CyanogenMod Update Video for the HP TouchPad Android ROM

Brandon Orndorff
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0

Have an HP TouchPad running Android via CyanogenMod then the updated version is here on video. If you haven’t updated your HP TouchPad with the Android OS yet this video may push you a little closer to getting it done. The devs over at CyanogenMod have stepped it up with the newest release.

The video shows how they have made improvements like streaming via Bluetooth and getting many of the Android apps working on the device as if it were meant to be an Android device from the get go. One of the more impressive features that CyanogenMod seems to have working is the ability to have video calls via Skype which creates a very useful version of the ROM. In addition you will notice that live wallpapers works now so you aren’t stuck with the boring static screen you’ve had to live with until now.

HP TouchPad running Android Features:

  • Bluetooth Streaming now works
  • Gaming apps like MineCraft seem to work
  • Live Wallpapers function
  • Skype calling works

It still seems that the release is in alpha and not available to the general public. You can however see that the progress is still moving forward and that you will before long have a fully functional Android TouchPad. Let us know when you try the new update for the Android ROM on your HP TouchPad, we would be interested in hearing a true user experience.

UPDATE: The CyanogenMod team seems to be working diligently on the HP TouchPad ROM and are making alot of progress day to day. We will keep you updated with any news we find on new versions of the ROM. It seems that a few more beneficial features and the HP TouchPad could become a fully functional Android tablet in no time.

Sprint iPhone 4s users Complain About Slow 3G Speeds

Brandon Orndorff
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1
Sprint iPhone 4s users Complain About Slow 3G Speeds

Sprint has set record sales numbers with introducing the iPhone 4s to their arsenal. We can assume that one huge reason is the fact that they are the only carrier to offer unlimited data for the device. This being said users have been reporting that the speeds while unlimited are less than satisfactory.

This slow speed has users unable to using some of the great features of the iPhone 4s like Siri. This seems to be only the iPhone 4s since reports are showing that other devices are getting very good speeds on Sprint’s 3G network. According to Speedtest.net Sprint’s version of the iPhone 4s are clocking as low as .30 Mbps download and .10 upload speeds.

We aren’t sure if this is due to network congestion du to the amazing sales numbers in such a short time, with everyone on the iPhones testing these features. One Sprint customer wrote:

Have you tired Siri?  It will say “Sorry I am having trouble connecting to the network”.  This speed is ridiculous, too slow to use the function provided by iPhone.  I couldn’t even imaging how would navigation work at this speed when it has to load maps on demand.

Another Sprint Customer wrote:

Using the iPhone 4S in Orange California, Speed results are anemic at best..  0.10 Mbps down, 0.06 Mbps up, since Siri requires network connectivity, I am unable to use it, might have to switch back to T-Mobile….or Verizon if I want to keep an iPhone 4S…

While we hate to see Sprint take such a hit for these slow speeds, we should assume that they will be looking into this. Sprint as mentioned previously are gambling their entire future on their iPhone 4s sales and contracts. We will keep you informed as we find out more.

Install the Full Android Market on the HP TouchPad

Brandon Orndorff
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0

Thanks to Rootzwiki there is a fix for missing apps for the HP TouchPad in the Android Market. Since the HP TouchPad needs ClockworkMod to install Android on it in the first place you should still have it. If for some reason you have removed it and its still working you will need it to follow the steps below.

Android Market Fix Instructions:

  1. Download the Fix (Download Link)
  2. Connect your TouchPad to your PC via USB
  3. Copy the update file above to your TouchPad
  4. Press and hold the power button and select “reboot”
  5. Select “Recovery” from the next menu
  6. Wait for your TouchPad to load into ClockworkMod Recovery
  7. Use volume buttons to navigate to “install zip from sdcard”
  8. Use volume keys to select the zip file above
  9. Select the file with your home key
  10. Use the volume keys to select “yes”
  11. After installed press power to go back to menu and home to reboot
  12. Congrats you now have the full Market!

If the Market still doesn’t see apps:

  1. Open the Android Market then press the back button
  2. Go to Settings -> Applications -> Manage Apps
  3. Press the All tab and scroll down and select the market
  4. Press “Clear Cache” then “Force Stop”
  5. Press the back button and scroll up and select Google Services Framework
  6. Press “Clear Data -> OK” and then “Force Stop”
  7. Press back button to desktop and re-open the market
  8. You will get an error (its a good thing)
  9. Reboot your Touchpad and open the Market again
  10. Congrats you now have the full Market on your TouchPad

Samsung Selling the Galaxy S II without Contract for $2

Brandon Orndorff
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0

Samsung setup a small temporary store beside the Enormous Apple store in Sydney Australia this week selling the Galaxy S II for $2. They did this to put a dent in Apples launch of the iPhone 4s there and it seems to be working.  This is the Samsung Apple rivalry at its greatest, we can obviously see they will do anything to one up each other even open up shop right next door.

