Oh whats this? Looks like Acer is finally rolling out a very important update for its 10-inch Iconia Tab A500 tablet that would bring in the Android 3.1 flavor. We’re not quite sure how long does it take to load it up, but it’s always exciting to get a new firmware update running on board. Happy updates!
[via Electronista]
While many details about Samsung’s 10.1-inch Alex Chrome OS netbook are still unconfirmed, a few other laptops, running Google’s latest and greatest Chrome OS platform, are breaking a cover nowadays. For instance, Sammy’s 12.1-inch Series 5 ChromeBook device, which boasts an ultra-slim 0.79-inch chassis atop, along with 16GB of storage (mSATA solid state drive) and a dual-core 1.66GHz Intel Atom N570 processor on board. There’s also a 802.11 WiFi and 3G connectivity bundled inside, together with an HD webcam, two USB 2.0 ports, a 12.1-inch, 1280 x 800 display and battery pack, delivering up to 8.5 hours of continuous work. Hopefully all of you will be able to get one from Amazon and Best Buy from June 15th and on, while prices start at just $429 for the WiFi-only version and jump to $499 in case you’d like to nab yourself the 3G-enabled flavor instead. Full PR after the break.
Update: Apparently, the guys over at Engadget have been fortunate enough to get their hands on a brand new Samsung ChromeBook device at Google’s I/O 2011 event, and luckily they’ve shared those moments on a nice 3:44 minutes video. check it out after the break.
Continue reading Samsung’s Series 5 Chrome OS Laptop Officially Introduced
Google’s Chrome OS isn’t quite ready yet, but should be here in a few months time. Meanwhile, a few juicy details about Samsung’s first official Chrome OS netbook have slipped onto the Internet and they are showing off what Sammy’s upcoming 10.1-inch (1280 x 800) netbook device, dubbed “Alex”, is going to include. First and foremost, there’s a 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550 processor inside, paired with a SanDisk solid-state drive with unknown capacities, 2GB of RAM, WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G connectivity and a VGA webcam, located up front. Naturally, there’s a Synaptics TouchPad down the chassis and that Google Chrome OS platform running on board. Still no word about price or availability, but we’re expecting to hear more about it at Google’s I/O developer conference, in a few weeks or so.
[via Samsung Hub]
The new ASUS Eee Pad Transformer has already kicked off in Europe one month ago, and is now proceeding in North America. The 10.1-inch Transformer which has an IPS display panel under the lid alongside a 1280 by 800 HD screen resolution on top of it, comes in a variety of flavors and is said to be available for retail purchasing on Tuesday, April 26th, with prices starting at $399 for the 16GB model, while the 32GB version will cost you $499 – exactly like a WiFi only iPad 16GB model. As for the docking station – Well…I guess it will set you back roughly an extra $150 above base price, which seems quite attractive, isn’t it?
Update: And looks like the Asus Transformer US release day has been an overwhelming success so far. The $400 10.1-inch Honeycomb device is now officially “sold out” online both in Amazon and Best Buy. Well, that makes a lot of sense considering the overflowing amount of excitement that we keep hearing from many tech fans.
As promised earlier this month, Samsung has officially announced their two new Galaxy Tabs, with the expected 8.9-inch and 10.1-inch models in line. The new Honeycomb Tabs which herald Samsung’s entry into ultra-thin and ultra-light tablets market – both measure only .33-inches thick- will be available starting June 8 of this year, featuring a 1GHz dual-core processor on board, alongside WXGA 1280×800 HD displays, a 2 megapixel front-facing camera and another at 3 megapixel on the back, 3.5mm headphone jacks, SIM card compartments, 802.11 b/g/n wifi connection, Bluetooth 2.1 and microSD card reader slots. Further more, both Sammy’s new devices are said to include gyroscope, accelerometer, a digital compass and an ambient light sensor, whereas the smaller version houses a 6000mAH battery pack and the bigger one boasts a 6860mAH cell under the hood. Remember, these are WiFi only flavors, though Samsung does plan to release 4G-enabled models later in the year to go. On the cost department, Samsung’s prices seem to finally be getting competitive and more affordable for the average consumer, as the 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab is claimed to be offered at launch at $469 (16GB) and $569 (32GB), while the 10-incher Tab will set you back for $499 (16GB) and $599 (32GB) and not a single dime more. So there you go ladies and gentlemen, two revamped Galaxy Tabs on the stake and one PR announcement half past the break.
Update1: We’ve just added a few introduction videos of the Galaxy Tabs, courtesy of the Android Community fellows who recently had a chance to play with the new tablets.
Update2: And just in case you wanna get into the full spirit of the event, we’ve also added Samsung’s CTIA Wireless 2011 keynote after the break.
Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Tabs 8.9 and 10.1 Tablets Now Official
It’s been couple of month since Taiwanese corp Viewsonic has officially announced their latest Android 1.6 / Windows 7 dual-booting ViewPad 10 in America, and today it’s finally available and ready for shipping. Of course, as ever, you’ll need to pay for the 10.1 inch, 1.66GHz Atom CPU tablet with hard cash before it actually departs your way, but frankly speaking, the prices aren’t dirt-cheap enough to justify an immediate acquisition. As a matter of fact, they have some pretty high pricing rates, despite the mediocre line of innards specs (e.g 2GB of RAM, Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera). In terms of numbers we are looking at $599 for the 16GB SSD version which comes preloaded with Windows Home 7 Premium OS, or $679 for the 32GB drive, which packs inside the Windows 7 Professional flavor. Is it worth getting one over an iPad 2? Overall I would get one, but it needs to come down in price dramatically. Demo video and full PR after the break.
Update: If by chance you happen to be a proud owner of the 10-inch dual-boot ViewPad device, there is a new update, coming up to the Android 1.6 tablet – Yes, you’ve heard that right boys and girls, the tablet’s getting an Android 2.2 (Froyo) upgrade. However, if you’re still on the hunt for one, you can either choose between the $599 Windows 7 Home Premium and 16GB slate or the $679 Win 7 Professional flavor (32GB) instead.
Continue reading ViewSonic’s Dual Boot ViewPad 10 Tablet Officially Live
Looking back on early January 2011, we catch a glimpse of an awesome experience of the Android 3.0 video teasers. Looking forward to what’s ahead of this year let us capture a vision of the great Honeycomb OS which will inevitably make Android the dominant Smartphone and Tablet platform of the future. The rapid ascent of Android has prompted Google to go ahead and announce the official release of its latest creation, made by Palm’s former UI designer, Matias Duarte, and best known as the Android Honeycomb – Google’s answer to many of tablet -based OS out there. And while there wasn’t much news about it, it is still worth watching – especially for those that widgets, finger gestures, or 3D rendering matters spark their interest. The one thing however, that caught most people’s eyes was Google’s Android Market which has finally turned official, as a web client, and gone live couple of hours ago with a very neat and simple Market catalog to browse (more than 50,000 apps inside) with both free and paid Android applications preloaded on board. Move forward after the break to catch up with Google’s full event.
