Nokia officially announces the Lumia 1020, with 41MP camera and six lenses

We can't say we were really taken aback with shock at the news, but Nokia has officially unveiled its latest imaging flagship, the Lumia 1020. The 41MP Windows Phone, which has been anticipated by many enthusiasts since the 808 PureView was introduced, is looked at Nokia as "the next chapter in smartphone photography." With the phone only offered in yellow, black and white hues, it's not the most colorful device in the Finnish company's repertoire, but Elop's gang is hopeful that it can make up for the lack of color with a stellar imaging experience: in addition to the high megapixel count, the 1020 will feature OIS and six Carl Zeiss lenses.

Developing...

Stay up to date on the latest news from Nokia with our liveblog of today's event!

Tags: breaking news, mobilepostcross, nokia

View the original article here

By: Unknown On 9:50 PM

Continue Reading

Nokia announces Asha 210: a colorful QWERTY with a social heart, we go hands-on (video)

The last time we saw new members of the Asha family they eschewed the usual QWERTY keyboard, opting instead for a full touchscreen. The newly announced (and previously teased) Asha 210, however, returns to the more tactile input method, and brings a healthy splash of color (five different ones, to be precise) plus a dual-SIM option along for the ride. As before, social networks feature heavily, but the focus clearly remains on low-end and developing markets. We know Nokia can do budget (and do it well), but is a full keyboard, a design update, and a dedicated WhatsApp button (all costing $72 SIM-free, excluding taxes when it lands late Q2) enough to make it appeal to anyone beyond the entry-level social addicts? Nokia was kind enough to show us the devices first hand, so head on past the break to see if we thought so.

Nokia Asha 210 hands-on

The first thing you notice here is the design language. As with the budget 105 and 301 offerings from MWC, the Asha 210 owes a lot of its looks to the current flagships, with more than a whiff of Lumia about them. This influence also spills over into the color options, which include the usual cyan, magenta, yellow and black plus white. We have to say that for a phone at this price point, it really isn't bad looking. The finish is soft-touch plastic, and while it's not one piece of polycarbonate, Nokia's at least gone to some efforts to make it look slightly similar, and we're happy to play along. The casing is designed to appear as seamless as possible, and the phone looks all the better for it. As well as that dominating QWERTY, there are menu and navigation buttons above and below dedicated WhatsApp and camera keys. Nokia was very keen to play up the WhatsApp integration which not only provides quick access to chats, but includes use of the service for free, for life (i.e. no annual fee).

A slight twist here is that in some markets, the Asha 210 will actually have a dedicated Facebook button instead (as we saw with the Asha 205). We've asked for confirmation on which markets will have which, but we understand that broadly speaking the EU and USA will likely come with blue stripes, while the others should get green. We also asked if this button might be configurable, but it appears not. Whichever social network flag you fly, it still won't take you very long to get there, as the Series 40 software it runs on has been set up to put them all front and center on the homescreen anyway, with WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter coming pre-installed. While we're on software, as before there's a "premium" download pack of 15 apps and games on offer after purchase, full details of titles to follow.

As for the rest of the hardware, it's something of a mixed bag. The main thing to note is that we're still running on 2G, so no 3G / HSPA to ease the deluge of all those tweets and messages you're expecting. But, there is WiFi to ease some of that pain. The rear (and only) camera is 2-megapixels, which is quite a jump up from the 205's meagre VGA shooter, and should make good use of that dedicated button. The lack of a front-facing camera might initially turn the confirmed socialite a little sour, but don't worry, you can still take those all important "selfies" with the clever self-portrait mode that we also saw in the 301 (the one that says "left a bit, right a bit"). Nokia played down our requests about what was running under the hood, and while it's always nice to know, at this price-point RAM and processor speeds are likely not the buyer's primary concern. We do know, however, it's lingering somewhere under the 1GHz mark.

The software, it has to be said, does feel noticeably slow if you've ever played with a modern smartphone. Pressing the WhatsApp key took a second or two for the app to open, and generally navigating with the buttons (no touchscreen here) will test your patience unless this is the most premium phone you've ever had -- something that might actually be the case for much of its market. However, this may improve between now and when it finally hits the stores nearer to summer. On the upside, Nokia claims that you'll get 12 hours of talk, and over 40 in standby (under optimum, lab conditions) to give you plenty of time to do everything.

Overall though, in the hand the phone feels light, yet solid. The bright color design is attractive and the keys all have a firm, responsive action, though perhaps a little clustered for those with larger digits. Most of all, at $72 (for both the single- and dual-SIM version), it's feels mean to pick fault with some of the Asha 210's features. The design is great for this price, the social features will please many, and there's just about everything you might need for photos and sharing. The UI may feel a little sluggish, and the continued lack of 3G will write it off completely for many, but for mobile users starting at the lower rungs, who want a well built phone with core functionality, Nokia's made a very reasonable proposition.

Show full PR text

Nokia introduces the Nokia Asha 210, the most social Asha yet

A fast and responsive QWERTY phone with the world's first WhatsApp button

Espoo, Finland - Nokia today unveiled the latest device in its Asha family, designed to offer consumers more social experiences at an affordable price. The Nokia Asha 210, available in Single- or Easy Swap Dual-SIM variants, features a distinctly Nokia design and smart imaging that sets it apart from the crowd. It supports Wi-Fi to help people enjoy more of the Internet for less and is the world's first phone to have a dedicated WhatsApp button.

Your social life at your fingertips

The Nokia Asha 210 has a QWERTY keyboard and a dedicated WhatsApp
button for fast access to instant messaging. To celebrate the Nokia and WhatsApp partnership, WhatsApp is offering their service for free on all Nokia Asha 210 devices with the WhatsApp button for their lifespan. Combined with Facebook, Twitter and support for popular email accounts such as Gmail, the Nokia Asha 210 is designed to ensure that people are never more than a few clicks away from their friends and family.

Capture and share great images every time

The Nokia Asha 210 comes with a 2MP camera that can be accessed through a dedicated hardkey even when the keypad is locked. The smart camera also offers a choice of image capture, editing and sharing options, including:

- Self-portrait - for perfectly centred self portraits, even without a front-facing camera. The built-in voice guides the user to ensure they are in the frame, before taking the shot.
- Fast editing of images directly from the camera app and easy sharing of images to social networks.

People can also share photos and other content quickly by using Nokia's innovative Slam feature, which comes built-into the Nokia Asha 210. It works by enabling the transfer of content such as images or videos to another Bluetooth-enabled phone without the need to pair devices.

"The Nokia Asha 210 really stands out giving super-social consumers new ways to express their personalities through design, colour and innovations like the world's first WhatsApp button," explains Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president, Mobile Phones, Nokia. "It has been designed to allow people to easily update their social networks, stay in touch with friends and share user created content."

"We are focused on delivering the best WhatsApp experience to as many people as possible," said Brian Acton, Co-Founder of WhatsApp Inc. "We are very excited about our partnership with Nokia Asha complementing our strategy of giving people around the world an easy experience when keeping in touch with their friends."

The new device also takes full advantage of the Nokia Xpress Browser which uses Nokia's cloud technology to reduce data consumption by up to 90 percent, helping people enjoy more affordable Internet access. The Nokia Asha 210 also features Nokia Nearby, a web app that lets people discover points of interest such as restaurants, shopping and ATM machines close to their location.

Other key features for Nokia Asha 210 include:
- Social phonebook integration with the ability to launch WhatsApp direct from contact cards in the Phonebook
- Preloaded YouTube launcher for direct video streaming
- Chat screen notifications that keep users up-to-date on new conversations
- Single-SIM and Dual-SIM models featuring Nokia's exclusive EasySwap technology that enables consumers to change SIM cards without having to turn off the device
- WiFi On/Off control button
- Nokia's renowned long battery life: up to 46 days with Single-SIM and up to 24 days with Dual-SIM

The Nokia Asha 210 is available in yellow, cyan, black, magenta, and white. The estimated retail price for the Nokia Asha 210 is around 72 USD and it is expected to start shipping in the second quarter of 2013.

Source

By: Unknown On 10:44 PM

Continue Reading

Sony announces Jak and Daxter Trilogy coming to PS Vita this June

Despite what the sales figures might imply, the general consensus is that, for the most part, the PlayStation Vita's a neat portable console -- although some still argue Sony could do a little more to give its precious handheld a boost when it comes to available content. And just as it did with the PS3, the Japanese electronics maker has now announced that a remastered collection of Jak and Daxter is headed to the PS Vita as well, which includes Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, Jak II and Jak 3. The trilogy's said to be debuting on the PlayStation Vita at some point in June of this year for $29.99 in North America, or a corresponding €29.99 for those located across the pond in Europe. Not too bad a price to pay for some nostalgia-filled gaming sessions, eh?

