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Fring group video calls, iPhone 5 release date, Nokia concepts: US Update
Motorola Xoom and Atrix sales not living up to expectation?
Nokia Kinetic concept could be the perfect Windows Phone
Not so fast, iPhone 5 still on track from summer release
Samsung Galaxy Prevail becomes latest US prepaid Android smartphone
Fring launches four-way video calling for iOS and Android [video]
Best Android apps of the week
Toshiba CEVO engine TVs: Convert Corrie to 3D!
Toshiba Regza VL: Toshiba’s first passive 3D TV
Best iPhone apps: app of the day = Nebulous Notes

Fring group video calls, iPhone 5 release date, Nokia concepts: US Update

Posted: 05 Apr 2011 06:51 PM PDT

Your serving of tech news, squeezed fresh daily, is back again. In today's US Update we kick things off with news from Fring who just released a limited beta of their messaging application for iOS and Android with group video calling. Next we drop the scoop on the latest iPhone 5 release date rumors. Then we take a look at the fresh new Nokia concept phones. This and more on today's US Update.

Can't get enough video calling, but want to add more than one of your friends at a time? No problemo, the new Fring beta now supports up to four simultaneous video callers. Fill out a form and see if you'll be selected to join in on the action. A new prepaid Samsung Galaxy smartphone has just been announced in the US. Set to debut on Boost Mobile, a prepaid segment of Sprint, the Galaxy Prevail will be available this April.

The iPhone 5 is on track for a summer 2011 release. Let me repeat, the iPhone 5 is on track. We've got the scoop on the latest rumor suggesting we'll see the fifth installment of Cupertino's smartphone in late June. A fresh new Nokia concept, dubbed Nokia Kinetic, has been released on the N Series blog. When a call is received on the Kinetic, the weight of the base station shifts and the phone rises — talk about cool!

Last up this morning is news on the sales of the Motorola Xoom and Motorola Atrix. According to Forbes and Pacific Crest analyst James Faucette, "sell-through trends" of the Motorola Xoom and Atrix "have been disappointing". That wraps up the latest and greatest in the world of tech news on this fine Wednesday morning. As always I'm Nick Marshall and I'll see you again tomorrow.

Motorola Xoom and Atrix sales not living up to expectation?

Posted: 05 Apr 2011 06:41 PM PDT

According to Forbes and Pacific Crest analyst James Faucette, "sell-through trends" of the Motorola Xoom and Atrix "have been disappointing". As the first two dual-core Android devices by Motorola for their respective segments, today's news comes as an overwhelming shock. The combination of these two devices practically stole the show at CES earlier this year, so what gives?

When you pack a dual-core processor, amazing spec sheets and a proven track record in Android sales into the mix, expectations run high. Forecasts for the Motorola Xoom and Atrix projected tremendous demand. As the first official Android Honeycomb tablet to receive Google's blessing, the Xoom quickly stole our hearts and once available, our pocket books. The Motorola Atrix on the other hand offered a new level of ingenuity, shifting the smartphone paradigm more so than any other device in recent memory.

Unfortunately our opinions do not coincide with the cash registers, but maybe there's more to the story? The Motrola Atrix, or Atrix 4G as it's called here in the US, is only available on one US carrier – At&t. Meanwhile the Motorola Xoom only recently became available in a WiFi-only version so the majority of initial sales came from two carriers, Verizon Wireless and Cellular South.

Without a WiFi-only version available at launch, the Motorola Xoom was already at a disadvantage when launched. Shortly after the iPad 2 came into the fold and the lime light quickly shifted. The Motorola Atrix 4G on the other hand, is at the will of its lone carrier – At&t. As more carriers begin to offer the Atrix, sales should pick up and the same goes for the WiFi-only Xoom.

