Monday, February 25, 2013

Mashable: Latest 29 News Updates - including “Hands On: LG Shows Off the Optimus G Pro in Barcelona”

Mashable: Latest 29 News Updates - including “Hands On: LG Shows Off the Optimus G Pro in Barcelona”


Hands On: LG Shows Off the Optimus G Pro in Barcelona

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:43 AM PST


LG Optimus G Pro




LG Optimus G Pro on display at the MWC in Barcelona

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BARCELONA: Sure, we've already heard about LG's new flagship, the Optimus G Pro, and its younger sibling, the Optimus G, but now we've had a chance to see them in the flesh.

The LG Optimus G Pro has a 5.5-inch 1080p display, a 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor, a 13-megapixel camera, 2GB of DDR RAM, and 32 GB of storage memory, expandable via microSD memory cards. With so many spec sheets floating around the MWC these days, it's easy to forget how big a 5.5-inch screen is, but that changes when you take the device into your hand.

For comparison, Samsung's Galaxy S III has a 4.8-inch screen, and the iPhone 5 has a 4-inch screen. The line between tablets and smartphones has off…
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More About: LG, MWC, MWC2013, Optimus

LG Buys WebOS From HP to Power Smart TVs

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:39 AM PST


Barcelona - Now that HP has committed to Android for tablets and phones -- beginning with the HP Slate 7 -- it's time for the company to get rid of some of its excess baggage -- namely, webOS. According to CNET, LG is acquiring webOS from HP with the intention of putting it on its smart television sets.

You remember webOS, right? It was Palm's innovative mobile operating system that based its foundation on web technologies -- such as HTML and JavaScript. When HP acquired Palm back in 2010, it all looked so promising. It wasn't to last. In a span of just 16 months, HP went from "doubling down" on webOS to ending hardware development and open-sourcing the operating system.

LG OLED TV

Now, HP is…
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More About: HP, LG, MWC, MWC2013, webOS

Nokia Launches the Affordable Lumia 520 and 720

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 01:39 AM PST


BARCELONA: Nokia has expanded its Lumia portfolio with the low-range, affordable Lumia 520 and the slightly more powerful Lumia 720.

Starting at 139 euros ($184), the Lumia 520 is the company's most affordable Windows Phone 8 smartphone to date. For the money, it brings a 4-inch WVGA (800x480 pixels) screen, a 1GHz dual-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 8GB of storage memory (expandable via microSD cards) and a 5-megapixel camera.

Nokia Lumia 520 is coming in Q1 2013 in Hong Kong and Vietnam, and it will be available in Q2 in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa. The device is also coming to the U.S. via T-Mobile.

The other Lumia presented today, the 720, has a better spec she…
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More About: MWC, MWC2013, Nokia, Nokia Lumia 520, Nokia Lumia 720, windows phone

Nokia Unveils a $20 Phone for First-Time Buyers

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 01:09 AM PST


BARCELONA: Nokia is testing new lows when it comes to pricing here at the MWC, unveiling the Nokia 105, a 15 euro ($20) device targeting emerging markets, as well as first-time buyers in Europe.

It's the company's most affordable phone to date, and while its tech spec sheet is obviously not great, the price point more than makes up for it, if you're a first-time buyer who just wants a phone that makes calls.

It's got a "bright color screen," an alarm clock, FM radio, flashlight and a dust- and splash-proof keypad. It also has a 35-day battery life (try finding a smartphone that can do that), and comes in black and cyan.

The Nokia 105 is planned to start rolling out in Q1 2013 in…
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More About: cheap phone, MWC, MWC2013, Nokia, Nokia 105

Spotify is Coming to Ford Sync AppLink

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 01:06 AM PST


Barcelona -- Spotify is coming to Ford Sync AppLink in Europe and the United States.

Ford and Spotify are making the announcement at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. In Europe, Spotify will be coming to the Ford EcoSport later this year.

Ford launched its Ford Developer Program at CES 2013 and in the first four weeks attracted more than 2,500 registered users.

Ford Sync AppLink -- which lets smartphone apps integrate directly into the Ford Sync experience -- is already on over 1 million cars in the United Staes. Now the company is focusing on bringing that same experience to European cars.

