Google Search launches carousel view for tablets, gives us a peak of Ice Cream Sandwich on a Xoom

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  • December 8, 2011 at 12:35 pm

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Google Image Search for tablets

Google has just launched a new carousel view for tablets when using image search. Images take up the majority of the screen with an info box at the bottom and you can swipe left or right. The new tablet-optimized carousel view certainly looks like a great improvement to the user experience, and quite addictive for those who enjoy to flick through hundreds of images.

What we’ve spotted in the video, after the break, is Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich running on what appears to be a Motorola XOOM.
No tablet has yet been officially updated to run Ice Cream Sandwich and we are sure that a lot of XOOM owners will be pleading to get their hands on the update ASAP.
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Google Goggles 1.7 for Android brings continuous mode, other tricks up its sleeve

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  • December 7, 2011 at 3:46 pm

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Google Goggles in continuous mode

Google has just updated its Goggle Android app to version 1.7. The biggest change in the updated version is a new continuous mode. Instead of having to aim your device’s camera at a product, artwork, landmark etc. and press the shutter button before getting any results, Google Goggles now continuously scans for recognizable objects and populates a timeline with the results. We’ve tried it and it’s really what has been missing from Goggles so far. Images recognized in continuous mode won’t show in your search history and you won’t be able to add contacts or translate text.

Another new feature is article text recognition. You can just scan a written piece of text and get online results referring to that piece. Finally you now get search suggestions from other users, which will hopefully improve results. As usual, check the ‘My Apps’ section on your device to update, or search for Google Goggle to install.
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Grand Central Terminal Apple Store looks grand on the inside too (pictures, video)

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  • December 7, 2011 at 1:45 pm

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Grand Central Terminal Apple Store interior on media day

Apple’s NY Grand Central Terminal Store is opening its doors to the public on December 9th at 10am. Media people were given access to the store today and already a number of pictures are coming in.

Though we’ll just let the images speak for themselves, we really like the interplay between the classic and bold architecture and the modern and minimalist design of Apple’s hardware.
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Verizon Galaxy Nexus offered a 2100mAh extended battery

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  • December 7, 2011 at 12:57 pm

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Verizon Galaxy Nexus 2,100mAh extended battery and cover

We’ve been reviewing the Galaxy Nexus and we’ve found battery life to be quite decent for an Android device. However, if you want to squeeze every last minute possible out of your new favorite gadget, then Verizon is offering an extended battery for the LTE version of the smartphone. The Verizon-bound 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus comes with a 1,850mAh battery as standard but for $49.99 you can get the 2,100mAh extended battery, which you see above. That’s only a 13.5% increase in capacity but that could mean the difference between getting through a whole day with one charge or not, depending on your usage.

During our tests with the GSM HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus, we could consistently get by for around 15 hours and 30 minutes until battery went below 15%, and that was with the screen on for 2h 30m, not bad at all. A 13.5% increase in capacity could mean around 2 more hours of usage. The GSM Galaxy Nexus only comes with a 1,750mAh battery as standard but the LTE version, because of its radio, presumably consumes more battery.
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Apple has its own internal iOS codenames, Hoodoo anyone?

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  • December 6, 2011 at 5:25 am

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Hoodoo ski resort, Oregon

Not to be outdone by its Android counterpart, it seems that Apple is also using internal codenames for its mobile operating system. Google’s Android desert themed codenames have become quite famous but we weren’t aware that Apple was using codenames for major iOS releases, since these had so far remained inside Cupertino.

Apple’s Mac OS is known by its feline related nomenclature, e.g. Tiger, Leopard and most recently Lion. The iOS internal codenames seem to follow a wintry resort theme, with iOS 5.1 named Hoodoo after a ski resort in Oregon.

The full list is:
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Samsung Galaxy Nexus complete review

FeaturedReviews

  • December 5, 2011 at 6:41 pm

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Samsung Galaxy Nexus in hand - on homescreen

There has been a lot of buzz around the release of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and that has mostly centered on the fact that this is the first smartphone to carry the latest (and greatest) iteration of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (‘ICS’). Similar to previous Nexus devices, it acts as Google’s launch device for a major Android version.

What one must understand is that this is a mass adoption device rather than a super high-end smartphone. It lacks the exotic materials found in other high-end phones and features such as Bluetooth 4.0, GLONASS satellite navigation or an advanced camera.

Nevertheless, it’s a well-executed device, albeit a few early teething problems. The Galaxy Nexus features a sharp 4.65-inch Super AMOLED 720p display and a fast dual-core 1.2GHz processor. It’s also a pure Google Android experience smartphone, without any user interface customizations such as HTC’s Sense or Samsung’s TouchWiz, which is important for some.

Most importantly, it’s the only device to officially run Ice Cream Sandwich, for a while, and similar to past Nexus devices, it will be the first smartphone to receive future software updates as they are released by Google — at least until the next Nexus device is launched. Although the Galaxy Nexus might not be bleeding edge with regards to hardware features, it will be cutting edge on software, which, can be argued, is more important.

This review is an in-depth look at the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and centers on the device’s hardware features, real-life performance, as well as what’s new in Android Ice Cream Sandwich. We will further cover Android Ice Cream Sandwich in more detail in a future review. So read on for our opinion on the latest and greatest Android smartphone.
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HTC Flyer now receiving Android Honeycomb update

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  • December 5, 2011 at 12:54 pm

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HTC Flyer Android tablet drawing

As much as we wanted to love HTC’s 7-inch stylus-friendly Android tablet, we couldn’t get past the fact that it was still running Android Gingerbread, and not a tablet optimized version of the OS. Thankfully for those who have put their faith in the HTC Flyer, the company has just started rolling out an over-the-air update to Android Honeycomb 3.2. The update, which is over 200MB, is initially targeted for the 32GB 3G version of the Flyer. HTC has confirmed that the 16GB Wi-Fi only version will be getting the update soon.

Of-course Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich has already been officially launched, nevertheless, Honeycomb is a major step for tablets and we are sure users will love the upgraded functionality. Since Honeycomb operates with on-screen buttons, the tablet’s fixed touch buttons become inoperable once the update is applied, but the stylus continues to function as before.

If you have an HTC Flyer, be sure to connect to a nearby Wi-Fi access point and check for software updates.
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Grand Central Apple Store opening 10am December 9th, open for business at 7am on weekdays

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  • December 5, 2011 at 11:18 am

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Apple Grand Central Terminal store opening

It’s official, Apple announced the opening date of its New York Grand Central Terminal store through a sign at the location. Apple has also just sent an email with the above, just to make sure we’ve been paying attention. The Grand Central Apple Store will first open its doors at 10am on Friday December 9th, and commuters will be able to grab themselves a new piece of tech just in time for the weekend.

The Grand Central Terminal store will be open for business quite early on weekdays, at 7am, presumably to accommodate early morning traffic through the station. We dare any of you to grab a new gadget and be able to go through a full working day without touching it.
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Fujifilm X10 Japanese commercial (video)

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  • December 4, 2011 at 4:12 pm

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Fujifilm X10 commercial

A dark and cinematic commercial has aired in Fujifilm’s home country for their latest high-end point-and-shoot digital camera. The Fujifilm X10 makes a journey through the streets, and behind the alleys, of Hong Kong, as a girl shoots an off the beaten path day in the metropolis.

Our take on the advertisement, which you’ll find after the break: it’s as unique as the camera itself. If you do feel inspired by it, you might want to check out the work of Nobuyoshi Araki and Daido Moriyama for some more interesting visuals.
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15-inch MacBook Air and Ivy Bridge line refresh coming in Q1 say rumors

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  • November 28, 2011 at 9:37 am

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MacBook Air 2011 smooth aluminium curves

We’ve been hearing rumors about a 15-inch MacBook Air (or a new thin 15-inch MacBook Pro) for a while now. Digitimes, whose reports have been a hit-or-miss affair, claims supply-chain sources indicate that a new 15-inch model will be joining the MacBook Air line as early as the first quarter next year. The new larger-screened Air, will be joined by refreshed 11.6 and 13.3-inch models.

Although Apple had only refreshed the MacBook Air (MBA) line this summer, donning it with fast Sandy Bridge processors and Thunderbolt ports — you might want to read our full review of the mid-2011 MBAs — the accelerated development cycle would help Apple stop competing Windows ultrabook adoption.
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USPTO honors Steve Jobs with patent exhibit in giant iPhones

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  • November 27, 2011 at 8:50 am

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Steve Jobs USPTO patent exhibit

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is honoring the accomplishments of Steve Jobs through an exhibit showcasing his patents. The exhibit is located in the atrium of the USPTO’s Madison Building at its campus in Alexandria Virginia. Access is free and it will run through January 15, 2012.

The exhibits consists a series of giant iPhones displaying more than 300 patents bearing Steve Jobs name and numerous trademarks associated with Apple.
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Samsung Galaxy Nexus display has a slight yellow tinge, forgets about white

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  • November 27, 2011 at 6:08 am

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Galaxy Nexus (left) screen has a yellow tint

We’ve been reviewing the Samsung Galaxy Nexus over the past ten days and there is one thing that has particularly struck me when using the phone. The Galaxy Nexus has a very nice 4.65-inch 1280×720 resolution Super AMOLED display. With a pixel density of 316dpi, text and photos are very crisp, it’s practically impossible to distinguish between individual pixels. Nevertheless, the display’s color temperature seems to be slightly off, this is especially visible when viewing large white blocks and when brightness is lower. It is easier to spot when the Galaxy Nexus’ screen is viewed side-by-side with another display. You also have to look at the screen more-or-less head on, looking at the Nexus’ screen at an angle gives it a blue tint, similar to the Nexus S and other AMOLED displays.

In the image above (click to enlarge), the Galaxy Nexus is on the left, while on the right we’ve included for comparison an HTC Sensation featuring a 4.3-inch Super LCD display. There is a subtle but distinguishing difference between the two screens, the Galaxy Nexus’ whites have a yellow/orange tint. The shots were taken at a display brightness of around 80% for both smartphones. Setting the Nexus’ brightness higher reduces the effect (although even at maximum brightness whites still have a yellow tint), while putting it lower increases it. At low brightness, whites are a shade of yellow tinted grey.
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Galaxy Nexus drops 1.8m, joins the ranks of shattered glass-screened phones

News

  • November 26, 2011 at 2:27 pm

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Galaxy Nexus shattered glass screen

It comes at time in a glass-screened gadget’s life when it will be accidentally dropped. Some will survive, others will be shattered. A user over at XDA forums going by the name tamarian, was unfortunate enough to drop his new Samsung Galaxy Nexus from a height of 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) and onto some unforgiving kitchen tiles. You can see the result in the picture above.

The Galaxy Nexus’ 4.65-inch display doesn’t feature Corning Gorilla Glass, rather another type of fortified glass, which seems to shatter just as much; though 1.8m is a big drop by any measure. Our hearts are with you tamarian, we hope you can get it fixed soon.
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