Marking the next iPad (4th Generation)

Every year we’ve seen Apple announced new versions of their products and as seen this year iPad has released 3 of their model breaking their routine of releasing yearly, namely the New iPad (3^rdgeneration), iPad Mini and now coming to the line-up this year is the iPad 4 (4^thgeneration). It has almost been six months past that the New iPad (third-generation) that introduces a Retina Display ready iPad.

The iPad 4 has nothing new when it comes with build quality, design and construction over the New iPad. The dimensions as is, 186x241  x 9.4mm and 652g wifi model / 662g cellular model. Apple sticks to its rectangular shape rounded corners and edges consist of brush aluminum casing. This wouldn’t be an Apple device without its home button beneath the display. We can see an upgrade over its predecessor, particularly the front-facing camera of a 1.2 megapixel, having the ability to shoot videos in 720 and equipped with a high-definition FaceTime quality. As also seen one visual change on its design is the lightning connector instead of the 30-pin connector. All the rest are the same.

The fourth-generation hardware tablet has updated from its new processor, the A6X. A dual-core processor of a dual-core graphics is twice as fast over the A5 chip found it the third-generation iPad and with twice graphic performance. When it comes to the screen, there’s no change. Still having the 9.7in size with astonishing 1536x2048 Retina quality resolution on a LED-backlit IPS display. Also a huge changes made is the 4G connectivity, iPad 3 has marketed as a 4G capable and unfortunately this doesn’t suit UK’s 4G frequencies so Apple detached the claim.

The iPad 4 still sits on the same software, with a pre-loaded iOS 6 including Siri which is available on the iPad 3. Some notable and recent changes made to its operating system and that is switching between Google Maps and mapping system owned by Apple, as seemingly received deep criticism towards its flaws.

When it comes to battery life iPad 4 has 10 hours when intense browsing the web over Wi-Fi. Its complex to figure out the usage and weight as it depends on the way we use it. Each and everyone would use it on different task on a period of time.

With the release of the 4^th generation iPad do those 3^rd generation iPad owners be upset with those minor changes that iPad 4 had?

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A Digital Camera plus Smartphone equals Samsung Galaxy Camera

Another revelation that Samsung add to its technology through another life experiencing innovation and that is the Samsung Galaxy Camera.  A camera of its own powered by android, the second of its kind after Nikon Coolpix S800c. And officially on sale in the U.S market last Nov. 16 through AT&T. The Galaxy Camera starts at a selling price of $499, it’s Galaxy Camera takes it further to a greater concept with a 4G cellular connection with its rear panel identical  as of a phone.

The so-called “camphone” was introduced during the Samsung’s press event last Aug 2012 at the IFA tech trade conference in Berlin. A camera with a phone features on it, a very different yet a new device to have to experience. It runs an Android OS 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box, a user access of the full Google Play Market and downloads Android Apps. A camera device that can take advantage ahead over the limits of what smartphones these days can achieve. 

The camera is amazingly consists of a 21x zoom and its reasonably bright F/2.8 wide angle, with a contoured grip and a zoom rocker with a combined shutter button. That contains a standard point-and-shoot of a 16-megapixel 2/3 inch CMOS sensor. Like those numerous Android phones, Galaxy Camera has all its controls on its screen though its design seemingly less appealing.

Among other things, phones section more or less likely a high-powered smartphone, sharing almost similar with its Samsung’s flagship the Galaxy S3, having a 4.8 inch 720p screen, GPS and 1.4 GHz processor.

The Galaxy Camera is a SIM card capable and can connect to a cellular network (3G or 4G) plus WiFi. Can easily stored and backed it up on Google Cloud and upload photos via sites like Instagram, Pinterest, etc. and stored via SD slot up to 32 GB on its phone and as well can download your favorite games from the Play Store, checking e-mail, and also Samsung includes a numerous of a non-standard features of a vigorous camera app.

Returning back the favor after reading this, is the Samsung Galaxy Camera interests you of buying it?

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"Les séries de notre enfance": It's Out!

