Internet Explorer 10 Tops New ‘Robohornet’ Speed Test

Robohornet is a new set of browser benchmarks that attempts to measure how browsers do with not just JavaScript, but HTML rendering, CSS animations, DOM manipulation and JavaScript.

Want to stress-test your browser of choice? Head on over the Robohornet site, but be forewarned its a long test and there’s a good chance your browser is going to fall on its face — unless of course you’re using Internet Explorer 10.

Robohornet was created by Google’s Alex Komoroske, but it’s an open source project with “stewardship committee members” that extend well beyond Google. There are representatives from Facebook, SmugMug and Sencha participating, as well as individuals like Tom Robinson, creator of the Cappuccino framework.

Robohornet is somewhat novel in that it’s trying to be a community-driven benchmark. The tests that comprise the benchmark can be created by anyone. What’s more, even web developers not interested in writing tests can still participate by voting on which tests to include. See the Robohornet GitHub page for details on participating.

Of course, while Robohornet sounds really good up until right here, we have some bad news for you — right now most of the tests are what’s known as microbenchmarks, very small, highly abstracted tests that often have very little bearing on real-world performance.

As Mark Twain once said, there are lies, damn lies and browser benchmarks (or words to that effect) and in its current state Robohornet may well be doing more harm than good.

Microsoft has already come out dismissing Robohornet as not “representative of the performance users might encounter on real-world sites.” What’s most interesting about Microsoft’s reaction is that Internet Explorer 10 on Windows 8 actually tops the Robohornet tests, besting Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Opera according to some early tests by Tom’s Hardware.

Not happy with the Robohornet tests, Microsoft has created its own Robohornet-derived benchmark suite it calls Robohornet Pro, which the company claims better represents “real world” sites.

Mozilla’s Justin Lebar and Nicholas Nethercote have also both been critical of Robohornet, filing a bug entitled “eliminate and outlaw microbenchmarks.” “If you guys want us (in my case, Mozilla) to take Robohornet seriously,” writes Lebar, “I strongly recommend you write some macrobenchmarks and eliminate the microbenchmarks from your test suite.”

Lebar goes on to say that he really likes “the idea of a community-driven benchmark. I hope that aspect of this project, rather than the microbenchmarks, becomes the hallmark of Robohornet.” Would that it were so.

Source : webmonkey.com

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This is the World's Largest Multi-Touch Display Wall (Video)

Twenty four 55-inch displays are stacked together to create the ultimate MultiTaction cell display.

By itself, the 55-inch MultiTaction display created by Finland's MultiTouch Ltd is already great. But combine 24 of them and you have the most ridiculously massive multi-touch display wall the world has ever seen. Created by UK-based Engage Production, the monstrous installation measures in at approximately 32.5 ft x 9.8 ft.

As you can see from the video, all 24 MultiTaction displays work together to track a virtually limitless number of simultaneous touch inputs. The wall was created as part of a unique communications facility made to show off a number of consumer changes resulting from the recent advancements in technology. Capable of tracking hands, real world objects, optical markers, IR pens and more at a gesture tracking rate of up to 200 frames per second, the wall is a brilliant display of how much multitouch technology has evolved over the years.

Source: tomshardware.com

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iOS 6 users reporting Wi-Fi connectivity issues

Many iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners, who've upgraded to iOS 6, have been left without basic Wi-Fi connectivity.

Users are reporting a number of different issues and have taken to Apple's official support forums to register their displeasure.

In two lengthy threads (150 pages in total, CNET has reported) dedicated to Wi-Fi issues, many users have said their iOS device will connect on some networks but not on others.

Other users have been unable to connect to a Netgear Wi-Fi router - a problem which can only be solved by downloading new firmware for the router. Another thread focuses on "persistently slow" Wi-Fi.

AirPlay also affected?

While this isn't, strictly speaking, a Wi-Fi problem, the AirPlay connectivity on our iPad 2 has stopped functioning properly since updating to iOS 6, a problem also reflected by posts on Apple's support pages.

The company, which must be feeling pretty beleaguered at the moment given the backlash to Maps and the general malaise surrounding iOS 6, has yet to make an official comment on the alleged Wi-Fi problems.

However, it's not out of the ordinary for new versions of Apple's mobile OS to experience a few teething problems.

If past form is taken into account, it's likely that the company will quickly identify the issue and roll-out a bug-fixing minor software update.

Are you one of those users experiencing issues connecting to your Wi-Fi network since updating to iOS 6? Let us know in the comments section below.


Source: techradar.com

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iPhone 5 buyers guide

Everything you need to know about choosing the perfect iPhone color, capacity, carrier, and more!

