Tech news and business reports News. Focused on information technology, core topics include computers, hardware, software, networking, and Internet media.
The Rajnikanth of the gaming world is back - this time on a smaller screen. Slide to Play has revealed that Devil May Cry 4 will release on the iPhone. Capcom is busy fine tuning their hack & slash action caper for the iOS platform, and will be out for sale later this month for $6.99 (Rs. 320 approx). The game will be a quintessential Devil May Cry title replete with big swords, long and elaborate combos, and extreme stylistic battles albeit on a smaller screen with slightly scaled down graphics and iPhone optimized controls.
You play the role of Nero, just like in its console cousin, but Dante will be added in later as a downloadable character. The preview indicates that the game retains the same gut wrenching, hair ripping level of difficulty, so don't be surprised if you wear out your screen from all the violent strokes. iPhone 4 users just may appreciate the Gorilla Glass display when they slam it into walls in frustration. Admit it; we all have been down that road before with Devil May Cry's fiendish combat adjudicator minigames.
Motorola unveiled the highly anticipated XOOM tablet running Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb OS meant for tablets at CES 2011 in Las Vegas. Yes, XOOM's hardware specifications and Android Honeycomb debut did blow many of us away. DigiTimes reported that Motorola has placed orders for about 700,000-800,000 XOOM tablets with four color options for the first quarter of this year. The XOOM tablet orders from Motorola are expected to go above one million this year.
Motorola's XOOM tablet features a 10.1-inch display supporting 1280x800 pixel resolution. Packing dual-core 1GHz Nvidia Tegra T20 SoC processor with 1GB DDR2 RAM, XOOM runs Android 3.0 update dubbed as Honeycomb. The tablet has onboard 32GB memory and one can add up to 32GB microSD memory card for increasing the storage. This tablet has 5 megapixel camera capable of recording 720p HD, LED Flash light and 2 megapixel camera in the front.
According to DigiTimes, notebook chassis makers, such as Catcher Technology and Foxconn Techonology along with handset chassis makers such Taiwan Chi Cheng and Silitech Technology would benefit from the XOOM Tablet orders.
Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb has been optimized for the tablet and the sources noted that it indeed is suitable for 7-inch and 10-inch display bearing tablets. Motorola and Samsung are said to have received assistance from Google. Both companies are priority partners of Google, who are followed by LG Electronics and HTC.
Looks like Apple iPad 2 will have tough competition with Motorola XOOM and other Android Tablets. Components of the same would be manufactured in Taiwan, so obviously there's going to be a pull-push of production schedules. As for the consumer, we'll get to see more amazing tablets from Motorola, Samsung, LG, HTC and others to compete with the current hot favorite - the Apple iPad.
After showing off the PlayStation Phone videos, Chinese forum IT168 hasleaked imagesof the purported Xperia X10 Mini Pro successor. Bearing a similar form factor as of the X10 Mini Pro, the leaked Xperia phone also has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. This device is said to run Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread update and might be shown at theFebruary 13 eventscheduled by Sony Ericsson. Unlike the current generation Xperia X10 Mini Pro and X10 Mini, this successor phone will sport a 3-inch display. The keys on the slide-out keyboard appear neatly spaced out for easy of typing. At the back of the phone is the camera which is capable of recording 720p HD video. The poster also listed that this Xperia mini phone runs 800MHz Qualcomm MSM7230 CPU with 384RAM and Adreno 205 GPU. Last month, a similar phone showed its graphics prowess by flaunting the Adreno 205 GPU but was based on 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon QSD8255 chipset. Both appear to be totally different models with different processing power. So far here's the list of Xperia phones that might be shown on February 13: - X12 Anzu - Xperia Mini phones: One with 1GHz QSD8255 CPU and slide out one with MSM7230 CPU - Windows Phone 7 based devices - X7/X7 Mini One thing is sure that the phones to be unveiled belong to the Xperia family - at least that's what the invite said.
A tabloid called Weekly World News has become quite popular over the weekend after it published anews storyabout Facebook shutting down on March 15. The reason for the shutdown was absurdly cited as, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook "wanted his life back" and desired "to put end to all the madness". Zuckerberg is supposed to have made this statement at a press conference outside the social network's Palo Alto office. The Tabloid, which is known for publishing fake news stories, seems to have tried a spin on the ever-growing social network, Facebook. "Facebook has gotten out of control," said Zuckerberg in a press conference outside his Palo Alto office," and the stress of managing this company has ruined my life. I need to put an end to all the madness," Facebook has squashed this silly and ridiculous rumor with a status message: We didn't get the memo about shutting down, so we'll keep working away like always. We aren't going anywhere; we're just getting started. Facebook Director of Corporate Communications Larry Yu confirmed that the rumor is false. In response to Mashable's mail about theshutdown, Yu responded, "The answer is no, so please help us put an end to this silliness."
