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HTC Windows Phone 8 Receives its First OS Update

Microsoft has rolled out its first OS update to its Windows Phone 8 offered by HTC. There aren’t many changes but it has a few bug fixes and enhancements in features that you will love. You might scroll up to see the name given to the update once you read through to the end of the article. Yea, update 8.0.10211.204 isn’t something you will want to try memorizing. It could have been something simple like Windows 8.01 or just Windows 8.1 so that we can remember what changes were made to which version. However, having heard that the update has come, we can’t wait to explore what has changed. So, let’s dive right in and check out what’s new about Windows 8.0.10211.204 or what’s called in other words as Portico Update. I hope Portico will be easy for you to remember.

The update will occupy 50MB of space and can be done only from your phone. However, you can do it over Wi-Fi or a mobile network. To update your phone’s OS, access Phone Update under Settings and activate the ‘Notify me when updates are available for my phone’ option.

Answer calls with a message:

The update enables you to answer calls with a pre-typed message. For instance, if you get a call while driving, you can send a message that you are driving instead of answering the call. You can save messages like these as templates and use them whenever necessary. It will be really helpful when you’re in meetings, driving, and so on.

Edit Messages:

You can edit the text messages before forwarding them. Those who were using the old version could not do it and they could only forward the text messages they received just as they were. This is one of the tweaks expected by many users.

Bulk Messaging:

The Portico update enables you to send the same message to multiple numbers in a few taps. You can enter multiple contacts in the recipients field and send it to many people at the same time.

Save Unsent Messages:

If the message you send is not delivered to some recipients, it will automatically save those messages as drafts so that you can send it later.

Delete Browsing History:

You can delete select items from the browsing history. Until now, users had to delete the whole history or keep it as it is. The update lets them delete only the items they want to delete.

Reduced Data Usage:

The Portico update stops the Internet Explorer from automatically downloading pictures, helping you minimize data usage. So, hereon, accessing pictures won’t be counted as downloads.

Advanced Wi-Fi Settings:

The OS can learn from how often you connect it to which Wi-Fi network and automatically make connections when it is taken into the range according to the priority. This will save you a lot of time and you needn’t wait until the phone connects to a Wi-Fi network.

Though these are not major changes, this update addresses the stability issues that many devices had. HTC users can enter the New Year with this update and enjoy sending New Year wishes to many people at the same time.

Travis Ramsy likes writing articles related to Technology News, Gadget Reviews and How To. He also does guest posting for buycharter.com – a site that offers savings and current information on charter cable, as well as charter.com services.

Previewing NVIDIA’s Upcoming ‘Tegra 4 Wayne’ Chipset

Rumors are already hinting that the successor of the Tegra chipset series from NVIDIA will hit the markets very soon. The roadmap of the Tegra chipset was leaked just a few days ago; the latest and confirmed news is that Tegra 4 – code named as Wayne – will hit the markets by the end of this year. However, reliable sources hint a slight delay in the plan. Now it appears like we will see Tegra 4 only by early 2013. And if it’s going to be in 2013, it is highly likely that the Tegra 4 will arrive at the CES 2013 event.

This makes sense because NVIDIA is used to making most of its announcements at the CES – no matter if it’s a state-of-the-art tablet featuring a Tegra 3 chip or a simple chip. And the good thing is, we are now seeing some interesting stats ahead of the much anticipated Tegra 4 chip release – and they are promising.

Here is a preview of some of the leaked information on the hardware and software features of Tegra 4:

CPU – The CPU of Tegra 4 will feature the same 4-plus-1 structure that was present in Tegra 3. But there is an interesting addition to the battery saving functionalities of the chipset – the Cortex-A15 CPU core will be powering the battery life with Patented 5th battery saver.

Graphic capabilities – We expect to see enhanced graphic capabilities in the Tegra 4 chipset. The GPU will be a supercharged 72-core set up and is expected to be 20 times faster than Tegra 2 and six times faster than Tegra 3. This means, users will be able to accomplish their tasks much quicker.

