Just because that tablet you’ve got your eye on is running Android doesn’t mean you’ll be able to access the Android Market. While the criteria are complicated, there are a number of telltale signs that should give you an idea of whether that tablet runs Android Market or a wonky alternative Android app store. Click through for our easy ten point checklist.
December, 2010
The Godzilla of tech patent lawsuits that dropped a couple of months ago, has rolled onto its back and begged to be tickled. Ot at least that’s what it must seem like to all those listed. Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder, dropped the suit at the end of August, claiming that he owned the technology behind basic web functions like suggested reading and pop up stock quotes. He was claiming against just about everybody: Google, Facebook, eBay, Apple, Yahoo!, AOL, YouTube and others, but not Amazon.
Now, the lawsuit has fallen to bits, because Allen forgot to point out where the patents he said were being violated were actually being used. Woops. Judge Marsha Pechman said that Allen had “failed to identify the infringing products or devices with any specificity.” Allen now has until 28 December to amend his complaint, but it’s not looking hopeful.
[via PC Pro]
The Android Maret has been given a good old facelift, chemical peel and a touch of botox. The redesign has been a ong time coming, but it changes one key part of the Android Market policy: you’ll no longer have 24 hours to get a refund on app purchases, and the time window for refunds is cut to just 15 minutes.
The Google Latitude iPhone app appeared and then disappeared in one night back towards the end of last week in the Japanese App Store. But now it appears to be back on, as Google Latitude has popped up officially in the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users.
Last week we asked you what you’d rather have running on your tablet: Android 2.3 or Chrome OS. While there was a good dose of apathy in the voters, Android 2.3 floored Chrome OS. 54 per cent of you said that you’d choose Android 2.3 over Chrome OS, despite the fact that Chrome OS is designed for netbooks, and Android 2.3 is intended for smartphones. In comparison, 14 per cent of you said that Chrome OS is the future, beaten by the 18 per cent of you that said you didn’t want to run Chrome OS or Android 2.3 on a tablet. Another 14 per cent said you had no preference, and would likely be happy with either. This could be that, compared to Android 2.3, there’s a lack of understanding about the nuts and bolts of Chrome OS. Do we really understand what it’ll be like to use it?
Today we’ve dropped our Google Nexus S review, the first Android smartphone to come packing the all new Android Gingerbread 2.3. Having seen what Android 2.3 can do, do you want to swap Froyo for Android 2.3, or are you sticking with what you’ve got? Click and tell, and to read more about Android 2.3, head over to our Google Nexus S review.
The annual Spike Video Game Awards (VGAs) went down in the US over the weekend, and while Red Dead Redemption swept the board, the event has become just as important as a place to unveil brand new games. We got trailers for some top notch looking, headline games, and we’ve got them rounded up for you right here.
What a morning it’s been for gadget news and views. Android phones, secret Apple products and the most addictive game ever: it’s all waiting for you here in our lunchtime news roundup!