Showing posts with label Android. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Android. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Motorola Xoom Dual Core Processor Tablet

Motorola Xoom is the World’s first tablet with a 1GHZ dual core processor. It is also the first tablet that ship with Honeycomb, a new version's of the Android 3.0 operating system. The Motorola Xoom dual core processor for 2X power 2X speed makes multitasking become very easy, access various type of file from whatever source, handling documents in an instant. It's PC-like performance for working and gaming in a flexibility gadget.

Here's the features of Motorola Xoom:

  • Flexibility
    • Multitask with ease and PC like performance.
    • Access various types of files, whatever the source.
    • Open, edit, save and share docs in an instant.
    • Data encrypted, for total security at work or play.
    • Check email, view your calendar, and set appointments.
  • Display
    • 10.1 inch widescreen for HD display.
    • Rich, clear video playback in 720p HD.
    • Touch screen, with pinch to zoom navigation.
    • 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, at 150p inch.
    • Coming Gorilla Glass toughness.Cameras/Video
  • Operating System
    • First device on powerful android 3.0 (Honeycomb).
    • Google software designed specifically for tablets.
    • Fully upgradable to 4G, making it next gen ready.
    • Best for video, streaming media and downloading.
    • Radical new “floating” multi finger user interface.
    • Supports Adobe Flash player for optional browsing.
  • Cameras / Video
    • Camcorder – Fully functioning HD camcorder for quality video.
    • Cameras – Front and rear facing camera for social networking.
    • Video Conferencing – Front facing web cam for video conferencing.
    • Playback – Playback in 720p HD or even output at 1080p via HDMI.
    • Rear Camera – Rear 5 MP camera with LED flash and digital zoom.
    • Edit and share videos, photos instantly.
Accessories :

  • Speaker HD Dock
    • Featured compact, built in speakers, so there is no need to connect.
    • Double as a hub, with there USB 2.o ports plus HDMI connectivity.
    • Video chat, access apps, watch movies, listen to music while charging.
    • Speaker HD dock remembers your settings – every time you plug in.
    • Use Bluetooth technology to connect to a wireless keyboard or mouse.
    • Allows you to use your tablet at a convenient and accessible angle.
  • Standard Dock
    • Keeps your tablet charged and ready to go.
    • Allows you to use your tablet at a convenient and accessible angle.
    • Standard dock remembers your settings – every time you plug in.
    • Access apps, watch TV or movies, listen to music while charging.
    • Set the default view to clock mode or your personal photo gallery.
    • Connect to external speakers to enhance listening/viewing pleasure.
  • Wireless Keyboard
    • Connects effortlessly with Bluetooth wireless technology.
    • Works with most Android Powered Motorola devices.
    • Features a lightweight, full sized keyboard with super thin design.
    • Includes shortcut keys for quick access to your favorite Android apps.
  • Portfolio
    • Protect and personalize your tablet with the custom fit portfolio case.
    • Available in two materials, including durable and leather.
    • Positions your tablet in easy to see angles when used as a stand.
More articles about Motorola Xoom - Android Smart Tablet

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Final Android 3.0 Platform and Updated SDK Tools

We are pleased to announce that the full SDK for Android 3.0 is now available to developers. The APIs are final, and you can now develop apps targeting this new platform and publish them to Android Market. The new API level is 11.
 
For an overview of the new user and developer features, see the Android 3.0 Platform Highlights.
 
Together with the new platform, we are releasing updates to our SDK Tools (r10) and ADT Plugin for Eclipse (10.0.0). Key features include:

  • UI Builder improvements in the ADT Plugin:
    • New Palette with categories and rendering previews. (details)
    • More accurate rendering of layouts to more faithfully reflect how the layout will look on devices, including rendering status and title bars to more accurately reflect screen space actually available to applications.
    • Selection-sensitive action bars to manipulate View properties.
    • Zoom improvements (fit to view, persistent scale, keyboard access) (details).
    • Improved support for layouts, as well as layouts with gesture overlays.

  • Traceview integration for easier profiling from ADT. (details)
  • Tools for using the Renderscript graphics engine: the SDK tools now compiles .rs files into Java Programming Language files and native bytecode.

To get started developing or testing applications on Android 3.0, visit the Android Developers site for information about the Android 3.0 platform, the SDK Tools, and the http://developer.android.com/sdk/eclipse-adt.html.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

CherryPad for The Sub iPad Market

Cherrypal Launches Powerful 7-Inch $188 Android 2.1 3D Tablet Computer for the Sub-iPad(C) Market Cherrypal Enters Into Exclusive Deal With Green Shopping Site Zecozi
PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct 07, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cherrypal, a California-based manufacturer of high quality, low-energy consuming and affordable personal computers, today announced the availability of its new sub $200 tablet computer, the CherryPad America.

The CherryPad was designed for consumers who are looking for an affordable, powerful, high quality, and low energy-consuming tablet computer with the ability to run the Android operating system. CherryPad is powered by the fast Samsung ARM11, (CPU + GPU + DSP, OpenGL 2.0) 800 MHz processor and runs Android 2.1 and all Android applications. An upgrade option to 2.2 is planned for the fourth quarter 2010.

The CherryPad America features a 7-inch resistive touch widescreen display (no stylus needed) at 800x480 resolution with built-in gravity sensor. Memory, storage and wireless functions include 256 MBs of DDRII RAM; 2 GB NAND Flash; Micro SD (1x) reader, and WiFi 802.11 b/g.

Standard I/O ports include USB 2.0 supported by an external adapter; 3.5 mm headphone jack, built-in speakers and microphone, DC port, optional external 3G modem. The CherryPad America's Polymer 3200 MAH battery has a run time of 6-8 hours. The device weighs just 1.1 pounds and is housed in a sturdy aluminum case. MSRP of the CherryPad America is $188.

"The CherryPad America does not compete against the Apple(C) iPad. The CherryPad addresses the sub-iPad market," said Cherrypal CTO Max Seybold.

According to Seybold, CherryPad has been designed for consumers who seek a lower cost, more compact tablet PC with the ability to run Android.

"The CherryPad is neither an iPad killer nor an iPad clone, it's a completely different product designed for a different market," Seybold said. "The screen of the CherryPad is only 7-inches big, the processor is slightly less powerful, and the CherryPad comes with Android 2.1 and not Apple's iOS." At a MSRP of $188, the price for a CherryPad is also less than half of the iPad.

"Early user tests confirmed the CherryPad user experience has been extremely positive. Users appreciate full access to the Android Market, its powerful processor, battery run time, and high quality," Seybold said.

Cherrypal Partners With Zecozi Cherrypal also announced a strategic partnership with Zecozi , a new online shopping site for conscious consumers. All Cherrypal products will be exclusively sold through Zecozi in the United States, with the exception of volume buyers. Every Cherrypal comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, as well as a 1-year replacement warranty.

"We are a hardware manufacturer first and need to focus on our core competence in order to drive down costs and offer quality products that consumers can afford. We can offer our products for such a low price because we are frugal with non-product related costs. When we looked for a strong partner who shares our green, open and fair corporate value system, Zecozi was the obvious choice," said Cherrypal CEO John Collier.

Honeycomb or Android 3.0 Oficially Released by Google

Google officially launched Honeycomb or Android 3.0. They have shown a preview of the OS in Motorola Xoom tablet. Honeycomb was mentioned to beat the dominance of Apple in the realm of tablets.

Honeycomb is specifically intended for tablet devices that use a large screen and higher computing capability. But some analysts assess the presence of Honeycomb will not change the map market.
"Honeycomb does little shorten the gap. But there is nothing in it that would make me queue in a line to get it," said analyst Colin Gilis of BCG, with references from the queues that occur when launching the iPad.
Quoted by Reuters on Friday (04/02/2011), Apple still straddling Android in the realm of the tablet. But Apple is not able to pursue Android in the smartphone market, which had just overthrown the most popular Symbian OS in the world.