Memory – Tegra 4 will come with a dual channel memory encompassing DDR3L, LPDDR2, and LPDDR3.

Video – The video functionalities will be boosted by a full picture resolution of 1440p, VP8 acceleration, and H.264 HP.

Power – The chipset consumes much less power than its cousin versions. The power unit is comprised of 28nmHPL, 5th battery saver core, and PRISM.

Display – The display unit supports 2560×1600 (24b) displays at a decent resolution of 1080p. Also, there are 8 DSI lanes and a high-speed HDMI module.

Security – Tegra 4 is supercharged with advanced security settings that include an advanced HW accelerated security unit (which includes HDCP, Secure boot, and DRM).

Imaging – The super speed imaging capability is one of the key aspects of the Tegra 4. The imaging functionally of this chipset is capable of clocking more than 350 Megapixels per second.

I/O – The input/output unit of Tegra 4 is designed to render more support to the smartphones and tablets. The I/O unit of the chipset will also encompass dual channel memory and high speed HDMI.

As it is clear that Wayne will be arriving late (probably by early 2013), this could mean that we may see both Wayne and Grey (the next chipset version from NVIDIA) could be released pretty close to each other. So, what do you think about Tegra 4? Is it going to be the ‘next big thing?’
This is a guest post by Jena Branch of Buycox.com, a site that offers savings and current information on cox cable packages.

Related articles

• Nvidia unveils Tegra 4 Processor (techinus.wordpress.com)
• NVIDIA Announces Tegra 4 Mobile Chipset With a 72 Core GPU (thedroidguy.com)
• Nvidia Project Shield announced at CES ’13: an Android-powered handheld gaming console (techinus.wordpress.com)

Nvidia Project Shield announced at CES ’13: an Android-powered handheld gaming console

Thus far, it’s been a pretty good CES – we’ve seen 4K everything, the death of 3D and quite a few new smartphones. Probably the most interesting announcement of the show so far has been Nvidia’s Project Shield, a new Android-powered handheld gaming console. Project Shield is interesting because it wraps two new Nvidia technologies into a rather novel form factor – a clamshell design that pairs a 5″ 720p display mounted above an Xbox 360 style controller, complete with dual analog sticks, buttons and triggers.

The first Nvidia technology that makes Project Shield possible is the Tegra 4 architecture at the console’s heart. This architecture is rumoured to be based on a 28nm process, offering a considerable power and efficiency advantage over last year’s Tegra 3 which uitilised a 40 nm process. The chipset uses a similar 4-plus-1 design, with four high-power cores for intensive tasks and a single low-power companion core that vastly reduces battery drain for easier tasks like playing music or video. The five CPU cores are paired with 72 GPU cores that should produce excellent 3D performance, allowing for excellent looking graphics at a high frame rate. While the quad-core CPU is only expected to run at 1.9 GHz, a small increase over the 1.7 GHz utilised by the highest spec Tegra 3 processors, the performance increase should be considerable.

The incredible hardware on tap with Tegra 4 should allow for impressive Android performance. We saw some brilliant games developed in the Tegra Zone for Tegra 3 devices like the Nexus 7 and the Asus Transformer Prime, like zombie survival shooter Dead Trigger, and that’s set to continue with Tegra 4. By ensuring that game developers have a specific and powerful hardware target, we should be able to see games that eclipse anything that we’ve seen on Android before. And of course, with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and the full Google Play marketplace on tap you won’t be limited to games either – you can watch movies, read magazines and use other apps on the 5″ touchscreen.

Interestingly, it won’t only be Android titles that can be played by Project Shield. Thanks to the titular Nvidia Shield service, you’ll also be able to stream PC games to the handheld console. The display will connect wirelessly to your gaming PC over dual band Wireless N, while the Nvidia Shield service will pass along your inputs made with the Project Shield controller. With the Project Shield, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide range of formerly PC-only videogames from the comfort of your couch. While some titles won’t be suitable for the smaller screen and controller input, most that are built for consoles as well like Call of Duty and Need for Speed should work brilliantly on Project Shield.

