Google Drive gets file preview, Android app gets video streaming 

The native Google Drive for Android has received an update that brings along a couple of new features as well as performance improvements. The web app too has received an update that makes it easier for users to take a look at the contents of the files on Drive with a preview feature.  

Here’s the complete change log for the newest version of Google Drive for Android 1.1.592.10:

• Performance improvements across the whole app.
• Support for streaming video files on Honeycomb+.
• Pinch to Zoom support in presentation viewer.
• Bug fixes and other improvements.

Lumia 620 delay could play into the hands of Nokia’s Android rivals 

 

The Nokia Lumia 620 is turning into an enigma. The Windows Phone 8 mid-ranger was launched along with the Lumia 820 and 920 a few months ago and at the time the company said it would be available in February, but there is no sign of the handset in the market as far as we know.

Even our grey market sources don’t seem to know when the phone will be hitting Indian shores. Earlier, we had contacted the company and a Nokia representative said that information on the release of the phone in India will only be revealed later this week. While there is no doubt that Nokia is working hard towards getting Lumia 620 out to the market, there could be any number of reasons for the delay of the phones, including issues with importing the handset.

The Lumia 620 has a 3.8-inch, 480 x 800 WVGA resolution display with a pixel density of 246ppi. By itself, that’s decent, but the Canvas HD has a 720p, 5-inch display and the Xperia J has a 4-inch display with a resolution of 854 x 480 pixels. Against these two phones, the Lumia 620 seems a tad under-spec'ed.

 

Videocon launches A27 dual-SIM smartphone with video calling feature

Videocon Mobile has launched its new smartphone, the Videocon A27. The dual-SIM handset features a host of pre-loaded apps and is priced at Rs. 5,999.

The Videocon A27 is powered by a 1GHz Broadcomm processor with 3.75G capabilities. The handset runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and features a pretty impressive 4.0-inch WVGA capacitive touchscreen display.

Here's a quick look at Videocon A27:

• 4.0-inch WVGA capacitive touchscreen display
• 3G, GPRS/EDGE/WCDMA, Wi-Fi
• GPS and A-GPS support
• Bluetooth 3.0
• 3MP rear + front VGA camera
• Memory expandable up to 32GB 

The Videocon A20 smartphone comes pre-loaded with apps like Facebook, TOI, ET, History Eraser, Gesture Search and Google applications and is available at a price of Rs 4,999

Here’s a specifications of the Videocon A20:

• 3.5-inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen display
• 3G, GPRS/EDGE/WCDMA, Wi-Fi
• GPS and A-GPS support
• Bluetooth
• 3MP rear + front VGA camera
• Memory expandable up to 16GB

 

LG Electronics launches 19.5 inch PC monitor for Rs 6,900 

LG Electronics today launched a 19.5-inch display PC Monitor – model no. 20EN33TS, and with it entered into a new category in the monitors segment, confirms an official statement. LG claims that the 20EN33TS will enhance the visual experience and provide great value for money to consumers.

The 19.5 inch (49.53 cm) 20EN33TS will replace the existing 18.5-inch (46.99cm) E1942C model and will come with better specification and consumer benefits.

 

Xperia Z may get Android 4.2.2 update next month 

A screenshot of the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update for the Sony Xperia Z has raised hopes that the newest flavour may come next month, i.e. a month after release. An anonymous tipster supplied the Xperia Blog the screenshot – the first one, running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean on the Sony Xperia Z.

Sony’s flagship phone Xperia Z was shown off at CES 2013. This Xperia device is said to have an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of IP55 and IP57, making it both dust and water resistant. Sony is joining the ranks of other manufacturers that pack a 1080p resolution in a 5-inch device with Sony Xperia Z. This gives the device a pixel resolution of 443 ppi.

 

HTC One is official with quad-core CPU

HTC took the wraps off of the HTC One in London and New York at simultaneous events. If you have been following all the leaks, then you already have a fair idea about how this phone looks, but the official pictures take the device from just good-looking to downright gorgeous.

