Google demands veto on OEM Android changes, stretches definition of 'open source'

Google, according to reports from "a dozen executives working at key companies in the Android ecosystem" is finally locking down the open source and easily-fragmented Android operating system.

As it currently stands, Google hands over the 'final' code for each version of Android, and OEMs and developers then spend some time customizing the OS to fit their hardware, and to create a unique and marketable flavor. That's all set to change, however.

Over the last few months, according to several people familiar with the matter, Android licensees such as HTC, Motorola and Facebook, have been asked to sign 'non-fragmentation clauses.' This new contract caveat will give Google the right to review and pass judgment on all changes to the Android OS. Two executives at Facebook say that they're unhappy that Google gets to review its changes to Android -- which is understandable, given Facebook and Google are direct competitors -- and there have also been allegations that Google is preventing some Verizon devices from shipping because they include Microsoft's Bing instead of Google search.

Continue reading Google demands veto on OEM Android changes, stretches definition of 'open source'

Google demands veto on OEM Android changes, stretches definition of 'open source' originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 07:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/google-demands-veto-on-android-changes-stretches-definition-of/

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New Firefox Nightly and Aurora logos unearthed, and how to enable channel switching

Firefox Nightly and Aurora logos
Later today, Firefox will undergo its biggest developmental upheaval ever. Mozilla-central, the source of nightly builds, will be renumbered to version 5 -- and at long last, after years of wallowing around version 1, Mozilla's rendering and layout engine, Gecko, will also have its version number updated to match Firefox.

Shortly thereafter, Firefox's new channel system will be implemented. Firefox 5a2 will be introduced as the first Aurora build, and we should also see a Firefox 6 Nightly build. While we we're not sure where they came from, one Sören Hentzschel seems to have unearthed the new Nightly and Aurora logos (see above), along with new About Firefox dialogs (after the break).

In other news, if you want to take a sneak peek at the new 'channel changing' technology that will be introduced in upcoming Firefox builds, head to about:config and create a new string called app.update.desiredChannel -- the value doesn't matter. Then open Help > About Firefox and you'll be able to switch channel, but it doesn't do anything just yet (image after the break). Here's hoping that Firefox channel switching is smoother than Chrome.

Continue reading New Firefox Nightly and Aurora logos unearthed, and how to enable channel switching

New Firefox Nightly and Aurora logos unearthed, and how to enable channel switching originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/11/new-firefox-nightly-and-aurora-logos-unearthed-and-how-to-enabl/

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Nexus 4 back on sale at UK Google Play Store (Update: France too)

Android Central

Update: The Nexus 4 is back on sale through Google Play in France too, with a 2-3 week shipping period.

Brits, here's your first chance of the year to get hold of a Nexus 4 at the crazy-low Google Play Store price. As before, prices are £239 for 8GB, or £279 for 16GB. Phones ordered today are scheduled to ship within 1-2 weeks.

And if you're in the U.S., the Nexus 4 still appears to be on sale stateside, and the links above are valid for you, too. If you're seeing the Nexus 4 for sale on any other regions' Google Play Stores, be sure to hit the comments and let us know!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/omwtumi8sbc/story01.htm

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iPhone continues to dominate AT&T; the rest is Android?

AT&T Logo

AT&T has just posted its Q4 2012 earnings, showing strong growth in both wireless and wireline businesses. We'll be focusing here on the wireless business, naturally, so let's get right into the notable points:

Some 10.2 million smartphones were activated in the final three months of the year, the carrier said. Of that, 8.6 million were iPhones. AT&T didn't break down how much of the remaining 16 percent of sales were Android phones, but it did mention that our fare platform had its best-ever quarter. 

More of the financial stuff is after the break.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/rTl93fxGjiI/story01.htm

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This Is Why You Always Ask for a Window Seat

The song's called America the Beautiful for a reason and it's easy to see why from a mile up. Frequent-flying photographer Julieanne Kost captured these incredible images, check out the rest of the gallery at Julieanne Kost Photography or in book form, Window Seat, The Art of Digital Photography and Creative Thinking. Click on the images below to embiggen. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/fYz6ymxn2nc/this-is-why-you-always-ask-for-a-window-seat

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New Lego Palace Cinema Is Gizmodo's Desired Lego Set of the Month

Watch Astrid—Lego designer by day and awesome dancer and fencer by night—show and explain the newest set in the awesome Lego Creator Modular Building series: the 10232 Palace Cinema. Why? Because 1) it's our desired Lego set of the month, 2) she's one of its authors, and 3) she has an awesome Danish accent. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/QT9H-2w_ib4/new-lego-palace-cinema-is-gizmodos-desired-lego-set-of-the-month

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Deal of the Day – Dell TP713 Wireless TouchPad for Windows 8

dell-deal-2013-1-25

Friday’s LogicBUY Deal is the Windows 8-compatible Dell TP713 Wireless TouchPad for $53.99.  This wireless touchpad with nano-sized USB receiver adds 4-finger multi-touch interactivity for Windows 8 to computers without a touchscreen.

$69.99 - $10 instant savings – 10% coupon code = $53.99 with free shipping.

This deal expires January 28, 2013 or sooner. Check the above link for more details on this deal, and check the LogicBUY home page for other deals.

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Deal of the Day – Dell TP713 Wireless TouchPad for Windows 8 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 25, 2013 at 9:15 am.

Cueboy Quest is an adorable 8-bit style physics game

cueboyquest
Yes, that's right, I said adorable. Because Cueboy Quest really is!

You play an 8-bit cowboy whose goal on each level is to get to the door (and thus to the next level), but the door is often locked. To get it to open, you must shoot at one or more targets, and those targets aren't always in your line of sight. For example, on one level the the target is a balloon which is stuck all the way at the other end of the screen. You must first nudge it free, and then watch it float up and try to shoot it before it floats clear off the screen. Your bullets are chunky pixels that have some weight - the have arcing trajectories, so you don't always hit exactly where you aim.

There's another level where you must jump on the balloon as it floats up, use it as a platform to get to the other end of the screen, and then turn to shoot it very quickly before it flies away. Each level is very short, and most of them are quite easy. And not only are the graphics 8-bit blocky, but they're large too. Simply beautiful!

Cueboy Quest is an adorable 8-bit style physics game originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/cueboy-quest-is-an-adorable-8-bit-style-physics-game/

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Roland Cube Lite mini amplifier allows you to control guitar licks, aux input independently (video)

Roland Cube Lite mini amplifier allows you to control guitar licks, aux input independently video

At the start of NAMM 2013, Roland announced two new models in its Cube line and an iOS app to complete the trio. Both the Cube Lite and Cube Lite Monitor are on display in all of their dual-connecting glory, but we're far more interested in the former for its guitar amp wares. The 10W compact unit touts built-in JC Clean, Crunch and Extreme tones alongside Chorus and Reverb controls. We were pleasantly surprised with how well these on-board sounds came across at the strings of a Stratocaster during the booth demos we witnessed. Usually included presets can be really hit or miss, but these are quite serviceable -- especially in a portable unit. As you might expect, all of the usual controls are here including volume, treble, bass and drive and the requisite 1/4-inch input graces the backside. That's all quite nice, but the real story here is the iOS software and aux connectivity.

That iOS app, Cube Jam, allows you to record and play along with tunes from your iDevice and connects via the i-Cube Link stereo auxiliary input from the headphone jack of a slate or handset. We were a bit disappointed that the connection didn't come at the hands of a 30-pin jack or Lightning port, but overall the unit worked quite nicely in our limited time with it. The separate volume control for the aux port is quite nice and allows the user to adjust levels of the amp and the accompanying track independently to keep things just so. We'd surmize that you'd be able to connect an Android, BB10 or WP8 device for playback, if you're willing give up the Cube Jam software. Cube Lite also requires a tethered power supply and doesn't support Bluetooth connectivity like we saw on the iLoud from IK Multimedia. If you don't have a need for the guitar functionality, the Cube Lite Monitor wields the same 1/8-inch input, but offers stereo 1/4-inch jacks instead and tosses the in-built tones. Head on past the break for a quick tour and a closer look awaits in the gallery just below.

James Trew contributed to this report.

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Source: Roland, iTunes

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/25/roland-cube-lite-hands-on/

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