Microsoft has made available the Xbox SmartGlass app for Android. Xbox SmartGlass is a free downloadable app that works on Windows 8 and Windows RT, as well as Apple's iOS, Android, and Windows Phone 8. It allows you to convert your mobile device into a smart second screen for entertainment.
Xbox SmartGlass lets your phone work with your Xbox 360 console to bring rich, interactive experiences and unique content about what you're watching or playing, right to the device that’s already in your hand. Interact with your favorite TV shows, movies, music, sports, and games, and bring remote control to a whole new level.You can also connect with your Xbox friends, track and compare your achievements, and change up your 3D avatar.
Xbox SmartGlass lets you:
• Navigate your Xbox 360 with swipe and tap
• Use your phone’s keyboard to type to your Xbox 360
• Browse the Internet on your Xbox 360 with full keyboard and zooming
• Play, pause, fast forward, rewind, and stop videos and music on your Xbox 360
• Search the full Xbox catalog of music, video, and games
• Enjoy rich, interactive experiences from select game and entertainment content creators
• Track and compare your achievements with your Xbox friends
• Change up your 3D avatar
• Message your Xbox friends
• Edit your Xbox profile
Use Xbox SmartGlass to enhance your entertainment on Xbox 360.
The app requires an Xbox membership to sign in and requires Android 4.0 or newer in order to work.
Windows 8 themes have features that are not supported in Windows 7. Therefore, you cannot open Windows 8 themes on a Windows 7. Here is a workaround that allows you to port a Windows 8 theme to Windows 7 system, even though those Windows 8 only features will not be available.
Ready! Here is how
1. Download and extract the content from .deskthemepack file. Using a zip utility tool.
2. Go to Desktop Background in Desktop Personalization window.
3. Click Browse… button and select the desktopbackground folder you extracted earlier.
4. Click OK, and Save changes. You will notice the desktop background is changed immediately.
You can save the theme and share it with others by right-clicking the unsaved theme and choosing Save theme for sharing.
The S3 has been a runaway success since its release at the start of the summer, and is about to go head-to-head with the iPhone 5 in the smartphone showdown of the year.
So we could hardly believe our eyes when reading a report from South Korea which claims the Galaxy S4 could be hitting the shops in the not-too-distant future. So what do we know about the Samsung Galaxy S4 so far?
Release Date
According to the report, the South Korean tech giant is planning to unveil the Galaxy S4 at MWC 2013 in February.
Not only that, but Samsung will release the device as early as March next year. It’s a bold claim given the usual yearly product cycle – the S3 is likely to still be selling well in March next year, and any new launch could damage sales.
Specs
According to the report, the S4 will have a larger 5-inch screen, with an HD AMOLED display that could possibly utilise Samsung’s flexible screen technology.
We’ll also see a quad-core Exynos processor, the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system as standard, and LTE capabilities.
The specs claims all sound very reasonable, and we’d expect to see some or all of these included. But that doesn’t mean this rumour is true by any stretch of the imagination.
Our main concern is with the launch date and location. After such a huge solo launch of the S3, Samsung is unlikely to revert to an MWC launch for what will be a very important product.
We also can’t see Samsung jumping the gun with the release. The yearly product cycle works, and if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Then again, stranger things have happened in the tech world.
follow the team on twitter for the latest news, updates and more...
According to reports, delivery on white and silver versions of the iPad Mini are subject to delays, as are Wi-Fi only versions of the model. These are expected to ship in two weeks from now, as opposed to 2 November.
However, black and slate models in both 32GB (£349) and 64GB (£429) sizes are said to be on track for 2 November.
Those users who are looking for iPad Mini or iPad 4 with cellular data, i.e. with 4G, will have to wait until ‘late November’. iPad 4, or iPad with Retina display, models are unaffected so far.
Reviews of the iPad Mini have said that its A5 processor-powered apps, games and websites run along ‘very smoothly’, while also praising features such as the iPad Mini LED-backlit screen, which help to ensure that “colours are vivid, text is pin sharp,[and] web pages render quickly”.
In a recent statement EE, which is set to roll out 4G in the UK next week, gave the fourth-generation iPad the thumbs up.
It said that the Apple-designed A6X chip offers “blazing fast performance” while its Retina display was “gorgeous”.
The fact that EE is set to offer a “range of attractive data plans” for the iPad Mini and iPad 4, could help sales of the iPad Mini could reach between 4 and 6 million by the end of the year – as some analysts have predicted.
