Nexus 10
Monday, January 20, 2014
Is Samsung working on a 8-core, 11-inch Nexus tablet
Google and Samsung will join forces once again to launch a Nexus 11
tablet, which will boast the Korean company's Exynos 5 octa-core
processing technology, according to reports.
The mostly reliable Sam Mobile site
claims to have uncovered Samsung's tablet roadmap for 2013, which
includes a Google-branded Nexus device that may launch later this year.
The
site says it'll be the first tablet ever to offer the eight-core
processor, which appears in some international versions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone.
The
so-called Nexus 11 will, naturally, boast an 11-inch Super PLS TFT
screen according to the report, with 8 and 2-megapixel cameras and up to
64GB of storage through micro SD.
If this were to come to
fruition, it would seem likely that it would arrive whenever Google
decides to refresh its Nexus tablet line-up later this year.
Apparently,
the Nexus 11 isn't all Samsung has up its sleeve, Sam Mobile reckons.
The site lists three more tablets including a dual-core Galaxy Tab 11
and a quad-core Galaxy Tab 8.0.
Also on the agenda, according to
the site, is a Samsung Galaxy Tab 'DUOS' 7.0, which would offer dual-sim
functionality and a dual-core processor.
Obviously, it'd be wise
to take this report with a pinch of salt at the moment, but we
certainly wouldn't rule out a Google/Samsung Nexus 11 tablet sometime in
2013, especially seeing as Samsung built the popular and affordable
Nexus 10 tablet for Google last year.
Via Sam Mobile
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Judge denies Samsung a retrial over contentious Apple 'rubber-banding' patent
Judge Lucy Koh handed down a ruling on Thursday denying Samsung's motion to retry a high-profile patent case between the two rivals based on changes to the scope of Apple's so-called "rubber-banding" scrolling patent.
Apple scored another victory on Thursday in the legal wrangling surrounding its lawsuit against Samsung when Judge Lucy Koh denied Samsung's request for a retrial on the Korean company's infringement of Apple's rubber-banding patent, known colloquially as the '381 patent, according to FOSS Patents.
The patent, which covers the rebounding effect seen when a user scrolls to the end of a list on an Apple device, was a key piece of Apple's 2012 victory in the lawsuit. The United States Patent and Trademark office tentatively rejected all claims in the patent in April of this year, but was confirmed by the government agency in June.
In her ruling, Judge Koh also confirmed that a limited retrial to adjust the amount of damages awarded to Apple will proceed. Judge Koh has already cut the award, originally set by the jury at more than $1 billion, by more than 40 percent.
Apple scored another victory on Thursday in the legal wrangling surrounding its lawsuit against Samsung when Judge Lucy Koh denied Samsung's request for a retrial on the Korean company's infringement of Apple's rubber-banding patent, known colloquially as the '381 patent, according to FOSS Patents.
The patent, which covers the rebounding effect seen when a user scrolls to the end of a list on an Apple device, was a key piece of Apple's 2012 victory in the lawsuit. The United States Patent and Trademark office tentatively rejected all claims in the patent in April of this year, but was confirmed by the government agency in June.
In her ruling, Judge Koh also confirmed that a limited retrial to adjust the amount of damages awarded to Apple will proceed. Judge Koh has already cut the award, originally set by the jury at more than $1 billion, by more than 40 percent.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Apple releases iPhone 5c ad first shown at last week's special event
Apple has released an iPhone 5c television spot the company first showed off at its iPhone media event last week, highlighting the device's plastic shell in a variety of vibrant colors.
The ad, titled "Plastic Perfected," is a bit of a departure from the most recent iPhone ads in that it focuses solely on the product, a style still used with the iPod lineup.
Set to Sleigh Bells' hit track "Rill Rill," the short 30-second clip shows an iPhone 5c being "built up" with liquified plastic seemingly poured into an invisible mold, hammering home that the phone is made of polycarbonate.
Unlike the last iPhone 5 commercials, which were powerful and contemplative, the iPhone 5c spot is all about the phone. Specifically, it's all about one feature of the phone: the plastic shell.
Ending the commercial is a flat black iOS 7 Apple logo and the text "Coming Soon."
Not much can be said about the ad aside from how divergent it is compared to Apple's recent direction in iPhone marketing. It can be assumed that the company is targeting a different demographic with the 5c spot, as it has a "fun" feel to it. Apple has yet to create a "feature" commercial for the iPhone 5s, though short snippets showing off the forthcoming handset's functions have been uploaded to YouTube.
The ad, titled "Plastic Perfected," is a bit of a departure from the most recent iPhone ads in that it focuses solely on the product, a style still used with the iPod lineup.
Set to Sleigh Bells' hit track "Rill Rill," the short 30-second clip shows an iPhone 5c being "built up" with liquified plastic seemingly poured into an invisible mold, hammering home that the phone is made of polycarbonate.
