For Canadians, this also has a special significance, as Microsoft Messenger (also known by Windows Messenger , or just simply “MSN”) seemed to have a much higher adoption among young people than competing software, like AIM or ICQ. This could have been to a number of factors, including AOL’s relatively small service provider penetration north of the border.

As someone who used MSN Messenger daily during his early days on the Internet, it feels like an old friend is leaving for a better place. However, Microsoft devoting its efforts towards Skype, which has a massive install base of its own, is a logical step towards consolidation, and to the future.

Source: The Next Web
Via: Engadget 

The A700 with 32GB will retail for $449.99, and we got a chance to go hands-on with it a few weeks ago. You can check out the pictures from our time with it, and the full specs, after the jump.

The A700 we saw at CES looked a little different to the finally version of the A700 released today (you can see some pictures of the original version here), and now it looks physically identical to the recently released A510 tablet. In actual fact, other than the screen, the A700 and A510 are practically the same tablet. Both use a Tegra 3 CPU, have 1GB of RAM, 32GB of on-board storage, run Ice Cream Sandwich, and retail for $449.99.

At our meeting with Acer we pointed this out, and were told that because of this the A510 was basically being replaced in the market by the A700, even though it has only being available for a very short time. While this will probably irk quite a few A510 buyers, it only makes sense, since in order for Android tablets to compete with the iPad juggernaut they have to offer comparable or better specs at a lower price. While a 1080p screen can’t technically compare to the Retina display on the new iPad, it’s still pretty crisp, and for most people will be a great choice.

From the short time we spent with the A700 we came away impressed. While the materials it is made from certainly aren’t as premium as some of the other Android tablet offerings from Asus and Toshiba, it is still a well-made device, with a beautiful high-resolution IPS screen and excellent viewing angles. At $449.99 it is great value for money, and it is one of the best spec’d Android tablets currently available. Once we get a chance to look at one for a longer period of time, you’ll be able to read our full report. For now, you can check out more pictures of the A700 below.

Specs:

- Processor: NVIDIA Tegra™ 3 Quad Core Mobile Processor (1.3GHz)
- Display: 10.1″ Full HD multitouch 1080p display, 1920 x 1200 resolution
- Memory: 1024MB DDR2 memory
- Storage: 32GB internal storage
- Audio: Dolby Mobile 3
- Media Card Reader: MicroSD memory slot up to 32GB
- Communications: 802.11b/g/n wireless, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
- Camera: 5MP rear-facing camera with auto focus, Front-facing HD camera
- Battery: 9800mAh, up to 13 hours for video playback on system
- Interfaces: Micro USB 2.0 port, Micro-HDMI, 3.5mm combo jack
- Dimensions: 10.2″ L x 6.9″ D x 0.43″ H  |  291mm L x 56mm W x 202mm H
- Weight: 1.47 lbs. | 0.665kg

Additional Images:

The first AR.Drone was launched in 2010, and is unique when compared to other radio-controlled ‘copters, in that it is controlled by your iOS or Android device. It had two cameras, which could be viewed on your phone or tablets screen. The ability of the software to detect objects with the front-facing VGA camera allows the AR.Drone to be used for augmented reality games (hence the AR in its name). While all these features made ver. 1.0 of the AR.Drone a great toy that also has many uses beyond fun in research and education, there is always room for improvement. The AR.Drone 2.0 addresses many of its predecessor’s shortcomings. 

The AR.Drone 2.0 now has a front-facing 720p camera, which improves the view in-flight, especially on the larger screens of tablets, and allows you (with the updated AR.FreeFlight 2.0 piloting app) to record the HD video so you can upload it to YouTube. The hardware onboard the drone has also been updated, with a new pressure sensor and 3D magnetometer that improves outdoor flight, allowing you to pilot the AR.Drone to higher altitudes. The 3D magnetometer also allows for a new flight-mode, called ‘Absolute Flight’:

With a 3D magnetometer, the AR.Drone 2.0 knows its precise orientation with respect to the smartphone, which becomes the reference point. The pilot no longer needs to care about the orientation of the AR.Drone 2.0′s front camera, which will accurately track the smartphone’s motion and tilt.

I tried this new flight-mode myself, and, as a beginner, I found it much easier than the conventional ‘Relative Flight’-mode, but even then, the AR.Drone is hypersensitive to your movements, so it will take some practice. The augmented reality aspect of the AR.Drone is one of it coolest features, and while I didn’t get a chance to try out any of the available games, they certainly look interesting and add another dimension to using the drone beyond just flying. More info on the different AR.Drone games is available on Parrot’s website, but to give you an idea of what you can do here is one of the descriptions, and a screenshot:

AR.Rescue is a first-person view (FPV) piloting game in Augmented Reality. It is played solo using an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. Place your special AR.Drone target on the ground and the game starts. Help the aliens to return to their planet on board their rocket. Recover the pieces of rocket scattered in the atmosphere, get rid of the nasty Crunchers and try to beat the clock on every mission.

Parrot has also wisely realized that if they want this aspect of the AR.Drone to really take off, they need third-party developers to make apps for them, too. To facilitate this, Parrot is providing developers an ‘Open Game API’, part of their Open Development Platform – developers can sign up at Ardrone.org and download the SDK for free. There are already quite a few third-party apps on both iOS and Android, however,  there are more for iOS at the moment since the AR.Drone only started support Android recently, and none of the Parrot-developed games are available on Android as of yet.

Hopefully we’ll get one to play with a unit soon, so check back for a full review.

The AR.Drone 2.0 ships with two hulls, the indoor one protecting the blades from damaging impacts. It will be available in Canada exclusively from The Source starting May 1^st for $329.99, and the first 500 pre-orders will get a free carrying case.

You can read more about the AR.Drone 2.0 on Parrot’s site.

Pre-order the AR.Drone 2.0 at The Source for $329.99, either in-store or at www.thesource.ca.

You can check out some additional images of the AR.Drone 2.0 below, and a video clip of one of the AR games in action:

XM Canada has officially released their XM online+ for Android. The app has the same features as their iPhone, iPad, iPod and BlackBerry app where you get access to music, talk shows, sports and entertainment shows… basically over 100 different kinds of broadcasts that are on XM. The price is $7.99 a month or if go the bundled route with your current XM subscription it’ll only $2.99 a month. In addition, they have a 14 day trial available.

More here at XM

Thanks to CrackBerry for posting these pics and videos. It gives a good look at what’s inside.


Source: CrackBerry.com
Via: IntoMobile

According to WhiteiPhone4Now.com states reason a delay is due to the manufacturing process that caused a “Rough & Bent effect on the frame and made it not sit flush on the middle frame”. Apparently Apple has changed the way the White models are being made with a recently improved manufacturing process. On another note they also state that their OEM source says “there are no signs that a hardware fix for the antenna issue is underway.”

Via: TUAW

Calgary-based Multiplied Media has created a successful location based app called “Poynt”. It’s been available on the iPhone and BlackBerry device for some time, but it’s now available for Android users to enjoy. The app is free and can help you find phone numbers, addresses, maps, directions and offers features to read movie reviews, view trailers, purchase movie tickets and book dining reservations.

Check it out via the Android Market here
Via: IntoMobile

There are 30 positions open and Samsung describes a “Mob!ler” as brand ambassador who “loves all things mobile and spends vast amounts of time online. Always at the hottest events in their city. Can be found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube or blogging in their spare time.”

It’s interesting but it’s only for those living in Vancouver, Toronto and Montréal. The contest goes until August 11th, 2010 at 11:59:59.
Check it out here at Facebook

Source: Salomondrin
Via: CrackBerry

Check it out here at Facebook