Apple Media Event … Things Just Got Bigger

Rumours are rife on the internet, with many predicting that Apple will be holding a media event on 12th September 2012. There have been talks of an iPad Mini, new iMacs and of course a new iPhone.

Well, it is now a forgone conclusion that we will see a new iPhone come the 12th, but will this encompass all of the changes fanboys expect & want? Some websites are reporting we will see a larger 16:9 format screen, whilst others are touting a 3D capable camera. With the inclusion of NFC in many of the latest Google Android phones, it really should be there in the iPhone 5 or "new iPhone", but recent images tell a different story there too.

So what does Apple have to do to keep the money rolling in. Well, the new iPhone 5 will bring with it a brand new design. The glass back will be gone, with new sweeping lines and a slightly thinner profile. Incoming will be the larger screen with a higher resolution, and yes, this will be in 16:9 format. That makes total sense because this is a media consumption device. Speed demons will also be happy with the quad core processor and although Apple rarely talk speeds, this should clock at least around the 1.2GHz mark. Gaming performance will also be excellent, as this is one area Apple really work hard at. On the camera front a new 8 megapixel sensor will bring with it great clarity and another improvement in low light & depth of field (you know, for creating those arty blurred backgrounds). The only downer for all those waiting, is the actual lack of NFC, which won't be seen until next time around.

What we do know, is that there will be no iPad Mini. Apple will save that in the wings for another early October event. It is here we will see the iPad Mini alongside the new iPod touch & Nano, along with the retirement of the Shuffle. Stay tuned (and subscribed to The Geekanoids Channel for more news… exciting times are ahead.

New Features for Samsung ChatON

Mobile Instant Messaging has come a long way since it first swept the globe with Blackberry Messenger. iPhone offerings advanced the communication options, but Android, the fastest growing operating system today, is leading the way with the ChatON app from Samsung.

Leading the future of IM interaction, the ChatON app takes IM to the next level with animated messages for more creative freedom, calendar interaction to manage your busy schedule, group chat and chat rooms, and an interactive profile page. The “Trunk” feature allows you to store contents in a sharing box, and post comments to other sites including Facebook. 

Samsung ChatON app features:

Enhanced Group Chat, where broadcast messages can be sent to several buddies at once

“Trunk” - a ChatON Contents Sharing Box, where users can leave comments and share contents to other sites including Facebook

Animation Message, users can create their own animated messages with original drawings, texts, audio content and changing background images

Anicon (Animated Emoticon), users can download various animated emoticons from chaton.com

Buddies say, users can post comments directly to buddies’ profile at any time

Interaction Rank, users can check how often then chat with their buddies on the progress bar

Micro SNS Community (Social Network Service)

Now available in 120 countries in 66 languages, Samsung’s ChatON is usable across iOS, BlackBerry and Android devices. Download ChatON for free at https://web.samsungchaton.com

Twitter changes cause Tweetbot for Mac alpha to be pulled

We're starting to see changes to Twitter and Twitter clients following the announcement of new API rules. Late yesterday, Tapbots pulled the alpha version of Tweetbot for Mac. Paul Haddad explained that the company tried to work with Twitter to get around the user token limit during the beta-testing period. Twitter didn't find any solution acceptable, Haddad said, so the public alpha download was pulled. Those who already have the alpha client are still able to use it.

Haddad assured users that the final version Tweetbot for Mac will be available in the near future. He also urged those who tried the alpha and decided not to use it to revoke access and up the user token.

Meanwhile, The Next Web points out that Twitter no longer identified which client was used to post a tweet.

[Source: TUAW]

Craig Federighi and Dan Riccio Join Apple’s Executive Team as Senior Vice Presidents, Bob Mansfield staying on

Apple just announced that Vice President of Mac Software Engineering Craig Federighi and Vice President of Hardware Engineering Dan Riccio will join CEO Tim Cook’s executive team as SVPs. Apple’s Executive Bio page updated thusly.

Note: Apple currently has two SVPs of hardware engineering. Bob Mansfield announced his retirement in June but will instead stay to work on future products, while reporting to Cook.

