Friday, June 1, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

MOTOACTV Receives 7.2 Software Update – Read Tweets, Facebook Updates and More

Posted: 31 May 2012 06:19 PM PDT

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Motorola’s MOTOACTV smart/fitness watch just got a little smarter today after Motorola officially revealed a new software update for the accessory. A ton of stuff was added like the addition of new Twitter and Facebook plug-ins, as well as more detailed workout planning for all you health nuts out there. Here’s the full rundown of what you can look forward to in the 7.2 update:

  • New Views, More Options for Golf – Added tee location options, more choices for ball lie marking and the ability to track the distance of your putts. We also extended the club distance range in Clubs Profile to better accommodate more players.
  • More Flexible Workout Planning – You can now define your targets for each stage of any activity including running, walking, cycling and more. If you’re a runner, you can set a moderate warm up pace for the first 15 minutes, kick it into high gear for the next 30 minutes, and then set the pace for a 10 minute cool down.
  • New Heart Rate Choices for Fitness Zones – You can now have dedicatedheart rate zones for any activity. Specify which types of zones you’d like to use for each workout (basic, Carmichael or custom). Allow MOTOACTV to update your max heart rate, or stay in full control by manually updating your zones and heart rate metrics.
  • See Facebook and Twitter – Get wall posts and tweets directly on your MOTOACTV.
  • Start Key Is Now a Smarter Key – If your display has gone to sleep while you’re working out, wake it up by pressing the start key.
  • Add More Custom Activities, Better Accuracy – Add and track as many new activities as you want – quickly and easily, and know that your calories burned are even more accurate than ever.
  • Better Views of Your Post-workout Map – Zoom in and pan out on route details after your workout. Touch “Show Route” on the workout summary screen, then touch the screen to zoom in. Pressing and holding on the route screen enables panning.
  • Easier Wi-Fi Network Setup - You can run, but your SSID can no longer hide! If your Wi-Fi network’s name (SSID) is hidden, you can still configure your MOTOACTV.

The update is applied over-the-wire, so just plug your ACTV into your PC or Mac to get started. I think it’s safe to say things are looking on the up-and-up for Motorola’s fitness watch. Honestly, I don’t hit the gym very often, but I have been looking for a capable Android smartwatch, and the ACTV just might fit the bill. Can any of our readers provide any feedback on the MOTOACTV? How’s the update treating you?

Motorola | Via Droid-Life

Google Accuses Microsoft and Nokia of Harvesting Patent Trolls – Files Antitrust Complaint In Europe

Posted: 31 May 2012 05:21 PM PDT

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Google, who is facing antitrust complaints on European and South Korean fronts, is going on the offensive today, filing their own complaint with the European Commission over accusations that really aren’t too surprising. According to Google, Microsoft and Nokia, whom are currently in cahoots with MS’s Windows Phone OS, are making dirty, back alley agreements with a company called Mosaid (infamous for suing anyone over their WiFi patents).

Apparently, Mosaid is being handed 1,200 wireless-related patents in exchange for sharing some of the revenue gained from lawsuits with Microsoft and Nokia. This would mean MS n’ N are actually harvesting patent trolls, in an attempt to scare handset makers into choosing Windows Phone over Android, over the threat of possible lawsuits. Ooooh, they’re so sneaky. Google said in a statement:

“Nokia and Microsoft are colluding to raise the costs of mobile devices for consumers, creating patent trolls that sidestep promises both companies have made. They should be held accountable, and we hope our complaint spurs others to look into these practices.”

Google says that although they haven’t been sued yet by Mosaid, their complaint is actually defensive measure given that something sinister is definitely afoot. Give ‘em hell, Google.

[TheWallStreetJournal | Engadget]

N.O.V.A. 3 for Android now available

Posted: 31 May 2012 03:50 PM PDT

The third installment in one of Android’s best shooters has finally made its way to the Google Play Store. I’m talking about N.O.V.A. 3, a futuristic FPS that seems to take a few cues from the Halo series. It’s a first person shooter that features great graphics, 6vs6 online multiplayer, 6 modes, 6 maps, and vehicles with multiple allies. For $7, you won’t go wrong if you’re a fan of shooters in general. Find it in the Google Play Store here.

