July, 2011

BBC iPlayer hits Europe but only on iPad

July 28, 2011 9:35 am by Mic Wright

Categories: Apps & Software Tags: Apple, BBC, Europe, global, iPad, iPlayer

The BBC promised an international iPlayer service this year and today it has delivered. The first global iPlayer app is available in 11 European countries today and limited to the iPad. The move is part of a one-year pilot scheme that will expand to include the US, Canada and Australia later this year.

A global iPlayer app subscription costs either €6.99 (£6.14) a month or €49.99 (£44) for a full year, around a third of the cost of an annual UK licence fee. While the app shares the same look and feel as the domestic service, the way it works and the content it includes will be different.

Read on to discover what our European cousins will get for their cash including a major feature British viewers don’t have yet…

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Motorola Droid Bionic launch date rumors: August or September?

July 27, 2011 5:23 pm by Nick Marshall

Categories: Mobile Phones Tags: Android, Apple iPhone 5, Droid Bionic, Motorola, Motorola Droid Bionic

The Motorola Droid Bionic has seen a long and windy road since its arrival at CES in Las Vegas. As we near seven months since first handling the only smartphone with superhuman strength, we’re now hearing that an August release is out and early September is in. Does Motorola really want to go head-to-head with the iPhone 5?

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Mac OS X Lion password PSA: disable automatic login now!

July 27, 2011 4:58 pm by Nick Marshall

Categories: Computers & Accessories Tags: FireWire, imac, Mac, macbook air, os x lion, snow leopard

Mac OS X Lion’s “automatic login” feature may have a dirty little secret. According to Passware, a leading password recovery firm, “automatic login” leaves OS X Lion passwords ripe for the picking via the direct memory access associated with the Mac’s FireWire port. Here’s what you need to know.

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Electronic Arts first quarter profits soar 130 percent thanks to FIFA 11

July 27, 2011 4:12 pm by Nick Marshall

Categories: Gaming Tags: Battlefield 3, EA Sports, Electronic Arts, FIFA 11, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Maybe Electronic Arts should consider licensing LG’s slogan because without a doubt, life’s good. The company just recorded first quarter profits of $221 million (£134 million), up 130 percent compared to the $96 million (£58 million) from the year ago quarter. With Star Wars: The Old Republic breaking the company’s pre-order records and Battlefield 3 pre-orders nearly ten times that of its predecessor, the studio has a serious case of winning.

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Intel ultrabooks begin mass production this September: Are the days numbered for the MacBook Air?

July 27, 2011 3:36 pm by Nick Marshall

Categories: Computers & Accessories Tags: Acer, Asustek, Core i7, Dell, intel, Lenovo, macbook air, Ultrabook

The 2011 MacBook Air line will face stiff competition from Acer, Asustek, Dell and Lenovo very soon according to a report from DigiTimes. The industry insider has confirmed mass production of Intel-powered ultrabooks are scheduled for September. Leading the charge will be the Asus UX21 with its Core i7 processor and SanDisk SSD.

Since the Asus UX21 will be the first Intel ultrabook to come to market, it’s only fitting that we retouch its highlights. The UX21 features a second generation Intel i7 mobile processor, the same chip offered as an optional upgrade on the new MacBook Airs. It also features a 13-inch display, USB 3.0, weighs 2.4 lbs and is 17mm at its thickest point. Like the MacBook Air, it lacks an optical drive and uses a SSD for instant on and speedy boot times.

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Samsung Galaxy S II shatters sales records, reaches five million mark in just 85 days

July 27, 2011 3:04 pm by Nick Marshall

Categories: Mobile Phones Tags: Android, galaxy s, korea, Samsung Galaxy S 2, Samsung Galaxy S II

There’s no doubt about it, the world loves the Samsung Galaxy S II. Global sales of the smartphone hit the five million unit mark on July 22nd, just 85 days after its release. This is 40 days faster than its predecessor, the original Galaxy S. You are now looking at a smartphone which commands 56 percent of Korea’s mobile phone market.

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HTC EVO 3D and Vodafone part ways, delays to blame

July 27, 2011 2:41 pm by Nick Marshall

Categories: Mobile Phones Tags: Android, HTC EVO 3D, LG Optimus 3D, uk, Vodafone

If you were hoping to get your hands on the HTC EVO 3D this summer, we’ve got a bit of bad news. Vodafone has decided to scratch the launch because of a series of “delays to bring the phone to market.” There will be no 3D love from HTC hitting the UK after all.

The HTC EVO 3D has seen a particularly unusual transition from CDMA to GSM. After launching in the US on Sprint’s network, the EVO 3D was quickly addressed overseas with the release of the LG Optimus 3D. To date, neither device has captured the level of interest of the 2D handsets they’ve replaced. Read more

Banksy iPhone app maps out his masterpieces

July 27, 2011 11:35 am by Mic Wright

Categories: Apps & Software Tags: Apple, banksy, iPhone, iTunes App Store

Hunting down Banksy pieces in the wild was once a matter of dumb luck or just living in the right bit of London. No longer! The Banksy Locations iPhone app has arrived in the App Store with a huge gallery of his work with their locations plotted out on Google Maps. Tap your current location and the app will show you how close you are to daubings by the mysterious paint can wrangler.

As well as giving you directions to Banksy art, the app includes videos and news updates. We’re not entirely sure how involved Banksy himself was with the creation of the app (we suspect not at all) but if you’re wondering whether he’s been drawn to your manor, it’s a handy way to find out. Once you’ve found a Banksy you want to see in the flesh, the app will give you directions right to it. Just think of it as a graffiti-obsessed tour guide.

Out now | £1.49 | iTunes

July, 2011

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