Tuesday 31 July 2012

How to Use a USB Drive with the Nexus 7

The Nexus 7 tablet comes up short on storage, but with a cable and free apps it?s possible to connect a USB drive to the Nexus 7 for more storage.

This solution isn?t for everyone. It requires a rooted Nexus 7, a cable that hangs off the edge and apps to make the process work. If you haven?t purchased a Nexus 7, I still recommend the 16GB version, but if you need storage to take movies on a flight or road trip this is an option to have on hand.

This same cable will let you use an Xbox 36o controller to play games on the Nexus 7 tablet.

USB drive and Nexus 7

Connect a USB drive to the Nexus 7 for more storage.

This solution isn?t perfect, but it works 90% of the time for me, and allows me to watch movies and TV shows that wouldn?t otherwise fit on my Nexus 7 tablet.

What You?ll Need

You can find the cable at many online retailers, but the link below is for Amazon with Prime Shipping.

You?ll also want to put your movies and TV shows in the right format with an app like SmartConverter on Mac.

First you must root the Nexus 7 tablet. I suggest Rooting and Unlocking the Nexus 7 with our guide. The process is�straight�forward and easy to do. Unlocking the Nexus 7 will wipe the device, so be sure to back up important information before you start.

StickMount Nexus 7

Stickmount mounts USB drives to the Nexus 7.

Install the Stickmount app from the Google Play store. This app makes the USB drive show up in Android file explorers. After installing it, plug in a USB drive and grant the app superuser permissions.

USB drive on Nexus 7

THe USB drive shows up in a special folder on the Nexus 7.

Install the�ES FileExplorer�app, or your preferred Android file explorer. This allows you to find the USB drive an open files on the tablet.

To find the drive, go to sdcard/usbStorage/sda1/

USB Drive Nexus 7

Contents of the USB drive on the Nexus 7.

This folder will show the contents of the USB drive. From here, tap on a file to open it in the corresponding app.

Game of Thrones USB Nexus 7

Watching a movie from the USB drive on the Nexus 7.

I was able to open almost any movie file, but I not all files played well. I recommend using�SmartConverter on Mac or a similar tool to convert the files for an Android tablet to play without stuttering.

About the Author (Author Profile)

Josh Smith is Editor of GottaBeMobile and Notebooks.com. He's always looking for ways to help you get the most of your mobile gear and loves to talk about tech on numerous radio programs. Josh uses an iPhone 4S, Galaxy Nexus and iPad 2 on a daily basis. You can follow Josh on Twitter @Josh_Smith or find Josh Smith on Google+. Email: Josh@Notebooks.com

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Deal of the Day ? Dell XPS 8500 ?Ivy Bridge? Core i5 Desktop with 1TB Hard Drive, GeForce GT 640, and 8GB RAM for $699.99

by Janet Cloninger on July 31, 20120 comments

in News

Tuesday?s LogicBUY Deal is the Dell XPS 8500 desktop with the 3rd generation Intel Core i5 ?Ivy Bridge? architecture, starting at $669.99.� Base features:� Core i5-3450M 3.1GHz Quad-core CPU, 8GB RAM, 1TB SATA 6.0Gb/s hard drive, 1GB GeForce GT 640 graphics, 16X DVD burner, 15-months McAfee SecurityCenter subscription, 1-year Premium Protection Package, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS, Intel H77 chipset, 19-in-1 card reader, four integrated USB 3.0 ports, support for up to 3 HDDs, optional mSATA SSD, 802.11n WiFi, integrated 7.1 HD audio with WAVE MAXXAudio 4, and Bluetooth v4.0+LE.� Configure this computer as desired.

$749.99 ? $50 discount ? $30 coupon code = $669.99 with free shipping.

This deal expires July 31, 2012 or sooner. Check the above link for more details on this deal, and check the LogicBUY home page for other deals.


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Just|Mobile Highway Pro Review

Earlier this year I reviewed Just|Mobile?s 12 volt, single USB port car charger, called the Highway. A very well made, nice looking device/car accessory for charging your tech while motoring down the road. That is fine for those of us who only need to charge a single device at a time. But realizing that more and more folks are taking their iPads/tablets with them as well, Just|Mobile has created a dual port version of their mobile charger, called the Highway Pro.

Like the original Highway, the Highway Pro is well made and nice looking. But instead of a single USB port, the Pro has a 2.1A output for tablets/high-power devices plus a 1A output for smartphones and other standard USB devices. Both ports have fused surge protection to hopefully keep your tech-devices from being fried if your car?s electrical system hiccups.

