Incredible 2 Joins The CyanogenMod 7 Nightly Club - Android Police

Get it while it's hot, kids - the DROID Incredible 2 is officially merged into CyanogenMod, and the nightly builds are now being pumped out (direct link here). These nightly builds may contain bugs, dragons, and other potentially annoying/broken things - so flash at your own risk. Your Dinc2 will also need to be fully unlocked, meaning you'll have to use the AlphaRevX Beta 2 software, which you can learn about in this post. And you'll need a custom recovery, which you can find here. So, you do need to do some work before you can get your CyanogenMod on.

This article deals with a couple of advanced topics. If you’re unfamiliar with some of the terms, hit up our primers here:

However, CyanogenMod nightlies have come a long way in terms of usability for all devices, so really, you're probably pretty safe flashing it. And hey, it's CyanogenMod, how can you resist?

Don't forget to flash the latest version of Google Apps along with the ROM - get it here.

CyanogenMod Forums

Source : CLICK HERE

Apple tries to protect 'App Store' - Washington Post (blog)

Apple has asked GetJar to stop using the word app store to refer to its marketplace for mobile applications. (EMMANUEL DUNAND - AFP/GETTY IMAGES) Apple may have lost an initial bid to keep Amazon from using the phrase “appstore” to refer to its storefront for mobile applications, but that hasn’t slowed Apple down.

The company has told GetJar, an independent site for free mobile applications, that it has to stop using the term “app store” on its Web site and elsewhere, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Apple registered the term “App Store” with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2008; it filed a suit against Amazon when the online retailer launched its Android Appstore in March.

Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet told The Post in March, “We’ve asked Amazon not to copy the App Store name because it will confuse and mislead customers.”

Last week, a California federal judge ruled that Apple hadn’t proved that Amazon’s use of the term diluted the “App Store” name, though she did say that the term was not completely generic either.

GetJar, for its part, told the Journal that it will not back down from its fight with Apple. “This move by Apple is yet more proof that the company tends to act as if it is above the law, and even as one of the smaller players in the space, we won't be bullied by Apple,” GetJar CEO Ilja Laurs said in a statement to the newspaper.

Apple announced Thursday that its App Store had reached more 15 billion downloads, about three years after it launched the store. The company says now offers more than 425,000 apps, including 100,000 native iPad apps.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced at the Worldwide Developer’s Conference last month that the iPad had 90,000 apps.

Not only is the store growing quickly, but that figure underscores Apple’s lead in the tablet market, since a common complaint about Android and other operating systems is that there are only a few hundred tablet-optimized apps.

Related stories:

Nintendo says it’s not developing games for Android, iOS

New advances in intellectual-property litigation from Microsoft, Apple

Apple’s Steve Jobs ordered to testify in iTunes lawsuit

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Source : CLICK HERE

Phone apps can let users outsmart the law - Los Angeles Times

Eric Fonoimoana, a real estate agent from Hermosa Beach, relies on PhantomAlert, one of the DUI apps banned by the app stores, to ensure a smoother commute. “Sure you can use it for bad purposes," he said, "but a lot of people just use it to avoid traffic." (Allen J. Schaben, Los Angeles Times / July 12, 2011)

Want to fool merchants with a fake ID? Hack someone's text messages? Or how about tracking where your co-workers are, without their knowing it?

There's an app for that.

The explosion in smartphone and tablet applications that allow people to check the weather, follow their stocks and play Words With Friends has a dark side — apps that facilitate questionable if not outright illegal behavior.

Apple's App Store, for example, offers Drivers License software that promises "unlimited access to realistic-looking licenses" for all 50 states. Though the phony licenses are advertised as entertainment, it's not hard to imagine a minor using one to try to get into a bar or a crook trying to pass a bad check.

Some members of Congress have pressured companies to remove certain apps, with mixed results. Banning apps isn't a viable option, according to legal experts, who say apps enjoy the same kinds of 1st Amendment protections as books, movies and music.

That means, in effect, that there are no restrictions on apps beyond the self-policing that companies like Apple and Google do to keep dubious products off their sites.

"The sky's the limit for developers, and that includes apps that may help people break the law," said Julie Samuels, an attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation in San Francisco, which advocates for consumer and privacy rights. "There's unfortunately the potential for criminality with new technology."

In response to questioning at a recent congressional hearing, Apple Vice President Bud Tribble declared that the Cupertino company would never "allow apps that encourage illegal behavior."

But when contacted by The Times, Tribble and other Apple executives declined to discuss the Drivers License app, or the iBlunt app that also can be downloaded on Apple's site. It allows iPhone users to display an image of a marijuana cigarette — and when they blow into the device's sensor, the "joint" emits smoke.

Even if Apple or Google ban certain apps, they are readily available on underground or alternative sites. Among the products now available:

• The Secret SMS Replicator app, available in several third-party online stores for Android apps, allows people to have text messages from someone else's phone forwarded to them automatically, and without their knowing it.

The company markets the app to parents who want to keep tabs on their young children. Adults can also use the software to ensure that a family member or friend receives a copy of their text messages — that's legal, as long as the person whose messages are shared gives permission.

But the software could also be surreptitiously installed on someone's phone — that of a boss, business rival or boyfriend — without that person's knowledge, as long as the installer can get access to the phone for a few minutes ("Grab your boyfriend's phone while he is in the shower," app developer DLP Mobile recommends on its website). Doing so without permission amounts to illegal wiretapping, according to experts.

• The Stalqer (pronounced stalker) app shows you where your friends or co-workers are at any given moment by culling Facebook for location data and plotting them on a map. For it to work, you must first be Facebook "friends" with your target. The developer is working on ways to harvest similar data from people's Twitter updates.

• The Police Light app mimics a squealing police siren. News reports from around the country indicate that at least three people have used it or similar apps to trick drivers into pulling over. Like the others, this app by itself is not illegal — but someone using it on the highway could get in trouble for impersonating a police officer, which can be a felony.

Among the most controversial apps are the ones that warn drivers about drunk-driving checkpoints.

This year, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and three other senators asked Apple Inc., Google Inc. and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd. to remove the DUI apps from their stores, saying such apps made it easier for drunk drivers to evade arrest, heightening the danger to other motorists.

Research in Motion and Apple complied, but Google refused. A Google spokesman said the apps did not violate its content policy but declined to elaborate.

Eric Fonoimoana of Hermosa Beach doesn't see a problem. The 42-year-old real estate agent travels frequently around the Southland for work and relies on PhantomAlert, one of the DUI apps banned by the app stores, to ensure a smoother commute.

Source : CLICK HERE

Samsung Droid Charge Android 2.3 Gingerbread Release Date Getting Closer and ... - G 4 Games

Following the same weird law as before, we are now bringing you the latest news regarding the well-known Samsung leaks. As you might know in the past month the Samsung Galaxy S got an Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread leak that was followed by Samsung Captivate, Samsung Epic 4G and also Samsung Droid Charge Android 2.3 leaks.

