Google Mobile Brings True iPhone Push Notifications for Gmail and Google Calendar [Downloads]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5619730/google-mobile-brings-true-iphone-push-notifications-for-gmail-and-google-calendar

iOS: Google just updated their Google Mobile app to bring push notifications (previews included) for Gmail and Google Calendar to the iPhone.

The free app from Google is an impressive search helper, capable of searching your phone and the internet by voice, but the addition of push notifications for new Gmail messages and Calendar events in the latest update adds a nice bit of supplemental functionality that most Google die-hards will most likely love—particularly because getting true push notifications (with message previews, for example), previously required some sort of third-party tool standing in the middle.

The update also adds as-you-type search results. Google Mobile is a free app in the iTunes App Store. The update is supposed to be available now, but so far the late version hasn't shown up for me. If it's not there yet for you, either, it should be sometime today.

Google Mobile App [iTunes App Store via Google Mobile Blog]

Read More...

Summary only...

A Dual-Booting Android/Windows Tablet Could Make ViewSonic Less Boring [Tablets]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5619359/a-dual+booting-androidwindows-tablet-could-make-viewsonic-less-boring

ViewSonic is one of those companies that makes my eyes droop and dribble escape from my mouth, but according to a press release they just issued, they'll be showing off a 10-inch dual-booting Android/Windows tablet at IFA.

We've seen a few dual-booting tablets now, but it's always a pleasure to hear of another one—even if it is from ViewSonic. Let's not forget that VTablet 101, pictured. Actually—let's forget it. We don't want to have nightmares again.

As well as showing off the elusive dual-booter at IFA, they also plan to unwrap a 7-inch Android tablet, which has 3G, Wi-Fi, A-GPS, Bluetooth, a G-Sensor, USB port and microSD card slot. [TechRadar]

Read More...

Summary only...

HTC's Tablet Could Have Touchscreen Tech From Microsoft-Invested N-Trig [Tablets]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5619396/htcs-tablet-could-have-same-touchscreen-tech-as-microsoft-surface

What would you like to see in a HTC tablet? Something running Android? Chrome OS? A touchscreen built by N-Trig, the same guys who were behind the Microsoft Surface? UPDATED

According to Haaretz.com, HTC has employed the services of Israeli manufacturer N-trig for its tablet's touchscreen tech—the very same technology that was used in Microsoft's Surface* table, along with other products such as the Dell Latitude XT. This tablet is supposedly on track to launch on November 26th, and will be offered "in cooperation with the US telecommunications company Verizon." Hmm.

The "GPad," as it's been called before, is almost certainly not Chrome OS if it's going to be available this side of Christmas, even with the Download Squad reporting last week that it could be running Chrome OS when it launches on Black Friday. My gut feeling is Android for this particular HTC tablet release, but if you know any better, please do get in touch. [Haaretz and Download Squad via CrunchGear]

*Worth mentioning that while the Surface table was touch-sensitive, it wasn't actually a touchscreen—instead using five cameras to capture motion from objects (and fingers) placed on the table.

Also, while Microsoft invested money into N-Trig earlier this year, N-Trig's website states that "N-trig was not involved with Microsoft's Surface computer, which uses optical technology. That is, infrared cameras and a projector behind its touch screen, which helps explain the Surface computer's high price and large size. In comparison, N-trig uses a capacitive touch sensor. The circuitry is located along two sides of a thin, transparent screen sensor, which allows N-trig to implement the technology inside a thin laptop or tablet display." Headline changed from "HTC's Tablet Could Have Same Touchscreen Tech as Microsoft Surface" to reflect this.

Read More...

Summary only...

Virtual Router Hits Blistering 40GB/Sec Speed Record [Networking]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5619681/virtual-router-hits-blistering-speed-record

South Korean researchers have created a software-based router that leaves similar devices in the dust. The virtual box can transmit data at 40 gigabytes per second—compared to the typical 2 or 3—and runs on cheap, store-bought components.

Virtual routers work by emulating the proprietary components of a hardware router on inexpensive, easily procured chips—what's known as commodity computing. In this case, the team used computer GPU cards to break down complex, resource-hungry networking tasks. The hope is that virtual routers such as this could drastically reduce the number of physical boxes needed—to run data centers, businesses, and even the internet itself. "We can expect killer apps out of this," explained a professor involved with the project. "Ultimately, you can experiment with new protocols that are not used in today's Internet." [MIT Technology Review]

Read More...

Summary only...

Stress Test Your Hardware to Troubleshoot Problems and Keep Your Computer Stable [Hardware]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5619743/stress-test-your-hardware-to-identify-problems-and-keep-your-computer-stable

Gadget blog Tested explains how to stress test your computer's most important hardware—and likely pain points in a buggy system—in order to diagnose and fix hardware problems that can commonly crop up in software errors and system crashes.

Photo by kennymatic.

There's no worse time for your PC to hit the fritz than when you're in the middle of some sort of heavy-duty computer task, but for some reason you computer doesn't seem to care. Tested's guide walks through the tools to stress and monitor your system to hunt down and diagnose possible hardware problems with your CPU, RAM, and graphics card. On the monitoring side of things, they're using HWMonitor to keep an eye on temperatures (it's the same app we suggested when we explained how to prevent your computer from overheating) and previously mentioned SpeedFan. On the hardware stressing side of the coin, they're using Prime95 (the app Whitson used in his primer for overclocking your Intel processor) for your CPU, previously mentioned Memtest86+ for RAM, and FurMark for GPU testing.

Hit up the guide at Tested for a full walkthrough, and if you're a serious stress tester or you consider yourself a skilled hardware bug-hunter, let's hear about your favorite methods and tools for the job in the comments.

How To Stress Test Your Hardware and Keep Your PC Stable [Tested]

Read More...

Summary only...