Jumat, 11 Maret 2011

What's new on SlashGear.com

What's new on SlashGear.com

NYC Student 1st In Line For iPad 2, Sells Spot For $900

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 03:39 PM PST

College students are known to be strapped for cash, but one student in NYC figured out how to turn the iPad 2 hype into some quick funds and get a little adventure while doing it. Amanda Foote camped out at the Apple store for a couple days and sold her spot for a cool $900. What does she plan to do with the extra money? Treat herself to some Lady GaGa concert tickets.

The enterprising Manhattan Community College student started camping out on Wednesday at 5 PM and waited 41 hours until she gave up her spot on Friday at 9 AM. She sold her spot to Hazem Sayed, an app developer who has leaving for a business trip Friday night and wanted the new tablet. Foote slept a total of 3 hours and 10 minutes over the two nights and dealt with a donut thief who decided to help himself to her box of donuts.

Foote said she waited in line for the express intent of selling the spot to someone else, an idea she had earlier last summer when Apple's iPhone 4 came out. She received an earlier offer of $600 in her first hour of waiting, but opted to hold out for a higher offer. Were any of you waiting in lines today? See anybody sell their spots like this lady did?

[via Mashable]

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Angry Birds Protective Cases Made For iPad 2

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 02:50 PM PST

As with any introduction of a new Apple product, accessories will be flooding the market so consumers can deck out their devices in their own way. Gear4 has unveiled three Angry Birds designed iPad 2 cases today to coincide with the launch of Apple's new tablet. The game is popular across all generations and it wouldn't be surprising to see a five-year old and a fifty-five year old playing Angry Birds at the same time.

The iPad 2 case designs will feature: the Red Bird, Red Bird and Pig King, and the entire Angry Birds family. The polycarbonate iPad 2 cases will run you $64. If you want to keep the Angry Birds theme going the UK-based company also makes iPhone 4 cases that are on sale for $24.95 each.

To prove you're the biggest Angry Birds fan out there pick up Gear4's protective case along with your new iPad 2 today. You'll want to protect your new investment from all the bumps and dings of everyday use, so why not proclaim you're love for the addictive game at the same time.

[via GeekyGadgets]

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IPad 2 Launch, Apple Ships a Third of Expected Numbers

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 02:49 PM PST

A lot of people are possibly going to go home disappointed today. With all of the people out there in lines all afternoon, we have reports from an Apple Campus Store that they only received in a third of the shipment they were expecting. We also received reports from a few different Best Buy’s around the country. There are no more than 5 units at any of the locations we polled. It seems Apple spread the shipments out around various stores throughout the area, there isn’t any single place to go to get the model you’re looking for. As far as how many are available at the official Apple retail outlets, they were unwilling to comment.

We’ll have to see what happens once people start filtering through the store. All of the stores just closed down to wait for the official launch. I’m about to sign off and go get in line to get my hands on one of these babies, or at least a couple of fingers.

[via i4u]

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Twitter To Developers: Stop Building Twitter Clients

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 02:35 PM PST

Last month we reported on the suspension of two major third-party Twitter clients owned by UberMedia. Twitter has relied on its strong developer community to push the platform forward, so its sudden strong-arming of third-party apps caught many by surprise. But with statements released today from Twitter’s platform/API leader Ryan Sarver, it looks like the platform really may be cannibalizing the developer community that helped it grow.

The official statement from Sarver was released to the Twitter developer world today and takes on a fairly non-appreciative tone. “Developers ask us if they should build client apps that mimic or reproduce the mainstream Twitter consumer client experience. The answer is no.”

“According to our data, 90% of active Twitter users use official Twitter apps on a monthly basis,” continues Sarver. “Our user research shows that consumers continue to be confused by the different ways that a fractured landscape of third-party Twitter clients display tweets and let users interact with core Twitter functions.”

Besides the notorious suspensions that were executed last month, Twitter last week issued a new rule that banned third-party apps from capturing and redistributing Twitter content, even for academic and research purposes.

A lot of improvements can be made on the official Twitter client, with third-party apps fueling ideas for innovation. But with this statement, Twitter sends a clear message to its once friendly developer community that they essentially do not need their help.

[via ReadWriteWeb]

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Best New iOS Games for Under a Dollar

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 02:15 PM PST

With new games constantly being added to the App Store, it's hard to know which ones are truly worth purchasing based on their description alone. Lucky for you, I have tested and found the 5 best newly released games you are bound to love. These games will give you a bang for your buck and will leave you wanting more.

Egg vs. Chicken ($0.99) is not only one of the best new games, but probably one of the best games on the App Store today. It's challenging, but not impossible, and addictive but not overly time consuming. The goal, kill the chickens before they get to you, is simple, but getting 3 stars is the difficult part. Unlike other games, in Egg vs. Chicken, getting 3 stars is more important because you can use stars to buy power ups.

