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Techradar |
- Apple job posting hints at iCloud streaming service
- Apple plans to make micro-SIM even smaller
- Netflix now highest user of bandwidth in US
- Intel: 'Nokia partnership was a mistake'
- Exclusive: Sky and Virgin: glasses-free 3D is needed
- HP considered and rejected Thunderbolt
- Exclusive: Sky: we can do for 3D what we did for HD
- Updated: Top 20 best tablet PC iPad alternatives
- Sponsored: How HTC Watch delivers movie magic
- Exclusive: Adult industry 'afraid of a 3D flop'
- Opinion: Why can't the networks keep our signal safe?
- O2 suffers network downtime due to 'theft and vandalism'
- Review: Panasonic FS37
- Updated: Top 150 best Android apps 2011
- 10-inch HTC Puccini tablet specs and screengrabs leak
- E3 2011: what to expect from this year's show
- Could 99.7% of Android devices be leaking personal data?
- Sponsored: HTC Scribe will change the way you use tablets
- Sponsored: HTC Scribe will change the way you use tablets
- Acer Iconia Tab A100 hit by delays
- HP launches Pavilion h8 series: 'most powerful HP yet'
- Nvidia: Android will soon overtake Apple in tablets
- Google News undergoes major overhaul
- Free 'welcome back' PlayStation games detailed
- Review: ProAc Studio 140 Mk2
| Apple job posting hints at iCloud streaming service Posted: 17 May 2011 02:41 PM PDT Speculation that Apple plans to launch a cloud-based music streaming service continues to gather pace following the latest job posting on the company's official website. The advertisement for a "Media Streaming Engineering Manager" seems to confirm multiple reports that Apple has completed its work on the service and is preparing for launch. The posting, first noticed by AppleInsider, is asks for "an excellent engineering manager to join our team and help develop our media streaming engine for our iOS, Mac OS X, and Windows products." The successful candidate will join Apple's Interactive Media Group (IMG) in Santa Clara Valley, which works on QuickTime, Safari and iTunes among other pieces of Apple software. Media streaming The job posting requests applications from those who have experience designing media streaming systems. Apple is thought to have finished building the cloud-based music streaming service and already has two of the main music labels signed-on. It is believed that Apple's music storage service will, like Music Beta by Google, offer users the chance to store and stream their own music, while also offering a Spotify-like subscription service The company is also rumoured to have bought-up, the iCloud.com demain name. 
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| Apple plans to make micro-SIM even smaller Posted: 17 May 2011 02:31 PM PDT Apple is aiming to further shrink the size of the micro-SIM cards found in gadgets like the iPhone 4 and 3G versions of the iPad. Reports today claim that Apple has already submitted plans for a new SIM standard to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). The plans to make the micro-SIM, first seen in the original iPad, even smaller would free up a tiny morsel of space within Apple gadgets. Orange on board Anne Bouverot of Orange told Reuters: "We were quite happy to see last week that Apple has submitted a new requirement to ETSI for a smaller SIM form factor--smaller than the one that goes in iPhone 4 and iPad," Naturally, Apple has refused to comment on the reports, while Bouverot says that Orange is one of many partners Apple has on board. She also claims that the new SIM cards could be out as soon as next year. ViaReuters 
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| Netflix now highest user of bandwidth in US Posted: 17 May 2011 01:51 PM PDT Netflix instant movie streaming now accounts for more bandwidth use than any other internet service in the US, according to new figures. Netflix users are now accounting for 22 per cent of total internet use, and 30 per cent at peak times according the data from Sandvine, which aggregates usage from different ISPs in the States. Netflix has now overtaken those scamps at BitTorrent.com (21.6 per cent) for the number one spot, while regular HTTP browsing now only accounts for 16.1 per cent. YouTube rounds-out the top four with 8.2 per cent of total bandwidth use across the pond. Real-time entertainment Sandvine reckons that "real time entertainment" like Netflix and other on-demand services will account for up to 60 per cent of all bandwidth use at peak times by the end of this year. It has been a stunning rise for the former disc-only rental service and with US users only paying about £6 a month for a library of thousands of new and classic movies and TV yours we can't help looking enviously across the Atlantic. 
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| Intel: 'Nokia partnership was a mistake' Posted: 17 May 2011 12:56 PM PDT Intel has blamed its ill-fated partnership with Nokia as the reason for delays in bringing its long-promised processors for smartphones. CEO Paul Otellini said called the MeeGo tie-in a mistake, and that the company would have been better-off choosing a different partner. "In hindsight, Nokia was the wrong partner to have picked," said the Intel boss. Medfield chips The CEO's comments cam as he promised investors that smartphones bearing the new Medfield chips will be available early next year. "You'll see the first Intel-based phones in the first part of next year," Otellini added, before going onto say that "phones shipping in the market from major players" from the get-go. Intel had first told the world that handsets would offer the 32nm, smaller, more powerful and more efficient chips by 2011 but the MeeGo melee has delayed things somewhat. With the dual-core revolution now taking hold, Intel will have plenty of competition when the handsets finally come to market in 2012. 
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| Exclusive: Sky and Virgin: glasses-free 3D is needed Posted: 17 May 2011 10:27 AM PDT Glasses-less 3D needs to come sooner rather than later if 3D is to truly go mainstream, explained Sky and Virgin Media at the 3D TV World Forum in London this week. Both companies are pushing for TV manufacturers to develop autostereoscopic sets as they believe that this will be a major factor in bringing 3D to the mainstream. Speaking at the 3DTV World Forum in London this week, John Cassy, Director of 3D at Sky, said that glasses-free technology would be a boon but the company was also making great strides with their 3D channel, despite users having to wear glasses. "We are not a TV manufacturer, but glasses free would be a great boost for the industry," said Cassy. "However, there is a lot of opportunity in the meantime." Price drop needed? This view was backed up by Kevin O'Neil, head of VOD at Virgin Media, who believes that 3D needs a glasses-free experience sooner rather than later. "3D should be a glass-less experience in the home as soon as possible," said O'Neill. He also noted that in the short term to get more customers into 3D, 3D ready TVs "need to come down in price dramatically." Adrian Northover Smith, head of public affairs for Sony, however, doesn't believe that price is that big an issue at the moment – especially when it comes to active shutter TVs. "If you use active shutter glasses, there is no premium at all to 3D TV set – the only premium you have is with the glasses themselves and they will inevitably come down in price," said Northover Smith. And despite O'Neil's reservations of 3D sales, Northover Smith things that the numbers are decent enough, when you compare them to past technology innovations in the TV sector. "It took two years to sell 125.000 widescreen TVs in the UK when they were first launched – for 3D we managed this in just 10 months." When it comes to glasses-free TV, both Samsung and Toshiba have made in-roads in this sector. Toshiba released a 22-inch autostereoscopic screen in Japan earlier in the year and will be launching the technology in Europe in 2012, while Samsung has announced it is working on a 55-inch glasses-free setup, which is still a prototype at the moment. 
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| HP considered and rejected Thunderbolt Posted: 17 May 2011 09:43 AM PDT HP has reportedly spent some time weighing up the pros and cons of high speed file transfer options USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt, and opted for the former. Speaking to PC World, HP's worldwide marketing manager for desktops, Xavier Lauwaert, said that the manufacturer did think about including Thunderbolt in its new consumer desktops, launched earlier today. "We did look at [Thunderbolt]. We're still looking into it. Haven't found a value proposition yet," he said, not mincing his words. Thunderbolts are go Thunderbolt, created by Intel and Apple, made its debut on the most recent round of MacBook Pros, but has yet to be opened up to much of the industry. Lauwaert doesn't seem convinced that Thunderbolt has what it takes to usurp USB 3.0 anyway. "On the PC side, everybody seems to be content with the expansion of USB 3.0. Do we need to go into more fancy solutions? Not convinced yet," he added. 
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| Exclusive: Sky: we can do for 3D what we did for HD Posted: 17 May 2011 09:03 AM PDT Sky kicked off proceedings at the 3DTV World Forum in London this week, outlining its future plans for 3D and how it sees the market at the moment. John Cassy, Director, Sky 3D, explained that Sky is currently looking at its 3D channel as giving something back to its costumers but in time it will make 3D a mass-market proposition, much like it did with high definition. "We have a clear business plan on 3D – at the moment it is to maintain loyalty from customers. There is evidence that people are upgrading to the higher package to get 3D, but that is by no means the driver. "One of our objectives is to make our subscribers as happy as possible. They are only one phone call away from cancelling their Sky subscription so we are giving something back." Going down the HD route Cassy did note that while there were "no plans to charge" for its 3D channel at the moment, the aim will be to ape what the sat-caster did with HD, something Sky customers have to pay extra for. "We aim to do for 3D what Sky has done for HD innovation in the country," said Cassy. "We now have over 3.5 million homes, paying us an extra £10 a month. And now there is over 50 channels that are in HD. "I can't see why we can't build the take up of 3D in this country, with a similar model." 
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| Updated: Top 20 best tablet PC iPad alternatives Posted: 17 May 2011 09:00 AM PDT This year is going to be the year of the touchscreen tablet, of that there can be no doubt. While tablet PCs have been around for yonks, only now are they becoming the desirable, usable and functional devices that we've always wanted them to be – and it's about time too. The iPad is currently the most obvious example of how tablets are going mainstream, but that's not to say that all tablets released from now on are guaranteed to be super awesome. Indeed there are some real stinkers out there – remember the Toshiba Folio 100? So allow us to walk you through the best tablets currently on sale, along with the sexy tablets that are set to tickle your fingertips later in 2011.
Asus Eee Pad TransformerUK release date: Out now What we think: Asus is keeping all its bases covered by offering a variety of different tablet options, and waiting to see what people buy. The Eee Pad Transformer comes with a keyboard dock and the whole package costs just £429 - a veritable bargain. Definitely the best Android tablet of the current crop. Read more: Asus Eee Pad Transformer review
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1VUK release date: Summer 2011 What we think: The new Galaxy Tab 10.1V is a real corker. It's a good size, it's powerful, responsive, lightweight and has an excellent 8MP camera. Not to be confused with Samsung's forthcoming similarly-named Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 - this one is a Vodafone exclusive product and will hit the shelves this summer. Read more: Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1V review
Motorola XoomUK release date: Out now What we think: The Motorola Xoom is one of the second-generation Android tablets that the tech world is getting very excited about. Packing Nvidia's super-powerful Tegra 2 chip and running the tablet-friendly Android 3.0 OS, the Xoom is going to be big. Read more: Motrola Xoom review
BlackBerry PlaybookUK release date: Out now What we think: The BlackBerry PlayBook is designed to be mobile and business-friendly. That means, at 130x194mm, the device is small enough to hold with one hand, slip in a laptop bag side pouch, and even carry around all day to meetings. The problem's start, though, with the lack of an email app, the dependence on owning a BlackBerry smartphone and a terminal lack of apps. The Playbook is powerful and has brilliant multitasking capabilities, but for now it's one to watch rather than one to buy. Read more: BlackBerry Playbook review
LG Optimus PadUK release date: 2011 What we think: The Optimus Pad is a super-looking tablet and has the USP of having dual 5MP rear-firing cameras for 3D image capture. Add to that dual-core Tegra 2 CPU, a decent screen and Android 3.0 and you've got an exciting tablet on your hands. But pricing could be this tablet's Achilles heel – it's going to be pricey. Read more: LG Optimus Pad review
HTC FlyerUK release date: Out now Read more: Hands on – HTC Flyer review
Samsung Galaxy Tab GT-P1000UK release date: October 2010 What we think: While the Galaxy Tab promised the world, it didn't quite deliver the tablet experience we were hoping for. As the first big-name tablet to take on the iPad, it failed to live up to its billing. That said, user response has been positive, and despite a high asking price of over £500 SIM-free, this is about as good as it gets out of the current crop of Android 2.2 tablets. A Wi-Fi only model is imminent. Read more: Samsung Galaxy Tab review
Viewsonic ViewPad 7UK release date: October 2010 What we think: Not technically built by Viewsonic, this tablet is also available under various different titles. Essentially it's a Chinese-built OEM device, but you'd be wrong if you think that means it's not very good. It is. It's responsive, it's a nice size and it's usable. The problem is that it should cost £200, not £400. Read more: Viewsonic ViewPad 7 review
Advent VegaUK release date: November 2010 What we think: At £250, the Advent Vega comes in at a very attractive price - it's probably the best tablet for those on a very tight budget. And actually, it isn't half bad. It's responsive, it's not too heavy, it runs Android without breaking a sweat. The problem is that without 3G connectivity there's no Android Market access. There's also no Home button, and the other hardware buttons are fiddly as hell. Read more: Advent Vega review
ExoPC SlateUK release date: October 2010 What we think: While the list is dominated by Android tablets, let's not forget poor old Windows 7. It's in no way a touch-friendly operating system, but that doesn't mean there isn't some decent hardware out there doing its best. The ExoPC Slate is the best Windows tablets at present, and so if you MUST have Windows on your tablet, this is currently the one to get. Read more: ExoPC Slate review
HP TouchPadUK release date: Unknown What we think: The touchpad looks like one of the most powerful tablets yet announced, running the as-yet unreleased dual-core Snapdragon APQ8060 1.2GHz CPU. It's also running Palm's webOS 3.0 which sets it apart from all the Android tablets but at 740g it's rather heavy. Read more: Hands on – HP TouchPad review
Notion Ink Adam TabletUK release date: Summer 2011 What we think: The Notion Ink Adam Tablet is maybe the most anticipated tablet of them all. While it runs on Android 2.3, the Bangalore-based company has built its own complex interface on top called Eden. The hardware specs are impressive on paper, and it looks like this could to be one of 2011's hottest products. Or, it could be an absolute disaster... we'll find out soon enough.
Asus Eee Pad MeMoUK release date: Summer 2011 What we think: We don't know much about the Asus Eee Pad yet. What we do know is that there are four models, of which the MeMo is at the bottom end. We also know that Asus is taking its time with these Eee Pads, so we can be fairly confident that when they finally go on sale, they'll be good. Read more: Asus Eee Pad – what you need to know
Asus Eee Pad SliderUK release date: Summer 2011 What we think: At 10.1-inches, the Eee Pad Slider is bigger than the MeMo, and Asus thinks it's big enough to warrant a slide-out keyboard. It's the netbook of the new generation, if you will. It's also the first Android tablet we've seen with a feature like this, though it's not a new concept. Typing on a touchscreen can be a pain, so including a proper keyboard is a nice idea – though how useful it ends up being remains to be seen. Read more: Asus Eee Pad – what you need to know
Acer Iconia Tab A500UK release date: Summer 2011 What we think: As Acer's flagship tablet we were expecting big things from the A500 but from what we saw at MWC it doesn't look like the A500 is as high-end as we were expecting it to be. It's still a powerful Tegra 2-powered Honeycomb tablet though, so if it has an attractive price, this could be one to watch. Read more: Hands on – Acer Iconia Tab A500
Acer Iconia Tab A100UK release date: April 2011 What we think: The A100 is the little brother to the Acer Iconia Tab A500, and we have high hopes for it. While it doesn't have the high-flying specs of some of the other tablets on this page, we expect this 7-inch tablet to carry a more modest price. Read more: Hands on – Acer Iconia Tab A100
Viewsonic ViewPad 10sUK release date: Spring 2011 What we think: While the original ViewPad 10 was an absolute dog, the 10s looks a lot better simply because Android 2.2 replaces the dual-booting Windows 7 and Android 1.6. Already released as the Viewsonic G Tablet in the US, the 10s boasts decent hardware specs and a custom overlay on top of Android 2.2. Providing it's priced sensibly, this could be an attractive purchase when it goes on sale. Read more: Hands on: Viewsonic ViewPad 10s review
Dell Streak 7, Dell Streak 10UK release date: Summer 2011? What we think: Dell is expanding its range of Android products after it launched its 5-inch phone/tablet lovechild last year. On the way is the 7-inch Dell Streak 7 and the 10.1-inch Dell Streak 10 - and if the original is anything to go by, these tablets will be excellent. Read more: Dell Streak 7 - everything you need to know 
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| Sponsored: How HTC Watch delivers movie magic Posted: 17 May 2011 09:00 AM PDT This is a sponsored article in association with HTC. With tablet computers, having stunning hardware is only part of the picture: without decent movies and music to enjoy, a tablet isn't as fun as it could be. What's the point of having a pin-sharp screen if there's nothing to watch on it? Where some tablets only support a few file formats, expect their owners to scour the internet for something worth watching and output the soundtrack via a single tinny speaker, HTC takes a different approach. The HTC Flyer puts Hollywood in your pocket, and with HTC Watch you can access the very best entertainment instantly. Why Watch is worth watching The idea behind HTC Watch is simple: it delivers what you want, when you want it, with no waiting. By delivering movies to the HTC Flyer's stunning screen without cropping, letterboxing or stuttering, HTC Watch gives you movies the way they were meant to be seen in all their cinematic glory. So what exactly is it? HTC Watch consists of two things. There's the HTC Watch application, a typically good-looking application that comes pre-installed on your HTC Flyer. The application is simple, good-looking and connected to the HTC Watch service, which offers an enormous and ever-growing library of new and classic Hollywood blockbusters and premium TV programmes. Not only that, but HTC Watch uses some clever technology so that you can start watching your chosen film or programme instantly.
What you want, when you want it If you've ever experienced the frustration of waiting for a film to download before you can start watching it, you'll love HTC Watch's approach. It takes advantage of a technology called Progressive Downloading so that you can start watching almost instantly. That's handy no matter where you are, but it's particularly useful when you're out and about: congestion means that public Wi-Fi connections aren't always as fast as we'd like them to be. The progressive downloading technology used by HTC Watch enables you to start watching within a few seconds, and it achieves this by buffering. Instead of downloading the bit you're currently watching and nothing else, it downloads the next bit too - so if your connection stutters or becomes congested, it won't affect the smoothness of your video because the next bit of the scene has already been downloaded.
The choice is yours When it comes to movies, everybody's different - not just in their choice of films, but in the ways they like to enjoy them. Some of us won't even consider a film without checking out its trailer, others would rather rent a film than buy it outright, and still others want the freedom to share their movies across multiple devices. That's why HTC Watch has a range of options: you can stream trailers to decide what you'd like to see, and you can choose from a wide selection of movie rentals and purchases. If you go for the buy-to-own option, you can share your purchased movies with up to five Watch-enabled devices. The bigger picture HTC Watch is part of a bigger picture. The HTC Flyer's support for the key multimedia file formats - .mp4, .avi, Xvid and many more - together with HTML5 and the latest version of Adobe Flash technology makes it a perfect player for the internet's top video sites. You don't need to worry which format the site prefers: the HTC Flyer plays it all. From Hollywood blockbusters and TV box sets to videos of skateboarding cats, the HTC Flyer's fast processor, superb screen and integrated stereo speakers deliver stunning multimedia performance. 
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| Exclusive: Adult industry 'afraid of a 3D flop' Posted: 17 May 2011 08:56 AM PDT The adult entertainment industry was one of the first to embrace 3D but there is still some hesitation that the technology will be a flop. This is according to Gregory Dorcel, CEO of Dorcel3D, a French-based production company that specialises in creating 3D adult content, and one of the first companies in the world to offer this content as a 3D VOD service. Speaking at the 3DTV World Forum, and also sponsoring the two-day event, Dorcel said about 3D: "The adult industry did not succeed in monetising HD, so we have a huge challenge with 3D." "The most important thing for us is not to do the same mistakes we did on the HD side." One of the ways, explained Dorcel, to make sure 3D is a success is to have enough content to satisfy demand, something he believes hasn't happened yet. "The industry needs to have more and more content to attract the consumer. At the moment we feel that the content is much too low. "We are one of the biggest 3D producers in the world and we have a medium sized company dedicated to adult content – but there needs to be more people using 3D. If this doesn't happen, we are afraid that we face a flop again with 3D." More immersive Regardless of his worry about the lack of content, Dorcel is adamant that 3D and the adult industry are well suited and it's because the technology can bring a more immersive viewing experience. The 3D Dorcel is creating, however, is not the same as you will see in cinemas – for 3D to work in the adult movie business it needs to be more in your face, so a 2D to 3D conversion just wouldn't work. "As you can expect, a 3D image coming out of the screen is great for the viewer. So we need to have the wow effect for 3D, and you don't get this with 2D to 3D conversion. "Having 3D that offers just a background effect is not an attractive enough concept for the public to pay for. "We are treating 3D as a new type of entertainment. For us 3D content should not be made the same way as 3D. It should be directed and produced with 3D in the mind, this is why we have set up a dedicated team for 3D." As the 3D effect is so powerful in Dorcel3D's productions, the run time of the content has been significantly reduced so as to not give the viewer eye strain. "All the programs have a duration of 15 minutes to 30 minutes each," explained Dorcel. "This is for comfort. For regular 3D content, the maximum exposure should be around 100 minutes. For images that come further out of the screen, this needs to be limited to around 30 minutes." With an investment of 1.4 million Euros in a 3D adult content production arm, Dorcel will be hoping that more use the technology in the porn world – as this isn't exactly an industry that embraces premature endings. 
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| Opinion: Why can't the networks keep our signal safe? Posted: 17 May 2011 08:52 AM PDT There are some things in life we bank on - while a stable mobile signal isn't always one of them, we at least expect the networks to be able to transmit it without an issue. Then, a few months ago, parts of the Vodafone network go down. 'It's a conspiracy!' the Twitterverse cries, convinced it's a ploy to make more money from not letting its customers call each other and somehow not paying more UK taxes. Then Vodafone comes out with an explanation straight from the 1980's: Someone stole bits of our network. Simple as that, apparently. Thieves got in, stole some bits, and then the network went dead along the M4 corridor (probably with some grand 'powering off' sound and confused yet panicky looks reserved for the moment when someone pulls a big switch in Doctor Who.") And we're sure the competitors laughed in their plush bubbly, fruity, numerical boardrooms, safe in the knowledge something so backward could never happen to them. They took WHAT? So you can imagine the faces of the O2 PR team this morning when they walked in to find that the same thing had happened to their network. 'Ohhhhh.....crap'. Seems the same thing has happened again - according to the official blog, "There has been theft and vandalism at one of our operations sites in East London and, as a result, customers in East London, North London, Kent and Sussex may be experiencing problems making or receiving calls, texts or data." Seriously? Again? We're all for the 'laugh at our competitors when they get it wrong' scenarios (remember when Vodafone came top of an O2 speed test?) but this affects people who rely on a service day in, day out - so it's not acceptable to simply say 'someone broke in'. We know that all the networks pay millions each day making sure the technology is able to stand up to the rigorous use an ever-expanding and increasingly data-thirsty user base is throwing at them, so why can't they invest in a bloomin' big padlock and some slavering dogs at these key sites? If the Vodafone incident wasn't a big enough wake up call to the industry, then this should be enough to make the networks realise that it's not enough to just say 'sorry, we got burglarised' - we need faster redundancy systems in place so that if this happens again the networks can at least continue with text and voice. Otherwise, we're forced to admit the alternative - these attacks are the planned by international mega-thieves (who, according to O2, were both 'well-organised' and 'vandals'... interesting to have both at once) who are stealing crucial bits of the networks to create a hyper-sonic-wave device to wipe the brains of millions and steal our credit cards. So come on Orange, T-Mobile and Three - make sure you haven't got a sleeping, tubby security guard sitting outside a rickety gate guarding a crucial piece of network machinery, and make sure that on top of having incrementally faster data speeds we actually get a network that, you know, actually works. 
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| O2 suffers network downtime due to 'theft and vandalism' Posted: 17 May 2011 08:31 AM PDT O2 customers may not be able to call, text or use data services today, after the network's East London site was broken into and parts stolen in the early hours of the morning. The bubbly network has lost a bit of fizz as some customers in East London, North London, Kent and Essex are unable to send or receive messages and calls or use data. O2, while not exactly apologising for the network downtime, has posted plenty of information on its blog, saying: "At the moment there is no estimated time for this to be fixed, however we're working on getting our network up and running as soon as possible and expect it to be today." Organised crime "This was a well organised theft which targeted this operations site. We have the full support of the police in investigating this incident. "We have extensive continuity plans which we are bringing into effect now. The nature of this theft has prevented us from restoring service immediately but we expect to do so today." EverythingEverywhere and Three had better double-check their locks as the 'theft and vandalism' at O2's site comes not long after Vodafone experienced a similar break-in at its Basingstoke centre. The obvious conclusion is that there's some kind of valuable nuclear element involved in maintaining a mobile phone network, which a gang of thieves is hoping to use in order to make a clapped out old car travel through time. Yes, that's probably it. 
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| Posted: 17 May 2011 08:29 AM PDT Priced at around £175, Panasonic's Lumix FS37 sits in the middle of Panasonic's digital compact camera range, offering a few more features than basic models, whilst keeping operation simple and straightforward. For a camera with an 8x optical zoom lens, the FS37 is impressively compact and light, weighing only 159g with the battery and a memory card installed. It is also small enough to be carried about in a shirt pocket or handbag. A focal range equivalent to 28-224mm on a 35mm camera is covered by the Leica branded optic, providing a useful amount of wide-angle coverage for group shots of people and enough telephoto reach to pull in relatively distant subjects. Panasonic's Mega Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) is also included, to help iron out any wobbles, which will be especially useful at the telephoto end of the zoom range. An additional 2x zoom can be added to the range at the touch of a button via digital zoom. Disappointingly, the ISO range available is quite conservative by modern standards, with the maximum sensitivity being only ISO1600. Saying that, the 16MP resolution is plenty for producing A3 sized prints from images taken in good daylight. Intelligent ISO control also automatically varies the sensitivity used between ISO100 and ISO800, making shooting in changing light a little easier for those who prefer to point and shoot. The major unique feature of the FS37 is the three inch touch sensitive LCD screen. The touch interface is a resistive type, so a stylus, can be used for increased accuracy. Touch focus and touch shutter modes are included allowing you to take a picture by touching your main subject on the screen. HD video recording is supported, but only at 720p resolution and at 24fps which is a little disappointing. Many cameras at this price point now offer full 1080p resolution video capture at 30fps, and this higher quality standard seems to be fast becoming the standard. At only 27.7mm thick at its widest point, the FS37 is remarkably slim for a camera sporting an 8x optical zoom lens, making it perfect for slipping into a pocket or handbag for social gatherings or nights on the town. A two-tone finish has been applied to the metal body, which is typical of Lumix cameras. The silver lens surround protrudes from the body by about 4mm and a chrome finger grip is located on the front. This grip is very close to the edge of the camera, making it difficult to use to gain any extra purchase over the camera body. Despite its light weight, the metal body feels very solid and durable.
Due to the touch screen interface, the FS37's rear is clear of any buttons and the camera looks very sleek and stylish as a result. Only a narrow space has been allowed to rest your thumb to the right of the three inch screen. This can occasionally result in the touch screen being activated accidentally if due care isn't taken.
At 230,000 dots, the screen resolution isn't the highest currently available, but it is clear enough for evaluating images and menu text is easy to read, if a little chunky in appearance. In bright light the screen can be quite difficult to see clearly, due to the mirror-like touch-sensitive finish and its tendency to become covered in fingerprints during use. A small stylus is supplied, which attaches to the wrist strap. Operating the touch interface is much easier with this, as the touch targets are quite small and unresponsive when using fingers to navigate the menus. Noise is visible in images taken at the base ISO100 when viewed at 100% on a computer screen, which is probably the price paid for squeezing so many photosites onto a small sensor. Many recent cameras have overcome this issue by using rear illuminated sensor technology, which locates the sensor's circuitry out of the light path. Images taken at settings up to ISO200 will still make a good A4 print. As the sensitivity is increased and noise reduction does its work, fine details become softened. By ISO800, images are noticeably softer than those taken at lower settings, but levels of chroma noise are kept in check. ISO1600 should be reserved for small print sizes as images lack detail and chroma noise becomes much more visible.
Focusing is quick in good light and noticeably slower in dark conditions, as you might expect. A bright orange AF illuminator helps in the dark when shooting at close quarters, although it is so bright it can result in squinty faces when taking portraits after dark. The touch shutter function is quite pleasant to use, although there is a noticeable pause between touching the screen and the image being taken. Care also needs to be take to hold the camera steady when using this feature, as camera shake can become an issue when jabbing at the screen with a finger or the stylus. Exposures are well balanced, rarely needing compensation and auto white balance performs well outdoors, in daylight or shade. Under artificial light it is advised to take advantage of the various preset white balance options, as the automatic setting doesn't do much to correct the cast present under incandescent or fluorescent lighting.
ISO 100, see full image
ISO 200, see full image
ISO 400, see full image
ISO 800, see full image
ISO 1600, see full image
ISO 100, score 22, see full image
ISO 200, score 22, see full image
ISO 400, score 20, see full image
ISO 800, score 18, see full image
ISO 1600, score 14, see full image
The 224mm equivalent maximum telephoto is useful for capturing distant subjects
Colours are naturally reproduced, being less vibrant than many other digital compact cameras
The auto white balance struggles to correct strong colour casts
The standard macro mode allows you to get a little closer you your subject
The super macro mode allows photos to be taken from much nearer
Occasionally low contrast subjects can lack definition
The bright primary colours in this shot lack vibrancy and look quite muted Sensor: 1/2.33-type with 16.6 Total Million pixels Lens: Leica DC VARIO-ELMAR 5-40mm f/3.3-5.9 (28-224mm in 35mm equiv.) Memory: Built-in Memory, SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card Viewfinder: N/A LCD Screen: 3.in TFT Touch Screen LCD Display with 230K dots and 100% field of view Video resolution: 1,280 x 720 pixels at 24 fps in Motion JPEG Format ISO range ISO range: ISo 100-1600 Focus modes: Normal / Macro, Zoom Macro, Quick AF (Always On), AF Tracking, Touch AF/AE Max burst rate: High-speed Burst Mode: approx. 4 frames/sec (image priority) / (recorded in 3M for 4:3, 2.5M for 3:2, 2M for 16:9) Shutter speed: Still: approx. 8 - 1/1600 sec / Starry Sky Mode : 15, 30, 60sec. Weight: 159g with Battery and SD Memory Card Dimensions:- 99.2 x 56.5 x 27.7 mm Power supply: Li-ion Battery Pack (3.6V, Minimum: 660mAh) On paper the FS37 has a lot going for it. A high resolution sensor, useful 8x zoom range and an innovative touch screen interface. In practice it doesn't seem to cut the mustard when compared to some of the competition. Images are quite noisy and soft at high sensitivities, the auto white balance doesn't perform well under artificial light and the touch screen interface can be unresponsive if using fingers to navigate the menu. All this considered, those who are in the market for a well constructed, compact and lightweight camera for taking shots mainly in good light reasonably small print sizes or sharing on the web may find the simple sleek design and ease of use suits them just fine. We likedThe simple, sleek design, compact size, good build quality and the useful 8x zoom range are all positive aspects of this camera. We dislikedNoise can be an issue at higher settings and the touch screen interface can take some getting used to 
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| Updated: Top 150 best Android apps 2011 Posted: 17 May 2011 08:00 AM PDT While Android doesn't feature the same volume of apps in its Marketplace as iPhone users are used to, there are still loads of great Android apps to download. Whether you're after the best free Android apps or the best paid ones, we've rounded up the top Android apps for 2011 in the articles below. 40 best free Android apps Most of the good stuff on Android is free, thanks to the work of developers who do it for love alone. These 40 free Android apps should be any Android owner's Day One installs... Read 40 best free Android apps 40 best free Android games We've worked our way through a whole load of Android games to reveal the ones you should download to your phone.
Read 40 best free Android games 10 best Android apps worth paying for Don't panic because we're mentioning money here - the average cost of this little lot is around two dollars a pop. In return, you're able to tether, customise, share data and more, all in incredible style, thanks to the work of Team Android's finest people.
Read 10 best Android apps - paid apps Top 10 best Android paid-for games Android's a world of bargains - most of the finest examples of paid-for Android games come in around the psychologically negligible 'micro-transaction' cost level, with the majority of developers selling their works for a couple of dollars, tops. So, now you've been gently acclimatised to the possibility of having to pay for something, pay for these things - the 10 best paid-for games on Android today.
Read Top 10 best Android games - paid apps 10 best alternative Android apps Even if you're using a phone layered down with a custom user interface like Sense or TouchWiz, there are many alternatives to your pre-installed tools and settings. These are our 10 favourite alternate Android apps. Read 10 best alternative Android apps 10 best HTC Desire apps HTC's custom HTC Sense user interface isn't to everyone's taste. Some of the supplied apps have been tweaked a little too much by HTC's eager-to-please software developers, straying so far from the Android norm they're totally unrecognisable. So, to redress the balance, we thought we'd compile a list of the best apps for the HTC Desire to help it hold onto its top smartphone status for another year. Top 20 best free Android 3.0 apps Got an Android 3.0 tablet? The number of apps designed for Android 3.0 is growing steadily, and we've picked our favourites.
Read Top 20 best free Android 3.0 apps 10 best free Android apps for kids There are plenty of child-friendly apps in the Android Market. From educational apps to fun apps, we've rounded up 10 your kids will love.
Read 10 best free Android apps for kids 
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| 10-inch HTC Puccini tablet specs and screengrabs leak Posted: 17 May 2011 07:54 AM PDT It looks as though the follow up to the newly launched HTC Flyer will be a 10-inch Android tablet codenamed HTC Puccini. The HTC Puccini looks set to support the same stylus-based shenanigans as the Flyer making use of the same Scribe Pen as its smaller sibling. Specs are unconfirmed, of course, but a 1.5Ghz Qualcomm MSM8660 dual core processor has been mentioned, along with a WXGA resolution (800 x 1280) display. HTC Spectacular? Speculation is also rife that this will be a 4G/LTE tablet, meaning that there's likely to be a version of it that we won't see launch here in the UK. What does look spectacular, however, is HTC's Android UI, Sense, on a larger screen – international gadget botherers 911Sniper have managed to weasel a couple of screengrabs purportedly from the 10-inch Puccini. Previously, HTC's 10-inch tablet has popped up in a Staples training guide, at which point we speculated that this could simply be a scaled-up Flyer - but these new specs suggest not. We await the official tablet name with interest, secretly hoping that HTC will revert to its hyperbolic smartphone naming ways and leave the slightly twee Flyer theme behind. 
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| E3 2011: what to expect from this year's show Posted: 17 May 2011 07:30 AM PDT This year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is soon upon us, with the sixteenth outing of the games industry's biggest international trade show in LA on 7-9 June 2011 sure to reveal a wide range of interesting new videogames, as well as the latest console, PC and handheld gaming tech from Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft and many others. The biggest E3 news announcements, E3 rumours and the annual E3 press conferences from the likes of the aforementioned big three, alongside major games publishers such as EA, Konami, Square Enix, Ubisoft, Activision and many more, are closely watched, monitored and pored-over by games designers, publishers and committed gamers alike. TechRadar will bring you full details of all of the major E3 2011 news announcements from all of the major gaming hardware brands and software publishers as and when they are announced. For now, let's take a look at what we expect from this year's show. Key E3 dates Whether you are lucky enough to be in attendance at the cavernous LA Convention Center, hobnobbing with the eager crowd of industry PRs and marketing punters all pushing expense allowances to the limit, or just sitting at home with the millions of other hardcore gamers online, ready and willing to pick apart the meaning and possible outcome of every new tech and games announcement, E3 is the highlight of the gaming news junkie's year.
E3 2011: Thousands of exhibitors crammed into LA's convention centre Firstly, though, brass tacks. If you want to follow the biggest announcements from E3 2011 this year, here are the times, dates and details of the key press events that you need to mark in the diary. The Microsoft E3 press conference kicks off the show's week, taking place at 9am Pacific time (5pm British Summer Time) on Monday 6 June, followed later on the same day by Sony's E32011 conference at 5pm PST (1am BST, for those PlayStation die-hards who want to stay up late to catch the news live). The Nintendo E3 press conference takes place at LA's Nokia Theatre the following day at 9am PST (5pm GMT). In addition to new console tech, an immense amount of new games across every platform are set to be unveiled at the show. Thousands of games developers and publishers and PRs have spent the best part of the year preparing polished demos of their latest interactive masterpieces to show off to anybody with eyes and ears who they can successfully capture and keep in front of a screen for two minutes or more. After all, it is a desperately hard sell, trying to keep anybody's attention for more than 10 seconds as they wander around LA's huge convention centre hoping to be amongst the first to find the next big, yet-to-be-discovered thing in gaming.
GEARS OF WAR 3: That's gotta hurt Do you head to Microsoft to try to get some hands on time with Gears of War 3? Do you join that annoyingly long queue to get 10 minutes playtime with the new Nintendo console? Or do you head straight to Sony to get a taste of Uncharted on the NGP? Consoles versus mobiles "I think this year's E3 is going to be one of the most interesting for many years," says UK industry veteran Alex Verrey, remembered by many as Gamesworld's Big Boy Barry, and now PR Manager for peripherals specialists Mad Catz. Verrey's personal take is that E3 2011 will see "the big three doing their utmost to explain how they intend to move their business forward and what exactly they intend to do to keep the gaming community interested and fixated on playing dedicated consoles rather than mobile tablets and phones. "Perhaps most intriguing will be Nintendo's media briefing. In order to keep ever anxious investors happy, they have already announced that the successor to the Wii will debut at this year's E3 AND will be in an advanced-enough state to be playable by all visitors. "Everything known to date is pure rumour but it's a fair guess that the console will probably exceed the power of the PS3 and Xbox 360 (if only by a little) and the rumours about a colour touchscreen/controller hybrid are simply too plentiful and detailed to ignore. Expect to see a strong focus on 3DS titles as well, as Nintendo are all too aware that the system desperately needs some AAA titles to see off the oncoming storm of the next generation PSP from Sony." With Microsoft and EA moving quickly to quell recent industry rumours that next gen Xbox development kits were in the hands of developers, it seems highly unlikely that Microsoft is going to reveal any new console hardware tech of its own. "Sony and Microsoft will be faced with a tough show this year," Verrey agrees. "The next Nintendo system will be getting all the attention this year and I simply don't believe Sony or Microsoft will be ready or willing to discuss their next home console for a while. They will both want to keep their current generation of home consoles alive for as long as possible, as both machines are now entering the cycle where they become profitable for the platform holders."
SONY NGP: The big news in handheld gaming in 2011 All of which strongly suggests that, in addition to a full reveal from Sony of the pricing, name and extensive hands-on demos with new first-party and third-party games lined up for the new Next Generation Portable, there will also be a heavy focus on the latest Kinect and Move software from both Microsoft and Sony, as they continue to attempt to expand their customer bases beyond the hardcore. Interestingly, perhaps the most significant thing about E3 2011 is the fact that most developers and publishing execs in the games industry already know what new tech to expect from Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft prior to the event. For example, we know that Nintendo's press conference will be dominated first by talk of new 3DS software and utilities (such as the handheld's new download store launching E3 week) followed by what is sure to be the major news of this year's show - the final reveal of the successor to the Wii, currently code-named Project Café. Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata and creative head Shigeru Miyamoto are certain to unveil the latest "Wii 2" tech with a number of game demos featuring high definition renders of some of their much-loved iconic characters such as Mario, Link and others. We expect an announcement of a finalised name for the new console and a confirmation of a 2012 release date. Project Café game demos aside, what we really want to find out more about when we get hands-on time with Nintendo's latest tech on the show-floor is how that rumoured 6.2-inch touchscreen display gamepad actually works. On top of that, we will be poring over the tech specs of the new console itself with online rumours to date suggesting that Wii 2 will be powered by a three-core IBM Power PC chip, with 1080p 3D-capable graphics driven by an ATI R700 GPU.
ICONIC NINTENDO: Expect to see lots of appearances from much-loved characters Major publishers including Activision, Electronic Arts and Ubisoft have all had development kits to create software for Nintendo's latest home console for some time already, so we also expect to see some well-known gaming franchises from those - and other as yet un-named Nintendo partners - being showcased at Nintendo's presser and demonstrated on the company's booth. "I'm extremely excited by Nintendo's Project Cafe. I'm sure everyone will be surprised by whatever they have up their sleeves to yet again expand the market," says Philip Oliver, CEO of Blitz Games Studios. "For developers like us it's always exciting to get stuck in with new tech and we look forward to working on our first wave of titles for the new machine. Sony: the PSN aftermath Sony will, of course, have to face its public en masse for the very first time since the recent security failure of the PlayStation Network, a PR disaster for the firm which could well mar its plans for the bigger games and tech announcements at this year's E3. "I feel for Sony right now as the hacking incidents must be very time consuming internally and E3 will be very important for them to restore confidence with the industry, media and the public," agrees Oliver. "Microsoft made a bold move with the Kinect at the last E3 which paid off well and I'm really excited to see how they follow this up this E3 this time. I'm also looking forward to seeing what else people are using this innovative tech for now that we're out of the honeymoon period of first and second wave titles."
KINECT 2.0: The latest gen of motion-control at E3 2011 Blitz Games Studio design director John Nash is equally keen to see what other developers are now managing to squeeze out of Microsoft Kinect, telling TechRadar: "Kinect has been with us for a while and we are starting to see some semblance of interface standards beginning to emerge. "If Microsoft can demonstrate that the 3rd and 4th wave of Kinect experiences are producing, dare I say it, new genres, then greater future success is assured. Game designers are charged with leading this process as they embrace new technologies to deliver compellingly new entertainment and hopefully engage people in fresh ways." The best ever E3 for gamers? Vocal US analyst Michael Pachter is one of the few analysts willing to go on record predicting who will "win" E3 2011, claiming recently: "Gamers will win this year's E3, because there is going to be a ton of gaming goodness this year." Games-wise, Activision's recent leak of the next outing of Call of Duty in the shape of an Infinity-Ward developed Modern Warfare 3 is clearly going to be one of the major must-see games of this year's show. Anybody fancy a bit of World War 3 action, in near-future settings featuring well-known locations New York, London, Berlin or Paris? Oh, only around about a hundred million eager console gamers worldwide, you say? In terms of some of the other major titles for 2011, Rockstar has already made its play with L.A. Noire and Bethesda has also recently released the Splash Damage-developed and parkour-inspired futuristic urban-shooter Brink - two of the latest titles which most of the hardcore gaming attendees at E3 are likely to already have an in-depth familiarity with. Still, there's a hell of a lot more to look forward to later this year, with Pachter "personally excited to see Star Wars and Battlefield from EA, a Call of Duty from Activision, possibly a Bungie or Respawn game, something cool from Take-Two (like BioShock Infinite, Max Payne 3, or . . . dare we say it . . .GTA?). Ubisoft will show Driver and the next Assassin's Creed, THQ will show Saints Row, and we'll probably see Batman Arkham City, Rage … so much that I can't keep track." While this speculation of a new reveal from Bungie may well be misplaced - as the firm recently claimed that it is not even attending E3 2011 - with a list of solid AAA-titles such as these, it's easy to see why Pachter thinks that "the console guys are almost secondary" and why, providing there are no major disappointments or PR embarrassments from the Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo camps, we could well be looking at "the best E3 ever" for gamers. What's also very telling, with TechRadar having spoken with plenty of publishing execs and developers in an off-the-record capacity in the run up to this year's event, is the fact that many of these companies are no longer interested in stoking console fanboy fantasies and arguments about whichever console tech offers the end-user the best, most-exclusive games or allows them to show-off the most-advanced tech demos to their mates. What with Microsoft developing and refining its Kinect strategy, Sony focusing heavily on its new NGP handheld and Nintendo finally releasing a high def console that is on par with the PS3 and Xbox 360, the technical playing field for home consoles has been levelled. Disruption in the cloud Finally, while much of the mainstream media coverage of E3 is seemingly all about new console hardware, boxes under your TV and AAA-exclusives, many forward-thinking developers and gaming hardware designers are clearly now embracing mobile and social networks such as Facebook as viable gaming platforms in their own right. "As disruptive technologies such as Facebook and mobile platforms increasingly steal large slices of the games market it will be very interesting to see how new and established players are adapting their businesses to the new ways of thinking and doing business," says Philip Oliver. "For us at Blitz it's about making sure that we consider not just the technology at consumers' disposal now but also focus on how they want to interact. There's huge potential in this space and we're looking to expand our footprint here too as we've already integrated browser functionality into our BlitzTech engine." David Perry is another well-known games developer looking to progress his latest cloud-gaming business model, Gaikai. Perry is of the opinion that we are now "on the long tail section of plastic accessories (my cupboards are full!)" and thinks more developers and publishers will "re-embrace the PC/Mac/Mobile combo as the biggest digital platform," in addition to the industry seeing a gentle growth of stereoscopic 3D across all devices. "E3 used to be the show where we would all be waiting for the retailers to show up and decide if we live or die. The future of E3 will depend on publishers and retailers finding a new digital symbiotic relationship. I suspect many conversations over beer and wine will focus on defining the shape of that digital future together." 
