Android OS Updates: Who's the Decider?

Samsung has rolled out the first official Android 4.1 Jelly Bean updates for its Galaxy S III smartphone. Customers in Poland are reportedly getting the update first. Samsung will apparently roll out the update to customers in other countries later this month. A slew of Android devices that are ready for Jelly Bean are being released before the end of the year. However, rolling out an update to Android isn't a smooth process because "it's business and politics and everyone has a certain power play," said Michael Morgan, a senior analyst at ABI Research.

Source: http://ectnews.com.feedsportal.com/c/34520/f/632000/s/23ccc28b/l/0L0Stechnewsworld0N0Crsstory0C762340Bhtml/story01.htm

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Apple Supplier Foxconn Shuts Plant After Workers Riot

Foxconn Technology, the Taiwanese electronics maker typically linked with Apple products and workers' rights violations, said it closed a Chinese plant Monday following a fight between factory employees. Foxconn said that several people from the Taiyuan plant, which employs nearly 80,000 people, were hospitalized and detained by police after what was described as a riot. Photographs and video making the rounds on Chinese social media show riot police, busted windows and large groups of workers milling about.

Source: http://ectnews.com.feedsportal.com/c/34520/f/632000/s/23c36f89/l/0L0Stechnewsworld0N0Crsstory0C762280Bhtml/story01.htm

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The iPhone 5, repairability, and future product design

In regards to the iPhone 5, repairability, and future product design

Now that we've seen some complete teardowns of the iPhone 5, we can better judge what it'll be like when it comes to repairability. More than that, the changes shown in the iPhone 5 design may shed some light on where Apple's heading with the future of iOS product design.

Back when the iPad 3 was released, many DIY'ers, including myself, were let down when it came to repairability. I expressed my concerns over the new iPad's design and how it would effect repair cost and replacement. While the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S weren't the easiest of devices to repair from the user end, everyone who's read and followed our DIY repair guides knows it is more than possible to replace almost every component.

The iPhone 5 represents another change in form factor for Apple, and a return to the iPhone 3G/iPhone 3GS front-opening design model. What this means for end users is that, if you break your screen, the repair is actually less time consuming and easier to perform than both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. It also makes it possible for Apple to more easily repair them in-store. We've already heard that Apple Retail will perform screen replacements in-store on the iPhone 5, similar to how they did for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. It's unclear what price points they'll be charging for a screen repair, or if they'll be different than what they charge now for a replacement device and how AppleCare+ users will be handled, but the fact that they'll be doing it at all is important.

Whether or not this change in direction will carry over into other devices is yet to be seen. The 3rd generation iPad is also rumored to get a hardware revision sooner or later that will add a Lightning connector to replace the 30-pin dock, and perhaps update some other components as well.

The third generation iPad took most of its design cues from the iPad 2 because the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S design wasn't practical for a tablet. Elements of the iPhone 5 design may be. While we can't be certain how these design changes will affect the iPad line in the years, I think there are a few things we can plan on seeing in the near future.

The iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S already combined the digitizer and LCD together in one unit through a bonding process. The iPhone 5 merged the two together into a single in-cell display to make the device thinner yet. This isn't currently the case with the iPad line. The LCD and digitizer are still two completely separate components. They aren't bonded together in any way and there is still quite a large gap between the two.

The space between the LCD and digitizer on the iPad could be completely eliminated, and Apple could stay on the same track they did with the new iPod touch, which wouldn't increase repairability at all. Or they could also go the way of the iPhone 5 and allow easier access from the top panel without using adhesive.

Apple has never been about making a radical change just for the sake of doing something different. Jonathan Ive, Apple Senior Vice President of Industrial Design, put it best when introducing the iPhone 5.

Because of the unique relationship people have with their iPhones, we take changing it really seriously. We don't want to just make a new phone. We want to make a much better phone.

So what Apple has done with the iPhone 5, and what they will do with future products like the iPad mini and, one day, the iPad 4 and iPhone 5S, aren't choices taken lightly.

That's how we've grown to know what to expect from Apple --- better, more finely crafted devices that are familiar and comfortable yet new and exciting at the same time. The next device Apple releases will give you the same feeling you got when you picked up an iPhone 5 for the first time. You'll feel right at home but it'll somehow feel better to hold and more enjoyable to use.

Apple has never made user serviceability and repairability a priority, and I don't expect that to change. But sometimes, Apple's priorities just happen to align with those of do-it-yourselfers.

The iPhone 5 is a great example, and hopefully there'll be more to come.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/LPrV2eKJ7Zs/story01.htm

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Scientists Discover Iron Man Found by Nazis Is of Extraterrestrial Origin [Space]

No, it isn't the plot for the next Indiana Jones movie: According to a research paper published on the journal Meteoritics & Planetary Science, scientists have discovered that an Iron Man sculpture found by a Nazi expedition in Tibet is of extraterrestrial origin. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/4XAljDIN2gg/scientists-discover-iron-man-found-by-nazis-is-of-extraterrestrial-origin

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TweetDeck to launch as HTML5 Web app, now accepting beta testers

When TweetDeck landed in the Chrome Web Store, it seemed like an indication that it might eventually evolve into a pure HTML5 Web app. Now it looks as though that's exactly what's going to happen, with TweetDeck announcing that a new, not-just-for-Chrome Web client is ready for beta testing.

It's a natural progression for TweetDeck, especially since its originally Adobe Air app is practically all Web code. TweetDeck Web will sport a feature set which is nearly identical to the Chrome app, with the notable exception of Twitter streaming.

Initially, TweetDeck is targeting Firefox 4 and 3.6, Google Chrome, and Safari. Opera and Internet Explorer 9 won't be invited to the dance until a bit later on.

If you'd like to get in on the TweetDeck Web beta, head on over and register -- or sign up using your existing TweetDeck account.

TweetDeck to launch as HTML5 Web app, now accepting beta testers originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/06/tweetdeck-to-launch-as-web-app-now-accepting-beta-testers/

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iOS 5.1 Upgrade Details

iOS 5.1The 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 users will be attracted by specifically. Not only the camera hardware but also the new camera app itself has been redesigned with a view to allowing buyers to make the most of the massive 5MP camera and the new iPad’s revolutionary Retina display.

With iOS 5.1 there is also a change to the way the face detection works. This feature previously was only able to focus on one face per picture, which was perfect for individual portraits but not so good for group shots. It’s now possible to detest many faces in one photo, so group shots will be much easier to set up and the photographer can concentrate on composing the image instead of messing about with the settings.

Improved Photo Stream

A great new improvement under iOS 5.1 is the enhancements to the Photo Stream. Prior to this edition, users could not delete individual photos from the Photo Stream, which meant that if you were going to use it, you had to accept that along with your perfectly composed shots you would also get a bunch of blurry images and accidental photos of your feet. This really was a ridiculous oversight and put many people off using the Photo Stream service completely.

However with iOS 5.1 users can now individually select photos for sharing with Photo Stream and discard the remainder, rather than having to reset the whole stream of 1000 pictures every time.

Improved User Experience

iOS 5.1 brings with it a host of other updates which bring an enhanced user experience to the iPad. Sound quality has been greatly improved, meaning watching videos and movies and listening to music on the new iPad will be a more enjoyable experience.

Playback speed can now be controlled on each video, and a 30 second rewind function has been implemented. The Safari browser has some enhancements to its bookmark functionality, too.

And finally (and importantly for those who are using their iPad on the move and need to download and sync large files) the bandwidth limit has been raised – instead of the maximum 20mb download size previously you will now be able to download up to 50mb.

In conclusion, the new iOS 5.1 brings several important improvements and enhancements to the new iPad 3, but the OS features alone will not be reason enough for most people to consider upgrading to the new iPad 3.

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

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13 Sad Robots Pathetically Serving Their Human Masters [Collection]

Like gods on earth, we created humanoid robots in our own image. Or at least tried to. Our creations make for pathetic humans. These poor, poor mechanized bastards. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Dco25HFSRaE/13-sad-robots-pathetically-serving-their-human-masters

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The list: Google's 25-cent app promotion

Tasker: Micro-Managing Automated Routines Can Be Crazy Fun

Want to launch a music app when you plug in your headphones, or wake up to a specific app? You can do things like this with sets of automated routines that you program via the Tasker app. Crafty's Tasker app automates settings on Android devices and lets you micro-manage them. Does this level of in-depth control and automation make you a control freak? Well, maybe, but programming your own device with this level of minutiae is a lot of fun.

Source: http://ectnews.com.feedsportal.com/c/34520/f/632000/s/23abf556/l/0L0Stechnewsworld0N0Crsstory0C761940Bhtml/story01.htm

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GNOME 3 released, ushers in an interesting amalgam of iOS and OS X

GNOME 3 desktop manager
GNOME 3, after more than two years of development, has been released into the wild. GNOME 3 is not merely the logical successor of GNOME 2: it is an entirely new project, started from scratch, to create a "completely new, modern desktop designed for today's users and technologies."

The best way to check out GNOME 3's new features -- and it has lots of new features -- is to run a live version of openSUSE or Fedora, or simply head over to the GNOME 3 website and watch the (rather pretty) introductory videos. If you want a synopsis, though, here it is: GNOME 3 looks a lot like Mac OS X, with a healthy dollop of iOSesqueness for good measure, but yet it still somehow retains an underlying feel of Linux.

The overall aesthetic is very simple, very elegant, and despite being slightly out of fashion, there are plenty of rounded corners, too. The main addition, workflow-wise, is the addition of an app-launcher-cum-alt-tab screen, where you can launch apps, or flip through your open windows. For a complete list of the new features and changes, check the GNOME 3 release notes.

Despite GNOME 3 being officially launched, there aren't actually any releases for existing, stable Linux distros -- it's the live CD/USB images, or Ubuntu users will have to wait for the launch of 11.04 for a GNOME 3 PPA, but it will break Unity in the process. Fedora users will have to wait for for the May 24 release of Fedora 15. Of course, if you're feeling crazy, you can always build GNOME 3 from source.

GNOME 3 released, ushers in an interesting amalgam of iOS and OS X originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 06:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/07/gnome-3-released-ushers-in-an-interesting-amalgam-of-ios-and-os/

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