Gadget and Techno Updates
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Apple posts first iPad 2 TV ad: ‘We Believe’
Apr 3rd
Apple on Saturday night posted the first-ever TV ad for the iPad 2 (below). The 30-second spot deliberately avoids the push on specs by its rivals and argues that “technology is not enough.” It’s through the natural interfaces of iBooks, GarageBand, and photos that technology “gets out of the way” and creates something special, Apple said.
It recalls a common theme Apple has used at the end of its keynotes. CEO Steve Jobs has usually cast the company as an “intersection of liberal arts and technology,” where creatives and those not locked into the engineer method can make good technology More >
HP posts webOS 2.1 SDK with Veer angle, hybrid apps
Mar 20th
HP on Friday helped developers get started on next-generation webOS hardware with the webOS 2.1 SDK. The kit gives access to Exhibition for Touchstone-based apps, Just Type searches and direct Synergy hooks. Much of the emphasis is on the Veer, HP said; the 320×400 resolution is the same as that for the Pixi, making it possible to port apps from the tiny phone over to the faster, more advanced slider.
The SDK also introduces the first instance of hybrid app support. Titles can now both use the HTML and JavaScript of regular webOS apps but also use C or C++ More >
Microsoft posts countdown to kill off Internet Explorer 6
Mar 6th
Microsoft took the uncharacteristic step of goading users to drop one of its products on Friday. The Windows developer’s countdown page encourages users to stop using Internet Explorer 6 and tracks the progress towards ending its use. It admitted that its attitude towards the web was different in 2001 and that its at times infamous IE6 rendering engine was now a liability.
“Now that were in 2011, in an era of modern web standards, its time to say goodbye,” Microsoft said. “This website is dedicated to watching Internet Explorer 6 usage drop to less than 1% worldwide, so more websites More >
Microsoft posts Windows Phone 7 sync app for Macs
Oct 26th
Microsoft as promised has launched a native tool for Mac users who need to sync Windows Phone 7 devices. Windows Phone Connector for Mac’s beta pulls in unprotected music, photos and podcasts from both iTunes and iPhoto. It also uses Microsoft’s newer Autoupdate feature to check for and load firmware upgrades over USB instead of having to go over-the-air.
The app should work with every current WP7 device regardless of carrier, including devices like the HTC Surround or LG Quantum. Despite the Windows Zune app’s support for media players like the Zune HD, however, the app is reflective of its More >
Intel posts record summer despite PC worries, netbook slump
Oct 13th
Intel this evening reported its best ever quarter. In spite of warnings of a slowdown, its revenue reached an all-time high of $ 11.1 billion. Its operating income reached a similar high of $ 4.1 billion, although its net income was a more modest $ 3 billion.
The results reflected a further shift back towards regular computers and away from netbooks. Intel’s traditional PC group saw its revenue up three percent after getting a record revenue from notebook processors; Xeon processors for servers saw a similar jump. The Atom chip and chipset group, however, saw its revenue drop four percent More >