Latest news

Does Nvidia have plans to get into the PC vendor market?

Nvidia has filed a patent for a "portable computer system," a mini device that will be the size of a USB flash drive.

The PCS will pack a Tegra processor, flash storage, RAM, one USB port, LAN, WiFi and another interface like HDMI.

Most notably, the computer will be just 40-60 mm long, 10-20 mm wide and 5-10 mm thick.

The idea of the computer is to bring it anywhere, connect it to a TV or monitor and perform tasks with a computer that uses only 10 watts.

Additionally, the price would be under $100.

This morning a new Gmail app from Google was added to the iTunes App Store. A short time later it was yanked due to user complaints.

Among other features, the app improves on the experience of using Gmail through the standard iOS email client by supporting push notifications.

In order to enable push notifications in the default client you have to use a workaround which involves setting it up as an Exchange Server.

Push notification allows an email server to send out data on its own schedule, rather than waiting until a client requests it.

An explanation of the app's problems on the company blog doesn't go into detail or give a time table for a planned fix. It reads:

Earlier today we launched a new Gmail app for iOS. Unfortunately, it contained a bug which broke notifications and caused users to see an error message when first opening the app. We?ve removed the app while we correct the problem, and we?re working to bring you a new version soon. Everyone who?s already installed the app can continue to use it.

According to TechCrunch, the problems include push notification not working and a lack of support for multiple accounts.

With all the attention Apple's lawsuits against companies like Samsung and HTC have gotten, it's easy to forget they aren't limiting themselves to targeting multinational megacorporations.

One of the smaller companies they have gone after in Spain has successfully defended themselves against accusations they violated Apple's EU Community Design rights for the iPad.

As we've detailed in the past, the design Apple registered with the EU Office For Harmonization In The Internal Market is nothing more than a thin, rectangular tablet with rounded corners, a bezel around the display, and various external connectors on the edges.

Click on a thumnail to see a larger image

Google's poorly kept secret is now live.

After showing off a preview in July and having leaked screenshots hit the Web for weeks, Gmail's new look is now live.

On the bottom right of your Gmail there will be a little clickable button that says "Switch to the new look."

The new Gmail will have streamlined conversations:

Conversation view has been completely redesigned to help you read through your email threads. You?ll now see profiles pictures for your contacts, so it?s easier to keep track of who said what. We also stripped out as much as possible so you can focus on communicating with your friends and colleagues.

It will also have "elastic density:"

We know that you use Gmail from a variety of screen sizes and devices, so now the spacing between elements on the screen will automatically change based on the kind of display you?re using. If you prefer a denser view all the time, you can change your density manually in the Settings menu.

New HD themes are provided by iStockphoto. Old themes are still carried over from existing Gmail.

Sees fourth consecutive annual loss.

Sony has announced today that the company will see a $1.2 billion annual loss, compared to the $800 million profit they expected.

Additionally, the company has cut its TV, Blu-ray and PC sales targets due to the floods in Thailand.

TV sales have been lowered to 20 million units from 22 million and the floods will also delay the launch of new cameras, which combined will hurt profit expectations by $320 million.

In an effort to turn-around the struggling TV division, the company will write down the value of some facilities, launch less models and cut marketing expenses over the next two years.

Since 2003, the company has lost a shocking $6.15 billion from its TV division, alone.

Like with all Japanese companies, Sony is struggling with the strong yen, which reached levels not seen since World War II last week and is cutting severely into earnings.

Barnes & Noble may do the unexpected and beat the $199 price set by the upcoming Kindle Fire.

Next week the company will launch its Nook Color 2 e-reader/tablet next week.

Analysts now believe that B&N must beat Amazon on price to stay relevant:

The issue [facing Barnes & Noble] is price and availability of content, which is the key issue for all tablets going forward.

Additionally, the company could (and should) announce a sub-$100 touch reader sequel to their own popular Nook Touch Simple, say the analysts, in an effort to rival Amazon's new Kindles.

There have been rumors that the Nook Color could incorporate a quad-core Tegra 3 processor and Android 4.0 but those seem to be wishful speculation, at best.

For now, expect a tablet similar to the Nook Color, with Android 2.3, and a $189-199 price tag.

Rockstar has released the first Grand Theft Auto V trailer today.

Going back to its roots, the game will take place in San Andreas.

GTA V will include an environment based on California and the trailer shows off planes, jetskis, police chases, bank robberies and bad sweaters.

