Jan 25

T-Mobile releases: Streak 7 and Galaxy S 4G in February, G-Slate in late March?

Posted in: 4G, Android, GalaxyS, Google, honeycomb, LG, rumor, samsung, t-mobile, Today's Chili

Odds are you’ll have your first chance at Honeycomb with Motorola’s Xoom next month, but LG’s G-Slate for T-Mobile — which might very well be 3D-enabled — shouldn’t be too far behind. New intel coming out of TmoNews today pegs the G-Slate for a March 23rd launch with an unknown price tag, preceded by the Dell Streak 7 on February 2nd (which is being billed as the carrier’s “first 4G tablet” thanks to its HSPA+ support) at $299.99 on contract after rebate. Turning to non-tablet news, the Galaxy S 4G — which you might recall is basically a Vibrant remixed with HSPA+ — looks line up for February 23rd. In other words, it’s going to be a busy, wallet-emptying couple months for you T-Mobile types… so save up while you can.

T-Mobile releases: Streak 7 and Galaxy S 4G in February, G-Slate in late March? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 25

Android App Developer Interest Increases With Wave of New Tablets

Posted in: Android, apps, developers, ios, ipad, iPhone, market, motorola, Phones, sdk, Smartphones, Tablets and E-Readers, Today's Chili, xoom


While Apple’s iPad dominated tablet sales in 2010, there may be room for change in 2011. Enthusiasm for Android app development is rising fast in the coding community.

And that means the apps available to Android users is set to grow — fast.

A recent global survey of app developers by research firm IDC shows 74 percent of respondents as “very interested” in developing for upcoming Android OS-running tablets, up from 62 percent three months ago.

The survey, which questioned over 2,200 app developers around the world, cites the surge in new tablet debuts for 2011 as the reasoning for increased developer interest. At CES in January, manufacturers debuted 85 new tablets, the majority of which were running Android.

“My intuition is that Android is picking up that Linux, open-source crowd that feels excited to move from iOS development to an open platform,” Andreas Schobel, CTO of popular Android app developer Catch.com, told Wired.com in an interview. “The way you can weave Android applications together with Intents makes it a very sexy platform, but one that requires a lot more discipline and effort. Like a powerful, yet complicated, science kit.”

And they’ll be cranking out the apps at a breakneck pace. Respondents to the survey plan to develop an average of 6.5 apps in 2011, almost twice as many as last year. Apple’s App Store has over 400,000 apps currently available for download, while the Android Market offers around 200,000 apps.

2010 was Apple’s year to shine in the tablet market. In the company’s recent earnings report, Apple reported 7.33 million iPads sold in the fourth quarter of 2010. We’ve yet to see that type of traction from an Android tablet — Samsung reported sales of 1 million of its Galaxy Tab in December.

And the iPad still leads the tablet pack in terms of developer interest, with 87 percent of respondents expressing interest in it. But developers aren’t necessarily beholden to one specific platform. Those surveyed plan to develop apps for four different devices on average, the big four being the iPhone, iPad, Android phone and Android tablet.

Although the pack seems eager to produce more Android apps in the coming year, developers aren’t without their concerns. About half of the respondents expressed concerns around version fragmentation. Google has been in the habit of pushing two Android updates per year, which means multiple versions of software for developers to configure for multiple platform versions. Handset manufacturers tweaking the firmware for each model of phone can also be hell on a developers’ workload.

It’s the cost of doing business with an open platform like Android. And judging by IDC’s numbers, it’s a cost developers are willing to pay.

Photo: Jim Merithew/Wired.com

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Jan 25

HTC Flyer spec sheet leaks with Android 2.3, stylus and 7-inch screen?

Posted in: 10-inch, 7-inch, Android, HTC, htc sense, HtcSense, lte, qualcomm, rumor, rumors, tablet, tablet pc, TabletPc, tablets, Today's Chili

Wondering what sort of goodies might be inside HTC’s upcoming tablets? Norwegian tech site Amobil isn’t — they claim to have a pair of inside sources spoon-feeding them all the pertinent details. For the rumored HTC Flyer — which may or may not be pictured at right — that includes the same 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 chip you’ll find in several high-end handsets, 1GB of RAM, as well as a 7-inch, 1024 x 600 capacitive touchscreen, a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera and a rear 5 megapixel imager, and a piddling 4GB of flash storage to hold all your apps (which sounds a little fishy to us). There’s also allegedly 3G for data and Skype calls, an HDMI port, DLNA support and a bonafide stylus to write with, though it’s not clear whether we’re rumoring a fancy N-Trig display or simply a pack-in capacitive pen.

