Kindle Versus iPad

Kindle has become one hot brand in Amazon! Amazon has unveiled a touchscreen tablet com-puter in an attempt to pull the rug from beneath Apple and its iPad. The Kindle Fire, which has many similar functions, will be sold in the U.S. for $199 (£128), less than half the price of the cheapest iPad available.

The low cost stunned technology industry watchers, who suggested that Apple and other tablet manufacturers would have to cut their prices. Users will be able to access more than 18million movies, television programmes, songs, apps, games, books and magazines via the Amazon website.

The device has a seven-inch screen, compared with the iPad 2’s 9.7-inch display. And unlike the iPad, it will not have a camera or be able to make video calls.

Unveiling the tablet in New York, Amazon’s chief executive, Jeff Bezos, said: ‘Kindle Fire brings together all of the things we’ve been working on at Amazon for over 15 years into a single, fully-integrated service for customers.

‘These are premium products at non-premium prices. We are going to sell millions of these.’

The Kindle Fire will be available in the U.S. from November 15.

Although no date has been set for it to go on sale here, Britain will be getting the latest version of the basic Kindle, which is thinner and lighter than existing eReaders. It will cost £89 – but even this is a mark-up of almost 80 per cent compared to the U.S. There, the new version will cost $79 – about £50.

A company spokesman defended the pricing, saying that the new basic Kindle was the ‘most affordable’ ever. She added: ‘Operating costs differ by country, but as with all products on Amazon, we work hard to offer customers the lowest possible prices.’

But Professor Ajay Bhalla, a technology expert from Cass Business School in London, said: ‘Amazon has not got the pricing right. Consumers are smart and there is plenty of choice in this market.’ He doubted the Kindle Fire would pose a meaningful challenge to the iPad because of the absence of a camera.

Sony Shows Wearable 3-D Personal Theater

Sony is launching a head mounted display that provides a three dimensional theater of music videos, movies and games.

Sony Corp. showed the 60,000 yen ($800) "HMZ personal 3-D viewer" Wednesday. The machine is set to go on sale Nov. 11 in Japan, and is planned for the U.S. and Europe, perhaps in time for Christmas, although dates have not yet been set.

Resembling a futuristic visor, HMZ, which stands for "head mounted display," is worn like chunky goggles-and-earphones in one. The footage before the viewer — a music video of a Japanese singer in the demonstration for reporters in Tokyo — is crystal-clear and feels like peering into a dolls house in which a real-life tiny singer is moving.

Apple, Samsung Smartphones Outdo Nokia in 2Q

Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. zoomed to the top of the list of global smartphone makers in the second quarter, blowing past Nokia Corp. and BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd., according to research firm IDC.

Korea's Samsung made the biggest jump, from No. 4 in the first quarter to No. 2 in the second, on the strength of its Galaxy phones, which run Google Inc.'s Android software. It sold 17.3 million smartphones in the second quarter, up from 10.8 million in the first, IDC said.

Apple rose to No. 1, taking the spot from Nokia, by selling 20.3 million iPhones, up from 18.7 million in the first quarter. That relegated Finland's Nokia, the long-time leader, to third place. Apple has yet to top Nokia's high-water mark of 28.1 million phones in a quarter.

"But given Apple's momentum in the smartphone market, it may not be a question of whether Apple will beat that milestone, but when," IDC said.

Remarkably, Apple's sales record comes nearly a year after it released its latest model, the iPhone 4, and it's still selling millions of the even older iPhone 3GS. Competitors such as Samsung put out new models every few months.

Why iPhone 5?

Apple recently announced iOS 5 which is packed with new cool features, including Android’s drop-down menu style notification. iOS 5 will be released in the autumn, more specifically in September. Furthermore, Apple brings new generation iPods and iPod Touches in September. However, according to CNET UK, iPods are not enough glamorous to bring iOS 5 into the world. iOS 5 and iPhone 5 both will be the perfect platforms for each other.

