Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Google's Chrome OS-powered netbook specs leaked

As they announced their new operating system, Chrome OS, Google also told us that we would have to buy certain hardware to get it. They said that the machines would be similar to today's netbooks. However, that was about all we knew about Chrome OS clients. Until now.

News has now leaked about Google's Chrome OS netbook, and it sheds a bit of light on what the machine will be like. Here are the specifications of Google's Chrome OS machine:
  • 10.1-inch high-definition display with multi-touch input 
  • NVIDIA Tegra graphics card 
  • 2 GB of RAM 
  • 64 GB SSD 
  • Wifi, Bluetooth and 3G radios 
  • USB sockets 
  • Ethernet jack 
  • 3.5 mm audio output 
  • webcam 
  • 4 or 6 cell battery 
  • optional GPS radio 
These are quite impressive features for a netbook, namely the 64 GB SSD. But the real kicker is the price, which is slated to be under $300 and maybe even around $200. That's very competitive compared to current netbooks. And it will probably need to be by the time it is released next year (2010). It is also believed that Google will sell the Chrome OS netbook through their own website.

So what do you think? Is this a deal that would entice users to leave Windows XP behind? Or is Chrome OS not all it's cracked? Let us know in the comments!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Want a beast of a phone? Wait for the Nexus One



Smartphone devices are a great way to communicate. With application stores such as the App Store and Android Market, their uses are endless. Many mobile phone users are leaving their "dumbphones" behind and going for evermore powerful devices like the iPhone 3GS and the Motorola DROID. However, lower-spec devices can often still beat smartphones in at least one area: speed.

It might not be as cool to carry around an old Sony Ericsson flip-phone that can't even take a picture. But that low-end device probably accomplishes everything it actually can do like a champ. You won't be waiting for your contacts to load or sitting for five minutes while the phone starts up. But if you have a smartphone, you might be. I've seen Android devices take five times longer than a Motorola RAZR to boot up. And even though the iPhone is no slow poke, it can hesitate from time to time when asked to do seemingly mundane tasks.

However, An upcoming Android device will be bringing the speed to the smartphone game. It is currently going by the name Nexus One and will supposedly be marketed by Google themselves, who are the creator of Android. Aside from the impressive 3.7-inch screen (compare to the iPhone's 3.5-inch display) and a mature Android 2.1 operating system, the Nexus One is hiding something a little special under the hood: a 1 GHz mobile processor.

If you don't know, 1 GHz is fast for a phone. Really fast. The iPhone 3GS has a 600 MHz CPU and the DROID clocks in at 530 MHz. So you can imagine how quick the Nexus One is. This device zips through the Android OS faster than any of its predecessors. And with a processor that powerful, our mobile gadgets will really start to rival desktop and notebook computers with capable applications.

The Nexus One is supposedly being released early next year, so if you're looking to buy a smartphone, it might be wise to wait and check it out. Take a look at the video below to see the Nexus One in action.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

MagnaCorp Dev Releases Android App to the Market



Our sister company, MagnaCorp Dev, released their Android app to the Android Market last night. Technology Trivia is "an app that will entertain you with (soon to be) countless interesting and incredible facts from the world of technology". You can download the app for free in the Android Market (click here if you are on your Android device right now). You can also visit MagnaCorp Dev's website for more information about past and future releases of Technology Trivia: MagnaCorp Dev.

So go ahead and check it out! And don't forget many updates are on the way, with much more trivia to keep you entertained!

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Monday, December 7, 2009

Apple's strong sales may lead to Apple Tablet release



Apple has successfully lead retail companies in sales for the month of October 2009. NDP group has reported that the Cupertino-based companies products where immensely popular with consumers throughout the month.

Apple's 21-inch iMac desktop computer was the number one selling desktop for the month and the 27-inch iMac took the third spot. The 13-inch MacBook Pro took the top-selling spot among notebooks, as well, with three other Apple notebook computers taking up three more spots in the top ten.

Many analysts point to the fact that Apple released multiple new models in October when asked for a reason behind the success. With the continued success of their mobile area, with the iPhone and the App Store, many wonder what is keeping them from launching a new product that will take advantage of the popularity.

