Posts Tagged ‘tablet’

Exactly What Is The Android Operating System?

Wednesday, February 6th, 2013

The Android platform is much like the Windows OS you use on your PC. Yet, it is mainly designed to handle small, low power devices like smartphones and tablets. It is meant to operate as efficiently as possible while using as little power as it can. Android Inc. received global recognition when in Aug 2005 Google bought the company then immediately announced that they will make the operating system Open Source to make sure anyone can use it without having to pay for it or pay any royalties.

The Android operating system is actually based on a modified version of the Linux Kernel, Linux obviously already a proven open sorce alternative to Microsoft Windows and OSX. At its most basic level, an os supplies the layer between the hardware and the software created to function upon it. With regards to Android it must be able to pass commands to the processor, mic, camera, GPS, antenna, touchscreen and keypad and so on. Different programs can then be built to operate on Android Operating System to make the device operational.

The Android operating system is undoubtedly a sophisticated software program and provides a big punch in a tiny package. It relies on a compact relational database known as SQLite to maintain and retrieve data for the various applications that you install. It also has built in playback capability for dozens of different media types which includes PNG, GIF, BMP, WebM, H.263, H.264, MPEG, MP3, MIDI, WAV and JPEG. Concerning connectivity it can deal with all the latest technologies out of the box like GSM, IDEN, CDMA, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and WiMax, SMS and MMS types of messaging turning it into the optimal platform for software designers to produce innovative new software.

At present time, Android has overtaken practically every other smartphone os available, among them Apple’s iOS which powers the iPhones and Blackberry’s own operating system. Towards the end of 2010, 33 million smartphones were bought which ran version of the Android OS and research analyst NPD Group now estimates that half of all smartphone purchases are for an Android phone.

The driving factor powering this rapid uptake is the open source aspect of the OS. Because of this any smartphone, tablet or handheld device designer on the planet may get the source files, alter and customize it to their particular requirements and distribute it on devices created by them. The royalty free aspect of Android has inspired many of the biggest names in the smartphone business like Samsung, LG, HTC and Motorola to develop extremely desirable devices utilizing Android.

One other reason for the high demand of Android devices is that by the end of 2010 there were in excess of 200,000 applications readily available for download including games to utilities, image editing to location services. Unlike Apple’s iTunes store, the vast majority of Android applications cost nothing or have free versions, which in turn motivates users to use Android phones.

Find out more about Android tablets, phones and mobile units online. Prior to deciding on a unit be sure to read through the many Android tablet reviews online.

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Android Phone, Customize It

Thursday, December 20th, 2012

The great selling point of the Android tablet and phone is its almost infinite customization possibilities when compared to the likes of the iPhone, iPad and Blackberries. When there’s anything that you do not like about an app, a characteristic or function then rest assured that there’s a large numbers of alternatives available.

Beginning with the basic customization options the very first thing you might want to do is alter the normal wallpaper to something that resonates better along with your personality. To alter the wallpaper you have to touch the ‘menu’ button and pick ‘Wallpaper’ on the list of options. You can then select any image on your smartphone and choose it as the wallpaper. You can even touch and drag to highlight a precise area of a picture to use as the wallpaper. Don’t forget using the connectivity options it’s also possible to transfer an image from your PC to your mobile. If you still can’t select the right wallpaper there is even a free application on the market named Backgrounds will supply you with access to a huge number of wallpaper images.

The next essential customization option is select a ringtone to something a tad more ‘You’ than the default ringtone. To change the ringtone hit the ‘menu’ button, touch ‘Settings’ and then go to the ‘Sound and display’ option. If you haven’t already done so, you could copy an MP3 to your phone and use it as your ringtone. To do this you need to create a folder on your memory card called ‘ringtones’. Copy the track you would like to use and Android is going to do the rest. When you need even more control of the ringtone you could download a free app called RingDroid. This app will enable you to edit an MP3 and save just that awesome chorus as your ringtone.

If the Android phone has a color LED you have probably noticed that it flashes when you have a missed call or text message. You are able to control the colour of the LED to show a certain color for particular events. As an example you could set it to blink red if you missed a call from your boss and blue if you missed a call from your colleague. To customize the LED color, download a free app named Missed Call.

