There’s something for everyone in today’s One More Thing installment. Everyone except those of you who hate to see a phone rumour laid to rest, because we’re afraid one of them is today.

But for everyone else: if you’re not into Pokemon, perhaps we can interest you in a little Skyrim. If you’re not interested in smartphones, we’d like to offer you the smart traffic lights that can tell when you’re coming and turn green (presumably) just for you.

If you’re into self defense, there’s pepper spray and if you’re into self-flagellation, there’s a rather unfortunate Richard Branson related image coming your way in three, two, one…

Virgin Porn – RichardBranson.xxx is no longer in the hands of the Australian cybersquatter who was hoping to get rich quick either from the hordes of weirdos that get their rocks off to the leonine looks of old Dickie B, or from Sir Branson himself. Unluckily for Sean Truman, he was ordered to hand it over gratis because the domain was registered in bad taste… sorry, we mean bad faith. [The Register]

No opinions available – The Motorola Motoluxe has gone on sale in the UK. We know how strongly some of you feel about Motorola so we’re just going to leave this information here and slowly back away. [TalkAndroid]

Green man – Everything’s smart these days – your phone, your TV, Alecs – so why not traffic lights? One computer scientist at the University of Texas reckons he could create lights that communicate with the approaching traffic to figure out the most efficient way to let traffic through. Sounds like Die Hard 4.0 waiting to happen to us. [Discovery]

Good job hunting – Facebook knows you better than you know yourself, and it knows how well you’ll do at certain jobs too apparently. A US study asked some HR professionals to analyse 56 Facebook profiles and six months later evaluated the findings against how well the 56 Facebookers had been doing at work. Don’t worry, we’re sure all those gooey loved-up status updates spell excellent things for your career. [Mashable]

What the world has been waiting for – It’s an iPhone case AND a handy holder for your pepper spray. Don’t you feel safer already? Just be careful where you point that thing. And, er, how close you put it to your eyes and ears. [Piexon]

Debunkbed – Some crazed Samsung Galaxy S3 fans were convinced that the GT-i9300 product number was the mythical Samsung flagship, speaking to them from that ethereal plane that is the online smartphone rumourmill.

But it’s not, because the Galaxy S3 is going to be, like, totally mega high res and the GT-i9300, it now emerges, offers a paltry 1024×600 screen resolution. Unlucky. [Android Community]

Skype update alert – Skype for iOS – you know, the other FaceTime – has had a bit of an update including a few visual tweaks to make it easier to tell who you’re chatting to, a fresh new Appley look for the dialpad and a bit more stability for iOS 5. Lovely. [TNW]

Eat my shorts – Sorry gamers, EA reckons the Simpsons app game it has on the cards, The Simpsons: Tapped Out, will be one of its biggest titles for 2012. It will take the Farmville approach of being free but expecting you to shell out real world money for pretend world stuff. No release date yet but it should hit iOS before any other platform. Mmm, fremium. [Cnet]

Big Pokemon news coming – Gather ’round, TechRadar-reading Pokemon fans. Don’t be shy. Apparently there’s some news coming about a new version of the Pokemon Black/White titles or something. Gotta catch ‘em all or whatever. Stay tuned to Junichi Masuda‘s Twitter account for more. You may need to learn Japanese first. [SiliconEra]

Map app – If you like that Skyrim is big but sometimes feel it’s a little bit too big, you want to get yourself the free interactive map app that just launched for iOS. It used to be on Android but then it took an arrow to the knee. Did we do that right? [Slashgear]

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/XI0CNrjZRlY/story01.htm

Comcast has launched a new video on-demand service as part of its cable TV, phone and internet packages.

The newly-minted Xfinity Streampix service will be made available to new and existing Comcast customers for a $4.99 monthly premium.

However, it’ll be gratis if you sign up for a “Triple Play” package.

Huge arsenal

Streampix will focus on existing movies and past series’ of TV shows from its own vast arsenal of video content, including the likes of NBCUniversal, Sony, Disney, Warner Brothers and Sony.

The offering, which will arrive on smartphones, tablets, connected TVs and web-browsers, puts Comcast in direct competition with Netflix, Amazon and the recently announced Verizon/Redbox tie-in.

No need for Netflix

The could be more problematic for Netflix because it seems Comcast wants to cut it out of the equation altogether – as least as far as its own customer base is concerned.

