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Best gadget news

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• Toshiba ZL2 glasses free 3DTV launched
• LG touchscreen TV outed at IFA 2011
• iPad app news: TomTom app optimised for tablet
• New Toshiba Portege Z830 series unveiled
• AKG K3003 earphones unveiled at IFA 2011
• Samsung Galaxy Note announced at IFA 2011
• Samsung at IFA 2011: Wave 3, Bada 2.0 and Smart TV
• IFA 2011: Hands on with Sony's new tablets
• Philips 9000, 8000 and 7000 Smart LED TVs announced
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 announced at IFA 2011
• IFA 2011: Samsung 700T Tablet officially unveiled
• Apple iPhone 5 prototype lost in bar
• iPhone 5 prototype lost in bar
• Toshiba Excite Android tablet spotted
• Google rolls out offline Gmail, Docs, Calendar
• Facebook Music service launching 22 September

Toshiba ZL2 glasses free 3DTV launched Posted: 01 Sep 2011 09:30 AM PDT Posted by Thomas Tamblyn on Thu 1 Sep 2011 Toshiba has clearly taken the fight to the competitors with the unveiling of their ZL2; the world's largest glasses free 3DTV Toshiba today announced the flagship of their TV range, the ZL2, a glasses free LED 3DTV with Toshiba's QuadHD resolution which offers customers a quite exceptional 3,840 x 2,160 screen.   Related links Toshiba 47VL863 3D LED TV Samsung UE37D6530 review Panasonic TX-L42E3 review LG touchscreen TV outed at IFA 2011 Coming in at 55 inches, the ZL2 is the largest of its class and with the QuadHD resolution tech built-in the ZL2's huge screen can be viewed in 3D by large groups at angles that had previously not been possible. In 2D this technology essentially means that if one were to display an image taken with a 8MP camera it would be shown at its true size with no degredation of quality.   The face-tracking software onboard means that once activated the ZL2 will work out where each person is sitting and then optimise the picture for each viewer making sure the 3D is perfectly aligned. If that wasn't enough it'll also upscale any SD or HD images to make sure they use every last bit of the QuadHD screen, finally add in Toshiba's new Smart TV software and you've got a 3D behemoth.   This of course, will not come cheap with sources reporting that it could be as much as £4,000 in the UK however that is, as yet, unconfirmed.   What do you think, is the ZL2 worth that potentially hefty price tag? Let us know what you think on Facebook and Twitter. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

LG touchscreen TV outed at IFA 2011 Posted: 01 Sep 2011 08:42 AM PDT Posted by Thomas Tamblyn on Thu 1 Sep 2011 Of all the announcements at IFA today this has got to be the most unique; LG is releasing a touchscreen plasma TV the PZ850T which lets you 'draw' on the screen LG has unveiled its first touch enable TV the  PenTouch TV or PZ850T which lets you 'draw' on the TV using LG's patented PenTouch technology. By using a digital stylus, the user is able to interact with the TV whether it's drawing, editing, writing or simply using it as another way of interacting with the TV.   Related links Panasonic TX-P42VT30 review LG P50PZ950T review Toshiba CELL ZX900 review Samsung PS50A557 review Designed to add a new dimension to interactivity using TVs, this large plasma TV lets the user interact with documents produced on their PC through the digital pen provided, the TV will even support more than one pen at a time and can be charged via USB on the back of the television set.   The PenTouch TV is able to communicate with PCs allowing you to print of any work down or transfer it to a desktop, it will also connect to the internet allowing you to download more applications such as photo editing software or drawing apps. Designed to add a new dimension to how we as the public use our TVs the PenTouch will certainly have a place in the education sector, whether it'll kick off in homes remains to be seen.   What do you think, fun gimmick or true innovation? Let us know what you think on Facebook and Twitter.   This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

