Enjoy A Fluid Mobile Experience With New ZTE Acqua V880E

Malaysian mobile consumers can now enjoy fluid experience with the new ZTE Acqua V880E, which boasts of versatility and a 1 GHz high speed processor. The touchscreen smartphone was launched today by ZTE Malaysia, the fourth world’s largest hand phone vendor in conjunction with the appointment of Nine ZTE Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Ingenuity Solutions Berhad, as their sole local vendor for mobile devices.

The sleek ZTE Acqua is more than meets the eye. It is a candybar Android 4.0 smartphone with a 4-inch color touchscreen display. It is evident that ZTE Acqua is designed with the consumer’s comfort in mind as it features a very light and ergonomic phone body with a bright display.

"ZTE Acqua signifies our company’s promise to consumers. ZTE envisioned a world of innovations that empowers consumers to enjoy ultimate satisfaction and experience with ZTE mobile phones. We take pride in making our mobile devices easily affordable and available for each and every person,” commented Jeremy Zhao, Director of ZTE terminal Malaysia.

He also said that ZTE Acqua is a continuation of the ZTE Skate series which has received outstanding response from consumers. To date, more than 5 million units of ZTE Skate have been sold and the company expects much more encouraging sales from ZTE Acqua. As the largest telecommunication manufacturer in China, ZTE invests 10% of its annual total revenue into R&D to develop innovative technologies for its customers around the world.

"Besides being the world’s no. 4 largest hand phone vendor, ZTE is also ranked world’s no.1 for its international patent filings in 2011 with 2,826 total applications. These are testaments to our company’s commitment in providing consumers with the best quality innovations from ZTE,” added Jeremy further.

In addition to the high speed processor that guarantees seamless user interface, the ZTE Acqua also comes with 4GB internal memory which supports up to 32GB external MicroSD memory card for all the storage needs such as photos, songs, videos, mobile apps, etc.

Users can also easily navigate around places with its built-in GPS. Like any other smartphones in the market, ZTE Acqua is equipped with WiFi connectivity for users to have the benefit of surfing the Internet at anytime anywhere.

ZTE Acqua will also be a good choice for those who enjoy photography as it features a 5MP camera with auto-focus, flash, 1.6x digital zoom, auto white balance, various camera effects and photo quality setting. Retailing only at an attractive price of RM699.00 per unit, ZTE Acqua is available for purchases through NineZTE’s nationwide dealers. For more information on the phone, log on to www.zte.com.cn or visit ZTE Malaysia’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ztemalaysia.

LG ACHIEVES SALE OF FIVE MILLION LTE SMARTPHONES

LG Electronics (LG) announced that it reached a new milestone with global sales of five million LTE smartphones to date. After reaching sales of four million LTE smartphones last month, an additional one million smartphones were sold in the month of July --- one LTE smartphone roughly every two and a half seconds.

LG released the first LTE smartphone “RevolutionTM by LG” in the U.S. in May of last year through the largest carrier Verizon Wireless and expanded its LTE target markets with its global LTE smartphones.

Focusing on the key markets with LTE capabilities, LG saw strong acceptance by offering diverse LTE smartphones according to consumer needs. Currently, more than ten LG LTE smartphones are available in countries where LTE service is available, including Korea, U.S., Japan and select markets in Europe and Asia.

Although Optimus LTE takes the title of the most popular LTE smartphone from LG with two million in sales, Optimus Vu: has sold over 500,000 units since March, demonstrating the device’s acceptance as it prepares for its global roll-out. And with the release of the industry’s first 2GB RAM LTE smartphone Optimus LTE II in May, LG saw the fastest sales among all LTE smartphones with this device reaching half a million units in the first 70 days.

According to a report by Jefferies & Company, LG is the global leader in LTE patents with a value of over USD 8 billion. And intellectual property consulting firm TechIPM analyzed LTE-related patents registered to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by the second quarter of this year and reported that LG held the largest overall number of patents as well.

“Sales of global LTE smartphones are expected to increase ten-fold this year from last year,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Mobile Communications Company. “With that in mind, we are planning to introduce an even more impressive LTE line-up in the next several months second to none.”

Spotify launches free streaming radio for Android

Spotify has long been heralded as one of the best online music platforms out there. It’s adoption among mobile users, however, has been limited due to the fact that the service cost $10 per month for mobile access to Spotify’s library of songs.