Via: Joystiq

Source: Sony

Source

By: Unknown On 9:07 PM

Continue Reading

US Cellular announces its intent to carry Windows Phone 8 devices

In response to a customer's question about Windows Phone plans, US Cellular used its official Facebook page to proclaim its intent to launch a WP8 device in the near future. While the representative specifically mentioned Windows 8 (sans "Phone"), we reached out to US Cellular for clarification. A company spokesperson confirmed our suspicions, stating that a device running the mobile platform will indeed be launching. We'll have to wait until next month to get additional details about it, but USCC customers biding their time for a WP8 smartphone will soon have the opportunity to grab one for themselves without making the move to a different carrier.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Source

By: Unknown On 1:02 PM

Continue Reading

Sigma announces 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM zoom, breaks the elusive f/2.0 barrier

After opening a lot of eyes with its 30mm, F1.4 DC HSM lens, Sigma's just thrown another curve at the photo community with a feat that the major players haven't managed so far: a zoom lens with a fixed, sub f/2.0 aperture. The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM launched today for Canon APS-C cameras without being on anybody's radar, bringing over double the light than the priciest zooms, which typically top out at f/2.8 -- except for Olympus' $2,300 14-35mm f/2.0 Four Thirds model. The extra third of a stop over that model may not seem like much, but the company said it needed to "solve a variety of technical challenges" to build it in order to minimize distortion and aberration. Sigma's also promising fast autofocus via a hypersonic motor (with full-time manual override) and rubber-coated brass construction. There's no pricing or availability yet, but don't expect it to be cheap (think $2k plus) -- after all, it's the only game in town for now.

Via: Sony Alpha Rumors

Source: Sigma

Source

By: Unknown On 7:40 PM

Continue Reading

Korg announces Volca analog synth series, we go eyes-on

Korg's love of the mini-analog synth clearly remains strong as it's added three more new ones to the fold -- the Volca Beat, Volca Bass and Volca Keys (the clue to what they do is in the names). While some firms take a pro product and work down, making cheaper versions, Korg seems to take a different approach. It did the stripping-back thing when it launched its popular Monotron synth. Since then, it's incrementally developed it back up into a whole category of its own, the latest iteration of which we apparently see before us here. The trio of mini-synths clearly take inspiration from the Monotribe groovebox that came before them, but are a step up in terms of design. Brushed metal finishes give them a vintage, almost Stylophone feel. The Volca Bass, in particular, looks almost too much like the legendary Roland TB-303 to be coincidence, and if we didn't know better, we'd say the color scheme of the Beat echoes the TR-808. As we happened to be in Frankfurt, we couldn't resist getting out hands on them, or as you'll see past the break, at least trying to. Korg Volca series eyes-on

We really wanted to give you a proper demo of the Volca series, but Korg apparently had other ideas. Only one of each device was on display, each firmly (and understandably) fixed down to the display unit. We did manage to elbow our way through the ever present crowd and sneak in a listen though. Fear not, as Korg has provided a juicy demo video of its own, that should satisfy your urge to hear what they sound like. We did, however, get the chance to have a quick play with them and get a feel for the hardware.

First things first, these are unmistakably Korg. The look, the feel, the very idea, is almost becoming a signature of the brand. A good balance between retro authenticity, paired with modern needs (affordable, analog sound, portability) undoubtedly makes them a tempting prospect to a wide range of musicians. So it comes as no surprise that Korg might keep reinventing them. Sound-wise, it's more of the same. And again, that's no bad thing. All three devices perform their respective parts well, with that familiar crunchy, lo-fi, yet complex analog-based sound. This time, there's full MIDI support across the board, with each unit sporting a 5-pin port right up top. This said, they truly work on their own, too, with each one housing an inbuilt loop sequencer for phrase-based performance, and can be sync'd to one another. As before with the Mono-series, you can run them on batteries and there's a loud speaker to annoy impress your friends with. Volca Keys has three oscillators and 27 (albeit small) keys to thumb at. Volca Bass also has a three oscillator configuration, and takes some inspiration from Korg's Electribe range in the form of its step-sequencer. As for Volca Beat? That has a PCM engine for punchy clap and snare sounds, and a choice of parameters to allow a catalog of different drum sounds to be generated. Frankly, we were sold on them the moment we laid eyes on them, but don't take our word for it, head south for the evidence. Back already? Then the answer to your next question is June, and $149 each.

Source

By: Unknown On 10:56 AM

Continue Reading

AT&T announces plans for 1Gbps fiber service in Austin, Texas; Google gets immediate competition

First thought: "Ha!" Second thought: "Oh, wait -- competition is an excellent thing." While it's highly probable that AT&T is looking to both overshadow Google's launch party and maintain a foothold in one of its most prized states, the outfit's terse announcement of an impending 1Gbps fiber network should honestly be seen as nothing but excellent news for residents of Austin. Merely hours after Google and the city of Austin jointly made clear that Google Fiber would be hitting up local homes in mid-2014, Ma Bell has made public its "intent" to built a 1 Gigabit fiber network in the same area.

AT&T's expanded fiber plans in Austin anticipate it will be granted the "same terms and conditions as Google on issues such as geographic scope of offerings, rights of way, permitting, state licenses and any investment incentives." Of course, it's seriously unlikely AT&T will offer up basic fiber connections for free in the way that Google's doing, but on a macro level, we certainly hope this type of one-upping continues in more towns across the country. And, more specifically, that AT&T continues to roll out fiber networks on its own accord in various locales; with FiOS expansion indefinitely paused, we sure need someone to step up and keep the dream alive.

Show full PR text

AT&T Announces Intent to Build 1 Gigabit Fiber Network in Austin

AUSTIN, Texas, April 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) said today that it is pleased to see local communities and municipalities acknowledging the promise and power of economic development associated with telecommunications investment.

"Most encouraging is the recognition by government officials that policies which eliminate unnecessary regulation, lower costs and speed infrastructure deployment, can be a meaningful catalyst to additional investment in advanced networks which drives employment and economic growth," said Randall Stephenson , AT&T chairman and CEO.

Today, AT&T announced that in conjunction with its previously announced Project VIP expansion of broadband access, it is prepared to build an advanced fiber optic infrastructure in Austin, Texas, capable of delivering speeds up to 1 gigabit per second. AT&T's expanded fiber plans in Austin anticipate it will be granted the same terms and conditions as Google on issues such as geographic scope of offerings, rights of way, permitting, state licenses and any investment incentives. This expanded investment is not expected to materially alter AT&T's anticipated 2013 capital expenditures.

AT&T consistently invests in U.S. communities -- $98 billion in capital in the past five years, more than any other public company -- and remains committed to working with any metropolitan community to reach agreement on incentives to improve the climate and speed of overall telecommunications infrastructure investment – facilitating both wired and wireless broadband access. Our potential capital investment will depend on the extent we can reach satisfactory agreements.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

Source: AT&T

Source

By: Unknown On 11:01 AM

Continue Reading

BMW announces compatibility with four new iOS apps, removable in-car LTE router, we go hands-on

At this year's New York International Auto Show BMW is expanding its portfolio of connected apps -- by four. The company announced iOS integration for Audible, Glympse, Rhapsody and TuneIn Radio and we couldn't help but swing by to check them all out. This integration (which also will work on Connected Minis) entails an update to those existing iOS apps. In other words, you won't need a dedicated BMW app nor second versions of these individual apps. You can use the ones you already know and love.

Join us below for a little more information on how that works, and a look at the company's in-car LTE router that's also on display.BMW Connected apps hands-onSee all photoswhen.eng("eng.galleries.init")

Lite previous connected apps, these four all work when connected via USB to the car itself. We demoed them all on an iPhone 5 using a USB to Lightning cable plugged in below the armrest, providing data to the car and power to the phone. As soon as the apps detect the connection to the car the screen is disabled, ensuring that this one vector for distracted driving is eliminated. The key features of app functionality are replicated through the car's iDrive controls. The interface is simple but still very functional for the most part.

You can, for example, still mark songs or artists as favorites in Rhapsody or skip back 30 seconds in Audible. TuneIn now will suggest related stations and Glympse, a location sharing app, will automatically pull your destination from the car's GPS. Overall the data that powers the apps is still pulled down by the phone, so watch those data caps, but without a doubt this is a far safer way of using apps than actually picking up your phone. Still, we were disappointed that there's no way to change from one app to the next via the in-car interface. For that you still have to reach for the phone. We're also disappointed there's no information on versions for any other mobile operating system.