Tiny Wings ($0.99) is giving the Angry Birds titles a run for their money. Although the only similarities the games have are their main characters being birds and their number one position in the app store, Tiny Birds is equally, if not more addicting than Angry Birds. The simplicity of the game is one of the things that make it so addictive. You would think with only one button, it would be easy, but it's not! Slide through the hills collecting coins before the daylight runs out and see how many high scores you can beat.

Slice It! ($0.99) is a challenging game that requires skill and precision but can still offer entertainment for everyone. Although the first episodes seem easy, don't be fooled, as you will find each episode increasingly difficult. The goal of the game is to slice shapes into the specified number of pieces. The challenging part is the shapes have to be the exact same size, and you only have a limited number of divisions.

Float ($0.99) is a game that will have you reminiscing childhood memories of bopping balloons at birthday parties. It offers so many different modes of play that you're bound to find one you love! The bright, colorful layout makes it kid friendly; nevertheless, even adults won't get bored because of all the different modes of play.

Food Processing ($0.99) will appeal to the same audience as Fruit Ninja, but provides enough differences that it's still worth your money. One major difference is instead of just slicing the fruit, you have to cut, tap, and swipe various foods in specific ways. If you aren't precise in your actions, you will not receive points for that individual food. If you lose points three times in a row, you will then also lose a life. One of the biggest challenges you'll find is remembering which actions are associated with which foods.

Each of these action games is appropriate for anyone from kids to adults with an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. While Egg vs. Chicken and Slice It! have a limited number of levels, Tiny Wings, Float and Food Processing provide limitless entertainment in which there is always a higher score to beat and new challenges to overcome. With these positive reviews in hand, you are now equipped to buy these bargain games for under a dollar each.

Looking for the best apps for iOS and Android? Check out SlashApps for all the latest reviews!

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AT&T vs. Verizon iPad 2 Data Plans Comparison Graph

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 01:48 PM PST

Apple's iPad 2 goes on sale today and for those who are getting a data plan along with it you might need a calculator. Unlike the first generation iPad, the iPad 2 will be carried on both AT&T and Verizon and between the two carriers you'll have to choose from eight different data plans. CNN has provided a nice graph to make your decision a little easier.

The plan you choose really depends on how much data you think you'll use because of the overage charges you'll get hit with. You have to take into account how much you'll actually be on the carrier's network and not on Wi-Fi, because that doesn't count towards your data use. AT&T offers a prepaid and postpaid plan and both plans will cost you $15 for each 250 megabytes or $25 for the first 2 gigbytes used in a month. If you opt for their postpaid plan you'll be charged an extra $10 for each gigabyte you go over the 2 GB limit. Verizon doesn't offer a prepaid plan and has four different postpaid plans: 1 GB for $20, 3 GB for $35, 5 GB for $50, and 10 GB for $80.

AT&T is the probably the choice if you plan on using smaller amounts of data less than 4 GB a month but the two carriers are pretty close. Verizon takes the title if you plan on using more than 4 GB a month. Only time will tell which carrier takes the lead as iPad 2's start rolling out today. Are you in line right now waiting to get your hands on the tablet? Which plan are you going to get?

[via CNN]

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IPad2 Launch, lines not too crazy

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 01:45 PM PST

Today is a big day for technophiles everywhere. Apple is about to release their latest and greatest, the iPad 2. I went to take a look at the hooplah and see what was going on. Lines are stacking up outside of Apple stores around the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. When we left the Dallas retail location there were already sixty-six people lined up outside, and there are still a few hours left to go until they let them in. A little earlier in the day, there were already eighty people stacked up outside of the store in Northpark Mall.

Northpark Mall had a cordoned off section for the people waiting. Nobody in that line had been waiting for more than a couple of hours. As we were leaving, Apple reps had just started handing out bottles of SmartWater to their loyal customers waiting to get their hands on their new iPad. And not necessarily for themselves, as we walked away from one interviewee she exclaimed, “We’re all in line for our husbands!”

The Knox-Henderson store is a little crazier, but still well within the bounds of sanity. There is a string of people lined up around the side and back of the store. The vast majority were huddled under Apple-provided umbrellas and swigging the SmartWater that Apple has been handing out to the people in line. There was one gentleman who had been camped outside of the store since Sunday. Okay, that might be a little crazy.

Will all of these people get to take one home? I doubt it, but it seems like it’s been a fun attempt for all.

We have some interviews via Robert Evans of i4u News.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab WiFi-Only Version To Ship April 4 For $399?

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 12:40 PM PST

The long awaited Samsung Galaxy Tab may finally be on its way. Well, at the least the WiFi-only version, if what’s purported to be a flyer handed out by a Samsung rep is true. An image of the flyer obtained by Droid-Life indicates that the Samsung Galaxy Tab WiFi version will ship on April 4th for about $399.

It’s not certain when Samsung will officially announce this, but the unveiling is very likely to happen at CTIA in Orlando, Florida later this month. The device should have the same specs as the 3G-enabled version featuring a single-core 1GHz Hummingbird processor running Android 2.2 with dual cameras, 16GB storage, and Flash 10.1 support.