There are a lot of decisions involved when it comes to buying a new iPhone, or any phone for that matter. Once you've decided you do indeed need a new phone, you still have to decide if the new phone you need is an iPhone. While we still believe the iPhone is the best choice for most of the people most of the time, there are a lot of great phones on the market these days and there might be one better suited to some people's individual needs. And let's say you do decide the iPhone is perfect for you, then comes the choice of model (iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4), color (white & silver or black & slate), storage capacity (16GB, 32GB, or 64GB), and carrier network (in the U.S., AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint are the major ones). And what do you do with your old, broken phone when your new, hot phone arrives?

Enter iMore's 2012 iPhone buyers guide. If you need help deciding what to buy, we've got your back. And if you've already decided, just bookmark, email, Facebook, or Tweet this so we can help your friends and family and you can get on with enjoying your new iPhone!

iPhone or something else: Which phone should you get?

Just because Apple has released the new iPhone 5 doesn't mean you have to race off and get it. Crazy, I know, particularly coming from the biggest iPhone enthusiast site on the web, but that just goes to show you how true it is. When the time comes for you to get your next phone, whether it's today or next year, and iPhone or something else, you should look at what's on the market and decide what best suits your needs.

If you want the sleekest, slimmest, easiest to use, most mainstream friendly, most content rich, most well supported phone in the industry, the iPhone might just be for you.
If you're not sure, here's a breakdown of the pros and cons of upgrading to the iPhone 5, whether you own and existing iPhone, an Android, BlackBerry, or Windows Phone, or a feature phone. Also, because the Samsung Galaxy S3 is probably what's going to give the iPhone the biggest run for its money right now.

Now vs. later: When should you buy an iPhone?

Once you've decided to get a new iPhone, you may still be wondering when exactly you should get it. Apple releases new iPhones every year, so should you buy now or wait and get the next one, and hopefully more bang for your buck, when it launches? Here's the deal...

• Buy in the fall: Time was, Apple announced and released new iPhones in the fall. Since 2011, however, Apple has shifted from a summer to a fall release schedule and, given the importance of the holiday quarter, that probably won't change next year either. So, if you're reading this in in the fall, winter of 2012, the iPhone 5 has just been released and you safely go buy it without worrying that it'll be made obsolete any time soon.

• Stay away in summer: On the other hand, if you're reading this in summer or fall 2013, Apple is probably just about to announce another new iPhone and unless you don't care and absolutely, positively have to have a new phone now, now, now you should hold off until they do. So far every new iPhone has been the same price -- $199 and $299 (and now $399)-- as the old one but offers way more hardware bang for the buck. At the same time the old model has so far been dropped in price (to $99 or ever free for the 2-year old model) so you can save if you need to.

• In between, buy when you need: If you're reading this smack dab at the 6 month point, around spring of 2013, and you want to know if you should buy, here's the simple question to ask: Do you need it now? If you've broken your current phone, lost it, or otherwise simply have to buy a new iPhone now get it and have no regrets. There will always be something new on the horizon but that won't help you if you need a phone now. If you don't need it but just want it, wait as long as you possibly can wait then buy the best iPhone available when you can't wait any more.

iPhone 5 vs. iPhone 4S vs. iPhone 4: Which iPhone should you get?

While some might consider the the latest, greatest 2012 iPhone 5 a no brainer when it comes to their next purchasing decision, Apple keeps the 2011 iPhone 4S and the 2010 iPhone 4 around for a reason. For some people, up-front price really does matter. However, over the lifetime of a typical contract, you'll be paying a couple thousand dollars, so it's important to really run the math on this and see what suits you best.

Black & slate or white & silver: Which iPhone 5 color should you get?

This year, like the last few years, one of the biggest decisions you have to make about buying an iPhone 5 is which color will you get? Unlike the new iPod touches, the iPhones are still a two color affair -- black and white. But this year, they're also a two-tone affair, with a metal back plate breaking up the glass on the back. And for the black version, it's a blackout affair, which the aluminum anodized as dark as the glass.
Technically Apple is calling the iPhone 5 color options Black & Slate and White & Silver. So while you still have only two choices of iPhone color, with the iPhone 5 those choices are more extreme than ever before.

16GB, 32GB, or 64GB: Which iPhone 5 storage size should you get?

When it comes to iPhone 5 storage, you need to carefully balance cost and capacity. 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB all have their pros and cons, so it's important to weigh all the options carefully and get the very best price/performance ration for you.

AT&T vs Verizon vs Sprint: Which iPhone 5 carrier should you choose?

