Anti-porn British MP's website hacked, flooded with x-rated images

A British MP, who campaigned for getting Internet porn blocked, has had her website hacked and flooded with pornographic images.

Tory MP Claire Perry was one of the most vocal supporters of having Internet service providers having to block porn automatically.

But hackers went on to her website and flooded it with X-rated pictures, and Perry is now facing legal action after a Twitter spat about the incident.

According to the Daily Star, top political blogger Guido Fawkes ran the story but faced fury from Perry, who went on to accuse him of sponsoring the attack.

In response, Guido said he was merely highlighting the story, adding that he deliberately did not have any links to Perry's filthy website.

Asus FonePad 32GB voice calling tablet strikes India for Rs 17,999

An upgraded version of the Asus FonePadfeaturing a better processor and 32GB internal memory has shown up in India unofficially through an online retailer and is already available for purchase. The previously-released variant of the Asus gadget relied on a 1.2GHz Intel processor, but the slate in question boasts of a CPU clocking in a speed of 1.6GHz.

The new Asus FonePad even allows owners to expand its storage further by up to 32GB using a microSD card. A 7-inch capacitive LED-backlit IPS 10-point multi-touch screen dominates the front surface and works towards projecting visuals in 1280 x 800p resolution. And as it operates with the assistance of the Android Jelly Bean 4.1, the voice calling tab with a SIM card slot should have a responsive interface too.

Its Intel Atom Z2460 chipset is accompanied by PowerVR SGX540 graphics as well as 1GB of LPDDR2 RAM. The slate is compatible with 2G and 3G mobile network speeds and even has built-in Wi-Fi for internet access through hotspots. And what’s more, prospective customers will find dual cameras on the gadget as well. A 3MP snapper rests on the rear side, while a 1.2MP one is fitted on the front.

The slab has been pre-loaded with some Google mobile services and also keeps users entertained while on the move. It draws power from a 4270mAh lithium-polymer battery that can cough up the juice for talk time of around 32 hours and standby time of approximately 751 hours in between charges.

The 32GB FonePad can be purchased through Flipkart for a price of Rs 17,999.

Saavn launches Saavn Pro premium music service on Android

Saavn, the online music streaming service, has rolled out a paid subscription option, dubbed as Saavn Pro for its Android app. The updated app is now available for download from the Play Store.

The Saavn Pro service makes listening to online music ad-free and also allows users to make music available offline, which the company believes would be great for regions where data connectivity is spotty.

The service offers a 30-day free trial, after which users can subscribe to Saavn Pro for Rs. 220 per month directly through their Google account. The app renews automatically offering users 3GB of offline music storage on up to 5 devices. The company is also offering a Lite version especially for Indian consumers which is available for Rs. 110 per month, renewing automatically for 1GB of music storage with just one device.

The updated Saavn app for Android includes Saavn Pro service integration offering features like offline downloads, ad-free listening, sync over cellular data where users can opt to use Wi-Fi or a cellular data connection to cache music for offline listening and a pro-audio feature that gives users access to high quality music up to 320 kbps, which will be added to the app in the coming weeks.

Rishi Malhotra, president and co-founder of Saavn said, "Saavn Pro on Android is big for Saavn and Google, and marks the start of premium Android apps reaching scale in India. At the end of the day, the music labels are the biggest winners - we're recapturing lost revenue in a heavily-pirated market. Global consumers are telling us they value an ad-free music listening experience, and we are delivering the best mobile experience today."

Saavn had earlier launched the Saavn Pro service for users of its iOS app a few months back.

Another music streaming service, Gaana.com had also introduced a premium subscription based version of its service, Gaana+ to the Android platform, a few months back. The Gaana+ service comes with a 15 day free trial after which users need to pay a monthly subscription fee of $2.99 (or Rs. 170.13) if located in India or $3.99 if outside India.

Google discloses it paid $966 million for Waze

Google says it paid $966 million to buy online mapping serviceWaze, six weeks after closing the deal.

