Results for "Android OS"
Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4 get Android Kitkat 4.4.4 Update...What's New?
The tech World is still amused by the newly released Apple iOS 8 and Google's forthcoming Android L (Android 5.0) OS. Amidst this we almost forgot about the Android Kitkat 4.4.4 update, which a couple of fortnights back was speculated to bring a slew of exciting features to Samsung smartphones such as Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S3 handsets.

Samsung being instrumental in proliferating Android like wildfire Worldwide, democratically among phones of status, had started seeing the Kitkat 4.4.4 update on its Android compatible phones. Only left out of this party were the Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 2.

Android Kitkat 4.4.4 Update has finally arrived to these Samsung devices. The Android 4.4.4 Kitkat update was released recently together with the 4.4.3 update. The Android Kitkat 4.4.4 fixes bugs on the 4.4.2 update in Galaxy S3.

What new or exciting latest Android Kitkat updates brought to Galaxy S3, S4 and Note 2?

1) Bug fixes to the problematic 4.4.2 update.

2) The 4.4.4 update brings to the Galaxy S3 , the modification for TouchWiz. A big disappointment is the absence of the Galaxy S5 design that many wanted to have. People want to see their S3 look and behave like S5 as well. Human tendency you see :) .

3) The update brings the new lock-screen music controls, finally providing users the option to control music playback from the lock-screen, A feature which has been missing since the original 4.0.4 release of the Galaxy S3. A handy feature especially when you listen to songs before sleep, while one bed.

4) All notification bar icons are now gray. Previously they had three colors: green, orange, and gray.

5) A few stock apps see either an upgrade or a total user interface overhaul.The new update reintroduces the gradient on the taskbar of the settings app, similar to 4.1.2 and 4.0.4.

6) A few of the icons have been changed.

7) The menu has been altered to make accessible the new Kit Kat features.

8) Calculator App changed, which now features a rectangular button layout, instead of the circular button layout of 4.3.

9) The new features introduced are : the location settings, the ability to choose the user's default launcher and messaging app. A great addition for young people who chat and locate.

10) Gone is the "Powered by Android" logo in boot-up. Google seems to shedding some Ego.

11) GT-I9305 users can finally play with the Kit Kat Easter egg.

12) Reviewers noted that the Galaxy S3 4G is faster than before with the new Kitkat 4.4.4 update. The reason for this is the reduction of the firmware's RAM requirement.

Visible changes after the new Kitkat 4.4.4 update

Faster animations and absence of lag making them smooth. Especially while playing games.

Frame dropping on graphic-intensive games such as Riptide GP2. Hope these bugs will be fixed in coming days.

Dramatic improvement in battery life compared to the battery-draining 4.3 update. Battery draining is a big issue with new updates. It's not surprising that a mere tweak in the software can make battery run miles.

Compatibility and Resources needed :

For the Galaxy 3 the update needs a large 1.6GB. 
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Anil Singh Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Motorola takes advantage of 3LM to make Android more secure
One count where Android devices don’t stand in front of the iPhone and the Blackberry line of smartphones is the security features. While Apple (the company is focusing on security specially) and RIM devices are know for robust security, making them attractive to the most pricky of all users -- the corporations, who need to be able to manage devices closely; the Android OS lacks that kind of robust security. In InfoWorld’s estimation, the level of security currently on Android isn’t enough for the device to be trusted.

Now although Android as such doesn’t need to address this particular security requirement, as the devices running on it are proliferating fast among, non-sensitive users, who hardly complain the lack of those; Motorola who also runs android in its devices, wants the issue to be addressed.

To take care of it, Motorola is summoning the services of 3LM, a startup that it purchased some time ago.

3LM is an enterprise security and management tool development firm. Motorola plans to create APIs that Android is missing to control security and management capability at the OS level; making its devices attractive to corporates too. ---------

Anil Singh Monday, February 28, 2011
Apple working on two New Handsets to challenge increasing Android dominance
In order to cater to the market where Android is increasingly dominant, Apple is working on two new handsets; a low cost iPhone and a dual version of the handset available without a contract, reports Bloomberg.

Quoting people familiar with the projects, the report says that the first handset is a scaled-down version of the iPhone, costing around $200 and be available without a data contract. The prototype of the phone, lacks a Home button and uses less advanced components than the top range phones.

The company is also working on a dual-band version of the phone, which is capable of being used on GSM and CDMA networks, although this may not be included in the low-end iPhone. Apple is also working on the Universal SIM card technology to back up the new handsets. This technology could allow a handset to be automatically switched between 3G carriers if the user wants to switch contracts. ---------

Anil Singh Saturday, February 12, 2011
Sprint Unveils Dual-Screen Echo Android Smartphone
In its bid to bring out a worthy heir to replace its two marquee phones, the HTC Corp. Evo and the Samsung Electronics Co. Epic, Sprint Nextel Corp. unveiled late Monday, Echo, a smartphone with a twin set of touchscreens.

The company hopes that Echo's unique design will drum up more attention for the company's products and services at a time when the carrier needs more high-end devices to replace its two marquee phones.

Echo, is made by Kyocera Corp.'s U.S. unit, runs on Google’s android operating System and features two 3.5-inch touchscreens that can be stacked side by side to form a false tablet design. Users can accomplish multiple tasks or programs on the two screens, or drag items from one screen to the other.

But unlike Evo and the Epic, which are 4G phones in the market; Echo is 3G.

Evo will be available in the spring for $199.99.

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Anil Singh Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Sony PlayStation Phone revealing ad focuses on Thumbs
Sony revealed Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, better known as Playstation Phone, during Super bowl ad.

The ad is interesting; and focuses on Asia and well “thumbs”, obviously to play the phone.

The final caption reads: "Android is ready to play."

Check it out:

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Anil Singh Monday, February 7, 2011
Huawei unveils two new android handsets - Ideos X5 and Ideos X6
Chinese network supplier Huawei Technologies has unveiled two new Ideos brand Android-based smartphones - the Ideos X5 and X6, during CES2011.

Specifications: Running on the Android OS version 2.2 like its predecessor, which is simply called the Ideos, the new rounded-edged Ideos X5 has a bigger, 3.8-inch WVGA touchscreen, a better 5-megapixel camera, and 720p high-definition video playback.

Ideos X6 has slightly higer specs. It features a bigger 4.1-inch touchcreen and runs Android 2.2 version. The phone is powered by the innovative 1GHz processor. Similar to the Ideos X5, - it also has a 5-megapixel camera which is capable of handling 720p video recording; and boasts an HDMI output, to allow users to export what they see on the handset to an HD television.

Price & Availability: The phones will be launched in Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand this month i.e. January 2011. The phones will start selling in US. The new handsets will also be selling around the same time in Western Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East.

The Ideos X5 will cost between $250 and $300; while, the Ideos X6 is a handset with slightly higher specs will cost more than X5. The Ideos X6 will be priced between $300 and $400. ---------

Anil Singh Monday, January 10, 2011
Spot brings Satellite Add-On For Android Phones
Gone are the days when Satellite phones were a thing to show off; now any phone can be a satellite phone. SPOT today announced a satellite add-on for Android cell phones which can turn any Android 2.0 or greater phone into a one-way satellite messenger(can't receive messages) to call for help, send text messages (up to 41 characters) or post the same on social networks like Facebook, Twitter or MySpace, or sent to email or SMS addresses.when you're out of cell-phone coverage.

About the new SPOT Add-on:

SPOT Connect weighs 3.7-ounce or just over 100 grams, costs $169.99 and connects to your phone wirelessly using Bluetooth and a special Android app. Latest from Spot, a division of the Globalstar satellite firm which specializes in SOS devices for adventure loving people.

Spot previously offered dedicated SOS beacons and a combination beacon/GPS unit that also sent text messages. But SPOT Connect works with many existing phones, making it much more accessible.

As the device is made for emergency situations, its battery lasts for up to 4 months on a set of AA lithium batteries, and it can send an SOS beacon for seven days on one set of batteries. It's tough and waterproof.

To use the service SPOT connect, a user has to sign a contract, after purchasing the device, the least-expensive one, at $99.99/year. For this price a user gets, unlimited SOS(Satellite Office Service) and pre-programmed "I'm OK!" messages, along with five text messages per year.

The company plans to bring the service to iPhone, BlackBerry and Windows Phone 7. ---------

Anil Singh Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Vizio enters Tablet, Smartphone market
Irvine-based Vizio, the maker of HDTV display products, has launched its own tablet and smartphone products based on the Android platform.

To be unveiled at CES 2011, VIZIO VIA Tablet and VIZIO VIA Phone products will have the following features:

The tablet will run on Android, feature a 1 Ghz processor, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as a camera and HDMI outputs. The VIZIO VIA Phone includes similar features, as well as GPS and both a front and rear facing camera. Pricing on the new products has not been announced. ---------

Anil Singh
Android Market has 200K apps now: AndroLib
Proliferation of Android OS on tens of handsets and expanding Android market to more than 20 countries in recent times appears to be paying off.

According to AndroLib, Android has unofficially surpassed the 200,000 app milestone.

It took Android market just two months to reach from 100k to 200k.

While it took the store almost two years to get to the 100,000-app mark; it took it just 63 days to double that.

Among all the mobile OSs, Android can pose stiff challenge to Apple. Apart from being the the top-selling smartphone operating system there are other reasons to believe the same. In addition to developing App ecosystem fast (100k apps in 63 days), Android is pushing itself to regions where numbers are i.e. in developing countries like India. I’m just looking at Indian smartphone market, and I feel it will be no surprise if Google Android surpasses Apple in other metrics as well like number of Apps, downloads, usage etc. within six months.

Other facts about Android apps: According to Androlib, more than 2.5 billion Android apps have been downloaded since its opening in October, 2008. A phenomenal number. Although some feel that the Android Market has a long way to go if it wants to match the variety of Apple’s App Store, now with more than 300,000 choices, we think the picture is much brighter for Android. ---------

Anil Singh Wednesday, December 29, 2010
LG becomes world’s first to launch dual-core processor smartphone—LG Optimus 2X with Android
Leaving the more likable competitors behind, LG has become the first company to introduce a dual-core phone. LG, a Korean company today launched the Android-powered Optimus 2X, the first phone ever to have a dual-core processor.

The phone is a follow-up to its successful low-end Optimus One phones.

LG Optimus 2X features:


1) Nvidia’s dual-core Tegra 2 processor running at 1 gigahertz

2) Has a 4-inch display

3) 8 megapixel rear camera

4) 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera for video conferencing

5) Will ship with Android 2.2 or Froyo, but upgradeable to the newer 2.3 or GingerBread.

6) Can record 1080p high-definition video (most phones today are limited to 720p HD recording).

7) 8 gigabytes of on-board storage, that can be extended with extra storage up to 32 gigabytes.

8) A 1,500mAh battery

Price and Availability: LG Optimus 2X will start selling in Korea next month, and it will hit countries in Europe in Asia afterward. There’s no word yet on its availability in US and its price yet. ---------

Anil Singh Thursday, December 16, 2010
Huawei Ideos to be launched in India by the end of this month

Huawei Ideos is already available in Europe and the US (as T-Mobile’s Comet), now the Android 2.2(also called Froyo)smartphone is reportedly going to be launched in India before the end of the year.

Availabiltiy: The company has confirmed that it would introduce it in India this month.

Price: Less than Rupees 8,000

Specs: The Ideos only has a 2.8 inch QVGA display, includes 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS, full Google suite of services, Bluetooth, 3.5mm headset jack, and a 3.2MP camera. ---------

Anil Singh Monday, December 13, 2010
Google eBookStore launched with new e reader apps for Android and iOS
Google has launched its Google ebookstore, complete with an e-reader app for Android. Google has launched an iOS version of the app too (for Apple’s mobile devices).

At the launch, the store has more than three million titles – including public domain classics and brand new bestsellers.

Key features:

1) provides option to read full e-books right within the browser. Google's e-books are compatible with any Javascript-enabled browser.

2)Google eBooks can be read on the go through dedicated mobile apps for Apple's iDevices and Android phones as well as the Sony eReader and Barnes & Noble Nook.

3)An autosync feature lets people read books on one device and then pick up where they left off on another device.



Those who don’t have an Android 2.1+ or iOS device can use Google’s ebooks Web Reader for cloud-based e-reading in the browser. The Google eBookstore will initially be available in the US only. ---------

Anil Singh Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Google launches Android 2.3 or GingerBread, First to get upgrade is Nexus S
Google has launched Android 2.3, or the "Gingerbread".

The first phone to get the update to Google's ?Android 2.3, will be the new Nexus S from Samsung, which Google partnered in designing.

Watch the video below to get a glimpse of some Gingerbread features, and the new (T-Mobile) Nexus:



What is New in Android 2.3:

The new interface changes in Gingerbread. There are not big changes, some new features/virtues worh a mention are:

1) NFC (near field communication) hardware that lets you read information from NFC tags. NFC is a fast, versatile short-range wireless technology that can be embedded in all kinds of everyday objects like movie posters, stickers and t-shirts.

2) Gingerbread is the fastest version of Android yet, and it delivers a number of improvements, such as user interface refinements, NFC support, a new keyboard and text selection tool, Internet (VoIP/SIP) calling, improved copy/paste functionality and gyroscope sensor support. ---------

Anil Singh
Is HTC developing an Android phone with 3D display?
After seeing 3D displays trickle down to phones in recent times -- 3D phones from Sharp (and spice in India) – it was clear that 3D will not be confined to just TVs and gaming devices (Nintendo is bringing the 3DS early 2011); mobile phone manufacturers are indeed jumping on the 3D bandwagon (like Acer, Motorola are already working on a 3D Android device).

If rumors are believed, then HTC is aiming to be the first company to release an Android device with a full 3D display. Earlier this year in Barcelona at the Mobile World Congress, HTC were demonstrating 3D mobiles. But the show off, was just limited to the capabilities of its smartphone chips, and not with finished handsets.

The rumor (courtesy HTC insiders) is that with February 2011’s MWC fast approaching, HTC plans to show a finished android handset; which will eventually start selling by the end 2011.

Further information is, HTC are currently looking at developments in AMOLED and e-ink display technology. Giving credibility to the rumors, HTC has recently advertised for ‘display and camera design engineer’ who has “familiarly with 3D display and imaging technologies” and with “multiple display technologies”. ---------

Anil Singh Thursday, December 2, 2010
Micromax launches Andro A60 -- India's cheapest android phone
Micromax has launched the Andro A60 ( which is a rebranded ZTE Penguin)(images HERE) in India.

Andro A60 which costs slightly above $150 (153.24 U.S. dollars), will soon be available in India and will probably be India’s cheapest Android smartphone.

In India, Micromax Andro A60 will retail around Rs. 7,000.

Specs and info:


1) Size: 106.8 mm x 59.2 mm x 14 mm

2) Runs Android 2.1

3) Powered by a 600 MHz processor

4) Has 2.8 inch QVGA resistive touchscreen display (a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels)

5) Swipe virtual keyboard

6) HSDPA (or enhanced 3G), Wi-Fi, GPS

7) Stereo Bluetooth

8) A 3.2Mega Pixel autofocus camera

9) 1280 mAh battery

10) A 2GB memory card included in the buy

The Huawei Ideos, launched in September this year, has practically the exact same specifications, except it runs Android 2.2 or Froyo. In addition, it costs almost the same as Andro A60. ---------

Anil Singh
Acer unveils a Windows 7 and two Android tablets to take on Apple's iPad
Acer, the second-largest computer manufacturer in the world, has unveiled two Android tablets—A 7-inch & 10.1 inch; and another a 10.1-inch one running Microsoft Windows.

Acer’s Android based tablets:


The two tablets will ship in April 2011.

Specs of 10.1-inch model:

1) 13.3mm thick with an aluminum casing
2) Has a built-in HDMI port with 1080p capabilities
3) will have both Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity
4) Will have multi-touch input and an internal gyroscope

Specs of 7-inch model:

1) 1280-by-800-pixel display with a 16-by-10 aspect ratio
2) Has a front HD camera
3) Has a built-in HDMI port
4) Will have both 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity
5) Will feature a dual-core processor
6) Support Adobe Flash Player 10.1
7) Has Dolby Mobile Technology for great sound experience

Acer’s Windows 7 Tablet:


The 10.1-inch Windows 7 tablet will ship in February 2011.

Key features and specs:

1) weighs less than a kilogram at just 15mm thick
2) Has an AMD processor
3) Two cameras – Front and rear—of 1.3-megapixels each
4) Has both Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity
Comes with a docking device that includes a full-size keyboard ---------

Anil Singh Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Samsung Continuum unveiled, comes with Android 2.1 on Verizon
Samsung has unveiled Continuum at the New York launch event last night.

A sort of disappointment, The Continuum, the Galaxy S branded smartphone, comes with Android2.1, although an update to Froyo or Android 2.2 is expected in the near future.

The stand out feature of Samsung Continuum is its ‘Ticker’, a 1.8 inch secondary AMOLED display.—a sort of USP that is used for displaying notifications, such as incoming calls, Facebook updates, weather and real-time updates from RSS feeds. To make it active, a Continuum user has to simple grip the bottom of the phone, without having to activate the primary display. A useful feature that saves a user from checking his/her phone every now and then—just to get updates. It’ll extend battery life too.



The Samsung Continuum also features:


• A 1GHz Hummingbird processor
• A 3.4 inch AMOLED display
• A 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash
• 720p HD video capture
• Built-in GPS powered by Bing Maps
• 3G and WiFi connectivity
• 2GB internal storage, expandable to 32GB with an 8GB microSD card included

Samsung Continuum is being launched exclusively on Verizon in the US and will cost $199 (around £125) on a 2 year contract once $100 cashback has been claimed, and will be landing on November 18th. ---------

Anil Singh Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Viewsonic Launches two Android Tablets: ViewPad 10 and ViewPad 7
Check the Viewpad 10 details here. But unlike the device that was unveiled, the ViewPad 10 comes with Android 1.6 version and not Android 2.2 that too without access to the Android Market app-store. Another notable absence is the 3.5G Internet connectivity; a user has to rely on Wi-Fi only.
Owing to the x86 based processor (the Atom); the ViewPad 10 can also run Windows 7.

The ViewPad 10 will hit the Indian stores in Q1 2010 or Jan-Mar 2010, for a retail price of $629 (Rs. 28,000 approx.).

The second model, the ViewPad 7 is a more portable, as of smaller display size and the device, runs only Android 2.2 operating system.

Specs:

1) 3.5G Internet connectivity
2) 7 inch multi-touch display with just 800 x 480 pixels resolution ( Notably phones with 4-inch displays also have same resolution)
3) A 0.3 megapixel Front and 3 mega-pixel rear camera
4) 32GB internal memory
5) 10 hours Battery life

Price of ViewPad 7: $479 (Rs. 21,270 aprox.). ---------

Anil Singh Thursday, November 4, 2010
Motorola Flipout launched in India : An android Phone
Motorola FLIPOUT Android Phone (AT&T)Remember, the Twinkle Khanna mobile ad, in which she reflects her “ jewel on mobile” on the models walking on the ramp. Ya the reflection or the phone, whatever be the case, makes the models tumble over each other.

If you do, then what is the shape of the phone twinkle uses in her mischievous moment?

Ya you’re right it is Square.

That said, Motorola has launched, Android 2.1 powered, five row QWERTY keypad (a separate row for numeric keys) phone in India -- The FlipOut – Targeted at female buyers—As like Ms Khanna’s phone, FlipOut is Square as well. Plus, the colors are Girly as well. Though feature wise the phone can be good for any intermediate smartphone lover.

Motorola FlipOut specs and features:

1) 2.8 inch display

2) Features up to seven customizable screens and live wallpapers

3) Comes with multitouch pinch to zoom (allows a user to zoom in and zoom out ant section of an image with outward and close in movement of a two finger pinch)

4) Is Adobe Flash enabled (inbuilt Adobe Flash Lite 3)

5) Has integration with media player that offers full screen lyric support, integrated song ID and a social solution to remain musically aware of what people are listening to.


6) Has a 3 MP camera with built-in Kodak Perfect Touch technology and one-touch add to Facebook and Myspace capabilities. Capable of video recording, streaming and playback in H.264, MPEG4 and WMV v9 formats.

7) Comes with Crystal Talk Plus, an added microphone to improve "a caller's voice quality" while filtering out background sound.

8) Connectivity options include 850/2100, HSDPA 7.2 Mbps (Category 5/6) (7.2 Mbps data downlink or download speeds), EDGE Class 12, GPRS Class 12, HSUPA 2.0 Mbps.


9) Provides about 6 hours talk life and up to 365 hrs of standby life.

10) Has 0.35cm (3.5mm) headset jack, USB 2.0 HS, FOTA, NGP.


11) Comes with Stereo Bluetooth Class 2, version 2.1 + EDR.

12) Has GPS (assisted) location services.


13) Built in Corporate Sync, POP3/IMAP embedded, Push Email for Messaging/web/apps -- MMS, SMS, Email.

14) Embedded IM service WVIM

15) Android HTML WebKit with

Price: Rs. 15,990 and MRP: Rs. 16,990 ---------

Anil Singh Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Number of Apps on Google Android Marketplace October 2010
Google has announced that its mobile operating system, Google Android, has hit an milestone in its development. The number of apps available for the OS has topped 100,000 for the first time. ---------

Anil Singh Sunday, October 31, 2010