Unfortunately, the latest Samsung Droid Charge Gingerbread leak was so flawed and incomplete that it wasn’t even worth mentioning. Now however, a new Samsung Droid Charge Android 2.3 Gingerbread leak has surfaced and it might actually seem interesting to some of you. Unfortunately though, it comes with its share of flaws.

Samsung Droid Charge Android 2.3 Gingerbread Release Date Getting Closer and Closer

In case you are not aware of the earlier Samsung Droid Charge Gingerbread leak, the previous version had some pretty big flaws like the inability to send text messages, broken HDMI-out and of course the issue where the software version was not recognized by the apps in the Market, thus rendering them unavailable for purchase.

With this new Samsung Droid Charge Android 2.3 Gingerbread leak however, most of these issues have been fixed, mainly the text messaging and the HDMI, as well as other issues like those related to the hot-spot. Unfortunately, the Market still doesn’t recognize the software so the Apps are still unavailable. A couple of issues that are currently part of this latest version are those that are causing drop-outs when trying to stream music as well as the possibility of video-chat being broken in Google Talk.

However, if you can overlook these three main issues, you might want to give this Gingerbread leak a try and who knows, perhaps you won’t go back to your current OS version.

Feel free to share your thoughts below and let us know how is your leaked Gingerbread experience on your Samsung Droid Charge, in case you have decided to take on the challenge of updating your handset.

Also, if you are interested in updating your Samsung Droid Charge to this leaked version of Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread but you don’t know how to do it, you might be interested in checking out this guide.

Bottom line, it’s clear as day that Samsung and Verizon are hard at work and seeing that this new version has fixed some of the bugs it can’t bee too long until the final Samsung Droid Charge Android 2.3 Gingerbread update will be released.

Thanks Pocketnow for the heads-up regarding this Samsung Droid Charge Android 2.3 Gingerbread leak.

Source : CLICK HERE

Law Professor Attacks Verizon's War on Tethering Apps - BroadbandReports.com

Law Professor Attacks Verizon's War on Tethering AppsJoins Free Press Argument That It Violates Spectrum ConditionsBack in 2007 when AT&T, Verizon and others lobbied for valuable 700MHz spectrum, Google successfully lobbied to attach "open access" provisions prohibiting the blocking of services. At the time, you'll also recall that if you actually bothered to look at the conditions once crafted by the FCC, they were so packed with loopholes as to be rather useless. Free Press has been arguing that Verizon's decision to block tethering apps from the Android marketplace (and crippling mobile hotspot functionality on smartphones in order to get users to pay for expensive tethering plans violates these rules.

Verizon has insisted on playing rather dumb about the whole affair, semantically arguing that it wasn't they who blocked the apps -- even though they pressured Google to ensure the Google TOS did. Free Press has been trying to ratchet up pressure on Verizon, sending a letter to the FCC and writing to key DC politicians looking for support. Stanford Law Professor Barbara van Schewick has joined Free Press's effort, sending a letter to the FCC (pdf) this week, reminding the FCC Verizon's actions have significant repercussions:

Verizon Wireless’s practice and Free Press’s complaint raise fundamental issues of Internet openness policy. While only two parties are named in the complaint proceeding, the outcome of the proceeding will have a far-reaching impact on many businesses, innovators, and users in the Internet ecosystem. Verizon Wireless is the largest provider of wireless broadband services and Android is the most popular wireless operating system, so this practice has a significant market impact and will affect a large number of users and applications-innovators. Allowing network providers to pick winners and losers online — whether by actively blocking particular applications or simply by making them more difficult to use — harms application-level innovation.

van Schewick also reminds the FCC that part of the reason that the FCC didn't impose real neutrality rules on wireless networks was in part due to these conditions. Again however, Verizon would never have agreed to the conditions had they been egregious -- and in this case all Verizon lawyers have to do is argue that unofficial tethering harms the network -- whether it's true or not. There's little doubt current regulators will accept such an argument, even without proof.
Say it isn't so!

(/sarcasm)
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Splat

@itpro1998: Sadly I see things getting worse once AT&T gobbles up T-Mobile next spring. With Sprint being a minor player, we are going to wind up looking like Canada with their Rogers/Bell duopoly (I guess you can throw Telus in there too).

BTW, I saw your location and I had to stop and think why it looked so familiar. Then I recalled the large rest stop with the tourist building, complete with Canadian flag, on the Thruway. Nice place to stretch the legs between Buffalo and the Weedsport exit.
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I support the right to keep and arm bears.

said by Hasher:

This is no different.. VZW or AT&T or whoever is not providing me with any software or hardware that I feel I should have to pay them an additional amount to be able to attach and view data on an alternate device.

I agree the free market does not really apply in this case due to the unholy relationship between government subsidies and VZW/AT&T. However, the problem I see with your argument is it is your "feeling" that you should not have to pay more. VZW/AT&T would simply respond they "feel" you have to. I feel I should not have to pay more than $2.759 gallon for a gallon of gasoline but I cannot make a concrete argument that would make my argument stick.

An argument based upon facts such VZW/AT&T could be "double dipping" or engaged in unfair trade practices would carry more weight. Regulators tend throw away arguments based on feelings and stick to the facts presented. One just needs to read various reports and orders from government agencies to see feelings never come into play. They always list out all the factual arguments provided, both pro and con, that lead them to decide what they did.
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I support the right to keep and arm bears.

said by lawguru:

With Verizon adopting usage based data plans, I believe that tethering restrictions will die as soon as the grandfathered unlimited plans are forced to convert to a usage based plan. At that point it will be in Verizon's best interest to encourage tethering so that it can reap greater monthly overage fees.

I doubt this will ever occur. Why would Verizon offer "free" tethering when they can charge $20 for it (and people pay it)?

Of note, AT&T also charges $20 for tethering, though they give you an extra 2 GB for the cost. Tethering is not available for people with grandfathered unlimited plans though. If what you said was going to happen, then AT&T would already offer "free" tethering to all their non-unlimited data customers.
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The Comcast Disney Avatar has been retired.

Pretty sure that me using my laptop for stuff I would normally do with it is going eat up a hell of a lot more data. said by epicmelon:

Pretty sure that me using my laptop for stuff I would normally do with it is going eat up a hell of a lot more data.

No, you fundamentally or intentionally misunderstand the purpose of caps. They are designed to retard consumption via meter-anxiety, not generate overage charges

While it is a hard sell amongst forum readers, MOST data consumption volumes are way below cap levels, and Cellco intends to keep it that way. Overage charges induce churn; Cellco just wants the highest possible minimum rents with the least usage, and Mom approves.

While tethering would, indeed, use substantially more of your potential allocation, a vast majority of tetherers would still keep their usage below cap levels - while taxing the network. The Tethering fee prevents most of that casual consumption, and thus, allows more subscribers to share scarce spectrum - at a lower cost.

Yes, they're putting up another barrier to keep you from using the full 5GB you think you're entitled to

All bits are not equal.

