Microsoft Surface gets mixed reviews

By: iPadfanzz staff on October 31, 2012


Microsoft Surface tablet, which has been launched in the US, has received mixed reviews by tech bloggers and reviewers who call it a tablet with beautiful design but with clumsy software that can easily repel users.

One tech blogger said the tablet has a lot of potential but Windows RT, is underpowered and lacks functionality. Mat Honan of Wired wrote that it is one of the exciting pieces of hardware he has ever used. “It is extremely well-designed; meticulous even. …  It is a new thing, in a new space, and likely to confuse many of Microsoft’s longtime customers. … But overall it’s quite good; certainly better than any full-size Android tablet on the market. And once the application ecosystem fleshes out, it’s a viable alternative to the iPad as well.” He found the OS easy to use and even addictive, but the lack of apps troubled him.

Sam Biddle of Gizmodo said the tablet’s Touch Cover is a letdown and it costs over $100 extra. “Windows RT has major apps missing like Facebook and Twitter. There’s no image editing software.” Gizmodo gave thumbs down to purchasing it.

The Surface tablets run a pared down version of Windows 8 called Windows RT, which is designed to only work on tablets. It is same as Windows 8, except that you can’t run older Windows program on it. Further, you have to purchase whatever Microsoft offers in its app store.

“Windows RT does not have the full range of Windows apps like the Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system, which is also available on tablets,” Vincent Nguyen at Slashgear said.

The Surface offers good features that classic Windows users haven’t seen right from multitasking swiping between different apps. The device makes it easy to run two apps simultaneously on the same screen. It means that you can watch a Nextflix video while checking your email. The Live Tiles feature lets you pin to the main menu so as to get real-time updates with weather, news, and new messages. The Tile features makes information viewing experience as fluidic as possible and saves you from getting information by clicking on the app icons.

On the outside, Microsoft tried to give Surface an industrial look, with sharp angles and edges. The kickstand is quite useful and doesn’t add any bulk to the device. However, you can choose any angle when you prop the tablet on a table. Thus the efficiency as a laptop is missing.

On the same line, the Surface offers battery life that is on par with other top-tier tablets as you can receive eight hours of power with a single charge.

An interesting aspect of the tablet that it allows users to connect it to thumb drives, printers, and even an Xbox controller for gaming. The device features a 10.6-inch display with 1366-by-768 resolution at 148 pixels per inch, Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB or 64GB flash storage, microSD card, USB 2.0, micro HD port, and offers a beta version of Office 2013 Home and Student. It is 0.37-inches thick and weighs close to 1.5 pounds. The tablet doesn’t come with 3G or 4G LTE connectivity.

You can also attach Surface's optional keyboard cover to the bottom of the tablet with a satisfying snap, effectively turning the device into a laptop, mouse pad and all.

The Surface RT can be considered a good option as a second computing device, much like users who may own an iPad and a notebook. It can be used to browse the web, video chatting on Skype, emailing working in Office and for playing casual games. But before going for the purchase, do try out the device in-store. Surface will only be available at Microsoft's own retail stores.

All you need to know about Nexus 10 – Google and Samsung’s iPad Challenger

By: iPadfanzz staff


Google has expanded its flagship Nexus line, with a new a 10-inch Nexus tablet and the new Nexus 4 smartphone at an event in San Francisco. The latest move by Google is seen latest attempt by the search engine giant to push deeper into the hardware business at a time when users are opting for mobile devices to access the web. And It seems like Google’s Nexus 10 offer stiff competition to the iPad on key hardware metrics including size, weight, and display, as well as price.

The Nexus 10 runs a pure version of Google’s Android operating system — the new Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The OS is designed to give users best Android experience out there (devoid of any UI tweaks, skins or overlays). It also includes 2GB of RAM and Samsung’s 1.7GHz Exynos 5 dual-core CPU, which means the tablet in terms of performance is quick and fluid.