First, the good news is HTC’s official list of carriers includes Reliance Communications.  So there’s a very good chance that we could have the handset in India in March, which is when HTC is planning a global roll-out of the handset.

Here they are and what a collection. First up, is the 4.7-inch LCD display, which last year would have meant a 720p screen, but HTC has taken the current 1080p trend to a new height. Full HD on that display size makes for a whopping 468PPI.The One is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor with each of its four cores clocked at 1.7GHz. It comes with an Adreno 320 GPU in tow. The new HTC flagship has a 2,300 mAh embedded battery, which is a mild improvement over the Butterfly’s battery

 

Apple TV is here for Rs 7,900

Apple TV is here for Rs 7,900

Nearly a year after Apple launched the Apple TV for US users, the media-streaming device is now available in India for Rs 7,900.

Apple’s India website reflects the availability of the device and lists the various functions along with images of India-centric content. Apple TV is essentially a media streamer, which ties into the company’s iTunes store or your other iDevices and lets you stream and share content to your HDTV.

The device needs to be connected to your HDTV through HDMI while it can pull content from other Apple devices when connected to the same network. So if you have a good collection of films and music, you can instantly share it with other viewers over the Apple TV connection.

Swipe Fablet F2 and F3 launched

Swipe Fablet F2 and F3 launched.

Swipe Telecom has launched its Swipe Fablet F2 and the Swipe Fablet F3. The company has priced these at Rs 7,590  and Rs 9,290, respectively. 

Swipe Fablet F3 offers a dual 3G SIM for a user’s personal and professional calls and lets him choose two different calling networks. It allows users to use their Skype account and make free video/voice calls to their contacts with the correct hardware support. 

The Fablet F3 comes with the latest operating system Android Jelly Bean 4.1.1. The company, in its official statement claims that moving between home screens and switching between apps feels effortless and the browsing speed is enhanced. The Fablet F3 comes with 512 MB DDRIII RAM of and is powered by a 1GHz dual-Core Processor. The Fablet F3 is fuelled by a 2200 mAH battery. 

Here's a quick look at the specs of the Fablet F2:

1. 5-inch WVGA capacitive Multi-Touch screen
2. Wi-Fi capabilities
3. Bluetooth
4. 5MP back camera, 0.3MP front- facing camera
5. 4GB built-in memory, expandable upto 32GB 
6. Built-in FM receiver      

Here's a quick look at the specs of the Fablet F3:

1.  5-inch display with 5-point Multi-Touch screen
2. 3G, Wi-Fi capabilities
3. Bluetooth
4. 0.3MP front facing camera and a 5MP rear camera
5. 4GB built-in memory, expandable upto 32GB. 
6. FM Radio

Spuul's new Android app for Bollywood

Spuul has been a boon for fans of Bollywood movies and the Indian idiot-box who want to access content legally anywhere around the world.

While the app is free to download as a worldwide release, users can access a limited free ad supported version of Spuul on Android right away or can sign up for a premium subscription for $4.99 (Rs. 275 approx.)  a month. The app is compatible with Android version 2.2 and up, encompassing a whole variety of phones that can be used to access it. It’s a great move on Spuul’s part to include older generation of Android so that the service is available to a lot more users.

The app allows for sign-in feature with Facebook or username creation using email. Once connected with this feature, users will be able to start watching movies from where they left off. Spuul has a host of various apps on platforms like Facebook and iOS that you can club with one account, so you can access the service on whichever device you prefer.

3Doodler uses 3D printer ink to let you draw 3D objects

The newest one that’s caught our fancy is the 3Doodler.  The pen lets you draw new "objects", for lack of a better phrase.The pen uses the same material as many 3D printers—ABS plastic. Users can draw on surfaces, or if you're feeling especially adventurous, in the air. The duo claims that it is easy to use and you can plug it into a power socket and start drawing stuff within minutes.

