Developers Say Android Fragmentation is a Problem

April 5, 2011 by Leave a Comment

In a recent survey, developers have hinted that developing for Android can be a bit of a problem. The reason for this is due to the fragmentation of the OS and the Android Market.

The main key points from the survey mention that device fragmentation was a huge (or meaningful) problem for 56% of developers. This number has increased over the last few months as well. Also, the break up of various Android app stores such as the official Android Market and the Amazon App Store is also another concern for developers. It seems like a good percentage want a single experience, just like the Apple App Store provides. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones

iPhone Dev Team Releases iOS 4.3.1 Jailbreak

April 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The iPhone Dev Team has released an iOS 4.3.1 untethered jailbreak today. This new jailbreak works on all devices other than the new iPad 2. This means it’s compatible with the iPhone 4, 3GS, iPad 1, iPod touch (last 2 gens) and basically anything that runs iOS 4.3.1.

The jailbreak is untethered which is thanks to Stefan Esser who provided the necessary information to the Dev Team to complete the jailbreak. The reason the iPad 2 isn’t compatible is that it isn’t susceptible to the SHAtter or bootrom exploits that are currently available. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones

HP ePrint Ready for Google Cloud Print

April 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment

HP has launched a range of new printers that are now compatible with Google Cloud Print. Although Google Cloud Print has been available in the past for other printers, these required an intermediate config using Chrome, to get them to work.

HP has now launched ePrint which is a system that more seamlessly integrated with Cloud Printing in that these printers don’t need to be connected to a computer to work. The new printers from HP, allow users to connect up to their Google account and then print to those printers from a wide variety of places. To print, all you need is to do is load up a supporting app, such as Gmail and then choose to print to your HP printer. As it also works with mobile versions of Google Docs and Gmail, it also allows you to easily send something to print while you’re traveling to the office. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Tech News

HTC Uploads Flyer Tablet Video to Youtube

March 31, 2011 by Leave a Comment

HTC has uploaded a video to Youtube that shows more details about the new tablet called the HTC Flyer. The video explains the benefits of the 7 inch screen in that it makes the device lighter and still big enough to make useful. The 7 inch screen has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels.

We also learn that the Flyer is built using a unibody, similar to how the iPad and other Apple products are made. The Flyer tablet runs a 1.5GHz CPU and uses the Scribe pen for digital note taking. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Tablets

Android Market Gets In-App Billing

March 30, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Android Developers has announced the launch of in-app billing for developers and app users on the Android ecosystem.

What this system does is allows developers to create apps that utilize in-app purchases. In turn, when users are using those apps, they can choose to pay and upgrade or add new features as they are released.

This also opens up an alternative way to try before you by apps in that you can offer a cut down app to users and then when they pay, the extra functions are added on. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones

Gesture and Motion Controls on Samsung Galaxy S2 Demoed

March 29, 2011 by Leave a Comment

When Samsung launches the Galaxy S2, it’ll come with the new TouchWiz 4.0 UI. We normally cringe a little when we hear smartphones are getting an alternative to vanilla overlay. This time around, it could change a little though as the new TouchWiz actually looks quite useful.

What we see in a video, created by Android Community, are a few new features that make use of the sensors on the Galaxy S2.

The first of these features allows you to hold down on the screen and when you move the device towards or away from you, the webpage zooms in and out. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones

Acer Iconia Dual-Screen Touchbook Shipping April

March 29, 2011 by Leave a Comment

After a few months of seeing pictures of the Acer Iconia, we now hear it’s actually going to be shipping in the next few weeks.

The Iconia is a dual-screen Touchbook that allows users to work with two 14 inch touchscreens. When opened like a laptop, a virtual keyboard can be set on the lower screen while a regular OS running on the top screen.

The technical specs reveal that the device runs an Intel Core i5 chip. The operating system is Windows 7 and the screens are covered in Gorilla glass to make it extra strong. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Laptops

Impressive Quadrocopters Juggle Ball In the Air

March 29, 2011 by Leave a Comment

We’ve mentioned the quadrocopters before and how amazed we are at the speed and agility of them.

Today, we are even more impressed in that we now see a couple of quadrocopters working together to pass a small white ball back and forth through the air. When working alone, the quadrocopter can keep the ball in the air. If someone throws a ball at it, it can pass it back to the thrower. Accuracy doesn’t look to be quite 100%, but it certainly doesn’t look far from it as it might miss maybe 1 in 10 although that number is based on an edited video and not real numbers. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Flying Gadgets

Samsung Galaxy S II Prototype Spotted

March 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Thanks to gagadget, a prototype of the Galaxy S II has been pictured as well as captured on video (see embed below).

The device is believed to be a pre-production model which is close to the final version when it arrives. The two videos show the hardware and software running on the device, and from what we see and hear, it scores very well in the mini review. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones

Amazon Appstore Launches

March 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Amazon has launched its Appstore today and with that launch, it’s giving away a free download of the new Angry Birds Rio game. At the moment, Amazon has launched the app store in the US only and it isn’t known just yet when it will hit the UK and other countries.

With the launch of the appstore, Amazon is also giving away a paid app each day for free. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones

Work Begins on Nokia Windows Phone 7 Devices

March 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Nokia has begun working on the new Windows Phone 7 smartphones and expects to launch by the end of this year.

The confirmation comes from the Nokia CEO himself, Stephen Elop, when being interviewed by Reuters. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Cell Phones

Adobe Flash 10.2 for Mobile Now Available

March 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Adobe has released the latest version of Flash for Android smartphones and tablets. The new version is 10.2 and is available for download now, at the Android Market.

To run the new update, users need to be running either Android 2.2 (Froyo), or Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). Android 3.x is also compatible with the new update although you’ll need 3.0.1 to run it. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Tech News