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Free Facebook calls, Samsung Smart fridge, iPad sales: US Update
Apple iOS device sales leaked in Samsung lawsuit, iPad sales fall short?
Take a look at the future of multitasking on iOS [video]
Samsung Smart fridge makes ice and delivers Twitter updates
Free voice calling to Facebook friends compliments of Bobsled by T-mobile
Second-gen Sharp Quattron TVs add 3D support and Freeview HD
Asus Eee Pad Transformer: Can you really use it as a netbook?
Best Android apps of the week
Best smartphone deals of the week: Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, HTC Desire HD, Apple iPhone 4 and more
Sonos Android app hits the Market: Grab it now!

Free Facebook calls, Samsung Smart fridge, iPad sales: US Update

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 05:05 PM PDT

Rise and shine boys and girls, it's time for your morning dose of tech news. In today's US Update we take a look at T-mobile's free voice calling solution for Facebook, check our Twitter status on Samsung's new Smart fridge and even get a sneak peak at Apple's iPad sales. Did Apple miss the mark?

The second-generation of Sharp Quattron TVs have been announced, destined for a UK release this May. The LE831 series sets feature super image quality, low energy consumption, Skype, 3D, AQUOS NET+ for internet access and even built-in Freeview HD. T-mobile announced Bobsled by T-mobile, a completely free solution for making live voice calls to your Facebook friends. Download a copy of the software and start making calls today.

Samsung has announced its new Smart fridge line. Packing an 8-inch LCD display, WiFi, Google, Twitter, weather and even cooking information, this could be the dream fridge for a gadget lover. Want a glimpse at the future of iOS multitasking, but not ready to pony up for a white iPhone 4 pre-order? Good, we've got a video showing off the forthcoming iPhone and an updated version of iOS which looks awfully similar to Honeycomb — you be the judge.

Last up this morning is leaked sales data for iOS. On Wednesday when Apple has their quarterly earnings call investors are expecting more than 7 million iPads sold in the quarter. Based on the data revealed in its lawsuit filed against Samsung, it appears the Cupertino team may have come up severely short, with only 4.2 million units sold. That wraps up that latest and greatest in this crazy world we call tech. As always I'm Nick Marshall and I'll be bringing you another fresh edition of the US Update tomorrow.

Apple iOS device sales leaked in Samsung lawsuit, iPad sales fall short?

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 04:52 PM PDT

On Wednesday Apple's earning call will confirm iOS device sales, but today we have what looks to be a unofficial sneak preview. By way of yesterday's lawsuit filed by Apple against Samsung, the Cupertino-based company confirmed that as of March 2011, more than 108 million iPhones have been sold worldwide. The big news comes when we dive into iPad sales — did Apple come up big or fall short this quarter?

Here are the unofficial total iOS device sales according to the court documents: 108M iPhone, 60M iPod touch, and 19M iPads. In total, including the AppleTVs, you're looking at close to 200 million iOS devices sold. Based on these numbers, prior to Q1, Apple had sold 89.9 million iPhones. Using the reported 108 million iPhones means it sold a minimum of 18.1 million this quarter.

iPod touch sales were reportedly 55.5 million, a difference of 4.5 million units. iPad sales before Q1 were 14.7 million, 4.2 million less than Apple's total as of March 2011. With analysts expecting at least 7 million iPads sold this quarter it appears sales struggled in early 2011. There's no telling if this was caused by supply issues or if the iPad 2 release had consumers holding off on their iPad purchase. We'll find out for sure whether Apple was blowing smoke in the lawsuit with conservative estimates or if Wall Street is in for a shock.

via 9to5Mac

Take a look at the future of multitasking on iOS [video]

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 04:29 PM PDT

A video has hit the web, showcasing the multitasking talents of a purported white iPhone 4, yes the same white iPhone now up for pre-order. Instead of double tapping the home button to display a row of icons, now you'll see an enlarged view of each open application — very reminiscent to Google Honeycomb's interface. With Apple suing Samsung over its TouchWiz interface mimicking iOS, today's video couldn't have come at a better time.

We have to thank our friends at Tinhte.vn, a Vietnamese technology blog, for the tasty video clip. In the demonstration, seen below, the white iPhone looks to be sporting a newer version of iOS. A white iPhone 4 alone is a treat, but if it does in fact come with an updated version of iOS, we're sold. Let's hope this isn't just a prototype build, but instead an update planned for all iOS users.

What do you think about the new multitasking interface?

via NYTimes [YouTube]

Samsung Smart fridge makes ice and delivers Twitter updates

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 04:03 PM PDT

What's cooler than cool? How about a WiFi-enabled, eight-inch LCD packing, Smart Grid capable Samsung refrigerator. With a feature set like this, there's little doubt the new Samsung Smart fridge won't end up the highlight of your dream kitchen Google, Twitter and other real-time information is on onboard this stainless steel appliance coming soon to a kitchen near you.

The Samsung Smart WiFi fridge has two primary goals: connectivity and energy efficiency. In the first department, the fridge uses it's WiFi connection to provide weather conditions, cooking information, access to Google, Twitter and even AP-related content through a partnership, delivered straight to the eight-inch LCD display.

As an Energy Star refrigerator, a power-optimized driving charge and smart grid capabilities make the Smart fridge a perfect fit for current and future energy systems. All of this information can be unloaded directly to the web where you can manage your appliance from any smartphone. The combination of an impressive feature set and energy optimized functions should make the Samsung Smart WiFi fridge on your short list of potential fridges this year.

Coming Soon | Samsung | TBD

Free voice calling to Facebook friends compliments of Bobsled by T-mobile

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 03:39 PM PDT

T-mobile is renewing their commitment to helping people stay connected on the cheap with Bobsled by T-mobile. The new brand kicks off with its Bobsled application for Facebook, providing the site's more than 500 million users worldwide with free, one-touch calling. If you've been waiting for Facebook to offer free voice chat, Bobsled by T-mobile just delivered the goods.

Let it be known that Bobsled by T-mobile is a completely free solution for making live voice calls to your Facebook friends and is in no way exclusive to T-mobile customers — anyone can use the service. Bobsled can also be used to leave voice messages for your friends either privately or via their walls.

In order to join in the fun head on over to Bobsled by T-mobile and launch the installer. Once installed, your browser will restart and take you to facebook.com where you'll see a new phone icon next to your online contacts in the Chat window. If you're wondering why T-mobile is offering the free service, let me explain.

The free calling is a way for T-mobile to establish its Bobsled brand while at the same time delivering a feature than "88 percent of Facebook users" wanted. On a larger scale, the Sidekick 4G includes Bobsled Group Text and Cloud Text applications, additional steps T-mobile is taking to become the premier provider of cloud-based communications services over the Internet.

The end game here is that T-mobile wants to see Bobsled evolve into full-fledged video chat, with the ability to place VoIP calls to mobile and landlines as well as offer applications on smartphones and tablets across various mobile platforms, regardless of carrier. Simply put, this is the first of many steps and a great way for T-mobile to establish its Bobsled brand. If you're ready to start voice calling your Facebook friends, hit the link below.

Out Now | Bobsled by T-mobile | Free

Second-gen Sharp Quattron TVs add 3D support and Freeview HD

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 03:10 PM PDT

What could be better than Sharp's first generation Quattron set — easy, the second-gen. Unveiled this afternoon via press release, Sharp's Quattron LE831 series ups the ante thanks to 3D support and built-in Freeview HD. This is not a one trick pony friends, there's much more to the second-gen Quattron than its yellow pixels.

Sharp hit the ground running when it began the daunting task of besting its original Quattron TVs. Adding yellow to the RGB mix was a start, but the bar had been set — generation two needed to improve image quality, design and achieve the lowest possible energy consumption. Sharp succeeded on all three fronts.

The Quattron LE831 series pack superb image quality, an A rating for low energy consumption, an optional Skype function, 3D support and even AQUOS NET+ for internet access. The first wave of second-generation Quattron TVs arrive in the UK this May with the release of the Sharp Aquos LC-831E, offered initially in 40 and 46 inch varieties. Six additional sets will touchdown later this Summer.

Coming Soon | Sharp | TBD

Asus Eee Pad Transformer: Can you really use it as a netbook?

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 08:04 AM PDT

We’re currently putting the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Honeycomb tablet through its paces and we must say, it does a whole lot more than the barebones Motorola Xoom. It even comes with its own keyboard dock to turn it into a netbook – there’s a huge amount of potential for this combination, but based on our testing, Asus has some big hurdles to clear first as well.

We’ll break down the tablet’s own merits in a full review shortly, but we thought we’d tackle the keyboard dock on its own as it’s not a compulsory purchase – it’s certainly far less expensive than the Motorola Atrix‘s own dock (£50 more for the bundle), but more importantly, is it worth your time and effort?

Yes and no – if you’re after an Asus Eee Pad Transformer itself, it might prove to be a nice option to have. It’s not a reason to go for the tablet itself over any however.

