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    Will Facebook have Skype-powered video chat soon?

    Gadgets Team
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    Will Facebook have Skype-powered video chat soon?

     

    Last week, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg leaked to press in the United States that a new “awesome” feature would be added to the popular social networking site. Following up on that announcement, a mysterious invitation was sent to press in the United States today only with the words “Please join us for an event at Facebook”.

    Rumors have been circulating that this might be the official announcement of a Skype-powered video chat service that will appear on Facebook. It will supposedly work within the web browser itself, but there is no confirmation whether users will need to download new software or if having Skype already installed will suffice.

    While adding video capabilities to a social networking site seems to be the logical step to expand its methods of communication, there are certain implications to ponder. Is video chat an essential add-on to Facebook, and will it affect the site’s performance in any way? Another point in question is if Facebook will be able to implement some form of “censorship”, or a NSFW disclaimer?

    The press event is set to occur this week, July 6, so we should expect updates by then.

     

    Source: TechCrunch

    ARM predicts chips that will be on par with the XBOX 360 and PS3 in 18 months

    Gadgets Team
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    ARM predicts chips that will be on par with the XBOX 360 and PS3 in 18 months

    If you’re using a smartphone, chances are it’s using a chip that’s based on an ARM architecture, and if chip manufacturer ARM is to be believed, the chips they’ll be pushing out in 18 months time will be able to power smartphones that have the same computational power as a XBOX 360 or PS3 console. The chip manufacturer is hedging their bets on their upcoming Mali GPU, which takes after rival AMD’s philosophy of combining both the CPU and GPU into one chip. In an article published in the Inquirer, ARM said that in order to make this happen it needs to “put huge amounts of computational power in the hands of developers”. Of course, that sort of power output presents its own set of problems, including efficient power and thermal management, something that the chip manufacturer is working feverishly to produce.

    Source: The Inquirer

    Review: Alice: Madness Returns

    Gadgets Team
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    Review: Alice: Madness Returns

     

    Looking at the title it may seem that Alice: Madness Returns is a game fit for children – after all, who doesn’t remember the story of Alice who chased after a white rabbit only to find herself in Wonderland. But American McGee’s version of Alice is very different – here Alice is a destitute wreck, plagued by the machinations of her mind that’s tearing up her psyche and in turn, Wonderland. The game follows her struggle to reclaim the glory of Wonderland and her quest to find out the truth about the events that managed to land her a padded cell in the Rutledge asylum.

    The game is set in a twisted version of Wonderland, where towering spires of teakettles and cups loom over desolate factories where dodos are put to work in grotesque hamster wheels. Each level in Wonderland takes you to different locales that have matching enemies, themes and costumes for Alice. Everything is a twisted, caricatured version of the environs depicted in Lewis Carroll’s book and the art direction pulls off the feel beautifully.

    After each level, Alice is transported back into Victorian London, where the damp, depressing grey of the city provides a stark contrast to the colorful and twisted world of Wonderland.

    Stripping away all of the colorful art and levels, you’ll see that Alice: Madness Returns is a traditional platformer at heart. There are traditional platforming elements with switches that need to be thrown and floating islands that need to be navigated. Alice has the ability to shrink herself to gain access to secret levels and other places, and there are steam vents (and their equivalents) on levels that help you access hard to reach places. The platforming sections aren’t what you’d call inspired, and it gets tiring after awhile, especially after jumping on another steam vent for the umpteenth time.

    Alice has access to four weapons – the Vorpal blade, which in this case is a wicked large kitchen knife, the Gatling-gun like pepper grinder, the clockwork bomb and the hobby horse. Each weapon is useful against a certain type of enemy (the Vorpal blade makes quick work of weak enemies while the hobby horse is used against heavy hitters) and has their use outside of combat.

    Combat is pretty straightforward, and the game allows you to lock on a particular enemy when dishing out melee attacks by pushing capslock, and you can switch targets by pressing tab when you start getting mobbed. Sometimes the target cycling is weird, especially when you’re trying to tag the biggest threat first. Weapons can be upgraded depending on your playstyle with in-game currency, namely teeth.

