Google holds back on open-sourcing Honeycomb, heralds massive shift for Android

Google, in an interesting but not entirely unexpected twist, will not be open-sourcing Android 3.0 Honeycomb for the foreseeable future.

Historically, Android is usually open-sourced via the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) a few days or weeks after the code is finalized. While this departure from the norm won't affect OEMs like HTC and Motorola that have access to internal builds of Android, small-time developers will likely have to wait months before rolling their own distributions.

As to why Google is holding back Honeycomb, its reasons are actually rather rational. Honeycomb, while originally intended to run on all mobile form factors, is only ready for deployment on tablets. "To make our schedule to ship the tablet, we made some design tradeoffs," says Andy Rubin, the head of Google's Android group. "We didn't want to think about what it would take for the same software to run on phones. It would have required a lot of additional resources and extended our schedule beyond what we thought was reasonable. So we took a shortcut."

In other words, Google wants to prevent OEMs and homebrew developers like Cyanogen from rolling their own smartphone versions of Honeycomb -- it doesn't want to see the same bitter-tasting tabletified bastardization that occurred with Android 2.1 and 2.2 last year.

Continue reading Google holds back on open-sourcing Honeycomb, heralds massive shift for Android

Google holds back on open-sourcing Honeycomb, heralds massive shift for Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/25/google-holds-back-on-open-sourcing-honeycomb-heralds-shift-android/

VIRGIN MEDIA VIEWSONIC

Oculus’ Mind-Blowing New Prototype Is a Huge Step Toward Consumer VR

At its first developer summit, Oculus didn't unveil the consumer version of its Rift headset. It didn't even announce when it might come to market. But the company still managed yet another leap forward.

The post Oculus’ Mind-Blowing New Prototype Is a Huge Step Toward Consumer VR appeared first on WIRED.

Source: http://feeds.wired.com/c/35185/f/661457/s/3eb76c8c/sc/23/l/0L0Swired0N0C20A140C0A90Coculus0Ecrescent0Ebay0Eprototype0C/story01.htm

UNITED ONLINE UNISYS

Review: GPS running watches offer improvements

NEW ORLEANS -- My accessories for last month's Mardi Gras Marathon in New Orleans included a pair of bead necklaces and three watches.

Source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=5d7828f1926b353eb2c163f4a78950a0

VEECO INSTRUMENTS VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES

Lenovo set to complete acquisition of IBM x86 server business

Nine months after it was first announced, Lenovo’s acquisition of IBM’s x86 server business is headed towards closing.

Having received regulatory approval from the U.S., the European Commission and China, the companies will start closing the US$2.1 billion deal on Wednesday. The handover will take place in most major markets starting this week, and will be completed in the remaining countries into early next year, the companies said.

As a result of the deal, Lenovo is receiving a host of IBM products including its System x, BladeCenter and Flex System blade servers and switches, along with its NeXtScale and iDataPlex servers and associated software.

To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Source: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2688772/lenovo-set-to-complete-acquisition-of-ibm-x86-server-business.html#tk.rss_all

SPANSION SONUS NETWORKS

Welcome to iMore, Serenity Caldwell!

Serenity Caldwell wears many hats. She comes from a family of musicians, studied theater and film, and worked for Apple Retail. She's an avid podcaster and photographer. She can knock you off the roller derby track faster than you can say R2D2. For the last four years she's also been at the heart and soul of Macworld, producing columns, videos, and ebooks, speaking at conferences, and, in every way imaginable, helping people all over the world get more out of their iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

And starting tomorrow, she'll be doing all of that — and more — right here with us at iMore.

Just in time, too. We've been growing a lot lately. Almost 12 million of you joined us this month for our iOS 8, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus coverage. That's a record, and we still have new iPads to come, and new Macs, and the Apple Watch and a new Apple TV this spring, and... who knows what else beyond that.

It's going to be a lot of hardware, a lot of software, and a lot of apps, and accessories to cover, and we want to make sure we not only keep up with all of it for all of you, but take it to the next level as well.

Luckily, the next level is just exactly where Serenity Caldwell lives.

If you're already familiar with Serenity's work, then you know iMore is in for a real treat. If you're not familiar with her work, then I daresay you're in for a treat. Serenity has an incredible talent and passion for explaining complex subjects in easy to understand ways, for showing how technology can be used to improve our lives, for keeping things moving, and for keeping them real.

