Saturday, September 28, 2013

Best Of: Samsung Galaxy S5 Concept Designs


It doesn’t matter how great the current generation of a smartphone is, as people are always looking for the ‘next big thing’. The Samsung Galaxy S4 has proven to be an insanely popular device that has sold millions, but that certainly hasn’t stopped many from giving their best guess as to what the Galaxy S5 will look like.
Concept designs for the Galaxy S5 are everywhere, ranging from a simple tweak here and there from its predecessor to some downright crazy redesigns. We’re going to break down some of our favorite concept designs we’ve seen on the net, regardless of how ridiculous they may be. Oh, and there are plenty of ridiculous designs out there.
This first concept design is rather straight forward. It’s essentially a Galaxy S4 with a couple of tweaks. An edge-to-edge display swallows the face of the device, which is a trend you’ll see in most concept designs. You’ll also see that the camera placement has been moved to the side for whatever reason. Other than these few tweaks, there’s not much to speak of. Given the minimal updates on this design compared to the S4, the end result of the Galaxy S5 could indeed look something like this. Just don’t expect a real edge to edge display.

The next concept features Samsung’s flexible AMOLED display that we’ve seen for quite a while now. In this concept, the device comes in at a mere 7.5mm, allowing it to still stay relatively thin when folded. The black handset is lined with metallic edges and veers away from the Galaxy S4′s rounded edges.
This concept design is for you spec-junkies out there. For starters, this concept of the Galaxy S5 ships with a 1.3GHz deca-core Exynos 6 processor. You’ll also get 3GB RAM, 16 megapixel camera, 2.5 megapixel front-facing camera, and 3100 mAh battery in a 7.1mm package.
We’ve already covered this particular concept design of the Galaxy S5, but it’s still one of the more interesting ones we’ve come across. This sleek design combines a flexible OLED display with a 2GHz Exynos 5 OctaCore processor, 3GB RAM, 16 megapixel camera, 3.2 megapixel front-facing camera, Android 4.4 KitKat and more, all wrapped in an aluminium unibody package. This may be one of the sleekest handsets we’ll never see materialize.
Finally, this design is one of our favorites, but it’s actually a concept design for the Galaxy S6. This ridiculously attractive handset not only has a great set of specs but an equally intriguing user interface. Specifications include a 4.5 inch flexible S-OLED display (1920×1200), plastic unibody with Hyperskin nano-coating, 18 megapixel camera with support for 4K video recording, and a battery that will last you a full week.  Check out more photos of this sexy concept design in the gallery below!
Those are just a few of the many Galaxy S5 concept designs. Expect to see a lot more in the future as the real Galaxy S5 gets closer! Check out the full gallery below and tell us which one is your favorite in the comments below!










[Source]

Friday, September 27, 2013

Apple rolling out iOS 7.0.2 to address lock screen passcode breach


Apple is now rolling out a minor update to iOS 7 that is suppose to address the lockscreen security flaw discovered a few days back. Version 7.0.2 can be grabbed through your Settings right now, as it is recognized as Build 11A501 for all devices. The new version software is a lightweight at only 21MB. Peep the changelog below:
  • Fixes bugs that could allow someone to bypass the Lock screen passcode
  • Reintroduces a Greek keyboard option for passcode entry
Let us know if this update addressed the lockscreen passcode bypass?

Google Glass is Going On Tour!


Google Glass is still only available to a select few “explorers” but Google announced today that a lot more people will get a chance to check out its wearable tech soon. Google’s taking the Glass show on the road, touring the country to pump people up about its headgear. The first date is Oct. 5th. Announced today on Google+, the tour kicks off like all great things, in Durham North Carolina.
Wanna try Glass? Damn right you do. Just kidding… but seriously if you do want to, we’re going to start bringing Glass to cities across the US so you can give it a spin. You’ll be able to try on Glass, ask questions and chat with the Glass team in person. We’re kicking off in Durham, NC, on October 5th and we’ll be on the road, heading to other cities after that. Stay tuned here on G+ and we’ll let you know where we’re going next.
If you’re in the Durham area, here’s the link to RSVP to the event. Surprisingly, the tour of the century isn’t starting out at a sold out stadium but  Bay 7, American Tobacco Campus. Because that’s a place that exists.
Google still hasn’t announced a release date for the consumer model of Google Glass. But the company’s been making a point of getting glass into the hands (or, onto the faces) of important taste makers in the fashion industry. Glass was all over the place at fashion week, and was featured in a recent photo spread in Vogue.
Those moves, along with rumors that Google has its own Apple Store like retail locations in the works, point to a major boost in Google’s focus on consumer goods. In the stores customers all over the country could get their hands on Glass, building major hype for its inevitable wide release.
So get ready for some face melting shreddage, because Google Glass is on tour! I saw them open for Thin Lizzy back in 1981 and let me tell you, those guys can WAIL!

