Samsung launches its super-size Galaxy Note

South Korea’s Samsung Electronics said today it had launched a super-size version of its Galaxy Note smartphone, the latest salvo in its battle with Apple for the multi-billion-dollar handheld market.

The Galaxy Note 10.1, which went on sale yesterday in Germany and the United Arab Emirates, is almost twice as wide as its predecessor and is almost the size of a tablet.

The release comes as Samsung tries to make inroads in the tablet computer market, which is dominated by Apple’s iPad, while the two electronics giants are also engaged in a bitter court battle over patent infringements.

The firm said the new Note would be officially released in the US on Aug 15 and sometime next week in Britain and South Korea.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 – powered by Google’s Android software – features a touchscreen which is 10.1-inches (25.6 centimetres) measured diagonally, considerably wider than the 5.3-inch screen of the previous Note.

Like its predecessor, it comes with a stylus called the “S pen” to write notes or draw on the screen. The new version allows users to split the screen in half to view two programs at once.

The new device is equipped with a quad-core processor that allows users to run multiple applications at a faster speed than the previous version, which had a dual-core processor.

“The advanced technology and features included in Galaxy Note 10.1 give users the power to produce, create and customise communications,” JK Shin, the chief of Samsung’s mobile unit, said in a statement.

Samsung – the world’s largest smartphone maker by shipments – in November introduced the first version of its Galaxy Note, a device positioned between the firm’s flagship Galaxy S smartphones and Galaxy Tab tablet computers.

“Size-wise, the new product (Galaxy Note 10.1) is nearly a tablet PC,” another Samsung spokesman told AFP.

Samsung and Apple are embroiled in legal battles in 10 countries worldwide over patents for smartphones and tablet computers.

At an ongoing major hearing in San Jose, California, Apple is seeking more than $2.5 billion after accusing the Korean firm of infringing designs and other patents.

Samsung denies this and counter-charges that Apple infringed its patents for wireless communication.

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com

Anti-ageing gadgets: Should I try this at home?

Do-it-yourself anti-ageing gadgets are big business, but salon experts say buyers must beware. Is it really safe to be your own skin therapist?

By Victoria Lambert

If George Osborne pops into a Notting Hill beauty salon for a facial, he will receive heartening news for the economy. Skin therapists and dermatologists are busy: women are still spending on anti-ageing treatments like never before, despite the recession.

According to a Mintel report last month, the UK facial care market generated £956 million in 2011 and is predicted to top £1 billion in 2013. In the US, demand for skincare specialists is expected to have grown by 38 per cent by 2018.

One trend is towards smaller models of salon therapies for home use. The theory is that women can laser away wrinkles and brush up on micro-dermabrasion in their own homes. But do these products work and are they safe?

Dermatologists are wary about the use of some DIY anti-ageing products. “They sound a good idea but I worry that people will overuse them,” says Dr Jules Nabet, who practises aesthetic medicine in London and Paris.

“You must be cautious of microdermabrasion, for example, and over-exfoliation can leave your skin red and blotchy.”

Jenni Grace, head of a skincare clinic, agrees that at-home products should be used with care. “At best they will not do much, as levels of intensity will probably be minimal,” she says, “but they may actually do some harm.”

Here, Victoria Lambert conducts a trial of six of the latest gadgets and Jenni Grace assesses them

1 Philips RéAura Home Laser

The RéAura was developed with Fraxel (the company that developed the laser technology used in many salons) to stimulate production of collagen, the stretchy protein which becomes less elastic as we age, resulting in wrinkles. The RéAura forces pinpoints of light into the top layers of skin. The claimed result is to make skin look more youthful. Both Philips and the only stockists (Space NK) provide a skin assessment and access to skincare experts so users have full support.

Expert’s verdict “This laser is not as strong as we might use in a clinic, but don’t use it while you are on antibiotics or other drugs that can make skin more light-sensitive. I know a woman who took antibiotics and ended up with burns so bad that she needed a month off work. Afterwards your skin will be more delicate, so wear a good high-factor sunscreen. But, yes, this could work, and the access to support is impressive.”