Continue reading Google’s Android Honeycomb OS and Android Market Website Officially Announced
Onkyo may soon be releasing a new line of Android and Windows tablets if a recently roadmap slide is to be taken seriously. The documents, which were officially introduced by the Japanese corp, show three Windows 7 SlatePC tablets, the TW317A5, TW217A5, and TW117A4, which are all going to include an Oak Trail upgrade sometime around June, while their 10-inch siblings – which supposedly carry an Android platform on board – the Android SlatePad TA117C1 and TA117C3 due later this year, along with a third batch, listing a 7-inch display and an ARM Cortex chip under the lid. Prices are yet to be determined.
[via Netbooknews]
LG is finally entering the Android tablet market in the US with the upcoming release of its latest and greatest 8.9-inch Android 3.0 G-Slate, which is based off of Google’s most anticipated Honeycomb platform, and consists of many high-end components including a 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 processor, 32GB of internal flash storage, built-in gyroscope and accelerometer elements, WiFi, 3G HSPA+ network (over T-Mobile’s 4G infrastructure), adaptive lighting integration and HDMI out for 1080p video support. Definitely sounds good, but wait ’till you hear this – The front and rear cameras is essentially what distinguishes LG’s future tablet from other similar devices available in the market today and is a big bonus for someone shooting quite a lot of video conference chats or high quality images, instead. In short, The LG tablet will be one of the first to market with a stereoscopic rear-facing video cameras, capable of 3D 1080p capture, while there’s one on the back (overall there are two rear cameras) featuring a 5 megapixel camera plus LED flash capabilities, and another at 2 megapixel, which the Korean corp has placed up front. A US release is set for March of this year with solid price and date details to be announced very shortly. Hit the jump for the full PR read along with another image reflecting the back.
Update: We’ve just added a quick LG the Optimus Pad video, featuring the 8.9-incher running with Google’s Android Honeycomb platform on board.
Continue reading LG G-Slate With Dual Back Cameras (3D) Gets Detailed
Samsung has some very good news for those of you who can’t afford themselves spending over $600 on a very expensive tablet, or simply could not conceive of the idea of signing up a 2 years contract with a mobile carrier. As per a plan that the Koreans are currently working on, Samsung will soon have its very own 3G-free Galaxy Tab machine, that will carry 16GB of storage on board, along with up to 32GB of expendable microSD slot. And while Sammy is vouching for a Q1 release in the US, pricing details are still unknown. But be sure it’s going to be a lot more cheaper. Press release after the break.
Continue reading WiFi-only Samsung Galaxy Tab Coming Stateside in Q1
Wel…well…well, what do we have in here? Guess it’s Google’s future android 3.0 platform (Honeycomb) that Mountain View has specifically designed to compliment and match tablets UI. To put it in different words, the 3.0 version is “Entirely for Tablet” – and boy! it looks great! But instead of crafting words, just checkout Google’s video to get a better impression.
Update: Looks like Google has just issued an early build of its upcoming Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system. So if any of you Android Developers just so happen to log on, make sure to check out the platform’s uncompleted SDK version including the APIs. Video preview after the break.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPUGNCIozp0[/youtube]
Continue reading Google’s Android 3.0 For Tablets Gets Demoed on Video
The more we’re getting closer to CES 2011, the more we’re going to hear about new products that join the world’s biggest tech celebration. AOC’s 8-inch Breeze is just the latest in that series. The new tablet, which was recently unveiled by one of the largest LED / LCD monitor manufacturers, runs an obsolete Android 2.1 platform within, along with an 800 x 600 screen resolution, and a slew of physical keys, up right, on top of the screen bezel. In addition, there’s a Rockchip chipset inside, paired with 4GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot, a battery pack that is claimed to deliver up to 12 hours of audio or 6 hours of video, WiFi connectivity, an internal speaker, and a single USB 2.0 port. More information should be forthcoming in the next few days, while shipping is due later this month and price is only few cents sub $200. Full PR after the break.
Continue reading AOC Breeze Tablet Boasts 8-inch Display and Android 2.1 Platform
CES 2011 is only couple of days ahead and that’s probably the best time to attract a few headlines and announce the release of new products. Actually, there are plenty of them, but we’ll save you the fuss this time, and let concentrate on this cool 8-inch Vizio Via Tablet that has recently been announced. This nice and slick Android device, which seems to be Vizio’s first attempt to push a compact, well designed, tablet into world’s most overcrowded market, is claimed to have a “high resolution” display, along with three speakers, WiFi connectivity, a front facing camera and HDMI port. The manufacturing company also plans to include inside the Via Plus internet service, which means you’ll be getting yourself plenty of interesting goodies such as Netflix, Twitter, Facebook, Android market access, and Vizio On Demand movie feature, preloaded on board. Neat! Stay tuned.
Update1: Vizio has officially confirmed the details that recently appeared across the interwebs, regarding its upcoming plans to launch an 8-inch Via tablet. The company, that seems to be trying to bring its Android slab up to par with Apple’s iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab, has just issued a PR update that indicates the presence of WiFi N connectivity within the slate, along with GPS, MicroSD slot, HDMI output and a pair of webcams, one at the back, and another up front. Additionally, we’re looking at 2GB of embedded storage along with a built-in accelerometer and 1,024 x 768-pixel capacitive touch panel on top. Regretfully, there’s no cellular service included, but on the long run, that surely won’t affect our excitement over this device.
Update2: We’ve just added a quick hands-on video, courtesy of Cnet. Check it out after the break.
[via Wall Street Journal]
Continue reading Vizio 8-Inch Via Tablet Introduced, Only Days Ahead of CES
Say hi to the new Cowon D3 Plenue: At first sight, it looks like a basic mobile phone, same size, same shape, same overall appearance. But beneath the 3.7-inch, 800 x 480 AMOLED face lies an Android 2.1 PMP with 32GB of storage, SD card expansion, a built-in accelerometer and a T-DMB tuner. And if it wasn’t already cool enough, it also comes with an HDMI output, WiFi connectivity and Bluetooth 3.0 support. Sadly, we’re still not sure whether it is going to include an Android Market access at this stage – though we’re surely going to see some sort of applications on board – but one thing’s for sure, you can definitely expect to hear more about it in the coming months, weeks or perhaps in early January, at the 2011 CES show. Stay tuned.
Update: Amazon has just now listed a pre-order page for Cowon’s latest and greatest Android D3 Plenue player, priced at $370 and set on an undetermined release date. Is it just us that think this is way too much for a player, at this point?
[Cowon]
There is definitely a lot of momentum behind Android tablets these days, and Onkyo is one company seeking to take advantage of the burgeoning blitz. From what we know, their latest revelation, TA117 series, which has no price tag or availability details to share at this point, comprises of two models, namely TA117C3 and TA117C1, that will pack a 10.1-inch 1024 x 600 display, NVIDIA’s Tegra 250 chip, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, HDMI output, two USB 2.0 ports, and microSD card slot. And while the C1 is claimed to pack 512MB of RAM along with 8GB of storage, its sibling, the C3 flavor, features 1GB of memory, paired with 16GB of NAND, on board. Android Froyo is the dominant OS platform in both versions, but word on the street is that we’re likely to see a Windows 7 support. Stay tuned for even more.
