Maker Games Academy may have avoided the temptation to use a Chilean protagonist in this game which involves escaping from a mine but, in selecting Carlos ("an apathetic and chubby Mexican miner"), it may well have done.

Politically correct? Probably not. Great fun? You betcha. In fact, we think today's App of The Day is the best free game on Microsoft's revitalised mobile OS.

Call of Carlos

Platform

Windows Phone

Price

Free

Where

Marketplace

Let's be honest. Most of the free games on Windows Phone are naff. But Call of Carlos is definitely an exception. It doesn't feel like a cheap game knocked up and rushed out just to take advantage of the lack of free games in the Marketplace. It feels like a genuine, slick, mobile game that ticks the crucial box of any casual game - addictiveness.

The story is a simple one (as is Carlos, we suspect): "One day, while doing his daily mining business, he suddenly finds a rare diamond inside one of the mining shafts. As he tries to break it loose, lava emerges from the bottom of the shaft! Carlos quickly grabs the diamond, takes his trusty pickaxe and tries to escape the lengthy mineshafts!"

The premise and gameplay also won't stretch the imagination or your gaming skills too much either. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. In its simpleness lies its brilliance.

You start at the bottom of the mine. Your aim is to reach the exit as quickly as possible, collecting as many diamonds as you can along the way. You do this by using your pickaxe and a rope, swinging, Spiderman-style, from platform to platform, using your phone's accelerometer to move Carlos in the right direction.

At the end of each level you are given a score based on the amount of diamonds you managed to bag, the time in which you hit the exit goal and a bonus based on the amount of continuous platforms you managed to climb without touching the floor.

And while there's no star rating à la Angry Birds or Cut the Rope, you can bet your bottom dollar that you'll waste hours trying to improve your score, safe in the notion that you know that you can do better.

The graphics are simple, yet nice, and the controls are as intuitive and responsive as they need to be.

In short, Call of Carlos is a real diamond in the rough. Get it now.

Tags: Gaming Apps Windows Phone 7 apps Call of Carlos App of the day

APP OF THE DAY: Call of Carlos review (Windows Phone) originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:00:00 +0000

It's the 8th most popular website in the UK, has listings for more than 20,000 agents and developers from Land's End to John O' Groats and is the only place where you can take a look around someone's house uninvited without their getting all worked up and calling the police. And now it's landing on your Android phone or tablet.

That's right - we're talking Rightmove.

The iPhone version of the app launched way back in 2009 and this was followed by a Samsung Smart TV app at the end of last year.

But now, it's the turns of fandroids to get in on the action with an app that features built-in Google Street View options with GPS skills and also boasts full-screen photos and floorplans and the ability to contact Rightmove agents from within the app. 

The app hooks up to your Rightmove account too, so should you highlight several places that you want your partner or family to see using you PC, you can look at them together on the go.

Rightmove director Miles Shipside said: "We’re seeing a real shift in consumer behaviour as home-movers increasingly incorporate mobile platforms into their property search process. They’re looking to get the latest properties, stay connected with the people they are searching with, and search on the move.

"The addition of a new Rightmove Android app to our suite of home-moving platforms will further enhance this trend, and allows us to build on the success of our iPhone app, iPad app and M-Site."

The Rightmove app for Android will land in Google Play on 19 March. It's free.

Tags: Apps Android apps Rightmove Right Move

Rightmove app moves into new Android home originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:20:00 +0000

Bad news game fans - Microsoft has put an end to the incessant new Xbox at E3 rumours by releasing a pretty comprehensive statement denying it will be on show at the gaming expo.

It reads, in full:

"While we appreciate all the interest in our long-range plans for the future, we can confirm that there will be no talk of new Xbox hardware at E3 or anytime soon. For us, 2012 is all about Xbox 360-and it's the best year ever for Xbox 360. The console is coming off its biggest year ever - a year in which Xbox outsold all other consoles worldwide. Xbox 360 didn't just outsell other consoles, it also outsold all other TV-connected devices like DVD players, as well as digital media receivers and home theatre systems. And in our seventh year, we sold more consoles than in any other year-defying convention.

This year, we will build on that Xbox 360 momentum. With Halo 4, Forza Horizon, Fable: The Journey, and other great Kinect games on the way, our 2012 Xbox lineup is our strongest ever. This year, we will deliver more TV, music, and movie experiences for Xbox 360-as we'll make it even easier to find and control your all entertainment. And this year, Xbox games, music, and video are coming to Windows 8 so people can enjoy their Xbox entertainment wherever they go."

