Archive for the ‘Operating Systems’ Category

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Let’s talk iPhone: Executive Summary

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

Tim Cook delivered his first major product launch since taking over from Steve Jobs as the CEO. The main anticipation for an iPhone 5 did not come through. Instead an iPhone 4S with changed out innards was offered. By the way, Steve Jobs was absent from the event

Let's talk iPhone launches iPhone 4S instead of iPhone 5

"Let's talk iPhone" launches iPhone 4S instead of iPhone 5

The headline for the launch was the iPhone 4S. Identical to the iPhone 4 in terms of external design and appearances, the innards have been completed changed out with much better components. These include a more powerful A5 dual-core CPU promising 2x the previous computing speed and 7x graphics performance, new 8 megapixel camera, full HD video, and iOS 5.

Other highlights inlcude Siri, the voice-activated intelligent assistant and iCloud, a set of cloud services that works and syncs with all the Apple devices a user owns.

New apps and iPod Touch and nano devices were also presented.

Here’s a quick executive summary of the various products launched, their prices (in the US and in Singapore), as well as when they would be available.

Product / Availability Prices

iPhone 4S

(black & white)

Oct 14:
US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan & UK
Oct 28:
22 countries including Singapore
Dec 2011:
Rest of the world

 US prices (w 2 yrs contract):
16GB: US$199
32GB: US$299
64GB: US$399 

Singapore prices (incl GST):
iPhone 4S: TBA
iPhone 4: S$788
iPhone 3GS: S$548

Siri voice-activated intelligent assistant

Comes as Beta on iPhone 4S

 Free

iOS 5

Available on Oct 12

 Free software update via iTunes 10.5

Cards App

Available on Oct 12

 US: US$2.99
Elsewhere: US$4.99

iCloud

Available on Oct 12

 5GB: free
10GB: US$20/yr
20GB: US$40/yr
50GB: US$100/yr

iPod nano

(black & white)

Available today

 US prices:
8GB: US$129
16GB: US$149  

Singapore prices (incl GST):
8GB: S$180
16GB: S$208

iPad Touch

(black & white)

Available on Oct 12

 US prices:
8GB: US$199
32GB: US$299
64GB: US$399  

Singapore prices (incl GST):
8GB: S$288
32GB: S$428
64GB: S$588

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Posted in App, Apple, Cloud, Events, Gadgets, iOS, iPhone, Launch, Phones, Prices, Specifications | No Comments »

Adobe Touch Apps

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

Adobe announced its slate of six new apps for Apple iPads and Android tablets during the MAX 2011 conference in Los Angeles. Here’s a brief description of what each of the apps does.

Each of the six apps has an introductory price-tag of US$9.99. The Android version is will be available in November 2010 while the iOS version will only be available in 2012.

Adobe Touch App Description of App

Adobe Photoshop Touch 

Adobe Photoshop Touch

Adobe Photoshop Touch

Adobe Photoshop Touch

 Transform images with core Photoshop features in an app custom-built for tablets. With simple finger gestures, users can combine multiple photos into layered images, make popular edits and apply professional effects. The tablet-exclusive Scribble Selection Tool allows users to easily extract objects in an image by simply scribbling on what to keep and then what to remove.

With Refine Edge technology from Adobe Photoshop, even hard-to-select areas with soft edges, such as hair, are easily captured when making selections. Additionally, the app helps users quickly find images, share creations, and view comments through integration with Facebook and Google Search. Using the syncing capabilities that are a component of Adobe Creative Cloud, files can be opened in Adobe Photoshop.

Adobe Collage 

Adobe Collage

Adobe Collage

 Capture and refine ideas and concepts by combining inspirational images, drawings, text and Creative Suite files into modern, conceptual mood boards.

Features include importing of images, four customizable pen types for drawing, adding text, and applying color themes. A virtually unconstrained canvas grows as needed to accommodate more assets. Files can be shared or transferred for access in Adobe Photoshop.

Adobe Debut 

Adobe Debut

 Present designs to clients and stakeholders virtually anywhere. Adobe Debut quickly opens tablet-compatible versions of Creative Suite files for convenient and beautiful viewing on the tablet, including Photoshop layers and Illustrator art boards. Feedback is gathered using a markup pen tool to add notes and drawings on top of the work.

Adobe Ideas 

Adobe Debut

 Easy-to-master, vector-based tool for drawing. By using a stylus or finger, strokes appear smooth at any zoom level. Starting with a blank canvas, users can choose color themes, and pull in tablet-compatible image files that can be controlled as separate layers. Finished results are easily accessed in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.

