Archive for the ‘App’ Category

New Windows Phone 8 smartphones: Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820

Thursday, September 6th, 2012

Nokia has unveiled its new flagship smartphone – the Windows Phone 8 Nokia Lumia 920.

Together with the mid-range Nokia Lumia 820, these are its first Windows Phone 8 smartphones to be unveiled. Both will start shipping later this year.

Update (27 November, 2012):

The Lumia 920 (S$899) and Lumia 820 (S$699) will be available in Singapore shelves on 8 December 2012.

Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820 - the new Microsoft Windows Phone 8 smartphones.

Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820 – the new Microsoft Windows Phone 8 smartphones.

Both phones will be available in pentaband LTE and HSPA+ variants and are expected to start shipping in select markets later in the year.

Nokia will announce pricing and specific roll-out dates country by country when sales are due to begin.

The Nokia flagship Lumia 920 comes in yellow, red, grey, white or black

The Nokia flagship Lumia 920 comes in yellow, red, grey, white or black

The Nokia Lumia 920 incorporates the latest Nokia PureView imaging innovation.

It uses advanced floating lens technology that claims to take in “five times more light than competing smartphones without using flash, making it possible to capture clear, bright pictures and video indoors and at night”.

The mid-range Nokia Lumia 820 comes in red, yellow, grey, cyan, purple, white and black.

The mid-range Nokia Lumia 820 comes in red, yellow, grey, cyan, purple, white and black.

The touch-screen is able to differentiate between a bare finger and a glove one. You can still use the screen while wearing a ski glove.

Yellow Nokia Lumia 920 flagship smartphone running Microsoft Windows Phone 8 operating system.

Yellow Nokia Lumia 920 smartphone.

And it sports the same curved screen design I like in the Lumia 800.

The Nokia Lumia 820 comes with an exchangeable shell design that allows a range of colors, and enables wireless charging.

Beneath the shell is room to insert a microSD memory card.

Although both will feature a new faster 1.5GHz Dual Core Snapdragon S4 processor, the latest phones from Samsung, LG and Huawei will have Quad core processors, as will the iPhone 5 probably.

Nokia location suite

The Nokia Lumia 920 also comes with Nokia City Lens, the latest addition to the Nokia location suite.

The red and yellow Nokia Lumia 820.

The red and yellow Nokia Lumia 820.

By pointing the camera at a city street, City Lens overlays information about restaurants, shops, hotels and more on the surfaces of buildings, for the most intuitive way to explore surroundings.

Nokia City Lens is the start of a new augmented reality experience that also enhances Nokia Maps, making it possible to move between maps view and augmented reality view to help people check their direction and surroundings.

Nokia Drive and Nokia Transport have also been enhanced.

The Nokia Lumia 920 also comes with a large 2000mAh battery and features built-in wireless charging.

Wireless charging partners

Nokia Lumia 820 covers.

Nokia Lumia 820 covers.

Nokia also announced a range of wireless charging accessories and partnerships.

The Fatboy Recharge Pillow provides a fun way to recharge, while JBL introduced the JBL PowerUP, a wireless charging docking station with high quality audio in retro styling.

Deals with Virgin Atlantic to put wireless charging stations in the London Heathrow Clubhouse lounge and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to put charging plates on tables in some of their cafés, were the first of many deals Nokia intends to sign to take wireless charging outside the home and office.

Below are the key technical specifications for the Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820, as well as their respective detailed datasheets.

Nokia Lumia 920 Nokia Lumia 820
Display 4.5 inch Nokia PureMotion HD+ WXGA IPS LCD

Super Sensitive touch

ClearBlack technology with high brightness mode and Sunlight Readability Enhancements

4.3 inch ClearBlack OLED WVGA 800×480

SuperSensitive touch

ClearBlack technology with high brightness mode and Sunlight Readability Enhancements

Battery 2000mAh with integrated Qi wireless charging 1650mAh with support for Qi wireless charging
Processor 1.5GHz Dual Core Snapdragon S4 1.5GHz Dual Core Snapdragon S4
Main camera 8.7MP with Nokia PureView advanced optical imaging stabilization and Carl Zeiss optics

