By Editor on March 18, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Yuilop has introduced a new app for free texts and chats between schoolchildren and students. The app is currently available for Android devices, with versions for other operating systems to follow.
It can be downloaded from the Android Market to Android smartphones, with a version of the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch to become available shortly on the iTunes App Store. Versions for BlackBerry, Windows Phone 7 and Symbian smartphones are being prepared and will be available in Q2 2011.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with Android Devices, Android Market, Android Smartphones, Blackberry, chats, free texts, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, iTunes App Store, messaging app, Mobile, Operating Systems, Symbian, Windows phone 7, Yuilop
By Editor on March 7, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Google has deployed its controversial ability to reach into Android smartphones to remove malware that several hundred thousand people are reported to have downloaded from infected copies of Android apps.
As per reports, last week, it became apparent that a batch of legitimate apps had been copied and uploaded to the Android Market, with a virus inside them. The malware infection apparently only worked on older versions of the Android OS and only reported the IMEI and Android OS version number back to the hackers.
In total, it has been claimed that 58 infected apps were uploaded to the Android Market, with 260,000 devices compromised by downloads.
The team at Google has since deployed its remote access tool that gives it the ability to target any Android phone and remove software apps without the users’ direct consent. While done for laudable reasons, the use of the backdoor access will worry security professionals.
The company is also pushing out an OS upgrade to all infected handsets that will undo the damage.
By Editor on February 23, 2011 · Leave a Comment
A recent research has revealed that there will be an installed base of 140 million Android portable devices, including smartphones and tablets, by the end of 2011. Research has found that the recent unveiling of Google’s Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) operating system for tablets, along with enhancements to the Android Market website, will do much to enhance growth prospects for this segment.
According to researchers, this provides an exciting opportunity for pay-TV operators, which have traditionally been tethered to the living room, to expand the reach of their brands to multiple portable platforms with apps development.
In total, Apple OS and Android OS were present in nearly 125 million connected devices shipped in 2010 and this is only expected to increase in 2011. Such reach into consumers’ hands means more operators will be developing apps that enable subscribers to purchase and consume content on new portable platforms and explore new convergence applications, such as controlling your on-demand service on the TV set via the smartphone.
Handset vendors are expected to make a number of smartphone announcements at Mobile World Congress, as well as demonstrate new tablet devices. These devices are critical to the multi-screen strategies that mobile network operators and content providers are hoping will encourage widespread uptake by consumers.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with Android, Android 3.0 Honeycomb, Android Market, Android OS, Android portable devices, Apple OS, Google, Mobile, Mobile World Congress, Operating System, pay-TV operators, smartphones, tablets
By Editor on February 18, 2011 · Leave a Comment
The partnership between Giorgio Armani and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd continues to grow. Combining style and cutting-edge technology, this alliance has come up with an exclusive edition smartphone, the Giorgio Armani Samsung GALAXY S.
The Giorgio Armani-designed body of the smart phone comes equipped with a brilliant SUPER AMOLED display that looks great even in direct sunlight and an array of intelligent features, such as integrated messaging, SWYPE for efficient texting on-the-go, Android marketâ„¢ and more.
The Giorgio Armani Samsung GALAXY S exterior embodies quintessential Armani sophistication. Adding a touch of distinction, the sleek body comes adorned with an exclusive Armani-patterned back metal cover. And at 9.9 mm, the new Armani Samsung GALAXY S is slim and stylish, the perfect accessory to throw in your pocket.
The Giorgio Armani Samsung GALAXY S provides you with intelligent features to ensure you’re always connected. A Social Hub with integrated messaging incorporates your phonebook, calendar, history and SNS all into one seamless, one-page layout.
The Giorgio Armani Samsung GALAXY S comes complete with Android Marketâ„¢ and Samsung Apps, so you can choose from countless downloadable applications including utility apps, games, health and lifestyle apps, and e-books. The Giorgio Armani- designed interface provides a selection of exclusive content, including ringtones, fonts and on/off animation for greater personalization and style.
“The long-standing partnership between Samsung and Giorgio Armani has produced a finely crafted handset that reflects the user’s refined tastes. It has been magnificent to see Samsung’s design and technological expertise matched with one of the most prestigious and stylish brands in the world,” said YH Lee, Senior Vice President of the Samsung Mobile Marketing.
On his part, Mr. SangSuk Roh, president of Samsung Levant praised the new distinguished look of Galaxy S from Samsung, and stated: “This achievement proves that mobile phones are no longer considered as a tool for phone calls, but also has become a new stylish accessory piece, that reflects elegancy and modernity.”
The Giorgio Armani Samsung GALAXY S is available since December in Giorgio Armani boutiques and in major mobile phone stores in Italy and will be gradually rolled out globally in 2011.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with Android Market, Giorgio Armani, Giorgio Armani Samsung GALAXY S, Italy, Mobile, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Senior Vice President, smartphone, SNS, Social Hub, SWYPE, UPER AMOLED display, YH Lee
By Editor on February 9, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Mobile data bandwidth usage continued its phenomenal increase with 73% growth during the second half of 2010, according to research report. Video streaming continues to drive this growth as it remains the fastest growing application type, accounting for 37% of mobile bandwidth.