[via Akihabara News]
Almost a year and couple of days after introducing it, Google has launched a new, stand-alone version of an operating system, which became known as Crome OS. Offering it as a “one-stop shop” for all manner of cloud-based laptop usage, one-year-old Chrome will let users run their day-to-day portable apps like any of the other ones available on rival platforms, such as Linux or Windows 7, this time with a mission to make the web work faster, safer, and easier than ever. Surprisingly, it takes only four simple steps to set it up and have it running: Picking up your Internet connectivity, choosing a profile image, getting online right away, and cruzing the web the moment you get it to load. As a matter of fact, it wouldn’t take more than 60 seconds, on average, to make it ready to work. Setting the OS to use multiple accounts is as easy as it gets, but there’s also a guest mode option that runs in Incognito mode (“Friends Let Friends Log-In Feature”). Of course you can use it offline as well if you want, but the most convenient way to use it, is probably when connected online.
On the same note, Google has just rolled out its very own Chrome Web Store which “like a phone app store,” features a gallery of different apps and extensions from different sources and vendors in various categories such as photos, music, games, news, blogging , fun, shopping, sports and web development. To test this new concept under operational circumstances, Google announced a test program for Chrome OS in which it will be offering 60000 Chrome Notebooks to those who registered. To find out more about the pilot program, just visit http://google.com/chromenotebook click in the boxes and fill in the missing answers.
Google has just finally, officially announced the release of the Nexus S (from Samsung), Mountain View’s next flagship smartphone that was built according to commonly accepted 2010 standards and designed to replace the company’s first-gen HTC Nexus One. So what makes it so exciting, you’re asking? Well, there’s a stunning 4-inch WVGA “contour display” inside, paired with a 5 megapixel camera, 16GB of internal storage, NFC (Near Field Communications), 512MB of RAM, a 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird processor, and a triband HSPA with AWS support. Besides that, for $199 with a two-year contract or $529 unlocked, you get yourself a three-axis gyroscope, together with a single USB 2.0 port, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, a GPS integration, and Google’s latest Android 2.3 Gingerbread platform, already preloaded onboard – Nice! So how do you get one? Starting December 16th, the Nexus S will be available for a purchase (via T-mobile and Best Buy) by anyone who wishes to have it, either online or at one of the local retail stores. Full PR and a pair of videos right after the break.
Update: Looks like Best buy is gearing up to start selling Google’s magical smartphone, the Nexus S, throughout its US retail stores, starting this Thursday, 8AM sharp. Basically, you won’t be able to secure yourself a device (or two) in advance, which means you’ll have to think about the possibility of queuing up for a long long time – and be sure we’re gonna see long ones this time (just a hunch).
And it looks like Archos lived up to its promise. The French corp has just released a new firmware update for its latest and greatest Internet Tablets lineup which features several models including the Archos 23, 32, 43, 70, and 101. One of the most notable features in this update is the most anticipated Android 2.2.1 platform that Archos has generously provided along with some other interior improvements in battery life, performance, user interface and external GPS adapters support. So if that’s what you’re into, go ahead and grab it, free of charge, at the company’s website or simply hit the Archos link couple of steps below.
[Archos]
OH! What’s this? Looks like Acer is finally joining the Android tablets party, with two different types of capacitive touchscreens in stock. The first in that group is the 7-inch tablet which according to Acer’s official PR (after the break) will be packing a native 1280×800 screen resolution on top of a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm processor, integrated WiFi, 3G connectivity and DNLA technology support. Not sure whether it will house the Android 2.2 OS or Google’s next Honeycomb platform on board. Still, we have plenty of time until we get to see this one-hot -slate officially coming out and shipping throughout the world (April 2011?). Next in that series is the 10.1-inch tablet which boasts that same impacable 1280×800 screen resolution, with a ten-point multitouch board (wow). Other than that, it is also said to include an integrated Gyroscope companion, along that same 1GHz dual-core processor, an HDMI output which is capable of delivering up to 1080p substance, and a 5 megapixels camera that will help you conducting high-res video conference calls. There are no prices to share at the moment, but we hope to get them for you as soon as we can.
Continue reading Acer Reveals 7-inch and 10.1-inch Android Tablets In New York
It’s been susptected and rumored, but now it’s offical. As of today, Dell is finally offering through its US online store a number of unlocked Streak devices, preloaded with Android 2.2 OS and different types of hard drive storage forms. There’s a 16GB Carbon Black version, now being offered unlocked for $579.99, or the same device only with 32GB of internal memory that will run you in exchange for $678.99 – and not a single extra dime. We’re still unsure exactly whether the cards themselves are locked to AT&T SIM only, or perhaps come fully compatibile with most other 3G networks. One way or another, it sure feels good having Google’s latest Android Froyo tossed inside, and for this matter, there are many different reasons that will backup this assertion: Whether it’s the pinch-to-zoom attraction, the 3G hotspot creation, a USB tethering usability or Adobe’s Flash playback support. And it’s all happening on a 5 -inch pocketable device, remember?
Just as promised, the 7-inch Velocity Cruz is finally out and ready for the masses. And while you shouldn’t expect too much, performance wise, from a $299 slate, still it will cost you a whole lot cheaper getting it, rather than any other similar device – and from our perspective, it could easily be a good value over price. After all, don’t forget that you’re getting a very responsive capacitive display in here, instead of those sluggish and not so friendly resistive touchscreen ones. Regretfully, you’ll have to settle with an Android 2.0 version, with no direct access to Google’s Android Market inside (there’s a Cruz Market which seems pretty limited compared to well established online hubs). Yet, the slate itself does offer 512MB of RAM, 12GB of storage, WiFi, stereo speakers, 10 hours of battery and a mini-USB port, to take on a ride. And if that wasn’t enough you can check out the video, right after the jump.
Continue reading Velocity Micro’s Android Cruz Tablet Is Finally Ready For a Shipping
What do you think the new trend in media players? For those of you who answered “Android OS“…you were right. First it was Archos who wisely added Google’s burgeoning platform into its latest PMP series, and now it’s Creative’s turn to do exactly the same. The new model on stake is the Android 2.1-based Zen Touch 2 player which packs a 3.2-inch resistive touchscreen on top along with WiFi, Bluetooth, an accelerometer module and inbuilt speaker under the lid. In addition, there’s also a 2 megapixels camera, an FM radio, GPS, digital compass, and microSD slot. Storage wise, you get to choose between 8GB and 16GB capacities while the smallest one runs for £149.99 and the bigger edition is priced only £10 more. Let’s go Android! let’s go.
[Creative]
It seems that Acer is keeping up with its latest trends in exterior designs better than others. And the newest artifact to join the company’s most stylish and flashy laptop exhibition is the 10-incher Aspire Happy “eco-friendly” netbook. Available in Lime Green, Lavender Purple, Candy Pink and Hawaii Blue flavors, this dual booting system which offers both Windows 7 and Android 2.1 platforms preloaded on board, is now being marketed in Europe with Atom N450 processor, GMA 3150 GPU, 250GB hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, 2GB of RAM and a six cell battery for £249.99 ($397) and not a single dime or penny more. Hit the jump to read the full PR.
