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Microsoft brings Bing app for Android phones
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Thursday, September 2, 2010
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Microsoft
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The software giant has released a new Bing search application for those Verizon customers using Android-based smartphones. The Mobile app is quite similar to the Web-based Bing, except it focuses on the kind of information one wants when searching on their cell-phone.
As posted by Andy Chu on the Bing community blog for mobile, "Today we are happy to announce the first official Bing for Mobile Android App available to Verizon customers. You can now download the free Bing App from your Verizon Wireless Android phones’ Marketplace. The app homepage features the Bing image of the day, complete with clickable hotspots that you can explore and discover related trivia".
The app allows users to search using text search as well as voice search using the mic option. It also features an Image search which has an attractive UI that lets users swipe through previews and lets them click straight through to the image host site. The app also features a mapping functionality that tries to find the user's current location when loaded, and then helps them discover interesting places around them for food, entertainment, shopping, etc. or get driving directions. Apart from this, the app allows users to view the 'Bing Image of the day' for the last 7 days.
The Bing app for Android is currently available only for Verizon customers and can be downloaded from the Verizon Wireless Android phones’ Marketplace. However, Microsoft has assured their users that the free Mobile app will also be available on other devices, as well as other carriers in the near future.
Apple announces the new Apple TV
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Apple
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Apple already had an Apple TV device which was available for $299 at launch, however they have now announced a new apple TV device. Which has undergone a fundamental shift in functionality, form factor, and purpose. While the new device will be available at a much lower price of $99, this doesn’t come without its sacrifices.
First of all the new device is all black and much smaller, which means it will fit in much better in your setup. It features minimal connectivity options, which just power, ethernet, HDMI, and optical audio connections. The device has the usual polish and appeal of any Apple device.
Unfortunately, Apple TV only supports HD videos of up to 720p just as the original version did. Apple claims this is being done to maintain a balance between bandwidth and quality. Of course this means that if you have enough bandwidth and a higher quality TV, you won’t be able to take advantage of either..
The new device is supposed to simplify using the Apple TV to watch content, and abandons the old system of syncing content from your iDevices running iTunes to your Apple TV, instead favoring direct streaming of content. The Apple TV device will however let you start watcing your content on one device only to resume watching it — from where you left off — on another device. All this will of course not come simply with the purchase of the Apple TV, but will be enabled as Apple releases newer versions of its iOS and iTunes. Since you are streaming and renting your content, the device itself has no storage!
Which brings us to the second major change in the new Apple TV system. No purchases. Yes, you will no longer be able to purchase content from your Apple TV, instead only rental options will be available. Rather than pay $2.99 for each episode of a TV show to own forever, you will now only be able to rent it, albeit at a lower price of $0.99. This works well for TV shows perhaps since many people tend to watch them only once, however the same model is applicable for movies as well, which will be $4.99 for rental, but will be available at the same time the DVD comes out.
Additionally all content will be in HD and only HD. Apple TV will be able to work without any other devices, as you will be able to rent and view content from its interface directly. Since the device has WiFi, you will still be able to stream content you own / purchased onto it from your PC. Finally, the Apple TV will also integrate NetFlix — besides YouTube, Flickr, and mobileme.
The Apple TV is up for pre-order from Apple, and will be available in 4 weeks.
Be warned: Spammers hitchhiking on World Cup hysteria
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Wednesday, June 16, 2010
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Avoid
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Spammers and hackers have always exploited the weakness of human psyche, often riding pillion with popular events or products to do their dirty work. These spams have in the past given us the chance to win PS3s, Xbox 360s on launch dates, and while 'Tickets to World Cup' was obviously on 'prize list', a different kind of scam-mail has had the internet security firm, Websense Security Lab issue warning to all eager football fanatics.
With about a circulation 80,000, this spam mail tries to inform you about 'FIFA World Cup South Africa..bad news". The text, carefully kept minimal to avoid spam detectors, states: "Hello!! FIFA World Cup 2010 scandal news, read attached document.” Control your eager hand as the attached HTML file has an embedded JavaScript, "which when run redirects you to an attack site or to a spam page", according to Websense experts.
Be warned and remember: Any sort of scandal at World Cup would be aired on 'IndiaTV' first. Just stay tuned...
