Seidio is having a 25% off sale for Valentine’s Day
I just got this my inbox; titled “Protect the thing you love the most – your device”, Seidio is having a 25% off sale for Valentine’s Day. This is for all of you who have forgotten to get your significant other a gift for Valentine’s Day, or merely feel like giving your your phone a new case. If you haven’t heard of Seidio before, they specialize in heavy-duty smartphone cases that range in capabilities from being a basic protective case to the full shebang: a airtight, watertight case that will never let your device succumb to the elements. If you want to read more about how Seidio cases are to use, we’ve previously reviewed the Convert Case for Galaxy Note 2 (read here) and the OBEX Case for Galaxy S3 (read here).
If you’re wanting to jump on this deal, visit the Seidio site and after you’ve selected the case of your choice, use the coupon code VDAY25 at the checkout to cash in your 25% discount. The deal should be live now and will end on the 16th of February, but you probably shouldn’t leave it till then if it’s for your better half…
If you pick something up for yourself or your Valentine’s, let us know what you went for in the comments!
Source: Seidio
Microsoft: Bing’s altered Chinese search results are a glitch, not censorship
Anti-censorship blogs have found that when using Bing, it appears the Chinese government’s muzzle for “damaging” web-based news extends beyond its borders, but Microsoft says that’s not the case. Bing search queries are returning with wildly different results for Chinese-language users on US soil, according to Greatfire. The site tested a series of searches in Chinese for hot-button topics ranging from the Dalai Lama, Tiananmen Square and the corrupt government official Bo Xilai. In the case of the Tibetan spiritual leader, results don’t include his Wikipedia page, personal website or various news reports like they do for searches in English. Instead, Chinese-language Bing users both domestic and foreign found links to a state-sponsored documentary and China’s heavily censored version of Wikipedia, Baidu Baike. If a user is in mainland China, Bing denotes that the search results have been altered, but not so in the US according to The Guardian.
Bing’s Senior Director Stefan Weitz has denied this and tells us that it wasn’t complying with China’s stringent legal requirements — it was a glitch. According to a statement by Weitz, an error caused “an incorrect results removal notification for some searches noted in the report” but that the results were unaltered outside of China. However, Redmond didn’t note whether or not the error had been fixed. We’ve included the full statement from Microsoft after the break.
[Image credit: Freddie boy/Flickr]
“We’ve conducted an investigation of the claims raised by Greatfire.org.
First, Bing does not apply China’s legal requirements to searches conducted outside of China. Due to an error in our system, we triggered an incorrect results removal notification for some searches noted in the report but the results themselves are and were unaltered outside of China.
Second, with regard to the freeweibo.com homepage being absent from Bing search results, our investigation indicates that at some time in the past the page was marked as inappropriate due to low quality or adult content. After review, we have determined the page is acceptable for inclusion in global search results.
Bing aims to provide a robust set of high-quality, relevant search results to our users. In doing so, Bing has extremely high standards that respect human rights, privacy and freedom of expression.
Microsoft is a signatory to the Global Network Initiative, which is an effort by a multi-stakeholder group of companies, civil society organizations (including human rights and press freedom groups), investors and academics to protect and advance freedom of expression and privacy on the Internet. As part of our commitment to GNI, Microsoft follows a strict set of internal procedures for how we respond to specific demands from governments requiring us to block access to content. We apply these principles carefully and thoughtfully to our Bing version for the People’s Republic of China.”
Filed under: Internet, Microsoft
Via: The Guardian
Source: Greatfire (Chinese)
Researchers develop smartglasses that help surgeons see cancerous cells
If you think cancer removal surgery is but a one-time procedure, you’d be wrong. Doctors don’t always cut out all affected tissues in one go, but a new pair of high-tech eyewear could help make that happen. The device, developed by a Washington University research team led by Samuel Achilefu, can make cancer cells perfectly visible to surgeons as they operate. It’s loaded with custom software that makes cancerous cells glow blue (due to a molecular imaging agent that gives it color) to anyone wearing the headset — surgeons can then clearly distinguish affected tissues from their healthy counterparts and excise them all. Achilefu and his colleagues are hoping the device eventually eliminates the need for follow-up surgeries.