BMW was also unveiling something rather more strange: a portable LTE router. It slots in where the smartphone connectivity kit rests inside the armrest and, when a suitable LTE SIM is inserted (this prototype model was rocking Verizon) will utilize the car's antenna to get you great signal. That connectivity then shows up to anyone in the car (or nearby) as a WiFi hotspot that can be configured with whatever settings you like. Interestingly, BMW put a small battery in there so that you can pop the contraption out for use while out and about. That might be good for some roadside picnic action, but with only 30 minutes of charge and a brick-like form factor it's pretty clear that Novatel Wireless has nothing to worry about here.BMW wireless router hands-onSee all No word on pricing, availability or carrier compatibility at this point but it will, at least, be compatible with any recent BMW that has the smartphone connectivity kit. For once, you won't need to buy a new car to get the new toys.

Tags: audible, bmw, connected, glympse, hands-on, infotainment, nyias, nyias2013, rhapsody, tunein, tuneinradio

Source

By: Unknown On 11:16 PM

Continue Reading

T-Mobile announces first LTE markets

T-Mobile Makes Bold "Un-carrier" Moves
Announces radically simple unlimited plan; axes contracts, unbundles cost of plan and device with lowest upfront costs, lights up 4G LTE network

New York, N.Y. - Mar. 26, 2013
2013-03-26 11:35:20

T-Mobile has been talking the talk; now it's walking the walk. The company, known for its "Un-carrier" attitude, today announced a series of moves to address consumer frustration with the unnecessary cost and complexity of wireless.

The moves include radically simplifying its lineup of consumer rate plans to one incredibly affordable plan for unlimited talk, text and Web; ensuring that customers never have to sign another annual service contract through T-Mobile retail outlets; and enabling customers to get the most popular smartphones whenever they want for the lowest upfront cost. T-Mobile also debuted its blazing fast 4G LTE network service in seven major metropolitan areas.

"These bold moves serve notice that T-Mobile is canceling its membership in the out-of-touch wireless club," said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile USA, Inc. "This is an industry filled with ridiculously confusing contracts, limits on how much data you can use or when you can upgrade, and monthly bills that make little sense. As America's Un-carrier, we are changing all of that and bringing common sense to wireless."

Un-Restricted, Un-Limited

Central to today's announcement is a radically simple approach to consumer rate plans - the Simple Choice Plan. A break from industry norms, the Simple Choice Plan eliminates restrictive annual contracts, taking pain and confusion out of the wireless experience.

What could be simpler than one consumer rate plan?

Simple Choice asks customers two basic questions: How many lines do you need, and how much high-speed data would you like? Customers start with one line at $50 per month for unlimited talk, text and Web with 500MB of high-speed data. Customers can add a second phone line for $30 per month, and each additional line is just $10 per month. They can also add 2 GB of high-speed data for $10 per month more per line. Unlimited 4G data is only $20 more per month per line. No caps. No overages. Just simple value.

Also, because T-Mobile is the only major U.S. wireless company to stop requiring consumers to sign annual service contracts, customers have far more flexibility with how they buy and use wireless devices. Traditionally, getting a good deal on a new phone has meant agreeing to an expensive service for two years. Upgrades typically weren't allowed (without significant upfront costs) until contracts expired, and it was often difficult to ascertain the true value of a device offer because it was tied to a long-term annual contract.

With T-Mobile's un-restricted approach, customers can purchase great devices, pay for them in affordable, interest-free monthly installments, and upgrade anytime they like - not just when their carrier says it's okay. Customers can even use their own unlocked device. Monthly statements are easy to understand since the price stays constant from month to month, and the device cost is clear and unmistakable.

Customers can find more information about T-Mobile's Simple Choice Plan at nationwide T-Mobile retail stores, on http://www.T-Mobile.com, and through select dealers and national retail stores.

Un-Beatable Prices on LTE Devices

In tandem with the debut of its 4G LTE network service, T-Mobile also announced today that it will have several 4G LTE-capable devices available, including Samsung Galaxy S 4, BlackBerry Z10, HTC One, T-Mobile Sonic 2.0 Mobile HotSpot LTE and Samsung Galaxy Note II.

Samsung Galaxy S® 4 is the next generation of Samsung's popular Galaxy line of smartphones. Exact pricing and timing of availability have not been announced, but the Galaxy S 4 will be available in the second quarter of this year.

BlackBerry® Z10 is T-Mobile's first 4G LTE touchscreen smartphone featuring the redesigned, re-engineered BlackBerry® 10 platform, which continuously adapts to users' needs. Starting today, the fastest and most advanced BlackBerry smartphone yet is available for qualifying customers for $99.99 down with 24 equal monthly payments of $18 for well-qualified buyers OAC. The BlackBerry Z10 is available through all T-Mobile channels. For more information about T-Mobile's Z10, please visit Media Kit.

HTC One® is the first T-Mobile 4G LTE smartphone featuring new HTC Sense™ innovations, including HTC BlinkFeed,™ HTC Zoe™ and HTC BoomSound™. Wrapped in a sleek full metal body, the HTC One will be available later this spring in all T-Mobile channels. For more information about HTC One, please visit Media Kit.

Samsung Galaxy Note® II. Current users of the popular Samsung Galaxy Note II can now take advantage of T-Mobile's 4G LTE network via an over-the-air software update. For more information about this update and for complete download instructions, customers can visit T-Mobile's support page at http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-4962. For more information about the Samsung Galaxy Note II, please visit Media Kit.

T-Mobile Sonic 2.0 Mobile HotSpot LTE is the first 4G LTE mobile hotspot from T-Mobile, providing simple and affordable on-the-go access to the Internet for up to eight devices. The T-Mobile Sonic 2.0 Mobile HotSpot LTE is available for $29.99 down with 24 equal monthly payments of $5 for well-qualified buyers OAC beginning today. It will be sold through all T-Mobile channels. For more information about the mobile hotspot, please visit Media Kit.

Un-Congested 4G Network

T-Mobile is moving at breakneck speed to expand the capabilities of its network.

Today, T-Mobile launched its state-of-the-art 4G LTE network in seven major metropolitan areas, including Baltimore; Houston; Kansas City; Las Vegas; Phoenix; San Jose, Calif.; and Washington, D.C. The advanced 4G LTE network is expected to reach 100 million Americans by midyear and 200 million by the end of 2013.

T-Mobile is deploying the latest LTE technology, paving the way to LTE Advanced. T-Mobile's 4G LTE deployment will complement its existing nationwide 4G network - which third-party tests show rivals or beats existing LTE networks - creating what T-Mobile expects to be the fastest 4G combination in the United States. T-Mobile 4G LTE devices will automatically and seamlessly transition to T-Mobile's nationwide 4G where LTE has not yet launched.

T-Mobile Launches Un-carrier with Wild West Commercial

To underscore its Un-carrier attitude, T-Mobile today unveiled a new tagline, "T-Mobile un-leash." In tandem, the company will roll out a new nationwide advertising campaign, beginning with a television commercial tomorrow that plays off the Western film genre. The new commercial features a group of four cowboys in black hats riding into a dusty town to the terror of its residents. As three of the cowboys tell town folk they're going to have to "do what we say," the fourth, representing T-Mobile, switches to a magenta-colored hat and rides in another direction, saying he "just doesn't want to do this anymore." The 60-second ad spot closes with one cowboy musing "I'm gonna miss the guy" while our hero simply states "Oh, I'll be around."

Source

By: Unknown On 9:58 PM

Continue Reading

Havok announces Project Anarchy, a new development engine for mobile gaming

HAVOK™ LIBERATES MOBILE DEVELOPERS WITH PROJECT ANARCHY!

COMPLETE 3D MOBILE GAME DEVELOPMENT ENGINE AVAILABLE FOR FREE THIS SPRING

SAN FRANCISCO, CA-March 26, 2013-At the 2013 Game Developers Conference today, Havok™
unveiled Project Anarchy, a complete end-to-end mobile 3D game production engine. Havok announced
that developing and releasing a game with the technology will be free on many leading mobile
platforms, without commercial restrictions on company size or revenue.

Project Anarchy will include Havok's Vision Engine together with access to Havok's industry-leading suite
of Physics, Animation and AI tools as used in cutting-edge franchises such as Skyrim™, Halo, Assassin's
Creed®, Uncharted and Skylanders. The free download will also include a broad range of game samples
and tutorials to help the mobile development community hit the ground running. Havok will be giving
open previews of the technology on the main show floor throughout GDC.

As part of this initiative, Havok will launch an online community to proactively promote and support
developers through all stages of production via a dedicated website www.projectanarchy.com.
Project Anarchy will also encourage free sharing and collaborative development of extensions and
customizations by the community.

"We're consistently blown away by what the AAA industry creates with our technology," said Ross
O'Dwyer, Head of Developer Relations at Havok. "We're really delighted to be able to offer these
professional grade tools to mobile developers for free and we look forward to supporting the mobile
game development community to make some stunning games with the technology over the next few
years."