While its a win-win for Comcast on a couple of levels, if the streaming library becomes comparable there’ll be no need for its subscribers to bother with Netflix.

For Comcast, there’s opportunity to earn another $4.99 a month through content and customers it already owns.

Alternatively, offering the service for free, dangles the carrot as it attempts to snare new sign-ups to its expensive phone, internet and cable packages.

Via: Variety

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/-xHM0z5qo70/story01.htm

A photograph from The Daily newspaper showing a version of Microsoft Office running on the Apple iPad is a fake, Redmond says.

In Tuesday’s edition, the iPad-only paper claimed it had gone hands-on with a working prototype, featuring Word, Excel and Powerpoint in one complete application.

The report asserted that Microsoft had completed design work on the suite, which would soon be submitted to the App Store for approval.

However, the software giant has issued a statement saying the report is inaccurate speculation, while the photograph illustrating The Daily’s report is a fake.

Daily denial

A spokesperson said: “The Daily story is based on inaccurate rumors and speculation,” while a separate rep told Zdnet the photo is not a picture of a real Microsoft software product.

Microsoft, which is definitely developing the suite for Windows 8 tablets also refused to be drawn on whether it’s even working on a version for the iPad.

In a further twist, on Tuesday evening, The Daily’s editor told Zdnet’s Mary-Jo Foley on Twitter: “We didn’t fabricate either image. A working version of the app was demonstrated to us by someone at Microsoft.”

The plot thickens, but one thing is for sure: Someone’s telling porkies.

Via: Zdnet

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/YpmTS_0wKKA/story01.htm

Nokia is planning to launch at least one new smartphone with an enhanced ‘Pure View’ camera, according to a teaser video posted by the Finns on Tuesday.

The brief 22-second video shows off a host of beautiful, snowy photos and promises all will be revealed at MWC next Monday.

The clip, named Pure View, switches between various shots showcasing what it calls Pure Depth, Pure Definition and Pure Detail.

Windows Phone or Symbian?

The new camera tech is almost certain to be part of a new handset at MWC but it remains unclear whether the handset(s) will be running Windows Phone or Symbian?

It is thought that Nokia will launch multiple devices on both platforms in Barcelona, so it’s possible that the Pure View camera tech may feature on both.

The company, which has restored its damaged reputation since the launch of its first Windows Phone devices last year, has produced some fabulous cameraphones down the years, so we’re excited to learn the full details next week.

Via: SlashGear

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/qG0szwvviTw/story01.htm

Nokia is planning to launch at least one new smartphone with an enhanced ‘Pure View’ camera, according to a teaser video posted by the Finns on Tuesday.

The brief 22-second video shows off a host of beautiful, snowy photos and promises all will be revealed at MWC next Monday.

The clip, named Pure View, switches between various shots showcasing what it calls Pure Depth, Pure Definition and Pure Detail.

Windows Phone or Symbian?

The new camera tech is almost certain to be part of a new handset at MWC but it remains unclear whether the handset(s) will be running Windows Phone or Symbian?

It is thought that Nokia will launch multiple devices on both platforms in Barcelona, so it’s possible that the Pure View camera tech may feature on both.

The company, which has restored its damaged reputation since the launch of its first Windows Phone devices last year, has produced some fabulous cameraphones down the years, so we’re excited to learn the full details next week.

Via: SlashGear

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/HXFimjta63U/story01.htm

Google’s rumoured AR goggles which combine a heads up display (HUD), camera and smartphone tech in a wearable device could go on sale as soon as this year.

The Google glasses will likely run on the company’s own Android operating system.

When quizzed by the NY Times, unnamed Google employees said the new tech is expected to go on sale this year and “cost around the price of current smartphones.”

This doesn’t exactly nail it down as that’s a range of around £100 to over £500, though we’d definitely expect it to be at the top end of that range.

Geek chic

Previous information has suggested that the new smart specs will look a lot like a pair of Oakley Thumps – Oakley’s MP3-playing sunglasses which ditched style in favour of an extra function.

Google sources say that the company is not worried about profitability, more about producing an experiment for anyone to join. If it’s a hit, Google will then start looking at how to cash in – though we’re sure they’ve already had some ideas.

Gogglers – as we’ve decided to call users of Google’s new device – can look forward to navigation on their HUD, as well as having many smartphone functions available at eye level including check-ins and video recording.

That last one could see Google installing a little red light to make sure gogglers can’t do any sneaky recording.

