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Posts Tagged ‘Touch’

New Apple iPod Touch to include Game Center App

September 2nd, 2010

Apple Inc. this week said the new iPod Touch hardware will include Game Center, a new iOS App to facilitate online multiplayer games.

Game Center will allow iPod Touch and iPhone users with iOS4 or iOS 4.1 to create a nickname, send game invites, check out a friend’s game status, look at Leaderboards, and earn Achievements.

The new iPod Touch will be sold in a 8GB SKU at $229.99, a 32GB SKU at $299.99 and a 64GB SKU at $399.99.

The iPod Touch features the Apple A4 chip, a 3-axis gyro, iPhone iOS 4.1 with Game Center, FaceTime with front camera, HD video recording, and 40-hour battery life.

Source:-http://news.punchjump.com/blog/2010/09/01/new-apple-ipod-touch-to-include-game-center-app/

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Posted in Hardware News

Tags: Game IPod Touch

Is Apple Going to Revamp the iPod Touch, What is the ‘Unknown

August 20th, 2010

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iOS, the software used on the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and the iPad, reportedly boasts mentions of a fourth-generationiPod Touch, and maybe even a new iPad. This isn’t such a big surprise, it’s high time for a new iPod Touch, and most definitely a new iPad.

These two mentions are not so big, however, what is really causing mystery and raised eyebrows is the mention of some “unknown hardware” in the iOS beta code. No one seems to know anything about it. There are some suspicions that is might be a new Apple TV, perhaps, or maybe something that we haven’t even seen before. Whatever it is, it’s causing a lot of questions to be asked. I’m sure that whatever it is, it will be pretty cool and it will immediately make the whole world long for it.

Now, onto the topic of a new iPod Touch. The USB configuration files of the new beta supposedly include a line of code with the text “iPod 4,1,” this probably refers to a revamped fourth-generation iPod Touch. This new iPod Touch will probably be a whole new deal, not just a revision of the third-

Source:-http://www.damego.com/is-apple-going-to-revamp-the-ipod-touch-what-is-the-unknown-hardware

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Posted in Hardware News

Tags: IPod Touch

iPod touch battery life dwindled after installing iOS 4

August 10th, 2010

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A number of people with iPod Touch devices have reported that their battery life has significantly lessened after installing iOS 4. The problem has been noticed after people left their devices charged in the evening only to find that overnight the battery had reduced. Instead of giving them the expected 4-5 days of use on a single charge with intermittent use, they are getting only about a day’s worth of use.

Though some might expect small fluctuations in battery usage with new operating-system software, since the hardware will be handled slightly differently, this should only account for a small percentage difference and not a nearly 80 percent drop in expected run time under the same conditions.

The issue at hand appears to be a problem with Apple’s networking services, such that if the device is left on it will continually synchronize and send push notifications for mail and contacts, resulting in high Wi-Fi usage and thereby draining the battery. For some reason, the iPod will not stay in sleep or standby modes with these services enabled, so when put away for the night, the device will continue to use Wi-Fi and drain the battery.

Currently this appears to be a bug in the OS, and unfortunately Apple has not been forthcoming with a fix for this issue, so if you are having problems we encourage you to send Apple feedback on it at the following page (be kind, they’re human): http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipodtouch.html.
One user and MacFixIt reader has outlined how this issue has affected a number of people (around 260 so far), and put the responses in a Google Spreadsheet that you might link to when giving Apple feedback.

While we wait for a fix to this issue, there are some ways you can get around this problem:
Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

When you are not using the iPod, turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in the settings to ensure no wireless data can be transmitted. This has been the most common way for people to avoid the issue.

Use AirPlane Mode

Apple has a relatively new “Airplane” mode for the iOS that prevents Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cell signals, and GPS from being used when on airplanes so you do not have to turn off your device on the flight. Enabling this on the iPod Touch will have a similar but more thorough effect than manually shutting off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Turn off “Push” notifications

In the Mail and Contacts settings, turn off “Push” notifications and set the device to manually check for messages. This can be done in the “Notifications” settings in the iPod.

Turn off location services

iPod Touch and iPhone devices running iOS 4 will automatically look up Wi-Fi hot-spot information to get a bead on your location and provide you with information in Google Maps, when you take pictures with the camera, and other enhancements. Turn these off if you do not use them, since this will have the device regularly polling the wireless signal sources for location information.

Reset and restore the iPod

Finally, you may wish to try fully restoring your iPod Touch by backing it up in iTunes, resetting it to factory settings, and then restoring the backup. The instructions for how to do this can be found in this Apple Knowledgebase document.

Source:http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20013091-263.html

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Posted in Hardware News

Tags: Battery iPad Touch

Microsoft “Arc touch mouse” in the works?

July 4th, 2010

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Multi-touch as a technology is really catching on with mobile devices such as phones, MP3 players, and tablets, but it’s yet to catch on with the PC. Perhaps this is due to the fact that implementations of multi-touch technology haven’t been that practical as of yet to appeal to the masses, nor is it necessarily cheap to get a good multi-touch monitor.

One solution is to implement this functionality not with the monitor, but with the mouse. This would in effect keep the technology relatively within reach, both literally and financially; you won’t hurt your arms reaching out for the screen, and you don’t have to buy an expensive monitor.

Apple have already released a multi-touch mouse onto the market — the Magic Mouse –which sells for $69; much less than multi-touch monitors which will run you in the hundreds. This mouse comes with no buttons, and allows you to interact with your computer using multi-touch gestures. Sounds tasty, right?

Well, word on the street is that Microsoft are currently baking their own entry into the multi-touch mouse scene. Microsoft enthusiast Long Zheng has uncovered evidence pointing in that direction.