The dock itself is an impressive piece of construction. If anything, it’s too much so: it’s like an Eee PC keyboard cast out of metal. Combined with the Eee Pad Transformer tablet/screen, it’s an incredibly heavy, fairly thick and rather delicate creature. It is in keeping with the bronze, mottled design of the tablet itself though, and the keyboard is well spaced and sturdy with minimal bounce and depression.

Check out our best Android tablet Top 5 now

Much more of a concern, and a potential dealbreaker, is the lock switch to keep the tablet in place on its stand. When locked, the tablet can still drop out when the dock is held upside down, and it feels shaky at best. It’s a glaring issue in an otherwise superb hardware design job.

Along the top are your typical Windows keyboard hotkeys, transported to Android: you can pause and play media, adjust the screen brightness and volume, and even toggle Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. In place of a Windows key at the bottom is an Android Home button, which is a nice option to have when the onscreen navigation buttons decide to stop working. In fact, our only real issue is with the right shift key, which is bunched up against tiny cursor keys, to the dismay of touch typists everywhere.

The trackpad meanwhile works far more smoothly than on previous Android netbooks we’ve seen from the likes of HP and Toshiba. Once the screen clicks in, you can scroll around quickly and easily, and roll down web pages with two finger swipes – this is how you can swipe through the homescreens in keyboard dock mode also. We also popped a mouse into one of the two USB ports the Eee Pad Transformer keyboard dock houses, and had no troubles getting around with it – the combination of mouse and keyboard particularly made Gmail fly.

Speaking of those USB ports – there’s also an SD card slot as well which, and you can access files on all three via Asus’s file manager. Unfortunately, we’ve yet to manage to get it to play any videos of any format from a memory stick, but you can at least copy everything across.

There’s no question that this is the most impressive attempt yet to run a tablet OS on what is essentially a laptop – it’s not sans Google apps like the Toshiba AC100, and it’s not a hot mess like the Dell Inspiron Duo.

However, though Android’s processing power ought to make it better for copping movies on the train while doing some email, its lack of file format support still makes this a hard sell over super thin laptops like the Portege R700, or the iPad 2 with an SD card connector.

Still for £50 more, if you’re a frequent flyer and an Android addict, it could prove a worthy add on.

Best Android apps of the week

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 07:30 AM PDT

We know you're itching to meet the Best Android apps of the week, so we'll keep this intro mercifully short. This time around we've got a trio of awesome games to keep you entertained when you're next stood waiting at the bus stop, while the duo of applications boast a mix of useful functionality and aesthetic awesomeness. These are the five Android downloads that have tickled our fancy over the past seven days, and we're certain they'll also find favour with you lovely, lovely readers.

To indulge in some QR code zapping you'll need Barcode Scanner – once this is installed you can point your phone's camera at the code in question and you'll teleported immediately be taken to the app's personalised page on the Android Market (or Gameloft’s site, in the case of two of this week’s games). If we didn't know better we'd scream 'witchcraft!' and run to the shed to grab our pitchfork.

Backstab (Xperia Play exclusive)
£3

If the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play needed a 'killer app' to help it grab attention during its launch period, this is it. Backstab is an Assassin's Creed-style romp through the Caribbean, and is bedecked in Gameloft's typically high production standards. There's plenty of piratical combat, stealth sections, running across rooftops and – most importantly – stabbing people in the back. The stunning visuals combine excellently with the tight gameplay, and the Xperia Play's brilliant gaming interface makes it an utter joy to control. A great start to what will hopefully be a long and illustrious list of Xperia Play exclusives, and an effortless candidate for one of the best Android apps of the week.

SemiSilent
Free

Ever put your phone on silent only to miss a vital call? It's an unfortunate event that is all too common in today's world, and can be especially infuriating when the caller is trying to impart world-changing information. SemiSilent allows you to be a little more selective when it comes to keeping your handset totally quiet – you can pick from your contacts callers of particular importance (the boss, the wife, the unknown lover – it's up to you) and should they call you when your phone is on vibrate, the ringer will sound regardless. Granted, it defeats the object of having a silent mode and could potentially cause embarrassment if you're in a business meeting, but at least you won't miss a life-changing call again.

Eternal Legacy
£3

Gameloft's second contribution to our weekly run-down of the best Android apps is a port of its iOS-based Final Fantasy beater. Remember the hyperbole we spouted about Backstab's wonderful degree of polish and graphical finery? Well they apply here, too. Eternal Legacy is one of the best-looking Android games we've ever had the good fortune to clap eyes on, boasting the kind of detail and visual complexity you'd normally expect from a Sony PlayStation Portable release. The fact that this aesthetic brilliance is buttressed by an epic plot and hours of intense RPG gameplay is merely the icing on the cake – and all for around the same price as a pint.

