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Android Users Can Now Bypass The Kindle App To Download EBooks

admin — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:12:07 +0000

A new Android Market section was recently unveiled that features eBook downloads. The best reading experience will result when the electronic books are downloaded to Android 3.0 tablet computers. The new assortment of electronic books from Google is also available for a PC, the Nook device from Barnes & Noble, and the Reader from Sony.

Anyone who has already purchased a Motorola Xoom tablet will see a tab labeled “Books” when entering the Android Market. This tab will be available to every to-be-released tablet that runs on Android 3.0, dubbed Honeycomb. Users of other devices can find it on the Android Market Web site on the books subpage.

Though the platform was designed for Gingerbread tablets, nearly any Android device can access the Google Books app. Other eReaders, except for the Kindle, can also access the area. EBooks offered in this section feature prices comparable with those on other eBook platforms. Similar to operations on the Kindle, a user can download a book on one device and access it on another without needing to re-purchase or re-download anything.

Filtering options for reviewing the catalog of titles include new arrivals, category, top-sellers, and New York Times Bestsellers. The store contains millions of books, organized into categories like science fiction, romance, politics and current events, sports, and travel. Users can also find books regarding areas of interest such as lifestyle and home, parenting and families, business and investing, and cooking, food, and wine.

Some of the eBooks in the Android Market are available at no charge. These include classics like The Scarlet Letter, Pride and Prejudice, and Great Expectations. Android device users will never be lacking some good reads, whether they opt for free eBooks or those that cost between about $6 and $20 each. Users even have the ability to search for their favorite books by title or author.

Dell Streak 10 Will Run On Android 3.0

admin — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:33:04 +0000

Dell announced its Streak tablet computer at CES in January and it recently revealed that Streak will run on the Android 3.0 operating system, dubbed Honeycomb. The official name of the tablet will be the Dell Streak 10, announced the company during its fourth quarter fiscal earnings call earlier this week. There is no official release date for the 10-inch tablet, other than 2011.

The company is also developing other tablets running on either Windows 7 or Android. A business-centric Windows 7 tablet will be released later this year. Reports from Android Central and WPCentral claim that a tablet running on Windows 8 is also in development. These two groups managed to get their hands on the 2011 tablet and smartphone lineup for Dell.

When the groups read the report, the release date for the Dell Streak 10 was discovered to be sometime around April. Smartphones in production by Dell include the Wrigley, a vertical slider phone with a QWERTY keyboard running Windows Phone 7 and due for release in April. The report also included other smartphone development timelines for the remainder of 2011.

Also featured in the report are devices that run on the yet-to-be-released Android OS called Ice Cream. Smartphones with this OS are planned for release around September. In January 2012, the company hopes to offer three more tablet computers. Silver Oak and Opus One will run on Android’s Honeycomb OS and the Peju will run on Windows 8.

An April release date for the Dell Streak 10 tablet computer would coincide with the reported release of the iPad 2. This is a bold move for Dell, considering the success of the first-generation Apple tablet. If the increasing popularity of the Android platform is any indicator, the Streak 10 may be more popular than anyone expects, paving the way for Android domination of the tablet market.

90 new APIs Released For Android By Samsung

admin — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:07:41 +0000

Samsung has added 90 new application programming interfaces (APIs) to its Android implementation. This includes Android 3.0, a version of the mobile operating system designed for tablet computers. All of the new APIs are available on Samsung tablets and smartphones. Included are those that increase the management and security of mobile devices.

Sybase Afaria mobile management software from SAP is among the third party applications that support the new APIs. Calgary Scientific, Citrix, Samsung SDS, and Cisco Systems are other vendors supporting the APIs on the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer, which includes Android 3.0, and the Galaxy S II phone running Android 2.3. The applications deal with messaging, health care, virtualization, security, and unified communications.