The star attraction of the table is its display: more than 4 million pixels, 300 per inch, spread across a 10.055-inch display. It offers 2560 x 1600 resolution which is the highest on any tablet ever to hit the consumer market. Thus, whatever you read, Books, magazines, movies, apps, photos, everything will look good. In comparison, the fourth-generation iPad, has a lower 2,048x1,536-pixel-resolution, 264ppi screen. But when you put both the tablets side by side, it is hard to spot the difference between the pixels with the naked eye. They’re both gorgeous, both nearly as good as the printed page.

The tablet’s screen is sharp and definitely impressive. All fonts look sharp and you simply can’t resist the temptation of using them.

The tablet is encased in unibody plastic chassis, which makes it thin, light and affordable. The tablet weighs in at just 603 grams, with a thickness of just 8.9 millimetres.

The device also sports Bluetooth 4.0, NFC (near-field communication), Micro-USB, Micro-HDMI, a 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera, and a 5-megapixel back camera with LED flash. The Nexus 10 will not include a microSD slot.

The tablet misses out on 3G or 4G LTE connectivity, thus you’ll have to tether the tablet to a mobile hotspot or internet connected smartphone whenever there is no Wi-Fi connection. Google is likely to add 3G/4G models at some point in the future.

Another interesting feature of Nexus 10 is that is supports MIMO WiFi, a new technology that can theoretically speed up web browsing up to four times faster than traditional WiFi speeds can deliver.

The latest version of Android (4.2) also brings with it the ability to swiftly switch between user accounts, thus allowing several users to share the same tablet with completely separate logins, all running side-by-side.

With the new Nexus lineup, the search engine giant will try to push their Play store content heavily. This will ensure that users consume paid digital content on the device, such as apps, movies, TV shows, books, magazines and music.

The devices will go on sale on 13 November (India is not yet on the list). The 16GB version starts at $400 while 32GB is at $500.

Why to Buy HP Laptops

In today’s working environment, laptop is the essential requirement of every individual. Whether you're a student or a business person, a laptop is a must-have machine to make your work easier. There are many reasons why laptops are being popular among personal computers. Portability, lightweight, and advance features are some key reasons that make laptops more demanding. Keeping an eye on customer’s expectations, many companies including some giant brands are manufacturing their best products. Hewlett Packard (HP) is one of the top leading PC manufacturers who got the ability to blow off its competitors out of the race. HP is not that old in the computer market, but it has made notable progress in the laptop world. Today, the company offers an extensive line of HP laptop units. Due to better performance, eye-catchy designs, long durability, and competitive prices, HP laptops are being famous across the globe.

The recently updated laptops from HP are blessed with advance technologies. These amazing machines have marked a pretty sound reputation in consumer’s mind. The company offers amazing laptops at decent prices. Keep on reading to find out the real advantages of buying a HP laptop.

Display & Audio: HP offers ultimate multimedia experience to its customers. You’ll get the real pleasure to watch videos and images. HP Pavilion g4 is a good budget range laptop that offers clear image and sound clarity. Whereas, HP Envy 15 boast Radiance Full HD Infinity displays with rich colours and ultra-brightness. Some more beats audio have been integrated into HP notebooks. This results in plenty of bass and crystal pleasing sound.  

Keyboard & Touchpad: HP laptops have firm support underneath the entire keyboard structure. It ensures your keyboard do not flex or bounce under the pressure of your finger tips. The sturdy touchpad has excellent sensitivity and minimal lag. You can smoothly and precisely move cursor on the screen along with your fingertip. The company has enhanced the quality and accuracy of the touch pads for better use.

Design: According to HP, ““Simplicity” is the inspiration behind the new HP laptops focused on materials, usability, the senses and experience.” Focusing on the latest trend and customer’s expectation, the company releases its unique designs. From simple to incredible, these designs suit every taste.  The latest collections with sleek designs are quite impressive. You'll also find HP skins in various colors at reasonable rates in the market. These skins are easy to apply and remove.

