The recently announced IXUS 130 is Canon's slimmest IXUS model to date, measuring in at 17.8mm at its thickest point, and here we bring you some real-life, hands-on, in the flesh (so to speak) images of the new compact.

Specs come in with a 14-megapixel sensor, 28mm 4x zoom lens, and a 2.7-inch LCD. Other features of note include the ability to capture 720p video, an HDMI port, creative special effects options and Canon's new "Smart Shutter" features that include the ability to snap a pic with the wink of an eye.

The IXUS 130 is due in March available in silver, black, orange and pink and will cost you £279.

Tags: Cameras Canon Compact cameras Canon IXUS 130 Photos

PHOTOS: Canon IXUS 130 hands-on originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:39:54 +0000

A just-revealed patent from Apple shows that the Magic Mouse might be getting even more super powers in the future.

As well as touch abilities, Apple is considering even more motion sensors than your average computer rodent boasts with a triple-axes gyroscope that detects the roll, pitch, and yaw of the mouse.

This would mean users could tilt the mouse to scroll horizontally and vertically or tilt the input device to move something - such as an image - on the screen.

The rockable mouse would also get a convex bottom in order to make it easier to carry out the tilts by rocking or rolling the mouse.

There's tons more info and diagrams over on Patently Apple if you fancy learning more, and we'll be sure to keep you posted with Apple news.

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Tags: Hardware Mice Apple Patents Gaming Magic Mouse

Apple patents rocking and rolling mouse originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:18:42 +0000

HP has launched five point-and-shoot digital cameras and three camcorders with highlighted features of "LCD displays, up to 5x optical zoom and fashionable colours", which should give you an idea of how exciting the new products are.

The "premium" HP CW450t and HP PW460t point-and-shoot digi-cams feature 2.7-inch and 3-inch LCD touchscreen displays and a touch interface. Both have 4x optical zoom and support up to 32GB SDHC cards. The HP CW450 gets a non-touch 2.7-inch LCD display with 4x optical zoom.

The V5061u and V5560u - touchscreen digital camcorders - get 3-inch LCD displays, 1080p recording and motion-detection capabilities while the V5560u features 5x optical zoom.

Finally, the HP V1020h is HP's take on the pocket camcorder and offers 720p recording, a slim design and a USB connector for easy video uploading to websites via a PC.

Prices are due to range from $99 to $199. They are expected to be available from this spring at "select" retailers.

Tags: Cameras Digital cameras HP Compact cameras

HP launches five point-and-shoot cameras, three camcorders originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:01:31 +0000

A new iPhone and Android app has launched that takes government data on ASB statistics and presents it to consumers in an easy-to-consume map-based format.

In other words, the ASBOrometer will tell you just how many Anti-Social Behaviour Orders have been handed out to your neighbours, or in other geographical areas.

"ASBOrometer measures levels of anti-social behaviour at your current location and gives you access to key local ASB statistics", reads the official blurb for the app, currently available for free on the App Store with data good for England and Wales.

Creator Jeff Gilfelt, 31, told The Telegraph: "Although its name is fun, it has a serious message". Gilfelt sees the app as useful for house buyers who can get an idea of the scale of anti-social problems in any given area.

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Tags: Phones iPhone apps App Store iPhone Asborometer Android Android apps

ASBOrometer app launches for the iPhone and Android originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:28:25 +0000

Next month could see a new record for the price paid for a URL as Sex.com is to go under the auctioneer's hammer in the States.

The last time Sex.com was up for sale back in 2006 it reportedly sold for $14 million, but it seems the company that bought it did not maximise on their infamous three letter domain name (Sex.com currently hosts links to porn sites) and has gone bust.

The domain name is to be offered up for auction in New York on 18 March with anyone hoping to bid for it instructed to come along with a certified cheque for $1 million, and no doubt be prepared to pay much more.

Recent domain name sales in the millions include Toys.com for $5 million bought by Toys'R'Us and Pizza.com which sold for $2.6 million. We'll let you know what Sex.com fetches.

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Tags: Software domain names Porn Websites Online Biz

Sex.com up for auction with million dollar start price originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:19:09 +0000

TomTom is offering a new option with its iPhone car kit with the availability of a ProClip mount just announced.

