The week's round-up of the latest gadgets and reviews. Powered by Stuff Magazine.
LightBeam was created by researchers from the Technische Universität Darmstadt in Germany using a Pico projector and a Kinect.
MWC 2012 – LG Optimus 4X HD quad-core phone uncovered
Stuff has uncovered evidence that LG has a quad-core phone in the works called the LG Optimus 4X HD. Not only has our digging discovered the phone codenamed LG Optimus 3X's existence, we've had our doubts removed by a source close to to the company. Although solid details are scarce at this stage, its name alone suggests a tantalising spec list. Read more...
MWC 2012 – Nokia is prepping a budget Lumia 610 smartphone
Back in the day, Nokia used to make new phones as regularly as the postman came. Well, nearly. But it looks like the former mobile behemoth might be settling into a new stride, with two new Windows Phone blowers ready to drop at next week’s Mobile World Congress.
According to Reuters, the freshly-minted wares of Nokia’s smartphone brigade are set to be joined by a pair of new Windows Phone handsets at MWC 2012, one targeted at a budget phone audience.
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Storify comes to the iPad
Storify, the web app that lets you chart an event using tweets, pictures and videos, has arrived on the iPad. The Storify iPad app lets you collect content from sites including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube and edit it into a stunning sequence. Once its done you can tweet it from the Storify app or publish it to the web. Best of all, it's free. Read more...
Next Big Thing – LightBeam
LightBeam projects onto whatever objects happen to be around and adjusts the image's detail and size to match. Not only that, but the image follows the object around – and you can even use everyday items to control it. We're talking serious interactivity. Read more...
Next Big Thing – flexible quantum dot TVs
Quantum dots are teeny tiny particles that are set to make movie magic when turned on by an electrical current. QDTV should result in richer colours (by increasing the range of colours that can be displayed) as well as lowering the energy your telly uses. Fast forward a few years and quantum dots could be printed in patterns of red, green and blue dots onto conductive plastic to make skinny, flexible TV screens. Read more...
Samsung takes a leaf out of Apple's book with Learning Hub
Apple's iBooks 2 and iTunes U caused quite a stir when they was unveiled recently – and now Samsung's taking a leaf out of Apple's book with Learning Hub. The education app looks like a mix of iTunes U and iBooks 2, featuring interactive materials and video lectures. Learning Hub will be released with 6,000 different resources from 30 universities and schools. This might sound impressive – but given iTunes U alone has half a million videos and audio files, Samsung has a long way to go to compete. Read more...
Google Glasses coming this year
The lines between reality and the virtual world are about to blur. Google Glasses, with augmented reality heads-up-display lenses, could be coming this year. Just like Terminator, Robocop or Predator – simply looking at a landmark will bring up everything you want to know about it – but with less 80s action flick violence ensuing.
Google plans to release its glasses, according to The New York Times’ Google employee sources, packing an Android OS, 4G connection, and a range of sensors including GPS. Read more...