Google Earth app for iOS updated with 3D maps, high-resolution images

While Apple gears up to replace Google maps with with its own mapping service on iOS platform, Google is stepping up its Google Earth app on the platform, updating it with new various features such as 3D maps and a tour guide. Google is rolling out the update for the iPad 2, new iPad and the iPhone 4S devices.

"With the release of Google Earth for iOS you can literally fly through breathtaking 3D city landscapes and images and follow virtual tours of places you've never been -- all with a simple  swipe of your fingertip, "wrote Google's Peter Birch, Google Earth product manager in a blogspot. "Its a new, and I think magical way to explore the world in which we live."

Google's tour guide feature enables iOS users to discover and explore popular sites in more than 110 countries and regions.

Google had rolled out a similar update to its Google Earth app for Android last month. Meanwhile, check out the short video below just in case you haven't caught up with the 3D imagery yet.

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Nokia launches dual-SIM phone Asha 305 in India

Nokia has officially launched its full touch dual-SIM phone Asha 305 in India. The phone will available on Nokia's online store at Rs. 4,688.

According to reports, Nokia Asha 305 has a 3-inch resistive touchscreen with a resolution of 240x320 pixels, 2-megapixel camera, Dual-SIM capabilities. It also has a micro SD card support for upto 32GB, Music player app and a 1,110 mAh battery with 528 hours of standby time.

The new device also offers 40 EA games for free viz Tetris, Need for Speed and Fifa 2012. These games can be downloaded from the Nokia store.

The Asha 305 is available in three colors of Black, Red and Blue, supports various IM services such as Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger and Windows Live Messenger.

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Facebook-HTC phone to be launched in 2013

Rumors are continuing to circulate that Facebook has partnered with HTC to release its own smartphone as soon as mid-2013. The report citing people with knowledge of this matter has said that Facebook is also developing a modified operating system for the device and has assembled former Apple staff to improve its iPhone application.

According to the report, more than 50 percent of Facebook's 900 million users across the network access the site via mobile devices. Therefore, the Facebook through its new smartphone may cash in on to attract investors and advertisers.

Earlier in April, HTC was reported to be working on a Facebook with an 'exclusive operating system', while in May another report came that Facebook phone will see the light the day by 2013.

Analysts feel that usage is shifting to mobile, but they have so far failed to monetize mobile, while the fact is that users carry the device all the times. Therefore the smartphone is expected to benefit Facebook through advertisements.

It may be noted that both the companies have  collaborated closely before. Last year, HTC began selling "ChaCha", an Android based phone with a dedicated Facebook button to share music, photos and messages.

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Samsung launches Omnia M Windows phone for Rs. 18,650

Samsung Omnia M has been officially launched in India for Rs 18,650. Users can avail the device on Samsung India's e-store for Rs. 16,400.

Samsung Omnia M comes with 4-inch super AMOLED display, 1 GHz processor, Windows phone 7.5 and a 5MP camera. It also sports 0.3MP front camera, 4GB of internal memory and a 1500 mAh battery.

With quite a few Android devices entering the under Rs. 20,000 price bracket with dual-core processors and decent specifications. Omnia M does not look very exciting on paper but one will have to wait to see what is the fate of this new Windows smartphone.

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Samsung beat Apple in smartphone market: IDC

Samsung has extended its lead over Apple in smartphones, in part because its new Galaxy phones came out before Apple updated its iPhone, research group IDC said Friday.

Samsung's  Galaxy S III phones got good reviews when it was released late in the second quarter. In the US, the phones work with the faster fourth generation cellular networks that major wireless companies have been building. The Galaxy's screen is larger than the iPhone's, while the Samsung phone is lighter and thinner.

According to IDC, Samsung Electronics shipped 50.2 million smartphones worldwide in the second quarter and had a market share of 33 percent, up from 17 percent a year ago. Apple fell slightly to 17 percent, from 19 percent a year ago. It sold 26 million iPhones in the April-June quarter.

