Sunday, April 15, 2012

Update - 268



Posted: 21 Mar 2012 04:19 PM PDT
Are you currently making the most of the NFC chip in your Android phone? The chances are that for most of us the answer is no and I was sat firmly in that camp, at least I was up until about a week ago. NFC adoption has been slow paced since Google and Samsung brought the technology to the masses by way of the Nexus S. A large part of the problem was the original lack of functions available to utilise the technology and as someone who bought the Nexus S personally I certainly cannot remember really using NFC in the year I had the phone. Cue the launch of the Galaxy Nexus over Christmas 2011 and the introduction of Android Beam, finally a genuinely useful application that utilises NFC technology. As useful as Android Beam is, and I have used it occasionally, there is still a slight feeling that it’s just as gimmicky as it is productive.
I decided the time had come to really see quite how useful the technology could be so I ordered some NFC tags and downloaded a NFC task application to program and read them. My products of choice were a batch of NFC/RFID tags from TagsForDroid.com and NFC Task Launcher from Tagstand. I’ve broken the review down into two clear sections on my findings having used both products over the past week.
TagsForDroid
I opted to buy my tags from TagsForDroid for a couple of reasons. First of all they came highly recommended from the guys over at XDA Developers and those guys rarely get it wrong. Second of all, they’ve got the Android logo on the front, show me a true Android geek who could resist that! I ordered a batch of 20 Tags for $25.99, shipping is free within the US however I had to pay a few dollars extra for international shipping.
I immediately have to give the website some extra credit for customer service. At the time of ordering they had run out of the Android logo tags, I received an e-mail offering the plain white tags immediately (yeah right!) or I could wait for the next batch of Android branded tags to arrive. They were very transparent and accurate regarding when they would be expected in and they threw in a few extra tags for free due to the inconvenience, nice touch! The tags took around 2 weeks to arrive due to the international shipping, not an usual amount of time to get through UK customs etc.
The tags are very thin, glossy, sturdy and around the size of a UK 10 pence piece or an American quarter. They come with a sticky adhesive backing in order to firmly attach the tags to your chosen areas. I’ve secured mine comfortably and discretely to areas such as the surface of my laptop, the inside of my front door, the dashboard of my car and the surface of my desk at work. The spec list of the tags reads as follows :
  • 1K MIFARE compatable NFC Tags
  • 13.56 MHz
  • rewritable, lockable
  • range < 0.2m (~8″)
  • 3M adhesive backing
  • 30mm disc (about the size of a quarter)
NFC Task Launcher
Once again, there were a few factors I took into account before downloading NFC Task Launcher from the Play Store. The application has up to 5000 downloads with an average 4.7 rating, which is impressive. It’s also very reasonably priced at only £1.21 (approx $1.92) and last but not least, it has an extensive list of features. It is worth noting that there is a free version of the app in the market with limited functionality, it enables your phone to read a programmed tag but does not include any of the writing facilities.
My immediate impression on launching the app is that the UI is very clean and obvious. You won’t find yourself lost navigating around menus unsure of where to go. There are two different types of tags you can create; tasks and standard tags. The standard tags aren’t unlike the data you can transmit using Android Beam, static data such as a business card, a website, text etc. While this is useful, it’s the tasks that really allow you to get creative.
A task allows you to assign a series of instructions to the tag which your phone will execute when it reads it. There are numerous options at your disposal including launching specific applications, toggling various settings, setting screen brightness and evening updating your social networks. The only real limit here is your imagination! Creating the different profiles is a very simple process and writing it to the tag literally takes a second, it really couldn’t be simpler. Another nice touch is a menu that takes you to a list recommended NFC tag sellers should you be unsure of where you can purchase some. TagsForDroid is represented of course.
I’m sure you all have your own ideas on how you might program your tags however here is a sample of a few that I currently have in use at the moment :
  • Laptop tag – Only one function. Toggles my phone wireless hotspot on or off. Perfect for getting my laptop online when I’m on the go. Simple but effective
  • Car dashboard tag – Enables bluetooth, cranks volume up to max and launches Google Navigation.
  • Front door tag – Enables wifi, sets volume to middle, disables bluetooth and checks me into home on Google+ check-in.
  • Work desk tag – Disables wifi, disables bluetooth, sets phone to vibrate mode.
A week into using the TagsForDroid and NFC Task Launcher combo I can safely say that I have finally welcomed NFC into my life indefinitely. The simplicity of using the products coupled with the convenience of adjusting multiple settings at the flick of a wrist is priceless. And if that doesn’t do it for you, it’s great for making owners of those fruity phones a little more jealous than they already are. Hit the links below to get started.




Posted: 21 Mar 2012 01:47 PM PDT
I just did a review on the IDAPT i4 Universal Charging Station, which allows you to charge up to three devices wirelessly and a fourth via the USB port. The folks over at IDAPT were gracious enough to provide three units for our awesome readers. All you have to do is like IDAPT on Facebook and head over to our forum thread and tell us how many devices you need to charge each day. You will have until Sunday, March 25 at 11:59pm EST. We will pick three random winners and post them on March 26. Winners will receive an email in the account associated with their username. Only one entry per person please.
Click here to enter




Posted: 21 Mar 2012 01:31 PM PDT
At the end of February Google registered the domain GoogleShowy.com which really doesn’t say much in regards of what this site would host. It was overshadowed by the fact that Google went on a domain buying spree involving their Google Play Initiative. Well Google’s latest move should shed some light on that as they recently filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in regards to this “Showy.” The trademark application (Serial Number: 85570895) that was submitted on March 15th has some nifty details under the goods and services portion. Here’s what it says:
"Downloadable software which allows users to use their computer, tablet device, or mobile phone as a remote control to operate video display devices and televisions; and downloadable software which allows users to remotely control the content on internet-connected digital signage."
Could this software be related to the Google patent that was filed back in February involving the use of your Android phone or voice commands to control your Google TV? Probably. However as Google hasn’t made mention or given any details regarding Showy we will have to wait and see what the future holds for this domain. As of right now if you go to the site nothing comes up. Keep it locked here and we’ll update you as soon as we know more information on the development of Google’s Showy. Stay tuned!

source: ustpo.gov
via: fusible





Posted: 21 Mar 2012 10:59 AM PDT
The highly anticipated Ascend D Quad from Huawei, announced at MWC, has been reported by Chinese website CNMO that the device won’t even start being massed produced until June with a shipping schedule of some time in July.  As Huawei’s first quad-core handset (1.2 GHz), this comes as sort of a bummer.  By the time this device begins to hit the market, it’s more than likely both HTC and Samsung will have a quad-core device already in the hands of consumers.  The One X and Galaxy S III launching before the Ascend D Quad doesn’t seem like the handset would even have a chance.  Lets hope there’s enough there to differentiate the device from its competition.  Maybe in the pricing department?  As far as specs go, expect Android 4.0, a 4.5-inch IPS HD display coming in at a 1280 x 720 res, WiFi, 8MP camera, HSPA+ 21, Dolby Mobile 3.0 Plus technology and a gig of RAM.  In addition, 8GB of internal storage, a MicroSD card slot and 1.3MP front facing camera will also be on-board.  Not too shabby in the spec dept, obviously.  Stay tuned as we dig a little deeper on the launch of the device.  Here’s to hoping Huawei can stay ahead of schedule.  Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below.










source: CNMO







Posted: 21 Mar 2012 10:57 AM PDT
It was back in January that we first got our hands on what was to be Sony’s first smartphone after parting ways with Ericsson – the Xperia S. Shortly after its unveiling at CES it was released in select European markets and until now hadn’t been available anywhere else (unless unlocked). Today, the Sony Xperia blog announced that the device was being shipped globally but they want to let carrier partners announce pricing and availability details. For us folks in the U.S., we wont be getting the Xperia S here in the states but we can look for it’s 4.7-inch LTE counterpart landing on AT&T as the Xperia Ion sometime in the second quarter.
The Xperia S is a pretty sweet machine sporting a dual-core 1.5Ghz processor, 1GB of RAM, 4.3-inch 720p display, NFC and killer 12MP camera. The device currently ships running Android 2.3 Gingerbread although Sony plans on an ICS update sometime in Q2 of this year.
If you think this may be your next device why don’t you sound off in the comments below.






Posted: 21 Mar 2012 10:18 AM PDT
The Motorola RAZR is getting a software update in France, the UK, Italy and Spain, according to Motorola Europe’s Facebook page. The Motorola RAZR is the GSM version of the Droid RAZR.
This update will bring improved battery life and camera performance. There will also be new sample rules for Motorola’s Smart Actions feature, like VIP Caller Mode and Auto Text SMS.
The Motorola RAZR will still be based on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, but check out the leaked Ice Cream Sandwich build we told you about previously if you’re hungry for ICS.
To update your GSM Motorola RAZR with the latest firmware, follow these download instructions: Open “Settings”> Select “About phone”> Select “System updates'”> Tap on “Download”.