Samsung who is easily Apple’s number one competition currently has already sold over 10 million units worldwide since May of this year. These numbers are despite it only launching recently in the United States.  We do see in the US a majority of Android fans going with Samsung due to the quality of the devices.  We also notice that most Apple users that move over to Android tend to go with Samsung devices since they are so similar in look and feel.

Samsung is giving the first 10 people in the store a $2 contract-free Samsung Galaxy S II smartphone.  This is a huge discount from the full priced Galaxy S2 especially off contract. There have been people camping in front of the store since Monday so odds are if your reading this its too late for you to get this deal.

We are interested to see how this affects the iPhone 4s launch in Sydney and are sure there will be an impact from it. If you are in Sydney we would love to see how you feel about the rivalry as well as any insight you have on the feel around the stores.  As we find out more about the outcome of the sales from these locations we will be sure to let you know.

UPDATE: Still no word on sales yet and the effect of the new store so close to an Apple store but we do know that the store in not temporary and will stay.  This is the first Samsung Experience Store in Australia and will prove to be a pain in Apple’s sales in the area.

Take Screenshots on the Motorola Atrix without Root

Brandon Orndorff
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13

If you have a Motorola Atrix you have probably given up on the idea of taking screenshots on your phone. There is however an app that was created specifically for the Atrix to take screenshots and best of all it does not require root access. The app we are talking about was created by XDA member mindphase called ScreenGrabber.

Download Screengrabber for the Motorola Atrix APK

We have tested and tried to break Screengrabber without any issues to date. There aren’t many settings so it is easy to setup and allows the user to setup how its used. You can either have it always running in the notification bar or you can set it to close after you take a screenshot. Also there is a delay setting so that you can tell it to take a screenshot and give yourself enough time to get where you want the image to be taken.

If you are using or decide to use the app please let us know your experience with it for the benefit of other users.

Motorola Introduces its First Enterprise Level Tablet

Brandon Orndorff
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0

Motorola Solutions has announced the first Enterprise level Tablet called the ET1. The ET1 tablet is a 7 inch tablet that has Gorilla glass and has been built for durability. It has a few really cool features like a magnetic strip reader, barcode scanner, and hot-swappable battery packs. Along with the cool external features is its secure system software which shows that its major focus is retail applications.

Motorola has already developed a few applications for the device to run in a retail environment like:

  • Assisted selling
  • Mobile point of sale (mPOS)
  • Manager electronic dashboards
  • Planogram management and compliance
  • Item locator

Read Motorola’s Full Press Release below:

Motorola Solutions Introduces Its First Tablet Computer Built for Enterprise Users

First solutions for Android™-based ET1 tablet focused on retail with functionality to enhance the shopping experience

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – Oct. 10, 2011 – Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MSI), a leading provider of mission-critical communication products and services for enterprise and government customers, today unveiled the ET1 tablet, the first in an emerging category of enterprise-class tablet computers designed for a variety of vertical markets. The ET1 brings the familiarity and popularity of a consumer-class user experience to a true enterprise-class device that includes enhanced durability, an optional barcode scanner and magnetic stripe reader, hot-swappable battery packs, and secure system software. Key industrial-strength accessories such as secure multi-slot recharging stations are also available.

Intended for demanding day-long use, the Wi-Fi-enabled ET1 is password-protected so it can be easily shared and instantly provisioned for each employee according to his or her level of responsibility and access rights. Based on log-in information, managers can automatically control and monitor use of approved applications to help ensure on-the-job productivity is not compromised.

ET1 KEY FACTS

Retailers can seamlessly and securely run a variety of applications developed by Motorola’s extensive partner and independent software vendor (ISV) community, including:

Assisted selling
Mobile point of sale (mPOS)
Manager electronic dashboards
Planogram management and compliance
Item locator

Running an enterprise-ready hardened version of the Android operating system, the ET1 tablet is designed to be used 24 x 7 by multiple staff members.

Supported by Motorola’s portfolio of enterprise-grade software modules including RhoElements, a new HTML5 application enablement framework, businesses can now quickly and cost-effectively develop enterprise applications once and deploy them on both traditional Windows Embedded Handheld™ and Android-based Motorola devices, allowing for consistent user experiences.

The ET1 incorporates a durable Gorilla Glass™ 7-inch color display, designed for customer-facing applications containing video and images. In addition, the screen bezel can be customized to match the retailer’s brand.

