Category Archives: Tech News

Apple Maps updated again

Apple has updated a number of cities with new or expanded Flyover support, updated 3D buildings and turn-by-turn navigation

Cities with new flyover coverage include Houston, Texas, Stockholm, Sweden; Munich, Germany; London, England; Madrid, Spain; Rome, Italy, Copenhagen, Denmark. Cities with Flyover coverage for the first time include Albany, New York, Indianapolis, Cologne, Glasgow and Vancouver, Many of the cities listed also include improved 3D building coverage and improved turn-by-turn directions.

China has seen a number of Maps updates including “a new coloring scheme that matches the vector-based Maps.

Also cities worldwide have seen updated labels, new satellite imagery and improved point-of-interest location information.

However despite all the updates it still is no force for Google Maps and severely lacks points of interest and proper searching of places.

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Sony Xperia Z sales

Sales figures for the new Xperia Z smartphone have been very strong as reported thru many outlets and in many countries.

The question is how will the Z perform once the S4 comes to market. It’s possible that due to its use of quality finishes it might continue to hold its own.

The only true figures will be those released in 6 months time.

Google Maps faces being banned

Some crazy developments have taken place over at the German court halls. The patent dispute between Microsoft and Google/Motorola, the one that accuses the latter’s Google Maps platform of infringing on map-related patents owned by the former, seems to be heating up.

According to FOSS Patents, German courts are inclined to enforce an injunction on Google Maps in Germany, and this ban wouldn’t just affect the use of the service on mobile. Google would apparently need to unlist Google Maps in the Play Store (and possibly on other platforms) for German users, block German IP addresses from accessing Google Maps from any web browser, and if it wants to continue to distribute Chrome in Germany they must implement a filter that effectively blocks Google Maps.

Now what is up with Germany and their handling of patents. Google provides the most detailed mapping services so by banning them would create huge backlash and affect millions of innocent people.

The Official Samsung Galaxy S4 – all the info – live updating from New York – Live from 11pm UK time

Samsung will be taking the wraps off the replacement to the S3, the S4. I will use this post to add any new info as it appears. So keep coming back to check for the latest and some surprises too. Not long now.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 specs –

Galaxy S IV features an Exynos Octa 5410 CPU clocked at 1.8GHz ( Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 CPU for the U.S.) PowerVR SGX 544MP GPU, 2GB of RAM, 4.99″ Full HD (1920×1080) display and a 13 Megapixel Camera. The device also runs Android 4.2 out of the , the device supports GSM/WCDMA/LTE networks with an Exynos processor on-board. The Galaxy S IV will be a world phone.

Software / Hardware Extra Features include –

Qi Wireless charging using a special back cover.

Smart scroll, Smart Pause, Smart Stay and Smart Rotation. Those new functions were made possible thanks to the front camera following your eyes.

Air Hover using your finger.

Latest leaked photo below. Obviously until official it’s not official and could be a fake.

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Google to retire Google Reader + 70 other services

Google has announced that Google Reader will be retired on July 1st due to what has been a steady drop in usage. Likewise, several other Google services will also be shutting down.

Twitter and Facebook are both alight with users who are expressing their displeasure over the announcement, and the search is on for an adequate replacement that lives up to its Google counterpart. This is not a popular move and I hope Google changes their mind!

Google Reader isn’t the only service that will be shutdown. In addition, CalDav API, Apps Script, Google Cloud Connect, Google Voice App for Blackberry, Google Building Maker, Snapseed Desktop for both Windows and Mac, and Search API for Shopping are all getting the axe as well. According to Google, this is its second round of spring cleaning.

After this takes place, the combined results of spring cleaning rounds one and two will be a total of 70 services and features being shutdown. Are you a Reader user? What service do you plan to transition to? Let me know in the comments!