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AfterDawn: News

Google adds 'Voice Actions' to Android 2.2

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 12 Aug 2010 10:00

Google adds 'Voice Actions' to Android 2.2 Google has updated Android 2.2 Froyo today, adding 10 new voice commands that will help device owners use the phone without needing to use a keypad, virtual or not.

The Voice Actions tool will let users dictate their text messages and emails by translating spoken word into text.

Additionally, the tool can make phone calls after you speak a person's name, or find songs to play.

Google showed off the technology during a demonstration this morning, with the spoken words being translated to written flawlessly. The company said Voice Actions remains accurate even in loud surroundings.

Android devices already had the ability to process spoken requests for Web searches and for the GPS system.

So far, only the Nexus One and Droid 2 have official Android 2.2, but a handful of phones are expected to get the update in the coming months.

T-Mobile Android device owners have had a similar feature for months, dubbed the "Genius" button, although there are no T-Mobile devices with 2.2, yet.




AfterDawn: News

Google sued by Oracle over Android

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 12 Aug 2010 9:36

Google sued by Oracle over Android Oracle has filed a patent and copyright-infringement suit against Google today, claiming that Google's Android mobile OS infringes on the former company's Java technology.

Google declined comment, saying they need more time to review the suit.

Java, and all related technology, was created by Sun Microsystems which was recently purchased by Oracle.

The technology is used as a platform to build applications on smartphones, tablets, PCs and other computing devices.

In its complaint, Oracle says the Android software consists of Java apps and tech which infringe on seven separate Sun patents.

Additionally, the company claims Google knows full-well it is infringing on the patents because seven former Sun Java programmers and engineers have been hired by Google over the past few years.

Oracle is seeking a full injunction on Android, as well as monetary damages for willful and deliberate infringement.




AfterDawn: News

Viacom appeals YouTube verdict

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 12 Aug 2010 8:23

Viacom appeals YouTube verdict In early 2007, media giant Viacom demanded that Google take down copyrighted content from YouTube, then and still the world's most popular video sharing site.

Afterwards, Viacom sued the site and its search giant owners for $1.2 billion USD, claiming Google facilitated uploading the copyrighted videos through YouTube while doing little to deter it.

In June Google, won the landmark case over the media companies, with a federal judge throwing out the lawsuit.

"Mere knowledge of prevalence of such activity in general is not enough," wrote Judge Louis Stanton at the time. "The provider need not monitor or seek out facts indicating such activity."

This week the conglomerate has formally appealed the decision, filing a notice with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Mahattan.

Says Viacom of the appeal: "We believe this ruling by the lower court is fundamentally flawed. After years of delay, this decision gives us the opportunity to have the Appellate Court address these issues on an accelerated basis."

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Sony Ericsson PSP phone rumor gets new legs

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 12 Aug 2010 1:50

Sony Ericsson PSP phone rumor gets new legs Engadget is reporting today that Sony Ericsson is currently working on a "PSP Phone," one that will run on Android 3.0 and create a whole new "gaming ecosystem."

The report cites "trusted sources" who describe the device as a "cross between the Samsung Captivate and the PSP Go."

Sony's phone will have a PSP Go-style slideout instead of a QWERTY keypad, and a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor and a 5MP camera.

Running Android 3.0 (Gingerbread), the Android Market would be given a whole new section for games, ported from the PSX or PSP's vast libraries. The games can then be brought to other Android phones, as long as minimum specifications are met.

While this is not the first time we have heard a rumor about a PSP phone, this one seems to have the most legs and we will certainly keep you updated.




AfterDawn: News

Apple replaces overheating iPod Nanos in Japan

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 11 Aug 2010 3:15

Apple replaces overheating iPod Nanos in Japan Apple has said today it will begin replacing any iPod Nano that overheats in Japan, improving on their past offer of replacing only the batteries of said devices.

Japan's trade ministry had ordered Apple to "publish an easy to understand statement" on how owners of faulty devices could receive their replacement batteries.

The first generation Nano models, those sold between 2005 and 2006, are the ones in question, accounting for over 60 incidents of overheating leading to four cases of minor burns.

Apple has blamed the "very rare" occurrences on a single battery supplier.

Says Apple: "We've worked closely with METI (trade ministry) to make sure first-generation iPod nano customers who are concerned with their battery have the latest information."




AfterDawn: News

R.I.P Plastic Logic QUE e-reader

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 11 Aug 2010 2:51

R.I.P Plastic Logic QUE e-reader After being shown off first at CES and given an April release date, Plastic Logic delayed their e-reader in March and then again in June frustrating would-be owners who pre-ordered as early as February.

