new Quad-Core chipset clocked at 2.5Ghz with Quad-Core Adreno 320 GPU from Qualcomm

Qualcomm has just announced its new family of Snapdragon products which aren’t expected to see the light of the day before the end of 2012. This new family will be composed of the single-core MSM8930, the dual-core MSM8960 and the quad-core APQ8064. All three will be using the latest 0.28nm process and features the newest Adreno 320 GPU with the APQ8064 having a quad-core version of it. It also goes without saying that these will also natively be able to render stereoscopic 3D content, LTE and have build-in NFC support. Qualcomm president Raj Talluri was also happy to point out that the recent Nokia and Microsoft partnership was a big win for the company given that they are the only certified chipset maker for Windows Phone 7 (his comment makes it seem like it will still be the case..). 

Qualcomm Announces Next-Generation Snapdragon Mobile Chipset Family

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM) today announced its next mobile processor architecture for the Snapdragon family. The new processor micro-architecture, code-named Krait, in the next-generation Snapdragon will redefine performance for the industry, offering speeds of up to 2.5GHz per core and delivering 150 percent higher overall performance, as well as 65 percent lower power than currently available ARM-based CPU cores. These chipsets will be available in single-, dual- and quad-core versions and include a new Adreno® GPU series with up to four 3D cores, and integrated multi-mode LTE modem.

The latest family of Snapdragon chipsets will include the single-core MSM8930™, the dual-core MSM8960™ and the quad-core APQ8064™. All chipsets in the family will integrate a quad-combo of connectivity solutions — WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth and FM — and include support for near field communication (NFC), as well as stereoscopic 3D (S3D) video and photo capture and playback. Support for every major operating system, across all tiers of products, comes standard on all Snapdragon chipsets.

The software compatible chipset family will share the same 28nm technology and new, purpose-built CPUs and GPUs for the best mobile performance at the lowest power consumption. The latest Adreno GPUs will also be included in the family, allowing developers to continue to utilize high-performance Adreno graphics capabilities to drive spectacular gaming and user experiences across all device tiers. The Adreno GPU has the largest mobile graphics ecosystems with hundreds of games for Android, Windows Phone 7 Xbox gaming, and PlayStation Certified gaming.

At the high end, the Adreno 320 quad-core GPU will deliver up to 15 times the performance of the original Adreno to drive the latest games and S3D video on larger-screen devices. Adreno 320 delivers similar graphics performance to today’s latest game consoles, but for mobile devices. In addition, the chipset family will support 3D and S3D games, capture and playback of S3D photos and videos, and output in full HD to a 1080P flat panel display over HDMI.

“Just as the original Snapdragon revolutionized smartphones with the first 1GHz processor, these new generations of Snapdragon will revolutionize the next wave of mobile entertainment and computing,” said Steve Mollenkopf, executive vice president and group president for Qualcomm. “We believe we have an incredible lineup of chips and software, representing a single platform that OEMs can utilize to create new devices ranging from mass market smartphones with integrated LTE, to tablets, to next generation computing and entertainment devices.”

The single-core MSM8930 is the world’s first single-chip solution with an integrated LTE modem designed to take LTE to mass market smartphones. It will include the new Adreno 305 GPU which delivers more than six times the performance of the original Adreno.

The dual-core MSM8960 is the world’s first dual-core solution with an integrated multi-mode 3G/LTE modem and was designed to meet the requirements of multi-tasking smartphones and tablets. It will include dual asynchronous CPU cores which can be independently controlled for maximum efficiency. The MSM8960 will also support dual-channel LP DDR memory and will feature the Adreno 225 GPU which delivers eight times the performance of the original Adreno.

The quad-core APQ8064 will be designed to meet the performance requirements of the next generation of computing and entertainment devices while minimizing power consumption. As with the Snapdragon dual-core, the APQ8064 will include four asynchronous CPU cores which can be independently controlled for maximum efficiency. The Adreno 320 quad-core GPU debuts in the APQ8064 processor where it enables console-quality gaming and renders rich user interfaces.

The APQ8064 will also include a variety of features that make it a compelling processing solution for use in mobile entertainment and computing devices, including support for both PC and LP DDR memory, serial and PCIe interfaces, and multiple USB ports. The APQ8064 will also seamlessly integrate with Qualcomm 3G and LTE MDM™ modems and modules, giving OEMs a flexible and cost-efficient platform that can meet all of their design configuration needs and help reduce time to market.

Samples of the MSM8960 are anticipated to be available in Q2 2011 and samples of the MSM8930 and APQ8064 are anticipated to be available in early 2012.

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REVIEW: Fujifilm FinePix XP30

With this ruggedized, GPS-equipped FinePix XP30 from Fujifilm, you won't have any trouble proving to your friends that that penguin photo your grandmother uses as her "screen saver" really was taken in Antarctica. Unless it happens to be snowing in Antarctica. Or even cloudy. This otherwise average 14.2 megapixel camera is the first to include GPS, but the gurus at Photography Blog had trouble getting a fix while testing in England. They also had issues with the battery door flipping open when the camera was dropped, and sand getting trapped in the zoom rocker -- not problems you want to see on a ruggedized cam. Like most rugged cameras, the XP30's image quality also doesn't compare to its land-limited cousins, according to the review, so this $240 Fuji might be a better bet as a second shooter than your be-all and end-all camera.

