Few days back in their SEC filing, AT&T tried to downplay the would be impact caused by loss of iPhone exclusivity agreement. AT&T said “As these exclusivity arrangements end, we expect to continue to offer such handsets (based on historical industry practice) and we believe our service plan offerings will help retain our customers by providing incentives not to move to another carrier.” But a recent survey done by Morpace suggests that lot of people will switch from AT&T to Verizon, if a Verizon iPhone is released. Read More
Nikon Rumors has posted detailed specifications of upcoming Nikon D3100 that was reveled by September edition of German photo magazine “Foto Digital”, which was received by subscribers today. The main features of the upcoming D3100 are: Read More
At mobile press event yesterday, Google introduced the new Chrome-to-Phone extension and enhanced “Voice Actions” in Voice Search for Android smartphones. The Chrome-to-Phone extension is designed for desktop Chrome browsers and when installed allows the user to send webpages, maps and phone numbers that they are look at on the desktop browser to their Android 2.2 device. Read More and Watch the Videos
Photokina 2010 is coming close and as always Canon’s pre-show camera launch rumors are flying around. On the DSLR side, Canon will introduce the new EOS 60D that will be smaller than current 50D and replace the magnesium body with a lighter and cheaper plastic body. By using the plastic body Canon aims to keep the price in range of $1,000-$1,200. Read More
Apple has obtained exclusive license to use Liquidmetal Technologies’ metal alloy in consumer electronics. The metal alloy is made using Zircon mineral and is called Vitreloy. Unlike other metal alloys this Zircon based alloy doesn’t form crystal structure and is “amorphous” in nature, allowing it to be processed like thermoplastics using die cast at relatively lower temperature. Also, Liquidmetal alloy is more durable, harder, stronger and scratch resistant when compared to other metals like aluminum, titanium and steel.
As soon as information about the exclusive license deal was released speculations about where Apple will use the technology started flooding the blogosphere. The speculations ranged from MP3 player (iPod) to desktops. However, we believe that the first device to get the Liquidmetal treatment will be Apple’s Laptop lineup and specially the MacBook Air.
The MacBook Air is one of the thinnest laptop available on the market today, but it is slightly heavier at 3.0 pounds than few other ultraportable laptops that weigh around 2.5-2.7 pounds. The reason behind this slight increase in weight is the aluminum case, which is the heaviest part of the whole design. Yes, the same aluminum case makes the Air more durable and tougher than other ultraportable on the market, but also heavier.
With Liquidmetal alloy, Apple will be able to drastically increase toughness of the laptop further, while reducing the weight. Liquidmetal alloy has 6 times yield strength and 4 times hardness of aluminum, but it is only about 1.5 times heavier. So, Apple could triple the yield strength and double the hardness of MacBook Air, while decreasing the case weight by 25 percent.
Apple could also decrease production cost and time associated with milling operations required to make the aluminum case, as highly precise, cheaper and faster die casting process can be used for Liquidmetal alloy. The alloy will be costlier than aluminum, but the amount of alloy required and process cost for making laptop case will be lower.
Every Apple portable product can get a Liquidmetal upgrade, but we believe MacBook Air might be the first, as it has been due for a design refresh since launch in January 2008. We have added a video below showing the use of Liquidmetal in manufacturing of Omega watch bezels that are considered one of the toughest. [Via TechzTalk]
Apple today released iOS 4.0.2 software update fixing security vulnerability associated with viewing malicious PDF files. The update is available for iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod touch 2nd and 3rd generation and iPad (3.0.2 update). Read More
With starting price of $1,199 and going all the way up to $2,199, many people are confused about which iMac model to buy. First question in making a purchase decision is the screen size, and if you want to future-proof your purchase bigger is always better. So, 27-inch iMac model it is. Now the second question Core i3, Core i5 or Core i7 iMac? Read More
Apple updated the iMac lineup last month with the latest Intel Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 processors and powerful new graphics. According to Apple, starting at $1,199, the new iMac line is the fastest ever with dual-core processor speeds up to 3.6 GHz, quad-core speeds up to 2.93 GHz and discrete graphics including the powerful ATI Radeon HD 5750. Below we have added links to seven best Apple iMac reviews available online: Read More
Verizon and Motorola today announced that DROID 2 by Motorola would be available for pre-sale on August 11. DROID 2 features QWERTY keyboard, ultra high-speed Web browsing, 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities, full push corporate e-mail, intuitive social messaging and Adobe Flash Player 10.1 for access to the full web – all built on Android 2.2. Read More
Last month Apple introduced new multitouch Magic Trackpad with a smooth glass and aluminum design that gives desktop users the same intuitive multitouch gestures that Mac notebook customers have come to love. With its glass surface, the wireless Magic Trackpad enables users to scroll smoothly up and down a page with inertial scrolling, pinch to zoom in and out, rotate an image with their fingertips and swipe three fingers to flip through a collection of web pages or photos. Below we have added links of six best Magic TrackPad reviews: Read More
Though iPad is available in only 20 countries and Apple is facing continuous problems in meeting demand, rumors about next generation iPad have already started flying around. Few days back iLounge reported that Apple will soon release a 7-inch iPad model and today DigiTimes is reporting that Apple plans to launch upgraded iPad with Cortex-A9 CPU and 512MB RAM in 2011. The website wrote: Read More
Dell has posted a chart called “Apples to Apples Comparison” that compares Dell Studio 15 and 17 laptop against Apple MacBook Pro 15 and 17. The chart basically shows hardware comparison as well as price savings (about $1,200) offered by Dell. Yes, MacBook Pro has better design, industry leading unibody aluminum case, slimmer profile (its about ½ inch thinner than Dell laptops), much better screen and twice the battery life. However, is the over $1,000 price premium right? Read More