That is the reason why we are expecting to see iPhone 5 release with iOS 5, in the autumn. We already assumed that Apple doesn’t want to release iPhone 5 until iOS 5 is completely ready. Following are some great features that make huge crowd out there yelled to have iPhone 5:

iPhone 5 Features at a Glance:
Storage Capacity: Apple is offering 16 GB and 32GB iPhone since 2009, so apple is aware this it would be hard push iPhone 5 without having 64 GB of storage. iPhone 5’s lowest model will come with 32G of space and 64G of memory.

Signal Strength: Unlike iPhone 4, iPhone 5 is not having signal issue, as they are offering the strongest signal strength of any iPhone model ever even the best of any Smartphone to ever come to market.

Face Recognition: The new iPhone 5 will have Face Recognition for Security sake so that you don’t have to worry about other people stealing your phone and trying to use it.

Thickness: All three iPhone had thinner bodies than the previous model so the iPhone 5 can be the thinnest yet & much nicer overall body design of the phone.

Longer Battery Life: iPhone 5 will have Up to 14 Hours of Talk Time On The 3G and 7 Hours on the 4G.

Video Chat: Video Chat on a 4G network instead of a slow 3G one

A5 Dual core processor: For Outstanding Video Quality Apple May Introduce A5 Dual Core Process with iPhone 5

Screen: Shatter Resistant and Scratch Resistant Screen
Built In GPS: You’ll never get lost or have to download one of those stupid GPS apps.

iOS 5: It is much anticipated that Apple will introduce iPhone 5 with latest iOS 5.
Surprise: As the tradition of apple iPhone 5 will also unveil some surprise features.

Pop Ladies dominate at Grammy Awards

Country trio Lady Antebellum and pop star Lady Gaga were among the winners at the most prestigious ceremony in the music calendar, the Grammy Awards.

Lady Antebellum won five prizes, including song of the year and record of the year for their hit Need You Now.

Lady Gaga, who was carried down the Los Angeles event's red carpet in a giant egg, won three awards including best pop vocal album for The Fame Monster.

In other categories, Rihanna's Only Girl in the World was named best dance recording and US rock duo The Black Keys picked up best alternative album for their sixth release, Brothers, beating Vampire Weekend and Arcade Fire.

The ceremony at the Staples Center featured a string of flamboyant, star-studded performances and collaborations.

The show began with a tribute to soul queen Aretha Franklin, who is recovering from an operation. The song was performed by Christina Aguilera, Florence and the Machine's Florence Welch, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride and Yolanda Adams.

Lady Gaga then emerged from her egg-shaped cocoon to take to the stage to perform her new single Born This Way.

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow joined a feather-clad Cee Lo Green Jim Henson's puppets to give a colourful performance of the hit single Forget You.

Smaller iPhone, Anyone?

The last rumors says that Apple is working on new versions of the iPhone that are aimed at slowing the advance of competing handsets based on Google's Android software, according to people who have been briefed on the plans.

One version would be cheaper and smaller than the most recent iPhone, said a person who has seen a prototype and asked not to be identified because the plans haven't been made public. Apple also is developing technology that makes it easier to use the iPhone on multiple wireless networks, two people said.

Chief executive officer Steve Jobs, who remains involved in strategic decisions while on medical leave, aims to narrow the price gap that has made phones running Android more popular than iPhones. Google's share of the global smartphone market more than tripled to 32.9 per cent in the fourth quarter, eclipsing Apple's 16 per cent, according to Canalys.

Apple has considered selling the new iPhone for about $US200 in the US, without obligating users to sign a two-year service contract, said the person who has seen it. Android phones sell for a range of prices at AT&T, Verizon Wireless and other US carriers, and typically come with agreements that include a fee for broken contracts. The iPhone 4, sold in the U.S. by AT&T and Verizon Wireless, costs $US200 to $US300 with a contract.

Natalie Kerris, a spokeswoman for Apple, declined to comment.

What is so special about NBA Jordan's dinner table?

Michael Jordan has been criticized for either spending his money poorly, as owner and personnel chief of the Charlotte Bobcats, or for not spending any money at all.
Charlotte made the postseason last year due to Jordan's moves, but facing an outsized payroll in a small market, he pulled back during the offseason, and the Bobcats are spiraling back toward the lottery.

