Google Maps 5.0 is launching for Android based smartphones. New features that Maps 5.0 brings to the smartphone is 3D buildings, faster load times as well as an offline mode. The compass also plays a part in that the map can rotate to the direction you are currently facing.

Google [GOOG] managed to get the 3D buildings and realtime renderings thanks to using a far smaller file size. The buildings are drawn in vectors and overall, the data is about 100 times smaller which allows for faster loading and smoother scrolling. [Read more…]

The smart people at XDA-Developers are now working on porting Android 2.3 to the HTC Evo 4G. The port started as soon as the SDK became available. However, at the moment, don’t get too excited as it really doesn’t work and isn’t usable.

At the time of writing this post, the Android 2.3 is on Build 4. It started at build 1 where a message on the forums said “almost everything doesn’t work” although it does boot and the screen works. Moving up to build 4 and a few of the bugs are being ironed out. [Read more…]

Fring has introduced a new technology to its services called DVQ. DVQ means Dynamic Video Quality, and by adding this service it allows for users making video calls to get the best possible video quality for the quality of connection they have at the time.

DVQ technology automatically, and continuously during a call, adjusts your video call quality to match your internet bandwidth at all times, giving you the best video and audio quality possible for your connectivity.

That means that rather than ‘making do’ with a basic, fixed video quality call, you get an optimized video quality that matches your calls’ available bandwidth. In math terms, our dev guys have gone from ‘lowest common denominator’ to best possible– wherever you are’.

[Read more…]

Yesterday was a good day for Android fans as we saw the Android 2.3 OS being made available to Nexus One owners and we also got the Nexus S release date which is confirmed as being December 16 in the US and December 20 in the UK.

We also now know the price tag for the Nexus S and have found that in the US, it will be priced at $199 locked on contract for 2 years or if you prefer it unlocked and off contract, it costs $529. Best Buy in the US will have exclusive rights to sell the Nexus S. [Read more…]

The Google Nexus S release date has been revealed as December 16 in the US and December 20 in the UK.

The Nexus S was made official today by Google. The device is made by Samsung and has a 4 inch WVGA screen. The processor running inside is a 1GHz Cortex A8 Himmingbird. It has 512MB of RAM and 16GB of storage built in. [Read more…]

You might have heard already today that Android 2.3 has been announced. We now hear that the Nexus One Android 2.3 update is now being pushed out. From what we understand, the update brings all features to the Nexus One other than what requires new hardware such as NFC and Gyroscope. [Read more…]

Google has announced the Android 2.3 operating system today along with releasing the 2.3 SDK/NDK.

Android 2.3 brings a number of new features to compatible smartphones such as better support for games and better support for developers. Also included is VoIP support, video calling for those devices with a front facing camera as well as a gyroscope and NFC integration (as suggested earlier). [Read more…]

Android 2.3 is rumored to be announced as early as today. To further strengthen this “rumor”, the NFC forums new certification program will be announced tomorrow. A short, but insightful message reads…

“6th December is another big day for Android and you will find out how fast Notion Ink can work. (Eden is extremely compatible with 2.3).”

[Read more…]

The Sprint Epic 4G is now getting the Android 2.2 update (in the form of Android 2.2.1).

The files are beginning to make it to Epic 4G smartphones in the US right now although if you haven’t got it just yet then don’t worry as it will arrive sometime soon for you. [Read more…]

Viber is a VOiP iPhone app that allows you to make free phone calls to other Viber users wherever they are around the globe. The app requires no in-app purchase to be made and all you do is simply install it and use it.

The application works over WiFi and 3G and allows you to run the app in the background and receive calls when needed. [Read more…]

The mysterious White iPhone 4 that never arrived on time might actually have a new release date. The release date hasn’t been announced by Apple [AAPL], but was spotted on some official signage in an Apple store as having a launch date sometime in the Spring of 2011.

What this means is that the iPhone 5 could also be launching about the same time. Other rumours/suggestions hint that the iPhone launched next year might instead just be a minor update that will increase the speed, perhaps RAM, and perhaps antenna of the device but yet, still have the same design, ie Just like the iPhone 3GS did to the 3G. [Read more…]

Someone has managed to get hold of a Playstation Phone and give a very brief demo. The good side is that this is the clearest video we have seen of the Playstation Phone, but at the same time, no games are available to show being played on it.

The video shows the phone opened up with the control pad section opened up. The user then taps on a Playstation icon which loads up the PS library. Once in there it says on screen that there are no content items. [Read more…]