First look: HTC Desire 700

HTC has introduced three new dual-sim, mid-range smartphones, the Desire 501, Desire 601 and Desire 700, with the last being positioned as the premium handset among the three. We spent some time with the Desire 700 dual-sim and here are our first impressions:<br> <br>The Desire 700 dual sim (CDMA) looks more like its other Desire siblings and not like the HTC One, unlike the global variant of Desire 700. Once you hold the phone in your hands, you'll realize that unlike the HTC One, the Desire 700 dual sim is predominantly made of plastic.<br> <br>Desire 700 dual sim features what HTC calls BoomSound, which is essentially the dual frontal stereo speakers with built-in amplifier, just like the HTC One. The phone also featured green coloured accents integrated with the front speaker grills, and the camera lens at the back.<br> <br>At 149 gram, the Desire 700 dual sim is not very bulky to carry. However, it is taller, broader and thicker than the HTC One.<br><br>The front of the Desire 700 is dominated by its 5-inch qHD display that offers a resolution of 540x960 pixels. Unfortunately, the screen leaves a lot to be desired (no pun intended), especially when the phone has been priced rather steeply, upwards of Rs. 30,000. The bigger size of the display reduces the pixel density to just about 220ppi (pixels per inch), resulting in images and text appearing less sharp, and at times pixilated, compared to 720p and full-HD displays.<br> <br>The Home and the Back capacitive keys are placed just below the display for navigation, while the 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera and the sensor array sit above the display.<br><br>The edges of the phone are soft and resemble the HTC mini's soft plastic ones than the One's chamfered metal edges. The right edge features a metallic volume rocker key, while there's nothing on the left edge. The Power/Screen lock key, made of soft plastic, sits at the top with the 3.5mm headset jack. We fail to understand the logic behind HTC's placement of the Power key. For a device this large, this positioning just makes the phone cumbersome to use. We'd have preferred the key to be placed at the right or left edge. The bottom edge houses the micro-USB port.<br> <br>Desire 700 dual sim comes with a removable back, also made of soft plastic sporting a matte finish. The 8-megapixel rear shooter and the LED flash accompanying it, are located towards the left hand side in a circular ring, surrounded by a green accent. There's HTC branding at the middle. The back cover hides two micro-SIM card slots, the microSD card slot and the 2100mAh battery, which is removable.<br> <br>HTC Desire 700 dual sim supports GSM as well as CDMA networks and offers dual-sim functionality with both the lines active at the same time.<br><br>HTC Desire 700 dual sim is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor and 1GB RAM. It runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with HTC Sense 5, the company's custom UI layer running on top. Just like the HTC One, it supports Blink Feed offering a feed of news and social network updates on the user's home screen. In our brief use, we did not experience any lags while navigating through the interface or launching apps.

First look: HTC Desire 700

HTC has introduced three new dual-sim, mid-range smartphones, the Desire 501, Desire 601 and Desire 700, with the last being positioned as t...

Read more »

First look: HTC Desire 700

HTC has introduced three new dual-sim, mid-range smartphones, the Desire 501, Desire 601 and Desire 700, with the last being positioned as the premium handset among the three. We spent some time with the Desire 700 dual-sim and here are our first impressions:<br> <br>The Desire 700 dual sim (CDMA) looks more like its other Desire siblings and not like the HTC One, unlike the global variant of Desire 700. Once you hold the phone in your hands, you'll realize that unlike the HTC One, the Desire 700 dual sim is predominantly made of plastic.<br> <br>Desire 700 dual sim features what HTC calls BoomSound, which is essentially the dual frontal stereo speakers with built-in amplifier, just like the HTC One. The phone also featured green coloured accents integrated with the front speaker grills, and the camera lens at the back.<br> <br>At 149 gram, the Desire 700 dual sim is not very bulky to carry. However, it is taller, broader and thicker than the HTC One.<br><br>The front of the Desire 700 is dominated by its 5-inch qHD display that offers a resolution of 540x960 pixels. Unfortunately, the screen leaves a lot to be desired (no pun intended), especially when the phone has been priced rather steeply, upwards of Rs. 30,000. The bigger size of the display reduces the pixel density to just about 220ppi (pixels per inch), resulting in images and text appearing less sharp, and at times pixilated, compared to 720p and full-HD displays.<br> <br>The Home and the Back capacitive keys are placed just below the display for navigation, while the 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera and the sensor array sit above the display.<br><br>The edges of the phone are soft and resemble the HTC mini's soft plastic ones than the One's chamfered metal edges. The right edge features a metallic volume rocker key, while there's nothing on the left edge. The Power/Screen lock key, made of soft plastic, sits at the top with the 3.5mm headset jack. We fail to understand the logic behind HTC's placement of the Power key. For a device this large, this positioning just makes the phone cumbersome to use. We'd have preferred the key to be placed at the right or left edge. The bottom edge houses the micro-USB port.<br> <br>Desire 700 dual sim comes with a removable back, also made of soft plastic sporting a matte finish. The 8-megapixel rear shooter and the LED flash accompanying it, are located towards the left hand side in a circular ring, surrounded by a green accent. There's HTC branding at the middle. The back cover hides two micro-SIM card slots, the microSD card slot and the 2100mAh battery, which is removable.<br> <br>HTC Desire 700 dual sim supports GSM as well as CDMA networks and offers dual-sim functionality with both the lines active at the same time.<br><br>HTC Desire 700 dual sim is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor and 1GB RAM. It runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with HTC Sense 5, the company's custom UI layer running on top. Just like the HTC One, it supports Blink Feed offering a feed of news and social network updates on the user's home screen. In our brief use, we did not experience any lags while navigating through the interface or launching apps.

First look: HTC Desire 700

HTC has introduced three new dual-sim, mid-range smartphones, the Desire 501, Desire 601 and Desire 700, with the last being positioned as t...

Read more »