The new Spotify for Android application changes all this, allowing [...]]]>

HTC Rezound Android 4.0 update now available from Verizon

After countless rumors, leaks, and missed release dates, the Android 4.0 update for the HTC Rezound has finally arrived! Verizon has posted documents detailing the new update along with download/installation instructions on the Rezound’s software update page. Those not willing to wait for Verizon to push out the update can grab the RUU [...]]]>

HTC EVO 3D Android 4.0 update now available from Sprint

The Android 4.0 update for the HTC EVO 3D has finally arrived! We’ve heard multiple confirmations from users that the Ice Cream Sandwich build of Sprint’s 3D-enabled Android handset is being pushed out, delivering a slew of new features – including improvements to multi-tasking, face unlock, new browser capabilities, and access to Android 4.0 applications like [...]]]>

Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 becomes available globally starting in August

Samsung announced today the launch of GALAXY Note 10.1, an extension of the GALAXY Note category. GALAXY Note 10.1 is outfitted with the functionality and precision of a pen and paper on a 10.1-inch large display, providing endless possibilities to elevate a user’s creativity, productivity and learning abilities. Featuring an intuitive user experience and armed with a 1.4GHz quad-core processor and 2GB RAM for enhanced performance, GALAXY Note 10.1 is designed to simplify idea capture, information access, and multi-tasking, making each easier and faster. GALAXY Note 10.1 allows users to express their ideas naturally and efficiently.

“GALAXY Note 10.1 further demonstrates Samsung’s dedication to delivering products that offer a complete mobile experience for creating personalized and expressive content,” said JK Shin, President of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “History has shown that taking notes, capturing ideas immediately, and sketching to realize them is the most personal and natural way to be more productive and creative. The advanced technology and features included in GALAXY Note 10.1 give users the power to produce, create and customize communications.”

GALAXY Note 10.1 incorporates key intuitive features and capabilities such as side-by-side multitasking with the device’s Multiscreen feature on a 10.1-inch large screen; Samsung’s unique S Pen experiences including a variety of S Note templates and productive tools (Shape Match and Formula Match); Learning Hub for accessing educational curricula (Learning Hub is currently available in Korea, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, China and Singapore, and will gradually roll-out to other global markets) and Adobe’s premium creative application Photoshop® Touch.

True Multi-Tasking with Multiscreen Feature

With GALAXY Note 10.1’s Multiscreen feature, users can effortlessly utilize two different applications side-by-side simultaneously for true and easy multitasking. Users can view Web pages or videos, or launch other applications while writing or sketching ideas with the S Pen on the other half of the screen. Furthermore, users can freely capture and crop images, and paste them onto the other screen to make personal notes and enhance their creativity, productivity and learning abilities. The Multiscreen feature increases productivity and efficiency while users are enjoying multimedia content. GALAXY Note 10.1 brings a new culture of creation through the user’s own notes, and enables an entirely new experience to improve productivity and enjoyment. 

S Pen & S Note for Personalized and Organized Note-taking

Featuring its advanced 6.5mm S Pen, GALAXY Note 10.1 is optimized for the creation of personalized and expressive content in the most natural and intuitive way. The S Pen’s feel and functionality are specifically designed for an optimal experience on the 10.1-inch screen. The S Pen is embedded directly in the device and, when removed, automatically launches specially-optimized applications, including S Note, S Planner, Crayon physics, Adobe® Photoshop® Touch, and Polaris Office. Alternatively, users can easily set their preferred application to be launched instantly. For example, S Note can be launched instantly when a user takes the S Pen out from the device. Users can also tap the screen twice while pressing the S Pen button for quick S Note access via the S Note-dedicated widget, which can be easily moved anywhere on the display, never hindering or obstructing creativity or productivity.
The S Note is a unique tool that gives users the ability to combine notes and sketches with other digital content in ready-to-use templates. The Shape Match and Formula Match features help correct and digitize geometric shapes and solve numeric formulas hand-written with the S Pen. The S Note is also integrated with knowledge search engines so that users can search for content, obtain information, and easily drag and drop content onto S Notes without having to switch between screens. Exclusively pre-loaded on GALAXY Note 10.1, the Adobe® Photoshop® Touch application allows users to professionally edit photos with the ease and precision of the S Pen.

