Archive for 2011

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New Facebook app for BlackBerry smartphones

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

Research In Motion has announced the availability of Facebook 2.0 for BlackBerry smartphones. The free app is now available in the BlackBerry App World storefront.

Facebook 2.0 for BlackBerry smartphones features a new navigation grid and a notifications bar, with Messages, Friend Requests and Chats all in one convenient location

The Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones v2.0 app sports a complete makeover in the user interface and is compatible with BlackBerry smartphones running Device Software v5.0 and above. To check the version of your smartphone’s software, here are the instructions.

The Facebook app features a revamped user interface which includes a new navigation grid and a notifications bar, with Messages, Friend Requests and Chats all in one convenient location.

Facebook Chat is now fully integrated with the smartphoneFacebook Chat is now fully integrated with the smartphone, so you can start a conversation within the Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones app or from the Messages app on the smartphone. You’ll be notified of new chat messages even when you’re not using the Facebook app.

An enhanced News Feed allows easier scrolling and easier interaction with your friend’s posts. Simply click the ‘More’ button (+) to ‘Like’ or add a comment to a post. The enhanced publisher functionality allows you to post photos to your Wall, add an update, or check in to a Facebook Place right from the News Feed.

An enhanced News Feed enables easier browsing and interactionFurthermore, there’s Redefined Notifications updates you of polled items – those notifications that aren’t delivered through BlackBerry push technology – such as ‘Likes’ and Event Wall posts.

The new Profile interface now provides Wall, Info, and Photos tabs for an even better browsing experience. New to v2.0 is the ability to view key information on Profiles and Pages, such as contact info, basic info like birthdays, hometown and relationship status, and likes and interests. Mutual Friends lets you discover which friends you have in common with another user.

The Facebook app is deeply integrated with core BlackBerry functionalityThe app is also integrated with core BlackBerry functionality, such as your BlackBerry Message list, BlackBerry Contacts, BlackBerry Calendar, BlackBerry Browser and now even BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM). You can share Facebook posts with BBM contacts and invite friends to BBM when you come across a PIN posted on Facebook.

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Posted in App, BlackBerry, BlackBerry OS, Gadgets, Launch, Phones, RIM, Software | 1 Comment »

Cisco sells new wireless-N USB adapter

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

In addition to the Linksys family of switches for wired devices, Cisco has also released the Linksys AE 1000 Wireless-N High-Performance USB Adapter (S$59), which enables users to upgrade their Windows-based laptops and desktops to the latest wireless-N technology.

The Linksys AE1000 Wireless-N USB adapter from Cisco.

The Linksys AE1000 Wireless-N USB adapter from Cisco.

The Linksys AE1000 High-Performance Wireless-N USB Adapter provides Wireless-N capability to Windows desktop computers and laptops. It features selectable dual-band wireless-N, so that the computer can connect to either a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz wireless network.

A USB extension cable and adapter base are included for improved wireless connectivity – ideal for hard-to-reach USB ports. Customisable security settings, such as WPA/WPA2 Personal and WPA/WPA2 Enterprise help avoid wireless freeloaders and Internet threats.

The Linksys AE1000 High-Performance Wireless-N USB Adapter is priced at S$59.

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Posted in Accessories, Cisco, Desktops, Gadgets, Notebooks, Prices, Specifications | No Comments »

Cisco unveils new switches for wired home networking

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

Even though Cisco has terminated the FLIP portable video recorder, its consumer products division continues to produce home networking equipment for wired devices. Today it unveiled three Linksys switches that promise both simplicity and performance.

The Linksys family of switches from Cisco for home networking of wired devices.

The Linksys family of switches from Cisco for home networking of wired devices.

Cisco today unveiled three new powerful but simple-to-use Linksys switches for home office and entertainment use. These are the Linksys SE1500 (S$39), SE2500 (S$69) and SE2800 (S$99) switches.

“The new switches provide consumers and home workers with the ability to easily expand their home network and benefit from multi-connected high-bandwidth wired office and entertainment devices,” said Brett Wingo, General Manager, Cisco Home Networking Business Unit.

The new switches enable users to expand home networks and easily connect wired devices such as computers, printers, storage devices, scanners, games consoles, and Internet enabled TVs.

Complementing the Linksys E-Series routers, the new switches include features to enable faster and more simple wired connections. These include plug-and-play, making initial set up straightforward and eliminating the need for configuration. Quality of Service (QoS) traffic prioritisation technology lets auto-sensing ports automatically optimise speed for each connected device.

The power-saving modes include auto power-down to disable unused ports, sleep mode when all ports are inactive and smart power for short cable runs. The switches are ideal for consumers or home office workers seeking an alternative to wireless connections for multiple wired devices, or simply to extend their existing network.