If you're in the U.S. it's probably not so easy deciding which carrier is best for your iPhone 5 needs, AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint. Price is always a huge factor to consider when choosing a carrier, but coverage should be just as, if not more, important when making a decision. Since the iPhone 5 supports LTE cellular technology, you're going to want to take a close look at which carriers offer the best LTE coverage in your area. Then there's the matter of simultaneous voice and data -- AT&T can do it over HSPA data, but Sprint and Verizon need Wi-Fi. And don't forget international roaming. Here's the complete breakdown:

• AT&T vs Verizon vs Sprint: Which iPhone 5 carrier should you choose?

Apple Store vs. other stores: Where should you buy?

So now that you know what you're getting, how about where? Carrier compatibility aside, the iPhone you get will be the same, but the customer service you receive can vary greatly. Also, if you have specific loyalty rewards at a certain carrier or company, that can change the deal you get.

• Apple Retail: If you have an Apple Retail Store in your area, you can go there, and if it's in stock, leave with your new iPhone right away. They also offer help with your purchase and will even help you get set your new iPhone up free of charge. If you're worried about protecting your investment, they can also get you setup with AppleCare, and their Genius Bar can help you with hardware problems in the future. Corny as it sounds, It's not just shopping, it's an experience. Apple Retail has the best customer service in the business and it shows. There are no discounts, however, not ever. (Though your carrier discounts can still apply.

• Apple Online: If there's no Apple Retail store near you there's also Apple Online in many countries. Again, no discounts but you're dealing directly with Apple. If there are any shortages or shipping delays, you can still order and they'll get it out to you as soon as stock allows. Also, in some countries, Apple Online is the only places where you can get full price, officially unlocked iPhones if that's an option you want. (Which can be handy for frequent international travelers.)

• Carrier stores and big box retailers: If you want brick-and-morter but don't have an Apple Store nearby, your carrier will often have one or several stores in your area. Drop buy or get it shipped to you. If you're getting a upgrade discount or other carrier incentives it's a great way to get it all setup right away. (Many are also taking a page from Apple and upping their customer experience.) Big box and chain retailers, everything from Best Buy to the Shack to Tesco also carry iPhones. If you have loyalty points or they're just super convenient, check them out as well.

Shady operators also try to sell discount iPhones, sometimes devices that aren't even really iPhones but cheap -- and highly breakable -- knockoffs. It goes without saying you should avoid those. Any deal too good to be true probably is. If you save money only to end up with a phone that doesn't run iOS and may not even run on your carrier you really just wasted your money.

How to sell your old phone before upgrading to the iPhone 5

Selling your old iPhone (or any old phone) can help offset some, if not all of the cost, of a new iPhone, especially if you're not yet eligible for an upgrade and have to pay a premium. Odds are you've already decided which capacity and color you'll be getting when the iPhone 5 drops so you have some idea of how much money you need to get out of your current iPhone to cover the purchase.
So if you don't fancy handing it down for free to a family member or using it as a backup phone, we can guide you in the right direction when it comes to selling your old iPhone and getting top dollar for it.

• How to sell your old phone before upgrading to the iPhone 5

iPhone 5 user guides

Once you've bought your new iPhone, it's time to enjoy. Here's how to set it up with iCloud over-the-air (OTA), including updates, backups, security, music and media, and apps and games, how to get Siri up and running and assisting you, and how to get started with your iPhone camera.

Source : imore.com

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6 Reasons Why Nokia Doesn’t Need Android

In the past couple years we’ve all seen Nokia’s market share sliding down the charts.  And we all know that last year they announced a full-on exclusive switch to Windows Phone as the single operating system of choice for their phones in the future.  A number of people wondered why Nokia didn’t just switch to using the successful Android operating system that so many other manufacturers use these days.

1. Nokia Belle already feels like Android.

In using the new Nokia Belle operating system on an N8, one new reason became clear…  They’ve already got it!  Nokia Belle, the latest version of Symbian, looks a lot like a customized version of Android.  It has the multiple horizontal-sliding desktop home screens.  It has all sorts of different-sized, different-looking, throw-anywhere widgets.  It has the same drop-down notifications bar.  It has the app tray button at the bottom, and a pop-up menu button.  It’s occasionally unresponsive, has ambiguous navigation buttons, and scrolling stutters sometimes.  Heck, it even has the “open-source” mantra attached to it (at least until April of 2011)!   Why would Nokia want to load Android on their phones when they can make an operating system just like it without much effort?

Well, okay… it’s not exactly like Android.  Nokia’s Belle has much better battery life and a completely different app store which naturally only supports Symbian apps.  Of course it lacks many of the Google apps, but many Android devices (such as those from Amazon) these days lack those as well.  It doesn’t seem to have the same depth of community programming support nor app count either, so there’s that.  Still, I think it’s safe to say that Nokia’s already been down that road.

2. Android isn’t much different from 10 year old Smartphone operating systems.

In terms of user interface, you’ve got notifications from all of your programs at the top, you’ve got a home screen with widgets that you can arrange which will display pertinent information for easy access, and you’ve got a menu where all of your applications reside.  Was I just describing Android?  Or was I describing Microsoft’s Pocket PC Smartphone operating system from 10 years ago?  You’re both right!  Sure there are plenty of other differences and Android has gotten more complicated by adding widgets to the notifications tray and whatnot, but the basic fundamentals really haven’t progressed or improved much in Android.  It’s still home screen widgets, notifications bar, and app launching.

Windows Phone, on the other hand, implements a completely new type of interface design that not only works well on small-screened smartphones, but scales up to larger screens (as you’ll see in Windows 8/Xbox 360) and also leaves room for newer methods of user interaction such as 3D gesture recognition and voice controls that really won’t be possible with the conventional UI’s you see implemented by Apple and Google. Plus you’ve got the content-centric and task-centric structure.  3rd party apps show up within the content that they may be related to as opposed to just a “more programs” menu and “hubs” organize both content and apps from all sorts of different sources in a way that makes a lot of sense, but is also quite different from the “launch an app, then find your stuff” mentality.

3. There’s too many pizza places on this street.

You don’t succeed in business when you do exactly the same thing as everyone else.  There’s really only one manufacturer using Android that has actually seen continued success with it and that’s Samsung.  HTC, LG, Sony, etc, are struggling a bit while Samsung and Apple are at the top. Putting Android on a phone doesn’t automatically make you successful. It would be like opening a pizza place on a street next to 5 other pizza places and one store that sells apples. Sure, pizza is great and some say it tastes better than fruit, but if you want to stand out in the food business, you have to do something new.  That’s why Nokia has gone all in with Windows Phone. It’s fresh, it’s different, and it’s tasty.

4. Implementing Android would be too expensive

I know what you’re thinking… Android is free and open source, how could it be more expensive?  Well, for one, you still have to pay Microsoft licensing fees for intellectual property patents.  Then you have to pay your own developers and spend a lot of time trying to make it something unique enough to be noticed.  Then you have to spend a lot on lawyers when Apple sues you.

By concentrating on Windows Phone, Nokia is actually getting money from Microsoft instead of paying them to use Android.  Nokia has absolutely nothing to worry about in terms of software litigation since Microsoft has already licensed any patents from Apple that they might have used and they’ve vowed to cover Windows Phone manufacturers in this regard.  As for Nokia’s software developers, they’ve got a lot less work to do with Windows Phone.  There’s no need to mess around with the UI and spend years learning how to master Android development.  That leaves more time to develop applications that add and integrate with the operating system, thus increasing the value as opposed to wasting time changing things just for the sake of differentiation.

5. Android wouldn’t look good on Nokia

When I Photoshopped the header image to show an Android screen on the Nokia Lumia 920, I gagged a little.  It looks so extremely out of place.  The styling is all off.  Yes, Nokia could put some developers to work and hire some designers to fix it, but no matter how much Android evolves, an inherit problem with the open-source nature of the operating system is that nothing will ever really be coherent.  Even if you customize and skin the whole operating system and all of the apps you want to bundle in order to make it look unique and different from every other Android device out there… as soon as some one installs a 3rd party app, that’s going to break the cohesive design and cause the experience to fall apart a bit.  On the other hand, Windows Phone follows a consistent design language (codenamed Metro) that maintains a cohesive look throughout both the operating system as well as third party apps.  Plus, the Windows Phone design UI offers a more personal and effortless way of customizing the device.  In many ways it customizes itself based on the stuff that you like and it just looks fantastic on Nokia’s brightly colored phones.

6. Being part of the Windows 8/Xbox Ecosystem has huge potential.

Microsoft is putting a lot of effort into competing as a full computing ecosystem.  They’ve already been very successful with Windows on the desktop and laptop PC side of things, and they’re also very successful in the living room with the Xbox 360.  Microsoft isn’t doing so great on the web search, music store, tablets, and smartphones side of things though.  Apple and Google have been excelling in those areas.  However, Microsoft’s plans to compete in those areas have been gaining steam.  Bing has forced Google to start innovating with their web search results again and has been gaining market share itself.  Microsoft’s Surface tablets have been able to generate a large amount of buzz in the tech world, and Xbox Music is slated to launch with as-yet-unknown new features.  Nokia could tap into these other markets and has already since Microsoft has implemented Nokia Maps into Bing, Windows 8 Maps app, and even Facebook.  If Nokia had partnered with Google, you know Google wouldn’t be bringing more customers to Nokia’s mapping services.  Google has very little presence in the living room, too.  The potential in Microsoft’s growing new ecosystem just seems greater.

Why not both Windows Phone and Android?

If you’ve gotten this far, you may be asking yourself, “Why shouldn’t Nokia build both Android and Windows Phones?”  Samsung, HTC, etc., all do it.  Sure, that seems like an option, but some could also see that as an identity crisis or lack of commitment.  Nokia wants to build its brand around Windows Phone and bring some real competition to the table.  Android is the one that has torn down Nokia’s mobile phone empire.  Nokia doesn’t want to give in and help their enemies. They want to put up a fight and concentrate their efforts on making something better than Android.

Source : pocketnow

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Watch How Android Jelly Bean Scores Over iOS6!

Ever since Apple has launched iOS6, there have been several rounds of discussion on how the new operating system is different from Android Jelly Bean. Android 4.1 aka Jelly Bean is the latest from Google’s kitty. The two operating systems have been close competitors as far as features and market popularity is concerned. But this time, Android seems to be a clear winner.

Apple seems to have missed on the opportunity and has failed to create any magic. Where as Android remains a clear winner with the cutting-edge features offered with the latest Jelly Bean.

Watch how Android Jelly scores over iOS6 in the video below:

Source : efytimes.com

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Facebook gives Poland a Like with Central Europe office

Facebook opened new offices in Warsaw on Thursday to serve Central and Eastern Europe.

According to reports, Facebook says the office will cover 46 million users in over 30 countries across the region. Until now, the area was served by the European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland.

Currently, Facebook has nine million users in Poland and is the second most-visited online property after Google. The social network overtook the Polish social network NK earlier this year.

Facebook has set up shop in the Polish capital of Warsaw. Image: Shutterstock

Rumours that Facebook would set up shop in Poland began at the start of the summer, with a big question mark hanging over where the offices would be located. Wroclaw, already home to the Polish branch of Google and offices of other tech companies, started a campaign to attract Facebook to the city.

Wroclaw's efforts turned out to be in vain, as earlier this month Facebook's preference for the Polish capital became clear when it created a new Careers page for the city. (Although at the moment there are no open positions available.) The offices are located at the ZloteTarasy mall and office centre, next to the city's main railway station.

Facebook's Warsaw office will start with around five new positions, with the focus being on marketing and sales. The unit will for now be led by Diego Oliva, Facebook's regional director for Southern, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Facebook is in the process of broadening the geographical reach of its operations. Earlier this year, the social network opened an engineering office in London, the first of its type outside the US, and has also opened a regional advertising office for the Middle East in Dubai.

Source : zdnet

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Apple Maps App Gets Lost on Twitter: Only 10% of Tweets Approve

If you thought that the chatter about Apple’s Maps app in iOS 6 was overwhelmingly negative, here’s proof that it wasn’t just the folks in your social stream.

Twitter analysis firm Crimson Hexagon grabbed more than 50,000 tweets that mentioned the Maps app, which comes standard on the iPhone 5, over the last six days. Just 10% of those expressed interest, approval or excitement, such as this review from pastor Charlie Campbell: “I was a little nervous about losing Google maps … but I must say I like Apple’s maps even better.”

If there’s a silver lining for Apple, it’s that only 22% of the tweets expressed an outright hatred of the app. But another 30% cracked jokes at the expense of Maps, such as this from entrepreneur Chris Eh Young: “If you ordered an iPhone 5, shipments are being delayed. Apple is forcing the delivery guys to use Apple Maps.”

The remaining 30% of tweets were neutral, merely passing on news stories or updates about Maps. The full stats:

Crimson Hexagon also examined Twitter sentiment about the iPhone 5 itself, and found a slight weakening of interest in the wake of the record-breaking smartphone launch.

Positive tweets about the phone fell from 38% at launch to 30% now, while negative tweets rose from 11% to 20%. Some 12% of all negative tweets about the iPhone 5 mentioned Maps.

Is the anti-Maps chatter likely to increase or to die down? Give us your prediction in the comments.

Source : mashable

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Over half of surveyed Windows 8 users prefer Windows 7

Well, this can't be good news for Microsoft, as a recent survey of Windows 8 users found that just over half of them still prefer Windows 7.

The survey comes from Forumswindows8.com, an independent help and support site for the new operating system.

After polling 50,000 active Windows 8 users, 53 percent of respondents said that Windows 7 is still their favorite Windows OS while only 25 percent said that they preferred Windows 8.

When asked about individual Windows 8 features, fast boot up and shut down times came out on top with 56 percent saying it was their favorite feature.

Easy installation came in a close second with 50 percent citing it as their favorite feature, while Internet Explorer was a distant third with 35 percent of respondents.

First, the bad news...

The much-touted Windows 8 UI (formerly called the Metro UI) came in further down the list of favorite features, garnering praise from only 22 percent of those surveyed.

The charms bar, another Windows 8 staple, only resonated with 13 percent of users, and received the lowest ranking for favorite Windows 8 feature just above "other."

According to the survey, the number one weakness to be improved in Windows 8 is the price, with 35 percent of respondents saying it is their biggest concern with the OS.

Users will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 for only $39.99, or $69.99 at retail, for the first few months. However, in February after the promotional period ends the price jumps up to $199.99, which is where the price concerns may stem from.

After price, the major Windows 8 concerns were system requirements and software compatibility, which were respectively listed as the top concern for 26 percent and 25 percent of respondents.

Now, some good news...

It isn't all bad news for Windows 8 though, as the people surveyed said they like the idea of using the operating system on tablets. And, 35 percent said that the Microsoft Surface tablet was their first choice, compared to 33 percent saying Android and 26 percent wanting an iPad.

Windows Phone 8 also beat out the iPhone with 29 percent saying they would prefer Microsoft's mobile OS compared to 22 percent favoring Apple's smartphone. Both were well behind Android though, with 42 percent saying they prefer it over either Windows Phone 8 or an iPhone.

Windows 8 will be Microsoft's biggest shift for its operating system yet when it launches on Oct. 26.

Although according to Intel, the OS may not be completely ready in time for launch, with final optimizations and improvements to get patched in after the fact.

Via Forumwindows8.com

Source: techradar.com

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Microsoft invests in Klout; integrates data into Bing

Microsoft is making a "strategic investment" of an undisclosed size in social-media vendor Klout, company officials announced on its Bing Community blog on September 27.

On Bing, Microsoft is going to display Klout data -- including a person's Klout score and topics they are "influential" about -- on the new Bing Sidebar pane for those users who can and want to see this information. And on Klout, "highlights from Bing will begin surfacing in the 'moments' section of some people's Klout profiles," a Microsoft spokesperson said.

This new partnership is related to Microsoft's ongoing work to integrate social-search results into its Bing search engine via the sidebar panel, the same way that it does with Quora and foursquare.

Your reaction to this news probably indicates a lot of things about you. (I know it does of me.)

If you're living in the Silicon Valley area and/or are someone who thinks your Klout score really matters, you probably are thinking: "Wow, Microsoft!" If you're a jaded non-Bubble-dwelling person like me, you might be thinking something more like "Wow, Microsoft?"

As one of my Twitter chums joked today, my Klout score on Microsoft -- which I truly don't know and don't care -- is probably minus-500 after my tweets and this post.

Microsoft is maintaining this isn't all fluff and no stuff. There's also a big-data connection to today's partnership and investment, according to today's post. Microsoft officials have said repeatedly that one of the biggest benefits of Bing is massive amount of information it helps Microsoft collect and parse.

"Search as a new outbound signal is an interesting new development in the way we think about big data and how it can add value to lots of the other services we use each day," according to today's post. (And no, I don't really know what, if anything, that sentence actually means, either.)

I'm not anti-social media. I find Twitter really useful, and I know some do take Klout score quite seriously. I am not among them. I would never use Klout to find an expert in a subject area, as I know that many folks give one another Klout points as jokes. But I'm also someone who doesn't want to see my Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn friend's recommendations on my search queries, either -- which is something Microsoft is encouraging with its latest Bing redesign, which the company announced in March 2012.

To try the new Klout-Bing integration, users should go to Bing.com, log into Facebook and try some searches. Microsoft suggests starting with “movies, nfl schedule, or stanford university."

Update: So maybe there really is a big data --and a Hadoop-specific play -- in this Klout arrangement after all. Thanks to another of my Twitter buds, @Lizasisler from Perficient, comes this May 2012 GigaOm story about the relationship between Hadoop, Microsoft and Klout. (Remember, Microsoft is working on Hadoop for Windows Azure, and supposedly still Hadoop for Windows Server.) It sounds from this article as though Klout is a big SQL Server shop and a likely MySQL switcher.

Source : zdnet

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Gifts are about to completely transform Facebook

Today Facebook has announced something more important than you may realize: Facebook Gifts, and it’s happening just as we predicted.

Facebook’s $80 million+ post-IPO acquisition of Karma was enough to raise questions as to what would happen next, considering that Facebook made it clear that this was not merely a talent acquisition. Now, the future of the Facebook may change.

Long-term users will remember that Facebook has tried to launch gifts in the past, but only with essentially worthless, digital goods. Today’s move is an entirely different animal, however, as the company is stepping foot into new territory by way of its Karma acquisition, with hundreds of physical goods already for sale. Facebook is now taking advantage of the growing popularity of social commerce trends (which it essentially caused), with a centralized gifting platform that lets the social giant gather countless addresses, credit card details and relationship data, all while further roping in 3rd party brands and skimming a little off the top.

As Facebook explains, its gifts are intended as a new way for “millions of people” to celebrate moments together. Users can now send gifts from birthday reminders, or from their friend’s timeline. Gifts can be public or private. Facebook even makes the process relatively frictionless, allowing you to pay right away or alterately add your card details later. Then, whomever receives the gift simply unwraps it digitally, enters in their address and finds it on their doorstep days later. Aunts, uncles and grandparents are about to have a field day, and kids will finally understand why it’s not such a bad idea to have their relatives on the social network.

Facebook will likely target which gifts it recommends as time goes on. For example, pricer, high-end products could be targeted towards users with (what look to be) higher paying jobs, while current college students could be targeted for more novel gifts like Dave Matthews Band tickets or beer posters. Of course, this could all feed into Facebook’s advertising network too, where as long as the gifting inventory eventually expands, users will be able to purchase whatever’s advertised without ever leaving Facebook. That’s where the obvious Facebook VS Amazon comparison comes into play.

 

If this gifting practice becomes a standard activity for users, you can bet that Facebook’s entire monetization strategy will adapt — as we’ve said, there’s a $100 billion market in the US for pre-paid gift cards alone. The best part, however, is that this doesn’t even need to become common for the company to do extremely well. If every Facebook user receives just one gift for their birthday over the next year, Facebook will have sold 955 million gifts. Selling just a miniscule portion of that number could even be considered a success.

Now, we’re left wondering what will happen to the likes of Wrapp, Wantful, DropGifts and Give.it. It’s clear that Facebook is on track to taking up Apple’s old habits; letting creators innovate onto its platform, only to replicate those same features natively. Considering how deep Facebook Gifts will be integrated, this is pretty much a black spot for everyone else in the social gifting space.

How aggressively Facebook plans to pursue today’s launch has yet to be shown, but there’s no doubt that the potential is absolutely massive. Users, hide your credit cards. Investors, get those mouths watering. This is a big deal.

Image credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Source: thenextweb.com

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Best iPhone Games

Here's our picks for the best iPhone games currently available. We weeded through the thousands of titles to bring you the cream of the crop. 

With over 500,000 apps now available for download in the iTunes app store, the gaming options are nearly limitless. In the sea of games for the iPhone, some are worth your 99 cents (or download time) and others are not. We’ve taken on the burden of sorting through the endless games to bring you what we think are the best iphone games for everyone from the intense console gamer to the casual word puzzle enthusiast.

Have a suggestion? Let us know in the comments section!

Horn (Free)

You can hardly fail to be impressed by this third-person action adventure. Horn casts you as a blacksmith’s apprentice intent on unraveling a curse that has transformed everyone into mechanical creatures. The story will draw you straight in and the blend of combat and puzzle gameplay is a lot of fun. A rich fantasy world has been brought to life in Horn and it’s a polished title that’s looking to  

 push mobile boundaries.

Outwitters (Free)

Turn-based strategy is not a well-represented gaming niche on iOS, so Outwitters’ blend of accessible multiplayer battle is a welcome addition. You build up resources called “wits” that you can spend on moves, attacks, or new units. The basic aim is to destroy your opponent’s base. The factions are well balanced, the art style is cute, and you can play one-vs-one or two-vs-two player games. The basic game is free, but there are in-app purchases.

Fieldrunners 2 ($3)

It has taken a while, but the sequel to one of the most popular tower defense games ever is finally here. The original Fieldrunners helped to spawn the tower defense craze and this follow up does not mess with the basic formula. It is graphically gorgeous and highly polished with tons of satisfying gameplay to get your teeth into. If you’re a tower defense fan, this is an essential purchase.

 

 Nihilumbra ($3)

A clever and puzzling adventure that tasks you with escaping from The Void which wants to reclaim you, Nihilumbra is original, engaging, and challenging. It looks very stylish and you’ll unlock new colors to bring life to your drab world and give you powers as you progress. It’s essentially a mixture of platform and puzzle gameplay. The story and the art really elevate this game, but be warned, it gets very tough toward the end.

Minecraft – Pocket Edition ($7)

The chances are good that you’ve heard about the smash hit indie sandbox game, Minecraft. It challenges you to explore, mine, construct, and survive in a series of randomly generated environments. You are free to choose how you want to play the game, which has virtually infinite replay value, but the main focus is on building. The initially disappointing iOS version has been updated in the last few months and now offers crafting, a survival mode, mobs, and a creative mode.

Draw Something Free (Free)

Insanely addictive and occasionally laugh out loud funny, Draw Something is essentially a one-on-one version of Pictionary without the time limit. You pick one of three words, sketch it, and then the other player uses their available letters to guess what it is. You score points for correct answers but they don’t really matter. If you can’t cope with intrusive ads then you might feel the $2.99 premium version is worth splashing out for.

