A hologram-like imagery is rumoured to be the next technology to hit the smartphone rage. Amazon, the branch-out online company is reportedly working on their own line of smartphones. It’s not clear whether they’re indeed creating Tony Stark’s glass-less gadget, but the word 3D has been circulating around. Reports say that the e-book pioneer is developing a range of gadgets which includes two smartphones—one of which is equipped with a 3D screen.  There’s no need for additional device to view the 3D-capable phone, and it will be equipped with the eye-scroll technology.

For an e-commerce company, Amazon seems to be ahead in the smartphone concept, given that the hologram rumors are true.  The online retailer revolutionized e-books as a greener alternative to the traditional paperback books, to the debacle of publishing companies.  Boosted by the company’s very own Kindle, Amazon became synonymous to paper-less reading. Then it widened its merchandise to become the biggest one-stop shop in internet history.   Many tried to follow founder Jeff Bezos business model but none has topped the online shop’s global reach.

The success of Kindle may have inspired the company to branch out into electronics. Among the other products that are on the works are devices for streaming music and a TV set-top box that streams videos from the internet.  The media dedicated devices could start a new wave of streaming gadgets in the market, although the TV set-top box will already be competing with Roku and Apple TV.  Tech analysts are speculating that the video streamer could be named Kindle TV.  Amazon reps cannot give out any specifics on the current projects.  But it is known that the online retail shop hired the expertise of Windows Phone contributor Charlie Kindel. This could be a sign that smartphones from Amazon are on their way to the market. In the meantime, the media streamers are still being perfected at Amazon’s Lab126 in Cupertino, California, headed by ex-VP of Cisco, Malachy Moynihan.

The 3D hologram concept may be far out and could be just a marketing scheme to hype up Amazon products. It will be recalled that other companies like LG, HTC and Sony attempted to lure consumers with the promise of 3D type of view but they were all forgettable features.  The silence from the Amazon party is creating doubts on the truth to the technology but techie geeks are hoping for an evolution on the current glass-screened phones.

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An old-timer was feeling a bit sentimental and pulled out his gameboards from the attic.  He called his ten-year old grandson who didn’t like being taken away from his techie lair.  It turns out, as the boy politely explained, that old school gameboards have already been turned into apps.  But the young boy was happy to see what battery-less tangible board games actually looked like. Here are some game apps that were originally enjoyed back in the days as gameboards.

Mancala is traditionally played with a wooden tray and colored stones, seashells or wooden pieces.  It is called manji in Japanese, sungka in the Philippines, congkak in the Maldives and Malaysia, and 800 other names around the world.  The point of the game is to capture as many stones from the board by distribution. It is a cool game app to pass the time. It also improves memory and problem solving skills.

The western game of property buying is now available on iPad and all Android gadgets. Monopoly appealed to eighties kids because players were able to hold on to play money and spend it in the game.  This game has remained popular as it simulates the reality of a grownup life.  In keeping up with the gadget manic market, Monopoly app is now animated and can be played online against anonymous others.  The app also offers players to adjust some rules as well as a tutorial mode.

Scrabble is probably the most popular game that has been turned into an app.  The classic game can be played anonymously in the virtual world, or played via wireless connection with a friend. The game can make a random match up against gamers according to the players’ skills.  Scores are also posted on Facebook if opted.  There’s also a pass-and-play option which allows for personal interaction between players.  Scrabble teaches kids to spell—something that most young people have difficulty with in the advent of information technology.

Beloved Waldo also made it to pop culture.  The classic game brings about memories for older people when they had a contest on who finds red-capped bespectacled man first, only it was on paper.  Where’s Waldo has been adapted into a gadget app, and searching is now timed.  It may be uber shallow for the advanced minds of kids, but this game can keep the toddlers busy.

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One of Mercedes-Benz’ SL model will display the prowess of the Drive Kit Plus. The Drive Kit Plus is a system where it integrates the use of smartphone into the infotainment architecture of the Mercedes-Benz using a special application.

Combining the Drive Kit Plus with Mercedes-Benz’ own Digital DriveStyle App and the main features of the smartphone can now be organized under Social, Places and Media display found on the vehicle’s dashboard when called up. It can also be easily accessed even while driving using the COMAND controller or by using the personal assistant that is voice operated. You can get the Drive Kit Plus as an accessory for any recent models made by Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz will also display the four new features of Google’s Places API which are:

• Faster search – Regardless of whether you are looking for a restaurant or a street address, the autocomplete feature of Google’s Places API will automatically search for what you are typing.
• Take a look at your next destination – You can get a glimpse of the location that you will be heading out to with the help of Google+ Local photos and 360-degree Street Imagery.
• Live traffic update – Google’s traffic service will be integrated into Google’s Places API allowing you to see the traffic conditions using color-coded overlays.
• Find the hotspots in the town – You can easily find where the nearest hotspots in the town are using the Radar Search and Heatmaps of Google’s Places API.

