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Posted: 16 Feb 2013 02:43 AM PST
 You read the title right. Chrome OS has its roots in Mozilla Firefox, according to former Google employee Jeff Nelson. He has recently blogged about how the operating system came to be and shared some interesting facts, the first of which is that the then new operating system was not exactly built from scratch but was actually a barebones Linux distro. When Jeff Nelson was still working as an engineer for the search giant, the Chrome OS used to be developed under the code name, "Google OS." That changed after the product's public release in 2009 when it was marketed under different names: Chromebook, Chromebox, Chrome OS. He first pitched this idea of a "network-based operating system across devices" around 2006, but a Google higher-up initially rejected the notion because it apparently was useless during air travel, even though, as a basic Linux distro, it could actually run programs made for the open source OS. By the time Nelson finished writing the first version of his OS, it was all powered by Firefox architecture. At that time, Google didn't have a web browser project of its own, let alone a full operating system. The brand "Chrome" was not even yet affiliated with company until 2007. Nelson also defended that his baby wasn't just for pure web consumption just as how the media portrayed the early Samsung Chromebook models. He noted that the first versions were quite capable of code development, among other tasks, that a typical Google engineer performs.  But perhaps the most critical part of Nelson's blog post is his reason for creating Chrome Os. It wasn't initially created as an OS that runs web apps but an answer to the slow loading times of computers running Windows and Linux. Nelson solved this problem by moving the entire OS into RAM. Data loss, limited storage, and limited Linux support were the prominent issues for this solution, but Nelson addressed them accordingly. Inventing Chromebook, as written by Nelson, is no doubt a quite interesting tale. Some current Google employees, however, have caught attention of the November 2012 blog post and are questioning Nelson's credibility. In a Google+ post, senior software engineer Peter Kasting has this to say: I’m somewhat skeptical of this. I was one of the Chrome team founders, and I was in the team meeting where the project that would become Chrome OS was first announced, and I’ve never heard of Jeff or any of the work he describes here. Certainly Chrome-team management didn’t mention or demonstrate any of it to the team at large.Kasting's post has generated quite a number of comments. The discussion has become so lively, and lengthy, that even Jeff Nelson joined in to defend his claims on starting Chrome OS. You can check them out by clicking the source link below. |
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Posted: 16 Feb 2013 02:41 AM PST
From showing restaurant recommendations (above) to recipes
As for the latest addition to Google Now, one that hasn't been officially introduced yet, your all-knowing assistant will now show recipe recommendations based on your search history. It's quite an unexpected addition, but we're sure Google has its reasons and stats. So if you've been scouring the web for some recipes, don't be too surprised to see them pop up on your Google Now cards. Would you find this useful? What Google Now cards are your favorites so far? What else do you want to see Google bring? Hit the comments below. |
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Posted: 16 Feb 2013 02:30 AM PST
 Apps like WhatsApp are certainly useful, however, they only work when a user has an active Internet connection. What happens when this connection gets cut off? You can probably imagine. In today’s high-tech mobile-centric world, there is something that many people take for granted: the fact that much of the world’s current communications infrastructure is at the mercy of those who are in control of cellular networks. Is the world really going to sit back and watch as this apparent “weak link” in worldwide communications — that is, the dependence on active cellular networks — stays in place? Fortunately, the answer to that question is no. There is currently an ongoing effort to build and maintain a free wireless network for Wi-Fi-enabled devices — which include tablets and smartphones — with the use of free and open source technology. If you own an Android smartphone or tablet yourself, this is definitely something that you should try to look into. But what is there to look into, exactly? Well, there’s an app called MANET Manager available for download now on Google Play, and it essentially offers users a way to enable and configure a Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET) for devices in order for users to enjoy cellular network-free communications. With a MANET enabled and configured, users can connect with other devices within range in order to, well, communicate. What’s the catch? There no catch, apparently. It’s just a clever way of using the built-in wireless capabilities found in certain devices to establish wireless communications without the use of active cellular networks. This type of thing can come in handy in case of emergencies. And it could also be a way to simply cut back on wireless messaging costs yet again. At the moment, MANET Manager only supports a limited number of devices. Check out the Google Play link below to try it out for yourself. |