[Source: 9to5Mac]

PS Vita v1.80 update now available, PSOne titles for download revealed

Of all the new features in firmware version 1.80 we're pretty sure that the ability to play PSOne classicswas fairly high on people's want-list. Well, the update is live, and with it a list of the titles available. There are nine on offer today for US Vita owners, which are: Arc the Lad, Cool Boarders 2, Final Fantasy VII,Hot Shots Golf 2, Jet Moto, Syphon Filter, Tomb Raider, Twisted Metal 2 and Wild Arms, with hopefully more to follow. This is in stark contrast to what's available over the pond, as Kotaku points out, with over 100 titles hitting European shores from tomorrow -- somewhat of an imbalance. But, with Sony said to be targeting a younger crowd, maybe it's banking on some of them not remembering the PlayStation's golden age.

[Source: Engadget]

LG EA93 21:9 aspect ratio 29-inch LCD spotted on IFA show floor (eyes-on)

Fancy a wickedly wide 21:9 aspect ratio LCD that's more than a touch larger than what you'll find on that unique Toshiba Ultrabook? It looks like LG's got you covered, with its 29-inch EA93. We spotted a half dozen of the ultra-wide IPS displays during a preview of the show floor at IFA, and were able to grab a few frames. You need to see this LCD in person to get a feel for just how wide it really is -- with a 29-inch diagonal panel that's incredibly short and squat, you'll be compromising quite a bit of desk real estate in order to add some horizontal pixels.

From booth materials, it seems that LG is promoting this product as a multitasking solution -- the format is well-suited as a replacement for dual-monitor rigs, letting you view several windows at once without adjusting your eyes vertically. We already had a solid grasp on the EA93's specs, which include a 2,560 x 1,080-pixel panel, a four-way split screen feature and plenty of inputs, including two HDMI ports, DVI Dual Link and DisplayPort, though the product placard also revealed USB 3.0 connectivity and 7-watt stereo speakers. Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but if you're prepared to add such a device at any cost, we'd suggest clearing some desk space now -- these are set to ship in November.

[Source: Engadget]

More OnLive management moves: Perlman out, as investor Lauder settles for Chairman

As the OnLive storm continues to ride itself out, details of who the winners and losers are (mainly losers) keep washing up on the shore. Today's casualty seems to be CEO Steve Perlman himself, who -- just days after the firm reinventing itself -- is "departing to work on his myriad of other projects." In his place the former COO, Charlie Jablonski, is temporarily taking the reins, as well as continuing his role as head of operations in the new organization. Finally, completing this wave of announcements, is the news that chief investor, Gary lauder, will officially take the title of Chairman. So, as the new incarnation settles into its new structure, we'll just have to sit tight, waiting to see what the next chapter in the OnLive story is.

[Source: Engadget]

Maingear Solo 21 receives a makeover, $899 all-in-one PC is now fully upgradable

Back in March, Maingear entered the world of the all-in-one PC with the utilitarian Solo 21. Even though the unit is now only five months old, it's being replaced with a model that's more attractive, more functional and that carries a lower price. We're most excited that the redesigned Solo 21 is now fully upgradable -- and yes, this includes the Mini-ITX motherboard itself. Available from $899 on up, the baseline configuration includes a 3.3GHz Intel Core i3 2125 CPU (Ivy Bridge), 4GB of RAM, 500GB of storage, a DVD burner, Bluetooth, WiFi and Windows 7 Home Premium. The Solo 21 also supports mSATA SSD storage and can also be outfitted with Blu-ray in place of the standard DVD configuration. You'll also find it supports the VESA mount, should you decide to throw the PC on your wall. If you'd like to become a bit better acquainted with Maingear's latest refresh, you'll find the full PR after the break.

