Apps I uninstalled this week – II

And the spring cleaning continues. After getting rid of quite a few apps from my Galaxy Tab 10.1 last week, I've decided it's time my phone gets the same treatment. If you want to check out last week's post, you can catch it here. Analog Clock Collection: I’m a sucker for good analog watches, and their round form factor (I’m even working on a concept design for a round smartwatch). Yet the geek in me still wants these watches to do more than just show the time.

Android Phone

See also:
techcrunch, Apps I uninstalled this week â€" II

Notion Ink releases ICS beta for the Adam

Not too long ago, Notion Ink released the alpha version of Ice Cream Sandwich for their Adam users, but as aspected there were quite a few issues. But the hard work of the team is starting to show results as Founder/CEO Rohan Shravan has shared the links to the beta files that should improve your WiFi and HDMI output, amongst other things. You can find the files through the blog post here.

Android Phone, Notion Ink releases ICS beta for the Adam

Memory on Hand Band is fashionable and functional

Are you constantly leaving your flash drives at home or in the office because you're so forgetful. Or are you looking for a flash drive that you can have with you all the time for convenient access. Well, this new USB flash drive could be just for you. Called the Memory on Hand Band or MoH Band, it is literally like having Memory on your hand: a colorful wrist strap that's actually a USB flash drive. It's one of those ideas which makes you go “how come nobody thought of this earlier?”

Available in a whole range of colors, and in sizes of 2GB up to 8GB, this is one cool USB drive to have with you at all times.

Ubergizmo

See also:
newgadgets, Memory on Hand Band is fashionable and functional

HTC Fireball, Samsung T999, i535, and L710 get Wi-Fi certified, may be announced soon

Four new devices have received Wi-Fi certifications, three Samsung models and one from HTC. Judging by its model number, this must be the HTC Fireball, a smartphone that was seen in a Verizon system back in December. Also then we heard that it could be a global roaming LTE device, but since that point there has been nothing new to report on the Fireball. So now we know that HTC is still working on the Fireball. Let's hope this handset will get unveiled soon.

The Samsung T999 is clearly a model headed to T-Mobile, because of its model number. This model number has been rumored to belong to the Galaxy S Blaze 4G.




Unwired View, HTC Fireball, Samsung T999, i535, and L710 get Wi-Fi certified, may be announced soon

Apple counts down to 25 billion App Store downloads

. Apple on Friday initiated a countdown to 25 billion iTunes App Store downloads. The running total currently sits just under 24.3 billion downloads and Apple is offering a prize to the user who downloads the 25 billionth application. “As of today, nearly 25 billion apps have been downloaded worldwide. Which is almost as amazing as the apps themselves. So we want to say thanks,” Apple wrote on its website. “Download the 25 billionth app, and you could win a US$10,000 App Store Gift Card.

Boy Genius Report, Apple counts down to 25 billion App Store downloads

Investment firm buys 5.8% of GM

. General Motors stock is down 45 percent over the last year, which would lead the uninformed to think that the automaker is still losing money by the bucketload. On the contrary, The General pulled in a healthy $7.6 billion in 2011.
Does that mother lode of cash make GM a buy for 2012? Capital research Global Investors seems to think so. The Detroit News reports that the investment firm has purchased 5.8 percent of the Detroit automaker. That's 92 million shares, which translates to about $2.3 billion at $25 per share.

The investment firm claims GM stock is a strong buy even though its European sales are lagging.

Autoblog, Investment firm buys 5.8% of GM

Chrysler abandons plan seeking more federal loans

The Detroit News reports Chrysler is walking away from the company's pursuit of low-interest Department of Energy loans. The automaker originally applied for an $8.55 billion loan when it was still under Cerberus Capital Management, though the figure had since shrunk to $3.5 billion. The DOE, meanwhile, said it was considering a much smaller $2 billion loan with additional restrictions than were previously negotiated. The loan period would also be significantly shorter.

Autoblog, Chrysler abandons plan seeking more federal loans

BMW adds four-cylinder twin-scroll turbo power to X3

As a relatively compact crossover, you might expect the BMW X3 to be available – in this climate even in the United States – with a four-cylinder engine. But that wasn't the case until now, as BMW has announced the availability of its TwinPower Turbo four to replace the 3.0-liter six-cylinder mill in the X3 xDrive28i. The N20 engine is the same unit that's already available in the Z4, 528i and new 328i, and joins the X3 along with a raft of upgrades for the 2013 model year.

