Google posts Android 4.1 Jelly Bean's changelog, explores its latest dessert in detail

We've certainly delved into Android 4.1 Jelly Bean's new features, but Google itself is just now giving us a full exploration of its update's sugar-laden heart through an official changelog. While Google Now, the updated camera app and other core components easily get their due, the checklist also has a decidedly more buttery feel than one would think - key individual apps like Calendar now have more elegant transitions to go with the leaps and bounds in Android's overall speed.

Engadget , Google posts Android 4.1 Jelly Bean's changelog, explores its latest dessert in detail, Google posts Android 4.1 Jelly Bean's changelog, explores its latest dessert in detail

Nissan Leaf gets badged for police duty in Portugal

Plug-in vehicles perform police duties for Scotland Yard (Vauxhall Ampera) and the NYPD (Chevrolet Volt) and we've all seen the little EV parking-enforcement vehicles, so today's announcement that the Nissan Leaf will be used as a police vehicle in Portugal isn't surprising. What's interesting is that the eight patrol EVs are touted as a way for the fuzz to "arrive at the scene of a crime in near silence.".

Autoblog , Nissan Leaf gets badged for police duty in Portugal, Nissan Leaf gets badged for police duty in Portugal

Garmin GLO Portable GPS and GLONASS receiver hit the FCC, get torn down for good measure

Hasty, no. Merely hours after being announced to the world, Garmin's GLO Portable GPS and GLONASS receiver have touched down in the FCC's database. Per usual, that's a fairly solid indicator that the devices will be available for sale on US shores within a few weeks, and if you're curious, there's even a draft user guide tucked in the source link below. Truth be told, there's not a ton here that wasn't already made public - it's obviously "Made for iPod / iPhone / iPad," and Garmin asserts that the included battery will take three hours to charge but 12 hours to deplete.






Engadget , Garmin GLO Portable GPS and GLONASS receiver hit the FCC, get torn down for good measure, Garmin GLO Portable GPS and GLONASS receiver hit the FCC, get torn down for good measure

Toshiba Introduces New Class of Tecra Laptops for Small Businesses

Toshiba today announced a new line of Tecra® business-class laptops tailored specifically for the needs of small and medium businesses. The new Tecra R940 and Tecra R950 laptops come equipped with essential business features and business-class performance in a portable and durable design, at affordable prices. Available exclusively through Toshiba Direct, business owners can now order up to 100 units, offering the same level of savings afforded to large companies. Built for Small Businesses

The new Tecra R940 and Tecra R950 laptops are designed with everything a small or medium business needs.







Akihabara News , Toshiba Introduces New Class of Tecra Laptops for Small Businesses, Toshiba Introduces New Class of Tecra Laptops for Small Businesses

Japanese company releasing do-it-yourself Pius electric vehicle, name sounds vaguely familiar

That homemade bug-zapping lightsaber not quite floating your boat. Then how about building your own electric vehicle. That's the opportunity that MODI Corporation in Japan hopes to sell when its “Pius” kit car — not to be confused with the Toyota Prius — becomes available next spring. Specs from the official site for the “micro compact car” reveal a vehicle that's 885mm tall, 1,230mm wide and 2,500mm long. Range on a full charge is 25 kilometers or a little over 15 miles. Top speed is 35km/h, which sadly disqualifies it from the list of vehicles Doc Brown can use for time travel.

2DayBlog.com , Japanese company releasing do-it-yourself Pius electric vehicle, name sounds vaguely familiar, Japanese company releasing do-it-yourself Pius electric vehicle, name sounds vaguely familiar

Google Maps adds walking directions for 44 African countries on web and mobile

Whether it's on two wheels, under cover or across the cruel watery mistress, Google Maps wants to get you there. But what about the long, arduous pedestrian plod. Well, from today, 44 African nations will never need to put a foot wrong, thanks to the introduction of walking directions to their web and mobile versions of the mapping service.