As I stated above, other than the number of ports, the Highway and Highway Pro are nearly identical. The male end of the device is made of a rigid hard plastic with spring-loaded pressure points for holding it in the 12 volt power port of your vehicle. The part of the Pro that is seen has a metal knurled pattern machined into it for looks, quality, and better grip-ability. Just|Mobile has integrated a green micro-LED to let you know when the Highway Pro is powered up.

Features:

  • 2 USB ports
  • 2.1A output for tablets & high-power devices
  • 1A output for smartphones & standard USB devices
  • Fused for surge protection
  • Green micro-LED
  • Apple certified ? Works with iPod, iPhone & iPad

Dimension:

  • 2.9 x 2.9 x 6.1cm
  • 1.14 x 1.14 x 2.4in

The Highway Pro is available in silver aluminum or powder-coated black. Just|Mobile includes an Apple-certified coiled charging cable for your iOS devices. But you will need another charging cable to charge two devices at once; and that is the point isn?t it?� Also like the Highway, the Pro is not cheap?.ringing in at just under $40.� I grant you it is a lot for this type of accessory, but less expensive (aka $5) chargers are most likely not Apple-blessed, fused, and/or look nearly this good.

Product Information

Price: $39.95
Manufacturer: Just|Mobile
Pros:
  • - Looks good
  • - Dual USB ports
  • - Great build quality
  • - Small form-factor
  • - Fused for surge protection
  • - Green micro-LED
  • - Apple certified
Cons:
  • - Expensive
  • - Only includes one USB cord

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iConvert Scanner ? Digitizes Docs for iPad

by Julie - on July 30th, 2012

Let?s face it, the iPad is an awesome little gadget, but it certainly does have its limitations. For all the things it can do, it seems like there?s a whole lot of potential left on the table. Some of that untapped potential is getting realized by third parties who are developing interesting apps and add-ons that make the iPad even more useful. So in investigating some of the available ?gadgets for our gadgets?, I found something that might be pretty useful to some of us.

Welcome the iConvert scanner, an interesting tool for the iPad user that allows you to simply dock your iPad, press a button and feed your pictures, legal documents, receipts or recipes straight into the device and have them converted and saved directly on your iPad, perfect for saving, emailing, posting or printing. The device is small, easily portable and quite handy for a multitude of folks that have a need for this kind of organization.

The iConvert utilizes a free application downloaded from the iTunes App Store, and it scans in a high resolution 300 dpi, offers you a real time preview of your scan and it has an adjustable feeder that changes from a small 2 inches to 8.5 inches wide, perfect for most of your receipts or full size documents. Images are saves as JPEG files and are sent to your photos folder on your iPad, from there you can do what you like with them. Check out the video HERE.

So get everything up and out of the shoebox under your bed and save your receipts properly like your accountant told you to. Perfect for business travelers or simply for getting a copy of a recipe or family photo right on the spot.�The iConvert measures 12.1?w x 4.4?d x 2.8?h and weighs just under a pound and a half so it can easily fit in your bag or briefcase. iConvert is available now for our friends at brookstone.com�for only $149.99

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Monday 30 July 2012

Kuratas Robot is Awesome!

Kuratas Robot is Awesome!

Honestly, don?t know if the Kuratas robot is real or fake. All I know is I want one. This massive robot is about 13 feet tall and is big enough for a human pilot to ride inside. The bot can be controlled remotely according to the video using an iPhone and external controls.

This is supposed to be a real robot that can be customized with different ?weapons? and paint schemes. The bot reportedly will sell for over $1 million when the project is finished. The video shows twin BB shooting Gatling guns and a missile launcher that appears to shoot water bottles.

The robot is supposed to stand 4000 mm tall and about 3000 mm wide with the leaked of roughly 4000 mm. The weight is supposed to be 4500 kg. The robot has a humanoid torso, two arms, and head, but rather than legs it has four wheels to scoot around and is powered by a diesel engine.

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The Pen Project

by Janet Cloninger on July 30, 20120 comments

in Gear, News

This is a Kickstarter project.� The Pen Project is Ian Schon?s interpretation of the everyday writing pen.� He has machined these pen bodies and caps from 6061 aluminum, with an outer diameter of 0.5 and closed length of 4? and open length of� 5-3/4?.� The pens have a brass set screw and use a Fisher refill.� The project is already more than 4500% funded with 17 days left in the funding period.� You must pledge a minimum of $30 for one of these pens.


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Crytek Warface Free-To-Play Game Rolling Out Worldwide

Crytek Warface Free-To-Play Game Rolling Out Worldwide

Crytek has revealed that their free-to-play Wareface game currently available in Russia, will be rolling out to a number of new locations worldwide including, North America, Europe, Turkey, Australia and New Zealand.

Warface currently has more than 2 million gamers playing on its Russian servers, and has won awards for Best Game and Best Graphics at the Russian KRI Award ceremony, after breaking records for concurrent players just four weeks after launching in Russia.

Warface

Warface provides players with a vast online universe, set in the near future, and providing enhanced graphics and physics based on Crytek?s proprietary CryENGINE 3 gaming engine. Cevat Yerli, CEO and founder of Crytek explains:

?Trion is the company spearheading a revolution in gaming through delivering premium online games across big genres powered by a proven, cutting edge platform,?-?The combination of this platform, GFACE and Warface shows Crytek?s commitment to finding innovative new ways to bring superior gaming experiences and AAA titles to gamers. That?s why we are creating strong strategic alliances with the best online publishers across the world.?

As yet no exact dates have been announced when the free-to-play Warface game will arrive in the new territories, but as more information comes to light we will keep you updated.

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Source:

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Fujitsu Raku Raku Price Specs

Fujitsu Raku Raku is an Android phone is sophisticated and stylish and are designed for the elderly with a trendy design. Due to the design and created specifically for the elderly, there are features in this phone certainly will greatly facilitate the activities of the elderly. The size is pretty big with the touch screen feature and accompanied by a variety of virtual and physical buttons.

Fujitsu Raku Raku

UI will also be tailored to the user when viewed at first glance similar to the look of Metro is located in the Windows 8 from Microsoft, but Fujitsu Raku raku itself operates with Android from Google.

What price would be determined for Fujitsu Raku Raku is still unknown.

Fujitsu Raku Raku Specifications

  • Status: Available
  • 2G Network: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
  • Dual SIM: No
  • 3G Network: HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100
  • 4G Network: No
  • Form Factor: Candybar
  • Operating System: IOS (5.0)
  • Screen Size: 4.0 inches
  • Screen Resolution: 720 x 1280 pixels
  • Display Technology: HD-IPS LCD
  • Display Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass
  • Colors: 16K
  • Touchscreen Type: Capacitive, Multi-touch
  • Processor Type: Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8255T
  • Processor Speed: 1.4 GHz single-core
  • RAM: 1 GB
  • Inbuilt Memory: 1 GB
  • External Memory: 32 GB
  • Primary Camera: 8 MP
  • Video : Yes, 1080p HD
  • Secondary Camera: No
  • Radio: Yes
  • GPRS: Yes
  • Edge: Yes
  • Wi Fi: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth: Yes, V3.0
  • NFC Support: Not Available
  • Data Speed: HSDPA, 21 Mbps
  • Battery Capacity: 1800 mAh
  • Talk Time: We will update
  • Stand by Time: We will update

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Sunday 29 July 2012

Facebook Has 543 Million Monthly Active Users on Mobile Devices

As part of its quarterly earnings report Facebook today announced that it has 543 million monthly active users on mobile devices, which is more than half the total monthly active users total.

The numbers come from�Facebook?s Q2 earnings report, along with the company?s revenue and operation costs. In the report Facebook noted that it has 955 million monthly active users, and more than half of those users access to social network on mobile devices. The number of mobile monthly users increased 67% from the same time last year, which is tremendous growth.

Facebook didn?t announce how many users access the serve on mobile device daily, but it did say it has an average of 552 million daily active users.

The number of mobile users might increase if the rumors of an HTC-made Facebook phone are true. That will largely depend on how good the phone is, however. Previous attempts at a Facebook phone like the HTC Status failed.

Facebook wants to control as much of the ecosystem as it can, as evidenced by features like App Center which attempt to make Facebook the best method for finding apps on mobile devices and the web.

In the last quarter Facebook rolled out Sponsored Stories for mobile users, making it the first chance for the company to monetize mobile. An expanded App Center and its own smartphone are better ways to monetize mobile, which the company is likely�looking at as over half of its monthly users are on mobile devices.

The number of mobile users might even increase in the coming months as the company uses ex-Apple employees to make a better iOS app and Apple builds Facebook integration into iOS 6. Facebook will of course have to deal with Apple?s tight controls on the ecosystem, but it will need to find a way to monetize all those potential users at some point.

About the Author (Author Profile)

Shawn is a tech junkie who spends most of his time reading and writing about it. You can follow him on Twitter, @shawn_i.

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Motorola Droid RAZR HD Release Date: What Not to Expect

The Motorola Droid RAZR HD release date remains unclear even while the phone has broken cover, surfacing many times in the past. And while the phone remains unofficial and officially without a release date, we wanted to make some educated predictions about its release date and what not to expect from it.

Sure, we don?t have a specific release date from Motorola or Verizon but that doesn?t mean that we don?t have a good idea about what to expect from the companies when the launch of the Droid RAZR HD finally does go down.

Read: Motorola Droid RAZR HD Release Date Still Unknown.

The Droid RAZR HD is a highly anticipated device. as it looks to be a device that combines all the design qualities and of the Droid RAZR and Droid RAZR MAXX with an HD screen and quite possibly, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

And while customers are intrigued with the device itself, they are also wondering about its release date and what might go down.

We?ve already told you what we think consumers should expect from the Droid RAZR HD release date and now it?s time to dig into what not to expect on the day that Verizon finally launches the oft-rumored Droid RAZR HD.

The Droid RAZR HD release date remains unclear.

An Imminent Droid RAZR HD Release Date

While we have seen the Motorola Droid RAZR HD pop up numerous times, in benchmarks and in photos and in various other leaks, something that we haven?t seen yet is a possible release date. Often times, possible release dates are revealed long before the device actually launches.

In some cases, we?ve seen possible release dates for Android, and specifically Verizon Android devices, arrive many weeks ahead of time.

We have seen no such leak for the Droid RAZR HD and that is a sign that a launch is not imminent whatsoever. So those who are waiting for this device definitely should not expect this phone to arrive in July.

Instead, circle August and September on the calendar. We don?t expect the device to launch in October as that month will likely see the launch of the iPhone 5 and Verizon won?t want this device to get lost in that launch.

Also, something to keep in mind. The Droid Incredible 4G LTE just launched and Verizon will likely want to space those launches out.

A Clear Release Date

Motorola and Verizon might launch this phone but just like with the Motorola Photon Q for Sprint that was announced today, don?t expect a clear release date to emerge on announcement day.

Don?t expect a clear-cut release date from Verizon.

American carriers often launch high-end smartphones without an official release date. Case in point, Verizon?s launches of the Samsung Galaxy S III and the Droid Incredible 4G LTE, both of which launched without an official release date.

Verizon may end up doing something similar with the Droid RAZR HD release date much to the chagrin of consumers who prefer clarity over vagueness.

Pre-Release Date Pre-Order

In the build-up to the Droid RAZR HD release date, we don?t expect Verizon to offer a lengthy pre-order for the Droid RAZR HD. With the Samsung Galaxy S III, it was forced to because its competitors were also stocking the phone.

Read: Verizon Galaxy S III Launch is a Mess.

With the Droid RAZR HD, which will likely be a Verizon exclusive, we expect it to sit on the device for as long as possible, possibly right up until the device?s eventual release date.

It has done that for many of its Droid-branded devices including the Droid Incredible 4G LTE and the Droid Bionic which both saw their release dates arrive without any sort of a pre-order.

Sell Out

The Motorola Droid RAZR HD is a highly anticipated smartphone but that doesn?t mean that we expect it to sell out on release day. In fact, those looking to get it shouldn?t have any trouble at all.

Three big reasons for this. One, there will be those that are disappointed in the fact that it won?t feature a massive 3,300 mAh battery, same found in the Droid RAZR MAXX. Its battery will be large but smaller. We?ve heard from several people who say they won?t buy the device if that battery isn?t on board.

Two, the summer has passed and with it, many fantastic smartphone launches that have likely swallowed up a good majority of consumers looking to get a new Android smartphone.

And finally three, the iPhone 5. Love it or hate it, the iPhone 5, especially if it has 4G LTE. If the Droid RAZR HD launches before the iPhone 5, consumers will want to wait and see what it?s all about.

If it launches afterwards, consumers might be tempted to buy in.

Both will hurt the Droid RAZR HD which could have been a massive hit had it launched earlier this year.

About the Author (Author Profile)

Adam is an editor based in San Francisco, California who loves his iPhone 3GS, iPad third-generation and Samsung Galaxy Nexus. He's also becoming intrigued with Windows Phone. You can follow him on Twitter or reach him by email at adam@notebooks.com.

