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Samsung unveils Galaxy S III with natural user interfaces, better camera

Publié: mai 3, 2012, 8:55pm CEST par Tim Conneally

Leading Android smartphone maker Samsung on Thursday announced the latest installment in its two-year old line of Galaxy S smartphones, the Galaxy S III.

Here are the specs, straight from Samsung:

4.8 inch, Super AMOLED (1280x720) display
Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
16/ 32GB User memory (64GB coming soon) ＋ microSD slot (up to 64GB)
136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm, 133g (4.7oz) chassis
GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900, HSPA＋ 21Mbps: 850/900/1900/2100, 4G (Depending upon carrier)

8 Megapixel Auto Focus camera with Flash
1.9 Megapixel forward-facing camera, HD recording @30fps
WiFi a/b/g/n, WiFi HT40 (channel bonding)
GPS/GLONASS
NFC
Bluetooth 4.0
Accelerometer, RGB light, Digital compass, Proximity, Gyro, Barometer

Samsung exclusive Features: S Beam, Buddy photo share, Share shot, AllShare Play, AllShare Cast, Smart stay, Social tag, Group tag, Face zoom, Face slide show, Direct call, Smart alert, Tap to top, Camera quick access, Pop up play, "S Voice" user interface, Burst shot & Best photo, Recording snapshot, HDR

Rather than even mention the 1.4 Ghz Exynos processor in its press materials today, Samsung opted to focus instead on the software features of the SGSIII.

Among the new features of the device, this includes some natural user interface enhancements: face/eye recognition with the forward camera that knows when you are using the screen, a Siri-like voice command module called "S Voice," and gyro/motion sensing that enables seamless passage from text messaging a contact to calling them simply by moving the phone up to your ear.

To compete with the popular iPhone camera, the SGSIII 8 megapixel camera has HDR mode, an improved "zero lag" shutter, and a mode called ‘Burst shot’ which takes twenty continuous snapshots, and presents the user with the option to select the best photo out of the group.

The Samsung GALAXY S III will be available in Europe end of May, and will roll out to other global markets at an unspecified later date.
One in 10 US Facebook users don't protect privacy

Publié: mai 3, 2012, 8:02pm CEST par Ed Oswald

About 13 million Facebook users in the United States either do not use or do not know about the social network's privacy controls, sharing private information they would not have otherwise. This amounts to one out of every 10 users in the country.

Consumer Reports' study of what we are posting on Facebook should give pause to chronic oversharers. For example, 4.8 million posted publicly where they were going for a day, possibly tipping off a burglar to an empty house; 4.7 million liked a page on a specific health condition or treatment for a disease, which may pique the interest of a prying health insurer.

"Facebook really is changing the way the world socially communicates and has become a successful service in part by leveraging copious amounts of personal data that can be spread far wider than its users might realize", the publication's technology editor Jeff Fox says.

Poor choices and ignorance are the biggest issues when it comes to Facebook privacy. Right now is a good time to check that your own settings are such that you aren't disclosing private information outside of your circle of friends. It might also be a good time as well to ensure those on your friends list are people you'd really want to share your life's details with.

The easiest privacy tip? Set your profile to private unless the person is a friend. Limit your exposure and watch who you add as a friend.

Consumer Reports also found evidence of people not happy with Facebook privacy and taking matters into their own hands. In order to keep identifiable information out of the hands of the wrong people, a quarter of respondents to Consumer Reports' survey say they lie about some portion of their identities.

That's technically a violation of Facebook's terms of service. With so many questions surrounding how the social networking site uses our information though, it's likely seen as one of the only ways Facebook will not know everything about us, what we're doing, or what we like.

What else can you do to protect yourself on Facebook? Consumer Reports recommends regularly checking how your page appears to others. This can be done by clicking the gear icon near the upper right of your profile and "View As...". This will show your profile as seen by the public who is not your friend. Obviously, review your privacy controls and if all else fails and you're still not comfortable, deactivate Facebook altogether.

Yes, there is life without Facebook.