A Washington U doctor used the technology for the first time on an actual surgery yesterday, February 10th, but it still needs to be tested and developed further before we can count it as a surefire weapon against the disease. If and when the medical eyewear becomes available, though, it will make a great companion to that smart knife that sniffs out cancer as you cut that’s already being used in the UK.
Via: Gizmodo
HTC M8 Render Created from All the Supposed Leaked Images
Past couple weeks, the HTC M8 has made a splash in the Android Community with all these supposed leaked images that have surfaced online. From shots showing us a dual-camera, to leaked screenshots that show us a polished Sense 6, it was only a matter of time before some crafty Photoshop artist created a render for the anticipated phone.
The render above showed up from an anonymous artist that Phone Arena got a hold of. He just posted the render giving us a good look at the HTC M8 sporting one of the wallpapers that was leaked out by evleaks. Looks rather pretty, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the actual press render ends up looking like this. Let us know what you think of it.
Source: Phone Arena
Two-thirds of Americans now have smartphones
The US has officially become a smartphone nation — at least, if you ask Nielsen. The research group’s latest Digital Consumer Report estimates that 65 percent of all Americans owned one of the devices in 2013. That’s a big step up from 44 percent in 2011, and smartphones are now more common than game consoles (46 percent) and digital cable (54 percent). Americans are also increasingly tech-laden, with an average of four devices per person; 29 percent of them have a tablet versus just 5 percent two years ago.
That shift toward mobile is affecting how many spend their free time. Americans spent an average of 34 hours per month using mobile apps and browsers in 2013; that’s more time than they spent online with their PCs, which chewed up 27 hours. Social networking use is declining on the desktop, too, while it’s surging in mobile. Smartphones aren’t as ubiquitous as TVs at this stage, but they’ve clearly taken hold of the public consciousness.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD, Mobile
Source: Nielsen (1), (2)
Canon updates high-end PowerShot lineup with $799 G1 X Mark II
Canon introduced its PowerShot G1 X at 2012′s CES, and two years later, the pricey high-end point-and-shoot is ready for an update. This year’s iteration, the G1 X Mark II, includes a 12.8-megapixel CMOS sensor, and like its predecessor, this new chip measures 1.5 inches diagonally, enabling some pretty spectacular images. There’s a 24-120mm f/2-3.9 zoom lens, so you can expect shallow depth of field throughout the maximum-aperture range, and sharp shots even in low light. It includes a 1.04M-dot 3-inch tilting touchscreen, a DIGIC 6 processor, 12,800 top ISO and 1080/60p MP4 video capture. Additionally, you can pair the Mark II with Canon’s companion apps via WiFi and NFC for remote shooting and wireless image transfers. There will also be an XGA electronic viewfinder accessory that mounts on the hot shoe, should you prefer an EVF. Pricing for that add-on is TBA, but expect the G1 X Mark II to hit stores in April for $800.
Sony debuts three superzooms and two compact Cyber-shots for CP+
Sony announced but one camera at CES, an entry-level mirrorless interchangeable-lens model called the Alpha 5000. With CP+ gearing up just outside Tokyo, however, it’s time to lift the point-and-shoot floodgates. There are three superzooms and two pocketable cams on the docket this year, in addition to the brilliant A6000. The HX400V and WX350 are arguably the most compelling offerings in each category, and they’re joined by alternatives that should appeal to a broad range of consumers — the H400, the H300 and the (relatively) petite W800. All but that last model include 3-inch LCDs (the W800′s display is 2.7 inches), but the similarities end there.