Linksys SE1500 5-Port Fast Ethernet Switch Linksys SE2500 5-Port Gigabit Switch Linksys SE2800 8-Port Gigabit Switch
<click to enlarge> Cisco Linksys SE1500 Fast Ethernet switch Cisco Linksys SE2500 Gigabit switch Cisco Linksys SE2800 Gigabit switch
Num of Ports / Speed 5 x Fast Ethernet
up to 100 Mbps		 5 x Gigabit
up to 1000 Mbps		 5 x Gigabit
up to 1000 Mbps
Price (SGD$) S$39 S$69 S$99

The Linksys switches are available at the following retailers: Challenger Superstore, Harvey Norman, Best Denki, Courts, South Asia Computer, PK Computer, Inforcom Technologies, Fuwell, A Genuine Technology, Cybermind Computer House, Cyberactive Technology and Bizgram.

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Posted in Accessories, Cisco, Gadgets, Launch, Prices, Specifications | No Comments »

Olympus announces SRP for PEN E-P3 kits at S$1,298 and S$1,548

Monday, July 25th, 2011

Olympus has announced the Suggested Retail Prices (SRP) of the PEN-E-P3 in Singapore. Available in black, silver and white and bundled with an 8 GB SD card, the 14-42mm Lens Kit is priced at S$1,298 (incl GST), while the Twin Lens Kit will set you back by S$1,548 (incl GST).

Olympus E-P3 14-42mm Lens Kit, priced at S$1,298.00 (incl GST).

Olympus E-P3 14-42mm Lens Kit, priced at S$1,298.00 (incl GST).

The E-P3 14-42mm Lens Kit is priced at S$1,298.00 (incl GST) and includes both the body and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R lens.

Olympus E-P3 Twin Lens Kit, priced at S$1,548.00 (incl GST).

Olympus E-P3 Twin Lens Kit, priced at S$1,548.00 (incl GST).

The E-P3 Twin Lens Kit is priced at S$1,548.00 (incl GST) and includes the body, the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R lens and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6R lens.

The white and silver camera bodies will come with silver lenses while the black bodies will be matched with black lenses.

Both options come bundled an 8 GB SD card. The body is available in black, silver and white. Black camera bodies will be matched with black lenses. Silver and white camera bodies will come with silver lenses.

The Olympus PEN E-P3 can be purchased from Olympus authorised retailers.

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Posted in Cameras, DSLR, Gadgets, Olympus, Photography, Prices | No Comments »

Company byte: Western Digital Corporation

Sunday, July 24th, 2011

Western Digital (NYSE:WDC) is one of the largest computer hard disk drive manufacturers in the world. WD was founded in 1970 by a former Motorola employee.

Western Digital CorporationWestern Digital provides products and services for people and organizations that collect, manage and use digital information. The company designs and produces reliable, high-performance hard drives and solid state drives that keep users’ data accessible and secure from loss.

Its technologies are configured into applications for client and enterprise computing, embedded systems and consumer electronics, as well as its own consumer storage and home entertainment products.

The company’s storage products are marketed to leading OEMs, systems manufacturers, selected resellers and retailers under the Western Digital and WD brand names.

Other postings on tech4tea.com related to Western Digital can be found here.

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Posted in Accessories, Appliances, Company byte, storage drive, TV, Western Digital | 8 Comments »

Unexpected loss from TomTom as portable navigation devices lose popularity

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

Europe’s largest maker of portable navigation devices reported a surprise second-quarter loss after writing down the value of assets to reflect a declining market for those devices.

TomTom, Europe's largest maker of portable navigation devicesThe company reported a net loss of 489 million euros compared with a profit of 34 million euros a year earlier. The average forecast of nine analysts surveyed by Bloomberg was net income of 10.7 million euros.

Portable navigation devices from TomTomThe company took an impairment charge of 512 million euros in the quarter “reflecting the reduced outlook” for the personal navigation device market. Of the charge, 473 million euros related to goodwill. Sales decreased 13 percent to 314 million euros.

Earlier on June 27, TomTom had reduced its full-year profit and sales forecasts, saying U.S. demand for its devices had declined faster than anticipated and that consumers were opting for cheaper navigation systems.

Amsterdam-based TomTom was founded in 1991 and listed in 2005After the statement, TomTom’s stock plunged 27 percent the day after. Its shares have declined 54 percent this year, reducing the market value of the Amsterdam-based company value to 812 million euros. Its U.S. rival Garmin has gained 5.6 percent this year.

Built-in car navigation from TomTomMaaike Noordhuis of Bloomberg reports that TomTom, which competes with Garmin and Google, aims to get more revenue from maps, services and built-in systems in cars amid a slowdown in sales of portable navigation devices.