The Internet search leader spelled out the purchase price in regulatory documents filed Thursday. Google Inc. withheld the price last month when it announced the acquisition of the Israel-based startup. The Associated Press and other media outlets had previously pegged the purchase price at $1 billion, based on information from people familiar with the negotiations who didn't want to be named.

Google also bought seven other smaller companies for a total of $53 million during the three months in June. That calculation is based on information that Google disclosed in Thursday's document as well as a quarterly report filed in April.

Intex Cloud X3 smartphone with dual core processor launched for Rs. 3,790

Intex Technologies has launched an entry level smartphone, the Cloud X3 in India for Rs. 3,790.

The Intex Cloud X3 features a 3.5-inch display and boasts of MiraVision technology. The device is powered by a 1GHz dual core MediaTek MT6572 processor coupled with 256MB RAM. It has a 2-megapixel rear camera and a VGA front facing camera. The Intex Cloud X3 runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

It comes with 115MB of internal memory that is expandable up to 32GB through microSD card.

Other key features include dual-SIM functionality with GSM+GSM support, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, gravity sensors, video recorder, audio recorder, motion sensors, and GPS. The Intex Cloud X3 comes with a 1450mAh battery that the company claims can give 6 hours of talktime and 200 hours of standby time.

The handset has been launched in two colours, White and Black.

Commenting on the launch Sanjay Kumar Kalirona, GM-Mobility Division, Intex Technologies Ltd said, "The feature phone market in India has matured and there is a subsequent growth in the smartphone category. Building on this burgeoning market, Intex offers its latest smartphone Cloud X3 that is especially designed to meet the need of entry level users who would like to migrate to a more sophisticated mobile experience".

Intex claims that it is targeting a revenue growth of more than 400 percent this fiscal from the mobile vertical with smartphones being the driver. The company also plans to extend the entry level Smartphone range to 10 models by September 2013.

The Intex Cloud X3 comes with an all new MediaTek MT6572 processor. Dr. Finbarr Moynihan, General Manager - Business Development, MediaTek Inc said, "MediaTek continues to drive the democratization of smartphones by re-defining the entry level segment, moving the baseline to dual-core processing with the MT6572. This new dual-core chipset, designed to offer excellent performance to end users, integrates a power-efficient dual-core Cortex-A7 CPU sub-system with speeds up to 1.3GHz in the leading 28nm process technology."

Mobiles launched in July 2013

Intex Cloud X3 key specifications

• 3.5-inch display
• 1 GHz dual core MediaTek MT6572 processor
• 256MB RAM
• 115MB internal memory, expandable by up to 32GB via microSD card
• 2-megapixel rear camera
• VGA front facing camera
• Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
• 1,450mAh battery
• Dual SIM (GSM+GSM)

Apple warns Chinese to use approved chargers only

After a pair of iPhone-related electrocutions in China allegedly caused by unauthorized third-party chargers, Apple has added a section to its Chinese website helping users identify official iOS device chargers.

The page offers a look at official charger designs for the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad mini, iPad with Retina display, and iPad 2. It was first noted on Thursday by CNet.

The website notes that Apple "always" puts the safety of its users first, and that products are "subject to stringent safety and reliability testing." The official chargers that come packaged with new iPhones and iPads are also designed to meet government safety standards from around the world.

The site comes after a pair of dangerous charger-related incidents occurred in China this month. In the more serious example, a woman died while using an iPhone 5 that was plugged into the wall to charge with a non-Apple adapter.

In the second incident, a man ended up in a coma after he was accidentally electrocuted using a third-party charger with his iPhone 4. It was said that the man was using a "counterfeit" adapter.

Rockstar slashes Grand Theft Auto and Max Payne prices for Android & iOS

If you were the type of kid that loved video games (we sure did!), then the name Rockstar should ring some serious bells with you. A little over a decade ago, the aforementioned video game developer bought into a franchise called Grand Theft Auto, and under its touch turned it into one of the most successful gamefranchises in video game history.

