Saturday, January 12, 2013

Google Android News Android Forums

Google Android News Android Forums

Feedly (RSS Reader) gets major update, drops the beta label, adds new features

Posted: 11 Jan 2013 12:27 PM PST

Feedly has been the go to RSS reader for many of our readers (especially those of you with Google Reader accounts). A few days ago Feedly updated their Android app and brought in a ton of great new features and a cleaner, faster, more fluid experience. The first thing you’ll notice when you open the app is that the word “beta” has now been dropped from the splash screen (the background of the splash screen has also been changed to black). Instead of swiping from left to right to browse through your available articles, you swipe from top to bottom. When you get to the bottom of a page of articles, the page you’re on swipes away from the top, and the next page appears from underneath it (like a deck of cards). It’s a pretty smooth experience. While within an article, swipe left or right to read the next article, or swipe up from the bottom to close the article. If you’re wanting to find new content, swipe from the right bezel of the screen to pull up the “store” where you can find new content (all free of charge). Swipe from the left bezel to pull out your “subscribed feeds” list. Feedly has also added a new widget and layouts for the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10. In all, it’s a really fluid and high quality experience with some nice eye candy. Best of all it’s absolutely free! Download Feedly by using the QR code or download link below.

QR Code generator

Google Play Download Link

Nexus 4 spotted running Android 4.2.2 in Brazil and Malaysia

Posted: 11 Jan 2013 12:02 PM PST

Google’s Android team seems to be working on a minor update to their current Android 4.2.1 OS, as we’re seeing Android 4.2.2 pop up on several phones around the globe. The new build number is showing up on phones in Brazil that are coming out of LG’s Brazil factory with the new build already installed. Supposedly there are already 1,000 Nexus 4′s carrying the 4.2.2 update. In Malaysia it’s a slightly different story: a technology website received a review unit from LG that has the new build installed, so in that case it’s only an isolated incident. Still, it doesn’t surprise us that Google is working on the next minor update for their OS. It’s more than likely that 4.2.2 is only a small update that will squash a few leftover bugs. We’ll have to wait and see how this unfolds and when Google will release the next version. We’ll keep you updated if we find anything else out.

Source: Adrenaline

First look at the nabi Wings adaptive educational learning system [Video]

Posted: 11 Jan 2013 11:55 AM PST

I spent a lot of time with the folks at Fuhu yesterday, and I was thoroughly impressed with what they are doing. Not only are they cranking out tablets that appeal to toddlers, kids and tweens, but they are getting into the educational game in a major way. I had a chance to get a first look at the Wings application, which is an adaptive educational learning system. It actually is a role playing game for elementary students, and it was developed with a board of educators and school district board members.

It wasn’t the final product, but it looked very comprehensive. It’s a complete lesson plan for children that will improve their proficiency with reading, writing, and math. As your child progresses through the levels, they will earn coins that can be used to buy apps from the nabi app store and you will get a report card as well. It will come pre-loaded with the upcoming nabi Jr. tablet and will be available as a package for the nabi 2 that will include the application, a stylus, and a bluetooth keyboard. It’s still in development, but you can get a good idea of how it works in the hands on video after the break.

Click here to view the embedded video.

A look at the upcoming nabi Battle Kinabi figures utilizing NFC on the nabi XD for tweens [Video]

Posted: 11 Jan 2013 11:30 AM PST

Fuhu has really stepped up their game since the introduction of the original nabi tablet. The upcoming nabi XD will sport NFC and they have come up with a role playing game using Battle Kinabi figures. Each character will come with its own profile that will be tied to an NFC chip. By touching the characters to the XD tablet, it will load all the levels, defense/offense moves, and more that have been earned by playing the game. You will be able to change characters at any time or even share with your friends. Hit the break for a look at the characters and the concept.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Hands on with the nabi XD tablet for tweens [Video]

Posted: 11 Jan 2013 11:27 AM PST

Late last year, Fuhu announced the nabi XD tablet for tweens. This one is their largest to date with a 10.1-inch (1366 x 768) IPS display, and the rest of the specs should satisfy not only tweens, but the parents as well. It sports a quad-core Tegra 3, front and back cameras, 16GB/32GB of storage, microSD, 10 hours of battery life, NFC, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Nabi also created a new UI for this one called Kanzi, which has a Windows 8 type of look to it. Since this one is for the tweens, you won’t find the rubberized case, just a slim aluminum body that’s very appealing. They will also offer a really nice keyboard accessory and a cool game involving Battle Kanabis that utilize NFC. The tablet itself will be priced at $249 for 16GB or $349 for 32GB, which is pretty competitive based on the specs. We should see this one by the end of February, but for now, check out the hands on video after the break.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Hands on with the nabi Jr. Android tablet for toddlers [Video]

Posted: 11 Jan 2013 10:43 AM PST

Late last year Fuhu announced the nabi Jr. tablet for toddlers. This one is the little brother (or sister) to the nabi 2. It sports a 5-inch (800 x 480) display, a dual-core Tegra 2 processor, a rotating camera lens, 4GB/16GB of storage, matching stylus, microSD, and Fuhu’s own UI built around Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It will be priced at $99 for the 4GB version and $129 for the 16GB version. I had a chance to play with it at CES, and I am not usually impressed with kids tablets, but Fuhu has done a really good job. The specs aren’t high end, but again this if for your toddler. They don’t need any more than this. I love the design of the protective case and that it’s easily removable. We should see this one by the end of February, but for now, check out the hands on video after the break.