More than a week ago, we saw the MeeGo 1.1 OS beingportedto Windows Mobile 6.5 running HTC HD2 smartphone. Now the same Irish iPhone & Mac Developer, Steve Straughton Smith hasmanagedto successfully port MeeGo 1.1 OS on the Nexus S. Installing MeeGo 1.1 OS on Nexus S with Android 2.3 Gingerbread requires a custom kernel and a rootfs image of the OS on internal memory. It all started with adual-bootingNokia N900 tablet with MeeGo 1.1 OS at the end of October 2010. After that we saw MeeGo 1.1 being installed on HD2 and now on the Nexus S. Smith has also given a quick how-to for installing MeeGo on the Nexus S. Only those with good knowledge of Linux should go ahead with the installation. Steps for Installing MeeGo 1.1 - Build a MeeGo rootfs first in ext2 format by using kickstart.tar.gz as base. - Compile the images successfully and copy it to rootfs.ext2 on internal memory of Nexus S - To boot it, you ll need to use Fastboot (fastboot boot nexuss-meego-boot.img) for the http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8657343/nexuss-meego-boot.img boot.img. - Alternatively you can dual boot the MeeGo OS on Nexus S by flashing it to recovery Since this is just the first step of successful port, not many basic things are working on MeeGo OS. Things that don t work currently: - Touchscreen - Super-AMOLED brightness control (screen looks near pitch black) - WiFi - Everything else Smith stated that the MeeGo port was his sole endeavor but he certainly needs help from other Linux Geeks to get all functions of Meego port up and running on Nexus S.
Razer and Sixense's love child theHydra motion controllerhas been showcased by a lot of people including John Carmack from id Software and big names like Valve since 2009. However, Razer's foray into motion gaming just got relevant with Valveannouncinga Portal 2 bundle featuring Razer Hydra at the just concluded Consumer Electronics Show. For the first time, after many concepts and demos, the product has gained tangible release information. Portal 2 will include Hydra specific stages and also a bundle featuring the motion controller scheduled to release this April. The video shows the Hydra being employed to solve physics based puzzles by manipulating objects on an intuitive 1:1 basis. The Hydra doesn't use camera(s) like the PlayStation Move or Kinect, but instead employs a base station to create an electromagnetic field with a 6-ft radius and track movement from two Wiimote/PS Move like controllers by the changes in the same. Don't worry though, the magnetic field is weak enough, so there's no risk of your HDD being wiped out. Razer Hydra's price isn't final yet, but Razer promises that it'll be under $100. Razer doesn't really enjoy third party support like, say, Sony or Microsoft do, so it'll be imperative that the Hydra be priced low and have at least a few compelling reasons for adoption. Portal 2 support seems a step in the right direction.
Sony PlayStation 3 hacker Geohot is working relentlessly to make the life of Sony's PS3 software engineers miserable. After making the PS3 console root key public, the hacker has nowreleasedPS3 jailbreak through his website - http://geohot.com/ for the consoles running the 3.55 firmware version. To jailbreak your console all you need to do is get the jailbreak.zip file from Geohot's site and flash it with the official 3.55 PS3 firmware update. Last week Sonypromisedto release patches for security exploits via network update. But before the patches were ready, the PS3 firmware 3.55 jailbreak broke loose on the weekend. Anyone who knows a wee-bit about updating the game console using update files can perform this jailbreak. Geohot wrote on his website: open the zip, you know how to install 3.55 only
would be pirates, don't waste your time
do not mirror file, link to geohot.com
no donations accepted right now, don't get scammed This jailbreak contains a PUP file that is like a system update and installs like a regular system update using 3.55 firmware update file. Those interested in developing and running homebrew (open-source) applications on the PS3 console can use thePS3PublicToolscreated by Geohot. Using those tools you can create homebrew programs signing tool chain, so that the software runs as legitimate on the PS3 console. However, it requires good programming knowledge and GNU/Linux based OS usage. As usual, questions about game piracy arises, but it appears that Geohot has taken care of the same as he doesn't condone piracy. Nonetheless, that doesn't rule out a possibility of finding a loophole and exploiting it to run pirated PS3 games. Now you can be sure of Sony sending security update patches via network updates anytime soon.
A gent nameddemize2010has uploaded four videos on YouTube featuring him playing Call of Duty 4, Legend of Zelda, Doom and Rainbow Six on a PC using Microsoft'sKinect motion controller. The legacy of Kinect hacks has just been pushed that much further and it seems we may just have a very tangible option of playing our best loved games on the PC using the Kinect. You heard it right; demize2010 on YouTubeclaimsto have played all those on his Windows 7 PC. He included the Nintendo Wii's Wiimote controller for movement controls when playing Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare and Rainbox Six. The videos look very believable as you can see him leaning, performing melee attacks and throwing grenades using Kinect's motion gestures. It's amazing to see the intuitiveness the Kinect + Wiimote interface brings to FPS games. Check out the video below to see him switch seamlessly from aiming through the sights and firing from the hips, simply by the virtue of raising and lowering the Wiimote. Like I said - amazing! This is pure genius, so let's just hope Mr. demize2010 has the sense to bring his Kinect wizardry out to the open source so we all can bite into the fun. I wonder if all this would be compatible with Kinect'sPC cousinas well.
We've known that Apple and Verizon have been working quietly on a CDMA iPhone that is due this year. Verizon has sent out press conference invites to select mainstream media houses for aneventscheduled tomorrow at 11AM PST. According to John Paczkowski of AllThingsD, Verizon President & COO, Lowell McAdam along with Apple CEO will announce the long awaited Verizon iPhone CDMA version at the event. While, we anticipate the announcement of the CDMA iPhone, AT&T isn't happy with the development. Consumer Reports survey ranked Verizon mobile carrier as the top mobile service provider while AT&T was ranked the last. Several complaints and reports about slow staggering network quality of AT&T network have been reported ever since the iPhone was launched for the network. Anthony J Melone, Verizon CTO told Wall Street Journal that the company has invested heavily on its surging 3G network traffic. On the other hand, Verizon showed off its new 4G LTE devices and plans for the coming year. Of course, it will take a while for the company to get its 4G Networks installed and running at several places in US. On top of that Verizon is already being reported about their plans to offer unlimited data plans to CDMA iPhone owners. With Apple's iPhone contract with AT&T coming to an end, CDMA major Verizon is expected to get heavy orders. Apple is alreadysellingthe iPad with Verizon's MiFi. AT&T appears to be edgy with these developments and is subliminally pointing that the Apple-Verizon CDMA endeavor won't work out for the end consumers and Apple. AT&T PR boss Larry Solomon stated in a statement: "The iPhone is built for speed, but that's not what you get with a CDMA phone. I'm not sure iPhone users are ready for life in the slow lane." Mark Siegel, an AT&T spokesman, repeated Larry's words that Verizon s customers may suffer problems because the version of the Apple device the carrier is getting will use CDMA technology, a generation older than Verizon's latest offering,reportedBloomberg. AT&T is clearly stating that its GSM technology based network is faster than Verizon's CDMA network. Here are the developments, rumors and speculations we've heard, read and reported so far: - Apple's CDMA version of iPhone is imminent; the company wouldn't invest so heavily in antennae technology otherwise. Product innovation is expected but for a phone it's more important to work seamlessly with different network technologies. - The number of new 4G Android handsets and tablets coming on CDMA and 4G LTE networks are indirectly forcing Apple to consider 4G LTE and CDMA just beyond next generation iPhone -CDMA does have limitations over GSM but it also has its own merits. Rather that call-drops or poor network coverage, consumers wouldn't mind paying for guaranteed basic telephony.
Transcend has updated its USB 3.0 collection with JetFlash 700 range of USB drives. The JetFlash 700 drives come in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB variants, and have full support for USB 3.0 interface. Transcend claims a peak transfer speed of 70 MB/s, which will, of course be put to proper test in our Test Labs. The JetFlash 700 is available at an MRP ofRs.1,300 (8GB),Rs.2,000 (16GB) andRs.5,600 (32GB). Transcend provides limited lifetime warranty for the drives. The drive is fabricated using ultrasonic welding technology for added strength and better aesthetics. Transcend has also put up JetFlash Elite data management tools for download, which allow mail access from compatible computers and use the drive as a secure passkey to log on to website accounts.
A week back, Iomega launched its latest version of the ScreenPlay media player, the ScreenPlay TV Link MX HD media player. This will be available shortly for a retail price of Rs. 4,499 and is backed up by a three-year warranty.
