Today Rowi (Hidden Pineapple) a brilliant twitter client for the Windows Phone 7.8/8, announced that it had submitted the app for Windows 8 with version 0.8 to the Windows Store.
Installing A Schlage Touchpad Motorized Z Wave Deadbolt
This weekend, I installed a new Schlage touchpad motorized Z Wave deadbolt onto my front door. Read on for details!
This weekend, I installed a new Schlage touchpad motorized Z Wave deadbolt onto my front door. A few weeks back, I installed a Nexia Z Wave system and a manual deadbolt, and was pleased enough with the results to upgrade the lockset on the front door. We wanted the ability to control who has access to the house, to track when people came and went, and to be able to remotely unlock the door using mobile devices when we have contractors and babysitters entering the home. Key considerations for the product that we wanted to use were:
- Top-grade security. This is the lock on the front door of the house, so no compromises on quality were acceptable.
- Aesthetics that blended with the pre-existing door. We had to replace the entire front door assembly several years back and we wanted to make sure that any lockset that we installed on it looked consistent with what was already there.
- Motorized bolt assembly so the door could be remotely unlocked.
- Z Wave compatible and supported by Nexia.
We found the Schlage BE469NXCAM716 Camelot Touchscreen Deadbolt with Nexia Home Intelligence and Alarm, Aged Bronze (Z-Wave) on Amazon for $206.60 and decided to install it. Here is how Schlage describes this lock:
- ANSI Grade 1 Highest Residential Security
- Durable Resistive Touchscreen with matte finish to protect against fingerprints and smudges
- Anti-pick shield protects against lock tampering
- Strong motorized bolt automatically locks and unlocks when a user code is entered
- Built-in Alarm Technology senses movement of the door and alerts homeowners with an audible alert
- Select between three alerts- activity, tamper or forced entry alert- and customized to meet fit your security needs
- With Nexia™ Home Intelligence, lock or unlock your door from anywhere with your cell phone
- With Nexia™ Home Intelligence, schedule lock codes to be active only on certain days at specific times
- With Nexia™ Home Intelligence, receive text alerts when an alarm triggers or when specific codes are entered at the lock
- Holds up to 30 user codes
- Easy installation with just a screwdriver- no wiring required
This looked like a perfect fit. At this point, I heard from the PR firm representing Schlage and they offered to provide a free unit for review purposes, so they mailed one out and I installed it this weekend. How did it go? Let’s see.
Hardware Installation
Installing the Schlage Touchscreen Deaddbolt With Alarm was an easy process as I was replacing a similar grade Schlage lock in a pre-existing door.
First, remove the old lockset and bolt assembly from the door.
Second, measure the diameter of the round hole where the old lockset was installed. My hole was 1 1/2″ in diameter, meaning that I was going to have to remove a spacer from the lock assembly in a later step.
Next, measure the distance between the middle of the lockset hole to the edge of the door. The bolt is set to a 2 3/4″ length out of the box; I needed to rotate the bolt assembly to set it up for a 2 3/8″ length to ensure proper bolt operation. Once the bolt is adjusted, insert it into the hole in the side of the door, ensuring that the portion marked Top is indeed on top and that the bolt is straight and true in the door. Screw in the bolt using the two screws provided.
OK, now install the reinforcement plate into the doorframe using the provided 2″ screws. This ensures BHMA Grade 1 security. Install the decorative plate over that top of the reinforcement plate.
Then install the touchscreen to the outside of the door, passing the wiring harness below the bolt assembly. There is a cam that inserts into the bolt; make sure that the tab on the cam lines up with the bolt assembly properly. If your door hole was 1 1/2″, you’ll need to remove the spacer before you can install the touchpad. This was done by removing a screw, rotating the spacer out of the touchpad assembly and re-installing the screw.
After the touchscreen is on the door, screw the support plate onto the inside of the door with the two supplied screws. This is the tricky part; make sure that you have a buddy to hold the touchscreen onto the door as you screw in the support plate. After that, make sure that you properly route the wiring harness through the support plate.
Remove the battery cover from the alarm assembly (the part that is visible on the inside of the door), connect the wiring harness from the touchpad to the alarm assembly, route the cable into the channel in the housing, and snap the alarm assembly onto the support plate. Attach the alarm assembly to the support plate with the provided screw.
