Apple Removing Restocking Fees on 11th January

Apple planning an expansive conclusion to its restocking fees at retail that would stimulate its Verizon iPhone,on January 11. The company would permanently waive the 10% penalty for anyone returning a device in the usual two-week grace period, starting January 11, the same day as the special event.

However the cancellation of restocking fees will be useful if you wish you’d ordered an upgraded version of an Apple product. 9to5Mac also notes the date of January 11 being the same date as the Verizon event and also this means there will be more of an Apple presence at the event than previously thought. We’ll have to see how Apple deals with people trying to return their scratched up iPods and what the policy with iPhones will be. The 14 day return period still applies but for example if you purchase a 16 GB iPad and use it for 3 days, then want to upgrade to the 32 GB model, you won’t need to pay an additional 10% restocking fee.

After all we know that some readers who’d waited patiently for a Verizon iPhone eventually lost hope and plumped for the AT&T iPhone. Whatever the reason it’s good news for Apple consumers as it covers all Apple products. Then again, Apple could merely be following Best Buy's lead, with the 1.11.11 date pure coincidence. Either way, we're fans of open return policies for expensive products, so if you ask us, it's more of a good thing.

Book Your International Apple iPad Now

In last few posts, we were mentioning about iPad news like, first we posted about 1 million iPad sale & then we've given the news of iPad International launch.

Now, the latest news is Apple has already open their stores for International iPad, however you can book your own iPad from Friday 28th May'2010 onwards.

So guys go for it & enjoy the latest Apple's product. And remember to give your reviews...And here is the rest of it.

iPad is coming international on May 28

Recently, we've posted the news about 1-Million iPads sales in First Month. Now, Apple iPad is launching internationally on May 28th and up for pre-order from May 10th. This newly iPad will hit many countries like Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and UK. It lands in Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore in July.

Here's the brief about prices:

Europe Prices:

• 16GB WiFi-only €479
• 32GB WiFi-only €579
• 64GB WiFi-only €679
• 16GB WiFi+3G €579
• 32GB WiFi+3G €679
• 64GB WiFi+3G €779

UK Rates:

• 16GB WiFi-only £429
• 32GB WiFi-only £499
• 64GB WiFi-only £599
• 16GB WiFi+3G £529
• 32GB WiFi+3G £599
• 64GB WiFi+3G £699

Bluetooth 4.0 technology is coming by June 2010

The next generation of Bluetooth technology i.e. "Bluetooth 4.0" should complete sometime in June 2010. The new Bluetooth 4.0 is exciting for two main reasons:

1. Low-power consumption
2. And high speed data transfer are priorities in Bluetooth 4.0

Low-power consumption could come in handy for electronics such as pedometers and glucose monitors. Obviously you do not want to keep charging and replacing batteries every few months. Bluetooth’s power consumption will be so minute that the battery can last years. Mobile phones and PCs can definitely use the low-power consumption as well as high speed data transfer rates. In addition, another cumbersome limitation of the current Bluetooth technology is the 30 foot range rule, however Bluetooth 4.0 will make that limits of 200 feet and higher.

Nintendo DSi with larger screens coming this year for Japan?

The Nintendo DSi in its current form is just about to round its first Japanese birthday on coming November 1st, and if Nikkei has anything to say about it, the two-screener's all set for an oncoming growth spurt.

According to a report from the publication, who has a good track record on Nintendo reports thus far, a new DSi with 4-inch screens (versus 3.25 currently) is coming to the land of the rising sun sometime before this year's out.

No other spec differences, the report claims this was in response to older gamers having trouble seeing the action. It'll replace the current model and retail for the same price i.e. ¥18,900 (US $205.50).

Verbatim Presents TUFF-CLIP USB Drives

Verbatim today launches its new TUFF-CLIP USB Drives gadget. These drives are made from industrial strength ABS plastic which makes it one of the toughest USB drives on the market.

The Verbatim TUFF-CLIP USB Drives combines clip-and-go convenience with toughness in 4GB and 8GB storage capacity. The drives has a convenient retractable slider that protects the USB connector and a carabineer clip that can be securely fastened onto a backpack, key chain, belt loop or even your notebook. The TUFF-CLIP drives comes pre-loaded with with password security software for Windows systems with a private zone for sensitive content and a public open zone for non-sensitive content.

