Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Easypaisa Launches ‘International Home Transfer’ Service

Tameer Microfinance Bank and Telenor Pakistan made another addition to the bouquet of easypaisa services with the launch of ‘International Home Transfer’ in collaboration with Xpress Money, UK.


This service adds on international home remittances receiving facility in Pakistan.

Microsoft Announces Price Hikes for Xbox Live

Bad news for Xbox Live users as Microsoft has announced a price increase for the service.
Microsoft's Larry Hryb, known to the Xbox Live community as Major Nelson, today announced that Redmond would be increasing the price for Xbox Live Gold members by an additional ten dollars. This brings the price for a yearly membership from $50 to $60 for U.S. gamers.
The good news is that the changes don't apply to all countries. The bad news is that they do apply to the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. All the changes are listed in the tablet below and will come into effect on November 1, 2010.
Major Nelson went on to say that those affected by the price hike might want to lock in their current price by renewing now. Doing so will get an additional discount, so click through to renew.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Microsoft Investing Billions in Windows Phone 7

Microsoft is hoping to give Windows Phone 7 the start it needs by pumping about a billion dollars into the launch.
Microsoft is investing a huge amount of time and effort in Windows Phone 7, that much is obvious. But it looks like the company is going to spend two boatloads of money on it too. Rumor has it, Redmond will be sinking at least half a billion dollars on Windows Phone 7 advertising along with payments to developers and handset manufacturers to ensure all is as it should be when the operating system launches.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Google Files for Trademark On SpeedBook Computer Hardware

Is Google working on a Netbook for Chrome OS?
Google is targeting netbooks and notebooks with its new, lightweight operating system, Chrome OS. However, it seems the company could soon venture into the hardware side of things, as a recent trademark filed by the search giant indicates the company's interest in the term 'speedbook'.
BNet reports that Google last week filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Application Office for a trademark on the name 'Speedbook' for computer hardware. Editor Erik Sherman points out that through you can patent a product without having to actually produce it, a trademark application must be linked to a product or service that is launching in the reasonably near future.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Use Google Voice from Google Phone Booths

Clark Kent has somewhere to change again.

Google yesterday announced Google Voice calls through Gmail. The idea of it is that if you're in an area with low signal, or you don't have your phone, or you don't want to incur expensive roaming charges, you can just log onto your computer and make calls from inside Gmail, using your Google Voice credit for international calls. However, what if you're not even at your computer? No, problem, use one of Google's Google Voice telephone booths!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Toshiba Said to Be Launching Glasses-free 3DTV

Three dimensional entertainment without looking like a total square.
Image credit: CrunchGear
There are many reasons people are unenthused by the idea of 3DTV, and just one of them comes in the form of those goofy spectacles. If that's the only thing stopping you from jumping on the 3DTV-bandwagon, you'll be pleased to know it won't stand in your way much longer.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Broadband Subscribers Hit 0.9 Million Mark

At the end of fiscal year 2009-2010 broadband Internet users in Pakistan have reached 900,648 and are expected to cross 1 million mark by the end of August 2010.
In its detailed stats made exclusively available to ProPakistani, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority said that Internet Service Providers added a total of 39,948 subscribers in June 2010 compared to 43,893 subscribers in May 2010.
Broadband growth rate has leaned down in previous three months but if history repeats itself, growth rate is expected to shoot up in coming months due to slashed rates.
Broadband penetration in the country reached at 0.52% at the end of April 2010 from 0.26% a year ago, showing 100 percent more penetration in one fiscal year.
Technology Share Broadband 2010 Broadband Subscribers Hit 0.9 Million Mark

Water-Resistant Power Strip Now Available in U.S.

The water-resistant power strip can now be purchased in the U.S.
Parents with toddlers or other devious children running around the house (1) drink lots of coffee to stay on top of their devious plans (2) fight to keep their toys and fingers out of AC power outlets and power strips.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Motorola Blocks Unofficial Froyo ROM for DROID X

If you've got a DROID X and were hoping to upgrade to Froyo before the over the air update hit, you've got another think coming.
On Friday, the people of MyDroidWorld announced a leaked version of the OTA update for Verizon's Motorola DROID X. However, just two days later, Motorola sent out cease-and-desist orders in an effort to stop people upgrading to Android 2.2 before the OTA update rolls out.
In its cease and desist letter to MyDroidWorld, Motorola cited violation of copyright as the reason for the removal request.

Monday, August 23, 2010

HP Confirms WebOS and Windows Tablets/Slates

Two tablets that have been talked about for months have been confirmed.
Talk of this device has been going on for a while now, even though we haven't had any official word from HP on it. Now we've finally got confirmation: All that talk of a WebOS tablet from HP was true; and yes, it's launching sometime at the beginning of next year. Also in the cards? A Windows tablet, despite the supposedly axed HP

Friday, August 20, 2010

Microsoft's Arc Touch Mouse is Like No Other

A mouse that flat-packs for easy travel.
We've been hearing about Microsoft's Arc Touch Mouse for a while now. A couple of interesting pictures cropped up on Twitter and word on the street was Microsoft was teasing its upcoming peripheral. However, the images didn't look anything like a traditional mouse, leading people to believe Microsoft could be working on its own version of Apple's Magic Trackpad.
Zoom

This week, yet more images cropped up, and though these ones didn't come directly from Redmond, they do lend weight to the theory that the images posted to the Microsoft twitter were pictures of the Arc Touch Mouse.




The images above were taken from German etailer Notebooksbillinger's website and show a curved mouse, with a shape similar to that of the already available Microsoft Arc Mouse. However, as you can see, the Arc Touch Mouse actually flattens out for easy packing. The mouse is supposedly able to track on almost any surface, features touch scrolling and makes use of a 2.4GHz nano transceiver.
Notebooksbillinger had the price for the peripheral listed as €69.99, but no word on if that's a conversion of the American price or just a similar price point.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Tegra 2 Google Chrome Tablet Launching Nov. 26?

Chrome OS tablet rumors are nothing new, however, a new report carries some interesting details about a Chrome OS tablet that's supposedly launching in November.
According to Download Squad, Google's old friend HTC is working on a Chrome OS tablet set for release on November 26. The device will be offered in conjunction with Verizon, which means data plans of some sort, but there's no word on whether or not this baby will be available off contract (à la the iPad) also. Download Squad says the device will be heavily subsidized, if not free, and speculates that it could feature Nvidia's Tegra 2; a 1280x720, multitouch display; 2GB of RAM; a minimum of 32GB SSD storage; WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G connectivity; a GPS; a webcam; and possibly expandable storage via a multi-card reader.
If November 26 incites an underlying feeling of dread and the urge to crawl under your bed and eat nothing but turkey until the clocks tick over to November 27, that's because 11/26 the busiest shopping day of the year. You got it, folks, it's Black Friday.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Xbox Live Games for Windows Phone 7 Revealed

Assassin's Creed, Halo and Guitar Hero all coming to Windows Phone 7.

Though Windows Phone 7 is launching in just a couple of months, it still feels like we know very little about Microsoft's brand new mobile operating system. Yesterday. Redmond shed a little more light on WP7, offering a list of titles we can expect to become available via Xbox Live for Windows Phone 7.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Intel Buys Texas Instrument's Cable Modem Line

Intel cable modems on the horizon?
Intel announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Texas Instruments’ cable modem product line. The purchase is one step in Intel’s plan to expand into the cable industry and related consumer electronics. Intel could be planning to integrate its system-on-chip products based on Atom processors.

Samsung to Show off Froyo Tablet Next Month?

It's no secret that Samsung has plans for a tablet, we've even seen purported pictures of it. However, recent leaks suggest we may not have to wait long before catching sight of the little scamp in an official unveiling.
Following the same Galaxy S branding that Samsung has been using for its newest line of smartphones, the company's tablet is rumored to be called the P1000 Galaxy Tab. Samsung Firmwares claims to have found a "new special firmware" that give away the specs of the upcoming slate.
SF points towards a screen resolution of 480x800; a 3.2-megaixel rear camera; a smaller front-facing camera for video calling; a 1GHz CPU; Flash; Swype; WiFi; and Bluetooth.
Previous rumors hinted that this device might run Android 2.2, also known as Froyo, and a report over on Computerworld speculates that we could see an unveiling at IFA in Berlin next month.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Internet Explorer 9 Beta Launching September 15

Are you ready for the next iteration of Internet Explorer?
Microsoft yesterday began sending out invitations for a special event to selected members of the press, VIPs and developers. Microsoft says the event will serve as a chance to "Celebrate the Beauty of the Web" and perhaps more importantly, as a launch pad for Internet Explorter 9 Beta.
Microsoft's James Pratt wrote about the invitation in a blog post and detailed that IE9 has been well received so far, with 2.5 millions downloads of the platform previews since MIX, in March of this year.
He also included a screen shot of the invitation, because space constraints meant they had to keep the attendee list small.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Nintendo Wii Becomes Fastest Selling Console

Nintendo has sold 30 million Wiis in the U.S. alone, making it the fastest selling console ever.