So there you have it, the console rumoured to be codenamed Durango, will not be getting a June unveil. The official statement from Microsoft backs up what its French marketing director, Cedrick Delmas, said back in January when he told website LePoint.fr: "There will be nothing new in 2012".

"We are in an industry where it talks a lot, it likes to tell stories. I'm not convinced that things are happening this year. The cycle of the Xbox 360 is far from over." Proof of that came in the fact that the price hadn't been dropped this year, he said.

It was too early to say what would happen at E3. "What is certain is that there will be nothing new in 2012."

Sony isn't expected to announce anything fourth-gen PlayStation related at the LA-based expo either, leaving Nintendo a clear early run at the new eight-generation console market with the Wii U.

Tags: Gaming Microsoft Xbox 720 E32012 E3 Xbox

No Xbox 720 for E3 originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:45:00 +0000

We were once of the opinion that garlic bread was the future. But now, we're convinced that the future is, in fact, digital vending machines that let you rent or buy movies when you're out and about.

Unleashed by the brilliantly named Digiboo over in the US of A, the company describes the service as "the easiest and most convenient way to stay entertained while you’re on the go".

The premise is fairly simple. Digiboo offers up "today’s hottest movies" and you simply whack in your USB flash drive and transfer the movie that you want after paying with your credit or debit card.

Movies cost around $4 to rent and $15 to buy. And the catalogue is indeed chock-a-block with new releases such as The Ideas of March, Drive, Contagion and Friends With Benefits.

There's no HD action at the moment unfortunately - although the company says it will look into this if the initial launch proves successful. Instead, it's SD movies with files sizes around 1.8GB that will take around 2-5 minutes to transfer with USB 2.0, or just 20 seconds if you tap into the USB 3.0 capabilities.

DRM is on board and and there's a pain-in-the-bum sounding preregistration process that you'll need to embark on in order to play your content without having to connect to the web first. It's Windows only for no;, Android is coming soon, apparently.

The initial Digiboo kiosks can be found now at Minneapolis–St. Paul, Portland and Seattle-Tacoma international airports. The plan is to have 7000 in place by the end of 2014.

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Tags: Home Cinema USB Vending machines Digiboo

Digiboo USB digital vending machines unleashed in the US originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:42:00 +0000

Over in Vegas at CES last year Pocket-lint got its sweaty paws all over the Samsung NX11, a follow-up to the Samsung NX10 – a mirrorless system hybrid camera with the inclusion of i-Function lens compatibility.

And now it looks as if we could have a new member for the NX family by way of the Samsung NX20. An image of the camera has leaked on to the internet, along with some juicy details.

The juiciest being that the Samsung NX20 apparently brings Wi-Fi connectivity to the mix, meaning that you'll be able to ping images and video directly into the webiverse to the likes of Facebook, YouTube and Twitter without having to deal with pesky wires.

Looking a lot like the NX11, truth be told, the NX20 is said to be "slightly bigger" and providing a "good grip". It packs the same 20.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor as its NX11 relative and it is said to boast sensitivity support from ISO 100 to ISO 12,800 along with the iFunction 2.0 lens support that set the NX11 apart from the NX10.

On the back, it's reported, is a 3-inch VGA AMOLED display. The camera is also said to be capable of Full HD 1080p video recording with a dedicated video button and can also shoot continuous images at 8fps.

No word on an official release date or price-point as of yet - we'll keep you posted.

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Tags: Cameras Compact system cameras Samsung Samsung NX11 Samsung NX20

Wi-Fi touting Samsung NX20 picture leaks originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:44:00 +0000

The word on the street (that street being The Verge on the internet, so not a real street at all) is that Lenovo is going to beat the big guns to the Windows 8 tablet punch and be the first manufacturer to market with one.

While Dell has promised to be at the Windows 8 party from day one, and Asus has told us it has a very good relationship with Microsoft - hinting to Pocket-lint that it also has a Windows 8 tablet planned for launch - the site has put some chatter together and come up with the notion that Lenovo is going to have one too. 

The Verge is reporting that Lenovo is all geared up for an October release - apparently the month that Microsoft's new OS will go live. This would match what Pocket-lint already told you in January - that Windows 8 would most likely be launching in October.

We discussed the launch time frame during a demo session of the next-gen OS with Janelle Poole, director of public relations of the Windows Business Group, who told us: "We haven't talked about the release date and we generally don't.

