News & Reviews:   Android

While initially Microsoft was rumoured to have approached HTC about loading Windows Phone on Android, it appears that HTC wasn't the only one Microsoft talked to. According to reports, Microsoft have also approached Samsung and Huawei with Windows Phone OS for smartphones and Windows RT for tablet for free as an incentive. They have also supposedly added on compensation for the required adaptation costs. While none of the above parties have really confirmed anything, a rumoured 12.1-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab which can dual-boot between Windows RT and Android is supposedly on the way. Tech specs for this device include very high pixel resolutions, a super thin plastic chassis made to look like metal (probably a chrome finish) and is supposedly very fast. Most of this info comes from Russion blogger Eldar Murtazin, who has mostly been accurate when it comes to Nokia - Microsoft related rumours. However, he was wrong about Tizen so take this rumour again with a pinch of salt. No Malaysia release dates or pricing just yet though.

Exabytes Network Sdn Bhd has recently launched the EBiz Power Hosting plan targeting SME Users looking to take advantage of the growing boom in mobile and smartphone customers. The new EBiz Power Hosting plan is designed for businesses looking to create robust eCommerce capable online solutions that are secure, easy to manage and affordably priced. It allows users to set up a mobile-ready business domain, run eCommerce using the built-in tools and provide comprehensive IT security of their main Internet site in one shot. Tools and features available to EBiz Power Hosting plan users include:

• GoMobi - for easy Online Website set-up, management and development
• SiteLock - for comprehensive Web security protection measures
• cPanel - for intuitive control panel GUI management dashboard and management interface
• OpenXchange - groupware tool enabling scheduling, tasks, contacts and email management for companies with teams of multiple users
• Attracta SEO - automatic Search Engine Optimization tool for making placing number 1 in major search engines minus the hassle
• SiteBuilder - for manual customization of your online site, portal or solution with this extensive online DIY web design application 

Previously you could only view things on your HDTV from other devices like your computer if it had WiFi and was DLNA compatible. This also meant you had to have a DLNA compatible server, NAS or device to stream from and you'd still have to use the HDTV's remote control and interface to navigate all the media you'd like shown on your big screen. Now, Google have released Chromecast, a rooted Android-based HDMI dongle that plugs into your HDTV and lets you stream media from practically any device that can connect to the Internet.

Combining everything you could need as a Muslim, Muslim Pro is an Android and iOS app designed to keep you in touch with Islam and your faith through your smartphone. With more than 5 million downloads in various Muslim countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, United Emirates, Turkey and Morocco the app offers many features in one app. These features include:

• Accurate prayer times based on user location
• Worldwide Qibla directions
• Foursquare integration to find Halal restaurants or Mosques
• Built-in Full Audio Quran with translations
• Islamic Hijiri calendar
• and many more...

Celcom and Mobiroo are partnering up to offer Celcom subscribers who are using Android, the ability to download unlimited amounts of paid Android apps to their Android devices (smartphone or tablet) for just RM9.90 per month. This price has been lowered from the standard RM18.80 per month for the initial introduction period. According to Mobiroo, they currently have 750 paid Android apps available for download which you can then share between two devices from a single account. The monthly fee is charged to subscribers monthly postpaid bill or prepaid account.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition and HTC One Google Edition recently went on sale on the US Google Play Store. Both run Android 4.2.2, however, both of them also seem to be carrying new versions of the camera app, some different boot animation and wallpapers. The camera app in particlar enables these features:

• Arc shaped menu
• Ability to use Volume Rocker as dedicated camera button

Smartphone game maker Klab, Inc has made a deal with Microsoft that may soon allow us to play Xbox and Windows PC games (under the Microsoft banner) to be ported over to iOS and Android devices. According to rumours, these games may soon be available for iOS and Android later in 2013. So far the first game scheduled to come from this deal is rumoured to be "Age of Empires" and it is expected to be free to play (or perhaps just the first few levels).

While Windows Phone does have access to Xbox games in general, the selection of titles for the Windows Phone platform is relatviely limited. If this deal does go through well, and there are a whole bunch of things which can go wrong (too difficult to port over, bad port, too much like an emulator etc.) then we can expect even more games from other platforms or brands perhaps making their way to iOS and Android devices in the not so far future. Stay tuned, we'll keep you posted.

While every other major tech manufacturer (Sony, Google, Microsoft, Intel) seem to be gearing up for their own versions of smartwatches, the Pebble smartwatch alone has led the way in terms of functionality and design. Following in their crowd-funded footsteps is the Agent smartwatch, created in collaboration between Secret Labs and The House of Horology which provides a host of features that sound simply awesome. These features include:

• 120MHz ARM Cortex-M4 processor with secondary AVR co-processor
• 1.28-inch Memory Display (128 x 128) with intelligent backlighting
• Anti-glare glass lens
• Bluetooth 4.0 BD/EDR + LE
• 3-axis accelerometer
• Ambient light sensor
• Vibration motor
• 7 days battery life (typical) / 30 days in watchface-only mode
• Qi wireless charging
• Water resistant (ATMs: TBD)
• Easy SDK development (AGENT OS 1.0 including .NET Micro Framework 4.3)
• RoHS, Pb-free
• Designed for repair and recycling including replaceable battery
• Compatible with Android, iOS and Windows Phone
• six colours (orange, black, green, red, blue and white)

Confirming earlier reports, Samsung have announced the Samsung Galaxy NX which features a mirrorless camera body with interchangable NX mount lens and built-in Android 4G LTE connectivity. Revealed officially at the recent Samsung Premiere 2013 event, the Galaxy NX has a number of impressive tech specs including:

• 20.3MP APS-C sensor
• DRIMe IV Image Signal Processor
• Advanced Hybrid Auto Focus System
• ISO Auto, 100 - 25600
• Shutter Speeds 1/6000sec, 8.6fps
• 4.8-inch LCD Touch (1280 x 720 pixels)
• Supports Camera Studio, 30+ Smart Modes, 4G LTE + 3G, WiFi
• 1.6GHz quad-core processor
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB storage + MicroSD
• 136.5 x 101.2 x 25.7 (37.65) mm | 495g with battery
• 4360 mAh battery
• Android 4.2

The Samsung ATIV Q Hybrid Tablet combines the best of two worlds from two different categories by combining a tablet with an ultrabook and Windows 8 with Android in one single device. Featuring a multi-mode hinge on the keyboard part, the ATIV Q can be used as a tablet, a notebook computer, a touchscreen desktop and a floating display. It is also no slouch in terms of tech specs which include:

• 4th Gen Intel Core i5 Processor
• Intel HD Graphics 4400
• 4GB DDR3L RAM
• 128GB SSD
• Camera (720p HD)
• 13.3-inch Touch display (3200 x 1800 pixels, 275ppi)
• Supports S Pen (1024 levels sensitivity)
• 327.0 x 217.8 x 13.9mm thick | 1.29kg
• Battery (Up to 9 hours)
• Supports 1x USB3.0, 1x USB2.0, HDMI, RJ45 (dongle), HP/Mic combo, micro SD
• Windows 8 + Android