apple pair

Nicole and Robbie just suffered a bitter break up. It was not particularly anybody’s fault. After college Robbie had to come down to Houston while Nicole stayed back with her parents in New Jersey. They tried to keep the flame alive for couple of months but that was not easy. Skype schedules, long distance calls and FB pages were not good enough to keep their two and half years’ relation warm. Pity, they didn’t have Pair at that time.

We are talking about the new iPhone app ‘Pair’. It gives new hope to all lovers who are staying far away from partners. It allows you to save your long cherished relations.

Distance is always an enemy in any relation. After a certain time, it becomes impossible to bear the pain. Many of us try to maintain the warmth through long distance calls, text messaging, FB or twitter; but they have their limitations. They cannot allow you those private moments you enjoyed when you were together. However, ‘Pair’ can.

How it works

It works on the basis of privately shared timeline. You get this app on both the iPhones and pair with each other and start enjoying private moments away from public glare. It has some common functionalities of social networking sites and few unique features. Let’s see them.

1. You can share video, audio, messages, location information and photos with paired iPhone. Think of a scenario. You have to attend an evening party and not sure what to wear. Earlier, your boyfriend would have made the choice easy for you, but is he away from you now. With paired iPhone you can share photo or video instantly for his feedback. You can also share videos of private moments.

2. We do lot of funny stuffs when we are together with our loves. No long distance call or text messaging can substitute those experiences. This app has a unique feature of shared sketching. During your shared timeline, both of you can sketch together. Drawings help to express lot of emotions. So, you start a sketch and ask your lover to take the sketch ahead.

3. You can make a ‘thumb-kiss’. Pair allows to touch of each other (wow! not exactly though). You get a spot on the screen. When both of you touch that spot, phones start vibrating. Sound pretty phony indeed!

4. Developer of this app is also trying to introduce exotic games and activities in this platform. That will allow lovers to enjoy private gaming sessions.

5. Besides, you can post infinite number of ‘I miss you’ whenever you feel like.

This app is pretty simple. You can easily un-pair and re-pair two iPhones through this app. However, you can pair with only one at a time. So, get your relation a Pair. Next time when you’ll need to live away from your love, you won’t find it hard anymore. It’s like you are carrying a piece of shared time always with you.

About the author: Alia Haley is a blogger who also happens to be a tech buff. She loves spending on tech stuff and recently bought a new sony ericsson w8 Smartphone. She is a game freak too. Recently she is writing an article on red tibetan mastiff.

cod black ops 2

Fans Rejoice! : Call of Duty: Black Ops II will be out on November 13, 2012 !

The unique game has a couple scenes in the 1980s, but it moves on to an almost future in which a terrorist leader has hacked into America’s military techniques and hijacked a particular whole fleet of drones.  In Call of Duty: Black color Ops II, not merely definitely will the action be more realistic than ever, however players’ choices in the principal story will have some sort of effect on just how Mason’s story plays away, creating a more immerse gaming experience than ever seen prior to within a Call of Responsibility game.

The game will feature special ‘Strike Force’ missions that are offered as a choice to the player during the campaign.  the longevity & playability of this game is all centered in the multi-player mode.

If this game wasn’t dead to me before, it is now.  I love Battlefield and the game is incredibly fun, but it is surely not perfect.  In part, that means that they’re focusing on making the game more fun to watch as a spectator.

But really, COD is just adapting and additionally adding every one of the the stuff Popular Mechanics performances you the military has or perhaps definitely will have in a several years, things Kojima earned use of way prior to anyone else, however its nevertheless technically fair game.

They are just merely providing a wallpaper download at this moment for users. It is pretty weird as Amazon are one of the retailers to get marvelous pre-order offers.

Total, credit has got to generally be given to Treyarch for not simply generating a fast tie-in work here, though in my opinion, the  Call of Duty  system is showing its age these days, because texture work and also the surroundings allow a chunk to generally be desired. Of course, this being a presumably early development of the game, it can generally be surmised that the vision presentation of the game will likely to be improved since we see more of the game down the line.

Still, there’s always a way out and you can just use Finder’s  possibility to show hidden files. You won’t have to make certain files visible again. So, even if you have several hidden files, you can manage them quite easily. But first of all, let’s see how to hide a file:

1. You can hide a file by renaming it so that the files have a period as the first character in the file name. Besides this, a Finder flag can be attributed to those files which, thus, won’t be displayed under normal browsing conditions.

2. To set the Finder Flag to a file, just type “chflags hidden” (without the quotation mark) after opening the Terminal utility. The file you want to hide must be dragged to the Terminal window. This way, the path of the file will be automatically added to the end of the command.

