MicroStylus Review

For 99.9% of the things you do on your smartphone you don't really need a stylus. But if you're as addicted to Draw Something as I am, you may find that a stylus is almost a necessary accessory (say that 3 times fast for bonus points). At least if you want your opponent to be able to guess what the heck you're trying to draw. Keeping a stylus handy is the main feature of the MicroStylus, which claims to be the world's smallest capacitive stylus. It's definitely tiny. But when is small too small? Let's find out.

Note: Click the images in this review to see a larger view.

This is the MicroStylus.









The Gadgeteer, MicroStylus Review

China's Unified CPU Architecture, Why and When

Image courtesy of ExtremeTech. Part of the web was buzzing about the fact that China's ministry of technology  is trying to define a ‘unified” processor architecture, based either on an existing platform, or a new one. By “processor architecture”, we mean “instruction set architecture” or (ISA), like X86 is for Intel. The instruction set is basically “opcodes” (or operation code, which are the most basic machine-instructions), that will be understood and executed by processors.

Ubergizmo, China's Unified CPU Architecture, Why and When

ShelfX's Vending Fridge nixes the cashier, uses QR codes, RFID to 'know what you took'

QR codes and RFID tags aren't uncommon when it comes to automated payment applications, and now Colorado-based ShelfX has purposed them for its new wireless-equipped Vending Fridges. Eliminating the need for a cashier - or cash, for that matter - each unit allows you to purchase any items packed inside by scanning a QR code with your phone (using the company's app) or an RFID badge. Upon presenting either method to the machine, it's able to tell who you are and unlocks its door. From there, you can grab whatever you'd like, while ShelfX automatically pulls funds your account for what's been removed.

Engadget, ShelfX's Vending Fridge nixes the cashier, uses QR codes, RFID to 'know what you took'

HackStore is like Cydia for Mac OS X, replaces walled garden with open dacha

Despite its loud anti-piracy notice, Andrey Fedotov's HackStore sees no issue in ripping off the official App Store's interface. Nevertheless, its aim is to gather up legit and readily available apps that didn't make it past Apple's trellis for whatever reason, and hopefully with Fedotov keeping an eye out for malware.

2DayBlog.com, HackStore is like Cydia for Mac OS X, replaces walled garden with open dacha

China closes rumor microblogs in continuing crackdown

In a move that follows on last month's shutdown of 16 rumor-spreading websites, microblogging site Sina Weibo said it closed four high-profile accounts that created and promoted rumors. All affected rumors apparently relate to Bo Xilai, who recently suggested that a political coup may be imminent. For example, writer Li Delin discussed on his Weibo account that military vehicles were seen in Beijing. Sina Weibo said that it has handed over the four accounts to the police and Li Delin reportedly disappeared.

2DayBlog.com, China closes rumor microblogs in continuing crackdown

Acer Aspire V3 coming to Japan for $1,100 with right processor, wrong ppi

Want a 2.1GHz Ivy Bridge Core i7 in your next media laptop. Mmm, yes please. And a 1080p LED backlit display to devour movies on. Well, of course. Then keep looking, because the Acer Aspire V3 maxes out at just 1366 x 768 - despite being equipped with a Blu-ray spinner and Dolby Theater v4, and also despite the eye-popping competition. Then again, at 15.6-inches that resolution might not be a total deal-breaker, plus our hands-on taster at CeBIT (before we even knew about the Ivy Bridge internals) wasn't totally unpleasant.

Engadget, Acer Aspire V3 coming to Japan for $1,100 with right processor, wrong ppi

Samsung denies involvement in Apple Store ‘Wake Up' protest

Yesterday we reported on a flash-mob-esque protest that broke out outside of an Australian Apple Store. A group of people dressed in black and holding signs reading “Wake Up” emerged from a bus with the slogan plastered on its side.

Android Phone, Samsung denies involvement in Apple Store ‘Wake Up' protest

Google TV gets updated YouTube app

. The YouTube app on Google TV has just been updated, so you can be sure that your viewing experience over the TV is a whole lot more interactive and fun from now on, not to say that it wasn't so previously, but you get my drift. Recommendations, channel search, a better playback and the +1 button on videos are all new features that you have not taken advantage of before, and we shall look at those in closer detail right after the talking about recommendations here. The My YouTube tab will organize all your videos in YouTube through the Recommendations option for a more relevant user experience.