Maybe, partially, because Jordan spent a good chunk a change on one of the cooler dinner tables we've ever seen.

We realize that "cool dinner table" is akin to referring to a "modern-as-tomorrow pot holder" or "au courant dish strainer," but seriously his table drilled with one hole for every point Jordan scored in his basketball career, so totaling 32,292.

YouSayToo: Unique Bloggers Community

We often hear about blogging activity and how it help bloggers to get some extra income. There are many websites in the internet providing these types of activity. One worth to mention is YouSayToo.com. This is a unique bloggers community focusing on revenue sharing. In this site, bloggers can create their own blogs, post articles, upload games, start discussions and of course at the same time making some extra income.

The interesting thing about YouSayToo is, it allows bloggers to add all their blogs (whether it comes from Blogger, WordPress, TypePad, LiveJournal or FaceBook and blogging platforms) and manage them all within this site. With this special feature "Add Your Blog," bloggers can have all their blogging activities, make more friends and have extra income.

Flash games uploaded by bloggers are also other special feature that bloggers may not easily find in other blogging platforms. This feature is also a perfect way to earn extra income. What they need to do is to choose their favorite flash games, upload and write some good reviews. Once they share the flash games with their friends, this activity will bring some cash to them too.

Simply visit YouSayToo and discover how this unique blogging community can help bloggers like you to blog, make new friends, and make some extra income.

'Star Wars' Blu-ray High Definition

If you've always wanted to see the fleas on Chewbacca's fur, then we've got good news for you. All six of the "Star Wars" flicks are coming to Blu-ray in September. The recent announcement, which had been anticipated for some time, inspired massive searches on the Web. Online lookups for "star wars bluray preorders" surged into hyperspace immediately.

In case you're wondering if you really need another version of George Lucas's space epic, here's a brief rundown on some of the extras. StarWars.com explains that in addition to the movies, viewers will get "more than 30 hours of extensive special features including never-before-seen deleted and alternate scenes." For hardcore fans, that's better than a shopping spree for power converters at Tosche Station.

Tablets coming your Way in this 2011

The iPad has dominated the market - over 12 million sold so far - and Apple has clearly set the tone in terms of design but several of the newer Android and Windows 7 tablets announced at CES contain features not found on the iPad, such as dual cameras, higher screen resolution and slide-out keyboards.

Apple's iPad faces some serious competition this year, with scores of Android and Windows tablets about to hit the market that offer several features the iPad lacks.

The much-rumoured iPad 2 is expected to rectify some of these shortfalls. Other tablets to expect in 2011 are as follow:

Motorola Xoom

A 10.1-inch tablet based on the latest "Honeycomb" iteration (version 3.0) of Google's Android platform. Available in the first half of this year, the Xoom is around the same size as Apple's iPad but contains a 5-megapixel camera with 720p video recording, a 2-megapixel webcam, HDMI output for connecting to a big-screen TV, a 1GHz processor and a 1280x800 screen resolution. The Honeycomb version of Android offers new features such as multi-tasking and tabbed browsing. Support for Adobe Flash is also included.

Samsung TX100

The biggest gripe of iPad users is the difficulty in typing on the on-screen keyboard and Samsung has taken note - its TX100 offers a slide-out full QWERTY keyboard. Like the Xoom it has a 10.1-inch screen but offers a higher 1366 x 768 resolution. It runs the regular version of Windows 7, is 0.78 inches thick and contains either 32GB or 64GB of storage. Separately, a Wi-Fi-only version of the already launched Galaxy Tab was unveiled at CES.

Asus Eee Pad Slider and Transformer

Two very similar tablets except the Slider has a slide-out keyboard while the Transformer has a clip-on keyboard similar to the iPad accessory. They run Android 3.0, have 10.1-inch screens and feature the Nvidia Tegra 2 chip. There are front- and rear- facing cameras offering 1.2-megapixel and 5-megapixel resolutions respectively. Priced between $US499 to $US799

Asus Slate

Another Windows 7 tablet, the slate has a large 12.1-inch screen, 64GB of built-in storage, 1280x800 screen resolution and a powerful Intel i5 processor. It will sell for $US999 to $US1099.

Panasonic Viera Tablet

This one is a little different from most tablets in that it is not designed to be a portable computer but rather a companion to Panasonic's new Viera Connect TVs. It lets users access Panasonic's TV apps and stream content wirelessly from their TV set. Panasonic says it will serve as a second screen in the living room that lets people browse content related to what they're watching on TV (e.g. sports scores or tweets). The Viera Tablet can also be used as a remote control and content can be transferred seamlessly between the tablet and the TV.

Dell Streak 7

Dell's 5-inch Streak wasn't met with rave reviews due to it launching with the older Android version 1.6 and fears a 5-inch screen was too small for a tablet when many newer smartphones were only a fraction smaller. The Streak 5-inch has since been updated to Android 2.2 and at CES Dell launched a new version, the Dell Streak 7, with a bigger 7-inch screen and new bells and whistles such as an Nvidia Tegra dual-core processor and the sturdy Corning Gorilla Glass. The tablet, also running Android 2.2, runs on 4G networks and there are no plans yet to launch it in Australia.

Asus MeMo

Another smaller 7-inch tablet but this one runs Android 3.0. Priced at $US499 to $US699 with a June launch date, it has dual cameras and can play HD video.

Lenovo IdeaPad U1

Shown at last year's CES, the U1 is now closer to being ready for market. It contains a unique design in that it is essentially laptop with a detachable 11.6-inch screen that then becomes a tablet with a more touch-friendly interface. Lenovo says the Android tablet will cost around $US1000 and launch in June/July.

Toshiba Tablet

Launching in the first-half of this year, Toshiba's attempt to take on the iPad features a 10-1-inch screen, runs Android 3.0 and offers built-in Wi-Fi but no 3G support. Starting at $US499, it has front- and rear-facing cameras, access to an application store and weighs 0.8kg.

LG tablet and glasses-free portable 3D TV

LG announced an 8.9-inch tablet running Android 3.0 and using an Nvidia dual-core processor. It has yet to show off images of the device. It also unveiled a mobile DTV unit that supports 3D without the need for glasses. The unique device has a touchscreen and a 480x800 screen resolution.

Sharp Galapagos

Already launched in Japan, the Galapagos will hit the US in the second half of this year but it is not clear if it will reach Australia. There will be two models - 5.5-inch and 10.8-inch - and both will connect to the Galapagos e-book store.

Coming Soon: Touchable 3D TV technology

A Japanese research team said it had developed the world's first 3D television system that allows users to touch, pinch or poke images floating in front of them.

"It is the first time that you can feel images in the air," said Norio Nakamura, senior scientist with the research team at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.

"You can have the sense of touch like poking a rubber ball or stretching a sticky rice cake" when manipulating images, he told AFP by telephone.

The technology changes the shape of three-dimensional images in response to "touches", aided by cameras that monitor how the fingers move, Nakamura said.

It is not known when the technology will be put to practical use but its creators see it being used to simulate surgical operations and in video game software allowing players to experience the sensation of holding weapons or sports equipment.

New BMW X3

More powerful, more efficient and more practical mid-sized soft-roader unveiled. BMW has released the first official pictures and details for its second-generation X3 that is set to become the fuel efficiency benchmark for the luxury mid-size SUV segment when it goes on sale locally in March 2011.

The all-new X3, which grows in dimensions to further distance itself from the smaller X1, adopts an eight-speed automatic, engine stop-start function and two new engines for launch to improve its green credentials.

The new model is 79mm longer (to 4648mm) than the outgoing X3 that was roundly criticised since its 2004 launch for both its sharp ride and austere interior. A wheelbase increase of 15mm contributes to BMW’s claims that X3 mark II offers increased rear-seat legroom.

A range-topping model for now is the xDrive35i, which gains the 225kW/400Nm turbocharged six-cylinder that was first introduced on the company’s 5-Series range. Consumption of 8.8L/100km is superior to the 9.7L/100km of the 30i model it replaces.