ASUS unveils the Bravo220 - ‘The Eco-Friendly’ HTPC graphics card at Rs. 6,550
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Hardware
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ASUS unveils Bravo220 - an innovative home entertainment PC graphics card, that promises to rejuvenate the essence of spectacular multimedia to the next level. ASUS appears to have discovered a golden median with the Bravo220 - a prospective solution that is reportedly designed to provide cutting-edge visual fidelity while maintaining an eco-friendly profile. Bravo220 apparently symbolizes the ASUS's commitment to innovation, green principles and unsurpassed entertainment value.
Speaking on the launch of the eco-friendly graphics card, Mr. Vinay Shetty, Country Head – Components Business, ASUS (India) has reportedly said, “The Bravo220 was designed from the start with energy savings in mind. Its thermal landscape balances thrifty operation with the need for uncompromising performance as a multimedia anchor, resulting in 21% better power efficiency compared to competing models. The cooling solution also boasts of silent 0dB operation, with no fans needed. Instead, Bravo220 uses oversized heatsinks and advanced materials to ensure quick heat dissipation and greater longevity, without falling back on power-hungry active cooling, thus minimizing energy consumption”.
The integrated EMI shield of the graphics card is said to reduce emissions and thus protect users & PC components from any potential hazards. Similarly, a sturdy fuse protection is meant to guarantee long-lasting operation for this component even in the extreme case of fluctuating power supplies. This technological marvel appears to be part of Bravo220’s environmental stance, mirrored in the chic green colored heatsink attachment.
Optimized visual treat with Splendid Plus:
Bravo220 cards are purportedly designed to work in sync with an intelligent image enhancement suite called the exclusive ASUS Splendid Plus technology. ‘Splendid Plus’ is said to automatically optimize video content, reacting to ambient conditions while adjusting brightness, color and contrast – imbibing the characteristics of a human eye.
This Splendid suite is expected to work with a huge range of media formats, which is a perfect trait for a card that promises to sum up a complete home entertainment PC. For each media format, Splendid is expected to produce magically sharper, clearer and vivid images, by reducing noise and artifacts while processing high resolution images and videos.
In addition, selectable presets are said to help users pinpoint the best visual performance configuration, based on their needs and environment - gaming, theater, vivid, color and auto incorporating every usage type that needs a mention.
Bravo Media Center: the control hub of multimedia experience
Bravo220 symbolizes to be the heart and soul of a PC-based home entertainment system with a power packed feature-rich configuration backed by green principles. That precisely appears to be the prime reason for ASUS incorporating the Bravo Media Center interface, which is reportedly an intuitive and robust user package built to bridge every feature with an easy access. Apparently, most vital entertainment features are expected to be accessible through the ergonomic remote control shipped with the card.
Bravo220 does not disappoint, promising a seamless multimedia experience for everyone, with a long-lasting feeling that is comparable to a high-end consumer Audio/Video setup.
ASUS Bravo220 truly exhibits an edge over others, with power packed configuration and the promise of unsurpassed multimedia experience on a PC:
Bravo220 SILENT/DI/1GD2 specifications | |
Graphics engine | GeForce GT220 |
Video memory | 1GB DDR2 |
Engine clock | 525MHz |
Shader clock | 1360MHz |
Memory clock | 800MHz (400MHz DDR2) |
Memory interface | 128-bit |
DVI max resolution | 2560X1600 |
Bus standard | PCI Express 2.1 |
DVI output | DVI-I |
HDCP compliant | Yes |
HDMI output | Yes |
D-Sub output | Yes |
Included accessories | Light sensor Remote control Low profile bracket |
Bundled software | ASUS utilities and drivers |
Note: Specifications are subject to change without prior notice. Please visit www.asus.com for more details.
Other details about the product:
Bravo220 SILENT/DI/1GD2)
Price: Rs. 6550/- (excluding taxes)
Contact person: Mr. Vinay Shetty
Phone: (91) 22 – 67668800 / 18002090365
E-mail: media_india@asus.com
Website: www.asus.in
Warranty period: 3 years
Price: Rs. 6550/- (excluding taxes)
Contact person: Mr. Vinay Shetty
Phone: (91) 22 – 67668800 / 18002090365
E-mail: media_india@asus.com
Website: www.asus.in
Warranty period: 3 years