The new code released by Samsung will take the form of a ROM upgrade for various existing products. During the first half of 2011, the Sybase Afaria Advanced Enterprise Security application, which encompasses enterprise security and management of mobile devices, will be available. The new APIs added by Samsung pertain to functions like password controls, on-device encryption, Bluetooth, the microphone, and the camera.

With these new APIs and key vendor support, a wide range of apps will perform seamlessly on the new flagship smartphone from Samsung, the Galaxy S II. These apps include syncing of tasks, contacts, calendar, and email between Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and a corporate Exchange Server. Galaxy Tab users will also get new capabilities via third-party applications like a hosted collaborative decision making app called SAP StreamWork.

One division of Samsung even worked on its own project regarding the APIs. Samsung SDS, the IT unit of the company, collaborated with SAP to develop the Samsung Mobile Business Intelligence Dashboard. This leverages the business intelligence software from SAP called Business Objects. With the dashboard, mobile users can get out-of-the-box, speedy access to reports covering information like inventory, customer accounts, and revenue.

Sonos Controller For Android App

admin — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:31:20 +0000

Sonos makes a multi-room wireless music system that allows people to play digital music throughout the home without using cables or cords. These systems are easy to use and provide instant access to an endless amount of music. People can play songs stored on their computer, access free Internet radio stations, or use the many online music services.

Android smartphone owners who have these systems can now control their Sonos wireless audio experience using their phones. The Sonos Controller for Android pairs with the wireless Sonos 5 to provide access to the personal and Internet music libraries. Users can play their music wirelessly in any room of the home, controlling the show from the phone.

The new app features a new Sonos innovation called music voice search. An individual can locate an album, artist, or music track simply by speaking into the phone. The app can also control volume levels, adjusting these within different rooms individually. Parents can listen to their music at respectable levels while the kids blare the sound in another room.

Sonos systems provide synchronous music and cover an entire home, whether it is a small cabin or a massive three-story structure. Sources of wireless interference are avoided, allowing music to reach all the desired rooms at the expected time. This system is instantly expandable and no wires are required to increase the reach of the sound. Designers created the Sonos 5 to work out of the box, requiring only a high-speed Internet connection and a wireless router.

Sonos Controller for Android is scheduled for a late March release date. This means that anyone who was considering purchasing this rather expensive wireless music system should make haste. It will not take long for people to install their new systems, allowing them to be ready, with their Android phones in hand, well before this app is released.

Accessing Android Apps From Non-Android Devices

admin — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:41:29 +0000

Swiss mobile applications software company Myriad is about to make history. At the Mobile World Congress next week, it will unveil the Alien Dalvik virtual machine solution that allows Android software to run on phones with other operating systems. This product will help Android carriers and app developers reach a wider audience, increasing their revenues.

The truth is, all Android apps really run in what is called a virtual machine (VM). Google named its Dalvik and it is similar to the Java Virtual Machine included in a desktop computer. The virtual machine on Android phones is a constrained computer software implementation using software code. Apps that are in a virtual machine are segregated from the other apps as well as from the operating system, enhancing security.

Like the Google Dalvik VM, Alien Dalvik supports Android apps. However, it can run on non-Android devices. The first devices supported by Alien Dalvik will be the MeeGo phones from Nokia, planned to be revealed next week and shipped at a later date. Both these devices and Android are Linux-based, as is the webOS from Palm, possibly a future target.

Dalvik is a controversial thing. Google was sued by Oracle in October 2010 over Dalvik VM. In the active suit, Oracle claims that the implementation from Google includes code stolen from the Java VM by Sun. In 2009, Sun Microsystems was purchased by Oracle and the company now owns the Java code and virtualization technology. It is unknown whether Alien Dalvik contains any code under contention.

Some people own mobile phones that have access to only a small number of apps. If Alien Dalvik does what it purports to do and Myriad is unaffected by the Oracle issue, those consumers could soon have access to the Android Market. The wider audience should draw developers and carriers installing Alien Dalvik on non-Android phones may get the competitive advantage they seek.