The HX400V ($500) features a 20.4-megapixel CMOS sensor, an f/2.8-6.3, 24-1200mm (50x) lens with OIS, a top sensitivity of ISO 12,800, a 10 fps burst mode, 1080p video and 4K still image output. There’s GPS, WiFi and NFC, a BIONZ X processor under the hood and a Multi Interface Shoe for connecting a variety of Sony add-ons. The H400 ($320), which shares a nearly identical model name, falls a bit short on the spec front. There’s a 20.1MP CCD sensor, an f/3.4-6.5, 24.5-1543mm (63x) lens with OIS, a 3200 top ISO, a 0.8 fps burst mode and 720p video capture. The H300 ($220), meanwhile, sports a 20.1-megapixel CCD sensor, an f/3-5.9, 25-875mm (35x) lens with OIS, a top ISO of 3200, a 0.8 fps burst mode and 720p video. That model runs on four AA batteries, while the other four are powered by Lithium-Ion cells.
Moving on to the compacts, the WX350 ($320) shares the BIONZ X processor of its larger sibling, the HX400V. There’s an 18.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, an f/3.5-6.5, 25-500mm (20x) G lens with OIS, a top sensitivity of ISO 12,800, a 10 fps burst mode, 1080p video capture and 4K still image output. It sports WiFi and NFC connectivity, and can fire off 470 shots on a single charge. Finally, if you’re on a very tight budget, the W800 ($80) covers the basics with a 20-megapixel CCD sensor, an f/3.2-6.4, 26-130mm (10x) lens, a top sensitivity of ISO 3200, a 1 fps burst mode and 720p video capture. You can pick up that model in March, along with the HX400V, H400 and WX350, while the H300 is expected in stores later this month.
Head 82 feet below the surface with Canon’s waterproof PowerShot D30
It’s a very busy CP+ for Canon. The camera maker has a handful of new models for the show, including one of the waterproof variety. The PowerShot D30, which replaces 2012′s D20, boosts the waterproof rating from 33 feet to 82 feet, making it a suitable choice for all but the deepest scuba dives. There’s a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, a DIGIC 5 processor and support for 1080/30p video. The 5x 28-140mm lens isn’t as fast as we’d like for dim underwater shoots, with an f/3.9-4.8 maximum aperture, but with the ISO bumped up a bit, it should perform decently. You can frame shots on the 3-inch 461k-dot LCD, which sports a sunlight mode for use in brighter conditions. The camera is shockproof and cold-resistant as well, and while there’s no WiFi on board, it does include GPS. The PowerShot D30 is expected in stores by mid-April with a $330 MSRP.
Canon PowerShot SX700 HS ships in March with 30x lens, WiFi, $350 price tag
In the market for a compact superzoom? Canon’s new PowerShot SX700 HS is definitely worth a look. This SX280 HS replacement includes a 16.1-megapixel CMOS sensor paired with a DIGIC 6 processor, an f3.2-6.9 25-750mm (30x) zoom lens and a 3-inch 922k-dot LCD. The camera’s small enough to tuck away in a jacket pocket, but it still includes a new extended hand grip on the front, making it comfortable to hold with the lens extended. It also supports 1080/60p video capture, and has WiFi and NFC on board, for remote app controls and wireless uploads to the web. Expect the SX700 to hit stores next month in black and red for $350.
Meet Canon’s latest budget PowerShots, a trio of ELPHs
Canon’s higher-end PowerShot cameras are certainly more compelling, but they’re also expensive. If you’re on a budget, you might want to settle for one of these ELPHs. Canon is introducing three new models this week, including the ELPH 150 IS, 140 IS and 135 — they’re priced at $150, $130 and $120, respectively. The latter duo replace the A2600 and A2500, while the 150 is a new addition to the lineup. That model includes a 20-megapixel CCD sensor, while the other two feature 16-megapixel CCDs. All three have DIGIC 4+ processors and 2.7-inch 230k-dot LCDs. They also shoot 720p video, which should certainly suffice for casual web use. The pricier two models include optical image stabilization — in fact, the 140 IS and 135 are identical, save for the 135′s lack of OIS. Those two include 8x optical zoom lenses, while the 150 IS packs a 10x zoom. All three cameras are scheduled to ship later this month.
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