December 23, 2011

Dropbox for Android updated to version 2.0, adds offline storage, bulk uploads and ICS support

Dropbox released version 2.0 of their Android app and it promises to make the mobile experience much, much better. Storing files offline, bulk uploads and Ice Cream Sandwich support are just a few of the changes that the new version brings.

Dropbox 2.0 uses a tabbed interface and one of the tabs is Favorites – files marked as such will be stored on the phone for offline use (Dropbox for Android typically doesn’t store files in the phone’s memory).
You can also upload multiple files through the Uploads tab, which was reworked to make uploading images and videos easier with an improved Gallery view. Bulk uploads happen in the background (as long as you have background data enabled) so you can do other stuff, until they are done.
Here are the rest of the changes:
  • Ice Cream Sandwich support: Optimized for the newest and tastiest Android release yet: Ice Cream Sandwich.
  • Single-tap access to actions: All file and folder actions are available from a single tap.
  • Lots of others: Export to (and upload from) local storage, as well as numerous bug fixes and stability improvements
If the 2GB of storage you get for free from Dropbox aren’t enough, there are several ways to expand it for free. For example, students with .edu emails will get 500MB per referral instead of the usual 250MB. Check out the rest of the ways to get extra storage.
You can grab Dropbox v2.0 for Android from the Market.
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December 21, 2011

Here is how Android 4.0 with HTC Sense looks like

The first HTC Sense-d Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich ROM broke cover, folks. Thanks to the effort of a team of developers over at XDA, we now have a chance to see what changes are coming to the HTC devices, which are bound for upgrade. In this particular case, the ROM has been flashed to an HTC Sensation.
As you can notice from the screenshots above, the HTC Sense 3.5 dressed ROM will offer a significantly different experience than the stock UI, which we've experienced on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. It will be closely related in terms of look and feel to the HTC Sense UI.
You are welcome to try the ROM on your compatible HTC device by clicking on the source link below. As always, beware of the potential risks which come with the operation.
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December 20, 2011

Touchless smartphones and TVs coming in 2012, XTR3D says

Touchscreen is cool, but touchless is even cooler. And if a small company XTR3D has its way, we might be getting more of the touchless experience from our TVs and smartphones really soon. XTR3D has developed a Kinect-like system that recognizes your gestures and uses them to control various devices.
gsmarena 001 Touchless smartphones and TVs coming in 2012, XTR3D says
There’s no need for remote controls or touching the actual device, you just wave your hand and, for example, the next channel comes up or the volume increases. The XTR3D technology also allows hands-free operation of your smartphone, which sounds really convenient for use while driving.
Despite the similar results, XTR3D uses a completely different technology to Microsoft’s Kinect. The software they have developed doesn’t require the fancy (and expensive) depth sensors, but uses ordinary 2D cameras instead, so it can make do with your smartphone’s front-facing camera for example.
According to the engineers who devised this, this technology is also extremely power-efficient, so adding gesture based controls shouldn’t affect battery life of portable devices greatly.
We see a couple of potential problems in the description of the XTR3D technology, though. For one, it’s harder to analyze 2D footage and detect gestures than it is for 3D, so it will either require huge processing power or it risks lacking in accuracy. Poor lighting will also cause headaches as it will further complicate the processing.
Also, no matter how efficient the software itself is, running the front facing camera on a smartphone for such a long time is bound to bring its battery down quite quickly. So, we’d say the future of this technology really belongs to the TV world and possibly integrated car navigation and infotainment systems.
Only time will tell if the project takes off the ground, but XTR3D are keeping their finger crossed for actual devices with their technology to become available as soon as next year.
Source
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Google plans to launch its own tablet in the next six months


In an interview with an Italian newspaper, Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt let it slip that in six months they plan to market a tablet of the highest quality. This means we might finally get to see a Nexus tablet. No information on what it will be like but they might enlist the help of Motorola like they did with the Xoom and who knows, it might even come with a newer version of Android.
Google planning to make its own tablet does not come across as too shocking. It obviously understands that the current Android tablets are doing quite badly and the only Android tablet so far that has come even close to matching the success of the iPad is the Kindle Fire, the one tablet that Google does not earn a cent from. In fact it goes out of its way to avoid the use any software or service from Google, other than the core OS itself.
With their own tablet, Google probably thinks it has a better chance against the iPad and can even beat it. This also means Google doesn't think much of the current Android tablets. Not to mention the fact that it isn't doing the OEMs any favor by talking about its own tablet. Anyone interested in an Android tablet is now likely to wait and see what Google has to offer, not good news for the OEMs which aren't doing all that well already.
Guess we'll just have to wait and see what Google in store for us. Looking forward to June 2012.
Source (Translated)
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British Telecom sues Google over six US patents



Google broke all sorts of records with its Android operating system, but its rapid growth is coming at a pretty high price. There's already a lengthy list of companies that want a piece of the search giant's healthy income and we just heard there's a new addition to it.
British Telecommunications plc (more commonly known as British Telecom) has filed a lawsuit with the Delaware US District Court, claiming that Google is infringing six of its patents with its services and the Android platform.
British Telecom is demanding triple damages for willful and deliberate infringement of its patents as well as an injunction against the violating services. The patents in question concern Google Music, Google Maps, Google Search, Google+ and even Google Offers.
For the legal specifics of the case follow the source link for the full text of the complaint, filled by BT.
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Samsung files new patent claims against Apple in Germany


Not only is the legal battle in the mobile industry not showing any signs of slowing down, but it appears that it's still picking up speed. Today news came from a German court that Samsung has filed yet another claim against Apple.
The Koreans have extended their ongoing infringement case by adding four new patents. The new patents that Samsung says are violated include a couple of standard-related patents and two utility patents, including one related to the use of emoticons.

The regional court in Manheim spoke after the hearing on Friday and said it will announce its decision on March 2, according to Samsung officials. Apple spokespersons weren't available for comment, but we shouldn't expect to learn much before the lawsuit is over.
The only problem is that at the rate lawsuits are currently filed we can't see the whole court saga ending anytime soon.
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December 17, 2011

Truck containing 5,200 BlackBerry PlayBooks was stolen, estimated value between $1.7 million – $5 million


A truck containing 5,200 BlackBerry PlayBooks has been stolen, and depending on the version (16GB, 32GB, or 64GB) the estimated value is worth between $1.7 million – $5 million. Apparently the situation went down something like this: the truck driver was enroute from Bright Point Distribution center in Plainfield, Indiana to Ontario and he decided to make a pit stop to eat and shower. One hour later he returned to find his truck, and precious cargo, was MIA. The Police and FBI Interstate Task Force are currently looking at surveillance video from the Pilot truck stop, but state that when electronics are stolen they usually end up in the Miami area… Somebody out there is now living in the lap of luxury!
Source: WIBC
Via: CrackBerry & N4BB
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Google begins Android 4.0 rollout for Nexus S, we scream “FINALLY!”

It’s been a long wait for impatient Nexus S owners, but today Google has started rolling out the Android 4.0 upgrade for the second-in-line Nexus device.
Though we don’t know the specifics about the build yet, we do know that the upgrade will take the next month or so to complete, so you may not see it just yet on your Canadian device. Make sure that you’re running a stock build of Gingerbread to get the upgrade, then go to Settings –> About Phone –> Software Update to see if yours is ready for tasting.
Let us know if you get it!
Source: Twitter
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Google releases new “base version” of Ice Cream Sandwich, Android 4.0.3


Well isn’t this interesting. Only a day or so after our Galaxy Nexus got an OTA update, Verizon devices got an upgrade to 4.0.2, Google has announced that its own base version of Ice Cream Sandwich is now sitting at 4.0.3. What’s in this new version you might ask? A lot, in fact, but it mostly relates to developers and OEMs.
The new version has several new APIs that allow developers to plug into things like the new Social Stream in the People app, as well as new camera capabilities for devices running lower resolutions.
What’s more interesting, though, is that Google is saying “going forward, we’ll be focusing our partners on Android 4.0.3 as the base version of Ice Cream Sandwich. The new platform will be rolling out to production phones and tablets in the weeks ahead,” meaning that OEMs who are building their upgrades for existing devices have probably been waiting on this build before getting serious.
We haven’t seen this being pushed to any devices yet, but we’ll be sure to let you know as soon as our Galaxy Nexus gets the bump to Android 4.0.3. It should be released shortly in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), allowing custom ROM makers to build their own versions for other devices like the Nexus S.
Source: Android Developers Blog
Via: The Verge
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December 16, 2011

