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Devon Tread 1 Watch

More about this watch on their website here : http://ablogtoread.com/devon/devon-tread-1-watch-hands-on/

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How to Turn Your Android Phone into a Fully-Automated Superphone

How to Turn Your Android Phone into a Fully-Automated Superphone

How to Turn Your Android Phone into a Fully-Automated SuperphoneWhat if your phone automatically went silent when you step into the movie theater? Texted your significant other when you finished your long commute? Or automatically turned down the volume when a particularly loud friend called? It can; here's how.

How to Turn Your Android Phone into a Fully-Automated SuperphoneAndroid application Tasker gives you total rules-based automation for your Android phone. It's not free, but it offers a free 14-day trial download. In the Android Market, it's £3.99 in UK money—a little over $6 U.S. If you grab the trial, or shell out the cost of a Double-Double meal at In-N-Out Burger to buy it in the Market (scan the QR code at left), you'll discover it's worth the cost, even if you only have one super-specific use for it.

Visit the website for the whole article.

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BBC News - BlackBerrys pose 'security risk' say UAE authorities

BlackBerrys pose 'security risk' say UAE authorities

By Daniel Emery BBC Technology reporter
BlackBerry's in shop

Authorities say the handset encryption poses a 'national security risk' to the UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has said that it could move to restrict or monitor BlackBerry mobile phones, as they pose a "national security risk".

The region's telecoms regulator said "BlackBerry operates beyond the jurisdiction of national legislation" as it stores its data offshore.

It said it was concerned that misuse may have "serious social, judicial and national security repercussions".

Critics branded the moves as "repressive".

The media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders told BBC News that while the UAE was playing a "technological leadership role in the Arab world" this was backed by "repressive laws" and a "general trend of intensified surveillance".

"Last April, the daily Emarat al Yaoum reported on an interior ministry plan to check the identity of anyone using the internet in public places," said the organisation's Lucie Morillon.

Many mobile phones are already monitored, she said.

Decode trouble

The UAE's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has taken issue with the encrypted networks used by Research in Motion (RIM) - the makers of the Blackberry handset.

These make it difficult for governments to monitor communications.

BlackBerry phones went on sale before the country introduced its safety emergency and national security legislation in 2007

"Currently, BlackBerry operates beyond the jurisdiction of national legislation, since it is the only device operating in the UAE that immediately exports its data offshore and is managed by a foreign, commercial organisation," said a statement from the regulator.

"As a result of how BlackBerry data is managed and stored, in their current form, certain BlackBerry applications allow people to misuse the service, causing serious social, judicial and national security repercussions.

"Like many other countries, we have been working for a long time to resolve these critical issues, with the objective of finding a solution that operates within the boundaries of UAE law."

Research in Motion told BBC News that they had no comment to make "at this point in time".

'Sensitive issue'

In June 2009, a separate row erupted between RIM and the state telecoms firm Etisalat after Etisalat released an "update" for the Blackberry handset that, said RIM, was spyware.

"Authorities tried to install spyware on smartphones in July 2009, but users raised such an uproar that they finally abandoned the plan," said Ms Morillon.

Etisalat is a major telecommunications firm based in the UAE, with 145,000 BlackBerry users on its books.

BlackBerry Bold 9000 Etisalt has 145,000 BlackBerry users on its books.

Ms Morillon said there had been a long running campaign to monitor Blackberry transmissions by the UAE authorities.

"There is in particular a very aggressive campaign against the Blackberry messenger, that has become a very popular tool amongst different generations in UAE," she said.

"This is where some sensitive issues are discussed, such as official corruption or when the UAE increased the price of the Oil.

"The latest development appears as one more way to go after the personal data of Blackberry's users, by a regime more and more obsessed by monitoring its citizens," she added.

While 50% of the UAE's population has some kind of internet access, authorities have imposed extensive filtering on what they can view.