To its own defense, Facebook appeared to dismiss the study and point to the 900 million users who share information over its service as validation, and currently existing privacy controls already in place. "As part of our effort to empower and educate consumers, we always welcome constructive conversations about online privacy and safety", the company says in a statement.

Photo Credit: 1000 Words/Shutterstock
Windows Live is dead, long live Windows Live

Publié: mai 3, 2012, 7:58pm CEST par Tim Conneally

In a blog post on Wednesday, President of Microsoft's Windows division Steven Sinofsky announced the seven-year old Windows Live brand is being retired.

Do not be mistaken, there are more than 500 million users of the various Microsoft services that fall under the general classification of Windows Live. They are alive and well.

The brand and the concept of Windows Live as a whole, however, is antiquated in this mobile-driven era, and Microsoft is finally halting the differentiation.

"Windows Live services and apps were built on versions of Windows that were simply not designed to be connected to a cloud service for anything other than updates, and as a result, they felt 'bolted on' to the experience," Sinofsky said. "This created some amount of customer confusion, which is noted in several reviews and editorials. The names we used to describe our products added to that complexity: we used 'Windows Live' to refer to software for your PC (Windows Live Essentials), a suite of web-based services (Hotmail, SkyDrive, and Messenger), your account relationship with Microsoft (Windows Live ID), and a host of other offers."

The Windows Live brand has grown to encompass a user's Microsoft account that spans both Windows Live and Xbox Live services, Hotmail/Livemail, Messenger, SkyDrive, Calendar, Windows Contacts, the Live Essentials suite of desktop applications such as Windows Live Photo, Live Movie Maker, Live Writer, Live Mesh, and Live Mail.

Microsoft is retiring the idea of "connected services" versus completely insular ones, and is using the mobile world's most common dividing line: there are apps, and then there are Web apps. This is how services will be broken down and branded for Microsoft.

strong>Photo Credit: Digital Genetics/Shutterstock
New iPad extinguishes Kindle Fire

Publié: mai 3, 2012, 7:22pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

Yesterday, colleague Ed Oswald gave four very good reasons why Target is dumping Amazon ereaders and tablets. For Kindle Fire, perhaps there is another: It's not selling. Today, IDC reports that Amazon tablet shipments collapsed during first quarter, all while iPad lapped them up.

"Apple reasserted its dominance in the market this quarter, driving huge shipment totals at a time when all but a few Android vendors saw their numbers drop precipitously after posting big gains during the holiday buying season" said Tom Mainelli, IDC research director. Apple's media tablet share rose to 68 percent from 54.7 percent during fourth quarter. Kindle Fire's shipments collapsed -- from 4.7 million to around 700,000 quarter on quarter. Amazon's share dropped from 16.8 percent to 4 percent, placing it third to Samsung.

The dramatic change undercuts one of the major tenants of my weekend post: "Google has lost control of Android". Amazon's success, with customized, curated Android and supporting app store, hurts the entire ecosystem, because Kindle Fire accounts for more than half of market share. But Amazon is only a threat if Kindle Fire succeeds, and first quarter set it back, which is good for all Android licensees and Google.

According to IDC, Kindle Fire and iPad accounted for 71.5 percent of all tablet shipments during fourth quarter. Strangely, the number was higher during Q1, 72 percent, but dramatically different. iPad share gains almost entirely came from Kindle Fire -- the one adding 13.3 points and the other falling 12.8 points.

"Apple's move to position the iPad as an all-purpose tablet, instead of just a content consumption device, is resonating with consumers as well as educational and commercial buyers", Mainelli says. "And its decision to keep a lower-priced iPad 2 in the market after it launched the new iPad in March seems to be paying off as well".

Apple also benefitted from new iPad's high-resolution display, a distinguishing characteristic from all available competing tablets. Kindle Fire's appealing price, $199, couldn't compete with Apple's one-two punch -- the other being $399 iPad 2.

Lenovo moved into fourth place during the quarter, as Samsung solidified a recaptured second. Barnes & Noble rounded out the top-five. Lower pricing distinguishes iPad's Android competitors.

