News about Google:
Commumication between Android and Arduino, NFC on the cheap
Near field communication aka NFC is a technology that will allow you to exchange data between devices. If you don’t have the ‘Pure Google’ phone, Nexus S you probably don’t have NFC capabilities with that Android device you have in your hand. Yea, look at it. Nope! And you know you wish you had the capability after reading all about the latest service to come from the search giant, Google Wallet.
So wait…who’s suing who?
If you’re like any of us here at TalkAndroid you’re probably a little confused about who’s suing who. Nokia’s suing Apple, who’s being sued by Kodak, who also sued LG, who was also sued by Nokia, and it’s just a giant mess. Well, if you’re one of those visual learner types have we got the news for you. Matt Brian decided a little while ago that he would make a chart to show you who is suing who. It’s not as messy as you think (he’s pretty good). It’s great if you want a better understanding on what is exactly going on in the Judicial World of Android. Hit the break to see it.
Google Wallet introduced, and PayPal is upset
Google has recently announced their new mobile payment system with Google Wallet. It is a free Android Android App that will arrive sometime this summer that will allow users to make payments for products and/or services.
Google’s offices raided by cyber police
What are Google and their street view cars like? Don’t get me wrong I think Google’s street view is a fantastic tool. You drop the little green man onto the map and you can wander around the streets as if you were there. Want to see what your friends new flat looks like? You can. Want … [visit site to read more]
Droid 2 Release Date, Specs and More Leaked by Verizon
For those of you itching to get your hands on the Motorola Droid 2, it would appear that leaked pictures of Verizons inventory have surfaced showing that the stock for the up and coming Motorola Droid 2 has begun to arrive at stores.
Android Rumoured to Get Netflix App Coming Soon
It has been rumoured that Netflix is working on an official app that will allow users to stream movies and TV shows directly to Android devices. The rumour came after a recent job listing for an visit site to read more]
HTC Desire HD (aka HTC Ace) Video Spotted Showing HTC EVO 4G Like Features
The HTC Desire HD has been spotted on numerous occasions, and only last week it was reported that the smartphone was seen on the … [visit site to read more]
Google Street View Cars Roam the UK Once More
It seems everyone’s favourite voyeuristic site showing off the streets of the world, Google Street View is having their cars roam around every nook and cranny of the UK once more. The UK information Commissioner cleared the cars for use again last month, after they were previously pulled for capturing unauthorized WiFi data back in March this year.
Google’s Gmail New Feature Now Supports Multiple Sign In
Android global sales rise 886%
Last year Android was still finding its feet and was making a sluggish entrance to the smartphone industry, which makes Google’s current OS success all the more impressive.
Mystery HTC Android Device Hits Verizon’s Inventory System: Could it be the HTC Scorpion?
A brand new and what appears to be a HTC device, has just appeared in Verizon’s inventory system in the last day or two.
The device does not have a name but it has been listed under the code of ADR6325VW. The reason why many believe it to be an Android device over a Windows 7 phone is due to the prefix at the start of the code, ADR, which hints an Android.
Android 2.2 Froyo HTC EVO 4G Official Update Released
August 3rd is the date that has been pencilled into our diaries as the official release date of the HTC EVO 4G Android 2.2 … [visit site to read more]
Android Security Attacked: Hacking Tool Released Which Exploits Google Android Security
Google must feel on top of the world at the moment with Froyo exploding onto all the latest handsets and taking the smartphone industry by storm. But like everything thing else, something was bound to come along and knock Android of its perch.
Motorola Droid Android 2.2 Froyo Update Expected This Week?
Android is spreading like a virus at the moment and it seems like every smartphone company in the world is shifting to 2.2 (aka Froyo.) HTC EVO 4G receives the … [visit site to read more]
Android 2.2 HTC Desire Update Pushed for Disappointed Vodafone Customers
It’s Android 2.2 time and as the firmware starts to spring up on handsets, those still waiting must be feeling impatient. Excitement has been building over Google’s latest achievement for months now and finally we are getting the first glimpses of what it can do.
Android 2.2 Froyo Hack Gets Taken Down by HTC
When a new smartphone is released into the marketplace, it is almost certain that hackers are hot on the trail to hack into the phone’s latest OS. We have seen it with the latest iPhone 4 … [visit site to read more]
Droid X can now be counted among the rooted
Nexus One Andorid 2.2 Update Now Available for Vodafone UK Users
Nexus One can all jump for joy as it has just been announced that Vodafone UK network are now starting to get the Android 2.2 update over the air.
Google: Eclair is on more than half of all Android phones, Froyo bursts onto the scene
Android 1.5 and 1.6 are still major players in the field, together accounting for some 41 percent of all Google-powered phones in use as of July 15 — but for the first time, Android 2.1 is on significantly more than half of the phones out there, up from an even 50 percent in mid-June. 55.5 percent of devices are running Eclair to be exact, and Froyo also makes an appearance with a little sliver of 3.3 percent — an anemic figure obviously hampered by the fact that no one outside Google itself (on the now nearly-defunct Nexus One) has deployed the latest version yet. It’s fascinating to see the change in the version mix over time get visualized like this — now all we need is that dark green line at the very bottom to shoot upwards and obliterate everything else on the graph. Let’s make it happen, guys. Read the rest of this entry »
Nexus One is sold out in Google’s store — forever
Google warned us that the Nexus One was approaching the end of its days, but we’ve gotta admit, we didn’t realize just how quickly that moment would come. Sure enough, Google’s official online store for the phone now just shows an ominous message that “the Nexus One is no longer available for purchase directly” from the company, which means you’re going to have to go through Vodafone, KT in South Korea, or hold out for the units that they plan on selling directly to registered developers. Needless to say, for the bulk of potential customers, the phone is all but history. So, on that note, Nexus One: for your straight-shooting stock Android ways and your unlocked radio, you’ll be dearly missed — and we hope your legacy lives on, even though your retail model does not.
Droid 2 and Android 2.2 fated to be together from the start, according to latest leaks
You know, some people get married with less information about their partner than we already have about the Droid 2. Today, we have a pair of independent leaks seemingly confirming that the second coming of Moto’s QWERTY-sportin’ Doer will be running Android 2.2 right out of the gate. Droid Life has a tipster that’s apparently spent some quality time with the device, describing its keyboard as “phenomenal” and pointing out that it feels notably snappier than the original. The Froyo connection is reiterated by Phandroid‘s sources, which provide images of Verizon’s device database indicating once again that Android 2.2 and Droid 2 will be an appropriately matched pair when the launch codes get entered (last mooted for August 12) and this thing finally hits retail. Read the rest of this entry »
Google signs 20-year deal to power data centers with wind energy
Droid 2 launching as soon as August 12, embraces Star Wars roots with R2-D2 edition
Ready to have your mind blown? Good, then sit down for a moment: we’re hearing from a trusted source that the thoroughly-leaked Motorola Droid 2 for Verizon will be launching on August 12 — although it seems to be something of a soft launch, because marketing efforts aren’t scheduled to kick in until a week and a half later on the 23rd. What’s even more interesting, though, is that there’ll be a Star Wars edition of the phone launching with a white R2-D2 on the back. For the record, this isn’t the first time Verizon has toyed with the Droid line’s Star Wars origins; Motorola actually had to license the name from Lucasfilms, and to promote the original phone, Big Red sent around remote-control Artoos last year to various media outlets. What we don’t know is whether the special edition will be launching at the same time as the stock version — so if the plain-vanilla Droid 2 comes out first, that might automatically make the decision of which to buy for some folks. What about you?
Adobe FlashTime to bring peer-to-peer video calls to Android (video)
With tongue wedged firmly in cheek, Adobe has named its latest little bit of demo software FlashTime and given it a quick spin to whet our appetites. Built using the forthcoming Air 2.5, this peer-to-peer video chat client harnesses your smartphone’s camera to get some direct visual communication going with your fellow Android lovers. Okay, so Android users already have other options for doing just this very thing, but the point being made here is that you can do just about anything with Flash, and since it’s Flash it’ll be easy to port around to other platforms. Skip past the break to see the demo, which has a multipeer chat session with a desktop Mac thrown in for good measure.
