RIM rep confirms BlackBerry PlayBook will run Android apps

28.02.2011, 14:03

It’s not all Apple rumours round these parts, you know. We also have a nice line in BlackBerry business, and we’ve been following the one about Android apps for a while now.

Back in January, the rumour that RIM’s flagship tablet, the BlackBerry Playbook, may come with Android app support surfaced.

Since then, we’ve seen a mysterious someone testing an Android app on some BlackBerry handsets, and now we hear that a BlackBerry employee has been caught on video talking about the PlayBook running Android apps.

Heads may roll

During a video demo of the tablet shot at Mobile World Congress, the anonymous representative is heard to say, “We will also support Android apps when we release the Dalvik engine on top of QNX.”

Well. That seems fairly conclusive; or does it?

We don’t know who this narrator is; is he definitely a RIM employee? And if he is, is he definitely privy to the future plans for the PlayBook? It’s possible that the man has, in fact, just read the rumours on tech sites much like this one.

The Dalvik engine was mentioned in the original rumours, so it is possible that this is a case of life imitating rumour imitating life. That’s the cynical view.

The more upbeat view is that this guy just let slip the truth, that Android apps will be coming to the PlayBook! This would be exciting, giving the impressive hardware a leg-up in the software stakes.

Either way, we’re watching this rumour develop with interest. Now all we need is to hear that the PlayBook will be coming in white and we’ll be almost as excited about it as we are about the iPad 2.

See related stories from techradar.com

Tags:, , , , , , ,
Posted in news | No Comments »

Edge-to-edge display could be coming to iPhone 5

28.02.2011, 13:15

We love a good iPhone 5 rumour as much as the next tech site, but this latest is one we’re not at all convinced about.

A spurious photo of an iPhone 5 ‘digitizer’ (front casing) has been unearthed by a Chinese reseller, suggesting that the next Apple handset will feature an edge-to-edge display.

This would increase the screen size by eating into the bezel, without increasing the physical size of the handset.

Rumour mongers

Apple could very well be working on such a thing, but there’s something a bit off about this image.

Not only do some of the lines look wonky – how un-Apple – this image would be so easy to whip up in Photoshop and print out on acetate.

One digital photo later and you’ve got yourself a ready-made Apple iPhone 5 rumour – and all the lovely traffic that such a thing can bring.

So, while we fully accept that the iPhone 5 could feature a larger screen and smaller bezel, there is nothing to indicate that this is a real Apple design.

We’re sorry to disappoint the home-button lovers, but we heartily recommend you don’t take this photo as confirmation of the key’s continuing existence.

See related stories from techradar.com

Tags:, , , , , , ,
Posted in news | No Comments »

iPad 2 to come in white?

28.02.2011, 12:26

Following the spectacular non-appearance (yet) of the white iPhone 4, Apple appears to be working on a white iPad 2.

The rumour comes accompanied by a photo of a white iPad 2 casing, complete with a large hole for the home button and a tiny hole for the front-facing camera that is all but confirmed for the new Apple tablet.

It don’t matter if you’re black or white

The white iPad rumour is the last (for now) in a long line of speculation about Apple’s upcoming iPad 2.

Rumours have come and gone – like that of the super-high resolution screen – but the ones that persist suggest that we’ll see at least one camera on the iPad 2, as well as a thinner body and greater graphics and processing power.

There’s not long to wait to find out for sure, however; the iPad 2 is set to launch this Wednesday when all will become clear.

See related stories from techradar.com

Tags:, , , , , ,
Posted in news | No Comments »

‘Exciting PSP plans’ set for Europe

28.02.2011, 11:40

Sony has hinted tantalisingly at special plans for the PSP in Europe this year, following a US price drop of the current PSP handheld in the States.

Those lucky Yanks were also treated to some new software deals for the PSP, but Sony says it has nothing to say about UK pricing at present.

It tempered this unfortunate yet predictable comment with a hint that there will be treats to come for European PSP fans.

Setting up for a fall

The statement, sent to CVG, says, “We have nothing to say at this time regarding the price of PSP within the SCEE region.

“PSP has been performing particularly well in Europe so far this year and we look forward to sharing some exciting plans that we have for PSP throughout the year.”

Well, there’s Sony well and truly raising our hopes for the year; what will we get? A cheaper PSP? Snazzy new games? A new colour variant? A free novelty hat with every purchase? We’ll have to wait and see.

Will it be anywhere near as exciting as making Europe the first territory to get the NGP aka PSP 2? Unlikely – but hey, a tech site can dream.

See related stories from techradar.com

Tags:, , , , , , ,
Posted in news | No Comments »

3D terrestrial spec gets DVB go ahead

28.02.2011, 11:40

The reality of broadcasting 3D over terrestrial TV just moved closer, with the Digital Video Broadcasting standards body (DVB) approving the DVB-3DTV specification.

This is by no means the last step in approval, as it has to now go to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) for formal standardisation, but it does mean that the UK is thinking seriously about its 3D future.

3D through terrestrial

SUBTITLE

The specification that has got the DVB’s seal of approval is for both streaming 3D through an HDMI cable or straight from a built-in tuner and decoder.

The DVB is also sorting out the problem of subtitles over 3D in its spec.

For those who are all about quality control when it comes to watching 3D, you’ll be a little irked to know that the 3D broadcast won’t be in Full HD.

What the specification does confirm is that it is for ‘frame compatible plano-stereoscopic’ 3D, which is similar to how Sky currently uses for its Sky 3D channel.