3. After doing so, just hit Return and the file should now be hidden. In case you want to undo this, type the same command and by using the arrow keys, switch from “hidden” to “nohidden”.

4. Copy and paste the following command in the Finder and you will reveal the hidden files.

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles True;killall Finder

To make the files hidden again, you will have to type the same command but change “True” to “False”. You can use OnyX, Show Hidden Files or MacPilot as well to reveal the hidden files.

5. If you find the method above a little difficult to remember and you’d like to go for an easier method to manage hidden files, then you can sequester all the files you want to be hidden in a single folder. To put all of them in a folder that you will hide, you will have to go to the desired location and create a folder. The newly created file you see in the image below is named “HiddenSecrets”.

6. Hide this newly created folder by using the Finder Flag method. To access this hidden folder, just use “Go To Folder” from Finder. This way, the hidden folder will be seen in the Finder and the hidden files on your computer won’t be revealed. You can use this hidden folder to copy files to or from it. Once the Finder window is closed, the folder will be hidden again. To see it again, just use Finder’s Go menu.

That’s what StartupEye has been created for. This nifty tool will run in the background and will let you know when a program will try to add itself to the Windows Startup. This way, you will no longer have to worry about programs adding themselves to the Windows Startup without your permission.

Still, in order for you to enjoy no delays in the boot time, StartupEye will add itself to the Startup but this is something you can deal with taking into account the great advantages you will enjoy later. However, StartupEye is a light tool, so it won’t affect the boot time too much.

You will be notified each time a program tries to change the Windows registry once you run StartupEye in the background.

Information related to the Registry Sub keys edited by the program will be displayed in these instant notifications. You will also see the file location as well as the date/time stamp of that program. If you want that specific program to be kept in the startup process, then you’ll have to hit OK. If you want to remove it, just click Delete.

StartupEye will not only help you monitor the programs that change the Windows registry but it will also give you the possibility to remove or keep those programs in the Windows process. Another option you could also go for when delaying startup programs is Quick Startup.

1. Begin with downloading and installing Boomerang. Make sure you reload Gmail after the add-on loads.

2. Now write the message you will schedule to be sent later.  After you’ve done writing, just click the “Send later” button that you’ll find next to the “Send” button.

3. Choose the time interval you want to send the message .

4. If you have a message you’d like to be resent as a reminder, you’ll have to enable the “Boomerang this message…” option. You will also have to choose the time interval before resending. Select whether a reply is important or not.

Using Boomerang is nothing complicated and you will get 10 free scheduled messages/month. If the number of messages you want to schedule is greater than that, then you will have to go for a subscription.

This Movie Maker enables you to create videos using photos and aside from doing this, it can also be used as a movie cutter. Maybe you want to share a certain fragment from a video you’ve just recorded  or maybe you just want to have a separate video file of the most important part of your graduation speech. Here’s where Movie Maker comes in handy.

Make sure you install the video codecs that are needed before getting started. Once you’ve finished installing them, you can start by following the steps below:

1. The first thing to do is to launch the Movie Maker.

2. In order to add the video file you want to edit, click the “Click here to browse for videos and photos” option. The video can also be added by dragging and dropping it.

3. After the video file to be cut is added, Movie Maker will analyze it and then display its frame.

4. You will now have to go to that frame of your video that you want to choose as starting point. The preview player or the video timeline can be used here.

5. Once you’ve made up your mind regarding the frame to be used as the starting point, you will have to right click on it and then select the Set Start Point option. Below this option, there’s the Set End Point option. Use it when you’ve chosen the frame of the video you want to set as end point.

6. Preview the new video and see whether you’ve cut it the way you wanted. Go to the main menu and use the Save Movie option to save your video.

You will now be able to share it with your friends and you can even upload it on YouTube.

The past decade or so has seen huge changes to the way we shop, thanks to e-commerce and online retail. But that is just the beginning. We are on the verge of a tremendous revolution in the way we shop.  As physical retail spaces become more virtual and smart businesses find more ways to get you the exact item you desire; with less or no waiting time.  Everyone feels that time is precious and this would definitely be beneficial to us.  Several innovations from augmented reality to 3D printers are already changing the way we think about browsing and shopping.

Here are 10 futuristic shopping experiences in the real world. They have all been created quite recently, and most of them are the ones you can visit today.

korea subway

1. Tesco Virtual Supermarket in Korean Subway Station

The British supermarket chain and advertising agency Cheil came up with a unique shopping experience in a South Korean subway station.  Consumers could conveniently shop for groceries instead of just standing around waiting for the next train.  Here is how it works.  A wall-sized billboard shows pictures of common grocery items and technologically; you can scan the QR codes of each item using your Smartphone.  These groceries are delivered to your home within the same day once it is being purchased.  This is indeed an effective way of shopping and saving time.

Surefoot

2. Surefoot

You will really want your ski boots to be comfy and a pair that fits properly when you are racing down a mountain slide at 100 miles per hour.  This is where Surefoot, which can be purchased at a number of locations, comes in!

They are specially created to customize ski boots perfectly tailored exactly to your feet, right on the spot. The process includes scanning every contour of your feet with a special scanner to create the orthotics that go right into the boot.  Then; a custom shell is created exactly the right size and shape.  Finally, with the touch of lining in minutes using special foam that creates a “negative” of every bump and contour on each foot.  This is to ensure ultimate fitting for your feet. You will end up with a totally unique ski boots that fit comfortably just for you!

3. Intel’s Connected Store.

This is a concept store but it could exist in the real world in the near date as Intel has already developed the technology for it.  Soon enough, you’ll be seeing more interactive billboards that project images onto a glass, adding smart kiosks and self-service point-of-sale pads.  Instead of just regular billboards and signs letting you know what is on sale in the store, you will see signs customized to you based on the information on your Smartphone.

This “smart store” will also save energy by powering down unnecessary devices.

apple retail store

4. The Apple Store

Apple’s shiny glass and steel boxes may be omnipresent but they have made some major innovations in the retail industry.  Partly, there is just the spare with open design in which clutter has been minimized and the space appears calm and peaceful.

However; there is the fact that every sales associate can check you out right on the floor, using an iPhone as a cash register and swiping your credit card on the spot using Square’s point-of-sale technology.  (Some retailers are letting you pay via Square without pulling out your credit card, transferring payments just using your phone.)  Now we call that the art of convenience at the touch of advance technology.

The Cupcake ATM

5. The Cupcake ATM

‘Seriously, why isn’t there one of these near my house?  I would go there every night, around three in the morning’.

Sprinkles Cupcakes is launching a “cupcake ATM” at its Beverly Hills location which is sort of like an old-school automat.  Imagine getting your hands on freshly baked cupcakes at any hour of the day!  Yes; 24 hours a day! As Sprinkles’ Nicole Schwartz explained to the Atlantic Cities;

“The machine is attached to our bakery, which is essentially a 24-hour operation. By the time our closers leave at night, it’s 11 p.m. and our bakers arrive in the wee hours of the morning (2 or 3 a.m.). We’ll constantly be restocking the automat with freshly baked cupcakes so the cupcake you receive will only have been baked a couple hours earlier”.

These “cupcake ATMs” will soon be opened in 10 cities across America.

flatflat store japan

6. The “Flatflat” Store in Harajuku, Tokyo

This store is not just an insanely cool building but it also merges virtuality and reality in a super innovative way.  It lets customers experience an online games portal, the Hangame.

It is based on the concept of “the Future Park,” in which virtual elements are combined with a real physical space, the “curved cave forms,” white walls and neon light tubes are supposed to arouse your curiosity and lead you deeper into the space. The curved neon tubes will certainly draw your attention to various areas within the store. These features are indeed intriguing and fascinating form of luring one into the store.

7. Materialise.com

This one is a bit different!  3D printers are on the verge of transforming retail as they become more affordable and the materials that will be used become more versatile. Probably within the next year, you will start to see more retail outlets that let you bring in a CAD design and then enable you to walk out later on that same day with the finished item.

Although for now; the closest you can come to is Materialise’s huge facility of prototyping machines.  They claim to have the largest rapid prototyping and manufacturing facility in the world.  Thus, they can make anything and send it to you right away.

There is also Shapeways which can create whatever you want, from jewellery to gadgets.

magic mirror

8. The “Magic Mirror”

This one could be everywhere soon but for now, it has just been tested at one shopping centre in Manchester, UK.  The “magic mirror” lets you try on clothes without getting naked or even going inside a fitting room. Speaking of saving time, effort and sparing you from having to go through unwanted hassle; this device uses movement sensors and a special depth-sensing camera, similar to what is used by an xBox, to judge your body size and shape.

It shows you how various styles and colors of clothing will look on your body. You can try on clothes from several different retailers inside the shopping center and buy the actual clothes on the spot once decided.

Fiesta Mart

9. Fiesta Mart in Houston, TX

A bit older and sadly no longer exists.  In 1989, the Fiesta Mart in Houston became a tourist destination because of its innovative retail experience, including a 10,000 square foot hydroponic garden sloping upwards along one wall. The garden included “seven levels for growing, with another 2,000 square feet for seedlings,” according to the Victoria Advocate.

