With 4G and quad-core madness entering into the arena, the single most important aspect of smartphones that is taking a hit is the battery life. This exact concern is addressed by this new fuel cell. While it cannot keep your phone battery running longer, it definitely can ensure that you can charge it on the go, without the need of finding a power socket. PCWorld reports that this fuel cell is close to the size of your average smartphone, albeit a little thicker, owing to the replaceable cigarette lighter-sized cartridges inside. While smartphones are definitely the biggest battery suckers and this new fuel cell may potentially be a brilliant back-up solution, charging isn’t just restricted to smartphones – it can be a tablet, camera or any other device that can be charged from the USB port.

One important cause of concern that has already been addressed (in the U.S) is about the locations where this battery package will be allowed. Because it’s a fuel cell, there were concerns, if it would be allowed on flights. According to the company, the U.S. Department of Transportation has allowed passengers to take this device along with them in their cabin luggage, which is definitely good news for those requiring charging on the go.

We’re hoping something like this comes soon enough out here. Drawing an estimate, the charger could potentially be close to approx. Rs.8,000 with each cartridge then costing close to approx. Rs.100 – 300. Official pricing or availability for the Indian sub-continent hasn’t been announced yet,

s per the report, sources have informed them that the design of the application is similar to that of Google Maps, which is currently present on iOS devices, but will provide a ‘much cleaner, faster, and more reliable experience.’ The report states, “The most important aspect of the new Maps application is a powerful new 3D mode. The 3D mode does not come enabled by default, but users simply need to click a 3D button that is conveniently and visibly stored in the app. Perhaps under the fold like the current traffic, pin, and map view buttons. This 3D mode is said to essentially be technology straight from C3 Technologies: beautiful, realistic graphics based on de-classified missile target algorithms.”

It is believed that in order to signify the new rewrite to the Maps app, Apple have also redesigned the logo for the app and the logo will now feature the view of their 1 Infinite Loop Campus, but with a colour scheme that is different. The report goes on to state, “While Apple has always had full control of the actual iOS Maps application design, the backend has belonged to Google. That will change with iOS 6 thanks to their purchases of Placebase, C3 Technologies, and Poly9; acquisitions that Apple has used to create a complete mapping database. Now that the application is fully in-house, it is being referred to simply as “Maps” (some people call the current version Google Maps because of the backend). We reported prior to the launch of iOS 5 that Apple and Google had extended their Maps deal, and now it is obvious when that deal ends.”

Well, if you were worried that about the HTC EVO 4G LTE receiving similar treatment, it looks like Sprint isn’t imposing the same restrictions as AT&T has. According to AndroidCentral, The LTEvo is currently supported by HTCDev’s bootloader unlock tool, and users (if they so choose) can unlock their devices and get some root all up in’nit.

Only problem, when it comes to HTC’s unlock method, that’s about all you can get. To clarify, the bootloader unlock tool wont give a device “S-Off” functionality. HTC has actually gone through great lengths to ensure that all the “fun stuff” that comes with what I like to call, “full root” — flashing AOSP ROMs, kernels, deleting bloatware, custom recoveries, etc. — cannot be done by traditional methods (flashing zips from recovery for instance), but have to be done using the PC (thanks, Earl!). So, for those hoping to run custom AOSP ROMs like CyanogenMod and AOKP or MIUI, you will just have to wait until a full root method can be found and exploited. Considering how development for the HTC One X has been making ground, I’d say those chances are looking pretty good. It’s not much, but it’s a step. The cat and mouse game continues…

Global software giant and the creators of Windows operating system, Microsoft has decided to not allow any third party browsers like Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome from running on the upcoming ARM powered devices running Windows 8 operating system.

This means only Internet explorer’s upcoming version, the IE10 will be compatible and functional on the new age operating system. Though Microsoft has not cited any reason for this step but it is quite clear that the PC giant wants to popularise the new IE 10. Security concerns can also be attributed to this decision by Microsoft to some extent but an official confirmation on it still awaited.

Both Google and Mozilla has previously announced that they are already working on browsers based on the Windows 8 operating system that will work on both desktop version as well as metro style browsers for portable devices. But this announcement by Microsoft is bound to give them some major shocks for sure.

Reacting to this Mozilla project manager Asa Dotzler, who is leading the Firefox development effort for Windows 8, has said that Microsoft is trying to cut out competition and forcing users to only be able to use Internet explorer.

Since Windows 8 is yet to be launched, such a policy could be a major hindrance for the adoption of the new operating system.

The system uses a PC’s existing speakers to emit an inaudible tone between 18 and 22 kHz. As the sound waves reflect off a moving object they change in frequency. The PC’s microphone detects this frequency change – known as the Doppler Effect – along with the sound wave’s speed, amplitude, direction and time variation.

Based on this information, an algorithm then translates the movements into gestures, which can be used to control things onscreen. SoundWave can detect multiple objects – or hands – and even works in noisy environments or when the laptop is being used to play music.

While the Kinect has found great success as a gaming peripheral with its ability to work at a bit of a distance, SoundWave appears to only detect gestures made relatively close to the computer. This might limit the technology to deskbound applications, but the number of unforeseen applications to which the Kinect has been adapted suggests SoundWave could find equally surprising uses for those chained to a desk.

The research team has already developed some examples that demonstrate the potential for the technology. Along with the standard scrolling with a wave of the hand, the responsiveness of the system has been demonstrated by using it to play Tetris. It could also be used in an office environment to automatically lock a user’s screen when they leave their desk.

