Movienizer™ is a powerful movie organizer that contains features of an encyclopedia. It was developed by movie lovers specially for movie lovers.
The software is feature rich with the primary idea of organising your movies so that you can keep track of those movies.
The software integrates with IMDB allowing you to add movies and quickly lookup information that you would like to add into your database. You can learn everything about the movie including the actors, rating, awards won, cast and crew etc.
In addition to movies, you can add actors and pull out all kinds of details (movie synopsis, movie cover, movie rating, movie awards, gross, shots, filmography).
- Download Movienizer
- Portable version
- How to add a movie
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Obfuscation:
This should be the first line of defense in any application. However it doesn’t protect against automated attacks, but it will make the initial attack more difficult by removing symbols that would easily reveal the original configuration of the compiled application. There are plenty of open source and commercial obfuscators available for Java that will work with Android application.
Afirewall:
AFirewall is the free version of Android Firewall which blocks incoming calls from numbers you specify. If you don’t wants to receive a particular call from a person then install this superb application. This application works fantastically and is a must have for anyone who wants to block incoming calls from telemarketers, bill collectors or your run of the mill harassing calls.
Droidhunter:
It is a security service for Android with inbuilt anti-virus, interruption detection, online managing service and incoming alerts. This app is similar to the traditional desktop security software except that it looks for Android specific threats. Android phone scans as “Very Clean” but user reviews report the interception of suspicious apps as well as other Android security threats. This program comes in a free version as well as a paid version which can be used to locate a lost or stolen phone.
App protector:
It is an application which allows you to lock your choice of applications on your Android phone. You can set a password, and when you try to enter a protected app, you will be asked to enter the password. Useful if your phone is stolen or if you store information on your phone you’d rather not have accessed by people you let look at your Android phone. Protect as many or as few applications as you like and remove the password lock on applications at anytime. One thing to keep in mind is you will want to protect your uninstaller application, so a person can’t simply uninstall this program to remove the password locks and then access your sensitive information. This program comes in a free time-limited trial (7 days). You can remove the password anytime, but a person can’t simply remove the password locks by uninstalling the application.
Modifying the license library is another technique you can use against mugger. This will make it difficult for an attacker to modify the disassembled code and get a positive license check. This technique protects against people trying to break your function and it also foil attacks that target your application through other applications. You will want to adjust three main areas in the license library – the core library logic, entry/exit points in the library, and the code that your application uses to raise the licensing library and handle its response. As the modern smartphone is just as powerful as desktop computers, so it needs a security update mechanism and should be confined well.
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Emptying the Trash:
One of the quickest ways to clean up your hard drive is to empty your Recycle Bin (Trash Bin for Mac users) frequently. You can do this by either clicking on the bin, then selecting to empty the bin, or you can use the Cleanup utility offered by Windows. Open My Computer, right-click a hard drive icon, select Properties, and then click the Disk Cleanup button. This one action will allow you to free up a large amount of drive space that was occupied by superfluous files.
Removing Old Files:
Old files also misuse some space on your hard drive, If you are running low on hard drive space, then you should clean up your hard drive by removing files that you no longer use. Windows users can try the Add/Remove Programs utility to “uninstall” unwanted programs. On Macs, Appzapper goes through your application folder, helping you to remove unneeded and unused software. If you run Ubuntu Linux, try the built-in Disk Usage Analyzer, for other Linux/Gnome environments. You can use it to find large files, overstuffed folders, and other hard-to-find junk. Mac users may also want to check out grandperspective, which does a similar job.
Over the time, you could have dozen copy of the same file lying in different corners of your system. The best place is to hunt them down and eliminate them before they take control of the hard disk. Fslint is a utility to find and clean various forms of lint on a file system, especially duplicate files and broken symlinks. If you wants to use a free addition then go for “system care” which is a very useful tool for windows computer.
Run a Virus Scan: Make sure to scan your computer for viruses and spyware on a regular basis; if you leave your computer for a span of time each day that is a great time to run a scan. There are a lot of antivirus out in the market. Norton and McAfee are two of the most popular. Remember that you must keep your subscription to these packages up-to-date in order to protect yourself against new viruses.
Keep your desktop clean:
If you save a lot of stuff to your desktop, it takes long time for your computer to boot up once Windows starts. A good idea is either to move things to “My Documents” or create folders for each grouping of icons on your desktop and move the icons to the folders. It will be better if you are going to keep these file for a long time then it is safer to move these files to another drive so that when you starts windows it won’t take more time further.
The next thing you should run is the Disk Defragmenter:
When you store stuffs on your hard drive, they get put in different places, and that means your computer has to search through more of your hard drive in order to find an item. Defragmenter puts data in a more rational order, so your computer will know where to look. You can also find Disk Defragmenter under Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools. Select your C: / Drive and click “Analyze.” The analysis will tell you whether or not you need to defragment your disk. If you do, click on the button that says “Defragment;” after it organizes your data, your hard drive will be cleaned and run faster.
Don’t be afraid to uninstall programs that you don’t use anymore. Keeping your computer clean may not make you anymore consecrate, but is a worthwhile attempt. Remember, just like anything else, your computer hard drive needs to be kept clean in order to work properly. Keep up with these steps and your computer will continue running fast and your hard drive will stay clean!
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Finding a dedicated server provider no longer has to be a problem as they offer high quality services that can be used by anyone without a problem. The companies are offering premium servers that are custom made to suit the needs of all the clients satisfactorily. The server which features includes dedicated resources and has full administration access which makes it very efficient. It also has flexible hardware configurations that are ideal for any hosting requirement.
Individuals looking for semi dedicated services are not left behind as the hosting companies also offers dedicated resources specifically for this. The service is offered at fractions of the costs which enables one to save money and get high quality services at the same time. Here clients get to enjoy full administrator/ root access and highly protected data.
The collocation services with state of the art facilities that make it reliable and effective is one of webmaster choice. This come with safe 24/7 monitoring, power back up, UPS protection as well as fire suppression. The hosting companies have open communication lines that can be used to reach them anytime to get more details on how they can be of help.
Cheap web hosting for individuals who are concern with their budget always look and compare companies who are offering economy deals. 4 Cheap Web Hosting is a guide to the best rated affordable web hosting packages available online. This hosting guide has more than 200 approved web hosts with over 400 cheap web hosting packages listed. It offers a number of reliable and high quality services where one can choose the ones that are most suited for them. Some of the services include a data center, dedicated unparalled support among others.
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Fly ST230 is a feminine slider phone available in Russia market with pink casing and high quality plastic. The phone operates at frequencies of GSM 900/1800 Mhz|GSM 900/1800 Mhz.
Fly ST230 mobile phone featuring 2.2-inch TFT LCD display with resolution 320×240 pixels (QVGA), 2M pixel camera+webcam, music player, FM radio, Bluetooth 2.1, and microSD / microSDHC card slot (up to 16GB). The talk time up to 4-hours with 350-hours for standby time.
Fly ST230 offers a wide variety of traditional functions, such as recorder, organizer with calendar functions, alarm clock, tasks, alarms, a calculator and timer. New product will be available this month for 3,790 rubles.
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Hitachi Global Storage Technologies has just introduced its new Travelstar Z5K500 hard drive which is the second generation 7mm, 5400 RPM with capacities ranging from 250GB to 500GB. The drive is using Advanced Format technology, which increase of the sector size from 512 to 4,096 bytes.
With its slim profile and high capacities, the Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 drive family delivers the best cost per gigabyte and gigabyte per cubic millimeter (GB/mm3) when compared to solid state drives (SSD), and 2.5-inch and 1.8-inch 9.5mm HDDs. The Travelstar Z5K500 drives are also available with optional bulk data encryption (BDE) technology for drive-level data security, and a version will also be available for Enhanced Availability applications.
Travelstar Z5K500 delivers the right balance of capacity, power-management and design flexibility to meet the needs of mobile applications. he 500GB G-Technology G-DRIVE slim will be shipping to retailers in early Q1 2011. Pricing has not been set.
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Kingmax has just announced its stylish sporty look USB Flash Drive that called the Kingmax PD-30 and the Kingmax PD-33. PD-33 comes in the capacity of 2GB to 32GB with the color of sparkly orange and eagle gray.
The Kingmax PD-30 flash drive available only in 4GB and 8GB and having three colors options such as White/Lightning Green, White/Silver, White/Sparkly Orange. Here is the Kingmax PD-30 and PD-33 specifications:
* Automotive H8R35DJGYWQ5 color (refinish coatings) of the body
* Capless slide-out retractable USB connector
* 4GB and 8GB storage capacities (Kingmax PD30)
* 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB storage space (Kingmax PD33)
* Compatible with Hi-Speed USB 2.0
* Windows 7 compatible
* ROHS compliance
* Dimensions: 59.4 x 19.1 x 11.4 mm
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Making the Motorola BRAVO somewhat distinctive, the company included the latest version of Motorola's MOTOBLUR UI, which makes it easier to deal with communications such as emails and updates in one space.
Because it uses Android, your Gmail account and other Google applications like Google Search are within your fingertips.Measuring 109.5 x 63 x 13.3 mm and weighing just 122 grams, the new smart phone offers 3G HSDPA 850/1900; Adobe Flash 10.1 support; 480 x 854 pixels FWVGA 16 million color capable display, 2GB internal memory, 512-MB Flash memory and pinch and zoom and double tap features.
In addition, the Motorola Bravo is 3G network ready, as well as WCDMA 850/1900 GSM 850/900/1800/1900. And for data connectivity, it adds in Stereo Bluetooth v2.1 EDR with A2DP, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n wireless networking with DLNA, GPRS class 12, EDGE class 12, 3G HSDPA 7.2 Mbps and a 3G HSUPA 2.0 Mbps connection. It also features a 3.15 MP digital camera that includes a digital zoom lens, auto-focus, Geo-tagging and image stabilization.
The design of this device was developed for ease of portability. It has a streamlined, curved design to make it easier to fit in a pocket or purse. The touch screen capabilities on the phone have been improved to provide a more fluid navigational experience. Motorola has also designed this phone to be environmentally responsible. The phone's built with 25% recycled plastic and is PVC free with eco-friendly packaging. Motorola also invests in energy efficiency sources and reforestation projects, in an effort to offset the carbon footprint generated by the manufacture and usage of the Citrus.
The touch screen features a digital QWERTY keyboard and a pinch-to-zoom navigation enabling a fluid flick navigation. One of the most advanced features of this smart phone is its web browsing capability. The Motorola Citrus has a functional HTML browser, that provides a quick and convenient access to your Google and Twitter account. The Android equipped system allows the user to surf the web, text, listen to music and other activities with no drop in performance. Enjoy multi-tasking with the Citrus. The Citrus also has a feature called Backtrack, which allows for easy navigation of web pages, music, and screen panels, etc. with unfettered views, as it controlled on the back of the phone so your hand is not on the way.
USB, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity are featured in the Citrus. This allows connection with printers and computers and other devices. While the Citrus comes with a standard charger, an automobile charger is available for on the go. The life of the Citrus can last up to 380 minutes. As far as memory capabilities, the Citrus has 2 gigabytes of microSD memory pre-installed, and has support for up to 32 additional GB of memory. The Citrus is an ideal phone for many people on budget as it is highly affordable smart phone.
True to its name, the Kodak PlaySport ZX3 HD video camera is both playful and sporty. Available in choice of sleek purple, blue, or black, this pocket-sized camcorder has rounded edges, a rubberized grip, and a drop-safe soft-touch textured plastic exterior for a combination of ergonomic comfort and stylish personality.
A step up from its weather-resistant predecessor, the ZX1, the ZX3 is fully waterproof, able to function in water up to 10 feet deep thanks to powerful locking doors that secure the battery, ports, and SD card tight against damage. And that protection extends beyond just from water to impact as well. That means you can easily carry this lightweight, compact, fearless little device with you to capture the highs of any great adventure, from snorkeling to rock climbing to hang gliding. Truly, the Kodak PlaySport ZX3 can go anywhere that you can and take just about as much of a beating.
But the strength of a pocket video camera is about more than just durability under extreme conditions, and it’s more than just about how good the gadget looks. It’s also about how good an image it takes. And on that front, don’t let the size of this little wonder fool you. The ZX3 may be small but it can shoot big subjects from far away with as much clarity and richness of color and texture as any full-sized camcorder. The PlaySport has a seamless 4x digital zoom and can shoot in a wide range of options, from still photo to 1080p HD. And with built-in electronic image stabilization it provides razor sharp picture quality, even for the most extreme action scenes.
The other important quality you don’t sacrifice for size, ruggedness, or style with the Kodak PlaySport ZX3 is features. All it takes is one look at the face of the device to see how much this handy – and handsome – little memory-maker can do, with a bevy of options for both manual and automatic settings.
Provided by alaTest.com, helping consumers with their shopping decisions since 2005
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Today's post is about the Top 3 Unlocking Software Sites that is capable in unlocking your iPhone or other device on its own -the software only needs to be installed. It will unlock your device in a matter of minutes. The top 3 sites are listed below:
1. Auto iPhone Unlocker
Auto iPhone Unlocker is the best software out there. It unlocks device really fast.Unlocking phones is a bit of a sideline business of mine, and I've used this app myself on over 25 phones and iPads for clients and customers, as well as friends. All you have to do is download it to your PC (or Mac), install it, hit "Jailbreak" and then wait maybe 5 minutes for the process to finish. You only need to click the "jailbreak" button and it will do its job. What does this mean? With a complete jailbreak, you can not only install 3rd party apps, but you can also use the device on 3rd party carriers other than ATT (which Apple forces on you). With an incomplete jailbreak, you can install 3rd party apps, but are still stuck with ATT. Some people don't like the fact that this company only takes PayPal, but hey - to me that says that they are reputable and plan on being around for awhile. That being said, it is, by far, the best unlocker software out there.
2. iJailbreak Machine
This app, overall, is a good unlocker as it only takes about 10 minutes after installation.My biggest complaint about them was that they don't offer a complete jailbreak. This might not be a big issue for you, if you don't care what carrier you use. For me it was big though. As a result, the cost is a wee bit less, so they're worth checking out. Also, they don't offer customer service over the phone which could pose as a problem. They only offer customer service via email.
3. Global Unlocker for iPhone
The only reason that this product made it into my Top 3 was that they're above board. They do actually jailbreak your phone, and they won't just steal your money, unlike half of the apps out there for jailbreak software. This app has been around long. Unlocking took almost 25 minutes, including 15 minutes on the phone with tech support to get it done, mainly because their instructions were inadequate. They are also more expensive than #s 1 and 2 up above. Overall grade of C.
On Millionaire Fair Amsterdam, Samsung Galaxy Tab Luxury Edition is one of the gadgets with specs of this device is similar to the original Galaxy Tab.
The Luxury Edition of the tablet pc comes with a leather case and Bluetooth headset, powered by Google Android 2.2 OS, a 7-inch 600 x 1024 pixels resolution display, HSDPA, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS, two cameras and a 1GHz processor.
Galaxy Tab Luxury Edition will be available from December 15, 2010 to January 31, 2011. It comes with a price tag of 749 euros (approx. $990).
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Velocity Micro bring a new Android tablet called Cruz Tablet T301 with 800×600 capacitive touchscreen display with 4:3 ratio.
The memory of Cruz Tablet T301 is 256MB with 4GB internal storage space and you can upgrade using SD memory card. The operating system using Android 2.0 with 802.11n wifi connectivity. You can buy T301 Cruz Tablet via Amazon with price $249.99.
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This 65-inch Vizio XVT3D650SV allows you to be completely immersed in the action. With four pairs of polarized, battery-free, 3D glasses included, you can immediately share the excitement with friends and family! The Theater 3D glasses will come in multiple styles, require no charging, and are compatible with most movie theaters.
The 5 HDMI ports let you attach a good number of home theater accessories includes SRS TruSurround HD and SRS TruVolume. This 3D HDTV also includes VIZIO Internet Apps® and built-in dual-band 802.11n WiFi, giving you the convenience of on-demand movies, TV shows, social networking, music, photos, and more. The XVT3D650SV will be available in December at Costco Wholesale, Sam’s Club stores and online with a suggested member value of $3,499.99.
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But now, Best Buy is offering a more affordable solution--and one that gives buyers even more options--by bundling the iPad with a Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint Mi-Fi device for free, so long as you subscribe to a two-year contract with the respective carrier.
The Mi-Fi hubs offer connectivity for up to 5 different Wi-Fi devices, including the iPad, with the Sprint hub, the Overdrive, exclusively offering 4G connectivity. The deal won’t last long, however, and will end on January 2.
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The Kno is a 14.1-inch, color touchscreen tablet that comes with a stylus for note-taking, and is available either as a single-screen or dual-screen device, the latter sporting hinges and closing like a book.
When asked about the screen size, Kno CEO Osman Rashid said, "The readability of the content, it must, at a minimum, look exactly like the way a physical book appears to you." He added that they tested other, smaller screen sizes and weren’t satisfied until they ended up with the 14.1-inch screen size.
"At the end of the day, we [knew] that eTextbooks [would] not work on laptops [because] you have to scroll left and right, up and down every couple of minutes, which gets annoying," he said.
The educational tablet is powered by the Nvidia Tegra T200 series CPU and a dual-core ARM Cortex processor, clocking in at 1.0 GHz, and comes with 512 MB of on-board memory.
In an interesting departure from featuring the most notable tablet operating systems, Android OS or iOS, the Kno instead runs on Ubuntu 9.10, a Linux operating system.
The Kno will also have its own digital bookstore, offering up tens of thousands of textbooks for students to download at prices roughly 30 to 50% lower than physical copies would cost.
Ostensibly, these cheaper textbook prices will help students save some money after the amount they spend on the Kno, which costs $599 for the single-screen and $899 for the dual-screen. Rashid said that after three semesters of schooling, the Kno will have paid for itself through textbook savings.
"When you do the math, it actually pays for itself and saves $1,300 in digital textbook costs," he said.
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Recently, a lot of new smart phones have hit the market that if you've seen one you would think you have seen them all. Until that next big new tech comes along, what can you possibly do to a phone that really makes it stand out? If you hear that a new smart phone is just released, you would immediately think of the features of every smart phone out there - Bluetooth, GPS, Wi-Fi, built-in sensors, and a full range of apps. The mere notion of a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor was once exhilarating. Today, you would not even recognize what it is. And what of all these new phones hitting the market for the holidays? Somehow it is just spinning the same configuration to create an entirely "new smart phone".
That's what we though about all the new smart phones in the market, at least until news of the all-new Samsung Continuum leaked. Now, what Samsung has changed up for this Continuum phone is give it a second OLED screen that operates as a ticker; think stock ticker or ESPN ticker. As soon as the device is held, that portion will be turned on automatically. All of the other power-consuming features remain off. While it's on, the ticker will constantly steam different channels of information: RSS, twits, stock information, sport scores, you name it. You decide what it streams.
Hardware wise, the Continuum boasts a 1 GHz Hummingbird CPU, 348 MB of RAM, 512 MB of ROM, 2 GB of on-board flash storage, and a preloaded 8 GB microSD card. The Continuum features a 480 by 800 resolution in a 3.4 inch screen. The second display will be using a 1.8-inch screen with a 96 by 480 resolution. It also has a 5MP built-in camera that comes with a LED flash and records a video at 720p. The smart phone runs off of the Android 2.1, has 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, 3G mobile, and it serves as a hotspot for up to five devices.
The camera is one of the good aspects of the LG Octane. Its camera is better than most smart phones built in camera. The 3.2 megapixel camera will allow you to take great photos of your friends and family whenever you may want to. This is made even easier by the physical shutter button and the bright flash. The new smile detection technology is what, I think, makes it truly unique. It can often be difficult to take great photos of your friends because it is so difficult to get them to smile on command. It automatically detect a smile, snap a photo, thus, preserving it forever.
If you mostly use your cell phone to keep in touch with your friends and family via the various social media technologies, then you will absolutely love this phone.Composing many text messages and status updates is easy with its full QWERTY keyboard. All of the social networking sites that you love, like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Skype are all built-in and easily accessible right from the home screen of the LG Octane. Aside from the QWERTY keyboard, a full multi-touch screen can also be used for browsing the Internet and manipulating the applications.
Another notable feature on this device will be of particular interest to people who like playing video games. The LG Octane smart phone has brought back the D-Pad. When touch screen phones were introduced, gamers were assured that the loss of the physical buttons would not affect the enjoyment of their video games. While this was sometimes true, many gamers lamented the loss of physical buttons like the D-Pad. Now, you will finally get to play all those old games that you simply were not able to play on touch screen phones.
Whether it is a LG Optimus phone that is being considered for purchase or accessories, a consumer is likely to get value for his money. The LG Optimus phone is filled with features that everyone is looking for in a smartphone.
Some of the features include a 3 inch touch screen that allows users to conveniently navigate different menus to find applications. Another nice thing is the ability to change from portrait to landscape mode on the fly, as the owner sees fit to do. The designers have worked tirelessly to make this device portable, and weighing in at a little more than 115 grams total, they have succeeded in their endeavor.
Accessories for LG Optimus such as skin covers and charging stations are also available for user who want to protect their phones. The operating system uses Android to run its many functions and there are most of the familiar apps from Google built in. It doesn't matter if it is checking on contacts or watching video, this phone is likely to support this type of activity. Important messages won't be missed for the smartphone is also equipped with Wi-Fi. There is also no reason to be without those important contacts, as the phone has 130 MB of RAM integrated as well. For users who want more storage capacity, the LG Optimus is capable of adding up to 32 GB through the microSD slot. For music lovers, a convenient 3.5mm headphone jack is included to plug in a compatible headset.
For the social networking crowd, applications such as Facebook, Twitter and even Bebo are integrated into the software package, allowing status updates to be performed quite easily. The integration of social network makes it easy for friends and family to keep in touch. The Internet hasn't been left out as the built in browser is able to surf the web quite freely. Users can find the information they need and save it to their bookmarks.
The 3.15 mega-pixel camera is at the back of the phone and will take pictures or shoot videos when needed. An FM radio is included so users can listen privately through the 3.5mm headphone jack if needed. Many different video formats are supported as well, including MP4, DivX and WMV. The new LG Optimus series is considered to be one of the better smart phones that offers a wide variety of multi-media experiences. With something for everyone, the affordability and feature rich package make this gadget worth purchasing.
Fujitsu has announced the latest Tablet PC namely, Fujitsu DL Pad which runs on Windows 7 operating system. It’s a 12-inch tablet aimed at businesses with data encryption and a screen that employs e-signature technology with stylus too.
Since this Fujitsu DL Pad tablet runs the Microsoft Windows 7 OS, it can be assumed that an Intel platform lies at its core, although whether it is Pine Trail or perhaps Oak Trail is a mystery. Also features with 3M pixel webcam, USB port, Windows 7, 7 hour battery with a weight of 950-grams and 14 – 20mm thickness to this slate. No price available yet.
This post Fujitsu DL Pad 12-inch Windows 7 Tablet PC brough to by Laptop Review. Visit Gadgets Review for information about gadget and technology
Electronic Arts and its Criterion Games studio have released the new Need for Speed Hot Pursuit racing game at retail stores in North America. Need for Speed Hot Pursuit is available for Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 ($59.95), PC and Nintendo Wii ($49.95) gaming systems, as well as on the AppStore for iPhone and iPod touch devices for $4.99.
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit comes packaged with an Online Pass for Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network that gives players access to head-to-head multiplayer, two exclusive cars - the Lamborghini LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni and the Lamborghini LP 570-4 Superleggera - and 10x the storage capacity at no extra charge.
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit is poised to transform online racing by bringing to life the adrenaline and intensity of high speed cop pursuits and changing the way that people connect and compete with their friends. Need for Speed Hot Pursuit introduces a revolutionary social network called Need for Speed Autolog, which seamlessly connects players with their friends by automatically tracking and comparing each person’s performances. Autolog also serves up challenges based on what your friends have been doing, creating a simple, yet brilliantly dynamic social-gaming experience.
Both SAM and SSM AF motorized Alpha lenses will be supported by the VG10, this NEX based pro Full HD camcorder with APS-C sized Exmor sensor. To use these Alpha lenses with the VG10E, you will need to download the free firmware update (if you are registered on sony.com) and update your camcorder. But that is not it. You will also have to update the firmware of the Alpha-to-NEX adapter, the LA-EA1 which is required to screw one of the 14 Sony or Carl Zeiss Alpha lenses on the NEX cameras or camcorder. Note that Sony also announced developing a new professional Super-35 camera based on the E-mount as well : the Sony NXCAM HD.
The NEX-VG10E Full HD camcorder.
Sony is a leading global innovator of audio, video, communications and information technology products for both the consumer and professional markets. Sony is renowned for its audio-visual products, such as the BRAVIA™ LCD high-definition television, Cyber-shot™ digital camera, Handycam® camcorder, “a” (pronounced Alpha) digital SLR camera, and Walkman® MP3 player as well as its VAIO™ personal computers and high-definition (HD) professional broadcast equipment, highlighted by the XDCAM® HD. Offering a complete end-to-end HD value chain and with its electronics, music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is one of the world’s leading digital entertainment brands, employing approximately 170,000 people worldwide.
Handycam® NEX-VG10E owners can now enjoy autofocus operation when using their camcorder with a wide range of optional A-mount interchangeable lenses.
Available now for download, a free firmware upgrade adds autofocus support with 14 A-mount SAM and SSM lens models. AF compatibility of the NEX-VG10E with A-mount lenses requires the optional LA-EA1 Mount Adaptor, plus a separate firmware upgrade for the LA-EA1.
The upgrade lets videographers enjoy smooth, accurate AF operation with the family of A-mount optics that includes telephotos, primes and zooms by Sony and Carl Zeiss.
The latest firmware upgrade by Sony for registered Handycam® NEX-VG10E customers is available free of charge from http://support.sony-europe.com/dime/camcorders/hd/msc/msc.aspx?&m=NEX-VG10E.
Through its long-term football partnerships as an official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League until 2012, Official FIFA Partner until 2014 and global sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™ in 2010 and 2014, Sony is inspiring a sense of excitement for the millions of football fans around the world.
For more information on Sony Europe, please visit www.sony-europe.com
“Sony”, “WALKMAN”, “VAIO”, “Cyber-shot”, “Handycam”, “a”, “BRAVIA” and “XDCAM” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Corporation. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners
When I picked up my iPod Touch three months back, I did not know how much I'd fall in love with it. Since then I have used it less for listening to music and more for the various apps that the store has to offer.
Apple recently revealed the brand new iPod Touch 4th generation. The biggest addition to this are the two cameras that have been added to the iPod Touch, one in the front and one at the back. This brings Facetime to the iPod, which means complete video calling whenever you are connected to a Wi-Fi network.
Another great addition is the retina-display which means you can forget about the granularity you see in the display. So, go ahead and enjoy the movie or gaming experience. And, the camera isn't just there to take photos. You can record high quality HD videos at the touch of a button.
The Apple iPod Touch 4th Generation will be available for $299 (32GB) and $399 (64GB) for the high-end models.
So, will you be picking up one now?
Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) Russia mobile operator release a new mobile phone called MTS Trendy Touch 547. But the device create by ZTE China and already bring Vodafone 547 and T-Mobile Vairy Touch II.
The MTS Trendy Touch 547 smartphone has 2.8-inch touchscreen display with 240×400 pixel WQVGA, 2M pixel camera, works in GSM / GPRS / EDGE 900/1800 MHz network and FM radio. Another features like FM radio, media player, 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 2.0, 20MB internal memory, and microSD card slot (up to 8GB).
The price of MTS Trendy Touch 547 is 2,990 rubles or 3,490 rubles (unlocked) without any service plan with weight only 83-grams.
The concern for internet safety is a global phenomenon, mostly for those who are new-fangled to internet. While the prevalence of social networking websites, online communities and internet-enabled processes should be great news for individual, corporate and government users, the concern for safety remains a major source of concern. The 21st century is the age of computers and World Wide Web. Everyone starting from child to old is accustomed with web browsing. But the question arises how much we are safe on the internet? Hackers and malicious software is a great threat to our individual online privacy. So we need to protect our self from these dangerous aspects of internet. Following are some steps that can ensure a safe browsing practice.
1–Use Common Sense
To browse the internet safely, it’s best if you do so by using common sense. Do not click on advertisements that may harm your computer, and stay away from sites that promise “free” items, cash or other services simply by entering your personal information. Just because a website looks official, this does not mean that it can’t harm your computer.
2 – Use a Firewall
To improve the safety of your internet browsing, it’s highly recommended that you install some high-quality firewall software. Having a firewall can help prevent programs from infiltrating your computer, and may also protect against some hackers or internet criminals. Some operating systems (such as Windows 7) include a built-in firewall, which should be enabled at all times in order to protect your computer. Even though using a firewall may cause some programs to have difficulty functioning, it’s best if you gain enough technical knowledge to properly use your firewall software.
3- Use Strong Passwords
Ensure data security by using strong passwords for your online accounts and your system files. Do not use your name or birth date as a password since they are easy to crack. Instead, use a password that contains alphanumeric characters and is at least eight characters long. Also, do not store passwords on your system. If remembering all your passwords is difficult, use a password manager program to organize and manage your passwords. A good password manager program will encrypt all your passwords that it manages. In addition, never share your password with anyone else.
4- Install Antivirus and Antispyware Tools
Use an antivirus and an antispyware tool to keep your system protected from malicious programs, such as viruses, worms, adware, and spyware. Configure these tools to perform regular full system scans on your computer. Also keep these tools up-to-date with the latest virus definitions and security updates to enable them to identify and protect your system from the latest threats. Although the Internet has simplified our daily activities, it is essential that you take the necessary protection to keep your computer safe.
5 – Be Aware
When other people are using your computer, it’s best if you supervise their activities. Even if a friend asks to check their email, its best if you have them login under a other account that you have created for others to use. Having a Guest account on your computer enables you to allow others to use your computer without having to worry about them installing potentially malicious software. When creating a Guest account, disable sharing of important files on your computer. In addition to this, you should always make sure that any sensitive files are password-protected. Don’t load non-essential programs off the Internet, especially things like toolbars, screensavers, or video programs. These programs normally install extra, malicious software that causes problems and often requires a repair to remove effectively. Don’t click on anything in a pop-up and unsolicited links received in email, instant messages, or chat rooms, as it might install malware.
6- Do Not Open Attachments from Unsolicited Emails
Attachments that come with unwanted emails can contain malicious programs, such as viruses and worms. These malicious programs often cause severe damage to your system. Therefore, it is best that you straight away delete any unwanted emails you receive. You must also scan the attachments that you obtain from known sources before opening them. It is recommended that you install antispam software that can automatically scan and prevent impure emails from appearing in your email program’s inbox.
7- Lock icon in the browser doesn’t means it’s secure
When the lock icon appears in the browser, many of us believe we are opening a secure site. This is because the lock icon indicates there is an SSL encrypted connection between the browser and the server to protect the personal sensitive information. However, it does not present any security from malware. In fact, it’s the reverse because most Web security products are totally blind to encrypted connections: it’s the perfect vehicle for malware to penetrate a machine. There have been many cases where hackers emulate bank, credit card sites complete with spoofed SSL certificates that are difficult for a user to identify as deceptive. So keep away from the unknown site which shows lock icon.
8- Keep your Operating System, Software, and Drivers Up-To-Date
It is important that you keep your operating system, software, and drivers updated with the latest software, and security releases from the manufacturer on a usual basis. Using the most recent version of a program will remove any security susceptibility that may have been present in its previous version. As a result, your computer will be less horizontal to viruses and malware infections that use security vulnerabilities. This makes you safer when you use internet.
TiVo is set to release its new TiVo Premiere app for the iPad, which will be available as a free download from Apple's iTunes App store in the coming weeks. TiVo recently announced Holiday pricing for the TiVo Premiere box which costs $99.99 with a one-year commitment of $19.99 per month, and the TiVo Premiere XL box which costs $299.99 with a one-year commitment at $19.99 per month.
The video below shows a pretty cool TiVo Premiere App in action. The app enables you to search, browse, select and watch entertainment content, and it also acts as a great remote control and user interface for TiVo Premiere.
By bringing its best in class high-definition user interface to iPad, TiVo has created a true two-screen TV experience. TiVo Premiere users will get access to a full set of TiVo capabilities on iPad, providing a richer TV viewing experience for both live TV and Internet video while kicking back on the sofa. Plus, users will also be able to schedule and manage their DVR recordings while on-the-go.
TiVo Premiere App for iPad features include:
- Gesture based control -- Take complete control of all recordings, even dragging forward and back through a show with a simple tap or swipe
- Start watching what you want -- Launch a recorded show, live TV or streaming video with the swipe of a finger
- Program guide -- Browse your full-screen TV program guide without interrupting TV viewing
- Schedule -- Schedule one-time recordings and Season Pass recordings from the device at home or on-the-go
- Get more from your shows and movies -- Explore cast and crew and other recommendations of your favorite shows without interrupting the big screen
- Search -- Search for all of your favorite TV shows, movies, actors or directors across both broadcast and broadband from Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, and more
- Share comments with your friends -- From within the TiVo Premiere App, comment and share your thoughts to Facebook or Twitter about the show you are currently watching.
View the original article here
ROAM Data launched today the world's first encrypted audio coupled card reader for BlackBerry® devices, which comprises approximately 30% of the smart phone market in the US. ROAM enables the millions of merchants with BlackBerry devices to securely swipe customers' payment cards with reduced transaction fees by conveniently plugging-in ROAM's low cost reader into the audio jack - see video demo. This unique swiper solution called ROAMpay Swipe is the latest in a series of mCommerce innovations brought to market by ROAM Data.
"Our goal is to bring the most convenient and secure ways for merchants to transact with their customers on virtually any computing devices," says Will Graylin, Founder and CEO of ROAM Data. "Our team of mobile and payment experts has consistently overcome major challenges to simplify complex problems for the market, making a secure audio reader work with BlackBerry is the latest achievement we are proud of."
BlackBerry Models Supported Include:
ROAM Data won the 2010 Electronic Transactions Association's Technology Innovation Award earlier this year for its device agnostic mCommerce platform, and continues to be a clear frontrunner in bringing secure, affordable and convenient transactions to mobile merchants and consumers. ROAM has created a patented mCommerce Application Platform called ROAM Rails that enable mobile apps to be written once and run on virtually any device - from smart phones, feature phones, tablets, PCs, MACs, and even traditional POS devices. ROAM Rails solves the fundamental device complexity and fragmentation problem that has plagued the mobile app industry and is setting the standard for scalable mCommerce application delivery.
One such scalable mCommerce app that runs on ROAM Rails is ROAMpay, a mobile merchants payment card acceptance app with unprecedented device coverage, transaction cost savings and security. ROAMpay Swipe is the universal reader peripheral that plugs into the 3.5mm audio jack of most mobile devices and has built-in encryption, avoiding the serious security risks of skimming associated with similar looking competitive swipers that have no encryption. ROAM supports more devices for its apps and peripherals than any other provider in the industry, enabling support for many more end-users. Even before offering support for nearly 80% of the BlackBerry devices currently being sold in the market, ROAMpay Swipe had the most extensive device coverage of any reader on the market - including Apple products (iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4; iPad, iPod Touch), a wide variety of Android powered devices, PCs, Macs and netbooks.
"ROAM's continued commitment to bringing mobile payments, both keyed-entry and now card-present, to a growing segment of merchants, who traditionally have been underserved, shows how in-tune they are with the market and the trends in mobile payments," commented Chris Justice, president of Ingenico North America, "I'm really excited to see ROAM Data take the leadership position in setting a new industry standard for mobile payments that will bring tremendous benefits to all levels of merchants, across all industries. ROAM Data is Ingenico’s strategic business partner in the States for m-commerce and mobile payment solutions."
ROAM has proven its Rails with its own apps, and has now started to enable others to build their apps with ROAM's platform and peripherals.
If you have a great deal of passion for photo enhancements then, you should find the best photo editing software for your individual needs. If you're in the market for a new photo editor then, you've probably already discovered the vast selection of software packages on the market today. With so many options available, you will very likely become quickly overwhelmed unless you take advise from someone who's been there....and done that. Just keep in mind, that if you want to find the right editor without regretting your decision tomorrow when you find something better then, you should listen to those who have already done their due diligence in their search.
In doing a thorough search, you will discover that most of today's digital camera's already come with a variety of editing functions however, in finding the right digital photo editor will compliment your camera's capabilities and provide a fully comprehensive editing package allowing you to be in total control over your digital photos. Additionally, a good photo editor will provide a great deal more diversity and complexity to your creative endeavors. The key in choosing the right photo editing software for you is to find a perfectly good blend of functionality and ease of use that will suite your short and long term goals.
A very important consideration should be in evaluating the photo editing software's ease of use. This is where customizing your individual needs is fully evaluated. Depending on the complexity of the functions and features, there is a wide degree of difficulty in learning the many different options available. Additionally, make sure the editing software comes with easy to follow video tutorials and an effective use of Wizards. Wizards can be very effective in allowing you to easily and automatically fix the most common issues and problems with your photos. Wizards are very effective in quickly reducing red-eye, blurry images, poor lighting and so on. A good use of Wizards will allow you to improve the picture to the point where you simply spend more of your valuable time perfecting the final product.
You should pay very close attention to the suite of tools available in relation to your particular needs. A good non-professional photo editing software package will allow you to easily blend your digital photos with one another by using only a few clicks of the mouse. Also, most of today's editors don't require an expensive high-end program to do professional effects with edging and framing. When it comes to placing captions and titles on your pictures then, be sure it doesn't require too many steps to perform this task quickly. By finding a good photo editor with the right suite of tools should allow you to begin using the program immediately providing you with enough diversity to learn more functionalities as you need over a period of time.
For the photo enthusiast who simply aren't looking to spend a great deal of time and effort perfecting a sophisticated program, and who are primarily looking to fix up their treasured photos without much commitment, there are plenty of inexpensive options available. You will also discover that most digital camera's today come with their own photo editing software. Additionally, there are some very unique online sites that offer a great deal of fun in manipulating photos in some very simple but effective ways. However, you may find that these options offer very limited functionality and usually don't go beyond basic adjustments and cropping. However, some of them offer some very useful photo organizers. These limited functionalities in performing photo editing are primarily used to fix up good pictures however, they may not be very useful to manipulate bad ones. However, if you're the more creative type then, you will most very likely require a more sophisticated and complex suite of tools that allow you to have total control over your digital pictures. In this case, it's in your best interest to try out the different packages to determine whether they offer the functions that will manipulate the picture as you desire. One thing for sure, due to the diversity of functions and features most photo editors offer a much more streamlined suite of tools that distinguishes them from the others. This is why it's so important to try them out to determine if the primary functions are focused on your editing needs.
In consideration to how much time and effort you're willing to put into training and learning the product, you should focus on finding software packages that provide video training courses offering visual options to learn the software. The most effective are those that come with video training classes. People learning electronic devices tend to learn much quicker and more effectively by using visual aids. This form of training is much quicker and also helps you to better retained what you have learned.
Outside of the perimeters of being a novice or just beginning your photo enhancements, if you're either a professional or a passionate enthusiast, you need to find a photo editor that offers a wide range of stability, flexibility and most importantly, an intuitive interface that provides some very creative and high end functions and features along with a streamlined work flow. If you're going to take the time and effort to do some quality shopping and comparisons, you will discover that it's all about personal preference and how you actually plan to manipulate your photos. There is a wide range of usability that spans two sides of the spectrum when it comes to choosing the best photo editing software for your special needs.
Therefore, while searching for the best photo editing software, the one thing you will discover is that it's primarily about your individual needs and not necessarily how many functions and features the software offers. Make sure you investigate online comments and customer feedback placed on forums which are part of online discussions that provide very enlightening insight by consumers who have actually used the software. You will find an unbiased opinion opposed to those traditionally found on the manufacturer or distributor's websites. What's most important, is in realizing that there are plenty of software packages to choose from and there are plenty of people who were in the same situation as you in looking and researching for the same product. They are very likely writing on forums and are very likely the type that took their research and purchases very seriously and should be considered a valuable resource to assist in your search.
In doing a thorough search, you will discover that most of today's digital camera's already come with a variety of editing functions however, in finding the right digital photo editor will compliment your camera's capabilities and provide a fully comprehensive editing package allowing you to be in total control over your digital photos. Additionally, a good photo editor will provide a great deal more diversity and complexity to your creative endeavors. The key in choosing the right photo editing software for you is to find a perfectly good blend of functionality and ease of use that will suite your short and long term goals.
A very important consideration should be in evaluating the photo editing software's ease of use. This is where customizing your individual needs is fully evaluated. Depending on the complexity of the functions and features, there is a wide degree of difficulty in learning the many different options available. Additionally, make sure the editing software comes with easy to follow video tutorials and an effective use of Wizards. Wizards can be very effective in allowing you to easily and automatically fix the most common issues and problems with your photos. Wizards are very effective in quickly reducing red-eye, blurry images, poor lighting and so on. A good use of Wizards will allow you to improve the picture to the point where you simply spend more of your valuable time perfecting the final product.
You should pay very close attention to the suite of tools available in relation to your particular needs. A good non-professional photo editing software package will allow you to easily blend your digital photos with one another by using only a few clicks of the mouse. Also, most of today's editors don't require an expensive high-end program to do professional effects with edging and framing. When it comes to placing captions and titles on your pictures then, be sure it doesn't require too many steps to perform this task quickly. By finding a good photo editor with the right suite of tools should allow you to begin using the program immediately providing you with enough diversity to learn more functionalities as you need over a period of time.
For the photo enthusiast who simply aren't looking to spend a great deal of time and effort perfecting a sophisticated program, and who are primarily looking to fix up their treasured photos without much commitment, there are plenty of inexpensive options available. You will also discover that most digital camera's today come with their own photo editing software. Additionally, there are some very unique online sites that offer a great deal of fun in manipulating photos in some very simple but effective ways. However, you may find that these options offer very limited functionality and usually don't go beyond basic adjustments and cropping. However, some of them offer some very useful photo organizers. These limited functionalities in performing photo editing are primarily used to fix up good pictures however, they may not be very useful to manipulate bad ones. However, if you're the more creative type then, you will most very likely require a more sophisticated and complex suite of tools that allow you to have total control over your digital pictures. In this case, it's in your best interest to try out the different packages to determine whether they offer the functions that will manipulate the picture as you desire. One thing for sure, due to the diversity of functions and features most photo editors offer a much more streamlined suite of tools that distinguishes them from the others. This is why it's so important to try them out to determine if the primary functions are focused on your editing needs.
In consideration to how much time and effort you're willing to put into training and learning the product, you should focus on finding software packages that provide video training courses offering visual options to learn the software. The most effective are those that come with video training classes. People learning electronic devices tend to learn much quicker and more effectively by using visual aids. This form of training is much quicker and also helps you to better retained what you have learned.
Outside of the perimeters of being a novice or just beginning your photo enhancements, if you're either a professional or a passionate enthusiast, you need to find a photo editor that offers a wide range of stability, flexibility and most importantly, an intuitive interface that provides some very creative and high end functions and features along with a streamlined work flow. If you're going to take the time and effort to do some quality shopping and comparisons, you will discover that it's all about personal preference and how you actually plan to manipulate your photos. There is a wide range of usability that spans two sides of the spectrum when it comes to choosing the best photo editing software for your special needs.
Therefore, while searching for the best photo editing software, the one thing you will discover is that it's primarily about your individual needs and not necessarily how many functions and features the software offers. Make sure you investigate online comments and customer feedback placed on forums which are part of online discussions that provide very enlightening insight by consumers who have actually used the software. You will find an unbiased opinion opposed to those traditionally found on the manufacturer or distributor's websites. What's most important, is in realizing that there are plenty of software packages to choose from and there are plenty of people who were in the same situation as you in looking and researching for the same product. They are very likely writing on forums and are very likely the type that took their research and purchases very seriously and should be considered a valuable resource to assist in your search.
Nikon, Sony and SanDisk, the flash memory manufacturer, have proposed to the CFA (CompactFash Card Association) a new set of technical specification for what they hope will be the next generation of professional grade memory cards. The goal is to answer to the ever growing need of storage space and data transfer speed. Nikon, Sony and SanDisk have worked on their own card format and transmitted their technical specs to the CFA in order to give birth to a standardized card format.
The main assets of the new pro card format will be speed and capacity. The transfer rate targeted by the three industrials is no less than 500 MB/S which is huge in comparison with the maximum writing and reading speed of the latest CompactFlash card specification (CF6.0 dated November 2010) with 167 MB/s ! In addition to that, maximum capacity should exceed 2 TB. 2TB is the storage space the SDXC card format was to reach but we all feel like we'll never see such SDXC cards.... Actually the next generation memory card format will not emphasize its compacity prefering the form factor of the actual CompactFlash card.
November 30, 2010 - SanDisk Corporation, Sony Corporation and Nikon Corporation today announced the joint development of a set of specifications that address the future requirements of professional photography and video markets. The three companies proposed the specifications to the CompactFlash® Association (CFA)*, the international standards organization, with the intent to standardize the format.