The Drive Kit Plus is still being incorporated into the Digital DriveStyle App of Mercedes-Benz during the first half of this year. Those who already have the Drive Kit Plus can purchase an updated version of it through the App Store. This way, customers won’t have to head out to their local Mercedes-Benz dealer to get their updates.

Although most of the features that were displayed during the I/O conference will be made available to the public, Mercedes-Benz is still trying out proof-of-concept feature where its introduction is still not clear. This feature is about City Guide where Google’s Places API will provide you with information where you can find the best shopping areas, parks and even nightlife making it easier for you to find the best place to hang out.

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Thorsten Heins, RIM’s CEO, has just recently revealed a budget friendly BlackBerry called the Q5 at the BlackBerry Live which is an annual conference held in Orlando. The new Q5 is equipped with a QWERTY keyboard and a 3.1 inch screen. What sets the Q5 apart from its predecessors is that it will be using a metal casing instead of the standard plastic body. It will also be operated with BlackBerry’s new OS which is the BB10.

Heins said that BlackBerry is quite excited to release its new affordable handset to emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe. The Q5 is designed to provide its younger users a phone that is stylish and functional that will keep them connected with their family and friends with ease. This new model will be made available in pink, red, black and white.

The beauty of BlackBerry 10 is that it allows you to create texts and emails easily by flicking words as you type. Switching to one app to the next feels like it is flowing thanks to the task manager and sidebar navigation.

There are other features that have been integrated into the BlackBerry Q5 such as BlackBerry’s Story Maker, Time Shift Mode and BlackBerry Messenger. The best part is that you can switch from BBM chat to video conversation if you want to as well as share your screen with your friends.

According to Heins, the new handset is geared towards satisfying emerging markets, that is why the price has been made reasonable enough for everyone. He also took a swipe at those who were wondering whether he will still be in position as CEO especially when the competition in the mobile industry is becoming fiercer telling them that BlackBerry is still here and ready to compete.

BlackBerry enjoyed its popularity when it was first released in 1999 where those who were in businesses chose them to accommodate their needs. However, their popularity dwindled after the iPhone emerged in the market in 2007. Although RIM’s devices are doing well outside the country, it is still facing several setbacks as they continue to upgrade their operating system to be able to compete against Android and Apple.

Heins still believes that BlackBerry is still in the competition and that he has a positive outlook on their company’s future. The BlackBerry Q5 might make significant changes with BlackBerry’s standing in the market once it is made available.

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The Xperia ZR makes use of the Exmor RS technology for its video and camera so that you can take shot after shot of perfectly clear photos based on the settings that you use. The same holds true when you use the video function of the Xperia ZR. You can also take continues shots with the new model at 15 frames per second. You can already imagine the fun you can get out of Sony’s new toy.

According to the director of Xperia Marketing, Calum McDougall, the Sony Xperia ZR was designed to go beyond the limitations of current smartphones today and by combining waterproof technology with Sony’s camera technology, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to capture moments even while you are submerged in water.

When you take a closer look at what’s powering Sony Xperia ZR you will find that it has a 1.5GHz Snapdragon processor, 2GB worth of RAM and even a 2,300mAh battery. These are the ones that power Xperia ZR’s Android 4.1 Jellybean OS. Aside from these, Sony Xperia ZR has a 4.55 inch display with a 13MP camera and Exmor sensor. You can also get 8GB worth of internal storage with a provision for expansion with its slot for microSD.

Another impressive feature of Sony’s Xperia ZR is that it weighs only five ounces. This gives you the freedom to take photos in any kind of setting in a comfortable manner. You don’t really have to give up good looks with superb features because Sony has blended them together perfectly with their Xperia ZR. Sony has always been known to produce quality hardware and they didn’t go wrong with their new smartphone.

You can get the Sony Xperia ZR in four colors namely pink, black, white and mint. The new smartphone is destined to be launched in selected markets by the end of June with the chance that it will be sold under a different name. There is no news yet on how much the new Xperia will cost but it might be revealed any time soon.

The post What Awaits You with Sony Waterproof Xperia ZR Phone appeared first on TechBlogHub.

