HTC FLYER IN STORES TODAY

Aluminum unibody design with HTC Watch video service and HTC Scribe Technology

hits the shelves across EMEA

 

HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, has announced that its first tablet, HTC FlyerTM, will be available in-store from 13th May. Blending HTC’s trademark design language with an all-new HTC Sense user experience that has been reimagined for tablets, the HTC Flyer combines natural touch and pen interaction in either a combined 3G and WiFi or WiFi-only model. As well as being available to purchase in retail outlets, HTC fans will also be able to order Flyer direct through the HTC.com website.

 

“We are delighted by the positive reactions that HTC Flyer has received since we first unveiled it in February and are pleased to be able to bring it to major markets across EMEA,” commented Florian Seiche, President HTC EMEA. “HTC Flyer is completely different from any other tablet on the market and we look forward to hearing about the different ways in which our customers use HTC Flyer in their daily lives – for both work and play.”

 

The combined 3G and WiFi HTC Flyer features 32GB of onboard memory which can be expanded with a microSD card of up to 32GB and will retail at €649. A second variant will be available for €499 and features WiFi connectivity and expandable 16GB memory. Both versions will come with the HTC Flyer Magic PenTM that will work with HTC’s Scribe Technology for an alternative to fingertip interaction.

 

From 13th May, HTC Flyer will be available in the following territories, both in-store and through HTC.com: UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Romania.

 

Premium Design and Performance

Weighing as little as a paperback book and encased in sleek aluminium, the HTC Flyer exudes the style and premium build quality that have forged HTC’s reputation in the smartphone market. With a seven-inch display, lightning fast 1.5Ghz processor and high-speed wireless capabilities, the HTC Flyer tablet is perfect for those who have been waiting for a tablet that is both compact and powerful.

 

HTC Sense for Tablet

HTC Flyer’s tablet-focused HTC Sense experience focuses on surprising and delighting people with its gorgeous 3D home screen. Similar to the experience unveiled on the new HTC Sensation, a unique carousel of widgets puts your most important content and information at the visual center of the experience and offers uncompromised Web browsing with Flash 10 and HTML 5. 

 

Streaming Mobile Movies with HTC Watch

The HTC Flyer is the first tablet to premiere HTC Watch, HTC’s new video download service, offering more than 600 premium movies and TV shows from major studios. Video content can be bought or rented and watched immediately through progressive download. Once purchased, movies are stored in a “cloud locker”, allowing up to five registered HTC devices to download and play the same content.

 

HTC Scribe Technology                                                                    

HTC Scribe Technology introduces a wave of integrated digital ink innovations that make it easy and natural to take notes, sign contracts, draw pictures, or even write on a web page or photo. Note-taking has been made smart for the first time by synchronising natural onscreen handwriting with Timemark audio recording. Tapping on a word in your notes instantly takes you to that exact place in time in the audio recording, ensuring you can place your notes in the context of any conversation or meeting. Notes are also integrated with the calendar so when there is an appointment reminder you are automatically prompted with an opportunity to begin a new note or in the case of recurring meetings, to continue where the last meeting left off.  In an industry first, the HTC Flyer tablet also features built-in synchronization with Evernote, the world-leading notes application and service.

Starfront: Collision HD Out Now

Gameloft today announced Starfront: Collision HD is out now on iPad. Heralded as one of the best real-time strategy games for iPhone, Starfront: Collision makes its way to iPad with a brand new interface and key optimisations to give you a compelling real-time strategy experience at your fingertips.

 

With Starfront: Collision HD, choose from 3 unique races - The Myriads, Consortium and Wardens - and deploy your strategy for victory in battle. Each faction can construct 8 different buildings and over 10 destructive units to build up their base and mount an unstoppable assault on adversaries. Once the solo campaign has been mastered, players are invited to put their skills to the test in exciting 4-player local & online multiplayer battles spread across multiple maps.

 

Trailers for the iPad version

Consortium vs. Myriads:  Wardens vs. Consortium:  Myriads vs. Wardens: 

 
This app can be be found, now, on the App Store

New Nintendo 3DS System Update Set to Arrive June 7

Nintendo of Europe has announced that the latest system update for the hand-held Nintendo 3DS™ system will be available in Europe starting June 7. By downloading the free update via a broadband Internet connection, Nintendo 3DS users can enjoy a number of new features and enhancements including an Internet browser and access to the Nintendo eShop, where users can browse and purchase downloadable content.

For more information about Nintendo 3DS, visit Nintendo

REVISION APP GETS A THUMBS UP FROM STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

A new revision tool is today being launched that will transform the way GCSE Science students revise, following teacher’s concerns and research proving that traditional revision formats do not address the needs of pupils today. The DrSwot range of study apps are the only revision tools available for smartphones created by experienced GCSE teachers, with up to date content developed specifically to match each exam board syllabus.  

Available at just 59p per app, with some available at no cost, they provide a complementary and effective means to revise with original and targeted content in bite size chunks. Smartphone programmer Ian Copeman, education psychologist Catherine Copeman and digital product marketing expert Matthew Ansell created the DrSwot brand of study apps after listening to complaints  from teachers about the revision tools available.

The DrSwot team’s research revealed that:

·      80% of teachers think  that mobile phone revision guides or tests would be useful as a compliment to  classroom learning.  
·      90% of teachers feel that content tailored to student’s exam board is the most  important quality in a revision tool. This was closely followed by interactive content (80%) and engaging content (70%).
·       The most common barriers preventing students  from reaching their potential are finding revision boring, insufficient exam  practice and distractions at home. Teachers are also concerned that poor classroom concentration can result in poor quality revision notes, emphasising  the need for students to compliment classroom learning with quality revision  tools.

Available from iTunes, the DrSwot range of study apps contain thousands of unique revision facts and test questions written by the DrSwot team of GCSE teachers. Each study app has two revision formats:  ShowTheWord and Quick Facts and two test formats: Multiple Choice and True-False. Each format has been designed to last for five minutes, enabling students to pick up and use wherever they are. The apps have a number of beneficial features, including: limitless number of practice tests, an  explanation of incorrect answers and monitoring of test results to identify areas for improvement. 

Matthew Ansell, co-founder of DrSwot said:  “It is beyond belief that GCSE students haven’t been able to access quality revision tools, which combine their love for technology and need for interaction and variety. We’ve been working with experienced teachers who specialise in one science subject and have a passion for technology – they understood what was missing from the traditional revision toolkit and recognise the benefits of mobile learning. We all agree that there is a real need for an app that will not only help the students to learn, but is a tool that they want to use – which is half the battle. We have been delighted with test results and hope to help make revision for this year’s GSCE students just a bit more interesting and fun”.   

Kai Peters, Chief Executive of Ashridge Business School, said: "Apps are particularly suited as a study aid. Their ability to immediately respond to the learner's input puts them at a great advantage to paper-based study guides where one has to turn to the answer section to see how one is doing. Additionally, portable devices can be accessed at any time while guides are rarely taken along. Certainly our research at Ashridge indicates that for fact-based learning and for practice, apps and e-Learning in general are ideal. In particular, it revealed that those born after 1981 share common learning preferences including: a need for immediacy; trial and error approach to problem solving; low boredom threshold; and a better response to visual, nonlinear and virtual learning”.

The first set of apps, being launched today, cover unit 1 of the AQA Science GCSE for all major smart phones, starting with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. A team of experienced teachers is currently working on content for similar apps for the Edexcel, OCR Gateway and OCR 21st Century syllabus. To find out more, please visit Dr Swot and get the apps now, from the App Store

THE WORLD’S FIRST CHROMEBOOK – SAMSUNG SERIES 5

Samsung, today announced its stylish Series 5 Chromebook, the world’s first Chrome OS notebook built to revolutionize the PC experience with unparalleled speed, simplicity and security. 

Damian Cusick, General Manager Computing, Samsung UK comments: “ With the creation of the Series 5 we are again pushing the boundaries of innovation by introducing an entirely new product category to the notebook market". He goes on to say "This partnership has allowed us to combine Samsung’s design and engineering expertise with Google’s intuitive user interface to provide consumers with a revolutionary notebook to fit today’s web-centric lifestyle.  This product will also open up endless opportunities for businesses already embracing cloud computing.”

 

Elegant Design, Power Performance

With its elegant shape, slim .79-inch body and simple black and white finish, the Samsung Chromebook Series 5 embodies fashion and function. The 12.1” Super Bright display is both anti-reflective and anti-glare for a consistently vibrant visual experience across a variety of light conditions, from outdoors to dimly lit environments. The Series 5 display’s 300nit brightness brings all forms of media alive in vibrant color.

 

Today mobility is a deciding factor for consumers. The Series 5 weighs 3.2 lbs. and has a battery life of up to 8.5 hours, including five hours of video play for all day use without the need to recharge.  The Series 5 battery has a lifespan up to 1,000 cycles, three times longer than conventional batteries, which reduces the need for replacements and proves that environmental consciousness and smart computing can be synonymous. The Samsung Series 5 packs power with an Intel N570 1.66Ghz Dual Core processor, giving you the versatility and performance you need for a one-of-a-kind web experience.

Simple, Secure User Experience

Google developed the Chrome OS with three key factors in mind: speed, simplicity and security. The average out-of-the-box laptop boots up in forty five seconds, by contrast the Series 5 boots up in less than ten. When waking from sleep mode, it’s ready to go within one second. This means that wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, your computer won’t slow you down.

 

The Chrome OS has eliminated concerns about security and data loss by moving everything to the cloud. With nothing stored directly on the Series 5, malicious spyware, trojans and viruses are a thing of the past. If the notebook is ever broken or lost, all of your files are saved online.

 

Web-centric Entertainment, Unrelenting Workhorse

The Series 5 enables today’s digital entertainment lifestyle by simplifying browsing, social networking, application usage and multi-media viewing. An optional VGA adaptor can connect to a second monitor or television, while audio inputs connect to a microphone, headphones or external speakers. The HD Webcam completes the Series 5’s audio-visual package.

 

When there isn’t time for entertainment, the Series 5 can easily get down to business. Productivity is uncompromised with the notebook’s stylish and comfortable island keyboard which delivers performance that can’t be matched by a virtual keyboard. Samsung Series 5 will connect you to your data anytime, anywhere through 3G, WLAN and a 4-in-1 Card Reader. 

Key Specs:

· CPU: Intel® N570 1.66Ghz Dual Core

· Operating System: Chrome OS

· Storage: SSD 16GB

· Memory: 2GB DDR3

· Screen: 12.1-inch WXGA LCD (1280x800), SuperBright (300 nit)

· Resolution: 1280x800

· Security: TPM

· Battery: Li-Ion Polymer 61 Wh, Up to 8.5Hrs

· Weight: 3.2 lbs.

· I/O Ports: 2 x USB, SIM Card Slot, 4-In-1 (SD, SDHC, MMC), VGA Dongle, DC-in

The Samsung Series 5 will be launched in the UK on 24th June.  It will be available on Amazon and PCWorld.  The 3G Wi-Fi model will retail at £399 and the Wi-Fi model has a price point of £349.

HulloMail extends caller-based greetings to iPhone

Now, iPhone users can record different greetings for different contacts to add a personalised touch to their voicemail

 

HulloMail, the voice messaging company, has today extended the launch of the new individual greeting feature to its HulloMail SmartVoicemail™ iPhone app. It gives users the freedom to record and assign personalised greetings to any number of contacts; perfect if you want family to get a different greeting to you work colleagues. This follows the successful launch of the new Individual Greetings feature to HulloMail’s Android and BlackBerry apps at the end of April. 

 

Andy Munarriz, founder and CEO, HulloMail said, “We have now extended our individual greeting feature to our iPhone app. It’s an easy and fun way to personalise your voicemail. You can record one greetings for your mates to let them know what time you’ll be meeting them at the pub, and record a more professional greetings for your boss or work colleagues. We’ve listened closely to our subscribers, who suggested this useful addition to our apps.”

 

How it works:

The individual greeting feature is simple to use: via the app, subscribers simply record a greeting and assign it to a chosen contact in their address book.  This can be done for an unlimited number of contacts and is easy to update at any time. In addition, HulloMail has extended the length of voicemail messages for its HulloMail SmartVoicemail™ iPhone app; meaning messages of up to five minutes can now also be left.

 

The HulloMail SmartVoicemail™ apps are available to download from the iPhone, Android and BlackBerry app stores for an introductory annual fee of £3.99 UK, €5.49 in Ireland and $6.99 in the USA.  For more information regarding HulloMail, visit www.hullomail.com.

 

About HulloMail

Formed in 2008, HulloMail, the voice-messaging innovator, offers UK, USA and Ireland-based consumers modern voicemail applications and instant voice messaging. The HulloMail technology, used daily by over 35 million subscribers worldwide, has been developed with an emphasis on extensive product research and consumer-led innovation.

 

HulloMail's services offer a quick and easy way to manage, send, receive and share voicemails and with the new Hullo feature, provide free*, instant voice messaging to mobile and email. Mobile Operators can accelerate modernisation of voicemail-based services while greatly reducing capital expenditure by utilising the HulloMail Cloud Application Managed Service Suite.

 

For more information, visit HulloMail or follow them on Twitter.

Gameloft Returns to Android Market

It's been a long time coming... Gameloft are pleased to announce our imminent return to the Android Market with the release of Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus.  Available by searching "Modern Combat 2" or "Gameloft" in the Market players can now purchase and download the premier modern warfare FPS for smartphones. The game can be found here.

 

To celebrate the return to the marketplace with Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus Gameloft have realeased a trailer, which can be found on their YouTube channel

 

Following this Gameloft plan to bring more titles to the Android Market, starting with Asphalt 6: Adrenaline which will be available soon.

LogMeIn debuts iPad and iPhone VoIP Options

LogMeIn’s ultra-simple, free screen-sharing service, join.me, just added new iPad and iPhone capabilities to simplify collaboration with mobile colleagues and customers.  The updated join.me mobile viewer iOS app debuts a new VoIP option that lets users listen in and converse during an online meeting or screen-sharing session.  Like the join.me web service, the iPad and iPhone viewer app is completely free and does not require registration, ensuring fast, simple, on-the-fly collaboration in a matter of seconds.  The join.me iPad/iPhone app is available as a free download or update from the Apple App Store.

 

These mobile capabilities were designed by the same development organisation responsible for LogMeIn Ignition, the top grossing 3rd party iPad of 2010 and a recent addition to Apple’s App Store Essentials Hall of Fame. 

 

"In the few months since we launched join.me, the response from users has been overwhelmingly positive and their feedback has been valuable in shaping the service’s evolution," said Kevin Bardos, vice president of Collaboration Technologies for LogMeIn. "The new features are all designed to keep simplicity and accessibility central to the join.me experience, providing users with an even greater ability to work together and collaborate as if they were sitting in the same room."

 

The free version of join.me includes:

· Screen sharing

· Chat

· Remote control of other devices

· File transfer

· Multi-monitor support

· Downloadable desktop app for hosts or presenters

· iPad/iPhone or Android viewer for session attendees

 

The ‘pro’ version of join.me includes:

· All the features of the free version

· Personalised meeting code/link

· Personalised background

· Meeting scheduler

· Meeting lock option for private, invite-only meetings

· User management

· International conference lines

 

Availability

Desktop version is available for free here 

 

The iPad/iPhone app is also free on the Apple App Store

JOBY Launches Free Stop Motion iOS Camera App

JOBY, the industry-defining creator of the bestselling GorillaPod tripod and the GorillaMobile for iPhone 4 tripod, announces the availability of Frame X Frame, the first indispensible free iPhone 4 camera app that easily creates and shares stop motion videos.

 An all-in-one app for snapping and sharing great shots, Frame X Frame will inspire new creative approaches for capturing unique videos with the iPhone.  JOBY’s first iPhone app, Gorillacam, has been downloaded more than 2.5 million times from the Apple iTunes store. Frame X Frame is available for free download from the iTunes App Store now.

 

To celebrate the launch of Frame X Frame, JOBY is kicking off a “Stop Motion Addict” contest on their YouTube channel, on May 3rd.  The competition will be fierce as participants compete to win a grand prize bundle including a Canon 7D DSLR, a GorillaPod Focus and Ballhead, and a screening of their Stop Motion film at the Renderyard Short Film Festival in Spain this November.   The contest will close on May 31st and the winner will be announced on June 8th.

 

Contest judges will include Mark Reid,  Founder and Director of Renderyard Short Film Festival, Estafania Merino, Co-Director of Renderyard Short Film Festival, Trevor Hardy, Animator of Watermill Farm on Nick Kids, Gregory Han of Apartment Therapy Unplggd, Mike Doyle from About.com’s Skiing Guide, and pro-photographer and JOBY pro-team member, Safe Solvent.  A Canon Powershot S95 will be awarded to the fan favorite video entry which receives the highest number of YouTube “thumbs up” votes.

 

Capturing perfect stop motion video and time-lapse creations is a snap with the GorillaMobile for iPhone 4.  This hands-free solution allows you to get the perfect angle for all your activities from chatting on Facetime to capturing the sunset. The newly refreshed version is now available and is compatible with all iPhones including AT&T and Verizon.

Example using the app, avalible here

Microsoft announce purchase of Skype

The rumors that appeared overnight have turned out to be true. Microsoft has confirmed the purchase of Skype for $8.5 billion in cash.

Microsoft has been very clear in that it sees Skype’s technology and services being applied across the board to both its consumer and business customers. That means enterprise customers will receive a new way to communicate over voice and video, but more excitingly, those who own an Xbox and Kinect will also benefit from its introduction, as will Windows Phone 7 owners.

With Skype now a wholly-owned branch of Microsoft there may be worries that the service could disappear from non-Microsoft platforms. But Microsoft has been quick to state that Skype will continue to be supported across all devices going forward.

With guaranteed billions coming their way, investor group Silver Lake, who previously owned Skype, were delighted. Both Skype and Microsoft boards of directors approved the purchase and only regulatory approval is now required to finalize the deal.

Read more at the Microsoft press release

Duke Nukem to appear at GAME, Oxford Street tomorrow

Ahead of the eagerly anticipated launch of Duke Nukem Forever next month (10^th June), GAME are hosting the real life character in their Oxford Street store between 3.00pm and 5.45pm on 11^th May.
This is the first time that lookalike has appeared in public.
The immortal character will be giving away free t-shirts, magazine and badges, as well as completing public signings and posing for photos in the flagship store.
GAME have secured the only UK exclusive available for the launch of Duke Nukem Forever, entitled ‘Duke’s Big Package!’, which is free to all customers when they pre-order the game at GAME on Xbox 360, PS3 or PC. The preorder bonus includes: Ego Boost; extend Duke’s ‘ego’ health bar, Big Heads; play with oversized characters and six in-game t-shirts.
Head of UK PR for GAME, Neil Ashurst said:
“Duke Nukem is 20-years-old this year and the release of the fantastic new game, Duke Nukem Forever is the perfect way to celebrate his birthday. Ahead of the launch, we’ve got our own Duke in-store, in his first ever-public appearance and we know that our customers are really excited to meet their hero in real life!” 

Dynamic Duos Deliver Comfort, Style And Outstanding Audio

Radiopaq Duos are new high definition DJ-Style headphones that deliver comfort and balanced acoustic enjoyment in five captivating colours. Extending their highly popular range of unique designer audio headsets to include the classic over-head design, Radiopaq have today launched "Duo" - a set of DJ-style headphones available in five expressive colours.

Securely built and thoughtfully designed, the Duo headphones are adjustable and easy to store thanks to Fold Flat Tilt & Swivel headphone cups, whilst soft 15mm cushions offer unrivalled comfort during prolonged play. With powerful 40mm sound drivers rounding up a first class specification, the Duo headphones deliver terrific acoustic enjoyment with just the right amount of low and yet defined, mellow bass.

Key Features

o Fold Flat DJ-Style Tilt & Swivel headphone cup design
o Adjustable soft padded headband for a secure fit
o Ultra soft 15mm deep ear cushions reduce pressure on ears
o Dynamic sound quality from powerful 40mm sound drivers
o Unrivalled, superior audio performance and quality for price
o Thoughtfully robust design and reliable practical construction
o Gold plated 3.5mm connector for optimal sound transfer
o Compatible with Apple iPod, iPhone and other MP3 Players
o Five stylish colours: High Gloss Copper, Candy Green, Candy Purple, Metallic Silver and Soft Touch Black

Thoughtfully Designed

A comfortable combination of the adjustable padded headband and 15mm deep ear cushions (made from durable, soft and textured materials) helps reduce pressure on the ears and head during prolonged play and ensures a snug fit for every size ear and head.

In addition, the clever Fold Flat Tilt & Swivel headphone cup design (a style highly favoured by audio professionals and DJ's) allows the Duo headphones to be worn around the neck and independently positioned for optimum freedom when choosing your next track, and can then be effortlessly stored flat into a bag or case to avoid damage when not in use or whilst travelling. 

Express your personality with a choice of five fantastic colours (High Gloss Copper, Candy Green, Candy Purple, Metallic Silver and Soft Touch Black) - the perfect way to accessorise and be on-trend when the crowd is moving to the beat. 

Audio Performance 

Featuring impressive 40mm sound drivers, the Duo headphones reproduce a wide frequency range with superb stereo separation, detailed mid-range and balanced rich bass to deliver pronounced quality for all musical genres.

Radiopaq Duo Compatibility 

o Apple iPod, iPod Touch, iPad and iPhone
o Any MP3/MP4 Player with a 3.5mm Stereo Jacket socket (including music decks or electronic instrument)
o Tablet PCs, Laptops, Netbooks and Desktop Computers
o Portable DVD players 
o Note: Duo headphones are not compatible with Apple iPod Shuffle

Pricing and Availability

RRP £19.99 and available in store now at Carphone Warehouse, ASDA, Argos, WHSmith and online at Radiopaq Products.

Technical Specification
Available in the PDF here.