Windows 8 Consumer Preview crosses 1 million downloads in 24 hours

There definitely seems to be a lot of interest in Microsoft’s next major operating system, with the Redmond giant reporting that the Windows 8 Consumer Preview had already been downloaded over a 1 million times, in the first 24 hours.

Released on Leap Day, the Windows 8 Consumer Preview has so far been well received by the industry, with the Metro-style UI seeming right for touch-based devices. With an ARM version also due, and wide compatibility expected, the new PC and tablet platform will certainly broaden Microsoft’s ecosystem, along with Windows Phone 8.

Apple is walking a similar path, with a convergence of mobile and desktop devices, not just in the cloud, evident in Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and previous iterations. Google, with its extremely popular (for smartphones) Android operating system, is still railing against Apple on the tablet front, despite wide vendor support - something its Chrome OS, does not have on the PC front.

Before we get started on the merits of each interface and breadth of ecosystems, we can be happy to note the consumer will have a lot of choice in the tablet and PC market in the near future, where intuitive interfaces, convergent devices, and always-on connectivity are the norm.

You can download the Windows 8 Consumer Preview from hero. Do let us know what you think about the future of Windows, in the comments section below:

Canon EOS 5D Mark III - the new kid on the full-frame HD DSLR block

Canon has finally announced the EOS 5D Mark III, its highly awaited upgrade to the popular 5D Mark II. Sporting a new 22.3MP full frame CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 5+ imaging processor, the 5D Mark III borrows some features from the 7D and the newer 1DX.

In terms of ergonomics it resembles the EOS 7D, with much better weather sealing according to Canon. The features borrowed from the big brother - EOS 1 DX - include the DIGIC 5+ image processor, 61-point AF and ability to customise the goupings of the AF points, similar menu system among others. It uses gapless micro lens design to improve the amount of light that can be captured by the photodiodes. Dual four-channel readouts will ensure faster data readout allowing you to shoot upto 6 frames per second in burst mode with the DSLR, which is 2fps over the 5D Mark II.

One of the most impressive features of the 5D Mark II was its HD video capabilities. The 5D Mark III builds up on that giving you many video resolutions to choose from - 1080p at 24, 25 and 30 fps and 720p at 24,25,30 and 60 fps. This is way better for HD video enthusiasts, than just the 1080p at 30 fps that was offered by 5D Mark II. Another annoying aspect of the 5D Mark II was the lack of a dedicated headphone jack, to monitor what was being recorded. The 5D Mark III fixes that with a dedicated stereo headphone jack.

It builds up on the Intelligent Viewfinder, seen in the 7D, offering 100 percent field of view and on-demand grid display. The 5D Mark III supports a CF and SD card slot allowing you to record images based on the quality (RAW/JPEG) on either card. A three-shot in-camera HDR feature is also present, giving you the option to also store individual images and adding effects.

It is expected to go on sale at the end of March in the US at a price of $3,499 body-only.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III – Key features:

• 22.3MP full-frame sensor
• 61-point autofocus
• Up to 6fps continuous shooting
• Native ISO 100-25,600 sensitivity
• Full HD video with manual control
• 14-bit DIGIC 5+ processor
• Enhanced Weather sealing
• 8.11cm (3.2-inch) 1,040,000-dot screen
• HDR mode with presets

Click to enlarge

Reports claim Apple to start production of 7.85-inch iPad in Q3 2012

There have been rumours about Apple launching a smaller iPad, for quite some time with the size expected to be either 7 or 8 inches. Reports state that the brand is preparing to launch a smaller iteration of their tablet to battle the increasing competition from other slates, such as the Kindle Fire. As per a recent report by Digitimes, the website has added a little more fuel to the this fire by claiming that industry sources have informed them that the production of a 7.85-inch iPad is scheduled to begin by the third quarter of 2012.

iPad may come in a smaller form factor

The website states, “The planned launch of the 7.85-inch iPad is apparently to take on Amazon's US $199 7-inch Kindle Fire as well as a comparable model from Barnes & Noble, although Apple already took up nearly a 60% share of the tablet PC market in 2011, indicated the sources. The price of the 7.85-inch iPad is likely to be set at US$249-299, since Apple is also expected to release an 8GB iPad 2 for US$349-399, and has lowered the price of the 16GB iPad 2 to US$449, the sources noted.” 

