Professional Laptop For Daily Uses

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

Details :
Operating System:
- Windows 7 Professional x64, upgradeable to Genuine Windows 8 Professional
Display:
- 14" HD+ (1600 x 900)
Graphics:
- Intel HD 4000 Graphics
Audio and Speakers:
- 1W x 2 speakers with Dolby Home Theatre 4.0
Networking, Wi-Fi, and Wireless Options:
- 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless LAN
- BluetoothTM 4.0
Battery:
- Integrated 4-cell RapidCharge battery (45.8Whr) 8.2 hrs
Power:
- AC Adapter
Camera:
- 720p HD webcam
Ports, Slots & Chassis:
- 1 x Mini DisplayPort
- 1 x Combo Audio
- 1 x USB 2.0
- 1 x USB 3.0
- Ethernet via USB dongle
- 4-in-1 Card Reader
- Fingerprint Reader
Color:
- Black
System Dimensions:
- 13.03" x 8.9" x 0.74"
- Weight: 3.094 lbs
Keyboard:
- Island-style six-row precision backlit keyboard

Apple MacBook Air MD760LL/A 13.3-Inch

All the Power You Want. All Day Long.

The new MacBook Air is thin, light, and durable enough to take everywhere you go -- and powerful enough to do everything once you get there. A fourth-generation Intel Core processor and Intel HD Graphics 5000 deliver high performance, while using less power. So you get remarkable battery life: up to 12 hours on this 13.3-inch model. And with up to 45 percent faster flash storage compared to the previous generation and new 802.11ac Wi-Fi for up to 3x faster wireless, the new MacBook Air is quicker and more responsive than ever.

The MacBook Air also includes both a high-speed Thunderbolt port and two USB 3 ports, enabling you to easily connect to external displays and a wide variety of high performance peripherals.
This version of the MacBook Air (model MD760LL/A) sports a 13.3-inch high-resolution display, 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5 dual-core processor (with a Turbo Boost of up to 2.6 GHz), 128 GB of flash memory storage, and 4 GB of RAM (see full specifications below). It also comes with the iLife software suite, which includes the latest versions of iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand.

Key Features

Up to 12 Hours of Battery Life

Power through your whole work day with the 13-inch MacBook Air, which delivers up to 12 hours of battery life -- more time power for word processing, presentations, email, and more . The increase is due to a larger battery (thanks to the compact all-flash storage in the MacBook Air) and the new power-efficient Intel Core processor architecture. Put the MacBook Air to sleep for more than 3 hours, and it enters standby mode to conserve battery life for up to 30 days.

802.11ac: The New Definition of Fast

The MacBook Air now supports ultrafast 802.11ac Wi-Fi. When connected to an 802.11ac base station -- including the new AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule -- wireless performance is up to three times faster than with the previous generation of MacBook Air. And your Wi-Fi range improves as well.

Flash Memory Storage

By replacing the standard spinning hard drive typically found in laptops (as well as desktop PCs) with flash memory, the MacBook Air delivers an almost instantaneous boot-up when you open the display, as well as faster application launches and snappier overall performance. Additionally, Apple has shed the enclosure that typically surrounds flash memory (usually about the same size as a standard hard drive), thus giving it a smaller footprint and helping to decrease the size of the MacBook Air.

Fourth-Generation Intel Core i5 Dual-Core Processing

The ultra-efficient architecture of the fourth-generation Intel Core i5 processor was designed to use less power and still deliver high performance. It has a 1.3 GHz speed, which can dynamically accelerate up to 2.6 GHz to match your workload thanks to updated Intel Turbo Boost Technology.
And with the Intel HD Graphics 5000 processor, you get up to 40 percent faster graphics -- performance you'll especially notice with games and other graphics-intensive tasks.

Revolutionary Thunderbolt Technology

Developed by Intel with collaboration from Apple, high-speed Thunderbolt I/O (input/output) technology delivers an amazing 10 gigabits per second of transfer speeds in both directions. Built into the MacBook Air, the Thunderbolt port allows you to connect to new Thunderbolt-compatible peripherals as well as existing USB and FireWire peripherals using simple adapters. You'll be able to move data up to 20 times faster than with USB 2.0 and more than 12 times faster than with FireWire 800, and you can daisy-chain up to six high-speed devices without using a hub. Thunderbolt also supports DisplayPort for high resolution displays and works with existing adapters for HDMI, DVI, and VGA displays.

USB 3

With USB 3 built into the MacBook Air, you can connect your external hard drive and transfer large files in seconds instead of minutes. Every MacBook Air comes with two USB 3 ports--with speeds up to 10 times faster than USB 2--and you can connect all your USB-compatible devices, including your iPhone, iPad, iPod, or digital camera.

Integrated HD FaceTime Webcam

You'll be able to easily connect with friends, family, and business colleagues using the MacBook Air's HD 720p FaceTime camera, which is integrated into the thin bezel above the display and features three times the resolution of the previous FaceTime camera. And with Apple's FaceTime application, you're not limited to video chats with other Macs--you can now make video calls to iPhone and iPod touch users.

Professional Laptop For Daily Uses

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

Details :
Operating System:
- Windows 7 Professional x64, upgradeable to Genuine Windows 8 Professional
Display:
- 14" HD+ (1600 x 900)
Graphics:
- Intel HD 4000 Graphics
Audio and Speakers:
- 1W x 2 speakers with Dolby Home Theatre 4.0
Networking, Wi-Fi, and Wireless Options:
- 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless LAN
- BluetoothTM 4.0
Battery:
- Integrated 4-cell RapidCharge battery (45.8Whr) 8.2 hrs
Power:
- AC Adapter
Camera:
- 720p HD webcam
Ports, Slots & Chassis:
- 1 x Mini DisplayPort
- 1 x Combo Audio
- 1 x USB 2.0
- 1 x USB 3.0
- Ethernet via USB dongle
- 4-in-1 Card Reader
- Fingerprint Reader
Color:
- Black
System Dimensions:
- 13.03" x 8.9" x 0.74"
- Weight: 3.094 lbs
Keyboard:
- Island-style six-row precision backlit keyboard

Apple MacBook Air MD760LL/A 13.3-Inch

All the Power You Want. All Day Long.

The new MacBook Air is thin, light, and durable enough to take everywhere you go -- and powerful enough to do everything once you get there. A fourth-generation Intel Core processor and Intel HD Graphics 5000 deliver high performance, while using less power. So you get remarkable battery life: up to 12 hours on this 13.3-inch model. And with up to 45 percent faster flash storage compared to the previous generation and new 802.11ac Wi-Fi for up to 3x faster wireless, the new MacBook Air is quicker and more responsive than ever.

The MacBook Air also includes both a high-speed Thunderbolt port and two USB 3 ports, enabling you to easily connect to external displays and a wide variety of high performance peripherals.
This version of the MacBook Air (model MD760LL/A) sports a 13.3-inch high-resolution display, 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5 dual-core processor (with a Turbo Boost of up to 2.6 GHz), 128 GB of flash memory storage, and 4 GB of RAM (see full specifications below). It also comes with the iLife software suite, which includes the latest versions of iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand.

Key Features

Up to 12 Hours of Battery Life

Power through your whole work day with the 13-inch MacBook Air, which delivers up to 12 hours of battery life -- more time power for word processing, presentations, email, and more . The increase is due to a larger battery (thanks to the compact all-flash storage in the MacBook Air) and the new power-efficient Intel Core processor architecture. Put the MacBook Air to sleep for more than 3 hours, and it enters standby mode to conserve battery life for up to 30 days.

802.11ac: The New Definition of Fast

The MacBook Air now supports ultrafast 802.11ac Wi-Fi. When connected to an 802.11ac base station -- including the new AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule -- wireless performance is up to three times faster than with the previous generation of MacBook Air. And your Wi-Fi range improves as well.

Flash Memory Storage

By replacing the standard spinning hard drive typically found in laptops (as well as desktop PCs) with flash memory, the MacBook Air delivers an almost instantaneous boot-up when you open the display, as well as faster application launches and snappier overall performance. Additionally, Apple has shed the enclosure that typically surrounds flash memory (usually about the same size as a standard hard drive), thus giving it a smaller footprint and helping to decrease the size of the MacBook Air.

Fourth-Generation Intel Core i5 Dual-Core Processing

The ultra-efficient architecture of the fourth-generation Intel Core i5 processor was designed to use less power and still deliver high performance. It has a 1.3 GHz speed, which can dynamically accelerate up to 2.6 GHz to match your workload thanks to updated Intel Turbo Boost Technology.
And with the Intel HD Graphics 5000 processor, you get up to 40 percent faster graphics -- performance you'll especially notice with games and other graphics-intensive tasks.

Revolutionary Thunderbolt Technology

Developed by Intel with collaboration from Apple, high-speed Thunderbolt I/O (input/output) technology delivers an amazing 10 gigabits per second of transfer speeds in both directions. Built into the MacBook Air, the Thunderbolt port allows you to connect to new Thunderbolt-compatible peripherals as well as existing USB and FireWire peripherals using simple adapters. You'll be able to move data up to 20 times faster than with USB 2.0 and more than 12 times faster than with FireWire 800, and you can daisy-chain up to six high-speed devices without using a hub. Thunderbolt also supports DisplayPort for high resolution displays and works with existing adapters for HDMI, DVI, and VGA displays.

USB 3

With USB 3 built into the MacBook Air, you can connect your external hard drive and transfer large files in seconds instead of minutes. Every MacBook Air comes with two USB 3 ports--with speeds up to 10 times faster than USB 2--and you can connect all your USB-compatible devices, including your iPhone, iPad, iPod, or digital camera.

Integrated HD FaceTime Webcam

You'll be able to easily connect with friends, family, and business colleagues using the MacBook Air's HD 720p FaceTime camera, which is integrated into the thin bezel above the display and features three times the resolution of the previous FaceTime camera. And with Apple's FaceTime application, you're not limited to video chats with other Macs--you can now make video calls to iPhone and iPod touch users.

3 Superb Android Tablet 2013

ASUS NEXUS 7 Jelly Bean Android Tablet

The Nexus brand represents a premium Android-based device that delivers the best Google experience available on tablet.

It's the confluence of the latest software and state-of-the-art hardware and represents a literal nexus of digital life.

Nexus 7 is Google's latest Nexus experience device and the first tablet to feature Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. It combines the best of both Google and ASUS design, with the most advanced software from Google paired with cutting edge ASUS hardware.

Nexus 7 was created for mobile gamers. With an NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, everything is faster - pages load quickly, gameplay is smooth and responsive, and running multiple apps is a breeze.

A 12-core GeForce GPU delivers advanced graphics while the patented 4-PLUS-1 CPU design gives you maximum performance when you need it and power efficiency when battery conservation is the priority.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

Maximize your productivity and creativity with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Update.

This 10.1-inch tablet features Samsung's unique S Pen technology, which lets you edit photos, create detailed illustrations, and take handwritten notes with unmatched precision and pressure sensitivity.

 Activate your favorite apps with a stroke of the S Pen, and then open and arrange up to 16 apps on your homescreen to easily switch between them and multitask.

Powered by Android 4.1, Jelly Bean, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Update provides an exceptionally fast, smooth user experience.

Details

• 10.1-inch, 1280x800 display
• 1.4GHz Exynos quad core processor
• Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich"
• 5 megapixel rear-facing camera, a 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera
• Choice of 16GB, 32GB or 64GB
• Battery life of 10 hours

Panda Pad Novo9 Spark Quad Core A31 Tablet PC 9.7 Inch 

Looking for a cheap and cheerful tablet that has plenty of power to handle even the more demanding apps? The Ainol Novo 9 Spark is worth a look.

You might not have heard of the manufacturer before, but the tablets are well worth taking a look at.
 

Details

• CPU: Allwinner A31, Cortex A7 quad core, 1.5GHz; GPU: PowerVR SGX544 MP2
• Operation System: Android 4.1.1 ( Jelly Bean )
• RAM: 2GB (DDR 3) ROM:（Memory） 16GB Nand Flash
• Screen Size: 9.7 Inch; Screen Type: Retina Screen, IPS; Screen Resolution: 2048 x 1536px
• 1 x MINI HDMI port

3 Superb Android Tablet 2013

ASUS NEXUS 7 Jelly Bean Android Tablet

The Nexus brand represents a premium Android-based device that delivers the best Google experience available on tablet.

It's the confluence of the latest software and state-of-the-art hardware and represents a literal nexus of digital life.

Nexus 7 is Google's latest Nexus experience device and the first tablet to feature Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. It combines the best of both Google and ASUS design, with the most advanced software from Google paired with cutting edge ASUS hardware.

Nexus 7 was created for mobile gamers. With an NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, everything is faster - pages load quickly, gameplay is smooth and responsive, and running multiple apps is a breeze.

A 12-core GeForce GPU delivers advanced graphics while the patented 4-PLUS-1 CPU design gives you maximum performance when you need it and power efficiency when battery conservation is the priority.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

Maximize your productivity and creativity with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Update.

This 10.1-inch tablet features Samsung's unique S Pen technology, which lets you edit photos, create detailed illustrations, and take handwritten notes with unmatched precision and pressure sensitivity.

 Activate your favorite apps with a stroke of the S Pen, and then open and arrange up to 16 apps on your homescreen to easily switch between them and multitask.

Powered by Android 4.1, Jelly Bean, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Update provides an exceptionally fast, smooth user experience.

Details

• 10.1-inch, 1280x800 display
• 1.4GHz Exynos quad core processor
• Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich"
• 5 megapixel rear-facing camera, a 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera
• Choice of 16GB, 32GB or 64GB
• Battery life of 10 hours

Panda Pad Novo9 Spark Quad Core A31 Tablet PC 9.7 Inch 

Looking for a cheap and cheerful tablet that has plenty of power to handle even the more demanding apps? The Ainol Novo 9 Spark is worth a look.

You might not have heard of the manufacturer before, but the tablets are well worth taking a look at.
 

Details

• CPU: Allwinner A31, Cortex A7 quad core, 1.5GHz; GPU: PowerVR SGX544 MP2
• Operation System: Android 4.1.1 ( Jelly Bean )
• RAM: 2GB (DDR 3) ROM:（Memory） 16GB Nand Flash
• Screen Size: 9.7 Inch; Screen Type: Retina Screen, IPS; Screen Resolution: 2048 x 1536px
• 1 x MINI HDMI port

Sony shows off its Android tablets

Sony offered the press a glimpse of its upcoming S1 and S2 tablets, which will enter an already-crowded market at an unannounced point later this year. Both run Android, but the S1 features a single 9.4-inch display, while the foldable (and pocketable) S2 features a hinge connecting a pair of 5.5-inch screens.

In a July 13 interview with CNBC , Sony Electronics president and COO Phil Molyneux explained that the S1 has an "off-center gravity point so it balances in your hand" and a "unique wraparound design." He then demonstrated both tablets, which are capable of syncing to Sony's e-reader, music and video hubs, but shied away from questions about pricing and exact release dates.

Sony's S1
(Click to enlarge)

The S1 will appear in the fall timeframe, with no supporting carriers mentioned so far for that device (both tablets are 3G/4G- and WiFi-compatible). Meanwhile, Sony did say AT&T will be the exclusive carrier of athe 4G-capable S2 in the United States, once the tablet is released sometime this year.