The transition from 2D to 3D changed everything for GTA and its fans, and it is one of the most loved series out there, even today. That is why when the game first came to mobile devices there was a palpable excitement in the air – the cornerstone of the genre was ported into your pocket. With this in mind, we didn't think twice about informing you ASAP that as of today, several versions of Rockstar's GTA have gone on sale, along with another hit – Max Payne. You have until the end of the month (July 30) to get your hands on these classics at a reduced price:

• Grand Theft Auto III — $4.99 → $2.99 
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City — $4.99 → $2.99 
• Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars — $4.99 → $2.99 
• Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars HD — $4.99 → $2.99 
• Max Payne Mobile — $2.99 → $1.99 

source: Rockstar via Cult of Android

Apple gets a patent to improve battery life by tracking everything

At this year's WWDC, Apple made it clear that battery life was the number one priority for its new software updates this year. It spent quite a while detailing the ways both MacOS and iOS are going to reorganize how actions are performed in order to improve your battery life. Now, Apple has been granted a patent to improve battery life by tracking everything you do.

The new patent, named simply "Power Management for Electronic Devices", proposes methods where Apple would essentially learn your daily habits. It would take your daily location data and learn when you commute, or when you are usually on the road or away from home. By aggregating that data, Apple would be able to estimate how long it would be until you are able to recharge your device, and take necessary measures to ensure your battery lasts until you can charge it again. 

Of course, this is a very reductive explanation of the patent, which is far more specific about how it tracks you, how it stores data, how it will change settings to improve battery life, and how all of these settings are altered based on when the device is plugged in or unplugged. Overall, it sounds like a good way to help improve battery life, but as with most patents granted by the USPTO, it seems more like a logical conclusionthan a true creation. But, by now we can't be too surprised when the USPTO does something like this.

source: USPTO via TechRadar

Everything you want to know about Ubuntu Edge answered by Canonical founder

Reddit's Ask Me Anything (AMA) events have been pretty amazing ways to find out information on topics that you care about; and right now, Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth is holding an AMA about the Ubuntu Edge. So, if you have a question for him, just head over to Reddit and ask. 

The AMA started just over an hour ago, and already Shuttleworth has said that the Ubuntu Edge will be "an annual process by which theprevious generation backers get to vote on the spec for the next generation of Edge." Ultimately, Shuttleworth says that "the real idea we're trying to express is that a community can make better decisions than a single person." Additionally, Canonical will be looking into using "all-open hardware" in future generations of Edge, and is hoping to be able to crowd-source the design of the Ubuntu Edge in 2015.

Canonical will be releasing the physical dimensions as soon as they are final so users can 3D print accessories. And, there has been work put into dealing with heat issues in such a powerful device that would double as a desktop computer. The key, according to Shuttleworth, is to provide "all-out for performance to get over the convergence hump - i.e. deliver a device that gives a good enoughdesktop experience when you hook it up via HDMI and a bluetooth keyboard", but not have the device be too hot when in your hand or pocket. 

On the subject of battery life, Shuttleworth dropped the extremely interesting idea that Canonical wants to "blaze a trail with silicon anode batteries." Silicon anode batteries use silicon nanowires to build a battery that has been said can last about 40% longer than current batteries, and survive as many as 4x as many recharge cycles.

On carrier customizations, Shuttleworth says Canonical has proposed that carriers/manufacturers are responsible for hardware drivers, Canonical is responsible for software updates, and there is a customization layer (which Pat McGowan explained for us) which would allow for customization of content on the device and themes, but not customization of the core OS. 

Shuttleworth has confirmed that the first generation Ubuntu Edge will not include wireless chargingbecause the team decided it would make the device too thick. However, future generations of the Edge will likely include wireless charging options.

On the question of why an iOS user might want to purchase an Ubuntu device, Shuttleworth answered:

If you're interested in convergence between phone and PC, we'll do that first and imo best. If you're interested in accelerating the movement of new tech into the mainstream, the Edge is a very interesting new way to signal to Appe what you consider cool in hardware (and software).

Shuttleworth has confirmed that Ubuntu Edge will feature unlocked LTE that will support LTE in both US and Europe, but because "the spectrum is just too fragmented at the moment", so it won't be able to have worldwide LTE support.