In late June, the company cancelled all pre-orders, making it very clear that the company was in trouble.

Today, Plastic Logic has announced that they are completely canceling all plans for the Que, due to increased competition from Apple, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

"This was a hard decision, but is the best one for our company, our investors and our customers," said Plastic Logic CEO Richard Archuleta of the decision.

"We recognize the market has dramatically changed, and with the product delays we have experienced, it no longer makes sense for us to move forward with our first generation electronic reading product."

Differentiating the QUE from other e-reader was the fact it was aimed at the businessman demographic. The device would have retailed for $650 for the 4GB/Wi-Fi model and $800 for the 8GB/Wi-Fi/3G version. The Que featured a large 10.7-inch screen, and had built-in support for Microsoft Office documents as well as PDFs.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Amazon considering getting into media player, smartphone markets

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 11 Aug 2010 2:30

Amazon considering getting into media player, smartphone markets According to sources talking to the NYTimes, Amazon is still actively considering getting into the media player and smartphone markets, moving away from just selling the Kindle e-reader on the hardware side.

The sources say Amazon wants to make it easier for consumers to purchase content from Amazon MP3 and Amazon Video on Demand, just like how Apple has iTunes and the App Store built-in to all their "i" devices.

Amazon's internal hardware division, known as "Lab 126," has put out a few versions of the very popular Kindle e-reader but has done little else.

While the company has explored getting into the smartphone market, one source does say that project is out of the "company's reach," at this point.

Says the Times: "Internally, Amazon executives have been frustrated with other companies aggressively entering the digital content business, and one person with direct knowledge of the company's plans said executives there were prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure Amazon remained a major player in the sale of digital content."

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Microsoft plugs 34 security holes

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 11 Aug 2010 2:09

Microsoft plugs 34 security holes Microsoft, during their latest Patch Tuesday, has plugged 34 security holes while updating 14 security bulletins.

Four of the most critical bulletins were rated "highest priority" for enterprises.

14 bulletins is the highest amount of security bulletins ever released by the software giant during a Patch Tuesday, and a full eight were rated critical.

The four aforementioned "highest priority" bulletins are (via EW): MS10-052, which resolves a vulnerability in Microsoft's MPEG Layer-3 audio codecs; MS10-055, which addresses a vulnerability in the Cinepak Codec used by Windows Media Player to support the AVI audiovisual format; MS10-056, which deals with four vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office; and MS10-060, which resolves two vulnerabilities in Microsoft .NET Framework and Microsoft Silverlight.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

iSuppli: DRAM shortage likely coming

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 11 Aug 2010 1:35

iSuppli: DRAM shortage likely coming According to research firm iSuppli, the DRAM market could see a significant supply shortage in the Q3 2010 due to "limited manufacturing equipment availability" and other challenges.

Says the company (via Barrons):

"A commodity profoundly susceptible to the variable dynamics of supply and demand, DRAM is expected to ship 15.9 million 1Gbit-equivalent units in 2010, up 48.6% from 10.7 million units last year."

"Most of the year’s growth is forecasted to occur in the second half of the year, with each of the final two quarters of 2010 expected to post sequential bit growth of approximately 11%. In comparison, bit growth in the first two quarters of 2010 topped out at far below the 10% mark. Such high levels of growth, concentrated in a six-month period, will strain the production capabilities of DRAM suppliers."

Mike Howard, senior analyst for DRAM at iSuppli also adds that two major factors should lead the market into a supply shortage, with the first being limited tooling equipment, especially from ASML Holding. The second is the challenges for manufacturers migrating to below 50 nm.




AfterDawn: News

Dell Streak tablet phone launching this Friday

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Aug 2010 11:54

Dell Streak tablet phone launching this Friday Dell's Streak tablet/phone will hit the U.S. on Friday, says AT&T, launching at $300 with contract or $550 without.

The multi-touch tablet/phone is expected to compete against Apple in both categories, although it only has a 5-inch screen so a direct comparison to the iPad is weak.

AT&T has the device going up for pre-order on Thursday.

The Streak was originally supposed to launch in July, after being unveiled at CES in January, but delays pushed it back to its current date. Between CES and release, Apple has released the iPad and iPhone 4 to record sales numbers.

Dell launched the tablet/phone in the UK in June, to mixed reviews.

Dell says the device will ship with Android 1.6, which is unfortunate, but an upgrade to 2.2 is promised by the end of the year.