Battery Performance: HP laptop possesses great battery life. Everybody knows that battery standby depends upon the use. But, some users have experienced unbelievable standby in spite of lengthy work time. According to the specification, HP laptop battery stands up to 8 hrs. This is true in fact, but still it depends upon the usage. The latest models from HP are packed with powerful battery to last longer. HP pavilion dv2000 battery has the ability to run continuously for 8 hrs. This amazing standby has been experienced by many users. 

You’ll find several brands which promise to give their best shot in terms of performance and reliability. But still, many come with some drawbacks. Well, the above key reasons mark HP laptops as better alternative to other brands. If you’re looking to buy an all-in-one laptop, HP is the recommended option. 

www.systemactive.com .

Refurbished Hp Computers

Apple kicks off iPad Mini preorders and white version sells out in minutes

By: iPadfanzz staff on October 26, 2012


Apple’s 7.9-inch iPad mini that is as thin as a pencil and as light as a pad of paper, has become an instant hit with consumers.

Within half an hour after starting the pre-sales of iPad mini, the company’s website reported that the white coloured version of tablet has got sold out.

If you want an iPad mini, you'll have to settle for the black model.

The users were expected to get the iPad by Nov. 2; however, supply constraints have led to shipping time getting extended by "two weeks." That applies to the 16 GB $329 model, the 32 GB for $429 model and the 64 GB for $529 model.

Apple has just launched a thinnest and the lightest version of its popular tablet, the iPad, designed to lure buyers in the smaller 7-inch tablet segment. The iPad mini features a 7.9-inch screen with a 1,024 by 768 resolution with a 163 pixels per inch density. It runs on Apple's A5 dual-core processor, the same as the one on the iPhone 4S.

Apple, which had earlier resisted making a smaller iPad, sought to emphasize that the mini was not inferior to its 9.7-inch device, which was unveiled in 2010 and has since dominated the tablet market.

But with a higher-than-expected price for the device, the technology giant may run into difficulty stealing customers away from Amazon.com Inc.'s Kindle Fire HD or Google Inc.'s Nexus 7. The iPad mini starts at $329. Many analysts and consumers had hoped to see a starting price of $250.

5 reasons you should buy iPad Mini

By: iPadfanzz staff on October 24, 2012


Apple has finally thrown itself into the mini- tablet segment of the market by launching a 7.9-inch iPad mini that is as thin as a pencil and as light as a pad of paper. Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, said the tablet gives full iPad experience. The tablet weighs 0.68-pound and is 0.28-inch thick and can be held in one hand. Although the company has priced it in premium range, starting at $329, analysts believe that a price range of $250 to $300 would have gone a long way in keeping competition at bay. They also say that the device would also take away sales away from competitors by reaping profits from the sales of content such as digital music and e-books. Here are five reasons telling you why you should go for one.

Premium product

The iPad Mini is about 23 per cent thinner than the fourth-generation iPad and is 53 per cent lighter than its bigger brother. When browsing the Web, the tablet is 49 per cent larger in portrait and two-thirds bigger in landscape mode. Apple, while releasing the product, has emphasized that the smaller iPad is in no way inferior to its 9.7-inch device. It has the Lightning connector introduced with the iPhone 5.

Still an iPad

The tablet is powered by a dual-core A5 processor and includes a FaceTime HD front-facing camera and 5 megapixel rear-facing camera. It has Wi-Fi that works faster than its predecessors. The touch screen response of the tablet is responsive and smooth. In every other respect, the iPad mini is still an iPad. Prices start at $329 for the 16-GB Wi-Fi version. The Wi-Fi version hits stores November 2. Prices increase to $429 for the 32-GB Wi-Fi version and $529 for the 64-GB Wi-Fi version.

App ecosystem

The device offers more than 275,000 apps designed for the iPad mini, which should come as a major advantage for users. The iPad Mini has the same aspect ratio and resolution as the iPad and iPad 2, so all apps will work on both devices equally well. Beyond apps, the iPad Mini also gives access to Apple's vast content ecosystem.

