• google,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  microsoft,  touch

    Setting Up Your iOS Device with Exchange Push for Email, Calendar, and Contacts

    November 21, 2010 /

    Yesterday I wrote a blog post about the upcoming iOS 4.2.1 software upgrade for the Apple iPad.  (iOS 4.0 is already available for current model iPhone and iPod touch units.)

    In the article, I talked about support for multiple Microsoft Exchange Active Sync (EAS) accounts.  EAS is a protocol that you can license and use from Microsoft to sync email, contacts, and calendar data from the email server down to a client, like an iPhone or iPad.

    If you use a Google account with your iOS 4.0 or later iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you can keep your email, contacts, and calendar in sync all the time and across multiple devices, such as an iPad, and a MacBook Pro, for example.

    If you want to learn how to set EAS up on your iOS device, just follow Google’s directions found in their article: Mail, Calendar, & Contacts: Set Up Your Apple Device for Google Sync.

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  • android,  apple,  blackberry,  blackberry os,  facebook,  google,  ios

    Facebook Mobile Clients Updated

    November 16, 2010 /

    I noticed today that Facebook updates started rolling out for iOS, BlackBerry, and Android.  Here’s a breakdown of the version bumps.

    iPhone/iPod touch/iPad version 3.3.2
    – Access account settings, privacy settings and Help Center
    – Fixed a bug that prevented users from uploading photos to specific albums

    BlackBerry 1.9.0.20
    – No specifics details as being included in this update

    Android 1.4.1
    – Fixed a bug to improved Places usage in non-English locales
    – Added higher resolution uploads
    – Various bug fixes

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  • android,  apple,  google,  ios,  iphone,  jailbreak

    Who Needs iOS 4.2? Run Android 2.2 On Your iPhone 2G, 3G Now

    November 11, 2010 /

    I saw this over on Engadget and couldn’t resist commenting on it.

    It seems that iPhone hacks have way too much time on their hands, because with an application called Bootlace 2.1 for jailbroken iPhone 2G (the original iPhone) and iPhone 3G, the job of getting Android 2.2 installed is even easier.

    So who cares if Apple is stopped releasing iOS updates for the original iPhone?  Now we can run Google Android 2.2 and we don’t even need to sync to a computer to load it up.

    You can find the installation directions over on FSM.com.

    [Via Engadget.com…]

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  • android,  best buy,  galaxy tab,  google,  samsung,  sprint,  verizon

    Briefly Noted: Samsung Galaxy Tab Sprint Pre-Order, Best Buy On Tap

    October 25, 2010 /

    In addition to today’s RIM BlackBerry Playbook news, more details about Samsung’s Galaxy Tab have surfaced.

    First up, the Google Android powered Samsung Galaxy Tab will begin shipping for Sprint customers on November 14.  If you want to make sure you get yours on launch day, starting today, Sprint is accepting pre-orders for the Galaxy.

    “The 7-inch tablet will launch online and in select stores on November 14, and it will run $399.99 with a new 2-year contract. As far as what that 2-year contract entails, Sprint is making two data plans available alongside its first tablet offering: a 2GB option for $29.99 per month and a 5GB option for $59.99 per month.”

    Also, we have learned by way of leaked Best Buy advertisement, the Wi-Fi only Samsung Galaxy tab will sell for $499.  The specs are the same as the Verizon and Sprint editions of the tablet, minus the cellular radio.

    [Via BoyGeniusReport.com…]

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  • android,  dataviz,  docs to go,  google,  rim

    Documents To Go 3.0 for Android Released

    October 25, 2010 /

    DataViz, Inc., a leading provider of Microsoft Office compatibility solutions, on Friday (10/22/10) announced the immediate availability of Documents To Go 3.0 in the Android Market and through www.dataviz.com. Documents To Go continues to be one of the top selling productivity applications in the Android market as well as one of the top downloads with its free “view only” edition.

    What’s New in Documents To Go 3.0 for Android?

    DataViz continues to offer both paid and free versions of Documents To Go, both of which have been updated significantly in version 3.0.   While the free version remains limited in its capabilities, it now adds the ability to view PowerPoint files, which was originally in the paid version only.  In addition, the free application is now ad-based.  Once the Full Version key is purchased, the advanced features become available, and the ads disappear.

    The Full (paid) version contains a myriad of new features and enhancements including:

    Google Docs

    Google Docs users can now access all their stored files right from within Documents To Go.  Changes can then be made to these documents and saved back into Google Docs for “anywhere access.”  New files can also be created in Documents To Go and saved up to the Google Docs “cloud.”

    Desktop Synchronization

    Version 3.0 also offers a desktop application that provides Windows customers with the ability to easily transfer files from their computer to their Android-based device over a USB cable.  Users can then select individual files or entire folders to synchronize and all updates made in either location will be automatically synchronized.  As always with Documents To Go, 100% of the original file formatting will be maintained via DataViz’s acclaimed InTact Technology™.

    Revamped User Interface and File Browser

    Documents To Go 3.0 has added tools to browse and manage files on an Android device. Mobile workers can now view, edit, create, delete, rename, sort, filter, star, sync, backup and send files from one centralized application.  ‘Live Folders’ continue to keep recently used and favorite files in a conveniently accessible location.

