Production starts for iPad 3 QXGA display: Analyst - by aby benedict

"It's happening--QXGA, 2048x1536. Panel production has started [for the next-generation iPad]. There's three suppliers," Richard Shim, an analyst at DisplaySearch, said in an interview today. Shim confirmed other reports that cite three companies, Samsung, Sharp, and LGD.

That Apple is sourcing the display from three suppliers underscores the challenges of manufacturing a 10-inch-class QXGA screen in high volume. "I would imagine there would be concerns about [adequate] supply given the resolution of the display but you've got three different suppliers at this point. They should have enough to launch the product," Shim said

Indeed, the 2048x1536 screen will be the centerpiece the of next-generation iPad, or so-called iPad 3. That resolution is a quantum leap over iPad 2 which uses a more pedestrian 1024-by-768 display.

"It takes a couple of weeks for the production to go to the ODMs (the manufacturers). Then the manufacturer puts them in the housing. Then, that goes off to shipment. We could start seeing finished devices produced in December. And then being ready to be shipped in January. With volumes gearing up in February and March," he said.

Shim said the iPad 3's display is not an not an AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) display, but rather uses IPS (in-plane switching) technology like current Apple products.

Apple is also expressing interest in making a mini-iPad based on a 7.85-inch screen, according to Shim. That would come later in 2012, possibly in the second half sometime, he said.

"If there's demand there. There's no reason they wouldn't build a 7.85-inch iPad," Shim said.

Amazon's 7-inch Kindle Fire may stir up demand in smaller tablets in the wake of the strong consumer response to that device. Shim said last week that Amazon is on track to make 6 million Kindle Fire tablets in the current quarter.

Is Facebook building its own phone? - by aby benedict

The rumor of a Facebook phone, or a smartphone with deeply integrated Facebook social-networking tools in it, first emerged a little more than a year ago. Back then, CNET had confirmed the social network had reached out to hardware manufacturers and carriers seeking input on a Facebook-branded phone. But rumors faded as devices with Facebook buttons were announced this year. Now it looks like Facebook may have revised its plans to build its own phone.

On Monday, the AllThingsD Web site reported that Facebook is working with cell phone maker HTC to build a smartphone with the Facebook social-networking technology built into the core of the device. The new phone is code-named "Buffy" after the television show about a vampire slayer. The phone will be based on a modified version of Android, which has been tweaked by Facebook so that its services are deeply integrated, AllThingsD reported, citing unnamed sources.

AllThingsD said that Facebook had also considered Samsung to make the device, but went with HTC instead. HTC has made at least two phones already with dedicated Facebook buttons. The Salsa and ChaCha, which have Facebook buttons, were introduced earlier this year. There are other phone manufacturers that have put Facebook buttons on their phones, including INQ Mobile and Motorola.

But according to AllThingsD, the "Buffy" Facebook phone will be different from these other others devices, because it won't just provide access to Facebook. Instead, it will have the social networking technology developed by the company integrated into the device. Other platforms have done a bit of this already. For example, Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system has Facebook and Twitter integrated into the OS so that contacts are shared across multiple applications on the phone. And previously, Facebook has worked with Research in Motion to integrate Facebook into its BlackBerry devices. It also worked closely with Palm.

There's no question that mobile is an important element of Facebook's strategy for the future. But what the company plans to achieve by building its own devices is not yet known. If it chooses to build its own "Facebook phone," the company faces stiff competition in the smartphone market from players such as Apple's iPhone and Google's Android platform. Each of these platforms also support Facebook apps, so again its unclear what Facebook will do with the integration of its technology into a phone to make it a truly different experience.

Facebook declined to comment for the AllThingsD story and offered the publication this statement:

"Our mobile strategy is simple: We think every mobile device is better if it is deeply social. We're working across the entire mobile industry; with operators, hardware manufacturers, OS providers, and application developers to bring powerful social experiences to more people around the world."

HTC also declined to comment on the story.

Apple announces worldwide one-day Black Friday sale on Nov 25th - by aby benedict

With all the Android news that has been hovering around today, here’s an announcement from the other side of the mobile fence, all the way in Cupertino, California. Apple has now begun putting up banners on its online store website for its “one-day shopping event” (the upcoming Black Friday holiday sale, no doubt) next Friday, November 25th. This is looking to be a worldwide event, so for all our non-US readers out there, you can breathe a little easier come this Black Friday.

Though the banners as of yet are only appearing in the UK, Australian, and Italian online stores, it should be rolling out to the US store shortly (hence the emphasis on it being a worldwide sale day for Apple). Unfortunately, at the current moment, We don’t know what exactly going to be on sale, or how much, but rest assured, we’ll have updates once we get more information. Until then, here’s all we have, including apparently the iPad, iPod, and various Mac models “for everyone on your list”:

Mark your calendar now, and come back to the Apple Online Store for the special one-day event. You’ll discover amazing iPad, iPod and Mac gifts for everyone on your list.

So,what’s on your Black Friday wishlist from Apple this year? Apple’s Siri-enhancediPhone 4S? A sleek and sexy iPad 2? A Mac? Which Mac? Go ahead and reveal to us in the comments below. And let’s hope that Apple will be nice enough to knock off a couple hard-earned dollars off your dream gadget come this Black Friday.

