An Android Called Kindle Fire from Amazon

News has that Amazon has unveiled a new Android-powered device called Kindle Fire. While most tablet makers would flaunt to the world the "Androidness" of their devices, amazon tries to set aside as much as possible the Android factor of their new tablet. In fact when I first heard of the said tablet I didn't thought that it is Android inside. Only when I did further reading about the innards of the said tablet did I became aware that it's OS is Android. Another obvious sign of this unlikely peculiarity from Amazon is the device's lack of access to Google's Android Market. Obviously, what Amazon is trying to do is to push their wads of content to consumers using the Android platform and its rising ecosytem of users.

Looking at the picture, the device resembles the Blackberry Playbook which shows lack of visible hardware buttons making it really veer away from the mainstream look of a typical Android tablet. The tablet has no camera, no microphone and no 3G support. It seems to me that it is really designed as an ebook reader like the kindle on steroids.

One thing to write home about this tablet is the the price of US$ 199.00.

Here's the specs:

Android OS version : 2.1(?)
CPU: 1 Ghz TI OPAM dual core Processor
Display: 7" IPS panel with Gorilla glass coating
Camera: 8 Megapixels with auto focus
Memory: , 512 MB RAM
Internal Storage:  8 GB
Data: WLAN 

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc Review

  It's been a while since Sony's flagship Android Smartphone have been launched here in the Philippines but this is the first time that I was able to take hold of one and test for myself it's features and capabilities.

Hardware-wise, the finish and build of the smartphone is quite impressive owing to the metal finish, large screen and thin profile when viewed sideways. As with other smartphones and tablets. The thin feature which is supposed to be a plus factor easily becomes a disadvantage because of the big possibility of the device inadvertently put in a back pocket and the user forgets that it is there before sitting down, and the thing gets broken accidentally.



One thing noticeably nice about this device from Sony Ericsson is the  comparatively wide body but when held on a single hand, it feels just right without the discomfort or fear of the device falling of slipping from your hands.

The screen is big enough. Surfing the web and watching full length movies is a joy to do with the vibrant colors and superbly smooth playback.

The big screen real state allows for a generous amount of screen space for  pinching, stretching and rotating finger movements while viewing photos and reading ebooks and documents.



 The hardware buttons and ports are strategically located with the HDMI port and power button positioned on opposite sides of the top portion of the phone while the 3.5 mm earphone jack is conveniently located at the upper left side of the device.

 

 

The bottom portion is clear of any port except for an eyelet that lets you put a string for putting accessories or a strap to let you securely handle the device while carrying it without a bag or a pouch.

The right hand edge features the micro-USB port, volume rocker control and on the lower portion a dedicated camera button.

Xperia Android Experience

The Xperia Arc is powered by Android OS version 2.3 without much skinning done. The interface is characterized by animated icons and large widgets and a nice folder creation system which is very easy and nice to use.

Sony Ericsson also included in the device their Timescape Social Aggregator app which lets you organize your  social networking activities in one centralized location.

Zooming, flipping pages and swiping is easily handled by the Xperia's single core 1 Gigahertz processor.


A video of the Android user experience for the Xperia will be posted later for you to see how it performs in action.

For the meantime, the Arc's specifications are the following:

Android OS version : 2.3 Gingerbread
CPU: 1 Ghz Scorpion Processor
Display: 4.2" Led-backlit capacitive touch screen
Camera: 8 Megapixels with auto focus
Memory: Internal 320 MB, 512 MB RAM
MicroSD: Up to 32 GB, 8 GB included
Data: GPRS, Edge, 3G, WLAN and Bluetooth

Early Christmas Treat from Smart Philippines

Here's a nice treat from Smart Philippines  for those who would like to upgrade to the Android Honeycomb powered Samsung Galaxy 10.1 or to try out said latest iteration of the Galaxy Tab.

For new subscriptions to Smart's unlimited data plan 2500, the subscriber will have the much anticipated Samsung Galaxy 10.1 plus a Samsung phone, Corby II. For unlimited data plan 3000, the subscriber will have the Samsung Galaxy Mini for free on top of the Samsung Galaxy 10.1. And for subscription to the unlimited data plan 4000, the subscriber will receive absolutely free the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 plus the Samsung Galaxy Ace.

This is a great chance for us to have two Android gadgets for the price of one so head out to your nearest Smart outlet in your area and go enjoy Samsung's 10.1 Honeycomb powered Tablet together with a Samsung Android Smartphone.

Android Flavors...Upcoming Jelly Beans

Source

While we are still currently using the Android Froyo and still to take a taste of the yummy Gingerbread and drooling over Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich there's news that Google is soon to launch the newest flavor named Jelly Beans.