10 Great Gadget Gifts for Men

It's that time of year again! With the holidays just around the corner, now's a great time to starting thinking of gift ideas for the dad, boyfriend, husband, son or other male in your life. And there's no better way to a man's heart than through technology.<br> <br>Fortunately, there's never been a better time to be a gadget guy. From smartphones to video game bundles to 3-D TVs, there's something on this list that should suit everyone. Take a look and see our pick of the 10 best gadget gift ideas for men in 2011.<br> <br>iPhone 4S<br><br>It's not hyperbole to say that the latest iPhone is the best smartphone currently on the market. The latest model builds on the strengths of previous iPhones and adds several new, exciting features to Apple's iOS.<br> <br>First, there's the much-talked about (and talked-to) Siri, an app that performs Web searches, writes text messages, creates calendar items and can execute many other tasks through voice commands. Siri has been praised in tech blogs and publications for its (her?) ease of use and understanding of human speech; it works best when you speak to it in using normal, conversational words.<br> <br>The 4S also packs what is arguably the best phone camera on the market, one that puts point-and-shoot and handheld video cameras to shame. It shoots 1080p, 30-frame-per-second HD video and incredibly high-quality still photos. The camera function can now be accessed from the lock screen so it's easier than<br> <br>What else? Well, there's iCloud, which syncs your phone's music and app purchases with other computers wirelessly, making hooking the iPhone up to your Mac or PC a thing of the past. No tech-savvy guy can go<br> <br>Next up, we'll take a look at a great gift for the gamer.<br><br>PS3 Bundle<br><br>When someone sees the shiny, black PlayStation 3 in your living room, they might ask, "What does it do?" A better question might be, "What doesn't it do?"<br> <br>The current PS3 doesn't just play video games. It plays Blu-Ray and DVD films, has built-in WiFi, includes a powerful hard drive, streams movies from Netflix in HD, has its own Web browser, and includes the online gaming service called the PlayStation Network [source: CNET].<br> <br>Right in time for the holidays, there are a variety of new bundles available that package the PS3 with several games or accessories. The PlayStation Move Bundle includes a special controller and camera that tracks your movements in 3-D space and lets you use your body to become part of the game.<br> <br>Plus, it's great time to invest in a PS3 console with several hot new games that arrived in time for the holiday season, like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Arkham City.<br><br>Next up: If you're more into reading and watching movies on the go than gaming, check out the hottest new tablet from Amazon.<br> <br>Amazon Kindle Fire<br><br>2011 was the year of the tablet. Following on the success of last year's iPad, scores of competitors have entered the marketplace, all offering thin and compact alternatives to laptops everywhere. While one tablet, the Amazon Kindle, started out as an e-book reader, the latest generation offers much more.<br> <br>The recently released Kindle Fire does have books -- as well as movies, TV shows, music, games, apps and magazines. If you can get on Amazon.com, you can put it on this tablet. It has a dual-core processor with either 512 MB or 1 GB of space, and while that's not as plentiful as some other tablets, the Fire has free access to Amazon's massive cloud for all your storage needs.<br> <br>The Android-based tablet also packs an acclaimed "Silk" web browser which uses the Amazon cloud to make web pages load very quickly [source: Amazon].<br><br>The best part? It's only $199, making it $50 less than the Barnes and Noble Nook Color and more than half as expensive as the Apple iPad 2.<br> <br>Next up, let's look at an innovative way to play games on the iPad.<br><br>iCade Arcade Cabinet<br><br>Maybe the guy in your life isn't a huge fan of modern video games. Here's a great way for the retro gamer to get their fill of classic arcade games on their iPad.<br> <br>The iCade looks like an arcade cabinet from the 1970s or '80s, complete with a joystick and an array of buttons. Instead of a screen, however, it has a slot where you insert the iPad. Once you download the Atari's Greatest Hits app, you can use it to play over 100 classic games like Asteroids, Missile Command and Centipede -- they way they were meant to be played.<br> <br>In addition, many iOS game developers are creating new games with support for the iCade, so there's much to more to play than just Atari games. The iCade takes iPad gaming to a whole new level [source: ThinkGeek].<br> <br>Next up -- you've probably seen a lot of 3-D movies lately. Why not put a 3-D TV in your living room?<br><br>3-D TV<br><br>Many of us were blown away by the 3-D visual effects of "Avatar" when we saw it in theaters. Now, that same experience is headed to your home theater. Three-D is considered by many to be the "next big thing" in visual entertainment, so a 3-D-capable television is a great gift idea this season.<br> <br>Three-D TVs can come with either special glasses like you get in the theaters, known as "passive 3-D," or they can include battery-powered liquid crystal shutters that generate the 3-D effect -- this is called "active 3-D." Active 3-D was the most common type when these TVs launched last year, but lately passive 3-D TVs are more common. Passive glasses are less expensive as well, but the quality isn't quite as a good [source:<br> <br>It's important to note that 3-D hasn't become mainstream quite yet. Three-D Blu-Ray DVDs are rare and 3-D TV channels are even rarer. However, 3-D video games are catching on quickly, so a TV that can handle those effects might be great for gamers. Right now, it's best to think of 3-D as just one of the many features offered on a modern TV, not as the main reason to purchase a new set. Still, having a 3-D TV means you'll be ready for the exciting new features that might be available in the near future.<br> <br>Next up, we'll look at one of the most revolutionary cameras ever developed.<br><br>Lytro Light-field Camera<br><br>The tiny Lytro camera may not look like much, but some people say it's a photography revolution. The small, rectangular device is a digital camera that photographs the entire field of light around an object.<br> <br>This means two things: First, the Lytro doesn't need to focus before it takes a photo. Second, the image can be edited and focused and refocused over and over again using special software. Almost every pixel of the image is in focus, so the user can choose what part they want to highlight [source: PC Mag].<br> <br>The Lytro was just recently announced, and it won't be delivered until early 2012. But it's a great idea for the husband, dad, brother or boyfriend who's also a shutterbug. The Lytro's ability to take "living pictures" represents an amazing step forward in the field of photography.<br> <br>Next: While you may not be able to buy a new car for your favorite fella, you can help him make his car faster<br><br>Engine Reflash<br>In the old days of automobiles, adding more horsepower to a car meant hours or even days of work under the hood, carefully installing new parts and making sure everything works right. Not anymore! Now, more power and torque can be added to just about any engine by modifying the engine computer, or ECU, in some way.<br> <br>Electronic engine tuning often involves adjusting factors like the air/fuel ratio, throttle response, RPM redlines, shifting points on automatic transmissions and even boost pressure from turbochargers.<br><br>One of the most popular engine tuning companies is APR, which specializes in Volkswagen and Audi vehicles, particularly ones with turbocharged engines. For example, APR says one of their reflashes can add about 20 horsepower and 50 pound-feet of torque to an Audi A4 sedan with the 2.0-liter engine. A few hundred dollars spent on electronic tuning can give the same power that thousands of dollars in engine parts might buy [source: APR].<br> <br>Many companies offer electronic tunes for different vehicles, so shop around to see what's offered for your guy's ride. Some of them are done at a dealer, while others work through a device that plugs into the engine directly.<br> <br>In the next section, we'll look at a great and inexpensive way to add streaming video to your TV.<br><br><br>Roku<br>These days, it seems like the Internet has almost made traditional cable television obsolete. There are so many great streaming shows on sites like Hulu and Netflix that not having cable isn't a big deal anymore as long as you have a solid Internet connection. The Roku presents a great way to bridge the world of TV and Internet.<br> <br>The Roku is a small, box-like device that fits in the palm of your hand. It plugs into your TV through an HDMI cable and has access to WiFi Internet. From there, you create a Roku account, and then you can access over 200 streaming channels, including HBO, Amazon Instant and Pandora. Some premium channels like HBO and pay-per-view require use of a credit card. The box also does news and sports on demand, and includes the hit mobile game Angry Birds [source: CNET].<br> <br>The Roku is one of the best digital media receivers available, and it's half as expensive and has more features than Apple TV. This may be the future of television.<br><br>Next up, we'll look at a great gadget for the beer lover.<br> <br>Krups and Heineken BeerTender<br>Who doesn't love beer? Here's a great gadget gift idea for the man who really, really loves beer.<br><br>The BeerTender from Krups is a storage unit and refrigerator for beer with a tap that makes sure the beer tastes the way it is mean to taste. Designed to work with beers that use the Heineken DraughtKeg, the BeerTender keeps the beer at an optimum 37.4 degrees F (3 degrees C) so that it tastes crisp and has just the right amount of head.<br> <br>But wait, there's more! The BeerTender releases CO2 every time the tap is used to ensure freshness for up to 30 days. It also has an LCD display that keeps track of current beer volume and has three temperature settings [source: Kegerators].<br> <br>If you're a fan of the Heineken mini-kegs, which also offer Newcastle Brown Ale, then the BeerTender is a must-have item for your home bar.<br><br>Next up, we have what may just be the ultimate remote control.<br> <br><br>Logitech Harmony 650 Remote Control<br>What do you get when you have a DVD player, a BluRay player, a home theater system, a cable or DVR box, and a flat-screen TV? Besides a great viewing experience, you get a whole bunch of remotes, that's what.<br> <br>Logitech's Harmony 650 universal remote control seeks to solve that problem. Rather than having scores of different remote controls lying around, a single Logitech remote can control up to five devices. That's more than enough for most<br> <br>Rather than having scores of different remote controls lying around, a single Logitech<br><br> folks.<br><br> remote can control up to five devices.<br><br><br><br>The remote supports more than 5,000 brands of appliances and can be set up using your computer through a USB cable. It even has its own LCD screen to display all available commands. The Logitech has been praised as one of most easy-to-use universal remotes on the market, and comes at a decent price as well [source: Best Buy].<br> <br>Next time you and dad watch a movie, this will make things much simpler.<br><br>If you're looking for even more information about great gadget gifts for men and other similar topics, just follow the links on the next page.<br> <br>

10 Great Gadget Gifts for Men

It's that time of year again! With the holidays just around the corner, now's a great time to starting thinking of gift ideas for th...

Read more »

10 Great Gadget Gifts for Men

It's that time of year again! With the holidays just around the corner, now's a great time to starting thinking of gift ideas for the dad, boyfriend, husband, son or other male in your life. And there's no better way to a man's heart than through technology.<br> <br>Fortunately, there's never been a better time to be a gadget guy. From smartphones to video game bundles to 3-D TVs, there's something on this list that should suit everyone. Take a look and see our pick of the 10 best gadget gift ideas for men in 2011.<br> <br>iPhone 4S<br><br>It's not hyperbole to say that the latest iPhone is the best smartphone currently on the market. The latest model builds on the strengths of previous iPhones and adds several new, exciting features to Apple's iOS.<br> <br>First, there's the much-talked about (and talked-to) Siri, an app that performs Web searches, writes text messages, creates calendar items and can execute many other tasks through voice commands. Siri has been praised in tech blogs and publications for its (her?) ease of use and understanding of human speech; it works best when you speak to it in using normal, conversational words.<br> <br>The 4S also packs what is arguably the best phone camera on the market, one that puts point-and-shoot and handheld video cameras to shame. It shoots 1080p, 30-frame-per-second HD video and incredibly high-quality still photos. The camera function can now be accessed from the lock screen so it's easier than<br> <br>What else? Well, there's iCloud, which syncs your phone's music and app purchases with other computers wirelessly, making hooking the iPhone up to your Mac or PC a thing of the past. No tech-savvy guy can go<br> <br>Next up, we'll take a look at a great gift for the gamer.<br><br>PS3 Bundle<br><br>When someone sees the shiny, black PlayStation 3 in your living room, they might ask, "What does it do?" A better question might be, "What doesn't it do?"<br> <br>The current PS3 doesn't just play video games. It plays Blu-Ray and DVD films, has built-in WiFi, includes a powerful hard drive, streams movies from Netflix in HD, has its own Web browser, and includes the online gaming service called the PlayStation Network [source: CNET].<br> <br>Right in time for the holidays, there are a variety of new bundles available that package the PS3 with several games or accessories. The PlayStation Move Bundle includes a special controller and camera that tracks your movements in 3-D space and lets you use your body to become part of the game.<br> <br>Plus, it's great time to invest in a PS3 console with several hot new games that arrived in time for the holiday season, like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Arkham City.<br><br>Next up: If you're more into reading and watching movies on the go than gaming, check out the hottest new tablet from Amazon.<br> <br>Amazon Kindle Fire<br><br>2011 was the year of the tablet. Following on the success of last year's iPad, scores of competitors have entered the marketplace, all offering thin and compact alternatives to laptops everywhere. While one tablet, the Amazon Kindle, started out as an e-book reader, the latest generation offers much more.<br> <br>The recently released Kindle Fire does have books -- as well as movies, TV shows, music, games, apps and magazines. If you can get on Amazon.com, you can put it on this tablet. It has a dual-core processor with either 512 MB or 1 GB of space, and while that's not as plentiful as some other tablets, the Fire has free access to Amazon's massive cloud for all your storage needs.<br> <br>The Android-based tablet also packs an acclaimed "Silk" web browser which uses the Amazon cloud to make web pages load very quickly [source: Amazon].<br><br>The best part? It's only $199, making it $50 less than the Barnes and Noble Nook Color and more than half as expensive as the Apple iPad 2.<br> <br>Next up, let's look at an innovative way to play games on the iPad.<br><br>iCade Arcade Cabinet<br><br>Maybe the guy in your life isn't a huge fan of modern video games. Here's a great way for the retro gamer to get their fill of classic arcade games on their iPad.<br> <br>The iCade looks like an arcade cabinet from the 1970s or '80s, complete with a joystick and an array of buttons. Instead of a screen, however, it has a slot where you insert the iPad. Once you download the Atari's Greatest Hits app, you can use it to play over 100 classic games like Asteroids, Missile Command and Centipede -- they way they were meant to be played.<br> <br>In addition, many iOS game developers are creating new games with support for the iCade, so there's much to more to play than just Atari games. The iCade takes iPad gaming to a whole new level [source: ThinkGeek].<br> <br>Next up -- you've probably seen a lot of 3-D movies lately. Why not put a 3-D TV in your living room?<br><br>3-D TV<br><br>Many of us were blown away by the 3-D visual effects of "Avatar" when we saw it in theaters. Now, that same experience is headed to your home theater. Three-D is considered by many to be the "next big thing" in visual entertainment, so a 3-D-capable television is a great gift idea this season.<br> <br>Three-D TVs can come with either special glasses like you get in the theaters, known as "passive 3-D," or they can include battery-powered liquid crystal shutters that generate the 3-D effect -- this is called "active 3-D." Active 3-D was the most common type when these TVs launched last year, but lately passive 3-D TVs are more common. Passive glasses are less expensive as well, but the quality isn't quite as a good [source:<br> <br>It's important to note that 3-D hasn't become mainstream quite yet. Three-D Blu-Ray DVDs are rare and 3-D TV channels are even rarer. However, 3-D video games are catching on quickly, so a TV that can handle those effects might be great for gamers. Right now, it's best to think of 3-D as just one of the many features offered on a modern TV, not as the main reason to purchase a new set. Still, having a 3-D TV means you'll be ready for the exciting new features that might be available in the near future.<br> <br>Next up, we'll look at one of the most revolutionary cameras ever developed.<br><br>Lytro Light-field Camera<br><br>The tiny Lytro camera may not look like much, but some people say it's a photography revolution. The small, rectangular device is a digital camera that photographs the entire field of light around an object.<br> <br>This means two things: First, the Lytro doesn't need to focus before it takes a photo. Second, the image can be edited and focused and refocused over and over again using special software. Almost every pixel of the image is in focus, so the user can choose what part they want to highlight [source: PC Mag].<br> <br>The Lytro was just recently announced, and it won't be delivered until early 2012. But it's a great idea for the husband, dad, brother or boyfriend who's also a shutterbug. The Lytro's ability to take "living pictures" represents an amazing step forward in the field of photography.<br> <br>Next: While you may not be able to buy a new car for your favorite fella, you can help him make his car faster<br><br>Engine Reflash<br>In the old days of automobiles, adding more horsepower to a car meant hours or even days of work under the hood, carefully installing new parts and making sure everything works right. Not anymore! Now, more power and torque can be added to just about any engine by modifying the engine computer, or ECU, in some way.<br> <br>Electronic engine tuning often involves adjusting factors like the air/fuel ratio, throttle response, RPM redlines, shifting points on automatic transmissions and even boost pressure from turbochargers.<br><br>One of the most popular engine tuning companies is APR, which specializes in Volkswagen and Audi vehicles, particularly ones with turbocharged engines. For example, APR says one of their reflashes can add about 20 horsepower and 50 pound-feet of torque to an Audi A4 sedan with the 2.0-liter engine. A few hundred dollars spent on electronic tuning can give the same power that thousands of dollars in engine parts might buy [source: APR].<br> <br>Many companies offer electronic tunes for different vehicles, so shop around to see what's offered for your guy's ride. Some of them are done at a dealer, while others work through a device that plugs into the engine directly.<br> <br>In the next section, we'll look at a great and inexpensive way to add streaming video to your TV.<br><br><br>Roku<br>These days, it seems like the Internet has almost made traditional cable television obsolete. There are so many great streaming shows on sites like Hulu and Netflix that not having cable isn't a big deal anymore as long as you have a solid Internet connection. The Roku presents a great way to bridge the world of TV and Internet.<br> <br>The Roku is a small, box-like device that fits in the palm of your hand. It plugs into your TV through an HDMI cable and has access to WiFi Internet. From there, you create a Roku account, and then you can access over 200 streaming channels, including HBO, Amazon Instant and Pandora. Some premium channels like HBO and pay-per-view require use of a credit card. The box also does news and sports on demand, and includes the hit mobile game Angry Birds [source: CNET].<br> <br>The Roku is one of the best digital media receivers available, and it's half as expensive and has more features than Apple TV. This may be the future of television.<br><br>Next up, we'll look at a great gadget for the beer lover.<br> <br>Krups and Heineken BeerTender<br>Who doesn't love beer? Here's a great gadget gift idea for the man who really, really loves beer.<br><br>The BeerTender from Krups is a storage unit and refrigerator for beer with a tap that makes sure the beer tastes the way it is mean to taste. Designed to work with beers that use the Heineken DraughtKeg, the BeerTender keeps the beer at an optimum 37.4 degrees F (3 degrees C) so that it tastes crisp and has just the right amount of head.<br> <br>But wait, there's more! The BeerTender releases CO2 every time the tap is used to ensure freshness for up to 30 days. It also has an LCD display that keeps track of current beer volume and has three temperature settings [source: Kegerators].<br> <br>If you're a fan of the Heineken mini-kegs, which also offer Newcastle Brown Ale, then the BeerTender is a must-have item for your home bar.<br><br>Next up, we have what may just be the ultimate remote control.<br> <br><br>Logitech Harmony 650 Remote Control<br>What do you get when you have a DVD player, a BluRay player, a home theater system, a cable or DVR box, and a flat-screen TV? Besides a great viewing experience, you get a whole bunch of remotes, that's what.<br> <br>Logitech's Harmony 650 universal remote control seeks to solve that problem. Rather than having scores of different remote controls lying around, a single Logitech remote can control up to five devices. That's more than enough for most<br> <br>Rather than having scores of different remote controls lying around, a single Logitech<br><br> folks.<br><br> remote can control up to five devices.<br><br><br><br>The remote supports more than 5,000 brands of appliances and can be set up using your computer through a USB cable. It even has its own LCD screen to display all available commands. The Logitech has been praised as one of most easy-to-use universal remotes on the market, and comes at a decent price as well [source: Best Buy].<br> <br>Next time you and dad watch a movie, this will make things much simpler.<br><br>If you're looking for even more information about great gadget gifts for men and other similar topics, just follow the links on the next page.<br> <br>

10 Great Gadget Gifts for Men

It's that time of year again! With the holidays just around the corner, now's a great time to starting thinking of gift ideas for th...

