ASUS Launches 2-in-1 Hybrid Device PadFone™ Infinity in Singapore

5-inch full HD LTE smartphone combines with a 10.1-inch full HD tablet station
for seamless mobile flexibility

Singapore (22 May, 2013)

— ASUS today announced the availability of PadFone™ Infinity in Singapore. The latest of the two-in-one phone-tablet hybrid device is a powerful 5-inch LTE smartphone with a sleek metallic design and a full HD display which becomes a 10.1-inch full HD tablet when docked to its companion PadFone Infinity Station. Following the success of its predecessors in Singapore, PadFone Infinity will now be available for purchase and re-contracting at all three major operators. Officially on shelves from 1 June, the latest ASUS PadFone Infinity (without the station) will be retailing at S$898 and S$998 for the 32GB and 64GB respectively. Both prices are exclusive of the tablet station.

Award-winning innovation

Since the debut of the PadFone series last year, the two-in-one innovation has bagged numerous prestigious awards, further reinforcing ASUS’ visionary approach in bringing quality innovation and design into users’ lives.

A testament to ASUS renowned Design Thinking philosophy, ASUS PadFone Infinity, the latest evolution of the PadFone line, continues to break through the clutter by combining incredible design with an uncompromised user experience. A key improvement from its previous generations, the ASUS PadFone Infinity is equipped with double full HD screens, as both its 5-inch smartphone and 10.1-inch tablet station feature a 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution.

Premium design with premium performance

PadFone Infinity

features Android 4.1 and groundbreaking mobile performance, thanks to its next-generation Qualcomm^{® Snapdragon™ 600 processor with quad-core CPU and up to 19 hours of 3G talk time.}

With a slender unibody design crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, the 5-inch ASUS PadFone Infinity is both beautiful and durable. The 2-in-1 hybrid device features a 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution with images so clear and crisp that it looks like a printed page. In addition, it comes with an option of 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage, and 50GB of ASUS WebStorage that will be free for two years, thus giving users endless possibilities of data storage. This is further complemented by the class-leading Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600 1.7GHz processor with quad-core CPU for a smooth and responsive premium Android experience. Shared mobile data connectivity between the smartphone and tablet also implies that only one data plan is needed, while 100Mbit/s LTE and 42Mbit/s DC-HSPA+ ensure super-fast web browsing and downloads.

Featuring a high-performance 13-megapixel camera with f/2.0 five element lens, ASUS PadFone Infinity is able to capture incredibly detailed images with no shutter lag. A dedicated image signal-processor enhances low-light image quality and enables PadFone Infinity to capture up to 100 sequential photos at eight frames-per-second, while simultaneously recording 1080p full HD video. PadFone Infinity can also output 1080p Full HD video via its Micro-USB-compatible MyDP port.

Share apps and mobile data instantly

The unique two-in-one nature of ASUS PadFone series removes the tedious need to synchronise data between smartphone and tablet. Data and settings on PadFone Infinity are available instantly on PadFone Infinity Station upon docking and running apps are smoothly reformatted to fit the larger display. Mobile data bills are also reduced, since a single data plan can be shared between both devices.

PadFone Infinity

comes with new and exclusive ASUS apps, including SuperNote 3.1 for note taking, Story for creating stunning photo albums and ASUS Echo for voice control of PadFone Infinity.

PadFone Infinity

has up to 19 hours of 3G talk time, which increases to up to 40 hours when docked into PadFone Infinity Station. PadFone Infinity Station also has sufficient battery capacity to fully recharge the docked the phone up to three times.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

Starting 1 June, ASUS PadFone Infinity will be available at selected ASUS authorised stores, StarHub and M1 shops.

All three major mobile operators will offer the phone-tablet hybrid device at a range of attractive mobile price plans that will allow customers to connect to the respective DC-HSPA+ mobile networks. More details will be announced by the respective operators closer to the availability date.

MSI GT70-2OD is the Latest gaming notebook powered by the u pcoming Intel 4th generation processor. The model comes with 16GB DDR3 running at 1600MHz which is upgradable to 32GB.

It runs Windows 8 and has a discrete graphics powered by NVIDIA GeForce GTX780M 4GB GDDR5. The large 17.3″ Full HD 1920×1080 is Anti glare with LED backlit. It complements the Steelseries Gaming Keyboard in full colour.

