For those looking for the latest storage options, once again Western Digital does not disappoint. Their latest offering is in the form of a size-zero drive that allows for a massive 143GB for every millimeter. Western Digital has just begun shipping these beauties.
This Western Digital Blue Drive is a miniscule 7mm thick and has around one to two different 500GB platters installed inside. There are different data capacities offered in 250GB, 320GB, 500GB, 750GB and even a 1TB (two platters will be required for the 750GB and the 1TB options).
This new Blue Drive has all of the expected capabilities to keep it spinning and providing the data delivery that users expect. Featuring ShockGuard to prevent knocks and other movements from disabling it, this drive is more stable than others. The Blue spins at an incredible speed of 5,400rpm.
Already, Acer and ASUS are most likely going to be shipping their latest models with the Blue installed. Intel is also in the mix stating that Ultrabooks that contain Haswell processors would work perfectly with the WD Blue drive.
This Blue drive comes with a 2-year warranty and states that it is able to withstand 600,000 loads and unloads. The 1TB version of Blue is available now at around $139.00. You can view all of the specs and details on the Western Digital website.
It seems that LG understands that TV gaming is more important than other TV manufacturers realize. LG just launched its Beta Ubitus' GameNow Service, allowing Smart TV owners in the US to enjoy the fun of gaming through a streaming game portal. Full of console titles like Devil May Cry 4 and Dead Rising 2, this service is sure to be a welcome addition to gamers.
With AAA and MMO titles, there is plenty to keep gamers satisfied. The GameNow service allows the latest Smart TVs to be turned into gaming consoles. This service is not available, to this magnitude, on any other TV unit. Finally, gamers can get their game on without the hassle of loading discs. Now, with just a few selections, users can play big titles like Batman: Arkam City and Street Fighter X Tekken. There is no extra hardware to purchase and the games can be played at any time.
LG works to brings its customers what they want in their TV entertainment experience. Constantly pushing the edge of technology, they are leading the way in providing the best applications in Smart TV viewing. With this latest installment, LG is able to give its customers the best game technology, powered by the Ubitus name. With no console needed, gamers can play without the expense!
This cloud gaming experience will most likely prove to be a big success for LG. Teaming up with Ubitus allows for a great combination of technology giants to collaborate and make cloud gaming a reality. For those who want the experience, the free beta trial is available now at LG Smart World.
If you've been missing out on Verizon's FiOS Mobile service for your Android, you can now experience it, just like the iOS users have been doing for a few months. This application can now be accessed on a variety of different Android smartphones and tablets, giving users the ability to finally enjoy watching live TV and On Demand on their devices.
Through this application, users can watch their favorite TV shows, as some channels are available for live streaming. Whether you own a smartphone or tablet, you can have 24 hour access to all of the On Demand content. Though Internet Only users will be unable to access the TV and Video on Demand features, those who have a cable package will. No more being stuck away from your TV and missing out.
Google Play has the application available right now. For those Android users who have been unable to access this application for months, it is a welcome addition to all of the options that Verizon already offers its customers.
Finally, Verizon's FiOS Mobile service for Android is here.
The tech world, at one time truly believed the Web posed a serious threat to the TV industry. But all that has changed now. Instead, it appears that tech, and TV are joining forces. We see these new associations in many ways. The following three associations shed insight as to how these interactions are working.
Twitter and TV
We see this new joining of forces through projects like that of Twitter’s new advertising strategy, which is aimed at TV viewers. Its purpose is in not stealing huge TV ad budgets, but instead in helping TV advertising become more cost-effective.
Twitter in association with TV advertisers, plans on plugging into the large number of tweets that go on during live TV shows. Then, the idea is to offer this information to advertisers, so they can make their advertising minutes more effective. The objective is for Twitter to define when certain advertisements run and identify consumers who tweeted about the programs and the advertisement, allowing TV advertisers to reach out to these audiences through Twitter.