Smaller than a standard iPad but noticeably bigger than a 7-inch Android tablet, it’s the most affordable iPad yet – but will it appeal to you? Here’s what you need to know.
1. Order and Released date
Apple will start accepting iPad mini orders on the October 26th. We expected the iPad mini to ship in plenty of time for Christmas, and Apple didn't disappoint: the Wi-Fi model will start shipping for delivery on November 2nd, with the LTE version coming along a few weeks later in late November.
2. Specs
3. Price
Prices are slightly higher than anticipated, but it’s still the cheapest iPad yet: the Wi-Fi version of the iPad mini starts at;
$329 for 16GB
$429 for 32GB
$659 for 64GB
As you'd expect the mobile broadband version is more expensive: it’s;
$459 for 16GB
$559 for 32GB
$659 for 64GB
Screen Size
Apple clearly believes that 7 inches is a little too small for a tablet: the iPad mini has a 7.9-inch backlit IPS display running at a resolution of 1024×768. That gives it the same resolution as an iPad 2, so while it isn't a retina display the smaller screen means it should look much sharper than the iPad 2.
The overall dimensions of the iPad mini are 200mm high, 134.7mm wide and 7.2mm deep, and the entire package weighs a titchy 308g.
By keeping the same screen resolution as the iPad 2, the iPad mini will be able to run iPad apps without any horrible rescaling or black bars – and as Phil Schiller showed far more often than was strictly necessary, it delivers significantly more screen real estate than a typical seven-inch device.
4. A5 Processor
While the fourth generation iPad gets an A6X processor, the iPad mini sports something a bit older: an A5, the same dual-core processor you’ll find in the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S.
That isn’t the very latest Apple processor, but as we know from our iPad 2 it’s more than capable of handling even the most demanding apps – and it doesn’t need an enormous battery to keep it running.
5. Colours
The iPad mini comes in a choice of white or black, although while the normal iPad has a plain metal back the iPad mini has iPhone 5-style silver and black back covers.
Perhaps we’ll see multi-coloured cases in next year’s inevitable second-gen model.
6. 4G LTE
Like the iPhone 5, the iPad mini has different versions for different LTE bands: model A1455 will do LTE bands 1, 3, 5, 13 and 25, and model A1454 will work on LTE bands 4 and 7. That means for U.K. users, its model A1455: band 3 is the 1800MHz frequency used by Everything Everywhere’s 4G LTE network.
7. Camera
The iPad mini has a front-facing 1.2MP camera for FaceTime calls and a 5MP rear-facing camera for still shooting and 1080p HD video recording, and that smaller case won’t look as silly when you try and shoot photos with it.
There’s no flash but the sensor has backside illumination and an f/2.4 aperture for low-light shooting.
8. Wireless
Both the Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi+Cellular versions of the iPad mini benefit from dual-band Wi-Fi, with support for 802.11a/b/g wireless and 802.11n on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands.
All iPad minis also get Bluetooth 4.0 for low-power connections to accessories and peripherals.
9. Battery
One of the best things about the iPad is its all-day battery life, and the iPad mini touts 10 hours of battery life from its 16.3-watt-hour lithium polymer battery.
On mobile data, Apple reckons you’ll get nine hours of web browsing.
10. Lightning Connector
the iPad mini has the same tiny Lightning connector as the iPhone 5 so you’ll need an adapter if your existing accessories expect a Dock connector.
The iPad Mini
The Apple iPad mini fits in one hand. So said Tim Cook and so shows the publicity pictures of a hand, holding the iPad mini within its tight grasp.
With a 7.9inch screen on the diagonal, it’s got more display room than its biggest rival the Google Nexus 7 and other seven inch tablets – 35% more say Apple. But it costs more too, £60 extra for the comparable 16GB device, which is priced at £259 for the iPad mini against £199 for the Nexus 7.
No Retina Display
It is spec’d up to the max. With the same 10 hours of battery life as the iPad, it also has a Multi-Touch display, a front FaceTime HD camera and a 5 megapixel iSight camera that shoots 1080p HD video, iOS 6 software, 275,000 apps designed especially for iPad and the same A5 processing chip that was found in the iPad 2.It has a slightly new design and is just 7.2mm thin and weighs only 0.68 pounds. But there is no Retina Display as on the current iPad and the new fourth-gen one.
The iPad 4
The shock of the night was the announcing the launch of the fourth generation iPad, barely six months after the third version came out.
