How To Gadgets: May 2013

Dwindling MacBook Air Supply Points to New Version Coming

I’ve always loved the saying “Once you go Mac, you’ll never go back”. I want to think I came up with that, but I probably heard it somewhere. In any case, I would go one step further and come up with something witty about going the MacBook Air route, but I just can’t find the right words to match. The bottom line, though, is this: I think that once you start using the 13-inch MacBook Air, it’s really hard to even think about using any other laptop.

That being said, I’ve gone through two MacBook Airs, and I really have no intentions of getting a new laptop anytime soon. Then again, we’re hearing rumors about the dwindling MacBook Air supply everywhere you look.

From the US to the UK, stores are reporting a dwindling MacBook Air supply, leading people – experts and curious consumers alike – to think that the upcoming WWDC has something in store for MacBook Air fans. While most people are spending considerable time wondering what iOS 7 will bring, there is something worth looking at in terms of a MacBook Air refresh.

Apple Insider listed popular stores that are out of stock of the popular 13-inch MacBook Air (1.8 GHz, 256 G SSD): Amazon, B&H, MacConnection, and MacMall.

If you remember, the last MacBook Air refresh was in June 2012 – during WWDC as well. We also can’t overlook the fact that Intel Haswell chips are supposed to be launched in June. These chips are exciting because they offer more processing ability using less power, which in turn leads to longer battery life – something anyone using an ultra-portable laptop appreciates. Then there’s the integration of Intel HD 5000 graphics on the chips, which are supposed to improve performance by 50 percent.

Taking these individual factors into consideration and putting them together – dwindling MacBook Air supply, new Intel chips, last MacBook Air refresh date – I dare say it’s safe to get excited about seeing a sleek, shiny new Air soon. Now, about a Retina screen, I don’t think I’ll get my hopes up that much.

What’s your prediction?

[Image via appledistrict]

Dell Project Ophelia to Ship in July [Rumor]

Are you ready to buy a USB drive based PC? A new rumor suggests that Dell will begin shipping its Project Ophelia PC in July 2013.

The thumb-sized USB drive contains Google Android’s mobile operating system and plugs directly into any HDTV that contains a USB slot.

Project Ophelia was unveiled at CES 2013 and the company is expected to showcase the Project Ophelia device again at the Citrix Synergy conference in Los Angeles.

Ophelia is capable of running Android games and apps and the device can also stream video content from Hulu, Netflix, and other online content providers.

The Dell Ophelia will also ship with Wyse’s PocketCloud which allows users to access content that has been stored on their PCs, servers, and mobile devices.

The new thumb-sized PC will first ship to developers in June and then open up to buyer in August according to a rumor at PCWorld.

The Dell Ophelia will first be made available to cable companies and telecom providers who will offer the devices with cable and data plans. Following the devices release by its content partnerships Dell will then begin selling the Ophelia for $100 via the Dell.com website.

Dell Project Ophelia to Ship in July [Rumor]

Dell also plans to sell the Dell Ophelia via its B2B division. The company hopes to offer Project Ophelia as a “thin client computer” for enterprise customers.

The new device has drawn its fair share of controversy. Originally Michael Dell claimed he needed to take Dell private so the company could focus on innovations such as the Dell Ophelia. Michael Dell claims that shareholders and the company’s private listing has slowed innovation.

Other rumors have pointed at an eventual version fo the Dell Ophelia that allows users to access Windows and Mac OS platforms.

Do you think the Dell Ophelia will ultimately be a success for the consumer and business sectors or a complete failure that has arrived too late in the mobility game?

[Images via Electronista & ugeeky]

Nintendo Lays Copyright Claim on Fan-Made Videos

Japanese gaming giant Nintendo has got plenty of fans in an uproar after it moved to collect revenue generated by fan-made videos on YouTube that feature its games. The decision will mostly affect the popular Let’s Play videos, in which gamers provide walkthroughs or simply showcase their skills.

This means that any clips posted on YouTube and containing Nintendo game content will now display advertising. And the income from the ads will go directly to the Japanese company.

The decision is carried out with the help of the Content Match ID feature of YouTube. This system allows TV networks, record companies, publishers, etc. to identify whether their content is used in any video. The videos found to contain such content are then monetized to the benefit of the copyright owners.

Nintendo also insisted that its move to monetize fan-made videos will only affect YouTube clips that feature copyright images or audio content of a certain length. The company said that they made this decision instead of having the videos deleted because they want fans to keep on sharing and enjoying Nintendo content.