A 3G or 4G data connection will also be an essential component of the goggles to allow them to send and receive data to the cloud for navigation and augmented reality overlays.

From NY Times

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/kw6UVthpTkY/story01.htm

Samsung has taken the wraps off a new learning platform for its Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 which will go head-to-head with iTunes U.

Called Learning Hub, it will be on hand to offer educational content which is set to include 6,000 textbooks and videos from 30 different education service providers.

Samsung is expected to reveal more details of Learning Hub at Mobile World Congress 2012 next week.

High score schooling

So far the company has only offered up a handful of screenshots that don’t tell us a great deal, however it has revealed that the platform aims to encourage individual learning using an automatic scoring system to motivate less disciplined students.

Document annotation will also be enabled, which could see a Galaxy Note S-Pen-alike accessory for the Galaxy Tab produced.

iTunes U has been a huge success for Apple, helping it get the iPad into many schools and learning institutions. Samsung is obviously (and understandably) keen to get a piece of that action with its own tablet offerings.

So far only Samsung Korea has released news of Learning Hub, so we’ll have to wait until MWC 2012 next week to see what Samsung has in store for the rest of the world.

Via Electronista, The Verge

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/yQkFHMDhv-M/story01.htm

Samsung has taken the wraps off a new learning platform for its Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 which will go head-to-head with iTunes U.

Called Learning Hub, it will be on hand to offer educational content which is set to include 6,000 textbooks and videos from 30 different education service providers.

Samsung is expected to reveal more details of Learning Hub at Mobile World Congress 2012 next week.

High score schooling

So far the company has only offered up a handful of screenshots that don’t tell us a great deal, however it has revealed that the platform aims to encourage individual learning using an automatic scoring system to motivate less disciplined students.

Document annotation will also be enabled, which could see a Galaxy Note S-Pen-alike accessory for the Galaxy Tab produced.

iTunes U has been a huge success for Apple, helping it get the iPad into many schools and learning institutions. Samsung is obviously (and understandably) keen to get a piece of that action with its own tablet offerings.

So far only Samsung Korea has released news of Learning Hub, so we’ll have to wait until MWC 2012 next week to see what Samsung has in store for the rest of the world.

Via Electronista, The Verge

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/R_JxqhOGBbE/story01.htm

We’ve looked at various network cameras in the past. As with most technologies, prices can vary drastically, but the gulf in quality between budget cameras and high-end ones is particularly wide.

Low cost devices like the Jabbakam can be bought for well under £100, but lack features like night vision and weather-proofing. Low resolutions and a slow frame rate can also reduce these cameras’ usefulness.

The Y-Cam Bullet HD network camera suffers from none of these problems, but this versatility comes at a price – £395 to be precise.

There’s no denying that this is an expensive device, but on testing we found it to be such a fully-featured, high quality camera that its price tag is mostly justified. With night vision, weather-proofing and a choice of wireless or Ethernet connections, this camera – unlike its cheaper rivals – can be used indoors or out.

The name refers to the projectile-like shape of the chassis, but once mounted on its stand (which can be easily attached to a wall or ceiling via screws) and with a drip-proof shield installed, the Y-Cam Bullet HD begins to look more like a CCTV camera. This means that you’d probably rather have it outdoors, unless you’re going for a high street car park look in your living room.

Looks aside – perhaps so far aside that they’re out of sight – this is a very accomplished network camera with extensive features to help you keep an eye on your property when you’re away.

A handy and easy to navigate web interface lets you access the video stream from the camera remotely. There’s also a smartphone-friendly version, and email alerts and motion detection work well together to keep you in the loop should anything happen.

The ‘HD’ of the product name refers to the 1,280 x 720 resolution. Running at 30 frames per second it’s clear and detailed, though not the smoothest stream.

Still, detail in camera footage is essential when reporting a crime, and the Y-Cam Bullet HD offers that as well as some excellent features.

Follow TechRadar Reviews on Twitter: http://twitter.com/techradarreview

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/Cl60okW4TxY/story01.htm

LG will unveil the LG Optimus 3D Max at MWC 2012 in Barcelona, its successor to the world’s first glasses free mobile, the Optimus 3D.

We’re still not sold on 3D phones, but it looks like LG is banking on the technology as it attempts to stake its claim in the mobile market by pushing the boundaries and offering a unique experience to users.

