Android 5 Jelly Bean

Google is preparing to launch the next major build of its mobile platform "Jelly Bean" (Android 5) as early as next quarter. Google’s next-generation Android OS will feature a new dual-boot function according to DigiTimes. Jelly Bean will reportedly be optimized for tablets and it will integrate Google's Chrome system functions to push dual-operating system designs. Google is supposedly planning to encourage vendors to build dual-boot devices, which would be able to run both Android 5.0 and Windows 8. Company also wants to focus on Netbook and Notebook markets with Android 5.0. Will you wait for this Android update ? I would suggest to go with the present version of Andoid and better hardware configuration so that it can be upgraded later. Let me know what you guys think by leaving a comment and don't forget to share this post.

Apple tests Smaller 8 inch Tablet

Apple Inc. is working with component suppliers in Asia to test a new tablet computer with a smaller screen, people familiar with the situation said, as it looks to broaden its product pipeline to maintain its dominant tablet market share. The existing iPad2 is 9.7 inch which is way too expensive when compared to Android Tablets. A smaller tablet would help Apple broaden its product offerings, and therefore compete better with rivals such as Samsung Electronics and Amazon to maintain its dominant market share. The news of Apple testing a smaller tablet comes as the company is reportedly preparing to unveil a new iPad in early March which is expected to have a similar screen size of around 9.7 inches with the current generation of iPad 2. Let me know what you guys think, Will you be buying smaller iPad or happy with the Android Tablets made by Samsung, LG etc. Leave a comment below.

Samsung Ace Smart Phone

I recently bought this budget phone which I felt was worth buying. This phone may not be the latest smart phones as of now and Ace might be out of market soon as Ace plus will be out next week as per Samsung store here in India. If you are looking for a mid price budget android phone then this is the best smart phone for this price.
You may not find too much of a difference between Ace and Ace plus other than the price. I made a bit of research by comparing Ace with other smart phones LG Smart Phones, Samsung Wildfire etc. but found Ace to be better. I would suggest you to buy online instead of local stores where the prices are judged by looking at buyers.

Block Facebook Apps

Sick of invites from friends requesting you to install Facebook applications that are of no interest to you? Would you like to permanently block all those annoying Facebook apps that post messages to your wall without asking? 

Well, if you are like me then here is how you can permanently opt-out of the Facebook apps platform. Login to your Facebook account, select Privacy Settings under Account and then click “Edit your settings” under the Applications and Websites section. Here you’ll see an option to turn off all the platform applications with a single click. This will make your profile inaccessible to all other apps and you therefore won’t get any invites or wall posts in future.

USB Wall Plate

Here is a gadget which will let you charge your gadgets right from the wall. The RCA USB Wall Plate turns any standard outlet into a USB charging station, allowing users to charge smartphones and tablets without an A/C adapter. The plate snaps into any existing three-prong outlet, so there’s no electrical wiring required. RCA USB Wall Charger is quick, easy and has simple "plug-it-in" approach. It’s available in the US for about 15 to 20$.

Android Booster App

I have been using Android Phone for almost 2 years now. Android Booster is one of the best Android Optimization app in MarketPlace. Android’s maximum potential is taken care by Android Booster by increasing speed, saving battery power & monitoring data usage all for FREE. It will improve your Androids performance in seconds with it’s easy to use interface by helping you reclaim memory, save battery power, kill tasks & give you an easy way to uninstall unwanted apps.
Some of its best features include Memory Booster, Task Killer, App Manager, Traffic Monitor, Battery Power Monitor, File Manager and Widget.
For more news about free apps & mobile productivity updates, check out NetQin's website.

Android App Inventor goes open source

Google and MIT have announced the initial free and open-source release from Google of the "App Inventor" source code. As of now there is little supporting documentation, once the MIT Center of Mobile Learning opens their App Inventor server to the public contributions to the code will be accepted. MIT developers are now busy in completing and deploying the large-scale public server and will come up with their own version under the name “MIT App Inventor”.
Initially launched to public on December 15, 2010, App Inventor was a DIY tool for building Android apps for novices with little to no knowledge of coding. When the product was not picked up to Google’s expectations, company decided to close it down and give it to open source community in the supervision of MIT Media Lab.
There is a Google Group here for people working with the code to relate their experiences with the code, ask questions, help each other, etc.

End of Megaupload

One of the world's largest file-sharing sites "Megaupload.com", was shut down on charges of violating piracy laws. Megaupload was unique not only because of its massive size and the volume of downloaded content, but also because it had high-profile support from celebrities, musicians and other content producers who are most often the victims of copyright infringement and piracy. Megaupload is considered a “cyberlocker,” in which users can upload and transfer files that are too large to send by email. Such sites can have perfectly legitimate uses. But the Motion Picture Association of America, which has campaigned for a crackdown on piracy, estimated that the vast majority of content being shared on Megaupload was in violation of copyright laws. The website allowed users to download films, TV shows, games, music and other content for free, but made money by charging subscriptions to people who wanted access to faster download speeds or extra content. The website also sold advertising.

Height of stupid patent laws by Apple

List of all that Apple wants to "teach" Samsung in design:

• Front surfaces that are not black or clear.
• Front surfaces that are not rectangular, not flat, and without rounded corners.
• Display screens that are more square than rectangular, or not rectangular at all.
• Display screens that are not centered on the front surface of the phone and that have substantial lateral borders. 
• Speaker openings that are not horizontal slots with rounded ends and that are not centered above the display screen. 
• Front surfaces that contain substantial adornment. 
• Phones without bezels at all, or very different looking bezels that are not thin, uniform, and with an inwardly sloping profile. 
• Overall shapes that are not rectangular with four flat sides, or that do not have four rounded corners.
• Front surfaces that are not completely flat or clear and that have substantial adornment. 
• Thick frames rather than a thin rim around the front surface. 
• Profiles that are not thin, or that have a cluttered appearance.

Just wonder how can some one give patent for shape and size. Soon Apple might even sue farmers for their rectangular paddy fields and we may find all odd shapes :D. Don't forget to leave your comment and share this with your friends..

Source: Times of India

Touchscreen Keyboard

This is a $245 touch keyboard to be released first in Japan on May 13, it’s a USB keyboard with 108 keys that only works with Windows for now. Mac version will be available soon, and the Japanese version will be rolling out first, followed by those that contain the correct character set and key layout for English, German, French and Italian.