Thursday, August 11, 2011

Facebook Rolls Out Changes to Chat, Other Experiments, Leads to Problems

8:01 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments


Facebook made changes to the Facebook Chat sidebar feature, several users are reporting. Now, your favorite online friends appear in the top section of Chat, with a separate list titled “More Online Friends” underneath. This makes it easier to find the Facebook friends you chat with often, more quickly and more easily than before.
However, we’ve also seen reports of some users getting a mini News Feed in their Chat sidebar, too. In this case, the News Feed appears above your contacts. This appears to be more of an experimental rollout.
Previously, the Facebook Chat sidebar presented your friends to you as one big list, sorted alphabetically by name, not by relevance to you. For what it’s worth, this is the Chat sidebar I still have in my Facebook profile, which indicates that the update is still in the process of being deployed as we speak.
Those who have received the new Chat update are seeing the Chat sidebar split in two, with a section containing those friends you most recently chatted with at the top, then a split, followed by a “More Online Friends” section below. There, the rest of your online contacts are displayed.
But that’s not all!
Although there are fewer tips coming in about this one, it appears that some users are seeing a more experimental sidebar which includes a mini News Feed at the top. This News Feed shows recent updates from your friends and the Facebook Pages you follow.
This makes it seem like you have two News Feeds, which can feel a bit odd.

Others report seeing fixed Facebook headers (the blue bar at the top – it doesn’t move when you scroll).

Alvito Falcon
Facebook has new design changes today! The header does nt scroll. And more updates above the chat on the right hand side!
Causing Problems?
It seems that the majority of these more oddball updates may be the result of “bucket” tests, where Facebook rolls out new features to a subset of its users, before deciding if or when it will roll those out to the rest of the install base.
The updates may also be the cause of the issues several people seem to be experiencing with the site this morning, which so far, include the inability to sign in, trouble using Facebook Connect, problems “liking” things, the inability to write on friends’ walls and the inability to post status updates.
"Sorry, unable to update your status. Try again in a few minutes." #FacebookFAIL

Francesco Gaminara
Today FB has decided that i can't "like" a thing :/ #FaceBookFail

madame Leto.
i've written 2 statuses that now i want to delete but facebook won't let me fml. #facebookfail

Seth Spears
What's wrong with #facebook today, questions won't work, database errors, all kinds of problems! #facebookfail

J Shallow-Miller
FB is not letting me post on walls & repond to posts. ugh! #facebookfail
We’ve reached out to Facebook PR for a comment and will update if we hear back.
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Sprint Pushes Kyocera Echo Gingerbread Update Again

7:59 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments



Sprint has started rolling out their second wave of Gingerbread updates for the Kyocera Echo, after having to pull the first one for fear of bricking devices. Taken straight from the Sprint website, there appear to be some extra goodies inside this update.
The software release upgrades Kyocera Echo to Android 2.3, Gingerbread. This version of Android improves download management through the Downloads application, offering the user easy access to any file downloaded from the browser, email or another application. It also implements Swype 3.0 adding two new capabilities: Tap Correction and Horizontal Word Choice List (predictive text).
Specific to Kyocera Echo, this software release will install Eco Mode, a new pre-loaded app that helps the user manage battery power life on the device. The user can pre-set a point at which the phone will go into a low-power consumption mode. When in Eco Mode, the phone will change various settings automatically, such as Screen Timeout, Display Brightness, Wallpaper, Auto-Sync, Haptic Feedback, and Auto-Rotate Screen so that the phone conserves power. The user can select which of these settings are implemented in Eco Mode.
As expected, Sprint got together with Kyocera to fix the old issue; there doesn’t seem to be any problem with this one. For all you Echo lovers out there, how goes the update? Let us know in the comments below!
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Sony and LG settle patent fight, sign cross-licensing deal

7:22 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments



(Reuters) - LG Electronics and Sony said on Thursday that they have resolved patent disputes between the two firms spanning smartphones, TVs and Blu-ray technology, with LG adding that they have signed a cross-licensing deal.

