Live Tech News Update RSS 24/7

Important: I didn’t receive any indication from trusted sources that an Olympus fullframe camera is going to be announced. The following rumor is at 99% false! I report it here because that rumor is creating a lot of “buzz” on the web. So read it just for fun!

The “rumor” has been started by Milsooper on dpreview forum. He says that a new Olympus FF camera is going to be announced soon:

“An Olympus full frame 35 mm body that can use the 4/3 lenses.
A nice weather resistant magnesium alloy frame.
Geotagging.
24.2 megapixel Kodak sensor and processors.
ProcessorS.
OM lens support.
Two new features yet to be revealed.”

He also says that this picture has been taken with the new Olympus FF camera: http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/1589237678/photos/492988/sedona10-111-1

And he toke similar pictures with the E-3: http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/1589237678/photos/492914/sedona6-107

and the Sony A850: http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/1589237678/photos/492928/sedona4-102

I repeat, we don’t know anything about a Olympus FF camera. But you know, we are a rumors website and sometimes we like to dream

Reminder -> Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=probably fake rumor
FT2=rumor from unkown sources
FT3=50% chance it is correct
FT4=rumor from known sources
FT5=almost certainly correct!

More than ever, BlackBerry sales are skewing towards the Curve; the 8500 has been so popular that it's seen shortages that are rare for a company built on ho-hum phones. The Curve 3G is an attempt to massage that formula to perfection with a refined design and a mix of 3G, GPS and Wi-Fi that GSM BlackBerry owners haven't seen before. We're gauging in our BlackBerry Curve 3G review if that's all that's needed, or if RIM should still be looking over its shoulder at Apple and Google....


Smartphone - BlackBerry - Handhelds - Wallpapers and Themes - Protocols

An uncertain rumor on Saturday has what's purported to be a future iPad in testing with a front camera. The partial shot allegedly shows the tablet in a debugging mode for video calls. 9 to 5 Mac in obtaining the shots noted that the mode is the same seen on field-tested iPhone 4 units but hidden from everyday users....


Programming - Jamaica - Pets - Dogs - Breeds

• HTC Home Brings the HTC Weather Widget to Windows 7 (Windows)
  If you're sporting an HTC phone with the HTC user interface you may have grown fond of the combination clock and weather forecasting widget. HTC Home ports the HTC interface from your phone to your Windows desktop, complete with animations.
• CyanogenMod 6.0 Released, Brings Custom Froyo Goodness to Tons of Android Phones (Android)
  Cyanogen's been putting up release candidates for the Froyo-based version 6.0 for awhile, but if you've been waiting for something more stable, you can now get the unbeatable combination of Froyo and Cyanogen for your Android device.
• iTunes 10 Gets a Streamlined Interface, Adds a Social Network for Music (Windows/Mac)
  If you were hoping for a totally redesigned, less twiddly iTunes 10, you're out of luck. But Apple added a social tool, Ping, for following artists and friends' tastes and tracking concerts. And your music list looks a bit tidier, too.
• Ubuntu 10.10 Beta Adds New Photo Manager, Improves Multimedia Experience (Linux)
  An early look at the next release of Ubuntu's Linux desktop hit the web late yesterday. What's in 10.10, or "Maverick Meerkat," for desktop users? Besides app updates, there's a new photo manager, improved multimedia controls, better Ubuntu One syncing, and more.
• Chrome Stable Updates to Version 6 with Extension Syncing and Form Autofill (Windows/Mac/Linux)
  Two years after its inception, web browser Google Chrome reaches version 6 in its stable release today, bringing with it the much sought-after extension syncing, form autofill and autofill syncing, and an even more streamlined UI.
• Steam Mover Relocates Applications to Free Up Space on Your Primary Drive (Windows)
  If your primary hard drive just isn't large enough to hold all the software you need on a day-to-day basis, then Steam Mover is the perfect tool for the job-assuming you have another storage drive handy.
• WiFi File Explorer Manages Your Android SD Card from a Web Browser (Android)
  Missing your USB cord, or just too lazy to grab it? WiFi File Explorer turns your Android SD card into a small web server, so you can transfer files, stream media, and otherwise control your content across a Wi-Fi network.
• Plex/Nine Adds Hardware Acceleration, Better Metadata Handling, and iOS Streaming App (Mac)
  Plex, the XBMC-based media center app for Macs with gorgeous looks, has updated in a big way, though with few new features. That's because Plex is rebuilding itself and making room for new uses, like its iOS streaming app.
• FilerFrog Puts Truly Helpful File Operations in Windows' Context Menu (Windows)
  You probably do a lot of things to files and folders that could be easily automated. Enter FilerFrog, a free Windows add-on that adds image resizing, file renaming, encryption, listing, path copying, and other abilities to your right-click options.
• True Time Tracker Lets You Know How You're Spending Your Time With Minimal Setup (Windows)
  Free app True Time Tracker is extremely simple: Just start it up, let it run in the background, and it will create numerous charts detailing what programs you run, what sites you visit and how much time you spend idle.