Autoblog, BMW adds four-cylinder twin-scroll turbo power to X3

Murata succeeds with world's smallest power supply module for smartphones

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd. of Japan has managed to carve its name into record books, having announced a minuscule DC-DC converter module that is touted to be the smallest of its kind in the world. Specially built to target tiny electronic devices including smartphones as well as tablets, this power supply has an output of 0.6A, and the entire module itself measures 2.5mm x 2.3mm.

Ubergizmo, Murata succeeds with world's smallest power supply module for smartphones

New Official ICS ROMs Leaked for Samsung Galaxy S2 (I9100) and Samsung Epic 4G Touch

You’d better believe that Samsung is working on the upgrade to Android 4.0 for their flagship smartphones. It seems like we can’t go a week without seeing new Android 4.0 ROMs leaked for the device and we have another one today for two variants. The international I9100 version has gotten build I9100XXLPH, a step up from the I9100XXLPB build that came before it. It appears that both speed and battery life have been improved here.

The other phone is the Samsung Epic 4G Touch, Sprint’s 4.5 inch variant. Build FB09 has been leaked and is already deodex’d and pre-rooted.

Android Phone, New Official ICS ROMs Leaked for Samsung Galaxy S2 (I9100) and Samsung Epic 4G Touch

Blender Alarm Clock

I just heard on Internet radio earlier today that one out of every four couples do argue from time to time simply because one partner in the relationship rely on the snooze function of the alarm. Research has shown that snoozing is not good for your short term memory in the long run, as it makes you irritable and tend to forget things. Why not change your waking up habits by sleeping and choosing the right moment to wake up. Perhaps with the Blender Alarm Clock, things might change for the better. After all, it is more or less guaranteed to create a racket that is enough to wake up even the dead.

Ubergizmo, Blender Alarm Clock

TELUS Re-Introduces the $30/Month 6GB Data Plan, Sony Ericsson Is Now Sony Mobile Communications & Opera Snaps Up Mobile Theory

TELUS Re-Introduces the $30/Month 6GB Data Plan. "In direct response to Bell and Rogers, TELUS is re-introducing the 6GB data add on, with an incredible 6GB of Data". That sums it up. The $30/month 6GB plan is back - it's available to those on a MTM, 1, 2, or 3-year contracts who "meet the $50 minimum spend". MobileSyrup

Sony Ericsson Is Now Sony Mobile Communications
Starting today, Sony Ericsson will be officially known as Sony Mobile Communications. Every new phone launched from the company will bear only Sony's name, and we have seen a couple of them already.

Cell Phones Ca, TELUS Re-Introduces the $30/Month 6GB Data Plan, Sony Ericsson Is Now Sony Mobile Communications & Opera Snaps Up Mobile Theory

iOS 5.1 screenshots reveal Japanese Siri

We did talk about how iOS 5.1 does Siri in Japanese before, although that was not official. Well, it seems that there is further confirmation of such whispers, where screenshots of the iOS 5.1 pointed to the revelation of Japanese language support in Siri. Sure, the particular screenshot that you see on top hails from a Portuguese iPhone, but that does not mean it is any less legit.

Ubergizmo, iOS 5.1 screenshots reveal Japanese Siri

Samsung HMX-F80 Compact Camcorder

Samsung has announced the availability of the HMX-F80 camcorder in the South Korean market. Available in black and silver, the video camera provides a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor for still images, a 52X optical zoom and up to 65X Intelli zoom. The Samsung HMX-F80 can record videos at 720p resolution and upscale video output to 1080i via HDMI-out. Folks in South Korea are able to buy the Samsung HMX-F80 compact camcorder for 349,000 Won ($310).

TechFresh

See also:
cherryapple, Samsung HMX-F80 Compact Camcorder

2012 BMW 328i dyno run suggests it's underrated

BMW is earning quite the reputation of underrating its turbocharged engines. From the early days of the N54 twin-turbo inline six, through the later N55 single-turbo iteration and straight on to the 2012 M5's turbocharged V8, the crafty Bavarians have always erred on the low side with their factory-quoted power figures. According to the dyno run that you'll see after the break, the tradition continues with BMW's new twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder inline N20 engine that sees duty in the 2012 328i.