Canonical is working with game developers to bring top notch games to mobile and desktop (which of course will be the same with the Edge), and Shuttleworth is excited for the potential of gaming. Of course, many people have been excited for the "potential" of gaming on Linux for a long time. More and more games are coming to Ubuntu, but the ecosystem is still nowhere near as impressive as Windows, or even Mac. 

There was even a bit of a tease that Canonical may be working on its own wearable devices, when Shuttleworth said, "What better way to prototype wearables than with a mobile PC to power them?" We won't say this is an admission that there is an Ubuntu wearable in the works, but knowing the team at Canonical, we're sure that the idea has been bounced around, at the very least.

Conclusion

There is a lot more information in the AMA, but we're pretty sure we caught all of the highlights. As usual, the aims of Shuttleworth and Canonical are sky high. We had known that the team was working on converging mobile and traditional desktop devices, but the ideas behind completely crowd-sourcing the process of designing and building devices is incredibly interesting. 

There is still a fairly long way to go in the Ubuntu Edge funding, but it has managed to raise over $6 million so far. That is less than 20% of the final goal of $32 million, but it has only been 3 days, and there is another 28 days to go in the campaign. The Canonical team obviously are looking for ways to keep interest in the project high including this AMA and in adding more funding tiers, so we wouldn't be surprised if the goal is reached. And, if it is, that will go a long way to keeping alive Shuttleworth's idea to make this an annual project with the Ubuntu Edge handsets.

source: Mark Shuttleworth Reddit AMA & Ubuntu Edge Indiegogo

Video shows off Samsung Galaxy S4's Air Call Accept for almost any Android model

One of the cool features available on the Samsung Galaxy S4 is the Air Call Accept feature. With this feature, a call can be answered without the user of the phone touching the handset. To answer a call, the owner of the device merely swipes his hand over the infrared sensor that is next to the earpiece speaker, and the phone will respond appropriately.

Now, you don't have to own a Samsung Galaxy S4 to use Air Call Accept. A free app from the Google Play Store will let you wave your hand over the proximity sensor on your Android phone and have the phone respond exactly how the Galaxy S4 does. There is both a paid version of the app along with the free one. The paid version of the app gives you the option to ignore a call, turn on the speakerphone automatically when you answer the phone, and send an email when you reject a call.

The app is available from the Google Play Store for those sporting an Android powered handset running Android 1.6 or higher, and with a proximity sensor. Now most Android users will be able to answer their phone when it rings, no matter how dirty, greasy or wet their hands are.



source: AirCallAccept via RedmondPie

Samsung Galaxy Note III leaks out again: 5.7" screen, 3GB RAM, Android 4.3

The Samsung Galaxy Note III will feature a 5.7-inch display, 3GB of RAM and the latest Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, according to the latest leaks coming from Korea’s Business Daily.

The alleged Galaxy Note III spec sheet has surfaced and it shows the device will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chip and support the latest 4G LTE-A standard, allowing twice the speed of traditional LTE.

Most importantly, the G Note III is once again said to come with a 5.7-inch display, and not the 6-inch one we’ve initially heard about from rumors.

Design-wise, there seems to be a metal ring encircling the third-gen phablet, adding a more premium feel to it. Samsung is expected to officially announce the Galaxy Note III at its IFA event in Berlin on September 4th.

Sony i1 Honami poses for the camera along the Xperia Z

On Monday we managed to get our hands on some exclusive pictures of the Sony Xperia i1 ‘Honami‘ Android-running smartphone and they were some very revealing shots which showed just what the incoming handset will look like. Well today we have got a few more snaps for you as we take a look at the camera interface to the handset.

As the images show, Sony will be keeping much of the design aspects of the Xperia Z in the new handset with the two devices sharing the large glass screen with straight-edged design. The handsets stack up pretty similar to each other in size but the Honami is slightly longer than its sibling handset.

The shots also reveal some info on the much talked about 20 megapixel camera and the interface it uses. Still we haven’t been able to confirm if the camera is the rumoured 20 megapixel beast but the interface of the i1 does show some big changes.

