Genius SP-i600 docking speaker system announced

In the last two months, several devices labeled under Genius entered the Indian tech terrain. The newest to come from Genius’ kitty, is the SP-i600 speaker, especially crafted for iPads and iPhones. These famous idevices have an array of accessories crafted especially for them, and this new addition from Genius serves as a stand and a charging station, simultaneously. The speaker is capable of 4W output and offers good, deep bass. Earlier this month, the company had released new SP-i175 mini portable speakers featuring 40mm speaker driver for middle frequency sound balance and good base. And now, it adds in the speaker plus docking station.

Speaker system plus docking station

The docking base can be rotated in vertical or horizontal position depending upon the user’s needs. This would make watching videos or movies comfortable. Moreover, the dock charges the device at the same time. Controlling the device from the comfort of the couch is further enabled with the remote control. The dual purpose device would come pretty handy while watching videos with simultaneously charging the device so that it doesn’t abruptly halt the viewing experience.

Take a quick look at the essential features of the Genius SP – i600 speaker for the iPad:

• Charges Integrated into iPad docking system
• Dual 2-inch Full range drivers
• Use in Portrait or landscape
• Button controls for power ON/OFF and Vol+/-
• Aux – in jack for NB, MP3 and other 3.5mm audio output devices
• Convenient remote control

Just two days back, we saw the Genius spill resistant keyboard combo. Genius had also launched its slightly unconventional battery-less mouse dubbed DX-ECO. The mouse comes equipped with a capacitor, which replaces a battery. The company claims that the mouse can stay charged for a day’s use after which its capacitor does with some charging, which takes no more than 3 minutes.

The Genius SP i600 is backed by a one year warranty and carries a price tag of Rs.4,653.

Android 5.0 Jelly Bean tipped for Q2 2012

Android 5.0 Jelly Bean may arrive as early as Q2 2012, supply chain sources claim, with Google apparently integrating Chrome OS functionality for dual-boot tablets and netbooks. Those aren’t the search giant’s only dual-OS ambitions, however; insiders tell DigiTimes that Google is pushing Android 5.0 and Windows 8 hybrids to its manufacturing partners, for notebooks, netbooks and tablets that offer the best of both platforms.


Although Google is yet to comment significantly on whether Ice Cream Sandwich has met its expectations in the market, it’s clear that Android 4.0 is yet to gain a significant foothold. According to Google’s own stats, as of February 1 2012 only 1-percent of devices were running ICS, with the majority still on Android 2.3.x Gingerbread.
The dual-booting Android 5.0 Jelly Bean and Windows 8 machines will be able to hot-swap between the two platforms, the sources indicate, rather than demanding a reboot each time. That would give users the opportunity to use Android for its web-centric functionality and speed, while switching to Windows would offer the various legacy and business apps many users still demand. Update: It’s worth remembering that Microsoft’s Windows 8 hardware requirements apparently block second OS installation on ARM-based PCs by users, thanks to a locked Secure Boot system, though it’s unclear whether OEMs are permitted to do so before the hardware leaves the factory.
Google is supposedly seeing Android 5.0 as a second chance at the notebook and netbook markets, Chrome OS failing to grab attention as expected, though the tipsters warn that the response to Ice Cream Sandwich has left some partners “conservative” about the new platform.
Part of Google’s challenge is encouraging timely OS updates among vendors. Motorola revealed its timescale for upgrading US Android devices yesterday, with most not expected to see Ice Cream Sandwich until Q3 2012 or later.

ASUS Transformer ICS upgrade sags to March

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer owners may have to hold out a little longer for Ice Cream Sandwich, with the release window for Android 4.0 on the Tegra 2 tablet now extending into March 2012. ASUS Singapore took to Facebook to confirm the bad news, after previous indications from the company tipped a February release for the first-gen tablet. Only last month, ASUS said the upgrade package was in its final tests at Google.

“We are informed that the ICS upgrade for TF101 will be ready within the Feb/March 2012 period. You will be able to receive the upgrade notification via FOTA once we have a confirmation date” ASUS Singapore

It’s unclear whether the delay applies solely to Singapore users of the Transformer, or if every Transformer owner will be affected. Our expectation, though, is that it’s the latter, something which isn’t pleasing early-adopters who are watching their Transformer Prime-toting cousins already play with Ice Cream Sandwich on their newer slates.
Nonetheless, ASUS is arguably doing a better job than rivals in the Android marketplace. Motorola released its own updated schedule for Android 4.0 on tablets and phones yesterday, with most US devices not expected to see the newer OS until sometime in Q3.
Ice Cream Sandwich will be released to Transformer owners as an OTA (over-the-air) upgrade, meaning no need to plug the tablet into a PC to update it.

Sony shrugs Ericsson

Sony has finalized its acquisition of the Sony Ericsson smartphone business, sidelining Ericsson into an IP cross-licensing agreement and renaming the venture Sony Mobile Communications. The Japanese company now says it plans to “accelerate business integration” of the smartphone division into its other electronics businesses, part of the “four screen” strategy Sony sees as its best hope at challenging Apple, Samsung and other rivals.


