Recombu is reporting that the Xperia Arc and Play will get updated to the new version of Android OS 2.3.4. The report also states that both phones will be getting the Sony Ericsson’s so-called “Facebook inside Xperia” update which will integrate your calendar, contacts, and music with facebook accounts. The company confirms that Facebook integration will come to all upcoming and existing Xperia Phones.
[Recombu]
Whats up with Acquisitions lately, Recent Microsoft-Skype acquisition and now this. Google will acquire all Modu patents from the bankrupt company for a whopping 4.9 Billion US $. The company had planned for major worldwide release of its spectacular transformer phones, that fit the purpose when needed, and had planned for an IPO, but came close to an imminent closure due to lack of funding.
Google’s $4.9 million IP purchase will be used to pay back Modu’s creditors and former Modu employees who are still due wages. What this could entail is freakishly small Android smartphones……hoping anyway.
Google has confirmed the recent ClientLogin issue that left the Android OS vulnerable to impersonation attacks. As we know, Google really loves their OS and has alread stared rolling out a Server side fix for the issue and should cover all Android users in the next 48 hours. On the other hand, Calendars , Contacts and Picasa accounts are still vunerable Phone-side and need to be updated to OS 2.3.4 to be eligible for a fix that Google has included in the update.
The funny thing is that in most parts of the world, Especially in India, a majority of Android users are on 2.2 / 2.1 or even lower, and these users will remain exposed to the security flaw.
The news about Amazon Tablets is getting hotter and hotter. With the CEO revealing information about the Tablets earlier and now a major information leak.The Boys at BGR has received word that the upcoming Tablets from AMAZON will feature dual and quad core processors.
According to the source the “entry” level tablet, codenamed “Coyote” will be based on the NVIDIA Tegra 2 platform. The higher spec’d That’s codenamed “Hollywood” and will be based on the NVIDIA T30 “Kal-El” which will bring a quad-core processor with a 500% performance increase over the dual-core Tegra 2.
Amazon has been working on an Android Based tablet, this news has been confirmed by the Amazon’s CEO. But, in a drastic turn of events according to Android and Me, looks like the company is actually planning a host of ANDROID POWERED DEVICES. Ranging from Tablets in various sizes, E-book readers and even possibly a Smartphone.
Earlier this week Amazon’s CEO, Jeff Bezos, said “stay tuned” for more information on the product, which is rumored to have been manufactured by Samsung and could launch as early as this summer. According to us a tablet from amazon will possibly beat the sales of their E-book reader “Kindle” in the first few months.
Google just announced movie rentals in the Android Market at its I/O conference. You can choose b/w thousands of movies and download and view them with a single click. “Pinning” mirrors the experience with apps and books, you can select it on your PC and download to the device in the background for offline viewing.Devices with Android 2.2 or higher will support this service and it should be made available to everyone in the coming weeks.Tablets however will get this service in the new 3.1 OS upgrade.
Renting works in a simple manner 30 days to watch the downloaded movie and 24 hour window once you start watching. Prices range from 48 Rs. upwards and about 280 Rs. for High Definition popular movies.
Google has just officially announced that they are working on the next build of Android that works together on all devices. In their own words “One OS that runs everywhere.” This OS will adapt to its device identifying the smartphone from a tablet and customizing itself to fit the bill properly. The launch of ICS is scheduled for Q4 2011.
Sony Ericsson has just announced a set of new Xperia phones to replace the budget/small sized phones in the series.
The Xperia Mini
Xperia Mini Pro
The Full Press Release
Sony Ericsson unveils next-generation Xperia minis
Introducing two powerful, versatile and compact smartphones
Xperia™ mini – the world’s smallest HD video recording smartphone
Xperia™ mini pro –intuitive fast messaging in a compact smartphoneMay 5th, 2011, London – Sony Ericsson unveils the new Xperia™ mini and Xperia™ mini pro, the latest additions to its Xperia™ family. Building on the success of the original mini series, these innovative smartphones come packed full of features, powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor, and run the latest platform of Google’s Android™ – Gingerbread 2.3. Beautifully designed, Xperia™ mini and Xperia™mini pro both integrate best-in-class imaging and display technology from Sony, including Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine and HD video recording (720p).
The products offer a full multimedia entertainment experience. Xperia™ mini and Xperia™ mini pro enable access to over 150,000 apps on the Android Market™ and has a 3″ scratch-resistant, multi-touch glass screen. The improved user interface allows up to 16 apps displayed on the home screen. Facebook inside Xperia™, a feature just announced for the Xperia™ family, provides a unique social media integration.
Xperia™ mini pro brings the optimised slide-out keyboard with smart functionality first seen on the Xperia™ pro to a compact smartphone. A subtle but fast Type & Send functionality eliminates the need to open a dedicated app for each type of message, and Smart Keyboard triggers predictive messaging actions automatically when the user slides out the keyboard. Xperia™ mini pro also comes pre-loaded with Office Suite and McAfee antivirus software, letting consumers manage documents and e-mails instantly and securely while on the move.
