Category Archives: Android

Don’t buy an Android Tablet unless it has Froyo

If you are looking for an Android tablet, you are probably confronted with an avalanche of options. Almost every major electronics manufacturer has joined the race to create an internet tablet with Android. To further add to the confusion, there are currently several versions of Android on the market, each manufacturer choosing the version that is best suited for their device. But Google regularly updates Android, which means that you can be stuck with an old version and miss out the better performance and the additional features offered by the latest iterations of Android. Not to mention the coolest new apps.

Many Android tablets use the 2.2 version of the Android operating system, codenamed Froyo. If we exclude Gingerbread, which was launched less than a month ago and has not yet been rolled out in significant numbers, Froyo is the most recent version of Android to equip mobile phones and tablets. Froyo was launched in May 2010 and features a number of improvements over its predecessor, 2.1 or clair.

The most significant improvements are:

*a general increase in the speed and stability of the OS

*an improved application launcher with a more intuitive shortcut system

*better integration with Exchange servers and syncing with calendars and contacts stored on such servers, a feature which is addressed to those who use capacitive Android tablets in a professional environment

*USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot functionality.

Along these major improvements, Froyo is also updated in many other less conspicuous aspects, which contributes to the general performance of the Internet Android tablet. A number of capacitive Android tablets that run Froyo are available on the market, from manufacturers such as Samsung, Archos, and Dell. The best known is probably the Samsung Galaxy Tab, launched at the beginning of September 2010. You can also find Android tablets from less known manufacturers. Be cautious, nevertheless. When a new version is released for Android the update is not applied automatically. Instead, manufacturers choose when to update the OS, which they do at their own convenience. This means that if you make the mistake to purchase an Android tablet that operates on an older version than Froyo, you might have to wait a long time before you can benefit from the better performance and new features of Froyo.

The best approach is to carefully study the product before buying any internet tablet with Android. Look for reviews and specifications on the internet or ask the sales representative what specific version of Android is running on the tablet. In this way you’ll avoid purchasing a device running on an outdated operating system and instead you will enjoy the superior experience offered by Froyo.

Sony Nsz-gt1 Review, Release Date, Specs, Price

Sony has officially introduced the first Blu-ray player with Google TV and Android platform, that called the Sony NSZ-GT1. The NSZ-GT1 Blu-ray player Internet TV will be available beginning October 24th at price $399.99.

With Dual View, you can watch TV, browse the internet2, or do both at the same time on the same screen. You can watch the game while tracking your fantasy team, tweet about the TV show and update your Facebook status while viewing Sony NSZ-GT1 Internet TV.

Sony NSZ-GT1 Google TV works with the RF QWERTY keypad remote, so you can easy enough to control your new Sony HDTV and the Blu-ray disc player. You can also add your android smartphone or iPhone and use as an additional remote contro to search for content with voice navigation across the TV programs and the Internet or share web contents between the phone and TV.

The Sony NSZ-GT1 packs with Intel processor, 8GB for storage, Wi-Fi 802.11.a/b/g/n, one HDMI input, one HDMI output, four USB ports, ethernet connection, built-in Blu-ray Disc player that support full HD 1080p and pre-installed apps including CNBC, Napster, NBA, Netflix, Pandora, Twitter, and YouTube. The NSZ-GT1 also equipped with Android features to download Apps from Android Market.

Sony Internet TV is the world’s first HDTV that combines the big-screen impact of television and full Internet search to deliver an unrivaled entertainment experience,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of Sony’s Home Division.

How to secure your Android phone

Although Android covers more than 75% of the smartphone market it doesn’t mean that it is the most secure operating system in the planet for mobile phones, In reality the fact that Android is the most scaleable operating system of smart phone devices makes it more vulnerable to security threats and malware.

While Android is a terrific operating system in many ways, it does pose some real risks for IT departments. Last week’s revelation that Google had to remove around 50 malware-infected applications from its Android Market and had activated an Android app kill switch highlighted the downside of the company’s “free love” approach to publishing applications where it will let anyone put their app on the market and will only take it down if alerted by a third-party user. The upside of this, of course, is that the market also offers a wide variety of quality security applications that can protect you from malicious apps.