The SoundWave technology is still under development in the Microsoft Research labs, and it’s not clear if or when we can expect to see this kind of gesture-recognition system released. While it looks promising, Microsoft might want to maximize the return on its Kinect for Windows before releasing gesture-recognition technology that does away with the need for purchasing any additional hardware.

According to a report from Digitimes, Apple is “considering responding to the upcoming second-generation ultrabooks by launching a $799 MacBook Air.”Currently, Apple’s MacBook Air series starts at $999 for the 11-inch 64GB model and goes up to $1599.

But such a move from Apple seems to be unlikely as ultrabooks have not posed any threat to Apple’s MacBook Air.

By checking “Enable Hangouts On Air,” users can broadcast their live hangouts — from their Google+ streams, YouTube channels or websites — to the entire world. During the broadcast, users can actually look inside the hangout to check how many people are watching live.

Also, “once you’re off the air, we will upload a public recording to your YouTube channel, and to your original Google+ post. This way it’s easy to share and discuss your broadcast after it’s over,” said Chee Chew, Engineering Director, Google Plus.

The company has planned to roll out Hangouts On Air gradually, over the next few weeks.

Hangouts On Air was introduced last year to a limited number of broadcasters, thereby enabling them to go live with friends and fans, for all the world to see.

Airtel for their 4G customers in Bengaluru and Kolkata is offering, what it refers to as ‘Smartbytes’. This newly introduced feature, is Airtel’s 4G LTE top-up service and will essentially allow Airtel 4G customers to purchase add-on packs, which they can purchase once they have exhausted their free benefit usage.

Yet another interesting feature, that users are being offered on Airtel’s 4G network is a movie catalogue. Airtel is introducing a movie catalogue comprising 35 movies for their 4G LTE customers. Airtel will offer 10 movie titles for free, for the first month, which they claim that over lightening fast Airtel 4G LTE, these can be watched without buffering,pixilation and lag. To avail a monthly subscription for the catalogue, Airtel 4G LTE users will have to pay Rs.149 /month for unlimited movies. Some titles on offer include – Rang De Basanti, Fashion, Shootout At Lokhandwala, No One Killed Jessica, among others. Airtel, further, as part of their introductory offer for their customers availing their 4G services, will offer a cashback for the CPE/ dongle, thereby bringing down the device cost to zero, while also encouraging more to adopt 4G services.

With these new TVs, Samsung provides consumers access to a large variety of premium content with over 1,500 apps offered. Samsung’s Smart TVs also provide a much faster Smart TV experience powered by a new dual-core processor. Further, Samsung’s AllShare Play, the essential tie between Samsung’s products, content and services allows content to be pushed or pulled, regardless of the user’s location, from device to device and device to cloud for seamless sharing. AllShare Play enables consumers to push content manually to the cloud or pull the content directly from their Smart TV or other mobile devices. The new ‘ES series’ of Samsung Slim LED televisions use edge-lit technology and offer wide contrast and brightness with a Dynamic Contrast ratio of 3.5 million:1, are ultra slim, consume 40 per cent less power and have excellent durability. The Samsung Smart televisions, including LED and plasma models are priced in the range between 37,700 to 2,73,000.

Along with the TVs, Samsung also announced new Blu-ray home theatre systems, HT-E6750W and HT-E4550K. The E6750W is a 7.1-channel Blu-ray system that is a complete entertainment hub, offering 3D Blu-ray playback, DLNA media streaming, web content and excellent multimedia support. But the unique feature of the E6750W is its use of valve and digital amplifier technology, which enriches the audio experience. The vacuum tube produces a warm, rich sound, while reducing ambient noise, so you can hear everything perfectly. The premium glass fiber material helps to enhance sound clarity through heat resistant and anti-vibration capabilities. While the HT-E6750W is priced at  51,990, the HT –E4550K is priced at  31,990. Samsung has also launched five DVD home theatre systems in the price range of 9,690 to 23,990.

Lacs (Lakshmi Access Communication Systems), an Indian tablet PC maker, is planning to launch a tablet-laptop combo device. The LapTab (as it will be called) will be a 10 inch tablet with detachable keyboard, and will directly compete with Asus’s Eee Pad Transformer Prime tablet.

The tablet of Lacs will come with Intel processor and will offer dual boot option with both Android 4.0 and Windows operating system.

A spokesperson of Lacs said,”We plan to launch a Laptab with Intel processor, 10 inch and dual Boot capability by the end of May (this year). The pricing will be decided later but we are looking at close to Rs 50,000 price.”

For a company which currently has tablets in the range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000, this LapTab will be a completely new segment. Given that it is a new company and not a well-known brand, selling this LapTab will be an uphill task.

Lacs recently reduced the prices of its tablet by close to 35 per cent. It also offers up to 3 years warranty on its products which also cover accidental damage (from drops etc) and upgrade warranty which allows users to upgrade to a better tablet from the company within three months at the payment of difference in pricing.

Asus which is a renowned brand also offers a LapTab type product in the form of Transformer Prime which is priced under Rs 50,000. The Eee Pad Transformer Prime comes with a 10.1 inch super IPS capacitive touch screen with 10 finger multi touch support. Asus has fitted a Nvidia Tegra 3 quad core processor and 1 GB of RAM for a smoother function on this tablet and has Android 4.0 operating system