Bringing Spotify to the car is a big coup for Ford. Although the music subscription serv…
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More About: ford, ford sync, MWC, MWC2013, spotify

Samsung to Announce the Galaxy S IV on March 14

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:38 AM PST


BARCELONA: One thing we know Samsung won't show a the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this year is the Galaxy S IV, the company's most important mobile product of the year.

The announcement is happening in New York this year on March 14, Reuters first reported.

"We introduced the Galaxy S III in London last year, and this time we changed the venue (to New York)... as we were bombarded with requests from U.S. mobile carriers to unveil the Galaxy S IV in the country," said Samsung Electronics' mobile division chief JK Shin.

It's no wonder, really: having an event all to yourself is preferable to having it stuck between a dozen other announcements at the MWC. Still, we're a bit di…
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More About: Galaxy S IV, samsung, Samsung Galaxy S IV

Hands On With the Sony Xperia Tablet Z

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:02 AM PST


One Sleek Tablet




The Sony Xperia Tablet Z is the thinnest and lightest 10.1-inch tablet you can buy at 0.27 of an inch thick and 1.09 pounds. Coming in the spring, it starts at $499 for 32GB and $599 for 64GB. It's black, but the 32GB version will also be available in white.

Click here to view this gallery.


Sony's done it. It's finally created a tablet that's not stupid. In fact, the Xperia Tablet Z has some impressive specs (so light!) and features (TV remote!), although it falls well short of game-changing status.

You may remember previous Sony tablets. No? Okay, here's a brief refresher: Sony got into the Android tablet game in 2011, launching a pair of oddly shaped slates that appeared more experimental than serious iPad challengers. Last year it keyed in on the design that was less dumb -- introducing a second-generation tablet with a "wraparound" side that resembles a folded book cover.

Now comes the Xperia Tablet Z, an extremely thin and light design with a 10.1-inch screen. Yes, S…
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More About: android, MWC, MWC2013, sony, Xperia Tablet, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z

10 Gadgets to Supercharge Your Phone

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 11:05 PM PST


Gadgets at the Mobile World Congress




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BARCELONA -- Alongside announcements from big companies, there are dozens of startups trying to push their products at the Mobile World Congress each year, usually under the umbrella of smaller shows such as Showstoppers or Mobile Focus Global.

The shows always provide a nice overview of mobile trends, off-beat gadgets and yet-to-become mainstream technology -- and this year was no exception. In nearly seven hours of browsing through countless companies' stands, Mashable found quite a few that caught our eye (although many of these products already debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show last month in Las Vegas).

Similar to last year, waterproof gadgets and rugged cases seem to be a…
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More About: Mobile Focus Global, MWC, MWC2013, Showstoppers

How to Capture Stunning Snaps of Your Kids

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 10:45 PM PST


Get Down on Their Level




"One of the first things that I find myself doing when photographing a child, is that I get down on their level by dropping down to one knee, or even sitting on the ground," says photographer and mom Jennifer Ford. Image courtesy of Jennifer Ford

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It maybe a cliche, but kids really do grow up too fast. This makes it vital to capture as many childhood moments as you can.

To help you get the very best possible images of your children, we've pulled together some handy tips from some very talented photographer moms.

SEE ALSO: iPhotography: 10 Pro Tips for Snapping Perfect iPhone Photos

Take a look through the photo gallery above for our handy hints and example pics. Link us in the comments below to any photos you've captured of your kids that you're particuarly pleased with.

Image courtesy of Flickr, Kevin White

More About: family and parenting, How-To, Kids, Lifestyle, photography, tips and tricks, travel and leisure, work and play

9 Tumblrs Every Environmentalist Should Follow

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 10:28 PM PST


1. TreeHugger




TreeHugger is a website devoted to highlighting eco-friendly design, tech, science and green lifestyle. Its Tumblr usually features content from the main site, but you'll also find related content curated from around the web. Screenshot courtesy of TreeHugger

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With our sights set on Mars as a potential second home (and the astounding progress we're making toward colonization), it's easy to forget about Earth. But think about pollution, poaching and climate change -- they all show how much is at stake if we don't drive change now.