It now has a faster A6X processor, with double the performance, and crucially will work with EE’s 4G service.There’s also the FaceTime HD camera and Apple’s new Lightning power connector, first shown off on the iPhone 5 and new range of iPods. It starts at £399 for the 16GB version.
Ultra-thin iMacs
One of the biggest and most excited gasps of the night came as Apple revealed re-designed iMac machines.
With the disc drive removed, it has allowed its designers to create a machine with an ultra-thin screen – just 5mm at the edge and 40% thinner than the previous versions.
Featuring the latest Intel quad-core i5 or i7 processors, everything inside has been overhauled with a display that reduces reflection by 75% and NVIDIA graphics cards that are 60% faster – along with 8GB of RAM and a massive 1TB hard drive as standard.You can even specially order machines with 768GB of super fast and reliable flash storage. Prices start at £1099.
Mac Mini
Apple’s Mac mini range was also not forgotten. They now have the latest i5 and i7 processors and 65% faster integrated graphics.
There are also four USB 3.0 ports and Thunderbolt and HDMI. Prices start at £499 for a machine with 4GB of memory and a 500GB hard drive.
13" MacBook Pro with Retina Display
The other big news of the night, aside from the iPad mini, was the expected unveiling of a 13 inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display. Now 20% thinner and a pound lighter than the current generation, they come with flash storage as standard for faster performance. Having the same kind of display as the iPad and iPhone means an intense graphical experience and nearly twice the number of pixels on board than found in an HD TV.
That’s also four times as many as in the former 13 inch MacBook Pro. Prices start at £1449 for a dual-core i5 model with 8GB of memory and 128GB of flash storage.
iBooks and Author
Apple has also updated its iBooks Author software which lets anyone create eBooks and textbooks, now offering more designs, fonts, diagrams and video.
Apple’s sixth iteration of iOS has been out in the wild for over two weeks now and although it offers a number of new and impressive features and improvements for users, it appears that it also brings with it a new way for Apple to track users and their activity levels on the device. We should all remember the uproar that was caused last year when it became common knowledge that hidden files were stored on iOS devices that contained user location data, so this latest activity monitoring is sure to ruffle some feathers.
The monitoring that exists in iOS 6 isn’t just tracking activity for the sake of it and while it is likely to be greeted with distain, there is actually a purpose behind the tracking. It is being reported that Apple is tracking activity on the iOS 6 running devices using a relatively new technology called Identifier for Advertisers, or IFA for short. The technology assigns a randomly generated and anonymous number to an iOS device that allows advertisers to deliver targeted advertisements to them. The identifier is a temporary measure and works in the same way as a cookie on a website.
The main purpose of the technology seems to be allowing the advertising companies to get a relatively in-depth insight in to how that specific device is being used, concentrating on things like internet browsing history and any purchases that have been made from the iPhone or iPad. The intention is not to get any personalized information about the user, but instead to allow the companies to deliver very specific adverts within apps that they believe may be of interest to the user based on their usage habits. The theory is sound, but unfortunately it isn’t exactly make common knowledge that this is happening when we use an iOS 6 device and the menu items to disable this tracking are buried within the system.
It probably doesn’t come as a shock to know that the tracking is switched on as a default in the operating system so any device you have that is running iOS 6 will already be collecting this anonymous information. It is entirely possible to remove the tracking from the device but it looks like Apple have gone out of their way to bury the disable setting where users wouldn’t think to look for it.
Furthermore, the company asks users to disable tracking by enabling the "Limit Ad Tracking" option - a tricky bit of mental misdirection that may leave users who manage to track down the opt-out option believing that they're already opted out.
If you want to turn off device tracking using the IDFA on your iOS6 device, do the following:
1) Click on Settings.
2) Click on General to access the General Settings.
3) Click About
4) Scroll down and click on Advertising.
5) Set Limit Ad Tracking to "ON".
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Mozilla has launched a preview version of its integrated Firefox Marketplace in Firefox for Android. The feature is now available in the Aurora development version of Firefox for Android and includes a number of what Mozilla calls "showcase apps" that users can install and test. Mozilla is hoping to gather feedback for further launches of the Marketplace in other versions of the browser and for Firefox OS in 2013.
The developers say that the current version of Firefox Marketplace is still in its "early days" and that they are working on adding payment options, ratings and reviews and other features. Mozilla is calling for early adopters and testers to install the application and share their experiences of how it performs through the built-in Feedback function.
The applications within Firefox Marketplace are written in HTML5, JavaScript and CSS and are designed to work cross-platform across all Firefox editions. Firefox Marketplace will be an integral part of Mozilla's Firefox OS mobile device operating system. That is currently in development and builds on the same technologies for its UI layer.
To install the Aurora branch of Firefox for Android, users will have to enable side-loading of third party applications on their phones – they can then download and install an .apk package directly from Mozilla. Side-loading is enabled by going to Settings ➤ Security and enabling "Unknown Sources - Allow installation of non-Market Apps"; after installing Aurora, it is a good idea to disable that same setting to avoid accidental installation of malware.
Once the user is running Aurora, the integrated Marketplace is accessible by going to the options menu and navigating to Tools ➤ Apps. The Aurora version of Firefox will install alongside the regular stable Firefox for Android version as a separate app. However, users should be aware that the Aurora branch of the browser should be used for testing purposes only.
Follow the team on twitter for more updates on the latest technology news...
The Galaxy Nexus may now be a bit of a relic in comparison to the Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note II, but it still generates quite a bit of discussion amongst Android fans. The recent Jelly Bean 4.1.2 update, which has slowly but surely been trickling through to a large portion of Galaxy Nexus owners, has seen the once Ice Cream Sandwich-inclined smartphone thrust back into the news, and in the latest, those running “takju” iterations of the handset can now get their fill of 4.1.2.
The OTA is coming – that is certain – but what isn’t so assured is the patience of the masses. Due to the fragmented nature of Android, updating is seldom what you could describe as a “picnic,” so if you don’t want to stand on ceremony waiting for your over-the-air, you can kick your device into action by following the usual steps to force-update.
Of course, we would never simply push you down the “usual route” without offering a few handy pointers, so here’s a micro-tutorial demonstrating what you’ll need to do.
Disclaimer: Please note that we will not be held accountable for any damage or loss of data beset upon your device as a result of following this tutorial. Proceed at your own risk, and ensure you follow each step with care.
Before you proceed;
Your Nexus must be flashed with the takju firmware. If you brought your device from Google Play, then you’re running on the takju firmware. Ensure your device is rooted / bootloader unlocked, and ClockworkMod Recovery flashed.
During the last few days, my screen froze a couple of times. After opening the chassis I discovered plenty of dust beneath my mother board. I wonder if that can cause short circuits.
The Answers
1. Dust is a problem from the standpoint of blocking fan vents, or, if deep enough, actually insulating parts, causing overheating, but unless it contains substantial amounts of corrosive or conductive material (in which case you shouldn’t be breathing it), it won’t damage the electrical components (beyond any overheating damage).
What could happen, in some circumstances, is condensation inside the box, mixing with dust and creating a conductive sludge. This would generally only occur if you bring the box in from an extremely cold environment (below 0C, roughly) into a humid indoor environment. The protection from this is to wrap the box tightly in plastic before bringing it indoors, and leave it wrapped for a couple of hours, while it has time to warm up.
2. No way. Unless it over heats. Trust me, I have cleaned server motherboards deployed in Afghanistanor months with inches of dust caked on, still running fine. And as long as you keep them cool, they will survive. Now, optical drives. That’s a different story.
While you’re at very little risk of a dust blanket shorting out your hardware, heat is the eternal enemy of computers and a good cleaning will help keep things cool (and extend the life of your computer in the process).
Follow me on twitter for more updates and the latest in the tech world.
News on the GTA 5 front has been a little slow of late. Since those teasing screenshots a few weeks ago, we’ve had nothing new to go on.
Having said that, it could be argued that GTA 5 news has been slow all year – we don’t really know anything more about the game than we did when the trailer was released all those months ago.
That has never stopped the tech world rumour mill before though, and the speculation surrounding the upcoming Rockstar title has been rife for months.
Every inch of GTA 5 has been the subject of heated debate, from in-game mini games to who the protagonist will be.
Yet the thing we care most about is, of course, when the game will actually be launched. So what is the latest release date gossip?
GTA 5 before March 2013?
According to outspoken analyst Michael Pachter, the March 2013 release date that’s been floating around is actually a little late.
If there’s one person who likes the sound of his own voice a little too much, it’s Michael Pachter. But in this case, he makes a decent point. He said:
“Every GTA, except for one, has launched in October. I actually think the Rockstar guys would have preferred to launch this October.
“Take Two is on the hook to deliver over a billion dollars in revenue. Their fiscal year ends March 31, so they pretty much have to bring the game out by March 31.”
GTA 5 release this year?
