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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More Smartphones, More Risk: Mobilisafe Targets SMB?s With New Security Solution (Invites)

MobilisafeLogo-FINAL-FlatMobilisafe, the stealthy Seattle-based mobile security startup with $1.2 million in funding from Madrona Venture Group and Trilogy Equity Partnership, is opening up access to its private beta program today (invite link below) for a handful of TechCrunch readers. In addition, the company is revealing new insights it gained during its private beta period related to the penetration of mobile devices in the SMB market - the area which happens to be the startup's current area of focus.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/qnCL6UFRKTY/

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Gadget Lab Podcast: Mountain Lion, Android Phones and a Scary Set of Knives

             This week on the Gadget Lab podcast, the gang talks about Apple’s latest software announcement, two new Android phones and a set of outdoorsy knives. First up, products editor Michael Calore and staff writer Mike Isaac talk about the newest Mac desktop OS, OS X Mountain Lion. Currently available in a limited developer [...]

Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/02/podcast-os-x-android-knives/

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Line Grapefruit is a tricky Flash "path" game

linegrapefruit
Okay, see that snaking line coming in from the right on the screenshot? That's you. And see those large round circles? Those are supposedly grapefruits, only they won't sit still - they keep moving up and down and cutting across your path. And if you touch one, you die!

That's what you have to deal with in Line Grapefruit. But that's not all - you're also on a time limit. In fact, you have a very limited amount of time to make it through the "path" (for lack of a better word). You need to snake your way through the winding trail without touching anything. The good news is that a grapefruit only kills you if it touches the end of the line - once you've made it past the grapefruit, nothing happens if it crosses the path you've made.

This is not an easy game, but it's quite unique - I can't recall seeing another game quite like it.

Line Grapefruit is a tricky Flash "path" game originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/01/line-grapefruit-is-a-tricky-flash-path-game/

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NASA celebrates 50 years of US Orbital Space flight, proves John Glenn still cooler than your dad (video)

In the US, today is a day for remembering our many Presidents who have come before but, in between those sincere thoughts of Grover Cleveland and Calvin Coolidge, take a moment to ponder the great feats of John Glenn. On this day 50 years ago a Real American Hero blasted off into space, Glenn becoming the first American to achieve orbit. In just under five hours he rocketed away from Kennedy Space Center, made three trips around the globe and then splashed down again in the Atlantic. Of course, there's a lot more to the story than that, and so NASA has created a 25 minute documentary about the trip, embedded for you below. Need more? Head on through to the source link for galleries, infographics and even 3D clickable models of the Friendship 7 spacecraft -- all available to you without reaching escape velocity.

Continue reading NASA celebrates 50 years of US Orbital Space flight, proves John Glenn still cooler than your dad (video)

NASA celebrates 50 years of US Orbital Space flight, proves John Glenn still cooler than your dad (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/K1KRpGj-g3A/

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Able Remote [GoogleTV app review]

Able Remote

I'm turning into a Google TV junkie.  I freely admit it, have no shame in saying it, and am having a ton of fun while it happens. I thought things couldn't get better, until I stumbled across Able Remote in the Android Market. It's a simple concept, and one we've seen before direct from Google -- use your Android smartphone as a remote to control your Google TV. Where the official Google TV remote app begins, Able Remote grabs the reigns and pushes things further in a way that's intuitive, full featured, and a mix of geeky and fun. Yeah, I never thought I'd use the word fun to describe a remote control, either. But it fits.

All the basic features you would want and expect are there. You can search, control playback of video (and your DVR if you're so equipped), enter text and control the pointer and all the other functions you need and want to control your GTV, both as a television as well as an Android-powered funbox that happens to sit in your living room. Setup is a breeze, you simply install the Able Remote app on either your phone or your GTV and fire it up. If you installed it on your phone, firing it up will give you a button to click and install it directly to your GTV from the Market. If you installed it on your Google Television, you scan a giant QR code to install it on your phone. There is no guesswork, and nothing to screw up. Trust me, I tried. So far, everything looks good.  Fully functional, foolproof control of your GTV from your phone. Then it gets cool.

A quick trip into the settings and you'll see something that immediately catches your eye -- a setting to forward notifications from your phone to your Google TV. You have to enable Able Remote as an accessibility service (again, click and you're directed right to the correct place to do so), then restart the app and when a notification comes in while you're using it, it pushes right to your television. On paper, this sounds annoying. Especially if you get a lot of messages. But the first time you watch a movie while you're supposed to be working, and instead of having to pull your phone out of your pocket to see what's up, you get a small unobtrusive pop up near the bottom of the screen. From there, you can decide if you need to answer, of just ignore it until your show is over.  I recommend the latter -- life is short.

If that weren't good enough, the folks at Entertailion have built voice control into the app. Yes, voice control. Change channel by name or number if you're watching TV, start an application by saying "app Google Music" or "app Netflix", search by keyword and even run macros you've set up if you buy the $0.99 premium version. Add in the ability to forward photos and video from the gallery on your phone to your television, and push a website from phone to TV, and you have a real winner here. Able Remote is more than just an app -- it ties your Android phone and Google TV together to make an entertainment ecosystem. Grab it for free in the Market, you'll be glad you did.  Download links, a video, and screenshots are after the break. 

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/qaCNp-ylZWA/story01.htm

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Apple revamps ?Getting Started? guide for iOS developers, makes it more useful and more elegant

As the Apple ecosystem continues to grow, helping to get new iPhone and iPad developer up to speed as quickly and productively as possible is increasingly important to Apple. To help make this point ever so clear, Apple has just revamped their Getting Started guide for iOS developers.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/kgPXgCO4a1U/story01.htm

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The Greatest Secret Booze Stash in The World [Image Cache]

You might think you were tricky during high school with half a water bottle filled with vodka stuff under your mattress, but this is a high-level liquor vault. The NY Times reveals a Prohibition architectural gem. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/otLmDJ6QI8M/the-greatest-secret-booze-stash-in-the-world

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Switched On: Think form factors, not PCs

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.


The iPad, launched in 2010, kicked off the post-PC era. The combination of a multitouch display and keyboard-less design enabled mobile computing in a way not done before. On the other hand, maybe the IBM Simon, launched in 1992, kicked off the post-PC era. Widely considered to be the first smartphone, it enabled mobile computing in a way that was not done before. Then again, maybe the Osborne I, launched in 1981, marked the beginning of the post-PC era. After all, it was widely considered to be the first portable computer, enabling mobile computing in a way that was not done before.

Continue reading Switched On: Think form factors, not PCs

Switched On: Think form factors, not PCs originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/0VxYy5gYBgY/

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Refresh Roundup: week of February 13th, 2012

Refresh Roundup: week of February 13th, 2012
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Continue reading Refresh Roundup: week of February 13th, 2012

Refresh Roundup: week of February 13th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/d7DPDzqslWU/

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