The gaming company filed claims against several Let’s Play channels, such as SSoHPOKC or KoopaKungFu, but also against Zack Scott, who has created one of the most prolific and popular game video channels, with over 196,000 subscribers.

Although Nintendo is fully within its rights to lay a claim on the fan-made videos, many fans have criticized the decision and insisted that the videos are actually free advertising for the company and can only increase the popularity of its game titles.

Zack Scott, whose Let’s Play videos have garnered over 81 million views, was especially critical of Nintendo’s decision as being “backwards.” In a long Facebook post, Scott underlined that games are not like movies and that his gameplay videos will actually get people to want to play the title in question. Scott also said that he remains a loyal Nintendo fan, but will stop featuring games produced by the company on his channel until the situation is resolved. Here’s a video summary of Zack’s thoughts on the matter:

[Image via Wired]

Google Open to Discussing International Tax Reform

Being one of the most successful companies on the planet, Google is expected to stay on the right side of the law, particularly with regards to paying its taxes. Hence, when any controversy arises about the taxes being paid (or not paid) by the company, there are many people commenting about it. Once again, the company finds itself embroiled in a scandal regarding taxes. Some quarters claim that Google and other leading corporations are not paying as much tax as they should be paying.

Instead of taking a defensive approach and trying to diffuse the situation, Google’s Chairman has decided to deal with it head-on. This involves inviting the general public to debate the tax laws Google follows when paying its taxes. Eric Schmidt has clearly laid out four points on which the international tax reforms can be discussed and debated.

According to him, the laws that apply to multinationals and taxes they pay are quite complicated and not simple enough for a common man to understand. That makes it difficult for people to comprehend them and they end up criticizing Google without knowing the full facts. Moreover, he clarifies that the laws his company has been following have not been set by Google but by the men in power. Thus, Google cannot be held responsible for adhering to them.

Also, Schmidt is quite clear on bringing about some reforms to international tax laws to make payments more transparent. Given Google’s tax scandal in the UK, this does make sense. He further states that Google uses the profits it generates to fund new projects and create jobs. Not all the profits are retained by the company. He has already made it clear that taxes should be applied on taxes and not revenues.

Putting these points forward, Eric Schmidt has invited people to debate international tax reform.

[Image via sociable]

SOURCE: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/18/google-tax-reform-eric-schmidt

Does Tumblr Have A Porn Problem Or Not?

So the Interwebz is all abuzz on a Monday, thanks to the news about Yahoo buying out microblogging site Tumblr. Not everyone is on Tumblr, for sure, but the site has had a very strong following, and one would normally say that it is a feat for Yahoo to acquire such a platform. But is it, really?

According to Forbes contributor Peter Cohan, it might not be all sugar and spice and everything nice, though. He highlights four tests of a successful acquisition – all of which Yahoo is supposed to have failed. The reasons?

Tumblr’s industry is not attractive.Combined companies are worse off.Yahoo is overpaying. (To the tune of $1.1 billion)Yahoo will struggle to integrate Tumblr.

Users probably do not care about those four tests, with only “What will happen to my Tumblr?” on their mind. If Matt Mullenweg (the WordPress dude) can be believed, they’ve already seen 72,000 blog posts imported from Tumblr in the short span of one hour (on Sunday). I suppose that is as good an indication as any that the Tumblr acquisition may not have pretty results.

Then there’s the “Tumblr porn problem”.

Well, some say it does not exist. Some would say, the Internet is for porn.

Just another pretty girl on Tumblr, but a huge portion of the content is not as family safe as this image.

The fact of the matter is that Tumblr officially accepts NSFW blogs, as long as they are aptly labeled as such. That should end the question right there. NSFW may not always be porn, but that sure says a lot.

Peter Kafka of AllThingsD also has an interesting take on this in his article about Yahoo not thinking that there is a Tumblr porn problem. He makes an example out of one site, Girls in Yoga Pants, which might be seen as innocuous if you want to go that route. (After all, who’s to say that people don’t want to see how yoga pants fit before they buy? Yoga is a popular activity these days!)

Apparently, there is a proliferation of these kinds of sites on Tumblr.

Is there a problem or not? It depends on your perspective. As a user, you’re not obliged to see that kind of content. As an advertiser, apparently Tumblr’s set up is that advertisers do not have to worry about showing up on sites that are NSFW. From this perspective, it is a non-issue. The problem will lie in parental guidance and control.