It’s a fair point; Take Two will have a lot riding on GTA 5, so could push for a February launch. But Pachter doesn’t stop there.
“I would say a March launch is more likely than May and knowing the Rockstar guys, I wouldn’t rule out a December 2012 launch,” he said.
“You just don’t know with these guys, they could announce next week that GTA is coming out December 20, I think it would be stupid, but they could do it.”
It’s an interesting statement, though not one we’re entirely on board with. But with GTA 5 gracing the cover of gaming magazine Game Informer this December, the title could be here sooner rather than later.
An invitation from Google just landed in our inboxes for an event at 10AM in New York City, and while the invite is light on specifics aside from a tagline reading "the playground is open," the design is unmistakably a reference to the company's Google Now interface. The event's timing is significant for being on the same day as Microsoft's own Windows Phone 8 launch, something that doesn't seem to weigh too heavily on the minds in Mountain View.
Over the past few weeks we've seen rumors building for an LG Nexus phone running stock Android and based on the company's Optimus G hardware, but leaked images purporting to be of a Sony Nexus device lend credence to months-old talk of an expanded, multi-manufacturer Nexus program. In either case, Google will be streaming the event live on YouTube.
Apple on Tuesday announced a special event to be held on October 23, 2012 in San Jose. The event is scheduled to take place at 10:00 am PT.
Unlike other recent events that have been held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Apple will hold this event at the California Theatre in San Jose .
It is widely expected that Apple will use this event to unveil a smaller form-factor iPad.
And other rumoured devices which includes a 13' Retina Display MacBook Pro, iMacs, and Mac minis.
The way we are watching TV is changing from Smart TVs from the likes of Panasonic, Sony and Samsung to Catch-up services such as BBC iPlayer and tuning in via tablets including the iPad or Google Nexus 7 and smartphones including the iPhone or Android handsets.
We’re also just about to see the UK go fully digital with the country’s final analogue TV signals in Northern Ireland switched off.
But it’s not just traditional terrestrial or even satellite channel programming that we are enjoying now from the main broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV and Sky.
For instance, YouTube is getting in on the act with a host of its own channels.
Hungry for more content?
Last week YouTube announced more than 60 new original channels would be launched on the video platform featuring programmes on food, health, parenting, sports, music, comedy, animation and news – and you can watch them on any device that has YouTube… which is pretty much anything.
Not all 60 will be available in the UK but those that will include everything from football to cars and prank shows plus a channel from Guinness World Records, an official Jamie Oliver Food Channel, one from Netmums and a science show presented by Top Gear’s James May.
And if you own a Smart TV, the best thing is, you can watch all these YouTube channels on it from the comfort of your own sofa. It’ll just be like channel-hopping through your usual guide.
Smart TVs connect up to the internet using either a wired Ethernet connection plugged direct into your router or a wireless Wi-Fi signal.
Once logged in, you can watch a range of catch-up telly through apps on the screen, play games, surf the internet or social networks Facebook and Twitter and interact with a host of content providers that aren’t available on regular TV.
RedSn0w 0.9.15b2 is now available to jailbreak A4devices
and below running iOS 6.
This latest version is a pretty massive update with a lengthy change
log, but the most important aspect about the update is the ability to
jailbreak iOS 6 and install Cydia.
Previous iOS 6 jailbreaks required users to install Cydia manually
but the latest public version of RedSn0w works just
as you might expect it would.
Take a look inside for our full tutorial.
Note: This is a tethered jailbreak for iOS 6; A4
devices and below.
Step 1: Download RedSn0w 0.9.15b2 with respect to your operating system. RedSn0w 0.9.15b2 for windows RedSn0w 0.9.15b2 for mac Step 2: extract and open it. Step 3: Place your iOS device into DFU mode. (Hold
Home+Power for 10 seconds, release Power while still holding Home for an
additional 10 seconds. The screen should remain black.) Step 4: Click Jailbreak. A few items will load, and
you’ll be presented with a “Please select your options”. Ensure Install
Cydia is checked, and click next. The jailbreak process will finish in
about 5 minutes. Step 5: Once the process is complete and you’re back
on the Home screen, place your device back into DFU mode. Step 6: Go back to the main page of RedSn0w, and
select Extras > Just boot. A tethered boot will be performed, and you
should see Cydia on your Home screen once your device boots back up. Step 7: Launch Cydia, and enjoy.
Don't forget to follow the team on twitter for more updates.
Gmail is going to have pinch zoom. It's easily the most wanted Gmail feature, with over 1600 stars on the Android bug tracker. You can see that and the new swipe to archive/delete feature in this video:
You may commence freaking out now. This video, by the way, was taken on my Galaxy Nexus running Android 4.1, so it's not just for Android 4.2.
If you want more details, we've got them. The about screen says it's Gmail version 4.2. Besides pinch zoom, the other major new feature is "swipe to archive/delete," which, just like a notification, will let you swipe away messages from your inbox.
Gmail has made this feature nice and configurable; digging through the options will let you change your swipes to "No effect" "Archive or delete" or "Always Delete." The default, "Archive or delete," will archive swiped messages when you're in the inbox, delete swiped messages when you're in All Mail or Sent, and remove a label when you're in a label-only view.
And we'll finish with the least exciting feature ever, you can now report a message as phishing. Woo.
We aren't allowed to share the APK just yet, but we're working on getting the permission necessary to do so. You would need to be rooted and running 4.0+. No promises though.
If we happen to come across anything else, we'll let you know. I'm going to go dig through some more stuff.
Obviously, the long-rumored iPad mini will be Apple’s response to the increasing demand of 7-inch affordable tablets, with Amazon’s Kindle Fire line and Google’s Nexus 7 tablet being the best sold devices in this category, at least for now.
But unlike Amazon and Google which aren't making any money from actual tablet sales but rather from digital content distribution, Apple is likely to turn a profit on its Apple mini:
Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu said that, if Apple prices the smaller tablet between $299 to $349, it could maintain the current margins. “The biggest cost in a tablet is the display,” he said. “On a mini, the display will be a bit cheaper. If the tablet is priced below $299, Apple could still maintain a decent margin if it offers 8GB of storage instead of the minimum 16 GB storage it has in the current iPad, Wu added.
And it seems that such analyst talk is now backed up by a leaked inventory screenshot from German retailer Media Markt that reveals the iPad mini pricing structure. Apple will apparently launch two 7.85-inch tablet versions, Wi-Fi-only and Cellular + Wi-Fi and offer four capacities for each one, from 8GB all the way up to 64GB. Add to that the fact that each version will be available either in black or in white and you end up with 16 flavors to choose from. Comparatively, the newest 9.7-inch iPad is also available in Wi-Fi and Cellular + Wi-Fi options; in the same two color options, but offers only three capacities, from 16 to 32GB – therefore 12 iPad 3 versions are available in stores, not including the iPad 2 that’s still selling alongside the current flagship product.
Here’s what you can expect the iPad mini to cost, depending on what model you will choose from:
Alongside the smaller iPad, Apple will debut a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display, according to a consistently reliable source at a high-profile U.S. retailer.
This new 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Retina Display is said to pick up the thinner and lighter enclosure of the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display that was released in June.
The new 13-inch MacBook Pro will be sold in two configurations, with differing processors and storage, and will be available for purchase soon after introduction.
Like with the 15-inch MacBook Pro lines, the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display will be sold (at a higher price) in addition to the current non-Retina display model. That computer was updated with faster processers and USB 3.0 in June.
The current 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display is codenamed D2, and its smaller sibling is in fact, as dubbed D1 internally.
Don't forget to follow us twitter for instant updates and help us take this to the next level.
iOS 6 users will be more than aware by now that Google’s powerful Maps app is no longer part of Apple’s plans, with the latest iteration of the company’s mobile operating system shipping with their own mapping solution in place of it. It doesn’t really matter what your personal opinions are on the subject and whether you love or hate the Apple’s very own Maps app, the fact remains that competition always breeds innovation and having an official Google Maps app on the App Store can only be a good thing for iOS users.
There’s been a lot of will they won’t they speculation in recent weeks about whether or not Google is actually working on bringing an official solution of their own to the App Store, and if the latest leaks and speculation are true then the answer is that they definitely are about to launch something. Designer and developer Ben Guilds has posted some blurry but recognizable images on his personal blog that he claims to show Google’s iOS Maps app and insists that it is currently in an alpha stage of development.
In addition to the pictures being posted of the app; Guilds is also going out on a limb and attaching some purported features of the app to the images. One of the great benefits of the new Apple Maps app in iOS 6 is that it is entirely vector-based which allows Apple to cache a larger area for offline viewing as well as using significantly less data to render mapping tiles. According to the reports; the Google Maps app will also be vector-based and will support a similar two-finger rotation facility that can also be found in the native iOS 6 Maps app.