MSI GT70-20D also equipped the notebook with it’s exclusive Matrix Display allowing a maximum of up to 4 displays to be hooked up to the notebook in extension mode or surround mode (combined as one display).

For gaming speed, this new gaming notebook comes with Super Raid 2. It is powered by 3 128GB SSD and a 750GB 7200RPM HDD.

For lower gaming latency, the notebook incorporates the Killer Doubleshot (wired+wireless)- Killer N1202 Combo (2*2 a/b/g/n)+BT4.0.

For multimedia, it comes with a BluRay Writer. For longer battery life it comes with a 9 Cell 7800mAh battery pack and 2 yrs warranty (1 yr international).

Singapore, May. 20, 2013 — HP today announced the HP Slate7, an affordable Android consumer tablet that provides customers with easy access to Google Mobile services.

With a 7-inch diagonal screen and weighing 370g, the HP Slate7 is an ideal trusted personal companion. It also is the industry’s first tablet to offer embedded Beats Audio, for the best-sounding, richest audio experience available on a tablet.

The HP Slate7 delivers the Google experience with services like Google Search, Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive and Google+ Hangouts for multiperson video chat as well as access to apps and digital content through Google Play.(1)

“To address the growing interest in tablets among consumers and businesses alike, HP will offer a range of form factors and leveraging an array of operating systems,” said Serena Yong, general manager, Printing and Personal Systems, HP Singapore. “Our new HP Slate7 on Android represents a compelling entry point for consumers, while our ground-breaking, business-ready HP ElitePad on Windows® 8 is ideal for enterprises and governments. Both deliver the service and support people expect from HP.”

HP’s tablet offerings reside in the company’s newly formed Mobility Global Business Unit, established in September 2012 with the hiring of Alberto Torres as senior vice president. Torres joined HP from Nokia, where he was executive vice president and oversaw the MeeGo products and platform.

Access and enjoy

Powered by an ARM Dual Core Cortex-A9 1.6 GHz processor, the HP Slate7 is fast and responsive. Integrated wireless allows customers to access email, the internet and key applications, while the High-aperture-ratio Field Fringe Switching (HFFS) panel offers wide viewing angles that provide easy viewing of documents, games, photos and videos—even in outdoor lighting conditions.

The HP Slate7 includes a 3-megapixel camera on the back and a VGA camera on the front for chatting, videos and photos. Available in either red or silver colors, the HP Slate7 has a stainless steel frame.

With the HP ePrint(2) application, customers can easily print while at home or on the go, and an exclusive native printing capability enables customers to print directly from most applications. A micro USB port allows customers to easily transfer files, and a suite of applications from HP spans exclusive games to productivity tools.

HP will provide an array of simple and easy-to-access support tools and resources to help customers take full advantage of all of the features the HP Slate7 has to offer. In addition to extensive phone and online support offerings included with the HP Slate7, HP is offering customers the opportunity to expand and extend the standard product warranty with its HP Care Pack services.

Pricing and availability

The HP Slate7 is expected to be available in Singapore from June 6 at all major retailers and the HP Online Store at a recommended retail price of S$249. Pre-orders are now available at the HP Online Store for a promotional price of S$199, until stocks last.

Microsoft puts up an ad mocking at the geek supporters of Apple and iPhone users. Will you switch to Windows Phone after watching this ad ?

Viber 3.0 is launching Tuesday on iOS and Android. But it’s also launching on desktop — both PC and Mac — for the first time. Charting a path that’s like Skype in reverse, Viber is now spreading to the desktop after conquering mobile.

Viber for Windows lets you send free messages and make free calls to other Viber users, on any device and network, in any country!
Viber syncs your contacts, messages and call history with your mobile device, so you can start the conversation on the Viber mobile application and continue from the comfort of your PC.

• Best-quality HD voice calls
• Video calls
• Free text and photo messages
• Group conversations
• No registration, passwords or invitations required
• Contacts and messages sync between your mobile and Windows
• Transfer ongoing calls between devices

http://www.viber.com/products/windows/

Singapore local firm Synrgic launches first 4.7″ IPS LCD screen Uno powered by 1.5GHz TI OMAP 4470 Android Smartphone

Singapore, April 30, 2013:  Synrgic, a home-grown multi-national, enters the smartphone market today with the launch of the Synrgic Uno – a stylish Android smartphone that positions the company for rapid growth in Asia’s booming smartphone category.