Unlike the last iPhone 5 commercials, which were powerful and contemplative, the iPhone 5c spot is all about the phone. Specifically, it's all about one feature of the phone: the plastic shell.
Ending the commercial is a flat black iOS 7 Apple logo and the text "Coming Soon."
Not much can be said about the ad aside from how divergent it is compared to Apple's recent direction in iPhone marketing. It can be assumed that the company is targeting a different demographic with the 5c spot, as it has a "fun" feel to it. Apple has yet to create a "feature" commercial for the iPhone 5s, though short snippets showing off the forthcoming handset's functions have been uploaded to YouTube.
Friday, December 20, 2013
BlackBerry demos world’s first smartphone to car video chat
BlackBerry Live
During the BlackBerry Live Keynote, the Canadian handset manufacturer carried out the world’s first smartphone to car video chat, demoing upcoming technologies.
Utilising a BlackBerry Z10 handset and a stunning Bentley car, BlackBerry showed how it is working on in-car video calls, with users soon to be able to make face-to-face video chats from their smartphone synced in-car entertainment systems.
Although demoed on a concept vehicle, the in-car video call shows where future in-car capabilities are going to head, with the demonstration Bentley boasting a BB10 powered system further enhanced by a 17-inch touchscreen display.
Functioning in much the same way as modern smartphone sync entertainment systems, the smartphone to car video call demonstration saw BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins chat with one of the company’s product managers.
While offering new business potentials, in the interest of safety, however, these video calling features will not be available at all times, with drivers able to make use of in-car video calls only when their car is stopped, with calls automatically switching to audio only communications when the car begins to move.
As well as showing the world's first smartphone to car video call, the BlackBerry Live keynote saw the unveiling of the BlackBerry Q5, a new budget QWERTY hosting handset with four colour schemes set to see it appeal to youth markets.
More to follow.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Battlefield 4 campaign mode details unveiled, introduces Tombstone Squad
Battlefield 4
EA has teased a range of new Battlefield 4 campaign mode details, confirming gamers will take control of Sergeant Daniel Recker, a member of the elite Tombstone squad.
Sent on a mission deep into Azerjaian, the latest Battlefield 4 story line previews have revealed gamers will be caught whilst looking to glean intelligence on a potential coup in China. The resulting furore will reportedly see World War 3 become a distinct possibility, with the Tombstone Squad again tasked with easing tensions.
Late last month developer DICE revealed that the Battlefield 4 campaign mode would be far less linear than that of its predecessor, with a selection of multiplayer elements able to be introduced at gamers’ discretion.
“There are signature multiplayer elements that we want to bring into single-player,” DICE’s General Manager Karl-Magnus Troedsson said of the upcoming game. “We want to give the player a choice. Do they want to go for the sneaky approach with a sniper rifle and a silenced pistol, or do they want to take the jeep and have the entire squad shoot at everything they see?”
Officially unveiled earlier this year, a Battlefield 4 release date has already been confirmed for both current and next-generation consoles, with the eagerly awaited first-person shooter to touch down for the upcoming Xbox One and PS4 consoles after hitting PS3 and Xbox 360 platforms.
The full Battlefield 4 campaign mode description as confirmed by EA reads as follows:
“In Battlefield 4, you take on the role of Sergeant Daniel Recker, member of an elite group of soldiers known as Tombstone squad. While on a mission to collect intelligence from a defecting Russian General in Baku, Azerbaijan, your squad is discovered and you must fight your way through waves of Russian troops in order to escape. Upon getting back to the USS Valkyrie, a Wasp class carrier, the intelligence you've retrieved confirms previous suspicions. The Chinese Admiral Chang is planning a coup in China, and if this happens, the Russians would back him up.
“With this intel secure, the USS Valkyrie sets a course for Shanghai. You and Tombstone squad are sent on a covert mission into the city to extract a group of VIP's. China is in uproar after the U.S. has been implicated in the assassination of Jin Jié, the future leader and voice for peace in China. Admiral Chang has cancelled elections and martial law has been declared. As U.S. and Russian naval forces position themselves off the coast of China, and the situation quickly escalates into a stare down akin to a tinderbox waiting for a spark.
“In Shanghai, protestors clash with police as the streets are filled with chaos and turmoil. Tombstone manages to find the VIP's, among them a CIA field operative known as Laszlo W. Kovic. With him is a mysterious individual that the Chinese military has been franticly searching for. Together with Kovic you fight your way out of Shanghai and back to the Valkyrie as countless civilians flee the city, many of which are brought aboard the Valkyrie as refugees. With communications dead, the Valkyrie sets course for Singapore to rendezvous with the USS Titan and the 7th US carrier group at their last known position. As you reach Singapore you are shocked to find a horrific scene of fire and mayhem. The flagship is sunk and its fleet is eradicated, and from this point on nothing is certain.”