Autoblog, 2012 BMW 328i dyno run suggests it's underrated

Oregon Scientific MEEP! Tablet – Meep Meep!

Released at the American International Toy Fair, Oregon Scientific displayed the MEEP. Android Tablet.  Aimed at children aged 6 years and over, the tablet will be available with a number of optional accessories, such as musical instruments, to amuse and educate the children. Ruggedised to take the knocks of everyday play, the tablet has a 7″ screen, WiFi and and SD card slot. Parents will be able to monitor and control content using web-based remote parental controls.

“The MEEP! tablet is an affordable fix for a tech-hungry generation of kids, featuring a tough design and an enhanced rubber silicon sleeve for added protection.

The Gadgeteer, Oregon Scientific MEEP! Tablet â€" Meep Meep!

HTCDev Unlocks The Bootloaders For A Couple Of Oldies But Goodies – Hero, Legend, Eris, Mytouch 3G & 4G Make The Cut

A few Android senior citizens have found themselves wander onto HTCDev's list of officially supported devices. The HTC Hero, Legend, Droid Eris, MyTouch 3G and MyTouch 4G are the oldest, er– newest devices ripe for the unlocking using HTC's handy dandy bootloader unlocking tool. Nice to see HTC throw a couple of oldies in there but this ultimately begs the question: are any of our readers actually still using any one of these devices. I've always had a soft spot for the HTC Legend.

Android Phone, HTCDev Unlocks The Bootloaders For A Couple Of Oldies But Goodies â€" Hero, Legend, Eris, Mytouch 3G & 4G Make The Cut

Alibaba might go private for $2.3 billion

Remember all the earlier talk about Alibaba and Yahoo working something out, only to have pessimism about the deal seep in not too soon. Well, the latest news surrounding Chinese e-commerce group Alibaba is this – they might just take their Hong Kong-listed unit private at approximately the price of its 2007 initial public offering, and industry watches cite a price point of approximately HK$18 billion – that translates to a cool $2.3 billion. The Hong Kong Economic Times reported such, claiming that Alibaba could very well offer HK$13.50 each for all outstanding shares that it did not already own in the unit.

Ubergizmo, Alibaba might go private for $2.3 billion

Acer Iconia Tab A100 and A500 will be updated to Android 4.0 in mid-April in the US

Good news if you own an Acer Iconia Tab A100 or A500 and you bought it in the US. You now know when your beloved tablet will be updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Bad news if you own an Acer Iconia Tab A100 or A500 and you bought it in the US. Your beloved tablet will only be updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in mid-April.
That info comes straight from the horse's mouth – the horse, in this case, being Acer America, and the mouth being its Twitter account.

Unwired View, Acer Iconia Tab A100 and A500 will be updated to Android 4.0 in mid-April in the US

Windows Phone Tango screenshots leaked?

Keen on what the next iteration of Windows Phone is going to look like. Well apparently, a Russian site has leaked out what are purported to be Windows Phone “Tango” screenshots. For those not in the know, Tango is the next version of Windows Phone that is supposed to bring the mobile platform to developing countries. Windows Phone Tango will include support for additional languages, and will bring down the minimum Windows Phone requirements to needing only 256MB of RAM and a 3-megapixel camera, which makes it suitable for low-end phones that cost very little.

Ubergizmo, Windows Phone Tango screenshots leaked?

Sony emails customers about name change

We found out last year that Sony Ericsson's rein is not going to last much longer, and it is only a matter of time before its name is changed to just plain “Sony”, as Ericsson drops out of the picture. Of course, this does not mean that Sony's phones will not be of any substance – one would do well to remember that Sony's handsets in the past were pretty formidable devices – I personally loved the jog dial function and orange backlit display.

Ubergizmo, Sony emails customers about name change

Quad-core HTC Endeavor may end up being sold as the HTC One X

Oh my. First, the history. HTC will obviously announce a new flagship Android smartphone during Mobile World Congress in Barcelona at the end of this month. This device has started its life bearing the codename Edge, which then got changed to Endeavor not long ago. However, it will end up being sold under neither of these names.

Last we heard anything about this, the HTC Endeavor was going to be known to the masses as the HTC Supreme. Yet PocketNow says that has changed.