Once the essential customization is finished, you can begin diving a bit deeper and personalize your Android phone to your exact needs. One complaint some folk have is that the default messaging system. It is somewhat awkward and clunky. Nevertheless, various developers have developed alternative messaging apps which are more user-friendly and incorporate more features. Handcent has established itself as the number 1 substitute for the default messaging system. Folks who use it, swear they’d never go back.

The next piece of customization you should have a look at is swapping out the default virtual keyboard. While it is relatively functional it’s missing some finesse, which is where the BetterKeyboard app enters the picture. You can add and take away custom buttons, modify the look and use a number pad if you want. If you’re sending a lot of emails or texts then BetterKeyboard is a recommended customization for your Android phone.

Lastly you can change the home screen to display the data you truly want. The LauncherPro app does a great job of this enabling you to have as many as 7 screens. This is extremely useful should you use your phone to manage business and personal work.

Before buying a device check out the many Android tablet reviews online. Make sure you are buying a device that is perfect for you. Android tablet and device reviews will shed light on the good and bad of any device.

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Top Ten Android Apps

Friday, December 14th, 2012

You can find tens of thousands of Android applications available in the different marketplaces. For that reason, selecting just ten of the most useful apps is a very difficult job. However, we’ve culled over countless various apps and put together these top 10 Android apps you cannot live without.

Handcent SMS – The standard Android messaging app is ok, but Handcent SMS is better. You’ll be able to modify the layout of the messages, view the messages in discussion format, password protect your messages and spell check messages before hitting send. This ought to be the very first application that you install!

BetterKeyboard – Similar to the Android text messaging app, the keyboard app is likewise fine, however BetterKeyboard lives up to its name by being miles better. Along with true multi-touch ability and proximity correction, BetterKeyboard has a large number of skins to choose from both free of charge and paid. After you try BetterKeyboard you’ll never return to the default one installed with your unit.

Snap Photo Pro – boot out the preinstalled Android camera application and spend $0.99 on this little beauty. Snap Photo Pro lets you take multiple shots with a click which is just the thing for catching organic expressions, a digital stabilizer which can be useful should you have shaky hands, digital zoom and multiple digital filters you can apply to the photo.

RingDroid – When it comes to pimping out your Android a unique ringtone is essential. RingDroid will let you edit MP3 files and cut out that catchy chorus or perhaps the really cool intro. Jim Croce, Operator anyone?

Launcher Pro – The ultimate dashboard management application. Launcher Pro gives you 7 home screens to load with widgets and customize to your delight. It provides super easy scrolling between screens and even handle 3D graphics for that extra awesome look.

Norton Mobile Security – It is a frightful world these days, but Norton behaves like your private digital body guard guarding your unit from intrusions and trojans. Furthermore it can even remotely disable and delete data in the event your unit is swiped or lost. This way those rotten crooks won’t acquire any private data from it.

Angry Birds – We know everyone is going loco about Angry Birds and there’s a valid reason for this! This very simple game will lure you in and before you know it your a.m. commute won’t last long enough as you play the harder levels to defeat the greedy piggies.

Amazon Kindle Reader – Install Amazon’s Kindle Reader without buying a Kindle. This app will allow you to read 1000s of totally free ebooks on your Android phone or tablet. Excellent for when you require a breather from Angry Birds.

Google Maps with Nav – Download this app and you’ll wonder exactly how you ever survived without. You can giveaway your Tom Tom since everything you need is now in this free application. Merely key in or say where you wish to go and it’ll find the best direction via car, bus or foot for you.

Financisto – Take control of your finances using this pocket sized financial tracker. You can keep track of all of your checking, savings and credit accounts. Find out just the reason why you appear to have nothing left at the end of every month. A must have if you’re ever exceeding your budget.

Check out more online. Check out the many Android tablet and phone reviews to make sure you are selecting the right device for your needs. Android tablet reviews will tell all, pros and cons.

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Types Of Leather IPad Cases And Covers

Sunday, August 26th, 2012

Purchasing an iPad is a big investment and considering where it might travel it will need protection. One option to consider is leather iPad cases and covers. The cost of these cases is minimal compared to the cost of the tablet, all one needs to do is decide on a color and they can rest assured that their investment is protected.