It is also being reported that the alpha version of the app provides a lightning fast user-experience and comes with an interface that has been specifically crafted to work perfectly with the larger display on the iPhone 5 and the new fifth-gen iPod touch. This is obviously all unofficial and readers will more than likely draw their own conclusions from the attached images, but it is extremely exciting news for iOS users if it is indeed true. It does however leave a few questions unanswered about whether or not the app will boast 3D maps and imagery, and whether or not it will come with an iPad variant, or be universal? Time will tell.
As we reported, major online retailers including Amazon.com, Staples, and Office Depot have started accepting pre-orders for Windows 8 software and machines powered by Windows 8. Now that Windows 8 is up for pre-order, you might be considering to reserve your Windows 8 full version or upgrade copy.
Windows 8 upgrade copy (packaged DVD) is available for $69.99 for existing Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 users. If you’re planning to pre-order your XP, Vista, or Windows 7 to Windows 8 upgrade copy, you can head over to this page of Amazon.com to get $10 off on Windows 8 software, meaning that customers can pre-order the upgrade copy for $59.99 instead of the normal $69.99.
You need to enter the promotional code “WINDOWS8” on the Review Order page to avail the offer. Please note that this promotional code is limited to one per customer and is valid till October 14, 2012 only.
Existing Windows users running Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 can upgrade to Windows 8 for just $39.99 via Windows.com using Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant. Online upgrade to Windows 8 will be available starting from October 26, 2012.
As you might already know, Windows 7 users will be able to keep everything from personal files to installed programs during the upgrade. While Vista users will be able bring along personal file and Windows settings, Windows XP users can keep only personal personal files.
A report indicated that Microsoft was planning on releasing Office for iOS and Android in March of 2013. Microsoft replied to this claim and said it was not accurate. Now, a new report reveals that Office for iOS and Android will hit in April of 2013.
"Additionally, a good source of mine gave me better specifics about general availability: I was told that general availability of Office 2013 is expected in the last week of January or first week of February 2013. Furthermore, if you’ve seen rumors about Office 2013 for iOS and Android, they’re happening, but the products will only be made available via the subscription Office offerings, and hit in April. This will give a user rights to use Office on 5 PCs and/or Macs and 5 devices," Paul Thurrott stated in the report. This report comes just days after Microsoft responded to a claim that Office for iOS and Android would be released in March of 2013. If this new report is true, we can see Office for iOS and Android in April of 2013 with the ability to use Office on 5 different devices. More on this as it develops.
For those who still haven’t gotten their hands on the Windows 8 release-to-manufacturing bits via MSDN, TechNet, BizSpark, volume licensing or some other channel, Microsoft is making available via preorder the Windows 8 upgrade media as of October 12.
Those interested in obtaining reserved packaged DVD of the upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $69.99 can place their orders via Amazon.com, Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, the Microsoft Store and other retailers. Newegg is another outlet taking preorders, as my ZDNet colleage Ed Bott noted this morning.
Those looking to build their own PCs or install Windows 8 on a Mac are able to preorder a system builder/OEM license. As I blogged earlier this fall, the pricing for the system builder license is roughly the same as the cost of a Windows 7 system builder license. As Bott noted, the exact sysem builder pricing is $99.99 for Windows 8 and $139.99 for Windows 8 Pro.
As expected, there is no “fully packaged” Windows 8 product available at retail. If you want the equivalent, you have to buy an OEM/system builder license.
Customers who bought Windows 7 PCs as of June 2 and who want to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99 also will have to wait until October 26 to redeem their upgrade offers.
It’s not just the Windows 8 software that is available for preorder as of today. Several Windows OEMs, including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Samsung and Sony have started taking preorders for their PCs and tablets.
Microsoft still has not announced pricing or a preorder date for its Surface RT tablet/PCs. They will be available for purchase in Microsoft brick-and-mortar and pop-up stores, as well as select Microsoft online stores as of October 26.
One thing to remember if you’re thinking about purchasing an ARM-based Windows RT PC or tablet, including the Microsoft Surface RT: Only certain mice, keyboards, printers and other peripherals which have been certified for Windows RT will work with these systems. Very few of Microsoft’s own mice or keyboards are currently certified to work with Windows RT. I haven’t found a list of third-party peripherals that are Windows RT-certified. Anyone else?
The iPad Mini, the scaled-down tablet that everyone is expecting Apple to unveil next week, is now rumoured to be a Wi-Fi only model.
With a press invite thought to be hitting the in-boxes of media organisations around the world later today, the iPad Mini has been all but confirmed.