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Posted: 16 Feb 2013 02:03 AM PST
 What, did you really think that, just because it was the weekend, Samsung's Galaxy S4 was going to take a break from its rumor bonanza? Well, guess again, because "the next big thing" (you know, the one that isn't actually here yet) is today capturing the headlines with not one, but two new leaks. We have 1. a new AnTuTu benchmark test starring the presumed LTE-enabled version of the GS4 and 2. a couple of sample photos we think were snapped with the phone based on their EXIF data. This is actually the second time an S4 is taken through the AnTuTu hoops, but, unlike back January, the new benchmark seems to show there's a 1.9 GHz CPU inside the beast and not a 1.8. It's not that big of a deal, but apparently the superior clocking speed does add quite a bit of oomph.  The first AnTuTu scores were of around 20,000 points, while the new one goes over the 24,000 mark quite easily, so I think we can all agree this is a welcomed performance boost. Especially when comparing the new score with some of the existent competition. According to antutu.com, the only devices around capable of (barely) going over 20,000 points are the Asus Padfone 2 and HTC's J Butterfly. Meanwhile, the GNote 2, which you can't really call a pushover, is listed at 17,500. Unfortunately, the new AnTuTu leak can't fully solve the mystery of S4's CPU. The 1.9 GHz clock speed has been thrown around a lot lately, so it's almost a certainty, but is the chip an Exynos Quad, a Snapdragon S4 Pro or a Snapdragon 600? No way to know, but our money is still on door number three.  Meanwhile, we're quite sure the GT-I9505 model number is legit for the LTE flavor of the S4 and Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean will be buttering up the device's software. As for the Picasa snapshots, they're there, they're square and that's pretty much all there is to it. The EXIF data clearly shows they belong to Samsung's GT-I9505, but you know how easy it can be to fake the whole thing.  The device's firmware is listed as I9505XXEAMB8, while the resolution is in both cases at 2,322 x 4,128 pixels. There are a few other technical details about ISO, exposure and so on, but nothing that can clear up the number of megapixels crammed in the phone's cam or anything else of real importance. Rumor has it the S4 will come with a 13 MP rear-facing shooter. Okay, guys, that’s it for today, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the Galaxy S4 saga were to get a new chapter by Monday. Oh, well, it’s not like we have anything else to do than eat Android for breakfast, lunch and dinner. |
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Posted: 16 Feb 2013 01:52 AM PST
 It has been a very busy year so far for Verizon Wireless as far as sales of blocks of the 700MHz spectrum is concerned, as revealed by a recent press release that names three different U.S. wireless companies as its most recent just-finished-business customers. This is an indication that the telco is possibly still in talks to keep selling more blocks to customers in order to make the most out of its 2012 AWS purchase. According to the press release, Verizon managed to close a deal with Colorado Valley Communications back in January for a license to use a partitioned A-Block in the Houston market. Meanwhile, Nortex Communications and Panhandle Telecommunication Systems are two other recent customers that closed deals with Verizon Wireless over similar A Block as well as B Block licenses just this week. Verizon says that the three announced deals are only the first batch of a total of seven and that four are still pending, so expect to hear more about these deals closing in the future. For more information, feel free to read the full press release below. Verizon Wireless Completes Spectrum Sales to Three Rural Companies |
Nortex Communications, based in Muenster, Texas, acquired the Texas RSA 6-Jack 700 MHz lower B-block license, which covers a four-county area northwest of Dallas. Panhandle Telecommunication Systems, Inc., based in Guymon, Okla., acquired the Texas RSA 2-Hansford 700 MHz lower B-block license, which covers 12 counties in the northwest part of Texas. Colorado Valley Communications purchased a partitioned A-Block license covering a five-county area in the Houston market.
Verizon Wireless offered its lower 700 MHz spectrum licenses for sale to rationalize its spectrum holdings and enable more spectrum to reach the marketplace where it can be used for the benefit of customers. As a result of the sale process, Verizon Wireless signed agreements with seven companies, including one national carrier, five rural or regional carriers and one minority-owned firm. To date, three purchases have been completed and four remain pending. Verizon Wireless is also getting 700 MHz C block spectrum into the hands of 20 rural operators through its LTE in Rural America leasing program.