I've been a tremendous fan of Serenity's work for years, and I can't wait to start reading, hearing, and seeing it on iMore.

Please give her a warm welcome, and if you aren't already, you should follow her on Twitter @settern.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/ScyvFjbIybs/story01.htm

TELETECH HOLDINGS TECHNITROL

How to change notification sounds on your Android phone

How often have you been in a public place and heard a phone notification ding nearby, and reached for your own pocket, only to find out that it wasn't from your phone? Spare yourself the unnecessary confusion and change your default ringtone and notification tone to something different.

Android comes with a bunch of notification tones, and of course you can add more.

To start, navigate to your phone's Settings app and tap its icon to open it. Next, Tap Sound under the Device heading: Here you can change your phone's ringtone and default notification sound, and toggle various other sound effects on and off.

To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Source: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2688096/how-to-change-notification-sounds-on-your-android-phone.html#tk.rss_all

VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY VIRGIN MEDIA

Windows 8 Explorer to feature Ribbon UI, SkyDrive and Mesh integration?

Rafael Rivera and Paul Thurrott have posted a second look at some of the early changes which have surface in Windows 8 milestone 3. First there was the restyled Welcome Screen, and now it appears that Microsoft is toying with bringing the Ribbon UI to Explorer.

The Ribbon, like in Microsoft Word and Excel, is context-aware, adding tabs for specific tasks which apply to the folder you're viewing -- such as library or picture management. You can also make out two new buttons in the status bar, which allow you to change the current folder's view style.

It's clear from all the placeholder images and repeated elements that this is very much a work in progress, but featuring the Ribbon more prominently in Windows 8 would certainly be a logical progression for Microsoft. It's slowly become more ubiquitous, moving beyond Office and into Wordpad, Paint, and several of the Windows Live Essentials applications.

There's more to the screenshots than the Ribbon UI, however. Our friend Long Zheng has noted two interesting elements in the images: Web sharing and sync (image after the break). That would likely mean users will be able to quickly upload files to SkyDrive and synchronize using Live Mesh right from Explorer in Windows 8. That's not a total surprise considering many of the earliest leaked images of Windows 8 showed Windows Live integration on the desktop.

Continue reading Windows 8 Explorer to feature Ribbon UI, SkyDrive and Mesh integration?

Windows 8 Explorer to feature Ribbon UI, SkyDrive and Mesh integration? originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/03/windows-8-explorer-to-feature-ribbon-ui-skydrive-and-mesh-integ/

SYNOPSYS SYNNEX

Price Drops On Alienware Gaming PC & Accessories, $99 Printers, Lenovo Clearance, And More

It’s almost time to close out another week, but not before serving up the latest batch of HOT deals, direct from our friends at LogicBuy. On the menu for you all today, we have deals on the slick Alienware X51 small-form-factor gaming PC, the Lenovo Yoga 10 multi-mode 10.1" quad-core 32GB Android tablet, the Epson WF-2540 All-in-One...

Source: http://hothardware.com/News/Price-Drops-On-Alienware-Gaming-PC--Accessories-99-Printers-Lenovo-Clearance-And-More/

SYNNEX SYMANTEC

New iPad Quad Core Graphics

Prior to the unveiling of the new iPad 3, there was a lot of speculation and rumors about what processor would be on board and what features the new tablet. The older iPad 2 came with an A5 processor which included a dual core graphics processor and 512mb of RAM. The graphics processor takes care of all the display functions whilst the main processor handles all of the other functions. A lot of the rumors prior to the new iPad [...]

Source: http://tabletbuzzblog.com/new-ipad-quad-core-graphics/

VIEWSONIC VERISIGN

Apple's iOS 7: Is It Taking a Page From Microsoft's Design?

Mobile UI design becomes a hot topic amid reports that Apple is taking a similar approach to Microsoft when it comes to aesthetics.

Source: http://feeds.ziffdavisenterprise.com/~r/RSS/eweekmac/~3/j5FONuzJekw/

SYNTEL SYNTAX-BRILLIAN

Apple Claims Only 9 People Have Complained About iPhone 6 Plus Bending Issue

It appears that “Bendgate” is not as big an issue as some are claiming. At least that is what Apple is saying. Recently, rumors and claims came to the forefront regarding consumers who had bent their iPhone 6 Plus simply by carrying it in their front or back pockets. According to Apple, it says that only nine people, out of the...

Source: http://hothardware.com/News/Apple-Claims-Only-9-People-Have-Complained-About-iPhone-6-Plus-Bending-Issue/

SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS SILICON LABORATORIES

Windows 8 getting a built-in PDF reader, Metro-style

For what seems like an eternity, Download Squad readers have reacted to news of security exploits targeting Adobe Reader with a common sentiment: why doesn't Microsoft build its own secure PDF reader into Windows? Apparently the Windows 8 team agrees, and they're working away at an application called Modern Reader which is exactly that.

From the handful of screenshots Paul Thurrott has shared, it's clear that Modern Reader has been built with Metro in mind. You can see the Reader back button in the top-left corner of the yellow image and the minimal page navigation bar on the right. We've posted some larger images we managed to scrape from Google's cache after the break.

Thurrott also mentions that Modern Reader is the first program spotted which is built using AppX -- a packaging technology that may allow developers to roll a single build to both Windows 8 desktops and Windows Phone 8 mobile devices.

Continue reading Windows 8 getting a built-in PDF reader, Metro-style

Windows 8 getting a built-in PDF reader, Metro-style originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/04/windows-8-getting-a-built-in-pdf-reader-finally/

UNISYS TRIQUINT SEMICONDUCTOR

Google Chrome and Chromium add protection against malicious downloads

Google Chrome already sports a number of security-minded features, from Incognito mode to a software sandbox which makes exploiting the browser a Herculean task. Now, Google has announced additional protection for Chromium and Chrome users.

Built upon the Safe Browsing API, the new feature introduces protection against malicious downloads. If a download link appears in the Safe Browsing blacklist, Chrome and Chromium will warn users against downloading -- a save button is still presented, of course, in case you're convinced a file is perfectly safe to download.

We'd like to see something a bit more eye-catching than the red warning icon -- like perhaps painting the entire bar red. Many of the people a feature like this aims to protect probably won't notice the icon or change in wording as they'll be focused on clicking the save button.

Google is initially making download protection available to Chrome dev channel users, and you'll likely see it in Canary and Chromium snapshot builds as well. After thorough testing, beta and stable users will be next in line.

Google Chrome and Chromium add protection against malicious downloads originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/05/google-chrome-and-chromium-add-protection-against-malicious-down/

VERIFONE HOLDINGS VEECO INSTRUMENTS

Cueboy Quest is an adorable 8-bit style physics game

Yes, that's right, I said adorable. Because Cueboy Quest really is!

You play an 8-bit cowboy whose goal on each level is to get to the door (and thus to the next level), but the door is often locked. To get it to open, you must shoot at one or more targets, and those targets aren't always in your line of sight. For example, on one level the the target is a balloon which is stuck all the way at the other end of the screen. You must first nudge it free, and then watch it float up and try to shoot it before it floats clear off the screen. Your bullets are chunky pixels that have some weight - the have arcing trajectories, so you don't always hit exactly where you aim.

There's another level where you must jump on the balloon as it floats up, use it as a platform to get to the other end of the screen, and then turn to shoot it very quickly before it flies away. Each level is very short, and most of them are quite easy. And not only are the graphics 8-bit blocky, but they're large too. Simply beautiful!

Cueboy Quest is an adorable 8-bit style physics game originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/cueboy-quest-is-an-adorable-8-bit-style-physics-game/

VIEWSONIC VERISIGN

Lenovo N20p Chromebook: This $329 laptop has a touchscreen display that can flip 300 degrees

Video

Source: http://www.pcworld.com/video/39250/lenovo-n20p-chromebook-this-329-laptop-has-a-touchscreen-display-that-can-flip-300-degrees.html#tk.rss_laptopcomputers

SILICON LABORATORIES SI INTERNATIONAL

Amazon Gets All Fired Up

Amazon on Wednesday introduced a slew of new Kindle Fire tablets and Kindle e-readers. It also unveiled a new OS based on Android KitKat. The top-of-the-line product is the company's Fire HDX 8.9, which sports a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 quad-core processor, with each core running at up to 2.5 GHz, and a GPU that's 75 percent faster than that of the previous Fire HDX.