The Link MX supports a maximum resolution of 1080p (60Hz) and supports all popular formats like H.264, WMV, RMVB, etc. The single USB 2.0 port in the front accepts FAT 32 and NTFS formatted hard drives among other formats. For connectivity, the player has HDMI 1.3 as well as Composite ports. On the digital audio front there is a Coaxial audio out instead of the typical S/PDIF connections that we are used to seeing. Here's a quick look at the various video, audio and photo formats it supports.
The Xstreamer may not be available officially in India, but that hasn't stopped the audio/videophiles and enthusiasts from getting one from the grey markets and forum group orders. Xstreamer has got an Apple makeover in the form ofiXstreamer, which is out now in UK for GBP 159 (Rs. 11,250 approx). In addition to its regular goodies, the iXstreamer also includes a full-fledged iPad dock.
Apart from the docking ability for Apple's tablet, the iXstreamer also includes a 3.5-inch HDD bay, WiFi b/g/n support, DLNA/UPnP streaming and regular wired network connectivity. It also includes 1080p video playback and 7.1 channel audio outputs. Streaming and media server duties are covered in the form of internet radio support, capability of serving as a TwonkyMedia server and as a standalone NAS or FTP server. It has got all bases covered with the ability to support online FLV streaming capability, a nifty full screen UI, Blu-Ray ISO support, and the ability to use the iPhone as a remote controller.
While Android phones are still waiting for their 2.3 update (some are actually still waiting for their Froyo update) someone has gone ahead and ported Android 2.3 Gingerbread to an iPhone 3G. The port is once again based on the iDroid project, which means you still have iOS around and is just a dual boot away in case something goes wrong.
Check out the video below if for some reason you find it hard to believe that an iPhone 3G is running Gingerbread before many Android phones.
It is official, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm has sold 4.7 million copies since its December 7 release. The Expansion had already destroyed PC game sales records with its whopping 3.3 million copies sold in the first 24 hours. A good 70% of its sales so far happened in the first day itself, with only the rest of the 30% spread over the month. This underscores the nature of die hard fans this franchise enjoys. Blizzard head honcho, Mike Morhaime, marks the milestone by acknowledging, "We created thousands of new quests, introduced new lands to explore, and extensively revamped the game world for World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, making it our biggest and most ambitious expansion yet. We've been floored by the community's response so far, and we'd like to thank them for their continued passion and support for World of Warcraft, and for helping Cataclysm reach this incredible milestone." The Cataclysm expansion pack finds favor amongst old schoolers as well as newbies because it completely revamps existing locales into a new look and feel. It's now possible to level up beyond level 60 and getting to Level 60 is easier as well. This, when combined with the fact that the altered rules and strategies now put the veterans and the rookies on a relatively level playing field. No wonder the world's favorite MMORPG has managed to pull retired gamers as well as fresh blood for the Cataclysm expansion pack.
Research in Motion seems to in a soup again. Apart from its on-going squabble with the Indian government to provide a lawful interception solution, it's facing some trouble with the Indonesian government as well. The government of Indonesia hasdemandedthat RIM stop access to porn sites on BlackBerry smartphones. If RIM refuses to comply, the government has threatened to impose a ban on RIM's browsing service. Also, just like India, Indonesia too has demanded RIM to setup a local server for lawful interception of the encrypted BlackBerry data. Indonesian Communications and Information Minister Tiffatul Sembiring has called for tighter internet controls and wants RIM to block access to porn sites to comply with an anti-pornography law. RIM in a statement said, "Research In Motion confirms that it shares Minister Tifatul Sembirings sense of urgency on this matter and it is fully committed to working with Indonesia's carriers to put in place a prompt, compliant filtering solution for Blackberry subscribers in Indonesia as soon as possible." Back in July, the government of Indonesia had asked certain Internet Service Providers to block access to porn websites. Now the country wants restriction of porn sites even on BlackBerry phones. RIM has been facing the heat on "lawful interception" solutions, but it's an irony because the company itself calls it technologically not feasible to offer decryption tools for "encrypted" BlackBerry Services. Compromising with governments of different countries will make people lose their faith in BlackBerry services. Even Apple hasn't been able to save themselves from Internet Censorship demands by the Japanese government asreportedlast week. It seems that RIM and iPhone aren't having a great time in East Asia and South East Asia.
The Rajnikanth of the gaming world is back - this time on a smaller screen. Slide to Play has revealed that Devil May Cry 4 will release on the iPhone. Capcom is busy fine tuning their hack & slash action caper for the iOS platform, and will be out for sale later this month for $6.99 (Rs. 320 approx). The game will be a quintessential Devil May Cry title replete with big swords, long and elaborate combos, and extreme stylistic battles albeit on a smaller screen with slightly scaled down graphics and iPhone optimized controls.
