Monday, August 6, 2012

Android Community

Android Community


AT&T shared mobile data plans launch August 23rd

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:02 AM PDT

Today AT&T has shed a little more light and details on their shared mobile data plans for everyone. Announced last month by AT&T, following Verizon’s similar launch, and now today they’ve gave everyone a release date. Users can select to move to shared data plans starting August 23rd from AT&T.

Starting with 1GB of data for $40 a month, you can then select to share that data plan with up to 10 additional devices. Each new device added actually saves you money, but we’d hardly call it cheap. For a full breakdown check out the original announcement post for more details. Unlike Verizon, AT&T will let users keep their unlimited data and grandfathered plans. Well done AT&T. Here’s a quick video they’ve released to help customers understand their options.

Another key difference from their competition is AT&T is not making these shared data plans a requirement — at least not yet. Users can choose to take this route should the like their options, but it isn’t mandatory. Verizon on the other hand is forcing their customers hands, and money into these options instead. Also with AT&T each additional device you add to the plan, actually makes it drop $5 dollars.

If you’d like to get prepared for the optional changes by AT&T they’ve already released a data estimate tool they are calling the Mobile Share Planner Tool. Hit that link to get started with all your options and help deciding what’s right for you and the family. Their mobile shared plans start at $40 a month, and range to over $200 monthly. More details will be coming soon but head down to your nearest AT&T store for full information.


Samsung reintroduces the Galaxy Note 10.1 with a quad-core processor

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:32 AM PDT

Samsung has been working hard on their next top-tier flagship Android tablet, and that will be their all new and improved Galaxy Note 10.1 quad-core tablet. After seeing plenty of it earlier this year, and getting hands-on time during Mobile World Congress, they later delayed the launch to upgrade the hardware and today we have the final details.

While we’ve already seen countless leaks of the device. Today Samsung relaunched the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet and confirmed all the specs. Their announcement event is set for August 15th, and the tablet will go on sale later this month worldwide. Here’s the important specs with a full detail sheet in the gallery below.

The Note will feature a 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 resolution display as usual, and be paired with the Wacom active digitizer for the accurate S-Pen stylus input. Just as early rumors suggested Samsung has changed out the internals and replaced it with their Exynos 4 Quad 1.4 GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16, 32, and 64GB of storage options available. Just like the Galaxy Note it has tons of apps specifically designed for content creation using the S-Pen stylus. Here’s a quick intro video:

Now that is what we call true multitasking. From multiple views on a single screen, re-sizable and movable keyboards and more they’ve really pulled out all the stops here. Samsung announced that initially the Galaxy Note 10.1-inch tablet will be available in WiFi-only and HSPA+ options, with 4G LTE being offered later. Rumors point to a $599 price tag and above, but hopefully it will drop at a lower price come release date. More pictures and details are available in the gallery, with all of our past coverage in the timeline below.

GALAXY-Note-10.1-Product-Image-1-650x433 GALAXY-Note-10.1-Product-Image-8 GALAXY-Note-10.1-Product-Image-3 samsung_galaxy_note_10-1_hands-on_sg_0-540x378 samsung_galaxy_note_10-1_hands-on_sg_14-540x359 gnote_10-1_specs


HTC rumored to launch 5″ phone with 1080p display

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:06 AM PDT

With both Samsung and LG already having smartphones with screens large enough to be considered “phablets” it is time for HTC to join them. New reports today from DigiTimes states they are working on just that. A 5-inch smartphone with a competition beating 1080p resolution display and more.

With Samsung getting ready to announce their new Galaxy Note 2 at the end of August, aiming for a September/October launch. Now we are hearing HTC wants to crash their party, and the next iPhone by launching their own impressive 5-inch smartphone. Rumor has it that HTC’s prepared a 5-inch 1920 x 1080p resolution screen. However, it’s being reported at 1794 x 1080 leading us to believe it will feature all on-screen navigation buttons and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

Pair a 5-inch screen with a resolution the bests every current smartphone with Qualcomm’s new quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor and you’ll have a real winner here. Hopefully that is what HTC is aiming for. Their tablet market has been lacking, but hopefully this smartphone/tablet hybrid can be a winner.

