Five great laptops for gaming

When it comes to playing PC games, portability is often sacrificed. The true monster machines are almost always burly desktops.

But that doesn't mean all is lost for gamers who want to be able to take their systems on the road. While mobile graphics chips aren't quite as advanced as their desktop counterparts, some can still push polygons at an incredible pace.
That power comes at a premium, though. If you want a gaming laptop that's going to handle a Crysis or Far Cry with ease, it's going to cost you. For a variety of budgets, here are five worth considering.

Acer Aspire TimelineX AS3830TG-643

Budget Options
Acer Aspire TimelineX AS3830TG-6431
Acer Aspire TimelineX AS3830TG-643The name's a nightmare, but this is one of the most powerful thin laptops on the market -- and one of the best choices if you plan to do a lot of gaming on the go.
It's packed with a speedy i5 processor and weights less than 5 pounds. The screen size is a bit smaller than most, coming in at just over 13 inches, but with a fantastic price of under $800, that could be a compromise you can live with.

iPhone 4s vs Samsung Galaxy Nexus vs Motorola Droid

Three top end smartphones head to head

Holiday season is gone and has left slew of new phones behind.
Often friends call me up and throw the question which phone to buy? My standard answer is what you need your phone for. If it’s for apps and fun look at iPhone and Android powerhouses if it hardcore business and emails than don’t shy away from a Blackberry. So when it comes to fun and apps there are few very good phones in the top bracket and I decided to put up a short review on these three for all of you.
The iPhone 4S needs no introduction. A minor upgrade to widely successful iPhone4 this beast comes loaded with voice witchcraft known as “Siri”, don’t forget that 8MP camera and brutally rapid A5 processor.
Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the latest Google flagship phone and it's running the very latest version of Android -- Ice Cream Sandwich. Add to that a massive 4.65-inch screen with a blisteringly high resolution, and this is looking like a scorcher.

Apple unveils interactive iPad textbooks

Apple Inc unveiled a new digital textbook service called iBooks 2 on Thursday, aiming to revitalize the U.S. education market and quicken the adoption of its market-leading iPad. During the event, Apple also introduced tools to craft digital textbooks and demonstrated how authors and even teachers can create books for students.

Apple's new iBooks 2 app is demonstrated for the media on an iPad at an event in the Guggenheim Museum. iBooks 2 is a new free app featuring iPad interactive textbooks. The company also announced iBook Author, an application to create digital textbooks, and iTunes U, an educational app for students and teachers.

Review: Samsung Galaxy Note

Many people are already confused whether to buy a smartphone or a tablet. Samsung has added to that confusion with its Galaxy Note.

Samsung Galaxy Note has been positioned in such a way that it falls right between a smartphone and a tablet, offering the functionality of both.

Galaxy Note sports a 5.3 inch HD Super Amoled display.

It's a stretched version of Samsung Galaxy S2 but offers far greater functionality than the smartphone.

No plans to launch phones in India: Lenovo

Lenovo's Android smartphones, which comes with mouth-watering specs, will be launched only in China. Lenovo's upcoming Android smartphone, which comes with Intel's Medfield family processor, will not be launched in India, a spokesperson of the company told The Mobile Indian.

The new Lenovo K800, which was showcased at recently held Consumer Electronics Show 2012 in Las Vegas (USA), will be released first in China. The news is definitely sad because the phone has mouth-watering specifications.

Lenovo K800 is the first smartphone to come with a single core Intel Atom Z2460 mobile processor that comes coupled with PowerVR SGX 540 graphics chip. The phone comes with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system and runs with the new Lenovo LeOS user interface layered on top of it.

Facebook gaming: What’s hot, What’s not

'Like it' or not, gaming on Facebook is big, big business. And it's only getting bigger. Last year, social game companies raised a stunning $1.5 billion in funding. With that kind of money backing them up, most industry types expect 2012 to be an even more lucrative year for Facebook gaming. But will it be a better year for gamers? That depends of what kinds of experiences you happen to enjoy on the social network. Here's a handful of game types expected to be all the rage -- and a few fit to be unfriended.






HOT

Hidden Chronicles (Zynga)

Hidden-object hunts
Forget the farm and leave the words with your friends -- the most popular Facebook game of 2011 was Gardens of Time, a hidden-object hunt by Playdom, and it could well be the game that broke the dam holding back this immensely popular casual game genre.
It's so big, in fact, that leading Facebook developer Zynga's very first game of 2012 was also their first hidden-object game, Hidden Chronicles.  But while the genre is just getting started on Facebook, it's been a huge casual game genre for years now. New hidden-object hunts arrive on sites like Yahoo! Games each week. With an immense backlog, companies need only port these adventures over to Facebook and watch the engagement skyrocket.
Experts like AJ Glasser, editor of Inside Network, are a bit tentative, though, especially when it comes to their earning potential.
"I don't know if it's really going to grow that big. The big game makers might feel obliged because Playdom had such luck with it, but we're not really sure if the monetization figures are that great."
Regardless of the financials, however, game makers are likely to dive in just to keep up with the Joneses.
"We will see more entries from bigger players because they feel that they have to have a hidden-object game in their wheelhouse," Glasser adds.