Active Learning Experience

GALAXY Note 10.1 is an ideal learning tool that allows users to take notes directly on an eTextbook while watching lectures, or research the Web while writing an essay at the same time. Samsung’s Learning Hub service is optimized for GALAXY Note 10.1, allowing users to access extensive multimedia educational content for all ages. The content includes eTextbooks, video lectures, interactive coaching and much more, and can be shared with multiple Samsung devices. Furthermore, Learning Hub features a learning management system that provides schedule and performance management tools for users of all age-groups to enjoy learning at their own pace.
In Korea, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, China and Singapore, Learning Hub service is available at the time of the launch of GALAXY Note 10.1. Learning Hub will be downloadable via Samsung Apps in more than 20 countries by the end of 2012.
Superior Hardware Performance

GALAXY Note 10.1 is designed with advanced hardware technology, including a 1.4GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of internal RAM. Seamless multi-tasking, high-standard graphics, and blazing-fast performance without any lag are essential features of GALAXY Note 10.1. The device also includes a 5-megapixel main camera and a 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera.

Several other features have been added to GALAXY Note 10.1 including Smart Stay, which tracks the user’s eyes to ensure that the screen is always on while being looked at, and Pop Up Play, which allows the user to watch a video anywhere on their screen while simultaneously running other tasks. With AllShare® Play, users can share content with a large group in real-time by connecting GALAXY Note 10.1 to Samsung HD TVs, mobile tablets, laptops, and other consumer electronic devices on the same network. With AllShare Group Cast, users can also share and collaborate on documents, presentations, or images without loading the files separately.

GALAXY Note 10.1 comes in three connectivity options: a WiFi-only version, a WiFi-and-3G HSPA-Plus connectivity version at launch, and a WiFi-and-LTE version later this year. GALAXY Note 10.1 is available in Korea, Germany, the US and the UK while it will gradually roll-out to other global markets starting in August.

Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 Product Specifications

* The availability of each Samsung Hub service may differ by country.
* All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.
* Android, Google, Android Beam, Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Latitude, Google Play Store, Google Play Books, Google Play Movies, Google Plus, YouTube, Google Talk, Google Places, Google Navigation, Google Downloads are trademarks of Google Inc.

LG announces QuickMemo feature for Optimus L-Series smartphones

LG Mobile Communications today announced the availability of its highly sought-after QuickMemo™ feature for its entire line of Optimus L-Series smartphones through a maintenance release upgrade. Currently, the upgrade is being offered in certain regions but will be available globally by the end of 3rd quarter.

LG’s QuickMemo™ feature allows for instant screen capture of any type of content such as web pages, graphical images, photos and videos. Users can write, draw, or jot a memo directly on the captured screen with their finger. QuickMemo™ notes can then be shared with others via text, chat, or email. Once users download the upgrade, they will be able to invoke QuickMemo™ by pressing the volume keys or via the notification bar.

“The QuickMemo™ is one of the representing features for LG’s UX(user experience) to enhance the quality of communication by sharing ideas with more personalization.” said Paul Bae, Vice President of marketing center of LG Electronics Mobile Communica-tions Company.

A global TV commercial with the theme of ‘Connect to What’s Real’ will accompany the roll-out of QuickMemo™ on Optimus L-Series smartphones. The QuickMemo™ upgrade will be available for download through LG Mobile’s homepage or by visiting a service center in markets where Optimus L-Series are sold.

The Optimus L-Series of smartphones includes the Optimus L7, L5, and L3 which offer timeless style without sacrificing any features or functionality in black or white body. LG will also introduce stylish pink color edition of the series.

Comscore: Modest growth for Android and iOS in June, Samsung still top manufacturer

Analytics firm Comscore has just released its latest stats covering the U.S. smartphone market for the quarter ending in June 2012. Overall, the picture hasn't changed much since they released their last set of numbers. Samsung is still the largest smartphone manufacturer by market share, and Android still lays claim to a bigger chunk of the market than any other OS.

Apple's share of mobile subscribers grew 1.4 percent at the expense of all Android OEMs but HTC, which grew by 0.4 percent compared to the previous stats. In terms of OS share, Android continues to advance beyond half of the U.S. smartphone market, with a 51.6 percent share compared to 51 percent last time. Apple's growth was a little more aggressive, going from 30.7 percent to 32.4 percent. Lower down the table, RIM, Microsoft and Nokia's Symbian OS continue to slowly bleed market share to the big players.

