Software & Apps News - Page 155
Android apps broken free of their 50MB limit, new app size limit is a whopping 4GB
Until now, Android applications have had to meet a strict 50MB size limit. Google have said that every megabyte you add to this limit, makes it harder for their users to download, and get started with their app, or games, or both.
Today, Google have increased this once puny 50MB limit to 4GB. Google also advise that the size of your APK file will still be limited to 50MB to ensure secure on-device storage, but you can now attach expansion files to your APK. Details on this are:
- Each app can have two expansion files, each one up to 2GB, in whatever format you choose.
Samsung Israel thinks Galaxy S II Android 4.0 upgrade will happen on March 15
As a loving Samsung Galaxy S II owner, I've been awaiting Android 4.0 ICS on my handset for what feels like, forever. But, news from Samsung's Israel-based division posted on Facebook with a date for the ICS upgrade to the Galaxy S II.
They're promised to end a 'patient' wait by delivering ICS to the flagship Galaxy S II on March 15. The upgrade would apply to both carrier-locked versions as well as unlocked versions bought directly from Samsung. At the moment, it's not known which countries would get the upgrade first, or at the same time.
But, as usual, Americans would most likely have to wait longer, as versions such as the Epic 4G Touch and T-Mobile's 42Mbps-capable HSPA+ edition will need their own, individual additional testing. Areas where the Galaxy S II stock is healthy, such as Canada and most of Europe, should get the upgrade pretty quick.
Windows 8 Consumer Preview was downloaded 1 million times in 24 hours
The Windows 8 Consumer Preview came out just a little over 24 hours ago, and has enjoyed an insane 1 million-plus downloads in those 24 hours. This is a runaway success for Microsoft, which is pretty much going all-in with their next-generation OS.
Considering that over 1 million people downloaded the OS, the servers handled it pretty damn well. I personally had no issues with the download, with it maxing out my 8Mbit connection. I also didn't notice a single person on my Facebook news feed whinging, so that's a good sign, isn't it? Or maybe I don't have enough friends?
Microsoft broke the news on their BuildingWindows8 Twitter feed, saying "One day later... one million downloads of the consumer preview.
Continue reading: Windows 8 Consumer Preview was downloaded 1 million times in 24 hours (full post)
RumorTT: Windows 8 will launch in Q4 2012, with the ARM-based version launching in Q2 2013
Microsoft's timeframe for Windows 8 is not being discussed, and this worries not only the Bright Side of News*, but me, too. BSN* received some interesting news regarding the timeframe of Windows 8, with information pointing to all resources being poured into the x86-based version of the OS for notebooks, desktops, workstations and server, with no attention being given for the ARM-based version of Windows 8.
Microsoft didn't let anyone have any hands-on time with the ARM version of Windows 8 at CES 2012, and the repeat is happening now in Barcelona at the Mobile World Congress. On top of this, Qualcomm have announced they've delayed their quad-core processors from summer 2012, to Q1 2013. This could of course open the flood gates for NVIDIA and their quad-core-based Tegra 3 SoC, but it looks as though their having issues with the 28nm process and not talking about opportunities.
BSN* have talked to "highly ranked executives close to the heart of the matter" that say Windows 8 for x86 processors will debut in Q4 of this year, with Windows-on-ARM debuting 12 months from now, at MWC 2013, with availability two-to-three months from it being shown off at MWC 2013. This information, of course, Microsoft doesn't want known. Microsoft are expected to unleash the Consumer Preview of Windows 8, but this will reportedly not be the only public version they release.
Opera Mini Next is here, is smarter and more social
Opera Software have just released some new web browser goodies in the form of Opera Mini Next and Opera Mobile 12. The new browser introduces Smart Page, which is a new feature being previewed in the Opera Mini Next series of web browsers for feature phones, which will be launched on all Opera Mini browsers for feature phones later this year.
Smart Page will join Opera's Speed Dial shortcuts which give feature phones smarter access to social networks, the latest news and more. Social integration is built into the first screen of Opera Mini Next, including Facebook and Twitter. The smartphone versions of Opera Mini Next does not make an appearance in this version. Android's Opera Mini Next app will receive a smoother browsing experience, including hardware acceleration and a revamped Speed Dial.
Opera Mobile 12 also launched at MWC, and brings "more goodies" to owners of Android and Symbian, the following is included in Opera Mobile 12:
Continue reading: Opera Mini Next is here, is smarter and more social (full post)
Windows 8 Consumer Preview is nearly complete
Microsoft have reportedly stopped compiling beta builds of their upcoming OS, Windows 8, and are said to be preparing to sign off on the Consumer Preview of Windows 8, tomorrow. The build (8250) is said to be unveiled at a special event that will coincide with Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next Wednesday at 9AM ET.
