Sunday, June 24, 2012

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Google Android News Android Forums

Sony patent filing describes video glasses and more

Posted: 23 Jun 2012 11:13 AM PDT

A Sony patent filing that describes video glass technology is quietly winding its way through the U.S. Patent Office.  The technology could be Sony's response to plans Google and Microsoft are pursuing to introduce video glasses to the market this year.  Readers may be aware that Sony already has a set of video glasses dubbed the "personal 3D viewer" that works with the Playstation.  However, Sony is working on other versions of video glass technology that could be used in ways not related to the Playstation.

In the patent filing, Sony describes a camera/communication device that goes a step or two beyond a video or heads-up type display built in to the lenses of a pair of glasses.  The description of the lens part itself indicates the material could be such that it varies from transparent to semi-transparent depending on use.

Beyond the display, information included in the patent filing describes a camera incorporated into the lens.  The camera could be used to capture visual data for processing (think Google Goggles) or could be used in a more traditional manner to capture photos and videos.  The filing indicates the "output" from the camera may not be limited to the video glasses’ lens.  Images could be transmitted to a watch-like device or a smartphone.

Along with the camera, Sony's drawings also show a light emitter built into the glasses frame.  The description indicates this would be used to transmit data optically.  The data transfer could be part of the system mentioned earlier where a watch or smartphone is used to display data.  The sharing of information is not limited to the wearer's own devices though.  Data could be swapped with other users of the same technology.  In one example included in the patent filing, Sony describes the sharing of information between a user and a static object (a movie poster) that has the technology built-in.

Sony included information in the patent filing that describes other technologies that could be included in the glasses such as microphones and speakers.  Sony also indicates biosensors could be incorporated into the video glasses or other wearable devices that use the same technology.

Will any of this technology from Sony make it to market?  Even if it does, will consumers be interested or will they look to other solutions?

source: Patent Bolt

AT&T T-Mobile and Sprint versions of the Samsung Galaxy S III now rooted

Posted: 23 Jun 2012 09:03 AM PDT

It was only a matter of time since Samsung already released the source code for the AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint versions of the Galaxy S III. That time has come as all three are now officially rooted. Special thanks have to go out to XDA member howtomen for the AT&T version and cyper_zero for the Sprint and T-Mobile version. Also dawgslayer69 posted that the Sprint method works with the T-Mobile version.

You will need the latest version of Odin to flash the kernel and ClockworkMod Recovery onto the device. All that’s left is to use ClockworkMod Revcovery to flash root. The only difference between the three different carrier versions is the files used, but interestingly enough, the T-Mobile and Sprint procedure is the same. Just hit the sources below for your appropriate model to get started.

sources: xda – AT&T / xda – T-Mobile / xda – Sprint
via: xda blog

 

 

HTC barks about new “dog translator” app

Posted: 23 Jun 2012 08:16 AM PDT

Have a dog and ever uttered the words, "what are you barking at?" HTC may be coming to your rescue. Yesterday HTC posted a photo on their Facebook page showing a "dog translator" app that will let you figure out just what your dog is trying to tell you.

OK, maybe not really.  Despite reports floating around the Internet about this development, TalkAndroid did not fall for it.  It appears enough people were taken by the idea that HTC took action to officially state that no such dog translator was in the works. The photo that was posted was some creative work from HTC as they mused about the possibility of "voice" recognition software that could be applied to our canine friends.

Perhaps their developers have been working too hard in response to the voice recognition wave sweeping the smartphone market?  Or possibly HTC just wanted to have a little lighthearted humor to offset the news about HTC pulling out of Brazil?

Whatever the reason, it’s refreshing to see a company have some fun on a day other than April Fools’ Day.

source: HTC on Facebook

Apple Files Counterclaim Against HTC, Claims Abuse Of 4G/LTE Patents

Posted: 23 Jun 2012 08:08 AM PDT

Apple has launched yet another offensive against its Android counterparts, this time filing a counterclaim in the Eastern District of Virginia court. This counterclaim lawsuit was filed in response against HTC, which recently filed a complaint in the ITC against Apple. According to FOSS patents, Apple claims HTC has abused two specific patents important to the 4G/LTE wireless standard and using them in a legal attack against Apple. By using abusing the two patents, Apple argues HTC breached its FRAND licensing obligations.

We’re sure you all are wonder what this means for both Apple and HTC, right? Well… no one knows just yet. But you can bet this will be a serious situation to keep an eye on because of the fact “there will probably be more cases in the future in which companies try to use 4G/LTE-essential patents as strategic weapons or for hold-up” and the government may not take too kindly for that. All eyes will be on this case in the meantime and any further developments that will arise.

source: FOSS Patents
via: Engadet

Google To Launch IaaS Cloud Service At Google I/O

Posted: 23 Jun 2012 12:16 AM PDT

Sources have told GigaOM that Google will likely be launching a cloud services platform next week at Google I/O to compete with Amazon’s EC2 and Microsoft’s Azure services. Sure, Google already has cloud services with its App Engine and Google Cloud Storage, but this would be a more comprehensive enterprise-level offering known in the industry as IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service).