Designed and developed at the company’s Singapore R&D centre, the Synrgic Uno features a large and beautiful display, a fast and fluid experience and impressively long battery life.

The Uno is targeted at young professionals in emerging markets in Asia. “We focused on delivering quality features with surprising value. That is what this segment seeks. We use top quality components throughout, like the latest Texas Instruments OMAP 4470 processor, Corning Gorilla Glass, and a premium 4.7” hi definition IPS display,” said Synrgic’s Chief Executive Officer, Cheo Suan Jin.

“Most of the phones for this segment are made in China. We decided to manufacture the Uno in South Korea to get the best quality. You won’t get many like that,” he added.

Stylish Good Looks, Ergonomic Design Designed to be practical and ergonomic, the Synrgic Uno features sleek curves and a button placement that makes the phone inviting and very practical to use. A custom Dark Umber colour lends a touch of sophistication. Weighing just 133 grams (with battery), the Synrgic Uno measures 135mm x 71mm and just 9.5mm in depth.

A key feature is the premium quality 4.7” IPS LCD display, which delivers accurate colours in bright, crisp detail at 720p. The responsive multi-touch display is clad in Corning Gorilla Glass with an oleophobic coating for strength and durability.

All the Power You Need, Efficiently At the heart of the Uno is the latest Texas Instruments Dual Core Dual Channel OMAP 4470 application processor clocked at 1.5GHz. Two memory channels coupled with a full gigabyte of low-power DDR2 RAM allow each core to work at maximum efficiency delivering fluidity and responsiveness. Two companion M3 cores perform simple computing tasks for enhanced energy efficiency.

The OMAP 4470 features Imagination Technologies’ SGX544 graphics-processing core for extreme graphics performance. A special power-saving Vivante companion GPU takes over during less intensive loads to conserve even more power.

Remarkable Battery Life

A large 2300mAH lithium battery, coupled with the battery saving features of the OMAP 4470, provides superior standby and talk time (up to 12 hours on 3G), almost 15 percent longer than many smartphones in its class. Because the battery is removable, rejuvenating the phone requires a simple battery swap, with no slow charging external power packs required.

High definition imaging

A high quality auto-focus 8 megapixel rear camera with powerful LED flash and a 2 megapixel front-facing camera allows the capture of precious memories on the go (1080p full HD recording).

Sharing on the Go

With Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, sharing contacts, locations, and webpages is now easier than ever. Simply hold the Synrgic Uno near another NFC enabled smartphone and tap to share. Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) lets you share photos and videos on any HDTV instantly.

A Pure Android Experience

No bloatware and unnecessary apps to slow the experience down, with full-featured official access to the Google Play Store.

1 for 1 Synrgic Exchange for peace of mind

Customers can exchange their unit for a new one if it is found to be defective during the one year warranty. This means an efficient service experience and peace of mind. The Synrgic Exchange service applies to every Synrgic Uno purchased from authorised resellers.

Pricing and Availability  The Synrgic Uno will first be available at Synrgic’s international online store (www.synrgic.com) at a list price of US$320 (SG$400) tax exclusive.

Do you like Windows Phone 8 flat interface METRO ? It seems ilke Apple might change it’s icon based interface to tiles , similarly to what you see on Windows Phone 8.

According to Softpedia report, source tells 9to5mac that the new iOS 7, set to be unveiled at WWDC in June, is “very, very flat.” Another person familiar with the matter said, “the interface loses all signs of gloss, shine, and skeuomorphism seen across current and past versions of iOS.”

Yet another person described iOS 7 as having “a level of ‘flatness’ approaching recent releases of Microsoft’s Windows Phone ‘Metro’ UI.”

Some changes will will be apparent on iOS 7 and that includes new tool bars and tab bars. The new iOS devices prepared by Apple will have “polarizing filters to decrease viewing angles of on-lookers,” according to the report. Apple refers to iOS 7 as “Innsbruck” internally.

iOS 7 is scheduled to debut at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10. It is unclear whether the company will actually ship the software then, or whether it will just offer us a demo.

We should be able to see the new iOS in June.

Source

WhatsApp is a popular application on iPhone and Android devices. Now it has come to the Nokia Asha 210 feature phone running on Nokia’s propreitary Series 40 operation system.

Nokia’s Asha 210 targets the consumers in emerging markets looking into an alternative to the Windows Phones. At a targeted price of £47 ($72) Nokia decided that the device’s 2.4in (6.1cm) screen would not be touch-enabled. It comes with a Qwerty keyboard and navigation button and a dedicated key gives you instant access to WhatsApp for messaging over the WiFi/3G. The app comes with the phone is free and do not require yearly subscription.

Source BBC

Surface Pro will launch before the end of May in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Surface Pro will launch in Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, and Thailand before the end of June. Surface Pro is currently available in the U.S., Canada, and China.

Moments before the Surface Pro launch in China on April 2nd

The Surface Pro launch in China

Panos Panay, Corporate Vice President Microsoft Surface on stage at the Surface Pro launch in China

Hands on with the Surface Pro at the launch event in China

The enthusiasm for Surface has been fantastic, and we love hearing the stories of people who are making it the one device they use to work and play. This is what Surface was designed to do – simplify your life while letting you do more! In fact, one of our biggest challenges has been keeping our 128GB Surface Pro in stock. We’ve worked hard to increase availability, and most retail partners in the U.S. and Canada as well as the Microsoft Store now have the 128 GB product consistently in stock.

WiFi has been replacing fixed wires at homes for internet connectivity. A lot of users have been asking for higher speeds and RF signal level. These signals might be detrimental to your health. Experiment it yourself by tuning down the WiFi signal or turn if off at night for better sleeping quality. Check out the video demonstration below.

This video provides a simple, yet profound lesson. The radio frequency radiation being transmitted from your wireless router or modem is extremely toxic and detrimental to your health. Notice how high the measurements are on the RF meter! Most of us are living and working in this type of RF radiation exposure every single day and night. The fix, or remediation is simple. Plug your modem or router into your computer using an Ethernet connection (hardwire), and “disable” the wireless function on your modem or router. This is very important for the health and safety of all those in your home or office. If you need to use the wireless function, then turn it on for a short time, do your task or watch your movie, then disable it once again. Never leave your wireless internet on all night as it will cause sleep disturbances which lead to even worse health issues. The fix is simple! Ethernet cord and disable the wireless function.

ASUS Launches 7-inch Fonepad™ with 3G Mobile Data and Voice Calling

Built-in 3G for fast mobile data and full telephony support for two-in-one
flexibility

Singapore (23 April, 2013)

—

ASUS today announced the availability of Fonepad™, a versatile 7-inch handheld equipped with 3G voice and mobile data for all the features of an Android smartphone, in Singapore. Powered by the new Intel^{® Atom™ processor Z2420 with Android 4.1, ASUS Fonepad features a vibrant HD display with IPS technology for wide viewing angles and outstanding clarity.}

“ASUS design thinking philosophy begins with the idea that technology must adapt to our ever-changing lifestyles, and not the other way around,” said Alvin Huang, Country Manager, ASUS Singapore. “Increasingly, there is a demand for consumers who would like to have the best of both worlds

– larger screen for entertainment purposes that could also offer telephony support. Hence we designed the ASUS Fonepad, which creates the perfect 2-in-1 combination of a tablet and phone with only one mobile data plan,” said Huang.

“Every consumer wants to carry a mobile device that runs fast and responsive applications, with eye-popping graphics and advanced camera features at consumer friendly price points. Users in value segment are no exception. The Intel® Atom™ processor Z2420 offers these capabilities through processing performance up to 1.2GHz built on Intel’s 32nm process technology. It delivers the required power efficiency, performance capability and flexibility to accommodate a range of devices and market needs,” said Uday Marty, Managing Director, Intel South East Asia. “The Asus Fonepad built on Intel® Atom™ processor Z2420 is optimised for the Google Android platform.”

Beautiful metallic design with Intel® Atom™ performance

ASUS Fonepad is ideal for people who value both the voice communication features of a smartphone and the entertainment opportunities afforded by a tablet, but prefer the convenience of carrying just one device.