LG says the 2D and 3D displays will be brighter and notes that the Optimus 3D Max will come packing NFC technology and LG Tag+ functionality. It will also feature an enhanced 3D converter, allowing users to view apps such as Google Earth and Google Maps in 3D.

But does anyone actually want it?

LG has managed to squeeze all the 3D goodness into a slimmer and lighter metallic frame which is just 9.6mm deep and weighs 148g.

Although packing some beefed up 3D features, the Optimus 3D Max does not take a particularly huge leap forward in the specifications department. It will run a 1.2GHz dual-core processor (up from 1GHz dual-core in the original Optimus 3D) backed up by 1GB of RAM.

Screens size stays the same at 4.3-inches and the 3D WVGA display will be protected by Gorilla Glass. No change in internal memory either, with 8GB to be found on board.

Round the back you’ll find dual 5MP lenses to capture 3D images and inside the Optimus 3D Max will run Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) with users having to wait until “shortly after the launch” for an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich.

The Optimus 3D Max will launch firstly in Korea in March and will then roll out to the rest of the world, starting in Europe.

We will be at MWC 2012 to find out all the latest from LG, so keep an eye out for our hands on: LG Optimus 3D Max review.

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/CgEYU14vLxw/story01.htm

The 8TB Buffalo LinkStation Pro Quad, perfect for keeping all your important files safe, could be yours.

Buffalo’s LinkStation Pro Quad is the ideal solution to keep important files safe.

It features ultra fast data transfer speeds, with the drive able to be configured in RAID 0 for performance or RAID 5 for redundant storage. Basically, that means if your hard drive fails, your data is safe.

With a huge 8TB, the Buffalo LinkStation Pro Quad is perfect for storing large numbers of files, which can be streamed from anywhere in the world via a web browser or via iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or an Android Smartphone.

Please note that this competition is only open to UK residents over 18 years of age.
Photographers will also enjoy the “Direct Copy” function, which allows one touch transfer of media files from any digital camera or camcorder.

Technical specs:

• Processor: Marvel 1.6GHz
• High speed data transfer: Up to 72MB/s
• DLNA/UPnp Support
• Web Access
• Logitech Squeezebox support
• Built-in BitTorrent Client
• USB Device server – connect and share a Multifunction USB 2.0 printer on your network.

More information can be found on the Buffalo website, while users can also join the Buffalo Facebook page to get the latest updates.

To be in with a chance of winning the Buffalo hard drive, worth £750, simply click here to enter the competition.

Please note that this competition is only open to UK residents over 18 years of age.

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/ak-Lbn2IeSA/story01.htm

Sony’s PS Vita has officially gone on sale in the UK, with some high street stores opening at midnight to allow gamers to get their eager, grasping mitts on the handheld console.

Oxford Street’s Game store took it all a step further, donning a special Vita-themed costume to mark the occasion as what Game describes as hundreds of gamers queued outside the shop ahead of the midnight launch.

Zohaib Ali was the first gamer through Game’s doors, nabbing a PS Vita at midnight on the dot after queuing since Sunday for the privilege. Good job he had that nice sheepskin coat to keep him toasty..

While reports from Amazon.co.uk yesterday suggested that the Vita is in for a healthy launch among dedicated gamers, we’ll have to wait and see if it can muster up enough mass appeal to prove a long-term success.

We refreshed our PS Vita review with the launch software and can confirm that it’s a pretty tasty slice of gaming pie, although it scored a definite must try harder in the battery life and web browsing departments.

But if you’re still mulling over whether or not to pick up a PS Vita of your very own, perhaps our lovingly shot video of the console will help you decide:

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/Xcv5uIE7KPc/story01.htm

Sony has listed its Sony a35 DSLT camera as a “previous model” on its official website, leading to speculation that a new entry level camera could be unveiled soon.

Last year, the Sony a33 and Sony a55 were also discontinued, some months after the announcement of the most recent a77 and a65 cameras, which were launched in August.

This leaves Sony with just two cameras in its “current” line-up of translucent mirror models.

It is thought that a “pro” camera using the SLT technology is likely to be on the cards, especially since Sony introduced a new 500mm professional lens.

It’s been a relatively quiet few months for Sony, which announced two new DSLTs and two new compact system cameras last summer. Sony is known for announcing several cameras at once, so a large announcement could be on its way.

The a65 is a pared down version of the a77, but both sit in the “enthusiast” part of the market. A budget version of the cameras would likely be a welcome addition for many photographers keen to harness the advantages of using a translucent mirror.

Big numbers

Sony is known for producing high resolution sensors, with the a65 and a77 both sharing a 24.3 million pixel APS-C sized sensor.

It seems likely that a budget model would also feature a relatively high pixel count. The a35 featured a 16.2 million pixel sensor, so an entry-level 20+ megapixel camera seems like a likely proposition.

Stay tuned for more updates on Sony camera releases as and when they happen.

via PhotoRumors

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/0QP43JLmPXo/story01.htm

The Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic take the acclaimed Apple iPod Earphones and add a control capsule, located on the cable of the right earpiece, that includes a microphone and three buttons.

Here’s what you can do with this convenient remote:

• Adjust the volume by pressing the + and – buttons
• Control music and video playback – including play/pause and next/previous – by pressing the centre button
• Record voice memos on supported devices
• Answer and end calls

And today you can get these earphones for for £12, saving 53% off the normal price pf £25.99.

Head over to TechRadar Deals to take advantage of this offer, but hurry – there are only 200 pairs available.

About TechRadar deals

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This new and exciting service, open to our UK users, is designed to bring you massive discounts on all sorts of products, services and events that are highly relevant to tech and gadget fans.

Here’s how it works…

The TechRadar Deals site offers fantastic deals with discounts of 50% or more off exclusive technology-related deals.

Once you’re at our deals site you can get in on the deal by simply clicking ‘Buy’. After your purchase, your voucher will be emailed to you within minutes or you can log into your account to locate your voucher. Simple and secure.

You can also sign up for our email newsletter and we will then email you regular deals that are at least 50% off goods and services from big name brands.

Visit TechRadarDeals.com to check out today’s deal.

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Samsung has finally announced just when its new Samsung Series 9 laptop is launching in the UK, revealing that it will be here by the end of February.

The Samsung Series 9 notebook is being touted as the slimmest laptop in the world, with a lean frame which measures just 12.9mm – or 0.5-inches in old money.

It’s a laptop that has the Apple MacBook Air firmly in its sights, boasting some impressive specs including an Intel Core i5 processor, up to 4GB memory and 128GB SSD.

Samsung has also added something called Fast Start; this allows the Series 9 to wake up and be ready for work in just 1.48 seconds.

Considering it takes most of the TechRadar team three teas and a bacon sarnie, this is pretty speedy.

Whole 9 yards

The Series 9 comes with 10 hours’ battery life, a 180% brighter HD+ SuperBright Plus screen – which means outdoor light is no longer this laptop’s Kryptonite – and the 13-inch version weighs a mere 1.16kg.

The Samsung Series 9 notebook UK release date is 25 February and will be initially available from John Lewis. It will then find its way to other retailers soon after.

If you want to see the Samsung Series 9 laptop in action, then check out our video below:

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/WU4X-tAtWf8/story01.htm

The imminent BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 adds the missing messaging apps to RIM’s tablet, but it also marks a big shift in how BlackBerry devices handle email.

RIM is moving on from the proprietary email system that’s been the foundation of its success in business and is joining Google and Apple in adopting a mobile email protocol from Microsoft. But that doesn’t mean BlackBerry is abandoning its trademark security or long battery life.

With the PlayBook 2.0 – and future BlackBerry 10 handsets – you won’t have to run a wizard on the device and connect to the BlackBerry service to set up your email any more.

Instead, you just fill in the email address and password for your email account, like any other device. If it’s a common email service – or any server you’ve used with a BlackBerry device before – that’s all you need to do.

If you’re connecting to a work email account, you can click Advanced and fill in the details of the server, but it’s still far simpler.

EAS support

But the PlayBook doesn’t connect directly to the mail service. BlackBerry software head Vivek Bhardwaj told TechRadar that PlayBook and BlackBerry 10 still take advantage of the BlackBerry infrastructure and servers but things are a lot easier.

“I can put in my Gmail account and what we do in the background is take the username and read the domain [from the email address] and we do all the heavy lifting to get the settings and do all the configuration and send that back down to the device.”

The PlayBook works with standard mail protocols such as IMAP and POP3, but it also supports the popular EAS protocol.

This was developed by Microsoft (originally for Exchange; it stands for Exchange Active Services) but it’s been widely licensed, and is used by Gmail and Yahoo as well as Hotmail. It’s already supported by the majority of smartphones – Android, Windows Phone, Windows Mobile, Nokia, Palm and even iPhones.