"One of the things that I think is a good guideline, though, is we've always said that Windows releases come round about every three years and this year will be three years in October since we launched Windows 7. So I think that's a good guideline to consider."

The Verge's report doesn't mention what tablet exactly Lenovo will be launching ahead of the pack, but seeing as it has been playing with tablets for some time chances are it could be the IdeaPad Yoga hybrid tablet / Ultrabook that we got hands-on with back in January.

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Tags: Tablets Lenovo Yoga Lenovo Windows 8 Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga

Lenovo joins Asus for Windows 8 tablet expected launch in October originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:50:00 +0000

The message from Research In Motion to developers is clear - it's time to start building those BlackBerry 10 apps.

The company has sent out invites to BlackBerry 10 Jam (which we have to say sounds an awful lot like something you might spread on your toast) - a conference that "will allow developers to be part of the initial conversation and learn about the new platform and the evolution of BlackBerry".

BlackBerry 10 Jam will run alongside the big BlackBerry World event in Orlando in May and will be a platform to see and discuss the new OS's strengths and vision. It is a chance for developers to see how they "can make applications that stand out, as well as drive usability and loyalty", RIM says.

Pictures of BlackBerry's new OS 10 were leaked online last month, showing a drastic change to the way that RIM's operating system will look. First up, the home screen has undergone a major facelift, adding what looks like widgets and ideas taken from the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Looking more like a scaled-down version of the QNX interface found on RIM's tablet, it clearly shows a huge change in how BlackBerry mobiles will operate.

Indeed, RIM has also confirmed to Pocket-lint that the existing PlayBook device will be upgradeable to BB 10 when it launches later this year.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones BlackBerry BlackBerry 10

BlackBerry 10 all set for some May Orlando magic originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:18:00 +0000

If you're looking to get your hands all over the brand spanking, resolutionary new iPad on Friday but worried where the cash is going to come from to feed your Apple habit, then fear not - you could always raise some funds by flogging your old iPad.

And no, we don't mean playing the eBay lottery - we mean genuine hard cash direct from Apple itself, courtesy of its Reuse and Recycling scheme which has been expanded to include the 9.7-inch slate range.

In the States, the programme gives you an Apple gift card for the value of your unwanted iPad but here in Blighty it's real money; paid into your bank from a company Apple has teamed up with called Dataserv.

And, although you could probably fetch a fair few quid more for your previous favourite toy using eBay and the like, Apple will guarantee you a price if your iPad is good nick with much less hassle. It will even offer a sum for a non-working device.

For a 64GB Wi-Fi original iPad, we were offered £142. For an iPad 2 with 3G and the same storage the offer was £277.

As we say, it's not the best price that you're likely to get but it looks like a quick and easy process. The difficult part will be locating a store with the new iPad in stock.

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Tags: Tablets Apple iPad iPad

Cash in your old iPad with Apple originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:58:00 +0000

Archos has teased a tablet that is likely to come in at even skinnier than the Toshiba AT200 and also has the QWERTY skills and hybrid design to upset the likes of the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime.

Looking distinctly 'different' in a 30-second promo video, the Archos G10 XS is said to be boasting "paper-thin" steel, rather than aluminium and is apparently going to measure in at just a teeny 7.6mm thick. That's a full 0.1mm thinner than Toshiba's AT200, currently the skinniest tab in town.

Also in the teaser vid a docking keyboard is shown off, leading us to believe it will be Transformer Prime-like in offering both the touchscreen and the QWERTY control options.

It's also purported that the G10 XS will come rocking Android Ice Cream Sandwich when it lands.

When that will be is anybody's guess - as is the price. We're hearing between €200 and €400, which is vague at best, we know.

The Archos G10 XS will launch later this year alongside some Arnova budget tablets (€50 to €150) and some Archos Elements mid-range tablets (€100 to €200).

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Tags: Archos Archos G10 XS Tablets

Archos G10 XS to take on Toshiba in skinny tablet stakes (video) originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:44:00 +0000

Earlier this week we told you how Nokia, according to Digitimes at least, is readying a 10-inch tablet that will come rocking with Microsoft's new touch-friendly OS, Windows 8.

And now, speaking to Finnish magazine Kauppalehti Optio, Nokia design chief Marko Ahtisaari has admitted: "We are working on it."

According to a Reuters report, he also said he was spending a third of his time on creating a tablet for the Finnish phone giant.

