form a key part of Android phones and tablets.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Editor's Desk Competition clues: Win free gadgets

Posted: 10 May 2011 02:13 AM PDT


Free tech swag to be given away in weekly Editor's Desk competition

T3’s popular ‘What’s on the Editor’s Desk?’ competition is back for another week with followers of the T3 Facebook and Twitter feeds given the exclusive opportunity to win some of the best tech, gadgets and gizmos on the market.

 


We will be teasing this week’s prize through three carefully crafted and progressively easier clues with those followers who think they know what today’s prize is and fancy a chance of bagging themselves some techy treats simply needing to make their guesses via the T3 Twitter and/or Facebook outlets.

 

With the first clue available from 10am, the second and third clues will follow shortly after. Entrants will then have until 3pm to get their guesses in and try win what is on the desk of the T3 editor.

 

Clue 1:
- Lowering heating bills this eco gadget sits atop in-house heaters

Clue 2:
- With a canine inspired name this home gadget fixes to your radiators

Clue 3:
- This temperature gauge offers programmable radiator controls

 

Sign up to the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds now to get your guesses in and stand a chance of winning this week's Editor's Desk competition and check out the full range of T3 competitions here.
 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

News@10: YouTube adds to movies and Zumba Fitness

Posted: 10 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.

Tuesday

 

SOCIAL NEWS

@TechRadar - YouTube to add 3,000 titles to movie rentals service

 

 

GAMING NEWS

@Metro - Zumba Fitness in number one again

 

 

MOBILE NEWS

@GeekyGadgets - LG Optimus 3D to feature 3D Augmented Reality browser

 

 

DESIGN NEWS

@TechRadar - UK engineering students put Dyson ahead of Jobs

 

 

GAMING NEWS

@Gaj-it - More Xbox 720 rumours surface

 

 

 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.

 

 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Microsoft set to buy Skype for $8.5 billion

Posted: 10 May 2011 01:00 AM PDT


News comes as shock, with tech watchers saying Microsoft has paid too much.

Microsoft is today expected to tie up a deal for VoIP giant Skype. The shock news comes after Facebook and Google both tried to buy the company, with Ballmer and co expected to stump up a colossal $8.5 billion for the video and IM service.

 

“People familiar with the matter” have briefed the Wall Street Journal that the deal is very close to completion, although Microsoft or Skype have yet to comment on the tie-up. Skype was bought by eBay in 2005, but sold to an investment group in 2009. Both Facebook and Google had been keen on buying Skype, but it seems Microsoft has blown their deals out of the water.

 

The deal means Microsoft will at last have the major web presence it so desperately craves. While Bing has made waves, it’s failed to dent Google and is yet to gain significant mindshare beyond the hardcore tech fraternity.

 

Analysts are already saying Microsoft is paying too much for Skype. The deal would be the biggest acquisition the Redmond company has ever undertaken. Is the Big M making a big mistake? Or is Skype worth its weight in gold? let us know what you think on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Amazon Cloud Player now works with iOS

Posted: 09 May 2011 11:44 PM PDT


There's no app just yet, but how long before Apple fires back with its own solution?

Amazon Cloud Player now works with iOS, after the online retail giant updated the service at the end of last week. The digital locker service lets you stream tracks you’ve stored in the cloud on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch via iOS’s web browser.

 

You can’t stash tunes to Cloud Player direct from iOS devices, seeing as the service requires Flash for uploading. But you can still use your Mac or PC to shovel tunes into the cloud and then stream them as you go.

 

At the moment, this update remains US only, as does Amazon Cloud Player. There’s still no word on when we’ll be seeing a UK launch. Doubtless Apple won’t be best pleased about this move, seeing as it is planning its own iTunes digital locker service.

 

Will this hurry Apple’s plans along? Or will it bide its time to fire back in this nascent battle for cloud supremacy? Let us know what you think on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Via iFans

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

PlayStation Network relaunch not until 31 May

Posted: 09 May 2011 11:27 PM PDT


Move means online network will have been down for almost six weeks.

Sony has confirmed that it’s working towards a 31 May relaunch date for the PlayStation Network. The news follows yesterday’s revelation that the Big S was now looking to “the end of the month” to restore its online services.

 

It appears Sony is taking that claim to the extreme, with Bloomberg managing to get the exact timing from spokesman Shigenori Yoshida. According to him, 31 May will see PSN and Qriocity restart “fully”.

 

Yoshida’s comments follow an official blog post over the weekend which confirmed that Sony had missed its initial deadline of partially restoring the service by the end of last week. Sony said, “"We won't restore the services until we can test the system's strength.”

 

Have you had enough of the delays? Or are you glad Sony is biding its time in ensuring its servers are fully secure ahead of relaunch? Let us know now on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

No comments:

Post a Comment

My Blog List