Though Amobil‘s sources say the tablet will be sadly limited to Android 2.3 out of the gate, it will allegedly have a brand-new tablet version of HTC’s Sense UI designed to provide a “desktop feel,” which might be a nice pairing for the “HTC Sensation” trademark presently floating about the internet. If so, don’t expect that UI to be limited to a single slate, though — the last part of this oh-so-juicy rumor is that HTC’s also supposedly got a 10-inch LTE tablet (perhaps the Scribe?) arriving in the second half of the year.

HTC Flyer spec sheet leaks with Android 2.3, stylus and 7-inch screen? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Community, Electronista  |  sourceAmobil (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

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Jan 25

Dodge sucks at Photoshop: the Verizon Droid with AT&T 3G

Posted in: Android, app, Apple, att, BlackBerry, iPhone, itunes, photoshop, Today's Chili, verizon
Dodge sucks at Photoshop: the Verizon Droid running on AT&T 3G

Ever wish you could get a Verizon-labeled phone running on AT&T, and do it with full bars and a 3G no less? Get yourself one of the Dodge’s new and free virtual product manuals, available now for iPhone and soon coming to BlackBerry and Android. They’re a continuation of the sort of thing Chrysler announced back at CES, just letting you view information about your vehicle and maybe some aftermarket parts too. They’re available now for the Durango and Charger, with coverage for the Avenger, Journey, and Grand Caravan coming before the end of the month. Full details about the apps in the PR below, but sadly no information on exactly where we should stick the SIM card in our Droid.

[Thanks, Joe]

Continue reading Dodge sucks at Photoshop: the Verizon Droid with AT&T 3G

Dodge sucks at Photoshop: the Verizon Droid with AT&T 3G originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 25

Google ‘Cloud Print’ Links iOS or Android to Any Printer

Posted in: Android, Chrome, ios, Phones, Today's Chili

Google’s Cloud Print is now live, and you can print directly from your Android or iOS device to any printer you might have lying around. Right now, you can see the new feature by going to Gmail and pressing the double-arrowed “More” button. “Print” is now an option in the resulting dropdown menu.

Unlike Apple’s AirPrint, which works over the local Wi-Fi network and currently requires an AirPrint-compatible printer (or an easy workaround), Cloud Print sends your print jobs via the internet.

You need to install the Chrome browser onto any computer with a printer, and then enable Cloud Print in the settings. This is tied to your Google account, and there’s even a page for managing your printers and print jobs.

Right now, you’ll need a Windows PC hooked up to the printer, running Google Chrome 9.0.597.1 or later. Linux and Mac support should be following soon. Currently you can print e-mails from Gmail and documents from Google Docs. You can also print from Google’s Chrome notebook computers.

This is exactly how printing should always have worked — no worrying about drivers or installations, just sign into your account and print. It’s ironic it has happened just when most of us no longer need to print anything onto paper.

I’ve been using my own version of this ever since I ditched my own printer years ago: I just email my documents to the local copy shop and pick them up on my way to the bar next door.

“Cloud printing on the go” [Google Mobile Blog]

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Jan 25

Print From iOS and Android to Any Printer with Google Cloud Print

Posted in: Android, Chrome, ios, Phones, Today's Chili

Google’s Cloud Print is now live, and you can print directly from your Android or iOS device to any printer you might have lying around. Right now, you can see the new feature by going to Gmail and pressing the double-arrowed “more” button. “Print” is now an option in the resulting drop-down menu.

Unlike Apple’s AirPrint, which works over the local Wi-Fi network and currently requires an AirPrint-compatible printer (or an easy workaround), Cloud Print sends your print jobs via the internet. You need to install the Chrome browser onto any computer with a printer, and then enable Cloud Print in the settings. This is tied to your Google account, and there’s even a page for managing your printers and print jobs.

Right now, you’ll need a Windows PC hooked up to the printer, running Google Chrome 9.0.597.1 or later. Linux and Mac support should be following soon. Currently you can print emails from Gmail and documents from Google Docs. You can also print from Google’s Chrome notebook computers.

This is exactly how printing should always have worked – no worrying about drivers or installations, just sign into your account and print. It’s ironic it has happened just when most of us no longer need to print anything onto paper. I have been using a version of this ever since I ditched my own printer years ago: I just email my documents to the local copy shop and pick them up on my way to the bar next door.

