The Crackle app now joins the Windows mobile platform

The popular Crackle app that offers free TV content,such as  movies and TV programmes, which is supported through advertisements has joined the Windows mobile platform.

This app may not particularly be the most sophisticated app around and it may not offer downloads and the most up to date content. But  it does boast an impressive selection of movies and TV programmes,  such as Seinfeld, Pine apple Express 2008 ,kung Fu Hustle 2005, Mr Deeds 2002 etc.

This app is now on all the major mobile platforms including  the PlayStation 3 and Roku. If you want to check this app out just go download it from the appropriate on app store.  

WMPoweruser

source Windows Phone Market

Windows 8 is to get “Xbox Windows” Branded Games

According to a tech website called eurogamer Windows 8 is to get “Xbox Windows” Branded Games, the same as the Windows Phone Marketplace has. The new Xbox branded games will also be able to link with Microsoft’s Xbox Live service, offering Gamer score points for earning achievements in the games.  These games are likely to be found on it’s new Metro app tile service so keeping the new branded games separate from the Windows live service which also offers games. The first games to get it’s new branding will be Minesweeper, Solitaire and Microsoft Mahjong that will offer up to 50 Gamer scores. 

This re branding raises some red flags for game developers, because it invokes thoughts of Microsoft making it a closed platform like that of  Microsoft’s Xbox. If Microsoft did decide to make it a closed platform the developers would have to go through extensive certification processes and mandatory features to release their games through the Windows Store, which would be an headache for developer and which could discourage developers from developing for the platform.

Windows 8 comes out in October so be sure to check it out if you intend buying the new OS.

A picture has emerged on the internet that hints of a Kinect 2 with enhanced capabilities

A picture has emerged on the internet that hints of a Kinect 2 with enhanced capabilities.  The image was posted by a twitter user    called SuperDaE. This image appears to show two people using the Kinect 2 which is running on a Durango, which is the code name for the latest Xbox development kit. 

 

This image seems to give an indication that there is going to get a massive upgrade from the previous model.  The images seem clearer and it appears to show more depth than the previous model did. All this suggests that the new sensor is capable of capturing a much greater amount of data. If all this is true then the new Kinect sensor along with the new rumoured Xbox 720, which  is likely to be launched at the same time, will likely be able to solve some long running issues such as lag and accuracy issues which has blighted the current model since its launch.

 

The new Kinect 2 sensor is likely to be launched along side the much hyped Xbox 720 sometime within the next 18 months. If all the rumours are true about the new Xbox 720 that indicates that its going to come packed with native 3d, true 1080p, a blue ray player and a much faster Intel eight-core CPU with a NVIDIA graphics card, then the game station combined with the new sensor will be able to blow away its closest competitor which is the Sony PlayStation 3. 

 

 

 

 

iOS 6 gives a subtle hint about the iPhone’s 5 screen size

The soon to be released iOS 6 gives a subtle hint about the iPhone’s 5 screen size.  The website 9to5Mac has found that an application called the iOS simulator has been tweaked in iOS 6, which is used to build iOS apps. What they found was that they were able to expand the screen resolution to match the resolution that of the rumoured iPhone 5 screen size which has a resolution of 640 x 1136 also when the image was expanded to that size an extra row of apps was also automatically added onto the home screen. In iOS 5.1 when the same resolution was applied it just made the four rows of home screen apps appear to further spread out across the larger screen space. 

However it cannot be concluded that this is evidence that confirms that apple is planning to release an iPhone 5 with a larger display. It could just be an indication that apple are simply testing a prototype screen that they never plan to release. Until apple finally make an an announcement which is rumoured to be on September the 12th,  we will not know for sure.  

 

 

A must have Hurricane app gets released by the Red Cross for Android & Apple iOS users

The American Red Cross releases a free app called the Hurricane app for Android and Apple iOS users. This app is particularly useful for anyone living on the eastern seaboard of the USA and those who live in the Caribbean. This app form a part of their plan to help provide assistance to the wider community in time of an emergency. The app comes on the heals of their first aid app which has had already over 600,000 downloads within the last six weeks. They plan to release other apps too that will be available within a couple of months.

