Windows Phone 7, Microsoft’s complete do-over of its mobile operating system, is off to a promising start with the Samsung Focus. Despite a few imperfections with usability and web browsing, the big M has polished a gem with this OS, and it truly shines through this iPhone lookalike’s beautiful display.
The Focus feels slick and smooth the first time you pick it up. It’s a teensy bit longer, wider and thicker than the iPhone 4 (4.84 x 2.56 x 0.39 inches compared with the iPhone 4’s 4.5 x 2.31 x 0.37 inches). And the Focus is lighter at 4.07 ounces, versus the iPhone 4’s 4.8 ounces. Holding it in your hand, you can tell the Samsung phone’s plastic parts are a bit cheaper than Apple’s luxury glass-and-metal components.
That’s not to say the Focus isn’t a sweet device, though: The vivid Super AMOLED display makes Windows Phone 7’s colorful tile-based interface a visual treat. Selecting a tile brings you into a “hub” containing integrated experiences for different features. For example, the Marketplace hub displays the four different software stores where you can purchase media: third-party apps, games, music and Samsung Zone, a separate app store serving software made by Samsung.
You can move tiles around on the home screen to suit your preferences just by holding your finger over them and dragging.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Spread Christmas cheer with Angry Birds
Everyone's favorite finch-flinging frolic is going festive for both iOS and Android devices (just try saying that five times fast after downing a glass of egg nog).
Rovio Mobile's next big update for Angry Birds, which celebrates Christmas, has been hinted at, detailed, and screenshotted, and now the company has made it official, though we don't have an exact release date yet.
Angry Birds Christmas will be free if you purchased the 99-cent Angry Birds Halloween edition for iOS devices. Rovio had initially tweeted that the Christmas title would only be coming to the iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad, but today posted a message that it's flying onto Android too.
Now we're just waiting to hear if Angry Birds fans with MeeGo, WebOS, and Symbian devices will see their Yuletide cheer turn into jeer this holiday.
Angry Birds has steadily been growing into a phenomenon (being No. 1 in most mobile app stores for a while can do that for you), and Rovio is riding the wave with an official Angry Birds Day scheduled for December 11. Nearly a thousand people in 65 countries have already signed up for the meetups, which Rovio is flavoring as a celebration of popping 3 trillion piggies, and the chance to meet, play, and compare scores with Angry Birds fans.
I'm pretty decent at Angry Birds, and have had many three-star rounds, if I may brag for a moment. Comparing scores against others might be intimidating, though. I fear the grand master of Angry Birds in my area would probably show up and school everyone.
Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20024198-1.html#ixzz16on5zjjk
Rovio Mobile's next big update for Angry Birds, which celebrates Christmas, has been hinted at, detailed, and screenshotted, and now the company has made it official, though we don't have an exact release date yet.
Angry Birds Christmas will be free if you purchased the 99-cent Angry Birds Halloween edition for iOS devices. Rovio had initially tweeted that the Christmas title would only be coming to the iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad, but today posted a message that it's flying onto Android too.
Now we're just waiting to hear if Angry Birds fans with MeeGo, WebOS, and Symbian devices will see their Yuletide cheer turn into jeer this holiday.
Angry Birds has steadily been growing into a phenomenon (being No. 1 in most mobile app stores for a while can do that for you), and Rovio is riding the wave with an official Angry Birds Day scheduled for December 11. Nearly a thousand people in 65 countries have already signed up for the meetups, which Rovio is flavoring as a celebration of popping 3 trillion piggies, and the chance to meet, play, and compare scores with Angry Birds fans.
I'm pretty decent at Angry Birds, and have had many three-star rounds, if I may brag for a moment. Comparing scores against others might be intimidating, though. I fear the grand master of Angry Birds in my area would probably show up and school everyone.
Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20024198-1.html#ixzz16on5zjjk
Monday, November 29, 2010
Project brings unofficial apps to Windows Phone 7
A new piece of software is promising to give Windows Phone 7 owners an alternative to Microsoft's Windows Phone Marketplace when it comes to installing applications.
The third-party tool, dubbed "ChevronWP7," was released late last week, and opens up the phone for the side-loading of applications. That means end users can add applications to their phones directly, instead of having to go through Microsoft's Zune software, or the phone's built-in application directory and installer. That said, it's not a third-party application repository, or an alternative to the application storefront Microsoft currently offers.
The three creators of the software say the tool has not been designed for the piracy of applications. Rather, it's been made to "enable and create WP7 homebrew applications that cannot be submitted to the Marketplace in the first place." That includes applications that make use of private, or native application programming interfaces, as well as ones that do not meet Microsoft's content guidelines and technical certification requirements--all things that would keep them from making the cut.
The other reason for the software, the developers said, was to bypass Microsoft's $99 developer registration fee, which is first required to enable the existing side-loading functionality on the device.
A Microsoft spokesperson told blog WinRumors that such an exploit was "anticipated," but that "attempting to unlock a device could void the warranty, disable phone functionality, interrupt access to Windows Phone 7 services or render the phone permanently unusable." One of ChevronWP7's creators, Rafael Rivera has since refuted the statement, saying that it's unfounded. "This is patently false as we use the same exact procedure the official Phone Registration tool uses," he said.
Microsoft, like Apple, is one of the few OS-makers to keep side-loading of applications off its phones. Google, RIM, Nokia, and Palm all allow users to install and run applications outside of a marketplace, while still offering one of their own.
Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20023989-75.html#ixzz16j5RbP2P
The third-party tool, dubbed "ChevronWP7," was released late last week, and opens up the phone for the side-loading of applications. That means end users can add applications to their phones directly, instead of having to go through Microsoft's Zune software, or the phone's built-in application directory and installer. That said, it's not a third-party application repository, or an alternative to the application storefront Microsoft currently offers.
The three creators of the software say the tool has not been designed for the piracy of applications. Rather, it's been made to "enable and create WP7 homebrew applications that cannot be submitted to the Marketplace in the first place." That includes applications that make use of private, or native application programming interfaces, as well as ones that do not meet Microsoft's content guidelines and technical certification requirements--all things that would keep them from making the cut.
The other reason for the software, the developers said, was to bypass Microsoft's $99 developer registration fee, which is first required to enable the existing side-loading functionality on the device.
A Microsoft spokesperson told blog WinRumors that such an exploit was "anticipated," but that "attempting to unlock a device could void the warranty, disable phone functionality, interrupt access to Windows Phone 7 services or render the phone permanently unusable." One of ChevronWP7's creators, Rafael Rivera has since refuted the statement, saying that it's unfounded. "This is patently false as we use the same exact procedure the official Phone Registration tool uses," he said.
Microsoft, like Apple, is one of the few OS-makers to keep side-loading of applications off its phones. Google, RIM, Nokia, and Palm all allow users to install and run applications outside of a marketplace, while still offering one of their own.
Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20023989-75.html#ixzz16j5RbP2P
Android Gingerbread Getting New Icons, Camera Interface?
Samsung is working on a revamped TouchWIZ with new icons, camera interface and virtual keyboard. Will Android Gingerbread get similar improvements?
Android and Me reports that the firmware of what is believed to be an upcoming Samsung Android smartphone has been leaked. Interestingly, the leak that stems from an XDA member reveals that Samsung is working on a revamped version of TouchWIZ, featuring new icons, camera interface and virtual keyboard.
Additionally, while the Android team seems to be testing the camera experience of the Nexus S (GT-9020T) in Google territory, Samsung is currently testing the camera experience of two Galaxy S2 models (GT-9100 and GT-9200) on a different continent. The above-mentioned leak also stems from the GT-9200.
Given Samsung is working on TouchWIZ improvements as far as icons, camera interface and virtual keyboard is concerned, we guess there's a chance Google's Android team is making changes to these aspects on the stock interface of Android Gingerbread too.
This would add to a range of other upgrades Android Gingerbread is expected to deliver in the coming weeks. Interestingly, Engadget today reported that the GT-9020T that was recently tested with GPS in Google territory recently appeared in FCC's database.
It's still unclear when Google will officially announce Android Gingerbread, and whether the Nexus S for T-Mobile will immediately be available for purchase at that time. Right now, it basically remains to be seen whether the Nexus S will be powered by a Hummingbird or Orion chipset (most likely the former, if providing American developers with a relatively cheap developer phone is the aim).
Android and Me reports that the firmware of what is believed to be an upcoming Samsung Android smartphone has been leaked. Interestingly, the leak that stems from an XDA member reveals that Samsung is working on a revamped version of TouchWIZ, featuring new icons, camera interface and virtual keyboard.
Additionally, while the Android team seems to be testing the camera experience of the Nexus S (GT-9020T) in Google territory, Samsung is currently testing the camera experience of two Galaxy S2 models (GT-9100 and GT-9200) on a different continent. The above-mentioned leak also stems from the GT-9200.
Given Samsung is working on TouchWIZ improvements as far as icons, camera interface and virtual keyboard is concerned, we guess there's a chance Google's Android team is making changes to these aspects on the stock interface of Android Gingerbread too.
This would add to a range of other upgrades Android Gingerbread is expected to deliver in the coming weeks. Interestingly, Engadget today reported that the GT-9020T that was recently tested with GPS in Google territory recently appeared in FCC's database.
It's still unclear when Google will officially announce Android Gingerbread, and whether the Nexus S for T-Mobile will immediately be available for purchase at that time. Right now, it basically remains to be seen whether the Nexus S will be powered by a Hummingbird or Orion chipset (most likely the former, if providing American developers with a relatively cheap developer phone is the aim).
WikiLeaks 'attack': How damaging to US foreign relations?
The US intensified its efforts at damage control on Monday following the publication by WikiLeaks of more than a quarter-million diplomatic cables, with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton calling the massive release not just a problem for American foreign policy but “an attack on the international community.”
In a statement to journalists in the State Department’s Treaty Room before she was to leave on a four-country trip through Central Asia and the Persian Gulf, Secretary Clinton said that both the furthering of US national interests and the operation of the world’s international political system depend on thousands of confidential exchanges, assessments, and conversations every day.
Far from being a “laudable” effort to make the workings of government transparent, the leaking of classified cables, she said, can have a chilling effect on such US foreign policy goals as the promotion of human rights or expansion of religious freedoms by discouraging the foreign proponents of those goals from working with the US.
In a statement to journalists in the State Department’s Treaty Room before she was to leave on a four-country trip through Central Asia and the Persian Gulf, Secretary Clinton said that both the furthering of US national interests and the operation of the world’s international political system depend on thousands of confidential exchanges, assessments, and conversations every day.
Far from being a “laudable” effort to make the workings of government transparent, the leaking of classified cables, she said, can have a chilling effect on such US foreign policy goals as the promotion of human rights or expansion of religious freedoms by discouraging the foreign proponents of those goals from working with the US.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Android 2.3 Gingerbread & Android 3.0 Honeycomb Spotted in Testing
We don’t have leaked images for you but only analytics data. It seems that not one, but two Gingerbread versions are being tested, GRH14B and GRH47B, although we couldn’t tell you, at least not at this time, what the final Gingerbread version is and what to expect from it.
Furthermore, we also have two Honeycomb versions spotted by Air Benchmark, a website meant to test Adobe’s Air performance on mobile devices. HRI783D and HRI83D are the two Honeycomb OS versions in circulation right now, but just like with Gingerbread, we have no idea what Honeycomb will bring us.
What we do know is that Honeycomb is rather the Android OS that’s going to be installed on current and upcoming Android tablets, while Gingerbread might be the smartphone-only next Android update. Naturally we can’t confirm any of that just yet and we’ll be waiting for Google to announce everything before we can tell you more about these two new mobile operating systems.
Speaking of launch events, Google was rumored to bring Gingerbread out at Web 2.0 Summit, but Eric Schmidt briefly showcased the unannounced Samsung Nexus S and only told us that Gingerbread is coming out in a “few weeks.” Now Google is said to have Andy Rubin announce Gingerbread in a few days, on December 6, at the “D:Dive Into Mobile” event, although, as you expect, these are also just speculations at this time.
As for Honeycomb’s arrival we can’t really pinpoint a launch date for it yet, but can only hope Android 3.0 will be out in the very near future to enhance our overall Android tablet experiences, but not only.
Furthermore, we also have two Honeycomb versions spotted by Air Benchmark, a website meant to test Adobe’s Air performance on mobile devices. HRI783D and HRI83D are the two Honeycomb OS versions in circulation right now, but just like with Gingerbread, we have no idea what Honeycomb will bring us.
What we do know is that Honeycomb is rather the Android OS that’s going to be installed on current and upcoming Android tablets, while Gingerbread might be the smartphone-only next Android update. Naturally we can’t confirm any of that just yet and we’ll be waiting for Google to announce everything before we can tell you more about these two new mobile operating systems.
Speaking of launch events, Google was rumored to bring Gingerbread out at Web 2.0 Summit, but Eric Schmidt briefly showcased the unannounced Samsung Nexus S and only told us that Gingerbread is coming out in a “few weeks.” Now Google is said to have Andy Rubin announce Gingerbread in a few days, on December 6, at the “D:Dive Into Mobile” event, although, as you expect, these are also just speculations at this time.
As for Honeycomb’s arrival we can’t really pinpoint a launch date for it yet, but can only hope Android 3.0 will be out in the very near future to enhance our overall Android tablet experiences, but not only.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Samsung Galaxy Tab Takes Attention Away From Dell Streak And Even Apple iPad
Both Apple iPad and Dell Streak were released early in the market however despite being a latecomer the Android Powered Galaxy Tab from Samsung has managed to do remarkably well against both Apple iPad and Dell Streak.
As per what I can see the reason why the Galaxy Tab is rising against Dell Streak and Apple iPad is wide media coverage that Samsung Galaxy Tab is receiving which seems to be almost equivalent to the media coverage that Apple iPad got.
The trend also suggests that even though Dell Streak is gaining some traction, it still has a lot more work to do to take over the market in that particular segment.
Since Samsung seems to be doing pretty well with its android based devices seems to be the reason why Google has partnered with Samsung to release Nexus S.
As per what I can see the reason why the Galaxy Tab is rising against Dell Streak and Apple iPad is wide media coverage that Samsung Galaxy Tab is receiving which seems to be almost equivalent to the media coverage that Apple iPad got.
The trend also suggests that even though Dell Streak is gaining some traction, it still has a lot more work to do to take over the market in that particular segment.
Since Samsung seems to be doing pretty well with its android based devices seems to be the reason why Google has partnered with Samsung to release Nexus S.
Unlocked Dell Streak’s Now Available With New Color Choice and Android 2.2
Dell is now offering up their Dell Streak –touch tablet with full phone functionality– in a great new color. Dell has also gone ahead and updated the device to Android 2.2 Froyo OS, it previously ran Android 1.6. The new color launched for the Dell Streak US customers is Cherry Red, the color was launched in the UK a few weeks ago when Dell dropped prices for the 5-inch touch tablet, but the color was really first spotted in Japan.
