Wow..... beat this

$35 Google Chromecast streams online video, music, images to your TV

Alongside the launch of the second-generation Nexus 7 tablet on Wednesday in San Francisco, Google also announced a 2-inch Chromecast device that lets you bring content from your different devices on to your TV. The Chromecast dongle that connects to an HDTV via USB is priced at $35. Users need to plug in the dongle to their high-definition (HD) TV and it allows them to use their phone, tablet or laptop to "cast" online content to their TV screens. It currently works with Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Movies and TV, and Google Play Music. Google says more apps such as Pandora are coming soon. Wit Chromecast you can use your phone, tablet or laptop to browse and cast content to your TV, play and pause, control the volume. With the content streaming, you can also multitask - send emails or surf the web - while enjoying what is on the TV screen.

Features I want in my smart TV

I will be buying a smart TV in next 2 years and I want following features in my smart TV. Some of the features I list are already available some of them them are still in development phase. I want all these features in a reasonable price 50K-60K Indian rupees.

• UCM 3.0 support
• Bluetooth support
• I don't care much about 3D. Its could be optional feature.
• OLED at least 40" size.
• Full HD 1080p and better resolution than standard 1920×1080
• WI-FI and LAN connection
• Hand gestures and voice based control enabled.
• Internet access and should support youtube and other video stream service program channels
• Full support for gaming(using some gamestick like this one)
• Should detect USB based perifarals like web camera, keyboard, mouse etc.. 
• There should be always an options to upgrade software and codecs so that it can detect new and better video formats.
• Last but not the least it should have a log/history of all the channels watches and sites browsed on it.

Will keep it updated as my requirement grows as I see new things coming up in the market. 

GameStick: Gaming on TV using Android powered stick

Gamestick



Open

The mobile games market thrives on the use of open platforms and we wanted to bring the same ethos to TV. Open, so that more developers can innovate and develop quickly. Open, so that players can access more great games and get better pricing. Open because it's about time that the walls keeping independent developers out are smashed down. And so, harnessing the Android ecosystem, GameStick is a completely open platform. If you love creating or playing games, you will love GameStick.

Portable

People are always on the go. Traditional consoles are big. We set out to create a big screen games console that was so small you could pop it in your pocket. It's tiny! So small in fact that GameStick fits inside it's own controller so you can take all your games with you to any TV you like, anywhere. Simply plug it into the HDMI slot, grab the controller and play away.



You can find all the details about this in thier page in Kickstart. I am sure I am going to buy this or something better than this once they are available in India.

Ubantu and Smart phones

slightlyDrunk Blog - Ubuntu finally comes to mobile in 2013 - MouthShut.com
Is there a scope for a new operating system in the mobile platform?

I wonder how many are going to ask that question. I did myself when I heard that canonical was going to launch its so called mobile OS” version of Ubuntu in the upcoming CES to be held from January 8th to 11th. Considering that it is already a huge market and after WP 8 has started showing positive signs of survival, it will get much tougher for a newer player. But anything is possible in this market. The downward spiraling of the once favoured Symbian’ is a proof of that fact. Whether or not this OS succeeds or goes the Web OS way is a matter only time will tell us. But for now we do have a big thing to look forward to for the upcoming CES. But what does it mean to the mobile world. Here’s my take. The countdown for this operating system had begun way back in 2008 when it was first announced. A novelty it was at that time, which I guess was sure to succeed had they released it during that time. Then in 2010 they announced Ubuntu for android, which was supposed to be an image to be run on the Android Operating System. It did not work, or let us just say that it fell flat on its face. Except for some linux geeks no one else took even a notice of it, but canonical promises that it will be totally different this time around and that they have done everything right to make it one of the show stealers of CES 2013. Canonical calls it the first true step in the adoption of Ubuntu on mobile.

• It is highly compatible with the current line of operating systems so the current manufacturers for android devices will not have much to worry about with regards to compatibility.


• It requires the same drivers as those of android only with lesser memory requirements. It wont be using the Java Virtual Machine unlike android do that the OS has complete control over the device.


• The galaxy nexus 4 is the phone on which it is currently being tested and initial results have been well received.


• The use of thumb gestures to ply a huge role in navigation through the system.


• Multitasking would be much more efficient and battery usage is also a notch higher than that if other operating systems currently in the market.


• It is highly secure but will also allow porting of android apps to its platform.


• Canonical says that they have improved the design is also better than most of the operating systems of the current generation.


• The file system structure is much more organized. It will always be connected to the Ubuntu cloud and the storage will be higher than that of current cloud service providers.


• Canonical has roped in multiple partners for equipment manufacturing and the first phone may be an asus device. More on this next big thing by canonical after its release.

what is new in Android 4?

