AfterDawn: Tech news

Latest news

AfterDawn: News

Latest Pokemon sales crush estimates

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 21 Sep 2010 5:53

Latest Pokemon sales crush estimates Nintendo and Game Freak launched the latest Pokemon games (Black and White) on September 18th in Japan, and according to el33tonline, sales have crushed all estimates.

Pokemon, since its launch in the 90s, has long been one of Nintendo's biggest cash cows, bringing in strong sales for every new iteration of the franchise.

The latest games have all-new Pokemon, a fully revamped visual style, new ways to connect online, and even new battling options, giving the series a serious makeover for the first time in years.

Pre-orders for the game exceeded 1 million and the source says 2.63 million units of the game were sold in its first 48 hours of release.

The last releases, 2009's HeartGold/SoulSilver sold 3,382,597 copies, total.




AfterDawn: News

Video Daily: 'HTC Mozart' Windows Phone 7 device has specs leaked

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 21 Sep 2010 5:26

Video Daily: 'HTC Mozart' Windows Phone 7 device has specs leaked WMPU has posted the full specs for the upcoming HTC 'Mozart' smartphone this week, along with video of its playback.

The device is one of the first Windows Phone 7 smartphones, Microsoft's final chance to stop the erosion of their mobile OS market share.

Leaked specs show the Mozart running on a 1GHz Qualcomm QSD 8250 along with 512MB ROM and 576MB RAM and a 3.7-inch WVGA Super LCD display .

The smartphone has 8GB of internal memory and an 8MP CMOS camera with Xenon Flash.

Furthermore, Mozart is dual mode UMTS/HSPA (2100/900) and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz).




AfterDawn: News

Nokia exec takes shot at Android

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 21 Sep 2010 5:12

Nokia exec takes shot at Android One of Nokia's top mobile phone division executives, Anssi Vanjoki, has taken a shot at Android today, just weeks before the exec leaves the company.

Vanjoki likened manufacturers who use Android to "Finnish boys who pee their pants for warmth in the winter," calling the OS sloppy.

Continuing on, the exec said Android would eventually hurt the branding of the manufacturers, as consumers will eventually begin purchasing phones for the mobile OS, not caring about the phone maker.

While Vanjoki may have some point to his rant, the fact of the matter remains that there are no Symbian^3 or MeeGo devices on the market, while there are plenty of Android devices now, with many of them being synonymous with their manufacturer, such as the Motorla Droid line, and the HTC Incredible.

Anssi Vanjoki is, for the time being, Nokia's executive vice president and general manager of mobile solutions.




AfterDawn: News

Edit your Google Docs via Android devices, iPad

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 21 Sep 2010 4:53

Edit your Google Docs via Android devices, iPad Google has said today that mobile editing capabilities for Google Docs are headed to Android devices and the Apple iPad in the near future.

Enterprise President Dave Girouard said the new feature should be implemented within weeks.

Girouard added that Google Apps now has 3 million business customers, and most would appreciate the ability to edit their documents saved to Google Docs.

"In the next few weeks, co-workers around the world will soon be able to co-edit files simultaneously from an even wider array of devices," noted the Enterprise president.

Currently, users can only view their documents.




AfterDawn: News

Zune marketplace expands to UK

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 21 Sep 2010 4:36

Zune marketplace expands to UK Microsoft has announced this week that they will be expanding the Zune music and movie store to the UK this fall, giving users in the region a chance to visit the Zune Marketplace.

Additionally, UK consumers can soon use the Zune Passmusic subscription service, which gives you unlimited downloads and streaming for £8.99 as long as you keep the subscription.

The move coincides with the upcoming release of Window Phone 7 devices, and the content will be synced through the phones as well as through Xbox Live.

Says Craig Eisler, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business Group: "The integration between Zune, Windows Phone 7 and Xbox Live is an exciting advance in our entertainment offering."

"Zune enables users access to the entertainment they want, wherever they want it - and now, more people than ever will be able to enjoy the freedom and flexibility that the Zune service offers."

