Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Cloud-Based Voice Recognition Could Make Oral Commands Actually Useful
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Windows Home Server 2011 released to manufacturers
Built on the Windows Server 2008 R2 base, Home Server 2011 features a simpler dashboard, a better backup solution, dead simple remote access to your home computers, and Silverlight-powered remote media streaming. For a more detailed look at what's new in Windows Home Server 2011, you check out Microsoft's official breakdown.
Drive Extender, of course, didn't resurface for the final release of WHS 2011 and that's something a lot of power users are still pretty irked about. Even without Extender, Windows Home Server offers a boatload of useful functionality and might be a good fit for your home network. Manufacturers have already begun building hardware, so you should be able to pick up a device in the very near future.
An evaluation download for Windows Home Server 2011 will be made available in April -- we'll let you know when the links are ready.
Windows Home Server 2011 released to manufacturers originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/30/windows-home-server-2011-released-to-manufacturers/
Mobile Nations at CES 2013 Podcast: Day Zero
Once again Mobile Nations has assembled at CES, and we've come together with the Cell Phone Junkie to talk NVIDIA's Project Shield, 4K (2160p) televisions, giant phones, low-end phones, and all the rest of the news -- and the show hasn't even officially started yet!
- Our podcast feed: Audio
- Download directly: Audio
- Subscribe in iTunes: Audio | Video
- Subscribe in Zune
Panel
- Mickey Papillon (@mickeypapillon) of The Cell Phone Junkie
- Phil Nickinson (@philnickinson) of Android Central
- Kevin Michaluk (@crackberrykevin) of CrackBerry.com
- Daniel Rubino (@Daniel_Rubino) of WPCentral
- Rene Ritchie (@reneritchie) of iMore.com
- Alex Dobie (@alexdobie) of androidcentral.com
- Simon Sage (@SimonSage) of mobilenations.com
- Andrew Dobie (@alexdobie) of androidcentral.com
- Anndrew Vacca @anndrew of androidcentral.com
- Andrew Martonik @andrewmartonik of androidcentral.com
Feedback
Got something to say? Agree or disagree with something we said? Have something you want us to discuss on a future show? Don't just sit there yelling at the screen, dammit, let us know!
- Email: podcast@mobilenations.com
- Twitter: @mobilenations
- Web: www.mobilenations.com
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/ycUwca0l0dI/story01.htm
Apple’s App Store crashes through the 40 billion apps download mark
“It has been an incredible year for the iOS developer community,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “Developers have made over seven billion dollars on the App Store, and we continue to invest in providing them with the best ecosystem so they can create the most innovative apps in the world.”
Nearly half of the 40 billion downloads were made in 2012 alone which is quite an achievement when you consider it. The App Store currently offers more than 775,000 apps for iPhone and iPad users as well as more than 300,000 apps specifically for the iPad. The 40 million figure is made up purely from new app downloads and does not include re-downloads or updates to existing apps either.
Source: Apple PR
App Store Tops 40 Billion Downloads with Almost Half in 2012 Record-Breaking December with Over Two Billion Downloads
CUPERTINO, California―January 7, 2013―Apple® today announced that customers have downloaded over 40 billion apps*, with nearly 20 billion in 2012 alone. The App Store℠ has over 500 million active accounts and had a record-breaking December with over two billion downloads during the month. Apple’s incredible developer community has created over 775,000 apps for iPhone®, iPad® and iPod touch® users worldwide, and developers have been paid over seven billion dollars by Apple.
“It has been an incredible year for the iOS developer community,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “Developers have made over seven billion dollars on the App Store, and we continue to invest in providing them with the best ecosystem so they can create the most innovative apps in the world.”
In 2012, the husband and wife team at Imangi Studios saw their game Temple Run downloaded more than 75 million times; Backflip Studios and Supercell, two emerging game development studios, brought in over $100 million combined for their leading freemium titles DragonVale and Clash of Clans; and emerging services including Uber, Flipboard, HotelTonight, and AirBnB attracted millions of users on iOS. Companies including Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Autodesk, Marvel and Major League Baseball continued to expand their iOS offerings, while developers like JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot Interactive and Bottle Rocket Apps continued to push the boundaries of what iOS apps can do.
“The success of our game Temple Run in 2012 was nothing short of astonishing,” said Keith Shepherd, co-founder of Imangi Studios. “We were simply looking to create a game that was fun and easy to play, but once it hit the App Store, the game took off. This past year, we saw more than 75 million downloads of Temple Run on iOS.”