Apple has been as tight-lipped as usual, but some very convincing leaks have persuaded most in the tech world of the iPad Mini’s existence.
According to reports, Apple has decided against a 3G-enabled version of the iPad Mini, choosing instead to keep the low-cost tablet a Wi-Fi only model.
No 3G for Apple iPad Mini?
The Guardian newspaper has cited unnamed industry sources as saying they do not expect to see a 3G iPad Mini.
This will come as a disappointment to those hoping to get all the perks of an iPad without the price tag, but it is hardly a surprising decision.
Apple will want to keep costs down in order to compete with the likes of the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire, and cutting out 3G allows them to do that.
Neither the Nexus 7 nor the Kindle Fire HD has 3G connectivity either, so Apple wouldn’t lose out on that front.
However, rumours abound that Google is considering a 3G-enabled Nexus 7 for release in the run-up to Christmas. While this would probably cost a bit more than the sub-£200 price tag we’ve seen so far, it would have a distinct advantage over its rivals.
Is Apple launching 4G iPad?
It seems that an iPad Mini isn’t the only tablet Apple is releasing in the coming weeks; reports suggest that it is preparing to launch a revised 9.7-inch iPad as well.
The new version of the iPad released earlier this year is rumoured to have super-fast 4G connectivity, and will be available exclusively on Everything Everywhere’s 4G network.
The updated tablet will also come with Apple’s new Lightning dock that first made an appearance on the iPhone 5 recently.
Gamers and sci-fi fans, rejoice! One of the most iconic mobile games of all time is joining forces with one of the most iconic film franchises for a brand new title.
Finnish mobile developer Rovio looks set to be teaming up with Lucasfilm to create, you guessed it, Angry Birds Star Wars.
You have to hand it to Rovio, there didn’t seem like there were many other avenues for the Birds to explore. We’ve already had them throwing themselves around during Christmas, at Halloween, and in Rio de Janeiro. They’ve even been into space!
Yet Rovio has managed to find another interesting take on the familiar format with Angry Birds Star Wars. So what do we know about this title so far?
Angry Birds Star Wars teaser
We all started getting very excited about the title when Rovio posted an image of one of the angry birds with a Jedi makeover – donning the classic robes and wielding a lightsaber.
Our hopes and dreams were then realised when Lucasfilm confirmed a partnership with the Finnish developer.
Paul Southern, of Lucasfilm said: “As casual games grow as a category and mobile devices grow as an interface, it’s going to become more important for us in the future,”
“Our partnership with Rovio helped us to understand a little bit more about how they achieved that success.”
Angry Birds Star Wars details and release
We don’t know an awful lot about the actual gameplay of Angry Birds Star Wars, apart from the fact that Luke Skywalker will be played by the iconic Red Bird.
Other than that, all we know is that we’ll see a lot of Star Wars branding all over the game and perhaps use of the Force in some capacity.
We also don’t have a release date for the game yet. Initial reports had estimated a release at the end of October, but there has been no confirmation.
Despite the fact that 4G mobile internet will only begin its roll out in a few weeks, those is the mobile industry are already keen to take mobile connectivity a step further, investing £35 million in a 5G Innovation Centre.
Mobile operators, infrastructure providers and the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund have come together to provide the capital needed to begin research into 5G, with the work already underway and headed by academics at Surrey University.
Is 5G connectivity needed?
Speaking to the BBC about the project, Prof Rahim Tafozolli, director of Surrey University’s Centre for Communications Systems Research, argued that 5G is needed in order for the mobile industry to cope with soaring rates of mobile data traffic. He said:
“The boundaries between mobile communication and the internet are blurring, so the fifth generation is internet on the move. 4G for us is old hat. We started working on 4G ten years ago. Being a university we have to be one step ahead of industry.
“It looks like every year the traffic is doubling. Unfortunately capacity is not doubling every year. We need to come up with technology, within the limited radio spectrum that we have, to accommodate this huge surge.”
How does 5G trump 4G?
According to Prof Tafozolli, 4G will be good for the next ten years, but we could see 5G introduced by 2020 as it is a more economical option than 4G.
“The cost of electricity of running the networks is very high,” he said.
“We are facing systems which are too expensive. We need something extremely energy efficient and cost efficient.”
Everything Everywhere (EE) has announced a launch date of 30 October for 4G LTE, which will initially roll out across ten major UK cities. Other network providers are due to roll-out their own 4G networks by spring next year.