As 3Doodler draws, it extrudes heated plastic that quickly cools and solidifies into a strong stable structure. This allows you to build a variety of shapes and items. Most people will instantly be able to trace objects on paper, and after only a few hours of practice, you will be able to make far more intricate objects.

 

Apple releases Java updates for OS X

Apple releases Java updates for OS X

Apple has released an update for Mac OS X users following a hacking attack on employees’ Macs as well as the remote blocking of the Java plugin thanks to security vulnerabilities.

While this is the standard quarterly update of Java 6 that Apple distributes, customers who are looking for Java 7 should grab it straight from Oracle’s site. This update includes a malware removal tool that removes most common variants of malware.

Google Glass

Google Glass

Google Glass testers wanted, get your application in today. Google is opening up a testing program for its wearable high-tech specs to anyone, provided you can impress the company with an application and have $1,500 to spare.

A video has been posted on Youtube showing Google Glass in action, including the interface which appears in the wearer's line of sight. The opening is mainly aimed at developers, applicants should have strong ideas about how they want to use the new technology. It's shown on the demo video how The Glass can be used to take pictures, record video, and share content directly via email or social networks using voice commands such as "OK, Glass, take a picture".

Other features include Skype-like video chats, weather reports, and map directions. All of this information appear in a small translucent square in the top right of the wearer's field of vision.

HTC reveals new smartphone

HTC has unveiled a 'new smartphone', or rather a revamped version of HTC One. This is seen as a major attempt by the company to regain lost market share. 

The news that HTC has revamped the HTC One comes only a few months after the Digital Journal reported that HTC launched two new smartphones called the 8X and the 8S. This indicates that technology companies continue to be driven by the need to innovate

the new HTC One uses Google's updated Android operating system called the Jelly Bean. The phone features a 4.7in (12cm) 1080p high display and includes what is described as an ultrapixel camera. The phone is an update of the previous One X model.

The Full Spcs:-

 

 

 

Sony mum on PlayStation Vita price drops for U.S., Europe

Sony mum on PlayStation Vita price drops for U.S., Europe

Sony breathed new life into its PlayStation Vita portable alongside the introduction of the PlayStation 4 today.
The gist of the news: The Vita can be used as a full screen and controller for your PS4, similar to what Nintendo's done with the Wii U. The idea is that you can continue to play a game on the PS4 through your Vita, even if someone needs to use the TV for something else. The only catch for now is that the two devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network.
That should make the handheld gaming device more attractive to would-be buyers who are looking for more utility from the $249 or $299 entry price, and who plan on buying Sony's upcoming console.

Google said to release touch-screen laptop this year

Google said to release touch-screen laptop this year

As the divide between laptops and tablets continues to shrink, word is that Google has already developed its first Chrome-powered touchscreen laptop.

Google edged into this territory over the past year too. According to the Wall Street Journal, Google sold nearly 100,000 $199 and $249 Chrome books in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of last year.

Chrome OS already includes a touch-screen keyboard, which means that it shouldn't be too difficult to add a touch-centric interface to the operating system, especially with Google's experience with Android. 

Acer introduces H6 series

Acer introduces H6 series

Acer has announced its new H6 series of budget friendly yet sleekly designed monitors. The 21.5-inch H226HQL and the 23-inch H236HL monitors are the first models released in the line, and sport 1080p HD IPS panel displays.
The monitors are designed with what Acer is calling a "zero frame" construction. The displays have a small frame measuring 0.08 inch to make for a less distracting border around the screen. Both monitors have HDMI, DVI, and VGA ports.
The series appears to have only basic features and specifications, but the lower-than-average price and 1080p IPS displays for both models sound promising.