A six-speed manual is standard on the 20d and the eight-speed auto standard on the 35i. Most car makers are offering stop-start technology with manual gearboxes, but on the X3 it’s also included on auto models.

Boot space also increases, by 70 litres to 550L. This expands to 1600L when the rear seats – which have switched from a 60/40 split to a 40-20-40 arrangement – are folded down. BMW claims the luggage capacity is best in class.

Psychic 'Paulo' Now An iPhone App

Paulo (or people prefer to call Paul) the psychic octopus who predicted World Cup matches with uncanny accuracy, is now an iPhone application. The Brazilian software developer behind the program, uTouchLabs, describes it as a "fun way to randomly choose between two options."

"Cinema or theatre? Pizza or sushi? Skirt of dress? Marcia or Andrea? Ask the Octopus?" it says.

The user types in the options and a cartoon octopus chooses between them. The program costs US$0.99 to download from Apple's iTunes.

Paul, an octopus at an aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, earned worldwide attention during the World Cup with his predictions, which included Spain's victory in the final against the Netherlands.

RIM Developing BlackBerry Tablet; 8.9 inch iPad Rival?

The Apple iPad is little more than an oversized iPod touch, but it seems to represent a whole new niche in the market. It's not an eReader, because the screen totally rocks and you need two hands to operate and hold it. It's obviously not a netbook since there are no dedicated keys, but something in between. This means companies are going be scrambling to capitalize on this interest with iPad-like devices of their own, whether or not we know what the heck to do with them.

Rumors have surfaced that Research in Motion is working on a tablet of its own. They already do quite well with the BlackBerry line, so this could be an extension for corporate users who want a business-minded version of an iPad-like device to finally move towards that paperless office we once heard about.

So, what's the source of these rumors? RIM is working with Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd., which happens to be the firm that produces the Amazon Kindle screen. They say that RIM wants 8.9-inch screens, which would put it inside the tablet range. But beyond the screen, rumors go on to say that this unnamed device will have a 3.5G modem, WiFi, and the ability to sync with BlackBerry devices, obviously. There could be some major subsidies through advertising, making for a more affordable device too.

The BlackBerry Tablet (the BerryTab, or whatever it's called) should show up in late Q3 or early Q4 2010, if this rumor is solid.

First motherboard with USB-IF Certification

Being the first always feels good and this is what GIGABYTE feels these days as the manufacturer of motherboard Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3. This manufacturer is very proud as they are the first manufacturer that receive the first USB-IF certification of Motherboard USB 3.0 in the world.

GA-P55A-UD3 obtains certification after passing some strict product quality test done by the USB-IF (Universal Serial Bus-Implementers Forum). This motherboard also become the first motherboard in the world that shows SuperSpeed USB logo.

The presence of SuperSpeed USB logo provides assurance that the concerned products are compitible with existing USB 2.0 products and also provides increased speed and power efficiency offered by USB 3.0. By having this Logo, it is also giving assurance that the product is easy to use, just like the USB products.

Please visit the GIGABYTE website to see the full specifications of this motherboard and also to find another line of products that was in the certification stage.

Megan Fox Undresses for Armani

Megan Fox, young and beautiful actress who darted through his role in the film adaptation of the animated Transformers has been selected as New Emporio Armani ad model. She was immediately appointed as the model for two types of collections, the Emporio Armani Women's Underwear and Armani Jeans for spring and summer 2010.

About the replacement of Beckham's partner with Megan Fox, the designer, Giorgio Armani, said, "Megan Fox is a sexy young woman who has a high spirit. Both brands, Emporio Armani Women's Underwear and Armani Jeans are intended for young people so that makes her the right candidate just match for our collection. "

Megan Fox ad campaign was conducted in Los Angeles with photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott with the concept of black and white, same concept as they had used for David and Victoria Beckham last year. For the latest Armani catalog, Megan posing with several pairs of underwear. Striped underwear, and a plain black lace underwear from materials where Megan's sexy body was wrapped in black and white poses.

