Saturday, July 28, 2012

MobileBurn.com

MobileBurn.com

Google's new Handwrite feature lets you draw on your phone to perform searches

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 12:45 PM PDT

Google has expanded the number of ways you can input search queries on a smartphone or tablet with its new Handwrite feature for web search. Handwrite lets users draw words on the screens of their devices with their fingers and then perform a search based on what was drawn on the screen. Letters can be drawn practically anywhere on the screen, so users won't have to hunt and peck with a virtual keyboard. The feature works on Android 2.3+ phones, Android 4.0+ tablets, and iOS5+ phones and tablets and supports 27 languages. The feature can be enabled in the Settings section of Google's mobile search page.
Read the full story here.


Google adds 3D imagery to Google Earth for iPhone, iPad

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 12:18 PM PDT

This week, Google released an updated version of its Google Earth app for the iPhone and iPad that includes 3D aerial imagery for a number of metropolitan areas. Initially, the 3D images are available for Boulder, Boston, Charlotte, Lawrence (Kan.), Long Beach (Ca.), Los Angeles, Portland (Ore.), San Diego, Santa Cruz, Tampa, Tucson, and the San Francisco Bay Area (including the Peninsula and East Bay) as well as Rome, Italy, but Google says it will be offering the feature for more cities in the future. Additionally, the new version of the app includes a "tour guide" mode that recommends interesting places to explore. Google Earth for iOS is free and available in the iTunes App Store now.
Read the full story here.


Motorola deploys Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update to Wi-Fi-only XOOM tablets

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 09:41 AM PDT

Motorola announced today that the promised Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for the Wi-Fi version of the XOOM tablet is now available. The update offers improved performance and touch response, as well as enhanced notifications, text-to-speech capabilities, and search features. Users should receive a notification on their tablets when the update is ready to be downloaded and installed. The company did not say when the update will be available for the cellular-equipped versions of the XOOM.
Read the full story here.


Samsung restores universal search functionality to international Galaxy S III

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 07:37 AM PDT

Samsung promised that it would issue an update to the international version of the Galaxy S III smartphone to restore the universal search feature that was pulled earlier in the week. It's been about a day since this announcement, and Samsung has already made good on its promise. International owners of the S III can download a new update that will restore the functionality and address a few performance bugs. The update is available over-the-air and weighs in at about 5MB.
Read the full story here.


Microsoft wins ban against Motorola devices in Germany

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 06:59 AM PDT

Microsoft has won a decisive court ruling against Motorola in Germany that will result in a ban on Motorola's devices in the country. The Mannheim Regional Court has ruled that Motorola infringed upon Microsoft's patents covering the FAT file system with a number of its devices, including the ATRIX, RAZR, and RAZR MAXX. The ban will take effect as soon as Microsoft posts a 10 million EUR bond, at which point Motorola will have to remove the offending devices from store shelves. Microsoft will also receive an unannounced amount in damages.
Read the full story here.


AT&T to release Android 4.0 ICS update for LG Nitro HD on July 31

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 06:36 AM PDT

AT&T announced today that starting on Tuesday, July 31, owners of the LG Nitro HD smartphone will be able to download the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for their devices. The update includes all of the enhancements one would expect from Android 4.0, and it also updates the Nitro's user interface to LG's new Optimus 3.0 UI. Owners will be able to download the update from http://www.lg.com/us/NitroHD-Upgrade starting on that date. It does not appear that the update will be made available over-the-air. Additionally, the carrier says it will release updates for the HTC One X and HTC Inspire that enhance performance and add a handful of new features.
Read the full story here.


Motorola PHOTON Q 4G LTE to ship with unlockable bootloader

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 06:19 AM PDT

Yesterday, Motorola revealed that the just-announced PHOTON Q 4G LTE smartphone for Sprint will ship with an unlockable bootloader. An unlockable bootloader allows owners to load custom software versions on the phone. Motorola has been promising to offer unlockable bootloaders on its smartphones for a long time, but this is the first time it has followed through on its promise. The company says it plans to release more devices with unlockable bootloaders in the future.
Read the full story here.


Apple snaps up mobile device security firm AuthenTec for $356 million

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 05:47 AM PDT

Apple today announced that it has purchased AuthenTec, a company specializing in mobile device security solutions, for $356 million. AuthenTec is best known for making fingerprint sensors and related software for mobile devices. Apple has not said what it plans to do with the newly acquired company.
Read the full story here.


Samsung has smartphones to thank for 60% of its record profits in Q2

Posted: 27 Jul 2012 05:37 AM PDT

Last night, Samsung released its financial earnings report for Q2 2012, and as the company had predicted, it reported a banner quarter powered by smartphone sales. The company earned a record $7 billion in profit across all of its businesses, with its strong mobile device division bringing in the lion's share of those profits.
Read the full story here.


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