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save shsh blobs on ipad2

Now you can backup your SHSH blobs File for ipad 2 with the Help of Tinyumbrella. An SHSH blob or ECID SHSH is basically a unique signature which is checked against Apple servers whenever you decide to restore the firmware on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Once a new firmware is released, Apple stops signing the older firmware, hence making it impossible to restore back to the older firmware from iTunes. So, you must save SHSH Blobs file before updating to new version of ios.

Now Here is Step By Step Guide to Save SHSH Blobs on ipad 2:

Step 1 : Download Firmware Umbrella from Here.

Step 2 : Launch Firmware Umbrella and plug your iPad 2 in.

Step 3 : Click “Save My SHSH” and wait for Firmware Umbrella to do the job.

Step 4 : Done! A copy will be saved to your computer.

That’s it your SHSH Blobs is saved Now and you can update to latest version of ios.

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Iphone v/s DSLRs

I’m writing this about iPhones almost a year to the day that Nokia’s VP declared its smartphones will replace DSLRs.  The sensational headlines and Apple-associated stories are a bit out of control since the NY Times reported on the iPhone 4′s popularity (based on the number of images uploaded) on Flickr.

The latest claim from “The Pop Herald” is that the “iPhone 5 might kill DSLR cameras…” and that the “iPhone 4 is now becoming the most popular camera device.”  Out of fear that it might actually lower your IQ to read the article, I’m avoiding linking directly to it.

Rather than rehash the relevant stats that mitigate or outright debunk some of these sensational claims, check out the salient points over at 1001 Noisy Cameras.

True, the camera you have with you is what counts.  And the iPhone is likely digging into the point and shoot market because it works quite well as a casual snapshot camera – and because of the instant ability to get your photos on Flickr, Facebook and Twitter.  But just because a lot of people are uploading photos of their lunch to Flickr (try a Flickr search for “iPhone” and “lunch”) doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to displace the DSLR market anytime soon – and it doesn’t necessarily replace the need to carry a point and shoot camera.

I don’t have an iPhone any more (it was more AT&T than anything to do with the iPhone hardware); however, I use my HTC EVO’s 8MP camera all the time – and it’s better than a lot of phone cameras out there.  However, I don’t use my EVO for weddings, portraits, or even to document family vacations.  I use a DSLR for those things – because I want better photos than the grainy, over-processed JPEG images that EVO (or iPhone) cameras deliver.

People who want quality photos are going to recognize the limitation of a tiny phone camera sensor and plastic lens.  I’m not knocking the iPhone and other smartphone cameras for what they are, but I’m not going to make larger than life claims about their capabilities either.

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CANON POWERSHOT A3300 REVIEW

Canon's answer to the needs of those looking for a capable compact camera that fits a tighter budget, the PowerShot A3300 ISis a feature packed digicam with an appealing price tag of just $179.99 US. It boasts 16-megapixels of resolution for huge prints, a wide view 5x optical zoom lens, a 3.0-inch LCD screen, 720p HD video capture, Smart Auto, Creative Filters, and loads of other fun and useful exposure options stuffed into a petite frame.

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HANDS ON: ATOMOS NINJA

We checked out a lot of cool new stuff at NAB 2011; however, one of the coolest pieces of tech that I got up close with was the new Atomos Ninja HDMI-based recorder.  In short, the Atomos Ninja captures the uncompressed stream from your camera’s HDMI output.  The stream is captured as Apple ProRes HQ in a much higher quality than what goes through your camera’s compression onto the CF or SD card.

That said, you need a camera that sends an uncompressed full-res signal out of the HDMI port.  As you may know, most DSLRs don’t do this.  In fact, the Canon 5D Mark II, along with other Canon models, actually sends out a less-than-HD signal once you hit the record button.

The Panasonic GH2, however, sends out a clean HDMI signal.  The down side is that the GH2 wraps the 24p footage into a 60p frame rate as it goes out.  This means you have to strip the 3:2 pulldown off in post.  Fortunately, some industrious GH2 fans have figured out how to automate this process and get some really nice high quality footage out of an inexpensive camera.  For those GH2 users interested in learning more, a bit of Googling will lead to the available options.

Another great benefit of the Atomos Ninja is the fact that it sports a live view 4.3-inch monitor.  You can mount it on top of your camera’s hotshoe with an appropriate adapter and use it as an all-purpose storage device and external monitor.  The resolution of the display isn’t really good enough to use for reliably pulling focus (it’s a 480 x 270 resolution); however, it will work for a lot of run and gun users in a pinch.

