Microsoft OS Windows 8 Will Reduce Boot Time to 8 Seconds -- Watch Live Demo

Its way early to say something about the features of Microsoft’s new edition of Windows i.e. Windows 8; as it is scheduled to be released in 2012 but the latest post on Microsoft’s blog shows a significantly improved boot time in the next iteration of the Windows Operating System.

Microsoft OS Windows 8 Will Reduce Boot Time to 8 Seconds

It sounds really fresh to see that Microsoft is dedicating to minimize long boot times, which is one of the most infuriating aspects of computing for many users.

Very soon just about 8 seconds you will need from the moment the machine is turned on until it’s fully booted, which would really be a huge progress over most machines running earlier versions of Windows today. 

Even with Windows 8 the boot time will differ for different machines depending upon the hardware of the machines. Systems with a lot of RAM and an SSD instead of a HDD will help out extremely. 

Wondering how exactly Microsoft’s engineers did it? Microsoft has provided a very detailed breakdown of this achievement. In short, it’s a hybrid between traditional cold boot and resuming from hibernate. 

Watch video of the live demo below:

Maserati GranCabrio Fendi: Testament to ultra luxury - Set to be unveiled at Frankfurt MotorShow in September 2011

The Maserati GranCabrio Fendi features a high-profile collaboration between two of Italy’s (and the world’s) most recognizable luxury brands, so it’s no surprise that the resulting car is a testament to ultra luxury.

Maserati GranCabrio Fendi: testament to ultra luxury

The Maserati GranCabrio Fendi comes equipped with wood grain trim on the dashboard, doors, and top of the gear lever, as well as a 4.7-liter V8 engine, and an automatic transition. Fendi outlines the seats as well as the center of the factory stock 20-inch alloy wheels the GranCabrio comes equipped with. If that isn’t styling enough, the car comes with limited edition travel luggage in each ride.

The Maserati GranCabrio Fendi is set to make its international debut at the prestigious Frankfurt MotorShow in September 2011.

2011 Geneva Auto Show - Special Fiat 500 With a Touch of Gucci Style Set to Be Launched

Fiat 500 was first produced in the 50s and it pioneered a style revolution when it first came on the road. With the fuel prices touching the skies, the small car has once again become focal point to the future plans of all the major automobile manufacturers. Fiat will attend the 2011 Geneva Auto Show with its new and special 500 by Gucci. This special edition city car has been customised by Gucci Creative Director Giannini and Fiat’s Centro Stile.

The car will have a two-tone black with white interior or white exterior with satin chrome and black interior. The special edition car has numerous special features. The car comes with 195/45 R16 wheels, with rear brake calipers in Gucci green. The car will have a stripe almost everywhere. From the exterior it will continue inside on the seats, on the gear shift, on the key cover and even on the carpets. The seats will be two toned in Frau Leather with Guccissima print.

Gucci is celebrating its 90th anniversary year and is taking this opportunity to create a new modern travel statement. Travelling in style has been at the heart of Gucci as Guccio Gucci had originally started off as a producer of leather trunks, suitcases and handbags. The 500 by Gucci will go on sale online on April 1. The prices start at 17,000 Euros, inclusive of all taxes. The car will be on display at major cities like Paris, London and Tokyo. This could be the beginning of another style revolution.

Catch the video here:

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play to Be Unveiled at MWC - Will Come in UK on O2

It was announced today morning that Sony Ericsson set to launch officially much-awaited Xperia Play smartphone in 2011 Mobile World Congress, scheduled to be held 14-17 February, in Barcelona, Spain. 

Not only the gaming fanatics were excited to hear that news; but the announcement made UK mobile carrier O2 to step forward to announce via Twitter that it will be carrying the Xperia Play on its network. 

O2 didn’t specify any pricing details or release date; as it is expected to be announced in MWC on the release of Xperia Play. 

Exact specification are also unknown and hopefully be exposed at MWC; but according to information leaked through web the Xperia Play would have 4 inch display with 854 x 480 pixels resolution. It will run Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It will also have a 5 megapixels camera.

Toshiba Tablet Powered by Android 3.0 (Honeycomb): A New Entrant in The Tablet market With Impressive Featues - - Expected to Hit The markets in This Spring

Toshiba have all the plans to jump into the tablet market with its new 10.1-inch multi touchscreen tablet apparently powered by Android 3.0 (aka Honeycomb). 

The Tablet offers a 1280 x 800 720p resolution as well as intelligent light sensors for adjusting the brightness of the screen according to the atmosphere. Android quick-key buttons for home, menu, back and search are located on the front of the device.  