Tester’s verdict “This is not a toy. After use I found that my skin was reddened, warm and tingling, just like after a salon treatment. But it is very easy to use and I’m expecting to see results over time. A well-conceived product.”

2 CACI Microlift

Launching in October, the Microlift is a home facial toning device from the salon brand CACI, which claims to provide “non-surgical facelifts”. The Microlift uses a tiny electric current to tone facial muscles and, it is claimed, combat signs of ageing. It looks a bit like a small cordless phone with four spiky knobs on top.

Expert’s verdict “CACI or any other micro-current therapies are unlikely to do much harm but it’s hard to know the exact points to press that will stimulate muscles in the correct way to achieve a balanced result. Beauty therapists take a five-day intensive course before they practise CACI in salons.

“CACI is pretty safe but shouldn’t be used if you have had Botox in the past three months, as it could cause migration of the botulinum toxin around the face. You could end up with brow droop.”

Tester’s verdict “CACI salon treatments are well loved and I wanted this to be effective. Maybe it was the instructions, but I felt that I was simply poking my facial muscles with no idea if I was doing it correctly. I was so perplexed, I’m afraid I have new frown lines.”

3 Slendertone Face

This looks like a high-tech headset that Madonna would wear in concert. Electronic muscle stimulation (EMS) tells facial nerves to activate muscles repeatedly, with the aim of firming them. Users should notice a difference in their faces after 14 days, says the manufacturer.

Expert’s verdict “This has to be placed precisely to work, and could be quite uncomfortable if the pulse strength was turned up too high. Used correctly it would be reasonably effective over time, but if you don’t do a course properly and keep it up, there’s no point.

“One concern: our facial muscles are tiny and interconnected. How are you sure you have exercised the right ones? Although you want to stimulate the muscles that give a smiley, uplifted effect, it is possible to work up the ones that make us grimace by mistake.”

Tester’s verdict “Having previously used a Slendertone Abs System (which is supposed to tone the waist), I was hopeful. But I found the twitching sensation it created in my face almost unbearable, and was concerned about which muscles are stimulated. When I tested it, my lip twitched; when a friend tried it, it made the muscle under her eye jump.”

4 The TANDA Luxe

The HoMedics TANDA Luxe combines pure red light with sonic vibration and gentle warming. This, it is claimed, increases production of collagen and elastin and boosts blood flow.

Expert’s verdict “There are good university studies which show that red-light therapies stimulate skin-cell renewal. Best of all, these lights can’t hurt you. I’m a fan.”

Tester’s verdict “Easy to use but a leap of faith. It doesn’t seem high-tech enough.”

5 NuBrilliance home microdermabrasion kit

A home exfoliation kit which combines diamond-tip exfoliation with precision suction. As you drag the small unit — not much larger than a pen — across your skin, the heads are said to scour away dead skin flakes and cells. The suction head then plumps up your skin, removing the remaining dead cells to leave skin feeling smoother. A Dyson for dimples.

Expert’s verdict “Microdermabrasion is great but if you use a coarse tip on sensitive skin you’ll end up with broken capillaries (the small veins just beneath the surface of the skin). And while it can be useful to reduce pigmentation, if you are too abrasive you will stimulate local production of melanin, which causes pigmentation in the first place. You could end up with more patches, not fewer.

“Too much microdermabrasion reduces sun tolerance — and users should avoid the delicate eye area. My worry would be the temptation to overuse it.”

Tester’s verdict “I did like this. It’s very easy to use, with clear instructions, and is effective. My skin looked more polished instantly. But Jenni is spot-on: the problem is overuse. I am itching to tackle a patch of pigment, but now mindful of the risks of being over-enthusiastic.”

6 Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion

A palm-sized gadget with a niche purpose: applying anti-ageing serum around the eye. The Opal gently taps the eye contour at 125 sonic vibrations a second, while dispensing special serum to the area. The maker claims that sonic movement encourages deeper diffusion of the serum into skin. It’s easy to use: move the device around the eye contour in a circular motion for 30 seconds twice a day. Results promised in four to eight weeks.