Grand Theft Auto III released for iOS and Android

It is December 15th, and that’s your cue to steal some cars, listen to loud music and blow stuff up. Grand Theft Auto III has been released for iOS and Android, and is compatible with both phones and tablets on both platforms.
On Android, the game support a select number of USB controllers through Android 3.0+’s USB Host feature, but is as-yet unavailable for the Galaxy Nexus.
On iOS, the game is a universal download and supports the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPod Touch 4G, iPad 2 and iPad.
Get to downloading for Android or iOS and let us know how you like it!
Source: Android Central
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Google creating Siri competitor codenamed Majel?


It’s not surprising that Google would want to augment Android’s existing voice-to-text capabilities with something a little more, well, Siri-like. We have word that Google is secretly developing a Siri competitor under the codename Majel, an homage to Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, wife to Star Trek creator Gene and gentle voice of the Enterprise’s computer system in the original series.
While we don’t know what the project will entail — it could merely be a copycat service, but we doubt it — there is reason to trust in its accuracy and long-term success. Google has already invested heavily in its Translate service, which supports both voice and text. It has released Google Goggles for picture- and text-interpretation, and is always on the cutting edge of search algorithm development.
Google dramatically improved its voice-to-text implementation in Ice Cream Sandwich; it is not only more accurate, but unbelievably fast. It also does not require an internet connection, something that has the potential to stymie Siri users when out of service range.
There is no doubt that Siri represents much of what the next five to ten years of computing will entail: thought-based computing. While it may currently sound silly to ask Siri a question out loud, the user interface paradigm whereby we communicate with a computer and it semantically replies to us will evolve and perhaps soon eliminate the need for speech altogether. It may be a crazy notion today, but who would have predicted the physical implementation of Siri in a smartphone ten, or even five years ago?
Source: TUAW
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Eager Android fans line up for Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus


Verizon Wireless finally announced Wednesday evening that the Samsung Galaxy Nexus would launch on Thursday. Though the sleek Android 4.0 smartphone is already available for half price, a number of Android fans lined up outside Verizon Wireless retail stores eager to purchase the Nexus phone they’ve been waiting impatiently for since we first began reporting exclusive information about the device back in June. The turnout isn’t quite what Samsung’s stiffest competitor draws when it releases a new iPhone, but we rarely see lines form for smartphone launches so this could indicate healthy demand for the world’s first 4G LTE-enabled Ice Cream Sandwich phone. A few more images taken outside a Verizon Wireless retail store in Washington D.C. follow below.



 
 
 Source
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Crypteks USB hides an encrypted thumb drive inside an aluminum cryptex with a customizable password

veryone who has read the The Da Vinci Code or has seen the movie knows what a cryptex is – an old-timey way to password protect your documents. Except today’s documents typically come in digital form, say a flash drive, rather than paper so as cool as a cryptex sounds, it’s no good to use today.
gsmarena 001 Crypteks USB hides an encrypted thumb drive inside an aluminum cryptex with a customizable password
Enter the Crypteks USB – you can guess what it does just by its name. It’s not a real product yet, it’s just a concept on Kickstarter. Still, considering it has received $130,000+ in backing (well over the $12,000 goal), it seems a pretty safe bet that it will be a real product soon.
The Crypteks USB is a cylinder made of high-grade anodized aluminum alloy measuring 78.7 x 27.9mm. It’s locked by an easily customizable 5 character password – and that’s just to get the USB drive out.
The drive itself features yet more security – 256 bit AES encryption, which is approved for storing Top Secret level documents. There’s also a read-only mode to ensure that nothing unwanted gets on the device from the computer.
Here’s a video that details the Crypteks USB:

The drive is available in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB capacities and supports USB 2.0. For $130 for the 8GB version, I was hoping for USB 3.0. Or at least some higher capacities. Still, if you pledge $200 you can get the 16GB Black special edition.
If you’re interested in getting a Crypteks USB, head over to their Kickstarter page for more info.
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News Dec 12 AT 7:19 PM Taylor Wimberly 311 Comments Google’s response to Siri is codenamed Majel, could be released by end of year

federation-computer
I wrote about Google’s response to Apple’s Siri voice assistant several months ago and over the last couple weeks I received further details about the secret project. For starters it is codenamed Majel, which comes from Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, better known as the voice of the Federation Computer from Star Trek.
Majel is an evolution of Google’s Voice Actions that is currently available on most Android phones with the addition of natural language processing. Where Voice Actions required you to issue specific commands like “send text to…” or “navigate to…”, Majel will allow you to perform actions in your natural language similar to how Siri functions.
Speaking of actions, it sounds like only Google search queries will be included with the initial release, that could come as soon as this year. I say this year because I’ve heard that engineers at Google X are working around the clock on finishing the first release and the NYTimes previously reported that one product would be released by Google X this year.
December if nearly half over, so a January or February release might be more realistic. Other more advanced features like controlling phone actions and applications with natural language commands are expected to come later.
Google’s Matias Duarte had previously given hints about the future of Android’s voice actions in an interview with Slashgear. Matias said, “Our approach is more like Star Trek, right, starship Enterprise; every piece of computing surface, everything is voice-aware. It’s not that there’s a personality, it doesn’t have a name, it’s just Computer.”
I had previously speculated that Google’s approach might actually include some kind of animated avatar, but it appears I was way off on that one. However, we still expect greatly enhanced computer voices that sound more human and fluid, thanks to Google’s acquisition of Phonetic Arts, which occurred at the tail end of 2010.
Hopefully more concrete details will leak out soon. People smarter than I will read this article and I’m sure they will be able to dig up additional iformation. In the mean time, enjoy Data talking with Computer in the video below. 

Update: Check out this new post for additional details about Majel and quotes from Googlers talking about Star Trek.
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After the initial buzz about Google+ dried out, we barely hear any news about the service these days but Google seems determined to make this one a success. They’ve updated Hangouts with some cool new features and bringing it to Google+ Messenger on mobile devices.
gsmarena 001 Google+ Hangouts gets plenty of new features, coming to Android and iOS soon
With the update, Google aims to make Hangouts the online conferencing tool. The first step is to make it easier to start or join a hangout.
You can do that through a handy new shortcut in Google+ posts, or through a list of three active hangouts to the right of your Stream. Google+ can also ring your device (phone or computer) to notify you that you’re invited to a hangout.
You don’t need a computer or a fancy smartphone to join a Hangout – you can now dial-in anyone’s phone to let them join the conversation. For the US and Canada calls are free (Google extended the free calls period) and it’s possible to dial other countries too (you can look up international calling rates here).
gsmarena 004 Google+ Hangouts gets plenty of new features, coming to Android and iOS soon
If you do have a fancy smartphone, you’ll be able to get the updated Google+ with video Hangouts from the Android Market and iOS App Store in a few days.
gsmarena 003 Google+ Hangouts gets plenty of new features, coming to Android and iOS soon
Another feature that we’ve seen in exclusive events (e.g. a Black Eyed Peas concert or a Dalai Lama peace talk) is Hangouts On Air. It’s available to accounts with a big number of followers and can be started at any time, it doesn’t need to be a pre-scheduled event. The video will be recorded and uploaded to the user’s YouTube account as a private video where it can be made available to people who couldn’t see it live.
gsmarena 002 Google+ Hangouts gets plenty of new features, coming to Android and iOS soon
Google say they’re working on making Hangouts on Air available to everyone but they didn’t say when that will happen.
Finally, a bit of a holiday gimmick let’s you put on virtual antlers.
Source
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December 15, 2011