Pull the battery tray off of the alarm assembly and install the four AA batteries (provided). Slide the battery tray back into place and attach the wiring connector to the battery tray. Replace the cover for the battery tray.
Test the lock operation; if it extends properly and responds to the built-in codes, you are ready to add the device to your Nexia bridge.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is Here
Today Samsung did the Unpacked event at Radio City Music Hall in New York to welcome its successor, the long-await Samsung Galaxy S4, that will be launched for the 26th April in the UK. The Samsung GALAXY S 4 will be available from Q2 globally including US, partnering with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, as well as US Cellular and Cricket. In Europe, Samsung GALAXY S 4 is partnering with global mobile operators such as Deutsche Telecom, EE, H3G, Orange, Telenor, Telia Sonera, Telefonica, and Vodafone. Galaxy S4 will be launching on 327 carriers in 155 countries, starting at the end of April 2013. In the event for the S4 there didn’t show off that the inductive charging is standard on the Galaxy S4. You won’t need to get a special back for the Galaxy S4.
With a 1.6GHz octa-core processor, in addition there’s 2GB of DDR3 RAM, the first Full HD Super AMOLED display we’ve come across, measuring in at 5-inches and front and rear HD cameras at 2 and 13-megapixels respectively. The Galaxy S4 is 7.9mm thin, Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE)1080p, Full HD Super AMOLED screen with a 441 ppi with 2 GB’s of RAM with 16, 32, or 64GB of storage (plus a microSD slot if you want to add more upto 64GB).
Samsung GALAXY S 4 Product Specifications:
Network 2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE): 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz
3G (HSPA+ 42Mbps): 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz
4G (LTE Cat 3 100/50Mbps) : up to 6 different band sets (Dependent on market)
Display 5 inch Full HD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080) display, 441 ppi
AP 1.9 GHz Quad-Core Processor / 1.6 GHz Octa-Core Processor The selection of AP will be differed by markets.
OS Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
Camera Main(Rear): 13 Mega pixel Auto Focus camera with Flash & Zero Shutter Lag, BIS
Sub (Front): 2 Mega pixel camera, Full HD recording @30fps with Zero Shutter Lag, BIS
Video Codec: MPEG4, H.264, H.263, DivX, DivX3.11, VC-1, VP8, WMV7/8, Sorenson Spark, HEVC, Recording & Playback: Full HD (1080p)Audio Codec: MP3, AMR-NB/WB, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AC-3, apt-X
CameraFeatures Dual Camera: Dual Shot / Dual Recording / Dual Video CallDrama Shot, Sound & Shot, 360 Photo, Cinema Photo, Eraser, Night, Best Photo, Best Face, Beauty Face, HDR (High Dynamic Range), Panorama, Sports
Additional Features Group Play: Share Music, Share Picture, Share Document, Play Games, Story Album, S Translator, Optical Reader, Samsung Smart Scroll, Samsung Smart Pause, Air Gesture, Air View, Samsung Hub, ChatON (Voice/Video Call, Share screen, 3-way calling), Samsung WatchON, S Travel (Trip Advisor), S Voice™ Drive, S Health,Samsung Adapt Display, Samsung Adapt Sound, Auto adjust touch sensitivity (Glove friendly), Safety Assistance, Samsung Link, Screen Mirroring, Samsung KNOX (B2B only)
Google Mobile Services Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Latitude Google Play Store, Google Plus, YouTube, Google Talk,Google Places, Google Navigation, Google Downloads, Voice Search
Connectivity WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (HT80) GPS / GLONASSNFC, Bluetooth® 4.0 (LE)IR LED (Remote Control), MHL 2.0
Sensor Accelerometer, RGB light, Geomagnetic, Proximity, Gyro, Barometer Temperature & Humidity, Gesture
Memory 16/ 32/ 64 GB User memory + microSD slot (up to 64GB) 2GB LPDDR3 RAM
Dimension 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm, 130g
Battery 2,600 mAh
The beauty of the phone is the highly crafted design encompassing a larger screen size and battery, minimized bezel; all housed in a light (130g) and slim (7.9mm) shape. The Samsung GALAXY S 4 is slimmer yet stronger, with less to hold yet more to see. It has come up with simply unreal beauty. At launch, two color options will be available – Black Mist and White Frost; with a variety of additional color options to follow later this year.