More »

If you're looking for a clever way to keep your drinks cold this Labor Day, blogger and DIYer Rob has the solution: A solid block of ice in which you can hold bottles or cans. More »

Windows: If you've been looking for a comic book reader and organizer, ComicRack offers extensive features for reading, managing, and organizing your virtual comic collection. More »

Infusing flavors with liquor can often be complicated and time-consuming, but the French Culinary Institute discovered that you can create infused cocktails with nothing but an N₂O-powered cream whipper. More »

HDTV sets might have gotten slimmer and even easier to snug up against the wall but they still stand out in most decor. This clever design trick incorporates the television into a band of paint to help it blend in. More »

Facebook isn't without its share of problems, but this weekend they added a helpful feature to avoid more privacy fiascos: now, you can logout of active Facebook sessions from any computer. More »

Apple's British site has revealed that iOS 4.1 is likely to be posted on September 8. Where the US site only lists the refresh as "coming soon," the UK page has an exact date. The reason for the discrepancy isn't clear, though it's suspected that the new iPod touch will be available at the same time....


Apple - Network - Operating Systems - iPod - IPhone

You can do a lot with your mind and a computer, but a healthy and honed body will get you even more out of life (if only more of it). Here are our favorite tips and tools for staying in shape. More »

Why roast one marshmallow when you can roast four? Or, alternatively, why use a grill when you could cook an entire burger on a stick? This Labor Day, step up the campfire with a simple four-pronged toasting fork. More »

Design, the keyboard and the display Curve veterans will get a strong sense of deja vu when they first pick up the new Curve. It's a blend of traits from earlier Curves; the keyboard is much like the one we've seen as far back as the Curve 8900, the body is more rounded l ......


BlackBerry - Smartphone - Handhelds - Wi-Fi - Global Positioning System

We are getting closer to the Panasonic press release on September 21. As you know we don’t expect any GF1 replacement soon. At least the GF1 is becoming cheaper (in US):

J&R via Amazon is selling the Panasonic GF1 with 14-45mm Lens (Click here) and Panasonic GF1 with 20mm Lens (Click here) for $699 only.

The GH2 is coming soon but the Panasonic GH1 still remains a very good camera -> even if the Hack doesn’t work anymore
And again J&R via Amazon is selling the GH1 + 14-140mm lens (Click here) for $999.

Reminder: Today is the last day for the Olympus instante rebates:

You can save $100 on the Olympus 9-18mm lens. Click on those shop names to visit the relative product page: Amazon / Adorama / BHphoto

And you can save $80 on the Olympus 14-150mm lens. Click on those shop names to visit the relative product page: Amazon / Adorama / BHphoto

Panasonic 3D lens adapter – first look

Very detailled Olympus 9-18mm review at SLRclub (Korean only!)

Sony Alpha NEX-5 vs Olympus E-P2 vs Nikon D90 High ISO Noise (CameraLabs)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 review at DKamera

Panasonic G2 Digital Camera Review at Letsgodigital

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45 Review at Trustedreviews

Olympus E-PL1 Price Change in UK (ePhotozine)

Toshiba to introduce world’s fastest SDHC UHS-I cards (DPreview)

Panasonic FZ100 : bruit électronique (Focus Numerique)

ISO comparison:E-P2 vs. Canon G10 vs. Nikon D700 (Pbase)

Field Review: Olympus PEN E-P2 (Day 1 -> ThePhoBlographer)

Apple tonight hit a milestone quickly as it reached over one million users of Ping within the first 48 hours of its going online. The tally represents a third of the three million that have downloaded iTunes 10. Internet Services VP Eddy Cue expected that number to grow much higher, as "many more people" are likely to download iTunes....