Since Motorola has not announced sales of either device, anyone care to take a guess at how many units have been sold to date?

via Phandroid

Nokia Kinetic concept could be the perfect Windows Phone

Posted: 05 Apr 2011 06:23 PM PDT

A match made in heaven is far from the first my first thought as I got wind of the Microsoft Nokia alliance. Smartphones designed and built by Nokia running Windows Phone? To date we have not seen this strategic partnership manifest itself into any official devices, but low and behold Nokia's N Series blog has given us the first glimmer of hope — the Nokia Kinetic Concept.

Designed by Jeremy Innes-Hopkins, this sexy smartphone concept turns digital information into kinetic energy by way of the electromagnet in its base. Bottom line, when a call is received, the weight in the base can be shifted and the phone rises. Now that's what I call brilliant engineering.

This is the type of design and innovation Nokia needs to pair with Microsoft's Windows Phone OS. Sexy, cutting-edge hardware, combined with a mobile OS the world is just beginning to experience is a fresh face I'm looking forward to meeting. If you'd like to see even more of Nokia's latest round of concept phones, head on over to the link below. We promise, it's worth a quick look.

Nokia [via WMPoweruser]

Not so fast, iPhone 5 still on track from summer release

Posted: 05 Apr 2011 06:10 PM PDT

Just when you thought Apple was out they pull you back in. After rumors surfaced suggesting the iPhone 5 would be delayed until September or possibly even 2012, a Korean website has stepped forward with their own sources. Apparently the iPhone 5 will not be delayed and Apple will keep its customary Summer release for the fifth installment of the phone Android users love to hate.

Like in life, the world of tech makes no guarantees. However, Korean news website ETNews has tracked down several sources at South Korean phone networks. The sources confirm previous reports stating Apple will not unveil the new iPhone at the WWDC in June, but instead focus entirely on software announcements. Purportedly, this will not stop the customary Summer iPhone launch. The sources say sales of the iPhone 5 will "start a few weeks later at the end of the month".

So the iPhone 5 could be back on track for a Summer debut. Given the every-expanding Android threat and an endless supply of manufacturers lining up to release their own smartphones, I'd say Apple should do everything humanly possible to keep the original target window.

Anyone think the report on ETNews will stand the test of time or is an iPhone 5 release date delay imminent? Sound off.

via Cellular-News

Samsung Galaxy Prevail becomes latest US prepaid Android smartphone

Posted: 05 Apr 2011 05:52 PM PDT

For the Android prepaid front in the United States, the outlook has been rather grim, until now. Boost Mobile, a subsidiary of Sprint/Nextel, has announced plans to bring the Samsung Galaxy Prevail to their smartphone line up. As the first CDMA Android device on Boost, the Prevail is positioned to maximize your return on that $50 monthly unlimited plan.

First, the important details: Android 2.2, 3.2-inch touchscreen, 2-megapixel camera with video, GPS, voice-activated dialing, Telenav navigation, microSD card slot (up to 32GB cards) and a 2GB card is included. A release date has not been announced, but the press release mentions an availability of late April.

Overall the Samsung Galaxy Prevail looks to be an entry-level Android smartphone with a decent feature set. For the no contract, no commitment minded folk this could be a perfect fit.

Coming late April | Boost Mobile | $179.99

Fring launches four-way video calling for iOS and Android [video]

Posted: 05 Apr 2011 05:35 PM PDT

Are you ready for the next generation of video calling on your mobile? If you're an iOS or Android user, Fring has its sights set on making your life a whole lot easier via group video calls. Whether you're looking to add a third leg to your video call or want to step up to a foursome, the next version of Fring has you covered.

Group video calling for Fring is still in beta, but the demonstration looks promising. The good news here is that by doing a four-way video call, the quality of the individual videos does not have to be that great since each feed is only filling a portion of a four inch display.

If you use Fring and you're ready to give the beta a go, head on over to Fring's blog here and sign up. Keep in mind this is a limited beta so don't feel too bad if they don't call your name for the big show.

