Tag Archive for ‘Google’
The average Android smart phone comes with a basic touch screen interface. In fact, that is all that a user needs to properly navigate the user interface. Occasionally, there are some devices that come equipped with physical keyboards; phones such as the Motorola Milestone and the Sony Ericsson X10 Mini Pro. But this time, there is a new form factor that will be using the Google Android operating system: a Samsung handset using the BlackBerry form factor.
Sure, we can all refer to it as a portrait keyboard with a wide display, but everyone knows that these types of mobile phones bear an uncanny resemblance to the famous smart phones made by RIM. Anyway, one can only think that Samsung is planning to delve into the mobile business market with this new form factor that they are trying out.
Right now, there are no official or even leaked images of the Galaxy Q, so at best, we can all just imagine a Samsung Galaxy S with a cut down touch screen display and a four row keyboard on the face of the device. It should work, but most regular users will still opt for the more familiar Galaxy S smart phone.
It seems that with their successful run in the past few quarters, Samsung now has the freedom to let loose and experiment with new designs for smart phones. Surprisingly, they chose the Android OS to be running on this device instead of the proprietary Bada OS.
The Galaxy Q’s release date is still unconfirmed for now, but considering the device’s specifications, it should be released sometime before the end of this year. The device is also said to be running the new Samsung Hummingbird 1GHz processor, the success of the Q will show the power of Samsung’s latest CPU.
Tags: Google, Google-Android, Hummingbird-CPU, Samsung, Samsung-Galaxy-Q, Samsung-Galaxy-S
The Google Online Store only sells one product: the Nexus One Android smart phone. Now, the store has been taken down and the Nexus One is no longer available through this specific channel.
When asked about the move, Google stated that the Nexus One has already achieved what Google wanted and expected of the handset. With many other Android devices already being released, it is hard to imagine that the Android community would insist that the handset stay available.
Either way, Vodafone UK is still offering the handset on certain contracts. Since it has not been announced how much stocks they have or how long they plan on offering the Nexus One, those who intend to own this Google branded smart phone ought to get one as soon as possible.
The Nexus One, despite not being a major selling handset, is actually an impressive piece of technology. The device comes with a 3.7 inch AMOLED capacitive touch screen display, providing users with both amazing visual quality as well as responsive and accurate touch controls. The 1GHz Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon CPU gives the Nexus One all the necessary power and speed to handle any app and feature without skipping a beat.
The handset also comes with a 5 mega pixel camera, support for WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and all the usual smart phone features. Google has added in an upgraded version of the speech detection software –which gives the Nexus One speech to text features. Users can even use speech commands to initiate search queries as well.
This handset is loaded with Android 2.1 Éclair, and is compatible with the new Android 2.2 Froyo update. Froyo makes the Android OS run faster (both the UI and browser has been upgraded), and it will also be compatible with the newly launched Adobe Flash Player version 10.1.
Tags: 5-mega-pixel, AMOLED, Android-2.1-Eclair, Android-2.2-Froyo, Google, Google-Android, Google-Nexus-One, Qualcomm-Snapdragon, Vodafone
YouTube is playing both sides of the fence now. Despite the fact that Google technically owns the media sharing website, they cannot simply ignore the 1.7 million iPhone users who may or may not be part of the YouTube network (and it is likely that most of them are YouTube users).
Originally, not having HTML5 on YouTube meant that iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad uses would have to use apps to view links that led to videos that were hosted on the video sharing website. Now, there is no need for that. According to the latest update from YouTube, the mobile version of their website will now be using HTML5 as a new standard.
In many ways, this is already predictable. After all, HTML5 really is a great new format for replacing Flash. The only issue is that many existing websites were made, designed and executed using Flash, there is also plenty of web content, such as ads and games that use the Flash format. This has made the shift from Flash to HTML5 a slow one –one that Apple is not happy with.
Several months ago, when Apple released the SDK for the iOS 4, it came with a developer’s agreement that basically ruled out the use of Adobe’s Flash Professional as a creation and compiling tool for iPhone apps. This made it harder for developers to create apps for Apple, and at the same time, it made the Flash developers want to work with Google instead.
Anyway, despite the tension and competition between Apple and Google, the fact that the iPhone 4 sold so much –despite not having Flash support is significant. In some ways, it shows that people simply do not care about what formats are supported or not –and in this regard, whatever format works with Apple’s new device is going to be the new standard.
Tags: Adobe-Flash, Apple, Apple-iPad, Apple-iPhone, Apple-iPhone-4, apps, Google, HTML5, YouTube
Microsoft has come a long way to prove that the Windows Phone 7 operating system is far more than the stiff and hard to use platform that the Windows Mobile OS was. And since they have first revealed the new system at the MWC, they have been able to convince a vast majority of people in the tech industry.
Now, all they need is the big reveal.
Microsoft has been sitting in a position below Apple and Google in the mobile phone industry and the computer giant seems to have had enough of playing third place. With the Windows Phone 7, they intend to show the industry that they have the right system to change the way people use smart phones. From what we have seen in the tech demos, it is easy to believe that Microsoft might just be right.
The new OS sports features that have never before been used in other handsets. The ability to transfer an app or a game from the smart phone to a computer –directly, has never been done before. In fact, this could change the way people treat daily work. The Xbox Live Games is one thing, but being able to continue progress in an app is one thing, and so far, they have only limited the application of the technology to this.
If they make this applicable to Microsoft’s Office software and other features –they can create an entirely new user experience. Outside of gaming, phones can start to be seen as real complements to desktop computers in terms of work.
According to recent reports, the new OS is expected to come out a full month ahead of schedule. September is the expected launch date for the first handsets that will be using the new platform –such as the LG Panther and the HTC Gold/Mondrian. HTC have had success with their HTC Desire and HTC Wildfire handsets which use the Google Android platform, so it will be interesting to see what they can come up with for Windows Phone 7.
Tags: Apple, Google, Google-Android, HTC, HTC-Gold, HTC-Mondrian, LG, LG-Panther, Microsoft, Windows-Phone-7
Many smart phones will allow a user to instant take a video recording of almost anything. And chances are these videos are shared with friends and families online on various file and video sharing sites like YouTube before they are posted on Facebook.
In many ways, this little convenience is something that users should be careful about. Uploading a video is quite easy (especially when there is a stable and fast internet connection), but the repercussions of doing such could be bigger.
Take the previous case of a Google video which showed a young boy being bullied. The case ended with three of Google Italy’s top heads taking the blame for the psychological damage that the video has brought. Despite the fact that Google does not control the content that is uploaded by users, many feel that they are responsible.
Since Google also owns YouTube, the same argument has also been made –not only because of an uploaded video’s potential effects, but also because of the fact that a large chunk of videos online contain copyrighted material. Viacom has filed a case against Google regarding this matter. Despite the fact that they lost the case, it drives in the fact that there is an issue with the content that is being uploaded to the video sharing site.
Copyrights are not the only issue that YouTube users should be wary of, after all, Google already takes measures to help out the copyright owners (if copyright owners request that certain videos be taken down, Google cooperates with them).
Being careful about how personal and private videos are shared is also important. While it may be nice to upload that video taken at a cousin’s recent wedding, be sure to ask permission from the people who are heavily involved in the video –more often than not, people find themselves tagged in embarrassing moments caught on camera that are publicly displayed by their contacts on Facebook and other social networking sites.
Tags: copyrights, Facebook, Google, Google-video, Internet, smartphones, social-networking, Viacom, video, YouTube
The smart phone industry already knew early on that the Android OS will be getting an update which brings with it the Adobe Flash Player. But now, it appears that the Google OS is not the only platform that will be getting this new feature. It seems that a large range of other platforms will also be getting Flash Players as well.
The only OS that we are certain will not be getting any support from Adobe is the Apple iPhone OS, so all those new Apple iPhone 4s might end up missing a vital feature.
It all started with the release of the Apple iPhone OS4 SDK. With the release of the developer kit, there was also a license agreement which forbade the use of third party software in the development of Apple iPhone apps. During this time, it was common practice for many developers to create Flash apps and use an iPhone compiler to port the game over to the Apple platform. Adobe’s new Flash Professional CS5 featured a Flash to iPhone compiler as its biggest feature. When the Apple license agreement basically cut off Adobe, hostilities between the two companies took a very open and public form.
Before the dust settled, Adobe has found itself declaring that it would no longer support Apple and that Google has teamed up with the developer. This immediately led to an announcement from Google about the new Android supporting Flash –a promise that is seeing realization just now. At the same time, Google and Adobe also announced that they would be supporting the HTML5 format as well –leaving Apple being the only OS in town not supporting Flash.
This reality will sink in even more as the Microsoft Windows Phone 7 OS is confirmed to be getting a Flash update after it is released and that many other smart phones will also be getting the update as well. Phones that make use of the Palm WebOS, BlackBerry OS, Symbian, MeeGo and LiMo are among those confirmed that will be getting a Flash Player.
Tags: Adobe-Flash, Apple, Apple-iOS-4, Apple-iPhone-4, apps, Blackberry-OS, Google, Google-Android, Palm, smartphones, Symbian, WebOS
Now here is a big claim. At the Nielsen 360 Consumer Conference, Sheryl Sandberg is saying that Email will eventually go away, despite the fact that even she finds it hard to imagine a future without it.
The silly thing here is that prior to this statement, Sheryl also declares that it is the current web usage patterns of teens today that determines the trends of the future. It sounds logical, but it also completely ignores what teenagers are actually doing. Her example covers the concept that teenagers would not send emails to each other; they would message each other privately using Facebook’s message features.
The only reason this happens is that accessing the ‘send a message’ button is far easier than logging into a web server. But if all email did was send personal messages among people in a one’s friends’ list, then the technology would have been phased out by now.
Emails do more than help people communicate. Email also works as a personal identification tool on the web –Facebook is trying to do the same, but the need for privacy alone is enough to stop the effort.
And the reason why people trust email accounts to identify them and not their Facebook accounts is due to the fact that emails, as personal as they are, are also anonymous. Of course, barring the use of one’s own name as an email address, anonymity is a key factor that Facebook cannot provide.
Despite the fact that the highest amount of traffic that mobile internet sees is with social networking site Facebook, search engine Google and microblogging Twitter, accessing emails is also an important part of the day for many people. Access to emails is one of the main reasons why smart phones were developed. And while social networking may be pushing the distribution of smart phone technology, it would never be able to replace or phase out emails.
Tags: email, Facebook, Google, Internet, social-networking, Twitter
When Microsoft announced the Windows Phone 7 operating system at the Mobile World Congress last February, many of us in the industry were impressed with the way they have changed and evolved the older Windows Mobile OS.
Windows Phone 7 was dynamic, full of animations, new features, social networking integration, plenty of media support, a high potential for games, and stylish new look that simply changed the way we perceived operating systems and user interfaces. While there will never be a perfect OS, WP7 at least has the looks of one.
Now, recent news has once again re-confirmed previous announcement that the Windows Phone 7 will be getting support for Flash. This was a feature that was not counted in the many demonstrations of the OS –not when they showed off the multi-platform app compatibility, the 3D games, Silverlight support, the MSN new player and other features. But it is certainly as important as any of these.
Flash is a feature that will forever be a thorn on Apple’s side. As the Cupertino based company’s operating systems are unable to provide enough stability for Flash, it became Steve Jobs’ personal quest to rid the internet of Flash content. However, his recent move to stamp out Flash (by pushing Adobe aside) simply made the Flash developer to look for support from other companies. While Google made a very public show of support for Adobe, it appears that Microsoft was also quietly supporting the Flash developer too.
This does not change HTML5, or the eventual demise of Flash, but the fact that both the Android and Windows Phone 7 will support to older web format is a testament to the fact that Flash still has years of use ahead of it.
According to Microsoft, WP7 Flash support will not be included in the release version of the operating system. But a later update (expected to be around 2011) will be bringing both Flash and AIR to the new OS.
Tags: Adobe-Flash, Apple, apps, Google, Google-Android, Microsoft, windows-mobile-7, Windows-Phone-7
Fans of the Android smart phone have been enjoying the many apps and extra features that are available for the Android handset. Here are three choice Android apps that users will certainly appreciate on the Android smart phone.
First up the list is the Task Manager. There is a significant chance that your smart phone is being bogged down by apps and functions that you do not use or need –causing the device to act erratically or even slow down when you need to do something quick. And while computers will easily let you shut down any unneeded functions, the feature is not commonly found in smart phones, which means that precious resources could be gobbled up by hiding apps.
The Task Manager is an Android app dedicated to fishing out those hidden apps running in the background so that you can shut them down. The only drawback is that users need to manually do the process for each boot up.
Train Times UK is one of our favorite apps as it keeps users on time all the time. Missing a train is a serious problem when you are pressed for time and with this app, you can stay on top of the schedule by actually knowing when each train will making specific stops. Since the app connects to the live online timetables for UK train operators, most of the data is accurate –still, for very important matters, it still pays off to give the operators a quick call to confirm a schedule.
Last on our list of Android Apps is the Google Maps Navigation app. Chances are, you might have already gotten this app right after Google announced that they are delivering free voice guided navigation. Compatible for version 1.6 Donut and above, this impressive app combines the vast data stored in Google maps with Street View and GPS data.
Tags: apps, Google, Google-Android, smartphones
Fans of the first Madera and Figaro game for the Apple iPhone will be happy to know that the app that features the two lead characters is now out for the Android smart phone.
The Madera and Figaro series is not really made for adults but for folks living with children (who are old enough to not damage a smart phone). This is an excellent way to keep children entertained and teach them a few useful lessons at the same time.
App developer Lyn and Line has been making plenty of child oriented apps –practically adding a new way to deliver a storybook experience with the help of smart phone technology. Many game designers have already tried making interactive children’s storybooks for desktop computers, but the medium simply does not translate well to children who are not too apt to tinker around with a keyboard and mouse.
The touch screen user interface on the other hand is completely intuitive, which makes the smart phone an excellent platform for digital interactive content aimed at children.
The new Madera and Figaro game focuses on the intrepid duo’s attempts to track down Ginger, the missing cat owned by Mrs. Applebottom. Donning their superhero costumes, the two lead characters transform into Carbon Girl and Adhero (which is basically a play on their characters as Madera is a monkey and Figaro is a frog).
Children will certainly enjoy the puzzle based gameplay which provides a wide variety of visual tasks. There is a combination of basic finger dexterity challenges and some simple brain teasers that will tune positively at a child’s inquisitive nature. The images are simple and easy to understand, and parents will certainly enjoy the educational value of the app.
A second Madera and Figaro title has also been released as well; the new game places the two lead characters in and new story with new puzzles and challenges.
Tags: Apple, Apple-iPhone-3gs, apps, games, Google, Google-Android
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