Tag: Android

Thrive – Meet the Toshiba Tablet

The Japanese manufacturer is coming out with a new tablet called the Thrive this summer. The Thrive has most of the features you’ve come to expect from a tablet, a 10.1 inch screen, the latest version of the Android operating system, Honeycomb 3.1, front-facing 2.1-mega pixel camera and 5-mega pixel rear-facing camera for photos and video conferencing, a gyroscope, rotation lock, and a 7- to 8-hour battery life (that’s continuous hours of playing HD video). It weighs in at 1.6 pounds, and is a little on the thicker side at 0.6 inches.

The thickness was compromised for several features that Toshiba thinks customers will want: built-in HDMI out port, USB, mini USB, SD card slot. In other words, ports you’d find on many computers.The Thrive also comes with a few perks. It has Log Me In software installed for you to control your desktops from the tablet, a file manager built on top of Android for you to view files stored on your pen-drives and SD cards and also a piece of software that’s called PrintShare which allows you to print documents directly from the tablet, which is similar to Apple’s AirPrint and Samsung’s MobilePrint.

The Thrive will come in three sizes: 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB. All are Wi-Fi only, and will be priced at $429, $479, and $579, respectively.

June 3, 2011
Huawei will launch MediaPad tablet at CommunicAsia

Huawei has just announced its plans to present a new tablet called MediaPad at the upcoming CommunicAsia expo in Singapore. Linking it to their Ideos lineup. No real specs are available for this device, but a lot of expectations from budget device manufacturer . Android 3.0 or atleast 2.3 can be expected for the unit.

“the MediaPad is our smartest, smallest and lightest tablet ever – guaranteed to transform the consumer’s entertainment experience” said Huawei

Source: Huawei

June 2, 2011
HTC ChaCha now available at Phones4U UK, free on contract

The HTC ChaCha is now available for purchase through the Phones 4U dealer in the UK. The phone is the first have a dedicated Facebook button and integrate major FB functionality into the device.

The Phone can be had for free on a 20 £/month contract or a 300 £ outright pay as you go plan. Check out the link and specs below.

[Phones4U]

June 2, 2011
World’s First Solar Powered Android Smartphone: Umeox Apollo
With a hardware prototype on display at Mobile World Congress 2011, phone manufacturing company Umeox has announced ‘Apollo’, the first solar-powered android smartphone. With few features but an expected price point below 100 USD, the phone is designed primarily for developing markets. the 3.2″ touch screen is backed with Android 2.3, and uses Dutch energy developer Intivation’s efficient sunboost technology for its solar panel.

One hour of full sunlight provides sixteen minutes of talk time, and the company estimates that approximately 2.5 hours of light exposure is sufficient for daily use. Although natural sunlight is most efficient, the phone can also charge on ambient artificial light. ‘Apollo’ also includes a 3-megapixel rear facing photo and video camera, along with SD memory card slot.

Tech Specs:
- 3.21″ 320 x 240px display
- 1300 mAh Battery
- 3MP rear facing Photo & Video Camera
- 24 cm² Solar Panel
- 3G HSDPA Internet Access
Expected to launch in 3^rd quarter of 2011 at a price range of Rs 4500 to 6000.
May 30, 2011
The Asus PadFone Leaked

The folks from Pocketnow have got exclusive pictures of the upcoming Asus PADFone. According to the images, the android phone will dock behind a Touchscreen shell with a shielded cover. Now the only thing speculating the web-o-sphere is whether this will run Gingerbread or the muti-platform Ice Cream Sandwich.

May 30, 2011
Sony Ericsson also Updates Xperia Arc and Play to 2.3.3 and gives free Facebook integration
Looks like Sony Ericsson wants its loyal users to stick around, they are pushing updates sooner than promised. The new 2.3.3 Update for Sony Ericsson with Facebook integration was talked about , sometime last week. But the version mentioned was 2.3.4 , SE has however included this in ver. 2.3.3 .

Currently the update is available for the ARC and the Play, but all Xperia devices are set to get the Update.

The major focus of the update is “Facebook Inside Xperia,” which allows you to sync your social media with other aspects of your phone, such as contacts, calendar, and photo gallery.

Other improvements in the package include
- WiFi stability
- Overheating fix for Arc
- Improved battery performance
- HD video recording performance (Arc only)
- Bug fixes
Check out the Video below showcasing some of the features.

CHECK OUT OUR FULL REVIEW OF THE SONY ERICSSON XPERIA ARC
May 28, 2011
Samsung Galaxy S2 India Available, Shipping Now, Priced at 32990, Specs Confirmed
So its finally here the new Samsung Galaxy S2 is now available in major retailers, including online vendors. Priced at a special 32,990. a tad steeper than we would have expected. We got coverage of the launch even back last month at the Samsung forum

Samsung Galaxy S II Specifications:
- Android 2.3
- Samsung Exynos 1.2 GHz Dual core processor
- 8MP rear camera with 2 MP front cam
- NFC Hardware
- Bluetooth 3.0 with EDR
- USB 2.0
- WiFi b/g/n, WiFi direct
- DLNA
- 16GB internal storage
- 1650 mAh battery
- 4.27 inch Super AMOLED Plus display
- Social Hub, Games Hub, Readers Hub
- aGPS
- HSPA+
CHECK OUT OUT VIDEO FROM THE LAUNCH EVENT BELOW
May 26, 2011
EVO 2 console brings Android Goodness to Your TV screen (PR)
Ever wanted to Play Angry Birds on a large screen? Well here is your chance. The new EVO²Console brings all the Android Gaming Goodnes to a Television near you and put a retro Controlpad in Your Hand.