Meaningful Moments – Gives Greater Enjoyment
A rich life is one that’s filled with meaningful moments and the GALAXY S 4 captures and shares those special moments. The GALAXY S 4 has the world’s first Full HD Super AMOLED display to showcase images at their very best. Its 5-inch large screen has 441ppi for stunning viewing quality. The Samsung GALAXY S 4 also utilizes Corning’s new Gorilla® Glass 3＊, making it a durable travel companion for all of life’s adventures.
Equipped with a 13 megapixel rear camera, the GALAXY S 4 also boasts a ‘Dual Camera’function that allows simultaneous use of both front and rear cameras. When capturing moments, users can choose from a variety of frame effects which blend the two pictures naturally and also adjust the size of the small picture inside the big one. Users can select 8 different ways to combine the two photos taken by the front camera and the rear camera. At the same time, the ‘Dual Video Call’ function enables you to make and receive a video call with friends and family while showing what you are looking at during the call.
The camera functionality extends beyond Dual Camera, as the device is also equipped with 12 outstanding shooting modes including ‘Drama Shot’, which allows you to see all the action in one continuous time-lapse, and ‘Sound & Shot’, which uniquely stores sound and voice together as the picture is taken so those special moments are captured in the truest form imaginable, exactly as they happened.
These meaningful moments can also now automatically be stored in a photo album, with the new ‘Story Album’ function. Photos taken by the GALAXY S 4 are automatically gathered and sorted out according to your timeline, geo-tagging information, or a specific event to create a photo album. These unique story albums can be ordered and delivered as an offline photo album through a new partnership with Blurb＊, so you can keep those precious moments safe to look at and share time and time again.
True Connections – Brings People Together
Samsung GALAXY S 4 enables true connections with the people in our lives. It is more than a personal device that can be enjoyed by one user – it makes the most of our relationships allowing us to easily share and experience many of life’s pleasures together with family and friends, wherever you are.
With its ‘Group Play’ function, users can enjoy music, photos, documents and games with those around them without even requiring a Wi-Fi AP or cellular signal. This innovative feature enables users to connect directly with others to share, play and co-create content and entertainment instantly. Its ‘Share Music’ option allows users to have the same song playing on multiple phones in sync to create the best party atmosphere.
The GALAXY S 4 brings all people closer together by breaking down language barriers. It makes international travel a joy, with ‘S Translator’ which provides instant translation, using text or voice translation on applications including email, text message and ChatON. This instant translation is possible both from speech to text and text to speech and ensures that you can rely on the correct information whilst abroad.
The GALAXY S 4 supports HSPA＋42 Mbps and 4G LTE which means wherever you are in the world, you can rely on perfect connectivity. Especially, the LTE version supports up to 6 different band sets which allows it to function in most LTE coverage areas as well as enabling global LTE roaming. Furthermore, TDD/FDD LTE Dual Mode version will be introduced later this year.
Effortless Experience – Makes Things More Convenient
In today’s world, we are all looking for smart ways to make life easier and less stressful. The GALAXY S 4 ensures that tasks are effortless with innovative features that detect your face, voice and motions to enable screen control with no need for finger touch activation.
‘Samsung Smart Pause’ enables you to control the screen by where you look. When you are watching a video, the video pauses when you look away then it starts right up again when you are back. ‘Samsung Smart Scroll’ allows you to scroll the browser or emails up and down without touching the screen. It recognizes your face looking at the screen and movement of your wrist and then scroll the pages up or down accordingly.
‘Air View’ allows users to hover with their fingers to preview the content of an email, S Planner, image gallery or video without having to open it. You can even see a magnified view on the internet browser, or a phone number saved in the speed dial on the keypad. With ‘Air Gesture’, you can change the music track, scroll up and down a web page, or accept a call with a wave of your hand.
With ‘S Voice™ Drive’ you can activate commands via voice control for optimization when driving. Once connected with a car Bluetooth, the phone automatically turns into driving mode converting text to speech so you can easily and safely check messages with no need to look at the screen.
‘Samsung Optical Reader’ makes life yet more effortless, by automatically recognizing text, a business card or QR code information, and providing useful functions such as translation, call, text message and search.
At home, using ‘Samsung WatchON’, the GALAXY S 4 will transform into an IR remote to control your home entertainment system including TV, set-top box, DVD player and even air conditioner. In addition, you can enjoy various content including live TV, cable TV and VOD based on the rich information provided by EPG (Electronic Program Guide).
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Empowered Living – Takes Care Of Your Health and Quality of Life
The GALAXY S 4 empowers your life by keeping you up-to-date with health and wellbeing information using the new ‘S Health’ software. The combination of sensors built within the device systematically and automatically monitors your health, surroundings and so much more to help improve your quality of life. Also, users can easily check their health conditions using food diary, exercise diary and sleep monitor to stay fit and healthy. (Certain functions are enabled by specific accessories.)
To further protect your wellbeing, ‘Samsung Adapt Display’ provides an optimal viewing experience, customized for each type of application, and ‘Samsung Adapt Sound’ offers an optimal level and type of sound, personalized for each user, to make the most out of life.
Apple releases OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.3 Update
Apple has just released OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.3 update which contains a number of bug fixes and the ability to redeem iTunes gifts cards in the Mac App Store using the built in camera.
This update is recommended for all OS X Mountain Lion users and includes features and fixes that improve the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, including:
The ability to redeem iTunes gift cards in the Mac App Store using your Mac’s built-in camera
Boot Camp support for installing Windows 8
Boot Camp support for Macs with a 3 TB hard drive
A fix for an issue that could cause a file URL to quit apps unexpectedly
A fix for an issue that may cause Logic Pro to become unresponsive when using certain plug-ins
A fix for an issue that may cause audio to stutter on 2011 iMacs
A fix for an issue in Contacts that may cause cards to print out of order
A fix for an issue that may cause the desktop picture to change after logging out or restarting
A fix for an issue in Messages that may cause messages to appear out of order after waking from sleep
A fix for an issue that may cause the screen to display incorrectly after waking from sleep
Improves compatibility with IMAP servers in the Notes app
Allows the Slideshow screen saver to display photos located in a subfolder
A fix for an issue in Contacts that may cause addresses to print in the wrong location
Reliability improvements when using a Microsoft Exchange account in Mail
Xsan reliability improvements
A fix for an issue that could cause Active Directory accounts to be locked out after accessing the Security & Privacy pane in System Preferences
A fix for an issue that could cause link aggregation to not complete after a restart
A fix for an issue that could cause delays when logging into an Active Directory account on high latency networks
Safari 6.0.3 is included in the OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.3 Update and contains fixes that improve performance, stability, and security, including:
Improves scrolling on facebook.com
Improves scrolling while zoomed in on a webpage
Improves performance on webpages with plug-in content
A fix for an issue that could cause the inaccurate appearance of an alert that bookmarks can’t be changed
A fix for an issue that could cause duplicate bookmarks to appear on an iOS device after editing bookmarks with Safari in OS X
A fix for an issue that permitted users to access unfiltered search results when searching from google.com when Parental Controls are enabled
A fix for an issue that could prevent Safari from restoring the last position on a webpage a user navigated back to
The update is nearly 600MB and requires a reboot when finished.
Hands-on and pictures of the new Dell XPS 18 All-In-One PC
Yesterday Dell announced the XPS 18, the world’s thinnest and lightest All-In-One and we recently got to have a closer look at one.
With the perfect blend of weight, large display size and performance in a thin, elegant and highly-mobile design, the XPS 18 opens up new possibilities in multimedia and gaming for families.
The XPS 18 features:
- Maximum portability with a starting weight of just 4.85 lbs (2.2kgs)
- Aluminium back finish with soft grip for traction and comfort
- Flexible design allowing it to be used in a variety of ways for the most comfortable viewing angle
- Wireless keyboard and mouse
- 18.4” capacitive touch Full HD (1080p) display, 350 nits, 72% colour gamut, and 16:9 aspect ratio. Panel is 4.3mm thin.
- Built-in battery with 5 hours of run-time
- Starting weight is 4.87 lbs (2.2kg) with optional SSD drive
- Can be used in three ways: docked in an optional powered stand for the traditional AIO desktop experience, on a table with flip out feet to stand upright or in tablet mode
- The dock provides a different experience. The connector is a magnet that draws the computer in – more durable than regular “smartphone and tablet type connectors”
- Aluminum backed design, with soft grip for traction
- Fast boot with optional SSD storage with Intel Rapid Start Technology
- Intel Core ULT processors
Built with families and active consumers in mind, the XPS 18 is the world’s thinnest, lightest and most portable AIO, and can be easily transported around the house for watching movies in the living room, playing games with the family, viewing recipes in the kitchen or creating professional presentations in the home office. When it’s time to move the XPS 18 into another room to do homework in a quiet environment, its slim and light weight design make it so portable a child can carry it.
There is a dock that comes with the XPS 18 and it is magnetised so that the XPS 18 just clicks into place. There is no power connection to the dock though, only the XPS 18 itself.
The XPS 18 comes with a keyboard and mouse in the box:
Here is a closer look at the XPS 18:
I was surprised just how lightweight the XPS 18 actually was. I only had hands-on for a few minutes but it felt comfortable to use on my lap, as well as very easy to use in a variety of different positions.
The XPS 18 will be available on Dell.com in the United States and in UK, France and Germany on April 16 starting at £849.
App Update: Action Movie FX for iOS from Bad Robot updated to version 2.2
Bad Robot Productions released a really fun app for the iPhone called Action Movie FX that enables you to easily add cool special effects to whatever you might film. Now it has an update.
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What’s New in Version 2.2
– 3 ALL NEW BLOCKBUSTER WINTER FX
* Free AVALANCHE FX
* BLIZZARD PACK: ICEMAN & SKIFALL
– HD Ready versions of ALL FX
Gears of War: Judgment Live Talk Tonight
There is another live Gears Talk event happening tonight, this time with Baird, the lead character of the game! Fans will be able to submit questions, and the voice actor of Baird will be in the studio doing audio responses for the best questions.
Here are the times when you can catch the chat:
UK & Ireland
20:00 – 23:00
Norway, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Belgium: Flemish, Belgium: French, Greece, Denmark, France, Swiss: French, Swiss: German
21:00 – 00:00
South Africa, Finland
22:00 – 01:00
Russia
00:00 – 03:00
Localised country links (just click on the one that you are in):
http://www.xbox.com/da-DK/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
http://www.xbox.com/en-IE/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
http://www.xbox.com/en-ZA/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
http://www.xbox.com/fi-FI/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
http://www.xbox.com/nl-BE/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
http://www.xbox.com/fr-BE/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
http://www.xbox.com/fr-FR/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
http://www.xbox.com/fr-CH/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
http://www.xbox.com/de-CH/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
http://www.xbox.com/el-GR/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
http://www.xbox.com/it-IT/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
http://www.xbox.com/nb-NO/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
http://www.xbox.com/pt-PT/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
http://www.xbox.com/ru-RU/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
http://www.xbox.com/sv-SE/marketplace/product/gears-of-war-judgment/gear-talk
Set years before the events of the original “Gears of War” trilogy, “Judgment” centers on Kilo Squad, a troop of soldiers led by Damon Baird and Augustus “The Cole Train” Cole. They are joined by newcomers to the “Gears” series, Sofia Hendrick and Garron Paduk, as they attempt to save the besieged city of Halvo Bay from a terrifying new enemy.
We recently interview Jim Brown from Epic Games. We talked about old characters and new, new modes, cosplay and we even have new gameplay footage to share. Here is that interview:
Gears of War: Judgment will launch worldwide on 19th March, 2013 on the Xbox 360.
And stay tuned for our review of Gears of War: Judgment on Monday.
Google updates YouTube Capture App to version 1.2 bringing support for the iPad
Google has released an update to its YouTube Capture app.
What’s New in Version 1.2
New for iPad and iPad mini. Film a video and instantly make it YouTube-ready with background music, auto colour correction, and auto stabilization. You can upload your video to YouTube and share to Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ at the same time.
You can download YouTube Capture from the App Store for free.