The price point of $399 is much more appealing than the high priced 3G version Samsung pushed previously that failed to gain traction. However, if the specs listed above are true, the device will be left in the dust again by its competitors. Especially with the launch of the iPad 2 today featuring a dual-core processor and the Motorola Xoom already running Android Honeycomb.

[via Droid-Life]

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The Japan Tsunami … how you can help

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 12:06 PM PST

We’re seeing some frightening and amazing images from the tremendous devastation that Japan has experienced this sad day. And it’s only natural to see people suffering and wonder how we can help? Here’s a quick list of things we can all do provide immediate relief:

First, users can text a donation the Red Cross. By texting “REDCROSS” to 90999, Canadian Readers can text REDCROSS to 30333. Users will be debited $10 to relief efforts in Japan. One thing to remember though, is that most donations won’t be credited to the Red Cross until at least a month or three later after that charge has been paid by the cellphone user through bill payment. So while it will be of tremendous benefit a few months later when the headlines fall away, there’s other more immediate options including going to the RedCross donation site and selecting Japan Relief, or another pressing disaster relief project. Users can choose to pay by credit cards or even Amazon’s payment’s option. Users are also encouraged to donate blood for relief efforts as the scope of the disaster is so vast that blood supplies will be drastically spread thin.

There’s a great organization known as ShelterBox, which has a kit that provides shelter, tools, water, and other badly needed supplies for up to 10 people and a green box about the size of a 30 gallon storage container. Users can donate in support here and can even track their sponsored box as it’s being delivered and used. Very Cool. In addition to donating, users are also encouraged to hold their own fund raising on Shelterbox’s behalf. For more information how to get involved, go here.

The Far East Broadcasting Company has organized Project ISA. The idea behind ISA is to setup a temporary radio station at the epicenter of a disaster area within thirty-six hours of a disaster. ISA goes in, hands out hundreds of radios and trains locals to act as reporters, getting interviews and to provide needed disaster information such as medical advice and counseling for thousands struggling with loss and grief, as well as resources for locating housing, food, etc. Now, to be fair, FEBC is a Christian Missionary organization, but Project ISA is purely an outreach to respond with compassion during a disaster and proselytizing is not their focus. Users can donate by going here.

Google has a Crisis Relief Project which provides relief supplies and tools worldwide. GCRP organizes emergency alerts, news updates and donation opportunities, and makes this information visible through their Google sites. In addition, they provide invaluable services including Person Finder and Resource Finder to help with locating victims and providing the necessary resources for disaster relief. They even offer updated satellite imagery and maps of affected areas to help relief organizations navigate disaster zones.

Paypal has organized a disaster relief effort and users can contribute via their Paypal accounts.  In addition, Paypal will be crediting all US 501(c)(3) organization or Canada Revenue Agency registered charity fundraising to aid Japan relief* for any payment fees from now until April 10, 2012. Paypal’s blog will also be posting a list of certified charities to donate through their portal as soon as they have it together for Japan. Meanwhile, they advising following their Twitter and Facebook accounts for the latest.

There will be dozens if not hundreds of options for reaching and helping those affected by this great tragedy. But there will also be efforts by criminals to play on your heart and to scam you with false relief efforts. Not only do they tempt well meaning users with please for help, but they create bogus online web pages designed to phish for your personal information and to install viruses onto your computer to create a bot network for other criminal activity. Even if it has official looking graphics like “Paypal certified,” etc. It’s hard to really know unless you do your homework.

It’s important that users go to credible disaster relief organizations with their donations and to avoid unsolicited emails asking for help. Ask questions including who will benefit and what type of relief will be provided and be wary if those answers aren’t forthcoming. Avoid middleman operations that are raising money to donate to others and go straight to the source of need. This will not only protect you, but will ensure more of your money goes where it’s needed. Users are advised to contact the Better Business Bureau or the IRS should they have concern over any charity they are considering donating to.

“In the face of any disaster, Americans will immediately step forward with donations to aid the victims and their families,” said Kim States, BBB President. “Unfortunately, we’ve seen time and time again that scammers will try to take advantage of the generosity of the public after a disaster; that’s why it’s so important to take your time and do your research before donating to relief efforts.”

In the end, while it may be tempting to donate clothing or food, most relief agencies really have a need for cash donations. Not only on an immediate basis, but also with ongoing relief efforts like Haiti, Christchurch, Indonesia, and others. So while users are encouraged to donate for the immediate need, it’s also important to revisit as you can to help when the focus of the world moves away to another disaster.

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Real Racing 2 HD Unleashed On App Store For iPad 2

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 11:56 AM PST

The popular iPhone racing game, Real Racing 2, has just been unleashed in an HD version for the iPad. The game has been optimized for the unique hardward of the iPad and iPad 2, taking full advantage of the faster processors and larger displays, especially with the iPad 2′s dual-core processor and 9x faster graphics.

