Computerworld android News

AT&T to offer NEC Terrain push-to-talk Android smartphone starting Friday

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:22:00 GMT

AT&T and NEC have teamed up to launch the NEC Terrain, a ruggedized Android push-to-talk smartphone that goes on sale Friday online for $99.99 and a two-year contract.

Good riddance Google Reader: Feedly throws switch on alternate RSS service

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:53:00 GMT

Feedly today switched on its own RSS API and service, divorcing itself from the soon-to-be-dead Google Reader.

HTC's new Butterfly s phone packs more battery life

(Michael Kan) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:50:00 GMT

Taiwan's HTC has unveiled an updated version of its 5-inch Butterfly smartphone that comes equipped with a bigger battery, more powerful processor and the company's BlinkFeed homescreen.

Huawei's Ascend P6 smartphone has 5-megapixel front camera to watch you

(Peter Sayer) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:30:00 GMT

Huawei Technologies' much-leaked Ascend P6 smartphone is the world's thinnest at 6.18 millimeters, and has the highest-resolution front-facing camera at 5 megapixels, the company claimed at the phone's London launch.

Apple plays defense, Microsoft goes on offense in battle for iPhone customers

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:40:00 GMT

Rivals Apple and Microsoft bookended the week by revealing productivity tools aimed at the same pool of customers: the millions who own Apple's iPhone.

Samsung's next big thing - born in the USA?

(Martyn Williams) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:44:00 GMT

Could Samsung's "next big thing" come from the heart of the Big Apple or Silicon Valley?

Microsoft sticks it to the iPad with Windows-first Office strategy

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:00:00 GMT

Microsoft's surprise launch of Office Mobile for the iPhone today shows that the software giant continues to favor Windows' future over Office's fortune, analysts said today.

Google Glass could get a look at the enterprise

sgaudin@computerworld.com (Sharon Gaudin) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:55:00 GMT

While the curious are looking to get their hands on a pair of Google's Glass, companies also may be looking to weave the computerized eyeglasses into their businesses.

Samsung puts Galaxy Camera on a diet to make S4 Zoom smartphone

(Mikael Ricknas) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:47:00 GMT

Samsung Electronics has expanded the S4 family yet again with the 16-megapixel Galaxy S4 Zoom, a lighter version of last year's Galaxy Camera.

What Apple's new AirDrop data sharing says about NFC

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:07:00 GMT

Apple's mobile development chief Craig Federighi poked fun at Android when he announced AirDrop data sharing technology for iOS on Monday.

10 stars of 'cross-platformity'

(Victoria Ivey) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:36:00 GMT

At work or play, these 10 applications can be used across a variety of platforms.

Samsung's Galaxy Ace 3 underscores LTE's burgeoning move to simpler phones

(Mikael Ricknas) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:03:00 GMT

Though Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Ace 3 is a fairly basic smartphone, it nevertheless includes LTE, highlighting how the technology is making its way to simpler and cheaper devices.

Usability, not 'flat' design, key to Monday's iOS refresh

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:50:00 GMT

Apple is expected to debut a revamped iOS on Monday, featuring a "flatter" design that, if not done properly, could be a step backward in usability, a pair of user interface (UI) experts said.

Forget the keynote. WWDC is still about the developers

(Ryan Faas) — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 11:30:00 GMT

As usual, the Apple rumor mill has been on overdrive as WWDC nears. But all the hype about anything CEO Tim Cook might reveal misses the point, says columnist Ryan Faas. WWDC is still about developers.

Apple blinks, inks deals with labels in time to intro 'iRadio' on Monday

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 19:42:00 GMT

With just days to spare, and as one analyst had expected, Apple blinked in negotiations with Sony Music, giving the Cupertino, Calif. firm the green light to announce an Internet radio service on Monday.

TechEd crystalizes Microsoft's BYOD management strategy

(Joab Jackson) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:35:00 GMT

Microsoft's TechEd North America conference, held this week in New Orleans, provided a first glimpse of the architecture that Microsoft shops should use to manage employee personal devices for work duties.

New Android Trojan app exploits previously unknown flaws, researchers say

(Lucian Constantin) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 15:26:00 GMT

A newly discovered Trojan program exploits previously unknown flaws in Android and borrows techniques from Windows malware in order to evade detection and achieve persistence on infected devices.

Amazon launches Kindle tablet and e-reader in China

(Michael Kan) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:10:00 GMT

After remaining quiet on the hardware front for years, Amazon.com's China business has finally brought the company's Kindle tablet and Kindle e-reader to the country.

Android infiltrates Computex via tablets, PCs, set-top boxes

(Michael Kan, Agam Shah) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 07:32:00 GMT

New Windows PCs have always been the main attraction at Computex, the annual trade show in Taipei. But notable on the show floor this year is the growing presence of Google's Android OS, which is creeping into more and more tablets, televisions, set-top boxes and even PCs.

Launch of Outlook RT testifies to Microsoft's app troubles

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 18:00:00 GMT

Microsoft's announcement Wednesday that it will add Outlook to Office on Windows RT says as much about the company's app problem as it does about customers clamoring for a business-grade email client.

Microsoft marks down Windows, kicks in free Office to spark tablet sales

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 19:27:00 GMT

Microsoft today confirmed what many analysts suspected, that it has cut prices of Windows 8 and Windows RT licenses to hardware partners building smaller-sized tablets as a way to drop device prices and juice sales.

More than half of Americans own a smartphone. Now what?

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 19:04:00 GMT

A majority of Americans -- about 56% -- now own a smartphone, according to Pew Research Center's latest survey.

Fairphone to start building 'ethical' smartphone

(Loek Essers) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:35:00 GMT

Fairphone has received enough orders to start production on what it says is a smartphone that will be built according to ethical standards, designed and produced with minimal harm to people and the planet.

AMD breaks from Windows exclusivity, adopts Android and Chrome OS

(Agam Shah) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:22:00 GMT

After years of Windows OS exclusivity, Advanced Micro Devices is opening the door to design chips to run Google's Android and Chrome OS in PCs and tablets.

$99 Android PC maker hopes to set off industry change

(Michael Kan) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:36:00 GMT

At US$99, the mini PC developed by thin-client expert Young Song is meant to be affordable. In fact, the price is so low, most consumers won't hesitate to buy one, he said Wednesday.

Samsung unveils water-resistant Galaxy S4

(Mikael Ricknäs) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:48:00 GMT

Samsung is adding another Galaxy S4 smartphone to its portfolio. The Active model is dust- and water-resistant, and has a special camera mode for underwater pictures and video.

Verivo to help developers make mobile apps enterprise-ready

(Mikael Ricknäs) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:26:00 GMT

Development platform vendor Verivo Software wants to provide the back end for mobile enterprise apps to make it easier for corporate programmers to add features such as off-line access and authentication.

Google targets developers with cloud-based backend kit

(Mikael Ricknäs) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:49:00 GMT

Google wants more developers to use its App Engine cloud service, and has launched Mobile Backend Starter to make it easier.

Qualcomm processor opens door for cheaper LTE smartphones

(Mikael Ricknäs) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:04:00 GMT

Qualcomm has announced a new processor and modem combination that will open the door for cheaper LTE smartphones.

Tegra 4 can power better, cheaper stylus, Nvidia says

(James Niccolai) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 06:42:00 GMT

Nvidia is usually trumpeting the graphics performance of its Tegra 4 chip, but at the Computex trade show on Tuesday CEO Jen-Hsun Huang showed how its newest processor can be used to create a precise, affordable stylus for tablets.

Microsoft and its OEMs stick to an outdated tablet strategy

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:27:00 GMT

When it comes to tablets, Microsoft and its OEMs don't know where they're going, an analyst said today.

Apple will blink to strike deals in time to unveil 'iRadio' at WWDC

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 17:31:00 GMT

Apple has made progress in cutting deals with music labels for an Internet radio service but time is running out, several reports said today.

Android finally gets Twitter's video app, Vine

sgaudin@computerworld.com (Sharon Gaudin) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:57:00 GMT

A little more than four months after Twitter unveiled its video service, Vine, the company has launched a version for Android.

Samsung extends Galaxy Tab 3 line-up with 8-inch and 10.1-inch models

(Mikael RicknA$?s) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:54:00 GMT

Samsung Electronics has extended its Galaxy Tab 3 line-up with 8-inch and 10.1-inch models with dual-core processors and extensive support for LTE networks.

Asus Transformer Book Trio is tablet, laptop and desktop rolled into one

(James Niccolai) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:54:00 GMT

The company that brought us the PadFone, an all-in-one smartphone, tablet and laptop device, is thinking a bit bigger. Taiwan's Asustek Computer has now combined a tablet, smartphone and desktop PC into a single product that it calls the Transformer Book Trio.

More of Sprint's customers are using iPhones, but that's not true for AT&T and Verizon

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 09:42:00 GMT

Sprint recently saw growth in the percentage of its customers owning iPhones, while both Verizon Wireless and AT&T saw declines, an analyst firm said today.

Asus intensifies Android tablet price war with $129 Memo Pad HD7

(Agam Shah) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 08:56:00 GMT

Asustek Computer has fired another shot in the Android tablet price war, putting the starting price for the Asus Memo Pad FHD7 at $129.

Dutch Supreme Court: Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 does not infringe on iPad design

(Loek Essers) — Fri, 31 May 2013 09:49:00 GMT

Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Tab 10.1 does not infringe on Apple's iPad design right, the Supreme Court of the Netherlands ruled on Friday.

More chow mein? Google makes it easier to decide

(Zach Miners) — Thu, 30 May 2013 19:11:00 GMT

Google is trying to make it easier to find nutrition information online for a wide range of foods with a new search feature whose aim is to address the "cumbersome and daunting process" of making smart eating choices.

Office on Surface Pro suggests a shift in Microsoft's sales strategy

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 30 May 2013 15:47:00 GMT

Microsoft yesterday announced that Surface Pro tablets it will start selling in Japan on June 7 will come with a fully-functional copy of Office, a bundle one analyst said hints at a change in Microsoft's sales strategy for its homegrown hardware.

Payleven chip-and-PIN readers land in Apple retail stores

(Loek Essers) — Thu, 30 May 2013 13:51:00 GMT

Mobile payments startup Payleven has struck a deal that calls for Apple to start selling chip-and-PIN readers in its retail stores across Europe.

Samsung unveils Galaxy S4 mini with 4.3-in. screen and dual-core processor

(Mikael Ricknas) — Thu, 30 May 2013 09:58:00 GMT

Samsung Electronics announced the Galaxy S4 mini smartphone, which has a larger screen and a better camera than its predecessor, the Galaxy S III mini.

Even saying nothing, Apple CEO reveals something

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 29 May 2013 19:49:00 GMT

Apple CEO Tim Cook spent more than an hour answering questions at the AllThingsD conference yesterday, but said little that was newsworthy

Facebook waves good-bye to Waze, opens door for Google

sgaudin@computerworld.com (Sharon Gaudin) — Wed, 29 May 2013 18:27:00 GMT

Facebook is reportedly pulling out of acquisition negotiations with mobile app provider Waze, opening the door for a Google buy.

MediaTek launches quad-core tablet chip

(Michael Kan) — Wed, 29 May 2013 10:29:00 GMT

Taiwan's MediaTek has launched a new quad-core ARM processor for tablets that is slated to be used in an upcoming IdeaTab device from Lenovo.

Galaxy S4 will be first phone to use new Verizon spectrum

(Stephen Lawson) — Tue, 28 May 2013 22:52:00 GMT

Verizon Wireless customers buying the recently released Samsung Galaxy S4 will be the first who can start using a new spectrum band that the carrier will start turning on later this year.

Gloomier PC forecast means more trouble for Windows

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 28 May 2013 19:33:00 GMT

IDC today drastically lowered its forecast for PC shipments in 2013, a prediction that if accurate means more bad news for Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system.

Microsoft knuckles under, yanks YouTube app for Windows Phone

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Sat, 25 May 2013 15:54:00 GMT

Microsoft has bowed to pressure from Google and pulled the YouTube app from its Windows Phone Store that earlier this month triggered a cease-and-desist letter from the search giant.

Windows 8 users snub 'Modern' apps, stick to desktop

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:08:00 GMT

A majority of consumer and small business Windows 8 PC users launch fewer than one "Modern" app a day, signaling that they're spending most of their time on the classic Windows 7-style desktop, according to data released Wednesday.

Samsung sells 10 million-plus Galaxy S4 smartphones in a month

(John Ribeiro) — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:10:00 GMT

Samsung Electronics has reported global channel sales of over 10 million units of the Galaxy S4 in less than a month after its global launch.