Android and Me |
- Victory: HTC will no longer lock the bootloader on their devices
- You can now watch the whole Google Wallet event (video)
- Evernote launches Evernote Developer Challenge
- Modders at XDA hard at work to bring Tegra-only games to non-Tegra devices
- Google plans to make special Google Wallet stickers for phones without NFC
- Google announces Google Wallet and Google Offers, here’s everything you need to know
- Here’s how to watch the Google Wallet press event live (video)
- Poll: Verizon releases 3 Android devices today, which one will you take?
- Sprint-bound Samsung SPH-D600 pops up, powered by a Snapdragon chip and Gingerbread
| Victory: HTC will no longer lock the bootloader on their devices Posted: 26 May 2011 06:48 PM PDT  Congratulations, Android community, you’ve done it. After the huge backlash that HTC got from locking the EVO 3D’s bootloader, the company seems to have gotten the message. HTC’s CEO, Peter Chou, took to Facebook to let us know that they’re truly sorry and that they won’t do it again. Specifically, Chou said: There has been overwhelmingly customer feedback that people want access to open bootloaders on HTC phones. I want you to know that we've listened. Today, I'm confirming we will no longer be locking the bootloaders on our devices. Thanks for your passion, support and patience.Peter ChouCEO of HTC It’s okay, HTC, we forgive you. How do you guys feel about this news? Will you consider buying an HTC device even more now? We’d like to know. Meanwhile, Hip hip hooray! Score one for the Android community. Image Source: ICA Fitness
|
| You can now watch the whole Google Wallet event (video) Posted: 26 May 2011 06:32 PM PDT  It’s been a crazy day in the mobile world today. This morning, Google gave us a glimpse at the future of mobile commerce, and how we’ll eventually get rid of our wallets, keys, cash, and credit cards. The company announced Google Wallet, Google Offers, and even a new Google credit card named Google Prepaid Card. But watching the event once is really not enough. You can now relive the excitement of watching Googler Osama Bedier tap his Nexus S 4G to pay for his daughter’s shorts, because Google has now uploaded a video of the whole event to YouTube for your enjoyment. After watching it, come back and tell us if you’ll be happy to dump your wallet for Google Wallet or not? I will.
|
| Evernote launches Evernote Developer Challenge Posted: 26 May 2011 02:07 PM PDT  Are you a budding application developer looking for some ideas to get started? A seasoned veteran looking to unleash some awesome new application onto the world? Evernote has a new developer challenge for you, complete with a total of $100,000 in prizes, including $50,000 of cold hard cash for the grand prize winner. Evernote has announced it’s first ever Evernote Developer Challenge, allowing developers to build applications, features/serivces, or device integration that incorporate Evernote’s features in cool or innovative ways. Evernote provides some further clarification for what they’re looking for in the quote below. One way to look at an integration is to think about the two services that you can provide to an Evernote user: you can help them capture information, or you can help them find and use information that they've already captured. Some apps do only one of these things, others do both.Evernotevia Evernote Developer Challenge Website For all the details on the Evernote Developer Challenge, including rules and regulations for submission, breakdown of prizes, and the submission deadlines, head on over to the Evernote Developer Challenge website. Plan on entering the competition? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
|
| Modders at XDA hard at work to bring Tegra-only games to non-Tegra devices Posted: 26 May 2011 01:48 PM PDT  One of the biggest gripes we've heard with the recent onslaught of Tegra 2-only games is the fact that they're Tegra-only. If you don't own one of the shiny new dual-core Tegra devices, you simply can't play these new games. Our readers (and some staffers) have lamented that this type of fragmentation is the worst kind to plague the Android platform. Rather than having applications restricted to version types (a problem Google is attempting to remedy with the upcoming Ice Cream Sandwich version update), the new wave of fragmentation will render an application unusable unless your phone has the correct chipset. It seems the folks over at XDA feel the same way, as they're already hard at work on a fix for the modding community. XDA member Chainfire has built Chainfire3D, an intermediary OpenGL driver that "sits between your applications and graphics drivers, and can intercept and/or change commands between the two." Perusing the comments on the Chainfire3D thread shows that they have some Tegra-only games working on the Samsung Galaxy S2, and it's only a matter of time before they find a way to offer full support for non-Tegra devices. You can head over to XDA to read all about this work in these three threads:
The very fact that people are working hard on this issue only does more to bring the issue to the forefront. With the proliferation of Tegra-only games and the device-selective release of the long-awaited Netflix application, it seems this chipset-based app fragmentation isn’t going away anytime soon, and highlights the growing sense of competition coming to the Android platform. With Amazon trying to score exclusive applications away from Google’s Android Market, and chipset manufacturers trying to do the same thing to differentiate their chips to both customers and cell manufacturers, the Android platform is increasingly becoming a battleground, and I fear that customers are the ones who are going to lose out in the end. As is customary with our posts, we want to know what you think.
