Google Music Beta

Google has released their cloud-based music service for Android dubbed "Google Music". Google Music is very similar to Amazon's Cloud Player in that users can upload their media to Google using Google's music managing sync application. (Which is able to connect to your iTunes libraries) Once uploaded, music can be listened to over the air via Google's webapp or an Android device, this is convenient (Especially for older Android devices with little internal storage) because no local storage is required; all your music will be held on Google's servers. Fortunately, Google's music player stores cached copies of recent songs in the even that you lose your connection while listening to your music. Another great feature is that users can manually select songs and albums to be downloaded to their device for offline listening. Another cool feature is the "Instant Mix" that allows for iTunes' Genius-like music mixing.
 

Playlists are automatically synced across all platforms so no wires are needed. At the moment there is no iOS app, but Apple should be releasing their streaming service sometime soon. But with both Amazon and Google's cloud-based music services, Apple needs to get a move on it to keep up.

[Google]

Microsoft to buy Skype for 7+ Billion

Here’s an interesting move by Microsoft: the usual “people familiar with the matter” are stating that the software gargantuan is nearing a deal that would end up costing them more than 7 billion USD, but would get them one of the most ubiquitous VoIP solutions available: Skype.

Negotiations were supposedly just wrapping up on Monday, and that an official announcement could be made as early as tomorrow (Tuesday). However, the same “familiar” people cautioned that the deal could still fall through.

The Wall Street Journal sees the move as giving Microsoft a positive, stable presence in the future of the internet:

Buying Skype would give Microsoft a recognized brand name on the Internet at a time when it is struggling to get more traction in the consumer market.

With the story still developing, it seems as if an announcement could be made at any time in the near future.

Developing…

[WSJ & iPTF]

Microsoft on why Windows Phone 7's keyboard is great

Microsoft hit at least one aspect of Windows Phone 7 out of the park: the virtual keyboard. The virtual keyboard is one aspect that Apple has held since the release of the original iPhone, and Google has struggled to compete with. Even RIM, renown for their phenomenal BlackBerry keyboard, can’t build a virtual keyboard that is up to snuff. Then comes Windows Phone 7, and suddenly Apple has a competitor.

It’s no accident, as Microsoft points out in this month’s issue of R&D Magazine. The Windows Phone 7 product group and Microsoft Research team combined their talent, and implemented the principles of machine learning. It’s an interesting combination of mathematics and linguistics that helps to develop such an accurate text prediction service. Language has a pattern, and programming Windows Phone 7 to take advantage of that also helps to provide accurate predictions, sometimes even before you start typing the next word.

It’s an interesting look not only into the development of soft keyboards such as these, but also into the whole Microsoft bureaucratic scheme. Two totally different and almost unrelated departments had to come together to make the best possible product; if that hadn’t happened, there’s no telling how the keyboard would be.

via [R&D]

Compjunkies Updated!

Hey guys,
I just recently changed a few things on the Computer Junkies blog and I updated the theme and layout as well. I'd love to hear from you guys about what you think of the new theme and layout, what are your thoughts? Are there any more changes you'd like to see? Suggestions? Let me know in a comment or an email, thanks.

*HckrSvn

White iPhone Available Today

After over a year of waiting, it's finally here! The white iPhone 4 is available in both colors on both networks. Check out the iPhone page here

T-Mobile bets $1000 that the Galaxy S is faster than your iPhone

T-Mobile is offering $1,000 to anyone who can prove that their iPhone is faster than a Samsung Galaxy S. Best two out of three in a speedtest on your respective carrier’s network (no WiFi) will be named the victor, but the Galaxy S will have the unfair advantage of running on a 4G network. If you think your iPhone can prove its worth, the offer is available during a three day window from April 29th to May 1st at a number of Seattle-area T-Mobile stores.

Note: customers are limited to just one challenge, and must be over 18.

[T-Mobile]

White iPhone Available Tomorrow

Apple has issued an official press release that indicates that the ever-elusive white iPhone 4 will be available tomorrow. Even the Apple homepage has been overtaken because of this.

“The white iPhone 4 has finally arrived and it’s beautiful,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “We appreciate everyone who has waited patiently while we’ve worked to get every detail right.” - via Apple


I'm not entirely sure how quickly Apple will sell these iPhones out, but if you've spent the last year on your toes waiting then keep a close eye on the purchase page.


Press Release:

White iPhone Arrives Tomorrow

CUPERTINO, California—April 27, 2011—Apple® today announced that the white iPhone® 4 will be available beginning tomorrow. White iPhone 4 models will be available from Apple’s online store (www.apple.com), at Apple’s retail stores, AT&T and Verizon Wireless stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers.

“The white iPhone 4 has finally arrived and it’s beautiful,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “We appreciate everyone who has waited patiently while we’ve worked to get every detail right.”

iPhone 4 is the most innovative phone in the world, featuring Apple’s stunning Retina™ display, the highest resolution display ever built into a phone resulting in super crisp text, images and video, and FaceTime®, which makes video calling a reality.

Pricing & Availability
White models of iPhone 4 will be available in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Macau, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK and the US, beginning Thursday, April 28 and in many more countries around the world soon. White iPhone 4 will be available for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) for the 16GB model and $299 (US) for the 32GB model with a new two year agreement through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), at Apple’s retail stores, AT&T and Verizon Wireless stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced iPad 2 which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

Press Contacts:
Natalie Harrison
Apple
harri@apple.com

(408) 862-0565
Natalie Kerris
Apple
nat@apple.com
(408) 974-6877

Apple Press Release


[UPDATE]
The white iPhone 4 is available now, read about it here http://goo.gl/5lPlm

Spy Party Beta Imminent

A tweet on Spy Party's Twitter confirms that Spy Party beta will be available this year and I, for one, am incredibly excited. Spy Party is a multiplayer game that highlights the stealth and mingling abilities of a spy. One player plays as the spy and is tasked with several objectives while at a party, the second player plays as a sniper on an adjacent roof trying to pick out and assassinate the spy. 

All in all, it sounds like a pretty sweet game.

Read the full article HERE

And for an update go HERE

*Leaked* Larger iPhone Screen

M.I.C. gadget has gotten their hands on a prototype screen for the new iPhone (The name is disputed, but rumors have pinned down both iPhone 4S and iPhone 5) that is larger and includes a new proximity sensor as well. When compared side-by-side, the physical size of the iPhone's faceplate has not changed, rather the screen size has been upped from 3.5" to (approximately) 4". (As a note of reference, the iPhone 4's screen is on the left in the picture, and the alleged prototype is on the right)

This new screen is supposedly going to be released on Apple's next iPhone, which is also supposed to be packing their new A5 processor.

Image credit [MIC Gadget]

America on the verge of a light revolution?

Check out the full story here:

http://goo.gl/UlYoA