Archivio mensile:gennaio 2012
Adobe Reveals Sneak Peek Of New Photoshop CS6 Features (video)
Adobe has unveil a sneak peak at some of the new features you can expect to see in Adobe Photoshop CS6 when it arrives later in the first half of this year. New features demonstrated by Bryan O’Neil Hughes, Adobe’s senior product manager, revealed a dark photo backgrounds which can be enabled to provide more contrast between the photographs and the CS 6 Photoshop application. However if you prefer to use lighter shades you will be given the option of four to choose from.
O’Neil explains in the video Sneak Peek #1: “We have a darker interface that allows for a more immersive experience,” O’Neil Hughes said. “We’re able to focus on the image and not on the interface itself.”
Adobe also revealed its new Camera Raw module, which can be used to edit the raw photos which have become more common as a file extension on many mainstream cameras over the past few years. The new Photoshop CS6 Camera Raw module gets the same editing controls as the Lightroom 4 beta, and shares the raw-processing engine.
As more information becomes available for the new Adobe CS6 software as always we will keep you updated.
Source: CNET
First Razer Blade Gaming Laptops Sell Out In Just 30 Minutes (video)
The very first Razer Blade gaming laptops were launched late last week and sold out in just 30 minutes. Razer announced that their new high powered Razer Blade laptop would be going on sale on January 27th at 9PM. But just 30 minutes later all available stock had been purchased. But don’t worry if you missed out on the first Razer Blade laptops priced at $2,800 each a new batch will be arriving in 2 weeks time.
Min-Liang Tan Razer’s CEO explained via Facebook:
“OMFG. Less than 30 minutes and we sold out of EVERY.SINGLE.ONE. of our first batch of Razer Blades,” Tan posted on his Facebook Wall. “Our next batch will be in about 2 weeks and we’re making as many as we can. Hang in there. This is *CENSORED* amazing.”
To recap the Razer Blade is equipped with a 17-inch Full HD LED backlit display, Core i7 2640M processor, 8GB of DDR3-1333 memory, 256GB SATA 6Gbps solid state drive, Nvidia GeForce GT 555M graphics chip, and of course its highly touted ‘Switchblade User Interface’ with 10 dynamic adaptive tactile keys and a dual-mode LCD pad. Watch the video below for an introducetion
Source: Hot Hardware
QuasiDisk iOS App Enables 3G Tethering Via Proxy, But Be Quick (video)
QuasiDisk has rolled out a new update to its iOS application, which landed in the Apple iTunes app store on January 28th, and has sneakily enabled tethering via proxy. In the past Apple has been quick to remove any such application from its store, so if you think you could benefit from the new feature rolled out. Don’t’ waste any time jumping over to the iTunes Store. If Apple has its way it won’t be there for long.
In the video below you can see the QuasiDisk and its new hidden feature, that allows you to tether 3G internet with it. To use simply start QuasiDisk’s FTP server on port 5100, connect it adhoc to mac or PC, and add SOCKS and HTTP proxy settings to the computer on ports 5050 for SOCKS and 6666 for HTTP proxy. Enjoy! QuasiDisk is priced at $1.99 in the Apple iTunes store so don’t delay.
Razer Tiamat 7.1 Gaming Headphones Delayed Yet Again!
Gamers hoping to get their hands on the new Razer Tiamat 7.1 surround sound headphones, this month, will be disappointed to learn that Razer has just made an announcement, delaying the headphones in to next month.
The Razer Tiamat 7.1 surround sound headphones were originally expected to arrive before last years holiday break, but were pushed back in January 2012. Razer has reached out to fans eagerly awaiting the arrival of the headphones by offering a coupon code for a FREE Razer T-shirt and Razer flask – worth about US$40 – when the Razer Tiamat is available, Razer will ship them to you for free.
Razer explains:
“In December we said, “the Razer Tiamat will be available around the end of January 2012.” Well, the end of January has arrived and the cold, hard truth is that it is not ready, and our estimations were off.
