Android OS Hack Gives Virtual Early Upgrade

The latest CyanogenMod release (7.0) is based on Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread). Photo courtesy of Cyanogenmod.com

Android phone owners stuck on older versions of the operating system know the frustration of seeing newer versions with features they can't get.

Good news for them: A new, hacked version of Android delivers many of the features of the latest Android OS without the wait.

The gang over at CyanogenMod dropped a new stable release of their popular Android OS ROM, CyanogenMod version 7.0.

In the hacking community, a custom ROM (which stands for “read-only memory”) has come to refer to a image of the operating system that comes on your phone when you buy it, a.k.a. a stock ROM. Customized ROMs are exactly that — tweaked versions of an OS that are manipulated, often containing firmware upgrades that come out faster than official updates from the makers of the OS.

After gaining root access to your phone, you can run the custom ROM on your phone using an app like ROM Manager.

The new release functions on over 30 devices, now including two tablets — the Barnes and Noble NOOKcolor and the G-Tablet.

Version 7.0 is available free for download at the CyanogenMod web site.

Installing CyanogenMod 7 brings major updates to the keyboard and texting tools, reducing problems with selecting text for copying and pasting that frustrated users in previous versions of Android. The reports on battery usage by app are much more detailed in the settings menu compared to Froyo. There's also a number of minor updates, including a list of all the apps you've downloaded on your phone, as well an update to the camera app that makes it easy to switch between front and back facing cameras.

Along with access to Gingerbread's finest features, CyanogenMod 7.0 comes with a number of cool perks, including built-in CPU clocking (over or under), the ability to install more apps to your phone's SD card, custom wallpapers and themes, and some tweaks to the music playing app that allows for pausing via the camera button.

Some of the different features in the update aren't grandiose in nature, but the new CyanogenMod release highlights what Android enthusiasts love about the platform — the ability to customize a phone through subtle tweaks and flourishes, making what would otherwise be one of many manufactured handsets into a personalized (or hacked) device.

Have you downloaded and tested the new CyanogenMod 7.0? Let us know what it's like in the comments.

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Conspin Andi-One - the world's first Android universal remote

Android can be pretty much adapted to work on any sort of device - from phones to tablets and even car stereos, there's one more to add to the list of devices - universal remotes. Conspin, a home theater and electronics manufacturer has merged an Android tablet with a universal remote to create a smart universal remote. With 3 different interfaces- RF (RF4CE), IR, and WiFi, the remote is capable up controlling up to 50 different compatible devices (over 10,000 devices are supported). In addition to controlling your home theater, the fact that the remote runs Android means you'll be able to make use of Android apps - this means custom remote apps designed for Android devices can also be used on the remote for a more intuitive way to interface with the devices when the default remote doesn't cut it. And if there's nothing to watch on TV, you could always load up games or surf the internet with the tablet itself. The Conspin Andi-One URC is available now for $349.99.

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NEC Medias N-06C Android Phone

NEC has decided to launch the new Android smartphone in the Japanese market. Dubbed as the NEC Medias N-06C, this waterproof Android smartphone supports IPX 5x7 specifications. The phone also features the Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS, an 1GHz MSM8255 Snapdragon processor and a quartet of colors to choose from. No word on pricing at this moment.

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Bijin-Tenki the perfect iPhone and Android App

You may remember Bijin Kabuka, a nice Flash Based application that gave us "cute" real time quote of some major financial platforms... And today we found for you another Japanese wonder with Bijin-Tenki. Based on the same basic concept as Bijin Kabuka, Bijin-Tenki, an iPhone/Android-based application will give you daily weather update and forecast introduced each time by a cute little Japanese Babe...

Love it? Want it? Guess what? This App is free and available on iPhone, Android and even Japanese Dumb phones.

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Pandora For Android Version 1.5.5

Pandora radio is an easy and also customized radio support, supplying customers the use of stream popular music with your Android mobile phone. Everything you need to do is type in the name of 1 of your respective popular artists, new music or composers and also Pandora in return would certainly produce a “station” which plays music like it.

Now available for customers in USA only, the automatic music suggestion service provides customers access on enjoying songs, during the identical customers can be found to be able to buy songs or albums with a number of trusted online retailers.


A recently available update, Pandora for Android version 1.5.5 rolls in many features providing better results than before. The newest version:

1. Minimizes instances of tracking skipping and also cutoff tracks

2. Pauses audio when listening over bluetooth along with the bluetooth device turns into not available

3. fixes issue where music never starts if listener locks screen even though the application is showing the splash screen

4. misc performance / balance improvements

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9

What's your Tab life? That's what is said on the official website of Samsung. Samsung has been released the newest tablet PC, named "Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9". It use the number 8.9 because the size is only 8.9 inch. This is the world's thinnest mobile tablet because it's just 8.6 mm thin. Get the super fast 1 Ghz dual core processor for powerful multimedia experience and super fast internet access with HSPA+ network, speed up to 21Mbps. It has 3MP camera for the main camera with autofocus and 720p video recorder and 2MP camera on the front as a secondary camera for video calls.

Details of Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 : 

1. 8,9 inch, TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 800 x 1280pixel resolution
2. Size :  23 x 15,7 x 0,8 cm
3. Weight : 470 g
4. Powerful Android 3.0 (Honeycomb)
5. 1 GHz dual core processor 
6. HSPDA up to 21 Mbps
7. Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
8. Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP
9. 16/32/64 GB Memory, Micro SD up to 32 GB
10.  Front Camera 3 MP, Rear Camera 2 MP 
11. TouchWiz 4.0 UI
12. Accelerometer, Three-axis gyro sensor
13. Multi-touch, Swype, Touch-sensitive

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Samsung Galaxy Ace S8530

One of the smartphone from the ranks of the Samsung Galaxy series, Samsung Galaxy Ace s8530 . Powered by an android 2.2 version  named Froyo. Equipped with 800 mhz processor, your multimedia activities become more attractive. With 5 megapixel camera, capture your best moment with high quality photos. Not only that, enjoy your internet activities with HSDPA and Wi-fi for best connectivity. 

Below are the details of Samsung Galaxy Ace : 

1. 800 MHz processor Qualcomm QCT MSM7227-1 Turbo
2. 3.5 inch TFT capacitive touchscreen display with 16M colors HVGA (320 x 480 pixels) resolution
3. OS : Android 2.2 (Froyo)
4. Network : GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, HSDPA 900 / 2100
5. Dimension : 112.4 x 59.9 x 11.5 mm
6. Weight : 113 gr
7. 5 MP Camera with auto focus and LED Flash with face detection
8. 150 mb internal memory
9. MicroSD card slot  up to 32GB
10. Connectivity : HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps; Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP; GPS receiver with A-GPS
11. Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate
12.  TouchWiz v.30 UI
13. ThinkFree : create, edit, view your Microsoft Office documents
14. Swype text input method
15. 3.5mm audio jack, and Stereo FM radio with RDS
16. Battery Li-Ion 1350 mAh
17. Other features :  Video : MP4/H.264/H.263 player ; Music : MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player

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eFitness 1.0 For Android

Android customers would likely find numerous work out programs on the Sports class within the Android Market but certainly it will be difficult to acquire an easy one to get a very specific purpose. An XDA forum junior member, darkolorin, just introduced an effective and easy to work with application tagged as eFitness.

Aside from which makes it out there at XDA, the sports fitness application is usually intended for down load in the Android Marketplace for FREE. The application requires Android Operating-system 1.5 or higher while simply a small space is needed for down load.


The developer specific:
eFitness by ooApps is fun pushups! Sport! Fun!
Be healthy using this application! Very first take your mobile phone, put it on the floor, after that start pushups and also touch big red button by your nose. See records and time.

Place your handset on the floor and tap on the “Pushups” button to begin. Be sure your smartphone is smartly placed on the floor with your NOSE to the touch the circle. Every time you effectively finish a Pushup, you want to tap on the Circle with your nose to record a count.

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LG Optimus Me P350

LG P350 Optimus Me use LCD touchscreen 2.8 " with 320x480 resolution. Powered by Android 2.2 Froyo. Just like other smartphones, It has a number homescreens that you can fill with various applications from Android and the widget from LG. Optimus Me LG P350 uses quad-band GSM and dual-band UMTS. LG P350 also features 3G support, Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth, GPS, and FM radio with RDS.

Details :

1. Network: Quad Band & HSDPA
2. Android v2.2 Froyo
3. Dimensions : 11.35 x5, 9x1
4. Weight : 33 grams cm/130
5. Screen: 262,144 color TFT touchscreen capasitive
6. 3.15 MP Camera (20148x1536 pixels), geo-tagging, video
7. Data transfer: GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA
8. 140 MB internal memory,
9. microSD card slot (up to 32GB)

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Samsung Galaxy Neo (S Galaxy II Mini)

Samsung launched its latest product, Samsung Neo Galaxy. Code name Samsung smartphone S Galaxy II Mini.This is the latest Android Smartphone from Samsung. Using 800 MHz processor and powered by android 2.2 (froyo). This product is only available in south korea.

Details :

1. 800MHz processor
2. Android v2.2 Froyo
3. 4GB internal memory
4. 480 x 800 pixels Display resolution (WVGA)
5. 3.5-inch TFT display touchscreen
6. 3 megapixel camera
7. Up to 32GB microSD
8. T-DMB, and a 3.5mm headset jack
9. GPS navigation 
10. Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) connectivity
11. 1500mAh battery
12. Dimensions : 115.9 x 56.9 x 12.14 mm
13. weight : 121.8 grams
14. Talk time: 390 minutes (voice) / 190 minutes (video), and up to 310 hours standby time

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HTC Inspire 4G Android Phone (AT&T Network)

If you want super fast internet, HTC Android Phone Inspire 4G is one of your choice. HTC Inspire provides super-fast internet using 4G internet broadband 4x faster than ordinary mobile broadband. You can download up to 6Mbps. Powered with Android 2.2 operating system (Froyo) with a faster overall Android experience as well as greater multitasking capabilities and large 4.3 inch LCD touchscreen. With 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, you can open application, games, and play video quickly. 

HTC Inspire 4G gives the next generation HTC Sense user interface experience, faster startup times from hibernation mode as well as a consolidated view of your favorite social networking sites. 8 MP camera with dual LED flash plus auto focus, face detection, and geo-tagging, capture your great moment with your friends.

These are application built in HTC Inspire

1. Android 2.2 operating system (Froyo) with over-the-air upgrade capability for future OS releases
2. eReader app with access to over 2 million book titles
3. BLOCKBUSTER app enables you to discover and download the latest movie rentals on the go.
4. DLNA capabilities enables you to share your photo albums, videos and movies wirelessly with a compatible HDTV or other DLNA device

Specifications:

1. 4G internet mobile broadband
2. Android 2.2 (froyo)
3. 4.3-inch multitouch Super LCD display
4. Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking (with optional Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot and tethering capabilities)
5. GPS for navigation and location services
6. 8-MP camera
7. HD 720p camcorder
8. Bluetooth stereo music
9. microSD memory expansion
10. HTML web browser, corporate and personal e-mail
11. Up to 6 hours of talk time, up to 372 hours (15.5 days) of standby time

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Android chief Andy Rubin tackles open source qualms, says Honeycomb isn't 'one size fits all'

Google got a lot of flak for withholding the Android 3.0 source code, and plenty more whenBusinessweeksources claimed the company had set aside its open stance to dictate from a throne, but today the man who would allegedly sit atop the royal seat says it isn't so. Andy Rubin, the man in charge of Android, says that "there are no lock-downs or restrictions against customizing UIs" nor "any efforts to standardize the platform on any single chipset architecture" as have often been rumored before, and that when Honeycomb is finally ready for phones, Google will indeed release its source code. Overall, he claims that Android's position when it comes to open source hasn't changed since day one - which is nice for those who would like to believe that Google's still sticking to its motto - but that's not likely to appease companies cut out of the loop simply because they weren't part of the early adopter club. If Google's methods will reduce fragmentation, though, who are we to judge?

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Coby Kyros MID7015 Android Internet Touchscreen Tablet

Solution for those of you who can not buy apple ipad because prices are still high. Powerful and flexible Internet and Entertainment solution, The Coby Kyros Tablet has 7" screen with intuitive touchscreen controls fueled with Android 2.1 OS is your alternative. You can browse the web with wireless (WIFI) .n Featuring1080P HD videos, photos, music, and more comfort connected to your TV via HDMI. This internet tablet has 4GB internal memory and a microSD card slot up to 16GB. Access the Internet through a hi-speed networking , and provide many  applications. 

Details :

1. 7-inch Android 2.1 Resistive Touchscreen
2. microSD card slot (upgrade up to 16GB)
3. 4GB internal memory
4. Connect Full 1080p on your HDTV via a HDMI cable
5. Full-size USB connection enables keyboard of your tablet

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Motorola XOOM price trimmed to £479.99 before launch

The wi-fi version of the Motorola XOOM Android 3.0 tablet has seen its price adjusted downwards by Dixons, with the electronics chain reducing the previous £499 price point to a new £479.99. And the tablet hasn't even launched yet.

The site still carries the same launch date disclaimer it did several weeks ago, although it now states “Delivery available – 09x04x2011″ in small print beneath the tech specs. Which is Saturday.

Would like to play with one for an hour or so, but not keen on having one permanently for that price. Thanks to reader Tim for the spot.

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MOTOROLA XOOM Android Tablet (Wi-Fi)

Motorola launched the first Android touch tablet. Named MOTOROLA XOOM. 10.1-inch HD display optimized for widescreen HD video in true 16:9  format. Fueled by NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core mobile processor, everything gets faster,and 1 GB of DDR2 RAM browsing the internet , video playback,and  game.Using Ultra fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots.

Android 3.0 named Honeycomb provide a brand new holographic UI design.You can easily access your favorite live widgets or application shortcuts with five customizable on the home screens. Android 3.0 has easier multitasking than ever. Powered with 5 MP rear-facing camera for optimized resolution when capturing photos. Includes auto-focus, dual-LED flash, and digital zoom. And 2 MP front-facing webcam for video chats using Google Talk, Includes indicator light. With 32 GB internal memory, you can store huge photos, mp3 and videos. 

Motorolla Xoom gives a new media experience for mobile uses. Motorola XOOM pushes the boundaries and opens a whole new world of what’s possible.

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Samsung Galaxy Neo Android Phone with T-DMB support

Samsung Galaxy Neo - Samsung just announced a new android smartphone. Samsung's new Galaxy neo will be a smartphone Korea targeted to upper middle class segment. Galaxy Neo Exterior Samsung Ace is identical to the Galaxy, but on the rear panel, reminiscent of the bigger brother of the Galaxy Tab.

Feature specification Galaxy NEO has a screen resolution upgrade to WVGA (800 x 480 pixels) and there is support for T-DMB. Bluetooth also has been promoted to version 3.0. The camera has a 3-megapixel resolution and has lost its autofocus capability.
Galaxy NEO uses a 800MHz processor and 512MB of RAM and runs on OS Android 2.2 Froyo. In addition there is support for Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), 3.5mm audio jack and battery 1500 mAh.

from the specifications, the level of Samsung Galaxy Neo is between Galaxy I9001 S Plus and Galaxy Ace. So far no information about the price of Samsung Galaxy Neo or remove the possibility of a global version of the Galaxy neo.

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RadioShack To Sell T-Mobile Sidekick 4G On April 20th

RadioShack has just made a new announcement via Twitter that they will be selling T-Mobile's brand new Android smartphone ‘Sidekick 4G‘ on their stores starting on April 20th. The handset will retail for $99 with a new two year contract with T-Mobile and after a $50 mail-in rebate. Just to remind you, the Sidekick 4G sports a 3.5-inch touchscreen display, a 1GHz Hummingbird processor, a five-row QWERTY keyboard, a front-facing VGA camera, a rear-facing 3.0-megapixel camera, Facebook and Twitter pre-loaded, 4G connectivity on HSPA+ and runs on Android 2.2 Froyo OS.

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Rugged Android-powered Motorola Defy now available from Telus in Canada

In Canada, Telus has officially launched the Motorola Defy, a rugged Android-powered smartphone first released internationally a few months ago. The Defy can withstand water (as seen in the image below), dust, as well as scratches and pretty much stands in a niche of its own so far in the Android world.

Because of its ruggedness, even if feature-wise it isn't necessarily up there with the top devices of this day and age, the Defy may very well prove to be very interesting for some people.

The Defy has a 3.7-inch Gorilla Glass capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 854×480, an 800 MHz processor, 2 GB of internal storage expandable via microSD card slot, 512 MB of RAM, 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS, a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus, LED flash, and VGA (640×480) video recording, and a 1540 mAh battery. According to MobileSyrup, Telus' Defy runs Android 2.2 Froyo. That would be interesting if true, since we've previously heard that the Defy will only receive an update to Froyo in the second quarter of this year. It may just be that Telus managed to get the new software before it launched the device.

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Samsung I9001 Galaxy S Plus, Smartphone with Android Gingerbread

Samsung I9001 Galaxy S Plus - One newcomer again that reportedly able to fill the gap between the Samsung S II and Galaxy Galaxy Ace. The newcomer is also packed with special-speed single-core processor 1.4GHz-based Android operating system 2.3 (Gingerbread). His name is Samsung I9001 Galaxy S Plus.

As a bearer Android smartphone, the Samsung is worth pointed thumb. But that does not mean by that, a Korean manufacturer of telecommunications equipment is then satisfied with what has been achieved. To continue to increase prestige, there should continue to launch new innovations, and now turn the Samsung I9001 Galaxy S Plus is present in the arena of competition Android smartphone.

Unlike earlier generations of Samsung's Galaxy, Samsung I9001 Galaxy S Plus is wrapped with a metallic body in the back. Smartphone this one also has similarities with the Galaxy S II Mini, which is already integrated with the road map O2. Armed with 4 inch screen SuperAMOLED and 5 Megapixel camera that can record HD video and 1650 mAh battery it feels quite qualified for Samsung Galaxy class. Slightly different from the Samsung Galaxy S II Mini is the size of screen is only 3.7 inches.

There are reportedly rumors circulating again Samsung Galaxy S Plus (another name for Samsung Galaxy S 2011 Edition in Russia) are ready, the price range of about 840 USD. Regarding the more detailed specification more likely that the new will be informed on the expected launch in April 2011, which will start from the Russian state.

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Cius Android-powered tablet FCC

Cisco made an announcement of its 7″ Cius Android tablet last year, and to see it hit the FCC is encouraging since that means the Cius will be able to arrive in the market soon. Approved by the FCC for its 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, the FCC filings did not say anything about 3G support which means the Cius will more or less be Wi-Fi-only. It is interesting to note that the Cius' FCC documents were submitted by tablet manufacturer OpenPeak, which means OpenPeak will most likely be the manufacturer on Cisco's behalf. All in all, there is no release date for the Cius mentioned although the device's confidential FCC filings will be available for public consumption when June 27th rolls around later this year.

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