Twitter launches new photo filters for its Android and iOS apps

The social network for photographs has been a huge hit since its launch. While Twitter was vying to acquire it in the past however the much prominent Facebook beat Twitter at acquiring Instagram which would have been a perfect blend with Twitter’s photo Tweets feature.

To cope up with this Twitter just recently launched its own photo editing and filtering app for its iOS and Android apps. It operates very similar to Instagram and allows users to do basic editing like cropping and auto-enhancement. Users can then choose a bunch of filters to be applied over these images before you Tweet them.

Every filter has its live preview and Twitter has partnered with Aviary for the filters and effects available with this update.

This new update will be a strong competitor to Instagram as it blends quite well with what Twitter already has to offer. Also, Instagram recently withdrew support for Twitter and it is hence likely to become one of the key features of the micro-blogging/social networking platform.

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Sony release portable charging pack

Sony has released a couple of battery-packs that can charge two devices simultaneously through USB ports. The CP-F1L has 3,500mAh batteries with 1.5 ampere output; whereas the CP-F2L has twice the capacity at 7,000mAh. The pack itself can be charged by directly plugging into a power socket, or through USB. While being recharged using an AC adaptor, these packs can also charge other devices simultaneously. Both models have Li-ion polymer batteries that are rated to be recharged 500 times. The USB Portable Power Supply CP-F1L and CP-F2L is priced at Rs. 3,000 and Rs.5,500, respectively.

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Epson release two 3D projectors

Epson has released two 3D projectors called EH-TW6100 and EH-TW8100 that are both capable of 1080p projection. These projectors have 480Hz refresh rate, which Epson claims is double that of any other 3D projectors. The one feature that sets TW-8100 apart from the TW-6100, is that it has lens shifting capability that optically corrects offset if the screen is not in line with the projector. The Epson TW-8100 costs Rs. 170,099, and the TW-6100 costs Rs. 130,099.

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Panasonic release Android tablet and Windows 8 Ultrabook

Panasonic has made a couple of addition in its ruggedized series of mobile computing devices that boast of protection from intruders and physical stress. The Toughpad FZ-A1 is an Android 4.0 tablet with a 10.1-inch matte screen with anti-reflection screen, Intel dual-core processor, and designed to resist drops, dust, and water. Panasonic has begun shipping the Toughpad FZ-A1 with a price-tag of Rs. 75,000.

In February, Panasonic will begin shipping the CF-AX2 Ultrabook that will run Windows 8, with a flip-over design to switch between tablet and laptop modes. Panasonic has divulged much about the guts of machines, other than highlighting that it will support hot-swapping of batteries. However, judging by existing models in its class, the CF-AX2 is likely to have an Intel processor, and a 12-inch screen. When it ships, the CF-AX2 will cost Rs. 130,000.

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LG Optimus G2 will feature a 5.5-inch 1080p display

The 5-inch club in smartphone is booming and it might be due to the success of the Galaxy Note series from Samsung. HTC recently launched its very first 5-inch Android smartphone which is known as the HTC Butterfly internationally.

Many reports suggest that 2013 flagship smartphones from other manufacturers will have quite similar specs to the HTC Butterfly and primarily all flagship devices in 2013 will feature a 1080p full HD display.

Korean website, Asian Economics reported about LG’s 2013 flagship smartphone which might be called the LG Optimus G2 and it seems that this smartphone will feature a 5.5-inch 1080p full HD display. It also reports that this device will have a 400 ppi pixel density which slightly less than the 441 ppi pixel density on the HTC Butterfly.

Other specifications of this device are not yet known and it device is expected to arrive in the markets sometime in the first half of 2013, which probably means that we might get a closer look at the smartphone during Mobile World Congress later in February 2013.

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HTC M7 could be the company’s 2013 flagship, will sport a 5-inch HD display

It has not been long since the launch of HTC’s 5-inch Droid DNA which just recently got its international version called HTC Butterfly. Now rumors have started emerging around the company’s 2013 flagship smartphone, which is codenamed HTC M7.

This device is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2013 and its details at the moment are quite sketchy. Sources state that HTC is currently working with casing and semiconductor suppliers to acquire components for this device to produce as many as 5 million units of the HTC M7 in time for Q1 2013.