Sony had previously hinted at the device's capabilities in a short video that was high on whimsy and low on actual product detail. In April, the company offered a preliminary glimpse of the tablets, positioning its relatively late entrance into the market as a strategic move. "If I want to differentiate [our tablet] from others, do I release it tomorrow, or do I wait until I differentiate it?" Sony CEO Howard Stringer told Reuters at the time.

Sony was apparently toying with the idea of introducing 3D to the device. "Android 3.0 is a new version of the Android platform with a new holographic user interface that is designed from the ground up for devices with larger screen sizes, particularly tablets," Google Senior Vice President Andy Rubin wrote in a quote shoehorned into Sony's April announcement.

Sony's S2
(Click to enlarge)

According to a hands-on report from Engadget, the S1 and S2 certainly don't have 3D displays, but they do run Android 3.0 and have PlayStation gaming capabilities. The S1 is novel, however, in featuring a wedge profile designed to mimic a folded magazine, while the even-more-unusual S2 folds up and is capable of fitting into the breast pocket of a sport coat.

We additionally learned via Tweets by Technologizer editor Harry McCracken that the S1 and S2 will both feature Quick View, claimed to enable faster loading of web pages, plus software optimized for smooth scrolling. The S1 will include an infrared port so it can control TVs, McCracken adds.

In addition to the bestselling Apple iPad, the tablet market has become increasingly crowded over the past few months with Android-powered offerings from the likes of Samsung, Motorola and others. Meanwhile, rather than embrace the Android army, Research In Motion and Hewlett-Packard have released tablets running proprietary operating systems. Microsoft is planning for the next version of Windows, code-named "Windows 8," to appear in a tablet edition.

Among all those competitors, it remains to be seen whether Sony can establish a presence for itself.

Sony shows off its Android tablets

Sony offered the press a glimpse of its upcoming S1 and S2 tablets, which will enter an already-crowded market at an unannounced point later this year. Both run Android, but the S1 features a single 9.4-inch display, while the foldable (and pocketable) S2 features a hinge connecting a pair of 5.5-inch screens.

In a July 13 interview with CNBC , Sony Electronics president and COO Phil Molyneux explained that the S1 has an "off-center gravity point so it balances in your hand" and a "unique wraparound design." He then demonstrated both tablets, which are capable of syncing to Sony's e-reader, music and video hubs, but shied away from questions about pricing and exact release dates.

Sony's S1
(Click to enlarge)

The S1 will appear in the fall timeframe, with no supporting carriers mentioned so far for that device (both tablets are 3G/4G- and WiFi-compatible). Meanwhile, Sony did say AT&T will be the exclusive carrier of athe 4G-capable S2 in the United States, once the tablet is released sometime this year.

Sony had previously hinted at the device's capabilities in a short video that was high on whimsy and low on actual product detail. In April, the company offered a preliminary glimpse of the tablets, positioning its relatively late entrance into the market as a strategic move. "If I want to differentiate [our tablet] from others, do I release it tomorrow, or do I wait until I differentiate it?" Sony CEO Howard Stringer told Reuters at the time.

Sony was apparently toying with the idea of introducing 3D to the device. "Android 3.0 is a new version of the Android platform with a new holographic user interface that is designed from the ground up for devices with larger screen sizes, particularly tablets," Google Senior Vice President Andy Rubin wrote in a quote shoehorned into Sony's April announcement.

Sony's S2
(Click to enlarge)

According to a hands-on report from Engadget, the S1 and S2 certainly don't have 3D displays, but they do run Android 3.0 and have PlayStation gaming capabilities. The S1 is novel, however, in featuring a wedge profile designed to mimic a folded magazine, while the even-more-unusual S2 folds up and is capable of fitting into the breast pocket of a sport coat.

We additionally learned via Tweets by Technologizer editor Harry McCracken that the S1 and S2 will both feature Quick View, claimed to enable faster loading of web pages, plus software optimized for smooth scrolling. The S1 will include an infrared port so it can control TVs, McCracken adds.

In addition to the bestselling Apple iPad, the tablet market has become increasingly crowded over the past few months with Android-powered offerings from the likes of Samsung, Motorola and others. Meanwhile, rather than embrace the Android army, Research In Motion and Hewlett-Packard have released tablets running proprietary operating systems. Microsoft is planning for the next version of Windows, code-named "Windows 8," to appear in a tablet edition.

Among all those competitors, it remains to be seen whether Sony can establish a presence for itself.

Running Windows Programs

We have several options for running Windows-only programs in Ubuntu. For some reason we used one of these :

1. Find Linux equivalents for those programs.
2. Run the native Windows program using Wine.
3. Run the native Windows program using Crossover Office8 or Cedega.9
4. Dual boot.
5. Run an emulator.

For the first one, you can usually find some good guides if you do a Google search
for the keywords linux equivalents windows programs.
The third you'll have to pay for, but I hear good things about these programs.
I don't know how to do the fifth, and I've already provided a link to the fourth.
A bit about Wine... I don't know how it works, but it does seem to work with a lot
of simple Windows programs. I'll show you how I get Filezilla to work in Linux, as
an example.

