Android

Google Didn't Infringe On Oracle Patents, Decides Jury In Android Suit

Clears the search giant of eight counts of patent infringement, but holds it responsible for two minor violations.

Nachiket 'therapist' Mhatre, 25th May 2012 18:33

Google Didn't Infringe On Oracle Patents, Decides Jury In Android Suit

The long drawn battle between Oracle and Google over patent infringement in the latter's Android mobile OS seems to be nearing conclusion now. The jury has decided that Android does not violate any patents, as claimed by Oracle. This has come as a major relief for the search giant, whose mobile OS enjoys a significant share of the smartphone market. Oracle's bone of contention in the lawsuit was against Google's using Java source code in its mobile operating system.

The trial that was initiated in April and lasted three weeks, relieved Google of eight counts on patent infringement claims...

Review: Zync Z-990

A buggy Android 4.0 tablet.

Chandrakant 'CK' Isi, 25th May 2012 17:56

RATING

Review: Zync Z-990

Pros: 1080p video playback; USB host capability; Good sound quality.

Cons: Poor build quality; Heating issues; Buggy software implementation.

Zync Z-990
MRP: Rs 9000
Street Price (As On 25-May-2012): Rs 8500 (HomeShop18.com; Yebhi.com)

With numerous tablet manufacturers trying their luck in the affordable market segment, it's becoming tough to keep track of all these gadgets...

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Sony Launches Xperia U, P, And sola; Prices Start From Rs 17,400

Android 2.3 smartphones are meant to be entertainment devices, sport large touchscreens with the Mobile BRAVIA Engine.

Jayesh Limaye, 24th May 2012 20:44

Sony Launches Xperia U, P, And sola; Prices Start From Rs 17,400

Sony Mobile has launched three new Xperia smartphones – U, P, and sola, in India today. This was the official launch after they were announced last month, when we had a chance to take a first look at the three models. They still come with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), although the world has been moving fast to ICS. However, Sony says that an update will be made available by June this year. The Xperia U and P smartphones with large touchscreens belong to the higher-end Xperia NXT line-up of next generation mobile phones, whereas the sola is a mid-range phone. Meant to deliver a better multimedia experience, these phones feature the Mobile BRAVIA Engine...

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Samsung GALAXY Tab 2 310 Launched, Available For Rs 23,250

The 7" Android 4.0 tablet comes with dual cameras, Wi-Fi, and 3G; supports mobile voice calling as well.

Jayesh Limaye, 23rd May 2012 21:27

Samsung GALAXY Tab 2 310 Launched, Available For Rs 23,250

Samsung has introduced the GALAXY Tab 2 310, the latest in its range of GALAXY tablets in India. Weighing just 345 grammes the tab sports a slim profile with dimensions of 193.7 (w) x 122.4 (h) x 10.5 (d) mm. The company advertises it as a light and portable device, meant for those who seek greater mobility. With a 7" (600x1024) multi-touch capacitive screen, it runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Powered by a 1 GHz dual-core processor that's complemented by 1 GB of RAM, its 16 GB inbuilt memory can be expanded via microSD up to 32 GB. There's a front VGA camera for video calling, while the rear 3 MP camera can be used for quick snaps and also to shoot 1080p videos at 30 fps...

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Samsung Misses Out On Key Features In GALAXY S II ICS Update

New Android 4.0 OS retains several Gingerbread features post installation.

Jayesh Limaye, 23rd May 2012 20:30

Samsung Misses Out On Key Features In GALAXY S II ICS Update

Samsung had recently started shipping its GALAXY S II (GS2) smartphones pre-installed with Android 4.0, however, reportedly the company seems to have left out key features during the OS upgrade. It has been noted that the UI appeared similar to the Gingerbread version of TouchWiz even after the ICS upgrade, and apparently, this is just the tip of the iceberg. While it does bring many of the features that come standard with the new mobile OS, the screenshots comparison between the upgraded GS2 and the GALAXY S III from the report shows that it is not exactly ICS that you are getting. Read on to view the screenshots...

