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Showing posts from September 13, 2011

Farmvile QUEST 1: Ahead of Schedule

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Get 3 Wool Blankets: Clicking the green “Ask Friends” button will post the request to your Newsfeed. Only a total of  3 friends  can click on the request in their Newsfeed to help complete the request, then once all 3 requests are fulfilled, any additional friends will receive the message “Whoa there! You can only help your friend once per feed. Look out for the next one!” ( Can ask again after 5 hours ) Harvest 10 Chandler Blueberries Complete 1 Pet Run QUEST 1 REWARDS: 100 XP, 1 Tourist Gnome, and 2,500 Coins

Apple’s Mac to sell record 4.5 million units this quarter

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The latest data from research firm NPD suggests that Apple’s Mac sales will be setting a record this quarter, beating market expectations. For the months of July and August, Mac sales have risen 22 percent. According to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, Apple will likely sell between 4.4 million to 4.6 million Macs in the September quarter. Market expectations pegged the September rate to be 16 percent, which Apple surpassed. Munster believes the strong sales can be attributed to the launch of Mac OS X Lion along with the release of the refreshed MacBook Air and Mac Minis. He also predicts that 10 to 20 percent of the 4.5 million units likely to be sold will be of the MacBook Airs. Additionally, NPD’s data revealed that Apple’s iPod sales have declined for the first two months of this quarter, dropping 16 percent year over year. This figures is actually not as bad as the expected 23 percent drop. Apple is on pace to sell between 7.2 million and 7.7 million units from the iPod lineup

BlackBerry Bold 9790 leaks, sporting 9900 internals

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If you’re a BlackBerry fan that was put off by the pricey BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 that recently launched, there may be a more affordable option with similar specs on its way. The BlackBerry Bold 9790 has just been outed in a picture next to the BlackBerry Bold 9900 for comparison. The 9790 is expected to sport the same internals but packaged in a smaller form factor and at a possibly lower price. According to BGR, the BlackBerry Bold 9790 is believed to feature a 1.2Ghz processor, a 5-megapixel camera, 8GB of internal storage, WiFi, GPS, and NFC. It maintains the same touchscreen and full QWERTY form factor but has an overall smaller footprint when compared to the BlackBerry Bold 9900. The device, however, will still be running BlackBerry 7 OS. RIM plans to release about seven BlackBerry 7 OS smartphones by year-end before they make the full transition to its new QNX platform. RIM’s first QNX-based smartphone called the BlackBerry Colt is rumored for a release in early 2012. The curr

Samsung Epic 4G Touch Review

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Let’s call it frustration, not jealousy. Europe and Asia have been enjoying the charms of the Samsung Galaxy S II for several months now, leaving the US to suffer a serious case of the green-eyed monster. The first of the US variants has finally arrived however, the Samsung EPIC 4G Touch, a CDMA twist on the phone we’ve been waiting for, but has the charm faded over time? Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut. Hardware

IDC: tablets, smartphones to surpass PCs in internet use by 2015

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According to a new report from market research firm IDC, mobile internet usage on smartphones and tablets will surpass internet usage on PCs by 2015. The firm predicts that devices like the iPad, iPhone, and Android phones and tablets would grow at an average of 16.6 percent annually, while PC use would eventually decline as the tablet market picks up. The total number of internet users is expected to grow from 2 billion in 2010 to 2.7 billion in 2015, but by then the online landscape will have changed drastically from a shift towards mobile access to the web. However, IDC did not give an estimate as to what the numbers will look like for PC usage, except that it is expected to stagnate and then slowly decline. “Forget what we have taken for granted on how consumers use the Internet,” said Karsten Weide, research vice president of media and entertainment at IDC. “Soon, more users will access the Web using mobile devices than using PCs, and it’s going to make the Internet a very differe