Adobe Kuler 

Adobe Kuler

 Generate color themes easily to inspire design projects. Color can be explored and discovered, with hundreds of thousands of Kuler themes already available via the creative community. Social engagement in the community is enhanced by rating and commenting on themes, which can be exported as color swatches for Adobe Creative Suite projects.

Adobe Proto 

Adobe Proto

Adobe Proto

 Develop interactive wireframes and prototypes for websites and mobile apps on a tablet. Ideas are communicated and shared with teams and clients using a touch-based interface.

Gestures quickly express a design concept, explain website structure or demonstrate interactivity. The wireframe or prototype then can be exported as industry standard HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and shared in popular browsers for immediate review and approval.

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Posted in Adobe, Android, App, iOS, iPad, Launch, Prices, Software, Specifications, Tablets | 1 Comment »

New creative design tablet apps: Adobe Touch Apps

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

Six new apps for Apple iPads and Android tablets have been announced by Adobe at its MAX 2011 technology conference.

At US$9.99 each, the six apps address different areas of the creative process: image editing; ideation; sketching; mood boards; website and mobile app prototyping; and presenting finished work.

Adobe Touch Apps are essential components of Adobe Creative Cloud, a major new company initiative also announced today. Adobe Creative Cloud will allow subscribers to access desktop and tablet applications, find creative services, and share their work.

Files created via Adobe Touch Apps can be shared, viewed across devices or transferred into Adobe Creative Suite software for further refinement. Adobe Touch Apps are designed to work with both finger and stylus input.

Adobe Touch Apps will be available for Android devices in November 2011. iOS availability will likely be announced only in early 2012, although Adobe Ideas is already available for the iPad.

Access to the file viewing, sharing and transfer functionality of Adobe Creative Cloud is included in the price of each Adobe Touch App. Details regarding pricing of the Adobe Creative Cloud and its expanded capabilities around applications, services and community will be announced in November 2011.

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Posted in Adobe, Android, App, Creative Suite, iOS, iPad, Launch, Software, Tablets | 1 Comment »

Single Edition of Adobe Digital Publishing Suite for tablets

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

The Single Edition allows freelance designers and small design firms to publish interactive content created with Adobe InDesign CS5.5 software on the Apple iPad for US$395 per application.

Adobe Publishing Suite, Single Edition at US$395 per iPad application.

Adobe Publishing Suite, Single Edition at US$395 per iPad application.

Single Edition allows designers to publish a single-issue application for sale or distribution through the Apple App Store, without writing any code, focusing on creative design.

The Professional Edition of the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite was released in May for publishing houses, business publishers, and education institutions that require an off-the-shelf tablet publishing solution.

Single Edition allows users to publish single-issue content such as a brochure, highly-visual book, annual report or personal design portfolio as an application for the iPad.

The Digital Publishing Suite family which now includes Single Edition is used to publish content beyond traditional magazines and newspapers. These include sales tools, brand and customer engagement materials, merchandising deliverables, employee communications and corporate collateral published to tablets.

Pricing and Availability

Single Edition for iPad is expected to be available for purchase online at the end of November 2011. From InDesign CS5.5, users can publish through Single Edition to the iPad for US$395 per application. Single Edition will support additional tablet platforms later in 2012.

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Posted in Adobe, App, InDesign, iOS, iPad, Launch, Software, Tablets | 1 Comment »

New smartphone: Samsung Omnia W

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Samsung’s first Mango-based smartphone features a vivid Super AMOLED display as well as People Hub – which provides enriched content and social communication experience.

The Omnia W will be available in Singapore by the end of the year for S$498 (incl 7% GST), without line contract.

Samsung Omnia W, based on Windows Phone 7.5 Mango.

Samsung Omnia W, based on Windows Phone 7.5 Mango.

Based on the latest release of Microsoft’s Windows Phone, code-named Mango, the phone sports a 3.7” Super AMOLED display, a 1.4 GHz processor and 14.4 Mbps HASPA connectivity.

The design thrust of the Omnia W is to put people at the centre of everything, with emphasis placed on social networking and sharing. Internet Explorer 9 and Bing are integrated into the entire experience.

Windows Phone 7.5

Mango’s unique and intuitive user interface lays out applications in mosaic ‘Live Tiles’ which flow and move in response to users’ touch on the screen. Six specialized Microsoft applications provide an engaging content and communication experience.

Samsung Electronics Co LtdWindows Phone People Hub is integrated with built-in social networking services like Windows Live, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, for users to stay connected with their social community constantly.

Office Hub provides enhanced productivity on-the-go and includes access to Windows Live Sky Drive, which provides 25GB of free storage and allows documents and media files to be easily stored and accessed. Users can also create and edit documents through mobile versions of Microsoft Office Excel, Word and PowerPoint, as well as utilize One Note, a note-taking platform that allows easy sharing and storage of voice memos, images and text-based notes.

Stylish, slim metal finish for the Samsung Omnia W

Stylish, slim metal finish for the Samsung Omnia W

Seamless access to entertainment is enhanced by the integration of a Picture Hub, Music & Video Hub – powered by Microsoft Zune – and Game Hub, which provides the latest in social gaming experiences through Xbox live, for friends to chat with each other while gaming. Windows Phone Marketplace provides access to over 30,000 apps to meet customer needs across entertainment or productivity.

Samsung differentiation

The overall Windows Phone experience is significantly enhanced with the inclusion of Samsung-exclusive productivity apps. This includes Samsung AllShare, which provides seamless content transfer between the smartphone and other DLNA-enabled devices such as HDTV’s, monitors and digital cameras.

The Samsung Omnia W tries to put people and social networking at the centre of its experience.

The Samsung Omnia W tries to put people and social networking at the centre of its experience.

Video Call is an easy-to-use app which allows ultra-fast vivid 3G video conversations with friends and family. Additionally, Mini Diary enables users to capture their experiences in multimedia formats and create their own personalized digital journal while on the go. An upgraded Samsung eBook client is also available from Samsung Zone.

Users can stay up-to-date with the latest news and events with Now 2.0 app, which provides up-to-the minute current affairs, stock market and weather information. RSS Time allows RSS feeds for newspapers, magazines and blogs to be downloaded onto the device and read in an easily digestible format, while eye-catching articles can be instantly shared via email or Facebook.

The device features enhanced social network integration, with Twitter and LinkedIn weaved throughout the Omnia W in addition to Facebook, for photos and videos to be instantly shared across a variety of social networking sites hassle-free.

Detailed specifications of the Omnia W are tabulated below:

(more…)

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Posted in Gadgets, Launch, Phones, Prices, Samsung, Specifications, Windows Phone 7 | 1 Comment »

Setting up and using the Seagate GoFlex Home storage system

Monday, September 26th, 2011

GoFlex Home is a consumer network attached storage (NAS) hard drive for the home. Easy to set up and use, it allows the access, sharing, streaming, and backup of files and media for computers, network TVs, media players and game consoles connected to the home wireless network.

The Seagate GoFlex Home comprises a drive dock and a hard drive.

The Seagate GoFlex Home comprises a drive dock and a hard drive.

Secure access can also be opened to computers and iOS/Android tablets and smartphones over the Internet.

Over the weekend, I helped my friend set up an NAS drive for his desktop, netbook, two laptops, iPhone and Android tablet. He had bought the Seagate GoFlex Home 3 TB storage drive during the recent COMEX 2011 but hadn’t had the time to set it up yet.

I helped by using eye-power because he decided to give it a go himself and actually got the thing working in less than 15 minutes. That was the reason why I recommended the drive in the first place, it works with most consumer home Wi-Fi routers with little set-up or configuration needed.

The GoFlex Home comes with two cables and an software installation CD. The following steps were all that was needed to get the personal storage cloud going:

1. Connect the GoFlex Home drive dock to the Wi-Fi router by using the provided Ethernet cable.

2. Pop the GoFlex hard drive into the GoFlex drive dock and plug the power supply into the drive dock and the wall outlet. Switch on the GoFlex Home by pressing the Power button on the drive dock.

3. Pop the CD (or download from Seagate’s website) into the computer (can be a Mac or Windows PC) to install the software needed to access the hard drive. Simply select a language, key in the product information found on the drive, give the drive a name and register it. The name has to be unique globally since it will be used to identify the drive should you access it from the Internet.

4. Install the software on other computers that require access to the shared drive. Up to 5 people/computers on the home network can access the GoFlex Home. By paying to subscribe to the Seagate Share Pro, you get access for an unlimited number of people/computers to the GoFlex Home.