    Multitude of Optimizations and Enhancements

    PDF To Go now includes pinch to zoom, multi-touch, rotate page and more.  Rendering speed and quality improvements were made to Slideshow To Go.  In addition, Office 2007 password protected files are now supported.


    “DataViz is excited to continue innovating our Documents To Go product line and are encouraged by the success and growth of the Android platform,” says Bonnie Boyle, Documents To Go Business Manager.  “This release was the culmination of customer requests for features and our own desire to remain the best of breed in the Office category on the Android platform.”

    Pricing & Availability

    Documents To Go Full Version Key (3.0) is now available either in the Android Market or through www.dataviz.com for $14.99. All customers who purchased Documents To Go Full Version Key 2.0 will receive a free update to version 3.0 via an on device notification through the Android Market.  The Documents To Go Desktop software is compatible with Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 and can be downloaded from the DataViz website at www.dataviz.com/getdesktop.  For more information:  http://www.dataviz.com/products/documentstogo/android/index.html

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  • android,  apple,  blackberry,  facebook,  google,  hp,  iphone,  rim,  web os

    More on the New Facebook Places Feature

    August 23, 2010 /

    Last week, Facebook introduced a new feature called “Places” that allows you or your friends geo-tag your location using the GPS in your mobile phone or location aware browser.  Naturally, people either hailed this as a super cool or flipped out and had kittens because “Big Brother” had found a new way to keep tabs on where you go and what you are doing.

    The New York Times, has a good article on the new Places feature in Facebook, which is also available in the latest version of the mobile application for Apple’s iPhone.

    Moments after Facebook introduced a new feature called Facebook Places on Wednesday that allows its users to share their location and find their friends, advocates raised flags over online privacy.

    The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California cited concerns over the new product, saying Facebook neglected to include several crucial privacy features.

    “Places allows your friends to tag you when they check in somewhere, and Facebook makes it very easy to say ‘yes’ to allowing your friends to check in for you,” read the statement, released late Wednesday night. “But when it comes to opting out of that feature, you are only given a ‘not now’ option. ‘No’ isn’t one of the easy options.”

    The A.C.L.U. also expressed concern over the integration of Facebook’s Places feature with third-party Web sites and applications.

    The Facebook Places privacy settings can be configured via custom settings in your privacy controls.  Android Central has a quick set of directions posted which I linked to last week.  iPhone users who want to keep their locations on the down low can tap the Don’t Allow button that pops up any time an iOS app tries to access the GPS on your iPhone.  (You know, I’m really glad that Steve Jobs insisted on that pop up!)  As of this posting, the Google Android, RIM BlackBerry, and HP Palm webOS clients haven’t been updated to use of the Places feature; but it is only a matter of time before they are updated too.

    You can read the full article on The New York Times website.

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  • adobe,  android,  google,  motorola,  verizon

    Has Verizon and Motorola Suspended Android FroYo 2.2 Updates?

    August 7, 2010 /

    Has Motorola and Big Red suspended all OTA updates of Google Android 2.2 to their Android smartphones?

    If MyDroidWorld and Droid-Life (link 1, link 2) are correct, there seems to be problems between the new Android OS and Adobe’s Flash Player, and Pandora.

    MyDroidWorld writes:

    “Motorola and Verizon are pulling all FRG Froyo builds and ceasing any current plans to update to Froyo. Seems there is a problem between Google and Adobe concerning flash, rights, and royalties. This comes as quite a surprise to us as it will others.”

    Personally, I’m a little bit skeptical of that statement.  You would think that Google and Adobe would have there ducks, and lawyers, in a row before the software goes out the door.  I quick Google search, ya, I should have used Bing this time out, finds an article from Examiner.com that seems to backup the Google/Verizon/Adobe claims until you start checking the links and see that they reference MyDroidLife too.

    So how about it Droid Nation on Big Red; are you getting your FroYo on? Drop us a line and let us know.

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  • android,  facebook,  google

    Facebook for Android Updated, Fixes Battery Drain Issue

    August 6, 2010 /

    Facebook has released version 1.3.1 of their Android client that corrects a battery drain issue.

    Recently, the Facebook client for Android devices received a major upgrade from the previous release in the form of the 1.3 update.  However, there was a bug in the background notification system that kept the phone from going to sleep and drained the battery very quickly.

    Hit up the Market Place application to get your weekend update action on!

    [Via Androinica.com…]

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  • android,  google,  motorola,  verizon

    Android 2.2 for Moto Droid Rolling Out As Early As Tomorrow [Updated]

    August 2, 2010 /

    A number of tech blogs were abuzz this weekend with reports that Verizon Wireless could begin pushing out Google Android 2.2 “FroYo” updates as early as tomorrow.

    The 2.2 update, like many recent over-the-air updates on other platforms, is likely to be a phased deployment, meaning that it may take as long as 2 weeks before your phone receives the upgrade is available notice.

    I haven’t seen any of the Motorola Droids that I support pop-up the upgrade available notice yet.  When the upgrade becomes available for your phone, a notice similar to the following will appear.

    “FroYo” for those not in the know, stands for “Frozen Yogurt.”  Google’s other Android updates have been code named “Donut”, “Cupcake”, and “Eclair.”  At least their updates are getting healthier.

    Update:
    You can download the official Verizon Wireless Motorola Droid 2.2. update release notes from Verizon as a PDF file.

    [Via Droid-Life.com…]

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