Read More: Battlefield 4 Review – Hands-on
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Apple bans Saga #12 comic for gay sex images
Saga comic
Apple has banned a comic written by acclaimed writer Brian K. Vaughan for two “postage stamp-sized images of gay sex”, the author announced.
Vaughan has released a statement criticising Apple’s decision to ban the latest issue of Saga, which has always been aimed at more mature readers due to its explicit and graphic nature.
The new Saga issue was due to be released this week and featured two small images depicting gay sex acts displayed on the TV set head of one of the characters, Prince Robot IV, when he is lying injured on a battleground.
“As has hopefully been clear from the first page of our first issue, Saga is a series for the proverbial ‘mature reader’,” said writer Brian K. Vaughn in a statement on his publisher’s Tumblr page. “Unfortunately, because of two postage stamp-sized images of gay sex, Apple is banning tomorrow’s Saga #12 from being sold through any iOS apps.”
“This is a drag, especially because our book has featured what I would consider much more graphic imagery in the past, but there you go. Fiona [Staples, Saga’s artist] and I could always edit the images in question, but everything we put into the book is there to advance our story, not (just) to shock or titillate, so we’re not changing shit”.
The science fiction comic book series follows the story of new parents, Marko and Alana, struggling to raise their newborn child in the midst of a galactic war, and often features graphically violent images. Charlie Jane Anders at sci-fi site io9 described Saga content as often featuring “some intense stuff, including straight sex, bloody violence and child birth.”
Despite Apple having a strict anti-porn policy in its App Store, the iPhone 5 manufacturer has still faced a backlash of criticism for its decision to ban the sale of Saga #12. The Saga series has already featured other sexual content including bare breasts and situations that include child prostitution, but Apple has not previously banned the comic or required Vaughn to make changes.
Due to this, the books industry has been very vocal about the ban, calling the move “homophobic”. The New Statesman said previous issues of the comic featured “larger issues of heterosexual orgies”, which were allowed to pass through Apple’s selective filters.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Following Apple, Microsoft to open mini-stores in Best Buy
Much as the Redmond giant attempted to do with its own dedicated retail locations, Microsoft will now follow Apple's lead in opening mini-stores in Best Buy retail locations across North America.
Microsoft and Best Buy announced the collaboration on Wednesday, noting that it will bring Windows-focused mini-stores to 500 Best Buy locations in the United States and more than 100 Best Buy and Future Shop locations in Canada. The stores will be between 1,500 and 2,200 square feet in size, and they will showcase devices running Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, Microsoft's Xbox products, Windows software, and Microsoft's hardware peripherals.
Microsoft will provide training for more than 1,200 Best Buy sales associates in order to help them better pitch products to customers.
For Microsoft, the move may make it better able to compete against Apple in the new computing paradigm. The company's Windows 8 platform has continued to struggle in the face of a weakening PC market and an exploding mobile device market.
Microsoft has attempted to follow Apple's lead in the past, opening its own retail stores. Those locations, though, have failed to reproduce the considerable success Apple has achieved with its physical locations.
For Best Buy, the new Windows Stores are a continuation of a trend that has seen the retailer reaching out to major electronics brands, getting them to open mini-stores within Best Buy locations in an effort to transform the retailer. Best Buy has struggled to retain relevance in the era of online shopping, and one big problem the retailer faces is "showrooming," wherein customers check out devices within Best Buy before going home to order them online.
Apple was the first company to get its own dedicated mini-stores within Best Buy, with distinctive installations showing off MacBooks, iPads, and iPhones. Samsung has followed suit recently, opening 1,400 mini-stores over the past few months.
Microsoft and Best Buy announced the collaboration on Wednesday, noting that it will bring Windows-focused mini-stores to 500 Best Buy locations in the United States and more than 100 Best Buy and Future Shop locations in Canada. The stores will be between 1,500 and 2,200 square feet in size, and they will showcase devices running Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, Microsoft's Xbox products, Windows software, and Microsoft's hardware peripherals.
Microsoft will provide training for more than 1,200 Best Buy sales associates in order to help them better pitch products to customers.
For Microsoft, the move may make it better able to compete against Apple in the new computing paradigm. The company's Windows 8 platform has continued to struggle in the face of a weakening PC market and an exploding mobile device market.
Microsoft has attempted to follow Apple's lead in the past, opening its own retail stores. Those locations, though, have failed to reproduce the considerable success Apple has achieved with its physical locations.
For Best Buy, the new Windows Stores are a continuation of a trend that has seen the retailer reaching out to major electronics brands, getting them to open mini-stores within Best Buy locations in an effort to transform the retailer. Best Buy has struggled to retain relevance in the era of online shopping, and one big problem the retailer faces is "showrooming," wherein customers check out devices within Best Buy before going home to order them online.
Apple was the first company to get its own dedicated mini-stores within Best Buy, with distinctive installations showing off MacBooks, iPads, and iPhones. Samsung has followed suit recently, opening 1,400 mini-stores over the past few months.
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