Answer these (and more) questions in the comments below.
|
| Google plans to make special Google Wallet stickers for phones without NFC Posted: 26 May 2011 01:37 PM PDT  At the Google Wallet press event this morning, the company let it slip during the Q/A session that it plans to release a special sticker that’ll allow phones without NFC to talk with the Google Wallet app. Right now, the only phone that’ll be able to use Google Wallet is the Nexus S 4G. While the company said at the event that most Android phones will support NFC in the future, that’s at least a year away. Meanwhile, most Android users won’t be able to take advantage of this service. Google, of course, has a problem with that. Therefore, it makes sense that the company wants to create a solution for those of us without an NFC-capable device. Here’s how it’d work: You’d get this special sticker from Google that has a single credit card’s info associated with it. You’d then put it on the back of your phone and the sticker would communicate with the Google Wallet app just like if your phone had an NFC chip. Pretty nifty, huh? While the sticker won’t allow you to take full advantage of Google Wallet — as you’d be limited to just using one credit card — it’ll still allow you to pay with your phone. This sticker would very useful coupled with another product that Google announced today. Hidden among all the Google Wallet craziness, the company announced the Google Prepaid Card. The card is not an actual card that you’d have in your wallet, but it’s instead a “virtual card”. You can fund the Google Prepaid Card from any other credit card or bank account that you currently have. Like icing on the cake, you’ll get $10 deposited in your Google Prepaid Card when you first open an account. Technically, you could get a Google Prepaid Card and then have a sticker tied to that Google Prepaid Card. This way, your “special sticker” is not tied to just one bank or one credit card. Will you guys be getting one of these stickers when they come out? I know I will.
|
| Google announces Google Wallet and Google Offers, here’s everything you need to know Posted: 26 May 2011 09:41 AM PDT  Google just announced Google Wallet and Google Offers at a press event in New York. The company has partnered with Citi, Mastercard, First Data, Subway, Macy’s, Walgreens, Toys ‘R Us, Sprint and a bunch of other companies to bring this service to customers. To use the service, you’ll need to install the Google Wallet app on your Android device. From there, you can add as many credit cards, loyalty cards and gift cards as you want — initially only Citi Bank’s credit cards and the Google Prepaid Card are supported. From there, the process is pretty much straightforward, just select which credit card you’d like to pay with, and tap your phone to the point-of-sale device. That’s it. As soon as Google Wallet becomes available, it will work wherever MasterCard PayPass is supported. Being able to use Google Wallet at over 300,000 locations right from launch, will hugely improve the chances that Google Wallet gains a lot of momentum very fast. Google also took the opportunity to announce Google Offers. Which has been in beta testing for residents of Portland, OR for a while now. Google Offers will be tightly integrated into Google Wallet. You’ll be able to look for Google Offers from Google Search, Maps, Latitude, Shopper, and Google Offers itself. Once you find an offer that you’re interested in, just save it and it’ll automatically appear on your Google Wallet Android app. Once it’s time to pay, Google Wallet will automatically calculate the discounted price and pay with just one single tap. Putting an end to the hassle of finding coupons on a magazine, saving them, cutting them, and then finally showing it to the cashier. Finally, the whole service it’s wrapped up with a whole lot of security features. First, there’s the Google Wallet PIN, which you’ll need to enter every time you fire off the Google Wallet app. On top of that, Google has worked with OEMs to develop a special chip inside smartphones called the Secure Element. The chip protects all the data that’s stored inside Google Wallet. Google describes the Secure Element as: “… a separate computer, capable of running programs and storing data. The Secure Element is separate from your Android phone’s memory. The chip is designed to only allow trusted programs on the Secure Element itself to access the payment credentials stored therein.” Google doesn’t want to stop at just credit cards, though. The company said during the event that this is just the beginning for Google Wallet. In the future, the company plans to add “boarding passes, tickets, ID and keys” to Google Wallet, officially killing physical wallets forever. Initially, the service will be only available for Sprint’s Nexus S 4G users. But Google said that it’ll be coming to a lot more Android devices in the future — that support NFC, of course. How do you guys feel about your phone now becoming your wallet (and possibly also your keys)? Are you ready to let Google have all this information? Let us know in the comments.
|
| Here’s how to watch the Google Wallet press event live (video) Posted: 26 May 2011 08:51 AM PDT  The supposed Google Wallet press event is starting in just a few minutes. We’ll be covering the event and bringing you all the goodies as they’re announced. Meanwhile, you can watch the official live stream of the event on Google’s YouTube account. What do you guys think the company will announce? Let us know in the comments.