The point is to make TV more engaging and interactive. By focusing on this, Twitter aims at continuing the TV conversation and use the advertising to engage with audiences through the social platform. This is now possible because millions of people now use smartphones or tablets as they watch TV, and this combined social media-advertiser engagement may just appeal to this multi screen approach.
The Shazam and TV Interaction
Another demonstration of this union is the approach Shazam, a UK app company, has had substantial success in the app music streaming industry. However, the company has started a new approach working with TV commercial companies. The project involves allowing TV viewers to access added content delivered by advertisers to their smartphones. The idea may be a profitable one, but there are still a few glitches in the interaction process; by the time viewers see this symbol on their screen and reach for the phone to activate the app, it can be too late. A new updated version of the Shazam iPad app seems to be the solution. The app can be said to be automatic, listening for TV programs or ads it supports, then inviting a viewer to buy a soundtrack of the program, music or other special offer.
The Xbox One
This is another project demonstrating this joining of TV and tech. Through this gaming console, the Xbox One stresses the TV functionality of the device. In the US Microsoft promotes the idea that Xbox owners can switch seamlessly from playing games to watching TV through and alter smart voice and gesture interface. No longer do these gaming devices seem to be threatening the TV industry, but instead, are working hand-in-hand with programming and advertisers.
Mozilla has recently announced its plan to associate with smart phone manufacturers and launch new products priced under the $50 mark for the emerging markets.
Primarily Mozilla is targeting this market because it offers a lot of revenue potential and with 60% of all cell phone consumers being smartphone users, Mozilla expects to see a high level of acceptability in this market, especially because it’s one that has been ignored for some time by high end Android smartphone manufacturers. The projected Firefox operating system for these low-cost mobile phone devices will offer an alternative to the higher priced android or iOS systems.
Mozilla’s senior vice president, Li Gong believes there are huge opportunities in emerging markets where consumers want smart phones at affordable prices. Mr. Gong goes on to say that his company plans on procuring a 10% market share of the smartphone industry, although he didn't say when this would happen.
These under $50 priced phones would be ideal for emerging markets like China, India, Latin America and other countries. Several smartphone manufacturers are excited about the project and have already started manufacturing the devices.
Mozilla, currently in the testing phases of the new Firefox OS system, says there are 18 major telecommunications organizations supporting this new OS. Mr. Gong goes on to say that this new mobile software is lighter, and uses less memory compared to the Google android or Apple iOS, yet offers the same performance. Mozilla expects to launch it’s first Firefox OS powered devices sometime this year in Brazil through the Telefonicas, commercial brand, Vivo.
Google, in an effort to stay on top of its game, is considering this option as well, and may plan on launching their own low cost mobile devices powered on the chrome mobile operating system.
A solid band of engineers decided to leave Nokia in 2012 and went on their way to developing a Meego-derived operating system dubbed as “Sailfish”. The development process was quite successful and this led the band of engineers to their next problem: they needed a new vehicle to host the software. The answer now comes in the form of the newest and the first Jolla phone that is known to be as “quirky” as the OS that it operates on.
In addition to its dual-core processor, a 4.5-inch display screen, 4G capabilities, an 8-megapixel camera, a microSB slot, and 16GB of onboard storage, the most striking feature of this new phone is its contrasting removable back cover. Believe it or not, this new Jolla phone has the capacity to detect which back cover is attached to it and automatically change its display theme to match the cover that it detects. In addition to that, the covers currently available for this new smartphone comes in slightly different forms, giving users a unique smartphone every time they change back covers. The new Jolla phone is a shape shifter that will surely fit consumers’ shifting tastes.
Despite the fact that it runs on its own Sailfish OS, developers at Jolla maintain that the newest and the first Jolla phone will be “Android-compliant”. Since the phone is based on an OS that was based on Meego, an OS that initially powered the Nokia N9, skeptics are worried about this claim. The main concern that people have about the phone’s Android compatibility is the selection of applications that will be available for the Jolla phone and the means through which users will be able to download them. Other than that, consumers are excited to see how the best and the most popular Android apps will be made to fit this new Android-compliant Jolla phone.