ASUS Eee PC X101 ultra-slim MeeGo netbook pre-orders begin at $200

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The ASUS Eee PC X101 is now available for pre-orders. This ultra-slim 10.1-inch netbook will come runningMeeGo and was originally set to launch sometime this fall at a super low cost of sub-$200. However, ASUS missed the mark just slightly with the netbook now being up for pre-orders starting at $209.99 on CDW and $226.99 on Amazon. The X101 netbook features 10.1-inch display with 1024 x 600 pixel resolution, 1.33Ghz Intel Atom N435 processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB SSD. Connectivity options include WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, two USB 2.0 ports, audio, and an SD card slot. There’s also a webcam and stereo speakers. Battery life is rated at 4 hours with its standard 3-cell battery. The specs aren’t too impressive, but that’s not surprising given its low cost. However, it does feature an incredibly slim chassis measuring only 0.69-inches thin and weighing about 2 pounds. And it also offers the Linux-based operating system, MeeGo, as an alternative to your usual Windows 7, if you’re into that kind

Lithium Jelly Batteries are safer, thinner, and cheaper than conventional lithium batteries

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Researchers from the University of Leeds have announced that they have devised a new type of battery that is safer, thinner, and cheaper to build than current lithium batteries. The new battery uses a jelly to replace the volatile liquid electrolytes used in current lithium batteries. That means that if the battery is punctured, the electrolyte will not leak. The jelly battery also stops thermal runaway, which is what happens when a battery suddenly overheats and can lead to fire. The jelly battery may also mean thinner notebooks and EVs that are more efficient and have a longer driving range. The jelly battery has no thermal runaway potential so some of the heavy and complex thermal protection gear on a battery for an EV could be removed. The jelly used in the battery looks like a solid, but it is actually 70% liquid electrolyte. The researchers are able to make the separation between the solid and liquid phase of the jelly at the point that the jelly hits the electrode. This battery

Fusion Garage Grid 10 tablets get $200 price cut

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One of the things that I thought was wrong with the Fusion Garage Grid 10 tablet was the price when we originally heard of the offering. The tablet was announced at prices of $499 for the WiFi only version and the 3G version was going for $599 originally. The tablets were also strangely marketed when first announced. The original ship date had been set for September 15. That ship date has now been delayed a few weeks with a new ship date set for October 1. The upside to the delay in shipping the Grid 10 if you are interested in one is that Fusion Garage has slashed $200 off the price of both tablets. The new WiFi only price is $299 with the WiFi/3G version at $399. That certainly makes the tablets more appealing. The Grid 10 runs the Android-based Grid OS and will be more appealing now with the new price. Fusion Garage told Engadget that it has always intended to launch the Grid 10 at the new lower prices. The company claims that negotiations with an ODM supplier kept it from being abl

GameStop testing gaming tablet ahead of 2012 launch

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GameStop’s gaming tablet search has turned up a slate, according to company president Tony Bartel, with the retailer currently testing the Android-based slate and readying a custom controller. Describing the unnamed tablet as a “GameStop certified gaming platform” to GamesIndustry, Bartel said that while it will initially offer a “modest selection” of native titles, the eventual plan is to stream games in a similar manner to OnLive. It’s when that streaming begins that the dedicated controller – which was previously tipped to connect via Bluetooth – will come into its own. “There’s not a lot of tablet/android based games for the consumer that are designed to use an external controller,” Bartel suggests. “There are a few games out there and more that are coming, but our thought is that the tablet is a great immersive gaming device so it’s hard for us to envision how that tablet will really function as such without some sort of controller.” Rather than wait passively for such titles to e