Real Racing 2 HD for iPad has all the same content as Real Racing 2, but adds to that an expanded career mode with additional races designed exclusively for the iPad. Superior graphics along with precision controls with full support for iPad 2′s gyroscope make this the ultimate iOS racing experience.

Saved games can be transferred from Real Racing 2 on your iPhone to Real Racing 2 HD on your iPad. Also supported is seamless multiplayer gaming up to 16 players between Real Racing 2 and Real Racing 2 HD. The game is available now in the App Store for $9.99.

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Google Launches Person Finder In Wake Of Japan Earthquake

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 11:23 AM PST

The 8.9 magnitude earthquake that shook Japan early this morning set off massive tsunamis and was the worst quake in the country’s history. Buildings and cars were swept away as bridges and roads were swallowed up by the invading sea. Within one hour after the quake hit, Google’s Crisis Response team launched a Person Finder web-based app to help people look for their loved ones in the area.

The multi-language interactive database allows users to post updates about the status of people they know, whether they are missing or injured. It also lets users look up people by name to view their status. As of this posting, 300 bodies have been found on a beach in northeast Japan with 110 confirmed deaths in other parts of the country according to a Times report.

The Person Finder was first launched after the Haiti earthquake and last used for the 6.3 magnitude Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand. Google has offered an embed code for the Person Finder app, which is shown below.

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Iomega SuperHero Review

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 10:12 AM PST

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a device that automatically backs up important data from your iPhone every time you charged it? A solution may be the Iomega SuperHero iPhone backup and charger that’s designed to let you easily backup your contacts and photos directly to an SD card without the hassle of connecting to iTunes on your computer. This makes the backup process as easy as setting your iPhone onto a charging dock.

Hardware

The Iomega SuperHero has a sleek brushed aluminum base in tune with your iPhone’s form factor measuring about 3.5 x 3.5 inches and roughly three-quarters of an inch tall. The power supply port and a SD card slot are on the back, a black padding material covers the bottom, and the docking cradle sits on top towards the front.

The dock is compatible with the iPhone 4, iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 3G, and the iPod Touch. A 4GB SD card is included with the device along with the basic power supply cable and a Quick Start Guide. Hardware-wise, there’s not too much to talk about and it visually satisfies the minimalist aesthetic. Note that the instructional sticker was not peeled off in our product shots.

Software

For the software, you will be prompted to download the free SuperHero Backup app from the iTunes Store. The app features are straightforward—back up and restore Contacts, Photos, or both. Unfortunately, contacts and photos are the only things that can be backed up using the Iomega SuperHero. Music and videos must still be backed up using iTunes.

When you are ready to use the device, make sure to unlock your phone prior to setting it on the dock. However, it is not necessary to turn on the SuperHero Backup app because your phone will automatically launch the app after 30 seconds when it detects the dock.

The problem with the Iomega SuperHero is with its slow transfer speed. Backing up four photos from my iPhone 4, took nearly 20 minutes, and about twice as long when I tried to restore them. The app also does not support multi-tasking, meaning any backup or restore sessions will be interrupted without the ability to resume if a call comes in or if you exit the app accidentally. Only music can run in the background while a backup is in progress.

When contacted about the crawling backup speeds, Iomega explained that the problem has to do with Apple and its iAP protocol. Apple’s iAP (iPod Access Protocol) limits the current speed to about 6KB/sec. This protocol is needed for any access to the phone without iTunes and a computer. Apple has recently allowed a significant boost in performance but the change won’t happen until later this year. When implemented, performance is expected to increase about 10x the current speed.

Wrap-up

For the backup-challenged, the Iomega SuperHero may be a good hassle-free way to ensure regular backing up of your contacts and photos. There’s no need to turn on or connect to a computer, you simply set the phone on the dock and the process begins. However, the current backup and restore speeds really cripple the device. If you truly cannot force yourself to regularly backup via iTunes, then paying $70 for this device may be worthwhile to ensure that at least your contacts and photos are protected from loss. But even then, you will be faced with a long painful wait when backing up photos. And if you expect the device to backup other things such as music, videos, apps, or notes, and do it quickly, this device will leave you sorely disappointed. The Iomega SuperHero as it is right now with its limited speed and file types can only supplement but not replace a traditional backup via iTunes.

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PlayStation Suite Unveiled for Android 2.3 and Above [NVIDIA CONFIRMS]

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 09:53 AM PST

We’ve got here an official press release straight from the horse’s mouth confirming the announcement that Sony Computer Entertainment will be delivering what they’re calling the "PlayStation®Suite" aka PS Suite for all Android devices version 2.3 Gingerbread and above. This announcement also confirms that Sony will be simultaneously be launching a “”PlayStation®Certified" License Program to Provide PlayStation® Content and Development Support for Android™ Based Portable Devices. This is big coming from NVIDIA because they run the graphics on PlayStation 3, which could very well mean that the port will be both easy and QUICK!

