Panasonic knocks down price on second-gen lightweight Toughbook 53
Panasonic on Tuesday debuted the second generation upgrade of its lightweight Toughbook 53 notebook computer, which features a faster processor, a larger storage capacity, and improved battery life.
For almost fifteen years, Panasonic's Toughbook has been one of the most recognized brands in ruggedized mobile PCs, and it has included a number of different enterprise-class form factors. Last year, however, the company took the Toughbook brand into two new directions that mirrored the state of the consumer PC industry at large, and the impact it has been having on enterprise devices: Android-powered mobile tablets and lighter-weight touchscreen notebooks.
AOKP Jelly Bean Build 3 available, now supports Galaxy S III
Great news for modding enthusiasts, the Android Open Kang Project team announced the availability of the new Jelly Bean build 3, one week after Jelly Bean build 2 was released.
The current iteration of the Android distribution is based on Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean, build number JRO03R and takes a focus on stability rather than on implementing numerous new features like with the previous build.
New Myspace: gorgeous, but who will use it?
Let's be honest, the news that Myspace is being revamped probably doesn’t have you jumping for joy and punching the air. In fact, I expect your response is probably similar to mine -- a little bit of interest mixed with a lot of "so what?" Myspace was the number one social network in the days before Facebook and Twitter, but now it’s a faded and largely forgotten web presence used by people who should have let go and moved on a long time ago.
But before you dismiss the revamp entirely, as I nearly did, it’s at least worth watching the teaser video Myspace just released because, as it turns out, the completely rebuilt service is beautiful, glossy and -- rather surprisingly -- it might just have you wanting to try it out. I know. Using Myspace! What's next, lobbying Yahoo to bring back GeoCities?
Google Nexus 7 launches in Android-dominated Japan
In the land of the rising sun a new tablet --the Google Nexus 7-- is making its first appearance.
The popular 7-inch tablet sporting Android 4.1 Jelly Bean was launched by Google in Japan. Like with the European launch, the Nexus 7 only comes in one flavor -- the 16GB model and it is available for purchase directly from Google's local Play Store for a price of 19,800 Japanese Yen, which is roughly $255.
O&O SafeErase 6.0 supports Windows 8
Berlin-based O&O Software GmbH has announced a major update to its secure data deletion tool, O&O SafeErase 6.0. Version 6.0.85, also available as a dedicated 64-bit build, has been fully optimized to work with Windows 8 ahead of its release next month.
Version 6.0.85 also implements a customer-requested feature, allowing users to configure the program to shut down after completing a data-shredding task, plus offers enhanced tools for improving internet security along with deleting entire computers and SSD drives before disposal.
Adobe debuts new Photoshop and Premiere Elements
Adobe has announced the availability of Photoshop Elements 11and Premiere Elements 11 -- major overhaul for both packages. A completely revamped interface based on the Photoshop engine greets you on launch, for instance, with a choice of Quick or Expert editing modes, an action bar, one-click options, bold icons and more: it’s all very crisp and clear.
New effects include Premiere Elements 11′s FilmLooks, Hollywood-style color treatments that can give your movie the look of an old news reel (for instance) with a quick drag-and-drop. The Time Remapping tool provides some quality and easy-to-control fast and slow motion effects (from 8x down to 1/8x).
Bitrix24 gives away free cloud-based social intranet to startups
As Microsoft’s recent $1.2 billion Yammer acquisition proves, there’s a growing demand for enterprise social networks at the moment. Big name firms like Citrix and SalesForce have invested heavily in the popular communications trend, and Bitrix24 has seen some 10,000 SMBs sign up to use its cloud-based service since the May launch -- helped in no small part by the fact it’s entirely free for companies with 12 or fewer users.
Buoyed by its growing user base, Bitrix24 now targets startups with a $2.4 million program designed to popularize social intranet use at firms that might consider it out of their reach for one reason or another. The company plans to do this by giving away a thousand one-year subscriptions to its flagship Professional Intranet plan (worth $2,400 each) and all companies need do to be considered for one of these grants is to fill out the short application form on the company’s website.