iPad app news: TomTom app optimised for tablet Posted: 01 Sep 2011 08:26 AM PDT Posted by Chris Smith on Thu 1 Sep 2011 "We've listened to our customers," says TomTom TomTom has promised an iPad-optimised version of its popular iPhone navigation app this autumn.   Announced, and on show, at the IFA 2011 tech-fest in Berlin, TomTom says it has listened to customers who demanded the app be graphically enhanced to work properly on the iPad's 9.7-inch touch screen.   Related links Best iPad apps Vote in the shortlist for App of the Year Co-Pilot for iPhone review Google Maps Navigation for Android review Best iPhone apps: The top 10 This means that those lucky enough to be empowered by a 3G-enabled iPad will no longer have to cope with the poor resolution received when doubling the size of iPhone apps on the iPad's larger screen.   It isn't just the graphics and resolution that have been optimised, the new TomTom for iPad app will feature new intuitive controls designed specifically for Apple's all-conquering tablet.   The TomTom iPhone app doesn't come cheap so it's great to hear that the company will offer a free iPad download to those customers who've already purchased the app for the smaller iOS device.   TomTom for iOS offers clear turn-by-turn guidance, multi-tasking support, reliable arrival times, daily map updates and seamless integration with contacts.   Link: TomTom This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

New Toshiba Portege Z830 series unveiled Posted: 01 Sep 2011 08:20 AM PDT Posted by Thomas Tamblyn on Thu 1 Sep 2011 Entering the market containing such beauties as the Apple MacBook Air and the Samsung Series 7, the Toshiba Portege Z830 series hopes to steal your heart Toshiba has announced its lightest Ultrabook yet in the form of the Portege Z830 Series, offering up some hefty specs in the form of a quad-core processor, Solid State Drive and a considerable 6GB RAM.   Related links Toshiba 47VL863 LED TV Review Toshiba Folio 100 tablet launched Toshiba R700 Portege outed Toshiba Qosmio F750 3D review Taking on the other super-svelte notebooks, the Z830 is wrapped in a magnesium body which contains a black hole of impressive hardware including a Intel Core i7 processor. You'll also be able to get 128GB SSD storage along with a mightily impressive 6GB of RAM, there's a 1.3MP webcam and a matte LED display.   The most alluring aspect of the Portege Z830 however will surely be the assurance from Toshiba that its entry-level version will come in below the £1000 mark. Add to that some life-proofing in the form of a backlit and spill-resistant keyboard and you've got a package that will easily contend with the rivals on offer.   What do you think, has the Portege Z830 done enough to beat the likes of the MacBook Air? Let us know what you think on Facebook and Twitter. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

AKG K3003 earphones unveiled at IFA 2011 Posted: 01 Sep 2011 06:53 AM PDT Posted by Thomas Tamblyn on Thu 1 Sep 2011 Earphones today have almost no price-ceiling, whether it's from a cheap pair from Tesco's or the Dr Dre Beats collection, at the top end of the spectrum however are these; the AKG K3003 AKG have unveiled what they're calling their 'most luxurious earphones yet' in the form of the super-exclusive K3003 earphones. Revealed at IFA 2011 the buds are to be handmade and are considered the pinnacle of their earphone technology.   Related links Shure SE315 review Goldring GX200 review Radiopaq custom tuned earphones Best in-ear headphones review Considered the smallest three-way earphones available, each of the two buds contains three seperate drivers which then allows the sound to be perfectly balanced, creating an audio experience that AKG compares to being at a live concert. The earphones also come with a personalised tuning system which allows you to adjust both low and high frequencies depending on the piece of music.   The main housing is machined out of a single piece of aluminium while the internal parts are all installed by hand, each pair is then individually numbered and comes with a handcrafted leather case, Now for the price, well AKG puts forward a suggested retail price of £1,000. Yes, that's £1,000. So while they're not cheap, you're certainly getting the best that AKG has to offer.   AKG K3003: Teaser trailer   Would you invest in AKG's K3003 earphones? Let us know what you think on Facebook and Twitter. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Samsung Galaxy Note announced at IFA 2011 Posted: 01 Sep 2011 04:38 AM PDT Posted by Richard Wordsworth on Thu 1 Sep 2011 Samsung Galaxy Note looks to create middle ground between smartphones and tablets. Nestling in neatly between the new Galaxy Tab 7.7 and the 4.3-inch Galaxy S2 smartphone, Samsung is pitching the Galaxy Note as an entirely new category of smart device catering to people who want a full web and media experience on something more portable than a tablet. The trade-off? As a phone, it's massive - 5.3 inches massive. Even Samsung's executive VP DJ Lee couldn't make holding it to his ear look natural, and we've heard nothing to suggest that his head is of unusually small size. Related links Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 at IFA 2011 Samsung at IFA 2011: Wave 3, Bada 2.0 and Smart TV Best gadgets of IFA 2011 Sony products: IFA 2011 round-up Panasonic products: IFA 2011 round-up But if you're