iTech Bahrain

Steve Jobs fans can have the chance of getting a little bit of him in their own home soon, as a plush toy is about to make its debut on the market. Throwboy, maker of the plush, is very proud of iCEO, and with good reason. Not only is it a cuddly 15-inch toy, it’s also quite accurate in its depiction of Jobs. His stubble is present, the shoes are detailed down to the branding, and the little plastic glasses are removable. 10% of the profits made with each plush toy will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

TED announced the release of its official TED app on the Android platform. Developed with the aid of Sony, the app allows users to browse and watch the full library of over 1,100 TEDTalks videos – all categorized, searchable and tagged for their viewing pleasure. In case you aren’t familiar with TED, it is a nonprofit devoted to “Ideas Worth Spreading”. Each TEDTalks episode features some of the world’s most fascinating people as they entertain and enlighten the world with their ideas, inventions and performances. The app will be updated with all the latest TEDTalks videos – as soon as the videos are available online, they will be watchable on the app as well. Users will be able to easily browse and search through all the videos, share anything interesting, bookmark their favorite videos for later viewing, download video and audio for offline viewing, and listen to a curated audio stream. The app is available now as a free download from the Google Play Store.

Microsoft has indeed a technological advancement. Researchers of the company have created a so-called augmented reality concept by enhancing the reaction of virtual simulation with that of the physical world. The process is known as Kinect Fusion (since the Kinect sensor is used) and utilizes a device called Beamatron in order to work. The Beamatron setup is basically comprised of the projector, Kinect sensor and a pan tilt moving head. The augmented reality concept is fairly simple as the process (Kinect Fusion) builds a 3D model of a space and enables objects projected to react with a variety of surfaces in physically appropriate ways. What is really commendable with the technology is that objects are projected in a room and there are realistic movements. The objects can react with other objects such as table, chair and walls. Simulation is not even distorted whenever crossings are made on bumpy surfaces. The projector can really sense what is happening in a room and makes changes in seconds. When used in the future, the possibilities are endless as this can be applied in both architecture and gaming. Moreover, it can also help individuals with their surroundings. Another application is that it would be able to bring notifications as well as graphics within user’s view.

Western Digital’s Mybook Thunderbolt Duo external storage design that can carry two HDDs under a single external case. Today, the world’s leader for external storage solution is bringing the device officially out for us, for the price of $600 for the 4TB (2x2TB) variant while $700 for 6TB (2x3TB). Aside from its two-in-1 storage support, Mybook Duo’s other feature includes “daisy-chaining” up to six of its units on your Mac. In our previous report, we got news that the device allows 30-second transfer of full HD movies including support for other optical connections such as HDMI, VGA, and DVI. Meanwhile, its PR suggest the product supports RAID 0,1 including JBOD options for folks who run Windows on OS X plus, daisy-chain with your Mac’s Time Machine backup storage which is quite handy especially for users who needs a large storage solution in their computers.

The iPad 3 is everything what the iPad 2, with its core specs boosted. While some might say these are still “cosmetic upgrades” as seen from the transition of iPhone 4 or 4S, we can’t deny the new tablet has the power to change the market once again, and it’s happening just a mere week from now! If you’re planning to buy your first ever tablet, we have our fingers pointed for the new iPad. Now, the case is somewhat tricky if you already have the iPad 2. Likewise, it will tumble down to your needs and in case that requires a faster CPU, better camera and LTE support then you may want to check Apple’s new mecca – it still has the same price you know. Tim Cook’s final note: “We have redefined yet again the category that Apple created just two years ago with the original iPad.” “The amazing new iPad. A new affordable price for the amazing iPad 2. Amazing software like iPhoto and the rest of the iWork suite.”

 
After months of speculation and rumors about the iPad 3. Apple has officially started sending out invitations for unveiling of the iPad 3. The event will be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco at 10AM PST on Wednesday, March 7th. Will it feature a quad-core processor? LTE connectivity? Retina Display?