Twisted Colors
Free

While many Android users have ignored the fad of battery-draining live wallpapers, we can't help but admit that we always come crawling back for more. This is one area where Android really does beat the iPhone, and even the most dedicated Steve Jobs fan will admit that dull static wallpaper lacks the visual impact of a moving one. With that in mind, it's well worth checking out Twisted Colors, a cool background which features hypnotic shifting shapes that dance around your home screens. The same developer has also released Inferno Galaxy, Shadow Galaxy and Crazy Colors – other live wallpapers contain equally awesome effects. The cost to you? Nothing. Nada. Nowt.

Angry Birds Seasons: Easter
Free

OK, so the format is looking more tired than a Grand National winner after its victory lap, but Angry Birds continues to entertain, infuriate and ensnare millions of players worldwide. The latest in the 'Seasons' series focuses on the time of year when we remember that our Lord Jesus Christ gave his life for our sins – although predictably, there's little of that in the game, and plenty of chocolate eggs and pesky pigs dressed wearing bunny ears. Repetition is becoming a problem with the Angry Birds franchise, but when you consider that this version is just as addictive as the others, and is being offered free of charge (if you already own Seasons, simply update it to get the new levels) then it's hard to grumble.

Best smartphone deals of the week: Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, HTC Desire HD, Apple iPhone 4 and more

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 06:15 AM PDT

Is the clock running out on your contract? If there’s just seconds to go and you’re stuck choosing between the red wire of Android and the blue wire of iPhone, and you don’t know which to cut, we’re here to help. Once again, we’ve rounded up the very best smartphone deals of the week for your perusal: come and take your pick.

1. Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Tesco via Vodafone | 500 mins, unlimited texts, 500MB Internet, free handset, 24 months | £30 per month
Everyone likes PlayStation, and everyone likes phones. Why not blend the two together, Sony Ericsson thought – and while they were at it, they threw in the latest version of Android for mobile, 2.3 Gingerbread. Buttonlicious and utterly time consuming.

See all Sony Ericsson Xperia Play deals

2. BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300
3 Mobile | 300 mins, 5000 texts, 500MB Internet, free handset, 24 months | £20 per month
With 300 minutes on this contract you can have a goold old natter, but the 5000 texts you get factored in make this one mean tariff for keyboard addicts. Flick between BBM and SMS to chat with all your mates 24/7 – just remember to look up when crossing the road and the like.

See all BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 deals

3. Samsung Galaxy Ace
O2 | 50 mins, 250 texts, 500MB internet, free handset, 18 months | £15.50 per month
Hello yes? You would like an Android smartphone on a short contract, and don’t feel like paying very much for it? I see. You’d like some data still, and lots of texts? And the handset for free as well. Right. Well, that can be arranged.

See all Samsung Galaxy Ace deals

4. HTC Desire HD
Orange | 600 mins, unlimited texts, 750MB internet, free handset, 24 months | £35.00 per month!
Big screen? Check. Lots of talk time? Check. Lots of data? Check. An infinite amount of text messages? Check. £35 per month? Check. We’ve run out of list items at this point, but that seems like more than enough for us for the asking price.

See all HTC Desire HD deals

5. Apple iPhone 4 16GB
3 Mobile | 2000 mins, 5000 texts, unlimited data, handset £69, 24 months | £35 per month
Do we really need to introduce the iPhone 4 at this point? We know it’s amazing, you know it’s amazing, your mum’s pet terrier knows it’s amazing. What you might not know though is that it can be had with an obscene amount of calls, texts and data on a very reasonable tariff, with next to no upfront cost. Enjoy!

See all Apple iPhone 4 16GB deals

Sonos Android app hits the Market: Grab it now!

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 06:00 AM PDT

The Sonos Android app for controlling multi-room audio from your Google blower has just gone live on the Android Market. It’s a free download for all Android 2.1 and up phones with a HVGA resolution or higher display (No plans yet for Honeycomb tablet support), and offers all of the functionality of the iPhone app, plus volume control with your phone’s volume rocker, and voice search.

We’ve just had the chance to test it out on a Google Nexus S and a Motorola Defy, and it does indeed work as advertised. Visually it’s identical to the experience on the iOS app and the CR200 remote, except tapping the option button gives you easier reach for the settings. There’s no widget, and it doesn’t appear as a running service in the notification menu, but if you have a Sonos system, and an Android phone, this one’s still a no brainer. Go get.

Made for Life

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

Electricpig.co.uk - tech news fast!

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