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- Google Maps 5.7 raises the mobile navigation bar: Here’s why
- Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi price cut may confirm lackluster sales
- Gameloft announces 17 titles for LG Optimus 3D: Will three dimensional gaming go mainstream?
- Jailbreakme.com records one millionth jailbreak, should you jailbreak your iPhone or iPad?
- iPhone 6 inductive charging, Sony tablet gets a showing, and Facebook Skype hookup: Lunchtime Lowdown
- Eminem encourages you to kill your Facebook friends
- ‘Twettiquette’: 27 signs you’re a d*ck on Twitter
- Amazon Cloud Player attacks iCloud with unlimited storage
- iPhone 6: is Apple planning inductive charging?
- Sony S1 Android tablet video reveals PlayStation Suite smarts
| Google Maps 5.7 raises the mobile navigation bar: Here’s why Posted: 07 Jul 2011 09:16 AM PDT
The decision to leave behind a life of standalone navigation units for the frequent traveler is troubling. On one hand, as an Android user you'll have access to Google Maps' free Navigation solution — free is always an attractive proposition. But, at the same time you jeopardize battery life and if you dare lose signal, your navigation maps cease to exist. Thankfully Google has begun to resolve the latter of these two issues. Offline map mode in Google Maps 5.7 represents a milestone in free mobile navigation. Although Google has covered its transit navigation beta, updated directions, improved search widget and photo viewer for places in great detail, we're not quite sure how offline maps managed to fly under the radar. The only reason we can think of is that it is an experimental feature since only a 10mi radius of offline mapping is available. Nevertheless, the feature is included in Google Maps 5.7 for Android and undoubtedly raises the bar in free mobile navigation. The livelihood of competing paid mobile navigation solutions and standalone units is now in question. This might be the perfect time for TomTom or Garmin to court Apple to secure a position in mobile navigation since a shelf life on Android looks rather bleak. Let's see if Apple can respond to the challenge — we're sure there's some space in those North Carolina data centers for a little mapping, don't you think? If you've updated to Google Maps 5.7 and you're wondering how you can download offline maps simply follow these directions: open Google Maps, tap the menu button, select "More", choose the "Labs" option, scroll down until you see ""Download map area" and click download. That's all there is to it. Related posts:
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| Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi price cut may confirm lackluster sales Posted: 07 Jul 2011 08:09 AM PDT
Currently the 32GB Wi-Fi Motorola Xoom is priced at £479.99 ($766 USD) at both PC World and Curry's — a far cry from the $499 in the US. Though prices differ across the pond, the success of the Asus Eee Pad Transformer and iPad 2 have weighed heavily on the Xoom. In general, Honeycomb tablets have failed to meet sales forecasts. For the Xoom, the US launch on Verizon Wireless was plagued with mishaps, starting with Flash support. It was not until several weeks post launch that Flash support came to the Xoom, though commercials pegged the feature as a key differentiator from the Apple iPad. Additionally, Motorola confirmed the tablet would need to be mailed in for its free 4G LTE upgrade — nothing short of a major inconvenience. Though sales have been modest, there is one other possibility for the Xoom price cut. Motorola may be preparing to launch its successor, the Xoom 2. We know the replacement is currently under development (and even got a peak here), but the deciding factor in its release will be nVidia's quad core Kal-El A9 processor (Tegra 3). Supporting evidence of a new Xoom surfaced this morning when a Motorola tablet received FCC approval, but is this the Xoom 2 or just a 4G LTE Xoom? Related posts:
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| Gameloft announces 17 titles for LG Optimus 3D: Will three dimensional gaming go mainstream? Posted: 07 Jul 2011 07:30 AM PDT
There are inherent risks when a manufacturer such as LG, who happens to be struggling lately, decides the company's flagship smartphone should use a glasses-free 3D display. Developers have been slow to adopt Android because many make more money on iOS. Additionally, seeing only 300 apps available for Android Honeycomb in the four months since launch fails to bolster confidence. Doubts over whether developers will dedicate resources to 3D content is a perfectly valid fear. The commitment of 17 titles from Gameloft at this stage in the glasses-free 3D game is huge. Support from a major gaming studio may help motivate smaller developers to re-release 3D-optimized versions of their apps. Additionally, a warm reception for the LG Optimus 3D will set the tone for the HTC EVO 3D launch coming later this month. But I thought the LG Optimus 3D could magically make any 2D game 3D? While this is true, compelling 3D gaming is necessary in order to differentiate. Simply rendering a 2D game in 3D through software is like slapping a band-aid on a would that needs stitches. It might get the job done, but prepare yourself for unsightly results. Will other studios follow and re-release games to join Gameloft's 17 3D titles? Related posts:
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| Jailbreakme.com records one millionth jailbreak, should you jailbreak your iPhone or iPad? Posted: 07 Jul 2011 06:52 AM PDT
The jailbreakme.com solution takes under a minute to complete, but it's not without risks. Apple is planning to patch the exploit in an upcoming software release so being stuck with 4.3.3 should be a consideration. Also, jailbreaking your device may void the warranty or worse, brick your gadget — though jailbreakme.com urges its solution is 100 percent reversible. Are these risks worth it? Well, it depends on the device. For iPhone users and iPad WiFi+3G users jailbreaking unlocks the free tethering/Wi-Fi mobile hotspot feature. As an iPhone 4 owner who pays an additional £12 per month for the feature, the savings is certainly tempting. With paid apps being free via Cydia, there's plenty of additional savings to be had depending on where your moral compass points. Though both of these benefits are certainly noteworthy, the primary focus of Cydia is to "experience iOS as it could be, fully customizable, themeable, and with eery tweak you could possibly imaging". For the iOS user considering switching to Android because of its openness, jailbreaking could keep their desires at bay. In short you're risking your warranty, possibly bricking your device and being stuck with iOS 4.3.3 for the chance of free apps, endless customization and tethering/Wi-Fi mobile hotspot. If you understand the risks and really need to cut costs then by all means go right ahead. If you find value in legitimate app purchases and look forward to iOS 5 and its 200+ new features then we recommend taking a pass. So what will it be my friends — jailbreak or no jailbreak? Related posts:
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| Posted: 07 Jul 2011 04:30 AM PDT Well it's tipping down with rain here, here's hoping it's a bit sunnier wherever you are. But let's not let the weather get us down, because we've a buffet of tech goodies to sate your appetite. Such as? News on the iPhone 6, Sony's tablet having a close-up, and Skype being integrated into Facebook. Grab a knife and fork and dig in.
Facebook Chat's redesign means Skype will be coming integrated into the social network, meaning video calls with pals while you tag them in photos. It also throws the gauntlet down to Apple's Facetime, and Hangout in Google +. Sony's S1 tablet we saw back in April? It's been shown on video, in Italian, but if you can past the language barrier you'll see PlayStation Suite running on there. Sweet. The iPhone 6 will have inductive charging, like an electric toothbrush, according to new leaks. Yes, we know the iPhone 5 isn't even official yet, but still, it's pretty exciting nonetheless. In other news, Amazon is proving unlimited storage for Cloud Player users, though only in the US, and Eminem is encouraging you to murder your Facebook friends. Oh, and here's a Twitter etiquette guide. Enjoy. Related posts:
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| Eminem encourages you to kill your Facebook friends Posted: 07 Jul 2011 03:25 AM PDT
The aim of the Bad Meets Evil game is to become so evil that you end up banished to hell. To do that you’re encouraged to kill as many of your Facebook friends as possible while listening to tracks from the record. Just wait until the Daily Mail gets wind of this. Still, it’s not as irksome as Lady Gaga’s Gagaville… Out now | £free | Facebook Related posts:
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| ‘Twettiquette’: 27 signs you’re a d*ck on Twitter Posted: 07 Jul 2011 03:15 AM PDT Twitter's a great social tool for staying in touch, connecting with people, sharing links, mounting important campaigns and providing a platform for voices ignored by the mainstream media. It's also got its fair share of idiots. So how to ensure you don’t have people unfollowing faster than if you Twitpicced yourself hugging a copy of the News of the World? Well, we recommend avoid doing any of the 27 things below. We’ve called it ‘Twettiqeuette’, which – ironically – is twice as annoying as anything on this list…