Although the government says it is required to fight online pornography, other subject that fall foul of the filtering laws include sites criticising the UAE's human rights record, discussions on the economy and - according to Reporters Without Borders - sites expressing "non-orthodox opinions about Islam".

via Sameeraji

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BlindType for Android will solve all typing problems for humanity (maybe) | Android Central

I'm currently using SwiftKey Beta on my N1 and that works like a charm but this looks awesome!

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Screen wars! AMOLED vs. S-LCD vs. LCD vs. Super AMOLED | Android Central

HTC recently announced it was going to start outfitting certain handsets with SLCD screens rather than AMOLED, due to short supply of the latter. The SLCD screens may be easier more plentiful, but do they look as nice? The people over at Howard Forums put them to a test in a video comparison, with a Nexus One sporting an AMOLED screen, an HTC Desire with S-LCD, a Motorola Milestone with regular LCD and a Samsung Wave with Super-AMOLED. 

The conclusions:

All the displays were really good, they all had decent colour and respectable viewing angles. The super AMOLED was noticeably less reflective than the others and was blacker with the best viewing angles. Super LCD had similar detail in the rock face video and had a superior horizontal viewing angle compared to a regular AMOLED display. The AMOLED had slightly better blacks (you can't tell from the video - sorry) and slightly better vertical viewing angles. Both Super LCD and AMOLED were very reflective.

Can't wait to get our hands on some. Check out video of the test after the break. [HowardForums via Slashgear]

 

 

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By The Numbers: Chevy Volt vs Nissan Leaf

It’s hard to ignore the looming EV vehicle showdown between the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf even though the vehicles are totally different in nature and target market. While the Nissan Leaf is simply a beautifully-packaged electric vehicle with around a 100 mile range, the Chevy Volt takes a different approach by having a somewhat limited 40 mile EV range but an on-board gas-powered generator that will power the electric motor as long as there’s gas in the tank. GM is clearly targeting the a higher-end market with a $41,000 MSRP while the Nissan Leaf is a bit more down-market with a starting price of $32,000.

That’s fine. There’s more than enough room in the world for both of the vehicles. There doesn’t really have to be a winner here. In terms of sales numbers, the Nissan Leaf will enter more markets than the Volt (or its Opel Ampera counterpart) initially anyway. GM only expects to sell about 10,000 Volts during the first year where Nissan already 17,000 Leaf pre-orders, 5,000 more than the first year estimate. Clearly both vehicles are highly anticipated, though, so comparisons will no doubt be made around workplace watercoolers from now on. Here’s what we know so far.

Both GM and Nissan have strategically been rolling out details about their respective vehicles. Performance data still hasn’t been released for either. The gas tank size of Volt is unknown and Nissan hasn’t announced warranty info just yet. Clearly we don’t have all the info just yet, but there’s more than enough firepower to start a little flame war with your coworkers.

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India unveils prototype for $35 touch-screen computer

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The Indian government has unveiled the prototype of an iPad-like touch-screen laptop, with a price tag of $35 (£23), which it hopes to roll out next year.

Aimed at students, the tablet supports web browsing, video conferencing and word processing, say developers.

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said a manufacturer was being sought for the gadget, which was developed by India's top IT colleges.

An earlier cheap laptop plan by the same ministry came to nothing.

The device unveiled on Thursday has no hard disk, using a memory card instead, like a mobile phone, and can run on solar power, according to reports.

Vaporware until I see it on a shelf for sale. Also, he could have at least wiped the screen clean before a photo op that the whole world is going to see.

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An Introduction to Firefox's Tab Candy

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Official Google Blog: Life in a Day on July 24

Life In A Day is a global experiment to create a user-generated feature film: a documentary, shot in a single day, by you. On 24 July, you have 24 hours to capture a glimpse of your life on camera. The most compelling and distinctive footage will be edited into an experimental documentary film, produced by Ridley Scott and directed by Kevin Macdonald.

If your video is included in the final film, you'll be credited as a co-director and may be one of 20 contributors selected to attend the film's world premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

I'll be in Dubai on the 24th, I might document my day :D

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