The original TomTom car kit for iPhone has a windscreen mount, the new car kit for iPhone, however, screws onto a vehicle-specific ProClip mount that is fixed on the driver's dashboard.

"This lets drivers choose a permanent location that works best for them, with no need to reposition it for each journey", says TomTom, stating that the ProClip option is designed for "demanding drivers".

As with the original, the new car kit gets a GPS booster, and a built-in microphone so users can make and answer phone calls while driving. There's also an audio out connector that lets drivers play their music over their car stereo.

The ProClip car kit for iPhone is available in pre-order as of today at www.tomtom-proclip.com priced at £99.99.  

Tags: Phones iPhone accessories TomTom Car And GPS Car gadgets GPS TomTom Car Kit iPhone

TomTom iPhone car kit gets ProClip option originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:27:21 +0000

Star Wars fans can pay tribute to their favourite Sith Lord in street style thanks to this bizarre offering from Adidas.

The track jacket is described by the sports wear company as "a limited edition design inspired by the overlord's Imperial style".

As well as a Vader graphic on the back, the jacket features a breastplate and hood, and for those that really want to push the Star-Wars-geek boat out - a detachable cape.

The "Star Wars Superstar Track Top Darth Vader" is available to buy online now for $100.

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Tags: Gadgets Clothing Adidas Star Wars

Adidas offers Darth Vader jacket complete with cape originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:06:45 +0000

Microsoft and Yahoo have announced that they have now received the required clearance for their search team-up from both the US Department of Justice and the European Commission, and, says the two companies, "will now turn their attention to beginning the process of implementing the deal".

Due to start within days, Yahoo's algorithmic and paid search platforms will get transitioned on over to Microsoft and once complete, Micro-hoo promise the "unified search marketplace will deliver improved innovation for consumers, better volume and efficiency for advertisers and better monetization opportunities for web publishers through a platform that contains a larger pool of search queries".

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said in a statement: "Although we are just at the beginning of this process, we have reached an exciting milestone. I believe that together, Microsoft and Yahoo! will promote more choice, better value and greater innovation to our customers as well as to advertisers and publishers".

Tags: Software Yahoo Microsoft Bing Biz Search engines EU

Microsoft and Yahoo's search team-up gets regulator approval originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:40:44 +0000

Amazon has launched a Kindle app for BlackBerry smartphones that means owners of the RIM-made handsets in the States can use their phones as ebook readers for Amazon's platform either as a standalone ereader or Whispersyncing it with their Kindle device.

"Since the launch of our popular Kindle for iPhone app last year, customers have been asking us to bring a similar experience to the BlackBerry, and we are thrilled to make it available today", said Ian Freed, VP, Amazon Kindle.

"Kindle for BlackBerry is a great way for customers to continue reading their current book wherever they are - in between meetings, at the grocery store or waiting in the doctor’s office. We think customers are going to love how easy and fun it is to read their Kindle books on their BlackBerry".

Customers using BlackBerry devices on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon and other US carriers can now access over 420,000 Kindle books by downloading the application for free over at www.amazon.com/kindlebb.

Tags: Phones Apps Amazon Kindle BlackBerry BlackBerry App World

Amazon launches Kindle app for BlackBerry originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:57:12 +0000

Joby has announced two new additions to the Gorillapod family of products, the Gorillapod Magnetic (as the name might suggest, a magnetic version of its flexible tripod) and the Ballhead X.

"With the addition of powerful magnets in the feet, the Gorillapod Magnetic can now be anchored to any magnetic surface, in addition to being secured with its fully-articulating legs", says Joby. "Stick it to a pole, wrap it around a tree-branch, or perch it on a jagged rock - the positioning possibilities are truly endless".

The Gorillapod Magnetic supports compact digital cameras and mini video cameras weighing up to 11.5 ounzes, itself weighs 2.5 ounces, is 6 inches tall, and will be available globally in April for £24.95.

The Ballhead X - optimised for use with the Gorillapod Focus - supports up to 5kg and claims to allow the user to easily and fluidly pan, tilt, and rotate the camera. It's also due in April, priced at £69.95.

Tags: Cameras Camera accessories Tripods Joby Gorillapods

Joby goes magnetic with new Gorillapod tripod originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:29:53 +0000

UK company Pendle Products has introduced a new Laptop Stand, said to be the first of many product releases. This stand lets users raise their laptop up whilst using a full size external mouse and keyboard and is said to be ideal for use alongside an external monitor, thereby increasing your workspace when you are at your desk.

