technology

After just a couple more weeks of work, hackers could made tremendous progress and brought the recently released Android 2.3 Gingerbread to the iPhone 3G.



iPhone 3G is the first device on which Android 2.3 has been installed successfully using the same OpeniBoot software in previous ports. In case you don't know, OpeniBoot is an open source software based on iBoot that allows jailbreakers to insert their own code such as Linux kernel into iPhone and iPod touch.

Here's a quick video demo showing Android 2.3 Gingerbread running on iPhone 3G in action:
More updates as they come ! Stay tuned ! [Twitter]

The extremely popular VLC Media Player is now coming to Android! VLC Media Player is an open source program that has almost every codec built in so that no other codec pack will be needed to play other media formats. VLC Media Player is famously used because even if your media file is damaged, you can still play what is detected.


VLC Media Player has already been brought to the iPad on September 20, 2010 and was later brought to the iPhone and iPod a month later. The main issue about releasing VLC for Android was becuase Google's NDK only allowed it to be in Java coding. Now that Google has changed its NDK, developers can now use their original coding to develop Android apps. With most VLC Libraries already ported to Android, there is still a problem of how the app will word on the Android. How will the user interact with it? Where will everything be placed? Will it be similar to the iOS app of VLC? Stay tuned and find out! [The Next Web]

Google's Nexus S has got some news today. As most of you know, Nexus S is now available at BestBuy, so in case you are one of the early adopters of this phone, you may ask yourself, “how to root the Nexus S?”


For those who don't know, unlocking Nexus S bootloader will allow you to go into custom recovery mode so you can install custom ROMs like Cyanogen Mod etc. The steps are pretty easy but you need to have the basic Android fastboot knowledge. Just follow the step by step guide below to unlock your new Nexus S bootloader.

STEP 1: Shutdown your Nexus S.

STEP 2: Hold down the Volume Up key then hold the Power key.

STEP 3: Now your device'll get in Standard Recovery Mode.

STEP 4: Now ppen command prompt or Terminal (depending on what OS you’re using, this is on your computer) then type “fastboot devices”. This will tell you if your phone is connected via USB or not.

STEP 5: Type “fastboot oem unlock” if you're connected.

STEP 6: Almost done, now use Volume keys to select ‘yes, unlock bootloader’ then use power button to select option and your new bootloader will be unlocked now !

For now, there is no custom recovery image yet and obviously no custom ROMs but they'll be out very soon. [via AndroidCenteral]

Google Nexus S is available today for purchase in US at BestBuy stores. Google Nexus S is a major smartphone designed by the folks (Google) in Mountain View, California, and manufactured by Samsung, Nexus S is the first phone powered by the recently released Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It is also the first Android phone with built-in support for NFC. So how about comparing it with Apple's iPhone 4 in a video comparison?


Both devices are put head to head in a 5 round smackdown, with 1 clear winner. The categories through the tests are, Speed, Text Entry, Screen, Browser, and Extras. Watch the video embedded below and tell us your thoughts in the comment section below:
[via TechnoBuffalo]

Google today has announced the long waited Nexus S along with their new Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The new version of Android brings some new amazing features as rich multimedia — including support for VP8 and WebM video and new audio effects, support for front-facing cameras, SIP/VoIP and Near Field Communication (NFC), Enhancements for game developers, including new sensor types, Faster, more intuitive text input, one-touch word select and copy / paste, improved power management, control over applications, and new ways of communicating, and organizing.


Android 2.3 Gingerbread should be rolling out for Nexus One users. We will update the post with official OTA download link as soon as it is available for public.

The Nexus S is really the Android phone you've been waiting for since it comes with lots of specs, clean installation of Android OS, microUSB, Bluetooth, a really big battery, high camera resolution (5 mpx), and more and more! Here's all the features & specs of the new Nexus S Android phone.

SPECS & FEATURES
Connectivity

• Quad-band GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
• Tri-band HSPA: 900, 2100, 1700
• HSPA type: HSDPA (7.2Mbps) HSUPA (5.76Mbps)
• Wi-Fi 802.11 n/b/g
• Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
• Near Field Communication (NFC)
• Assisted GPS (A-GPS)
• microUSB 2.0

Display

• 4.0" WVGA (480x800)
• Contour Display with curved glass screen
• Super AMOLED
• 235 ppi
• Capacitive touch sensor
• Anti-fingerprint display coating

Size and weight

• 63mm x 123.9mm x 10.88mm
• 129g

Hardware

• Haptic feedback vibration
• Three-axis gyroscope
• Accelerometer
• Digital compass
• Proximity sensor
• Light sensor