Posted: 21 Mar 2012 10:11 AM PDT
Samsung has caused quite a little stir recently as they’ve announced a contest over on their official Facebook page where if you match up five friends you could win a Galaxy Note.  The important thing to take away from the contest is the mock-up of the device they’ve chosen to post on their page.  The pic shows off a rather TouchWiz-less Android 4.0 from the looks of it, instead of the usual Gingerbread stock photos.  Is this just simply a mock-up or is Sammy hinting to the upcoming update?  We’re hoping for the latter obviously.  But one has to wonder why the company didn’t use the stock Gingerbread photos.  The mystery still remains whether or not the ICS 4.0 update will wreak of the TouchWiz overlay or be skin free.  Well, I supposed we should be happy that the device is getting an update at all given Sammy’s track record.  However, we’ll find out soon enough so stay tuned.
source: The Verge






Posted: 21 Mar 2012 09:38 AM PDT
If you’re anything like me, you have at least two smartphones in your house, a tablet, a couple of bluetooth headsets, and plenty of other devices that all need to be charged on a regular basis. The future is inductive charging for sure, but it’s going to be a while till it gets widely adopted. If you’re looking for something now that will clean up some of your wires, then I have the perfect thing for you. The IDAPT i4 charging station will charge 3 devices wire-free and a 4th device via a USB cable. My wife loved it the minute I opened the box. We each have a Galaxy Nexus so we can charge both of those, a bluetooth headset, and the ASUS Transformer all at the same time. The best part is that each device charges as fast as if they were plugged into separate wall outlets.
There is one other unqiue item that makes the IDAPT i4 so special, and it’s the fact that the tips are interchangeable. You can swap them out for whatever particular devices you want to charge. IDAPT includes 6 basic tips in the box, micro USB, mini USB, Sony Ericsson 2, Samsung 4, iPod/iPhone, and Nokia 2. You can look at their website for compatibilities, but as far as the Sony Ericsson, Samsung, and Nokia tips, they mostly cover feature phones. They do have the option of ordering your i4 with 4 tips of your choosing (plus another $2.60). So it’s $59.99 for the i4 with the standard 6 tips mentioned above or it’s $62.59 with any 4 tips that you want instead. They have 21 tips to choose from that cover thousands of devices.
Unless you have old feature phones laying around, I would recommend selecting your own 4 tips. The majority of the time, I’m using it with 3 micro USB tips, but I have also used the mini USB and AA/AAA battery tip, which is also very convenient. If you need more than four, you can also buy any of the tips separately for approxmiately $9.99 each.
If there is one negative, I would say that as certain devices are sitting on the i4 and charging, they kind of feel delicate. What I mean is that you almost fear that if you remove the device the wrong way, you could damage the tip. I’ve been using the i4 for a couple of weeks, and I haven’t had any issues though.
Check out my short hands on video and make sure to hit the link below to get your order in.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Click here to find out more and/or to order




Posted: 21 Mar 2012 07:41 AM PDT
Hot off the heels of Samsung releasing their Galaxy S II ICS source code recently, Sony has decided to follow suit by releasing its open source archive for the Xperia S smartphone. By continuing to show its love to the developer community, releasing the open source archive complete with instructions will allow aspiring developers or those who are just curious to build custom ROMs or kernels for starters. This is certainly welcome news especially since most of us seem to forget that the Android platform is meant to be fiddled around and tinkered with.
Hit the source link for all the info and instructions below.
source: SonyMobile Development
via: Phandroid




Posted: 21 Mar 2012 07:16 AM PDT


If you are a subscriber of regional wireless carrier I Wireless (which is based off T-Mobile), today is your lucky day. News has surfaced I Wireless will be launching the Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone and will be available for $199.99 (after a mail-in rebate) on contract or $609.99 if you have some dollars to spend and buy it off-contract. That means the lucky few of you who have been interested in the attractive smartphone, but didn’t want to switch to a certain red colored CDMA-based carrier or previously splurge an arm and a leg for the unlocked GSM version will now have the opportunity to own the smartphone which will run on the smooth EDGE/HSPA+ wireless spectrum powered by T-Mobile.
Speaking of T-Mobile, the phone’s arrival on I Wireless may possibly be an indication of something bigger. Considering the original G1, Nexus One and Nexus S smartphones operated on T-Mobile bands, it has been a bit unusual to not see the GSM version of the Galaxy Nexus officially on T-Mobile to say the least. Perhaps T-Mo is slyly plotting to bring the device to its stores eventually? Of course nothing is concrete or official, but you can’t help but wonder about the possiblity.
source: Android Central

No comments:

Post a Comment