It can be quite addictive to browse through various photos posted in Imgur as well as reading the captions and comments below them while working on your computer. It’s not surprising to find that many have whiled away their hours just looking at these photos.

Everyone has been sharing their photos online recently. As a matter of fact, there are four common ways to share them and these are:

• Putting the URL of the image.
• Upload from computer.
• Drag and drop.
• Using the Paste command.

However, going through all these motions just to share a photo every few minutes whether it is just uploading them on different social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter can be time consuming. Fortunately, there is a way for you to minimize the time it takes to share photos online.

If you want to be able to share photos faster than before, all that you have to do is to look for the Imgur extension for Google Chrome. This extension is designed by Metronomik and it will be your best friend when it comes to photo sharing.

After installing this extension, a few adjustments on the Settings are needed. You can do this by selecting the extension located on the Chrome toolbar then clicking on the Settings icon found on the right hand corner.

It is still a good practice to copy the image or photo you want in a clipboard so you won’t have any problems sharing it with multiple sites. You can do this by checking the box found in the Settings tab. When you have a photo that you want to share, right click on the image then choose the “rehost to” option then choose the account you want to share it with. A new tab will appear that will show the image you wish to copy as well as the link that will be pasted on your clipboard provided that you have chosen this option in your Settings.

Why install Imgur extension at all? Well, there are two benefits to this extension and these are:

• All photos you will share will be saved especially when they are tied up with your Imgur account.
• Download all photos with just a single click of your mouse.

This way, instead of wasting time copying and pasting links of URLs and photos to various networking sites, you will be able to minimize the time it takes to sharing your photos with the Imgur extension.

The post Install a Chrome Extension to Share Pics Faster on Imgur appeared first on TechBlogHub.

There are certainly some impressive innovations added to the BlackBerry 10 such as the BlackBerry Hub which has these excellent features:

• All notifications and communications are found here.
• The Hub can also be used to make any actions like delete, reply, send, email and so on. This beats having to open apps just to send a response.
• There is no need to switch apps because the Hub has become the central repository for all communications. This saves you time while using your BlackBerry 10.
• All forms of communication whether Twitter, SMS, and Facebook can be found within seconds.
• Access to the Hub is easy regardless of what application you have running. All that you have to do is to slide your finger in an upward motion from the lower bezel of the phone to access the Hub or go back to what you are doing.

Aside from the BlackBerry Hub, there are other features that have been incorporated into the BlackBerry 10 that are worth mentioning. These are:

• Easy unlock by sliding your finger upwards on the screen.
• Bedside mode that can be triggered by sliding your finger down while on locked screen mode. This changes the settings of your phone to dimmed lights, black background and silent mode when notifications come in. An orange analogue clock will also appear so you can read the time.
• Time Shift is another feature that will impress those shutter bugs out there. In Time Shift, the device will automatically snap 5 photos that you can then decide which one you will keep. You can even make the perfect picture by cropping images then merging them into one.
• The keyboard in BlackBerry Z10 is far better compared to other smartphones because it is intuitive and can support multiple languages all at the same time.

Clearly, BlackBerry has figured out a way to compete against big time names in the smartphone industry like Apple and Samsung but it remains to be seen whether the BlackBerry 10 has enough features to get back into the game.

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Remember when you automatically proceeded to the lower left corner for the drop down of your daily PC activities?  It seems that the classic Start Menu will be making a comeback in Win Blue.  But Microsoft is keeping the app-riddled Start Screen.  That’s because Windows Blue has been better optimized for touch screen PCs and mobile gadgets.  Upon first look, a widgted Personalize option will allow users to arrange their start screen and quicker removal of inapplicable short cut tiles.  Color options have had slight changes and a host of new shades can be picked from the Start Screen.

Previewers have noticed a whole lot of fixes and improvements.  Users can access programs in the new App Section. It can now be managed and their byte usage is easily seen.  There’s also the inclusion of an impressive Snap Views.  This app gives users view of two applications side by side, each at 50% minimization.  The most promising in the previewed changes is probably the quick network access through the tiled apps on the Start Screen.  VPN settings can be conveniently set up on the 8.1.  Each networking app can also be turned on and off through the shortcut tiles.