Dell Streak review redux: thoughts from the New World
If you’ve been following the ongoing saga of Dell’s Streak, you’ve probably already read our review of O2 UK’s version — thing is, the British perspective can be very different from the Yankee one (we didn’t see eye-to-eye during the War of 1812, for instance). To that end, we wanted to circle back now that the gargantuan Android beast is finally coming close to a US release and get another quick take.
ASUS Eee Pad EP101TC opts for Android, dumps Windows Embedded Compact 7
The lesser of ASUS’ two Eee Pad tablets announced at Computex this year, the EP101TC, is getting itself a software rejig ahead of its planned early 2011 launch. Originally slated to run on Microsoft’s Windows Embedded Compact 7 — a wordy OS, if nothing else — the Pad will now entrust its operational infrastructure to Google’s Android. ASUS is currently working on prototypes with Froyo on board, but Gingerbread (or Android 3.0) has not been ruled out as a possible final OS choice. We’re told to expect the first public demos at CES 2011, with retail units likely following on from there at a relatively brisk pace. Read the rest of this entry »
Google Vs China: Search Engine Dispute Comes to an End
It has been a long time since we’ve updated you on the ongoing search engine war between China and Google. Well, our update couldn’t have come at a more poignant time than this as it would appear that after months of disputing the China … [visit site to read more]
China happy with Google’s latest tweaks, saga appears at an end
The China versus Google spat seems to be drawing to a conciliatory end today, as a senior state official has announced China is “satisfied” with Google’s latest round of changes. This was somewhat predictable given that the country just recently renewed El Goog’s license to host sites within its borders, but it’s always reassuring to get confirmation from an official source. The American search giant had tried to strike a precarious balance, by having its local .cn domain adhere to Chinese laws and dictum while also providing a link out to its uncensored Hong Kong hub, and that seems to have done the trick. Ultimately, even the .hk search results will be subject to China’s firewall — which will render the most sensitive info inaccessible — but at least Google can walk away from this dispute claiming that it’s providing uncensored search in some form, even if its output can’t always be put to good use. Read the rest of this entry »
Motorola’s rugged i1 coming to Sprint: July 25 for $150 on contract
A solid four months after first seeing thing plastered across half of Las Vegas, Motorola’s i1 finally has a date with Sprint. The planet’s first Android-equipped smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect will go nationwide on July 25th (via telesales and websites; all other Sprint channels will see it on August 8th), bringing military spec ruggedness, push-to-talk capabilities and a certain ability to withstand all sorts of death grips. Unfortunately, Android 1.5 is a bit of a dinosaur at this point, but it’s still a heck of a lot better than that G’zOne Rock you’re currently toting. Get ready — you’ve got just under a week to scrounge up $149.99 and the nerve to sign another two-year contract. Read the rest of this entry »
Android versus iPhone live multiplayer gaming made possible in SGN’s Skies of Glory
Shocking as this might sound, there are no only a few games in which iPhone and Android users could go at each in live multiplayer mode. Exploiting this vast void is Social Gaming Network, whose Skies of Glory aerial dogfighting title has been ported to Android (2.0 and above) while retaining the ability to communicate with iOS devices over WiFi, 3G or Bluetooth connections. Frankly, we can’t think of a better game to get the cross-platform multiplayer movement going: fAndroids and iPhoneys gunning each other down while talking smack to themselves should prove therapeutic for both parties. On a more serious note, given the tireless growth that both platforms are showing, this kind of thing should hopefully tend toward being the rule rather than the exception.
Verizon leaks another Droid 2, getting BlackBerry Storm 3, Curve 3, 10.1-inch tablet later this year?