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Posted in Figures, Gadgets, GPS, Tech news, TomTom | No Comments »

New Android tablets from Lenovo to debut in the U.S.

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

Two new tablets based on Android 3.1 will hit the shelves in the U.S. Lenovo, China’s largest maker of personal computers, will be launching the IdeaPad Tablet K1 (from $499) and the Thinkpad Tablet (from $479).

Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet K1, from $499. Orders from July 20, 2011. Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet, from $479. Available from August 2.
Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet K1 (from $499), orders from July 20, 2011; and the Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet (from $479), available from August 2.

Lenovo began sales of its LePad tablet in China in March. Its two new tablet devices will be competing in a tightly fought market dominated by Apple’s iPad.

IdeaPad Tablet P1 from Lenovo, based on Windows 7, coming this fall.

Lenovo's IdeaPad Tablet P1, based on Windows 7, is coming this fall.

Hewlett-Packard, Dell and Lenovo, the world’s three biggest makers of PCs, are introducing new tablets as the popularity of Apple’s iPad eats into demand for desktop and notebook computers.

Gartner reports that global PC shipments rose 2.3 percent in the three months ended June – much less than the 6.7 percent increase predicted by the research house.

Although the two tablets uses the Android operating system from Google, Lenovo plans to launch a new tablet- the IdeaPad Tablet K1 – in the fourth quarter based on the Windows 7 operating system from Microsoft.

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Posted in Apple, Dell, Gadgets, HP, iPad, Launch, Lenovo, Tablets, Tech news | No Comments »

China sales of iPhone and iPad helps Apple profits beat estimates

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

Apple’s stock price surged past $400 for the first time, after record sales of iPhones and iPads pushed third-quarter profit beyond estimates. Net income during the period was $7.31 billion ($7.79 per share), which is more than double of last year’s $3.25 billion ($3.51 per share). This was helped by iPhone sales in China, where total revenue jumped sixfold to $3.8 billion.

Apple's Q3 2011 Unaudited Summary DataOverall sales jumped 82 percent to $28.6 billion. Analysts had predicted a profit of $5.87 per share and a revenue of $25 billion. Apple sold 20.3 million iPhones and 9.3 million iPads in the third quarter, which ended June 25. Mac computer sales were 3.95 million

Having overcome supply shortages for the iPad 2 after its March debut, saw sales of the iPad soar, reported Adam Satariano of Bloomberg. The tablet is now Apple’s second-largest source of revenue – behind the iPhone – less than two years after its initial launch.

After the results were released, Apple shares shot up 7.5 percent to $405 in extended trading. The stock is up 17 percent this year.

The report eased investors’ concerns that sales would suffer from the lack of a new iPhone, which isn’t expected until September. The Cupertino, California-based company also has been operating without the day-to-day attention of Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs, who has been on medical leave since January.

“China was very key to our results,” said Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook, who has been handling day-to-day leadership at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, since Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs’s medical leave in January.

Apple’s results assuaged worries by investors that sales would suffer because a new iPhone will only be available in September. Its foray into China and other fast-growing economies helped compensate slower growth in the U.S. Sales in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong accounted for $8.8 billion in the first three quarters of the fiscal year, Apple revealed.

The Wall Street Journal has cited unmamed sources familiar with the issue that since Jobs went on leave, some members of Apple’s board have discussed CEO succession with executive recruiters. The talks included at least one head of a high-profile technology company, the Journal added.

The results also substantiated the belief that tablets are cannibalizing sales from traditional personal computers. Apple claims that 86 percent of Fortune 500 companies are testing or deploying the iPad, and disclosed that sales of the tablet beat those of the Mac computer among primary and secondary schools.

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Posted in Apple, Figures, Gadgets, iPad, iPhone, Phones, Tablets, Tech news | No Comments »

Akamai Launches Global NetAlliance Partner Program

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

The company helps systems integrators, application and infrastructure service providers, and technology partners to address the challenges of doing business in the cloud.

Information about the program and how to joinAkamai has announced its NetAlliance Partner Program for global IT solution providers. This program will help partners to integrate Akamai services into their offerings, and to pass the value of Akamai’s globally-distributed platform on to customers. With this program, Akamai is recruiting partners across platforms to help its customers leverage the Cloud for business success.