Full 1080p HD video capture at 30fps

8MP Auto Focus with Carl Zeiss opticsDual LED flash

Full HD 1080p video capture at 30fps

Front facing camera 1.2MP with 720p HD video VGA
Memory 1GB RAM32GB mass memory with 7GB free SkyDrive storage 1GB RAM8GB mass memory with microSD memory card support and 7GB free SkyDrive storage

Datasheet for Nokia Lumia 920

Datasheet for Nokia Lumia 820

Nokia launches its first Windows Phone 8 smartphones

Wednesday, September 5th, 2012

Nokia has unveiled its first hardware running the new mobile operating system from Microsoft.

The Finnish phone maker launched two Windows Phone 8 smartphones – Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 – in a joint media event between Nokia and Microsoft in New York today.

Steve Ballmer (CEO Microsoft) and Stephen Elop (CEO Nokia) brandishing the new Windows Phone 8 Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 smartphones.

Steve Ballmer (CEO Microsoft) and Stephen Elop (CEO Nokia) brandishing the new Windows Phone 8 Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 smartphones at Manhattan today.

The one-and-a-half hour session just ended five minutes ago.

The joint media event saw the unveiling of the Lumia 920 (with PureView) and Lumia 820, with NFC, more powerful processors (1.5GHz Dual Core Snapdragon S4), better displays and new  augmented reality apps (City Lens) for its location suite and enhancements to existing apps (Nokia Drive, Maps and Transport).

Check back at this space for more updates on new features of the two new smartphones.

RIM unveils details of BlackBerry US$10k Developer Commitment initiative

Wednesday, September 5th, 2012

RIM has announced the details to two initiatives to attract developers to the BlackBerry 10 platform: the US$10k Developer Commitment initiative and Built for BlackBerry initiatives.

RIM BlackBerry 10 US$10K Developer Commitment.

RIM BlackBerry 10 US$10K Developer Commitment.

First announced during BlackBerry 10 Jam Singapore, the US$10,000 Developer Commitment initiative is offered to developers that meet the following criteria.

US$10K Developer Commitment

Developers must certify their apps through the Built for BlackBerry program and submit them prior to the launch of BlackBerry 10.

RIM Built for BlackBerry developer initiative.

RIM Built for BlackBerry developer initiative.

Over the period of 12 months from launch of BlackBerry 10, if the app earns at least US$1,000 on its own but less than US$10,000, RIM will pay the developer the difference between the revenue earned and US$10,000.

Developers are only eligible to receive this one time. In the event where the app earns less than US$1,000 or more than US$10,000, the app is not qualified to be part of the program.

Built for BlackBerry

The Built for BlackBerry program will be initiated this September and allow developers to submit their BlackBerry 10 apps for third-party review.

From productivity apps to lifestyle apps to games, developers will be able to submit their BlackBerry 10 WebWorks or BlackBerry 10 Native app to the Built for BlackBerry program, and when cleared through the review, will receive the “Built for BlackBerry” quality status.

The “Built for BlackBerry” designation will convey to customers the added level of evaluation an app has gone through and that it meets RIM’s high standards for quality and performance.Developers will be able to display this title on their website, on the BlackBerry App World storefront, and anywhere else they market their apps.It is a means for professional developers to differentiate their apps on BlackBerry App World.

The program will be free for now.

Top 3 SingTel Grid Girls for Singapore Formula 1

Sunday, September 2nd, 2012

In the finale to SingTel’s series of roadshows leading up to the Singapore Grand Prix, SingTel has unveiled the Singapore Grand Prix trophy, the top three SingTel Grid Girls, Singapore’s fastest electric go-kart racer, and the champions of the F1 in Schools programme.

SingTel Grid Girls finalists waiting with bated breath for the results of the competition.

SingTel Grid Girls finalists waiting with bated breath for the results of the competition.

Fifth time title sponsor of the Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix had teamed up with race promoter, Singapore GP to organise the “F1 for Everyone” roadshows across Singapore.

Unveiling of the new FORMULA 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix trophy.

Unveiling of the new FORMULA 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix trophy. This photo courtesy of SingTel.

The weekend finale at Big Splash saw the unveiling of a new FORMULA 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix trophy.

Arrian North and Esther Leong at the roadshow.

Arrian North and Esther Leong at the roadshow.

The new trophy was crafted by local designer Nathan Yong.

It  resembles the interlocking branches and leaves of the laurel wreath, traditionally worn as a symbol of victory at sporting events in ancient Greece.

The circular shape of the trophy also represents Speed, Connection and Unity, symbolising the coming together of top international drivers in the Formula 1 races around the world.

The event was officiated by Mr S Iswaran, Minister in Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs & Trade and Industry.

Ashvin Sandhu and Rebecca Ly Dia Dore at the roadshow.

Ashvin Sandhu and Rebecca Ly Dia Dore, two of the top 8 finalists at the roadshow.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the top three 2012 SingTel Grid Girls.

Top Grid Girl in 2012 is 21-year-old Ashvin Sandhu.

Top Grid Girl in 2012 is 21-year-old Ashvin Sandhu.

This is the first time that the top three SingTel Grid Girls have been selected based purely on public SMS and online voting.

1st Runner-up Emily Chia.

1st Runner-up Emily Chia

The top three girls, who were crowned at the event, will get to hold the Singapore, Formula One and Singapore GP flags at the Singapore Grand Prix this year.

The Top Grid Girl this year is 21-year old Ashvin Sandhu, an avid F1 fan who has watched almost every race over the past few years.

In second place is 21-year old Emily Chia, a lover of fast cars.

In third place is 23-year old Esther Leong who thrives on the adrenaline of the race and extreme sports.

In order to reach out to everyone in Singapore, including families, youths and people with special needs, SingTel invited students from APSN Tanglin School to experience the electric go-karts at the first roadshow in the series.

Emily Chia, one of top 8 finalists of the SingTel Grid Girl competition.

Emily Chia, looking like a doll … Barbie?

F1 excitement was also brought to the schools.

2nd Runner-up Esther Leong

2nd Runner-up Esther Leong

Displaying finesse on the circuit, students from the “F1 in Schools” programme tried their hand at Singapore’s first ever electric go-kart experience in a bid to clock the fastest race time.

The “F1 in Schools” is an international competition where school children aged nine to 19 design, manufacture and race their miniature cars.

In another thrilling speed race but on a much smaller track, students put their self-made gas-powered miniature F1 cars to the test in an exciting time-based competition.

In addition, the public enjoyed their version of the “mini” race, setting off gas-powered miniature F1 cars in a bid to achieve the fastest possible reaction timings within 0.18 of a second to win attractive prizes.

If eyes could smile ...

If eyes could smile …

To encourage more people to embrace the F1 experience both on and off the track, SingTel and Singapore GP have launched two new applications, for iPhone and Android users, to be available on the App Store and Google Play.

If eyes could talk ...

If eyes could talk …

The SingTel application is a social app that acts as a guide to inform F1 fans of the exciting activities taking place this race season.

In addition, app users can share their favorite F1 moments, activities and photos with their friends.

The Singapore GP app is meant for serious F1 fans, and has the latest news on the 2012 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX.

It will keep users up to speed with the current driver and team standings, allowing them to take part in Singapore GP contests as well as purchase tickets to the night race.

Sneak peek: Episode 2 of SingTel TGIS Season 2

Tuesday, August 28th, 2012

Episode 2 of TGIS Season 2 is due tomorrow. But if you’re still awake, you can watch the embedded video here.

In this episode, Joanne-Marie chats with Singapore’s youngest iPhone developer: 12-year-old Lim Ding Wen, who created his first iPhone app (Doodle Kids) when he was only nine.

There is also a contest that ends on 4 September, with SingTel vouchers to be won.

TomTom updates its Navigation app for iPhone and iPad

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

TomTom has launched a new version (v1.11) of its Navigation app for iPhone and iPad. Users will be able to navigate to addresses found on the Internet, search with foursquare, and get the very latest TomTom maps.

Customers with an older version of the app can download it for free. For new customers, the app can be purchased for US$49.99 at the Apple App Store.