With huge sales from the original Galaxy Note 5.3-inch phablet both LG and HTC have taken notice. LG launched their own oddly shaped Optimus Vu, and now it appears HTC will be joining the mix here real soon. While DigiTimes isn’t always correct, we could very well be seeing an impressive new HTC smartphone later this year to rival the Note 2 and iPhone 5.

[via SlashGear]


Android Community Weekly: August 5th, 2012

Posted: 05 Aug 2012 04:59 PM PDT

With the first week of August officially under our belt, summer is almost over. Back to school sales will be appearing soon, but for now lets dive into what we saw from the Android news desk this week. So far the summer hasn’t seen a lot of new devices, but later this month Samsung looks to change that with their new Galaxy Note 2.

Yup, we’ll start with the oversized stuff. Samsung announced their Unpacked event for August 29th in Berlin, Germany, at IFA 2012. And then sources dropped the news that we’ll be seeing the new 5.5-inch Samsung Galaxy Note 2 phablet unveiled. Then Samsung also hinted at the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet that we expect to be announced at their August 15th press event. While we’re on the Samsung subject, they started rolling out Android 4.0 ICS to the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and their 7.0 Plus tablets.

Electronic Arts announced their new game Real Racing 3, and it looks simply stunning. Motorola also was in the news a few times this week with more leaks. The rumored DROID RAZR HD for Verizon made an appearance, and the international version did too. Google announced the Nexus Q streaming device was being suspended while they improve it, and offered free ones to everyone who pre-ordered. Then in other Google news, they released an official Android Blog, and then probably the biggest thing was Google Wallet. Google now allows all major debit an credit cards to be used in Google Wallet, not just Mastercard and prepaid. This should make a big difference with Wallet’s use in the public sector. I’ve already used mine about 5 times this week.

In other Android news Jelly Bean has multiple user account features that are yet to be enabled. This means one tablet could be used by the entire family. Each sign in would have unique installed apps, settings, bookmarks, wallpapers and more. Just like a PC. We are expecting to see this with a future version of Android probably next year. See it in action right here thanks to some sneaky developers.

There was plenty this week in the world of the Android Community, and we have it all covered. Multiple devices got updates, some to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and Archos teased their new G10 tablet. Lastly OUYA, the Tegra 3 powered Android gaming console had news appear daily. Hit the links below for all the important news and more from this week in Android.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. See you next week!


Google Alert - android

News10 new results for android
 
Has functionality finally caught up with the Android spec race?
SlashGear
Samsung has woken up to context: the Galaxy Note 10.1 has a fast quadcore processor and twice as much memory as most rivals, but listen to Samsung's pitch and you'd hardly know it. Instead of the usual breathless glee over hardware and technical ...
See all stories on this topic »

SlashGear
More Android malware sprouting up amidst 2012 Olympics
ZDNet (blog)
Android has been cited time and again as the mobile operating system most plagued by malware. It might not come as a surprise then that cyber criminals are taking advantage of the 2012 Summer Olympics as an opportunity and a cover-up for more malware ...
See all stories on this topic »
Multi-User Account Support Coming to Android
WebProNews
Users of Google's Android platform have been requesting support for multiple user accounts for months now. The feature has not been necessary for smartphones, which are mostly personal devices. The rise of tablet computing, however, means that mobile ...
See all stories on this topic »
More Android and Linux Support for Raspberry Pi
Wall Street Journal (blog)
By Nick Clayton. The credit-card sized $35 Raspberry Pi computer is gaining software support which should make it more usable by enthusiasts. As we have reported it is a device that is designed to be educational and to encourage a new generation of ...
See all stories on this topic »
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean updates headed for Galaxy S2, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note ...
Ubergizmo
Other than that, it is said that Samsung is testing Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for the Galaxy S2, and initial tests do look just fine. It makes perfect sense though to release Jelly Bean for this particular smartphone, especially when it is still doing extremely well in ...
See all stories on this topic »

Ubergizmo
Zephyr Real Estate Launches Android App
MarketWatch (press release)
With the new app, Android users can easily find all available properties in San Francisco using Zephyr's MLS-powered search. With the GPS-enabled app, users can search for homes nearby, or enter their own search parameters including searching by ...
See all stories on this topic »
Report: Android Has Become the Ultimate Malware Platform
Tom's Hardware Guide
According to AVG's Q2 Threat report, Android is quickly becoming a popular target for hackers. Their malware, often attached to popular and seemingly non-suspicious applications in slightly altered packages, attack Android's Linux kernel and replace code ...
See all stories on this topic »
70 things to try with Google's Android 4.1 Voice Search
ITworld.com
Voice Search lets you control your Android phone or tablet by speaking aloud (kind of like Siri, yes -- except this technology actually works). It's an expansion of Google's Voice Actions feature, which has existed in Android since 2010. The 15 best Android ...
See all stories on this topic »
Hisense Releases Dual-core Android 4.0 Smartphone with Spreadtrum TD ...
MarketWatch (press release)
Hisense "nuclear power" T96 is the first dual-core TD smartphone with a 4.0-inch screen and Android 4.0 for China Mobile with a price just over RMB1000. T96 integrates a 1GHz dual-core processor, an independent GPU and is equipped with the latest ...
See all stories on this topic »
Android Community Weekly: August 5th, 2012
Android Community
With the first week of August officially under our belt, summer is almost over. Back to school sales will be appearing soon, but for now lets dive into what we saw from the Android news desk this week. So far the summer hasn't seen a lot of new devices, but ...
See all stories on this topic »

Android Community

Blogs5 new results for android
 
Verizon's HopeLine app for Android provides resources and support ...
By Michael Gorman
Verizon's HopeLine program has recycled old phones since 2001 by giving them (along with 3000 minutes of service) to victims of domestic abuse so that.
Engadget
Uniquely Android: Llama
By Raveesh Bhalla
Uniquely Android is a series we started last month to shine the spotlight on those apps that take advantage of the unique capabilities of the platform and provide an experience that you wouldn't find in most other phones. So far, we have ...
Android Phone Fans
Robin Is a Voice-Operated Assistant for Android that Finds Parking ...
By Alan Henry
Android: Robin is the latest Android app to try and be the truly interactive voice-based personal assistant that Android needs, and it does the job pretty well. The app will dig up local traffic information, help you find gas and parking near you or ...
Lifehacker
Like Nokia, RIM Had Considered Switching to Android At One Point
By Chuong Nguyen
Tweet · Email. At one point, BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion had considered a switch from using its proprietary operating system to Google's Android OS, but current company CEO Thorsten Heins ultimately said that RIM decided against ...
Gotta Be Mobile
AT&T's new Mobile Share plan officially starts August 23rd ...
By Robert Nazarian
Last month AT&T announced their new Mobile Share plan, which is essentially a whole new pricing structure for accounts with multiple phones for sharing data. They said it would start in late August, but didn't give an exact date. They just ...
Android News, Rumours, and Updates

Web1 new result for android
 
RIM chief: we looked 'seriously' at Android, didn't want to join the ...
RIM's current CEO Thorsten Heins has been very candid about his company's plans and past, but he has usually given the impression that the company.
www.engadget.com/.../rim-chief-we-looked-seriously-at-andro...


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Android Authority

Android Authority


Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update coming in Q3/Q4, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.1 upgrades to follow

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:41 AM PDT

The Galaxy S3 smartphone is the hottest Android smartphone in town, but the device is still running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. We have already seen unofficially Jelly Bean builds for Samsung's flagship device, including a CyanogenMod 10 preview ROM, but Samsung is yet to announce Android 4.1 availability dates for the handset.

Furthermore, there are plenty of other Samsung devices we expect to get Jelly Bean soon, including the Galaxy S2, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note 2 and many others, but the South Korean company has not mentioned any Jelly Bean rollout dates for these devices either.