Continue reading Acer Aspire One Happy Dual-Booting Netbook Makes a Debut
Samsung has been very elusive and secretive about its pricing plans for the Galaxy Tab, but if the following T-Mobile slide should be proven to be real, then we’re looking at a $399 done deal tablet. Of course, you’ll have to sign-up for a new 2-year contract with the US carrier in order to get into a subsidized package, otherwise it would cost you a whopping $649.99 and would probably hurt your “already-empty” pockets.
Update1: US carrier Verizon has just announced that it will begin selling the new Samsung Android Galaxy Tab for $599.99, starting November 11th. Of course, if you want “data plans” then get ready to pay more – about $20 per month for 1GB – but for those who are using standard WiFi connection, a “few hundred bucks” looks like an insane amount of money one should be paying for. Checkout the full PR release half past the break.
Update2: All right, folks, it looks like we’ve got ourselves a competition here, with a third US carrier, Sprint, to officially confirm its Samsung’s Galaxy Tab availability dates and prices, which for some “strange” reason look suspiciously similar to T-Mobile’s offer . The meaning is that Sprint is planning to charge $399 for the 7-inch Android Froyo tablet, along with a two-year compulsory contract (comprised from either a 2GB of data plan for $29.99 and a 5GB for $59.99) or $599.99 for take-and-go buyers, starting November 14th.
Update3: On the same note, rumor has it that Best Buy is going to sell a “WiFi-only” Galaxy Tab (no obligation) for $499.99 along with a black 3G model (Verizon) and a silver 3G model (Sprint) – both require either a 2 years contract or month-to-month plans.
Update4: T-Mobile just updated that the selling of the new Samsung Galaxy Tab will officially start on November 10th with prices at $399.99 on a two years contract, or $599.99 for those who’d like to buy and go. Full PR after the break.
[via TmoNews]
It’s not that we’re not grateful and pleased with Apple’s iPad OS, we do, but then the idea of installing Google’s Chromium platform onto it – the way all mighty Hexxeh just did – still remains to be appealing to many people around. And while we are in agreement that it might not be the perfect solution, until the perfect solution presents itself, we have to go with the best available option. A quicj demo is right after the break.
[via Hexxeh’s Blog]
Continue reading Apple’s iPad Gets The Chromium OS Treatment
Another day, another Android tablet render. This one coming straight from Japanese company Mouse Computer that is offering to its local customers a 10.1-inch (1,024 x 600) Android 2.2 tablet with an integrated NVIDIA Tegra 2 chip for improved graphics handling and 512MB of internal memory, expandable via a microSD slot. WiFi support is also included in this ¥48,250 (about $575) package, as delivery time is probably going to be relatively short.
[via Akihabara News]
India is about to join the world on that super-cool Android tablets trend, with local company, Olive Telecom announcing its first 3.5G Android 2.1 tablet, also known as the Olive Pad VT100, and claimed to go live in India somewhere next month, for prices range between Rs.20000 to Rs.25000, or about $425 to $530 in US Dollars. And while we can’t be certain about a US release, Indian geeks will most likely enjoy holding it with both hands and surf the net on that nice looking 7-inch (800 x 480) capacitive touchscreen. Other than that, this neat and not-too-shabby gadget is said to include 512MB of internal memory, paired with a 3MP rear camera, an SD card slot, mini USB hub, a 3,240mAh battery, Bluetooth, WiFi, an integrated compass and last but not least, a G-sensor support. So yes, it’s a fascinating slate-smartphone hybrid device. From one side, not too small to hold it close to your ear and talk, but from the other, big enough to consume internet content and multimedia videos on the go. PR after the break.
Update: It looks like Indian television show TechGuru has managed to get one of Olive Telecom’s $500 7-inch capacitive touchscreen device and put together a decent comparison with Apple’s 9.7-inch magical iPad wonder. With a 600MHz ARM processor, tucked with 512MB of internal memory, a 3mp built-in camera, microSD slot, Google Android for the OS and optional 3G WWAN connection placed in the back of the box, the Indian slate scores 4 points while Steve Jobs’ slick baby boy gets 6 out of the entire toll. Checkout the translated video after the break (courtesy of Savvy Singh).
Continue reading Olive Pad VT100 Android Tablet Breaks Cover In India (Update: With Video)
What’s this? Another Android tablets? Yes, and you’re going to see a plenty of them coming out in the next couple of months, plenty. The latest news in this hot and highly evolving category comes from Chinese manufacturer SmartQ, that seems to have two brand new android 2.1 tablets to offer for local merchants. First one in this series is the SmartQ T7, which comes equipped with a fast 720MHz processor, along a 7-inch 800×600 touchscreen display, a WiFi connectivity and 4,700mAh battery – all priced for ¥1,480 (about $220) in Asian markets. The second one, the T7-3G, which boasts pretty much the same impressive components that basic T7 model would offer, adds a cellular connection to its line of features and said to be valued at ¥1,880 (about $280) for the EVDO version and ¥1,980 (about $29o) for the WCDMA style. Both flavors are said to come out later this year, with no hint for western distribution in the foreseeable future, but with nice range of HD video files support.
[via iTech News]
Toshiba is coming on strong lately with all sorts of awesomely great netbook devices. And while most models still run a Microsoft Windows OS inside, the latest, AC100 Smartbook, is said to include an Android 2.1 for a change. The Japanese are probably the first to enjoy this bad boy, somewhere around August, as prices start at ¥40,000 and climb up to ¥50,000 or $440 to $550, respectively. In exchange for the money, Toshiba has stuffed a very interesting lineup inside, which apparently includes a 10.1-inch 1,024 x 600 pixels LED backlight displayed, paired with a 32GB SSD, 512MB of DDR2 memory, a 1.3mp webcam, 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth, an HDMI output to pump vids on your tele, and last but not least, a fairly strong 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 250 processor, to make your 1080p content run stutter free. Software wise, you get a built in Opera Mobile browser to surf the web, a dedicated Toshiba media player, and Documents to Go, that lets you edit any MS Office docs, via Google’s android OS. PR and video, just after the break.
Update: Battery is claimed to deliver up to 7 hours of continuous work and and 7 days of standby. Pretty impressive, isn’t it?
[via netbooked]
Continue reading Toshiba’s 10.1-Inch AC100 Smartbook is All About The Android
Details scarce at the moment, but the way it looks, it seems that Google’s plan to have its own personal Android tablet has taken few giant steps forward if World Street Journal’s sources are to be taken at face value. And even though we’re still lack of any concrete information about viable name, look, prices or even availability, an increased competition between Apple and Google in the tablets arena is presumably inevitable, and might render the relationship between the two companies somewhat more acrimonious. In any case, according to recent WSJ report, Verizon’s CEO said that his company is seeking for a tablet and that their working on something with Google:
“We’re looking at all the things Google has in its archives that we could put on a tablet to make it a great experience.”
