Smartphones

Impressions: Flash 10.2 Beta on Xoom

One of the advantages the Xoom purportedly has over the iPad is its support for Flash. Unfortunately, Flash wasn't available for the Xoom at its release, but as of today it is. We've taken the Flash 10.2 Beta for Xoom for a spin and have lived to tell the tale.

The full Web (?) Motorola states that this update brings "a full Web browsing experience" with it and for the most part that's true, but it really depends on how a full Web browsing experience is defined.

Yes, Flash on the Xoom does offer support … Read more

Ericsson places first HD call over CDMA

Telecommunications company Ericsson has placed what it calls the first-ever HD call over a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) network.

HD calling, also known as wideband audio, has been available in Europe for some time over different network technology. Rather than calls being placed over the current 300Hz to 3400Hz spectral range, HD calls run on the 50Hz to 7000Hz spectral range. The result is a much higher quality of sound that improves fidelity of the human voice, which ranges from 80Hz to 14,000Hz. HD voice calls use the Enhanced Variable Rate Codec Narrowband-Wideband codec.

"This is the … Read more

Use iPhone 4 Personal Hotspot to add GPS to Wi-Fi-only iPads

Zachery Bir, on his Urbanape blog, explains how he used an iPhone 4 with the new Personal Hotspot feature in iOS 4.3 to add GPS to his Wi-Fi-only iPad. A tweet from Bir earlier in the day caused some skepticism when he posted:

From a technological standpoint, I must admit I was a bit skeptical as well. When deciding on which iPad 2 to get, I debated many of the same pros and cons as other customers wondering if the $130 upgrade to enable 3G on an iPad was worth the money.

Ultimately, I decided to put the extra money toward more storage and I settled on a black, 32Gb, Wi-Fi-only iPad 2. Upon seeing a post from Daring Fireball's John Gruber about Bir's findings, I feel as though my decision may well be completely justified. … Read more

Amazon putting finishing touches on app store

The Android Market is about to face stiff competition in the next few weeks once the Amazon's app store goes live. In fact, the long awaited application distribution center may be the biggest competitor to the Google store, even more so than GetJar.

Earlier this week, Android users found that they could navigate their browser to amazon.com/apps where they would see a short list of apps and games. As initially discovered by AndroidNews, the Amazon store offered a few titles at prices lower than the Android Market, some as much as 40 percent less.

While most apps … Read more

How to connect an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to your TV

Your iOS device is good for accessing media on the go, but there may be times when you want to share your movies, photos, and music, or play games on a TV. Connecting your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to your TV is simple, but you have to select the right cables first. 

HDMI adapterApple's Digital AV Adapter is the highest-quality video transfer, and is the only cable that will do mirroring with the iPad 2. It's also compatible with the iPad, iPhone 4, and iPod Touch (fourth generation). When you've connected your television with the … Read more

RIM launches Facebook for BlackBerry 2.0 beta

BlackBerry-maker RIM hasn't always seen a rosy reception of its Facebook for BlackBerry app, but the version 2.0 beta might change some minds with its much deeper integration.

Facebook for BlackBerry 2.0, which launches today in a limited beta, gets a laundry list of new additions, big and small. There's Facebook Chat, which you can access from the Facebook application or launch from within your BlackBerry contact list. You'll also get notified of new Facebook chat messages in your message list.

RIM has also created a logical new way to get to all your menu … Read more

The 404 779: Where St. Patrick's Day is just an excuse to wear green (podcast)

The 404 Digest for Episode 779

We reveal the viral marketing company behind the Times Square video hack. Natali Morris brings an interesting question from the New Yorker about the secret of boyhood friendships. Check out Molly Wood's listing for a white 64GB Apple iPad 2 signed by the SXSW@CNET crew--all proceeds go to the Red Cross for the Japanese tsunami relief efforts! Video Voicemails from Emily in Toronto, Daniel in Colorado, and Rich from Cleveland--thanks, guys! Kodak Deal of the Day: Vizio RazorLED 32-inch 1080p LED LCD HDTV with Wi-Fi with free shipping for $449.99.

Episode 779 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

New group pushes car integration of phone apps

Auto manufacturers, systems suppliers, and consumer electronics makers have formed a consortium to maintain and develop a standard that helps turn mobile devices into automotive infotainment portals. Formerly overseen by Nokia, the newly formed Car Connectivity Consortium counts Daimler, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Toyota, and Volkswagen among its founding members. In addition to car companies, systems suppliers Alpine and Panasonic and consumer electronics makers LG Electronics, Samsung, and, of course, Nokia are founding members of the new group responsible for maintaining the Terminal Mode standard.

"The Car Connectivity Consortium now has the power to turn Terminal Mode … Read more

Froyo running on 61 percent of Android devices

Android 2.2 Froyo is far and away the most used version of the mobile operating system, a developer page has revealed.

According to data that Google compiled over the 14-day period ended March 15, Froyo was running on 61.3 percent of all the devices that accessed the Android Market. It was followed by Android 2.1 Eclair with 29.0 percent share. Android 1.6 Donut and Android 1.5 Cupcake accounted for 4.8 percent and 3.0 percent of the market, respectively. The recently released Android 3.0 Honeycomb nabbed just 0.2 percent market share.… Read more