Thursday, February 3, 2011

Updates to Honeycomb on Nook Color, Fixes Many Issues

2:12 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

So a few days ago, we saw Honeycomb running on the Nook color successfully, and had most of the issues worked out, though there were still some kinks. And while we still don’t have root access to it, as it turns out Honeycomb is now running, quite well, quite stable, on the Nook Color, and is available in one easy download. XDA-Developers have been working hard on this project, and have brought the Android-based e-reader into the realm where it can adequately compete with tablets on shelves at twice the price. They’ve come a long way in making this e-reader quite worthy of purchase for those looking for an Android tablet, and I admit…I’ve got my eye on it myself.

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Want To Root Your Samsung Galaxy S, Captivate And Vibrant In One Click?

2:10 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

There are a number of reasons that some might want to root their Android devices.  Among them may be improvement in the speed and stability department, boosting performance to a height you would have never reached, had you not been rooted.  Some may do it to gain access to easy tethering capabilities.  Further still, some may take the plunge to gain a new function or UI application such as a new keyboard or menu option.
Whatever the reason, we want to let Samsung Galaxy S users  know that they don’t have to be scared of the “R” word any longer.  Times are changing and the method used to root a device is not the same as it once was when the Android platform initially kicked off.  
Thanks to some pretty swift and dedicated developers, it’s getting easier and easier all of the time to gain root access to your device.  Our friends over at The Unlockr were generous enough to create a pretty cool and easy tutorial, with video, to assist you in executing the process for several devices in the Galaxy S line, including the Captivate and T-Mobile’s Vibrant.  You can also check out more info on rooting these devices here at the XDA forums, an excellent resource for all things rooted.  Follow the easy instructions and you’ll be on your way in no time to rooting your device, giving you more access, better performance, new applications and ample control over your smartphone.  Plus, you’ll be a sure in with the ladies as your title status will get bumped to “hacker”.  In addition, if you’re looking to “unroot” your device, XDA has a nice little section as well that might be of good use to you.  Let us know what you think about rooting in the comments below.  And check out our previous post on rooting when you get the opportunity, where one developer argues that “rooting is openness“.
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T-Mobile’s G-Slate Packs A Serious Punch, 3D and HD capable, available ‘this Spring’

2:09 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

The salivation express is coming back around again and this time it has its eyes on the T-Mobile G-Slate.  First announced at CES in January, it’s a definite formidable opponent to the Moto Xoom and most certainly worthy enough to take on what’s its face, you know, the one whose company is named after a fruit?  On paper, we have to admit, this device is coming to the forefront packing some serious heat.  The device, upon release in “the coming months“, will tout HSPA+ 4G speeds (21-42 mb/s), a high definition 8.9″ 3D-capable multi-touch display, ability to record in 3D and full HD video.  

In addition, the Slate also supports 720p HD on-device video playback and HDMI output to show 1080p content on 3D and HD displays.   As we mentioned before, the device will be powered by Nvidia’s Tegra 2 dual core processor.  Furthermore, the device will ship with 32 GB of internal storage space, Honeycomb (Android 3.0), and some funky old fashioned 3D glasses to take it all in.  Check out the video below for a quick preview of what’s to come with the T-Mobile G-Slate.

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Google Event Announced ‘In-App” Purchases Coming To The Android Market

2:05 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

As we mentioned earlier today, and then later followed up with, by our own Micheal Murphy, Google held a Honeycomb event, where the company presented some new and upcoming features.  Honeycomb wasn’t the only news at the event however, as Hugo Barra handed the mic over to Chris Yerga, Android’s Engineering Director for cloud services.  Yerga kicked off his portion of the conference by stating that they were making changes to the market, changes that will “meet the needs” of both users and developers.  One such change will be In-App purchases.  We should expect to see things like purchasing music, upgrading to other versions of apps, adding extra levels or content to applications and even using virtual currencies, all within other apps.
Disney Mobile was also present at the conference as they showed In-App purchasing in action with their Tap Tap Revenge application.  Yerga showed, while in the application itself, the ability to purchase a song from the market.  It doesn’t take a genius to see how this can benefit both users and developers alike.  Let us know what you think in the comments below.  And if you missed the event earlier, no problem, you can hit the break where we’ve embedded the video from Google’s YouTube Page for you to view it in its entirety.