Source: http://www.technewsworld.com/story/81065.html?rss=1

SYNOPSYS SYNNEX

Review: Kinect motion-sensing system impresses

-- There are a lot of futuristic things we're still waiting on: jet packs for the entire family, self-driving cars and time-travel, to name a few. But one new, pretty darn amazing bit of technology has finally come to fruition, thanks to the folks at Microsoft.

Source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=e1c1bc86895e9b6f2f52269adcd200e0

VERISIGN VERIFONE HOLDINGS

Review: GPS running watches offer improvements

NEW ORLEANS -- My accessories for last month's Mardi Gras Marathon in New Orleans included a pair of bead necklaces and three watches.

Source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=5d7828f1926b353eb2c163f4a78950a0

TNS TIBCO SOFTWARE

iOS 5.1 Upgrade Details

The latest Apple operating system, iOS 5.1, to hit devices is pre-supplied with the new iPad. the new Os has been designed to fix a few bugs that were previously identified with iPads and iPhones, and also beings better battery life and WiFi connectivity. There are also a host of brand new features which are available on the new iPad 3. The Camera App The new camera is a massive upgrade on the iPad 2 and is something that many [...]

Source: http://tabletbuzzblog.com/ios-5-1-upgrade-details/

SRA INTERNATIONAL SPSS

Gladinet maps Amazon Cloud Drive to your Windows desktop

Amazon's recently-introduced Cloud Drive is a great place to store your files online. It offers 5 gigs of totally free space, and U.S. users also get access to the handy Cloud Player app (for Web and Android!) which streams music you upload to your Cloud Drive.

The service could be a little easier to use, however. Until Amazon releases a desktop client, Windows users might want to take another look at Gladinet. The multi-service cloud connector has now added Amazon Cloud Drive support and will let you map a network drive letter to your account with minimal fuss.

Once you've added your credentials to Gladinet, just pick the letter you want to assign to the drive and you're good to go. You can then copy files to and from your Cloud Drive, rename items, and manage folders like you would any local hard drive in your system.

The only downside is that the free version of Gladinet gives you a limited number of cloud interactions. Once you use those up, you'll need to upgrade to the paid version, which costs $49.99. If you work with a number of cloud-based storage providers, however, it could be well worth the price tag.

Gladinet maps Amazon Cloud Drive to your Windows desktop originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/04/map-amazon-cloud-drive-to-windows-local/

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES

FCC's rules to protect Internet access spark claims of violations

The ink is barely dry on the Federal Communications Commission's rules to protect Internet access, and claims of violations are already surfacing.

Source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=141bfb1f16416793193bb8accda6280d

TRANSACTION SYSTEMS ARCHITECTS TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES

Mac OS X Lion Preview 2 released, introduces mega exciting leather bound iCal skin

This is one of those posts that could probably be condensed into a tweet: Apple has released the second Preview of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. If you're running Preview 1, it looks like you'll first receive a small update via Software Update, and then you can download Preview 2 from the Mac App Store.

There has been some speculation that Apple is getting close to a release or Golden Master build, but judging by 9to5 Mac's initial findings there's definitely some way to go. The Golden Master will probably appear at, or just before, the Apple WWDC in June.

So far, it's looking like the only changes in Preview 2 are the leather bound iCal skin that you can see above, and the main iChat window now combines your AIM, Bonjour and Jabber contacts, like Adium. We're sure that more details will emerge throughout the day, though, and there's bound to be lots of invisible changes, too. We'll update this post when we find out more.

Mac OS X Lion Preview 2 released, introduces mega exciting leather bound iCal skin originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 05:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/mac-os-x-lion-preview-2-released-introduces-mega-exciting-leath/

TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED TRIDENT MICROSYSTEMS

Personal Tech Live with Rob Pegoraro

Rob Pegoraro answers your questions on recent gadget reviews, technology news and provides personal tech buying and fixing advice.

Source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=2c61cd6199a90a4b293eb62383f7b7a5

TRIQUINT SEMICONDUCTOR TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED