iOS 6 Beta 3 allows free app install without Apple ID

Over the last weekend there was word that when Apple delivered the latest iOS 6 Beat 3 to registered developers last week, the new iOS version did away with requiring to have an Apple ID in order to install free applications, as when you want to download a free app, Apple normally required the user to enter their Apple ID or create an account.

According to the guys over at iDownload Blog, having to use an Apple ID simply didn’t make any sense for the ordinary users, and also doesn’t really support Apple’s cut the cord initiative, which enables a user to set up and use an iOS device without iTunes or a computer.

G Cloud Backup for Android offers 1GB free

If you are on the Android platform and like to backup your device to the cloud, you might like to know that there is now an Android app available that lays claim to being the easiest cloud backup ever, and that particular app is called G Cloud Backup and can be downloaded from Google Play right now.

G Cloud Backup for Android devices enables the user to backup such stuff as contacts, call logs, SMS messages, documents, music, videos, and your photos to a secure cloud location, and all you do once the app is installed on your device is simply select what you want to backup.

Cydia Tweak Review – BetterCenter

BetterCenter Cydia tweak allows you to customize the height of the Notification Center on your iPad. Check the video review after the break.

BetterCenter jailbreak tweak requires iOS 5 or higher and is available in Cydia under the BigBoss repo for free.

Samsung Galaxy Beam launched in India for Rs. 33,900

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Beam, successor of their previous Beam, in India. It was announcedat MWC earlier this year and went on pre-order last month and went on sale last week. It comes with 4.0-inch 480×800 (WVGA) TFT display and is powered by 1 GHz Dual-Core Processor. It has 15 lumens pico projector that allows users to share photos, videos or other digital media instantly and in crisp clarity up to 50-inch wide, at a distance of 2 meters. It is 12.5mm thick.

It runs on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and has 5MP Auto focus camera with flash, 1.3MP secondary camera. It has 786MB RAM, 8GB Internal Memory, MicroSD slot (up to 32GB). It comes with specialized applications like the Ambience feature for various mood experiences and a drawing tool for presentations.

The connectivity features include, Bluetooth 3.0＋HS, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz, MicroUSB, USB 2.0 and aGPS. It has 2000 mAh battery. . Samsung also offers additional 2000 mAh battery pack free with the phone.

The Samsung Galaxy Beam is priced at MRP of Rs. 33,900 but you can get it from Samsung eStore for MOP of Rs. 29,990. It is available exclusively at all Samsung Smartphone Cafes.

Google Music receives major UI overhaul

The Google Music application has just received a major update bringing its user interface in line with the one shipping on the Nexus 7. The updated application follows the Holo UI principles similar to the Google+ app and there is a lot of focus on visuals with large images.  In addition some useful additions like adding new tracks to a playlist queue have been included. 

The update is available for all phones with Google Music on Android 2.2 and above via Google Play. The official changelog is listed below. 

• Now Playing queue that allows for queuing and reordering of currently playing music.
• New UI for navigation with transport controls on the action bar.
• New large album art view on Recent.
• Playlist art is now constructed from album art of songs in the playlist.
• Now Playing widget has album art and support for thumbs up.
• Harder, better, faster, stronger.

Download - Google Play]

Samsung to announce next Galaxy at event on August 15th

Apple and Samsung have long been battling it out in various courts around the world over alleged patent infringements, but many feel that Apple is simply running scared of its rival as it now enjoys a greater level of success in the mobile world. The company is now set to announce the next Galaxy device at a special press event on August 15th.

As TechCrunch are reporting Samsung has been busy sending out press invites for a major product announcement on August 15, which as the company puts it will be for the unveiling of the “newest GALAXY device”. The company didn’t go into anymore details which have seen the speculation and rumour mill kick into over drive about what Samsung will be showing to the world.

Nokia Has A Surprise For September 7th, The First Lumia Windows Phone 8 Smartphone?