In fact, RIM has been the only holdout, and currently you have to install third-party email tools such as AstraSync to use EAS on a BlackBerry handset or tablet.

Switching to EAS instead of RIM’s proprietary push email transport is a major change, and it’s something of a coup for Microsoft, especially when Bhardwaj praises it as an open standard.

“This is a shift in architecture, based on what we want to deliver as a company. The BlackBerry Internet Service and the BlackBerry Enterprise Server have served us well for the last decade.

“Over time, more consumers have latched on to smartphones, and enough of the industry is at that tipping point so we do need to be about standards. It’s about open standards and an open ecosystem.”

Get email faster

EAS has some major advantages. It’s a proper push protocol that copes with multiple email folders. Mail will arrive on a device using EAS when it arrives on the server. That’s a big improvement over the 15 minutes you wait to check for new emails you get with BIS today (the way any BlackBerry that’s not managed by a business gets email).

Emails you read and delete on your phone will be marked as read or deleted if you look at your mail on the web. This happens with BlackBerry devices today, if you have it set up correctly.

But messages you read in webmail or with another client will be marked as read on your BlackBerry as well, which doesn’t always happen using the current system.

And while there will probably be a setting to choose whether to download the whole of really long messages, you won’t only get the first 2K of each message. That should mean no more scrolling down to the More prompt and waiting for the rest of the message to arrive.

You’ll finally also get your contacts and calendar details synced from your email or calendar service directly to the PlayBook or BlackBerry 10 smartphone, even if you’re not connected to an enterprise BlackBerry system.

Secure and energy efficient

But what about the real advantages of BIS and BES: the security and power efficiency?

Mail will be just as secure, promises Bhardwaj. “The device talks EAS but we wrap security around it. The messages go through a secure tunnel that’s created by BIS or BES, but the transport inside it is EAS.”

Businesses still get to manage BlackBerry devices and control settings on them as well.

And it’s the connection between the server and the phone that keeps power use low (and compresses the data sent back and forth), which still uses the BlackBerry system. If battery life changes for BlackBerry 10, we wouldn’t point the finger at the mail connection.

Loosening the connection between BlackBerry devices and the BlackBerry servers might have other advantages too. It’s no longer one person, one BlackBerry, talking only to a BlackBerry server. PlayBook is going to get BBM (just not in this update).

Could this open up the possibility of BBM coming to other devices that aren’t BlackBerry? We don’t know, but it’s a tempting idea.

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/7QNroEBiJOY/story01.htm

Olympus has confirmed that it is looking at a successor to the Olympus E-5, its last DSLR, which was announced in 2010.

Despite the fact that the company has only just launched its advanced compact system camera in the form of the Olympus OM-D E-M5, Olympus is very keen to point out that it does not consider the E series line-up of cameras to be dead.

The OM-D has been described as being targeted at advanced enthusiasts, leaving professionals with E series DSLR cameras.

The last time Olympus announced a new DSLR was back in 2010, with the E-5. At the time, the company said that it could be the last in the line, or at least it that future E-series cameras that accept Four Thirds lenses could be mirrorless.

But the company appears to have done a U-turn in that decision. Speaking to a Russian website, Onfoto, Toshiyuki Terada from Olympus Japan said, “We already have started studying a successor of Olympus E-5.”

Pro OM-D?

Last week, Terada told us Olympus would consider a pro version of the OM-D if there was enough demand.

Many people have assumed that Olympus has “given up” on its DSLR products to concentrate on its Micro Four Thirds line-up, but Terada told us that this was not the case.

“Our first priority has been with the PEN, because at the time of its launch, DSLR was so popular and we wanted to distinguish ourselves.”

It’s likely that some of the features of Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras would also appear on any new DSLR, such as the new 5 axis image stabilisation as available on the OM-D.

Keep following for more updates on any new camera releases as they happen.

via 43Rumors

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/Qwl9HV3WihI/story01.htm

Google’s Android operating system has taken top spot as the UK’s most common mobile OS, appearing on one in three British handsets.

The findings by Kantar Worldpanel ComTech saw Android claim a 36.9% share of the mobile phone OS market, beating Apple’s iOS into second place which accounted for 28.5%. RIM took third with an 18.1% share followed by Nokia’s Symbian in fourth.

The latest survey was taken in the four weeks up to the 23 January 2012 and during the same period last year iOS clinched top spot with 29.2%, Symbian took second claiming 26.7% and Android ranked third with 20.1%, ahead of RIM.