Nokia was number 3 with a 6.6 percent market share, down from more than 15 percent a year ago. Nokia has had some success with its Lumia line, based on Microsoft's Window System. The company is hoping for a boost once Microsoft releases a major upgrade to Windows in October, one designes with touchscreens in mind.

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2 crore mobile net users reduce newspaper, TV time by half: Study

The increasing popularity of smartphones and Internat-enabled feature phones has now started to give serious competition to the traditional sources of entertainment - TV's and newspapers, says a study conducted by online audience and ad measurement platform ViziSense.

The report reveals about 2 crore of the estimated 4.8 mobile internet users in the country have shifted 50 percent of their newspaper and TV time to their mobile phones, and what's being consumed is - entertainment, including all categories of news, travel and sports.

The report further says half of the mobile internet users go online through their phones for almost 3 hours on a daily basis. Primary drivers of mobile internet have been specified as email(99%) and social media(95%).

The report also highlights increasing popularity of mobile e-commerce, with 80 percent of users using their devices for some sort of financial transactions such as paying utility bills, buying products or services.

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3D tablet launched in India for Rs 5,999

Swipe telecom has launched 3D tablet PC called 3D LIFE which runs on Android 4.03 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) operating system. Priced at Rs 5,999 it has a 7-inch TFT five point touch capacitive screen packing 800x480 pixels.

Swipe telecom's new tablet is powered by A13 Cortex processor with a 1.5GHz clock speed, 4GB internal memory and a 512 MB DD RAM.

Swipe telecom says that the tablet can play videos for 5-6 hours at a stretch, being powered by a 3400 mAh battery. 3D LIFE boasts a 2MP front camera which supports video calling.

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Apple unleashes the 'Mountain Lion'

Apple on Wednesday launched the next iteration of its operating system for its Mac range of personal computers.

The new operating system if fully integrated into social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, bringing to its desktops and notebooks some salient features of its iOS mobile operating system.

Called OS X Mountain Lion, it is available for download from, the Mac Appstore at $19.99. It is compatible with most iMacs and Macbooks manufactured after 2007-08.

The upgrade is said to have over 200 new features compared to its predecessor the OS Lion. Users will be able to tweet and post status messages on their Facebook walls even while browsing the web or viewing photographs.

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Samsung Galaxy Beam officially launched in India at Rs 29,990

Samsung has officially released its projector phone, Galaxy Beam, in India. The Galaxy Beam is available at Samsung India's e-store Rs 29,990.

Samsung had announced its Galaxy Beam, also known as the Galaxy Beam GT-18350 at the Samsung Forum event held earlier this year. The device went up for pre-order in India earlier this mnth.

The Samsung projector phone runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system. Right now there's no word on whether the device will be upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich or the latest Jelly Bean.

The Samsung Galaxy Bean has a 4.0-inch touchscreen with 480x800 pixels resolution. The device also has a 5MP auto focus camera as well as a 1.3MP front facing camera. The phone comes with 8GB of internal storage with a microSD slot upto 32GB. The device is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor. It is equipped with a 2,000 mAh battery.

The main USP of the phone is the built-in projector, which boasts of 15 lumens brightness. It can project images upto 50-inches and will be able to playback the media from the internal storage as well as a memory card.

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Self cleaning cars will soon be a reality

Researchers have developed a new coating that has many potential applications - keeping your car and mobile phones clean for ages and aircraft that need less frequent repainting.

Functional coatings, for example with highly water resistant or antibacterial properties, have at their surface nano-sized molecular groups that provide these specific properties.

Both these molecular groups are easily and irreversibly damaged by minor contact with their surface, quickly causing their properties to be lost, the journal Advanced Materials reports.

Catarina Esteves of the department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at Eindhoven University of Technology and her colleagues have now found a solution, according to an Eindhoven statement. The solution will make possible a self cleaning car, with a highly water-resistant coating that keeps this self-cleaning property for long periods. Superficial scratches will be self-repaired and the water droplets simply roll off the car, taking dirt with them. An occasional rain shower is all that's needed to keep the car clean.