More specific specs of Toshiba Tablet are:

1.      Varied choice of slip-resistant EasyGrip

2.   Two speakers located on the ears of the device with SRS audio enhancements

3.      Dual-core CPU with built-in Nvidia 1080p video processor

4.      Microphone, headphone, mini-USB, USB 2.0, HDMI ports and a SD card slot

5.      Front and rear cameras with 2 megapixel and 5 megapixel respectively

Toshiba tablet full of inspiring features, some of them mentioned above, the device is scheduled to be released this spring as per the official website but without any specific information about date and pricing.

Motorola Xoom Coming to Best Buy on February 17 for $800

Motorola Xoom, possibly the most awaited Android-based tablet, is expected to come on Best Buy on February 17 at $799.99, or nearly as much as a 64GB iPad with 3G.

Apart from Xoom’s price higher than expected earlier; few fact are still in the Xoom’s favour, which are:

1.      A dual-core processor

2.      10.1-inch screen

3.      Google Android, 3.0 (or Honeycomb); will be the first tablet available with the latest version of Google’s Android OS

3DS Handheld Console Officially Annlounced by Nintendo - - Offers 3D Gaming Without the Need for Glasses

Nintendo is going to launch officially its upcoming 3DS handheld console today, which offers 3D gaming without the need for glasses, at an event in Amsterdam. 

 

The 3DS' screen uses a special layer that allows each of the user's eyes to see a different set of pixels, producing a stereoscopic effect. Like previous iterations of the DS, it also has a second screen, in 2D with a stylus, and WiFi internet access. 

The 3DS' stereoscopic capability is viewed as a weapon for Nintendo in its battle against gaming on smartphones, which have become more sophisticated since the launch of the highly successful original DS in 2005.

Sony Ericsson Xperia PlayStation Phone - - More Technical Specifications and Video Leaked

Although Sony Ericsson has yet to announce the PlayStation Phone officially, this hasn't stopped a bunch of leaked pictures and videos  and hands-on time from appearing on the Internet more times than once.

The latest team who managed to get hold of a PlayStation Phone somehow, have actually done an early review of the smartphone/games machine to show the world what it's like and how it performs. Although the PlayStation Phone review does show a lot about the device, it's important to remember that early reviews of handsets often reveal a few problems and performance issues that often get ironed out before the official launch.

Technical specs of the device show that it has a 4-inch screen (touchscreen) that has a resolution of 854 x 480 pixels. A 1GHz processor runs inside. It has a 5 megapixel camera on the back that has an LED flash accompanying it. When launched, it is expected that it will run Google Android 2.3.

Check out the videos below to see it in action and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Thermo Mirror from NEC Avio - - Read Your Temperature by Just looking at It

It’s the time of year when it seems like everyone is getting sick. I spent nearly two weeks battling the flu myself not too long ago. One of the annoyances while trying to fight off illness is taking your temperature. You have to deal with a thermometer, which usually means sticking something under your tongue, waiting, then washing it off. After all, you don’t want those old germs going right back in your mouth the next time you check your temperature.

NEC Avio knows how annoying this can be, and are working on a device called the Thermo Mirror. All you need to do is look into the mirror for a moment, and it will give you a reading using infrared thermography. Granted, the last thing you want to do when you’re sick is stare at yourself in the mirror, but I think you’ll live. The downside here is that they’re going to want around $1,200 for the device when it launches later this year.

Nokia X7-00 Smartphone: Specifications and Official Images Revealed - - Set to Be Launched at Mobile World Congress 2011

Justifying our earlier reports and video about the specifications of upcoming Nokia smartphone, X7-00, media has got the official pictures of this smartphone, which is due at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona starting February 14.

Technology blog PocketNow has published the latest images of Nokia X7-00, which they claimed as the official press pictures. According to the details on images, Nokia X7-00 will be available through AT&T network in United States.

The Symbian 3 powered Nokia X7-00 will have a 4.0-inch capacitive touchscreen with Gorilla Glass Technology or ClearBack Technology. The display screen also supports HD pixel resolution. This smartphone also boasts 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash at rear.

It is expected that the Nokia X7-00 will provide four speakers at the foue corners of the front panel, making it an unique multi-media smartphone that provide maximum entertainment to the users. The features and specs of Nokia X7-00 promise an ultimate gaming phone from world leader, Nokia.

Nokia X7-00 specifications (expected):

* 4.0-inch Capacitive touchscreen

* Gorilla Glass Technology
* Symbian 3 OS
* 720MHz processor
* 512MB graphics card
* 450 MB, 256 MB RAM
* Dula Cameras
* 8 MP at rear with LED flash
* HD video recording support
* 2 MP at front
* 3G
* 4 front panel speakers
* Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
* Bluetooth
* 32 GB micro SD support
* Micro USB
* A-GPS support
* Ovi Maps

The much awaited Mobile World Congress will be a stage for Nokia to retain their lost shares in handset market. According to rumor mills, Nokia will launch more than three smartphones, including Nokia N9, at the gadget show. Let's wait for some days to get the 'real' smartphone from Nokia. Just wait for more updates.

