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Droid X2, PS3 trade-ins, Netflix for Android: US Update
Netflix comes to select Android smartphones, let the video streaming begin
Photoshop and iPad play nice: Adobe Color Lava, Eazel and Nav now available in App Store
Microsoft celebrates PSN outage with record PS3 for Xbox 360 trade-ins
Droid X2 lands May 26, packs continuous autofocus and Android 2.3 Gingerbread
NUU MiniKey transforms your iPhone 4 into a Touch Pro2
Win a brand new BlackBerry PlayBook!* (*Not available in the shops)
BeBook Live Android tablet: Hands on and video walkthrough
Panasonic Lumix G3 Micro Four Thirds camera arrives
The Apprentice says disposable apps are where business is now – Lord Sugar, stop encouraging people

Droid X2, PS3 trade-ins, Netflix for Android: US Update

Posted: 12 May 2011 06:56 PM PDT

It's that time for your top five tech stories breaking cover on this side of the pond, better known as the US Update. Kicking off the morning we've got news on the release date for the Motorola Droid X2, destined for a home on Verizon Wireless this month. We take a look at the record trade-in numbers being recorded by some UK game retailers and then close the show with Netflix for Android.

The NUU MiniKey is a new slide-out Bluetooth keyboard case for the iPhone 4 and it is now available in North America. This slick keyboard/case combo promises to be your iPhone's best friend, especially if you're "thinking of switching from BlackBerry to iPhone". The Motorola Droid X2 will be released in the U.S. on May 26 with pre-orders beginning May 19. Packing a Tegra 2 dual-core 1 GHz processors and 4.3-inch qHD resolution display, this Android powerhouse is ready to shine.

It appears PlayStation 3 owners are trading in their consoles for Xbox 360s at record pace. One major retailer in the UK even reported a 200 percent increase in PS3 trade-ins. The iPad has received a major software boost with the launch of Adobe Color Lava for Photoshop, Adobe Eazel for Photoshop and Adobe Nav for Photoshop. This three-hit Photoshop combo is ready to transform your iPad from a consumption device into a creativity tool.

Last up this morning, Netflix has gone official with an Android client. If you're using the HTC Incredible with Android 2.2, HTC Nexus One with Android 2.2 or 2.3, HTC Evo 4G with Android 2.2, HTC G2 with Android 2.2 or Samsung Nexus S with Android 2.3, head to the Android Market now. That wraps up the latest and greatest in the world of tech news. As always I'm Nick Marshall and I'll see you again tomorrow.

Netflix comes to select Android smartphones, let the video streaming begin

Posted: 12 May 2011 06:46 PM PDT

The time has come ye Android faithful. Netflix has gone official with an Android client, now available in the Android Market free of charge. If you're a T-mobile USA customer with a Nexus One, G2 or Nexus S, you've got first dibs. For everyone else, you'll need to make sure you're device has the "requisite playback support".

Let's go official and hear it directly from the horse's mouth: "The Market download will initially be available only on select phones that currently have the requisite playback support. We expect to quickly add to the number of phones that can download from Android Market as we work with ecosystem partners to expand playback support." – The Netflix Blog

So what does this mean? You'll need the HTC Incredible with Android 2.2, HTC Nexus One with Android 2.2 or 2.3, HTC Evo 4G with Android 2.2, HTC G2 with Android 2.2 or Samsung Nexus S with Android 2.3. On the plus side, assuming you have on of the aforementioned handsets, streaming works over both WiFi and 3G connections (or 4G, if applicable).

Just in case you're curious, the screenshot above was my attempt to install the Netflix app on the Xoom — no dice.

Free | Netflix | Out Now

Photoshop and iPad play nice: Adobe Color Lava, Eazel and Nav now available in App Store

Posted: 12 May 2011 06:30 PM PDT

Adobe's three-hit Photoshop combo is ready to transform your iPad from a consumption device into a creativity tool, aimed at improving your current design workflow. The assault consists of Adobe Color Lava for Photoshop, Adobe Eazel for Photoshop and Adobe Nav for Photoshop. The trio takes advantage of the iPad's killer display, delivering a truly immersive experience.

Thanks in part to the overwhelming success of Adobe's Photoshop Express, Ideas and Connect Mobile, the company decided to expand its iOS offerings with Color Lava, Eazel and Nav. Color Lava allows creatives to use their fingertips to mix colors on the iPad, creating custom color swatches and themes to transfer back into Photoshop.