main use of a smartphone is browsing the web or watching video, the Galaxy Note looks like a corking solution. The display uses the same Super AMOLED technology as the Galaxy S2 (but, you know, bigger), and the resolution is sharper, at 1280x800 pixels to the Galaxy S2's 800x480. Making calls on it may look cumbersome, but watching video or reading on public transport shouldn't give us that twit-ish feeling we get whenever we whip out a full-sized tablet. That's not to say that the Note is in any way a second-rate phone. Specs-wise we're talking a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, an 8MP camera on the back with a 2MP video-calling camera on the front, and Android Gingerbread 2.3. It's a beefed-up Galaxy S2 in all but name, and that phone's currently sitting at number 2 on the T3 best mobiles chart. The other big inspiration for the Galaxy Note, according to Samsung, were the legion of its customers reportedly carrying around note paper and pens to jot down their ideas. To wrench them from their technological dark age, the Galaxy Note not only comes with a stylus (the 'S Pen'), but also lets users take screenshots at any time and scribble notes over them. The S Pen is pressure sensitive, too, and Samsung reckon it'll be the closest thing to using an actual pen and paper currently on the market. Except for a pen and paper, obviously. Lee was vague about when the Galaxy Note would land on the shelves, saying only that it and the Galaxy Tab 7.7 would appear in the next few months. Does this mean we could be fishing one of these out of our stockings come Christmas? We'll keep you posted.   This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Samsung at IFA 2011: Wave 3, Bada 2.0 and Smart TV Posted: 01 Sep 2011 04:27 AM PDT Posted by Thomas Tamblyn on Thu 1 Sep 2011 While casually inventing a new category Samsung's also been updating their current products from the new Bada 2.0 OS to the phone which will hold it; the Wave 3 Samsung's been busy since it last gave a talk, rising up from the recent legal troubles its been suffering after its flagship Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 was banned in Europe and then reinstated. Not only offering up a new tablet, the company showcased a new catagory device known as the Samsung Galaxy Note.   Of course Samsung didn't go on about just two products for an hour, they've also updated their Bada mobile operating system and brought in three new handsets that will run it. In the Smart TV section they made a big announcement concerning YouTube and finally in the world of photography they threw two major new cameras into the ring. Here's a full breakdown of the big release that went on at Samsung's IFA 2011 conference.   Samsung IFA 2011 products: Start gallery   Related links Best gadgets of IFA 2011 Sony products: IFA 2011 round-up Sony tablets launced at IFA: Hands-on Panasonic products: All the details from IFA 11 Samsung Bada 2.0 and Wave 3 First up is the update that Samsung have given to their small but successful operating system Bada. Offering up some cutting edge features, Bada has somehow remained even with Google Android and Apple's iOS on either side, finding a niche market Bada aims to provide customers with premium simplicity. In 2.0 you get WiFi Direct, a feature which uses wifi to allow device-to-device file sharing and communication. You'll also get multi-tasking and the new messaging service from Samsung ChatOn.   Using this new operating system is the Samsung Wave 3, the latest in their Wave series. Featuring a 4" Super AMOLED display, the Wave 3 utilises a metal unibody design and will be powered by a hefty 1.4Ghz dual-core processor. On top of that you'll get a 5MP camera on the back with flash, and a VGA front-facing camera for video-calling. Alongside this flagship handset will be two others; the Wave M and the Wave Y.   Samsung Smart TV and YouTube One of the major announcements from Samsung was that the company has signed a deal with YouTube which will see exclusive 3D content available on Samsung Smart TVs. This will make Samsung the first company to offer 3D YouTube content on a TV and through the YouTube App, users will be able to access thousands of 3D HD videos on any 3D enabled Samsung Smart TV.   Samsung MV800 Multi-View Camera Always one to throw forward innovative designs, Samsung has come up with the MV800; a compact digital camera with a fully hinged back screen allowing the large 3" touchscreen to be viewed from almost any angle.   It has a 16MP sensor and comes with 5x optical zoom, you'll also be able to take live panorama shots using the 26mm wide angle lens. Designed for functionality, the sturdy hinged display will be a portal to Samsung's new Smart Touch 3.0 interface which allows quick touch access to the camera's main features.   Samsung NX200 Samsung's flagship camera, the NX200 is designed to bridge the gap between compact and SLR just as the NX100 did before it. Offering a 20.3MP APS CMOS Sensor, the NX200 has a ISO range from 100-12,800 and allows 7fps continuous shooting.   Elsewhere on the camera you'll find a 3" AMOLED display along with Samsung's iFunction feature which allows you to make subtle changes to brightness, contrast and ISO all through a control dial on the lens itself. To offer true functionality the NX200 is also compatible with all NX Lenses opening up a huge range of cusomisation options.   What do you think of the Samsung line-up, anything caught your eye? Let us know what you think on Facebook and Twitter. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

IFA 2011: Hands on with Sony's new tablets Posted: 01 Sep 2011 04:00 AM PDT Posted by Luke Peters on Thu 1 Sep 2011 Following Sony's unveiling of the Tablet S and Tablet P at IFA 2011 in Berlin, T3 gets a hands-on look at the two devices set to give the Apple iPad a run for its money Let's make it clear, the tablet war is currently a one-horse race. The Apple iPad is not only thrashing the competition in terms of sales - over 10 million iPad and iPad 2 devices have been sold thus far - but has the best content to sate the appetite of anyone new or old to technology. Kudos, then, to Sony for (finally) launching its own brace of innovative tabs, aiming to take some of the deep-rooted limelight from Apple Corp. And as mission statements go, Sony CEO, Howard Stringer, was confident in his IFA 2011 press conference: "It's not who makes the first tablet, but who makes the best"   So, what are they like? The Sony Tablet S fits nicely in the hand. Lightweight, with a dimpled back that adds a premium feel when using it. The 9.4-inch touchscreen display is bright and colour-rich but is susceptible to a smattering of fingerprints after a few minutes use. But then, who's isn't? The 'raised' design not only makes typing comfortable but the unique design gives it the air of a product that's had a lot of drawing-board love. Sony was keen to point out the virtues of its virtual remote control app, which seems to work well. The line 'control any device in your home' (as long as it has an IR receiver) is one that Apple can't claim out of the box and the S's ability to 'gesture' control volume, Sky+ playback and other commands is a neat trick. Related links Sony Alpha A77 and A65 official Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc review Sony S1 now known as Sony Tablet S Panasonic products: All the details from IFA 11 'Throwing' content from the Tablet S to another device is simple enough. Just tap the (AirPlay-looking) icon to wirelessly push content from the tablet to a HDTV or hi-fi. Sony told us that this would work with any media device that's connected to your home network. We'd like to try this ourselves.   The third area we were shown was gaming. These two devices are the first 'PlayStation Certified' tablets, which equates to being able to download and play 'heritage' (old) PSOne games. In reality, the experience isn't great – the conversion process has rendered games like Crash Bandicoot very pixelated. And, like the Xperia Play, they're not full screen. The option to customise the size of virtual controls on the tablet screen is a nice one, though. A plastick-y cover pops off the side to reveal micro USB and SD slots that can be employed to transfer photos from a memory card or transfer data from an external hard drive. The interface is very pretty, especially when browsing media files, and Android 3.1 seems to work well when flitting between apps and in general use. Again, we'd like more time to explore the plethora of features and how good the browser is in real-world events. An Android 3.2 update is promised in the coming months. First impressions are that the Sony Tablet S is up there with the best of the Android tablet bunch. The unique design sets it apart from the bland array of slabs and the features Sony is touting seems to suggest that its looking to attract those who want a tablet that will work with all their existing kit. The Tablet P is interesting. Looking like a cross between an old Nokia Communicator and a Nintendo DS, the clamshell design is neat, fits in a (big) pocket when closed and feels sturdy enough to endure a daily commute. It doesn't sport the IR features of the Tablet S, but can 'throw' media content like its bigger brother. However, while the appearance of the PlayStation button logos will please some, like the S, gaming was underwhelming. We'd like to see an array of better titles launched to really take advantage of the Tegra 2 processor. Nevertheless, the