As we are getting near to the release date of new android version, which is middle of Nov, 2011. Lot of rumors floating around some of like to believe rumors

1) Better performance there is no surprise as with every new version they does come up with  performance improvements.

2) Universal operating system for both tablets and mobile phones. That is something will really help both for users and developers for pushing new changes quickly. Hope this also brings much more user friendly UI.
3) Not sure how true it is but people say android 4 has camera sensor, but even if the software supports it what about the hardware.

As Android 4 is a major release there must lot more features which are coming as part of the bundle, hope make our experience with android much more enjoyable.

Wait continues………

Future and Android

Just amazing and fearsome to know one platform having controlling everything around you from mobile to your car and house.

This article I am pasting here is by Marko Gargenta on the website http://radar.oreilly.com/2011/07/3-android-predictions-home-clothes-car.html

Prediction 1: Android controls the home

Marko Gargenta: Google painted their vision of Android @ Home at the last Google I/O. I think this has huge potential to make Android the de-facto controller for many other devices, from lights to music players to robots and factory machinery. We are seeing the first stage with numerous home security systems being developed using Android, as well as set-top boxes powered by Android. At the moment, many of these devices simply use Android as a replacement for embedded Linux and they're still just self-contained devices.

In the second stage, manufacturers will start exposing libraries so developers can build custom applications for their devices, effectively turning them into platforms. I predict this will happen later this year as manufacturers realize the power of letting users hack their systems. The latest case study with Microsoft Kinect should help pave the way.

In the third stage, various devices will be able to interact with one another — my phone can detect my TV and my TV can communicate with my stereo. This will take a bit longer to get to as we still don't have common protocols for this type of communication. We also run the risk of companies developing their own proprietary protocols, such as a Samsung TV only talking to a Samsung phone, etc. Compatibility may require Google stepping in and using the Compatibility Test Suite(CTS) as a tool to enforce common protocols.

Prediction 2: Wearable Android

Marko Gargenta: The form factor for Android boards is getting to be very small and the price of the actual chipset is approaching the $100 point for a full-featured device. This allows for development of wearable Android-powered devices. Some of them will be for fashion purposes, such as watches. Others will be for medical and safety applications. I predict that toward the end of this year we're going to start seeing high-end fashion accessories based on Android. We may not be aware they are Android-powered, and we may not be able to develop for them. At the same time, early medical devices will emerge, initially for non-critical applications. These will likely be closed, purpose-built systems with little opportunity for development or extension.

Prediction 3: Android and networked cars

Marko Gargenta: This is the next big frontier for Android to seize. The car industry is now at the point where the mobile phone industry was 5-10 years ago. People are going to want more from their car systems as they realize that things like Google Maps beat any stock navigation system. Consumers will want car-based connectivity to the Internet as well as apps.

The first stage of networked car development will involve using Android to build proprietary systems. This is already underway withcommercial systems being built for cars without users even knowing the systems are based on Android. The second stage will involve connecting the cars to the Internet. This can be done in a couple of ways: cars can have radios with their own connections to the Internet or a driver's mobile phone can be tapped for online access.

Whatever approach we take, 4G and LTE network developments will help the process quite a bit. Once the cars are connected, manufactures will have the opportunity to open up kits for developers to build purpose-built applications for those systems. It is likely that manufacturers may tightly control what apps are allowed into what vehicles by running their own proprietary app stores with strict policies and quality control. This is simply the nature of the auto industry to self-police itself and focus heavily on testing the software. It is not very likely that we'll be able to simply download car apps from a major app market right away.

Why choose Android over iPhone?

This is a nice article from lifehacker, check from the below given link. But top 10 reason why you choose android over iPhone

1) True App Integration

2) Flash

3) Controlling Your Phone From Your Computer

4) Custom ROMs

5) Wireless App Installation

6) Removable Storage and Battery

7) Widgets

8) Custom Home Launchers

9) Automation

10) Alternate Keyboards

http://lifehacker.com/5801862/top-10-awesome-android-features-that-the-iphone-doesnt-have

My feedback in Infibeam Pi E-book reader

I am one of the very early users of Pi, I have been using this device for more than 10 months.  If you are reading normal text based PDF files, its good. Though its gets stuck some times. The funny part if every time its stuck I round around to find a sharp device to reboot it, I don't understand the logic of having a small reboot button for the device which needs so frequent resets.

If you try to open a PDF with images and sizes more than 40 MB then you will have lot of problem like the device gets rebooted in a never ending loop or its stuck at the boot screen. Every time I see this issue the only solution suggested by support is to install the firmware. I have seen this issue two times in last 10 months.  To my understanding if there is a problem with the file or file is too big to open then it should exit gracefully and should not hamper users from reading any other book till be re-installs the firmware.