The Cherry Red Dell Streak will cost you $579.99 for the unlocked 16GB model and $678.99 for the unlocked 32GB model. Also available for the first time unlocked is the original Carbon Black variation, you can get the 16GB model of that for $579.99 and the 32GB model for $678.99.
The Cherry Red Dell Streak will cost you $579.99 for the unlocked 16GB model and $678.99 for the unlocked 32GB model. Also available for the first time unlocked is the original Carbon Black variation, you can get the 16GB model of that for $579.99 and the 32GB model for $678.99.
Amazon Cyber Monday bargains Archos 7 8GB Home Tablet with Android (Black)
Black Friday is an awesome day to get deals on laptops that you’ve waited for all year. During the sales of Cyber Monday, Amazon.com brings unbelievable eReader sales and discounts on a giant inventory of virtually all brands of laptops. Regardless you are shopping for you or family, you surely cannot let Amazon.com eReader discounts go by. Go to www.Amazon.com for the most up-to-date eReader Cyber Monday discounts!
New Android Acer 4.8" Smartphone Has Tablet's "Soul"
We've seen smartphones boast and sport, but this is the first time we've seen a smartphone with a soul. The latest news release from Acer for its new Android smartphone states that it has "the soul of a tablet." It has a soul but doesn't have a name.
The new Acer smartphone combines the capabilities of a smartphone with a tablet-like format. It has a 4.8" widescreen with a 21:9 aspect ratio running a 1GHz Snapdragon processor.
The front of the smartphone has 4 keys - (Home, Search, Back, and Menu). On the back there is an 8MP camera, complete with LED Flash. Users can control all the multimedia content through the integrated clear.fi media sharing system. Other features include ultra-fast high-speed connectivity via HSDPA, Wi-Fi, Dolby Mobile sound, 2MP front-facing camera and Bluetooth 3.0.
The new Acer smartphone combines the capabilities of a smartphone with a tablet-like format. It has a 4.8" widescreen with a 21:9 aspect ratio running a 1GHz Snapdragon processor.
The front of the smartphone has 4 keys - (Home, Search, Back, and Menu). On the back there is an 8MP camera, complete with LED Flash. Users can control all the multimedia content through the integrated clear.fi media sharing system. Other features include ultra-fast high-speed connectivity via HSDPA, Wi-Fi, Dolby Mobile sound, 2MP front-facing camera and Bluetooth 3.0.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7" Android Tablet Review
Not long ago I review the Augen Gentouch78 Android tablet and it wasn't bad for what it was, but it had several flaws. Today for review I've got what has to be the best Android tablet on the market today, the Samsung Galaxy Tab. The one I have is the Verizon version so it works on their network an includes a lot of Verizon apps on it as one might expect. The Tab is of the 7" variety at a resolution of 1024×600 and is running Android 2.2 with a speedy 1ghz Hummingbird CPU in it. It includes a 3mp camera on the back and a front facing 1.3mp one and it only weighs about 14 ounces so it's powerful and portable... TestFreaks
Friday, November 26, 2010
Android Gingerbread is in the oven, says Google
t was the tweet heard around the tech world: On Friday, Google announced on its Mobile Twitter feed that its "cafes are baking something sweet." The post included a link to a picture of a batch of gingerbread cookies, all of them shaped like the distinctive Android logo. And as Google-watchers know, Gingerbread is the code-name for the forthcoming Android 2.3 mobile operating system.
So when will Android Gingerbread hit the market? Here's what we know. The 2.3 OS – the successor to the current Android 2.2 Froyo OS – was originally forecast for an early November launch, although several tech blogs are speculating that Gingerbread will instead be unveiled at the Web 2.0 Summit, which takes place in San Francisco this week.
"The conference features a keynote from [Google CEO] Eric Schmidt and we are hoping he will show off some of the new features of Gingerbread... while dressed as a massive gingerbread man," jokes Marc Chacksfield of Tech Radar. "We've got a feeling only one of the two things we are hoping for will come true, though."
Google has not disclosed any details about the 2.3 Gingerbread OS, but the team at IntoMobile.com has a few ideas.
"[I]t’s safe to assume that this will have numerous improvements under the hood including the inclusion of the WebM video standard. We should also be getting the over-the-air app installation and the ability to stream tracks from your home computer to your smartphone," the site speculates. "We should also get some user interface refinements that were hinted at with the latest version of Google Maps."
It's been a few good year indeed for Google Android, which has showed up on an increasingly wide swath of smartphones. Earlier this fall, Eric Schmidt announced that 200,000 new Android devices are sold every day. "People are finally beginning to figure out how successful Android is," Schmidt said at a conference in Tahoe, Calif. "The number was about 100,000 (a day) about two months ago."
Thoughts on the Android Gingerbread OS? Drop us a line in the comments section.
So when will Android Gingerbread hit the market? Here's what we know. The 2.3 OS – the successor to the current Android 2.2 Froyo OS – was originally forecast for an early November launch, although several tech blogs are speculating that Gingerbread will instead be unveiled at the Web 2.0 Summit, which takes place in San Francisco this week.
"The conference features a keynote from [Google CEO] Eric Schmidt and we are hoping he will show off some of the new features of Gingerbread... while dressed as a massive gingerbread man," jokes Marc Chacksfield of Tech Radar. "We've got a feeling only one of the two things we are hoping for will come true, though."
Google has not disclosed any details about the 2.3 Gingerbread OS, but the team at IntoMobile.com has a few ideas.
"[I]t’s safe to assume that this will have numerous improvements under the hood including the inclusion of the WebM video standard. We should also be getting the over-the-air app installation and the ability to stream tracks from your home computer to your smartphone," the site speculates. "We should also get some user interface refinements that were hinted at with the latest version of Google Maps."
It's been a few good year indeed for Google Android, which has showed up on an increasingly wide swath of smartphones. Earlier this fall, Eric Schmidt announced that 200,000 new Android devices are sold every day. "People are finally beginning to figure out how successful Android is," Schmidt said at a conference in Tahoe, Calif. "The number was about 100,000 (a day) about two months ago."
Thoughts on the Android Gingerbread OS? Drop us a line in the comments section.
U.S.: Wikileaks release will put lives in danger
The Obama administration is condemning the expected release of classified diplomatic cables by the Wikileaks website and warning that it will endanger lives and interests.
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Friday that the administration is continuing the process of warning governments around the world about what may be in the documents. He said the U.S. and its allies are bracing for what may be coming.
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Friday that the administration is continuing the process of warning governments around the world about what may be in the documents. He said the U.S. and its allies are bracing for what may be coming.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
WooW Google Android 2.3 tablet coming pre-Christmas
WooW has joined the fleet of companies to produce an Android powered tablet device with the announcement of the 10-inch WooW Digital The One Tablet ahead of a pre-Christmas launch.
Although only pegged for launch in Japan ahead of the festive period, the WooW Digital The One Tablet will be rolled out across Taiwan, Hong Kong and European markets in the near future packed with the upcoming version 2.3 of Google’s mobile operating system, Gingerbread. There are currently no details regarding a potential US launch.
Although only pegged for launch in Japan ahead of the festive period, the WooW Digital The One Tablet will be rolled out across Taiwan, Hong Kong and European markets in the near future packed with the upcoming version 2.3 of Google’s mobile operating system, Gingerbread. There are currently no details regarding a potential US launch.
Google Nexus S spotted with Android 2.3
The elusive Google Nexus S has been spotted again, this time revealing its Android 2.3 OS.
The blurry images come courtesy of XDA Developers, who have also unveiled a new batch of specs. Not only will the Samsung manufactured Nexus S come toting Gingerbread, it is also likely to boast an ArmV7 processor (possibly dual core), 512 or 328MB Ram, Open GL ES support, 1 or 2GB of internal storage, a 4 inch Super AMOLED2 display, 800×480 pixel resolution and a 5 megapixel camera with 720p HD video capture.
We’re a bit disappointed at the lack of 1.2GHz processor and 16GB of storage that we’d been expecting, but keep your fingers crossed, as these specs are yet to be confirmed.
Gingerbread looks set to land on December 6th, with the Nexus One first in line to receive the OS. It’s still unclear when the Nexus S will be landing, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it made an appearance within the next couple of weeks. Rumour suggests the handset could be sold exclusively through the Carphone Warehouse before Christmas.
The blurry images come courtesy of XDA Developers, who have also unveiled a new batch of specs. Not only will the Samsung manufactured Nexus S come toting Gingerbread, it is also likely to boast an ArmV7 processor (possibly dual core), 512 or 328MB Ram, Open GL ES support, 1 or 2GB of internal storage, a 4 inch Super AMOLED2 display, 800×480 pixel resolution and a 5 megapixel camera with 720p HD video capture.
We’re a bit disappointed at the lack of 1.2GHz processor and 16GB of storage that we’d been expecting, but keep your fingers crossed, as these specs are yet to be confirmed.
Gingerbread looks set to land on December 6th, with the Nexus One first in line to receive the OS. It’s still unclear when the Nexus S will be landing, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it made an appearance within the next couple of weeks. Rumour suggests the handset could be sold exclusively through the Carphone Warehouse before Christmas.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Windows Phone 7 Headed To Verizon
Windows Phone 7 launched earlier this month for those in the US but only on the GSM based networks like T-Mobile and AT&T. That left Verizon and Sprint users out in the cold. Verizon is ready to go though as soon as a CDMA based device is ready.
Yesterday Verizon posted a Tweet "As soon as Microsoft has 'em ready, we're excited to offer Windows 7 mobile devices." That is good news as some, myself included, had speculated that Verizon may give Microsoft something less than a warm reception with Windows Phone 7 given the Kin debacle earlier this year.
Now Engadget is reporting that the HTC Trophy, which runs Windows Phone 7, will be headed to Verizon sometime in early 2011. The information comes by way of an anonymous tip that leaked flyer specifically aimed at Microsoft employees.
Microsoft committed earlier this year to make sure everyone of their employees had a new Windows Phone 7 device, but of course not every employee is on a GSM network, so either those on Verizon or Sprint have to switch, or a CDMA device has to be coming down the pike. Given at least half of US consumers with cell phones are on CDMA networks, it only follows that eventually a CDMA device would be forthcoming. Until now though, there was no solid info on when it would happen. After all, the iPhone has gone three and a half years without a CDMA version for the US shores so far.
The specs of Windows Phone 7 devices are all pretty comparable except for those little extras each phone has, like slide out speakers, a slide out keyboard, extra memory, etc. What does the Trophy have that sets it apart? Well, as a CDMA device, it will still be able to travel by having a quad-band GSM radio that will allow it to act as a global phone when you leave the country.
The only odd thing about the offer is it a special price of $199. I thought Microsoft employees were getting these things for free?
Yesterday Verizon posted a Tweet "As soon as Microsoft has 'em ready, we're excited to offer Windows 7 mobile devices." That is good news as some, myself included, had speculated that Verizon may give Microsoft something less than a warm reception with Windows Phone 7 given the Kin debacle earlier this year.
Now Engadget is reporting that the HTC Trophy, which runs Windows Phone 7, will be headed to Verizon sometime in early 2011. The information comes by way of an anonymous tip that leaked flyer specifically aimed at Microsoft employees.
Microsoft committed earlier this year to make sure everyone of their employees had a new Windows Phone 7 device, but of course not every employee is on a GSM network, so either those on Verizon or Sprint have to switch, or a CDMA device has to be coming down the pike. Given at least half of US consumers with cell phones are on CDMA networks, it only follows that eventually a CDMA device would be forthcoming. Until now though, there was no solid info on when it would happen. After all, the iPhone has gone three and a half years without a CDMA version for the US shores so far.
The specs of Windows Phone 7 devices are all pretty comparable except for those little extras each phone has, like slide out speakers, a slide out keyboard, extra memory, etc. What does the Trophy have that sets it apart? Well, as a CDMA device, it will still be able to travel by having a quad-band GSM radio that will allow it to act as a global phone when you leave the country.
The only odd thing about the offer is it a special price of $199. I thought Microsoft employees were getting these things for free?
Windows Phone 7 Coming to Verizon Wireless This Holiday Season
There’s been a mystery surrounding just when Verizon Wireless would begin receiving Windows Phone 7 devices for distribution. That answer, friends, has now come to light.
Thanks to the @WindowsPhone Twitter account, we now know that Verizon Wireless will begin selling Windows Phone 7 smartphones this Holiday season. That’s right, and that’s not too far off! No word as to just how many devices will be up for grabs, but we can’t imagine it would be more than two.
Even more Windows Phone 7 smartphones are slated to make their debut in 2011, confirms the @WindowsPhone Twitter account. We’re looking forward to this.
What are your thoughts? Will you consider a Windows Phone 7 device once they’re available based on what you’ve seen thus far with WP7 devices on AT&T?
Thanks to the @WindowsPhone Twitter account, we now know that Verizon Wireless will begin selling Windows Phone 7 smartphones this Holiday season. That’s right, and that’s not too far off! No word as to just how many devices will be up for grabs, but we can’t imagine it would be more than two.
Even more Windows Phone 7 smartphones are slated to make their debut in 2011, confirms the @WindowsPhone Twitter account. We’re looking forward to this.
What are your thoughts? Will you consider a Windows Phone 7 device once they’re available based on what you’ve seen thus far with WP7 devices on AT&T?
Android 2.3/3.0 Update to Gingerbread Features Revealed
At the "Web 2.0 Summit" in San Francisco, Google CEO Eric Schmidt revealed a new feature of lrgandroid-gingerbread.jpgAndroid 2.3 Gingerbread. It will offer NFC (Near Field Communication) mobile payments. NFC will also be supported by Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile on the newly launched SIS system.
Gingerbread will be launched in the next few weeks. Schmidt showed a T-Mobile Android phone that some call the Nexus S by Samsung.
There have been many reports and rumors that suggest the following changes to Android 2.3 Gingerbread:
* Graphic redesign by Matia Duarte who created the face of webOS for the Palm Pre.
* Better Goggle app integration.
* Google TV remote control.
* Possible built-in video chat in the form of Google Talk.
* VoIP Wi-Fi calling for Google Voice.
* More gaming features.
* Faster running with boosts to speed performance.
* More social media features and synching.
* Google streaming music. Google has been in negotiation with music publishers all year.
* New YouTube app.
* The number for Gingerbread may be changed to 3.0.
Although we can't be sure of the exact details, from previous updates we know that Android users will be eagerly awaiting the update.
Many Android owners are still waiting for an update to Android Froyo 2.2, such as U.S. Galaxy S owners.
Gingerbread will be launched in the next few weeks. Schmidt showed a T-Mobile Android phone that some call the Nexus S by Samsung.
There have been many reports and rumors that suggest the following changes to Android 2.3 Gingerbread:
* Graphic redesign by Matia Duarte who created the face of webOS for the Palm Pre.
* Better Goggle app integration.
