Got A Blackberry Device? Have A Free Donut

Research In Motion (RIM) and Dunkin Donuts have joined forces to offer free donuts for those who have a blackberry device whether is is a phone or the PlayBook. Pass by any Dunkin Donut branch on Wednesday starting next week to register you pin as you would enter a draw too. The offer lasts for 4 weeks only.

How did I know about it? Like all other bloggers in Kuwait , I got a customized box of donuts. Thanks for making me fat RIM.

Reserch In Motion (RIM), the maker of BlackBerry smartphones and the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, is joining with Dunkin Donuts to offer BlackBerry customers free treats during the month of May.

Starting next Wednesday May 16, BlackBerry smartphones and PlayBook users can show their devices at Dunkin Donuts stores throughout Kuwait, including 360 mall, Al Kout and Salmiya, and register their BlackBerry PIN to receive a free donut and coffee for themselves and a friend. Offer is available every Wednesday for four weeks between 6pm and 10pm.

Customers will also go into a draw to win weekly prizes.

Logo Pic from Qortuba

Using a Mobile Device as a Desktop Computer

This is what using a capable modern mobile device (in this case the Galaxy Nexus) as a desktop PC. Connection that are used are:

• Micro USB to HDMI MHL Adapter (supports audio)
• 3.5mm Audio caple (optional. as HDMI has audio)
• Bluetooth Mouse/Keyboard/Apple Magic Trackpad

With mobile devices getting more  powerful with each release, and HTC already rumored to release the first quad-core phone. The days of having a separate desktop PC are numbered except for hardcore gamers and professionals. Phones like the Motorola Atrix tried to harness the power of current generation mobile devices by releasing a “lapdock” for their phone.

Even Asus think that phones are pretty capable devices. They showed-off  the “Padphone” concept phone last year where you slide the phone in a tablet casing making it a full fledged tablet.

What I think this needs is induction charging and a wireless display technology to get rid of all the wires. This might not get me hooked, but I know a few users that like the extra real-estate that a desktop PC gives them, and this might be the answer.

A more detailed video can be found [here].

Revolutionizing Photography

A few months ago, I came across an article about a new technology that would change the way we think about day-to-day photography. But after reading the article I dismissed it as its too early for that kind of technology.

Fast forward a few months, Y=the same company just had an event showcasing their new tech/camera and they say it should be available in March/April 2012. $400 for the 8GB version and $500 for the 16GB version.

So what is it about the LYTRO camera that is so special? it will make the half a press of the camera that was used for focusing a thing of the past as with its camera you will never need to focus another image again. The camera captures all the light from all the object from all the different depths and you can then select the focus point desired post process. It will also make 3D image much easier to generate.

Check out the demo image below, just press to select the focus point.

LYTRO

Nerdy Awesomeness

You might not find floppy drives anymore but this guy has put a couple of them into a really good use, playing Imperial March from Star Wars.

Nexus Prime To Be Announced in 2 Weeks?

Samsung are having another “Unpacked” event on the 11th of October at CTIA. At Samsung’s last “unpacked” event we saw a number of announcements like the Galaxy Tab 7.7 and the Galaxy Note. With the latest installment of Android dubbed “Ice Cream Sandwich” scheduled for release in October/November, it seams like the perfect timing to announced the highly anticipated Nexus Prime, Google’s next flagship phone.

Photorealistic Maps

The image above of the “Big Ben” and the “House Of Parliament” is a from a maps application not a 3D rendering program.

Nokia’s approach to 3D is just absolutely amazing I recommend that everyone should go and check it out. You will need to install a browser plug-in for the website to work but its worth it.

After visiting the site just click on the 3D icon on the top right. The website is still in beta and there is just a handful of cities to browse.

Nokia Maps

Steve Jobs Attention To Detail

Steve Jobs attention to detail in where you very least expect it is what makes him Steve Jobs.

This story was shared by Vic Gundotra (Google Senior Vice President) on Google+ yesterday after Steve decided to step down as Apple’s CEO.

