Google+ for Windows Phone Could Launch This Week

Speculations strongly suggest the possibility of Google+ coming to Windows Phone users.In a post published on the Google Plus Blog, they have outlined a list of changes and updates that could be coming to Google+ in the near future. Currently, accessing Google+ from the native Internet Explorer in Windows Phone 7 seems to be a pretty difficult affair and a dedicated app would definitely be appreciated.

The following changes may be implemented next week:

• Ability to modify circles a post is shared with after posting it
• Google+ Android App update for Reading sparks and +1 comments
• Lifting of the 5000 circle cap
• The ability to overlap circles
• Easy private messaging option including to person who starts a thread
• Google+ app for Windows Phone 7
• Better integration of Google Chat with Google+
• Fix issues with instant upload for photos
• Ability to share with all circles, but with an “except” option
• Ability to share Google Docs and Calendar with circles
• Revamp Google Reader to make sharing easier
• File-sharing integration
• Addition of hashtags to aid searching
• Faster updates to the no. of people following you
• Revamped minor UI change

From the above list, the most notable one is the Google+ app for Windows Phone 7. Having at least 10 million users currently, Google seems to have gained momentum on the social networking frontier. Recently, the iPhone App for Google+ was rolled out and it rocketed to the top of the app list.

Do you think it will have a similar effect on Windows Phone? Let us know in the comments section below.

GoldenEye 007 Reloaded Comes to the PS3 and Xbox 360

With GoldenEye 007 being released for the Nintendo, Activision has now launched it for the PS3 and Xbox 360 as well. Activision stated that the game is built on a brand new engine, with high-definition graphics and is limited to 60 frames per second. Gamespot claims that the game is also compatible with the PlayStation's Move and the Xbox 360's Kinect. Activision claims to have added new features to the gameplay with infinite ammo and Golden Gun mode. Brand new M16 ops challenge levels, as well as time trial features are also some additional features.

 Activision has added a few more tweaks to the multiplayer mode as well. Now users can play online with upto 16 players with new modes, weapons and other characters from the James Bond series. Gamespot claims that another James Bond game is set to be released along with the new movie, James Bond 23, by November of next year. Activision, though, has not made any official confirmation of the new game yet. VG24/7 reports that David Oxford, the EVP at Activision publishing, said that by bringing together GoldenEye 007 and the PlayStation Move's Sharp Shooter, they wanted to expand the world of motion-based gaming. GoldenEye 007 is all set to be released on October 28th, 2011.

Tata Indicom Introduces New BlackBerry Plans at Rs. 99

Telecom service provider, Tata Indicom has announced the launch of three new BlackBerry service plans for their new customers. The new plans start at Rs. 99, Rs. 199 and Rs. 599 for the first three months. Standard monthly prices of Rs. 299, Rs. 399 and Rs. 900, respectively will be applied after the three month promotional period.

According to Tata Indicom, the MaiLite plan for Rs. 99 offers Tata Indicom postpaid customers access to as many as 10 supported e-mail accounts along with BBM (BlackBerry Messenger), as well as other popular Instant Messaging services for an initial period of three months. Thereafter, the standard Rs. 299 plan will be activated.

The BlackBerry Internet Service plan for Rs. 199 offers access for up to 10 supported e-mail accounts, BBM, Instant Messaging services and social networking along with Internet browsing for three month period. The Rs. 399 plan will be applied after the three month period is over.

The service plan for BlackBerry Enterprise Server for Rs. 599, includes all of the above, plus access to corporate data and tight integration with IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange or Novell GroupWise. Like the previous plans, this too will be for the initial three months, after which users will be billed Rs. 900 per month for data usage.

Aditya Infotech Launches AVerMedia HomeFree TV Tuner

Aditya Infotech, in association with AVerMedia Technologies have recently announced the AVerMedia HomeFree, a home Live-TV/ video streaming device. AVerMedia HomeFree is built with AV-input and HDTV support bringing satellite TV and digital TV to an iPad over a home network. This device can broadcast and record analog TV signals to your iPad or Windows computer via your wireless home network. Being a network device, the HomeFree is installed at a location in a house where a wireless router and TV cable connections are available.