Expert’s verdict “Skin exists to prevent anything getting into our bodies, and it is very good at that. To penetrate it is difficult and I am suspicious of anything that claims to do so. It looks like a nice way to apply eye serum. But is it worth the money? I don’t know.”

Tester’s verdict “Lovely to use, and glam. More effective than fingertips? It is not as cheap.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Apple in 2012: Things to expect?

Posted By: Dattatreya Mandal

For many of us tech enthusiasts, the year 2011 will be marked with baleful essence of the exalted Steve Job's demise. Yet on the technological and commercial front, Apple did take quite a few progressive strides. The year was started with the launching of Mac OS X 10.6.6 Snow Leopard. They followed it up with a newer digital download marketplace and suites, ultimately culminating in the much touted Mac OS X Lion (the very first PC OS in digitally downloaded format). Regarding mobile devices, Apple also debuted their awaited iPad 2, infused with a more boisterous A5 processor.

The second half of the year will be chiefly remembered for the announcement of Apple's very own cloud computing service (iCloud) and the introduction of the next iteration of iPhone (in the form of iPhone 4S). And finally to aptly seal the fruitful year, the company released the fourth generation of iPod Touch with a slimmer design and Retina Display.

Deliverables 2012:

Now, we can all agree that 2011 had been a commercially successful year for Apple. But if the rapturous buzz is anything to go by, the company has even bigger plans for 2012. So, without further ado, let us briefly check out some of probable Apple concoctions for this year.

iPhone 5

Of course, this product should be the first on our list, just to satiate our geeky senses. Now, what we call a proper iPhone 5 should have a wealth of features over its predecessor. This includes an A6 processor (possibly with a more powerful quad core set up), an ergonomic and even sleeker design, with a larger display. Finally, the wish list should be complete with LTE support and NFC features.

iPad 3

Quite logically, Apple should also notch it up a level in the tablet segment with the robust iPad 3. According to rumors, this next version of iPad will seriously pack a punch with its A6 quad core processor, integrated Siri personal assistant and a better camera system. But the definitive element would surely be the whopping 1536 x 2048 pixels, 330-dpi Retina screen, as compared to its previously paltry 1024 x 768 pixels, 132-dpi resolution iPad 2 display.

Improvement in iCloud

While, iCloud was certainly a welcome step for many a Apple user, there is still some avenues which can be addressed for improvement. This is true, when we consider the syncing criteria between Macs and PCs. But on every major networking field, the integration of desktops for this syncing purpose remains important, especially when reaching out to greater number of users.

Apple TV

With the grapevine ripe with rumors of grandiose iPhones and fascinating iPads, shall we be witness to the next iteration of Apple TV in the form of ever elusive iTV? The chances are bright, but the scope of improvement for these 'media receivers' (along with brand new TV sets) is still a subject to conjecture. Maybe, the designers can contrive an innovative system that will include a wealth of features like a full App Store, iCloud support and even Siri related attributes.

New Mac

Now, the Mac realm has been the area where Apple has arguably given the least of its concentration in 2011. But on the brighter side, we do see a righteous trend of Apple going for more classy, subtle and slimmer models, when it comes to laptop computing. As a matter of fact, if MacBook Air Pro is anything to go by, we can come across an even more svelte design consideration for a newer Mac of 2012.

Successor to Mac OS X Lion

Lion was a much anticipated follow up to the Snow Leopard platform. In relation to this, Apple is known for capitalizing on its success, and thus we can actually look forth to a successor to Mac OS X Lion in 2012. But unfortunately we cannot make any educated guesses about this next generation OS, except for the system will more likely to be conducive to an improved iCloud service (with better PC integration).

iOS 6

Traditionally, Apple has released updates to its exalted mobile OS every year since 2007. So, as aficionados we know iOS 5.0.1 is going to get an update for 2012. The only question remains that will this update be comprehensive enough to go up to version 6 or stay within the constraints of the current fifth generation.

Improvised SIRI

From an unbiased perspective, SIRI was one among a few features that really counted (as a credible user oriented software) in iPhone 4S. Fueled by this success, Apple will obviously look forth for a technological evolution of its voice software assistant. This will include the incorporation of other languages, improved response to colloquial phrases and, most importantly, its availability in other Apple devices such as iPad and iPod.

Credit to : http://digg.com

Top 10 Best Upcoming Android ICS Smartphones 2012

Posted In Android, Mobile - By Kent On Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Say, Do you have any idea about this year’s upcoming Android ICS Smartphone? If you do, then you’re probably thinking of getting one. It may take a while but this year will surely be filled with lots of high-end smartphones that will, of course, be powered by Google’s latest Android platform. The Galaxy Nexus may have been the world’s first phone to be equipped with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich but it would be a lot better if you can choose the one that’s ideal for your needs.

That is one of the main reasons why we have compiled a list for this year’s best upcoming Android ICS smartphones. We want you to have a choice and we want you to choose the phone that you like most. So, without further ado, feel free to scroll over our list below. The phones are in random order though.

1 – Huawei Ascend P1

The Ascend P1 is a decent-looking handset that’s made by Huawei, one of the leading manufacturers of budget-friendly Android devices. But it seems that this phone won’t be as affordable as the rest. Officially announced at the recent CES, the smartphone flaunts a 4.3 inch Super AMOLED Capacitive Touchscreen Display with Corning Gorilla Glass and full screen resolution of 540 x 960 pixels. Though there are speculations that the handset will be sold under the $600 price tag, its official retail price remains unannounced.

Status: Officially Announced

Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Processor: 1.5GHz Dual Core TI OMAP 4460 Cortex A9

RAM and Storage: 1GB of RAM and 4GB of ROM

External Memory: up to 32GB micro SD

Camera: 8MP with auto focus, geo-tagging and LED flash (rear) / 1.3MP (front)

Display: 4.3 inch Super AMOLED Capacitive 540 x 960p Display

Weight: 130 grams

2 – Huawei Ascend P1 S

The Huawei Ascend P1 S is the slimmer counterpart of the Ascend P1. Sporting a sleek form factor that doesn’t go any thicker than 6.7mm, the handset’s specs can somewhat be compared to its thicker variant. It has also been speculated that the phone will be priced somewhere in between $300 – $400 and will cost a bit more than the Ascend P1.

Status: Officially Announced

Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Processor: 1.5GHz Dual Core TI OMAP 4460 Cortex A9

RAM and Storage: 1GB of RAM and 4GB of ROM

External Memory: up to 32GB micro SD

Camera: 8MP with auto focus, geo-tagging and LED flash (rear) / 1.3MP (front)

Display: 4.3 inch Super AMOLED Capacitive 540 x 960p Display

Weight: 130 grams

3 – HTC Edge

Fresh from the rumor mill is the Tegra 3 powered HTC Edge. The smartphone will no doubt be part of this year’s quad core line-up. There’s no clear statement that could confirm the phone’s official date of release but leaks have been eyeing for a possible late Q1 – early Q2 launch. The phone’s price remains unknown

Status: Not Officially Announced

Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with HTC Sense UI

Processor: 1.5GHz Quad Core NVIDIA Tegra 3

RAM and Storage: 1GB of RAM

External Memory: up to 32GB micro SD

Camera: 8MP with auto focus, geo-tagging and LED flash with front facing camera

Display: 4.7 inch Capacitive Touch Screen 720 x 1280p Display

Weight: unknown

4 – HTC Primo

The fourth ICS-powered smartphone in the list is the HTC Primo. Unlike its quad core cousin, the Primo will be equipped with a 1GHz Dual Core Processor. So they say, the handset will be offered as a mid-ranged handset with pretty decent features and specs. But what makes this phone even more tempting is that it will have its Beats Audio system. The HTC Primo will be sold around $300 to $400 and will most likely hit the shelves by Q3 2012.

Status: Not Officially Announced

Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with HTC Sense UI

Processor: 1GHz Dual Core CPU

RAM and Storage: 512MB of RAM

External Memory: up to 32GB micro SD

Camera: 5MP with auto focus and geo-tagging

Display: 3.7 inch Super AMOLED Capacitive Touch Screen Display

Weight: unknown

5 – HTC Ville

Similar to the HTC Primo, the HTC Ville will also be equipped with Beats Audio. But that’s not all. The handset will also be one of HTC’s thinnest smartphones. Recent leaks have also stated that the sub-8mm thick mobile device will soon be making its long-awaited debut at T-Mobile. Do expect that you will be required to avail the carrier’s two-year network subscription. The phone’s price remains to be told.

Status: Not Officially Announced

Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with HTC Sense UI 4.0

Processor: 1.5GHz Dual Core CPU

RAM and Storage: unknown

External Memory: up to 32GB micro SD

Camera: 8MP with auto focus, geo-tagging and LED Flash / Secondary front-facing camera

Display: 4.3 inch Super AMOLED Capacitive Touch Screen 540 x 960p Display

Weight: unknown

6 – LG X3

If you’re currently looking for a quad core handset, then you’d better not miss this new phone from LG. Dubbed as the LG X3, the handset will most likely be making its first ever public appearance at the forthcoming 2012 MWC. Appearance wise, the smartphone looks very slim (which will probably be less than 9mm thick) and it will also be equipped with a long-lasting 2000 mAh battery. There are also speculations stating that the X3 will be launched by the end of this year’s second quarter. Sadly, the phone’s price remains unknown.

Status: Not Officially Announced

Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Processor: 1GHz Quad Core CPU

RAM and Storage: 1GB of RAM with 16GB of storage

External Memory: up to 32GB micro SD

Camera: 8MP with auto focus, geo-tagging and LED flash / 1.3MP front facing camera

Display: 4.7 inch IPS LCD Capacitive Touch Screen 720 x 1280p Display

Weight: unknown

7 – Sony Xperia S

Of all the phones that we have mentioned, the Sony Xperia S can definitely be considered as one of the most elegant-looking phones of this year. As of now, the phone can be pre-ordered at selected UK e-retailers for £450 that’s more or less equivalent to $700. There’s no exact date as to when the phone will be officially launched but some stores have already claimed that the Xperia S will be put on sale by the 5th of March. As of now, the phone is currently being offered with Android Gingerbread but Sony did promise to upgrade the handset’s firmware to Android Ice Cream Sandwich.

Status: Officially Announced

Operating System: Android 2.3 Gingerbread (upgradeable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich)

Processor: 1.GHz Dual Core Qualcomm MSM8260 Snapdragon

RAM and Storage: 1GB of RAM with 32GB of internal storage

External Memory: NONE

Camera: 12MP with auto focus, geo-tagging and LED Flash

Display: 4.3 inch LED Backlit LCD Capacitive Touchscreen 720 x 1280p Display

Weight: 144 grams

8 – Sony Xperia Ion

If you think that the Sony Xperia S is too classy, then you might as well check this newly-announced phone from Sony. Dubbed as the Sony Xperia Ion, the handset can definitely take pride of its modern-styled form factor. Just like the Xperia S, the Ion’s Android Gingerbread firmware will later on be upgraded to Android 4.0. The phone’s official date of release remains unknown (sometime around Q2) but it has already been revealed that the phone will be part of AT&T’s blazing-fast 4G LTE network. Guess you will have to save some money even if the phone’s price has still been left untold.