Best of all is the price point. It’s $995 and it includes everything you need to start shooting except for the hard drive.  You can put SSD or spinning disk hard drives in it, which you can pick up from the likes of B&H Photo and Amazon for less than the price of a decent memory card.  You can find several configurations of the Atomos Ninja at B&H Photo.

For those using higher-end camcorders, Atomos makes the Samurai, which offers HD-SDI input and a 5-inch, 800 x 480 resolution display.  The Samurai is prices at $1495 and comes with everything you need to shoot (except for the 2.5″ drives).  The Samurai should launch this Summer.

The folks who are going to see the biggest immediate benefit to devices like the Atomos Ninja are those recording on a proper pro-level camcorder like the Pansonic AF100, Sony NEX-FS100 or other models with clean HDMI-out.  For those of use using HDSLRs, we really have to wait and see what Canon and the other players deliver in the next round of HDSLR releases to know whether we are going to be able to take advantage of something like the Ninja.  If Canon offers clean HDMI-output on the 5D Mark III, the Atomos Ninja could become a must-have storage solution.

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ARM predicts dual-core Cortex-A15 devices in late 2012, quad-core variants 'later on smart phones and tablets

Smartphones and tablets, the two hottest categories of consumer devices right now, are dominated by ARM processor designs, so when the company speaks up about its product roadmap, we're inclined to listen in close. The next generation of ARM system-on-chip has been dubbed Cortex-A15 and was expected to ship in 2013, but that's now been accelerated slightly to late 2012, which is when we're told to expect actual devices on sale with A15 silicon on board. Single- and dual-core variants will get us started, before quad-core options start filtering through in 2013. ARM promises a stunning fivefold improvement in performance over current Cortex-A9 SOCs and already has NVIDIA, Samsung, ST-Ericsson, and Texas Instruments signed up as licensees for that new hotness. So now even Samsung's "desktop-class" 2GHz dual-core chip that's slated for 2012 has a reason to look over its shoulder. Happy times!

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Toshiba Cevo TV face recognition tech explained

Today's TVs haven't quite gone all SkyNet and become free-thinking machines ready to take over the world, but the arrival of Toshiba's new Cevo TV range means that they can now recognise just who is watching them.

This is because Toshiba's latest WL and YL series have cameras built-in which will pick up a person's face as they enter the room and adapt the viewing experience to their tastes.

This is all done with a mix of facial recognition – much like you would find on a digital camera – and Toshiba's new Personal TV feature.

For it to work, you need the television to first map your face. Once this is done,

you can create a TV profile for yourself.

This Personal TV profile can be used every time you switch the TV on.

The feature is designed to help create profiles personal to each user's viewing habits, so that when you walk in the room you don't have to meddle with the TV to suit your tastes.

Using an integrated camera and face recognition tech, Personal TV allows up to four users to create their own profile containing a variety of personal preferences, remembering their favourite viewing options, sound levels and picture settings, as well as the personalised channel list.

The integrated camera is clever enough to uses face recognition technology to identify each user at start-up, and will automatically apply that user's preferred settings.

It also switches the TV to standby mode if it thinks nobody is watching the TV for a long time, so you better stop giving your TV a blank look.

Face-recognition on a TV is an advertisers' dream, as knowing who has hold of the remote means you can tailor advertising around specific people instead of using demographics.

For now, though, Toshiba is using the technology purely to offer a better user experience to the TV watcher but it will be interesting to see how far the technology is taken in the future.

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Panasonic rolls out new apps for its 2011 Viera Connect TVs

We knew Panasonic was going to unleash a slew of new apps for its Viera Connect televisions, and now it looks like they're finally ready to hit the ground running -- for its 2011 models, anyway. Back in January the company released its Viera SDK to developers, and now it has a smattering of games and sports apps to show for it, including the long-promised NBA Game Time, which includes standings and highlights from recent games. In case you're curious, there's no sign yet of Asphalt 5 HD, also announced at CES, though Panasonic says the title should be launching in the near future. Also on tap are MLS and NHL applications, each of which let you watch live games -- provided you subscribe to these leagues' live game packages. Panasonic says the NHL app is slated for the middle of this month, and you can expect MLS in early May. What we're most excited about, though, is an app that syncs with select NordicTrack treadmills (due out "later this year"), pairing your run with a first-person view in Google Earth. We can't wait to embark on a simulated run through the streets of Paris (versus, you know, actually going there), but alas, Panasonic wasn't ready to demo the app quite yet. 

As always, Viera's apps are arranged in a grid of large squares, right down to the standings and recorded matches in MLS, all of which makes these sets easy to navigate using a remote control. (We'll be curious to see what it's like playing Asphalt 5 with the remote, which you'll have to do if you don't want to spring for an optional wireless gaming controller.) The interface adds the occasional visual flourish, too, including a carousel of NHL standings and fly-in news categories in the AP's news app. The software is generally responsive, although you might find yourself waiting a few extra seconds for news blurbs and other information-heavy tidbits to load. Want a sneak peak at these apps before they roll out this spring? Hit the link and check out the gallery and hands-on video. 

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