“Our success on iOS has been incredible,” said Samir Hanna, vice president of Consumer Products for Autodesk. “We set off with the modest goal of bringing SketchBook to iPhone users as a way of introducing them to Autodesk. Fast forward three years, we now offer 20 apps to iOS users that have achieved more than 50 million downloads, and we continue to roll out new creativity and design tools that appeal to both professionals and consumers.”
“The App Store provided us with opportunities beyond our wildest dreams,” said Bad Robot Interactive’s JJ Abrams. “Our app Action Movie FX was designed to bring Hollywood special effects to anyone’s self-made video, whether that be on an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, and we’re just thrilled that millions of fans around the world were as excited as we were about the possibilities that this app brings.”
“Bottle Rocket Apps now employs over 100 full-time employees, dedicated to nothing but building great apps,” said Calvin Carter, president of Bottle Rocket Apps. “In my 20 plus years in technology, I have never seen such a vibrant marketplace for software like the App Store.”
Apple offers developers a wealth of resources and tools to help them make great apps, plus a robust ecosystem and marketplace which provide customers a safe and easy way to discover them. Apple also provides developers great ways to monetize apps including in-app purchase, subscriptions and advertising, and helps market and support developer efforts in the App Store and beyond.
The revolutionary App Store offers more than 775,000 apps to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users in 155 countries around the world, with more than 300,000 native iPad apps available. App Store customers can choose from an incredible range of apps in 23 categories, including newspapers and magazines offered in Newsstand, games, business, news, sports, health & fitness and travel.
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/aZVhy-1oBPM/story01.htm
How Effective is the iPad as a Business Tool?
Right from the start the iPad was marketed as one of the best unique devices to be launched on the market. It’s screen size and ability to render amazing images as well as it’s great video playback lives up to this claim. However, there is more to the iPad than just this because the device offers business-savvy users some very interesting apps they can really benefit from.
Although Apple is pretty independent, it does however, have in-built support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and 2007. Microsoft’s Business Email service cannot be ignored and as such Apple would not let their users get left behind should they choose to buy an iPad.
This enhanced software feature allows iPad users to manage specific calendar details as well as search global address lists and inbox messages that are stored in their Microsoft profile.
Apple is known for it’s high level of security and this is just as important on the iPad. Data exchanged over the Internet or over-the-air can be encrypted. Corporate communication over-the-air is also very well protected using a certificate-based authentication process via VPN and Exchange. If users lose their iPads or they are stolen, people are able to delete any vulnerable data that’s stored on the device by way of a remote command app.
There are loads of specialized apps which include business metrics tracker, proposal reviewer and many more that have be specifically developed with business users in mind. Apple hosts the iPhone Developer Enterprise Program which is much the same as the enterprise edition of the BlackBerry RIM. The real difference between the two is that iPad users can create their own apps and they can share these with colleagues as well as employees when deemed necessary.
Companies are able to set up on their own profiles on their iPads and this includes their details like VPN, email, password as well as wireless networks which they can then share with their colleague through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or the Internet.
For business users, the iWork app allows them to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations. These applications have been specifically designed to be accessed by the iPad’s multi-touch screen system. They can create and present keynote slides throught the touchscreen device and manage Numbers and Pages by simply tapping the element on it.
Users can share these documents in different ways including via a VGA adapter that connects the iPad to a projector which allows the device to display a much larger image, this is particularly useful when a presentation needs to be given to a roomful of people. One good thing about the iPad is that users can import Microsoft documents onto their device. Users can share their presentations, spreadsheets and text document on a much wider scale if they upload to iWork.com as this allows a much larger audience to view the files when they need to.
Source: http://tabletbuzzblog.com/how-effective-is-the-ipad-as-a-business-tool/
Monday, January 7, 2013
DropSpace adds real Dropbox sync to Android
DropSpace is a little Android app that makes Dropbox on Android work like Dropbox - that is, you get real folder synchronization in the background.
When you run the app you're prompted for your Dropbox credentials. After logging in to Dropbox, you get to select which device folders you'd like to sync to the cloud. It's a straightforward mapping process: You select a folder on the device, and then specify where in Dropbox it should go.
The interface is rather clunky, at least for now. The biggest annoyance is that you can't edit your "sync list": if you add a folder and then wish to remove it, you must delete the entire list of folders and start over.
In terms of functionality, it works quite well. I tested it with the camera folder, and it was nice to be able to take my photos using the lean default Camera app and have them sync up to the cloud instantly.