I meant to tell you about this yesterday, but didn't get the time: The lavish, 208-page French book that goes behind the scenes of the DiC studios - loaded with rare art, in-depth articles and never-before-seen interviews - was finally released in France yesterday and can be ordered directly from the site of the publishing company. (I'll let you know if I come across other web stores to order it from - so far, Amazon doesn't seem to have it in stock. The book's writers have been talking about hopefully getting it released to a wide range of web stores, but perhaps this will take off more during the next few weeks.) UPDATE (November 16): It's now also available from the French Amazon.



As you might have noticed in the news column to the right, I've already linked to the publishers' pre-order site for the last few weeks; but now that the book is officially out, I thought a last plug would be appropriate (at least it will be the last until I receive it myself). One thing I haven't mentioned properly before - aside from the delayed release date - is the change to the final cover (above) just a few weeks ago. I personally think it's a vast improvement over the first draft... it really tells you much more clearly what the book is about. (The only small weakness I can think of, perhaps, is that the drawing of Penny has been flipped from the first cover version... so that now, her communicator watch is actually on the wrong wrist. But that's so nit-picky I'm not even gonna mention it. ;)



To quickly recap what this book is all about: "Les séries de notre enfance: Ulysse 31, les cités d'or, Inspecteur Gadget..." (directly translated: "The series of our childhood: Ulysses 31, The Cities of Gold, Inspector Gadget ...") is a fan project written and compiled by two extremely dedicated DiC fans named Maroin Eluasti and Nordine Zemrak. They've spent the last 5 years researching the history of the DiC cartoon studios: gathering background information, interviewing as many as possible of the folks working there, collecting rare artwork like model sheets, cels, development sketches and publicity art... all with the goal of eventually publishing a book dedicated to DiC, and particularly dedicated to its golden age in the 1980s. (Note the focus of the title: It's probably no coincidence that the three cartoons mentioned by name are arguably DiC's all-time most memorable ones.) A few months ago, Zemrak and Eluasti started a Ulule project to raise money for the publication of their love letter to DiC, and succeeded with flying colors in the beginning of September. Their fan-funded book has since been moving rapidly through production (accompanied by a number of great Facebook teasers both before and after the fundraising was completed) until the release on November 14.



So here's what you get: For DiC fans of all languages and nationalities, the book will consist of 65% (or more) images - rare production art, vintage cels and promotional material related to all of DiC's most famous shows. For those who understand French, there's also 35% text, consisting of detailed background info and in-depth interviews also related to DiC's famous series. Either way, the book ought to make a very interesting experience for any fan of 80s cartoon shows. I still have a hope there might be an English-language edition someday... but as I said earlier, that will most likely be completely dependent on the success of this French edition. So if you're a fan, and if you like this initiative, it might be a good idea to buy a copy now rather than wait for a possible English edition far into the future. Buying the French-language version will probably increase the chances of getting an English-language version.



Anyway, I'm hoping for the best of luck and the best of sales for this book. And most of all, I'm hoping it lives up to expectations! It should reach my mailbox (or nearby post office) any day now...

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Apple’s next move towards 20% hike by Samsung Electronics

I’ve read some reports about the rival Samsung and Apple. As most know, Samsung is the manufacturer of Apple’s chips and comes to a revelation that Samsung electronics had increased the price of its mobile processor by 20%, and just too only one of the Korean technologies giant’s customer “Apple”.

According to MarketWatch report that Apple purchased each and every application processor (AP) that is used on their smartphones and tablets for production. Samsung Electronics had dispersed an estimated volume of 130 million units last year and 200 million units this year of mobile processors. Samsung Electronics contract on providing chips is still effective until 2014.

Over viewing it, it’s more likely that Apple would be designing their own chips on the near future, to gain control the supply chain on their iPhones and iPads. And last month, Apple done some shuffling on their fortress, Apple’s former hardware chief Bob Mansfield was appointed as senior vice-president of technologies, giving a challenge to where he’s in-charge on attempting to the firm’s in-house semiconductor and chip-making, and disconnecting out with their third-party suppliers, Samsung Electronics.

Also coming on-board a former Samsung and AMD chip veteran Jim Mergard, hired by Cupertino. And Apple wants to retain its functionality chips as provided by Samsung Electronics.

MarketWatch tried to contact the two giant firms Samsung Electronics and Apple’s South Korea office to further run deep on the hike but declined to comment on it.

