Complete Run Commands In Windows XP.

Run Commands In Windows XP
You can access all these programs by going through START-->RUN or Simply Click Windows Key+R

SQL Client Configuration - cliconfg
System Configuration Editor - sysedit
System Configuration Utility - msconfig
System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately)- sfc /scannow
System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At Next Boot)- sfc /scanonce
System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot) - sfc /scanboot
System File Checker Utility (Return to Default Setting)- sfc /revert
System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache)- sfc /purgecache
System File Checker Utility (Set Cache Size to size x)-sfc/cachesize=x
System Information - msinfo32.
Task Manager – taskmgr
System Properties - sysdm.cpl
Task Manager – taskmgr
TCP Tester - tcptest
Telnet Client - telnet
Tweak UI (if installed) - tweakui
User Account Management- nusrmgr.cpl
Utility Manager - utilman
Windows Address Book - wab
Windows Address Book Import Utility - wabmig
Windows Backup Utility (if installed)- ntbackup
Windows Explorer - explorer
Windows Firewall- firewall.cpl
Windows Magnifier- magnify
Windows Management Infrastructure - wmimgmt.msc
Windows Media Player - wmplayer
Windows Messenger - msmsgs
Windows Picture Import Wizard (need camera connected)- wiaacmgr
Windows System Security Tool – syskey
Windows Update Launches - wupdmgr
Windows Version (to show which version of windows)- winver
Windows XP Tour Wizard - tourstart
Wordpad - write
Password Properties - password.cpl
Performance Monitor - perfmon.msc
Phone and Modem Options - telephon.cpl
Phone Dialer - dialer
Pinball Game - pinball
Power Configuration - powercfg.cpl
Printers and Faxes - control printers
Printers Folder – printers
Private Character Editor - eudcedit
Quicktime (If Installed)- QuickTime.cpl
Real Player (if installed)- realplay
Regional Settings - intl.cpl
Registry Editor - regedit
Registry Editor - regedit32
Remote Access Phonebook - rasphone
Remote Desktop - mstsc
Removable Storage - ntmsmgr.msc
Removable Storage Operator Requests - ntmsoprq.msc
Resultant Set of Policy (XP Prof) - rsop.msc
Scanners and Cameras - sticpl.cpl
Scheduled Tasks - control schedtasks
Security Center - wscui.cpl
Services - services.msc
Shared Folders - fsmgmt.msc
Shuts Down Windows - shutdown
Sounds and Audio - mmsys.cpl
Spider Solitare Card Game - spider
Malicious Software Removal Tool - mrt
Microsoft Access (if installed) - access.cpl
Microsoft Chat - winchat
Microsoft Excel (if installed) - excel
Microsoft Frontpage (if installed)- frontpg
Microsoft Movie Maker - moviemk
Microsoft Paint - mspaint
Microsoft Powerpoint (if installed)- powerpnt
Microsoft Word (if installed)- winword
Microsoft Syncronization Tool - mobsync
Minesweeper Game - winmine
Mouse Properties - control mouse
Mouse Properties - main.cpl
Nero (if installed)- nero
Netmeeting - conf
Network Connections - control netconnections