Anyone think Apple will rally back with a group video calling feature for FaceTime? Will Skype carry their paid group calling feature to mobile?

Out Now | Fring | Free

Best Android apps of the week

Posted: 05 Apr 2011 10:57 AM PDT

What ho! We're here to bring you the best Android apps of the week, and what a collection of classic downloads we have for you this time around. We've got apps for messaging, apps for phone security and even apps that strip out your handset's dull user interface and replace it with something a little more sophisticated. As always, our mission is to offer you the best Android downloads on a silken cushion, saving you the tiresome inconvenience of having to sort the wheat from the chaff yourself. Read on!

The QR codes below will take you to the app's page on the Android Market, but you'll need to make sure you have Barcode Scanner installed first. Alternatively you can click the app title for a web link to the very same destination – the choice is yours.

SPB Shell 3D

£9.31

We never thought we'd find ourselves including a download that costs a tenner in our weekly run-down of the best Android apps, but SPB Shell 3D is just too impressive to ignore. It's unfair to merely describe it as an application – this download is complete replacement for your home screen launcher, and effectively re-skins your phone's entire interface. It comes with a whole host of unique widgets and animations, but the coolest thing is the ability to navigate your home screens using a 3D rotational menu. More extensive than other app launchers like Launcher Pro and SlideScreen, SPB Shell 3D is the perfect way to give your phone a fetching facelift – although the steep price means you'll need to be absolutely sure you can afford the surgery.

imo Instant Messenger

Free

We've already picked up on the greatness of this instant messaging application thanks to its iOS incarnation, but Android users aren't getting left out. With support for Facebook Chat, Google Talk, Skype, MSN, ICQ/AIM, Yahoo, Jabber, and Myspace, imo certainly has all of the IM bases covered, but its most enduring feature is the fact that it doesn't force you to register to use it. All you need do is sign up with your existing IM accounts and you're away. Factor in notifications for new messages and a slick interface that makes it blissfully easy to toggle between open chats, and you've got what is arguably the king of instant messaging on Android.

Best Android apps of all time: Top 100

Read It Later Pro

62p

Ever found yourself reading a particularly interesting website and then realising you're late for work, and have no option but to make a mad dash for the door, leaving the aforementioned article unfinished? Or perhaps you've been stuck at work and spotted something that you'd love to read at a later date, but have no way of reminding yourself? Sounds like you need Read It Later, the Android edition of the web bookmarking tool that has already proven to be a massive success on the iPhone. The premise is simple – once you've established a Read It Later account, you can tag pages on both your phone and your web browser. Unread pages appear on both devices, so you can finish reading either on the way to work or when you return home. The best thing is that Read It Later even remembers how far you've gotten in a particular page, and allows you to pick up from exactly where you left off. Genius.

Webroot Mobile Security

Free

Malware and virus attacks are two of the more tiresome elements of home computing, and the unstoppable technological progress of smartphones means that these unwelcome issues are slowly crossing over to the mobile arena. Webroot is like a trusty guard dog that keeps watch over the security of your beloved handset – not only does it sniff around attachments and weblinks to ensure they're 100% clean, it also investigates your phone's setup to identify any potential holes, as well as thoroughly perusing app installations to prevent anything unsavoury being granted access to your most precious information. You can also use Webroot to remotely wipe your phone should it fall into the wrong hands – priceless for national security if you happen to be James Bond, but rather less exciting if your phone simply gets lifted by an oink in a grubby Adidas tracksuit.

Age of Zombies

£1.93

Just one game in this week's list of the best Android apps, but it's a proper blinder. Crafted by the same chaps responsible for Fruit Ninja – a game that has done great things to eradicate productivity in the Electricpig office – Age of Zombies is a twin-stick 2D shooter which has already enjoyed a rapturous reception on the PSP, where it was voted the best PSP Minis title of 2010. There's one rather large caveat with the Android launch, however – it's currently an Xperia Play exclusive and won't be available for other Google phones for at least a few weeks. If you've been lucky enough to pick up Sony Ericsson's much-hyped PlayStation phone then this is unquestionably one of the first games you should download, as it makes excellent use of the device's twin touch-pads.