Google Launches Shopping Express App for Android, Still an SF to San Jose Exclusive

Google Shopping Express
If you reside in the Bay Area, San Francisco to San Jose to be exact, you should check out Google Shopping Express. The service offers same-day delivery on any type of goods you might need from the store. If your schedule doesn’t allow for the time it takes to pick up essentials from any number of exciting vendors, Google will gladly do it for you. Before now, there was no app to handle the service, but that all changes today for Android users. 
Starting today, users can order everything they need right through the app, set up a drop-off time, and that’s it. Super simple. The vendor list is quite large, ranging from Target and Walgreens, to more niche stores like Guitar Center and Blue Bottle Coffee Co. If you haven’t tried their coffee yet, then now would be an excellent time to order it.

Some 'unlocked' Galaxy Note 3s apparently SIM-locked to specific regions

Here's some alarming news for those wanting to pick up an unlocked, SIM-free Samsung Galaxy Note 3and use it internationally. Reports have been surfacing over the past day from Note 3 owners in Europe and Latin America that their devices come with stickers warning that they're only compatible with SIMs from their particular regions.
Like many others, our European Galaxy Note 3 box is sealed with a sticker saying it's "only compatible with a SIM-card issued from a mobile operator within Europe," before going on to list individual countries. And while we were able to load a T-Mobile USA SIM into our UK-specific phone without any error messages, enough other "unlocked" Note 3 owners are reporting problems to indicate a widespread issue.
Users on the XDA forums are reporting SIM lock-style restrictions on both the unlocked European LTE Note 3 (SM-N9005) and unlocked Latin American HSPA+ Note 3 (SM-N900) when used with SIMs from outside their approved regions. Using a Vodafone UK SIM in the American Note 3 produces a SIM lock screen, one poster writes. Nirave Gondhia from UK Mobile Review reports that his UK Note 3 refuses to accept SIM cards from the U.S., United Arab Emirates or Singapore. Curiously, it appears the lock doesn't apply to the Asia/Pacific version of the phone.
In practical terms, this means if you travel outside of the phone's intended market — for example, using your Euro Note 3 in Asia — you'll be forced to keep your European SIM in place and use an expensive roaming plan, as the option of popping in a local SIM is eliminated. That could be a major inconvenience (and expense) if you're a frequent traveler. However roaming between countries within each region — for example, using a Note 3 purchased in the UK with a French SIM — shouldn't be affected by this regional SIM lock.
It's unclear why this restriction is in place; the Note 3 is the first "unlocked" handset we're aware of that's actually locked to specific countries. We've got emails out to Samsung seeking further clarification, but in the meantime you may want to hold off buying a Note 3 if you plan on using outside its intended target market.

Dual SIM Samsung Galaxy Trend 3 officially unveiled

Samsung has introduced a new dual SIM Android smartphone: the Galaxy Trend 3, which comes as the successor to the Galaxy Trend II that was released back in April.
Unlike the previous model, which runs Android 4.1 and sports a 4 inch display, the new Galaxy Trend 3 runs Android 4.2, and features a 4.3 inch screen (800 x 480 pixels). The handset further comes with a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, MicroSD card support, and a 1,800 mAh battery.
It looks like the Galaxy Trend 3 is available in China as of now, in a white color version. Samsung China’s official website is showing four models (G3502U – unlocked, G3502 – for China Unicom, G3508 – for China Mobile, and G3509 – for China Telecom), but they don’t seem to differ feature-wise.
Samsung Galaxy Trend 3 Android 42 2
Samsung Galaxy Trend 3 Android 42
It’s not clear if the Galaxy Trend 3 will be released in other markets. But it probably will at some point, since the older Trend II – initially sold only in China – has been recently launched in India.