New mobile apps for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices

Whether you got your first smartphone or tablet over the holidays or are an experienced user, there are plenty of great new mobile applications for iPhones, iPads and Android devices to tap into.
Here are five new or recently revamped apps you should consider downloading right away.

Shazam Player (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad: Free)

Among the titles that pioneered the iPhone app phenomenon nearly four years ago was Shazam. The free music discovery app identifies the song you are listening to in a bar or elevator (or humming into your phone!), and then publishes background information of that track along with an opportunity to add it to your library. Since those salad days of mobile apps, however, a band of notable music discovery competitors have crowded in on Shazam’s space. SoundHound can not only identify a song, but play scrolling lyrics in time with the music. SoundTracking lets users share what songs they are listening to with their friends and followers. Recognizing the need to add a few new members to its ensemble, Shazam this week launches the Shazam Player app which, shockingly, lets users share songs with their friends and read lyrics in real time. In addition to sharing and lyric scrolling, Shazam Player has a snappy interface that allows users to create custom playlists (separate from iTunes) on the fly. All iTunes library data is also imported within the app. While Shazam Player is launching exclusively on Apple’s iOS devices, the company intends to develop versions of the app for Android and other mobile platforms. Rock out!

The curious case of 'smart for-us'

The smart for-us is a mobility concept. It translates the practical loading concept of a pickup to the reality of 21st century urban traffic. It has ample room for two people and also has space behind for two smart ebikes, which can charge their batteries on the cargo area during the journey.It is small, agile and does not need any petrol thanks to its electric drive. Thanks to the state-of-the-art electric drive with a 55 kW magneto-electric motor the zero-emission smart for-us is agile and lively to drive.

Smart is turning the automotive world upside down once again and challenging ideas about what an urban pickup should look like. In a tongue-in-cheek manner the for-us signals that this is the right car for the young and young-at-heart with active lives who attach importance to low emissions and taking up minimum road space. The smart for-us translates the practical loading concept of a pickup to the reality of 21st century urban traffic for the first time. 

With its exterior dimensions (length/width/height: 3547/1506/1701 mm) it could almost go unnoticed on the loading area of a typical pickup, and it is also anything but ordinary under the body. Thanks to the state-of-the-art electric drive with a55 kW magneto-electric motor the zero-emission smart for-us is agile and lively to drive. It will celebrate its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (14 - 22 January 2012). 

Top 5 gaming smartphones in January 2012

Smartphones are popular with users not only for their utility, but also because they are very good on the go entertainment devices. Gaming applications especially have upped the popularity of smartphones in recent times. This has also forced manufacturers to develop powerful handsets.
The Mobile Indian had come out with a Top 5 gaming phones list in October last year, but since then many new gaming smartphones have been launched in the market. Here is a list of those handsets and it will help you identify the best device for your needs.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play (MRP: Rs 21,999)

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play did not immediately become popular after launch despite its extensive gaming capabilities and controls, but it has gradually grown strong in the market.
Xperia Play is an officially certified PlayStation device with PSP-like controls including slide out track pads, which are capacitive.
In terms of hardware, Xperia Play features a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with dedicated Adreno 205 graphics engine, which ensures smoother and faster graphics performance — a must for a gaming device. In total, it has 400 MB of internal storage that doubles up as ROM. Besides, 512 MB of RAM has been added to this device as well to keep the performance speedy and zippy.
Although the device now has a smaller (4 inch) screen as compared to most smartphones, its been compensated by the resolution (480 x 854 pixels) and by colour reproduction. Besides, its stereo sound output perfectly complements the gaming experience.
Xperia Play runs on Google Android that has hundreds of free and paid games. Also, Sony Ericsson continually releases free premium games especially for Xperia Play.
For more content users can use PlayStation suite, a dedicated store for PlayStation certified devices. Now, with the ICS update announced, the new age operating system will soon be making its way for the device and will hopefully bring some new and exciting features with it.

DC Avanti: India's first Super car

The well known Indian automotive design house, DC Design has unveiled its supercar called the Avanti. According to reports, the car has been named after the Studbaker Avanti that appeared in Tintin comics. The idea behind the Avanti, which means 'forward' in Italian, is to make affordable supercars and the car is expected to be priced at Rs 30 lakh, it was reported.

The car was unveiled by Amitabh Bachchan and will initially come powered by a 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine from Ford, and later a turbo V6 Honda engine. The 4-cylinder turbo petrol will make 265 hp, while the V6 engine will make 400 hp.

