Thursday, February 3, 2011

Samsung releasing Droid Pro competitor with qwerty style for Sprint

2:21 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments



Here we have what looks like a combination of the Motorola Droid Pro and the old Samsung Jack full qwerty from a few years ago. Both devices were Blackberry form factor competitors, and now we have Samsung looking to re-enter that ring with this device. It’s got a larger screen than the Jack had, more closer to the screen size of the Droid Pro. That’s about it for specs, as we don’t know what this device is just yet, other than the shape, the Android OS and the Sprint logo. Perhaps we’ll hear more about this and many other Samsung devices at MWC in a couple weeks time.
Have a look at the pics below for another (blurry) look.

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Dropcam Receives An Android App, Available For Download In The Market

2:18 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

Dropcam, a popular consumer video monitoring system, now allows you to use their monitoring service via an Android app.  The service works by integrating itself with your WiFi network, allowing you to fully monitor that which is important to you, remotely.  The set up is simple, utilizing hardware made by a company called Axis.  There are two models to choose from.  One is a standard Dropcam camera, only offering video capture, that will run you $200 bucks.   The second model will run you $280 bucks, the Dropcam Echo, which allows you to capture both audio and video.
The service allows you to monitor remotely from a PC or your mobile phone for free.  However, the company offers an extended version of their service which gives you full access to DVR capabilities, beginning at $8.95.  Sounds like a small price to pay for peace of mind.  Head on over to our apps database for more info on the app and check out Dropcam’s site for even more details.

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Samsung Fascinate gets Froyo the XDA developers way

2:14 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

It’s Unofficial – the Samsung Fascinate is finally running Froyo, albeit from the bright minds over at XDA-Developers.  User “punk.kaos” managed to compile together the latest leaked Froyo ROM (DL30) for the Fascinate and has it available for download.  It’s pre-rooted, and has all the normal Verizon/Samsung bloatware included so you can get the full experience of removing it as soon as the system loads!
Keep in mind that installing your own ROM can brick your phone if done improperly, so tinker at your own risk – especially since this dev is offering absolutely no support (or even requests for that matter) – so mod with caution!  Head on over to the xda-developers forum to grab it and let us know how it works out for you in the comments!
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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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