We'll be interested to see how the numbers pan out for July, as we'd expect a fairly sizeable bump for Samsung and Android on account of the U.S. Galaxy S3 launch.

Source: Comscore

BLU Products announces the VIVO 4.3 - World's First Dual SIM smartphone device to feature Super AMOLED Plus Technology and Dual Core CPU

BLU Products, one of the fastest growing mobile phone manufacturers in the world, announced the new Vivo 4.3, becoming the first manufacturer to produce a Dual SIM device to include either a Super AMOLED Plus LCD, or Dual Core Processor - realizing increased performance, user experience and capabilities for consumers in emerging markets, as well as non-contract unlocked devices in the United States.

"We are extremely excited as we continue to pioneer the growing demand of Dual SIM handsets in emerging markets by offering the most outstanding Dual SIM smartphone available anywhere in the world today." said Samuel-Ohev-Zion, CEO of BLU Products. "Additionally, this is the first in a series of exciting new Android devices we will be announcing, as we are actively and aggressively moving towards providing high performance, affordable smartphones to the ever growing unlocked no-contract segment in the United States."

The Vivo 4.3 features no physical hardware buttons on the front to ensure a seamless elegant design, and is run by a MediaTek MT6577 dual core 1GHz Cortex™-A9 CPU with 3G/HSPA connectivity, running the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Operating System. Additionally, the Vivo is designed to deliver high-end multimedia capability, with an 8MP camera, plus HD video recording and playback. The highlights of the phone include the rich viewing experience of the brilliant Super AMOLED Plus 4.3" Display, along with true dual SIM capability allowing both SIMs to be active and receive calls simultaneously.

The unlocked VIVO 4.3 will begin shipping to major US Retailers in September 2012 with an MSRP of $249.99 and will soon follow through Latin America, and parts of Asia.

Google Mobile Blog closing down, say hello to the Official Android Blog

When the Google Mobile Blog asked what its readers wanted to see more of, there was a pretty clear message. Lots more Android. As such, today sees the last ever post from the Google Mobile Blog, and the launch of its replacement. Say hello to the Official Android Blog. 

The back catalog of Android related goodness has been transferred over for fans to read back through at their leisure. It's all Android now though, just pure, honest-to-goodness Android. The devoted fans out there will definitely want to keep this one in their RSS feeds. 

Source: Google Mobile Blog, Android Blog

The best damn Android Central T-shirt in the world

After popular demand we are extending the offer to get a FREE Lloyd Pin worth $4.95 with every T-shirt order. We are so thrilled about the little guy -- we want you all to have one.

Also, a BIG thanks to the community for helping support Android Central -- all profits go directly to creating better content and community tools for you all.

What do YOU think of Lloyd? Let's hear it in the comments.

• Buy your Lloyd Gear T-shirt today!

Motorola ELECTRIFY 2 and DEFY XT Launch on U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular and Motorola Mobility today announced two new Android™-powered smartphones to the carrier’s lineup. Motorola ELECTRIFY™ 2, the next generation of the popular ELECTRIFY that runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, will be available online on August 1 and in stores on August 2. Additionally, Motorola DEFY XT will be available online and in stores on August 3. Visit uscellular.com for detailed pricing and visit motorola.com for additional product details.

The Motorola ELECTRIFY 2 and DEFY XT through U.S. Cellular come with the carrier’s unique user benefits, including faster phone upgrades without re-signing contracts and the only points-based rewards program in the industry. Both smartphones will run on U.S. Cellular’s high-speed nationwide network, which has the highest call quality and network satisfaction of any national carrier.

“Customers who purchase Motorola ELECTRIFY 2 or DEFY XT will not only enjoy a new cutting-edge Android-powered smartphone, but will also get the best customer experience,” said Edward Perez, vice president of sales and marketing operations for U.S. Cellular. “A mobile phone should make life simpler and easier to get things done and U.S. Cellular believes the customer relationship with their wireless carrier should be the same.”

With a slim 8.4 millimeter design, Motorola ELECTRIFY 2 is ultra sleek, made Kevlar® strong and features an invisible splash-guard coating to protect from spills. The 1.2GHz dual-core processor and 4.3-inch ColorBoost™ display make ELECTRIFY 2 a multimedia powerhouse, perfect for gaming, movie watching, and web surfing. Great for capturing photos and videos, the ELECTRIFY 2 features a rear-facing 8 megapixel camera with LED flash and a 1080p HD camcorder. It’s also the first U.S. Cellular device to include SMARTACTIONS™, the free Motorola app that can help extend battery life as well as intelligently automate routine, everyday tasks and suggest ways to personalize your phone to make your life easier.