Android Largely Responsible For 74 Percent Smartphone Shipment Increase

admin — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 20:14:39 +0000

In 2010, there was an impressive 74.4 percent increase in smartphone shipments, largely due to the growing popularity of Android devices. IDC, a market research firm, reported that smartphone shipments total 302.6 million units last year. During the fourth quarter alone, 100.9 million smartphones were shipped by vendors, an 87.2 increase from fourth quarter 2009 shipments.

Nokia, the market leader, saw its piece of the pie decrease from 39 percent during 2009 to 33.1 percent in 2010. RIM also saw a decline in market share between 2009 and 2010, slipping from 20 percent to 16.1 percent. Apple managed to increase its share of shipments worldwide from 14.5 to 15.7 percent, partly due to the release of the iPhone 4.

However, the real winners were HTC and Samsung, makers of smartphones running on the Android operating system. Their shares increased sharply during 2010, representing 18.1 percent market share, combined. IDC senior research analyst Ramon Llamas listed Android’s growth as a driver of the worldwide smartphone market. It is something that few people saw coming, largely overshadowed by the popularity of iOS from Apple.

Market leader Symbian is finding Android to be a major challenger, seemingly overnight. Powerhouse Nokia backs Symbian but multiple vendors sell phones that run Android. These include Samsung, Motorola, LG Electronics, and HTC. More companies are joining this list every day because consumers are demanding the Android platform and to capture the market, smartphone manufacturers must deliver.

This year should be another big one for Android, despite competition from Apple and Windows Phone 7. As more kinds of phones come out running Android, consumers will be drawn to the platform. Even those who never considered owning an Android phone may find themselves doing so because of the great features, numerous apps, and pleasant user experience characterizing these devices.

Android Device Augmented Reality Coverage For The Big Game From USA Today

admin — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:42:32 +0000

The biggest football game of the year is on February 6 and many people are boiling over with excitement. Each year, media coverage of the event seems to grow tenfold and this year is proving no different. USA TODAY recently announced its coverage, designed to meet the needs of Android device users. The media outlet is taking advantage of augmented reality technology.

Beginning on Friday, USA TODAY will offer its augmented reality coverage, which will continue until the start of the game on Sunday. Android device owners can download an Android Market app to take part in the action. The app allows the user to tour Dallas Cowboys stadium as if they were there. Jerry Jones does an introduction and the tour includes highlights from outside and inside the stadium.

On Monday, once the game is over and the champion has been declared, USA TODAY will still be covering the situation. It will offer augmented reality images capturing key plays and highlights of the historical faceoff. When individuals point their Android devices at photographs contained in the Monday hard copy edition of USA TODAY, they will receive animated 3D views of these plays.

An app developed by juanio is being used to power the augmented reality. USA TODAY hopes that taking advantage of cutting-edge technology will stimulate its newspaper sales. The industry has been hard-hit by the release of Android smartphones and tablets used to get news electronically. Some newspapers now offer free or paid apps for reading their publications online.

USA TODAY is taking a hybrid approach to the news. It allows users to download an app that provides great coverage of the big game, combining this with a move designed to increase sales of its hard copy newspaper. If this endeavor proves successful, other news giants may soon follow in its path, once again revolutionizing the way we get our news.

Android To Be 2011 Focus Of AT&T

admin — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:54:37 +0000

The word is officially out- AT&T will no longer be the exclusive wireless carrier for the Apple iPhone. As of mid-February, Verizon Wireless will also be providing service for the popular smartphone. This increased competition has caused AT&T to make some adjustments to its 2011 strategies. Good news for Android, as AT&T plans to focus on the platform this year.

Before the end of 2011, AT&T will reportedly be releasing no less than a dozen new Android smartphones. In addition, it will launch 20 or more 4G devices before the end of this year. Based on this information, it seems the carrier will be quite busy for the next eleven months. Customers will benefit from the wider selection of Android-based devices at prices that are, hopefully, reasonable.

AT&T is a bit behind the times when it comes to the movement toward Android. It has spent much time promoting the iPhone and other devices. However, the popularity of Android has led to increased AT&T customer demand for devices that run on this platform. In response, AT&T will reportedly release Android phones from Samsung, HTC, and Motorola in the near future.

Other Android smartphones will follow later this year, but that is not all that AT&T has up its sleeve. Reportedly, AT&T will add Android tablet computers to its lineup. This will be an interesting situation, given that the company currently offers the Apple iPad tablet. Whether iPad sales will suffer at the hands of Android tablets remains to be seen and a second-generation iPad released later this year would shake things up even more.

Later in 2011, AT&T may offer 4G-compatible devices in the form of LTE. HSPA+ is already deployed throughout the AT&T network. However, a HSPA+ compatible device is required to take advantage of this feature. In some cases, device firmware can be flashed to enable compatibility but this is not a common capability.

Updated Facebook For Android

admin — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:34:21 +0000

Facebook for Android has been upgraded, bringing with it bug fixes and Facebook Deals. Version 1.5.1 of Facebook is now available for Android devices and can be obtained free from the Android Market. By making the upgrade, Android device users will supposedly have a more pleasant Facebook user experience.

We use the word “supposedly” because many comments in reply to the official Facebook post regarding the upgrade are not positive. Android users are complaining that bugs have not been fixed. Some even claim that new bugs are now appearing. Others report missing features, surely a frustrating experience for those individuals. The issues vary depending on the version of Android being used.

Bug fixes (or non-fixes) aside, the new version of Facebook for Android includes Facebook Deals. These appear when a user checks into a place using the device. If places in the surrounding area offer deals, they display a yellow icon. Only U.S. places reflect Facebook Deals so everyone else will need to wait for their savings.

The previous Facebook for Android, version 1.5, included push notifications for Android version 2.2 or higher users. Chat with background mode, enabling users to receive chat messages while they are using other applications, was another added feature. Last, but not least, photo uploads began showing in higher resolution. All of these have been carried over to version 1.5.1, so if Android users are not able to use these features, they should troubleshoot the issue.

Android users with Facebook accounts should download Facebook for Android 1.5.1 to see if their user experience is improved. One of the bug fixes involves preventing closed chats from reappearing after the app is relaunched. Checking to see if this still happens will allow users to determine if the upgrade was successful on their devices. It is anticipated that issues like new bugs and failed fixes will be worked out in the near future.

Android Roaming Costs Reduced By Personal Femtocell

admin — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:57:36 +0000

Ubiquisys, a femtocell maker, has created a 3G mobile phone femtocell base station called an attocell. When this attocell is connected to a laptop computer equipped with Internet access, 3G phones can make phone calls as if they were in their home network. This allows 3G Android phones to make international calls without incurring expensive roaming charges.

The attocell is designed to be used out of the box and is compatible with all 3G phones. It is connected to a laptop using the USB port, relaying mobile Internet service and phone calls via the Internet connection on the computer. Ubiquisys tested the device with smartphones that run Android as well as those with, iOS, RIM, and Nokia operating systems.

The company took technology used in its femtocell products to create the attocell. The small device uses the same type of signaling to communicate with the operator’s network. With a femtocell, calls are funneled through a broadband connection, over the Internet, and then back to the mobile network. They are then connected to a public telephone network.

Attocells are able to determine the country of location and configure radio power to the level locally permitted. Power output permissions determine the span of the transmitter. If a transmitter can reach just millimeters, the Android phone must be put on the attocell and calls are made using a headset attached to the phone. Longer transmission distances allow calls to be made from a phone held anywhere in the room.

Phone call cost will be determined by the operators who sell the attocells. This technology serves as an additional calling option for international travelers seeking to reduce their charges. Other technologies include VOIP and mobile client service from Skype that can be used with a no or low-charge Wi-Fi hotspot. Attocells eliminate the need to search for and use these hotspots.

Details Released Regarding Toshiba Android 3.0 Tablet

admin — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:22:55 +0000

Toshiba unveiled its Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet at CES 2011 but at the time, few specs were available. A preview Web site just launched by the company contains more details. It is now known that the iPad rival features a 10.1-inch screen, dual cameras, multiple data ports, Flash support, and a swappable battery.

This yet-to-be-named tablet will be offered in five colors and feature an EasyGrip slip-resistant finish. Like its rival the forthcoming Motorola Xoom Honeycomb tablet, the device from Toshiba features a Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor. The 10.1-inch screen has multi-touch functionality, a 16:10 aspect ratio, and a 720p HD 1,280 x 800 pixel resolution.

An ambient light sensor installed in the screen provides a consistent viewing experience whether outdoors or indoors. Though Google designed Android 3.0 to work without the use of physical buttons on tablets, the Toshiba device has some. It features buttons for search, back, menu, and home. These are the same buttons that most Android smartphone owners are used to seeing on their devices. The Motorola Xoom, on the other hand, is buttonless.

Toshiba installed a five-megapixel camera with autofocus on the rear of its tablet. The front camera features two megapixels. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, ports for SD, HDMI, USB, and mini-USB, and a headphone jack. A docking port allows users to connect the tablet to a larger monitor. Features like this should enable the Toshiba device to hold its own in the growing tablet market.

The Toshiba tablet will be released in the spring. It is likely that the Xoom and RIM PlayBook tablets will go on sale before that time. The iPad 2 and a few Windows 7 tablets may even beat the Toshiba device to the shelves. With planned 2011 sales of 44.6 million units, the tablet market is substantial. Hopefully, the product differentiation offered by Toshiba will prove successful for the company.

Kongregate Enables Flash Gaming On Android Phones

admin — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 15:11:01 +0000

Last May, Adobe Flash games began appearing for play on Android phones. The excitement about this event subsided when people realized that some games were not fun. To make things even worse, there was no easy way to determine which games were worth playing. GameStop hopes to change this with its Kongregate Arcade app.

Kongregate is GameStop’s Flash gaming portal, which enables Android users to play Flash games on their devices. The new GameStop Kongregate Arcade app is similar to the OpenFeint game discovery app available for Android phones and the iPhone. It features screenshots, user ratings, and recommendations for Flash games.

This app is compatible with Android phones containing version 2.2 or higher OS. A unique aspect is that the app links to Flash games contained on the Kongregate mobile site instead of routing users to the Android Market. It also features offline support for several games as well as badges containing user profiles syncable between the mobile and desktop Kongregate sites.

If Android users do not utilize this app, they will just see a list of games, without added features or descriptions, on the Kongregate mobile site. This site is similar to the Armor Games site and that of other competitors. The Arcade app, on the other hand, looks like the full Web site for Kongregate. By having this app, Kongregate may improve its popularity with Android phone users who enjoy Flash gaming.

Users of the Kongregate Arcade app should make the excellent mobile Flash games more easily identifiable. This will help all Android phone users know which are worth playing and which should be left in the Android Market. Recently, this app was pulled from the Android Market for reasons unknown. However, it can still be downloaded from the Kongregate Web site. GameStop is making mobile Flash gaming a more user-friendly experience.

Expected Pricing For 4G LTE Android Smartphones From Verizon

admin — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:32:42 +0000

The country is moving from 3G to 4G mobile phone speeds and the first 4G smartphones are being announced. At the recent CES, Verizon revealed four of its exclusive 4G LTE smartphones. However, it did not announce prices for any of these devices, a common practice during a product release. We wonder how much the average consumer would be willing to pay.