Below are mentioned the best anti-malware and security apps on Android on the basis of ratings submitted by user’s online:

1)McAfee WaveSecure

McAfee’s WaveSecure app doesn’t have any of the virus scans or firewall protection that the company is famous for, but it does have some important features such as the ability to remotely lock your phone and to wipe key data from it, the ability to back up and restore wiped data after a device has been secured, and the ability to track and map your device using GPS.

2)Lookout Security & Antivirus

As one of the earliest entries into the Android security field Lookout has an impressive user base. There is a completely free version which offers antivirus and scheduled scanning. There is also a locate function for lost or stolen devices, the ability to activate an alarm, and the option to track your phone online via the Lookout website.

Another handy feature that Lookout provides is the ability to backup contacts online and restore them to your existing device or a new one.

3)GadgetTrak

This smart app offers several anti-theft features, like location detection, remote alarm activation and file protection. It has extensive versions for Android devices (as well as safety products for computers and cameras). New devices get an extra awesome feature – GadgetTrak snaps photos with your stolen mobile camera and collects evidence that can help you locate your phone and catch the unfortunate thief.

4)NQ Mobile Security

This app blocks viruses, malware, spyware and Trojans, and blocks access to phishing sites. Privacy protection monitors apps that access your private data without permission, and system optimization closes apps that run in the background without your knowledge. Traffic monitoring functionality ensures that you don’t go over your plan’s limits, and allows you to rank apps by data consumption. Contacts and messages can be backed up for free, and the app can also be used to locate a lost or stolen phone.The app also has the ability to lock and wipe a lost or stolen phone, and to activate an alarm

5)AVG Antivirus (Free)

Another big name in computer security, AVG Antivirus Free scans your apps, settings, media, and phone contents in search of suspicious files. Have a text message with a shady-looking link attached? Run the scanner to see if it’s a possible threat to your phone’s security. Features that the creators will add in the future include the ability to lock apps and back up data. As the utility stands now, if you seek only to keep your phone malware-free and you don’t really care for the extras, AVG Antivirus will fit your needs.

In this article I only choose apps of Android devices because Android’s maker follow open source rules which means anyone can view the source code of any app on android and can provide thier personnel updates for that app which no other mobile operating system company provides.

For updating Android mobile apps you will have to learn a little bit of Android App programming, but not to worry there are many online sites that can help you learn Android app development.The best part of learning online is that you can study from anywhere you are comfortable and you don’t have to travel other places for learning plus you can record the lectures and view them on your device for future revision or study.

One of the online site where you can learn Android App Development is WIZiQ.com. You can refer to the link:Learn Android Online

So after buying your phone install these apps as soon as possible

Free Calls To India From Iphone

There are varying methods of making free calls but most methods are passes though sharing credit card or other sensitive information and many of us dont like it. But today you are going to get real information and using that you can make 100% free calls to India as well as other countries.

A year ago CallArc.com had launched free international calling service but on that time service was limited to only selected countries and due to that some important countries were missing. But now days this service has updated his free calling countries list and freed almost all the countries which also include India.

But before going for service you should aware with the fact that if you register your Indian mobile number then you will not able to make free calls to India.

Free Calls to India is just six steps away

1. If you are already register with CallArc.com then you can use your existence account and if not then registration is foremost required.

2. After completing the registration process login in your account and start setting up your phone, pin and access number. (setup your US number/Google Voice number/ any other online number)

3. After completing above steps download CallArc.com application present somewhere on page. Download for any platform you like to use iPhone, Android or PC.

4. Enter the settings which your can find on page.

5. And at last call your access/ online number and then select any one from contact list you are interested to call.

Before the call connect you will heard a small voice advertisement but dont panic because it wont last longer. Just bears few second and you will find you call connected with your destination number.

