The document summarizes the top 10 technology stories from April 2013, including the upcoming launch of the new Xbox 720, the release of Twitter Music and Facebook Home, the new Blackberry Q10 smartphone with a physical keyboard, Google Fiber high-speed internet launching in Austin, and new fitness trackers like the Misfit Shine. It provides links to additional details on each story.

1. Top 10 Technology Stories
in April 2013
Issue 2: April 2013
Contact us: socialimpact@ict.gov.qa
Twitter: @ictqatar

2. Contents Issue 2:
April 2013
Slides
1.
Introduction
2. Top 10 Technology Stories in April 2013
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The brand new Xbox 720 on its way
Twitter Music is now live
Has Facebook reinvented the smartphone interface?
BlackBerry brings back keyboard with Q10
Yahoo’s Mobile Push continues with weather, tablet mail apps
Google Fiber to launch in Austin, Texas
Nokia Asha 210–with QWERT keyboard, WhatsApp button
LinkedIn launches ‘Contacts’ to help you foster professional
networks
9. LinkMe displays SMS, social-media alerts on your wrist
10. A “Misfit” emerges in the crowded field of fitness trackers
3
4-13
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

3. Introduction
We promised you that we will share the top 10 technology and Internet related
news, and trends with you every month. So here’s the list of new products
launched this month or coming soon. These were definitely eye-catching for us
and we hope you will like the list too. Don’t feel shy to share your views.
Happy reading!
Image: http://bit.ly/101Uspy

4. 1. The brand new Xbox 720 on its way
•
Microsoft is hosting an event May 21 which commentators say all but guarantees to
show off the Xbox 720, as gleaned by an event invite recently sent out by the
company.
•
“A new generation revealed,” read the
invitation, glittered with “Xbox”.
•
We are excited even though the event is not
hosted in Qatar. Are you?
•
Read more: http://bit.ly/17UA3mG

5. 2. Twitter Music is now live
•
Twitter released its new music app this month, it’s a music discovery
service that helps you find new music based on what’s popular, what
your friends are listening to and what’s trending on Twitter #music
•
Read more: http://bit.ly/11FXxLi
Images: http://bit.ly/Y3BNch , http://bit.ly/16sQwjW , http://bit.ly/11YY5gJ

6. 3. Has Facebook reinvented the smartphone
interface?
•
If Facebook is the first app you reach for on your
mobile phone, then Facebook Home could be just what
you’ve been waiting for.
•
Rather than release a special Facebook
phone, as some had predicted, the social
media giant has developed Facebook
Home to replace the standard Lock, Home
and App Launcher screens on high-end
Android gadgets.
•
Read more: http://bit.ly/13CU6p4
Images: http://bit.ly/105UY8C , http://bit.ly/17mdvuI

7. 4. BlackBerry brings back keyboard with Q10
•
The launch of the Q10 comes three months after
the company unveiled the Z10, the other phone
in its two-pronged strategy to claw back sales
from the likes of Apple and Samsung.
•
The new device is aimed at those who
enjoy the traditional BlackBerry keyboard,
but who also want touch screen
functionality.
•
Read more: http://bit.ly/11KOrvS
Images: http://cnet.co/Wx6kg0 , http://bit.ly/17qitGV

8. 5. Yahoo’s Mobile Push continues with
weather, tablet mail apps
•
Yahoo! announced the introduction of two new mobile apps earlier
this month – Yahoo! Weather and a tablet version of its Yahoo! Mail
app.
•
“Yahoo is taking a completely user-centric
approach to product creation,” mobile chief
Adam Cahan said, describing how after looking
at what users have been doing with its current
mobile apps and figuring out why they’re doing it
Yahoo honed in on new ways to optimize user
experience.
•
Read more: http://bit.ly/11lhiVL
Images: http://bit.ly/11nkQLx , http://bit.ly/ZHANMT , http://bit.ly/XLhlwx , http://bit.ly/12aPR0C

9. 6. Google Fiber to launch in Austin, Texas
•
Google Fiber offers Internet speeds of up to 1
gigabit per second, which Google says is 100
times faster than the average American Internet
user’s service.
•
Google also offers a Fiber TV service that lets
customers watch all shows in HD, record up to
eight shows at once and store up to 500 hours of
HD video in the cloud.
•
Customers can watch across
several devices, including cell
phones and PCs.
•
Read more: http://cnnmon.ie/YgPzte
Images: http://onforb.es/Ya2XQH , http://slate.me/ZMpO2P , http://bit.ly/11Z2hx7

10. 7. Nokia Asha 210–with QWERT keyboard,
WhatsApp button
•
Nokia unveiled the Asha 210 earlier this month; the device has a
dedicated button for accessing popular social networks.
•
Facebook will be offered in Europe and Latin America, but for the
first time ever, WhatsApp will be fitted on devices sold in the
Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Africa.
•
It will available in both single and dualSIM versions.
•
Read more: http://tnw.co/11L9H2F
Right image: http://tcrn.ch/17QRuEv

11. 8. LinkedIn launches ‘Contacts’ to help you foster
professional networks
•
LinkedIn wants to help you stay in touch with all your
former colleagues, current business partners and
potential future employers in a handy web feature
and standalone iOS app called LinkedIn Contacts,
with plans to release a similar one for Android in the
future.
•
Read more: http://tcrn.ch/15PX9OL
Image: http://bit.ly/mY6Lf6

12. 9. LinkMe displays SMS, social-media alerts on
your wrist
•
•
They send a message with their smartphone via an app,
which in turn, will be displayed on LinkMe.
•
•
LinkMe is a Bluetooth-enabled device that lets users
view incoming text messages or social-media alerts on
their wrist.
“It’s that simple — in meetings, in class or when you
have your hands full, you’ll be able to receive the
messages that matter to you most,” according to the
device’s Kickstarter page.
Read more:
http://on.mash.to/10IQvnI
Images: http://tcrn.ch/10ybyJ2 , http://bit.ly/11Z7gxI

13. 10. A “Misfit” emerges in the crowded field of
fitness trackers
•
The Misfit Shine is a sleek, re-imagination of the pedometer.
•
•
•
•
Though similar in function to Nike FuelBand, Fitbit One and
other gadgets meant to help you shape up and slim down,
the Shine sits in an entirely different world of design.
You can sync your Misfit Shine with your smartphone simply
by placing it on your phone screen and with its built-in
sensors it can track cycling, swimming, running and walking.
The Misfit Shine can also keep you on track all day with an
array of light, that shines through microholes laser-drilled into
the metal shell and alerts you about your activity progress.
Read more: http://bit.ly/11IXfTS
Images: http://bit.ly/RY14mj , http://bit.ly/VXK8NL , http://bit.ly/11IXfTS

14. Thank you for reading.
Comments, suggestions and feedback for future issues are
welcome.
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Contact us: socialimpact@ict.gov.qa
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Disclaimer: all content in these slides is in the public domain and referenced so that you can read the original sources.
Any omissions, errors or mistakes are mine, and mine alone.