At Mobile World Congress last this month Niklas Savander, an executive vice-president at Nokia, told Pocket-lint: "The tablet is an interesting market for someone like Nokia because it is not cannibalising handset sales, it is cannibalising PC sales."

He was keen to emphasise however that, if Nokia were to release a tablet device, it would need to be different from the rest. "If we are going to be in that market we need to have a different point of view, because being the 101st maker isn't really a commercial or consumer proposition," he said

Rumours are that Nokia could be unleashing its Windows 8 tablet before the end of the year. So watch this space.

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Tags: Tablets Nokia Windows 8 Rumours

Nokia design chief confirms tablet development originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:23:00 +0000

You asked - they listened. Apparently. Yep, we're talking Sonos and its Mac and PC Controller apps, which have both gone under the surgeon's knife and will be launching in sparkly new form next week.

The apps, according to their maker: "Will make it easier than ever to find, control and play music in any room - right from your favourite desktop or laptop."

Expect to be blown away then with instant volume control, a one-touch Party Mode that lets you set the volume in your grouped rooms simultaneously, faster access to music with an improved search feature and "better-than-ever" drag-and-drop interface.

Hyperbole aside, the new apps do look pretty slick and we particularly like the look of the new Mini Controller - "a slick, pop-out of album art that lets you control your music while you’re working in other apps, so now it’s even easier to control any music you want - any way you want".

It looks pretty awesome and much more in tune with the widget-based apps that people are familair with from their mobile devices.

Out next week, you'll need Mac OS X 10.6 or higher, or Windows 7 SP3 to make the most of Sonos 3.7.

Tags: Audio Apps Mac App Store Sonos Controller Sonos

Sonos Controller updates for Mac and PC coming next week originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:38:00 +0000

The BBC is to launch a premium download video service to take on the likes of Apple's ITunes.

The move - part of an initiative called Project Barcelona - has long been rumoured but has now been officially confirmed by BBC director-general Mark Thompson.

Speaking at an event for the Royal Television Society, the Beeb bossman said: "For decades the British public has understood the distinction between watching Dad's Army on BBC1 and then going out to buy a permanent copy of it. Barcelona is the digital equivalent of doing the second."

The idea is that just minutes after a show ends on Auntie's network, it will be available to download and keep digitally. So, a different proposition from the BBC's iPlayer, which allows for streaming and downloading for a limited time only.

"This is not a second licence-fee by stealth or any reduction in the current public service offering from the BBC," said Thompson. "It's the exact analogy of going into a high-street shop to buy a DVD or, before that, a VHS cassette."

The "digital ownership" of the programmes would be available permanently for "a modest fee", he said

That fee is expected to be around £1.89 per programme. In comparison, Top Gear on iTunes would cost you £2.49 , Benidorm £1.89 and Only Fools and Horses £1.49. So we'd expect some flexibility around the £1.89 price, especially with Thompson promising "to load more and more of our archive into the window" over time.

No set date for the service as of yet. We'll keep you posted.

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Tags: BBC iTunes Project Barcelona Video on demand

BBC to launch iTunes rival originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:59:00 +0000

Stephen Elop, the Nokia CEO, thinks dual-core and quad-core processors are just a waste of battery in mobile phones and that, to the consumers, they aren’t all that useful.

That's the translation that Unwired View has from an Elop interview with the Yangcheng Evening News. Elop was speaking to the Chinese news outlet ahead of the Nokia Lumia 800's launch in the region this month.

The quote is not surprising given that Windows Phone - Nokia's OS of choice since Elop wielded the axe on Symbian and MeeGo - doesn't really cater for dual-core devices. Not yet, at least.

Reports earlier this month, purported that Microsoft's Windows Phone engineering team is currently testing the Qualcomm MSM8960 CPU and that the dual-core 1.5GHz system-on-chip was undergoing tests to get it ready in time for "at least one" Windows Phone 8 device that will land later this year.

Also, back in October we told you how Microsoft was planning dual-core LTE capable Windows Phone 7 handsets according to WP7 unit boss Andy Lees. Speaking to Allthingsd.com, Lees explained that Microsoft had new multi-core Windows Phone 7 handsets in the pipeline, in order to keep up with the cutting edge Android competition.

We wonder then, what Elop will be saying by the time these devices land?

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Tags: Nokia Stephen Elop Phones

Nokia CEO: Dual and quad-core phones 'not useful' originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:27:00 +0000

First it was the Steve Jobs tribute comic, then the Steve Jobs action figure and now it's the Steve Jobs cuddly toy.

Dubbed the iCEO (which, coincidentally was Jobs' actual job title when he returned to Apple in the late 1990s) the stuffed toy will be shipping in August.

“I’ve wanted to design something like this for about two years,” Roberto Hoyos told Mashable. “It really comes from a place of love and it’s took a lot of hard work to get to a design that I was proud of.

"It was also my way to give back to someone that had a great impact on my life - 10 per cent of the proceeds from each doll goes to the American Cancer Society.”

Pillow company Throwboy has produced 1,200 and you can pre-order the $60 toy now. We doubt they'll ship though - there's no way the Apple lawyers would agree to that.

Like the Steve Jobs action figure produced by In Icons, we expect a ceasing order to arrive from Cupertino sometime soon. Additionally, Apple managed to stamp on MIC Gadget when it tried to sell its Jobs action figures in 2010.

But for the time being, they are on sale and are somewhat charming if a little crass. Standing 15 inches tall, the Job cuddly comes with removable glasses, his signature black Issey Miyake turtle neck and denim jeans.

We await the Ballmer one with bated breath.

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Tags: Steve Jobs Apple Toys Dad

Steve Jobs stuffed toy ups the crass stakes originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:44:00 +0000

Ooooh, the wait is almost over. If you're not already in the queue with Zohaib and the gang - then you should probably head down. For the mighty Apple Stores will open their doors at 8am on Friday, 16 March, and begin selling the third-generation iPad to the masses.

The early start is part of a worldwide promo, with not just the UK but Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland and the US (along with Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands) all getting in on the early fun.

A quick spin of our globe tells us that its our Antipodean cousins down under who'll be getting their hands on the new iPad first then, as its 8am local time, not a universal time launch.

The new iPad Wi-Fi-only models will be available in black or white with prices starting from £399 for the 16GB model, £479 for the 32GB model and £559 for the 64GB one.

The iPad Wi-Fi with 4G will be available for £499, £579 or £659 in the same size and colour variations.

Apple has also revealed that iPad lovers in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden will be able to grab the tab formerly known as the iPad 3 on 23 March.

We recently told you how demand is so high for the new iPad that Apple has already sold out of launch day iPads for online orders. In the UK, all models of the new iPad are listed on Apple.com/uk as "dispatched in 2-3 weeks" meaning that while stock is still coming, if you want one in your hands on 16 March you are going to have to physically queue at an Apple store or somewhere else on the high street.

Tags: Tablets iPad iPad Apple Apple Store

New iPad on sale 8am on Friday originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:47:00 +0000

The US equivalent of the singles chart, the Billboard Hot 100, is to get a 21st-century makeover with streams from the likes of Spotify being included for the first time.

Currently the Hot 100, the US music industry standard singles popularity chart, is based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday to Tuesday.

The weekly chart will now include data from streaming-music sites such as Spotify, Rhapsody, Slacker, Muve Music, Mog and Rdio to its calculations of a song's popularity.

The decision to add the streaming data comes as Billboard editorial director Bill Werde described the current generation of music-streaming services as having hit "a critical mass" among users.

During the week that ended March 4, there were 494 million songs streamed across the counted services, according to Nielsen, and just 27.1 million song sales.

However, the flip-side is that there are criticisms that services like Spotify aren't making enough money for the artists involved. Last year, STHoldings pulled its music from streaming music service, stating that the business model was hurting, not helping, the industry.

The indie label said at the time: "Despite these services offering promotion to many millions of music listeners we have concerns that these services cannibalise the revenues of more-traditional digital services."

The Wall Street Journal reports: "Download sales are much more lucrative for record labels than online streams, generating 70 cents or more in revenue per song sold, compared with less than a penny per stream from services that let users listen to an unlimited amount of music for a flat monthly fee."

Here in Blighty, the UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record industry and lists the weekly top-selling 200 songs based upon combined record sales and download numbers. Downloads were first included in 2005 - there are no plans as of yet to include streams.

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Tags: Spotify Music Digital music Streaming Billboard

Spotify streams hitting Billboard Hot 100 originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:01:00 +0000

Tesco is blaming an IT error for advertising the new iPad 4G 64GB model on its online retail platform for just £49.99. And the supermarket giant has stated that anyone ordering Apple's new toy at that price will not be getting the new tablet.

A spokesman for Tesco said: "We like to offer our customers unbeatable value, but unfortunately this is an IT error that is currently being corrected."