See related stories from techradar.com

Tags:, , , , ,
Posted in news | No Comments »

Virgin Media predicting 1 billion on-demand views in 2011

28.02.2011, 11:19

Virgin Media is expecting to pass one billion video on-demand views this year – with a trends report revealing that if its VOD service was a channel it would be the third most popular on UK cable.

The Virgin Media Entertainment Index 2010 shows over 900 million programme views though the on-demand service, a 10 per cent rise on 2009.

In the context of other channels, this would place it third behind only BBC1 and ITV1.

Credible bronze

“Virgin Media’s on-demand service is the third most watched ‘channel’ on the platform with customers, on average, each watching for almost two-and-a-quarter hours every week,” suggests Virgin Media.

“This is longer than the typical UK family sees anything on TV other than BBC1 or ITV1.”

The 900 million programmes add up to a whopping 430 million hours of viewing – which would apparently take a single person 49,000 years to watch.

Transformational

Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, said: “This year looks set to be transformational in terms of how we watch our favourite shows and I expect we’ll break through the milestone of one billion views in the coming months.

“We’ve pioneered On Demand in the UK, putting nearly five thousand hours of programming at the fingertips of our customers for them to watch when they want.

“As connected TVs bring even more great content to the social screen, the ability to navigate this vast world of entertainment will become critical.

“Search, browsable collections and recommendations are set to become the dominant discovery tools for the next generation of TV viewers.”

Sky, games consoles and internet

Sky’s Anytime on demand, along with the BBC iPlayer (available on several platforms), proprietary services from manufacturers like Samsung and Sony and on-demand services though games consoles are also boosting the use of on demand in the UK.

Virgin Media are now rolling out a new set-top box which TechRadar’s hands on: Virgin Media TiVo box review suggests will be a major boon for finding and accessing on demand on the cable service.

It’s certainly clear that video on demand had quickly become a vital part of UK television viewing, and it’s only going to become more pivotal in the coming years.

See related stories from techradar.com

Tags:, , , ,
Posted in news | No Comments »

Gmail snafu leaves thousands of users missing emails

28.02.2011, 10:59

Google Gmail hit a bit of a snag over the weekend with around 150,000 users missing old emails, folders and contacts from their accounts.

The problems surfaced on Sunday, and while the reason behind them is not entirely clear, Google is working feverishly to fix the issues and restore all user data.

Google’s Apps Status Dashboard says that less than 0.08 per cent of the Google Mail user base is affected, but when your user base is as vast as Gmail’s, that’s a lot of users.

Yes, we have no emails

The search giant also said, “Google engineers are working to restore full access. Affected users will be temporarily unable to sign in while we repair their accounts.”

Users whose accounts are temporarily borked will log in to find a ‘Welcome to Gmail’ screen and a distinct lack of email.

The next update from Google is set to come in at 11:00 this morning, so if you’re suffering from the email drought keep your fingers crossed and your eye on the dashboard.

See related stories from techradar.com

Tags:, , , , ,
Posted in news | No Comments »

Nintendo 3DS sells out in 24 hours on Japan release

28.02.2011, 10:17

The Nintendo 3DS handheld has reportedly sold out within 24 hours of hitting shelves in Japan – with the 3D friendly games gadget proving a smash hit in its home territory.

Nintendo has always been a huge force on home soil, so the likelihood of a sell-out for the brand new autostereoscopic Nintendo 3DS handheld was always likely.

But if reports from the likes of Andriasang are to be believed then 400,000 units have been snapped up within 24 hours – all of the available stock from Nintendo.

UK release date

The Nintendo 3DS has a UK release date of 25 March, a day ahead of the US launch, although the amount of stock that will be arriving has not been confirmed.

In the past, Nintendo gear has been difficult to get in the UK, with the Wii in particular selling out within days or even hours of stores getting skimpy amounts of stock.

TechRadar’s Hands on: Nintendo 3DS review suggests that this will be a popular purchase within Britain, as fans race to try out the 3D screen and the improved analogue stick.

And, with the Sony NGP – the codename for the PSP 2 – on the horizon, 2011 is certainly shaping up to be an exciting period for handhelds.

See related stories from techradar.com

Tags:, , ,
Posted in news | No Comments »

Video of the Week

28.02.2011, 9:30

Enjoy!

Tags:, , ,
Posted in news, Video of the Week | 1 Comment »

iPad 2 rumour: ixnay on the SD slot and hi-res display

25.02.2011, 13:31

It’s getting to the point where we’re hearing rumours about iPad 2 rumours, with the latest source-related revelation putting the kibosh on a couple of earlier speculations.

Engadget’s sources, who have been “dead right on specific Apple plans and specifications” in the past, have said that the previously reported SD card slot has been canned.

Another absentee will be a higher resolution display, with Apple putting that on hold for a later iteration – rumours have circulated that the company was planning to double the screen resolution to 2048×1536, but lately several sources have claimed a delay.

Tried to cram too much in

It seems that both were supposed to make it into the second iteration of the slate, but “engineering issues” are to blame for the omissions.

We’re still expecting to see a slimmer chassis with at least one, if not two, cameras on the new iPad though, and it seems that more RAM and a more powerful CPU are also still en route.

Whatever the deal, we’ll know for sure on Wednesday 2 March. Until then, we’ll keep bringing you the latest rumours about the rumours about the rumours about the iPad 2.

See related stories from techradar.com

Tags:, , , ,
Posted in news | No Comments »