How to Ease the Transition Between Project Managers

transition managementLosing the project manager on a vital project is not only stressful, it can cost your company significant time and resources to get your next project manager up to speed. Here are some tips to help you ease the transition as much as possible.
In this industry, we know that projects involve risks of all sorts. One in particular is a dreaded event for any team – a change in project manager mid-project. Yet, when complex projects can take several months – even a year or more – to complete, the scenario is a realistic one across all industries. An integral part of project management is mitigating risk and successfully leading your team through choppy waters. Here are some tips to help your team successfully transition between project managers.
Put Time Into a Great Kick-Off Presentation
Developing a well-organized project kick-off presentation will help your new project manager become acquainted with all of the project’s critical information, such as the goals, timeline, deliverables, and other major requirements. A presentation will make the project details easier to understand and digest than handing the new project manager an exhaustive scope statement or other dry material. Don’t allow looming deadlines to prevent you from taking some time to start out on the right foot.
Review the Project Schedule
After the kick-off presentation, the next most vital task is reviewing the details of the project schedule with the new project manager. A detailed review is required in order to clearly and effectively convey the path, significant milestones, and core sections of the project schedule. Reviewing the schedule is also important because it will shape how the project manager maintains the schedule, rectifies late tasks, and communicates with the new team. The better the new project manager understands the specifics of the project timeline, the better they will be able to modify their approach for increased success.
Put it All Out There
After the details and timeline have been effectively hashed out, it’s important for the new project manager to hear the real story. They will need to understand the different personalities of their team members in order to properly motivate and allow room for everyone to do their best work in their own unique way. The project culture is at least as important as the project schedule, as the success or failure of the project will be the culmination of each individual’s work.
Have the Right Software
Having the right project management software at your disposal will make life easier for the entire team. Microsoft Project Viewer is one of the most widely used project management software solutions available. Finding a high-quality Project viewer, however, can also help save your company in licensing fees and protect the schedule from unauthorized changes in addition to keeping the team on the right track. By using effective software, you can keep the new project manager as well as the whole team informed of key status updates and milestones.
Changing project managers halfway through a project is something that no one looks forward to, and for good reason. Along with it comes the increased risk that details will be overlooked, deadlines will be missed, or personalities will clash. While these are certainly possibilities, the overall risk can be mitigated by taking time to hand the project off well. That means giving the new project manager all of the tools they need to effectively direct  their team: a great kick-off presentation, a detailed walk through the project timeline, an explanation of the project culture, and effective software.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Project Procurement for Beginners

projects for beginnersSo you’ve been assigned and stepped into the role as project manager. Congratulations! You’ve officially given up free time, vacations, and sleep. All joking aside, project management is a big job and there are many important responsibilities, components, and steps that go along with the job. Project procurement is one of them…
What exactly is project procurement from a project management standpoint? Project procurement involves contracts, negotiations, letters of intent, or other signed agreement that a project manager or other team member receives from a client on work about to be done. Procurement can also involve purchase orders, invoices, or other payment contracts that a project manager may approve and send out to contractors or vendors for work being done on a project. Procurement is basically contract management, and anything that would fall into that category for a project manager.
If you ask many experienced project managers, they will most likely tell you that project procurement is not their favorite part of the job. It can involve a lot of correspondence, conflict at times, and red tape and legal jargon, in other cases. So what should project managers keep in mind when ensuring proper project procurement steps.
Contracts and Negotiations. When a project manager first receives a contract, signed agreement, letter of intent or other type of binding contract that a project management firm and client agree on, he or she should compare and cross reference the information and data listed or outlined in the contract or agreement with the specifications received at project submission and assignment. This will prevent conflict and misinterpretations down the line or at project completion.
In addition, once a project-related contract or agreement is received and taken note of, the project manager should then document in the project life cycle that the agreement has in fact been received and filed away in a safe and secure location. This could be in a project folder on a common server, or any secure file sharing location where team member can access the agreement or contract and anything other related correspondence easily.
Purchase Orders (POs) and Invoices. Purchase orders, or commonly referred to as POs by many experienced project managers, and invoices are used when working with contractors or freelancers and/or vendors to do work on a particular project. A purchase order is basically an “agreement” that exists between a company and contractor for hiring purposes. A purchase order, once created and approved by a project manager or supervisor, is then sent to the contractor for his or her records. This is different between a client and firm due to the working relationship between the two.
After, and only after the work is completed, the contractor sends the firm an invoice for the work completed. Depending on the organization, the project manager may be responsible for matching up the PO with the invoice and submitting them to Accounts Payable, but ultimately the project manager should make sure both are properly sent out and received in a timely manner.
One final thing to note when working with POs and invoices during project procurement is that the PO should always be a running and accurate agreement between a project management firm and a contractor or vendor. Any project manager at any point in time should be able to pick up another project manager’s project and refer to the PO for accurate instruction on the work being done on a project.
Finally, while project procurement might seem tedious or boring, but it’s a very important step at both the beginning and the close of the project. It’s important to ensure that specifications are clearly met and outlined in an agreement up front before performing the work and carrying out the project, and it’s important to pay contractors and vendors in a timely manner at the close of the project. All in all, both clients and vendors will be happy with their relationship with you if both areas of procurement are met properly.