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Swiftkey bringing tablet-specific keyboard to Honeycomb

2:00 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

The folks over at Swiftkey are hard at work developing a version of their popular keyboard application specifically for tablets to launch alongside Honeycomb later this month.
The awesome looking tron-esque keyboard is shaking things up a bit by placing a full numeric keypad in the middle of the letter keys when in landscape mode. Though strange at first glance, this move actually makes sense when you think about it. The letters will be close to where your hands will naturally be placed when holding a tablet in landscape mode, which has the potential typing much easier.
We’ll have a more hands-on review of the tablet version of Swiftkey once it launches, but this is certainly one keyboard replacement I’m eagerly looking forward to testing out on whatever Honeycomb tablet I pick up in coming months.
For those who have yet to hear about Swiftkey, check out our impressions of the initial app release here. In short, Swiftkey’s insanely accurate text-prediction make typing much faster than the stock keyboard, though still slower than Swype. All in all, there’s much to get excited about for the Swiftkey tablet application due out in coming weeks.


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Wednesday, February 2, 2011

T-Mobile LG G-Slate details unveiled, coming in March

8:10 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

 


It’s been nearly a month since T-Mobile and LG announced the G-Slate Honycomb tablet. The only problem? They really didn’t give us any details about the device. Fortunately, T-Mobile has finally decided to pull back the curtain and reveal the tablet’s specifications.
As expected, the LG G-Slate will be powered by a dual-core 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. Other specifications include a 5 MP camera with LED flash, stereoscopic rear-facing video camera capable of recording 1080p 3D video, a front-facing 2 MP camera for video chat, support for T-Mobile HSPA+ 4G network, and a 8.9-inch capacitive display capable of playing back your 3D videos. Keep in mind, you’ll need to wear a pair of 3D glasses in order to enjoy any 3D content on the LG G-Slate. To top things off, LG has equipped the G-Slate with an astounding 32 GB of internal storage.
T-Mobile’s announcement made a vague reference to a spring launch, though they did not have any details to share on the tablet’s price. Fortunately, LG has has revealed that they expect the LG G-Slate to launch in the U.S. this March.


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Dell Venue has been rooted

7:58 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

Although this device is primarily used in India and South Korea, the Dell Venue has been rooted. The process for gaining root access on the Dell Venue is easy enough. All you need to do is download the drivers as well as Superoneclick root application.
Here’s what you need to do:
  1. Download the driver file from Dell. (A Windows-based PC is required)
  2. Connect your phone to your PC.
  3. Install R291096.exe.
  4. Download SuperOneClickv1.5.1-ShortFuse
  5. Open SuperOneClick and tap the ROOT button.
  6. Enjoy!
You can also reference the XDA Developers thread here if needed.

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Verizon sending mass text message in regards to DL09 emergency calling bug

7:54 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments


Samsung recently acknowledged the bug from the DL09 update that broke the emergency calling functionality when the Samsung Fascinate was locked with a pattern.
With that, Verizon has starting sending out text messages to affected users in regards to the issue. Here’s what  Big Red had to say:
Free VZW Msg(s) – Use of your emergency call button on your Fascinate phone with software SCH-i500.DL09 may not work while the phone is locked. A software fix will be pushed to your device soon. Until available, disable pattern lock to ensure emergency calls can be placed. To check your software version press Applications>Settings>About phone and view Build number. Only version SCHi-500.DL09 is impacted by this issue. Versions SCH-i500.DI01 and SCH-i500.DH12 are functioning properly. To disable pattern lock press Applications>Settings>Location & Security and remove check from Require Pattern.
From this message, it appears that Verizon will have another update available soon to fix this issue. Fascinate users, remember to keep pattern locking disabled for now and keep your eyes peeled for the update.


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Google’s Honeycomb Event Kicks Off Today, Watch It Live!

7:47 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

As we mentioned a few days ago, our inbox was graced with an invite from Google to attend their headquarters in Mountain View for an “in depth” look at Honeycomb.  And though we’ve seen a bit of the new OS at CES, we’re looking forward to grabbing a bigger tidbit from the event.  Well, that day is here and we’re all underway.  If you’re not able to attend the event in person, Google will be streaming the event live at 1pm eastern on the search giant’s YouTube page.  There’s also a big chat that                      we’ll hear more on    the new online Android Market and music services.  Enjoy!                
                                        

                                                                     
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