Sharing files has also gotten some upgrades.  Screenshots can instantly be shared through the new Charms program, without having to go through the hoops of pasting it on any other application. Charm looks like a tweaked version of Windows Photo Viewer, equipped with play option for photo slideshows and video file viewing.  Movie Movements is another app that will probably be an upgrade of Windows Movie Maker.  Although SkyDrive was already built-in in Windows 8, it seems to be asserting itself more on Windows Blue.  A new settings panel will include the SkyDrive which will prompt users for backups when image and video files come up.  SkyDrive will likely appeal to users as storage is becoming an eminent issue. Aside from all this, the usual accessories have gotten some new features like the calculator which is now equipped with scientific modes and conversion abilities.

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Doogie Howser has arrived on Instagram.  Neil Patrick Harris has added to a long list of celebrities to join the photo-sharing social media hub.  The comedian has already amassed around 49,000 followers after days of signing up, with just three photos shared.  His twin children gets the second post on his Instagram gallery, deservingly so.  The adorable Gideon and Harper hold hands as they smile for the camera.  Fans are betting there will be more of cuteness overload to come.

The first photo in the gallery is of NPH and his fiancé, donning Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson costumes.  This photo garnered 10954 likes and countless comments.  NPH says the photo was taken during their pal’s murder mystery wedding. “The game, as they say, is afoot”, were the words befitting a humorous personality.  A third photo looks like it was taken at the back of a horse carriage on a dusty road resembling the Wild West scene, with the caption, “Took a drive today. It took a while.”  The amusing quotes will surely gather more followers as more photos are posted.

Neil Patrick is best remembered playing a genius who became a doctor at a very young age in the drama series Doogie Howser, MD.    His playboy antics in How I Met Your Mother gave him a sarcastic yet funny persona in television, drawing him away from the geeky doctor image.  His career was on a momentary hiatus until he lands the role of Barney in the current hit show.

Nowadays no actor’s career can go on a long freeze thanks to social media hubs.  Celebrities can maintain and boost their fan base through online groups.  Selena Gomez is one of the highly followed pop stars on Instagram with more than 1.4 million followers.  Her photos are mostly selfies — a web lingo pertaining to posted photos of the account holder—which fans love to see.  The same with Kim Kardiashian’s gallery of 183 photos, most of which are, not surprisingly, of herself.  The famous Kardashian sister has around 1.47 million followers.

The most followed celebrity in Instagram is no other than Justin Beiber, who also holds the title in Twitter.  Beiber has close to 1.5 million fans subscribing to the pop male star’s photo updates.  His posts, like Selena and Kim, are mostly photos of himself in different facial poses, him in a new shirt and without a shirt, and all superficial things.  Among other most followed are Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Taylor Swift, Rihanna and New Girl star Zooey Deschanel.

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Three trailers for the much anticipated Grand Theft Auto 5 were just released by Rockstar.  These rocking clips introduce the main protagonists in the new GTA.  The three virtual players are Michael, Trevor and Franklin, all with diversely defective backgrounds.  Michael used to be involved in big time heists and had made enough so he can live a good life with his family.  He is miserable and bored, as he tells his shrink who diagnoses him as “addicted to chaos”.  Radio Gaga by Queen is Michael’s music background.

Franklin is the typical gangster from the hood who gets into neighborhood fights simply for messing with his homies.  Jay Rock’s “Hood Gone Love It” plays while a trailer of bad ass slingers do their stuff.  Cars explode, shot guns fired and brothers fight against each other around Franklin.  But the troubled man looks for a way to escape the gang-infested hood and it looks like car theft will do that for him.  The background music changes to “Are Your Sure Hank Done This Way?” by Waylon Jennings and the third socially impaired character to represent gamers appears. Trevor, the drug-dealing coke head with abandonment issues, could become the favorite of GTA fans.  Hay wire Trevor goes around terrorizing people with his torturous antics just so he can get his way.  He drops a censorious line at the end of his clip that might just become a gaming meme.

Back in October of last year, Rockstar had already released an initial preview of GTA 5 showing off the urban setting of the fictional Los Santos City of California.  Like its predecessors, the game allows the switching between characters, with three kinds of dysfunctional to choose from.  The developers hinted a sprawl of worlds to explore in the latest GTA, structured around a cruel neighborhood and unfriendly surroundings.  There will be eight major heists to take on in the forthcoming and much awaited GTA 5.  This just-released trailer of the characters had definitely made the avid gamers drool and ogle.

There have been many controversies surrounding this game that’s simply adding to all the hype. Release has been promised and delayed a couple of times, and the third– and hopefully last– announcement of its launching is on September 17, 2013.  Fans were not so happy and openly expressed their frustration on Rockstar’s website.  Meanwhile, to pacify the gamers, pre-orders for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions are being accepted now.

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