SEE ALSO: Here's a Depressing Look at Man's Impact on Earth

We found nine Tumblr blogs that will prove useful for any environmentalist, activist or advocate. You'll discover original photography, digestible content and green lifestyle information from non-profits, publications and individuals -- and it's all worthy of a reblog.

Are there other environmental Tumblrs you'd suggest? List them in the comments below.…
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More About: environment, features, nature, Social Good, Social Media, tumblr, World

Become a Camera+ Wizard With These Tips and Tricks

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 10:17 PM PST


If you've heard whispers about the wonders of Camera+ from your iPhone photo editing obsessed friends, you may be wondering what this app can really do. Can it turn skies cyan and trees lime green? And is it worth actually paying for a photo editor when so many free ones are available?

The app, in truth, can work wonders for your iPhone snaps, though unfortunately for Android users, it's still just available for iOS. You'll never need your point-and-shoot camera again once you realize how easy it is to edit your photos with a few taps.

Watch the video above to see how Camera+ can help you shoot better images than your iPhone's native camera. Once you've captured your shot, we have some…
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More About: apps, camera plus, features, iphone apps, photography, tips and tricks

25 Oscar GIFs That Deserve Their Own Award

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 09:59 PM PST


To begin, let's clarify that the image of Sandra Bullock you are seeing was in no way manipulated. She actually made that face. Why did a previous Oscar winner do that, you wonder? Because Sandy is generally awesome, and it turns out Oscar envelopes are more difficult to open than actually winning one.

But onto other things.

What is usually a stuffy evening, this year's Academy Awards blew us away. From a fairly funny host in Seth MacFarlane to several chatter worthy moments, we were gasping, applauding, and crying the entire time. Just kidding -- we were all way to busy GIFing the night away. Relive those crazy, awesome, surprising moments here in your definitive guide to the Oscars…
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More About: 85th Academy Awards, academy awards, GIFs, Oscars 2013

Entire Oscars Show Posted Online for First Time Ever

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 09:45 PM PST


Missed the Oscars? Not to worry. For the first time ever -- and for a limited time only -- you can stream the entire Oscars show across various online platforms.

More About: abc, Film, hulu, Mobile, Oscars 2013

Oscars Recap: Best Moments and Winners

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 09:29 PM PST


From host Seth MacFarlane singing about actress' bare chests to Jennifer Lawrence's major fall while accepting her award, the Oscars didn't disappoint.

More About: Film, Oscars 2013

Jennifer Lawrence Trips at the Oscars and Still Looks Cool

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 09:22 PM PST


Jennifer Lawrence tripped while taking the stage to claim her Oscar for "Best Actress," and somehow managed to pull it off with complete grace.

Well, almost.

The actress was awarded for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook. She was also the hot topic on Twitter for being best dressed.

SEE ALSO: Here's Jennifer Lawrence Being Awesome at the Oscars

Though Internet love is just a regular day for the actress. The Internet will likely be powered by Jennifer Lawrence GIFs by 2014.

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images, GIF courtesy of MTV

More About: 85th Academy Awards, academy awards, GIFs, jennifer lawrence, Watercooler

Here’s Jennifer Lawrence Being Awesome at the Oscars

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 08:59 PM PST


Jennifer Lawrence made the Oscars a most GIF-able bash. The Best Actress winner brought the charm out early on the red carpet and kept it rolling right on through tripping up the stairs to accept her award.

Glitz, glam and Jennifer Lawrence GIFs -- you're welcome, Internet.

Image courtesy of Tumblr, enthusiasticeffietrinket

Image courtesy of Tumblr, kfans

Image via Christopher Polk/Getty Images

SEE ALSO: Jennifer Lawrence GIF Reactions to Oscar Nominations

Image courtesy of Tumblr, dandelioneverdeen

Image courtesy of Tumblr, hiswife12

Image courtesy of Tumblr, agittated

Image courtesy of Tumblr, brightlightsgoodnights

Image cour
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More About: 85th Academy Awards, academy awards, celebrities, GIFs, jennifer lawrence, Watercooler

Watch Oscar Host Seth MacFarlane Sing About Boobs

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 08:52 PM PST


Host Seth MacFarlane opened the 85th Academy Awards with a tribute to women in Hollywood -- or their chest, rather.

The number, which can be seen on the Oscar blog, starts with William Shatner as Star Trek's Captain James T. Kirk, who comes from the future to warn MacFarlane of his terrible hosting.

SEE ALSO: LIVE: The Funniest Tweets From the Oscars

The Family Guy creator responds with a song, "We've Seen Your Boobs," which features the many chest cameos of actresses, and Jennifer Lawrence's lack of boob tube.

Naomi Watt's face says it all.

BONUS: 'Best Picture' Nominees Inspired by the Internet

Image via Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

More About: academy awards, Entertainment, Oscars, Oscars 2013, Watercooler

WTF Is Happening Backstage at the Oscars?

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 08:38 PM PST


You've ohhed and ahhed over celebrities in haute couture (Looking at you, Jennifer Lawrence.), but something more noteworthy was happening backstage at the Oscars on Sunday night.

SEE ALSO: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Oscars Photobomb Deserves Award

Winners and presenters appeared to have taken selfies before and after going on stage. The Academy brilliantly shared these little gems on Twitter for everyone to see.

I'd like to thank the Academy for these pictures...

Backstage at the #oscars in the #ArchDigestGreenRoom with @iamjamiefoxx twitter.com/TheAcademy/sta…— The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 25, 2013

Backstage at the #oscars in the #ArchDigestGreenRoom with Melissa…
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More About: 85th Academy Awards, Oscars, Oscars 2013, Twitter, Watercooler

Adele’s Oscar Win Is a Bond Film First

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 08:17 PM PST


Adele isn't just a shoe-in for the Grammys. The British singer just took home her first Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards on Sunday night for Best Original Song.

Following weeks of social-media buzz that predicted she would come out on top in the category, Adele was awarded the golden statue for her song, "Skyfall," from the James Bond film of the same name. This is the first time a song from a Bond movie has won the coveted award.

"Skyfall" beat out other songs for the win, including "Before My Time" from Chasing Ice, "Pi's Lullaby" from Life Of Pi, "Suddenly" from Les Misérables and "Everybody Needs A Best Friend" from Ted.

The news doesn't come as too much of a surprise -- A…
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More About: Adele, Oscars 2013, Social Media

Apple’s Oscar Ad Puts iPad Apps in Spotlight

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 08:14 PM PST


Apple aired a new iPad ad during the 85th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday night, putting its collection of movie-themed apps center.

More About: apple, apps, ipad, Mobile, Oscars 2013

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Oscars Photobomb Deserves Award

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 08:09 PM PST


Joseph Gordon-Levitt might not have won any hardware at Sunday's Academy Awards, but he managed to delight the Internet with a Oscar-worthy photobomb.

Redditor themiddlefinger spotted the JGL doing his best Kelly Clarkson on the red carpet.

BONUS: 'Best Picture' Nominees Inspired by the Internet

Image courtesy of Reddit, themiddlefinger

More About: 85th Academy Awards, academy awards, photobomb, Watercooler

Oscar Win Is a First for Kickstarter-Funded Film

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 07:54 PM PST


For the first time ever, a Kickstarter-funded film has won an Oscar.

More About: kickstarter, Oscars 2013

Become a Graphics Pro for Free During Photoshop Week

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 07:28 PM PST


Beginning Monday, CreativeLIVE will host a week full of 40 free online classes taught by professionals at the top of their fields. Taking down two of the largest barriers to accessing education -- geography and cost -- founder Chase Jarvis hopes Photoshop Week will inspire creative individuals to pursue their passion for photo editing.

Classes are geared toward all levels, from noobs to pros, but each course focuses on how photo editing can be used to further your career.

CreativeLIVE has already educated a few million people through online workshops and tutorials through the website.

"When you get these people next to each other, you get to survey and sample a broad range of sty…
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More About: online education, photo editing, Photoshop

Google’s Epic ‘Year in Film’ Video Features Oscar’s Best

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 07:00 PM PST


Just in time for the Oscars, Google has debuted a "Year in Film" video featuring Best Picture nominees, along with a slew of other films from 2012.

The nearly two-minute YouTube video, above, shows clips from all nine honorees: Amour, Argo, Django Unchained, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Les Misérables, Life of Pi, Lincoln, Silver Livings Playbook and Zero Dark Thirty.