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Huawei to launch Ascend Y200 and Ascend G300 in India

Chinese telecom major Huawei has announced that the company will be launching two new smartphones in India this month. Both the models are from company's Ascend series.

Ascend Y200 features a 3.5-inch screen with 320x480 pixels resolution, an 800 Mhz processor, a 3.2 megapixel camera, 512MB memory, SD card slot and 1400mAh battery.

Whereas the Huawei Ascend G3 comes with slightly higher specs. The smartphone sports a 4-inch WVGA display, 1GHz processor, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5 megapixel autofocus camera with flash and 1350mAh battery.

The company has not disclosed the device's pricing so far.

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Apple's third generation iPad now available in China

Just as we heard earlier this month, today's finally the day Cupertino starts offering its renowned, pixel-packed "new iPad" in Chinese territory. Of course you'd know the launch comes a tad bit later than expected, after months of dealing with Proview's trademark conundrum and despite having those imperative certifications since way back in march. All legal kerfuffles aside, Apple's third generation slate has arrived, opening the glass doors to anyone in China looking for 2048 x 1536 reasons to spend their hard earned Yuans.

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LG launches Optimus 4X HD in India priced at Rs 34,990

LG has officially launched its quad-core powered Android smartphone which was first revealed at MWC 2012 earlier this year in February. It is called the LG Optimus 4X HD and has officially priced at Rs 34,990 in the Indian market.

The Optimus 4X HD is device which will go up against the HTC One X and the Samsung Galaxy S III, both of which have been available in India since quite some time and have reached many pockets. The LG Optimus 4X HD though a late entrant may still grab some attention due to some of its nifty features and price.

The device is powered by a 1.5 GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core, it sports a 4.7-inch True HD IPS display with 120x720 pixels resolution. The device also includes an 8 megapixel camera with 1080p video recording and it has a secondary front facing camera for video calling.

The Optimus 4X HD is equipped with a large 2150 mAh battery which is rated to provide up to 11 hours  of talktime. It has 16 GB of built-in storage and the device runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich which is skinned with LG's Optimus UI 3.0.

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Zenga TV to stream India-Sri Lanka series

Mobile content provider Zenga TV has bagged exclusive rights for the upcoming India-Sri Lanka series. As per the agreement with sports rights management agency Sporty Solutionz, Zenga TV will provide mobile video streaming for the five ODI's and one T20 to be played during the India-Sri Lanka series starting July 21, 2012 in Sri Lanka.

Zenga users will now be able to watch every ball live during the tournament. Users can also watch the match later with an option of viewing the entire match or just the summary. Every match will be available for the users for 30 days after the match is played.

Zenga also claims to have a unique 2.5G technology that works on delivering the best possible mobile TV experience optimized for the type of the device and the kind of network being used. 

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Charge your USB Gadgets through the TV in your hotel room when travelling

When you are packing for a trip its easy to forget a few things, even if you've got a great, geeky travel checklist. If you forget your charger, the television in your hotel room can fill in as a substitute.

Although not the first time we have mentioned that TVs can charge USB gadgets. I often travel with a single charger and multiple devices to avoid packing too many things, but I have neglected to use the TV as a spare power source despite knowing this tip. While not every hotel television will have this option, its a good thing to remember in case you are in a bind or would find it convenient to have that extra charger without packing it.

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Batman to encourage kids to eat healthy

Superheroes such as Batman can prompt children to develop their own healthy eating habits, a recent Cornell University has found.

This study reminds us of Popeye the Sailor, who inspired a generation of growing baby boomers to eat its spinach.

During the study fully 45 percent children selected apple fries after being shown pictures of superheroes and other role models, compared to 9 percent who choose apple fries with no superhero prompts.

On an average children who consumed apple fries consumed only 34 calories whereas children who selected french fries consumed 227 calories. That's almost seven times as many calories just from the side dish of the meal.