Motorola DEFY XT is perfect for customers looking for the features and functionality of an Android-powered smartphone with a durable design. Water-resistant, dustproof and with a scratch-resistant 3.7-inch touchscreen, DEFY XT is ready to take on everyday scrapes and spills. Not only strong and sturdy, it’s also a great device for keeping connected with friends and family with a 5 megapixel camera and a front facing webcam for video chats. Stay entertained with access to more than 600,000 apps and games on Google Play™, as well as millions of books and songs and thousands of movies and TV shows. Also, the customizable activity dashboards offer additional functionality with access to an integrated compass, pedometer, music player, and weather.

“Motorola is excited to bring the next evolution of ELECTRIFY to U.S. Cellular customers and Motorola ELECTRIFY 2 is ideal for those who crave premium features,” said Jeff Miller, corporate vice president, North America Go-to-Market, Motorola Mobility. “Motorola DEFY XT packs innovative specs into a resilient design that can withstand whatever life throws your way. These two products provide unique experiences and give consumers choice.”

For more information about all of U.S. Cellular’s devices and plans, visit any U.S. Cellular store, go to uscellular.com or check out U.S. Cellular on Facebook.

Purchase of a data plan is required, and a new two-year agreement and activation fee may apply for new customers. Additional terms, conditions and/or charges may apply.

First Sprint 4G LTE-enabled Device with Full QWERTY and International Capabilities, Motorola PHOTON™ Q 4G LTE, Coming Soon

Sprint, the only national wireless carrier offering truly unlimited data for all phones while on the Sprint network1, and Motorola Mobility today announce Motorola PHOTON Q™ 4G LTE, the next generation of last summer’s popular Motorola PHOTON™ 4G. The new device will boast a five-row, PC-like QWERTY keyboard, international capabilities and a generous 4.3-inch ColorBoost™ display, as well as the ability to operate on Sprint’s new lightning-fast 4G LTE network2.

Pricing and availability for Motorola PHOTON Q will be announced within the next few weeks. Customers seeking additional information can visit www.sprint.com/photonq.

“Motorola PHOTON Q will be the first 4G LTE device with a QWERTY keyboard and world phone capabilities to join the Sprint line-up,” said David Owens, vice president - Product Development, Sprint. “We want to make sure our 4G LTE handset portfolio has the full complement of choices for our customers. Adding a product with both a physical keyboard and world mode makes this a great addition to the Sprint family of devices. This is a dynamic smartphone that customers will really enjoy using and we are pleased to have Motorola as part of our 4G LTE device portfolio.”

Motorola PHOTON Q equips customers with the best of both worlds to communicate – a virtual keyboard for quick texts and a slide out PC-like QWERTY keyboard for double-thumb efficiency. Each laser-cut key is outlined in LED lights so users can see what they’re doing, even in the dark. It also has a dedicated number row for maximum typing efficiency and accuracy.

“When we talk to people who love their QWERTY smartphones, it’s evident this segment is passionate about their keyboards,” said Mark Shockley, senior vice president, Go-to-Market, Motorola Mobility. “Motorola PHOTON Q offers a class-leading keyboard and an amazing big screen so you can see and do more with your smartphone.”

Offering an impressive 4.3-inch ColorBoost™ display, Motorola PHOTON Q offers the largest screen currently available on a 4G LTE QWERTY smartphone. This makes it easy to browse the Web using Google Chrome without enlarging text, look at detail-rich pictures without having to zoom in, and watch a show without straining your eyes. Motorola’s exclusive ColorBoost™ display enables colors to be richer and more vibrant than other smartphones on the market. And with scratch-resistant glass and splash-guard coating, Motorola PHOTON Q resists everyday scratches and spills.

In addition to its technological prowess, Motorola PHOTON Q is the seventh device in the Sprint line-up to receive ULE Platinum Certification, the highest level of environmental performance recognized by sustainable requirements established by UL Environment and Sprint.

