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Apr

[Hands-On] Google Docs Photo Upload OCR: It Kind Of Sucks At This Point

Posted by David Ruddock in App Reviews, Applications, Apps/Games, Reviews, Tips & Tutorials

Last Updated: July 24th, 2011

We were all very excited to hear about the Google Docs for Android announcement this morning, and even more so when we learned it came with a special surprise feature: the ability to upload photos of physical documents from your Android phone and have them transcribed by Google Docs into editable text.

So, the first thing I was curious about, naturally, is just how well this new feature works in the real world. As you may have guessed from the title, not very. Let me show you the photos I tasked Google Docs for Android with transcribing.

Document 1: Printed handout:

Document 1 results:

OF CONSTITUTIONAL ANALYSIS ON DEFAMATÍON
PUBLIC OFFICIALS GENERAL PURPOSE PUBLIC FIGURES
LIMITED PUBLIC FIGURES WHERE MATTER OF PUBLIC CONCERN
LIMITED PUBLIC FIGURE WHERE NOT MATTER OF PUBLIC CONCERN
PRIVATE PERSONS WHERE MATTER OF PUBLIC CONCERN
PRIVATE PERSONS WHERE NOT MATTER OF PUBLIC CONCERN
ACTUAL MALICE.

Apr

Official Google Docs App For Android Is Out - It's About Time

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Applications, News

Last Updated: October 7th, 2012

If there is one single Google service that I've wanted on my phone since the day I got it, it's Google Docs. That wait is finally over, because Google has released an official Docs app for Android - and it's nothing short of awesome.

This app not only allows you to view and edit all of your Docs, but also brings a few other killer features. Firstly, it offers a widget that allows you to quickly create a new document, take a picture and upload it, or directly access your starred documents.

The most impressive feature, however, is the ability to snap a picture of a document and turn it into a fully editable Google doc.

Apr

Another Day, Another Source Code Delivered: Samsung Releases The Source For The Galaxy Prevail

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Development, Galaxy Prevail, News

Last Updated: November 23rd, 2011

Earlier this month Boost Mobile announced the Samsung Galaxy Prevail, the first decent Android handset to land on the Sprint prepaid subsidiary. It's slated to be released just two days from now, and keeping up with its seemingly new demeanor, Samsung has already released the Froyo kernel source code over at the Open Source Developers Center.

While its tiny 3.2 inch screen and crummy 2MP camera certainly don't make this phone anything to write home about, I think it's nice that Sammy is paying attention to the little guys and big guys alike.

You can grab the source download by going here.

Apr

Acer Iconia Smart Hits The FCC: 4.8 Inches Of Tabletphone Glory

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Acer, AT&T, News

The Acer Iconia Smart, which was originally unveiled in November of last year and slated for release in April of 2011, has officially hit the FCC. This revealed 850, 1900, and 2100MHz 3G frequencies, which basically means that this tablet-phone hybrid device is almost certainly going to land on AT&T.

If you haven't heard about the Iconia Smart, you're not alone - but this is definitely one device to keep your eye on. Check out the specs:

4.8 Inch 1024x480 display
1GHz Snapdragon processor
512MB RAM
8MP rear camera with 720p video capture, 2MP front camera
Android 2.3

Naturally, we're all going to question why Acer has decided to put a single core processor in such a beastly phone, but we're crossing our fingers in hopes that we'll see an update before the final release of this device.

Apr

Facebook For Android Updated To V1.5.4; Now Allows You To... Use Facebook Without Force Closes

Posted by Brad Ganley in Applications, Apps/Games

You may remember a couple of days ago when Facebook for Android received an update and, for many users (myself included, on all 3 of my Android devices), became a blue-tinted cavalcade of force-closes. Well, it seems that the Facebook team took notice and pushed an update out that (hopefully) remedies the situation for everyone. It now seems to be working flawlessly (well...from the stability standpoint) on both my EVO and Nook Color. Go to the market and grab it now. Your friends miss you.

Facebook for Android

QR code for https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.katana

Apr

Twitter For Android Updated, Adds Features That Other Clients Already Have

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Applications, News

If you use the official Twitter for Android app, then you'll be happy to know that it was updated today. This update brings some pretty decent features, some features that most other clients already have, and others that are nothing to write home about, but are probably welcome anyway. I'll do this the easy way and just give you the list first.

What's in this version:

Displays search results in a tabbed view

Add and remove saved searches from universal search suggestions

SSL used for network requests

Font size setting

Tapping on a map in detail view searches nearby Tweets

Launch links directly from a message

Ability to delete messages

Added Tweet count to user profile

Improved avatar loading

Improved the way data is cleared to conserve more space

Fixed a bug where music skips when refreshing, etc.

Apr

Motorola Says 2011 Devices To Have "Unlockable/Relockable Bootloader"

Posted by Zak Stinson in Development, Motorola, News, Rumors

Last Updated: April 27th, 2011

Motorola has had a dark past when it comes to bootloaders. Apart from a couple exceptions (most notably, the XOOM), all of the major Motorola devices have had locked bootloaders, and thus, Android customization enthusiasts have been shut out from such tweaks as custom kernels.

Recently, there has been quite an outcry directed at Motorola and their bootloader policy, in the form of petitions and hijacked polls, and it looks like they have heard users' requests. In response to questions from Irwin Proud, the man behind the petition, Motorola has indicated that they plan on changing their tune.

“In terms of your question – we completely understand the operator requirement for security to the end user, and as well, want to support the developer communities desire to use these products as a development platform. It is our intention to enable the unlockable/relockable bootloader currently found on Motorola XOOM across our portfolio of devices starting in late 2011, where carriers and operators will allow it.”

*Hold for applause* Yes, it looks like the company notorious for their developer-unfriendly attitude has heard the requests of the Android community and is ready to embrace handset freedom.

Apr

[Free Stuff Alert] Amazon Is Giving Away 8 Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi Tablets

Posted by David Ruddock in Deals, Motorola, News, XOOM

If you head over to Amazon's Facebook page right now and press "Like," you'll find the first product in Amazon's ongoing A-Z Sweepstakes, a Motorola XOOM, is up for grabs. Eight of them - to be precise. All you have to do is give Amazon your name, email address, and phone number to enter. This is a US residents-only contest, though (unlike our super-awesome Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi Giveaway.)

Amazon

Apr

HTC Sensation To Ship With 'HTC Trace' - A Swype Style Keyboard

Posted by Zak Stinson in EVO 3D (Shooter), HTC, News, Sensation / Sensation 4G (Pyramid)

We Android fans love our input methods. Luckily there is no shortage of options, with keyboards ranging from the standard Gingerbread keyboard all the way to wacky ones such as 8Pen. Despite all the competition, and the fact that it isn't even available on the Android Market, Swype is one of the most popular custom keyboards around. It makes the tedious act of touchscreen typing that much smoother by letting users glide their thumb from letter to letter rather than tapping.

There are a number of imitators on the market today that try to implement this swiping method of text input, and HTC Sense 3.0 is said to be bringing another into the mix.