Well, that leaves no room for doubt regarding a future Google tablet, does it? Whether it will be offered for everyone or as part of a carrier package, run Chrom OS or Android, Include a 3G support or just a WiFi connectivity – Many of these questions will take time to answer. Stay tuned for a lot more to come.
Only two days after turning the Buzz official within Gmail accounts, Google seems to roll out more tweaks and improvements, based on feedbacks and user requests, sent directly or to its help desk account. First and foremost, Google has closed security breach where people could actually see lists of friends and followers which automatically appeared on new Google Pages that people initially created to post their Buzz feeds. Those lists created based on interaction with people you email and chat with the most, could literally expose to the world details no one wanted to unveil. There for, from now on the first time you create a post or comment in Buzz, you will be asked to initiate a limited public profile with minimal info released outside. In addition, you can easily choose whether to turn on publicly the lists of people you follow or that follow you back and which of these species can appear publicly on your profile or not. Furthermore, Google adds the ability to block followers or unfollow them with a simple click of a button. Stay tuned.
Update1: Google says that since launched, tens of millions of people have checked Buzz out, creating over 9 million posts and comments, overwhelmingly added to the growing 200+ posts per minute, initiated from mobile phones around the world.
Update2: So you’re already involved with the Buzz, posting your stuff and following others, but you’re not exactly familiar with all those tricks and tweaks the service offers and wonder where you could have learned them all in a matter of minutes. For that reason specifically, we’ve added a Google Buzz cheat sheet where you can find all the keys and shortcuts that would make it easier for you to use the Buzz. Check it out after the break.
Update3: Google has wisely decided to remove the Buzz auto-follow model in which you automatically follow the people you email and chat with most, whenever initiate a new Google profile page. Instead of this auto-suggest model you will be taken into a welcome page, where you will be reviewing the people in your lists that you’re interested outing to the public and others, you prefer keeping them hidden (third image after the break). In addition, your Buzz will not connect with your Google Reader and Picasa shared items automatically, so your “Unlisted” albums or “Protected” reading sources won’t be revealed, unless you decide to. And last but not least, Google has confirmed it will soon add a Buzz tab to the Gmail account that would create a clear distinction between your day-to-day mailing content and your Googlr Buzz feeds (fourth image). Stay tuned.
[Google]
It’s not that we were thinking Asus would give up creating a tablet of its own, thus when the company’s CEO, Jonney Shih, speaks about a “killer product” due to go out in June, this is where our wild imagination begins to work extra hours and starts wondering about possible outcomes. Although it’s claimed to be yet “another Apple” (the iPad is scheduled to debut next month), it is said to support open source code and to include ARM hardware and Google software within. Pegatron, a separate division of Asus apparently received the manufacturing responsibility for this enigmatic tablet (Eee Pad?), and if we’d try to be just a little speculative here, it would probably boast Nvidia’s Tegra 2 for the graphics and run Android for the OS, under $500 price tag. Stay tuned.
Update: More Eee Pad rumors coming out, ahead of release, this time from Asus’s chairman Jonney Shih who has officially confirmed a duo set of Taiwanese tablets, coming out somewhere this year, one with a Windows OS on top and the other running Google’s android/Chrome platform. No further info at this point, but stick around for more details to come.
Google officially released the Buzz. What is it, you’re asking? It’s Mountain View’s new platform that integrates into your Gmail account and turns it into a social community center (sort of), where you can share things like updates, photos, videos and a lot more with people you email and chat with the most. Additionally, the Buzz allows you to start interacting with those people and make in-mail conversations about anything you’d like in a simple and attractive way. The purpose, according to Bradley Horowitz, Google’s vice president for product management, is to simplify things and help people …”to find signal in the noise”. The target, in our humble opinion, is to launch a successful email product that would make people stick around all day long, and by that, create their own personal streaming platform that would eventually attract potential web users to follow their buzz and turn their voice even louder. Is it a war declaration against popular services like Twitter and Facebook? Time would tell. Google’s buzz integrates with existing social networks and people can easily add their Flickr, Picasa, Twitter, Yahoo or Facebook accounts, and even Google Reader feeds, into the Buzz while creating a new social networking interface/aggregator that would gather both mailing usage and media streaming in one accessible place. So, direct war? not sure, but challenging Facebook’s social media domination? definitely yes.
Basically, no special setup is needed and Gmail users should expect seeing the Buzz in their mail accounts immediately, or later on this week, as Google rolls out its new platform across the web, at these very moments . Once receiving it you will automatically start seeing lists of people, who you have emailed on Gmail, added to your Buzz. At that point you can start sharing with them whatever you want, including pictures, messages, videos, articles, news feeds and more, either publicly or in private. It’s a dual direction platform, so in that case you will see their updates as well, but also a few “Recommended Buzz” from friends of your friends, adjusted to your personal feedback.
As for mobile phones, Google also announced mobile integration for Buzz with dedicated apps and maps and an updated homepage you can log into at google.com/buzz. Buzz for mobile makes your sharing a lot easier than expected, it ” brings location to the forefront and makes it easy to have conversations about places”. To start, just type buzz.google.com in your mobile browser address line and begin posting buzz from your phone. You can tag your location or use the suggested tag if correct and later on, search all the public buzz created by your friends or nearby strangers around you in any given location you’ve personally tagged. This way you get yourself a personal location and recommendation platform, based on people’s most basic and common opinions, carried by their smartphones. As mentioned, you can use Google Maps and create public buzz directly from the layer, and attach photos into it from your mobile phone. You can create Textual Buzz shortcuts which appear as a small conversation bubble that everyone can see and read, or go even cooler by creating Voice Buzz shortcuts which let you post buzz without typing a word – Neat! Hit the break to watch the videos.
Update1: Looks like Google Maps 4.0 with Buzz support now available in the Android Market for those who own Android-based smartphones like G1, Droid or Nexus One. Feel free to download it right away and share the Buzz with your friends!
[tweetmeme]
The mystery behind Nexus One’s multitouch disparity between Europe and the US is finally about to end, as Google reports in its blog, suggesting imminent roll out of a software update, specifically tailored for the Nexus One and which apparently boasts some major add-ons inside, amongst you’ll find Google Goggle app that lets you take pictures through the integrated webcam and then generate search results about them, improved version of Google Maps with a special night mode and useful suggestions, general fix of 3G connectivity and last but probably the most important one, multitouch support, that would likely offer “a new pinch-to-zoom mechanism in the phone’s Browser, Gallery and Maps applications”. In case you were wondering about the timing of this update, here’s Google official statement, given to ReadWriteWeb:
Looking around the mobile industry, from Apple to Palm to HTC and Motorola – it’s clear that pinch-to-zoom technology has become a standard and popular way for users to interact with their mobile phones. Likewise, Android users can now truly benefit from this capability with the availability of Android 2.1, which powers a new class of devices with larger touchscreens and more interactive features. Unlike past devices, these phones have the processing power to deliver pinch-to-zoom, while still providing a great user experience. Based on these new capabilities and numerous requests from Android users, we decided to provide pinch-to-zoom capabilities with this new over-the-air software update for Nexus One devices.