Asus have divulged what appears to be the direct competitor of the newly unveiled Iconia Tab A700. Even though the TF700T is not going to replace the existing TF201, it is still going to be one of Asus’ prime devices. The TF700T kicks off with a 10.1inch Super IPS + panel display with Gorilla Glass alongside a 1.3GHz quad-core Cortex A9 NVIDIA Tegra 3; a 32GB and/or 64GB of internal storage, an 8megapixel rear camera coupled with a 2megapixel front end camera and can support 1080p playback. Furthermore, the TF700T comes equipped with an 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, micro HDMI port, a microSD card reader a 2in1 3.5mm jack and a 25WHr Lithium-Polymer battery and should weigh just over a pound. The most desirable bit about the Transformer 3 is that it can go home with Android 4.0.1 – that’s the Ice Cream Sandwich and will also have the same keyboard dock as that of the existing Transformer Prime. Price tag is at an estimated $599-699 (BHD 250-300). In addition, it is said to be wearing a new back panel design that should enhance Wi-Fi and Bluetooth performance. No GPS was included in the current specs but the new panel will also hype the connection once it is integrated to the device. 
Check out the video:

Still wondering ipad is useless office tool, think again OnLive can juke up your iPad & android tablet to run a windows 7 with Microsoft office applications & flash. OnLive gives your tablet device ability to remotely access a Windows PC and use the apps and documents inside, even Microsoft Office programs. The app also can connect to a Windows 7 cloud-based OS, much like Bootcamp on the Mac computers. Getting it will not be as simple as simply downloading the program and aplying for a Plus account, as it runs on a subscription that costs $4.99 per month. Desktop Plus throws in Internet Explorer 9 that’s equipped with Adobe Flash and Acrobat. Aside from that, the Plus version also adds in Dropbox compatibility. There’s just one major downside to the app- you cant download anything from the Internet.



More info & download: desktop.onlive.com

If you liked the concept of the Motorola Atrix’s docking feature which let you turn the smartphone into a mini-computer when plugged into a dock and an external display, you’re going to be excited at Canonical’s recent announcement. Canonical recently revealed Ubuntu for Android: a solution for bringing the desktop computing functionality to your Android smartphone. How it works is simple: when a device is undocked, it functions just like any regular Android phone. Once it gets plugged into a dock, instead of just running Android on a larger display, the phone will run Ubuntu instead. Users then get access to a full-fledged operating system that can access the same data and apps thanks to Android and Ubuntu sharing the same kernel. When it is unplugged, it goes back to Android again. Sounds like a great way to take advantage of all the highly spec’d phones that are available now and will be available on the market in the future. 

For more infos:
ubuntu.com/devices/android

FIFA Street is a forthcoming game in EA Sports’ FIFA Street franchise based on street football. It will be the first such game in almost four years, and a reboot for the series. FIFA Street is being developed by some of the same team behind FIFA 12, including creative director Gary Paterson, and will use the FIFA 12 game engine. Sid Misra, the line producer for FIFA Street, promised “the first true quality street football experience.”

Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release date: March 30, 2012
Review: In an effort to make the game more “authentic”, the stylised cartoon-like visuals of previous games in the series has been dropped in favour of a more realistic look, though there will still be the same emphasis on skill moves and tricks. The focus is once again on fast-paced games involving small teams of five or six players per side, one-on-one, and game modes based on panna and futsal also included. As with the previous games in the series, skill moves are an important element of gameplay. FIFA Street will feature twice as many tricks as are possible in FIFA 12, with much greater variety, and over 50 more than its predecessor FIFA Street 3. Other new features will include improved one-touch passing, a feature called Street Ball Control, and a new “ATTACK” dribbling system.

Angry Birds is back this time we get to play birds in space. It seems like the developers of the game are not done with it yet and is going to give us more of our favorite birds. Today, Rovio announced the next game in the Angry Birds series called Angry Birds Space. Hinted that it's going to be the biggest game launch since the original Angry Birds, it’s going to consist of mobile gaming, animation, retail and publishing. Angry Birds Space is said to be “a completely new game with innovative new gameplay, but with some of the familiar Angry Birds elements that fans already know and love – plus some surprises!” More infos will be released about the game in early March, with the game’s release date slated for March 22nd. 