* Google TV remote control.
* Possible built-in video chat in the form of Google Talk.
* VoIP Wi-Fi calling for Google Voice.
* More gaming features.
* Faster running with boosts to speed performance.
* More social media features and synching.
* Google streaming music. Google has been in negotiation with music publishers all year.
* New YouTube app.
* The number for Gingerbread may be changed to 3.0.
Although we can't be sure of the exact details, from previous updates we know that Android users will be eagerly awaiting the update.
Many Android owners are still waiting for an update to Android Froyo 2.2, such as U.S. Galaxy S owners.
Google Nexus S Comes With Android 2.3 Gingerbread Operating System
Google Nexus S: Google Nexus S is one of the latest mobile that is running on Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system. Samsung and Google together manufacturing this mobile.
It is one of the mobile that has NFC technology and it will replace the credit card system, tickets booking. It runs with 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor and it comes with concave curved display. It is the second mobile that is from Google.
Google Nexus S comes out with features like Super AMOLED display, 8 megapixel camera on backside, 5 megapixel camera on front side, auto focus, 720p video recording, WiFI connectivity, Bluetooth, it has two cameras and video calling is possible with this mobile. It is one of the best mobile for business users for payment purpose.
It is one of the mobile that has NFC technology and it will replace the credit card system, tickets booking. It runs with 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor and it comes with concave curved display. It is the second mobile that is from Google.
Google Nexus S comes out with features like Super AMOLED display, 8 megapixel camera on backside, 5 megapixel camera on front side, auto focus, 720p video recording, WiFI connectivity, Bluetooth, it has two cameras and video calling is possible with this mobile. It is one of the best mobile for business users for payment purpose.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Survey: Android ties iOS in smartphone share
Millennial Media, a global mobile advertising network, has issued a study showing that for the first time, the combined Android share of the market has tied with iOS devices at 37 percent of network requests (ad clicks) on Millennial's network. Research In Motion (RIM)'s Blackberries had a 20 percent share, leaving all other mobile OSes to divvy up the remaining six percent.
While Apple devices still dominate the mobile market by brand, the combined phones running Android have caught up to Apple's early lead, with Android presence having grown over 2000 percent since January, compared to iOS devices which grew 32 percent in the same period.
The October "Mobile Mix" survey presents a global snapshot of device, carrier and OS statistics garnered through response to Millennial's advertising network. The picture the latest report paints is of a three-way race in mobile phone and non-computer mobile hardware manufacturing between Apple, Motorola and RIM.
Apple's early dominance continues in terms of devices, with the combined iOS devices accounting for a 25 percent share of impressions, with Samsung and Motorola in the second and third positions at 17 and 15 percent respectively. The survey does include "non-phone connected mobile devices" (meaning those that primarily access Wi-Fi, like the iPod Touch or the PlayStation Portable) as well as cellular-data devices in its survey. Millennial does not include laptops or netbooks in its results.
Foreign use of mobile devices is increasing around 20 percent faster than in the US, where growth in the mobile market is rated at about seven percent. The hottest growth rate among "primarily wi-fi" devices was the iPad, with 112 percent month-over-month. The survey also found that touchscreen devices have decimated the market for keyboard phones; 75 percent of mobile devices use either just touchscreens (48 percent) or a combination of touch and qwerty keyboards (27 percent).
Among carriers, Verizon was found to be the most popular US network, matching the generic "Wi-Fi" category at 19% of impressions. Spring and T-Mobile followed behind, with AT&T having only a nine percent share.
Read more: http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/11/18/ipad.android.experiencing.rapid.growth/#ixzz15gs97Boh
While Apple devices still dominate the mobile market by brand, the combined phones running Android have caught up to Apple's early lead, with Android presence having grown over 2000 percent since January, compared to iOS devices which grew 32 percent in the same period.
The October "Mobile Mix" survey presents a global snapshot of device, carrier and OS statistics garnered through response to Millennial's advertising network. The picture the latest report paints is of a three-way race in mobile phone and non-computer mobile hardware manufacturing between Apple, Motorola and RIM.
Apple's early dominance continues in terms of devices, with the combined iOS devices accounting for a 25 percent share of impressions, with Samsung and Motorola in the second and third positions at 17 and 15 percent respectively. The survey does include "non-phone connected mobile devices" (meaning those that primarily access Wi-Fi, like the iPod Touch or the PlayStation Portable) as well as cellular-data devices in its survey. Millennial does not include laptops or netbooks in its results.
Foreign use of mobile devices is increasing around 20 percent faster than in the US, where growth in the mobile market is rated at about seven percent. The hottest growth rate among "primarily wi-fi" devices was the iPad, with 112 percent month-over-month. The survey also found that touchscreen devices have decimated the market for keyboard phones; 75 percent of mobile devices use either just touchscreens (48 percent) or a combination of touch and qwerty keyboards (27 percent).
Among carriers, Verizon was found to be the most popular US network, matching the generic "Wi-Fi" category at 19% of impressions. Spring and T-Mobile followed behind, with AT&T having only a nine percent share.
Read more: http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/11/18/ipad.android.experiencing.rapid.growth/#ixzz15gs97Boh
Android will beat iPhone: Apple founder
SAN FRANCISCO: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has praised Google's smartphone operating system Android and predicted that it will soon surpass the iPhone operating system in both quantity and quality.
The comments by the man who invented the first Mac computer came as Android-powered phones are fast catching up with Apple's iPhones in market share, and were the starkest illustration to date at how well Google has managed to close the gap with Apple's once unassailable iPhone.
"The Apple phone has very few weaknesses," Wozniak told Netherlands newspaper De Telegraaf in an interview posted Thursday. "When it comes to quality, the iPhone is leading."
But he conceded that "Android phones have more features" and deliver more buying options for those who don't want to be limited to a single device.
In addition, Wozniak told the publication that eventually the quality of Android will match Apple's operating system and much like Windows in the desktop space, Google's mobile platform will become the "dominant" option in the mobile market.
The comments by the man who invented the first Mac computer came as Android-powered phones are fast catching up with Apple's iPhones in market share, and were the starkest illustration to date at how well Google has managed to close the gap with Apple's once unassailable iPhone.
"The Apple phone has very few weaknesses," Wozniak told Netherlands newspaper De Telegraaf in an interview posted Thursday. "When it comes to quality, the iPhone is leading."
But he conceded that "Android phones have more features" and deliver more buying options for those who don't want to be limited to a single device.
In addition, Wozniak told the publication that eventually the quality of Android will match Apple's operating system and much like Windows in the desktop space, Google's mobile platform will become the "dominant" option in the mobile market.
Android will beat iPhone: Apple founder
SAN FRANCISCO: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has praised Google's smartphone operating system Android and predicted that it will soon surpass the iPhone operating system in both quantity and quality.
The comments by the man who invented the first Mac computer came as Android-powered phones are fast catching up with Apple's iPhones in market share, and were the starkest illustration to date at how well Google has managed to close the gap with Apple's once unassailable iPhone.
"The Apple phone has very few weaknesses," Wozniak told Netherlands newspaper De Telegraaf in an interview posted Thursday. "When it comes to quality, the iPhone is leading."
But he conceded that "Android phones have more features" and deliver more buying options for those who don't want to be limited to a single device.
In addition, Wozniak told the publication that eventually the quality of Android will match Apple's operating system and much like Windows in the desktop space, Google's mobile platform will become the "dominant" option in the mobile market.
The comments by the man who invented the first Mac computer came as Android-powered phones are fast catching up with Apple's iPhones in market share, and were the starkest illustration to date at how well Google has managed to close the gap with Apple's once unassailable iPhone.
"The Apple phone has very few weaknesses," Wozniak told Netherlands newspaper De Telegraaf in an interview posted Thursday. "When it comes to quality, the iPhone is leading."
But he conceded that "Android phones have more features" and deliver more buying options for those who don't want to be limited to a single device.
In addition, Wozniak told the publication that eventually the quality of Android will match Apple's operating system and much like Windows in the desktop space, Google's mobile platform will become the "dominant" option in the mobile market.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Download and Install the Windows Phone 7 Emulator
Fancy a look at Windows Phone 7 but don’t want to splash out on a new handset or sign up to a lengthy new contract?
Afraid of putting yourself in the hands of a persuasive mobile phone shop salesman, or just keen to keep your wallet in your pocket until you have made up your mind?
Why not try a Windows Phone 7 emulator, which will allow you to admire the user interface of the phone from the comfort of your on PC, without having to even hold on of these superb mobile handsets?
Read more: http://www.devicemag.com/2010/10/26/download-and-install-the-windows-phone-7-emulator/#ixzz15b4UgPFZ
Afraid of putting yourself in the hands of a persuasive mobile phone shop salesman, or just keen to keep your wallet in your pocket until you have made up your mind?
Why not try a Windows Phone 7 emulator, which will allow you to admire the user interface of the phone from the comfort of your on PC, without having to even hold on of these superb mobile handsets?
Read more: http://www.devicemag.com/2010/10/26/download-and-install-the-windows-phone-7-emulator/#ixzz15b4UgPFZ
Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Gets New Browsing Experience
Microsoft has launched an app for Microsoft Windows Phone 7 users that enhances the default Internet Explorer browser with tabbed browsing, an incognito mode, and more.
Despite being hailed by some reports as an alternative browser, Browser Plus (Browser+) is essentially a $0.99 skin created by the Windows Azure team.
It adds a back and forth button, a Google default search box ,and tabbed browsing on the same screen (previously it toggled thumbnails).
Browser Plus also adds a couple unique features, like a Reader View mode that that sparses text from pages to eliminate images and ads. This is especially useful for blogs and articles; an attempt to use this mode on YouTube produces an error message. Users can browse anything privately with a single tap.
The skin, which uses IE's rendering engine, brings the rather spartan default version of IE7 and IE8 closer to its desktop browsing experience.
Since Microsoft still bars native access for third parties to build apps for Windows Phone 7, Browser Plus is probably the best browser experience available on the phone. Android, on the other hand, has alternative browsers such as Dolphin and Opera Mobile. Apple also began allowing alternative proxy browsers that basically rendered HTML on a remote server rather than through the device itself.
Download Browser Plus for $0.99 from the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace. For more on Windows Phone 7, check out PCMag's review. You can also read more about the "myth" of alternative browsers.
Despite being hailed by some reports as an alternative browser, Browser Plus (Browser+) is essentially a $0.99 skin created by the Windows Azure team.
It adds a back and forth button, a Google default search box ,and tabbed browsing on the same screen (previously it toggled thumbnails).
Browser Plus also adds a couple unique features, like a Reader View mode that that sparses text from pages to eliminate images and ads. This is especially useful for blogs and articles; an attempt to use this mode on YouTube produces an error message. Users can browse anything privately with a single tap.
The skin, which uses IE's rendering engine, brings the rather spartan default version of IE7 and IE8 closer to its desktop browsing experience.
Since Microsoft still bars native access for third parties to build apps for Windows Phone 7, Browser Plus is probably the best browser experience available on the phone. Android, on the other hand, has alternative browsers such as Dolphin and Opera Mobile. Apple also began allowing alternative proxy browsers that basically rendered HTML on a remote server rather than through the device itself.
Download Browser Plus for $0.99 from the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace. For more on Windows Phone 7, check out PCMag's review. You can also read more about the "myth" of alternative browsers.
Microsoft may turn to Windows Phone 7 for its tablet operating system
Microsoft has long maintained that Windows is its operating system of choice for tablets. But there's increasing evidence that Windows Phone 7, not Windows, will be the operating system that Microsoft ultimately turns to in order to compete against the iPad and Android tablets.
In a lengthy interview with ars technica, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was asked about when consumers can expect to see top-notch tablets running a Microsoft operating system. Ballmer replied, in part:
...you're going to see some things that do a very nice job over the course of the next, let's call it year -- you'll see some stuff now, you'll see some stuff after Christmas, you'll see some stuff as we get new Intel chips, you'll see some things as you move Windows Phone along...
That clearly implies that Windows Phone 7 will be the underlying operating system for tablets, even though Ballmer and Microsoft have been saying a long time that Windows will instead be the tablet operating system.
But that wasn't the first time that Ballmer implied that Windows Phone 7, not Windows, will run tablets. Todd Bishop of TechFlash noted this in a recent blog:
Ballmer has said repeatedly that Windows is Microsoft's operating system for slate-style devices. But during an interview on stage at the Gartner Symposium last month, Ballmer made it clear that he's not excluding Windows Phone from that definition when he makes those statements.
Holding up a Windows Phone, he said, "This is Windows, too."
Ballmer was being a bit disingenuous when he said that. The name of the phone operating system may be Windows Phone 7, but it certainly isn't the Windows operating system. It's one designed for mobile devices, optimized for minimal memory, less-powerful processors, and using a touch interface.
For all those reasons, Windows Phone 7 is far more suited for tablets than is Windows. I expect that at some point we'll see an announcement that tablets will run Windows Phone 7 rather than Windows --- and if so, it would be a good move for Microsoft to make.
In a lengthy interview with ars technica, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was asked about when consumers can expect to see top-notch tablets running a Microsoft operating system. Ballmer replied, in part:
...you're going to see some things that do a very nice job over the course of the next, let's call it year -- you'll see some stuff now, you'll see some stuff after Christmas, you'll see some stuff as we get new Intel chips, you'll see some things as you move Windows Phone along...
That clearly implies that Windows Phone 7 will be the underlying operating system for tablets, even though Ballmer and Microsoft have been saying a long time that Windows will instead be the tablet operating system.
But that wasn't the first time that Ballmer implied that Windows Phone 7, not Windows, will run tablets. Todd Bishop of TechFlash noted this in a recent blog:
Ballmer has said repeatedly that Windows is Microsoft's operating system for slate-style devices. But during an interview on stage at the Gartner Symposium last month, Ballmer made it clear that he's not excluding Windows Phone from that definition when he makes those statements.
Holding up a Windows Phone, he said, "This is Windows, too."
Ballmer was being a bit disingenuous when he said that. The name of the phone operating system may be Windows Phone 7, but it certainly isn't the Windows operating system. It's one designed for mobile devices, optimized for minimal memory, less-powerful processors, and using a touch interface.
For all those reasons, Windows Phone 7 is far more suited for tablets than is Windows. I expect that at some point we'll see an announcement that tablets will run Windows Phone 7 rather than Windows --- and if so, it would be a good move for Microsoft to make.
Google Docs Editing Comes to Android, iPhone and iPad
The long-awaited editing features are rolling out over the next few days for Android 2.2 and above, and for iOS 3 and above.
Once enabled, you'll see an Edit button in the top right corner of any document. Tapping it takes you out of read-only mode so you can start writing.
I haven't received the rollout yet, but judging from Google's blog post and demonstration video, editing appears to be primitive compared to proper office apps, with only the ability to write text in the document's current font, edit spread sheets and add bullet points. I do like how edits appear in real time, so you can collaborate from the road.
The list of missing features is still pretty long. You can't create new documents, change fonts or styles, add hyperlinks, format text, add images, or do any other advanced editing that Google Docs already allows on the desktop. Spreadsheet editing is also completely absent.
For Android users, mobile Docs editing does add one neat feature -- the capability to input text by voice -- but considering everything you can't do with Google Docs on mobile phones, it's hard to recommend it over a proper document app if you plan to do a lot of work.
For iPad, I still like Office2 HD, which syncs to Google Docs and has most of the editing and document creation features that Google Docs Mobile omits. I haven't had much of a reason to edit documents on the phone, so I'll default to PC World's App Guide, which gave high marks to QuickOffice Mobile Suite. That app, available for iPhone and Android, syncs to Google Docs and other services.
Still, you can't argue with the free service Google is offering, and I have a feeling this isn't the last we'll hear of mobile document editing from Google.
Once enabled, you'll see an Edit button in the top right corner of any document. Tapping it takes you out of read-only mode so you can start writing.
I haven't received the rollout yet, but judging from Google's blog post and demonstration video, editing appears to be primitive compared to proper office apps, with only the ability to write text in the document's current font, edit spread sheets and add bullet points. I do like how edits appear in real time, so you can collaborate from the road.
The list of missing features is still pretty long. You can't create new documents, change fonts or styles, add hyperlinks, format text, add images, or do any other advanced editing that Google Docs already allows on the desktop. Spreadsheet editing is also completely absent.
For Android users, mobile Docs editing does add one neat feature -- the capability to input text by voice -- but considering everything you can't do with Google Docs on mobile phones, it's hard to recommend it over a proper document app if you plan to do a lot of work.
For iPad, I still like Office2 HD, which syncs to Google Docs and has most of the editing and document creation features that Google Docs Mobile omits. I haven't had much of a reason to edit documents on the phone, so I'll default to PC World's App Guide, which gave high marks to QuickOffice Mobile Suite. That app, available for iPhone and Android, syncs to Google Docs and other services.
Still, you can't argue with the free service Google is offering, and I have a feeling this isn't the last we'll hear of mobile document editing from Google.
Best apps and games for every Android
This is the Android version of this article. For the best five games, apps and utilities for iPad, please click here. For the best five games, apps and utilities for iPhone, please click here.
I’ve been reading JP Morgan’s Ripple Effect daily summary of tech and media news since back when it was still published by Bear Stearns. I’ve been reading it almost every single week day for almost ten years now, I would guess, and it’s an essential tool to stay up on the latest tech trends, at least those that Wall Street is focusing on. These days, as you can imagine, there’s getting to be quite a bit of focus on apps, tablets, and smartphones. Here’s some of today’s headlines as compiled by the Ripple:
iPhone: Apple approves Google’s iPhone application. This comes over a year after the initial Google Voice application was rejected by Apple’s app store. [Wall Street Journal]
GOOG: Google is currently testing picture-search marketing related to its Google Goggles application. Google Goggles allows the user to use pictures taken with their smartphones to search the web. Google is working on a way to have these results turn up sponsored advertisements. [Wall Street Journal]
Wireless: Mobile phone companies hope to offer services that could compete with the likes of Apple, Google and Facebook. As the market for mobile entertainment, games and productivity tools continues to grow - wireless operators hope to move from just providing the means of access to actually providing these services. Winning over a piece of the application revenue pie will likely be a topic of conversation at Morgan Stanley’s TMT conference this week in Barcelona. [Bloomberg]
NWSA: Dow Jones is preparing to make some digital changes in their business to business division; the changes are geared towards improving revenues within specialist readers. [FT]
RIMM – the co has shown off a new video of its PlayBook, showing the device supporting ADBE flash and offering a faster web browsing experience vs. the iPad – Apple Insider
And everywhere you go, people are trying to adapt to this new app world (hmmm, would that be “adappt”?).
Whether it’s the Walgreen’s exec next to you on the plane using his Dell Windows XP laptop with his brand new iPad in his lap telling you he’ll soon be able to travel with just his iPad but that he’s got “almost no apps on there yet. Do you know which ones are good?”
Or the movers whose dedicated Garmin GPS system wouldn’t charge but who found you using their Motorola Droid with Google Maps but lamented aloud to you when you asked, “Nah, I don’t have Angry Birds or any other cool games on here yet. We need them for the long, boring drives when we’re sick of talking to each other though. Do you know a couple good ones?”
So here’s my advice. Get on the app train. Join the app revolution. Start using your smartphones because your world is changing and ten years from now the whole world will be app-ified. See what my favorite app investments are by checking out Revolution Investing.
I’ve been reading JP Morgan’s Ripple Effect daily summary of tech and media news since back when it was still published by Bear Stearns. I’ve been reading it almost every single week day for almost ten years now, I would guess, and it’s an essential tool to stay up on the latest tech trends, at least those that Wall Street is focusing on. These days, as you can imagine, there’s getting to be quite a bit of focus on apps, tablets, and smartphones. Here’s some of today’s headlines as compiled by the Ripple:
iPhone: Apple approves Google’s iPhone application. This comes over a year after the initial Google Voice application was rejected by Apple’s app store. [Wall Street Journal]
GOOG: Google is currently testing picture-search marketing related to its Google Goggles application. Google Goggles allows the user to use pictures taken with their smartphones to search the web. Google is working on a way to have these results turn up sponsored advertisements. [Wall Street Journal]
Wireless: Mobile phone companies hope to offer services that could compete with the likes of Apple, Google and Facebook. As the market for mobile entertainment, games and productivity tools continues to grow - wireless operators hope to move from just providing the means of access to actually providing these services. Winning over a piece of the application revenue pie will likely be a topic of conversation at Morgan Stanley’s TMT conference this week in Barcelona. [Bloomberg]
NWSA: Dow Jones is preparing to make some digital changes in their business to business division; the changes are geared towards improving revenues within specialist readers. [FT]
RIMM – the co has shown off a new video of its PlayBook, showing the device supporting ADBE flash and offering a faster web browsing experience vs. the iPad – Apple Insider
And everywhere you go, people are trying to adapt to this new app world (hmmm, would that be “adappt”?).
Whether it’s the Walgreen’s exec next to you on the plane using his Dell Windows XP laptop with his brand new iPad in his lap telling you he’ll soon be able to travel with just his iPad but that he’s got “almost no apps on there yet. Do you know which ones are good?”
Or the movers whose dedicated Garmin GPS system wouldn’t charge but who found you using their Motorola Droid with Google Maps but lamented aloud to you when you asked, “Nah, I don’t have Angry Birds or any other cool games on here yet. We need them for the long, boring drives when we’re sick of talking to each other though. Do you know a couple good ones?”
So here’s my advice. Get on the app train. Join the app revolution. Start using your smartphones because your world is changing and ten years from now the whole world will be app-ified. See what my favorite app investments are by checking out Revolution Investing.
Why Apple May Not Be Worried About Google’s Android Momentum
Much ink is spilled daily about the rivalry between Apple and Google in the mobile market. Avi Greengart, the Research Director for Consumer Devices at Current Analysis, makes the case that a lot of the coverage is misguided.
In a Nov. 16 research report, Greengart punctures the oft-made argument that Google’s “open” approach to creating and distributing mobile products will defeat Apple’s “closed” one, similar to the way PCs powered by Microsoft’s Windows became dominant over the Macintosh, due to Apple’s tight control.
Greengart sums up that position as:
Thanks to the open nature of the Android platform, vendors from HTC to Motorola to Samsung are building more powerful hardware than Apple, and soon the iPhone will be relegated to a small percentage of the market, and Apple will be in trouble once again.
Greengart then explains why this thinking is misguided.
Android’s success doesn’t necessarily mean failure for the iPhone. The mobile industry is not a zero sum game, writes Greengart.
Any story that portrays Apple as “relinquish[ing] its dominance of the smartphone market to Android” is also mistaken, adds Greengart. Despite its incredible success over the past three years, Apple is not the No. 1 seller of smartphones globally. That company would be Nokia.
Trumping this all is the matter of profitability, a.k.a. the real reason why Apple may not be too worried about Google’s Android momentum. Apple’s combination of high-margin devices coupled with consistently huge sales means that it makes more money than anyone else in the mobile industry, writes Greengart. Apple doesn’t specify how profitable its individual business units are, but Greengart notes that its iPhone revenues totaled $8.6 billion last quarter and its corporate gross margin was more than 36%–figures that point to “extremely robust” iPhone profits “no matter how the numbers are actually broken down.”
The numbers also mean that right now Apple outsells any individual Android licensee, such as HTC, Motorola or Samsung, and out-earns all of them combined, says Greengart. The figures also indicate that Apple will remain the profitability leader even if Android takes a larger share of the market overall. To stay in the lead, Apple simply needs to keep a “top three” or “top four” smartphone vendor ranking and continue selling high-margin devices, says Greengart.
That’s not to say that Apple is invincible. Greengart cites two cases in which Apple could stumble. The first: missing a major shift in how consumers use smartphones. Other market leaders, such as Motorola, lost their crowns by arriving late to or ignoring major trends. The second potential hazard, according to Greengart, is the possibility that Google will subsidize Android phones with the money it makes from mobile ads. Wide availability of low-cost yet high-end Android phones would place Apple at a “severe disadvantage,” writes Greengart. He adds, however, that Google is unlikely to make such an unusual move, at least in the near term.
In short, no matter how the quarterly cellphone shipment rankings shift, Apple will stay on top, at least in some respects. As Greengart concludes, “Apple is just fine with Google ‘beating’ it in market share as long as it can corral the lion’s share of industry profits…Apple wins the real game among handset vendors, which is making money.”
In a Nov. 16 research report, Greengart punctures the oft-made argument that Google’s “open” approach to creating and distributing mobile products will defeat Apple’s “closed” one, similar to the way PCs powered by Microsoft’s Windows became dominant over the Macintosh, due to Apple’s tight control.
Greengart sums up that position as:
Thanks to the open nature of the Android platform, vendors from HTC to Motorola to Samsung are building more powerful hardware than Apple, and soon the iPhone will be relegated to a small percentage of the market, and Apple will be in trouble once again.
Greengart then explains why this thinking is misguided.
Android’s success doesn’t necessarily mean failure for the iPhone. The mobile industry is not a zero sum game, writes Greengart.
Any story that portrays Apple as “relinquish[ing] its dominance of the smartphone market to Android” is also mistaken, adds Greengart. Despite its incredible success over the past three years, Apple is not the No. 1 seller of smartphones globally. That company would be Nokia.
Trumping this all is the matter of profitability, a.k.a. the real reason why Apple may not be too worried about Google’s Android momentum. Apple’s combination of high-margin devices coupled with consistently huge sales means that it makes more money than anyone else in the mobile industry, writes Greengart. Apple doesn’t specify how profitable its individual business units are, but Greengart notes that its iPhone revenues totaled $8.6 billion last quarter and its corporate gross margin was more than 36%–figures that point to “extremely robust” iPhone profits “no matter how the numbers are actually broken down.”
The numbers also mean that right now Apple outsells any individual Android licensee, such as HTC, Motorola or Samsung, and out-earns all of them combined, says Greengart. The figures also indicate that Apple will remain the profitability leader even if Android takes a larger share of the market overall. To stay in the lead, Apple simply needs to keep a “top three” or “top four” smartphone vendor ranking and continue selling high-margin devices, says Greengart.
That’s not to say that Apple is invincible. Greengart cites two cases in which Apple could stumble. The first: missing a major shift in how consumers use smartphones. Other market leaders, such as Motorola, lost their crowns by arriving late to or ignoring major trends. The second potential hazard, according to Greengart, is the possibility that Google will subsidize Android phones with the money it makes from mobile ads. Wide availability of low-cost yet high-end Android phones would place Apple at a “severe disadvantage,” writes Greengart. He adds, however, that Google is unlikely to make such an unusual move, at least in the near term.
In short, no matter how the quarterly cellphone shipment rankings shift, Apple will stay on top, at least in some respects. As Greengart concludes, “Apple is just fine with Google ‘beating’ it in market share as long as it can corral the lion’s share of industry profits…Apple wins the real game among handset vendors, which is making money.”
Android 2.3 Gingerbread Will Arrive Soon
It seems that the long awaited Android 2.3 Gingerbread will arrive soon.I am sure that this new operating system called Android 2.3 Gingerbread will have a big succes.During the Web 2.0 Summit, held in the United States, Google CEO Eric Schmidt confirmed on Monday (15) that the new version Android 2.3 Gingerbread, should arrive within the next three weeks the market. However, Google Chrome OS for netbooks, will only be for 2011.
I can’t wait for the release of the new Android 2.3 Gingerbread.Schmidt also outlined the new products as the “Android platform ideal for touch-sensitive devices”, and Chrome for “devices with keyboards. During the presentation, the executive used a smartphone “unannounced” to make the demonstration of new tools for Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
Even asked about the name and origin of the unit, the CEO frown and said that it was a product not yet released and should arrive on the market shortly. As the device has many physical similarities with the model Nexus S (Nexus Two as has also been contemplated), Samsung’s, it is believed that the new system Android 2.3 Gingerbread should even come close to a new mobile phone later this years.I am sure that Android 2.3 Gingerbread will have a big succes.
I can’t wait for the release of the new Android 2.3 Gingerbread.Schmidt also outlined the new products as the “Android platform ideal for touch-sensitive devices”, and Chrome for “devices with keyboards. During the presentation, the executive used a smartphone “unannounced” to make the demonstration of new tools for Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
Even asked about the name and origin of the unit, the CEO frown and said that it was a product not yet released and should arrive on the market shortly. As the device has many physical similarities with the model Nexus S (Nexus Two as has also been contemplated), Samsung’s, it is believed that the new system Android 2.3 Gingerbread should even come close to a new mobile phone later this years.I am sure that Android 2.3 Gingerbread will have a big succes.
Android 2.3 Gingerbread Will Arrive Soon
It seems that the long awaited Android 2.3 Gingerbread will arrive soon.I am sure that this new operating system called Android 2.3 Gingerbread will have a big succes.During the Web 2.0 Summit, held in the United States, Google CEO Eric Schmidt confirmed on Monday (15) that the new version Android 2.3 Gingerbread, should arrive within the next three weeks the market. However, Google Chrome OS for netbooks, will only be for 2011.
I can’t wait for the release of the new Android 2.3 Gingerbread.Schmidt also outlined the new products as the “Android platform ideal for touch-sensitive devices”, and Chrome for “devices with keyboards. During the presentation, the executive used a smartphone “unannounced” to make the demonstration of new tools for Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
Even asked about the name and origin of the unit, the CEO frown and said that it was a product not yet released and should arrive on the market shortly. As the device has many physical similarities with the model Nexus S (Nexus Two as has also been contemplated), Samsung’s, it is believed that the new system Android 2.3 Gingerbread should even come close to a new mobile phone later this years.I am sure that Android 2.3 Gingerbread will have a big succes.
I can’t wait for the release of the new Android 2.3 Gingerbread.Schmidt also outlined the new products as the “Android platform ideal for touch-sensitive devices”, and Chrome for “devices with keyboards. During the presentation, the executive used a smartphone “unannounced” to make the demonstration of new tools for Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
Even asked about the name and origin of the unit, the CEO frown and said that it was a product not yet released and should arrive on the market shortly. As the device has many physical similarities with the model Nexus S (Nexus Two as has also been contemplated), Samsung’s, it is believed that the new system Android 2.3 Gingerbread should even come close to a new mobile phone later this years.I am sure that Android 2.3 Gingerbread will have a big succes.
Android 2.3 Gingerbread is Still Baking
The Android 2.3 Gingerbread is also one of the most-awaited operating system updates today. Many people are already asking, “When is it going to be released?” Google wouldn’t say exactly when.
To whet people’s appetite for this OS, GoogleMobile even tweeted on Friday, “Our cafes are baking something sweet” with a photo of gingerbread men in the post. With this, there’s no doubt that they are pertaining to the upcoming Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS.
In the Web 2.0 Summit held on Monday, Google CEO Eric Schmidt wasn’t any help in giving an exact date for the Gingerbread’s launch. During the Summit, he only said that it will “come out in the next few weeks.” Schmidt also cited that the new OS will have more advanced features including NFC or Near Field Communication technology as well as RFID technology.
It’s still going to be a waiting game. But don’t worry because most likely it will ship together with the anticipated Nexus S handset!
To whet people’s appetite for this OS, GoogleMobile even tweeted on Friday, “Our cafes are baking something sweet” with a photo of gingerbread men in the post. With this, there’s no doubt that they are pertaining to the upcoming Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS.
In the Web 2.0 Summit held on Monday, Google CEO Eric Schmidt wasn’t any help in giving an exact date for the Gingerbread’s launch. During the Summit, he only said that it will “come out in the next few weeks.” Schmidt also cited that the new OS will have more advanced features including NFC or Near Field Communication technology as well as RFID technology.
It’s still going to be a waiting game. But don’t worry because most likely it will ship together with the anticipated Nexus S handset!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
HP promises to release several WebOS devices in 2011, likely including a brand new all-touch smartphone.
HP's Jon Rubenstein today promised that HP will release several WebOS devices next year. According to PreCentral, Jon Rubenstein told attendees at the Web 2.0 Summit that the pool of WebOS devices for developers to target would grow dramatically over the next 12 to 18 months.
Palm recently unveiled WebOS 2.0 (and the Palm Pre 2), a significant OS upgrade that provides a range of new opportunities for developers. This upgrade will be rolled out to existing Palm WebOS customers over the next few months.
Palm is known to be working on a WebOS tablet, currently known as the Palmpad, but Jon Rubenstein didn't want to elaborate on this project, beyond promising that it would be a great tablet for consumers.
Given HP now promises an increase in WebOS devices next year, we guess the rumored Palm Mansion all-touch smartphone should be expected to roll out in time for a mid-2011 release.
Palm recently unveiled WebOS 2.0 (and the Palm Pre 2), a significant OS upgrade that provides a range of new opportunities for developers. This upgrade will be rolled out to existing Palm WebOS customers over the next few months.
Palm is known to be working on a WebOS tablet, currently known as the Palmpad, but Jon Rubenstein didn't want to elaborate on this project, beyond promising that it would be a great tablet for consumers.
Given HP now promises an increase in WebOS devices next year, we guess the rumored Palm Mansion all-touch smartphone should be expected to roll out in time for a mid-2011 release.
Android 2.3 Gingerbread: Download Will Feature NFC
Google’s Eric Schmidt that “There’s a set of things that the iPhone did a brilliant job of doing on a closed system… but that the next real focus is on the application layer. You have to establish volume first, which is what we’ve done…We think Android will be a leading platform, if not the leading platform.” so he really believes that Android will be ahead of Apple’s iOS. I am on the fence with this one as the Apple platform is so popular.
Schmidt said all of this at the web 2.0 Summit and the Google CEO said that the Android Gingerbread 2.3 will read RFID tags and communicate with other payment systems, mobile phones and perhaps some other applications.
Interesting times as he also mentioned NFC. This is an additional set of sensors which can interact with RFID tags that are used in shipping and retail along with many other things. To read more about this please head over to TNW and have a read of everything else Eric Schmidt had to say.
Do you think Android can realistically rival the Apple iOS?
Schmidt said all of this at the web 2.0 Summit and the Google CEO said that the Android Gingerbread 2.3 will read RFID tags and communicate with other payment systems, mobile phones and perhaps some other applications.
Interesting times as he also mentioned NFC. This is an additional set of sensors which can interact with RFID tags that are used in shipping and retail along with many other things. To read more about this please head over to TNW and have a read of everything else Eric Schmidt had to say.
Do you think Android can realistically rival the Apple iOS?
LG Star could be first Android phone with dual-core Tegra 2
Handset manufacturer LG appears on the verge of releasing a super phone of its own in the United States. According to Engadget, the Star is poised to become the first dual-core Android phone to feature Nvidia's Tegra 2 chipset.
Other details include the capability to record 1080p high definition with an 8-megapixel camera, a second front-facing camera, and what looks to be a 4-inch display. Rumor has it the phone will run a stock Android 2.3 Gingerbread experience when it's released in early 2011. So when in 2011, you ask? Well, CES is right around the corner, so here's hoping LG has it ready to show off in Las Vegas.
On a related note, LG has announced that its Optimus line of phones has crossed the million-sold mark in just 40 days. Like Samsung's Galaxy S series, LG appears to have found that releasing the same handset for multiple carriers is a good move. Customers in the United States can grab the Optimus S from Sprint and the Optimus T from T-Mobile right now, and Verizon's Vortex is due November 18. Looking forward, LG is hoping the Optimus series becomes its first 10 million-seller smartphone.
Other details include the capability to record 1080p high definition with an 8-megapixel camera, a second front-facing camera, and what looks to be a 4-inch display. Rumor has it the phone will run a stock Android 2.3 Gingerbread experience when it's released in early 2011. So when in 2011, you ask? Well, CES is right around the corner, so here's hoping LG has it ready to show off in Las Vegas.
On a related note, LG has announced that its Optimus line of phones has crossed the million-sold mark in just 40 days. Like Samsung's Galaxy S series, LG appears to have found that releasing the same handset for multiple carriers is a good move. Customers in the United States can grab the Optimus S from Sprint and the Optimus T from T-Mobile right now, and Verizon's Vortex is due November 18. Looking forward, LG is hoping the Optimus series becomes its first 10 million-seller smartphone.
Features we want on Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Google's method of rapidly and regularly dishing out updates to their Android platform is a great way to get people more and more excited about their smartphone platform. But its negative effect is that existing owners of Android phones (other than the Nexus One) crib and cry about the delays till an update comes to their phone. For example, owners of the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 have gotten their Android 2.1 update just now, something Google had put out to the world in the beginning of January 2010.
The latest Android 2.2 (or Froyo as it is popularly known), was released to the masses on May 20 this year. It brought in performance improvements, Wi-fi hotspot functionality, the ability to install apps on an SD card and Adobe Flash 10.1 support.
Android's version 2.3 or Gingerbread was supposed to come out of the cookie jar yesterday (November 11) but there's no official word on it till now. However, there have been a couple of confirmed new features, like improved copy-paste and social networking features as well as support for Google's new WebM video format. There is also some speculation about it including features like an iTunes-like Music Store, revamped UI, support for bigger screens and higher resolutions (up to 1366 x 768 pixels).
Either way there are a few small things sorely missing from the most recent build of Android that we'd like to see be a part of version 2.3. Also, there are a couple of features that we think would do good as well. Read on to find out what they are.
The latest Android 2.2 (or Froyo as it is popularly known), was released to the masses on May 20 this year. It brought in performance improvements, Wi-fi hotspot functionality, the ability to install apps on an SD card and Adobe Flash 10.1 support.
Android's version 2.3 or Gingerbread was supposed to come out of the cookie jar yesterday (November 11) but there's no official word on it till now. However, there have been a couple of confirmed new features, like improved copy-paste and social networking features as well as support for Google's new WebM video format. There is also some speculation about it including features like an iTunes-like Music Store, revamped UI, support for bigger screens and higher resolutions (up to 1366 x 768 pixels).
Either way there are a few small things sorely missing from the most recent build of Android that we'd like to see be a part of version 2.3. Also, there are a couple of features that we think would do good as well. Read on to find out what they are.
Samsung Galaxy S2 With Android 2.3 Gingerbread And 4.5″ Super AMOLED Release Date Is February 2011?
Besides the Google Nexus S, Samsung is also working on the next-gen Samsung Galaxy S and the specs of this device are really impressive, unlike the aforementioned smartphone.
The name of Samsung Galaxy S’ heir is unknown at the moment, but the specs of the smartphone will tear you apart and will make you wait for this device.
The Samsung Galaxy S2 features a 4.5-inch Super AMOLED 2 touchscreen (probably the one unveiled a few days ago by Samsung), 1.2GHz processor capable of playbacking 1080p HD videos, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, Bluetooth 3.0 support, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, built-in 16GB storage, 8-megapixel camera with autofocus, LED flash, support for full HD 1080p video recording, 14.4Mbps, GPS, and DLNA streaming support.
The name of Samsung Galaxy S’ heir is unknown at the moment, but the specs of the smartphone will tear you apart and will make you wait for this device.
The Samsung Galaxy S2 features a 4.5-inch Super AMOLED 2 touchscreen (probably the one unveiled a few days ago by Samsung), 1.2GHz processor capable of playbacking 1080p HD videos, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, Bluetooth 3.0 support, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, built-in 16GB storage, 8-megapixel camera with autofocus, LED flash, support for full HD 1080p video recording, 14.4Mbps, GPS, and DLNA streaming support.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Froyo Coming Soon to Dell Streak
Dell's Streak will soon be powered by Froyo! Dell announced that Froyo will begin rolling out Froyo to its half-tablet-half-smartphone Streak by the end of the month. The 5-inch smartphone-tablet crossover launched this summer, and originally shipped with Android 1.6. In September Dell offered a limited update to version 2.1, but it was not without its troubles.
Word of the incoming Froyo update came courtesy of the official Dell UK Facebook account. On Facebook Dell posted an update stating that they "will begin a roll-out of the 2.2 update OTA before the end of November."
The good news is that the update will be delivered over-the-air, meaning you won't need to plug it into your PC to grab it. But there is bad news: This update will roll-out staggered by region. The update will first be available to those in the United Kingdom, with Dell asking those elsewhere to "please be patient as your build may be happening at a later stage".
So, for those Streak owners out there, Froyo is coming, as proved by these sneaky screenshots--its just that, uh, were not entirely sure when it's coming.
Word of the incoming Froyo update came courtesy of the official Dell UK Facebook account. On Facebook Dell posted an update stating that they "will begin a roll-out of the 2.2 update OTA before the end of November."
The good news is that the update will be delivered over-the-air, meaning you won't need to plug it into your PC to grab it. But there is bad news: This update will roll-out staggered by region. The update will first be available to those in the United Kingdom, with Dell asking those elsewhere to "please be patient as your build may be happening at a later stage".
So, for those Streak owners out there, Froyo is coming, as proved by these sneaky screenshots--its just that, uh, were not entirely sure when it's coming.
Android 2.3 Will Do Mobile Payments and Lots of 'Bump'
By Mark Sullivan, PCWorld Nov 16, 2010 7:04 am
Google CEO Eric Schmidt says smartphones will soon support “bump” technology and mobile payments. These new features will be part of the new version of the Android operating system (2.3, Gingerbread), the release of which could come as soon as this week.
Schmidt came on stage at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco on Monday, with a mystery phone running a new version of Android (which may have been the as-yet-unannounced Nexus S). He bumped the phone to wake it up, and phone immediately located itself and began providing information about the hotel.
In one scenario, Schmidt described a how smartphone user would walk down the street, and instead of typing terms into search, the phone would constantly present detailed information about nearby places.
Android will soon support mobile payments (starting with Android 2.3), and some future Android phones--the Nexus S might be the first--will contain NFC (near field communication) chips. NFC chips can effectively turn your smartphone into a credit card of sorts by broadcasting data to other NFC-speaking machines. For example, you would be able to walk into a store, "bump" your phone on a NFC sensor there, and pay for your goods without having to pull out a credit card or cash. Some retailers may start accepting smartphone payments as early as next year.
Google says that it is using “bump” in many different apps and functionality, allowing the user to physically bump their phone into another phone or another device to convey information or data.
Schmidt says that Android 2.3 should appear "in the next few weeks." We will have a complete review of Android 2.3 when it becomes available.
Would you recommend this story?
Google CEO Eric Schmidt says smartphones will soon support “bump” technology and mobile payments. These new features will be part of the new version of the Android operating system (2.3, Gingerbread), the release of which could come as soon as this week.
Schmidt came on stage at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco on Monday, with a mystery phone running a new version of Android (which may have been the as-yet-unannounced Nexus S). He bumped the phone to wake it up, and phone immediately located itself and began providing information about the hotel.
In one scenario, Schmidt described a how smartphone user would walk down the street, and instead of typing terms into search, the phone would constantly present detailed information about nearby places.
Android will soon support mobile payments (starting with Android 2.3), and some future Android phones--the Nexus S might be the first--will contain NFC (near field communication) chips. NFC chips can effectively turn your smartphone into a credit card of sorts by broadcasting data to other NFC-speaking machines. For example, you would be able to walk into a store, "bump" your phone on a NFC sensor there, and pay for your goods without having to pull out a credit card or cash. Some retailers may start accepting smartphone payments as early as next year.
Google says that it is using “bump” in many different apps and functionality, allowing the user to physically bump their phone into another phone or another device to convey information or data.
Schmidt says that Android 2.3 should appear "in the next few weeks." We will have a complete review of Android 2.3 when it becomes available.
Would you recommend this story?
Google CEO Eric Schmidt: Android 2.3 Gingerbread to Support NFC
As noted a few moments ago, Google CEO Eric Schmidt talked a little bit about the next iteration of the Android mobile platform — Android 2.3 [Gingerbread] — while showing off the highly-anticipated Nexus S at the 2010 Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco, California. Schmidt revealed that Android 2.3 [Gingerbread] will be released in the next few weeks along with the Nexus S.
He also indicated that one of the major features of the upcoming Android 2.3 [Gingerbread] will be NFC [Near Field Communication] support. As a matter of fact, he mentioned that the “unannounced device” that he was holding — the Nexus S — will come equipped with NFC technology.
Now, some of you might be wondering “what the hell is NFC?” Well, NFC or Near Field Communication is a technology that allows devices to interact with each other when they’re close to one another. The Nexus S is said to come with chip that will let users make payment on specially equipped credit card terminals. The system is very similar to what Cupertino, California-based Apple Inc. is rumored to introduce with the upcoming iPhone 5.
Making payments with a mobile device is just an example of what NFC brings to the table. There are many possibilities. Another example would be checking into places without actually having to get your phone out, open an specific location-based application, and do the whole thing manually. Establishments could just have specially designed location terminals that would allow users to just tap their phones to check-into that specific business.
We can expect that future Android-powered devices will be equipped with the NFC chip too.
He also indicated that one of the major features of the upcoming Android 2.3 [Gingerbread] will be NFC [Near Field Communication] support. As a matter of fact, he mentioned that the “unannounced device” that he was holding — the Nexus S — will come equipped with NFC technology.
Now, some of you might be wondering “what the hell is NFC?” Well, NFC or Near Field Communication is a technology that allows devices to interact with each other when they’re close to one another. The Nexus S is said to come with chip that will let users make payment on specially equipped credit card terminals. The system is very similar to what Cupertino, California-based Apple Inc. is rumored to introduce with the upcoming iPhone 5.
Making payments with a mobile device is just an example of what NFC brings to the table. There are many possibilities. Another example would be checking into places without actually having to get your phone out, open an specific location-based application, and do the whole thing manually. Establishments could just have specially designed location terminals that would allow users to just tap their phones to check-into that specific business.
We can expect that future Android-powered devices will be equipped with the NFC chip too.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Google May Announced Android 2.3 Gingerbread at Web 2.0 Summit Monday
Monday, November 15th marks the official start of the Web 2.0 Summit at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, California. You can expect to see some top and important folks in the industry, but that doesn’t appear as if that’s what’s creating all of the buzz in the techsphere.
Instead, what could be announced at the start of the conference is what’s seemingly on everyone’s minds. We could, of course, only be referring to Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The past Friday, Google hinted that the next version of their famous mobile operating system would soon be available, but whether or not Gingerbread says hello to the public Monday is still not known.
Here’s to hoping. We’ll be sure to keep out eyes peeled.
Instead, what could be announced at the start of the conference is what’s seemingly on everyone’s minds. We could, of course, only be referring to Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The past Friday, Google hinted that the next version of their famous mobile operating system would soon be available, but whether or not Gingerbread says hello to the public Monday is still not known.
Here’s to hoping. We’ll be sure to keep out eyes peeled.
Samsung Galaxy Tab - getting to know you
It’s not the dream Android tablet, but Samsung’s Galaxy Tab shows a lot of promise.
As I said last week, I wouldn’t rush out to buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab. I think it’s too expensive and a little sluggish. It’s certainly worth waiting to evaluate the upcoming Android tablet competition. This doesn’t mean the Galaxy Tab doesn’t have a lot to offer, so I thought I’d get to know it a little better.
At first the Galaxy Tab's user experience falls short, but that’s because you need to take the time to customise Android. Unfortunately for Samsung, I prefer HTC’s Sense UI Android devices such as the HTC Desire over Samsung’s offerings such as the Galaxy S. To be honest I think I was hoping for a 7-inch HTC Desire rather than a 7-inch Galaxy S. The great thing about Android compared to Apple’s iOS is that you can tinker under the bonnet, so you can tweak the Galaxy Tab to suit your tastes.
As I said last week, I wouldn’t rush out to buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab. I think it’s too expensive and a little sluggish. It’s certainly worth waiting to evaluate the upcoming Android tablet competition. This doesn’t mean the Galaxy Tab doesn’t have a lot to offer, so I thought I’d get to know it a little better.
At first the Galaxy Tab's user experience falls short, but that’s because you need to take the time to customise Android. Unfortunately for Samsung, I prefer HTC’s Sense UI Android devices such as the HTC Desire over Samsung’s offerings such as the Galaxy S. To be honest I think I was hoping for a 7-inch HTC Desire rather than a 7-inch Galaxy S. The great thing about Android compared to Apple’s iOS is that you can tinker under the bonnet, so you can tweak the Galaxy Tab to suit your tastes.
MeeGo 1.1 Released To Developers
The project release of MeeGo 1.1, designed to deliver a solid baseline for device vendors and developers to start creating software on Intel Atom and ARMv7 architectures, is now available.
The latest iteration of the Linux-based open-source mobile operating system, supported by Intel and Nokia, features the MeeGo 1.1 Core release, including the MeeGo kernel, device drivers, middleware subsystems, and common API components, which are necessary to develop future MeeGo-compliant solutions.
MeeGo 1.1 also includes Netbook UX 1.1, a complete set of core applications for netbooks. To date, developers have tested these core apps on Intel Atom-based netbooks; HP mini; Asus Eee PC 1005PE; MSI AE1900-B; and Acer Aspire One 5740-6025, according to MeeGo.
In addition, the mobile OS incorporates In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) UX 1.1, which includes a sample IVI home screen and taskbar, built with Qt 4.7 and speech recognition. The Handset UX 1.1. technology snapshot uses basic development UX for voice-calling, SMS messaging, web browsing, music and video playback, photo viewing, and connection management, according to MeeGo developers.
The latest iteration of the Linux-based open-source mobile operating system, supported by Intel and Nokia, features the MeeGo 1.1 Core release, including the MeeGo kernel, device drivers, middleware subsystems, and common API components, which are necessary to develop future MeeGo-compliant solutions.
MeeGo 1.1 also includes Netbook UX 1.1, a complete set of core applications for netbooks. To date, developers have tested these core apps on Intel Atom-based netbooks; HP mini; Asus Eee PC 1005PE; MSI AE1900-B; and Acer Aspire One 5740-6025, according to MeeGo.
In addition, the mobile OS incorporates In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) UX 1.1, which includes a sample IVI home screen and taskbar, built with Qt 4.7 and speech recognition. The Handset UX 1.1. technology snapshot uses basic development UX for voice-calling, SMS messaging, web browsing, music and video playback, photo viewing, and connection management, according to MeeGo developers.
Dual Boot Nokia N900 with New MeeGo 1.1 Update
Nokia has been trumpeting about Symbian^3 mobile operating system since the last few months. Today, Nokia has announced a project release of MeeGo software. MeeGo is the open-source next-gen operating system for computing devices jointly developed by Nokia and Intel. New MeeGo 1.1 update will let users dual-boot Nokia N900 devices on a memory card that have latest 1.3 update running on it.
MeeGo 1.1 update is a project release not meant to be used on a daily basis over a device. This is an unfinished product and meant only for developers. In this update, developers can find cellular and sensor technologies built into the core of the mobile operating system. Basic mobile phone functions like voice calling, texting SMS, web browsing, music and video playback, photo viewing and other connection management have been tightly integrated.
MeeGo 1.1 update is a project release not meant to be used on a daily basis over a device. This is an unfinished product and meant only for developers. In this update, developers can find cellular and sensor technologies built into the core of the mobile operating system. Basic mobile phone functions like voice calling, texting SMS, web browsing, music and video playback, photo viewing and other connection management have been tightly integrated.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Samsung Windows Phone 7 can tether over USB
Omnia 7 and Focus owners can glow in the light of a finding by HDBlog.it (an Italian blog) which makes tethering possible despite Microsoft’s denial of the same at the Wndows Phone 7 launch event. This however works only for Samsung WP7 owners currently and we have to wait and see whether it can be achieved for other WP7 models.
Tethering basically means connecting your phone to a data device (generally a laptop) using a data cable thereby using the phone’s wireless connection (to its network) for connecting to the internet on the laptop. As opposed to using internet on phone, carriers generally charge more for internet use through tethering.
Tethering basically means connecting your phone to a data device (generally a laptop) using a data cable thereby using the phone’s wireless connection (to its network) for connecting to the internet on the laptop. As opposed to using internet on phone, carriers generally charge more for internet use through tethering.
Windows Phone 7 Launch - Success Or Not?
Microsoft's mobile platform launched Monday. The question is, was it a success or a failure? One analyst is estimating 40,000 devices were sold day one. How does that rate?
We have become used to big launches, something Apple has been doing for the last few releases of the iPhone and the iPad launch earlier this year. Apple confirmed that it sold 1.7 million devices in the first three days after the iPhone 4 launched. Keep in mind that included a lot of pre-orders, but that is still an impressive number.
They also confirmed that when the iPad launched, over 300,000 units were sold the first day.
The Street has asserted that Microsoft has sold 40,000 units in the first day and managed to throw in an ad hominem about Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at the same time.
We have become used to big launches, something Apple has been doing for the last few releases of the iPhone and the iPad launch earlier this year. Apple confirmed that it sold 1.7 million devices in the first three days after the iPhone 4 launched. Keep in mind that included a lot of pre-orders, but that is still an impressive number.
They also confirmed that when the iPad launched, over 300,000 units were sold the first day.
The Street has asserted that Microsoft has sold 40,000 units in the first day and managed to throw in an ad hominem about Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at the same time.
Samsung Nexus S, Android 2.3 features
Nexus S also known as the second phone from Google will marinate before going out on the market in 2011.
With some pictures we get to know it a little more closely and it is now the moment when they announce its first “official” features.
And this new Samsung Nexus S will be one of the first devices to incorporate the new Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) if it does not arrive earlier than expected.
Even knowing a few things, what we do know for sure is that its screen is about 4 inches and the name was changed from Nexus Two into Nexus S (GT-i9020).The camera will come with LED Flash and the integrated processor starts from 1 GHz and waiting for the new batch of chips from Samsung.
It is thought that the release date will be November 14 and we will certainly be surprised especially when several parameters are still unknown.
With some pictures we get to know it a little more closely and it is now the moment when they announce its first “official” features.
And this new Samsung Nexus S will be one of the first devices to incorporate the new Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) if it does not arrive earlier than expected.
Even knowing a few things, what we do know for sure is that its screen is about 4 inches and the name was changed from Nexus Two into Nexus S (GT-i9020).The camera will come with LED Flash and the integrated processor starts from 1 GHz and waiting for the new batch of chips from Samsung.
It is thought that the release date will be November 14 and we will certainly be surprised especially when several parameters are still unknown.
Google Signals Android 2.3 'Gingerbread' is Done Baking
Google has dropped yet another clue that the company's next iteration of its Android mobile operating system is ready to be served up to users—literally. The official Google Mobile Twitter account now links to a rather suspicious image of a plethora of gingerbread cookies that have been baked in the style of, you guessed it, the Android logo.
The culinary move comes in the wake of Google's first big clue that Gingerbread was nearing release—the launch of a giant Gingerbread man in the front of the company's Mountain View, Calif. headquarters. It's been a longstanding tradition that larger-than-life replications of the company's mobile OS codenames, all conveniently themed around delicious desserts, get added to the ever-expanding "sculpture gallery" at Google.
The culinary move comes in the wake of Google's first big clue that Gingerbread was nearing release—the launch of a giant Gingerbread man in the front of the company's Mountain View, Calif. headquarters. It's been a longstanding tradition that larger-than-life replications of the company's mobile OS codenames, all conveniently themed around delicious desserts, get added to the ever-expanding "sculpture gallery" at Google.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Android 3.0 Gingerbread Features, Overview And Release Date
Android 3.0 Gingerbread is the next iteration in this open source mobile operating system. It brings along lots of new features that people will find useful and truly advances the OS to the next level, but it will only be available on the higher end, powerful devices that have the hardware necessary to run it (Android 2.1 and 2.2 will serve as the OS of choice for lower end and ultraportable devices that do not have a lot of hardware and battery power).
That wasn’t a planned move by Google and the Open Handset Alliance (which owns the OS), but rather a side effect of the increased hardware requirements of the new Android 3.0 Gingerbread. Most people will be happy with slower smart phones, and Android 2.2 is the perfect choice for them – it requires very few resources and has all the features one might need.
The hardware requirements for the new Gingerbread are pretty high, compared to the older Android versions. The new OS needs 512 MB RAM, a 1 GHz CPU and a 3.5 inch display to run at optimal speeds and accommodate the higher resolution and improved multi touch capabilities. As you may have thought, this OS could be the perfect choice for a high end smartphone or a tablet PC that can rival the iPad.
Despite those requirements, a couple of developers have actually installed and ran Android 3.0 on a Motorola Droid, and while it was slow, it was pretty usable. But of course, not everyone has the skills to do that, and most people will have to stick with the decisions that the manufacturers make.
The high hardware requirements are not without good reasons though. Android 3.0 brings a lot of amazing new features and improvements over the previous versions to the table. The OS now supports screen resolutions of up to 1366×768, which means the newer devices running the OS can have a crystal clear picture, provided the display supports these resolutions. This is great news for manufacturers like Samsung and HTC, who will definitely want their phones to be able to compete with the iPhone 4. If you didn’t know, Android 2.2 and older versions were limited to a resolution of maximum 848×480 (which only the Motorola Droid put to good use).
The user interface has also been completely revamped, and is now more intuitive, more beautiful and more importantly, runs faster and is much less prone to crashes. This is thanks to the UI code being integrated into the core of Android itself, which also means that third party interfaces like the Motoblur and Sense may be a thing of the past (the manufacturers can still choose to use them, though).
These are the two biggest improvements, but there are a lot of other new features and bug fixes. Android 3.0 will be more stable, have an advanced task management system which will control hanged applications and battery life, it will have advanced support for Adobe Flash and WebM, better copy-paste functionalities, better support for video calls and 3D applications (with new OpenGL drivers).
As you can see, the new Gingerbread will be a great addition to the Android family and mobile OS industry in general. I need to mention that the code name and actual version number haven’t actually been confirmed, and we may end up with Android 2.5 Garlic for all we know :-) . The release is set for late October, 2010, and that’s when we’ll know all the details but it’s believed that the Android 3.0 release date will be in time for this year’s autumn/winter smartphone collection. Until then, let’s hope that the new OS will live up to the expectations and even exceed them!
That wasn’t a planned move by Google and the Open Handset Alliance (which owns the OS), but rather a side effect of the increased hardware requirements of the new Android 3.0 Gingerbread. Most people will be happy with slower smart phones, and Android 2.2 is the perfect choice for them – it requires very few resources and has all the features one might need.
The hardware requirements for the new Gingerbread are pretty high, compared to the older Android versions. The new OS needs 512 MB RAM, a 1 GHz CPU and a 3.5 inch display to run at optimal speeds and accommodate the higher resolution and improved multi touch capabilities. As you may have thought, this OS could be the perfect choice for a high end smartphone or a tablet PC that can rival the iPad.
Despite those requirements, a couple of developers have actually installed and ran Android 3.0 on a Motorola Droid, and while it was slow, it was pretty usable. But of course, not everyone has the skills to do that, and most people will have to stick with the decisions that the manufacturers make.
The high hardware requirements are not without good reasons though. Android 3.0 brings a lot of amazing new features and improvements over the previous versions to the table. The OS now supports screen resolutions of up to 1366×768, which means the newer devices running the OS can have a crystal clear picture, provided the display supports these resolutions. This is great news for manufacturers like Samsung and HTC, who will definitely want their phones to be able to compete with the iPhone 4. If you didn’t know, Android 2.2 and older versions were limited to a resolution of maximum 848×480 (which only the Motorola Droid put to good use).
The user interface has also been completely revamped, and is now more intuitive, more beautiful and more importantly, runs faster and is much less prone to crashes. This is thanks to the UI code being integrated into the core of Android itself, which also means that third party interfaces like the Motoblur and Sense may be a thing of the past (the manufacturers can still choose to use them, though).
These are the two biggest improvements, but there are a lot of other new features and bug fixes. Android 3.0 will be more stable, have an advanced task management system which will control hanged applications and battery life, it will have advanced support for Adobe Flash and WebM, better copy-paste functionalities, better support for video calls and 3D applications (with new OpenGL drivers).
As you can see, the new Gingerbread will be a great addition to the Android family and mobile OS industry in general. I need to mention that the code name and actual version number haven’t actually been confirmed, and we may end up with Android 2.5 Garlic for all we know :-) . The release is set for late October, 2010, and that’s when we’ll know all the details but it’s believed that the Android 3.0 release date will be in time for this year’s autumn/winter smartphone collection. Until then, let’s hope that the new OS will live up to the expectations and even exceed them!
Apple iOS 4.2 update delayed until Nov 24
The iOS 4.2 software update had been expected today, but Apple has delayed it release until Nov 24, a reliable source has told the Telegraph.
Apple has refused to comment on the speculation, stating only that it had said the software update would be released in November.
But a source that works closely with Apple said that the company had shelved its original plan to release the software update today, and had instead pushed back the launch until later this month.
Apple has refused to comment on the speculation, stating only that it had said the software update would be released in November.
But a source that works closely with Apple said that the company had shelved its original plan to release the software update today, and had instead pushed back the launch until later this month.
Android 2.3 Gingerbread could launch any day now
While you probably already know that the next major version of the Android operating system, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, could launch at any moment now, Google Mobile just solidified this fact. According to a recent tweet, @GoogleMobile had this to say, “Our cafes are baking something sweet.” The picture above was attached to this tweet.
So while this could just be a tease of sorts, when Google themselves tweet something like this, it’s likely not meaning that something will be on its way within weeks, but will likely be on the scale of days. Could the Gingerbread update be announced within the next couple of days? We sure as hell hope so, as we’re getting a little impatient to see what it’s packing. And, we haven’t even gotten into the fact that it will likely remain only on the Nexus One and Nexus S (if launched) for some time before any other handset sees the update.
Google needs to deliver the goods with Gingerbread to be come the iOS alternative. While it already is at this point, providing a nicer user experience will go quite nicely to the stack of features the OS comes with. While WebOS and Windows Phone 7 are very nice operating systems that rival even iOS in the aesthetics department, they lack the features to take the lead. If Gingerbread provides a revamped UI that makes Android looks somewhat sexy, or at least just easier on the eyes, it’ll do nothing but help the OS skyrocket to the top. More so than it already is.
Gingerbread is said to make custom UI’s on Android phones irrelevant, and this is a very smart move for Google to make. While some manufacturers will continue to make their custom skins on their Android phones, Gingerbread may have just the right look for some to scrap a new UI all together. Choosing stock Android for a device theoretically will ensure that the device will be updated faster than other, skinned Android phones.
Who knows, but hopefully Google will surprise some lucky Nexus One owners with a treat this weekend.
So while this could just be a tease of sorts, when Google themselves tweet something like this, it’s likely not meaning that something will be on its way within weeks, but will likely be on the scale of days. Could the Gingerbread update be announced within the next couple of days? We sure as hell hope so, as we’re getting a little impatient to see what it’s packing. And, we haven’t even gotten into the fact that it will likely remain only on the Nexus One and Nexus S (if launched) for some time before any other handset sees the update.
Google needs to deliver the goods with Gingerbread to be come the iOS alternative. While it already is at this point, providing a nicer user experience will go quite nicely to the stack of features the OS comes with. While WebOS and Windows Phone 7 are very nice operating systems that rival even iOS in the aesthetics department, they lack the features to take the lead. If Gingerbread provides a revamped UI that makes Android looks somewhat sexy, or at least just easier on the eyes, it’ll do nothing but help the OS skyrocket to the top. More so than it already is.
Gingerbread is said to make custom UI’s on Android phones irrelevant, and this is a very smart move for Google to make. While some manufacturers will continue to make their custom skins on their Android phones, Gingerbread may have just the right look for some to scrap a new UI all together. Choosing stock Android for a device theoretically will ensure that the device will be updated faster than other, skinned Android phones.
Who knows, but hopefully Google will surprise some lucky Nexus One owners with a treat this weekend.
Samsung Nexus S Will Have Android 2.3 Gingerbread ?
It seems that after all the new Samsung Nexus S will be release and will have Android 2.3 Gingerbread.The new smartphone called Android 2.3 Gingerbread will be release in February 2011.Samsung Nexus S will replace Galaxy S and should be available worldwide in February 2011. The new Samsung smartphones could then be revealed at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Meanwhile, the new model was the terminus in some online store, a partner of Samsung. Although we currently know very little about its features and specifications, the first information on the phone seem pretty promising future.I think that Android 2.3 Gingerbread and Samsung Nexus S are making a great team.
Samsung Nexus S should be equipped with a 4.3-or 4.5-inch screen sAMOLED second, which is certainly super AMOLED second. Thus it would seem that Samsung has made some improvements to the screen, enough to justify the new name. Based on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the next version of Google’s mobile operating system, Samsung Nexus S I have a 1.2GHz processor (although we do not know which one), 16GB memory, Bluetooth 3.0, 3G and 8-megapixel camera capable of recording video Full HD.The new Samsung Nexus S will be great with Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
I think that is a good thing that the new Samsung Nexus S will have Android 2.3 Gingerbread.One of the images attached to the submission for another Samsung phone (a VoIP Apiotek pretty old). Engadget pointed out that the presentation form of the Samsung Nexus S comes from the manufacturer and the image is just a mistake.Android 2.3 Gingerbread is a great operating system and I am sure that Samsung Nexus S will have succes.
Samsung Nexus S should be equipped with a 4.3-or 4.5-inch screen sAMOLED second, which is certainly super AMOLED second. Thus it would seem that Samsung has made some improvements to the screen, enough to justify the new name. Based on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the next version of Google’s mobile operating system, Samsung Nexus S I have a 1.2GHz processor (although we do not know which one), 16GB memory, Bluetooth 3.0, 3G and 8-megapixel camera capable of recording video Full HD.The new Samsung Nexus S will be great with Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
I think that is a good thing that the new Samsung Nexus S will have Android 2.3 Gingerbread.One of the images attached to the submission for another Samsung phone (a VoIP Apiotek pretty old). Engadget pointed out that the presentation form of the Samsung Nexus S comes from the manufacturer and the image is just a mistake.Android 2.3 Gingerbread is a great operating system and I am sure that Samsung Nexus S will have succes.
Samsung's Android tablet: split and eviscerated
The race to dethrone Apple's iPad as top tablet has begun in earnest, with Samsung's Galaxy Tab now available, and others such as RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook waiting in the wings.
To see how the Galaxy Tab's innards stack up to those in the Cupertinian "magical and revolutionary" device, the repairmen and vivisectionists at iFixit split one open — with the help of a guitar pick, tri-bladed screwdriver, heat gun, and other weapons of tablet destruction.
To see how the Galaxy Tab's innards stack up to those in the Cupertinian "magical and revolutionary" device, the repairmen and vivisectionists at iFixit split one open — with the help of a guitar pick, tri-bladed screwdriver, heat gun, and other weapons of tablet destruction.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
O2 to get Android 2.2 for Galaxy S next week
O2 is to receive the long awaited Android 2.2 update for the Samsung Galaxy S on 15 November, according to internet reports.
The network is yet to inform customers of when it will be rolling out the update, aka Froyo, to its customers with the O2 variant of the smartphone.
Android Central says the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro Android 2.1 updates are all also due to land at O2 on Monday as well.
Samsung and Sony Ericsson started to release updates for the smartphones earlier this month, with unlocked versions of the Galaxy S and Xperia X10 series receiving them first.
O2 had been pencilled in to be the first network to get them.
Samsung Galaxy S customers on O2 will be amongst the first to enjoy better multitasking, wireless support and filesharing and Adobe Flash 10.1, all features enabled by Android 2.2.
The Android 2.1 update means Xperia X10 owners will be able to enjoy HD video recording with continuous auto-focus, a new back-up and restore app, five homescreens and phonebook that syncs with Facebook.
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini and Xperia X10 Mini Pro customers will get better Bluetooth support, improvements on how their phone handles text messages, the back-up and restore app and the option to sync their phonebook with Facebook.
The network is yet to inform customers of when it will be rolling out the update, aka Froyo, to its customers with the O2 variant of the smartphone.
Android Central says the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro Android 2.1 updates are all also due to land at O2 on Monday as well.
Samsung and Sony Ericsson started to release updates for the smartphones earlier this month, with unlocked versions of the Galaxy S and Xperia X10 series receiving them first.
O2 had been pencilled in to be the first network to get them.
Samsung Galaxy S customers on O2 will be amongst the first to enjoy better multitasking, wireless support and filesharing and Adobe Flash 10.1, all features enabled by Android 2.2.
The Android 2.1 update means Xperia X10 owners will be able to enjoy HD video recording with continuous auto-focus, a new back-up and restore app, five homescreens and phonebook that syncs with Facebook.
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini and Xperia X10 Mini Pro customers will get better Bluetooth support, improvements on how their phone handles text messages, the back-up and restore app and the option to sync their phonebook with Facebook.
Google Nexus One Android 2.3 Gingerbread update in next few days
Hold on tight this is big! Google Nexus One will get Android 2.3 or Android 3.0 codenamed Gingerbread update in the next few days. Yeah it’s true! It just came from a tweet made by Alvaro Fuentes Vasquez of Open Handset Alliance saying that Nexus One owners will be getting Android 2.3 update in few days.
The previous rumors are suggesting release date of November 11th and these rumors gets more credible as look at the gigantic statue of Gingerbread man being placed at Google’s headquarter.
It was also presumed that Android 2.3 Gingerbread is going to be launched on Nexus Two, which was to be manufactured by Samsung, but after today’s leak many reports all over the are suggesting that the Nexus Two plan has be delayed to 2011. However we all are waiting for an official announcement.
The previous rumors are suggesting release date of November 11th and these rumors gets more credible as look at the gigantic statue of Gingerbread man being placed at Google’s headquarter.
It was also presumed that Android 2.3 Gingerbread is going to be launched on Nexus Two, which was to be manufactured by Samsung, but after today’s leak many reports all over the are suggesting that the Nexus Two plan has be delayed to 2011. However we all are waiting for an official announcement.
At G-20, U.S. stymied on trade goals
SEOUL — Currencies, cars and cows all blocked U.S. administration goals in bilateral meetings ahead of the Group of 20 summit of the world's top economies that kicked off Thursday night in the South Korean capital.
President Obama and Chinese leader Hu Jintao spent most of their 80-minute huddle discussing the often contentious issue of the Chinese yuan, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. But no breakthrough emerged on faster appreciation of a currency Washington says is deliberately undervalued to aid Chinese exporters.
Despite extensive, last-minute negotiations, Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung Bak announced that a long-awaited free-trade agreement still needs work. The sticking points: greater market access for U.S. automobile and beef exports to Korea, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said.
President Obama and Chinese leader Hu Jintao spent most of their 80-minute huddle discussing the often contentious issue of the Chinese yuan, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. But no breakthrough emerged on faster appreciation of a currency Washington says is deliberately undervalued to aid Chinese exporters.
Despite extensive, last-minute negotiations, Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung Bak announced that a long-awaited free-trade agreement still needs work. The sticking points: greater market access for U.S. automobile and beef exports to Korea, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said.
iOS 4.2 serves up revealing prelude to iPad 2 and iPhone 5
iOS 4.2, Apple’s touchscreen operating system as of today, accomplishes far more than merely unifying the company’s current iPad and iPhone products while tossing in a laundry list of minor-ish features for each. Even as 4.2 accomplished exactly that in the short term, the directions Apple steers iOS in with this straddling-the-radar release will provide the best insight yet as to what the company has planned for down the road. And no, we’re not talking about iOS 5.
Well, not directly, anyway. Consider this: in a tightly integrated hardware-software ecosystem such as iOS, the operating system will be pushed precisely as far as the hardware can handle and vice versa. iOS 4.2 is, in essence, the most operating system that the iPhone 4 and inaugural iPad can handle. But we’re getting into the latter stages of iOS 4 by now. Yes it’s only four months old for iPhone, and is just now arriving for iPad in any form. But consider that no version of iOS has ever made it past the x.2.x stage, and one realizes that iOS 4.2 may well be the final x.x release for iOS 4, with any further releases in the next eight months being mere x.x.x releases as Apple’s engineers turn their primary attention to iOS 5 development behind the scenes. Once you frame 4.2 as being perhaps Apple’s last big iOS 4 push, you realize the company is going to get its licks in on this one as best it can with the hardware involved. And while the headline features are already known, it’ll be the hands-on usage which reveals the subtle-yet-there new tendencies that Apple’s engineers will reveal via iOS 4.2, minor enough not to fundamentally alter the nature of the platform but noticeable to make the more curious users wonder what Apple is up to. And right there will be your hints about what the company has in store for the iPhone 5 and iPad 2. After all, Apple already knows what those devices will entail hardware-wise. So the directions that the iOS 4.2 update ends up nudging the platform in will be the same directions Apple is already planning to take its hardware in.
Sure, visualizing the nature of iPad 2 and iPhone 5 by analyzing iOS 4.2 is like trying to figure out what a house will look like by analyzing its wooden frame while it’s awaiting full construction. And as of today we’ve not even yet gotten our hands on the wooden frame, so we won’t know what the hints are until we do. But the forthcoming update of the current generation iOS will give you some idea of the framework for the future generation hardware.
Well, not directly, anyway. Consider this: in a tightly integrated hardware-software ecosystem such as iOS, the operating system will be pushed precisely as far as the hardware can handle and vice versa. iOS 4.2 is, in essence, the most operating system that the iPhone 4 and inaugural iPad can handle. But we’re getting into the latter stages of iOS 4 by now. Yes it’s only four months old for iPhone, and is just now arriving for iPad in any form. But consider that no version of iOS has ever made it past the x.2.x stage, and one realizes that iOS 4.2 may well be the final x.x release for iOS 4, with any further releases in the next eight months being mere x.x.x releases as Apple’s engineers turn their primary attention to iOS 5 development behind the scenes. Once you frame 4.2 as being perhaps Apple’s last big iOS 4 push, you realize the company is going to get its licks in on this one as best it can with the hardware involved. And while the headline features are already known, it’ll be the hands-on usage which reveals the subtle-yet-there new tendencies that Apple’s engineers will reveal via iOS 4.2, minor enough not to fundamentally alter the nature of the platform but noticeable to make the more curious users wonder what Apple is up to. And right there will be your hints about what the company has in store for the iPhone 5 and iPad 2. After all, Apple already knows what those devices will entail hardware-wise. So the directions that the iOS 4.2 update ends up nudging the platform in will be the same directions Apple is already planning to take its hardware in.
Sure, visualizing the nature of iPad 2 and iPhone 5 by analyzing iOS 4.2 is like trying to figure out what a house will look like by analyzing its wooden frame while it’s awaiting full construction. And as of today we’ve not even yet gotten our hands on the wooden frame, so we won’t know what the hints are until we do. But the forthcoming update of the current generation iOS will give you some idea of the framework for the future generation hardware.
Verizon's exclusivity on Bing for Android ends
What does Bing now have in common with Skype? It joins the list of apps that were once exclusive to mobile carrier Verizon, and now aren't.
Earlier today, Microsoft announced that its Bing search application is now available to all Android users through Google's Android market, a move that ends the exclusivity Verizon has had on it since the end of August.
The app is no different from the one that came before it, except that it no longer matters what carrier you're on. Android users who want to grab the app can just do a search for Bing, or scan the QR code below.
As Andy Chu, a member of Microsoft's Bing for Mobile team, explained in a blog post, this move is not the end of Verizon's Bing distribution. The carrier is pre-installing Microsoft's mobile search software on Samsung's Continuum and Motorola's Citrus phones in place of Google's own search, which can still be downloaded from the Android Marketplace by users.
Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20022607-75.html#ixzz151qfIW1p
Earlier today, Microsoft announced that its Bing search application is now available to all Android users through Google's Android market, a move that ends the exclusivity Verizon has had on it since the end of August.
The app is no different from the one that came before it, except that it no longer matters what carrier you're on. Android users who want to grab the app can just do a search for Bing, or scan the QR code below.
As Andy Chu, a member of Microsoft's Bing for Mobile team, explained in a blog post, this move is not the end of Verizon's Bing distribution. The carrier is pre-installing Microsoft's mobile search software on Samsung's Continuum and Motorola's Citrus phones in place of Google's own search, which can still be downloaded from the Android Marketplace by users.
Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20022607-75.html#ixzz151qfIW1p
Android 2.3 Gingerbread On Deck For Release
Alvaro Fuentes Vasquez, a leader at the OHA, tweeted to his followers the following message over the weekend: "Prepare your Nexus One (Developer Version) for Android OTA update 2.3 (Gingerbread) for the next few days."
The OHA is the organization that oversees development of Google's Android platform. Before Vasquez's tweet, a time frame for Android 2.3 Gingerbread's release was anyone's guess. Based on his tweet, it appears as though developers running the official developer handset -- the Nexus One -- will be the first to see their devices updated to the latest version of Android.
The OHA is the organization that oversees development of Google's Android platform. Before Vasquez's tweet, a time frame for Android 2.3 Gingerbread's release was anyone's guess. Based on his tweet, it appears as though developers running the official developer handset -- the Nexus One -- will be the first to see their devices updated to the latest version of Android.
Android 2.3 Gingerbread Will Available For Download Soon
It seems that the long awaited Android 2.3 Gingerbread will be available for download soon.I am sure that many people will be happy now that the Christmas is close.Christmas is coming for all lovers of the Android operating system that soon will be able to download the latest version,Android 2.3, code-named the Gingerbread and update their mobile phone.I like the new Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
In reality it is not known if the first release will be available only for developers or for everyone but it is clear that a benefit, “officially” the first will be the owners of Nexus, at least according to Twitter Alvaro Fuentes Vasquez, a member of the Open Handset Alliance always supporting the Android project.The mystery Android 2.3 Gingerbread is dense and is only known that a planned upgrade to Adobe Flash Player 10.1 to allow for future operating systems from working as well, leaving predict the moves of Google.I am sure that Android 2.3 Gingerbread will be a big succes.
The first smartphone with Android 2.3 Gingerbread willbe Samsung Nexus two.It seems that Samsung is ready to launch the Nexus two despite having delayed the date of submission because of some “serious” problems, confirming the fact of tweet and Vasquez announced the release of Android 2.3 Gingerbread.Meanwhile, in Mountain View appeared a huge ginger cookie in front of the headquarters of Google: surely must mean something …I can’t wait for the release of Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
In reality it is not known if the first release will be available only for developers or for everyone but it is clear that a benefit, “officially” the first will be the owners of Nexus, at least according to Twitter Alvaro Fuentes Vasquez, a member of the Open Handset Alliance always supporting the Android project.The mystery Android 2.3 Gingerbread is dense and is only known that a planned upgrade to Adobe Flash Player 10.1 to allow for future operating systems from working as well, leaving predict the moves of Google.I am sure that Android 2.3 Gingerbread will be a big succes.
The first smartphone with Android 2.3 Gingerbread willbe Samsung Nexus two.It seems that Samsung is ready to launch the Nexus two despite having delayed the date of submission because of some “serious” problems, confirming the fact of tweet and Vasquez announced the release of Android 2.3 Gingerbread.Meanwhile, in Mountain View appeared a huge ginger cookie in front of the headquarters of Google: surely must mean something …I can’t wait for the release of Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
Deficit report favors 'do-nothing Congress'
Buried inside the wide-ranging blueprint put out this week by the respected co-chairmen of President Obama's bipartisan commission to slash the federal deficit is a powerful argument for doing nothing.
The commission's recipe of tax increases, spending cuts, elimination of popular tax breaks and reductions in Social Security and Medicare benefits continued to roil Washington on Thursday, as both liberals and conservatives condemned some of the painful steps contained in the draft proposal to reduce federal red ink over the coming decades.
But the report, offered by Democrat Erskine Bowles and former Wyoming Republican Sen. Alan Simpson, also demonstrates that Congress and Mr. Obama can take a major chunk out of the deficit without passing a single bill or issuing a single veto.
The report's scariest deficit scenario relies on a Congressional Budget Office projection that under what it calls "current policy," the U.S. government's debt will soar from the current 60 percent of GDP to 100 percent of GDP by 2023 and to twice the country's annual economic output by the year 2035.
But "current policy" as defined by CBO does - in the sometimes upside-down world of Washington - require action. It assumes that Congress will pass and President Obama will sign a continuation of at least some of the George W. Bush-era tax cuts set to expire; that lawmakers will once again vote to ease the bite of the alternative minimum tax (AMT); that Congress will block a scheduled increase in estate tax rates; and that the government will continue to pass so-called "doc fixes" to shield physicians from mandated cuts in the payments they get under Medicare.
But if none of those actions are taken - what the CBO calls the "current law" baseline - the deficit numbers look considerably brighter.
Total gridlock, in this scenario, would be a boon for the nation's bottom line: The national debt-to-GDP ratio under "current law" would only hit 80 percent in the year 2035, compared to 200 percent under the "current policy" scenario. The national debt under the "do-nothing" plan would actually be lower through 2018 than under the painful deficit-reduction diet offered by Mr. Bowles and Mr. Simpson, although their plan's savings rise considerably after that.
For once, however, doing nothing does not appear to be an option for lawmakers.
House Republican chief John A. Boehner of Ohio, in line to be the next speaker of the House, is insisting that the Bush tax cuts be preserved, and Republicans and the White House are haggling simply over the form of the extension.
Congress repeatedly has found ways to soften the bite of the AMT and make the "doc fix," and is likely to do so again despite the results of the midterm election.
The commission's recipe of tax increases, spending cuts, elimination of popular tax breaks and reductions in Social Security and Medicare benefits continued to roil Washington on Thursday, as both liberals and conservatives condemned some of the painful steps contained in the draft proposal to reduce federal red ink over the coming decades.
But the report, offered by Democrat Erskine Bowles and former Wyoming Republican Sen. Alan Simpson, also demonstrates that Congress and Mr. Obama can take a major chunk out of the deficit without passing a single bill or issuing a single veto.
The report's scariest deficit scenario relies on a Congressional Budget Office projection that under what it calls "current policy," the U.S. government's debt will soar from the current 60 percent of GDP to 100 percent of GDP by 2023 and to twice the country's annual economic output by the year 2035.
But "current policy" as defined by CBO does - in the sometimes upside-down world of Washington - require action. It assumes that Congress will pass and President Obama will sign a continuation of at least some of the George W. Bush-era tax cuts set to expire; that lawmakers will once again vote to ease the bite of the alternative minimum tax (AMT); that Congress will block a scheduled increase in estate tax rates; and that the government will continue to pass so-called "doc fixes" to shield physicians from mandated cuts in the payments they get under Medicare.
But if none of those actions are taken - what the CBO calls the "current law" baseline - the deficit numbers look considerably brighter.
Total gridlock, in this scenario, would be a boon for the nation's bottom line: The national debt-to-GDP ratio under "current law" would only hit 80 percent in the year 2035, compared to 200 percent under the "current policy" scenario. The national debt under the "do-nothing" plan would actually be lower through 2018 than under the painful deficit-reduction diet offered by Mr. Bowles and Mr. Simpson, although their plan's savings rise considerably after that.
For once, however, doing nothing does not appear to be an option for lawmakers.
House Republican chief John A. Boehner of Ohio, in line to be the next speaker of the House, is insisting that the Bush tax cuts be preserved, and Republicans and the White House are haggling simply over the form of the extension.
Congress repeatedly has found ways to soften the bite of the AMT and make the "doc fix," and is likely to do so again despite the results of the midterm election.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Apple IPhone Update 4.2 Has A Number Of New Features
iPhone owners will want the upgrade for a number of reasons, the most important being AirPlay and AirPrint. However, the most important part of the update is the alarm fix, which has been an issue due to the DST change. Makes you laugh how something that did not figure in the update will now be the most needed feature of them all.
Verizon iPhone 4 & White iPhone Coming Alongside iOS 4.2 Update?
Verizon iPhone 4, White iPhone 4 coming alongside iOS 4.2 update? The Verizon iPhone 4 is something that is highly anticipated. Will the White iPhone 4 and Verizon iPhone 4 come alongside the new iOS 4.2 updates due out? Not likely. Although we thought that the White iPhone 4 would become available by the end of the year, it doesn’t appear as if that is going to transpire.
Furthermore, the Verizon iPhone has been desired for a long time, and there are some reports that it will be available as soon as the first quarter of next year.
See a video report of the iPhone Verizon release date here.
The iOS 4.2 is supposedly coming out this Friday, and will provide critical updates to the iPhone and iPad. The iPad updates will bring multitasking, app folders, and security patches to make the device more secure for the use by companies.
In addition, iOS 4.2 is supposed to make older generation iPhones work correctly. There were a lot of user complaints over decreased functionality in some of the older handsets after downloading the previous iOS upgrades.
The glitch which affected the alarm function will also be remedied in the newest release.
Below see a video update about Apple’s latest releases. What are your thoughts on Verizon iPhone 4 and White iPhone iOS 42 updates?
Furthermore, the Verizon iPhone has been desired for a long time, and there are some reports that it will be available as soon as the first quarter of next year.
See a video report of the iPhone Verizon release date here.
The iOS 4.2 is supposedly coming out this Friday, and will provide critical updates to the iPhone and iPad. The iPad updates will bring multitasking, app folders, and security patches to make the device more secure for the use by companies.
In addition, iOS 4.2 is supposed to make older generation iPhones work correctly. There were a lot of user complaints over decreased functionality in some of the older handsets after downloading the previous iOS upgrades.
The glitch which affected the alarm function will also be remedied in the newest release.
Below see a video update about Apple’s latest releases. What are your thoughts on Verizon iPhone 4 and White iPhone iOS 42 updates?
iPhone 4 is Most Reliable Smartphone, Study Says
Apple's iPhone is the most reliable smartphone, according to SquareTrade Reasearch's analysis of more than 50,000 such devices.
The study looked at four smartphone makers: Apple, RIM, HTC, and Motorola. It used four months of data for the iPhone 4, which went on sale in June, a year of data for Blackberry, and eight months of data for HTC and Motorola. SquareTrade last analyzed smartphone reliability in November 2008, "when the BlackBerry, Apple's iPhone 3G, and Palm Treo dominated the smartphone market," it said.
While the November 2010 study found that the iPhone is the most trustworthy phone, it also showed Android-based Motorola and HTC devices to be pretty comparable in terms of dependability. Within the first 12 months, 2.1 percent of iPhone 4s were "projected to have a non-accident malfunction." Motorola and HTC have similar malfunction rates with 2.3 percent and 3.7 percent respectively.
The study showed RIM's BlackBerry devices to be less dependable; In the first 12 months, 6.3 percent faltered. However, the study said 75 percent of smartphone collapses were a result of "accidental damage," and BlackBerrys have the lowest percentage of these types of instances (6.7 percent). Nearly one in 10 (9.4 percent) iPhone 4s fell victim to this fate however, the highest rate of any other smartphones.
"There is a good deal of variance in the failure rates of different smartphones," the study said. "The iPhone 4 is the most reliable phone in the study, but also has the highest risk of accidental damage. BlackBerrys had the least risk of accidental damage, and may be the best choice for the clumsiest consumers, but had a relatively high malfunction rate."
The study said that the reported rates reflect across-the-board improvements in hardware that hasn't been around for very long.
The study looked at four smartphone makers: Apple, RIM, HTC, and Motorola. It used four months of data for the iPhone 4, which went on sale in June, a year of data for Blackberry, and eight months of data for HTC and Motorola. SquareTrade last analyzed smartphone reliability in November 2008, "when the BlackBerry, Apple's iPhone 3G, and Palm Treo dominated the smartphone market," it said.
While the November 2010 study found that the iPhone is the most trustworthy phone, it also showed Android-based Motorola and HTC devices to be pretty comparable in terms of dependability. Within the first 12 months, 2.1 percent of iPhone 4s were "projected to have a non-accident malfunction." Motorola and HTC have similar malfunction rates with 2.3 percent and 3.7 percent respectively.
The study showed RIM's BlackBerry devices to be less dependable; In the first 12 months, 6.3 percent faltered. However, the study said 75 percent of smartphone collapses were a result of "accidental damage," and BlackBerrys have the lowest percentage of these types of instances (6.7 percent). Nearly one in 10 (9.4 percent) iPhone 4s fell victim to this fate however, the highest rate of any other smartphones.
"There is a good deal of variance in the failure rates of different smartphones," the study said. "The iPhone 4 is the most reliable phone in the study, but also has the highest risk of accidental damage. BlackBerrys had the least risk of accidental damage, and may be the best choice for the clumsiest consumers, but had a relatively high malfunction rate."
The study said that the reported rates reflect across-the-board improvements in hardware that hasn't been around for very long.
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