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Google Glass: release date, news and features UPDATED Are Google's glasses more than just a gimmick?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h1 class="" style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 32px; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; vertical-align: top;">Google Glass: release date, news and features</h1><h2 class="" style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="" style="color: #e6248a; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; text-transform: uppercase;">UPDATED</span> Are Google's glasses more than just a gimmick?</h2><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2Oxbh14vUdQma-yGOT55YgKFETTE43iKm_r7f_B_agc0Ho40Oy-RC0mQS9p6R0_PwRLSNA15eVT9LNwGX6cv21nm5Xf-HAVlhtEyhquk4d024wmLZVHKKooIegPVU3Kvlj-oGmT-bv44/s1600/glass_photos4-578-80-739100.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289787791184978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2Oxbh14vUdQma-yGOT55YgKFETTE43iKm_r7f_B_agc0Ho40Oy-RC0mQS9p6R0_PwRLSNA15eVT9LNwGX6cv21nm5Xf-HAVlhtEyhquk4d024wmLZVHKKooIegPVU3Kvlj-oGmT-bv44/s320/glass_photos4-578-80-739100.jpg" /></a></div><div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;"><em>With so much new information surrounding</em> Google Glass,<em>we have completely updated this 'what you need to know' feature. Enjoy!</em></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Many of us spend a significant portion of our day glued to our smartphones, or to other connected devices. Reading social media or checking out the weather or otherwise dipping into the wealth of data at our disposal will typically consume all of our attention, making it hard to do anything else.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Google Glass might offer a solution to this problem, giving us a way of using the outboard brain of the internet while still being able to do other things. Glass was created, according to Google, to "be there when you need it and get out of your way when you don't."</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">The first Glass units have been with early adopters (who had to sign up to a lottery for the privilege) since April and Google is using this semi-public testing period to fine tune the device for general consumption, as well as get the world used to the idea of wearables.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhlj_GwNH3iQhPcyHrMQTJ5Yy4XJApVtZWPW4GLhKMU2i8CZgKy7yjoCBGB2ViOa42g15jbX2TMfpzVqw16TXeldBUpQtzvC_9On7MalGNQDGQ7ma_dDV4d3pOlhcSjDiNqdU_80BzNcd/s1600/2-741737.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289792750120978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhlj_GwNH3iQhPcyHrMQTJ5Yy4XJApVtZWPW4GLhKMU2i8CZgKy7yjoCBGB2ViOa42g15jbX2TMfpzVqw16TXeldBUpQtzvC_9On7MalGNQDGQ7ma_dDV4d3pOlhcSjDiNqdU_80BzNcd/s320/2-741737.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;">Google Glass features</h3><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">Essentially, Google Glass is a wearable Android-powered computer built into spectacle frames so that you can perch a display in your field of vision, film, take pictures, search and translate on the go as well as run specially-designed apps.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Google Glass uses a miniature display to put data in front (or at least, to the upper right) of your vision courtesy of a prism screen. This is designed to be easily seen without obstructing your view.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLxMlhMAR1fS81b1C-t-DZbdfHazpWm6aa_sbggyRJ9khEpN9JVbDifcOJbpFw58uOExPUxQH2378s0P4jmDD32dJj1ucNkvnT99vEp0xLNkwfcLsl8gTRtuIF7HLRcyoCMGDdaxjPqu4/s1600/3-743702.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289801161854418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLxMlhMAR1fS81b1C-t-DZbdfHazpWm6aa_sbggyRJ9khEpN9JVbDifcOJbpFw58uOExPUxQH2378s0P4jmDD32dJj1ucNkvnT99vEp0xLNkwfcLsl8gTRtuIF7HLRcyoCMGDdaxjPqu4/s320/3-743702.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Glass responds to voice commands as well as taps and gestures on the touch-sensitive bar that runs along the side of the frame. You can start a search with "Ok Glass.." and take a photo or launch an app with a command phrase or a tap of your finger. Glass can also be paired with a phone using the My Glass app to allow quick fiddling with settings and customisation.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Google Glass runs a version of Android, so developers can easily create apps that take advantage of its unique display and input methods. Developers using Google's Mirror API, which makes it possible for apps to speak directly with a Glass headset, are forbidden from charging for their software or embedding ads in the Glass display. Google has indicated that this policy may change however.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">The early Google Glass apps provide a neat glimpse into the potential of the headset.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNDeCIZVlxDSd23ggzSzlyU6Dl7SUDbnedoYxbBZalRG2_3zrnnnFqHkHQ2WabsppxAXKMXjms83ZfwmlaYnFGocr4s_Kpc-KGFyzx6rIaTVaSXt6twrTyLL1a4Yav3OtNH_-4vccd9Q6/s1600/4-745795.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289811008423458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNDeCIZVlxDSd23ggzSzlyU6Dl7SUDbnedoYxbBZalRG2_3zrnnnFqHkHQ2WabsppxAXKMXjms83ZfwmlaYnFGocr4s_Kpc-KGFyzx6rIaTVaSXt6twrTyLL1a4Yav3OtNH_-4vccd9Q6/s320/4-745795.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">You'll be able to use Google Maps to get directions although as there is no built in GPS receiver you'll need to tether Glass to your smartphone. Several third party developers have announced apps for services including Evernote, Skitch and Path.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">The New York Times has also demoed an app that will pop up news headlines on request and JetBlue has suggested that it could create an app to show how much time was left before you had to board your flight. One developer even created an app (since removed by Google) to allow surreptitious taking of photos simply by blinking when you have something good in your sights.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Google has snapped up voice specialists DNNresearch whose voice recognition tech could give Glass the ability to translate words being spoken to you into your own language on the display. Obviously you'll need a WiFi connection or a hefty data plan if you're in another country, but it's certainly a neat trick if it works.</div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;">Google Glass design</h3><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">Glass is designed to be lightweight and as unobtrusive as possible. The frame will come with adjustable pads for comfort, and is expected to be both light and extremely robust. It will also have a touchpad along one arm for silent interaction.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">If you already wear glasses, don't worry. Google is trialing several different designs that will enable Glass to be attached to existing frames. There is also the possibility of designer prescription glasses with Glass functionality built in. This patent might give us a glimpse of a future, more natural looking version of Glass.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrSPRbsjBcOKVgnsA8ErCpGaQgEjVBpRPCEzREbKHPuZD41wWMARomjEval55FJYbRAyzYc2mF7Ajf1Ao1oWihwRlO6tJaaqQ0pgnwHeEzhCQ7TjXacAXNTt6GfdJZZauwhdRwvLRpK68/s1600/5-748074.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289824791110146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrSPRbsjBcOKVgnsA8ErCpGaQgEjVBpRPCEzREbKHPuZD41wWMARomjEval55FJYbRAyzYc2mF7Ajf1Ao1oWihwRlO6tJaaqQ0pgnwHeEzhCQ7TjXacAXNTt6GfdJZZauwhdRwvLRpK68/s320/5-748074.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">At the moment Google Glass comes in five colours: Charcoal, Tangerine, Shale, Cotton and Sky. Using Glass's translation ability to turn that list from marketing speak to plain English, that's black, orange, grey, white and blue. Consumer versions of the product could offer a different palette.<br /> </div><div style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://youtu.be/v1uyQZNg2vE">http://youtu.be/v1uyQZNg2vE</a> (YOUTUBE)</span></span><br /> </div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;">Google Glass specifications</h3><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">Current versions of Glass offer a 640 x 360 display. According to Googlethe display is "the equivalent of a 25-inch high definition screen from eight feet away." There is a 5 megapixel camera built-in to the frame that can also capture video at 720p resolution.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">The rechargeable battery last for roughly a day, although that's with the standard "typical use" caveat, which probably excludes a lot of video capture or playback.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">There's 16GB of flash memory built into the device, although only 12GB is currently available for user storage. The device will sync to your Google Drive, giving you both a place to stash your photos and video clips as well as a stash of documents and files you can call up from the cloud.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecnSuyNWQub_ivx8PlLKb0-7dE0_IPIumPN7Nu2sDbtkbzXvRxs3t1FSEjP5ofNs0xXjnzd16SX1fJ0O5vUFptKxfUEecWD-Fz94CQ1nPZYY_DB4zyup7iFRflXk6ZxJMbnz7xHYHdpQG/s1600/6-750427.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289834190433346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecnSuyNWQub_ivx8PlLKb0-7dE0_IPIumPN7Nu2sDbtkbzXvRxs3t1FSEjP5ofNs0xXjnzd16SX1fJ0O5vUFptKxfUEecWD-Fz94CQ1nPZYY_DB4zyup7iFRflXk6ZxJMbnz7xHYHdpQG/s320/6-750427.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Bluetooth and WiFi will be built in, but there is no GPS chip - so the Glass will probably work best alongside an Android phone for full Google Maps functionality. You can however pair with any Bluetooth enabled phone and we would expect some support for iOS at least.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Sound will be produced through bone conduction transfer - vibrating your skull to transmit to your eardrum. Google recently revealed a new version of the Glass headset that can take an optional mono earbud if you need to wear Glass in a noisy environment where bone conduction just can't give the volume you require.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Tech Radar was able to spend some time with the Google Glass Explorer edition and give our verdict on this early model.</div><div style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://youtu.be/JpWmGX55a40">http://youtu.be/JpWmGX55a40</a></span></span><br /> </div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;">Google Glass Controversy</h3><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">Obviously with any new technology there is the potential for misuse - and Google Glass is perhaps a little problematic when it comes to privacy. Of course, Google would say that it is merely taking the functionality that we already have in our portable devices and making it more readily accessible.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">A lot will come down to personal preference. For many, the prospect of being filmed by someone from their glasses will make them uneasy and having conversations logged and transcribed will be divisive.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Google has released some information regarding how you know when people are filming through the device, which should quash some people's fears that the device will be used as a perving mechanism. Google also acted to remove an app that allowed photos to be taken silently via blinking, which could potentially have been abused. Facial recognition apps will also be banned from the Glass equivalent of Google Play following privacy concerns.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvVPrjdpP9hAajAtoqZX4r2OGuRvr7Tg5sFVW9rVho8K305ySd75z36RLiPCcuxlVNJtxoQD6Uzx7xHIS5CurAKDGs_42qLvo9KFc3k1ZAi4YuCanpjOOWVZbyPmerJrD7cy7XAWD-3DY/s1600/7-752906.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289845048277058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvVPrjdpP9hAajAtoqZX4r2OGuRvr7Tg5sFVW9rVho8K305ySd75z36RLiPCcuxlVNJtxoQD6Uzx7xHIS5CurAKDGs_42qLvo9KFc3k1ZAi4YuCanpjOOWVZbyPmerJrD7cy7XAWD-3DY/s320/7-752906.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">It's important to note that there may be restrictions on when you use Glass, both legal and social. Indeed, one early adopter has already been arrested for driving while 'distracted' by her Google Glass headset. On the other side of the legal coin, another member of the Google Glass Explorer program became the first Glass user to film an arrest using his headset. Some jurisdictions may frown on this kind of public oversight.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">A strip club and a bar have already earned cheap publicity by pre-emptively banning Glass, and TechRadar columnist Gary Marshall has had his say on Glass' privacy implications. Gary also looked at just who fears Google Glass and why.</div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;">Google Glass Competition</h3></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpxWYElVWh1-YMke4oZLb5jtqTEg_FUiCK__-JVd3ypKrYQVkci1XaMRmjumebSNKpbYkC0SIPcIHbUNQjtGVoFLBq5Q8U5hAzwcKKhsbmB5tugwPnegfYtlfK2JV1-pn8sNQUiQYuLIP/s1600/8-755627.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289855915408354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpxWYElVWh1-YMke4oZLb5jtqTEg_FUiCK__-JVd3ypKrYQVkci1XaMRmjumebSNKpbYkC0SIPcIHbUNQjtGVoFLBq5Q8U5hAzwcKKhsbmB5tugwPnegfYtlfK2JV1-pn8sNQUiQYuLIP/s320/8-755627.jpg" /></a></div><div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Much as with the recent fad for Smart Watches, Google Glass is certain to spawn competitors. Apple and Microsoft are Google's most obvious rivals - and both are rumoured to be working on their own equivalents. Samsung could be getting in on the act too with what looks like a sportier take on the concept.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Sony has gone so far as to patent a Glass-alike offering with a 'double lens' projecting visuals to both eyes. Vuzix, Oakley, Baidu and Oculon are also said to be working on rival systems.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZotJbJGPRtBqPh22Bz5CnfI6LxP6kR1SwlkfTTwnBJOxSaCUUA3aroQeG60FRuh5pwCPW-jB6M4v62YJeQIiUtjqNVF4B9nKpo-B5obHfeHAa-d-RuHE_mj8fkkOEWU-OkORZKMtKwsq/s1600/9-758753.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289868406276306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZotJbJGPRtBqPh22Bz5CnfI6LxP6kR1SwlkfTTwnBJOxSaCUUA3aroQeG60FRuh5pwCPW-jB6M4v62YJeQIiUtjqNVF4B9nKpo-B5obHfeHAa-d-RuHE_mj8fkkOEWU-OkORZKMtKwsq/s320/9-758753.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Another project that is attracting attention for mixing screens and glasses is the Oculus Rift, which is currently very much about gaming, but could feasibly - using a camera - show you live video of reality and enable some awesome real time overlays because it's a complete screen. The sheer size and weight of the Oculus Rift headset as it currently exists means it is unlikely to happen soon, however.</div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;">Google Glass price</h3><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">Google Glass is not yet commercially available but some of those who signed up to the Google Glass Explorer program have been able to purchase a developer edition for $1,500 - around £985 or AU$1,449. Such is the buzz behind Google Glass that there is now a black market in Explorer program invites, with a 'Buy It Now' invite going for as much as $2,999.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">The consumer versions are expected to be a little cheaper, although any actual prices remain speculative. They are unlikely to be super-cheap - but Google's success with the Nexus 7 tablet may prompt the company to subsidise some of the cost.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdWzPJOWI6OHSbHSgzq0inncK2_FxX-OrAaBXly0gC-RV02Unz4yqhBjsLREDzJUlzF5kyfHUO-aP9_UMkl12lD_pDLe-SbEd9AFEQ0ncj6odrip5DGnxAljEfrOzuEtF-u1IMtdBwmkl/s1600/10-760986.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289879685778082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdWzPJOWI6OHSbHSgzq0inncK2_FxX-OrAaBXly0gC-RV02Unz4yqhBjsLREDzJUlzF5kyfHUO-aP9_UMkl12lD_pDLe-SbEd9AFEQ0ncj6odrip5DGnxAljEfrOzuEtF-u1IMtdBwmkl/s320/10-760986.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Google recently unveiled an accessories store, selling Google Glass add-ons and extras at premium prices. A spare pouch for Glass will set you back $50 and a clear eye shield is on sale for $75.<br /> </div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAN9XYVYmpIr-qLkKAeppbQCtV5aHTRaZngdYj9Yiu6MC1yZyoVsTaMxGSyDtfql9GBzIj0DgVuPC-vmJjcA2DKOCm88esOUgwS1ymdaSfYzeZH9hY_EyTMKBrLRZgmxTCq0T_pR6Ty1e/s1600/11-763413.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289888081221042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAN9XYVYmpIr-qLkKAeppbQCtV5aHTRaZngdYj9Yiu6MC1yZyoVsTaMxGSyDtfql9GBzIj0DgVuPC-vmJjcA2DKOCm88esOUgwS1ymdaSfYzeZH9hY_EyTMKBrLRZgmxTCq0T_pR6Ty1e/s320/11-763413.jpg" /></a><br /> </div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;">Google Glass release date</h3><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">There was speculation that Glass may launch early, before the end of 2013 but no announcement has been forthcoming from Google. Google has however announced that another round of invites will be sent out to those who wish to buy a Google Glass Explorer edition, with existing users able to invite up to three friends. Which could mean that the original 2014 launch is more likely. In short, it will soon be easier to get a developer edition, but those wanting a proper consumer model will have to wait until well into 2014.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">While waiting for the full release, we had some thoughts about where Google Glass may be headed by the end of the decade. If Google's wearable future comes to pass, just what will the world of tech look like by 2020?</div></div></div>