Additional key features on Motorola PHOTON Q include:

• Android™ 4.0.4, Ice Cream Sandwich
• 1.5 GHz dual-core processor
• Rear-facing 8MP camera with 1080p video capture and playback so you can leave your digital camera at home. Plus, those photos can be set to automatically upload to Google+™ so you don’t have to worry about accidently deleting them.
• Front-facing HD camera for easy Google+™ Hangout video chats or conference calls
• Mirror mode when connected with HDMI cable (sold separately) to view images, files and movies on a larger screen, like your TV at home.
• Sprint ID, offering an innovative way to personalize an Android smartphone with apps, widgets, ringtones and more all, in a single download
• NFC support to share links, apps, YouTube™ clips and more with Android™ Beam

World Smart with 4G LTE Speeds

Motorola PHOTON Q is the first Sprint phone to feature SMARTACTIONS™, the free Motorola app that helps extend battery life and intelligently automates routine, everyday tasks so that smartphones can do more for consumers. For example, walking into a meeting, SMARTACTIONS can turn the ringer to silent so an incoming phone call won’t interrupt the meeting. If the battery is low, SMARTACTIONS can automatically lower the display lighting to ensure the battery lasts longer.

Motorola PHOTON Q is Business Ready with full corporate security including remote wipe, pin lock, and data encryption. It is one of several devices available with Sprint Professional Grade, a new designation for select smartphones that deliver enhanced security, device management and Exchange Active Sync capabilities to business users. Click here to learn more about Sprint Professional Grade designation.

On July 15, Sprint launched 4G LTE in 15 cities including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Atlanta, Kansas City and Waco, Texas. Sprint today announced that four more cities will soon experience the speed and power of the all-new 4G LTE network. As the first national wireless carrier to introduce 4G service in 2008, Sprint will bring 4G LTE to the following cities before Labor Day:

• Baltimore, MD
• Gainesville, GA
• Manhattan/Junction City, KS
• Sherman-Denison, TX

Additionally, by the end of 2013, Sprint expects to have largely completed the build-out of its all-new 4G LTE nationwide network – with an enhanced 3G network – covering 250 million people across the United States. The launch of these metropolitan areas demonstrates Sprint’s continued commitment to investing in its network through Network Vision. For the most up-to-date details on Sprint’s 4G LTE portfolio and rollout, please visit www.sprint.com/4GLTE.

Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) source code now available

Source code for Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) has been released. We’re sure many of you will be downloading the new Android 4.1.1_r1 files simply to poke around, but CyanogenMod and countless other Android development groups around the globe will be spending countless hours pouring over every last line of code to see what changes [...]]]>

Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro Quad-Core Developer Tablet Now Available

The popular distributor of Qualcomm development kits named BSQUARE has announced the availability of Snapdragon S4 Pro mobile development platform for a price of $1,299. Specs below:

Benchmarks:

Official Press Release:

Bsquare Announces Availability of the Quad-Core Snapdragon S4 Pro Mobile Development Platform for TabletsSnapdragon S4 APQ8064-based Developer Tool Gives Access to Android 4.0 platform for application and game developmentBellevue, WA – July 24, 2012 – BSQUARE Corporation (NASDAQ: BSQR), a leading enabler of smart, connected devices, today announced general availability of the next generation Mobile Development Platform (MDP/T) for Android tablets based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon™ S4 Pro Processor. The MDP/T provides application developers and device manufacturers with access to a high-performance Android 4.0 platform for developing, testing, optimizing and showcasing applications and games.
The MDP/T is the first Snapdragon based Mobile Development Platform in a tablet form factor available to developers, middleware vendors and others. It's also the first to feature the Snapdragon™ S4 Pro APQ8064 processor by Qualcomm with asynchronous Quad CPU cores, running up to 1.5 GHz each. The tablet development platform offers powerful built-in graphics enabled by the Adreno™ 320 GPU, which is over two times faster than the 225 GPU on previous Snapdragon-based MDPs. Power management and multimedia efficiencies are also increased over previous MDPs due to the 2GB LPDDR2 RAM and 32GB Storage. The device also features a higher resolution 10.1 WXGA Multi-touch Display.
"Access to the APQ8064 processor with its asynchronous Quad CPU cores gives Android application developers a powerful platform to develop their differentiated applications for rapid market release," said John Traynor, vice president of products, Bsquare. "This access, combined with best-in-class engineering support and testing solutions from Bsquare, provides a major benefit to application and game developers developing for a wide range of pre-commercial devices."
"It's exciting for us to make available the first tablet form factor Snapdragon -based development platform with Bsquare," said Tia Cassett, senior director of business development, Qualcomm. "The combination of a powerful developer device in the Snapdragon APQ8064-based MDP/T and industry-leading services from Bsquare means faster time-to-market for Android developers."
The Mobile Development Platform (MDP/T) based on Snapdragon S4 Pro Processor is available now at www.bsquare.com/qualcomm. Bsquare will support developers and manufacturers using the APQ8064-based MDP/T with engineering services and technical support. Customers of the tablet device also have 24/7 access to the Bsquare Knowledge Base, technical documentation, complimentary tools and Snapdragon MDP software updates. Users of the APQ8064-based MDP/T can also benefit from the industry-leading TestQuest automated testing technology from Bsquare, which supports testing of Android software and hardware.

