Apple patent reveals new details about iWatch

A patent filed by Apple in August 2011 reveals the company's plans for a device that can display content from other Apple devices and be worn like a wristwatch. The patent describes that the iWatch will feature a slap bracelet mechanism that will wrap itself around the wearer's wrist. The iWatch will also comprise of a flexible display that will change the visible area according to the size of the wearer’s wrist. 

 

                      

Apple Insider first spotted the patent application and point out that the iWatch will not just act as a display but will also be able to provide basic interaction that could let the wearer browse and control music playlists, go through call and text notifications and even reply to a text using a virtual keyboard. Apple also plans to include a kinetic energy gathering mechanism and solar panels so that the wearer's movements and ambient light would be enough to power the device. Apple also plans to utilize AMOLED technology to ensure that the display on the iWatch isn't power-hungry. The iWatch is expected to mostly rely on wireless connectivity but may also feature ports for wired charging and syncing.

Rumours surrounding the iWatch have gathered momentum in 2013 with sources close to Apple stating that there's already a 100 member strong team within Cupertino working on the iWatch. Other sources have stated that Apple have already asked Foxconn to begun work on the device and a suitable display for it.

With Google Glass also on the horizon, it looks like wearable computing will be an important trend in the near future.

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Microsoft India to hold Windows AppFest on February 26

Microsoft will be holding its next AppFest on February 26, which is expected to see the participation of more than 10,000 students from 50 engineering and technology institutes across the country. The Microsoft AppFest will be held at more than 50 hub centres.

On the day of AppFest, young developers will get to develop apps under the supervision of Microsoft mentors, trainers and Microsoft Student Partners (MSPs). The apps, to be submitted online, could later be added to Microsoft's Windows Store.

To make app developing easier, Microsoft will be assisting the budding developers with free software such as Visual Studio Express for Windows 8, and with free Windows Store registration codes through Microsoft DreamSpark

"On one hand, the trends in the IT space have evolved over the past few years, creating greater opportunities for students and budding developers. On the other, the global youth unemployment rate is currently at 12.7 percent - double the overall unemployment rate," Microsoft director (strategic audience marketing) Pratima Amonkar is quoted as saying.

Microsoft's previous Windows AppFest was highly successful and even set a Guinness World Record with an 18-hour coding session and a little over 2,500 developers registered. The event holds record for the maximum number of developers coding for a single event at a common location. The total number of coders was logged at 2567 by the Guinness officials present at the venue.

 

Those interested in known more details about the Windows AppFest click here.

 

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Sony to launch Xperia Tablet Z in Q2 2013

At the ongoing Mobile World Congress 2013, Sony revealed its launch plans regarding its Xperia Tablet Z. According to the company, the tablet will be available globally in the second quarter of this year. Moreover, Sony has announced the roll out of its Xperia Z smartphones in stores worldwide from today.

Sony had revealed its Xperia Tablet Z in January this year. Believed to be an advanced version of the Xperia Tablet S, the Tablet Z runs Android 4.1 (upgradable to v4.2) Jelly Bean and is powered by 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor. It has 2GB of RAM.

Sony claims the Tablet Z is the slimmest tablet in the world with just 6.9 mm thickness. It's notable Apple's iPad mini has 7.2mm thickness.

           

Other key specifications of the Xperia Tablet Z include 10.1-inch 1920x1200 (WUXGA) full HD display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2, 8MP rear camera and 2MP front-facing camera and S-Force Front Surround 3D. For connectivity, the tablet supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot Bluetooth v4.0 with A2DP, NFC and USB 2.0. The tablet has IP55/IP57 water and dust resistance capabilities as well.

Sony will be offering both Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi/LTE versions of the tablet. The tablet with 16GB storage will go on sale for $499, while the 32GB version will be $599. A hjgh-end 64GB model will also be offered.

 

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Pyrokinesis, Assam Engineering College's cultural festival, kicks off on the 22nd of February!

 Assam Engineering College, Guwahati, Assam is organizing its 12th edition of "Pyrokinesis", a national level cultural festival on the 22nd to the 24th of February,2013. Pyrokinesis 2012 saw a convergence of institutions from all fields - engineering, medical, management etc with an audience from colleges like IITg, NIT Silchar, JEC, AIMT, NERIM, GCC, Cotton College, GIMT, Guwahati Medical College, NEHU, Don Bosco College Of Engineering from the entire northeast as well as school students, taking part in the various events and seminars.

It is a matter of great pride on our part that over the years, Pyrokinesis has played host to a galaxy of star performers like KK, Mohit Chauhan, M-Sonic ,North East Breeze, Zubin Garg, Dipak Sharma, Somnath Bora to world-class bands like Pentagram, Jal, Mother Jane, Orange Street, The Verbs, Still Waters, Breath The Floyd Sound,Parikrama.

Various events like Chess, Street beats, Staccato, Iron Man, 35mm War, Echoes will be held.

35mm War:
A short movie making competition

 

 

Echoes:
Debate Competition

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Sony PlayStation 4 to be unveiled in 12 hours, we roundup the rumours

 

In a matter of a few hours, Sony’s event in New York will kick off. Sony had sent out a teaser along with the invite, which hinted that the event would be about the next generation in console gaming. Of course, Sony might not actually reveal anything about the the PS4 (as we’d like to call it) or Orbis (as it’s been known) today.. Still, we think Sony will unveil the next generation console at today's New York event, give some details about the games for the device at GDC 2013 and have a full unveiling (launch date, variants and price points) at E3 2013.

If rumours on the Internet are to be believed then the next-gen console from Sony Computer Entertainment will go on sale around November 2013 and will be available in two variants priced at $500 and $600. When the PS3 was launched back in 2006, it was priced at $550 and $650 respectively.

Other speculations suggest that Sony has redesigned the dual shock controller as well for the PS4. Leaked images suggest that it has the same form factor as the dual-shock controller but the analogue sticks have been modified for better comfort. The controller will also have a touch panel in the same place that housed the start and select button. This will be the same panel that is found on the back of the PS Vita.

Speculations also suggest that Sony is working towards a project called PlayStation Cloud. This service may let users save game data, game clips and other content on the cloud. It is also speculated that gamers will be able to watch what their friends are playing in real time. The cloud service that Sony is apparently working on will be used to play PS3 games for backward compatibility. The PlayStation 4 will also have deeper social networking integration with Facebook and Twitter.

Sony will be ditching the cell based processor architecture found on the PS3 for a more PC-like architecture making the development process of the games a lot more developer friendly.

 

Another rumour being churned out on the Internet, and this one has got the gaming community in quite a stir, is that the system will not be able to play used games. Gamers will need to input a code or be connected to the Internet to be able to play the game.

The PlayStation 4 is also expected to have motion gaming built in. The Eye Toy along with the Move controllers converted the PS3 into a Wii HD. How Sony will integrate the move controller with the next gen system is yet to be seen.

Nintendo has already entered the next generation console war with the launch of the Wii U. the unique feature about this console is that it houses a 10-inch tablet as the controller adding more gameplay elements. Microsoft is the only company that needs to lift the veil off its next generation gaming console.

 

What do you think? With games such as WatchDogs, God of War Ascension and The Last of Us just around the corner, are we ready for the next generation gaming console for Sony? Between the PSOne and the PS2 there was a major leap not only in the graphical capabilities of the system but the jump from CD to DVD as well. The PS3 too was a major leap with respect to graphical capabilities and the system brought with it Blu-ray technology. Will we see a similar leap with the PS4?

The Sony event will live stream at 4:30am Indian Standard time. those interested can watch the live stream here.

 

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