Network Connections - ncpa.cpl
Network Setup Wizard - netsetup.cpl
Notepad - notepad
Nview Desktop Manager (If Installed)- nvtuicpl.cpl
Object Packager - packager
ODBC Data Source Administrator- odbccp32.cpl
On Screen Keyboard - osk
Opens AC3 Filter (If Installed) - ac3filter.cpl
Outlook Express - msimn
Paint – pbrush
Keyboard Properties - control keyboard
IP Configuration (Display Connection Configuration) - ipconfi/all
IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache Contents)- ipconfig /displaydns
IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache Contents)- ipconfig /flushdns
IP Configuration (Release All Connections)- ipconfig /release
IP Configuration (Renew All Connections)- ipconfig /renew
IP Configuration(RefreshesDHCP&Re-RegistersDNS)-ipconfig/registerdns
IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID)- ipconfig/showclassid
IP Configuration (Modifies DHCP Class ID)- ipconfig /setclassid
Java Control Panel (If Installed)- jpicpl32.cpl
Java Control Panel (If Installed)- javaws
Local Security Settings - secpol.msc
Local Users and Groups - lusrmgr.msc
Logs You Out Of Windows - logoff.....
Accessibility Controls - access.cpl
Accessibility Wizard - accwiz
Add Hardware - Wizardhdwwiz.cpl
Add/Remove Programs - appwiz.cpl
Administrative Tools control - admintools
Adobe Acrobat (if installed) - acrobat
Adobe Designer (if installed)- acrodist
Adobe Distiller (if installed)- acrodist
Adobe ImageReady (if installed)- imageready
Adobe Photoshop (if installed)- photoshop
Automatic Updates - wuaucpl.cpl
Bluetooth Transfer Wizard – fsquirt
Calculator - calc
Certificate Manager - certmgr.msc
Character Map - charmap
Check Disk Utility - chkdsk
Clipboard Viewer - clipbrd
Command Prompt - cmd
Component Services - dcomcnfg
Computer Management - compmgmt.msc
Control Panel - control
Date and Time Properties - timedate.cpl
DDE Shares - ddeshare
Device Manager - devmgmt.msc
Direct X Control Panel (If Installed)- directx.cpl
Direct X Troubleshooter- dxdiag
Disk Cleanup Utility- cleanmgr
Disk Defragment- dfrg.msc
Disk Management- diskmgmt.msc
Disk Partition Manager- diskpart
Display Properties- control desktop
Display Properties- desk.cpl
Display Properties (w/Appearance Tab Preselected)- control color
Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility- drwtsn32
Driver Verifier Utility- verifier
Event Viewer- eventvwr.msc
Files and Settings Transfer Tool- migwiz
File Signature Verification Tool- sigverif
Findfast- findfast.cpl
Firefox (if installed)- firefox
Folders Properties- control folders
Fonts- control fonts
Fonts Folder- fonts
Free Cell Card Game- freecell
Game Controllers- joy.cpl
Group Policy Editor (XP Prof)- gpedit.msc
Hearts Card Game- mshearts
Help and Support- helpctr
HyperTerminal- hypertrm
Iexpress Wizard- iexpress
Indexing Service- ciadv.msc
Internet Connection Wizard- icwconn1
Internet Explorer- iexplore
Internet Setup Wizard- inetwiz
Internet Properties- inetcpl.cpl