The Hurricane app is divided into three sections. The first section concentrates on providing the user with useful background knowledge of Hurricanes. The second section focuses on how you should prepare for the Hurricane. You will be provided with a comprehensive check list so you and your family will be able to create a family emergency plan. There is also instructions for putting together an emergency kit in order to survive the on coming Hurricane. The last part of this app mainly focuses on how you can get through actual Hurricane event, such as helping you find the nearest open Red Cross shelters during the Hurricane.  Also in this part of the app you will be able to track the Hurricane, so you will know when it is safe to leave your shelter.

The user will have invaluable access to weather alerts that is provided by the  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which provide weather alerts for the US and its territories. The user then will be able to easily share share that information on social networks, such as Facebook, twitter etc. This app will also make it easy to keep in contact with your family members, by letting you post very quickly via a number of social networks, such as Facebook, twitter etc. There is even a one touch feature on the app called “I’m safe” that lets users inform others they’re safe via the social media outlets.

If your interested in this app just head over to the Apple App Store and the Android Google Play Store.

Ovivo offers free phone calls texts and data every month

There is a new telephone company on the block called Ovivo mobile, this company is now offering its customers a generous bundle of free calls, texts and data every month. There is no minimum tops up and no contract every month.  The only catch is that you have to agree to view targeted adverts that are directed to your phones internet browser. The company is compatible with most platforms with the exception of Blackberry and Symbian. So you should have no problems signing up and getting the service running on your device. Once you have signed up and paid £5’s you will receive your sim with £5’s of credit. Its worth noting that once your monthly allowance runs out then you will be charged at 6p per minute for calls,6p per text and 6p per MB for data, which are the best rates to be found within the UK.

 

The company piggybacks on the Vodafone network, so your guaranteed a solid and reliable reception wherever you choose to wander within the UK.  

For more details go over to the Ovivo website.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will be unveiled on August the 29th

Rumours were writhe yesterday that Samsung was going to release a product in Berlin ahead of the IFA 2012 trade show in a Unpacked event. It was suspected it was the the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Samsung yesterday sent out invites to the members of the press to attend their press event on August the 29th but they failed to state what product they would release so sparking off rumours about the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 being released.  Today Samsung confirmed those rumours by issuing a statement to Reuters stating that: 

 

We plan to unveil the next Galaxy Note at the Samsung Mobile Unpacked event in Berlin on August 29,” a Samsung spokesman said on Friday, without elaborating. The event will take place two days before the opening of Europe’s biggest consumer electronics trade fair IFA.

 

Usually Samsung do not announce such details in advance of their press events. It seems like Samsung are hoping to catch the bit of press attention, before they launch the phone. Samsung will certainly need this attention, because Apple will most likely be releasing their much rumoured iPhone 5 in the very near future, which will likely over shadow any product release or announcement made by Samsung or any other company.  

However there has been no official confirmation about the rumoured specifications of the device.  It is expected to come with a 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos 4412 processor and with a whopping   1.5GB of RAM that will guarantee speed and fluidity when you carrying out the most demanding tasks.  If these specification are true it will make it faster than Samsung flagship phone the Samsung Galaxy S3 and that phone is no slouch . 

More rumours emerge about the release dates of the iPhone 5 and the iPad mini

According to the tech website iMore apple is planning to announce the iPhone 5 at a press event on the 12th of September. The device will then be launched on Friday the 21 st of September. In the past iMore have been very accurate, so expect this to most likely happen. However its worth pointing out that it seems unlikely that the iPad mini will be announced at the same event, because  rumours have emerged from a website called ilounge that suggests that the actual launch date of that device will most likely be in November, due to apple not being able to have the device ready in time for a September launch. 