Adobe Eazel takes advantage of cutting-edge painting technology by letting digital artists create rich realistic paintings with their fingertips, and introduces a new kind of interaction between "wet" and "dry" paints. These paintings can then be sent directly to Photoshop CS5 for compositing or for taking the artwork further.

Adobe Nav increases workflow efficiency by letting users select and control Photoshop tools using the iPad as the input surface, customize the toolbar, browse and zoom in on up to 200 open Photoshop files, or easily create new files.

Now a bit of good news for those of you who reside in the Android or BlackBerry PlayBook camps. Adobe has also released the Photoshop Touch SDK, enabling developers for all tablets to build applications that interact with Photoshop.

Out Now | Adobe | $2.99

Microsoft celebrates PSN outage with record PS3 for Xbox 360 trade-ins

Posted: 12 May 2011 06:12 PM PDT

Playstation owners once laughed at the thought of paying yearly for a Xbox Live Gold subscription. Today, after almost three weeks without the PSN, it appears PlayStation 3 owners are trading in their consoles for Xbox 360s at record pace. One major retailer in the UK even reported a 200 percent increase in PS3 trade-ins.

In a classic case of 'what have you done for me lately', PlayStation owners are proving their allegiance to the struggling console is not quite what it use to be just three weeks ago. Amidst the difficulties restoring the PlayStation Network, the consensus for some gamers is that now is the time to switch teams.

“People are bringing in PS3s together with all their games and they don't want money, they want an Xbox 360. In every case it is because of Black Ops and or Modern Warfare 2," Belgian indie retailer Gameswap told Edge. "We're just ten days into the month and already we have an increase of 200 per cent in PS3s coming into the store compared to all of March. Normally we sell them really fast, but not this time. We've only sold 30 to 40 per cent of our inventory right now."

Fans of history will recall Microsoft suffered a similar fait when the dreaded red-rings-of-death appeared several years ago. To the company's credit, the replacement process was rather painless, although there were issues in its early goings. Has the PSN outage become Sony's RROD?

In related Xbox 360 news, on May 19 the Spring 2011 dashboard update should roll out. This will be followed by Avatar Kinect scheduled for May 27. Add in the recent Skype acquisition and Microsoft looks to be sitting pretty, at least in the console wars.

via Ubergizmo

Droid X2 lands May 26, packs continuous autofocus and Android 2.3 Gingerbread

Posted: 12 May 2011 05:49 PM PDT

The once rumored Motorola Droid X2 has had its fair share of leaked images and product literature spread across the Internet. Today we have the official Verizon Wireless launch package, complete with the full specifications and most importantly the U.S. launch date — May 26. Get ready for a double dose of Droid X, pre-orders begin May 19.

Let's start with the processor. Under the hood of the Droid X2 you'll find none other than a Tegra 2 dual-core 1 GHz chip. HDMI output will allow 1080p mirror mode, giving you the option to connect your smartphone to your HDTV for the highest resolution playback. A qHD resolution 4.3-inch display offers 26 percent more pixels than the Droid X and dual-layer anti-reflective coating manhandles direct sunlight.

On the back of the Droid X is an 8-megapixel camera with continuous autofocus, delivering 44 percent faster shot-to-shot times over its predecessor. There's 8GB of internal storage to store your photos plus an 8GB microSD card pre-installed and a 1540 mAh battery. Although the Droid X2 can output via HDMI in 1080P, video capture is still limited to 720p.

Now for the real shocker. We've know for some time the Droid X2 lacks a 4G LTE radio, but it appears Motorola and Google have managed to ship the X2 with the latest Android flavor, Gingerbread. Assuming the screenshots in the launch material are accurate, the X2 could have a leg up over its counterpart, the Motorola Atrix.

via Unwired View

NUU MiniKey transforms your iPhone 4 into a Touch Pro2

Posted: 12 May 2011 02:48 PM PDT

A new slide-out Bluetooth keyboard case for the iPhone 4 is headed to North America, introducing the NUU MiniKey. This slick keyboard/case combo promises to be your iPhone's best friend, especially if you're "thinking of switching from BlackBerry to iPhone". Wondering what takes the NUU MiniKey ahead of the pack? Read on to find out.

Firing off long emails and thousands of text messages each month with an on-screen keyboard can be challenging, particularly if you've spent most of your smartphone life riding high with HTC or BlackBerry hardware. The NUU MiniKey aims to please with several features omitted by its competitors: backlit keys, text-editing shortcuts, long batter life and automatic sleep mode.

The most overlooked, yet arguably most important aspects of the NUU MiniKey are that no functions or connectors on your iPhone are blocked. This means the camera and flash remain fully functional, your dock connector is accessible and your volume controls work without a hiccup.

The NUU MiniKey will soon be available through Showcase in Canada, Sanborns in Mexico, and select premium Verizon retailers as well as Amazon.com in the U.S. It is currently available in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Out Now | NuuBrand | £59.09

Win a brand new BlackBerry PlayBook!* (*Not available in the shops)

Posted: 12 May 2011 09:07 AM PDT

A free BlackBerry PlayBook? Oh yes. Electricpig is giving one lucky reader the chance to own one of the hottest tablets of 2011. So hot, in fact, that it’s not even available in the shops yet! This competition is exclusive to Electricpig, and we look forward to contacting the lucky winner in a fortnight’s time. Simply read on and find out how to enter.

UPDATE: Facebook Connect is having some issues at the moment, so you can sign in through Twitter. Good luck!

The PlayBook features a stunningly sharp 7-inch display and is Flash-enabled, making it the perfect tablet for browsing the web. BlackBerry’s App World it stocked with over 3,000 apps, from games like Angry Birds to the latest business apps for the suited and booted. To be a lucky owner of one before it’s even released in the UK, all you have to do is tell us why you deserve one – and follow the simple steps below.

How to enter

Step 1

Think up a brilliant answer to the following:

“I deserve to own a BlackBerry PlayBook before it’s even out in the shops because….”

We want to be impressed, so be creative folks! Make us laugh, make us cry, blow our minds – emote!

Step 2

This bit is important, as your entry will only be valid if you follow the rules. So pay close attention peeps.

1. Write the reason you should win in our comments section below, BUT DON'T POST IT JUST YET…

2. Before you post your reason make sure you sign in using your FACEBOOK or TWITTER login, THEN…

3. Once you're logged in, tick the little icon in the bottom left that says Share on Facebook/Twitter – when a little green tick appears on the icon you know it's worked. THEN…

4. Hit the POST button and you're done!

5. We’ll be contacting the winner via Facebook message or Twitter direct message, so make sure you keep an eye on your inbox, and that you can receive messages from those you aren’t following (@electricpig will be the handle contacting you).

While you're in the mood why not visit Electricpig on Facebook and hit the LIKE button.

Competition closing date: Thursday 2 June 2011
Any entries after the closing date are not valid.

Competition rules
Terms and conditions

BeBook Live Android tablet: Hands on and video walkthrough

Posted: 12 May 2011 07:06 AM PDT

The BeBook Live Android tablet was announced last week, and while at a glance it was just another “Me too”, non-Honeycomb tablet, the 1GHz processor and £229 pricetag earned it a second look. We went hands on with the low price Google slate today with the company’s CEO: read on for all the details, and an extensive video walkthrough.

It’s best you think of the BeBook Live as a budget Samsung Galaxy Tab: with a 7-inch screen it’s roughly the same size, and is powered by a similar CPU. Onboard you’ll find 4GB of internal storage, and there’s a microSD card, plus a HDMI-out socket for screen mirroring. Naturally, it’s a lot more ugly too, resembling a smaller tablet docked in a charging case.

The screen is a little different to what we’re used to from Android slates however: it’s capacitive with rather mediocre colour reproduction, but it’s an 800×600 resolution 4:3 ratio, rather than 16:9. This doesn’t lend itself well to movies, but does result in a more comfortable holding experience in portrait mode, a criticism we’ve levelled at almost every tablet bar the iPad (Also 4:3).

Best Android apps of all time: Top 100

Performance-wise, it’s relatively nippy, breezing through Angry Birds and a few 3D games. Tellingly, pinch to zoom in the web browser was actually very fast.

Preloaded, you get RockPlayer Lite for opening most video formats, and Angry Birds (BeBook just inked a deal with Rovio). What you don’t get of course is Google certification: this Android 2.2 slate lacks Google Maps, Android Market and Gmail. However, these can be easily added: on the prototype we tested, BeBook CEO Johan Hagenbeuk’s own personal device, Google Maps was up and running: the company clearly expects people to hack these services on quickly.

Hagenbeuk isn;t sure about updates for the BeBook Live however, only responding with “Maybe”. While Google keeps Honeycomb to its select partners, that’s not going to happen either. We did learn however that BeBook is planning a follow up slate later this year, with 3G and a higher resolution screen, which they hope to get Google-certified.

The BeBook Live is out in the UK (Amazon, Dabs. eBuyer and Dixons should all be stocking it) in mid-June, priced at £229, and we’ll have a full review for you then. You can see it in action in the video below – excuse the slow internet speeds, we were running on a mobile hotspot.

Panasonic Lumix G3 Micro Four Thirds camera arrives

Posted: 12 May 2011 05:10 AM PDT

The Panasonic Lumix G3 is Pan’s very latest Micro Four Thirds camera, freshly updated for 2011 with a new sensor and plenty of skills you’d typically expect from a DSLR. Read on to meet it.

Panasonic’s popular G series line has been bringing huge sensors and interchangeable lenses to sub-DSLR sized cameras for a few years now, and the latest addition is the bridge-sized Panasonic Lumix G3. This time around it’s packing a 16 megapixel sensor and will shoot full 1080p AVCHD video.

As with last year’s G2, the 3-inch LCD articulating display is touch sensitive, and the Panasonic Lumix G3 sports a dedicated video record button. It can also grab stills at four frames per second, or 20fps at four megapixel resolution. It’s out next month with a 14-42mm lens kit but as ever, you’ll be able to use other Micro Four Thirds lenses, and Leica M and R lenses with an adaptor.

Out June | £629 | Panasonic

The Apprentice says disposable apps are where business is now – Lord Sugar, stop encouraging people

Posted: 12 May 2011 04:21 AM PDT

I was mulling over last night’s app-tastic episode of The Apprentice, trying to work out whether I should be happy or sad that mobile apps have become such a part of public consciousness, when an email dropped into my inbox bigging up a new iPhone app.

Called Rack Stare, the “game” sees you trying to ogle the cleavage of a busty woman on screen without being spotted. The longer you gawp, the more points you get. Is this what we’ve come to?

I’m not going to link to it – if you want it, look it up on iTunes – but it serves to show just what’s wrong with this gold rush. It’s not that people are coming back with silt instead of precious stone, but that they’re trying to sell it in shops still afterwards.

To be clear, I’m not annoyed with what Lord Sugar’s contestants came up with in a short amount of time. With no prior experience and one day to turn something around, I don’t think I could come up with an executable concept that didn’t revolve around lowest common denominator humour.

Best Android apps of all time: Top 100

I am however distressed that mere soundboard apps manage to accrue more than 10,000 downloads, and that The Apprentice’s eight million viewers now think this is all they do. Likewise, I’m distressed to see an app as tasteless as Rack Stare emerging at the same time to underline it.

Technophobic naysayers, ignore drivel like this. Apps aren’t apps for the sake of themselves. The best apps are extensions of services, conduits to help save you time, or games where the fun extends from the challenge they pose, not the crude catchphrases you can summon on command for giggles with diminishing returns.

Best iPhone apps of all time: Top 100

Lord Sugar says that apps are where business is now, but the show doesn’t underline what they can do: it doesn’t show you that Spotify brings you every song under the sun to your phone wherever there’s a 3G connection. It doesn’t show you that Dropbox syncs all of your devices’ storage so you can get crucial work files wherever. It doesn’t make clear that Angry Birds is in fact a superb example of game making in any era, combining addictive play and challenges with Nintendo-wrothy charm.

You’ll note that not a single app on our Best Android and iPhone Top 100 lists is a gimmick designed to get a giggle out of your friends. It’s because we don’t support them – all they do is encourage the idea that apps are “disposable”. It’s a race to the bottom that simply isn’t healthy, when smartphones are in fact the new PCs. You don’t download fart apps on your laptop, do you? I mean, you just wouldn’t, would you? So why do it on something you use just as much every day?

The worst aspect of all of this is that consumers won’t just be put off, but that would-be developers will be encouraged to put out more nonsense on the double too to make a cheap buck.

This has to stop now. People, stop buying this rubbish. If you read about a pointless iPhone app that lets you poo on Osama Bin Laden while he makes Beavis and Butthead sniggers, don’t rush out and get it to make your friends laugh down at the pub. At the very least, don’t bloody pay for it.

All you’re doing is convincing tech sceptics that smartphones are nothing more than play-mobiles for burbling man-children who still find the Crazy Frog ringtone catchy. You’re letting the side down: smartphones are so much more than that. The next time a huge TV show focuses on them, I hope that message comes across clearer.

Made for Life

Friday, 13 May 2011