Update: We’ve added a video that shows Nexus One new features in action, check it out after the break.
[Google]
So Google has finally launched the most anticipated Nexus One, and if you happen to live in one of the following 4 countries – the US, UK, Singapore or Hong Kong – you can get it right away from Google’s website, priced at $529.99 without a contract or merely $179 including a T-Mobile two year plan (in the US). Other people will have to wait at least until Spring 2010, when it believes that Google will be adding more countries to its smartphone lineup. The phone itself is an HTC brand, coming with a 3.7-inch 800×480 AMOLED display, which regretfully doesn’t support multi-touch at the moment, although Google says it’s not an hardware issue but a software tweak and it’d consider adding screen gestures capabilities in the future. Besides that, you get a fast 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor,paired with a 5 megapixels camera including an integrated LED flash that can shoot MPEG-4 video and have it uploaded directly to Youtube. Additionally, this 11.5mm thick device has a built-in compass, GPS, WiFi, A2DP stereo Bluetooth, 3.5mm headphone jack, a multicolored LED under the trackball, an accelerometer for landscape view and two mics, positioned on front, for complete noise cancellation. It runs all common frequencies and compatible with HSDPA 7.2Mbps, UMTS Band 1/4/8 (2100/AWS/900), HSUPA 2Mbps and of course, GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz). The 1400mAH battery inside is claimed to provide 5 hours of 3G browsing and 7 hours of 3G talk time, while storage wise, you receive only 512MB of internal flash along with a 4GB micro SD card, expandable up to 32GB. See the full specs here.
Moving forward with the details, the Nexus One packs Google’s “latest greatest” Android 2.1 platform – also known as Eclair – which crams some nifty stuff inside, like the voice recognition feature that works throughout the entire UI and activates almost any feature in the phone. That way, you can use your voice to write SMS messages and notes (speech-to-text), or tell the Google Earth search engine where should it go. Other than that, Google has implemented a Cooliris technology into the Nexus One gallery app, so you get 3D visualization whenever looking at images in landscape mode. It has a lot of widgets to offer, such as weather and news RSS, and the smartphone’s homescreen customization is interactive and houses 5 panels to store your apps and shortcuts. Stay tuned. Video is right after the break.
Update1: And looks like Adobe is now jumping on Google’s bandwagon by demoing its Flash 10.1 beta on a Nexus One superphone. Check it out after the break.
Update2: Well, what do you know, the European version of Nexus One, apparently supports multitouch capabilities out-of-the-box, while US devices don’t. We’re not so sure why, but as someone suggested, the trigger for the abyssal differences might be the fact that Apple has a US Patent on multitouch which doesn’t apply on European countries. Maybe. Google says it’s carefully reviewing this issue at the moment.
Update3: Different from what has been reported, Google’s Nexus One seems to be incompatible with “n” draft wireless connectivityand official specs state it supports only 802.11b/g WiFi frequencies. We’ll have more about this soon.
Update4: You knew it had to happen sooner or later, did you? No? then get this – iFixit guys have taken Google’s Nexus One on a mission and disassembled it into small pieces of technology craft. See the results here and after the break.
Update5: We’ve added two more stunning videos right after the break, in which you can watch Nexus One’s manufacturing process with stress tests such as bending, slamming, dropping, and cracking, all over the place. A must see creation!
Update6: Turns out Google now has live person phone support in case your Nexus One has problems that need to be solved. It’s 888-48NEXUS (63987) and said to work from 07:00am to 10:00pm PST. Right now the line will handle only status and shipping issues while tech problems can find answer via Google’s support forums, FAQs pages, email support and HTC/ T-Mobile customer care departments.
Continue reading Google's Nexus One Officially Announced With Android 2.1 Preloaded Inside
Freescale is already staring eyes towards the CES show, which goes live this coming weekend, and the way things look, there’s plenty of stuff that worth waiting for. In a nutshell, the semiconductor giant surprises with a 7-inch smartbook reference design that fits well the Smartbook Tablet gender, only with a lot more to offer. Make no mistake, it’s a sort of a prototype that Freescale wishes to develop with its OEM partners, and the list of components is admittedly, very impressive, still you should give it at least six month before it gets – this way or another – official. The most attractive thing in here is the price which stands right below the $200 mark and digging into the specs, it ain’t so much at all, considering the fact it has a 1GHz i/MX515 chipset, paired with ARM Cortex A8 processor that seats together with 1,024 x 600 touch display (and ambient light sensor), 512MB of DDR2 RAM, optional 3G WWAN module, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, 3mp camera on top, and 3-axis accelerometer support. You get between 4GB to 64GB of internal storage, expandable with a microSD, while battery suppose to work all day long at 1,900mAh. And whether you’re fond of portable devices or not, Freescale’s machine offers (for extra $50) an optional docking station fully equipped with QWERTY keyboard and identical color lot – Now that’s definitely something we’d like to have our hands on. Stay tuned for more, images and PR details are just after the slot.
Update: Word on the street is that the $200 tablet from Freescale that sports a 7-incher display and a strong ARM Cortex architecture, will go live somewhere, somewhat, equipped with either Google’s Chromium OS or sort of a Linux platform at your choice, while Android is said to be on the prep as well, and capacitive screens are likely to be considered as part of this slate. Checkout the demo video half past the break.
Truth is that holidays season can be very boring, tech wise, but here’s something that might catch your eye during this time of quiescency, as latest news apparently indicate the first netbook to include Google’s Chrome OS platform will presumably boast some nifty specs inside like NVIDIA’s Tegra chipset for graphics handling and Arm-based processor, instead of Intel’s popular Atom flavor. Other than that, the rumor suggests it would pack a 10.1-inch 1,280 x 720 resolution with multi-touch display(!), along 2GB of RAM, 64GB SSD, WiFi, Bluetooth, an integrated webcam and 3G connectivity module. Battery is claimed to offer 4 or 6-cells versions while buyers will be able to pick an optional GPS system as part of the deal, which suppose to be very attractive and stand at somewhere below $300. Stay tuned for a lot more to come.
Update: We hear that Google will be selling those netbooks directly. More on that, hopefully soon. Still, no official confirmation from Mountain View to these rumors.
[via Netbook News]
So, Google has finally rolled out its highly expected Chrome OS, which was demoed live across the net by Mountain View’s engineers few hours ago, and practically suppose to go out somewhere towards next year’s holiday season. Regretfully, the system won’t be free and it seems you’ll have to buy it pre-installed on portable devices approved by Google, either it’s a netbook, tablet PCs, smartphones, MIDs, etc. The Chrome OS is said to include third-party applications, but won’t support, at this point, any Android materials. The system itself is based on Linux and the Chrome browser, both packed together to run on a web-based platform that will operate any outside content, coming from USB drives or other different sources. Basically, it’s a cloud system but that should not set you apart from it, unless you guys really afraid of taking new tech “adventures” and start new liabilities. Nevertheless, the operating system will run everything that was originally placed in the application panel – and we’re talking about features like Gmail, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Hulu, Google Talk and many more. Google Docs was also included in Google’s OS compatibility list, while drivers from other companies, such as Flash and Silverlight suppose to work as well (although Google wasn’t very clear about it and has chosen to say this: “We are working hard to integrate plugins closely”).
