Google Wallet Officially Launched For Sprint Users

Google has officially launched Google Wallet—an app that when paired with your your Citi MasterCard credit card or the Google Prepaid Card turns your phone into a wallet.
The application, first announced in May, was described in a Google post posted earlier today.

While the application is initially limited to Citi MasterCard users Google has that they have teamed with Visa, Discover and American Express to add their cards to future versions of Google Wallet. Google said it would begin rolling out Google Wallet to Nexus S customers through an over-the-air update; customers need to look for the "Wallet" app on the phone.

The Google Wallet works with the MasterCard PayPass payment system and works similarly to any current PayPass credit card. The application utilize wireless Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to communicate to PayPass terminals. Users simply swipe their Nexus S phone close to the payment terminal, enter a PIN in the application and payment is enabled.

uTorrent Site Hacked Software Replaced With Ransomware

Anyone having visited and downloaded uTorrent, the popular bit-torrent client, yesterday, should immediately scan their computer for a possible infection as the site was compromised by hackers who then replaced the uTorrent software download with a rogue antivirus program that demanded payment from users in order to remove non-existent malware from their machines.

A statement from BitTorrent officials posted on their blog yesterday, and updated today, confirmed they the site was hacked and the software replaced with a rather nasty piece of scareware.

"We have completed preliminary testing of the malware. Upon installation, a program called ‘Security Shield” launches and pops up warnings that a virus has been detected. It then prompts a user for payment to remove the virus. We recommend anyone who downloaded software between 4:20 a.m. and 6:10 a.m. Pacific time run a security scan of their computer. Clarification: This only affects users who downloaded software specifically from utorrent.com between the hours above this morning. Users who previously downloaded our software are not affected."

File Removal Instructions

This particular piece of malware renames itself as a different .exe file every time it installs on a new machine. Therefore, first you need to determine the file name. To do this, visit the following File Directory on your Windows hard drive:

Windows XP: Click Start, click Run, and then type in “%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\” without the quotes. The file will be called [random].exe
Windows Vista and Windows 7: Click Start, in the search box type in “%localappdata%” without the quotes. The file will be called [random].exe.

To delete the file, first you need to make sure to kill the application first:
– Open your Task Manager (Control-Alt-Delete), select the [random].exe (the name you found in the file directory). Click “End Process” and select “Yes.”

- Next: select the file name (or right-click on the name) and hit Delete.

- Empty your trash.

Windows 8 Developer Preview Now Available

During this week's BUILD conference showed what the company is referring to has the most in-depth preview of Windows 8. Giving software and hardware developers, a window if you may, into what the company is working on for they forthcoming operating system.

Taking a rather new approach for the company Microsoft has decide to make the developer review available to everyone to download, install and try on a limited basis. This is good news is you are a geek like me as you probably love to try out new releases. Just keep in mind this is a "preview" not even a beta. So it may not run stable on your machine, so as always do not try to make it your primary OS.

Some other things to consider; Upgrading from Windows 7 installation is not supported for pre-release code; only clean installs are supported. Reminder: this is a developer preview release and is not meant for production. It is not a beta release. MS said they will be updating the release with various quality updates and drivers over the coming weeks/months just to exercise our overall update and telemetry mechanisms.

The downloads, which range from 2.8GB to 4.8GB in size and include developer tools such as a preview of Microsoft Visual Studio 11 Express and the SDK (software developers kit) for Metro-style applications. All are available as a disk image in .iso format that must be copied onto a DVD or USB flash drive for installation purposes. The preview requires a PC with 1GB of RAM (2GB for the 64-bit edition) and 16GB of hard drive space (20GB for 64-bit).

The Windows 8 preview can be downloaded from Microsoft's site.

Steam Trading Now Available To All Valve Users

Less than a month after the beta was announced Valve Software officially began offering the new Steam Trading service to all Steam users via Team Fortress 2, Spiral Knights and Portal 2.

"The addition of Steam Trading is the latest example of how Steam continues to evolve with new features and functions developed based upon feedback," said Jason Holtman, director of business development. "We look forward to seeing how gamers and developers have fun and move this functionality forward."

For more information about trading via Steam, check out the FAQ here.

Sony Tablets Making Their Debut In September

Sony has confirmed a solid release window of (sometime in) September for the new Sony S1 Android tablet, and most likely the new S2 dual screen device.

The Sony Tablet S features a 9.4-inch 1280×800 touch display a NVIDIA Tegra 2 CPU processor, Sony Tablet S allows consumers to enjoy the web and their favourite content and applications on its large high-resolution screen. Weighing in at just about 590 grams, it has a unique asymmetric design (curvy form factor) which purportedly allows for hours of comfortable use.

The Sony Tablet S runs on the latest version of Android – version 3.1. This model features front and rear facing cameras that allow for video recording and capturing still images. The device also supports USB (micro A/B) interface and SD card for transferring files and data.


The Sony Tablet S comes complete with a full suite of Sony’s network entertainment services.

• 
  Sony Entertainment Network Services: Video Unlimited is your ticket to the latest releases from every major movie studio to rent or own. A partial service will be available at launch with full service available in October.
  
• 
  PlayStation Certified: Sony Tablet S is the first PlayStation Certified tablet providing out-of-the-box gaming with included favorites Crash Bandicoot and Pinball Heroes. Consumers can also download more classic PSone and PSP game titles online.
  
• 
  Reader Store: Access bestsellers, new releases, classics, magazines, comics and more from more than 2 million titles at Reader Store by Sony. The Sony Tablet S’s intuitive reading interface is ideal for on-the-go reading, allowing book lovers to set bookmarks, make highlights and adjust font sizes as they read. A free eBook download is included with the purchase of the device.
  
• 
  Personal Space: This free service allows consumers to easily share pictures and videos captured on the Sony Tablet S. Consumers can access albums that were previously uploaded from other devices.

Cross Device Functionality

One rather interesting feature of this device is it's built in compatibility with several of Sony's products including TVs, Blu-ray Disc players and home theater receivers.

The Sony Tablet S allows consumer to “throw” personal pictures and video to DLNA compatible televisions such as BRAVIA with the touch of a button. Users can also throw music to wireless speakers such as Sony’s Homeshare. The Sony Tablet S is equipped with infrared technology and can act as a remote control for multiple home entertainment components such as TVs, Blu-ray Disc players, receivers and more at once. The Sony Tablet S is also compatible with “Media Remote” allowing consumers to control Sony devices, including BRAVIA televisions, through Wi-Fi.


The tablet is available for pre-sale today with the option of a 16 GB and 32 GB model for $499 and $599, respectively – you can find them both in the official Sony store.

Via: Sony Press Release

TouchPad Hunters Check Your Inbox For 25% Off At HPDirect.Com

For those of you that are still holding out hopes of bagging a $99 HP TouchPad and have recently signed-up for updates from HP the company has sent out a coupon good for 25% off all printers, ink, HP accessories, and PCs starting at or above $599.

So check your inbox you should see an email with a unique coupon code. The code is one time use and valid through the end of the day tomorrow, Wednesday, August 31, 2011.

Here are the full details listed in the message:

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your interest in the HP TouchPad and webOS. The overwhelming demand for this product in recent days has made it difficult to fulfill your request at the present time, and we are working to make more available as soon as possible. While we do not yet have specific details, we know it will be at least a few weeks before we have a limited quantity available again. We will keep you informed as we have more specifics that we can communicate, and we encourage you to join the conversation here for the latest information.

In light of this and other recent HP news, we want you to know that we remain committed to you. We will continue to honor our warranties now and in the future. We will continue delivering products that make a difference in your life and we will continue to provide the best possible service to you every day.

We are grateful for your patience and loyalty and to show our gratitude, we are offering you an exclusive one-time opportunity to save an additional amount on all of our products, valid through the end of the day tomorrow, Wednesday, August 31, 2011. You'll save 25% off all printers, ink, HP accessories, and PCs starting at or above $599. To take advantage of this offer, use your unique coupon code ,removed at checkout, and for more information on the details of this offer, please look at the bottom of this email.

Sincerely,

hpdirect.com

Valid for HP Direct (hpdirect.com) internet and call center purchases only. Coupon valid while supplies last. Any unused portion will be forfeited. Each coupon code is limited to one usage per customer; one coupon code per checkout. Offer void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law. Non-transferable. Not valid retroactively on previously purchased items. Not valid for any resale activity as defined by HP Direct. Coupons may not be used to purchase gift cards. May not be permitted with certain bundle offers. Products and support acquired by Customer under these Terms are solely for Customer's personal use and not for immediate resale or sub-licensing. Valid on: all printers, ink, toner, paper, HP branded accessories and all the following PCs: g7-1150us, dv6-6126nr, HP Pavilion dv6-3230us, dm4-2050us, dv6-6140us, dm4-2070us, HP Pavilion dv6-3240us, HP Pavilion dv7-4277nr, HP Pavilion dv6-3250us, dv6-6150us, dv7-6175us, HP Pavilion dv6-6091nr NB PC, dv6-6170us, dv7-6195us, dv6-6190us, p7-1020, AiO 200-5250, s5-1060, HPE h8-1010, HPE h8-1020, TS 610-1130f, HPE h8-1032, TS 610-1030f, TS 610-1150f, HPE h8-1041, TS 610-1190f, G7T, DV4T, DM4T, DM4X, DV6T, DV7T, DV6T SELECT EDITION, DV6T QUAD, DV7T QUAD, p7qe, s5xt, h8m, h8t, h8z, h8xt, h8qe, h8 select edition, Omni 100t, Omni 200t, Omni 200xt, Omni 200 Quad, 310z, 610z, 610t, 610xt, 610 Quad, Envy 14, Envy 14 Beats, Envy 17, Envy 17 3D. Not valid on: Friends and Family program, HP Academy and Employee purchase programs, HP Employee Purchase Program, Refurbished products. Not valid on purchases from HP download store (hp.digitalriver.com). Offer not combinable with Instant Rebates. For complete coupon conditions, see "Coupon Information" in the "Customer Service" section at www.hpdirect.com.