The teasers for the upcoming Nokia products are already starting to hit the web the squares. This one is most likely centered on a new Nokia Lumia smartphone withWindows Phone 8 on board. What you are seeing in the picture above is a billboard saying that “Something amazing is coming on September 7th.”

The billboard was placed in front of a Nokia store in Helsinki and the news have rapidity made the headlines of the tech blogs.

Google Nexus 7 tablet available online in India, starting Rs. 16,952

Can’t wait for Google or Asus to launch the Nexus 7 tablet in India? Well you need wait no more. With the power of online shopping, consumers in India can pick up Google’s flagship tablet today.

The price you will pay has a slight premium of course. The device has launched in the US for $200 (Rs. 11,000 approx.). Users sitting in India can buy the 8GB Google Nexus 7 tablet from the Indiatimes online shopping website, for Rs. 16,952. The website also offers users an EMI facility divided in either 3 months or 6 month intervals. The 3-month installment will cost users Rs. 5,651 per month and the 6-month payment plan will cost users Rs. 2,825 per month. The Nexus 7 is currently in stock and will be delivered in 15 working days, shipping free. The device will come with one-year manufacturer warranty.

Sony introduces F800 series Walkman music players, powered by Android 4.0 ICS

Once upon a time the Portable Music Player (PMP) was associated with the word Walkman. In the past decade however, the title has been stolen by a little device called the iPod.

Trying to regain the title, Sony has announced four new Walkman models - the F800, S770BT, E570 and E470.

The top of the line of the new models, the F800 runs on Google’s Android 4.0 ICS OS. The device boasts of 3.5-inch display and it will have full access to the apps available on the Google Play store. The device also boasts of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and comes in 3 storage variants – 8GB, 16GB and 32GB. A good feature of the device is that it supports the FLAC lossless audio format.

Windows 8 will be available on…

…October 26^th, 2012! That’s right! Just a few minutes ago, Steven Sinofsky announced at Microsoft’s annual sales meeting that customers will be able to get Windows 8 – whether in upgrade fashion or on a new PC – starting on October 26^th. Earlier this month at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, Tami Reller told attendees Windows 8 would be available in October. But now everyone has a specific date to mark on their calendars. It’s on mine!

 

Samsung Nexus S Android Jelly Bean update tomorrow (19th)

There have been a number of reports recently about if and when once flagship smartphones would be getting updated to Android Ice Cream Sandwich, and this comes as the platform gears up for the next version becoming available. Today we have news of the Samsung Nexus S Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update that is coming tomorrow the 19th of July.

When Google first revealed the new upcoming operating system they also announced that certain devices will be receiving the update around the middle of this month, and now according to a report on the Android Authority owners of the aging Nexus S on Vodafone in Australia will be getting the update tomorrow.

Spike physical keyboard case for iPhone 5

We have often debated on Phones Review the pros and cons of a physical keyboard on a smartphone, and the trouble is the widest range of such handsets available are on the BlackBerry platform which many consumers are now ignoring in favour of Android and the iPhone. Today we have news of the Spike physical keyboard case that will be available for the iPhone 5 once it is released.

As the guys over at iPhone Rumors are suggesting many iPhone owners would never think of placing a physical keyboard on their smartphone, but the team behind the Spike iPhone casethink differently. The Spike iPhone case is another neat gadget that is on the Kickstarter project, and while the late Steve Jobs was never a fan of physical keyboards, a number of third party manufacturers have came up with accessories to offer iPhone fans an option of one.

AccuWeather forecast app for Android and iPhone

We always like to pass on details about top apps to our readers whether they are for entertainment or practical purposes. Today we want to tell you about the extremely highly rated AccuWeather forecast app, which is available for Android and iPhone and it’s also a free app so you might want to check it out.
The AccuWeather app is available from Google Play and the App Store now and provides you with all your weather forecasting needs. Firstly we’ll give you details on the AccuWeather foriPhone app, which is compatible with iOS devices running iOS 4.0 or later and available fromiTunes here. The most recent update in July improved stability and fixed bugs on the app. There are tons of features on this app and in fact it took the Best iPhone App award at the Mobies 2012.