[Images via electrovision and 2slick]

Metro Last Light: A Game-Changing FPS

Sick of first-person-shooters where all you have to do is shoot your way through hoards of enemies, without having much to do in terms of actually advancing the plot? Then you should definitely try Metro Last Light: a game for patient players who value atmosphere, graphics and a good story more than just advancing their marksman skills.

A follow-up to 2010’s Metro 2033, Metro Last Light is an incredibly well-crafted post-apocalyptic FPS adventure developed by Ukraine’s studio 4A Games. Inspired by the universe created by Russian author Dmitry Glukhovsky, the game is set in a post-nuclear holocaust world.

It takes place in the year 2034, in Moscow, where residents now inhabit the underground tunnels in order to escape radiation. The player controls lead character Artyom who is exploring the underground cities that have emerged in the tunnels in search for a way to keep everybody alive, as rival factions are preparing for war. The stakes are raised even higher by the fact the survivors have to do everything in their power to stay safe from various mutated animals that roam the tunnels and the surface.

Metro Last Light has some minor AI and technical glitches, but its strength lies in the unique atmosphere it creates. From the sense of danger and dread that lurks around any corner to the claustrophobic feeling of the underground and the intriguing political schemes, this is a game that relies heavily on its story.

The gameplay is slow and takes patience, emphasizing stealth capabilities rather than gun blazing action. The FPS elements are perfectly blended with elements of survival horror, literally bringing players to the edge of their seats.

All in all, Last Light is a visually stunning, engaging adventure that grips you as soon as you hit play and doesn’t let you get off until the end credits roll. It drags you into its world and choking atmosphere, to offer you a unique adventure that merges strong storytelling, amazing visuals and plenty of action to create a dystopian world marked by dread, but by endless hope as well. This is a must-play for all FPS fans who are looking for a superior gaming experience.

Metro Last Light is out now for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

[Image via VG247]

LulzBot TAZ 3D Printer Boasts Largest Build Area

The constantly expanding market of 3D printers has just grown by one more: the LulzBot TAZ 3D printer from Aleph Objects, Inc. The TAZ 3D is 100 percent open source and boasts having the largest printing volume for a 3D printer in its price range.

The device is one of the few 3D printers that are able to print with more types of materials than the regular plastic. TAZ can print in PLA, ABS, PVA, wood filament and high-impact polystyrene. And with special add-ons, users will also be able to print in polycarbonate, nylon and other materials. It is easy to install, because unlike other printers, the LulzBot TAZ is pre-calibrated, helping users save a lot of time setting it up.

The 3D printer uses open source software, so all you need to get it going after being assembled is to connect it to your computer via USB. The LulzBot TAZ is capable of printing objects at resolutions of 75 to 300 microns and at speeds of up to 200 mm per second. The device is equipped with the latest Budasch nozzle hot end version, which ensures that the printed objects will get a finer resolution and a smoother surface.

Aleph Objects’ latest printer is small enough to fit on your desk but large enough to print sizeable items. The LulzBot TAZ measures 26.8×20.5×20.3 inches. Its printing area however is 11.7×10.8×9.8 inches, which practically allows users to print items the size of a basketball.

All these specs indeed give the TAZ the largest build area for a 3D printer costing less than $5,000. However, the distinction may be soon claimed by another 3D printer. The Gigabot from :3D has a 24 cubic inch build area. It has not yet entered distribution, but it is expected to be sold either as a kit, for $2,750, or as a pre-assembled unit, for $4,000.

According to Aleph Objects, the LulzBot TAZ will require minimal maintenance, as its open source software and hardware will not become obsolete or need licensed upgrades. The TAZ is on sale now, for a retail price of $2,195.

[Image via LulzBot]

Teen Invents Low-Cost Self-Driving Car Concept

We may now be closer to obtaining self-driving vehicles for widespread use and this is thanks to a 19-year-old Romanian student who came up with a low-cost autonomous car system. The idea brought Ionut Budisteanu the top prize, a $75,000 scholarship, in the Intel international Science and Engineering Fair.

Attempts to crease self-driving vehicles have been made for several years now. Google is working on a prototype since 2010, while car manufacturers, including General Motors, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and others, are also developing their own autonomous or semi-autonomous driving systems.

Ionut Budisteanu (center), with second-place winners Eesha Khare (left) and Henry Lin (right).

But what sets Budisteanu’s idea apart is that it is truly affordable and therefore more likely to be accessible to the general public. The Romanian teen told NBC News that Google, for instance, has been developing its self-driving car project without looking at the costs.