Posted: 16 Feb 2013 12:07 AM PST
When DashClock Widget for Android 4.2 was announced earlier this week, it was revealed that third-party Android app developers will be able to play with it and incorporate it in their own apps as they add their own extensions for extra functionality. Android app dev Joaquim Vergès has become the first person in the world to do just that, releasing an update for Falcon Pro for Twitter that features full DashClock Widget support.
With the latest update, Falcon Pro for Twitter can now show a bunch of pertinent information for users — including number of tweets, mentions, and even direct messages — all on a device’s lock screen. Prior to the update, this info can only be accessed via the app itself. But now, it’s no longer necessary to actually launch Falcon Pro for Twitter in order to get all of the information that a user desires.
The latest Falcon Pro for Twitter upgrade also brings a number of much-needed bug fixes. And that’s on top of all the normal Twitter client features that one might expect from a third-party app like it. Check out the Google Play link below if you want to download Falcon Pro for Twitter now.
Posted: 15 Feb 2013 11:55 PM PST
Due to the most recent advancements in the world of consumer electronics and technology, tactile buttons are slowly but surely going the way of the dodo. Touch-based control is where it’s at. And thankfully, tapping, poking, and swiping are not the best options for “touching” that human beings can do.
Indeed, there’s an innovative category of touch-based control called gestures, and it’s one of the better ways of performing actions on most modern touch-based devices. Android smartphones and tablets are of course no exception. So it’s a good thing that a new gesture launcher app has just become available on Android. And the best thing about it is that it can be downloaded and used for free.
We’re talking about Trigger, the latest gesture launcher made available for Android, which can be downloaded right now for free on Google Play. The free app is a limited version that lets users employ a maximum of six different gestures on their devices. Meanwhile, a premium version of the app with no such limits or restrictions can also be downloaded on Google Play. It costs $1.99.
Trigger will enable users to do all sorts of things with their Android-powered devices all with the use of gestures. Things like launching certain apps and performing certain actions will be so much easier, with the caveat that they will require memorization of a few new gesture-based actions. If you’re still not convinced that it’s worth the price, feel free to take the free version for a spin to see what it’s like.
Posted: 15 Feb 2013 06:55 PM PST
Who here misses Whack-A-Mole? While the game itself hasn’t been culturally relevant since the third wave of ska, that doesn’t mean that it stopped being fun. There is a new game out now called Finger Army 1942 that brings back Whack-A-Mole. Except instead of moles they’re fingers. Fingers dressed like soldiers. It’s available in the Google Play Store for $.99. As always if you’d rather watch than read, then our video review is posted at the bottom.Menus and Game Play
Menus in the game are very simple. In fact, the only time you’ll ever run into menus is on the title screen. On the right side, you’ll see Play, Resume, Scores, and Help. Play and resume are self explanatory, scores displays player top scores, and help is a mini tutorial on how to play the game. The resume button only works if you hit the pause button in game and quite out that way. Otherwise, it doesn’t work.Once you’re in the game, things move rather quickly. Little battle ready fingers pop up out of holes and players tap them to make them go away. If you miss a tap or don’t hit enough of them, the target meter will drop. If it drops below half by the time the timer runs down, you lose. If you manage to keep it above half, you can proceed to the next round.
To complicate things, there are a variety of enemies. Most simply give you a higher score when you hit them. There are guys like the white flag finger and the medic finger that will actually decrease your score if you hit them. So after a point you have to pay attention to what you’re tapping on. In addition, enemies unlocked later require multiple taps before they go away.
At the end of every level, you’ll be shown your stats. They include your accuracy, score, and any bonus points you may have accrued. The first few levels, there aren’t any opportunities for bonuses. As you progress, more and more opportunities will present themselves.
Levels move pretty quickly. They are typically over in less than a minute, which helps level out the simplicity of the game by making it rapid fire. Players who lose the game or have to start over can get through the beginner levels very quickly. This means that gamers who don’t like being stuck on the earlier levels won’t be. For a Whack-A-Mole type game, Finger Army 1942 definitely stays fresh.