Cloud computing comes in three flavors, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). They each provide increasing levels of rented virtual resources. With IaaS, users simply rent use of servers provided by one or more cloud providers. PaaS users rent servers as well as the system software to use in them. SaaS users also rent application software and databases along with the servers and system software.

So now that we know the different types of cloud computing, we can see that Google is making a play for an IaaS model to rent out virtual servers and storage space for corporate markets, ultimately targeting one of Microsoft’s biggest strengths… their enterprise developer community. By partnering with third-party companies such as Rightscale and Opscode, Google has focused on making it easier to write, deploy and manage applications in order to lure enterprise developers to its platform.

We’ll find out more at Google I/O next week!

source: gigaom

Watch the ASUS Trasformer Pad Infinity ‘Launch Video’ Sans Launch

Posted: 22 Jun 2012 10:13 PM PDT

When we first saw the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity back at CES we were told that it should make its debut sometime in June. Here we are nearly at the end of June and still no word on the HD tablet from ASUS.  Who knows , maybe they got tied up building the new Nexus tablet for Google’s big unveiling next week? Either way, the TPad Infinity is bound to rear its fancy little head at any point now and a recently leaked promo video may mean that it’s just around the corner.

Some Reddit user posted the link for this video and is referring to it as a “launch video.” I am not sure whether a launch video is going to be 8 minutes long, but it is pretty informative to say the least. There is not much new to be gained from this video but it sure makes the tablet sound and look cool! Now we can only hope that this bad boy sees the light of day sometime soon. Jump past the break to check out this so called Transformer Pad Infinity “launch video” and let us know what you think.  

Click here to view the embedded video.

source: Reddit

Mozilla tweets and teases about something BIG coming to Firefox for Android

Posted: 22 Jun 2012 08:16 PM PDT

Earlier today, Twitter followers of the @Firefox account were teased with the following announcement regarding Firefox for Android:

‪#Firefox‬ for ‪#Android‬. Something BIG is coming your way next week.

A link included in the tweet took readers to the graphic at the top of this story showing the Android robot peeking out from behind a mobile device filled with the Firefox logo on the screen.

What could this BIG news be? Reaction to the tease appears to be subdued.  Mozilla fans will likely be on the lookout next week at Google I/O and we will be on scene in case details on this BIG development emerge.  We will keep an eye open for further news and report as more information is available.  As a long-time Firefox user, I am hopeful Mozilla is able to make a big splash and generate some buzz around their browser on the Android platform.

source: @Firefox

Samsung Releases Source Code for Sprint Galaxy S III

Posted: 22 Jun 2012 07:50 PM PDT

 

Earlier this week we reported that Samsung released the source codes for both the T-Mobile and AT&T Galaxy S III. Today, they have gracefully given Sprint the same treatment and released the source code for Sprint’s CDMA Galaxy S III. Samsung has been on point and quick with releasing their source codes, something that HTC could learn a thing or two from. This should make the independent ROM developers happy and ROM’s should be of abundance for Galaxy S III on any carrier in the US. Any “crack-flashers” out there happy about Samsung’s speedy release on their source? Hit up the source link for downloads!

source: Samsung

HTC Halting Business in Brazil, Effective Immediately

Posted: 22 Jun 2012 07:29 PM PDT

A spokesperson representing HTC has informed AndroidPit that the company is stopping sales of all HTC phones effective immediately in Brazil. They have already released dozens of employees and are leaving the Brazilian smartphone market for the time being. The HTC One line was slated to be released in Brazil, and now with this developing news story HTC has cancelled those plans but will still provide customer support for current Brazilian customers. Apparently HTC has been losing market share in Brazil for quite a number of years now, with Samsung and Nokia surpassing them. Thus, rather than trying to gain some headway, HTC has just stopped things all together and decided to cut their losses. There’s no indication whether HTC plans on returning to Brazil, but with over 27 million phone subscribers in Brazil I wouldn’t be surprised at all if HTC decides to take another crack at it in the near future.

Any of our Brazilian readers out there disappointed with this decision from HTC? This story is still developing so stay tuned…

source: AndroidPit

AT&T Pulls Galaxy S II ICS Update for Further Testing, Will be Available Again ‘Very Soon’

Posted: 22 Jun 2012 07:12 PM PDT

Earlier, we reported that the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II update is now available via Samsung Kies…. then all of the sudden it wasn’t. Apparently AT&T pulled the update shortly after it was released and has issued a statement regarding their reasoning:

We plan for the upgrade to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) for Galaxy S II customers to be live very soon.  Like with every OS update, we test it on our servers before we roll it out to customers.  We're in the process of doing that with Android 4.0 (ICS) for Galaxy S II customers and hope to make that live soon.  We recommend customers wait to attempt the update.

This extra testing phase that AT&T is taking for the update shouldn’t last too long and I wouldn’t be surprised if the update is live again in just a couple of days.

source: Android Central
Posted by at 5:42 AM

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