The license program will be giving an opportunity for hardware manufacturers to get support for development and logo licensing that’ll “ensure” delivery of a quality PlayStation experience across a wide array of devices. The rollout of this entire situation will begin with original PlayStation games (that means the first PlayStation, the one with Tony Hawk on it, omfg,) and will, we hope, move on to PlayStation 2 and 3 soon after.

With what we’ve seen working on the NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processors thus far on a couple of new Motorola devices (ATRIX 4G and the XOOM,) we’re more than pumped up about which games will be delivered right away at the onset. Of course yours truly isn’t even waiting for the most hardcore of graphic games, instead wishing for that perfectly classic skateboard video game that’d just be perfect on a XOOM, if you ask me.

The actual release date for this suite and the developer program is not yet known. Take a peek at the full press release below, and/or read the story as shown in the app TEGRA ZONE:

SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT TO UNVEIL
"PLAYSTATION®SUITE," DELIVERING THE WORLD
OF PLAYSTATION® TO ANDROID™ BASED PORTABLE DEVICES

Simultaneously Launching "PlayStation®Certified" License Program to Provide
PlayStation® Content and Development Support for Android™ Based Portable Devices

Tokyo, January 27, 2011– Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today unveiled "PlayStation®Suite" (PS Suite), delivering the PlayStation® experience to Android™ based portable devices*1. Through this entirely new initiative, users will be able to enjoy PlayStation content on an open operating system for the first time in PlayStation history.
In the dramatically evolving and diversifying mobile market, the number of users who enjoy games casually on a variety of devices including mobile phones, smart-phones and tablet PCs, has been increasing significantly. By offering "PlayStation quality" content to this rapidly growing market, SCE will not only deliver the PlayStation experience to a wider base of users around the globe, but will also be able to offer game developers and publishers the potential to further expand their business opportunities to these devices.

In providing the PlayStation experience on Android based portable devices, SCE will commence a "PlayStation®Certified" license program for hardware manufacturers. Through this program, SCE will offer necessary support, including development support as well as logo licensing, to ensure the delivery of PlayStation quality experience across various devices.
On the software front, SCE plans to provide PS Suite content within this calendar year, starting with original PlayStation games*2 (PS one® classics) that will allow users to enjoy "PlayStation quality" gameplay on their Android based portable devices. SCE also plans to open PlayStation®Store where users will be able to download content in an easy to use environment, directly via the Android based portable devices. Moreover, SCE will provide a new game development environment in an effort to ensure new and compelling content is delivered on PS Suite, which will also offer opportunities for a wider base of developers and publishers to further expand their business on various portable devices.
Newly developed content for PS Suite can also be enjoyed on the next generation portable entertainment system (codename: NGP), which SCE announced today. Users who have never experienced PlayStation content can get a taste of the PlayStation experience through PS Suite and from there, they can enjoy the ultimate portable entertainment experience that is only possible on NGP.

SCE will vigorously enhance the entertainment world delivering the PlayStation experience to a wider base of users.
*1 Android™ 2.3 or beyond is required.
*2 PS one game console software title. We will announce the tiles when ready.

About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufactures, distributes and markets the PlayStation® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system and the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) system. PlayStation has revolutionized home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home networked entertainment. PSP is a handheld entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games with high-quality full-motion video and highfidelity stereo audio. PS3 is an advanced computer system, incorporating the state-of-the-art Cell processor with super computer like power. SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes, markets and distributes software and manages the third party licensing programs for these platforms in the respective markets worldwide. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, SCEI is an independent business unit of the Sony Group.
###

PlayStation, PS3 and PSP are registered trademarks of, and LIVEAREA is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Android is a trademark or registered trademark of Google Inc.
ARM and Cortex are trademarks or registered trademarks of ARM Ltd.
The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is under license.
All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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Nokia pays $6m to poach CEO Elop; Lists potential Windows Phone perils

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 09:03 AM PST

Nokia promised new CEO Stephen Elop more than $6m in salary and compensation for lost bonuses, in the process of poaching the exec from Microsoft. According to a new US Securities and Exchange Commission filing [pdf link] from the company, Nokia’s gross base salary for Elop is €1.05m ($1.45m), in fact slightly lower than outgoing CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo (who was paid around €1.18m in 2009).

However, Nokia has already paid Elop €2.3m ($3.18) as compensation for lost income, and will pay a further $3.0 in October this year. A performance incentive bonus worth 150-percent of his gross salary is also on the table.

Interestingly, the Nokia filing also lays out all the potential calamities, pitfalls and perils the company sees as possible from the deal with Microsoft, a multi-page list of market stumbles and paranoias. If it proves anything, it’s that those claiming Nokia hasn’t thought through the Windows Phone/Android decision really aren’t correct.

[via Reuters]

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BlackBerry PlayBook video chat app work-in-progress admits exec

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 07:48 AM PST

RIM are currently working on a new peer-to-peer video conferencing app expected to launch alongside the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, and taking advantage of the slate’s front and rear facing cameras. According to RIM VP of enterprise strategy David Heit, talking to CIO, the company opted for home-grown software rather than relying on a third-party app like Skype.