Hardware wise, details are scarce at the moment, and Google will not share those nitty gritty things until next year, but looking at the overall picture, Chrome OS will probably run in compatibility with both x86 and ARM processors, while regular hard-drives support seems to be excluded – which means you’ll have to use SSDs instead. In general, booting time is set to load up in 7 seconds only, and login process will take 3 seconds more. That, in our opinion, should do best with any standard netbook available in the market, now and in the future (with SSD drives), and just in case you were wondering, Google itself was using an Eee PC machine to run the demo for the first time.
Update1: We’ve tossed some videos after the break, that will walk you through Google’s new system.
Update2: Looks like Google’s Chrome OS is now available free, in case you’re using a VMWare software on your desktop machine. The good part is that you don’t need to actually make it your primary bootable system at all, and by running any VirtualBox software, you can set any of your system folders to be used as a Chrome OS unit. If you think you’re qualified for using this pre Beta platform, you can download the image either from this torrent (we have no clue about this source background) or the build the guys at GDGT recently uploaded. TechCrunch team was all over it in passing hours as well, so you can read their step-by-step instructions in here, if you don’t feel safe to do it on your own.
Update3: Dell Mini 10V owners can now install the Chrome OS as their primary operating system, thanks to a Dell employee who’s managed to hack the USB-bootable edition via WiFi and make it available on Dell’s popular mini laptop, despite fussy restrictions from Mountain View’s direction. Truth is it’s not the perfect OS and in fact, many things are yet to be solved, but for early adopters who are willing to give it a try – it should probably be a great experience that’s worth a shot. Source code and explanations are now available on Direct2Dell‘s page. Enjoy the Chrome.
Update4: Mac and Linux users can finally use the Google Chrome Beta-version browser with their computing machines – as Mountain View’s searching giant officially announces in its blog. And although we face a lot of crashes while trying, you don’t really want to skip this experience, especially when Google has recently launched the extensions, do you? Checkout the video we’ve added after the break (3rd one).
Continue reading Google's Chrome OS Officially Introduced (Update: Now Available On VMWare)
Still in development, the Zii EGG prototype – which hopefully will go live somewhere next year – is one desirable media device we’d like to see floating around. With a 3.5-inch multi-touch display, WiFi, GPS, and 1080p HD support – it just can’t go wrong. In fact, it seems to be walking the right directions, with its mother company, Creative, choosing the Android 1.6 path, and making it look pretty promising on this new nifty portable bud. Too bad the entire UI is a bit sluggish and the integrated webcam is not exactly functional (not to mention the inaccurate signal marks at the top). Yet, it’d surely improve in the next build, we’re positive, very very positive. But ’till then, hit the jump and watch the video.
[via anythingbutipod]
Continue reading Creative Zii EGG Prototype Finally Gets The Android Treatment
Google has just thrown a bomb to the IT world, announcing a new Chrom OS platform that suppose to give an open-source solution mainly for netbooks but also for full-size desktop systems, and is expected to go live somewhere on the second half of 2010. Additionally, the new OS from Mountain View, CA is claimed to smoothly run any x86 and ARM chips, while the company firmly says it already teamed up with manufacturers like Acer, Adobe, ASUS, Freescale, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments to bring you all the best and comprehensive UI you’d get, so stay tuned for a lot more to come. Here’s what Google’s blog had to say, in a nutshell:
“Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks. Later this year we will open-source its code, and netbooks running Google Chrome OS will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010. Because we’re already talking to partners about the project, and we’ll soon be working with the open source community, we wanted to share our vision now so everyone understands what we are trying to achieve.
Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS. We’re designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds. The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web. And as we did for the Google Chrome browser, we are going back to the basics and completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don’t have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. It should just work.”
[Google]
Not sure if any of this necessarily relates to Microsoft’s search-engine (AKA: Bing) announcement, that suppose to take place in the following days, but this way or another, Google has definitely managed to steal some focus from Redmond’s coming events, by catching our eyes with its latest innovative meshing application – also known as Google Wave. And while many of us tend to separately use IM clients, mail services or word processing editors to work our day, Google’s Australian team has diligently strove for the past two years in putting together these three daily assignments into one amazing collaborative tool which was built into the web-browser sphere in the form of HTML 5.0 and about to be released in the following months.
What is Wave? It’s a new model for communication and collaboration on the web, as a group of people can communicate and work together with rich format text, photos, videos, maps, blogs and more, while any participant can reply anywhere in the message, edit the content and add even more participants at any point in the process, with a “playback” mode, allowing newcomers to rewind the wave to see who said what and when, before joining the service. And if that wasn’t enough, the entire gathering process, which makes the Wave such a great collaborative tool, surprisingly happens on a real-time platform, where different group members can concurrently read (character-by-character) whatever you type, as you type, without waiting long (private mode is optional).
Still in an early build, with so many useful embedded features around, Google’s online sharing platform undoubtedly shaped for changing our common old-fashioned traits while vigorously aiming to completely revamp any sort of existing mailing interaction, which currently controlled by you’ve guessed right Microsoft itself. But turning Wave into such a powerful application that sincerely pretends to revolutionize our fixed behavior, certainly requires a joint effort involvement from diversified groups across the globe, which probably explains why Google has deliberately decided to widely open up its API platform for 3rd party developers, explicitly asking their generous assistance in building extensions and outsourcing widgets in order to enhance and maximize interface usability. And speaking about widgets and extensions, it seems there are plenty interesting ways to use Wave, either collaborating together on a new document, sharing embedded photos and videos among friends, IM chatting with multiple users (real-time spelling correction and translation robots included), handling real-time RSVP invitations, or simply playing casual entertaining games – At this point, all options available – and yet it looks like Wave is only halfway through to reach its full potential. Hit the links below to start learning the protocols. Additionally, you can watch Wave’s full demo introduction after the break (long video).
Develop
Learn how to put waves in your site and build wave extensions with the Google Wave APIs.
Visit code.google.com/apis/wave.
Build
Google Wave uses an open protocol, so anyone can build their own wave system.
Learn more at www.waveprotocol.org.
[Google]
Chinese company Skytone has jumped into the overcrowded scene of “I want to have my own branded netbook”, by introducing its half tablet half netbook device, which packs an ARM-based 533MHz processor and a 7-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen with those weirdo game keys on the sides, to let you handle Mortal Combat Vs. DC Universe anytime you’d like (We’re just guessing). Furthermore, the new machine houses only 128MB of RAM, that probably won’t hold any of the operating systems we all use, 1GB of storage, that won’t have enough room for all your media files, and an SD card slot that might be joining an optional 3G module inside the unit. Regretfully (or not), the Asian firm deprives us from getting info about availability, but at the same time says it might be selling this alpha-680 Android powered box for merely $100. Hot or Not – it’s your call.