Unwired View

See also:
technoleap, Quad-core HTC Endeavor may end up being sold as the HTC One X

Motorola Ice Cream Sandwich update timetable

Own a Motorola smartphone, and are wondering whether it will be on the receiving end of Google's latest version of their Android operating system, better known as Ice Cream Sandwich. Well, Motorola has just released a timetable of their devices which will be getting the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update, breaking them down into three categories – rollout in Q2, rollout in Q3, and in Motorola's own words, “Further details to follow”. Better late than never, I guess.

Ubergizmo, Motorola Ice Cream Sandwich update timetable

Man digs up basement using RC scaled models

So digging up the basement isn't really a fun task, and it shouldn't take too long if you have the right equipment or if you've hired the right people for the job, but Joe from Canada decided to have a little fun and has since spent the past seven years, yes you've read that right, digging up his basement with the use of radio controlled (RC) scaled models of tractors and trucks. Now we're not just talking about him buying a bunch of scaled construction vehicles and placing them in a room and getting to work – no sir.



Ubergizmo, Man digs up basement using RC scaled models

Last-Minute Apps to Make Valentine's Day Sweet, Virgin Offers Up Free Voicemail, Call Display & Google-Motorola Deal Approved

Last-Minute Apps to Make Valentine's Day Sweet. Valentine's Day is a about celebrating connections. Whether it's a loved one, a family member or a best friend, reconnect with the important people in your life with the great Valentine's Day apps. Amazon.
LG Optimus 3D 2 Specs and Image Revealed Ahead of MWC Debut
Images of the LG Optimus 3D 2 have been published online ahead of the handset's Mobile World Congress debut.

Cell Phones Ca, Last-Minute Apps to Make Valentine's Day Sweet, Virgin Offers Up Free Voicemail, Call Display & Google-Motorola Deal Approved

2012 Audi RS4 Avant hits the 'net with all four wheels

Right on schedule, Audi has unleashed a flood of details and images highlighting the 2012 RS4 Avant. We got an early look at the V8-powered wagon due to the nature of the ever-leaky internet, and most everything is just as we had been expecting. sadly including its Euro-only status. Underhood is a 450-horsepower 4.2-liter V8 engine with 317 pound-feet of torque available between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm.

Autoblog, 2012 Audi RS4 Avant hits the 'net with all four wheels

The limited edition Droid RAZR you can never have

Verizon employees are being given the opportunity to own a smartphone that most will never get their hands on, a limited edition Motorola Droid RAZR. The phone not only comes in an exclusive red and black deco and a free dock, but it is being offered for only $99. Verizon is also providing employees with the chance to purchase a limited edition 32GB Droid RAZR MAXX  for $199. Both special handsets come engraved with “Limited Edition” and a number designation. We’re sure a few will become available via sites such as eBay and Craigslist, but the savings most certainly won’t be passed along to the common man.


Android Phone, The limited edition Droid RAZR you can never have

imo.im for Android Updated to Add Beta Voice Calls, Improved User Interface

Imo.im has quickly grown to become one of the best multi-protocol instant messaging clients in the Android market. With today's update, it's gotten even better. Aside from an improved user interface (which should please Android 4.0 users), they've added the ability to make voice calls to your friends. The only catch is that your friends must also be on Android and using imo.im. Still, hopefully it's a good first step for adding support for Skype, Google Talk and other voice chat protocols. We've also got bug fixes and improvements to help make the experience even more smooth.

Android Phone, imo.im for Android Updated to Add Beta Voice Calls, Improved User Interface

Apple reportedly showing off 8″ iPad to suppliers [Rumor]

There have been plenty of rumors running rampant about a possible 7" iPad. These rumors seem to stem from the success of the 7" Amazon Kindle Fire, whereby many analysts feel that the possibility of a 7" iPad from Apple would be a good way for the company to compete against Amazon's affordable 7" tablet. . Well now it seems that adding to the rumors of a smaller iPad would be a report from the Wall Street Journal.

Ubergizmo, Apple reportedly showing off 8″ iPad to suppliers [Rumor]

Battle Loot Adventure Coming To Android Next Month – Gorgeous, Turn-Based, 3-On-3 RPG Fun

Any Phandroid readers out there who are fans of turn-based RPG's. If you are, you may have noticed the genre could definitely use better representation in the Market. But it looks like we may finally getting a good one when Battle Loot Adventure comes to Android next month. The first thing that stands out with this title are its gorgeous, high-definition “cartoony” graphics, that are a mixture of something like Battleheart and Castle Crashers.




Android Phone, Battle Loot Adventure Coming To Android Next Month â€" Gorgeous, Turn-Based, 3-On-3 RPG Fun

Sprint Page Outs Android 4.0.3 For Epic 4G Touch Coming Soon

Okay, so we already knew it's coming down to crunch time for Samsung to make good on their Ice Cream Sandwich promise and deliver the firmware update to its line of Galaxy S II devices. But, could the Sprint Epic 4G Touch really be the first GSII in line to receive Google's sweet dessert. Well, this newest bit of info seems to be telling us this could be the case. The RDF page on the official Sprint site is listing the Samsung SPH-D710 (Epic 4G Touch) with Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich.


Android Phone, Sprint Page Outs Android 4.0.3 For Epic 4G Touch Coming Soon

Samsung Galaxy Pop Plus S5570i Released In India

Samsung has released a new Android smartphone in India namely the Samsung Galaxy Pop Plus S5570i. Specs-wise, the handset offers a 3.14-inch 320 x 240 capacitive touchscreen display, an 832MHz processor, a 164MB of internal memory, a microSD card slot (2GB card included), a 3MP rear-facing camera, WiFi, 3G, GPS, Bluetooth and runs on Android 2.2 OS. The Galaxy Pop Plus S5570i is now available for purchase in India via Flipkart for Rs. 8,330 (about $169).

TechFresh

See also:
itband, Samsung Galaxy Pop Plus S5570i Released In India

iCelsius Pro turns your iOS device into a thermometer

We all know that there's no sensor on the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to let you read the temperature of objects around you, but wouldn't it be cool if it had one. Introducing the iCelsius Pro. This handy little attachment for iOS devices lets you measure how hot or cold something is with a downloadable iCelsius app from the Apple App Store. All you have to do is plug the accessory to your iOS device, run the app and start sticking the thermometer into objects to get a measurement.
The iCelsius app can even be used to create graphs, set up alerts, store and share graphs with other people.

Ubergizmo, iCelsius Pro turns your iOS device into a thermometer

Apple's iPad outsells Galaxy tablets on Samsung's home turf

. It is estimated that Apple has sold more than 1 million iPads in the South Korean market, reports Korea Herald. The Cupertino-based company is outpacing Samsung by a wide margin, cornering 70% to 80% of the tablet market in South Korea according to the paper. The iPad 2 debuted in April 2011 and saw roughly 700,000 units sold by year's end. Most South Koreans prefer to not be attached to a carrier's data plan, as two out of three iPads sold are Wi-Fi only models.

Boy Genius Report, Apple's iPad outsells Galaxy tablets on Samsung's home turf

Check out the new BMW M6 duo in action

You've soaked in the details. You've seen the pictures. You may even have set one as the wallpaper on your desktop or smartphone. But the new BMW M6 isn't the ultimate ogling machine. It's the ultimate driving machine. So the best we can advise is that you go out and drive one. But short of that, you'll want at least to see it in motion.

Fortunately, BMW has released a pair of clips showing the new coupe and cabrio doing what they do best in a setting that, to our eyes, looks like it must be in the Persian Gulf.





Autoblog, Check out the new BMW M6 duo in action

Nokia to announce 3 smartphones and 3 featurephones at MWC

We were hoping Nokia will make a strong return to the MWC this year and if the latest online rumors are to be believed, we won't be disappointed. The company is said to announce no less than 6 new phones at the industry largest event at the end of the month, including three smartphones. There're no details about the devices that are to be announced besides their names, but that's still something.

GSM Arena, Nokia to announce 3 smartphones and 3 featurephones at MWC

HTC Sense 4.0 screenshots leak through Endeavor RUU

The folks at Android Central managed to get their hands on a RUU (ROM Update Utility) for the HTC Endeavor and extracted dozens of screenshots for the upcoming version of HTC's Android skin, Sense 4.0, which will be running on top of Ice Cream Sandwich. Although we have seen Sense 4.0 once before in a video, these screenshots give a clearer view of the interface. What you see below are screenshots of some of the built-in themes in preview mode, where you can see how the homescreen, lockscreen and application screen will look like once the theme has been applied.





GSM Arena, HTC Sense 4.0 screenshots leak through Endeavor RUU