Download Android Market Version 3.4.4 Apk with Widget Support

All new Android Market has arrived and is dubbed as Android Market Place 3.4.4. This all new version comes after the Android Market Place 3.3.12. This all new update ropes in small visual changes where in the setting for automatically addition of Widgets to your home screen has been bundled. So, let’s quickly check out in the article on how you can make use of the same. The best part of this update is that this all new Android Market Place dubbed as 3.4.4 supports both the tablets as well as the Android smartphones. To a surprise, it also supports the latest Honeycomb 3.1 powered Google TV which is also known as Logitech Revue.
Last but not the least when we talk of new in this version, then this version also comes with the minor stability fixes with which this works fluently even in slower data speeds. So, let’s get started to the Screen captures of this all new Android Market Place followed by the small tutorial on how to install the same.
Screen Captures of Android Market Place 3.4.4 on Android Phone:
Android Market Place 3.4.4 Market Settings 3.4.4 2 Market Settings 3.4.4 1
Procedure to Update Android Market Place 3.4.4 in your Android Device:
  • First download, the Android Market 3.3.12 APK File from here, you need to now save the same in your computer or else you can alternatively can download in your phone too.
  • Once you finish downloading it in the computer, you now need to connect the device to the computer using the USB cable and then need to copy this downloaded apk file to your device and disconnect the USB device from the computer.
Select 3.4.4 APK Select OK Install 3.4.4 Installing 3.4.4
  • After this go to the path where you have placed this file with the help of file explorer and tap on the same to install the same and then tap on “Open” to open the new Android Market. As soon as the installation is done, you will be prompted to tap on the “Accept” button. After this the new market will be shown with the Welcome screen.
  • So, that’s it you have now successfully updated your Phone’s Android Market Place with the latest version of 3.4.4.
  • Up next, open the APK file which you placed in the phone so that you can then install the latest version of Android Market Place as shown in the below screen captures. Please note that just in case if it prompts you to select the option of “Unknown Sources” then you need to select the same.
Note: Please note that just in case if the market Force closes after being updated to Version 3.4.4, you need to clear the data from Settings > Applications > Manage > Market, and clear data.
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December 14, 2011

Skype for Android gets updated, adds the ability to send pictures, videos and files

The Skype app for Android has received an update and the big new feature is the ability to send photos, videos and files across to your contacts.
gsmarena 001 Skype for Android gets updated, adds the ability to send pictures, videos and files
Skype has also made the auto sign-in and sign-out easier, improved the look and feel of the app, added voicemail improvements and improved the video quality on Tegra 2 devices.
Skype also made a gaffe when, while listing the new devices that support video calls, they added the unannounced Motorola DROID 4 to the list. Since then, they have removed the name from their site.
To download Skype 2.6 for Android, you can click the source link below.
Source
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22 Trojan apps discovered on Android Market, get removed by Google

After the desktop version of Windows, Android has quickly become the second best place to party for all the malware and Trojan app creators of the world, undoubtedly aided by the popularity and open nature of the platform. 22 of such Trojan apps were discovered at once by a company called Lookout Mobile Security, who then quickly informed Google about them.
gsmarena 001 22 Trojan apps discovered on Android Market, get removed by Google
These 22 apps, called RuFraud, disguised themselves as wallpaper apps, horoscopes and games. Once installed, they would send unsolicited SMSes to a certain paid toll number, from where the fraudsters get their money and which will then be charged to the user’s monthly bill.
When Google was informed about these apps they were quick to remove all 22 of them so you don’t have to worry about them anymore, at least those specific ones.
But now the question is whether Android really is that insecure or is it just another trick pulled by the anti-virus makers to get your money. We can’t say for sure but it sure helps to be careful around the murky waters of the Android Market. After all, that’s what the comments and the rating system are for.
Source
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Sony Branded Xperia Android Phone Pops Up

What we have here are two pics allegedly showing a Sony branded Xperia™ phone which may or may not be the rumoured LT22 code-name Nyphon. So we might be seeing Sony branded devices very soon. Sony Ericsson allegedly will be phased out by June 2012 where thereafter all phones will be Sony branded. Take a gander at the pics and tell us what you think.
Rumoured Specs
  1. 1GHz dual-core U8500 chipset from ST-Ericsson
  2. 4-inch qHD display
  3. 8MP Exmor R camera
  4. 1GB RAM and 16GB ROM
  5. Android Gingerbread on launch and upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich later
Sony Xperia Nyphon
Sony Xperia Nyphon
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December 13, 2011

HTC Rhyme battery test now over, check out the results [TEST]