"It seems some of the mainstream Android vendors are finally beginning to grasp a fact that Amazon, B&N, and Pandigital figured out early on: Namely, to compete in the media tablet market with Apple, they must offer their products at notably lower price points", Mainelli says.

"We expect a new, larger-screened device from Amazon at a typically aggressive price point, and Google will enter the market with an inexpensive, co-branded ASUS tablet designed to compete directly on price with Amazon's Kindle Fire", he emphasizes. "The search giant's new tablet will run a pure version of Android, whereas the Fire runs Amazon's own forked version of the OS that cuts Google out of the picture".

As I've repeatedly expressed, a Nexus tablet is more about Amazon than Apple, and realigning the Android ecosystem.

Still, the overall tablet market is volatile, as Kindle Fire demonstrates and something else: Overal shipments declined 38.4 percent quarter on quarter -- to 17.4 million units from 28 million. That's 1.2 million devices below IDC's forecast.

Looking ahead, Windows 8 tablets are expected to debut during fourth quarter, and it's anyone's guess their impact.

"The worldwide tablet market is entering a new phase in the second half of 2012 that will undoubtedly reshape the competitive landscape" Bob O'Donnell, IDC program vice president, says. "While Apple will continue to sit comfortably on the top for now, the battle for the next several positions is going to be fierce".

Big picture: "Throw in Ultrabooks, the launch of Windows 8 and a few surprise product launches, and you have all the makings of an incredible 2012 holiday shopping season".

Break out your Christmas list.
Foxit Reader 5.3 improves by nips and tucks

Publié: mai 3, 2012, 5:55pm CEST par Mark Wilson

The PDF format is commonly used to deliver documents online, and people increasingly discover that there is no need to use a bloated piece of software such as Adobe Reader to open them. Foxit Reader is one lighter weight alternative that prides itself not only on the speed and performance it offers, but also the security features. The Read Out Loud feature has been updated with a new Read from Current Page option as well.

Foxit Reader 5.3 adds support for viewing RMS-protected PDF that have dynamic watermarks, and there are also a number of other changes, improvements and additions in this latest release. When the program is used to view a document that is too large to print on regular-sized paper, you can now take advantage of the new Tile Large Pages option in the print dialog that makes it possible to split such large pages over several pieces of paper in the style of a poster.

When you view PDF files in full-screen mode it is possible to reposition the toolbar to the location of your choice. In previous versions of the program, this custom position was forgotten when exiting full-screen mode, but it is now retained for the next time you make the switch. The ribbon-style toolbar that is gracing an increasing number of programs is not new to Foxit Reader, but the new toolbar button to switch between mode with a click is a helpful new addition.

Other changes to this minor update include changes to the way in which updates are provided, easier selection of text and improved highlighting. If you are using the app to view PDFs on a web site, the download progress bar has been tweaked so that it is displayed before document content, and when you are working with multiple PDFs in tabs, you now have the option of using cursor keys to switch between documents.

You can find out more and download a free copy of the program by paying a visit to the Foxit Reader 5.3 review page.

Photo Credit: ssuaphotos/Shutterstock
Who will buy Galaxy Nexus from Google?

Publié: mai 3, 2012, 5:45pm CEST par Joe Wilcox

While we wait for Samsung to unveil its new smartphone in a few hours, for your waiting pleasure I've got answers to the question posed last week: "Would you pay Google $399 for unlocked, HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus?" The search and information giant ended April with a May flower: Direct sales of its flagship, Android 4.0 smartphone, presumably because AT&T and T-Mobile aren't doing so.

Google's got a good thing going here for Android enthusiasts, but I've got a problem with the direct sales thing. What Apple offers that its rival can't: Service. People buying iPhone can get defective replacement at local Apple stores. They also can purchase, granted for an extra 99 bucks, AppleCare+, which extends the basic warranty and provides discounted replacements. If you drop and break iPhone 4S, Apple will replace it for $49, up to two times. What's Google going to do for you, if Galaxy Nexus goes bust or you bust it up?

