Today marks the day the PS Vita has officially hit retail stores in North America and Latin Americas, and boy, has it been a long time coming since it’s original announcement back in January 2011. Now that the PS Vita has hit store shelves, I couldn’t help but tear open my PS Vita box and get to using the system early this morning to see if all of the hype surrounding the device was well worth the wait. Firstly, let’s get the specs out of the way. The PS Vita … Read more
Hands-on: PS Vita originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2012-02-22T21:01:23Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j
Today marks the day the PS Vita has officially hit retail stores in North America and Latin Americas, and boy, has it been a long time coming since it’s original announcement back in January 2011. Now that the PS Vita has hit store shelves, I couldn’t help but tear open my PS Vita box and get to using the system early this morning to see if all of the hype surrounding the device was well worth the wait.
Firstly, let’s get the specs out of the way. The PS Vita is a major update over the original PSP and PSP Go as it rocks a quad-core ARM Cortex A9 processor, 5″ OLED touch screen, a 960 x 544 resolution, 3G, WiFi, GPS, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, 3.5mm audio jack with voice support, and a touch screen on the back of the device. In terms of dedicated handheld gaming devices, this thing is a beast when you compare it to previous PSP models and even the Nintendo 3DS.
When you put your hands on the PS Vita, one of the first things you’ll notice is its size, especially if you’ve been playing games on your iPhone or Android device for as long as I have. Its 5″ OLED screen sets the pace for the rest of the device to form around it, but when you start playing games like Uncharted on it, you’ll then see why Sony went with giving the PS Vita the size that it is.
The PS Vita’s GUI is very sleek and simple compared to the XMB Dashboard the PS3 uses. All of your applications have their own designated spots on different pages that you can customize. You’ll be able to move apps around to different pages, change the background color for each page, as well as retrieve information on the app such as home much space its taking on the PS Vita. Coming from a smartphone background, I felt it was very easy to manipulate the PS Vita’s GUI as all of the gestures I could make on the screen felt familiar.
As of now I’m extremely impressed with the PS Vita and how it has performed in the few short hours I have had it. One thing I’m anxious to learn is if it will be a good enough gaming device to take it around with me while I’m on the go to play games on, or will I succumb to the siren call of my iPhone or Android device as one of them is always in my pocket. This is exactly what I’ll be investigating when I publish my review of the PS Vita. For now, feel free to check out the photo gallery and my hands-on video embedded below.
Hands-on: PS Vita originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2012-02-22T21:01:23Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j
Buzz Contacts from Savvy Apps (US$0.99) is a fast way to reach contacts from your iPhone. Organize them into groups for one-tap access to phone calls, text messages, email or FaceTime sessions. The UI is about as clean and tidy as one can get and conveniences like pre-written text messages are quite helpful. Here's my look at Buzz Contacts for iPhone.
UI
The no-frills, utilitarian look of Buzz Contacts is appropriate for a handy utility. Once you've set up some groups (more on that later), they're laid out on a 4 x 4 grid. Each contact is listed by name and an icon depicts the action associated with each button (phone, text, email or FaceTime). If a group contains more than four members, a swipe to the right reveals the next grid of four while a swipe to the left produces a list view.
A toolbar pops up from the bottom of the screen allowing for group actions, so you can send an email or a text, for example, to everyone at once. The large buttons are hard to miss, so the risk of unintended taps is nominal.
Use
It's easy to create a group. I made one called "Family" which includes my wife, mother, father and two sisters. To begin, swipe to the right and tap "New Group." Next, double-tap the title to customize it and then tap the icon in the upper right.
A list of your contacts appears. Tap the one you'd like to add and chose the method of contact. Keep adding contacts in this fashion until "Page One" is filled, meaning you've added four contacts. You can re-arrage the order in this screen as well.
Make as many groups as you like, swiping to the right to toggle between groups. From there, you simply launch the app and tap the appropriate block to initiate just the type of communication you want: FaceTime with your sister, iPhone call to your co-worker, text message to your son or daughter. It's speedy and a time-saver.
Buzz Contacts also lets you call those not in a group from the dialer. To use the dialer, swipe to the right again and tap Dialer. A keypad appears. Start tapping a number and Buzz guesses which one you're after. Give it a tap and you're off.
There are a few thoughtful niceties in the app. Tapping a contact set up as an email or FaceTime session asks you to confirm your intention before placing the call, so you won't place accidental phone calls. Also, there's a list of pre-written text messages to choose from, like "Running Late. See you soon." and "On my way." Combine that with a group text message to send a lengthy message to the whole gang with little effort.
I love useful utilities and Buzz Contacts is one. Since I pretty much only call the people in my family group, I've replaced the phone app in my iPhone's Dock with Buzz Contacts. It's definitely worth a try at $0.99.
Buzz Contacts for iPhone offers fast access to contacts originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
With our very own Mobile Nations Fitness Month almost at a close, we'd be remiss if we didn't bring you some of the hottest accessories made for the walking, jogging, calorie-burning, Android-loving health junkie. For those of you sporting an HTC EVO 3D, you'll definitely want to take a look at the Seidio ACTIVE Case for the HTC EVO 3D.
Combining the rubberized, gripping skin we've all come to know and love with a six-prong, hard plastic skeleton, the Seidio ACTIVE gives your phone the loving embrace it needs to stay safe without adding too much bulk.