The public beta will usher in some huge changes, such as the updated Windows logo, and a new "Charms bar" which replaces the Start menu. The Consumer Preview is said to sport some preinstalled games, including Pinball and Solitaire, while the preview version of the new Windows Store will sport games such as Angry Birds.
Developers will have the ability to publish free apps through the Windows Store, or charge between $1.49 and $999 per download. Microsoft, at first, takes a 30-percent stake in the sales, which is reduced to 20-percent once the app exceeds $25,000 in sales. The OS is expected to include various social and multimedia applications. We should have a huge post on Windows 8 next week, so stay tuned!
Continue reading: Windows 8 Consumer Preview is nearly complete (full post)
MSI Afterburner 2.2.0 Beta 14 is here
Popular GPU overclocking tool, MSI Afterburner, has hit version 2.2.0 Beta 14 and is now available for download. It includes a fair amount of updated features, listed below.
The main updated features of MSI Afterburner 2.2.0 Beta 14
* Fixed sub-zero temperatures reading on certain custom design MSI graphics cards with LM96163 and NCT7718W dedicated thermal sensors.
Continue reading: MSI Afterburner 2.2.0 Beta 14 is here (full post)
PlayStation Vita gets Facebook app, now on the US PlayStation Store
Sony's official US launch for the PlayStation Vita sported LiveTweeting, Wi-Fi-only Netflix access, and Flickr's photo-based networking but missed out on Facebook and Foursquare apps. Well, today that is changed, my friends.
Sony have announced that Facebook is now available for the PS Vita in the form of a 12MB free download from the PlayStation Store. If you've got a PS Vita, first off, how do you find it? Secondly, you should be grabbing the Facebook app and posting your thoughts as a comment on our Facebook page, that would be, in the words of Beavis and Butthead, "cool".
I walked past my local JB Hi-Fi store yesterday (electronics retailer for you non-Australians) and was a bit too busy with my 11-month-old 'dada-ing' and pointing to everything to stop in and see the Australian launch stuff for it. I'm tempted, and I have a few friends who have said good things about it. But, it still needs a kick-arse killer-app in my opinion, for me to justify purchasing something I would only use every now and again.
Continue reading: PlayStation Vita gets Facebook app, now on the US PlayStation Store (full post)
Samsung releases Learning Hub, wants to school Apple's iTunes U
Samsung has just put their school shorts on once again, you know those pressed, private-school, grey-in-color shorts that would be a complete stereotype? Well, yeah. Samsung are introducing something called 'Learning Hub', where they'll offer educational content including 6,000 textbooks and video titles from 30 different education service providers.
Learning Hub will hit Samsung's Android-powered Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9, and at the moment, Samsung have only teased us all with some screenshots, but with Mobile World Congress in a little over a weeks time, we should have some more information then.
The Learning Hub is set to offer an interactive learning experience and to encourage self-learning where it features an automatic scoring system as motivation. Note correction is included, as well as the ability to annotate documents. Samsung are obviously hoping this Learning Hub will give them a foot in the door to education-based institutions such as schools, universities, and more.
Continue reading: Samsung releases Learning Hub, wants to school Apple's iTunes U (full post)
DriverTT: NVIDIA GeForce 295.73 WHQL drivers, "essential" for Skyrim, Diablo III and Mass Effect 3
NVIDIA have just release some very special drivers in the form of the GeForce 295.73 WHQL Drivers. NVIDIA say they are essential for Skyrim, Diablo III and Mass Effect 3, and once you see these numbers, you'll probably agree.
The drivers sport numerous "game-changing", NVIDIA-exclusive improvements that have been baked into previous beta downloads, as well as a few other treats, all wrapped up in a nice WHQL-certified package. Skyrim gets a serious punch in frame rates with these new drivers, with performance on the GeForce GTX 560 receiving an amazing 44.5-percent increase in performance, and GTX 560 SLI performance seeing a boost of 44.1-percent. The GTX 580 sees a nice 36-percent bump, with GTX 580 SLI only receiving 17.3-percent. All of this testing is done at 1920x1080 with Indoor Scenes, Ultra Detail, 8xMSAA, 16xAF.
Diablo III Beta doesn't miss out from these new drivers, where the immersive Ambient Occlusion shadowing now featuring in Diablo III, which looks quite good. Instructions on how to enable this feature are available on NVIDIA's website.