TomTom Navigation app for iPhone/iPad v1.11

TomTom Navigation app for iPhone/iPad v1.11

Drivers can now quickly and easily navigate to places they’ve found on websites and other apps by copying an address and pasting it into their TomTom Navigation app.

There’s no need to type as the app will automatically work out the destination and direct them straight there.

While v1.10 integrated Facebook with the app, v1.11 adds foursquare.

After linking foursquare to the TomTom app, users can search and navigate to their favourite foursquare places, checking in to collect points on arrival.

SingTel launches Singapore’s first 4G service for tablets

Tuesday, August 21st, 2012

SingTel today announced that it will launch Singapore’s first 4G service for tablets on 28 August. Two models will be offered: Asus Transformer Pad TF300TL and Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (LTE). Details of price plans within.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (LTE) and Asus Transformer Pad TF300TL will be available at launch from 28 August.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (LTE) and Asus Transformer Pad TF300TL will be available at launch from 28 August.

The service will offer tablet users theoretical download speeds of up to 75Mbps and typical download speeds between 3.4Mbps and 12Mbps.

It will provide mobile Internet access that is more than three times faster than existing 21Mbps 3G tablet services, with one-fifth of the network latency.

Tablet model

ASUS Tranformer Pad TF300TL

Samsung GALAXY Tab 8.9 (LTE)

4G tablet price plan

Prestige 75

Monthly subscription

$64.90

$49.90

$64.90

$49.90

Tablet price

$429

$549

$329

$449

Data bundle

10GB

Excess usage and data cap

$5.35 per GB (w GST) 1 July to 31 Dec 2012
$10.70/GB (w GST) from 1 Jan 2013
$94(w GST) cap applies

Contractual period

24 months

Two Android tablets will be available at launch from SingTel with the new Prestige 75 plans. Existing 4G smartphone customers can also purchase the tablets with a multi-SIM plan.

SingTel will launch the mio TV Play app for Android tablets on 28 August.

Model

Asus Transformer Pad TF300TL (LTE)

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (LTE)

Operating system

Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

Android 3.2 (Honeycomb)

Screen size

10.1″ WXGA(1280 X 800) LED Backlight screen with IPS

8.9″ WXGA TFT technology

Internal memory

32GB, 1GB RAM

16GB, 1GB RAM

Expandable memory

Up to 64GB

Up to 32GB

Camera specs

8MP, Front 1.2MP

3MP

Other features

Nvidia Tegra 3 Quad-Core 1.2Ghz

Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8060, 1200 MHz

This app will offer an extensive library of on-demand movies, including new release Hollywood blockbusters and the latest titles from around the world.

Movies will be offered from $2.99, and users can charge purchases to their SingTel bill or credit card.

mio TV Play will be available for free download at the Google Play app store, and also pre-loaded into the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (LTE).

New Android tablet: Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1

Tuesday, August 21st, 2012

Having created a niche with the 5-inch GALAXY Note that straddled between a 7-inch tablet and a 3.5-inch smartphone, Samsung has introduced the 10.1-inch version of the GALAXY Note.

There will be three configurations: the WiFi/16GB (S$798) and 3G+WiFi/16GB (S$998) versions will be available on 25 August, while the LTE+WiFi version will be released later in the year.

Update (4 January, 2013): 

The Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 LTE will hit the shelves in Singapore from 5 Jaunary 2013. The tablet will be available at S$998 (without contract), in deep grey.

Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 was launched in Singapore today.

Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 was launched in Singapore today.

Hitherto, most people have used tablets as a content consuming tool – checking emails, surfing the Web, viewing photos, reading documents and ebooks, playing back videos and music.

I tried out the GALAXY Note 10.1 during its launch in Singapore today. I found it to be extremely responsive, comparable to a Wacom graphics tablet. The Photoshop Touch was also fast and easy to use, making photo editing pleasant and fun on a tablet.

In terms of content creation, some type short notes and emails using the onscreen keyboard, while those who write longer text documents type them out by connecting an external keyboard.

Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1
OS Android 4.0.4 (ICS)
Screen 10.1″ WXGA LCD +Digitizer
Resolution 1280 x 800
Battery 7,000 mAh
Processor 1.4 GHz Quad-core
Camera Rear: 5mp
Front: 1.9mp
Video Full HD(1080p)
Memory Int: 16 GB,
RAM: 2 GB
Ext: Up to 32 GB microSD
Size /mm 262 x 180 x 600
Weight 597 g

Price

3G/WiFi: S$998,
WiFi: S$798

The GALAXY Note 10.1 tries to make possible serious content creation using a tablet.

From note-taking via typing or handwriting with a stylus, research and clipping from the Web using S Note app, to powerful photo-editing using Photoshop Touch.

What differentiates the GALAXY Note 10.1 from the GALAXY Tab 10.1? It’s the combination of the stylus (S Pen) and the user interface that integrates with the stylus.

The GALAXY Note 10.1 comes with 2i-screen multi-tasking, where two apps are displayed running side-by-side on the screen, and videos can be displayed on a floating window for a picture-in-picture effect.

As for other Samsung products, users will be able to access the edutainment content and apps available on the Samsung Learning Hub.

For more details about the Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1, read the press release below.

(more…)

Converting from Apple iPhone to Nokia Lumia 900

Saturday, August 18th, 2012

Having used the Apple iPhone for many years, I decided to switch over to the Nokia Lumia 900 smartphone to see what the new kid on the block has to offer.

The Nokia Lumia 900 Windows 7.5 smartphone, fresh out of the box.

The Nokia Lumia 900 Windows 7.5 smartphone, fresh out of the box.

I was given a Nokia Lumia 900 smartphone when it arrived in Singapore, so I’ve been using it for a while now, and I’m still with it.

First released in the US during CES 2012 in January this year, and then announced during MWC 2012 in February for markets outside the US, Nokia’s third Lumia smartphone has been available in Singapore since 26 May and retails for S$849.

I find the physical design of the Lumia 900 handsome and masculine. More importantly, the user interface is intuitive and smooth, while web-surfing and mail-checking performance is excellent. Social networking with the People Hub is also convenient and hassle-free.
To sum up, I ended up using my 7” tablet much less often than before.

What I like

Firstly, the design. I know the striking colour is the cyan, but I’m glad I had the black version. It’s a solid slab of masculinity.

If you need turn-by-turn navigation especially when travelling overseas, the Lumia 900 already pays for itself.

If you need turn-by-turn navigation especially when travelling overseas, the Lumia 900 already pays for itself.

At 11.5mm thick, the Lumia 900 is definitely not the most svelte model on the scene. If thin is your thing, go for the HTC One S instead.

I like the solid feel and heft when I hold the Lumia 900 in my palm.

The solid unibody and glass is really robust, despite the rough handling – like throwing the car keys and the Lumia in the same trousers pocket, and dropping it a coupla times – it’s got nary a scratch on body nor screen.

Display is bright and clear, even under strong sunlight.

The blacks are really black. Fonts are so clear that sometimes the red text appear receded below the other-coloured fonts (it’s an optical illusion).

Photos and video appear really vivid on the phone’s screen.

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New Android app: CanonSGLens

Thursday, August 16th, 2012

The Android version of the free CanonSGLens app is now available on Google Play.

The free CanonSGLens app is now available on both iOS and Android.

The free CanonSGLens app is now available on both iOS and Android.

The Android app features detailed lens specifications of all 66 Canon EF and EF-S lenses sold in Singapore with a unique interactive simulator that allows users to compare the field of view of two camera-lens combinations.

CanonSGLens Android app on Google Play.

CanonSGLens Android app on Google Play.

It also contains interactive educational content about depth of field and exposure, which is useful for DSLR users, whether they are beginners, amateurs or professionals.

The CanonSGLens for Android app now comes with 7 new lenses for users to test out. It is compatible with smartphones and tablets running Android 2.1 and up.

Canon Singapore first launched the CanonSGLens app for DSLR users as an iOS app on 22 December 2011.

Based on monthly averages, the app has been in the top 50 downloads for iPads and top 100 downloads for iPhones in the Photo and Video category.

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