Steve Walker, Head of Marketing, Sony Ericsson said, “We wanted to provide consumers even greater choice across the Xperia™ range, while building on the success of the original mini series. These turbo-charged smartphones now contain even more power, enhanced functionality, a larger screen and premium features unique to Sony Ericsson. They are packed full of features, making them a perfect choice for consumers looking for all the benefits of Android and Sony in a beautiful and easy to use compact form factor.”
Sony Ericsson also unveils today a new integration, Facebook inside Xperia™, which will be included in the new Xperia™ mini and mini pro and soon to be available across the wider Xperia™ range. Facebook inside Xperia™ integrates social connections throughout the phone, by making Facebook immediately accessible from the most used areas of the phone such as the picture gallery, music player, phonebook and calendar. As people are becoming increasingly reliant on their smartphones for instant communication, Sony Ericsson is enabling people to ‘like’, share and comment more easily than ever before with Facebook inside Xperia™.
Sony Ericsson Xperia™ mini – Key features
World’s smallest Android™ smartphone with HD video recording
Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
Place up to 16 apps in the corners of your home screen
Over 150,000 apps on Android Market™
Facebook inside. Keeping your friends closerSony Ericsson Xperia™ mini pro – Key features
Ergonomic keyboard and smart functions for fast messaging
HD video and Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
Synch your email and view office documents safely on the go
Place up to 16 apps in the corners of your home screen
Over 150,000 apps on Android Market™Sony Ericsson Xperia™ mini pro and Xperia™ mini with HD will be available globally in selected markets from Q3.
Check out the Sony Ericsson Product Blog for more information: http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products
We went on a road trip See Here . So we decided to bring some review goodness along : Check out the new Samsung Galaxy Pro GT B7510
This is the First Dual Input (Touch and Qwerty) Android Phone from Samsung in a CandyBar form
Samsung Galaxy Pro GT B7510 Tech Specs
Check out the Pictures Below.
Well we are all for amazing devices and freaky gadgets, but the SmartBook is the monster that scared them all away. The future came and went and most people didn’t even know about it. Here we have a device that is a netbook, a tablet, a Mobile Internet Device, A PC Dual Screen, a VOIP phone, a bluetooth/wired keyboard and the kitchen sink. Always Innovating, the company that made this device, calls it the “Swiss Knife” of electronics.
Tablet
The tablet is a fully-functional standalone tablet. You dont need anything else to run it. It has an 8.9 inch capacative touchscreen with an integrated front-facing webcam.
VOIP Mobile Internt Device i.e. The Minibook
In the back of the tablet sits the Minibook. This device is basically a smartphone running Android 2.2 with a capacative touchscreen, front facing camera, wifi b/g/n, hdmi out, and a whole host of other features.
Smart Keyboard
The keyboard “dock” for the smartbook is a very smart design in itself. It has compartments to store a USB pen-drive and the Dual-Screen USB to HDMI adaptor. It can connect not only to the Smartbook but to any other computer via bluetooth or a USB cable.
Operating Systems
You read that correctly, its Operating Systems in plural. This device supports not 1, not 2, not 3 but a whopping 4 operating systems which are:
Price
The best part of this device is the price. In its complete everything and the kitchen sink configuration it costs an awe inspiring $549, which is cheaper than the iPad, the Motorola XOOM and the Samsung Galaxy TAB.
Also coming from the company are a Pico Projector and a Pocket TV. Watch more in the Video.
When we first saw this video we were quite impressed with the concept of a triple screen phone. It has a few features we found very interesting such as the rolodex and the book reader app. However, after some heated discussion we came to the conclusion that the third screen doesn’t bring much to the phone as most functions that it performs can be achieved with just 2 screens. The third screen seems a little over the top and reminds us of the old Paan Parag add when Jalal Agha pulls out a strip of sachets when asked ‘Ek se mera kya hoga?’
Looks like a bunch of Rumors floating around the web including a tweet which talks about the Nexus S – Video Chat on Gingerbread 2.3.4.
What this means is that all Android Devices with front facing cameras and the latest version of Gingerbread will be Able to use it to Video Chat amongst other with similar availabilities.
The Acer Iconia Tab A500 has
The device is now available from local vendors and reatails merchants like Best Buy in the US for 450 US$ or approximately 20,000/- INR. Pretty steep for a wifi only Tab if you ask us!
Remember the Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 ! The device was a budget version the the Xperia Lineup. Well, looks like Sony Ericsson is eager to get rid of stocks on hand. So , the X8 has been slapped with a walkman logo and being sold as the all new Walkman W8. See the spec sheet below, and tell us do you really see a difference in the devices except the strangely unique walkman logo.
If you ask us, Don’t buy this phone! You will just be buying something a year old, with a new name.