SpellTower ($2)

An odd blend of Tetris and word search puzzles, SpellTower is extremely addictive. Letters on tiles fall from the top of the screen and you have to find words to clear them away. The longer the words you find, and the rarer the letters you use, the more tiles you’ll eliminate. The aim is simple: stop the letters from reaching the top of the screen. The local multiplayer mode is a great addition.

Total War Battles: Shogun ($5.50)

Real time strategy addicts are not well served on the iPhone but Total War Battles aims to change that. This is a gorgeous game with stylized Japanese artwork and fluid animations. You must guide your clan through a series of battles on hex-based maps. Basic resource management is thrown into the mix with the same split between the turn-based management and the real-time battles as you find in the PC games. Naturally, this is simplified and scaled down by comparison but there’s plenty on offer to get strategists frothing at the mouth.

Angry Birds ($1)

This notoriously obsession-inducing game begins with the story of some ugly green pigs who stole eggs from their neighboring birds. These birds are now, as you would assume, very angry. Users fling the angry (and squealing) birds at fortified castles inhabited by the green pigs in an attempt to destroy the pigs and get to the next level. It’s a game of trial and error, but birds with different advantages (extra power, wider coverage) and pigs with extra protections (hardhats, etc.) keep things interesting.

Amazing Breaker ($1)

If you’re a fan of addictive and challenging puzzle games then check out Amazing Breaker. The goal of the game is to blast the various ice structures with bombs from your launcher. Each blast takes away bits of ice, leaving tiny shards behind. The fewer amounts of shards left over at the end of each round, the better your score. With over 80 levels and full high-resolution retina display graphics – Amazing Breaker is one of those games that is easy to learn but hard to master.

 

Temple Run (Free)

This addictive game has you running from a pack of gorillas as fast as possible through a temple-like obstacle course. You must make quick turns, jump over logs and bridges, slide underneath rings of fire, collect gold coins and make it as far as you can without getting trampled by the gorillas or meeting your death from a fall or smack in the face. This one’s good for adrenaline junkies and those who like a good race.

 

Ski-On-Neon (Free)

This skiing game is addictive thanks to the difficulty of getting the slopes just right. It’s a simple game where all you have to do is press your finger to the screen when you want to crouch (going into a downhill slope) or not. The slopes make for tricky timing and you must get to a certain height jump before making it to the next level.

Epoch ($6)

This newly released action game has you controlling a robot as it struggles to survive a post-apocalyptic world where humans are no longer around and robots live to fight a never-ending war. The game utilizes a unique cover system and features stunning visuals not typically matched on mobile devices. Endless customization awaits you as you configure your robot with salvaged parts and battle waves of robots in arena-style action.

Fruit Ninja ($1)

Like Angry Birds, this action game is extremely simple but extraordinarily addictive. Users swipe a finger across the screen to slice fruit as it flies across the screen. Miss slicing one too many and you’re out. Slice multiple pieces of fruit with one swipe for combination points and watch out for flying bombs, which will kill you and your score in an instant. The game features classic and arcade modes as well as multiplayer for Game Center-enabled devices. Turn the sound up because, trust us, hearing your fruit be slashed and splattered is the best part.

Plants vs. Zombies ($3)

The much-loved tower defense game that started out as a hit on PC is now available for the iPhone, to the relief of countless fans. Users must defend their homes against hoards of angry zombies attempting an invasion. Planting a variety of zombie-zapping plants will fend off the walking dead, and the more zombies you kill the more plants you can get to defend your home. The game has 50 different levels that feature different scenes and backgrounds. The game stays interesting thanks to the variety of zombies with special skills and tricks.

Sparkle the Game ($3)

This action puzzle game puts speed and accuracy to the test as users shoot orbs into a constantly moving line, hoping to make them disappear fast enough that they don’t fall into the dreaded abyss. Users tap the screen where they want to shoot orbs; match three orbs of the same color to make them disappear. Three game modes, different scene locations, and hidden bonuses and secrets keep the action fun. The game is simple in concept, but the entertainment will last hours.

Bejeweled 2 ($1)

This addictive game is one of the top paid apps of all time, and for good reason. The puzzle game challenges users to match sparkling jewels to get points to get to the next level. The premise is simple but the fun of beating each level is addicting. Different modes allow for intense or relaxed play, and new Facebook integration allows users to challenge their friends to a match.

Where’s My Water? ($1)

This extremely popular game revolves around an alligator named Swampy who is desperate to take a nice hot shower. To get the water to him, you must cut through rock in just the right places, avoid obstacles, and figure out the puzzle in time before Swampy starts to shiver. The game has over 200 levels and is surprisingly fun and addictive, despite the game’s strange initial premise.

Source: digitaltrends.com

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