This is the last thing we want to tell you, especially since so many of you have been patiently waiting. Understandably you are bummed, and so are we. We feel our relentless pursuit of quality, and our refusal to ship a “good enough” product will pay off when you plug in your pair and hear them for the first time. We do not take delays lightly, and you can bet your ass we are busting ours to make this product perfect.”
The Razer Tiamat 7.1 headset is a unique piece of gaming kit and is equipped with 10 discrete drivers, 5 in each circumaural ear cup to give you true pinpoint positional surround sound. As more information becomes available we will keep you updated.
Source: Razer
Google Suggests Android Developers Drop The Menu Button
Before Android 3.0 Honeycomb the Menu Button played and integral part of Google’s mobile operating system and was often used by developers to display options that were relevant to the user, often using the activity’s built-in options menu.
But as Ice Cream Sandwich rolls out to more devices Google has reached out to Android developers and asked them to start dropping the Menu Button in favour of the action bar. Stating that it’s important that developers migrate designs to the action bar in order to promote a consistent Android user experience.
Google explains:
“Even if your app is built to support versions of Android older than 3.0 (in which apps traditionally use the options menu panel to display user options/actions), when it runs on Android 3.0 and beyond, there’s no Menu button. The button that appears in the system/navigation bar represents the action overflow for legacy apps, which reveals actions and user options that have “overflowed off the screen.”
For more information on the announcement jump over to the Android Developers website, for help migrating the Menu Button in to the action bar ready for Android Ice Cream Sandwich devices.
Source: Android Developers
Mozilla Releases Firefox 10, Now Available To Download
Mozilla has released the latest version of its popular web browser, Firefox 10, and it comes with a range of new features and enhancements over the previous version.
Firefox 10 comes with a range of improvements which include the way extensions are managed, it will no longer reject extension when you upgraded, instead Firefox 10 will assume that they extensions are compatible, unless they have been labeled incompatible.
Mozilla has also changed the way the forward button works, it is now hidden until you have visited a number of web pages within a tab, instead you will see the back button until you visit more than one page.
Mozilla have released Firefox 10 for PC and Mac, and you can find out full details over at Mozilla.
Source The Verge
Android Developers Comes To Google+
Google has launched a new page on Google+, the Android Developers team now have their own Google+ page, and the page is designed to help Android Developers.
The Android Developer team will be sharing a number of things on Google+, and they will also be answering developer questions and giving tips on developing Android applications.
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Welcome to a Google+ page designed just for all you Android Developers! A place for Android developers everywhere to meet, share, and connect with the people behind the Android developer experience:
• Add us to your circles to get info and updates directly from the Android team and join in on conversations around upcoming releases for Android Developer tools, SDKs, Hangouts, and training material.
• Join hangouts with members of the Android developer relations, product, engineering, and design teams. Ask your development questions, and get the inside scoop on the latest APIs and platform features.
• Join hangouts with other Android developers; share your app development stories and see how others have created awesome Android apps.
• See video and pics from Android developer events around the world and +1 or comment on posts to let us know what you think.
They will also host a live hangout every week, where the Android Developer team will answer questions and release information about new updates. You can find out more details about the Android Developers on Google+ over at their Google+ page.
Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet To Get Android 4.0 ICS Update
Lenovo has announced that they will be releasing an Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for their ThinkPad tablet, the device currently runs Android Honeycomb and the update will be released in quarter two.
Lenovo have said that the Android 4.0 ice Cream Sandwich update will be released as an over their air update, although they haven’t given a specific date on when the update will be available.
As a reminder the Lenovo ThinkPad tablet comes with Android 3.1 Honeycomb, and it features a 10.1 inch multi-touch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, processing is provided by a dual core 1GHz processor.
As soon as we get some details on when the Lenovo ThinkPad will get the Android ICS update we will let you guys know.
Source PC World
Samsung Galaxy Nexus With Faster CPU And New Camera In The Works?
Samsung and Google recently released the first Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and now according to a recent report, Google and Samsung may be working on a new improved version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
Now details have been discovered of a Samsung Galaxy Nexus with a PowerVR SGX544 graphics processor, which is the faster GPU that comes with the new Texas Instruments OMAP 4470 processor.