Ups and downs

Symbian has witnessed a dramatic fall from grace now finding itself fourth in the market (13.1%) according to the latest figures, after Nokia announced it would be phasing out the OS in favour of its deal with Microsoft’s Windows Phone offering.

Windows Phone is still way behind the other big hitters in the UK with it only managing a share of 2.2% of the market, but hopes that Nokia’s commitment to the brand will see it take a considerable chunk in 2012.

Although Android now commands the OS market share the iPhone is still likely to be the most popular handst in the UK, as the 36.9% Android share will be split between various manufacturers including Samsung, HTC, LG and Motorola.

Android is also taking Europe by storm with big gains in the German, French, Italian and Spanish markets. Apple’s iOS still reins supreme in the US however, where the iPhone brand is especially strong.

From Guardian via PhoneArena

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The UK’s yet-to-materialise 4G networks are proving to be a right old pain in the neck as it now emerges that the spectrum waiting to be auctioned off to house the next-gen networks will cause some interference to existing TV signals.

But don’t worry, Ed Vaizey has a plan. Our current communications minister has set up a fund for the networks bidding on the new spectrum to pay into to cover the costs of the TV interference, aiming for £180 million to set the whole thing straight.

Vaizey explained, “Next generation mobile services are essential for economic growth. They will bring an estimated benefit of £2-3 billion to the UK economy.

“There will be some interference when 4G services are rolled-out but we will have the solutions in place to eliminate the disruption to television viewers.”

4Ging ahead

These solutions, paid for by the £180 million slush fund in some cases, will include fitting a filter. Extra help will be available for the elderly or disabled and, in extreme cases, the fund will spend up to £10,000 per household to fix the digital disruption.

Not that we’ll have to worry about it any time soon, with Ofcom’s 4G spectrum auction not taking place until later this year and then it’ll be 2013 at the very, very earliest before networks are up and running across the UK.

From Daily Telegraph

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T-Mobile has announced that the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G phone will launch in the US towards the end of next month.

The device packs a respectable range of specs, but sits slightly below Samsung’s flagship Android handsets like the Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Nexus.

What it does boast is a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor and the Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system.

The Blaze 4G also brings T-Mobile’s HSPA+42 (what it calls 4G) internet speeds as it continues to work towards the launch of 4G LTE phones later this year.

Camera skills

There’s also a 5-megapixel camera, which can shoot 720p video and a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera for video chat goodness.

It will launch in late March for a very tempting $149.99 price-point, when rebate card is added to the mix.

Via: CNET

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A major revamp to Flickr’s interface will be rolled out at the end of February, according to its senior product manager.

Speaking to Betabeat, Markus Spiering said the redesign will affect most of the site, with the main photo losing white space and images being arranged in a photo grid.

Scheduled to launch on February 28th, a new upload interface is to be introduced, giving the uploading page an “app-like” appearance. In practice, this should mean a drag-and-drop style interface.

Uploads

Bought by its parent company Yahoo in 2005, Flickr is seen as “the photographer’s social network” with over 3,000 photos uploaded to it every minute, or 3.5 million photos every day, making it the biggest dedicated photo sharing website.

Flickr reached its 6 billionth upload milestone in August 2011.

Recently it has faced increasingly stiff competition from Facebook and Google+, with the former appearing to constantly change the way it displays photos.

Newer networks such as Instagram and 500px are challenging Flickr’s popularity, which is surely the reason behind the new redesign.

Although Flickr has a free option, it also includes a premium paid-for service that allows photographers to upload an unlimited amount of photos. It changed its pricing structure in January, to offer a three month subscription option and lowering its two year price.

According to Spiering, more changes will be rolled out during 2012.

via Betabeat

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It’s been a ridiculously long time coming, but affordable IPS screens for PCs have finally arrived. That makes right now perhaps the best time ever to upgrade that dusty old flat panel.

And we’ve Apple to thank for it.

Yup, I know that sounds ridiculous. I’d say both Apple’s technological prowess and its overall influence are often overstated. And the relationship between Apple gadgets and PC screens seems pretty tenuous. But I’m convinced it’s true.

Once I’ve explained it all, I reckon you’ll agree.

It starts with Apple’s shift in recent years to near-exclusive use of IPS panels in its iMacs, iPads and iPhones. IPS, of course is a sort of superior LCD technology. It delivers the best colours and viewing angles by far.