Assuming I've already enabled extra repositories, first, I install Wine:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install wine

Then, I download the setup.exe file for Filezilla. When I double-click on it, Wine will
try to open the file. Then, the installer appears, just as if I were using Windows.
Instead of installing Filezilla to C:\Program Files\Filezilla\, I'm going to override the
default installation location and install it to
z:\home\username\.wine\drive_c\Program Files\Filezilla. For some reason, z:\ is
what Wine calls my Ubuntu partition.
Then, I set up a launcher (on the panel or in the menu) for the command wine
“z:\home\username\.wine\drive_c\Program Files\Filezilla\Filezilla.exe”
That's it. Now when I click on that launcher, Filezilla will load up.
If a Windows program does not work with Wine, you may need Crossover Office.
Cedega is a special version of Wine that's made for Windows-only games.

Running Windows Programs

We have several options for running Windows-only programs in Ubuntu. For some reason we used one of these :

1. Find Linux equivalents for those programs.
2. Run the native Windows program using Wine.
3. Run the native Windows program using Crossover Office8 or Cedega.9
4. Dual boot.
5. Run an emulator.

For the first one, you can usually find some good guides if you do a Google search
for the keywords linux equivalents windows programs.
The third you'll have to pay for, but I hear good things about these programs.
I don't know how to do the fifth, and I've already provided a link to the fourth.
A bit about Wine... I don't know how it works, but it does seem to work with a lot
of simple Windows programs. I'll show you how I get Filezilla to work in Linux, as
an example.

Assuming I've already enabled extra repositories, first, I install Wine:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install wine

Then, I download the setup.exe file for Filezilla. When I double-click on it, Wine will
try to open the file. Then, the installer appears, just as if I were using Windows.
Instead of installing Filezilla to C:\Program Files\Filezilla\, I'm going to override the
default installation location and install it to
z:\home\username\.wine\drive_c\Program Files\Filezilla. For some reason, z:\ is
what Wine calls my Ubuntu partition.
Then, I set up a launcher (on the panel or in the menu) for the command wine
“z:\home\username\.wine\drive_c\Program Files\Filezilla\Filezilla.exe”
That's it. Now when I click on that launcher, Filezilla will load up.
If a Windows program does not work with Wine, you may need Crossover Office.
Cedega is a special version of Wine that's made for Windows-only games.

Death grip isn’t quite fatal on the iPhone’s competitors

During the iPhone 4 press conference last week Steve Jobs pointed out that signal loss when a mobile phone is held in a user’s hand isn’t just something that happens to the iPhone 4. In fact it’s something that happens to any antenna when you touch it, but phone manufacturers take this into account and design around it. In addition to pointing out this fact about antenna design, Jobs called out other manufacturer’s phones saying they had variations of the iPhone 4’s problem. These phones included the BlackBerry Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris, and Samsung Omnia II. Apple’s antenna explanation page explains antenna signal loss resulting from certain grips on those phones as well as the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and Nokia N97 mini.
(By they way, Tidbits.com has an article that explains the whole iPhone 4 antenna issue, if you are interested in learning more about reception and attenuation. This would be a good time to read that if things aren’t quite clear.)
PC Mag took it upon themselves to test out a few of Apple’s claims, similar to what many of Nokia and Blackberry fans have been doing since the press conference. The result was this video:

They tested with the dBm value of the signal strength which is a much better way to look at reception than the number of coverage bars (which is filtered by a formula on the phone, as we all saw with the iPhone 4.0.1 release). Keep in mind that these are negative numbers, with reception improving as the number approaches zero. They tested the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G Slide (significant drop), Droid Incredible (minor drop), Droid X (significant), Blackberry Bold 9650 (minor), and Samsung Captivate (significant). It’s worth noting that none of these required a single finger to drop the signal significantly (or if they did it wasn’t mentioned), and some were tested with two hands to almost completely encasing the phone.
The takeaway? The so-called “death grip” does affect other phones, but the amount varies from one device to the next. And to see a significant change in reception some times completely impractical grips are necessary. No cases were tested, but that would be the next logical step.

In between the phones they tested out the grip on different foods and, inexplicably, a pink paper rabbit. This might have been a statement on how tired everyone is getting of this whole antenna issue. Or maybe they were just trying to lighten the mood.
Read more at PCmag.com.

Death grip isn’t quite fatal on the iPhone’s competitors

During the iPhone 4 press conference last week Steve Jobs pointed out that signal loss when a mobile phone is held in a user’s hand isn’t just something that happens to the iPhone 4. In fact it’s something that happens to any antenna when you touch it, but phone manufacturers take this into account and design around it. In addition to pointing out this fact about antenna design, Jobs called out other manufacturer’s phones saying they had variations of the iPhone 4’s problem. These phones included the BlackBerry Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris, and Samsung Omnia II. Apple’s antenna explanation page explains antenna signal loss resulting from certain grips on those phones as well as the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and Nokia N97 mini.
(By they way, Tidbits.com has an article that explains the whole iPhone 4 antenna issue, if you are interested in learning more about reception and attenuation. This would be a good time to read that if things aren’t quite clear.)
PC Mag took it upon themselves to test out a few of Apple’s claims, similar to what many of Nokia and Blackberry fans have been doing since the press conference. The result was this video:

They tested with the dBm value of the signal strength which is a much better way to look at reception than the number of coverage bars (which is filtered by a formula on the phone, as we all saw with the iPhone 4.0.1 release). Keep in mind that these are negative numbers, with reception improving as the number approaches zero. They tested the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G Slide (significant drop), Droid Incredible (minor drop), Droid X (significant), Blackberry Bold 9650 (minor), and Samsung Captivate (significant). It’s worth noting that none of these required a single finger to drop the signal significantly (or if they did it wasn’t mentioned), and some were tested with two hands to almost completely encasing the phone.
The takeaway? The so-called “death grip” does affect other phones, but the amount varies from one device to the next. And to see a significant change in reception some times completely impractical grips are necessary. No cases were tested, but that would be the next logical step.

In between the phones they tested out the grip on different foods and, inexplicably, a pink paper rabbit. This might have been a statement on how tired everyone is getting of this whole antenna issue. Or maybe they were just trying to lighten the mood.
Read more at PCmag.com.

HP Slate 500 pops up on company website, still running Windows 7

Without ever having been released, the HP Slate tablet has had a strange and dramatic history with many twists-and-turns. Originally held aloft by no less a personage than Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer as the first of many Windows 7 capable tablets ready to do battle with Apple’s iPad, HP then bought Palm for their webOS operating system and announced that their future tablets would eschew Windows 7 in favor of operating systems built from the ground up for multitouch.

So it’s confusing to see the HP Slate 500, version 1002tu, pop up on HP’s own website today, running on Windows 7 and — according to HP — capable of “giv[ing] yu access to photos, videos and everything on the Internet with just a touch.”

Compared to the iPad, the Slate has a few technological advantages, including dual cameras and Flash compatibility, but it’s strange to see HP waffle on this. They spent a huge amount of money on their own operating system specifically for use in mobile gadgets like tablets and smartphones, but even after the check has been written, they just don’t seem ready to bet the farm on it.

They should: Windows 7 sucks for slate-like tablets, and webOS is a good enough operating system that HP would be foolish not to staunchly support it. If Apple’s proven anything, it’s that a product can only be successful when the whole company is behind it, and webOS is very much an HP product now.

HP Slate 500 pops up on company website, still running Windows 7

Without ever having been released, the HP Slate tablet has had a strange and dramatic history with many twists-and-turns. Originally held aloft by no less a personage than Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer as the first of many Windows 7 capable tablets ready to do battle with Apple’s iPad, HP then bought Palm for their webOS operating system and announced that their future tablets would eschew Windows 7 in favor of operating systems built from the ground up for multitouch.

So it’s confusing to see the HP Slate 500, version 1002tu, pop up on HP’s own website today, running on Windows 7 and — according to HP — capable of “giv[ing] yu access to photos, videos and everything on the Internet with just a touch.”

Compared to the iPad, the Slate has a few technological advantages, including dual cameras and Flash compatibility, but it’s strange to see HP waffle on this. They spent a huge amount of money on their own operating system specifically for use in mobile gadgets like tablets and smartphones, but even after the check has been written, they just don’t seem ready to bet the farm on it.

They should: Windows 7 sucks for slate-like tablets, and webOS is a good enough operating system that HP would be foolish not to staunchly support it. If Apple’s proven anything, it’s that a product can only be successful when the whole company is behind it, and webOS is very much an HP product now.

Apple’s January 27 agenda: The iSlate, iPhone OS 4.0, and iLife 2010

Sources speculated to FoxNews on Monday that Apple’s January 27 event will include three things: A tablet, iPhone OS 4.0, and iLife 2010. According to the network, a rumored fourth-generation iPhone will not be part of the event, contradicting Korean’s market sources claiming that an improved iPhone will launch during April/May rather than the usual June/July timeframe due to the supposedly strong pressure from Google’s Nexus One. Clayton Morris, author of the FoxNews piece, wrote the following:

I spoke to a source at Apple this morning, before the invite hit my inbox, who said the event would likely focus on three projects: The tablet device, iPhone 4, and a new round of iLife 2010 software. While we won’t see new iPhone hardware just yet, we will see the next-generation software.

Note that January 27, 2010 also marks an anniversary since Apple began shipping iLife ‘09, the current version of its digital lifestyle suite. Apple boasted new iLife features at the time, such as Facebook integration, facial recognition, and photo geotagging in iPhoto, advanced editing capabilities in iMovie, and celebrity playing lessons in GarageBand, to name a few.
Readers should note that Apple has a habit (and a history, too) of re-shuffling event agendas last minute. The iPhone maker is also known for spreading false rumors itself to retain the surprise factor. Apple issued press invitations Monday morning via email, confirming it will be holding a media event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco on January 27 at 10am Pacific. An obligatory tease included the “Come see our latest creation” tagline.
Read more at FoxNews.com