Posted by Editorial Team on 00:24 in PCTricks, WindowsXP

10 Notepad Scripts to Pranks.

Hello Friends the following code paste on the notepad, and feel some magic on your computer system, you can also send these to you friend by email and by other mediums like pen drives, etc.

1) Convey your friend a lil' message and shut down his / her computer:

Type :

@echo off
msg * I don't like you
shutdown -c "Error! You are too stupid!" -s

Save it as "Anything.BAT" in All Files and send it.

2) Toggle your friend's Caps Lock button simultaneously:

Type :

Set wshShell =wscript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
do
wscript.sleep 100
wshshell.sendkeys "{CAPSLOCK}"
loop

Save it as "Anything.VBS" and send it.

3) Continually pop out your friend's CD Drive. If he / she has more than one, it pops out all of them!Type :

Set oWMP = CreateObject("WMPlayer.OCX.7")
Set colCDROMs = oWMP.cdromCollection
do
if colCDROMs.Count >= 1 then
For i = 0 to colCDROMs.Count - 1
colCDROMs.Item(i).Eject
Next
For i = 0 to colCDROMs.Count - 1
colCDROMs.Item(i).Eject
Next
End If
wscript.sleep 5000
loop

Save it as "Anything.VBS" and send it.

4) Frustrate your friend by making this VBScript hit Enter simultaneously:

Type :

Set wshShell = wscript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
do
wscript.sleep 100
wshshell.sendkeys "~(enter)"
loop

Save it as "Anything.VBS" and send it.

5) Open Notepad, slowly type "Hello, how are you? I am good thanks" and freak your friend out:

Type :

WScript.Sleep 180000
WScript.Sleep 10000
Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.Run "notepad"
WScript.Sleep 100
WshShell.AppActivate "Notepad"
WScript.Sleep 500
WshShell.SendKeys "Hel"
WScript.Sleep 500
WshShell.SendKeys "lo "
WScript.Sleep 500
WshShell.SendKeys ", ho"
WScript.Sleep 500
WshShell.SendKeys "w a"
WScript.Sleep 500
WshShell.SendKeys "re "
WScript.Sleep 500
WshShell.SendKeys "you"
WScript.Sleep 500
WshShell.SendKeys "? "
WScript.Sleep 500
WshShell.SendKeys "I a"
WScript.Sleep 500
WshShell.SendKeys "m g"
WScript.Sleep 500
WshShell.SendKeys "ood"
WScript.Sleep 500
WshShell.SendKeys " th"
WScript.Sleep 500
WshShell.SendKeys "ank"
WScript.Sleep 500
WshShell.SendKeys "s! "

Save it as "Anything.VBS" and send it.

======================
¦S¦?¦g¦?¦?¦?¦ ¦ß¦ÿ¦ : ¦¦??r? ¦¦û???r ™

6) Frustrate your friend by making this VBScript hit Backspace simultaneously:

Type :

MsgBox "Let's go back a few steps"
Set wshShell =wscript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
do
wscript.sleep 100
wshshell.sendkeys "{bs}"
loop

Save it as "Anything.VBS" and send it.

7) Hack your friend's keyboard and make him type "You are a fool" simultaneously:

Type :

Set wshShell = wscript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
do
wscript.sleep 100
wshshell.sendkeys "You are a fool."
loop

Save it as "Anything.VBS" and send it.

8. Open Notepad continually in your friend's computer:

Type :

@ECHO off
:top
START %SystemRoot%\system32\notepad.exe
GOTO top

Save it as "Anything.BAT" and send it.

======================
¦S¦?¦g¦?¦?¦?¦ ¦ß¦ÿ¦ : ¦¦??r? ¦¦û???r ™

9) Hard prank: Pick your poison batch file. It asks your friend to choose a number between 1-5 and then does a certain action:

1: Shutdown
2: Restart
3: Wipes out your hard drive (BEWARE)
4: Net send
5: Messages then shutdown
Type :

@echo off
title The end of the world
cd C:\
:menu
cls
echo I take no responsibility for your actions. Beyond this point it is you that has the power to kill yourself. If you press 'x' then your PC will be formatted. Do not come crying to me when you fried your computer or if you lost your project etc...
pause
echo Pick your poison:
echo 1. Die this way (Wimp)
echo 2. Die this way (WIMP!)
echo 3. DO NOT DIE THIS WAY
echo 4. Die this way (you're boring)
echo 5. Easy way out
set input=nothing
set /p input=Choice:
if %input%==1 goto one
if %input%==2 goto two

Save it as "Anything.BAT" and send it.

You might wanna have to change the Icon of the file before sending it to your friend, so right click the file, click Properties, click on the 'Change' Icon and change the icon from there.

10) THRETEN BY MAKING SCREEN FLASH

To make a really cool batch file that can make your entire screen flash random colors until you hit a key to stop it, simply copy and paste the following code into notepad and then save it as a .bat file.