Motorola’s ET1 tablet offers a comprehensive suite of enterprise-class features and accessories including:

Durable design to withstand multiple bumps and drops during a workday

Optional integrated bar code scanner and magnetic stripe reader

Hot-swappable rechargeable battery pack, with memory back-up battery to retain RAM data for up to 15 minutes when the main battery is removed

Single- and multi-slot tablet and battery chargers

Front- and rear-facing cameras

Availability of Bluetooth-connected handheld bar-code scanners, mobile-payment readers and mobile printers

Optional hand strap for comfortable full-shift handling

The ET1 tablet will be available with Motorola’s Service from the Start with Comprehensive Coverage program, providing coverage for normal wear and tear as well as accidental damage to internal and external components, significantly reducing unforeseen repair expenses.
Motorola Solutions’ ET1 tablet will be available in the fourth quarter of 2011.

 

Google Android Market Blocked in China

Brandon Orndorff
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0
Google Android Market Blocked in China

Android Market Banned in ChinaWe all know Google the internets largest resource and China the most populated nation don’t get along at all. Most of the arguments among these two powerhouses is their inability to agree on issues like freedom of expression.

China has banned many Google products over the last few years and the Android Market seems to have made that list. This country wide ban has stopped most Chinese internet users from getting to market.android.com. This blocks Chinese users from accessing and downloading applications from the market.

For China this really isn’t a huge deal since most smartphones in the country use their own markets based on the carrier they are with. The Chinese models of Android devices don’t actually have Google Android Market support in the first place.

While this seems like a big deal to us in the US I doubt it affects many users in China to the extent that they even care all that much. Correct me if i’m wrong but most users would be smart enough to use a proxy or alternate mirror market to get the apps that they want one way or another.

Ice Cream Sandwich Android Market Version 3.2.0 Download

Brandon Orndorff
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0
Ice Cream Sandwich Android Market Version 3.2.0 Download

Google Android Market version 3.2.0The Google Android Market has been updated to version 3.2.0 intended for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich but available to all. The market apk was ripped off the Nexus and made available for instructions to download and install the new market on your Android device follow the instructions below.

Install Google Market 3.2.0:

  1. Download the Phonesky APK (Download Link)
  2. In Root Explorer find the APK you downloaded
  3. Move the APK to “/system/app” and hit R/W to mount
  4. Find Vending.apk and rename it to Vending.apk1
  5. Long press Phonesky.apk and rename it Vending.apk
  6. Long press it again and select permissions
  7. Change permissions to “Owner RWE” “Group R” “Others R”
  8. Press OK and reboot
  9. You now have the Android Market version 3.2.0

Let us know if you run into any bugs or other issues. Also be sure to let us know even if everything goes OK and the device your running it on to give others piece of mind in using it themselves.

How to Root the Samsung Epic 4G Touch on Gingerbread

Brandon Orndorff
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0

The Samsung Epic 4G Touch has made it’s way to number 2 on Amazon Wireless most popular phones. Rooting the Epic 4G Touch is pretty straight forward and is courtesy of the Developers over at XDA. We are a little late posting the instructions but better late than never eh?

NOTE: This root method has been tested thoroughly but it is still recommended that you backup your device before attempting in the event something goes wrong and you have to flash it back to stock settings.

Root Instructions for the Epic 4G Touch:

  1. Download and extract epic4grootv1.zip (Download Link)
  2. Reboot your Epic 4G Touch holding “Power + Volume Down”
  3. When you see the option screen press “Volume Up”
  4. Wait for your Phone to get into Download Mode
  5. Install Samsung Kies so your computer (Official Download Link)
  6. Plug your Epic 4G Touch into your Computer Via USB
  7. Wait for your computer to detect the device
  8. Download and Extract Odin to your Computer (Download Link))
  9. Launch Odin and click PDA
  10. Select SPH-D710_Zedomax_Kernel.tar from file in Step 1
  11. Press Start and wait patiently for your device to reboot
  12. Congrats you are rooted!

Zedomax has also created a video tutorial to root the Samsung Epic 4G Touch.

Apple Siri V.S. Vlingo

Brandon Orndorff
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0
Apple Siri V.S. Vlingo

Apple Siri vs Vlingo for Android

V.S.

 Vlingo for Android


Apple announce their “New” feature called Siri. This has been available on Android for a long time now in the form of Vlingo, so whats the difference? Well the only major difference is the fact that Siri is integrated into iOS now and easily pulls calendar and maps without referring you to other apps.

Like Siri, Vlingo allows you to call a contact, text a friend, search for businesses, get directions and update Facebook status all with simple commands. Siri and Vlingo both also reads out many things like the weather. A huge difference is that no matter how you spin it Vlingo is free.

Google has mentioned that Ice Cream Sandwich will have a better virtual assistant and that it will be integrated like Siri is on the iOS devices. We look forward to seeing what comes of Android’s updated virtual assistant.

Apple is an advertiser that can make anything look good. If Google put the marketing effort into Android that Apple puts into iOS we would see the true winner is Google.

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