Update for Microsoft’s Mail, People and Calendar app now available

 

If your like many of us that had heard that Microsoft would be pushing an update for the Mail, People and Calendar app for Windows 8. Head over to the Store and chose “Your Apps” that should enable for the related apps to request for update. You might need to close the Store app and then come back.

Before the update you can see that the Mail app is not so touch friendly.

One thing you will notice is that the Mail app has become more touch friendly and is much quicker in opening up. You no longer will see the turning circle when you open the Mail app. Searching for emails also has greatly improved prior to updating. I get over 40 emails a day and the need for quicker searching is a great welcomed feature with the new update. Another nice feature and very useful one is the ability to create folders as well. This comes in very handy as I also like to create folders for dropping certain emails when I am on the road to review for later. Yes I do use Outlook 2013 but when your on the road it is much easier to open up the Mail app and also is easier on the battery life rather than using the full Outlook 2013. Still wished that we could sync with Google contacts and calendar, but that’s on another issue.

I don’t use the Calendar app any longer since I can’t sync with my Google Calendar, but there is also some nice added features. Again, once you click on the Calendar app it opens up rather quickly or just might be because I really don’t have any Calendar appointments. I will give this a try on my Samsung Smart PC Pro ATIV 700T which I do sync my Google Calendar with the Windows 8 Calendar app. Lucky I was able to set up the Calendar app before Google pulled the plug. Now Microsoft needs to change the method to sync with Google so that we can continue to sync just like we do with iOS and Google.

The Calendar app now comes with a workweek-only view that shows just Monday through Friday, this is similar to Google Calendar.

You also see dateline showing where you are in the day, great to glance and see the time slot when it comes to making your  appointments. 

Last but not least, the People app received the fewest improvements. You now can post to your Facebook contacts right from the app, this can save you some time and makes it very fluid. You can also sort out to show “What’s New” page from your social network. 

You should see the new update show up in your Store apps. Once you update your Mail, People and Calendar apps, give them a try and see what new feature works best for you. 

Be the first to get your Samsung Galaxy S4… Pre-Order Now

Samsung held the big announcement on Thursday, March 14th, to show the Galaxy S IV. Overall appearance was not much of a change. The Galaxy S IV falls in between  the current Galaxy S III and the Galaxy Note II.

 

If you want to be one of the first to get your hands on the new Galaxy S IV, well you are going to have to dig down in your pockets, as the 16GB Galaxy S IV Unlocked will start at $729, 32GB will set you back $829 and the 64GB sets you back $929. For the Pre-Order your options for color are going to be Black Mist and White Frost.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Pre-order available now

Samsung finally made it official at Mobile World Congress by announcing the Galaxy Note 8. Like many of you have been waiting when the Galaxy Note 8 will be available to purchase, well looks like at least for the moment you can Pre-order your Galaxy Note 8. This is one step closer to getting your hands on the S-Pen enabled tablet.

So far we know that Samsung will be releasing a 3G and a WiFi version of the Galaxy Note 8. With the 3G setting you back $639.50 and the WiFi version $539.50. A bit pricey for 16GB tablet, but if you really need a 8-inch tablet with a digitizer to have a pretty experience using the stylus, well the Galaxy Note 8 is your only choice at this time.
Samsung improves the S-Pen experience every new release of a Galaxy product they release. At 5.3 x 8.3 x .3 you can easily use the Galaxy Note 8 as your note pad that you normally carry to take notes. You also get great display resolution at 1280 x 800 with 189ppi, though I was really hoping to see a higher ppi number. This also makes the Samsung Exynos Quad-Core 1.6GHz with 2GB of RAM pretty much zip along lag free with pretty much anything you can throw at it.
With the Galaxy Note 8, Samsung has included a good size battery at 4,600 mAh. We still need to see some testing, even though it is a very nice size battery, we would need to see how efficient the Exynos at 1.6GHz will be. Hoping to at least see 8 to 10 hours of good productive work with the Galaxy Note 8.
You also will see that the Galaxy Note 8 comes with a MicroSD slot, Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi a/b/g/n,GPS and IR for using as your remote control for your media center, this is a plus!
At the moment, Samsung hasn’t mentioned when the Galaxy Note 8 will be available in the US, for now you will have to import your Galaxy Note 8 which should be available in the second quarter. The price tag might be a bit hard to sell when you can pick up the bigger bother Galaxy Note 10.1 3G for around $580. But the again, this is packing a faster processor and is much more portable.
Galaxy Note 8 specs:
Data
2G Network
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
Dimensions
210.8 x 135.9 x 8 mm (8.30 x 5.35 x 0.31 in)
Weight 338 g (11.92 oz)
Display Type
TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Screen resolution
800 x 1280 pixels, 8.0 inches (~189 ppi pixel density)
Multitouch
Yes
Loudspeaker
Yes, with stereo speakers
3.5mm jack
Yes
Memory Card slot microSD, up to 64 GB
Internal storage
16 GB or 32 GB storage, 2 GB RAM
DATA GPRS
Class 12 (4+1/3+2/2+3/1+4 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
EDGE
Class 12
WLAN
HSDPA, 21 Mbps: HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps
Bluetooth Yes, v4.0 with A2DP
Infared Port
Yes
USB
Yes, v2.0 (MHL), USB Host
Camera
5 MP, 2592х1944 pixels, autofocus
Features
Geo-tagging
Video Yes, 1080p
Secondary Yes, 1.3 MP
FEATURES OS
Android OS, v4.1.2 (Jelly Bean)
Chipset
Exynos 4412
CPU Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A9
GPU
Mali-400MP
Sensors
Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Messaging SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Mail, IM, RSS
Browser
HTML5
GPS
Yes, with A-GPS support and GLONASS
Java Yes, via Java MIDP emulator
Color
White
- S Pen stylus
- SNS integration
- TV-out (via MHL A/V link)
- MP4/DivX/Xvid/FLV/MKV/H.264/H.263 player
- MP3/WAV/eAAC+/Flac player
- Organizer
- Image/video editor
- Document editor/viewer
- Google Search, Maps, Gmail,
YouTube, Calendar, Google Talk, Picasa
- Voice memo/dial
- Predictive text input (Swype)

Can’t wait to get your hands on the BlackBerry Z10… You can order now

Rumors point out that AT&T will be offering the BlackBerry Z10 starting March 22nd. If you don’t want to wait you have the option of ordering the BlackBerry Z10 unlocked and free of contract, then head over to Negrielectronics to place your order for the BlackBerry Z10 in either white or black. This will set you back $679.50 for either white or black BlackBerry Z10.

RIM has made the BlackBerry Z10 available in 21 other countries already, only way to get your hands on one in the US is to order a unlocked BlackBerry Z10. If you want to hold off and get one on contract, you should see US carriers offering the Z10 for around $199 with 2-year contract.

The BlackBerry Z10 will give you a great experience with the all new BlackBerry 10. The touch screen is 4.2-inch which is a tad roomier than the current iPhone 5 in screen size. Browsing can be a challenge on smaller display. At this time I am using the Galaxy Note II, and at 5.5-inch display it is quite a large display. 

The 768 x 1280 resolution and 326 ppi you will get eye popping images and great text to read your emails. The Touch On Lens technology is applied to the back side of the cover glass which eliminates the need to have a separate touch panel and in turn allows for a thin design.

The BlackBerry Z10 has great hardware, great design and for the most part it is good looking device. The ability to also run Android application makes the BlackBerry Z10 a bit tempting for those that are on Android, just a word of caution, not all Android apps will work.

Inside the BlackBerry Z10 you get a  1800 mAh battery, powered with dual-core 1.5GHz TI OMAP 4470 processor, 16GB built in memory, 2GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera, microSD slot, NFC, WiFi a/b/g/n dual band for greater strength and Bluetooth 4.0. This gives the BlackBerry Z10 the ability to compete with iOS and Android devices with these great specs.

Complete BlackBerry Z10 specs:

Network
2G Network
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

3G Network
UMTS 850 / 900 / 2100

4G Network
LTE 800 / 900 / 1800 / 2600

Dimensions
130 x 65.6 x 9mmWeight
125 g

Keyboard
QWERTY

DISPLAY
Type
Capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors

Size
768 x 1280 pixels, 4.2 inches (~326 ppi pixel density)

Multitouch
Yes

Sound
Alert types
Vibration; MP3 ringtones

Loudspeaker
Yes

Memory
Card slot
microSD, up to 32 GB

Internal
16 GB storage, 2 GB RAM

DATA
GPRS
Yes

EDGE
Yes

Speed
HSDPA 21 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76 Mbps; LTE

WLAN
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n , dual band

Bluetooth
Yes, v4.0 with A2DP

NFC
Yes

USB
Yes, microUSB v2.0

Camera
Primary
8 MP, 3264 x 2448, autofocus, LED flash

Features
Geo-tagging, continuous auto-focus, image stabilization, face detection

Video
Yes, 1080p@30fps

Secondary
Yes, 2 MP, 720p@30fps

Features
OS
BlackBerry OS 10

CPU
Dual-core 1.5 GHz

GPU
PowerVR SGX544

Sensors
Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Messaging
SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM, BBM 6

Browser
HTML5

GPS
Yes, with A-GPS support

Color
White or Black

- SNS integration
- HDMI port
- BlackBerry maps
- Organizer
- Document viewer
- Photo viewer
- MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+/FlAC player
- DivX/XviD/MP4/WMV/H.263/H.264 player
- Voice memo/dial
- Predictive text input

BATTERY
Li-Ion 1800 mAh battery

Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet available now at Verizon

After what seems to be a long wait since Samsung showed off the Verizon 4G LTE Galaxy Note 10.1 at CES in Las Vegas. The day has come! You can pickup the Galaxy Note 10.1 for $599.99 and adding it to your share everything plan. The Galaxy Note 10.1 will cost you an additional $10 with the share everything plan.