Source : CLICK HERE

First Microsoft, now Google: Does the government have it in for consumers? - CNET

Editors' note: This is a guest column. See the authors' bios below.

Ten years ago this week, an appeals court upheld Microsoft's conviction for monopolizing the PC operating system market. The decision became a key legal precedent for U.S. antitrust enforcement. It also cemented the government's confidence in its ability to pick winners and losers in fast-moving technology markets--a confidence not borne out by subsequent events.

Now this sad history seems to be repeating itself: By uncanny coincidence, news broke just last Friday that the FTC had begun an antitrust investigation into Google's business practices. Unfortunately, there's no reason to expect the outcome to be any better for consumers this time around.

There is, in fact, no evidence that the case against Microsoft or its settlement contributed to the spectacular innovation in the IT sector over the last decade. Indeed, they may even have solidified Microsoft's role as the perennial also-ran in this latest wave of technological progress, as the company struggled to keep innovating under the threat of constant antitrust scrutiny in the U.S. and abroad.

The true lesson of the Microsoft case is this: antitrust intervention in information technology has a poor track record of serving consumers. Even Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig, who was a court-appointed Special Master in that case and has since championed government tinkering with the Internet, finally admitted in 2007 that he "blew it on Microsoft" by underestimating the potential for innovation and market forces to dethrone Microsoft, particularly through the rise of open-source software (which now in part powers Apple's popular iOS).

But even that misses the importance of the broader, unimaginable technological evolutions that rendered the Microsoft case moot before it began. First, the desktop operating system is fast losing its central importance as more and more desktop applications are run in "the cloud" (Webmail, Salesforce.com, Tweetdeck, etc.). This evolution has been driven largely by open Web standards like HTML--which predate the remedy in the Microsoft case.

Second, Microsoft's desktop operating system is significantly threatened by the mobile revolution, and Microsoft's own forays into this market have been singularly unsuccessful. Tellingly, in 2007, when Apple transformed the mobile market with the iPhone, Microsoft released Windows Vista, the "Edsel" of operating systems. Apple's market cap is now larger than Microsoft's--a result unthinkable just a decade ago.

Finally, Microsoft has struggled to compete with Google, a company that supports with advertising revenues a growing variety of free (cloud-based) offerings beyond Internet search and in areas (operating systems, e-mail, Web browsing, word processing...) central to Microsoft's business.

In all three cases, Microsoft moved too slowly to keep up. And in all three cases the government and the courts (and likely even Microsoft itself) failed to anticipate these evolving threats to Microsoft's business.

The Microsoft case demonstrates how hard it is for antitrust regulators to determine which technologies and business models will ultimately best serve consumers, largely because they simply cannot predict how digital markets will evolve. The Justice Department of 1998 (when the Microsoft case began) couldn't have predicted the rise of Google, Facebook, Twitter, Chrome, Android, the iPhone, or cloud computing. Indeed, who in 1998, or even 2001, could have imagined that Microsoft would face an existential threat to its Windows, server, and Office-focused business model from a company that provides free, ad-supported services built on a core Internet search business--and that was incorporated just a month before Microsoft's antitrust case began? So how can today's FTC possibly predict how search will change, or how Google's success might be disrupted by "social" search (e.g., via Facebook), "semantic" search (understanding language), or any other combination of possibilities?

Even if Google today were the monopolist Microsoft supposedly was a decade ago, it doesn't follow that another drawn-out antitrust battle and cumbersome consent decree will actually benefit consumers. If anything, the futility of the Microsoft case demonstrates the wisdom of letting rapid technological change play out in digital markets.

Moreover, the Justice Department in the Microsoft case at least seemed genuinely focused on antitrust's bedrock consumer welfare standard. But today, the FTC seems to be motivated largely by a desire to lower the bar for future antitrust interventions, with Google's rivals cheering the agency on. Recent statements by FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz (a Democrat) and Commissioner Thomas Rosch (a Republican) suggest their agency intends to prosecute Google under "Section 5" of the FTC Act rather than the agency's more traditional Sherman Act "Section 2" authority. Commissioner Rosch has claimed that a Section 5 unfair competition claim could address conduct that has the effect of "reducing consumer choice." But a reduction of choice of competitors put out of business by pro-competitive behavior is not a harm to consumer welfare, and such a case would (and should) fail under Section 2. The fact that Google's rivals--including Microsoft itself--are complaining about the company suggests, ironically, that Google's practices are in fact pro-competitive and thus pro-consumer.

It took Professor Lessig years to admit that he "blew it" on Microsoft. Here's hoping Chairman Leibowitz and the FTC are quicker to recognize the dangers of antitrust intervention in fast-moving markets. Another legal precedent like the Microsoft decision will hamstring not only Google but also, eventually, other innovative companies that might someday dethrone Google. How will that benefit consumers?

Source : Click Here

Defense Contractor Heeds Microsoft's Patent War Cry - LinuxInsider.com

Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) scored a victory Monday when defense contractor General Dynamics' Itronix division agreed to pay it licensing fees for using the Android operating system.

Itronix makes rugged mobile computers for military, law enforcement, first responder and field service use.

Microsoft's assertions of patent rights over Android and subsequent demands for licensing fees are controversial.

Some devices makers that use Android, such as Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC, have ponied up in response to Redmond's demands for licensing fees.

However, others, such as Barnes & Noble (NYSE: BKS) and Motorola (NYSE: MOT), are fighting Microsoft in court.

"Microsoft's under threat, and part of the threat is that Android is a free operating system, while Windows Phone 7 is not free," Joshua Greenman, president of Mercury Development, told LinuxInsider.

"Microsoft's trying to do the same thing with Android that it's been trying to do with Linux -- make the argument that there's a high cost of ownership for these platforms -- and back up its claims with patent lawsuits," Greenman said.

Microsoft spokesperson Annie Truong declined to discuss the issue.

Itronix's products include the GD300, an eight-ounce device that runs Android and can be worn on the user's forearm.

Think of a PIP-Boy from the "Fallout" series of video games, or of the monster in "Predator" and the computer on its forearm.

Itronix's capitulation to Microsoft's demand for licensing fees on Android further strengthens Redmond's assertion that it holds patents used in that operating system.

"Companies like General Dynamics have massive legal departments and wouldn't pay a fee if they didn't think they owed the money," Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group, pointed out.

Itronix did not respond to requests for comment by press time.

The Android operating system is apparently a cash cow for Microsoft.

Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer HTC is reportedly paying Microsoft US$5 for every Android handset it sells, Citi analyst Walter Pritchard has reportedly stated.

Redmond is apparently looking to collect $7.50 to $12.50 per device from other makers of Android handsets, Pritchard says.

"By definition, Microsoft's assertion of patent rights over Android has legs because some people are paying licensing fees," Al Hilwa, a program director at IDC, told LinuxInsider.

Android's based on Linux, and perhaps that's where the complications begin. Microsoft claimed back in 2007 that free software violated at least 235 of its patents.