Weighing at 340g and with a 10.4mm slim profile, ASUS Fonepad is a sleek and compact tablet with a metallic design that can be held comfortably in one hand. Powered by the latest Intel® Atom™ processor Z2420 with full Android compatibility, ASUS Fonepad features a perfect balance of performance and energy efficiency, with hardware-accelerated 1080p full HD video decoding and up to nine hours of battery life*.

The 7-inch screen features 10-point multi-touch, and a crisp 1280 x 800 HD resolution for crisp, readable web page text and incredibly detailed photos. IPS technology ensures vibrant colour with 178-degree wide viewing angles, and images that are clear and bright, even outdoors.

Built-in 3G for mobile data and voice calls

Built-in 3G with HSPA+ mobile data means ASUS Fonepad is an always-connected mobile device for seamless web browsing, fast downloads from Google Play Store, and smooth streaming of audio and video. Furthermore with its full 3G telephony support, ASUS Fonepad can also be used for voice calls using the built-in noise-cancelling digital microphone or an optional Bluetooth headset. With just one mobile data plan to pay for, running costs are also much lower than those of a separate smartphone and 3G tablet.

ASUS Fonepad is available in 8GB, and has an SD card slot to provide up to 32GB of additional storage. It also features a front 1.2-megapixel camera for easy video chat and an optional rear 3-megapixel autofocus camera with 720p HD video recording. ASUS SonicMaster audio technology with MaxxAudio 3 processing by Waves ensures clear, well-rounded sound quality.

Exclusive ASUS apps and accessories enhance productivity

ASUS Fonepad comes with a number of exclusive ASUS productivity apps: Floating App for easy management of running apps and multi-tasking; SuperNote Lite for handwritten notes and drawing; and WebStorage Office Online for Microsoft Office-compatible document editing on the move. ASUS Fonepad users also get 5GB of free lifetime ASUS WebStorage for syncing and sharing data with other devices.

Two new optional accessories will also be available for ASUS Fonepad. Available in four snazzy colors, VersaSleeve 7 is a wraparound cover with a folding design that both protects the tablet and props up the screen. Turn Case is a lightweight hardshell case for the ASUS Fonepad, and it features a soft interior that keeps the screen clean and a built-in stand that puts the screen at the perfect angle for watching video. Both accessories will be available in Singapore at a later date.

Availability and pricing

ASUS Fonepad will be available at S$369 from 27 April. It will be available at all Singtel, StarHub and M1 shops. All three telcos will offer the ASUS Fonepad at a range of attractive mobile price plans that will allow customers to connect to the respective DC-HSPA+ mobile networks. More details will be announced by the respective telcos closer to the availability date. ASUS Fonepad will also be available for purchase from ASUS authorised stores at a later date. All purchases will be entitled to an Audio-Technica $10 voucher and while stock lasts.

Specifications, content, prices and product availability are all subject to change without notice and may differ from country to country. Actual performance may vary depending on applications, usage, environment and other factors.

2

Measured with 720p HD video playback, 100 nits brightness, with Wi-Fi and 3G enabled. Actual battery life may vary depending on operating conditions, and the specific hardware and software used.

We received news that LG Optimus 3D users are now able to upgrade their firmware to the long waited Android v4.0, the Ice Cream Sandwich OS which was promised 1 1/2 years ago on the LG blogs.

To date, it is available through online update using the LG Tools and will work on unbranded phones in Germany.

If you own an Optimus 3D, perhaps it is time to give it a try and see if you could get it to install outside Germany.

Source

Google Inc is experiencing a small outage of some of its popular applications such as Gmail and Google Drive, the search engine said on Wednesday.  The company disclosed on its website that six of its 13 applications were having partial status disruptions.

Some of our readers faced problems accessing their Gmail.  Are you having issues with the Google services ? Comment below.

M1 launches new 4G Prepaid SunSurf plans
- Singapore’s first 4G prepaid service for smartphones
- 1GB local data now valid for 30days*

SINGAPORE, 10 April 2013 – M1 Limited (M1) today announced the launch of its new 4G Prepaid SunSurf plans, Singapore’s first 4G prepaid mobile service for smartphones.