The Verizon 4G LTE Galaxy Note 10.1 will have faster data speeds than the current GSM version which runs at 3G speeds. One thing you won't find in the Verizon version is the ability to use a mobile phone to make calls like the GSM Galaxy Note 10.1. You could fire up Skype and place calls, but it will not have the ability as the GSM version to be used as a true mobile phone.

You will get the great Samsung S-Pen along with S-Memo to jot down notes. It is more than just using the stylus, it is knowing how to use the stylus and taking advantage of its great usefulness. If you are the type that is out of the office or even in a office going meeting to meetings, and need to always be approving documents or signing PDF files, you will find the Galaxy Note 10.1 will be the best Android tablet for this type of work.

The specs remain the same except you will be getting 4G LTE and like I mentioned this version will not have the ability to be used as a phone.

Specifications

Dimensions

• 10.3 (H) x 7.0 (W) x .35 (D) in inches
• Weight: 1.3 lbs.

Network

• CDMA 800, 1900, EVDO Rev A, LTE (Band13)
• Global Network: GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, HPSA/UMTS 850/900/1900/2100)

Operating System

• Android 4.1, Jelly Bean & TouchWiz

Memory / Processor

• 16GB Internal Memory (actual formatted capacity is less)
• Supports up to 64GB microSD(TM) (card sold separately)
• Processor: 1.4GHz Exynos Quad–Core Processor and 2GB RAM

Display

• 10.1" TFT WXGA Display (1280x800)
• Full Touch Tablet with S Pen

Keyboard

• Virtual QWERTY

Battery

• Up to 16 hours Usage time OR up to 30 days Standby Time

SAR

• Head: 0.28 W/Kg
• Body: 0.82 W/Kg 

Looking for a great deal on the HP Evy x2? Office Depot has it on sale $599

If you are in the market for a Atom Clover Trail Hybrid tablet, Office Depot has a great deal on the HP Envy x2 11.6-inch tablet. Normally the HP Envy x2 sales for around $849 and this week you can pick one up for $599. Saving you $250. I got some hands on with the HP Envy x2 at CES this past January and it is a solid convertible tablet.

The HP Envy x2 comes with 2GB of RAM, 64GB SSD (eMMC), 11.6-inch display, touch screen, keyboard dock with battery in dock, front and rear cameras, WiFi a/b/g/n, NFC, Bluetooth, HDMI, 2 x 2.0 USB (1x on dock). The build quality is very well designed and feels good in your hands. With the 11.6-inch display, you can comfortably use it with side by side documents, snap view works great on this size screen and other side by side work you might use. The tablet slides very easy onto the dock and is very easy to undock with the slide of the button.

The HP Envy x2 runs Windows 8 and other Windows application you might have and need. This is all done with the outstanding battery of the new Clover Trail processor. If you are worried about the Atom under the hood, well don’t let that distract you from giving any Atom Clover Trail tablets a try. If you are planning on running AutoCAD, or any other high demanding application, then I wouldn’t recommend any Clover Trail tablet. You need to look at the i5 Core tablets like the Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro 700T that I have tested, also the Surface Pro tablet which I also have been using. 

HP Envy x2 specs:

• screen resolution
  1366 x 768
• diagonal screen size
  11.6 inches
• memory
  2 GB
• memory speed
  PC2-4200
• memory type
  LPDDR2 SDRAM
• maximum memory capacity
  2 GB
• maximum battery life
  7 hours (tablet only); 12.25 hours (tablet & keyboard) hours
• weight
  3.06 lb
• integrated speakers
  yes
• memory card reader
  no
• audio hardware
  Beats Audio dual speakers
• video hardware
  Intel Graphics Media Accelerator with shared memory
• model name
  Envy x2 11-g010nr
• form factor
  convertible
• hard drive type
  SSD (solid state disk)
• ports
  2 USB 2.0; 1 HDMI
• storage capacity
  64 GB
• operating system
  Windows 8
• tablet processor model
  Atom Clover Trail
• tablet processor number
  Atom Z2760
• touch-screen
  yes
• wireless connectivity
  802.11a/b/g/n; Bluetooth

Surface Edition Wedge Touch Mouse review

 

Microsoft has also released a special edition mouse which is basically like the original Wedge Touch Mouse that was released last year. The notable difference is that Microsoft matched the Surface casing with the Surface Edition Wedge. Which gives it a nice touch!

Another benefit of the Wedge Touch Mouse is, it is bluetooth making it very easy to pair to your laptop or Surface tablet.

The Surface Edition Wedge Touch Mouse comes with same four-way touch scrolling, which lets you scroll vertically and horizontally. You can also flick the pages up, down and side to side with ease. This has come in handy working with webpages, documents, excel sheets and some Windows 8 features.

It also has the excellent BlueTrack technology  that allows you to use the Wedge Touch Mouse almost on any surface.

You also won’t have to worry when you travel with the Wedge Touch Mouse, you can power down the mouse or if you forget the Wedge Touch Mouse will automatically shut itself off. This is great when tossing the mouse into your bag or when your Surface tablet goes into hibernation.

If you are looking for something very portable with good tracking, take a look at the Wedge Touch Mouse.

Surface Editon Wedge Touch Mouse