Archives for March 2010

Digg iPhone App Launches

Digg have finally launched their iPhone application that brings the social network to the Apple [AAPL] device.

The application is free to download and can be grabbed from the usual sources (the App Store on the phone or iTunes) and once installed allows you to see all the latest Digg content on your iPhone or iPod Touch device. Although we assume it will work on the Apple iPad resized to fit the screen, it is unclear at the moment if Digg are working on a specific Apple iPad version of the software.

To get started on the application after it is installed you just need to log in with your regular Digg account and once done, you have access to the features that you would be able to use on the full website version along with details of what pages you have digged and those friends you have. [Read more…]

Samsung ST5000 and ST5500 Announced

Samsung have announced a couple of new digital cameras called the Samsung ST5500 and the ST5000.

The cameras have been redesigned to be more comfortable to use with the shutter button being set at an angle to make it easier to press.

The cameras have a 3.7 inch WVGA AMOLED touchscreen (3.5″ for the ST5000) on the back to display the images just captured as well as allow you to work through the various menu systems.

A further premium design enhancement is the ˜da Vinci-inspired design’ of the lens technology, based on Leonardo da Vinci’s famed habit of writing notes backwards to be read later using a mirror. This method ensures that when the camera is turned on, the lens barrel extends automatically and the image’s specifications (focal length and aperture) appear in the concave reflective lens rings instantaneously.

[Read more…]

Apple iPad Teardown Confirmed

We just posted about iFixit and the iPhone vs Nexus One infographic. Along with the email we received from iFixit, they also confirmed that they will be doing an Apple iPad Teardown on April 3 when the Apple [AAPL] device is launched. At the end of the email from Kyle he said…

P.S. Yes, we will be taking apart the iPad on April 3.
How could you doubt us?! (Props to you if you’re one of the few with faith in us who *have not* emailed me asking whether we’ll disassemble it). I’ll be running my technicians through screwdriver calisthenics all next week to prepare.

[Read more…]

Apple iPhone vs Google Nexus One Infographic

iFixit have created an interesting infographic that shows the Apple iPhone vs Google Nexus One to see overall how they compare side by side in terms of screen resolution, battery life, screen quality and many other things.

The information is quite interesting as in some respects the iPhone beats the Nexus One and in other ways the Nexus One beats the iPhone such as the processor speed although the iPhone has a quicker GPU it seems.

iFixit believe the Google [GOOG] phone needs more attention due to the lack of people buying it when compared to the Apple [AAPL] device (if only they’d just let the carriers sell it rather than the whole silly google.com/phone malarkey) [Read more…]

Apple iPhone Hacked – SMS Database can get Hijacked

Hackers (or researchers as they like to be known) have successfully hacked a fully patched Apple iPhone and created a way to copy the entire SMS database that includes previously deleted text messages.

The team comprised of VIncenzo Iozzo and Ralf Philipp Weinmann who created a website that was rigged with some code. Once an Apple iPhone [AAPL] (fully patched) user browses to the site the website is able to copy the contents of the SMS database within about 20 seconds of the person viewing the website.

Right now, if you visited their special website it would crash your browser, but the team say with a few more weeks they could run the attack without causing the browser to crash.

‘Basically, every page that the user visits on our [rigged] site will grab the SMS database and upload it to a server we control, Weinmann explained. Iozzo, who had flight problems, was not on hand to enjoy the glory of being the first to hijack an iPhone at the Pwn2Own challenge.

[Read more…]

WSJ on Apple iPad could cost $17.99/Month for Subscription

An article over at WSJ indicated that the subscription price for receiving WSJ content on the Apple iPad [AAPL] device will cost $17.99/month. The information came from a fairly long article that speaks of the advertising and subscription models that different high profile magazines and papers are using.

The article also mentions that a four-month ad package will cost $400,000 although Coke and FedEx who are believed to have signed up would not comment on it.