On the top bezel, you're looking at the typical uncovered 3.5mm headphone jack, but otherwise, everything is all nice and covered up. That makes sense, since your phone's first line of defense is an all-inclusive rubber skin, but be aware if you're going to be getting sweat, dirt, or dust anywhere, it's going to be in the headphone jack.
Moving to the volume rocker bezel, expect the same protective treatment; if it doesn't need to be uncovered, it won't be. As a matter of fact, the only thing that isn't covered is the 2D/3D slider, so don't worry about your volume rocker or dedicated camera button.
On the opposite bezel, the microUSB port is open, which one the one hand means easy access to charging, but on the other hand means the potential for gunk to get in there. It's a tough compromise, but considering this isn't the full protection Seidio case, I'd say it's still doing pretty well.
The six-prong plastic skeleton fits nicely in the back of the rubber skin, so much so that you can't even tell it's a separate piece sometimes. It sits so nicely flush against the skin and the phone, you'll instantly recognize it's quality.
More pictures are after the break.
 |  |
The Google Docs app for Android has received a substantial update today, adding some significant new features which to bring the phone and tablet app in line with the full desktop version.
First up is collaborative editing, which allows multiple people to work on the same document in real time -- this has long been possible on the desktop, but has been lacking in the mobile app. And it's also possible to set document permissions and invite others in your address book to work on a document alongside you.
In addition, rich text controls are included for documents, and pinch-to-zoom now fully functional too, making possible to manipulate text, undo and redo just like in the desktop version. Unfortunately these new features only work in documents, not spreadsheets, but regardless, it's a big step forward for the mobile version of Docs.
We've got Android Market links, and an official introductory video, after the jump.
| |
Calling all couch potatoes! Viggle is a new app for iPhone and iPod touch that actually pays you to watch television. The app determines what you are watching when you put your iOS device up to the TV and then gives you points to accumulate and unlock rewards. Viggle works similarly to IntoNow, an app acquired by Yahoo last year that uses the microphone on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad to listen in on the TV show or movie and share what you are watching with friends. Viggle utilizes … Read more
Viggle app pays users to watch TV originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2012-02-22T20:51:53Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j
Calling all couch potatoes! Viggle is a new app for iPhone and iPod touch that actually pays you to watch television. The app determines what you are watching when you put your iOS device up to the TV and then gives you points to accumulate and unlock rewards.
Viggle works similarly to IntoNow, an app acquired by Yahoo last year that uses the microphone on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad to listen in on the TV show or movie and share what you are watching with friends. Viggle utilizes similar technology and does have basic integration with Facebook and Twitter but it instead of focusing on social aspects. Telling Viggle what you’re watching is for your own personal gain.
Once Viggle knows what you’re watching, it rewards you with a certain number of points for each minute you watch. When you get enough points over time, you can redeem them in the Rewards section of the app. Some of the prizes include a $5 gift card to Burger King, Best Buy, or iTunes, a $10 gift card to places like Sephora, or a movie ticket courtesy of Fandango.
Does this all sound too good to be true? Well, there is a bit of a catch. The minimum amount of points needed to redeem a reward on Viggle is 7,500 and it apparently takes a very long time to get there — think 60 hours of television-watching. Bonus points can be acquired by tagging live TV shows, special events, or watching ads within the app, but I have to wonder if all this work is worth it for a measly $5 gift card.
That said, Viggle is a dream come true for ultimate television enthusiasts. The app is free in the iOS App Store.
Viggle app pays users to watch TV originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2012-02-22T20:51:53Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j
Asymco analyst Horace Dediu published an interesting report this morning that attempts to figure out what Apple pays to manufacture each iPhone. Over the last 5 years, the handset has quickly become Apple’s largest money-maker.
Dediu uses a number of resources, including manufacturing information that has recently come to light thanks to ABC’s “A Trip to the iFactory” documentary, to determine what Apple spends building each iPhone, from parts to shipping…(...)
Read the rest of What it actually costs Apple to build an iPhone
"What it actually costs Apple to build an iPhone" is an article by iDownloadBlog.com.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.
In just a week and a half, Apple will expand its retail operations to its 12th country when a new storefront opens in the Netherlands.
| |
The Google Docs application for Android has been updated today, bringing it even more closely in line with its desktop counterpart. Download version 1.0.54 and you’ll find yourself able to do many of the common Docs features, including bullet points and other rich text formatting. Perhaps the most notable new goodie is the ability to [...]
Google Docs for Android adds real-time collaboration, rich text originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
Follow AndroidGuys on Facebook and Twitter and download the free AndroidGuys app for your device!
Save a bunch on your next Android. Check out Amazon’s best sellers! UPDATED HOURLY
The Google Docs application for Android has been updated today, bringing it even more closely in line with its desktop counterpart. Download version 1.0.54 and you'll find yourself able to do many of the common Docs features, including bullet points and other rich text formatting. Perhaps the most notable new goodie is the ability to see real-time where other collaborators are within the document. Looks terrific on a tablet, by the way!
Reminds us of our Google Wave days...
New features of Google Docs 1.0.54
- Create, view and edit Google documents with our new Android editor
- Rich text formatting (bold, italics, underline, font color, background color)
- Layout tools (bulleted lists, numbered lists, indentation)
- Real-time collaboration - see edits from others in seconds
- Cursor presence and highlighting
Google Docs for Android adds real-time collaboration, rich text originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
Follow AndroidGuys on Facebook and Twitter and download the free AndroidGuys app for your device!
Save a bunch on your next Android. Check out Amazon's best sellers! UPDATED HOURLY