Let’s hear about your opinion on this and able to look over your vision towards some changes Apple made. Do you think it’s the best move?

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The New Inspector Gadget TV Series Is Scheduled For 2013

This just in (or in last month, actually): The revival/spinoff series that I talked about many months ago is definitely in production! Last month in Cannes, Cookie Jar announced their upcoming Inspector Gadget series at the TV and entertainment market MIPCOM - or more precicely, at MIPJunior, a 2-day screening and conference event for kids' content which precedes the main show. Below is the short press release that has been circulating online as part of the MIPJunior promotion (snagged from WorldScreen with the help of Google Cache, since it's hidden behind a subscription wall):

MIP Junior Spotlight: Cookie Jar Entertainment

Published: October 2, 2012



CANNES: Cookie Jar Entertainment is celebrating Inspector Gadget’s 30th anniversary with the launch of a brand-new series with its Canadian broadcast partner TELETOON. 

The series will again revolve around the iconic bionic bumbling detective. Also for TELETOON is Dr. Dimension Pants, an original series by Brad Peyton. The show What Do People Do All Day?, based on the popular Richard Scarry franchise, is for the Canadian broadcaster CBC. “These shows are based on very popular children’s brands and have shown through previous productions that they rate highly with audiences around the world,” says Michael Hirsh, Cookie Jar’s CEO.



Hirsh says that the company is expecting to pre-sell Inspector Gadget, What Do People Do All Day? and Dr. Dimension Pants at the market. He is also keen to find co-production partners for the latter two titles. “We have become the number one supplier to streaming networks for their kids’ content and we look forward to meeting with our existing customers as well as new entrants to the field around the world,” he adds of his further MIPCOM goals.

Want more? Here's picture proof of the press release, taken from the online slideshow version of the MIPJunior & MIPCOM edition of TV Kids, published September 25th. (You can find the press release yourself by going to page 26 in the slideshow.)

So finally, the revival/spinoff series is an official fact. (It somehow always feels more official when the production company announces it themselves.) And, it looks like "revival" might be the right word for it. Not much detail is uncovered, but judging by the above magazine snapshot, the show's title seems to simply be "Inspector Gadget". As in... a brand new season of the 80s series "Inspector Gadget"? Plus, the one sentence actually telling us something about the show says, "The series will again revolve around the iconic bionic bumbling detective." What, so it won't revolve around the son of the iconic bionic bumbling detective? WHEW!

Of course, we don't really know yet what the show will or will not do... but if it proves NOT to have any shockingly groundbreaking twists on the classic formula (like introducing a son for the main character - just a thought that popped into my mind), I really wouldn't mind. I just want to see someone do a good, new Inspector Gadget series - a new series which doesn't take away or change everything that made the show great in the first place. I'm hoping Cookie Jar and its partner TELETOON can do that. So far, at least, I'm liking what I'm hearing. It's nice that they're timing the new show to debut for Gadget's 30th anniversary. It's nice, too, that Michael Hirsh (executive chairman of Cookie Jar and DHX Media) is the one to announce it. Considering that Hirsh was also one of the original founders and leaders of Nelvana - the famous Canadian animation studio which co-produced the first season of Inspector Gadget with DiC - it just seems to fit. The new show is being produced in Canada, like the first season of the old show was, and for some reason I just like the sound of that.

To round off, here's yet another brief mention of the new show, from the MIPCOM News - Quick Review newsletter (page 4):

MIPCOM 2012 was the first time that kids studios DHX Media and Cookie Jar Entertainment have been in Cannes since they agreed a $111m deal. Underlining Canada’s importance to the kids business, the deal creates the largest independent owner of children’s programming in the world. Executive chairman of the enlarged group, Michael Hirsh, was in town with series such as Inspector Gadget (a new version) and Dr Dimensionpants.

Plus PICTURE PROOF! (Nice shirt, Michael.)

This short brief mentions a fact I haven't yet bothered to write about: DHX Media buying Cookie Jar Entertainment in a deal which, after finalizing last month, created the world's largest independent library of children's entertainment. (Brag, brag.) So Gadget is technically owned by DHX now... even though Cookie Jar is still an up and running company, as a subsidiary of DHX. I had wondered if this buyout would affect the upcoming Gadget series in any way (maybe a bit like how the planned 2009 reboot was cancelled after Cookie Jar bought and swallowed DiC)... but this seems not to be the case here, as both DHX and Cookie Jar were behind promoting the new show at MIPCOM. Good stuff.