2DayBlog.com , Google Maps adds walking directions for 44 African countries on web and mobile, Google Maps adds walking directions for 44 African countries on web and mobile

Boeing 787 Dreamliner to be equipped with Android-based entertainment systems

Although this is not really the Boeing Phone that the American aircraft manufacturer promised to us a few months ago, Boeing is at least trying to integrate the best that mobile technology has to offer to its jets. And it begins with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner – a long-range, wide-body, twin-engine jet airline that can carry hundreds of passengers. Boeing is saying that it will be integrating two Android-based entertainment systems on the Dreamliner. The said two in-flight entertainment and connectivity solutions (IFECs) are the Panasonic eX3 and the Thales TopSeries Avant.

Ubergizmo , Boeing 787 Dreamliner to be equipped with Android-based entertainment systems, Boeing 787 Dreamliner to be equipped with Android-based entertainment systems

Hyundai reportedly launching three Android tablets in Russia this year

It seems that Lamborghini isn't the only car manufacturer interested in expanding its business to mobile devices. According to a Russian blog, Hyundai will be launching three tablets running Ice Cream Sandwich this year in Russia. Interesting isn't it. One of the three is a 7-inch Kindle-like tablet dubbed as Hyundai HT-7B. This tablet will reportedly sport a 1024x600 display and a 1 GHz Samsung CPU. Other purported features of the tablet include a 1 GB RAM, Wi-Fi and GPS support, a 2-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 3-megapixel camera, 8 GB built-in storage, and a 4000 mAh battery.

Another tablet is the Hyundai HT-9B.

Ubergizmo , Hyundai reportedly launching three Android tablets in Russia this year, Hyundai reportedly launching three Android tablets in Russia this year

Powerful HTC phone for Verizon leaks, GLBenchmark confirms

HTC is obviously working on an immensely powerful smartphone. At least that's what the website of the popular GLBenchmark tool suggests. Planned to launch on the Verizon network, the unannounced smartphone has a model number HTC6435, which seems to be a follow-up of the Rezound (HTC6425). What's more intriguing to us is what exactly does this baby have under the hood.

According to GLBenchmark, the HTC6435 is powered by a 1.5GHz processor, probably not the Snapdragon S4 that the One X boasts.

GSM Arena , Powerful HTC phone for Verizon leaks, GLBenchmark confirms, Powerful HTC phone for Verizon leaks, GLBenchmark confirms

Olympus outs firmware update for OM-D E-M5 camera, sleep mode and AF improvements in tow

As is often the case with nearly every itty-bitty software update, the goal's usually to alleviate any problem regardless of how minor it is, and sometimes even bring a couple of enhancements with it. Well, such is the fact behind Olympus' latest firmware refresh for that sleek E-M5 Micro Four Thirds shooter. That's not to belittle the goods, however, as v1.2 does pack a couple of welcomed changes, including an improved "sleep recovery operation" and the addition of an autofocus tracking point to use while in the camera's Sequential L setting.

Engadget , Olympus outs firmware update for OM-D E-M5 camera, sleep mode and AF improvements in tow, Olympus outs firmware update for OM-D E-M5 camera, sleep mode and AF improvements in tow

Motorola XT907 with 4G LTE leaks on camera

A new Motorola device has been spotted on Chinese e-commerce site Alibaba with the model number XT907. Although not much is known about the handset, from the image it looks like a scaled down version of the current DROID RAZR (XT912). It is said to have a 540 x 960 resolution display, same as the DROID RAZR but due to the on-screen controls it is being reported as 540 x 888.
It has the same Kevlar back but the camera module does not stick out near the top, pointing towards a lower resolution camera and/or a thicker body.

