Move over 3D, 4K TVs are the real deal

Consumer Electronics Show 2013 in Las Vegas, USA signalled the end of gimmicky innovations in televisions. Last year’s CES was full of 3D TVs, while many 4K (four times high-definition) TVs were among the best products at this year’s event. Toshiba was the first to bring 4K TVs to India, after it launched its product last year, followed by LG. Samsung announced its first TV that can handle 4K content on Friday. The new product is called 85S9 and it will be available from May 2013. The company is not calling it a 4K TV, preferring the “Ultra HD TV” moniter instead, but just like 4K TVs, this product has the potential to give you the most immersive experience seen in TVs till date.

4K content (see picture), is about as real as high-definition gets. If you are hungry, do not watch a cookery show on 4K TVs. The experience is mouth-watering to say the least. The 85S9 is an impressive example of the technology. It doesn’t matter how far you are from the TV, the image clarity never drops.

The catch is that there isn’t enough 4K content in the market as of now, but that is always the case with new technologies. Content creators will catch up eventually. Instead of taking 3D to mainstream television, companies would benefit much more by bringing 4K TVs to the market.

Source:  http://www.indianexpress.com/news/move-over-3d-4k-tvs-are-the-real-deal/1081839/

Touch-based remotes redefine how we interact with TVs

Samsung launched a new remote control for its smart TV range at the company’s Regional Forum 2013 in Hyderabad on Friday. The device is a universal remote, which means that it will work with TV sets from other manufacturers as well.

This is the first Samsung remote to feature a touchpad. Previously, this technology was unique to Bose, as an accessory with the company’s top-of-the-line VideoWave series of televisions. The Bose touchpad opens an array of options at the edges of the screen. Users need to swipe their thumbs across the edges of the clickpad remote to access options, much like navigation in the iPod Classic.

Samsung’s product relies more on swipes. Simple functions include swipe left to rewind 10 seconds, and swipe right to forward. There are four buttons on the edges of the touchpad, which mimic the arrow keys on traditional remotes. The bottom arrow key also doubles up as a key to let you access your history (recently played videos) or a search button.

The touchpad is fairly responsive. Users can “write” the channel number on the touchpad to switch channels. As you draw a digit, it appears on one corner of the screen.

There isn’t much innovation in the remote apart from the touchpad. While it performs well, it still feels raw – as expected from the first version of any device. Users can expect it to be refined in future versions, but the important thing is that companies are trying to improve how we interact with the television.

Last year, Samsung introduced voice recognition and gesture controls in its smart television series. Although both have been effectively used in other product categories, they do not work well for a television because watching TV is a passive experience. Few would enjoy constantly shouting at the TV set or waving at it to change channels. Remotes such as the Bose clickpad or Samsung Smart Touch Control hit the middle ground between innovation and user-friendliness. Don’t be surprised if other manufacturers come up with touch-based remotes in the near future.

Source:  http://www.indianexpress.com/news/touchbased-remotes-redefine-how-we-interact-with-tvs/1081840/0#sthash.bP7UMfcr.dpuf

Facebook blocks access to NBC.com after reports site is infected

Facebook Inc has blocked users from accessing the NBC.com website following reports that the site is infected with a computer virus.

Facebook users were told “This link has been reported as abusive” on Thursday when they attempted to access the NBC.com website.

Several security bloggers warned on Thursday that the site was infected with malicious software, advising computer users to avoid the site.

Officials with NBC could not immediately be reached for comment.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/facebook-blocks-access-to-nbc.com-after-reports-site-is-infected/1078112/

NASA rover Curiosity grabs first Martian rock sample

In a hunt for discovering life on Mars, NASA’s Curiosity rover has beamed back pictures confirming the first ever sample collected from the interiors of a rock on another planet.