Sam Mobile now has more details about each of these devices, although we'll have to take everything with a grain of salt until a Samsung exec confirms them.

Galaxy S3

According to the publication, the test Jelly Bean firmware for the Galaxy S3 has passed and the company is now working on a public Jelly Bean build version. Samsung is also reportedly waiting for "the agreement of Google" before releasing it.

Add to that carrier involvement and you'll realize why late Q3 / early Q4 2012 sounds like a realistic released date for the Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update.

Galaxy S2

This is where the report gets interesting, as it hints at the possibility of the  Galaxy S2 not getting Jelly Bean, at least not officially. Android 4.1 is still in testing for the 2011 handset, and "the first tests are looking fine." However, this quote is a bit disturbing:

If Samsung decides at the last moment not to update the Galaxy S II, all Galaxy S II owners will get a value pack update. But so far there is no reason not to update the Galaxy S II to Android 4.1.

Can Samsung really afford not to update the Galaxy S2 to Jelly Bean? That will definitely send the wrong message to its customers, not to mention that other OEMs could use it as an excuse not to update some of their own high-end 2011 devices. We’ll definitely cross that bridge when we get there.

The Galaxy S2 update is said to come out in Q4 2012.

Galaxy Note

The Galaxy Note’s Jelly Bean update status is similar to the Galaxy S2's. "Tests are fine" but there's always a chance things will change. The Galaxy Note is also expected to receive its Jelly Bean ROM in Q4.

Galaxy Note 2

The second-generation phablet is expected to be unveiled on August 29, just ahead of IFA 2012, and the device may very well come with ICS on board, although the insider isn't sure what Android version will be found on board.

Considering that Samsung may be in a hurry to launch the phablet ahead the sixth-generation iPhone is unveiled, we wouldn't be surprised to see it running Android 4.0.x initially. In such a case, the Android 4.1 update is expected to be launched in early Q4 2012.

We'll be back with more news on these updates – not to mention similar updates for other Samsung devices once we have it. In the mean time, let us know whether you have heard different things about these particular Galaxy Jelly Bean updates.


This article, Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update coming in Q3/Q4, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.1 upgrades to follow , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


AT&T to shut down its 2G network

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:31 AM PDT

att 2G network
As every mobile geek will tell you, LTE is the ultimate buzzword in the US smartphone market today. The major smartphone manufacturers make sure that their flagship smartphones are properly equipped to handle the technology (hence the internal hardware changes made to the US versions of popular smartphones such as the HTC One X or the Samsung Galaxy S3). The two biggest carriers proudly present their 4G offerings, while the two other major carriers have announced that they will soon go down the LTE path as well, spending heaps of money in the process.

Just in case you need numbers to point out the obvious, a recent Wireless Intelligence study has shown that the US is "responsible" for almost half of all the LTE connections in the world. However, despite the numbers above, what makes the US the most advanced country in the world when it comes to cellular technology is the fact that it might also be the first country where carriers completely shut down their 2G networks. And AT&T might be the first to do exactly that!

According to a recently uncovered SEC filing, AT&T plans to completely shut down its 2G networks, both GSM voice and EDGE data, on January 1st 2017. AT&T, the second biggest carrier in the US by number of subscribers (second to Verizon Wireless) does not expect any major setbacks for the transition towards 3G and 4G, especially given that only 12 percent of its subscribers are currently using 2G-only phones. However, AT&T officials have also stated that they will make it a priority to make sure everyone gets a nudge towards the 3G/4G path well before the date mentioned above.

The most probable scenario is that by January 1st 2017, every US cellphone owner will have already naturally moved on to 3G or 4G. I'm willing to bet that there won't be any carrier from anywhere else in the world (and here I'm strictly referring to other cellular-advanced countries such as the UK, South Korea and Japan) that will be in the position to shut down their 2G networks by that date. Obviously, this is not a race, but it sure does say a lot about the state of the US market.

