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Facebook app for iPad leaked

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The much talked about Facebook application for iPads, which we had also discussed in an earlier report, has now been seen, downloaded and tested on an iPad device by the folks at Tech Crunch.

One of the key findings is that the application for iPhone actually contains the source code which makes it workable on iPad devices too.

Facebook is yet to officiate the existence of this application yet but is it is working, which means that the Facebook application will be something like this or completely like this. Only once the official application will be launched, some more information regarding the same can be shared.

The application makes use of the HTML 5 for an enhanced experience. Other functionalities that were mentioned earlier are somewhat missing from action in this application. Users are not able to post pictures and videos directly from their device to their Facebook accounts, as was expected from the native iPad application.

Once announced, this will be the first ever official Facebook application to feature on the iPad device. Reports also suggest that the Facebook application will be featuring more compatibility and features for the iPad 2 where the application will also allow video uploads directly from the device.

But, the application that has been seen as of now supports nothing more than the basic functionalities and if this application were to be launched it would be a disappointment rather.

Video editing app likely on BlackBerry PlayBook

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Research In Motion (RIM) has acquired JayCut, an online video editing company based in Sweden. Since, RIM has in the past talked about offering premium multimedia features on BlackBerry PlayBook, it is now assumed that the video editing may soon come on the tablet.

Notably, BlackBerry PlayBook has dual cameras that can be used for making videos and video conferencing.

The chief technology officer of RIM said in a blog post, “By working with JayCut to add video editing capabilities to the BlackBerry platform we can further enrich our customers’ multimedia experience with BlackBerry.”

Android email app prone to hackers: Report

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The email application of operating system store passwords in plain text, leaving them prone to hackers, according to a media report.

According to the report, the password of the user’s email account usually stored as plain text in SQLite database and stays un-encrypted.

When asked by a user, an Android support person, Andy Stadler said that since the supports older email protocols, it requires the password to be used every time a connection request with the email server takes place.

Stadler, in his response, clarified that Google Android takes security very seriously and has been implemented in Android at several levels and that this loophole won’t impact the way Gmail works on Android device.

However, it was not being clear now whether Google will roll out any update to secure that or users will have to create and use obscure passwords for their email accounts.

Most mid-range to high end Android devices available these days offer Microsoft Exchange Active Sync support. Apart from that, several users make do with the traditional POP3, IMAP and SMTP protocols for their email accounts on the Android device.

The core issue lies in the older email protocols that are dependent on the simpler form of password data requirement. In the modern times, nefarious hackers employ sophisticated methods to steal user login credentials that may be residing deep in some specific databases.
Security indeed has been implemented in Android but there is no method to check whether the apps from the third party markets are actually secure. In past, Android has been victim of malware loaded apps being spread through the third party app stores. Apparently these apps exploit several such loopholes that exist due to technologies that are not updated.

Qualcomm acquires new gesture technology

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Qualcomm, a smartphone chip manufacturer, has acquired certain assets from GestureTek, a developer of gesture recognition technology. With this new acquisition, Qualcomm will gain access to gesture recognition technology that it can use to power future devices in order to give them better control on human gestures.

Gesture recognition till now has been used by different device manufacturers but with the help of certain softwares only. LG’s latest Optimus Black smartphone also features such an add-on software that is installed on to the device in order to recognise gestures and control device accordingly.

Steve Mollenkopf, executive vice president and group president, Qualcomm, said “Our acquisition of key technology and assets from GestureTek will strengthen Qualcomm’s smartphone product portfolio and enable device manufacturers to launch products with new and compelling user experience.”

With the new acquisition, gesture recognition technology can now be integrated into Qualcomm’s current and next-generation Snapdragon processors, giving OEMs the capability to produce smartphones, tablets and other devices with user interfaces based on natural human gestures.

With integrated in chip support for gesture based input recognition technology, devices will get a new way of control altogether for the users, giving them a much realistic experience.