Find out more on the Angry Birds official website: space.angrybirds.com

The Apple OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion has recently been released to developers and is scheduled to be introduced to the public this coming summer. According to reviews, this latest version apparently does not have the considerable changes that were observed with Lion ( OS X 10.7). There have been a wide range of improvements in the OS X 10.8 update, many of which will definitely be appreciated by iPad and iPhone users. This latest version of the OS X has been brought close in line with iOS. There is the integration of the iCloud; as such, different services and apps can be synced across any OS X or iOS device. When the Mountain Lion is made available this summer, iCloud users will have an easier time in syncing their documents between iOS devices and Macs. All other components such as Contacts, Mail, Calendars, Notes, and other services and apps will also work well with iCloud in Mountain Lion. Because the iChat has been replaced by the iMessage service, users can expect a cross-platform service that will allow users of Macs, iPads, and iPhones to chat with each other. This can also enable unlimited messaging, with which you can include attachments of up to 100MB. Game Center, the social gaming platform, has also made its move to Macs, allowing for multiplayer games and voice chat across Mac, iPad and iPhone users. In addition, the integration of AirPlay Mirroring helps detect an Apple TV and enables users to transform their Macs into game consoles. The Reminders app that is well known from iOS has also been made available for the Apple desktop, keeping users in track with dates and lists. Notes can also be pulled out of email and use it as its own app, allowing you to drag and drop attachments to Notes while formatting them in terms of fonts and lists, to name a few. Gatekeeper has also been integrated to protect Mac OS X users against threats by running the apps that are detected to be safe. On the whole, the OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion may not have all the features that were integrated in the OS X 10.7 as expected by many. Nevertheless, this latest version may just be a big step in moving forward with Apple’s OS. The company has not yet released the official price for the Mountain Lion, although it is likely that it will be priced similar to its predecessor.

It have been just a couple of months since the release of Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), Google is rumored to launch the latest version of its mobile platform. The Jelly Bean (Android 5.0) is said to be launched during the second quarter of this year. Anyways Google had been so popular for releasing a successor to their mobile platform in a span of just months. In fact Android 2.0 was launched barely a month after Android 1.6 had been released in the market. According to Digitimes, Google wants to release its offerings before the Microsoft releases its latest version of Windows, Windows 8. Apparently, one unique feature of Android Jelly Bean is that it is optimized for tablet PCs while incorporating Google Chrome’s OS functions. It even allows user to use the Android 5 or Chrome without having to reboot the tablet to initiate the shift.

Motorola is currently in close terms with Google to provide latest Android update Ice Cream Sandwich on some of its latest devices.

The company has already submitted the fact that Wi-Fi version of the Motorola Xoom will already don Google’s well established operating system. Next in line to sport the ICS will be the Motorola Xoom Family Edition, which is expected to start sometime in Q2, although no specific date was announced by the company.

As previously stated by the company, the Droid RAZR, Droid RAZR Maxx, Droid 4, Droid Bionic, Droid Xyboard 8.2 and 10.1 and the Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi 3G/4G will be upgraded to the Ice Cream Sandwich, alongside the Atrix 2, Atrix 4G and the Photon 4G which will be upgraded come Q3 of 2012.

More Infos: forums.motorola.com

Origin PC’s claim to be the “world’s most powerful laptop for gamers, artists, enthusiasts and professionals” may be quite an underrated term for it is indeed one, if not the world’s most powerful laptop as of today.

The EON 17-X is the hands down replacement to any hardcore gaming desktop out in the market today. Equipped with the latest Intel X79 chipset, 2nd generation Intel hexcore processors, and an overclocked NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M graphics card in an SLI bridge, the EON17-X will make any conventional gaming laptop seem like a boy in a real man’s world.

Aside from the aforementioned internal necessities, the EON 17-X will also sport two lighting zones and seven colors and can accommodate up to 32GB 1333GHz Corsair Quad Channel memory; up to 16GB 1866MHZ Corsair Vengeance Quad Channel memory and can handle up to three hard drives with up to a staggering 3TB and a 17.3inch, 1080p display screen.

A minor downside of the Origin PC EON17-X is that it weighs over 12 lbs. and measures over 2-inches thick. Start customizing your soon to be hyped up and powerful gaming laptop starting at $3,159; and can go as high as 7 grand for more outrageous hardware configurations.

HP recently presented their latest contribution to the dynamic workstation world as they introduced the Z1 Workstation, known as the first ever all-in-one workstation.