Google Glass: release date, news and features UPDATED Are Google's glasses more than just a gimmick?

Google Glass: release date, news and features UPDATED  Are Google's glasses more than just a gimmick? With so much new information surro...

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Google Glass: release date, news and features UPDATED Are Google's glasses more than just a gimmick?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h1 class="" style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 32px; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; vertical-align: top;">Google Glass: release date, news and features</h1><h2 class="" style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="" style="color: #e6248a; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; text-transform: uppercase;">UPDATED</span> Are Google's glasses more than just a gimmick?</h2><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2Oxbh14vUdQma-yGOT55YgKFETTE43iKm_r7f_B_agc0Ho40Oy-RC0mQS9p6R0_PwRLSNA15eVT9LNwGX6cv21nm5Xf-HAVlhtEyhquk4d024wmLZVHKKooIegPVU3Kvlj-oGmT-bv44/s1600/glass_photos4-578-80-739100.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289787791184978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2Oxbh14vUdQma-yGOT55YgKFETTE43iKm_r7f_B_agc0Ho40Oy-RC0mQS9p6R0_PwRLSNA15eVT9LNwGX6cv21nm5Xf-HAVlhtEyhquk4d024wmLZVHKKooIegPVU3Kvlj-oGmT-bv44/s320/glass_photos4-578-80-739100.jpg" /></a></div><div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;"><em>With so much new information surrounding</em> Google Glass,<em>we have completely updated this 'what you need to know' feature. Enjoy!</em></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Many of us spend a significant portion of our day glued to our smartphones, or to other connected devices. Reading social media or checking out the weather or otherwise dipping into the wealth of data at our disposal will typically consume all of our attention, making it hard to do anything else.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Google Glass might offer a solution to this problem, giving us a way of using the outboard brain of the internet while still being able to do other things. Glass was created, according to Google, to "be there when you need it and get out of your way when you don't."</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">The first Glass units have been with early adopters (who had to sign up to a lottery for the privilege) since April and Google is using this semi-public testing period to fine tune the device for general consumption, as well as get the world used to the idea of wearables.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhlj_GwNH3iQhPcyHrMQTJ5Yy4XJApVtZWPW4GLhKMU2i8CZgKy7yjoCBGB2ViOa42g15jbX2TMfpzVqw16TXeldBUpQtzvC_9On7MalGNQDGQ7ma_dDV4d3pOlhcSjDiNqdU_80BzNcd/s1600/2-741737.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289792750120978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhlj_GwNH3iQhPcyHrMQTJ5Yy4XJApVtZWPW4GLhKMU2i8CZgKy7yjoCBGB2ViOa42g15jbX2TMfpzVqw16TXeldBUpQtzvC_9On7MalGNQDGQ7ma_dDV4d3pOlhcSjDiNqdU_80BzNcd/s320/2-741737.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;">Google Glass features</h3><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">Essentially, Google Glass is a wearable Android-powered computer built into spectacle frames so that you can perch a display in your field of vision, film, take pictures, search and translate on the go as well as run specially-designed apps.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Google Glass uses a miniature display to put data in front (or at least, to the upper right) of your vision courtesy of a prism screen. This is designed to be easily seen without obstructing your view.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLxMlhMAR1fS81b1C-t-DZbdfHazpWm6aa_sbggyRJ9khEpN9JVbDifcOJbpFw58uOExPUxQH2378s0P4jmDD32dJj1ucNkvnT99vEp0xLNkwfcLsl8gTRtuIF7HLRcyoCMGDdaxjPqu4/s1600/3-743702.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289801161854418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLxMlhMAR1fS81b1C-t-DZbdfHazpWm6aa_sbggyRJ9khEpN9JVbDifcOJbpFw58uOExPUxQH2378s0P4jmDD32dJj1ucNkvnT99vEp0xLNkwfcLsl8gTRtuIF7HLRcyoCMGDdaxjPqu4/s320/3-743702.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Glass responds to voice commands as well as taps and gestures on the touch-sensitive bar that runs along the side of the frame. You can start a search with "Ok Glass.." and take a photo or launch an app with a command phrase or a tap of your finger. Glass can also be paired with a phone using the My Glass app to allow quick fiddling with settings and customisation.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Google Glass runs a version of Android, so developers can easily create apps that take advantage of its unique display and input methods. Developers using Google's Mirror API, which makes it possible for apps to speak directly with a Glass headset, are forbidden from charging for their software or embedding ads in the Glass display. Google has indicated that this policy may change however.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">The early Google Glass apps provide a neat glimpse into the potential of the headset.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNDeCIZVlxDSd23ggzSzlyU6Dl7SUDbnedoYxbBZalRG2_3zrnnnFqHkHQ2WabsppxAXKMXjms83ZfwmlaYnFGocr4s_Kpc-KGFyzx6rIaTVaSXt6twrTyLL1a4Yav3OtNH_-4vccd9Q6/s1600/4-745795.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289811008423458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNDeCIZVlxDSd23ggzSzlyU6Dl7SUDbnedoYxbBZalRG2_3zrnnnFqHkHQ2WabsppxAXKMXjms83ZfwmlaYnFGocr4s_Kpc-KGFyzx6rIaTVaSXt6twrTyLL1a4Yav3OtNH_-4vccd9Q6/s320/4-745795.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">You'll be able to use Google Maps to get directions although as there is no built in GPS receiver you'll need to tether Glass to your smartphone. Several third party developers have announced apps for services including Evernote, Skitch and Path.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">The New York Times has also demoed an app that will pop up news headlines on request and JetBlue has suggested that it could create an app to show how much time was left before you had to board your flight. One developer even created an app (since removed by Google) to allow surreptitious taking of photos simply by blinking when you have something good in your sights.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Google has snapped up voice specialists DNNresearch whose voice recognition tech could give Glass the ability to translate words being spoken to you into your own language on the display. Obviously you'll need a WiFi connection or a hefty data plan if you're in another country, but it's certainly a neat trick if it works.</div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;">Google Glass design</h3><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">Glass is designed to be lightweight and as unobtrusive as possible. The frame will come with adjustable pads for comfort, and is expected to be both light and extremely robust. It will also have a touchpad along one arm for silent interaction.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">If you already wear glasses, don't worry. Google is trialing several different designs that will enable Glass to be attached to existing frames. There is also the possibility of designer prescription glasses with Glass functionality built in. This patent might give us a glimpse of a future, more natural looking version of Glass.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrSPRbsjBcOKVgnsA8ErCpGaQgEjVBpRPCEzREbKHPuZD41wWMARomjEval55FJYbRAyzYc2mF7Ajf1Ao1oWihwRlO6tJaaqQ0pgnwHeEzhCQ7TjXacAXNTt6GfdJZZauwhdRwvLRpK68/s1600/5-748074.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289824791110146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrSPRbsjBcOKVgnsA8ErCpGaQgEjVBpRPCEzREbKHPuZD41wWMARomjEval55FJYbRAyzYc2mF7Ajf1Ao1oWihwRlO6tJaaqQ0pgnwHeEzhCQ7TjXacAXNTt6GfdJZZauwhdRwvLRpK68/s320/5-748074.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">At the moment Google Glass comes in five colours: Charcoal, Tangerine, Shale, Cotton and Sky. Using Glass's translation ability to turn that list from marketing speak to plain English, that's black, orange, grey, white and blue. Consumer versions of the product could offer a different palette.<br /> </div><div style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://youtu.be/v1uyQZNg2vE">http://youtu.be/v1uyQZNg2vE</a> (YOUTUBE)</span></span><br /> </div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;">Google Glass specifications</h3><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">Current versions of Glass offer a 640 x 360 display. According to Googlethe display is "the equivalent of a 25-inch high definition screen from eight feet away." There is a 5 megapixel camera built-in to the frame that can also capture video at 720p resolution.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">The rechargeable battery last for roughly a day, although that's with the standard "typical use" caveat, which probably excludes a lot of video capture or playback.