With what's said to be a unique laser cut design, the stand boasts super thin legs meaning that you can free up the space underneath for accessories such as external hard drives while slim rubber feet protect your desk surface. Plastic stops hold the laptop in place and the stand has holes cut into the sides for cables.

The Pendle Products Laptop Stand is available in black and white in two sizes, regular for 15-inchers and under, and large for bigger laptops. Pricing comes in at £42 and £48 and the stands can be ordered now on 01282 699555.

Tags: Hardware Laptop accessories Pendle Products

Pendle Products launches new Laptop Stand originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:01:46 +0000

Binatone has launched the iDECT C5i and iDECT X5i, two new home phones boasting "glossy midnight black finishes, slimline form and smooth modern edged corners".

The iDECT C5i is a slimline cordless phone with an ergonomically curved handset design while both models get Binatone's iSOUND tech, speakerphone mode, digital integrated answer machine, backlit keypad and LCD display.

Other features include a phone book, up to 10 hours talk time, caller display ID, 10 ringtone melodies and an eco mode.  Available at Argos stores and other retailers, the C5i gets an SRP of £44.99 and the X5i will cost £39.99.

Tags: Phones Landline Phones Binatone Argos

Binatone launches two new iDECT landline phones originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:19:09 +0000

A trade group representing the newspaper industry is kicking up over the news that the BBC is to expand its iPhone app offerings to include a dedicated BBC News application for Apple's mobile platform.

The Newspaper Publishers Association, or NPA, has "urged" the BBC Trust to look at the plans, which also include a BBC Sports app due in time for the World Cup, arguing that the BBC is "muscling" in, "trampling aspirations" and will "distort" the market.

As well as appeal to the BBC Trust, the group said it plans to take the issues to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and MPs on the Media Select Committee.

"Not for the first time, the BBC is preparing to muscle into a nascent market and trample over the aspirations of commercial news providers", said David Newell, director of the NPA.

The Beeb reports Newell saying that the market for iPhone news apps was "a unique and narrow commercial space" that would be "distorted" by the BBC apps.

However, the BBC says its online service licence is "quite explicit in allowing the BBC to repurpose its online content for consumption on mobile devices" so it seems unlikely the NPA will see any joy with their complaints.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phone industry BBC iPhone apps Newspapers NPA BBC Trust

Newspapers protest BBC iPhone news apps originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:46:32 +0000

LOVEFiLM has announced the launch of its first official iPhone app that will see subscribers able to view and manage their rental lists on the move.

The app allows users to search and browse through LOVEFiLM's database of over 65,000 DVDs, Blu-rays and games, add titles to their rental wish lists and change their priority settings. The app also offers film synopses and cast lists and ratings so could also be used by non-LOVEFiLMers for informational purposes.

"As LOVEFiLM moves forward with continued growth of our online DVD business and the acceleration of streaming capabilities through Sony and Samsung's new internet-enabled TVs, it’s also a great time to allow our customers mobile access via the iPhone", says Simon Morris of LOVEFiLM.

The app is now available to download for free via the App Store, with a little more info on LOVEFiLM's site.

Tags: Phones Lovefilm iPhone apps Home Cinema Gaming

LOVEFiLM offers free iPhone app originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:56:41 +0000

Another UK operator has confirmed it is to offer the new HTC Desire, leaving O2 as the only major network that hasn't got in touch with a related announcement.

While T-Mobile is to offer the HTC Desire in March, Orange has announced it will get it from April and Vodafone, with no UK-specific plans revealed, says it will offer the Android phone in Europe in Q2.

3 has now chimed in with its news saying it is to offer the phone on its 3G network this spring. The European version of the Google Nexus One, the Desire boasts an impressive spec list that includes a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, a 3.7-inch AMOLED touchscreen display and a 5-megapixel camera capable of 720p video capture.

"HTC is producing some fantastic internet phones at the moment, and are really leading the pack. Like us, they really understand what consumers want from the Internet on their phone - a flexible and intuitive interface, coupled with a reliable 3G network that offers a strong and speedy connection", Sylvia Chind, head of branded devices says in a press release.

"Our network is growing every day and the HTC Desire is one of many internet phones set to enter our range this year to really make the most of it".