10 cars to trade-in now for max return

It’s never been a better time to trade in a late-model vehicle on a new one, as dealers are going all out to amass a fresh supply of used cars and replenish what’s become a severely depleted inventory. And they’re offering top dollar for them in trade, with some of the most in-demand models in excellent condition commanding 70 percent or more of their original sticker prices as three-year-old cars.

Keep in mind those numbers are for a vehicle’s trade-in value, which can be around 15-20 percent less than the amount a dealer would ultimately ask for a reconditioned used model.

Cars To Trade-In Now For Maximum Return

While this means sky-high prices for those looking to purchase a pre-owned car, it’s a bonanza for owners of late-model cars looking to upgrade their rides. Getting more in trade for your existing car means you’ll have additional cash to use as a down payment on a new model. With interest rates at all-time lows, some owners may actually be able to whittle down their monthly car payments by trading in their existing vehicles for brand-new ones.

What’s more, the sudden run-up in trade-in/used car values could likewise be beneficial for consumers having a car coming off-lease in the coming months. Lessees can typically buy a car at the end of the contract term at a preset residual value. If that amount winds up being lower than the car’s subsequent trade-in value, it would be possible to buy the car and immediately re-sell it – perhaps even back to the original dealer – at a profit. At the least it would mean buying a good-condition used car at a below-market price.

New challengers lining up take down Warcraft

Once upon a time, Blizzard Entertainment's massive-selling, massively-multiplayer World of Warcraft looked invulnerable, dominating the online role-playing game market with an unprecedented 12 million paying subscribers.

Nothing lasts forever, however, and Warcraft's world is no exception. Since hitting its high-water mark in 2010 those, numbers have been dwindling. Naturally, a slew of challengers are readying themselves to take its place as the go-to online game, but how are they going to differentiate themselves from Blizzard's behemoth? Can any of these games succeed where countless others have failed?
One has already made a dent: Star Wars: The Old Republic, which was released at the tail end of 2011. On the strength of the Star Wars brand and solid reviews, it's fared well thus far and will likely continue to make strides through 2012.
But it won't be alone. Here's what 2012 has in store for online RPG fans.

Nokia Outdesigns Apple

There was a time, not so very long ago, when Microsoft was a top seller of smartphone software. And Nokia, the Finnish electronics company, was the top seller of mobile devices. Then both of them got blindsided by Apple’s introduction of the iPhone in 2007. At first they just laughed. Who would buy that crazy overpriced phone from Apple that doesn’t even have a keyboard? Lots of people, it turns out. Which is why Nokia has seen the market share of its Symbian smartphone platform collapse to 19 percent today from 63 percent in 2007, according to IDC, a market researcher. Microsoft once had 13 percent share but now has only 2 percent, IDC says, making its presence almost negligible.

Top Gadgets of CES 2012

We've seen the slew of TVs, smartphones, Ultrabooks, and other new products on the floor of the Consumer Electronics Show. Now it's time to pick out the best. These are our 20 favorite gadgets of CES 2012.

1. Roku Streaming Stick

Using the new HDMI MHL standard, the Roku Streaming Stick plugs into a port on newer TVs. It instantly gives any compatible set access to all of Roku's online content from providers such as Netflix, MLB, Pandora and Rdio. The stick requires no dedicated power, has WiFi built in, and should launch later this year for under $100.

2. Lenovo Yoga

With both a traditional desktop mode and an all-new touchscreen Interface, Windows 8 represents the Microsoft's first complete rethink of the desktop operating system since 1995. The Lenovo Yoga is equal parts ultrabook and tablet; a 13-inch folding laptop with a multitouch capacitive touchscreen.

Consumer Electronics Show 2012

 1. Docking Station

Rohan Marley, son of late Reggae musician Bob Marley, displays Bag of Rhythm audio player with docking station for iPhones and iPods from House of Marley during a press event at The Venetian for the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) January 8, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from January 10-13 and is expected to feature 2,700 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 140,000 attendees.

 

2. Nokia Lumia 900

 

 

Nokia introduces the Nokia Lumia 900 smartphone at a Nokia press event at the Consumer Electronics Show.

 

 

 

Largest ever distant galaxy cluster discovered

Scientists have spotted the largest ever galaxy cluster seen in the distant universe, dubbed 'El Gordo', which means the "big" or "fat one" in Spanish.The extremely hot, massive young galaxy cluster has been studied by an international team using ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) in the Atacama Desert in Chile along with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Atacama Cosmology Telescope.

The newly discovered galaxy cluster consists of two separate galaxy subclusters colliding at several million kilometres per hour, and is so far away that its light has travelled for seven billion years to reach the Earth.

"This cluster is the most massive, the hottest, and gives off the most X-rays of any cluster found so far at this distance or beyond," said Felipe Menanteau of Rutgers University, who led the study.