Windows 8 Consumer Preview sneak peak

Topic : Windows 8 Consumer Preview sneak peak

I had the chance to download & try out the Windows 8 Consumer preview , running it as a virtual machine using a VMWare Player v4.0

Feast your eyes for the below screenshots.... I would say there is heavy integration of social media for this Windows edition !

Windows 8 Consumer Preview screenshots

Windows 8 Consumer Preview screenshots - comes with Internet Explorer v10, not released yet....

Windows 8 Consumer Preview screenshots - Apps full list

Windows 8 Consumer Preview screenshots - Apps full list

Windows 8 Consumer Preview screenshots - Power, brightness, Network... and Notification?

Windows 8 Consumer Preview screenshots - I see a special "Share" button....

Windows 8 Consumer Preview screenshots (notice that there is no Start button.....)

Comparison of Samsung Galaxy SII and Samsung Galaxy Note

Topic : Samsung Galaxy SII versus Samsung Galaxy Note

My friends ( not IT savvy types ;-) ) sometimes ask me about Samsung Galaxy Note, and what's the hype about. They also ask me what is the difference between Samsung Galaxy Note, and Samsung Galaxy SII. So, I made a comparison table below to help explain the differences.

Comparison table of Samsung Galaxy SII and Galaxy Note
References : Wikipedia
(click to enlarge)

As you can see, the Samsung Galaxy Note is designed as a tablet/smartphone to be carried anywhere , and offers a stylus interface for quick notes & sketches on the go.


Refer to below link for details :

Compare Cell Phones : Samsung Galaxy Note vs Samsung Galaxy SII

Android market share rising .... as of Oct 2011 (US only)

Topic : US Android market share rising , US iOS market share , US RIM market share

Article summary, as of October 2011 (US only) :
a. Android market share = 53%
b. iOS market share = 29%
c. RIM Blackberry market share = 10%

I am happy ....... because ANDROID RULEZZZ !!!


Refer to below link for details :

Engadget : Android leads US market share, iOS may have stopped growing, RIM is still falling

Tango video call software (move over Skype !)

Topic : Tango video call software, Tango mobile, Tango desktop, Tango for Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830

My father-in-law introduced me a very cool video call software for smartphones. It is called Tango. It is available in the Android Marketplace , and also for IPhones.

The way it works is similar to Skype, but :
a. It depends on phone numbers to register users in the Tango contact list ( future email ID suppport is in the works )
b. It uses your Internet connection (3G, WIFI, etc) to make video calls
c. It supports a lot more Android phone models compared to Skype. Skype does not support video calls on my Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830 (only voice calls), but Tango does support video calls , via my rear camera. Have to use a mirror to see the screen as this phone has no front screen camera. In fact Tango runs on any Android smartphones with camera(s).


I really love this software. It is very user friendly and works on my Samsung well. I am planning to use it on a regular basis, as my video calls are not restricted to my laptop !
The Tango software now also comes for Windows desktop PC & laptops with cameras.

Check the links below for details !



TANGO website

New Facebook app for Android - new version 1.8

Topic : Facebook for Android app update - v1.7.2 to v1.8

As of yesterday , the Facebook for Android has been updated with the following features :
a. new user interface , similar to Facebook Touch (http://touch.facebook.com).
b. sidebar links on the left , frequent links on top.
c. New layout allows checking messages & notifications without interruption to current news feed reading.


As far as I am concerned , the new updates are cool, and it gives more flexibility to the content without interrupting my current read. I always liked the Facebook mobile touch site (http://touch.facebook.com) , so this is a welcome addition for me !

Trying Windows Phone OS on your phone .... free !

Topic : Try Windows Phone OS on your Android or IPHONE phones

Here is a interesting way to see how Windows Phone OS 7.5 looks like in your phone .. using your browser !
No need to install any software, your browser will open the site and the page consisting of the Windows Phone GUI will show as if you are using a Windows Phone !


