Brands « Tech bytes for tea?

Archive for the ‘Brands’ Category

LG Optimus 3D launched in Singapore

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

Available at S$938 (incl GST without contract) in Singapore in end August, the latest Android smartphone from LG allows users to create 3D photos and video using the phone and to view 3D content and play 3D games without wearing any 3D glasses.

LG Optimus 3D launched today at Marina Bay Sands

LG Electronics today launched the LG Optimus 3D at its LG Live outlet at Marina Bay Sands.

The new Android smartphone boasts a “Tri-Dual” architechure – dual-core, dual-channel and dual-memory – promising improved performance when multi-tasking, viewing graphics-intensive websites, watching a movie or playing graphics-intensive games.

It also brings glasses-free 3D experience into the palms of its users. LG wants to empower its users to immerse themselves in 3D – from creating 3D photos and video, to enjoying them, and beyond that to sharing 3D media with others – all from a smartphone.

Create, enjoy, share

Optimus 3D smartphone from LG To create 3D photos and video, the user can use the dual 5 megapixel stereoscopic cameras on board to shoot 3D stills and footage. Alternatively, users can use included software on the smartphone to convert existing 2D photos and videos into 3D. Free software for converting 2D games will be available for download (more details to be announced soon)

Optimus 3D smartphone from LG To enjoy 3D media – and this is where LG is all excited about – the user does not need to wear 3D glasses. By using double-layered screen technology, the two images for the left and right eyes are are interlaced with each other and sent separately to both eyes so that the left eye only sees the image meant for the left eye and the right eye only sees the image meant for the right eye.

Optimus 3D smartphone from LG LG boasts that the cross-talk between the two images – the extent to which pixels meant for one eye is seen by the other eye – is extremely low. I tried it myself and found the 3D images gave a strong sense of depth and dimensionality – very realistic without any nausea even after more than 10 minutes of use.

The intensity of the 3D effect can be reduced or turned off – based on user’s preference – similar to the Nintendo 3DS game console. The sweet spot for optimal 3D effect seems to be about 30 cm away from the screen.

The 4.3-inch WVGA display offers bright and flicker-free images in HD, up to 1080p in 2D and up to 720p in 3D.

In case the user drops the smartphone after purchase and the dual stereoscopic cameras get misaligned, the Optimus 3D allows re-calibration of the cameras by correcting the images captured via software to account for any mis-alignment.

The Optimus 3D comes preloaded with 10 free 3D games including titles such as Nova, Asphalt 6 and Let’s Golf 2.

Play 3D games on the LG Optimus 3D Captured 3D content can be shared with 3D TVs via an HDMI 1.4 connection and the phone can also send content to any DLNA Certified device. In addition, users can upload and stream 3D content on YouTube’s dedicated 3D channel (www.youtube.com/3D).

Smartphone and 3D gizmo

Even without its 3D functionality, the Optimus 3D serves as a highly powered smartphone with top-notch graphic performance, web browsing experience, raw computing speed and high video resolution.

The LG Optimus 3D smartphone was launched in Singapore today.

For 3D buffs, it offers a chance to own a 3D camera and glasses-free 3D viewing/playing device and a gadget to share and interact with 3D content on the Web.

The LG Optimus 3D offers the best of both worlds and places both functionalities into a single device. This class of gadgets will surely bring 3D into the lives of the average smartphone user.

The main specifications of the Optimus 3D can be found here.

Tags:3D, Android, cameras, launch, LG, smartphone
Posted in 3D, Android, Cameras, Events, Gadgets, Launch, LG, Operating Systems, Phones, Photography, Photos, Prices, Specifications | No Comments »

HTC EVO 3D arrives in Singapore

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

The EVO 3D is the first smartphone with “glasses-free” 3D display to be launched in Singapore. The Android-Gingerbread (2.3) smartphone will be available at all mobile operators and authorized retailers at a suggested retail price of S$895 in August 2011.

The HTC EVO 3D empowers the user to capture and view photos and video in 3D through a brilliant high-defintion 4.3-inch QHD 3D display, which does not require the wearing of special 3D glasses.

The HTC EVO 3D features a powerful 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon dual-core processor, dual 5 megapixel cameras, which can be used to capture both conventional 2D and stunning 3D images and videos.

