Sony Xperia Keyboard is now available on Google Play Store

Sony Mobile has officially released its Xperia Keyboard app on the Google Play Store. However, it appears that the only reason why Sony submitted it is so it can easily update it in the future, without having to release full firmware updates for that.

This means that the app is available across the globe, but is currently restricted to only Xperia smartphones. It’s unclear if the default keyboard of the Xperia smartphones will ever be officially released for other droids.
The latest version of Xperia Keyboard includes backup and sync option using your Sony Entertainment Network account and also comes with an improved layout for the Thai language.
If you have a compatible Xperia device, you can head on to the source link below to download the latest version of Xperia Keyboard for your smartphone.

Click Here To download :

Facebook introduces ‘Nearby Friends’

Facebook has announced a new feature for users of their mobile apps. Called Nearby Friends, the feature is designed to let you catch up with your friends on Facebook if they are close to your location.

Nearby Friends obviously requires you to share your location with your friends for it to work but you can choose whom to share it with. Your friends also need to enable sharing with you for you to see them. Once enabled, you will get notifications when your friends are nearby. You can also share a precise location so that people can see where exactly you are on a map.
The feature will be available on iOS and Android in the US in the coming weeks and is disabled by default. It’s a little useful but also a little creepy. Just like the rest of Facebook.

Customized gold iPhones are the fanciest wedding favors we’ve seen

The President of Nigeria had his daughter’s wedding a few days ago and each guest received a customized gold iPhone. Those were specially designed by Malivelihood, who specialized in gold-plating all things tech.

The back of the phone is enhanced by precious stones and gold inserts. The names of the groom and bride are also engraved in addition to the date of the wedding.
There’s no information how many iPhones were given away to guests and how much each one costs. Currently, Nigeria is amidst rocky political times and, reportedly, the President’s gesture hasn’t been all too warmly welcomed by the majority of the nation.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z2 specifications leak

The specifications of the upcoming Sony Xperia Tablet Z2 have been leaked online, courtesy of evleaks again. The Z2 retains the large 10.1-inch display size and has the same old 1920x1200 resolution, which should have been updated in the lieu of higher resolution rivals. On the inside, however, there is a new quad-core Snapdragon 800 SoC clocked at 2.3GHz. The RAM has also been increased from 2GB to 3GB.

The Tablet Z2 will have 16GB internal memory with a microSD card slot, 8 megapixel rear camera and 2 megapixel front camera, 6,000mAh battery, 6.4mm waterproof body and will run Android 4.4 KitKat.
No launch date is available as of now but we might just see it at the MWC 2014 next week.

BBM 2.0 for iOS and Android brings a host of new features

BlackBerry announced that a major update is coming to BBM for iOS and Android. Version 2.0 of the popular adds a host of new features to the popular messenger, headed by voice calling.

Voice calling works over both Wi-Fi and cellular connection and allows a user to call his/her BBM contacts anywhere in the world. The feature is available free of charge.
Furthermore, the update brings support for BBM Channels to iOS and Android. The feature allows random users of the messenger to chat about topics of common interest.
Temporary location sharing via Glympse and Dropbox support are also integrated in the new app version. The latter is particularly handy, as it allows users to easily send large files from their Dropbox folder to BBM contacts.
Finally, the app offers easier way to attach images, contacts, and calendar events. New emoticons and expanded BBM Groups complete the picture.

Microsoft sells 200 million Windows 8 licenses

Microsoft has revealed that the company managed to sell 200 million licenses of its latest Windows 8 operating system. The number consists only of licenses that Microsoft sells to OEMs to install on their system and not fresh copies that customers can buy off the shelf or online.

While the number might seem large, the truth is it is actually lower than that of Windows 7. Microsoft revealed in May last year that they sold 100 million licenses and now 16 months from the launch of the OS, they hit the 200 million mark. In comparison, Microsoft sold 240 million licenses of Windows 7 in the first year alone.
It’s clear then that Windows 8 isn’t doing as well as its predecessor and is actually getting worse with every passing day. Another thing to remember that these are licenses purchased in bulk by the OEMs and don’t reflect actual copies being used by the customer. So while it still counts as a sale for Microsoft, not all of them are actually in use.
Microsoft released Windows 8.1 last year and will soon be releasing Windows 8.1 Update 1 to help alleviate some of the problems had with the original Windows 8 but it seems customers are fast losing interest. Add to that the general drop in PC sales and things don’t look too great for Windows or Microsoft in general.

Microsoft starts rolling out update for the Xbox One

Microsoft has started rolling out a new software update for the Xbox One gaming console. The update will be downloaded automatically by your console when you switch it off and it goes into a low-power state.

The latest update brings with it several additions and improvements. One of them is the ability to see and manage the storage space left on your Xbox One. Microsoft has also made it easier to manage your download queue with separate queues for My Apps and My Games. There is also a new battery power indicator for the controller that appears on the homescreen at the bottom right corner. You can now also connect a USB keyboard to your Xbox One.
Other changes in this update include:

• Ability to delete game and application save data
• Improved installation and DLC management
• Improved UI for accessing friends, achievements, messages, and party chat
• Game DVR app to be included in the Xbox OneGuide as an app channel
• Update to the boot progress indicators for system update
• Improve consistency of UX for update & install progress
• Improved NAT detection
• Network Troubleshooter improvements
• Blu-ray quality improvements
• Significant performance and stability improvements

The update is now rolling out and should be available for download on your console soon.

Google Search for Android updated with a bunch of new features

Google is rolling out an update to its Search app for Android bringing a bunch of cool new features and improvements.

One of the major novelties that come with the update is the ability of Google Now to let you know when you should leave for work, airport, events and dinner in order for you to get there on time. Furthermore, you can specify your mode of transport and how early you would like to be at the venue.
With the latest version of Google search, you can make calls and send text messages using the search engine’s improved voice recognition feature. The update also comes with a new Google Now card for the on-going Sochi Olympics. The new introduction gives you a real quick access to medal standings, news and upcoming events.
You can now set reminders in French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Russian languages and Google will know what exactly you want it to do. The update is already seeding across the globe and in case you haven’t received it, then head on to the source link below to download it.

Windows 8.1 Update 1 slated for April

Are you eagerly awaiting an update for Windows 8.1? Well you won’t have to be twiddling your thumbs for much longer, because rumor has it that the first major update for Microsoft’s latest Operating System will launch in early April.

Initial reports indicated that Update 1 would be available in March, but now it seems that it’s been pushed to April 8th. What changes will the new update bring? Join us after the jump to find out.
One of the first purported additions with the new update comes the ability to run Windows 8 applications on the desktop. Not many people are happy with the “tile heavy” approach Windows 8 has forced upon its users, and the fact that Microsoft is allowing us to work more within the familiar desktop framework is a welcome addition.
It’s also rumored that booting straight into desktop mode will be available with the update, as well as the ability to pin Windows 8 applications to the taskbar.
If these rumors all turn out to be true, it looks like the Microsoft team is taking a less aggressive approach with their new UI, and are listening to their user-base who liked the old Windows better.
The April 8th release date for Update 1 makes sense because Microsoft’s //BUILD/ developer conference will run from April 2-4. There will be a lot of talk about Windows Phone 8.1 at the conference, but it does make sense for Microsoft to slide in some Xbox and Windows OS news during the conference as well.
What do you think? Are you looking forward to updating your Windows 8 machine to give it more Windows 7 functionality?

Modern UI based Firefox for Windows 8 Touch now available as beta

First announced in early 2012, the Modern UI based Firefox web browser is ready for download (if only in beta form). The browser is optimized for touchscreen interaction and makes use of Windows 8 features like swipe gestures, the Share charm and, of course, tiles.

Traditional Firefox features like the Awesome bar and Firefox Sync are available too.
However, the browser interface has been redesigned from the ground up to match Windows 8 and 8.1. The new start screen uses tiles to show the most accessed sites, bookmarks and simplify autocompletion.
Firefox for Windows 8 Touch beta also supports the Windows 8 split-screen multitasking feature as either the big or the small app.
You can take the new Firefox with Modern UI for a spin by downloading it from here. Remember that it’s a beta, so it might have some bugs (if you find one, report it).

Foursquare to power upcoming WP 8.1 Cortana voice assistant

Microsoft’s recent investment of $15 million into popular location-based app Foursquare means that it will use the app’s data in its anticipated Cortana voice assistant as part of the upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 release.

The Windows Phone 8.1 update, with which Microsoft aims to get all of its major OSs to the same build number, is set to feature Cortana of the Halo universe as its voice assistant.
The Foursquare partnership will allow Microsoft to use the company’s data for dining and entertainment suggestions based on user location, as well as location-based tips, suggestions and discounts. Microsoft hope to develop Cortana into a capable voice assistant that will rival Apple’s Siri and Android’s Google Now in regards to functionality.
Foursquare’s data will also be used in other areas of the Windows Phone 8.1 system, specifically the Bing-powered search feature. Sources indicate that the update will appear within the next few months.

Apple has huge Saphire crystal factory, possibly for making iPhone displays

There were some reports last year about Apple opening a Sapphire Crystal furnace factory in Arizona.
It turns out that the Cupertino-based tech giant is pushing hard to get the factory up and running as soon as possible. So why the rush from Apple?
All we know is that the building will be making “new” and “critical” components for future Apple devices. But we do have some information that can give us a pretty detailed guess as to what these components will be: iPhone displays.

It’s been rumored that Apple plans to make sapphire-crystal displays for future iPhone models. According to leaked documents from analyst Matt Margolis, it’s evident that Apple has purchased Sapphire display inspection tools in a partnership with GT Advanced technologies. This new information, coupled with previous rumors, means that it is safe to say Apple is planning on using the facility for the production of new iPhone displays.

Also, a recent SEC filing indicates that nearly all of GT Advanced’s recent work is exclusively done with Apple. This rules out the possibility for GT Advanced providing Sapphire-Crystal technology displays to any other tech company.
GT Advanced also purchased multiple Sapphire-Crystal furnaces and chambers, 518 of them to be exact, and an expected 420 additional units have already been ordered. With the initial 518 in the factory now, Apple can produce anywhere from 103-116 million displays a year. With the extra 420 machines, they could be producing well over 200 million.
The benefits of Sapphire-crystal displays are improved strength and scratch-resistance. Something that would be a significant selling point for Apple’s next iPhone, seeing as their screens are ranked as some of the most fragile in the business.