The drives are compatible with Windows Vista, XP or 2000, Mac OS 9.x or higher and Linux kernel 2.6x or higher systems and will cost you a suggested price of US$29.99 for the 4GB drive and US$49.99 for the 8GB drive.

New LG LCD HDTV - SL80 and SL90 Series

LG is launching the new SL80 series and the SL90 series LCD HDTVs to the US market. Both series have a single edge-to-edge panel of glass over an ultra-slim bezel and come with Invisible Speaker design. The LG SL80 is a line of LCD HDTVs with slim CCFL backlight technology. It features TruMotion 240Hz refresh rate and 150,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. The SL80 is series is less than 1.8 inches thick at its slimmest point. SL80 HDTV in 42-inch, 47-inch and 55-inch screen sizes will be released and available in August for $1,599.95, $1,899.95 and $2,799.95 respectively. The top-of-the-line LG SL90 series Full HD 1080p LED HDTVs gets LED-backlight instead and is just 1.15-inch thick.

The SL90 features 3,000,000:1 LED Mega Contrast Ratio and TruMotion 120Hz. 42-inch and 47-inch screen sizes will be available. Some other common features include AV Mode II, Invisible Speaker System, Picture Wizard, and Clear Voice II.

World's 1st Bluetooth Headset Can Be Used as a Ring "Orb"

Bluetooth headset can now rest on your ring finger and if your ear creeping headset annoys you then a perfect solution has come up for you in the form of Orb Bluetooth headset. Specially designed with NXT technology that provides bone conduction this headset is truly relaxing. Conversion from ring to Bluetooth headset takes place with a simple twista and the twisted ring takes the shape of wavy headset. There is also Flexible Organic Light Emitting Device screen on this ring that alerts you by displaying calendar, caller ID, voice to text info and more on your special high tech ring. Yet in the manufacturing stages and the final product is supposed to be available by 2010.

The standrad model standing at the approx price of $129 and the deluxe model $175 price. Orb Bluetooth headset the wonder gadget would see the summer time after January 2010. It is believed to be embellished with gem stones as well.

Xbox LIVE Online Now - Check-Check

Observe any dissimilarity? Because after being losing off the grid for 24 for some scheduled maintenance, Xbox LIVE is back up.

Share your views with us

Verizon Hub (New Phone System) coming on 1 February

Verizon Wireless is changing the old kitchen home phone system by releasing the Verizon Hub on 1st February. Publicizing as an innovative home phone system, the Verizon Hub is a home phone system that connects to a broadband connection that allows families to use it as a home phone or an Internet communication system.

The Verizon Hub gives you the following new features:

• Daily local traffic and weather conditions
• Turn-by-turn navigational directions
• Telephone numbers of establishments
• Movie previews and movie ticketing service

You can get this information through the Verizon Hub’s touchscreen interface. Obviously, you get the usual calling features of a home phone system with voicemail, contact list management, & text messaging alerts. The Verizon Hub connects to broadband through Verizon FiOS or DSL or even other high-speed ISPs in the U.S.

The exciting feature is that it’ll enable you to access information & its other functionality even if you are away from the Hub itself. It actually offers some sort of “synchronization”, which allows you to update your home’s Verizon Hub wirelessly from the Verizon Hub website and your updates will be reflected on your Verizon Hub home account. In addition, the Verizon Hub will also allow you to connect your other Verizon devices to the Hub & gives you access to other popular Verizon Wireless services including VZ NavigatorSM, Chaperone, and V CAST contents.

So welcome the new hub…..

Sony PlayStation Home Hacked?

A poster by the name of StreetskaterFU has outlined what he claims a method of hacking into PlayStation Home's servers for download, uploading and deleting files.

We're not able to verify his directions, but if true it would be a potentially calamitous oversight on Sony's part. Additionally, a PS3hax forum poster claims to have used StreeskaterFU's method and changed the movie posters and trailers.

We haven't seen any signs of hacker malfeasance during our time with Home, but let us know if your virtual moviegoing experience has been drastically altered.

LEGO Brick iPod Speaker at 19.99$

This nifty LEGO brick iPod speaker from ThinkGeek plugs right into the base and "actually sounds great - thanks in part to its 'Active Bass System.'" Available now at priced at $19.99.

Looking just like a blue building brick, this sucker just plugs into your iPod (supported models listed below) and that's that. The center bottom pegs are really volume up and down buttons.