The first Jolla phone made its debut on selected European countries and is set to roll out in the rest of the world in the months to come. Set to cost consumers around $500 dollars for a single unit, it falls just within the reasonably priced smartphone category, especially when its unique features are considered. Looks like the quirky public finally got the quirky smartphone that it has been looking for.
Star Trek's Tricorder will soon become a reality with Scanadu Scout, the medical tricorder that has set a record on Indiegogo for the fastest funding velocity. Scanadu, a personalized health electronics company, launched an Indiegogo campaign that invites supporters to contribute to the last step of bringing a first-edition Scanadu Scout into reality. The company aimed at obtaining funding of the scout tricorder into FDA approval and its goal was attained in 2 hours.
Scanadu Scout is the world's first medical tricorder, which some have called the scanner with a heart. It is small, fast, and affordable, making checking your health as easy as reading your email. It is basically a scanner packed with sensors for conducting physical exams by reading your vital signs and sending them to your smartphone wirelessly in a snap. It tracks, measures, analyzes, and trends your heart rate, respiratory rate, emotional stress, blood pressure (both diastolic and systolic), ECG, core body temperature, and oxymetry (blood oxygenation) in 10 seconds.
The design of the device is aimed at making it a medical grade tricorder, as it brings a diagnostic clinic or emergency room to the palm of your hands using your smartphone and Bluetooth LE. With usage that is as simple as the working is sophisticated, you measure your vitals by placing the Scout tricorder to your temple for 10 seconds. The stats are uploaded to the Scanadu app via Bluetooth so you get to read them on your smartphone display. You can even scout someone else or share your vital stats with others, but in absolute privacy and at your opting.
In other words, Scanadu Scout lets you be your own first responder in case of a flux in your vital signs regardless of what you are- MD, medical student, data scientist, parent, athlete, tech geek, teacher, baby boomer…
Its unprecedented simplicity extends to even charging, whereby a micro-USB adapter connects it to a USB port and in less than an hour it is fully charged. This charge will last up to a week while using it a couple of times a day. Maintaining its cleanliness after use is also hassle-free with just a disinfecting wipe or damp towel.
Six months ago, a prototype was first revealed that had a computation power of an Apple II at 8-bit. The new edition has been upgraded to 32-bit, making it ideal for a smartphone. The revolutionary device has actually been built on NASA's Micrium, a real-time OS for SAM (Sample Analysis at Mars) used on Rover Curiosity.
Since the prototype's unveiling, Scanadu has been receiving constant emails and calls from researchers, students, parents, and body hackers seeking to be part of the exploratory community of the first generation Scanadu Scout. Starting from Saturday the 25th of May, 2013, Scanadu Scout supporters have been given the go-ahead to reserve a first-edition Scanadu Scout on Indiegogo and become its first generation consumers.
In the campaign, they will be part of a usability study and give feedback on the usability, feasibility, and consumer friendliness. This is all crucial to Scanadu's road to FDA and will affect the revolutionary tool's final design and characteristics. When the device is FDA-approved and ready for the market, its app will come in iOS and Android versions, and will support Bluetooth 4.0 Smart Low Energey (LE).
The Indiegogo campaign will last 30 days and among the perks it will offer include a tour of NASA Ames Research Park, a day at NASA as a citizen astronaut for a space medicine workshop, and regular updates from Scanadu. As you scout yourself and provide Scanadu with the feedback to refine the device, you will be helping to make the vision of this being the last generation to know so little about their health a reality. The first 1,000 participants will receive a $149 early bird special for the device. The expected retail price for additional units is $199.
The Pantech Perception from Verizon is a good, midtier Android smartphone. First off, let's point out the most obvious draw- the price tag: the Pantech Perception is a pretty impressive phone for it's price of only $99.99.