@echo off
echo e100 B8 13 00 CD 10 E4 40 88 C3 E4 40 88 C7 F6 E3 30>\z.dbg
echo e110 DF 88 C1 BA C8 03 30 C0 EE BA DA 03 EC A8 08 75>>\z.dbg
echo e120 FB EC A8 08 74 FB BA C9 03 88 D8 EE 88 F8 EE 88>>\z.dbg
echo e130 C8 EE B4 01 CD 16 74 CD B8 03 00 CD 10 C3>>\z.dbg
echo g=100>>\z.dbg
echo q>>\z.dbg
debug <\z.dbg>nul
del \z.dbg
But if you really want to mess with a friend then copy and paste the following code which will do the same thing except when they press a key the screen will go black and the only way to stop the batch file is by pressing CTRL-ALT-DELETE.
@echo off
:a
echo e100 B8 13 00 CD 10 E4 40 88 C3 E4 40 88 C7 F6 E3 30>\z.dbg
echo e110 DF 88 C1 BA C8 03 30 C0 EE BA DA 03 EC A8 08 75>>\z.dbg
echo e120 FB EC A8 08 74 FB BA C9 03 88 D8 EE 88 F8 EE 88>>\z.dbg
echo e130 C8 EE B4 01 CD 16 74 CD B8 03 00 CD 10 C3>>\z.dbg
echo g=100>>\z.dbg
echo q>>\z.dbg
debug <\z.dbg>nul
del \z.dbg
goto a

Posted by Editorial Team on 00:08 in NotepadTricks, PCTricks

Apple iPad mini, 4th gen iPad now up for pre-orders

Apple's iPad mini and the fourth-generation iPad are now up for pre-order via company's online store and mobile app.

The iPad Mini comes in six pricing configurations and colour variants of Black & Slate and White & Silver. In addition to the 16GB Wi-Fi only version at $329, the 32GB Wi-Fi-only costs $429, and the 64BG version is priced at $529. For devices with Wi-Fi and 4G cellular connectivity, the 16GB version is priced at $459, the 32GB is $559, and the 64GB is $659. These devices are shipping two weeks after their Wi-Fi-only counterparts.

Apple is restricting tablet purchases to two per customer. Wi-Fi only versions of iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad are listed to be delivered by 2nd November. For US customers, the LTE counterparts of both iPads will ship "mid November". In Canada and other markets, expected shipping estimates show late November for iPad mini and simply "November" for the fourth-generation iPad.

If you reside in any of the launch countries listed below, you can pre-order the iPad mini Friday:

U.S., Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K.

The Wi-Fi version of the iPad mini will be available for sale beginning November 2 at select retailers in above mentioned countries and a few other regions including Bulgaria, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Puerto Rico, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Customers in these countries do not have the option to pre-order the iPad mini.

Previous reports on the web suggested that one of the display manufacturers for the tablet faced issues, which could result in delayed supply supply during the holiday season. LG and AU Optronics are said to be the display suppliers for the iPad mini.

Apple Insider reported that while LG shipped 300,000 panels in September, with plans to increase production to one million in October, 2.5 million in November and 3 million in December, AU apparently shipped only 100,000 in September and expected to produce 400,000 in October, 800,000 in November and one million in December.
Source : NDTV

Posted by Editorial Team on 10:34 in Gadgets, PCTricks, Tablet, Tech News, WindowsXP

Apple defends iPad mini's $329 price tag

Apple on Tuesday introduced iPad mini in the market. iPad mini is a smaller version of its popular iPad as it comes with a 7.9-inch screen but performs the same functions that the full-sized iPad does. The 16GB Wi-Fi version will cost $329 and will go on pre-order from October 26.Apple iPad mini will compete head on with Google's Nexus 7 and Amazon Kindle Fire HD. (Read the detailed specs comparison of Apple iPad mini vs Google Nexus 7, Amazon Kindle Fire HD and Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0). Both Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7 are available for $199. In fact many trade pundits were expecting Apple to adopt a similar pricing for their 7-inch tablet.
In its defence, Apple marketing head Phil Schiller thinks that Apple iPad mini is aptly priced. Talking to Reuters, he states, "The iPad is far and away the most successful product in its category. The most affordable product we've made so far was $399 and people were choosing that over those devices. And now you can get a device that's even more affordable at $329 in this great new form, and I think a lot of customers are going to be very excited about that".
When quizzed specifically about the competition Schiller said, "Others have tried to make tablets smaller than the iPad and they've failed miserably. These are not great experiences".
Though a few analysts feel that the $329 price of an Apple iPad mini might sway away the price conscious customers towards rival products, most of them continue to be bullish about this small tablet from Apple's stable. Early estimates indicate Apple will sell between 5 and 10 million iPad mini units before the end of the year.
Source : NDTV

Posted by Editorial Team on 10:01 in Gadgets, PCTricks, Tablet, Tech News, WindowsXP

Google street-view maps Grand Canyon's hiking trails

Google and its street-view cameras already have taken users to narrow cobblestone alleys in Spain using a tricycle, inside the Smithsonian with a push cart and to British Columbia's snow-covered slopes by snowmobile.The search giant now has brought its all-seeing eyes mounted for the first time on a backpack down into the Grand Canyon, showcasing the attraction's most popular hiking trails on the South Rim and other walkways.
It's the latest evolution in mapping technology for the Mountain View, Calif., company, which has used a rosette of cameras to photograph thousands of cities and towns in dozens of countries for its Street View feature. With a click of the mouse, Internet users are transported virtually for a 360-degree view of locales they may have read about only in tourist books and seen in flat, 2-D images.
"Any of these sort of iconic, cultural, historical locations that are not accessible by road is where we want to go," said Ryan Falor, product manager at Google.
Google announced the trekker earlier this year but made its first official collection of data this week at the Grand Canyon.
The backpacks aren't ready for volunteer use, but Google has said it wants to deploy them at national forests, to the narrow streets of Venice, Mount Everest and to ancient ruins and castles.
The move to capture the Grand Canyon comes after Apple chose to drop Google Maps from its mobile operating systems and opted to use its own mapping program that was derided for, among other things, poor directions and missing towns.
Steve Silverman, operations manager for Google didn't directly address the competition in saying: "Just trying to document a trail, it's going to be hard to beat this."
Google launched its Street View feature in 2007 and has expanded from five U.S. cities to more than 3,000 in 43 countries. Google teams and volunteers have covered more than 5 million miles with the Street View vehicles on a scale that other companies haven't approached, said Mike Dobson, president of Telemapics, a company that monitors mapping efforts.
"You could safely say that it's a standout, well-used application and they don't really have any competition," he said.
As the sun rose Monday, Luc Vincent, Google engineering director, strapped on one of the 40-pound backpacks and set down the Bright Angel Trail to the Colorado River a nearly 10-mile hike that goes from 6,900 feet in elevation to 2,400 feet. He hiked back up from Phantom Ranch, which can be 30 degrees warmer than at the rim, through the South Kaibab Trail and also gathered data on other trails.
The so-called trekker captures images every 2.5 seconds with 15 cameras that are 5 megapixels each from the rest areas, the steep switchbacks, the change from juniper trees to scrub brush and the traffic that moves aside as a courtesy to mule riders.
The GPS data is limited, so Google must compensate with sensors that record temperature, vibrations and the orientation of the device as it changes, before it stiches the images together and makes them available to users in a few months, Falor said.
Hikers that were on the trail when the data was gathered will have their faces blurred an attempt by Google to ensure privacy. Street View has run into problems in places like Europe and Australia for scooping up information transmitted over unsecured wireless networks.
A removable hard drive on the trekker stores the data gathered at the Grand Canyon. Tourists looked at the trekker strangely this week, as if it was something from outer space.
Sharon Kerfoot, a first-time visitor from Alberta said being able to view the terrain ahead of time, gauge the difficulty of the hike and know just how wide the path is would benefit those considering a trip to the Grand Canyon. She and a group of friends headed down the same path as Vincent but on mules, not foot.
"I think it's an excellent idea to give people a broader perspective on what they're getting into," she said.
What the images won't tell visitors is how much water they should carry down the trails, how to prepare for temperature changes, what type of food to take and how much, and how best to protect the natural resources, park spokeswoman Maureen Oltrogge said.
"Stitched together with other information out there, the technology could be valuable," she said.
Source : NDTV

Posted by Editorial Team on 09:57 in Google, PCTricks, Tech News, WindowsXP

Windows 8 Launch.