|
| Poll: Verizon releases 3 Android devices today, which one will you take? Posted: 26 May 2011 08:41 AM PDT  Though some of these devices have been available online for a few days, there is nothing like walking into a store and having some intimate time with a handset before making a commitment. Today, May 26, Verizon has 3 new devices available in-store, and chances are many of you will be running over to get your hands all over them. Said Android smartphones are the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, the Motorola Droid X2, and the LG Revolution. We are all obsessed with the idea of having that one device that has it all. Such is not the case for these, and as sad as it seems, that Prince Charming Android phone can only be found in our dreams (for now). All three devices offer very different features, creating a diverse variety of phones, so you can pick which one will suit your needs better. We have put together a poll to see what our readers think about Verizon’s tri-force, and which devices they will be taking home. So, Let’s take a look at today’s poll contestants! Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Oh, Xperia Play! We have been waiting so long for you. Rumors about the existence of this device started flying around since last year, around August. As you probably already know, this device is meant to be targeted at all you hard-core gamers out there. Being the only device that features a slide-out gaming pad, it will sure keep your spare time very busy, while you take care of saving the world and what not. We are all complaining about the fact that phones are still being released without dual-core processors. Of course, we want the latest and newest, and though this is not a dual-core device, it does have the newer generation of Qualcomm single-core processors. This device sports a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon II processor, with an Adreno 205 GPU (which should keep your gaming and media running pretty smooth). Aside from the lack of dual-core (No 4G LTE either), this phone has everything else that you can expect from it, like Android 2.3 Gingerbread, VGA front-facing camera, and a 5 MP rear-facing camera. Motorola Droid X2
The Motorola Droid X was quite popular last year, mostly due to its thin body, and that stunning 4.3-inch display. Well, if you are a proud owner of the Motorola Droid X, the Droid X2 will give you a boost in performance, while giving you a very familiar feeling to what you are used to. When I say the word “familiar,” i mean it. The Droid X2 is pretty much the same as its predecessor, but with 2 main upgrades: A 1 GHz dual-core Tegra 2 processor, and a qHD display (960×540). Other specs include teh familiar Android 2.2 Froyo (to be upgraded to Gingerbread), 512 MB of RAM, and 8 MP rear-facing camera. The device does lack a front-facing camera, along with 4G LTE compatibility, but some of you may very well not care about those. LG Revolution
First seen at CES (officially), the LG Revolution has become a big upgrade for Verizon LG users. Though the LG Vortex and LG Ally were great entry-level devices for new Android users, it is time for LG to step up the game when it comes to Verizon handsets. The LG Revolution is actually the only one three devices (and the only one released today) that is 4G LTE capable on Verizon Wireless (along with the HTC Thunderbolt and the Samsung Droid Charge). Its 4G compatibility and the front-facing 1.3 MP camera are pretty much the most exciting features in the Revolution. Aside from those two, the specs include Android 2.2 Froyo, a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, a 5 MP rear-facing camera, and a 4.3-inch TFT display. Which do you want?As mentioned before, each of these devices has its own advantages over the others. Which one is the best? That simply depends on your needs. Gamers will definitely have a good time with the Xperia Play. If you really want a front-facing camera, the Droid X2 would be out of the picture, but it is also the only one with a dual-core processor. If data speed is an important factor, it may be good to consider the LG Revolution, which is compatible with Verizon’s new 4G LTE network. Please take a vote and let us know which of these will be your next Android smartphone. We always like to know what you guys think, so let us know the reason for choosing one of these devices (or none) in the comments section.
|
| Sprint-bound Samsung SPH-D600 pops up, powered by a Snapdragon chip and Gingerbread Posted: 26 May 2011 08:13 AM PDT  Well, what do we have here. It seems there’s not only a Motorola Android phone in Sprint’s near future, but also a Samsung one. The Samsung SPH-D600 just found its way to the Internet, as always, thanks to Mr. Blurrycam. We don’t know a lot about the device at this point, but according to the pictures below it’ll probably launch with Gingerbread. Also, word on the street is that it’ll be powered by a Snapdragon processor, have a 480×320 resolution display, and 3.2 MP rear-facing camera with also a front-facing camera. Looking at the specs, it’s obvious that the SPH-D600 will be aimed at the mid-range section of the market. With that said, it’s interesting that the device has a front-facing camera — a feature still reserved for high-end phones. Just like NFC chips, front-facing cameras could soon become just one of those features like Wi-Fi and GPS that we take for granted. Eventually, we could even see them on low-end phones. We better get used to the idea of video-calling everybody, everywhere, at anytime. Keep an eye out for the SPH-D600, who knows, we might even catch a glimpse of it at a certain press event that’s coming up. Gallery
|
| You are subscribed to email updates from Android and Me To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment