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Best gadget news |
- News@8pm: New MacBook Air features and Android 3.2
- Windows Phone 7 phones leak ahead of Mango update launch
- App news: 'Facebook for Every Phone App' launched
- BlackBerry apps surpass 1 billion download milestone
- Editor's desk competition: This week's winners revealed
- Apple iOS market share drops as Android continues to rise
- Apple souvenir T shirt proves Steve Jobs has sense of humour
- Apple to sue HTC over several touchscreen patents
- Motorola Xoom Android 3.2 Honeycomb update rolls out
- New MacBook Air: backlit keyboard included?
- EA buys PopCap for $750m
- HP TouchPad 4G revealed
- iOS 5 unlocks Apple TV Bluetooth skills
- Xbox 360 games heading to Windows 8?
- Tech Today: Android 3.2 comes to Motorola Xoom
| News@8pm: New MacBook Air features and Android 3.2 Posted: 13 Jul 2011 12:00 PM PDT
Welcome to your nightly round-up of the day's news and goings on courtesy of T3.com. Apple has announced that it plans to sue smartphone rival HTC for infringing on its patents for touchscreen tech, which includes tactile touch displays and multi-touch functionalities for scrolling and zooming. The news comes as Apple's iOS market shares fell further behind Android, which is beginning to dominate the UK smartphone market.
Plants vs. Zombies developer PopCap has been snapped up by gaming giant Electronic Arts for a reported $750 million, as the company looks to expand into the social gaming market. Meanwhile, there have been rumours that Xbox 360 games will be playable on the upcoming Windows 8 platform, but these have yet to be confirmed.
The Android 3.2 update has begun rolling out for Motorola's Xoom tablet, bringing Honeycomb compatibility to the tablet along with a range of bug fixes and new features. In other tablet news, the HP TouchPad will be getting an upgrade soon, as a new 4G model is to be released in the US.
The new MacBook Air is to come with a backlit keyboard; it has been suggested today as rumours came from within the Cupertino company. As with all its unreleased products, Apple remains secretive and recognised this today by showing off its new souvenir t-shirt, which reads: "I visited the Apple campus, but that's all I'm allowed to say." This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Windows Phone 7 phones leak ahead of Mango update launch Posted: 13 Jul 2011 09:23 AM PDT
Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Mango handsets shown off with WP7 Samsung Galaxy S II Microsoft has shown off a new range of Windows Phone 7 handsets with the upcoming devices all running the soon to be released Windows Phone 7 Mango update.
Outed during the its Worldwide Partner Conference Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of the OEM division, Steve Guggenheimer, showed off the recently leaked Windows Phone version of the hugely successful Samsung Galaxy S II handset.
He added: "As the processors get [smaller], battery life improves and the screens get better, we're going to see phones with phenomenal screen resolution, a great battery life, meaning lightweight devices across the phones."
Touting as the Samsung Galaxy S II for the Windows Phone 7 OS, the upcoming device is expected to sport the same Super AMOLED display and minimalist form factor as its Android counterpart with a dual-core processor and 8-megapixel camera expected.
What handsets would you like to see offered with the Windows Phone 7 OS? Let us know via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.
Via: TechRadar
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| App news: 'Facebook for Every Phone App' launched Posted: 13 Jul 2011 09:14 AM PDT
App is downloadable from the Facebook mobile site. If you're not lucky enough to boast a top notch smartphone, then accessing Facebook on your mobile device isn't always the most pleasurable and functional experience.
Well, the social networking giant has sought to solve that problem by launching the Facebook for Every Phone App, which is compatible with over 2,500 handsets.
The app gives access to Facebook's most popular features, letting you view your news feed, inbox and profile and is available to grab through your mobile browser. Just head to m.facebook.com, scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and click on the download link.
The app will also enable you to upload photos to your profile, by taking a picture from within the application, and you can also like or comment on photos uploaded by yourself and your friends.
While the m.facebook.com site isn't necessarily a bad experience, this app does its best to mimic the functionality of the high powered Android and iOS Facebook apps and does a pretty good job.
For the next 90 days, Facebook has teamed up with many network carriers, including 3 Mobile in the UK, to offer free access to the app. This build of the app is also less Java-hungry so it won't drink your data milkshake once the free period is over.
Link: Facebook Mobile
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| BlackBerry apps surpass 1 billion download milestone Posted: 13 Jul 2011 08:29 AM PDT
RIM has confirmed the download of the 1 billionth BlackBerry App BlackBerry’s parent company RIM has revealed that the BlackBerry App World has surpassed a new milestone with the download of the 1 billionth BlackBerry App.
Whilst Apple and Google are still soaring ahead with more than 15 billion and 4.5 billion app downloads respectively the latest announcement marks a major milestone for BlackBerry with its latest smartphones failing to make a dramatic impact on the market.
