Google's new Nexus 7 may be great in terms of pricing, but buyers are encountering a hitch: issues with GPS performance. Many complaints have been coming up at XDA-Developers, Android Police, and Google's own discussion group since the tablet has launched. According to these sites, after a short amount of time, from two to 30 minutes, the Nexus 7 loses its signal and cannot connect again.
Not that many people use the Nexus 7 for GPS, so the issue may even go unnoticed by consumers. Google has acknowledged the reports and says that the Android team is working on it.
Firefox Changelog:
NEW: Mixed content blocking enabled to protects users from man-in-the-middle attacks and eavesdroppers on HTTPS pages (learn more).
NEW: Options panel created for Web Developer Toolbox.
CHANGED: “Enable JavaScript” preference checkbox has been removed and user-set values will be reset to the default.
CHANGED: Updated Firefox Logo.
CHANGED: Improved about:memory’s functional UI.
CHANGED: Simplified interface for notifications of plugin installation.
CHANGED: Enabled DXVA2 on Windows Vista+ to accelerate H.264 video decoding.
CHANGED: Users can now switch to a new search provider across the entire browser.
CHANGED: CSP policies using the standard syntax and semantics will now be enforced.
CHANGED: rendering improvements (see bug 838675).
CHANGED: Replace fixed-ratio audio resampler in webrtc.org capture code with Speex resampler and eliminate pseudo-44000Hz rate.
CHANGED: “Load images automatically” and Always show the tab bar” checkboxes removed from preferences and reset to defaults.
DEVELOPER: HTML5 form control implemented.
DEVELOPER: Write more accessible pages on touch interfaces with new ARIA role for key buttons.
DEVELOPER: Social share functionality.
DEVELOPER: Added unprefixed requestAnimationFrame.
DEVELOPER: Implemented a global browser console.
DEVELOPER: Dropped blink effect from text-decoration: blink; and completely removed element
DEVELOPER: New feature in toolbox: Network Monitor.
FIXED: Various security fixes.
Samsung to offer BBM in Samsung App store for all GALAXY Smartphone devices
5th August, 2013 – Today, Samsung has announced that the upcoming BBM™ app will be available in the Google Play and the Samsung App store soon and available to all Samsung GALAXY smartphone consumers across Africa.
Says George Ferreira, VP and COO of Samsung Electronics Africa: “At Samsung we are all about collaboration, innovation and driving consumer experience based on choice, value and customisation to suit every lifestyle. As such, bringing a top tier messaging service such as BBM is another way that we are expanding the catalogue of our messaging services and offering customers an amazing way to stay instantly connected with colleagues, friends and family.”
BBM will form part of Samsung Messaging Hub as a complementary addition to the current slate of propriety and third party messaging services that Samsung customers enjoy – all aimed at empowering consumers to connect with each other in better ways using text messaging. Offering BBM on GALAXY smartphones in Africa will give Samsung customers access to the BBM social network, including BBM chats, multi-person chats and and BBM Groups, which allows BBM customers to create groups of up to 30 people, as well as the ability to share photos and voice notes.
It is important to strike a balance between developing high-tech smartphones that carry brands in to the future and creating a sustainable ecosystem that primarily supports the needs of consumers that use these devices. Value added services are considered a prerequisite in the fast-paced, challenging environment that exists today and as a result, we will continue to drive innovation through our smart hub functionalities to ensure our consumers have the choice which they desire,” concludes Ferreira.
BBM provides one of the best and most robust mobile messaging experiences today. BBM has always set the standard for mobile instant messaging and we are thrilled to bring this experience to Samsung customers across Africa,” said Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President BBM at BlackBerry. “BBM is loved by people who rely on fast, trusted messaging, along with the immediacy that our delivered and read statuses bring. Samsung customers will soon join the BBM nation in its love of the “D” and “R” notifications.”
The companies have also agreed to joint marketing efforts to showcase BBM for Android to customers and to mobile users across Africa.
At launch, the app will be available for download from the Samsung and Google Play Stores, at no cost.
As announced on the official Android blog today, Android owners will soon have the option to track their devices. Later this month, an update will hit Google's Android Device Manager, allowing Android users to track their devices on a map in real time, activate the ringer, and wipe their information. The new service will work on all devices running Android 2.2 and up, which covers most of the Android population. All you have to do is hook it up to your Google account.
For Google, this new service has been awaited for many years. iOS and Windows Phone users have already had a similar service for years. Some Android device manufacturers have tried to create a device tracking service, but they haven't always worked out; HTC created one, but it ended up being shut down. Sony has its My Xperia, which appears to be prospering for now.
AT&T has landed a HUGE exclusive. At launch, you can only get a customized version on AT&T. To customize the phone, you have to use the Moto Maker online. Also, you can only pick between 16 back cover options, not 18. AT&T will be carrying only black and white versions at its retail stores.
The Exterior
You make your phone
There are 504 versions of the Moto X. Start out by picking one of 18 back covers, either a black or white front panel, and seven colors for the side buttons and rear camera lens. You also pick between 16 and 32 GB for storage. To wrap it up, you can engrave the back of it.
Made in the USA
To permit for the custom design process, Motorola has based the entire Moto X operation in Fort Worth, Texas. Bits and pieces come from 16 startes and countries from around the world, and around 2,000 workers or so assemble the phones. Motorola claims that you can order your phone, and then it will get to you in 4 days or less.
The Interior
Google is trying to take on Apple TV with ChromeCast, a $35 HDMI dongle that allows customers to stream videos and music to their TV. This device turns every TV into a Smart TV, but there is no walled garden from which to control it from .You can control it from iOS, Android, and the Web.
The Chromecast doesn't mirror your screen, but allows you to send TV shows, movies, and music to your TV via the cloud. You can queue up media to play after the current media is done playing. Also, you can have the Chromecast mirror your Chrome tabs and windows as well as using apps. Netflix is the only current player, but Google has released the Google Cast SDK, to allow more apps in. iOS, Android, and Chrome developers are allowed in on this, there is no walled garden to limit Chromecast development to just one platform.
Shipping with the brand new Nexus 7, Android 4.3 Jelly Bean hit the market today.
The new tablet is running on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. There are a few new features, but not a ton. There are restricted profiles for children, which allows you to restrict apps from users. Bluetooth Smart, a.k.a. Bluetooth Low Energy, OpenGL ES3.0 and NFC.
There are Wi-Fi and LTE models available — the first unlocked LTE tablet created by Google.The LTE model is compatible with GSM (AT&T/T-Mobile) as well as CDMA (Verizon). With the battery, you can watch 9 hours of HD video and browse the web for 10 hours. This tablet has received a major facelift from last year's. The 16GB model will cost $229, the 32GB WiFi model be at $269, and the 32GB LTE model will cost $349. Retailers include RadioShack, Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy. The UK, Germany, Japan, Canada, Spain, France, Australia, and South Korea will be getting the tablet soon. The LTE model will be available in the coming weeks, but the WiFi Nexus 7 will be available starting on Tuesday. Nice job Google!