The Linux kernel in particular violates 42 Microsoft patents, Horacio Gutierrez, Redmond's deputy general counsel of intellectual property and licensing, has previously stated.

Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) didn't amass patents to cover its technologies, and is now paying for that oversight, Enderle suggested.

Motorola Mobility and Barnes & Noble, which makes the Nook e-reader, are battling Microsoft in court over licensing fees for using Android.

Redmond filed suit against Motorola simultaneously in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington and the U.S. International Trade Commission in October.

Microsoft's argument got a boost earlier this month when Administrative Law Judge Theodore R. Essex, acting on behalf of the ITC filing, ruled in Microsoft's favor 17 times on the meaning of terms used in the nine patents in question. He ruled in Motorola's favor five times.

Motorola spokesperson Kira Lee Golin declined comment because the litigation is pending.

Meanwhile, Barnes & Noble's opposition to Microsoft's lawsuit is that Redmond's using patents that cover arbitrary, outmoded or non-essential design features.

So why didn't Barnes & Noble cut out those features from its version of Android for the Nook?

"This is why that defense is likely to fail," Enderle opined. "If they don't need the features they should never have used them, and they should have no problem stopping their use," he added.

"Patents are valid for many years, and by the time they expire, they might well be outmoded," IDC's Hilwa stated.

"When you go to court, you may have the patents reviewed to see whether they're valid, and that seems to be what Barnes & Noble is trying to do," Hilwa speculated.

Barnes & Noble didn't respond to requests for comment by press time.

Source : Click Here

[Deal Alert 3D] Get The HTC EVO 3D For Just $150 At AmazonWireless - Android Police

AmazonWireless has gone slashing more prices today - this time on the EVO 3D. You can pick up the 3D on a new 2-year agreement or line addition to your existing Sprint account for just $150 right now. That's $30 less than it was yesterday, so if you've been waiting for the right price to pick up your 3D, now seems like the time to do it. Those looking to upgrade from their current Sprint handsets will still have to pay the old price ($180).

Curious about the EVO 3D? Check out our review roundup before you make your decision.

AmazonWireless

Source : Click Here

[Deal Alert] Galaxy Tab 10.1 Wi-Fi 16GB $450 (10% Off) On eBay - Android Police

It seems retailers just can't get rid of the Tab 10.1 - and shrewd consumers are coming out ahead. You can pick up a Galaxy Tab 10.1 Wi-Fi with 16GB of internal storage for just $450 on eBay (free shipping) sold by DataVision.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is probably the best Android tablet you can spend you hard-earned dollars on at the moment, and at this price (10% off retail), it's certainly not a bad buy. And we definitely liked it. This is the smaller 16GB model, presumably the most popular choice among consumers - so it's a bit odd to see retailers are having to put up discounts to offload them already.

Still, if you're looking for an Android tablet, this device should probably be pretty high on your list.

eBay

Source : Click Here

NUTS: Google Tackles Social Networking, AT&T/T-Mobile Merger Looms - Mobiledia

By Matthew Calamia

Google entered the social networking space dominated by Facebook, while several groups fought AT&T's proposed merger with T-Mobile.

News Under the Sun is a weekly column rounding up all the events on in the mobile industry. Want the news but don't want it every day? Subscribe to our weekly Facebook or Twitter page."

Google joined the social networking game this week when it launched its Google+ service. The network focuses on tight integration through limited sharing -- a stark contrast to Facebook's open intentions. Google+ differentiates itself by allowing "Circles," or groups, of friends rather than one big list. Users can then share information with select Circles, rather than everyone.

Google, which said the service will focus on privacy, ironically experienced its first privacy glitch when a "reshare" feature allowed strangers to view photos.

China blocked its citizens from joining the social network. The decision came just days after Google chairman Eric Schmidt gave a speech on the company's ongoing battle with China over Internet censorship.

Meanwhile, Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, RIM and Sony spent $4.5 billion, outbidding Google's initial $900 million offer, to win Nortel's trove of patents. RIM and Ericsson received the largest piece of the portfolio, spending $770 and $340 million, respectively.

Finally, Google is reportedly working on a photo-sharing app for smartphones called "Pool Party." The service allows multiple users to upload photos from their smartphones to albums in real-time.

French search company 1plusV is seeking $423 million in damages from Google, claiming Google blacklisted 30 of its search engines, resulting in an 80 percent loss in traffic.

The Federal Trade Commission is also investigating whether Google broke antitrust laws by abusing its dominance in search to push rivals out of its rankings. Google denies the claims, stating it supports competition from sites like Yahoo and Microsoft.

Lastly, a judge refused to throw out a class-action lawsuit against Google, stemming from its Street View service, which scooped up unencrypted data from residents' wireless networks in several states. The decision didn't establish whether or not the lawsuit is considered class-action status, but it does mean the suit can proceed in court.

Oracle sued Google for $2.6 billion over Java patents it says Android infringes upon. Oracle, which purchased Sun Microsystems, the parent company of Java, considered suing Google for up to $6.1 billion, but instead lowered its demands.

Google says the suit is outrageous and the asking price is 20 times higher than the profits Sun made yearly from Java. Oracle alleges Google refused to negotiate a deal to license the patent for Android devices.

It wasn't all lawsuits for Android this week. Android Market saw a slight increase in paid downloads over the past two months. According to a survey by Chomp, the online store sold two percent more paid downloads in May than in April. The biggest increase came from games, entertainment and utility apps with asking prices under $2.

Additionally, Google announced it activates over 500,000 new Android devices each day. Android chief Andy Rubin tweeted the platform is growing each week at a rate of 4 percent.

Finally, Skype introduced an Android app to allow users to video chat on their smartphones over Wi-Fi. Android owners can now chat with other Skype users on iPhones, PCs and Macs.

AT&T's impending $39 billion merger to T-Mobile has dominated headlines, but several groups are trying to block the plan. Sprint CEO Dan Hesse is spending a significant amount of time in Washington, trying to prevent the merger from being approved. Hesse went before Congress several times stating his case -- that the merger will do more harm than good -- and is looking for anyone to support him.

He received some support this week when several advocacy groups sent letters to the FCC, urging it to conduct field hearings across the country, attempting to show the group the public is not in favor of the possible merger. The groups argue the merger would drive wireless rates up.

However, House Democrats are not sold on this argument, as several members praised AT&T's acquisition of T-Mobile. Many Democrats believe the deal would expand nationwide 4G coverage, as well as create thousands of jobs.

Meanwhile, the FCC released its annual report on the state of competition in the wireless industry, but it didn't hint at an opinion of the impending AT&T/T-Mobile merger.

RIM fell on tough times in 2011, as stock prices plummeted 50 percent, its market share sunk to 13 percent and quarterly revenue dropped, the first time in nine years.

Making matters worse, a high-level employee sent an anonymous letter airing frustration and taking shots at company heads Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis, their inability to develop handsets to compete with Apple and Google and its failure to create a tablet people want to buy.

