Video calling comes to Skype for iPhone
Yeap Skype fans you can now do video calling on your iPhone and you don’t necessarily have to use the iPhone 4.
The latest Sykpe for iPhone update allows for video calls to be made using the iPhone 3GS as well as the fourth-generation iPod touch. You can also receive video calls on the third-generation iPod touch and the iPad. You’ll need iOS 4.0 and above to run the latest version of Skype.
The service is free and works over both WiFi and 3G. Calls can be made between devices using the new Skype for iPhone app and desktops including Skype for Windows 4.2 and above, Skype for Mac 2.8 and above, Skype for Linux and the ASUS videophone.
Head on over to after the jump for a promo video of Skype video call support on iPhone. We’re not sure what is it all about though. Here is the iTunes link for you to download the latest version of Skype for iOS device.
Android users if you’re wondering, still no word on when Skype video call will come to Android but considering that it is already on iOS, it shouldn’t be long now.
P1 4G gets hilarious Hitler meme treatment
In the meme world, when Hitler gets word of the latest happenings, hilarity often ensues. One of the latest subjects of Hitler’s wrath is local WiMAX operator P1 4G and it got us laughing.
For the uninitiated “The Hitler Meme” or “Hitler finds out” is a video meme involving the addition of new subititles to the dramatic scene of Hitler’s final meltdown from the German movie Downfall directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel. The subtitles are often anachronistically altered with humerous English subtitles surrounding current events.
It appears that the source of this viral video could very well be from P1 themselves and while some might not agree with the message in the video, we think many will agree that it is rather funny.
Head on over to after the jump for the funny vid. Also included, bonus video on the origin of the Hitler meme. Enjoy!
7-inch version of Dell Streak breaks cover
2011 will be the year of the tablet with almost all of the major manufacturers and platform developers — including Microsoft — having something to offer the consumers next year.
Dell came into the table game with probably the smallest tablet on the market, the 5-inch screen Dell Streak. With just 1 inch additional screen real-estate compared to the largest of Android smart phones in the market, the Streak blurred the lines between what makes a tablet and what makes a smart phone. This left some users torn between the 5-inch Streak and any 4-inch Android smart phone that offer virtually identical features, while others wanting a bigger screen to make investing in a tablet worthwhile.
Its no longer a secret that Dell is working on a 7-inch tablet along the same lines as the 5-inch Streak and here are what looks to be official pictures leaked to the public. The images are blurry and too small for us to make out any details but word has it that the tablet will be running Froyo and have front and rear cameras.
The extra screen size looks to have also added extra thickness on the Streak’s frame but we can’t be sure increase in thickness is significant until official specs are revealed. Once we have that, we’ll let you know.
BlackBerry PlayBook faces launch delay due to battery life issues
BlackBerry fans awaiting the arrival of the BlackBerry Playbook will probably have to wait a few months longer as sources reveal that the current unreleased version could only manage “a few hours” of run time on a single charge compared the to 10-hour endurance of the iPad and the respectable 6-hour run time on the Samsung Galaxy Tab.
Apparently the issue is so major that the PlayBook may need re-engineering to extend its battery life and could even require a bigger — and thus heavier — battery which could negate much of the weight advantage of a seven-inch tablet.
Another major concern with regards to the BlackBerry PlayBook is the fact that is runs a completely different OS from other BlackBerry devices. Unlike the BlackBerry OS running the BlackBerry phones, the PlayBook runs on the QNX platform which is originally designed for network equipment and automobiles where battery life isn’t a priority concern.
Running QNX on the PlayBook also creates an issue for app developers because it means creating new apps to run on the platform. As it is, the BlackBerry app ecosystem is not as abundantly filled with apps compared to the iOS and Android app stores and this could detract would be buyers to opt for the many other tablets that’s expected to enter the market in 2011. Which also means that PlayBook has its work cut out with the like of the iPad 2 and a new Galaxy Tab that is set to make public appearances within months of each other, if not weeks.
RIM didn’t comment on the speculation and has already said that it would start shipping the PlayBook within the first quarter of 2011. We’re looking forward to official developments from RIM on this matter.
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Maxis offers Huawei Ideos S7 Android Tablet
Maxis has thrown another Android tablet in the mix with the Huawei Ideos S7 tablet which is a notch lower than the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Outright, the Huawei Ideos S7 goes for RM1599 but on contract, it goes for RM999 over 12 months or RM899 over 24 months. To be on contract, you would need to bolt on either a 500MB, 1.5GB or a 3.0GB on top of a Value Plus plan 50 and above.
Spec wise, the Huawei Ideos S7 comes with a 7″ screen that does a modest 800×480 resolution with 262K colours and it runs on Android 2.1. It supports 802.11b/g/n WiFi and HSDPA up to 7.2Mbps. Other details such as processor and storage were not shown on their website. We will update as soon as we can get them.
Way cool app: 360 Panorama
This is one app that’s definitely making it into our iPhones.
The 360 Panaroma is a photography app that lets you take 360-degree panoramic shots of your surroundings and it is so darn tooting easy to use. The app take pictures of your surroundings and arrange them in tiles, all you have to do is align the phone so the tiles line up nicely to create a 360-degree view of where you are.
The app has just issued an update that takes advantage of the 3-axis gyroscope in the iPhone 4 that allow users to view the panoramic pictures simply by moving the iPhone 4 around. It provides for a very immersive picture viewing experience that will definitely impress your friends.
The app is on offer in iTunes now for US$0.99 — 66% off original price. For your RM3, you get to a dead easy to use panorama app that can churn out 360-degree view pictures in under 20 seconds (with a little bit of practice of course), you can upload and share the pictures via email or Twitter or save them directly to your iPhone camera roll.
Check out a sample picture taken using the app here. Here’s the iTunes link for more info on the app.
Right now 360 Panorama is for the iPhone only and because of the processing power required, you’ll need an iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4 to use it.
Got a way cool app that you use (be it iOS, Android, Windows Phone 7, BlackBerry, Symbian or whatever) , share it with us. We’d love to post it up.
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A moving short documentary on how texting while driving is devastating
In a proactive move to help prevent and educate the public on the dangers of texting-while-driving, American operator AT&T produced an 11 minute short documentary on the subject.
It featured people whose lives have forever changed because of texting while driving and if you ever needed a reason to stop texting while you are behind the wheel than this is it. The video emotionally moved us and it was certainly to burn in our brains that text messages can definitely wait.
The end frame of the documentary highlights a study that reveals drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident when texting and driving.
Seeing drivers texting while driving is a common sight. However a simple act of replying a short message in seconds can have devastating effects on you and your loved ones. Everybody knows how dangerous it is to close your eyes for few seconds while driving but never hesitate to reply that message which is roughly the same thing.
Now, although we can’t find any official numbers here in Malaysia of how many road accidents and death have been the direct result of texting while driving, judging by the way we Malaysians drive and the amount of time we spend on the phone while driving, we feel it is a safe assumption that the number is considerable.
People tend to ignore such warning until it is just too late. If you plan to send a message or even reply a really short one we suggest you stop driving before doing so. It is not worth to put your life at risk because of a senseless text message.
Watch this video and share with your friends and loved one the message that a life is not worth losing over a few characters and a text message especially during the upcoming New Year’s celebrations.
Please be safe everyone.
Angry Birds, say hello to Angry Frogs
We’re not sure what to make out of this but you don’t need to take a long look to know that this beta version of a game called Angry Frogs has too close of a resemblance to the other game where you hurl animals using a slingshot to annihilate a menace of the swine kind.
Video demo after the jump. If you want to try the game out for yourself just search for “Angry Frogs” in the Android Market. The comments there are saying it sucks though so be warned.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 and Samsung Galaxy S 2 will make debut at CES 2011
Dual-core is the talk of the mobile town in 2011 with Motorola gearing up to debut it Honeycomb running, dual-core totting tablet at CES. And then we have the LG Optimus 2X, a thoroughly fast Android phone featuring the NVIDIA Tegra 2 in its hardware arsenal. So its a pretty safe bet that most, if not all of the upcoming high-end devices coming in 2011 will be running dual-core processors.
Word has it that Samsung will also make a major showing at CES with unveiling of updated versions of two of its most successful devices, the Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab. These updated versions are expected to run NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processor with Honeycomb.
Considering the possibility of its competitors now running dual-core processors, can we expect Apple to feature similar hardware in its upcoming iPad 2 and the next iteration of the iPhone? Could be very likely.
In any case, we’ll be monitoring the developments at CES like a hawk, so keep it locked on to SoyaCincau.com for the latest updates.
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Maxis now offers HTC 7 Mozart
The HTC 7 Mozart which runs on Windows Phone 7 is now being offered on Maxis. Similar to its HTC HD7 bundle, it comes with an option of 12 months or 24 months contract with a bolt-on data plan.
The HTC 7 Mozart is priced at RM2099 outright but on contract, it goes for RM1499 over 12 months or RM1299 over 24 months. To be on contract, you have to pick between a 1.5GB data plan at RM78/month or 3GB data plan at RM88/month which is bolted on a Maxis Value Plus postpaid plan 50 and above. There is also additional rebate of RM10 for each data plan on this contract.
Compared to the HD7 offer, the 7 Mozart is slightly cheaper with a smaller 3.7″ screen vs HD7′s 4.3″ but it has a 8MP Camera and SRS WOW HD virtual surround feature. However the HTC 7 Mozart comes with 12 months warranty as opposed to the HD7′s 24 months warranty as shown above.
Earlier on DiGi too has started offering the HTC 7 Mozart. As comparison, DiGi offers the device at RM1499 over 12 months and RM1249 over 24 months.
For more information on Maxis’s Windows Phone 7 offer, click here.