Samsung is set to continue the phenomenal success of its Galaxy S series devices, especially S II which has gained universal praise and sales volume. Its third generation Galaxy S smartphone is expected to be announced at the upcoming Mobile World Congress in February 2012.

Samsung Galaxy S III may come with a quad-core processor, 720p HD Super AMOLED Plus display for stunningly bright and an sharp, colorful display as well as Android 4.0 operating system, the Ice Cream Sandwich.

More interesting for gadget fans is that Samsung may be incorporating 3D technology into playback, photo and video recording into either Galaxy S III or Galaxy S 3D. The 3D feature is the same kind of glasses-free 3D technology as Nintendo’s 3DS handheld but so far, 3D phones in the market like HTC Evo 3D and LG Optimus 3D have not really taken off.

But with Galaxy S devices being so popular, 3D technology for mobile games and streaming video may finally come to the fore. Once users and developers start creating content and apps rapidly, 3D technology could be indispensable feature of smartphones.

2012 could really shape up to be an intense smartphone battle between Samsung and Apple on features, design and patents. Stay tuned for the Mobile World Congress trade show to see who gain the upperhand.

[TG Daily]

Apple is laughing all the way to the bank, it seems nobody can say no to their iPads.

Airlines are now distributing iPads to their pilots. Recently, Alaska Airlines was approved to allow Apple iPads to replace paper flight charts and maps. The pilots no longer need to carry over 11kg of paper manuals every time they travel. They can just bring the lighter iPad, making their work more efficient.

For the airlines, they can offset the cost of iPads by fuel savings from reduced weight, and fewer expenses for back and muscle injuries to pilots from carrying their flight bags.

I am usually happy when businesses adopt technology to improve their efficiency but in this case, the gadgets could be rather distracting. Let’s hope the pilots don’t become too engrossed with surfing the web, watching videos or playing games on the iPads.

[Engadget]

Everyone is going gaga over 3D.. soon it could be a norm for gadgets.
Using the forward facing camera of the iPad 2, the guys at Engineering Human-Computer Interaction Research manage to design a way to track the position of users head in 3D, in real time.

Apps developers can adjust the display perspective with respect to your eyes, possibly giving you a 3D representation that moves when you do.

In theory this should also work with any phone with a forward-facing camera and a gyroscope, so get ready for Glasses-less 3D effect on iPads and smartphones soon.

Check out the video to see how convincing the 3D effect is.

[TUAW]

The sequel to wildly successful iPad is coming soon. Apple have handed out press invites to a March 2nd iPad event and it is likely that the much anticipated iPad 2 will be unveiled.

Apple never fail to disappoint its fans with each new release.. and I can’t wait for iPad 2.

What exciting stuff do you guys think Apple will incorporate into iPad 2? I am not greedy, just hoping for a slimmer design, faster processor, front and rear cameras, SD card slot and better speakers.

[Engadget]

Android is on a blast and 2011 looks set to be its year of dominance.

Google crossed another milestone with 32.9 million handsets sold globally last quarter and ousted longtime champion Nokia to become the most popular smartphone OS maker in the world.

At the rate Android is gaining smart phone market share, it is shaping up to be a three-horse fight between Google, RIM, and Apple.

Android gained ground significantly faster than iPhone in 2010 and it is possible that they will consolidate their leading position. Another good news for Google is that Android is reaching into feature-rich smartphones market occupied by Samsung and Sony Ericsson.

RIM is hanging on due to its international business clout but Nokia is almost yesterday’s story as its latest projects show little promise.

[Reuters]

Wow, here is a gadget which I can use. As a bike fanatic, I know that losing a beloved bike can spoil your day as it easily cost thousands of dollars..

No matter how strong your lock, it will not deter a motivated bike burglar with advanced tools. But if your bike lock can climb up a lamp-post, it may make the job harder for a burglar.

German toy/model company Conrad has featured an amazing Rube Goldberg bike lock that uses motorized skateboard wheels to raise your bike several meters off the ground.

It’s a genius idea that’ll surely curb bike robbers who have to start using a ladder and attract attention. The below video shows the R&D that go into this cool gadget.

[Boing Boing]

At IFA in Berlin, there is a foam printer which can really spice things up in your house. It allows you to send gorgeous, ethereal letters floating high into the sky (check out the video!).

Hmm, the thought of programing this foam printer to send letters floating through the house to my wife during her birthday thrills me.

[BoYT via The Daily What]

I am pretty impressed with the New Apple TV. Its interface is sleek and cool. At $99 bucks, the price is reasonable and the gadget is so small, you can carry it in your pocket easily.

The AirPlay support from iOS devices (streaming videos off an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch) is well implemented and start up quickly. Picture quality is great and no sign of buffering which can be real distracting when you are watching online media content.

Netflix, YouTube, Flickr, Mobile Me, and Rotten Tomatoes are integrated in the movie catalog. You can also stream HD TV rentals from ABC and Fox at $0.99, while first run HD movies will be $4.99.

I guess for movie fans, getting this Apple TV is a no-brainer.

The coming of Google’s tablet has been widely speculated but until today, there is still no confirmation from the search engine giant.

Still, a new article from ComputerWorld may give tablet fans hopes of an alternative to Apple’s iPad.

Apparently, the Chrome OS tablet is real and the manufacturer was in fact, HTC. In addition to that, the leaked info also stated that the tablet is scheduled to be released in US on November 26th.

No technical details were given. You can wait for the actual official announcement but no harm budgeting for the Google Tablet now.

[Computerworld]

In Japan, you have to get used to kooky stuff and weirdos.

So when you walk through Tokyo’s Shinagawa Station and see a huge 47-inch touchscreen vending machine, don’t stand there open mouthed!

If you can’t still resist swooning, I don’t blame you as vending machines don’t come any cooler than this touch panel with analog buttons and dummy cans on display.

There is also an embedded camera which recognises your age and gender and offers recommendations based on those assumptions. It also stores your purchasing history and is WiMAX enabled.

I am not sure how the recognition and recommendation work. Will the vending machine offer you coffee after a stressful and tiring day or soda to cool off in the simmering heat?

You will have time to get used to these vending machines though as over 500 are planned to be installed in Tokyo in the next 2 years.

[Engadget]