Android Builder Summit and Embedded Linux Conference 2012 Videos

The Android Builders Summit and the Embedded Linux Conference took place on February 13-17 2012, in San Francisco. The Linux Foundation has now posted videos of the talks as well as presentation slides on their website. Android Builder Summit 2012 Buildbot and Gerrit Integration, Improved CI Automation Using Android Outside the Mobile Phone Space The Android Ecosystem Case Study of Android Ice Cream Sandwich Rapid Bringup Towards a Standard Audio HAL for Android Topics in Designing An Android Sensor Subsystem: Pitfalls and Considerations A Novel Approach to In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) Based on Android Android Services Black Magic The Case For Security Enhanced (SE) Android Hardware and Android App Testing & Tuning Exposing the Android Camera Stack Usable Hardware Security for Android on ARM devices Using OpenOCD JTAG in Android Kernel Debugging The AllJoyn Open Source Project ADB: (Android Debug Bridge) : How It Works Android OTA Software Updates USB Device […]

Canonical Brings Ubuntu Desktop to Multi-Core Android Smartphones

Canonical is pushing to move Ubuntu beyond Desktop PC, and we’ve already seen some mockups for Ubuntu Smartphones and the recent Ubuntu TV announcement. The Ubuntu smartphone is not there yet, but Canonical has another idea: running Ubuntu Desktop on your multi-core Android smartphone connected to a TV/Monitor via its HDMI or MHL interface, making Canonical, another company joining “your smartphone is your laptop” trend. Ubuntu for Android will provide a full desktop experience and include office software (which apparently is Google Docs…) , web browsers (Chromium and Firefox), an email clients (Thunderbird) and media applications on Android phones docked to a screen and keyboard. Canonical claims the transition between Android and Ubuntu is seamless thanks to tight integration with the Android service layer. Ubuntu and Android share the same kernel. When docked, the Ubuntu OS boots and runs concurrently with Android. This allows both mobile and desktop functionality to […]

Moneto microSD Card Brings NFC to Android Smartphones and iPhones

NFC (Near Field Communication) is a feature present in many new smartphones that allows wireless payment among other things. Until now, if you had an iPhone or an Android smartphone without an NFC chipset, you would not have been able to take advantage of NFC. But this is about to change thanks to Moneto, a prepaid mobile wallet that works with a microSD card embedding an NFC Chipset. The Moneto Android Kit (29.95 USD) comes with a 1GB microSD card, a Booster Sticker, aPrepaid Debit Card, the Moneto app and 10 USD pre-loaded onto the account. The Moneto iPhone Kit (79.95 USD) comes with a microSD card, an iCaisse case, a Prepaid debit card, the Moneto app and 10 USD pre-loaded onto the account. You’ve got to love the iPhone markup… although there must certainly be a justification for the price difference that I’m missing… There are some caveats to […]

MediaTek Announces MT6575 Android Platform

Yesterday, MediaTek Inc. announced the availability of the MT6575, its 3rd generation platform for mid and entry‐level Android smartphones (defined as less than 190 USD wholesale). The MT6575 platform offers a 1GHz ARM  Cortex‐A9 processor, a 3G/HSPA modem and runs Android 4.0 (ICS). The company targets 2 market segments with this SoC: mid‐range smartphones –  The platform supports 720p HD video playback and recording with an 8MP camera and qHD (960×540) display thanks to a Imagination Technologies PowerVRTM SGX Series5 GPU . Mediatek claims the MT6575 offers over 35% improvement for browser applications and over 20% improvement in graphics capabilities for gaming when compared to competitors’ best offerings in these segments. entry‐level smartphones – The MT6575 also caters to low end smartphone with smaller display sizes, lower resolution, less memory and reduced multimedia requirements. The company claims that the MT6575 has the world’s lowest power consumption, as well as support for […]

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) Runs Android 4.0

Samsung has just announced its first Tablet to run Android 4.0 (ICS), the  Galaxy Tab 2. The tablet features a dual core 1GHz processor with a 7″ touchscreen display (resolution 1024×600), 1GB RAM and 8, 16 or 32 GB flash expandable via a microSD Slot.  There are also front and rear (3MPixel) cameras. Here are Samsung GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) Product Specifications: Network HSPA+ 21Mbps 850/900/1900/2100 Processor 1 GHz Dual-Core Processor Display 7” WSVGA(1024×600) PLS TFT OS Android 4.0(ICS) Camera Main(Rear): 3 Megapixel Fixed Focus CameraSub(Front): VGA for Video Call Video Codec: MPEG4, H.263, H.264, VC-1, DivX, WMV7, WMV8, VP8Format: 3GP, ASF, AVI, MP4, WMV, FLV, MKV, WebM Playback/ Recording: Full HD@30fps, HD@30fps Audio Codec: MP3, AAC, AC-3, AMR, FLAC, MID, WMA, WAV, VorbisMusic Player with SoundAlive 3.5mm Ear Jack Value-added Features Samsung TouchWiz/ Samsung L!ve Panel UX  Samsung Apps Samsung Kies / Samsung Kies air Samsung Hub* – Readers Hub/ […]

Using Your Android Smartphone As A Desktop Computer

I’ve already written some posts with videos showing the many things you could do with your smartphone thanks to MHL Technology. Christian Qantrell (YouTube User) uploaded a video on YouTube where he connected his smartphone to a monitor with a MHL cable showing how it could be used as a desktop computer. I really like his setup with a Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Android 4.0) smartphone  connected to a monitor with an MHL adapter (Micro-USB to HDMI) and Apple Bluetooth keyboard and (Magic) trackpad. He also mentioned external power, but this should not be needed if his monitor supported MHL. The Apple trackpad makes it very neat as it tracks the finger movements as it would if you used the smartphone touchscreen. He showed web browsing and music playback and said gmail works great. Thanks to the multi-touch trackpad, pinch and zoom also works.  Overall, the user experience feels pretty good. […]

Google Releases Chrome for Android (Beta)

Google has introduced the beta version of Chrome for Android, bringing Chrome’s capabilities to smartphones and tablets running Android 4.0 (but not earlier versions). The key features of Chrome for Android: View open tabs: Access the tabs you left open on your computer (also signed into Chrome)—picking up exactly where you left off.  Swipe on your mobile device to switch between tabs. Get smarter suggestions: If you visit a site often on your computer, you’ll also get an auto-complete suggestion for it on your mobile device, so you can spend less time typing. Sync bookmarks: Access your favorite sites no matter which device you are using. You can watch the teaser video below. On the technical side, Chrome for Android brings support for many of the latest HTML5 features to the Android platform including hardware-accelerated canvas, overflow scroll support, HTML5 video. Chrome for Android also brings new capabilities such as […]

Archos 80/101 G9 Firmware Version 3.2.80 Released

Archos has just released a new firmware for Archos 80 G9 / 101 G9 and A70B. Here’s the ChangeLog: Version 3.2.80 – February 3rd, 2012 Video: improve audio/video synchronization on HDMI Video: improve playback of some FLV files File manager: add ability to copy files larger than 4GB Keyboard: better Arabic virtual keyboard layout Internationalization: translations improvements for Arabic and Hebrew Flash on A70B: fix flash video not displayed on some web sites Video on A70B: improve 720p playback support on LCD and TV out Hard drive based products: avoid suspend/resume issues happening sometimes The update should be done automatically OTA, but alternatively the firmware can be downloaded at http://update.archos.com/9/gen9/gen9_3.2.80/firmware_archos_it4.aos Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011. www.cnx-software.com

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