Cyanogenmod on the Touchpad!

Cyanogenmod 7 has made it to the touchpad and yes, it is a dual boot.

This is still a work in progress and a lot of things are not working yet, such as touch screen.

Source: http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/08/28/cyanogenmod-7-makes-its-way-to-the-hp-touchpad/

Samsung Galaxy SII Variants For T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T, Excluding Verizon Of Course

The photos above are the Samasung Galaxy S II variants for their respective carriers. As you can see there is no Galaxy S II variant for Verizon. Expect these to start shipping in the middle of next month. None of these variants are 4G LTE capable. 

Droid 3 Gets One-Click Root

Earlier today, it was announced that there is a method to root the Droid 3. Now a one-click root method has been released.

Instructions:

• Install Motorola drivers
• Download and unzip Droid 3 easy root script v5
• Enable USB debugging on your device (Settings > Applications > Development > USB Debugging)
• Plug your phone into the computer and select "Charge Mode Only"
• Run "Click to root your Droid 3.bat" in the Droid 3 easy root folder
• Follow the onscreen instructions and unlock the phone after each boot.

And that's all. You are rooted.

More info here: http://rootzwiki.com/showthread.php?3714-ROOT-Droid-3-root-instructions-(One-Click-added-for-Windows-Linux-OSX)&p=75934&viewfull=1#post75934

Update: This method will work for Droid 3, Droid Bionic, Droid X, Droid X2, Droid Pro, Droid 2 Global, Cliq and Cliq 2

Source: Android Police

Steve Jobs Steps Down as CEO

Steve Jobs, who has been on medical leave since Jan. 17, resigned as chief executive of Apple Wednesday, saying he could "no longer meet" the duties and expectations of the job.

Interim CEO Tim Cook was immediately made the new CEO, while Jobs, 56, will stay on as chairman of the board.

"I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know," Jobs said in a letter to "the Apple community" that was released by the company. "Unfortunately, that day has come."


Souce: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44264089/ns/business-us_business/?ocid=ansmsnbc11#.TlWbeYKaWWc

Apple and Photoshop

Apple used this flawed photoshopped image image in their case against Samsung. Notice how the Galaxy S in actuality is bigger in size than the iPhone and in addition Apple didn't show the main homescreens with the widgets, but instead the App Drawer?

“It surprises me that for the second time incorrect presentations of a Samsung product emerge in photographic evidence filed in litigation,” says Mark Krul, a dutch lawyer who specializes in IT and intellectual property law. “This is not appropriate and undermines Apple’s credibility both inside and outside the court room.”


Apple may have done the same thing with the iPad and the Galaxy tab also. 

Sources: http://www.technobuffalo.com/companies/google/android/honey-apple-shrunk-the-galaxy-s-ii/
http://www.technobuffalo.com/companies/apple/apple-could-have-given-faulty-evidence-in-euro-samsung-case/

Goodbye WebOS and HP PCs

Hewlett-Packard announced today that it is buying software company Autonomy for $10.2 billion. 
But its also bidding farewell to its WebOS and PC units. HP appears to be following IBM's trajectory and is getting more into the analytical software business.
WebOS was actually not too bad. I think this kinda sucks. Let's see what happens next.


Oh yeah HP Touchpad...16 GB $99
32 GB $149. But they are pretty much sold out now and hard to get.

Source: CNET


UPDATE: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/18/hp-will-discontinue-operations-for-webos-devices/

HTC Sues Apple and Seeks to Ban Sale of Apple Products in the US?!

In a strange turn of events, HTC has sued Apple for patent infringement. They claim Apple is infringing on several patents that are used in iPods, iPhone, iPads, and Apple computers. Pretty weird right? The new lawsuit comes as a response to several Apple has filed against HTC over the past two years, and is part of a recent number of lawsuits making headlines in the smartphone industry. 


The funny thing is Apple seeks to ban the sale of Apple products in the entire United States. What would be funny is if what if HTC did actually win the case and Apple had to stop selling its products. Pretty weird/funny right?


I think it is. I think that if HTC actually won, Apple will get a taste of their own medicine. It'd be pretty funny too, but Apple fanboys, on the other hand, won't be amused. 


Let us know what you think. 


Source: DroidLife

Google Acquires Motorola Mobility

Yes, it's true. Google is acquiring Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion. Both boards have unanimously approved the decision. This move was likely made because of  Motorola’s massive patent portfolio. Google now looks to “supercharge” the Android operating system and enhance competition. 

Google to Acquire Motorola Mobility

Combination will Supercharge Android, Enhance Competition, and Offer Wonderful User Experiences

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. & LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Aug. 15, 2011 – Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Google will acquire Motorola Mobility for $40.00 per share in cash, or a total of about $12.5 billion, a premium of 63% to the closing price of Motorola Mobility shares on Friday, August 12, 2011. The transaction was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

The acquisition of Motorola Mobility, a dedicated Android partner, will enable Google to supercharge the Android ecosystem and will enhance competition in mobile computing. Motorola Mobility will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. Google will run Motorola Mobility as a separate business.

Larry Page, CEO of Google, said, “Motorola Mobility’s total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies. Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers.”

Sanjay Jha, CEO of Motorola Mobility, said, “This transaction offers significant value for Motorola Mobility’s stockholders and provides compelling new opportunities for our employees, customers, and partners around the world. We have shared a productive partnership with Google to advance the Android platform, and now through this combination we will be able to do even more to innovate and deliver outstanding mobility solutions across our mobile devices and home businesses.”

Andy Rubin, Senior Vice President of Mobile at Google, said, “We expect that this combination will enable us to break new ground for the Android ecosystem. However, our vision for Android is unchanged and Google remains firmly committed to Android as an open platform and a vibrant open source community. We will continue to work with all of our valued Android partners to develop and distribute innovative Android-powered devices.”

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals in the US, the European Union and other jurisdictions, and the approval of Motorola Mobility’s stockholders. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2011 or early 2012

Webcast Information

Google and Motorola Mobility will hold a conference call with financial analysts to discuss this announcement today at 8:30am ET. The toll-free dial-in number for the call is             877-616-4476 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            877-616-4476      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      (conference ID: 92149124). The call will also be webcast live athttp://investor.shareholder.com/media/eventdetail.cfm?eventid=101369&CompanyID=ABEA-3VZHGF&e=1&mediaKey=A21887C59EBAAC12F1BCF4D43C080953. The webcast version of the conference call will be available through the same link following the conference call.

About Motorola Mobility
Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people’s lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.

Hopefully this means this means the eventual end of Blur and Motorola unlocking bootloaders of phones. Next Nexus device? Probably. Just remember, Android remains open and will be handed out to other handset makers just as it is now. But probably by holding one manufacturer, Android will be better than ever. Anyways, as I said earlier, this move was probably because of Motorola's patients. Motorola has some 17,000 patents that blanket much of the mobile world, which Google plans to use this portfolio to fully protect the future of Android.  While we all want Motorola to make the next Nexus, eliminate Blur, and unlock bootloaders, those ideas are all secondary to the legal battle that Android will be competing in for the foreseeable future.

HTC, Samsung, and LG have released their quotes about this move. Here is what they said: 

They are probably optimistic about this since it will help them with their legal battles against Microsoft and Apple.


Here is a video clip related to this:

So overall, I think this a really good move by Google and it should help Android a lot, especially with those pesky lawsuits.


Sources: DroidLife, Fortune