T-Mobile launches GoSmart budget wireless service

T-Mobile launches GoSmart budget wireless service

 

The service, which has been in beta mode in nine markets since December, is geared toward consumers more interested in voice and text services than high-speed Internet access. As such, GoSmart's target audience includes younger people, college students on a budget, and those with incomes between $30,000 and $40,000 a year, GoSmart Marketing Director Shailendra Gujarati told the Seattle Times. 

Six tech features should be standard in new car

Six tech features should be standard in new car

Bluetooth connectivity

Let's start with the most obvious one: Bluetooth. The best way to keep phone-toting drivers from plowing into things is to make it easy for them to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, by use of the ubiquitous Bluetooth connection that nearly every phone has. Unfortunately, early Bluetooth connectivity was pretty clunky and had traditionally been bundled as part of expensive technology packages. Drivers and lawmakers complained loudly and, by and large, automakers have started to make Bluetooth standard in their 2012 and 2013 model year vehicles. 

USB/iPod connectivity

Just like the mighty 8-track and cassette tapes that came before it, the CD player is on its way out of the dashboard. Chevrolet has already ditched the disc in the Spark subcompact, and I doubt that it'll be the last to do so.
Any automaker that doesn't offer USB connectivity for digital media as a standard feature across its line is already behind the tech curve. Why? Because no one buys physical media anymore. The success of digital music stores.

Rearview camera

This is another obvious choice, because the U.S. government has been saying that it is going to make rearview cameras a required safety featuure since about 2008. However, the deadline keeps getting pushed back and currently sits sometime beyond 2014. The simple acts of checking mirrors and turning your head shouldn't be downplayed, but automakers have continued to build cars with ever-decreasing rear visibility, thanks to high beltlines and thick rear pillars. Nearly everyone can benefit from the increased visibility afforded by a rear camera.

Blind-spot monitoring
Blind-spot monitoring makes the list largely for the same reason that rearview cameras do: automakers are building cars with fairly poor visibility, making it difficult for even a good driver to do a simple over-the-shoulder check when changing lanes. And those not-so-good drivers who don't even bother with the over-the-shoulder check could definitely use a flashing light or audible alert to let them know that they're about to merge into me on the freeway. Either way, all of us could benefit from an extra set of electronic eyes watching our tails.

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Car-centric app integration

A large number of drivers are already using apps in the car, sometimes illegally, for simple functions such as listening to music, podcasts, and audiobooks, navigating to their destination, getting around traffic, and letting loved ones know where they are. Third-party technologies, such the Car Connectivity Consortium's MirrorLink and Livio Connect, are already making strides to make interacting with these apps as easy as tuning a radio station. Automakers are also making similar strides with their own technologies -- Toyota's Entune and Ford Sync AppLink, for example.
Since we can't put the smartphone apps genie back into the mobile technology bottle, let's instead focus on trying to make the current situation safer.
We see again here that these features are already making their way into cars, but as components of expensive tech bundles that include overpriced navigation systems and premium audio rigs that could discourage many drivers from bothering.

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HTC One looks great

HTCOne looks great

HTC's design and software teams did their jobs in creating an attractive, unique, and premium-feeling phone, taking Apple's love for metal construction and taking it to the next logical progression. 

 HTC's One family of phones met with similar critical praise last year, yet failed to reverse its flagging revenue and profits. While HTC has had a history of showing off buzz-worthy products, dating back to the first Android smartphone in the G1 and the first 4G phone in the Evo 4G, the company has more recently shown a troubling trend: the tendency to get ignored in the marketplace.

Transparent smartphone prototype is cool

Transparent smartphone prototype is cool

A fully transparent conceptual smartphone, developed by Taiwanese company Polytron Technologies, gives me hope for a future full of fancy smartphones far different from the common designs seen today.

As evidenced in the below preview video, several internal items such as the SIM card, SD card, and microphone can be clearly seen. As Polytron moves toward a more complete device, the company plans to shift many of those visible components to an opaquely shaded area at the bottom while hiding other items, such as the camera, with darker glass.