GSM Arena , Motorola XT907 with 4G LTE leaks on camera, Motorola XT907 with 4G LTE leaks on camera

Google improves Street View in California, brings panoramic views to five national parks

Google Street View was first launched on May 2007 in several cities in the U.S., and it has been deployed to other countries since then. And while questions about its security and privacy lingers, Google continues to improve its highly popular Google Maps product. Google has just announced that it has improved its Street View feature in the state of California by adding 360-degree panoramic imagery to five of California's national parks – Yosemite, Redwood, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree.

Ubergizmo , Google improves Street View in California, brings panoramic views to five national parks, Google improves Street View in California, brings panoramic views to five national parks

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Release Date Revealed

The release date for SEGA's upcoming Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed title has finally been revealed. This racing video game will hit PS3, Xbox 360, PS Vita and Nintendo 3DS on November 16th.

TechFresh , Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Release Date Revealed

See also:
digitalhouse, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Release Date Revealed

Lies, Damned Lies and Fuel Economy Numbers

Taking A Detailed Look At Why 'Your Mileage May Vary'. It's safe to say that mileage claims are controversial at best, and often inaccurate. As regular readers have heard, Hyundai is being sued for allegedly misleading mileage ads. Honda, meanwhile, beat back one Civic Hybrid owners mileage lawsuit upon appeal but also agreed to a settlement covering thousands of others who didn't get nearly what the automaker promised.

Without taking sides in these individual cases.

Autoblog , Lies, Damned Lies and Fuel Economy Numbers, Lies, Damned Lies and Fuel Economy Numbers

Mini nixes Coupe GP plans

If you were hoping Mini might be bringing out a John Cooper Works GP version of its new Coupe hatchback bodystyle, we're sorry to disappoint you, but the Mini-obsessed folks at MotoringFile says it's not going to happen. Despite having gotten far enough into development that our spy shooters were able to catch the car during testing on public roads, the powers that be have reportedly scuttled those plans. The report says marketing concerns are likely to blame, as Mini did not want to dilute enthusiasm for the limited-production Cooper JCW GP.

Autoblog , Mini nixes Coupe GP plans, Mini nixes Coupe GP plans

Ford delaying next Mondeo

Anyone waiting for the new Ford Mondeo will have to wait a little longer, according to Automotive News Europe. According to union sources, Ford has delayed production of the next generation model for up to three months at its Genk, Belgium, factory. Production was scheduled to begin next April, but was pushed back, union members have told media outlets in Belgium.

Autoblog , Ford delaying next Mondeo, Ford delaying next Mondeo

Angry Birds coming to Samsung Smart TVs this month

Good news to all Samsung Smart TV owners. Samsung has just announced that it will be bringing Rovio's highly popular game – Angry Birds – to its line of Smart TVs this month. The Smart TV app will be able to utilize Samsung's Smart TV SDK that supports gesture controls and voice interaction. To get the app, users will have to download the app via the Samsung TV app store. Angry Birds on Samsung's Smart TVs will be available sometime this month and it will compatible with Samsung's Smart TVs ES7000, ES8000, and ES9000.

Of course, this was already expected.

Ubergizmo , Angry Birds coming to Samsung Smart TVs this month, Angry Birds coming to Samsung Smart TVs this month

2014 Maserati Quattroporte revealed in patent drawings

Curious about what the 2014 Maserati Quattroporte will look like. Recent spy shots of the big Maserati sedan haven't been much help, but now we have this: Three alleged patent drawings found by AutoWeek.nl. Better fire up your imagination, however, as like all European Patent Office images, these sketches have the unique ability to suck the beauty out of even Italian cars. Truth be told, if AutoWeek.nl had told us this was a new Buick, we might have believed them.
That said, we can certainly see the resemblance in the rear to the Maserati GranTurismo, with a similar C-pillar and that little flipped-up spoiler.

Autoblog , 2014 Maserati Quattroporte revealed in patent drawings, 2014 Maserati Quattroporte revealed in patent drawings

Angry Birds Now Available at Samsung Smart TV

Samsung releases a popular mobile game Angry Birds as a smart TV app in July. The Bird Sling Shot game produced by Finnish mobile game developer Rovio for smart phones back in Nov 2009 has been downloaded for more than 1 billion times.