Apple tablet mockup: John Kruemp/Gizmodo

Christian’s Opinion

This report builds upon the previous FoxNews piece by the same author that corroborated earlier Financial Times’ event findings. If Apple’s event is about “all things mobile” as FoxNews suggested, then iPhone OS 4.0 is a given, as is an accompanying SDK that should enable developers to write next-gen software for the iPhone platform. The iSlate announcement, however, is up for a debate because nothing is certain until Steve Jobs pulls one out of his pocket. Considering how big media put their credibility behind those iSlate rumors, I think Apple does have a new portable device up its sleeve that will take the iPhone platform to new places.
The iLife claim doesn’t surprise me. After all, the digital lifestyle suite is up for an update. I have no doubt in my mind that we’ll see a tablet-optimized iLife version because it’d turn the gizmo into a content creation device – an important distinction between a tablet and a smartphone. I also expect the iWork to follow the suit. If the New York Times is right, Apple’s tablet will run a multitouch-enabled iWork version optimized for its gesture-based interface.
I kind of expect a 4G iPhone announcement and a camera-enabled iPod touch upgrade. Strangely, Morris’ report makes no mention of a rumored Core i5 MacBook upgrade, the perfect fit for “all things mobile.” On the other hand, Apple could update MacBooks via a simple press release. Should there be important architectural changes, Jobs might give MacBooks a few minutes of air time come January 27.

Source

Apple’s January 27 agenda: The iSlate, iPhone OS 4.0, and iLife 2010

Sources speculated to FoxNews on Monday that Apple’s January 27 event will include three things: A tablet, iPhone OS 4.0, and iLife 2010. According to the network, a rumored fourth-generation iPhone will not be part of the event, contradicting Korean’s market sources claiming that an improved iPhone will launch during April/May rather than the usual June/July timeframe due to the supposedly strong pressure from Google’s Nexus One. Clayton Morris, author of the FoxNews piece, wrote the following:

I spoke to a source at Apple this morning, before the invite hit my inbox, who said the event would likely focus on three projects: The tablet device, iPhone 4, and a new round of iLife 2010 software. While we won’t see new iPhone hardware just yet, we will see the next-generation software.

Note that January 27, 2010 also marks an anniversary since Apple began shipping iLife ‘09, the current version of its digital lifestyle suite. Apple boasted new iLife features at the time, such as Facebook integration, facial recognition, and photo geotagging in iPhoto, advanced editing capabilities in iMovie, and celebrity playing lessons in GarageBand, to name a few.
Readers should note that Apple has a habit (and a history, too) of re-shuffling event agendas last minute. The iPhone maker is also known for spreading false rumors itself to retain the surprise factor. Apple issued press invitations Monday morning via email, confirming it will be holding a media event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco on January 27 at 10am Pacific. An obligatory tease included the “Come see our latest creation” tagline.
Read more at FoxNews.com

Apple tablet mockup: John Kruemp/Gizmodo

Christian’s Opinion

This report builds upon the previous FoxNews piece by the same author that corroborated earlier Financial Times’ event findings. If Apple’s event is about “all things mobile” as FoxNews suggested, then iPhone OS 4.0 is a given, as is an accompanying SDK that should enable developers to write next-gen software for the iPhone platform. The iSlate announcement, however, is up for a debate because nothing is certain until Steve Jobs pulls one out of his pocket. Considering how big media put their credibility behind those iSlate rumors, I think Apple does have a new portable device up its sleeve that will take the iPhone platform to new places.
The iLife claim doesn’t surprise me. After all, the digital lifestyle suite is up for an update. I have no doubt in my mind that we’ll see a tablet-optimized iLife version because it’d turn the gizmo into a content creation device – an important distinction between a tablet and a smartphone. I also expect the iWork to follow the suit. If the New York Times is right, Apple’s tablet will run a multitouch-enabled iWork version optimized for its gesture-based interface.
I kind of expect a 4G iPhone announcement and a camera-enabled iPod touch upgrade. Strangely, Morris’ report makes no mention of a rumored Core i5 MacBook upgrade, the perfect fit for “all things mobile.” On the other hand, Apple could update MacBooks via a simple press release. Should there be important architectural changes, Jobs might give MacBooks a few minutes of air time come January 27.

Source

Famed hacker betters Apple, cracks the latest iPhone 3GS and iPod touch

Nov. 4, 2009 (5:35 pm) By: Christian Zibreg

A then teenager who made headlines with the first-ever hack of the original iPhone is back with an updated software that can jailbreak and unlock the latest iPhone 3GS and iPod touch hardware.

A hacker known as George Hotz has updated its ingenious software tool dubbed “blacksn0w” earlier this week. The new version of the free of charge app, available for Windows and OS X, lets you easily unlock and jailbreak the iPhone 3G and 3GS, in addition to the iPod touch.

More importantly, the program can successfully jailbreak and unlock the iPhone 3GS running the iPhone OS 3.1.2 and baseband version 05.11.07, including a slightly revised iPhone 3GS and iPod touch models that Apple shipped last month. Due to hardware changes made to the October 2009 iPhone 3GS and iPod touch units, the procedure involves a so-called “tethered jailbreak.” As a result, Hotz said, users can only hardware-reset their jailbroken device by connecting it to a computer via USB.

Read more at George Hotz’s blog.

Christian’s Opinion

Jailbreaking is a procedure that counters Apple’s software measures in the iPhone OS designed to block unsigned third-party apps from reaching the homescreen. Jailbroken devices can run Apple-sanctioned apps, both free and paid, that can be found on the web. Unlocking tackles the so-called baseband software on the device that prevents its use with unauthorized carriers.