LG Pecan: Upcoming Low Cost Android Smartphone - - New Android Gingerbread Smartphone in the Pipeline From LG

LG is planning to recreate the Optimus One magic with another Android smartphone. Korean publication PlusNews is reporting that LG is preparing to launch an Android smartphone named Pecan at Mobile World Congress. The smartphone will cost around $200 and will come with NFC support, but the publication writes Android version as 2.2, which surely is a type as NFC is only supported in Gingerbread.

The specifications are expected to be in line with Optimus One, may be a little bit on the lower side as company is targeting the mass market. Considering the success of LG Optimus One, the strategy might well work. NFC support is surely an added advantage.

Blackberry Storm 3 (aka Blackberry Monaco): Expected to Emerge Soon - - First Blackberry Smartphone to Run RIM’s New QNX Neutrino Based Operating System

It’s been cropping up in leaks since October, but it looks like the Blackberry Storm 3 is finally heading to production as RIM‘s first QNX smartphone.

 The handset, also dubbed the Blackberry Monaco, has apparently been cleared for production, with sources close to project outing it as the first Blackberry smartphone to run RIM’s new QNX Neutrino based OS.

The platform, which recently made its début on the Blackberry PlayBook, is likely to equip smartphones with a revamped interface, Adobe Flash support, true multitasking, lower power consumption and rich multimedia capabilities. Speaking in a recent interview, RIM CEO Mike Lazaridis also revealed that QNX-equipped phones will also feature dual-core processors, and will look like “shrunken down” versions of the upcoming PlayBook.

If previous rumours are to be believed, the Blackberry Storm 3 will also boast a 1GHz processor, 768MB RAM, a 3.7 inch capacitive display and a 5 megapixel camera.

No word on when the Blackberry Storm 3 will be hitting shelves, although RIM CEO Mike Lazaridis recently let slip that QNX phones are unlikely to land anytime soon. We think someone may have been telling porky-pies…

Mysterious HTC Device Without Any Capacitive Button - - Producing Waves Yet Again in The World of Rumours Associated With HTC

After running around the HTC EVO Shift 4G for months, a spanking new rumor has been hovering around once again. Phandroid has been recently tipped off about a mysterious HTC device deficient of any capacitive buttons. It seems to be an ongoing trend with HTC’s phones, to be clad in a rush of rumours and the moment one sheds it another grabs immediately. 

One of their readers managed to tease out images of new HTC devices from the freshly updated HTC Sync. These belonged to three handsets; the first being the already released Thunderbolt while the second was of the long-rumored HTC Merge. However, the third one is of an unidentified HTC handset with a Verizon logo imbibed atop.

The fact that it has no visible capacitive buttons has intrigued several in the mobile web world. Going by the smartphone’s form factor, it is quite difficult to identify which device this is. Apparently, the handset displays the HTC Sense Live Wallpaper. There is a possibility that this is just a symbolic representative of the original device. However, there are no means to affirm the credibility of this image.

Optimus 2X LG-P990: World's First Dual Core Smartphone - - Available at Expansys for £499 from February 21st 2011

We might have a UK release date for the Optimus 2X LG-P990, the world’s first dual core smartphone introduced by LG last month and showcased at the CES.

Powered by Nvidia’s Tegra 2 processor, when the LG Optimus 2X P990 was unveiled in December, LG claimed it was the first ever mobile phone to employ two cores. Since that time we’ve seen competitors, like the Motorola Atrix 4G smartphone, sport the same Tegra 2 CPU, as well as numerous Honeycomb tablets do the same. However, it looks like the Optimus 2X will be the first such Tegra 2 model to hit the market, as Expansys have just put the model up for pre-order on the shop’s website.

Out next month

The LG Optimus 2X is available from the Expansys homepage for £499 SIM-free, with a stated February 21st 2011 release date.

AVDBR1 In-car Blu-ray Player From Audiovox - - Now Enjoy Hi-Fefinition Movies on The Go!

Watching DVDs is one good way for passengers to pass the time in a long car ride. I’ve never really been taken with the idea though. I mean, who really wants to spend a car ride watching video that’s sub-par at best? I mean, if you’re not going to watch movies in hi-def, then you might as well pop in a VHS tape or something. Thankfully the people at Audiovox understand my plight, and have announced the AVDBR1 in-car Blu-ray player.

In all seriousness though, I can’t imagine having the need to put a Blu-ray player in my car. I mean, unless you’re going to put in a screen nice enough (and large enough) to appreciate the extra pixels, what’s the point? If you’ve already ditched the DVD as a format, then I suppose you’ll appreciate this $350 unit when it comes out in the Spring.

Android 2.4 'Ice Cream' on The Way to Capture Smartphones Market in Mid of 2011

Few hints and rumours are hovering around about Google Android version 2.4, otherwise known as Ice Cream.