No rover has ever drilled into a rock on any other planet and collected a sample from its interior, NASA said. Transfer of the powdered-rock sample into an open scoop was visible for the first time in images received yesterday at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. “Seeing the powder from the drill in the scoop allows us to verify for the first time the drill collected a sample as it bore into the rock,” said JPL’s Scott McCloskey, drill systems engineer for Curiosity.

“Many of us have been working toward this day for years. Getting final confirmation of successful drilling is incredibly gratifying,” McCloskey said in a statement. The drill on Curiosity’s robotic arm took in the powder as it bored a 2.5-inch hole into a target on flat Martian bedrock on February 8. The rover team plans to have Curiosity sieve the sample and deliver portions of it to analytical instruments inside the rover. The scoop now holding the precious sample is part of Curiosity’s Collection and Handling for In-Situ Martian Rock Analysis (CHIMRA) device.

During the next steps of processing, the powder will be enclosed inside CHIMRA and shaken once or twice over a sieve that screens out particles larger than 0.006 inch (150 microns) across. Small portions of the sieved sample later will be delivered through inlet ports on top of the rover deck into the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) instrument and Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument.

The sample comes from a fine-grained, veiny sedimentary rock called “John Klein,” named in memory of a Mars Science Laboratory deputy project manager who died in 2011. The rock was selected for the first sample drilling because it may hold evidence of wet environmental conditions long ago. The rover’s laboratory analysis of the powder may provide information about those conditions.

NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory Project is using the Curiosity rover with its 10 science instruments to investigate whether an area within Mars’ Gale Crater ever has offered an environment favourable for microbial life.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/nasa-rover-curiosity-grabs-first-martian-rock-sample/1077627/0

Google reveals what users of wearable computer ‘Project Glass’ will see

Google has revealed for the first time what view users will get through its “Project Glass” wearable computer. The glasses allow wearers to see sat-nav directions, take pictures and reply to emails, but until today Google has refused to show how they actually work. But now the firm explained for the first time what looking through its high-tech glasses feels like, the Daily Mail reports. “Want to see how Glass actually feels? It”s surprisingly simple. “Say “take a picture” to take a picture. Record what you see, hands free. Even share what you see, live,” Google said.

“Directions are right in front of you. Speak to send a message, or translate your voice. Get the notifications that matter most. Ask whatever”s on your mind and get answers without having to ask,” the firm added. The firm also said all of the footage was captured through Project Glass, which will come in five colours – black, gray, blue, red or white and have removable shades.

According to the paper, Google also detailed how the first people to get hold of them. Potential “Explorer” early-adopters will have to apply in 50 words or less, including a short video (15 seconds max) and five photographs, to explain what they would do with the early version of Glass, the paper said. They will then have to order a 1,500 dollars Project Glass “Explorer” kit and attend the pick up in New York, LA or San Francisco in person, it added.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/google-reveals-what-users-of-wearable-computer-project-glass-will-se…/1077591/

Apple computers targeted by Facebook ‘hackers’

Tech giant Apple has said its computers were attacked by the same hackers that targeted Facebook last week.

The US-based firm said a small number of its machines were affected, but added there was ‘no evidence’ of data theft.

Last week Facebook said it had traced a cyber attack back to China, which had infiltrated employees” laptops, the BBC reports.

In a statement, the iPhone maker said that it has ‘identified malware which infected a limited number of Mac systems through a vulnerability in the Java plug-in for browsers.’

It added that the firm is working closely with law enforcement to find the source of the malware.

Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/apple-computers-targeted-by-facebook-hackers/1076926/

HTC says it ‘reinvents smartphone’ with new Android-powered handset

Taiwan-based mobile maker HTC has announced its latest flagship Android phone -the HTC One. Mike Woodward, President of HTC America said that they think ‘it”s time to shake things up in the smartphone space.’ The firm has decided to come out and reinvent the smartphone, he added.

According to Woodward, the One is a complete shift for the industry, built around how people use their phones now, ABC News reports. The report said that HTC”s Android phones have always been known for their top-of-the-line hardware parts and the One is no different. The phone is made entirely of aluminum, no small feat, according to Woodward, who said it took two years to make a good all-metal phone.

It also has a large 4.7-inch, 1080p screen, which is flanked vertically by two speaker strips. (HTC calls it Boomsound.) The phone is fast too, due to its quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor and 2GB of RAM. According to the report, where the One stands out from other Android phones on specs is with its camera. HTC has ditched megapixels for an ultrapixel camera, which would allow users to take much better low-light shots without having to use flash, Woodward said.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/htc-says-it-reinvents-smartphone-with-new-androidpowered-handset/1076972/

Apple iPhone 5 behind 4 Android phones in user satisfaction: survey

Apple’s iPhone 5 ranks fifth behind four Android smartphones in user satisfaction, a new report has said. Mobile research firm OnDevice Research conducted a new survey, which covered 92,000 smartphone users, to determine how satisfied people are with their devices.

On a scale of 1-10 with the latter being the best, the Motorola Atrix HD ranked highest with a score of 8.57, the survey showed. According to the survey, the Motorola Droid Razr M trailed the Atrix with a grade of 8.5, Fox News reports. Following this was the HTC Rezound 4G at 8.32 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 at 8.26, the report said. According to the report, the iPhone 5 trailed the Note 2 by 0.03 with a score of 8.23. Those who participated in the survey also indicated that they were more satisfied with 4G devices (7.76) than non-4G enabled phones (7.28).

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/apple-iphone-5-behind-4-android-phones-in-user-satisfaction-survey/1075883/

Samsung launches REX series of ‘smart’ feature phones

Samsung has launched a new series of feature phones on Thursday. Developed in India, the REX ‘smart’ feature phones are priced between Rs 4,280 and Rs 6,490. These phones run on the Java platform.

The company launched four models in the series: REX 60, 70, 80 and 90. At the launch, Samsung Mobile Vice President Asim Warsi said: “This new series of phones has been developed in India, for Indian consumers. We look at this series as a way to broaden our appeal. These are targeted at young consumers.”

With the REX series, Samsung is taking on Nokia’s Asha series of feature phones. REX phones are dual SIM and let you change SIM cards while the phone is on. They run Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface and two of these phones support WiFi.

The company said these phones come with many pre loaded apps such as ChatOn, Facebook, Gtalk, Twitter, etc. None of these phones have 3G connectivity.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/samsung-launches-rex-series-of-smart-feature-phones/1074237/

Six months WorldSpace subscription free with EAFT tablets

EAFT Technologies, a Bangalore based company, has launched two new tablets. These are Destiny D90T and D70P. The company has tied up with on-demand music service WorldSpace and buyers will get a free subscription for six months. Users can listen to DRM-protected music from 12 channels for free.

The D90T has a 9.7-inch IPS screen and runs on Android 4.0. D90T utilises can play full HD 1080p content, and has an HDMI port that lets you connect it to big screens. Powered by 1.6 GHz dual core Cortex A9 processor, EAFT says the tablet has a battery life of 8 hours on continuous video playback. The battery is rated at 8,000 mAh battery.

The D70P is a 7-inch tablet with built-in 3G (data+voice) for connectivity. It also has an IPS panel on the display, with a resolution of 1024×600 pixels. The device is powered by a 1GHz Cortex A9 processor. The D70P comes with connectivity options like HDMI, USB, memory card slot, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. The battery is rated at 4,000 mAh.

Both tablets come with Smart Office, an application that lets you read and edit documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

Jithendhar GS, president and CEO, EAFT Technologies, said “We are excited to bring WorldSpace into the hands of music lovers once. Having consolidated our presence in the enterprise segment offering highly customised solutions in the entertainment and education verticals, we are now committed to offer unique propositions and best-in-class devices to retail customers.”

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/six-months-worldspace-subscription-free-with-eaft-tablets/1073079/