More update problems for the Windows Phone 7

30 April 2011 1:08 PM
More update problems for Windows Phone 7

Samsung Omnia 7 (Credit - Samsung)

It may be more of a stumble than a full-on trip, but Microsoft is having a bit more technical trouble with it’s Windows Phone 7 update.

Microsoft’s Michael Stroh, who writes for the Windows blog, acknowledged yesterday that the company stopped sending updates to Samsung Omnia 7 phones. Those are the same phones that were rendered useless, or “bricked,” when Microsoft started to roll out the so-called NoDo update in February.

“The team discovered a technical issue with the update package for this model.” Stroh wrote in a reply to questions posted on the Windows Phone blog. His reply was first reported by the WinRumors website.

Stroh said Microsoft is working to fix the problem. “The work of fixing and testing the package is nearly done, and the team hopes to resume update deliveries soon” Stroh wrote. “When I know more about the timing, I’ll pass it along.”

The update problems seem limited to the Samsung phones. According to Microsoft’s Where’s my phone update Web page, the company is delivering the update to most other Windows Phone 7 devices at this point.

The company really can’t afford any more missteps with the update. After the initial software push that bricked the Samsung phones, Microsoft pulled the update to fix some bugs.

Apple Confirms White iPhone 4 Coming Tomorrow?

27 April 2011 2:23 PM
White iPhone 4 Coming Tomorrow?

White iPhone 4 Coming Tomorrow?

It’s finally coming! Apple has officially confirmed the long-awaited white iPhone 4. The mythical device will be available, April 28, on both AT&T and Verzion and in 28 countries.

Pricing is exactly the same as the black iPhone 4 with a two year contract. The device will be available in a 16GB and 32GB model.

Press release after the break..

“The white iPhone 4 has finally arrived and it’s beautiful,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “We appreciate everyone who has waited patiently while we’ve worked to get every detail right.”

Pricing & Availability

“White models of iPhone 4 will be available in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Macau, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK and the US, beginning Thursday, April 28 and in many more countries around the world soon. White iPhone 4 will be available for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) for the 16GB model and $299 (US) for the 32GB model with a new two year agreement through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), at Apple’s retail stores, AT&T and Verizon Wireless stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers.”

Will you be picking up the new White iPhone 4 Tomorrow? let us know in the comments below.

Nintendo has announced it will launch a new version of its Wii console in 2012.

26 April 2011 2:56 PM
new, Wii console in 2012?

new, Wii console in 2012?

Nintendo has announced it will launch a new version of its Wii console in 2012.

No technical details about the machine have been revealed, but gamers will get an early preview at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles in June, The original Wii proved a runaway hit for Nintendo when it launched five years ago. However, sales have been gradually declining in the face of tough competition from PlayStation, XBox 360 and mobile gaming platforms.

Wii was the first console of the current generation to offer motion controlled gameplay. In the past year, Microsoft has introduced its Kinect system for XBox, while Sony launched PlayStation Move.

Nintendo’s chief executive, Satoru Iwata suggested that his company was preparing a fresh innovation.

“It will offer a new way of playing games within the home.” he said.

Gameplay
Some observers had speculated that the Wii 2 would simply update the existing machine, adding a handful of features such as high definition graphics.

However Johnny Minkley, an editor at Eurogamer.net, believes that Nintendo could be planning a broader redesign.

“The talk was about Wii HD, but I do not see Nintendo doing that. It will do something more innovative.” he told BBC News.

Mr Minkley noted that Nintendo marketed the original Wii around its motion-sensing handset, rather than technical specifications – something he expects to see repeated.

“PlayStation 3 and XBox 360 were part of the graphics arms race.

“Nintendo would never launch a console based on the strength of hardware. Theirs has to have a gameplay point to it,” he said.

Sales slump
The Wii took an early lead in the battle of the consoles soon after it launched in late 2006.

A combination of its relatively low price and its appeal to non-traditional gamers – including women and older players – helped the company sell 20m units in the first year.

In the financial year 2009/10, Nintendo shipped 20.1m Wii consoles. However, that fell to 15.1m in 2010/11.

Market data suggested that Wii’s share of new console sales had slipped to second place behind Sony’s PS3

In the first three months of 2011, PS3 held a 36% share, compared with 32% for the Wii and 31% for XBox 360.

Well, this could be interesting let us know what you think in the comments below.

April Fools’ Day roundup: Google overload edition

2 April 2011 2:57 AM

April Fools' Day roundup: Google overload edition

April 1st. It’s that time of the year again when the internet is rife with odd news and pranks. As before, news sites like us end up with a healthy stream of tips throughout April Fools’ Day (thanks, by the way), so let us round up some of the best findings for your comedic appetite. Contenders include the usual suspects like Google and ThinkGeek, the former of which dominating the gigglesphere this year with some new “features.” We also have some interesting submissions from Hulu, a font company, and probably plenty more to come as the day progresses, so keep watching this space as we add new entries to this post. Right, let the fun commence after the break.

First up, we have several new features from Google, starting with Gmail Motion and Docs Motion which offer “intuitive, ergonomic” gesture control to replace your outdated keyboard-and-mouse combo. But if you’re more of a Google Voice person, then you might find the Voice-alyzer handy — it’s simply an anti-drunk calling or texting tool for those special nights out. Come on, we’ve all been there.

Also from Mountain View is a new job listing for a Google Autocompleter. That’s right, turns out every single search on Google is actively monitored by human staffers, who are able to provide instant suggestions for your incomplete entries. Have a look at what autocomplete veteran Michael Taylor has to say about his exciting duty.

Justin Bieber sings Rebecca Black’s “Friday” Britney Spears “Baby One More Time” [+Video]

31 March 2011 2:00 AM

Justin Bieber sings Rebecca Black's "Friday" Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time" [+Video]

Remember when Rebecca Black asked Justin Bieber to sing a duet with her a few weeks ago? Well, her dream may have come true when the Canadian pop star sang a few bars of her absurdly catchy single “Friday” at a recent concert.

Apparently, the 13-year-old singer has created a shrine to the Biebs in her room.

At the concert, Bieber asked the fans if they wanted to hear his mega-hit “Baby”

Then he started singing Britney Spears‘ “Baby One More Time” before doing it into his own songs. Watch the video below.

On Wednesday, the 17-year-old, currently on tour in Europe, continued to josh his fandom via Twitter:

“so here is the big news they were waiting for me to announce to u once off stage….” – He tweeted.

“OFFICIALLY getting #NEVERSAYNEVER3D to Blu-ray & DVD May13th. Preorder NOW – http://j.mp/getNSN and I’m signing some for my fans!” #MUCHLOVE” he then added.

Video: Justin Bieber sings Rebecca Black’s “Friday” Britney Spears “Baby One More Time” [+Video]
Date: Nottingham March 24th – Tour

Oh, Justin, you tease them so.

Do share your thoughts in the comments below.