Heit apparently compared the so-far unnamed BlackBerry video chat app to Apple’s FaceTime on the iPhone 4, iPod touch 4th-gen, Mac and new iPad 2, with the software supposedly intended for consumer use. It’s unclear whether that means it uses a proprietary standard limiting video chats between PlayBook owners, or if other services will be able to tap into the RIM system.

However, with no current BlackBerry smartphone having a front-facing camera, and nothing suggesting that’s going to change on the recently leaked 2011 roadmap, it seems only PlayBook users will get the RIM app for the time being. According to Heit, more news on the app’s release will come “very soon.”

[via BerryReview]

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Flash Player 10.2 for Motorola XOOM due March 18

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 07:30 AM PST

Adobe has announced that the Flash Player 10.2 update for Android 3.0.1 Honeycomb tablets such as the Motorola XOOM will be released on March 18. Made available through the Android Market, as with the current Flash Player 10.1 release for Android smartphones, the updated version will be the production version for Android 2.2 and 2.3 devices and the beta for Honeycomb slates.

On Honeycomb, Flash Player 10.2 will support the Stage Video rendering pipeline for hardware accelerated H.264 playback, as well as deep integration with the Android browser rendering engine; that will see the Adobe software rendering HTML, images and GIF animation, among other things, which should result in smoother scrolling and better integration between HTML and Flash content. There’ll also be automatic on-screen keyboard support, so that Flash apps and content coded with desktop implementations in mind will also be usable on tablets.

An OTA update for the XOOM, Android 3.0.1, began distribution earlier today, paving the way for the incoming Flash Player 10.2 update. However, you can also update manually following the instructions here.

[via Android Community]

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Google Me social network debut at Google I/O?

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 07:21 AM PST

Google’s plans to challenge Facebook and other social networks with “Google Me” are tipped to come to a head at Google I/O 2011 in May. According to TNW‘s sources, Google is expected to announce the “social layer” at its developers conference, part of a broad social networking initiative that will touch on all of the search giant’s online services.

Google Me was first tipped back in mid-2010, when the company was said to be snapping up casual game studios and other firms with online entertainment expertise. More recently, it has boosted its social integration across the board, fleshing out individual reviews in Google Places and releasing Hotpot on multiple platforms. Whether that will translate to Google Me launching at Google I/O remains to be seen, however.

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Tiny salt-grain camera could revolutionize surgery and safety systems

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 06:57 AM PST

A new, disposable camera which is smaller than a grain of salt has been developed, though don’t expect it to show up in your next smartphone. Instead, the prototype was created by the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration for use in endoscopies, and unlike traditional models are cheap enough to throw away after use rather than demand sanitization.

The 62,500 pixel camera uses an electrical cable, rather than a more expensive fiber optic connection, and is the result of a new manufacturing process developed by Fraunhofer and Awaiba GmbH. This mounts the camera sensor contacts while the sensors themselves are still joined on the wafer – up to 28,000 of them – and then pairs that with a lens wafer before cutting.

The traditional system would cut the sensor wafer first, then fix the contacts, then mount the lenses, a far more fiddly and expensive process and one which doesn’t allow for units as small as the new method. Fraunhofer hopes to bring the camera to market in 2012, with applications in medicine, automotive design and systems monitoring.

[via GizMag]

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iPad 2 ships in 2-3 weeks as online sales rocket

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 06:29 AM PST

Demand for the iPad 2 continues to rocket, pushing online availability even further out. Having already slipped once this morning, from the original 3-5 business days to 5-7 days, online iPad 2 orders are now not expected to ship for 2-3 weeks.

The new delay in availability impacts all of the models bar one at time of writing, with the black 64GB iPad WiFi + 3G on Verizon listed as shipping within 1-2 weeks. That will cost you $829, though. All other models, in black and white, aren’t expected until close to the end of the month, despite Apple’s limiting orders to two per customer.

Update: The 64GB Verizon model is now showing the same 2-3 week shipping estimate as the rest of the range.

In-store sales will kick off at 5pm local time across the US today, and analysts are already predicting record sales of over 600,000 iPad 2 units over the launch weekend. That would double the sales record of the original iPad. More on the tablet in the full SlashGear iPad 2 review.

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Intel Atom Z670 three-times Tegra 2 pricing to OEMs?

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 06:22 AM PST

Pricing for Intel’s Atom Z670 processor has leaked, and it looks set to cost three times what NVIDIA is charging for its Tegra 2. According to Fudzilla, the 1.66GHz chip – which Intel expects to be used in tablets, such as Samsung’s Sliding PC 7, and bring the fight to ARM – will be an eye-watering $75 to OEMs. In return, they’ll get a 5W TDP chip with a single core, two threads and 512KB of cache.