This is How The iPhone 6 Will Look Like

iphone 6 design 3

After the mixed reaction to the release of iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, everyone is looking forward to the unveiling of the iPhone 6. Just yesterday, some design photos of the iPhone 6 have leaked on the internet.
As per the previous rumors, the design features an edgeless display that looks stunning! The display will be Retina 2 so we can expect some high performance overall in the display department. To protect this vivid edgeless display, the phone will use graphene sheet rather than Gorilla glass. Graphene sheet is much stronger and durable than Gorilla glass, hence you can expect your phone to be safe in case of mild drops.
The phone will sport a carbon fiber shell to make it more lighter and sturdy in construction. The phone will be powered by a Quad Core  2.8 Ghz A7 Processor with 4GB of Ram. This will ensure that the phone is fast and can handle the tests of time ( At-least for the next 2-3 years). Check out the infographic below and let us know what you think of this new iPhone 6 design!

iphone 6 design


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Microsoft unveils Surface Pro 2, brings new kickstand and Haswell processor


Microsoft took the stage today to unveil its brand new 10.6-inch Surface Pro 2 tablet. The company didn’t make in major hardware changes, instead many of the slight improvements came to the inside of the device. The Redmond based tech giant touted the slate’s 20 percent increase in overall performance, with a 50 percent increase in graphics compared to last year’s model. More importantly, the Pro 2 has a 75 percent improvement in battery life over its predecessor.
The Surface Pro 2 addressed the kickstand issue found with the first generation model, now the new kickstand brings a second position that gives the tab a lean of 55 degrees. Panos Panay, Microsoft’s VP of Surface said the Surface Pro 2 will deliver the “full power of a PC in a tablet form factor.” In addition to its improved power, Panay also claimed that the Surface Pro 2 will run quieter and cooler than the original Surface Pro.
Features on the Surface Pro 2 include 4GB of RAM with either 64 or 128GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM with either 256 or 512GB of storage. Starting 8AM tomorrow, customers get to pre-order the Pro 2, and tablets ship with Windows 8.1 on October 22nd.
Microsoft is including some goodies, too. Mr. Softy will give customers who buy the Pro 2 one year of free Skype calling to landlines, with unlimited use of Skype-branded Wi-Fi hotspots. Additionally, the tech giant will give customers 200GB of SkyDrive storage as well — double the memory of what Google gives to new Chromebook buyers.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

State of Mobile 2013 Infographic

This is a great Infographic on Mobile from the folks at supermonitoring.com.  I love Infographics.  There’s a hodgepodge  of stats on this.  Notable is the dominance of Android and the rapid adoption of Mobile  (I always tell our clients that the population has already adopted mobile.  It’s businesses, governments, and organizations that need to  adapt).
State of Mobile 2013 Infographic

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Device-spanning Ubuntu Touch OS gets October 17 launch date