Now that the Droid 2 has officially reached “leaking like a sieve” status, we thought we’d toss you another couple shots of the Droid X’s QWERTY-equipped cousin, which we’re being told is locked for an August release on Verizon. If you’re more of the BlackBerry type, though, we’ve got some news for you, too: our source is telling us that both a Curve 3 and Storm 3 are “possible” for the holidays this year. If we had to guess, the Curve 3 is likely a variant of this 9300 we’ve been seeing lately, whereas the Storm 3 could be a version of the 9800 slider or an entirely new keyboardless slate. There’s also a 10.1-inch tablet on the docket; the carrier has already confirmed that Android tablets are in the pipeline, but this could also be a version of the rumored BlackBerry beast. More on this noise as soon as we get it; in the meantime, follow the break for another shot of that Droid 2, won’t you?
How would you change LG’s Ally?
LG didn’t hold back when it came time to market its Ally, but was a tie-in with one of the summer’s biggest blockbusters really enough? We found some rather unforgivable flaws during our testing, but that’s honestly beside the point — we’re here to hear about your thoughts on the device. Priced initially at just $100 on contract, it was (and still is, to an extent) one of the best deals going for an Android-based smartphone with a full QWERTY keyboard, but has it really lived up to your expectations? Are you wishing you had held out a bit longer? Is the keyboard really a winner? How do you like / dislike the UI overlay? How’s it handle when held left-handed? Go on, get really real in comments below. We’re all ears. Read the rest of this entry »
Google halting Nexus One sales through official store after current inventory depleted
We knew this was eventually coming, and here it is: Google is giving everyone the heads-up that it just got a fresh batch of Nexus Ones in stock, and once they’ve been sold through, they’ll no longer be offered directly through the company’s online store. For what it’s worth, the customer service lines will stay open even after that happens — and you’ll still be able to buy a phone through KT in South Korea, Vodafone in Europe, and “possibly other [retailers] based on local market conditions” — but by and large, your average American is going to have a hard time getting one pretty shortly. If you’re a registered Android developer, though, Google’s looking at continuing to offer the device through some sort of sales partner — a wise move considering it’ll be just about the only thing you can buy unlocked running a clean-slate latest build. Read the rest of this entry »
AT&T execs get a better Captivate unboxing experience than you do
We don’t know how often this happens, but it seems that AT&T brass are being provided with these ridiculously over-the-top packages for the Samsung Captivate that’s officially launching this weekend, including bundled accessories that us unwashed masses aren’t offered. As they say, membership has its privileges.
Motorola responds to Droid X bootloader controversy, says eFuse isn’t there to break the phone
There’s been a lot of chatter going around the interwebs in the past 24 hours about the Droid X’s exceptionally well-locked bootloader — a situation that is going to make running custom ROMs considerably more difficult (bordering on impossible) compared to your average HTC. Specifically, the culprit is said to be a technology known as eFuse — developed by IBM several years ago — which allows circuits to be physically altered at the silicon level on demand. Thing is, the term “eFuse” has taken on an unrelated meaning this week, with My Droid World claiming that some chip inside the Droid X is commanded to “blow the fuse” if it’s unable to verify the stock bootloader, which permanently bricks the phone. It amounts to a really, really hard slap on the wrist for anyone trying to hack, say, Sense or stock Froyo onto it.
Google pointer activity monitoring could influence search engine results, probably won’t
Graffiti for Android scribbles Palm OS memories all over Google’s platform
Gather around the campfire, children, as we tell you a story from or youth. You see, back in our day, we carried around PDAs driven by Palm‘s operating system (no, not that one). Primitive and bulky by modern standards, sure, but if there’s one aspect we remember most fondly — or at least most vividly — it’d be Graffiti, the shorthand writing system for your stylus-based text entry. And guess what? You can now bring that same frustration enjoyment to Google Android. Available now via Market, the free, OS-wide keyboard alternative comes care of Access, who gained the rights to Graffiti following the Palm / Xerox settlement from way back in 2006. The future is the past as remembered by the present, or something like that — download away. Read the rest of this entry »
Apple, Google and RIM all Palm suitors tips insider
Numerous companies were tipped as potential suitors for Palm prior to HP sealing the deal, but according to BusinessInsider the roster includes heavyweights Apple, Google and RIM. Their “source familiar with the negotiations” claims Apple eyed Palm for its patent and intellectual property portfolio, while Google are tipped as wanting the same thing but dropping out because they were unaware their Cupertino rivals were actually involved in negotiations.