The powerful Tegra 4 hardware and clever Nvidia Shield software should make Project Shield a convincing games console for 2013 – although with ever more powerful sim-free smartphones and tablets, Nvidia will definitely not have an easy fight on their hands. While we don’t know precisely when Project Shield will be released and how much it will cost when it is released, it could prove to be an excellent gaming machine and I can’t wait to try one for myself.

Acer Iconia B1 tablet launches at $150

After quite a few weeks of half-hearted leaks, Acer has announced its latest budget Android tablet. Called the Acer Iconia B1-A71, the tablet chiefly impresses through its price, which is expected to be under $150.

In other regards, the tablet is unfortunately mediocre. The Iconia B1 is trading on specs that could perhaps maybe prove a good lower-cost alternative to the Nexus 7, but ultimately don’t seem worthwhile for the small price reduction.

You get a 1.2 GHz Mediatek dual-core processor, 512 MB of RAM, 8 GB of internal storage and a 1024 x 600 7″ touchscreen – about the same specification as the BlackBerry Playbook, then. The Iconia B1 leaked last year with some rather dreadful GLBenchmark results – a mighty 3.3 FPS in the Egypt HD test, and only 18 FPS on the much older Egypt Classic test using the tablet’s native resolution.

At least it runs Jelly Bean, Android 4.1, so you’ll at least have the benefit of being able to use some portion of the 700,000 Android apps available. Although few of these are tablet optimised, and I’m guessing most games won’t run too well on such a slow processor.

Still, the Acer Iconia B1 is still quite cheap. And that’ll make it ideal fodder for less-informed tablet buyers, who are out to get the kids something good for Christmas but don’t want to spend as much money as they would in the case for the iPad 4 or even the Nexus 7.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!

Keeping Grandma/pa Busy with Gadgets

The stereotype that older folks aren’t comfortable with digital technology is a rather unfair and harmful one. True, they were born before these devices actually reached the mass market, and it is also a given that older people are not as nimble with their minds and fingers as toddlers.

Still, many of these devices (we’ll zero in on smartphones and tablets) are intuitively designed, and thus make it easy to master. The touch screen is one of the single most important innovations to these gadgets, as the real world paradigms of touching, dragging, pressing, etc. are realized on these interfaces.

In short, computing has never been as convenient and as easy. There is no excuse why you can’t teach your grandparents on how to use one of these devices to browse the richness of the internet. You owe it to them, the very same people that taught you how to ride a bike, or swing a baseball bat. Now, it’s your turn to teach them something fun. All you need is patience and a handful of useful games and apps:

Big Launcher

biglauncher.com

Let’s start with some of the more obvious hindrances to using a smaller computing device. Even some younger adults find the screen a little hard to read, with the fine fonts and the flashy, intimidating icons.

Big Launcher helps a senior smartphone user navigate through the menus with ease, and it even provides further visual and audio accessibility options that will further help our grandfolks in getting comfy with their digital device.

Fruit Ninja

flickr.com/people/blakespot

There’s nothing as natural as slashing fruit in mid-air with your fingertips. This will definitely bring an instant smile on their faces as virtual sliced fruit chunks fly apart, courtesy of your expert   fruit cutting technique.

Fruit Ninja will provide them lots of fun, but do caution them in not overdoing it, as prolonged gaming may cause eyestrain in even the youngest and healthiest of users.

Catch

catch.com

Keeping track of anything and everything becomes progressively harder as one ages. Fortunately, apps like Catch can help us remember. The interface of this app is very easy to navigate, and you can neatly categorize the things you wish to remember. This includes to-do lists, shopping lists, and time-specific reminders (particularly useful for seniors who need to take their medication).

You don’t need to wait to reach the senior years to use an app like this, install it in your smart device and start collaborating on projects with your beloved senior.

Skype

flickr.com/people/doctorow

Keeping in touch is so much easier to do nowadays, so you should do your best to keep tabs on your grandpas and grandmas. Fortunately, applications like Skype make video conferences easy to do, and it’s way more personal than just a voice conversation.