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Spikenzie Labs Solder: Time II Review

The Solder : Time II? watch kit from Spikenzie Labs is a build-it-yourself watch kit that features a 7 X 20 dot matrix red LED display with a programmable Arduino microcontroller. �To me, quite simply, it?s a fun afternoon DIY kit with red lights. �What could be better?

According to Spikenzie Labs, The Solder : Time II uses the ATmega328P used in many of the current versions of Arduino. �It?s capable of displaying the date, month, words, scrolling messages, graphics, and special characters. �A piezo buzzer works with the alarm, and is programmable as well. �I?m not an Arduino programmer, but I have no fear of soldering and building stuff. �Let?s dive in!

Features:

  • It?s an ?Arduino? easy to hack / reprogram
  • Unique conversation starter
  • Display is made of four 5 X 7 LED matrix modules (Total 140 pixels)
  • Two button interface
  • Display Text, time, numbers, graphics etc ?
  • Create graphic animations and scrolling text
  • On board full size (.1? spacing) FTDI style header for reprogramming
  • ATmega serial port (TX & RX) not used by the watch circuit, available to interface accessories
  • Low power sleep mode
  • Self-contained; battery, circuits and displays all contained in watch body
  • Stylized laser cut clear acrylic watch body
  • One-size-fits-all Velcro wrist band
  • Dallas 1337S+ Real time clock (RTC)
  • Hours, Minutes, Seconds
  • Year, Month, Day, Day of week
  • Two separate Alarms possible
  • Piezo alarm buzzer
  • SMT parts come pre-assembled, tested and programmed

Includes:

  • Solder : Time II PCB with SMD (surface mount parts) assembled and tested.
  • Four 5 X 7 LED Matrix
  • Buttons
  • Piezo alarm
  • Clock crystal
  • Screws
  • Laser cut acrylic watch housing
  • Velcro wrist strap
  • Battery
  • Battery holder

Tools & Supplies required:

  • Soldering Iron
  • Solder
  • Flush Cutters

Spikenzie Labs generously provided me with the kit, as well as a fully completed Time II watch.

First, the kit itself. �The black thing on the right is the hook-and-loop strap.

Here?s the kit, unbagged.

Note the size of the crystal. Tiny, tiny tiny. Don?t sneeze.

The kit does not come with printed instructions. �Instead, you can view them on the website.� The photos and descriptions are excellent. �They are far superior to anything I could photograph, but I?ve taken a few snapshots of my own.

As advised, I taped the battery holder to the circuit board as I soldered them together.

Soldering the LED displays. Oops, I put too much solder on a few leads. I better clean those up.

Circuit board fully assembled. The piezo buzzer is on top, and the two buttons flank the battery holder.

Believe it or not, peeling off the protective blue overlay on the plastic bits was the most time consuming step of the entire build. The stuff is tenacious and builds up static cling!

All the clear plastic bits, unwrapped.

Making a clock sandwich with the provided hex screws.

All done, and keeping time!

Let?s be honest. �This thing is huge. �I don?t see myself wearing the Time II as a wrist watch, except as a novelty. �The LED display is exposed and is not covered by the clear plastic. �Nothing about it is water-tight.

The two buttons provide a fairly puzzling user interface that?s definitely not suited for everyday use. �Click picture for larger image.

There is a programming port on the back of the Time II. �I did not attempt this.

Size comparison next to a Casio G-Shock watch.

The rear panel has slots so you can feed the hook and loop strap.

It?s hard to tell from this photo, but the LED display is very, very red.

Is the Time II neat? �Yes it is! �Is it practical? �That depends! �It?s even cooler if you can unlock the Arduino end of things. �It?s a nifty novelty that only took me about half an hour to complete. �I?m not sure I?d recommend it to complete novices to soldering, as some of the pins are fairly close together, and the crystal is just microscopic.

Out of the box, the Time II can show the time, set an audible alarm, has a basic stopwatch, can display a sample scrolling text for demo purposes, and has a little ?worm? animation. �The display automatically goes to sleep after a short period to save battery life. �It doesn?t do much as-is, but the possibilities are enormous, if you dare! �I?ve already got a few ideas for future kid halloween costumes. �It might even get me to learn Arduino programming.

Product Information

Price: $59 for kit, $65 fully assembled
Manufacturer: Spikenzie Labs
Requirements:
  • Soldering iron, solder, flush cutters, some soldering skills.
Pros:
  • Easy to assemble. Lots of potential if you're familiar with Arduino programming.
Cons:
  • Pretty limited out of the box, but I suspect the target market won't care. Red LED display somewhat hard to read in bright light.

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