LTE

The tablet supports the LTE networks of AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless. This means it has access to 4G mobile broadband in hundreds of markets around the country.

Battery Life

Apple claims the iPad Mini give about 10 hours of battery life. That's an incredible amount of uptime considering a lot of people are now moving in and around the city.

Apple: iPad sales crosses 100 million mark

By: iPadfanzz staff on October 24, 2012


Just two and a half years after launching the iPad series of computer tablets, Apple said it has already crossed 100 million mark.

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said the company sold more iPads in the June quarter than any other PC player. He also said the sales are "unprecedented for a new product in a new category."

Cook also made reference to the study which said that the iPad makes up 91 per cent of all tablets when it comes to web traffic. He added that education use has a lot to do with that statistic.

Apple announces iPad 4, with A6X processor

By: iPadfanzz staff on October 24, 2012


In its product launch event in San Jose, California, Apple surprisingly launched its new 4th generation iPad. Apple's Phil Schiller said the new tablet is equipped with new A6X processor, which offers twice the power of the A5X processor seen in the previous iPad 3.

The new tablet has received a lot of tweaks in terms of hardware. The iPad 4 gets dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi, Sprint and KDDI compatible LTE, a 720p FaceTime camera round front and the new image processor like in the iPhone 5.

The 4th Generation iPad comes complete with the new Ligthning connector. However, other iPad 4 specs remain the same, including the 10-hour battery life and the dual colour tone.

The tablet will cost same as the predecessor: a 16GB WiFi version for $499 and a 16GB model with cellular data on board costs $629.

Experts feel the launch could lead to a tablet war and the main impact would be seen at the time of Christmas.

In the US, it will cost like this:

16GB Wi-Fi only, $499
16GB LTE, $629
32GB Wi-Fi only, $599
32GB LTE, $729
64GB Wi-Fi only, $699
64GB LTE, $829

Apple launches iPad Mini with a 7.9-inch display

By: iPadfanzz staff on October 24, 2012

Putting rest to rumours, Apple has finally revealed a new smaller iPad mini with a 7.9inch screen. It is the thinnest and lightest iPad yet.

 Apple boss Tim Cook took the stage at San Jose's California theatre to introduce the new tablet which he said could be held in one hand. He said this is entirely new design and not the scaled down version of the existing iPad.

The new tablet is 7.2mm thick (as thin as a pencil), weighs .68 pounds (as light as a pad of paper) and has been manufactured with a new process with the same anodized edges as the iPhone 5.

Its display is 35 per cent more than the competing Android 7-inch tablets, with a better use of display space.

The iPad Mini is powered by Apple's A5 CPU, will run on LTE and has a 5-megapixel camera.

The device will give 10-hours of battery life, despite its small size. The base 16GB, WiFi only model, will cost you $329, while the 16GB, while the LTE version will cost you around $130 more per model.

Nokia launches Lumia 510, a budget Windows Phone 7.5

By: Aseem Gaurav on October 23, 2012

Nokia has launched its latest budget Lumia smartphone, the Lumia 510, in the Indian market. The phone is powered by Windows Phone 7.5 or Mango with a WP 7.8 update promised for the future.

This budget Lumia features 800MHz single core processor, a 4-inch 480x800 TFT display, 256MBs of RAM and a five-megapixel camera (no front facing). It comes with 4GB of internal memory along with 7GBs of Skydrive cloud storage.

Other significant features of the device include a 1300 mAh battery, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, and WCDMA connectivity. For connectivity, the device supports GPRS/EDGE, WLAN 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, GPS/A-GPS, micro-USB, 3.5mm audio connector (AHJ + WP Controls), Dual Transfer Mode and HSDPA/WCDMA.

In terms of technology, it can’t be said to have all the cutting edge features, but still the device offers an affordable Windows smartphone option.

The device runs Windows Phone’s signature Live Tiles, which lets you check at-a-glance updates as well as enjoy speedy access to all that you want to work with. Nokia has also provided its own exclusive apps and services to the Lumia 510 including Nokia Drive and Nokia Maps. Three months of unlimited access to Nokia Music Nokia MixRadio will also be available for users of this handset.

Nokia had said that Lumia devices with Windows Phone 7.5 will be provided with updates to some of the new Windows Phone 8 features, such as the start screen.

The Nokia Lumia 510 will be available in five vibrant colors – yellow, cyan, red, white and black – and has an estimated retail price of about Rs 11,000. Consumers  in India can purchase the device in the beginning of next month.

Tablet market in India may grow to 7.3 million units by 2015-16

By: Aseem Gaurav on October 23, 2012

India’s tablet market is expected to grow at 40 per cent to 7.3 million units in 2015-16 from 0.95 million in 2011-12, largely by government purchase and increasing affordability, hardware industry body Manufacturers' Association for Information Technology (MAIT) said.

MAIT expects the market to touch 1.6 million units in the current financial year. The industry body also said the growth will come especially in the entry-level budget tablets and mid-range devices.

“Various international and national players have entered in India. This has led to a revolution of sorts in sectors like education, healthcare and governance, said MAIT President Alok Bhardwaj.

The apex body for information technology hardware also said a key factor in growth of tablets in India is the encouragement the PC tablet industry has received in form of government adopting and developing low-cost options for users in rural and other areas across the country. Education and healthcare services are now being accessed by many more people with the help of low-cost tablet.

A recent study by CMR India Research, pegged Micromax's Funbook as the leader in the Indian tablet market last quarter with an 18 per cent market share, followed by Samsung's Galaxy Tab at 13% and Apple's iPad at 12 per cent.

Karbonn launches Agnee, first made-in-India 3G tablet

By: Aseem Gaurav on October 17, 2012


Innominds and Karbonn have launched Karbonn Agnee - the indigenous 3G tablet powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processor - at Innovation Qualcomm India 2012. The tablet will be launched by Diwali this year in the sub-Rs 10,000 category.

The tablet, to be based on the Qualcomm's Reference Design (QRD), is powered by QTI's 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, has a 7-inch screen, HDMI, 3G HSPA, Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), 4000mAh Li-Polymer battery and supports 720p video.

The table will have two cameras – in the front and at the rear. The front facing camera has a resolution of 1.3 MP front. Other features include HDMI out, Android 4.0 and 4,000 mAh battery.

The company says the tablet has been designed to offer students and faculties a comprehensive platform for their technology needs. It said the tablet will bring revolution in the tablet market with 3G technology for advanced communication and data usage.

The company has four tablet PCs in its product range that cost between Rs 5,790 to Rs 7,990.

Report: An 8GB iPad mini to cost $249, LTE models start at $549

By: Aseem Gaurav on October 16, 2012


Hardly one month has passed since the iPhone 5 was launched in the market, the rumor mill has shifted focus to another eventual potential device: the iPad Mini. The tech blogsphere is full of images of the 7-inch version of the ubiquitous tablet, that some say will get possibly launched on October 23. The event may be held at Apple's Cupertino, Calif., headquarters.

There have been reports about European prices of the iPad mini which confirm that the device will come in multiple variations and ship with LTE capability. An internal list of upcoming iPad mini SKUs and prices has been published on a German weblog. This is line-up of iPad minis that we’ll see upon release next month:

8GB iPad mini Wi-Fi in Black – $249 / €249
8GB iPad mini Wi-Fi in White – $249 / €249
16GB iPad mini Wi-Fi in Black – $349 / €349
16GB iPad mini Wi-Fi in White – $349 / €349
32GB iPad mini Wi-Fi in Black – $449 / €449
32GB iPad mini Wi-Fi in White – $449 / €449
64GB iPad mini Wi-Fi in Black – $549 / €549
64GB iPad mini Wi-Fi in White – $549 / €549
32GB iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular in Black – $549 / €549
32GB iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular in White- $549 / €549
64GB iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular in Black – $649 / €649
64GB iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular in White- $649 / €649

The reports suggest that at such a price tag it will become extremely tough for the competitors to maintain healthy sales. The launch is also interpreted as the company’s strategic move to consolidate its market share that has been suffering due to stiff competition placed by a lot of Android-based tablets. Hopefully, Apple will be able to deliver what the market really expects: a smaller yet efficient iPad.