With integrated 3D HD (720p) video capture and the latest version of HTC Sense, HTC EVO 3D will enable users to easily and seamlessly post 3D media to YouTube or Facebook.

Its integrated DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) capability allows fast and easy to sharing of stored music, pictures and user-generated HD video wirelessly with other DLNA-certified home electronics, including HDTVs, monitors, digital cameras, printers and more.

Connection via an HDMI cable (sold separately) enables sharing of user-created 3D video content via a 3D TV.

Access 3D movies and games through the EVO 3D

According to ABI Research (Dec. 20, 2010) mobile 3D devices will be driven by three key applications: creation of user-generated 3D content by integrated video and still cameras, playback of 3D content and 3D gaming.

It also anticipates that mobile devices may turn out to be the most successful form factor towards bringing 3D technology into mainstream markets.

HTC EVO 3D will be pre-loaded with HTC Watch which provides access to a large catalog of movies, including 3D titles optimized for viewing on the HTC EVO 3D’s 4.3-inch screen.

HTC Watch offers the latest new releases on the same day that they become digitally available in the region. Customers can buy or rent digitally and download directly to their smartphone, along with select 3D movies.

Rentals will be available for viewing on one screen within at least 30 days of rental, with a 24-hour or 48-hour viewing period once the title is first played.

The HTC EVO 3D ships with a whole library of multimedia entertainment that includes The Green Hornet 3D Movie (limited stocks available) and games such as Spider-Man: Total Mayhem HD, Need for Speed SHIFT and The Sims 3.

HTC has also teamed up with Chalkboard, a large location-based network in Southeast Asia to offer HTC EVO 3D users access to a catalogue of local offers wherever they go.

Main features of the HTC EVO 3D are summarised here.

Tags:3D, Android, cameras, HTC, smartphone
Posted in 3D, Android, Cameras, Gadgets, HTC, Launch, Operating Systems, Phones, Photos, Prices, Specifications | 2 Comments »

Seagate ships 1 million solid state hybrid drives

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

Momentus XT hybrid drive adoption soars as major computer makers ship in in their laptops. Major computer makers including Alienware, ASUS, Dell, Sony and Toshiba now offer laptops powered by the 500 GB, 72 RPM, 2.5-inch drive that blends performance rivaling solid state drives with the enormous capacity and much lower cost of hard disk drives.

The Momentus XT is a 500 GB, 7200 RPM solid state hybrid drive from Seagate.

Seagate has shipped its one millionth solid state hybrid drive for laptop PCs after launching the product – Momentus XT – in spring 2010.

The Momentus XT solid state hybrid drive, a 7200 RPM drive with up to 500 GB of capacity, boots up to 50 percent faster than traditional 5400 RPM drives and sets new benchmarks for real-world system performance for laptops and gaming systems.

Seagate’s Adaptive Memory technology is key to the drive’s speed, optimizing its performance by moving frequently used information into the 4GB of onboard solid state memory for faster bootup and application access.

“Seagate’s shipment of its one millionth Momentus XT drive is just the beginning of abright future for solid state hybrid drives,” said John Rydning, research director at IDC.

The problem with today’s high-performance SSDs for mobile computing is that they cost as much as 10 times more than hard disk drives of the same capacity, with the price of a 250GB SSD outstripping even the cost of many laptop PCs.

Most consumers and system builders are unwilling or unable to pay the high price for the greater speed of SSDs. The Momentus XT drive promises SSD-like speed at a fraction of the cost and more capacity options.

“Fast, capacious, and economical hybrid HDD and NAND flash storage solutions like the Momentus XT drive will be found in roughly 25 percent of all new PCs shipped in 2015,” added Rydning.

Momentus XT drives are offered in these laptops and systems:

ASUS Republic of Gamers G73JH
Sony VAIO VPCSC1AFM/S
Toshiba Satellite E305-S1990X
Alienware M17X and M18X Gaming Laptops
Dell Optiplex 990 Workstation

Seagate is demonstrating the Momentus® XT hybrid drive at the Flash Memory Summit, Aug. 9-11, in Santa Clara, California.

Tags:accessories, Seagate
Posted in Accessories, Gadgets, Launch, Seagate, Specifications | No Comments »

BlackBerry App World 3.0 now available in BlackBerry Beta Zone

Monday, August 8th, 2011

BlackBerry smartphone users can more easily discover and download apps, games, and themes via the BlackBerry App World 3.0 storefront.

Users can personalize their BlackBerry smartphone, find the hottest games and entertainment and get apps to stay connected with the people who matter.

New features in BlackBerry App World 3.0 include:

Sleek New Design
New Channels
Introduction of My Account
New My World Features
App Social Sharing
Evolved App Details Screen
More Search Options

The App will likely come out of beta and be officially released about a month from now.

BlackBerry Beta Zone is the place where Research In Motion (RIM) communicates with and receives feedback from beta participants.

Members of BlackBerry Beta Zone, will have the opportunity to sign up for beta programs and be among the first to try out new BlackBerry software before it’s released to the general public.

Feedback from the beta trial helps future BlackBerry products better meet the needs of customers.

Tags:App World, Apps, BlackBerry, RIM, smartphone
Posted in App, BlackBerry, BlackBerry OS, Phones, RIM, Software | 1 Comment »

Main features of BlackBerry 7 operating system

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

First announced in May, the BlackBerry 7 OS introduces a next generation BlackBerry browser with a significantly faster and more fluid web browsing experience. RIM reports that Internet browsing performance on BlackBerry 7 based smartphones are up to 40% faster than BlackBerry 6 based smartphones and up to 100% faster than BlackBerry 5 based smartphones.

BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 smartphone from RIM

BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930

Research In Motion (RIM) is launching five new BlackBerry smartphones based on the BlackBerry 7 Operating System (OS) – two new BlackBerry Bold models (9900 and 9930) and three new BlackBerry Torch models (9810, 9850 and 9860).

The improved performance of the WebKit browser engine is combined with the hardware enhancements to enable users to browse the web faster and more smoothly.

BlackBerry Torch 9850/9860

Enhancements to the BlackBerry browser have also optimised zooming and panning for smoother web navigation and optimised HTML5 performance for better gaming and video experiences.

RIM’s new BlackBerry 7 based smartphones also feature Liquid Graphics technology, with each smartphone combining a dedicated high-performance graphics processor with a fast CPU and high resolution display to deliver a highly responsive touch interface with fast and smooth graphics.

BlackBerry Torch 9810

For communications, BlackBerry 7 based smartphones feature the regular integrated suite of phone, email, messaging and social apps to keep users connected and productive throughout the day.

Recent enhancements include the newest release of BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) which now extends the real time BBM experience to a range of other “BBM connected” apps. The updated Social Feeds (2.0) app has been extended to capture updates from media, podcasts, and favourites all in one consolidated view. The new Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones (2.0) app introduces features like Facebook chat and BBM integration that makes it easier for users to connect with their Facebook friends in real time.

BlackBerry 7 OS also includes a number of other pre-loaded applications and integrated functionality for increased productivity and collaboration right out of the box.
Documents to Go Premium on BlackBerry App World
The Premium version of Documents To Go is now included free of charge, offering users powerful document editing features as well as a native PDF document viewer.
Free BlackBerry Protect in App World
BlackBerry Protect is also pre-loaded, offering customers the peace of mind that personal data can be backed up and secured in the cloud.

BlackBerry Balance is now integrated in BlackBerry 7, allowing users to enjoy the full BlackBerry smartphone experience for both work and personal purposes without compromising the IT department’s need for advanced security and IT controls.

The popular universal search capability has been enhanced with support for voice-activated search, so users can now simply speak to begin searching their device and the web for information.

Tags:9810, 9850, 9860, 9900, 9930, BlackBerry, BlackBerry 7, Bold, RIM, Torch
Posted in BlackBerry, BlackBerry OS, Bold, Gadgets, Launch, Operating Systems, Phones, RIM, Software, Specifications, Torch | 7 Comments »

RIM introduces a slew of five new BlackBerry 7 smartphones

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

In its largest global launch of BlackBerry smartphones in its history, RIM announced the Bold 9900 and 9930, as well as the Torch 9810, 9850 and 9860.

Research In Motion (RIM) today announced plans to launch five new BlackBerry smartphones based on the BlackBerry 7 Operating System (OS). RIM is rolling out two new BlackBerry Bold models and three new BlackBerry Torch models, all running the powerful new BlackBerry 7 OS.

The launch of this family of handsets will be RIM’s largest global launch ever and more than 225 carriers and distribution partners around the world have already commenced or completed over 500 certification programmes for these 5 new handsets.

Featuring RIM’s next generation of hardware and software platforms, these five new BlackBerry 7 based smartphones offer users a variety of designs to choose from.

The new BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 are RIM’s thinnest smartphones ever, each offering a large keyboard and brilliant touch display.

The new BlackBerry Torch 9810 smartphone builds on the popularity of the BlackBerry Torch 9800 and combines a large touch display with a convenient slide-out keyboard. The BlackBerry Torch 9850 and 9860 introduce an all-new, all-touch design featuring the largest display on a BlackBerry smartphone to date.

“We think users will be thrilled by the faster performance, enhanced browsing and richer multimedia delivered by these powerful new BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Torch smartphones,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO of Research In Motion.

The BlackBerry 7 OS introduces a next generation BlackBerry browser with a significantly faster and more fluid web browsing experience. The improved performance of the WebKit browser engine is combined with the hardware enhancements found in the BlackBerry 7 based smartphones.

The new smartphones feature a 1.2 GHz processor, HD video recording, 24-bit high resolution graphics, and sensors enabling new augmented reality applications such as Wikitude that can be seamlessly integrated with BBM 6.

Display and keyboards

BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 Smartphones with Touch Display and Keyboard

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 series is the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone yet (at only 10.5mm) and was the first to offer the union of a high performance keyboard and touch display. The brushed stainless steel frame adds a nice finishing touch to the design.

The new BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 are also the first BlackBerry smartphones to include built-in support for Near Field Communications (NFC ), a new technology that is enabling many new and exciting capabilities, including the ability to pair accessories or read SmartPostertags with a simple tap of the smartphone.

BlackBerry Torch 9810 Smartphone with Touch Display and Slide-Out Keyboard

Building on the popular design of the BlackBerry Torch 9800, the new BlackBerry Torch 9810 is faster and more fluid with high performance hardware features and the new BlackBerry 7 OS delivering an enhanced multimedia experience. Featuring a large 3.2”, high resolution touch display and the distinctive BlackBerry keyboard that easily slides out to allow faster typing, the BlackBerry Torch 9810 offers users the best of both worlds.

All-Touch BlackBerry Torch 9850 and 9860 Smartphones

The BlackBerry Torch 9850 and 9860 smartphones offer the fast, fluid BlackBerry 7 experience in a new all-touch design. With a spectacular new 3.7” display, the largest ever on a BlackBerry smartphone, the new all-touch BlackBerry Torch 9850 and 9860 smartphones are optimised for displaying web pages, photos, videos, and powerful gaming experiences and still deliver quality real-time communication and collaboration experience.

Availability

The next generation of BlackBerry smartphones will begin to be available from carriers around the world starting later this month. Availability dates for specific devices from specific carriers will be announced in conjunction with RIM’s partners.

Apple suit delays Samsung launch of tablet in Australia

Monday, August 1st, 2011

Samsung has agreed not to sell its latest Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer in Australia until Apple’s patent lawsuit against it in Australia is resolved.

Apple told the Federal Court in Sydney yesterday that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 infringes ten Apple patents, including the “look and feel,” and touchscreen technology of the iPad.

Galaxy Tab 10.1 from Samsung The Cupertino, California-based company sought an Australian injunction to stop Samsung from selling the tablet in Australia because Samsung has had “announcements of an imminent launch of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 device ongoing since July 20,” Bloomberg quoted Apple’s lawyer, Steven Burley, as saying. It also wants to prevent Samsung from selling the tablet in other countries, although Burley did not name the countries.

Samsung has agreed to stop advertising the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia and will not sell the device until it wins court approval or the lawsuit is resolved. The accord between lawyers from both companies were reached during a break in the hearing.

If Apple eventually loses its patent infringement lawsuit, it has agreed to pay Samsung unspecified damages.

Apple first sued Samsung in the U.S. claiming that the Galaxy tablets “slavishly” imitated the designs and technologies used for its iPad and iPhone. Samsung retaliated with lawsuits in South Korea, Japan, Germany and the U.S. The Suwon, South Korea based company supplies memory chips to Apple.

As part of the agreement submitted in court, Samsung will provide Apple three samples of the Australian version of the tablet computer at least seven days before any plans to launch it in Australia so Apple could review it, according to the agreement submitted in court. This was because Apple’s claim in Australia was based on a U.S. version of the Galaxy tablet, which is different, Neil Murray, the lawyer representing Samsung disclosed.