The highly powerful machine is ideal for corporate customers who utilize imaging, 3D presentations, and complex graphics. HP was able to integrate full-sized processors, RAM, storage, and Quadro graphics into the machine. Its engineering has also made a great impact on the users as they can easily have access to Z1’s components by folding it flat and unfastening the screen module. Due to the hinge and piston mechanism, users can easily and safely open the screen, which measures 27 inches.

All of Z1’s components can be removed easily, including the Quadro graphics card, 400w power supply, CPU memory, and DVD/Blu-ray drive. Users can also find 3 mini-PCI slots, 1080p webcam, and four SRS speakers facing the front. By closing the lid and turning to its side, standard audio in and out are evident as well as 2 USB 3.0 ports. The machine also comes with a 4-card multifunction reader and a screen of 2560 x 1440 resolution capability. Other connections found in its rear are 4 standard USB 2.0 ports and Ethernet.

According to HP, the Z1 Workstation will be released by April of 2012 with its low-end model costing approximately $1,899 (BHD 716).

A hacker released the source code for antivirus firm Symantec's pcAnywhere utility on Tuesday, raising fears that others could find security holes in the product and attempt takeovers of customer computers.

The release followed failed email negotiations over a $50,000 payout to the hacker calling himself YamaTough to destroy the code.

The email thread was published on Monday, but the hacker and the company said their participation had been a ruse. YamaTough said he was always going to publish the code, while Symantec said law enforcement had been directing its side of the talks.

According to Symantec’s spokesperson Cris Paden, “Symantec was prepared for the code to be posted at some point and has developed and distributed a series of patches since January 23rd to protect our users against known vulnerabilities.” Even so, Symantec had requested for their customers to stop the use of pcAnywhere until the right patches had been released in due time.

Sony PS3 is a spanking new system software update that is made available, bumping up the version to 4.10 in the process. As always, each new system update will bring along with it a set of changes – as to whether those are major or minor, it remains to be seen. In order to achieve a greater level of unity between PlayStation Network (PSN) and other Sony Entertainment Network services, your “PSN Account” will be christened with a new name – “Sony Entertainment Network Account.”

Nikon has a new offering for us, The Nikon D800. Lets grasp some of features of this beast. The D800’s body is made up of magnesium alloy and it weighs 895 grams. It features a 36.9×24 mm sensor at 36.3 MP FX and having a 4.8 µ pixel size. This means it is capable of 7360×4912 pixel resolution. Native ISO sensitivity is at 100-6,400 while its boost low and high ISO sensitivity is at 50 and 12,800-25,600. Shutter cycle is about 200,000 while camera lag is a mere 0.012 seconds.

Viewing stills and videos captured can be seen on the 3.2-inch LCD. Recording features include full 1080p high definition (HD) at 30 frames per second (FPS). Recording time is 30 and 20 minutes for 30 FPS and 24 FPS respectively. There’s a built-in flash which is partnered with Commander Mode while being CLS compatible. Moreover, there’s a pair of card slots for CF and SD. There’s no GPS while connectivity is through USB 3.0.

To own the new Nikon D800 will cost about $3,999 (BHD 1510). Stay tuned with us for more updates on MENA & Bahrain release dates.

The iModela 3D Printer allows 3D Designers & Inventors to design three dimensional (3D) projects like jewelries, textures and prototypes made of balsa woods, foam, modeling wax and plastics. This device is perfect for small-scale creative projects. There would be no hassle for Inventors because this comes fully assembled upon purchase.

The iModela 3D Printer is compact and easy-to-use with 3.39 inch x 2.17 inch x 1.02 inch dimension, this device is so convenient. Operating this machine is as easy as a switch of a button. It can easily be controlled with just a power switch. It even comes with its own portable carrying case. So users can bring it around to enjoy its wonderful features. The iModela has a specially crafted spindle motor that sustains a wide array of milling apparatus which is typically found at model shops and do-it-yourself sellers.

The unit comes with cutting tools, a software and other materials. The 3D design software allows users to mill shapes, holes, textures and patterns. This software also allows user to pull-up a drawing tool to create a draft or sketch of their design ideas. It is important to note that this device is compatible with Windows OS version, the XP, Vista and Windows 7. Connection is also a breeze through a USB 2.0 port which is present in most PC and some tablet systems.

This machine is sold at a price of $899 a piece at Roland’s online website: rolanddga.com