Tesco Direct's terms and conditions state: "If, by mistake, we have under priced an item, we will not be liable to supply that item to you at the stated price, provided that we notify you before we despatch the item to you. In those circumstances, we will notify the correct price to you so you can decide whether or not you wish to order the item at that price."

Tesco has previous when it comes to this sort of thing, with a few high-profile tech price errors already under its belt. In 2007 it mistakenly put an Xbox 360 bundle up for sale on its website for £33.24 and in 2011 the retail giant withdrew its offer of the new Nintendo 3DS for £157.60 - £40 cheaper than anywhere else at the time - admitting it had made a "pricing error".

And while we at Pocket-lint aren't about to accuse Tesco of concocting these errors to gain publicity, Peter Bowles, Creative MD at PR agency Dynamo PR, is happy to.

"Tesco Direct mysteriously dropping the price of this month's hottest Apple gadget is clearly a blatant PR stunt," he told us. "Unfortunately for Tesco it has tried this same trick one too many times now and consumers have noticed the same pattern. It would be a better stunt if it had the decency to honour the price drop for the few lucky customers to get it at that price.

"Its thriftiness in not sticking to this agreement has meant that this stunt has back-fired and possibly annoyed thousands of people who will now be searching around to turn off Tesco Direct email alerts. Perhaps Tesco is in need of a more original and honest idea to drive customers to their site now?"

Indeed. The iPad's real price, in case you're wondering, is £659 for the 4G 64GB model.

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Tags: Tablets iPad iPad Tesco Apple

Cheap £50 iPad deal not honoured by Tesco originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:09:00 +0000

Could a 15-inch MacBook Air be coming as early as next month? Yes, if a report from Electric Pig is anything to go by.

The Pig is reporting that an "anonymous vendor" at a UK accessories expo held in London on Tuesday spilled the beans on the new size Air and said that it was part of a "shake-up [that] will happen in April".

While we'll reserve judgement on whether we think there will be a bigger MacBook Air landing as soon as next month, it is worth noting that this isn't the first time we've heard murmurs of a 15-inch skinny Mac.

In July 2011, sources, as sources are want to do, told MacRumors that Apple was already working on a 15-inch super-skinny MacBook Pro. At the same time TUAW reported that Apple was also looking at releasing a 17-inch version, thereby covering all screen sizes.

Then, in November that year, Digitimes sources hinted at new 11, 13 and 15-inch versions of the MacBook Air and Slashgear reported that the new Air could make use of Intel's new Ivy Bridge processors.

Apple doesn't have a traditional launch month for its svelte laptops. The original MacBook Air landed in January 2008, followed by a refresh later that year. In mid-2009 the third generation landed and it was more than a year later, in October 2010, that we were treated to the new super-skinny design - a design that was once again revamped in July 2011.

So, while it's likely that a new MacBook Air range will land sometime in 2012, what month, what sizes and what this means for the MacBook Pro range remain to be seen.

Watch this space...

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Tags: Laptops Apple MacBook Air Apple notebooks Hardware

MacBook Air 15-inch landing in April? originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:26:00 +0000

After 244 years the Encyclopædia Britannica is no more when it comes to print form, becoming the latest victim of the digital revolution.

The encyclopaedia, which was written and continuously updated by around 100 full-time editors and more than 4,000 expert contributors, was regarded as one of the most scholarly of encyclopaedias.

Its sales peaked in 1990 when 120,000 sets were sold, but this number had dropped to 40,000 in 1996 - around the time that digital encyclopaedias such as Microsoft's Encarta (a CD-based digital multimedia encyclopaedia) was proving popular. 

The pressure on the Encyclopædia Britannica print edition has only intensified as the web has evolved and connected mobile devices have become more ubiquitous. EB did respond though - it has a range of DVD and CD editions, online portals and mobile apps.

"We've been noticing a downward trend in print sales for a while now but the majority of our operating profits already come from online and mobile products, so that's the natural next step in the company's transition," Eoghan Hughes, PR manager of Encyclopædia Britannica UK, told Pocket-lint.

Hughes said the decline in sales was a result of new consumer habits and not just the obvious competition from Wikipedia.

"I don't think that it's Wikipedia by itself," he said. "I think it's more of a general trend of how people are consuming information online; people expect information to be available anywhere, anytime and that's what we're concentrating on now with our digital editions and our mobile editions."

However, despite the death of the much-loved print editions, Hughes said the Britannica brand was strong enough to compete in the digital arena and that it provided a quality alternative to what's already online.