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">There's 16GB of flash memory built into the device, although only 12GB is currently available for user storage. The device will sync to your Google Drive, giving you both a place to stash your photos and video clips as well as a stash of documents and files you can call up from the cloud.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecnSuyNWQub_ivx8PlLKb0-7dE0_IPIumPN7Nu2sDbtkbzXvRxs3t1FSEjP5ofNs0xXjnzd16SX1fJ0O5vUFptKxfUEecWD-Fz94CQ1nPZYY_DB4zyup7iFRflXk6ZxJMbnz7xHYHdpQG/s1600/6-750427.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289834190433346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecnSuyNWQub_ivx8PlLKb0-7dE0_IPIumPN7Nu2sDbtkbzXvRxs3t1FSEjP5ofNs0xXjnzd16SX1fJ0O5vUFptKxfUEecWD-Fz94CQ1nPZYY_DB4zyup7iFRflXk6ZxJMbnz7xHYHdpQG/s320/6-750427.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Bluetooth and WiFi will be built in, but there is no GPS chip - so the Glass will probably work best alongside an Android phone for full Google Maps functionality. You can however pair with any Bluetooth enabled phone and we would expect some support for iOS at least.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Sound will be produced through bone conduction transfer - vibrating your skull to transmit to your eardrum. Google recently revealed a new version of the Glass headset that can take an optional mono earbud if you need to wear Glass in a noisy environment where bone conduction just can't give the volume you require.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Tech Radar was able to spend some time with the Google Glass Explorer edition and give our verdict on this early model.</div><div style="margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://youtu.be/JpWmGX55a40">http://youtu.be/JpWmGX55a40</a></span></span><br /> </div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;">Google Glass Controversy</h3><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">Obviously with any new technology there is the potential for misuse - and Google Glass is perhaps a little problematic when it comes to privacy. Of course, Google would say that it is merely taking the functionality that we already have in our portable devices and making it more readily accessible.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">A lot will come down to personal preference. For many, the prospect of being filmed by someone from their glasses will make them uneasy and having conversations logged and transcribed will be divisive.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Google has released some information regarding how you know when people are filming through the device, which should quash some people's fears that the device will be used as a perving mechanism. Google also acted to remove an app that allowed photos to be taken silently via blinking, which could potentially have been abused. Facial recognition apps will also be banned from the Glass equivalent of Google Play following privacy concerns.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvVPrjdpP9hAajAtoqZX4r2OGuRvr7Tg5sFVW9rVho8K305ySd75z36RLiPCcuxlVNJtxoQD6Uzx7xHIS5CurAKDGs_42qLvo9KFc3k1ZAi4YuCanpjOOWVZbyPmerJrD7cy7XAWD-3DY/s1600/7-752906.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289845048277058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvVPrjdpP9hAajAtoqZX4r2OGuRvr7Tg5sFVW9rVho8K305ySd75z36RLiPCcuxlVNJtxoQD6Uzx7xHIS5CurAKDGs_42qLvo9KFc3k1ZAi4YuCanpjOOWVZbyPmerJrD7cy7XAWD-3DY/s320/7-752906.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">It's important to note that there may be restrictions on when you use Glass, both legal and social. Indeed, one early adopter has already been arrested for driving while 'distracted' by her Google Glass headset. On the other side of the legal coin, another member of the Google Glass Explorer program became the first Glass user to film an arrest using his headset. Some jurisdictions may frown on this kind of public oversight.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">A strip club and a bar have already earned cheap publicity by pre-emptively banning Glass, and TechRadar columnist Gary Marshall has had his say on Glass' privacy implications. Gary also looked at just who fears Google Glass and why.</div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;">Google Glass Competition</h3></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpxWYElVWh1-YMke4oZLb5jtqTEg_FUiCK__-JVd3ypKrYQVkci1XaMRmjumebSNKpbYkC0SIPcIHbUNQjtGVoFLBq5Q8U5hAzwcKKhsbmB5tugwPnegfYtlfK2JV1-pn8sNQUiQYuLIP/s1600/8-755627.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289855915408354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpxWYElVWh1-YMke4oZLb5jtqTEg_FUiCK__-JVd3ypKrYQVkci1XaMRmjumebSNKpbYkC0SIPcIHbUNQjtGVoFLBq5Q8U5hAzwcKKhsbmB5tugwPnegfYtlfK2JV1-pn8sNQUiQYuLIP/s320/8-755627.jpg" /></a></div><div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Much as with the recent fad for Smart Watches, Google Glass is certain to spawn competitors. Apple and Microsoft are Google's most obvious rivals - and both are rumoured to be working on their own equivalents. Samsung could be getting in on the act too with what looks like a sportier take on the concept.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Sony has gone so far as to patent a Glass-alike offering with a 'double lens' projecting visuals to both eyes. Vuzix, Oakley, Baidu and Oculon are also said to be working on rival systems.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZotJbJGPRtBqPh22Bz5CnfI6LxP6kR1SwlkfTTwnBJOxSaCUUA3aroQeG60FRuh5pwCPW-jB6M4v62YJeQIiUtjqNVF4B9nKpo-B5obHfeHAa-d-RuHE_mj8fkkOEWU-OkORZKMtKwsq/s1600/9-758753.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289868406276306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZotJbJGPRtBqPh22Bz5CnfI6LxP6kR1SwlkfTTwnBJOxSaCUUA3aroQeG60FRuh5pwCPW-jB6M4v62YJeQIiUtjqNVF4B9nKpo-B5obHfeHAa-d-RuHE_mj8fkkOEWU-OkORZKMtKwsq/s320/9-758753.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Another project that is attracting attention for mixing screens and glasses is the Oculus Rift, which is currently very much about gaming, but could feasibly - using a camera - show you live video of reality and enable some awesome real time overlays because it's a complete screen. The sheer size and weight of the Oculus Rift headset as it currently exists means it is unlikely to happen soon, however.</div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;">Google Glass price</h3><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">Google Glass is not yet commercially available but some of those who signed up to the Google Glass Explorer program have been able to purchase a developer edition for $1,500 - around £985 or AU$1,449. Such is the buzz behind Google Glass that there is now a black market in Explorer program invites, with a 'Buy It Now' invite going for as much as $2,999.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">The consumer versions are expected to be a little cheaper, although any actual prices remain speculative. They are unlikely to be super-cheap - but Google's success with the Nexus 7 tablet may prompt the company to subsidise some of the cost.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdWzPJOWI6OHSbHSgzq0inncK2_FxX-OrAaBXly0gC-RV02Unz4yqhBjsLREDzJUlzF5kyfHUO-aP9_UMkl12lD_pDLe-SbEd9AFEQ0ncj6odrip5DGnxAljEfrOzuEtF-u1IMtdBwmkl/s1600/10-760986.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289879685778082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdWzPJOWI6OHSbHSgzq0inncK2_FxX-OrAaBXly0gC-RV02Unz4yqhBjsLREDzJUlzF5kyfHUO-aP9_UMkl12lD_pDLe-SbEd9AFEQ0ncj6odrip5DGnxAljEfrOzuEtF-u1IMtdBwmkl/s320/10-760986.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Google recently unveiled an accessories store, selling Google Glass add-ons and extras at premium prices. A spare pouch for Glass will set you back $50 and a clear eye shield is on sale for $75.<br /> </div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAN9XYVYmpIr-qLkKAeppbQCtV5aHTRaZngdYj9Yiu6MC1yZyoVsTaMxGSyDtfql9GBzIj0DgVuPC-vmJjcA2DKOCm88esOUgwS1ymdaSfYzeZH9hY_EyTMKBrLRZgmxTCq0T_pR6Ty1e/s1600/11-763413.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948289888081221042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAN9XYVYmpIr-qLkKAeppbQCtV5aHTRaZngdYj9Yiu6MC1yZyoVsTaMxGSyDtfql9GBzIj0DgVuPC-vmJjcA2DKOCm88esOUgwS1ymdaSfYzeZH9hY_EyTMKBrLRZgmxTCq0T_pR6Ty1e/s320/11-763413.jpg" /></a><br /> </div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;">Google Glass release date</h3><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">There was speculation that Glass may launch early, before the end of 2013 but no announcement has been forthcoming from Google. Google has however announced that another round of invites will be sent out to those who wish to buy a Google Glass Explorer edition, with existing users able to invite up to three friends. Which could mean that the original 2014 launch is more likely. In short, it will soon be easier to get a developer edition, but those wanting a proper consumer model will have to wait until well into 2014.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">While waiting for the full release, we had some thoughts about where Google Glass may be headed by the end of the decade. If Google's wearable future comes to pass, just what will the world of tech look like by 2020?</div></div></div>

