Archives for August 2010

Sanyo VPX-PD2BK Dual Camera

Sanyo is launching a “Dual Camera” called the Sanyo VPC-PD2BK. From what we can figure out the dual camera means that the camera is capable of capturing both stills and video rather than just being restricted to video.

The camera is capable of capturing video in full HD at 1080p at 30 frames per second. Other features include a 10 megapixel sensor along with 3x optical zoom.

Software wise, the camera is compatible with social networks and allows direct uploading to sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Picasa. [Read more…]

HP webOS Tablet Release Date – Early Next Year

Yesterday, HP had an earnings call in which they discussed the companies financial details for the last quarter. For some, that’s not particularly interesting. However, in that call someone asked about the arrival of a tablet from HP.

The actual question asked was more in line with the launch of the iPad and it’s effect on sales of netbooks. The response basically said a webOS based product was being launched early in 2011. [Read more…]

Android Honeycomb Arriving After Gingerbread

We have already seen a few details on the next version of Android. That version will be Android 3.0 codenamed Gingerbread. Gingerbread is a big step up for Google [GOOG] who is also believed to be creating that version as tablet friendly.

Looking beyond that it is believed that the version after that could be either 3.1 or 3.2, will be named Android Honeycomb. TechRadar has been contacted by multiple sources who confirmed that the next version will be Honeycomb. It isn’t known just yet what additions that will bring over Gingerbread. What could happen with this version is some major polishing up of the 3.0 release as in optimising for speed, enabling a few new features and making a better experience. This would follow inline with what Android 2.2 did for 2.1. [Read more…]

Next Gen PSP to get Touch-Sensitive Controls

Rumours are circulating about the next generation Sony PSP. The rumours say that the next version will be the same size as the PSP-3000 model and that it will have touch-sensitive controls on the back of the unit.

Rather than using traditional controls, it is expected that the touch panel located on the back will allow you to control the games.

The screen on the PSP 2 is said to be both rich and detailed although it isn’t clear if the screen will be larger with the controls moving to the back, or if the addition of both controls (ie, physical and touch sensitive) will be all included. [Read more…]

Nokia N9 Spotted – Detailed Photos

Some leaked pictures of the Nokia N9 have surfaced. Normally when leaked photos are seen, they are blurry and often of just part of the device. In this case, they are very clear and show quite a bit of detail about the Nokia N9.

The Nokia N9 has received a new chassis that looks quite sleek. The chassis of the N9 is full metal mixed with a few plastic parts. The QWERTY keyboard looks to be done well and appears to be of a chiclet design. [Read more…]

BlackPad to use QNX Software Systems Operating System

Bloomberg is reporting today that the BlackPad from RIM (Research in Motion) will be using an operating system built and developed by QNX Software Systems.

Companies that already use QNX software include GE, Cisco Systems and Caterpillar. The move is certainly a departure from what we thought RIM would do. We figured an upscaled version of BlackBerry OS 6 would be used in a similar way to how iOS from the iPhone is slightly modified and made to fit the larger Apple iPad screen. [Read more…]

Intel to Acquire McAfee for $7.68 Billion

Intel has announced that it will be acquiring McAfee for $48/share which gives the deal a total price of $7.8 billion.

The acquisition reflects that security is now a fundamental component of online computing. Today’s security approach does not fully address the billions of new Internet-ready devices connecting, including mobile and wireless devices, TVs, cars, medical devices and ATM machines as well as the accompanying surge in cyber threats. Providing protection to a diverse online world requires a fundamentally new approach involving software, hardware and services.

[Read more…]

Gmail for iPad Gets UI Update

Google [GOOG] has updated the Gmail UI with a small tweak that brings a stacked cards interface to the iPad.

When we announced our new interface for Gmail on the iPad, we requested feedback on how we could improve this experience for tablet devices. In June, we responded with a new compose screen. Today, we’re addressing the top feedback by launching a new ‘stacked cardĀ interface for selecting and managing multiple conversations.

[Read more…]

Facebook Places Launches on iPhone

The Facebook iPhone app was updated last night to version 3.2. Along with a few bug fixes, a new service was launched called Facebook Places. Facebook Places aims to tackle the likes of Foursquare and Gowalla as a location check-in service that lets you post where abouts you are.

The service isn’t available just yet in the UK, but should be rolling out soon. For those of you in the US, you already have access to this service with this update. In regards to privacy settings, they are surprisingly not that bad in that Facebook hasn’t opted you in to letting the whole world know exactly where you are. Instead, this information is restricted to just friends. However, Here.org.uk does point out a particular default setting that allows friends to check you in to places which if you worry about this sort of stuff you might want to disable that option. [Read more…]

Nikon D3100 With 1080p Announced

Nikon has announced the Nikon D3100 Digital SLR camera. The new version of the camera allows full HD video to be captured in 1080p and has full time auto focus built in.

The Nikon D3100 has a 14.2 megapixel sensor and as mentioned above, is capable of full time auto focus while using live view. Nikon mention that this is a first for a DSLR camera.

Other features include the new EXPEED 2TM image processing engine that when mixed with the 14.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor, providers rich image quality. [Read more…]

ioSafe SoloPRO Announced

ioSafe has announced a new series of rugged hard drive enclosures called the ioSafe SoloPRO. When we call the ioSafe rugged, we mean that it can withstand a fire, being dunked in water as well as a fair bit of physical abuse whilst still keep the data inside it completely safe.

Our ioSafe Solo review scored the external hard drive quite well. Since our review, which was just over a year ago, a new SSD model has arrived. This even new model (the SoloPRO) improves on the past models.

The drive is available in USB 3.0 as well as eSATA/USB 2.0 formats which allows for you to get the best option for your needs. If you have a newer PC that supports USB 3.0, then take advantage of the faster interface. [Read more…]

iSketch for iPad Concept

If you like to use your iPad for drawing (with various apps), but prefer to sit it on a desk then you face the problem of the rounded back making it wobble around a tad.

What the iSketch concept aims to achieve is a platform which the iPad can sit or dock in to that sits the iPad flat on a desk. The iSketch dock has a docking port inside to allow the iPad to stay charged.

The accompanying sketch pen and plenty of sketching apps make it feel like creative-utopia for the moment, but only time and a real-life product review will tell if it’s worth the effort or not!

[Read more…]