Uninspiring iPhone and iPod touch upgrades incoming tips analyst

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Apple’s next-gen iPod touch will be broadly identical to the existing model, according to the latest analyst tittle-tattle, with the company merely introducing a white variant of the current PMP. Ming-Chi Kuo claims his supply chain sources confirm the pale all-touch iPod, Apple Insider reports, though the same analyst has also thrown cold water over recent iPhone 5 excitement. He reckons that, while leaks and rumors have tipped a considerable upgrade for the fifth-gen handset, in actual fact there’s no evidence of such a departure in the pipeline, MacRumors reports. Instead, Kuo predicts, something a whole lot more mundane is in the offing. According to his sources, the only components in play indicate a broadly similar design to the current iPhone 4, with a 3.5-inch display rather than the tipped larger panel. The analyst believes Apple is readying the so-called “N94″ or iPhone 4S, with the same glass front and back panels as currently used, but 512MB of RAM likely accompanying the A

'Muran's Road to success

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The Tamil film loving audience saw a lot of roads on screen last in Linguswamy-directed 'Paiyaa.' Rajjan Madhav�s upcoming flick 'Muran,' which sees Cheran and Prasanna in the lead roles, is all set to hit theatres across the state on September 23. Most of this film has been shot from the Chennai-Bangalore highway. 'Muran' which has been inspired from the Hollywood classic film 'Strangers On A Train' has a lot of scenes canning highways and is a thriller. The film also has a lot of other aspects like romance and comedy despite it being a thriller film. More than fifty percent of the film was done with director Cheran producing the film, and UTV moved in to produce the rest. Despite the crew facing some glitches during commencement, as the film progressed everything took a smooth turn for the better. Music for the film is by Sajjan Madhav, the director's twin. The music album which released recently is doing a good run at the music charts. T

'Neethaane En Ponvasantham' a trilingual

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This Gautham Menon offing has been a news maker right from the day the first look posters of this film released. The film, like his previous love story 'Vinnaithaandi Vaaruvaaya,' is touted to release right in time for the Valentine's Day season during February 2012, as an ode to lovers. Starring Jiiva and Samantha in the lead 'Neethaane En Ponvasantham' will be a romantic comedy as per the director. When all had imagined that the film will release in two languages Tamil and Telugu, the director recently is reported to have confirmed that the film will be a trilingual and will simultaneously have a Hindi release too. Sources also reveal that the director has roped in Aditya Roy Kapur to play the lead for the Hindi version. Samantha seems to have really impressed Gautham, who is a master at directing love themes. He is so impressed with the pretty actress that he is believed to have retained her to play the lead lady in all his three versions, reveal source

Talks on for 'Mankatha' sequel?

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Director Venkat Prabhu has undoubtedly hit the bull's eye with his 'Mankatha' and the film is having a roaring run at the box office. While there were initial doubts whether the film would be a hit because of the hero donning a complete negative role, all that doubts were quashed from the moment 'Mankatha' was released. Now post the huge moolah that Mankatha is raking in at the box office, the core team involved in the making of the film has met and is discussing about doing a sequel, reveal sources in the know. Neither the director nor the producer has commented in the affirmative regarding this, but well-placed sources have revealed that there might be a sequel on the cards. It is a known fact that Venkat Prabhu had a different script for 'Mankatha' before Ajith came on board and the script was modified to suit thala; now that 'Mankatha' is a massive hit the director is planning to put to use his prior script too. There are also talks g

Vijay's next with Murugadoss to kick start soon

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Already when two of his highly expected films are readying for release, Ilayathalapathy is all set to don grease paint for his next film, which will be with AR Murugadoss. Though the project has not been titled yet, the director is roping in the best of the cast and crew for his film with Vijay. Just a couple of weeks back tabloids were brimming with the news about the next hottest dame in the Tamil film industry, Angela Johnson, who would be debuting as a heroine, as Vijay's arm candy, in this Murugadoss film. Well recently, a photo shoot took place involving Vijay and Angela in the city with ace cinematographer Santosh Sivan canning the shoots. It looks like Murugadoss is absolutely happy with the results of the photo shoot, and is doing everything under his power to keep his new find (Angela Johnson) low-profile. Sources close to people associated with this project reveal that Harris Jayaraj might be roped in to tune songs for this film, though nothing on this regard has been

'Mayakkam Enna' is youthful

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Dhanush has bagged the coveted National Award from the president. The actor's upcoming film is 'Mayakkam Enna' under brother Selvaraghavan's directon. IG recently revealed the first look of 'Mayakkam Enna' which seems like a film celebrating youth. There is a lot of hype surrounding the film more so because it is a brian child of Selvaraghavan. The film stars Dhanush and Richa Gangopadhyay in the lead roles. While Dhanush looks his boyish best, his heroine Richa is feminity personified and pretty. But there seems to be some confusion with the film buffs regarding the script, which many think, is a modification of 'Irandam Ulagham.' Selveraghavan recently came out to clear the air regarding this mix up. He has clearly stated that the Dhanush - Richa starrer 'Mayakkam Enna' is a different script. The director has revealed that the script is not entirely a love story and will be appreciated by the youth. The music for this film is by GV

Nadigar Sangam hikes financial aid

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The South Indian Film Artistes Association (SIFAA), popularly known as Nadigar Sangam, has announced a hike in the financial aid given to the wards of its members, to meet their educational expenses. A decision in this regard was taken at the general council of the association, which met in Chennai on Sunday. Chaired by president R Sarath Kumar, the meeting was attended by hundreds of members from various parts of the State. Speaking to reporters, Sarath said, "The Rs 2,000 assistance which was given from LKG to fifth standard has been increased to Rs 2,500. From sixth to class ten, wards of our members will get Rs 3,000. For those studying Plus One and Plus Two, the aid has been increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000." Sarath added that Rs 7,000 will be given for higher studies. Various resolutions were passed at the meeting that included conveying the association's heartfelt congratulations to Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for her success in the recently-conclu

SAC against corruption in TFPC

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The president in-charge of Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) S A Chandrasekaran said on Sunday that evidence against those indulged in malpractice in the Council would be given to the Chennai City Police Commissioner. Speaking after a special meeting of the TFPC in Chennai, he said that many members had leveled allegations that rampant corruption had taken place in the Council in the past. "We have decided to collect the proof and to hand over it to the police," he said. Chandrasekaran said that it has been decided at the meeting that those facing corruption charges should not contest in the fast approaching elections to the Tamil Film Producers Council, which is scheduled for October 9. Also, popular producer Ebrahim Rowthar has been selected unanimously at the meeting as the election officer. "Various other issues concerning the interests of our members were discussed at the meeting," SAC added.

'Aayiram Vilakku' hits the screens on 23rd September

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Director S. P. Hosimin in his second venture 'Aayiram Vilakku' promises loads of action and drama, especially when two distinct actors like Sathyaraj and Shanthnoo are sharing the screen space. Also sizzler Sana Khan featuring as simple girl-next-door character only adds more substance to the movie. While we have been fed on its promos and trailers for sometime, the wait finally is over and one can just look forward to the movie's release this month. According to our reports, 'Aayiram Vilakku' will be releasing on 23rd September. Produced by Nadira Iqbal under HMI Movies, 'Aayiram Vilakku' is a banner of Reliance Entertainment. Be ready for some Madurai flavoured gangsters' adventure to unfold on screens... Aayiram Vilakku Trailers

Vivek says no to sobriquet

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Vivek has rejected a request from an organisation which came forward to honour him with the sobriquet 'Pasumai Nayagan', after getting impressed with his efforts to create a green cover by planting trees. "Based on the instructions from former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, I have initiated a movement to plant trees all over the State, under the name 'Green Kalam'. Over six lakhs saplings have been planted so far,' says Vivek. "A special task force has been also set up to monitor whether the plants are maintained properly or not. This is to create a better future for the future generation and to ensure that global warming doesn't affect them," he adds. "Impressed by all these activities, an organisation recently approached me saying it would like to honour me with Pasumai Nayagan title. I politely turned down its request. I am content with two of the honours- Padmashri by the Central government and Janangalin Kalaignan by the people."