Judge: Google did not infringe on SSO of Sun/Oracle’s Java

Posted: 31 May 2012 03:40 PM PDT

Google’s won another major victory, today, in the courtrooms where Oracle are suing them for patent and copyright infringement due to Java’s use in Android. Oracle lost the patent phase of the case, and they thought they’d initially get a break on the copyright phase as they were able to get the jury to agree that Google infringed on the structure, sequence, and organization of their Java APIs.

Of the 37 APIs that Google were accused of “stealing,” Judge William Alsup found that 97% were written by Google, and 3% were freely replicable under a doctrine of merger. Alsup stated that allowing Oracle to pursue people for using code that does the same thing, but in a different implementation, would mean that Oracle gets too much control over what software others write.

In other words, a ruling in Oracle’s favor would essentially mean that an audio playback function in a Java-based app would infringe on code in Java that handles the playback of audio, even if the method used is completely different and original.

That is just an example to clarify what Oracle was seeking, and you can see how ridiculous it would have been for them to be granted such a ruling. But Google doesn’t quite have to worry about that now, and even if Oracle were to file an appeal (which is almost obligatory for the losing side in any major legal process) there’s little reason to believe that another courtroom would see things differently. We’ll be sure to keep our eyes on the case as it continues to brew (no pun intended… OK, maybe a little bit). [via Engadget, Arstechnica, The Verge]

Google Drive to get offline mode in five weeks

Posted: 31 May 2012 03:21 PM PDT

D10, All Things D and Wall Street Journal’s technology summit, is being wrapped up in California and it didn’t bow out with its share of interesting Android-related news. Walt Mossberg interviewed Google’s Senior Vice President of Chrome Sundar Pichai, and he let loose an interesting little piece of information when asked a question about Chrome.

He mentioned Google Drive would be getting offline mode in five weeks. He didn’t go into much detail, of course, but I think we all have an idea of how that’ll work. We’ll hopefully see demos of this at Google I/O June 27th-29th with a public release to follow soon after. Head to the source link to read the full interview. [via Engadget]

ASUS teasing dual-boot Windows/Android tablet? [video]

Posted: 31 May 2012 02:13 PM PDT

ASUS have released their next Computex teaser for an announcement coming June 4th, and it revealed a very interesting possibility. In the trailer, a drop of water separates into two, and each one houses a different logo: one for Windows and one for Android.

“All in One is no longer in one,” a line reads, a possible hint that they could be introducing a dual-booting tablet that has Windows and Android. It’s not unlike what Lenovo did, and we hope ASUS is thinking of going the same route.

Lenovo has not had a lot of luck breaking out of their home Asian territory with mobile products, so perhaps ASUS will bring the rest of the world what we’ve all been waiting for. I’m teeming with excitement but we won’t know until June 4th. Circle back as we cover just whatever it is ASUS is looking to introduce.

Grab a 16GB unlocked Galaxy Nexus for $370 [Deals]

Posted: 31 May 2012 01:33 PM PDT

Although you can grab a Galaxy Nexus from Google for just $400, there’s a deal out there that’s just a tad bit better. The 16GB version of the unlocked device can be had through eBay’s Daily Deals for just $370. That’s a buy it now price, too, so you won’t have to worry about it going any higher. Of course, you’ll need to take advantage of this deal right away as it likely won’t last very long. A warranty can be added for $63 and shipping is free with an estimated delivery date of June 6th if you were to buy it today. Find the deal here.

Samsung Galaxy S3 I-9300 source code released

Posted: 31 May 2012 11:54 AM PDT

Developers who own the Samsung Galaxy S3 (and maybe some who don’t) will want to listen up. The full source code for the Samsung Galaxy S3 is now available online. This’ll aid developers in creating ROMs, something I’m sure will be blow up as more and more people get the device worldwide. Until more regions get the device the development community will likely be slow, but we’re glad the tools that’ll allow people to get work are already out there. Grab the download here if you know what to do with it. [via AndroidPolice]

Report: Microsoft Office coming to Android November 10th

Posted: 31 May 2012 11:06 AM PDT

A rumor last week broke regarding a possible release of Microsoft Office on Android (and other platforms) this November, and it appears the rumor could be spot on. A source of The Daily’s has apparently confirmed a November 10th release for the productivity suite. The development and design of the application are finished, apparently, with just one more stage to go through before it’s ready.