The H2 2010 report reveals that YouTube is responsible for a tremendous 17% of mobile data bandwidth usage and continues as the single most significant website for video streaming, accounting for 45% of total video streaming traffic. The report also shows the continued exponential growth experienced by social networking applications such as Twitter and Facebook, which grew by 378% and 267%, respectively, underlining the natural synergy that exists between social media and the mobile Internet.
The use of VoIP and IM applications also continued to grow rapidly with an 87% increase, demonstrating their ongoing appeal for subscribers.
This report also reveals that Google’s Android Market lags far behind Apple’s App Store with only 9% of the overall app store download traffic. However, its rapid 177% growth rate may influence this balance in the near future.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with VoIP, Android Market, App Store, Apple, bandwidth usage, Facebook, Google, H2, IM applications, Mobile, mobile bandwidth, Mobile Data, mobile internet, social media, twitter, USA, YouTube
By Editor on February 4, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Google and RIM have announced support for in-app payments, as both companies plan to compete with Apple in this sector of the apps market.
Google has added in-app billing support to Android Market, which it states gives developers more ways to monetize their applications through new billing models including try-and-buy, virtual goods, upgrades, and more. The company is launching in-app billing in stages. It has already made available detailed documentation and a sample application, to enable developers to get familiar with the service.
In the coming weeks it will launch enhancements to the Android Market that will enable it to test against the in-app billing service. Before the end of the quarter, the service will be live for users. Meanwhile the latest version of RIM’s BlackBerry App World has gone live this week offering in-app payment support for the first time.
The new version of the storefront (version 2.1) will allow developers to use RIM’s Payment Services SDK to enable in-app payments in future and existing applications. Vendors will be able to register and manage virtual goods through the BlackBerry App World Vendor Portal and a reporting feature will be able to track purchases/payments for their goods.
In-app payments will be subject to the same revenue share splits as offered by the BlackBerry App World storefront and use the payment type users specify in their BlackBerry ID (which can be either a credit card, carrier billing or an online payment service such as PayPal).
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with Android Market, Apple, apps market, BlackBerry App, BlackBerry App World Vendor Portal, BlackBerry ID, Google, in-app payments, Mobile, PayPal, RIM, try-and-buy, upgrades, virtual goods
By Editor on February 3, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Google has restored its Android Market and has also announced the launch of the service via conventional web browsers.
They have also enabled an ability to send apps directly to an Android device with just a few clicks – no wires needed. Users can also now share apps with their friends through Twitter, and can read and post app reviews directly to Android Market.
Users with a Google account can also now keep track of all their purchases via the website version.
According to Google, the Android Market website was officially unveiled today during an event at Google headquarters where they showcased Honeycomb (Android 3.0), the latest Android release built from the ground up for tablets.
Honeycomb has a completely redesigned user interface, with more interactive notifications and widgets, improved multi-tasking, and the latest and greatest Google Mobile services optimized for tablets.
By Editor on November 18, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Mobilicity, Canadian wireless service provider, has announced a new phone on its network- the Motorola Spice.
Exclusive to Mobilicity, the new Motorola handset powered by Android will be priced at $199.99 – a great value to consumers looking for an Android-based smartphone without a contract.
According to Motorola, Spice delivers an excellent smartphone experience with its sliding QWERTY keyboard and large multi-touch screen, which can be customized through seven home screen panels with easy access to Google Search, Google Maps with Google Latitude, Gmail and Android Market.
Users can easily view and manage content from a single application – keeping track of call histories, messages, calendar events, photos and videos, all of which can then be mapped onto a timeline on the home screen. Plus, the device has a unique rear-touch Backtrack panel that makes it possible to navigate and scroll through web sites without obstructing the screen.
The handset will soon be available at Mobilicity stores across Canada.
By Editor on November 10, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Verizon Wireless, the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless voice and 3G data network, and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the number one mobile phone provider in the United States, today announced the upcoming availability of the Samsung ContinuumTM, a Galaxy STM smartphone. The Continuum is the world’s first smartphone designed with a dedicated ticker display, which provides users with up-to-the-minute news, sports, finance and social networking updates for maximized multitasking.
The Continuum features two separate but integrated displays: a 3.4-inch touch screen Super AMOLEDTM main display and a customizable 1.8-inch Super AMOLED dedicated ticker display that streams customized information in real time. Additionally, the Continuum is powered by AndroidTM 2.1, with support for Google Mobile Services, including GmailTM, YouTubeTM, Android MarketTM and more. The Continuum also includes a 1GHz Hummingbird Application Processor, 5-megapixel camera, and multiple entertainments and social networking features and is available in Mirror Black Color.
Key features and specifications:
- 3.4-inch Super AMOLED Main Touch Screen Display – Main display provides user-customizable homescreens and widgets in a brilliant screen display
- 1.8-inch Interactive Super AMOLED Ticker Display – Dedicated ticker display enables zero-click access to news, social networking, sports and entertainment feeds; users can select what content they want on the ticker by selecting from menu on display
- Grip Sensor – By touching the bottom sides of the device, the ticker display lights up to give users real-time weather, social networking services (SNS), message, IM and e-mail notification updates
- Super AMOLED Screen Technology – Brilliant screen makes watching movies, viewing videos and playing games come to life like never before, even in bright light and outdoor environments
- Android 2.1 platform – With support for Google Mobile Services, including Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk and Android Market
- Preloaded with Bing Maps and Bing Search
- Full HTML Web browsing capabilities
- 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities – Allows customers to transform their phone into a wireless modem for up to five compatible Wi-Fi-enabled devices
- Advanced touchscreen gestures capabilities, including multi-touch pinch to zoom, double tap to zoom and horizontal swiping, which provides easier and quicker access to many applications, including location-based services, Web browsing and digital photos or videos
- Multiple file formats supported, including DivX and Xvid support
- Samsung 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird Application Processor – Produces amazing graphics, faster upload and download times, and HD-like multimedia content
- Six-axis sensor that works with the smartphone’s accelerometer to provide a smooth, fluid gaming experience when the user is tilting the device up or down or panning the phone to the left or right
- Virtual QWERTY Keyboard Featuring Swype Technology – Input text faster and in a more intuitive way with one continuous finger motion across the screen keyboard
- Full suite of messaging options – Text, picture, video and voice messaging; corporate and personal e-mail accounts supported
- 5.0-megapixel camera/camcorder – Auto-focus and LED flash with HD video recording and playback capabilities to capture photos and videos for playback on your HD television; playback (720p) on the screen display
- Wi-Fi Connectivity (802.11 b/g/n)
- Stereo Bluetooth® Technology – Support for headset, hands-free, stereo, phonebook access, and object push for vCard and vCalendar
- Corporate Email – Supports Android ‰clair Exchange ActiveSync e-mail to synchronize corporate e-mail, contacts and calendars from office e-mail accounts
- Music player features lock screen, ticker display and quick side panel controls and 3.5-millimeter headphone jack
- 8 GB microSDTM card preinstalled expandable up to 32 GB
Lifestyle features:
- V CAST Music with Rhapsody®, V CAST Video on Demand, V CAST Song ID, Visual Voice Mail, V CAST Tones, VZ Navigator®, Mobile IM, City ID, Bing Search and Maps, and Blockbuster Application
- Dedicated ticker displays up-to-the minute news, weather and SNS updates, as well as music player controls and incoming e-mail, IM, and text messages without interrupting the activity on the main display
- Samsung’s Social Hub – Built around messaging, contacts and calendar sync, which allows users to send and receive information, whether it is e-mail, social network updates or SMS messages
- Integrated Calendar information from portal calendars, on Exchange, Google CalendarTM and SNS, including Facebook®
- Integrated Contacts syncs with Exchange, Google, Twitter and Facebook – Facebook contacts display in four categories, including Info, History (previous calls and messages), Activities (status updates and notifications on social networking sites), and Media (Facebook profile photos and photo gallery)
- AllShareTM – Enables inter-device connectivity through Digital Living Network Alliance® (DLNA®), so users can send multimedia content wirelessly to other DLNA Certified®-enabled devices such as TVs and laptops
- Daily Briefing – Instant access to weather, news, stocks and schedules
- Write and Go – Quickly jot down an idea and later decide on a format, such as SMS/ MMS, e-mail, calendar or memo, to send or post to popular SNS sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace
- Smart Alarm – Natural alarm sound and display automatically illuminates
- Weather Clock – Displays current time and weather of the selected city (ability to add and select other cities)
Pricing and availability:
- The Samsung Continuum will be available for order starting Nov. 11 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement and data package. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted. The device will be available for purchase in stores beginning Nov. 18.
- For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with A GALAX, AMOLED, Android Market, e-mail notification updates, Gmail, Google Talk, IM, Message, Mobile, MOBILE PHONE TICKER DISPLAY, SAMSUNG CONTINUUMâ„¢, Samsung Mobile, SNS, United States, Verizon Wireless, Wi-Fi, YouTube
By Editor on November 2, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Google has removed the controversial Android Market application that enabled users to secretly spy on text messages sent via someone else’s smartphone.
Google primarily approved DLP Mobile’s Secret SMS Replicator for download via Android storefront, but removed the application about 18 hours later as the application automatically creates blind carbon copies of incoming text messages and forwards them to a selected number.
According to the developer (DLP Mobile), the app is unique because there is no visible icon or shortcut to access it, so once it’s installed, it will continue to monitor without revealing itself. The app’s creators had given it the slogan to tha application as ‘nothing is secret’.
As per the company’s chief executive, Zak Tanjeloff, the app was certainly controversial but can be helpful to people in relationships where this type of monitoring can be useful.
According to a Google spokesperson, Secret SMS Replicator was removed because it violates the Android Market Content Policy.