One Sunday morning, January 6th, 2008 I was attending religious services when my cell phone vibrated. As discreetly as possible, I checked the phone and noticed that my phone said "Caller ID unknown". I choose to ignore.
After services, as I was walking to my car with my family, I checked my cell phone messages. The message left was from Steve Jobs. "Vic, can you call me at home? I have something urgent to discuss" it said.
Before I even reached my car, I called Steve Jobs back. I was responsible for all mobile applications at Google, and in that role, had regular dealings with Steve. It was one of the perks of the job.
"Hey Steve – this is Vic", I said. "I’m sorry I didn’t answer your call earlier. I was in religious services, and the caller ID said unknown, so I didn’t pick up".
Steve laughed. He said, "Vic, unless the Caller ID said ‘GOD’, you should never pick up during services".
I laughed nervously. After all, while it was customary for Steve to call during the week upset about something, it was unusual for him to call me on Sunday and ask me to call his home. I wondered what was so important?
"So Vic, we have an urgent issue, one that I need addressed right away. I’ve already assigned someone from my team to help you, and I hope you can fix this tomorrow" said Steve.
"I’ve been looking at the Google logo on the iPhone and I’m not happy with the icon. The second O in Google doesn’t have the right yellow gradient. It’s just wrong and I’m going to have Greg fix it tomorrow. Is that okay with you?"
Of course this was okay with me. A few minutes later on that Sunday I received an email from Steve with the subject "Icon Ambulance". The email directed me to work with Greg Christie to fix the icon.
Since I was 11 years old and fell in love with an Apple II, I have dozens of stories to tell about Apple products. They have been a part of my life for decades. Even when I worked for 15 years for Bill Gates at Microsoft, I had a huge admiration for Steve and what Apple had produced.
But in the end, when I think about leadership, passion and attention to detail, I think back to the call I received from Steve Jobs on a Sunday morning in January. It was a lesson I’ll never forget. CEOs should care about details. Even shades of yellow. On a Sunday.
To one of the greatest leaders I’ve ever met, my prayers and hopes are with you Steve.
-Vic

Via Google+

Announcements Week

There are 2 major expos taking place this week. WWDC, Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference will kick-off later today with Steve Jobs taking the stage and will announce a few things:

• iOS 5
• OS X Lion
• iCloud

What I hope he will announce:

• A revamped notification and widget system for the iOS 5. Something similar to what the Android has.
• A new Airport/Time Capsule. A lot of theories are built upon a new Time Capsule and it getting either an A4 or A5 chip. I was in the process of getting on till I heard those rumors and decided to hold off for a few days.
• Macbook Air i3/i5 upgrade.
• Mac Mini i3/i5 upgrade.
• Apple TV A5 chip upgrade and the ability to run apps.

The other event that is taking place this week is the Electronic Entertainment Exposition (E3 for short). There are a lot of games that I’m looking forward to playing, so I hope I get more info about them:

• Nintendo’s new console
• Uncharted 3
• Gears of War 3
• Bioshock: Infinite
• Infamous 2
• Need for Speed: The Run
• Forza 4
• Skyrim
• Tomb Raider
• Darksiders ii
• Batman: Arkham City
• Silent Hill: Downpour

And a lot more.

Android Market Paid Apps Coming To Kuwait

Google I/O  just concluded yesterday with a ton of announcement. The one that really caught my attention was that Google is expanding its Android Market to 99 countries. And after going through the list you can see Kuwait listed along with Bahrain and Qatar. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are still missing from the list.

Source

Apple Suing Samsung? Really?

Apple are suing Samsung for infringing on patent for the original iPhone design. Apple are claiming that Samsung’s Galaxy line is a straight copy from their work and the Galaxy S is just too similar the the iPhone/iPhone 3G/3GS.

The funny thing is that Steve Jobs in an interview done way back in 1994 (back when apple were the underdog) said that “We have always been shameless about stealing great ideas”.

Also, LG also complained when the original iPhone was introduced that Apple is is trying to copy the LG Prada. A device that was first announced on December 12, 2006.