Microsoft enters the Windows 'RT era'
I'm having one of those "duh" moments this afternoon, actually it started in the AM. Gartner analysts today profess the obvious: Windows 8 is a gamble, but one Microsoft must make to stay relevant. Really? Like we haven't said similarly here at BetaNews, and others elsewhere, for months. Given, the only good news today seems to be iPhone 5, and we're all so tired here of promoting Apple's Jesus Phone (could the Second Coming really get this much press), anything Windows 8 is welcome.
Something more: Gartner analysts finally go on record clearly stating that the post-PC era -- what I call the cloud-connected device era -- is here; not coming someday, but upon us now. Well, the transition phase anyway. That's worth putting on record for your reference and our future stories.
Afraid of getting hit by lightning? WeatherBug Elite for Android might help
Weather apps consistently rank behind games as the second most popular class of mobile applications (Source: Nielsen) but does your weather app tell you where you're most likely to be hit by a bolt of lightning?
WeatherBug Elite for Android, which received a major version update today, includes that very feature, called "Lightning Alerts."
Apple voted the coolest brand in UK
I spent a long time chatting with prospective iPhone 5 purchasers at my local Apple store at the weekend. I wasn’t queuing up with them, just getting feedback on why they were so keen to buy a handset that isn’t, frankly, the most amazing or revolutionary device Apple has ever produced. The reasons I received ranged from: "I’m out of contract and need a new phone" to "I buy everything Apple makes".
I also got a lot of the "iPhone is the coolest phone", responses. Even when Apple messes up, people still love the company. Its phones may no longer be the fastest or arguably the best, but they still have a magical "cool" quality about them, as does Apple itself.
When will multi-platform users escape digital content hell?
I'm not locked in to any one company's ecosystem right now. I have a Windows 7 Ultrabook, a desktop I built myself running Mint Linux, an iPad, and my trusty Galaxy Nexus. Each appliance serves the purpose I purchased it for very well, and I feel no need to switch away from any of them for the moment. When I perform basic daily tasks, things run smoothly. I use Dropbox and Google Drive for sharing much of my content back and forth, and it's a great experience.
When it comes to purchasing digital content like music, movies, or books, it feels like I am punished for not being locked in to any one content system.
iPhone 5 first-impressions review
On Friday, FedEx delivered a pair of his and hers iPhone 5s to my home, which was much better than waiting in line outside Apple Store.
Apple says it sold 5 million units over the launch weekend. I can claim two of them.
Apple claims 5 million iPhone 5 units sold during the weekend
One week after Apple announced two million iPhone 5s were pre-ordered in 24 hours, the Cupertino, California-based corporation claims even stronger iPhone 5 sales during the launch weekend.
iPhone 5 sales topped over five million units in the three days after the September 21 launch according to the press release issued by Apple on Monday.
Jelly Bean update for Samsung Galaxy S III available in Europe
HTC promised, and Samsung delivered.
After a number of leaked beta builds surfaced, the official Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for the Samsung Galaxy S III is now available in select European countries.
CyberLink PhotoDirector 4 Ultra review
PhotoDirector 4 is CyberLink’s answer to the digital darkroom question. In this age where people regularly snap dozens of photos in a single sitting, digital photography tools have to offer more than just editing features. PhotoDirector follows in the footsteps of Adobe’s Photoshop Lightroom in offering organzation, adjustment, editing and sharing tools in a single package. In fact, with its editing tools, PhotoDirector goes beyond Photoshop Lightroom to venture into Photoshop Elements territory.
Version 1 debuted less than two years ago, yet thanks to its rapid pace of development, here we are with version 4. Not only does it debut some major new tools, including a stunning content aware removal tool and body shaper, but PhotoDirector 4 marks the app’s debut on the Mac platform too. With so many new features to check out, we took this brand new version for a test drive to see if it lives up to its new “Ultra” moniker.
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