The HTC Rhyme is now done running laps on our battery test tracks and we bet you are eager to find out how it did. After all, endurance is as important as it gets when you are talking about a droid that aims to win the hearts of the female users out there.
gsmarena 001 HTC Rhyme battery test now over, check out the results [TEST]
Coming with a 1600 mAh battery and a 3.7″ WVGA screen, the HTC Rhyme seems well prepared for our test. Sure it’s not the juiciest of batteries we have seen since we started the new test, but it’s got one of the smallest displays so far.
As per the tradition, talk time test was first and the HTC Rhyme went off to a pretty good start. The smartphone managed 8 hours and 48 minutes of 3G calls before it eventually gave up and powered down.
gsmarena 001 HTC Rhyme battery test now over, check out the results [TEST]
That’s the fourth best achievement we’ve seen to date and given that screen size doesn’t count in this test was making good promises for the overall result.
The second trial was web browsing and we were still feeling positive about the Rhyme prospects after it ended. It endured 5 hours and 8 minutes of our automated script that refreshes a Flash-less webpage every 10 seconds, which as you can see it, ranks it somewhere in the middle of the pack. Still a good and a great achievement average very good performance, right?
gsmarena 002 HTC Rhyme battery test now over, check out the results [TEST]
Well, not so fast. Video playback came in last and with its achievement of 5 hours and 23 minutes, the Rhyme managed a dismal 12th place out of 14 smartphones tested.
gsmarena 003 HTC Rhyme battery test now over, check out the results [TEST]
So, with the individual test results somewhat of a mixed bag, we didn’t really know what to expect from the HTC Rhyme in the final, overall usage test. As it turned out its performance is about average and the Rhyme got an endurance score of 39h. So if you are to do an hour of talk time, video playback and web browsing per day, you’d need to charge your Rhyme every 39 hours.




gsmarena 002 HTC Rhyme battery test now over, check out the results [TEST]

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Android ranked most ‘closed’ open source OS [infographic]


A new report has ranked Google’s Android operating system the most “closed” open source platform among eight major open source projects. VisionMobile on Monday published The Open Governance Index, a deep look at the relative openness of Android, Qt, Symbian, MeeGo, Mozilla, WebKit, Linux and Eclipse. Going beyond licensing models and using governance as a core metric, the firm determined that Qt is the most open open source platform with an Open Governance Index of 58% while Google’s Android was the most closed open source platform analyzed in its report. Read on for more.
“Android ranks as the most closed project, with an Open Governance Index of 23%, yet at the same time is one of the most successful projects in the history of open source,” VisionMobile wrote in its report. “Is Android proof that open governance is not needed to warrant success in an open source project?” The firm goes on to suggest that Android’s success has less to do with open source licensing and more to do with Google’s financial muscle.
“Google has made Android available at ‘less than zero’ cost, since Google’s core business is not software or search, but driving eyeballs to ads,” the report states. “As is now well understood, Google’s strategy has been to subsidise Android such that it can deliver cheap handsets and low-cost wireless Internet access in order to drive more eyeballs to Google’s ad inventory.”
VisionMobile goes on to stated rather conclusively that Google’s size, billions in marketing dollars from carriers and vendors, and the need to counter Apple’s momentum are responsible for Android’s success rather than the OS itself or the open source licensing model. ”Android would not have risen were it not for the billions of dollars that OEMs and network operators poured into Android in order to compete with Apple’s iconic devices,” the firm wrote. “As Stephen Elop, Nokia’s CEO, said in June, 2011, ‘Apple created the conditions necessary for Android.’ “ VisionMobile’s full infographic follows below.
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A couple Android apps with big download numbers: Skitch hits 3 million, Any.do has 500,000 in 30 days

Android is often the beleaguered guest of iOS app castoffs, but a couple companies are trying to change that by launching on Google’s platform first, and they’re making some serious headway.
Earlier today Evernote announced that the Android app for newly-acquired Skitch hit 3 million downloads in just over 100 days, which equates to about 1.5 downloads per second. The app allows you edit, annotate and play with photos and screenshots taken with your device, and debuted on the OS X platform before the company was bought by Evernote. While the app is coming “soon” to iOS, it is mainly focused on iterating and improving the Android app.
Another Android-only app that has been a run-away success is Any.do, which announced today that it has been downloaded 500,000 times in 30 days. The task editor is one of the most beautifully-designed Android apps and is featured in our Five Design-Focused Android apps.
So many users are frustrated that mobile developers focus on monetizing iOS apps rather than spread the love around to other platforms. While there has been talk that Android is a difficult OS to make money from, it seems that by virtue of its huge install base there is definitely revenue potential, at least through advertising. Google has to nail down the app store experience, which it is constantly improving, as well as bringing value to consumers in the Android space: most paid apps are of inferior quality to their iOS counterparts.
Either way, these two Android app successes outlines how valuable having a multi-platform approach can be, and that Android, for better or worse, is here to stay.
Download Skitch and Any.do from the Android Marketplace if you haven’t already.
Source: Techcrunch
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Latest Adobe Flash player for Android brings performance improvements and bug fixes, still does not support ICS

