Dev Tips & Technobuzz

Facebook fueled fresh talk about its own mobile phone after the leading social network scheduled a press announcement for next week. Shortly after the Facebook invitation went out for the April 4 event, the technology news siteTechCrunch reported the announcement would be a modified version of the Google  Androidoperating system with "deep native Facebook functionality." Another report on "9 to 5 Google" said Facebook designing the software for the new smartphone, which would be made by Taiwan's HTC. Facebook's invitation said only "Come See Our New Home On Android." The reports, if accurate, could explain the long speculation about a "Facebook phone" to help the social network better monetize its mobile platform by featuring Facebook prominently on the phone. Facebook has long held firm it has no intention of building its own smartphone, saying instead it would rather weave access to the social network into software run

Microsoft has envisioned a new form of 3D display that lets you feel objects on the screen by allowing you to push the screen itself to create a sense of resistance. At a demo of the very early prototype for Pocket-lint at the company's headquarters in Seattle, we were told the concept had been created to allow users to feel different properties like wood or concrete on screen through the use of haptic feedback. Haptic feedback is mostly commonly used in phones to create a sense of physical contact with something where there doesn't need to be - like when your phone buzzes when you press a key on the virtual keyboard - and the same technology is used here, but to more interesting effect, like pushing a block or feeling the contours of a ball. "This project combines the two disciplines into a 3D display experience that adds the sense of touch. The standard display monitor has been retrofitted with resistance transducers that sense the amount of pressure a

Windows Blue leaks online, includes smaller Live Tiles, new side-by-side Snap Views, and IE 11 An early build of Windows Blue, the next version of Windows, has leaked online on the same day that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer celebrates his 57th birthday. Build 9364, a partner version that was originally compiled on March 15th, has been made available on file sharing sites and includes some of the new changes that Microsoft is building into its significant Windows 8 update. Leaked screenshots posted at  Winforum  show that the company is bringing smaller tile arrangements and even a larger desktop one to its Start Screen, along with greater control over the color personalization options, and a whole lot more. ADDITIONAL SNAP VIEW TO PLACE APPS SIDE-BY-SIDE Microsoft is building in additional Snap Views into Windows Blue, allowing users to place apps side-by-side in the Windows 8 view. The new 50 / 50 view is similar to the desktop mode snapping, but Microsoft also supports

The days of carrying a bulky laptop around with you might be over if Dell has any say in the matter. Project Ophelia is an Android-powered device that plugs into any TV or monitor, giving access to local files, desktop remote access and any of the apps, movies and TV shows in the Google Play store. Better yet, it's as small as a USB flash drive and will cost less than $100. The idea is simple: rather than take your laptop everywhere with you, you can simply plug the dongle into the HDMI port of whatever screen you find. You'll be presented with the same Android interface you'll see on tablets. If you've got the right set of tools installed, you can use it exactly as you would use your laptop. You'll need to connect a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard to navigate around Android. Install office tools like QuickOffice Pro -- using the built-in Wi-Fi -- and you'll be able to get on with your work. Ophelia has 8GB of internal storage for your files, but you can

The Finnish manufacturer is, as expected, mum on the devices it will unveil at the event. It is rumoured to be working on a tablet that will operate on Windows RT and have a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Previously, Taiwan-based tech website Digitimes reported, Nokia is in talks with Microsoft,  Qualcomm  and Compal Electronics to manufacture this tablet. Another report said this device will have two batteries - one standard and other in keyboard cover. The upcoming Nokia device is also rumoured to have HDMI as well as USB ports and support cellular data connectivity.  Apart from this tablet, a smartphone with 'true' PureView camera technology is also expected to be showcased at the event. Earlier, The Verge reported that the company is working on a new Windows Phone-powered smartphone - codenamed EOS - that will have true PureView technology. This phone is rumoured to have aluminium body and launch this year.  The company's flagship phone, Lumia 920, also features this imagin

  Apple  unveiled a new  iPad  with twice the storage capacity as the existing model in an effort to score business with companies that share large amounts of data.  Apple's new iPad will have a capacity of 128 gigabytes compared with the current model, which comes with different memory capacities but has a maximum of 64 gigabytes.  "With twice the storage capacity and an unparalleled selection of over 300,000 native iPad apps, enterprises, educators and artists have even more reasons to use iPad for all their business and personal needs," said Apple senior vice president of marketing Philip Schiller in a statement.  Apple quoted several web application developers who said the additional memory capacity would allow businesses to better serve clients in conceptual design, music recordings and sports strategy.  Apple's move to expand its iPad following comes as the company faces tough questions from Wall Street over its growth prospects.  Company shares lost about 12

Samsung has made the rumoured Galaxy Xcover 2 official, a mid-range smartphone that is IP67 certified. This means it is waterproof and is impact and dust resistant. The new smartphone runs on  Android  4.1 (Jelly Bean) layered with Motion UI and takes over from its younger sibling, Galaxy Xcover.  The newly announced Galaxy Xcover 2 features a 4-inch TFT display with resolution of 800x480p and has approximately 233ppi pixel density. It is powered by a dual-core 1GHz processor, paired with 1GB RAM, and comes with 4GB onboard storage, along with microSD card support up to 32GB. Connectivity options in the device include 2G, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and microUSB 2.0  Samsung has included a 5MP autofocus camera with LED flash on the back of Galaxy Xcover 2, while a VGA unit is placed on the front panel. The new device is powered by a 1,700mAh battery and comes with a host of pre-loaded apps, such as S Voice, S Cloud, Best Shot and Samsung Hubs. Apart from these, the phone also has ap