With the new 4G Prepaid SunSurf plans for smartphones and recently launched 4G prepaid broadband service, visitors and local prepaid customers now have access to M1’s ultra-fast nationwide 4G network to enjoy an enhanced experience on their smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.

M1 is also pleased to introduce a new SunSurf plan with extended validity. At just $20, the 1GB local data is now valid for 30 days’ usage – giving customers more time and flexibility to do more of the things they like anytime, anywhere.

Prepaid customers can simply dial #100*7# from their mobile phones to subscribe to any of the 4G SunSurf plans. Visit www.m1.com.sg/mcardservices for more information.

M1 is Singapore’s most vibrant and dynamic communications company, providing mobile and fixed services to over 2 million customers. Established in 1997, M1 achieved many firsts, including the first operator to offer nationwide 4G service, as well as ultra high-speed fixed broadband, fixed voice and other services on the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (NGNBN). With a continual focus on network quality, customer service, value and innovation, M1 links anyone and anything; anytime, anywhere. For more information, visit www.m1.com.sg.

*Enjoy usage of 1GB local data plan for seven days at $7 or 1GB local data plan for 30 days at $20.

Note
M1 4G mobile broadband service is available everywhere in Singapore (with typical download speeds at fixed locations ranging from 4.8Mbps to 21.0Mbps) except in MRT and tunnels, where there will be 3G network.

M1 launches Singapore’s first WiFi
roaming service for postpaid mobile customers

New service complements current S$15/day

unlimited data and S$0.05/10kb data roaming promotions

SINGAPORE, 9 April 2013 – M1 Limited (M1) today announced its launch of Singapore’s first WiFi roaming service for both retail and corporate customers.

M1 postpaid mobile users can now enjoy unlimited data roaming on global WiFi hotspots across more than 120 countries and territories. Customers can log on with multiple devices at the same hotspot, through the M1 WiFi Roaming application.

With no service registration fee or monthly subscription, charges are only applicable upon successful connection to WiFi hotspots through the application, at S$12 per day in the Asia Pacific and Americas Regions; and S$19 per day for the rest of the world.

To activate service, customers need to download the application from Google Play Store or iTunes before travelling overseas, and set up a user profile on the application. Upon arriving at an overseas destination, users can launch the application to locate and connect to available WiFi hotspots, managed by M1-Partner networks.

“We are excited to offer Singapore’s first WiFi roaming service to our postpaid mobile customers. This will provide both retail and corporate users an affordable and fuss-free option to stay connected when they travel”, said Mr P. Subramaniam, Chief Marketing Officer, M1 Limited.

M1’s new WiFi Roaming service will add to its existing suite of data roaming services that greatly benefit data users when they are overseas. With M1’s unlimited data roaming at S$15 per day and promotional data roaming rates at S$0.05 per 10kb to popular destinations, M1 customers can upload photos, send e-mails and surf the Net without worrying about receiving a “bill shock” on data roaming charges.

The roaming partnership is with iPass. You can check for hotspots using this link http://hotspot-finder.ipass.com/

Visit www.m1.com.sg/wifiroaming to view the user guide for M1 WiFi Roaming application and locate WiFi hotspots overseas.

Google is currently negotiating to buy over popular Internet messaging service WhatsApp for US$1 billion (S$1.24 billion), say reports.

Technology blog Digital Trends reported an “inside source” that said that Google has been in negotiations to buy WhatsApp for slightly over a month ago. WhatsApp is negotiating for a higher price though.

WhatsApp has been the most downloaded application on various platforms and it has changed how people communicate previously communicating using SMS.

By acquiring it, Google tends to integrate this platform messaging feature into it’s slate of products. Hopefully they will launch a desktop version if that ever happens.

A pre-release version of Facebook Home has leaked ahead of the planned 12th April Play Store release date (also the release date for the HTC First ‘Facebook phone’).

The build itself (pulled from a pre-release HTC First ROM) seems to be rather buggy and incomplete (I can’t get ‘Chat Heads’ working for example), but it’s interesting to have a play with to see what Facebook has in store for us later this week.

