Thursday, 31 March 2011

News@8pm: Dell rants at Apple and Kansas gets 1Gbps

Amazon's Cloud Drive inspired some healthy competition today as mSpot announced an upgrade to its free services. mSpot's new 5GB storage capacity for free matches Amazon's gratis offering. Amazon has created uproar in the music industry by announcing its Cloud Player before getting the approval of the major record labels. It emerged today that Amazon is now trying to hurriedly arrange licensing deals after the fact although Sony in particular is not happy about the situation.

 

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Vodafone announces delays for the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play less than 24 hours before its official release. The network operator told customers today that Sony Ericsson are unable to supply the Xperia Play to Vodafone for tomorrow and customers will simply have to wait. The launch continues to get more embarrassing for Sony Ericsson after O2 announced delays just days ago. Whilst you may not be able to access the Playstation Suite just yet with all of its gaming goodness, Angry Birds Rio has now landed on the Android Market so you can while away the days in bird-launching bliss until your Xperia Play arrives.

 

Kansas city won the Google broadband lottery and will soon be enjoying blistering download speeds. Kansas' new Googlified broadband will hit 1Gbps, roughly 100 times the average US household. The lucky Yanks will be able to download a full HD movie in less than 2 minutes. In completely unrelated news, we've decided here at T3 that its time for a bit of an office relocation. Lets say... oh I don't know, Kansas? Whilst Kansas was getting boosted x100, Google gave the rest of the world "+1". The new search feature is similar to Facebook's like button and will show you which search results or web pages your friends have "+1'd" to help you make informed browsing decisions.

 

Dell lashed out at Apple this week as its Global Head of Marketing, Andy Lark ranted about the iPad's flaws. Pointing out the benefits of openness over closed ecosystems he then went on to have a dig at Apple's customers saying "Apple is great if you’ve got a lot of money and live on an island." You might want to be careful what you're implying there Andy, those are the customers I'm sure you'd love to nab. Dell did have some positive news today though as their Venue Pro became the latest phone to receive the NoDo WP7 update. The update adds copy and paste along with other enhancements but Dell has already announced that they will be following with another update soon to iron out any bugs.


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Amazon rushes to sign licensing deals with labels

Amazon is supposedly scurrying to secure licensing deals with the four major record labels in the US after announcing the Amazon Cloud Player recently.

 

The announcement of Amazon's Cloud Player last week ruffled more than a few feathers in the music industry as labels were left stunned having not yet come to any arrangement with the online retail giant.

 


Amazon's public unveiling may well have been rushed amid rumours of similar services on the horizon from both Google and Apple.

 

Unsurprisingly, Sony responded rather poorly to Amazon jumping the gun, calling the move "really disrespectful" and adding that it would be "keeping [its] legal options open."

 

Amazon's initial response appeared to be one of nonchalance, likening its service to iTunes - simply "an application that lets customers manage and play their own music" and therefore it would "not need a license to make Cloud Player available".

 

However, with further controversy sparked by the revelation that Cloud Player could stream a song to five devices simultaneously, Amazon appears to be eating its words and rushing to agree on terms with Sony and other labels.

 

Besides legal concerns, the deals would also increase the efficiency of the service for Amazon. It could then compare users' music libraries with a central database allowing the user access to their songs in the database, instead of actually copying every file.

 

With no news of deals being successfully reached as yet, it will be interesting to see how the legal drama unfolds.

 

Do the record companies deserve a slice of Amazon's pie? Let us know via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

Via: TechRadar


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Wednesday, 30 March 2011

News@8pm: NFC on WP7 and GAME's dirty sales tactics

Tesco inadvertantly supplied GAME stores with stocks of the Nintendo 3DS over launch weekend as GAME staff took cash from the register to buy consoles from the supermarket chain. Staff were encouraged to get buying so that they could then sell them on as Pre-Owned for even more than they'd paid at Tesco, how cheeky. Gaming fans will be pleased to hear that the next installment of everyone's favourite shooter will be previewed soon. The trailer for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is expected to be unveiled this April.

 

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US Xbox fans will soon be treated to a system update preview for the 360. Xbox Live Gold users are more likely to succeed when signing up as beta testers and as well as getting to try out the 360's system update, they'll also get their hands on a free copy of Halo: Reach. Not too shabby. Microsoft's attempts to improve the Xbox experience are also looking at the future of its motion sensing controller. Already a fairly handy bit of kit, Microsoft is looking into ways to reduce lag on the Kinect to make it an even snappier experience.

 

Near Field Communications continued to gather momentum today with an announcement from Microsoft that it would be joining the fray and including NFC technology in a future Windows Phone 7 update. With handsets from Samsung, Nokia and Google including the tech, Apple is being pressured to include it in the highly anticipated iPhone 5. While more and more new handsets are including the chip, MasterCard has created an NFC-embedded SIM card. The SIM card could effectively turn any GSM phone into a wallet-replacement even if your handset is stuck in the dark ages. Now all we need is for somewhere to spend our virtual cash.

 

Jawbone has released another of its visually appealing Bluetooth headsets. The Jawbone ERA manages to cram in multiple processors, motion controls, HD audio and an "app platform" to help you to be the working man that can. Blackberry, the previous best friend of the businessman has announced today that the Playbook tablet will not have native calendar, contacts or email applications at launch. Although they promise to make up for it with a future update, it seems like RIM have forgotten their key demographic - the exact type of person who could really do with calendar, contacts and email support out of the box...


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Posted by Matt Collard at 16:57 0 comments

Game staff encouraged to buy 3DS stocks from Tesco

Following last Friday’s midnight launch of the groundbreaking Nintendo 3DS, it has emerged employees at industry retailer GAME were urged to buy 3DS consoles from Tesco stores to save money.

 

Leaked via an internal memo, it has been revealed that GAME’s head office encouraged its employees to frequent local Tesco stores on launch night and plump their pre-owned 3DS stocks by making the most of the supermarket’s low prices.

 


With Tesco offering the latest Nintendo console for just £175 when brought with any 3DS game priced £34.90, the supermarket’s bundle package of £209.90 still undercut GAME’s sale price of £219.99. Responding to Tesco’s pricing GAME’s internal memo announced to store managers: “Whilst we are unable to competitively match this offer in terms of a mint price, it offers a great opportunity to gain 3DS consoles and games for your store's pre-owned stock."

 

With each store authorised £1049.50 to purchase five consoles from Tesco, the message went on to state: “It has been authorised by the business that members of staff from stores are able to purchase stock from Tesco stores and then trade back in to your store as Preowned stock.” It added: “However this process must not compromise your store’s midnight launch, service to customers or staff.”

 

Today responding to the revelations that its competitor had been buying up its stocks of the glasses-free 3D portable games console, a Tesco spokesperson said: “We always provide Tesco customers with the best value," adding:  "We think you could say this is game, set and match."

 

Have you already picked yourself up a Nintendo 3DS? Share your thoughts of the 3D console and any issues you have faced with it via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

 

Via: Eurogamer
 


Posted by Luke Johnson


Source: T3.com News

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Tuesday, 29 March 2011

News@8pm: Evo 3D heads to EU and iPad 2 jailbroken

Nintendo suffered from bad press today with 3DS users complaining about eye-strain. Pre-launch warnings from health officials did nothing to stop many people picking a 3DS up on launch night but it hasn't taken long for the reports of headaches to start rolling in. Ninty did manage to solve one of their problems though, as they issued a system software update to fix that pesky black screen of death.

 

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Europe will get the HTC Evo 3D according to HTC's own French Twitter account. As with the other EVO models, we expected it to be left out over here but apparently a GSM version of the EVO 3D will be making its way onto the continent. HTC has managed to dominate the UK sales charts in recent months and the 3D handset is sure to bolster the company's position. The iPhone 4 meanwhile dropped a few places last month in the sales charts but March's figures see the iPhone pick itself back up to 3rd position, behind the HTC Desire and Desire HD.

 

Apple's newest store is set to open in Jerusalem. Apple's newest flagship store will contain within its walls the first Apple digital library - presumably a location for the public to access e-books. Apple's reasons for building in Jerusalem were said to be "symbolic", perhaps they're hoping for an annual pilgrimage to the store by the Apple faithful. Apple's latest cult-hit, the iPad 2 has already been cracked by developers. The iPad 2 jailbreak is available through the PwnageTool, allowing users to customise their tablet and access the Cydia Appstore.


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News@10: HTC Evo 3D UK bound and Google credit card

Tuesday

 

GOOGLE NEWS

@TheTelegraph - Google plans mobile phone credit card

 

 

MOBILE NEWS

@TechRadar - HTC Evo 3D is coming to Europe

 

 

APPLE NEWS

@TechSho - Rumor: Future Jerusalem Apple Store to house the world's first "Apple Digital Library"

 

 

TV NEWS

@Ubergizmo - Microsoft shows off 234″ touchscreen in Germany

 

 

APP NEWS

@Ubergizmo - Amazon asks iOS developers to bring apps over to Kindle

 

 

IPAD NEWS

@CNETNews - Obama's got an iPad, and he tethers too  

 

 

Get more news, views and tech tips: 

 

T3 on Twitter

Direct your web attentions to twitter.com/t3dotcom for a feed of all the latest tech news and gadgetry goodness. We’ll also reach out for your opinions for future features, so have your brains ready.

 

 

 

T3 on Facebook

Facebook.com/t3mag is our handle. Don’t worry though, we spend much less time growing Farmville crops and poking strangers than we do divulging tech info.

 

 

 

Apple iPad 2 UK launch: Live T3 coverage


Via: Apple iPad 2: UK launch video | Source: T3 Tech Videos

 

 


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Monday, 28 March 2011

News@8pm: iPad 2 sells out and 3DS porn released

Early adopters suffered yet again at the hands of Nintendo's newest toy, the 3DS. Users reported being struck down by a black screen error with the only fix being a hard reboot. For 3DS users whose screens are fully functioning, the internet has already served up its first serving of smut for the 3D device. Julie Watai's gallery of softcore 3DS compatible photos give users the joy of experiencing some filth in all three dimensions.

 

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App of the Day | They Need To Be Fed
They Need To Be Fed is a beautiful platformer that sets you the task of becoming someone else's meal.
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iPhone's bi-annual fail struck again this weekend as the clocks sprung forward for British Summer Time. Once again the iPhone's alarms failed to go off as they were apparently flummoxed by the changing clocks. Berated businessmen everywhere could be heard fuming at Apple's incompetence. Perhaps they'll have it sorted by June when the iPhone 5 is expected to be announced. Lets hope so, although it does make a good excuse for a lie-in on a Monday morning.

 

MobileMe update plans supposedly broke cover today. The refresh would give users online storage of their music libraries and at the new, lower price of only $20 per year. The move could put Apple at the forefront of cloud-based media storage. That is, if Amazon doesn't beat them to it. The online retailer is pegged to unveil a similar cloud service as early as next week and we're looking forward to a tussle at the top that brings users better features at lower prices.

 

iPad 2 stocks depleted after only a few hours of sales on launch day. Concerns about stock levels of the iPad 2 were justified on Friday after huge queues gobbled up all the available tablets in a matter of hours, sadly leaving many customers without an iPad. For the lucky few who managed to get their hands on Apple's latest creation, they will be pleased to know that the iPad 2 is rocking a much tougher, bendier display so you can sleep easy knowing that your new purchase is a bit safer in your sweaty, excited hands.


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Posted by Matt Collard at 16:59 0 comments

MobileMe set to take your music to the cloud for $20

Reports of a deal between Apple and Warner today have sparked fresh rumours regarding Cupertino's plans for its aging MobileMe service.

 

The refresh is said to focus on users' music libraries, introducing a feature called the "locker" which is expected to house a cloud-based backup of user's files. The service is also rumoured to be receiving a healthy price slash, down from $99 per year to only $20, somewhat disappointing given previous reports had suggested that the service may be free.

 


The reported deal with Warner is Apple's first step towards gaining the approval of the major labels. Apple is apparently using this win as leverage to get the others on board.

 

If proved true, these rumours would explain the mysterious data centre that Apple has built in North Carolina. The $1 billion storage facility could well be the new home of millions of iTunes libraries.

 

Currently it's uncertain whether the updated service would simply be a backup for misplaced files or if it would allow downloading or streaming to a user's Mac, PC or iDevices. It's hard to know how the major labels would react to a cloud-based music service, however, Spotify's success here in Europe gives us hope that they might just come round to the idea.

 

What new features would you like to see in MobileMe and how much would you be willing to pay? Tell us what you want via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds

 

Via: CNET


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Sunday, 27 March 2011

Android will lead smartphone market in 5 years, says Ovum

An independent telecoms analyst has forecasted that the global smartphone market will grow twice in size by 2016, with Android leading the pack.


Ovum has released a report showing that Android will have more than a 20 percent market share lead over Apple's iOS.

According to Ovum's forecast, smartphones will represent 40 percent of the mobile phone market between 2010 and 2016, with Asia-Pacific will be the largest region, shipping over 200 million handsets by 2016. Western Europe will have 175 million and North America will have 165 million shipments each.

By 2016, Android will have a 38 percent share in the market, Apple's iOS will have 17.5 percent, Windows Phone 7 will be close at 17.2 percent and BlackBerry trails with 16.5 percent.

With the large number of manufacturers turning to Android, and with this forecast, you'll probably have an Android handset in the near future.


What smartphone do you own now or want to get for yourself? Pop over to our Twitter and Facebook pages and tell us. Remember to follow us for more updates in the tech world.


Via: ElectricPig

 

 


Posted by Devina Divecha


Source: T3.com News

Posted by Matt Collard at 16:59 0 comments

MySpace loses 10 million users in one month

MySpace has lost 10 million unique users in the space of one month - between January and February 2011 - dropping down to 63 million members.


Tech analyst ComScore reported that MySpace had 63 million users in February 2011, as compared to 73 million in January 2011.

The social network slashed 500 jobs earlier this year and is seemingly unable to keep up with Facebook, which has been going strength ot strength with its network having half of UK's population as members. It's a sharp departure from when MySpace was the social network to keep in touch with friends and launch musical careers.

Last year at the same time, MySpace was attracting 95 million unique users. 

Mike Jones, MySpace's chief executive said to The Telegraph at the end of 2010 that MySpace was no longer a social network and Facebook rival. He said, "MySpace is a not a social network anymore. It is now a social entertainment destination."


Are you a MySpace user? Let us know via our Twitter and Facebook pages and remember to follow/like us to get more news from the world of tech regularly.


Via: The Telegraph

 

 


Posted by Devina Divecha


Source: T3.com News

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Saturday, 26 March 2011

London Underground to give Wi-fi to 120 stations

By 2012, 120 London Tube stations will have Wi-fi hotspots, according to Transport for London.


The plans to roll out wi-fi to tube stations have gained momentum with the 2012 London Olympics around the corner.

The connection currently used by 16 stations' staff will be made available to the public as part of the first phase of this operation before further expansion.

Charing Cross is part of an ongoing trial, where passengers can avail of BT internet. However, wi-fi will not be available on the trains; just on the platform.

TfL is on the hunt for bidders in time to debut the underground wi-fi service by summer of 2012.


Have you used wi-fi at Charing Cross station; what are your thoughts? Let us know at T3's Twitter and Facebook feeds and follow us for tech updates.


Via: TechRadar

 

 


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Source: T3.com News

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