Still, $399 for an unlocked, contract-free smartphone running Ice Cream Sandwich is tempting. The process is simple enough, if you have a Google Wallet (formerly Checkout) account. Galaxy Nexus is available from Google Play (what all used to call Android Market). The process is quick, and Google claims two business days to process and another two for shipping. But I'm hearing it's much faster -- hours from ordering to shipping. Final cost is more than $440 depending on tax (if applicable) and shipping.

"Yes, and I just did", Nizar Senussi replies yesterday. Has Google shipped already, Nizar? Daniel Garcia: "Heck yeah! This phone is freakin' amazing. Google's #1 handset that'll get the very first updates to Ice Cream Sandwich (and beyond). Definitely the best phone I've ever owned -- the first Android that makes iPhone look boring.

"I would, and did", Keith Heard responds five days ago. "I am planning on switching from $80/month on AT&T to $30/month on T-Mobile's Monthly 4G plan (100 minutes, 5GB HSPA+), and so will make back the extra money spent vs. getting a subsidized phone in only 4 months".

Some quick math: Verizon sells Galaxy Nexus for $199.99, with two-year contract. The 2GB per month data commitment is $720, bringing price to around $920. However, if you're planning to get data anyway, and don't mind the contract, the subsidized phone costs $200 less over the time period. Galaxy Nexus price through AmazonWireless, for Verizon, is even better: $49.99 for new line, or $149.99 for existing one.

Some people pay much more. Kent Karlsson: "Should I buy a $200 phone on a $4,000+ 2-year contract or an unlocked $400 phone on a $40/mo plan. Let me think about that -- bought it yesterday".

spicymeatball:

Please buy the galaxy nexus and support this business model. Most smartphones are overpriced because that's how the manufacturers and carriers have it rigged. They want to force you to be in a 2-year contract. If we weren't being forced into contracts then the smartphone price off-contract would drop down to $399 or less. That's how inflated the phone prices are. On T-Mobile I can save $50 a month and not have to be a slave to the carrier. I have 5 phones and 3 data plans and pay $150/month. It's this cheap because of the off-contract non-phone subsidizing plan I'm on. Buy a Galaxy Nexus and switch to T-Mobile and start saving and getting on a great data network.

Jon Langevin "ordered the Galaxy Nexus from Google last Wednesday, got it Friday. Loving it. Glad to not have carrier lock or subsidized contract (still working off contract on my prior phone, HTC G2...). This phone is better than I can get through T-Mobile, and cheaper than T-Mobile currently offers me due to my already subsidized plan. I'm already thinking about ordering a second Galaxy Nexus, for my wife".

"I want to buy it", Tony Tasmaly comments. "But I hate to be limited to just 16GB, and no SD card [is] bad move on Google Side!" The subsidized, contract commitment Galaxy Nexus models from Sprint and Verizon have 32GB storage. Owners can't expand it, but surely 32GB appeals more than 16GB.

Storage capacity doesn't bother Ali Muzaffar, who ordered Galaxy Nexus: "16GB is more than enough because I'm not much of a mobile gamer and don't listen to music much. I basically use it for email, Google Maps and Kindle Reader. It's light, cheap and does everything you would want from a phone! It has a 720p screen, which no other phone for this price has! No reason not to buy it!"

"I would jump on it when it opens for purchase in Canada", Dong Liang. "It is a bargain for that price at here. Most carriers lock us in for 3 years for huge monthly fee". Google initially only offers Galaxy Nexus direct in the United States, but indicates expansion to other countries.

Ming C adds about the great up North: "Here in Canada, the same phone costs CND$600+ at no-contract price. Furthermore, the GN sold in Canada are yakjuux, which means Android updates are being controlled by Samsung, not Google. Therefore, at $399 for a takju model, even after taxes and shipping, is a bargain".

"It's a great phone", Conrado Gomes brags. "This is a developer phone through and through, it's an awesome phone, and great coverage in my area. I had the Samsung galaxy S II, but decided to get this one, and I love it so far".
Check Point releases ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall

Publié: mai 3, 2012, 4:11pm CEST par Mike Williams

Check Point Software Technologies has released ZoneAlarm Free AntiVirus + Firewall, the company’s first attempt to make major inroads into the free security suite market.