The existing Samsung Galaxy nexus feature a TI OMAP 4460 processor, this processor features a PowerVR SGX540 GPU, and the new Galaxy Nexus may come with a 1.5GHz processor as opposed to the 1.2GHz processor on the existing model.
What is also interesting is that the new OMAP 4470 processor is advertised as having 2.5x the graphics performance of the OMAP 4460, and there is also a rumor that the new Galaxy Nexus will feature an 8 megapixel camera as opposed to the advanced 5 megapixel camera in the current model.
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is due to land on Sprint in the not too distant future and it is possible that we could see a new updated faster Samsung Galaxy nexus debut when the device launches on Sprint.
Of course this is just a rumor at the moment, as soon as we get some actual confirmation from either Samsung or Google we will let you guys know.
Source Android and Me
Mad Catz Cyborg M.M.O. 7 Gaming Mouse Now Available To Pre-Order
You might remember back in November last year that Mad Catz unveiled their new professional gaming mouse the Mad Catz Cyborg M.M.O. 7. If you have been patiently waiting for it to arrive your wait is now over, the Mad Catz Cyborg M.M.O. 7 gamin mouse is now available to pre-order, priced at $130.
The Cyborg M.M.O. 7 gaming mouse is equipped with an array of adjustable panels and weights to help make the mouse perfect for any individual, perfectly fitting your hand and playing style.
It also equipped with 13 programmable buttons (plus std left and right) that combine with a 3-position MMO mode switch and a 2-position MMO shift buttons to provides you with a massive 78 user-definable in-game commands. Enough to cover even the most demanding of game configurations. Together with a 5D Button on the side perfect positioning under your thumb, that allows you to click up and down, left and right, and press click.
Apple Hires Former Dixons CEO As New Retail Chief
Apple has announced that they have appointed a new Senior Vice President Of Retail, to replace the companies Ron Johnson who left the company back in November of last year.
John Browett is Apple’s new Senior Vice President Of Retail, his previous position was the CEO of UK retail chain Dixons, and before that he was at UK retailer Tesco’s.
“Our retail stores are all about customer service, and John shares that commitment like no one else we’ve met,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We are thrilled to have him join our team and bring his incredible retail experience to Apple.”
Prior to joining Dixons Retail, Browett held a series of executive positions at Tesco plc including CEO of Tesco.com. Earlier in his career he advised retail and consumer goods clients at Boston Consulting Group. He holds a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and an MBA from Wharton Business School.
Apple has had great success with their many retail stores around the world, and the company intends to open many more this year, it will be interesting to see of Browett is able to continue the success of his predecessor.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Source Apple
Awesome iWatch Concept Re-visualised
iWatch is an on going concept that ADR Studios first visualised back in 2010. Now ADR have updated their design to look a little slimmer and added a few more features, but unfortunately its still only a concept at the moment.
The iWatch concept would be equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and be fitted with 32GB of internal memory. As well as a FaceTime camera allowing you to chat with friends directly from your wrist.
As with other devices the iWatch would enable you to install iWatch specific applications helping you customise and add additional features to your wrist mounted device.
ADR explain that the iWatch would be constructed from polycarbonate, aluminium, Kevlar and PK2, making it very robust and able to take everyday knocks and bumps in its stride.
Perhaps ADR need to head over to Kickstarter to help get this project off the ground, and speak to Apple nicely to get a custom iOS operating system developed. Just don’t expect to see it any time soon in stores.
Apple Releases New Airport Utility 6.0 With iOS Style Interface
Apple has this week rolled out a new update to its Airport Utility 6.0 for Mac OS X Lion, which brings with it a new user interface design and a number of bug fixes and teaks.
The Mac OS X Lion Airport Utility 6.0 now sports a new user interface that is similar in style to the iOS based Airport Utility. Both are used to set up and manage your Wi-Fi network and AirPort base stations, including AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and Time Capsule.
Including providing users with a graphical overview of your Wi-Fi network and connected devices. The Airport Utilities enable you to easily change Network and base station settings,as well as other more advanced services such as security modes, wireless channels, and more.
Mac OS X Lion Airport Utility 6.0 only works with 802.11N Airports, but older AirPort Express 802.11g and AirPort Extreme 802.11g base stations have received an update that resolves an issue with using network passwords stored in the Keychain.
Source: Apple
Sky will launch an internet based TV service in the UK in the first half of 2012
UK pay TV service Sky has just announced its quarterly results, and despite adding 100,000 subscribers as well as notching its “highest ever first-half adjusted operating profit” it will launch a new internet TV service, available to anyone in the country with a broadband connection. Sky describes the new over the top (OTT) service as being aimed at the 13 million UK households who don’t currently subscribe to pay TV, with access available via “PC, laptop, tablet, smartphone, games console or connected TV.” Initially, it will offer Sky Movies on demand joined by sports and entertainment options later, with access based on either monthly unlimited subscription or “pay-as-you-go” pricing. As far as the company’s basic services, it will continue to develop its existing Sky Go product for standard pay-TV subscribers and zeebox iPad companion app, although this seems to initially be a worth competitor for things like Lovefilm and recent UK entrant Netflix. We have plenty of questions about what it will offer cord-cutters and cord-nevers in the UK when it launches in the first half of this year, we should find out more on the earnings call shortly. Until then, hit the PDF link for more detailed financial breakdowns, or check out the IPTV service press release after the break.
Update: Still waiting for Sky Go on Android? The company mentioned during its presentation that the app will finally arrive on Google’s platform in February. It will also have new channels, including Sky 1, Sky Living and Sky Arts, plus, of course, the new Sky Sports F1 HD channel. The company is also expanding its broadband reach, with plans to cover a million more homes by June 2013, and add a Sky Broadband Unlimited Fibre option. For 20 a month, it offers 40 megabit download speed with no usage caps based on BT Fibre.
Panasonic introduces Lumix DMC-ZS20 and ZS15 compact superzoom cameras
We’ve seen Panasonic’s 2012 lineup of ruggedized and entry-level point-and-shoot cameras, but now the Japanese-based manufacturer is unleashing a pair of compact “Traveler Zoom” cams to the 2012 mix. The Lumix DMC-ZS20 and ZS15 include 20x (24-480mm) and 16x (24-384mm) optically stabilized zoom lenses, respectively, 3-inch 460k-pixel LCDs, 1/2.3-inch High Sensitivity MOS sensors and a 10 fps burst shooting mode (5 fps with continuous AF). The higher-end ZS20 features a 14.1 megapixel sensor and 1080/60p video shooting while the ZS15 captures 12.1 megapixel stills and 1080/60i HD clips. Both cameras include 0.1-second “Light Speed Autofocus” and top sensitivity levels of ISO 3200, though you’ll need to opt for the ZS20 to take advantage of GPS with map logging and a noise-canceling stereo mic. The pair will ship in March, with a black, red, white or silver ZS20 running you $350, compared with a $280 price tag on the black or silver ZS15. As always, you’ll find the full PR after the break.
Panasonic adds Lumix DMC-TS4 and DMC-TS20 to ruggedized camera line
Panasonic has helped lead the market for ruggedized cameras, which have been a hit among adventurous photographers for years, and now the company has two new additions to add to its water/shock/freeze/dustproof cam line. Described as “the optical outdoor companion,” the Lumix DMC-TS4 is Panasonic’s new ruggedized flagship, replacing the TS3 and packing a 12.1 megapixel CCD sensor, 1080/60i HD video capture, a 4.6x 28-128mm optical zoom lens and 2.7-inch LCD. Naturally, it can withstand just about everything you’ll throw its way, considering that it’s waterproof to depths of 40 feet, shockproof to 6.6 feet and freezeproof to temps as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. The TS4 also includes GPS, compass, altimeter and barometer functionality, logging all this data to supplement your photos with a full weather and location readout. Panasonic has also added full manual control, letting you adjust both aperture and shutter speed when shooting in manual mode.