Ubergizmo, Google TV gets updated YouTube app

Samsung tops Apple in smartphones, blows past Nokia to end 14-year run at No.1 in mobile

. Samsung reported a blow-out first quarter on Friday as strong mobile phone sales helped the consumer electronics giant increase profits by 82% to a record 5.05 trillion won. The numbers were undoubtedly impressive as they stood, but market research firm Strategy Analytics helps us paint a broader picture of just how dominant Samsung's mobile business was in the first quarter.

Boy Genius Report, Samsung tops Apple in smartphones, blows past Nokia to end 14-year run at No.1 in mobile

Sprint Direct Connect brandishes passport, brings push-to-talk to distant shores

Although Sprint is winding down iDEN services here in the US, it hasn't turned its back on the technology completely. The nation's third largest wireless carrier has announced a new push-to-talk service offering, dubbed International Direct Connect. The $10 monthly add-on will allow Direct Connect push-to-talk users in the US - utilizing its CDMA network - to communicate with iDEN PTT users in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru free of charge. Although not explicitly stated, the aforementioned nations are referred to as "initial" markets, implying that more countries will be added to this list at some point in the future.

Engadget, Sprint Direct Connect brandishes passport, brings push-to-talk to distant shores

Samsung Q1 results are out, takes top spot from Nokia

Samsung announced its financial results for the first quarter of this year and the South Korean company is cheering. Analysts like Strategy Analytics say that it is now king of the mobile phone hill - ending Nokia's 14-year reign. Samsung shipped 93.5 million phones in the three month period, while the former champ Nokia managed just 82.7 million. Of the shipped Samsung phones, 44.5 million were smartphones, which beats Apple's achievement of 35.1 million smartphones.

GSM Arena

See also:
gadgetsblog, Samsung Q1 results are out, takes top spot from Nokia

Dropbox adds automatic photo uploads for Windows and Mac, up to 3GB just for using it

Dropbox isn't short of aficionados, but it's undoubtedly lost some of its gleam since Google drove the cloud war into a frenzy. In response, Dropbox's devs have been at the squat rack pumping up their multimedia credentials, recently adding auto photo and video uploads to their Android app and now extending that feature to any camera, tablet, smartphone or SD card via the Mac or Windows utility - an add-on that was previously beta-only. Access the web interface and you'll see your stills arranged in a handy new Photos page, which displays them as large thumbnails bunched together by month.

Engadget, Dropbox adds automatic photo uploads for Windows and Mac, up to 3GB just for using it

Infected PCs to lose Internet this July?

Staying connected to the Internet has more or less become the norm for just about anyone, regardless of their age group. Well, there are savvy users and less than bright bulbs in the house, so the latter might just cause a virus infection or open the door for a trojan to reside on your computer. Having said that, the FBI is encouraging users to visit a particular website which is run by their security partner, http://www.dcwg.org, where this site will detect whether your machine is infected, and if you are, don't go around losing your head just yet.

Ubergizmo, Infected PCs to lose Internet this July?

Tokina Reflex 300mm f/6.3 Macro Lens

Kenko Tokina has announced the availability of the Tokina Reflex 300mm f/6.3 Macro lens for Micro Four Thirds camera system in the Japanese market. Measuring 66mm x 66mm and weighing at just 300 grams, this manual-focus lens comes with a fixed aperture and provides a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:2. The Tokina Reflex 300mm f/6.3 Macro lens will be launched in Japan next month for 40,000 Yen ($495) excluding taxes.

TechFresh

See also:
newgadgets, Tokina Reflex 300mm f/6.3 Macro Lens

This Galaxy Nexus Tablet/Smartphone Hybrid ROM Makes Me All Hot And Bothered

Is it a phone. Or is it a mini tablet. That’s the question your iPhone toting friends will lose their minds over, after seeing your Galaxy Nexus running this tablet/smartphone hybrid ROM I came across on XDA. It’s called “Paranoid Android” (seriously, coolest logo ever) and it transforms your phone into a mini tablet of sorts, while still giving your device the full phone functionality you need.
Apparently, this isn’t a simple build.prop edit — no, sir. Well, okay, maybe it looks that way for now. But this ROM strives to be so much more than “tablet mode” running on your Galaxy Nexus.


Android Phone, This Galaxy Nexus Tablet/Smartphone Hybrid ROM Makes Me All Hot And Bothered

Google sells SketchUp to Trimble Navigation for undisclosed sum

While we're probably more accustomed to Google buying assets than selling them 'round here, every now and again the search giant does shed some skin. El Goog's 3D modeling platform, SketchUp, is to be sold to Trimble Navigation for an undisclosed sum reports Reuters. Trimble says it's hoping to use the acquisition to enhance its office-to-field platform. The two firms will also work together to develop SketchUp's online repository of 3D models for designers to use, share and contribute to. SketchUp's blog reassures users that the free version won't change under the move.

Engadget, Google sells SketchUp to Trimble Navigation for undisclosed sum

Samsung: No point in waiting to launch a product

In an interview with TechRadar, Simon Stanford who is Samsung's VP of telecommunications and networks for UK and Ireland said that timing launches around industry events isn't always the most efficient strategy. "Traditionally, the industry works in cycles around an event, meaning there's usually quite a period of time between announcement and period of launch.

Ubergizmo, Samsung: No point in waiting to launch a product

Leak shows several Verizon devices will complete Ice Cream Sandwich testing in early/mid May

It seems we have an idea of where some Verizon Wireless devices are in the process of receiving Android 4.0. A new leak has revealed dates for the conclusion of testing for the HTC Rezound and the Motorola DROID RAZR and its MAXX cousin. The former will complete testing on May 7th, while the latter two are scheduled for May 17th. While these time frames may already account for the time needed for testing any unexpected bugs, these days could change at any time.

Android Phone, Leak shows several Verizon devices will complete Ice Cream Sandwich testing in early/mid May

LG Optimus True HD LTE P936 goes official in Germany

For a while there Europe was left out there, with South Korea and North America both having access to the LG Optimus LTE in some form, while the old continent couldnÂ't enjoy the 720p goodness of the 4.5" HD-IPS LCD display. Now LG is ready to right the wrong as it announced LG Optimus True HD LTE P936 in Germany. The phone runs on a Snapdragon chipset with dual-core 1.5GHz processor and packs an 8MP camera with 1080p video capture. It runs Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread and comes with a 16GB microSD card.

GSM Arena, LG Optimus True HD LTE P936 goes official in Germany

Crytek exec: It would be ‘absolutely awesome' if next-gen consoles blocked used games

. The rumor mill has gone back and forth a number of times regarding whether or not next-generation video game consoles from Microsoft and Sony will support used games. While GameStop CEO Paul Raines seems confident they will - GameStop's business relies on the resale of used games - game developers clearly stand to benefit if consoles force their owners to purchase new copies of games rather than used copies. ”From a business perspective that would be absolutely awesome,” Rasmus Højengaard, director of creative development at Crytek - the developer behind Crysis 3 and the CryENGINE gaming platform - told CVG in an interview.

Boy Genius Report, Crytek exec: It would be ‘absolutely awesome' if next-gen consoles blocked used games

Translogic celebrates 100 episodes, goes to Disney World

So, we think the crew at our sister site Translogic have lost their minds. Either that or they're trying to steal our jobs. While nominally a show and blog about mobility, most weeks Translogic is discovering all manner of geeky automotive technology, while driving alternative-fuel vehicles powered by electricity, the sun, wood, or whatever crap they can find. This week, however, for the 100th show, they straight-up went to the track to drive supercars. At Disney World. Speedway.

Take that, greenies and transportation wonks.

Autoblog, Translogic celebrates 100 episodes, goes to Disney World

Chrome OS and Google Drive to get intimate in version 20

When Google finally announced its shiny new cloud-based Drive service, many people will have been glad to see an extra bit of storage tacked onto their daily gadget lives. Some, however, spin out a generally more nebular existence, and that'd be the Chrome OS faithful. If you find yourself amongst their number, you'll be pleased to know that Sundar Pichai, SVP for Chrome, revealed in an interview with Wired that the next iteration of its slight operating system will come with Drive tightly sewn into the fabric.

Engadget, Chrome OS and Google Drive to get intimate in version 20

Domino’s Pizza Scoops Major App Award For Mobile Ordering

Domino’s Pizza, the pizza delivery expert, has scooped the Best Food & Cooking award in the prestigious Carphone Warehouse Appys 2012, which celebrate development and innovation in app technology.Domino’s iPhone, Android and iPad mobile ordering apps were awarded the title at last night’s awards ceremony in London. Domino’s was selected following a shortlist compiled by over a thousand Carphone Warehouse staff who suggested their favourite apps in the first stages of nominations.

Press Release Distribution

See also:
digitalblog, Domino’s Pizza Scoops Major App Award For Mobile Ordering

RIM's first BlackBerry 10 phone said to launch in October

. Research In Motion may be planning to unveil its debut next-generation smartphone this summer, with a launch to follow in in the fall.

Boy Genius Report, RIM's first BlackBerry 10 phone said to launch in October

Distinctive Style's iPhone case is a rechargeable battery, speaker and kickstand all rolled into one

We're not sure how many of you guys have actually wished for an iPhone case that not only protects your phone, but features a built-in rechargeable battery that extends your iPhone's battery life, built-in speakers to boost your iPhone's audio along with a kickstand that lets you prop the phone up to watch movies or video clips. However if the thought of such a multipurpose iPhone case appeals to you, you will be pleased to know that such a case does exist in the form of the Rechargeable iPhone Speaker Amplifier Case from Distinctive Style.

Ubergizmo, Distinctive Style's iPhone case is a rechargeable battery, speaker and kickstand all rolled into one

New Sony iOS docks promise clearer sound thanks to magnetic fluid

You can only skim through so many iPad/iPod/iPhone docks before things start to get predictable, and when a speaker dock stands out, it's usually for a retro design or a little mood lighting. Sony's two newest iOS docks, the CMT-V50iP and the CMT-V75BTiP, may look like your standard options, but they aim to break the mold by using magnetic fluid instead of speaker dampers to move sound. Sony says this technology provides clearer audio with less distortion, and no dampers means a slimmer design.

2DayBlog.com, New Sony iOS docks promise clearer sound thanks to magnetic fluid

Asus Zenbook Prime spotted

A couple of Asus products – namely the Zenbook Prime range, or if you prefer the more specific model number configuration, then we are talking about the UX21A and the UX31A, have been spotted in the wild. Both models will come with a 1920 x 1080 IPS panel complete with a matte finish, delivering what Asus claims to be excellent viewing angles.

Ubergizmo, Asus Zenbook Prime spotted

Wipe T-Shirt comes in handy

What are some of the physical characteristics of the classic geek. Apart from having a poor sense of dressing, wearing a pair of glasses does seem to be mandatory. This is where the Wipe T-Shirt comes in handy for folks who own plenty of mobile devices as well as wear glasses, since it features strips of microfiber cloth that has been specially stitched in in order to offer a decent place for you to wipe dirty lenses and unwanted smudges on the screen of your smartphone or portable media player, in addition to giving you crystal clear vision with your specs.

Ubergizmo, Wipe T-Shirt comes in handy

Alaric Launches The First Multiple Data Source System To Combat Online Fraud

Global fraud prevention company, Alaric International (www.alaric.com), has announced the launch of Fractals FIH (Fraud Integration Hub), the first system to combine multiple internal and external data sources to combat online fraud.

Press Release Distribution, Alaric Launches The First Multiple Data Source System To Combat Online Fraud

Samsung Galaxy S3 seen in Samsung KIES software

A couple of carriers have already announced that they will be offering the Samsung Galaxy S3 (a direct rival to Apple's next generation iPhone) in due time, not to mention a pre-order page having appeared on Amazon Germany, doing everything to unofficially confirm the existence of the Galaxy S3 in this generation.

