Review � Developments on Windows Phone Mango�s Games Hub Revealed

Microsoft has introduced the latest developments on its Windows Phone Mango, particularly with its new Games Hub. One of the biggest changes on the Hub is that it now features that were used to be relegated to a separate Xbox Live Extras app. This includes Xbox Live messaging, integrated achievements, and the ability to edit the user�s Xbox Live profile down to its fully animated 3D avatars. Players can even compare their achievements with their friends.

The 3D avatars even move depending on how the user treats the Windows Phone. Shaking the phone would make the avatar dance or even faint; abusing the phone too much and the avatar might even lash out at the user.

Another improvement is the Hub�s Collection view that lets users manage their installed Windows Phone games more easily. Games are used to be sorted alphabetically, featuring the icon on the left of the list and the name on the right. Now, if the phone has more than 20 games, the list would feature the last three titles the user has played.

Seeing these developments make me more excited about its Fall release.

Source: Windows Team Blog, via Engadget

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Review � Vizio 8 Inch Tablet

While the tablet market today has become one of the more competitive markets for devices out there, that doesn�t stop many companies from trying to get their own tablet versions out there. Btu while they may have all the attractive features, it seems that their expected prices may not be something that almost anyone can afford. If tablet makers would want to attract a customer base, then having a more affordable price point would surely do that. That is what Vizio did by coming up with its own 8-inch Vizio Tablet.

Vizio is more known for its good quality yet inexpensive TV sets. It has now come up with the Vizio Tablet that was initially designed to sync up with its Vizio home theater line to function like a universal remote control. But the Vizio Tablet is an interesting piece of device in itself.

The Vizio Tablet may be comparable to features of most tablets that are currently out there- a 1GHz processor, 8-inch touchscreen display, 512MB RAM and 4GB internal storage with microSD support for up to 32GB. It also runs on the Android Gingerbread OS. But what probably may be more interesting for most people is that the Vizio Tablet will just cost around US$350. That�s quite a bargain compared to the prices of the current line of tablets out there. While most people would surely not line up at Walmart around next month when it comes out like the Apple crowd did with the iPad, the Vizio Tablet would at least get the attention of the would-want-a-tablet-but-can�t-afford-it crowd.

Image Source: Engadget

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Review � Magellan RoadMate 5175T-LM Lets You Plan Your Day

Magellan is not gonna give up on providing a standalone GPS navigator, a category slowly being beaten by GPS apps in smartphones. It has recently introduced the Magellan RoadMate 5175T-LM, a smartphone-like device with full WVGA display, WiFi, native web browser, and AAA TourBook app complete with Diamond ratings.

The RoadMate 5175T-LM can be viewed on both portrait and landscape modes, adapting to personal viewing preference. Its 5-inch high-resolution touchscreen displays free Lifetime Map Updates, Lifetime Traffic Alerts, automatic updates, and other features. The TourDirector lets users choose attractions and plan the day�s itinerary by searching for venues of interest within the local area.

The cost: $299.99. Pretty expensive if you ask me, but I�m not gonna discourage you from buying it.

Source: Engadget

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Review � Card.io Turns Your Smartphone Camera into a Mobile Payment Tool

Not liking how you would have to purchase a separate device to scan that credit card for your mobile payments? Does typing all the credit card information onto the phone too time consuming for you? Card.io has heard you! This SDK utilizes the smartphone cameras to accept credit cards. All you have to do is to pull out the credit card, get the Card.io running (which would automatically turns on the phone�s camera), out pop a little green rectangle, frame the card into it, and snap a photo.

The credit card info is then processed by a third-party merchant. The details are then deleted from the phone once transaction is complete. The Card.io for iOS is now available for developers who are interested in using it for their apps. An Android version of the kit will be released soon after.

Source: PC Mag

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Review � Nokia�s First Windows Phone Leaked

During an event, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop asked a crowd to �put away their cameras.� Apparently, he was about to unveil something �super confidential.� As it turns out, it is a Nokia smartphone that runs on Windows Phone 7 Mango that goes by the code name �Sea Ray.� Pinch me, I might be dreaming.

Of course, not everyone is foolish enough to follow Mr. Elop�s request. Within hours, leaked photos and videos of the secret phone were released into the blogosphere. The Sea Ray looks just like the just-unveiled Nokia N9, although the LED flash is placed differently on the back plus it has an additional hardware button on the side.

You can check out the full, sneakily-recorded video at the source link.

Source: Engadget

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