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Planet found near Earth may have life

Astronomers at the University of California, Santa Cruz and the Carnegie Institution of Washington believe that they have discovered a planet right at Earth's front door that may be capable of supporting human life. The planet is 22 light years away, previously thought to be 20 light years, and is formally known as Gliese 581g .

The study reveals that the planet is twice the size of Earth. It is known as "Super Earth" due to its ability to hold on to its gassy atmosphere, which increases its chances of retaining liquid. Whether this liquid is frozen and stored under the surface or flowing freely across the planet, the researchers can't say. The scientist from the University of California said that the planet has "Churchly Wheather" similar to what we experience in Australia.

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Google Nexus Tablet available in India online for Rs 16,952

Can't wait for Google to launch the Nexus Tablet in India? Well you need not wait more. With the power of online shopping, consumers in India can pick up Google flagship tablet today.

The price you pay has a slight premium of course. The device has launched in US for $200. Users setting in India can buy Google Nexus 7 tablet from Indiatimes Online shopping website for Rs 16,952. The Nexus is currently in stock and will be delivered in 15 working days, shipping free. The device will come with one-year manufacturer warranty.

The second website offering the device for sale is ebay.in. On ebay the 8GB Google Nexus 7tablet is priced slightly higher at Rs 17,690. eBay gives you an EMI option. You can opt for three equal monthly installments of Rs 5,896 or six equal monthly installments of Rs 2,948.

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iPhone 3GS now available for Rs 9,999

Apple iPhone 3GS is now available for Rs 9,999 with Aircel. This is huge cut back in the price of the device, which is currently available at Rs 20,908 with Airtel.

However, this offer on iPhone is available for postpaid connections only.

Aircel is offering third generation iPhone with an advanced rental of Rs 3,000. For this advanced rental, buyers would access unlimited 3G data for a year. In 3G circles users would be eligible for 2GB of data at 3G speeds and unlimited data access at 3G rates thereafter.

In 2G only areas, buyers would have unlimited 2,500 local and national SMS, 100 minutes of local and STD calls and unlimited 2G data for a period of 6 months.

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Micromax launches Superfone A80 infinity

Micromax has expanded its Superfone portfolio in the country with the addition of Superfone A80 infinity. The dual-SIM smartphone's biggest USP is its 2,500 mAh LiON battery, which Micromax claims will provide up to 7 hours of talk time and 288 hours of standby battery life.

As for other specs, Superfone A80 Infinity sports a 3.6-inch full-touchscreen display and the company's voice assistant tool AISHA. The phone has a 5 megapixel rear camera and a secondary front-facing 0.3 megapixel camera. Camera features include night vision, multi-shot option, camera sensor and multiple video recording formats.

The device is powered by an 800Mhz processor, runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread and supports expandable memory up to 32 GB using a microSD card.

Superfone A80 Infinity is priced at Rs 8,490.

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MakeMyTrip.com introduces Android and iPhone travel applications

Travel conglomerate MakeMyTrip has introduced its travel planning and management apps for iPhone and android devices. The company's mobile app was only available for Blackberry users earlier.

These new apps allow users to search and book flights. Passenger details are stored on the device to avoid typing-in details each time one would like to book a flight, which will enable any future bookings with just a few taps. The app also provides additional travel-solutions like viewing booking details, making cancellations, requesting e-tickets and even tracking refunds.

Going beyond ticketing and planning travel, the application also uses the device's GPS capabilities to find restaurants close to your travel destination. Mobile transactions made through MakeMyTrip apps are supported by credit and debit cards of all major banks, as well as through net banking.

The apps are available for free download on Google Play, the Apple App Store and the Blackberry app world.

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Facebook launches App Center in India

Facebook has launched its application center in India and six other countries, a move that will help users to find games, music services and media content easily.

The social networking giant had launched the App Center in the U.S. last month.

"The App Center is now available to everyone in the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and U.K.," Facebook software engineer Drew Hoskins said on the blog on Monday.

The users can access new App Center icon located on the left side of the home page on Facebook.com recommending apps to users based on their interests. Additionally, the service is also available on Apple and Android mobile devices.

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