What do you guys think? When will the other US carriers shut down their 2G network and who will be there first?


This article, AT&T to shut down its 2G network , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


BLU Products launches VIVO 4.3, “world’s first” dual-SIM device with Super AMOLED Plus display

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:23 AM PDT

blu products vivo 4.3

The name BLU Products might not tell you much, but worry not, I doubt that the name tells much to anyone. Just digging up some basic information about the BLU Products, the self-dubbed "leader of the Latin America market with vision to expand worldwide", proves difficult. According to their Facebook page, BLU Products was founded in 2009 by two Latin American entrepreneurs, and is currently based in Miami, Florida. But besides that, the company reveals surprisingly little about itself.

It seems that there is some sort of connection between BLU and the Plum Might, an under-$200 Galaxy Note clone that piqued our interest a few months back.

Over the weekend, BLU Products launched another intriguing device – a dual-SIM, dual-core Android 4 smartphone fitted with a beautiful 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display.

With the VIVO 4.3, BLU follows the recent trend of OEMs claiming some sort of world record, like "world's thinnest", "world's fastest", or "world's best gaming smartphone". Even if these claims are questionable and ephemeral, they do get the attention of tech bloggers (I plead guilty) and readers, and ensure that the devices get their five minutes of fame.

The VIVO 4.3 is supposedly the "World’s First Dual SIM smartphone device to feature Super AMOLED Plus Technology and Dual Core CPU". Neat, huh? In all seriousness though, this device is pretty interesting, especially considering that it will sell for a low $249 unlocked.

BLU Products VIVO 4.3 specs:

  • GSM Quad Band
  • Dual SIM Card
  • 3G HSDPA
  • 4.3″ Super AMOLED Plus (480×800 Pixels)
  • MicroSD
  • 4GB Internal Memory
  • ANDROID v4.0 ICS
  • 8.0 MP Main / 1.3MP Front Cam
  • 3.5mm Audio Jack
  • HD Recorder 720p
  • Bluetooth 3.0 and Wi-Fi
  • 1 GHz Dual Core Processor

The specs are not shabby for a cheap smartphone, expect maybe for the puny amount of internal storage. Nevertheless, that can be easily fixed with a microSD card. The VIVO 4.3 runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, with an interesting skin applied that makes it look like the short-lived Nokia N9 running Meego. I personally liked Meego's rounded icons, so it's good to see them make a comeback.

In the design department, BLU seems to have taken inspiration from the big boys, as the VIVO looks like a cross between a Samsung Galaxy S2 and iPhone. Speaking of the S2, the VIVO 4.3 features the same display found on Samsung's 2011 flagship, which is excellent even for today's standards.

Overall, the BLU VIVO 4.3 looks pretty interesting, and I can see it become quite popular in countries where people actively look for dual-SIM phones. BLU plans to sell the VIVO 4.3 primarily in Latin America and parts of Asia, although the phone will first become available in the United States for $249.99 unlocked from "major retailers" starting this September.

Are you interested in the BLU VIVO 4.3?

Show full PR text

BLU Products announces the VIVO 4.3 – World’s First Dual SIM smartphone device to feature Super AMOLED Plus Technology and Dual Core CPU

New device meant to capitalize on the explosive growth and demand of Dual SIM smartphone devices in emerging markets as well as increased demand for unlocked smartphone devices in US MVNO Channels

MIAMI, Aug. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – BLU Products, one of the fastest growing mobile phone manufacturers in the world, announced the new Vivo 4.3, becoming the first manufacturer to produce a Dual SIM device to include either a Super AMOLED Plus LCD, or Dual Core Processor – realizing increased performance, user experience and capabilities for consumers in emerging markets, as well as non-contract unlocked devices in the United States.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120803/FL51643 )

“We are extremely excited as we continue to pioneer the growing demand of Dual SIM handsets in emerging markets by offering the most outstanding Dual SIM smartphone available anywhere in the world today.” said Samuel-Ohev-Zion, CEO of BLU Products. “Additionally, this is the first in a series of exciting new Android devices we will be announcing, as we are actively and aggressively moving towards providing high performance, affordable smartphones to the ever growing unlocked no-contract segment in the United States.”