DropSpace adds real Dropbox sync to Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/04/dropspace-adds-real-dropbox-sync-to-android/
Gorilla Glass 3 Hands On: Somehow Even More Indestructible (Exclusive)
Polaroid iM1836: This Interchangeable-Lens Android Camera Seems Too Good to Be True
Mac OS X Lion Preview 2 released, introduces mega exciting leather bound iCal skin
There has been some speculation that Apple is getting close to a release or Golden Master build, but judging by 9to5 Mac's initial findings there's definitely some way to go. The Golden Master will probably appear at, or just before, the Apple WWDC in June.
So far, it's looking like the only changes in Preview 2 are the leather bound iCal skin that you can see above, and the main iChat window now combines your AIM, Bonjour and Jabber contacts, like Adium. We're sure that more details will emerge throughout the day, though, and there's bound to be lots of invisible changes, too. We'll update this post when we find out more.
Mac OS X Lion Preview 2 released, introduces mega exciting leather bound iCal skin originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 05:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
iHeartRadio tailors streaming to mood with 'Perfect For,' adds alarm for good measure
Looking to stream tunes based on your mood without the need to make a meticulous selection? If so, iHeartRadio is looking to oblige. The internet music service has announced the "Perfect For" feature that allows you to tailor your stream from over 1,500 live stations by selecting your current temperament or activity. Following the announcement at CES today, the add-on will be available for iPhone and PC with compatibility for other devices arriving shortly. In addition to the listening tool, the outfit has added alarm functionality for early morning wake-up calls and reminders to keep your schedule in check. This means that your tunes on those difficult Monday mornings can now reflect just how awful the end of the weekend really is.
Filed under: Internet, Software
Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/qsEVJtwY2lc/
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Corel VideoStudio X4 giveaway
To enter our random draw, you just have to leave a comment. Full terms and conditions are after the break.
Continue reading Corel VideoStudio X4 giveaway
Corel VideoStudio X4 giveaway originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/corel-videostudio-x4-giveaway/
New iPad Battery Life
The new iPad has the same battery life as the iPad 2. This may strike some as peculiar because the iPad 3 has a new more highly-powered battery. However, although the battery does carry more juice, this is offset by the new features of the iPad 3 which require more power, for example the high-definition Retina display and the 4G connectivity. That said, the new iPad battery life is still perfectly reasonable and is suitable both for casual at-home use and for intensive use on the move.
New improved battery = a thicker iPad?
While the actual battery life on the iPad 2 and new iPad is around the same, the ipad 3′s battery is a much better one. The iPad 2 battery was approximately 6930mAh, whereas the new iPad’s battery is 10,000mAh – an increase of around 44%.
As the battery produces more power, it is also larger than its predecessor. This meant some slightly cosmetic changes to the new iPad. At 9.4mm thickness, it’s 0.6mm thicker than the iPad 2 – nothing to write home about, in other words! The iconic sleek design and tapered shape of the iPad is still there.
Battery Life
In benchmark tests the new iPad 3 battery life lasts for around 10 hours. However, if you’re using 4G connection, you can expect to see that go down to around 8 hours. This is average for most iPads and realistically mean that you can get a full day’s work out of the new iPad 3 without having to recharge it.
Drain on Battery
Although the battery is larger and more higher powered than the iPad 2 battery, the new iPad 3 lasts the same amount of time as the iPad 2. The new features available in the iPad 3 can really drain the battery quickly – and when you think about the innovations in the camera, sounds quality and Retina display, it’s easy to see why. If Apple hadn’t included this new battery then we’d have been seeing battery life reduced probably to around 4-5 hours.
Tips to Increase Battery Life on the New iPad
There are a number of ways to improve the battery life of the new iPad 3. The first port of call is to turn off the notifications and location services for most (if not all) of the apps that you use. This will immediately save the iPad having to dedicate battery power to these unnecessary functions.
You can also reduce the screen brightness to 50-70% – this will decrease the amount of power that goes into the screen display. As long as you’re working indoors this setting should be fine, although you will need to increase brightness in strong sunlight.
Set the iPad to auto-lock after a short time period, say 30 seconds. This will automatically turn off the display when you’re not using your device.
Bottom Line – Is It Worth It?
The battery life in the new iPad 3 may be the same as the iPad 2, but the battery itself is much stronger and more powerful, and is absolutely necessary to handle the more power-draining new features that make the new iPad 3 such a desirable piece of kit.
