LinkedIn Offers Improved Apps for Android and iOS Smartphones

LinkedIn has announced new mobile applications for ios and Android devices. With this launch, LinkedIn is trying to make its social network more professional from where users get more content and get connected with others. LinkedIn has already redesigned their home page and profile page and their next target is “Mobile”. According to LinkedIn mobile executive, Kiran Prasad, “We were seeing that people are engaging a lot more on mobile, and so we wanted to make the experience more efficient”. After launching this app, the mobile page views of the website have gone up.

In the new apps, LinkedIn has updated three core components; first one is complete makeover of update stream, second one is new design and last one is personal navigation. In update stream, users can easily take action such as directly like and comment on another status and update directly from the stream. Now people may know more about you, there is a two tap access to jobs, new navigation bar on the left side of the screen. After the update stream, the other most important feature is navigation. Now users can personalize their navigation bar to show the areas of LinkedIn where they visit most.

Their app is now available in 15 different languages for iPhone and Android smartphones. Now, we have to watch that how this app will affect the users work connections

Logitech Launches 15 in 1 remote

Logitech has introduced a new line of universal remote controls that make it easy to control the complicated home theater systems with just one click of a single button. The Swiss company has come up with the New Harmony “universal” remote. This device can control up to 15 devices and has a 2.4 inch color touch screen with the usual remote control key. Logitech has also added two new universal remote control products to its lineup which include Harmony Ultimate and the Harmony Smart Control. Logitech also hopes to change things up a bit with their latest remote, Harmony touch. 

These two newly launched products are going to be useful in Logitech Harmony Hub and support the Harmony Smartphone App. Here are the features of New Harmony remote,

1) It has a 2.4 inch capacitive touch screen interface with thumb sized icons.

2) User can easily swipe gestures to move between activity screens to the list of channels.

3) User can also rewind and fast- forward the video content as per requirement.

4) Remote include dedicated playback, volume channel and D-pad controls.

5) Harmony touch includes a rechargeable battery and a docking station.

Logitech confirmed that both the devices are compatible with more than 2, 25,000 home entertainment devices and 5,000 different brands. The Hub can be controlled by Android and Apple smart phones app. Harmony Ultimate is expected to launch this month for $349.99 (approx.) and the Harmony smart control will be available for $129.00 (approx.). According to Logitech their new universal remote will take their users to the next level in entertainment experience - it is not only for entertainment access, now user can also control home lighting products by Philips. Overall, devices are easy to setup and easy to use.

Microsoft Working on a 7-inch Surface Tablet

According to a recent report by Wall Street Journal, Microsoft is in the process of developing a 7 inch version of its Surface tablet, and is possibly working on a mass production by the year end 2013. This is in stark contrast to the repeated assertions to the contrary by Microsoft, and may mark a significant shift in strategy for the software giant – in moving towards the hardware side of the equation as well.  Observers have also pointed that the smaller tablet was never a part of the original plan even when Microsoft eventually bit the bullet to launch a tablet in 2012.

However, it would stand to reason that the decision to step into making smaller tablet of 7 inches could not have been particularly hasty – tablets take careful planning and execution to develop, typically over several months, sometimes years. For example, the Surface tablet was the culmination of years of planning.

Microsoft’s decision to step into the smaller tablet market seems to have been hastened by several developments over the recent past. First, PC industry as a whole has taken a severe beating over the last 4 quarters, marking a significant shift in consumer preference from traditional PCs to smartphones and tablets for routine tasks. Secondly, and more significantly, close to half the tablets shipped over the last quarter have been of the smaller size – in the 7 inches category – led by iPad Mini and Google Nexus 7.

Yet, the road to success for Microsoft in the tablet market could mean a bigger challenge than simply introducing smaller screen version. Surface, even though loaded with great features, has not really enjoyed a stellar sales figure, the biggest impediment beings its rather high price – especially when compared to extremely reasonably priced competitors. Also, Windows 8 has remained below par in buyer acceptance, with most buyers seemingly confused with the adaptability of its touch screen friendly interface to traditional computer environments.

Micromax Canvas Viva A72 Official Launch

The Micromax Canvas series has been a huge hit among budget buyers of smartphones. The latest addition to the Canvas family is a new phablet – named Canvas Viva. Micromax recently announced the launch of Viva at a very attractive price of Rs 6,499. With this launch, the India based mobile maker has reinforced the point that it is possible to introduce entry level smartphones at cheap prices in India – and achieve success in selling them.

Let us have a brief look at the main technical specs of the Canvas Viva phablet device –

• 5-inch capacitive touch screen display
• 1 GHz processor
• 256 MB RAM
• Internal storage capacity is 110 MB, expandable to 16 GB via micro SD card
• Android Gingerbread OS
• 3 MP rear camera, 0.3 megapixel front camera
• Dual SIM (GSM+GSM)
• 2G, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi
• 2000 mAh battery which give a decent talk time of up to 5 hours.
• 186 grams
• Dimensions 76x142.8x10.6 mm

Looking at the specs, one can say they are pretty modest even for a budget device – and even when compared to the earlier offerings by Micromax such as Canvas HD and Bolt. Many observers are also wondering how a 5 inch device could be qualified as a “phablet” – many high end smartphones are coming with screens of a similar size. Yet, it is certain that the low price of the device would find many takers, and make it an attractive proposition for budget buyers. Micromax will certainly look forward to repeat the runaway success of its other Canvas Devices such as A110.