Lackluster PlayBook sales prompted the BlackBerry maker to halt development on the PlayBook 2, to focus on its next line of QNX-based smartphones, which may debut later this year. Developers are fleeing the aging BlackBerry platform, due to low sales figures and difficulty in creating apps for several devices. Programmers are waiting to see if RIM's new QNX-based smartphones will be a hit.

Meanwhile, investor Glass Lewis joined Northwest & Ethical in forcing RIM to split the roles of CEO and chairman. They believe Balsillie and Lazaridis can no longer lead the company and a management restructuring is needed.

In response, RIM executives said they plan to hire an independent committee to review the current team, in an attempt to quell the growing discontent. As part of the agreement, investors pulled their proposal to split the executive roles.

Samsung and Apple became the worst of enemies in an ongoing patent war. Apple, which said it may end its relationship with Samsung, the chip supplier for the iPhone 4 and iPad 2, may replace the South Korean company with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.

Samsung one-upped Apple by going to the International Trade Commission, asking for a ban on all Apple products in the U.S. Samsung claims Apple copied its designs when they built the iPhone and iPad, and therefore claim these devices are illegal.

Samsung dropped its countersuit against Apple in northern California, instead opting to combine the patent cases. In addition, Samsung opened up more copyright infringement claims against Apple.

Meanwhile, Apple boosted sales by more than 720 percent in the Asia-Pacific market over the last five years, as the company continues its international expansion. Profits are up nearly 3000 percent, and the company had over $8 billion in sales in 2010, $5 billion from China, selling over 100,000 iPhones in the first month.

Hackers around the world stayed busy this week. Citibank admitted hackers stole $2.7 million from 3,400 exposed accounts in May. The bank said affected customers will be reimbursed in full.

Hackers also stole personal data from military personal who subscribe to magazines like DefenseNews. Hackers breached Gannett Government Media, which publishes the magazines, and stole names, e-mails, passwords and duty status. No credit card info was taken, but the company said those affected may be sent phishing scams, and should not click on unknown links.

Meanwhile, top hacktivist group Anonymous targeted Universal Music, Vivendi and the Arizona state police. They released passwords to Universal's uMusic.com site and posted information about Viacom's internal networks. They also published the e-mail accounts, including compromising information, of a dozen Arizona police officers.

In a strange twist of fate, hacker group LulzSec disbanded as law enforcement groups and rival hackers close in on members' identities. The group said it broke up after a 50-day hacking spree against companies and governments. They gave no official reason, though one anonymous member said they were getting bored.

U.S. regulators asked banks to step up security measures to combat recent cyber-attacks. The Federal Financial Institutions Council recommended banks perform regular risk assessments and keep customers informed of online banking security risks. They also suggested forcing users to use two different passwords to increase security.

Similarly, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected hear the case of nightclub owner Antoine Jones, who is accused of distributing drugs, to determine whether or not law enforcement needs a warrant to install a GPS tracking device on a suspect's car. This decision may set a precedent with important privacy implications. The government said it supports warrantless GPS tracking because it is essential for effective law enforcement.

Meanwhile, New Jersey lawmakers approved a bill that would treat teenage "sexting" as a mistake rather than as a crime. If caught, teens sending sexually explicit photos on their phones would be forced to undergo intense educational programs rather than face criminal prosecution.

Facebook surpassed 750 million users this month. In addition, CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly worth over $18 billion, making him wealthier than Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Zuckerberg's fortune resides in Facebook shares, which is expected to increase if the company goes public. Just two men remain wealthier than Zuckerberg: Oracle's Larry Ellison and of course, Microsoft's Bill Gates.

Facebook shut down a large number of third-party applications, as the company looks to boost security while cyber-attacks continue worldwide. The company responded to an influx of spam complaints to mostly lower-level apps with a small number of daily users.

The company also hired George Hotz, a notorious computer hacker famous for "jailbreaking" the iPhone and PlayStation 3. He is set to help the company develop its iPad app.

Facebook's vice president, David Fischer downplayed the role of the social media in recent Arab Spring protests, insisting those who actually did the protesting should be praised.

Microsoft announced it will offer its Office software suite in the cloud. "Office 365" will cost $6 per user for programs like Office Web Apps and Exchange e-mail. For an additional $12 per month, companies can add full versions of Office, which include Word and Excel programs.

In addition, Microsoft, BT and Sky are testing "white space" spectrum for a mobile broadband network in the U.K. The new service uses unused frequencies, which could potentially free up the spectrum crunch affecting the wireless industry.

Nokia chief executive Stephen Elop said it is focused on Windows Phone software, no matter how well the new N9 sells. Elop confirmed the N9 will be the first and last MeeGo phone from the company, leaving little reason for developers and consumers to give the device a chance.

HP announced plans to license WebOS to third-party companies, in an attempt to spread its adoption. Samsung is reportedly interested and in talks about adding it to its smartphones.

In addition, HP is trying to attract developers to create WebOS apps for the TouchPad, its first tablet, which launched earlier week. The TouchPad can run about 350 native apps. HP hopes to create an app ecosystem similar to Apple and Google.

Sony, Hitachi and Toshiba are in talks to combine their LCD production lines to compete against South Korean and Taiwanese rivals. The partnership would make the trio the largest manufacturer in the world with 20 percent of the LCD market. They hope to have an agreement in place by mid-July, and launch new products later this year.

Verizon's 4G service is the fastest in major markets, according to PCMag. The report said Verizon's 4G LTE network achieved average download speeds of over 9-megabits per second. It edged out AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint's WiMax service. AT&T took top-speeds in 3G-only areas.

PayPal estimated it may process as much as $3 billion in mobile device payments this year. The San Jose, Calif.-based company, which originally expected to reach $1.5 billion in mobile payments, doubled its estimate after more than expected smartphone users began using mobile platforms to purchase goods.

The company, which accounts for eight million mobile users, said it sees up to $10 million transferred a day, up from $6 million in March.

Meanwhile, VeriFone introduced a new accessory that turns tablets into checkout registers. The device works with the Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab and Motorola Xoom, allowing people to swipe credit cards to pay for items. The device also supports near-field communication, as well as Google Wallet.

Mobile healthcare is expected to reach $5 billion by 2014, and more than double by 2020, according to the Center for Technology and Aging. The group especially expects mobile technology to help older populations with their wide range of medical issues.

Doctors are increasingly using devices like tablets and smartphones in the workplace. One-third of nearly 4,000 physicians surveyed by QuantiaMD said they use tablet devices to research drug and treatment information, besides using them to educate patients. A quarter said they use both tablets and smartphones.

Meanwhile, a new iPhone app "Skin Scan," claims it can detect melanoma by using the device's camera to take a picture of suspicious moles. An algorithm then analyzes the fractal-like shapes to determine if it may be cancerous melanoma.

Finally, a new study shows motivational text messages greatly increase a smoker's chance of kicking the habit. The Long School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that smokers who received five motivational text messages a day for the first five weeks they tried to quit were more likely to stop than those who didn't.

Motorola said the Droid Bionic is expected to arrive on time, but it may be too late for Verizon customers who are hoping to get the device before the carrier caps data plans on July 7. The Bionic features a 1-gigahertz dual-core processor, 512 megabytes of RAM, 4.3-inch screen and an 8-megapixel camera.

Meanwhile, T-Mobile said it plans to sell a new version of the MyTouch 4G, called the Slide, beginning in July for $200. The device will run Android 2.3 and offers an 8-megapixel camera which records in 1080p. It also features a 3.7-inch WVGA touch screen display and can connect to 4G. T-Mobile hopes the slide-out keyboard will attract customers who love social networking.

In addition, Consumer Reports awarded "best camera phone" to the T-Mobile G2x. The device features an 8-megapixel camera that also shoots in 1080p high-definition. It beat out 45 other devices, including the HTC Thunderbolt, which finished second.

AT&T plans to sell the HTC Status, an Android phone with a dedicated Facebook button to bring tighter mobile integration to the social network. The device features a blue Facebook button below the keyboard that takes users directly to the Facebook wall and also shares pictures, videos and music. It runs on Android 2.3 with HTC's Sense user interface. The screen is a bit small at 2.6-inches.

Finally, Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer released its "Link Phone," which features an 18-karat rose goal or titanium case, with leather for a calf, alligator or lizard. The phone will run Android 2.2 and a 3.5-inch screen as well as a 5-megapixel camera. The device will retail for about $6,700.

The Federal Trade Commission is investigating Twitter for antitrust practices. The agency is asking various developers whether Twitter makes it difficult for them to create apps that run on its platform.

News Under the Sun is a weekly column rounding up all the events on in the mobile industry. Want the news but don't want it every day? Subscribe to our weekly Facebook or Twitter page. For the top stories in mobile, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

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My Max Speed helps you beat the fuzz in court - Autoblog (blog)

by Damon Lavrinc

Earlier this year, one poor, smartphone-toting driver was ticketed for going 40 miles per hour in 25 zone. But unlike the rest of us, he wasn't speeding. Through the use of Google MyTracks running on his Motorola Droid, a bit of spreadsheet geekery and a meeting with a judge, he was able to prove his innocence and avoid a fine.

Back in February, we outlined several similar apps that, through a bit of hackery, could get the job done. But Iconosys has done one better with the introduction of its My Max Speed app for Android.

The app tracks your exact speed through GPS data every five seconds, logging the results. A large display shows your current rate of travel, along with your highest speed in the past five minutes. All the data is compiled into a spreadsheet (accessible via Excel or similar apps) so you've got proof to show the police and the man in the black robe. There's also an option to post your current speed to Facebook providing a useful, if slightly opt-in-Orwellian, timestamp to share with your friends.

A free, ad-supported app is currently available through the Android Market or Iconosys' website, with the ad-free version running $4.99. Make the jump for the full details. My Max Speed V1.0 for Android

With My Max Speed™, users log their rates of speed every 5 seconds they are in travel. Among other uses, this information is valuable for drivers who want to review their driving speeds and confirm they are driving within the safe legal limits. The data is stored in a spreadsheet, compatible with Microsoft Excel, and is exportable in batches or in 5 minute data snapshots, covering a specific instance. Inside the spreadsheet display in the app, each speed recording can be tapped to display the exact physical location in a map format.

MY MAX SPEED™, displays the fastest speed of your drive within each 5 minutes and is accurate to .0001. With an exportable spreadsheet that is logged on at all times, a record of your rate of speed can automatically be stored showing intervals of 5 seconds onto your mobile device. This may also be great for teenagers who want to prove to their parents that they are safe drivers, or for parents who want to keep track of their teenagers driving.

Additionally, app users pulled over for driving over the speed limit can confirm in an instant that their rate of speed matches what the law enforcement officer reports. In some cases this may save the consumer hundreds of dollars in the event that the law enforcements method of capturing the rate of speed is flawed.

In other cases, secondary offenses may be cited, where as the consumer may be pulled over for speeding and cited for something else. This includes but is not limited to infractions like; seatbelts, proof of insurance, and others. Having proof that speeding did not occur can impact other citations the driver may be exposed to.

Additionally, app users pulled over for driving over the speed limit can confirm in an instant that their rate of speed matches what the law enforcement officer reports. In some cases this may save the consumer hundreds of dollars in the event that the law enforcements method of capturing the rate of speed is flawed.

In other cases, secondary offenses may be cited, where as the consumer may be pulled over for speeding and cited for something else. This includes but is not limited to infractions like; seatbelts, proof of insurance, and others. Having proof that speeding did not occur can impact other citations the driver may be exposed to.

Features: The large display shows rate of speed in large format, showing you your highest rate of speed in past five minutes of driving/travelingStore rates of speed every five seconds in a spreadsheet formatStore speed snapshots in five minute segments for evidentiary purposesExport speed reports to Excel, Word, Power Point or other softwareTap on the spreadsheet sheet display in the app on any specific speed instance and get a daytime mapSend your speed reports to another thru email and or share on Facebook
MY MAX SPEED™ is intended for entertainment purposes only. Iconosys does not advocate the use of this app while driving or to violate any laws. Please buckle-up, put the phone down, drive safely!

This app has been developed with very sensitive accuracy. Due to the nature of GPS, please allow for speeds over 10MPH and distances of at least 1 Mile in a single direction.

Please do not use this app where it may be prohibited by law.

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Taiwan market: Google fined for refusing to comply with refund law - Digitimes

ProMOS struggling to find investors for private placement

ProMOS Technology shareholders recently approved a company proposal to raise additional paid-in capital through private placement. But the DRAM maker has been struggling to find investors and failed to get financing from potential targets including Kingston Technology, United Microelectronics (UMC) and Elpida Memory, according to industry sources. Read moreAsustek optimistic about performance in China

Asustek Computer, at a product launch conference in China, pointed out that notebook demand in the China market was weak in the second quarter, but as the IT market will enter the peak season in the third quarter, demand is expected to rise, but inflation problems in China may still have some impact on demand, according to company CFO David Chang. Read moreHP, Acer, Asustek to raise supply proportion from Chongqing in 2H11

Global notebook brand vendors Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Acer are set to significantly increase their notebook supply proportions from Chongqing, China in the second half of 2011 with HP having already notified its upstream partners to start to gear up and is set to raise the proportion to 55% by the end of the year. Acer has also notified its upstream partners to cooperate with its plans, while Asustek has announced it will set up a new base in Chongqing to boost its notebook supply proportion, according to sources from upstream component makers. Read moreTaiwan touch panel makers eyeing orders from Amazon

Taiwan-based touch panel makers including Wintek, HannStar Display and J Touch, are all eyeing touch panel orders to be released by Amazon for its tablet PCs to be launched in the second half of 2011. The first batch of touch panels to be delivered to Amazon slated for September is likely to top 1.5-2 million units, according to industry sources. Read moreTaiwan and South Korea will continue to lead TFT panel market, says CMI

Despite the expansion of China-based panel firms, the TFT industry will continue to be fought between Taiwan- and South Korea-based firms, according to Hsing-Chien Tuan, vice chairman and CEO of Chimei Innolux (CMI). Taiwan-based firms need to continually improve technology to compete with their South Korean counterparts, added Tuan. Read moreShipments of touch panels for mobile phones showing growth in 2Q11, says Wintek

Wintek is expected to benefit as Apple increases its outlook for the production of its mobile phone and tablet PC products. According to Wintek, shipments of touch panels for mobile phones have shown growth in the second quarter. The market should be better in the second half of the year as products such as e-book readers also adopt touch panels, added Wintek. Read moreDRAM contract prices may decline further, says Nanya

Weak PC end-user demand and consequent inventory build-up at OEMs have put pressure on contract prices for DRAM, Nanya Technology has pointed out. Prices may continue to fall in July as OEM clients slow down their pace of orders, Nanya said. Read more

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'Death of 4th Amendment' Judge Blames GPS, Cellphones, Users - International Business Times

On Wednesday, Alex Kozinski, the Chief Justice for the 9th Circuit US Court of Appeals, published (with his law clerk, Stephanie Grace) an article in alternative media outlet Axis of Logic entitled "Remember what the Fourth Amendment protects? No? Just as well."

“We are gathered here today to mourn the loss of a dear friend, the Fourth Amendment," begins the judge's lament. "Born on the freedom-loving soil of early America, the Fourth Amendment will be remembered as the bulwark of the liberty we once called privacy. For ye, we mourn.”

The United States Constitution's Fourth Amendment is dedicated to preventing “unreasonable searches and seizures”. Essentially, it is the government's guarantee of personal privacy, initially a response to the many abuses of the King of England's 'general warrants' (which were a license to wantonly invade homes in England at will -- and were even less restrained in Colonial America).

Judge Kozinski asserts that the Fourth Amendment is dead and that "you’re the murderer. We all are." Among Kozinski's 'weapons of choice' are "the smartphone, which, with our collective blessing, allows law enforcement to monitor our real-time geographic location."

Among other things, this alludes to the recent iPhone and Android location-tracking controversy, in which it was discovered that many users' movements were being recorded, transmitted, and backed up into a database. This dovetails with other GPS and location-tracking capabilities -- as well as most mobile networks' willingness to turn records over to law enforcement, not to mention the increasing ease with which third-parties may 'eavesdrop' on such wireless signals.

Kozinski notes the efforts of Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore) to require warrants to access this information, but also feels that "such legislation may come too late to save the Fourth Amendment".

The judge mentions the doctrine of "reasonable expectation of privacy", which was added to the application of the 4th Amendment in 1967 during a case that tested the legality of wiretapping a telephone booth. In short, one cannot reasonably expect privacy in a public place -- and ever since then, the tricky legal question has been to establish what is 'reasonably' public.

Kozinski wryly observes that membership cards and credit cards create plenty of 'public' information that can be accessed and used to track a person's movements and habits to the benefit of law enforcement; this is known as "the third party doctrine".

From there, Kozinski names third party information sources such as eBay, Amazon, TomTom, and Google (who "not only collects data on what websites we visit but uses its satellites to take pictures of our homes"). The judge also mentions the controversial plan by Mexico to implement iris scanners that track out movements "through airport security, making ATM withdrawals and buying groceries, quite literally, with the blink of an eye."

"With so little left private," Kozinski concludes, "the Fourth Amendment is all but obsolete. Where police officers once needed a warrant to search your bookshelf for 'Atlas Shrugged,' they can now simply ask Amazon.com if you bought it. Where police needed probable cause before seizing your day planner, they can now piece together your whereabouts from your purchases, cellphone data and car’s GPS. Someday soon we’ll realize that we’ve lost everything we once cherished as private."

James Lee Phillips is a Senior Writer & Research Analyst for IBG.com. With offices in Dallas, Las Vegas, and New York, & London, IBG is quickly becoming the leading expert in Internet Marketing, Local Search, SEO, Website Development and Reputation Management. More information can be found at www.ibg.com. PageRage provides free Facebook layouts and Facebook backgrounds for your Facebook profile. PageRage caters to numerous styles and design preferences.

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Apps absolutely a necessity - Jackson Clarion Ledger

With every generation comes innovation that changes how we work.

Sherry Vance, chief marketing officer at Butler Snow law firm in Ridgeland, can attest to this.

With a single swipe of her index finger, Vance unlocks her iPad and, in a sense, unlocks the world.

"I'm still a novice at this," Vance said of her new tablet. "You could spend your day every day investigating all these apps, but unfortunately we can't always do that."

Fortunately for Vance, her short list of go-to apps for tablets and smartphones prove to be effective at the office, just as the telegraph and typewriter were in their day.

Atlanta-based tech analyst Jeff Kagan said while some apps are tailored for professionals in real estate or sales, others appeal to the broad business sector.

"Apps empower the workforce to be more competitive and provide better service to the customer," Kagan said, adding some companies have launched their own private apps for employees.

Since their inception just four years ago, downloadable apps have grown from a handful of niche games to a $6.1 billion industry.

"This is just the beginning of this revolution," Kagan said. "It's going to get better and more interesting as the years go by."

Becky Bates, a women's health nurse practitioner in the University of Mississippi Medical Center's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said her iPhone comes in handy at all times of the workday.

Because UMC is a subscriber to DynaMed, a clinical reference tool for physicians and health care professionals, Bates can access articles on the latest medical research using her iPhone.

"Rather than having to grab a book, I reach in my pocket, type something in and pull it right up," she said. "It's definitely more efficient."

Bates also calculates baby due dates, makes physician referrals and tracks her continuing education units using her smartphone.

She even "prescribes" apps to smartphone-using patients who want to keep track of their diet and exercise regimen.

As Mississippians continue to ditch landline phones for cellphones at growing rates, according to a National Center for Health Statistics report released in April, users are downloading apps for both business and pleasure, said Dennis Graham, data sales engineer at Ridgeland-based Cellular South.

Last month, Graham led a Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership professional development workshop on "Mobile APPtitude," shedding light on apps rooted in everyday business happenings.

Among those apps is eTrace - a program that monitors mobile workforce productivity. Through eTrace, employers can track workers out in field and workers can stamp their time cards.

Here are several apps recommended by area business professionals.

•TripIt: This personal organizer allows users to sync all travel confirmations (airline, car rental, hotel) in one place. The app also alerts to changes in flight status and alternative flight options.

Cost: Free. Downloadable for Android, Blackberry, iPhone, iPad.

•Flight Tracker: Vance uses this travel app to view airline departure and arrival times worldwide as well as gate numbers, baggage claim information and weather delays. Flight Tracker accesses the same database used by major airlines, providing reliable updates.

Cost: 99 cents. Downloadable for iPhone and iPad.