Nintendo has announced that over the four years since the Wii launched, it has sold 30 million units in the U.S., making it the fastest selling console ever, ahead of Sony's PlayStation 2 by 15 months. Worldwide, Nintendo has sold 71 million units. Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo America's executive VP of sales and marketing this week spoke of the Wii's effect on the video game industry as a whole.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Windows 8 Leaks – Microsoft’s Eye on Apple [Report]

So time now to share some interesting gossip about Microsoft’s upcoming operating system, “Windows 8″ that just got leaked on the Internet! The leaked documents reveal some of the sensitive and critical information which talk about Microsoft’s planning to lead the future of Operating System in the world.
And surprisingly, the leaked documents also show that Microsoft has been paying a closer attention to Apple Inc. As showed in the secret documents, Microsoft’s Officials have also discussed in a private meeting in April with the leading computer makers of the world, looking forward to offer a “Windows Store”, in the same way as Apple distributes it’s applications and softwares. A slide from the leaked document also reveals that Microsoft is also looking forward to give Windows 8 a more iPad-like innovation!

Apple Replacing Overheating iPods in Japan

Japanese owners of first generation iPod nanos are finding that the device can run hot. Really hot. In fact, they can sometimes run hot enough to catch fire and burn the user.

Earlier this month, Apple was ordered to post a disclaimer on its Japanese website about the early version of the iPod nano, explaining to customers how they could go about getting replacement batteries for their nano or even just advice about the issue. The public statement came at the behest of Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency and trade ministry, after a two-year investigation of the problem.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

AMD Makes Fun of Nvidia Fermi's Hotness

Just a simple misunderstanding.

Nvidia's faced its share of challenges this year but it has finally a DirectX 11 product on the shelves and now its Fermi offering is maturing well. In fact, the GeForce GTX 460 is one of our favorite GPUs in the segment.
AMD, however, as the fierce competitor that it is, isn't shy about poking fun at Nvidia for its Fermi woes – especially when it comes to power draw and heat production.

Monday, August 9, 2010

This is What a Burnt and Melted PS3 Looks Like

Looks almost edible.
Losing things in a fire is always tragic. Some are irreplaceable items with much sentimental value.
Kotaku reader Eric lost his PlayStation 3 in a fire, and has shared pictures of the burnt, charred, and melted console with the internet.
Thankfully, Eric is okay and he'll be able to buy a slimmer, quieter PS3. Let's just hope he didn't lose any valuable game saves and he wasn't using the PS2 backwards compatibility or Linux install features.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Biggest Apple Store in the World Opens in London

People are already lining up for tomorrow's grand opening of the biggest Apple store in the world.
Microsoft is just getting its foot in the door when it comes to brick-and-mortar stores. The company has just four locations so far, and though the company is said to have taken a few cues from Apple when it comes to the deign of its stores, it might be a while before Redmond has a Microsoft store that can rival Apple's Covent Garden location.

Friday, August 6, 2010

MSFT's Magic Mouse Hitting Next Month for $70?

That's a mouse? Really?
Earlier this week, Microsoft teased us about a new product by posting hints and pictures on Twitter. Judging by the photos and the description of a 'flat and touchy' device, many assumed (guilty) that this was some sort of smartphone or tablet. However, recent reports suggest that it's nothing of the sort.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Samsung Files Patent for Double-sided Tablet

Samsung has filed for a patent on a double-sided tablet device with two touchscreens.
As magical and revolutionary as the iPad claims to be, our readers have pointed out many times that the iPad was not the first tablet to exist. However, the iPad's success has shown other manufacturers just how popular the slate design is with computer users, and they're all eager to jump on the bandwagon. Rather than going with the tried and true design, it looks like Samsung is looking to modify the design just a little bit and make things more interesting.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

PC Version of Fable III Delayed

The PC version of Fable III will not ship with the Xbox 360 version as previously planned.
Fable fans eagerly awaiting the third installment will have to wait a little longer than their console counterparts. According to Microsoft, the PC version will not be hitting the market on October 26 as originally planned. Unfortunately, the company wouldn't say when the game would actually be released.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Windows 7 is Finally More Popular Than Vista

Congratulations, Windows 7, as you've passed your predecessor in user share in July.

According to web analytics firm Net Applications, share for Windows 7 was at 14.46, while Windows Vista was at 14.34. This marks the firs time that Windows 7 usage had been greater than that of Windows Vista, perhaps a sign of those on the older OS upgrading or getting new machines.

Monday, August 2, 2010

100 Million Facebook Profiles Hit the Torrents

And corporations are interested in all your public Facebook data.

Earlier this week, roughly 100 million Facebook accounts were bundled together in a 2.8GB package and put on the torrents for anyone to download. Mind you, the information contained in the package was just a result of a programmed spider crawling on open Facebook profiles mining anything that was public information.