GADGET UPDATE powered by Stuff: iPad, YouTube, LG and more

Apple iPad 2 hands-on

It's thinner than the iPhone 4 and twice as fast as the first-gen iPad. Yep, the iPad 2 has arrived. Physically, it feels wafer-like compared to the original iPad. It's 33% thinner at 8.8mm compared to the original's 13.4mm. Rather than it feeling flimsy or easily dropped, the thinness feels more natural. Flicking between heavy-duty apps such as the new iMovie and Garageband is very quick. That dual-core processor is obviously doing it's thang. The screen seems sharper. We know it isn't but it seems like it. Overall, nice. We were hoping for more improvements, but at least some of what we hoped for has come into fruition. Watch preview video...

BlackBerry Messenger to launch on Android and iOS

RIM could be bringing its BlackBerry Messenger service to iOS and Android.

BlackBerry Messenger is one of the strongest attributes, unique to BlackBerry, stopping their users defecting to Apple and Android. Now Research In Motion (RIM) is talking about giving it away for free. Have a rotten bag of berries sent them all a bit mental? We don’t think so. Read more...

Malware hits the Android Market

It took a while, but malware has finally poisoned the seething pit that is the Android Market, resulting in Google having to retract a multitude of apps.

The apps in question range from the dubiously sounding "Screaming Sexy Japanese Girls" to the rather more innocent "Scientific Calculator" and they all have the worrying ability to root devices and steal data as well as a host of other nasty tricks such as force-sending premium  SMS messages. Read more...

Skyfire Flash browsing updated on iPhone

Since Apple aren’t likely to make friends with Adobe any time soon, Skyfire – a Flash-enabled browser – is cashing in. The latest 3.0 update has come in timely fashion, right after the iPad 2 event.

Skyfire 3.0 is just for iPhone now, but can be expected on the iPad where the older versions are currently available. The update will allow Facebook’s social graph integration, so “Like” buttons and rich multimedia integration will appear while browsing. Facebook is directly integrated into the cloud-powered toolbar called SkyBar – this lets users view Flash videos and related content, while sharing it all with friends. View demo...

BlackBerry Playbook release date confirmed

The BlackBerry PlayBook can be yours from 10 April. That just got announced. But with the Apple store crashing moments before suggesting an iPad 2 release by the end of the day, have BlackBerry left it too late?

After rumours of Apple making only minor changes to the iPad, the BlackBerry may still be in with a fighting chance. The 7in HD tablet packs a 1GHz dual-core chip, 1GB RAM and dual cameras with full 1080p video capture. Let's see you top that, Mr Jobs. No, really, please top that. Read more...

Asus brings Kinect-style gesture control to PC gaming

Using a mouse for gaming is so passé. The future is all about Kinect-style gesture control. Asus is bringing that future to PCs, now.

The PC giant has introduced its Wireless Audio Visual Interaction (WAVI) Xtion motion-sensing technology at the CeBit show in Hanover. The fitness-encouraging device was developed in conjunction with PrimeSense, the same company that helped Xbox produce Kinect, so you know it's worth getting excited about. Read more...

LG Optimus 2X release date revealed

Good news first, or bad? Well, the good is that LG has finally revealed that the Optimus 2X will be released in Europe later in March. On the downside, this dual-core feast will be shipping with Froyo rather than Gingerbread.

LG says the Gingerbread update will be released "in the near future", but give no firm details.

While not a deal breaker, the news could convince indecisive smartphone shoppers to wait for the equally powerful Motorola Atrix or the dual-lens Optimus 3D.

YouTube to stream movies

The big G is wooing Hollywood studios with $100 million  for the rights to stream movies on YouTube.

The proposed subscription-based service will compete with existing sites like LoveFilm, offering unlimited streaming to satisfy the appetites of ravenous film buffs and procrastinators alike.

Studios are no doubt hoping that this new service will cut down on the ever-growing piracy problems that plague Tinseltown, and Google's looking to increase advertising revenue by keeping users glued to their screens even longer than usual. Read more...