Apple - Apple II - Macintosh - iTunes - Articles

Google sparked curiosity on Friday by sending out an invitation to Electronista and other members of the press for a special event on September 8. The invite is brief and teases a showing off of Google's "latest technological innovation" and an "inside look at the evolution of Google search." Somewhat unusually, the event is being held at San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and will have well-known search VP Marissa Mayer as well as key software engineers....


Google - Search - Search Engines - Companies - Business

Klipsch took advantage of new iPod launches to trot out three headphones to match. The Image One breaks the most ground of the three and is Klipsch's first over-ear headphone set with an in-line mic and remote compatible with all iOS devices. The leather-lined design folds flat and will ship in November for $150....


iPhone 3G - IPhone - Handhelds - Smartphones - Wallpapers and Themes

Android has significantly closed the gap with Apple in web traffic in the US, Quantcast said on Friday. Use of Google's mobile OS has climbed 17 percent from the start of the year until August, giving it exactly a quarter of traffic. Apple's iOS, meanwhile, has lost 11 percent over the same eight months and has a narrower lead at 56 percent....


Android - Handhelds - Apple - IPhone - Google

Readers offer their best tips for phones that keep searching for signal, a new iTunes mini-player, and cheap gaming mousepad solutions. More »

Mobee today caused a minor stir at IFA by unveiling the Magic Charger. The peripheral uses the same induction behind devices like the PowerMat to recharge Apple's Magic Mouse without wires. By replacing the regular battery section and cover with a special rechargeable pack, the device can run for about six days without gaining any weight or bulk....


magicmouse - Apple - Universal Serial Bus - Performing Arts - Magic

Following Apple's announcement of the fourth-generation iPod touch, Belkin and WaterField have launched cases for the new iOS device. Belkin has announced 14 new cases -- five grip cases, two shield cases, four verve cases and three armbands. The grip cases are textured for easier handholding. The Grip Ergo with Strap features a fitted design and a removable strap, in translucent black or taro, while the Grip Groove Duo has a wavy texture and arrives in either black-and-clear or gray-and-purple color combinations. The Grip Graphix swirls two colors into the wave text...


IPod - Shopping - Consumer Electronics - Apple iPod - Digital Portable Players

The jury for this year's Demo Cup, an open source competition that takes place during the Open World Forum, has sorted through entries and picked 13 finalists. The finalists include a variety of different products including the Mozilla 4 project from Mozilla, the Accelo project from Obeo, and the EveryDesk project from Conecta. The 13 finalists will compete against each other on October 1, demonstrating their products with an eight minute presentation. Following the presentations, the jury will hand out five Open Innovation Awards recognizing the most convincing demo...


IWeb - Apple - Desktop Customization - iLife - Trademark

Image courtesy: Quesabesde

UPDATE: More images of the camera+3D lens have been posted on engadget.

As you already know Panasonic will launch the new 3D lens for MicroFourThirds cameras. Quesabesde had the chance to hold one of those lenses (Click here to read the google english translation).

Here a short list of the most interesting parts of the text:

- “The lens simulates the vision of both the left and right eye, so it is possible to form a three dimensional image using a single sensor“

- “We tested the lens on the Lumix DMC-G2 and it has been possible to verify that the camera body automatically detects the presence of the 3D lens.”

- “The resulting files do have a size of 904 x 1600 pixels. In addition to the 3D file extension MPO, the camera also stores a JPEG image that displays the picture “normal” on the camera screen.“

- “It also seems unlikely that this modality 3D is compatible with Micro Four Thirds cameras from Olympus“

Thanks Quesabesde!

This week we made the most of your external hard drives, cleaned out our laptops before turning them in to IT, put together the ultimate exercise playlist, and more. More »