Software News

Designer Federico Ciccarese has come up with yet another breathtaking mockup of a futuristic Apple product, this time envisioning a wearable device that Apple was said to have been prototyping internally.

Confusingly dubbed “iPhone 5 new,” the device pictured above hardly has anything in common with Apple’s smartphones.

Aside from running iOS, which could well power any type of appliance, from home automation systems to your car’s dashboard, the curved-glass device you see above is something of a wearable computer that keeps everything you need at hand, literally.

Imagine Siri serving up directions and maps at such ideal viewing distance, all day long, without having to repeatedly get your phone out of the pocket and then put it back in. And that’s just one thing it could do.

Quite surrealistic, I agree. But I’m guessi ng people living in the 70s would have said the exact same thing about the iPhone.

Via: This Wearable iComputer May Be Eons Away, but We Like the Concept

This week, mobile phone carrier Verizon Wireless has announced a series of enhancements brought to its network in the New York Area.

Thus, the carrier has announced that it has activated new 4G LTE sites in Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, Altamont, Berne, Brunswick, Clifton Park, Coeymans, Cohoes, Delanson, Delmar, Galway, Knox and Westerlo, to deliver better network speeds to users in New York's capital district.

But this is only one part of the network improvement that the carrier has done in t he area. Four sites have been activated in Buffalo too, as well as sites in Niagara Falls, Amherst, Brant, North Collins and in Dunkirk.

Additionally, the operator announced new 4G LTE coverage on three sites in Utica and new sites in New Hartford and Whitesboro, as well as expanded coverage in Syracuse, Cicero, Clay, Cortland and Sullivan.

Through its 4G LTE network, Verizon is aiming at providing users with the ability to surf the web, access social networking websites, share content and do more at speeds that are up to ten times faster than those available on 3G networks.

Whether it comes to 4G LTE smartphones, tablets, notebooks, laptop modems or mobile hotspots, all users will be able to enjoy data speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink, even in fully-loaded network environments, the wireless carrier notes.

“We’ve always believed the best wireless devices deserve th e best wireless network,” said Gene Fassett, executive director of network for Verizon Wireless in Upstate New York.

“People everywhere are increasingly relying on their tablets, smartphones and apps to stay organized, connected and entertained. Our investment here in Upstate New York and across the country has kept us ahead of this consumer trend and underscores our belief that 4G LTE delivers the best value to customers by maximizing the performance of their wireless devices.”

When outside the 4G LTE coverage area, devices will automatically connect to the wireless carrier’s 3G network, for a continuous experience.

Via: Verizon Enhances Its 4G LTE Network in New York Area

Facebook Inc. has released an updated version of its Messenger app for iPhone and iPad adding bug fixes and a new option to see more top friends.

There are just two changes in version 1.8.1: “fix bug causing friends and profile photos to load slowly; see more top friends in the compose view,” according to the release notes. The social network is keen to note that all of the enhancements in Messenger 1.8 have been incorporated as well.

These include the ability to quickly switch between multiple conversations with in-app notifications; friends of friends in conversations; the ability to swipe to delete individual messages from conversations, as well as to see who's available when you start a new conversation; and new options which let users tap for full screen and pinch to zoom, as well as to share bigger photos.

The app should load faster now, and users sho uld get more reliable push notifications.

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Via: Facebook Messenger iOS 1.8.1 Released

The International Energy Association has recently decided to look into the future of renewable energy sources, and its findings are quite encouraging: over the next five years, green power generation is likely to increase by nearly 40%.

It is noteworthy that emerging markets are presumed to be the ones that will boost our planet's green energy production, as opposed to already developed countries that seem to be quite comfortable with their use of fossil fuels and the like.

The “Medium-Term Renewa ble Energy Market Report 2012” argues that an extra 6,400 Twh (terawatt-hours) will be supplied to human communities worldwide by hydropower, solar, wind and geothermal plants, and that developing countries will be responsible for two thirds of this impressive energy growth.

As well as this, studies show that hydropower will be a favorite amongst green energy producers, but that onshore wind, bioenergy and solar power will also have quite a lot of fans.

Clean Technica informs us that, during the report's launch meeting, IEA's current Executive Director, Maria van der Hoeven, made the following observation: “Given the emergence of a portfolio of renewable sources as a crucial pillar of the global energy mix, market stakeholders need a clear understanding of the major drivers and barriers to renewable deployment.”

She also added that, “Based on these factors, this report forecasts global renewable deve lopment and, in so doing, provides a key benchmark for both public and private decision makers.”

In other words, by predicting how green energy sources will evolve throughout the next half a decade, one can also take informed decisions having to do with economic growth and other similar aspects.

From an environmentalist standpoint, this news can only be welcomed and embraced.

However, one must not forget that, at least for the time being, there are still some who opt for dangerous and polluting energy sources, in spite of greener ones being available for use.

Via: The Next Five Years Might Bring Us 40% More Renewable Power

BioWare has confirmed that it will attend the San Diego Comic-Con 2012 expo next week and that it's going to bring not just plenty of swag for fans, but also showcase a new downloadable content pack for Mass Effect 3’s multiplayer mode.

The San Diego Comic-Con kicks off next week from July 11 until July 15 and quite a lot of companies will be there, from big Hollywood studios to large TV operators, comic book groups and, as always, plenty of video game developers and publishers.

BioWare will be present at the convention, both during the actual show and outside the expo, at a separate location that doesn’t require visitors to have a valid Comic-Con badge.

First up, during the actual Comic-Con, various BioWare staff will be present in booths like those of Dark Horse, Square Enix, Kotobukiya, Triforce, and much more.

“Visit the Dark Horse booth where BioWare’s Chris Priestly will be working in an area dedicated to Dark Horse’s BioWare products including convention exclusives like a bronze Normandy lithograph and, for the first time available anywhere, the Dragon Age The Silent Grove Hardcover trade,” the studio said.

A special panel will also be held on Saturday, called Mass Effect: Past, Present and Future, where various developers will show off “an exciting look at the evolution of the Mass Effect franchise.”

Outside the convention, BioWare will once again create its own Base at the Gaslam p Hilton hotel, where all fans are invited to see it.

What’s more, there will be special game stations where people can try out the latest downloadable content pack for the multiplayer mode in Mass Effect 3.

“We will once again have the BioWare Base at the Gaslamp Hilton for all fans to visit (you do not need a badge for entry) with stations to play Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer including the next upcoming multiplayer DLC. Members of the Mass Effect 3 development team & community team will be available to play MP, trade tips, talk BioWare, and sign autographs. Bring your games, novels, etc for signings.”

Special signings will be organized every day and, on Saturday, a special Purgatory Bar is going to be set up with free drinks and appetizers.


Via: BioWare Attends Comic-Con 2012, Brings New Mass Effect 3 DLC