By the way... "iconic bionic bumbling detective" has a kind of catchy ring to it. New official tagline?

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Go Watch: Awesome Boomerang Ad For The Original Series

I seldom do short updates like this anymore, but I'm making an exception here because of a rather brilliant Boomerang ad for the original series which I just happened to stumble upon (and which I apparently can't embed). Produced by Cally Lonnen from London, aired on Boomerang in I-don't know-when. Go watch it - I bet you'll feel like appreciating it afterwards, too.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 2 a Smartphone Tablet

One of the world’s largest smartphone maker had marked another success, Samsung persist to make innovation in the 2012 year ender and announces the Galaxy Note II smartphone-tablet (phablet).

We’ve heard and no surprise that Samsung Galaxy Note sold millions of dollars providing the masses last 2011. Now it’s time to see a Note for the second time around with bigger, sporty and new features of it.

The Curve

Galaxy Note 2nd generation carry a slightly larger display of 5.5-inches, 9.4 mm thick, slimmer than the original note (9.65 mm) and has a weight of 182.5g heavier than the original Note of 178g.

With in terms with its physical features the Note II hold on to the physical “home” button bordered by the Menu and Back. The power button is on the upper right edge and across of it is the volume rocker on the upper left of the device and the charging micro HDMI cable port sits on the base of the phone.

Its headphone jack (3.5mm) sits at the top and hidden at the base corner to the right is the accurate S-Pen. Behind of it is the 8-Megapixel camera long side its flash and at the other end its loud speaker. The Micro USB port sits on the bottom and a microSD card slot under the back cover. Taking off its back reveals the sim card slot and a removable battery.

The original Note when creating a call most likely draw strange looks putting into your ear but the Note II has curvier design that makes a feel not too large in your hand and seemingly suites on handbags or jacket pockets.

Stylus Pen

Samsung innovate several improvements to its S Pen experience, seen on the Note 10.1 tablet and ported to the phone side. The stylus now has hovering ability that made it possible behind the pen/screen interaction digitizer technology by Wacom. Greater sensitivity improved its palm rejection, that makes the Note II an even better note-taking device.

The S-Pen is more ergonomic and comfortable thanks to several design tweaks. The interchangeable nib is remarkably an improvement over the original Note, the writing feels more natural like a pen and paper.

Now S-Pen features are more even useful. The screen can now notice the stylus from several millimeters away, small dot display when it’s near. Hover over buttons to spot pop-up labels, hover at the top or base of scrollable content to roll without touching the screen or increase a picture over video w/o having to tap. However the frustrating one is that with some hover features such as the capability to read more lines in an e-mail without opening, just work on Samsung apps and it’s more likely to see this feature in Google app/ Play Store.

Specifications

The Note II has a quad-core Exynos processor on a 1.6 GHz. 5.5” HD Super AMOLED display, internal storage memory of 16GB with 2GB RAM, an expanded microSD slot storage, 4G LTE (depends on your territory), 8 Megapixel rear camera and 1.9 Megapixel front camera, built-in S Pen, NFC and a 3100mAh battery.  An HD Super AMOLED of a 5.5 inch display that a Galaxy Note II have a 1280x720 display at 276ppi, like the first Note having 1280x800 display and it’s weird why they cut down resolution for this. The Galaxy Note 2 actually has an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update.

The TouchWiz changes the way Android works, Jelly Bean has some terrific features such as placing one app icon on top of another to create a folder and activating Google Now through swiping up (instead, you access this from the Search widget or Recent Apps screen). With these several tweaks that make Android 4.1 work more like Android 2.3. It’s been really well appreciated that this is helpful for masses upgrading from an older versions of Android, some changes on Android Jelly Bean are both welcome and improvements over the way things used to work.

Conclusion

The Samsung’s big screen phone is worthy to have, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. It’s remarkable improvements like the battery life, performance and does it all while not adding bulk. Let’s face it a giant smartphone isn’t for everyone. The best choice available now that crave for a larger screens and don’t want a tablet, Galaxy Note 2 suites you.

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