This is not only a protective cover, it can serve as a stand for those times when one wants to view their content without having to hold their tablet in their hands. It is a great option for those who hang out in coffee shops or are traveling for business or pleasure. It is also great for those attending school as it protect against storage in a backpack or tote.

For those who use their table in the workplace, such as salespeople or those who work in the field, it will offer a professional looking addition. It shows well in any meeting and with any attire from a pair of jeans to a suit. It will travel well in a briefcase or a purse.

When the case is propped up it is a perfect angle for viewing movies for those who are taking a break from their busy day and want to relax anywhere, anytime. It has a slim profile and when folded back into itself it serves as a keyboard stand. It is also comfortable for writing. For those who need to keep up with social media, this is the perfect companion.

There is nothing more opulent than leather and it comes in a variety of colors to match any style or taste. The lining is soft against the screen to provide a scratch-free environment. Some cases have the built-in option of wake up and sleep mode activation when they are opened and closed.

The smart choice for any user is protecting their investment with leather iPad cases and covers. They provide a nice looking protective sleeve that will last for years to come.

Almost everyone has an Apple product these days, from iPods to Macbooks. In fact some claim that they cannot live without them! If you’re one of the millions that depends on these items, then you should consider getting protective iPad 2 cases. But they needn’t be made out of simple drab plactic! Poetic offers sytlish, quality leather cases and covers in several colors for all models of portable Apple electronics.

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Everything You Wanted To Know About The Nexus 7 Tablet

Tuesday, July 24th, 2012

Rumors were growing that the Nexus 7 tablet would make an appearance at the Google I/O . This is just what transpired. Members of the press were permitted to look at and even use the system while in the conference. The device is ASUS made and possesses little branding. Look for this device on the web when it is offered for purchase to all buyers. At the time of this writing you can pre-order the Nexus 7 tablet.

The unit utilizes the most current Android OS referred to as Jelly Bean. The price tag on this device is a reasonable $199. The technical specifications for this device are impressive as well for the size of the device. Total size of the device is just seven inches long and stuffed with computing power.

The LCD (liquid crystal display) display has a resolution of 1280 x 800 with 400 nits that is used for brightness. The screen on this device is powered with a Tegra 3 T30L quad core proc by NVIDIA. The speed for the cpu is clocked at a formidable 1.2 GHz. This is super fast for a system in comparison with competing products on the market.

Online connectivity is available over a wi-fi network using 802.11/g/n. A Bluetooth connection is available as well. However, users won’t be able to connect the device utilizing WWAN. Because of this users will need to stay in the area of the WiFi location to keep a suitable connection to the Internet.

Internal storage enclosed on this system is either 8 GB or 16 GB. RAM available for the system is limited to 1 GB. The price for the 8 GB version is $199 and the 16 GB model is $249. This cost is reasonable when compared with other comparable products which are out there.

The release of this device means buyers could see prices decrease for competing products like the Amazon Kindle. It might come about if Amazon releases a successor to the current model which is on the market. If you aren’t wanting to buy a Kindle, the Nexus 7 tablet is a viable option for tablets that run the Android operating system.

One particular issue with this device is that it is rather bulky. The depth is 10.45 mm and is also a bit smaller as compared to the Amazon Kindle Fire. However, the weight of the device is 340g. It’s quite a bit lighter than the Amazon branded unit that weighs in at 400g.

A significant difference between the 2 devices is the superiority of the screen. The IPS on the Google branded device is striking from any direction. The contrast and brightness options look really good on the display even in a brightly lighted room.

People that use the Nexus 7 tablet will undoubtedly be amazed with the performance of the unit. The Google device is on par with alternative tablets that are on the market. Launching apps is relatively speedy and so is panning on a web site. Each recharge of the battery can provide the user with 8 hrs of working time. This device is a fantastic choice among various tablets as compared with others available on the market. Don’t forget, it is under $200.

Need to learn more about Android tablets and why they rock? Android tablet reviews are everywhere on the internet. Take some time to have a look at a few before selecting a unit.

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