Source

By: Unknown On 9:35 PM

Continue Reading

Sony announces more indie partnerships, Blacklight: Retribution and Primal Carnage: Genesis for PS4

Sony Computer Entertainment America Partners with the World's Most Talented Developers to Further Expand Industry's Best Independent Game Portfolio for All PlayStation® Platforms

Blacklight: Retribution Becomes First PlayStation Pub Fund Game for PlayStation®4, Pub Fund to also Support Divekick and Metrico as they Make Exclusive Debut on PlayStation Platforms

FOSTER CITY, Calif., March 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) today continued its commitment to delivering new and innovative experiences to gamers by introducing several one-of-a-kind titles from its growing independent developer portfolio for all PlayStation platforms, including the newly announced PlayStation®4 (PS4™) system. With several options for developers to publish on PlayStation®Network, including a flexible self-publishing process, a low barrier to entry, an accessible SDK and various funding opportunities such as the PlayStation Pub Fund, SCEA will continue to offer the best platform for independently published console games across the game industry.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20020701/SFM066LOGO)

"We've got an incredible team on the ground that talks to developers every day, and these new games we're announcing are a direct result of the team's proactive outreach and focus on working with top independent developers," said Adam Boyes, vice president, publisher and developer relations, SCEA. "Our process and approach in working with developers has evolved to incorporate a lot of flexibility into the process, including the way we pursue and discover new talent, help them with funding solutions and work together to deliver their best games onto PlayStation platforms."

The games unveiled today for PS4 include Zombie Studios' Blacklight: Retribution and Primal Carnage: Genesis from Lukewarm Media. These games will join Jonathan Blow's highly anticipated exploration-puzzler, The Witness, as self-published titles making their console debut on the PS4 system. In addition to supporting Blacklight: Retribution, the PlayStation Pub Fund, which provides back-end financial and marketing support to developers, adds fighting game Divekick and infographic adventure Metrico, which is a PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) exclusive.

The games were highlighted, along with additional details about SCEA's new developer and publisher support system and guidelines, at tonight's PlayStation press event during the Game Developers Conference 2013 in San Francisco. Below are additional details about the new games, developers and programs PlayStation is showcasing at GDC 2013:

Blacklight: Retribution and Primal Carnage: Genesis Coming to the PlayStation 4 system

Both Zombie Studios and Lukewarm Media are partnering with SCEA to debut their popular PC shooter franchises on console with PlayStation 4.

With more than one-million players on PC, the Blacklight franchise will bring a new experience to the PS4 system with a further evolution of the futuristic free-to-play first-person shooter.
Primal Carnage: Genesis for PS4 is a story driven, episodic single player adventure that takes place in a world where dinosaurs have been brought back to life. Lukewarm Media aims to resurrect the immersive dinosaur first person experience that people have been waiting for.
Indies Continue to Support Current PlayStation Platforms

PlayStation Network continues to be the best destination for independent developers to reach gamers across the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) and the PS Vita systems. Iron Galaxy Studios is bringing its quirky two-button fighting game, Divekick, to PS3 and PS Vita later this spring. Additionally, Digital Dreams will launch Metrico, a PS Vita exclusive that delivers an innovative experience in an atmospheric infographic world, utilizing the PS Vita controls in a new way. Independent Games Festival Award Winner and randomly-generated cave explorer Spelunky will be available on the PS3 and PS Vita systems with new exclusive features, and for the first time, acclaimed puzzle platformer Limbo will make its way to handheld platforms with its debut on the PS Vita system later this year. Additional independent titles coming to PlayStation Network this year include Pub Fund titles Sportsfriends, Guacamelee! and Dragon Fantasy Book Two, as well as additional highlight titles Ibb & Obb, Hotline Miami, Luftrausers, Velocity Ultra, Thomas Was Alone and Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov's Revenge.

Hermit Crab in Space Wins PlayStation®Mobile NYC GameJam

During IndieCade East in February, SCEA hosted a PlayStation®Mobile NYC GameJam, which culminated with four semi-finalists, Crystallon, Hermit Crab in Space, Crumble and Don't Wake the Bear, vying for top honors. In a close vote by recognized industry experts from the media and analyst community, Hermit Crab in Space was crowned as the winner of the PlayStation Mobile NYC GameJam. A member of the Golden Ruby Games team will receive airfare, hotel, and one pass to the E3 2013 trade show scheduled to take place June 11-13, 2013 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. At E3 2013, Golden Ruby Games will have a dedicated space in the PlayStation booth to showcase their game to conference attendees. Lastly, if Hermit Crab in Space is submitted to and passes SCE Quality Assurance by September 27, 2013, Golden Ruby Games will also receive a special promotional package, which includes marketing, PR, and community support through a variety of PlayStation channels. To view a video recap of the GameJam event, please visit http://youtu.be/S45-Rvb-zfg.

PS4 Inspires Evolution in New Developer and Publisher Relations

As part of continued efforts to partner with the best developer talent to create games for PlayStation platforms, SCEA has recently enhanced the services available to third-party publishers and developers, including the introduction of a new streamlined and faster Global Product Proposal process for submitting games. The new process, along with a focused internal structure, means SCEA can offer more resources and support to publishers and developers than ever before. For more information about the SCEA Publisher and Developer Relations Group, please visit: http://us.playstation.com/develop or email selfpublish@playstation.sony.com.

For more information on the independent games that are coming to PlayStation, please visit: http://blog.us.playstation.com/tag/gdc13/.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® systems, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®4 (PS4) computer entertainment system, the PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) portable entertainment system and its online and network services the PlayStation®Network and PlayStation®Store. Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one, PlayStation 2, PSP, PSPgo, PS3, PS4 and PS Vita systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC serves as headquarters for all North American operations.

All games featured are trademarked and copyrighted properties of their respective publishers and/or licensors. "PlayStation", and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks and "PS4," "PS3,""PSP" and the "PSVITA" logo and the PlayStation Network logo are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "SONY" and "make.believe" are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

SOURCE Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC

Source

By: Unknown On 9:04 PM

Continue Reading

Fujifilm announces FinePix XP200 ruggedized camera, S8400W superzoom

FUJIFILM FINEPIX XP200 COMBINES EXTREME DURABILITY WITH EASY WIRELESS IMAGE TRANSFER FOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURERS

XP200 sets a new standard for rugged cameras that deliver sharp images in any environment

Valhalla, N.Y., March 22, 2013 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation announces the latest addition to the popular rugged XP Series, the HYPERLINK "http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/digital_cameras/showcase/index.html" FinePix XP200. The new XP200 uses an improved 16MP CMOS sensor for enhanced image quality, a reinforced 5x FUJINON lens, and is Waterproof to 50ft (15M), Shockproof to 6.6ft, Freezeproof to 14°F (-10°C) and Dustproof*1. The XP200 also has a newly redesigned battery door lock with double seals for enhanced protection so that users are certain to get their most adventurous shots, all with an attractive camera body that is easy to use for the whole family.

"The new XP200 is the ultimate outdoor camera for every extreme athlete and outdoor enthusiast who wants to capture their adventures and share them quickly and easily online," said David Troy, Director of Marketing, Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. "By creating a camera that handles serious depths, ice, sand and drops, the XP200 is designed to inspire confidence and deliver clear, sharp images and full HD video wherever you go."

Superior image quality
The FinePix XP200 uses an improved 16MP CMOS sensor with CMOS Shift Image Stabilization to capture images that are sharp and clear, even in challenging low-light conditions. It also incorporates an internal 5x optical FUJINON zoom lens (28-140mm*2) that allows users to get close to the action, even under water. And with its Intelligent Digital Zoom, the XP200 can double its zoom range to 10x while still offering optimum image quality.

Enhanced Wireless Image Transfer Function
The XP200's new wireless feature lets you transfer photos and movies*3 from the camera to smartphones, tablets and computers and then upload high-quality images to social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter in seconds.

To connect the XP200 to a smartphone or tablet, users can download the free dedicated "FUJIFILM Camera Application" to their iPhone™ / iPad™ or Android™ smartphone or tablet device to transfer up to 30 pictures at a time from the XP200. The app also lets you download movies*3, expanding the range of options available for enjoying pictures taken with the camera.

With its Wi-Fi capability, the XP200 also allows users to easily back up photos on their home computer. Users simply install the free "FUJIFILM PC AutoSave" software onto their computer and select which folder they want the photos to back up to, and then by linking a Wi-Fi Router and the XP200, the camera will automatically backup photos to their home computer.