Chrome 11 beta adds new experimental APIs for proxies, Web navigation
Google Chrome 11 -- which just recently made the move to the browser's beta channel -- has received a minor update that gives developers access to two new APIs.
The first is a full-featured proxy API, which will, for example, allow users to set different proxy servers for normal browsing and Incognito mode. Proxy auto-config scripts are also supported by the API.
The second -- Web Navigation Extension -- is a bit more expansive. This API will allow devs to build everything from more powerful safe browsing extensions -- like Traffic Light -- to data analysis and reporting extensions.
Both APIs are currently experimental, so you'll need to enable them on the about:flags page to try out any relevant extensions. Apart from a proxy example built by Google and shipped with the Chromium source, we're not aware of any examples just yet, however. We'll let you know when we spot any slick, new extensions which do surface.
Chrome 11 beta adds new experimental APIs for proxies, Web navigation originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Corning to show off even tougher Gorilla Glass 3 at CES 2013
This time last year we were in Las Vegas, checking out CES 2012 when Corning decided to show off Gorilla Glass 2 in their booth. The demo of the 20% stronger yet 20% thinner chemically-hardened glass was impressive, but they've got something even better in store for next week at CES 2013: Gorilla Glass 3. According to Engadget, version three of Gorilla Glass is touted to be three-times more scratch resistant over its predecessor, while also offering up forty percent fewer visible scratches. In other words, it's straight-up tougher to scratch.
All of this is supposedly owed to the implementation of a propriety treatment Corning calls 'Native Damage Resistance' that is said to reduce the propagation of flaws and scratching. This doesn't mean your future Gorilla Glass-fronted iPhone will be impervious to a sudden and rapid meeting with a hard surface near you, but it'll certainly stand up better to in-pocket and in-purse abuse. Or at least the screen will.
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/VwvclGZdMYU/story01.htm
Vizio refreshes its PC lineup: all new models have touchscreens, quad-core CPUs
When Vizio entered the PC market last year, we weren't gushing about its computers, per se, but we found ourselves rooting for the company anyway: for all it got wrong (flaky trackpads, poor battery life), it did a lot of things right. We had to respect Vizio for giving most of its PCs 1080p screens and installing a clean, bloatware-free version of Windows. Not to mention, Vizio kept the price relatively low, the same way it did when it was trying to break into the TV space. Now, the company is completely refreshing its lineup for 2013, leaving only one model from 2012 (that would be its 15-inch mainstream notebook). Starting now, all of its all-ones and Thin + Light laptops will come standard with touchscreens and quad-core processors, including some from AMD (a first for Vizio).
What's curious is that although Vizio is taking the opportunity to replace most of its PCs, it hasn't actually made any changes to the industrial design. That means, for better or worse, that these new models will probably be quite similar to the PCs we tested just a few months ago. Same all-metal chassis but also, the same flat keyboard. What they do promise is faster performance, along with improved audio. Both the 14- and 15-inch Thin + Light Touch are available in two configurations, one with a Core i7 processor, and the other with AMD's top-of-the-line A10 chip.
Likewise, the 24-inch all-in-one is now the All-in-One Touch, and it, too, will be available in two configurations. If you've been eyeing the 27-inch model, though, that will only be offered with Intel components. As ever, they'll all have that clean, Microsoft Signature install, and almost all will have 1080p screens, save for the 14-inch Thin + Light, which has 1,600 x 900 resolution. No word on pricing, though Vizio says they'll go on sale in mid-February. We'll be back soon enough with hands-on shots but for now, check out some press photos after the break.
Continue reading Vizio refreshes its PC lineup: all new models have touchscreens, quad-core CPUs
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops
Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/gP1DtP2LlvU/
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Mac OS X Lion Preview 2 released, introduces mega exciting leather bound iCal skin
There has been some speculation that Apple is getting close to a release or Golden Master build, but judging by 9to5 Mac's initial findings there's definitely some way to go. The Golden Master will probably appear at, or just before, the Apple WWDC in June.
So far, it's looking like the only changes in Preview 2 are the leather bound iCal skin that you can see above, and the main iChat window now combines your AIM, Bonjour and Jabber contacts, like Adium. We're sure that more details will emerge throughout the day, though, and there's bound to be lots of invisible changes, too. We'll update this post when we find out more.
Mac OS X Lion Preview 2 released, introduces mega exciting leather bound iCal skin originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 05:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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