Google Glass: release date, news and features UPDATED Are Google's glasses more than just a gimmick?

Google Glass: release date, news and features UPDATED  Are Google's glasses more than just a gimmick? With so much new information surro...

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HTC One will get a bite of Android 4.4 KitKat at the end of January 2014 Not great if your New Year's resolution is cutting chocolate

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h1 class="" style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 32px; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; vertical-align: top;">HTC One will get a bite of Android 4.4 KitKat at the end of January 2014</h1><h2 class="" style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Not great if your New Year's resolution is cutting chocolate</h2><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FkmcTVSOzU6OCxt2-SlEAdsvl8ZiXnynvw5Fj8Y_m-W7WURd4Krhchf-d9SBV_K56Us5O-PWE-bUufuCg0wQ9cy7nv9qudKUiLdwVOcD4pp6hXTrI1g2jgGATO9LMYHaGHo4pRhs9XbX/s1600/HTC-One_Silver-578-80-743574.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948286797495917666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FkmcTVSOzU6OCxt2-SlEAdsvl8ZiXnynvw5Fj8Y_m-W7WURd4Krhchf-d9SBV_K56Us5O-PWE-bUufuCg0wQ9cy7nv9qudKUiLdwVOcD4pp6hXTrI1g2jgGATO9LMYHaGHo4pRhs9XbX/s320/HTC-One_Silver-578-80-743574.jpg" /></a></div><div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">HTC One owners holding out for Android 4.4 KitKat will be getting a delayed Christmas gift, with the update set to arrive at the end of January 2014.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">HTC made the announcement on Twitter, bringing the news that Brits will have to wait until next year for the anticipated upgrade.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">"We're working with our local carriers to begin the rollout of Android 4.4 and Sense 5.5 for the #HTCOne from end of January 2014," it read.</div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;"> Gonna tell you One time</h3><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">There's currently no word on whether unlocked devices will be getting the update sooner than everyone else.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">We expect the rest of the world might also get the update at the same time or before, given that HTC One-owning Brits were pretty late to Android 4.3. We're chasing up with HTC and will let you know as soon as we hear more.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Meanwhile we're expecting the HTC M8 (aka the HTC One Two) to appear around March time, when the current flagship handset will turn One year old.</div></div><div><br /></div></div>

HTC One will get a bite of Android 4.4 KitKat at the end of January 2014 Not great if your New Year's resolution is cutting chocolate

HTC One will get a bite of Android 4.4 KitKat at the end of January 2014 Not great if your New Year's resolution is cutting chocolate HT...

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HTC One will get a bite of Android 4.4 KitKat at the end of January 2014 Not great if your New Year's resolution is cutting chocolate

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h1 class="" style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 32px; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; vertical-align: top;">HTC One will get a bite of Android 4.4 KitKat at the end of January 2014</h1><h2 class="" style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Not great if your New Year's resolution is cutting chocolate</h2><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FkmcTVSOzU6OCxt2-SlEAdsvl8ZiXnynvw5Fj8Y_m-W7WURd4Krhchf-d9SBV_K56Us5O-PWE-bUufuCg0wQ9cy7nv9qudKUiLdwVOcD4pp6hXTrI1g2jgGATO9LMYHaGHo4pRhs9XbX/s1600/HTC-One_Silver-578-80-743574.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948286797495917666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FkmcTVSOzU6OCxt2-SlEAdsvl8ZiXnynvw5Fj8Y_m-W7WURd4Krhchf-d9SBV_K56Us5O-PWE-bUufuCg0wQ9cy7nv9qudKUiLdwVOcD4pp6hXTrI1g2jgGATO9LMYHaGHo4pRhs9XbX/s320/HTC-One_Silver-578-80-743574.jpg" /></a></div><div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">HTC One owners holding out for Android 4.4 KitKat will be getting a delayed Christmas gift, with the update set to arrive at the end of January 2014.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">HTC made the announcement on Twitter, bringing the news that Brits will have to wait until next year for the anticipated upgrade.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">"We're working with our local carriers to begin the rollout of Android 4.4 and Sense 5.5 for the #HTCOne from end of January 2014," it read.</div><h3 style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 20px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1em; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 480px;"> Gonna tell you One time</h3><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; width: 480px;">There's currently no word on whether unlocked devices will be getting the update sooner than everyone else.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">We expect the rest of the world might also get the update at the same time or before, given that HTC One-owning Brits were pretty late to Android 4.3. We're chasing up with HTC and will let you know as soon as we hear more.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Meanwhile we're expecting the HTC M8 (aka the HTC One Two) to appear around March time, when the current flagship handset will turn One year old.</div></div><div><br /></div></div>

HTC One will get a bite of Android 4.4 KitKat at the end of January 2014 Not great if your New Year's resolution is cutting chocolate

HTC One will get a bite of Android 4.4 KitKat at the end of January 2014 Not great if your New Year's resolution is cutting chocolate HT...

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20 best Android widgets Fill your Home screens with the best widgets for Android

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: top;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 24pt; letter-spacing: -0.75pt;">20 best Android widgets</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: -0.4pt;">Fill your Home screens with the best widgets for Android</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivan8OpLmvfwb74twsjysomEq2ZGpGk8qhCbStfl1hXUm9GegG6FZoenTesxsjniYwjZaTUJi11J40Flj9LY06e5y_FlgmGlCk_0NAWr03rYkm83EIwwjrXmDJ7DbxKuWfTnyi-itM9L0M/s1600/1-708108.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948279346466489698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivan8OpLmvfwb74twsjysomEq2ZGpGk8qhCbStfl1hXUm9GegG6FZoenTesxsjniYwjZaTUJi11J40Flj9LY06e5y_FlgmGlCk_0NAWr03rYkm83EIwwjrXmDJ7DbxKuWfTnyi-itM9L0M/s320/1-708108.jpg" /></a><br /> </span></div><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">One of the exciting and innovative things about Android has always been its use of widgets, which, to the uninitiated, are best described as little live apps that are embedded into your Home screens.</span></div><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">You can have an animating photo frame that pulls out a selection of pics from your phone's gallery, a serious news ticker, constantly updating share prices, annoying social network status updates from people you hardly know - there's a widgetised version of pretty much any type of mobile app you can think of.</span></div><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 7.5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">What is an Android widget?</span></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></div><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 7.5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Widgets can cause a bit of confusion among newcomers to Android, as they don't open like normal apps from your phone's big list of applications. Instead, widgets are activated by long-pressing on a space on the Home screen, then installed into the nearest available slot.</span></div><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 7.5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">There are big widgets, wide widgets, little ones that only take up one standard icon slot, and there are also some absolutely terrible spam ones that look a complete mess. So here are our top 20 Android widgets to brighten up your Android phone's workspace.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 7.5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">1. AudioManager</span></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></div><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 7.5pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUTe0kNKzKXP_7Y2HS29d7cy-IQGDpb1rRnB8BbRnprPoyGvnoI0wkFgYM6scT7b5PWasq7FzIegSVRHNbl77XPAB8xPQ6hnIw0ocH7Jbtc2CZRPOBZLNTgwNQ-snionJIT_Meuy1aIr7/s1600/2-711062.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948279358567320690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUTe0kNKzKXP_7Y2HS29d7cy-IQGDpb1rRnB8BbRnprPoyGvnoI0wkFgYM6scT7b5PWasq7FzIegSVRHNbl77XPAB8xPQ6hnIw0ocH7Jbtc2CZRPOBZLNTgwNQ-snionJIT_Meuy1aIr7/s320/2-711062.jpg" /></a><br /> </span></strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">It can be a little confusing delving through Android's numerous menu screens to try to find the particular setting to adjust the ring tone volume - so have it all presented as a nice widget instead.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><a href="https://market.android.com/details?id=com.smartandroidapps.audiowidget" style="color: #0099cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">AudioManager</a> is nice looking, it lets you see what volume everything's at, and pops up adjustment slide bars when pressed. You life will get 0.01 percent easier with it.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong>2. Quick Battery</strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfJpKFrGIwkB47f9lJcPphqtBsMcFBxkMJomvTLU2lDJCrcLxBEz7Q-2GBFCOmy6K7Bi-x0oDHoJ-eFf5MrYU0Fu0wgvvbpEo-7SCyzuXS7Mj2w3PAa9RRlF060i7OiFweGS8J3eVDqu0/s1600/3-712782.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948279362282073858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfJpKFrGIwkB47f9lJcPphqtBsMcFBxkMJomvTLU2lDJCrcLxBEz7Q-2GBFCOmy6K7Bi-x0oDHoJ-eFf5MrYU0Fu0wgvvbpEo-7SCyzuXS7Mj2w3PAa9RRlF060i7OiFweGS8J3eVDqu0/s320/3-712782.jpg" /></a></strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">A teeny tiny one-by-one size widget, <a href="https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bwx.qs.battery" style="color: #0099cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Quick Battery</a> isn't particularly glamorous - but it does a better and prettier job of representing your phone's battery status than anything else. Plus, when installing the widget, you can choose what you want it to link to - so pressing it can open up the power settings page or... <em>Angry Birds</em>. Anything.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong>3. Extended Controls</strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">The standard Android power strip is a useful widget that lets you quickly turn off Wi-Fi, adjust the screen brightness and toggle GPS, Bluetooth and data syncing, but <a href="https://market.android.com/details?id=com.extendedcontrols" style="color: #0099cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Extended Controls</a> adds more. Loads more, from one-touch USB tethering to airplane mode and even switching your phone's vibration keyboard settings on or off. Plus it's visually customisable, too.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong>4. ColorNote Notepad Notes</strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOscyOCdE6KK_UKN3QBSYeB-fJq_MZXiDYX1kF0-i3pYENQw-aSoSece0LMz6dtA54AWszOdrjrto7zUQaBNigpo6KaKpabfKFPY3ZP8n_Pur-D_yhxiJP4QiUqvUd-QoSN-ctlVqHxqzE/s1600/4-714616.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948279370477936754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOscyOCdE6KK_UKN3QBSYeB-fJq_MZXiDYX1kF0-i3pYENQw-aSoSece0LMz6dtA54AWszOdrjrto7zUQaBNigpo6KaKpabfKFPY3ZP8n_Pur-D_yhxiJP4QiUqvUd-QoSN-ctlVqHxqzE/s320/4-714616.jpg" /></a></strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">Everyone loves the classic Post-It note style of thing, and that's what<a href="https://market.android.com/details?id=com.socialnmobile.dictapps.notepad.color.note" style="color: #0099cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">ColorNote</a> brings to your Android Home screen. Tiny post-its, one icon square, each linked to either a text note or a simple to-do list. They look cute and you can change the colours for an extra adrenaline rush.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong>5. Evernote</strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTx9ypMmg2kYsWhKQLFPKH7ESjoYqEO1I-ZLGbyK-j6ZQcVQ0LTN2pehYV7RPPOLx3JQL001dVLv4kHEPoVM375wH4LgkrqMzReyz9sff2ZUHsbFnHCca7ki5eqh__OliHA5IUgrrDpbql/s1600/5-716643.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948279380844035954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTx9ypMmg2kYsWhKQLFPKH7ESjoYqEO1I-ZLGbyK-j6ZQcVQ0LTN2pehYV7RPPOLx3JQL001dVLv4kHEPoVM375wH4LgkrqMzReyz9sff2ZUHsbFnHCca7ki5eqh__OliHA5IUgrrDpbql/s320/5-716643.jpg" /></a></strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">The excellent <a href="https://market.android.com/details?id=com.evernote" style="color: #0099cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Evernote</a> comes with a lovely little widget. While it's not visually that impressive, it adds very convenient shortcuts to your Home screen that make using the data-syncing, scheduling app even easier to use. Instant access to notes, searches, voice memos and more. Just don't judge it by its looks.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong>6. HTC Bookmarks</strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGSCYj9CDKr_Ao3WEHKZwO0VPSpsxDMJfuZwjzA6UUrWnTVotkyMidQZ5KG9_jElX0j3Te0gGXoeuKBvUOhGoFX-qG4Aw9KiSWCcRSRaDxfQ089qJJug4FcYc7H8ZnDXoyXUR1tMuLcnv/s1600/7-720994.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948279398994257618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGSCYj9CDKr_Ao3WEHKZwO0VPSpsxDMJfuZwjzA6UUrWnTVotkyMidQZ5KG9_jElX0j3Te0gGXoeuKBvUOhGoFX-qG4Aw9KiSWCcRSRaDxfQ089qJJug4FcYc7H8ZnDXoyXUR1tMuLcnv/s320/7-720994.jpg" /></a></strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">One for all the HTC owners out there. Its bookmarks widget is an excellent way to put one of your empty Home screens to use, with it giving you a full-size, scrolling list of bookmarks right there in front of your fingers. It's so useful, it's easier to quit the browser and select a link from here than navigate HTC's own in-browser bookmark system.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong>7. Facebook for Android</strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1tf43tUCg13EoSEHxfjDkbhst1kc79HTQGfVov0dxU1GXzVIFdtBgXaqTCi1EaVXqlbz24iTBhibvGEHfFinry2pL6gffo7ZtFw4Fpy574J8Pa_TGpc91Ebxfrso8GBSiepzKs34hT_y/s1600/8-722755.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948279406352906450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1tf43tUCg13EoSEHxfjDkbhst1kc79HTQGfVov0dxU1GXzVIFdtBgXaqTCi1EaVXqlbz24iTBhibvGEHfFinry2pL6gffo7ZtFw4Fpy574J8Pa_TGpc91Ebxfrso8GBSiepzKs34hT_y/s320/8-722755.jpg" /></a></strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">While the <a href="https://market.android.com/details?id=com.facebook.katana" style="color: #0099cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Android Facebook app</a> seems to be a little slow in development and still misses several key features, its Home screen widget is a lesson in simplicity and elegance. It has a clean look, comprising of only a text box for your latest amusing thought, and a scrollable list of recent status updates from your chums. White, clean, stylish and nice.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong>8. Moon Phase Pro</strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlxVpfgBavt2mOhVbaify0uG2jkxliakK8vWKtFpc9odZelf3k5dJttTPNRrK3-qM-JNv0wxmuysrBR42GS-rQEGLnIWBJ7pTdDANm1aw6352k0d4QMJFsRaQIrGYuircoSkMJuq4K8SG/s1600/9-725995.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948279422973927026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlxVpfgBavt2mOhVbaify0uG2jkxliakK8vWKtFpc9odZelf3k5dJttTPNRrK3-qM-JNv0wxmuysrBR42GS-rQEGLnIWBJ7pTdDANm1aw6352k0d4QMJFsRaQIrGYuircoSkMJuq4K8SG/s320/9-725995.jpg" /></a></strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">If you live in a place where you're not constantly illuminated by council street lights, you might be aware of the Moon. It's a sort of massive rock in the sky that's nice and relaxing to look at. It also changes shape depending on the time of the month.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">You can keep track of these changes with the <a href="https://market.android.com/details?id=com.daylightmap.moon.pro.android" style="color: #0099cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Moon Phase Pro</a> widget, so you'll always have something to talk to Sir Patrick Moore about, should you happen to bump into him in your local supermarket. It also makes a very nice live wallpaper.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong>Best Android clock widget</strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong>9. Fancy Widget</strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKF5i996tYqa2yFMo4xuGEwm0OKAqo8s6FWNLFRwF7h3npMtDIq-vopytCSpx-sgFCxUJGSO3eyHEBdBW4kRug4JRtWtoMlmNUv3Mevecfb49TW8U_Go0AEoscJBJtSOprRfextDRBWgc/s1600/10-727859.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948279425393587218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKF5i996tYqa2yFMo4xuGEwm0OKAqo8s6FWNLFRwF7h3npMtDIq-vopytCSpx-sgFCxUJGSO3eyHEBdBW4kRug4JRtWtoMlmNUv3Mevecfb49TW8U_Go0AEoscJBJtSOprRfextDRBWgc/s320/10-727859.jpg" /></a><br /> </strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;">There are quite a few apps out there that copy the iconic HTC Sense clock and its animating weather system, with one of the finest being <a href="https://market.android.com/details?id=com.anddoes.fancywidget" style="color: #0099cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Fancy Widget</a>. It wins because it's free, offering a more traditional Android-style digital clock option, customisable text colours, alternate skins, transparency effects and more. There's also a Pro version for a couple of quid, if you need even more options.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong>Best Android weather widget</strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong>10. The Weather Channel</strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; width: 480px;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XFQE8V6g7mZXr241zaI_cTu8fkMZ__LIHNl8abtQXIfJOWMtaSEWHCVPhGIQXTG2AM4TAw0Ms_a0TckQTMHAVhDc6R2DYDdq8Iqy8fdqqYSm2TNnciG4RinJMEWpqt83837aonUL7dL7/s1600/11-729813.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948279433334737794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XFQE8V6g7mZXr241zaI_cTu8fkMZ__LIHNl8abtQXIfJOWMtaSEWHCVPhGIQXTG2AM4TAw0Ms_a0TckQTMHAVhDc6R2DYDdq8Iqy8fdqqYSm2TNnciG4RinJMEWpqt83837aonUL7dL7/s320/11-729813.jpg" /></a><br /> </strong></div></div>

20 best Android widgets Fill your Home screens with the best widgets for Android

20 best Android widgets Fill your Home screens with the best widgets for Android One of the exciting and innovative things about Android ...

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