We reckon the app will actually  be completed sometime this September as Microsoft will have to make ample time for Apple to approve the launch ahead of its November 10th release date. Unfortunately that doesn’t necessarily mean the Android version will come any sooner as Microsoft reportedly wants the suite to launch on both iOS and Android simultaneously. [via The Daily]

HTC EVO 4G LTE will hit Sprint stores June 2nd

Posted: 31 May 2012 10:40 AM PDT

The day has finally come for those who haven’t pre-ordered the HTC EVO 4G LTE. After a brief delay at US Customs, and with yesterday’s news that all HTC devices have passed inspection, Sprint confirmed they’d be getting shipments within a few days’ time. That estimation seems to have been correct as they’ve officially announced a June 2nd date for its arrival. That date falls on a Saturday so you guys should have plenty of time to get dirty with it over the weekend.

For $200 on contract, you’re getting a 4.7 inch device that trumps almost every phone in the ranks of the Now Network. It has a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, 1GB of RAM, a beautiful 8MP HD camera, Android 4.0 with Sense 4.0 and a lot more. Be sure to call your local Sprint stores to confirm availability once the day arrives. [Sprint via AndroidForums.com]

Sony updates SmartWatch with always-on watch face, bug fixes

Posted: 31 May 2012 08:50 AM PDT

Sony has a new update available for SmartWatch owners today addressing several user requests and concerns. The new software brings about an always-on watch face, displaying the time even when the watch is in standby mode. But Sony didn’t stop at just improving the device’s capabilities as a time keeper. The update also tweaks many of the SmartWatch’s applications such as Weather and the Music Player, and adds support for Endomondo Sports tracker. Third party app support is also improved.

On top of better application support, other bug fixes are included to enhance the user experience. The update process requires downloading the latest SmartWatch app to your Android phone from Google Play. Users with the app already installed should be prompted to update.

[via Sony]

Samsung announces the LTE-ready Galaxy R Style for Korea

Posted: 31 May 2012 08:26 AM PDT

Samsung has a new LTE-enabled Android smartphone destined for Korea. The Samsung Galaxy R Style is an Ice Cream Sandwich device with a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display and 1.5GHz dual-core processor. It measures in at a respectable 9.79mm thick and has an appearance that harkens back to older Galaxy S designs rather than the redefined lines of the Galaxy S III. Other specs include a 5MP camera and NFC capabilities.

The Galaxy R Style will be coming to all of Korea’s major carrier and will launch for the equivalent of $594 (700,000 won). There appear to be no plans for a wider release.

[via The Verge]

Don’t try this at home: Crazy Russians use HTC One X as a hammer

Posted: 31 May 2012 07:38 AM PDT

The HTC One X is a big, beautiful phone, but what you might not be able to tell from looking at it is just how solid its build feels. Maybe this video will help. What you see above is one of the most convincing demonstrations of the Gorilla Glass technology that lends its durability to the One X’s display. Yes, you are witnessing two minutes of hammer time courtesy of a couple of zany Russians using the front of the phone to drive a nail straight through a piece of wood. It’s hard to make out due to the quality of the video, but I challenge you to find even a scratch. Pretty impressive, but in case the results can’t be duplicated we’d say it is best to leave the One X hammering to those that may or may not have tipped back one too many vodka shots.

[via Reddit]

Orange UK announces Intel-powered San Diego

Posted: 31 May 2012 06:49 AM PDT

The UK is about to receive it’s first Intel-based Android smartphone courtesy of Orange. Previously known as the Santa Clara, the Orange San Diego  is an Android 2.3 smartphone running a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2460 coupled with Intel’s XMM 6260 for HSPA+ connectivity.  It sports a 4.03-inch display at 1024×600 resolution, 1GB RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. An 8MP camera is capable of 1080p video capture and features a “Burst” mode capable of snapping off 10 shots in under a second.

The San Diego will launch June 6th with both pay-as-you-go and monthly pricing options. An Ice Cream Sandwich update is anticipated for September.

Orange to Exclusively Launch The ‘San Diego’ - powered by Intel® Technology

London, UK - 31 May 2012: Orange today unveiled the San Diego, a new high-performance Android smartphone powered by Intel Inside®, which will be available exclusively on Orange from 6th June nationwide.

The San Diego (previously codenamed ‘Orange Santa Clara’) is the first Intel powered smartphone to launch in Europe and will deliver users the latest in innovative smartphone capabilities at an affordable price point.

The handset is powered by the Intel® Atom™ processor Z2460 and supports HSPA+ with the Intel® XMM™ 6260 Platform. Together, these Intel solutions deliver users a fast and responsive browsing experience.

The San Diego features High-definition (HD) video, helping it to support a rich entertainment offering along with 1080p video capture, image stabilization and HDMI out. What’s more, the handset boasts an 8 mega-pixel camera which features ‘Burst’ mode allowing it to take 10 pictures in under a second to ensure you capture all the action and can choose the very best pictures to keep and share. The San Diego also comes with mobile HD voice for outstanding audio quality, and features a 4.03″ capacitive display, A-GPS and Bluetooth 2.1.
From the home screen, the San Diego will come with quick link access to:

  • Orange Wednesdays: 2-4-1 cinema ticket app - allowing you to read reviews, watch trailers as well as redeem 2-4-1 vouchers all from your handset
  • Your Orange: To help customers keep up to date and manage their Orange account
  • Orange Gestures: Allowing users to draw natural and intuitive gestures on their home screen which can give one-stroke access to their favourite applications or services

The San Diego will be available for £199.99 on Orange Pay As You Go, when customers top up by £10 in Orange shops. When they take out the handset on pay as you go, they will also receive a free monthly allowance of 250Mb* of mobile data per month for 12 months.

Alternatively, for launch, the handset will be free to customers who take a 24 month price plan from £15.50 a month until the 25th of July** 2012. The package includes 50 any network call minutes, 50 texts, as well as 100MB of mobile data a month.

Paul Jevons, Director of Products and Devices, Orange UK commented: "We’re proud to be working with such an exciting partner as Intel, and offering our customers the first Orange Intel powered smartphone on the market.

"The San Diego is a great addition to our own-branded device portfolio, and is testament to our heritage in offering consumers great value innovation."

"We congratulate Orange on the launch of their ‘San Diego’ smartphone with Intel inside," said Mike Bell, Intel Vice President and General Manager of the company’s Mobile and Communications Group. "Orange is truly a progressive operator who has its finger on the pulse on its customer base. The new Intel-based smartphone exemplifies Orange’s focus on delivering a well executed product to its users, from the quality and feel of industrial design to the overall software and applications experience."

San Diego customers will also benefit from access to T-Mobile’s signal too, meaning they can call, text and access high speed mobile internet in more places across the UK, as well as benefit from Quick Tap Treats - the UK’s first mobile contactless retail reward scheme, and discount on Orange home broadband.

The handset will be supported by a multimillion pound advertising campaign, featuring the Orange ninja creative which will commence in June. The advertising campaign will feature across TV, outdoor, print and online.

The San Diego will be available from 6th June from Orange shops, Orange telesales and the Orange online shop. For more information, visit www.orange.co.uk/intel

Samsung Galaxy S III now available in Australia

Posted: 31 May 2012 06:03 AM PDT

Add one more continent to the Galaxy S III’s rap sheet. The latest flagship device from Samsung has launched in Australia. Samsung kicked things off at an event at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, which featured an orchestral performance and plenty of celebrity faces. Australian are receiving the 3G version of the device with no plans solidified for the release of the 4G LTE variant. Telstra — Australia’s only telecom to offer LTE coverage — is in talks to launch the 4G GS3.

The Samsung Galaxy S III is available from most major carriers including Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and Virgin Mobile. The 16GB version can be purchased outright for $899.

[via SMH]
Posted by at 7:47 AM

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