Pioneer Electronics brings iControlAV2 app to Android users

If you are an Android user that has Pioneer home theater or audio components in your home the company has announced it previously iOS only app is now available for Android. The app is called iControlAV2 and is a free download. The app will only work with compatible gear and the full list of compatible products is on the Android Market app page.

The app does require Android 2.2 or higher device to operate. If your receiver and Android device is compatible the app allows you to control all sorts of functions of the app from across the room including volume, bass, balance, and room settings. You can change inputs and control the volume of individual components as well.
Receivers with the ability to be controlled by the app are available now starting at $549. The app will not work with any Pioneer devices launched before March of 2011. Android devices the app is confirmed to work on include the HTC Desire / HTC EVO 4G / SAMSUNG GALAXY S / MOTOROLA DROID X. The app requires a wireless network to operate and the receiver needs to be web connected via WiFi or Ethernet.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 injunction upheld in Germany

Samsung has been denied relief from the injunction that Apple won against the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany. The courts in Düsseldorf presiding over the case upheld the injunction against Samsung and Netbook News reports that the judge in the case didn’t need much time to make the ruling. Apparently, the judge remarked that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 “smooth, simple surfaces” copied the minimalistic design of the iPad 2.

The end result of the ruling is that Germans wanting the Galaxy Tab 10.1 still can’t get hands on one without importing. It’s worth noting that the initial ruling that banned the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in all of Europe is not in force. The Galaxy Tab 7.7 was pulled from display at IFA 2011 and the display for the tablet was covered with a sheet recently due to the Apple injunction against the Tab 10.1 tablet. That is a signal that the legal war might spill over onto other products in the Samsung line.
Samsung has noted that the design of the Tab 7.7 isn’t finalized. It would seem that a redesign to change the style of the tablet is in order. So far, there have been no public comments from Samsung or Apple on the injunction being upheld. I am sure there will be more detail surfacing on this in the coming weeks.
[via SlashGear]

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Barnes & Noble Hosting Nook Color Workshop – Hopes To Ramp-Up App Development

Barnes & Noble isn’t ready to give up on the Nook Color just yet. Apparently, the company looks to spur more Nook Color application development for the pseudo tablet/e-reader by hosting a Nook Developer Workshop at this years App Developers Conference in Santa Clara, CA. The conference takes place in October and the Nook Color Developer team will be on hand for the workshop taking developers through the entire development process of creating apps for Android powered B&NNC. Things like app submission and approval process and utilizing Nook Color API’s. They’re enticing developers with the possibility of making big bucks seeing how the top-selling apps for the NC grossed more than $100,000 within the first 30 days of being launched. Color me impressed.
Thanks, Mark!
[Via AppDevConf]

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Apple slides, Samsung and HTC gain share in August [infographic]

Samsung, HTC and Motorola showed the biggest market share gains among major manufacturers in August, while Apple’s share slid slightly. New data from mobile ad network Chitika’s the research division, Chitika Insights, lays out August’s manufacturer market share based on traffic over the company’s network. According to its data, Apple maintained its overwhelming lead last month, though usage of the iPhone slid to 49.37% from 50.03% in July — the second biggest drop among all manufacturers last month. HTC held strong in the No. 2 position, inching up to 18.93%, and Motorola came in at No. 3 with 11.53%. At No. 4, Samsung showed the most growth between July and August, gaining 0.63% last month for a 9.68% share of the market. RIM’s BlackBerry phones lost the most ground in July, sliding 0.9% to a 2.47% share. An infographic outlining Chitika’s data follows below.

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Google Maps for Android updated to version 5.10

Google has issued an update to the Google Maps app for Android smartphones. The update bumps the version number up to 5.10, and adds two new features. The map will now display Places that you have rated four or five stars, and you can now attach photos to reviews of Places. The new version of Google Maps is available in the Android Market now.
source: Android Market

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Google launches web app for Google Music beta

Google Music Beta has been out for awhile now, and so far only Android users have been able to use the service on their mobile devices. Well, it looks like that restriction is now over. Google has officially announced the launch of the web app version of Google Music Beta which can be accessed from iOS devices. I haven’t had the chance to try it out yet, but from reports online, it sure looks promising.
Users can control their music using the web interface that features swiping gestures and buttons. When users exit Safari, the iOS music controls can also be used to control the music. There’s no official word on whether a native app is going to appear for the platform, but with web apps this functional, it’s hard to see the need for it. How many of you have tried out the Google Music Beta web app yet? Just head over to the Google Music Beta site from your iOS device to give it a shot.

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Vestel delivers Android gaming to your living room

Granted, if you want a true blue gaming experience in your living room, either you go with a desktop computer that has been rigged out, or you might want to settle for a home console instead. Games on the smartphone platform just do not quite make the cut IMHO, as they are more or less casual fodder to kill a few minutes of your time – epic gaming on smartphones are still far and few in between, which made me wonder how come Vestel intends to deliver Android games to your TV – is there something else they know that we don’t?
I suppose it is too early to judge whether Vestel’s offerings will be able to live up to expectations of hardcore gamers, but Vestel did describe their service to be “the world’s first all-you-can-eat Android TV game subscription service,” where GameTanium will enable Vestel Smart Box set-top box owners to be able to enjoy a slew of games which have been optimized for TV play – and no surprise here, your Android smartphone will then function as a controller.
At least Vestel figured out you might be getting an important phone call while you play, which is why they have paved the way for you to switch between your PC, smartphone, tablet or HDTV seamlessly, continuing where you last left off. [Press Release]

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Asus Eee Slate B121 business tablet

Love getting all dressed up in a suit, and heading off to corporate meetings is your cup of tea? Well, then make sure you have the right kind of tablet device to go along with you, and an iPad is way too casual, while the BlackBerry PlayBook does have an air of authority, the lack of decent apps have proved to be its Achilles’ Heel. Hopefully Asus’ latest Eee Slate B121 business tablet will not suffer from that fate, as it intends to deliver power, portability and security features in a single device, targeting businesses, health care facilities, and other institutions as the market of choice.
You will not find Android running here, but rather, the Intel Core i5-470UM processor will be there to keep a copy of the Windows 7 Professional operating system chugging along nicely, delivering PC-like performance on-the-go. The clever use of an ultra-low voltage Intel Core i5 processor allows the B121 to remain a mere 0.67” thin, tipping the scales at only 2.56 lbs.

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BlackBerry Curve 9350 reportedly delayed until October

Sprint is moving the launch of the BlackBerry Curve 9350 smartphone back by a month, according to Phone Arena’s sources. The company has reportedly sent out an internal memo to employees informing them of the change of plans.
RIM unveiled the BlackBerry Curve 9350 in August this year and the phone was set to be launched on Friday. The phone has a non-touchscreen 2.44-inch screen with a resolution of 360×480 pixels and a 5-megapixel camera. It is expected to be priced at $80 with a two-year contract with Sprint. The memo seems to have given no reason for the delay.Engadget

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