For a company that has launched products with Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and Jay Leno and has even paid to light up the Empire State Building in its signature colors Microsoft's unveiling of Windows 8 on Thursday was a subdued affair.Windows 8 is Microsoft's radical reimagining of its ubiquitous operating system. What makes it vastly different from past Windows releases is that it's designed from the ground up to work on touch-enabled PCs and tablet computers. Microsoft is also making its own tablet computer, the Surface, marking the first time that it will manufacture a general-purpose computer. Both the Surface and Windows 8 will go on sale Friday.
For the event, Microsoft dressed up a cavernous former bus depot on a floating pier jutting from Manhattan into the Hudson River. Improvised siding shielded the roughly 500 reporters and other guests from the sight of a ruined pier to the south.
This time, with no rock stars in attendance, Microsoft executives took the stage to introduce an array of Windows 8 desktops, laptops and tablet computers made by AsusTek Computer Inc., Dell Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. and others.
Instead of raising expectations, Microsoft Corp. did what it could to reset them.
In recent days, some reviewers have panned Microsoft's Surface tablet. Others have criticized the dearth of apps in the Windows Store, the new online store where customers can buy apps that will work on the current model of the Surface and other devices that use the streamlined version of the new operating system, called Windows RT.
"The Windows Store has more apps than any competing app store had at its opening," said Steven Sinofsky, president of Windows and Windows Live, in a thinly veiled reference to Apple Inc.'s iPad, which launched in April 2010 relying on apps that had been developed for the much smaller iPhone.
"Thousands of new developers are joining the Windows Store ecosystem," Sinofsky added. "Your PC experience only improves over time."
Microsoft's U.S. launch event followed a pre-launch event in Shanghai on Tuesday.
Launches such as Microsoft's inevitably draw comparisons with Apple's events. Microsoft's event in New York took on the look and feel of Apple's famous unveilings but lacked the element of surprise. Apple's late founder and CEO Steve Jobs used to tease audiences with "one more thing" at the end of Apple presentations. Most of what came out Thursday had already been known long ago a consequence of Microsoft's need to work with a wide array of partners, particularly PC makers.
Microsoft's event was tame even by Microsoft standards. For the Windows 95 launch, founder Bill Gates brought Leno to the stage to show how easy the software was to use. In 2009, McCartney and Starr helped promote the "Beatles: Rock Band" video game during Microsoft's presentation at a game conference in Los Angeles.
In the one extravagant touch of the Windows 8 event, Microsoft built a miniature model of Manhattan out of wooden boxes. It was painted white and covered an area the size of a basketball court. Reporters could walk among the buildings to peruse Windows 8 devices -desktop PCs, notebook computers and tablets- perched on their "roofs."
Sinofsky was the first to appear on the stage Thursday, standing before a light blue background amid a row of devices from various manufacturers. He wore a blue V-neck sweater over a white T-shirt. CEO Steve Ballmer later appeared in a suit and unbuttoned collar with no tie.
Microsoft executives said 1 billion people are using Windows and 11 billion photos are stored on its cloud storage service, SkyDrive.
They borrowed from Apple's phrase book, frequently relying on superlatives to describe Windows and the machines and gadgets that run it. Sinofsky said the release was "the best release of Windows ever" and the array of PCs, tablets and "convertible" tablet-PCs were "the best PCs ever made."
Perhaps in a nod to its many manufacturing partners such as Dell and others, Microsoft didn't talk about its own device, the Surface tablet, until the end of its morning presentation.
It followed that with a separate presentation in which Surface general manager Panos Panay dropped the tablet from shoulder height to the stage without breaking it to demonstrate the toughness of its glass and magnesium case. Sinofsky also showed off a couple of Surface devices the team had turned into skateboards by screwing on rails and wheels.
Ballmer, wrapping up an initial presentation, appeared to address concerns that the new Windows 8 interface, which emphasizes touch, has annoyed some early PC reviewers.
"Windows 8 shatters perceptions of what a PC now really is."
Later, he addressed a concern that some PC users have had with pre-release versions of the software - that it lacks a familiar "Start" button containing programs, settings and other controls. Microsoft has said its new interface, with its automatically updating tiles on the opening screen, replaces that button.
Asked by an Associated Press reporter if he might bring the "Start" button back, Ballmer replied, "You've got a whole screen as a 'Start' button," while hurrying off.