Tumblr launches Photoset: An iOS-only photo sharing app

By: Aseem Gaurav on October 12, 2012


Popular microblogging platform Tumblr has launched a photo sharing app called Photoset. The free iOS app, lets iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad users to quickly piece together photo collections and share them with friends and family.

The app is meant for both Tumblr and non-Tumblr users alike and for this no Tumblr account is required. You can easily post your creations to any blog you maintain on the service.

The idea of launching the app becomes relevant in the sense that people sometime share more than one picture to tell the complete story. Photoset joins existing stitching and montage apps like Pic Stitch, as well as album apps like Batch, which was absorbed into Airbnb.

“The new Photoset app is an elegant way to create photosets, even if you’re not using Tumblr. Customize your layout and, once you've got it just right, post to your blog or upload to photoset.com, where it can be shared with anyone, anywhere,” the company said.

Using the app is not too difficult. You can either choose to import photos from your camera or snap a picture on the spot, and then drag and re-position it various layout schemes provided by the app. If you are not registered on Tumblr, then the app gives a photoset.com URL which you can share via email or on Twitter.

Overall, it is a pretty decent app that makes it easy to make a collage of photos that you have taken. It’s a must-have for Tumblr users, and could make you addicted of it.

Best iPhone 5 cases

By: Aseem Gaurav on October 11, 2012

SmartFlex Card for iPhone 5


Skip the wallet and carry up to 3 cards (or folded bills) securely in the built-in side-loading slot. It is cleverly designed iPhone 5 case, which is made from resilient polymer that offers durable and lightweight protection. More protection comes from rubberized button covers and handy thumb release gives you easy access to your cards whenever you need them. It is nice for day trips and evenings out, and if you are a minimalist, it might be the right case for you.

Cygnett Vector 3D Tough Case for iPhone 5

A nice looking case for those who want protection, flexibility and durability. Made of TPU material, the raised edges protect the front of the touchscreen in case the phone falls screen-down on a flat surface. Available in purple or black colours, the case makes it easy to grip your phone. The Vector has openings for the mute switch, camera, and separate openings for the lightning port, speaker, mic, and audio jack. It is available for $18.99 which appears to be inexpensive given that it includes a crystal screen protector.

Seidio Surface with Metal Kickstand

It is a slim case that adds minimum bulk to your iPhone 5. Build from durable and super smooth plastic, the case gives colourful matt finish of your phone, and protects your phone from scratches and drops. Seidio Surface is of mere 1.2mm thickness and is accompanied by soft-touch coating which enhances the look of your Apple iPhone 5 without attracting lint. The case comes with built in metal kickstand that can be used in landscape orientation for a hands free experience when viewing multimedia, managing photo slideshows, and displaying clocks and calendars. Available for $34.95, the case comes in Black, White, Grey, Green, Red, Purple and Blue, colours.

Rovio teases 'Star Wars' edition of Angry Birds

By: Aseem Gaurav on October 7, 2012


Popular game maker Rovio is back with the “next big thing” in the Angry Birds space. In this new title, the fiery avians will take on the role of the characters featured in the Star Wars.

The Finnish mobile gaming giant posted a teaser image, that featured one of its irate winged beasts donning Jedi robes and and wielding a lightsaber.

The Jedi-themed animation showed a shadowy, still image wearing a hooded lump holding the lightsaber. No details were mentioned about what is being offered, but instead the tweet instructed users to visit Times Square at 10 a.m. Eastern on Monday. In addition it is believed that the company has partnered with 50 licensees to introduce a franchise of products including toys for kids.

iPhone 5 is among the top smartphones available, says Consumers Reports

By: Aseem Gaurav on October 6, 2012


Despite the problems surrounding the iOS 6, Consumer Reports has concluded that iPhone 5 is the best yet and has ranked it “among the best smart phones in our Ratings”. It can be remembered that Consumer Reports in 2010 blasted the iPhone 4 for a faulty antenna.

Consumer Reports, which is published by Yonkers, New York- based Consumers Union, has picked fights with Apple before. When the iPhone 4 was introduced in 2010, the 76-year-old magazine refused to recommend the device because of a design flaw with its antenna that led calls to be dropped if it was gripped a certain way. The problems led Apple co-founder Steve Jobs to call a rare news conference to apologize and pledge to give customers free cases to fix the defect.

"Despite the widespread criticism it has received, Apple's new Maps app... is competent enough, even if it falls short of what's available for free on many other phones," reviewer Mike Gikas said on the group's website.

"As Apple has recently apologized and promised to fix these and other map glitches, we expect the Map app to improve in time," he further said.

The new iPhone 5 has received criticism for the new mapping software, for anomalies in directions and inaccurate locations of landmarks. Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook had apologized for the flaws and pledged the company will improve the software.

The Cupertino, Calif.-based company began sales of iPhone 5 last month and within the first three days of the launch, it sold over 5 million units. With the launch, Apple switched to its own mapping software – taking data from from a range of providers including TomTom NV and Waze. However, errors quickly emerged after the software was rolled out.

Apple quietly improving its iOS maps data, first is Statue of Liberty

By: Aseem Gaurav on October 6, 2012

Recently Apple's new maps service, released as in-house rival to the Google Maps service, drew a lot of flak due to some significant flaws. However, as announced Apple has begun correcting the many inaccuracies and visual anomalies found in its new Maps app. 

Image courtesy: Mashable

Among the first to receive the update is the Statue of Liberty which was previously a pixelated mess in Apple’s new homegrown mapping app. After updating its servers, the statue and all of Liberty Island is now rendered in 3D.

Because of the anomalies in the 3D depictions, Apple CEO Tim Cook tendered an apology for the product, admitting that it “fell short” of Apple’s standards. He said the company is working hard on improving the user experience on the new app. 

It must be remembered that for years, Google maps service was the default on Apple’s mobile devices. But because of the sour relationship between the two, Apple decided to create its own map service. The decision was also seen to wipe out Google maps as the default location service in the latest upgrade to the iOS software, on which all iPads and iPhones run.

However, a quick glance through some of the errors that immediately surfaced after the software was launched, it shows that they still exists, including bumpy airport runways, melting bridges, and out of date satellite photos. Hopefully, the company will soon get rid of them in order to provide its users a great map experience.

Facebook now has over one billion active users per month

By: Aseem Gaurav on October 4, 2012


Popular social media network Facebook has finally achieved a major milestone! It has exceeded one billion users. This means that Facebook now reaches one out of every seven people on the planet.

Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg announced that the social media company reached the 1 billion active monthly users threshold last month.

The company said these billion users are responsible for 1.13 trillion "likes", 17 billion location check-ins and 219 billion photos.

In a post on the website, Zuckerberg said: “If you're reading this: thank you for giving me and my little team the honor of serving you. Helping a billion people connect is amazing, humbling and by far the thing I am most proud of in my life. I am committed to working every day to make Facebook better for you, and hopefully together one day we will be able to connect the rest of the world too.”

Surprisingly, for Facebook, which was formed in 2004, it took six years to hit the 500 million user mark and barely two to double it.

Besides a strong base of people accessing the network from their home computers, the company also said that there are now 600 million users accessing the site via a mobile device - up 48 million from 552 million in June this year.

It also revealed that the median age of Facebook users is 22 years old.

New markets have been the fastest growing for the company, which has witnessed a saturation point in the countries where it first became popular, such as the United States and Britain.

Analysts say sustained growth is crucial if Facebook if it has to maintain its value. For this, they say, it needs to grow not only in terms of numbers, but also in engagements.

One of the reasons why Facebook achieved this milestone may be attributed to Facebook’s aggressive corporate culture and management style that pushes Facebook employees to keep innovating and improving the social network.

HP ProBook 4530s Laptop Review

The amazing HP ProBook 4530s Laptop comes with many outstanding features. This powerful device provides everything you possibly look for. It is loaded with advance specifications which will make your computing experience faster ad handle all your tasks with ease. This fabulous HP ProBook is powered by a 2.3-GHz Intel Core i5-2410M processor, the best thing expected from mid-range laptop. It runs on Windows 7 OS and includes a Turbo Boost option to speed up to 2.9-GHz when running intensive apps such as multimedia, gaming, and others. This is more than enough for everyday tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and image editing. Keep on reading to know more about its specifications and special features.

Technical Specifications

·         Intel Core i3/i5/i7 Processor

·         Mobile Intel HM65 Express Chipset

·         Enabled with 15.6-inch LED-backlit HD+ WVA anti-glare Display

·         2GB DDR3 RAM, Upgradable up to 8GB

·         Hard Disk Drive of 750GB SATA II

·         Includes SuperMulti DL LightScribe Optical drives

·         Multi Card Reader

·         Integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000

·         Includes 3 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3.0, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI

·         Bluetooth v3.0 + HS connectivity

·         Wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n

·         Stereo microphone in, stereo headphone/line-out

·         Includes Express Card/34, Media Card Reader

·         Integrated stereo speakers & microphone, Integrated camera

·         65W Smart AC adapter (integrated); HP Fast Charge

Design

Hewlett Packard (HP) has got the ability to blow up its competitors out of the race. As the brand matters a lot, HP has released the most attractive notebook, ProBook 4530s in its series. This sturdy laptop is brushed up with Aluminum and Magnesium design. It can easily handle the everyday up and down usage. The Aluminum design gives it a cool touch which you can feel especially while typing. A 15.6 inch display with superb glossy screen makes it awesome while watching images and videos. This HD screen is framed by dark black plastic. The manufacturing design dramatically leaves a solid impression without any shortcomings. 

   

Display & Audio

HP ProBook 4530s is an affordable model that has a good display of 1366 x 768 pixels resolution and an aspect ratio of 16:9. By investing some extra bucks you can get a matte display with a 1600 x 900 pixels resolution (HD+, anti-glare) and WVA (Wide Viewing Angle). Hence, there’s no need to worry about the reflection. HP ProBook 4530s boast good quality speakers. You can have a sizable amount of quality sound that can easily fill a mid-size room. The SRS Labs Premium Sound processing and preset equalizer settings make the music amazing.

Heat & Battery Life

Most of the HP laptops are found with heating issues. But, HP ProBook 4530s laptop has been made something unique. To be honest, this model strongly limits the heating issue. When you browse the internet, its temperature stays 45-50 C and goes up to 75-80 C if you play any hardcore game. These are the normal temperatures which are not bad for the system. The HP ProBook 4530s has a good battery backup offering maximum performance. It is packed with 6-cell (47 WHr) and 9-cell (93 WHr) Li-Ion battery. The battery backup stands for near about 5 hrs if you continuously browse the internet. 

In conclusion, HP ProBook 4530s is a must-have laptop that is quite impressive. Advance configuration, eye-catchy case design, good stability, and affordable price range are some key aspects that make the device more appealing. The small arrow keys and normal graphics are some small drawbacks. But still, HP ProBook 4530s stands as a stylish yet powerful laptop for both home and business users. It represents a successful update to the HP ProBook series with some better advantages.

Hp Probook 4540s Notebook

 

Hp Compaq Elite 8300

HP Z1 All In One Workstation PC

www.systemactive.com