AfterDawn: News

Nintendo hits 30 million Wii units sold in the U.S.

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Aug 2010 11:15

Nintendo hits 30 million Wii units sold in the U.S. Nintendo has confirmed this week that the ever-popular Wii has now hit 30 million units sold in the U.S.

It took about 45 months for the number to be hit in the nation, making it the fastest-selling video game console in history.

Sony's PS2, the top selling console of all-time, took 60 months to hit the 30 million milestone. The console currently has over 140 million units sold, globally.

"More than any other video game system in history, Wii has expanded the world of video games to new audiences," says Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of sales and marketing. "This milestone is another reminder that people want fun games they can play with others – all at a value-minded price."

The Wii sells for $199 or even less if you get the right bundle.

Worldwide Wii sales are estimated at around 72 million, significantly higher than the 41 million number for the Xbox 360 and the 36 million for the PS3.




AfterDawn: News

iPhone owners have more sexual partners?

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Aug 2010 10:33

iPhone owners have more sexual partners? According to new research from the popular dating site OKCupid.com, iPhone owners are having sex with more partners than BlackBerry or Android owners.

Almost 10,000 smartphone owners were polled and the site found that men with iPhones had an average of 10 sexual partners by the age of 30, higher than the 8.1 partners for BlackBerry owners and 6 for Android users.

For women, iPhone owners had 12.3 partners by the same age, with BlackBerry users at 8.8 and Android owners at 6.1.

While the numbers could of course be skewed, (it is just a dating site and not a scientific journal) the numbers are still interesting.

The results of the survey were released along with OKCupid's investigation into what type of photographs gor the most positive hits on the site. Unsurprisingly, pics taken with DSLRs, using soft lighting, got the most positive results.




AfterDawn: News

Android phones hit by first ever Trojan

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Aug 2010 10:09

Android phones hit by first ever Trojan Google's Android mobile OS has finally hit the big time; security firm Kaspersky is reporting that users are being hit with the first trojan for the OS.

Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.FakePlayer.a is being sent around as an SMS, infecting devices while pretending to be a media player application. Infected users will send out SMS texts without consent.

Android owners who receive the text are prompted to install a small 13kb .APK which then infects the device. The trojan will then begin texting out "premium rate phone numbers," to other users.

Kapersky is quick to note that so far the Android users in most immediate danger are in Russia, where the criminals behind the trojan can actually start charging money to user's accounts. However, anyone with a device can get infected.

While FakePlayer is the first Trojan for Android, there have been scattered spywares created for the OS.

Adds Kapersky: "The IT market research and analysis organization IDC has noted that those selling devices running Android are experiencing the highest growth in sales among smartphone manufacturers. As a result, we can expect to see a corresponding rise in the amount of malware targeting that platform."




AfterDawn: News

Nintendo Wii 2 with Blu-ray coming next year?

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Aug 2010 3:13

Nintendo Wii 2 with Blu-ray coming next year? Over the past year, there have been numerous rumors of an upcoming Wii 2, one that includes full HD output.

Today, GGS is reporting that Nintendo is indeed creating a Wii 2, one that will feature a Blu-ray drive.

The console will support resolution up to 1080p, and current Wii owners will be able to trade in their console for a slight discount off the new console.

Adding a Blu-ray drive will help Nintendo curb a problem that has long plagued their consoles and handhelds, piracy.

GGS cites a "bashful but reliable source" in Nintendo who says the company is already beginning to manufacture the console, with a 2011 release date eyed.

Finally, the source says Nintendo will not confirm or announce the console until just one month before it's launched to "generate huge publicity and viral marketing."




AfterDawn: News

Motorola Droid 2 now official, original Droid retired

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Aug 2010 2:30

Motorola Droid 2 now official, original Droid retired Verizon Wireless has finally, officially launched the Motorola Droid 2, although weeks of leaks have already shown customers the price, specs and release date.

The device will hit stores on Thursday the 12th, with online pre-sales starting tomorrow morning.

Motorola's new flagship will sell for $200 with 2-year contract, or $600 without.

Furthermore, once all the inventory is depleted, the aging original Droid will be retired.

The Droid 2 is very similar to its older brother, but with a few key differences. The sequel has a powerful 1GHz processor and twice the RAM, as well as a redone keyboard. Many owners of the original Droid complained about the slide-out keypad, which was off center in order to add a directional pad which was practically useless. The Droid 2 has a more centered keypad.

Additionally, the Droid 2 is silver-on-blue, includes Android 2.2 Froyo, and has a new Motorola "skin" just like the Droid X.





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