Hasta La Gadget!

Given that our smartphones these days can probably do a lot more than your radio unit in your car, we guess it’s not surprising that some have turned to using their smartphones as replacement entertainment devices while driving. Granted you should not be driving while watching movies or updating your Twitter/Facebook account, but here’s a very DIY way of turning your smartphone into an entertainment unit as demonstrated by Steve.

Basically what he did was instead of replacing his JVC head unit in his car with a new one, he decided to replace it with his existing Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone. It did not take a lot of work and we guess anyone can do it with their phones as well. What he did was he modified a standard car charger so that the phone charges while the car’s engine is running, and hooked up the audio out from his phone to the amplifier which he has in his trunk. Granted it’s not the most elegant solution but it works. Steve admits that it could do with some improvement but for now we don’t see why other car owners looking to “modernize” their vehicles can’t follow in his footsteps.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Android 4.1 update reportedly rolling out to international Samsung Galaxy S3 devices starting in Poland, Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE to come with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in tow?,

We mentioned yesterday that a massive brawl broke out in a Foxconn factory in China that involved about 2000 workers. The massive fight reportedly injured about 40 people and stemmed from some sort of personal dispute between workers and a restaurant owner according to early reports. The Foxconn plant was closed because of the massive fight.

The factory has now reopened with production set to begin again. Foxconn and local authorities say that the cause of the fight is still under investigation. The brawl comes at a time when people in China have been acting out, at times violently, against Japanese companies.

Foxconn has so far declined to say whether the closed factory will affect availability for the iPhone 5. While we heard yesterday that the fight was a result of the disagreement between a restaurant owner and workers, new reports indicate that the violence may have started between a factory worker and a guard at the facility.

One source cited by the AP said that the violence was the result of workers who are angry at how they’re treated by Foxconn security guards and managers. Foxconn has been the source of investigations before over unfair labor practices. Workers say that they have no way to voice grievances hinting that violence such as what occurred this week is their only option.

“Foxconn, some supervisors, and security guards never respect us,” said the employee, who asked not to be identified by name. “We all have this anger toward them and they (the workers) wanted to destroy things to release this anger.”

[via AP]

Foxconn factory opens back up after yesterday’s brawl is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Good news World of Warcraft players, in case you did not already know, the Mists of Pandaria expansion has been released! For those who pre-purchased the game, you guys should have no trouble playing the new expansion, barring any server issues of course. Given that there will probably be a rush to get into servers and roll the new Pandaren characters, we expect that some server hiccups, lag and disconnections might be a common problem until things start to balance out. For those who are hearing this for the first time, the Mists of Pandaria expansion is the fourth World of Warcraft expansion and it will introduce the new neutral Pandaren race, a new Monk class along with a host of new features while raising the level cap to 90. If this sounds like the expansion you’ve been waiting for, you can head on over to Blizzard’s World of Warcraft website to learn more about the game and where you will also be able to buy the game in either a standard edition, a Digital Deluxe edition or the Collector’s Edition which will only be available in physical copy via retailers.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria countdown begins, Blizzard releases previews of Mists of Pandaria’s new Battlegrounds,

For many people out there who like to touch up the digital photos they take or create artistic prints using their photos, Adobe Photoshop Elements is the way to go. Photoshop Elements lacks the features of the full version of Photoshop, but it’s significantly cheaper. Adobe has announced all-new versions of Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements with both applications now in version 11.

Together the applications allow you to edit both photos and video. Photoshop Elements 11 and Premiere Elements 11 are available as a bundle product or a standalone offering. Both applications are available for Windows and Mac computers. Photoshop Elements 11 has a new refreshed user interface featuring the same engine as the full version of Adobe Photoshop. The application offers Quick, Guided, and Expert editing modes and a number of one click options.

Users can organize photos based on people, places, or events. The new Guided Edits allows users to make professional-level effects like tilt-shift, vignettes, and other effects easily. Photoshop Elements 11 also has new filters, including comic, graphic novel, and pen & ink. Premier Elements 11 also has a new and improved user interface with many of the same updates from Photoshop Elements 11.

The program allows users to add a number of professional-looking effects to their videos, including transitions, scenes, titles, disc menus, and professional-level effects and sound. Users can also add Hollywood movie styles with FilmLooks, easy to apply slow motion and fast motion effects, color correction with slider controls, and quick presets. The software also makes it easy to show off new videos with integrated video sharing for Vimeo, YouTube, and more. Both applications are available bundled for digital download now at $149.99. An upgrade version is available for $119.99. Each app is available individually as well at $99.99 or at an upgrade price of $79.99. Boxed versions of the applications will ship next month.

Adobe unveils Photoshop Elements 11 and Premiere Elements 11 is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Last week sources at Google suggested that a new Maps app for iOS might arrive “before Christmas“. Now, Eric Schmidt has confirmed to Reuters that Google has not yet submitted a new Maps app to Apple. More »