Pictures stored on the XP200 can be viewed and selected for download on large smartphone or tablet screens for a smooth viewing experience. No wireless LAN access point or complicated ID or password entry is required, and once pictures have been downloaded to the smartphone, it is simple to upload them to social networking sites.

High Speed for Real Life
The FinePix XP200 has all the speed users need to capture their fast action including two high speed shooting modes, 10fps*4 continuous shooting mode at full resolution (max 9 frames) and an ultra-high speed continuous shooting at up to 60fps*4 (max 70 frames in 16:9, S size only). The XP200 even has a dedicated "Burst Mode Button" placed on the top of the camera that lets users utilize this mode instantly without having to fumble through menu options to activate...a camera specifically designed for action.

Full HD Movies Made Easy
The FinePix XP200 allows users to shoot amazing action-packed HD videos delivering full HD 1080i (60fps) movie capture as well as a high speed movie recording at up to 240fps for incredible slow motion playback. The XP200 also features advanced in-camera movie editing including, "movie editing" and "movie join" to seamlessly pull together multiple video clips into a single movie.
Bright Screen, Easy Viewing
The XP200 has bright and vibrant 3.0" 920K-dot LCD monitor which has an anti-reflective coating that makes viewing images and data on the camera easy and crystal clear, even in bright sunlight. The screen features an automatic brightness adjustment feature which can be optimized to monitor brightness to account for ambient lighting, which saves battery power without sacrificing clarity.

Advanced Filters
The XP200 features an Advanced Filter option that lets users enjoy a variety of photographic expressions. The XP200 artistic effects include:
• Pop Color – great for boosting contrast and saturation
• Toy Camera – adds vignetting for a 70's retro look
• Miniature – blurred top and bottom sections for a tilt-and-shift effect
• Partial Color – selects one color and takes the rest of the shot in black and white
(choose from red, purple, yellow, green, blue and orange)
• Soft Focus – create a soft focus effect evenly throughout the whole image
• High Key – increases overall brightness and reduces contrast
• Cross Screen – adds starbursts around bright objects

FinePix XP200 key features:
Waterproof to 50ft/15m*1
Shockproof to 6.6ft/2m*1
Dustproof*1
Freezeproof to 14°F/-10ºC*1
1/2.3" 16MP CMOS sensor
5x optical zoom (10x total using Intelligent Digital zoom)
CMOS-shift image stabilization
3.0" LCD screen with anti-reflective coating
Wireless Image Transfer to smartphones and tablets
Full HD movie recording and a dedicated "Movie Recording Button"
10fps*4 continuous shooting mode at full resolution (max 9 frames) with dedicated "Burst Mode Button"
High speed multi-frame processing – record two shots or more at different exposures and then combine them to achieve High Dynamic Range (HDR) shots with natural contrast that preserves details in the highlights and shadows.
Motion Panorama 360 – create a 360º panoramic shot by selecting the mode, pressing the shutter button and spinning around in a circle.
Individual Shutter 3D – create fun images with a 3D effect by combining two shots taken from slightly different angles.

Pricing and Availability
The FinePix XP200 will be available in May 2013 at the price of $299.95, and will be available in black, yellow, blue and red.

FUJIFILM ANNOUNCES NEW WIFI ENABLED LONG ZOOM S8400W ALL-IN-ONE BRIDGE CAMERA THAT DELIVERS AMAZING IMAGES AND EASY SHARING

New S8400W combines long zoom, fast autofocus speeds and easy WiFi sharing for photo enthusiasts

Valhalla, N.Y., March 22, 2013 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation announces its newest all-in-one bridge camera, the HYPERLINK "http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/digital_cameras/showcase/index.html" FinePix S8400W that is WiFi® enabled and uses a precision 44x optical long zoom (24-1056mm) FUJINON lens. The new S8400W features an improved CMOS sensor, advanced processing power and amazing optics to give consumers a great combination of photographic versatility in an easy-to-use and compact design.

"The new FinePix S8400W is a long zoom bridge camera with amazing performance and high speed operation giving photo enthusiasts the range and quality that they are looking for," said David Troy, Director of Marketing, Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. "And with its built-in WiFi, users can easily connect and upload their favorite images to their smartphone or tablet for quick online sharing."

Powerful Optical Zoom and Potent Optical Image Stabilization
The S8400W boasts a 44x optical zoom lens with fast aperture of F2.9 to F6.5, an amazing Optical Image Stabilization system for excellent blur reduction and is capable of a Super Macro mode for users to get as close as 0.39" from a subject for great close-up shots. This all in one FUJINON lens consists of 17 elements in 12 groups, and combines aspherical and ED elements that help to reduce aberrations and promote a superior level of image quality.

Fast Autofocus and Quick Response Times
The FinePix S8400W has an impressive 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor that captures excellent quality, low noise shots at sensitivities as high as ISO 12800. With autofocus speeds of 0.3 seconds*1, start-up times of 1.0 seconds*2, a 0.5 seconds*2 interval between shots and a continuous shooting speed of up to 10fps (max 10 frames at full resolution)*2, users can feel confident about capturing a fast-action shot. And with its ultra-high-speed shooting of up to 60fps (max 60 frames, image size 1280 × 960) and up to 120fps (max 60 frames, image size 640 × 480), the S8400W lets users capture the action in slow-motion for advanced photography.

Enhanced Wireless Image Transfer Function
The FinePix S8400W's new wireless feature lets you transfer photos and movies*3 from the camera to smartphones, tablets and computers and then upload high-quality images to social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter in seconds.

To connect the S8400W to a smartphone or tablet, users can download the free dedicated "FUJIFILM Camera Application" to their iPhone™ / iPad™ or Android™ smartphone or tablet device to transfer up to 30 pictures at a time from the S8400W. The app also lets you download movies*3, expanding the range of options available for enjoying pictures taken with the camera.

With its Wi-Fi capability, the S8400W also allows users to easily back up photos on their home computer. Users simply install the free "FUJIFILM PC AutoSave" software onto their computer and select which folder they want the photos to back up to, and then by linking a Wi-Fi Router and the S8400W, the camera will automatically backup photos to their home computer.

Pictures stored on the S8400W can be viewed and selected for download on large smartphone or tablet screens for a smooth viewing experience. No wireless LAN access point or complicated ID or password entry is required, and once pictures have been downloaded to the smartphone, it is simple to upload them to social networking sites.

Easy to Use
The FinePix S8400W has an easy to use Mode Dial for shooting selection, dual zoom control for speed and precision zooming, and a bright 3.0" LCD screen (460K-dot) and electronic view finder (EVF) with 201K-dot resolution for easy viewing and image framing.

Full HD movie 1080i/60fps with Stereo Sound
The FinePix S8400W makes movie recording as easy as taking pictures using the dedicated movie button to start recording instantly. The high resolution, 1080i movie capture at 60fps with stereo sound and slow-motion capture at 480fps*4 is superb when played back on HDTV screens, and users can even take still photos during video recording. The S8400W also adds a number of in-camera movie editing features including "movie trimming" and "movie join."

Artistic shooting effects
The FinePix S8400W uses advanced in-camera filters that bring creative photography to life. The S8400W artistic effects include:
Pop color – emphasizes contrast and color saturation
Toy camera – create shaded borders as if you were taking a photo on a toy camera
Miniature effect – blurs the top and bottom of the frame for a diorama effect
Partial color – retain one selected original color and change the rest of the photo to black and white (select from red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple)
Cross screen*5 – creates starbursts around bright objects
Soft Focus*5 – create a look that is evenly soft throughout the whole image

FinePix S8400W key features:
FUJINON super zoom Lens (24mm wide-angle, fast apertures of F2.9 to F6.5)
1/2.3" 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor:
Autofocus speed of 0.3 second*1 in fastest conditions
Continuous shooting; 10fps (max 10frames, full resolution), 60fps (max 60 frames, image size 1280 × 960) ,120fps (max 60 frames, image size 640 × 480)
Start-up time of 1.0 second
Shooting interval time of 0.5 second
Wireless Image Transfer to smartphones and tablets
Full HD movie 1080i/60 fps with stereo sound and slow-motion capture at 480fps*3
Bright 3.0" LCD screen (460K-dot)
Electronic viewfinder (201K-dot)
Super Macro to 0.39"
Manual exposure control (P/S/A/M modes)
Dual zoom control
Advanced Filters
Instant zoom and Zoom Bracketing
4×AA alkaline batteries with approximately 300 shot battery life

Pricing and Availability
The FinePix S8400W will be available May 2013 at the price of $349.95.

Source

By: Unknown On 7:16 PM

Continue Reading

Nikon announces DX-format Coolpix A with 16.2MP APS-C sensor, $1,100 MSRP

Not ready to shell out $2,800 for Sony's full-frame RX1 point-and-shoot? Perhaps an APS-C compact is more within your league. Nikon's Coolpix A is the imaging giant's answer to Sony's fixed-lens flavor, sporting an 18.5mm (28mm equivalent) prime lens with a maximum f/2.8 aperture, "quick" autofocus performance, a manual focus ring and, at the center of it all, a 16.2-megapixel DX-format sensor. The idea here is that you'll get DSLR (or mirrorless camera) image quality and depth-of-field in a cam you can tuck away in your pocket. It's a concept we've seen manufacturers deliver on before, and now it's Nikon's turn.

There's a handful of DSLR-like features, such as a full-size hot shoe with i-TTL compatibility, a dedicated mode dial, an adapter ring that accepts a lens hood or 46mm filters, and WU-1a WiFi module compatibility. There's no optical viewfinder in the box, but no matter -- you can add one on for a mere $450. You'll shoot 12- or 14-bit RAW image files at a sensitivity ranging from ISO 100-25,600, and you'll pay dearly for the privilege. $1,100 is the MSRP; black and silver, the color. The Coolpix A is set to to hit stores later this month.

Show full PR text

The COOLPIX A: Nikon's First DX-Format COOLPIX Camera

Unlike any other COOLPIX camera, the new COOLPIX A is equipped with a DX-format CMOS sensor that enables users to achieve superior image quality previously only possible with a Nikon D-SLR. The combination of this 16.2-megapixel DX-format sensor and ultra-sharp prime NIKKOR lens firmly positions the COOLPIX A as the reigning flagship camera in the COOLPIX line.

The all-glass 18.5mm (28mm equivalent) prime lens has an f/2.8 aperture, allowing users to shoot with a shallow depth of field to blur backgrounds for professional-looking photos. Even when the sun goes down, the lens offers the ability to turn a fleeting glance into a flattering moonlit portrait with just a press of the shutter. Always ready for the spontaneous moment, the camera's quick AF performance and 4 frames-per-second (fps) burst help users to consistently capture any moment with outstanding image quality.

For those who want to push their photography skills, the versatile COOLPIX A also offers advanced settings to allow shooters to have complete creative control to master nearly any shooting situation. With multiple Scene Modes, a familiar manual focus ring, full manual exposure controls (P,S,A,M), and the ability to shoot RAW/NEF image files, even a simple snapshot can be transformed into artistic expression.

Additionally, the COOLPIX A offers a variety of accessories to enhance the shooting experience, including the DF-CP1 Optical Viewfinder, the UR-E24 Adapter Ring for attaching lens hoods and filters, and the HN-CP18 metal Lens Hood, which helps protect the surface of the lens and restricts light from passing through without negatively influencing images. The camera also has a full size hot shoe port that makes the camera compatible with various accessories such as Nikon Speedlights.

Source

By: Unknown On 7:02 PM

Continue Reading

LG announces 10 million LTE smartphones sold worldwide

It's been roughly two years since LG began its role in the LTE Revolution, but the company has just crossed an important milestone in its pursuit. Today, LG revealed that it's now sold 10 million LTE smartphones, which is double the number we last saw in August. Despite the lengthy amount of time it's taken LG to achieve this 10 million figure, the news comes at an interesting juncture, as the company's now ramping up distribution of its halo device, the Optimus G. Similarly, both the Optimus F7 and F5 are due later this year, which will be aimed at those seeking 4G on a budget. Will we see an uptick in LG's sales of LTE smartphones? We certainly hope so, but our Magic 8-Ball's currently broken. That said, you'll find the full announcement after the break.

Show full PR text

LG PASSES TEN MILLION MARK IN LTE SMARTPHONE SALES

LG Expands LTE Market with Compelling Lineup Targeting Diverse Range of Consumer Needs

SEOUL, Mar. 3, 2013 -- LG Electronics (LG) reports that it has sold more than 10 million LTE smartphones worldwide, a result of the company's aggressive push into 4G markets with a combination of the best hardware and advanced 4G LTE technologies.
"Aggressive pushing forward with 4G LTE technology allows LG satisfy the needs of consumers and is a huge factor in our growing success in global LTE smartphone sales," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of the LG Mobile Communications Company. "Having established ourselves as a major industry player, we will continue to expand our footprint in the global LTE market with a wider range of differentiated, high quality LTE smartphones."

LG's success in expanding its presence in this segment is a result of its early entry into the LTE market and its leadership in LTE research and development. Last year, LG launched popular LTE smartphones in significant markets such as the United States, Japan, Germany and South Korea. In recent weeks, the company began a global rollout of its LG Optimus G in an additional 50 countries.

According to Strategic Analytics, global shipments of LTE smartphones are expected to drastically increase to 275 million units this year. LG is aiming to double its LTE smartphone penetration this year, expanding its presence in both established and emerging markets with a variety of devices. New for 2013, LG's Optimus F series will deliver a high-speed experience to users transitioning from 3G to 4G LTE networks in countries around the world.

Source

By: Unknown On 7:09 PM

Continue Reading

Samsung announces Android Wallet app for tickets and coupons, opens API to developers

If your heart bleeds Android, but your eyes occasionally wander in the direction of Apple's Passbook, good news. Samsung has announced "Wallet," a ticketing and coupon app of its own. Unveiled at the firm's Developer Day at Mobile World Congress, Wallet comes ready with an open API to encourage adoption, with some big names already onboard including Hotels.com, Booking.com, Expedia, MLB and Lufthansa. Though this isn't the only Android solution we've heard about, in keeping with the norm, the app will be connected, and location aware. As such, the app will let you know when Wallet-friendly stores and so on are nearby, as well as continually send updates to items already stored in the app, should those booking details change. The app API is still in beta at this time, but word is that Samsung is accepting early sign-ups on its approval.

Source: The Next Web

Source

By: Unknown On 6:23 PM

Continue Reading

MasterCard announces MasterPass digital banking service, gives Australia and Canada first dibs

MasterCard Delivers on the Promise of a Digital Future

February 25, 2013

Australia announced as the first market to deliver MasterCard MasterPass Digital Wallet

Sydney, 25 February 2013 – MasterCard today unveiled MasterPassTM – the future of digital payments – and announced Australia as the first to launch the ground-breaking digital wallet technology in March 2013.
MasterPass brings together all of the ways consumers pay for things, from traditional plastic cards to digital wallets, and gives them the ability to make a payment from wherever they are with one simple experience.

Partners already working with MasterCard on MasterPass include Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, NAB, ME Bank, JB Hi-Fi, AHL, Harvey Norman, Roses Only, Merchant Warrior and Paycorp.

With a simple click, tap or touch – online, in-store or anywhere – using any payment card or enabled device, MasterPass gives Australians access to a range of cards in their digital wallet with one button. MasterPass is the evolution of PayPass Wallet Services announced in May of last year.
Leading the transition to digital payments, MasterPass speeds up the online checkout process. Users can choose to pay from a list of pre-stored cards and shipping addresses kept securely in the digital wallet, removing the need to manually enter payment details as is necessary with most existing online payment systems.

"It's about convenience, accessibility and security," said Eddie Grobler, MasterCard Australasia divisional president.

"Australian consumers want to embrace mobile payments, and MasterPass is a crucial step in the evolution from plastic cards to digital wallets.
"With MasterPass, consumers can safely do their grocery shopping on the train on the way home from work, or make a last minute gift purchase on their lunch break, without the need to re-enter card and shipping details."

Partners already signed up are excited about the opportunity this creates for their own business.
In a first for Australian banking, Westpac customers will be able to checkout seamlessly on their mobile phone, ensuring a faster and more convenient shopping experience," said David Lindberg, Chief Product Officer, Westpac. "Westpac is proud to support ideas that make our customers' lives that little bit easier."

The MasterPass suite of services includes:
MasterPass checkout services – to provide merchants a consistent way to accept electronic payments regardless of where the consumer may be. For in-store scenarios either at the register or in the aisle, MasterPass supports the use of NFC, QR codes, tags, mobile devices used at points of sale or traditional plastic cards. For online purchases, MasterPass provides shoppers a simple check-out process by eliminating the need to enter detailed shipping and card information with every purchase.