The Akamai NetAlliance partner program is designed to enable new members to:

“As the demands on today’s enterprise rapidly evolve, IT decision makers must find the optimal solutions for cloud computing, security, mobile strategies, and site and application performance,” said Brad Rinklin, vice president of Global Marketing & Alliances for Akamai.
  • Leverage integrated solutions with leaders in the public, private and hybrid-cloud markets
  • Add and scale revenue streams to their business with Akamai solutions that have a low barrier-to-entry
  • Help customers reduce costs and improve efficiencies in their datacenter consolidation by off-loading traffic to Akamai
  • Integrate a secure Internet platform to their cloud offerings by providing unmatched quality and performance
  • Increase global reach through Akamai’s global Internet platform
  • Access robust market development funds and Akamai training/certification programs
“Our focus on creating a diverse channel has allowed us to bring customers best-of-breed solutions for leveraging cloud business models without compromising security, reliability or performance. The Akamai NetAlliance Partner Program is about creating an eco-system of proven technology leaders in all regions of the world who are committed to advancing how business is conducted online,” Rinklin added.

Having built global alliances with IT leaders including HP, Jive Software, Rackspace® Hosting, Telefónica and Verizon, Akamai has also established partnerships with leading regional technology providers and integrators around the world to collaborate on solutions for today’s enterprise.

Some of those existing alliances across Asia Pacific Japan; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and South America, include 77 Agency, Arturai, Boreus, DMX Technologies Sdn. Bhd, Exceda, Kinmax Technology Inc., and Mikotek International Corporation, among others.

“2011 is a big year for extending Akamai’s channel as we made significant global investments to help our partners scale their business with our NetAlliance Partner Program,” said Martin Häring, vice president of International Marketing and Channels at Akamai.  “Our partners leverage Akamai’s innovative services to overcome inefficiencies inherent across the Internet. In collaboration with NetAlliance partners, Akamai is transforming the Internet into a reliable, high-performance platform for cloud services or any other Internet-based enterprise application.”

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Posted in Cloud, Events, Tech news, Technology | No Comments »

Apple updates Mac mini

Monday, July 18th, 2011

The Mac mini will be updated with next generation Intel core processors, new discrete graphics, high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology and Lion, the Mac’s newly released operating system.

Starting at a suggested retail price of S$788 (inc GST), the new Mac mini will be available from July 20, 2011.

The new Mac mini delivers up to twice the processor and graphics performance of its predecessor, while maintaining its compact form factor of just 19.7 cm2 and 3.6 cm thin.The new Mac mini delivers up to twice the processor and graphics performance of its predecessor, while maintaining its compact form factor of just 19.7 cm2 and 3.6 cm thin.

Available in three different configurations, customers can choose a Mac mini with the latest dual-core Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 processors, AMD Radeon HD 6630M discrete graphics, or a quad-core Intel Core i7 powered server configuration.

Suggested retail price of the new Mac mini starts at S$788 (incl GST).

Suggested retail price of the new Mac mini starts at S$788 (incl GST).

Designed without an optical disc drive, Mac mini can access the optical drives on other PCs and Macs, and works with the MacBook Air SuperDrive. Configure-to-order options include up to 8GBs of memory, a faster 7200 RPM hard drive and a 256GB solid state drive.

Plenty of expansion possibilities for the Mac mini.

Plenty of expansion possibilities for the Mac mini.

Mac mini now comes with Thunderbolt I/O technology for greater expansion possibilities. With a Thunderbolt port, Mac mini can connect to peripherals such as high-performance storage devices, RAID arrays and the new Apple Thunderbolt Display.

The new Mac mini is up to twice as fast in terms of processor and graphics performanceThe Thunderbolt display is a 27-inch IPS widescreen display that will enhance the experience for making FaceTime HD video calls, surfing the Web and viewing movies and photos.

Ultra-fast Wi-Fi, enables wireless download of apps from the Mac App Store, data back-up to Time Capsule and quick and easy file sharing using AirDrop. Mac mini includes Bluetooth for wireless peripherals and four USB ports for easy connectivity for wired and wireless devices.

Every new Mac mini comes with Mac OS X Lion, the latest major release of the Mac’s operating system, and iLife apps for creating and sharing photos, movies and music.

Pricing & Availability

The new Mac mini will be available through the Apple Store and Apple Authorised Resellers.

SRP in SGD
(incl GST)		 Mac mini Configuration Optional upgrades
S$788 2.3 GHz
Dual-core Intel Core i5
2 GB memory
500 GB hard drive		 8 GB memory
750 GB hard drive
S$1,088 2.5 GHz
Dual-core Intel Core i5
4 GB memory
500 GB hard drive		 2.7 GHz
Dual-core Intel Core i7
8 GB memory
750 GB hard drive
256 GB solid state drive
S$1,348 2.0 GHz
Dual-core Intel Core i7
Lion Server
4 GB memory
dual 500 GB hard drive		 8 GB memory
2 x 750 GB hard drives
2 x 256 GB solid state drives

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Posted in Apple, Desktops, Gadgets, Launch, Mac OS, Operating Systems, Prices, Software, Specifications | 1 Comment »

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