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| Could 99.7% of Android devices be leaking personal data? Posted: 17 May 2011 06:31 AM PDT Android phones could be offering up usernames and passwords to hackers, allowing sensitive data to be siphoned off. Researchers from the Institute of Media Informatics at Ulm University have discovered that Android devices could offer up user's Google Calendar, Contacts and Picasa information. The research found that devices using Android 2.3.3 and older using ClientLogin (which is used to authenticate apps from a remote destination) could potentially be hacked if using a non-secure connection, such as open Wi-Fi hotspot. This means up to 99.7% of devices could be open to the exploit, which works by sending a request for an authentication token (authToken) from the Google service with a user name and password over a secure connection, and the received item is then valid for 14 days. Exploit This means anyone with the correct equipment could sniff it out and use it on the same application to find your details, and even head in and modify all items from your Contacts, Calendar or Picasa. Google has patched the problem in Android 2.3.4 for Contacts and Calendar, but not Picasa yet, according to the research. Android 3.0+ devices appear to be unaffected. Bastian Könings, Jens Nickels, andFlorian Schaub from the University of Ulm, write in the research: "The implications of this vulnerability reach from disclosure to loss of personal information for the Calendar data. "For Contact information, private information of others is also affected, potentially including phone numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. Beyond the mere stealing of such information, an adversary could perform subtle changes without the user noticing. Adverse action "For example, an adversary could change the stored email address of the victim's boss or business partners hoping to receive sensitive or confidential material pertaining to their business." The research suggests that if you can't upgrade to Android 2.3.4 the best thing to do is avoid open Wi-Fi networks altogether, although this is pretty sage advice for the most part anyway for anyone using wireless data. TechRadar has contacted Google to see if it's aware of the issue and whether legacy devices will be receiving a patch in the future, although the research team has already spoken to the Android Security Team and it has confirmed it is looking into the problem 
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| Sponsored: HTC Scribe will change the way you use tablets Posted: 17 May 2011 06:00 AM PDT This is a sponsored article in association with HTC. The coolest thing about the new HTC Flyer tablet isn't its stunning good looks, its speedy processor, its superb display or its excellent HTC Sense interface.The coolest thing about the HTC Flyer is its magic pen. It's not really magic, but it might as well be. The HTC Flyer is the first tablet to make use of a new HTC innovation the firm calls HTC Scribe technology. HTC Scribe is all about digital ink, and it's a technology that makes a really impressive tablet computer even more useful, more powerful and more flexible. When you want to scroll, select, click or flick the HTC Flyer's superb screen reacts to the slightest touch - and when you need to draw, annotate or edit with pin-point accuracy, HTC Scribe technology says hello. From signing documents to retouching photographs, clipping interesting things you've seen online or taking notes for later, HTC Scribe will transform the way you use tablets. It's really rather special.
This pen means business HTC Scribe is a clever combination of software and hardware that delivers genuinely useful new features. The active pen is pressure-sensitive and extremely accurate, delivering pin-point precision whether you're writing a note or creating an illustration. And the software is designed to make real world tasks easier, from signing an official form to sharing interesting items and ideas. If you can see it, you can write on it, save it and share it.
The combination of a touch-sensitive screen and a pressure-sensitive pen means that the HTC Flyer can do some interesting things. For example, you might spot an interesting restaurant you want to tell your friends about: instead of emailing a link, you can write a personal message on the screen and send it via email. You can scribble in the margins of ebooks or highlight important parts of a document, storing the useful bits so you can access them later, and you can comment on documents and add your signature to forms. New and noteworthy HTC Scribe technology really comes into its own when you need to record important information - when you're listening to a lecture, for example, or when you're in a meeting. With the HTC Flyer and HTC Scribe technology you can take notes, draw diagrams and doodle during the dull bits just like you would with a real pen and paper, but when you're finished you can save your notes and link them to the date and time on your calendar.
That's not all: you can also use the HTC Flyer's camera to add photos and its microphone to record audio, which you can then store with your notes. Days, weeks, months or years later, finding the information is as simple as turning the pages on a calendar. Fun, fun, fun The same HTC Scribe technology that makes the HTC Flyer such a good business tool is great for more entertaining pursuits too. Where some tablets' drawing features are limited to fat-fingered fumbles, HTC Scribe technology's sensitivity and accuracy mean that you can use realistic pens and brushes to create extraordinarily detailed images. The magic pen also enables you to annotate, enhance or edit images and photos like the pros - and you can use other media too, so for example you could combine audio and images to create your own storybook. With HTC Scribe technology, you get the best of both worlds: the simplicity and speed of a touch-screen tablet with the power and precision of digital ink. It really is a kind of magic. 
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| Sponsored: HTC Scribe will change the way you use tablets Posted: 17 May 2011 06:00 AM PDT This is a sponsored article in association with HTC. The coolest thing about the new HTC Flyer tablet isn't its stunning good looks, its speedy processor, its superb display or its excellent HTC Sense interface.The coolest thing about the HTC Flyer is its magic pen. It's not really magic, but it might as well be. The HTC Flyer is the first tablet to make use of a new HTC innovation the firm calls HTC Scribe technology. HTC Scribe is all about digital ink, and it's a technology that makes a really impressive tablet computer even more useful, more powerful and more flexible. When you want to scroll, select, click or flick the HTC Flyer's superb screen reacts to the slightest touch - and when you need to draw, annotate or edit with pin-point accuracy, HTC Scribe technology says hello. From signing documents to retouching photographs, clipping interesting things you've seen online or taking notes for later, HTC Scribe will transform the way you use tablets. It's really rather special.
This pen means business HTC Scribe is a clever combination of software and hardware that delivers genuinely useful new features. The active pen is pressure-sensitive and extremely accurate, delivering pin-point precision whether you're writing a note or creating an illustration. And the software is designed to make real world tasks easier, from signing an official form to sharing interesting items and ideas. If you can see it, you can write on it, save it and share it.
The combination of a touch-sensitive screen and a pressure-sensitive pen means that the HTC Flyer can do some interesting things. For example, you might spot an interesting restaurant you want to tell your friends about: instead of emailing a link, you can write a personal message on the screen and send it via email. You can scribble in the margins of ebooks or highlight important parts of a document, storing the useful bits so you can access them later, and you can comment on documents and add your signature to forms. New and noteworthy HTC Scribe technology really comes into its own when you need to record important information - when you're listening to a lecture, for example, or when you're in a meeting. With the HTC Flyer and HTC Scribe technology you can take notes, draw diagrams and doodle during the dull bits just like you would with a real pen and paper, but when you're finished you can save your notes and link them to the date and time on your calendar.
That's not all: you can also use the HTC Flyer's camera to add photos and its microphone to record audio, which you can then store with your notes. Days, weeks, months or years later, finding the information is as simple as turning the pages on a calendar. Fun, fun, fun The same HTC Scribe technology that makes the HTC Flyer such a good business tool is great for more entertaining pursuits too. Where some tablets' drawing features are limited to fat-fingered fumbles, HTC Scribe technology's sensitivity and accuracy mean that you can use realistic pens and brushes to create extraordinarily detailed images. The magic pen also enables you to annotate, enhance or edit images and photos like the pros - and you can use other media too, so for example you could combine audio and images to create your own storybook. With HTC Scribe technology, you get the best of both worlds: the simplicity and speed of a touch-screen tablet with the power and precision of digital ink. It really is a kind of magic. 
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| Acer Iconia Tab A100 hit by delays Posted: 17 May 2011 05:36 AM PDT Acer has delayed its Iconia Tab A100 tablet until later this year, after missing the intended shipping date of 14 May. An eagle-eyed Polish site spotted that Acer had removed the 7-inch tablet from its website, and was subsequently told that the tablet has been cancelled. But Acer UK insists that this is not the case; the tablet has simply been pushed back to the 'second half of the year'. Marvelously vague That's not a massively helpful timescale, though; it could mean a launch any time from the end of next month all the way through to Christmas. The delay comes as a disappointment to anyone looking for a Honeycomb tablet on a shoestring; with a UK price of £299.99, the dual-core Iconia Tab A100 would have been the cheapest Honeycomb slate around. We'll keep you posted on an updated release date; in the meantime, remind yourself of what you're missing out on with our hands on Acer Iconia Tab A100 review. 