General SIP settings for Call Arc
Username: your user name
Password: your password
Server: sip.callarc.com
Port: 5060

The Pitfalls Of Android Development

The Pitfalls of Android Development

Despite the many benefits of Android development, like free tools and easy sharing, there are a number of unseen risks associated with the platform. Certainly Android offers some advantages. You can write applications that are easily published and distributed independently for one. While many developers are turning to Android because it offers exciting new methods of developing applications, some are realizing there are certain limitations to the platform. Here are the 10 most common issues that developers may face and how they impact the development cycle.

Platform Changes

Generally speaking, the Android platform has been developed extremely quickly which has resulted in the need for frequent updates. Developers may be finding that as they develop apps they become incompatible in certain areas as new updates are released. The most comprehensive Android apps are those that integrate with third party APIs and Google services but these apps are also most likely to encounter problems associated with updates. Supporting existing applications also becomes more difficult as updates change the nature of the game as a good number of them are not backwards compatible.

Device Changes

Devices change and handset fragmentation has been a longstanding issue with all mobile platforms and Android is not exempt from this issue. Apple and iPhone have a limited number of devices and the platform for development has been more consistent but because Android apps are supposed to be compatible across a wider range of applications. Moreover, the number of devices supporting Android apps is likely to skyrocket in the next year or so and developers will need to be more careful about developing applications that will work effectively on a wider range of devices.

Confused Distribution

iPhone applications are sold in the App Store but where are Android applications sold? Many developers believe that their only option is the Google Android Market but there are many more options for distributing applications. Unfortunately, many developers are discovering that finding markets for their applications can be tricky, but neglecting the possible distribution sites limits your ability to sell your application. And whats worse is that some Android compatible devices dont have access to the Android Market so these end-users might not have access to your application if you dont seek alternative distribution methods. As you can see, the lack of clear distribution rules can make it much more difficult to successfully market your application.

Inappropriate Business Model

It shouldnt come as too much of a surprise to learn that many web developers have limited business acumen. Unfortunately, to successfully market an Android app you need to have a sound business plan. Your app must be priced appropriately and it should be available in an appropriate market. Who is your target audience? What function or service is being provided by your app? Where are you going to sell it? These are all valid questions that left unanswered can be a major pitfall of Android development (although arguably for iPhone or Flex development as well).

Android Successes

Unlike success stories about iPhone apps, Android developers are very rarely spotlighted. We often hear of stories of 14 year old boys developing fart applications for iPhones and making millions but similar stories do not seem to be emerging about Android development. This not only deters developers but consumers as well. The mobile development community would benefit greatly from some examples of Android success because without them it is difficult to build consumer and developer confidence in the platform. As a result, fewer developers trust Android and fewer consumers are buying these apps. As you can see, a vicious cycle emerges wherein the apps arent being developed or sold.

Application Differentiation

When it comes to Android apps, the end user is given very little information about the quality or success of applications. While the App Store allows for more than simple rating and ranking systems, Android customers may be frustrated when trying to decide which apps are best. Indeed, there are entire magazines devoted to iPhone development but there is little in the market for consumers to become more educated about Android and the kinds of applications being released.

Poor Android Management

Many developers and consumers alike think that Android is a Google platform. Indeed the relationship between Google and Android has been a critical element of the development of the platform but the truth is that the Open Handset Alliance is behind the Android platform (in partnership with Google). The problem is that the motivations, values, and business plan in the Open Handset Alliance is not consistent meaning that the management of the Android platform may encounter future problems.

The Google/Android Relationship

Moreover, there is no guarantee that Google will continue to be involved with Android in the future. While Google has been the leader in getting Android to the developers and customers there is some doubt about future involvement. Google is currently developing the Chrome OS which suggests that Android and Google may well part ways in the near future. Where does this leave developers? The answers are not clear.

Operator/Manufacturer Partnerships

More and more operators and manufacturers are adopting Android as their platform but there isnt a reciprocal relationship between them and developers. iPhone developers have a lot more say in the future of iPhone development because there is a one-to-one relationship but as there are a wide range of operators and manufacturers supporting the Android platform it is more difficult for developers to influence the evolution of Android.

Youth

Finally, the Android platform is as of yet a very young and unproven platform. The technology is new and updates tend to be substantial. Because the technology is not set, developers are constantly having to adapt their knowledge.