Google Confirms no Flash for Ice Cream Sandwich, for the time being - by aby benedict

If you lucky owners of the Galaxy Nexus in these first days of its release complete with the first iteration of Ice Cream Sandwich, you’ll notice that you do not have Adobe Flash Player installed, nor do you have access to a download on the Android Market – Google has just confirmed with us that this is normal and that Flash support will only come once Adobe makes the call to update the mobile version for Android 4.0. You currently will not have the ability to load either a new version or one of the older versions of Flash Player for Ice Cream Sandwich until Adobe makes the call to update their app to be compatible with this newest version of Android. Don’t get too frazzled quite yet though, that’s not the whole story.

Those of you about to have a heart attack over this would do well to note that it was inevitable as Adobe announced that they’d be axing the mobile version of Flash in favor of HTML5 earlier this month. Then if you’ll go ahead and read what Google has let us know, you’ll see that the story isn’t necessarily completely over for Adobe’s mobile version of Flash. Even though the app and support for Flash will be ending relatively soon, Google had the following to say:


“Flash hasn’t been released for ICS yet so as far as we know, Adobe will support Flash for ICS.” – Google


Have a peek at the gallery below to see several signs that Adobe Flash Player isn’t active in Ice Cream Sandwich, and note that these screenshots are taken on the non-Verizon version of the Galaxy Nexus. You can see the rest of our Galaxy Nexus coverage by heading to our giant and ever-expending

My Tech Vice: I Buy Because I Want It, Not Because I Need It - by aby benedict

I’m here to make a confession: I buy technology products — from smartphones to tablets to video game consoles — not because I need them, but because I want them.

Let me take you on a brief recent history.

Earlier this year when Amazon announced the Kindle Fire, it took less than an hour for me to head to the e-retail giant’s site, find the tablet, and pre-order it. I didn’t consider the fact that I have an iPad that I hardly use or that I was spending $200 on a whim. No, all I could think about was getting my hands on the latest and greatest product of the day.

I’ve been here before. I bought a second e-reader after I reasoned that the first one I had just wasn’t cutting the mustard (it was), and even though it would have been smarter for me to buy the iPad’s keyboard accessory, I instead decided to buy a MacBook Air because, well, it seemed like a good idea at the time.

As I look further back at my product purchases over the years, a similar scenario plays out more often than I’d like to admit. I see something I think I’d like, I determine that whatever it would replace is falling short, and plunk down the cash to get it.

Some people call that an issue. I have always called it a part of my life.

But I’m here today to admit my problem and make a stand. No longer will I look at the latest technology launch and jump at buying it before I think it through. As tempting as it might be, I have to consider the closet in my office that went from housing a few spare computer parts to a graveyard for old and retired products that were put to sleep before their time.


"The closet in my office is a graveyard for old and retired products, put to sleep before their time"

I’m under no false pretense. I know that the next time Apple unveils an iPad, I’ll want to be first in line to buy it. And even though I have no plans to pull my Wii out of the closet for one last gaming hurrah, I’m fully aware that pulling my hand from my wallet to preorder the Wii U will be difficult.

But enough is enough. It’s about time that I appreciate the spectacular products that engineers, product designers, and countless other professionals create for us. It’s time that I realize that the grass really isn’t always greener on the other side, and sometimes, an itchy trigger finger is more a liability than, as I’ve believed in the past, a virtue in tech-buying situations.

So, consider this my personal intervention; a moment for me to reflect on the past and determine how I can move forward — rationally and without buyer’s remorse.

How To Use Siri For Voice Dictation On Mac And PC - by aby benedict

Majority of the public have welcomed Siri despite the mixed reviews. Many are hoping for the feature to be ported to the iPhone 4 and other non-approved devices. Even Mac OS X users are hoping to get the digital assistant.

While this might take some time to happen, this workaround might fill in the gap. The method mentioned below allows desktop users (PC or Mac) to dictate their text using Siri. It’s really easy to do and doesn’t cost anything.

TUAW has passed along the obvious tip, which indicates that iPhone 4S users dictate the text on their desktops with a remote application. Apps like Mobile Mouse can connect the iPhone 4S to a desktop client over Wi-Fi, allowing to remotely type on the computer using iPhone 4S’ Siri.

The theory has been tested on an iPhone 4S and Macbook. This involved installation of Mobile Mouse’s desktop client and that was it.After launching the app, the tester was dictating the text to the Max seconds. The process was found to be both speedy and accurate.

There are many similar dictation softwares available, but the price tag reaches above $50. You can download Mobile Mouse Lite from App Store for free. Even the pro version, which comes with more features, costs around $2.00.

Features:

• Mouse based on the Accelerometer technology (translates your hand motions into mouse movements)
• Vertical and horizontal use of the track pad
• File browser
• Multi – touch gestures ( Supports Scrolling and right click )
• Media Keys (Shortcuts to control media applications)
• Numeric keyboard
• Hot-keys to run different applications
• Works with multiple displays
• Built for both MAC and Windows

Tell us your experience.

How To Get The New YouTube Homepage Right Now Before Everyone Else - by aby benedict

That’s a cool one! YouTube is currently testing a new homepage design for its users. Since YouTube is currently testing this new design, not everyone can get. However, we’ve good news for you, you can get the new homepage design right now before everyone else thanks to the powers of the internet.

STEP 1: Open YouTube from your browser (Firefox or Google Chrome).

STEP 2: Now open the web console:

• In Chrome, press Ctrl-Shift-j to open the Developer Tools then Console tab.
• In Firefox, press Ctrl-Shift-k to open the Web Console.

STEP 3: Now add the following:

document.cookie="VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE=ST1Ti53r4fU";

STEP 4: Finally reload the YouTube page and have fun!