Experts predict that the non-4G Android LTE phones offered by Verizon will sell for about $199 with a two-year contract. However, what will the price tag be for its 4G devices? T-Mobile and Sprint opted for regular pricing for their 4G smartphones. That is, except for the Epic 4G, which was originally priced at $249.

Verizon may have its pricing follow in the footsteps of the Epic 4G. It is known for going larger and often more expensive than the competition. The data plans will also play a role and pricing on the 4G LTE plans are currently $50 for 5GB and $80 for 10GB. If these prices are not reduced when the 4G LTE phones go on sale, consumers will be playing exorbitantly high prices for a limited amount of data.

Combine these high data prices with likely data overages and a higher priced phone, and the wireless phone bill may require us to get a second job to subsidize the cost. Verizon is also changing its upgrade policy. The “New Every 2” aspect will be removed, so customers will need to keep their devices for a minimum of 20 months.

Users who choose to sign only a one-year contract with Verizon could find themselves the owners of a high-priced 4G LTE phone with a one-year contract featuring a higher price. This may cause them to rethink the benefits of 4G. Sure, lightning-fast speeds are great, but at some cost they become less desirable.

Android Hits A Milestone On Mobile Ad Network By Surpassing iOS

admin — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 15:52:23 +0000

The media abounds with stories of how successful the Android platform is becoming and the latest news just reinforces that thought. PC Magazine recently reported that Android has now surpassed Apple’s iOS on the popular mobile ad network. Advertising done on mobile phones has grown in popularity in recent years due to its expanded reach.

Some people believe that mobile advertising is better than advertising done via the Internet because it reaches more people. Consider that your grandmother may not know how to turn on a computer but she most likely has a mobile phone, even if only for safety purposes. Advertisers are aware of this and are taking full advantage of the opportunity to hock their wares to any of us who carry mobile phones.

Millenial Media is a popular U.S.-based mobile advertising company. It recently reported that in December, the Android operating system experienced a 46 percent increase in impression shares. It doesn’t hurt that Google is currently the largest mobile ad network in the world. In May 2010, the Federal Trade Commission approved a $750 million acquisition of the AdMob mobile ad network by Google.

While Android blew the doors off the barn in December, Apple’s iOS experienced a 32 percent decline. BlackBerry, from Research In Motion. garnered only a 16 percent share. In the past year, ad interest in the Google ad platform has increased one thousand-fold. Apple experienced only 12 percent quarterly growth increase during this time.

Mark McKelvey, senior VP of marketing at Millenial, stated that iOS will face increased pressure during 2011 from not only the popular Android OS, but also Windows Phone 7 and RIM. The wider diversity underscores the importance for advertisers to utilize more than one platform. For now, the primary platform is Android, due to its flexibility and expandability.

Android 2.4- Some Ice Cream In Time For Summer

admin — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:21:43 +0000

Anyone who tracks technology knows that Google is not resting on its laurels when it comes to Android. We seem to hear about new Android phones, operating system platform updates, and additions to the Android Market on a daily basis. This trend is already continuing through the new year, with Google reportedly planning for an Android 2.4 release.

Android 2.3, called Gingerbread, was just released a short time ago but it seems that there is already an update in the works. Last week, CES attendees saw demos of Honeycomb, also known as Android 3.0, an Android operating system designed specifically for tablet computers. At CES also came the announcement regarding Android 2.4, via a showcased Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc smartphone.

Sony dismissed the claims that this phone was running Android 2.4, citing misconfiguration. However, rumors are swirling that this operating system will be released this summer. Perhaps its nickname of Ice Cream was intentional? According to Pocket-Lint, which obtained its information from several sources, Google plans a June or July 2010 release for Ice Cream.

The sources went on to say that the announcement regarding Ice Cream will be made at the May 2011 Google I/O conference. In the past, Google has stated that it hopes to make two major updates to Android each year. Combined with Honeycomb’s January launch, the summer release of Ice Cream would mean that the major updates for 2011 would be completed by the start of the third quarter.

