Android Overview

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Android™ delivers a complete set of software for mobile devices: an operating system, middleware and key mobile applications. 

Open

Android was built from the ground-up to enable developers to create compelling mobile applications that take full advantage of all a handset has to offer. It was built to be truly open. For example, an application can call upon any of the phone's core functionality such as making calls, sending text messages, or using the camera, allowing developers to create richer and more cohesive experiences for users. Android is built on the open Linux Kernel. Furthermore, it utilizes a custom virtual machine that was designed to optimize memory and hardware resources in a mobile environment. Android is open source; it can be liberally extended to incorporate new cutting edge technologies as they emerge. The platform will continue to evolve as the developer community works together to build innovative mobile applications. 

All applications are created equal

Android does not differentiate between the phone's core applications and third-party applications. They can all be built to have equal access to a phone's capabilities providing users with a broad spectrum of applications and services. With devices built on the Android Platform, users are able to fully tailor the phone to their interests. They can swap out the phone's homescreen, the style of the dialer, or any of the applications. They can even instruct their phones to use their favorite photo viewing application to handle the viewing of all photos. 

Breaking down application boundaries

Android breaks down the barriers to building new and innovative applications. For example, a developer can combine information from the web with data on an individual's mobile phone — such as the user's contacts, calendar, or geographic location — to provide a more relevant user experience. With Android, a developer can build an application that enables users to view the location of their friends and be alerted when they are in the vicinity giving them a chance to connect. 

Fast & easy application development

Android provides access to a wide range of useful libraries and tools that can be used to build rich applications. For example, Android enables developers to obtain the location of the device, and allows devices to communicate with one another enabling rich peer-to-peer social applications. In addition, Android includes a full set of tools that have been built from the ground up alongside the platform providing developers with high productivity and deep insight into their applications.

Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread ROM for Samsung Galaxy S Leaks

GadgTechWorld.blogspot.com

The official Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread update for the Samsung I9000 Galaxy S is out - well, unofficially. We’re still expecting the official update but you could download and install this one right now, at your own risk, of course.

The ROM is version XXJVK and works on the international Galaxy S, the Samsung I9000. Android 2.3.3 brings the API level to 10 and improves Bluetooth, graphics, media framework and speech recognition.

Here’s a video that shows off the new ROM running on the Samsung I9000 Galaxy S, including a whole bunch of benchmarks.



ROM running on the Samsung 19000 Galaxy S video

The firmware is a leaked official ROM, but there are still risks involved in installing an unofficial, unsupported software on your phone.
If you do want to install it on your Samsung Galaxy S, you should start with these instructions and watch the step-by-step installation video. The ROM can downloaded from here (there are versions with and without a boot loader). You might want to wait for the official update, it should arrive soon (or not, you never know).

Here's Youtube Video Link for Install:

Installation Video


How to install in theory and snap format:

How to install

2010 NASA UFO Cover-up - Galactic Federation of Light scoutships around Sun

A little fun for the ladies right here. This video depicts an apocalyptic picture of extraterrestrial ships in our solar system. I'm not sure if it's true (probably not), but it's interesting to watch and comment around it. Someone commented on the video that this is a fun way to take a ride along the galaxy: stop by a sun, recharge and move on.

WE ARE NOT ALONE!

GoPro HD Helmet HERO Camera

GoPro HD is one of the best action camera under $300. You should know this camera has a fantastic value for its money. It takes a bit of getting used to it but it's damn small and it can be used for hockey, dirt bikes, skydiving or snowboarding. I've read some reviews on it and it seems that the 720p x 60fps resolution looks better than 1080p.

One of the best features of this camera is that it features a large variety of mounts. It has 5-15 different types of mounts. The other cool thing about it is that it's case is waterproof.

features (via amazon)
Professional-grade full HD video up to 1080p
60 frames per second option in 720p and WVGA resolutions provides liquid smooth slow motion playback
Videos can be easily edited with iMovie or Windows Movie Maker
Industry’s widest angle (170º) and sharpest lens captures more of the scene
Includes easy to apply mounts for attaching camera to virtually all helmets

Read more reviews about it on Amazon ($299)

Nokia N8 walkthrough: Dolby Digital 5.1 and HDMI video output

This video demonstrates the amazing multimedia power of the Nokia N8. If you connect the Nokia N8 to a TV using the HDMI cable, you'll be able to watch HD movies with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound system.

In addition to this, the Nokia N8 features the best smartphone camera on the market right now (12 mpx camera).

More info on amazon:

The Invisible Camera

The Invisible Camera is a project started in 2009. The project focuses on analog photography. The technology used by Invisible Camera is called light amplification.

The invisible camera uses the same principle as a normal analog camera, with one exception: it is fully transparent. It's constructed using a special polarized glass that lines the ambient light and amplify the energy that forms the image.

As you can see in the video, it uses a special digital film technology.


via

Control Surface for Your Home Recording Studio

I wrote last year on how to set your home recording studio. I will get into producing music today. Any producer needs a control surface when making his instrumentals.

There are multiple midi keyboards/control surfaces alternatives, but the best can be found in the following list: novation,m-audio,akai,cakewalk,edirol,korg.

M-Audio Trigger Finger

For low budget home recording studios I recommend m-audio and akai. In this video he presented M-Audio Trigger Finger Drum Pad Control Surface. The main features of this USB powered control surface are 8 assignable knobs, 4 assignable faders. You'll also find on this board 16 velocity and pressure-sensitive pads. You'll be able to assign individual pressure on each pad. The control board features pre-programmed maps for Reason, Live, GM Drum, XG Drum, iDrum, and more make setup a snap

You can read more on home recording studio blog.