Too bad, I guess some basic stuff they should have checked before they ship the device.

Hope they resolved these issues in the latest pi2.

Future Mobile Phone

I may be thinking wild about the mobile phone future and using lot of my imagination here. Sometime in future there are things you can expect from a mobile phone

- Its not going to be rectangular in shape with keypad/touch screen. Its just going to be a small device with projector using which you can use any surface to project things from your phone and do your regular tasks like selecting a number and making call or sending out a message. The projecting you can very well use your palm. The technology is all ready exists called sixth sense(http://www.google.com/url?url=http://www.ted.com/talks/pranav_mistry_the_thrilling_potential_of_sixthsense_technology.html&rct=j&sa=X&ei=-H70TPXoE4j0sgaDu4nSBA&ved=0CD8QuAIwAw&q=sixth+sense&usg=AFQjCNEKBhwN3inYm3d3y9Wf2tDQVIQZKA).

- Your mobile will be replacing your wallet as it will be used as your plastic money. It will literally becomes your identity. Of course will be connected to seamlessly to internet all the time(3G/4G/may be 5G :) or free Wi-Fi).

- For avoiding theft and misuse it will recognize your finger prints and will shutdown if someone else is trying to use it.

- It’s going to replace all your paper books and newspapers as it will be used as your e-book reader. No need to carry bulky kindle or iPad with you all the time.

- It will become your personal TV. As mentioned you can use the projector to project the TV from web on any surface.

- It may not be having any internal storage as everything you want to store(photos, books, movies, HD vedios taken using the device etc.) will be placed in a cloud.

- With all the above mentioned features the size of the device should not be more than a ping-pong ball(Yes it should be round in shape).

 

At least these are the things I imagine add if you have any other ideas.

Acer tablet are going to be market leader in 2 years

If acer CEO’s words to be believed in the coming years Acer tablet will be marketing leader. Rather than betting on a single form-factor and OS, the company has developed a trio of tablets in two sizes, running on two platforms. In February, Acer will ship a Windows-based device with a 10.1-inch-display. And in April, it will ship two Android-based tablets, one with a 7-inch display and another with a 10.1-inch display (native 1280×800 screen resolution), a dual-core 1GHz processor, a front-facing camera for video calling, a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera, and HDMI output.

Comparing iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS

See the below given chart for comparing the new iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS.

This handy chart compares the main features of iPhone 3GS with iPhone 4 that goes on sale later this month.

The only thing they miss out is colors – iPhone 3GS was only available in black while iPhone 4 comes in the both black and white colors.

The chart is from Mahalo but you can also read the official comparison between iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS on apple.com.

Also recently I heard a comment from someone that Steve Jobs creates and sells all these new useless products and make people to feel that with out them they could not live their life. Anyways he is successful and that is all matters.

Also heard what Steve Jobs want his legacy after he dies. Read this interesting article by CNN correspondent.

Don't buy apple iPad wait for Notion Ink's ADAM tablet

If you are impressed with the look and features of Apple's tablet computer and want to buy one. I would suggest you to wait for couple of more months and check the new product called Notion Ink's ADAM tablet, for comparison check the speecs given below.



This table computer is completely developed Hyderabad, India. This device comes with Pixel Qi Transflective liquid crystal display, which is advanced technology to LCD. The best thing is this tablet PC supports Flash 10.Notion Ink is going to price this device models between $350 and $800. What else you want?

Review: Infibeam Pi E-Reader

Wow this is a cool thing to have by every book reader.
pros:
1) Price. At 9999 its the best you can get.
2) Battery life. Once charged it lasts for at least 400 pages.
3) Wight is far less then I expected. It weighs less than a magazine.
4) Easy to operate. A 5 year old kid can operate with out a problem. No learning curve at all.
5) Book marking feature is very great. You can have multiple book marks for every book.
6) Font size changing. When you change the font the page layout changes automatically. On this device there is nothing called scrolling.
Cons:
1) No physical key board. I feel there is a space on the device next to navigation button to give a small key board may not be the QWER one.
2) The search provided is almost useless. Typing using soft key board is almost impossible.
3) The side buttons for bookmarking and font size should be more prominent and easy to use.

My Wishlist for this device:

1) There should be key for zoomin-zoomout as well. To avoid few clicks, which could be very helpful.
2) A physical key board could be a great feature to this device. I think you even have a space to add a small keyboard. Hope this will be added in future. To me search is useless feature, because typing is such painful task.
3) A notepad like utility would be great to add some notes on every book we read. This is only good in case of a keyboard
4) Software upgrades to the existing devices.
5) A small micro USB keyboard for the existing devices and software upgrade for supporting. Something which we can stick in back of the book reader.