Our beautiful actress who seems to close with Shia LeBouf was also wearing some collections such as Armani jeans jacket and trousers. Although fully dressed in some poses, her strong sensuality are still emanating from each of those photos.

World's Most Expensive Perfume

Clive Christian, a former designer who has since 2007 turned into perfume expert, registers his name in the Guinness Book World of Records. His efforts to put her name in the book are to re-create the Imperial Majesty, which created the most expensive perfume in the 19th century.

It was said, the perfume became so expensive because it allows the image of Queen Victoria's crown plastered on the perfume bottle in 1872. As widely reported, there are only five bottles of limited edition released to the market. Each bottle is made of Baccarat crystal bottle that a diamond-studded and decorated with 24 carat gold plate.

We all can imagine that the bottle alone is extremely costly, now plus liquid perfume. The perfume containing a small Christian signature scent, called No.1 (worth about $2,150 per ounce). In addition, this perfume has a pure oil content of roses, jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, and Indian sandalwood.

Perfume is shown in the promotional film The Young Victoria in England which will be released on 18 December 2009. This can only happen because of the role of Fergie, Duchess of York the producer of this film with Martin Scorsese. However, the original price of perfume is not yet reported. Interested?

MJ's "This Is It" will be released at the end of October

MJ's "This Is It" will hit the big screen worldwide for a two-week limited engagement this fall.

Named after the series of 50 sold-out London concerts that were to begin last month, "This Is It" will capture the King of Pop Michael Jackson at work, rehearsing and collaborating with singers, dancers, choreographers and special-effects creators in preparation for the planned public performances. The film will draw from more than 100 hours of behind-the-scenes footage taken from April through June of 2009.

Sony Pictures has pushed the worldwide debut to Oct. 28 due to the anticipated demand, according to a press release.

Kenny Ortega, Jackson's director and creative partner for the "This Is It" tour, will direct the motion picture.

"While the concerts would have been the greatest shows in the history of music, our film will provide a historic event for Michael's fans to see for themselves the genius that he was and the creativity, talent and imagination that the entire cast devoted to create the greatest concert that never happened," AEG Live President and CEO Randy Phillips said in a press release.

Jackson, who died June 25 after suffering cardiac arrest, will be laid to rest in a private ceremony in Glendale, CA, Aug. 29, on what would be his 51st birthday.

Get Ready for 09/09/09!

Everyone from brides and grooms to movie studio execs are celebrating the upcoming calendrical anomaly in their own way.

In Florida, at least one county clerk's office is offering a one-day wedding special for $99.99. The rarity of this Sept. 9 hasn't been lost on the creators of the iPod, who have moved their traditional Tuesday release day to Wednesday to take advantage of the special date. Focus Features is releasing their new film "9," an animated tale about the apocalypse, on the 9th.

Not only does the date look good in marketing promotions, but it also represents the last set of repeating, single-digit dates that we'll see for almost a century (until January 1, 2101), or a millennium (mark your calendars for January 1, 3001), depending on how you want to count it.

Though technically there's nothing special about the symmetrical date, some concerned with the history and meaning of numbers ascribe powerful significance to 09/09/09.

For cultures in which the number nine is lucky, Sept. 9 is anticipated - while others might see the date as an ominous warning.

The $2.2 Million Most Luxurious Car Ever

If you were always looking for the most luxurious car ever, this could just fit your bill. The Maybach 62S Landaulet is a terribly luxurious car that features rollback canvas roof and awesome consumption. It is available on eBay for $2.2 Million. The car comes with twin turbo V12 and all options you can ever imagine in your little head. The colour schemes include Baltic Black and Aspen White.

The car does not exactly look that luxurious but definitely is a great to car to buy if you have that kind of money. I wonder what other luxuries are on the ‘list’; and it is not explicitly mentioned and hence we would all be curious. One just has to make sure that auto-theft alarms are in place for everyone would want to walk away with a car like that.

If you have the money to by this car, you would definitely get yourself a chauffer too, for nothing is impossible when one has the money. Meanwhile, i shall gloss over the beautiful car that is almost choking with all the luxuries one can imagine. If you are ready, just go to eBay and make the order.