Improvements & new features in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2

It hasn't been too awfully long since Windows Vista SP1 hit the intertubes for real, but the Vista team is already talking up SP2. We all know Redmond is focused on moving beyond all of this Vista hoopla and forging ahead with Windows 7, but there's apparently still some work to do on the outfit's current OS.

Unfortunately, the latest update isn't exactly enthralling, as we're given no set time frame for launch and we're not shown any forthcoming changes that really get our juices flowing. For instance, Vista SP2 will add Windows Search 4.0 for faster and improved relevancy in searches, the Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack, ability to natively record data on Blu-ray media and Windows Connect Now (WCN) to simplify WiFi configuration. Waiting for your comments please........

StarCraft 2 is now StarCraft 2, 3, 4- On 3-year plan

Blizzard has announced that StarCraft 2 "is probably going to get delayed again and split into three parts. Part 1, which features a Terran single player campaign, is still targeted to be out sometime in 2009."

You won't get to play Zerg or Protoss, though, since their single player campaigns have been plucked out and turned into expansion packs, which will be released one and two years respectively after part 1.

Resident Evil (RE) 5's Xbox 360

According to a Capcom representative, RE5's "online play is really just the game's story mode played either by one or two players."

TGS, Capcom will have a total of 50 playable kiosks split 25 to 25 between the Xbox 360 and PS3. This could rise as high as 70 when including demo units in the Sony and Microsoft booths.

Apple iPhone design faults

An Israeli researcher Aviv Raff has gone public with security flaws in iPhone after what he terms two-and-a-half months of inaction from Apple.

Writes Raff on his blog:

I have disclosed the technical details to Apple few weeks before that post, in a hope to get those security issues fixed as soon as possible. Unfortunately, two and a half months later, and still there is no patch for those vulnerabilities. I've asked Apple several times for a schedule, but they have refused to provide the fix date.

The first is the URL display flaw in the iPhone's Mail that could allow an attacker to send a message containing a malicious URL that looks legitimate. "In most mail clients (example on your PC/Mac), you can just hover the link and get a tooltip which will tells you the actual URL that you are about to click," explains Raff in a blog post. "In iPhone it's a bit different. You need to click the link for a few seconds in order to get the tooltip. Now, because the iPhone screen is small, long URLs are automatically cut off in the middle."

This makes it possible for an attacker to create a long URL that displays a trusted domain while taking the user to another domain entirely, he explains. The user would only see the portion of the domain designed to look familiar and is more likely to click on the malicious link.

Opening the URL in the iPhone's Safari browser would not help as it too displays only a portion of the long URL.

The second bug according to Raff is in the iPhone's Mail application, which makes it easier for spammers to identify valid email accounts, and thus mark them for more spam.

Since iPhone automatically downloads all image attachments, and there is no way to disable this feature, it is easy for spammers to identify a working email account. "The spammer who controls the remote server will know that you have read the message and will mark your mail account as active in order to send you more spam," said Raff.

Raff recommends that since there is no way to disable auto-image download on the iPhone, users should refrain from using Mail until Apple patches the problem.

Raff calls this "a pretty dumb design flaw" which has already been fixed by most other mail clients ages ago.

Walmart is shutting down MP3 Music Store, DRM Servers...

Like Yahoo and MSN before them, Walmart is turning off its DRM servers on Oct. 9, effectively putting any DRM'd songs you bought from them into a cold stasis they'll never wake up from, since they'll become totally unmovable unless you circumvent the DRM.

Walmart went through this earlier with their video store, though it didn't matter since no one bought anything from it.

Here are the information post by someone got mail from Walmart Music Team-

Important Information About Your Digital Music Purchases

We hope you are enjoying the increased music quality/bitrate and the improved usability of Walmart's MP3 music downloads. We began offering MP3s in August 2007 and have offered only DRM (digital rights management) -free MP3s since February 2008. As the final stage of our transition to a full DRM-free MP3 download store, Walmart will be shutting down our digital rights management system that supports protected songs and albums purchased from our site.

If you have purchased protected WMA music files from our site prior to Feb 2008, we strongly recommend that you back up your songs by burning them to a recordable audio CD. By backing up your songs, you will be able to access them from any personal computer. This change does not impact songs or albums purchased after Feb 2008, as those are DRM-free.

Beginning October 9, we will no longer be able to assist with digital rights management issues for protected WMA files purchased from Walmart.com. If you do not back up your files before this date, you will no longer be able to transfer your songs to other computers or access your songs after changing or reinstalling your operating system or in the event of a system crash. Your music and video collections will still play on the originally authorized computer.

Thank you for using Walmart.com for music downloads. We are working hard to make our store better than ever and easier to use.

Walmart Music Team

Source- Walmart

Apple iPhone 2.1 and iTunes 8 Available Next Tuesday

It is now backtracking from its initial prediction that iTunes 8 won't be a hit in Apple's Let's Rock September 9 event. Not only iTunes 8 will be available then, but they say Apple will also release the iPhone 2.1 update that in theory will fix its huge password security flaw.

Jacqui hints that the 2.1 update will have new secret features that are absent from the beta.

Source- Gizmodo

Microsoft's Zune player seeking Hollywood & Apple

Microsoft's Zune is looking to Hollywood to gain an edge on Apple's iPod.

Microsoft executives have been making the rounds at talent agencies and production companies in recent months in hopes of licensing exclusive original video programming for the portable media player, which has struggled to gain traction in the marketplace.

While Microsoft has denied persistent rumors that Zune would expand into communications a la Apple's iPhone, the company confirmed being in an "exploratory phase" regarding supplementing the TV content it already licenses from studios with Zune-only fare.

But rather than just stock up on traditional formats like sitcoms, Zune is looking for nonconventional programming that can capitalize on the device's social networking platform, according to Richard Winn, director of entertainment development at Zune.

"What we would be looking to do with any form of original content is the added component that Zune could provide that iTunes or any competing service couldn't," Winn said.

Exclusivity could mean either locking up content that only appears on the Zune platform or syndicating content that appears first on Zune before moving elsewhere with Zune branding.

Finding some point of distinction is becoming paramount for Zune as it strives to come anywhere close to the market share that iPod has amassed among portable media players. In May, Microsoft said that just 2 million Zunes had been sold since the product's launch in November 2006, whereas Apple reportedly averages 3.5 million iPod sales per month.

But the iPod has no exclusive content. Becoming the only hand-held device to boast exclusive programming could represent either a bold reinvention of Zune or a last-ditch effort to stave off extinction.

Microsoft has been dogged by rumors that Zune will be scrapped. Robbie Bach, president of entertainment and devices division at Microsoft, raised eyebrows last month among Microsoft watchers by barely mentioning Zune in a session with analysts.

But Winn said Zune is in no such danger. Rather, the product plays a key role in Microsoft's buildout of an interconnected ecosystem where content seamlessly flows among all company-owned platforms like Xbox.

It's that gaming console that inspired Microsoft to think differently about Zune, Winn said. He cites "Halo," the popular video game franchise that helped establish Xbox as a tool for remote multiplayer action as opposed to single-player mode. Similarly, Winn sees Zune as poised to redefine video consumption -- from the traditional solitary pursuit to the backbone for a more communal experience.

Key to that strategy is Zune Social, which connects Zune users through social networking software that, among other capabilities, lets fellow subscribers know the last song consumed. By Winn's thinking, the characters in an original program conceivably could have playlists of their own that could automatically load into users' devices -- deepening connections between users and content.

"The thing we've all been looking for is, 'What can we do that is a little more interesting than just looking at a piece of video?' " Winn said.

It's a far cry from when Zune launched nearly two years ago as a music player. But Microsoft has broadened its utility just as iPod has, introducing a video marketplace in May with a few select content partners including NBC Universal and MTV Networks. Gaming also is slowly being added.

Now Zune is looking to not only add programming that iTunes doesn't deliver but also take the same programming it does and supplement it with Zune Social. Microsoft already has begun experimenting with adding extra features to video game "Ninja Gaiden II" and NBC series "Heroes."

Source- news.yahoo.com

Fedora 9 Sulphur released- Makes new way to world

The OS updates are coming fast and furious these days, and the latest off the block is Fedora 9 Sulphur. Improvements include better KDE Desktop 4.0.3, better Bluetooth support, a revised Anaconda system installer, support for persistent Live USB key installations, and lots more.

Source- http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/13/fedora-9-sulphur-makes-its-way-into-the-world/