dual-screens are clear and sharp, the ereader feature is easier on the eye than expected and it's quick to switch between menus. Websites stretch between both screens when browsing and it's fast to zoom into pages and between sites. The Tablet P runs Android 3.1 but, again, is promised a 3.2 upgrade soon. While our experience of the Tablet P in the confined environment of a German exhibition hall was good, we'd need to see how well it copes out and about. It's impossible to do anything but consume content when holding it with one hand and we question how much content creation will be possible on the small screens. Nevertheless, it's a different (albeit expensive) spin on the new tablet world and we're keen to see what more Sony develops for it.   So do you like what you see? Whether you're excited or underwhelmed, let us know what you think via the T3 Facebook and Twitter pages.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Philips 9000, 8000 and 7000 Smart LED TVs announced Posted: 01 Sep 2011 03:33 AM PDT Posted by Adam Bunker on Thu 1 Sep 2011 Philips' keynote at IFA 2011 breaks the company's updated line of top end TVs, while the company joins forces with LG and Sharp for a world-beating Smart TV ecosystem... This morning was Philips’ turn to take to the stage at IFA 2011 in Berlin. While the company unveiled a smattering of top new tech, the obvious headliner was these: the 9000, 8000 and 7000 ranges of smart TVs. All the new sets benefit from enhanced processing engines with Perfect Natural Motion, which allow features such as split screen gaming and rendering of up to 2 billion pixels per second. The 8000 and 9000 pack in Philips’ 3D Max technology, allowing for 180 degree viewing angles of active full HD 3D TV. More from the T3 App Chart Best TVs LG Optimus 3D phone video Best projectors Best phones 2011 These two also boast 2D to 3D conversion, which you can customise with depth adjustment. Meanwhile, the lesser 7000 has what Philips calls Easy 3D – which we think translates as passive 3D tech, with lower energy consumption and a lower price.   Philips TV pictures - See the new Philips Smart LED TV range   The most exciting feature is the smart media portal, which brings music, video on demand, online networking, games and apps via the Net TV software. In 2D mode, 2 players can play games on the 8000 and 9000 TVs as standard split screen, but turn on 3D Max and don your specs, and each player’s screen will magically see their own screen grow to fill the entire screen. Philips has teamed up with LG and Sharp to make its smart TV ecosystem a world force. This should, if nothing else, make Samsung a bit nervous. The 9000 and 8000 LED TVs are both 46-inches, while the 7000 is a slightly larger 47-inch. The 58-inch widescreen Cinema 21:9 Display has also been upgraded to feature Smart TV. Are these LED sets the highlight of IFA 2011 so far? Let us know on the T3 Twitter feed, and keep it locked to T3 for the rest of the news, features and hands-ons from the show.     This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 announced at IFA 2011 Posted: 01 Sep 2011 03:24 AM PDT Posted by Richard Wordsworth on Thu 1 Sep 2011 Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 will make "a splash" in the next few months. Samsung's pre-IFA press conference has just wrapped up, with a couple of tasty surprises for tablet fans. While consumers looking for maximum portability may plump for the jumbo-sized mobile (or should that be micro-sized tablet?) that is the Samsung Galaxy Note, fans of previous iterations of the Samsung Galaxy Tab will surely be chuffed with its latest incarnation: the all-new Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7. Click here to launch our gallery of Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 pictures Related links IFA 2011 Berlin: Gadgets we expect to see Best gadgets of IFA 2011 Sony tablets at IFA 2011: Hands-on pics Sony products: IFA 2011 roundup First and foremost, there's that screen. At 7.7 inches, it's a throwback to the original Galaxy Tab that Samsung announced at IFA last year, and significantly smaller than the current Samsung tablet flagship, the Galaxy Tab 10.1. It's also the first tablet with a Super AMOLED display, meaning consumers should expect all the rich contrast that wowed us on the Samsung Galaxy S2 smartphone. Under the hood, there's a 1.4GHz dual-core processor and the latest iteration of the Android operating system, Honeycomb 3.2. Also included are the obligatory cameras (3MP on the back, 2MP on the front), and the ability to make calls like comically huge smartphone. All this they've wrapped up in a sturdy-looking aluminium chassis, measuring in at 7.89mm thick and weighing 335g. That would make the Galaxy Tab 7.7 the thinnest and the lightest tablet on the market, almost half the weight of the iPad 2's 600g and almost a millimetre thinner (although, of course, some of that weight will be accounted for by the iPad's extra two inches of screen). Samsung's speakers weren't specific about a release date for the Galaxy Tab 7.7, saying only that it will be landing "with a splash" sometime in the next few months. More, as ever, when we hear it.   This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

IFA 2011: Samsung 700T Tablet officially unveiled Posted: 01 Sep 2011 03:20 AM PDT Posted by Luke Peters on Thu 1 Sep 2011 Samsung is not to be outdone on the tablet front, as the Korean tech giant has brought the Series 7 700T tablet to the fray. Samsung has added to its tablet array at IFA 2011 officially unveiling the Samsung Series 7 700T Slate PC, a Windows 7 powered device aimed at the business market.   Packing a PC punch in a tablet form the Series 7 700T is to land packing an Intel Core i5 processor with 4GB of RAM with a 64GB SSD for storage included alongside Microsoft’s Windows 7 Home Premium operating system.   Related links Samsung TX100 unveiled as 'slider' tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 review Samsung Galaxy S2 white release soon Samsung Galaxy S2 White pictures leak Hosting an 11.6-inch touchscreen display Samsung’s first Windows 7 tablet device measures in at just 12.9mm thick, a mere 970g in weight and is to be powered by a Li-Ion battery that is claimed to tout 6.6 hours of use time.   Continuing its PC-esque credentials the 700T features an array of connectivity options with the tablet standard Wi-Fi abilities joined by a single USB 2.0 port, micro HDMI connector, microSD card slot and a SIM slot to allow for 3G connectivity.   Packaged with a dock cradle and Bluetooth keyboard to further assist business users, the Samsung 700T is to bridge the gap between dedicated laptops and tablets when it lands later this year priced £999.   Has the announcement of the Samsung 700T Series 7 Slate PC given you second thoughts about splashing out on an iPad or Android powered tablet? Let us know via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Apple iPhone 5 prototype lost in bar Posted: 01 Sep 2011 02:00 AM PDT Posted by Joe Minihane on Thu 1 Sep 2011 History has once again repeated itself as yet another supposed prototype model of the Apple iPhone 5 is left in a San Francisco bar   An Apple staffer has once again misplaced a prototype - this time of the iPhone 5 - in a San Francisco bar. The news comes just a year after an unreleased Apple iPhone 4 was misplaced in a Californian bar and sold to a gadget website, sparking a wave of controversy.   Related links iPhone 5 release date imminent? iPhone 5 release date UK imminent? iPhone 5 specs: Metal backplate? iPhone 5 pictures: Are these real? iPhone 5 rumours: The latest Best iPhone apps This latest incident has not led to any online spy shots, although Apple is said to have reported the matter to police when the loss occurred back in July at the Cava 22 bar. Having traced the phone to an apartment in San Francisco, police searched the property and quizzed the man who lived there, but found no evidence.   Furthermore, Apple staff who were present at the search are said to have offered cash to the man for the safe return of the phone. He continued to deny any knowledge of the device.     The news will be acutely embarrassing for Apple after it suffered such a huge security breach last year. Whether the lost device is a final Apple iPhone 5 model remains unclear. Either way, Apple will be desperate to get its new phone announced so it can avoid suffering the same fate as it did in the run up to the iPhone 4’s release.   Via CNet This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

iPhone 5 prototype lost in bar Posted: 01 Sep 2011 02:00 AM PDT Posted by Joe Minihane on Thu 1 Sep 2011 History has once again repeated itself as yet another supposed prototype model of the Apple iPhone 5 is left in a San Francisco bar   An Apple staffer has once again misplaced a prototype - this time of the iPhone 5 - in a San Francisco bar. The news comes just a year after an unreleased Apple iPhone 4 was misplaced in a Californian bar and sold to a gadget website, sparking a wave of controversy.   Related links iPhone 5 release date imminent? iPhone 5 release date UK imminent? iPhone 5 specs: Metal backplate? iPhone 5 pictures: Are these real? iPhone 5 rumours: The latest Best iPhone apps This latest incident has not led to any online spy shots, although Apple is said to have reported the matter to police when the loss occurred back in July at the Cava 22 bar. Having traced the phone to an apartment in San Francisco, police searched the property and quizzed the man who lived there, but found no evidence.   Furthermore, Apple staff who were present at the search are said to have offered cash to the man for the safe return of the phone. He continued to deny any knowledge of the device.     The news will be acutely embarrassing for Apple after it suffered such a huge security breach last year. Whether the lost device is a final Apple iPhone 5 model remains unclear. Either way, Apple will be desperate to get its new phone announced so it can avoid suffering the same fate as it did in the run up to the iPhone 4’s release.   Via CNet This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Toshiba Excite Android tablet spotted Posted: 01 Sep 2011 01:00 AM PDT Posted by Joe Minihane on Thu 1 Sep 2011 Toshiba Excite set to replace chunky Toshiba Thrive. The Toshiba Excite, the tech giant’s next-gen Android tablet, has already been the subject of a pretty comprehensive leak. And now the slimline tablet has been snapped in the wild, with spec details also slipping out.   Related links Amazon tablet rumours: What we know so far Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 ban: How will it end? IFA 2011 Berlin: Gadgets and tech we expect to see   The new size zero slate is set to replace the Toshiba Thrive, known on these shores as the AT100. Under the hood it’s said to have a 1.5 Ghz processor, 1GB of RAM, as well as micro SD, micro USB and dual cameras.   Toshiba is set to hold a press conference at 4pm UK time today at the IFA gadget fest in Berlin. Expect to see the Excite lead the line as it looks to push its Android credentials in an ever-crowded market.   We’ll be bringing you all the news from Toshiba’s press event live, so stay tuned fir all the details. And remember to tell us what you think of the Excite on our Facebook and Twitter pages.   Via Notebook Italia This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Google rolls out offline Gmail, Docs, Calendar Posted: 31 Aug 2011 11:34 PM PDT Posted by Joe Minihane on Thu 1 Sep 2011 Offline Gmail, Docs and Calendar were all trailed at Google I/O. Google has officially started rolling out offline access to Gmail, Docs and Calendar. Its plans were initially revealed during Google I/O at the start of the summer. Gmail is available offline as of today, while Calendar and Docs access is being rolled out over the next week. Related links Google adds priority inbox to Gmail Google offers free calls from Gmail Gmail returns to UK after 5 years   Offline Gmail access requires you to download a dedicated web app from the Chrome Web Store. Once you’ve done that, you can use Gmail without internet access by tapping the Gmail Offline button. The app is based on the Gmail tablet app and promises breezy functionality and sleek, intuitive design.   Offline Calendars allows you to RSVP to events and tweak appointments. However, offline document editing isn’t yet available as part of the new Docs package. You can view documents and spreadsheets though.   You’ll need to be using Google Chrome (or a Chromebook) in order for offline access to work. But that’s a small price to pay to be able to play with your cloud-based files and messages. Started using the Big G’s new offering yet? Tell us all about it on our Facebook and Twitter pages.   Link: Official Gmail Blog This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Facebook Music service launching 22 September Posted: 31 Aug 2011 11:14 PM PDT Posted by Joe Minihane on Thu 1 Sep 2011 Facebook Music offering set to get official after months of rumours. Facebook will launch its much-vaunted new music service on 22 September at its f8 developer event. That’s according to US network CNBC and a host of other sources which claim to have knowledge of Zuckerberg and co’s plans.   Related links TechEtiquette: Facebook Facebook membership decline? Facebook app review   Exact details of the service, expected to be called Facebook Vibes, remain under wraps. One insider, however, did tell Reuters that, “…They [Facebook] are working on a platform for music where the goal is to create a connective tissue for fans.”   The chatter follows talk of a Facebook and Spotify hook-up back in May, which suggested users could play tracks from the streaming service directly through the social network. Word is that US services such as Rdio and MOG will also be included, with Facebook keen to include as many different services as possible.   Expect to hear plenty more about Facebook’s music plans in the next few weeks. We’ll be bringing you all the news as it happens, so keep it locked here and to our Facebook and Twitter feeds. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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