This timeline may seem a little compressed because it means that Google will go nearly half a year without releasing any major Android updates. However, only those privy to development details know what else may be in the works. Perhaps an even bigger project scheduled for an early 2012 release that would require concentrated efforts throughout the last half of 2011?

Motorola Xoom Android Honeycomb Tablet

admin — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:54:40 +0000

Motorola has announced a tablet computer to rival the Apple iPad and other tablet competition that hit the market in late 2010. The Motorola Xoom tablet computer features the Android 3.0 operating system, called Honeycomb, and also has a dual core 1GHz processor. This tablet is the first to include the combination of these two features, which should make it quite popular with consumers.

The Xoom features a screen that measures 10.1 inches, front and rear-facing cameras, and digital zoom useful for video conferencing. Widgets are included in this version of Android, similar to previous versions. Multitasking is possible, something that iPad users had to wait months for, so the Android crowd should be much happier customers.

Other features are a touch screen, 720p HD video playback, and excellent downloading and streaming of video files. In addition, the tablet features a camcorder for shooting videos. The large display makes viewing these videos a pleasant experience. Android Honeycomb software was developed with tablet computers in mind so it should further enhance the user experience.

Something else that puts the Xoom ahead of the competition is the inclusion of Adobe Flash Player. It is no secret that the iPad does not have Flash capability and Apple has no plans to include this in the future. Individuals in the market for a tablet computer should check out the Xoom because it may have everything they need.

The Motorola Xoom won the awards for Best Tablet and Best in Show from CNET at CES 2011. As the first tablet running on Android 3.0 Honeycomb, it is blazing a trail for other Android tablets. The front and rear-facing cameras, camcorder, and digital zoom are features useful to both personal and business users. A wireless keyboard, standard dock, portfolio case, and other accessories are now available for this device.

The New Xperia Arc Android Phone From Sony Ericsson

admin — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:13:29 +0000

One of the announcements that Sony made at CES was regarding the new Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc. This is the latest device in the Xperia product line and we now know its specifications. Among the most notable are a slim design and a powerful camera. This new addition to the Android smartphone offerings should be very popular.

The Xperia Arc runs Android 2.3 and features a 1 GHz Qualcomm processor and 512 MB of memory. It also has a multi-touch display, dubbed the Reality Display by Sony, that measures 4.2 inches. This display features a resolution of 854 x 480 pixels. Between the size and the resolution, we can see where the display got its name.

Perhaps most impressive is the onboard camera, which features 8.1 megapixels and records 720p HD video. Camera features rival those of a regular digital camera. They include noise suppression, geo tagging, an image stabilizer, LED flash, auto focus, and face detection. Also included is the Sony Exmor R technology, enabling high-quality photos and videos to be captured in conditions featuring low lighting.

A curved design, with a body that is only 8.7mm thick in the thinnest area, gives it a unique look and the weight of the phone is a mere 117 grams. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi support, Bluetooth, a USB port, HDMI port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The phone supports DLNA and aGPS in addition to up to 32 GB memory cards. Included with the phone is a microSD card of 8 GB.

Sony announced that the Xperia Arc will debut in select markets within the first quarter of this year. Japan is among the countries that will benefit from this new Android smartphone. With a super slim and sleek design plus a camera that rivals a standalone version, this phone is sure to be popular with Android shoppers.

Android Newsstand Will Be iTunes Store Rival

admin — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:43:42 +0000

In an attempt that mirrors Apple’s strategy regarding digital content, Google is pushing publishers to develop periodical publications for Android devices. These publications will be offered through a digital newsstand operated by Google and will run on Android-based tablet computers and smartphones. Once developed, the Android newsstand will compete with the Apple iTunes Store.

The Wall Street Journal broke the news and stated that Google will take a smaller cut for application sales than Apple’s 30 percent. Google has also reportedly considered providing publishers with an application buyer’s personal information. This is something that may cause someone to reconsider a subscription.