The Vivo 4.3 features no physical hardware buttons on the front to ensure a seamless elegant design, and is run by a MediaTek MT6577 dual core 1GHz Cortex™-A9 CPU with 3G/HSPA connectivity, running the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Operating System. Additionally, the Vivo is designed to deliver high-end multimedia capability, with an 8MP camera, plus HD video recording and playback. The highlights of the phone include the rich viewing experience of the brilliant Super AMOLED Plus 4.3″ Display, along with true dual SIM capability allowing both SIMs to be active and receive calls simultaneously.

The unlocked VIVO 4.3 will begin shipping to major US Retailers in September 2012 with an MSRP of $249.99 and will soon follow through Latin America, and parts of Asia.

About BLU Products
BLU Products, founded in 2009, designs affordable, attractive and innovative mobile devices to suit a wide variety of consumer needs. Over four million BLU mobile devices have been sold in over 40 countries. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, BLU is one of the fastest-growing mobile phone manufacturers in the world. For more information, visit:www.bluproducts.com.

Contact:
Carmen Gonzalez
Cgonzalez@ct-miami.com
PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1jRWU)


This article, BLU Products launches VIVO 4.3, "world's first" dual-SIM device with Super AMOLED Plus display , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


7-inch iPad Mini mentioned in internal Apple Galaxy Tab email [screenshot]

Posted: 05 Aug 2012 04:40 PM PDT

A couple a days ago we talked about two important testimonies in the U.S. Apple vs Samsung court, Phil Shiller's and Scott Forstall's. Both are important figures inside Apple, both Senior Vice Presidents – of Worldwide Marketing and iOS Software, respectively – so it's certainly interesting to hear them speak about iPhone, iPad and Samsung while under oath.

The email

One of the interesting tidbits of Forstall's testimony was a reference to an internal email sent by Eddy Cue, who's also a Senior Vice President of Apple's, dealing with Internet Services and Software, back in 2011 and referring to the iPad mini – although that product name is not mentioned in the email.

Now we have the actual screenshot of that email, via CNET, that was sent by Cue to Shiller, Forstall, but also to Tim Cook, who wasn't CEO at the time of that email – 24 January 2011.

Here's what the email reads:

Having used a Samsung Galaxy, I tend to agree with many of the comments below [after the email a link to a GigaOM post is provided] (except moving off the iPad). I believe there will be a 7″ market and we should do one. I expressed this to Steve several times since Thanksgiving and he seemed very receptive the last time. I found email, books, facebook and video very compelling on a 7″. Web browsing is definitely the weakest point, but still usable.

The iPad Mini

What's interesting about the email is that it comes just a few months after Jobs's iconic rant against 7-inch tablets, which came after the original Galaxy Tab was unveiled, during an Apple earnings report that was attended by Jobs, a rare presence for the CEO at such occasions.

iPad Mini rumors have started to hit the web since early 2011, probably at the same time these internal emails were circulating between Apple execs, but the company did not launch the device in late 2011, as it was rumored at one point.

Instead, in late 2011, Amazon launched the Kindle Fire, which became the most successful 7-inch tablet to date, although it's now heavily challenged by Google's own Nexus 7 – naturally, it will take a while until Google surpasses Amazon in sales.

Cue may have been right at the time about 7-inch tablets – that there's a market for them – but it's just now that’s very clear there's a market for such devices, as long as they're budget-friendly. So Apple, overall, may have been right not to launch an iPad Mini last year.

The trial

It's also worth noting the point that Samsung was trying to make with its line of questioning when Forstall took the witness box – Apple is checking out the competition too, when it comes to new products, and it’s ready to adapt to what its product lines to meet the needs of consumers. Although I don't think we need a patent trial to tell us that big corporations in any niche keep tabs on the competition and their newly launched devices, do we?