Google's ambition to beat iPad tablet market will depend on support from the manufacture of Honeycomb, communication providers and application software developers. Google currently has more than 100 thousand applications for Android, still less with about 300 thousand applications for Apple's.

With the introduction of Honeycomb, the big vendors are expected to release the latest tablet-based OS 'beehive' soon in mid-2011. Motorola Xoom for example, will start shipping in the first quarter of this year.


Hold Out for Honeycomb: Five Android Tablets Born Too Soon


When you look at the Apple iPad's sales figures, it's not hard to see why every technology company on the planet is jumping on the tablet bandwagon. The thing is, even despite its wild popularity, not everyone can afford the $500 minimum required to get into the iPad game, and not everyone wants an Apple tablet.

With scores of hardware manufacturers aiming to snag a slice of the big, fat Apple pie, the Android tablet army is growing fast. Too fast, in fact: The truth is, a lot of these tablets just aren't very good.

In some of the tablets we've tested, we've encountered flimsy hardware, low-quality resistive touch screens, serious display resolution issues, and poorly skinned or old Android versions with limited or non-existent access to apps. None of this makes for a very enjoyable tablet experience.

That's not to say that every Android tablet is a disaster. Take the Samsung Galaxy Tab, for example, it's fast, well-designed, and comes with a decent Android implementation. Overall, the Tab is a solid tablet, but for the price ($250 to $550, depending on the carrier you choose), it should do more than an Android smartphone can. One of the reasons the iPad has been so successful is that it provides a rich tablet-specific experience that you just can't get on an iPhone.

Google, this week, unveiled Honeycomb, its tablet-specific Android OS, which is sure to usher in an era of higher-quality, more-capable Android devices and better apps to run on them. And from what we've experienced with the forthcoming Motorola Xoom, it's definitely worth waiting for. So unless you need an Android tablet today, you should pass on the models below, and hold out for the next round of Android tablets with Honeycomb.

Tablets in this Roundup:

Read the full reviews linked below, or compare these Android tablets side by side.

Cherrypal CherryPad
$188 direct
The Cherrypal CherryPad has flaws aplenty, including a finicky resistive touch screen. The rock-bottom $188 price is tough to beat, but there are definitely better ways to spend your money.


Coby Kyros MID7015 Internet Touchscreen Tablet
$199 list
The $200 Coby Kyros MID7015 Internet Touchscreen Tablet uses a limited version of Android, doesn't hook into the full Android Market, and lacks the grace and abilities of more advanced (and expensive) tablets.

$199.99

The first Tegra 2 tablet shows the promise of Nvidia's speedy mobile processor, but the Dell Streak 7 still struggles on several fronts. And fundamental problems, like a low-quality, low-resolution display won't be helped by a future OS upgrade.

$249.99 to $549.99 with contract (price depends on carrier)
With solid, well-designed hardware, the Samsung Galaxy Tab for Sprint is the first viable Android-based competitor to the iPad. Don't get us wrong, the Tab, in all five carrier iterations, is a perfectly fine tablet. But you're paying a hefty price for a device with a old version of Android, and it's unclear if the OS will be upgradeable.

Viewsonic Viewpad 7
$599 direct
On paper, the Viewsonic Viewpad 7 has a long and impressive feature list, but its flaws, including a sky-high price, outnumber its features.

Author: Wendy Sheehan Donnell
Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2379345,00.asp
It's a bad time to buy an Android tablet. Skip these five models, save your cash, and wait for tablets with Google's Honeycomb operating system.

New Android Market web store could open backdoor for phone hackers

If you follow the Google Android operating system scene, you will probably have heard about the new, web-based Android Market store which was launched a few days ago.

The Android Market website allows the user to browse, search and install Android apps using an alternative to the standard device Android Market app that comes on smartphones.

The user is simply required to sign in with their standard Google credentials and the application will retrieve the details of Android devices registered in your name as well as the details of all the Market applications you have already installed.

Once the user signs in to Android Market the application install is available at the click of a button.



I wanted to see what happens on the device when a request to install a new app is submitted from the web-based store.

I logged into the Android Market and found an application suitable for testing: a popular game that made me waste some time last year when I first played it on an iPhone. This seemed a good opportunity to test its usability on the Android OS too. :)

The most important security aspect of the installation process on Android are the permissions an app requires on a device after the installation. Android users should particularly carefully read the required permissions before they install any applications, from the official Android Market or any other source.

For example, a game which requests unusual permissions such as SEND_SMS or RECEIVE_SMS should be considered highly suspicious and installed only if the user is certain about its functionality.



As expected, the web-based Android Market displays the required permissions so that the user can make an informed decision about whether to install the application.

However, the next step in the installation is where a big red security flag is raised. Once the user clicks on the install button on the website, the mobile device will automatically start downloading the application in the background.

This probably happens using the INSTALL_ASSET intent discovered last year by Jon Oberheide when Google used the Android's GTalkService mechanism to remotely remove a test Trojan application created by the researcher.

In summary - if someone managed to steal your Google password they could trick your Android smartphone into installing software, without you having to grant permission on the device itself.

The result of all this is that a Google password suddenly becomes even more valuable for potential attackers, and I would not be surprised to see even more Gmail phishing attacks as a consequence.

In future, however, the phishers' intention may not be to use stolen account credentials for the purposes of sending spam but to install malware on the user's Android devices instead.

Google should make changes to the remote installation mechanism as soon as possible. As a minimum, a dialog should be displayed on the receiving device so that the user must personally accept the application that is being installed.

Let us hope that the update will come in time to prevent cybercriminals abusing the Android Market for the automatic installation of malicious software.

In the meantime, users should choose a strong password for their Google applications account.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Android tops ailing Nokia's Symbian

Google's Android has overtaken Nokia's Symbian as the best selling mobile operating system.

In the last quarter of 2010, manufacturers shipped 32.9 million Android devices, while Nokia shipped 31 million Symbian handsets globally, according to analyst firm Canalys.

Android now holds a third of the market, compared to 31% for Nokia. Apple held steady from the same quarter in 2009 with 16.2% market share, while RIM slid from 20% to 15%. Microsoft fell from 7.2% to 3.1% last year, as it unveiled its new OS, Windows Phone 7.

Android first arrived two years ago, in the form of Google's G1 handset. "It's gone from nowhere to number one in the space of two years, which is pretty impressive," Canalys analyst Pete Cunningham told PC Pro.

He said Android hit the market at just the right time, when the success of the iPhone drove rival manufacturers to look for an operating system to take on Apple.

"Android offered a platform that was pretty competitive to the iPhone, and gave the opportunity to vendors like Samsung and HTC to be able to compete with Apple," Cunningham said.

"Android has certainly benefited from the timing and the fact that the established platforms such as Symbian and Windows Mobile couldn't compete with the Apple iPhone."

Canalys expects Android to keep on growing - at twice the rate of its competitors in 2011. "One of the reasons is 2011 is going to see a lot of growth from smartphones in the mid and low tier... and a lot of vendors are going to be using Android to do that," he said.

The lower-end of the market has long been Nokia's stronghold, but despite posting a drop in profits last week, the struggling mobile firm retains solid market share, Cunningham said. "Nokia's still growing well [in terms of units sold], it's growing 30% year-on-year," he said. "Nokia's not going backwards, it's just growing at a slower rate than the rest of the market."

Indeed, he noted Nokia is still the number one handset manufacturer. "You've got lots of vendors shipping on Android, so that's why Android is the biggest platform, but Nokia is still the number one smartphone vendor," said Cunningham.

by Nicole Kolbie