The core package is exactly what its name suggests: ZoneAlarm’s free firewall, plus a basic antivirus engine licensed from Kaspersky. But there’s also a strong antiphishing module, basic identity theft protection, and 5GB of online backup space available if you need it.

We did also spot a few technical issues in our first look at the program. It seemed to have more of an impact on performance than average, for instance. And memory use is relatively high (the TrueVector service, vsmon.exe,

And, of course, as it’s a free build there are also some notable limitations. The most serious of these is that automatic updates only happen daily (the commercial editions auto-update every hour), although that’s not quite as bad as it sounds because you can run manual updates whenever you remember. And there’s also no technical support for those who stick with the free version.

Otherwise, though, ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall seems like a capable suite, with plenty of features and plenty of configuration options to help you set up the system just the way you’d like.

And if you do decide to upgrade, then there are a couple of alternatives which are both currently available at a discount.

ZoneAlarm’s Internet Security Suite ($39.95, that’s $30 off the usual price) has all the features of the free package, with hourly updates, technical support, and parental controls.

And ZoneAlarm’s Extreme Security ($44.95, a $35 discount off the regular price) takes the Security Suite feature set and adds sandboxed browsing, as well as a PC Tune-up module to optimise your system for the best possible performance. Find out more on the ZoneAlarm site.

Photo Credit: Ye/Shutterstock
Use multiple monitors with Windows 8

Publié: mai 3, 2012, 3:20pm CEST par Mark Wilson

Working with multiple monitors is a great way to improve productivity, but it is a completely different way of working that can take a little getting used to. DisplayFusion is a utility that makes it easier to work with multi-display setups, and version 4.0 of the app includes a raft of new feature that will help you to get even more from your monitors, starting off with support for the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

As standard Windows will only display the taskbar on one monitor, but it can be added to all of them with DisplayFusion. Any program that is shown on a particular screen will have a taskbar button on the corresponding screen and in the latest version of the program, Jump Lists are now available. There is also newly added support for icon profiles that can be used to quickly re-arrange desktop icon according to what you are doing.

HotKeys have been available for a while, making it easy to interact with programs and windows, but the setup tool has now been revamped to make it easier to customize these shortcuts. There have also been changes to the way Aero coloring is picked so the color is now based on the wallpaper that is selected or the application that is currently active. If you’re looking for new wallpapers, Google Image Search, Bing Image Search, and deviantART have been added as online providers.

For corporate users, ADMX Group Policy templates are available for centralized control in Active Directory environments, and support for right-to-left languages has been added. There is also the usual selection of bug fixes and performance improvements, and whether you are an existing DisplayFusion user or you’re yet to experience the program, this is an update that is well worth taking a look at.

You can find out more and download a free trial of the app by paying a visit to the DisplayFusion 4.0 review page. There is also a free version of the program available.

Photo Credit: corepics/Shutterstock
Amazon Cloud Drive app offers little

Publié: mai 3, 2012, 2:15pm CEST par Nick Peers

Amazon has released a desktop app for Windows and Mac users wishing to access its cloud-based storage service. Amazon Cloud Drive 0.3.28 provides basic upload and download functionality for Amazon account holders to access the 5GB of free online storage space the retailer provides.

The desktop app is a late addition to Amazon’s free cloud-based storage service, which launched last year to all Amazon account holders. The 5GB is provided free, along with additional unlimited storage for all MP3s purchased through Amazon.com.

Previously only available through a web browser, Amazon Cloud Drive extends the service to the user’s desktop, but is currently limited to offering only basic features for uploading files to personal online storage, either via the right-click menu or by dragging and dropping files to the program’s Taskbar Notification area or menu bar icon. From here, users can monitor, pause and resume file uploads and downloads.

The app also allows users to specify which folder files are downloaded to from the cloud via the user’s web browser, and supports multiple file downloading.

Sadly, for those looking for an application or service to rival the likes of Microsoft’s SkyDrive, Dropbox or Wuala, the functionality stops there. There’s no magic folder giving the user direct access to their cloud storage via their desktop, and no support for syncing data between multiple computers using the cloud as an intermediary.

However, both the size of the program installation file, over 20MB, and early version number (0.3.28) suggest that Amazon is geared towards adding extra features with later builds of the application. Should it wish to truly compete with other cloud-based storage providers, this functionality will be an essential addition.

Amazon Cloud Drive is a freeware download for Windows (Vista and 7 only) and OS X (Snow Leopard or Lion). Users need an Amazon account to access their online storage account – 5GB is provided free, and paid-for plans are also available, with prices starting from $20 per year for 20GB storage space, which includes unlimited music.

Photo Credit: Tom Wang/Shutterstock
BlackBerry 10 breathes new life into RIM

Publié: mai 3, 2012, 6:01am CEST par Avatar X
Playbook, like so much about Research in Motion these days, is a crisis of faith. Do you believe RIM will finally get it right, or move away from BlackBerry? Months ago when the Playbook 2.0 update hit and leaks finally outed the keyboard/case thing and Blackberry London hardware, I believed in the tablet, BlackBerry 10 and RIM having a future. Or at least one last chance.

This week's BlackBerry World 2012 has renewed my confidence in RIM, and I would even say that they now have a very good chance to bounce back.

BlackBerry 10 First Impressions

The new operating system actually looks very good, and it does come off as an evolution of the Playbook OS -- while that one was a clear riff off WebOS with a bit of BB7. BB10 also pulls from both Windows Phone 7.5 and iOS 5.

The single most innovative thing is the virtual keyboard. It is intriguing and fresh. Yet still markedly BlackBerry. To do this, RIM opted for a skeuomorphic design to it that is more over the top than iPad's Virtual Keyboard. You are basically seeing a Virtual Blackberry Bold styled keyboard. RIM added visual cue response feedback to the keys that is more pronounced than the ones on either iOS or Windows Phone. And the autocomplete or word undoing has got a little bit of Swype to it. RIM took long enough -- 5 years -- but I think they finally nailed it. With some inspiration help, but hey, everyone copies.

Besides the keyboard, RIM really put a lot of emphasis on the camera software. That happens to have a very Photo Gallery alike PhotoFusion feature they call Time Warp Photo. That let you edit faces in photos by letting you choose a previous take. All this is done by using a dial gesture. Neat, but not something RIM will get to keep exclusive for long.

Finally they want to be clear that the wireless streaming to devices you can do in the Playbook or via PlayTo or AirPlay is something that will come to BB10.

On The Future

BlackBerry 10 comes during really interesting times. RIM only gets one more shot, one last call to battle. It's do or die, and if there is a guy that can make them come out alive, Thorsten Heins is it. He replaced former co-CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie just three months ago. Now he takes charge of a hugely important initiative.

The moves RIM made and are doing for BB10 on the development platform, programs, incentives, etc. is everything they could have done and everything that should had been done 2 years ago. When it comes to the strategy. There is really only 5 things i can see Heins doing right now and for the coming 18 months:
- Retain current Blackberry fans
- Regain previous Blackberry fans
- Continue to push on to emerging markets, where they are winning or they still got big openings, thanks to all those Symbian/Blackberry users about to choose their first or second smartphone.
- Aim and push hard for new smartphone users in North America.
- Don't let the development platforms be unattended even for a second.
One thing I would like Heins to do is avoid marketing confrontation with Windows Phone, iOS and Android when promoting BlackBerry 10 hardware. They have tried twice already and they have been utter disasters. But I already know that on that front they are hopeless; that "Wake Up" stunt pulled in Australia in front of an Apple Store was their doing.

RIM battle slogans and war marketing is ridiculous and futile against corporations they cannot outmaneuver or outspend or outsmart. This is not 2006. Eh, anyway. That is that.

Avatar X is a blogger from Mexico City. He has done software and tech reviews for the last 10 years. Other than that, not much is known about him. He appears to like it that way.