Gadget Update

HP Terminates WebOS Devices

By Hubert Nguyen – 08/18/2011 13:09 PDT

In the wake of slow sales of WebOS devices, HP has announced that it is terminating its line of WebOS devices, which includes the TouchPad Tablet and the smartphones. HP has announced this as it revealed its quarterly revenue of $32.2 Billion, up slightly when compared to last year.

If there’s one thing to take away from this announcement, it is this: competing in the hardware space is extremely tough and even giants like HP sometime have to throw the towel. As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), procurement and purchasing power is as important as the design and technology behind the product.What happens next will be interesting. HP has the option of using its WebOS operating system on things like printers, or possibly laptops, but these will never replace a smartphone and tablet opportunity. Another option is to license the operating system, and compete directly with Android (a pseudo-free OS) and Windows Phone 7.

The task is daunting, and without a healthy app eco-system (or the prospect of having one), it seems like an uphill battle which is fought on a 90 degree slope. The question is: how much did HP lose on its $1.2B acquisition of Palm, and the investments made on the first generation of HP WebOS products?

In the end, it looked interesting on paper, but all it did was to kick the can down the road for Palm’s downfall. [Press Release]

iPod SMS Capability with textPlus

By Hubert Nguyen – 08/18/2011 12:47 PDT

Among other carriers, AT&T is partnering with GOGII, the maker of textPlus, and application that enables free and unlimited SMS (in the U.S and Canada) for devices that normally don’t have access to SMS. The communications are paid for by sponsors or advertisers. This means that WIFI-only devices like iOS (iPod touch, iPhone) and Android tablets and MP3 players can get a phone number by which they can receive SMS text messages via textPlus.

This application goes beyond traditional texting and adds the notion of Group texting and also offers a social aspect as you can search for friends. Interestingly, it application is also available to 3G devices. It may be interesting to see if 3G-device users will download the app to get free SMS.

In any case, we trust that in the final analysis, AT&T will make more money as this expands the SMS market, and because SMS has amazing gross margins.  What do you think of using SMS on non-phone devices?

Apple to introduce China Mobile iPhone?

By George Wong – 08/18/2011 12:37 PDT

It looks like Apple has its sights set on getting its iPhone out to the country with the largest population in the world – China. Yes well all know that China already has the iPhone, but it’s not being sold by the country’s largest carrier over there at the moment, and that carrier is none other than China Mobile. The world’s largest carrier, China Mobile, has been reported to have 7.44 million iPhone users on its network despite the fact that it isn’t selling the device (that means no carrier subsidies), and users can’t use 3G on it either!

Apple knows that people in China do want iPhones, and is looking forward to capitalize on the fact. Reuters has reported that Steve Jobs has been flying to China recently to meet with the carrier’s heads to discuss the introduction of an iPhone that was compatible with China Mobile’s 3G network. If that turns out to be the case, we’ll be seeing a lot of iPhone users in China, which should lead to a significant bump in the percentage of iPhone ownership worldwide.

New Android malware disguises itself as Google+

As Google’s Android becomes more and more popular, it also becomes the target of more malware, trojan, and spyware attacks. Trend Micro Labs has reported a new malware that disguises itself as a Google+ app that is capable of answering all incoming calls automatically.

The malware, which is only identified as ANDROIDOS_NICKISPY.C, has no confirmed origin. Trend Micro detailed its findings in a blog post, where it says that the malicious application, called “Google++,” trick users by disguising itself as a real Google+ app.

For quite some time now, The Android operating system has been suffering from malware and trojan attacks. Apparently, being open source is showing its cons.

The ANDROIDOS_NICKISPY.C automatically answers and records phone calls. To capture the data, the application loads and runs a number of services that monitors phone calls, messages and the user’s location. Instead of accessing Google’s social networking site, the app sends the stolen data to a remote site using port 2018. These stolen information may be used by cybercriminals for malicious activities.

Unlike some previously discovered malware that act like legitimate apps from the Android Market, the Google++ app can be downloaded by unsuspecting users from untrusted websites, unaccredited sources and cracked apps, and then manually installed.

The auto-answer function can only work on phones that run the Android 2.2 version, and according to Trend Micro, the app can be uninstalled by selecting Settings -> Application -> Manage applications, then choose Google++ then click Uninstall. Now that Android malware are increasing in numbers, it is best to stay vigilant.

via: Tech Crunch

Gadgets and gizmos

Video games like Fruit Ninja help stroke patients recover

iPads can be used for a lot of things, like playing games, watching movies, making documents and reading ebooks. Now iPads can be used to help stroke patients recover.

A neuroscientist from Australia discovered that stroke patients get bored easily by doing repetitive motor tasks, but they embrace video games that have motion controls wholeheartedly. And since a big part of recovering from stroke is perfecting repetitive motions, games like Veggie Samurai, Fruit Ninja and games from Wii’s library can provide patients a fun and effective way to recover.

“It’s difficult to even get young people to turn up to the rehabilitation sessions sometimes,” said Stuart Smith, a neuroscientist at the Neuroscience Research Australia in Sydney. “You can move a bag of sand across a desk thousands of times a day and see a very clear improvement, but no one’s going to do that.”

Unlike bags of sand, video games can provide a structured experience that has in-game rewards. Also, Fruit Ninja and Wii games are inexpensive and younger patients are already familiar to them, so it will boost their recovery.

This is not the first time games have been used to help people recover from illnesses. Hunter Hoffman and Sam Sharar, researchers at the University of Washington, have been using virtual reality-based games to help their patients manage pain.

“This is really just the beginning. We’re going to see these things get better and better,” said Smith.

via: Ubergizmo

Gadgets and gizmos

Protoype 3G MacBook Pro auction removed

By George Wong – 08/17/2011 15:22 PDT

A few days ago we covered the prototype 3G MacBook Pro that was put up for auction on eBay well it turns out that the seller who got his/her hands on the machine didn’t manage to sell it, despite bids for the laptop climbing up to at least $70,000. Apparently Apple managed to stop the auction before any selling could take place, which verifies the legitimacy of the computer.

Well since the seller can’t sell it through online means, he/she has decided to upload more pictures of the device, showing off its antenna that can be easily removed from the notebook due to its use of magnets. It can’t be sold through eBay I guess the seller will probably put it to good use or find some other means to get it out on the market. After all if it managed to hit seventy grand on an online auction, I’m sure it can fetch a decent price in the real world.

iPhone-controlled Griffin HELO TC Helicopter now available

By George Wong – 08/17/2011 13:45 PDT

It looks like you and your kids won’t have much trouble looking for a remote-controlled helicopter toy this season. After iRemoco announced that its copters are now on sale, it looks like Griffin has decided to follow suit as well. Supposed to be available only later this year, it looks like Griffin has decided to bring forward the release date of its iOS device-controlled HELO TC Helicopter.

The HELO TC Helicopter, which can be controlled with an iOS device that’s plugged into the Flight Deck module, was supposed to be available this Christmas. But Griffin has just announced that the toy can now be purchased from its online store, though it will only be available at retail outlets later this year. To get your hands on the HELO TC, just head over to Griffin Technology’s website, and be prepared to fork out $49.99. It is compatible with the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. Check out the hilarious teaser video:

Sony PlayStation Vita RAM won’t be reduced

By George Wong – 08/17/2011 13:19 PDT

Prior to Sony’s new announcement about the PlayStation Vita, there were rumors circulating around saying that the RAM in the PlayStation Vita will be halved in order to keep the price for the console to stay within the $250-$300 range. Well, it turns out that those rumors weren’t the least bit true, as Sony has officially announced that the portable gaming console will be shipping with 512MB of RAM, and nothing less.

In addition to the good news about the RAM not being cut, the console will support a number of social media platforms – Foursquare, Twitter, and Skype. This should keep social network addicts satisfied as they’ll have an additional device to stay connected with, in the event they lose their phone or it runs out of battery. Still no word on an exact release date for the Vita, which means it should still be the rumored late 2011/early 2012.

MountMe Freedom II for the iPad 2 now available

By George Wong – 08/17/2011 13:11 PDT

Remember the MountMe Freedom iPad case we covered back in February? Well, the versatile case mount that was designed for the original iPad is now available for the iPad 2. Functioning in the same way as the original MountMe Freedom, the new MountMe Freedom II has been specially designed to hold the iPad 2?s slimmer body, camera and speaker. The original mounting accessories are all there – the four suction cups, heavy duty mounting strap, kickstand, rotation capabilities etc and so on.

When not in use as a mounting apparatus, the MountMe Freedom II also functions as a regular protective case for you to bring your iPad 2 tablet with you wherever you go. The pricing for the MountMe Freedom II remains the same (fortunately) at $49.99, though you can purchase additional accessories for the case separately. Head over to the MountMe website for more details.

Sony drops worldwide PlayStation 3 prices

Sony Computer Entertainment made a very surprising announcement at the Gamescom expo on Tuesday. The company said that it will be reducing the price of its PlayStation 3 gaming console by £30 ($ 50) worldwide.

The PlayStation 3?s 160 GB version will now be priced £220 in the UK and $ 250 in the US. In Japan, the basic console’s price will drop from 29,980 yen to 24,980 yen. The price of the 320 GB version of the console will drop from £215 ($ 349) to £183 ($ 299).

At $ 249, the PlayStation 3?s 160 GB version is now $ 351 cheaper than the console’s original price tag when it was launched in 2006.

“While others in the space are losing steam, PlayStation 3 is gaining momentum,” said Jack Tretton, president and chief executive officer of Sony Computer Entertainment America, in a statement. “The new price will make the PS3 more accessible than ever before.”

Analysts sees the move by Sony as a normal part of the gaming console’s life cycle. Console generations usually last four to six years, but some predict that new peripherals like Sony’s PlayStation Move and Microsoft’s Kinect for its Xbox 360 could prolong the consoles’ current cycle.

Sony is currently gearing up for the launch of the new PlayStation Vita, a handheld gaming console that follows is predecessor, the PlayStation Portable (PSP). It aims to compete with smartphones by having downloadable games, a touch screen and 3G connectivity.

via: Geeky Gadgets

Gadgets and gizmos