For something that they claimed to have stopped developing, Adobe sure is finding it hard to let go of the Flash Player for mobile. After their announcement last month to cease its development they released another update soon afterwards and now we have another one sitting in our Market app.
gsmarena 001 Latest Adobe Flash player for Android brings performance improvements and bug fixes, still does not support ICS
According to the release notes on the latest v11.1.111.5, it brings performance updates and bug fixes. Delving a little deeper on the Adobe website reveals that the update fixes the video streaming issue on the Samsung Galaxy S II, enables 1080p video playback for Nvidia Tegra 3-based devices and video playback fixes for video decoding.
This update, however, fails to bring support for Google’s latest mobile operating system update, Ice Cream Sandwich. With support for ICS being ignored in two updates in a row, one tends to wonder whether Adobe plans to bring Flash Player to ICS at all.
Source
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[ROM][DEV][★Sense 3.5★][09 Dec]RCMix 3.5 v10, MegaMix All in one

Changelog:
  • Rebased to Runny base. All previous rtl fixes or framework/app mods, should be redone to work. dont flash old mods.
  • Added new extended RCTeam Tweaks, you need to see it 
  • Added battery fix
  • Added Bravia engine
  • Keyboard with arrows, arrows can be turned on/off in tweaks
  • Wake with volume buttons, available in tweaks
  • Volume Key Camera, available in tweaks
  • Hide Navbar label (in stock flavour), available in tweaks
  • Camera sound on/off, Block adds on/off, White/Black SystemUI, Andrev/Virtuous OC Daemon and many many more, available in TWEAKS !!

Download v10
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December 12, 2011

Samsung beats its 2010 record, sells 300 million phones in 2011


Samsung execs can pop the champagne early - in 2011, they sold more phones than they've sold ever before, a cool 300 million units. That's up from 280 million in 2010, which itself was a big improvement over 2009.
The South Korean company is currently the second largest phone maker by volume (counting smartphones and feature phones), trailing Nokia.

Samsung's flagship Android phone, the Galaxy S II contributed a significant chunk of the sales - 10 million units (at least, that number was announced in late September). That makes it a record seller for Samsung, considering it first hit the shelves in April.
Samsung's president and head of the Mobile communications business, JK Shin, says "We look forward to extending this success going into 2012".
Source
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Skyrim wins the Game of the Year award at VGA 2011, here are the rest of the winners