Apples new iOS 6 software is also expected  to be launched  at the iPhones 5’s press event . It worth noting that the iPhone 5 will most likely be launched with the new iOS 6 software. iOS 6 is expected to have up to 200 new features that includes Apples new maps,a further upgrade of Siri and deeper Facebook integration.   

 

New pictures has been released of the iPhone 5 that further substantiates the current rumours about the specs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New pictures been released by a repair shop called iLabfactory, according to the tech website 9to5mac of the iPhone 5 that further substantiates the current rumours flying around about the rumoured iPhone 5 specifications.

The picture clearly shows the smaller dock connector which consists of the rumoured 19 pins rather than the current 30 pins that are currently being used on all Apple iOS products at the moment. The rumoured 4 inch 16:9 screen in a longer form factor is also present in the picture.

Nothing have been verified so it’s best to treat every rumour and photo about the iPhone that emerges with caution until Apple actually confirms it. Because in 2011 before the iphone 4S was released, there were many rumours around that suggested that the iPhone 4s was coming with a 4 inch screen, 4g and NFC   technology, but all these rumours came to nothing and the iPhone 4S actually got more of a minor upgrade.  Apple are actually very good at keeping security tight regarding their future planned products.

 

10 of the best apps for London 2012 Olympics

There are 100’s of apps to choose from to help you ease yourself through the 2012 Olympics, however finding the best apps is not an easy task.  The tech website Techrader have come up with an interesting list of apps that will prove to be really useful for anyone who wants to find the best apps for the London 2012 Olympics.   

 

1,The official Join In App for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games 

This app focuses on providing information on what is going on around the country that is related to the  2012 Olympics that is not sport related such as events, celebrations and activities . 

For more details see these links to the app stores where this app is available  BlackBerryAndroid and ,Apples iOS 

 

2,London 2012: Official Results App – Free

This app keeps you informed with all the latest news schedules and  results as they happen in the 2012 Olympics.

For more details see these links to the app stores where this app is available,  Apples iOS app store,  Android and Windows Phone

 

3,Reuters Olympics London – Free

This app give you the latest photos of the action as they happen in the 2012 Olympics.

For more details see Apples iOS app Store

 

4,Curly’s Pocket Guide to sports – 69p

Its an easy to use app that explains each Olympic event simply. This app is a perfect companion for getting me through the 2012 Olympics.

For more details see Apples iOS app store

 

5,BBC Olympics – Free

This app is a must for keeping in touch with the sporting action as it happens. This app will also have live text commentary and 24 live video streams of the action.

For more details see these links to the app stores where this app is available BlackBerryAndroid and Apples iOS app store

 

6,London Olympics 2012 – 50p 

This app is the ultimate companion for anyone who planes to visit the Olympics. It provides the visitor with the latest Weather forecast, the event fixtures, places to eat, sleep and party  in-between sporting events also this app gives the user valuable travel updates which will ensure that the visitor will not miss any event.  

For more details see the Android app store.

 

7,London 2012- Official Mobile Game -Free(Premium £1.99)

This App lets you train in a game to be an ultimate athlete and it also lets you compete in 9 fast paced events in the London 2012 Olympics.

For more details see these links to the app stores where this app is available  Android Apples iOS app store.

 

8,London Tube Deluxe-69p

This is a route planner which has live information about rail and London underground transport. This will help you navigate around London when your going to and from events. 

For more details see Apples iOS app store.

 

9,London Bus Buddy-Free

This app is a must for anyone who is planning to use the buses within London to get around the Olympic events.  The London Bus Buddy app give you live departure times from any bus station in London and it provides you with a journey planner, which works offline too.

For more details see Apples iOS app store.

 

10. TripAdvisor – Free

Last but not least is TripAdvisor. This app is a must for finding the best value hotels, restaurants, bars and attractions that are close to you. All this works through your phones gps navigation system. 

For more details see these links to the app stores where this app is available Apples iOS app store, Android and Windows Mobile.

 

Please note that the source of this information is from the Techrader tech website.  If you want to know more about these apps either go to the Techrader website or go to the appropriate app stores where they can be bought and downloaded into your device.