Rumor: iPad 2 to be unveiled in Jan, features leak

Despite Apple’s renowned (and feared) security veils over its products, some trickles of information have slipped past the iDevices fortress. According to new rumors, iPad 2 is coming and it will include a host of new features.

First among the rumored is a front-facing camera, bringing possibilities of FaceTime support between the iPhone and the tablet. iPad 2 will also be sporting a USB port, a surprising move considering Apple’s reluctance to supporting anything that could cause trouble, even remotely. The inclusion of a USB port would be welcomed, I am sure, as multimedia sharing would be made simpler with the iPad, even between devices.

The report also claims that the iPad 2 will feature a “new display technology”, which could actually mean a screen similar to the iPhone 4, with the retina display making a bigger screen iPad a possibility. Also thrown is the 3-axis gyroscope, which currently the iPhone 4 sports, bringing better gaming on the iPad. The new tablet is also rumored to lighter and fitter, addressing a very common complaint from heavy users of the iPad.

According to EdibleApple.com, Apple will hold two press events in Q1 2011, the first being in January where the new iPad will be unveiled. The device is expected to hit shelves in April.

Kaspersky updates its security solution for MS Exchange

Press release:
Kaspersky Security 8.0 for Microsoft Exchange Servers provides a high level of anti-malware and anti-spam detection.  With the inclusion of the fourth generation anti-spam engine, which contains advanced technologies for scanning on the basis of formal attributes, the solution’s levels of detection of unwanted messages can reach as high as 99%, with a minimum of false positives. The new antivirus engine provides an increased level of malware detection, enhanced performance and operational stability of the application, along with reduced consumption of system resources.

The updated version of the application allows users to create their own trusted white and black lists of senders’ SMTP or IP addresses. For additional protection against spam, messages are scanned using DNSBL lists of spammers’ addresses and SURBL technology which detects spammer URLs in messages.

The application is managed via the convenient Microsoft Management Console (MMC) which is already familiar to most administrators and the comprehensive system of anti-spam and antivirus protection settings is designed with corporate business processes in mind. The application can also be launched in virtual environments, which is confirmed by the award of a VMware Ready certificate.

Kaspersky Security 8.0 for Microsoft Exchange Servers has been released as part of the new corporate IT security strategy, developed by Kaspersky Lab.

Keith Maskell, Director of Kaspersky Lab’s Corporate Division, commented on the new strategic approach to corporate IT-security, saying: “Modern corporate networks are complex heterogeneous environments and their efficient protection requires the use of applications which support different operating systems. Supporting multiplatform environments is therefore one of the key aspects of corporate IT security.  Kaspersky Lab’s updated line of business solutions is compatible with all of the most popular platforms, the latest versions of operating systems and applications and thus meets the demands of companies of any size.”

The release of a number of corporate applications is planned before the end of 2010 as part of the company’s business product update program. Additional information on Kaspersky Lab’s new and updated solutions is available on the company’s website at: http://www.kaspersky.com/business.

Nokia X3-02 Mobile Phone Review

Its no secret that Nokia has been losing market share in the higher-end Smartphone segment. However, if you look at the entire market, these high-end expensive phones only make around 20% of the market. The majority of mobile phone users continue to use mainstream or budget-priced mobile phones With the new X3-02, Nokia shows us that they certainly know how to make an extremely impressive phone for the majority.

Packaged in a traditional blue Nokia box, the X3-02 comes with a charger and a headset. Also included is a QuickStart guide for Ovi Services as well as an instruction booklet detailing the phone’s features and functionalities. With dimensions of 106.2 x 48.4 x 9.6 mm and weighing just 77.4grams, the Nokia X3-02 is not only incredibly thin and light but also a pretty good looking mobile phone. We received the white/silver version for review, however, it is available in four other colors as well.

Nokia adopts a very clean look for the X3-02 with the left and bottom sides free of any buttons or connections. The right side features volume buttons as well as lock button while the top has a 3.5mm audio output jack, a mini-USB connector and a power connector which I feel is a bit redundant as the phone can be charged though the USB port. The battery cover on the back has a metallic finish to it adding to the aesthetics of the X3-02.

What separates the X3-02 from the bulk of other standard Mobile phones is its touch screen functionality along with a dedicated keypad. The 2.4” resistive screen has a QVGA resolution of 320×240 pixels and supports 256,000 colors. Below the touch screen you have the keypad which is about the only thing that looks a bit off on the X3-02. Generally, mobile phones have three columns with four rows of buttons, however, Nokia switches the layout to a four columns and three rows. The fourth column features the *, # and 0 keys which can be a bit confusing if you are used to the traditional layout of having these keys below your 7,8 and 9 keys.

Hardware wise, the Nokia X3-02 has all the bells and whistles you expect from your standard mobile phone. On the Radio side, you have support for 3.5G HSDPA network along with 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1. Built-in memory is only 50MB, however, a MicroSD card slot allows you to add up to 32GB of flash memory. The camera on the X3-02 has a resolution of 5.0 MegaPixels but is fixed focus and does not feature a flash.

ASUS ENGTX460 DirectCU

NVIDIA did a great job of providing a performance videocard at an affordable price when they realeased the GTX 460. ASUS has taken the standard GTX 460 platform and provided a unique cooling system, along with their unique Voltage Tweak Technology for an up to 50% performance gain. Sporting 1GB of GDDR5 running at 900MHz and a standard GPU clock of 675MHz, the DirectCU version of the GTX 460 performs right where we expected. It’s also priced affordably, a decent 180 USD at Newegg.Check out the rest of the review to see how the enhanced cooling system performs.

http://www.bjorn3d.com/read.php?cID=1953

CandyShell Grip for iPod Touch

Link: http://igadgetlife.com/reviews/review-of-candyshell-grip-for-ipod-touch-4th-gen./

Quote:
“As the iPod Touch and iPhone become more prominent gaming platforms Speck has designed one of their first cases designed for gaming in mind. The CandyShell Grip for iPod Touch is made for the 4th generation version of the Apple product. It is based on their well-regarded Candyshell cases and has built in grip pads to keep the iPod Touch secure in even the sweatiest gamers’ mitts. ”

Thumbnail: http://igadgetlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Candyshell-Grip-01_thumb.jpg

Panasonic DMP-BD655 Blu-ray Disc Player

Quote:
“It’s about time I upgraded my Blu-Ray player I think, and Geeks.com has come through for me by sending a very nice Panasonic unit for review. My current Blu-Ray player is an older model from Sony with not many features at all, and with very slow load times. Today for review I’ve got the Panasonic model DMP-BD655 Blu-Ray player that features fast boot and load times along with Viera Cast online features like Twitter, Netflix and even Amazon Video to just name a few. The unit is small and lightweight and I’m happy with it overall, but there are a few tweaks I’d like to see done to it. ”

Thumbnail Image : http://i.testfreaks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bd7_thumb.jpg

Main site link: http://www.testfreaks.com

IM+ 4.5 for iPhone 4 Review

An instant messaging app is probably the first app you would install on your smartphone. But if you are new to the whole shebang, or are looking for a change, the heaps and heaps of chat app on the App Store can become overwhelming.

IM+ by Shape services is one of the many, but packs in tons of features and a sleek interface that puts it right at the top with the best, and in most cases, even higher. Like most chat apps, IM+ supports all the major protocols: MSN, Facebook, Google Talk, Yahoo!, AIM, ICQ, MySpace, Twitter, Jabber and even Skype.

Setting up is pretty easy. Unlike other chat apps, IM+ does not require you to create a separate account to use the software. At the initial set up, you are required to select and sign in to your favorite chat platform, a onetime process that will save your password and connect you automatically every time you start up the software. The only drawback to this is that IM+ does not present the option to not save your password. If you are finky about security, you will have to be a tad bit careful before handing your phone to someone else.

The interface is divided into four tabs: Contacts, this is where the app will list all online and offline contacts that are associated with your account(s). The contact lists can be minimized to avoid clutter; Inbox, as the name implies this tab collects your received messages and works as a tab bar for your chat windows; Status, you can set your availability status from this tab. IM+ however does not allow you to set status per account; More, this will give you access to the settings, favorites and the browser (more on that later). There is also a customizable ‘middle tab’ which can be set to display the settings, favorites, accounts list, browser or Twitter. I have personally set it to show the accounts list where I can log off and in on an account quickly. Unfortunately, you may be forced to do the same as well since there is no other way to access this option elsewhere.

DemoCamp November 2010 Coverage

Inspired by US-based Demo Conference, Dubai Internet City’s DemoCamp is a stage for students, entrepreneurs and start-ups to showcase their products and ideas. The event was held on 24th November at the Conference Center at Knowledge Village in Dubai and was attended by angel investors, venture capitalists and members of the media.

It was a well organised event save for the fact that it started thirty minutes late and there were a few problems with the microphone while the presentations were going on. What made up for it though was the quality of products on show at the event.

Six projects were showcased in this round of DemoCamp. While the last DemoCamp was dominated by web-based ideas primarily from students and young adults, this time around it was more complex products by more mature entrepreneurs. According to the team behind DemoCamp, thirty four projects were submitted to DemoCamp, out of which these six projects were chosen to be presented at the event. Given the quality of these six products on show, I think the remaining contestants have nothing to be ashamed of for not reaching the finals.

Here are our thoughts on the six projects that were showcased at the event (skip to the next page).

Blackberry Playbook pricing leaked?

RIM has announced its first tablet PC with Blackberry Playbook; showed us some of the features as well, but hey, what about the pricing? Leave that to leaks and rumors of course.

A blog named Mobility Insider claims to have the inside scoop on the pricing of the Blackberry tablet, and while the site does not name any source, it says the tablet will come in three storage varieties: 8GB for $399, 16Gb for $499, and 32 for $599.

The site also notes that all the models will be WiFi only, as previous known, but can receive cellular data connections through a tethered Blackberry smartphone.

Source: Mobility Insider.

Man proposes to girlfriend via an iPhone app

Want to propose to your girlfriend? Well, there’s an app for that!

Sahba Idelkhani wanted to utter the four word phrase to his longtime girlfriend, but instead of hiding the ring in a cake, or leave it swimming in her glass of champaign, he set out to design an iPhone app to do the deed. Idelkhani gave a Texas-based game developer AUD $1500 to write the app, which took his girlfriend Melody on a 200km trip down memory lane.

This is how it went: using the iPhone’s GPS and Google Maps, the app led Melody to various  locations around Sydeny, places where the couple shared something special between each other. As Melody would arrive at the location, she would be then be required to take a picture of the place to prove she was there.

”I tried to optimise it so we didn’t have to keep going back and forth, but considering we went to like, I think it was 12 different places, there was still a bit of travel,” Idelkhani said.

Like all good apps, it also featured integrated Facebook support to keep her family and friends up-to-date with the long search-a-clue marathon.

Finally, the app led her to their master bedroom where two teddy bears stitched together laid with a cutting tool. They weren’t any normal teddy bears – stuffed in their cushy insides was a message installed by Idelkhani no less than three years ago.

”Inside it was a note that I put in there three years ago, which was a message saying: ‘Will you marry me?’,” he said.

”I was confident that she was the one so I planted that in there just in case. I was pretty confident it would happen, but if it didn’t it would be hidden in there forever anyway.”

Did the girl say yes? He rather hoped so, and thankfully, she did. Now the couple are planning a sweet, small outdoor wedding.

Bending on the knees suddenly seems so old fashioned. Well, damn you Idelkhani.

Source: News.com.au

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