There are three ways to access the drive. One is to use the installed Seagate Dashboard software (on Windows PCs), which allows all features of the drive to be configured and managed. You can add computers and user accounts, backup, access and share files as well.

Use Seagate Dashboard software to configure and manage GoFelx Home

Use Seagate Dashboard software to configure and manage GoFelx Home

The other way is to use a browser-based Seagate Share either for a computer in the home network or out in the Internet.

Seagate GoFlexAccess App

Free iOS/Android app

Both are easy to use with a simple interface, using drag-and-drop or standard dialog boxes we’re familar with.

The third method is via the appropriate free app on a iOS/Android smartphone or tablet, also over the Internet.

The GoFlex Home comes with a USB port which is very useful. You can connect an additional external hard drive to expand the capacity of the original GoFlex hard drive. You can also connect a USB hub for connecting more than one USB device.

In my friend’s case, he connected his printer to the USB port and all his computers on the Wi-Fi network got to share that printer. USB port on the drive dock for a HDD, printer or USB hubNo more plugging/unplugging the old printer from one computer to another.

The included backup software allows up to three connected computers to be automatically backed up to the GoFlex Home. Upgrade to Premium Backup ($49.95) to back up an unlimited Seagate GoFlex Home home network attached storagenumber of computers on the GoFlex Home network. You can upgrade at the Application Store that can be accessed through the Seagate Dashboard software.

For each user account set up on the GoFlex Home, three folders are created – a Public, Personal, and Backup folder. The Public folder holds files that can be stored and accessed by everyone on your home network. The Personal and Backup folders can only be accessed by the the user.

What I like about the sharing is the granular control available for the files shared. You can specify who you want to share files with, choose to share just certain files or entire folders, set passwords, and set expiry dates for the shares. Administration is intuitive and easy to pick up. You can send a URL of a shared file via email.

Stream media to other computers and media players on the network.

Stream media to other computers and media players on the home wireless network.


Music, photos and video can also be shared and streamed to media players, game consoles or network TVs that support UPnP-AV, DLNA or Windows Media Connect. A wide range of file types are supported.

The GoFlex Home is available in 1TB (S$179), 2TB (S$239) and 3TB (S$339) capacities.

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Posted in Accessories, Android, App, Browser, Cloud, Desktops, Gadgets, Howtos, iOS, iPad, iPhone, Notebooks, Phones, Prices, Review, Seagate, Specifications, storage drive, Tablets, TV | 18 Comments »

Formula One apps for the BlackBerry PlayBook and smartphones

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

The Formula 1 comes to Singapore this weekend. Check out the F1 apps for the BlackBerry tablet or smartphones – both free on BlackBerry App World.

Formula One in Singapore from 23 to 25 September 2011.

Formula1.com 2011 app for BlackBerry smartphones.

Formula1.com 2011 app for BlackBerry smartphones.

For BlackBerry smartphone users (device software 4.2.0 or higher), check out the Formula1.com 2011 app from the organisers of Formula 1 itself. Users can access information such as race results, championship standings, timetables, calendars, circuit data etc.

The app streams real-time data directly from Formula One Management’s Technical Centre at the racetrack displaying the same information supplied to the teams from every session, putting you right at the heart of the action. The app also sends you push notifications and keeps you updated even when the app is closed.

Maxis F1 2011 for BlackBerry PlayBook

Maxis F1 2011 for BlackBerry PlayBook

For BlackBerry PlayBook users, check out the Maxis F1 2011 for BlackBerry PlayBook app from Infindo Technology. Users can get detailed information for all the races with exclusive live commentary, top stories, results, schedule, standings, drivers/teams/circuit info etc.

Both apps are free and valid for the entire 2011 F1 season.

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Posted in App, BlackBerry, BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry Tablet OS, Bold, Curve, Events, Gadgets, Operating Systems, Phones, PlayBook, RIM, Software, Tablets, Torch | No Comments »

Two new BlackBerry 7 Torches arriving in Singapore

Thursday, September 15th, 2011

The new BlackBerry Torch 9810 and 9860 will hit the shelves in Singapore next week on 22 September 2011. Pre-orders for both BlackBerry 7 OS based smartphones can be placed with SingTel from today.

Pre-order the BlackBerry Torch 9810 or 9860 online from today.

Pre-order the BlackBerry Torch 9810 or 9860 online from today.

The two new Torches were first introduced by Research In Motion (RIM) in early-August and unveiled in Singapore in mid-August together with the Bold 9900.

BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone from RIM

BlackBerry Torch 9860

The BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone offers fast and fluid performance in a stylish new all-touch design.

With a new 3.7” display – the largest ever on a BlackBerry smartphone – the new all-touch BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone is optimized for high-quality multimedia, web browsing and gaming; whilst offering the real-time communication and collaboration lauded by BlackBerry fans.

BlackBerry Torch 9810 smartphone form RIM

BlackBerry Torch 9810

The BlackBerry Torch 9810 is an evolution of the BlackBerry Torch 9800. The new model is faster and more fluid with high performance hardware features while the new BlackBerry 7 OS delivers an enhanced multimedia experience.

Featuring a large 3.2”, high-resolution touch display and a distinctive BlackBerry keyboard that easily slides out to allow fast typing, the BlackBerry Torch 9810 offers the best of both worlds.

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Posted in BlackBerry, BlackBerry OS, Gadgets, Launch, Phones, Prices, RIM, Software, Torch | No Comments »

Windows 8 screenshots

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Here are some screenshots from the Windows 8 developer preview during the ongoing BUILD conference (13-16 September 2011) in the Anaheim Convention Centre.

Windows 8 will be Microsoft’s attempt to wrest market share in the fast growing tablet market from market leading iPads from Apple and the whole slew of tablets based on Google’s Android.

Click on the images for a larger view. These screenshots have been provided by Microsoft.

The personalized lock screen shows unread emails and other app notifications.
The personalized lock screen shows unread emails and other app notifications.

See apps and content at a glance on the start screen.
See apps and content at a glance on the start screen.

Pick the files you want to send or share from one place.
Pick the files you want to send or share from one place.

Touch browsing seems fast, fluid and intuitive.
Touch browsing seems fast, fluid and intuitive.

Large buttons for typing on the touch keyboard.
Large buttons for typing on the touch keyboard.

The thumb keyboard to avoid having to reach into the centre of the screen.
The thumb keyboard to avoid having to reach into the centre of the screen.

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Posted in App, Events, Internet Explorer, Microsoft, Operating Systems, Software, Tablets, Tech news, Windows 7, Windows 8 | 1 Comment »

Windows 8 developer preview

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

At the developer-focused BUILD conference, Microsoft has showcased a detailed preview of the next major release of Windows, code-named “Windows 8”, including new tools for developers to write applications for the new operating system.

The ongoing BUILD conference (13-16 September 2011) is being held in the Anaheim Convention Center. Here are some screenshots of the preview. Windows 8 is not expected to be come out of beta until at least the second half of 2012.

Main features

The user interface (UI)  is centred around a touch interface, although it works with a mouse and keyboard too. Microsoft calls the UI “Metro” style – displaying important information first, whilst emphasising simplicity and user control. Internet Explorer 10 aims to provide a fast and fluid touch-browsing experience.

On the start screen, apps form the focal point, the Apps “tiles” fill the entire screen. The apps work together and communicate with each other in Windows 8. For example, photos can be selected and shared from different apps via email, Facebook, Flickr or the hard drive.

The ongoing BUILD conference (13-16 September 2011) is being held in the Anaheim Convention Center.

The ongoing BUILD conference (13-16 September 2011) is being held in the Anaheim Convention Center.

If you use multiple devices, Live roams all the content from the cloud services you use most — photos, email, calendar and contacts — keeping them up-to-date on your devices, be it a desktop, laptop, netbook, tablet or smartphone. With SkyDrive, you can access your files, photos and documents from virtually anywhere with any browser or with Metro style apps in Windows 8.

Windows 8 is an enhanced Windows 7 with lower memory footprint, and runs even on low-end hardware. For PC users, Windows 8 features an enhanced Task Manager and Windows Explorer and new, flexible options for multimonitor setups.

For developers, the Windows Store will allow developers to sell their apps anywhere Windows is sold worldwide, whether they’re creating new games or familiar productivity tools. For games developers, DirectX 11 gaming power underlies Windows 8, allowing the easy creation of full-screen games with smooth, flicker-free action.

Hardware wise, Windows 8 supports ARM-based chipsets, x86 (including x32 and x64) devices, and sensors. It promises instant-on and long battery life for ultrathin PCs and tablets, and is backward compatible with software/devices that run on Windows 7.

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Posted in App, Browser, Events, Internet Explorer, Microsoft, Operating Systems, Software, Tablets, Tech news, Windows 7, Windows 8 | 1 Comment »

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