[Source: Engadget]

Sony NEX 5R specs reportedly leaked ahead of tomorrow's launch

Sony Alpha Rumors is claiming to have a big pile of specs for what's presumed to be the NEX-5R, so with a fistful of sodium chloride at the ready, here goes. The site believes the new mirrorless ILC will pack a 16.1-megapixel APS-C sensor, low-light sensitivity up to 25,600 and the same tiltable three-inch screen we saw in the NEX-F3. It's also saying that we can expect to see 99-point phase-detection and 25 contrast autofocus points, with 1920 x 1080 HD video recording at 60p and a battery that'll take 400 pictures on a single charge of its battery. If those facts have gotten your purchasing-fingers twitchy, we'll be at Sony's press conference tomorrow to find out all the gory details.

[Source: Engadget]

Strontium launches HAWK SSDs

Strontium Technology has announced a new series of high-performance solid state drives (SSDs) named HAWK. These Hynix-built solid state drives with Strontium branding are based on SandForce’s SF2281 controller and SK Hynix Flash. These drives are said to be a good upgrade option featuring 500MB/s of read and write performance and also claim to offer faster performance for PCs and Macs. Needless to say, SSDs feature enhanced durability, shock-proof, silent operation and are more reliable as compared to traditional hard drives.

The 2.5-inch HAWK drive is available in 120GB and 240GB storage capacities. The sequential (256KB, MAX) read speed is 510MB/s and write speed is 470MB/s. The random (4KB, MAX) performance is 50,000 IOPS read and 38,000 IOPS write. It comes with support for SATA I/ II/ III interface, TRIM Support (O/S support required) and has a Mean Time between Failures (MBTF) of 1.2M. Strontium HAWK SSD has been designed to offer quicker boot up and shorter lead time in the loading of applications to enhance productivity.

Features: 

• 2.5” Drive

• SandForce SF-2281

• MLC NAND Flash for Fast Performance

• Available Capacities: 120GB and 240GB

• Sequential Performance (256KB, MAX): Read: 510 MB/s, Write: 470 MB/s

• Random Performance (4KB, MAX): Read: 50,000 IOPS, Write: 38,000 IOPS

• Supports SATA I/ II/ III Interface

• TRIM Support (O/S Support Required)

• Power Consumption: 0.82W (Active), 0.26W (Idle)

• Mean Time between Failures (MBTF): 1.2M

• 3 years hassle-free Strontium Limited Warranty

Evernote partners with Moleskine to offer ‘smart notebooks’ that are browsable from within the app

Today, at its Evernote Trunk Conference in San Francisco, Evernote announced a partnership with expensive high-quality notebook maker Moleskine. The surprising partnership yielded a new offering called “Evernote Smart Notebook”. Since many people still take notes with pen and paper, it is a partnership that makes sense.

The Evernote Smart Notebook allows people to take notes by hand and then make the notes available online, TechCrunch first noted. To upload the notes, a photo of a page from the notebook is taken with the Evernote app. The notes are then saved to a user’s Evernote account where they can be browsed, searched and organized. Special stickers are provided to tell Evernote which virtual notebook to organize the note into.

[Source: 9to5Mac]

Samsung’s aftermath: appeals, emergency executive meetings, stock down 7%, jury comments

Following Samsung’s major loss to Apple in U.S. court, we saw follow-up official statements from Apple PR, Samsung PR, and Apple CEO Tim Cook. Now, new details from the aftermath are coming through.

The first piece of news comes from the Korea Times. The site reports that Samsung executives held an emergency meeting regarding the loss in trial. Even worse is a comment from a Samsung senior executive as he walked into Samsung’s HQ: “It’s absolutely the worst scenario for us.”

Inside the building, Choi Gee-sung, former Samsung Electronics CEO and now the head of Samsung Group’s corporate strategy division, was holding an emergency meeting attended by Shin Jong-kyun, the company’s mobile devices chief, and Lee Dong-joo, lead marketing official.

The Korea Times also reports that Samsung executives are set to formally respond to media requests and offer a more official response in the coming days.

The loss not only created havoc for Samsung executives, but Samsung shareholders as well. CNET reports that Samsung shares are down approximately 7% in the South Korean market:

[Source: 9to5Mac]