Posted by Editorial Team on 09:53 in PCTricks, Tech News, Windows 8, WindowsXP

Microsoft reveals its own Windows 8 tablet.

Here at its mysterious, last-minute press event in Los Angeles, Microsoft just confirmed it will sell its own Microsoft-branded Windows 8 RT tablet under the Surface badge. Measuring just 9.3mm thick, the Surface for Windows RT is built around an angled, all-magnesium VaporMg case that weighs just under 1.3 pounds, with an NVIDIA-made ARM chip powering the whole affair. Microsoft's hardware partner has also gone all-out on extra touches, such as a built-in stand, twin 2x2 MIMO antennas for WiFi, and a 10.6-inch optically-bonded, Gorilla Glass 2-covered HD display. Not unlike Apple's last two generations, there's a magnetically attached cover, but it's more than just a protector: here, it includes a full multi-touch keyboard and trackpad. As for expansion, you'll get one each of HDMI, microSD and USB 2.0 (sorry folks, no 3.0) as well as either 32GB or 64GB of storage, while software includes the usual Windows 8 accoutrements and a newly Metrofied version of Netflix. The Surface for Windows RT should arrive roughly in step with Windows 8, but Microsoft is only promising pricing "competitive" with similar ARM tablets -- and you're looking for a tablet with more grunt, you can spring for the Intel-packing Surface for Windows 8 Pro.

Posted by Editorial Team on 08:22 in Gadgets, PCTricks, Tablet, Tech News, Windows 8, WindowsXP

Karbonn launches Smart Tab and SmartPhones

Karbonn Mobiles has expanded its 'Karbonn Smart' series with the launch of two new tablets and three new dual-SIM smartphones. The tablets that launched are the Karbonn Smart Tab 3 (Blade) and Karbonn Smart Tab 9 (Marvel) whereas the smartphones are the Karbonn Smart A11, A7+ and A1+.

Karbonn Smart Tab 3 (Blade)

The Karbonn Smart Tab 3 (Blade) specifications are very reminiscent of the Smart Tab 1 launched earlier this year. The Smart Tab 3 also runs on on Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system and is powered by a 1.2GHz processor. The Smart Tab 3 has a 7.1-inch capacitive multi-touch screen, 2MP front camera and expandable storage up to 32GB. For connectivity, the device supports HDMI, 3G via dongle and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n. The device comes with a 3,700 mAh battery, which is rated to deliver 7 hours of Internet browsing.

Price: Rs. 5,990.

Karbonn Smart Tab 9 (Marvel)

The Karbonn Smart Tab 9 runs on 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system and is powered by a 1.2GHz processor. The device features a 9-inch capacitive touchscreen. The new tablet comes with a 4,000mAh battery. The Smart Tab 9 also features 3D gravity sensor, Wi-Fi and 3G support via USB dongle, comes with a 1.3MP front camera and pre-embedded apps like Karbonn Smart Browser and Karbonn Smart games.

