Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Sony PlayStation Vita 3G Lands On Vodafone UK



The guys over at Vodafone just dropped is an email to let us know that the Sony PlayStationVita 3G is now available on their network in the UK, and the PS Vita 3G is available exclusively through Vodafone here in the UK.

Vodafone are offering the PlayStation Vita 3G for £279, and it comes with 4GB of storage, plus a pay as you go SIM card, WipEout 2048, when you top up the SIM card with £5 of data.



The PlayStation Vita 3G introduces the new pre-installed NEAR application which provides an array of new social gaming services not currently available on any other portable gaming console. This includes location based services and real social gaming on the move, allowing users to comment on and recommend games as well as track their friends’ locations through the inbuilt GPS which is exclusive to 3G models only.

You can find out more information about the PlayStation Vita 3G over at Vodafone.

N9Hacks: Make Opera (or others) Default Broswer (Terminal)

I’ve shown you how to select which browser you want to act as default, using an app. Sadly, Opera which we brought to your attention yesterday (as well as Helium Web Browser) doesn’t register on this app. To make it your default, follow the instructions below. As always, no responsibility if you brick your device,and SSH is recommended. (This tutorial assumes Dev Mode and nano are installed on the device.)
  1.  Download my zip file here
  2. Connect your device in Mass Storage and extract it to the root directory of device
  3. In terminal, enter the command
    cp -r /home/user/MyDocs/defaults.list /home/user/.local/share/applications/
That’s it!
If you want to change it to another browser not supported by the app, use the same file but then follow these additional commands
  1. cd /home/user/.local/share/applications/
  2. nano defaults.list
  3. Change operamobile-labs.desktop for the .desktop name of the browser (eg. fennec.desktop, web.desktop)
  4. ctrl + x, followed by y, then hit enter
Done! Now Opera will be your default browser. Also, if you look inside the Defaults Browser app, Oper Mobile is now an option.


Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G Coming To T-Mobile In March




T-Mobile has announced that the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G will be available on their network in the US in March, and the handset will be available for $150 when you sign up to a new two year contract with the carrier.

The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G will come with Android 2.3 Gingerbread and the device features a 4 inch Super AMOLED multi-touch display, plus a dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 1.5GHz processor.



Other specifications on the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G include a 5 megapixel rear camera which can record HD video in 720p and a front facing 1.3 megapixel camera for video chat.

The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G supports 42Mbps HSPA+ and the device will be available from T-Mobile store some time in March, the $150 price that we mentioned includes a mail in rebate of $50.

Source Engadget




LG Optimus 3D Max – same thing, but thinner and lighter

LG has just officially announced the long-rumoured reworking of last year’s Optimus 3D, which will launch in Korea in March before gradually rolling out to Europe and the rest of the world. It’s not a big update as the original Optimus 3D was a pretty powerful thing to start with, with this tweaked phone coming with a 1.2GHz dual-core OMAP4430 chipset, a 4.3″ glasses-free 3D display toughened with the latest Gorilla Glass 2 stuff, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of media storage space.
And it’s now 9.6mm thick/thin and has slimmed itself down to 148 grams.

It seems to have the same 5megapixel dual-lens system as found in last year’s model, plus it’ll arrive running Android 2.3 – with LG promising, as ever, an Android 4.0 update shortly after launch. Here’s a press release which is significantly more excited than it really ought to be:
LG WOWS THE WORLD AGAIN WITH OPTIMUS 3D MAX AT MWC 2012
More Than Just Glasses-Free 3D, Optimus 3D Max Pushes the Boundaries of Power Features and Performance
SEOUL, Feb. 22, 2012 – Following in the footsteps of last year’s glasses-free 3D smartphone, LG Electronics will publicly unveil the Optimus 3D Max at the 2012 Mobile World Congress (MWC). With powerful 3D technology and sleeker design, the Optimus 3D Max provides a complete 3D entertainment platform and marks a big leap forward in the ever-expanding 3D ecosystem.