Top 25 Linux Apps

I just installed Linux on VirtualBox, and I was searching for the best apps for it. It seems that this list is pretty solid. Gimp is probably the best alternative to Photoshop.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 preview

This is the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 preview. It features a 8MPx camera with LED flash.
read more about it on PCMAG

Konect Tokyo USB Futuristic Concept Watch

When you see this gadget you'll know it has a cool futuristic vibe. Tokyo USB Concept Watch comes with amazing features like skype, MP, Bluetooth and memory space for storing data or music of your choice.

The idea started from the fact that the designer used to lose his USB key all the time. So it was inevitable: let's combine an USB key and a watch. The result is a futuristic design just like the ones found in Sci-Fi movie.

Listen to your favorite songs on bluetooth headphones. The headphones have the same futuritic design as the Konect Tokyo USB, and features blue ligths and features a cool shape.

The watch features various buttons and indicators: lights for hours an minutes, buttons for volume, mp3 player.

Although the watch can't be found in stores yet, it's obvious that this one is the perfect choice for jogging. Of course, the term "perfect" has different meanings for each person. This is the the most important aspect you need to consider when choosing a watch: establish the purpose of the watch. An alternative to this watch is a mechanical watch. You will find pre owned watches for sale that are not expensive and are considered elegant watches that will last for ages.

Symbian UI update awaited this year

 

Nokia is going for Windows Phone 7 and that means that their Symbian platform will die slowly in the following years. It seems that they are still going to release updates for it. Marc Driessen, Nokia Benelux product manager, brought up that we can anticipate a few Symbian updates coming in 2011.

There will not be any Symbian^4 descending from Nokia, but we'll see a few scheduled UI updates moved from the 4th into the 3rd. Concording to Driessen, Nokia is pointing a major UI overhaul in the autumn, an update reported to admit these features:

- a dedicated pull-down status bar up top
- new iconography
- new flexible widgets
- a simplified navigation bar below
- better menus

 I really hope they will release some updates for Nokia N8, because my phone is begging for it. High-Def Youtube playback would be great. It's frustrating that I can only watch youtube videos in 320x240.

Although Nokia HQ didn't specifically named a date, the autumn timeline does correspond other reports saying that a smaller update for N8 and E7 users could follow  this summer.

64GB iPhone 4 Hands-on

Although iPhone 4 is the best smartphone out there, there is always room for improvements. That's why a 64 GB iPhone is always welcomed. This is allegedly a prototype leaded by a Foxconn worker seen on the markets of Hong Kong. There are some signs of this not being a real iPhone 4 (missing rings around the camera, invalid serial number), but as you can see it looks and feels like a real iPhone 4.

How Big Is The Internet [InfoGraphic]

Download iOS 4.3 for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch

The waiting is over because Apple has decided to release the complete final version of iOS 4.3 for iPhone 4 (only GSM), iPhone 3GS, iPad 2, iPad, iPod touch 4G/3G.

Direct Download Links for iOS 4.3 (Official from Apple)

• iPhone 4 (GSM)
• iPhone 3GS
• iPad 2
• iPad
• iPod touch 3G
• iPod touch 4G
• Apple TV 4.2 (8F191m)

Geminoid Robots tests

Japanese entertainment company Kokor offer an amazing way for clients to remain always young. They can create a robot clone of anyone.

They are called Geminoids and basically are remote-controlled slave robots powered by a quiet air servo system. As you can see in the following videos, they are able to mimic human face reactions pretty good. It's a young technology, so there is room for more. No doubt about that.

Incredible exoskeleton suit!

The best tablet of 2011 Comparison

This is a short comparison between Apple iPad 2, Motorola Xoom, HP TouchPad and BlackBerry PlayBook.


When it comes to platform, I really think iPad 2 and Motorola Xoom are the best because you can find plenty of apps for iOS and Android.

Motorola Xoom  has the highest resolution (1280x800) on a 10.1 inch display.

If we talk about CPU speed, HP TouchPad stands up with its 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon. It's almost certain that every of these tablets will feature 1GB Ram, so it's a tie here.

The camera winner is BlackBerry PlayBook with a 3 megapixel front camera, and 5 megapixel rear camera being able to record 1080p videos. As you've seen in my previous post, iPad 2 is thinner than iPhone 4, and that also makes him the thinnest tablet PC available so far.

Which is the best Tablet PC of 2011? I really think it will be a fight between Apple and Motorola, but if we take into consideration the large fan base Apple has gathered over the years, it's certain it will be the most talked about tablet this year.

image source: engadget.com

iPad 2 Official Release

Apple CEO Steve Jobs made a surprise appearance in order to announce the new iPad 2.
The iPad 2 is a third thinner than its predecessor, and that makes it thinner than the iPhone 4. This will not harm the battery performance, the iPad 2 will have a same battery life, storage and pricing as the older iPad, starting at $499.

Plug and Play Mp3 Player

Mp3 Players has been here for some time and are very popular these days. This is an amazing concept from Giha Who. It can be charged directly from the wall socket.

The controls are just like the ones on the classic iPod: simple to use.

Via: Designboom

Amazing clocks within a clock

This is "The Clock Clock", exhibited and available at Phillips de Pury
It's real size is 130 x 45 cm and it's made from aluminium.

Credits:David Cox, engineering.

Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

This is the new Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador. This car is more powerful and more efficient than Murciélago. The car has an amazing design sculpted around the passenger's compartment. It's aerodynamic and modern, but still features the longer-than-life Lamborghini design.

Although this car has more power than its predecessors, it still uses 20% less fuel, translating into 20% fewer carbon dioxide emissions.

Read more specs here

Maglite® XL100™ LED Flashlight Demo

A Radical discovery in flashlight technology. Created for best light output, the freshly MAGLITE® XL100™ LED flashlight delivers easy, performance oriented features in a sleek, tactical design.