 Speaking at the unveiling of the AVerMedia HomeFree TV Tuner, Sanjay Gogia, Vice President of IT/AUDIO/VIDEO BU at Aditya Infotech Ltd. said, “We have observed from our business journey with AVerMedia that they always understand the need of consumers before introducing any product in India. This time, HomeFree is targeted at consumers who want complete solution of movable TV at home without attaching any TV Tuner or cable. The new offering from AVerMedia promises to enable users to watch TV wirelessly and freely in any room at home.”

The AV-input support hardware design of HomeFree allows users to easily watch satellite TV programs on their very own iPad TV. The IR Blaster function of HomeFree enables users to remotely control a set-top box from their iPads on LAN. Users can quickly watch/switch satellite TV channels or pause/play DVDs with the HomeFree Player by tapping on the iPad screen. HomeFree also allows users to watch live HD digital TV with quality up to 1080p resolution on a LAN-connected Windows computer with its TV signal streaming technology. Users also have the option of HomeFree to do recording and time-shifting on their computers via wireless LAN.

The specifications of the AVerMedia HomeFree TV Tuner are:

• Dimension: W 132mm X L 218mm X H 43mm
• Weight:  320g
• Built-in TV tuner:  One analog TV tuner
• Supported analog TV standard:  NTSC, PAL, SECAM
• TV input/ output:   One cable connector (IEC Type)
• Network output:  RJ-45 connector (10/100 Mbps)
• Hardware power switch:  Yes
• Power Supply: DC 5V/2A

The AVerMedia HomeFree TV Tuner is available for Rs. 9,900.

Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 November Release Confirmed

The classic crossover series has returned to the gaming world with all new tweaks and a whole new set of characters. Capcom has confirmed that Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 is all set to be released in November, this year. Marvel Vs Capcom was originally slated for a release in Febuary, but the game had been delayed as Capcom wanted to add a dozen new characters, eight new stages and new modes. Hawkeye and Ghost Rider are two characters, that will be added to the Marvel series while Ghost and Goblins Gargoyle, and the all time favourite Strider Hiryu will be added to the Capcom side.

 Beyond these new additions, Capcom have made a few more modifications in the fighting style, as well as improvements to its multiplayer gaming functionality. The game will now include a spectator mode as well. Players waiting for their turn in the group fighting mode, can watch the game live. Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 is to be priced at $40 (approximately Rs. 1,800). Along with these modifications, Gamespot reports that new artwork will be added to the Marvel edition that will consist of Dr. Strange, Nova, Rocket Racoon and Iron Fist. As for Capcom, Phoenix Wright, Frank West, Resident Evil's Nemesis and Devils May Cry character, Vergil will be added to their series. Gamespot also reports that Marvel and Capcom are to discuss more details of the game at this week's Comic Con.

App to Run Android Apps on RIM PlayBook Leaked

We reviewed the RIM PlayBook a few weeks ago and we found that as a tablet, it was pretty good. Our grudge, like many others is that the PlayBook lacks apps to run on the platform. There have been rumors in the past that an app that runs Android apps on the tablet is in the works. N4BB, a blog dedicated to BlackBerry devices has received a beta version of app that is supposed to be designed to let Android apps run on the PlayBook. The first impression is that the app is large in size and the apps don’t perform very well. The Back button that is vital to Android apps isn’t available either. You need to use gestures to navigate the apps.

However, this is one of the earlier beta builds and the final product might be a lot better. For now, users should be able to run simple, basic Android apps on their PlayBook. This by itself should be great considering the PlayBook App Market doesn’t have too many apps available for download. If you want to try it out for yourself, head over to N4BB to download it. The PlayBook hasn’t seen the success it expected after users found the tablet to be slightly overpriced and not really offering the same flexibility as some of the other tablets in the market.

Apple OS X Lion Touches the Million Copies Sale Mark

Apple have announced today that it has sold over one million copies of its newest operating system, the OS X Lion. And according to them, it’s the fastest adoption rate of any OS in its history. The software which went on sale yesterday packs in ‘over 250 new features’ including multi-touch gestures, full – screen applications, system resume and a new ‘LaunchPad’ that is based on the icon set-up in iOS devices. OS X currently is the top paid app in the Mac App Store with an average rating of 4.5 stars from 9300 reviews.

 For numbers’ sake, the OS X Lion is a 3.49GB download from the Mac App Store. With one million downloads it means over 3400 terabytes of data downloaded in a 24-hour period. Also, it seems like a gigantic amount flowing into Apple’s account on the financial part of things. $29.9 per download - presuming most of the downloads during the first day were paid ones - accounts to around US$30 million in revenue in a single day.