Apple is warning users that jailbreaking and unlocking voids their warranty. The company had refused to service jailbroken and unlocked iPhones in the past. Jailbreaking had been hugely popular prior to the App Store, when you could only put unofficial programs on your iPhone. After Apple had released the iPhone SDK in March 2008 and opened the floodgate for third-party apps, the interest in jailbreaking amongst average users has subdued.

However, Apple is aware that a certain percentage of iPhone users unlock their phones for use on other networks, while others only jailbreak their device to run sanctioned apps. That’s why the company is still actively engaged in a cat and mouse game with hackers, namely George Hotz and the iPhone Dev Team. I have no doubt in my mind that Apple will update both the iPhone OS and the BootROM in order to address the latest version of the “blacksn0w” tool.

Famed hacker betters Apple, cracks the latest iPhone 3GS and iPod touch

Nov. 4, 2009 (5:35 pm) By: Christian Zibreg

A then teenager who made headlines with the first-ever hack of the original iPhone is back with an updated software that can jailbreak and unlock the latest iPhone 3GS and iPod touch hardware.

A hacker known as George Hotz has updated its ingenious software tool dubbed “blacksn0w” earlier this week. The new version of the free of charge app, available for Windows and OS X, lets you easily unlock and jailbreak the iPhone 3G and 3GS, in addition to the iPod touch.

More importantly, the program can successfully jailbreak and unlock the iPhone 3GS running the iPhone OS 3.1.2 and baseband version 05.11.07, including a slightly revised iPhone 3GS and iPod touch models that Apple shipped last month. Due to hardware changes made to the October 2009 iPhone 3GS and iPod touch units, the procedure involves a so-called “tethered jailbreak.” As a result, Hotz said, users can only hardware-reset their jailbroken device by connecting it to a computer via USB.

Read more at George Hotz’s blog.

Christian’s Opinion

Jailbreaking is a procedure that counters Apple’s software measures in the iPhone OS designed to block unsigned third-party apps from reaching the homescreen. Jailbroken devices can run Apple-sanctioned apps, both free and paid, that can be found on the web. Unlocking tackles the so-called baseband software on the device that prevents its use with unauthorized carriers.

Apple is warning users that jailbreaking and unlocking voids their warranty. The company had refused to service jailbroken and unlocked iPhones in the past. Jailbreaking had been hugely popular prior to the App Store, when you could only put unofficial programs on your iPhone. After Apple had released the iPhone SDK in March 2008 and opened the floodgate for third-party apps, the interest in jailbreaking amongst average users has subdued.

However, Apple is aware that a certain percentage of iPhone users unlock their phones for use on other networks, while others only jailbreak their device to run sanctioned apps. That’s why the company is still actively engaged in a cat and mouse game with hackers, namely George Hotz and the iPhone Dev Team. I have no doubt in my mind that Apple will update both the iPhone OS and the BootROM in order to address the latest version of the “blacksn0w” tool.

Underwater Cell Phone System lets you make calls while diving

Nov. 5, 2009 (2:20 pm) By: Doug Osborne

I’ve always figured if you were scuba diving, that meant you were vacationing somewhere trying to avoid the office. So why anyone would want to invent a device that could keep you connected to your cell phone while under the sea (and potentially, your workplace), is a bit of a puzzle.

Well, regardless how I feel about it, if you really want to stay connected to your cell phone while diving, you need the Alpha UWCP. It consists of a water resistant buoy box that connects with your Bluetooth enabled phone while floating on the top of the ocean. The buoy is then connected to a 40 meter cable which attaches on the other end to a full face diving mask.

So if you want to make or take mobile calls, down beneath the waves, you use the special face mask to answer the phone or perform voice dialing. And if you spy a Great White barreling down on you in the middle of a call, no problem. The buoy cable detaches from the face mask easily for just such emergencies.

If you are a diving fanatic and prefer to leave the cell on the boat, however, I completely understand. I just hope for your sake that your boss (you know, the one that calls you all the time, even on vacation) never hears about this gadget.

Read more at SkyMall, found via Coolest Gadgets

Underwater Cell Phone System lets you make calls while diving

Nov. 5, 2009 (2:20 pm) By: Doug Osborne

I’ve always figured if you were scuba diving, that meant you were vacationing somewhere trying to avoid the office. So why anyone would want to invent a device that could keep you connected to your cell phone while under the sea (and potentially, your workplace), is a bit of a puzzle.

Well, regardless how I feel about it, if you really want to stay connected to your cell phone while diving, you need the Alpha UWCP. It consists of a water resistant buoy box that connects with your Bluetooth enabled phone while floating on the top of the ocean. The buoy is then connected to a 40 meter cable which attaches on the other end to a full face diving mask.

So if you want to make or take mobile calls, down beneath the waves, you use the special face mask to answer the phone or perform voice dialing. And if you spy a Great White barreling down on you in the middle of a call, no problem. The buoy cable detaches from the face mask easily for just such emergencies.

If you are a diving fanatic and prefer to leave the cell on the boat, however, I completely understand. I just hope for your sake that your boss (you know, the one that calls you all the time, even on vacation) never hears about this gadget.

Read more at SkyMall, found via Coolest Gadgets