Google at the I/O Conference has announced that the usage of their web browser Chrome has almost doubled since last year and now tops 310 Million users. 1 TB of data is downloaded daily by these users, and according to Google the speedy browser has saved users 13 years of total browsing time.
While the whole world was skeptical, Google just went ahead and put Chrome mobile on iOS. Both iPad and iPhone users will get the app, either with incognito browsing, syncing and that unique tabbed browsing interface intact.
With the restrictions on the Apple App Store the Chrome webkit will not be allowed on iOS, but either way the download is now live!
HTC has started pushing out the new Android 4.0 ICS update only for the non co-branded smartphones(contract-free) HTC EVO 3D devices in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region as of now. the Over the Air update consist of a deployable package which will update your existing EVO 3D to Android 4.0.4. The update is 300 MB in size and consists of the Android 4.0 ICS code with Sense UI on top,
No release notes were found attached with the update but we can expect the regular set of Android 4.0 ICS features included in the update.
Have you already upgraded to Android 4.0.3? Does the EVO 3D now perform as smoothly as you expected? Are there any bugs or glitches to report?
Other HTC devices are expected to start getting the ICS update in the coming days.
Sony has started pushing the Android 4.0.4 update to the Xperia Line in India today. The Update went live in the morning and we have already updated the Xperia S, So, we should be ready with a kick hands on Video Soon. In the mean time see what Sony has to say about their new update.
Some new Android 4 features:
Lock screen with improved functionality
Resizable widgets (improved personalization)
Improved control of your mobile data consumption
Recent Apps button for clear overview of your applications
The new apps including the “WALKMAN”, “Album” and “Movies” applications will come standard with the update.
The “WALKMAN” application blends the best of signature Sony audio technology with social features; to discover the music your friends like and share personal favorites. Facebook integration gives you a visual way to interact with content – accessing album art, artist images and information, directly from Gracenote®
The “Album” application brings new intuitive ways to sort and browse high quality photos and videos in blazing speed, as well as providing instant viewing, commenting and sharing of photos on Facebook and other online albums, leveraging the great camera capabilities of Xperia S
The “Movies” application streamlines the playback and viewing of movies in high quality audio and video, whilst using intelligent database search to grab movie posters and information for a richer experience
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Today, we bring you some exciting news! As planned, we’re now starting our software rollout for Xperia S including, Ice Cream Sandwich Android 4.0 upgrade and new unique media applications.
First off, we’re excited to introduce a completely new way to experience your media – your music, images, videos, movies and films – with our new “WALKMAN”, “Album” and “Movies” applications:
The “WALKMAN” application blends the best of signature Sony audio technology with social features; to discover the music your friends like and share personal favorites. Facebook integration gives you a visual way to interact with content – accessing album art, artist images and information, directly from Gracenote®
The “Album” application brings new intuitive ways to sort and browse high quality photos and videos in blazing speed, as well as providing instant viewing, commenting and sharing of photos on Facebook and other online albums, leveraging the great camera capabilities of Xperia S
The “Movies” application streamlines the playback and viewing of movies in high quality audio and video, whilst using intelligent database search to grab movie posters and information for a richer experience
And now for the software upgrade to Android version 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich– some of the cool features you can look forward to are:
Lock screen with improved functionality
Resizable widgets (improved personalization)
Improved control of your mobile data consumption
Recent Apps button for clear overview of your applications
Be sure to check out our video above for a look at some of this new functionality!
The update will be directly accessible in your phone over mobile networks and WiFi, but also with the option of upgrading using a computer – either with our web-based Xperia Update, PC Companion or Bridge for Mac.
If you’d like or need help on installing the software, we’ve pulled together a step-by-step run through video on our Xperia support YouTube channel.
All Xperia S users will get a notification when the upgrade is ready, but direct availability in the phone may vary across different carriers.
It’s also worth noting that the software package required for download is around 200MB, so you might want to consider using WiFi, if directly upgrading from your Xperia S.
The rollout will continue over the next few weeks* and as usual, we will continue to keep you up-to-date with our progress, handling as much of your feedback along the way as possible.
Just as before, you’ll also be able to see the released software kits (customized software specific to your operator) on our support community; http://talk.sonymobile.com – please continue to check in if yours is not yet listed, as it’ll be updated when new kits become available.
I’ve enjoyed getting to grips with my Xperia S over the past few weeks and I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to taste this sweet software treat
Apple has finally started to branch out into what is a major chunk of their earning region. Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam are among the dozen new countries where Apple has just launched their iTunes store for music and movies. Other countries include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. If you are asking then the answer is no, India was not included.
The company has left out India from the mix, possibly in comparison to the number of account holders. Hopefully, they can roll out the store in the coming months.
While everyone waits the arrival of the next big OS for your iDevice, Apple is working hard to get it ready. The company has pushed out Beta 2 to the developers for testing, there are no special additions the primarily focus is on the bug fixes leading the software closer to a final release. There are still other betas expected before the final release comes out, So, hold on to your horses.
Those who have active developer accounts can download the latest betas from their accounts now.
While thousands complain about the fact that their devices will not be upgraded to Windows Phone 8, Microsoft tries to give it a positive look. Ben Rudolph demonstrates hows Windows Phone 7.8 will look on existing Windows Phone 7.5 devices, while he shows off a Lumia 900 running 7.8.
The video shows how the new home screen will work on existing devices, including restructuring of tiles. The company is trying to push on on features that will be added, but there is no mention of the features that will be left out for those who actually took a skinny dip into the Windows Phone Pool.