It'll be interesting to follow the trial in the coming weeks – we have at least three weeks to go, if not more, so get ready for more hot-spirited action between the two sides.


This article, 7-inch iPad Mini mentioned in internal Apple Galaxy Tab email [screenshot] , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


IndoorAtlas uses magnetic fields for location-awareness in buildings and large structures

Posted: 05 Aug 2012 08:31 AM PDT

Researchers from Finland have developed a system that uses the Earth’s magnetic fields in positioning, borrowing from the adaptation that homing pigeons, spiny lobsters and dolphins have developed through thousands of years.

GPS availability on mobile devices has opened up a whole world of opportunity for smartphone and tablet owners. Positioning systems give life to maps, navigation, location-aware apps and even promos for local businesses. However, the inherent disadvantage of GPS is that it requires line-of-sight to GPS satellites. GPS systems rarely give precise positioning data while indoors.

Researchers from the University of Oulu in Finland are spinning off their work into a company named IndoorAtlas, which offers a positioing service for indoor locations.

The concept borrows from the ability of some animals to use magnetic fields to “sense their true position relative to their destination,” which can lead them to “derive positional information from local cues that arise from the local anomalies of the Earth’s magnetic field.”

IndoorAtlas basically brings the concept of the compass to a whole new level. While compasses follow the earth’s magnetic field to help find one’s bearings, IndoorAtlass will use magnetic fields generated by the Earth and other structures and objects to pinpoint one’s exact location.

In stark contrast to regular compasses, though IndoorAtlas will work better in places where a traditional compass gets interference: indoors. A compass will have problems detecting the Earth’s magnetic field in the presence of large structures like concrete buildings reinforced with steel. IndoorAtlas, on the other hand, actually maps these ambient magnetic fields to determine location information more precisely.

The company has already created a smartphone app for indoor mapping, and will release a toolbox for other developers to build upon. This will include three separate components: Floor Plans, Map Creator and an app creator. Developers should have fun with creating an image of a structure or building’s magnetic field. They will have to walk through the location to collect data.

IndoorAtlas says the system should work on any smartphone with built-in magnetic sensors and will not require any external access points. The system offers an accuracy of 0.1 to 2 meters, which should be good enough for indoor positioning.

Developers have already been building upon smartphones’ magnetic sensors, which includes both entertaining and useful apps. For instance, there’s Metal Sniffer, which turns your smartphone into a metal detector. Google’s flagship Nexus 7 is also found to have an extra magnetic sensor, which may be intended for Smart Cover-like accessories that automatically lock or unlock the tablet. The use of magnetic sensors to determine indoor locations may be the most significant development in this area, as it can augment GPS in indoor mapping and location services.


This article, IndoorAtlas uses magnetic fields for location-awareness in buildings and large structures , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Chinese Xiaomi Phone 2 to launch August 16 in seemingly indestructible packaging

Posted: 05 Aug 2012 08:26 AM PDT

The Chinese are apparently crazy over smartphones. After all, this country of 1 billion mobile phone users is the biggest and fastest-growing market for mobile devices today, and so brands are eager to get their wares marketed here.

However, the Chinese are also a practical community, and here’s where bang-for-the-buck (or yuan) is considered important. Smartphone maker Xiaomi, for one, has launched its Mi-One earlier this year to rave reviews. At 1,999 yuan ($300) a pop, the Mi-One was a premium smartphone with a not-so-premium price.

Xiaomi has reportedly sold 3 million units as of June, just a bit over six months after the phone’s December 2011 mass launch – Xiaomi released its initial batch of 600 units in September that year.

With the startup launching version two on August 16, things are going to be interesting.

Firstly, the packaging itself is quite the looker. The Xiaomi 2 comes in eco-friendly packaging that can withstand 180 Kg of weight (up from the Mi-One’s 80 Kg capacity). We can assume, of course, that buyers can pry the packaging open in some way, which will reveal the new flagship MIUI phone, rumored to come with the latest Qualcomm APQ8064 quad-core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz. Sources also say that the Xiaomi Phone 2 – or will it be named the Mi-Two? – will also have a bigger screen than the original release, at 720p resolution.