    There are also mini-games thrown in to break up the monotony of pure platforming, including one where you stomp around as a giant in castle squishing everything in your way. Some of the mini-games are a bit annoying though, like the one where you’re required to complete a certain puzzle in a limited amount of moves but thankfully, you have the option of skipping it if you chose.

    The visuals are pretty good, especially with a top of the line gaming rig – Alice’s hair floats and gets caught up in the wind convincingly; especially dark and gloomy levels like when you go inside a tomb underwater are exquisitely rendered complete with floating debris.

    The game does suffer from some inconsistent voice work; there were times where the character’s delivery was spot on in one segment, and unbelievably boring in another. Overlapping dialogue is also a bit of a problem in some of the sections of the game.

    Overall, Alice: Madness Returns is a great game for someone who is looking for a different gaming experience, especially when you’ve grown tired from flood of FPS games. It has its faults, but it doesn’t fail to deliver.

     

    More attacks on Philippine government websites possible, says Kaspersky Lab

    Gadgets Team
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    More attacks on Philippine government websites possible, says Kaspersky Lab

    If you’ve seen the movie “Hackers” (remember “Crash Override” and “Acid Burn” – that movie where Angelina Jolie met her first husband), you know that hacking is not something to take lightly. And in this day and age where most of our information (personal and professional) is stored online, hackers are having a field day scheming up ways to use all of this information against us. And who more to protect than our own government, as is with all matters of “national security.”

    Costin Raiu, Kaspersky Lab Global Research and Analysis Team Director, says the government must put in place their own defense strategies against attacks on government websites. They must also conduct security audits of their servers as soon as possible to identify potential vulnerabilities. “First of all, it’s important to have an anti-DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) plan – be it from increasing the internet bandwidth to purchasing a specific anti-DDoS service plan,” Raiu says. “Given the past incidents of this kind, it is expected that the attack will consist of a DDoS flood designed to bring down the server and make it unreachable. It’s possible the confidential information will be sought after, so the defense strategies would be multiple,” Raiu warns.

    According to the Kaspersky expert, even with the best ways to protect websites, there could still be attacks that might get through. As such, Raiu says governments must have contingency plans in place to ensure continued operations of the websites.

     

    Google+ invites being auctioned off eBay, +1?

    Gadgets Team
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    Google+ invites being auctioned off eBay, +1?

    If you haven’t heard, Google has just launched (or relaunched, depending on how you look at it) their newest attempt at cornering social networking. Called Google+, the new service is currently on limited trial right now, meaning you can’t sign up if you wanted to – someone has to send a + invite to you before you can join. The demand for invites is so high right now that people looking to make a quick buck have taken to eBay and are now auctioning off invites with prices anywhere from $3 to $100. This is a far cry from Google’s previous foray into social networking via their disastrous Google Buzz initiative, which if you remember made anyone with a Google account a member. Google’s taken a completely opposite approach to Google+ and it seems to be working – Google+ is the hottest nightclub in town, and the line to get in is pretty damn long. We’ve gotten our own invite and we’ll be writing our own impressions in a few day’s time.

    Source: eBay

    Olympus announces three new PEN series cameras

    Gadgets Team
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    Olympus announces three new PEN series cameras

     

    Are interchangeable lens cameras the next trend? Quite possibly.

    Almost every major camera manufacturer has introduced to the public their entry into the compact ILS market (with the exception of two giants who still haven’t joined the game or simply refuse to do so).

    Olympus today announced three new systems to be added to their PEN series: E-P3, E-PL3 and E-PM1.

    One of the highlighted improvements is a quicker autofocus system, dubbed by the company as the “world’s fastest”, which seems to be the path that most manufacturers are following nowadays. Olympus also showcases a new user interface for its touchscreen display and maximum ISO’s that reach up to 12,800.

    All three systems feature 12.3 megapixel Live MOS sensors, image stabilization within the bodies, 1080i video, and 3D capabilities. Numerous creative “Art Filters” are also added, providing users alternative methods of shooting. They will also be packaged with kit lenses: either the MSC M. Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm II R f3.5/5.6 Zoom Lens or the  MSC M. Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f2.8 Prime Lens.

    These three cameras are scheduled to be released in August, and should reach the Philippines soon, with an approximate retail price of Php 39,000.

     

    Source: PopPhoto.com

    Asus conducts tech seminar, outs Maximus IV Gene-Z, Crosshair V Formula and Matrix GTX 580

    Gadgets Team
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    Asus conducts tech seminar, outs Maximus IV Gene-Z, Crosshair V Formula and Matrix GTX 580

    So last week amid the fury of Tropical Storm Falcon, Asus conducted a technical seminar for the press and several members of the PC enthusiast community in Mandaluyong, with the aim of familiarizing everyone concerned with their newest motherboards from their ROG, Intel and AMD lineup, as well as introducing the absolutely monstrous Matrix GTX 580.

    Included in the seminar were the ROG branded Maximus IV Gene-Z and the Matrix GTX 580 which we found contained in an acrylic case sporting a water cooled cooling system.

    The event was also Asus’ opportunity to flaunt three more motherboards – the Crosshair V Formula, The Ultimate Force Sabertooth 990 FX and the P8Z68 V-PRO.

    The event also highlighted some of the features of the boards that enthusiasts crave, including Intel’s Smart Response Technology for SSD caching, Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) that allows users to use the BIOS via a graphical UI and Dual Intelligent Processors 2 (DIP 2) with Digi+VRM.

    Razer releases Mac versions of Anansi and BlackWidow gaming keyboards

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    Razer releases Mac versions of Anansi and BlackWidow gaming keyboards

    As much as PC gamers don’t want to admit it, gaming on a Mac is a thing now, what with AAA titles appearing on the platform courtesy of Blizzard and Steam. And since Razer recognizes the need for high performance devices on all platforms, they’ve released their BlackWidow, Razer BlackWidow Ultimate, and Razer Anansi keyboards in the standard Mac key layout. “For Mac gamers, your supreme gaming reign begins now with the Razer BlackWidow and the Razer Anansi.” said Robert “RazerGuy” Krakoff, President, Razer USA. “Whether you’re after exceptional tactile feedback from your fast key presses, or dedicated keys for more MMO skills at your fingertips, these gaming keyboards for Mac deliver.” Mac gamers can now start fragging like Pros, and we guess it’s about time.

     

    Steam’s summer sale will make your wallet hate you

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    Steam’s summer sale will make your wallet hate you

    Steam, the digital game delivery system and purveyor of all things gaming has just began its official Summer sale. Yes, we know it’s now the rainy season, but since it’s still summer somewhere, the guys at Steam has elected to deliver excellent gaming deals which include hi-profile PC games and indie games you may not have heard of. As an added treat, all games that Valve has made will be discounted by 33%, which means if you haven’t picked up Portal 2, it’s now available for the low price of $33.49. The sale will run from June 30 to July 10. So what are you waiting for? Get to downloading!

    Source: Steam

    Review: JVC Everio HM450

    Gadgets Team
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    1
    Review: JVC Everio HM450

    GADGETSLAB

    JVC Everio GZ-HM450

    Camcorder

     

    JVC’s GZ-HM450 looks quite impressive out of the box, with a glossy black exterior and minimalist design that gives it a classically neat look.  Users will immediately notice its light weight and surprisingly solid build, but don’t expect it to survive an accidental encounter with the brute force of gravity.  Overall, the HM450’s size and weight make it a perfect fit in one’s palm, especially when shooting at difficult angles or for extended periods of time.

    Opening up the side panel reveals the 2.7-inch touchscreen LCD display, which is quite vivid and clear for a camera in its class.  Touchscreen navigation on the HM450 is definitely intuitive (as it allows the chassis to be minimal of physical controls), but some users might find the surface area rather small to accurately navigate.

    Browsing the menus can be quite daunting in the start, because some icons have no text descriptions describing its particular function. With some thorough trial and error, coupled with good memory work however, one will be able to quickly navigate through this camcorder’s basic features.

    The HM450 is equipped with Image Stabilization and an astounding 40x zoom capability. While this level of magnification is a great feature to have, one will discover that it will rarely be used on a day-to-day basis.  This extreme zooming capability, although handy, is also quite limited, considering the resulting image quality at full magnification.