HP TouchPad Owners An Android Dual Boot Option Is Inevitable

The HP TouchPad may not have been all that popular at its original price tag of $499. However once HP announced they were discontinuing the product and dropped the price to $99 they sold like hot cakes. Following the fire sale of the TouchPads geeks everywhere snatched them. After all they are a very capable device.

The ability to grab a very cheap very capable tablet has the Android developer community buzzing with talk of porting its favorite OS to the devices. We love webOS but lets face it Android offers much more potential and who knows where HP and webOS are headed!

Enter the folks over at the CyanogenMod team. They've been working feverishly to port Android to the TouchPad. CyanogenMod has shared a video of its early efforts, which you can see above as well as a statement posted over at RootzWiki.

This build is currently in Alpha stage which means its just on the basics. In fact what you see is just the first boot but the goal is to deliver a firmware that allows dual-booting both webOS and an Android 2.3.X based version of CyanogenMod.

So if its so fresh why unveil it now? CyanogenMod said the move was a "blatant publicity stunt" intended to help it track down more TouchPads. The team said it needs at least four TouchPads because "we have talented and experienced developers who cannot contribute effectively due to a lack of hardware," CyanogenMod said.

If you do decide to donate, however, don't bug the Cyanogen team about when they will deliver a fully Android-ized TouchPad. They have no specific ETA in mind, and no they don't plan to share the code until its fully compiled.

Samsung And Android Dealt Major Blow As Apple Wins Ban In Germany

Both Google's Android operating system and electronics giant Samsung have been dealt a major blow today as Samsung has been banned from selling its Galaxy Tab tablet computers in Germany until at least 9 September following a successful injunction claim by Apple.

A German court handed down the temporary decision stating it it would deliver its full ruling on Sept 9th which just happens to be two days after the end of Germany's IFA Electronics Show.

Apple had been seeking a full European ban on the import and sale of the Samsung Galaxy Tab based on claims that the Galaxy Tab and several other Samsung products too closely match those of Apple's. The court is unlikely to expand the ban beyond Germany to other European Union countries but the ruling may open the door for further action and set a bad legal precedent that could hurt not only Samsung but other Android based devices as well.

5 Steps To Get Your HP TouchPad Running Again

Previously we covered HP TouchPad charging issues today we are going to give you some tips on how to recover a frozen device.

If your TouchPad isn't working the way you think it should, has stopped responding or perhaps just behaving in a odd manner these 5 tips should help.

1. Throw all applications off the top of the screen.
2. Do a reboot, turn your TouchPad completely off and the on again
3. Trigger a restart (more on this later)
4. Top off the battery, sounds odd I know but it helps
5. Your last ditch effort, tether your TouchPad to your computer and do a reinstall of webOS

The first two steps seem pretty obvious and the reasons you'd try them would be just as obvious. Shutting down applications could free up memory or other related issues. Completely shutting down your tablet frees up all your memory and reinitializes some of your services.

Triggering a restart is a bit different, in order to do this you need to press and hold the power button and then press and hold the center (home) button for at least 15seconds. This is best done if the screen isn't responding or if the device isn't powering on. Think of it as a hard reset button, that shuts everything down and forces a hard restart.

Topping off the battery seems like an odd idea. However sometimes the device will go into conservation mode if it thinks there isn't enough battery power and it won't power on. So charge it up for a few hours and try again.

The last step you'll want to take is forcing a re-install of WebOS. For this you'll need to tether your TouchPad to your computer, sign into your WebOS account at HPWebOS.Com/Account. From there you'll need to write down your product number and serial number. After that go to HPWebOS.Com/Rom and click the link to get WebOS Doctor. From there you enter your product and serial numbers and follow the prompts.

If you are still seeing problems you should probably call or contact HP and use their HP webOS Butler Service (866) 945-7256. Its free for the first 90days.