Sunday, April 15, 2012

Update - 213



Posted: 14 Mar 2012 05:18 PM PDT
We had told you it was coming, and now it’s here. Barnes & Noble is inviting Nook Tablet owners to come into the store and have their tablet’s internal memory partitioning reallocated. The Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet has a spacious 16GB edition, yet it previously only allowed 1GB of its internal memory for side-loaded user content. There wasn’t much space for movies, music or other non-B&N content. The only way around that was to use a microSD card.
Barnes & Noble is allowing you to change this now, though. You can choose to change the 1GB reserved for personal content to 8GB, and leave 5.5GB for Barnes & Noble content. There will be trained “Nooksellers” in Barnes & Noble stores who can make this change for you.
This B&N’s explanation of the change:
Beginning this week, Nook Tablet 16GB customers who are interested in an optional reallocation of memory partitioning can bring their device to any of Barnes & Noble’s nearly 700 bookstores, where a trained Nookseller can help them make the change. If customers choose to change the memory scheme, it will enable them to carry even more of their personal content sideloaded on Nook Tablet (8GB), and approximately 5.5GB of Barnes & Noble content. Of course, Nook Tablet customers can, as always, enjoy expandable SD slot for up to 32GB of additional capacity, and virtually infinite storage of B&N content through the free Nook Cloud.
So, if you like this memory allocation better, just head into your local Barnes and Noble store to take advantage of the free in-store support.
Keep in mind that contrary to the 16GB Nook Tablet, the memory allocation in the Nook Tablet 8GB is currently 4GB for your own content. The microSD card can be added to get up to 32GB more if you choose.
On a separate note, the free Nook for Android app has been updated. The 3.1 version of the app now has Nook Comics for Android tablets. You can access graphic novels, comics and manga on 7- to 10-inch devices with Android OS 2.2 or higher.
The update includes Nook Shop additions so you can add or edit your default credit card information or un-archive content in the Nook Library, among other things. Let us know how you’re feeling about the new B&N developments in the comments.
source: CNET




Posted: 14 Mar 2012 05:09 PM PDT

Android security tends to be a popular subject of discussion when looking for an area to criticise Android. Whether it be the much maligned Face Unlock or long-standing Pattern Lock, many tech sites enjoy nitpicking at every available opportunity. There is however one major organisation who might just disagree with the naysayers, the FBI.
Dante Dears, a San Diego based pimp was recently released from prison after serving time for trafficking prostitutes. Dears immediately violated the term of his parole by owning a cell phone which informants claim he was using to continue his pimping remotely. Naturally the FBI seized the phone and it was then that the problems began.
Dears refused to unlock the phone so the FBI promptly sent it off to the Computer Forensics Lab. Technicians at the lab succeeded only in locking the phone after too many unsuccessful unlock attempts. The phone then prompted the technicians for Dears’ Google login details which , of course, he refused to hand over. At this point the FBI had little option but to head cap-in-hand to Google to request the information. A warrant was served that asked Google for the following information :
  • The subscriber’s name, address, Social Security number, account login and password
  • "All e-mail and personal contact list information on file for cellular telephone"
  • The times and duration of every webpage visited
  • All text messages sent and received from the phone, including photo and video messages
  • Any e-mail addresses or instant messenger accounts used on the phone
  • "Verbal and/or written instructions for overriding the 'pattern lock' installed on the" phone
  • All search terms, Internet history, and GPS data that Google has stored for the phone
Google responded with the following statement : “Like all law-abiding companies, we comply with valid legal process. Whenever we receive a request we make sure it meets both the letter and spirit of the law before complying. If we believe a request is overly broad, we will seek to narrow it.”
How is it the phrase goes? “Pimpin’ ain’t easy”, well it seems that advances in mobile technology inadvertently made it a little easier. It goes without saying that TalkAndroid absolutely does not condone the behaviour of Dears although it is reassuring to know that the average Android owner is well protected. Perhaps the FBI will be hoping that the adoption of Ice Cream Sandwich brings an increase in Face Unlock usage, at least then they might be able to get into the phone with mugshot photos.

source : ars technica




Posted: 14 Mar 2012 03:32 PM PDT
It wouldn’t be a normal day here at TalkAndroid without a Samsung Galaxy S III rumour to ponder over. Earlier today we brought you the rumour that the design was finalised and headed to production, well now we may just have a sneak peak at what the device will look like. An anonymous tipster posted the above image to the web and has sparked a series of debates across the tech world.
My first thoughts are that this looks awfully like a photoshopped Galaxy S II. The front face of the device looks pretty much identical aside from the ICS on-screen navigation buttons in place of the usual physical home button and capacitive buttons combo. I would like to believe that Samsung will be a little more imaginative with the design and I’ll personally be filing this particular rumour as ‘unlikely’
The Samsung Galaxy S III is probably the most highly anticipated Android phone of all time and as the summer draws closer the hype is hitting fever-pitch. Brace yourself folks as I suspect there will be plenty more speculation to follow in the coming weeks. The one thing I can say with confidence is that when the Galaxy S III finally does arrive, it will have been worth the wait.

source : phoneArena




Posted: 14 Mar 2012 02:06 PM PDT
Stephen Elop, CEO of Nokia, is not afraid of calling Android out or voicing his two cents in regards to Google’s OS. While we are still waiting to see Nokia and the Windows Phone platform beat Android in market share that isn’t stopping Mr. Elop from voicing his ill-regards to Android or iOS in their use of multi-core processors. As he puts it:
“You don't need a quad-core phone unless you want to keep your hands warm in your pocket. We're believers in the experience so, fine you have this camera density and you have that camera density. Let's put the pictures side-by-side and we'll show which ones are better.”
As if that weren’t enough he took a swipe at Android and its fragmentation “problem” as well:
"We don't want fragmentation being introduced into Windows Phone because we are beginning to see how in a certain other eco-system that fragmentation becomes a problem."
While I may be a bit biased in terms of Android I still have to question how this market strategy is working out for Nokia regardless. Especially given the rumor that Nokia is experimenting with dual-core technology to power their Windows Phone 8 devices. If fragmentation is such a problem then why are there 850,000 device activations for Android daily? Given Nokia’s less than glamorous fourth quarter last year I’m not sure if it’s a good time to call out Android’s “shortcomings” eh Stephen?




Posted: 14 Mar 2012 12:51 PM PDT
While not a powerhouse like the One X or its little sister the One S, the One V looks to bring some pretty decent features, along with Ice Cream Sandwich and Sense 4.0, to the budget conscious folk out there. In case you missed the announcement it will come with a 3.7-inch touch screen (800 x 480 resolution), single core 1 GHz processor (sadly no dual-core) and will have 512 MB of RAM. It will have a 5MP camera with auto focus and LED flash. It’s also said to come with 4GB of onboard storage.
The Global Certification Forum has passed the One V to operate on GSM/EDGE at 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, as well as dual-band UMTS/HSDPA on 850/1900 MHz frequencies. It won’t come with 4G LTE capabilities so it’s safe to say that we won’t see this on Verizon. It will come in three flavors that include purple, grey and black. With it’s GCF pass it’s one step closer to an April release and while we have yet to see exact dates and prices, if current rumors hold water it looks to be around $300-350 off contract.
It will feature the aluminum body that hopes to give it a more robust and less budget-like feel. You can hit the break to get a glimpse of what these devices will look like in the various colors. Is this budget device one that you would consider? 
source: GCF
via: Androinica




Posted: 14 Mar 2012 12:45 PM PDT
Mojang, creators of the ultra-addictive Minecraft series of games has dropped a significant update into the Play Store today. The update brings some additions to the gameplay as well as a new control method. There’s an optional new ‘split touch controls’ mode that will take advantage of the additional screen real estate in tablet devices and similar. For the purists out there, Pigs have been added into survival mode taking the game a step closer to the desktop version.
With over 100,000 downloads, minecraft is one of the most popular paid games in the Play Store and it’s great to see that the developers aren’t getting complacent. Head on over to the Play Store and pick up the update now, the pigs are waiting!





Posted: 14 Mar 2012 12:31 PM PDT
Looks like there’s a new LG LTE phone on the way folks. A mysterious “Optimus P936″ smartphone decided to stop by the FCC to say hello and pass through. This indicates that there will be yet another LTE phone on its way. It is speculated the phone will be slated for a global release for the U.S., Europe and Asia— all in no particular order.
Information is rather lean on the device, but we do have a few tidbits we can share with you all. The device will come with WiFi 802.11 b/g/n support, Bluetooth 3.0 and of course— an LTE chip inside. While other new devices are being introduced with NFC capabilities, this device will not enjoy NFC potential. There’s no further details regarding the mysterious device, but we’ll be sure to share any additional info we find on this device.
source: FCC
via: Androinica