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Twitter ravaged by XSS exploit

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 21 Sep 2010 4:18

Twitter ravaged by XSS exploit Popular micro-blogging site Twitter was hit pretty hard today by a newly exposed site exploit, with hundreds of thousands of users affected.

The "onMouseOver" incident, as dubbed by Twitter itself, started early in the morning (around 6 am EST) and was all patched by 12 pm EST, with the main problems fixed by 10 am.

Twitter says the security exploit was caused by cross-site scripting (XSS), which is "the practice of placing code from an untrusted website into another one."

In the case of this morning, hackers submitted javascript code as plain text in tweets that was then executed when others clicked it.

Twitter explains further: "Early this morning, a user noticed the security hole and took advantage of it on Twitter.com. First, someone created an account that exploited the issue by turning tweets different colors and causing a pop-up box with text to appear when someone hovered over the link in the Tweet. This is why folks are referring to this an “onMouseOver” flaw -- the exploit occurred when someone moused over a link."

The exploit only affected users of the Twitter website, with 3rd-party platforms and the mobile versions of the site being unaffected.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

AT&T launches pre-paid data plans

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 21 Sep 2010 1:25

AT&T launches pre-paid data plans AT&T has launched new pre-paid data plans for netbooks and notebooks, dubbed DataConnect Pass.

The service will not require a multi-year contract.

A one-day pass, up to 100MB, will cost $15, a week-long pass and 300MB will cost $30, and a monthly pass (1GB) will cost $50.

"Demand for high-functioning, lightweight, mobile computing devices remains strong among consumers and small business customers who want access to the Internet while on the go," says David Haight, VP of product development, AT&T emerging devices. "By offering the DataConnect Pass Plans, customers receive added value, choice, and flexibility to decide when to consume data within the parameters of their personal budget, for a more consumer-centric and convenient experience."

Additionally, the company has launched three new netbooks, all ranging between 10.1 and 11.6 inches, and weighing about 3 pounds.




AfterDawn: News

Sony launches 'Classics by Request' service

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 21 Sep 2010 12:23

Sony launches 'Classics by Request' service Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has launched "Screen Classics by Request" this week, an online service that allows classic movie fans to purchase films from Columbia Picture's catalog, on-demand, for the first time ever.

Visitors to www.Columbia-Classics.com can choose to purchase films released as far back as the 1930s, on-demand, for $20 plus shipping.

Some films are even available in Blu-ray and include the original theatrical box art when available.

The on-demand program will allow the studios to bring the the content to the market in the most cost-effective way, only when the consumer actually wants it.

"The launch of ‘Screen Classics By Request’ is an important step in the evolution of our multiplatform distribution strategy," adds John Calkins, EVP of global digital and commercial innovation with SPHE.




AfterDawn: News

Amazon makes bid for 'Lovefilm'

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 20 Sep 2010 9:45

Amazon makes bid for 'Lovefilm' Amazon has bid 199 million pounds for the large European movie-rental company Lovefilm, says The Sunday Times, although both companies have declined comment.

The world's largest e-tailer already owns a 42 percent stake of the rental company.

In 2008, Amazon merged its European rental operation with Lovefilm's, while at the same time buying the stake of one of the company's venture capitalists.

Earlier this year, Lovefilm announced it was ramping up its digital movie services, making deals with Sony and Samsung for on-demand streaming.

Every few months, Amazon is rumored to be purchasing Neflix, the largest rental company in the United States.




AfterDawn: News

Apple's new deal with Rovi evidence of upcoming Apple HDTV?

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 20 Sep 2010 7:21

Apple's new deal with Rovi evidence of upcoming Apple HDTV? Apple has signed a new confidential licensing deal with Rovi today, a deal that has at least one analyst claiming Apple will release a Web-connected HDTV with live TV and DVR in the future.

Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray calls the deal strong evidence of an upcoming HDTV.

Rovi is the company behind the interactive program guide used by many cable/satellite operators and set-top box makers.

Says Munster (via AI): "We believe this announcement is further evidence that Apple is developing live TV and DVR features for its Apple TV product, and will likely launch an all-in-one Apple Television in the next 2-4 years. Following its deal with Rovi, Apple would be clear to add live TV, DVR and guidance features to its Apple TV product, which we believe is a critical step towards an all-in-one Apple Television."

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

'Halo Reach' users seeing disc read errors

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 20 Sep 2010 5:46

'Halo Reach' users seeing disc read errors Microsoft has noted today that some Halo Reach users have been experiencing disc read errors when trying to play the popular game.

"We are aware of a very small number of customers reporting that their copy of Halo Reach is causing a 'disc read' error," says the software giant. "Those affected should contact Microsoft customer support at 1-800-4MY-XBOX for troubleshooting assistance."

Most users with the issue are playing on a 20GB Xbox 360 Pro which was on sale from late 2005 until 2008.

A minority amount of users also reported issues with the 120GB Xbox 360 Elite.

Halo Reach is a prequel to the original Halo, the original Xbox's second-highest selling game.




AfterDawn: News

Apple approves iPhone Google Voice related apps

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 20 Sep 2010 12:20

Apple approves iPhone Google Voice related apps Two apps that access the Google Voice service have now appeared in the iPhone App Store, marking the first time such GV-related apps have been seen in the store since July 2009, when the official GV app was declined by Apple.

The two apps are GV Mobile + and GV Connect, approved after Apple revised its App Store Review Guidelines earlier in the month.

Google's own official Voice application has still not been accepted, however.

Last year, Apple did not accept Google Voice into the App Store, without actually rejecting it. The company just kept Voice "in consideration."

That "in consideration" stage lasted for almost a year, including an FCC inquiry into Apple's App Store application process.




AfterDawn: News

'Good Old Games' shuts down

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 19 Sep 2010 11:45

'Good Old Games' shuts down Good Old Games, the European gaming company that gives gamers the chance to download old PC games that are very hard to find legally or have been abandoned, has shut down this week, just two years after going live.

The company provided titles from as far back as the early 80's in a downloadable format that was completely DRM-free. The games were also reasonably priced, ranging from $5.99 to $9.99 per title.

Additionally, once you had purchased the title, you could download it whenever you wanted, all the times you wanted.

A statement on the site now says: "We have recently had to give serious thought to whether we could really keep GOG.com the way it is. We've debated on it for quite some time and, unfortunately, we've decided that GOG.com simply cannot remain in its current form."

While the service is now closed, the owners seem to leave some optimism for the future of the company.

Reads the end of the statement: "This doesn't mean the idea behind GOG.com is gone forever. We're closing down the service and putting this era behind us as new challenges await."




AfterDawn: News

Intel to charge $50 to fully unlock their CPUs

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 19 Sep 2010 11:20

Intel to charge $50 to fully unlock their CPUs Intel has begun testing a new way to fleece consumers of their money, selling "upgrade cards" that will allow buyers to fully unlock CPUs they have just purchased.

The first CPU added to the program is the cheap Pentium G6951 processor, which for an $50 upgrade card, can be unlocked to a full 1MB of L3 cache and HyperThreading support.

Each of those features are on the chip from the get-go, but stay hidden unless you buy the upgrade codes.

Once you purchase the upgrade code, you head to Intel's site, enter the code and run some software to unlock the full features.

Intel says it is currently only "testing this upgrade mechanism at the budget end of the market in selected markets."




AfterDawn: News

Apple bringing iPhone 4 to China this month, iPad now available

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 19 Sep 2010 10:36

Apple bringing iPhone 4 to China this month, iPad now available China Unicom has said it will begin selling the popular Apple iPhone 4 in China beginning this coming Saturday, the 25th.

The carrier says it has already taken 50,000 pre-orders for the smartphone.

In separate news, the carrier began selling the iPad tablet on Friday, with Apple Stores being bombarded by consumers.

Apple's store in Beijing had fans waiting since Tuesday to be the first to get the device, and a similar line is expected for the iPhone.

Says David Han, one of the first to get a tablet: "I came straight here from work on Tuesday to be first in line. I could have bought an imported gray-market or pirated iPad, but I waited to buy the iPad directly from an Apple Retail Store."

So far, Apple is only selling the Wi-Fi model of the iPad with the Wi-Fi/3G model listed as "coming soon."





  Newer entries Older entries  

News archive