The winners of Spike TV’s Video Game Awards 2011 have recently been announced. Currently in its eight year, the VGA honors some of the best games across different categories.
gsmarena 001 Skyrim wins the Game of the Year award at VGA 2011, here are the rest of the winners
As some of you may have guessed and wished for, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim won the Game of the Year award at this year’s VGA. Considering the fact that it was against formidable rivals such as Batman: Arkham City, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Portal 2 and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, that is quite a victory. But that wasn’t the only category. Here are the rest of the winners along with the nominees.
  • Studio of the Year Bethesda Game Studios for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
    Nominees:
    Naughty Dog for Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
    Rocksteady Studios for Batman: Arkham City
    Valve for Portal 2
  • Character of the Year The Joker from Batman: Arkham City
    Nominees:
    Nathan Drake, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
    Marcus Fenix, Gears of War 3
    Wheatley, Portal 2
  • Gamer God Blizzard Entertainment, creators of the Warcraft and Starcraft franchises
  • Best Xbox 360 Game Batman: Arkham City
    Nominees
    Forza Motorsport 4
    Gears of War 3
    Portal 2
  • Best PS3 Game Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
    Nominees
    inFAMOUS 2
    Killzone 3
    LittleBigPlanet 2
  • Best Wii Game The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
    Nominees
    Epic Mickey
    Kirby’s Return to Dream Land
    Lost in Shadow
  • Best PC Game Portal 2
    Nominees
    Battlefield 3
    Minecraft
    The Witcher 2
  • Best Handheld/Mobile Game Super Mario 3D Land
    Nominees
    Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
    Infinity Blade
    Jetpack Joyride
  • Best Action Adventure Game Batman: Arkham City
    Nominees
    Assassin’s Creed: Revelations
    The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
    Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
  • Best RPG The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
    Nominees
    Dark Souls
    Deus Ex: Human Revolution
    Dragon Age II
  • Best Multiplayer Portal 2
    Nominees
    Battlefield 3
    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
    Gears of War 3
  • Best Individual Sports Game Fight Night Champion
    Nominees
    Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters
    Top Spin 4
    Virtua Tennis 4
  • Best Team Sports Game NBA 2K12
    Nominees
    FIFA Soccer 12
    NHL 12
    MLB 11: The Show
  • Best Driving Game Forza Motorsport 4
    Nominees
    DiRT 3
    Driver: San Francisco
    Need for Speed: The Run
  • Best Fighting Game Mortal Kombat
    Nominees
    The King of Fighters XIII
    Marvel vs. Capcom 3
    WWE All Stars
  • Best Motion Game The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
    Child of Eden
    Dance Central 2
    The Gunstringer
  • Best Independent Game Minecraft
    Nominees
    Bastion
    Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
    The Binding of Isaac
  • Best Adapted Video Game Batman: Arkham City
    Nominees
    Back to the Future: The Game
    Captain America: Super Soldier
    LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
  • Best Song in a Game “Setting Sail, Coming Home (End Theme)” by Darren Korb, Bastion
    Nominees
    “Exile Vilify” by The National, Portal 2
    “I’m Not Calling You a Liar” by Florence + the Machine, Dragon Age II
    “Build that Wall (Zia’s Theme)” by Darren Korb, Bastion
    “Want You Gone” by Jonathan Coulton, Portal 2
  • Best Original Score Bastion
    Nominees
    Batman: Arkham City
    Deus Ex: Human Revolution
    Portal 2
  • Best Performance by a Human Male Stephen Merchant as Wheatley, Portal 2
    Nominees
    J.K. Simmons as Cave Johnson, Portal 2
    Mark Hamill as The Joker, Batman: Arkham City
    Nolan North as Nathan Drake, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
  • Best Performance by a Human Female Ellen McLain as GLaDOS, Portal 2
    Nominees
    Claudia Black as Chloe Frazer, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
    Emily Rose as Elena Fisher, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
    Tara Strong as Harley Quinn, Batman: Arkham City
  • Best Downloadable Game Bastion
    Nominees
    Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet
    Stacking
    Iron Brigade
  • Best DLC Portal 2 – Peer Review
    Nominees
    Fallout: New Vegas – Old World Blues
    Mass Effect 2 – Arrival
    Mortal Kombat – Freddy Krueger
  • Most Anticipated Game Mass Effect 3
    Nominees
    BioShock: Infinite
    Diablo III
    Halo 4
    The Last Guardian
  • GameTrailers.com Trailer of the Year Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, E3 2011 Trailer
    Nominees
    Batman: Arkham City. Hugo Strange Reveal Trailer
    Dark Souls, Ignite 11 Debut Trailer
    Dead Island, GDC 11 Cinematic Trailer
    Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Purity First Infomercial
    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, In-Game Debut Trailer
    Hitman: Absolution, E3 2011 Trailer
    Prey 2, E3 2011 Trailer
    Tomb Raider, E3 2011 Trailer
    Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, E3 2011 Trailer
  • NFL Blitz Cover Athlete Ray Rice
    Nominees
    Roddy White
    Patrick Willis
Source
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New concept video of Samsung flexible, transparent AMOLED display!

concept video of Samsung flexible, transparent AMOLED display
Back in 2010 Samsung first shows Flexible and Transparent AMOLED Display which was only prototype show-case that time. At CES 2011 flexible, transparent AMOLED display shows it’s glory, you can curve the display easily to get perfect viewing angles, and they are simply beautiful, vivid and gorgeous. We were too excited to see them on actual device in market and few months ago Samsung promised to bring them sometime in 2012. The company did also published demo video of a concept device named Galaxy Skin few months ago. It seems Samsung is on the track to debuting its flexible displays in 2012 as they just released another concept video of flexible AMOLED screen.

Other big companies like Sony, AUO, LG, HP, Toshiba, TDK also working on such technology. So it would be very interesting to see who will be first to be able to produce flexible, transparent AMOLED display! We are hoping to see something in upcoming CES. So, what you think? Ready for some new excitment in 2012? Stay tuned with us
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