Posted: 14 Mar 2012 12:29 PM PDT
Want to make your Galaxy Nexus screen appear even bigger than it already is? Then you need to check out this awesome mod created by Rootz Wiki member CurrentWeb. What he has done is create a flashable .zip file that will trick your ROM into thinking your GNex is actually a tablet. This means that instead of having the typical status bar up top and the navigation bar at the bottom of your screen, you will now have the exact same layout as any Android tablet. The nav buttons and status bar will be moved to the bottom, your app drawer and Google search will be up top, and you will have more room to place apps on your home screens. It seems that this would make more sense in landscape mode but actually looks pretty good in portrait mode, too.
There is already a large list of compatible ROMS and the developer plans to keep adding to it. If you are running any of the more popular ICS ROMS right now you will be pleased to see that it is most likely already supported. All it requires is a simple flash over your current ROM and your up and running in tablet mode! The developer is even working on some sort of toggle so that the mod can be turned on or off with a simple reboot. I don’t know about you but I think this is a pretty sweet idea and may give it a go later today barring any major user reported issues. As it stands right now, some ROMs are having a few issues but the dev is looking into all reported problems. If you’re ready to check it out for yourself hit up the source link below.
Thanks Kevin!
source: Rootz Wiki







Posted: 14 Mar 2012 11:55 AM PDT
As Android further takes over most of our lives the idea that Android-powered digital cameras is looking to become a reality. Samsung is playing around with a camera of their own and back at CES this year we saw Polaroid’s 16MP concept camera device revealed. After Polaroid revealed their “smart camera,” as they are being dubbed, a Panasonic UK spokesperson mentioned that their company has also discussed the possibility of using Android to run its cameras in the future. As Barney Sykes told the folks at TechRadar, “We had a little bit of a discussion around having Android as the operating system.”
He continued:
“It’s one option for the future, but we have to be mindful of the consumer and the warranty that we offer. If we open up the platform to third parties, then we lose control of the warranty that we could offer the customer, because you never know what you’re downloading.”
For those that missed it the camera by Polaroid will feature a 3x optical zoom, a 16 MP camera, a 3.2-inch touchscreen and WiFi (possibility of 3G) for uploading pictures to the internet quickly and easily. Having Android on the camera means that it will benefit from the numerous photography apps there are in the Google Play Store like Camera ZOOM FX or Lightbox. However this can cause some headaches. As Sykes continued:
 ”One of the issues is that we have so much optical technology in the cameras, even in compacts, we have Leica lenses. When you download something, it’s got to be able to work with the optics of the camera.”
He did counter himself though:
“But it is very interesting, in particular when you look at some of the apps you can download, the filters, the effects you can make, it’s an interesting step. It’s always good to see innovation.”
We’re still waiting to even hear about when one of these devices would be available as Polaroid said we’d see theirs “available in 2012,” and Panasonic hasn’t mentioned when theirs will be available yet. But this isn’t the first time that Panasonic has toyed with the idea of bringing the camera to the forefront of an Android device.  I do that to say that I think Android on digital cameras seems like a logical step for the operating system. What about you?

source: TechRadar




Posted: 14 Mar 2012 11:24 AM PDT
Yesterday Sony unveiled their Xperia Sola handset and it’s new an innovative “floating Touch” display feature. Essentially this means the Sola’s screen can be activated without actually touching the display. Pretty cool, right? Well if you’re anything like me then you are wondering what Sony did to create this technology and how the hell it actually works? Lucky for us, Sony engineer Erik Hellman took to the Sony mobile developer blog to explain how this whole  process works.
While it’s still a bit difficult for me to explain myself, basically it’s two separate kinds of capacitive sensors working together that allows for both touch and hovering activation. The Sola’s display is comprised of mutual capacitance sensors (as seen on other touch screens) and self capacitance sensors that allow user activation up to 20mm away from its surface. The reason multitouch doesn’t work on this “floating touch” technology is because of the limitations of the self capacitance sensors and the ghosting effect that happens when more than one sensor is triggered at a time, hence the addition of the standard mutual capacitance touch screen sensors.
According to Hellman, “all Android applications will work perfectly fine, just like before, and only the apps that explicitly "listen" for floating touch™ events will react to them.” That then means that in order for Sola users to get full use out of the floating tech, developers are going to need to rewrite their apps to work alongside with this feature. At this time, there are only a few apps developed by Sony that can be activated by hovering over the screen. I am not too sure many devs are going to be jumping for joy over this idea unless the technology really takes off. As if Android fragmentation wasn’t bad enough, now they have another set of rules to consider including within their apps. Only time will tell if this feature will live on or fail miserably. Hit up the source link below the video if you want a more technical explanation from the engineer himself.
Click here to view the embedded video.
source: Sony Developer World




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