Akihabara News , Angry Birds Now Available at Samsung Smart TV, Angry Birds Now Available at Samsung Smart TV

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 available for pre-order in the US, for real this time

Last month, Amazon has put the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 on pre-order, allowing customers to hope that the tablet would be out Stateside soon. However, Samsung quickly issued a statement saying the Note 10.1 product page was published in error by Amazon. Now the Galaxy Note 10.1 can be pre-ordered again in the US, seemingly for real this time.
Retailer J&R is asking $499.99 for the Note 10.1 16GB, and $549.99 for the Note 10.1 32GB. Unfortunately, the retailer doesn't say when the tablet will be in stock.

Some other, less known retailers also seem to take pre-orders for the Galaxy Note 10.1.

Unwired View , Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 available for pre-order in the US, for real this time, Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 available for pre-order in the US, for real this time

Confirmit Launches Voice of the Customer Engagement Model

Confirmit Voices™ to enable businesses to build outstanding VoC programmes London, UK and Oslo, Norway and New York, NY: July 12, 2012: Confirmit, the leading global solutions provider for Customer Experience, Employee Engagement and Market Research has announced the launch of Confirmit Voices™, a Voice of the Customer (VoC) engagement model which enables companies to build successful Voice of the Customer programmes that drive business change and generate Return on Investment.The model is built around a six-stage process: define, design, implement, analyse, act and review.

Press Release Distribution , Confirmit Launches Voice of the Customer Engagement Model, Confirmit Launches Voice of the Customer Engagement Model

Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean Update For Galaxy Nexus Now Rolling Out!

The latest version of world's most popular mobile OS, Jellybean for Android, brings tons of improvements, performance enhancements and bug fixes to Android 4.0 devices. Some of the most interesting enhancements brought by the Galaxy Nexus Android update include a faster and even more responsive touch, fluid-like  smoothness which switching between apps, expandable notifications and an even more accurate keyboard.


Technology Nerd , Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean Update For Galaxy Nexus Now Rolling Out!

See also:
supertechnologies, Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean Update For Galaxy Nexus Now Rolling Out!

New Android malware runs rings around Google Play security protocols

. Symantec has discovered a new piece of Android malware, since removed from the Google Play store, that managed to chalk up between 50,000 and 100,000 downloads of malicious apps before being identified. In a post on his company's blog, Symantec researcher Irfan Asrar details how the malware disguised itself as popular games such as Super Mario Bros.

Boy Genius Report , New Android malware runs rings around Google Play security protocols, New Android malware runs rings around Google Play security protocols

Sprint Galaxy S3 security update will reportedly simplify original search functionality

The Samsung Galaxy S3 from Sprint recently received the latest security update via OTA. While the changes primarily attributed to the update weren't that noticeable, a thorough scan will probably reveal its work. While the update managed to fix the previously reported issues with Google Wallet on the device, the tinkers and modders over at XDA are reporting that the update also simplified the original search functionality of the device. This means that searches will no longer reveal apps, contacts, maps, and more.

Ubergizmo , Sprint Galaxy S3 security update will reportedly simplify original search functionality, Sprint Galaxy S3 security update will reportedly simplify original search functionality

Amazon looking to enter the smartphone game, WSJ says

Amazon, the number one retail site in the world, is apparently looking to move beyond the tablet market. WSJ has it that Amazon is working with various Asian component suppliers to create a new smartphone. The Amazon Kindle Fire, which controlled a whopping 54% of the Android tablet market a few months ago, was a huge success for Amazon, due in large part to its low retail price.
Whether the upcoming device (should it reach production) will look to offer a similar type of appeal to price-conscious consumers is unknown at this point.

GSM Arena , Amazon looking to enter the smartphone game, WSJ says, Amazon looking to enter the smartphone game, WSJ says

Acer bring its Android ICONICA Tab A700 to Japan

Here you are one of the most anticipated Android Tablet that is finally headed to Japan, the almighty ICONICA Tab A700. Sold in Japan in its 16GB or 32GB version at 44,800 and 47,800 Yen respectively, the ICONICA Tab A700 comes with a Tegra 3 1.3GHz Quad Core CPU, a gorgeous 10.1″ WUXGA screen, 1GB of RAM, Android 4.0 (ICS), MicroUSB, MicroHDMI, SD a 1Mpix front facing camera and a 5Mpix rear facing one.


Akihabara News , Acer bring its Android ICONICA Tab A700 to Japan, Acer bring its Android ICONICA Tab A700 to Japan

Mass production for Amazon's Kindle smartphone could start in Q4 2012 or Q1 2013

The Amazon smartphone of which we told you last week is likely to enter mass production in the fourth quarter of this year, or in the first quarter of 2013. That's what The Wall Street Journal says, quoting "officials at some of Amazon's parts suppliers.". Reportedly, the screen of the Amazon handset that's currently in testing measures between 4 and 5 inches.

Unwired View , Mass production for Amazon's Kindle smartphone could start in Q4 2012 or Q1 2013, Mass production for Amazon's Kindle smartphone could start in Q4 2012 or Q1 2013

Max Payne 3 cheater's pool has gone live

If you have been eating, drinking and sleeping Max Payne 3 all this while, chances are the next time you log in, you would have realized that there is a sudden decrease in the availablity of Max Payne 3 players. The reason for this. Chances are pretty good that you were considered to be a cheat, meaning you have been relegated to the Max Payne 3 cheater's pool which we talked about a month ago. Rockstar announced, "We've taken steps to quarantine confirmed cheaters in Max Payne 3 Multiplayer.

Ubergizmo , Max Payne 3 cheater's pool has gone live, Max Payne 3 cheater's pool has gone live

Bing Fund taking shape to help Microsoft search for the next big thing in online services

Microsoft's Online Services Division (OSD) hasn't exactly had a lot of good news to share lately, most painful being the recent $6.2 billion write-down thanks to the aQuantive acquisition, so it's turning to a higher power for its next bet. The company appears to be creating an angel incubator called the Bing Fund, which would foster startups that could “bring a wave of innovation to OSD” — which currently includes MSN, adCenter and, of course, Bing.

2DayBlog.com , Bing Fund taking shape to help Microsoft search for the next big thing in online services, Bing Fund taking shape to help Microsoft search for the next big thing in online services

DigiLife DDV-V3HD Pocket HD Camcorder

Finding yourself a new pocket HD camcorder. Why don't you take a look at this DDV-V3HD from DigiLife. This video camera features a 5.0MP 1x2.5″ CMOS image sensor, a 5x digital zoom, a 2.5-inch TFT LCD display, an SD/SDHC card slot (up to 8GB), an MP3/MP4 player, a USB 2.0 port, an HDMI port and has the ability to capture both 720p HD video at 30fps as wel as up to 11MP digital still images (interpolated mode). The DDV-V3HD retails for $110.51.

TechFresh , DigiLife DDV-V3HD Pocket HD Camcorder, DigiLife DDV-V3HD Pocket HD Camcorder

Huawei Ascend Q hands-on (video)

Huawei's taken to the Taste of Chicago event in Chicago to introduce its fresh pair of myTouch phones to the world, but it also had another gem at its booth: the Huawei M660, also known as the Ascend Q. An upcoming smartphone that's poised to hit the US in August, the company plans to launch the device on Cricket as a prepaid handset. It's certainly not high-end, but we weren't exactly expecting it to take the no-contract carrier by storm in that sense.










Engadget , Huawei Ascend Q hands-on (video), Huawei Ascend Q hands-on (video)