MasterPass-connected wallets – to enable banks, merchants and partners to offer their own wallets. Consumers can securely store card information, address books and more in a secure cloud, hosted by an entity they trust. The wallet is open, which means that in addition to MasterCard cards, consumers can use other branded credit, debit and prepaid cards.
MasterPass value added services – to enrich the shopping experience before, during and after checkout. This includes more information like account balances and real-time alerts, loyalty programs, as well as Priceless offers and experiences.
Merchants and Financial Institutions Embrace MasterPass

Since the introduction of PayPass Wallet Services in May of 2012, merchants and financial institutions worldwide continue to support MasterCard and its digital payments strategy. With today's announcement, merchants, issuers and supporting partners working with MasterCard to support the launch of MasterPass include:

Financial institutions: BBVA Bank, BMO, BNLPOSitivity, BNL Italy, BNP Paribas Fortis Belgium, Banco Sabadell, Banco Santander, Banca Sella, Citi, Commonwealth Bank, Deutsche Bank Italy, EMS, EnterCard, EURO 6000, European Merchant Services, Fifth Third Bank, Handelsbanken, International Card Services Netherlands, Intesa Sanpaolo, Lake Trust Credit Union, ME Bank, NAB, SEB Kort, SIA, Swedbank, TMG Financial Services, UniCredit and Westpac.

Merchants: AHL, American Airlines, Argos, Boots, Grocery Gateway, Harvey Norman, Hikingboots.com, JB Hi-Fi, LogiTRAVEL, Mediamarket Spa Italy, MLB Advanced Media, Park Avenue Coffee, Roses Only Group, Runningshoes.com, Vodafone Italy and Wintercheck Factory. In addition to these merchants, through our work with service providers and payment gateways worldwide, MasterPass will be available at more than 5,900 merchants.

Technology partners: Adyen, Buckaroo, CQR, Cardinal Commerce, Cart32, CO-OP Financial Services, DataCash, Demandware, ICBA Bancard inc., Merchant Warrior, mFoundry, Moneris, OPENTECH.com, Paycorp Holdings, PSCU, Reply, Sage Pay, SIA, The Members Group, Usablenet and VeriFone Systems, Inc.

Supporting Partner Quotes
"In a first for Australian banking, Westpac customers will be able to checkout seamlessly on their mobile phone, ensuring a faster and more convenient shopping experience. Westpac is proud to support ideas that make our customers' lives that little bit easier." David Lindberg, Chief Product Officer, Westpac

"Commonwealth Bank is committed to delivering the world's most advanced technology and solutions to our customers. The payments space is a great example for this. Introducing our customers to the convenience, safety and efficiency of MasterPass is therefore the right step for us. Australians are tech savvy, so whether it is via computer, tablet or mobile, they will be able to enjoy the benefits of MasterPass on whatever device they are using." Dr Michael Baumann, General Manager Payments Development, Commonwealth Bank

"NAB is continually looking for ways to improve, extend and enhance our cardholders' experience, whether they are paying in-store or online. MasterPass provides a simple and secure way for Australians to use their digital devices, including computers, tablets and mobiles, to enable payments and NAB is pleased to take part in this industry innovation." David Berry, GM Cards & Personal Loans, NAB
"We are very pleased to be working with MasterCard on the MasterPass wallet and keen to confirm how our customers perceive this simple and convenient service, which helps people buy goods and services over the internet. We believe this new financial service will only increase in relevance as more people buy online." Tom Bekiaris, Group Executive, Product & Strategy, ME Bank
"As Australia's leading technology and entertainment retailer it's vital we play a role in shaping the future of digital transactions. MasterPass represents a genuine step change for Australian retailing. By empowering our customers with a safe, efficient, innovative payment solution we're able to ensure every JB Hi-Fi experience online is a satisfying one." Richard Murray, CFO, JB Hi-Fi
"At Harvey Norman we seamlessly integrate the customer experience across all channels and being able to access different payment platforms is integral to this experience. MasterPass will enable us to continue to provide our customers with a secure and efficient payments experience, with added convenience when making their online purchases."Chris Mentis, Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary, Harvey Norman

"After building an outstanding strategic alliance with MasterCard's PayPass through our market-leading brands including Event Cinemas and Thredbo, we are excited about opportunities associated with the next generation of technology including MasterPass. Most customers begin their journey with us in the digital space, by booking and buying cinema and travel experiences online and on mobile. Innovation that supports this is a huge focus for our business going forward." Kristie Atkins, Director of Sales, AHL
"Digital payments represent the lifeblood of our business, so pioneering MasterPass is a key step in giving our customers the freedom to buy whenever they like, wherever they like. As Australia's leading online florist and gift retailer our customers demand an efficient payment process – that's exactly what MasterPass provides." James Stevens, CEO, Roses Only Group
"At Merchant Warrior we are committed to Innovation, Security and Leading edge technologies that empower merchants to offer flexible online payment solutions. We are proud to be one of Australia's premier payment gateways participating in the launch and implementation of MasterCard's MasterPass. We envision this partnership, through MasterPass, to be a step forward in the evolution of Next Generation Digital Payment solutions and are excited to play a part in shaping the future of Payments." Rakesh Pathak, Founder & CEO, Merchant Warrior
"As a leading provider of e-commerce payments solutions and innovation Paycorp are thrilled to partner MasterCard in offering MasterPass to our customers. We are impressed by the wallet's design allowing payment instruments and delivery addresses to be easily added or selected to complete the order checkout process. Our merchants will be surprised at how simple it is to integrate MasterPass to their existing e-commerce or m-commerce interfaces all within a highly secure environment. The open nature of the wallet allows a variety of payment instruments to be loaded, this truly is an online replacement for the physical wallet." John Caliguri, Managing Director, Paycorp Holdings
Find a complete list of MasterCard's news announcements from Mobile World Congress in our Digital Press Kit and follow us @MasterCardNews #MWCashless #MAMobileSymp to join the conversation.

Source

By: Unknown On 4:44 PM

Continue Reading

Acer announces two H6 Series monitors for the US, prices start at $150

New Acer H6 Series Monitors; Sleek, Seamless, Smart

Editor's Summary:

'Zero frame' construction provides elegant aesthetics as well as seamless visuals when using multiple monitors simultaneously, including video walls.

Full 1080p HD resolution IPS panels provide consistent and accurate color performance from wide viewing angles up to 178 degrees.

HDMI input transfers both audio and visual via just one cable, which means less clutter.

Tilt capability from -5 to 15-degrees enables users to adjust the displays for the most comfortable fit.

Displays feature a standard three-year warranty.

SAN JOSE, Calif. Feb. 19, 2013– Acer America is now offering its H6 Series LED-backlit displays to consumers in the United States. Svelte and savvy, the new monitors feature near zero frame construction for elegant aesthetics as well as seamless visuals when using multiple monitors simultaneously, including video walls.

Acer's newest monitors are available in two sizes - 21.5-inch (H226HQL) and 23-inch (H236HL). Both models have Full 1080p HD IPS panels, which provide consistent and accurate color performance from wide viewing angles up to 178 degrees. They can also tilt from -5 to 15-degrees, so users can adjust them for the most comfortable fit.

"Our new Acer H Series displays are the ideal all-around monitors due to their flexibility, Full HD resolution and excellent viewing angles," said Chris White, senior director of product marketing for Acer America. "They offer users the ability to display content with viewing angles as wide as 178 degrees, which makes them ideal for collaborating with others. Plus, the near zero frame construction is perfect for use in multi-monitor setups and video walls."

Boundary-Free Visuals

Featuring a 'zero frame' construction, the H6 Series displays sport a very thin .08-inch frame versus the thicker ones typically seen on displays. This clever design provides seamless visuals when building video walls consisting of multiple monitors placed side-by-side and/or on top of each other. A stylish brushed hairline finish has aesthetic appeal and a magnetic surface allows users to post notes and store paper clips directly on the stand.

A crisp 100,000,000:1 contrast ratio provides a very high level of clarity and a fast 5ms response time contributes to sharp images even during game play. The Acer eColor Management tool lets users optimize image performance under different viewing scenarios. The new displays also come with built-in speakers and multiple digital connectivity options, including HDMI®, DVI and VGA.

Pricing and Availability

The new Acer H6 Series displays are now available at leading retailers in the U.S. The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 21.5-inch Acer H226HQL display is $149.99 and the MSRP for the 23-inch Acer H236HL display is $179.99. Like all Acer displays, the Acer H6 Series feature a standard three-year warranty(1) and will be available at leading retailers in the U.S.

Source

By: Unknown On 6:12 PM

Continue Reading

Eric Kessler announces AirPlay support for HBO Go and Max Go apps, says à la carte HBO access still isn't economically viable

Eric Kessler, President & COO at HBO, just announced that a long-awaited feature will be going live today during his interview at D:Dive Into Media 2013. HBO Go and Max Go users with Apple products filling the home will now be able to enjoy AirPlay beaming. Straight from the man himself:

"Our long-term goal for Go is to be on all platforms and all devices. Effective today, we will be enabling AirPlay -- any device that allows users to watch on the big screen is great. You can play HBO Go on your iPhone or iPad, and then beam that to your HDTV via an Apple TV using AirPlay."