I can't help but wonder how could they be doing it so fast. I'm still waiting to get my hands on a real Gingerbread powered tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1 while the Honeycomb and the Ice Cream Sandwich are like floating in the background as if enticing and calling me to wait for them. And now...Jelly Beans...

This thing reminds me of Microsoft doing and releasing successive versions of Windows like crazy during its heyday. When you are excited enough to try the newest iteration, you will be frustrated to death because your hardware is not supported. I just hope this will not be the case with Google. Right now, I am hoping that my Froyo powered Samsung Galaxy Tab can be upgraded to Honeycomb at the very least.

Please tell me what you think..

How to Sync Your Android Devices and PC via WiFi

Some Android sync software that come bundled with various devices are confusing and not easy to use, and downright sluggish most of the time. One such example is the Samsung "Kies" for the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Before I became aware of the presence of third party sync software for the Android Operating System, I used Kies exclusively for transferring my files to and from the Galaxy tab device. Thought the interface seems very simple, the operation is not as simple as it looked. As a matter of fact, I lost some data when I used cut and paste operation to transfer some files from my PC to the Galaxy Tab. I don't know what happened but when I checked the folders that I transferred from the PC to the Galaxy Tab. Only the folders were there but the file contents are nowhere in sight. I tried every possible means to retrieve the files but nothing happened. Even transferring my contacts from the PC to the Tab seems an eternity to happen.

With my unhappy experience with the Kies, I decided to look for some sync software from the Android Market and I was not disappointed. I stumbled upon this app called Android Sync Manager WiFi. The app seamlessly lets you transfer files to and from your PC and Android device without connecting via USB or bluetooth but rather thru WiFi. Navigating your files simultaneously across several devices is a breeze and the file transfer are done amazingly fast. Almost all kinds of files are supported by the app compared to the Kies which syncs only the photos , videos, music file and contacts. With the Android Sync Manager Wifi, I was able to finally transfer my collection of ebooks to the internal drive of the Galaxy Tab without having to pull out the Micro SD  card or attaching the Tab to  the PC via USB cable.

All you need to do is download the PC version of the app here and Android version here. After downloading the versions, install first the Sync Manager on PC then install the Sync Manager on your Android Device. Upon successful installation on the device, run the Sync Manager and then proceed to the sync Manager Settings where you will take note of the PIN generated by the device.

Run the Sync manager on the PC and click on Settings then click on Connections.

On the ensuing dialog box, input the PIN that you noted on Android device and then verify if the connection is established.

You should see an animated icon of a PC and mobile handset at the bottom left side of the PC interface. If the connection is established, you will see a small circle with a check between the two icons. On the Android device meanwhile, you must see a picture of the Android character with a square speech balloon showing the IP Address of the host.

As soon as you established the link between the devices, navigate your files on the PC interface and move files and sync to your heart's content.

Early Christmas Treat from Samsung

The Christmas season is in the air! Samsung Philippines has announced an early Christmas treat for Android fans. They have dropped the price of the mid-range Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy Mini to a whooping 25% price-off. The mini’s previous price tag was Php8,990.000 but now it is reduced to Php6,730.00. Now that’s affordable.  I want one!

Another treat is the availability of the much coveted high-end smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy SII on an installment basis of Php2,499.00 per month for a period of one year at zero interest. For a limited period from August 22 to September 30, one can avail of the said phone. The Galaxy S II can be had free from telcos like Globe Telecom but with a corresponding high monthly postpaid plan. With this promo from Samsung, you can have the Galaxy without tying yourself up in a high monthly subscription plan for two years or more. Now head to the nearest Samsung shop and enjoy your Galaxy S II.

Samsung Galaxy SII Specs:

Android OS : v.2.3 Gingerbread

CPU             : Dual-core 1.2Ghz ARM Cortex A9

Display        : 4.3 inches Super Amoled Capacitive Touch Screen

Camera        : 8 Megapixels

Memory       : 16/32 GB Internal, 1 GB RAM, MicroSD 8 GB included *

                     Expandable to 32 GB

Data            : GPRS, EDGE, 3G, WLAN, Bluetooth, and USB

Samsung Galaxy Mini Specs:

Android OS : v.2.2 Froyo (upgradable to 2.3)

CPU             : 600MHz ARMv6 Processor

Display        : 3.14inches, 320 x 240 Capacitive

Camera        : 3.15 MP

Memory       : 164 MB Internal, 384 MB RAM

   MicroSD 2GB included, upgradeable to 32 GB

Data            : GPRS, EDGE, 3G, WLAN, Bluetooth, and USB