smartphone News - Page 70 of 75 - CNX Software

January 17, 2012June 18, 2018 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Samsung Merges Bada OS With Tizen

Samsung has announced that it was merging Bada operating system with the new Tizen project (Linux OS with HTML5 API) at CES 2012. The work has already started, but Samsung did not provide any estimated completion date. If you have been developing Bada applications, the good news is that Tizen will support mobile applications written with bada’s SDK (software development kit) and previously published bada apps will be backwards compatible. Bada and Tizen developers will be given the same software tools (SDKs and APIs) so that if you know how to program in Bada, you will also be able to make Tizen apps. Samsung expects Tizen will be used in entry-level smartphone powered by single core processors as well as other devices targeted by Tizen such as tablets, smart TVs, netbooks and In-vehicle infotainment (IVI) devices. One or two Tizen devices should be released in 2012, and the company said […]

January 11, 2012May 1, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Vuforia: Qualcomm Augmented Reality Platform

Qualcomm named its Augmented Reality Platform “VuForia” at CES 2012. I was a bit confused reading the press release and thought it was a new product. Actually, it is the augmented reality platform whose Beta SDK has been released in December 2011. Qualcomm explains that “Vuforia’s computer vision functionality will recognize a variety of 2D and 3D visual targets. With support for iOS, Android, and Unity 3D, Vuforia will allow you to write a single native app that can reach over 400 models of smartphones and tablets.” To showcase the AR platform, Qualcomm and Sesame Workshop, the producer behind Sesame Street, have joined forces to explore augmented reality experiences for children and created a prototype playset that brings physical toys to life. Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and […]

December 9, 2011December 9, 2011 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Ubuntu Smartphone and Television UI Mockups

Ubuntu developers announced they wanted to port their OS beyond desktop by 2014, and would like to use it on smartphones, tablets and televisions. Following the announcement, the community has made a few mockup. Here are a few samples: Unity Mobil Mockup by JMMING: I quite like this design (Samsung Nexus Series U) similar to Android with the Ubuntu theme. My Ubuntu Phone by Musl1m: muls1m mockup is also based an icon grid, but keeps the Ubuntu icon bar on the left. Ubuntu with mobile Unity by ginjaninja405 This mockup is similar to the one above, but the icon bar can be located either to the left or to the right, and the bottom image shows phone related notifications such as missed phone calls, SMS and Facebook messages and notifications. There are also other interesting Ubuntu smartphones mockup, including a full phone design (casing + UI) based on Ubuntu theme. If […]

December 9, 2011 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Metaio Releases Mobile Augmented Reality SDK

Yesterday Qualcomm released QCAR SDK 1.5 Beta, and today Metaio announces its Mobile SDK 3.0 for augmented reality application development on Android and iOS. The metaio Mobile SDK brings with it patented gravity-awareness and visual tracking technology for 2D and 3D objects, now three times more robust than the previous version. These features combined will ensure AR experiences that are more natural, more intuitive, and more realistic, says the company. Metaio recently announced formal collaborations with ARM, ST-Ericsson and Texas Instruments to fully take advantage of the GPU hardware provided by those companies and the Mobile SDK is optimized for ARM Mali GPU (both graphics and compute), ST Ericsson Nova and NovaThor mobile processors and TI OMAP processors. The metaio Mobile SDK also includes its own 3D rendering engine – now with advanced shader support – and a plugin to make use of Unity3D (3D game engine). You can watch […]

December 8, 2011February 22, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

Qualcomm Releases Augmented Reality SDK 1.5 Beta for Android

Qualcomm has just announced the availability of QCAR SDK version 1.5 Beta 1 for Android. is now available for download. The Key features and improvements in this version of the QCAR SDK include: Video background texture access: The SDK now provides a simple and streamlined way of accessing the video background texture. Developers can now write custom special effects using powerful shaders resulting in far more exciting application experiences. Swapping datasets at runtime: If your app needs to augment more than 60 images, you can now create multiple datasets – using the web-based Target Management System (My Trackables tool)- and load the appropriate dataset at runtime. You no longer have to upgrade your app to change the target dataset, and you can now build AR experiences that work on a large number of images. Improved tracking performance: The new SDK features several enhancements that reduce jitter in the augmentations, speed […]

December 8, 2011December 8, 2011 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Use Your Desktop Computer to Control Your Android Device

AirDroid is a free application that allow you to control your Android smartphone (or tablet) with your computer via WiFi. You simply need to install the app on your smartphone and to connect to the interface with your desktop web browser. You’ll then be able to manage your files, pictures, contacts.. or send SMS with your computer keyboard. You can watch the video below for an overview of AirDroid features: You can download this application at http://market.android.com/details?id=com.sand.airdroid Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011. www.cnx-software.com

December 4, 2011December 4, 2011 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Try Windows Phone 7.5 on Your Android / iOS device or Desktop

If you own an Android smartphone or iPhone, and wonder what Microsoft Windows Mobile 7.5 looks like, you can now try it directly inside your phone without installing anything. Microsoft has setup a HTML5 website which offers a working demo of Windows Phone 7.5. It’s obviously not the same as the full OS, but it does allow visitors to experience the look and feeling of Window Phone 7.5 and access applications such as email and calendar. Simply visit http://aka.ms/wpdemo in your mobile phone browser to try the demo. If you don’t own a smartphone yet, you can also try it in your desktop browser. It did not work in Firefox for me, but works fine in Chrome. You can tap to access different menus. Once you are inside a menu, you’ll be asked to swipe or tap to discover the features of the operating systems. All demos are pre-recorded, so […]

November 22, 2011 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments

Android 4.0 For Blind or Visually Impaired Users

Android 4.0 (ICS) has some interesting features for blind or visually impaired users. With accessibility mode enabled, smartphones such as the Galaxy Nexus will dictate the name of the icons has you touch them and instruct you to tap it if you want to use this application. You can also use 2 fingers to scroll the current and you’ll get audible feedback to know where you scroll. Google has setup a YouTube channel (EyesFreeAndroid) to showcase features and applications available to blind and visually impaired users. Here’s an example below showing the touch exploration tutorial. Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011. www.cnx-software.com