It appears that neither app has seen an update in Apple's App Store just yet, but we're guessing it's only a matter of time before both are refreshed. [Update: Looks as if both updates are now live!] Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that HBO will be on Apple TV for some time yet. Host Kara Swisher asked Kessler what the problem was in getting 'em on there. His reply? "We will get on Apple TV -- there is no problem. These things take time."

We spoke firsthand with Kessler following his interview, and he affirmed that there's no 30 percent revenue cut to worry about with Apple TV like there is for conventional apps on the App Store. It seemed that HBO simply viewed this as a lower priority now that AirPlay is a reality, and it may go a long way to explaining why so many other video apps are opting for AirPlay inclusion rather than focusing efforts on a dedicated Apple TV app.

Pivoting from there, Swisher asked why HBO wouldn't cave to vocal critics online and offer HBO Go / Max Go to those who don't subscribe to HBO via pay-TV. According to him, "it's about economics." Kessler confessed that while this may change in the future, "the economics today don't support this." He admitted that HBO has done extensive research to see whether or not people actually would pay a meaningful sum of money for access to HBO's content outside of a pay-TV package, and evidently, the numbers just don't add up.

Of course, there's a ton of behind-the-scenes variables in play when thinking about distribution agreements with monolithic cable providers, and it's clear from his interview that the particulars are far more complex than most people realize. In other words, HBO would suffer from implications related to breaking its content out of a pay-TV model -- it's quite possible that there's simply no way to charge enough for à la carte HBO access to make up for the negative economic impact that would happen should that card be played. Or, that the price it'd have to charge would be so obscene, that none of the people clamoring for it would actually open up their wallets and make good.

In closing, Kessler confessed that some 80 percent of all HBO viewing happens on the traditional television, while on-demand usage takes up another 16 percent. In other words, HBO Go viewing makes up just "two to three percent" of overall usage. Granted, he noted that even HBO On Demand usage was fairly flat for the service's first three years, but began to ramp up after more and more channels began to offer on-demand services. So, for those demanding à la carte access to the HBO Go app -- you might want to wait for app usage to rise above the single digits. The truth is, that figure is just too small right now to register on the radar of most executives.

We'll be reporting live from D:Dive Into Media as it continues on February 11-12. You can follow our coverage by using the "dmedia2013" tag.

Source: iTunes (HBO Go), (Max Go)

Source

By: Unknown On 2:09 PM

Continue Reading

Nintendo announces new ZombiU Deluxe Set Wii U bundle for $390

Prepare for the Zombie Apocalypse with the New ZombiU Deluxe Set

REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 8, 2013 - On Feb. 17, Nintendo will release a new Wii U bundle in the U.S. and Canada that is an unbelievable value for fans. The Wii U ZombiU Deluxe Set comes with all the contents of the standard Wii U Deluxe Set, plus the addition of the ZombiU game, a black Wii U Pro Controller and a collectible booklet featuring artwork from the game and never-before-seen developer commentary. Nintendo Land will also be included as a downloadable game, rather than a packed-in disc. The jam-packed ZombiU Deluxe Set will be available at a suggested retail price of $389.99, a savings of $70 if all items were purchased separately.

In addition, people who purchase this bundle are automatically enrolled in the Digital Deluxe Promotion, a program that allows Wii U owners to receive 10 percent back in points for each download they purchase in the Nintendo eShop. These points can then be used for future Nintendo eShop purchases.

Created by Ubisoft, ZombiU is a survival-horror, first-person shooter game that puts players in the shoes of a human survivor in the middle of a terrifying plague that has infected modern-day London and turned everyone into flesh-eating zombies. ZombiU continues to be well-received by audiences and features second-screen game play that uses the Wii U GamePad controller to manage items or scan for hidden secrets in real time.

The Wii U Pro Controller is compatible with many games on Wii U. In ZombiU, it can be used by another player for local multiplayer matchups. It sports an ergonomic design and is more akin to a traditional video game controller, complete with dual analog sticks.

Wii U is the revolutionary new console from Nintendo that launched on Nov. 18. Since launch, Wii U has sold more than 3 million systems worldwide, as well as more than 11 million software units. Featuring a unique second screen on the GamePad, Wii U is the home to the largest launch library in Nintendo history, including games like New Super Mario Bros. U and SiNG PARTY from Nintendo, and Assassin's Creed III and Just Dance 4 from Ubisoft.Upcoming games like LEGO City Undercover, Pikmin 3 and Wii Fit U demonstrate that Wii U has something for every type of player.

For more information about ZombiU, visit http://zombiu.ubi.com. For more information about Wii U, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu

Source

By: Unknown On 8:30 PM

Continue Reading

Amazon announces Coins, a virtual currency coming to the Kindle Fire in May

Introducing Amazon Coins

Coming in May, Amazon Coins is a new virtual currency for purchasing apps, games, and in-app items on Kindle Fire

Amazon Coins is an easy way for Kindle Fire customers to spend money on developers' apps in the Amazon Appstore, offering app and game developers another substantial opportunity to drive traffic, downloads and increase monetization even further

Amazon will give customers tens of millions of dollars' worth of Amazon Coins to use on developers' apps in the Amazon Appstore-apps and games must be submitted and approved by April 25 to be ready when Amazon Coins arrive in customers' accounts

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2013-- (NASDAQ: AMZN)-Amazon today announced another new way for app and game developers to make money on Kindle Fire-introducing Amazon Coins-the new virtual currency for purchasing apps, games and in-app items on Kindle Fire. Amazon Coins is an easy way for Kindle Fire customers to spend money in the Amazon Appstore, offering app and game developers another substantial opportunity to drive traffic, downloads and increase monetization. When Amazon Coins launches in the U.S. this May, Amazon will give customers tens of millions of dollars' worth of free Amazon Coins to spend on developers' apps on Kindle Fire in the Amazon Appstore. Amazon will also make it quick and easy for customers to buy additional Amazon Coins using their Amazon accounts.

Amazon Appstore developers will earn their standard 70 percent revenue share when customers make purchases using Amazon Coins. Developers with apps and games currently in the Amazon Appstore for the U.S. don't need to do anything with their apps to capitalize on this new opportunity. Developers not yet in the Amazon Appstore should submit their apps soon-only apps submitted and approved by April 25 will be ready when Kindle Fire customers have Amazon Coins to spend across the Amazon Appstore. Developers can learn more about Amazon Coins today at http://www.amazon.com/amazon-coins.

"Developers continue to report higher conversion rates on Amazon compared to other platforms," said Paul Ryder, Vice President of Apps and Games for Amazon. "Now we have another new way to help developers reach even more of our millions of customers. Amazon Coins gives customers an easy way to spend money on developers' apps on Kindle Fire in the Amazon Appstore-and we're giving customers tens of millions of dollars in Amazon Coins to get started. Developers who aren't yet in the Amazon Appstore will want to make sure their apps have been submitted and approved by April 25 so they're ready for customers to start spending their Amazon Coins."

"We've already found that the average revenue per user on Amazon is higher than other Android platforms," said Keith Shepherd, CEO of Imangi Studios. "We're very excited about the monetization opportunity with Amazon's new virtual currency."

"Everyone recognizes Amazon's success in the e-commerce world – now the Amazon Appstore has become a major player in the mobile app marketplace," said Misha Lyalin, ZeptoLab's CEO. "Amazon's new virtual currency is designed to open new opportunities for developers and make things easier for customers. This is a great example of appstore innovation and we want to support it."

"We've been extremely pleased with how well our games monetize on Amazon," said Michael Grobe, Chief Financial Officer of GameCircus. "We're very excited about the launch of Amazon's new virtual currency."

Amazon Coins is the latest in a series of new features and services for developers that make Amazon the most complete end-to-end ecosystem for building, monetizing and marketing their apps and games. Recent announcements include:

In-App Purchasing for Mac, PC and web-based games, enabling developers to let customers use their Amazon accounts to purchase virtual goods and currencies from games on those platforms
Game Circle, which includes capabilities like Achievements, Leaderboards, Friends, and Whispersync for syncing games across devices, and leads to better engagement with games
Game Connect, which lets developers marry the ease and security of shopping on Amazon with the convenience of having virtual goods delivered directly to customers' game accounts
A/B Testing, a service that helps developers improve app functionality, retain customers and increase monetization
Adobe AIR Native Extensions, which makes it simple for Adobe Flash developers to add In-App Purchasing and Game Circle features to their apps and games
Amazon Mobile App SDK Eclipse Plugin (beta) allows developers to rapidly and reliably integrate Amazon APIs into their Android projects, speeding up development and cutting down on project setup time

Developers can get started at the Amazon Mobile App Distribution Portal (https://developer.amazon.com/welcome.html).

Source

By: Unknown On 9:14 PM

Continue Reading