Apple doesn’t just use IPS, is shouts about it. That matters because it wasn’t very long ago that monitor makers wouldn’t dream of putting IPS panels into their mainstream displays. I know this because I asked them and they told me. The problem, they said, is that punters aren’t willing to pay even a small premium for a superior panel. The market was extremely price sensitive.

But now Apple is using IPS, punters have heard of it and think it’s worth paying for. I doubt most of them really understand why. They just know Apple uses IPS, so it must be good.

The result is that LCD panel makers have tooled up for IPS in a big way. And that, somewhat ironically, means that IPS is actually cheaper than ever.

The best example here is the new AOC i2352vh. Ostensibly, it looks like any cheapo 23-inch monitor. The chassis feels flimsy, the tilt-only stand is even worse. It’s the sort of screen you’d expect to see priced a little over £100 and sporting a washed out, substandard TN panel.

Except it cost a little bit more at around £135 and has a genuine, bona fide IPS panel. OK, it’s very likely only a 6-bit, rather than 8-bit or 10-bit, IPS panel in terms of native colour depth. But it’s still a lovely looking thing with great viewing angles and far, far better than the TN screens that normally dominate this price point.

A little further up the scale, Viewsonic has released a couple of affordable IPSers in the £160 to £200 region. The ViewSonic VP2365-LED is particularly nice.

OK, the DVI and VGA connectivity isn’t exactly comprehensive. But it’s got a proper, fully adjustable chassis and that gorgeous IPS panel. And not much else. Not tricks. No gimmicks. Just a great screen at a reasonable price.

My only real issue with it and other members of this newly affordable IPS army is that they all buy into the 1080p Full-HD thing. In truth, the extra vertical pixels of the 16:10 aspect 1,920 x 1,200 resolution suit PCs better than 16:9 and 1,920 x 1,080.

Moreover, TN technology has improved enormously of late. There are one or two TN screens that run IPS panels surprisingly close.

So, the absolutely ideal affordable PC monitor remains a little elusive. But things are still immeasurably better now than they were just 12 months ago.

Whether you’re willing to doff your cap in Apple’s direction or not, right now is simply a great time to pick up a new panel for your PC.

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The Samsung Galaxy S3 could hit the stores in South Africa in July according to some of its national carriers.

Both Cell C and Virgin Mobile have confirmed they could have the Galaxy S3 in stores as early as July 2012.

Neither carrier was able to offer any further details on the hotly anticipated handset which is expected to pack a quad-core processor and HD screen.

Jonathan Newman, a Virgin Mobile spokesperson did say: “no pricing is available yet but it is likely to come in where the Samsung Galaxy S2 was priced at launch”.

Delayed to avoid a delay

Another South African carrier MTN has also confirmed it will offer the Samsung Galaxy S3 in its mobile range, after snubbing the first Ice Cream Sandwich-toting phone the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

Initially Samsung were expected to unveil the Galaxy S3 at MWC 2012 in Barcelona. It quashed those rumours saying it was opting for a later launch, which is now rumoured to be sometime in March.

Suggestions have been made that Samsung has delayed the launch to reduce the time between the handset being announced and the Galaxy S3 going on sale in the US after a delay was experienced with the Galaxy S2 last year.

From MyBroadband via SoftPedia

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The European Union’s highest court has been asked to rule on the legality of the Anti-counterfeiting Trade Agreement (Acta) that 22 EU countries including the UK have already signed.

The controversial agreement has sparked protests in some areas of Europe, with Germany and Denmark both refusing to sign the agreement.

As a result, the EU’s head of trade Karel De Gucht is asking the courts to establish whether or not the agreement complies with “the EU’s fundamental rights and freedoms”.

Censorship

Acta is intended to make it easier to pursue online pirates by bringing in common, international standards so that if you’re breaking the law in, say, the US, you’re also breaking the law in the UK, France, and anywhere else that has signed up to Acta.

Critics of the agreement point to the fact that it has been developed in secret by rights holders and others with vested interests and the fact that it requires ISPs to be responsible for and police all actions of its users, creating an online nanny state and infringing on free speech.

De Gucht explained, “Let me be very clear: I share people’s concern for these fundamental freedoms… especially over the freedom of the internet.

“This debate must be based upon facts, and not upon the misinformation and rumour that has dominated social media sites and blogs in recent weeks.”

From BBC

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