The most expensive piece of technology the Google system uses is a high resolution 3D radar and Budisteanu tried to remove this item from his design. Instead, his project uses a low-resolution 3D radar that can recognize large objects such as houses or other cars.

The radar’s performance is coupled with imagery taken by vehicle mounted webcams, meant to detect curbs and lane markings and monitor the car’s position in real time. The webcam feeds are analyzed by AI technology that can calculate the best route for the car based on all the information it has collected.

Budisteanu said 47 of 50 simulations performed flawlessly, as the system failed to pick up some people at a 65-100 foot distance. A slightly higher resolution 3D radar would fix the problem, the teen explained, adding that this would still make the system much cheaper than Google’s.

The 3D radar used by Google costs about $75,000, while Budisteanu’s system will cost a total of $4,000, making the technology considerably more affordable for the masses. The 19-year-old student received funding form a Romanian car company to start testing a prototype for his low-cost self-driving car this summer.

Other young scientists awarded at the Intel science fair besides Budisteanu were 18-year-old Eesha Khare of California, who received $50,000 for inventing a tiny supercapacitator, and 17-year-old Henry Lin of Louisiana, who was awarded $50,000 for creating a simulation of thousands of galaxy clusters that will give scientists a better understanding of dark matter and dark energy.

[Image via Intel]

JD Sound Portable Disc Jockey Rig Arrives

What’s a party without some nice, DJ looping and mixing to keep the guests dancing and having a great time? For all the DJs out there who want to be ready to show off their skills at all times without carrying a bunch of cumbersome equipment around, the Portable Disc Jockey from Korea’s JD Sound is hitting the U.S. market.

The Portable Disc Jockey or PDJ is presented as the world’s first fully self-contained portable DJ system, which is not actually the case, since a similar system, the Tonium Pacemaker, was released in 2008. Nonetheless, JD Sound’s PDJ still has a lot of features that make it quite an impressive gadget.

This portable disc jockey rig is actually a rectangular slap with two LCD touchsreens at both ends and mixing and effects controls in the middle. The 320×240 pixel resolution displays show virtual turntables and allow easy access to the features menu and sample playback. The mixing and effects station in the middle has 6 rotary controls for volume, functions and FX selection and levels, two sets of Cue and Play/Pause buttons (one for each deck), a cross fader and of course LED status lights.

But what sets the PDJ apart from other products or smartphone apps that can mix your music is that you can actually control how the music sounds before unleashing it onto the world. The rig’s onboard audio interface allows users to plug in their headphones through a 3.5 mm jack and listen to their mix before playing it.

The system also has a microphone input, a stereo line-in jack and line-out port and a mini-USB connection used for file transfers and for charging the gadget’s battery. The Li-Pol battery lasts up to 12 hours on a full charge.

JD Sound Portable Disc Jockey Rig Arrives

The PDJ measures 9.bx2.6×0.6 in and weighs only 10 oz, making it very comfortable and easy to use. It has 2 GB of internal storage available for storing the music you want to mix and play. An equal 2GB of storage is taken by the operating system and for storing recordings. The device has an SD card slot that allows up to 32GB of external storage.

The portable DJ rig is already available in South Korea, Dubai, Singapore and Japan. Manufacturers JD Sound announced that the system will be available in the United States as of this summer, at a retail price of $600.

[Image via HiConsumption]

Meta 1: Most Advanced Augmented Reality Device

Wearable gadgets are becoming increasingly popular, largely thanks to Google Glass, with more and more developers producing similar designs. But this new gadget is a lot more than a smart device or a VR headset. The meta 1 is an augmented reality device that allows users to interact with 3D virtual objects using their hands.

The device was create by Columbia University professors and graduate students and was inspired by computerized interfaces seen in movies such as Avatar or Iron Man. The meta 1 is described as the most affordable and advanced augmented reality interface that integrates customized hardware and is provided with a solid software development kit.

The gadget is based on what its developers say are some of the most advanced surface tracking algorithms that allow users to interact with virtual world objects in the real world. The dev-kit runs on Unity3D, allowing developers to tap into the SDK and create their own apps right away.

Its technical specifications are quite impressive: the device offers 960×540 resolution and a 23-degree view field for each eye. The webcam it is equipped with includes a camera for each eye, while the glasses themselves are provided with USB and HDMI inputs. And even if at a first glance it seems a bit uncomfortable to wear, the device actually weighs only 10 ounces.