It also includes moments from movies such as Skyfall, The Hobbit and The Dark Knight Rises.

Which was your favorite film from 2012? Tell us in the comments, below.

Screenshot image courtesy of YouTube via Google

More About: Google, Oscars, Oscars 2013

HP Debuts First Android-Based Device, the Slate 7 Tablet

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 06:16 PM PST


BARCELONA -- As previously rumored, HP is back in the tablet game -- and this time, it's set its sights on Android. After striking out with early Windows 7 slates and the webOS-based HP TouchPad, will the third time be the charm for HP's tablet strategy?

The night before Mobile World Congress officially kicks off, HP revealed its first Android-based device, the HP Slate 7. The 7-inch device runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and weighs just 13 ounces.

With the Slate 7, HP is focusing on what it sees as the most promising market: the mid-sized tablet space. HP faces a lot of competition, however, from rivals such as the Kindle Fire HD and the Nexus 7.

The company hopes to challenge those d…
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More About: android, HP, hp slate 7, MWC, MWC2013

LIVE: The Funniest Tweets From the Oscars

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 05:58 PM PST


There's nothing funny about bad fashion at the Oscars. However, it is hilarious to joke about it on Twitter.

Fortunately, our friends at WitStream are bringing the fun supply for Sunday night's big show. Tune in below for the best jokes, burns and commentary on Hollywood and the Academy.

SEE ALSO: 10 Oscar GIFS to Get the Party Started

If you're late to the party, just scroll back at the bottom of the widget and catch up on the show.

Image via Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images

More About: academy awards, humor, Oscars, Oscars 2013, Twitter

Twitter Votes Jennifer Lawrence as Best Dressed at Oscars

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 05:45 PM PST


Actress Jennifer Lawrence was crowned Best Dressed at the 85th Annual Academy Awards, according to an informal polling on Twitter.

More About: jennifer lawrence, Oscars 2013

10 Oscar GIFS to Get the Party Started

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 04:58 PM PST


The Internet is revving its engines in preparation for Hollywood's biggest night of the year, the 85th Academy Awards.

While we all wait to see if Quvenzhané Wallis can fit an Oscar in that cute puppy purse, why not take a quick GIF break?

SEE ALSO: Backstage and Red Carpet Sneak Peek at the Oscars

Is Daniel Day-Lewis really hiding an Oscar in his Lincoln hat? Probably not. Will Ben Affleck get redemption from the Academy's "Best Director" snub for Argo? Only time will tell. In the meantime, grab the popcorn, put on your couture, and enjoy these custom-made Oscar GIFs.

Mashable composite, courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Mashable composite, courtesy of MGM, OpenC
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More About: academy awards, GIF, Oscars, Watercooler

This Week’s Biggest Moments in 25 Photos

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 04:43 PM PST


Every week, we see the headlines soar by so quickly that it can be difficult to absorb the world's events. Instead, feast your eyes on these photos that summarize the biggest news of the week. Some of the images are beautiful, some are tragic, but all are stunning.

The public's eyes were trained on everything from trials to award ceremonies this week, with the world still shocked by the murder charges against Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius after the Valentine's Day shooting death of his girlfriend. Across the world, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Defense Ministers' Meetings began in Brussels, Belgium.

As for the entertainment scene, the NBA picked an MVP, and the Br…
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More About: photography, pics, Week in Photos

Top 5 Apps For Kids This Week

Posted: 24 Feb 2013 03:56 PM PST


My First Orchestra App




Ages 4-8 Overall rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars Why we like it: Here's a playful way for a child to explore the parts of a symphonic orchestra. The best part? The 30 musical excerpts that highlight specific instruments including the theme to Superman by John Williams. Need to know: The interaction is primitive, but the musical samples pull up the ratings. This app is the sequel to the My First Classical Music. Our testers noted that the font is small on the iPad mini. Ease of use: 8/10 Educational: 9/10 Entertaining: 8/10 $4.99

Click here to view this gallery.


This week's top apps for kids include sing-along music games and educational animal apps.

More About: Apps and Software, contributors, family & parenting, gallery, Kids, Lifestyle, Top Kids Apps

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