NFC - Coming soon to Android Froyo + MicroSD Slots

I got to test a NFC conversion for Samsung Galaxy S. It is using a Micro SD Card that transmit radio frequency, equiped with 4Gb internal memory (to replace your current SD Card) and a back cover that has an antenna built in to amplify the radio signal. 

So basically, NFC made possible in any Android phone today... (iPhone5 still thinking of launching it with NFC capability or not)

Check this site out : http://www.vivotech.com/products/vivo_nfc/index.asp 


In short, good news to Android brothers, we can have NFC offshelf to use with our existing phone if needed. 


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Geeky term : Near field communication, or NFC, is a set of short-range wireless technologies, typically requiring a distance of 4 cm or less. NFC operates at 13.56 MHz and at rates ranging from 106 kbit/s to 848 kbit/s


Well, basically, it is like Touch and Go. However, Touch and Go is Passive NFC with very limited usage. Just passing some info around when detected. An initiator needs to detect and power the passive NFC.


Active NFC are both powered. It can connect as peer to peer and do more than just receiving some bunch of binary data. It can be used for file transfer, business card transfer and even sending and receiving photos. 


Usage ? Mostly these days, people will use it for :
- Payment 
- Identity 
- Electronic Keys
- Social Networking
- Gaming in near future?


Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communication

Sneak Peek : Thinnest and Lightest Android Tablet coming soon

I can't say much, but I can show you some pictures of what I tested. Both are running on Honeycomb and it is blazing fast despite the engineering unit not optimized yet. It is beautiful, definitely thinnest in the market and very very light. When it is launched, it will make Android FanBoy Proud!!




This is the 10.1" Model 

Side by side with iPad2 on the right

Ipad2 at the bottom

iPad2 on the left

Honeycomb

This is the 8.9" Model :

Samsung Galaxy Tab on the left

Samsung Galaxy Tab on the left

You might wanna check out this site : http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/samsung-galaxy-tab-8-9-and-new-galaxy-tab-10-1-thinner-than-the/

Apple sues Samsung for 'copying' iPhones and iPad

Apple is suing its rival Samsung Electronics for allegedly copying the design of its iPad and iPhone.

It claims Samsung's Galaxy range of mobile phones and tablet "slavishly" copy the iPhone and iPad, according to court papers.
Apple's claims focus on Galaxy's design features, such as the look of its screen icons.
Galaxy products use Google's Android operating system, which directly competes with Apple's mobile software.
As well as being a competitor, Samsung supplies Apple with microchips that are used in some Apple products, such as the A4 and A5 processors, as well as memory chips used in MacBook Pro computers.
The lawsuit was filed on Friday and alleges Samsung violated Apple's patents and trademarks.
Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet said in a statement: "This kind of blatant copying is wrong."
Samsung was not immediately available for comment.


Patent battles
John Jackson, an analyst with CCS Insight, said Samsung is essentially Apple's only real tablet competitor at this stage.
Apple is one participant in a web of litigation among phone makers and software firms over who owns the patents used in smartphones.
Nokia has sued Apple, which in turn has sued handset maker HTC Corp.
Apple is bringing 16 claims against Samsung, including unjust enrichment, trademark infringement and 10 patent claims.
In March Apple sued HTC alleging patent infringement over the iPhone.
In October 2010, Apple sued Motorola, saying its smartphones use Apple's intellectual property.

Sources :
http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/18/apple-sues-samsung-over-for-copying-the-iphone-and-ipad/ 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13124753
http://mobilized.allthingsd.com/20110418/apple-files-patent-suit-against-samsung-over-galaxy-line-of-phones-and-tablets/

Samsung rolls out Android 2.3.3 over KIES

Samsung I9000 Firmware: I9000XWJVB (Android 2.3.3) released officially Online!
Those who are running on CSC vesion NEE could update over KIES!

Too bad, for us here in Malaysia or Singapore, this is not available yet. However, there are 2 ways to get around it.


1) Use KIES registry patcher to fool the server that you are running on NEE
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=835628 
or
2) ODIN! (I recommend this)...


Thanks to Justin Tan for sharing, More info : 
http://www.samfirmware.com/apps/blog/show/6733836-samsung-rolls-out-android-2-3-3-over-kies

Review: Honeycomb Android 3.0 on Acer A500

A quick review of Honeycomb (Android 3.0) on the new Acer A500 which is launching next month. 


My first impression was : WOW, this UI is made for tablets! It is clean and large. Menu was on screen and the locations and labels are not very alien to Android users. However, it is a total different UI to Android 1.x or 2.x. 


Read more about it after the jump. Lot of pictures, but pardon the quality; taken using my SGS phone camera.

Galaxy S vs Nexus S

(This post was created in the LRT station as I was stuck here for 1 hour+ during rush hour)


After a brief review and some read up in websites, here are my summary. I call up the stronger points of the device.

How To : install custom firmware for Samsung Galaxy S

This post is a guide for basic PDA firmware flashing. Will post another one for advanced tweaking (md5,pit update) and making your Samsung Galaxy S fly...


Why flash it rather than using KIES for official update?
One thing I realized : Original firmware is not to my liking, lag and slow. I want my phone to be fast!


I have been doing this for a few friends and a few others via email. I think it will be more beneficial for me to post it up as a reference to all. (Some friends willing to travel 300km to meet me for this). 


Kudos to Justin Tan (Photog and LancerGT brother) who train me about ODIN over MSN...

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Let's start with tools you need:


- Windows PC/Notebook (For Odin)
- Your SGS (Samsung Galaxy S) cable
- Odin 1.3 (and above) - This is your flashing tool 
- A firmware of your choice (For this I use : Froyo 2.2.1 JPY)


Resource links and guides after the jump