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go-launcher-next-browser

When few (if any) web browsers do everything well, many of us have more than one client just to cover all the bases. The GO Launcher Dev Team’s just-launched Next Browser for Android tries to solve this in the simplest way possible: it cherry picks features from established rivals. Sharing extensions from Dolphin? Check. Chrome’s frequently visited pages? Check. Speed Dial from Opera? Check.

There’s even a Flipboard-style RSS reader. As there’s also bookmark syncing and voice search, Next Browser is theoretically the only client that Android users could want. How well that pastiche works is another matter, but those who’ve been pining for an all-encompassing browser can give the new app a try at the source link. Read the rest of this entry »


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We had the opportunity to grab an early look at the new and refreshed Google Maps, but not everyone is as fortunate; you either had to be an I/O attendee or hope you received an invitation after requesting one. However, a tipster has sent Android Police a set of instructions that’ll let you get in on the new Maps without those pre-requisites. All you need is the ability to manually set cookies via a Chrome extension like this one or an alternate browser.

Then visit the Google Maps page, replace the cookie labeled NID with a special code (we’ve included it after the break), and voilĂ , the brand new Google Maps will appear before your eyes. Now you too will be able to enjoy more visually enticing navigation — just don’t expect it to feel like a skydive.

67=MzRdy0T16I7lw9REhtIF5N5lkuoSy1s7cJGFa24wZ6pRK0kRpU9SqiTWy9r_DQ4UxdmHjSeMImvsqgrVUbC0T9FhuESvl__dlkZwRBTxkzxWcdq8vDcpuvnuve6yI78LeqFFK21yc0_6Bp3cHS4Z3a6nwwBQm_fW8DfHF7lv6OrkDosmMa-GaDOLVXR2ewK5-xAk


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Early Google Glass owners are dominated by developers and tinkerers, so it’s only fair that they get easy access to the downloads they need. Appropriately, Google has quietly set up a page that centralizes both Glass images and kernel source code.

The company has even saved owners from having to hack their eyewear the hard way — one image comes pre-rooted for those willing to toss caution (and their warranties) to the wind. Most of us can’t take advantage of these downloads for about a year or more, but those with early access can swing by the new code hub today.


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Security is always a hot topic with mobile platforms, but most of the time the focus is on Android and the malware issues that exist for the platform if you don’t use the Google Play Store. But, a new study shows that maybe we should pay more attention to the iPhone’s security issues, because the study claims that the iPhone has more security vulnerabilities than Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone combined.

The study was conducted by SourceFire, which analyzed vulnerabilities from the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) data and National Vulnerability Database (NVD) over the past 25 years. Yves Younan, senior research engineer at SourceFire’s Vulnerabilities Research Team and author of the report, said that the results were “surprising”, especially since despite Apple constantly releasing security fixes with each update, CVE continue to grow year over year. Read the rest of this entry »


The inside story of Lenovo’s ThinkPad redesign

  • Author: admin
  • Filed under: Laptops
  • Date: Mar 24,2013

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“When you talk to end users about ports, they’ll tell you how much they need them. They’ll talk about the vast number of USB devices that they have. It’s easy to hear that and determine that you need five or more ports based on what these people report. When you watch these people work, however, and you’re more overt in your methods — you rarely see that happening.

Sometimes, there’s a conflict between what someone reports they need and what they require.”

So begins the backstory of the latest ThinkPad overhaul as told by Corinna Proctor, the senior research manager at Lenovo’s User Research Center. Clearly versed in the art of separating whimsical wishes from bona fide requirements, she spoke to me in a phone interview alongside two of her colleagues in the run-up to today’s unveiling of the redesigned ThinkPad T431s Ultrabook. Read the rest of this entry »


NVIDIA reveals Volta next-gen GPU platform

  • Author: admin
  • Filed under: Laptops
  • Date: Mar 24,2013

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We’re here at NVIDIA’s GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, and company CEO Jen Hsun-Huang has just revealed the next step in its GPU roadmap.

Called Volta, it’s scheduled to arrive after Maxwell, and will advance GPU technology with a ridiculous amount of memory bandwidth. Volta GPUs will have access to up to 1TB per second of bandwidth by stacking the DRAM on top of the GPU itself, with a silica substrate between them. Then, by cutting a hole through the silicon and connecting each layer it’s possible to move, according to Huang “all of the data from a full Blu-Ray disc through the chip in 1/50th of a second.”

We aren’t exactly sure what that means for graphics, but being able to process data that quickly is bound to be a boon for gamers… whenever Volta actually arrives, of course.


Microsoft lets companies buy Surface tablets in bulk

  • Author: admin
  • Filed under: Tablets
  • Date: Mar 24,2013

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As often as Microsoft pitches the Surface and Surface Pro as tablets for getting work done, corporate customers haven’t had an easy way to order the devices by the bushel. We know that the process is now considerably smoother for eager large-scale adopters thanks to a ZDNet peek at a Commercial Order page.

“Commercial customers” can spring for large quantities of either slate model, along with an Extended Hardware Service Plan that bumps support to three years for North American buyers.

Microsoft isn’t saying just who’s eligible, although the order system is more likely to center on firms that are already comfortable buying all things Windows in volume. You’ll know how far it reaches if there’s a Surface at every cubicle on Monday morning.


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No phone launch is complete without a few accessories added to the mix. Samsung had a whole bunch to announce alongside its Galaxy S 4, but only a few were on hand to check out up close and personal. We did, however, find a nice surprise hiding under those glossy white table covers — a wireless charging pad. Yes, it turns out the the GS 4 does in fact have Qi wireless charging capabilities.

Provided its available in your region and your carrier chooses to support it. The charging pad itself has a glossy plastic base that matches the phone, but there’s a nice rubbery gray top that keeps the handset from sliding around too much while it’s juicing up. Read the rest of this entry »


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What’s a fancy new smartphone without accessories? Don’t ask the Galaxy S 4 — it’s already planning to augment its software tricks with scales, fitness bands and of course, the requisite screen cover.

Samsung’s latest flagship won’t settle for a mere flip cover, however, its S View Cover features a window to the Galaxy S 4′s 5-inch Super AMOLED screen, allowing users to peek at the display and even answer calls without exposing their device.

There’s goodies for the health conscious to buy, too: the jawbone-like S band and a Samsung branded body scale, both of which sync with the device’s S Health software. The device even has gamers covered, teasing a prototype gamepad with striking resemblance to the beloved Xbox 360 gamepad. Read the rest of this entry »


7-12-2012digg-dead

The news of Google Reader’s upcoming demise has put the spotlight on several alternatives that RSS fans can only hope will fill the gap. The latest to vie for our attention doesn’t even exist yet: Digg just announced that it will be creating a reader of its own.

According to its blog, the aggregation service was apparently already planning to build such a reader, but upon hearing that Google’s version will bite the dust, the company is kicking into gear to develop a suitable replacement.

Digg’s reader will maintain what it calls the best of Google Reader’s features, including its API, while incorporating changes that reflect the relevance of social networks and other popular Internet communities.