    This Everio camcorder also comes with the Intelligent Auto feature which performs as smart as its name, helping users to get the perfect take by adjusting brightness and color to cater to the scene that is being shot.  While the HM450 performed excellently with regulating contrast levels and hues, the autofocus was prone to struggle when light sources were scarce.

    Another interesting trait is the Face Sub-Window which allows users to record a close-up shot of a single person while simultaneously shooting a group of people.  This is achieved by simply touching the face on the display that you want to enlarge.  It takes quite a bit of practice and awareness to fully utilize it, but when used correctly, it is quite a good option to have.

    With the features out of the way, the most obvious query would be video quality.  Shooting at 24Mbps high bit rate recording at 1920x1080i through a Konica Minolta HD lens, the HM450 is refreshingly impressive.  Even though it only has a 1.5-megapixel CMOS sensor, the resulting video captures were clean and crisp, both on the camera’s LCD and when viewed on a computer.

    This new Everio will definitely be an upgrade from shooting videos with a point-and-shoot, but it still seems a little expensive with regards to its features and quality.  There are various compact consumer cameras that have leveled up and can easily surpass the performance of the HM450, which might make some consumers (and this author included) wonder what JVC intended for this camera.

    Nevertheless, one advantage of the HM450 is its size and weight, making it a perfect companion for globetrotting and outdoor excursions. It’s a great budget consumer camcorder that will perform the necessary recording tasks while adding a few interesting bells and whistles along the way. In the end, the HM450 is reliable and will ultimately preserve your memories, which is what really matters in the first place.

     

    What’s Hot:
    Compact and lightweight
    8GB internal memory
    Face Sub-Window, Intelligent Auto
    What’s Not:
    1.5-megapixel CMOS sensor
    Quite expensive

     

    Buy Meter: 7.5

     

    Bottomline:

    The JVC HM450 is perfect for travelling and could make a great gift for parents to give to their children. It’s portable, reliable and will get the job done.

     

     

     

    SPECIFICATIONS:

    JVC HD Everio GZ-HM450
    Full HD Camcorder
    8 GB of internal flash memory and an SD / SDHC / SDXC slot
    AVCHD and AVCHD SD Dual Format
    40x optical zoom (70x zoom Dynamic Mode Standard Definition)
    KONICA MINOLTA HD LENS
    1.5 megapixel CMOS sensor
    Full Touch Screen Panel
    Advanced Image Stabilizer
    Intelligent Auto
    Face / Touch AE / AF
    Face Sub-Window
    Animation effect
    Smile Meter / Smile Shot
    Time-lapse REC / REC Cars
    24Mbps High Bit Rate Recording
    K2 Technology
    2-way Grip Belt
    1920 x 1080/60P Output
    Everio Media Browser 3

    Feature: 5 things to keep in mind when buying a tablet

    Gadgets Team
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    1
    Feature: 5 things to keep in mind when buying a tablet

    With the release of high profile tablets such as the Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101, Acer Iconia Tab A500 and the Samsung Galaxy 10.1, the tablet space is getting crowded. There’s definitely more choices this time around, but a lot of people are unsure of what tablet to buy, or more importantly, which camp to support. I’ve written a simple list of things to keep in mind when the inevitable tablet-hunt begins.

     

    1. Know what a real tablet is

    Realistically there are currently only two, viable eco-systems for tablets: Android by way of Honeycomb, and iOS. Some of you may be wondering why I didn’t include Windows, webOS, Blackberry and non-Honeycomb Android tablets. Windows tablets right now are at best, notebooks without keyboards fitted with touchscreens and at worst unresponsive netbooks with touchscreens. They’re heavy, bulky, extremely cumbersome to use and are usually as expensive (or more expensive, in some cases) than full size notebooks. That’ll probably change with Windows 8 hits, but as it stands, Windows 7 tablets won’t be able to stand on the same ground as Honeycomb and iOS. Non-Honeycomb tablets, while usually cheaper than their Honeycomb toting brethren, don’t deliver the tablet experience that Google intended, and instead feel more like smartphones with bigger screens. There are exceptions to this rule of course – HTC’s tablet, the Flyer, is one of them, but only because of the heavily customized UI that ships with it. Another main point against these devices is that they’re usually slower and don’t have the same graphical punch as Honeycomb-toting tablets. As a general rule of thumb when it comes to Android tablets is that if it’s not running Honeycomb, it’s usually not worth it. HP’s webOS powered tablets are here simply because they’re not available to the public yet, so I really can’t give it an honest shake. Finally, we get to the Blackberry Playbook. Yes, it’s a real tablet with real apps on it, but a cursory glance at reviews online reveal a big flaw – you can only unlock it’s potential when you have a Blackberry phone to pair with it. To me that’s a big setback, especially for people who have already invested in different eco-systems, like iOS, Android, Windows Phone 7, etc.