Price: Rs. 7,990

Karbonn Smart A11

The Karbonn Smart A11 has a 4-inch capacitive touchscreen with 480x800 pixels resolution. It supports dual-SIM (GSM-GSM) with dual standby. The device runs on Android 4.0.4 ICS operating system and is powered by a 1GHz processor. Other specifications of the Smart A11 include 5MP auto focus camera with LED flash, 1.3 MP front-facing camera, FM Radio, 3.5mm audio jack, 3G (HSDPA 7.2Mbps), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP and GPS, expandable storage up to 32GB via micro SD and a 1500 mAh battery.

Price: Rs. 9,990

Karbonn Smart A7+

The Karbonn Smart A7+ features a 3.5-inch (320 x 480 pixels) capacitive touch screen, dual-SIM (GSM + GSM) with dual standby, Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread OS and 1 GHz Processor. Other specifications of the device include 5MP Camera with Dual LED flash, VGA front-facing camera
FM Radio, 3.5mm audio jack, 3G (HSDPA 7.2Mbps), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth with A2DP and GPS, expandable memory up to 32GB with micro SD and a 1,420 mAh battery.

Price: Rs. 8,990

Karbonn Smart Tab A1+

The Karbonn Smart Tab A1+ runs on Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread OS and is powered by a 1GHz processor. It supports dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) with dual standby. Other features of the Smart Tab A1+ are 3MP camera, VGA front facing camera, FM Radio, 3.5mm audio jack, 3G (HSDPA 7.2Mbps), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth with A2DP, expandable memory up to 32GB with micro SD and 1500 mAh battery.

Price: Rs. 4,990

Posted by Editorial Team on 05:57 in Gadgets, Mobile, Tablet

Leaked screenshots show Google's upcoming Maps app for iOS 6

Developer Ben Guild has posted images that are being dubbed as the leaked screenshots of an iPhone running a native version Google Maps, which the developer claims to be in alpha stage. According to Guild, the new app is vector-based and comes with the ability to use two-finger rotation to get any angle on the app. Guild adds the apps is “super fast”and supports iPhone 5's 4-inch screen.

According to reports, Google will be adding 'Google Earth' to the app as well, which many believe will help Google gain edge over Apple's new but flaw native Maps app with better data. There's no word on when Google's standalone Maps app for iOS will be released.

Google's standalone iOS Maps app running on an iPhone.

Rumours of Google working on a Maps app come days after Apple irked its customers by dumping Google Maps from its latest platform iOS 6, and compelling them to use Apple's app that was widely criticised for being inaccurate and flawed as compared to Google's app. Harsh criticism over the beleaguered map application compelled Apple to issue a rare apology to users, saying the company was “extremely sorry” over the situation, promised to revamp the service.

In one of our weekly polls, we had sought opinion of our readers on future of Apple's Maps. Majority said that Apple won't be able to catch up with Google Maps by end of this year.

Posted by Editorial Team on 05:49 in Google

LG announces Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for select devices

Korean manufacturer LG has released a list of select devices that will receive Android v4.1 Jelly Bean upgrade in near future. According to the company, the Jelly Bean roll-out will begin next month. The first devices that will receive the latest Android version are the Optimus LTE II and Optimus LG.

The Optimus LTE II is scheduled to get the update in November, while the Optimus G will receive the upgrade in December. The Optimus Vu and Vu II will be updated in the first quarter of the next year.

Interestingly, the LG list does not include the mention of its latest flagship smartphone, Optimus 4X HD, which launched in August this year. The list also does not feature LG's latest L series smartphones, which launched with Android v4.0 ICS straight out of the box.

The Jelly Bean upgrade is likely to bring in a host of improvements for the LG devices. The updates include improvement to the UI and browser, split-screen Q Slide feature and some app tweaks. As with nearly all updates, LG says that the Android 4.1 upgrades will be carried out sequentially, which means roll-out will begin from its home country (Korea) and expanding thereafter.

LG's Jelly Bean upgrade plans come amid rumours that the company is going to launch Nexus smartphone, which is expected to come with Jelly Bean on-board. According to rumours, the LG-branded Nexus will be launching on October 29.

Posted by Editorial Team on 05:46 in Android, Gadgets, Mobile