Swipe case for iPhone with integrated cleaning system

If you are anything like me, you are constantly wiping over your smartphone touch screen as soon as a mark appears, a dirty touch screen is something that simply gets right up my nose, but what if you could get a case that could clean your touch screen for you?

Well apparently a report by 9to5 Mac has it that if you are the proud owner of an iPhone, that screen cleaning pain might soon become a thing of the past for the iOS smartphone user anyway, as there is a Kickstarter project under way for the Swipe iPhone case.

Sony Xperia Neo L up for pre-order in India for Rs. 18499

Sony Xperia Neo L successor of the Xperia Neo V, that was announced in China earlier this March is now on pre-order in India from online retailer Flipkart. It has 4-inch (480 x 854) TFT display and is powered by 1 GHz single-core processor, Adreno 205 GPU. It runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and has 5MP auto focus camera with LED flash and 720p video recording and VGA front-facing video calling camera. 

It is 12.2 mm thick and weighs 131.5 grams. It has 512MB RAM, 1 GB internal memory (up to 300 MB user free memory) and expandable memory up to 32 GB with microSD.

The connectivity features include, 3G (HSPA (download): up to 7.2 Mbps, HSPA (upload) up to 5.76 Mbps), Wi-Fi, DLNA, Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR, aGPS. It has 1500 mAh battery.

The Sony Xperia Neo L now available for pre-order from online retailer Flipkart for Rs. 18499. It is expected to ship in 4th week of July.

Nokia patents flexible hinge for foldable tablets

Nokia has been working on foldable electronics for a while now and has previously demonstrated the Nokia Kinect concept. The Kinect concept is a phone with a bendable screen which responds to both touch and twists.
Nokia’s patent has proposed using multilayered strips of elastomers and composite fabrics. While the first layer could possibly be made of a thermoplastic or thermoset material acting as a sturdy spring and the second layer could either be kevlar or cordura fabric. We really don’t expect to see this as an actual product any time soon but we never expected a 41MP cameraphone either ! We’ll keep our eye out for more information and in the meanwhile you can check out the Nokia Kinect concept video below.

Nokia Asha 305 Dual SIM phone now available in India for Rs. 4668

Nokia Asha 305 Dual SIM phone is now available in India from Nokia Store . It has 3.0-inch (240 x 400 pixels) resistive touch display, 2MP camera with 4x digital zoom and runs on Nokia Asha (S40) OS with Swipe Interface. It has Easy Swap Dual SIM support, which lets you swap SIM cards opening the device or turning the phone off and supports up to 32GB Micro SD memory card. It is 12.8mm thick and weighs 98.3g.

It comes with pre-loaded Facebook and twitter social apps and 40 Free EA games such as Tetris, Bejeweled, Need for Speed The Run and Fifa 2012.

Other features include, Music Player and, FM Radio, GPRS/EDGE, Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR, Micro USB 2.0 with USB charging, 3.5 mm audio jack and 1110 mAh battery with up to 14h talk time and up to 528h standby.

The Nokia Asha 305 Dual SIM phone is now available from Nokia Store for Rs. 4668.

Micromax Bling X44 Dual SIM phone launched for Rs. 3000

Micromax has launched Bling X44, their new phone in the Bling series. It is encrusted with Swarovski Zirconia crystals and has 2.2-inch display, Alpha numeric keypad, 2MP camera and expandable up to 8 GB. It is a Dual SIM phone with Dual Standby.

Micromax Bling X44 specifications

• 2.2-inch QVGA display
• Dual SIM
• 2MP camera
• FM Radio with recording
• Audio Player (Mp3, Midi, WAV), Video Player (3GP, MP4)
• Expandable memory up to 8 GB
• Wap/ MMS
• 950 mAh battery with up to 8 Hours talk time and up to 248 Hours

The Micromax Bling X44 is priced at Rs. 3000 and is available across India.