The audacious Ubuntu Edge smartphone crowdfunding experience may be dead, but the dream of merging phone and PC lives on. Ubuntu Touch, the form factor-spanning mobile operating system intended to power the Edge, finally has a release date: October 17, alongside Ubuntu Linux 13.10.
The news comes courtesy of a Ubuntu Phone team mailing list message by Canonical technical architect Loïc Minier, as well as a blog post by QA community coordinator Nicholas Skaggs.
“We are exactly one month away from the release of [Ubuntu 13.10] Saucy Salamander,” Skaggs wrote on the 17th. “As part of that release, Ubuntu is committed to delivering an image of Ubuntu-Touch, ready to install on supported devices.”
“Only four and a half weeks to go, and phone 1.0 will be a reality!” Minier excitedly exclaimed.
CANONICAL
The developer version of Ubuntu Touch was released in February and works on Samsung Galaxy Nexus and (now discontinued) Nexus 4 smartphones, as well as the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets.
Ubuntu Touch is basically a slick mobile interface for Ubuntu. Beyond smartphones and tablets, Ubuntu Touch can launch the full-blown desktop version of Ubuntu when docked with a desktop monitor. The idea: One device to rule them all, if by “them all” you mean “smartphones, tablets, and PCs.”
Don’t expect Ubuntu Touch devices to flood store shelves anytime soon, however. While the version 1.0 image will be available to download next month, Canonical says the first discrete devices running the OS aren’t expected until late 2013 or early 2014.
The company said it received numerous manufacturer queries in the wake of the Edge smartphone campaign, which raised nearly $12 million from would-be buyers in $600-ish chunks.
In the meantime, adventurous (and technically minded) souls can help out the cause by downloading the developer preview of Ubuntu Touch and reporting any bugs you stumble across. As with any Linux distribution, the development of Ubuntu Touch takes a group effort.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Google Makes Quickoffice for Android and iOS Free




Everyone likes free stuff, which is why starting today we’re making Quickoffice available for free, for everyone. With Quickoffice, you can edit Microsoft® Office documents across your devices, giving you the freedom to work with anyone no matter what hardware or software they’re using. Quickoffice also integrates seamlessly with Google Drive storage so you can safely access your files from anywhere. And while the easiest thing to do is simply convert your old files to Google Docs, Sheets and Slides, Quickoffice gives you another way to work with people who haven’t gone Google yet.

You can get the new, free Quickoffice app for Android and iOS phones and tablets on Google Play and in the App Store. Simply sign in with your Google Account to start editing Microsoft Office documents, spreadsheets and presentations on mobile. You’ll also notice a number of new features, including a refreshed icon, the ability to create .ZIP folders, and view charts in Excel® and PowerPoint® files. Plus, the new app works across devices so you don’t have to worry about installing separate versions anymore when you go from using your phone to editing on your tablet. 

While we’re on the topic of free stuff, if you sign in to your Google Account from the new Quickoffice app for Android or iOS by September 26, 2013, an extra 10GB of Google Drive storage will be added to your account for two years (look for it in the next few weeks). So don’t let your hardware or software differences get in the way of true collaboration -- download the new app and start working together today. 


NotePrevious versions of Quickoffice have been removed from Google Play and the App Store. Learn moreabout how this affects customers currently using Quickoffice Pro, Quickoffice Pro HD. Users who have the Quickoffice for Google Apps for Business app will receive an update notification to upgrade to this new version. 



Friday, September 20, 2013

Skype pulls its client for Windows Mobile

skype-windows-mobile-pulled
Windows Mobile users looking to download Skype may have to dig a bit deeper to find the necessary .cab file for installation. According to Skype’s website, the Windows Mobile version has been removed because it does not offer the same rich user experience that is available in Skype for the iPhone and Skype for Symbian, an unusual reason that leaves us scratching our heads. Skype does not indicate when the Windows Mobile version will return, if ever, and it is possible that Skype may have chosen to cease development of the older Windows Mobile version while focusing on a new version that will be compatible with Windows 7 Phone series handsets. If this is the case, then it’s pretty odd that Skype would pull its current version so soon, leaving millions of current Windows Mobile users in the lurch for the next eight to nine months while we wait for the first Windows Phone 7 handsets to debut. Reading between the lines, another possible explanation is a bit of a conspiracy theory and contains the words “exclusive” and “Verizon Wireless”. Similar to the rumored delay in the 3G enabled version of Skype for the iPhone, this rumor suggests that Skype may have pulled its Windows Mobile version due to its exclusive agreement with Big Red. Regardless of the reason, Windows Mobile owners may want to head over to Skype’s website as soon as possible as the download link is still buried in the website if you know where to look. Once Skype becomes aware of its presence, the link and your ability to download Skype from its official channel may be long gone.

by  Kelly Hodgkins
[Via Wmpoweruser and Fuze Mobility]

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