In order to use the leak, you need an Android device with a maximum resolution of 1280×768 and the ability to completely uninstall your existing Facebook app. This is important, as the leaked APKs are re-signed and can’t just be installed over the top of an existing installation. This will automatically exclude some devices which have Facebook installed in the base ROM. If you’re on a Nexus device you’re good! Even if you do have Facebook in ROM, provided you are rooted there are workarounds – i’ll detail these in the comments. If you have any problems installing post below and i’ll help if I can.

The leak itself is 3 APKs – the main Facebook app (‘katana’), the now-integrated-with-your-SMS Messenger app (orca) and the Home / Launcher ‘shell’ app (home). Simply install all 3 and you’re set – bear in mind you do so at your own risk!

Source

Facebook on Thursday unveiled a software suite which stakes out a “home” on Android smartphones. It is social network suite of software that integrates to HTC and Samsung phones powered by the latest versions of Android to focus experiences on “people and not apps.”

Facebook called the new software “a new way to turn your Android phone into a great, living, social phone.”

“Home is a completely new experience that lets you see the world through people, not apps,” Facebook said.

The software, which allows users to see Facebook first when they turn on their phones, will be available for download from Google’s online Play shop in the United States starting April 12, Zuckerberg said.

A version should be available in Europe in coming months, according to Facebook, which said it is in the process of tailoring “Home” for tablet computers.

Home will be available through Taiwan-based electronics firm HTC, which will launch its Facebook home-screen smartphone called HTC First, to be available through US carrier AT&T.

Zuckerberg demonstrated how a user would start with Facebook on the home screen and be able to navigate and switch back and forth between apps, and simultaneously send and receive messages through “chat heads” which are overlaid on the screen.

Analyst Trip Chowdhry said the new software is a potentially “groundbreaking experience” which could help Facebook compete with Google in the market for mobile advertising.

“Since Facebook is not imitating, they will carve a leadership position,” he said, adding that “Google missed a huge opportunity in social mobile phones.”

Apple released iOS 6.1.3 a few days ago. Those who have been faithfully upgrading their iOS for every release will probably be fuming away during the holidays.

There were a handful of reports of battery drain with the new OS version.  Some other problems also surfaced. For example, app installation takes longer than before to complete.

According to some posts on Apple communities, they suggested turning off the cloud services. It seemed to have some success in reducing the battery drain.

If nothing really works, the best way is to have a backup of the files and do a clean restore of the OS and restore back the data.

So, are you facing any issues with your iDevice ? Share by commenting below :

Forcing Windows Phone 7.8 OS update on HTC Trophy 7
29 Mar 2013

A few days ago, we received an update notice on our LG E900 also known as LG Optimus 7, the first generation Windows 7 phone. The update took almost an hour or so to bring us from Windows 7.5 to Windows 7.8.

Before the actual OS upgrade to Windows 7.8, there were a number of interim updates made to Windows 7.5 which was not made available before. It went through 5 steps to the final build.
Build 8779.8 -> 8783.12 -> 8858.136 -> 8860.142 -> 8862.144

As LG and Microsoft already pushed out their updates, we tried to see if HTC trophy 7 gets any love. To our disbelief, there were no updates available.

I did a search on the net and discovered that the old trick that we used to update to NoDo is able to trick the servers to push down the updates. We did it again and was successful to get it updated to the latest OS.

The trick is to unplug your network cable or USB network adapter at the 6 second after you click on the UPDATE button.

Here is how to go about it :

1.  Power on the HTC Trophy 7
2.  Switch the phone to AIRPLANE mode
3.  Connect up the USB cable and let it detect and install any drivers (if necessary).
4.  Run Zune
5.  Click Update and count till the 5 or 6 second
6.  Pull out the network cable or USB WiFi adaptor
7.  Wait for Zune to display “An update is found”. If it says “You are having the latest update”, proceed to step 5 and try it again.
8.  Plug your Ethernet cable or USB WiFi adaptor back to your system.
9.  Proceed with the update.

The update is automatic and do not need any human intervention. It will go through a number of updates depending on your latest OS update. Most users will start with Windows 7.5 as it was the last available update to most Trophy 7 users.

Below are the screen shots of the update process.

You can now resize the Live Tiles and get all the fixes applied to your HTC Trophy 7.

Related : LG Optimus 7 gets updated to Windows Phone 7.8