Qualcomm has been adding newer technologies to their mobile chips and it has turned out to be a major liking factor for usage of the Snapdragon for different devices. Earlier this year, Qualcomm announced the integrated support for augmented reality with its processors and now the gesture recognition. What more does this chip manufacturer has on his mind only time will tell. But as of now the wait is on for the next line of Snapdragon processors that will come with integrated gesture recognition support, expected to start by the end of this year.

BlackBerry Torch touchscreen handset images leaked

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Images of one of an upcoming RIM BlackBerry device has been leaked online, fuelling speculations that the product is nearing its release. A PBase.com user, Greg Gebhardt, posted images of the BlackBerry Torch 9860, codenamed as Monza.

The Torch 9860 looks quite similar to the iPhone 4 but has curved edges and comes with buttons. RIM is expected to release the new range of BlackBerry handsets, with 7, in couple of months.

BlackBerry Torch 2 refresh is already under way but bit surprising as the Torch 2 come with a and memory bump. The BlackBerry Torch 9860 is a full touchscreen version in the Torch series that will house a 1.2 Ghz processor along with 768MB and 4GB storage space – good enough to run the BlackBerry OS 7.

BlackBerry Torch 9860 will feature a 3.7-inch touchscreen 24-bit TFT display with 253 dpi and 800×480 pixel resolution. At the back, it would carry a 5 megapixel camera, capable of recording 720p video with continuous autofocus.

RIM is also rumoured to launch the new handset sometime today following the status message updates on company’s official Facebook and Twitter accounts. As per the hints dropped, RIM is all set to announce details of devices that will support the next major BlackBerry OS 7.

Mozilla making a new cloud based mobile operating system

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Mozilla, the makers of popular Firefox browser, has begun work on a new web-based mobile operating system for tablets and mobile phones, which will be based on principles similar to Google OS for netbooks.

The new Mozilla project is known as Boot to Gecko or B2G and its goal is to build a complete, standalone operating system for the open web, said Mozilla engineer Andreas Gal in a blog post.

Gecko is the server behind the Mozilla Firefox and other efforts of Mozilla. Mozilla will be building B2G with components and Gecko as foundational technologies.
The OS will be able to utilise the hardware capabilities such as telephony, SMS, camera, USB, Bluetooth, Near Field Communications (NFC) and so on. The whole effort of Mozilla is to take advantage of Android-compatible devices, but it aims to lower the power consumption and better hardware utilisation by pushing most functions into the cloud.

Andreas says, “We want to take a bigger step now, and find the gaps that keep web developers from being able to build apps that are &#151 in every way &#151 the equals of native apps built for the iPhone, Android, and WP7”.

Mozilla plans to release the B2G source code in real-time and to take all successful additions to appropriate standards groups.

The idea of having a truly open source, web based operating system is brilliant as it will reduce the need to have too much of hardware capability sitting inside the phone and thereby reducing the price of the phones and tablets without reducing their features and computing ability.

The problem with these projects is the lack of cheap access in countries like India, which will make it very costly to use such phones and at the same time restrict the use of such phones to major cities where services are currently available.

BlackBerry Bold 9930 handset gets teased, accidentally

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A new device of Canadian handset maker Research in Motion has surfaced online accidentally. US based Verizon Wireless website accidentally made the BlackBerry Bold 9930 promotional video live through one of the existing handset BlackBerry 9650. New BlackBerry Bold 9930 features 2.8-inch display and is claimed to be the slimmest BlackBerry device (10.5mm) so far. Behold couple of hours for RIM and Verizon to officially launch and release the BlackBerry Bold 9930 handset.

New BlackBerry Bold 9930 was announced back in May this year at the BlackBerry World 2011. Now this handset will be launched and released later today by RIM on Verizon as we reported earlier today.

Apparently, RIM will debut the 7 based devices today starting off with BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Bold 9930 handsets. Both handsets will come with a fast 1.2 GHz Qualcomm 8655 Snapdragon processor coupled with 768 MB RAM truly promise to provide enough muscle for the new BlackBerry OS 7. The Bold 9900/9930 will come with 8 onboard memory and capable of holding up to 32 GB memory card.

BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 features a 2.8-inch capacitive touch screen display with 287 PPI resolution and 640×480 resolution for crisper text as well as images. Imaging experience will be enhanced with 5-megapixel camera that is also capable of 720p video recording. Apart from that, the phone will come with 2.1, chip, Accelerometer, Digital Compass, and Proximity Sensor.

Apparently the new Bold 9900/9930 will feature Near Field Communication Chip and would be first BlackBerry handset to support the Wi-Fi.

The new BlackBerry OS 7 brings in the Liquid Graphics for fluid interface, browsing and even while playing games. With a crisper and better display, the BlackBerry device also supports pinch-to-zoom feature and promises faster user experience with the new BlackBerry OS 7.

So far, there’s no word on the pricing of the BlackBerry Bold but we expect to hit India at a price higher than Rs 30,000 considering the hardware packed. No update on the time of the Bold 9900/9930 availability in India.

Airtel offers new Facebook app without data charges

Airtel is now offering their customers a new Facebook mobile application for Java-based feature phones. Airtel is also sponsoring the launch by enabling their customers to download and use this application for three months without incurring any data charges.

The Facebook for Every Phone application provides a better and faster Facebook experience for feature phones than other similar applications and mobile sites. It brings Facebook’s most popular features and user experience to a wide range of Java handsets, and is optimised for speed and performance on Airtel’s network.

This application has some new features that enable faster browsing of news feed stories and photos, easy photo uploads from your phone, and synchronize local address book contacts with Facebook friends.

Facebook for Every Phone is optimised to use minimal data while providing people with a fast and engaging user experience on feature phones. The application uses less data than other Java applications or mobile sites, enabling it to be much more affordable for people to use when the trial period end.

People can download the Facebook for Every Phone by sending ‘FB’ to 54321 (toll free) & clicking the link in the SMS or by visiting live.airtelworld.com/facebook from your mobile.

Airtel is offering free access (no mobile Internet data charges) to download and use the application to its subscribers for three months from the time of start of the offer i.e from 25th July 2011 till 24th October 2011.

Karbonn launches its first Android phone, to introduce 3 more

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Karbonn Mobile has launched its first phone, A1 in India. The phone is based on the Android 2.2 version, and has a 2.8 inch resistive touch screen along with WiFi, and Bluetooth.The phone is priced at Rs 6,999, but should retail in the market closer to the Rs 6,000 figure.

Company also plans to launch 3 more Android smartphone each targeted at a specific like business executive, student or housewife.

Karbonn A1 supports WiFi Hotspot and ability to store application in external memory. Other features of the A1 include Adobe Flash 10.1 version, 600MHz processor, 7.2 support (3G), a 3.2 camera, and 1100mAh battery, expandable memory (up to 32GB) and GPS.

Being an Android phone, standard Android applications and features like Google Map and G-sensor are all available, and so is the ability to download applications from the Android Market.

In a statement, the company said, “Karbonn plans to invest around 5 million US dollars on the marketing and promotional activities of these smartphones, they are expecting their smartphones sales to contribute about 10% to their total volume target. These smartphones will be tailor made to suit the diverse lifestyles of the consumers, so, there will be an Android phone for everyone, be it a business executive, style conscious youth, students or even a housewife”.

Airtel 3G now in Varanasi, Allahabad

Bharti Airtel has extended its 3G services to the holy city of Varanasi and city of sangam, Allahabad, in UP East.

With 3G, Airtel users can enjoy high speed internet access and a host of exciting services like Mobile TV entertainment, video calls (National & International), live streaming of videos, gaming and on-the-go social networking.

Airtel 3G will give its customers a faster, smarter and better mobile experience with internet access at speeds upto 21 on their fingertips, claims the teleco.

Besides the two cities, Airtel 3G is also available in two other cities of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow and Kanpur.

To know more or join Airtel 3G services – customers can visit www.airtel.in/Airtel3G/ call 12134 (tollfree) or ‘3G HELP’ to 121.