“The Optimus 3D Max was born from LG’s constant efforts to bring user entertainment experience to a higher level,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The introduction of the Optimus 3D last year ushered in a new era for smartphones and Optimus 3D Max is real proof of LG’s commitment to portable 3D entertainment.”
LG Optimus 3D Max is equipped with diverse innovations and offers users with advancements including:
¦ True Performance Muscle with Latest Mobile Technologies
LG Optimus 3D Max is a powerful smartphone in both 2D and 3D mode and a pleasure to view with LG’s exclusive brightened display. 3G’s network speed has been also improved to HSPA+ 21Mbps. LG Tag+ offers advanced NFC (Near Field Communication) capabilities designed to promote greater user convenience. One of its benefits is automatic setting changes which are possible by creating predefined tags that are customized to certain modes such as car-mode, office-mode or sleep-mode. Depending on location, the predefined tags will automatically adjust various phone settings including Wi-Fi, bluetooth, GPS and sound volume.
Beyond its already innovative features, attendees of MWC 2012 will see some of the future benefits that will be made available through a Maintenance Release or an application available on the LG SmartWorld (www.LGsmartworld.com). Additional features include:
- HD Converter to offer HD quality on a TV connected through MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link), when transforming Open GL-based 2D games and applications to 3D and viewing Google Earth;
- Range Finder to calculate the distance between the camera and the subject as well as the dimensions of an object through triangulation;
- Out-focusing Shot to enhance camera quality beyond that of other smartphones through image processing using depth information.
¦ True 3D Entertainment Features with Improved 2D-3D Compatibility
Users can convert Google Earth, Google Maps and other road views into 3D using the enhanced 3D Converter. Furthermore, 3D photos and videos captured by the Optimus 3D Max can also be viewed in a single-screen mode in 2D, using the 3D Hot Key mounted on the side of the phone to easily toggle between 2D and 3D. LG also plans to continue expanding video contents, applications and games optimized for the 3D Converter available from the 3D Zone at LG SmartWorld.
¦ True Excellence in Design with Slimmer and Lighter Body
The LG Optimus 3D Max’s premium design comes from LG’s commitment to fine details. LG focused on trimming details on the design of the Optimus 3D Max by keeping only the essentials and eliminating everything else. Measuring only 9.6 mm thin and weighing 148 grams, the lean body with metallic and rounded edges incorporates the best 3D features in addition to desirable 2D features. The Optimus 3D Max includes unique 3D-style cubicle icons which users can customize with their own photos through the Icon Customizer.
The Optimus 3D Max will first launch in Korea in March and will gradually roll out in other markets starting in Europe. The device will receive an upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich from Android 2.3 Gingerbread shortly after the launch.
Key Specifications:
o Chipset: 1.2GHz Dual-Core processor (OMAP4430)
o Display: 4.3-inch 3D WVGA Display with Corning? Gorilla? Glass 2
o Memory: 8GB Internal Storage, 1GB Internal Memory
o Camera: 5MP Dual-lens
o OS: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
o Battery: 1,520 mAh
o Others: HSPA+ 21Mbps, HDMI connection 2D/3D TV/monitor up to 1080p via MHL, DNLA for wireless connection with TV/PC (3D video also supported), NFC Full Support, LG Tag+



Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Microsoft details SkyDrive for Windows 8, aims to take on iCloud



I think that SkyDrive is one of the best free services out there that many of you aren’t using, as it delivers 25 GB of free storage for your computer or your Windows Phone handset. Microsoft has detailed its plans for SkyDrive with Windows 8 and this looks to be a highly-credible competitor to Apple’s iCloud.
What is SkyDrive? It’s a free online storage service that has become deeply integrated into some Microsoft platforms and it will also have deep hooks into Windows 8. The company describes it as, “We think what people want in personal cloud storage is a single drive that’s available across all of their devices, tailored to the experiences they’re using, providing instant, secure, and private access to their files, and sharing files and folders with people they choose … Rather than using a patchwork of services, people can use one service to connect to their files – with no compromises. No copying files from one cloud to another just to share or collaborate. No converting files or having to switch to new apps. No searching across different storage areas to find files.”
Because it’s baked into Windows 8, that means app developers will be able to tie in SkyDrive in their apps. Basically, if your Metro-style app for Windows 8 has the ability to open or save documents and photos, you’ll be able to tap into SkyDrive. We detailed the “charm” to share documents when we looked at Windows 8 and you’ll soon be able to share via messages and SkyDrive. The advantages to sharing with SkyDrive is that you won’t be limited to attachment limits like you would on e-mail.
This is very neat on desktops and laptop machines but I believe this type of cloud storage will be incredibly important as we see Windows 8 come to tablets that are trying to take on the iPad.
Microsoft delivers a ton of details for developers and consumers on its blog, so go ahead and check out the via link below for some more details on SkyDrive. Also, be sure to check out our Cloud Comparison story to see how Apple, Google and Microsoft approach cloud storage and cloud computing.
[Via Microsoft]


Leaked photos show subtle taper, slightly thicker iPad 3 case design



MIC Gadget claims to have seen and handled the shell for the iPad 3. The part was supposedly given to them by one of their “most reliable sources.” The shots provided by the blog show a case with the familiar side volume rocker, bottom charging port, and rear-camera of the iPad 2. Some shots suggest the iPad 3 casing has the same overall same shape and size as the iPad 2, but with a slightly different taper.
The iPad 3 may also be slightly thicker than the iPad 2, but that perception depends on the angle of the photo as a side-by-side profile shows the two cases to be almost identical. MIC Gadget also claims the iPad 3 has a slightly larger camera hole. This subtle difference is difficult to see from the leaked photos, but it does fit in with the rumor that the next generation tablet will sport an 8-megapixel camera.
Apple’s big tablet event is rumored for March 7th, so we will have to wait for another week or so to get all the official details on the iPad 3. Until then, we can speculate on the rumors which suggest the iPad 3 may have LTE, a retina display and a faster quad-core A6 processor. A recent rumor fromWeiPhone dampens our enthusiasm as it suggests the processor in the iPad may be a derivative of the A5, and not the quad-core A6 everyone is drooling over. As with any rumor, take it with a healthy dose of skepticism.
[Via MIC Gadget]


Sony Xperia S Leaked Promo Video Reveals New Android User Interface


A newly Sony promotional video has been leaked which provide a glimpse of the new Android user interface that you can expect to see on Sony smartphones once its officially launched. The Xperiablog website were able to get there hands on the new Sony Android promo video detailing the new user interface and its features. Watch the video after the jump to see it in action.

The video which you can view after the break, reveals a couple of interesting new features such as a new home screen, FM radio, lock screen, gallery, music player and widgets.





Towards the end of the video the clip also reveals a quick peak at the awesome 3D-type SPB shell goodies. What are your thoughts on the new Android user interface?

You can expect lots more details to be officially released by Sony in next weeks Mobile World Congress MWC, and as always as more information comes to light regards it developments we will keep you up to date.
Source: Android Community