Apple has found the sale of digital newspapers and magazines for the iPhone and iPad quite lucrative. Though Google is currently in the idea formulation stage, other digital content companies have already made their moves. Amazon.com allows its customers to use Kindle apps running on Android devices to read Kindle periodicals.

Barnes & Noble recently began selling digital newspapers and magazines for reading on its e-reader, Nook Color. Android devices desperately need a digital newsstand because the current method of reading daily or weekly content is rather cumbersome. This holds true even on the spacious 4.3-inch screens of the HTC Evo 4G and Motorola Droid X smartphones as well as the 7-inch tablet computer, the Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Other attractive features of an Android newsstand include a periodical offering to complement the recently launched Google eBookstore. In addition, Google could make more use of its Fast Flip content in a newsstand. This enables Web browsing of news to resemble the experience of turning pages within a print newspaper or magazine. Currently, Fast Flip is a mere sidebar in Google News. It would create an excellent reading experience on Android tablets like the Galaxy Tab and others soon to hit the market.

Multi-Platform Syncing Included In Updated Maxthon Mobile App

admin — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 19:52:58 +0000

Earlier in December, the Maxthon Mobile app was launched. This new Android device browser allows users to sync history, bookmarks, and more information between a mobile device and a desktop computer via cloud services. This is more than just your average browser, though, because it has some features not found on others.

In a different twist, users can navigate through the app by designing their own gestures. The user draws these on the screen with his or her finger and they control the browser buttons and menus. Such intuitive use is perfect for people on the go and busy professionals who do not have time to weed through menus to find the commands they need.

In a recent update to Maxthon Mobile, users are now able to sync content with the browser from various platforms. Using the sync feature, they can sync their favorites and contacts from a Maxthon platform running on a PC, Android phone, or other device. One of the great cross platform syncing features is the ability to manipulate content. For example, users can sort their contacts by area code or city.

Also included in the update are new gestures, one of which allows the user to draw the letter “C” on the screen in order to close the window of the browser. These gestures shorten the time it takes to perform common tasks and come in handy when users are multitasking between their computers and Android devices.

Knowing many people are crunched for time, Maxthon seeks to minimize the time required to use its app. The updated Maxthon Mobile app is now available for download at the Maxthon Web site. This app takes data synchronization one step further and makes cloud computing possible between mobile devices and PCs. There is no charge to download this app or the PC versions of it.

In Two Months, Android Market Apps Reach 200K

admin — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:00:08 +0000

The Android Market has lagged far behind Apple’s App Store for months, in terms of number of apps. A little over two months ago, the number of apps in the Android Market reached a milestone 100,000. AndroLib recently reported that the app count now stands at a remarkable 200,000.

A jump of 100,000 in a mere 63 days, compared to almost two years to reach the 100,000 app threshold, is quite impressive. It is due in large part to Android’s effort to expand the app market to over 20 countries. Now, Android can make bold claims regarding its wide selection of apps in addition to the fact that it is the best-selling smartphone operating system.

Market position aside, Androlib reports that since the Android Market opened in October 2008, over 2.5 billion apps have been downloaded. This is quite an amazing feat, considering that the app inventory was rather limited for over a year. The Market still has a way to go to match the 300,000 apps available in the Apple App Store, but it is well on its way.

Readers of Mashable have illustrated the popularity of Android. In an early December poll, they made it clear that they prefer Android devices. The poll revealed this operating system was desired by 41.2 percent of readers. Apple’s iOS platform came in a distant second, with 30.6 percent indicating it as their preference.

Android is like the little engine that could and it is slowly and steadily becoming a dominant force in the smartphone marketplace. With the expansion of the Android Market to additional countries, the situation will only become more positive. It will not be surprising if, in several months, we are writing about how the number of apps in the Android Market has exceeded those in the Apple App Store.