With the launch of the iPad 3 being just round the corner, further details of what to expect has been revealed by sources of digitimes. The website states that there will be just two versions of the iPad 3 - the 16GB and 32GB version. There is no mention of a 64GB model or a 128GB version. These two models - 16GB and 32GB are expected to be launched as Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi with 3G models. This keeps it in line with the previous generations of iPads. Sources have informed Digitimes, “In addition to iPad 3, Apple is also expected to unveil an 8GB iPad 2, allowing the tablet PC series to cover different segments and to defend against Windows 8-based tablet PCs. Since Apple has put high hopes on its new iPad 3 and has been aggressively placing orders, iPad 3 shipments in the first quarter of 2012 are expected to double from original estimates.”

Let us know your reactions to Apple possibly launching a smaller iPad as well as the introduction of an 8GB iPad in the comments section below.

TomTom to power HTC Locations app for HTC smartphones in India

TomTom, a Dutch navigation equipment manufacturer and service provider, announced today it will be providing maps, with points of interest and turn-by-turn directions, for HTC smartphones in India.

This will be TOMTOM's first entry into the Indian market, and will enable HTC to provide its users with navigation services, via its HTC Locations app.

The Dutch navigation company will be looking to partake of the rapidly growing Indian smartphone market, which is expected to triple in size in the next two years. Speaking on the partnership, Faisal Siddiqui, HTC Country Manager, said:

“India is not only a key market for HTC, but also one of the largest countries with the second largest population in the world. We believe TomTom is the ideal partner to provide the most current map data that will enable Indian consumers to use their HTC smartphones to navigate accurately and effortlessly.”

“We are excited to expand our global offerings by powering the map services for all HTC smartphones in India. This is our first major partnership in India, and we look forward to providing HTC and its customers with the most comprehensive and easy to use maps and navigation services.”

ATab tablet for Rs. 5,000 to be available from this month

Looks like the low cost, affordable tablet segment in the country will have to make some more place, as the market continues to get populated with more entrants - some known, others new. Now, AcrossWorld Education, the global SaaS company have introduced ATab to the Indian market, in partnership with Delhi-based Go-Tech, with an aim to get quality educational content to the schools and colleges in the country. The ATab is an Android tablet, sporting a 7-inch, advanced touchscreen display and will cost Rs. 5,000. The ATab will be available in India from the second week of March. Some other features of the ATab include, 1.1 GHz processor, 512 MB RAM, 2GB inbuilt memory expandable up to 16 GB, Wi-Fi and an external 3G USB Dongle.

ATab tablet in India

Now for the best part. In its feature list, the ATab mentions that it comes with Education Bridge, which essentially is a "revolutionary education technology platform" by one of its makers, AcrossWorld Education. Those buying the ATab tablet will receive a three-year free and unlimited access to Education Bridge. The tool, according to the official statement "allows academic institutions, teachers and students to use a variety of content elements including Open Content, Open Educational Resources, Legacy Content and proprietary content sources to connect, collaborate, and innovate. It also includes professional services for deployment and training schools and colleges on using EducationBridgeTM to leverage premium global educational content."

Interestingly, several schools and colleges based across cities, like Delhi, Kanpur, Allahabad, Rourkela and Gaujarala have expressed their keen interest on the yet-to-be-released ATab. The following schools have already tied-up with AcrossWorld Education - Carmel Public School, Gaujrala; Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Institute of Technology, Rourkela; Shikhar Shishu Sadan Convent School, Dhampur; and, Gandhinagar Public School, Moradabad.

