Google recently announced the launch of Android Instant Apps, a new technology which allows just the bare minumum of an App to be downloaded from links, bypassing the Play Store. This sounds cool enough on its own, but the implications of this reach far deeper than at first appears, and could end up changing the entire internet.
Barnes & Noble announce Nook Tablet
- Bill Damage 0 Comments
Battle of the Readers
The Android reader wars are here in earnest now - Barnes & Noble just released their Amazon Fire rival with what's claimed a better spec in the battery and screen resolution department. Offering free WiFi at all its stores, the tablet will be widely available at the end of November 2011at a cost of $249. The spec compares well to the Kindle Fire with a 7-inch tablet, a 1024x600 pixel touch screen, 1G RAM an a Dual core 1Ghz OMAP4 CPU. This move is the next logical one for B&N who announced in the summer that the were selleing 3 times as many digital books through its websites as physical ones, and so pretty much had to do this to stand a chance of competing with Amazon, Apple etc.
Motorola Corvair Android TV remote
- Bill Damage 0 Comments
Smart Remote
A TV Remote with a TV screen which runs Android Apps? Where do I sign up! Motorola turn up their boundary-pushing machine to the max as the distinction between a tablet, a TV remote and a media player gets totally blurred with the announcement of the Corvair. Said to be a dedicated TV remote running Android Gingerbread (2.3), it has a 6-inch touchscreen, WiFi, Infra-red and even a ZigBee variant known as RF4CE for all those home automation goodies. You can only wonder how well this works with Google TV from, err, Motorola since Google's buyout seems all over bar the shouting. Now all it needs is a dedicated app to stop any particular family member hogging it...
Casio launches dev competition for Android EPOS kit
- Bill Damage 0 Comments
To mark the launch of its Android-based VX-100 EPOS system, Casio is inviting developers to find out more about the device in exchange for prizes and the chance of having their app feature on the device.
The VX-100 is a compact EPOS terminal equipped with a colour main display with full-touch screen operation, a sub-display that is great for showing information to customers, and a built-in thermal printer to generate receipts. The VX-100 is designed for use in SME retail stores, and works as both a standalone system or as part of a networked system. Casio has provided a software development kit that supports the VX-100 hardware.
CoolNote 1.2 released: Total makeover edition!
- Bill Damage 0 Comments
CoolNote just got a huge update - you spoke, we listened! The focus is on great looks, power and simplicity. New features include the widgets now being optional, the notes now having two sides (text and check item), the abiity to set a notes background color from an infinite pallette, a new "micro" note size and the ability to password protect the whole app. Check out the video below, take a trip to the CoolNote website or get the Free or Paid versions from the Android Market.
The Ice Cream Sandwich statue has landed!
- Bill Damage 0 Comments
Christmas - and a huge tasty treat for Android fans - is about to come early. As its followers are well aware, the tradition is to quiety (ha!) erect a statue on a lawn outside the Google HQ in the style of the Android sweet-flavoured codename given to an imminent new release. It's no secret this next one is Ice Cream Sandwich, and so here he is - joining his Froyo, Gingerbread etc buddies right on cue. It's expected this is the Android 4.0 release, since this is the one which unifies the smartphone and tablet lines, although that's not certain, nor is the actual date of the Google announcement. Samsung are also to announce a handset running it - this is the one delayed by the death of Steve Jobs - and the vibe for the most likely date is now Oct 19th in Hong Kong.
Panasonic Toughbook - rugged Android tablet
- Bill Damage 0 Comments
One tough cookie
Panasonic has added the Toughbook to the vast range of Android tablets on the market now, with the clue in its name that this one's different due to its rugged build and security system. Unveiled at the Defence Security and Equipment International (DSEi) at Londons Docklands, the Toughbook features a stylus with a 10.1-inch XVGA (1280x1024 pixel) antiglare touchscreen display with 5:4 aspect ratio – figures that will definitely offer high brightness and greater viewable angles even under direct sunlight. The tablet has deep rooted security measures embedded at hardware level. Other features include satellite-based GPS, full-shift battery life, professional-grade accessories and optional in-built 3G mobile broadband connectivity.
Sharp launches new 3D Aquos handsets
- Bill Damage 0 Comments
Sharp has announced the Aquos SH8298U handset to rival LG's latest 3D model. It runs Android 2.3.4, has a 4.2-inch screen and the 3D effect doesn't need special glasses. There's 512Mb RAM with 2Gb internal and it's powered by a 1.4Ghz single-core Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU - with the graphics being handled by a Adreno 205 GPU. To record 3D video, dual 8 Megapixel cameras are on the back with a single LED flash. This one looks hot - but unfortunately it's only available in Sharps homeland of Japan at the moment, on the SoftBank network. Expect further news on this when it's rolled out to other countries soon...
And the version after Ice Cream Sandwich is ... Jelly Bean!
- Bill Damage 0 Comments
Jelly Bean - yeah, sort of rolls off the tongue doesn't it? Continuing the sweet/dessert themed alphabetic sequence for Android the boffins have though long and hard about one which began with "J", following the "I" of Ice Cream Sandwich and, as is reported to have been leaked by a trusted source, it's to be called Jelly Bean. Also, some of the "game changing stuff" originally planned for Ice Cream Sandwich has been moved back into this version, although as intriguing as this sounds there's absolutely no information on what that could be. It's not official yet - we need to see a giant one on Googles lawn first - but it seems a great fit. Time to think about "k"?
New Android set top box launched from Echostar
- Bill Damage 0 Comments
Echostar has announced the launch of the HDX-200, an IP set-top box to enable operators to use IP to extend services further inside the home network and to access a universally accepted platform for delivering high value applications and services. Amongst many software options, the HDX-200 supports the Android(TM) operating system (OS) and also ships with secure processor technology ensuring that content and services can be delivered securely. The unit provides the interface between the Internet or IP network and a consumer's TV screen and as such will appeal to over-the-top (OTT) entertainment providers, digital TV operators - who wish to deploy hybrid IP solutions - and telco, broadband or IPTV operators.
