Monday, June 28, 2010

Intel will ship x86 Android 2.2 this summer

Intel is going to ship a native x86 version of the Linux-based Android 2.2 operating system for use on netbooks and tablets. Renee James, Intel's SVP for software and services, told APC that she expects developers will get the opportunity to play with it this summer.
It's an important step that will have Microsoft looking nervously over its shoulder, as it will see Google's mobile OS, already very popular on smartphones, moving to the PC standard x86 architecture.
Android was originally built to run on ARM chips in smartphones, but Intel has been beavering away at adapting Android's open source code to run as a native x86 operating system. This makes sense, as it will allow Intel's partners to use its Atom processor for Android-based devices. It might deal a blow to ARM chip designs already seen on smartphones and other small devices.
So far Microsoft has dominated the netbook market based on Intel's Atom processor, while Android has mainly focused on ARM processor-based smartphones. But getting an x86 version of Android 2.2, code named 'Froyo', might help Intel's Atom chips make inroads into the smartbook market, and possibly even enter the smartphone market as well.
As The INQUIRER revealed at Computex, Intel and Google are already working on a Atom-based smartphone that will run on a yet to be identified release of Android.
By Asavin Wattanajantra

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Not fast, just Flash

Users will likely have a long wait while Android users can expect to experience the application's abilities first. While 10.1 has been released for proper computers the makers of the handheld variety have only just been given the tools for their OS. Today Google, Symbian, Microsoft, BlackBerry, Meego, LiMo and Palm all got what they need to make it happen. Android phones will likely get 10.1 before those with Windows phones because Adobe is only working to make it compatible with Windows Phone 7, the release date for which is unknown. However a Flash Beta 3 update is on the Android Market and the full release will be available via an over the air update. Available that is for users that have upgraded to Android 2.2, which is expected later this year. Devices supporting 2.2 and so Flash 10.1 are expected to include the Dell Streak, Google Nexus One, HTC's Evo, Incredible and Desire and the Samsung Galaxy S. Flash Player 10.1 for mobiles has been redesigned to optimise it for power management, CPU use, multi-touch screens, zooming and auto-switching screen orientation. Adobe says, "The...rendering feature ensures that Flash content is running only when it becomes visible...reducing CPU and battery consumption. Flash automatically slows down when the device [is in] screen saver mode.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

HTC's Android 2.1 update will wipe your data

BACKUP YOUR DATA because the second of two HTC Hero updates to upgrade the phone to Android 2.1 will wipe the handset, says its manufacturer. The first update to bring Android 2.1, also known as Éclair, to the Hero is underway with a second and final update to take place before the end of this month. Only once that is downloaded and installed will the phone have the Android 2.1 OS. This second update is so large that HTC said, "we would advise using a WiFi connection for this download to avoid additional data charges." The updates, detected when Hero automatically checks for software updates, will be pushed to users' phones and they will be asked to accept the over the air change. Users of HTC's Desire and Droid Incredible models and its future Evo 4G and MyTouch slide products might be offered updates to Android 2.2, Froyo. HTC intends to announce a full list of updates for Froyo later this year with the updates expected to take place before year end.