Toshiba CEVO engine TVs: Convert Corrie to 3D!

Posted: 05 Apr 2011 07:26 AM PDT

Toshiba has outed its first CEVO engine TVs, and in between all the stats and acronyms they’ve thrown at the press here at Toshiba World in Rome today is one intriguing USP: they’ll convert plain old 2D TV into 3D, with depth control thrown in, Nintendo 3DS style!

Cell TVs might may never have materialised in the UK under that name, but Toshiba’s CEVO engine TVs unveiled today, the new Regza WL and YL lines, takes their imaging power and does you one better. Toshiba’s 7-core image processor is capable of not just upscaling 3D video, but actually converting 2D images into a stereoscopic picture, and allowing you to adjust the depth control – just like the slider on the Nintendo 3DS handheld.

Both active shutter 3D TVs ship with full HD LED backlit screens, in 42, 46 and 55 inch sizes, with Wi-Fi built in (No dongle required), and USB record functionality so you can use your own hard drive to tape films when you’re out. Freeview HD is included in both, along with access to Toshiba’s Places online IPTV portal. In fact, as far as we can tell, the only difference between the models is the exterior design – both fall under Toshiba’s Jacob Jensen Design label.

We’re told both models will be out “later this year”, but we want to know: is the ability to convert 2D TV to 3D something you’d actually make use of? Is it just a gimmick? Shout up with your thoughts in the comments below.

Out TBC | £TBC | Toshiba

Toshiba Regza VL: Toshiba’s first passive 3D TV

Posted: 05 Apr 2011 07:20 AM PDT

Well, here’s a surprise. Toshiba’s just outed the Toshiba Regza VL series of 3D TVs, and they’re using passive 3D tech. The upshot for you? No need to charge your glasses, or pay out several hundred quid per pair if you lose any.

The Toshiba Regza VL line, unveiled at Toshiba World 2011 in Rome today, stuffs in all the tech you’d expect from a super thin edge LED LCD TV. They’re full HD, with Freeview HD built in, plus Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity and Toshiba Places IPTV support.

What’s so unusual is that it uses passive technology to render 3D images, while most rival manufacturers, such as Samsung and Sony, are pushing for active tech in home TVs. Out of the box, you get four pairs of RealD glasses – the cheap ones you get at the cinema or in the pub – which for a family will be much more appealing than one or two pairs of active shutter specs which need to be juiced up on a regular basis, and cost an awful lot more to replace.

As ever, there’s no word on exact release date or pricing (We should be so lucky), but you’ll be able to buy the Toshiba Regza VL in 42 or 47-inch sizes when it hits shelves. We can’t speak for 3D image quality just yet, but we expect to go eyes on with it shortly.

Out TBC | £TBC | Toshiba

Best iPhone apps: app of the day = Nebulous Notes

Posted: 05 Apr 2011 07:20 AM PDT

Some of the best iPhone apps out there are simple tools that do one thing brilliantly. Today’s best iPhone apps entry fits that category perfectly. Nebulous Notes is a plain text editor that slings you notes up immediately to Dropbox meaning your jottings from wandering about are immediately at hand when you fire up your laptop.

Nebulous Notes is also really handy for flinging half-finished documents or, more prosaically, shopping lists from your computer to your iPhone via Dropbox. You can protect Nebulous Notes with a PIN code, grab files from any Dropbox folder and preview documents in lots of formats including HTML, Markdown and RTF. It also supports AirPrint which is like a tasty cherry on top. You can see how Nebulous Notes works after the break…

Out now | £1.19 | iTunes

Made for Life

Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Electricpig.co.uk - tech news fast!

Electricpig.co.uk - tech news fast!

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