HTC Support confirms HTC Rezound Android 4.0 update coming before the end of July

By now, many of you are already looking forward to the Android 4.1 update for your device – but let’s not forget that there are quite a few people still craving for a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0). Verizon’s HTC Rezound owners are among those who still have not received the Android 4.0 update [...]]]>

Linux Foundation E.D. Jim Zemlin: 'Android is going to continue to gain traction in the enterprise'

Linux Foundation Executive Director Jim Zemlin sat down with the Wall Street Journal to talk about Android and the enterprise market, and needless to say he's pretty confident about the future. Zemlin may be a bit biased towards Android, as are most of us here, but he does have a history with large corporate environments, having worked previously with companies like Western Wireless (now T-Mobile) and Covalent Technologies. 

Zemlin seems confident that as HTML 5 application deployment moves forward, Android and the diverse group of OEMs that bring a selection of hardware at all price points are uniquely situated to provide "a better way to provision, manage and deploy their application infrastructure." In short, choice equals strength here, too. We'll have to agree, and throw in that the ability to customize the system to better suit the needs of your company has to sound awfully good to those CIO's who are thinking of the future of mobile enterprise. We heard yesterday during Google's quarterly earnings report that G is eyeing the enterprise market, so we expect to see more features roll out across Google's services -- including Android.

He also has a few words to say about the Google buyout of Motorola Mobility, and the idea that the Nexus 7 is a service, not a product. It's a great read from someone held in high regard in the open-source community, and paints a pretty bright future for our favorite mobile OS. Hit the source link below and take a gander.

Source: WSJ

HTC confirms Android 4.1 updates for the HTC One X, HTC One XL and HTC One S

Roughly 24 hours after Telstra revealed that Android 4.1 updates for the HTC one XL and HTC One S are already in the works, HTC has released an official statement announcing that the HTC One X, HTC One XL and HTC One S will all be updated to Android 4.1.

While we would [...]]]>

Jet Set Radio skating onto Android 'this summer'

Here's a blast from the past for everyone. Sega has been pretty good at bringing us some of our favorite games from yesteryear to play on our Android devices, and this summer we get to play another one. It's been announced today that the HD remake of Jet Set Radio, due to land on consoles, will also be coming to Android. 

Anyone who owned a Sega Dreamcast will quite possibly remember, fondly, Jet Set Radio from the first time around. In my case, I've still got a copy. The mobile version will have some mobile-centric features too, one of which is Openfeint integration. Apparently, players will also be able to use pictures taken on their device as the in-game graffiti. Now that's a nice touch. Just don't do anything rude with it, OK, kids. 

We're really looking forward to this one, and despite no more accurate date than "this summer," we're sure it's going to be worth waiting for. Check out the full press release after the break. 

read more

Hailo branches out, can now hail a cab with your Android device in Dublin, Ireland

Hailo has been something of an overnight success since its launch towards the end of 2011. The idea was so simple, but truly a way in which Londoners could use their Android devices in actual, real world, day-to-day situations. By making a sometimes unpleasant experience -- trying to flag down a cab -- and getting your Android device to do the work. Anyone in London for the Olympics, seriously, download a copy of this app while you're there. 

Today the Hailo team marks another milestone since the launch of the service, in their first expansion outside of London. The second city to go live, is the Irish capital, Dublin. This is fantastic news, and hopefully the start of a bright, and widespread future for the service. There's a whole lot of cities around the world that could benefit from something as useful as this. 

Source: Hailo, Download: Hailo