According to its creators, the device is not intended just as an accessory to a gaming device or a phone, like the Oculus Rift or Google Glass. Meta 1 is meant to be a computer replacement in an era that already sees the first signs of the flat device becoming obsolete, its developers claim.

The project is still in development and is currently on Kickstarter, where it has almost reached its $100,000 goal, with about 25 days to go until the crowdfunding campaign ends. The creators say their device can have multiple uses, not only for gaming purposes, but also for architecture, design and any other area that relies on virtual reality environments. Meta 1 will cost about $750 and shipments are expected to start this September.

[Image via Kickstarter]

Apple Tech Support Dominates Survey For 10th Consecutive Year

Buying a piece of technology isn’t just about plugging it in and hoping for the best, most buyers want to know that their high-tech toys will be supported if something should happen to them down the road. In 2013 Apple once again ranked atop the Consumer Reports study for America’s best computer tech support vendor.

Apple has ruled the top of the tech support chart for at least the last decade. Apple not only won the top spot it actually improved from its 2012 score.

The Cupertino tech giant scored an impressive 86 out of 100 on the survey, a rather large improvement over the company’s 78 out of 100 score from 2012.

In second place was Lenovo which scored a rather low 63 out of 100. The Lenovo score means Apple’s next closest competitor for tech support only managed a “fairly satisfied” score.

Apple’s MacBook and iMac products were found to have very few issues which may have actually helped Apple’s reliability scoring. With less after-sales service required Apple’s tech support is able to focus on customers who really need help.

Apple has been on a roll this year, last month it won J.D. Power and Associates ranking for most reliable smartphones. Apple also won the tablet award for the fourth year in a row.

Consumer Reports also found that Apple was the best at actually solving problems when they presented themselves. Apple scores an 82 out of 100 in terms of problem solving. Dell in comparison scored just a 61 out of 100 in the same category.

Apple in terms of phone support and online support scored a “Better” ranking while its competitors never raised above the level of “fair.”

Proving its support dominance Apple also won for “in-store support’ with a score of 88. In second place was Staples with a 71 out of 100. Best Buy’s Geek Squad scored a 70 out of 100 score.

[Image via Apple]

Dell in Dire Straits after Blackstone Exit

Blackstone Group LP has finally withdrawn their bid for PC maker Dell. The group had been weighing up the price it should offer for buying Dell but eventually decided to remove itself from the race. Until then, it was a three-way battle, with the other major contender being founder Michael Dell who has made a bid in conjunction with Silver Lake. Now that the Blackstone Group is out of the picture, it seems as though there is no stopping Michael Dell from retaining ownership and control of his company.

However, it was being anticipated that Blackstone would be able to outbid the coalition and buy Dell. This seemed to be the case with the investors as well. As soon as the news broke out regarding Blackstone withdrawing its bid, the share prices of Dell plummeted. In fact, the fall was so steep that the price reached its lowest level in the past two months. The nearly 4% drop caused the price per share to fall to $13.40. The last time the price had been this low was in early February.

The main reason Blackstone has cited for withdrawing its bid is that the market for PCs is contracting. There is nothing untrue about this at all. Rather, the financial projections for the future aren’t encouraging. Despite being the world’s no.3 PC maker, Dell is expected to face tough time, considering the fact that it isn’t as popular as some of the other companies in the market, like Microsoft and Apple. So, it does appear as though Blackstone is justified in its decision.

The share price after Blackstone’s withdrawal is quite significant. For one, it is much lower than the price offered by Blackstone in its original bid. The group had offered to pay $14.25 per share. On the other hand, Michael Dell and Silver Lake are offering $13.60 per share. Given that the stock price fell steeply, it does seem as though they would be able to win the bid. Before the fall, Blackstone’s offer was ideal, with the shares trading at close to $14.

The third party in the race, Carl Icahn, is offering a higher share price. The issue is that Icahn doesn’t want more than 58% of the company. Dell would have to contemplate the $15 per share offered by Icahn when deciding whether they want to sell part of the company or not. It is bound to be a tough decision for the review committee as they aren’t inclined towards giving away control of the company to Michael Dell. Yet, Icahn doesn’t want the whole company.

The issue with Michael Dell is that he wants to remove the company from the public markets and turn it into an entity providing enterprise services only. By buying out the company, he would be free to do as he please as there would be no investor pressure. Blackstone may have done him a huge favor by withdrawing its bid just a month after submission. Still, the company wishes to close the deal before June which puts Michael Dell and Silver Lake as the frontrunners for winning the bid.

[Image via bloomberg]

Is The Samsung Galaxy S IV A Hit?

A little more than a month after the official Samsung Galaxy S IV features were announced, real people around the world are starting to get their hands on actual handsets. If you think about it, the wait has not been that long, but the hype certainly has been impressive. Of course, we cannot discount the fact that in many cases, the hype does not mean the actual device lives up to expectations. In the case of the Samsung Galaxy S IV, though, does that apply?

For one thing, it looks like consumers have been jumping into the Samsung Galaxy S IV bandwagon. In the UK alone, it looks like the demand has overtaken the supply, resulting in a shortage of Samsung Galaxy S IV units. It seems that even those who have pre-ordered their units may run into some problems. Then again, one can argue that this demand is a result of the hype more than people actually having had the chance to be blown away by the newest Galaxy phone.

Speaking of being blown away, though, it seems that even iPhone users have been impacted by Samsung because of its latest phone. Well, at least this one iPhone user. He might be one published voice in the wilderness, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if we hear of others…

Samsung Galaxy S IV

And, if you trust the Ars Technica brand, they have a very comprehensive (as usual) review of the S IV. If you are particular about the details, you’ll enjoy the four-page analysis. As for the casual reader, I think one line is enough: “It’s an extremely solid phone, and it’s going to be hard to go back to the S III after a week with this one.”

How about the sales figures?

Obviously, we don’t have solid numbers at this point, what with the slightly different launch dates PLUS the delays in some parts of the world. We do know that the S III sold 50 million units, and with the demand for the S IV being “overwhelming”, it is safe to say that this figure will be surpassed easily.

So is Samsung’s latest phone a hit or not? If the early signs are anything to go by, I think we can go with hit.

[Images via Android Authority and Funky Space Monkey]

Electronic Touch Pen Makes TV Set Interactive

It appears we are living in an increasingly tactile world. No matter where we look, we are bound to see something with a touchscreen: a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop and so on. A Japanese company is working on technology designed to turn any flat surface, starting from magazines or newspapers, into touchscreens. And it seems there is an increasing demand of touchscreen TVs as well.

Several tech manufacturers have already developed touch pens for their TVs in the last couple of years. The most recent member of the club is Panasonic, which unveiled its electronic touch pen for TV screens in January this year. Two years before, LG released a similar product, the Pentouch, which works with various plasma TV models.

The touch pen allows you to write and doodle on screen, but also to capture an image and save it. With the Panasonic electronic touch pen, you only have to touch the tip of the pen to the TV display to do a screen capture. You also get the opportunity to edit the captured image on screen by drawing anything you like on it.

Which is all very nice but the big question remains: what is the actual use of such a system? Panasonic believes the device is a great way of getting you and your entire family to gather around the interactive TV and have fun together. If you want to, that is.

Electronic Touch Pen Makes TV Set Interactive

The system could also be used by businesses as a whiteboard or for work presentations, as it would allow users to easily highlight data on the screen. But is this really necessary, you may wonder. It seems indeed a fancy alternative to the traditional whiteboards or presentations used in business meetings today. Think of it this way: if you want to impress the meeting participants, the electronic touch pen and plasma TV set is definitely the way to go!

The touch pen is for sure a cool gadget, but we’re not sure that is enough to guarantee high sales and success. After all, you can do a screen capture and doodle on the screen of your tablet just as well. The Panasonic gizmo will sell for roughly $80; would you be interested in giving it a try?

[Images via gsmnation]

PlayStation 4 Controller Tracks Players’ Movement

One of the two widely anticipated console releases expected this year, Sony’s PlayStation 4 is trying to wow gamers with the new features of its DualShock 4 controller, keeping up the hype that has been surrounding the platform in the wake of rumors that it will be cheaper than its predecessor. So far, the controller is the only part of the PS4 revealed by Sony, in an attempt to keep the look of the final product under wraps at least until the E3 in June.

A video released by the company last week shows that the console can track the positions of players inside a room, with the help of the new controller’s light bar. For instance, if two players switch their places during a split-screen multiplayer, the PlayStation 4 controller will be able to track their movement and tell the console to switch the sections of the split screen as well.

The video, which features several members of the PS4 production team explaining how the new controller was developed, does not go into too much detail as to what the additional console features will actually do.

The DualShock 4 controller’s light bar is advertised to carry several functions, but none of these is explained in the video except for the one that tracks players’ movements.

Besides the light bar, the controller’s appearance is roughly the same, having the same directional buttons, triggers, shape buttons and dual joysticks, in order not to stray too far away from the look and feel of the previous DualShock model.

Other important additions to the controller are a new touchpad and a speaker, but most notably the brand new share button. This button will allow gamers to create a video of their gameplay instantly and then share it on their social networks.

It is yet hard to say how each of these functions can enrich the gaming experience, but the developers promise that when all the features come together, the DualShock 4 will really come to life. We expect more details to be released over the following weeks leading to the PS4 event at the E3.

Watch the DualShock4 video right here:

[Image via Digital spy]

MacBook Pro: the No.1 Windows Computer?

A recent report has offered some interesting insight into which is the best laptop for running Windows. The survey by Soluto used data from a period of three months, taking into account application hangs, system crashes and boot times. Thus, it can be said the data was comprehensive enough to produce a conclusive result. However, you may be surprised to know the name of the device which has been named the numero uno Windows computer. A hint: it isn’t from Dell, Lenovo and Acer.

These are the three companies that have usually manufactured the devices that run Windows. As it turns out, none of the devices produced by the three companies are your best choice for running Windows, which may come as a surprise to you. What is even more surprising is that the device that came out on top is Apple’s laptop, the MacBook Pro 13. Apple would have had a bit of a chuckle about the results of the survey given its heated rivalry with Microsoft.

To add further intrigue into the episode, the 15-inch version of the MacBook Pro came in at No.6. This means that two Apple devices are among the best options for running Windows at present. Quite expectedly, the MacBook Pro 13 is the most expensive among the top the three devices on the list. Apple is known for pricing its products at a premium and this is the case with the MacBook Pro series. People looking for economy are advised to look elsewhere.

Yet, the report clearly shows that the people using Windows on the MacBook Pro 13 experienced the fewest problems. Given the factors taken into account, a strong measure of the performance of any device could be made comprehensively. This is what gives this survey credibility. While the MacBook Pro 13 is the most expensive of top three computers on the list, the sixth-placed MacBook Pro 15 is the most expensive of the top-ten list.

Still, that shouldn’t take away from the fact that Mac laptops don’t come with Windows pre-installed. People have to buy the laptop and then get the Windows installed. Some experts believe that this is the reason why Windows performs the best on the MacBook Pro. For quite some time, there has been a contention of sorts regarding the alleged malware that a Windows device carries from the outset. Since a MacBook Pro doesn’t come with Windows, it is not affected by any malware or junk whatsoever.

Even after the results showing that the Windows OS runs best on the MacBook Pro 13, it is still a hassle for you to use it. First you would have to buy the laptop and then get the Windows installed. Furthermore, the hardware of Apple devices isn’t geared towards using with the Windows OS. The most prominent example of this is that there is no ‘Delete’ key on the Mac keyboard. However, if you are looking for convenience and quality at the same time and don’t worry about price too much, the MacBook Pro 13 is the ideal option for you.

[Image via digitaltrends]

Lego City Undercover The Chase Begins Review

Lego City Undercover: The Chase Begins is a follow up to the initial Lego City Undercover, developed by TT Fusion and released for Wii U a few weeks ago. The game strives to offer gamers a similar playing experience as its predecessor and boasts being the first open world adventure for the portable 3DS platform. Unfortunately, it is exactly the restrictions of the 3DS that keep The Chase Begins from fulfilling its true potential.

In terms of storyline, the game is actually a prequel to the Wii U sandbox action adventure, and centers on charming rookie cop Chase McCain as he explores a huge city, battles gangs, tracks down collectibles and engages in the occasional high speed car race. Players will be able to control Chase while through several boss fights and while utilizing the powers offered by different outfits.

The game manages to retain a great part of the humor and relaxing gameplay that made its Wii U brother so successful. Too bad none of the awesome voice acting of the Wii U version could be worked into the 3DS, as that lost some of the original game’s unique sense of humor.

In fact, this is where the developers erred with this game. The 3DS version seems to be just a stripped-down version of the Wii U game, that required plenty of concessions to get where it is. Granted it is still a charming game that is particularly appealing for kids, but adults will enjoy it more if they have also played the first Undercover City and still have its mood and wit in mind.

The Chase Begins also inherits some technical flaws from the original Undercover, in that it sometimes struggles with framerate issues and lengthy loading times, which risks taking some of the fun out of exploring an open world.

In conclusion, even if it fails to deliver the same style and quality of gameplay as the Wii U version, The Chase Begins is still a fun and engaging game that can keep you occupied for ten hours and can be quite a success with young gamers. If you have a 3DS and are looking for a good game to play, you should definitely give it a try.

[Image via GenGame]

First Braille Smartphone in the Works

A new smartphone developed by an Indian scientist is giving the visually impaired the possibility to use their phones for more than just taking or making calls: with the help of the special Braille display, users can also read emails and text messages.

The device, dubbed the world’s first Braille smartphone until it gets an official name, was developed by Sumit Dagar, 2011 TED Fellow, and is currently in its late testing stages. Dagar, a National Institute of Design post-graduate, teamed with the IIT Delhi and the LV Prasad Eye Institute for the project, launched three years ago.

The screen of the phone is comprised of a grid of pins that can move up and down whenever an email or a text message is received. The pins form into Braille characters and shapes which the visually impaired user can read through touch.

Previous applications designed for visually impaired users, such as Siri or SayText, albeit very useful, were only based on sounds and provided limited interaction between the user and their smartphone. Other specially designed products such as Qualcomm’s RAY phone or Android application Georgie also rely heavily on voice commands and sound alerts.

Dagar’s invention is also greatly supported by the fact that it uses a type of technology named Shape Memory Alloy: the idea is that each pin remembers and reverts back to its initial shape after expanding to help form a Braille character.

The Brailled smartphone also makes various sounds and vibrates when it goes through different functions. According to Dagar, the team received an impressive response during tests and the device can be seen as more of a companion to the user than a simple phone. The inventor said he is planning to release more advanced versions of the smartphone in the near future.

If all goes well, expect the first model to be available for purchase by the end of the year. The Braille smartphone will be sold for a retail price of about $185.

[Image via nvisionapp]

Nokia Milestone Press Conference Set For May 14

Nokia has really been putting a lot of its eggs in one basket. A basket called Lumia. You can’t really blame them, as the Lumia series has gotten the market’s attention. Not as much as rivals Apple and Samsung, definitely, but perhaps enough to give Nokia the fuel it needs to stay alive.

Nokia may not be able to overtake the other major smartphone brands in the foreseeable future, but one can’t deny that they do have some creative aces up their sleeves. I don’t know if you’ve seen the video that has been going around in the past couple of days, but it’s worth a chuckle or two. Especially if you have had one snarky comment too much from an Apple fanboy or an Android enthusiast. Take a look.

Obviously, this hilarious ad was released in conjunction with something else. A few days before the video made the Internet rounds, we heard news about an upcoming press conference. Slated to happen on the 14th of May in London, the press con was announced to some journalists via an invitation that seems to aim for a degree of mystery. The text “See What’s Next” is barely readable, but it’s clear that the Nokia press conference is going to be all about the Lumia.

If you remember, the Nokia rumor mill has been busy lately, with leaks about the Catwalk having an aluminum chassis instead of plastic. That’s one rumor that will be verified or crushed in two weeks. There has also been talk about the possibility of tablets and phablets, but it seems that the attention is not on those two device classes.

Here’s one interesting possibility for the Nokia press conference: Are they going to announce an Instagram app for the Windows Phone?

[Image via pcpro]

New LED Streetlamp Reduces Light Pollution

There is a reason astronomers prefer to set up their largest telescopes in high areas that are scarcely populated: light pollution from large urban agglomerations prevents them from getting a clear view of the sky. Researches have now come up with a new LED streetlamp design that has the potential to considerably lower light pollution.

The new lamp is designed to produce a concentrated beam that shines only where needed, unlike current street light systems which leak the light into unwanted areas, thus wasting energy and obscuring views of the sky and stars. This is due to the fact current street lights generally use sodium or mercury lamps that produce non-uniform light patterns, scattering up to 20% of their energy.

But the research team, based in Mexico and Taiwan, believes that the waste of energy can be prevented by controlling the light beams. The research was based primarily on LED lamps as their light is easier to direct, since it is emitted from a smaller area. While LED streetlamps already on the market waste about 10% of their energy by directing it vertically or horizontally, the new design can significantly reduce the waste to only 2%, the scientists say.

The joint Mexico-Taiwan research project has three major features ensuring that the light will be directed to only the needed areas: a special lens for total internal reflection which allows all rays to travel parallel in a single direction, a reflecting cavity for the LED lamps which can reuse any errant rays, and a diffuser to eliminate the glare. This design will allow the new streetlamp system to project a uniform beam of light over any given area.

Tests also indicated that the new system can reduce energy consumption by 40-60 percent. The researchers are working on a prototype, which they plan to have ready by October, in order to begin practical installations of the new system next year.

[Image via Gizmag]