In short, just go to "http://m.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/demo/index.html" and see the magic , as long as your browser support HTML5. Take note that the demo site is designed for touchscreen phones.

See link below for more details :

Video: Windows Phone on iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy SII. Try Windows Phone on your browser!

Gartner's Q3 2011 smartphone figures : Android first, Symbian second !

Topic : Gartner report for smartphones , Q3 2011

The below link shows the Gartner report for smartphones, dated Q3 2011.

In summary , based on the Gartner report below, Android & Symbian leads the pack, eventhough Apple Iphone IOS been pushing to go up the ladder.

Gartner report for smartphones , Q3 2011

Gartner report for Mobile Data protection , September 2011

Topic : Gartner report for Mobile Data protection , September 2011

The below link shows the Gartner report for Mobile Data protection , dated September 2011.

In summary , based on the Gartner report below, McAfee & Sophos leads the pack in terms EPP (endpoint protection platform) & MDP (mobile data protection) , and cosolidation of EPP & MDP into one single package.

Gartner report for Mobile Data protection , September 2011

Samsung GT-S5830 update to Android Gingerbread version 2.3

I have read in Android Advices website last month (http://androidadvices.com/) , about an Android Gingerbread update from Samsung for it's Galaxy GT-S5830 phone. The phone was shipped with option upgradable to the latest Android Gingerbread OS v2.3 . I was eagerly waiting for the update as I observed that the current Android Froyo OS v2.2 has the following weakness. I was hoping Gingerbread will fix all this. :

a. Sometimes lagging in GUI response.
b. Seems to consume battery power a lot, especially when WIFI is switched on.
c. Sometimes screens goes blank and become unresponsive, and this forces me to do a soft or hard reboot. This usually happens when there is several third-party apps running at the same time.
d. Messaging (SMS) is becomes slow when there is a lot of SMS conversation threads, and sending SMS takes about 10 seconds sometimes. Also , there is a few seconds delay , when you press the home button on your phone to go to home screen from the Messaging (SMS) screen.
e. Taking screenshots by pressing the home + power button together , ONLY works on the home screen & does not work on other screen views.


I checked for any updates yesterday night (6/Oct/2011) using the Samsung Kies software. Ah at last ! The update is here. Without wasting time I proceeded with the update.

Model : Samsung GT-S5830

BEFORE UPDATE
Android version : 2.2.1
Kernel version : 2.6.32.9-perf
Build number : FROYO.DXKC1

AFTER UPDATE
Android version : 2.3.4
Kernel version : 2.6.35.7-perf-CL562111
Build number : GINGERBREAD.DXKPD

Note : The above OS info can be seen in "Settings" -> "About Phone" menu

Ah yes. My phone is now running Android Gingerbread !
I noticed the following improvements on my phone after the update:

a. Phone GUI is smoother , faster transition from menu to menu, or to home screen.
b. Messaging (SMS) is now fast, sending SMS is now fast.
c. So far the phone screen does not go blank and become unresponsive.Need to monitor on this.
d. I can now take screenshots on ANY screen view by pressing the home + power button together.
e. Battery power consumption has slight improvement (lasts longer), but still drains when using WIFI extensively switched on.
f. The screen fonts is now more pleasant & rounded. I am not sure what is the font type.

Check out below for the related links and the update screenshots using Samsung Kies :



STEP 1


STEP 2


STEP 3


STEP 4


STEP 5


STEP 6


STEP 7


STEP 8

Great & free Android apps.....

Here are links to some wonderful great Android apps details, for users of Android (newbies too!):

CIO.com Blogs : 8 Essential Android Security Apps
http://www.cio.com/article/675084/8_Essential_Android_Security_Apps

CIO.com Blogs : 15 Best Google Android Apps for Newbies -- All Free
http://www.cio.com/article/669913/15_Best_Google_Android_Apps_for_Newbies_All_Free_