Monday, June 11, 2012

Google Android News Android Forums

Google Android News Android Forums

Andy Rubin kills off rumour that he’s leaving Google

Posted: 10 Jun 2012 04:42 PM PDT

Infamous Tech Blogger Robert Scoble stirred up a frenzy this weekend when he posted a rumour on his Google+ account suggesting that Andy Rubin was all set to quit Google. Scoble claimed that Rubin was leaving to take charge of a startup company by the name of CloudCar. Just as quickly as the rumour started, Rubin took to his Twitter and Google+ accounts and promptly ended it. The message on Twitter was to the point however his Google+ account offered a bit more of an explanation as to where the rumour surfaced from. It turns out that CloudCar is run by some friends of Rubin who generously offered up some office space in his Los Altos startup incubator to help the team kick off.

With the eyes of the tech world firmly fixed on him, Rubin used the spotlight to drop in a few Android statistics. Official Google certified Android activations are up to over 900,00 per day. Android’s momentum shows absolutely no sign of slowing down and I would not be at all surprised if Google hit 1 million activations per day by the time Google I/O comes around.

 

Source: Twitter

Sprint Implements $15 Phone Number Change Fee, But Still Free Via Sprint.com

Posted: 10 Jun 2012 04:33 PM PDT

Looks like Sprint is starting to find other ways to supplement their income to cover their unlimited plans. Starting today, June 10th, Sprint will be charging a fee of $15 if you want to change your phone number through a Sprint store or Care call representative. But don’t worry… you can still get it done for free by logging in to Sprint.com and going to My Preferences to take care of it yourself.

I’m sure some folks will not be too happy with this new policy, but to me it seems logical to charge a bit if you are interacting with an employee versus doing it yourself. Plus, if this helps us keep our unlimited plans, I’m all for it.

source: sprint
via: engadget

Korea to Receive New Version of the Samsung Galaxy S III

Posted: 10 Jun 2012 02:23 PM PDT

As you know, Samsung launched the Samsung Galaxy 3 III internationally with model number GT-I9300 and a quad-core Samsung Exynos chip with 1GB RAM. The U.S. variants get an upgraded 2GB of RAM, but the processor gets swapped out for the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 because of LTE and AWS compatibility.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could combine the two phones? Korea is expected to get a new version of the Samsung Galaxy S III in July that does just that. It packs the same Exynos quad-processor and 2GB of RAM. Other than being a little thicker (9.0mm as opposed to 8.6mm), the rest of the specs will be the same. Looks like they just one-upped the LG Optimus LTE 2.

source: Phone Arena

Chameleon Homescreen Closes Kickstarter Project Only to Open New One Next Week

Posted: 10 Jun 2012 01:41 PM PDT

The folks from the Chameleon tablet project have posted an unfortunate message on their Kickstarter page explaining that the project’s funding process has to start over again. The Kickstarter project was doing well obtaining financial backing until it ran in to an issue with Amazon Payments. The account Teknision Inc. was using actually belonged to an employee and that employee is no longer with the company. Kickstarter only uses Amazon’s payment service and now cannot accept any of the money pledged for this project. Since they are not allowed to switch accounts midstream, the only option available is to recreate the project and start over again. None of the funds pledged to date can be accepted and would have to be pledged again to the newly created project. No one who pledged funds to the current project will be charged.

Chameleon claims that the new Kickstarter project will be up next week and will offer to include the wallpaper pack beginning at the $5 donation level to compensate for the inconvenience this situation has caused its funders. They have reached out to Talk Android letting us know that those who pledged should be receiving email updates and will be notified when the new project is live. They are encouraging folks to resubmit their pledge to help the project move forward… again.

The Chameleon tablet is setting out to make your home screen display change according to where you are and what you are doing. Check out this Kickstarter project using the link below.

source: Kickstarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Verizon Offering The Sony SmartWatch And Accessories For $150

Posted: 10 Jun 2012 01:18 PM PDT

We already know Verizon is a major player in the smartphone and tablet game, but it’s now growing its portfolio of accessories too. The famed Sony SmartWatch has been casually listed on its website for a price of $149.97 and can also be found in its stores as well. In addition, Verizon has accessories for the device such as extra wristbands listed as well. This means there is yet another way of getting those Facebook, Twitter and Gmail updates to Verizon customers using the Bluetooth-powered device. I’m sure some of you all are just itching to get more details of the device, so make sure you hit the source link to find more information.

source: Verizon Wireless

Intel Thinks Android is Not Ready for Multi-core Processors

Posted: 10 Jun 2012 09:21 AM PDT

 

Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, has caused quite a stir with its recent comments that Android SOC (System-on-chip) vendors like Samsung, Nvidia and Qualcomm haven’t done enough to optimize Android for multi-core processors.  According to Intel tests have shown that in some cases, using the second core on a dual-core chip from another manufacturer (they wouldn’t say which one) actually results in decreased performance versus using a single core.  They say the benefits of the second core aren’t being realized because the processor scheduler, which sends “jobs” to a specific processor to complete, hasn’t been optimized to work with the Android OS.  Intel blames the SOC manufacturers and not Google for this, as it’s their prerogative to make sure their chips operate the way they are intended.

Now, let’s step back and take a look at all this.  It’s no coincidence that Intel is about to start pushing its single-core ”Medfield” chips onto the Android market in the coming months.  It goes without saying that Intel needs to make a case for single-core processors in a world of dual-core and quad-core devices.  If Intel can show that similar (or better) performance can be achieved by a single core, I don’t think anyone is going to complain.  If Intel’s claims about more optimization being needed are true (which they may be, at least partly), hopefully having the 800-pound gorilla of the processor world calling out other manufacturers will see some real action on their parts to improve performance.  Either way some competition in the processor space, whether it’s in the hardware design or the software that runs on it, is good for the Android ecosystem.

source:  The Inquirer
via: Pocketnow

Samsung Galaxy S III Uses Special MHL/HDMI Adapter

Posted: 09 Jun 2012 11:19 PM PDT

Many new devices are using Mobile High-Definition Link ports (MHL) to output video to a compatible HDMI port on a TV or monitor. MHL is an industry standard that adds video output through the existing microUSB port. Unfortunately for owners of a Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung has changed the configuration of their MHL port slightly and it now requires a special MHL adapter cable rather than the standard MHL cables that are commonly available.

Apparently, Samsung changed some pinouts in their MHL configuration, possibly for supporting future accessories or for some other currently unknown improvement. At least we’re hoping that’s the reason rather than Sammy trying to make more money by selling special adapters (which would be a very Apple-esque move).

In any case, if you plan on getting an S III and want the ability to output video, you’ll need to plunk down an extra $30 for their custom adapter.

Check out videos of the S III and its MHL adapter after the break.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

source: clove uk
via: the verge

Linaro Is An Android 4.0 Build That Doubles Performance – Submitted To CM9

Posted: 09 Jun 2012 10:35 PM PDT

What do you get when you take stock Android 4.0.4 and double its performance? You get Linaro. Linaro is a build of Android that has many performance enhancements and optimizations, making the OS visibly snappier. In some cases, Linaro manages to double performance over stock Android 4.0, which is impressive since stock Android 4.0 is already fairly snappy over older versions of Android.

The good news is that Linaro’s code has been submitted to CM9, now awaiting approval. Once rolled into CM9′s code, all supported devices will get a great speed boost.

Bernhard Rosenkränzer, an engineer working on Linaro, showcased Linaro speed tests at Linaro Connect Q2.2012 in Hong Kong using two pandaboards, one running stock Android 4.0.4 (AOSP), and the other running the Linaro build of Android 4.0.4. Check out the video of Rosenkränzer describing Linaro and showing the tests after the break.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This stuff is amazing, and we really hope Google is paying attention and picks this up!

source: reddit

 

Sprint Plans to Launch Its Own Mobile Wallet

Posted: 09 Jun 2012 07:45 PM PDT

To date Sprint has been the only carrier to pre-load Google Wallet on its devices. Now it would appear that Sprint will be offering its own wallet referred to as “Touch”. More importantly, since both wallets need access to the secure element, Sprint will most likely not be able to support both services. Sources have told NFC Times that Sprint is currently busy working with banks and service providers to launch its Touch wallet as an alternative to both the Google Wallet and the upcoming Isis system from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Sprint’s Touch will allow the carrier to have complete control over partners, security measures, API distribution, and development. Sprint is said to have hired NFC software and systems provider Sequent Software to manage the secure elements.

Google is believed to be working on Google Wallet 2.0 to focus more on cloud-based payments among other things. The recent acquisition of TxVia should give Google the help it needs to push adoption. However, without any carriers onboard it may be a futile effort. Perhaps we will find out more when Google I/O takes place later this month.

source: NFC Times

US Cellular Reveals Pricing for the Upcoming Galaxy S III

Posted: 09 Jun 2012 05:41 PM PDT

US Cellular announced last week that it would soon be taking pre-orders for the upcoming Galaxy S III , but didn’t actually say what the phone was going to cost.  Perhaps realizing that people were more likely to sign up to buy something if they knew how it was going to cost, US Cellular has now released pricing that is pretty much in-line with the other US carriers.  The 16GB in white or pebble blue will run you $199 after a $100 mail in rebate.  The 32GB model available only in white will cost $249 after the $100 mail in rebate.  If after seeing the words “mail-in rebate” you still want to pre-order, they begin June 12th with the actual phones shipping sometime in July. Head to the source link to place your order.

Thanks Tyler!

source: US Cellular
Posted by at 5:35 AM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)