First up is the picture mode selection screen which has features such as Superior Auto and Manual, which have featured on other Sony models. Timeshift burst is also detailed in an images, which looks like a feature which will be taking on BlackBerry’s TimeShift feature from BlackBerry 10.

 

Picture effect adds a host of filters and effects to an image and can be seen in an inventive selection screen.

But the most interesting of the features looks to be the AR Effect feature, which by the look of the images seems to superimpose an Augmented Reality situation onto your images – in this case a brilliant looking dinosaur-filled pre-historic landscape is overlaid on the viewfinder.

Other modes detailed but not captured include Social Live, which we’re told allows you to “Broadcast live video to Facebook”, Info-Eye which is apparently a Nokia LiveSight type of feature where you can use you camera and to see more information about your surroundings, and finally Sweep Panorama mode which is fairly self explanatory.

The Honami is still a way off being confirmed and the information we’ve garnered from the images is likely to change before the phone finally launches.

Apple now has no choice but to release a 'Retina' iPad mini ASAP

Google’s release of the Nexus 7 for just $229 was not a surprise. Nor was its unmatched 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution putting the affordable 7-inch Google tablet in ‘Retina’ territory. Rumors gave it all away much earlier, but even without them everyone just expected the low price from Google’s second-generation Nexus 7 - it had to have it in order to be part of that family.

What would be a shocking surprise now, however, is if Apple releases its second generation iPad mini with the same 1024 x 768 pixel resolution. Cupertino has already witnessed a dramatic drop in iPad sales this last quarter, and - priced higher starting from $329 - a non-Retina iPad mini 2 is destined to fail.

With the Nexus 7, Google has made another important move, though. If previously Apple could maneuver and claim it’s got an ultra thin and elegant device unlike the competition, the new Nexus 7 straps it off even this little advantage as the second-gen Google tablet is both very slim and lightweight.

Even the last huge advantage Apple had no longer seems that big. Cupertino took pride in having the largest app store, but Google has just outgrown it and managed to be the first company to accumulateover 1 million apps in its catalog. On that background, the 275 000 tablet optimized apps on Apple’s catalog no longer look so impressive.

Stack it all together and here is a prediction from us - we simply cannot imagine Apple releasing a non-Retina iPad mini. Not just that, though. The 2013 Nexus 7 renders the iPad mini obsolete and virtually forces Apple to release a competitive product as soon as possible. Until then, iPad mini sales will likely continue sliding. Apple better hurry.

The new 2013 Nexus 7 is the first small tablet with a 'Retina' display.

New Super Smash Bros. Will Feature Customization, No Story Mode

In his column in Famitsu magazine, translated by Kotaku, Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai revealed the next game in the series won’t have a story mode to speak of and will feature new customization options.

The last titles in the fighting game series, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, featured a story mode called Subspace Emissary that incorporated all of the game’s characters, complete with story cutscenes between battles. The new Super Smash Bros. won’t have such a mode, however, because of the Internet.

It disappointed Sakurai that gamers put the cutscenes of the Subspace Emissary story on YouTube and other sites so others can view them without playing through the game. To Sakurai that made the cutscenes less special and less of a reward, so the next game in the series simply won’t have them.

Instead of the story cutscenes, Sakurai and his team want to create videos that benefit from sharing such as the introduction videos for new characters like Mega Man, Animal Crossing Villager and Wii Fit Trainer. He wants to create similar videos for all upcoming new characters, which could mean a number of exciting new videos in the future.

Despite the lack of a story mode, Sakurai said Super Smash Bros. for 3DS will have a feature that will “act as a separate mode from the standard versus play.” Presumably the mode will play to the portable nature of the system. There is no mention of a similar feature on the Wii U version.

The series creator also reiterated that both versions of the game will have stages unique to their system. The 3DS game will have arenas based on portable games, while the Wii U version will have stages based on home console games. For example, the 3DS version will have a Zelda stage inspired by Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, while the Wii U version may have a Skyward Sword-themed arena instead.

Finally, Sakurai said players will be able to customize characters in their games, and that customization will affect character performance. How that works, however, is unclear. In Smash Bros. Brawl players could use stickers for boosted performance in the story mode, but not in versus mode. This customization could be similarly tied to single-player modes only.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS will come to their respective consoles sometime in 2014, which is entirely too long a wait.

New Trailer Shows Battlefield 4 Battelog and Second Screen Abilities

EA, and developer DICE, want to make smartphones and tablets integral to the Battlefield 4 experience, both during the game and on the go.

A new trailer for the upcoming Battlefield 4 shows the new Battlelog app for iOS (and presumably Android) that will show players game information no matter where they are. The app can give players information about their game state, or their friend’s stats, even when they’re not playing the game.

With the app players can also prepare the game for the next time they play. For example, players can study their stats and customize a loadout for the next time they boot up the game so they can get some more experience with a certain weapon.

The app also includes a server browser so gamers can see what servers their friends are on, or just find a server they want to join when they start up the game.

When they’re inside the game gamers can use the Battlefield 4 Battlelog app to change their load outs in between spawns or easily switch servers without going through clunky menus on the game itself. Tablets can even double as a mini-map for the game, giving players a larger, more detailed overview of the battle. In mini-map mode players can set waypoints and signify objectives on their tablet with just a few taps so their team can see where to go next.

Battlefield 4 will come to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC on October 29. The game will also come to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One when those consoles launch. The next generation version of the game will feature enhanced graphics and the ability to play with more players online in a single match.

The military shooter is just one of many games coming to next generation consoles to feature unique second screen experiences. Upcoming games like The Division and Need For Speed: Rivalswill also have smartphone and tablet apps that will let players interact with the game when away from their console.

iPhone 6 Concept That Will Blow Your Mind

Excitement for the iPhone 6 is growing and a new iPhone 6 concept steals from a Samsung innovation to deliver an iPhone that’s also capable of unfolding into much more.

Apple is reportedly working on an iPhone 6 for 2014 that comes with a larger screen, possibly jumping up to 4.8-inches in size according to one report.

An iPhone 6 with a bigger screen wouldn’t really matter if this iPhone 6 concept came to life as it could unfold to deliver a bigger screen whenever you needed it and fold back up to the small iPhone size many users know and love.

Check out the iPhone 6 concept animation below which shows an iPhone 6 that unfolds to deliver a larger screen.

Designer Pritesh Chavan delivers a stunning iPhone 6 concept on Yanko Designs that combines three devices into one.

This foldable iPhone 6 concept may look impossible, but companies are hard at work on a flexible and foldable display. In 2013 we’ve seen many advances in the field, and several companies continue to plan for a flexible display in 2014. While it may be early to see a completely foldable display like this, not to mention incredibly expensive, the result is no less impressive.

A foldable iPhone 6 concept offers three screen sizes.

The images above and below show the iPhone 6 concept with a 4.2-inch display, folding open to a 5.7-inch display and once again into a 7.5-inch display, filling the needs for multiple devices in one.

An iPhone 6 that folds out into an iPad sounds crazy, but companies are working on this technology.

With this design we see one camera that handles taking photos and also swivels around to perform video call duties, saving space inside the device. Full edge speakers allow for good sound no matter which mode the user is currently using.

Side mounted dual speakers on this iPhone 6 concept.

Unlike many iPhone 6 concepts, and concepts in general Chavan provides a look inside the iPhone 6 to show how this foldable iPhone 6 concept could be made. The image below shows flexible components which aren’t on the market yet, but that companies are working on.

Breakout showing how the iPhone 6 concept could look inside.

We’ve heard about graphene before as a possible new source of battery technology which could allow for flexible batteries that charge super-fast. This same technology could also help batteries last as much as 10 times longer.

An Apple job posting from early 2013 showed the company looking for someone with experience in flexible display technology. Samsung showed off a collection of foldable and flexible displays at CES 2013. The YOUM line shown in the video below doesn’t fold, but nearly three minutes in we get a look at a Samsung concept that looks similar to this iPhone 6 concept.

Samsung and Apple are reportedly making up after a lawsuit ruined the relationship in 2012. While Samsung is likely to build YOUM into their devices first, Samsung Display’s demo offers a hint at what major companies are planning.