Adobe flash is obsolete technology: Steve Jobs

Apple's Steve Jobs made it very clear not supporting Flash in iPod just like not supporting floppy drive on iMacs. By comparing the Flash with a floppy drive he made it very clear what he thinks of Adobe flash. Also he suggested content publishers to use HTML 5 instead flash and for video he suggested H.264. Looks these are the end for days of Adobe flash. Sad for Adobe, hope would come up with something innovative that is as good a old Flash

Apple iPad Competitor, HP's Windows 7 based slate

Apple iPad competitor from DELL. Its called Mini 5

One more E-book reader is out in the market called “nook”

Now users have one more options to read e-books. Its called “nook” it’s a product of Barnes&Noble.

Some of the features mentioned in the site are:
1) nook's easy-to-read E Ink® display is more like a traditional book than a computer screen. With no glare or backlight, and adjustable text size, you can read comfortably for hours.
2) Sample eBooks for free just about anywhere you are, on us. Browse eBooks, magazines and newspapers on AT&T's 3G Wireless Network or on Wi-Fi. And every Barnes & Noble has free Wi-Fi, so you can connect at lightning-fast speeds.
3) With 2GB of memory, nook stores up to 1,500 books, newspapers and magazines. Need even more space? Just add a memory card. An entire library light enough to take with you everywhere, so you'll never be without your favorites.
4) Control your nook with an easy-to-use full-color touchscreen, created to work seamlessly with the crisp, clean E Ink® display. Just use your finger to swipe through titles and tap open your next read. Or use nook's large, comfortable, virtual keyboard to find exactly what you're looking for.

Also a very good comparison of the Amazon kindle and Nook is given in the nook’s site. You can find that here.

Now Amazon Kindle has a competitor, no its not Applet iPad. Its called Pi

Kindle has competitor from device developed in India called Infibeam.Com Pi. Its basically a e-book reader with mp3 playing capabilities.

 Feature list:

 

Slim & Lightweight: Less than 10mm thick. Lightweight at 180 gm. Its lighter than a magazine. You'll never go back to reading paperbacks.

Over 1 lac eBooks & Growing: Infibeam.com eBooks store carries all the bestsellers and new releases from the digital world. Buy an eBook from Infibeam's eBook store, download it to your Pi and start reading within seconds.

Save Money. Save Earth: Buying eBooks will not only save you money, but you'll also save some trees and preserve our green earth.

Reads Like A Book: With the 6" E Ink (R) display, when you read an eBook on Pi, you won't feel any difference from that of reading a paper book. The 8-level gray scale with no backlit display provides a crisp reading experience everywhere. You can read clearly in broad daylight without any glare.

Local Indian Language Support: Read your favorite texts in Hindi, Sanskrit and most official Indian languages.

More Than A Book: With Pi you get to select your font size for reading. The 4 different font sizes auto-scales the content to fit the screen. You can also bookmark a page or search within the text.

Carry Your Library: Pi can store upto 500 ebooks in its internal storage. For the more voracious readers just add a SD card. A 4GB SD card will store upto 3000 books so that you will never miss your library.

Enjoy Your Favorite Music: Now while you read your favorite author, you can also listen to your favorite band. Pi comes with a pair of earphones and supports a music library.

Games: If you ever get bored of reading you can also enjoy a game of Sudoku. Wait till we add more!

Long Battery Life: With the powerful battery you can read on for days before recharging. Use the universal 100V-240V AC adapter that comes in the package or charge via the USB cable that connects to your computer or any other USB adapter.

Warranty: 1 year exclusive Infibeam.com warranty.

Inside The Box

§                     Pi Reading Device

§                     Micro-USB 2.0 Cable

§                     AC Adapter

§                     Quick Start Guide

§                     Earphones

Inside The Pi

§                     Quick Start Guide

§                     User Manual

§                     Free eBooks

 

 

For more details go to http://infibeam.com/Pi

 

Apple iPad launch by Jobs

YouTube Video

McGraw-Hill CEO confirms Apple iTable release on 27th Jan,2010

“They’ll make their announcement tomorrow on this one,” McGraw said. “We have worked with Apple for quite a while. And the Tablet is going to be based on the iPhone operating system and so it will be transferable. So what you are going to be able to do now is we have a consortium of e-books. And we have 95% of all our materials that are in e-book format on that one. So now with the tablet you’re going to open up the higher education market, the professional market. The tablet is going to be just really terrific.”