Professional photography and High Definition (HD) video applications require a new generation of memory cards capable of processing significantly larger files. To address the imaging industry’s future speed and capacity demands, SanDisk, Sony and Nikon proposed a new card specification whose performance and storage capabilities surpass those of existing memory cards. Once accepted, the new format will enable exciting new possibilities in the professional imaging and video markets.
The proposed specifications achieve data transfer rates of up to 500 megabytes per second (MB/sec) (theoretical maximum interface speed) using the highly versatile PCI Express interface. The increased speeds will enable imaging and video applications that could not be accomplished using the current CompactFlash specification’s Parallel ATA (PATA) interface. CF6.0, released in November 2010, offers maximum performance of up to 167MB/sec.
The new specifications’ faster speeds enable continuous burst shooting of massive RAW images. The enhanced performance also allows users to quickly transfer storage-intensive high-resolution photos and videos from the card to a computer. The specifications combine high-speed data transfer with low power consumption via a power scaling system to extend battery life.
In addition to industry-leading performance capabilities, the new memory card specifications also meet the future capacity and durability requirements of professional imaging applications. The proposed new specifications has the potential to extend theoretical maximum capacities beyond 2 terabytes (TB), making it especially useful for high resolution images and HD video applications. Similar in size to a CompactFlash® card, the new specifications’ access control function and highly durable form factor produce a combination of physical ruggedness and reliability that is indispensable for professional usage models.
“This ultra high-speed media format will enable further evolution of hardware and imaging applications, and widen the memory card options available to CompactFlash users such as professional photographers,” said Mr. Shigeto Kanda, Canon, and chairman of the board, CFA. “This next generation format is expected to be widely adapted to various products, including those other than high-end DSLRs.”
“The ultra high-speed media, which will be realized by this new card format, will expand the capability of digital SLR cameras and other professional digital imaging equipment,” said Mr. Kazuyuki Kazami, operating officer, vice president and general manager, development headquarters, imaging company, Nikon Corporation.
Sony is a leading global innovator of audio, video, communications and information technology products for both the consumer and professional markets. Sony is renowned for its audio-visual products, such as the BRAVIA™ LCD high-definition television, Cyber-shot™ digital camera, Handycam® camcorder, “a” (pronounced Alpha) digital SLR camera, and Walkman® MP3 player as well as its VAIO™ personal computers and high-definition (HD) professional broadcast equipment, highlighted by the XDCAM® HD. Offering a complete end-to-end HD value chain and with its electronics, music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is one of the world’s leading digital entertainment brands, employing approximately 170,000 people worldwide.
Through its long-term football partnerships as an official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League until 2012, Official FIFA Partner until 2014 and global sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™ in 2010 and 2014, Sony is inspiring a sense of excitement for the millions of football fans around the world.
For more information on Sony Europe, please visit www.sony-europe.com
“Sony”, “WALKMAN”, “VAIO”, “Cyber-shot”, “Handycam”, “a”, “BRAVIA” and “XDCAM” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Corporation. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners
Apple CEO Steve Jobs said the release of iOS 4.2 makes the iPad "a completely new product," and I have to agree with him. When Apple's tablet was running iOS 3.2, there were many irritating limitations, but most of these were taken care of with the operating system upgrade that was released yesterday.
I installed the new version on my iPad as soon as I could, and quickly began testing it. So far, I have generally positive things to say. There are a number of new features and other enhancements that significantly improve the way this tablet works, but there's still room for improvement.
Be aware, this isn't a review of the iPad. If you are new to this device, you should start by reading TabletPCReview's in-depth reviews:
First off, I know there are some lingering worries that iOS 4.2 will have problems with Wi-Fi, as this upgrade was delayed for over a week because of a Wi-Fi bug in one of the beta versions. Apple must have fixed this, because in my testing I've had no problems connecting to two separate access points.
Multitasking
iOS 3.2 was limited to running one app at a time, something that often made using the iPad something of a hassle. Thankfully, with iOS 4.2 that's no longer an issue.
You can now switch between apps at any time by double-clicking the Home button to bring up a row of icons at the bottom of the screen for currently running applications. Tapping one of them will bring it to the fore.
You can close one of these background apps by tapping and holding on its icon. All the icons in the list will get a red "minus" mark, and tapping on any of them will close it.
I find this system easy to use, and I'm very pleased to finally be able to quickly switch between tasks without constantly having to return to SpringBoard, the app launcher.
I'm not running into problems with background apps affecting the performance of the foreground one by taking up too much system resources because of Apple's system for handling them. Apple iOS 4.2 limits the number of things that apps can do when they aren't in the foreground. Streaming audio services like Pandora, or VoIP ones like Skype, continue to function in the background, and software is also able to finish tasks like uploading pictures or video to Facebook in a similar fashion. Aside from this, though, most functions stop. The apps don't close, but they freeze in place.
The only complaint I have about this system is that it means that large webpages won't download in the background. Other than that, it works fine.
App Folders
Another feature many people are excited about in iOS 4.2 is the addition of folders in the application launcher.
Previously, the only way to organize software on the iPad was to create different screens for different groups of app icons, and then move through them to get to the one you want.
The new version of the OS lets you create folders in the SpringBoard app launcher, where you can store apps. Icons can be moved in and out of folders in the same way they are moved to different screens: tap and hold, then drag and drop.
Folders show small versions of the icons for the apps that are stored in them, and they can be placed in the dock.
This is a blessing for people who have many apps, and for those who want their iPad to act a bit more like a Mac or PC. If you prefer, you can now get by with just one screen with folders for Games, Productivity, Internet, etc.
If you prefer the old system, you don't have to do anything with app folders at all.
An Improved Inbox
Those of you who, like me, use your iPad for both work and personal reasons should be happy that iOS 4.2 adds the ability to synchronize with multiple Exchange ActiveSync servers.
For me, this means that I can now use Google's push email system as well as my company's. Previously, I was limited to one or the other.
My calendar now shows both work and personal events, and my address book has entries from both sources. And don't worry, the data is not merged and re-synchronized so that, for example, your personal address book gets populated with your work contacts. Data from the different sources is kept separate, it's just displayed together.
The new unified inbox displays messages from a variety of services, like Microsoft Exchange, MobileMe and Yahoo. You can switch between messages from different sources, or list them all together.
You can also reply to calendar invitations now, which is handy.
Find My iPad
One of the surprise features in iOS 4.2 is that Apple's Find My iPad feature is now available for free. This lets you easily locate a missing device on a map and have it display a message or play a sound. Users can even remotely lock or wipe data from your iPad to protect your private information.
For this to work, the iPad has to have an Internet connection, so it might be of limited usefulness if you are trying to find your lost tablet in an airport. But it should be very useful for helping you find your misplaced device at your home or office.
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