Visa wants us to buy the phone at the London Olympics

Visa will use the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics in London in 2012 as a showcase for their payment systems via mobile Visa payWave more specifically, using the NFC technology increasingly present on the phones.

We report that there will be about 140,000 sales terminals (inside and outside the Olympic village, from shops to taxis) in which you can buy the phones, so deployment is arguably the most important to bring the technology for the English market.

Nor is there too much detail about the operation, on the other hand we have more or less clear, but we report that for amounts less than 15 pounds is not necessary to enter a special code.

From the point of view of management, users can view real-time transactions made with Visa payWave system.

Samsung Galaxy S3 as a key

To achieve this are associated with Samsung, and we further confirm that Galaxy Samsung S3 is the official phone of the event. With all the media with its sights set on games, want to use it as a before and after the adoption of technology.

A limited edition phone will be made ​​available to Olympic athletes, it will include the Visa payWave application, that uses NFC technology to ensure that your transactions are secure and comfortable.

We are investigating the possibility that they can perform the same operations with other Android phones that load the application of Visa, and logically have NFC support . It seems that initially will be private preserve for Samsung, as part of the agreement.

From my point of view, the choice of Samsung by Visa is not the best, I understand it has its media component and of course is good for the possibilities of Samsung to put the technology on the market, but I think if you want a payment system based on NFC, or any similar system to work, should go for cheaper terminals.

Galaxy S3: Alleged photos and images from Galaxy Nexus

The smartphone market is currently almost at rest, no wonder, considering that in addition to the iPhone 5 Galaxy, the new S3 from Samsung is in the wings. And the rumors continue to heat up, now is a new photo on the Internet surfaced that allegedly shows the new flagship of the Korean manufacturer. But the question arises, whether this could actually act to the final design of the Galaxy S3.

If you are currently on the Internet for information about the new Samsung Galaxy S3 searches, you will always find a particular photo that allegedly shows the design of the new smartphones. But since the structure of the Galaxy Nexus provides more than just similar to the experts of the British online portal have galaxys3blog.net the image looked a little closer. It came out now that it was most likely the photo is a fake but that was changed by skillful retouching and adapted.

Source: galaxys3blog.net
It was really obvious the Galaxy Nexus used as the starting image. The unknown creator of the photo will then, with the help of a graphics program, removed the keys for volume control, added the Samsung logo and made other adjustments to the display and menu buttons. Thus, the fake photo was indeed exposed, but there is, at least according to the experts, but the possibility that the Galaxy S3 the Nexus model could not see anything similar nonetheless.

Real clarity, we will probably not commence until the third May have since then Samsung will introduce the new smartphone officially in London. Similarly, confirmed also on this day, if the rumors are true regarding the technical specifications, and, for example, the display actually grows to 4.7 inches with a resolution of 1,280 x 720 pixels. We keep at it and of course report again to the new Galaxy S3, when there is more information.

SWTOR: Server mergers are well soon

As so few online games has been the BioWare / LucasArts MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) is currently a problem: the utilization of game worlds is declining strongly, so developers BioWare already thinks aloud about server mergers.

Who is currently on an average SWTOR server is on the way, did not necessarily feel like an MMO (massively multiplayer online game) to play. This is not just the gameplay that is easy to play with the exception of the endgame content almost completely solo, but also to the increasingly clear orphaned servers. Also, because the Old Republic universe is so large, it is not uncommon that you walk on a certain planet for hours any player on the way.

Star Wars: The Old Republic – Bioware’s laser test to show ( HD version )

In an interview with gaming site ‘ PC Gamer ‘BioWare developer Daniel Erickson has now confirmed that there are four months into the project are already thinking, server merge in order to provide more activity back in the game. Erickson says that the number of subscribers was stable overall, but admits that the impression is correct that there are fewer players at peak hours (simultaneously) on the road. According to Erickson mentioned the amalgamation of servers, are one option, but not a priority. BioWare is saying that they wanted to do everything to the server again to fill better, but also succeed on the new content.

SkyDrive: Desktop app and less free memory?

After Microsoft released an updated version of the weekend SkyDrive App for Windows Mobile, now has new information are also planned prior to the desktop application for cloud storage service.

As the U.S. technology blog ‘ The Verge ‘has learned from several sources close to Microsoft, Microsoft will be announced within the next few weeks, the introduction of the desktop app for SkyDrive. At the same time, new premium offerings to expand the storage capacity will be presented.

It appears that the SkyDrive App for Windows 7, the direct comparison of files and other data will help with SkyDrive, without requiring, as before, the Web Interface must be used. As with Windows Live Mesh or Dropbox files are simply moved to a SkyDrive folder and can be synchronized with the cloud.

Microsoft is obviously a drastic reduction of free storage provided for. The software giant wants to give new users of SkyDrive future seems only 7 gigabytes of storage space for free – so far there are a whopping 25 GB. More storage can then only be obtained for a fee. If you are already logged in to SkyDrive will continue to 25GB capacity can use for free.

Currently, however, due to the public before finding their details from the fact that Microsoft wants to charge for additional storage space 10, 25 or 50 dollars a year – and it provides 20, 50 or 100 GB. Nor shall any final changes to the pricing to be possible, but by and large, Microsoft reportedly is set to partner with the new SkyDrive application for the desktop and a revised Web interface to Google’s online storage soon expected to compete Google Drive.

The official announcement of further details on the future of SkyDrive is the conference “The Next Web” expected this week to appear in Microsoft and the SkyDrive team as sponsors. So far SkyDrive can only be used via a web interface or an appropriate Windows Phone app.

Telstra calls into question the terminal subsidies for May

We live in troubled times in the matter of acquiring new handsets to subsidies Movistar and Vodafone . Orange already announced it would maintain its strategy taking advantage of the situation but the home network operator youngest had not spoken clearly to this day .

In a meeting between Johan Andsjö digital, CEO of Telstra, and readers of this newspaper El Mundo has left us to see more or less where the shots can go, leaving uncertainty in the decision you can make your company for next catalog .

In response to a question from a reader interested in whether or not Telstra will remove subsidies from the company’s CEO said the decision not to have taken on the May catalog, which could be the last month of moving to zero the operator. According to the same:

In the rest of Europe, the subsidies are gone when the market has matured and prices have dropped. In a more mature market, what really matters are the rates and quality of service.
The fact is that Telstra was the first operator to offer installment payment terminals in many of its offer and this month introduced new deferred payment options and reduced subsidies for new customers.

Among other matters Johan has also claimed to have no intention of giving SMS in any of its charges to other operators believe that amortized within their rates and dismisses the launch of flat-rate voice and data really flat, with no usage limit for the user.

Sony Xperia S

With a well-known manufacturer Sony returns back to the Smartphone platform. Until the fall of 2001 brought the number of Japanese equipment on the market, then they founded together with Ericsson, the joint venture Sony Ericsson.

Some ten years later, all this is history. Under the old name will be in the now more competitive business again established at the top and it presents a completely new product portfolio. With a new design line and sophisticated technology, wants to position itself in all major segments.

This presents you with the Xperia S is the first device with a new name, while the successor to the very successful Xperia Arc ( Computer Base Test ) and S Xperia Arc ( Computer Base Test ). It is therefore necessary to find out if Sony cut off all the old braids or maintain the positive characteristics has.

Sony Xperia S with Smart Tags
But does the question of the competitiveness and should be placed in our test. Because especially in the upper-class success is as difficult as in any other region price to win.

The test device was kindly provided by online retailers getgoods.de provided.

‘Diablo III’ beta weekend for all accessible

Without much notice, Blizzard a few hours before the start of open beta weekend announced. Unlike in the previous closed beta phase of the game, all those interested to take a closer look at the third part of the Diablo series.