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| HP launches Pavilion h8 series: 'most powerful HP yet' Posted: 17 May 2011 04:46 AM PDT HP has announced its new desktop PC line-up in the form of redesigned Pavillion computers, complete with the h8 series which HP is describing as 'the most powerful HP PCs to date.' The company is quite keen on the look of its new towers; each features clean lines and contrasting materials like a glossy black front panel and a metallic base, as well as hidden ports for that neat-as-a-pin computing look. Sadly we can't say that they're exactly revolutionary designs, despite some models featuring a 'valet tray' with easy-access USB 3.0 ports for charging gadgets and transferring files. All the Pavilion PCs also feature Beats Audio, a sound 'system' with the Dr Dre seal of approval. Happy families There are several series' to decide between in the Pavilion family: The HP Pavilion p7 series is the value range; these come with 'generous' hard drive storage, Intel and AMD chip options and supports multi-channel surround sound.
Meanwhile, the Pavilion Slimline s5 series is an incy wincy tower (below) which still offers (optional and as-yet unspecified) gangbusting processing power and storage.
The Pavilion HPE h8 series might sound hateful, but actually features the most powerful HP PCs to date. These towers come with Intel Core i7 processors, Nvidia or ATI graphics processors and can support multiple displays. HP has also knocked together the HP 2311x, a slimline monitor with HDMI connectivity and low power consumption. All the new HP products come with a UK release date of 'early summer', at which point you'll be able to pick up the workhorse p7 series from £499, the powerful h8 series from £799, the slimline s5 series from £499 and the HP 2311x monitor from £159. 
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| Nvidia: Android will soon overtake Apple in tablets Posted: 17 May 2011 04:45 AM PDT Nvidia co-founder Jen-Hsun Huang has insisted that Android tablets will overtake Apple's market-leading iPad in the same way as Android phones have taken the smartphone crown. Apple has established a huge market for its iPad, and the arrival of the iPad 2 this year has cemented its lead in the tablet market. But Nvidia's Huang told the Reuters Technology Conference that Android tablets – many of which run Nvidia's Tegra 2 technology – will rein in Apple's offerings. 2.5 years "The Android phone took only two and a half years to achieve the momentum that we're talking about. I would expect the same thing on Honeycomb tablets," Huang said Something that may help Android tablets is Nvidia's next generation processor – codenamed Kal-El (Superman's Krypton name). Huang said that the processor had already earned a place in the plans of ten major next-gen devices. "It's got to be at least ten. We have five major phone companies and we have five major PC (manufacturers)," he said. Apple is currently using its A5 APU (combining CPU and GPU) in the iPad 2, and is expected to use this technology in the next iteration of iPhone – be it the iPhone 4S or iPhone 5. 
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| Google News undergoes major overhaul Posted: 17 May 2011 04:30 AM PDT Google has announced some key changes to the way in which its Google News service works, with the new additions US only for now, but likely to roll out globally. Google News has become a popular way for people to keep in touch with all the latest headlines and a major traffic driver for countless news sites. The changes are designed to bring greater story diversity with less clutter – but still allow you to dig deeper into topics that pique your interest. Five key areas That is achieved through five key areas: click-to-expand, labelled diversity, multimedia, personalised top news stories and, finally, a 'less is more' approach. Each story will now be collapsed to one headline with the exception of the top story – clicking on a headline expands that thread. Labeled diversity means that expanded stories will show 'genre labels' explaining how they are chosen and how they add value. "Within each expanded story box, you'll find a sliding bar of videos and photos, links to related sections and easier-to-use sharing options, so you can quickly digest the sights and sounds of a news story, dig into different types of publications and share what you find interesting with one click," Google explains about its multimedia changes. Personalistion means that the top six stories will include half chosen editorially and half based on your preferences, while the 'less is more' approach brings a single column rather than the current two column lay out. 
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| Free 'welcome back' PlayStation games detailed Posted: 17 May 2011 03:49 AM PDT Sony has revealed which games will be available to gamers as part of its 'Welcome Back' package, otherwise known as the 'Sorry we compromised your credit card and personal information' package. Although the PlayStation Network has returned at last after massive security breaches caused Sony to shut it down in late April, we're still waiting for Sony to hit 'play' on the PlayStation Store service. When it does make an appearance, PS3 gamers with PSN accounts will be able to choose two games to download for free. The selection available offers Dead Nation, inFamous, Little Big Planet, Rachet, Wipeout HD and Clank: Quest for Booty. Meanwhile, PSP users have the option of two games from LittleBigPlanet PSP, ModNation Racers, Pursuit Force and Killzone Liberation. Subscription frees Sony is also throwing a free 30-day trial of PlayStation Plus for anyone who doesn't already subscribe, while those that do will get 60 days without charge. A Home offer is also being thrashed out, while Music Unlimited subscribers will get 30 days sans charges. You'll have 30 days to claim the free content, starting from the date that the offer goes live; presumably that'll be just as soon as the Store is back up and running. Sony says on its European PlayStation blog: "You will be able to access this content once PlayStation Store comes back online and we are doing everything we can to make that happen as soon as possible." 
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| Posted: 17 May 2011 03:45 AM PDT A long-established British speaker brand with roots back in the 1970s, ProAc has only made the occasional appearance on the Hi-Fi Choice review roster. That's mainly because the company has long been primarily export-oriented, with representation in more than 50 countries worldwide. The three Studio models – two standmounts and the ProAc Studio 140 Mk2 floorstander – are among ProAc's less costly models and although this Studio 140 Mk2 pricetag of £1,690 per pair is quite pricey, the speakers themselves are large, as well as being fairly heavy. The dimensions are partly dictated by the twin 165mm drive units that operate in tandem right through the bass and midrange here. The Studio 140 Mk2, therefore, has to be significantly wider than the speakers based on smaller units, while the substantial driver area also requires a correspondingly generous enclosure volume. While its size ensures a quite imposing presence, the Studio 140 Mk2 comes very nicely dressed, with a choice of black ash, mahogany, cherry or maple real wood veneer covering all faces. The sharp-edged enclosure sits on a similarly veneered plinth that usefully enhances the overall stability and spike fixing. The spikes are essential here, to avoid blocking the port that's fitted into the base and operates through the plinth. Both bass/mid drivers have cast frames and carbon-loaded polypropylene cones 120mm in diameter, while the tweeter uses a 28mm fabric dome. Interestingly, the tweeters are offset from the centre line in order to 'spread' the baffle edge effect and the speakers themselves are 'mirror-imaged', so the speakers may be used with the tweeters offset 'inward' or 'outward' to preference. Two pairs of terminals are mounted about halfway up the back panel and an optional grille covers two-thirds of the front; unfortunately its removal leaves six very visible mounting lugs. Sound quality The Studio 140 Mk2 received a mixed response from the listening panel, perhaps reflecting the fact that it's rather different from the others assembled. The constraints of a panel test include attempting to equalise the perceived volume for each successive presentation. That, in turn, means that the Studio 140 Mk2's advantages of high-sensitivity and loudness potential, and very superior headroom, are effectively negated. This speaker might not have the smoothest or the sweetest midband around, but it is rather well-balanced overall, achieving a decent standard of general neutrality with fine warmth through the lower midband, though it did sound a little too bright for some of our listeners. Although it wasn't obvious at the sort of levels adopted for the blind tests, the extra headroom available with this model was clearly audible during subsequent hands-on listening as a superior freedom from strain. This good-sized and good-looking speaker has plenty going for it, especially for those who like their music loud and/or heavy. The mid and top end might not be to everyone's taste, but the overall tonal balance is well judged. 
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