Status: Officially Announced

Operating System: Android 2.3 Gingerbread (upgradeable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich)

Processor: 1.GHz Dual Core Qualcomm MSM8260 Snapdragon

RAM and Storage: 1GB of RAM with 16GB of internal storage

External Memory: up to 32GB of micro SD

Camera: 12MP with auto focus, geo-tagging, LED Flash, 3D sweep panorama and face/smile detection

Display: 4.55 inch LED Backlit LCD Capacitive Touchscreen 720 x 1280p Scratch-Resistant Display

Weight: 144 grams

9 – Sony Ericsson LT22i Nypon

Still in the rumor mill, the Sony Ericsson LT22i Nypon has recently made an appearance in the NenaMark Benchmark. Though the phone’s official date of release remains unannounced, a lot are speculating that Sony will unveil their fruity-flavored Nyphon at the MWC next month. Even so, a recently leaked roadmap has revealed that the handset will most likely be put on sale sometime around April under its 370 Euro (around $450) price tag.

Status: Not Officially Announced

Operating System: Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread with Timescape UI (upgradeable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich)

Processor: Dual Core NovaThor U8500 Chipset

RAM and Storage: 1GB of RAM with 16GB of internal storage

External Memory: no micro SD card slot

Camera: 8MP with auto focus, geo-tagging, LED Flash, 3D sweep panorama and smile detection / 1.3MP 720p front facing camera

Display: 4.0 inch LED Backlit LCD Capacitive Touchscreen 540 x 960p Display

Weight: unknown

10 – Samsung Galaxy S III GT-I9300

Of course, who would let this phone slip out from our list! We’re speaking of the next-gen Samsung Galaxy S smartphone aka the Samsung Galaxy S III. There’s no word as to when this phone will arrive in the market but we’ve been hearing some reports that the handset will appear at next month’s Mobile World Congress. It is also very expected that the Galaxy S 3 will part of this year’s pool of high-end handsets.

Status: Not Officially Announced

Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with TouchWiz UI 4.0

Processor: 1.8GHz Quad Core Exynos 4212 Chipset

RAM and Storage: 2GB of RAM with 16GB – 32GB of internal storage

External Memory: up to 32GB of micro SD storage

Camera: 12MP with auto focus, geo-tagging, LED Flash, face and smile detection / 2MP front facing camera

Display: 4.6 inch Super AMOLED Plus Capacitive Touchscreen 720 x 1280p Display with Corning Gorilla Glass Protection

Weight: unknown

Credit to : http://digg.com

11 Huge Gadget Releases Coming In 2012

1. MacBooks with high-res displays

It's no secret by now that Apple is planning on refreshing its entire MacBook line. But the latest news is that in addition to faster processors, more memory, and possibly a 15-inch MacBook Air, the new Pros will have high-res displays. That'll make your app and video experience a whole lot more vibrant than before.

2. What's in store for the next version of Android?

While we know next to nothing about the next version of Android other than the fact that it'll probably be called "Jelly Bean," expectations are still pretty high. This year's release of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich was the biggest leap forward yet for the platform, setting the stage for another successful year. Let's hope Google can pull off the same thing with Android 5.0.

3. What's the next big thing for iOS?

So far, the only hint we have as to what Apple has planned for iOS 6 is its recent acquisition of the mapping company C3 Technologies. C3 makes incredible 3D maps that could help reduce Apple's reliance on Google for the iPhone's mapping service. Beyond that, we have our own wish list for iOS 6, including better notifications, widgets, and better multitasking.

4. Here comes the PlayStation 4

Sony has already confirmed that it's working on the PlayStation 4, and many are hoping to get a sneak peek of the new console at 2012's E3 video game conference. Beyond that, everything is just speculation. However, you can bet Sony will do its best to make sure its console can last another six years or so like the current PlayStation 3.

5. Nintendo's Wii U will ship with a touchscreen controller

The next console from Nintendo, the Wii U, is expected to launch in the U.S. during the second half of 2012. Nintendo announced the system at E3 2011, showing off the fancy new touchscreen controller that can receive images and mini games from the console.

6. The Asus Padfone is a tablet-smartphone hybrid

The Padfone from Asus, a wacky tablet with a slot for a 4.3-inch Android smartphone, is due out in early 2012. It was first announced way back in May, but we haven't heard much about the device since. It's likely Asus is waiting to finish modifying Android Ice Cream Sandwich before it releases the Padfone.