Previous leaks had suggested that Intel would be offering the Z670 at $25 to OEMs agreeing to use MeeGo as their OS, while anybody wishing to opt for Windows 7 or another platform would have to pay more. Now, it seems, Windows 7 support will be present from the off, while MeeGo v1.2 and Android 2.3 Gingerbread/3.0 Honeycomb support will follow on at a later date.

The average price of a dual-core ARM Cortex A9 based processor, meanwhile, such as the NVIDIA Tegra 2, is around $20. The Oak Trail Z670 will be the most power-frugal of Intel’s Atom series.

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Leaked iPhone 5 renders claim same style but bigger screen

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 06:11 AM PST

Images purported to be Apple’s “mold engineering drawings” for the iPhone 5 have leaked, suggesting that the company is planning a similar design to the iPhone 4 but with a larger display. According to iDealsChina, the wireframe CAD graphics are supplied to case designers looking to ready the various accessories that proliferate following an Apple product refresh.

The images show an almost identical physical design to the existing iPhone, complete with an edge antenna. However, the screen is larger, with a smaller bezel, potentially fitting in with rumors that Apple is considering a roughly 4-inch panel instead of the current 3.5-inches.

It also suggests that rumors Apple was planning to ditch the glass back for a unibody metal chassis and antenna integrated with the company logo may not be the case, though of course there’s no telling from the graphics what the various components are made from. Inside we’re expecting the dual-core 1GHz Apple A5 processor.

Of course, these sort of images would be incredible straightforward to fake, and so we’d take them – as with any Apple rumors – with a healthy pinch of salt.

[via BGR]

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Motorola XOOM granted USB Host support

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 05:44 AM PST

The iPad 2 may be polished but Android 3.0 Honeycomb slates are arguably more flexible, at least once the hacking community gets its hands on them. Motorola’s XOOM has been granted USB Host support, allowing it to access USB drives and peripherals like wired keyboards.

The hack is the handiwork of arch Android tablet modder roebeet, who is already known for his efforts on Augen’s Gentouch slate and the Viewsonic G-Tablet. It requires a rooted XOOM in order to work, along with a compatible OTG USB cable such as this one priced at around $4.

Once installed, plug in some form of USB storage and it should auto-mount and allow you to browse it with a file manager app. The only hiccup might be drives that require more power than the XOOM’s USB port pumps out.

[via Android Community]

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M-Edge offers new Nook Color accessories

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 05:32 AM PST

M-Edge has a ton of accessories and cases for all sorts of tablets and eReaders. Earlier this week I talked about the new line it was ready to launch for the iPad 2. Today M-Edge has announced a bunch of new stuff for users of the Nook Color eReader and tablet that want to add some style and protection to their device. The line has a bunch of different offerings.

The new stuff includes an Executive Jacket for $44.99 that is made from microfiber leather and has a durable strap. The Go Jacket is offered in seven colors and sells for $39.99 while the Trip Jacket is made from canvas and comes in several colors as well for $34.99.

M-Edge also offers the Latitude Jacket for $39.99 that has a nylon canvas exterior, soft fleece lining, and pockets for other stuff like chargers and accessories. The FlexStand Bookstand sells for $24.99 and will pop the Nook color up for more comfortable use. M-Edge lists the stuff as coming soon and no official launch date is offered.

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Nintendo offering hands-on sneak peek of 3DS in San Francisco

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 05:20 AM PST

If you are a bored gamer in the San Francisco area that really need something to do on a Friday you can thank me later. Nintendo has announce that it is having a special sneak peek of the 3DS for gamers in the San Francisco area that starts today and runs through April 3.

The special sneak peek of the 3DS is happening Monday through Sunday from 11am until 7pm. All you have to do to get your 3DS on is head down to Pier 39 and look for the Nintendo 3DS Demo Pod. If you aren't in the San Francisco area you will need to wait until the 27 when the 3DS launches.

At the hands on event, visitors will get to play some games on the device and create their own custom Mii characters using the Mii Maker built into the 3DS. Once those Miis are created, the builder can share them on Facebook and via email. The games available to try at the demo include nintendogs + cats, Pilotwings Resort and Steel Diver.

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iPad 2 now ships in 5-7 days amid 600k sales estimates

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 05:17 AM PST

Having gone up for sale online earlier today, estimated ship times for Apple’s iPad 2 have now slipped from their original 3-5 days to 5-7 days. The change – presumably as Apple’s initial stock of the second-generation tablet is exhausted – means online buyers will have to wait up to a week before their iPad 2 arrives.

Apple’s decision not to allow online pre-orders and instead only begin taking sales just before 1am PT this morning has frustrated many customers, who had hoped to bypass the queues outside Apple Stores and other locations. In-store sales are expected to begin from 5pm local time across the US today, with AT&T, Verizon and other places also offering the new model.

The news comes as at least one analyst predicts over 600,000 iPad 2 sales in the opening weekend alone, which would double Apple’s previous record for the original iPad. For more on the tablet, check out the full SlashGear iPad 2 review.