The Federal Court Justice Annabelle Bennett has scheduled a hearing for August 29 to review the status of the case and set a trial date if necessary.

Tags:Apple, Galaxy, iPad, patent, Samsung, suit, Tab, tablets
Posted in Apple, Gadgets, iPad, Samsung, Tablets, Tech news | No Comments »

RIM marries apps with social networking by launching BBM6

Saturday, July 30th, 2011

Just as Facebook has apps and games on its social networking platform, Research In Motion (RIM) is allowing BlackBerry apps to leverage the extensive BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) network and its social networking features – in its newly released BBM6.

BBM allows BlackBerry users to communicate and interact with each other with ease The BBM platform hosts one of the largest mobile social networks in the world. BBM version 6 (BBM 6) provides support for “BBM connected” apps, allowing users to easily interact with each other from within the BBM connected app.

With a BBM connected game app, users can invite their BBM friends to join them in a game and then chat with one another in real time while the game is being played – without having to leave the game app.

New functionality

Some of the additional functionality users can expect to see with BBM connected applications include the ability to:

Share app experiences with friends – When users discover a new BBM connected app they likes, they can instantly let their friends know about it. Users can simply select a BBM contact directly within the BBM connected app they are using.

Have a BBM chat within apps – Users can simply pull up their BBM contact list directly from within the BBM connected app and start chatting. The functionality can enable everything from enhanced social game play to collaboration through productivity apps.

Discover apps through friends – Users can also discover new apps by viewing the list of apps that are posted to a BBM friend’s profile. They can also click on an app within the list, and instantly download it from BlackBerry App World.

The BBM 6 software is available for free download. A selection of BBM connected apps are already available on BlackBerry App World. Some Asia-based developers who have integrated BBM6 into their apps include:

“BBM6 represents an incredible opportunity for developers to leverage the viral nature of the BBM service,” said Alistair Mitchell, VP, BBM Platform & Integrated Services at RIM.

Koprol – A location based social networking app now integrates with BBM6 to enable users to chat with people nearby.

Elasitas – The creator of several gaming apps has integrated BBM6 chat functionality into its Menoo, Gamemachi and MiMoMachi apps.

Bouncity – The location based gaming company has integrated BBM6 into its app to enable users to simply share what they are doing with their social network.

Tags:Apps, BBM, BBM6, BlackBerry, RIM
Posted in App, BlackBerry, Gadgets, Launch, Phones, RIM, Software | 3 Comments »

New Facebook app for BlackBerry PlayBook

Friday, July 29th, 2011

Version 2 of the Facebook for BlackBerry Playbook app is now available in the BlackBerry App World storefront. The free app, produced by Research In Motion, include new features such as Facebook Places, viewing of Facebook Events, the ability to view “Likes”, and privacy control on status updates.

Facebook Places lets you share where you are, what you’re doing, and the people you’re with. If you grant permission, Facebook Places uses location-based technology on your BlackBerry PlayBook tablet to inform you about nearby Places.

Whenever you check in to a Place, you can tag a friend and post a comment. If your friends have also activated this feature, you can see where they’re are checking into. For nearby places, you can check out the Place’s page to see the people you know who has been there and the comments that they’ve posted.

Facebook Places is also integrated with Bing Maps so that you can view the location of a Facebook Place on a map and get directions by clicking on the map image.

Facebook Events allows you to view upcoming events and birthdays, and receive notifications of new invitations that have been generated through Facebook. You can view event details like time, place, guest list and RSVP or write on the event Wall, if those features have been enabled by the event organizer.

With the Facebook app, you can now see the names of friends that liked your post and tap those names to launch their profiles.

The app allows you to specify that people who can see each update you share. Simply click the lock icon in the lower-right corner of the status publisher to select who you want to make the status update visible to before posting it.

Tags:app, Facebook, Playbook, RIM, tablets
Posted in BlackBerry Tablet OS, Gadgets, Launch, PlayBook, RIM, Tablets | No Comments »

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.

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 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.

Furthermore, 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 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.

Tags:BlackBerry, Facebook, RIM, smartphones
Posted in App, BlackBerry, BlackBerry OS, Gadgets, Launch, Phones, RIM, Software | 1 Comment »

Tech bytes for tea?