It is obvious that it will be an Android based smartphone and apart from this the reports suggest that will it will feature a 5-inch 1080p HD display, a unibody aluminum design, a 13 megapixel camera and it will be powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064).

It is uncertain as to when will this device arrive in the market or even when it will be showcased to the public. If the rumored launch dates are to be believed then the HTC M7 is highly likely to make an appearance at CES 2013.

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Microsoft innovation centers to impact 500,000 Indian students

Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd. has launched the first of a planned 100 Microsoft Innovation Centers (MICs) that will impact the technology expertise of some 500,000 students. The Indian centres, which will be at full strength in two years, "will impact over 500,000 students, certifying 100,000 students on Microsoft technologies", a Microsoft statement said. "The program will also drive innovation and help build a product-based software economy by supporting product development, and over 500 start-ups.

"The MICs will act as innovation hubs at select colleges and technology institutes, providing incubation and expert hands-on support on Microsoft technology innovation, research, and software solutions, aiming to create a pool of student technology experts across India," the statement said. Each MIC will function as a hub for five other neighboring colleges and will operate in a hub-spoke model driving employability, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the academic ecosystem around it.

Fourteen MICs have initially been launched by signing MoUs with leading academic institutions across four states. They will be located in Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Khammam, Bapatla, Guntur, Tirupati, Raipur, Bhopal, Trichy, Vellore, Coimbatore, Madurai and Salem. This is part of a worldwide programme that currently has 75 MICs.

Commenting on the launch of MICs in India, Joseph Landes, General Manager, DPE, Microsoft India, said they "are designed to offer a unique environment conducive for student entrepreneurship. As knowledge and innovation become primary catalysts for economic growth in India, the Microsoft Innovation Centers can play a vital role in generating powerful new ideas through training, education and knowledge transfer."

The MIC program, the statement said, "will act as the key driver of Microsoft's vision for developing new talent in India at the student level. Budding developers will be encouraged to innovate across key priority technology focus areas that are driving growth and change for the economy, namely: Mobility (Windows Phone), Cloud (Windows Azure), Kinect, Accessibility, Healthcare and a wider ambit for solving problems with an India focus". Expressing his vision for MICs at his institution, G. Viswanathan, founder and chancellor, VIT University, Vellore, said: "Innovation is an intrinsic part of the philosophy we live here at VIT University, which was established with the aim of providing quality higher education on par with international standards".

"Our students have been actively involved in the Imagine Cup - another great program from Microsoft that fosters innovation among students to address key global challenges," Viswanathan added. The MIC announcement comes days after the India launch of Microsoft's new global philanthropy initiative - YouthSpark-aimed at addressing the opportunity divide faced by the young people of the world. "In particular, MICs will play a crucial role in deepening the relationship between academia and industry, enhancing at a very basic level, employability and education, reducing the digital divide, support for innovation and driving sustainable socio-economic impact," the statement said. -IANS Photo: Reuters

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HTC Butterfly announced, sports a 5-inch 1080p display with 441 ppi

HTC recently announced its international variant of the Droid DNA (for US) and HTC Butterfly J (for Japan). This device will be called the HTC Butterfly while in the past it was rumored to go by the name HTC Deluxe DLX.

The HTC Butterfly is the Taiwanese manufacturer’s first phablet device which sports a 5-inch 1080p display with 441 ppi pixel density which is the highest pixel density on any smartphone in the world. It seems that the device will be available in quite a few interesting colors.

The HTC Butterfly is powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor which is clocked at 1.5GHz, it also includes 2GB of RAM and 16GB of built-in storage. Additional to this one can expand the size via a microSD card.

Apart from this the smartphone features an 8 megapixel rear camera with a 28mm lens, f2.0 aperture and a backside illuminated sensor for better image quality in low-light conditions. There is a secondary front facing 2.1 megapixel camera which can record in 1080p resolution.

The company has not yet revealed which version of Android will the device be running, but it is safe to assume that it will come with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean as its Japanese and American cousins run the same version. No word about the pricing and availability of this device.

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