Click here to view the embedded video.

For all of our CES coverage, click here.

Hands on with the latest wireless charging technologies from the Alliance For Wireless Power [Video]

Posted: 11 Jan 2013 10:26 AM PST

A couple of days ago we reported on new wireless technologies from the Alliance For Wireless Power (A4WP). Wireless charging isn’t anything new, but one thing we can all agree on is that it hasn’t been widely adopted. Actually there is second thing we can agree on and that’s that we really want it. The problem is there really hasn’t been a standard and current pads are too clunky.

The Alliance For Wireless Power consists of key members from the tech community including Qualcomm, Samsung, Powermat, Texas Instruments, and others. Their goal is to bring a format along with marketing that will hopefully push wireless charging to the next level and then some. I had a chance to sit down with key members from the alliance as well as some of the top writers in the tech community to get a demo utilizing a newer technology that utilizes Bluetooth 4.0 LE. They chose it because Bluetooth is already widely adopted so it’s a natural fit.

They showed us current technologies along with pads embedded in tables. The newer Bluetooth technology was shown in a car console environment. I am not too familiar with current technologies, but I did find it interesting that you can literally charge devices even if they are lifted a little above the mat or on top of a book. It works the same for the newer Bluetooth standard.

Now I mentioned Samsung was part of this group so I think you can read between the lines folks. What has hampered wireless charging is not only a standard, but also a big gun. Samsung is certainly a major player for mobile and if they adopt this newer technology, I think we could finally see some major progress. Nothing was said on or off the record, but I have a good feeling we could see this technology adopted in the Galaxy S IV or at least the Galaxy Note III. Right now they don’t even have a marketing name for this technology. Check out the video below and let us know what you think.

Click here to view the embedded video.

For all our latest CES news, click here.

Uh Oh: LG Is Rumored To Stop Nexus 4 Production For Upcoming Smartphones

Posted: 11 Jan 2013 09:56 AM PST

 

If you’re already upset because you won’t be receiving your Nexus 4 anytime soon, you may be even more upset after reading this story. The International Business Times is reporting that LG is allegedly halting the production of the Nexus 4 to make way for its upcoming smartphones. While we already know of at least one major smartphone in the works, there is the notion that LG is already working on the Nexus 4′s successor behind the scenes. In fact— LG SVP Steve Fisher is confirmed to go on record at CES that LG has bigger and better plans with Google:

 

“Through our collaboration with Google, we launched the LG Nexus 4 smartphone. This is the first of many devices to come from our growing partnership with this very selective company.”

 

Rumor has it the new LG Nexus would feature some astounding features too. Among the noteworthy features are Key Lime Pie (Android 5.0) running the show and a 2GHz quad-core processor… which would make the new device a smidge better than the Nexus 4.

Still if this is true (and all signs point to it being true), this is going to be a major letdown to Android Stans and customers who have been itching for the Nexus 4 since November. However, all we can do is just sit back and wait for what unfolds…

 

source: International Business Times

VMK Introduces The World’s First African-Made Smartphone & Tablet

Posted: 11 Jan 2013 09:44 AM PST

We here at Talk Android love seeing new manufacturers on the come up and making waves by introducing new devices, so we bring to you all the first African-developed smartphones and tablets developed by VMK. Brought to you by the brainchild that is Verone Mankou, the new devices— the Way-C tablet and the Elikia smartphone are aimed at bringing a quality product at a budget price for citizens of the respective African countries— especially those devastated by war, poverty and other issues. So VMK is essentially giving all Africans a chance to experience the world… through Android of course.

There’s no word on what the devices will feature or which OS will run the show, but we suspect that we’ll get more information soon enough. Hit the source link to get more deets on the impressive concepts and devices.

source: Phandroid

Hands on with Qualcomm Vuforia Augmented Reality based apps [Video]

Posted: 11 Jan 2013 09:28 AM PST

Last year I had a chance to see what Qualcomm Vuforia was doing with augmented reality, and I was so impressed that I had to see where things are 12 months later. To refresh your memory, Vuforia was created by Qualcomm for developers that want to utilize augmented reality in their apps. Things are going pretty well as there are over 2,500 apps available (Android and iOS) from developers in 130 countries, and there are over 40,000 registered developers. Last year we saw an app from Sesame Street, and this year they are back with a really cool educational app that I know my son is going to love. They also showed off what can be done for med students and retail catalogs. Check out the video after the break

Click here to view the embedded video.

More information: Qualcomm Vurforia

For all our latest CES coverage, click here.

 
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