The Indonesian volcano Kelud exploded with a powerful eruption on February 13, killing three people and prompting the evacuation of 100,000 people. The eruption sent a large plume of ash 10 miles (17 kilometers) high into the sky, drifting west across Java and over the Indian Ocean, causing the shutdown of several airports.
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Photographer Olivier Grunewald first learned about the Kawah Ijen volcano in 2008. A sulfur mine by day, this infernal Indonesian mountain turns into a surreal alien landscape when the night comes. His pictures—taken in very dangerous conditions—are stunning:
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Pertamina—Indonesia’s state-owned oil and gas corporation—will have a new headquarters in Jakarta in 2020. One that looks like a smooth spaceship about to take off and generates electricity thanks to its design, created by American architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
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The situation in Sumatra
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The usual refrain is that smartphones can do anything, but we doubt too many people can boast that their RAZR MAXX is helping to rescue the rainforests of Indonesia. Enter a new project called Rainforest Connection, which is building a security network of devices in the Air Tarusan reserve in western Sumatra to prevent illegal logging. Donated Android smartphones are being modified to use solar power before dangled from trees with their microphones switched on. When the handsets pick up the sound of a chainsaw, they relay an emergency message to local rangers who can then intervene. Future plans involve using large numbers of recycled handsets and making the system easy enough for locals to hook up further networks by themselves. Just one more reason not to just throw out that moribund smartphone.
Filed under: Cellphones, Alt
Via: New Scientist
Source: Rainforest Connection
After first being rolled out in Korea in February, the LG Optimus G Pro is now coming to other Asian markets. With the announcement on May 30, LG’s flagship 5.5-inch Android “phablet” will debut in Hong Kong in June followed by Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia over the course of the month.
The full press release with explanation of its specs and features is below:
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LG OPTIMUS G PRO ARRIVES IN ASIA
Fully Packed with Advanced UX and Features, LG’s Biggest Smartphone
Offers Asian Consumers Differentiated Smartphone Experience
SEOUL, May 30, 2013 — LG Electronics (LG) is demonstrating its commitment to the premium smartphone market in Asia with the introduction of its flagship smartphone, Optimus G Pro, in the rest of the region. Originally introduced in its home market of Korea earlier this year, the 5.5-inch display Android device is being rolled-out in the rest of the region starting on May 30. The smartphone will debut in Hong Kong in June followed by other Asian markets including Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Philippine, Vietnam and Malaysia throughout the month.
“LG’s Optimus G Pro sets a new benchmark in the over 5-inch display smartphone category which is catching on with consumers everywhere who aren’t interested in owning both a phone and a tablet,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Asian customers are leading many of today’s technology trends and we’re confident Optimus G Pro will find a large following in this region.”
The Optimus G Pro is equipped with the swift Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, which features a 1.7GHz Quad-Core CPU and Adreno 320 GPU. Combined with other industry-leading features such as a long-lasting 3,140mAh battery and 2GB RAM, LG’s Optimus G Pro is one of the most advanced smartphones currently on the market today. With its expansive 5.5-inch 1080p Full HD IPS display delivering a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels at 400ppi, the Optimus G Pro provides razor sharp images and wide viewing angles as well as a comfortable in-hand experience and great “pocketability.”
Backed by powerful hardware features, the Optimus G Pro also comes packed with differentiated UX features, such as:
• Dual Camera and Dual Recording: The Dual Camera and Dual Recording functions allow users to capture pictures or videos with both the front and rear cameras simultaneously for a unique picture-in-picture experience;
• VR Panorama: The VR Panorama allows shots of entire horizontal and vertical environments for a full 360° view;
• Pause and Resume Recording: The Pause and Resume Recording feature allows for the recording of short snippets of video which can then be viewed as one continuous file.
• Smart Video: Smart Video recognizes the position of the viewer’s eyes and automatically plays or stops the video without any manual input from the user.
Key Specifications:
• Operating System: Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2
• Processor: 1.7GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm? Snapdragon™ 600 Processor
• Display: 5.5-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels / 400ppi)
• Memory: 16GB / microSD (up to 64GB)
• RAM: 2GB DDR
• Camera: Rear 13.0MP / Front 2.1MP
• Battery: 3,140mAh (removable)
• Size: 150.2 x 76.1 x 9.4mm
• Colors: Indigo Black, Lunar White
# # #
About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing 87,000 people working in 113 offices around the world. With 2012 global sales of USD 45.22 billion (KRW 50.96 trillion), LG comprises four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solution – and is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators. LG Electronics is a 2013 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year.
Nokia’s already got the Lumia 620, 820 and 920 in its hand, but could it be going for a running flush? That’s the question we find ourselves asking, after a filing from Indonesia’s POSTEL, a regulatory body much like the FCC in the US, declares that a Nokia “520 / RM-914” and “720 / RM-885” have successfully completed testing. The Lumia title doesn’t appear in the database, but it wouldn’t be too far of a stretch to believe they could be unannounced Windows Phone 8 devices — and successors to the 510 and 710 — given the familiar naming convention. That’s really all we have to go on right now, but with MWC drawing ever closer, is this just coincidence, or does the Finnish company have a couple more Lumias tucked up its sleeve?
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Nokia
Via: Phone Arena
Source: POSTEL
RIM might be struggling for market share here in the US, but the BlackBerry name still enjoys quite a bit of popularity elsewhere in the world. Take Indonesia for example, where the company will launch BBM Money, a transactional service that’ll allow money transfers between BlackBerry owners. Apparently BBM is already a popular way to set up peer-to-peer transactions in the Southeast Asian country, so the service essentially closes the loop. With Android usage on the rise over there — around 52 percent market share according to a recent IDC report — RIM is likely trying anything it can to retain its stronghold. We’re not sure when exactly BBM Money will go live, though RIM has said it’s to come “shortly,” perhaps along with the launch of BlackBerry 10 in 2013.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, RIM
Via: TechCrunch
Source: BBC
Here’s a contradiction in action: a Nokia phone that goes down a model number, but up in features. That’s what we’ll see if regulatory screenings and leaks surrounding the unreleased Lumia 510 are any indication. China’s TENAA, the FCC and Indonesia’s DG PosTel have all taken a look at the device ahead of time and point to a short, squat design that won’t have the budget chic of the Lumia 610. However, if Baidu tips are correct, the 510 may be an ever-so-slight upgrade to its higher-digit predecessor with a larger 4-inch screen and a likely fast track to Windows Phone 7.8. Just don’t anticipate more than the existing 800MHz Snapdragon, 256MB of RAM and 5-megapixel camera — or a US release, for that matter. The FCC has only tested the Lumia 510 against American GSM bands, which hints that its 3G support is meant for China, Indonesia and other countries where low-cost smartphones matter most.
Gallery: Nokia Lumia 510 put under the regulatory limelight, hints low-cost Windows Phone 7.8 on the way
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Nokia Lumia 510 put under the regulatory limelight, hints low-cost Windows Phone 7.8 on the way originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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WMPowerUser, Baidu Teiba (translated) | 
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Over the years we’ve come across many hydrophobic coating technologies aimed at electronics, but sadly, none of those were made directly available to consumers. The closest one was Nokia’s nanocoating demonstration we saw last October, though the company recently said to us that it’s still “currently a research project,” and it never mentioned plans to offer a service to treat existing devices. On the other hand, Californian startup Liquipel recently opened its first Hong Kong retail store, making it the second Liquipel service center globally after the one located at the Santa Ana headquarters. Folks in the area can simply call up to make an appointment, and then head over with their phones or tablets to get the nanocoating treatment. So how does this funky technology work? How does it cover both the inside and the outside of gadgets? And is Liquipel’s offering any better than its rivals? Read on to find out.
Gallery: Liquipel store in Hong Kong
Continue reading Liquipel launches retail store in Hong Kong, spreads the hydrophobia for gadgets
Liquipel launches retail store in Hong Kong, spreads the hydrophobia for gadgets originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 18:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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