Category Archives: Android

Atom Receiving Android 2.3 Gingerbread

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In an Intel video, a slide released information that they intend to support Android 2.3 Gingerbread on its Atom E6XX series of processors. The slide states that the port is going to be released in January of 2012. This will make it easier for hardware vendors to ship Android on Atom-based devices.

A community-driven Android x86 project in 2009 was actually first to support Gingerbread, though it was definitely an unofficial build that matured through time and developers. There is a test release available for download from this project. Google also has the intent to support Android on x86 for the Atom-based Google TV products, which are getting a full port of Honeycomb soon.

There is one thing that is highly confusing, however. Eric Schmidt revealed that Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS), the next version of Google’s mobile operating system, will be released in either October or November. This will be designed to work on multiple form factors, including tablets and phones. Intel’s plan to launch Gingerbread support on Atom after the ICS release will make people consider Intel “behind” in this aspect of technology.

These Intel Atom chips are used in netbooks, set-top boxes and other similar hardware applications. However, they are not quite yet ready for smartphones and competitive tablets, for they take up too much energy when compared to the performance. That being said, your device would die very, very quickly and heat up nearly as fast.

Source: Ars Technica

Google Maps Navigation Could Be Available Offline This Summer

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Apparently, Google Maps Navigation will be getting a “true” offline mode this summer (2011). In December, the Google Maps Navigation app for Android received an update that allowed it to store information to your cache memory. It stored the routes you went on as well as surrounding areas.

Basically, you will be able to go anyway within these surrounding areas that you have went online, but offline. In order to receive navigation for areas that are new to your cache, you will need to be online.

Source: Engadget

Leaked: Droid 3

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Sure, I purchased the Droid 2 on the day that it was released. But since then, I have been fully awaiting the release of the Droid 3. “The device is expected to have a 4-inch, 960×540 qHD display and a dual-core processor, as well as an HDMI-out port and an 8-megapixel camera with a flash that will take HD video.”

Some think that this phone won’t have access to Verizon’s 4G LTE network, but I speculate otherwise. If it didn’t, there would not be competition created between the competitors. 3G is just too slow for the modern phones.

Here are some videos you can watch in order to see more information that has been leaked about the Droid 3.



No official release date or price has been made at this point.

Source: Ars Technica

ViewSonic Announces ViewPad 7

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ViewSonic has announced a new tablet called the ViewPad 7. The tablet is powered by the Android OS and will feature “full phone functionality” with front and rear cameras and 3G. Neat, but here’s where it gets bad. The unit only features a 600mhz processor and has a resolution of 800 x 480…Yikes. Not good. It’s nice that the Android hardware makers are starting to tap into the tablet market that is pretty much dominated by Apple right now, but the devices have all been substandard so far. Oh well, I’m sure that will change in the near future.

Source: Engadget

Rumor: Playstation Phone Coming

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Hot off the failure of the PSP Go, Sony (well, Sony Ericsson) is rumored to be coming out with a PSP phone. These rumors have been around for a long time now, yes, but they might be real this time. According to Engadget, the phone will be modeled after the PSP Go and will be powered by Android 3.0 (aka Gingerbread, which continues their tradition of tasty names). Being modeled after the PSP Go, the device will be marketed as a game playing machine that also makes calls and will feature the same slide out controls that the PSP Go has. If this rumor holds any weight, this could be an awesome device! I’ve been looking into an Android powered device to supplement my iPod Touch, and this would probably be the one I get since I love video games and the PSP. However, one wonders why they didn’t reveal it at E3 if it’s coming out this Fall? Perhaps Sony was too busy talking about Playstation Move? Who knows. All I know is I want this phone!

Source: Engadget

Android Users May Face Data Caps

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If you’re an Android user, prepare to face data caps. According to Validas, Verizon Android users use 25% more data than iPhone users on AT&T. Maybe that’s because Droid users are more technically minded and geeky than iPhone users? The open infrastructure of the Android Market and letting you use apps that stream audio and video over 3G? I don’t know, but this gap in usage could cause providers to cap users on Droid platforms. So, beware current and prospective Droid users, you may be capped in the near future.

Source: Ars Technica