"What makes the brand is the ethos of rigorous fact-checking and high-quality editorial content and that's not changing at all," he told us.

"Wikipedia in what it does is a good thing. As a first port of call, it's a great thing. But I think that there's more than enough space for Britannica and Wikipedia to co-exist. Britannica is a very different proposition to Wikipedia; we are more academically focused, we take our contributions from experts, we're curated and I think there's more than enough space for both approaches."

Tags: Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedias Wikipedia Online Books

Encyclopædia Britannica print edition defeated by digital originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:40:00 +0000

Another day, another Google Doodle - this time in celebration of what would have been the 101st birthday of origami grandmaster Akira Yoshizawa.

Yoshizawa, who lived to the ripe old age of 94 before passing away on his birthday in 2005, is the man that turned origami into a serious art form and not just a hobby, and was responsible for creating many techniques, including wet-folding which allowed the use of thick papers and created soft curves, gentle shapes and rounded, organic forms.

The Doodle was created by Dr Robert J. Lang, an American physicist and one of the foremost origami artists in the world.

"When I was first approached by Google to help create a doodle commemorating Yoshizawa’s work, I jumped at the chance," said Lang. "Google set the parameters of the design: the Google logo, of course, but to be folded with origami and then decorated with examples of Yoshizawa's designs.

"I created examples of two logo styles for Google to choose from: one in a classic origami style and a more three-dimensional version based on pleats. Google liked the pleated version, so I set about designing and folding the rest."

The instructions to make the Doodle for yourself can be found on the Google blog. Be warned though, it looks a bit more complicated than a paper airplane.

Tags: Online Google Google doodles

Google folds new Doodle for Akira Yoshizawa originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:31:00 +0000

Just a couple of days or so after Mozilla confirmed that it will be launching a version of Firefox that is compatible with the Windows 8 Metro platform, Google has said that it too will be providing an internet Explorer alternative with a Metro version of Chrome.

"Our goal is to be able to offer our users a speedy, simple, secure Chrome experience across all platforms, which includes both the desktop and Metro versions of Windows 8," a Google rep told Mashable. "To that end, we’re in the process of building a Metro version of Chrome along with improving desktop Chrome in Windows 8 such as adding enhanced touch support."

Falling into the "Metro style enabled desktop browser" category like the Firefox version, this should mean that Chrome will be tablet friendly as well as being fully functional (and also touchscreen capable) in the desktop mode.

However, according to a Microsoft whitepaper you can use only one default browser in Metro at a time. So, for example, if you are using IE10 as your default browser in Windows 8 you'd be able to use this only on the Metro front. You could run IE10 and Chrome or Firefox simultaneously in the Windows 8 desktop though, as you can now, and you are allowed to set any browser you like as the Metro default.

Even with the limitations it's still a better scenario than the one originally rumoured - that Internet Explorer would be the only option. There's nowt wrong with IE, it's just freedom of choice makes the web a much nicer place.

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Tags: Online Software Chrome Google Windows 8 Browsers

Chrome for Windows 8 in the works originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:41:00 +0000

It isn't just Virgin Media and BT you can look to in order to fulfil your deepest, darkest fibre-optic desires, you know. TalkTalk has some superfast broadband of its own and, following the launch of its 40Mb platform last year, it is now doubling the maximum speed up to 80Mb.

The boost will cost TalkTalkers an extra £15 a month and, as well as the quicker download speeds, they will also benefit from up to 20Mb upload speeds as well.

Tristia Clarke, commercial director at TalkTalk, said: "Demand is continuing to increase for superfast broadband as more customers use their internet connections to watch live television, stream HD content, talk to their friends and family or play games that require real time responses.

"We expect our new Superfast Fibre Optic Broadband to be very popular as it will allow the whole family to enjoy seamless connectivity and high upload and download speeds for unbeatable value."

You can pre-register for Superfast Fibre Optic Broadband now, although be sure to check if your area is covered first by going to talktalk.co.uk/fibre.

Tags: Broadband TalkTalk Internet Online ISPs Fibre optic broadband

TalkTalk joins the superfast broadband race originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:57:00 +0000

Sir Jonathan Ive, Apple's senior vice-president of industrial design, has said that Apple's rivals in the tablet arena are always going to be playing second fiddle because of a lack of originality and a disregard for the end user.