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Samsung GALAXY S II Now Ships Pre-Loaded With Android 4.0

However, existing users will have to wait for an Over The Air (OTA) update.

Chandrakant 'CK' Isi, 22nd May 2012 18:37

Samsung GALAXY S II Now Ships Pre-Loaded With Android 4.0

If you've decided not to wait for the GALAXY S III, opting to settle for its predecessor instead, we've a good news for you. No, Samsung hasn't slashed the prices, but it's now shipping the GALAXY S II (GS2) pre-installed with Android 4.0.

News started spreading, as a few buyers of GS2s expressed their delight on Twitter. Reportedly, only the devices imported in April or later are offering ICS firmware out of the box. Sadly, those who already own a GS2 in India, will have to wait further for the OTA (Over The Air) update to be made available...

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Samsung Galaxy S III Available For Pre-order In India

Meanwhile, worldwide pre-orders hit the 9 million mark.

Nachiket 'therapist' Mhatre, 18th May 2012 17:09

Samsung Galaxy S III Available For Pre-order In India

Samsung India has begun accepting pre-orders for its upcoming GALAXY S III smartphone. If you are among the teeming millions clamouring for its quad-core goodness, you'll have to shell out Rs 2000 at the official online store to book one. The listing even promises an "assured free gift" for the faithful.

However, since there are reports of GALAXY S2 variants confirmed with less-than-spectacular hardware configurations in Japan (NTT Docomo) and US (Verizon), let's hope Samsung doesn't plan on conning Indian buyers with a castrated SoC...

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Go Tech Launches funtab 7.1 fusion and 7.1 fonetab For Rs 4000 and Rs 7000

Low-cost Android tablets come with 7" screens, allow video chat with front camera.

Jayesh Limaye, 18th May 2012 11:08

Go Tech Launches funtab 7.1 fusion and 7.1 fonetab For Rs 4000 and Rs 7000

Go Tech has added a couple of more models to the inexpensive tablet pool with the launch of the funtab 7.1 fusion and 7.1 fonetab. The 7.1 fusion is priced at Rs 4000, while the 7.1 fonetab at Rs 7000 comes with a SIM slot for cellular data connectivity. In addition to the above, it plans to launch as many as four more tablets this year. The company aims to sell up to 10,000 units of these Android devices in the next three months.

The 7.1 fusion comes with Android 2.3, while the 7.1 fonetab has Android 2.2, and both are powered by an 800 MHz CPU. Sporting a 7" screen with pixel dimensions of 800x480, the fusion has 256 MB RAM...

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Budget Users, Say Hello To Android 4.0 - Courtesy HTC's Desire C

Cheapest ICS handset yet packs in a 3.5" touchscreen, 600 MHz CPU, and 5 MP camera; expected for Rs 14,000.

Chandrakant 'CK' Isi, 16th May 2012 22:16

Budget Users, Say Hello To Android 4.0 - Courtesy HTC's Desire C

After several leaks, HTC has finally announced the Desire C. Going by the looks, it seems like a successor to the HTC Explorer. Despite being a budget smartphone, the handset runs Android 4.0 out of the box.

The Desire C is powered by a modest 600 MHz CPU, and has 512 MB of RAM. Its 3.5" screen has pixel dimensions of 480x320. Apart from that, it features a 5 MP camera, 4 GB of internal storage, microSD card slot, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a 1230 mAh battery. Additionally, the phone will come with the Beats audio software enhancement....

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Download: Firefox Beta (Android)

Offers a better UI and Flash support for compatible devices.

Kamakshi S, 16th May 2012 09:44

Download: Firefox Beta (Android)

Firefox is out with a new beta browser for Android handsets. It works with devices running Android 2.1 (Eclair) and above, and promises a faster start-up and page load time. The browser sports a revamped UI, called the Awesome Screen with the start page loading with Top Sites, by default. Currently in the testing stage, it offers Flash support and a lot of plugins. Having said that, Flash doesn’t work with Tegra 2 devices that run on Gingerbread, and the new version doesn't offer support to tablets, so currently, its only for smartphones. Apart from a new panning/zooming architecture for better touch-based response, it also lets you increase font size to read text better...

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Mirrors Go High-Tech With Android!

Japanese firm Seraku introduces touch-friendly mirror; does nothing to make you look good, though.

Chandrakant 'CK' Isi, 15th May 2012 13:32

Seraku Puts Android Behind A Mirror

The Android platform is being used on a wide range of devices, right from cellphones to TV sets. This time around, the Japs have loaded Google's OS inside a mirror.  

This unusual product has been developed by a company named Seraku, and is called the Smart Wash Basin. According to the manufacturer, this product can display weather details, news, and also allows you to check your weight through a connected weighing scale. As you would have already guessed, the mirror here is actually an LCD display with an embedded Android tablet, covered by a semi-transparent piece of reflective glass...

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Review: HTC One X

Extraordinary, but only on paper.

Chandrakant 'CK' Isi, 14th May 2012 15:13

RATING

Review: HTC One X

Pros: Great design; Nifty camera features; Wide viewing angles.

Cons: Expensive; Mediocre performance; Terrible battery life; Uncomfortable for one-handed use.

HTC One X
MRP: 43,000
Street Price (As on 14-May-2012): Rs 35,300 (Saholic.com); Rs 35,900 (Adexmart.com; Letsbuy.com)

Android enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating quad-core devices, and HTC has become the first one to offer such handsets in the country...

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Review: Samsung GALAXY Tab 620

An expensive tablet that fails to impress.

Kamakshi S, 14th May 2012 07:07

RATING

Review: Samsung GALAXY Tab 620

Pros: Smooth HD video playback; Streams online videos well.

Cons: Proprietary charging port; Poor Flash support; Unimpressive camera.

Samsung GALAXY Tab 620

MRP: Rs 27,000
Street Price (As On 14-May-2012): Rs 25,900 (Flipkart.com); Rs 25,800 (Tradus.in)

Samsung has brought out several variants of tablets under its GALAXY range, in multiple screen sizes. Of these, the 7" version is the cheapest of the lot...

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ViewSonic Launches New Dual-SIM 3G Smartphone, Costs Rs 10,000

Android 2.3 based ViewPhone 3 has a 3.5" touchscreen and 5 MP camera.

Jayesh Limaye, 10th May 2012 16:16

ViewSonic Launches New Dual-SIM 3G Smartphone, Costs Rs 10,000

Viewsonic has launched a new dual-SIM 3G smartphone with dual-standby capabilities, the ViewPhone 3. The Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) handset features a 3.5" multitouch display with pixel dimensions of 320x480 and sports the TouchPal virtual keyboard. Powered by a 800 MHz CPU, this phone supports HSDPA protocol, allowing fast download speeds up to 7.2 Mbps. The 5 MP autofocus rear camera takes care of still and video imaging. With 512 MB of RAM, the storage capacity can be expanded up to 32 GB using microSD card.

The ViewPhone 3 comes encased in black leather-finish back cover to give it a distinct look...

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Mercury Announces iXA Tab, Priced At Rs 4000

Low-cost tablet running Android 2.3 has a 7" screen and front camera, available from 23rd May.

Jayesh Limaye, 10th May 2012 16:03

Mercury Announces iXA Tab, Priced At Rs 4000

After its mTab range of tablets, Mercury has now launched the iXA Tab, at a considerably lower price of Rs 4000. This Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) device is powered by a 1 GHz CPU and 512 MB of RAM, which should be good enough to run the OS comfortably. The tab has a 7" touchscreen, albeit resistive, which is a price you have to pay for cost-cutting. The in-built capacity of 4 GB that can be augmented up to 32 GB via microSD card. Video calling is also possible, thanks to a VGA front-facing camera.

Connectivity is possible using Wi-Fi, allowing you to access internet, emails, and work while you are mobile...

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Evolution Of Android: From Angel Cake To Ice Cream Sandwich

How the world's most popular mobile platform got sweeter with each serving.

Chandrakant 'CK' Isi, 09th May 2012 23:11

Evolution Of Android: From Angel Cake To Ice Cream Sandwich

The Android OS is currently dominating the smartphone market. Its share in tablet space has also been noteworthy. Have you ever wondered, how it all started? Contrary to assumptions, this OS was the product of a lesser known startup called Android Inc. This small company was then bought by Google for pursuing its smartphone ambitions. The search giant has since added many products and ideas to the platform, and befriended the OHA (Open Handset Alliance) alongside brands such as LG, HTC, T-Mobile, Samsung, Motorola, and Intel.   The first consumer friendly iteration of the OS was called Angel Cake. Interestingly, Google has named all the versions in an alphabetic order...

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Download: K9 Web Protection Browser (Android)

Free mobile browser protects your kids from porn, phishing, and malicious content.

Nachiket 'therapist' Mhatre, 09th May 2012 22:58

Download: K9 Web Protection Browser (Android)

Tablets and smartphones usage isn't just restricted to adults; kids these days have easy access to the internet through these devices too. The downside to that are the obvious dangers of being exposed to the dark underbelly of the internet. Android users will be glad to know that Blue Coat Systems' K9 Web Protection browser aims to keep their kids safe.

It is available for free from the Google Play Store, and is compatible with all Android tablets and smartphones. The browser is already available for iOS devices. Once installed it screens out malicious content, phishing attacks, and offers real-time filtering of material inappropriate for children such as pornography, hate \ violence, drugs, and gambling...

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Review: Intex i-Tab

A feature packed tablet, but let down by bad design.

Chandrakant 'CK' Isi, 04th May 2012 13:34

RATING

Review: Intex i-Tab

Pros: Bright display; 1080p video playback; Comes with 3G data card.

Cons: Terrible design; Uninspiring UI; Expensive.

Intex i-Tab
MRP: Rs 12,000
Street Price (As On 2-May-2012): Rs 12,000 (eBay.in)

These days, it's hard to find a tech company that hasn't tried its luck with tablets. Although most companies, except Apple and Samsung, haven't met with significant success...

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Top Three High-End Phones Above Rs 20,000

The best smartphones for work, fun, and showing off - money no object!

Chandrakant 'CK' Isi, 04th May 2012 08:59

TechTree.com Editor's Choice

Top Three High-End Phones Above Rs 20,000

 If you're burning more than 20 grand on a cellphone, the handset has to be impressive. Here, the user experience is crucial. Additionally, the design is of significant importance, because after spending so much who wouldn't want to show off their new phone? Last year, it was all about iOS and Android. This time around though, the Windows Phone platform has come up as a breath of fresh air, to challenge them both. Thus providing more options to the consumer.  

Coming to the point, here are the best handsets you can currently buy in the Indian market. Please note that the HTC One X is not in the list, since I haven't tested it yet...

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Samsung GALAXY S III Announced

Features a 4.8" HD screen, quad-core CPU, and 8 MP camera.

Chandrakant 'CK' Isi, 04th May 2012 01:54

Samsung GALAXY S III Announced

After countless rumours and teasers, Samsung's latest flagship phone has finally been unveiled. As speculated earlier, the device is called the GALAXY S III, and will run Android 4.0 out of the box.

On paper, the Korean electronics giant's latest offering has lived up to the expectations. It's powered by nothing less than a quad-core 1.4 GHz Exynos 4212 chipset. Gaming will be taken care of by the Mali 400 MP GPU. The handset features a 4.8" Super AMOLED screen with pixel dimensions of 1280x720. Other specs include 1 GB RAM, 16 \ 32 \ 64 GB internal storage, microSD card slot, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, micro-USB port with MHL and USB-OTG (On the Go) support, 3.5 mm jack, 2100 mAh battery, and a standard set of sensors...

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