However, the Perception is a Verizon exclusive smartphone and users would have to switch contracts if they wanted to use this new phone. Designed to react to motion, users can answer phone calls, scroll through contacts and change their playlist by swiping their hand over the screen. The Perception also offers a wide 4.8" HD screen with 1280×720 pixel resolution for superior density in brightness and colors, as well as an 8 megapixel camera and 2 megapixel front camera. The Pantech Perception also boasts a very long battery life compared to other smartphones on the market. The Pantech Perception is runs Android so users can download a plethora of apps available on Google Play.
Unfortunately it's not all sunshine and butterflies for the Pantech Perception. The camera is not great and the device is rather large, that can either be good or bad. Some people like big phones, some might find this one to be a bit bulky however, at 5.2 inches tall by 2.7 inches wide.
Pantech Perception is a good base phone for those looking for a standard Android 4.0 smartphone with the basic features, and those who do not have any intention of breaking the bank. The worst feature on the phone by far is the camera, so if that is your least priority on a smartphone, this may be a good, affordable option.
The iPhone 5S’s latest fingerprint reader has been mentioned in the news a lot these day. It is the latest addition to the parade of features offered by Apple although Samsung and others competitors may have their say about this. Though it has been been given much hype and has already been publicized, fans and spectators must wait until fall before the fingerprint reader will be unveiled.
For panicky watchers, they will have to wait until the final release is official. Perhaps, there could be changes in the latest software feature that the giant smartphone innovator will reveal during the WWDC (Worldwide Developer Conference) in June. Some say that the new iPhone might take longer than usual to be released since there could be more updates to be made. The idea of the fingerprint reader innovation was acquired from AuthenTec which is Apple’s security supplier.
Adding fuel to the fire, some sources say that soon the “I” on iPhone would mean identity. Since many users know about Apple’s inclination for solving problems, the company is trying to venture into solving digital identity. Experts say that this might be part of a grand strategy. Undoubtedly, phones are great part of many people’s lives and some individuals cannot function well without them. Apple is up for the challenge and will soon launch the fingerprint technology on their phones.
Experts added that this idea will become at a trillion-dollar valuation by 2020. On the other hand, there is one thing that intrigues sources. It is how Apple will approach this digital identity feature because they cannot figure out if it will work like the FB +2.68% and GOOG -0.96% identity systems.
Apple says that it will allow the user to be in full control of security and how they will handle it. This could work like the slide to unlock feature in many iPhones. It is said that the latest security feature will allow people to choose the level of security they want as well as what situations or maybe even locations in which they would allow identity using their Smartphone. If this idea works, it might be worth the wait for users. Everyone will have to wait and see what Apple is up to this time.
Nokia is introducing Asha 210, a brand new social smartphone that is proud to be the first smartphone that has its own WhatsApp button. According to Nokia, it is described as the phone that allows you to "have your social life at your fingertips."
Nokia Asha 210 is considered a budget smartphone and it targets people that enjoy using social networks, but don't want to spend a fortune for a phone. Asha 210 has 2.4-inch display, a QWERTY keyboard, it supports Wi-Fi and 2G connections, while it also has a 2MP camera. It is available in yellow, cyan and magenta and it has been significantly advertised for its unique button for the famous WhatsApp application. WhatsApp is an app that allows you to chat with your friends easily and without any cost, either with calls, or messages. It is available for iOS, Android, Windows phone and Blackberry, which increases the possibilities of chatting with your friends for free. Nokia has already announced that WhatsApp will be free for its users, despite other platforms selling it at a minimum cost.
"The Nokia Asha 210 really stands out giving super-social consumers new ways to express their personalities through design, color and innovations like the world's first WhatsApp button," explains Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president, Mobile Phones, Nokia. "It has been designed to allow people to easily update their social networks, stay in touch with friends and share user created content."
What is even more important is that the Asha 210 is going to have a starting price of $72, while it is expected during the second quarter of 2013. As it seems, Nokia is trying to focus at a young age audience, trying to persuade them with the social integration, the beautiful colors and the low price. Asha 210 has already been discussed a lot and this might be the start of a successful phone.
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