•Splashtop: This remote desktop app streams high-resolution video and audio from a PC or Mac, allowing users to access PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook, Quicken and other applications on their mobile device. Users can also access Internet browsers and bookmarks.

Cost: $1.99-4.99. Downloadable for iPhone, iPad, Android, Palm.

•Dragon Dictation: Users can speak and instantly send emails, text messages, Facebook statuses and Twitter updates with this multilingual voice recognition app. The app's developers claim dictation is five times faster than typing on a keyboard.

Cost: Free. Downloadable for iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry.

•PDF Expert: Users can highlight text, make notes, save changes and share files. The app supports documents created in Apple Preview or Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Cost: $9.99. Downloadable for iPhone, iPad.

•CamCard: Simply take a picture of a business card and this reader recognizes the contact information and saves it to the mobile device. A free trial titled CamCard Lite is available to test before buying the full version.

Cost: $6.99. Downloadable for iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry.

•eTrace: Available through Cellular South, this workforce productive app tracks field personnel, workflow, timecards and work orders.

Cost: Monthly rate. Downloadable for select phones.

•DailyFinance: Tailored for investors and market followers, this app provides real-time quotes from BATS Exchange and 15-minute delayed quotes from NYSE, NASDAQ and AMEX. DailyFinance also creates and tracks up to 25 portfolios and watchlists and customizes news from 3,000-plus sources.

Cost: Free. Downloadable for iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry.

•LinkedIn: The app version of this business networking website connects more than 100 million professionals worldwide. Users receive the latest updates and messages in real time.

Cost: Free. Downloadable for iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry, Palm.

•iProcrastinate: Users can color-code task lists and list steps. Task lists can also be shared with others to keep tabs on group projects.

Cost: 99 cents. Downloadable for iPhone, iPad.

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Responsibility Behind the Wheel From Motorola - Marketwire (press release)

MISSION, KS--(Marketwire) - (Family Features) In today's fast-paced and hectic world, we often prioritize productivity over safety while driving. Eating, connecting with family and even completing beauty and grooming regiments are distracting drivers on America's roadways.

In honor of National Safe Driving Month in June, consider these safety tips to help ensure you reach your destination safely:

Buckle up. Forty-nine states and Washington, D.C. have mandatory seat belt laws, and seat belt use is increasing. In fact in recent years, seat belt use has climbed nearly 20 percent, from 69 percent in 1998 to 88 percent in 2009. Even so, certain groups -- new drivers, individuals who have been drinking and nighttime drivers among them -- are less likely to wear the life-saving devices, according to the National Safety Council.

Obey the law. Forty states have enacted laws with some type of ban on the use of hand-held devices while driving. If you're uncertain about the laws in your area, or if you're traveling and not clear on the regulations in an unfamiliar area, do your homework. There are a number of resources available, such as Motorola's Smart Handsfree app for phones powered by Android™ which uses the location function to determine a user's state and display an overview of cell phone usage laws.

Eliminate distractions. Mobile phones can be a distraction for drivers, especially when used for texting. Texting creates a cognitive distraction and simultaneously requires the driver to divert eyes and hands from the road and vehicle. However, a wide range of technology solutions are available to help drivers stay compliant with state and local laws while on the road. Hands-free devices, like the Motorola Roadster -- an in-car speakerphone -- make it easy to make or receive a call and hear or respond to a text message keeping your hands on the wheel.

Practice good defense. It has been said that the best offense is good defense. That may be true on the football field, but it's also true on the road. Being a good defensive driver means being fully aware of your surroundings, including road conditions and other drivers. Heightened awareness means you are better able to react when the need arises, making you better prepared to prevent accidents and injuries.

Visit Motorola on Facebook, www.facebook.com/motorola, where you can take Motorola's "Responsibility on the Road" pledge to show your commitment to responsible driving and receive 50-percent off select Motorola hands-free devices through July 17.

About Family Features Editorial Syndicate
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Settlers Of Catan Finally Released For Android - But It's Definitely Not Cheap - Android Police

Long have board game geeks awaited the Android debut of the most popular and inventive board game since, arguably, Monopoly. The Settlers of Catan has finally arrived on the Market, but it comes with an admission cost - approximately $4.31. But, given the game's immense popularity worldwide, something tells me fans won't have a problem coughing up the bucks.

  

In the game, you'll find all the classic Catan gameplay, spruced up with sound effects, game statistics, interactive tutorials, and new scenarios - as well as a choice of which board art (US, German, or Classic) to use. You can also download the Seafarers expansion via in-app purchase, which adds 10 more scenarios.

 

Multiplayer is operated via a hot seat system (aka, there really isn't any multiplayer to speak of). But, the developers have told us it's coming:

Online multiplayer is definitely in the pipeline and is scheduled for later this year.

You can get Catan on the Market now.

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Still no release date for Gingerbread update on HTC's Desire - VR-Zone

Just when you thought all is nice and well with HTC and the world now that the company has confirmed that it will indeed be updating its Desire smartphone with version 2.3 of the Android operating system (aka Gingerbread), out comes Murphy with his ominous Law, and it seems that not even a company like HTC can run away from it. And the result? Well, Gingerbread will still come to the Desire, but at a future, unspecified date.

Sixteen days ago, HTC made headlines when it first announced that its Desire smartphone, which was released for retail last year, would not be getting Gingerbread  due to it lacking the amount of memory needed to faciliate such an update, only to reverse its stand two days later by claiming that the company will trim the ROM down to a more manageable size by cutting some apps out of the release. Needless to say, HTC's sudden about turn resulted in smiles and joy from its consumer base.

However, it seems that HTC is having some trouble with making up its mind on when it will be ready to release its Gingerbread update for the Desire. Apparently, the Taiwanese smartphone OEM 's original plan, as claimed in its Facebook posting, was that users could expect to receieve information about the rollout timeframe for the update "early this week". That is fine and all, except that we are fast approaching the week's end, and HTC has done little more than release another announcement claiming that the Gingerbread ROM for the Desire is currently undergoing tests, and that an update on availability will be made in due time.

Not surprisingly, HTC's latest announcement is not sitting well with many Desire owners who were expecting to receieve a proper roadmap or schedule of how the Taiwanese smartphone OEM is progressing with the update, and when the ROM could be expected to make its way into their handsets. Indeed, a quick look at some of the comments left behind by some Desire owners have revealed that HTC's customers are starting to lose patience with the company, and that some have already taken the plunge by ditching their Desires for a more up-to-date smartphone, or going the custom ROM route.

That being said, we have to admit that HTC's customers do have a point. After all, it was HTC which put the ball in its court when it announced its plans to release a rollout timeframe for its Gingerbread update early this week, an act which it had failed to fulfill in spectacular fashion. Still, if it is of any consolation, HTC's new announcement does confirm that the Gingerbread update for its Desire smartphones is real, and that it will eventually be released to Desire owners for download. All that is missing now is the "when" part of the equation. Which, unfortunately for HTC, is the part which consumers are really only interested in.

Source: HTC Facebook page via The Inquirer

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