Specs include
- 1.2GHz Samsung processor
- Android 2.2 OS
- TV remote and game controller
- motion sensor (to be added later)
- Price $249 or INR 12500/- approx
PRESS RELEASE

New Android EVO 2 Console Offer Gamers Premium Android Games Free

It’s Your Social Connection, Your Media Storage Device, and Game App Console

Media Advisory

ANNISTON, Ala./May 25, 2011 — Today, the Envizions Computer Entertainment Corporation announced that its new Android-based game console EVO 2 will be available this fall in the U.S. with goals of an international release with availability in certain locations of Europe. EVO 2 earlier adopters can pre-order the system at http://store.envizionsinc.com from the Envizions online store.

The new EVO 2 console will retail for $249 and include an EVO TV remote, EVO game controller and HDMI cable. Specifications include a Samsung 1.2 GHZ processor, DDR2-512MB, and support modified Android 2.2 operating system. The EVO 2 dimensions are 170mm (L) 111mm (W) 30mm (T)

EVO 2 is the first Android gaming console that will offer users real time gaming playlist and social friend connections. Gamers will also have the opportunity to earn points to purchase premium Android games free with EVO tokens. The system will ship equip with game cloud storage and Envizions new Qquip SMS blogging reward service. To ensure that the EVO 2 system surpasses expectations, Envizions plans to add motion 3D sensor capabilities toward the end of fourth quarter in 2011 and developers can start testing the software via website download in two weeks. EVO 2 will incorporate the core software components of Envizions’ beta EVO Smart Console released in 2009.

EVO 2 is an open console and gamers can modify any part of the system. New updates and upgrades will be released periodically after the system launch.

Android developers can get the free EVO hardware SDK today from the Envizions store with a required annual $149 software support fee per unit. Developer fees and royalties are waived for the first 1000 developers.”Game development for EVO 2 is cheaper for developers so they have the opportunity to create games on a platform that will increase their return on investment. Developers can also submit pre-existing Android games”, stated Derrick Samuels the CEO and Founder of Envizions.

And last, the EVO 2 is the first crowd source and social participation console. Envizions will let customers participate in the design roadmap of the console by means of Twitter, FaceBook and the new EVO 2 website. The community can vote on the system’s first launch location and the appearance of the console in terms of color, package design, and product image.
May 26, 2011
Twitter acquires TweetDeck for $40 million

Twitter has finalized its purchase of TweetDeck in a $40 million cash and stock deal. Although both Twitter and TweetDeck Refuse to comment on the same. Twitter has been known to either downplay third-party apps or acquire them. In the past, Twitter has scooped up popular Twitter iPhone app Tweetie, and partnered with photo add-on TwitPic as it launched its new interface.

In February, reports surfaced that UberMedia, the leading developer of apps and Web-based services for Twitter users and other social media platforms, was in talks to purchase Tweetdeck.

But the deal never closed.

May 25, 2011
CyanogenMod lets you control your App Permissions yourself

The newest nightly builds of the CyanogenMod custom ROM include a clever patch allowing users to grant and revoke permissions individually for apps that request access to features that you wouldn’t necessarily want them to. Check out the video below, that demonstrates how the build lets you control how apps access your information.

[Androinica]

[CyanogenMod]

May 25, 2011
Google blocks Movie Rentals on Rooted Android Devices

Google is blocking users with rooted Android devices from renting movies via Android Market. The reason stated is “due to requirements related to copyright protection”. Android 3.1 is only currently available on the Xoom and Android Market movie rentals aren’t yet available on Android 2.2+ devices. So not a large user base is affected with the blockages.

Now the rooting community is already furious about this fact and it looks like there might be a workaround sooner than the world gets updated to movie rentals.

May 23, 2011
Spice Launches Dual Sim Android Phone Mi-270, also cheapest at Rs. 5700
Spice has taken the Android Market yet again by launching the new Spice Mi270. The device is the first budget Dual-Sim Android Device to be made available from a recognized manufacturer.

Tech Specs Include
- 2 MP camera
- Android 2.2
- Dual Sim – Dual Standby- SIngle talk
- Wifi – GPS – AGps
- Bluetooth
- Expandable memory – 16GB
Price – 5700-6500 INR
May 23, 2011
Google Maps on Browser updated for Android and iOS

You already have an App for Google Maps on your Android or iOS device. But admitting that 40% of its Maps users are Mobile based, Google today unveiled a new interface to cater specifically to mobile Smartphone users.

Offering a lot of the same features that are offered in the Full Desktop version, the mobile version is quite in the scope of the usability aspect. Including the ability to view your location, search nearby areas with suggestions and auto-complete, get directions for driving, transit, biking, or walking, view different lays, view Place pages, and access your starred locations.

The native iOS app does not store Starred Locations/ or show them for that matter.

Via : Google

May 22, 2011
Sharp Releases First Android Clamshell – Aquos Phone Hybrid 007SH

Right out of your clamshell dreams, the Sharp Aquos Phone Hybrid 007SH, is a hybrid traditional clamshell design which packs a 180 degree flipity-flopity touch-screen. Whats more the Old-School looking phone, also packs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, A 6 MegaPixel Camera and 3D capable display. This device will be available to SOFTBANK in Japan.

[Softbank Mobile]

May 21, 2011
Fujitsu Planning Budget 7 inch Android Tablet

According to DigiTimes , Fujitsu will launch a 7 inch Android tablet in the 3rd Q of 2011 and will run on Android 3.1 Honeycomb. Apparantly the price of the device will be slated at less than 400 US $ or INR 18000 Approx.

More on this soon.

[DigiTimes]

May 20, 2011