     

    2. Stick to your eco-system

    This piece of advice is especially poignant to Apple users. In some cases, apps that are available for your iPhone or iPod has some degree of cross-functionality, or at the very least, has some semblance of consistency when it comes to overall design and UI when you make the jump from one device to another. Another good reason to stick to your eco-system, especially when you’re an iPhone user and make the jump to the iPad is that the look and feel of the OS doesn’t change much, so it’s a more seamless transition than say, jumping straight to Honeycomb.

     

    3. Know what the tablet will be for

    Another good thing to keep in mind when going tablet shopping is to keep in mind what the device is going to be used for. A friend of mine has an iPad for the sole purpose of reading comics on it, as he says it’s actually more convenient for him to buy and read comics on his iPad than say, going out to Filbars and buying an actual comic book. Another friend of mine wants to buy a Honeycomb tablet because he likes the idea of being able to plug-in a USB game controller and using that to play games, rather than using the accelerometer and touchscreen. The point here is to identify what you want to get out of the tablet, rather than buying it now and figuring out a use for it later.

     

    4. Find out if they have apps that you need

    Again, this all boils down to what you need the tablet for. Referencing my example above, my friend was able to find a comic book app for the iPad right away, as opposed to me looking for one in the Android marketplace for a bit before settling on cmreader. The biggest appeal of iOS devices, and one that’s truly given Apple the edge in the tablet wars, have been its selection of apps. Right now, Apple has a leg up when it comes to quality apps for the iPad, and while there’s literally a metric crapton of Android apps, the selection of apps built specifically for Honeycomb is wanting. Of course, the iPad has a 1 year head start compared to Honeycomb, so it’s really not surprising. The main thing that users will be looking at is price – the iPad has more quality apps in its library, but they usually can’t be had for free, legally anyways. Honeycomb has a selection of both paid and free apps, with the latter being supported by ads in the apps themselves, so it makes it a more natural choice for future, frugal tablet owners.

     

    5. Take them for a test run

    It’s important to read reviews for a particular model to get a feel for a product (shameless plug, read our review of the Transformer here), but in the end it’s best to get a feel for yourself before committing to a brand. A lot of reviews are subject to individual preferences and biases (whether intentional or not) so what works for me may not work for you. Your best bet? Spend some time in a concept store and experience for yourself what works for you.

     

     

     

     

    Review: Toshiba NB520

    Gadgets Team
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    Review: Toshiba NB520

    Toshiba NB520

    Netbook

    From the very first time I laid eyes on this beauty, I fell in love with it. The color and the thinness with the dotted rubberized-feel finish added glam and bit of masculinity to it, you’ll surely fall in love as well.

    Usually when I look for a gadget, I look at the physical appearance first. I don’t want anything bulky but I want a promise of luxury and style but of course let us not forget how useful it should be and how long you can use it.

    This is the first time I saw a laptop with speakers on its armrest, and I thought it was a pretty amazing idea. We all know that netbooks often have “not-so-awesome” audio features, but the Toshiba NB520 will prove us wrong. It has a built-in 2×2-watt Harman Kardon stereo speakers which releases crisp and clear sounds. I tried playing games, watched videos and even listened to recordings while setting this device on its loudest. You could also connect an MP3 player on this netbook and use the speakers separately; you wouldn’t even need to turn it on. This is perhaps the only netbook that makes it a must-have if only for its ultimate listening experience.

    Toshiba NB520 comes with a 10.1-inch 1024 x 600px LED-backlit display and it can support 720p HD playback, just right for this little wonder. It is bundled with the Toshiba bulletin board software where you can find help tips, computer care and make a real bulletin board. This is a new addition to Toshiba’s line of laptops. This provides users with customizable space where they can place a calendar, clock, to-do list and even photos and notes. It’s just a drag and drop program so you will surely find your way around.

    The speakers and the fine finish are pretty cool although I’m not really a fan of the touch pad, I felt the rough texture isn’t the best way to go. It was not too responsive for tracking and it’s left and right clicks buttons was located at the edge of the laptop so they we’re hard to press. This could be the ultimate media netbook except for the low definition built-in web camera.

    The Toshiba NB250 would be perfect for users who enjoy their music, movies and other media. Users will be able to have a go with it for 8.5 hours when fully charged. So if you are specific about a netbook that can support your multimedia needs, the Toshiba NB520 is your perfect match.

     

    Specifications:

    OPERATING SYSTEM: Microsoft 7 starter

    PROCESSOR: Intel Atom N455

    MEMORY: 1GB DDR3

    DISPLAY:  10.1″ HD Led Glare

     

    What’s hot?

    Awesome Harman Kardon stereo speakers

    HD playback possible

    8.5-hours battery life

     

    What’s not?

    Rough touch pad

     

    Bottomline:

    The Toshiba NB520 ise perfect for people on the go who wants to to enjoy their music fix but also needs a laptop for other things.

     

    Buy meter:

    8.8

     

    Friendster re-launched as a casual game portal

    Gadgets Team
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    1
    Friendster re-launched as a casual game portal

    Remember back in April when Friendster said it would be deleting all of your photos and content and restructuring itself to compliment, and not compete, with other social networks? Well, seems that the once king of social networking (in the Philippines at least) has re-launched itself as a casual game portal.

    As far as we can tell, most of the games in the roster are of a casual persuasion, and it seems that you’ll be able to buy gold (Friendster coins) that you’ll be able to use in games to buy currency, items or whatnot.

    You can buy Friendster coins by a variety of methods, including PayPal, 7-Eleven and Globe GCash.  You’ll also be able to play against other players, and see what your friends in your network are playing. It also seems that your old user accounts are still there, complete with your old friend network. You’ll also be able to link your Friendster account with your Facebook account, we suppose so your friends can see your gaming milestones and the like.

    Source: Friendster

     

    Vote for your favorite M&M’s and get a chance to win $1,000 worth of swag

    Gadgets Team
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    0
    Vote for your favorite M&M’s and get a chance to win $1,000 worth of swag

    We’ve just been visited by the unlikeliest of visitors: M&M mascots. Red, Yellow, Green, Orange and Blue M&Ms just paid a visit to the Gadgets office trying to garner our support for their bids as the most popular character in the world’s favorite chocolate snack. And much to our surprise, each color has its own unique personality. Orange is apparently the paranoid one, Blue is the cool one, Green is the fashionable one, Yellow is the charming one and Red and naturally the hot one. You can support each candydate at the official voting page here, and by doing so you’ll be eligible to win $1,000 worth of M&M swag. If you do win, just remember to keep your dentist on speed dial.

    Source: M-Ms

     

    Hackers cripple al-Qaida web communications

    Gadgets Team
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    Hackers cripple al-Qaida web communications

    Here’s one of the rare instances where hacking is used for good: NBC reports that a group of hackers have apparently shut down al-Qaida’s ability to communicate with nefarious ne’er do wells around the globe, according to Evan Kohlmann, of Flashpoint Global Partners, which monitors the group’s communications. “Al-Qaida’s online communications have been temporarily crippled, and it does not have a single trusted distribution channel available on the Internet.” Additionally, the attacks were, “well coordinated and involved the use of an unusual cocktail of relatively sophisticated techniques,” Kohlmann said. The sophistication of the attack may suggest that this was a government sponsored hacking incident, similar to the hilarious MI6 operation a few months ago where terrorist cook books for explosives and bombs were replaced with actual cook books for cookies. Good stuff.

    Source: NBC News

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