"LG and Sony recently agreed to drop patent infringement lawsuits against each other," a spokeswoman at South Korea's LG Electronics said. Sony confirmed this, but declined to comment further.
LG shares were up 1.3 percent, outperforming the Korea Composite Stock Price Index's (KOSPI) 1.7 percent fall, while Sony shares were down 2.7 percent, hitting a 2-1/2 year low, against a 1.5 percent drop in the benchmark Nikkei average.
Sony and LG have been embroiled in a string of bitter lawsuits on a wide range of products in Europe and the United States since the two technology giants failed to renew a technology sharing agreement that expired three years ago, a person familiar with the matter said.
Sony had filed a complaint against LG with the U.S. International Trade Commission, seeking to block LG from shipping its Rumor Touch and several other smartphones to the United States.
LG also told the commission that Sony's PlayStation 3 infringed its Blu-ray video technology.
The patent spat culminated in the seizure of PlayStation 3 game consoles by customs officers in the Netherlands following a court injunction by LG in March
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Motorola DEFY+ rocks 1GHz processor, Gingerbread; Coming to Germany in September

5:49 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments


It looks like Motorola still has plans for its rugged Android smartphone – Defy. Apparently the updated version of the device, dubbed DEFY+, will be released in Germany during the third week of September.
The information comes from the German website mobiFlip.de, which says that the local branch of O2 will get to sell the Android-powered device. The same site mentions the specs – the DEFY+ will rock a faster processor (1GHz vs 800MHz found in the original Defy) and pre-installed Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread instead of Froyo. Aside from that, rest of the guts will remain the same and so will the design. In that sense, expect identical 5-megapixel camera on the back, HSPA and Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS, Bluetooth and an array of “standard for an Android smartphone” sensors like compass and accelerometer.
Finally when it comes to the price, the Motorola DEFY+ will be sold for about 300 EUR unlocked. In other words, it will be available for free on contracts starting at 30 EUR per month or so.
[Via: GSMarena]
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Archos' Arnova 7 G2 and 10 G2 tablets launch in Hong Kong, taste like Gingerbread

5:44 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments


8-incher at the FCC, and now our brethren at Engadget Chinese are offering up a hands-on with two more second-gen Arnovas: the Arnova 7 G2 and 10 G2. These made-over slates best their predecessors with Gingerbread and capacitive touchscreens. The original 7-inch tablet ran Froyo while its big brother came with Eclair; both sported resistive displays. The pair will also see a spec bump in the processor department, with the inclusion of a 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 -- likely the same processor found in their 8-inch sibling. While we do have Hong Kong pricing -- HK$1,680 (or $215 US) and HK$1,980 (about $250 US) -- we've yet to land a release date. So, for now, we'll just stick with "coming soon to a retailer near you?" If the wait is too much to bear, hop on past the break for some hands-on love from our Chinese counterparts.
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Verizon sues workers union claiming harassment, sabotage

5:43 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments













NEW YORK — Verizon says striking workers have taken their demonstrations too far, and the telecommunications company is suing in five Eastern states to limit picketing and stop what it claims is harassment, possible sabotage and blocking access to its facilities.
Verizon workers picket outside one of the company's central offices Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, in Philadelphia.
The company sued Communications Workers of America leaders Wednesday in New York and got a court order Monday in Pennsylvania.
A Verizon Communication Inc. spokesman says the company got a similar order Wednesday in Delaware and has legal action going in New Jersey and Massachusetts.
A union spokeswoman didn't immediately return a phone call Wednesday. The union has said it doesn't condone illegal activity.
Some 45,000 Verizon landline workers struck Sunday from Massachusetts to Virginia.
The New York-based company says managers have filled in for the striking workers.

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Walmart dances around Apple’s in-app purchase rules with VUDU web app for iPad

5:39 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments


On Wednesday, Walmart subsidiary VUDU launched a new iPad-accessible web app that allows iPad users to stream more than 20,000 movies and television shows directly from the Web. iPad owners don’t have to use iTunes and simply need to navigate to http://VUDU.com for access to rentals and purchases. “VUDU’s launch on the iPad plays into that vision as we’re committed to offering the VUDU experience on as many devices as possible so customers can shop for and access their favorite movies and TV shows however they want, whenever they want,” general manager of VUDU Edward Lichty said. Customers can add a VUDU web app to their home screen by clicking the “Add to Home Screen” button once they have accessed the website. Read on for the full press release.
Walmart Brings VUDU’s Movie Streaming Service to iPad
More than 20,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics and independent films can be instantly streamed through VUDU.com on iPad
SANTA CLARA, Calif. and BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Walmart announced today the launch of VUDU for the iPad. VUDU, a leading subscription-free, video-on-demand movie service and wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart stores, has optimized the navigation experience of VUDU.com to enable millions of iPad owners to rent or buy entertainment content and then stream it easily through any iPad browser.
Beginning today, iPad users can go to VUDU.com and browse through VUDU’s entertainment content library, which includes more than 20,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics, independent films and TV episodes, then rent or purchase and watch them instantly. For one touch access to VUDU, customers can add a VUDU icon to their iPad desktops by clicking the “Add to Home Screen” button when on VUDU.com.
“At Walmart, one of our key priorities is to provide one continuous experience for our customers to interact with our brand — whether that is in stores, online or from their mobile devices,” said Edward Lichty, general manager, VUDU. “VUDU’s launch on the iPad plays into that vision as we’re committed to offering the VUDU experience on as many devices as possible so customers can shop for and access their favorite movies and TV shows however they want, whenever they want.”
Movies purchased and/or rented on the iPad can also be viewed on Walmart.com/VUDU, VUDU.com or on any VUDU-enabled consumer electronics device. VUDU is currently available on more than 300 consumer electronics devices including Internet-capable HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc players and the PlayStation 3 — more than any other pay-per-view service.
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Samsung Galaxy S Plus hands-on and benchmarks

5:38 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

All eyes may be on the Samsung Galaxy S II right now, but the Korean company believes there’s some life left in its best-selling predecessor. The Samsung Galaxy S Plus GT-I9001 was officially announced at the end of March, a 1.4GHz upgrade to the original Hummingbird phone, and Android Community caught up with Vodafone UK today to grab some playtime and run some early benchmarks.


Outwardly, there’s little to differentiate the 119g Galaxy S Plus from the Galaxy S before it: the same plastic casing, 4-inch WVGA Super AMOLED display, reasonably slimline chassis and 5-megapixel camera on the back. You also get the same front-facing camera, 8GB of internal storage – with a microSD card slot to boost that by up to 32GB – and Android 2.3 Gingerbread with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI.
What’s different is processor speed and battery life. Samsung has overclocked the original 1GHz chip to 1.4GHz so as to bring it more in line with the performance we’ve seen from dual-core devices, but it’s also managed to extend battery life at the same time. In fact, the company reckons the Galaxy S Plus will last 24-percent longer than the regular S.

We took the opportunity to run a couple of benchmarks on the phone, starting with Quadrant Standard. The Galaxy S Plus scored 1241, a neat bump on top of the Galaxy S. Then we turned to Vellamo, Qualcomm’s mobile browser benchmarking tool, which combines various web-centric tests into one. Here, the Galaxy S Plus scored 829, slotting in-between the HTC EVO 3D and the HTC Sensation, an impressive boost over original phone.

In short, while you’re not getting the very best specs of the day, you’re getting a phone that needs no third-party ROMs to achieve a turn of speed. Vodafone will be offering the Galaxy S Plus imminently in the UK, priced from free with a new, 24-month agreement at £31 per month ($50) including 600 voice minutes, unlimited messaging, 500MB of data and 2GB of inclusive BT OpenZone WiFi hotspot use.
Meanwhile, we’re giving away a pair of Vodafone Galaxy S II handsets over at SlashGear, so head over to see how you can win!
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Supersonic Released In The Android Market – Get Your Adrenaline Fix

12:27 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments





Supersonic was released onto the Android Market a few days ago and looks like a good time waster for those looking to get their speed fix. Gameplay is simple. You’re placed into a tunnel of light where you speed through a course filled with a techno soundtrack, gaining speed boosts, all while using your phone’s accelerometer to maneuver in and out of obstacles. Not as easy as it sounds, trust me.

Speaking of speed, the game does share some eerie similarities to another Android favorite, Speedx 3D with the only difference being the higher amount of polish and eye candy Supersonic has over the competition. Of course, this graphical flare will come at the cost of performance for some older devices so keep that in mind. The developer shouldn’t suffer in Market ratings because of it. So if you have a newer device and cat like reflexes you can download Supersonic for free in the Android Market right now.
[Market Link]
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