Don’t use this as a substitute to actual contact with them, however. Your grandparents are on their way out, so do take the time to be with them and share your quality time. If in certain situations that is not possible (you’re out at sea, or you’re an astronaut), video conferencing will have to do.

These are just a few of the numerous applications for smart devices available, and there are hundreds more being developed even as we speak. What is important is that they facilitate human interaction and improve productivity (except maybe games).

Your grandparents will appreciate these programs as they will improve their quality of life and enjoyment. You should pitch in and give them a smartphone or tablet as a present (you don’t need to go bankrupt, there are lots of affordable smart gadgets out there), install these and other useful apps (senior citizen-specialized medical apps are something you should also check out), and teach them how to make it work.

Hug your grandmas and grandpas today. Take care!

About the Author

Stacey Thompson is a professional writer, marketer, entrepreneur, and a lover of weird little animals. She is based in San Diego, California, and is working on her gang’s blog, Word Baristas.

CES 2013: Qualcomm Launches Flagship Snapdragon 800 Processor

Qualcomm used its first CES keynote to launch its new flagship mobile processor, the Snapdragon 800. Designed for the demands of high-end smartphones and tablets, the new chip boasts 75% better performance than Qualcomm’s previous top-of-the-line chip, the Snapdragon S4.

Qualcomm created the 800 to deliver the best mobile experience possible while still maintaining good battery life. Said to be capable of speeds up to 2.3 GHz, the 800 is built around the company’s quad-core Krait 400 CPU.

A new graphics processor, the Adreno 330 GPU is twice as powerful as its predecessor.

Nvidia unveils Tegra 4 Processor

Nvidia has just announced its next-generation Tegra 4 processor for smartphones, tablets, and notebooks. The Tegra 4, like its predecessor, features a quad-core processor along with a fifth, low power, core to save battery life. The company’s CEO Jen-Hsun Huang says that Tegra 4 is the world’s fastest mobile processor, surpassing everything currently on the market.

Nvidia hasn’t revealed the clock speed of the Tegra 4′s processor yet.

Nvidia says its new system-on-a-chip isn’t just for making your games faster.

Nokia Lumia firmware source shuttered

If you were among the hard-core Windows Phone fans that would look to get firmware updates before they were properly released, we’ve got some bad news for you. According to Slovakian website SmartMobil, Nokia is planning to restrict access to the Navifirm service that often allowed early downloads of upcoming Nokia firmwares, including those for the Finnish company’s Lumia line of Windows Phone 7 and 8 smartphones.

For now, it’s still possible to get earlier firmware in the same way – just download the NaviFirm Plus tool, connect to the server, search for your Nokia device, then download the firmware from the tool.

But at the end of the month, that’s set to change. Starting in February, you’ll need a “Nokia Online” login in order to access both application and firmware updates. The announcement made doesn’t seem to make clear whether this would be a standard aNokia account, or one that would be restricted to actual developers.

It does seem likely that you’ll have to jump through a few more hoops to get your fix of hot-off-the-press Nokia firmwares, though.  While I’m sure at least one developer with access will leak the firmware, it does open the system up to potential problems – a hostile developer might release malware in the guise of the latest system update as a trap for those who go looking for it early, for example. We’ll have to hope that Nokia choose a reasonable process for allowing access to the firmware, as it’s a great resource as present to get timely updates from a trusted source.

This article is brought to you by Will of Mobile Fun – the UK’s leader in Nokia Lumia 920 accessories, which will doubtful prove useful in the face of this sudden dearth of virtual Lumia upgrades!

Samsung expands Silicon Valley crib with 1.1 million square foot R&D center

Reblogged from The Daily Feed:

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the most extravagant flashy lifestyle, the deluxe villa, the fly palace of Samsung Semiconductor Inc. It only exists as a pile of architects' drawings right now, and probably looks nothing like the Minecraft wonderment shown above, but when it's finished the 10-story San Jose structure will boast the following:

• A new sales and R&D center, built in the stead of some existing Samsung offices, with floor space totaling 1.1 million square feet.

Read more… 123 more words