Processor and memory

• 1GHz Cortex A8 (Hummingbird) processor
• 16GB iNAND flash memory

Cameras and multimedia

• Back-facing: 5 megapixels (2560x1920)
• 720 x 480 video resolution
• H.264, H.263 MPEG4 video recording
• Auto focus
• Flash
• Front-facing: VGA (640x480)
• 3.5mm, 4-conductor headset jack
• (stereo audio plus microphone)
• Earpiece and microphone
• Software noise-cancellation

Battery

• Talk time up to 6.7 hours on 3G
• (14 hours on 2G)
• Standby time up to 17.8 days on 3G
• (29.7 days on 2G)
• 1500 mAH Lithum Ion

Software

• Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
• Android Market
• Calendar
• Gmail
• Google Earth
• Google Maps with Navigation
• Google Search
• Google Talk
• Google Voice
• Voice Actions
• YouTube

VIDEOS
Also take a look at the videos below showing the phone in action along with the new version of Android:


PRICES & AVAILABILITY
According to the official Google Blog, Nexus S will be available after December 16 for purchase online or at Best Buy stores in the U.S, at the Carphone Warehouse or Best Buy retail stores in the U.K.

In U.S.The phone will be available unlocked for $529 or with a T-Mobile two-year contract service for $199. In U.K., at £35 with contract, and £549 for the unlocked one.

The long-awaited app for Android fans, Skype has just announced that it is now available for Android phones, The new app allow you to use all Skype platform features, making free Skype-to-Skype calls, sending and receiving IMs for free, you can also call mobile phones and land lines with Skype rates.


The Skype app can work over WiFi or 3G, but Skype recommend to run it throw WiFi to get the best performance. You can download Skype from the Android Market, or from Skype (link at the end) directly from you Android phone. It is required Android OS 2.1 or later, you can check your version by tapping Settings > About.

Skype is not available in the Android Market in China or Japan.
Skype has been tested on HTC and Motorola devices with Android OS 2.1 and above. It may work on other Android phones, but we can’t guarantee full functionality or compatibility. We’re aware of some problems with the Samsung Galaxy S, and we’re looking to address these in the future.
It’s free to use Skype in a WiFi zone. If you use Skype with a mobile data connection, operator charges may apply, so we recommend an unlimited data plan.
In the US, Skype for Android phones works over WiFi only.
A fair use policy applies to unlimited subscriptions.

Download Skype for Android (You should visit this link from your Android Phone).

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• Make Your iPhone App Icon Glows using Glowing App Icons
• VLC Media Player for iPhone Coming Soon

In the applications market, a comparison has been done between the AppStore and Android Market, the comparison revealed that on the Apple store there are a lot of applications needed a payment and those Android excel free ones.


Specifically, on AppStore 70% of apps need a payment , while 64% on Android Market is free. The reason is that many Android developers are still testing the market, perhaps by offering simple titles to download for free to test users interests.
You may also like to check out this:

• How to: Activate FaceTime on Unlocked iPhone 4 (UnOfficial Carriers) with MiTime.
• Download Any File from the Internet to your iPhone with "Get It".
• Apple Bumper May Damage Your iPhone 4.
• How to: Send Links From Google Chrome To iPhone

You have always dreamed by iPhodroid for Windows! Finally, it's coming soon, Sergio Mclfy, the developer of iPhodroid has confirmed that he has managed to install iPhodroid on Windows and get it working! He posted that he scheduled to release it next week, will he really release it and next week? from his quotes,

Finally I see clear trough the window! Yeah, it's right, iPhoDroid hits the chance for Microsoft users to get a taste of the desirable Android Project. And on my schedule it's for next week. It will be in 1SHOT; 99% to be, at least from my head calculator. So, tell your friend because I need to get this intention more strong than never. Windows platform always was my main target, believe me. And now that time just arrived...Keep tuned, mate. I know we will have so many fun ;-)

iPhodroid R13 1Shot was released last week to Install Froyo Android 2.2 on iPhone 3G / 2G with 1-Click Install but for Mac, and as you noticed above it's coming next week for windows so stay tuned!
Update 1:iPhodroid for Windows has been released check this post.

You have also to check out how to install Android on iPhone 3G using iPhoDroid R13 on windows [full step by step guide here]

StumbleUpon has released their official app for iPhone and Android, in a new blog post it announced by their official iPhone and Android app! Now, Stumbling is available between phones and computers, the app is simple and free to download!

You’ve asked and we’re thrilled to deliver! For as long as we can remember, StumbleUpon users have been asking us to bring the stumbling experience to iPhones and Android* phones. Our engineers have been working hard to build an app with a simple yet functional interface and the same addictive and personalized stumbling experience you’re used to on your computer. We’ve been testing the app for weeks and can’t put down our phones – it’s THAT fun!

For iPhone users, you can download StumbleUpon App for iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad from the links below, For Android users, search for “StumbleUpon” in the Android marketplace on your phone and you will get it immediately

Download StumbleUpon for iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad