Nate Kimmey - 10/21 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Jan

Google Goggles Updated To Version 1.3, Now Includes Sudoku Puzzle Solving, Instantaneous QR Code Scanning, And Print Ad Recognition

Posted by Nate Kimmey in Applications, News

Google just updated its Goggles app to version 1.3 and added three noteworthy features that make it even more desirable than it was before. First is the ability to scan QR codes without actually taking a picture; just hover your camera over the image and Goggles will automatically recognize it.

Second, Goggles now recognizes ads in major US newspapers and magazines. I couldn't get this to work, but Google claims it will work with any ads dated since August 2010.

The last feature is the one that has everybody talking - Google Goggles is now capable of scanning and solving Sudoku puzzles in a matter of seconds.

Jan

Nox Audio Unveils Admiral Touch Headphones, Running Android With A Built-In Screen

Posted by Nate Kimmey in News

Are you concerned that not enough of your gadgets are running Android? Well then, we have some good news for you: Nox Audio has decided to show off their latest set of "revolutionary" headphones, the Admiral Touch. In addition to everything you would expect from a set of wireless headphones (including a retractable mic), they have one particularly interesting feature: they're running Android 2.1 on a 2.4" LCD screen attached to the right cup, powered by an ARM11 processor with 256 MB of RAM.

Right now, the screen is only capable of changing the headphones' modes, but with a microSD card slot, USB cord (it uses an eight-pin port as opposed to the standard USB, however), and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, we're sure to see some interesting hacks in the future.

Jan

Samsung Shows Off Two Google TV Boxes, Calls Them An "Experiment"

Posted by Nate Kimmey in Google TV, News, Samsung

Google TV has met a lot of troubles on its quest to popularize Internet-connected TVs, not the least of which has been several lackluster reviews. So it isn't surprising that manufacturers have either ditched plans to develop their own Google TV products or at least held off on announcing them until after CES. Samsung, however, has decided to show off two of their own boxes running the software, though they aren't throwing their support behind the platform just yet.

The two boxes - one a stand-alone set top box (similar to Logitech's Revue) and the other a Blu-Ray player - are not even close to their final form, and neither even had a controller yet.

Jan

Panasonic Reveals Viera Tablet, Comes In Three Convenient Sizes

Posted by Nate Kimmey in News, Panasonic, Tablets

The latest manufacturer to show off an Android tablet at CES is Panasonic, whose Viera tablet will be released in three sizes: 4", 7" and 10". The three versions of the tablet, all physically identical except for the size, are all designed for use with a television, much akin to the recently announced Vizio phone and tablet.

Through Viera Connect, users will be able to stream movies on-demand and even use the screens on your TV and tablet together to watch sports at two different angles; naturally, the Viera tablet can also be used as a remote. No word on pricing, release date, or specs yet, but details on a Japan launch are expected to be revealed soon.

Jan

Android Platform Version Chart Updated: Froyo Dominates, Éclair Still Strong, Cupcake And Donut On The Way Out

Posted by Nate Kimmey in Cupcake 1.5, Donut 1.6, Eclair 2.1, Froyo 2.2, Gingerbread 2.3, News

As per usual, Google has updated their Android Platform Version Chart, which gives us a clear indication of how many devices are running each version of Android, based on Market usage. The results won't shock anybody, but they do say good things about the current state of fragmentation in Android. Froyo continues it dominance, taking over half of the chart, while Android 2.1 still remains strong with 35%, likely due in large part to the massive number of Galaxy S phones still running it. Our obsolete friends, Cupcake and Donut, continue to fall into obscurity, although devices running them are unlikely to be updated.

Jan

AT&T’s New Galaxy S Phone, The Samsung Infuse 4G, Pairs A 1.2 GHz Processor With A Massive 4.5″ Screen

Posted by Nate Kimmey in AT&T, Infuse 4G, News, Samsung

Last Updated: January 27th, 2011

It appears that Samsung is going to continue with the Galaxy S brand name, but this upcoming AT&T handset is unlike any other Galaxy S phone you've seen before. The Samsung Infuse 4G improves on the original in just about every way - in fact, it easily tops any phones on the market today:

1.2 GHz (single core) processor
4.5" Super AMOLED Plus display
8 megapixel rear camera
1.3 megapixel front-facing camera
HSPA+ support
TouchWiz UI
Extremely thin (thinnest phone on AT&T when it launches)

The most interesting aspect is the Super AMOLED Plus display. A 50% increase in sub-pixel count promises better readability in sunlight (a common complaint of Super AMOLED screens) and better contrast.

Jan

AT&T Gets A 4.3″ 4G Phone To Call Its Own – Introducing The HTC Inspire 4G

Posted by Nate Kimmey in AT&T, HTC, Inspire 4G (Ace, Stallion), News

Last Updated: January 27th, 2011

Eyeing the HTC Thunderbolt or EVO 4G with envy but stuck on AT&T? Fortunately, the carrier, which has a long reputation of not embracing Android (none of their Android phones can officially sideload apps) has just announced its next "superphone." The HTC Inspire 4G looks to be just about the same as the Thunderbolt, with a 4.3" screen and 4G connectivity, although it will support AT&T's HSPA+ network instead of their upcoming LTE network. Also worth noting is that this device will launch with the latest Sense UI, the same as we've seen on the Desire HD and Desire Z abroad, which will allow access to HTCSense.com as well as extra features such as offline maps and fastboot.

Jan

Opera For Tablets Previewed, Looks As Slick As Ever

Posted by Nate Kimmey in Applications, News

Opera already has one of the most popular alternate browsers for Android phones, and now it seems they're moving into the tablet territory with Opera for Tablets, a new version of their browser with a revamped UI that takes advantage of tablets' larger screen size. You won't find much information besides that in the video below, but CES is just days away, so you can look forward to seeing the app in action then.

Source: YouTube via Phandroid

Jan

Vizio Jumps Into The Android Game With VIA Phone And Tablet

Posted by Nate Kimmey in News, Vizio, VTAB1008

Last Updated: July 31st, 2011

CES hasn't even started yet, but we're already getting word of a newly announced Android tablet - as well as a handset - from television manufacturer Vizio. The specs are nothing to scoff at, either, as the VIA Phone can certainly hold its own against any phone on the market today:

4.0" high-resolution display
Front-facing camera
5 megapixel rear camera capable of HD video
1 GHz processor
HDMI output
microSD card slot
Wi-Fi N

The VIA Tablet, on the other hand, while definitely not underpowered, might be disappointing to those who are awaiting a dual core tablet:

8.0" high-resolution display
Front-facing camera
Wi-Fi connectivity
1 GHz processor
Three speakers for video conferencing

The devices are also running a custom UI called VIA Plus, which Matthew McRae, Chief Technology Officer at Vizio assures us will be found on any future smartphones, tablets, and TVs from the company.