11
Feb
andy_sisyphus

Android Intervention, Part 1 Of 4: Why Google Needs To Rein In Updates

Posted by in Android OS, Editorials, News

I think it's safe to say that Android is the best thing to happen to smartphones since the iPhone (though, I'll admit, I may be a wee bit biased). Without a doubt, the massive success of the operating system is due in large part to its openness; the ability for devices to share fundamental code, while still allowing for an amazing amount of customization, has provided something for consumers, carriers, and manufacturers that Apple would never match. And it's for that reason that Android has taken off on such an unbelievable scale, clocking nearly 900% growth in 2010.

But despite all the things Android does great (and the list is definitely long), there are still a few places where it falls short.

11
Feb
image

Revision3 Quietly Drops 6 New Apps In The Android Market: Hak5, Dan 3.0, GeekBeat.TV, Young Turks, Totally Rad Show, And Scientific Tuesdays

Posted by in Applications, News

Revision3, a popular Internet-based TV network started in part by Kevin Rose, just quietly released not 1, not 2, but 6 apps for 6 of their popular shows.

The apps allow you to stream episodes in standard or hi-def, view comments, and view individual show segments - the Segments tab acts a video table of contents of sorts - a subtle feature, but it really makes all the difference.

There aren't many features besides the ones I've listed, but what the apps do do (ha), they do very well. Sometimes simple is good, and in the case of video streaming apps like these, the statement holds true.

11
Feb
image

LG Features Optimus 3D In One Of The Cheesiest Commercials We've Ever Seen, Complete With Hot Girl, Pink Bubbles, Yoga, And Out-of-sync Voiceover

Posted by in LG, News, Optimus 3D (p920) / Thrill 4G (p925), Videos

The upcoming 3D phone from LG, Optimus 3D, may be cool, with its glasses-free 3D and a dual-core CPU, but it certainly didn't stop the company from producing one of the cheesiest/worst commercials we've ever seen.

The premise is decent - a girl is doing yoga, and her 3D-capable phone provides her with 3D training videos, but the execution... well, you decide, because I'm out of words:

Source: LGMobileHQ

11
Feb
gals2

[Rumor] Expansys Leaks Galaxy S 2, Desire HD2, Desire 2, and Wildfire 2 Spec Sheets

Posted by in Desire 2 (Saga), Desire HD2, Galaxy S II, HTC, News, Samsung, Wildfire S / Wildfire 2 (Marvel)

Last night, PocketNow landed their hands on some official spec sheet leaks from UK retailer Expansys, and the specs don't disappoint. Let's take a look:

  • Samsung Galaxy S 2
  • 1.2 Ghz Dual-Core CPU (Qualcomm 8260 SnapDragon), Adreno 205 GPU
  • 4.3" 800x480 SAMOLED Plus
  • 8MP Camera around back (with LED flash and 1080p video recording), 2MP in front
  • 512 MB RAM
  • 16 GB internal storage, microSD card support
  • HTC Desire HD2
    • 1.2 Ghz Dual-Core CPU (Qualcomm 8260 SnapDragon), Adreno 205 GPU
    • 960x540 3.3" (typo? should it be 4.3"?) SLCD
    • 8MP in back with LED flash and 1080p video
    • 512MB RAM
    • 8 GB internal storage, microSD support
    • Sense UI 3.0
  • HTC Desire 2
    • 1 Ghz CPU (Qualcomm 8250 SnapDragon), Adreno 200 GPU
    • 3.7" 800x480 SLCD
    • 5MP rear camera (LED flash and 720p video), 2MP front
    • 512 MB RAM
    • 4 GB internal storage, microSD support
  • HTC Wildfire 2
    • 600 Mhz CPU (Qualcomm MSM7227), Adreno 200 GPU
    • 3.2" 480x420 TFT
    • 5 MP rear camera (LED flash, 480p video)
    • 384 MB RAM
    • Unspecified internal memory, microSD card support

    All in all, some respectable specs from the Galaxy S 2 and DHD2, some run-of-the-mill specs for the Desire 2 (nearly identical CPU as the EVO), and some downright embarrassing kit on the Wildfire 2 (it won't even be able to run Flash).

    11
    Feb
    maxthon1

    Maxthon Mobile Browser For Android Released: Cloud Syncing, Gesture Support, And Personalization

    Posted by in Applications, Apps/Games, News

    There's a new kid on the browser block, and it looks like he may be giving the others something to think about. Although it's been on the market for roughly a month and has between 10,000 and 50,000 downloads, this is the first we're hearing about Maxthon for Android.  Take a look at the feature highlights:

    Sync to the Cloud - Your bookmarks/favorites travel with you from desktop to mobile.
    RSS reader widget - Find, manage and read your favorite content quickly and easily
    Speed Dial - Quick access of the best sites on the web.
    Download Manager - Makes it easy to sort, schedule and grab the downloads you need: wherever, whenever.

    11
    Feb
    image

    Nokia Finally Announces Strategic Partnership With Microsoft Over Windows Phone OS; Android Towers Over Both

    Posted by in Android OS, News

    After many weeks of speculations, Nokia and Microsoft finally announced minutes ago that the 2 companies are entering a strategic partnership "to build a new global mobile ecosystem."

    Nokia has been struggling to keep up with the exploding smartphone market in the past years, and it was clear that something needed to be done.

    MeeGo, Nokia's latest bet at replacing its aging Symbian system with a new, open sourced, Linux-based OS, has been in development since 2010, but no phones running this OS have been released by the company yet.

    In an effort to regain market share, Nokia had to pick - either join forces with Android, a giant growing at incredible speeds, or side with the newcomer - Windows Phone 7 from Microsoft, a company Nokia can trust (their current CEO, Stephen Elop, spent almost 3 years as a Microsoft VP of BizDev).

    10
    Feb
    image

    RIM's Upcoming BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet Rumored To Support Android Apps, Again

    Posted by in Android OS, News

    About 2 weeks ago, BGR broke the rumor of RIM's upcoming tablet, the BlackBerry PlayBook, possibly being capable of running Android apps sometime after launch, which the latest rumors put at the end of March/beginning of April with a price sticker of $499.99. The company was seriously looking into this possibility and was trying to decide whether using the Dalvik virtual machine (the same one Android uses to run its apps) was a viable way to move forward. BGR is usually very credible, so the rumor definitely had legs.

    Today, 2 weeks later, Bloomberg revealed that their own sources - in fact, 3 of them - have confirmed that RIM is indeed moving in the direction BGR predicted.

    10
    Feb
    android-market

    Android Market Introducing Buyer's Currency

    Posted by in Android OS, Apps/Games, Google, News

    One of the (numerous) problems with the Android Market has been its billing system - up to now, buyers were charged in the seller's currency. While most credit card companies were smart enough to convert the bill to the buyer's coinage, others flat out cancelled the payment. No longer - Google just announced Buyer's Currency, which gives developers the ability to set their apps' prices in each of the currencies available in the Market.

    wm_2-10-2011 3-29-52 PM

    In other words, you can have your app sell for $5 in the US and £3.70 in the UK; previously, if the buyer was in the US and the app's price was in euros, the buyer would be charged in euros, and converting the fee to dollars was left up to credit card companies. 

    Buyer's Currency is now available to US merchants, and Google encourages all devs to set the prices asap - if you don't do so by February 23th, they will automatically convert your price.

    10
    Feb
    yelp

    Yelp Update Brings OpenTable Integration - Make Reservations Straight From The App

    Posted by in Applications, News

    Score another win for Yelp in its battle against Google Maps: in the most recent update, Yelp's Android app gained the ability to make restaurant reservations thanks to integration with OpenTable.

    For those already familiar with the reservation-making app, you'll notice that it's pretty much the same experience - the "Find a Table" screens on both are virtually identical, both of them allowing you to choose the date, time, and party size for your reservation. If you're already a Yelp user, there's really no reason to use the actual OpenTable app anymore.

    I have to commend Yelp on so seamlessly integrating this new feature into its app, and doing so through a partnership with the already-popular OpenTable.

    10
    Feb
    IMG_8096_wm_thumb1 (1)

    Latest From The Stack Of HTC Thunderbolt Release Date Rumors: February 24th

    Posted by in HTC, News, Thunderbolt (Mecha), Verizon Wireless

    First it was a mystery. Then it was the 14th of February. After that, it was indeterminately postponed. And now, Android Central is reporting that the Thunderbolt will finally launch on February 24th.

    This lines up perfectly with Droid Life's earlier speculations, though of course, it's always possible that Verizon will push the date back yet again. Because, you know, it's not like anyone is eagerly awaiting the carrier's first 4G phone or anything.

    Update: Things are looking even more certain now: BGR has also been told that the Thunderbolt will be released on the 24th.

    Page 778 of 944«First...102030...776777778779780...790800810...Last»