Graphics
Considering what kind of game Finger Army 1942 is, the graphics are adequate. The enemy characters can be differentiated enough to tell which is which, but similar enough to where you may want to pay attention before tapping. All the stats, meters, and other things on screen are easy enough to see and read.That said, it is a simple game with simple graphics. No one will be looking at Finger Army 1942 and be wowed by it. Thankfully, the game play is fast enough to where the lackluster graphics shouldn’t bother anyone. When it’s all said and done, it can be said that the graphics are good enough.
Replay Value
This game can be played over and over again. The earlier levels may get a tad boring for advanced players, but as stated earlier they are over quite quickly. This makes getting to the fun levels very easy and fast, so no one should be stuck in the boring levels at the beginning. It helps replay value enormously that players can get into the thick of the game quickly and efficiently with little or no trouble.For those who do make it pretty far, there is a simple saving mechanism that should help you stay there. If you’re done playing and you want to continue later, you simply hit the pause button in the top left and quit from there. It’ll save your spot and you can resume later. There is even a little glitch in the game where if you do this over and over again, you can skip levels. It counts the level you saved on complete and immediately goes to the next one. This can come in handy if there’s a level you’re having particular trouble with.
With the quick levels and having saved games, that makes the replay value for Finger Army 1942 higher than average.
Finger Army 1942′s Overall Value
Overall, this isn’t a bad game. The rapid fire game play mixed with the short, quick levels helps the game progress at a rate that’s both challenging and entertaining. It takes less than 10 minutes to get to level 10 and about 10 minutes to get to level 20. However, getting to level 70 will take much longer than 70 minutes.When everything is added up, we feel this game is definitely worth the dollar. However, it won’t be for everyone. Finger Army 1942 is meant as a fun time waster game for when you’re stuck in line or sitting on the can. Gamers who enjoy longer, more complex games probably won’t enjoy it so much.
If you’d like to take a closer look, you can find Finger Army 1942 in the Google Play Store here.
Posted: 15 Feb 2013 06:11 PM PST
According to the app’s makers, the Tamagotchi is now better than it has ever been before. For starters, the pets are in color, but that’s not the only thing the app has going for it. Here’s a rather enthusiastic description of the Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. app found on its official page on Google Play:
It’s Tamagotchi’s Sweet 16 this year and we're giving you the gift!Indeed, all the people who will end up downloading and poking around this app probably will go out and tell their friends all about it. It can be downloaded and installed now on all Android tablets and smartphones that are running Android 2.3 Gingerbread or later. And as the description above says, it’s available free of charge.
Bandai has created the first ever Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. App, based on the original virtual pet, and it's yours, FREE!
It’s just like the virtual pet you loved, only better; its in COLOR, features more characters and higher resolution and a place to keep your Tamagotchi collection.
It's Tamagotchi To Go! on your ANDROID smartphone and tablet!
We want everyone to join in the celebration, so, tell your friends!
Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. is available exclusively on Android for now, but it’s possible that it might be released for other platforms as well at some point in the future. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to provide my own new Tamagotchi some good old-fashioned neglect care and attention.
Posted: 15 Feb 2013 05:49 PM PST
Like many other big name electronic device makers, LG has been very busy now that Mobile World Congress 2013 is just around the corner. It recently announced three new handsets as part of its Android-powered L Series range, namely the Optimus L3 II, Optimus L5 II, and Optimus L7 II, and it is expected to showcase all three before this month is over.
The LG Optimus L5 II in particular should be arriving in Asia, Europe, and North America soon, according to information found recently on the official web site of the Bluetooth SIG.
In LG’s official announcement of its latest Optimus L Series handsets, it failed to mention when exactly all three phone models are going to drop. However, where one of them will become available first is at least known now. The LG Optimus L5 II – with model number E450 – will apparently hit stores in the three above-mentioned regions first, with availability in North America possibly including Canada as well.
While the Optimus L5 II is not something that one might consider a highly-awaited model, it’s at least interesting and could end up being a best-seller – much like its predecessors – depending on how much LG plans to sell it for. Its set of features include a 4-inch WVGA screen, built-in Wi-Fi, 3G data, microSD card support and Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.
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