Sony, TiVo, NCTA and others chime in on CableCARD’s replacement
The FCC has been unsuccessful in spurring competition in the set-top box market since Congress passed a law requiring changes in 1996. The current situation is exactly why we don’t see some of our favorite companies making cable compatible devices — remember when just about every electronics company made a VCR? CableCARD is a failure because, among other reasons, it is expensive to implement and requires the customer give up certain aspects of their service, like video-on-demand and guide data; on top of that it is a cable only solution and some people prefer satellite TV. And so after giving the market all this time to work out a solution, the FCC issued an Notice of Inquiry (NOI) in an attempt to devise a new mandate that would make give you as many options for a DVR as you have for something like a smart phone. An NOI is just one of the first of many steps on the way to new rules, but the comments do give us a great picture of where each party stands.
Android Market now has 100,000 apps, passes 1 billion download mark
Well, it may not come as a huge surprise considering all the steam Android‘s picked up over the past few years, but it’s a landmark nonetheless: according to AndroLib’s data, the Market now has 100,000 apps available for download. It’s also interesting to note that it took just under three months to get from 50,000 to the 100,000 mark. An even more impressive number, however, is the fact that over one billion applications have been downloaded. While it’s not clear if this number includes app updates or not, the number is massive either way, and they’re growing pretty steeply each month. AndroLib’s data also notes that over 14,000 applications became available during the month of June, and over 10,000 have appeared already in July. Hit up the source links for more stats, and a chance to see the numbers update in real time.
Dell Streak very likely coming to AT&T any day now
You may have heard chatter recently that Dell’s Streak is destined for AT&T as soon as July 19 — and now, with a little dot-connecting, we’re pretty much on board with that theory. We’ve just been tipped with some images of a corporate-owned AT&T store where contractors are in the process of installing new kiosks in the “Smartphones” area of the floor under tight security; they’ve apparently been made to sign NDAs and a number of employees “are already on the chopping block” for trying to figure out what it is. We suppose it could be something Captivate-related, but considering the level of security here, we think it’s something much bigger. Like 5 inches or so, if you catch our drift. Catch another shot after the break. Read the rest of this entry »
HP Android tablet coming later than you think, or not at all
Although nothing official has come from HP on this front, we got some pretty solid word back in April that the American giant was mulling an Android tablet. As it turns out, what with the WebOS acquisition that followed and HP’s dogged commitment to Windows 7, that Googly project has apparently slipped out of the limelight in HP HQ. Word from All Things Digital is that there’ll be nothing forthcoming this year (as was tentatively expected) and if an HP Android tablet is to materialize, it’ll have to come in 2011. The company seems to be in the midst of reallocating resources to its higher priority projects, and who knows, should that rumored Hurricane tablet blow us all away, Android might never gets its chance to shine at all. Read the rest of this entry »
Motorola Droid X gets cinematic ‘See You Tomorrow’ trailer (video)
Yeah, we said trailer. The Droid family has seen its fair share of atypical ads, and while this one won’t tug on your heartstrings, it’ll definitely captivate. Unless you’re already three sheets to the wind and well on your way into an early weekend. Either way, you should really have a look after the break.
SanDisk’s elusive 32GB microSDHC card on sale tomorrow at Verizon: $100 with a Droid X, $150 without
Oh, sure — SanDisk‘s 32GB microSDHC card has been “shipping” since late March, but have you actually tried to find one? It’s been a lesson in frustration for many, and while a few e-tailers have shown stock off and on, the card has generally evaded archivists who simply need an insane amount of available storage on their handset. Starting tomorrow, however, that should change. Verizon Wireless — of all companies — has somehow managed to become the “only retailer that offers customers the 32GB SanDisk microSDHC card.” We’re assuming it’s referring to brick and mortar retailers, but at any rate, the gem will be on sale tomorrow at VZW outlets for $149.99, or just $99.99 if you purchase one alongside Motorola’s Droid X. The only trouble with that? You’re stuck figuring out what to do with the 16GB microSDHC card that ships inside of the phone. Thank heavens for the Bay, right? Read the rest of this entry »