Speaking to the London Evening Standard, the most successful Brit in Silicon Valley (this is the man Steve Jobs described as his "spiritual partner" at Apple, remember, and a man that no one at the company can tell what to do, according to the late CEO) said that Apple has very simple goals: "To design and make better products. If we can’t make something that is better, we won’t do it."

He slammed Apple's rivals as well, saying: "Most of our competitors are interesting in doing something different, or want to appear new - I think those are completely the wrong goals. A product has to be genuinely better. This requires real discipline, and that’s what drives us - a sincere, genuine appetite to do something that is better. Committees just don’t work, and it’s not about price, schedule or a bizarre marketing goal to appear different - they are corporate goals with scant regard for people who use the product."

The comments come just a week after Apple publicly criticised Samsung and Co at the new iPad launch. During CEO Tim Cook's keynote he said that "you won't find that great experience" on any other tablets bar the iPad and, with an image of a Galaxy Tab on the big screen behind him, described the iPad's competition as "pretty basic" and said that apps just look like blown-up smartphone ones.

He said that was the reason why "momentum on iPads continues to build and the competitive tablets aren't gaining traction".

It's clear that, even with its outspoken leader now gone, Apple is still prepared to go all out attack when it comes to taking on its rivals in the public sphere.

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Tags: Tablets iPad Tim Cook Jonathan Ive Apple Samsung iPad

Sir Jony Ive: Apple rivals have 'scant regard' for users originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:17:00 +0000

The Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook is now on sale in the UK, adding another skinny contender to the ever-growing Ultrabook market.

The 13-inc packs some impressive hardware - most notably the premium materials such as the aluminium lid, the carbonfibre base and the edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass for the display.

Talking of the screen, it's a 13.3-inch one with a 1366 x 768 resolution at 300 nits. Internally you'll get a choice of Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, 4GB of memory and graphic courtesy of Intel HD Graphics 3000. It's SSD all the way too, with a choice of 128 or 256GB drives. 

A smart feature of the Dell XPS 13 is Intel Smart Connect Technology. This will wake up and connect to a friendly Wi-Fi connection when the laptop is in standby to update applications such as email - meaning you can come down in the morning, lift the lid and find you're already up to date.

It measures 6mm at the thinnest point, rising up 18mm, has a footprint of 316 x 205mm and it weighs 1.36kg. 

Connectivity isn't the widest of the Ultrabook clan - there is no Thunderbolt here - but you do get USB 2.0, USB 3.0, DisplayPort and a 3.5mm headphone jack, along with the usual wireless options.

“We’re seeing strong consumer and business demand for the new XPS 13 – a system that is unlike anything else on the market today,” said Aongus Hegarty, president EMEA, Dell. “The XPS 13 demands attention, crossing the realm between work and play, packing powerful technology into a small, portable package and delivering enterprise-friendly protection and security. It’s the ultimate mobile device.”

Prices start from £949 for an i5 option. i7 action will cost you a bit more.

You can check out our first impressions of the Dell XPS 13 here.

Tags: Hardware Laptops Dell Ultrabooks Intel Dell XPS 13

Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook now on sale originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:38:00 +0000

Update: The original post below went live on Monday - we now have official confirmation of the device from RIM with  James Poulton, director, Advanced Accessories saying: "Whether you’re typing email, creating documents, surfing the web or using other apps, the BlackBerry Mini Keyboard and its integrated carrying case is an ideal accessory"

Original story...

There are plenty of unofficial keyboards floating around for the BlackBerry PlayBook but it seems as if we're about to be treated to some official RIM-action when it comes to QWERTY-based fun.

The PlayBook Mini Keyboard, which also doubles as a "convertible" case, has been uncovered and will hit the shops for £80.

The Mini Keyboard has a laptop style touchpad, with left and right mouse-style clicks, lasts 30 days on a single charge and packs 128bit encryption for its wireless connection with your BB tablet. It measures in at 219 x 58 x 154mm.

The PlayBook hasn't exactly set the market alight until now. In January, RIM cut its price amid reports of poor sales. Back in September it was revealed that the Canadian company was struggling with sales of the 7-incher, with just 200,000 shipped to shops in the previous quarter. The following month the phone giant took action by offering free PlayBooks in the US and Canada with a buy two get one free deal.

Research in Motion will no doubt be praying that the QWERTY action will be another oar to help to steady the sinking PlayBook ship following the OS 2.0 release.

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Tags: Tablets Research in Motion RIM BlackBerry BlackBerry PlayBook Keyboards

Official BlackBerry PlayBook Mini Keyboard lands originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:19:48 +0000