Unfortunately, Fiesta Mart was bought out in 2004, by which that time the in-store hydroponic wall had been shuttered already.

10. 3D virtual home remodelling with 3DVIA

This one is still just a concept, but it is coming your way!   You will be able to build a 3D computer model of your house, and then preview how different remodelling options and add-ons will look. You can see how it will look if you knock down a wall or expand the kitchen outwards or in any way you want the house to be seen.

This will totally change how you talk to home builders about renovating your space!

halo 4

Microsoft has announced the next iteration into the Halo Universe, the Halo 4, which will be released on the 6^th of November worldwide exclusively on the Xbox 360.

The release date already been rumoured yesterday, with Microsoft issuing numerous tweets that painted a rather suggestive picture.  It was also circulated that Microsoft would be pulling in the power of Conon O’Brien for the announcement.

“We are beginning a new saga with Halo 4 and embarking on a journey that will encompass the next decade of Halo games and experiences,” commented Microsoft Studios VP Phil Spencer.

“Millions of fans worldwide have been eargerly awaiting the opportunity to step back into the boots of Master Chief, and with Halo 4 leading the charge, we’re confident 2012 will be the most successful year in the Xbox history.”

This announcement puts Halo at a much later release date than what we’ve come to typically expect from the franchise.  Prior to this announcement, the company has chosen to release the Halo franchise towards the end of the Summer in September.

The release date, 6^th of November, could put Halo 4 firmly against any new Call of Duty title, should there be one.  Halo 4 could also be foreseen to directly be competing with the next Medal of Honor title from EA, as well as Bioshock Infinite, both of which will be released a week or two beforehand.

Microsoft certainly hopes that the strength of the Halo franchise will shine through or perhaps they know something that we as consumers don’t.  Either way, the holiday season is a definite exciting time for Halo fans especially with the new gameplay changes and modes that have been announced by 343 Industries, the game’s developer.

Windows 8 logo

Washington:  Software giant Microsoft has  recently announced three different editions of its upcoming operating system Windows 8.

The latest operating system will come in three versions; Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows RT.

Basically; each version accommodate to different  purpose.  Windows 8 is specially created for home PCs and laptops, Windows 8 Pro for the enthusiasts and professionals whereas Windows RT is ideal for devices running low-power Arm processors such as tablet devices and lightweight ultrabooks.

The Telegraph reported that Brandon le Blanc, head of the communications at Windows announced the birth of the versions on the official Microsoft blog, and said that they have worked to make it easier for customers to know what edition will work best for them.

“Windows 8 has all the flexibility you need.  You can use a touchscreen or a keyboard and mouse-and switch anytime you want.  Its beautiful, fast and fluid design is perfect for a wide range of hardware,” Blanc added.

Windows RT is the first version of Windows designed for tablets.  According to the report, it will come pre-installed on computers and tablets powered by Arm processors and will include a touchscreen-based version of Microsoft Office as standard.  This would enable the users to be familiar with what they have been using associated to Microsoft all these while.

Windows 8 is the standard, consumer-based model that will run on most new home computers, while Windows 8 Pro will include extra features such as file encryption, virtualisation of operating systems and domain management.

They not only get annoying but they can compromise your PC and degrade your web browsing. Therefore, if you’re an Internet Explorer user and you would like to get rid of the toolbars you got stuck with, then here’s a guide to help you do that:

1. The first thing to do is to launch Internet Explorer and go to Tools. Once you’re here, just click on “Manage-Add-ons”. Press the “Alt” key to get to this menu if you’re a Windows Vista/7 user.

2. By following the instructions mentioned in step 1, you will get to the Manage Add-ons window. You’ll see that under “Add-On” types, there’s the  “Toolbars and Highlights” option that you will have to select.

3. Now highlight “All add-ons ” that’s under the “Show” drop-down menu.

4. The next thing to do is to hit “Disable” after you’ve selected the toolbar to be removed.

5. You should now see a warning telling you that all the add-ons and services related will be disabled, too. Make sure you don’t uncheck those items, hit OK and then click on Close in order to dismiss the add-ons window.

You should no longer see that toolbar in Internet Explorer. Moreover, certain toolbars can be completely removed from your PC just like any other program. Check the instructions below to see how you can do that:

1. From the Start menu, go to Windows Control Panel and click on “Programs and Features”.

2. Find the toolbar to be eliminated in the uninstall window. Highlight it when you find it and then hit Uninstall.

3. You will see other instructions that will help you remove the toolbar completely. Make sure you follow them and there you go! Your computer should now be free of all those unwanted toolbars.