The kick off is reportedly tonight at 21.01 clock, can then be played until Monday 19 clock. According to Blizzard can be included in the game to all five classes – fall back – Barbarian, Demon Hunter, Witch Doctor, Monk and Wizard. Conclusion should however be at level 13th To what extent other components such as the craft skills or the auction house can be used is not known.

Prerequisite for participation in the beta weekend is a free Battle.net account. This is required to log into the game. The game client can also needed on the Battle.net website are available. With a choice of English, French and German variant. The size of the download is just under three gigabytes for the PC version.

Apple and Samsung will meet to try to end patent war

The dispute in court between Apple and Samsung has been long. Several claims have been with victories and defeats on both sides. All this despite the fact that both companies have a close working relationship in which they move, according to several sources, $ 8 billion a year. In recent months we have seen some progress shy to stop these confrontations and it seems that soon could come to an end.

Within three months, the respective CEO s of Apple and Samsung will meet at the same table to try to reach an agreement. The meeting will take place in San Francisco and a judge, Joseph C. Spero, will be present at that meeting and the agreement in principle, it seems that is not voluntary.

As FOSS Patents points this attempt to reach an agreement is conditioned by the courts of Califonia who have asked the heads of both companies feel to talk and try to find a solution to a patent war, from the point of view of many users, has become an eyesore.

So far two companies have expressed their desire to participate in the meeting. Of course, what comes out of there do not have to end on something positive. It is understood that you want close positions, which is good, but that does not guarantee that an understanding between the two companies. In fact, Google and Oracle were in this situation a couple of times and today are still fighting in court.

Ikea wants to sell its TV … but do not have to assemble

The digital home I have no doubt that it will become a place where technology is something that is part natively. Ikea as well but must also understand their own way, and announced that by the end of the year will several countries (including Spain) furniture systems and integrated entertainment, including television.

The series premiere concept will consist of three provisions that include LED TV, 2.1 sound system with wireless speakers and DVD player or Blu-Ray. All teams count Wi-Fi as standard.

Specifications for these future multimedia devices integrated TVs are known to be available with four possible screen sizes, 1080p and equipment will not be lacking HDMI and USB ports in quantity. The manufacturer seems to be Alcatel.

The main advantage of this integration of TV and other media in the furniture is that the cables are well hidden from view, and gadgets fit neatly into the compact design of the layout. Ikea also intended that these three elements are controlled with a single remote control.

Hipstamatic: some tips to take advantage

smoke & mirrors: bergdorf goodman window by stephanie

With the attractive design of the interface, not only is fun but really easy to use Hipstamatic to take pictures.

You just have to write what we see through the viewfinder and press the shutter button is yellow, which is also huge. We have the option to let down and just take the catch to release. Ideally arises if we take the minimum delay in making, or even self portraits.

If we double click on the display, it is wide and we see it almost full screen, easier to compose and enjoy a few seconds (after the “developing”) of our “HipstaPrints” ready to share.

From your iPhone settings can also configure options such as:

choose whether you want classic or accurate viewfinder
if we keep our catch also in the picture library
if we put the date in the pictures (on reels one side printing in this and other data simulating film)
we can add our name to be added to the metadata capture.
On the other hand, if we like the spontaneity (and the risk of unpredictable) one need only set to change automatically and randomly shaking the iPhone movie. Or, if you have experienced with our favorite combinations of housing, flash, reel and can save as a favorite target (recommended if you want to have it on hand).

As we see, Hipstamatic is very well thought out and is one of the most popular photo applications, with multiple options, although only marginally in the control of the results, leaving ample opportunities for spontaneity and, above all, to unexpected results.

If we like without controls and only seek to frame, shoot and achieve retro effects to your photos, Hipstamatic is a paradise. Too bad its effects is not appropriate to our photos on the library and to enjoy all curious packs have to check out. To http://wiki.hipstamatic.com/index.php?title=Main_Page “> the most addicted, they sell a cover for iPhone retro about $ 40 .