Xiaomi employees, including its founder Lei Jun have been posting cryptic messages on the Sina Weibo microblog service saying “Xiaomi phonex2=816,798″ this weekend. It seems this refers to August 16, with “798″ being the culture- and arts-centric district near Xiaomi’s corporate headquarters.

A Xiaomi rep has confirmed that launch date will be on August 16, and that the public can buy tickets for the event for 199 yuan, or about $31.

It helps that Xiaomi was recently able to secure $216 million in funding from still-undisclosed investors. The company reports revenues of almost a billion dollars in the first half of 2012, earning $158 million monthly as of May. Xiaomi has had to sell the original Mi-One smartphone in batches due to production limitations. With its latest capital infusion, will Xiaomi be able to satisfy the interest it has drummed up with its second-generation phone?

No related posts.


This article, Chinese Xiaomi Phone 2 to launch August 16 in seemingly indestructible packaging , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Cheaper Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note available when trading-in old device via Samsung

Posted: 05 Aug 2012 05:54 AM PDT

Earlier today, we showed you a great Galaxy S3 deal from Amazon Wireless, but unfortunately the electronics retailer only offeres the Sprint version for a cheaper price.

Those of you that still want to get a great deal on a Samsung flagship device, whether it's the Galaxy S3, the Galaxy Note, or even the older Galaxy S2 handset, should know that Samsung has a new incentive for U.S. smartphone buyers.

After purchasing one of the Galaxy S3 devices mentioned above, you should head on to Samsung's U.S. Facebook page to fill in a form and then send the company your used device. Samsung will then send you a check via mail later on, after evaluating your handset.

There's not a fixed cashback offer in place, and it may be wiser to sell your older handsets via eBay or Craigslist, especially if they're former high-end devices still in good standing and  in working condition. But if you don't want to deal with the extra hassle of finding a buyer for your former handset, then you could always choose to send the device to Samsung USA.

It's worth mentioning that Samsung will accept any kind of device, so you won't be restricted to Samsung-only handsets. In fact, you can trade-in even iPhone models if you decide to move to a Galaxy high-end handset instead.

Has anyone used the promotion? How much cash did you get from Samsung after sending in your old phone?


This article, Cheaper Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note available when trading-in old device via Samsung , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.


Deal: Sprint Galaxy S3 available for $119.99 from Amazon Wireless

Posted: 05 Aug 2012 05:21 AM PDT

Those of you that haven't purchased yet the Galaxy S3 from any of the seven U.S. carriers that have either launched or are getting ready to release it, should check out Amazon Wireless first, as the retailer has a great Galaxy S3 offer for you.

Amazon currently offers the best price on the Galaxy S3, but we're still talking about subsidized devices, which require a new two-year contract. Furthermore, Amazon is only offering discounted Sprint Galaxy S3 units, so buyers can't really choose their carrier.

The Sprint Galaxy S3 handset is available for $119.99 with new two-year contracts for customers that choose a new Individual or Family account or that add a line to a Family account. In case you want to upgrade an Individual or Family account, or add a line to an Individual account, you'll end up paying $149.99 to Amazon – again, after inking a new two-year deal with Sprint.

The Sprint Galaxy S3 is currently in stock and ships in 24 hours. But you'll only be able to get the 16GB version, with Pebble Blue being the only color option.

Meanwhile, Sprint's subsidized prices for the handset are $199.99 or $249.99, for the 16GB and 32GB version, respectively. The carrier has both blue and white versions in stock also.

Those of you interested in paying full price for the 16GB Galaxy S3 model from Sprint, should go to Sprint stores instead of Amazon Wireless, as Sprint is offering the handset for $549.99, which is $40 cheaper than Amazon's offer.

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This article, Deal: Sprint Galaxy S3 available for $119.99 from Amazon Wireless , was originally published at AndroidAuthority.com - Your Android News Source.