Revealing that the BlackBerry App World 3.0 beta would be coming in the near future RIM’s Product Manager added: "The BlackBerry App World storefront launched a little over two years ago, and over that time, we've made many feature improvements, enhanced the look and feel, and added a ton of compelling apps.”
What is your favourite BlackBerry app? Let us know via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.
Via: TechRadar This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Editor's desk competition: This week's winners revealed Posted: 13 Jul 2011 04:47 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?’
Following a couple of weeks of offering tickets to motoring events we returned to our gadget roots for this week's prize with a Mophie Workbook case for Apple's iPad 2 tablet. Following a number of correct entries across both Facebook and Twitter an eventual winner was picked as Facebook follower Wayne Boardman.
A protective smart case that doubles as a stand with infinite viewing angles the Mophie Workbook ensures all of your connection ports and cameras are accessible and comes with four interchangeable brightly hued straps to allow for individual customisation.
- Check out T3 ed's desk winners here ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be in with a chance of winning next week’s mystery editor’s desk prize simply follow T3 on Twitter (#edsdesk) and Facebook and await the first clue next Tuesday at around 10am. If you're using Twitter remember the #edsdesk tag, otherwise we might miss your entry - best of luck!
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Apple iOS market share drops as Android continues to rise Posted: 13 Jul 2011 04:15 AM PDT
Apple vs. Android rages on as Android dominates UK smartphone market Apple’s share of the UK smartphone market has seen a dramatic drop in recent months as Google’s Android OS continues to rise, new reports have claimed.
Figures gathered by Kantar Worldpanel have suggested that whilst Apple’s share of the UK smartphone market has almost halved in the past 12 months, the Android platform has increased its share by a staggering 35 per cent to control almost half of the market.
Despite the hefty swing in popularity Kantar has suggested smartphone users are now actively switching between the two mobile OS rivals. "We are yet to see any real signs of consumers switching between Android and Apple,” Kantar global consumer director Dominic Sunnebo announced. He added: “Our data shows that Apple and Android’s customers are intensely loyal when choosing their upgrade."
With Apple expected to announce an iPhone 5 release date around September the Cupertino firm will likely see its share of the UK smartphone market rise as its mooted dual-core handset with 8-megapixel camera and 1080p Full HD video recording capabilities lands.
Are you on Team Apple or a part of the Android Army? Let us know which camp you fall in via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.
Via: PCR This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Apple souvenir T shirt proves Steve Jobs has sense of humour Posted: 13 Jul 2011 03:01 AM PDT
New T shirt is only available from Apple's Infinite Loop campus. Apple’s not exactly a company renowned for its sense of humour. Just ask the guys at HTC and Samsung. But it seems Jobs and co are able to poke fun at themselves, if a new official T shirt is anything to go by.
The black shirt comes plastered with the slogan, “I visited the Apple campus. But that’s all I’m allowed to say.” It’s only available from the merchandise shop at Apple’s Infinite Loop campus, meaning you need to head to California to get one.
For a company that’s well known for being litigious and taking itself extremely seriously, it’s a welcome departure. Just don’t expect any other T shirts to start joking about complicated patent lawsuits.
For all the rest of the day’s gadget news and gossip, stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Via MacRumors This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Apple to sue HTC over several touchscreen patents Posted: 13 Jul 2011 02:45 AM PDT
The mobile patent battle continues as Apple goes against its original smartphone rival Apple’s only just finished filing suits against Samsung and Amazon, but there’s still time to reignite an old battle against its bitter smartphone rival HTC. The iPhone maker’s just filed a fresh patent case against those behind the Sensation, the Flyer and the Desire. It’s all tech that features heavily in a multitude of modern smartphones, so Apple might have a fight on its hands if it wants to prevent everybody from going to market. That said, if Apple staunchly argues that it owns the technologies concerned, then maybe it’s HTC who needs to worry? This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Motorola Xoom Android 3.2 Honeycomb update rolls out Posted: 13 Jul 2011 02:10 AM PDT
Google Android Honeycomb 3.2 OS has been rolled out for the Motorola Xoom tablet Google has started rolling out version 3.2 of its Android Honeycomb mobile operating system with the Motorola Xoom becoming the first device to sport the refreshed tablet centric OS.
Owners of the 10-inch Wi-Fi only Motorola tablet have reported that the latest Google OS update has started to roll for their dual-core devices ahead of the software’s more widespread release.
The Motorola Xoom launched earlier this year packing a 1GHz dual-core processor with 1GB of RAM and 1280 x 800p 10-inch display. Completing the Xoom’s specsheet was a 2-megapixel forward facing camera and a second 5-megapixel rear mounted snapper with 720p HD video recording capabilities at 30fps.
Do you own a Wi-Fi only Motorola Xoom, have you already received the Android 3.2 Honeycomb update? Let us know via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.
Via: TechRadar This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| New MacBook Air: backlit keyboard included? Posted: 13 Jul 2011 02:00 AM PDT
Feature looks set to be reinstated on imminent new models. The new MacBook Air has been teased for months. But just ahead of its likely release next week, it appears Apple has decided to reinstate the backlit keyboard it dropped from the line of super-thin laptops last year.
The news comes from AppleInsider, which says it’s spoken with “people familiar with the matter”. These sources claim the 11 and 13-inch MacBook Airs will have the illuminated keyboard smarts, on top of new Intel processors and Thunderbolt connectivity.
The updated MacBook Air appears to have been held back by Apple, with the company wanting to ensure all new models come preloaded with the new Mac OS X Lion software.
Can’t wait for the new MacBook Air? Tell us all about it over on our Facebook and Twitter pages. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 13 Jul 2011 01:59 AM PDT
Electronic Arts confirms that a deal has been struck to buy PopCap in one of the biggest ever game industry buys EA looks set to increase its presence in the social and mobile gaming world with the acquisition of developer PopCap.
The deal said to be worth $650 million with an additional $100 million in shares to select PopCap stockholders, was confirmed by EA CEO John Riccitello who commented on the deal saying, "EA and PopCap are a compelling combination."
Riccitello added, "PopCap's great studio talent and powerful IP add to EA's momentum and accelerate our drive towards a $1 billion digital business. EA's global studio and publishing network will help PopCap rapidly expand their business to more digital devices, more countries, and more channels."
Best known for popular titles such as Bejeweled, Zuma and Plants vs Zombies, PopCap CEO David Roberts revealed why they decided to do business with EA saying, "We picked EA because they have recast their culture around making great digital games. By working with EA, we'll scale our games and services to deliver more social, mobile, casual fun to an even bigger, global audience."
PopCap games which feature on smartphones and PCs, are reported to have been downloaded around 1.5bn times signally the significance of EA's latest acquisition as it continues to increase its mobile and social gaming presence.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 13 Jul 2011 01:00 AM PDT
No word on when mobile network-friendly TouchPad is heading to UK. HP has just pulled the wrappers off of a new version of its webOS-packing TouchPad slate. Dubbed the TouchPad 4G, it comes with, you guessed it, 4G network smarts under the hood.
The new model boasts HSPA+ speeds, as well as a faster 1.5GHz processor and 32GB of storage. Current editions of the HP TouchPad only pack in Wi-Fi connectivity, although 3G models have been spied online.
Sadly, there’s no news on when us Brits will get to see a mobile network-friendly HP TouchPad. When it does come, here’s hoping HP has ironed out some of the kinks which caused the slate to receive a less than impressive reception.
For more on this and the rest of the day’s gadget news and gossip, stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Via Engadget This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| iOS 5 unlocks Apple TV Bluetooth skills Posted: 12 Jul 2011 11:36 PM PDT
Set-top box already being lined up for upgrade this autumn. Apple TV is set to get Bluetooth connectivity skills when Cupertino releases iOS 5 later this year. The set-top box already has Bluetooth baked in, but new findings in iOS 5’s source code suggest it will be turned on once the software is rolled out.
9to5mac says Bluetooth will be activated on Apple TV via the settings menu, where users will be able to pair compatible devices much as they do on Macs. There’s no word on what Bluetooth kit will be supported, but a keyboard and maybe even the iPhone or iPad could potentially be hooked up easily.
The Mac fanatics reckon this could point the way to Jobs and co rolling out a Safari browser on Apple TV, as well as full-on app support. That certainly makes sense if users can connect a keyboard.
Apple is also said to be plotting a new version of its set top box for release in autumn, with 1080p video support and its A5 chip inside. For more on this story, keep it locked here and to our Facebook and Twitter pages. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Xbox 360 games heading to Windows 8? Posted: 12 Jul 2011 11:20 PM PDT
Big M's plans could give ageing console new lease of life. Xbox 360 games look set to play nice on Microsoft’s new Windows 8 operating system, due out next year. This startling rumour has emerged from gaming site Teknylate and follows similar gossip which emerged before the OS’s official reveal last month.
Word is that Xbox 360 titles will work on PCs with no hassle. It’ll just be a case of popping in the disc. The same report claims Ballmer and co are plotting a special, Xbox Live-like service for PC players too.
This could obviously undermine Xbox 360 sales, but insiders reckon this is the latest move to ensure titles for the console continue to sell even as the company looks towards the release of the Xbox 720, potentially at next year’s E3.
Is this a smart move by Microsoft? Or would you rather just play your games on your regular console? Tell us what you think on our Facebook and Twitter pages. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Tech Today: Android 3.2 comes to Motorola Xoom Posted: 12 Jul 2011 08:31 PM PDT
It's the tech news that broke after you logged-off, with the overnight goss from Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, Google and Motorola. Android Honeycomb 3.2 roll-out begins
Google+ passes 10m users in two weeks
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No Windows Phone on tablets say Microsoft
iOS 5 to give Apple TV a Bluetooth boost
Samsung wants Apple lawyers removed from legal battle
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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