Cloud printing on the go [Google Mobile Blog]

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Jan 25

SSTL using Android handsets to control satellites, conquer the final frontier

Posted in: Android, AndroidApps, apps, droid, research, satellite, space, Today's Chili

First, the Mavericks Civilian Space Foundation tested a Nexus One’s ability to deal with the stress of a rocket launch. Then, Google floated seven Nexi to the edge of space to see if the phones could cope with the void. Now, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is looking to launch a satellite into orbit and use a ‘droid — much smaller than the Astromech variety — to control said satellite. SSTL, who is helping build Galileo (and is acutely aware of its cost, no doubt), views smartphones as a way to democratize access to space because they are far less expensive than purpose-built control systems. The company hasn’t said which handset will be used in the satellite, but they chose Android because it allows engineers to easily modify the phone to do their bidding — from controlling pulse plasma thrusters to handling the advanced guidance and navigation systems of the foot long satellite. Additionally, the open source OS means that they “could get people to develop apps” for the satellite. We’ve seen plenty of Android apps, but we’re really hoping this venture is successful so we get to see apps… in space.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

SSTL using Android handsets to control satellites, conquer the final frontier originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 06:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 25

Nexus S emerges in white attire, but it only covers its rear

Posted in: Android, Google, in the wild, InTheWild, NeXus, nexus s, NexusS, speculation, Today's Chili, vodafone

Staying true to its Galaxy S forefather, the Nexus S has shown up with a new white shell, which, just as with the Galaxy S, only extends to its rear portions, leaving the front end a familiar shade of noir. Just what’s keeping manufacturers from blanching their phones’ visage, we don’t know, but at least it’s looking like there’ll be some variation in the Nexus S’ palette. We did notice a “Silver Black” Nexus S sprouting up in European retailers’ listings a couple of weeks ago, which this could well be — it all depends on how loosely these companies define the word “silver.” There’s no knowledge on when or where this chromatically altered S will be on sale, but you’ll know more as soon as we do.

Update: First picture from the wilderness of the white back is now embedded after the break. The Next Web suggests Vodafone may be the European carrier for this particular version of the handset.

Continue reading Nexus S emerges in white attire, but it only covers its rear

Nexus S emerges in white attire, but it only covers its rear originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 05:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 24

Nioncom announces Android-based, pico projector-equipped MemoryKick Vision

Posted in: Android, laser, pico projector, PicoProjector, projector, Today's Chili
MicroVision may not have any plans to turn the pico projector-equipped “mini-tablet” prototype it showed off at CES earlier this month into an actual product, but it looks like little-known Nioncom is now taking the idea and running with it. While it’s still a bit too render-y for our tastes, the company insists that its MemoryKick Vision device is real, and that it will hit the US market sometime in the second quarter of the year. It’s based around the same PicoP projector used in MicroVision’s prototype, but it beefs things up with a larger 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen and, perhaps most notably, a 2.5-inch hard drive that promises to allow for 500GB to 1TB of storage (it also pushes the device’s thickness to a full inch). Otherwise, you can expect to get Android 2.2 for an OS, a 5 megapixel camera, WiFi and Bluetooth, an accelerometer, HDMI in and out, a USB port, and an SD card slot for additional storage. Still no firm word on a price, but the company apparently expects it to be in the “mid-$500 range.”

Gallery: Nioncom MemoryKick Vision

Nioncom announces Android-based, pico projector-equipped MemoryKick Vision originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 24

Notion Ink Adams arrive to eager unboxers, first OTA brings new meaning to DOA

Posted in: Android, froyo, tablet, tablets, Today's Chili, unboxing, video
Well, would you look at that? Oh yes, that’s a real life Notion Ink Adam on some lucky guy’s table after being pulled from its fresh packaging. Sure, that’s to be expected considering the 10-inch, Android 2.2 tablets were boxed up and shipped out last week, but after the numerous delays, we’ve got to say it’s a true milestone for the India-based company. However, while the unboxing videos and pictures are flowing in — there are two right after the break for ya — there’s sadly some rain pouring down on the company’s parade today. According to the chaps at Android Police, a few people have encountered serious issues with an over-the-air update that was pushed to these new tablets. Apparently, hitting the update button and installing the software has caused the Tegra 2 Adam to stop booting (picture of that sad sight at the second source link). That’s surely a FOF situation (frown on face, for those that haven’t listened to the recent Engadget podcast), but word is that Notion Ink has stopped pushing out those updates for the time being and emailed customers about the issue. We’ll be keeping an ear to the ground on this one, but in the meantime we’ll be here waiting for our review unit to arrive so we can show those amateur, wobbly-cam unboxers how it’s really done.

Continue reading Notion Ink Adams arrive to eager unboxers, first OTA brings new meaning to DOA

Notion Ink Adams arrive to eager unboxers, first OTA brings new meaning to DOA originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceNotionInk Fan , Android Police  | Email this | Comments

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