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CEA says that consumers want 3D cameras

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 05:08 AM PST

This is a bit surprising to me; the CEA says that consumers are interested in 3D cameras. The thing that surprises me is that the 3D TV market isn’t doing well and the 3D TV and 3D camera really go together. You can’t view the 3D photos you take without some sort of 3D capable playback device like a TV or other gadget. Still the CEA reports that enthusiasts want to buy a 3D capable camera like the new Lumix range that was priced this week.

According to the CEA nearly one in four (23%) of digital imaging enthusiasts are likely to purchase a 3D camera within the next year. The number comes from a study that the CEA conducted called 3D Digital Imaging: Consumer Perceptions of this Emerging Technology. The top reasons for buying a 3D camera according to the study were an interest in 3D technology cited by 61% of those planning to buy and an appreciation for more photo options was cited by 55% of those in the study.

Another 23% of those that responded said they had a desire to be on the cutting edge of tech and 22% said that 3D would help them be more creative. Out those in the survey, 62% plan to take 3D scenery images, 58% want 3D landmark photos, and 53% wanted historic places in their 3D photos.

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iPad helps Dell swipe second place from Acer

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 04:51 AM PST

There have been many computer markers that have been hammered by the iPad and the tablet market in general as sales of their cheap netbooks drop in the face of the tablet. While many makers cry and curse the tablet and its stealing of netbook market, Dell has benefitted impressively from the iPad.

iSuppli has offered up the numbers for the computer market in Q4 2010 and for the entire year of 2010 and the numbers show that Dell edged out Acer to take the number two spot in the market. The industry leader was still HP. Acer was hit hard since it had strong netbook sales and consumers flocked to the iPad and tier tablets.

Dell with its robust enterprise business that still focuses on notebooks was able to maintain its sales. The strong enterprise sales allow Dell to beat Acer by 2%. iSuppli also notes that the overall Q4 PC shipments set a record with 93 million units shipped, an increase of 5% compared to 2009. HP shipped 64.8 million PCs, Dell shipped 43.8 million and Acer shipped 41.5 million computers for all of 2010.

[via AllThingsD]

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Samsung test production for 32-inch OLED TVs set for 2H 2012

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 04:35 AM PST

The OLED TV market hasn't really taken off thanks to small screen sizes and high prices for the sets that are on the market. That might change in the future though as panel makers invest in better assembly lines that will allow the screens to be made more cheaply and in large sizes.

DigiTimes reports that large panel makers Samsung and LG are still working hard on developing larger screen OLED TVs for the market. Apparently, LG will have the capability to mass-produce 30-inch OLED TV panels at the end of 2011 and Samsung will start test production of its own 32-inch OLED TV panels by the second half of 2012.

That is a long way away and unless the panels are significantly cheaper they will continue to be niche products that consumers don't buy. With the tiny OLED screens from Sony selling for huge prices, larger screens that cost even more are bound to fail. LG has also noted that it will have its 8G panel facility running this year.

[via OLED-info]

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Peel Universal Control system launches

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 04:09 AM PST

Back in January, we talked a bit about the interesting Peel universal remote control system for your TV that works with the iPhone and a special app. The hardware portion is a thing that looks a bit like a pear and sits on your table acting as the interface between your iPhone and the TV. The first one sold was by silent auction and now anyone can buy one for $99.

For that much money, you get the Peel universal control and the app portion is free. The Peel gives the user a personal TV recommendation system that lets you find new shows and the ones you already like. The Peel system is in Apple stores right now for purchase and claims to eliminate multiple remotes and the need to change inputs.

The device sets up tasks that will let you do things like hit a “Watch TV” button and have the inputs changed for you. It sounds a lot like the Logitech Harmony remotes. The app is interesting in that after you choose a program you can use gestures to interact with swipes up and down for volume and left or right for rewind and fast forward. A tap in the middle pauses on DVRs. If you don't have a DVR, the gestures control volume and mute. The thing works with all sorts of components too.

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Gazelle claims 10,000 iPad owners have traded in iPad since iPad 2 announcements

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 03:50 AM PST

If you have the original iPad and are planning on buying the new iPad 2 when it hits stores today you are not alone. Apparently there are at least 10,000 other iPad owners that plan to sell their old tablets to Gazelle and use the loot to help offset the cost of that new iPad 2.

Gazelle is an electronics buyback and recycling program that gives you money for your old tech products. According to the firm, more iPads were traded in last week than any product in CE history. Gazelle expects to get about 10,000 traded in original iPads by today. That means that the firm will pay out millions to the geeks that are looking to upgrade gear.

Within hours of the iPad 2 announcement Gazelle had 2400 trade ins for the original iPad. As of right now the 16GB WiFi iPad is worth about $300 and the 64GB with 3G is good for $530. Those prices change with demand so they could go up or down and they assume a perfect device. The company inspects each tablet sent in before a credit is given and the money can be used at all sorts of stores like Walmart, Sears and others.

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