Not to mention, the graphics look fantastic.

Check it here:

Despite Activision's best efforts, the game has now been leaked for PC and Xbox 360, a week before launch.

Earlier this week we reported that one disc of the two-disc PC game was stolen from a factory in California and leaked to the web.

Today, the Xbox 360 version has been leaked, as well, 6 days before the game's official retail launch.

The NFO of the leak, Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 XGD3 0800 REGION FREE-P2P says:

Region Free
Stealth patched
Ixtreme Compatible [LT+2.0 required]
XGD3 0800
SSV2

Remember you risk the chance of being permanently banned, or worse, if you download and play this version.

Rovio says gamers play 300 million minutes per day.

Angry Birds, the runaway success mobile game, has hit 500 million total global downloads this week, in just under 2 years of availability.

There are now three versions of the game, the original Angry Birds, Angry Birds Seasons (updated for new holidays) and Angry Birds Rio, a tie-in of the animated movie.

The game is available for iOS, Android, the Chrome browser, PCs, macs, webOS, the PS3 and Symbian.

Overall, gamers have played "200,000 man years of Angry Birds," says the developer.

Says the CEO (via GPro)

This is a fantastic landmark achievement for us, and we're extremely delighted to see such an incredible amount of people enjoying our games. We remain committed to creating more fun experiences and bringing exceptional quality to Angry Birds fans everywhere.

If a leaked Verizon roadmap is to be believed, the much-hyped Galaxy Nexus flagship phone has been delayed until Black Friday.

After being delayed for a few days after the death of Steve Jobs, Samsung and Google triumphantly launched the smartphone last month, the first to come with Android 4.0 ICS, the company's biggest firmware update yet.

The phone was set to be released on November 10th but Samsung then announced it would be pushed until the 17th. Now it appears eager buyers will have to wait another week, until Black Friday.

Here is the leaked roadmap (via Droid_life):

MOG, the unlimited music streaming service, had a good month and plans for bigger one this month.

In September, social networking giant Facebook launched their music platform which allows users to stream and share music via Spotify, Turntable.fm, Vevo, MOG and others.

Thanks to the integration, MOG saw 264 percent growth, moving to 160,000 average users in October.

The company says the growth isn't just a spike, and they now expect an average 2 million users by the end of the year.

MOG offers a free version of the streaming service to Facebook users.

"This is the best distribution platform we've ever had," noted MOG CEO David Hyman.

The Pentagon has finally decided on its first secure Android device, and its a defunct one.

Dell's now defunct Streak 5 smartphone is now certified for secure unclassified communications.

The Defense Information System Agency (DISA) began working with Dell a year ago to certify the device to provide to personnel.

Unfortunately for those personnel, the device is no longer supported by Dell and runs on the very outdated Android 2.2.

Government rules for enhanced security means the phones have remote wipe ability, password protection that will wipe the device after 5 incorrect entries, and the Streak's security can be monitored remotely by the Pentagon's IT team.

Apple has noted today that the iPhone 4S is headed to 15 new countries on November 11th.

The device will be made available in Hong Kong, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, Malta, Montenegro, New Zealand, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania and South Korea.

Pre-order on the device in those nations begin on November 4th.

Currently, the iPhone 4S is available in 29 countries and Apple says it will be available in 70 by Christmas.

For more info on the 4S click here.

While RIM continues its long fall from the top.

HTC topped all other smartphone vendors for the Q3 2011, barely beating out Apple and Samsung.

RIM, maker of the once-popular BlackBerry, fell to under 10 percent for the first time since it was created.

The Taiwanese company took 24 percent share for the quarter edging out Samsung at 21 percent.

Apple came in third at 20 percent, mainly due to the fact that fans waited out purchasing a device in order to get their hands on the iPhone 4S.

Overall, HTC shipped 5.7 million devices and Samsung shipped 4.9 million.

Republic Wireless has announced it will launch a cellular and VoIP service next week that promises unlimited 3G data, texting and voice for just $19 a month.

The only real catch is you will need a special Android handset from the vendor.

Calls and texts can be sent over Wi-Fi or over cell service.

The concept of Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) is certainly not new, but it has also never been this cheap.

In order to supply the service, Republic will purchase wholesale minutes from third-party carriers like Sprint or T-Mobile. The company's own VoIP service handles the rest.

(Screenshot via Om)