Tags: Phones Mobile phones HTC HTC Desire Android

HTC Desire also headed to 3 originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:21:48 +0000

Emporia has launched two new mobile phones at the Mobile World Congress event, both aimed, as are its other products, at those "who find new technology unnecessarily complicated".

The emporiaELEGANCE and emporiaSOLID boast easy-to-read OLED displays and big buttons. The ELEGANCE model is the the smooth, chrome-accented looker available in white, black and brown while the SOLID boasts robustness for suggested activities such as fishing, walking, gardening or cycling and can be used with gloves on.

The emporiaELEGANCE is due in Q2. The GSM handset has an extra-loud speaker, and offers text and talk abilities. The emporiaSOLID will be incoming in the third quarter and is also loud, with "dirt repellent" and water resistant properties.

Photos by Stuart Miles

Tags: Phones Mobile phones Emporia emporiaELEGANCE emporiaSOLID MWC2010 Photos

PHOTOS: Emporia launches two new simplified handsets originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:27:33 +0000

The BlackBerry Storm 2, previously a Vodafone exclusive, is now available on T-Mobile in the UK.

RIM's second attempt at a touchscreen BlackBerry, the Storm 2 offers a 3.25-inch, 360 x 480 resolution "SurePress" touchscreen display, a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus, flash and video recording, GPS and Wi-Fi.

There's 256MB of flash memory, 2GB on-board memory expandable via microSD cards up to 16GB, media player, a 3.5mm stereo headset jack and Bluetooth 2.1, while battery life is said to be 6 hours of talk-time.

The Storm 2 is available now from T-Mobile's online shop, free for those signing away 2 years at £35 per month.

Tags: Phones Mobile phones T-Mobile RIM BlackBerry Storm 2 Tariffs

T-Mobile gets BlackBerry Storm 2 originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:40:36 +0000

MSI has announced that two new models are to launch into its GX gaming notebook series in Europe, with the 15-inch GX640 and the 17-inch GX740 due to go on sale in the UK in March.

Powered by the latest Intel Core i5 processor the GX series boasts "obscene performance into an extremely agile chassis", with slim and light claims with the GX740 weighing in at 3.2kg and at 2.8cm thick.

The portable gaming machines offer ATi Mobility Radeon HD5870 and HD5850 3D discrete graphics cards with full support for DirectX 11 and GDDR5 memory, SRS 7.1 Channel audio output, 4GB RAM, 640GB hard drives, Blu-ray drives and card readers.

As far as sound goes, the GX740 is the model to beat with five speakers - two hi-fi 3D speakers above the keyboard, two more along the front and a woofer for the claim of deep, bass explosions in the laptop's base.

MSI's "Cinema Pro" tech offers an HD movie watching mode while five power management levels adjust the image brightness to suit the task.

Pricing for the series starts at £999 with more info ahead of their March debut to be found at http://uk.msi.com.

Tags: Hardware MSI Laptops Gaming laptops

MSI launches GX640 and GX740 gaming notebooks originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:01:05 +0000

Vodafone has announced that the Nokia X6 has just gone up for pre-order with those that opt to sign up now due to see delivery of the handset by 1 March.

Unlike the 32GB version already offered in the UK by Orange, Vodafone is ranging the 16GB version. The handset offers a 3.2-inch touchscreen display, 5-megapixel camera, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Those prepared to sign up to 2-year contracts can get the handset for free on £30 per month contracts while the more cautious opting for an 18-month contract will have to shell out £35 a month.

You can head over to the Vodafone online shop now to see the full details, while our review of the original X6 is worth a read before you take the plunge.

Tags: Phones Nokia Vodafone Nokia X6 Tariffs

Nokia X6 goes on Vodafone pre-order originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:22:19 +0000

TalkTalk has announced the launch of a new service designed to offer UK pensioners a "free weekly natter".

The new service, called "We’ll Call You", will see TalkTalk staff calling an over 65-year-old customer that lives alone for 5 minutes at a set time once a week.

It is hoped, says TalkTalk, that each team caller will form a bond with their "We’ll Call You" contacts.

The phone company suggests the calls can include discussing the news, gossiping about the week’s TV or just to have a chat about whatever takes their fancy.

