Tag Archives: USB

Android 4.0 Turns Your Handset Into A Gaming Console, Supports Game Controllers and HDMI

Posted by on October 24, 2011 No comments

The Xperia Play and iPhone rocked the gaming world, that’s for sure, but Android 4.0 is also set to leave a mark here. Honeycomb already supports USB gamepads, but Ice Cream Sandwich now brings that support to handsets, which is very cool.

Google framework engineer Romain Guy confirmed this support on his Twitter account, so it’s all good news here. HDMI playing is also available, in case you’re wondering. You can use a USB to microUSB adapter for the Galaxy Nexus for example to connect it to a gaming pad and then connect the device to the TV and turn it into a gaming system.

Developers will probably start working on these features and improving them, to make the gaming experience even better. HTC had plans for a gaming service at some point, something related to OnLive, but we’re still waiting on that promise… Will that initiative coupled with Android 4.0 give birth to something cool?


Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Can Turn Your Galaxy Nexus Into A Video Game Console

Posted by on October 21, 2011 No comments

This image has no alt text

With Android Honeycomb we saw the introduction of USB hosting, allowing for connectivity with device like a USB hard drive or USB gamepad (like the Xbox 360 controller) on a tablet for use with games or emulators. In case there was any doubt that this would also be a feature in Ice Cream Sandwich, Romain Guy reminded everyone via Twitter today, that USB gamepads will be fully functional in ICS as well. Couple that with HDMI output and this would essentially turn your Galaxy Nexus into a full fledged portable gaming console (with the right emulators of course).

Cruising around Reddit I found this screenshot of exactly what can be found in the Android SDK in regards to game controllers. You can see it’s a sort of tutorial from Google on setting up a game controller for Android 4.0. Of course, when testing out this function don’t forget — it always helps to imagine you are a lone space cowboy in hot pursuit of the aliens who kidnapped your favorite llama on their way back to Andromeda. Pshh, duh… Who’s ready for some serious Android gaming on your smartphone?

Thanks, Ankit!

[Twitter and Reddit]

T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S II Successfully Rooted

Posted by on October 20, 2011 No comments

This image has no alt text

I have some good news for all you ROM and flashing addicts out there. The T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S II has been successfully rooted and the process is almost scary easy. Now, I don’t think there are any custom/modified ROMs just yet but this should give GS2 users the ability to remove any and all pesky bloatware included on the device. Just to prove to you how non-difficult this is check out the directions:

1. Make sure windows recognizes your phone in ODIN.
—- adb reboot download
-or- Turn phone of, and hold both Vol up + Vol down, and plug the USB cable in.
2. Select the PDA button and browse to the recovery-cwm-hercules.tar
3. Select Start
4. It should flash the file to Recovery and reboot the phone.
5. After it has rebooted, mount USB storage and copy the Superuser zip to the sdcard
6 Reboot into recovery
— adb reboot recovery
-or- Power off phone, unplug USB, Hold Both Vol up + Vol down and Hit power
* PERFORM NANDROID BACKUP :D *
7. Select Install zip from sdcard, choose the superuser zip and let it finish.
8. Reboot!

Did you get all of that? For the download links on everything referenced in the directions, hit up the source link below and as always — BE CAREFUL. Good luck and godspeed!

Thanks, Quinten!

[Via RootzWiki]

 

Asus Eee Pad Transformer 2 teased in video

Posted by on October 19, 2011 No comments

Shiny
Asus Eee Pad Transformer 2 teased in video

Asus has posted a video titled "ASUS - The next Transformation" on Wednesday, teasing, we suspect, the Asus Eee Pad Transformer 2.

The video, which has zero spec information, sees the new tablet rising out of a digital landscape before separating in two.

And, watching it closely for clues tells us that the Asus Transformer 2 will be thin, come with a brushed metal finish, feature a camera with flash and have the same detachable keyboard design as the first Ee Pad Transformer. On the keyboard docking station you can see a USB socket on the side.

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer rumours have already started to heat up, with the company's CEO Jerry Shen saying that the Android tablet is due soon and will land packing the latest version of Android: Ice Cream Sandwich.?

The new Transformer 2, according to DigiTimes,?is set to be priced at around $499.

Rumours have also pointed to Asus possibly launching the new Transformer this month, with a quad-core Nvidia Kal-El processor in tow.?

Tags: Tablets Asus Video Android Asus Eee Pad Transformer 2 Asus Eee Pad Transformer Ice Cream Sandwich

Asus Eee Pad Transformer 2 teased in video  Asus Eee Pad Transformer 2 teased in video  Asus Eee Pad Transformer 2 teased in video  Asus Eee Pad Transformer 2 teased in video  Asus Eee Pad Transformer 2 teased in video  Asus Eee Pad Transformer 2 teased in video  Asus Eee Pad Transformer 2 teased in video  Asus Eee Pad Transformer 2 teased in video 

Asus Eee Pad Transformer 2 teased in video originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:57:00 +0100

Hands On: Philips Fidelio Speakers Designed Specifically for Android Devices [Video]

Posted by on October 12, 2011 No comments

This image has no alt text

We told you guys about Philips’ new line of Fidelio speakers when they debuted back at IFA in September and we finally got some hands-on time with them during Pepcom at CTIA. Where most companies are quick to add an “iPod/iPhone” dock to their speaker offerings, Philips has tailored made their speakers specifically for our beloved Android smartphones. The speakers come in a variety of sizes ranging from the compact bedside clock/dock AS111, the medium sized AS351 (10W RMS) and for those of you who like your beats fast and your bass down low — the AS851, featuring 30W RMS of total output power.

All the speakers come equipped with micro USB docks that slide to a variety of positions and connect to your device via Bluetooth. Philips even offers a free Fidelio app found in the Android Market that gives users access to a variety of alarm clock waking options like waking up to music and/or weather information. We’ll be featuring these items in a Phandroid giveaway very soon so keep your eyes locked to the site and we’ll keep you updated.

Sony Tablet S Unboxing at Tablet-News.com (Video)

Posted by on October 11, 2011 No comments

I don’t know how your unit of the Sony Tablet S came in the box, but mine came without an USB cable, that I find quite bizarre for such a modern gadget. Well, since it’s modern device, it might as well connect to the PC via wireless or something, but let’s leave chatter aside and proceed to the unboxing.

Inside this huge box I found a bunch of manuals, the tablet covered in plastic and the huge charger, made out of two pieces. The tablet looks quite nice, just like a folded magazine, as people described it. For a 9.4 inch slate I find it to be quite heavy and not at all thick. I appreciate the teardrop design, but the folded edge makes the physical keys hard to get to, in my opinion.

I caught a glimpse of the SE customization on the Honeycomb this model runs: some new apps, a new look for the app list, multimedia features that weren’t there before and minor UI tweaks. There’s also a golden boot animation instead of the Honeycomb blue one and… that’s about it for now. In the following days I’ll try to find out if this tablet can surprise me or not. Since it’s PlayStation Certified, I might as well have fun playing Crash Bandicoot on it.


Dell Peju Windows 7 Tablet Leaks… Maybe

Posted by on October 7, 2011 No comments

Smartphones aren’t the only thing that’s leaking lately, as tablets have also made the news for a while now. The latest in such leaks is the Dell Peju, a 10.1 inch Windows 7 slate that’s supposedly pictured below.

Peju was detailed by Engadget a couple of days ago and now we know that it comes with an HDMI port, 2GB of RAM and a USB port. Rumors say that Dell might launch this product in December, in time for the holiday season, but the tablet will be quite pricey.

We’re expecting here a mind blowing $900 or even $1000 and if you compare that to the Amazon Kindle Fire at $200 or the new Indian tablet at $60, it seems clearly an overpriced device. Also, it’s pretty weird to see Windows 7 on it, since Windows 8 is ready for debut and some tablets models are also ready. Does Dell Peju suit your needs?


Indian $35 Tablet Launching on October 5th

Posted by on October 4, 2011 No comments

Remember the incredible project in India aimed at creating a tablet for everyone? Well, the project has been finalized and the $35 tablet will be coming on October 5th. Indian Human Resource Minister Kappil Sibal recently detailed the product during a ceremony.

He also claimed that the product will reach every child in school, enhancing the quality of learning for the little ones. Don’t expect iPad-like features from this model, but it will have a pretty reasonable set of features, considering the price. That includes WiFi, USB ports, 2GB of RAM, Android, a 32GB HDD and educational apps.

Temporarily known as Sakshat, the $35 Indian tablet will get its naming ceremony on October 5th and this is the date when we’ll learn more about it and see what it can do. Sign me up for one as well!


Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus Now Official, Runs Honeycomb on Top of Dual core 1.2GHz CPU

Posted by on September 30, 2011 No comments

We thought that Samsung would just stop at the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 and that’s it, when it comes with tablet diagonal versions, but they didn’t… Thus, here comes a direct successor to the very first Galaxy Tab, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus, that has just been announced by its maker.

I’m talking about a Honeycomb slate here, one that uses a 7 inch display and a dual core 1.2GHz CPU. Sadly, the 7 inch screen isn’t a Super AMOLED or Super AMOLED Plus affair, but rather a Super LCD with WSVGA resolution. 1GB of RAM, a 3MP cam at the back and 2MP cam at the front, 16/32GB of internal memory, Bluetooth 3.0 and WiFi round up the specs list.

The main camera is capable of 720p video recording and the device also comes with a USB 2.0 with USB host support port and HSPA+ connectivity. The product will debut in Indonesia and Austria at the end of October and its rollout will continue to the rest of Asia, Europe, the USA, Latin American, Middle East and more.

Let’s hope that the pricing will be decent…


Amazon Kindle Fire Specs

Posted by on September 28, 2011 No comments

This image has no alt text

As Amazon chose to focus on the experience rather than the specs (well played) in their unveiling for the Kindle Fire, we were left to find the specs on our own. They’ve listed most of the specs we care about on the device’s page at Amazon, though, so let’s see what we’re getting with the 7 inch device.

  • 7 inch IPS 1024×600 resolution display with 169 PPI
  • 7.5″ x 4.7″ x 0.45″ (190 mm x 120 mm x 11.4 mm) at 14.6 ounces (413 grams)
  • dual-core processor (we’re hearing it’s of the TI OMAP4 variety)
  • 8GB of internal storage
  • Up to 8 hours of continuous reading or 7.5 hours of video playback (charges in four hours and can be charged using a USB port on your PC)
  • 802.11b/g/n WiFi (no ad-hoc support)
  • microUSB 2.o
  • 3.5mm headphone jack and top-mounted external speakers

Note that there are no 3G radios inside and there are no microphone holes or cameras. Sounds great to me. Would love to know how much RAM this thing has, though. I guess all that information will come to light as we inch toward its November 15th launch date. All this will come to you at a price point of $200.