7. PCs will finally get super fast Thunderbolt ports

Intel's Thunderbolt, the super speedy port that is already on Macs, is expected to hit Windows-based PCs in April 2012, according to DigiTimes. That means you'll be able to transfer stuff to and from your computer much faster than you can with USB now. We're talking a full-length HD movie in just a few seconds. Nice.

8. PlayStation Vita is Sony's next generation handheld

Unfortunately, Sony's next portable gaming system, the PlayStation Vita, missed the holiday season. Luckily, you won't have to wait much longer as the official release date is now February 22, 2012. The vita sports a 5-inch touchscreen, two analog control sticks, and the ability to get online over a 3G connection.

9. Windows 8 tablets (maybe)

Assuming Windows 8 is able to ship late next year, get ready for a whole bunch of tablets running Microsoft's new OS. Windows 8 uses the same "Metro" interface on tablets that you see on Windows Phone 7 devices. It's pretty slick. Expect manufacturers like Samsung and HP to be among the first to start cranking out Windows 8 tablets next year.

10. Sony shrank the big screen TV to a portable size

Imagine being able to wear a full 3D home theater system...on your head. That's what Sony plans to do early next year with its Personal 3D Viewer. The headset provides a full HD experience as if you were watching a big screen TV. Unfortunately, it'll cost you $800.

11. Boxee is finally getting live HD TV

Starting in January 2012, Boxee is going to make it even easier to cut the cord. With its new HD tuner dongle for the Boxee Box, you'll be able to beam live HD network TV for free using Boxee's excellent interface. For cable haters, this is a dream come true. There will no longer be a need to switch between your TV and Boxee Box. It'll all be in one place.

Credit to : http://www.businessinsider.com

Market For Mobile Health Apps Projected To Quadruple To $400 Million By 2016

The latest healthtech research shows that the forecast is looking good for mobile health solutions, especially for those companies buying into mobile apps. ABI Research recently released a report which predicts that the sports and health mobile app market is on pace to hit $400 million in revenues by 2016. That’s up from $120 million in 2010, meaning the market could quadruple over the next four years. ABI’s report projects that the majority of that $400 million will come from sports, fitness, and wellness apps, which have begun to see heavy adoption over the least year. The increase of available health data and the growing adoption of health-related apps is owed largely to the development of increasingly wearable, portable, and non-invasive devices and their sensors that can effectively measure and transmit biometric data.

As smartphones add new ways to access and support healthcare apps and connect with these complementary diagnostic and health-measure devices, the mobile health market — and its customers — only stand to benefit. There are many great examples of this new generation of smart health tracking devices, like Basis’ heart and health tracker that you can wear on your wrist, Lark’s sleep monitoring band — to name a few. These wearable devices are hooked into apps and web dashboards that let users track and improve their health. These bundled solutions are becoming increasingly user-friendly and intelligent, with many beginning to take advantage of gamification to keep users interested and coming back.

Naturally, everyone wants to build a graph, interest, social, etc., and the health graph seems to be poised to be next in line. RunKeeper, an app that helps users track their exercise, is just one among many going after the health graph — that is to say, they’re looking to aggregate all of your fitness and health data, culled from an ecosystem of apps and smart-sensored devices that collect and transmit this data (and speak to each other through APIs), then serving it to users across platforms and mobile devices, all through a simple dashboard. And RunKeeper isn’t alone. This is where the healthtech industry is going — well, there and of course digitizing health records as well as making everything about health insurance less of a pain in the ass.

In conjunction with ABI’s report on the mobile health market’s growth, Juniper Research today released its own study, forecasting that “mHealth” apps will reach 142 million downloads globally by 2016. Which is slightly puzzling, especially when contrasted with the projection made by Jonathan Collins, the principal analyst at ABI Research. Collins said that he expects downloads to grow at almost twice the rate of revenues, with more than a billion downloads occurring annually by 2016. Collins appears to be more optimistic than Juniper, which is likely using slightly different criteria to define mobile health apps.

But the point is clear, mobile health is on the rise.

Read more : http://techcrunch.com