The TS4 may offer a respectable spec list, but it doesn’t come cheap. The TS20 is an attractive alliterative, however, with a slim profile, 16.1 megapixel sensor, 720p HD shooting, a 4x 25-100mm optically stabilized zoom lens and a 2.7-inch LCD. It’s waterproof to 16 feet, freezeproof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit and can survive drops from up to five feet. There’s no manual option on this lower-end model, but it does include Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto mode for more accurate shooting. The TS20 will ship in late-February in orange, blue, black and red for $180, while the flagship TS4 will be available in orange, blue, black and silver for $400 when it ships in mid-March. You’ll find both press releases after the break.
Samsung Galaxy S Advance gets official: 1GHz dual-core CPU, Super AMOLED and Gingerbread
Samsung added a new star to its Galaxy universe today, with the release of the Galaxy Advance S. Powered by a 1GHz dual-core CPU, this handset boasts a four-inch, 480 x 800 Super AMOLEDdisplay, and packs up to 16GB of memory, along with 768MB of RAM. The device also supports HSPA connections at speeds of up to 14.4Mbps, and boasts a five megapixel rear-facing camera, along with a 1.3 megapixel shooter, up front. As far as software goes, the Advance S will ship with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, plus a full suite of Samsung’s apps, available via its Hubs and ChatON services. No word yet on pricing, but the Korean manufacturer plans to roll out its latest smartphone on a gradual basis, beginning with Russia next month, followed by Europe, Africa, Middle East, Southeast and Southwest Asia, Latin America and China. Notably absent from that list, of course, is the US. Find more details in the full press release after the break, as well as the gallery of press shots, below.
Samsung Galaxy S Advance
55-Inch OLED TV By LG Set For Release In 2nd Half
Remember that 55-inch OLED TV unveiled by LG at the recent CES? It will be available in the second half of the year.
No less than the South Korean company gave the estimate date when asked by The Verge. LG didn’t give an exact date but did mention “sometime in second half.” No other details were provided.
The Cinema 3D TV was one of those who got the attention of many visitors at the event in Las Vegas. Its vibrant picture quality and sleek design is truly a sight to behold.
The 55-inch is just 4mm thick and weighs 7.5kg, not too heavy considering its size. Its stunning display would surely be a fitting centerpiece to your home theatre. Pricing is still unavailable as of this time.
Via: Techradar
Sony And Ericsson’s $1.47 Billion Buyout Deal Approved By EU
Sony announced back in October that they would be buying Ericsson out of their Sony Ericsson joint smartphone venture for a total of $1.47 Billion, Sony would then re-brand its mobile phones under the ‘Sony’ brand.
It looks like the $1.47 billion buyout had now been approved by the European regulators on the 26th of January, and this will mean that Sony now has full control of its mobile phone division and also the patents that go with it.
Sony recently announced their latest financial results for quarter four of 2011, and the company posted a loss of 207 million Euros, around $272 million USD.
We have already seen a couple of new smartphones from Sony under their new Sony brand, and will see some more at MWC 2012 next month, it will be interesting to see if Sony is able to turn its fortunes around, and whether its new range of Sony smartphones will help the company achieve this.
Source The Verge
Pure Music Offers Alternative Music Streaming Service
If you’re looking for a music streaming service in the UK, Pure Music has just gone live, offering a monthly streaming service for £4.99.
Pure Music’s offering is similar to the popular Spotify as it allows users to stream music to their device via an app designed for Android devices. Spotify is more expensive by £5 but it gives its subscribers a more versatile way of listening to their music.
While both Pure Music and Spotify allow music streaming to Android devices, the latter allows an offline mode to listen to your favourite tunes. If you have an unlimited data plan, then this shouldn’t be a deal breaker but for those who have a strict budget on their data, it might be wise to see what suits best for you.
Pure Music’s Android app has been available for download for some time already but the music catalog is only made available now.
Via: Android Central