1 Use the phrase 'amazeballs'. 2 Find a zany way to say "These views are my own, not those of my employer." It's this century's Garfield tie. 3 Post a picture of your dinner… 4 … then say ‘Nom nom’ (As in the noise you make when chomping on food). 5 Accidentally type the name of the person you're stalking in the What's Happening box, rather than the Search box. Now everyone knows… 6 Provide minute-by-minute updates from a concert or festival. If you have to broadcast how much you're enjoying yourself, you're probably not enjoying yourself. 7 Give your pet an account. 8 Own the account @misterwallace. 9 #inventyourownhashtagsforeveryconceivableoccasion. 10 Direct message instead of @replying. Twitter’s for sharing – if you want a private chat, book a room at a Travelodge. Similarly… 11 Have an entire conversation about something that doesn't involve anyone else – that's what DM was invented for. It's the equivalent of two people braying very loudly on a crowded train. 12 Ask 'who's going to this tonight?' Then, when no one replies, ask again a few hours later. The answer is: nobody. 13 Check your feed while you're supposed to be talking to someone. You know, in the real world. 14 Boast about how amazing your holiday is while everyone else is in the office. (See point 6). 15 Say ‘BRB’, as if everyone will be wondering where you are if you don't tweet for two minutes. This isn't IM. 16 Follow people you don't actually like – and who don’t like you. 17 Relentlessly promote your company. See Microsoft using the Japanese tsunami to promote its search engine Bing. Tactful… 18 Tweet about how your date went. Especially if it went badly. 19 Tweet something, then comment on it straight away with a follow up. 20 Use CAPITALS to MAKE YOUR POINT. 21 Deal with a company that only offers help if you follow them on Twitter, rather than letting you speak to a human on the phone. 22 Start an entire account for the sake of making one joke. 23 Give yourself a stupid name. The BBC reporter Rory Cellan-Jones was recently forced to tweet "hi @eroticpuffin – can we have a chat?" 24 Ask someone in person if they saw your latest tweet. 25 Or say "I've got to put that on Twitter". 26 Use emoticons. We thought these died out with the Nokia 3310, but it seems they live on. 27 Take notice of a company that follows you, then unfollows you, then follows you again – all in the vain hope that you’ll take notice of the alerts and follow them. Related posts:
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| Amazon Cloud Player attacks iCloud with unlimited storage Posted: 07 Jul 2011 02:44 AM PDT
Amazon has taken aim at Apple’s iCloud and Google Music by adding unlimited music storage to its Amazon Cloud Player service. The deal will allow users to stash as many MP3s and AAC as they like in their virtual locker. The deal, which Amazon says is for a limited time, applies to all new Cloud Drive storage plans from the lowest $20 for 20GB plan up. It means music files won’t be counted as part of the storage space. Even if customers don’t purchase a paid plan, any MP3s bought from Amazon can be uploaded for free. While iCloud’s iTunes Match feature won’t upload files, its copy of a user’s music library will be limited to 25,000 songs while Google Music imposes a cap of 20,000. Amazon has also outed a Cloud Player iPad web app. Sadly, Amazon hasn’t revealed plans to bring Cloud Player and Cloud Drive to the UK yet. Out now | From £free (US-only) | Amazon Related posts:
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| iPhone 6: is Apple planning inductive charging? Posted: 07 Jul 2011 02:25 AM PDT
While there are plenty of iPhone 5 rumours to chew on, The Wall Street Journal – frequently pegged as a conduit for Apple controlled leaks – has moved on to the iPhone 6 already. Nestled near the end of a story on iPhone 5 speculation, it says Apple has a major revamp in store for the 2012 model. The report claims: “People briefed on Apple’s plans said the company is planning a major iPhone revamp then, with one person saying the company has been experimenting with features such as a new way of charging the phone.” Here’s why that could make sense…
Apple has been filing patents related to iPhone inductive chaging since as far back as 2007 when we were just getting used to the original iPhone. But now with iOS 5 set to bring wireless back-ups, Apple could be ready to make the leap. Inductive charging is a fairly mature technology now too. Though it’s been around since the early-1990s in a consumer-friendly form, it’s becoming more and more common. Just look at the HP TouchPad‘s TouchStone dock which continues Palm’s long history of wireless charging. Of course, Apple could have an entirely different approach up its sleeve, especially since plenty of its patents are stashed away simply to secure ideas rather than with the intention of ever coming to fruition. Hit the comments and let us know: are you itching for Apple to add wireless charging to the iPhone? Out TBC | £TBC | Apple (via The Wall Street Journal) Related posts:
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| Sony S1 Android tablet video reveals PlayStation Suite smarts Posted: 07 Jul 2011 02:01 AM PDT
While the chatter is all in Italian, the first clip stills gives you a good look at the Sony S1 running the PlayStation Suite. In the second video, both the Sony S1 and the clamshell Sony S2 get handled. If you get past the language barrier and smudgy screens, it’s a nice tour of the hardware we can expect to see in September…
Out September | £TBC | Sony (via Notebook Italia) Related posts:
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