The Apple iPad is certainly a new interesting way to read news daily. With it’s larger screen and full colour display it can showcase some very good interactive content. The Wired application (not specifically for the iPad, as it includes other tablets too), is one example of how the tablet devices are changing the way we see adverts and interact with content. [Read more…]

CBS.com Getting Ready for HTML5 Video on the Apple iPad

The Apple iPad is landing in just over a week on April 3. We hear that CBS.com are currently working on bringing their video content to the iPad in the form of HTML5. This would mean that the normal flash videos that can be viewed on the CBS site through a regular browser will actually be converted to the HTML5 format allowing content to still be played on the Apple [AAPL] device.

The information arrives after the CBS site was spotted to include a couple of “iPad – test” video links. MacRumors decided to run a test to see if they functioned as the name suggested and found that they were just redirected to the normal flash videos. They did however note that when either using the iPad SDK simulator, or by spoofing the browser agent on a PC/Mac to make it look like you were viewing the content on an iPad, that a different version of the video was displayed (image smaller above and larger below). [Read more…]

Motorola MILESTONE Users in Hong Kong to get Android 2.1 Update

For those using the Motorola MILESTONE over in Hong Kong, you’ll be glad to know that an Android 2.1 update will be heading your way soon.

According to several sources, Android 2.1 has been uploaded to servers ready for deployment in Hong Kong and Macau.

What we are also hearing is that a Dutch language pack has also been included in the firmware which indicates it is also heading to Europe to be rolled out soon on to MILESTONE devices over this way. [Read more…]

T9 Trace from Nuance

Nuance have launched an application called T9 Trace. The application works in a similar way to Swype where you trace your finger around letters on a keyboard to spell out a word. By using XT9 the system can predict the letters you meant to glide over if you slightly miss them to create words more quickly. The software is potentially compatible with all mobile phone platforms according to Nuance who will be launching it soon on a number of devices.

Due to using the XT9 predictive text system it potentially is going to be a fantastic application that will speed up text entry on a virtual keyboard although some real world tests will need to be done first to see if that holds up to be true.

The system also lets you switch between T9 Trace mode and tap mode should you want to enter a word in the more traditional touch screen way. [Read more…]

Ogon RFID Wallet Protects from RFID Theft

The RFID Wallet from Ogon is a wallet that is more in line with today’s society. When the traditional wallet was made it was designed to carry coins and notes. Of course we now have credit cards that can potentially get scanned by a portable scanner and details stolen from them all while in your pocket.

The new RFID Wallet has a protective shied to prevent the RFID tags being read while cards are in the wallet. Also the wallet is reinforced to prevent cards from getting damaged.

The wallet can store up to 15 credit cards and store cards inside giving plenty of space for your maxed out cards. [Read more…]

Skype Mobile hits Verizon tomorrow – March 25

Tomorrow, Verizon [NYSE:VZ] users will be able to use Skype Mobile over the Verizon network. Skype have announced that the Skype Mobile software will be available as of tomorrow on the said network.

What Skype Mobile will allow users to do is make and receive unlimited Skype to Skype voice calls to people around the world free of charge on the Verizon network, rather than over WiFi which was a previous restriction. As well as being able to use Skype to Skype calls over the data network, SkypeOut calls will also be able to be made lowering the cost of international calls when made through the Skype service.

Instant messages will also be able to be sent over 3G and with the service being “always on” you’ll have an update of which friends are currently online should you want to speak to them. [Read more…]

Deal of the Day: Creative Labs Vado HD 8GB Pocket Video Camera – 50% Off

Amazon have a great deal on the Creative Labs Vado HD 8GB pocket camcorder at the moment. Normally it sells for $199.99, but now has been reduced to $99.99 giving a 50% saving ($100 off) price. The HD camcorder is capable of capturing video in a 720p resolution. Built in is 8GB of storage that allows for 2 hours to be captured, or 8 hours if used in VGA mode.

The Vado HD has a 2 inch display showing a feed of the video you are recording as well as being home to various menus to control the functions of the cameras. The Vado HD also has a HD output allowing you to connect up to a HDTV via a HDMI cable. [Read more…]