Ubergizmo, Samsung Galaxy S3 seen in Samsung KIES software

Sony: Xperia ICS updates are still in progress

Sony took some time today to update the community on the progress of Ice Cream Sandwich rollouts. Sony originally promised that all devices released in 2011 would receive the upgrade (and all devices in 2012 naturally will, as well). Rollouts are still going on over in the nordic countries, and Sony say they continue to work with carriers to get the upgrade out to all of their phones in the various regions and on the various carriers they're currently available. Wipe that sweat off your forehead, folks, and sit tight.

Android Phone, Sony: Xperia ICS updates are still in progress

DIY Cellphone has the footprint of an ice cream sandwich, definitely doesn't run ICS (hands-on)

Building your own wireless communications device isn't for the faint of heart, or the law-abiding - the FCC tends to prefer placing its own stamp of approval on devices that utilize US airwaves, making a homegrown mobile phone an unlikely proposition. That didn't stop a team at the MIT Media Lab from creating such a DIY kit, however. Meet the Do-It-Yourself Cellphone. This wood-based mobile rig, while it's currently in the prototype phase (where it may indefinitely remain), would eventually ship with a circuit board, control pad, a fairly beefy antenna and a monochrome LCD.










Engadget, DIY Cellphone has the footprint of an ice cream sandwich, definitely doesn't run ICS (hands-on)

Carphone Warehouse now listing Samsung Galaxy S3 as ‘coming soon'

With Samsung's next Unpacked event right around the corner, retailers have already started to rollout the placeholder pages for the phone everyone expects to be announced. The latest is Carphone Warehouse. A listing for the Samsung Galaxy S3 has appeared along with a generic image and “coming soon” tag. Otherwise, nothing is revealed about the new flagship device from Samsung.
Samsung has done a great job at keeping the new phone under wraps ahead of its launch.

Android Phone, Carphone Warehouse now listing Samsung Galaxy S3 as ‘coming soon'

Courion survey confirms need for managing user access in the cloud

More than 64 percent of companies use cloud based apps in their organization; 37 percent are considering hosting IAM in the cloud WESTBOROUGH, Mass, April 25, 2012 – Courion Corporation, the leader in identity and access management (IAM) for access risk, today announced the results of a survey that confirmed cloud computing’s rapidly growing popularity and also uncovered concerns about protecting vital IT data and applications in the cloud.Courion’s survey of more than 400 companies worldwide found that 64 percent are using cloud-based applications to achieve cost and efficiency advantages.

Press Release Distribution

See also:
cherryapple, Courion survey confirms need for managing user access in the cloud

Riverside Surgery selects PCTI’s Docman EDMS and a Kodak i2400 workgroup scanner solution to improve access to patient medical information at the point of care

1,500 Kodak scanners sold into the NHS as part of a long term PCTI relationshipApril 25, 2012 - Kodak today announced that Worcestershire-based, Riverside Surgery, has selected an i2400 scanner solution to process clinical correspondence received through the post related to 13,500 patients in its care.With up to 150 letters received each day including correspondence from hospitals and patients and minor operation consent forms, the Kodak i2400 scanner integrates with PCTI’s Docman electronic document management and workflow solution to provide all clinical staff within the surgery access to patient information directly from

Press Release Distribution, Riverside Surgery selects PCTI’s Docman EDMS and a Kodak i2400 workgroup scanner solution to improve access to patient medical information at the point of care

Free-to-play games could arrive on the Xbox 360 in the near future

It has long been rumored that free-to-play games might be arriving on the Xbox 360 and it looks like those rumors may very well pan out. According to reports, at least two developers are currently in talks with Microsoft about that possibility, one of them being Hi-Rez Studios whose COO, Todd Harris, revealed:. "There hasn't been a hi-res free-to-play game on the console yet, and we still don't have any definite announcements or dates, but we're actively working on it [...] We are in talks with both console providers, specifically Sony and Microsoft, about how best to support free-to-play on consoles.".

Ubergizmo, Free-to-play games could arrive on the Xbox 360 in the near future