Rumors continue to fly about Apple's elusive tablet computer. The App Store has topped100,000 apps (as of November 4, 2009). Apple is undoubtedly making millions of dollars on app sales (which come from many of the over two billion app downloads to date), so why not release a tablet computer that can use the App Store and apps within? Many analysts are predicting an Apple tablet release for 2010.

What do you think? Will Apple release their tablet soon? What do the sales for October mean for Apple and the industry? Let us know in the comments! And as always, stay tuned for more news on various internet technology.
[Via Apple Techa]
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Friday, December 4, 2009

Antivirus Software Offers Google Chrome, Will it Keep You Safer?




It looks like the older browsers on the block (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.) are being passed up for safety. Recent editions of a popular antivirus software, Avast, are coming bundled with Google's Chrome web browser.

Now, when users go to install the popular Avast Antivirus, they will be offered the chance to install a new browser with it, Chrome. Although there isn't much talk from either Avast! or Google of Chrome being chosen as a bundled software for its safety, the consensus is that the browser is safer than its alternatives. According to certain hackers, "There are bugs in Chrome but they’re very hard to exploit" compared to other browsers.

So is this a way to offer users a less infection-prone browsing experience? Or is it a stunt by Google to simply get their Chrome browser in front of more eyes? It doesn't seem to matter, as everyone wins in either situation.

One pleasantry comes from the installation of Avast, though. The user gets to choose to install Chrome or not to install it. The "yes, install" selection is not selected by default. There will be no users asking "Hey, where did this come from?" after installing their antivirus and Chrome on accident.

What do you think? Should Chrome be bundled with antivirus software? Or is it just another annoying software installation users will have to opt out of? Let us know in the comments below!
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It's A Flash Party for Everyone! (Except You, iPhone)



So, as you likely know by know, the only "Flash" action you can enjoy on your iPhone is via Youtube. This is good and all, but sometimes we need a little Hulu or Viddler in our lives. Maybe a little Flash-based gameplay when on the run to fuel our addictions. But not on Android devices, WinMo phones, or the iPhone. That is until Flash 10.1. And that is for everything but Apple's iPhone.

Apparently, in 2010, everything will be running Flash. Even your grandma's pet goat, Charlie. Except the iPhone. While previously, Adobe was being blamed for not actively developing Flash for the iPhone, that's no longer the case.

Apparently, the ball is in Apple's court now, according to Gizmodo. They say that Adobe has admitted to attempting to develop Flash for the iPhone, but Apple is keeping the device locked down and unFlashy.

All I have to say is that Adobe better get to poking Apple for some cooperation, or HTML5 is going to render Flash a non-issue for the iPhone. Hopefully.
[Via Apple Techa]
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Looking for a new Social Networking site? Check out Jabbermonkey.com

Jabbermonkey is a "social expression site" that is now releasing its beta version. The site features numerous ways to throw your thoughts out there on countless subjects. Do you have something to say about the recent Tiger Woods debacle? Maybe a thought or two about President Obama's plan for Afghanistan? You can tell the whole world on Jabbermonkey. And you can see what other people think about the same subjects. Hurry up and check it out, the JabberMonkey.com  contests start next week!


Disclosure: The writers of Magna Techa were financially compensated for informing you about Jabbermonkey.com.
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Thursday, December 3, 2009

Google Now Offering Free DNS Servers


Well well, what have we here? Another free service from the mighty Google to make our lives more efficient. I think so!

Google announced today that they will now be offering DNS servers for the public at no cost. For those of you who do not know, DNS servers are somewhat like phone books. You know the name (the website's address, like www.magnatecha.com) and the server knows the IP number. This is another installment in their attempts to "make the web faster".

Google believes their techniques can speed up our overall web experience. I have been using Google's DNS servers for about 45 minutes now and there is a noticeable difference. Even though my page loading was not slow (today), Google's servers make it just a bit faster. This could come in handy on those days that my Internet provider's servers feel sluggish.

So, have you tried out Google's DNS servers? What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
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