While the caller will check that everything is all right, the pensioner can get the TalkTalk staffer to look up information for them about local services, but sales of TalkTalk products are a no-go area, promised the phone provider.

"We’re not trying to replace social services and charities but our research shows that the service we’re providing meets a need which is not currently being met", said TalkTalk’s communications director Mark Schmid.

"With the number of older people living alone passing the four million mark the launch of our service is very timely".

The service will initially be available to the first 50 eligible people that apply. Do you think this is a nice idea or just a publicity stunt? Have your say in the comments box below.

Tags: Phones Broadband TalkTalk

TalkTalk to call lonely pensioners once a week originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:20:51 +0000

We've kept you updated with Google's translation plans, with both phone and wider applications planned for the future, but if you're the type that likes to see a concept demoed then here's a handy video to help.

Taking Google's Goggles app for Android that offers image recognition and merging it with Google's machine translation, in this demo, Google uses Goggles to take a picture of a German menu and instantly translate the text into English.

Google says the app is "not yet ready for prime time", but says that "soon your phone will be able to translate signs, posters and other foreign text instantly into your language".

Google's plan is to offer a version of Goggles that can translate between all of the 52 languages currently supported by Google Translate - we will keep you posted on developments.

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Tags: Phones Apps Google Video Android Translation MWC2010

VIDEO: Google Goggles mobile translation demoed originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:50:29 +0000

Sony has brought some new colour options to the world of rugged cameras with the launch of the Cyber-shot TX5 - apparently the world's thinnest and smallest waterproof camera - due to be available in black, silver, pink, green and red.

The TX5 is water, dust, shock and freeze-proof - "Sony’s first ever camera with high-fashion looks that handles just about anything your active lifestyle can throw at it" - but is slimline at 17.7mm. 

With a resolution of 10.2-megapixels, the new compact offers a 25mm wide angle Carl Zeiss lens with 4x optical zoom and a touchscreen 3-inch LCD and is capable of capturing 720p HD video.

At the same time, Sony has also announced the new Cyber-shot H55, a 14.1-megapixel compact with 10x optical zoom and HD video abilities.

Tags: Cameras Compact cameras Digital cameras Sony Sony Cyber-shot TX5 10 megapixels 14 megapixels

Sony launches rugged Cyber-shot TX5 originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:31:49 +0000

A new concept trouser has been revealed with the "iGotaBigAssPocket" jeans designed for future iPad owners to tote their tablet around in.

Reminiscent of the ridicule Sony's Vaio P series received in terms of pocketability, the "pants" are a bottom-half rival to the Scottevest's Travel Vest that boasts an iPad pocket.

Created by the "OhNo!Doom Collective", there are no plans to produce the "iBap apparel line" for any market, but with a nifty needle and some spare denim, we reckon you could knock up your own.

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Tags: Hardware iPad Apple iPad Clothing Concepts

iGotaBigAssPocket concept jeans revealed for iPad owners originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:21:11 +0000

PopCap, maker of such games as the popular Bejeweled, has revealed a profile of the average social gamer from a recent survey carried out in the UK and the US.

The "social gamers" survey covered consumers who play games on social networking platforms such as Facebook and MySpace with an estimated total social gamer population of approximately 100 million people in the United Kingdom and America, although the survey itself canvassed 1202 such people.

While 24% of internet users say they play social games regularly, it turns out that the typical social gamer - according to PopCap's research - is female and 43-years-old.

58% of all social gamers are female with just 6% of all social gamers aged 21 or younger, something PopCap suggests is an interesting market sector representing "a huge opportunity to reach hundreds of millions of consumers who historically do not play video games".

Tags: Gaming casual gaming PopCap Statistics Social networking Social gaming Facebook MySpace PC games Survey

Average social gamer is 43-year-old woman originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:13:55 +0000

From the Aussie team that brought us the Notepod, angled as ideal for sketching out iPhone app ideas, comes the iPad version.

Dubbed the Notepod+, perhaps to avoid any unwanted attention from Apple's legal department, the product is angled as "a perfect mouse-mat or desk jotter".

One 189 x 243mm, 100pp, Notepod+ sells for $19.99 (US dollars) including shipping and they are available now.

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Tags: Phones iPhone Apple Notepods Software iPad iPad Notepod+

Notepod+ is a non-digital iPad originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:28:16 +0000