Samsung reportedly rolls out Android 4.1.2 update for Galaxy Camera

Samsung's unique Android-running camera, Galaxy Camera, is now receiving the Android 4.1.2 update (firmware BLL7). Some users in the UK have reportedly received this update, and it's expected that users in other countries should get the update on their Galaxy Camera pretty soon.

This update reportedly brings a revamped Gallery app, which is similar to the one in the Galaxy Note II. It's not clear what other changes the update brings, but it is likely that Samsung has included miscellaneous bug fixes and performance improvements.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera was first unveiled at IFA Berlin back in August. It features a 16-megapixel sensor with a f/2.8 aperture and 23mm-480mm lens that has 21x optical zoom. Under the hood, the camera is powered by a 1.4GHz quad-core Exynos processor, as found in the Galaxy S III smartphone. It features a 4.8-inch S-LCD display with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels translating into 308 ppi. The camera also supports 3G connectivity via a micro-SIM but does not have calling features.

The most interesting feature of Galaxy Camera is the fact that it is powered by Android 4.1, so you can run virtually any Android app on this camera. The camera comes with 8GB of internal storage with the option to add another 32GB via microSD card. Connectivity options include 3G (HSPA+ 21Mbps), HDMI 1.4, WiFi a/b/g/n, WiFi HT40, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS. Apart from this, the camera also has 1,650 mAh battery that Samsung claims can last up to seven hours.

The camera was launched in India in November last year carrying a price tag of Rs. 29,900.

Google's interactive map spurs users to achieve New Year resolutions

With the New Year come New Year's resolutions. Folks at Google are committed to ensure that you let the world know what those resolutions are. And that is why the search giant is motivating people all over the world to achieve their resolutions with an interactive New Year's resolution map on its 2012 Zeitgeist website.

The world map shows coloured dots representing people's resolutions ranging from Love, Health, Career, Finance,  Family, Education, Do Good and Other. All these categories are listed in a key on the right. Users can also zoom into the map to see better.

Users can access the blue dome at the bottom that guides you to post your resolution in your native language. So far some of the resolutions read as "Learn Mandarin", "Quit Smoking", Shop less, save more" and "Try to cook a recipe from every country in the world".

The 2012 Zeitgeist website also has a 2min 45 sec YouTube video called Zeigeist 2012: Year in Review that looks back at all the important events of past year across various genres like politics, sports, entertainment, science and even remembering those for whom 2012 was the last. Whether it was about firsts, relief campaigns or change, the video has its all.



Liz Wessel, Associate Product Marketing Manager mentions in a blog post, "Research shows that you're more likely to achieve your resolutions if you write them down and have support."

Apart from the interactive map, she also suggests "best tips and tricks across Google" to help users keep their resolutions this 2013. Some of these include Diet Diary, BBC's Good Food, Google Finance, E*Trade and Google Flight Search. The blog also directs users to SELF Magazine's Google+ page with tips from experts, live via Google+ hangouts, for 13 more resolutions starting on January 13.

The post also contains a YouTube video titled Google Play: New Me, highlighting the health aspect of life and also hinting at various apps that might help users achieve their 'health-based' resolutions for the year.

In case you're looking to achieve your New Year's resolutions this year, take a look at some of the apps that we've put together to help you along the way.

China shuts down Gougou.com Internet search engine

China has shut down a local Internet search engine blacklisted by the US for its notoriety to carry pirate content.

Gougou.com, run by Chinese web firm Xunlei, which had previously planned to float on one of the US stock exchanges was shut down, BBC reported Thursday.

Analysts say that its closure could be an attempt to make a fresh bid to float again. The closure followed weeks after the search engine was added to the US Trade Representative's report on major copyright offenders.

"Gougou.com has been closed down. Thank you all for your support, and we are sorry for any inconvenience," according to an announcement on the web site.

Last month China said it beefed up the law to prevent the malicious registration of trademarks China and cracked down on intellectual property rights (IPR) violations convicting nearly 30,000 cases since 2008 to address the concern of top foreign brands.

Chen Sixi, a member of the NPC Standing Committee, noted that the precedents on setting special maritime courts and military courts are successful and the experience may work for IPR issues.

Global IT spending to reach $3.7 trillion in 2013: Gartner

Worldwide IT spending is projected to reach $3.73 trillion in 2013, a 4.2 percent increase from $3.58 trillion in 2012, research firm Gartner Thursday said.

The 2013 outlook for IT spending growth in US dollars has been revised upward from 3.8 percent in the Q3 2012 forecast, Gartner said in a statement.

Much of this spending increase is the result from projected gains in the value of foreign currencies versus the dollar, it said adding that in constant currency, spending growth in 2013 is expected to be 3.9 percent.

"Uncertainties surrounding prospects for an upturn in global economic growth are the major retardants to IT growth.

This uncertainty has caused the pessimistic business and consumer sentiment throughout the world," Gartner Managing Vice President Richard Gordon said.

However, much of this uncertainty is nearing resolution, and as it does, Gartner expects accelerated spending growth in 2013 compared to 2012, he added.

Worldwide devices spending which includes PCs, tablets, mobile phones and printers, is forecast to reach USD 666 billion in 2013, up 6.3 percent from 2012.

However, this is a significant reduction in the outlook for 2013 compared with Gartner's previous forecast of USD 706 billion in worldwide devices and 7.9 percent growth.

The long-term forecast for global spending on devices has been reduced as well, with growth from 2012 through 2016 now expected to average 4.5 percent annually (from 6.4 percent).

These reductions reflect a sharp reduction in the forecast growth in spending on PCs and tablets that is only partially offset by marginal increases in forecast growth in spending on mobile phones and printers, Gartner said.

"The tablet market has seen greater price competition from Android devices as well as smaller, low-priced devices in emerging markets," Gordon said.

Worldwide enterprise software spending is forecast to total USD 296 billion in 2013, 6.4 percent up from 2012. This segment will be driven by key markets like security, storage management and customer relationship management.

Beginning 2014, markets aligned to big data and other information management initiatives, like enterprise content management, data integration tools, and data quality tools will see increased levels of investment, Gartner said.

The global telecom services market continues to be the largest IT spending market. From USD 1.66 trillion in 2012, this segment is estimated to grow 2.4 percent to USD 1.7 trillion in 2013.

Gartner said growth is expected to be predominately flat over the next several years as revenue from mobile data services compensates for the declines in total spending for both the fixed and mobile voice services markets.

Samsung reportedly ready to launch two Galaxy S II Plus variants in Jan 2013

2012 witnessed the launch of plenty of interesting Near Field Communication (NFC) smartphones and looks like 2013 is going to be no different in this regards. About fortnight ago we had reported that Samsung is working on Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos and Galaxy S II Plus.

According to Unwired, Samsung is expected to launch two variants of Samsung Galaxy S II Plus - GT-i9105, and GT-i9105P. The only difference between these two Samsung devices will be that GT-i9105P will support NFC while GT-i9105 will not.

Samsung has launched Samsung Galaxy S Plus in August 2011 as an upgrade to Samsung Galaxy S. However, this time around Samsung Galaxy S Plus II does not seem to be much of an upgrade. Reason being Samsung Galaxy S Plus II is speculated to have the same 4.3-inch screen with 480X800 pixel resolution like Samsung Galaxy S. Moreover, instead of 1.2GHz processor, Samsung Galaxy S Plus II is expected to have just a 1GHz processor.

On the positive side, Samsung Galaxy S Plus II will most likely be running on Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean)

It is being speculated that Samsung Galaxy S II Plus will be launched in January 2013 and Sam Mobileclaims that it will be available in two colour options - Chic White and Dark Blue. However, there is no information available in regards to what could be the price of this smartphone

There are also speculations that Samsung will be launching an upgraded version of Samsung Galaxy Pocket, which will be dubbed Samsung Galaxy Pocket Plus S5301.