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Latest Gear Live Videos
Why Google will stop developing Android
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Editorial, Features, Google, Software,
"It's important that Apple not be the developer for the world. We can't take all of our energy, and all of our care, and finish the painting and have someone else put their name on it." - Tim Cook, Apple CEO
The same statement rings true for Google. If others are reaping the rewards, and little to nothing is left for oneself, then what's the point? If a product does not meet the expectations set before it, then developing for it doesn't make much sense. If any given product is not self-sustainable, then it is not cost effective and eventually becomes a burden to the maker--even if users appear to enjoy using it. Make no mistake about it, Google is in the business of making money, and everything else is secondary (including good will.)
Google's co-founder and now recently-minted CEO, Larry Page, bought Android in 2005. He also brought along Andy Rubin, one of its creators, over to Google, who recently renounced his post as Senior Vice President of mobile Digital Content. Basically, the guy who was leading Android. It has been said that Sergey Brin, the other tandem co-founder, was not enthusiastic about the purchase. Former Google CEO at the time, Eric Schmidt, now Chairman at Google had a similar reaction. These somewhat pessimistic receptions were also shared by Vic Gundotra, Senior Vice President of Engineering. However, he recanted these thoughts at Google I/O 2010.
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Google Play Store 4.0 update begins worldwide rollout
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Software,
The Google Play Store is getting a fresh coat of paint beginning today with the release of the official 4.0 update. What's so great about Google Play 4.0? Well, for starters, the images are larger, making it easier to see what exactly your about to download. Content grouping has also been improved, providing better recommendations of other items you might be interested in, and the checkout process also sees a slight overhaul as well. Google Play 4.0 starts worldwide rollout today, and may take a couple of weeks before hitting your particular device. It'll run on any smartphone or tablet running Android 2.2 or later.
Read More 
| Android Blog
Gallery: Google Play Store 4.0 update begins worldwide rollout
Facebook Home leaked promo video (parody!)
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Software, Videos,
It didn't take long for the tech parody video for the Facebook Home to hit the interwebs. An exclusive interview with some of the designers of the Facebook Phone. Click through for the video.
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Read More | YouTube
Gallery: Facebook Home leaked promo video (parody!)
Watch This: Facebook Home and HTC First launch event
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Software, Videos,
We told you all about today's unveiling of Facebook Home and the HTC First, and now Facebook has made the video recording of the announcement available for your viewing pleasure. Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg is on his A-game in this one. Check out the full video after the break.
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Facebook Home: Turn your Android device into the ultimate Facebook smartphone
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Software,
This morning Facebook revealed a new Android-based mobile initiative called Facebook Home. Mark Zuckerberg was on hand to talk about what would happen if your phone was made to be about "people, not apps," and the result is Facebook Home.
While many assumed that Facebook would be releasing its own hardware device (despite our assurance that it wouldn't!), Home is, instead, a suite of Facebook apps that work together to put Facebook front and center across your entire Android device, making it feel like a "Facebook Phone." For example, in the Coverfeed app, it takes over both the Android homescreen and lock screen, and then provides a regular stream of updates from your friends--all without you tapping a Facebook app icon or even swiping to unlock. From the home screen you can even comment and like the updates that flow across your display.
Gallery: Facebook Home: Turn your Android device into the ultimate Facebook smartphone
iOS 7 development running behind schedule, Apple pulls OS X engineers to help
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Rumors, Software,
Word on the street is that Apple is behind schedule on iOS 7 due to the management shakeup that occurred when Scott Forstall was ousted from the company. Jony Ive has taken over as head of hardware and software design, and with that will come sweeping design changes within iOS. Daring Fireball's John Gruber has gone so far as to say that he's heard that Apple has had to pull engineers off os OS X 10.9 in order to help get iOS 7 ready for release.
It may sound odd, but Apple actually took a similar strategy back in 200, pulling developers off of OS X 10.5 Leopard in order to ensure that the iPhone would be ready on time, resulting in a four-month delay for the desktop OS. Of course, Apple had a lot less software engineers working on iPhone software back then, so it's pretty telling that with the expansive growth, there are still challenges getting iOS 7 out of door.
Gallery: iOS 7 development running behind schedule, Apple pulls OS X engineers to help
Try out BlackBerry 10 on your iPhone or Android smartphone
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Internet, Software,
Curious about how BlackBerry 10 stacks up against iOS, Android, and Windows Phone? You can now check out how it works right on your smartphone browser for a glimpse of BlackBerry 10. This will bring you into a web app that simulates the look and feel of the BlackBerry 10 OS, which will allow you to get a feel for the new BlackBerry hotness. Of course, being a web app, it isn't as smooth as actually picking up a BlackBerry Z10 and using that, but it's still a cool idea from BlackBerry to get people familiar with its new offering.
Read More | BlackBerry Glimpse
Gallery: Try out BlackBerry 10 on your iPhone or Android smartphone
Amazon Cloud Drive now syncs between PC, Mac, Kindle, web
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Software, Storage,
Amazon has announced that it's Cloud Drive storage locker is now accessible from PC, Mac, Kindle Fire, and web browser, allowing you to sync your documents across all of your devices with the reliance of Amazon in the background. This puts the Amazon Cloud Drive, which gives users a free 5 GB of storage space, in direct competition with services like Dropbox.
Gallery: Amazon Cloud Drive now syncs between PC, Mac, Kindle, web
Apple releases iOS 6.1.3, fixes passcode bypass, new Japan Maps, ruins jailbreak
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Software,
Apple has just released iOS 6.1.3 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The update brings a fix for a security bug that allows the home screen passcode to be bypassed through Passbook, as well as major map improvements in the Japan region. Jailbreakers beware, though, as it seems that Apple has also closed the software loophole that allows for the untethered jailbreak of iOS 6 in this version. If you're ready to update, head to the Settings apps, and then go into General, and select Software Update--or, just connect your iOS device to your PC or Mac and fire up iTunes.
Gallery: Apple releases iOS 6.1.3, fixes passcode bypass, new Japan Maps, ruins jailbreak
Apple releases OS X 10.8.3 to the public with Windows 8 support, Boot Camp updates, Safari update
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,
After a super long beta period, Apple has finally released OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.3, making it the longest period between updates in OS X history, leapfrogging the 10.4.8 to 10.4.9 update. Apple has included a bunch of new functionality in this release, including Boot Camp support for 3TB hard drives and Windows 8, updated Safari, and more. Here is the rundown.
- The ability to redeem iTunes gift cards in the Mac App Store using your Mac's built-in camera
- Boot Camp support for installing Windows 8
- Boot Camp support for Macs with a 3TB hard drive
- A fix for an issue that may cause Logic Pro to become unresponsive when using certain plug-ins
- A fix for an issue that may cause audio to stutter on 2011 iMacs
- Includes Safari 6.0.3
Launch the Mac App Store to grab the update now!