Update1: According to Nixon Wu, Skytone’s co-founder, the new android-powered device is more likely to cost around $250, once it gets released in June.
Update2: Hit the jump to look at the videos, featuring Skytone’s user interface.
Update3: A Red hot edition Skytone’s Alpha 680 Android-powered netbook was spotted in the wild and you get a chance to take a look after the break.
[via computerworld]
Continue reading Skytone's Android Netbook Escapade Looks Quirky Feels Fragile
Apple has finally released firmware update 2.2, available for downloading via your iTunes software, right away. The new 246MB update brings some neat stuff to your iphone/ipod devices, including Google Street View, over-the-air podcast downloads (which lets you listen to podcast, either through wifi connection or 3G network), public transit and walking directions, more stabilized Safari browser and even the ability to share your location via email. In addition, you get some Bug fixes, together with toggling auto-text correction function, better sound quality in Visual Voicemail messages and a new App rating feature, that allows you to rank any Apple’s App Store application, once you delete it. Stay tuned !
The T-Mobile G1 event was definitely a game changer, to how the mobile phone and the Internet have merged to bring us innovative solutions in one device, the kind that can provide Email, Maps, Calendar, instant messaging, Contacts, Search engine and Media player, all together in one strong Open Source platform that will be able to compete those lavish smartphone handsets, with a fair and affordable price. As the clock pointed at 10:30 AM (East time), a group of distinguish representatives from companies like Deutsche Telecom, T-Mobile, HTC and Google were gathered on one small New York stage, to announce the long-awaited HTC Dream, powered with Google’s Android operating system, to be available in T-Mobile stores and dealers on October 27th, for merely $179, subjunctive to a two year contract – $25/month deal, including unlimited internet access plus a certain amount of messaging package, or $35/month deal with unlimited internet access and unlimited messages to send.
The new phone, also known as the G1, is equipped with a quadband GSM HSDPA 1700/2100, a stunning flip-out 3-inch 320 x 480 HVGA touchscreen, a full QWERTY keyboard to make it easier when you type-in a web address or any other online form, a 3.2MP camera with auto focus, a microSD card extension (1GB microSD card included, supports up to 8GB card), GPS navigation system, Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. The continuous collaboration with Mountain View brings a smooth multitasking UI, packed with many Google apps, such as Gmail, GTalk IM, Google Maps, digital compass, integrated Traffic view / Street View, Google calender and last but not least, Google’s search engine, assimilated inside the built-in browser. In addition, you get more applications pre-loaded, like Android Market, which is equivalent to Apple’s App Store, Amazon’s MP3 store, allowing to download from 6 million DRM-free tracks (starting at 89 cents), YouTube and many other third-party goodies onboard. The unit comes with a designated Search Button that lets you work across the entire interface and search any application you want. Thus, you can look for your friends in the contact list or search for a special occasion within your calender, etc. Regretfully, it doesn’t support the standard 3.5mm headphone jack, nor A2DP stereo Bluetooth, but you can expect to see them in future versions. Sized at 4.60 x 2.16 x 0.62, the G1’s battery provides up to 5 hours of speech or 130 hours in standby mode and potential buyers will be able to choose between black, white or brown flavors, when the phone goes live, in early November.
Checkout the videos after the break. For more images you can click in here.
[via Android Community]
Continue reading T-Mobile G1: First HTC Dream G1 Android Powered Phone Introduced
Everybody wants to take part and have a roll in the GTA IV madness, as I hear that Liberty City locals will enjoy the ability to navigate their way through the massive number of “points of interest”, interspersed across the town, with Google Maps. The service provides online social game mapping, allowing players to share their discovery points (like restaurants, clubs, bars, bowling, ATM, gun shops or Internet Cafe) with their friends, by simply adding markers on the map and pointing the exact location of the place. I wonder if someone has time to read this thing, as I find many of my friends busy all day, playing the game, burning the roads.
[grandtheftauto.ign via kotaku]
Alienware’s powerful machines are known for many years. Yet, only recently, has the concept of galactic designs been put into practice and inspired the company to join forces with Dell in order to create an alien phone concept, running an Android OS platform inside, with a blue glowing grill and a slider shape structure from the outside. Sensitive touch keys and navigation joystick are part of the deal as well, but prices and availability are still missing. Connection between galaxies seems imminent.
Several months after the announcement of the revolutionary Android handset OS, Google releases an updated version of the Android SDK with major improvements and new applications, so you can download it and fiddle around, as long as you want. The latest update includes new user interface, layout animations, geo-coding, new media codecs and updated Eclipse plug-in. If you feel you can help in shaping the platform, let the Android team know.
Available for download here
[via Android]
Yahoo’s board of directors officially decided to turn off Microsoft’s hostile acquisition offer for 44.6$ Billion, price that presented $31 per share, a week ago. The rejection adds 2% to Yahoo’s share, 0.2% to Google’s share and -2% reduction on Microsoft’s share. In a press release, Yahoo says the bid is substantially lower than its real value and refuses to consider any offer under 40$ per share.
…”Yahoo! Board of Directors has carefully reviewed Microsoft’s unsolicited proposal with Yahoo!’s management team and financial and legal advisors and has unanimously concluded that the proposal is not in the best interests of Yahoo! and our stockholders.”
“After careful evaluation, the Board believes that Microsoft’s proposal substantially undervalues Yahoo! including our global brand, large worldwide audience, significant recent investments in advertising platforms and future growth prospects, free cash flow and earnings potential, as well as our substantial unconsolidated investments.”
Continue reading Yahoo! Officialy Rejects Microsoft's Bid But The Story Isn't Over
Rumors come true, Microsoft submitted an official offer to buy Yahoo for $44.6 Billion, price that presents $31 per share, 62% over Yahoo’s closing price, 19.18$. Microsoft is making tremendous efforts to carry out this deal, in order to stay a major internet player and to be able to compete Google in the growing online advertisement and searching markets. Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer said: “We have great respect for Yahoo!, and together we can offer an increasingly exciting set of solutions for consumers, publishers and advertisers while becoming better positioned to compete in the online services market.” The bid was submitted after Yahoo announced the cutting of 1,000 jobs and reported 8 consistent quarters of dropping shares value. With the anticipation for a difficult year, Yahoo’s board of directors might accept the offer, though we hear the company is not in a rush. Yahoo shares responded with increasing of 47.9%.
Update: Google is reluctant with current developments. preliminary comment in Google’s official blog, attacking Microsoft for the hostile bid to acquire Yahoo and raises troubling questions:
“Could Microsoft now attempt to exert the same sort of inappropriate and illegal influence over the Internet that it did with the PC? While the Internet rewards competitive innovation, Microsoft has frequently sought to establish proprietary monopolies — and then leverage its dominance into new, adjacent markets.”
And more:
…”Could a combination of the two take advantage of a PC software monopoly to unfairly limit the ability of consumers to freely access competitors’ email, IM, and web-based services? Policymakers around the world need to ask these questions — and consumers deserve satisfying answers.”
f