In his statement, Dr. Stephan Thieringer, President and CEO of AcrossWorld stated, “Open Source is the future of education. With the availability of ATab, Indian schools will be able to discover and leverage world-class educational content at their fingertips at the K-12 level itself as well as at the college and University level. It is very timely and appropriate that India schools and colleges alike seriously explore advanced technology solutions that provide instant access to the world’s best educational resources , especially now within an affordable budget.”

In its initial launch phase, roughly 10,000 units of the ATab tablet will be introduced to the market; and this number will be taken higher, gradually. Enthusiasts in India should expect the tablets to surface around the second week of this month. The tablets, according to the official statement will come in several colours to appeal to the youth. 

Asus launches Eee Pad Transformer Prime in India, at Rs. 49,999

Asus Technology has announced the launch of the Eee Pad Transformer Prime tablet in India, priced at Rs. 49,999.

This is the first tablet to arrive in India with NVIDIATegra 3 quad core processor. The processor clocks at 1.3 GHz and is paired with 1GB of RAM.

Just like its predecessor, the Eee Pad Transformer TF101 (read our review), the Transformer Prime has a 10.1-inch display, but this one is the WXGA type (1280x800 pixels) and 64GB internal storage. Asus is also offering 8GB cloud storage with this tablet, with lifetime validity. The Eee Pad Transformer also has a microSD card slot on the tablet. Attach the dock and there is the USB port and the SD card reader added to the package. This is the Wi-Fi only version that is being launched in India.

What immediately catches your attention is the 8.3mm thickness, which is lesser than the Apple Ipad 2 (8.8mm) and the Samsung Galaxy Pad (8.6mm).

Asus claims that the tablet offers 12 hours of battery life, and the additional battery pack in the dock adds another 6 hours of usage time. The tablet comes with Android 3.2 out of the box, but will be upgraded to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) over the next couple of months.

Sony Bravia HX925

Samsung, without a shadow of doubt, took the lead as far as the LED TV market is concerned. But Sony worked hard over the last one year, and we are sure about that because what we are witnessing here is a product that is just brilliant. Well, almost!

Look & Feel
Sony still hasn’t gotten the entire LED experience on track. Not as far as getting the slimness of the TV goes. The Bravia HX92 is 38mm thick, and we are only looking at the panel’s thickness and including the stand in the calculation. In contrast, the Samsung 7000 series LED is 30mm thick. Not that it really makes a huge difference, but clearly we know who has the bragging rights.

There are no ports on the side, since there is not enough width at all. But you will get 4 HDMI and 2 USB on the rear panel. The Bravia HX925 has a wide range of web functionality, and that is helped immensely along the way with the integrated Wi-Fi feature.

However, the real visual punch is at the front. When the TV is turned off, the display blends in very well with the bezel, and while it is not that, it almost looks like an edge-to-edge display. Switch it on, and the SONY logo under the display is illuminated in a pale white colour. Compare this with the looks of the Samsung 7000 Series LED, and it has a very slim bezel itself, which gives it an edge-to-edgeaura even when switched on.

The build quality is absolutely faultless, at first look. However, dig deeper and there are a lot of faults.For the cleanliness freaks amongst us, the headache will be the extremely glossy finish to the entire panel. It will gather a lot of dust, and even the slightest of scratches caused when wiping the dust off will be clearly visible. Secondly, a nudge, even by mistake, and the entire panel rocks backwards and forwards quite scarily, even though it is properly sitting on the table stand. We suggest wall mounting this if possible, since there is a huge risk of it getting nudged accidentally in a home environment.

We would also like to specify that what you get as standard with the TV is the basic table stand, just like any flat panel television. The eye catching Bunchin Stand with the built-in 2.1 channel speaker system will cost about Rs 14000 extra. And as far as basic stands go, the four-legged chrome stand that comes with the Samsung 7000 series LED looks different.

Price: 153000