Several reports came to light when images of supposed Siri like voice assistant from the Taiwanese manufacturer came into being. The image shows a very Siri like interface on the HTC One X. Recently, LG introduced Quick Voice after Samsung announced the S-Voice feature with the Galaxy S III. All these voice commands driven personal virtual assistant services are set to compete with the Apple Siri.
Speculations of HTC-branded voice recognition software were triggered after the company put a strange image on their official Twitter and Facebook pages. HTC has apparently taken a hit at the rival companies, which are extensively promoting their voice-recognition applications. Apple initiated the war in the voice control segment with Siri, which is due to launch for iPad tablets and remaining countries, including India, very soon, along with iOS 6.
Interestingly the Google version of Siri Substitute which was slated for late 2012 release might be announced with Android Jelly Bean at the Google I/O this week.
All blowing up news aside, Samsung is hopeful that the company will be able to sell over 10 million units by the end of July 2012. Samsung had already earlier announced that the company has received 9 million preorders for their flagship, and now expect to sell another million.
Samsung timed the launch to perfection and took advantage of Apple’s new iPhone launch cycle, which now happens in October rather than June. According to Korea Economic Daily, the factory in charge of the production of the Galaxy S3 is working to its maximum capacity, finishing 5 million units per month. Samsung did not wish to comment on these figures, noted the Korean daily.
The Galaxy S2 has sold more than 20 million units since its release a year ago. Its succesor, which is bigger and more powerful is in a good position to beat that number.
Samsung is currently investigating a report that one of its Galaxy S3 handsets exploded in a user’s car in Ireland, and another model allegedly exploded in a Korean schoolboy’s pocket.
The news comes as the electronics giant gears up to launch its flagship handset in its native Korea on Monday. A schoolboy in Korea was earlier reported to claim his handset’s battery exploded while in his back pocket.
In that incident, Samsung claimed the external pressure pre-empted on the device was what caused it to explode.
The Galaxy S3 is Samsung’s flagship device and these incidents would certainly put a doubt in the consumer’s mind.
There’s been some talk that HTC is readying a 5.3-inch Galaxy Note challenger of their own by the name of the One XXL . Other than its size, we really haven’t heard much else.
But a new leak is showing us that the HTC One XXL might be a next generation One series smartphone featuring 720p HD display and a fast quad-core mobile processor, it could be a beefed up version of the HTC One X. The details were leaked in the screenshot and shows off all the specs that make an Android fan’s heart flutter. We got a 4.7-inch display, quad-core Qualcomm S4 processor, 2GB of RAM, 8MP camera and 1.8MP front facing camera.
Dell, the second-largest computer seller in India, will sell personal computers loaded with the free operating system Ubuntu.
Ubuntu, is a widely used Linux-based open source software and Dell India, along with Canonical Ltd., the UK-based owner, has decided to sell personal computers based on it.
[quote]The machines — including the new Inspiron 14R and 15R — will be available with Ubuntu pre-installed from June 21 and more models are slated for release later in the year, Canonical CEO Jane Silber told reporters.[/quote]
Starting this month, the Ubuntu installed laptops and netbooks will be available in 850 Dell stores in India. Dell in India currently sells PCs loaded with Windows, the proprietary operating system, of Microsoft.
The first BlackBerry device running Research In Motion’s new operating software will not have a physical keyboard, only a touchscreen one.
The BlackBerry 10 software will be offered on devices with physical keyboards in the future, but RIM spokeswomen Rebecca Freiburger declined to say when. RIM is expected to start selling BlackBerry 10 touch-screen devices this year.
RIM’s hopes hang on the BlackBerry 10 system, which is meant to offer the multimedia, Internet browsing and apps experience customers now demand. The Canadian company is preparing to launch the new software later this year, just as North Americans are abandoning BlackBerrys for iPhones and Android devices.
If those keyboard-loving customers haven’t already jumped ship, I doubt a couple of months is going to make a huge difference. It’s better for RIM to focus one piece of hardware–one that represents where the industry is headed–than launch Blackberry 10 with a lackluster keyboard model just to appease a fraction of its shrinking customer base.
The Nike+ app lets you keep track of your work outs
Good news for Android users, the Nike+ and Flipboard apps have finally made their into the OS, after gaining success and popularity on Apple’s iOS.
Nike announced the Nike+ Running App for Android, which, as you’d expect, connects you to nikeplus.com, making exercise social. It features a smooth, intuitive user interface – tailored and optimized for Android – that hosts a number of features to enhance the running experience. The in-run navigation is seamless and simple, allowing runners to easily check key run stats, see their in-progress GPS maps, change songs or get audio feedback without missing a stride. It is available for free on Google Play.
[quote]The expansion of Nike+ onto multiple mobile platforms will allow us to serve more runners than ever before. This opportunity will give even more athletes the chance to experience Nike+, which makes this an incredibly exciting time for the running community, said Stefan Olander, Vice President, Digital Sport.[/quote]
Flipboard is a free application that turns Web content into a magazine format
Flipboard is a free application that turns Web content into a magazine format, and it has also been announced the app will be available for the likes of the Kindle Fire, Android tablets, along with Nook tablets and smartphones around the world. and to run the app, consumers will need to be using Android version 2.2 or later on a devices with a chip running at least 800 megahertz. The app will not be available for tablets with larger screen sizes, such as the 10-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Flipboard also announced that it is adding access to Google+ and YouTube, bringing to 12 the number of social networks users can view within the app.