With Honeycomb (Android 3.0) already available on the Motorola Xoom tablet, and Gingerbread on the edge of becoming mainstream, one can expect Ice Cream to be shoe-horned into the smartphone market as Google tries to tidy up its offering (Honeycomb for tablets, Gingerbread/Ice Cream for smartphones).

It is highly expected that Android 2.4 ‘Ice Cream’ to be available at the end of the first half of 2011 when more powerful dual core smartphones appear on the market.

Like for most other products and services, Google very rarely commits to a date because of the nature of its business but given that Google I/O 2011 is set to take place on the 11th of May 2011 in San Francisco, one can expect an announcement there.

Samsung 10.1" PC 7 Coming in March 2011 at $699

Samsung transformed all the rumours into reality by revealing PC 7 series at CES 2011. The first offering in the PC 7 series is a 10.1" sized tablet with a slightly chunky appearance which is due to the slideout keyboard hidden below the display. Running Windows 7 the inclusion of a keyboard with touchpad will compensate for the OS' shortcomings on a tablet.

Samsung’s PC 7 comes with some impressive specifications enlisted below:

·         .66GHz "Oak Trail" Intel Atom Processor

·         2GB of RAM and 32GB or 64GB SSD

·         HD LCD with a 1366x768 Resolution

·         1.3 Megapixel webcam

·         WiFi and 3G Connectivity

Samsung has also made sure that the tablet comes with a number of touchscreen friendly applications including Samsung's multimedia, note taking, compass and weather apps among others and Microsoft's Bing Maps.

Not surprisingly it isn't competitively priced though for its internal hardware its certainly not overpriced at $699. The 10.1" PC 7 is expected to be available in March.

Piaget Emperador Coussin Tourbillon Automatic Ultra Thin Watch to be Showcased at Salon Internationale de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) 2011, Geneva Switzerland

The Salon Internationale de la Haute Horlogerie is the world’s largest and most prestigious watch show. The SIHH 2011 will take place this month in Geneva Switzerland. The show will see 19 of the world’s greatest luxury brands unveil their newest watches. It is perhaps the biggest event for the watch industry and the luxury brands are geared up to present their best and the latest at the show.

Traditionally most of the brands participating in the SIHH pre release one or two of their watches in the weeks leading up to the big show. This time, though, a couple of the brands have not shown their hand yet. Piaget has pre-released their Piaget Emperador Coussin Tourbillon Automatic Ultra Thin which has been well appreciated by the experts and analysts of the trade and the consumers as well.

The new watch comes in a 46.5mm case made of white or pink gold, featuring new manufacture Caliber 1270p. The look of the watch, its craftsmanship and the precision technology that backs up its performance is all of the highest order. The newest watch from Piaget has  5.5mm thick, automatic, tourbillon, with a front-facing micro-rotor. It is bound to be amongst the front runners for recognition at the Geneva show.

Motorola 'Droid XOOM': Powered by Google's Latest Android Operating System Honeycomb 2.3 - - Will Be Launched at CES 2011

Few days back Motorola released a video of their upcoming tablet PC. 'XOOM' Now Motorola, is all set to launch its latest tablet computer 'Droid XOOM' at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2011. Motorola Droid Xoom will run on Google's latest Android operating system Honeycomb 2.3.

The latest sensation Droid XOOM is powered with NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor and an onboard 32GB of flash storage memory. It has dual cameras, 5 megapixel at rear and a 2 megapixel at front.

Motorola Droid XOOM will also support micro SD memory cards for storage expansion. It also offers gyroscope and other popular applications.

Motorola Droid XOOM specifications:

* Android Honeycomb 2.3 OS
* Dual cameras
* Nvidia Tegra 2 processor
* 32GB of flash storage memory
* Micro SD support

Motorola Droid XOOM is expected to hit markets on Feb 14. Anyhow, Motorola has not announced the price of Droid XOOM.

MSI Butterfly and MSI Angelow: Part of All-in-one Wind Top Desktops - - To Be Unveiled at CES 2011

MSI set to unveil, at CES 2011, a new line of the company’s all-in-one Wind Top desktops, promise to bring about a new scenario in computing. Two of them have been nicknamed Butterfly and Angelow.

However not many details have been revealed ahead of the CES that gets underway in a few days from now, we get to understand that the Butterfly concept would come with 10-point multi-touch sliding LCD. If you are one of those PC freaks who always thought a static monitor can be so boring, this is for you.

You will be able to slide the LCD as per your convenience and then bring it back to its normal position for mouse and keyboard use. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?

For the moment, the MSI Angelow concept comes across as a more straightforward design. However, you would get to play with some upscale components. We are just waiting to know what MSI has hid under the Angelow and Butterfly hood.