Not only have some European retailers begun publishing listings for a “Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse”, but Microsoft actually snagged arctouchmouse.com back in March, which is currently pointed to Bing.

Pictured above, image courtesy of istartedsomething, is a Microsoft Research prototype device as part of their “Mouse 2.0″ project. It bears a vivid mirror image of the normal Arc Mouse out on the market today; a sign of things to come?
If Microsoft were to unveil its own multi-touch mouse, this could certainly place multi-touch technology for the PC within arms reach for most. We’ll be keeping a close watch on Redmond for more to surface regarding this, and if Microsoft Hardware does release this mouse, you can expect a GeekSmack review.

Source:http://www.geeksmack.net/hardware/microsoft-arc-touch-mouse-in-the-works

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Tags: Microsoft Mouse Touch

HTC EVO 4G screen an’ touch problems to be fixed by HTC

June 20th, 2010

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HTC will make changes in production and software for the well-reviewed continually sold-old HTC EVO 4G. If you have the patience, you may want to wait because some of the HTC EVO 4G have glass separation and light leakage problems. There have been complaints of loose, peeling, and improperly sealed screens, as well as screens that are not completely flush.

HTC has changed the production process for the HTC EVO 4G, that will prevent future screens from having the slight separation of the layers that some users have reported.

HTC is also working on a software patch a screen sensitivity problem that affects users in very dry climates.

Along with WiMAX high-speed data, video viewing, huge 4.3 ” touchscreen, features of HTC EVO 4G include an 8 megapixel video-capture-capable camera and a front facing 1.3 megapixel camera for video chat in the future. Reviews showed the camera photo quality great and sharp. Video quality was better than most camera phones.

You may want to read an article on ways to get ready while you are waiting fro HTC EVO 4G.

There’s a YouTube video that show what’s inside the HTC EVO 4G, He shows how to get the memory card out. We do not recommend tht you try this yourself. You can void you warranty.

The HTC EVO 4G kick stand in integrated into the frame. The camera sensor takes up a lot of the circuitry. You can see why there could be problems with the glass touchscreen digititzer, because it is glued onto the LCD. This is where human error can occur in the manfacturing process. A human probably has to the glue the two elements together. Working 12 hour days under, stressful conditionals in China, that would be easy to do.

Kyle from iFixit definitely is not a mertrosexua, because he needs a manicure.

Source:http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/2010/06/htc-evo-4g-updates-htc-evo-4g-screen-an-touch-problems-to-be-fixed-by-htc.html

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Posted in Hardware News

Tags: HTC Screens Touch

Mini apple iPad means death Of iPod touch

April 9th, 2010

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Whether or not you believe the analyst from Digitimes over claimed rumours of a miniature version of the iPad, one thing is quasi certain, such a product may kill the iPod Touch altogether, something that Apple may secretly want to achieve.

Back in January, we suggested that Apple might want to kill the iPod Touch sooner or later as, as it turned out, the iPad is merely a glorious giant iPod Touch Now if the rumours are true, a smaller iPad is likely to be much cheaper than the cheapest $499 iPad. We already know that the screen and the processor account for nearly half of the component cost of the iPad itself with the screen making up to 37 percent.

A smaller screen and a generic application CPU (rather than the A4) will mean a lower total cost of manufacture. We’re sure that Apple could easily shave another $60 off the bill and push the BOM under $200.

Given that the most iPod Touch costs $399, one can expect that the iPad Mini will have a starting price well under the $400 ceiling with the iPod Touch slowly fading away after more than four years.

Steve Jobs will want to have a platform that is homogeneous (cheaper costs, easier to develop, simpler marketing message and differentiations) and numerous signs (the iBookstore for iPhone, hardware use, the iPhone OS 4.0) point to something in that direction.

By the end of 2011, we can expect to have two distinct product lines, an iPod family either without screens or with very small screens and an iPad family which shares a number of features with the iPhone but with bigger screens.

Source:-http://www.itproportal.com/portal/news/article/2010/4/9/analysis-mini-apple-ipad-means-death-ipod-touch/

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Posted in Hardware News

Tags: IPod Mini Touch

NextWindow increases manufacturing capacity as global demand for touch pcs and computer monitors heats up

March 24th, 2010

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NextWindow, the leading provider of optical touch screens to manufacturers of desktop PCs, monitors and large-format displays, today announced that a series of manufacturing improvements at its factories in Asia have helped the company to increase touch screen output capacity significantly. The upgraded processes are associated with heat staking, glue dispensing, curing, assembly and set-up of touch screens. By adding new production lines, automating previously manual processes and updating equipment and test software, NextWindow has been able to double its manufacturing capacity.

NextWindow is increasing manufacturing capacity at a time when global interest in Touch PCs and monitors is at an all-time high. Market researcher Gartner expects demand for Touch PCs to surpass six million units in 2010, and analyst firm Displaybank is predicting the touch screen panel market will grow from $2.45 billion in 2009 to $3.6 billion in 2010. Already, NextWindow touch screens are used by many of the world’s largest electronics companies including Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Medion, NEC and Sony. For these and other companies NextWindow produced one touch screen every 12 seconds, 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, last year alone.

“We’re ramping-up out of sheer necessity,” said Al Monro, CEO at NextWindow. “Touch technology is making desktop computing fun again. The fun factor, coupled with the launch of Windows 7 in October, is driving consumers and enterprises to upgrade their desktop PCs and monitors. PC makers are responding with new products and the pressure to increase manufacturing capacity flows down to us. Of course, this is a great problem to have. Through a series of manufacturing process improvements we have been able to increase capacity while maintaining our traditional high-performance, low-cost standards.”