Carlo Orlando

Many people are pegging 'tap sensitivity' as the next untapped technology in the race to make smartphones even smarter. Now, a new set of programmable tags working alongside the next generation of Samsung and HTC smartphones seem ready to put this ... idea into practice. The hope is that everyday routines can one day be controlled with the simple tap of a mobile device. In addition to rolling out its new flagship Galaxy S III smartphone (set to launch in June or July, 2012), Samsung will also release its first batch of smart tags called "TecTiles". Basically, these are tags in the form of ... (view more)

Microsoft has invited the media to an ultra-secret affair in Los Angeles for Monday, June 18, 2012. Insiders are fairly certain that the gala marks the official unveiling of a Microsoft-endorsed tablet computer, thus signifying the software giant ... feels ready to take on Apple's iPad. Officially, the company gave no hints as to what it planned for the occasion. The only information given out in advance to invitees simply mentioned a secretive event being held on that date in Los Angeles at 3:30 p.m. In fact, those invited were told they'd be kept in the dark as to the event's location until the ... (view more)

According to a new report, Microsoft and Yahoo have been handing over the names, zip codes, and other personal information of their clients to both major U.S. political parties. Worse yet, those targeted have no idea that they are the victims of a ... political ploy. Seeing targeted advertisements is nothing new to those who frequent the Internet. In the milliseconds that it takes for a page to load, advertisers can identify a user visiting a site and display ads based on what they know about a user. For example, someone checking the Euro Cup scores on the ESPN website might see an advertisement ... (view more)

Intel is reportedly working on a new facial recognition system designed to help advertising companies target consumers in a more efficient, direct manner. The ground-breaking hardware is said to be able to recognize distinguishing features about ... people watching a TV screen, and individually select target-specific advertisements to display for them. The system is based on a set-top control box that does not identify specific individuals, but does recognize their general characteristics, such as gender and age. (Source: vancouversun.com ) Precise Monitoring, Feedback Intel is currently asking ... (view more)

Microsoft has unveiled new software capable of syncing its Xbox 360 video game console with popular portable devices, like the Apple iPhone or iPad, as well as with Android- and Windows-based handhelds. "Your devices aren't so smart because they ... aren't working together," said Marc Whitten of Xbox Live online entertainment service, at the press event that began the E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) video game gathering in Los Angeles on June 5, 2012. Microsoft's idea is to tie together all of these popular devices, even those produced by rivals like Apple and Google. (Source: com.lb ) Console ... (view more)

Microsoft has launched a website and mobile application service that allows users to program smartphone functions based on their locations and schedules. Microsoft has designed the product to run exclusively on the Android smartphone. This is not ... the first time Microsoft has designed a product that does not run on its very own Windows Phone mobile platform. Photosynth (a digital photograph analyzing software application), for example, ran only on the iPhone. This new service is called "on{X}". It's intended to offer a futuristic glimpse of smartphone use by allowing users to program ... (view more)

According to a new report, Windows 8 will provide the fastest boot time ever posted by any operating system (OS): about seven seconds. However, some observers appear unhappy about such a speedy load time. Generally speaking, older operating systems ... take far longer than seven seconds to start up. This is not necessarily a bad thing because the extended wait time provides users with opportunities to access a computer's boot menu, so they can attempt to repair any problems with their system. Windows 8 Boot Time Under One Second With Windows 8's new speedy loading routine, the amount of time ... (view more)

Microsoft has made significant changes to its Bing search engine, incorporating certain aspects of Facebook and Twitter to make its product a better social search platform. The company promises several improvements to the site layout, including ... features that offer users the ability to exchange ideas and share opinions. Microsoft likens this concept to bouncing ideas off a trusted friend. Facebook to Help Validate, Speed-Up Search According to the Bing community search blog, a recently conducted internal poll found that 75 per cent of respondents spend more time searching online for ... (view more)

Twitter has unveiled a brand new 'Do Not Track' option that will stop the service from collecting data related to the online behavior of its users. It's a welcome change for privacy advocates. Meanwhile, the move is prompting privacy experts to ... begin asking questions, such as how long Twitter has been tracking user behavior, and what kind of information it collected. In response, Twitter representatives are deflecting such questions with a surprising argument: that tracking user behavior actually makes the service more user-friendly. Said one Twitter spokesperson about the new 'Do Not Track' ... (view more)

For many people, one of the greatest Facebook features is the ability to post status updates for the entire world to see. Unfortunately, in a matter of seconds these personal updates often get bumped down in favor of newer ones, without anyone ... having enough time to read them. However, those behind the popular social network are toying with the idea of allowing certain postings to take precedence over others, for a fee. The new and aptly named 'Highlight' option (available to those willing to shell out a few extra bucks) guarantees that more friends and family will have time to see a status ... (view more)