Thursday, April 4, 2013

Google Android News Android Forums

Google Android News Android Forums

Samsung And Mozilla Working On Browser Engine With Multi-Core Support

Posted: 03 Apr 2013 02:50 PM PDT

Servo

Samsung and Mozilla announced a new partnership today that involves the development of a next generation browser engine. Called Servo, this browser engine will take advantage of multiple cores, allowing it to work even faster than today’s mobile browsers. To start, Servo will run on ARM-powered Android devices. Servo is written on a new language called Rust which was developed by Mozilla and will help to beef up security. There is no official release date as Rust is not considered stable yet and if you are a developer, you can access the source code from Github.

Here is how Mozilla explains the programming language:

“It is intended to fill many of the same niches that C++ has over the past decades, with efficient high-level, multi-paradigm abstractions, and offers precise control over hardware resources. But beyond that, it is *safe by default*, preventing entire classes of memory management errors that lead to crashes and security vulnerabilities. Rust also features lightweight concurrency primitives that make it easy for programmers to leverage the power of the many CPU cores available on current and future computing platforms.”

Source: The Mozilla Blog


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Sources speculate as to why Android’s Rubin is starting new chapter

Posted: 03 Apr 2013 02:48 PM PDT

google_logo

Last month Google CEO Larry Page announced Android founder and team member Andy Rubin was moving on to something new at Google. In his place, Sundar Pichai will be taking over the lead on Android. While all parties have been pretty mum on the subject of what Google was up to, that has not stopped the rumor mill from cranking up and trying to read between the lines. Recently, some folks with Business Insider spent some time speaking with insiders and former Google employees to see if they could piece together a better understanding of the situation.

The first issue addressed was whether Rubin had been transitioned away from the Android team because of his temper and general gruffness. The sources indicate that while it is true that Rubin could sometimes be difficult to interact with, that was not a reason for Page to give him the axe. They point to Nikesh Arora, chief business officer at Google, who supposedly has a similar temperament, but is not going anywhere.

Rather than issues related to interpersonal technique, some think it has more to do with where Rubin saw Android going and how that fit in with Google’s overall strategy. Apparently Page sees Google as a services company, built on products like Search, Maps, Mail, and YouTube. Android is really just a means to get those services into the hands of customers. You may recall back in February when there were suggestions of friction between Samsung and Google driven by comments Rubin had made about Samsung getting too big and becoming a threat to Android. Such a view is not consistent with a company that sees itself as a services provider since they would not necessarily care what platform is used or what it is called. So, it may be the case that Page did not like Rubin stirring the pot and potentially chasing away an “access point” for Google services.

This concept of Android really just being a way to get Google services into the hands of consumers is bolstered by the selection of Pichai. Pichai made a name for himself by convincing computer makers to install the Google Toolbar on their products. This effort involved the establishment of partnerships with many different players in the market and would not have been successful if Pichai had been choosy about who got the Toolbar, since the Toolbar was also a means to an end. If the conjecture is right, Page is hoping Pichai can guide Android in the same way to land on as many devices as possible regardless of the name or who controls the platform.

The last piece that some may be wondering about is Motorola. Why would Google need a device manufacturer in-house if the platform does not really matter? Two possible answers exist. The first is the ever popular patent portfolio that Google can leverage. The second has to do with what Motorola does well – hardware technology development. Apparently Page is not so interested in seeing Motorola, or Google branded, devices as much as he is in seeing smartphones in general continue to improve so the Google services can run better and do more things. Pushing Motorola along in this direction is more important than creating an Apple-like integrated platform.

source: Business Insider


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Samsung sets new goal: 500 million handsets in 2013

Posted: 03 Apr 2013 12:36 PM PDT

Samsung-Logo-with-Galaxy-Tab_Logo

A new report from Digitimes says Samsung has set a goal to sell 500 million handset devices in 2013. This is a step up for Samsung given that they sold 420 million handset devices in 2012. The report also stated that BOE, a China-based panel maker, is supplying Samsung with a rate of 10 million panels per month for its entry-level and mid-range handset devices. Samsung is shooting for the stars, and depending on the success of their newly announced Galaxy S 4, they may very well reach their goal.

Source: Digitimes


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First look at Facebook Home UI

Posted: 03 Apr 2013 11:09 AM PDT

facebook-home-drawer

Just yesterday we saw pictures of the Facebook Phone’s hardware, but the software is what’s really exciting, right? Thanks to @evleaks and courtesy of 9to5 Google, we’ve got our first glimpse at what the custom Android skin is going to look like.

In the first picture you can see what’s likely to be an app drawer, complete with standard Google apps. There was some speculation that Facebook might pull an Amazon and cut ties with Google completely in the software, but that’s obviously not the case. Aside from the Google apps, we have the expected Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram apps. On the top of the app drawer, there are shortcuts for posting status updates, photos, and check ins on Facebook.

In the other screenshots, we can see a very clean look to the entire skin, and there’s still quite a bit of vanilla Android showing through. All of the icons are stock, the gallery application doesn’t appear to have been changed much, the status bar is keeping its holo theme, etc. More than anything, it’s just an extremely unique launcher for your apps with a few applications unique to the Facebook phone. Personally, I’m a fan of the less intrusive approach Facebook is taking here.

Even though this is a pretty small peek at what the phone can actually do, we can get a pretty good idea of how the phone will function from these leaks, assuming they end up coming true tomorrow. Have these pictures changed anyone’s mind about getting a Facebook phone?

facebook-home facebook-home-gallery facebook-home-drawer

 

source: 9to5 Google


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AT&T Launches 4G LTE In 14 New Markets

Posted: 03 Apr 2013 09:58 AM PDT

AT&T

AT&T has rolled out LTE to 14 new markets which now marks a total of 175 markets with LTE coverage. Eight locations are in the south with Florida taking the top spot. Here they are:

  • Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Arkansas
  • Fort Smith, Arkansas
  • Fresno, California
  • Palm Coast, Florida
  • Lakeland-Winter Haven Florida
  • Fort Pierce, Florida
  • Mount Dora, Florida
  • Carbondale-Marion Illinois
  • Houma/Thibodaux, Louisana
  • Jefferson City, Missouri
  • Las Cruces, New Mexico
  • Binghamton, New York
  • Temple/Killeen Texas
  • Mount Vernon, Washington

Source: AT&T


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Man Behind HTC One Camera Talks More About The UltraPixel

Posted: 03 Apr 2013 09:31 AM PDT

UltraPixel

The HTC One is set to launch on multiple U.S. carriers April 19 and one feature that has people talking is the new UltraPixel camera. Instead of a higher megapixel camera, HTC went with a four megapixel camera that has some different technology behind it. As any photography geek knows, more megapixels doesn’t always mean better image quality. Factors such as image sensor and the quality of lens have a large impact. With a sensor that can capture 300% more light than any 13 megapixel smartphone camera on the market, HTC believes its UltraPixel camera is better than the competition. JR Raphael of Computerworld got to sit down with Symon Whitehorn who heads up smartphone imaging at HTC.

Whitehorn doesn’t see the UltraPixel camera as a drastic evolution, but more of a forward-looking step. HTC wanted to focus on performance versus cramming in more megapixels and marketing that bigger number to consumers as better. When it comes to why they went with four megapixels, they found that it was more than enough in 90 percent of cases. Also, it gives a much more manageable file size which allows users to do more cool things with Zoe without sacrificing performance. What also makes the HTC One camera unique according to Whitehorn is the optical image stabilization and F/2.0 aperture. Early preproduction units appeared to take grainy photos and Whitehorn claims it was an automatic ISO issue that has since been fixed and shouldn’t be there once the HTC One makes its way to consumers.

Source: Computerworld


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Samsung working on new generation Galaxy Ace device

Posted: 03 Apr 2013 09:10 AM PDT

Samsung_galaxy_ace_2

According to reports, Samsung is working on a new generation Galaxy Ace device to succeed the Galaxy Ace 2 released last year. The third generation in the Ace line will have a 4.0-inch display, a 5MP camera, 4GB of internal storage and will run Android Jelly Bean. No information on a processor is available yet, but some are guessing it may carry a 1.2GHz dual-core chip. Samsung is expected to release the new Ace device in four colors – Metallic Black, Metallic Blue, Pure White, and Wine Red - sometime in June. The device’s model number is GT-S7272.

source: SamMobile


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Mid-range Samsung Galaxy Win leaked courtesy of Vietnamese retailer

Posted: 03 Apr 2013 08:56 AM PDT

samsung_galaxy_win_front

While many people are waiting and watching for news about flagship devices from the major manufacturers, work continues on devices for other strata in the market. Today Vietnamese retailer Mai Nguyen posted information about a new device from Samsung, the Galaxy Win (I8552), expected to launch in May 2013. The Galaxy Win will be powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor driving a 480×800 4.7-inch screen. The device will run Android 4.1.2, has a 5MP camera, supports up to a 32GB microSD card for additional memory, and is dual-SIM capable. The device does not have 4G capability. No information on pricing, carriers or markets was provided. Hit the break for a couple more images of this new Samsung smartphone.

samsung_galaxy_win_front samsung_galaxy_win_back samsung_galaxy_win_side

source: SamMobile
via: Mai Nguyen


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Google targeting all business users by making QuickOffice available for free for all Google Apps users

Posted: 03 Apr 2013 06:44 AM PDT

Google_Apps_QuickOffice

 

Since the major acquisition last year, Google has made it clear that it wants QuickOffice to make accessing and editing various Microsoft Office documents for the average consumer— but what about the various businesses out there? Sure business have the option of using their Google Apps account to access Google Drive, but let’s face it— Google Drive isn’t exactly intuitive and doesn’t mesh well with various Office documents out there. Well Google has heard businesses’ cries and made QuickOffice available for all Google Apps users… all for the smooth price of free. This means that all you Google Apps users out there will have instant access to all your files stored in Google Drive or open up an Office file on your device and have the ability to edit and save the file back to your device or Drive and access them from anywhere, anytime.

Again, the app is available for free for all Google Apps users, so if you have one of those coveted accounts, head on down to the Play Store link and grab your copy today.

 

QuickOffice_Google_Apps_QR_Code

Play Store download link

 


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Updated Nexus 7 with Qualcomm Snapdragon and better display coming in July

Posted: 03 Apr 2013 05:40 AM PDT

Nexus_Logo_Nexus_7

We already reported that the next Nexus 7 will sport the Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU instead of the current NVIDIA Tegra 3, and Reuters is now confirming it. Also unsurprisingly, they are reporting that it will have a better display. We expect the next generation Nexus 7 to be unveiled at Google I/O in May, but Reuters is saying that it won’t be available till July.

Pricing is going to be key now that Amazon has lowered their pricing. Google may choose to stick with the $199/$249 plan, but there is a rumor that they will drop to $149/$199. I believe they will opt for the latter, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they drop the price of the Nexus 10 around the same time.

source: Reuters


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