Nikon Signs Android Patent Agreement With Microsoft

Microsoft has announced that Nikon has signed a patent agreement with Microsoft, relating to Google’s Android OS, the patents are related to Android being used on Nikon’s cameras.
Nikon joins a host of other companies who have signed patent deals with Microsoft, as Microsoft owns a number of patents which are apparently used by Google’s Android OS

“Microsoft and Nikon have a long history of collaboration, and this agreement further demonstrates the value that both companies place on responsible IP licensing,” said David Kaefer, general manager of Intellectual Property (IP) Licensing at Microsoft. “Microsoft is proud to align with a leader in the digital camera industry to license Android technology for the benefit of Nikon’s customers.”
You can find out more information about the deal over at Microsoft.

TransPhone 2 Launching Later This Year In Three Flavours

Some of our readers might remember the TransPhone, TransPad system we first featured here on Geeky Gadgets back in May 2011, which allows you to dock your smartphone into a tablet, this week its developers have announced TransPhone 2.
The new TransPhone 2 system is currently being developed for launch later this year, in three versions, a Basic, Pro and Pro+ smartphones that will be avaialble with a larger TransPad tablet equipped with an 8 inch or 10 inch IPS screen.

The Basic TransPhone 2 phone will come equipped with a 4-inch 845 × 480 resolution TFT screen,  powered by a  1GHz (dual-core) processor, supported by 512MB of RAM, 4GB on-board storage, 8GB of internal storage, and fitted with a 5 megapixel rear camera, front-facing camera, running Google’s latest Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system.
The systems TransPad will provide a resolution of 1024×768 and will be equipped with a 4,000 mAh battery for a total of 5,500 mAh with the smartphone docked. It will be priced at $299
The TransPhone 2 Pro has 1GB of RAM, and 8GB onboard, with 32 GB on the preinstalled internal SD card, but instead of a TFT screen the Pro smartphone and tablet are equipped with IPS screens, and are expected to cost around $399.
Finally the TransPhone 2 Pro+ offers 32 GB on board storage together with 32 GB of internal SD card, as well as being fitted with a 3 megapixel front-facing camera and Gorilla glass on both the smartphone and TransPad, and will be available for about $449

PS4 May Not Allow Used Games After All

As far as gaining mindshare ahead of  launch for next generation consoles goes, blocking used games seems to be one of the bigger issues. The Xbox 720 is reportedly deploying one such solution and the Wii U does no such thing for the moment.  But as far as the newly unveiled PS4, uncertainty still looms, mostly due to Sony’s evasive responses when faced with the question from press, as well as a fairly vague statement on the matter.

 “We are just now announcing the basic vision and strategy of PS4,” Sony said in a statement, “and will have more information to share regarding used games later this year. But PlayStation has a long history of keeping its gamers happy and we won’t make decisions that damage our relationship with them.”

Martian Pink Samsung GALAXY Note II hits Korea

You might remember that back in September, Samsung released a “Martian Pink” version of the Samsung Galaxy S III in Korea. That color must have been a huge success in the country, because Samsung is going Martian pink with the Samsung GALAXY Note II as well

 All three major carriers in South Korea have the phablet in the new color. I’ve never seen pink on Mars, but according to Samsung, they took the name from a rare diamond which was named from a U.S.satellite that landed on Mars in 1976. You learn something new every day around here.
The story of the Mars landing inspired Harry Winston, a jeweler, to find a way to cut a diamond so as to make the pink color stand out.