Sony will “further integrate the mobile phone business as a vital element of its electronics business,” the company said in a statement today, “with the aim of accelerating convergence between Sony’s lineup of network enabled consumer electronics products, including smart phones, tablets, TVs and PCs.”
As for Ericsson, it has confirmed the completion of the divestment, and is hurrying off to the bank to count its €1.05bn take on the deal. That will buoy the company’s Q1 2012 first quarter results, while it and Sony will continue to work together on wireless chipsets in Sony devices as well as through the technology cross-licensing agreement.
Sony is expected to reveal new smartphones at Mobile World Congress later this month, having launched the Xperia ion at CES 2012 in January.

Barclays Pingit takes on Paypal Mobile

Barclays is launching the first service in Europe for person-to-person money transfers using mobile phone numbers. The service is called Pingit and it lets the user receive and send money at no charge to anyone with a Barclays UK account and a UK mobile phone number. The service doesn’t require the users to share bank details.


When the service launches, it will only be available to UK residents over 18 years old and only for Barclays account holders. The app will be available by early March and will be offered for iOS, Android, and BlackBerry devices. All users will have to register online to receive payments. Barclays says the transfers using Pingit will be as safe as any other bank transaction and the app has a five-digit passcode set by the user to secure it.
To start with, Barclays will only allow its account holders to use the app, but the bank notes that another launch of the app will be available “soon” and it will allow people with accounts from other banks to use the app when they register. This sounds like a very interesting alternative to PayPal and I wish we could get something like this in the US.

“We’re committed to making customers’ lives much easier, giving them more choice in how they manage their money, and Barclays Pingit absolutely does that. But it is not just Barclays customers who benefit as it’s available to current account customers of all the other UK banks too. I’m sure we’ll soon be wondering what we did before it.”

Sprint Nexus 4G ICS Release Date Leaked, Arriving Today

Incredible news for those who’ve stuck with Sprint’s Nexus S 4G, as Sprint’s intention to release Android 4.0 for the device has been leaked, and the date it’s set for is February 16, 2012. Since it’s just rolled over the midnight hour, that means lucky Nexus 4G owners will be having a sweet (pun intended) day today! Keep your eyes out for some OTA action, and make sure to keep posted for any further updates. Hurrah!

Asus Eee Pad Transformer ICS Update Slips

Asus posted on their Facebook page that the Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Eee Pad Transformer (TF101) could slip into March. The update, originally announced on Twitter by Asus in October of last year, was first expected in January, then slipped to mid-February. This latest slip has generated a few angry responses ranging from “Just prepare for another announcement in March,” to, “I call this lying to your customers!”
No reason has been given for the delay. Asus could have avoided the pitchforks and torches if they had not set people’s expectations by announcing tentative dates in the first place. Luckily, this delay is not all that long.

Air Display for Android – Use Your Tablet as a Wireless Secondary Monitor

If you’re anything like me, you’re likely on the go a lot. You also carry your mobile laptop, tablet, and phone religiously. Now, my laptop in particular isn’t very large at 11.6″. It’s great for just about anything I want to do, until we start talking in terms of any things. By that I mean it isn’t the best suited for multitasking. The real estate just isn’t quite there. No problem, I’ve got my Xoom with me.
What exactly does that have to do with it you say? Well, my Xoom has a nifty little app called Air Display installed. Air Display lets you use your Android screen as a wireless display, to extend your computer desktop. It’s not quite like the many VNC clients available that mirror your desktop remotely. Rather, it is effectually a wireless secondary monitor, and it is sweet. Also contrary to many of those VNC apps, the mouse responsiveness is actually good, just as good as a true blue monitor, so long as your wireless network can push it.
Programmers, you’ll find great utility in this by throwing your console, terminal, debuggers, etc on the tablet screen while you code. In general the tablet screen makes for an excellent placeholder for all of your tools, be they for programming, music, art , or what have you,  while allowing your larger display more room to create.
It’s more than just a screen extension though.The tablet may also act as an input device while using Air Display. Feel free to make beautiful works of art in Microsoft Paint using your tablet’s touchscreen. Alright so obviously I haven’t found terribly good use for this functionality but no doubt someone will. However, I have really enjoyed this last part: rotation.
Your tablet can extend your PC’s screen in either landscape or portrait, and when you rotate the screen, your windows are automatically repositioned appropriately, just the way it should be. I’ve so far found this to be especially useful for viewing long amounts of text or steps in portrait mode on the Xoom.
The last major aspect of any good app is usability, and I think Air Display has it figured out. For instance, on first launch, Air Display presents easy instructions for downloading and installing the companion support software for your computer. Beyond that one time step, using it is a breeze. Start the app on your tablet and it gives you an IP address. Start the software on your computer and enter the address. Done.

Grab it in Android Market for $9.99